When is the next MTG Banned and Restricted announcement?

Stay on top of the bans across all Magic: The Gathering formats.

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Image via WotC

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. 

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Is there an upcoming MTG Banned and Restricted announcement?

As confirmed by WotC, the next MTG Banned and Restricted announcement is scheduled for Dec. 16.

Big changes were applied to the MTG Modern and Pioneer formats in the Aug. 26 Banned & Restricted announcement. WotC also addressed scheduling concerns, as the Modern RCQ season began three weeks before banning cards like Nadu and Grief. Starting in December, MTG Banned & Restricted announcements will prioritize timing for organized play over set releases.

What is new about MTG Banned and Restricted announcements?

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Know when the next MTG ban is coming. Image via WotC

A set schedule was applied to MTG Banned and Restricted announcements at the same time that 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. Starting in December, though, organized play will take priority over set releases.

A Banned and Restricted window slot doesn’t mean any bans or unbans will happen in December. 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.

All MTG Banned and Restricted announcements in 2023-2024 season

The most recent Banned and Restricted announcement targeted the Modern and Pioneer formats, removing meta-warping cards like Nadu, Winged Wisdom, Grief, Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord, and Amalia Benavides Aguirre.

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’re looking for every MTG card that has ever been banned throughout the TCG history, we have that too.

August 2024 Banned and Restricted announcement

MTG formatMTG cards banned or restricted
ModernNadu, Winged Wisdom banned
Grief banned
PioneerAmalia Benavides Aguirre banned
Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord banned
LegacyGrief banned
VintageUrza’s Saga restricted
Vexing Bauble restricted
ExplorerAmalia Benavides Aguirre banned
Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord banned
StandardNo changes
AlchemyNo changes
HistoricNo changes
TimelessNo changes
BrawlNo changes

May 2024 Banned and Restricted announcement

  • Pauper: All That Glitters
  • Pauper, Vintage, and Legacy: All Sticker and Attraction cards were banned from competitive play

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 one week after the launch of MH3. We’ll keep you posted with any new information from WotC.

Author
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Danny Forster
Staff writer, lead beat writer for MTG and TFT
Danny has been writing for Dot Esports for over five years, first as a freelancer and now as a staff writer. He is the lead beat writer for Magic: The Gathering and Teamfight Tactics. Danny is also a solid Monopoly GO player, having beaten every main event without spending a dime. When Danny isn't writing or gaming, he's chilling by the water in Spacecoast Florida with his family and friends. He's always got a tan, because touching grass is important, and loves playing strategic digital and tabletop games. Past outlets Danny has written for include TheGamer and ScreenRant.