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BANY.TXT
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1999-03-24
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B/R List Announcement DCI Banned and Restricted List Announcement
Announcement Date: March 1, 1999
Later Addition Date: March 11, 1999 (distinguish by bold red type
face)
Effective Date: April 1, 1999
Standard Constructed:
Dream Halls is banned
Earthcraft is banned
Fluctuator is banned
Lotus Petal is banned
Memory Jar is banned (see below for explanation)
Recurring Nightmare is banned
Time Spiral is banned
Extended Constructed:
Memory Jar is banned
Urza Block Constructed:
Memory Jar is banned
Time Spiral is banned
Windfall is banned
Classic-Restricted (Type 1.5) Constructed:
Candelabra of Tawnos is UNBANNED
Copy Artifact is UNBANNED
Maze of Ith is UNBANNED
Memory Jar is banned
Mishra's Workshop is UNBANNED
Time Spiral is banned
Zuran Orb is UNBANNED
Classic (Type 1) Constructed:
Maze of Ith is UNRESTRICTED
Memory Jar is restricted
Time Spiral is restricted
Errata:
Effective March 1, 1999, the following errata have been issued for
the "free" creatures (Cloud of Faeries, Great Whale, Palinchron, and
Peregrine Drake): "When [this creature] comes into play, if you
played it from your hand, untap up to [the appropriate number]
lands." Also, Priest of Gix has the following errata: "When Priest
of Gix comes into play, if you played it from your hand, add [three
black mana] to your mana pool." (This should be treated as if there
were actual mana symbols in the text box.)
In explaining the implications of the errata, Bill Rose (Magic lead
designer) had this to say: "With this template it's obvious you
don't get to untap lands (or in the case of Priest of Gix, add mana
to your mana pool) when you put the creature directly into play with
an ability such as Recurring Nightmare's or Sneak Attack's. Remember
that 'played' is not the same as 'put into play.'"
Explanation of Banned and Restricted List
Memory Jar: As was mentioned in the March 1 anouncement, several
cards were banned in order remove fast "Combination Decks" from
dominating the Standard environment. However, Urza's Legacy has
introduced another card, Memory Jar, that lends itself towards that
same deck archetype. Many players have brought to our attention that
this card, while perhaps not as strong as some of the other cards
that were banned, is nonetheless strong enough that its presence
diminishes the tournament environment.
General Philosophy
Why does this quarter's Banned and Restricted List have more cards
banned in the Standard environment than any previous list? Simply
put, the current Standard environment is dominated by deck
archetypes that are not good for the health of the game. Too many
"combination" decks are winning much too often and much too quickly.
These decks detract from the interactive element of the Magic game
that makes tournament play both interesting and enjoyable.
Combination decks have always existed in Magic play. Although they
have their place, the game suffers and players become frustrated
when they start to dominate the environment. Magic R&D's philosophy
is that combination decks should not be able to win too quickly or
too efficiently. For example, Channel/Black Lotus/Fireball was not
an acceptable combination, and was therefore remedied.
When the current problem cards were designed, the Standard
environment was considerably different from what it is today. A
dominant deck type at that time was the slow blue-white control
deck. The speed of the Tempest environment was a direct and
deliberate response to this slow environment, and introduced a
number of cards that were "faster" than their predecessors.
Additionally, a number of new combination cards were released as a
part of the Urza's Saga card set. Because combination decks hadn't
been a problem for years, these new combination cards did not
receive the attention they deserved during the set's development.
Once combined with the fast cards of the Tempest environment, these
combinations came into play much more quickly than expected,
resulting in frustrated players in the current Standard environment.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused
players.
Standard
Dream Halls: Magic R&D has been concerned with this card for quite a
while because it essentially allows players to ignore a spell's
casting cost. In general this may be acceptable, but when combined
with card drawing, it becomes problematic.
Earthcraft: This was a key card in many of the combination decks
that generated infinite mana. The "cost" of tapping a creature
proved insufficient when that creature could easily be untapped or
recast over and over again.
Fluctuator: There was more debate over this card than any other card
on the list. In the end, Fluctuator was banned for the same reason
that Recurring Nightmare was banned. With the top tier of
combination decks eliminated, the Fluctuator deck would move to the
forefront.
Lotus Petal: This card enables many combination decks to get their
combinations into play much earlier than they otherwise would. It
serves only to speed up the environment. Furthermore, it enables
combination decks to use multiple colors for free. Banning Lotus
Petal allows certain combination cards to remain in the environment
that may otherwise have been banned (such as Yawgmoth's Will).
Recurring Nightmare: This was a difficult decision. Although the
errata to the "free" creatures helps, the power of Recurring
Nightmare deck archetypes would still be too strong, especially when
combined with Survival of the Fittest (another card that was
considered). Even though this deck is clearly not as fast as Time
Spiral decks, R&D feels that once Time Spiral is banned, the
Recurring Nightmare deck would become dominant.
Time Spiral: This was the key card in too many combination decks.
Its power to yield seven new cards for essentially no mana was
unbalancing. In development, R&D thought that six mana would be
enough of a drawback, but that turned out not to be the case.
Extended
The Extended environment was left untouched because the deck balance
appears to be normal. No deck type is dominating the current
Extended environment.
Urza Block
Time Spiral: See Standard.
Windfall: This card yields too many cards for too low a cost. In a
deck that can empty its hand quickly, this card is unbalancing.
Classic Restricted
All banned or restricted cards in the Classic format are banned in
the Classic-Restricted format.
Classic
Time Spiral: The combination of its effect and the fact that it's
"free" made this card too powerful.
Maze of Ith: This card is not broken in today's environment, and
therefore is unrestricted.
Magic Redemption Program
Wizards of the Coast believes that banning and/or restricting cards
is critical to creating long-term stability in the tournament
environment. However, we recognize this can be frustrating and
disappointing to players who purchase Magic product only to find
that some cards are no longer allowed in one of the most popular
tournament formats. In conjunction with the recent banning of the
following cards from the Standard tournament format, Wizards of the
Coast is offering a Redemption Program.
Earthcraft Tempest
Dream Halls Stronghold
Recurring Nightmare Exodus
Fluctuator Urza's Saga
Time Spiral Urza's Saga
Tolarian Academy Urza's Saga
Memory Jar Urza's Legacy
Here's how the Redemption Program works:
1. Download then print the PDF file)
2. Fill out the Redemption Form completely. Send the form along with
any cards from the above list to:
Merchant Services--Magic Redemption Program
P.O. Box 707
Renton, WA 98057-0707
U.S.A.
3. Wizards of the Coast will send you one booster pack for each
valid card you send in. The booster pack will be from the set that
the redeemed card originated from. In other words, if you send us
two Dream Halls and one Recurring Nightmare, we will send you two
Stronghold boosters and one Exodus booster. Wizards of the Coast
regrets any inconvenience this may have caused you.
Rules and Disclaimers:
* Wizards of the Coast will not be responsible for or obligated
to redeem cards that are lost in the mail. Please use certified
or insured mail if this concerns you.
* Cards must arrive in playable condition in order to be
redeemed.
* Redemption of Rath Cycle block cards (Tempest, Stronghold, and
Exodus) will end November 1, 1999.
* Redemption of Urza block cards (Urza's Saga, Urza's Legacy, and
Urza's Destiny) will end November 1, 2000.
* Only the cards on the above list are valid for redemption at
this time. Any cards sent to us that are not from this list
will not be redeemed or returned.
* Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery.
For questions and comments, please contact us.
(c)1999 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. All rights reserved.