(Positive) Changes to Standard (Pauper) rotation

On August 25, Mark Rosewater announced huge changes to the way Standard format rotates. Opinions in response were mixed. For some, more frequent rotations meant less stagnant environments, for others it meant increases in costs to play the game. While everyone was arguing about the future of the most popular Magic format, they completely forgot there is another format influenced by these changes – Standard Pauper! Luckily for us, slightly increased costs shouldn’t hurt at all. So, it’s pure upside! More cards, more blocks, more fun! In case you don’t understand what’s all this buzz about, let’s take a look at these glorified changes.

First, the changes set printing throughout the years:

1. Beginning in the Fall of 2015, Magic Blocks Will Be Two Sets Each

2. Beginning in the Fall of 2015, Magic Will Have Two Blocks Per Year

3. Beginning in 2016, the Core Sets Are No More

I imagine, you’re as excited as me to hear that we will get twice as many storylines in a year. Beginning in 2015, we will be visiting more planes and Wizards should have more space to create flavorful cards with interesting design and such. In addition to that, we are getting rid of Core Sets. They weren’t a huge problem to me, but cards in these were usually very simple, often reprinted and they didn’t provide as much fun as a completely new block. That’s the way we will get our cards delivered in the future, but what’s more important, is how Standard (Pauper) rotations will happen. Make sure you understand what’s written below!

4: Beginning in 2016, the First Set of Each Block (the Fall and Spring Sets) Will Cause a Rotation

5: Beginning in 2016, Standard Will Be Three Blocks Rather Than Two Blocks

In a year and a half, card pool in Standard will change much more frequently. The first set of every two-set block will force the oldest block to shift out. Standard will always consist of either 5 or 6 sets and 3 blocks. What’s even more important to know for us, is the way switching to the new system in 2015 will work.

First of all, Khans of Tarkir will work as usual – Return to Ravnica will leave us along with M14, while Theros and M15 will stay. Everything is staying normal during this block next year and our last Core Set – M16, will join us as usual. Then, the first two-set block, codenamed “Blood” will cause Theros to rotate out. The next block after it, “Tears”, will cut off only Khans of Tarkir and it’s second set, leaving KtK 3^rd set in Standard. That's the start of our future Standard with 3 two-set blocks in it all the time.

Be aware, how cards will shift in our near future and I guarantee you fun times, where we are no longer stuck with the same cards for whole two years. It is a good time to be playing Standard Pauper guys and I’m certainly happy about that.

See you next time,
MundisV

(Edit from Adner) Here's the way rotation will impact Standard once KtK is released :
http://www.gatheringmagic.com/news-08252014-new-release-schedule-and-standard-rotation/