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Wizards of the Coast recently announced the list of banned and restricted MTG cards for this May. Magic: The Gathering is a constantly evolving game having new cards come out almost every other month. Having that said, players are bound to come up with new chaotic combos to utilize when attempting to win a game. While the goal of the game is to win at any cost, WotC tries its best to maintain balance in games.
With all that in mind, here are all the listed banned and restricted MTG cards.
Looking at all Formats with Banned and Restricted MTG Cards
MTG has come a long way from its early days in the 90s. Many new formats launched as time progressed which meant that new methods of winning also came along. However, some of them come across as too overpowered which WotC needs to address. Here are all the banned and restricted cards in each format.
Alchemy (MTG Arena), Commander, Historic (MTG Arena), Pioneer, Standard, Timeless
As of the moment, all formats are in a healthy state and are perfectly balanced. No changes were made to these formats but they're likely to see some adjustments when Modern Horizons 3 launches this coming June.
Brawl
There weren't any changes made to Brawl, however, WotC is currently observing the gameplay. Brawl is basically Commander (EDH) format but one-on-one and only allows 25 life per player. That said, most EDH-legal cards are also playable in the one-on-one format. Having that in mind, WotC is aware that some cEDH staples might disrupt the peace and create chaos in Brawl.
WotC is observing cards like Mana Drain and Paradox Engine for now. It wouldn't be surprising if they end up banning Paradox Engine considering how it isn't Commander-legal.
Explorer (MTG Arena)/Pauper
All That Glitters is one of the cards banned from Explorer and Pauper this May. To summarize MTG designer Gavin Verhey's explanation, All That Glitters becomes a problem early game and lasts until late game if opponents can't respond to it. Controllers of the Enchantment can easily cast it early-game given that it's only a two-cost (one white and one colorless) card. Not only does it buff one-cost creatures by turn two, but it also ramps its buffs as players successfully cast artifacts and other enchantments.
In addition, all Attraction or Sticker cards are banned from these formats.
Legacy
Legacy also bans all Attraction and Sticker cards. As for the more traditional banned MTG cards, WotC is monitoring the Legacy format too. Right now, they have their sights set on Orcish Bowmasters and Grief.
Grief in particular has been popping off for Legacy players who run Reanimate decks. Given how players can choose which card their opponents discard, they now have the luxury of stealing that card from the graveyard and putting it under their control. It gets worse when artifacts like Panharmonicon are on the battlefield.
Based on previous tendencies, Legacy format usually bans cards whenever a Modern Horizons expansion comes out. With the third set looming around, it's likely major adjustments will come to the format.
Modern
Like most other formats, Modern will likely see changes to the format's meta when Modern Horizons 3 comes out. The format notably became well-balanced after previously banning Violent Outburst. However, that doesn't mean WotC is no longer keeping an eye on Modern.
Players are currently voicing their concern for Leyline of the Guildpact, which is a lethal combo piece with Scion of Draco. Leyline of the Guildpact can easily turn Scion into a two-cost creature from its original 12-cost thanks to its ability to make all lands every basic land type. Scion also has Domain which makes it two less to cast for every basic land type the player controls.
Given how the enchantment converts all nonland permanents into all colors, they can maximize Scion's ability. White creatures gain vigilance, blue creatures gain hexproof, black creatures gain lifelink, red creatures gain first strike, and green creatures gain trample. Despite how menacing the combo sounds, WotC says that it has an appropriate win rate, which is most likely why these cards aren't banned or restricted yet.
Vintage
Aside from the Attraction and Sticker cards, there are no other bans or restrictions for Vintage this May. However, WotC is looking out for Urza's Saga. The format is likely to receive adjustments come Modern Horizon 3's release.
Full list of Banned Attraction and Sticker MTG Cards
WotC tried its best to find ways to incorporate the janky mechanics of the Attraction and Sticker cards. Unfortunately, not everyone is a fan of them, especially for opponents who run copy decks. While certain players like playing with these fun mechanics, their opponents will somehow be forced to do the same if they end up possessing those cards or at least copying them.
Here's a full list of all the banned cards:
Attraction
- Coming Attraction
- Complaints Clerk
- Deadbeat Attendant
- Dee Kay, Finder of the Lost
- Discourtesy Clerk
- Draconian Gate-Bot
- “Lifetime” Pass Holder
- Line Cutter
- Monitor Monitor
- Myra the Magnificent
- Petting Zookeeper
- Quick Fixer
- Rad Rascal
- Ride Guide
- Seasoned Buttoneer
- Soul Swindler
- Spinnerette, Arachnobat
- Squirrel Squatters
- Step Right Up
- The Most Dangerous Gamer
Sticker
- Aerialephant
- Ambassador Blorpityblorpboop
- Baaallerina
- _____ Balls of Fire
- Bioluminary
- _____ Bird Gets the Worm
- Carnival Carnivore
- Chicken Troupe
- Clandestine Chameleon
- Command Performance
- Done for the Day
- Fight the _____ Fight
- Finishing Move
- Glitterflitter
- _____ Goblin
- Last Voyage of the _____
- Lineprancers
- Make a _____ Splash
- Minotaur de Force
- _____-o-saurus
- Park Bleater
- Pin Collection
- Prize Wall
- Proficient Pyrodancer
- Robo-Piñata
- _____ _____ Rocketship
- Roxi, Publicist to the Stars
- Scampire
- Stiltstrider
- Sword-Swallowing Seraph
- Ticketomaton
- _____ _____ _____ Trespasser
- Tusk and Whiskers
- Wicker Picker
- Wizards of the _____
- Wolf in _____ Clothing
With Modern Horizons 3 looming around, the banned and restricted cards will likely be announced after a couple of weeks from the set's launch. MH3 honestly looks like it could impact all formats with a bunch of new powerful cards soon coming out. Players can now pre-order one of their bundles, booster boxes, and precons at their local game stores.
For more MTG news, be sure to check out ClutchPoints Gaming.
