Magic: The Gathering’s Commander Bans Controversy Explained

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Magic: The Gathering's Commander Bans Controversy Explained

Key Takeaways

  • New bans in MTG’s Commander format caused an uproar among fans due to the unexpected removal of valuable cards like Jeweled Lotus and Mana Crypt.
  • The bans have already led to reduced card value, impacted gameplay pace for good or bad, and balanced Commander deck power levels, but have also divided the community.
  • Players started petitions to reverse the bans, showcasing the significant impact on both the game’s economy and gameplay dynamics.

As a dedicated Magic: The Gathering enthusiast with years of experience under my belt and countless hours poured into Commander games, I must say that the recent bans have left me reeling. It’s not just about the financial impact on my collection or even the potential loss in gameplay dynamics – it’s the disruption to the camaraderie and shared joy that comes from crafting and playing these decks with friends.

Currently, “Magic: The Gathering” is experiencing significant transformations due to the launch of the Duskmourn: House of Horrors set following the hugely successful Bloomburrow, and Wizards of the Coast has further stirred things up with a blog post detailing four major bans in the Commander format of “MTG”. Commander is frequently lauded as the most enjoyable format for “Magic: The Gathering” due to its welcoming approach towards newcomers through preconstructed decks released with each set, and the sheer joy of crafting strategies for 4-player games. Nevertheless, while Commander continues to be an outstanding format for “MTG”, the recent bans have sparked a massive backlash among fans due to numerous reasons.

Generally speaking, Wizards of the Coast often removes one card from play while occasionally reinstating another, creating a balanced pace for rule updates and managing fan expectations. Additionally, certain playgroups might have discussions about “Rule 0” before starting a game of Commander, effectively self-regulating by setting deck power levels and determining which cards are acceptable to use. Therefore, the recent wave of bans in Magic: The Gathering was somewhat unexpected, particularly since two out of four cards were targeted for removal in Commander games. The banned cards are as follows:

  • Dockside Extortionist
  • Jeweled Lotus
  • Mana Crypt
  • Nadu, Winged Wisdom

Magic: The Gathering’s Commander Bans Kill Card Value For Big Staples

MTG’s Commander Bans Explained

Consequently, enthusiasts of the card game Magic: The Gathering initiated several petitions in an attempt to reverse the Commander bans or eliminate the Wizards of the Coast committee overseeing game balance. This move highlights the significant impact this decision has had on the wider community. Among the four cards, three were highly sought-after, with Dockside Extortionist previously valued at approximately $90 (now between $20 and $30, expected to drop further), Jeweled Lotus at around $100 (currently about $40, also likely to decrease), and Mana Crypt for around $190-200 (now around $70, probably to fall lower).

It’s possible to make a case that these restrictions are beneficial for the game in several aspects, including card cost, accessibility, deck balance, and pace. To illustrate this point, let’s consider Dockside Extortionist, a highly powerful Magic: The Gathering card in Commander format. Its ability to enter the battlefield (ETB) creates numerous “mana rocks” immediately, and it can further accelerate the game with mechanisms like recursion or flickering, allowing it to repeat its ETB effect multiple times. This card’s strength lies in its ability to speed up the game and provide an unfair advantage over other decks.

In much the same vein, Mana Crypt stood out as one of the most potent mana sources within Magic: The Gathering, boasting an exceptional turn-1 capability. This feature enabled players to amass up to 5 mana by turn two when used in conjunction with cards such as Arcan Signet or a variety of allegiance-themed talismans. Jeweled Lotus also demonstrates great strength, enabling players to cast their commander swiftly during the game’s early stages, and further serving as a tool to alleviate the cost of the commander tax down the line – all without requiring any mana. Lastly, Nadu posed significant challenges, prompting scrutiny even before its appearance in Commander format. Given its potential for immense power within Simic decks or Blue-Green combinations, it came as little surprise that it was ultimately banned.

Many fans found it surprising when Mana Crypt and Jeweled Lotus, which had previously been recognized as potentially troublesome cards, were all of a sudden banned, given that Dockside Extortionist and Nadu were still under investigation.

Despite affecting players irrespective of their fondness for Commander, these bans still cause significant distress due to the cards’ monetary worth. This presents a substantial challenge for small businesses and vendors who now face unexpected financial losses running into thousands of dollars as a result of the steep drop in the cards’ market value. Furthermore, even casual Commander players might find themselves engaged in awkward Rule 0 dialogues if they wish to utilize a banned card.

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2024-09-25 22:03