New Mulligan Rule and Other Changes

New mulligan rules:

103.4. Each player draws a number of cards equal to his or her starting hand size, which is normally seven. (Some effects can modify a player’s starting hand size.) A player who is dissatisfied with his or her initial hand may take a mulligan. First, the starting player declares whether or not he or she will take a mulligan. Then each other player in turn order does the same. Once each player has made a declaration, all players who decided to take mulligans do so at the same time. To take a mulligan, a player shuffles his or her hand back into his or her library, then draws a new hand of one fewer cards than he or she had before. If a player kept his or her hand of cards, those cards become the player’s opening hand, and that player may not take any further mulligans. This process is then repeated until no player takes a mulligan. (Note that if a player’s hand size reaches zero cards, that player must keep that hand.) Then, beginning with the starting player and proceeding in turn order, any player whose opening hand has fewer cards than his or her starting hand size may scry 1.

Timing on Implementation of the Scry Rule

“This rule will make its debut at Pro Tour Magic Origins, which takes place July 31–August 2. This is the only tournament during which this rule will be in effect for now. After the Pro Tour, we will have more information regarding when this rule will be implemented everywhere else.”

Matches on Camera

The Head Judge can now review video of matches to aid in an investigation of any rules violations that may have occurred during the video coverage for Pro Tours, the World Championship, and the World Magic Cup. The decision whether to use video as part of an investigation rests solely with the head judge.

Additionally, dedicated members of the judge staff will be stationed to watch matches that are broadcast live as part of the video coverage for Pro Tours, the World Championship, and the World Magic Cup. In the event a plays happens which is a rules violation, the judge stationed to watch the broadcast will have the ability to stop play and inform the head judge. The head judge can then use any video evidence to conduct his investigations.

Layout Changes

• Creatures must be in front of lands, and nothing can be behind lands.
• The library can be on either side of the play area (left or right).
• The graveyard must be adjacent to the library (player can choose which side of play area both are on).
• The exile zone must be near the library/graveyard and must be distinct from the graveyard.
• If a card is exiled by a permanent in play, the exiled card must be placed in proximity to the exiling permanent such that it is obvious that the two are associated.
• All untapped cards in play must face the controller of that card.