Wizards of the Coast switched up Magic: The Gathering’s Banned and Restricted announcements for the 2023-2024 season. Here is a full breakdown of when to expect the next ban.
A set schedule was finally applied to MTG Banned and Restricted announcements at the same time the legality of an MTG card in Standard was increased to three years. The purpose of the change was to provide players with one large annual Banned and Restricted announcement a year while having slots throughout the year where WotC could choose to ban a card or leave all formats as is.
Is there an upcoming MTG Banned and Restricted announcement?
As confirmed by WotC, the next MTG Banned and Restricted announcement is scheduled for Monday, May 13. We don’t know at the time of writing what cards are on the hot seat or what formats will get hit.
A Banned and Restricted window slot doesn’t mean any bans or unbans will happen in May. The window is there in case a card slips through the design cracks and warps an MTG format or meta almost immediately. The window can also be used to ban or unban a card within a format once the Banned and Restricted team has had time to process data and community reactions from the previous Standard-legal set.
The most recent March 11 Banned and Restricted announcement targeted Modern, banning Violent Outburst. In the Vintage format, Ponder was unrestricted and no changes were applied to either Standard or Pioneer. The next Standard-legal set, Outlaws of Thunder Junction, is slated to digitally launch on April 16.
And, with the digital release of OTJ on MTG Arena, Force of Vigor, Commandeer, Reanimate, and Mana Drain were officially banned from the Historic format.
All MTG Banned and Restricted announcements in 2023-2024 season
We’ve put together a list of all the Banned and Restricted announcements during the MTG 2023-2024 season to help you keep track. And if you are looking for every MTG that has ever been banned throughout the TCG history, we have that too.
March 2024 Banned and Restricted announcement
- Standard: No changes
- Pioneer: No changes
- Modern: Violent Outburst
- Legacy: No changes
- Vintage: Ponder removed from restricted list
- Explorer: No changes
- Pauper: No changes
December 2023 Banned and Restricted announcement
All changes went into effect on Dec. 4 for tabletop and Dec. 5 for MTG Arena.
- Standard: No changes
- Pioneer: Karn, the Great Creator and Geological Appraiser banned
- Pioneer: Smuggler’s Copter unbanned
- Modern: Fury and Up the Beanstalk banned
- Legacy: No changes
- Vintage: No changes
- Explorer: Karnm the Great Creator and Geological Appraiser banned
- Pauper: Monastery Swiftspear banned
The next MTG Banned and Restricted announcement window is about two weeks after Pro Tour Thunder Junction. We’ll keep you posted with any new information from WotC.
While you wait—and maybe to do a little investing—be sure to check our OTJ Limited archetype guide and the most expensive Thunder Junction cards.
