MTG Commander Banned and Game Changer List: April 22, 2025
The bans and unbans list for Commander Magic the Gathering is here!
Following much discussion and speculation, here is the recently released list of banned and unbanned cards for Commander format:
Commander:
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Banned: |
Unbanned: |
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Gifts Ungiven |
Effective date: April 22, 2025
Next Announcement Date: late June - early July, 2025
Commander - Gifts Ungiven, Sway of the Stars, Braids, Cabal Minion, Coalition Victory, Panoptic Mirror is unbanned.
When deciding which cards to remove from the banned list, there were 3 main criteria to be considered. The 3 following criteria:
Cards that evoke positive memories,
Contribute to enjoyable gameplay and exciting moments,
Do not promote negative play patterns or create runaway games.
These cards were also deemed safe for the power level of Bracket 3 and above, where Game Changers typically reside.
Gifts Ungiven:
Gifts Ungiven has a long history and has been problematic due to its power tutoring, casting time, and combo potential. Brackets and pregame conversations have mitigated these issues. While Gifts Ungiven can create fun interactions, combo-focused decks should consider their environment.
Sway of the Stars:
Sway of the Stars is a 10 mana spell that resets the game, similar to Worldfire. It's not too powerful compared to other high mana spells and may not be widely used, but it's an option for players who like this effect..
Braids, Cabal Minion:
Braids, Cabal Minion is a powerful card that can lock players out of the game if played early. However, with the increased efficiency of Commander decks, targeted removal spells, and pregame conversations, these situations can be mitigated.
Coalition Victory:
Coalition Victory auto-include status was debated. It can win the game in a five-color commander deck, but can be countered with removal and requires specific conditions. It's considered a viable "I win" combo for Commander Brackets.
Panoptic Mirror:
Panoptic Mirror's strong appeal of repeatedly using a cool spell remains. While a value Mirror can be fun, imprinting an extra-turn spell instantly ends the game. Imprinting something repetitive, like a board sweeper, can stall the game. However, with numerous answers to artifacts in decks, the latter is less concerning in 2025. Bracketed play and pregame conversations address the issue of infinite combos. Additionally, the mana investment and turn required to play Panoptic Mirror provide opportunities for opponents to respond.
However, with the concept of Commander Brackets and the Game Changers list being relatively new and may not be universally adopted. Therefore, being cautious when selecting cards to unban.
For those using brackets to define your decks, it should be noted that cards being unbanned will immediately move to the Game Changers list.
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