We all kind of saw this coming, but Wizards of the Coast has banned a card in Brawl and Historic Brawl on Magic Arena. We’ve had a few different cards banned in the Brawl formats in the past, and we’re adding another to the list.
Banned on Entry
As of the release of Innistrad: Midnight Hunt,
Pithing Needle
Pithing Needle
As this artifact enters, choose a card name.
Activated abilities of sources with the chosen name can't be activated unless they're mana abilities.
is banned in both Brawl and Historic Brawl.
The reasoning is that with the function of the card, it can shut down various commanders in the format, which is against how they want the format to be. This isn’t without president either. There’s a few other cards that were banned for this same reason.
Other Banned Cards
Other cards in the past that have been banned in either Brawl / Historic Brawl that have a similar function include
Meddling Mage
Meddling Mage
As this creature enters, choose a nonland card name.
Spells with the chosen name can't be cast.
,
Runed Halo
Runed Halo
As this enchantment enters, choose a card name.
You have protection from the chosen card name. (You can't be targeted, dealt damage, or enchanted by anything with that name.)
and
Drannith Magistrate
Drannith Magistrate
Your opponents can't cast spells from anywhere other than their hands.
. Each of these cards, while beneficial in constructed can lock players out of casting their commanders or prevent abilities of certain commanders. Brawl is supposed to be fun and casual environment, and these cards limit that in WotC’s eyes.
READ MORE: Everything We Know About MTG’s Innistrad: Crimson Vow – Release Date, Previews & More
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think that these cards need to be banned in Brawl, or are they fine? Let us know in the comments.