In a significant shift for Magic: The Gathering’s most popular casual format, the Commander Rules Committee and Wizards of the Coast have released the latest Banned and Restricted announcement today, February 09 2026. The update features the surprising return of two long-banned cards to the legal pool, signaling a potential change in format philosophy.
Key Changes to the Commander Banned List
Effective immediately, the following changes have been applied to the Commander format:
- Biorhythm is Unbanned: Long considered a “boogeyman” of the format for its ability to end games abruptly, Biorhythm has been removed from the banned list. Officials suggest that in the current high-power environment of 2026, the eight-mana sorcery no longer poses the same threat it once did.
- Lutri, the Spellchaser is Unbanned: The Ikoria elemental is now legal to include in the 99-card main deck of any deck featuring Blue and Red. However, Lutri remains banned as a Companion, as its deck-building requirement is automatically met by the singleton nature of the Commander format.
Market Impact and Player Reaction
The announcement follows a week of intense market speculation. According to recent reports, prices for original printings of Biorhythm saw a sharp uptick as players anticipated today’s “Game Changer” update. This move follows the controversial September 2024 bans of high-value staples like Jeweled Lotus and Mana Crypt, which had left the community divided over the financial stability of the format.
Public sentiment on platforms like Reddit remains mixed. While many players are excited to experiment with Lutri in the main deck, others express concern that Biorhythm may lead to “unfun” play patterns in lower-powered pods. The Rules Committee continues to emphasize “Rule 0,” encouraging players to discuss power levels and card choices with their local playgroups before games begin.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Duel Commander
While the multiplayer format sees these unbans, the competitive “Duel Commander” variant is facing a total overhaul. Reports indicate that by March 3 2026, Duel Commander will be replaced by a new system, effectively retiring its current Banned & Restricted list in favor of a more “advanced game system.”
For players looking to update their decks, these changes are effective as of today, February 09 2026. The next quarterly update is expected following the next major set prerelease.