Commander is Magic‘s most beloved casual format. It doesn’t rotate, there’s no restrictive legality rules, and it’s built with big, splashy multiplayer games in mind. Anyone can build a Commander deck, often at a fraction of the cost of competitive Constructed formats. Nowadays, Wizards even creates specific products to support Commander, like the Commander 2019 decks. Best of all, Commander …
Commander 2019: Upgrading Merciless Rage
It’s 2007, and college me is looking at one of my Torment cards from high school. The movie 300 has been released recently, and I smile at a silly idea for a card alter. I draw a “no” symbol over the card’s keyword and write beside it: “THIS. IS. SPARTA!” The keyword on that card? Madness. Flash forward to now, …
Navigating the Politics of Commander
For many players (myself included), Magic is a hobby that helps folks relax in their off time. Whether you’re at an FNM, a side event at MagicFest, or on Arena, Magic can be an escape from the boring, banal realities of our 9 to 5 jobs. However, when it comes to multi-player formats (especially Commander), it can be super beneficial …
Commander 2019 Decks
After a whirlwind week of previews, we finally know all the contents of Commander 2019. This new quartet of preconstructed decks feature fan-favorite mechanics morph, flashback, populate, and madness, and all four come packed with both exciting new cards and beloved Commander staples. Each of these decks contains four legendary creatures, which we’ll be referring to as primary, secondary, and …
Creating a Commander Playgroup
Just a few days ago, we offered some tips on how to build your first Commander deck. If you’re still looking for ideas, the upcoming Commander 2019 precons are a perfect starting point! These decks come out of the box ready for high-powered multiplayer action. But for the best Commander experience, you’ll want to find a consistent group of players …
Building Your First Commander Deck
Commander is a format that draws on the entire history of Magic for its card pool. This makes it exciting, since you can build a fun and functional deck around any commander or archetype. But it can also be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the format. Here are some tips for building your first Commander deck in a way …
Commander Doesn’t Need Bans (But It’s Great That We Have Them)
Commander is one of Magic‘s best formats. It’s a juggernaut in Magic, played around the world and backed by throngs of fans. As a member of the Commander Advisory Group (CAG), I play a role in supporting the team that manages the rules, philosophy, and banned list we all look to when creating decks. The CAG was created by the …
9 Exciting Commanders in Core Set 2020
Core Set 2020 is a legendary set. With the return of protection as an evergreen mechanic, new (and powerful) answers for enemy colors in each color, and a trio of Chandra Planeswalkers at the center, the dial is firmly cranked up to 11 12. Twelve new legendary creatures are coming, each with new ways to impact the format, update your …
Underrated Cards from Commander Precons
Every new card in a Commander product is designed for Commander. While obvious, it’s important to state, because that isn’t true of Ravnica Allegiance or other expansion sets. So if we were to look at EDHREC for some of the least popular new cards from Commander products, we can presume they’re playable – and likely underrated. If you’ve bought Commander …
Ravnica Allegiance’s Commander Surprises
No matter the format and no matter the card text, new cards get compared to old cards. Ixalan‘s River’s Rebuke drew swift comparisons to Cyclonic Rift because they both bounce loads of opposing permanents. They can be used very differently, but the most natural reaction was to compare them directly. This life cycle can lead to new cards feeling like …