Is Wish Banned in Commander?
In the world of Magic: The Gathering, Commander is a popular format that allows players to build and play decks with a specific commander, a powerful legendary creature. One of the most commonly asked questions about Commander is whether Wish cards are banned in the format. In this article, we will explore the answer to this question and provide some important information about Commander and Wish cards.
What are Wish Cards?
Before we dive into whether Wish cards are banned in Commander, let’s define what Wish cards are. Wish cards are a type of spell that allows a player to search their library for a specific card and put it onto the battlefield. These cards are often powerful and can have a significant impact on the game. Examples of Wish cards include Living Wish, Spawnsire of Ulamog, and Karn, the Great Creator.
Commander Format
The Commander format is a casual, multiplayer format that is played with a specific set of rules. The main rule of the format is that each player starts the game with a commander, a powerful legendary creature that serves as the leader of their deck. The commander is usually a central part of the deck and is often the card that drives the strategy.
Wish Cards in Commander
Now that we have defined what Wish cards are and understand the Commander format, let’s get to the main question: are Wish cards banned in Commander? The answer is yes, but with some exceptions. According to the official Magic: The Gathering website, the following Wish cards are banned in Commander:
- Living Wish: This card is banned because it allows a player to search their library for a specific card and put it onto the battlefield. This can lead to infinite loops and unfair gameplay.
- Spawnsire of Ulamog: This card is banned because it allows a player to sacrifice a creature to search their library for a specific card. This can lead to infinite loops and unfair gameplay.
- Karn, the Great Creator: This card is banned because it allows a player to search their library for a specific card and put it onto the battlefield. This can lead to infinite loops and unfair gameplay.
Exceptions
While most Wish cards are banned in Commander, there are some exceptions. The following Wish cards are not banned in Commander:
- Glittering Wish: This card is not banned because it only allows a player to search their library for a specific card and put it onto the battlefield. It does not allow for infinite loops or unfair gameplay.
- Izzet Charm: This card is not banned because it only allows a player to search their library for a specific card and put it onto the battlefield. It does not allow for infinite loops or unfair gameplay.
Why are Wish Cards Banned?
Wish cards are banned in Commander because they can lead to infinite loops and unfair gameplay. Infinite loops occur when a player is able to repeat a series of actions over and over again, such as using a Wish card to search for a specific card, and then using that card to search for another specific card, and so on. This can lead to a player gaining an unfair advantage and winning the game without their opponent having a chance to respond.
Unfair gameplay occurs when a player is able to use a Wish card to gain an advantage that is not available to their opponent. For example, if a player uses a Wish card to search for a specific card that allows them to gain life, they are gaining an advantage that their opponent does not have access to.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Wish cards are banned in Commander, with some exceptions. The main reason for this ban is to prevent infinite loops and unfair gameplay. Infinite loops occur when a player is able to repeat a series of actions over and over again, and unfair gameplay occurs when a player is able to use a Wish card to gain an advantage that is not available to their opponent.