Wizards of the Coast Bans Vivi Ornitier in Major MTG Format Changes

RENTON, Wash. — Wizards of the Coast announced the banning of Vivi Ornitier on November 10, marking a significant shakeup in the Magic: The Gathering Standard format. This decision, driven by competitive integrity concerns, aims to restore balance and diversity in gameplay.

Vivi Ornitier, which has dominated Standard since its release in June 2025, was deemed too powerful, often leading to automatic victories for those who played it. Many players paired it with Agatha’s Soul Cauldron, creating a nearly unbeatable strategy that left little room for counterplay. Wizards’ design team described the situation as creating a format with no viable alternatives.

“Vivi Ornitier is warping the Standard format and likely needs to go,” the developer announced, rushing the information out two weeks ahead of schedule due to the urgent need for changes.

The decision affects approximately 80% of the competitive decks currently played. Pro Tour events scheduled for late November will now follow a new set of rules without the “Vivi problem,” inspiring community optimism for fresh strategies.

Several other cards were included in the ban announcement across various formats, responding to an ongoing pattern of predictable play and strategies dominating tournaments. These changes arrive as players express frustration over repetitive matchups, leading to decreased interest in Standard.

The bans not only affect Standard but also touch on Historic, Pioneer, and Pauper formats, leading to widespread anticipation in the community for the possibilities that lie ahead.

In light of these changes, players are excited to explore new deck combinations and strategies, hoping this will inspire creativity and bring back the fun of diverse gameplay.