Can a judge change tournament rules mid-event?

The correct response aligns with the established protocol that judges must follow to maintain the integrity and fairness of a tournament. Judges are not permitted to unilaterally change tournament rules during an event unless they identify an error that necessitates adjustments to ensure a fair game environment. This approach is rooted in the principle of consistency; players join a tournament with an understanding of the rules in place, and any alterations could lead to confusion or dissatisfaction among players.

For instance, if a rule unintentionally led to a situation where players were not able to compete fairly—such as a misinterpretation of a card's functionality—judges have the authority to correct that specific issue to restore balance. This action helps maintain order and fairness without undermining the established expectations of the tournament's framework. Meanwhile, options suggesting that changes could be made based solely on player requests or judges’ discretion to improve gameplay do not align with the structured process put in place to govern competitive play, thereby emphasizing the importance of error correction over arbitrary changes.