Magic May Be Shooting Itself in The Foot With a Big Commander Change

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Magic May Be Shooting Itself in The Foot With a Big Commander Change

Key Takeaways

  • The bans of powerful staples in MTG’s Commander format prompted a shift in governance from the CRC to WotC.
  • WotC’s proposed power bracket system for Commander decks may lead to card policing and limitations.
  • While the Bracket System aids in setting expectations, it may not fully address problematic cards in Commander games.

As a seasoned Magic: The Gathering (MTG) veteran who’s been around since Alpha, I must say that the recent changes in the Commander format have left me both intrigued and concerned. The bans of powerful staples like Mana Crypt, Dockside Extortionist, Jeweled Lotus, and Nadu were a blow to many players, including myself, who had built our decks around these cards.

It’s fair to note that the Commander format in Magic: The Gathering has undergone significant changes since September 2024, primarily due to the bans on four powerful cards – Mana Crypt, Dockside Extortionist, Jeweled Lotus, and Nadu. This decision sparked various responses from fans; while some started petitions to either disband the Commander Rules Committee or reverse the Magic: The Gathering Commander bans, a smaller group even resorted to sending death threats to the committee members. As a result, the Commander Rules Committee was dismantled and WotC took over, and they’ve been sharing plans for the future of the Commander format.

A significant issue with Commander games is that Magic: The Gathering lacks an official method to assess the strength of a specific deck, leading to the popular saying “every deck is a 7.” Previously, fans created their own system for ranking decks from 1 to 10 based on power level, but this can be challenging and may hinder productive discussions under Rule 0. Wizards of the Coast (WotC) proposed introducing a power bracket system, which could potentially bring benefits, yet it’s highly likely that it might cause more problems than solutions.

Magic: The Gathering’s Commander Bracket System Explained

Why Magic: The Gathering’s Commander Bans Sparked a Problematic Bracket System

In the system as described by Wizards of the Coast, there are tiers ranging from Bracket 1 to Bracket 4, each tier representing increasing power levels. All these brackets will hold cards and will play a role in the Rule 0 discussion during Commander games, ensuring the deck’s strength aligns with the highest tier of cards it includes. For instance, a Magic: The Gathering Commander deck containing 98 basic lands, Ancient Tomb, and a preconstructed commander would fall under Bracket 4 due to its high power level.

This sets a problematic system because while some Bracket 4 cards are mostly overpowered compared to other brackets, there can be exceptions and considerations to make. For example, players may have Vampiric Tutor in their deck because it’s all vampire-themed in terms of card names, effects, illustrations, and so forth. This is addressed by Wizards, but at the same time, the Bracket System may end up as a tool for players to police what others can or can’t play, which doesn’t truly solve the problem, and instead creates a new one.

The Gathering cards might be placed in Brackets 3 and 4, potentially restricting the deck creation options for players due to their rarity.

The Pros and Cons of Magic: The Gathering’s Commander Bracket System Explained

While the Bracket System may have its flaws, it can also serve as a beneficial learning tool for inexperienced Commander players. This is because through open discussions guided by Rule 0, players can share insights about their deck’s power level, revealing top cards and reasoning behind their choices. Additionally, this system helps establish clear expectations among the table, ensuring everyone understands the gameplay dynamics. Furthermore, considering that some players may have limited time for Magic: The Gathering as a trading card game, the Bracket System can facilitate alignment in strategy and understanding.

Still, the Bracket System in its current iteration doesn’t address all there is for Commander. For example, Thassa’s Oracle, Demonic Consultation, and Tainted Pact would most likely be Bracket 2 or 3 cards on their own, if not Bracket 4 anyway, but Thassa’s Oracle with either of these two wins the game assuming no counterspells or other responses. This makes the vision of the Bracket System limited overall, and more could be done to address problematic Magic: The Gathering cards in Commander without full-fledged bans.

Additionally, one might contend that these brackets could potentially expand the list of prohibited cards. If Commander players demand that each deck adheres strictly to 2 or 3 color decks, any cards within the specified range would be immediately banned, which is not optimal and may cause annoyance. It remains uncertain what Wizards of the Coast will decide, particularly with Magic: The Gathering on the verge of a new phase with MTG Foundations.

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2024-10-24 20:24