Magic: The Gathering Players Sign Petitions After Commander Ban Update

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Magic: The Gathering Players Sign Petitions After Commander Ban Update

Key Takeaways

  • Fans petition to reverse bans on powerful Commander cards like “Dockside Extortionist” and “Jeweled Lotus” due to impact on gameplay.
  • Ban on “Dockside Extortionist,” “Jeweled Lotus,” “Mana Crypt,” and “Nadu” leads to Change.org petitions with over 2,500 signatures.
  • Despite valuable cards like “The One Ring,” fans debate impact of banned cards on game enjoyment while petitioning Wizards of the Coast.

As a seasoned Magic: The Gathering Commander player with over two decades under my belt, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia tinged with frustration upon hearing about the recent ban on “Dockside Extortionist,” “Jeweled Lotus,” “Mana Crypt,” and “Nadu.” These cards have been staples in my deck for years, adding an exciting layer of strategy and unpredictability to each game.

Online, numerous petitions have gained traction following Wizards of the Coast’s ban on four widely used cards in the Magic: The Gathering Commander game mode. Magic: The Gathering‘s Commander mode is one of the more preferred ways to play the card game, over the usual Standard format. In simpler terms, this format involves constructing a 100-card deck with individual cards and selecting a legendary creature as the deck’s leader, known as the “Commander.” The deck can only include cards that match the colors of the Commander, as an extra rule.

A commander’s deck often includes essential cards that enable players to cast potent spells on their game board. Typically, these decks include cards such as “Cultivate” and “Circuitous Route,” or other means of acquiring extra lands during a player’s turn. Additionally, there are artifact cards that are considered indispensable in every Commander deck, like “Sol Ring” and “Arcane Signet.” These cards enable the player to tap them for additional mana, which is the fundamental resource utilized to cast spells in Magic: The Gathering.

On September 23, 2024, the Rules Committee at Wizards of the Coast made changes to its ban list, adding “Dockside Extortionist,” “Jeweled Lotus,” “Mana Crypt,” and “Nadu, the Winged Wisdom.” These cards are extremely potent, though some argue they don’t hold the same weight as other cards such as the previously mentioned “Sol Ring.” As a result of these bans, supporters of Magic: The Gathering have voiced their worries through Change.org petitions, with one gathering over 2,500 signatures at the time of writing. Advocates for the Commander format of Magic: The Gathering emphasize in their petition that the differing strength of decks contributes to an engaging and unique gaming experience for players.

Change.org Petition Reaches Over 2,500 Signatures To Reverse Bans

“Dockside Extortionist,” one of the cards banned, creates an X number of treasure tokens that can be sacrificed to add a mana of any color. The X is determined by the number of artifacts and enchantments that the player’s opponents control. “Jeweled Lotus” and “Mana Crypt” are both artifacts like “Sol Ring” and “Arcane Signet” that give the player mana when tapped. The fourth card banned, “Nadu, the Winged Wisdom,” is a pretty powerful legendary creature that can be played as a commander. It enables all creatures controlled by the player, when targeted by a spell or ability, to reveal the top card of their library and play it if it’s a land card; otherwise, it’s added to their hand. There’s a limit to this happening, however, at twice per turn. Out of all the cards banned, Nadu can be considered the most powerful.

As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but marvel at the sheer power of “The One Ring” in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. This card is so potent, it makes the ones that have been banned seem like mere child’s play. In a fictional language reminiscent of Middle-earth, this priceless treasure was acquired by Post Malone for an astounding $2.6 million, a record-breaking price for any MTG card ever printed.

In Magic: The Gathering, cards are often prohibited due to powerful combinations that disrupt game balance. However, some question if the banned cards significantly diminish the enjoyment of the game to warrant removal. As for supporters of Magic: The Gathering, they can express their opinions by signing petitions on Change.org and addressing Wizards of the Coast in an attempt to overturn the decision.

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2024-09-25 04:53