1v1 Ban List and Rules

[Surging Chaos]

Here you'll find some ban lists used for 1v1 Commander, mainly the French ban list. Other places that do 1v1 EDH will also usually follow this list or at least some derivative of it:

French Ban List
Source: http://www.ffmtg.fr/Championnat-de-France/Championnat-de-France-a-La-Rochelle-les-infos.html#Commander

Banned Commanders

o Braids, Cabal Minion
o Erayo, Soratami Ascendant
o Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary

Banned cards

Ante cards
o Amulet of Quoz
o Bronze Tablet
o Contract from Below
o Darkpact
o Demonic Attorney
o Jeweled Bird
o Rebirth
o Tempest Efreet
o Timmerian Fiends

• Manual Dexterity cards
o Chaos Orb
o Falling Star

• "As well as the following cards:

Ancestral Recall
Balance
Biorhythm
Black Lotus
Channel
Coalition Victory
Crucible of Worlds
Emrakul, the Aeons Torn
Fastbond
Gifts Ungiven
Hermit Druid
Imperial Seal
Intuition
Karakas
Kokusho, the Evening Star
Library of Alexandria
Limited Resources
Lion's Eye Diamond
Mana Crypt
Mana Vault
Metalworker
Mind Twist
Mishra’s Workshop
Mox Sapphire, Ruby, Pearl, Emerald and Jet
Necropotence
Painter's Servant
Panoptic Mirror
Protean Hulk
Recurring Nightmare
Sensei's Divining Top
Serra’s Ascendant
Shahrazad
Sol Ring
Staff of Domination
Strip Mine
Sway of the Stars
Time Vault
Time Walk
Tinker
Tolarian Academy
Upheaval
Vampiric Tutor
Yawgmoth's Bargain

Banned Generals
Braids, Cabal Minion
Erayo, Soratami Ascendant
Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary


MTG Salvation Ban List

Ante Cards
Amulet of Quoz
Bronze Tablet
Contract from Below
Darkpact
Demonic Attorney
Jeweled Bird
Rebirth
Tempest Efreet
Timmerian Fiends

Manual Dexterity Cards
Chaos Orb
Falling Star

Other
Ancestral Recall
Black Lotus
Channel
Crucible of Worlds
Gifts Ungiven
Grindstone
Karakas
Mana Crypt
Mind Twist
Mindslaver
Mox Emerald
Mox Jet
Mox Pearl
Mox Ruby
Mox Sapphire
Necropotence
Protean Hulk
Shahrazad
Sol Ring
Staff of Domination
Sundering Titan
Time Walk
Time Vault
Tinker
Upheaval
Yawgmoth's Bargain

Banned Generals
Vendilion Clique

Additional rules for 1v1 play:
- Players start out with 30 life.
- Matches are best 2 games out of 3, with a 60 minute time limit. (This time limit is disregarded when playing online or otherwise noted)
- All other normal Commander rules regarding deck construction, generals, mulligans, paths of victory, etc. are unchanged.

[Daemion]

Would it be possible to name us the reasons for each banned card (in the "As well as the following cards" list)?

[therestless]

It seems appropriate to replace this with the (granted, site-specific) list used here for MWS tournaments. Minor changes have been made (removal of Riftsweeper/SDT off the top of my head) and further changes are being discussed (mostly banning of Vendilion Clique as a general).

[Surging Chaos]

Originally Posted by Daemion

Would it be possible to name us the reasons for each banned card (in the "As well as the following cards" list)?

I really can't find reasons for each specific card, but a general to keep in mind is that the cards that are on the ban list that normally aren't banned on the multiplayer EDH ban list (i.e. Sol Ring, Mana Crypt, Mind Twist, Mindslaver, etc.) are much, much more powerful when you don't have politics like you do in multiplayer to keep someone from getting too crazy. Politics and social pressure/control are the two main factors in balancing multiplayer EDH.

@ therestless: KPDaly16 told me to post a thread of the French ban list, but I will see what he says about posting the updated version of it that we use. I will have to be redoing the whole OP anyway, due to the screwed up template from when I copypasted the list from the French site.

[KPDaly16]

Thanks SC.

Regarding the differences between the French list and the MWS Tournament list, I really just want this here as a reference to those building decks for themselves and playing with friends. The MWS ban list is a separate entity (and pretty much has to be due to card interactions like Shaharazad), and will continue to be supported for any MTGS-run tournaments. I would be fine with this post containing both the normal 1v1 ban list and the MWS list the site uses, if that would be easy enough to understand.

[Surging Chaos]

I have updated the post by putting in the MTGS ban list. This includes Vendilion Clique banned as a general.

Expect the OP to be updated in the future with more additional information.

[Acardus]

I'm curious about certain stores in my area are still using the EDH.net site as their source for banned cards. Is it ok for some people to post 1v1 deck despite that other people [i.e. like me] are still using SDT, Sol Ring and etc?

[KPDaly16]

Originally Posted by Acardus

I'm curious about certain stores in my area are still using the EDH.net site as their source for banned cards. Is it ok for some people to post 1v1 deck despite that other people [i.e. like me] are still using SDT, Sol Ring and etc?

As I said earlier, this is just for reference. I do ask, however, that if you're using a house rules ban list, you say so in your opening post and list what cards are banned.

[fzian]

Originally Posted by Daemion

Would it be possible to name us the reasons for each banned card (in the "As well as the following cards" list)?

I think if we pool together, we should be able to figure out why some of the cards are banned in 1v1: -

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING EXPLANATIONS ARE MOSTLY CONJECTURES AND SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS THE OFFICIAL EXPLANATION TOWARDS THE RATIONALE OF THE BAN. SOME OF THE REASONING, HOWEVER, ORIGINATES FROM THE ELDERDRAGON WEBSITE, WHICH MANAGES THE LIST FOR MULTIPLAYER EDH.

Ante cards and Manual Dexterity cards are banned "by definition" as EDH uses the Vintage ban list, in addition to an addition list, minus Shahrazad. By definition, this would likely ban other non-vintage legal cards (i.e. non-basic land and other nonland cards from Unhinged and Unglued). Un-sets also breach the Official (multiplayer) EDH criteria where it belongs to a class of cards which can't be consistantly interpreted by all players.

Ante Cards (Amulet of Quoz, Bronze Tablet, Contract from Below, Darkpact, Demonic Attorney, Jeweled Bird, Rebirth, Tempest Efreet, Timmerian Fiends)

Ante Cards:

Ante cards are banned from EDH as it introduces an element of gambling into the game, which may be prohibited in some countries. Even with ante, this card group remained unpopular as players were unwilling to bet some of their more valuable cards. These cards were banned anyway to prevent players from starting with less than 99 cards in their initial library (ante cards are removed from the deck if the ante rule variant is not used).

It should also be noted that playing for ante is either trivial for MWS since players don't exactly risk any change of card ownership. Indeed, ante on MWS would probably allow one of the most powerful draw cards into the format (i.e.: Contract from Below)

Chaos Orb, Falling Star

Manual Dexterity Cards:

Manual Dexterity cards are cumbersome as they make the amount of table space relevant, and that isn't the kind of thing that tournament organizers can afford to alter significantly. Additionally, the rules for what is and isn't allowed when using one of these cards are hazy, and the "one foot" thing can be difficult to properly enforce.

It should also be noted that applying manual dexterity is almost impossible on MWS.

Ancestral Recall

Ancestral Recall:

The official reasoning for banning the Power 8 lies in both the Power Level of the card (which far exceeds that of other cards) and the money cost of that card. In this case, drawing three cards at instant speed for is strictly better than a large proportion of comparable draw spells

Black Lotus

Black Lotus:

As with the other Power 8, the official reasoning for banning this card lies in both the Power Level of the card (which far exceeds that of other cards) and the money cost of that card. In this case, an early three mana of any one colour could fuel a large tempo swing on the part of the user

Crucible of Worlds

Crucible of Worlds:

This is probably banned as it fuels a CoW-Strip Mine lock which would detract from the play experience of most players. Repeatable land-destruction is often frowned upon (its synergy with Azusa, Lost but Seeking and its ilk doesn't help its reputation). It is probably little solace but the unbanning of CoW allows Fastbond to be legal in 1v1 EDH (thus far)

Gifts Ungiven

Gifts Ungiven:

Gifts is simply broken (especially at the cost and the fact that it's an Instant). The ability to tutor for two combo pieces and two ways to recur them generally makes this a one-card game-ender, which is contrary to the EDH vision.

Grindstone

Grindstone:

Grindstone/Painter's Servant combos are made up of cheap components which are easy to tutor up and quick to hit play. Because they come down so soon, they can be online before opponents can be expected to have disruption available... and make up the top tier of combo options.

Karakas

Karakas:

Karakas is not allowed in EDH games as it is too hard to deal with and too good at disrupting generals

Mana Crypt

Mana Crypt:

This is banned in 1v1 EDH because it provides cheap and powerful mana acceleration, hence giving the user a huge tempo swing when played early game

Mind Twist

Mind Twist:

This is banned in 1v1 EDH because it provides cheap and powerful discard, hence giving the opponent a huge tempo loss when played early game. It is also difficult to answer outside nonblue control decks (and corner case madness cards)

Mindslaver

Mindslaver:

The Mindslaver + Academy Ruins combo has been deemed overly unfun and perhaps not as easy to disrupt for 1v1 games and is hence banned. By itself, it allows you to mess with the opponent's plans and further to that, take a nearly uncontested turn, a la Time Warp

Mox Emerald, Mox Jet, Mox Pearl, Mox Ruby, Mox Sapphire

Moxen:

The official reasoning for banning the Power 8 lies in both the Power Level of the card (which far exceeds that of other cards) and the money cost of that card. Moxen provides insane mana ramping which could barely be matched by comparable artifact ramps (e.g the Ramos' Relics and the Mirage Diamonds

Necropotence

Necropotence:

This is banned in EDH as it provides cheap and powerful draws. Paying 1 life in EDH is not so much when you start with 30 (even if you started with 20, it would still be broken, hence explaining why this card is still restricted in Vintage and banned in Legacy).

Protean Hulk

Protean Hulk:

It's a one-card combo which is too easy to tutor up, and once it resolves there are several ways to kill every opponent, instantly. Hulk combo has cropped up multiple times, in different places, and has been the most problematic element in competitive environments.

The key here is that the kinds of cards required to answer Protean Hulk combo (cheap permission, hand disruption, or RFG-creature removal) aren't the kinds of cards people should have to fill their EDH decks with. As such, the hulk needed to go.

Riftsweeper

Riftsweeper:

This is probably outdated as a banned 1v1 card so I will need to double check on this.

Sensei's Divining Top

SDT:

This is apparently time intensive and can be very difficult to answer (it can disappear to the top of the library unless you Krosan Grip it or remove it in response).

Sol Ring

Sol Ring:

This is banned in 1v1 EDH because it provides cheap and powerful mana acceleration, hence giving the user a huge tempo swing when played early game

Staff of Domination

Staff of Domination:

Staff of Domination is an obvious combo component, made worse by its synergy with Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary (as the general). It is also versatile with its interactions with many infinite mana combos (helping you draw your win con of choice if it comes to it)

Sundering Titan

Sundering Titan:

Three, four, and five color decks being the majority of what gets played in EDH, Sundering Titan can easily strangle any single player, moreso when it comes out early. The fact that it can go into any deck and its asymmetrical nature multiplied this advantage.

Time Walk

Moxen:

The official reasoning for banning the Power 8 lies in both the Power Level of the card (which far exceeds that of other cards) and the money cost of that card. Time Walk gives free turns which could barely be matched by most "Time Warping" cards

Time Vault

Time Vault:

When Time Vault was unerrata'd to be Twiddle-effect friendly, it became one of the most ridiculous cards in the format. Plenty of community members have commented on how game-wrecking it is, and a little extra last minute testing at Worlds showed it's just as broken as expected

Tinker

Tinker:

The low cost ability of Tinker to get high cost artifacts (such as Darksteel Colossus or other artifact bombs) into play early in games and significantly impact their outcome easily warranted its banning.

Upheaval

Upheaval:

I can only conclude that that this card is banned in 1v1 games because it effectively resets the board and could effectively prolong games -- which could be bad if the games are timed

Yawgmoth's Bargain

Yawgmoth's Bargain:

The Bargain is banned in EDH as it provides ridiculous draw ability. Paying 1 life in EDH is not so much when you start with 30 (even if you started with 20, it would still be broken, hence explaining why this card is still restricted in Vintage and banned in Legacy).

Help me point out any errors.

Changelog:

7 April 2010: Added explanation for Upheaval

[Maurice_ChocoSuisse]

Here's the last version of the French banlist :

* Generals (only as a deck’s General):
o Braids, Cabal Minion
o Erayo, soratami Ascendant
o Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary

* Any ante card :
o Amulet of Quoz
o Bronze Tablet
o Contract from Below
o Darkpact
o Demonic Attorney
o Jeweled Bird
o Rebirth
o Tempest Efreet
o Timmerian Fiends

* Any card requiring physical abilities :
o Chaos Orb
o Falling Star

* As well as the following cards:
o Ancestral Recall
o Black Lotus
o Crucible of Worlds
o Dark Depths
o Gifts Ungiven
o Grindstone
o Karakas
o Mana Crypt
o Mind Twist
o Mindslaver
o Mox Emerald
o Mox Jet
o Mox Pearl
o Mox Ruby
o Mox Sapphire
o Necropotence
o Protean Hulk
o Sensei's Divining Top
o Sol Ring
o Staff of Domination
o Sundering Titan
o Time Walk
o Time Vault
o Tinker
o Upheaval
o Yawgmoth's Bargain

source :
http://bazaar-of-moxen.com/

The changes are the banning of the generals and Dark Depths

[Surging Chaos]

Thanks Maurice. I have updated the list.

Very interesting changes indeed.

[EroticPunch]

I can't see how the French would ban dark depths. There are a lot of inconsistency here. WTF! On the generals I think it balances out the format for the French a little bit. Rofellos should be ban as a general since sol ring and mana crypt is banned. This two accelerator helped balanced the power between other generals and rofellos but it only make sense now. Erayo should be ban as a general, that guy is the nuts. I have a deck built around this guy and he flips consistently turn 2. Although I don't go by the French list (general ban list for me) I can see why he was ban. Braids didn't need to get the ax as a general. I built a deck around this guy and he is not that devasting without rol ring and mana crypt.

[Maurice_ChocoSuisse]

Like Fzian, I'll explain the reasons for these bannings :

Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary, Erayo, soratami Ascendant, Braids, Cabal Minion : unfun generals. The opponent has to have a removal in the first turns or die painfully.

Dark Depths : the reason is obviously the silly combo with Vampire Hexmage. You wouldn't ever play that card if it weren't for that. The problem is the same as with Panter's Servant and Grindstone : if you get a half of the combo, it's too easy to tutor the other half. For these two cases, the card which is the least useful outside of the combo is banned. (VH and Servant allow other interesting tricks)

I think that maybe these bannings are not all necessary, but they are done to keep the format healthy, so I'm ok with that.

To my mind, banning Vendillion Clique and Tunnel Vision would also be good for everybody. Maybe later...

[LennonMarx]

That is really slippery slope logic. HexDepths doesn't even win the game in one turn in EDH. What about Obeyline, or Severence/Belcher? At some point, you just need to admit that 2-card combos exist, and get one with your life.

[tedv]

This is quickly moving from Vintage to Legacy. I move for the ban of the following cards as providing immense early advantages:

Mana Drain
Land Tax
Sylvan Library
Force of Will

See the problem? Where do you draw the line on "too good"? Everyone makes claims about "card X should go to keep the format healthy but card Y can stay". But face it. It's all just a personal judgment call, and if 100 people put forth their ideas on the ideal banned list, there will be at least 100 suboptimal lists presented.

These lists are turning into nothing more than "cards I hate playing against". But come on. Your opponents generally have some plan for winning the game, and that means they have a plan for making you lose. They aren't in charge of your feelings. Is it their fault if you don't like the cards they use to kill you? The entire point of playing those cards was to make you lose the game, you know!

The purpose of banning is to produce diversity in the format, not to make you feel better about the decks you play against. The only cards that should be banned are cards that see play in the vast majority of winning decks in the metagame (or would if they were owned).