Watchlist and other changes Jan. 1st, 2012

[Vazdru]

Effective 01/01/2012:

Watchlist:

     * Sensei's Divining Top
     * Stoneforge Mystic
     * Birthing Pod
     * Worldly Tutor

Unban-Watchlist:

     * Life from the Loam
     * Lion's Eye Diamond
     * Yawgmoth's Will
     * Dread Return



Watchlist changes

Worldly Tutor

Worldy Tutor stands in a line with Enlightened and Mystical Tutor as C1 instant Tutor. Apart from Crop Rotation it's the only one of that kind left in the format since Entomb has gone. As Stoneforge Mystic has been recognized as banned-list-candidate and many decks play a toolbox of creatures which are giving them almost every solution to any given situation (Qasali, Sower, Venser, Thrun, Glen Elendra just to name a few) it's time to reevaluate if it's justified to make a difference between Enlightened, Mystical on the one hand side and Worldly on the other.

Dread Return

The main reason the card got banned was it's combo potential in Oliver Malina's deck after GP V. Time and meta have changed a lot, the card looks fairer now and is subjected to community review. On paper Angry-Ghoul still looks strong. To find out if i can still dominate we need some results vs tier 1 decks till April. Next season of HLL starting in February  will maybe give us some insight because all cards on the unban-watchlist will be allowed and hopefully will see some play next season.

Trinisphere

Our decision to unban Trinisphere proved to be right. The card makes Staxx obviously stronger and is a nice anti-aggro card too but didn't push staxx to next level. Staxx is still tier 2 based on the results we gathered since Trinisphere was unleashed - you'll find only one(!) top HL decklist using Trinisphere (http://mtgpulse.com/events-highlander). For now, that was the reason why Trinisphere has been vanished from the watchlist.

Imperial Seal

The feedback from the community encouraged us to remove Imperial Seal from the unban-watchlist. It hasn't been a matter of cost but the power level of the card itself which let us to come to this decision. Imperial Seal would have enabled dangerous T2 scenarios in almost every deck it would have been played. Although it is just sorcery speed - unlike the banned C1 tutors - it's quite hard to react on a T1 Seal and potential T2 unknown threat like e.g. Stoneforge Mystic or Oath of Druids. In addition of the fact it is a tutor for all purposes lead us finally come to the decision to remove the seal just a few month after it has been introduced as an unban-candidate.


Other changes

Highlander Council

The formation of the highlander council has been modified. MarkusMagic retired and Tabris complete the new HL coucil from today on.

Tabris proved his dedication for HL in many ways for a long time already. He promotes our format with various innovative projects and he has an excellent reputation in the highlander community not just for his high play and deck builder skills. We feel certain that he can be of great help for our future work and welcome him in our circle.

We encourage people who want to join the HL council to show a great deal of commitment for our format and he/she will always get their chance to join our ranks.

As some guys asked, below the formation of the current HL council -founded by HL godfather Sturmgott- as from now:
(In order of their membership)

malz77 - member of the first hour, TO of several HL GPs
Vazdru - principal supporter of the international HL forum, initiator of HL Online League (HLL)
firestarter - one of the best and most successful players in HL history based on his tournament record
pyyhttu - representative of the huge Finnish HL community, German Open Winner 2010
Nastaboi - Finnish National Champion 2011, several HL league and online championship victories
Tabris - main promoter of HL

Each member has one vote for ban/unban/watchlist and other changes concerning the HL format and HL council.
Each decision is made by at least 2/3 majority.


We wish you a Happy New Year 2012!