Article at a Glance

• The MTG Neheb Rule Change Reversion
• A Victory For The People?

Earlier this week, Wizards of the Coast (WotC) faced significant backlash after announcing a change that would impact several older Magic: The Gathering (MTG) cards, most notably Neheb, the Eternal. The change involved how the 'Postcombat Main Phase' was handled, altering the functionality of these cards. This decision, seen as detrimental by many players, especially those invested in Commander decks, led to widespread dissatisfaction within the community.

  The MTG Neheb Rule Change Reversion

In response to the community's strong reaction, WotC decided to reverse the controversial change. This decision was communicated by Matt Tabak, Principal Magic Editor at WotC, on Twitter. Initially, the rule change indicated that cards referring to the Postcombat main phase would only trigger their abilities during the first Postcombat main phase, now labeled the second main phase. This adjustment significantly reduced the effectiveness of Neheb, rendering many strategies and decks unviable.

However, after considering the community's feedback, WotC opted to make special exemptions for the affected cards. This means that Neheb and similar cards will continue to function as intended, with minor wording adjustments to align with the new templating rules. The reversion ensures that players can still utilize powerful combos, such as those involving Neheb and Aggravated Assault, in their Commander games.

A Victory For The People?



The community's reaction to this reversion was overwhelmingly positive. Many players praised WotC for listening to their concerns and making changes that benefit the broader MTG community. The decision to revert the rule change is seen as a win for player engagement and satisfaction.

Despite the general approval, some competitive players expressed frustration, feeling that Commander is often given preferential treatment over other formats. This sentiment was voiced by players who believe that similar attention should be given to addressing issues in competitive formats, such as the ongoing debates around card bans in Modern.

In conclusion, while the reversion of the Neheb rule change primarily benefits Commander players, it also highlights the importance of community feedback in shaping the game's development. This instance serves as a reminder of the balance WotC must maintain between different formats and player preferences.