Is Oko Still Banned? A Comprehensive Look at the Reign of Oko, Thief of Crowns

Yes, Oko, Thief of Crowns remains banned in several prominent Magic: The Gathering (MTG) formats. This powerful planeswalker shook the competitive landscape upon its release and quickly earned a reputation as one of the most oppressive cards in recent memory, resulting in swift bans across multiple formats. Let’s delve into the details of Oko’s tumultuous journey and its current status.

The Meteoric Rise and Fall of Oko

Released in the Throne of Eldraine expansion on October 4, 2019, Oko, Thief of Crowns made an immediate impact. Its versatility and sheer power level allowed it to slot into a multitude of decks, dominating the meta across multiple formats. The ability to turn opposing threats into Elk, generate life, and potentially ultimate into a game-ending advantage made it nearly impossible to deal with. This led to a rapid series of bans that made Oko a notorious figure in MTG history.

Oko’s Banned Status Across Formats

The speed and breadth of Oko’s bans were truly remarkable. Here’s a breakdown of where it was deemed too powerful for healthy gameplay:

• Brawl: Banned in early November 2019, shortly after its release.
• Standard: Banned a few weeks after its Brawl ban.
• Pioneer: Banned in December 2019.
• Modern: Banned after a mere 101 days of legality.
• Historic: “Suspended,” effectively the same as banned, before also becoming formally banned.

The reasons behind these bans centered on Oko’s ability to provide easy answers to almost any situation. This resulted in homogenized gameplay patterns, where strategies became overly reliant on Oko’s presence. His dominance essentially stifled creativity and led to repetitive, uninspiring matches.

Why Was Oko Banned?

The core problem was Oko’s overwhelming power and flexibility. As a three-mana planeswalker, Oko provided incredible value for his cost, making it easy to overwhelm opponents. Specifically:

• Versatile Removal: His +1 ability to turn a creature or artifact into a 3/3 Elk effectively negated threats, even those with significant abilities.
• Life Gain and Pressure: His +2 ability to gain life and create a food token helped sustain his controller while creating a board presence.
• Game-Ending Ultimate: His -5 ultimate could create a copy of an opponent’s creature, often providing a decisive advantage.
• Lack of Poor Matchups: In Pioneer, Oko had a win rate close to 60% with barely any unfavorable matchups, demonstrating its overbearing dominance.

This combination of power and adaptability meant that Oko was effective in nearly any deck that could play it, leading to an unhealthy game environment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Oko

Here are some common questions about Oko, Thief of Crowns, and its place in the MTG world:

1. Is Oko, Thief of Crowns currently legal in any constructed format?

Oko, Thief of Crowns is not legal in any major constructed format including Modern, Pioneer, Standard, and Historic. It is also banned in Brawl.

2. How long did it take for Oko to be banned in all formats?

Oko was banned across multiple formats relatively quickly. It was released on October 4, 2019, and was banned in Standard within 45 days, in Pioneer within 73 days, and in Modern within 101 days. This was indeed an extremely rapid series of bans, making it one of the most swiftly banned cards in Magic history.

3. Why is Oko still an expensive card if it’s banned everywhere?

Even though Oko is banned in most major formats, it remains expensive due to its continued use in Commander. Many players use it as a potent utility card or even as an alternate commander (Oko, the Trickster). The lingering demand, combined with its iconic status as an infamous card, maintains its high price.

4. Is Oko banned in Commander?

Oko, Thief of Crowns is not legal as a commander or in the 99 of any commander deck, but its alternate planeswalker iteration, Oko, the Trickster, is a legal commander option.

5. Can Oko, the Trickster be a Commander?

Yes, Oko, the Trickster can be a commander. His abilities are designed for a midrange playstyle, focusing on buffing creatures and creating copies. He is often considered a flavorful choice for an Oko themed commander deck.

6. Is there any chance Oko might be unbanned in the future?

While anything is possible, the likelihood of Oko being unbanned in any significant format is very low. Its history of dominance and negative impact on gameplay strongly suggests that it will remain on the ban list for the foreseeable future.

7. Was Oko the most broken card ever released in Magic: The Gathering?

While “most broken” is subjective, Oko is certainly among the most dominant and quickly banned cards in recent MTG history. Its ability to slot into any deck and completely warp the meta made it a major problem for the game’s health.

8. Why is Oko a villain in MTG lore?

Oko is a villain in the Eldraine storyline due to his deceitful and manipulative nature. He uses his shapeshifting abilities and mind control to further his own goals, often at the expense of others.

9. Is Oko a fae?

Yes, Oko is a Fey shapeshifter from the plane of Eldraine. He embodies the mischievous and trickster aspects of the Fey, but also has an agenda that extends beyond harmless pranks.

10. What other cards were banned around the same time as Oko?

Several cards were banned alongside or around the same time as Oko, Thief of Crowns, including Once Upon a Time, Veil of Summer, and Mox Opal. These bans were aimed at addressing imbalances in the game and ensuring a healthier meta.

11. Was Oko only powerful in blue-green decks?

While Oko was often featured in blue-green Urza decks, it was potent in various archetypes. Its versatility allowed it to fit into any deck that could cast it, further highlighting its overbearing power.

12. What does it mean to “suspend” a card in Historic?

Suspension in Historic is effectively a ban for a period of time, where a card is removed from the format. While this isn’t a formal ban, it has the same effect of excluding the card from play. In the case of Oko, the suspension preceded a formal ban.

13. Was Oko banned in Legacy?

No, Oko, Thief of Crowns was never banned in Legacy. However, Wrenn and Six was banned in Legacy around that time due to similar power and dominance issues.

14. How did Oko affect gameplay?

Oko often led to homogenized gameplay, where games became dominated by Oko’s presence, leading to less variety and strategic diversity. His ability to invalidate opposing threats and provide efficient resources made him a focal point of the game, which is generally an undesirable outcome for gameplay balance.

15. Where is Oko from in the Magic storyline?

Oko originates from the plane of Eldraine. This plane is inspired by Arthurian legend and fairy tales. He plays a significant role in the events that unfold on Eldraine.

Conclusion

Oko, Thief of Crowns will forever be remembered as one of the most impactful and controversial cards in MTG history. While it remains banned in multiple formats, its legacy continues to fascinate players and serve as a cautionary tale about the importance of game balance. The speed and breadth of its bans highlight the importance of careful card design and the impact of a single card on a game’s health. For now, Oko remains a powerful, albeit forbidden, piece of Magic’s lore.