Last checked: June 11, 2026 · Last changes: May 19, 2026
⚡ In short
The latest B&R update (May 19, 2026) was a significant one: a Modern shake-up with two bans and two un-bans, plus changes in Pioneer, Legacy, Pauper, and Alchemy. Standard and Commander remained untouched. The next announcement is scheduled for Monday, June 29, 2026.
Magic's ban list changes regularly: cards are banned if they skew a format too much, and sometimes un-banned again if the situation changes. On this page, I keep track of the recent Banned & Restricted updates for you — per format, with date, and explained in plain English what they mean. The most recent changes are always at the top.
Latest update: May 19, 2026
On May 18, 2026, Wizards of the Coast announced a significant Banned & Restricted update, effective from May 19. Modern, in particular, received a major shake-up:
| Format | Card | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Modern | Phlage, Titan of Fire's Fury | ⛔ Banned |
| Lotus Field | ⛔ Banned | |
| Violent Outburst | ✅ Un-banned | |
| Umezawa's Jitte | ✅ Un-banned | |
| Pioneer | Cori-Steel Cutter | ⛔ Banned |
| Legacy | Undercity Informer | ⛔ Banned |
| Pauper | Bonder's Ornament | ✅ Un-banned |
| Alchemy (Arena) | Sewer-veillance Cam | ⛔ Banned |
| Standard & Commander | — | No changes |
What does a ban or unban mean for you?
An announcement has immediate consequences, even if you don't play competitively:
- Prices fluctuate. A banned card often drops in value, while un-banned cards can rise because they are suddenly in demand again. If you have such a card, pay attention.
- Your deck might suddenly be illegal. If you play one of the banned cards in the relevant format, it must be removed before you can play again in a tournament or game night.
- New opportunities. An un-ban opens the door to decks and strategies that were previously not allowed — fun to experiment with.
📅 Next announcement: Wizards has scheduled the next Banned & Restricted update for Monday, June 29, 2026. Please note: there is no fixed schedule — updates come when data shows a format is out of balance, often around the release of a new set. I will update this page as soon as there is news.
How does it work exactly — and where can you find the full list?
Most formats (Standard, Pioneer, Modern, Legacy, Pauper) are managed directly by Wizards of the Coast. Commander is an exception: it is separately managed by the Commander Format Panel, with its own ban list and the separate Game Changers system (more about this in my Commander guide). That's why you usually don't see Commander changes in these regular announcements.
Do you want to check the complete, always up-to-date ban list per format? You can find it on the official Banned & Restricted list from Wizards or via Scryfall. On this page, I mainly keep track of recent changes, with an explanation of what they mean.
Previous updates
Older Banned & Restricted announcements will appear here as new ones are added.
Questions about a specific card, or want to know if your deck is still legal? Feel free to send me a message.
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 about which product suits you? Feel free to send me a message.