Pirates, Vampires, Merfolk and Dinosaurs are back with brand new cards. Kristen sits down to evaluate what new The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Precon exclusive cards are worth adding to your collection. Lost Caverns of Ixalan brings with it four Commander decks: Ahoy Mateys, Blood Rite, Explorers of the Deep and Veloci-Ramp-Tor. Each is filled with a bevy of new, …
Commander is an ever evolving metagame, with new cards being added all the time. What’s changed in the past year or two? Which keywords are doing the heavy lifting? Commander Advisory Group member Kristen shares her thoughts on how things are shaping up. It’s been nearly three years since I last wrote about Casual Commander’s Most Underrated Abilities. The format …
When you’re lacking inspiration ahead of game night, it can be tempting to try a new brew. Kristen has five Commander archetypes that can be built lightning fast to inject some novelty into your roster. Sometimes you look at your collection of decks and feel like nothing is catching your eye. Maybe you’ve played them all recently; maybe you’ve deconstructed …
Some of the most popular Commanders are below four mana, with some costing as little as two. It’s a big advantage having a low-cost Commander in the zone, but what if you want to run a more expensive one? Kristen has some tips to help you get the most out of casting more expensive Commanders. Chances are you have some …
Doctor Who arrives in the Commander format with four preconstructed decks. Each is flush with reprints, but also dozens of novel designs. With 200 new Doctor Who cards available for Commander brewing, it’s time to review the best of the set. Chances are you’re going to pick up the precons for some planechase Doctor Who action, or you’re going to …
October is “the spooky month,” and what better way to enjoy the season as a Magic player than to get some friends together for a Halloween draft? While you might not have a Halloween themed cube, there are plenty of Magic sets that lean into horror, thrills and general scary vibes. Which options have the best art? Which make for …
There’s a new Tales of Middle-earth product coming out this holiday season: the Lord of the Rings Scene Box. Four variants release Nov. 3: Aragorn, Galadriel, Gandalf and the Witch-King. Each box contains six brand-new LOC cards — legal in the Commander format — along with six art cards, a display easel and three set boosters of Tales of Middle-earth. …
Everyone loves a good Voltron deck. Suiting up your Commander to do battle with all manner of swords, maces, breastplates and relics can be a lot of fun. But which Voltron Commanders are the most lethal? Which can take on the table? Kristen has some suggestions. The common play pattern with Voltron decks is to gingerly spread out chip damage …
It seems to be that as time goes on, Magic becomes harder and harder to decipher. Complexity creep on cards is one thing, but what about the complexity of game pieces? Kristen sits down to talk about accessibility in Magic. For many of us, Magic’s artwork is a big draw. Without the stunning vistas, fierce warriors and heroic (or villainous) …
Wilds of Eldraine brings two new Commander Precons, and the Selesnya Aura deck brings with it powerful new cards and ways to play, thanks to the Role mechanic. So how does Virtue and Valor play and how can you upgrade it further? Kristen has the guide. VIRTUE AND VALOR: NEW COMMANDERS The first of two new Commanders in Virtue and …
