Recently, we’ve been exploring a unique niche within Commander deckbuilding: decks where the most important and defining card isn’t the one in the command zone. Whether because of a rules nonbo or just lacking the legendary supertype, not every build-around is eligible to take command. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still make them work with a little ingenuity. There …
Oswald’s Big Score in Pioneer
I don’t get to brew many decks for tournament Magic these days. The majority of my time and energy goes into Limited (check out our Outlaws of Thunder Junction Draft guide!), so if I do play Constructed I tend to just trust decklists offered by more invested players. But sometimes a new card (or a new set of cards) just …
Outlaws of Thunder Junction Draft Guide
Alright listen up, you low-down, snake-bit, cattle-rustlin’, rock-kickin’, whiskey-spillin’… …it’s time for the long-awaited cowboy draft set! Outlaws of Thunder Junction is here and we’re about to find out who’s got the fastest first-pick in the West! Wizards have wisely decided to follow up Murders at Karlov Manor with a more “normal” draft set, but that doesn’t mean it lacks …
Commander Archetype Inspection: Storm
Over the years, Magic has invented a multitude of mechanics to build decks around, each with its own unique advantages, dedicated support cards and memorable payoffs. But when all of those archetypes are thrown together into the grand melting pot of Commander, a few top-tier choices stand out. They offer versatile deck building options, consistent performance across different areas of …
Quick Draw Commander Precon Upgrade Guide
Watch yourself pardner – there’s some new Commander precons in town, and they’re lookin’ for trouble wherever it can be found! Outlaws of Thunder Junction has arrived to share its impeccable Weird West aesthetic, and a unique twist on the Commander format. Like fan-favorite Planechase, the new Bounty game modifier adds randomized secondary objectives to the table, which any player …
How to Make Crimes Pay in Outlaws of Thunder Junction
The Outlaws of Thunder Junction previews have made it very clear: Magic’s newest plane is a wretched hive of scum and villainy. Every named bad guy in the history of the game (who isn’t dead or in plane jail) is riding around town, shooting up the new frontier and causing cowboy chaos. The Thunder Junction design team have embraced this …
Dark Depths – Commanding from the 99
The Commander format is all about celebrating your favorite cards, with special rules to ensure your chosen commander plays a major role in every game. But what if the card you really want to build around isn’t an eligible Commander choice? Or if it’s an older legendary creature whose rules weren’t designed to work within the special context of the …
Enjoying Companions in Commander, Part 2
Though much maligned in Constructed, the companion mechanic from Ikoria offers Commander players a unique opportunity to both customize and empower their deckbuilding. In return for meeting the right deckbuilding restrictions, we can add a powerful extra card to our command zone – ranging from an extra ramp piece to potential win condition. We explored the Commander potential of the …
Commander Archetype Inspection: Lands
Magic has been around for long enough to spin off hundreds of unique mechanics, each with its own unique advantages, dedicated support cards and memorable payoffs. But when you throw them all together in the grand melting pot that is Commander, a few mechanics clearly stand out from the pack. They offer versatile deck building options, consistent performance in different …
Commander Archetype Inspection: Group Hug
Recently, I’ve used this blog to examine some of Commander’s most powerful and fearsome strategies. Building your deck around mechanics like treasure, cascade, or looting unlocks lines of play which are so good, they’re almost unfair. But isn’t that the natural conclusion of the multiplayer metagame? How do you win a fair fight when you effectively have to beat three …