{"id":12124,"date":"2025-02-26T06:17:59","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T06:17:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/?p=12124"},"modified":"2025-02-26T06:17:59","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T06:17:59","slug":"why-is-weakness-mtg-banned","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is weakness mtg banned?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_67_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#Why_is_Weakness_MTG_Banned_A_Deep_Dive_into_the_Controversial_Card\" title=\"Why is Weakness MTG Banned? A Deep Dive into the Controversial Card\">Why is Weakness MTG Banned? A Deep Dive into the Controversial Card<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#The_Controversy_Around_Weaknesss_Art\" title=\"The Controversy Around Weakness&#8217;s Art\">The Controversy Around Weakness&#8217;s Art<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#A_Broader_Trend_Banned_Cards_and_Modern_Sensibilities\" title=\"A Broader Trend: Banned Cards and Modern Sensibilities\">A Broader Trend: Banned Cards and Modern Sensibilities<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#What_other_cards_were_banned_alongside_Weakness\" title=\"What other cards were banned alongside Weakness?\">What other cards were banned alongside Weakness?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#Why_was_Earthbind_banned\" title=\"Why was Earthbind banned?\">Why was Earthbind banned?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#Why_was_Crusade_banned\" title=\"Why was Crusade banned?\">Why was Crusade banned?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#What_does_it_mean_for_a_card_to_be_%E2%80%9Cbanned%E2%80%9D\" title=\"What does it mean for a card to be &#8220;banned&#8221;?\">What does it mean for a card to be &#8220;banned&#8221;?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#Are_the_original_Beta_set_cards_valuable\" title=\"Are the original Beta set cards valuable?\">Are the original Beta set cards valuable?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#Does_banning_a_card_remove_it_from_the_game_entirely\" title=\"Does banning a card remove it from the game entirely?\">Does banning a card remove it from the game entirely?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#What_is_%E2%80%9Cableist%E2%80%9D_content\" title=\"What is &#8220;ableist&#8221; content?\">What is &#8220;ableist&#8221; content?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#How_does_Wizards_of_the_Coast_decide_which_cards_to_ban\" title=\"How does Wizards of the Coast decide which cards to ban?\">How does Wizards of the Coast decide which cards to ban?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#Are_the_30th_Anniversary_Edition_cards_legal\" title=\"Are the 30th Anniversary Edition cards legal?\">Are the 30th Anniversary Edition cards legal?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#Are_the_Warhammer_40000_cards_legal_in_Modern\" title=\"Are the Warhammer 40,000 cards legal in Modern?\">Are the Warhammer 40,000 cards legal in Modern?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#What_is_the_most_toxic_card_in_MTG\" title=\"What is the most toxic card in MTG?\">What is the most toxic card in MTG?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#Why_are_some_cards_banned_in_Commander\" title=\"Why are some cards banned in Commander?\">Why are some cards banned in Commander?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#Why_are_Mox_cards_banned\" title=\"Why are Mox cards banned?\">Why are Mox cards banned?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#Is_Wizards_of_the_Coast_ruining_MTG_with_excessive_reprints\" title=\"Is Wizards of the Coast ruining MTG with excessive reprints?\">Is Wizards of the Coast ruining MTG with excessive reprints?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/#Is_it_still_worth_collecting_old_MTG_cards\" title=\"Is it still worth collecting old MTG cards?\">Is it still worth collecting old MTG cards?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_Weakness_MTG_Banned_A_Deep_Dive_into_the_Controversial_Card\"><\/span>Why is Weakness MTG Banned? A Deep Dive into the Controversial Card<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>The short answer: <strong>Weakness, a black enchantment from the original Beta set of Magic: The Gathering, was banned in 2020 due to its card art being considered ableist.<\/strong> While the card&#8217;s mechanics weren&#8217;t problematic, the depiction of a figure with distorted, seemingly malformed hands was deemed insensitive and not in line with modern standards of representation. Wizards of the Coast, the game&#8217;s publisher, proactively removed the card and five others from the official database, citing their failure to meet \u201cmodern standards\u201d and cultural sensitivity concerns. This decision has sparked debate among players, with some arguing for historical preservation and artistic intent, while others support the need for more inclusive and respectful imagery.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Controversy_Around_Weaknesss_Art\"><\/span>The Controversy Around Weakness&#8217;s Art<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The main issue lies squarely with the illustration on the card. The depicted character&#8217;s hands appear deformed and unnatural, a visual cue that some perceive as a negative portrayal of a person with a disability. This was not considered problematic during the early years of MTG, when sensitivity around such representations wasn&#8217;t as developed as it is today. However, in the current cultural climate, such imagery is considered harmful and perpetuates negative stereotypes. This action by Wizards of the Coast aligns with their broader effort to remove offensive or problematic elements from the game. The ban is part of a larger push towards inclusivity, reflecting a shift in societal values and a desire to make Magic: The Gathering a welcoming experience for everyone.<\/p>\n<p>The removal of Weakness is not about its power level or game impact; it&#8217;s fundamentally about the message the card and its visual representation send. By banning the card, Wizards of the Coast aims to signal its commitment to a more respectful and inclusive gaming environment. This action should not be seen as an attack on history, but instead as a recognition that harmful stereotypes must be actively addressed, even in a game that has decades of history. The card remains a part of MTG&#8217;s past, but its active use is restricted due to its problematic portrayal.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Broader_Trend_Banned_Cards_and_Modern_Sensibilities\"><\/span>A Broader Trend: Banned Cards and Modern Sensibilities<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Weakness is not alone. It was banned alongside other Beta set cards like <strong>Contract from Below, Darkpact, Demonic Attorney, Earthbind, and Crusade<\/strong>. All of these cards were deemed problematic for various reasons. <strong>Crusade<\/strong>, for instance, was banned due to its religiously and culturally sensitive name and potential to evoke negative historical associations. This series of bans reflects a deliberate choice by Wizards to revisit older cards and assess them against a contemporary ethical lens. It&#8217;s important to note that this isn&#8217;t a recent trend limited to just this group of cards; several cards have faced similar scrutiny and subsequent bans or artwork revisions over the game&#8217;s history. This indicates an ongoing process and commitment by Wizards to foster a respectful and inclusive space for all players.<\/p>\n<p>The debate around these kinds of bans often raises complex questions about the role of art, historical context, and the responsibility of game publishers. Some argue that censorship of older content is unnecessary and that such actions try to erase the past. Others, including many members of marginalized communities, feel these actions are needed to demonstrate that hurtful imagery will not be tolerated. The decision to ban cards like Weakness is ultimately a balancing act between respecting history and promoting inclusivity and respect.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the ban on Weakness and other related issues in Magic: The Gathering:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_other_cards_were_banned_alongside_Weakness\"><\/span>What other cards were banned alongside Weakness?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Weakness was banned along with <strong>Contract from Below, Darkpact, Demonic Attorney, Earthbind, and Crusade<\/strong>. These cards were all from the original Beta set and were removed from the official database due to not meeting &#8220;modern standards.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_was_Earthbind_banned\"><\/span>Why was Earthbind banned?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Earthbind&#8217;s<\/strong> banning is more controversial and less definitively stated. Some have speculated that it&#8217;s due to potentially suggestive artwork and not necessarily due to an offensive portrayal of a person. It\u2019s commonly viewed as censorship due to \u201csexiness\u201d rather than a specific ethical concern.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_was_Crusade_banned\"><\/span>Why was Crusade banned?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Crusade<\/strong> was banned for being \u201cculturally offensive\u201d due to its name&#8217;s historical association with religious conflict and violence. Wizards of the Coast did not provide a specific justification, but many speculated on the negative implications of its name.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_it_mean_for_a_card_to_be_%E2%80%9Cbanned%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>What does it mean for a card to be &#8220;banned&#8221;?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A banned card is no longer legal to use in certain formats of Magic: The Gathering, such as Standard, Modern, or Legacy. The exact formats in which a card is banned are determined by Wizards of the Coast. Banning a card is a way to address problematic power levels or, in cases like Weakness, to deal with ethical concerns.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_the_original_Beta_set_cards_valuable\"><\/span>Are the original Beta set cards valuable?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, Beta set cards are very valuable, particularly those in excellent condition. Their scarcity and historical significance contribute to their high market price. However, a card being banned doesn&#8217;t usually affect its collectability.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_banning_a_card_remove_it_from_the_game_entirely\"><\/span>Does banning a card remove it from the game entirely?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No. Banned cards are still part of the game&#8217;s history and can be collected and traded, but they cannot be used in sanctioned tournaments or gameplay in formats where they are banned. It&#8217;s important to differentiate between the card&#8217;s existence and its legal usability in tournaments.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_%E2%80%9Cableist%E2%80%9D_content\"><\/span>What is &#8220;ableist&#8221; content?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&#8220;Ableist&#8221; content refers to language, imagery, or actions that discriminate against or negatively represent individuals with disabilities. This can include perpetuating harmful stereotypes or using derogatory language.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_does_Wizards_of_the_Coast_decide_which_cards_to_ban\"><\/span>How does Wizards of the Coast decide which cards to ban?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Wizards of the Coast bans cards for a variety of reasons including extreme power levels, combo potential, and ethical concerns related to artwork, names, or text. The decisions are often made after extensive community feedback and review.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_the_30th_Anniversary_Edition_cards_legal\"><\/span>Are the 30th Anniversary Edition cards legal?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No. The <strong>30th Anniversary Edition<\/strong> cards have a different card back and are not legal in any sanctioned Magic format. They are primarily intended as collectible items.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_the_Warhammer_40000_cards_legal_in_Modern\"><\/span>Are the Warhammer 40,000 cards legal in Modern?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No. The <strong>Warhammer 40,000<\/strong> Commander cards are legal in Commander, Vintage, and Legacy, but they are not legal in Standard, Pioneer, or Modern.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_most_toxic_card_in_MTG\"><\/span>What is the most toxic card in MTG?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The concept of &#8220;toxic&#8221; is subjective, but cards that generate strong, often negative reactions or heavily influence the metagame are often cited. <strong>Venser, Corpse Puppet<\/strong> is a recent example of a card cited as &#8220;toxic&#8221;.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_are_some_cards_banned_in_Commander\"><\/span>Why are some cards banned in Commander?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Cards are banned in Commander to maintain a balanced, fun, and varied play experience. This may include problematic combos or cards that significantly dominate the format.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_are_Mox_cards_banned\"><\/span>Why are Mox cards banned?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Mox<\/strong> cards are banned in most formats due to their extremely powerful mana acceleration potential, which makes them unbalanced. They give players the ability to play powerful cards very early in the game.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Wizards_of_the_Coast_ruining_MTG_with_excessive_reprints\"><\/span>Is Wizards of the Coast ruining MTG with excessive reprints?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There have been concerns that <strong>overproduction<\/strong> by Hasbro of Magic cards may be damaging the long-term value of the brand. Some players feel that over-printing has created a flooded market with less value assigned to specific cards.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_still_worth_collecting_old_MTG_cards\"><\/span>Is it still worth collecting old MTG cards?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, absolutely! Many old MTG cards are valuable and highly sought-after by collectors. The market value can be significant, especially for cards in good condition. Using scanning apps can help determine which cards are worth money.<\/p>\n<p>This deep dive into the controversy surrounding the Weakness ban, along with the additional FAQ section, aims to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of this specific card&#8217;s situation and the bigger picture of card banning and censorship in Magic: The Gathering. By addressing concerns, offering a historical background, and exploring relevant issues, we hope to clarify this complex issue.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why is Weakness MTG Banned? A Deep Dive into the Controversial Card The short answer: Weakness, a black enchantment from the original Beta set of Magic: The Gathering, was banned in 2020 due to its card art being considered ableist. While the card&#8217;s mechanics weren&#8217;t problematic, the depiction of a figure with distorted, seemingly malformed &#8230; <a title=\"Why is weakness mtg banned?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/why-is-weakness-mtg-banned\/\" aria-label=\"More on Why is weakness mtg banned?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12124","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12124"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12124\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}