As a long-time cEDH player with a hefty collection of expensive cards, I must admit that I was taken aback by Wizards of the Coast’s decision to ban Mana Crypt and other staple cards from MTG’s Commander format. For years, Mana Crypt has been a cornerstone in my cEDH decks, providing an unparalleled mana advantage at no cost. Its value was such that it became one of the most expensive cards to own in a commander deck.
It came as a surprise when Wizards of the Coast decided to prohibit cards such as Mana Crypt and several other popular ones from being used in MTG’s Commander format. For quite some time, Mana Crypt had been an essential card for any cEDH (competitive Elder Dragon Highlander) deck because it provided a player with a significant mana advantage at no cost in a single turn. Consequently, the value of this mana rock soared, making it one of the most expensive cards to own within a commander deck.
As a dedicated gamer, I was truly bummed out to learn that my trusty old Mana Crypt has been banned in the Commander format by Wizards of the Coast. Seems like those EDH-C players are getting a raw deal with this one.
Mana Crypt and Others Banned from MTG Commander
While finding out that Mana Crypt is no longer Commander-legal is a huge let down, there are other staple cards players can no longer use in the format. Here’s a full list:
- Dockside Extortionist
- Jeweled Lotus
- Nadu, Winged Wisdom
Why did WotC ban these cards?
The group responsible for establishing Commander’s game rules shared that their goal is to decrease the frequency of rapid, powerful starts within the game. Cards like Mana Crypt and Jeweled Lotus offer players several chances to claim victory within one to three rounds. Although Dockside Extortionist might not be as explosive as those two mana artifacts, it can still provide a player with an advantage in terms of resources during the initial stages of play.
Considering these points, someone could wonder why Wizards of the Coast didn’t prohibit Sol Ring. The committee clarified that although they aim to decrease the number of strategies for players to take an early lead, they don’t intend to eliminate it completely. In their view, Sol Ring offers a more balanced approach for generating additional mana because players must still spend at least one mana to cast it, unlike some cards that are summoned without cost.
Each Banned Card Explained
Dockside Extortionist
The Dockside Extortionist is a creature that costs 2 units (1 generic and 1 red), and when it enters the battlefield, you produce X Treasure tokens, with X being the total number of artifacts and enchantments your adversaries have in their control.
Based on the current game situation, a player controlling Dockside Extortionist can quickly generate numerous treasures by the third turn, especially if their adversaries play multiple artifacts on the battlefield. By the fourth turn, they may have amassed enough mana to secure an early win.
Jeweled Lotus
Jeweled Lotus is a zero-cost artifact.
Use the enchantment, “Tap, Sacrifice Jeweled Lotus”: This allows you to add three mana of any single color. You can use this mana solely to cast your commander.
Dealing with Jeweled Lotus can be quite a challenge, particularly for players using monochromatic commanders. In essence, it allows a player to cast their five-mana commander as early as turn two. The choice of commander significantly impacts the game’s outcome, often leading to an end of the game before reaching turn five.
Mana Crypt
Mana Crypt is a zero-cost artifact.
At the start of your turn, randomly decide whether heads or tails will win on a tossed coin. If the outcome isn’t in your favor (you called it incorrectly), the Mana Crypt inflicts 3 points of damage upon you.
Tap: Add two colorless mana.
Mana Crypt is among the infamous cards from the prohibited list of Commander format, often leading to unexpected outcomes. It’s like playing a mana rock without paying its cost, enabling you to cast additional mana rocks in rapid succession. By the end of turn two, a player might have accumulated 6 to 7 mana resources at their disposal. Before anyone can react, the game can swiftly come to an end with the summoning of a low-cost creature.
Nadu, Winged Wisdom
As a seasoned gamer, I’ve got my eyes on Nadu, Winged Wisdom – a legendary three-cost creature that soars through the skies. With Flying as its forte, any creatures I control can dodge incoming spells and abilities with ease. Here’s the twist: whenever this guy gets targeted by a spell or ability, I get to peek at the top card of my library. If it’s a land, I can bring it into play, but if it’s not, I simply tuck it back into my hand. The best part? This happens no more than twice during each turn.
Many people view Nadu as an overpowered commander due to its skills. Nadu allows all creatures controlled by the player to acquire advantages in cards and mana. Despite the limitation of only two triggers per turn being implemented to balance the card’s abilities, it is still considered too powerful for some playstyles.
Are you of the opinion that these restrictions are necessary? Is it worthwhile for Wizards of the Coast to take another look at this matter? In relation to Magic: The Gathering, make sure to explore the comprehensive catalog of Duskmourn’s mono-green cards for further insights.
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2024-09-24 04:08