The Latest MTG Bans: What Got the Axe and Why It Matters

Greg Montique
Jul 2
3 min read

As a longtime Magic: The Gathering player, I’ve seen my fair share of shakeups, but the latest Standard ban announcement hit like a well-timed Thoughtseize. Wizards of the Coast just dropped a hefty list of seven banned cards, and it’s already reshaping the meta. Whether you’re a competitive grinder or a kitchen table brewer, here’s what you need to know about the latest MTG bans.

The Seven Cards Banned in Standard

On June 30, 2025, Wizards banned the following cards from Standard:

Cori-Steel Cutter
Abuelo’s Awakening
Monstrous Rage
Heartfire Hero
Up the Beanstalk
Hopeless Nightmare
This Town Ain’t Big Enough

Each of these cards had a major impact on the format, and their removal is aimed at restoring balance and variety.

A curved blade with red accents on a paper scroll with drawings and writings, set against a fiery orange backdrop. Text: "Cori-Steel Cutter."

Cori-Steel Cutter: Too Sharp for Standard

This card was the backbone of the Izzet Prowess deck, which had taken over the meta with a staggering 40 percent play rate at the recent Pro Tour. Cori-Steel Cutter was cheap, powerful, and hard to answer efficiently. Even when removed, it left behind value, making it a nightmare for control and midrange decks. Its dominance forced other decks to warp their builds just to survive.

A ghostly figure emerges from glowing light in a cave as two adventurers watch. Text: "Abuelo's Awakening," "Sorcery."

Abuelo’s Awakening: Combo Chaos

Azorius Omniscience decks were already strong, but Abuelo’s Awakening pushed them into overdrive. Reanimating Omniscience for just four mana turned games into one-sided affairs. The consistency and speed of the combo left little room for interaction, and the deck’s 20 percent share of the Pro Tour meta made it clear this card had to go.

Monstrous Rage and Heartfire Hero: Red Decks Too Fast, Too Furious

Mono-Red Aggro has always been a staple, but these two cards pushed it past the breaking point. Monstrous Rage was one of the most efficient combat tricks ever printed, often ending games before turn four. Heartfire Hero added resilience and explosive starts, making it hard for slower decks to stabilize. Together, they created a format where blocking felt pointless and defensive strategies couldn’t keep up.

A figure climbs a giant beanstalk with mountains in the background. Text reads "Up the Beanstalk." It's an enchantment card from Magic: The Gathering.

Up the Beanstalk: Value Engine Overload

Already banned in Modern, Up the Beanstalk made its way into Standard control and ramp decks, offering absurd card advantage. It was nearly impossible to interact with and come out a winner, and its presence squeezed out entire archetypes. Wizards decided it was time to pull the plug before it tanked the format further.

Hopeless Nightmare and This Town Ain’t Big Enough: Bounce Abuse

These two cards were key players in self-bounce and tempo decks. Hopeless Nightmare enabled grindy, repetitive play patterns that drained opponents of resources. This Town Ain’t Big Enough, especially when paired with Stormchaser’s Talent, created frustrating lockout loops. Both cards contributed to unfun gameplay and rightfully got the boot.

What This Means for the Meta

This is one of the biggest Standard shakeups in years. With Izzet Prowess and Azorius Omniscience out of the picture, we’re likely to see a resurgence of midrange and control strategies. Aggro decks will still be around, but they’ll need to find new tools. It’s a fresh start, and honestly, it feels like a breath of fresh air.

Do you agree with the Latest MTG Bans?

As a player, I appreciate when Wizards takes bold steps to keep the game fun and diverse. These bans might sting if you were invested in one of the affected decks or crazy combos, but they open the door for innovation and new strategies. Time to hit the deckbuilder and see what rises from the ashes.