Energy isn't completely dead. Neither is Ramunap Red. They've just been hobbled. While there are many different 'feelings' on this matter, it's important right now to look at what this does to the Standard playing field.

The article that announced the bannings discussed win percentages and how long Energy and Ramunap Red decks were in primacy. At the heart of the article, never explicitly stated, was the real problem. Why were these decks, or any deck for that matter that has caused a banning, singled out?

Answer:









Early game dominance.





Both decks were fantastic at early game battlefield set up. That is why other decks fell short again and again. By the time your cool turn 6 deck was in full swing, you were down to 3 life and hoping they didn't draw a Lightning Strike. I must preface this discussion with the theory that by turn 5 (most of the time) you're either set up to win or fighting for a lucky break.









What does this mean now?





This means we will now be playing to turn 5...and this is a big deal. Playing to turn 5 means the bulk of the tools introduced in Rivals of Ixalan are now available to make the battlefield early enough to support a win condition. These are 4, 5, and 6 drop spells that carry a large amount of power and diversity...answers to previously untouchable issues.





In addition to opening up the field, these bannings also create an opportunity to make the Ascend mechanic work. Was this intentional? Absolutely.





Here are some cards that I think will find their way into stronger decks over the next few weeks.









Angrath, in playtesting, has allowed me to remove multiple indestructible creatures (with the -3 ability). It's +1 is constant non-combat damage and discard...a duo that is good under any condition. And if you make it to it's ultimate...it could win you the game.









Shutting down your opponent's ability to remove the threat of Azor for an entire turn is magnificent. And if you cast it with 6 mana, you can swing in for that much and, in turn, swing the game directly in your favor with a 3 card draw and gaining 3 life.









With the introduction of the Forerunner creatures, especially Forerunnner of the Empire, creatures that rely on constant Enrage triggers will now have a partner to make it happen.









Charging Tuskodon is a monster. With 4/4 and trample and a residual doublestrike, a bump in power on this creature could mean the game. At 5 CMC, it could be on the board by turn 4 with any sort of ramp. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with this one.









The pirate tribe now has a huge power boost. By dropping this turn 4, you can instantly redeem the investment by bumping up things like Storm Fleet Swashbuckler, which can have a profound late game effect.









These two Elder Dinosaurs have unique and insanely powerful abilities. Etali's ability to exile and cast any spell that you topdeck off of both your and your opponent's library without paying for it (reminder..you have a choice), is unparalleled. This is unlike anything currently in standard. I expect this to make it's way into the meta as soon as people get out of their comfort zones. Tetzimoc has an interesting effect on the game. Once you start putting prey counters on your opponent's creatures, they will start to hold up mana to prevent Tetzimoc from hitting the battlefield. They might even let you cast other spells without responding in order to keep their creatures alive.









Wakening Sun's Avatar, due to an upswing in dinosaur support, including dino-ramp, now has a chance to make it into the game. If you are rocking a battlefield full of dinos, this one is a one-sided Fumigate (minus the life gain).



In summary:



If you are a deck builder and aren't overwhelmingly excited right now...you aren't doing it right. We are in THE bubble. Nobody knows what's going to happen. Will a tribal deck swoop in and dominate the meta? Will Mardu Vehicles make a surprise resurgence? Is New Perspectives back? You know what the answer is? Neither do I. But I can safely say that right now, if you aren't studying every card Standard trying to put together the jankiest pile ever seen, you're missing out.





Note: I think it is interesting that WOTC banned one card from each of the following sets: