Shop Refunding Magic: The Gathering Players After Latest Commander Bans

Shop Refunding Magic: The Gathering Players After Latest Commander Bans

Key Takeaways

  • Some game shops are offering refunds on recently banned Magic: The Gathering commander cards, upsetting players.
  • The bans were aimed at controlling “fast” mana access, surprising many players and causing a drop in card value.
  • Fans were caught off guard by the bans, as some cards were seen as staples in the Commander format.

As a seasoned Magic: The Gathering (MTG) gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say I am both surprised and appreciative of the recent refund policies some game shops have implemented for the banned Commander cards. While I understand the need for balance in the game, I’ve seen my fair share of powerful cards come and go, but these bans seem to have hit particularly close to home.


As a passionate Magic: The Gathering player, I’ve been thrilled to see certain game shops offering full refunds on recently banned cards. However, given that some of these cards were valued at close to $100, it’s hard not to feel a bit short-changed by the latest bans.

Occasionally, certain cards in the game Magic: The Gathering are disallowed for use in specific game modes due to reasons such as preserving enjoyment and equilibrium within the game. These bans typically occur swiftly after new sets are released, allowing players to anticipate which cards might be banned. However, recent bans in the Commander format took many Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts by surprise, causing discontent among those whose decks were rendered illegal following the ban.

In reaction to the card bans, certain gaming outlets are giving refunds to customers who bought the restricted cards recently from their stores. Reddit user Aandaas highlighted a shop providing full returns on purchases dating back three months, and another post mentioned a store nearby offering similar refund policies over the last few weeks for recent purchases. The ban of these cards in the Magic: The Gathering community has sparked much discussion, and since Commander is considered the most beginner-friendly format, the banning of these cards reduces their value considerably and even renders them useless in some cases. This is a contentious issue for players who paid high prices for these cards before the ban, as they now feel the loss of their investment.

Some Game Stores are Offering Refunds on Recently Banned Commander Cards

The rationale behind these prohibitions was to regulate the quantity of swift mana sources that players can utilize, particularly those that are free or self-replenishing. Cards like Jeweled Lotus, Mana Crypt, and Dockside Extortionist were prime examples of this phenomenon. Nadu, Winged Wisdom does not adhere to this principle directly, but it has become troublesome enough in recent gameplay to warrant a ban. The ban on Nadu was anticipated by many in the community due to its disruptive influence since its release earlier this year, but the bans on Mana Crypt, Jeweled Lotus came as a surprise to many fans. There have always been whispers of Dockside Extortionist being banned, but Mana Crypt and Jeweled Lotus have long held significant power in Commander games for years, making their sudden ban unexpected, especially when considering the limited usability of Jeweled Lotus outside the Commander format.

This ban affects many popular choices in the Commander format for Magic: The Gathering, causing a divided reaction within the fan base. The financial worth of these cards has plummeted, but luckily, it appears some local game stores are collaborating with players to lessen the financial impact of these bans.

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2024-09-26 00:43