The Command Zone

This is the episode you’ve been waiting for: We’re talking about the bans.  This week’s ban announcement – removing Dockside Extortionist, Jeweled Lotus, Mana Crypt, and Nadu from the format – took the Commander community by storm. Some people are ecstatic, others are furious, but if you engage with Magic on the Internet you know this is all anyone’s been talking about. So in this special episode,...

To survive in the harrowed halls of Duskmourn, you’ve gotta be pretty scary yourself. It’s no surprise this set is loaded up with a bunch of frighteningly powerful new Commanders! This episode, we’ll be going over our picks for the best legends in the set, giving you a rundown of all the synergies and strategies you’ll need to put one of these monsters at the helm of your next deck. Don’t miss it!...

BOO! Did we make you jump? Or are you just leaping to get your hands on the new “Jump Scare” (blue/green) Commander precon from Duskmourn? Settle down, because we’re here to calm your nerves and raise your power level with our 10-card upgrade guide, all for under $50! We’ll tell you which cards to cut and which to hide in the deck so, at your next game night, you’ll have everything you need to spo...

Everybody hurts, sometimes… Especially when you’re playing against the new “Endless Punishment” (red/black) precon Commander deck from Duskmourn: House of Horrors! Today, we’re going to help you bring the pain with our 10 card upgrade, all for under $50! We’ll go over which cards to add and which ones to slash from the list for a power spike that will leave your opponents writhing in agony at your...

Have no fear, Duskmourn preview season isn’t quite over yet. We’ve got a terrifyingly cool new deck to show you, plus an upgrade guide that’s simply to die for. The time has come to reveal the new “Death Toll” (green/black) Commander precon, including 10 never-before-seen cards. Then, we’ll lay out our 10-card upgrade that won’t cost you an arm and a leg (under $50) so you can be the terror of the...

Every so often a Commander deck comes along that begs the question: Is this so stupid it’s brilliant, or just regular stupid? This episode, you can be the judge as master brewer Rachel Weeks presents the dumbest deck she’s ever built: Norin the Wary… with stickers! She’ll break down the sticking points she encountered along the way, as well as the tickets to its arguable success. Be very wary, bec...

You know what really ruffles our feathers? Grinds our gearhulks? Makes our Blood tokens boil? Well you’re about to!  This episode, we break down the most annoying cards in Commander. We got a bunch of submissions from our Patrons and staff, and now we’re laying out what makes these cards miserable and ranking which are the worst of the worst. There’s a lot to get riled up about. Come see if the ca...

Everyone loves hugs right? How about group hugs? Maybe in real life! But, in Commander, the group hug strategy can be pretty controversial, not to mention tricky to pilot. Fret not! This episode, we’ve got the best hugger we know, DJ (AKA “Jumbo Commander”), to bring you the complete guide to the archetype. He’ll teach you how to turn making friends into glorious victory, along with warning you ab...

Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards, and more! https://www.patreon.com/commandzone -------- Show Notes: Sometimes big power comes in cute little packages, but how do you know which new woodland cards should land a spot in your next deck? We’re here to help with our review of the best cards from Bloomburrow for your 99! We’ll show you which of t...

Want to give the table a brood awakening at your next Commander night? This episode, we’re making some offspring spring into action with our upgrade for the “Family Matters” (red/white/blue) precon from Bloomburrow. We’ve got 10 new additions to adopt into the deck, and 10 cards to cut from the family reunion guest list, all for under $50. Get ready to win through the power of kin! -------- Suppor...

Of all the legendary animals leaping around the valley of Bloomburrow, which is the wildest of the woodland? The fiercest of the forest? The thickest in the thicket? We’re about to find out, because this episode we’re breaking down the most powerful new Commanders from Magic’s latest set. Don’t miss the strategies and synergies that’ll turn these critters into real beasts on the battlefield! -----...

Show Notes: Trying to tune your Raccoons from trash pandas to treasure pandas? Look no further, because today we’re bringing you our upgrade guide for the brand new “Animated Army” (red/green) precon from Bloomburrow. Special guest upgrader Olivia Gobert-Hicks is here with 10 cards to make the deck sing, and 10 you can leave in the garbage, all for under $50. Don’t miss it! -------- Support the sh...

Are you looking to dole out some beats while you’re giving out treats? Bloomburrow has the perfect deck for you with the new “Peace Offering” (blue/white/green) precon! And we’re here to sweeten the deal with our upgrade guide: 10 gifted additions and 10 cards to leave back in your den, all for under $50! Soon you’ll be your whole pod’s favorite player to lose to! Don’t miss it. -------- Support t...

Are you going nuts for more Bloomburrow previews? Well you’re in luck! Not only do we have an entire new deck to show you, we’ve also got an upgrade guide ready to go! That’s right, it’s time to reveal the new “Squirreled Away” (green/black) precon, complete with 10 brand new cards. Then we’ll give you our take on a 10-card upgrade all for under $50, so you’ll have everything you need to bring a b...

Show Notes: The fantasy draft format is back and, this time, you should expect the unexpected! JLK, Jimmy, and Rachel are drafting the best “Gotcha!” spells in Commander. We’re talking about the tricks that catch your opponents totally off guard and turn the game on its head. But which of the format’s obscure surprise spells will take the top spot? And who will emerge victorious once the dust fina...

The Assassin Order has struck again, infiltrating Magic: the Gathering with a set full of powerful tricks from across time. This episode, we’ve got our eagle eyes locked on Assassin’s Creed as we look for cards with lethal potential. From historic legends to deadly equipment, there’s a ton of power waiting to be unlocked. So enter the Animus with us as we break down the cards you need to know from...

Show Notes: Upgrading decks can be tricky, but with the right cards, your lands can be even trickier – especially with this upgrade guide for the new “Tricky Terrain” (green/blue) precon deck from Modern Horizons 3! We’ll guide you through the valley of 10 cards you should add, and across a canyon where you can throw the 10 cards you’ll take out, all for under $50! Soon, you will be the master of...

With a set as pushed as Modern Horizons 3, we’re getting a ton of new toys and upgrades for Commander. But which cards will rise to staple status? Between the cycle of free spells, twists on powerful classics, and new support for colorless, there’s no shortage of strong contenders. We’ve got a LOT to talk about here, so strap in as we break down the best cards for the 99 from Magic’s totally buste...

Magic players are flipping out over the new MDFCs from Modern Horizons 3! Many MDFC lands are “auto-includes” in Commander, so we’re going to sit down and let you know which of these powerful new ones are the absolute best for your decks. We’ll rank each of them from must-buy to don’t-even-try, so you’ll know exactly what you need to pick up to get your land base into fighting shape! -------- Supp...

Would you kill for more info on the new Universes Beyond: Assassin’s Creed MTG set? Well you’ve come to the right place! We’ve got a sweet new exclusive preview card for you, and no one has to die to get it. All you have to do is watch and learn the ancient secrets of “Crystal Skull, Isu Spyglass!” -------- Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards,...

Remember when Tarmogoyf was the king of Modern? Those days may be over, but you can still get your fix of Goyf-y goodness in the new Modern Horizons 3 “Graveyard Overdrive” (black/red/green) precon deck! So to help you Jund ‘em out, we’re bringing you our $50 upgrade guide, featuring 10 cards to drive up the power level and 10 cards to leave in the dirt. Soon, the only thing on your opponents’ hor...

Want to annihilate your opponents, but not your wallet? Look no further than our upgrade guide for the five-color Modern Horizons 3 “Eldrazi Incursion” precon! Eldrazi aficionado Ashlen Rose is here to reshape this deck’s reality by adding 10 powerful new cards and sending 10 back to the void, all for under $50. With these swaps, you’ll be strong enough to scour your opponents from existence! ----...

Modern Horizons sets are full of notoriously strong cards from all throughout the multiverse. So it’s no surprise that Modern Horizons 3 brings super-pushed new legends featuring fan-favorite characters along with some exciting (and intimidating) new faces. Come see which Commanders are the cream of the power-crept crop, and learn the synergies and strategies you’ll need to break them wide open. T...

Does souping up your precon just take too much energy? Well don’t worry, because we’ve done the hard work for you in this upgrade guide for the “Creative Energy” (blue/red/white) Commander deck from Modern Horizons 3. We’re laying out 10 pieces of hot tech to supercharge it, and 10 cards to toss in the scrap pile, all on a $50 budget. Come see how to give this deck a jolt and turn it into a truly...

Thought Modern Horizons 3 couldn’t broaden your horizons any further? You thought WRONG! Today we’re revealing a brand new lands Commander deck for you to explore. That’s right, we’re bringing you the entire “Tricky Terrain” (green/blue) preconstructed deck, complete with 13 new cards and 2 brand new legends. Come and join us as we show you a world where lands are anything but basic! -------- Supp...