RESTRICTED LIST
BANNED
All Reserved List cards.
RESTRICTED
Maximum one copy per deck.
B&R Philosophy
Our default is that every non-Reserved List card in the Scarwood card pool should remain legal. Restriction is used sparingly for cards that create excessive consistency or non-games when played as four-ofs.
Restricting the most efficient tutor and card-selection effects to one copy helps reduce repetitive gameplay, but still provides some extra consistency for combo or toolbox strategies that would otherwise suffer.
How do we define “efficient” tutors?
The combination of mana cost, deck-building constraints, and flexibility defines whether a tutor is worth restricting.
Gamble is a one-mana tutor which sees functionally no play in Premodern because the downside is unpleasant. Natural Order and Tinker are powerful but require a specific build in order to function, and limitations in the card pool give those effects an upper ceiling. If they proved problematic, they could be reconsidered in the future.
Why is Parallax Tide restricted?
The “one-sided Armageddon” effect of Parallax Tide is backbreaking at four copies, especially in a shell backed by Force of Will. At one copy, it can serve as a powerful disruptive layer for control or tempo decks without being a primary gameplan.
Why restrict instead of ban?
Ban lists are the more modern solution to the overpowered-card problem. However, part of the appeal of retro formats is being able to play old, powerful effects that couldn’t exist in modern design. Casting Demonic Consultation in a 60-card format is fun. It just shouldn’t show up in every game or every opening hand.