Do You Get Wildcards for Banned Cards in MTG Arena? The Ultimate Guide
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The short answer is yes, you typically get Wildcard refunds when cards you own in MTG Arena are banned. This compensation comes in the form of Wildcards of equal rarity to the banned card, which you can then use to craft replacements for your decks. However, the specifics can get a bit nuanced, so let’s dive into the details.
Understanding Wildcard Compensation
When a card is banned in a format like Standard or Historic, Wizards of the Coast, the makers of Magic: The Gathering, acknowledges the disruption this causes to players who have invested in those cards. To mitigate this, they offer Wildcards as a form of reimbursement.
The key things to remember about this process are:
- Rarity Matters: You receive Wildcards of the same rarity as the banned card. If you owned a banned Rare card, you’ll get a Rare Wildcard. If it was a Mythic Rare, you’ll get a Mythic Rare Wildcard, and so on.
- One Refund Per Card: You won’t receive multiple refunds for the same individual card. For instance, if you own three copies of a card banned in Standard, you will get three Wildcards of that card’s rarity, but you won’t get the same compensation if the card is subsequently banned in Historic.
- Specific Formats Apply: This compensation typically applies to Standard and Historic, the main constructed formats on MTG Arena. Bans in other formats might not always trigger Wildcard compensation. It depends on the situation.
- Full Ownership is Key: You only receive Wildcards for the number of copies of the banned card you own. If you only had one copy of a banned Mythic Rare, you’ll only get one Mythic Rare Wildcard.
- Timing is Everything: Usually, the Wildcard refunds are automatically applied to your account soon after the announcement. Keep an eye on the MTG Arena client for updates and prompts.
It’s important to always check the official MTG Arena announcements when a banning occurs to understand the precise details of the compensation plan. These announcements provide clarity on which formats are affected and how the Wildcard refunds will be distributed.
FAQs: Wildcards and Banned Cards in MTG Arena
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process and provide additional valuable information for MTG Arena players:
1. What happens if a card I own is suspended instead of banned?
Suspension and banning are different. Suspension is temporary and usually doesn’t warrant Wildcard compensation. If a card is later permanently banned after being suspended, then compensation becomes applicable.
2. What if I crafted the card using Wildcards in the first place? Does that change anything?
No, it doesn’t matter if you crafted the card using Wildcards or obtained it from packs. If you own the card at the time of the ban, you’re entitled to the Wildcard refund of equal rarity.
3. Can I use the Wildcards I get immediately after receiving them?
Yes, the Wildcards are added to your inventory and are immediately available for you to use to craft any other card of the corresponding rarity.
4. Will I receive compensation if a card is banned in Brawl or other specialty formats?
Generally, compensation is focused on Standard and Historic. Bans in other formats like Brawl or Explorer might not trigger Wildcard refunds unless specifically stated by Wizards of the Coast.
5. What if I don’t want the Wildcards? Can I get gems or store credit instead?
Unfortunately, there is no option to receive gems or store credit instead of Wildcards. The compensation is strictly provided in the form of Wildcards.
6. If I own more than 4 copies of a card (due to duplicate protection), will I get extra Wildcards?
MTG Arena typically provides duplicate protection, meaning you won’t open more than four copies of any given card in boosters until you have a playset of all the cards of that rarity in the set. Therefore, you would never own more than 4 to get extra compensation.
7. How can I keep track of cards that are at risk of being banned?
Keep an eye on community discussions, professional MTG content creators, and official Wizards of the Coast announcements. Cards with very high win rates or those creating problematic gameplay loops are often candidates for banning.
8. Do Wildcard refunds apply if a card is banned in a physical format like Pioneer or Modern?
No, Wildcard refunds only apply to MTG Arena. Bans in physical formats do not impact your MTG Arena collection.
9. What if I’m new to MTG Arena and don’t know what Wildcards are for?
Wildcards are a currency in MTG Arena that allows you to craft any specific card of the same rarity. Think of them as universal crafting tokens.
10. What’s the fastest way to acquire Wildcards outside of bans?
The fastest way is generally by opening packs, because packs have a chance to contain Wildcards. Additionally, the Wildcard Track advances as you open packs, guaranteeing you more Wildcards over time. Buying more packs translates into more Wildcards at a faster rate.
11. If a card is banned and then later unbanned, do I have to return the Wildcards I received?
No, you get to keep the Wildcards. If the card becomes legal again, you can simply add it back into your decks.
12. Are there any limits on the number of Wildcards I can hold in my inventory?
MTG Arena does have a maximum number of Wildcards you can hold for each rarity. If you exceed this limit, extra Wildcards may be converted into other rewards like gems or store credit, depending on the situation.
13. Do I need to contact customer support to get my Wildcard refunds?
No, the process is usually automated. The Wildcards are typically added to your account within a short period after the announcement of the banning.
14. How does the vault system tie into obtaining Wildcards?
As you collect duplicate common and uncommon cards, you make progress towards filling your Vault. Once full, the Vault opens and gives you a set number of Wildcards, including uncommon, rare, and mythic rare.
15. Is there a learning curve for newcomers to MTG Arena?
Yes, there is a learning curve, especially if you’re new to Magic: The Gathering. However, MTG Arena offers tutorials and resources to help you learn the game. You can also find valuable insights and strategies from the Games Learning Society through their research on educational games and digital game-based learning. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to explore more.
Conclusion: Wildcards as a Safety Net
Wildcard refunds offer a crucial safety net for MTG Arena players. While bannings can be frustrating, knowing that you’ll be compensated with Wildcards helps ease the sting and allows you to continue building and playing your favorite decks. Keeping up with MTG news and announcements is essential to understanding when and how these refunds apply, thus empowering you to adapt and thrive in the ever-evolving world of Magic: The Gathering Arena.