Commander Theory

WOW! These are a lot of spoilers! This week Nick and Zak get into builds for the jumpstart commanders, and where the maindeck cards should go. There are also some points about how the format has changed, how much MTG really needed something like this, and how products like this can inject wonderful little things like the custom basic lands (can you tell we like this product?).  Decks discussed in...

On this episode Nick and Zak are joined by friend of the show Charlotte Sable! A level 3 magic judge, CAG member and owner of the Magic Judge blog on Tumblr , and we finish the last of the new cards, as well as make predictions on what we think will see play! Ever wonder where to play your hondens? Want a cool new wizard to build around? Wanna see how right we were about Ikoria? It's all here...

On this episode, Nick and Zak are joined by friend of the show, Charlotte Sable: level 3 magic judge, CAG member and owner of the Magic Judge blog on Tumblr to get through most of the M21 spoils! They discuss builds for even more new commanders, and where new cards might find a home. Next week's episode will also be a bit late. We apologize for all the delay's but we promise it'll b...

On this episode, Nick and Zak are joined by friend of the show, Charlotte Sable: level 3 magic judge, CAG member and owner of the Magic Judge blog on Tumblr ! They discuss builds for the new commanders we've seen so far, and where certain new cards might find a home. There's only been a few cards, but there's a lot to talk about! Follow Commander Theory on Tumblr , Twitter , and You...

There's been a commander rules update! And friend of the show Charlotte Sable, of the CAG and Magic Judge Tumblr comes on to help Nick and Zak with the what and why of the change. We discuss the thought process behind the change, as well as decks that gain a lot. There's also a few corner cases where things get worse (spoiler alert, really not that many!) You can read the full update her...

Brawl has been going through changes! And in this episode Nick and Zak discuss the recent bans and changes to the meta. Nick talks about how to beat the best decks in the format, and there's a TON of good stuff (and not good...) in Historic Anthology 3. We hope you've been finding as much solace in Arena as we have and maybe this episode can help you step up your game. Some info we talk...

Get ready for a really theoretical episode! On this episode Nick and Zak welcome their friend Alex Whiteclay of Commander Manifesto to discuss an alternate universe for Commander. The Prompt - What if you could only make mana of your Commander's color identity, but could put any card in your deck? This discussion leads to a lot of places. It highlights a lot of strengths and weaknesses in the...

Ikoria brought with it many new mechanics and design space. One of the most interesting and deep pools was the idea of a "Keyword Lord," or creature that rewards creatures with specific evergreen keywords. In this episode, Nick and Zak look at what commanders exist that have, grant, or reward the existing evergreen keywords. Where is there room to grow? Who is already doing a great job?...

Ikoria is here and Nick and Zak go over what cards from the new set will have an impact on commander as a whole. Decklists featured in the episode: Brokkos, Apex of Forever Snapdax, Apex of the Hunt Yorion, Sky Nomad Obosh, the Preypiercer Jegantha, the Wellspring Kaheera, the Orphanguard Lurrus of the Dream Den Umori, the Collector Keruga, the Macrosage Zirda, the Dawnwaker General Kudro of Drann...

In this episode Nick and Zak have a discussion with friend of the show Charlotte Sable, member of the CAG and the judge behind the Ask a Judge Tumblr. We ask questions about the banning of flash, the functionality of companion, general attitudes of the RC and CAG towards cEDH, as well as the effects quarantine might have on magic in the future. This is a great look into how the CAG has interacted...

In this episode Nick and Zak interview friend of the show Charlotte Sable, member of the CAG and the judge behind the Ask a Judge Tumblr. We discuss this historic banning, the thought processes behind it, and what implications it may or may not have on the format moving forward. If you want to get in touch with Charlotte, you can reach her at: Twitter Tumblr General contact info for the RC and CAG...

The season for spoils has hit hard and in this episode Nick and Zak go over what cards from the new Commander set will have an impact on the format as a whole. The builds for a ton of the new commanders are at the beginning, so if you're only in it for the brews start there. Decklists featured in the episode: Jirina Kudro Gavi, Nest Warden Tayam, Luminous Enigma We thank all of you for sticki...

In this episode, Nick and Zak examine commanders who look appealing on the surface, but once you dig in might not offer as much power as you originally thought. This episode is the first one where we have had to record remotely. We thank all of you for sticking with us as we try to get out content in a timely manner while making the best of the situations thrown at us. Stay safe everyone, and keep...

In this episode, Nick and Zak dig through the second batch of popular tribes in Commander and find a few spaces where current commanders just aren't pulling their weight for a tribal list. Follow Commander Theory on Tumblr , Twitter , and YouTube for more Commander content! If you like our podcast, please support us on Patreon ! Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/commandertheory) Suppo...

It's time for another episode on custom commanders! We've solicited commander designs from our listeners, with a focus on commanders that create new archetypes, and we're sharing the best submissions with all of you! Album of designs Follow Commander Theory on Tumblr , Twitter , and YouTube for more Commander content! If you like our podcast, please support us on Patreon ! If you&ap...

In this episode, Nick and Zak dig through the most popular tribes in Commander, highlighting the best commanders for each and identifying when existing commanders don't serve the tribe's needs. Follow Commander Theory on Tumblr , Twitter , and YouTube for more Commander content! If you like our podcast, please support us on Patreon ! If you're planning on shopping with TCGPlayer, yo...

In this episode, Nick and Zak discuss the pros and cons of two potential changes to Commander: allowing legendary enchantments, artifacts, and lands as commanders and allowing players to run hybrid cards in decks that only include one of their two colors. Decks discussed in this episode: Lich's Mastery Lifegain Combo Oath of Teferi Superfriends Follow Commander Theory on Tumblr , Twitter , an...

Nick and Zak discuss how to build around the new commanders in Unsanctioned and share what silver-bordered cards they would most like to play with in Commander. Decks discussed in this episode: Alexander Clamilton Surgeon Commander Follow Commander Theory on Tumblr , Twitter , and YouTube for more Commander content! If you like our podcast, please support us on Patreon ! If you're planning on...

Nick and Zak complete their set review of Theros Beyond Death, discussing how to build around the new commanders and which decks can best make use of the new nonlegendary cards. Decks discussed in this episode: Siona, Captain of the Pyleas Uro, Titan of Nature's Wrath Follow Commander Theory on Tumblr , Twitter , and YouTube for more Commander content! If you like our podcast, please support...

Theros Beyond Death spoiler season has begun in earnest and Nick and Zak have a ton of new cards and commanders to evaluate for the Commander format! Decks discussed in this episode: Heliod, Sun-Crowned Thassa, Deep-Dwelling Erebos, Bleak-Hearted Purphoros, Bronze-Blooded Nylea, Keen-Eyed Dalakos, Crafter of Wonders Follow Commander Theory on Tumblr , Twitter , and YouTube for more Commander conte...

In this episode, Nick and Zak discuss the post-Christmas trickle of spoilers from Theros: Beyond Death and walk you through their process as they build a deck for the newly spoiled Klothys, God of Destiny. Decks discussed in this episode: Gallia of the Endless Dance Klothys, God of Destiny Follow Commander Theory on Tumblr , Twitter , and YouTube for more Commander content! If you like our podcast...

In this episode, we're talking about the highlights of 2019 for Commander and for Commander Theory, as well as opening up our mailbag to respond directly to your questions. What was the best commander of 2019? What types of episodes will you see more of in 2020? What do we think about a rules change allowing commander death triggers? We answer all of these questions and more! Follow Commander...

Currently, wish effects don't work in Commander; sideboards are not supported within the official rules. Despite their lack of rules support in the game's most popular format, we've seen more wishes printed in the last year than in the previous decade, and Wizards shows no signs of slowing down, as wishes are used to improve gameplay in Best-of-One formats. A few months back, we sta...

In this episode, Nick and Zak discuss the new and returning mechanics from Theros Beyond Death, as well as the cards and commanders spoiled so far. Decks discussed in this episode: Athreos, Shroud-Veiled Follow Commander Theory on Tumblr , Twitter , and YouTube for more Commander content! If you like our podcast, please support us on Patreon ! If you're planning on shopping with TCGPlayer, yo...

In this episode, we look at a few of the bogeymen of the format and offer some more prosocial builds that'll lead to fun games but won't terrify your playgroup. Decks discussed in this episode: King Brago's Klone Kombo Derevi Tokens Animorphs /r/competitiveedh Decklist Database Follow Commander Theory on Tumblr , Twitter , and YouTube for more Commander content! If you like our podc...