MTG's New Commander Panel Unbans Some Historically Popular Cards

Revisiting old Magic card bans and unbanning some is a powerful way to keep the game fresh, dynamic, and engaging—especially in a format like Commander, where creativity and variety are king. As the card pool grows and the meta evolves, once problematic cards may no longer be as dominant or oppressive as they once were. Unbanning them allows players to experiment with forgotten tools and strategies, reigniting excitement and opening the door for innovative deck building. It also gives long-time players a chance to dust off cards they’ve had stashed for years, creating a feeling of nostalgia paired with new potential.

The newly formed Commander Committee was formed in part to do just this, revisit once thought to be overpowered cards. From a community and growth perspective, unbannings demonstrate that the game’s designers and format committees are listening and adapting. They show that Magic isn’t static—it’s a living game that evolves with its players. This level of trust and engagement strengthens the bond between Wizards of the Coast and its player base, encouraging both competitive and casual fans to stay invested. It also signals to new players that nothing is set in stone and that even the history of Magic is up for playful revision, keeping things exciting and future-forward without forgetting the past.

So let's take a look at the recently announced unbans and how they affect the Commander format.

Magic: The Gathering 4.22.25 Unbanned Commander Cards

Gifts Ungiven

Once a staple in combo decks, Gifts Ungiven is back to test your deck-building prowess. This instant allows you to search for four cards with different names, and your opponent chooses two to go to your graveyard. The trick? Selecting cards where no matter what they pick, you come out ahead. It's a mind game that rewards strategic thinking and creativity.​ It also works well in Black/Blue graveyard recursion, eventually allowing you to get the cards you discard back.

Sway of the Stars

Sway of the Stars resets the game by making each player shuffle their hand, graveyard, and permanents into their library, then draw seven cards and set their life total to seven. It's a dramatic way to level the playing field or capitalize on a strong position. Timing is everything with this card, making it a thrilling addition for those who love high-stakes plays and shifting a game to sudden death.

Braids, Cabal Minion

Braids forces each player to sacrifice an artifact, creature, or land at the beginning of their upkeep. While this can be oppressive in Commander, it's a little challenging to build around. Use it to your advantage by creating a deck that benefits from sacrificing your own permanents, turning a potential downside into a strategic edge.​

Coalition Victory 

Winning the game by controlling a creature of each color and a land of each basic land type is no small feat. Coalition Victory is back to reward ambitious deck builders who can assemble the perfect combination. It's a card that turns the game into a quest, offering a satisfying payoff for those who love a challenge.​

Panoptic Mirror

Panoptic Mirror allows you to imprint an instant or sorcery card and cast a copy of it at the beginning of your upkeep without paying its mana cost. This opens up endless possibilities for recurring powerful spells. It's a dream for combo players and those who enjoy setting up intricate plays over multiple turns.

Commander Just Got Better

These unbannings bring a mix of nostalgia and new strategic opportunities to the Commander format. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the game, exploring the possibilities with these newly unbanned these cards can add exciting dynamics to your decks.​

Let us know what you think about the unbans by sounding off in the comments below!