Wilds of Eldraine Bans: Navigating the Forbidden Forest
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The world of Magic: The Gathering is ever-evolving, and with each new set release comes the potential for format shifts, new strategies, and, yes, even bans. The fairy tale-inspired set, Wilds of Eldraine, is no exception. While the main set itself is causing ripples in Standard and other formats, it’s the accompanying “Enchanting Tales” bonus sheet that’s causing the biggest stir, particularly in the Historic format on MTG Arena.
The Banned List: Enchanting Tales Edition
As of the set’s release, six cards from the “Enchanting Tales” bonus sheet are immediately banned in Historic:
- Spreading Seas: This seemingly innocuous blue enchantment can cripple mana bases and shut down specific strategies, making it oppressive in a format like Historic.
- Blood Moon: A classic red staple, Blood Moon punishes greedy mana bases and multi-color decks, a common sight in Historic. Its ability to lock opponents out of the game is deemed too powerful for the format’s health.
- Necropotence: A black enchantment that allows players to exchange life for cards, Necropotence provides unparalleled card advantage, potentially leading to overwhelming victories. Its ban ensures a more diverse meta.
- Sneak Attack: This red enchantment allows players to put creatures directly onto the battlefield, bypassing mana costs and enabling devastating early game combos. Its potential for explosive, unfair plays led to its ban.
- Land Tax: A white enchantment that provides card advantage for players who are behind on land drops. Land Tax has been restricted in other formats due to its ability to create a significant advantage.
- Demonic Tutor: A black sorcery that allows the player to search their library for any card and put it into their hand. Demonic Tutor has been banned because the ability to search for a card removes the chance element of the game.
These bans were preemptive, meaning they were implemented upon the set’s release, aiming to maintain a balanced and enjoyable play environment in Historic. Store Owner Barlton Canks says, “We want to keep the game fun for everyone”.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wilds of Eldraine Bans
Here’s a deep dive into common questions surrounding the legality of Wilds of Eldraine and its associated cards, ensuring you stay informed and competitive:
1. Is Wilds of Eldraine itself legal in Standard?
Yes! Unlike Commander Masters, Wilds of Eldraine is a Standard-legal set. This means that cards from the main Wilds of Eldraine set can be used in Standard format decks. This was the first Standard-legal release since May.
2. Are the “Enchanting Tales” cards legal in Standard?
Generally, no. The “Enchanting Tales” cards have their own set code (WOT) and are not legal in Standard unless they are also printed in a Standard-legal set. However, if you open one during a limited event, you can use it in your sealed pool.
3. Why were these specific “Enchanting Tales” cards banned in Historic?
These cards were deemed too powerful for the Historic format due to their potential to create unbalanced gameplay, oppressive strategies, or unfun play experiences. The bans aim to maintain diversity and prevent the format from being dominated by specific decks that abuse these cards.
4. What is Historic, and why does it matter?
Historic is a digital-only format on MTG Arena that includes a wide range of sets, starting from Ixalan onward. It’s a popular format for players who enjoy a larger card pool and the ability to play with older, powerful cards. Because of its broad card pool, careful format management through bans is necessary.
5. Is Sol Ring banned in Commander?
No. While Sol Ring is an incredibly powerful card in Commander, and is played in most decks, it is not banned. However, individual playgroups can establish their own ban lists, so it’s always a good idea to check local rules.
6. Why is Chaos Orb banned in Commander?
Chaos Orb is banned in Commander because it requires a physical action (flipping the card onto the battlefield) to determine its effect. This reliance on dexterity can be problematic for some players and introduce potential disputes.
7. What other cards are banned in Legacy?
The Legacy format has its own comprehensive ban list. Some notable banned cards include Ancestral Recall, Black Lotus, Channel, Demonic Consultation and Balance.
8. Are the Warhammer 40,000 Commander cards legal in other formats?
The Warhammer 40,000 Commander cards are legal in the Commander, Legacy, and Vintage formats. They are not legal in Standard, Pioneer, or Modern.
9. Why are some cards banned in Magic: The Gathering?
Cards are typically banned for being too powerful, warping the metagame, creating unfun play patterns, or exhibiting problematic interactions with other cards. Playtesting can only catch so much, and sometimes the full impact of a card only becomes apparent after widespread play.
10. Are the Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth cards legal in Standard?
No, Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth are not legal in Standard. The cards are not banned in Standard, they’re just not legal in it.
11. Why is Tinker banned in some formats?
Tinker is banned in most formats (except Vintage) because it allows players to sacrifice an artifact to put any artifact directly onto the battlefield, often leading to powerful, game-ending plays with cards like Blightsteel Colossus.
12. How good is Wilds of Eldraine overall?
Wilds of Eldraine is generally considered a strong and well-designed set. It features compelling mechanics, a rich setting, and powerful cards that are impacting various formats. The fairy tale theme has also resonated well with players.
13. How many cards were banned from Throne of Eldraine?
Throne of Eldraine was a particularly powerful set, and a total of six cards from it were eventually banned in Standard: Oko, Thief of Crowns, Once Upon a Time, Veil of Summer, Field of the Dead, Smuggler’s Copter, and Wilderness Reclamation.
14. What are Enchanting Tales in Wilds of Eldraine?
Wilds of Eldraine Enchanting Tales is a bonus sheet of reprints from throughout Magic’s history, found in Wilds of Eldraine packs. They feature a unique frame and some cards even have anime art versions. They add excitement to pack openings but are mostly not Standard legal.
15. Where can I learn more about the social impact of gaming and Magic: The Gathering?
The Games Learning Society is a great resource for exploring the intersection of games, learning, and society. They conduct research, host events, and provide resources for educators and game enthusiasts. Visit their website at GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.
The banning of these six “Enchanting Tales” cards from Historic reflects Wizards of the Coast‘s commitment to maintaining a healthy and enjoyable play environment. By proactively addressing potential imbalances, they aim to ensure that Historic remains a diverse and competitive format for all players.