The Command Zone

Thunder Junction previews have been full of tough characters: outlaws, varmints, ne'er-do-wells and more. But today, we’re bringing you the baddest of the bad, as we reveal the entire list for the Mardu (white, black, and red) “Most Wanted” precon deck from Outlaws of Thunder Junction! We’ll be covering the whole posse of new cards, including two never-before-seen legends. There’s trouble brewing,...

The comprehensive rules of Magic: The Gathering are almost 300 pages long. On top of all that, Commander has a whole set of UNWRITTEN rules that can be a lot less cut-and-dry.  Needless to say, this is a complicated thing to navigate. But have no fear! This episode we’re going over those unofficial rules and expectations of the format. From cards you aren’t supposed to play to game habits that are...

With almost 20 combined years of YouTube under their belts, The Professor and JLK are some of the most experienced veterans in the MTG content space. Both channels have grown enormously since they began, but it hasn’t always been a simple or easy journey. Today, the two friends sit down to give you a look behind the curtain, discussing the realities of content creation and the struggles that they’...

It happens to everyone: you sit down at the table with your brand new deck and it completely flops. NOTHING goes right. Your deck doesn’t do anything. All the cards seemed good on paper, but they just don’t work together like you thought they would. Well friend, what you need is some proper goldfishing!  This episode, we’re teaching you how to effectively test your decks so they will be stronger,...

It’s time for an all-new Command Zone fantasy draft featuring some of your favorite characters from Magic lore! This episode, Jimmy, JLK, and Rachel are making their picks for the top planeswalkers in Commander. Where will each of their loyalties lie? Which decisions will spark controversy among the group? And who will be the ultimate winner? To get these answers and more, tune in and see for your...

Want your Commander decks to really set the world on fire? Then you need the best cards from Magic’s rad new set! This episode, we crawl out through Universes Beyond: Fallout to find the strong new staples you’ll want for your deck lists. So crack open a Nuka Cola and join us as we show you which cards we think are truly S.P.E.C.I.A.L. -------- Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of ou...

War never changes, but your precons probably should! This episode, we’re diving deep into the “SCIENCE!” (blue/red/white) artifact deck and the “Mutant Menace” (black/green/blue) radiation brew from Universes Beyond: Fallout. We’ve got upgrade guides for both, telling you which 10 cards to add (for under $50) and which 10 to cut. Then we’ll pit them against each other in the ultimate thought exerc...

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: The year is 2287, America has been devastated by radiation, and you have a decision to make: Which Fallout preconstructed deck to upgrade! Do you want the hearty tenacity of the “Scrappy Survivors” (white/red/green) precon, or the brutal mili...

Do you ever feel like you aren’t getting what you want out of Commander? Maybe you need to rethink how you’re thinking about the game. In fact, with the right mentality, you might even become a commander GENIUS! This episode, Jimmy and Rachel walk you through their thoughts on improving your mental relationship with EDH, helping you to find format fulfillment and hone-in on your (command) zone of...

Good news Fallout fans, the Vaults are open, and new cards are emerging into the wasteland! We’ve got an explosive preview card for you, so grab your power armor, because it’s time to reveal Elder Arthur Maxson from the new Universes Beyond: Fallout precon decks! -------- Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards, and more! https://www.patreon.com/co...

Wanna murder the table (in-game) at your next commander night? Well, Murders at Karlov Manor is loaded up with fancy new tech to spice up your deck! This episode we’re going over the new cards for your 99 from Magic’s latest killer set. We’ve done the detective work for you, so all you have to do is tune in and find out which cards might be new format staples in disguise. -------- Support the show...

Need a clue about which precon to upgrade from Murders at Karlov Manor? Don’t worry, we’re on the case!  This episode, we’re bringing you another back-to-back deck upgrade and comparison. We line up two suspects – the Deep Clue Sea (white/blue/green) and Blame Game (red/white) preconstructed decks – then tell you how to upgrade both of them with 10 cards for under $50. Once the evidence has been l...

What’s better than one precon upgrade? TWO PRECON UPGRADES! This episode, we’re premiering our new side-by-side upgrade and comparison format, where we bring you 10-card upgrades (at a $50 budget) for double the decks!  We’ll be comparing the new Murders at Karlov Manor precons “Deadly Disguise” (white/red/green) and “Revenant Recon” (blue/black). Come crack the case of how to make these decks kil...

WHO KILLED TEYSA KARLOV?! The culprit must have been quite a force to be reckoned with, so we’re reviewing all the most powerful Commander suspects from the new set, Murders at Karlov Manor. We’ll bring you the whole lineup of legends, and clue you in to the best synergies and strategies you need to really make them sing. Don’t let the mystery go unsolved, tune in and find who your next partner in...

Still investigating all of the new cards in Murders at Karlov Manor? Fear not! We have a major piece of the puzzle right here: an entire deck! Today, we reveal the “Deep Clue Sea” Bant (green, white, and blue) Commander precon. With 12 brand new cards and a whole dossier of reprints, this deck has everything you need to gather the clues and crack the case! -------- Support the show and become a Pa...

When it comes to power, not all cards are created equal. Synergy is important but there are plenty of cards out there that can take a deck to the next level all on their own. This episode, we’re going over some of the most impactful cards in the format, giving you the rundown on spells to look out for which can take a deck from “Kitchen Casual” to “Bane of the Board” in an instant. Don’t miss it!...

Commanders don’t need modern borders to be playable in the modern era. There are plenty of forgotten legends that still slap! This episode, we’re going over our favorite old school Commanders. We’ll lay out how to build these OG EDH stars, including all the new tricks they picked up in recent sets. Come join us! -------- Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awe...

New year, new you, new strategies and brews! This episode, the Command Zone Team breaks down our Commander resolutions for 2024. From how we build decks to how we play the game itself, there’s always something to improve. So come see what we’re working on for the next 365 and let us know how YOU are gonna up your game too! -------- Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community,...

2023 will forever be remembered as the year Wizards censored the Pinkertons. Or wait, did the Pinkertons take down the MTG Ambassador Program? There were so many controversies these past 365 days that it’s hard to keep them straight! Well don’t worry, we’re going to cover all of it! This episode Jimmy, JLK and Rachel convene to break down the entire year of highlights, missteps, and controversies...

2023 had more Commander preconstructed decks than any year in MTG’s history, so you might have missed some of the very best ones. Well don’t worry! Rachel, Damen, and Murph are here to go over every single precon and see you how they stack up. Find out which were duds, and which were slam dunks right out of the box. It’s gonna be a good time! -------- Support the show and become a Patron! Be a par...

Agent of chaos, champion of red decks, and misser of land drops—that’s right—it’s Jimmy Wong! Welcome to a guided tour of Jimmy’s personal commander decks. The man himself is here to bring you a series of mini deck-techs on every brew in his collection, going over the strategies, key cards, and general power level of each Commander. Which deck is the current favorite? Which ones are destined to be...

Show Notes: Wish you had more of a knack for playing Black? We’ve brought in expert Ladee Danger to discuss the ins and out of piloting Magic’s spookiest color. Come learn how to maximize its strengths and shore up its weaknesses so you can wield the shadows like a master at your next game night.  -------- Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards, a...

The Command Zone has caught the drafting bug, because we’re back at it to pick the best utility lands in Commander. This episode, Jimmy, JLK, and Rachel face off in a fantasy draft to choose the most essential lands that do more than just make mana. Which surprise picks will shake things up? Who will end up with the most powerful pool? Come see for yourself in this face-off for the ages!  --------...

Looking to give your precon more bite? Then don’t miss this upgrade guide for “Blood Rites,” the Orzhov (white and black) vampire deck from The Lost Caverns of Ixalan. See which 10 new cards should join the legion, and which 10 you can drive a stake through to make room, all for under 50 bucks! With our help, you’ll conquer your next Commander game in no time. -------- Support the show and become...

Show Notes: The Lost Caverns of Ixalan are full of many mysterious wonders: ancient civilizations, vast treasure troves, fearsome monsters, and… Commander staples?! This episode, we’re breaking down the best cards (for the 99) from Magic’s latest set. Come see which cards are worth bringing to the surface to slot into your favorite decks! With a bit of spelunking, you’ll be dunking on your friends...