I agree that this is probably unfortunately true. But WOTC are such hypocrites as some of the cards already being played would fit the same criteria if it where the other way around. With this logic we should ban atleast 5-10 cards from modern in bolt, snapcaster, path, goyf, noble, inquisition/thoughtseize etc.

This is the true reason Stoneforge remains on the banned list. The same reason they banned twin, deck diversity. What white deck would not run a Stoneforge Mystic package? Just like many blue decks were simply made better by adding a splinter twin package.

I completely disagree with WOTC thinking this is a reason to ban cards, but it’s going to stay banned for competitive diversity.

Splinter Twin, Stoneforge Mystic, and Green Sun’s Zenith all reside in this camp.

Also non-jund fair decks suck right now anyways and stoneforge only goes in fair decks. How can a fair card be bad because its too hard for fair decks to beat? If fair decks suck and the only thing mystic is good against is fair decks then its a lousy card to play. If its good against other things AND good against other fair decks then the share of fair decks would probably grow and just migrate towards stoneforge builds.

The idea a fair card only playable in fair decks would kill all the fair decks seems paradoxical.

Nobody gives a shit if it slows linear decks or not. If we banned every card that did not slow down a linear deck wed say goodbye to 99.9 percent of the card pool. Your question should have been would stoneforge be oppressive – like bloodbraid jund, splinter twin top 8s or eye of ugin oppressive.

The fact it had a negligible effect on most of the matches you tried should tell you the correct answer to that question and lead you to the conclusion that its safe to unban. Yes its good vs burn. How many tier one decks can use the card? Zero – or one if abzan is currently t1. That is not oppressive.