So here's my issue. I don't live near many LGSs and the ones I am near don't really have anyone that plays Commander except me. Is there any way to find people to play this format with besides extending my allotted travel time to try much further stores?
While I'm loath to recommend it as your best option, I have a similar problem. I live a 30 min drive from my LGS and my weekends are pretty busy.
So I play online; I've heard good things about Cockatrice and to some extent Xmage, but the easiest interface I've used it untap.in. No downloads, just a website, a server and a free to register account, which will hold 10 decklists (without spending any further money).
That being said, it's not always a breeze to get in a good game online. Not sure if this is just untap, but there are a ton of people who leave a game at the drop of a hat, a lot more who will act like jerks, and some who will run a competitive build against the jankiest of jank even when asked not to. I guess it's just like the rest of the internet - take it with a grain of salt, try your best to be clear in what you want when you join or set up a game, and hope for the best.
It's not the same as LGS play by a long shot - you miss a lot of the banter, but it's ok for playtesting.
Cockatrice can actually be quite good for casual / ‘75%’ EDH, as well as variants on it (such as Kingdoms). There’s almost always a game up of that kind, or about to start if you join.
No limits on cards, decks, or anything else really.
You just need to do everything ‘manually’ (i.e., just like playing actual cards), so it’s nothing like MtGO of course.
And yeah, with casual games in particular, you can definitely chat a bit at the same time.
Worth a look anyway, as it’s free, IMO.
edit: cEDH sees some play there too, if that’s your thing.
Just get into Magic Online. Though it's without any support for my beloved Duel-Commander, it's otherwise a stable environment. Plus, as commander only, you'd only need 1 of any given card that isn't a basic land. You can buy in at whatever level you'd like, even high end cEDH decks are barely a fraction of their RL prices.
I myself have a 20tix (1tix ~ = $1 usd) mono-G Goreclaw "stompy" deck, and a "3dh" (3tix commander) Alesha if you were looking for a starting point to jump in. I like the 3dh format as it precludes most of the fast mana that leads to lopsided games. Look me up there under the same name I have here if you'd like to try.
You're 100% sure that there's not a single person in your nearby vicinity who plays? I didn't think there were any, till i found a Facebook group based in the town i live in. Then, it turns out there's a bloke just across the street from me.
But yea, i can't give you much more help beyond what others have already suggested, and possibly to just introduce the game to other people. Make a new group from scratch where you are, possibly.
^ Also a good idea. Check messageboards, or yeah, FB for local EDH groups or players.
And, that said, travelling a little way (half an hour isn’t so bad, say) to get some gaming in might turn out worth your while. I personally know some people who travel farther than that for the exact same reason.
Maybe ask the LGS if you can post a contact sheet for people interested in EDH. I know a lot of people who play commander with friends, and never at the LGS... but usually there is one person in the group who may go to the LGS to play other formats.
You are not always at the LGS... there are probably more commander players than you think.
You can also show up with 3-4 decks and see if people want to borrow a deck.
I highly suggest the PlayEDH discord. It allows you to Play EDH over the internet via Webcam (paper Magic) and the Discord is broken up into different power levels to ensure you get a good game.
On top of that the Discord is a great community of people.
So I play online; I've heard good things about Cockatrice and to some extent Xmage, but the easiest interface I've used it untap.in. No downloads, just a website, a server and a free to register account, which will hold 10 decklists (without spending any further money).
That being said, it's not always a breeze to get in a good game online. Not sure if this is just untap, but there are a ton of people who leave a game at the drop of a hat, a lot more who will act like jerks, and some who will run a competitive build against the jankiest of jank even when asked not to. I guess it's just like the rest of the internet - take it with a grain of salt, try your best to be clear in what you want when you join or set up a game, and hope for the best.
It's not the same as LGS play by a long shot - you miss a lot of the banter, but it's ok for playtesting.
No limits on cards, decks, or anything else really.
You just need to do everything ‘manually’ (i.e., just like playing actual cards), so it’s nothing like MtGO of course.
And yeah, with casual games in particular, you can definitely chat a bit at the same time.
Worth a look anyway, as it’s free, IMO.
edit: cEDH sees some play there too, if that’s your thing.
I myself have a 20tix (1tix ~ = $1 usd) mono-G Goreclaw "stompy" deck, and a "3dh" (3tix commander) Alesha if you were looking for a starting point to jump in. I like the 3dh format as it precludes most of the fast mana that leads to lopsided games. Look me up there under the same name I have here if you'd like to try.
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
But yea, i can't give you much more help beyond what others have already suggested, and possibly to just introduce the game to other people. Make a new group from scratch where you are, possibly.
Legacy - Solidarity - mono U aggro - burn - Imperial Painter - Strawberry Shortcake - Bluuzards - bom
And, that said, travelling a little way (half an hour isn’t so bad, say) to get some gaming in might turn out worth your while. I personally know some people who travel farther than that for the exact same reason.
You are not always at the LGS... there are probably more commander players than you think.
You can also show up with 3-4 decks and see if people want to borrow a deck.
8.RG Green Devotion Ramp/Combo 9.UR Draw Triggers 10.WUR Group stalling 11.WUR Voltron Spellslinger 12.WB Sacrificial Shenanigans
13.BR Creatureless Panharmonicon 14.BR Pingers and Eldrazi 15.URG Untapped Cascading
16.Reyhan, last of the Abzan's WUBG +1/+1 Counter Craziness 17.WUBRG Dragons aka Why did I make this?
Building: The Gitrog Monster lands, Glissa the Traitor stax, Muldrotha, the Gravetide Planeswalker Combo, Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix + Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa Clues, and Tribal Scarecrow Planeswalkers
On top of that the Discord is a great community of people.
Competitive
GUWB Thrasios/Tymna Breakfast Hulk GUWB - RGBW Tana/Tymna Blood Pod - URGAnimar, Soul of ElementsURG - UTeferi, Temporal ArchmageU
Tuned
UBG Sidisi, Brood Tyrant (Write Up) UBG-BG The Gitrog Monster BG-UG Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca UG - UBG Muldrota, the Gravetide UBG - UBW Varina, Lich Queen UBW - RB Xantcha, Sleeper Agent RB - UB Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow UB - GWURafiq of the Many GWU - WUB Oloro, Ageless Lich WUB - GUBRKydele, Chosen of Kruphix and Vial Smasher The Fierce GUBR - BG Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons GB - WB Athreos, God of Passage WB - UBThe Scarab God UB - UBRMarchesa, the Affinity RoseUBR - UBGTasigur, the Golden FangUBG - GSelvala, Heart of the WildsG - BRGrusilda, Monster MasherBR - BChainer, Dementia MasterB - WBGKarador, Ghost ChieftainWBG - URMizzix's Thousand Year StormUR - RGOmnath, Locust of RageRG - GUEdric, Spymaster of TrestGU - WUBrago, King EternalWU
Legecy Decks
W Death and Taxes W-C Eldrazi Stompy C-R Mono Red Prison R-U MerfolkU