The Unwritten Rules of Magic: The Gathering’s Commander Explained

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The Unwritten Rules of Magic: The Gathering's Commander Explained

Key Takeaways

  • Recent Commander bans in MTG are redefining the rules and structure of the format, especially Rule 0 talks and card power levels.
  • Discussing power levels with fellow players is crucial to avoid frustration in Commander games.
  • To make sure games are enjoyable for all, one should avoid monopolizing time, mass land destruction, and disruptive wheel effects in MTG Commander.

As a seasoned MTG player with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can attest to the ever-evolving landscape of Commander games. The recent Commander bans have certainly shaken things up and made us reconsider the rules we’ve come to know.

Magic: Gathering offers numerous play styles, with some formats being more widely recognized or linked to competitive events. Commander, sometimes called EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander) in casual settings and cEDH in competitive ones, sits somewhere in between these categories. Although it’s occasionally referred to as the “face of Magic: Gathering,” Commander can be a contentious format due to its unique structure. The latest Commander bans in MTG have caused quite a stir among Wizards of the Coast and fans, altering some of the rules that define this format.

Commander decks tend to be user-friendly due to the frequent release of preconstructed decks, except for special drops like the Marvel Secret Lair MTG editions, which were in limited supply. In Commander games within Magic: The Gathering, a player chooses a Legendary creature as the deck’s leader, determining its color identity, and then adds 99 other cards to work alongside this commander. However, there are unspoken rules that significantly impact gameplay enjoyment for everyone.

Make Sure Every MTG Player At The Table Knows Your Deck and Its ‘Power Level’

The Commander’s restrictions in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) are causing significant shifts in discussions about card strength, as Wizards of the Coast (WotC) is contemplating introducing four categories to classify cards based on their power, thus ensuring each deck falls within a scale from 1 to 4. At present, the system is less defined, leading to many debates under Rule 0 that often result in contentious statements like “My deck is a 7,” which doesn’t aid in understanding a deck’s capabilities, its win conditions, or how power-crept a particular deck might be. Given these factors, it’s crucial to engage fellow players in discussions about these aspects prior to a Commander game to minimize frustration as the game unfolds.

Why You Shouldn’t Play Mass Land Destruction MTG Cards in Commander Games

In certain strategies, damaging or destroying lands is a component, either as part of a larger plan for specific decks, a means to control the battlefield, or an obstacle to prevent other players from winning. For example, using a Strip Mine to eliminate Field of the Dead. However, Commander games are known for their length and complexity, necessitating careful planning before play. Cards that destroy all lands in play, such as Armageddon, Devastation, and Ravages of War, can be intensely frustrating if no one can counter them. In Magic: The Gathering, destroying permanents is unavoidable, but using these mass land destruction cards in Commander games is generally considered inappropriate due to the potential for disrupting everyone else’s game state. Consequently, widespread land destruction in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) Commander games often leaves opponents feeling disgruntled or enraged.

Monopolizing Time in MTG Commander Games is a Deathly Sin

In much the same way that excessive land destruction in Commander games can be disrespectful to fellow players due to prolonging games, decks that involve lengthy turns or complex combos may lead to similar issues. This is one of the reasons why Nadu, Winged Wisdom was banned in Magic: The Gathering (MTG). However, it’s essential to note that while combos are still a valuable part of the game, it’s generally more acceptable to present combos that quickly end the game rather than ones that take a long time and only modify the battlefield.

Why ‘Wheeling’ and Mass Discard Are a Double-Edged Sword in Magic: The Gathering

In the game of Magic: The Gathering, there are numerous playstyles available, and one such style is centered around the “wheel” archetype. This term originated from the Wheel of Fortune card in the Alpha set, a 3-mana (2 colorless, 1 Red) card that forces all players to discard their hands and draw seven new cards. This strategy can be potent across various formats, but its effectiveness in Commander games can fluctuate significantly. In these multiplayer matches, wheel effects can disrupt your strategy, making you the center of attention at the table. Given that Commander games can stretch for a considerable amount of time, enduring such disruptions may cause players to focus their efforts on eliminating the wheel player before they have a chance to regroup. Unless the wheel player manages to swiftly conclude the game, they risk falling behind and being out of contention.

In the world of Magic: The Gathering, Wheel of Fortune’s Alpha edition is exceptionally scarce and valued highly among collectors.

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2024-11-17 19:13