| Forbidden | |
|---|---|
| Keyword Ability | |
| Type | Static |
| Introduced | Unreleased mechanics |
| Last used | Mystery Booster 2 |
| Reminder Text | Forbidden (This card can't be in your starting deck.) |
Forbidden is a static ability which has been discussed by R&D, but has never been printed on a eternal card. It alters the pre-game procedures by putting all Forbidden cards into exile, rather than the library, prior to shuffling and drawing opening hands.
Description[ | ]
Forbidden was created by Mark Rosewater for Avacyn Restored, and was flavorfully intended to capture the mystery of the contents of the Helvault.
Cards with forbidden start the game in exile, similar to commanders starting the game in the command zone. Specific other cards allow players to shuffle forbidden cards from exile into their library.[1][2]
History[ | ]
Forbidden was inspired by a custom deck made by Richard Garfield for spellslinging at the 2008 World Championships in Memphis, USA. He had "Gunk" cards in his deck, that didn't do anything and the means to transfer those cards to his opponent's deck.[3][4] This idea was later used on the Mystery Booster test card Gunk Slug.
Forbidden did not playtest well, and was cut from the set during the "devign" step in the production process. It was replaced by miracle.[5]
Elements of Forbidden were later repurposed in the sideboard-fetching Learn and Lesson combination from Strixhaven: School of Mages.[6]
In 2024, Forbidden was featured on the Mystery Booster 2 test card Can't Quite Recall.
Example[ | ]
Example
Forbidden Creature 
Creature
7/7
Forbidden (This card can't be in your starting deck.)
Lifelink
References[ | ]
- ↑ Magic: The Gathering YouTube channel (August 31, 2015). Devign Time: Design & Development Q&A Panel.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 7, 2015). "Topical Blend: Did You Hear the One About...". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater, Drive to Work #214 "2008"
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 22, 2017). "Were Contraptions in any way inspired by the "forbidden" mechanic?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 24, 2014). "Top 8 and a Half Tales". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 18, 2023). "Commander Masters Storyteller, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.