Magic: The Gathering Unbans New Cards in Commander Format

Renton, Washington—Magic: The Gathering has officially unbanned five cards in its Commander format, marking the first significant change since Wizards of the Coast took over last year.

The announcement was made on the official Magic: The Gathering website, and the unbanned cards are effective immediately. However, they will be placed on the Game Changers list, which includes other powerful cards like Tergrid, Smothering Tithe, and Ancient Tomb, suitable for high-tier decks.

The new bracket system introduced last year permits these cards in the higher-bracket games. For instance, Coalition Victory, which requires eight mana and having your commander out, is now usable, while Gifts Ungiven serves as either a combo piece in competitive environments or a fun alternative to the standard Fact or Fiction in various settings.

Notably, Braids has made a return to Commander, as it had been banned since 2009, creating excitement among fans. However, many had hoped for the unbanning of last year’s controversially banned cards, including Mana Crypt, Jewelled Lotus, and Dockside Extortionist. According to Magic designer Gavin Verhey, “We did talk about these cards and are not unbanning them at this time,” stating that the “book is closed on these three cards.”

In addition, Wizards of the Coast has confirmed that no new cards will be banned at least until the end of 2025, barring any extreme situations where a card becomes “generally reviled” and necessitates a ban. Last September, Wizards took control of the Commander format, which had been previously managed by fans. The newly created Commander Format Panel is designed to provide feedback and guidance, but ultimately, Wizards retains final authority over card status.