MTG Market Crash: 'Vivi Ornitier' Ban Crumbles Prices
The Magic: The Gathering secondary market was thrown into chaos this week following a surprise announcement that has sent the price of one of the game’s most popular new commanders into a freefall. The newly-banned "Vivi Ornitier," a powerhouse from the recent Universes Beyond crossover, is headlining this week's market movers for all the wrong reasons, while savvy investors and players are already pivoting to the cards set to take its place.
This week, we're breaking down the massive financial impact of the ban, highlighting the cards climbing to fill the power vacuum, and exploring other significant market shifts shaking up the world of MTG finance.
The Big Fall: Why Vivi Ornitier Crashed
Just weeks after its release, "Vivi Ornitier" established itself as a dominant force, particularly in the Commander format. As a low-cost Izzet (Blue/Red) wizard, its ability to duplicate the first instant or sorcery spell cast each turn created explosive, game-ending combos with alarming consistency. This power level caused its price to soar to unprecedented heights for a recently printed card, peaking at over $80 in its borderless foil treatment.
The ban announcement cited the card's oppressive presence in the format, stating that it "reduced deck diversity and led to repetitive and undesirable game states." The market reaction was immediate and brutal. Within hours, the card's value plummeted by over 90%. Regular versions that once commanded a $50 price tag are now struggling to sell for more than a few dollars, relegated to collection binders rather than competitive decks.
This crash serves as a stark reminder of the volatility inherent in cards that become "too good" for a format, leaving many who invested at its peak with a significant loss.
The Climbers: Cashing in on the Power Vacuum
A ban on a top-tier commander doesn't happen in a void. As one king falls, new contenders rise to claim the throne, and their key pieces are seeing major price spikes as a result.
- Veyran, Voice of Duality: With Vivi gone, players are scrambling for the next-best "spellslinger" commander in the Izzet color identity. Veyran is the clear winner. This legendary creature from Strixhaven gets stronger every time you cast or copy an instant or sorcery spell, synergizing perfectly with the strategy Vivi players already built their decks around. Veyran has more than doubled in price this week, with foil versions seeing the largest gains.
- Mizzix of the Izmagnus: The classic Izzet combo commander is also seeing a major resurgence. Mizzix makes your spells cheaper the more you cast, eventually allowing you to chain together powerful, expensive spells for free. As a proven and powerful alternative, players are buying up copies, leading to a steady price increase of around 75% for the original printing.
- Archmage Emeritus: A staple in any spell-heavy deck, Archmage Emeritus is a card-drawing machine. Its "Magecraft" ability, which draws you a card whenever you cast or copy an instant or sorcery, was a key piece in Vivi decks. While it saw a brief dip as players sold off their now-defunct Vivi builds, it has rebounded stronger than ever as players slot it into their new Veyran and Mizzix decks.
Other Movers: Beyond the Ban List
While the Vivi ban is dominating headlines, other cards are making significant moves based on recent tournament results and speculation around the latest set release, The Lost Caverns of Ixalan.
- Ojer Axonil, Deepest Might: This new mono-red god is making massive waves in multiple formats. Its ability to turn small amounts of noncombat damage into a minimum of four damage is incredibly powerful. Players are experimenting with it in Pioneer, Modern, and Commander, causing all versions of the card to climb steadily. The demand for this new powerhouse shows no signs of slowing down.
- Roaming Throne: A colorless Golem that has found a home in nearly every typal (or "tribal") Commander deck, Roaming Throne is a breakout star. Its ability to double triggered abilities from creatures of a chosen type is both flexible and immensely powerful. Whether you're playing Slivers, Elves, Dinosaurs, or Goblins, this card is an all-star, and its price has been on a consistent upward trend since its release.
- Bloodletter of Aclazotz: This Phyrexian Demon has become a must-have for any Commander deck focused on draining opponents' life totals. Doubling the amount of life lost by opponents each turn can end games in a hurry. Its unique effect and raw power have made it a hot commodity, with its price tag climbing by over 50% in the last few days alone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why do card prices change so dramatically after a ban?
A card's price is driven by supply and demand. In Magic, demand is largely dictated by how powerful and popular a card is in various formats. A ban from a popular format like Commander instantly eliminates a card's primary source of demand, causing its price to crash as players rush to sell their now-unusable copies.
Is it safe to invest in powerful new cards?
Investing in Magic cards always carries risk. While powerful new cards can see huge price increases, they also carry the highest risk of being banned if they prove to be too format-warping. A diversified portfolio and a clear understanding of format health are key to mitigating these risks.
Will 'Vivi Ornitier' ever be unbanned?
It's highly unlikely. Cards are typically only banned after significant consideration, and unbannings are rare, especially for cards that enabled fast, non-interactive combos. While not impossible, players and collectors should assume the ban is permanent for the foreseeable future.