About Magic: The Gathering
da Brasileirão Sub-20： Players: 2-8
da pgwin： Rules complexity: Medium
Strategic depth: Medium
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Designer: Richard Garfield
Updated to reflect the updated MTG banlist that came into effect on 8 April 2024
The MTG banlist is crucial to deciding what cards you can bring to the table when playing Magic: The Gathering. The ever-evolving list from Wizards of the Coast bans and restricts previously released cards, so that cards that end up becoming too powerful and give players an unfair advantage can’t be used in tournaments.
Wizards of the Coast has recently changed its approach to updating the banlist and is creating a more flexible approach to updating it, stating that “Future banned and restricted announcements will occur two to five weeks after each set’s release.” This does depend on which formatting you are playing though, so it’s still worth getting familiar with the banlist update cycles and the latest releases.
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Because Magic: The Gathering is a three-decade old game that spans many different sets and rules, there isn’t one overarching banlist. You’ll have to look through the banned and restricted list for the format you’re playing, whether that’s Commander, Standard, Historic or any other format. Luckily for you, we’ve rounded up all the different banlists below.
It’s important to note that besides the banlists for specific formats, there are a number of cards that are universally banned across the board. Cards which reference “playing for ante” or belong to the ‘conspiracy’ card type are universally banned, as are previously released cards that Wizards of the Coast has reviewed and now deems racially or culturally offensive.
MTG Commander banlist
Commander is a format in Magic: The Gathering where players choose a legendary creature as their commander and build the rest of their deck around its abilities and colours. Here are the banned cards for this format:
Ancestral RecallBalanceBiorhythmBlack LotusBraids, Cabal MinionChaos OrbCoalition VictoryChannelEmrakul, the Aeons TornErayo, Soratami AscendantFalling StarFastbondFlashGifts UngivenGolos, Tireless PilgrimGriselbrandHullbreacherIona, Shield of EmeriaKarakasLeovold, Emissary of TrestLibrary of AlexandriaLimited ResourcesLutri, the SpellchaserMox EmeraldMox JetMox PearlMox RubyMox SapphirePanoptic MirrorParadox EnginePrimeval TitanProphet of KruphixRecurring NightmareRofellos, Llanowar EmissaryShahrazadSundering TitanSway of the StarsSylvan PrimordialTime VaultTime WalkTinkerTolarian AcademyTrade SecretsUpheavalYawgmoth’s BargainMTG Standard banlist
Here are all the banned cards for MTG Standard:
The Meathook MassacreFable of the Mirror-BreakerInvoke DespairReckoner BankbusterMTG Modern banlist
Modern covers Magic: The Gathering cards from the eighth edition to today:
Ancient DenArcum’s AstrolabeBirthing PodBlazing ShoalBridge From BelowChrome MoxCloudpostDark DepthsDeathrite ShamanDig Through TimeDread ReturnEye of UginFaithless LootingField of the DeadFuryGitaxian ProbeGlimpse of NatureGolgari Grave-TrollGreat FurnaceGreen Sun’s ZenithHogaak, Arisen NecropolisHypergenesisKrark-Clan IronworksLurrus of the Dream-DenMental MisstepMox OpalMycosynth LatticeMystic SanctuaryOko, Thief of CrownsOnce Upon a TimePonderPunishing FireRite of FlameSeat of the SynodSecond SunriseSeething SongSensei’s Divining TopSimian Spirit GuideSkullclampSplinter TwinSummer BloomTibalt’s TrickeryTreasure CruiseTree of TalesUmezawa’s JitteUp the BeanstalkUro, Titan of Nature’s WrathVault of WhispersViolent OutburstYorion, Sky NomadMTG Vintage banlist
The vintage format lets you use any card from Magic: The Gathering’s history – apart from banned cards. There are only a few banned cards for MTG Vintage:
Chaos OrbFalling StarShahrazad
Besides banned cards, there are also a number of restricted cards in MTG Vintage. You can only have one of these in your main deck and sideboard:
Ancestral RecallBalanceBlack LotusBrainstormChalice of the VoidChannelDemonic ConsultationDemonic TutorDig Through TimeFlashGitaxian ProbeGolgari Grave-TrollGushImperial SealKarn, the Great CreatorLibrary of AlexandriaLion’s Eye DiamondLodestone GolemLotus PetalMana CryptMana VaultMemory JarMental MisstepMerchant ScrollMind’s DesireMonastery MentorMox EmeraldMox JetMox PearlMox RubyMox SapphireMystic ForgeMystical TutorNarset, Parter of VeilsNecropotenceSol RingStrip MineThorn of AmethystTime VaultTime WalkTimetwisterTinkerTolarian AcademyTreasure CruiseTrinisphereVampiric TutorWheel of FortuneWindfallYawgmoth’s WillMTG Legacy banlist
Here are all the MTG cards that are banned from Legacy tournaments:
Ancestral RecallArcum’s AstrolabeBalanceBazaar of BaghdadBlack LotusChannelChaos OrbDeathrite ShamanDemonic ConsultationDemonic TutorDig Through TimeDreadhorde ArcanistEarthcraftExpressive IterationFalling StarFastbondFlashFrantic SearchGitaxian ProbeGoblin RecruiterGushHermit DruidImperial SealLibrary of AlexandriaLurrus of the Dream-DenMana CryptMana DrainMana VaultMemory JarMental MisstepMind TwistMishra’s WorkshopMox EmeraldMox JetMox PearlMox RubyMox SapphireMystical TutorNecropotenceOath of DruidsOko, Thief of CrownsRagavan, Nimble PilfererSensei’s Divining TopShahrazadSkullclampSol RingStrip MineSurvival of the FittestTime VaultTime WalkTimetwisterTinkerTolarian AcademyTreasure CruiseUnderworld BreachVampiric TutorWheel of FortuneWhite Plume AdventurerWindfallWrenn and SixYawgmoth’s BargainYawgmoth’s WillZirda, the DawnwakerMTG Block Constructed banlist
These Magic: The Gathering cards are banned in Block Constructed tournaments:
Intangible Virtue (Innistrad-Avacyn Restored block)Lingering Souls (Innistrad-Avacyn Restored block)AEther Vial (Mirrodin block)Ancient Den (Mirrodin block)Arcbound Ravager (Mirrodin block)Darksteel Citadel (Mirrodin block)Disciple of the Vault (Mirrodin block)Great Furnace (Mirrodin block)Seat of the Synod (Mirrodin block)Tree of Tales (Mirrodin block)Vault of Whispers (Mirrodin block)Skullclamp (Mirrodin block)Lin Sivvi, Defiant Hero (Masques block)Rishadan Port (Masques block)Gaea’s Cradle (Urza block)Memory Jar (Urza block)Serra’s Sanctum (Urza block)Time Spiral (Urza block)Tolarian Academy (Urza block)Voltaic Key (Urza block)Windfall (Urza block)Cursed Scroll (Tempest block)Squandered Resources (Mirage block)Amulet of Quoz (Ice Age Block)Thawing Glaciers (Ice Age block)Zuran Orb (Ice Age block)MTG Brawl banlist
Brawl is a format in Magic: The Gathering which combines the Standard and Commander formats. Players use a deck that contains 60 cards, including one commander card.
Here’s a list of every card banned from Brawl decks:
Chalice of the VoidDrannith MagistrateLutri, the SpellchaserOko, Thief of CrownsOmnath, Locus of CreationRuned HaloSorcerous SpyglassWinota, Joiner of ForcesPithing Needle
If you’re planning on playing a game of MTG Brawl, it’s important to point out that the banlist for the Standard format doesn’t apply to it.
MTG Pauper banlist
Pauper is another MTG format, where players build a 60 card deck using common rarity cards. Here are all the banned Pauper cards:
Aarakocra SneakArcum’s AstrolabeAtogBonder’s OrnamentChatterstormCloud of FaeriesCloudpostCranial PlatingDazeDisciple of the VaultEmpty the WarrensFall from FavorFrantic SearchGalvanic RelayGitaxian ProbeGrapeshotGushHigh TideHymn to TourachInvigorateMonastery SwiftspearMystic SanctuaryPeregrine DrakeProphetic PrismSinkholeSojourner’s CompanionStirring BardTemporal FissureTreasure CruiseUnderdark ExplorerVicious BattleragerMTG Pioneer banlist
Pioneer is a format that features cards from Return to Ravnica onwards. Decks are meant to be more powerful than Standard, but less powerful than Modern and Legacy.
If you’re thinking of trying out this format, there are quite a few banned cards:
Balustrade SpyBloodstained MireExpressive IterationFelidar GuardianField of the DeadFlooded StrandGeological AppraiserInverter of TruthKarn, the Great CreatorKethis, the Hidden HandLeyline of AbundanceLurrus of the Dream-DenNexus of FateOko, Thief of CrownsOnce Upon a TimePolluted DeltaTeferi, Time RavelerUndercity InformerUnderworld BreachUro, Titan of Nature’s WrathVeil of SummerWalking BallistaWilderness ReclamationWindswept HeathWinota, Joiner of ForcesWooded FoothillsMTG Historic banlist
Historic is a digital format for MTG Arena, and is the app’s largest constructed format, consisting of both old and new cards.
Here are all the banned cards from Historic:
Agent of TreacheryBlood MoonBrainstormChannelCommandeerCounterspellDark RitualDemonic TutorForce of VigorField of the DeadIntruder AlarmLand TaxLightning BoltMana DrainMemory LapseNatural OrderNecropotenceNexus of FateOko, Thief of CrownsOnce Upon a TimeRagavan, Nimble PilfererReanimateShow and TellSneak AttackSpreading SeasSwords to PlowsharesThassa’s OracleTibalt’s TrickeryTime WarpUro, Titan of Nature’s WrathVeil of SummerWilderness Reclamation
The Historic card pool is also used for a version of Brawl. If you’re thinking of playing Historic Brawl, make sure you don’t have these cards in your deck:
Runed HaloGideon’s InterventionMeddling MagePithing NeedleMTG Explorer banlist
Explorer is another digital format for MTG Arena, which this time around features legal cards from the Pioneer format.
There are a number of cards you can’t use in Explorer:
Expressive IterationField of the DeadGeological AppraiserKarn, the Great CreatorKethis, the Hidden HandLeyline of AbundanceLurrus of the Dream-DenNexus of FateOko, Thief of CrownsOnce Upon a TimeTeferi, Time RavelerTibalt’s TrickeryUnderworld BreachUro, Titan of Nature’s WrathVeil of SummerWilderness ReclamationWinota, Joiner of ForcesMTG Alchemy banlist
Alchemy is another digital format for MTG Arena, which is based on the Standard card pool. So far, there aren’t any banned cards for Alchemy.
That’s it for our MTG banlist. For more Magic content, head to our pages on the rarest and most expensive MTG cards, the Magic: The Gathering release schedule for 2023 and the best decks for MTG Arena.