Anti-Universes Beyond Format Shot Down — Can UB and Traditional Magic Coexist?

Last updated on April 30, 2025

Deafening Silence | Illustration by Igor Kieryluk

Universes Beyond has been, continues to be, and at this point probably always will contentious in the Magic community. The crossover Universes Beyond sets (UB sets) bring new players into Magic, but many of them just don't “feel like Magic,” and between their relevance to Standard and the increased price hike on UB products, there are plenty of reasons for players to be disillusioned by their presence.

But what if Magic just created a new format, one where UB cards aren't allowed, and people can play with just the cards from in-universe sets? According to Head Designer Mark Rosewater, that's not likely to happen any time soon, but also not something to dismiss completely.

“Market Research Shows…”

Source

User knightmareb4xmas asked Head Designer Mark Rosewater on Blogatog (his Tumblr blog) about the possibility of differentiating Universes Beyond sets from other in-universe sets by creating some sort of new format where they remained separate from one another. The question went on to compare UB products in Magic to a beloved restaurant changing up the recipes to its well-known meals.

MaRo gave a twofold answer, the first part of which addressed an internal pitch to Magic's Market Research team, where they asked that exact question: How interested would people be in a separate “UB format.” According to MaRo, there wasn't any substantial feedback to make this feel like something worth doing.

Of course, we don't know what that research looked like or what the actual response was. This could very well have been part of a recent player survey, or something that completely took place within WotC's walls, but if you take MaRo's answer at face-value, a UB-centric format just isn't a priority for anyone. According to MaRo: “The vast majority of the players were fine with mixing and matching UB and non-UB cards.”

It's not clear if this research comes from recent feedback or from initial UB feedback before the changes to Standard were announced in 2024. Either way, don't get too hopeful for a Constructed format void of UB cards any time soon.

Build It, And They Will Come

Cultivate | Illustration by Anthony Palumbo

MaRo's response included an interesting rider: “…if you feel that we’re wrong, that there is demand for it, make it.” He states that “[WotC will] pay attention” if the player base creates its own anti-UB format and builds it up into something of substance, noting that “Commander started as a player built format.”

That's a somewhat promising answer for players who really can't stand UB tie-ins, though it's more theoretical than practical. After all, what kind of following would a new format need before it “catches the attention of WotC,” especially if the only distinction about the format is that it's not playing half the cards they release each year?

“Standard Minus UB” isn't all that compelling given how many Standard sets are now dedicated to UB properties, and “Commander Minus UB” just sounds like Commander with more stringent Rule 0 conversations. So this would likely have to be a brand new format, one distinct enough from existing Constructed formats, and one compelling enough that it stands on its own merits aside from just ignoring UB cards. And above all else, it would need to garner a following and actually be played regularly by a large enough group of people.

The perfect storm of all these factors coming together seems unlikely, though formats like Tiny Leaders have popped up in the past, and Oathbreaker‘s even recognized by WotC as an official format now. So unlikely, but not impossible. Though for now, as MaRo states: “…the data says there isn't a large enough audience to support [a new format].”

Wishful Thinking

Spider-Man Promotional Art | Illustration by Javier Charro

While players might not be vocal about a new UB-less format, they have been vocal about their dislike of UB in general. As Immortal Corruptor wrote in a Reddit post from six months ago: “People are upset because Magic's identity is being blurred and overshadowed by IP's that are far more popular.” Some have nicknamed it the “Fortnite-ification” of Magic, and would prefer Magic just stick to its own creative worldbuilding.

For those of you hellbent on keeping UB as far away from your Magic as possible, sounds like it's up to you to make that happen. Without some serious input from actual players, there's no escaping Spider-Man chasing down Prince Zuko across the deserts of Tarkir.