Major Bans in Commander: Jeweled Lotus and More Axed

jeweled lotus

In a monumental upheaval within the realm of Magic: The Gathering’s Commander format, the Commander Rules Committee (CRC) has officially declared the banning of several pivotal cards. Among those on the chopping block are Jeweled Lotus, Mana Crypt, Nadu, Winged Wisdom, and the highly contentious Dockside Extortionist.

This announcement was unveiled Wizards of the Coast in a formal blog post, echoed the CRC on their official website. This marks a significant moment, as it is the first time since 2021, when Golos, Tireless Pilgrim faced the banhammer, that the CRC has taken such action. Moreover, these are the first official bans enacted following the passing of Sheldon Menery, who was widely regarded as the de facto leader of the CRC.

Each card’s ban is meticulously elaborated upon on both platforms. Notably, the CRC has indicated that the Dockside Extortionist was banned due to its propensity for engendering “egregious snowballing starts.” Those familiar with Commander can attest to the card’s staggering ability to catapult players into an overwhelming lead, conferring an insurmountable advantage.

The committee acknowledges a history of reticence regarding this card, citing that it “scaled well with the power level of the table.” However, it appears the CRC has reached a tipping point regarding these explosive openings.

The rationale for the bans extends to Jeweled Lotus and Mana Crypt, both of which can potentially grant players a significant mana advantage as early as turn two. The immense power of these cards within the format clearly justified their removal.

As for Nadu, Winged Wisdom, the CRC explained that this card’s ban stems from its ability to detract from the enjoyment of the game, allowing one player to dominate the tempo. Playing against a proficient user of Nadu, Winged Wisdom can be exceedingly frustrating, which is why it was also recently banned in the Modern and Legacy formats.

In summary, while the committee has provided substantial explanations for these bans, they have chosen not to impose a ban on Sol Ring, citing concerns about altering the very essence of the format. The community will now be keenly observing how these changes impact the dynamics of play moving forward.

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