I came upon a reel where someone was reviewing a decklist they were sent and was questioning why they didn’t have [[dark ritual]] in the deck, the player “misread” it apparently. Anyhow in the comments there were people arguing that you shouldn’t always run Dark Ritual in black, that it puts you down a card so it’s bad, that the rate isn’t good enough. How did we get to this?

I love a creature with a repeatable activated ability, even if it's a bit overcosted. It feels nice to have the utility of someting that can be used at instant speed at any point, as long as you have the mana.

I'd love to see some of other people's favorites/hidden gems. Would appreciate if they were vaguely useable. Bonus points if they have mulitiple abilities, like any of the Guildmages, such as [[Vitu-Ghazi Guildmage]].

Some other examples that come to mind are [[Ant Queen]], [[Captivating Crew]], [[Ambassador Laquatus]], or [[Daxos the Returned]].

Appreciate any input, thanks!

I have an [[atla palani]] deck that is built all around getting [[jumbo cactuar]] out and doing cactuar shenanigans. It has about 9 other creatures that support him by giving trample and what not. [[serras emissary]], [[stonehoof chieftan]], [[brash taunter]]. Fun stuff. [[platinum angel]] cuz it goes in any deck I can stuff it into. It’s won plenty, but has gotten a little stale in the pod. I threw [[dack fayden]] in and now it’s like I get to crack an egg for the whole table! It’s a gamble for sure, but the whole table loves it. Plus if someone gets cactuar or [[serra avatar]] I still have all the instants that give things trample or unblockable. It’s been the most fun gambling I’ve done in magic. Just wanted to share a different take on this card that’s getting talked about so much. Thanks for reading!

Hello everyone! My friends have all convinced me to get back into magic and get started with Commander.

I haven’t played Magic since Arcane Phoenix rotated out of standard. Back when I did play I had 2 decks, one for standard and one for modern. My standard deck was a izzet spellslinger deck focused on Niv Mizzet Parun, Arcane Phoenix and crackling drake whereas my modern deck was a goblin guide focused red deck wins type of deck.

I’m very new to commander so I’m not sure what to build around or who to even start with. I’m used to 1v1 so who would be the most logical commander to get me started with?

Hi all,

I used to love EDH, but I'm admittedly pretty down on it these days. This is mostly due to complaints you've definitely heard before, but I'd say the biggest issue is difficulty tracking the game state. There are so many cards that I don't know these days, there are tons of visual variants of cards I do know, etc. It's just hard to track what's going on, which makes it hard to make good gameplay decisions, which makes it hard to enjoy the game (for me).

In the MTG cube community, there is a concept called a "bar cube." In a nutshell, this is a cube that doesn't need tokens or dice to play - it's designed to be compact and simple, so that you could take it to a bar and play with friends on a small sticky table and it would work.

I'm interested in trying to build a "bar EDH deck." My goals are:

• Minimize my on-board permanents. This could be things like ramping via putting lands into play instead of using mana rocks, not having "flood the board with creatures" as my primary gameplan, playing one-time card draw over incremental value engines (i.e., Harmonize > Thopter Spy Network), etc.
• Minimize my opponents' on-board permanents. This could be board wipes, removal, counterspells, etc. Bonus points for cards that give me an out when I have to care about something so I can use fewer brain cells worrying about it preemptively (e.g., Settle the Wreckage > Day of Judgement).
• Keep the mana base simple. Lands that need to be arrayed across the table to keep track of activated abilities, different colors, etc. are also added complexity. I'm imagining all basics, which I think could easily work in a one or two color deck (especially if I can minimize two-pip cards).
• Win the game quickly and efficiently. 120 life is a lot of life to get through. This usually means you need a lot of creatures and insane value engines, or a combo. I'm leaning more combo for simplicity's sake.
• Keep power level lower bracket. This is just a personal preference for my play group and to make the deck as utilitarian and fun to play against as possible. Obviously, this creates a bit of tension with the combo-y nature of my win condition goals, but I think it's possible (janky alternate win-cons, combos that can be stopped with one removal spell, etc.).

My initial thoughts about this have led me to ideas like Xenagos, God Of Revels, which would allow me to ramp via lands, hang back, and then start slamming huge creatures that come in and swing for 20+ (going tall rather than wide fits the goals), and/or trying to end the game with Chandra's Ignition/Fling type "combos".

But, I'd LOVE suggestions and thoughts from the brain trust! This could be ideas for Xenagos specifically, suggestions for other commanders or cards, comments on your own experiences with something similar, or just broad thoughts about implementing the goals (i.e., "I think board wipes will be your best friend," "You probably need to be in green to have non-rock based ramp," "What about X win-con?", etc.).

Thank you!

Just built this deck yesterday and got absolutely destroyed by two different groups. I feel like this has potential but it’s not performing as I hoped. Please give me recommendations to make it a bit better. PLEASE.

I also realized my pod might be playing at a less competitive level and I actually might not be good at all lol. Moxfield link below. Let me know what you think and how to make it better. Thank you 🫡

https://moxfield.com/decks/0d2HjqGJBUmlVWgVz0hQRw

Hi!

My name is Skura, also known as IslandsInFront.

Today, I want to share with you a deep dive into one of my commander decks - Raffine, Scheming Seer.

It's meant to be an interactive tempo strategy with a small-creature reanimation subtheme.

It's meant to be without game changes, around Bracket 3, and without any crazy expensive cards.

I hope you find it useful and entertaining! Cheers!

https://ultimateguard.com/en/blog/raffine-scheming-seer-edh-deep-dive-deck-philosophy-strategy-and-card-choices

Making a [[Blor, the Impervious]] deck for my partner, and that 5 CMC seems really pricey. I don't play much green, or much voltron, so it's been a tough build. In my head, I'm wanting to consistently have him on the board by turn 3, but I have no idea if this is realistic in a deck that wants a load of buffs, as well as a pretty decent draw and removal package to keep up pressure.

I was thinking to maybe go all-in on the enchantment stuff? Get a bunch of those "Enchant Land" auras alongside the dorks I already have to really boost the curve, then get more value off cards like [[Helm of the Gods]] and [[Strong Back]].

I'll put the decklist below. It's mostly tagged, but I'm still actively working on it so tags might be inconsistent and weird.

https://moxfield.com/decks/hnIxOi-gP0aom68HmGPwBg

I had a few paragraphs written but it was too much so I'll keep it short.

Been playing since 1994, used to be competitive but now just play for fun. When I play with new players, I will do everything I can to make it a fun game. If I'm getting too far ahead, I will start holding back or misplaying until they can catch up. I let them win but I make them work for it. The games are always exciting and play out like an epic movie. Over the last 10 years, my win rate against new players is 0%. I've never told them what I've been doing and I never will.

Hello. Fairly new to MTG in general here. Been playing kitchen table 60 card games with my boyfriend who introduced me and want to dip my toe into EDH.

Perhaps unfortunately though, the only card I'm drawn to for a commander is Pippa, Duchess of Dice. I just want to make a silly bracket 1 gimmick deck around her so bad. I have all the supplies on hand to do it properly. I have more than enough green coloured dice lying around, I have a deck of standard playing cards to place under them when they become tokens to make it easier to tell if they're tapped or not. I even have a dice tower to prevent dice rolling everywhere on the table. Being a considerate player is priority #1 and I've made sure to put some thought into that first.

Pippa is - of course - an un-card though and therefore not legal in Commander. However, it's a casual format so maybe I could get the all clear after a rule zero discussion? Especially if we're talking bracket 1 where everyone's just goofing around anyway. I wouldn't put any other un-cards in my deck. I don't see anything about Pippa's abilities that are particularly overpowered or obnoxious. It doesn't interfere with other players' decks or subvert the fundamental rules of the game. I just like rolling lots of dice. Heck, I want to impose more restrictions on myself in line with the gimmick:

- I can't attack with any creatures other than the die tokens. Every other creature in the deck must have Defender.

- I can't alter the power and toughness of the die tokens in any way other than re-rolling them. The number showing face up is sacred.

I'm just worried about causing a huge breach of etiquette. Is this deck something I should only suggest in a playgroup I've known for some time first? If I roll up to the LGS with this nonsense, will I be politely, yet firmly turned away from every table I approach? I want to be a little silly, but not annoying. If you saw a deck with this for a commander, would you at least hear it out?

Imagine this scenario. You've played 3 games and won two of them. The third you were tight there competing until the end. You go to grab your deck for game 4. You choose commander X....not because you think it could win, or even that its a fun deck. No, you choose it because you KNOW it will almost certainly not win.

Does anyone else keep a deck or two in there rotation in case you want to lose. I like to have these decks for when ive had really good luck on a game night and I dont want to play a deck i know starts me out on equal footing with every one else. The decks are fun to play, but just aren't strong for whatever reason. Now, I still try to win while playing the game, I just know going in its highly unlikely.

TL:DR
My wife has Elven council and it’s kind of bad any help?
I also have tramplesaraus rec and a 2004 dark steel transference blue/colorless deck.

https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/5667314#paper

https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/7962761#paper

https://mtg.wtf/deck/dst/transference

I wanted to get into Magic recently, mostly to play with my wife.
I got myself the tramplesaurus rex and calling all angels precons
And my wife I got the elven council that was on sale (shes a massive lotr nerd)
We played for the first time yesterday with my brother as well.
They got bodied by me playing the angels deck.
Even though She’s a sore loser she did say that she think she could like it when she got the hang of it but feels like the deck was kind of mid and wouldn’t be any fun if were playing 1v1 (because of the voting system)

Can anyone help me upgrade her deck or build a new one from what I have?

I also found my old deck from when I was a kid
It’s a 2004 dark steel transference blue/colorless deck

Maybe mix the elven council with the tramplesaraus rex and the darksteel deck?

I just don’t know anything about the game really.

I’m testing this B2 Hazezon, Shaper of Sand deck that focuses on getting as many lands played/sacrificed per turn for a go wide wincon. It’s been alright and the deserts themselves help with the play cycle like Cradle of the Accursed. The one flaw it feels like is besides removal and one creature in the deck, there’s no way to fight back against flyers other then just swinging right back and hoping that they block with the flyers. There’s probably some card specific solutions but I’m more looking for anthem effects like Akroma’s Memorial, Archetype of Imagination or Eldrazi monument.

Deck List

So Im invited to a EDH kitchentable tournament. 3 player Pods, unmodified Precons only, Cardvalue 100€ tops, 100% proxy friendly.

In the past years most of the precons are pretty consistently good. I was think about goin as far back as possible and still be able to play a game. I mostly use this List for every Precon ever to get inspiration on what deck im choosing. I didn get through every single one for now. But my favorites of what ive seen are Urdragon and Saskia. What about things like Breya, Atraxa, Mimeoplasm, Prosh, etc. Are there old precons any good or did onyl the Commanders survive the time?

Lately I've been trying to build decks that take it a little bit more easy, just stay behind the person thats ahead and take less heat for it. Put one or two permanents on the field that look innocuous but accrue incremental value that help me to the lategame. I'm mainly playing in brackets 2 and 3. For instance I saw someone play a [[the vision]], it drew a couple of cards, deterred some attacks and there were always creatures that were a bigger problem.

I'm definitely playing blue for this but I'm not set on the other color(s), so please let me know your favorite cards!

Been trying to decide which I want to use for my 32 deck color combination in Orzhov, and I just can’t seem to decide between the two. Was wondering if anyone’s had experience with both and can share some insights?

Goldfishing them both, Niv-Mizzet feels like the stronger option overall, the option (well ok, the main game plan) of turning lifegain into card draw is really strong, it always feels like you can brute force your way through your deck to get what you need or just sit on a giant pile of life if needed. Extort is also great, and there’s a bevy of ways to just end the game from Exquisite Blood/Sanguine Bond combos to just drawing your deck and tossing in Dr Doom. My main concerns are that it can be slow to get the big guy out, and then protecting him once he’s out since I imagine it’s boogeyman time once he hits the field. Plus he almost feels a bit too strong for what I usually play in, which is more upper bracket 2 into bracket 3.

Elenda on the other hand is quicker to get out since she’s not 6 mana. Aristocrats with a touch of vampire tribal is fun, and you get dual options for beating someone with a giant vampire for commander damage or making a horde of vampire tokens if she gets taken out and simply rebuilding from there, so it has good endurance and a solid gameplan. More combat-focused than Niv obviously, and unlike having to source or buy a bunch of Niv stuff, I imagine a good chunk of stuff for Elenda is sitting in my LCC precon. My main concern with building Elenda is that for me personally, it devolves pretty quickly into another token deck, which I already have a couple of, so it’s not really a unique spin on a deck for me. It also feels like it needs more moving parts than Niv (who just needs you to gain life to do the thing), Elenda herself is just the payoff of her own deck; you have to provide your own sac outlet and (ideally recurrable on the cheap) things to sac, etc. So if you don’t see them timely, you’ll just be kinda twiddling your thumbs until then.

But yeah looking to see if anyone has some insights about both of them. Thanks!

I recently took apart a number of decks that I never play anymore, which has left me with a bunch of good lands (I have a solid mana base for basically anything now) and I am now trying to put these lands to good use. The other day I was inspired by a really cool Vial Smasher + Thrasios control/burn list, and I've kind of always wanted to use Thrasios in a deck, but never could find the right context. And that's just the thing with 4c and 4c partners in particular – they were designed to be open-ended, even the ones with somewhat of a direction still feel enormously flexible due to their access to so many colors. I really enjoy this element to partners, though I've always stuck to 3 color pairings to make it a little easier to build. I took a shot at building breya and I was quickly overwhelmed by the available options. While I'm over my attempt to build breya, I am trying to brew something creature-centric with Thrasios, though the idea is still super nebulous.

So all that being said, I want to hear what sort of 4-color non-cEDH decks you all have built and why you like them so much?

PS, I have nothing against cEDH, my pod just tends toward B3 and B4 games.

Recently, I've been running decks with absurdly low curves in an attempt to cut as much ramp as possible (goal: improve the value of top decks in the later game). I've had success in 1-2 color decks, but I've had zero success with this in my Grixis deck. I abandoned the idea because Kefka is the commander and he's 5CMC anyway, so I just kept the ramp in.

However, now, I'm considering trying out [[Vraska, Soul of Stone]] or [[Zurgo Stormrender]] (or maybe both) I'm having immense difficulty with this endeavor. For my 'low curve, zero ramp' decks, I typically run 36-38 lands (depending on draw in the CZ) and it's been difficult for me to actually get all the colors I need (and untapped) by T3 without running every single fetchland or cutting a lot of lands that tap for a single color.

For example: I usually run about 36 lands, 12 of which only tap for a single color (9 are basics and 3 are a utility land like bojuka bog, arena of glory etc. and some other utility lands like demolition field).

Need help from the aggro players: how do you do this?

Note: I think Vraska can get away with mana rocks because the mana rocks will still trigger her ability but Zurgo seems like he really doesn't want ramp at all.

Hello, I’m finishing tuning up my Hulk deck and wanted to get some extra feedback. Any thoughts are appreciated.

The decks main goal is to create as many extra combats as possible, mainly through Hulk or Hellkite charger, and get rewarded for it.

It does have a light voltron theme, through a little playtesting I’ve noticed that it can handle my commander getting removed once and be ok but anything after is a big struggle. Thank you!

https://moxfield.com/decks/i26hAeuUIXiEkzarsOB1Qw

I’ve wanted to build [[the last ride]] for a while but I haven’t been able to find a niche for it that really feels interesting for it. I’ve thought about control combo with edicts and discard effects but I want it to be fun without just jamming a bunch of black staples in the deck. Any ideas?

I'm looking for some help/feedback on a deck I'm working on.

It's meant as a Azorious control deck with enough punch in it to threaten the table. At this point, I've only put together my theoretical list and I fear that it won't slow down other members at the table. The deck feels more incremental with only a couple explosive plays (unless I'm missing lines). Aiming for around high bracket 2 or a bracket 3.

So thoughts and ideas are welcome. Thanks in advance

https://moxfield.com/decks/wvQh4eJ_EUuPiqAkoctbbg

Im building a Tam, the Possibility superfriends deck. It's firmly in bracket 3. I made the deck swing heavily into control. I have almost half of my nonland cards serving as interaction or board wipes. (Many of them are planeswalkers with removal stapled to them). I only have two creatures in the deck so I avoid wrathing myself. The main goal of the deck is to repeatedly wrath the board and control the state of the game long enough to let me either swarm out with creature tokens or ult one of my game ending walkers. However, I often find that my deck struggles with pulling out a win, as i still get ovewhelmed near the endgame. What are some Finishers i could add to my deck to make it just a fraction faster?

P.S. I know my deck lacks many proliferation cards, but in all honesty most of them feel extremely slow to me.

Here's my current deck list https://moxfield.com/decks/DxChAY8aInCrKB6Cl70icg

Hey everyone! I’m looking for some feedback on my Commander deck. I’d appreciate suggestions on cards to add or cut, improvements to the mana curve, and any weaknesses you notice.

I’m interested in making the deck more consistent while keeping its main strategy of draw/second draw payoffs intact. I wanna go big but also go wide. Then having alternate cool wincons of clearing my entire library. I would love to hear what changes you would make or what you think in general.

Decklist: https://moxfield.com/decks/6XafBOIKMEu8Tj7blxTS8w

Thanks for the help!