Not sure if this is the right place to post, but here goes:
I've never played commander, and want to try it with a friend of mine, and I wonder: Is 1 on 1 casual commander play fun, or is it only worth it if you're at least 3 players? Are the preconstructed decks that you can buy a good starting point?
This IS the right place to ask such a question. Welcome to Commander/EDH, and we hope you have fun.
1v1 versus Triple Threat/Fatal 4 Way/on up is dependent on you and your expectations, as well as the deck you buy/build. Some decks thrive against multiple opponents, others are 1v1 all-stars. Starting with your friend in a 1v1 casual setting is probably the best bet. If you decide to go to your LGS and try multiplayer mayhem, be aware of the power level and politics(this is key): you can easily find yourself steamrolled if you lack in either one. Don't take it personally; try to communicate with the other players. This is the big separator from other formats; discussion is not only allowed, but encouraged, in-game and out.
The precons are great starts, particularly this year's. Buy them for a base, and as you learn your way around them, you can look forward to streamlining them, or even making your own deck from them.
Long story short: what do you want out of EDH? Now go for it.
Thanks! Great info. The reason I ask about 1 on 1 commander is that I overheard some players down at my LGS exclaim that "it's not real commander and it's for losers", which naturally made me curious (and a little confused).
The issue here is that "Duel Commander" (a format that is ONLY 1v1) has a separate banlist, and a number of different rules, which in effect make it a different format. There's also Commander on MTGO, which has its own, different banlist from Duel... it's somewhat of a mess.
If you're getting into Commander, and you want to play 1v1 with your friend, you should use the traditional multiplayer banlist, as then your decks will transition into multiplayer games you find locally without any issue.
I'm not sure why your local players have such hatred for Duel, it's really the more competitive format and essentially singleton Vintage. I think it's wonderful, but if it's not what you're into and not what your local players enjoy, you can very safely just ignore it.
I'm guessing the precons are fairly balanced against each other (though I've read opinions stating that they're actually not). How do commander player groups typically handle balancing issues?
There are some precons that are better than others, but you shouldn't concern yourself too much with that. I think the greater concern is picking a deck you like from the get-go, powering it up should be easy, the point is to enjoy it!
As far as balancing issues, the key is just talking to the people you're playing with. Try and find other people who are new, or who enjoy lower-power games, and you should be fine. From a personal point of view, I love very competitive games of Commander, but I always have more casual decks on hand, and I think this is typical of the Commander community.
Long-term, figure out what you want from the format, and just build towards that, and try and find players with a similar mindset. Since you're getting into it with a friend, I'd say you're already ahead of the curve.
so, I was looking at my Stone Quarry and wishing it didn't come into play tapped...then I realized that would have just made it a Plateau and that made me sad for some reason lol
As an aside has any one gotten cards from Goat Head games?
Prediction for tomorrow's announcement: Sheldon finally coerced them into unbanning Recurring Nightmare and he is so excited he can't containing anymore.
Prediction for tomorrow's announcement: Sheldon finally coerced them into unbanning Recurring Nightmare and he is so excited he can't containing anymore.
Well the next month and a half will be interesting..time to pull out my B.F.M. (Big Furry Monster)
EDIT: I can now finally make something into a 1/1 chicken
well, this is sad...I can't find a playmat using Spike, Tournament Grinder art...guess I'll have to see about a custom made one
Why aren't you using the same name here as on the official forums?
I made this account before the other one, and this account was just made to ask a quick question that I don't even remember and I had just started reading The Percy JAckson series by Rick Riordan, so I picked the name Hermes from it. Otherwise I would have gone with my normal user name of trappedslider.
I basiclly joined just to figure osmething out,that i read on a forum that I'm a memeber of.
During Gencon (Which I was unable to attend due to various reasons) there was appearently a fire alarm that went off casuing folks to leave. And from what the admin on that other forum that i mentioend above has stated he blames it on the MTG community:-/
This doesn't seem right to me, I don't think that MTG players would steal;if they do,anything from a game thats not Magic...
so,my question is why would a player of a different think that a whole other group of players stole stuff:confused:
yeah it wasn't till a year later that I posted my first deck list and started to be a regular and since this account is also tied with my main email, I just went with it.
Had a dream last night that at a garage sale, I found a sealed booster box of Alpha.
Did you start playing flip it or rip it with it?
In all honesty..if it were to ever happen, I'd totally flip it..half would be in cash back to me and the other would be store credit...which would allow me to buy entire decks along with "pimping out" my current decks. but since it will never happen, I don't need to worry about it. lol
so, I found an unintentional interaction when I played solemnity it stopped the Edgar Markov player from adding counters along with stopping his level up creature lol
I find MTGS basically unusable on mobile now and a lot of my browsing happened on my phone. Reddit still has a terrible format for actual discussion but I can at least read it.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
[Pr]Jaya | Estrid | A rotating cast of decks built out of my box.
I find MTGS basically unusable on mobile now and a lot of my browsing happened on my phone. Reddit still has a terrible format for actual discussion but I can at least read it.
This IS the right place to ask such a question. Welcome to Commander/EDH, and we hope you have fun.
1v1 versus Triple Threat/Fatal 4 Way/on up is dependent on you and your expectations, as well as the deck you buy/build. Some decks thrive against multiple opponents, others are 1v1 all-stars. Starting with your friend in a 1v1 casual setting is probably the best bet. If you decide to go to your LGS and try multiplayer mayhem, be aware of the power level and politics(this is key): you can easily find yourself steamrolled if you lack in either one. Don't take it personally; try to communicate with the other players. This is the big separator from other formats; discussion is not only allowed, but encouraged, in-game and out.
The precons are great starts, particularly this year's. Buy them for a base, and as you learn your way around them, you can look forward to streamlining them, or even making your own deck from them.
Long story short: what do you want out of EDH? Now go for it.
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
The issue here is that "Duel Commander" (a format that is ONLY 1v1) has a separate banlist, and a number of different rules, which in effect make it a different format. There's also Commander on MTGO, which has its own, different banlist from Duel... it's somewhat of a mess.
If you're getting into Commander, and you want to play 1v1 with your friend, you should use the traditional multiplayer banlist, as then your decks will transition into multiplayer games you find locally without any issue.
I'm not sure why your local players have such hatred for Duel, it's really the more competitive format and essentially singleton Vintage. I think it's wonderful, but if it's not what you're into and not what your local players enjoy, you can very safely just ignore it.
There are some precons that are better than others, but you shouldn't concern yourself too much with that. I think the greater concern is picking a deck you like from the get-go, powering it up should be easy, the point is to enjoy it!
As far as balancing issues, the key is just talking to the people you're playing with. Try and find other people who are new, or who enjoy lower-power games, and you should be fine. From a personal point of view, I love very competitive games of Commander, but I always have more casual decks on hand, and I think this is typical of the Commander community.
Long-term, figure out what you want from the format, and just build towards that, and try and find players with a similar mindset. Since you're getting into it with a friend, I'd say you're already ahead of the curve.
Draft my Peasant Cube.
As an aside has any one gotten cards from Goat Head games?
Misc. EDH Stuff: Commander Cube | Zombies (Horde)
Resources:Commander Rulings FAQ | Commander Deckbuilding Guide
Follow me on Twitter! @cryogen_mtg
Well the next month and a half will be interesting..time to pull out my B.F.M. (Big Furry Monster)
EDIT: I can now finally make something into a 1/1 chicken
Misc. EDH Stuff: Commander Cube | Zombies (Horde)
Resources:Commander Rulings FAQ | Commander Deckbuilding Guide
Follow me on Twitter! @cryogen_mtg
Why aren't you using the same name here as on the official forums?
Misc. EDH Stuff: Commander Cube | Zombies (Horde)
Resources:Commander Rulings FAQ | Commander Deckbuilding Guide
Follow me on Twitter! @cryogen_mtg
I made this account before the other one, and this account was just made to ask a quick question that I don't even remember and I had just started reading The Percy JAckson series by Rick Riordan, so I picked the name Hermes from it. Otherwise I would have gone with my normal user name of trappedslider.
My first post is from two years before I joined.
Misc. EDH Stuff: Commander Cube | Zombies (Horde)
Resources:Commander Rulings FAQ | Commander Deckbuilding Guide
Follow me on Twitter! @cryogen_mtg
Misc. EDH Stuff: Commander Cube | Zombies (Horde)
Resources:Commander Rulings FAQ | Commander Deckbuilding Guide
Follow me on Twitter! @cryogen_mtg
Nope.... im hoping I see no un cards. I suspect I will though unfortunately.
Did you start playing flip it or rip it with it?
Signature by Inkfox Aesthetics by Xen
[Modern] Allies
In all honesty..if it were to ever happen, I'd totally flip it..half would be in cash back to me and the other would be store credit...which would allow me to buy entire decks along with "pimping out" my current decks. but since it will never happen, I don't need to worry about it. lol
Next month I'm planning on getting a custom playmat with the art of Spike, Tournament Grinder on it
Remind me to put Geier Reach Sanitarium and tutors for it into every deck if I ever play against you.
That guy belongs there...
All things considered though, I love X. Too bad he makes a lot of capital offenses.
The Unidentified Fantastic Flying Girl.
EDH
Xenagos, the God of Stompy
The Gitrog Monster: Oppressive Value.
Marchesa, Marionette Master - Undying Robots
Yuriko, the Hydra Omnivore
I make dolls as a hobby.
Why were you on Reddit?
Misc. EDH Stuff: Commander Cube | Zombies (Horde)
Resources:Commander Rulings FAQ | Commander Deckbuilding Guide
Follow me on Twitter! @cryogen_mtg
But.... it's Reddit o.0
Misc. EDH Stuff: Commander Cube | Zombies (Horde)
Resources:Commander Rulings FAQ | Commander Deckbuilding Guide
Follow me on Twitter! @cryogen_mtg