That's a difficult question to wrap my head around and, in a way, I see where you're coming from. But, I'd have to disagree because the appeal Magic holds differs by the individual. That's why we have these different formats and if Magic is indeed 'dying slowly', EDH seems to be helping keep it afloat, if anything. While EDH has been around for years, it wasn't necessarily popular or widely known (I only heard of it back in 2015, but I can remember seeing the 2013 Precons in large retailers before that). The increase of interest regarding it (and the growing number of players) is simply because it's become more accessible, in my opinion.
If interest in Competitive Magic is dying, I do not think EDH is the one killing it. It could be contributing, but I feel it would more likely be a symptom - if there is something perceived to be wrong with Competitive formats, then that is driving players elsewhere, or creating an invisible barrier for newer players looking at those formats.
This also counts for the "but standard sucks" commentary, I believe. People haven't liked Standard since... What? Battle for Zendikar? From what I observed, EDH really starting drawing a crowd in with the 2015 Precons, right as Standard, uhm, shat itself for lack of better terms. If people wanted to play, but found Standard lacking, here are these beat Precons for a format you can do multiplayer, conveniently on the shelves.
I find having targeted Land Destruction is something of a staple for myself. You need it for all the powerhouse, troublesome lands in this format.
MLD is also fine, so long as there's a follow-up or win-condition behind it. The most upset I've ever been was a Daretti deck cycled Decree of Annihilation on something like turn 4 or 5, but didn't have any discernible way to win. Ended up durdling until everyone else eventually managed to crawl back in, and as the resident ramp deck in that game, I made sure to Tormod's Crypt and make his Emblem Worthless.
... I feel like there's a lot of information missing, because I know I make decisions based on which creatures in particular there are and the Commanders. Because judging by the example, I think it'd depend entirely on the political dynamic when it comes down to this junction.
P2 has the means to kill P3 at Sorcery Speed.
P3 can take P2's army down in response.
P1 has the means to kill P2 if they last one more turn, assuming P2 couldn't block the 5/5 even if they held back.
As P3, whomever I end up 'supporting' probably depends on who I like more at that point. Because regardless the game is over: both my opponents have a clean, easy way to kill the other and I have nothing except my Disk. If I do nothing, P2 wins. If I interfere, P1 wins. As P3, there is no survival unless some kind of deal is brokered among the group (that results in me not being burnt to crisps by the mentioned Banefire). I'm not a big fan of the 'flip a coin?' question, because I prefer to make my choice and justify based on prior actions in the game. If P2 has been dominating from T1, I'd probably give the win to P1. If it's been a relatively even game, perhaps they just exploded (hence the 20 power), I'll laugh it off and accept the loss gracefully.
Mind you, if P2 has been dominating from the start, but P1 doesn't have a clear way to kill P2 in play or hand (say, the creature wasn't indestructible), I might let P2 win simply so the game doesn't drag on into misery. We end the game, shuffle up, and go again. If P2 has been targeting me all game, I might nuke them anyway because even if it doesn't end the game immediately, it puts P1 a step ahead, and I'd rather they have the chance to beat my 'bully'.
I do think a disclaimer is warranted in that while I do play to win, it's typically a secondary consideration in my deckbuilding. Number one is "do something ridiculous" or "do something well", and I like to interact with my group rather than grind them into dust as soon as possible.
Following up on what Parax asked, what is your preferred playstyle? @Toctheyounger77 is on point with the General breakdowns, too.
And if you want to get into Commander, it'll definitely help to talk to the playgroup you might be joining at your LGS - help you get a gauge for how strong you should build your deck, or perhaps see if you can make a splash in their meta with something a little different.
If I cast a Villainous Wealth with X=40 targeting a player and they concede in response, is that fair to me? My deck is designed to do that. Going along with what a few others said above, if the person conceded, my group would treat it as though they blocked the most damage and the rest went through.
I will say that some people will scoop to this because they don't think they can win and do not want people to know what's in their deck, or in some instances don't want other people touching their cards.
There is also the speed consideration. VW for 40 takes a long time to resolve, and you can't force someone to sit there while you read the text on all their cards.
That's why I said beforehand 'it depends on the dynamic of your group'. I can use VW with X=40, but I'm a fairly fast and decisive player and my group knows this, so it's not really an issue. I also don't mind being on the receiving end of a comparable move from others, unless it takes an absurd amount of time. I once saw someone spend five minutes on an End-of-Turn Mystical Tutor, only to take another 15 to figure out how to win (we thought the reason the search took so long was 'figuring it out'). You do make fair points for a larger/less personal playgroup, though, I hadn't factored those in. I suppose people taking 'too long' to resolve a spell or take their turn gets under my skin, but I've still always allowed them to finish, only conceding if everyone agreed the game was over already, lol.
In my group, we decided that players can only concede under three circumstances: Sorcery speed (their turn), all simultaneously (all opponents agree to scoop), or they've been effectively removed from the game (say, being forced to sacrifice all their permanents).
Generally, I feel that conceding (at instant speed) to spite or to deny an opponent something is against the spirit, but really it depends on the dynamic of the group. If I cast a Villainous Wealth with X=40 targeting a player and they concede in response, is that fair to me? My deck is designed to do that. Going along with what a few others said above, if the person conceded, my group would treat it as though they blocked the most damage and the rest went through.
Control + reanimation. That's how I roll with my deck.
^- I agree. I'm not huge on the Tribal aspect, but just playing it as a U/B Control-Reanimator Build with a few Zombie synergy cards (Lich Lord of Unx, Ghoulcaller Gisa, etc) to really feed that triggered ability? I'm game. The Scarab God's activated ability being a reanimate-style effect is pretty sweet too, since you'd probably want to leave up mana whenever possible.
Also, congrats on getting one for $20. I picked up an Invocation ASAP, for about $50, because I love U/B in Commander.
Where I play, I'm the Grixis guy; it's what I do more than anything else. I try to avoid combos (because like OP said, Grixis is very combo friendly) but even without them, there's a ton of variety to be had. A part of me just loves being the 'bad guy' in the group, and messing around with the politics, and Grixis just goes hand-in-hand with that, I suppose. My only complaints are the usual lack of good ramp + no efficient method to deal with enchantments (outside of things like Scour from Existence or All is Dust).
If I took a step away from Grixis, Dimir is my core. I'll basically play anything that's UBx in Commander. Though MonoB is probably the Mono I find the most fun.
A friend asked me what happened upon killing a Blightsteel Colossus after hitting it with a Snakeform (while having a Daretti, Scrap Savant Emblem out). I'm aware the Blightsteel doesn't get shuffled away, as it doesn't have that ability when it hits the graveyard, but I'm sure I'm confusing myself on whether or not it loses the Artifact Supertype.
Snakeform simply says "target creature loses all abilities and becomes a green snake with base power and toughness 1/1". Because it doesn't say anything about changing supertypes, I'd assume it's an artifact creature - snake now, but I'd like confirmation.
While it may be seen as a d*ck move, I'd expect it. I believe someone else above said - It's not like he's giving away any information that your opponents wouldn't get after a few games, anyway. Whether or not they can stop the combo is a different matter entirely, since threat assessment is split toward all your opponents. Simply making someone aware of it doesn't mean they can do anything about it. I know people that if you're going to divulge about other people's decks, they see it as a form of misdirection, and target the talkative player instead, with the suspicion they're up to something.
Don't think I've ever held a grudge in a game. I have no issues targeting a player from the start, and pointing out the threat, if I'm aware that they're playing a deck that can crush the whole table when everyone else is not. I've had people hold grudges against me (weirdly, more against my shenanigan/jank decks than anything competitive) for multiple games in a row, and it's just water off my back as far as I'm concerned. I'll joke about it, get sarcastic, make political amends in-game before backstabbing them later - because I don't let people win.
I'd say they're of a similar level, if built competitively. I'd wager to say Edric might place higher, if just because elfball + drawing cards + extra turn spells could get rolling faster than "here is my fatty. There goes your lands!".
The first combos that come to mind for me are the classic Mikaeus the Unhallowed + Triskellion (infinite targeted damage), and Worldgorger Dragon + Animate Dead/Necromancy (infinite mana + any relevant ETB you've got. Warning: need another creature in a graveyard to escape the loop, and easily interruptible). There's also Wound Reflection + Havoc Festival, which gives each opponent a chance, but if they can't answer it, they die.
I've been meaning to brew up a land destruction/stax themed Malfegor deck one of these days, just to spice things up every once in a while.
I have a reputation at my shop for lying. It's mostly a joke, but I do make a point of trying to bend a bit of truth and get others to solve problems for me. With new players, I'll be vocal and help teach how to assess threats, especially in a multiplayer environment, and perhaps how to go about juggling politics. Once they have a solid grasp though, I treat games a bit like poker: part of the game itself is learning how to call a bluff, but also about weighing your options.
If I counter that threat, will the combo player go off next turn? If I don't answer it, does player X have a better solution, preferably something they might be forced to use? I played against a Jhoira deck once, didn't know the guy but he seemed chill, and I'd had a bad start - had a lapse of judgement where I decided to tap out to cast a ramp spell, rather than hold up a Counterspell for his next turn Omniscience off suspend (we were all playing Blue, and I mistakenly thought one of the others could handle it). Turned out, he was running a Jhoira deck full of Timetwister abilities, and vomited his entire deck into play.
For this reason, in my playgroup, we have a rule. "If you don't kill him when you have a chance, you will regret it." Even just last weekend, a friend could have killed me with his Exsanguinate, but chose not to, believing I'd be able to help him kill the greater threat. I did, but I also killed him.
Eh, I'd still go Mardu - having the extra color simply means more options and as a character, it still fits with the selfish aspect of her. I can see why you're considering moving to Boros, though - a lot of the cards in your list are heavily skewed in those two colors.
If interest in Competitive Magic is dying, I do not think EDH is the one killing it. It could be contributing, but I feel it would more likely be a symptom - if there is something perceived to be wrong with Competitive formats, then that is driving players elsewhere, or creating an invisible barrier for newer players looking at those formats.
This also counts for the "but standard sucks" commentary, I believe. People haven't liked Standard since... What? Battle for Zendikar? From what I observed, EDH really starting drawing a crowd in with the 2015 Precons, right as Standard, uhm, shat itself for lack of better terms. If people wanted to play, but found Standard lacking, here are these beat Precons for a format you can do multiplayer, conveniently on the shelves.
MLD is also fine, so long as there's a follow-up or win-condition behind it. The most upset I've ever been was a Daretti deck cycled Decree of Annihilation on something like turn 4 or 5, but didn't have any discernible way to win. Ended up durdling until everyone else eventually managed to crawl back in, and as the resident ramp deck in that game, I made sure to Tormod's Crypt and make his Emblem Worthless.
P2 has the means to kill P3 at Sorcery Speed.
P3 can take P2's army down in response.
P1 has the means to kill P2 if they last one more turn, assuming P2 couldn't block the 5/5 even if they held back.
As P3, whomever I end up 'supporting' probably depends on who I like more at that point. Because regardless the game is over: both my opponents have a clean, easy way to kill the other and I have nothing except my Disk. If I do nothing, P2 wins. If I interfere, P1 wins. As P3, there is no survival unless some kind of deal is brokered among the group (that results in me not being burnt to crisps by the mentioned Banefire). I'm not a big fan of the 'flip a coin?' question, because I prefer to make my choice and justify based on prior actions in the game. If P2 has been dominating from T1, I'd probably give the win to P1. If it's been a relatively even game, perhaps they just exploded (hence the 20 power), I'll laugh it off and accept the loss gracefully.
Mind you, if P2 has been dominating from the start, but P1 doesn't have a clear way to kill P2 in play or hand (say, the creature wasn't indestructible), I might let P2 win simply so the game doesn't drag on into misery. We end the game, shuffle up, and go again. If P2 has been targeting me all game, I might nuke them anyway because even if it doesn't end the game immediately, it puts P1 a step ahead, and I'd rather they have the chance to beat my 'bully'.
I do think a disclaimer is warranted in that while I do play to win, it's typically a secondary consideration in my deckbuilding. Number one is "do something ridiculous" or "do something well", and I like to interact with my group rather than grind them into dust as soon as possible.
And if you want to get into Commander, it'll definitely help to talk to the playgroup you might be joining at your LGS - help you get a gauge for how strong you should build your deck, or perhaps see if you can make a splash in their meta with something a little different.
That's why I said beforehand 'it depends on the dynamic of your group'. I can use VW with X=40, but I'm a fairly fast and decisive player and my group knows this, so it's not really an issue. I also don't mind being on the receiving end of a comparable move from others, unless it takes an absurd amount of time. I once saw someone spend five minutes on an End-of-Turn Mystical Tutor, only to take another 15 to figure out how to win (we thought the reason the search took so long was 'figuring it out'). You do make fair points for a larger/less personal playgroup, though, I hadn't factored those in. I suppose people taking 'too long' to resolve a spell or take their turn gets under my skin, but I've still always allowed them to finish, only conceding if everyone agreed the game was over already, lol.
Generally, I feel that conceding (at instant speed) to spite or to deny an opponent something is against the spirit, but really it depends on the dynamic of the group. If I cast a Villainous Wealth with X=40 targeting a player and they concede in response, is that fair to me? My deck is designed to do that. Going along with what a few others said above, if the person conceded, my group would treat it as though they blocked the most damage and the rest went through.
^- I agree. I'm not huge on the Tribal aspect, but just playing it as a U/B Control-Reanimator Build with a few Zombie synergy cards (Lich Lord of Unx, Ghoulcaller Gisa, etc) to really feed that triggered ability? I'm game. The Scarab God's activated ability being a reanimate-style effect is pretty sweet too, since you'd probably want to leave up mana whenever possible.
Also, congrats on getting one for $20. I picked up an Invocation ASAP, for about $50, because I love U/B in Commander.
If I took a step away from Grixis, Dimir is my core. I'll basically play anything that's UBx in Commander. Though MonoB is probably the Mono I find the most fun.
Snakeform simply says "target creature loses all abilities and becomes a green snake with base power and toughness 1/1". Because it doesn't say anything about changing supertypes, I'd assume it's an artifact creature - snake now, but I'd like confirmation.
I'd say they're of a similar level, if built competitively. I'd wager to say Edric might place higher, if just because elfball + drawing cards + extra turn spells could get rolling faster than "here is my fatty. There goes your lands!".
I've been meaning to brew up a land destruction/stax themed Malfegor deck one of these days, just to spice things up every once in a while.
If I counter that threat, will the combo player go off next turn? If I don't answer it, does player X have a better solution, preferably something they might be forced to use? I played against a Jhoira deck once, didn't know the guy but he seemed chill, and I'd had a bad start - had a lapse of judgement where I decided to tap out to cast a ramp spell, rather than hold up a Counterspell for his next turn Omniscience off suspend (we were all playing Blue, and I mistakenly thought one of the others could handle it). Turned out, he was running a Jhoira deck full of Timetwister abilities, and vomited his entire deck into play.
For this reason, in my playgroup, we have a rule. "If you don't kill him when you have a chance, you will regret it." Even just last weekend, a friend could have killed me with his Exsanguinate, but chose not to, believing I'd be able to help him kill the greater threat. I did, but I also killed him.