Last content check: . This article covers recent changes; the full current ban lists can be found at Wizards.
In brief
- The latest changes are listed below by format, along with their effective dates.
- A ban applies to a specific format. Always check where you will be playing your deck.
- The last regular Banned & Restricted round was on August 10, 2026. The next one is scheduled for October 12, 2026.
- Individual announcements may appear in between. Therefore, following only the regular calendar is not enough.
Is your deck still legal? That is the most important question when a new MTG ban list arrives. Below you will find recent bans, restrictions, and unbans, followed by an explanation of what to do about them. Pay close attention to the format, platform, and effective date: an announcement does not necessarily go into effect everywhere at the same time.
September 22: new bans on MTG Arena
Wizards announced on September 11 that modified versions of over 200 tabletop cards would have their original text restored. Additionally, these bans went into effect on September 22, 2026:
| Format | New bans |
|---|---|
| Historic | Galvanic Discharge; Guide of Souls; Nadu, Winged Wisdom; Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord; The One Ring. |
| Brawl | Nadu, Winged Wisdom. |
| Timeless and Competitive Brawl | No changes in this announcement. Existing restrictions remain in effect. |
The return to the original card text is not a general release: some cards are being banned instead. Also, verify which Brawl variant you are playing; the ban lists are not interchangeable.
Source: MTG Arena State of the Formats 2026.
September 7: two preventive Pauper bans
Due to common printings in The Zeta Set, cards are becoming available for Pauper. Wizards banned Narcomoeba and Price of Progress immediately: the former strengthens graveyard combo, while the latter gives red decks exceptionally efficient damage.
- Tabletop: valid from September 7, 2026.
- Magic Online: implementation announced for the September 23 update. Check the client or event information for actual processing.
The ten other additions are Dispatch, Return to Dust, Serra Angel, An Offer You Can't Refuse, Cut Down, Sengir Vampire, Vandalblast, Gigantosaurus, Baleful Strix, and Soul-Guide Lantern. These are new admissions due to common printings, not unbans.
Source: On The Zeta Set in Pauper, published September 4.
August 10: the final regular B&R round
This was the final regular announcement before the September changes. The changes below went into effect on August 10.
| Format | Cards | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Badgermole Cub, Stormchaser's Talent and Gran Gran | Banned |
| Legacy | The Fantasticar | Banned |
| Vintage | The Fantasticar | Restricted |
Why these Standard cards?
Wizards intervened in multiple strong engines simultaneously. Badgermole Cub caused too much pressure from green decks. Stormchaser's Talent combined a strong early turn with value later in the game. Gran Gran was addressed to prevent Lessons decks from becoming too dominant after the other bans.
For your own deck, this means that simply replacing a card one-for-one is sometimes not enough. If your mana engine, recurring value, or main synergy disappears, you should also re-examine the rest of the list.
The Fantasticar: same card, two different measures
In Legacy, The Fantasticar is no longer allowed in your deck or sideboard. In Vintage, one copy remains permitted. That difference makes this card a clear example of why you should never search by card name alone: the format determines the limitation.
Source: Banned and Restricted Announcement — August 10, 2026.
Commander: a ban is something different than a Game Changer
Commander has its own ban list and its own announcements. Therefore, a Standard or Modern ban does not automatically change what you are allowed to play at a Commander table.
The Commander update of February 9, 2026 made these exceptions important:
- Biorhythm: removed from the ban list and added to the Game Changers.
- Lutri, the Spellchaser: allowed in the 99 or as a commander, but still banned as a companion. Lutri was not added to the Game Changers.
- Farewell: added to the Game Changers; this is not a ban.
A Game Changer is an designation within the Commander Brackets system. A banned card remains prohibited under the official rules, even if you are playing a high-powered bracket. If you wish to deviate from this in a private game, discuss it with the entire playgroup beforehand.
Also read: Commander Brackets explained: which bracket fits your deck?
Sources: Commander B&R of February 9 and the corresponding Brackets update.
What do banned, restricted, and unbanned mean?
Not allowed in the relevant format, including the sideboard. Read any specific exceptions, such as Lutri's companion status.
A maximum of one copy in the main deck and sideboard combined. Both Vintage and Timeless have restrictions.
The card has been removed from the ban list. Other deckbuilding rules and the format's card pool continue to apply.
Rotation is different: this is where sets leave the legal card pool of a rotating format. A digital rebalance is also not a ban; that changes the function of a card version. A reference to a card on a watchlist only means that it is being monitored, not that a future ban is set in stone.
Tip from SpellArmory
Keep the format and the date you checked the legality along with your deck list. This prevents you from discovering right before a game night that an old list is no longer valid.
How to check if your deck is still legal
- Choose the exact format and game variant. For example, Commander, Brawl, and Competitive Brawl are different things.
- Open the official ban list. Check all cards, including sideboard, commander, and any companion.
- Read the latest announcement. Look at the effective date and any differences between tabletop, Arena, and Magic Online.
- Adjust the list and check again. Also consider card pool, quantities, and other deckbuilding rules.
- Check your event. If in doubt about an effective date or special game variant, ask the organizer for clarification before the event.
Open the full official Banned & Restricted lists
A deckbuilder is useful as an extra check, but it may lag behind after a new announcement. This article is also a snapshot. For a tournament, always use the latest official information.
Previous updates in 2026
The sections below are an archive of changes, not a replacement for the full ban list. Furthermore, “No changes” in an announcement only means that nothing changed on that date.
June 29, 2026 — Legacy, Pauper, and Brawl
- Legacy: Candelabra of Tawnos banned.
- Pauper: Seeker of Skybreak banned.
- Brawl: Force of Will, Subtlety, Wash Away, Ugin's Labyrinth, Time Warp, and Temporal Manipulation banned.
- Competitive Brawl: no changes in this round.
May 18, 2026 — including Modern bans and unbans
- Modern: Phlage, Titan of Fire's Fury and Lotus Field banned; Violent Outburst and Umezawa's Jitte unbanned.
- Pioneer: Cori-Steel Cutter banned.
- Legacy: Undercity Informer banned.
- Pauper: Bonder's Ornament unbanned.
- Alchemy: Sewer-veillance Cam banned.
March 23, 2026 — Historic
Food Chain was banned in Historic.
When is the next announcement?
The next regular round is scheduled for October 12, 2026. The Pauper announcement also refers to a round in December; no exact December date is mentioned there. A planned evaluation moment does not guarantee that cards will be banned or unbanned.
Arena and Commander may also receive separate updates. That is precisely why this overview distinguishes between announcements and effective dates.
Frequently asked questions about the MTG ban list
Does a ban apply to all versions of a card?
With a regular ban by card name, it does not matter which set, artwork, language, or foil version you use. A different printing does not circumvent the ban. Digital card versions and specific Arena variants may require additional explanation; follow the announcement for that variant.
Can a banned card still be used in Commander?
Only if that card is legal according to the Commander rules. A ban in another format does not in itself say anything about Commander. So, check the Commander list, not just the news about your card.
May I still use a banned card at home?
Your playgroup can make a different agreement beforehand. Everyone must agree to it, however. Such a house rule does not change the official legality and cannot automatically be taken to an event or an unknown table.
Do Constructed bans also apply to Draft and Sealed?
Do not automatically apply a ban from Standard, Modern, or another Constructed format to Limited. Draft and Sealed use their own event rules and card pool. Check for special exclusions at the event or the digital queue in which you are playing.
What do I do if an important card from my deck is banned?
Remove the card from the list as soon as the ban goes into effect for your play situation. Then examine which function is missing: mana, card advantage, interaction, or a combo piece. Sometimes a replacement is sufficient; sometimes the entire strategy needs to change. Test the adjusted list before playing an event with it.
Is this page automatically updated?
No. The check date at the top indicates when the content was reviewed. If a new official announcement appears afterwards, it may be newer than this overview.
Doubts about your deck?
Please include the card name, your format, and the announcement you are questioning. This allows us to provide much more targeted assistance. Contact SpellArmory.
Sources and accountability
The changes have been verified against the official Wizards announcements listed in the relevant sections and the central Banned & Restricted list. For card images, we refer to Scryfall; those images are illustrative and do not serve as the source for ban status. The card text on a displayed printing may differ from the current Oracle text.
Written by Omèr Cremers
Owner of SpellArmory, social worker, and full-time father. Avid MTG player and collector from Maastricht — Commander is my favorite format. Questions or additions to this guide? Feel free to send me a message.