The Commander Toolbox

The Commander Toolbox: 30 Cards to Own for Building Any Deck

Kristen GregoryCommander

Kristen is here with 30 cards any Commander player should have in their collection. With this toolbox of universal cards to own, you’ll be able to add consistency and power to whatever EDH deck you choose to build! For every cry that the format is becoming “homogenous”, there are just as many asking about what singles it’s best to pick …

How to Find a Forever Deck

Scott CullenCommander

Much like the latest set releases, most of the Magic content sphere is primarily focused on the new cards and decks. While it is exciting, it can make it feel like we need to constantly update and change our decks in order to keep up. There are many decks that have stood the test of time, however; ones that persevere …

The Best Ways to Take Extra Combats in Commander

Kristen GregoryCommander

An Additional Combat Phase There are many phrases which tickle the curiosity of a Magic player. “Draw a card” is perhaps the most pervasive, but the one which always makes me happy is hearing that there will be an additional combat phase.  Playing aggro decks in Commander can often be difficult due to how unfriendly the format can be toward …

Alternate Win Conditions in Commander

Scott CullenCommander

Winning the game can be an odd topic in Commander. Most games aren’t about the win itself, but the fun you have along the way. The journey from first land drop to scooping it up is one that we try to make as memorable as possible. While it doesn’t usually matter who wins, sometimes it’s fun to change how the …

Ranking Magic’s Sword Equipment Cycle in Commander

Kristen GregoryCommander

Equipment decks are one of my favorite types of deck to build. There are a bunch of great swords, staffs, boots, and spears that can augment your creatures and increase your consistency. And, it’s fun from a flavor perspective–granting exciting weaponry to your seasoned warriors.  Swords of X&Y One of the most famous equipment cycles in Magic is the Swords …

Playing “Bad” Cards in Commander

Chris CornejoCommander

Building a tuned Commander deck can mean a lot of different things. Some people build for a theme, every card contributing to a grand story that the deck tells in myriad variations. Some build a well-oiled machine, designed to do one thing with ruthless efficiency. Sometimes they figure out some arcane and byzantine Rube-Goldberg machine and just want to see …

The Best Clones in Commander

Scott CullenCommander

Clones see a lot of play in Commander, and are often considered one of the utility effects that should be in every deck (where possible). Like removal, they always have an application, provided there are creatures on board. While removal might deal with a problem, sometimes you’d rather become a part of the fun instead! Clones are a subset of …

White’s Problem is it Doesn’t Get Explosive Turns

Kristen GregoryCommander

Kristen suggests that white’s issues aren’t card draw or ramp – at least not entirely. The problems arise from how little tempo it can generate. Historically, white has struggled with ramp and card draw when it comes to EDH. It’s entirely reasonable that this would be the case if you examine how the colors interact in 60-card constructed Magic. Red …

Tackling Treasures in Commander

Scott CullenCommander

Over the past couple of years, Treasures have permeated the Commander metagame at all power levels. Between the stifling stranglehold of Smothering Tithe, the explosive burst from Dockside Extortionist, and the constant stream from Pitiless Plunderer, we’re practically swimming in the stuff. It’s great when you’re the one with the Treasure, but it can prove to be a struggle to …

How Much Life is an Extra Turn Worth in EDH?

Kristen GregoryCommander

Kristen asks a question you should be asking yourself in a game of Commander: How much life is an extra turn worth? So, I was a little devious when I recently put up a poll on Twitter. I asked people how much life they thought was fair to pay to take an extra turn in EDH if the spell cost …