Banned & Restricted Announcement May 29th 2023

Today we're talking about the recent shake-up in the Standard format. Wizards of the Coast has just announced a trio of bans that are sure to send ripples through the metagame. The cards that have been shown the door are:

• Fable of the Mirror-Breaker
• Invoke Despair
• Reckoner Bankbuster

You can find the official announcement here.

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These bans are part of WotC's renewed focus on improving the Standard format at every level. The community has been vocal about the disruptive nature of the current banning cadence, and WotC has listened. They're changing the cadence of format management, aiming for most changes to occur once a year for greater consistency.

Now, let's delve into the reasons behind these bans.

Fable of the Mirror-Breaker // Reflection of Kiki-Jiki has been a cornerstone of black-red strategies and one of the strongest cards in the format. Its ability to generate resources and card flow, coupled with its must-kill threat status, made it a powerhouse. The ban aims to reduce the power of black-red decks and make deck-building choices more meaningful.

Reckoner Bankbuster, the go-to card-advantage engine, has been ubiquitous since its release. Its colorless nature made it easy to slot into a variety of colors and strategies. The ban is intended to promote more diversity and give power back to other types of cards in different colors.

Invoke Despair has been the premier curve-topper in most black-red decks and black-based strategies. It's been excellent for managing the battlefield and generating card advantage. The ban is due to its power level and negative impact on card diversity.

These bans are expected to reduce the win rate of the dominant strategy in the format and create an exciting shake-up. They also aim to create design space for the upcoming Wilds of Eldraine fall release.

Remember, fellow Planeswalkers, change is the only constant in the Multiverse. Let's embrace this new era of Standard and look forward to the exciting deck-building opportunities it brings!

Until next time, may your topdecks be ever in your favor.