No, because when you announce that you are activating an ability (just as you would when you cast a spell) you have to first name the target if there is one, then pay the costs. The Petrified Field will not be in the graveyard yet at the time you would need to target it with the ability, thus it will not work.
As I see it the biggest problem with a lot of the banned list is that they're trying to regulate FUN. That is never the basis that WoTC uses to determine if something should be banned or not, they look at the format to see what is degenerate and what isn't. EDH doesn't have a competitive and established format on the whole, its more local-based.
Personally, if you're going regulate FUN you need to ban the 3 legendary Eldrazi and a good handful of mass-LD spells. Conversely, having cards to produce a lot of mana is necessary in a format where you need to be able to play more or larger things, which is why its annoying to see the only blue version of that banned. I also think that Gifts Ungiven is plenty fine in a casual game. Tinker isn't that ridiculous either in casual where life totals = 40 to start. On the other hand I do see some of how ridiculous Kokusho can get, but is he that much worse than some other cards would be? Not so sure on that.
Much of our play group is regulated by the fact that if you play stuff thats nothing but annoying .. we just kill you first. We had a player running a Teferi deck with all 3 big eldrazi and sundering titan. All annoying, he definitely got killed first for example.
Evidently my playgroup is very odd in that we have a bigger ban list than the reccomended one. We basically merged the EDH & Highlander Ban lists (therefore banning stuff like Jitte & clamp), and then added Mindslaver, Sorin & Magister Sphinx.
The three additions were reasoned thus:
Mindslaver - 8-9 games out of 10 were ending in acadamy ruins/mindslaver lock. We got bored of it & banned it.
Sorin & Magister Sphinx - having someone go "Turn 6, sorin, you're on 10" and then being dead before you get to untap was deemed to be the definition of un-fun, so we banned them. Now we have an interesting meta where you don't go from over 4000 life to 10 to dead out of nowhere (and yes, that genuinely happened to me thanks to celestial mantle/beacon of immortality shenanigins). Also, Sorin has a slaver effect. Not such an exploitable one, but still, no slaver effects in hour meta.
On this I actually have a point to make. I think that Sorin and Magister Sphinx need to exist BECAUSE of that very thing that you just listed. To get to 4000 life there is something pretty degenerate happening on your side of the table. Sorin and Sphinx are nearly the ONLY answers to gigantic life totals like that (yes, I know there are some others too). I think it keeps it in check much like something like Bribery might make you think about what would happen if your eldrazi gets yoinked out of your library.
Sleep, Exhaustion, and Turnabout are all "ok", the problem is that I do primarily play multiplayer EDH, and that's only going to neutralize a single opponent which will only be so-so I think.
If you look in my signature you'll see my merfolk list (not 100% sure that its up-to-date, but its only likely different by a few cards, some that will be mentioned here). What I want to do is get some control added in where I tap my opponents creatures and thats how I control the board presense. This started with Meekstone and then I started looking at more things. I'm looking for some additional suggestions for what sorts of cards people might try out. My deck is UW for restrictions.
I think I'm going to be *that* guy real quick. I've felt this with the top50 lists as well, but its much more apparent here. You're doing a massive disservice to people by saying that a certain card basically HAS to go into a deck, or that most of the time it should, and so on. Yes, there are a lot of cards that are really good ... most of the time they're good in other formats too, so you're not saying anything new at all. Worse, we're directing people that they're deck sucks unless they're running the following X cards (or at best they have to have a specific reason for not doing so). This then limits the build space that people have (or feel they have).
Also, there is no science to these percentages that you're putting up other than either you've SEEN that many decks running those cards or some other sort of "gut feel" that you're going with. I think you need to talk about HOW these percentages are developed if you're going to do something like this and have it have some sort of meaning.
To address the top list personally though to give a sense in what I'm talking about, I have 6 decks and some more that are mentally in progress as well...
Colorless staples:
Solemn Simulacrum (90%) - Not running this in a single deck Duplicant (40%) - Not running this in any decks Sol Ring (95%) - This one I will say is nearly a benefit to any deck as its just more mana, but I only have it in 2 decks mostly due to not having more, regardless they're not NECESSARY either Sensei's Divining Top (90%) - I run this in NO DECKS. Why? Because its unnecessary and isn't card advantage. I run plenty of blue decks, and almost no combo decks, digging 3 cards a turn and wasting time isn't relative. Oblivion Stone (65%) - I run this in my mono-B deck because it is an answer to artifacts and enchantments. This doesnt' need to be in the majority of decks though, so my unscientific opinion is to recommend it, but 65% is no where near accurate Nevinyrral's Disk (35%) - How is this only 35% if O-stone is 65%? It does nearly the same thing for less mana. I run this in NO decks Mind's Eye (50%) - This is too high too, there is good draw in a good amount of colors that is less mana intensive All is Dust (60%) - I don't have any of these, I agree its a great card, not sure it needs to be in that many decks though.
White staples:
Path to Exile (80%) - non-repeatable spot removal just isn't NECESSARY in this format, i prefer to run things I can repeat. It is good, but I don't play it that often Swords to Plowshares (80%) - non-repeatable spot removal just isn't NECESSARY in this format, i prefer to run things I can repeat. It is good, but I don't play it that often Condemn (40%) - I like this better than the other 2 to deal with a general, again .. you don't NEED it though Return to Dust (75%) - Lots of good answers to artifacts and enchantments, doesn't have to be this one, I don't play this and I'm just fine Hallowed Burial (70%) - Best wrath effect, I'd recommend it too, percentage doesn't tell me anything though Austere Command (90%) - Here I finally agree, I run this in as many white decks as I can
Blue staples:
Trinket Mage (75%) - This is grossely over hyped. Its only good if you want to play a lot of one-cost stuff that isn't that great in multiplayer, and I already ripped on the top above Mystical Tutor (85%) - Best tutor in blue, still card disadvantage though so I'd certainly not tell someone its needed Hinder (40%) Fact or Fiction (65%) - One of the best draw spells, lots of good ones though too Rite of Replication (75%) - best clone ability, may not need to clone though ... overexaggerated for sure Jace, the Mind Sculptor (50%) - its good, it's definitely not necessary for a multiplayer casual format though Future Sight (60%) - this is best in combo really, not everyone that plays blue plays combo. its good though
Black staples:
Withered Wretch (50%) - too many better answers to graveyard problems, just no Vampiric Tutor (80%) - its solid, number might be right, technically card disadvantage though Demonic Tutor (90%) - can't argue this one much, its the best tutor ever Decree of Pain (75%) - Damnation is probably better often, sometimes you need a less costly wrath effect and you don't have white. It is good though
Red staples:
Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker (50%) - No. Doesn't need to be in any red decks and is normally only in combo decks, certainly not that much of a staple Bogardan Hellkite (85%) - Its good sure, but its definitely not the be all end all creature in this format, way too highly overhyped Insurrection (70%) - This is pretty good and will swing a lot of games, its good
Green staples:
Eternal Witness (95%) - This is a solid card, i won't debate it too hard Genesis (80%) - Ditto Seedborn Muse (50%) - A lot of people will hate you for playing this card Acidic Slime (40%) - creature verson of an answer, its fine i guess Terastodon (50%) - not this good, you give them an elephant or lose your own stuff Woodfall Primus (50%) - I agree, solid card Survival of the Fittest (20%) - very good, i'll conceed this one Krosan Grip (70%) - best of this type removal, not repeatable and doesn't attack though Restock (70%) - good Primal Command (85%) - eh Mana Reflection (60%) - sure
Won't work like that. Whenever one of the three Eldrazi Titans hits the graveyard, it has a triggered ability that shuffles the entire graveyard into the library. In theory, there could be a time when the last 3 cards of their library are Ulamog, Emrakul, and Kozilkek, but it's hard to imagine. You'd have to use mill that exiles, or mass draw.
That's not exactly true, if you have a mill effect that is instant speed and allows you to RESPOND, you could respond to the trigger by milling them all over again. Presumably you could do this 3 times if you could do it once. This was pretty common as a way of getting around Gaea's Blessing in legacy when you're playing Solidarity. However, you do still need a way to force them to draw right then or those triggers you responded to will just go off and you're right back where you started. Might be easier in some instances than making them draw 100 cards though.
When I start building a deck I often figure for a 60/40 split where I'm not assuming any sort of mana acceleration or the like. For the most part however, 40 lands isn't necessary for most decks. I tend to remove lands when I put in other forms of mana acceleration like most others have said. I would say that typically I go with closer to 35 when its all said and done. Of course the deck matters too, but with the game going longer AND a free mulligan, its usually not too much of a problem
fzian you have quoted the rules correctly, but you are incorrect in your assumption. The rules of EDH state that you can not include a card that has a mana SYMBOL other than your general. Many lands exist which do not have mana symbols on them but state tap: add mana of any color. Since the other rule you list states "if you would produce a mana not of the color of general, you instead produce colorless", this means that any of those aforementioned lands which produce "any color" will in the case of a colorless general only produce colorless.
Having an idea of the group in the area that organizes those events (though I would like to say that this is absolutely still my opinion and not fact) I would say that they will be adhering to the official ban list.
I would say if you're still interested in playing, just watch for people teaming up if thats how they do the rules and look over at the other guy and point out to them quickly that you should do the same to them. Seems like what I would do anyway.
Either way, I'm sure as someone else said, there will be massive amounts of people toting EDH decks, just sit down and have a pickup game.
* Onslaught/Zendikar fetchlands can only be used under generals that allow both colors. Notice those pretty, shaded textboxes?
* The same is also true for the Mirage fetchlands and Krosan Verge.
* Panoramas can only be used in 5C or generals aligned with that shard.
* Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth is verboten to nonblack generals (there's that shading again!).
* Ditto Kobolds of Kher Keep et al to nonred generals.
* Farseek may be used if the general has any green in him/her.
Let me cover this in turn...
fetchlands, mirage fetchlands, and such - I actually tend to keep these to only being with in the colors, with the one exception of a deck that was based around landfall. I don't know if this needs to be defined as a "ban list" but just something that you all agree to (yes I realize the distinction is subtle) in order to preserve fun and flavor. I do it for those reasons regardless of the group I'm playing with.
Panoramas - These fall into the above category, I actually do like to use them in a deck where the general has 2 colors at least, merely because they're again low-cost fetches that help the mana base. If you want to include them .. No problem
Urborg - Again seems ok, there are a couple of strategies that it might change though, as I know there is a couple of cards that do things to opponents for the number of swamps, no biggie.
Kher Keep - This has red in it already as part of the activation, so you could only play it in a red deck to start with.
Farseek - This being on the list seems odd, its green so of course it can be played in a green deck. If you didn't have a non-green color also, you'd never play it. So I agree with the statement, but its specific inclusion I don't see as necessary for your list.
Fun is completly subjective from person to person so basing any argument off it is just bound to fail epicly, so why dont we leave it out of this one and instead look at the facts. And i think you will find that the facts favor unbanning metalworker.
This is actually the problem with this thread and many others like it. I see a lot of people saying the FACTS are that Card A or Card B should be banned or should not be banned. What I do not see are any actual FACTS being presented. Saying that Rofellos and Tolarian Academy can produce more mana faster than Metalworker also does not count as a fact, primarily due to the fact that its not true 100% of the time (I could cite examples for when each of the 3 would make more mana, for the sake of time I won't do so).
What I would like to see is some of you actually playtesting some games that included a metalworker in various decks against various decks. Then maybe asking another group or 2 to do so as well. After that you might have some data to actually present to back up your argument. As it is the argument is basically "I want to use Metalworker, its not THAT broken, look what THIS card does". Thats not an argument, thats whining.
Looking objectively at the format, I would also guess that Metalworker is one of those cards that is "on the fence" banning-wise. My personal opinion is that if thats the case I'd rather ban than not ban, but thats only my opinion. The rules committee has some playtesting and knowledge on their side as to why it was banned and I'm thus inclined to side with them. That said, Metalworker might be just fine in the game and if so I'd enjoy seeing some people prove it.
Lets not forget that any counterspell will stop them, Spelljack will even let you turn the tides on them. Most of the time removal should take care of your creature, even better if its a bounce spell
The term "rules committee" is a joke in respect to EDH. They do what's convenient when they want. No thanks.
By tha "arguement" you could say the same thing about WoTC if you wanted to. There aren't THAT many people who are playtesting their stuff either. I'm pretty confident that the people who created the format have a vested interest in people having fun in the format.
I think its fine to propose a different ban list, but the problem is that EDH is ruled by the group over at dragonhighlander.net so anything we do here you really realize will likely be used only by your playgroup more than likely, or maybe a handful of others. If thats the case, then you start with the "standard" ban list as your base and then add or remove things as you see that they are causing a problem or warrant trying. Basically its about what you as a group find fun.
Personally I like the banned list as is *currently* for the most part. When ROE becomes legal you might see me change my tune depending on what changes, but I can say that I've played against a deck full of eldrazi and it was NOT fun (similar to the reason that Braids is banned as a general). Thats another story for another day though.
The thing that always gets me with these nearly daily threads about the rules (perhaps this is something that needs it own dedicated thread or sub-forum?) is that 1-2 people always think that they have better answers than the collective intelligence of either A) the rest of the people who are happy with the format or B) the rules committee that presides over the format.
Most of the cards that are banned were done so with a purpose, before you start suggesting to ban or unban something I would suggest that you will need a LOT more playtesting and data in order to "trump" the findings of the committee that developed the game. Also, if you notice, the site posts the banned list under social and recommends that in order to maintain a "gentleman's agreement" that you shouldn't play with those cards. People honor that agreement in order to have FUN playing the format.
Just as a side note, all of the cards you're considering unbanning WERE legal at some point and added to the list later I believe. Painter's Servant combo's with a lot of other cards to either be too easily broken (Grindstone) or too easily un-fun (Iona, Teysa and Llawan). Upheaval does exactly what Sharpened described above. Kokusho swings the life totals in a massively significant manner without really trying. If you want to see a debate on Metalworker, just check out that thread. Sway the Stars is on there because it sets the life totals to 7.
I also see a lot of arguements saying "well it doesn't matter because almost all the games are won like this _____". The problem with that is that its different in every meta- in the world and thus is an irrelevant argument. Not everyone plays the same way, which is fine .. but it means you can't JUST use your evidence as the 100% solution.
Edit: Yes, Braids IS that bad. It can come down on turn 2-3 if you are building around it, and then your opponents can't ever get anything going. Requires the use of narrower spot removal to get rid of it, and it actually dodges a fair bit of that due to its color. I normally sigh when its resolved just as one of the regular 99
Personally, if you're going regulate FUN you need to ban the 3 legendary Eldrazi and a good handful of mass-LD spells. Conversely, having cards to produce a lot of mana is necessary in a format where you need to be able to play more or larger things, which is why its annoying to see the only blue version of that banned. I also think that Gifts Ungiven is plenty fine in a casual game. Tinker isn't that ridiculous either in casual where life totals = 40 to start. On the other hand I do see some of how ridiculous Kokusho can get, but is he that much worse than some other cards would be? Not so sure on that.
Much of our play group is regulated by the fact that if you play stuff thats nothing but annoying .. we just kill you first. We had a player running a Teferi deck with all 3 big eldrazi and sundering titan. All annoying, he definitely got killed first for example.
On this I actually have a point to make. I think that Sorin and Magister Sphinx need to exist BECAUSE of that very thing that you just listed. To get to 4000 life there is something pretty degenerate happening on your side of the table. Sorin and Sphinx are nearly the ONLY answers to gigantic life totals like that (yes, I know there are some others too). I think it keeps it in check much like something like Bribery might make you think about what would happen if your eldrazi gets yoinked out of your library.
Sleep, Exhaustion, and Turnabout are all "ok", the problem is that I do primarily play multiplayer EDH, and that's only going to neutralize a single opponent which will only be so-so I think.
Here's what is already in the deck that works or does tapping...
Merrow Reejerey
Stonybrook Angler
Opposition
Thoughtweft Gambit
Meekstone
Things I've considered
Palliation Accord
Righteous Fury
Gideon Jura
Scepter of Dominance
I'm looking to see what else might be out there that would work out well also. Thoughts?
Also, there is no science to these percentages that you're putting up other than either you've SEEN that many decks running those cards or some other sort of "gut feel" that you're going with. I think you need to talk about HOW these percentages are developed if you're going to do something like this and have it have some sort of meaning.
To address the top list personally though to give a sense in what I'm talking about, I have 6 decks and some more that are mentally in progress as well...
Colorless staples:
Solemn Simulacrum (90%) - Not running this in a single deck
Duplicant (40%) - Not running this in any decks
Sol Ring (95%) - This one I will say is nearly a benefit to any deck as its just more mana, but I only have it in 2 decks mostly due to not having more, regardless they're not NECESSARY either
Sensei's Divining Top (90%) - I run this in NO DECKS. Why? Because its unnecessary and isn't card advantage. I run plenty of blue decks, and almost no combo decks, digging 3 cards a turn and wasting time isn't relative.
Oblivion Stone (65%) - I run this in my mono-B deck because it is an answer to artifacts and enchantments. This doesnt' need to be in the majority of decks though, so my unscientific opinion is to recommend it, but 65% is no where near accurate
Nevinyrral's Disk (35%) - How is this only 35% if O-stone is 65%? It does nearly the same thing for less mana. I run this in NO decks
Mind's Eye (50%) - This is too high too, there is good draw in a good amount of colors that is less mana intensive
All is Dust (60%) - I don't have any of these, I agree its a great card, not sure it needs to be in that many decks though.
White staples:
Path to Exile (80%) - non-repeatable spot removal just isn't NECESSARY in this format, i prefer to run things I can repeat. It is good, but I don't play it that often
Swords to Plowshares (80%) - non-repeatable spot removal just isn't NECESSARY in this format, i prefer to run things I can repeat. It is good, but I don't play it that often
Condemn (40%) - I like this better than the other 2 to deal with a general, again .. you don't NEED it though
Return to Dust (75%) - Lots of good answers to artifacts and enchantments, doesn't have to be this one, I don't play this and I'm just fine
Hallowed Burial (70%) - Best wrath effect, I'd recommend it too, percentage doesn't tell me anything though
Austere Command (90%) - Here I finally agree, I run this in as many white decks as I can
Blue staples:
Trinket Mage (75%) - This is grossely over hyped. Its only good if you want to play a lot of one-cost stuff that isn't that great in multiplayer, and I already ripped on the top above
Mystical Tutor (85%) - Best tutor in blue, still card disadvantage though so I'd certainly not tell someone its needed
Hinder (40%)
Fact or Fiction (65%) - One of the best draw spells, lots of good ones though too
Rite of Replication (75%) - best clone ability, may not need to clone though ... overexaggerated for sure
Jace, the Mind Sculptor (50%) - its good, it's definitely not necessary for a multiplayer casual format though
Future Sight (60%) - this is best in combo really, not everyone that plays blue plays combo. its good though
Black staples:
Withered Wretch (50%) - too many better answers to graveyard problems, just no
Vampiric Tutor (80%) - its solid, number might be right, technically card disadvantage though
Demonic Tutor (90%) - can't argue this one much, its the best tutor ever
Decree of Pain (75%) - Damnation is probably better often, sometimes you need a less costly wrath effect and you don't have white. It is good though
Red staples:
Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker (50%) - No. Doesn't need to be in any red decks and is normally only in combo decks, certainly not that much of a staple
Bogardan Hellkite (85%) - Its good sure, but its definitely not the be all end all creature in this format, way too highly overhyped
Insurrection (70%) - This is pretty good and will swing a lot of games, its good
Green staples:
Eternal Witness (95%) - This is a solid card, i won't debate it too hard
Genesis (80%) - Ditto
Seedborn Muse (50%) - A lot of people will hate you for playing this card
Acidic Slime (40%) - creature verson of an answer, its fine i guess
Terastodon (50%) - not this good, you give them an elephant or lose your own stuff
Woodfall Primus (50%) - I agree, solid card
Survival of the Fittest (20%) - very good, i'll conceed this one
Krosan Grip (70%) - best of this type removal, not repeatable and doesn't attack though
Restock (70%) - good
Primal Command (85%) - eh
Mana Reflection (60%) - sure
Gold staples:
Angel of Despair (40%)
Vindicate (30%)
Maelstrom Pulse (30%)
Pernicious Deed (50%)
Bant Charm (75%)
Mystical Teachings (70%)
Memory Plunder (85%)
Mirari's Wake (90%)
Spitting Image (55%)
Debtors' Knell (80%)
- I'll just address this all at once, these are all dependant on the type of deck. Vindicate and Bant Charm are the only ones that need be high on the list, the rest are just "Eh"
Land Staples
Thawing Glaciers (25%)
Strip Mine (40%)
Reliquary Tower (90%)
Temple of the False God (80%)
Emeria, the Sky Ruin (90%)
Kor Haven (80%)
Academy Ruins (80%)
Bojuka Bog (90%)
Volrath's Stronghold (80%)
-All solid lands, no reason to feel locked in though
That's not exactly true, if you have a mill effect that is instant speed and allows you to RESPOND, you could respond to the trigger by milling them all over again. Presumably you could do this 3 times if you could do it once. This was pretty common as a way of getting around Gaea's Blessing in legacy when you're playing Solidarity. However, you do still need a way to force them to draw right then or those triggers you responded to will just go off and you're right back where you started. Might be easier in some instances than making them draw 100 cards though.
I would say if you're still interested in playing, just watch for people teaming up if thats how they do the rules and look over at the other guy and point out to them quickly that you should do the same to them. Seems like what I would do anyway.
Either way, I'm sure as someone else said, there will be massive amounts of people toting EDH decks, just sit down and have a pickup game.
Let me cover this in turn...
fetchlands, mirage fetchlands, and such - I actually tend to keep these to only being with in the colors, with the one exception of a deck that was based around landfall. I don't know if this needs to be defined as a "ban list" but just something that you all agree to (yes I realize the distinction is subtle) in order to preserve fun and flavor. I do it for those reasons regardless of the group I'm playing with.
Panoramas - These fall into the above category, I actually do like to use them in a deck where the general has 2 colors at least, merely because they're again low-cost fetches that help the mana base. If you want to include them .. No problem
Urborg - Again seems ok, there are a couple of strategies that it might change though, as I know there is a couple of cards that do things to opponents for the number of swamps, no biggie.
Kher Keep - This has red in it already as part of the activation, so you could only play it in a red deck to start with.
Farseek - This being on the list seems odd, its green so of course it can be played in a green deck. If you didn't have a non-green color also, you'd never play it. So I agree with the statement, but its specific inclusion I don't see as necessary for your list.
This is actually the problem with this thread and many others like it. I see a lot of people saying the FACTS are that Card A or Card B should be banned or should not be banned. What I do not see are any actual FACTS being presented. Saying that Rofellos and Tolarian Academy can produce more mana faster than Metalworker also does not count as a fact, primarily due to the fact that its not true 100% of the time (I could cite examples for when each of the 3 would make more mana, for the sake of time I won't do so).
What I would like to see is some of you actually playtesting some games that included a metalworker in various decks against various decks. Then maybe asking another group or 2 to do so as well. After that you might have some data to actually present to back up your argument. As it is the argument is basically "I want to use Metalworker, its not THAT broken, look what THIS card does". Thats not an argument, thats whining.
Looking objectively at the format, I would also guess that Metalworker is one of those cards that is "on the fence" banning-wise. My personal opinion is that if thats the case I'd rather ban than not ban, but thats only my opinion. The rules committee has some playtesting and knowledge on their side as to why it was banned and I'm thus inclined to side with them. That said, Metalworker might be just fine in the game and if so I'd enjoy seeing some people prove it.
Mindlock Orb, Shadow of Doubt - Can't search your library, its pretty much a dead card
Ivory Mask, Spirit of the Hearth, True Believer, Gilded Light - I believe they have to actually be able to target you in order to take something
Brooding Saurian - 4/4 that gets your stuff back
Shunt, Meddle, Wild Ricochet - Redirect their theft to another player, with the latter you even get to copy it for yourself
Lets not forget that any counterspell will stop them, Spelljack will even let you turn the tides on them. Most of the time removal should take care of your creature, even better if its a bounce spell
By tha "arguement" you could say the same thing about WoTC if you wanted to. There aren't THAT many people who are playtesting their stuff either. I'm pretty confident that the people who created the format have a vested interest in people having fun in the format.
Personally I like the banned list as is *currently* for the most part. When ROE becomes legal you might see me change my tune depending on what changes, but I can say that I've played against a deck full of eldrazi and it was NOT fun (similar to the reason that Braids is banned as a general). Thats another story for another day though.
Most of the cards that are banned were done so with a purpose, before you start suggesting to ban or unban something I would suggest that you will need a LOT more playtesting and data in order to "trump" the findings of the committee that developed the game. Also, if you notice, the site posts the banned list under social and recommends that in order to maintain a "gentleman's agreement" that you shouldn't play with those cards. People honor that agreement in order to have FUN playing the format.
Just as a side note, all of the cards you're considering unbanning WERE legal at some point and added to the list later I believe. Painter's Servant combo's with a lot of other cards to either be too easily broken (Grindstone) or too easily un-fun (Iona, Teysa and Llawan). Upheaval does exactly what Sharpened described above. Kokusho swings the life totals in a massively significant manner without really trying. If you want to see a debate on Metalworker, just check out that thread. Sway the Stars is on there because it sets the life totals to 7.
I also see a lot of arguements saying "well it doesn't matter because almost all the games are won like this _____". The problem with that is that its different in every meta- in the world and thus is an irrelevant argument. Not everyone plays the same way, which is fine .. but it means you can't JUST use your evidence as the 100% solution.
Edit: Yes, Braids IS that bad. It can come down on turn 2-3 if you are building around it, and then your opponents can't ever get anything going. Requires the use of narrower spot removal to get rid of it, and it actually dodges a fair bit of that due to its color. I normally sigh when its resolved just as one of the regular 99