The Command Zone

It’s time for part 2 of our STATS SERIES! We’re going over the results of our data analysis from over 300 games of Commander. What effect does budget and the monetary value of your deck have on your win percentage? Which color is the strongest? What cards appear most in winning decks? Tune in and find out! ---------- What we talked about on THE END STEP: Immersion Circulator: https://en.wikipedia....

It’s finally here! The STATS episode (part 1 of 2). We’ve compiled data from over 300 games of Commander, analyzed the findings and now it’s time to go over the results. What do the statistics say about the power of Sol Ring? What role, if any, does turn order play in determining a game winner? What deck types have an advantage over the others? Some of the findings are going to shock you! Do not m...

We’re starting a new subseries discussing the top budget cards in each color. On today’s episode DJ and Josh list their top 5 best blue cards that are each under $2 dollars. Tune in and discover a bunch of ways to make your decks better for cheap! ---------- What we talked about on THE END STEP: Hardcore History Addendum: Nightmare of Indianapolis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jqu7mM0kheE Learn...

Today we’re breaking down JLK’s Emarra, Soul of the Accord deck that he built and played in the most recent episode of Game Knights. If you liked the look of the deck on the show, just wait until you see all the other spicy cards that didn’t happen to get camera time. If you like tapping and untapping shenanigans, this one is for you! ---------- What we talked about on THE END STEP: World of Warcr...

Do you like to make tokens and play with your own graveyard? Who doesn’t?!? Adam Savidan from LoadingReadyRun joins the show to talk about the Izoni, Thousand-Eyed deck he built and piloted on the new episode of Game Knights. That show, featuring the all-new commanders from Guilds of Ravnica, releases tomorrow (Sept 26). But you can get the inside-scoop on Adam’s deck before you watch it, and then...

We’re returning to the return to Ravnica! Josh and DJ break down the new cards from the latest set, Guilds of Ravnica, and which ones they believe will make an impact on the Commander format. Whether you’re Izzet, Golgari, Selesnya, Boros or Dimir, there’s something here for everyone. ---------- What we talked about on THE END STEP: The West Wing Weekly: http://thewestwingweekly.com/ The West Wing...

On this special episode we’re unveiling our exclusive GUILDS OF RAVNICA PREVIEW CARD! It’s a new legendary creature named Etrata, the Silencer. To talk about this super unique card, we’re joined by MTG cosplayer Olivia Gobert-Hicks, who built a Commander deck around Etrata for upcoming episode of Game Knights, which releases on September 26th. ---------- Follow Olivia on Twitter: @goberthicks Inqu...

Jimmy’s taking a quick break from filming in New Zealand and stopped by the studio in LA for a special episode. We’re catching up on listener questions, including: What to do if your playgroup likes the old mulligan rules? How do you deal with an overabundance of board wipes in your local meta? And what are some budget substitutes for a few expensive cards?  ---------- What we talked about on THE...

On this episode, DJ is breaking down one of his strongest decks: Selvala, Heart of the Wilds. The creature “power matters” archetype has become more prevalent in recent sets so it seems like the perfect time to explore this potent Commander. ---------- What we talked about on THE END STEP: Educated: A Memoir https://tarawestover.com/book/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/...

In this episode, Josh and DJ are putting on their game design hats and asking the questions: What does the Commander format need? What is it missing? What tools are we lacking? What current cards and strategies are too powerful or well-positioned and could use some additional checks and balances? In short, what is our wish list for the format? ---------- What we talked about on THE END STEP: Rome:...

Lack of reprints. Unfocused deck design. Low power level. These are some of the criticisms that have been aimed at Commander 2018. On this episode of the podcast, Josh and DJ take an in-depth look at this year’s precon decks and break down whether they think C18 is a success or failure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy is back! And he’s breaking down an Esper Zombie build focused around Varina, Lich Queen. How does having access to white change/update this strategy for this popular tribe? Watch and find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today’s episode, Josh and DJ brew up a deck for one of the most unique new Commanders from all of C18: Xantcha, Sleeper Agent. Find out all of the cool interactions, synergies and combos that will allow you to infiltrate your way to victory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're kicking off a series of deck techs centered around the new legendary creatures from Commander 2018. Today we begin with one of the most interesting: Brudiclad (BREWdiclad?) Telchor Engineer. It’s a new take on your typical token based strategy. Come see how Josh and DJ would tackle this deck building challenge! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're continuing our coverage of the Commander 2018 product with a look at the BEST NEW CARDS from the set. Before we examined each deck and how to quickly tune it up and get it onto the battlefield as quickly as possible. Today we're taking an overall look at the C18 cards in the context of the greater world of Commander. What's the best new legendary? The best new card for inside the 99 of your...

Our complete coverage of the Commander 2018 product continues, with a review of the Esper "Subjective Reality" pre-con deck! Aminatou's text box can be perplexing. What's the best way to take advantage of her, seemingly, unrelated abilites? First we break it down and then we tune it up. Learn about the new cards, the reprints, how the deck plays, what to add, and what to take out so you can get th...

Our complete coverage of the Commander 2018 product continues, with a review of the Bant "Adaptive Enchantment" pre-con deck! Estrid combines a lot of abilites we've all been asking for. But is she as powerful as she seems? We're breaking down all the deck stats and then tuning it up. Learn about the new cards, the reprints, how the deck plays, what to add, and what to take out so you can get this...

We're continuing our in-depth coverage of the Commander 2018 product with a review of the "Nature's Vengeance" pre-con deck! Lord Windgrace finally brings together the colors we've all wanted in a Lands Matter deck. But what's the best way to build around him? Join us, as we break it down and then tune it up. Learn about the new cards, the reprints, how the deck plays, what to add, and what to tak...

We're starting our in-depth coverage of the Commander 2018 product with a review of the Saheeli / Artifacts "Exquisite Invention" pre-con deck! Is this the Izzet artifacts Commander we've all been dreaming of? First we break it down and then we tune it up. Learn about the new cards, the reprints, how the deck plays, what to add, and what to take out so you can get this deck up-and-running and read...

It's that time of year, Commander Xmas! Which means we're unwrapping our exclusive COMMANDER 2018 PREVIEW CARD! Meet the newest JUND legendary creature: Gyrus, Waker of Corpses. Come find out what this big bad hydra can do. Note: This is a short episode just for our C18 preview card but don't worry! We have a ton of awesome BONUS CONTENT coming out very soon. This is the best time of year for Comm...

Today we're talking about a Voltron build of the new Elder Dragon: Chromium, the Mutable. PLUS we're also delving into a contentious topic, is Voltron actually any good? Enjoy the show and then participate in the discussion in the comments! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We all have cards we think are awesome but that never seem to show up on the opponent's side of the table. Why is no one else playing this stuff? On today's episode, Josh and DJ make the case for some of their favorite underrated cards in Commander. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the release of new cards/sets and shifts in the local meta, Commander players are constantly tuning-up their decks. But how can you tell if you’re improving a strategy or making it worse? On today’s episode we discuss how to power-up your decks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The core sets are back! Josh is joined by substitute co-host DJ (Jumbo Commander on YouTube) to break down the new cards in M19 that we think will make a splash in Commander. From the return of Elder Dragons to all new planeswalkers, find out which cards you're gonna need for your next EDH night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've got cosplayer and Game Knights alum Ashlen Rose as a guest on this episode to talk about our experiences so far with the new digital form of Magic: the MTG Arena Closed Beta. Plus, we're unveiling our M19 preview card! It's one of the the original Elder Dragons, Arcades, the Strategist. What does it do? Watch and find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices