"Whatever style you wish to play, be it fast and frenzied or slow and tactical, the surest way to defeat your opponent consistently is by dominating him or her in the war of card advantage." - Brian Wiseman, April 1996
Do you play in groups with house-rules? Any good houserules you're willing to share?
I'm thinking of making a rakdos the defiler heavy metal band theme deck. what beer/gin/whisky would you suggest I try to go with it (and if your article is aimed at smaller kids, I suppose what food would you suggest I snack on instead)?
Tuck was banned because it violated the spirit of the format because it encouraged strategies that forced a player to not have access to their general. Moreover, because only blue and white have access to tucking, it encourages players to play those colors more.
Do you and your team have any say about what goes on behind the design of the cards for the commander precons and their additions to the format? Would you like to have that sort of input?
Just for the record, Phage is a playable commander and many have built decks that utilize effects such as Torpor Orb, Sundial of the Infinite, and Platinum Angel as a means of casting her with protection from the auto loss.
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I have officially moved to MTGNexus. I just wanted to let people know as my response time to salvation decks being bumped is very hit or miss.
They aren't drawing the lines on specific cards or effects. They draw the line on zones.
Old rule: If a card would go to any zone besides the Command Zone, as long as that zone is the graveyard or removed-from-play zone and not your library or your hand, you may put it in the Command Zone instead. New rule: If a card would go to any zone besides the Command Zone, you may put it in the Command Zone instead.
As long as no other zones are invented, this rule is pretty clear and not changing again.
I don't know if I could agree more with the above post.
Every deck can have efficient answers to all of those "naming" things. Play them.
Edit: Forgot to ask my questions! Keeping the content going. Yeah.
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I haven't heard a clear answer to this, but it's something that came up a few times that I found very interesting.
Q: How much influence did WOTC exert in favor or against the Tuck rule? Is there a formal mechanism here, or just discussions with them informally?
Q: Many really neat, flavorful cards don't interact well with commander. Haakon, Stromgald Scourge is my pet example but the legendary spirits from Kamigawa also fit. Do you guys think about things like this or is it just not on your radar to care about? I'd love to see some of the poor interactors reprinted in modified form someday in commander products.
My question - does the RC ever feel like you're making rules and banning cards to appeal to a casual crowd that is the most likely to be able to police themselves?
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EDH playing competitive Magic cast away
Current Decks GTitania midrange RGThromok tokens/goodstuff | UB Grimgrin zombie tribal GW Sigarda enchantress | R Godo voltron U Braids aggro | WR Kalemne punisher RU Mizzix storm | BUG Mimeoplasm competitive reanimator | UG Ezuri infect
They aren't drawing the lines on specific cards or effects. They draw the line on zones.
Old rule: If a card would go to any zone besides the Command Zone, as long as that zone is the graveyard or removed-from-play zone and not your library or your hand, you may put it in the Command Zone instead. New rule: If a card would go to any zone besides the Command Zone, you may put it in the Command Zone instead.
As long as no other zones are invented, this rule is pretty clear and not changing again.
Technically, the new rule is "If a Commander would be put into a library, hand, graveyard or exile from anywhere, its owner may choose to move it to the command zone instead," because the battlefield and the stack are zones, and they don't want you to be able to put your commander back in the command zone instead of putting it in one of those two places. (Technically the ante zone as well, but I don't think there's any way for a commander to go to the ante zone if you're playing with the standard banlist.)
They aren't drawing the lines on specific cards or effects. They draw the line on zones.
Old rule: If a card would go to any zone besides the Command Zone, as long as that zone is the graveyard or removed-from-play zone and not your library or your hand, you may put it in the Command Zone instead. New rule: If a card would go to any zone besides the Command Zone, you may put it in the Command Zone instead.
As long as no other zones are invented, this rule is pretty clear and not changing again.
Technically, the new rule is "If a Commander would be put into a library, hand, graveyard or exile from anywhere, its owner may choose to move it to the command zone instead," because the battlefield and the stack are zones, and they don't want you to be able to put your commander back in the command zone instead of putting it in one of those two places. (Technically the ante zone as well, but I don't think there's any way for a commander to go to the ante zone if you're playing with the standard banlist.)
You're correct, but you could amend my statement with "from the battlefield" to make my statement true.
Please keep this thread limited to questions for Sheldon and the RC, not discussing other aspects of Commander. Further Rules talk will be treated as spam.
What is your opinion on using the nephillim as commanders in EDH, seeing as how there are no four color legends? Would there ever be an exception to allow them to be used as your commander?
Yay, I love these articles! You know I always have to ask you a riddle. This one is relatively easy.
Timmy's 100-card Ashling the Pilgrim deck is comprised of 99% basic Mountains. After getting mana flooded one too many times, he begins removing Mountains until they are only 98% of his deck. Timmy's Ashling deck is now how many cards short of being Commander legal?
Some people complain of commanders that command zone specific abilities(Derevi, Oloro, etc..), sometimes feeling they are too powerful. Do you feel this is the natural evolution of EDH as it becomes a more mainstream format with growing competitive play or an oversight of balance? (I for one think they're fine, but fear this common opinion...I like my Derevi T_T)
What are your views on the growing number of multiplayer tournaments? Do you feel this may impact banning or rule changes down the line to accommodate competitive needs?
Just for the record, Phage is a playable commander and many have built decks that utilize effects such as Torpor Orb, Sundial of the Infinite, and Platinum Angel as a means of casting her with protection from the auto loss.
yea, i know. i just don't like using them since it makes phage 'safer' to use. living on the edge when i know someone might blink her is awesome!
And with regards to my original question, when i ask "Is there a shortlist of niggles left in the EDH rules that the RC is trying to iron out (if any)... Possibly things regarding phage the untouchable, Haakon, Stromgald Scourge?" i meant it as do you guys even discuss these things in your meetings or am i just holding my breath for no real reason? im not expecting you guys to be the fixers of everything, and nor am i expecting format-wide errata.
Q3 - What about the mana production rule? According to color identity rule, you can only build deck containing your chosen color. Logically, if I have U/B deck and I use Volition reins on enemy's mountain (or mana rock, some mana producing thing), I should be able to tap it for red mana. It wouldn't affect deckbuilding that much, but would make some cards like Nightveil specter or Sen triplets more playable. You still have to steal something that produce mana, but there is the option to do so.
Q4 - WHat about the Bringers? For reference, Bringer of the white dawn and the rest of the cycle. Shouldn't the optional manacost be only reminder text and so, they should be labeled mono-colored? Any possible changes on this?
Have you EVER considered Rakdos the Defiler as your general for RB colors?
Who needs Colours?
My most played EDH deck:
X Kozilek, the Great Distortion
UBR Nekusar, the Mindrazer
UBRThe MindrazerRBU
UUUSpymaster of TrestGGG
GGGThe South TreeGGG
RRRHuman AscendantRRR
UBRKess, Dissident MageUBR - Controlling Dissidents
GRhonas the IndomitableG - Indomitable Four Drops
WUBOloro, Ageless AsceticWUB - Loot & Renanimate
Is there a shortlist of niggles left in the EDH rules that the RC is trying to iron out (if any)?
Possibly things regarding phage the untouchable, Haakon, Stromgald Scourge?
Do you play in groups with house-rules? Any good houserules you're willing to share?
I'm thinking of making a rakdos the defiler heavy metal band theme deck. what beer/gin/whisky would you suggest I try to go with it (and if your article is aimed at smaller kids, I suppose what food would you suggest I snack on instead)?
Legacy - Solidarity - mono U aggro - burn - Imperial Painter - Strawberry Shortcake - Bluuzards - bom
Chaos Warp
Do you and your team have any say about what goes on behind the design of the cards for the commander precons and their additions to the format? Would you like to have that sort of input?
GB [Primer][Competitive][Stax][Combo] Meren of Clan Nel Toth 95% RETIRED
UW [Primer][Competitive][Combo][Stax] Brago, King Eternal RETIRED
BR Rakdos, Lord of Riots (75%)
G Titania - 75%
W SRAM - Welcome to the cheeri0s jam 95%
U Teferi - stax 100%
R Neheb - janky mono red eggs combo 90%
B Gonti - 50% valuetown
Just for the record, Phage is a playable commander and many have built decks that utilize effects such as Torpor Orb, Sundial of the Infinite, and Platinum Angel as a means of casting her with protection from the auto loss.
Signature by Inkfox Aesthetics by Xen
[Modern] Allies
:symr::symu::symb:Nicol Bolas Control: symr::symu::symb:
:symr::symg:Ruric Thar, the Unbowed Beatdown :gruul::symgr:
:symg::symb::symw:Karador, Ghost Chieftain Recursion Control :symw::symb::symg:
Old rule: If a card would go to any zone besides the Command Zone, as long as that zone is the graveyard or removed-from-play zone and not your library or your hand, you may put it in the Command Zone instead.
New rule: If a card would go to any zone besides the Command Zone, you may put it in the Command Zone instead.
As long as no other zones are invented, this rule is pretty clear and not changing again.
cEDH: [G(U/R) Animar] - [(U/B)(G/W) Redless Wheels] - [(G/U)(W/B) Redless Pod] - [(B/G)W Ghave Metapod]
Every deck can have efficient answers to all of those "naming" things. Play them.
Edit: Forgot to ask my questions! Keeping the content going. Yeah.
---------------------------
I haven't heard a clear answer to this, but it's something that came up a few times that I found very interesting.
Q: How much influence did WOTC exert in favor or against the Tuck rule? Is there a formal mechanism here, or just discussions with them informally?
Q: Many really neat, flavorful cards don't interact well with commander. Haakon, Stromgald Scourge is my pet example but the legendary spirits from Kamigawa also fit. Do you guys think about things like this or is it just not on your radar to care about? I'd love to see some of the poor interactors reprinted in modified form someday in commander products.
UW Ephara Hatebears [Primer], GB Gitrog Lands, BRU Inalla Combo-Control, URG Maelstrom Wanderer Landfall
Current Decks
GTitania midrange
RGThromok tokens/goodstuff | UB Grimgrin zombie tribal
GW Sigarda enchantress | R Godo voltron
U Braids aggro | WR Kalemne punisher
RU Mizzix storm | BUG Mimeoplasm competitive reanimator | UG Ezuri infect
cEDH: [G(U/R) Animar] - [(U/B)(G/W) Redless Wheels] - [(G/U)(W/B) Redless Pod] - [(B/G)W Ghave Metapod]
Misc. EDH Stuff: Commander Cube | Zombies (Horde)
Resources:Commander Rulings FAQ | Commander Deckbuilding Guide
Follow me on Twitter! @cryogen_mtg
Timmy's 100-card Ashling the Pilgrim deck is comprised of 99% basic Mountains. After getting mana flooded one too many times, he begins removing Mountains until they are only 98% of his deck. Timmy's Ashling deck is now how many cards short of being Commander legal?
Draft my Mono-Blue Cube!
lichess.org | chess.com
If Wizards let you could design a legendary creature with no restrictions on your design, what would you design?
What are your views on the growing number of multiplayer tournaments? Do you feel this may impact banning or rule changes down the line to accommodate competitive needs?
yea, i know. i just don't like using them since it makes phage 'safer' to use. living on the edge when i know someone might blink her is awesome!
And with regards to my original question, when i ask "Is there a shortlist of niggles left in the EDH rules that the RC is trying to iron out (if any)... Possibly things regarding phage the untouchable, Haakon, Stromgald Scourge?" i meant it as do you guys even discuss these things in your meetings or am i just holding my breath for no real reason? im not expecting you guys to be the fixers of everything, and nor am i expecting format-wide errata.
Legacy - Solidarity - mono U aggro - burn - Imperial Painter - Strawberry Shortcake - Bluuzards - bom
Q2 - Are you discussing cards such as Elbrus, the binding blade or Genju of the realm being possible commanders?
Q3 - What about the mana production rule? According to color identity rule, you can only build deck containing your chosen color. Logically, if I have U/B deck and I use Volition reins on enemy's mountain (or mana rock, some mana producing thing), I should be able to tap it for red mana. It wouldn't affect deckbuilding that much, but would make some cards like Nightveil specter or Sen triplets more playable. You still have to steal something that produce mana, but there is the option to do so.
Q4 - WHat about the Bringers? For reference, Bringer of the white dawn and the rest of the cycle. Shouldn't the optional manacost be only reminder text and so, they should be labeled mono-colored? Any possible changes on this?
Thx for some naswers. ^^