Throughout 2012, several iterations of the "missed trigger rule" portion of the IPG (Infraction Procedure Guide, the handbook and guidelines for judges handling rules enforcement across its many levels) were published. The goal of these changes was to make players themselves, and not their opponents, responsible for beneficial triggers while at the same time keeping players from being able to "forget" their own detrimental triggers either. It wasn't an easy road, and the competitive community make their voices clear throughout the process.

Today, Magic Rules Manager Matt Tabak shared a new update to the trigger rules policy, and how they will be handled going forward. While the official announcement has more detail, here is everything at a high level:

• At Regular REL (Rules Enforcement Level), such as Prereleases and FNMs, players aren't allowed to miss their triggers, and opponents aren't required to remind them.

All of the following points apply to Competitive and Professional RELs (such as PTQs or Pro Tours), and revolve around the principle that a player must verbally or physically "demonstrate awareness" of these triggers:

• A triggered ability that requires its controller to choose targets (other than "target opponent"), modes, or other choices made when the ability is put onto the stack. (For example, exalted triggers.)
• A triggered ability that causes a change in the visible game state (including life totals) or requires a choice upon resolution.
• A triggered ability that changes the rules of the game. (For example, Pyreheart Wolf.)
• A triggered ability that affects the game state in non-visible ways. (For example, the +1 loyalty ability of Jace, Architect of Thought.)

There were other policy updates as well, including unification of different classifications of cheating into one infraction with clearer language, but these changes to triggers will have the greatest impact at your next high level event. Of course, if you have questions or concerns about rules, penalties, and how they would be applied, you should talk to your local judges or those wherever you play next.