What the data shows
The recent MTG banned and restricted announcement raises a critical question: Why was Food Chain banned in Historic? The answer is straightforward: its high win rate and cumbersome digital execution made it a problematic card for gameplay. Wizards of the Coast confirmed that Food Chain was banned in Historic, marking a significant change in the format.
Food Chain, a card introduced as a Special Guest from the Magic: The Gathering | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles collaboration, was capable of creating an endless amount of 3/1 creatures as early as Turn 2. This ability allowed players to end games within three turns, leading to an unbalanced competitive environment. Wizards of the Coast acknowledged that releasing Food Chain into Historic was ‘a mistake,’ highlighting the oversight in its interaction with Sigardian Evangel.
Despite this significant change in Historic, no adjustments were made to any tabletop formats in this announcement. The current state of Standard revolves around Badgermole Cub decks, while formats like Pioneer and Modern continue to see innovation. Legacy, on the other hand, has not yet reached a solved endgame, indicating ongoing developments in the game.
Wizards of the Coast has maintained a fixed ban schedule since mid-2023, with the next scheduled B&R announcement set for May 18, 2026. This year alone, there are six ban windows planned, including the recent announcement on March 23, 2026. In total, 30 cards were banned across four announcements in 2025, showcasing the company’s commitment to maintaining balance within the game.
Wizards has also indicated that ‘there’s still room for improvement’ in Standard, suggesting that further adjustments may be on the horizon. As players await the next B&R announcement, discussions on Weekly MTG about the recent updates are scheduled for 1 PM ET tomorrow, providing an opportunity for the community to engage with the changes.
In summary, the banning of Food Chain in Historic reflects Wizards of the Coast’s ongoing efforts to ensure balanced gameplay within Magic: The Gathering. While the immediate future of Historic looks different, the broader landscape of MTG continues to evolve, with players eager to see what the next announcements will bring. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further changes that may arise from the upcoming discussions.
