Magic Reintroduces Card Capable of Instant Victory After 21-Year Hiatus

One of the most notorious cards from Magic: The Gathering’s Commander banned list has just been given a second chance. As part of the recent ban announcements, the green sorcery Biorhythm has been unbanned in Commander. First introduced in the 2002 Onslaught set, Biorhythm requires eight mana and delivers a straightforward yet game-altering effect: each player’s life total becomes equal to the number of creatures they control. If your opponents have no creatures, it’s an instant loss for them.

In a 2013 blog post reflecting on Commander’s history, Sheldon Menery, a key figure in popularizing the format, noted that Biorhythm was the very first card he proposed banning. He explained that during its heyday, games often devolved into Biorhythm standoffs. “Indestructible wasn’t really a thing, so there weren’t too many ways to win that way, but games were devolving into Biorhythm battles,” he wrote. “The strategy was to get just one or two more creatures into play than anyone else, cast Biorhythm, and attack for lethal against whoever you hadn’t already eliminated.”

Biorhythm was officially banned in April 2005, alongside other powerful cards like the Power Nine, Balance, and Library of Alexandria. Now, over twenty years later, it’s back in the game. Magic’s Principal Game Designer, Gavin Verhey, stated in the announcement that Biorhythm, as a situational eight-mana sorcery, isn’t the overwhelming threat it used to be. He likened it to other high-cost spells that can dramatically alter the game, such as Worldfire, Sway of the Stars, and Coalition Victory, all of which can reset the board or change life totals but require significant mana to cast.

“We recognize there’s some risk involved, but it’s also a card that can create memorable moments,” Verhey noted. “I can envision many games being turned upside down in a spectacular way when Biorhythm resolves, making for a unique experience, as long as it doesn’t happen too frequently.”

Today’s Commander format is characterized by more explosive creature strategies compared to its early days. Many decks can generate a plethora of creature tokens or include indestructible creatures that can withstand an instant defeat. Additionally, for Biorhythm to take out an opponent, you’d need to clear their board first.

In an update regarding the Commander Brackets, Verhey confirmed that any card that gets unbanned typically joins Wizards’ Game Changers list, which serves as a watch list for powerful, game-altering cards. Some casual brackets restrict these cards entirely, while others limit how many can be included in a deck. For now, Biorhythm will be subject to these same rules.

“This card fundamentally changes the game,” Verhey remarked.

Two decades ago, Biorhythm helped shape the boundaries of what Commander could handle. In 2026, Wizards is confident that the format is ready to embrace it.