Commander's Pod

In this episode of Commander’s Pod , we explore the often-overlooked but essential social side of Magic: The Gathering, specifically in the Commander format. We kick things off with Tales from the Table , sharing some fun and quirky moments from our own playgroups (you won't want to miss this one!). Next up, in Counterspell , we dive into the art of Mulliganing—how do you decide when to take that...

In this episode of Commander’s Pod , we dive deep into the good things happening in the world of Magic: The Gathering! But first, we share some hilarious Tales from the Table, where we discuss the experience of being the "cost/upkeep monitor" in your playgroup, reminding others to pay that extra mana, even when you never do! Then, we shift gears to the future of MTG in our Counterspell segment, po...

In this milestone 40th episode of The Commander's Pod, we’ve got a packed show with something for everyone! First up, Duncan, Jeff, and Sloan recount an unforgettable Tales from the Table, featuring a legendary Eluge story. Then, the crew dives into the world of meme cards—how do they feel about quirky releases like the SpongeBob Secret Lair? (Hint: it’s more than just a laugh!) Jeff’s back with J...

In this episode of The Commanders Pod , we dive into the frustrating world of Secret Lair drops and the chaos they bring. That doesn't do what you think it does , kicks things off with a deep dive into a sticky rules interaction, where trying to kill a creature with a triggered ability on the stack won’t work quite the way you think! But the real meat of the episode comes later when we talk about...

In this episode of The Commander's Pod , Duncan and Sloan are joined once again by the legendary Jeff to dive into all things Commander! Duncan shares his epic adventures at MagicCon Vegas, including the highlights and behind-the-scenes moments. Then, the crew gets into the latest buzz— Marvel Secret Lair's release ! They break down the set, discuss which cards are going to be absolutely gross in...

In the thrilling conclusion of our two-part series, we continue to explore the aftermath of the Rules Committee's recent changes. We revisit the Tier system debate and dive deeper into its implications for competitive play and community dynamics. Things get heated with the boys, so you for sure do not want to miss out on this episode! Want to join our network and connect with Duncan, Jeff, and Slo...

Join us for a deep dive into the seismic shifts happening in the Commander community! This week, Duncan and Sloan are joined by guest Andrew to break down some wild things happening in the world of EDH. In this first part of our two-part series, we kick things off with some Tales from the Table , sharing our favorite Archenemy moments that highlight the fun and chaos of multiplayer play. Then, we...

In this episode of the Commander’s Pod, we’re tackling the aftermath of recent bans head-on! With heavy hitters like Mana Crypt, Jeweled Lotus, and Dockside Extortionist getting the axe, the boys discuss the best alternatives to keep your decks running smoothly. Tune in as we explore creative replacements that maintain the fun and strategy of your gameplay. Whether you’re looking for budget option...

Episode 34: The Banned Episode In this week’s captivating installment, we’re diving deep into the fallout of last week’s predictions as a wave of bans rocks the gaming community. Join us as the boys unpack the recent card bans, exploring the reasons behind the decisions and how they impact gameplay. But that's not all—we'll also tackle the essential topic of courtesy in the gameroom. Discover why...

Welcome to Episode 33 of Commander’s Pod Podcast! Today, we're tackling some hot topics: Is Commander Tax Unfair? With Wizards constantly printing new commanders, is the Commander Tax becoming a burden? We discuss how these taxes impact gameplay and explore strategies to sidestep them. Highlander Gauntlet: A New Format on the Horizon Ever heard of Highlander Gauntlet? We break down this innova...

In this episode, Duncan and Jeff break down the evolving landscape of removal strategies in Commander. With a plethora of protective abilities like shroud, protection, hexproof, and ward making single-target removal less effective, are board wipes becoming the ultimate solution? Join us as we explore whether wiping the board is the new go-to strategy for dealing with pesky threats. That Doesn’t Do...

Welcome to Commander’s Pod Episode 31: Commander Legends: Analyzing the Impact of New Commanders! This week host Duncan, Sloan, and Jeff debate the role of extra turn spells—should they be used and how? In That Doesn’t Do What You Think It Does, we tackle the nuances of Triggered Abilities and missed triggers. Our main discussion centers on the latest Commanders released this year—what’s making wa...

Welcome to Commander’s Pod Episode 30: Building Synergy: How to Craft a Cohesive Commander Deck! In this episode, we kick off with some personal Tales from the Table. Then, we explore the ultimate question in Counterspell: how long should a turn or game really be? Next, Jeff’s Triggers will keep you on your toes, and we’ll clear up a common misconception in That Doesn’t Do What You Think It Does a...

Welcome back to Episode 29 of The Commanders Pod! This week, we’re thrilled to have our special guest Andrew back for another round while Jeff is on vacation. Duncan and Sloan are diving deep into the world of Magic: The Gathering rules with our resident judge. Today’s episode is all about unraveling the mysteries of the game’s most perplexing rules. We put Andrew’s extensive knowledge to the test...

Welcome back to Commander’s Pod! In episode 28, we're diving into the dynamic world of playing across multiple pods and ensuring your decks are versatile enough to shine in any scenario. We’re thrilled to introduce our special guest host, Andrew (yes, that Andrew!), who’s here to share his insights and expertise with us. That Doesn’t Do What You Think It Does: This week’s segment, "Attack...

Welcome to The Commander's Pod , where in Episode 25, hosts Duncan, Sloan, and Jeff dive into two compelling topics that every Magic: The Gathering fan will want to hear about! First up, the team explores which old mechanics they’d love to see make a comeback or be expanded upon in future MTG sets. From nostalgic favorites to underutilized gems, they discuss the potential for these classic mec...

Welcome to another episode of The Commander's Pod ! In this thought-provoking installment, hosts Duncan, Sloan, and Jeff dive into the nuances of threat assessment in Magic: The Gathering. They explore the concept that assessing threats is more complex than just evaluating what's on the battlefield. Factors such as the number of cards in an opponent's hand, value engines, and whether t...

In this exciting episode of The Commander's Pod , hosts Duncan, Sloan, and Jeff dive deep into the lush new world of the Bloomburrow set. With their signature blend of analysis and fun, they explore the latest additions to Magic: The Gathering, sharing their thoughts on standout cards and discussing how these new elements could shape the game. Tune in as they unpack the set's freshest mech...

In Episode 23 of The Commander Pod, hosts Duncan, Sloan, and Jeff cover a range of engaging topics. In the "Counterspell" segment, they discuss the strategic use of stax in Magic: The Gathering. In the ever entertaining segment "Aggro Jeff," Jeff highlights what's currently aggravating him. In "That Doesn’t Do What You Think It Does," they examine interactions tha...

In Episode 23 of The Commander Pod, hosts Duncan, Sloan, and Jeff delve into several exciting and thought-provoking topics. They kick things off by exploring which Universes Beyond collaborations they'd love to see in Magic: The Gathering, discussing the potential for future franchise crossovers. In "What's Aggravating Jeff," Jeff shares his latest frustrations in his always-ente...

In Episode 22 of The Commander Pod, hosts Duncan, Sloan, and Jeff dive into the world of errata'd cards—those whose wordings or functionalities have changed significantly since their original release. They explore how these changes impact gameplay and deck-building strategies. In the segment "That Doesn’t Do What You Think It Does," they clarify a crucial rule about planeswalkers: wh...

In Episode 21 of The Commander Pod, hosts Duncan, Sloan, and Jeff share their thoughts on the new Assassins' Creed cards for Magic: The Gathering. They preview some exciting cards and provide their overall opinions on the set. In the segment "That Doesn’t Do What You Think It Does," they clarify a common misconception: creatures that enter the battlefield tapped and attacking do not...

Join Duncan, Sloan, and Jeff on the Commanders Pod as they reminisce about the good ol’ days of EDH, when big dragons reigned supreme and mana ramp was just a dream. Is today’s Commander format better or worse? We’re debating the evolution and what it means for your game. Plus, we’re diving into the nitty-gritty of building the perfect land base in Magic: The Gathering. Get ready for a blend of no...

Hop into the Commander’s Pod time machine with Duncan, Sloan, and Jeff as they reminisce about how Magic: The Gathering has transformed over the years. From old-school cards to modern mechanics, we’re unpacking the evolution of this iconic game. Want to bring a bit of Magic’s past into your present decks? We’ve got you covered with tips and tricks to blend the best of both worlds. Tune in for a no...

In this episode of the Commanders Pod, hosts Duncan, Sloan, and Jeff delve into the recent leaks surrounding Magic: The Gathering’s recent card sets. Join us as we analyze what these leaks mean for the game, the community, and the future of Magic. Additionally, we’ll be constructing a listener-requested decklist for Lazav, the Wearer of Faces. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, t...