Today, I thought we’d take a look at the soon to be changing standard rotation. We’ve had the same rotation pattern for years, but things will be changing later this year. So let’s go over what will be changing.

For many years, Standard rotated once per year, in the fall when the first set of the new block was released. When this happened, all of the oldest block, plus the oldest core set would rotate out of standard and would no longer be legal.

But starting this spring, rotation will be changing. Instead of rotating once per year, we’ll be rotating twice per year. We’re moving away from having one three-set block plus a core set every year, and we’re just going to have two two-set blocks per year. When Oath of the Gatewatch becomes legal in Standard early next year, nothing will rotate out of Standard, since Oath of the Gatewatch is still a part of Battle for Zendikar block. However, in April, when the first set of the next block (Shadows Over Innistrad) becomes legal in Standard, two sets will rotate out: Khans of Tarkir and Fate Reforged. The last set of Khans block (Dragons of Tarkir), along with Magic Origins, will remain Standard-legal until next fall, when the first set of the next block will be released.

Just keep that in mind later in the spring when Shadows over Innistrad becomes legal: for the first time in a long time, when the spring set becomes legal, other sets will rotate out of standard.

Today’s Tournament Tip written by Nathan Long