At this point, Magic: The Gathering has so many formats that it can be hard to keep up with all of them. That’s why many fans gravitate toward just a few, such as Standard and Commander. The former is seeing a big shakeup as of this week.
Based on a new blog from Wizards of the Coast, we now know of several additional banned and restricted announcements, including one that affects a widely used card. Based on this post, Wizards is aiming squarely at a powerful piece of the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond set.
Vivi Has Finally Been Banned
After Players Have Asked For Months
Released back in June of this year, the Final Fantasy Magic: The Gathering set has done incredibly well for Wizards of the Coast. It broke numerous sales records, and the product was extremely difficult to find due to the intense demand. Because it’s such a popular set, there was considerable scrutiny regarding a select few cards, notably Vivi Ornitier.
Several months ago, Vivi comprised as much as 50% of competitive decks in some regions for multiple reasons. His low mana cost allows him to get on the board quickly before he can be answered, and his ability to deal damage directly to opponents has no real cap. Combined with a card called Agatha’s Soul Cauldron (introduced in Wilds of Eldraine), a Vivi deck commanded a large buy-in price, as well as a high power level.
Vivi isn’t the only culprit, either, as Proft’s Eidetic Memory was controversial, too. Here is the full ban/restricted list from Wizards of the Coast:
Standard
- Vivi Ornitier is banned.
- Screaming Nemesis is banned.
- Proft’s Eidetic Memory is banned.
Pioneer
- Heartfire Hero is banned.
Modern
Legacy
- Entomb is banned.
- Nadu, Winged Wisdom is banned.
Vintage
Pauper
Alchemy
Historic
- Force of Negation is pre-banned.
- Frantic Search is pre-banned.
- Mystical Tutor is pre-banned.
- Entomb is pre-banned.
- Dark Depths is pre-banned.
Timeless
Brawl
- Strip Mine is banned.
- Mana Drain is banned.
- Chrome Mox is banned
- Ancient Tomb is banned.
The Next Bans Are Set To be Announced In February
Ideally, This Tides People Over
Vivi has dominated the conversation in Standard for the past few months, but there are plenty of other wins with these newest changes. One of the lowest-key parts of the restricted/banned announcement is easily the subject of Brawl. So far, Brawl fans seem to be satisfied with this ban list, with some even stating they will return to the format, despite the lack of official support.
The next banned and restricted announcement in Magic: The Gathering is scheduled for February 9, 2025. By then, two more sets could arrive: Avatar: The Last Airbender (Universes Beyond), and Lorwyn Eclipsed, which is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2026.
- Release Date
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August 5, 1993
- Created by
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Richard Garfield
- Video Game(s)
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Magic: The Gathering, Magic the Gathering Commander, Magic: The Gathering – Battlegrounds, Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012, Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers, Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012, Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013, Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers 2014, Magic: The Gathering Arena
- Character(s)
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Jace Beleren, Chandra Nalaar, Liliana Vess, Garruk Wildspeaker, Nissa Revane, Ajani Goldmane, Nicol Bolas, Teferi, Gideon Jura, Sorin Markov, Ral Zarek