The Magic the Gathering world has been on fire over the past 48 hours after the announced ban of some important cards from the Commander format.

One of those cards is Dockside Extortionist. And its cost brands as it as more than just a card. It’s an investment in the game that many have made several times over. And now it’s gone.

But as the world debates the judgement behind the ban of Dockside and the others, there is no denying that it’s a disastrous decision that will have a drastic negative impact on mono red players like you and me.

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We already face daunting odds whenever we’re in a pod. We don’t have the advantages of a blue, green, or black deck (maybe not even white anymore). And we’re certainly out of our depth against these multi colored decks that can not only allow our opponents a variety of way to punish us, but almost seem to capitalize on our disadvantages. It’s become normal for us to watch our opponents flip through an unlimited hand sizes, while we’re holding a single solitary play or often no cards at all.

And the ban cited snowball effect the card has on the game. Ironically it only becomes useful after others are well on their way to competitiveness.

What it really means is they’re taking our way our ability to be explosive. And if mono red doesn’t have explosiveness then what do we have?

Right now, mono red players are in a system where the disadvantages are only growing in numbers. New releases aren’t even producing legendary mono red creatures worthy of building a deck around. It’s almost like they want us gone.

And that’s unfortunate because mono red remains the easiest way to learn the game and to grow the culture. I understand there aren’t a lot of new players like myself running around with a Dockside but when you use it in a loaner deck, it reassures you that your preference to play the game in the manner you enjoy the most is still worth it. Isn’t that what this is all about?

Life goes on. The sun still rose this morning. I still really enjoy this game.

But after this ban it’s hard not feeling like the mono red headed stepchild.

What do you think about the Dockside Extortionsist ban or any of the other cards that were banned (Mana Crypt, Nadu, Jeweled Lotus)? Let me know in the comments.

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