Josh Lee Kwai Resigns from Commander Advisory Group Following Recent Bans
Josh Lee Kwai, a well-known figure in the Magic: The Gathering community and CEO of The Command Zone YouTube channel, announced his resignation from the Commander Advisory Group (CAG) on September 25th. Kwai stated via social media that he hoped to have contributed positively to the Commander format during his tenure, but his departure follows the recent banning of four popular cards in Commander: Jeweled Lotus, Dockside Extortionist, Mana Crypt, and Nadu, Winged Wisdom.
The Commander Rules Committee (CRC) issued these bans on September 23rd, leading to significant debate within the MTG community. Kwai shared that he disagreed with the bans, calling them a “bad call” on social media. He also conducted a poll in which 50.3% of over 18,000 respondents expressed a similar sentiment.
The announcement of the bans has sparked considerable discussion, with some players expressing concerns about the sudden loss of card value. Cards like Jeweled Lotus have seen significant financial impacts due to their now-banned status in the Commander format. While these decisions are designed to maintain balance in the game, some players—particularly within the competitive Commander community—have voiced frustration over the bans.
The Rules Committee has also released a statement addressing the controversy. In an FAQ document, they reiterated that while discussion and feedback are welcome, threats and harassment are unacceptable. The next quarterly update from the CRC is scheduled for November 18th, at which time further decisions and clarifications may be provided.
