Was the Dig Through Time ban really about Delver?
Modern forum
Posted on Feb. 11, 2015, 4:49 p.m. by TheAnnihilator
(DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a WotC employee, nor do I claim to be. This is just my opinion.)
So, guys, I wanted to point something out. I've noticed a number of people clamoring about the DTT ban, and rightly so. However, I feel like it should be stated:
Despite what wizards has said, I believe the banning of Dig Through Time had nothing to do with 
Delver and everything to do with Splinter Twin (and other -based combo-control decks like Scapeshift).
Now, I need to explain a little. Why would WotC not just say this? Why would they put out a lie about DTT replacing Treasure Cruise, etc., etc.?
Everyone and their mother knows that DTT doesn't function the same as Treasure Cruise. They have numerous differences. Believe me, Wizards knows that. How could they not? How could they honestly believe DTT replaces TC?
To be plain, Wizards doesn't believe that. It doesn't make sense. They aren't worried that DTT replaces TC, but they ARE worried about the prevalence of decks in the meta. In this case, I say they were worried about Splinter Twin (and other combo-control decks -- again, Scapeshift). The problem is that they can't simply say that Twin would be the dominating deck if DTT wasn't banned. Every spike would immediately play Twin, with or without DTT. Why shouldn't they, if Wizards preemptively banned a part of the deck? What does that say about Twin, if they didn't even wait to ban Dig from it? It would be almost like telling everyone to play Combo-Control. That's obviously not what Wizards aims to do.
To support my case, let's look at the top 8 of PT Fate Reforged... the second most prevalent deck in that mix is Twin, with just one fewer deck in the top 8 than Abzan. Antonio Leon won the event with... you called it, Twin. Remember, these versions of Twin don't even have access to DTT. Imagine how the top 8 would have changed if they did!
As a side note, I think Scapeshift decks also had something to do with the banning, but it hasn't made any big showings that I know of (correct me if I'm wrong), so I didn't include much about it in the topic. However, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Scapeshift was also involved.
*Prepares for flaming.
Dig was banned because of Scapeshift, Twin and ascendancy combo and also becasue delver would just start playing dig instead of cruise if they didn't ban both
February 11, 2015 4:54 p.m.
The Doctor says... #5
I'm just confused to why you felt the need to add the disclaimer...
February 11, 2015 4:58 p.m.
Yes, it has everything to do with enabling combo decks and nothing with delver. This is a preemptive ban more than anything else - Wizards have no desire to say three months from now "Whoops, we should have banned the other delve spell that draws cards too" so it was a bundle deal.
PT is not remotely a good indication of anything. First, you need a good limited record to do anything in the PT. Then, 50% of the field was aggro and burn. 30% was abzan and Twin, with the total of 5 lists in the PT, preys on that deck, since they cannot interact and has some amount of control vs burn. So, it was a meta call more than anything else.
February 11, 2015 4:59 p.m.
bijschjdbcd says... #7
I see the idea behind DTT just slotting into a Delver shell but that didn't bother me as it doesn't bump the strategy down to tier 1.5-2.
That being said Junk wouldnt have been as prolific at the PT if Dig was unbanned and you would have seen an insane amount of Combo-Control.
I agree with what you said.
February 11, 2015 5:01 p.m.
CanadianShinobi says... #8
Redundant thread is redundant.
Anyway, the logic that "They aren't worried that DTT replaces TC, but they ARE worried about the prevalence of decks in the meta" is sort of laughable. Main because there will always be prevailing decks. Furthermore, it isn't hard to imagine that BGX decks would rise again. And they have, to an unprecedented level. Nearly 30% of the meta at the Pro Tour. Ridiculous.
@ Boza "PT is not remotely a good indication of anything."
Somebody should tell Wizards that.
February 11, 2015 5:28 p.m.
lemmingllama says... #10
Just to mention, Twin didn't win the PT Fate Reforged due to being the best deck. It was mainly due to Blood Moons in the sideboard, as well as Twin being a really solid deck. Although I do agree with what you are saying, Wizards wants to give aggro decks and control decks a chance against combo.
xlaleclx says... #2
Thank you for going in depth on what absolutely everyone who plays modern already knew.
February 11, 2015 4:53 p.m.