Is Oko the Trickster Banned? A Deep Dive into the Fae Shapeshifter and His Format Legacy
Oko the Trickster, the alternate commander version of the infamous Oko, Thief of Crowns, is not banned in any format. While his more powerful counterpart, Oko, Thief of Crowns, faced the ban hammer across multiple formats due to his overwhelming power and negative impact on gameplay, Oko the Trickster remains legal and playable in Commander. This is a crucial distinction, as both cards share a name but represent different planeswalker cards with distinct abilities and game impact.
Understanding the Oko Saga
The story of Oko is complex, filled with dominance and subsequent bans. Oko, Thief of Crowns, a card that once shaped the landscape of Modern, Standard, Pioneer, and Legacy, was widely considered to be one of the most powerful cards printed in recent history. His ability to neutralize opposing threats, generate a board presence of 3/3 creatures, and do so without ever having to use a negative loyalty ability made him a must-have in nearly every green-blue deck. This dominance led to him being banned in virtually every format he was legal in.
However, Oko the Trickster is a different beast. While he still carries the Oko name and the fae shapeshifter lore, his abilities are considerably less impactful than his infamous counterpart. This subtle difference in power is the reason Oko the Trickster escapes the ban lists, making him a viable, though not overpowered, option for Commander players looking to brew a thematic Oko deck.
Oko the Trickster: Strengths and Weaknesses
Oko the Trickster’s abilities focus more on creature buffing and copying. His +1 ability provides a moderate boost to your creatures, while his -1 allows him to copy a creature on the battlefield. His ultimate, while potent, is not nearly as game-breaking as Oko, Thief of Crowns’ abilities. He is designed to be a mid-range style commander, allowing for some board presence and value generation, but is not capable of the same level of oppression that made his counterpart a problem.
While he’s not broken, Oko the Trickster has his own niche:
- Midrange Strategy: He shines in decks that want to play creatures, buff them, and use them to create value. His abilities allow for creature value and copying.
- Thematic Appeal: He provides a flavorful option for those who love the Oko narrative from the Eldraine block, allowing players to build a deck centered around the character.
- Not Overpowered: Unlike Oko, Thief of Crowns, he doesn’t dominate games by himself, promoting more interactive and balanced gameplay.
The Formats and Oko’s Legality
Commander (EDH)
As previously stated, Oko the Trickster is legal in Commander. He is often considered a decent alternative commander for those who are enamored with the character but do not want to play the banned Thief of Crowns in other formats.
Other Formats
- Oko, Thief of Crowns is banned in Modern, Standard, Pioneer, and Legacy. This ban was implemented to address the overall balance of gameplay and diversity within the respective metagames.
- Brawl: Oko, Thief of Crowns was also banned in Brawl.
- Vintage: Oko, Thief of Crowns is considered a playable card in Vintage due to its power level being comparable to other broken cards available in the format.
Historical Context: The Rise and Fall of Oko
The ban of Oko, Thief of Crowns is a unique moment in Magic’s history. The card’s dominance was unlike almost any other, causing metagames to warp around it and limiting diversity. The ability to turn any card into a 3/3 Elk at instant speed was a major issue. When coupled with his ability to also create his own Elks, there was not a card that did not feel the weight of Oko’s power. This is why the ban was implemented in multiple formats.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Oko the Trickster as strong as Oko, Thief of Crowns?
No, Oko the Trickster is not nearly as strong as Oko, Thief of Crowns. Oko, Thief of Crowns was banned due to his oppressive nature and the ability to lock opponents out of the game, whereas Oko the Trickster focuses more on creature buffs and copying, providing a more balanced playing experience.
2. Why was Oko, Thief of Crowns banned?
Oko, Thief of Crowns was banned because he reduced the metagame diversity and the diversity of gameplay patterns. He was simply too powerful, creating a homogenizing effect and leading to a poor gameplay experience.
3. Can I use Oko, Thief of Crowns as my commander?
No, Oko, Thief of Crowns is not legal as a commander. However, Oko the Trickster is a legal commander option.
4. Which formats is Oko, Thief of Crowns banned in?
Oko, Thief of Crowns is banned in Modern, Standard, Pioneer, Legacy, and Brawl.
5. Is Oko, Thief of Crowns banned in Vintage?
No, Oko, Thief of Crowns is considered a playable card in Vintage.
6. Why is Oko, Thief of Crowns still expensive?
Even though he’s banned in many formats, Oko, Thief of Crowns remains expensive because he’s still playable in formats like Vintage and is highly desired in Commander as a powerful, albeit illegal, card, even as a “flex” card in some Commander decks. The card is also still very popular amongst players and collectors.
7. What is the story behind Oko?
Oko is a fae shapeshifter from a plane ruled by Fey who believe in a unified society and where the natural mischievousness of the Fey is suppressed. He was also the primary antagonist of the Eldraine block, using his abilities to manipulate the Plane’s royalty.
8. What are some good strategies with Oko the Trickster as a commander?
Strategies for Oko the Trickster typically revolve around playing midrange creatures, buffing them using his +1 ability, and copying them with his -1 ability to generate more value.
9. What are the best Commander decks to use with Oko the Trickster?
Oko the Trickster fits best in Simic (green/blue) decks focusing on creature value and midrange gameplans. Copying and buffing creatures will always be the main focus of this deck build.
10. What are the weaknesses of Oko the Trickster?
Oko the Trickster is slow and requires a board presence to get maximum value. He’s also vulnerable to removal like any other planeswalker and is weak against very aggressive strategies.
11. What other cards were banned alongside Oko, Thief of Crowns?
Other cards that were banned around the same time as Oko, Thief of Crowns included Mox Opal and Mycosynth Lattice in Modern.
12. Is the Brothers’ War set legal in Commander?
Yes, The Brothers’ War cards are legal in Commander.
13. Is Oko a villain in Magic: The Gathering?
Yes, Oko is portrayed as a villain in the story, particularly during the Eldraine block. He used his shapeshifting and mind control abilities for his mischievous purposes.
14. What makes Oko such a powerful card in Magic?
Oko, Thief of Crowns is considered powerful due to his ability to neutralize opposing threats, generate a board presence, and gain loyalty without using negative abilities. Oko the Trickster on the other hand is less powerful and more balanced, but is a creature focused planeswalker.
15. Why was Tinker banned in Commander?
Tinker was banned in Commander due to its low cost and ability to fetch powerful artifacts or artifact combo pieces, making it too easy to abuse.
In conclusion, while the infamous Oko, Thief of Crowns is banned across several formats, his more balanced counterpart, Oko the Trickster, remains a legal and flavorful commander option for players looking to explore the mischievous side of the fae planeswalker. Understanding the distinctions between the two versions of Oko is crucial for navigating the complexities of the various Magic: The Gathering formats.