The Command Zone

Properly reading a Magic card, and then translating that into an understanding of how it actually functions, is much more difficult than it sounds. Even veteran players mess it up all the time. This episode, we’ll teach you how to navigate the minutiae of rules text templating so you can better grasp what your cards actually do. -------- Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our commu...

With all the new cards from Wilds of Eldraine, you’re probably feeling like Goldilocks, wondering which ones are “just right” for your next deck! This episode we’ll go over all the cards you need to know for the 99 from Magic’s newest set. Find out which cards we think will be inspiring stories from years to come. Stories of VICTORY that is! -------- “GO TO COMBAT” PLAYMAT:  Time is running out! G...

Faeries may be small, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t fierce! With our $50 upgrade guide for the new blue and black “Fae Dominion” preconstructed deck from Wilds of Eldraine, you’ll be ready to trick and trap your playgroup. Rachel and Damen go over the 10 cards to conjure up and 10 to (pixie) cut to make sure your opponents really believe in faeries. AND FEAR THEM! -------- Support the show and...

Not looking to cruise through your brews? Sometimes the most rewarding decks are the ones you have to really work for. So today, we’re covering the toughest Commanders to crack from Wilds of Eldraine and sharing our favorite tech to help you get started on your next brewing challenge. The journey may be perilous, but the rewards are well worth it. Are you up to the task? -------- Support the show...

It’s time for enchantments to prove their mettle with the new White/Green Virtue and Valor Commander precon deck from Wilds of Eldraine! This episode, Rachel and Jordan bring you our $50 upgrade guide, picking 10 cards that should play a role in the deck, and 10 worth disenchanting. By the end, you’ll have everything you need to make sure Virtue + Valor = Victory! -------- Support the show and bec...

Magic’s latest set is full of fearsome fairy-tale legends, but which storybook slugger actually packs the most punch? This episode, we’re listing off the most powerful Commanders from Wilds of Eldraine. We’ll break down the synergies and strategies for each of these hard-hitting heroes and villains, so you can be sure your next game night will have a happy ending… for you!  -------- Support the sh...

Wilds of Eldraine is just around the corner, and we’re FAERIE excited to reveal one of the brand new precons! That’s right, this episode we’re revealing the full decklist for the blue and black “Fae Dominion” Commander deck. With 10 new cards full of mayhem and mischief, including two exciting, new legends, this precon packs a pretty powerful pixie punch. Don’t miss it!  -------- Support the show...

Talion offers you a choice. But what’s the RIGHT choice? With this faerie, results may vary, so we ran the numbers on the numbers to help you draw as many cards as possible. Come check out the stats and find out what you should pick whenever you play this exciting new legend from Wilds of Eldraine! -------- Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards,...

There are a lot of new Commanders these days, so it makes sense that not every single one of them gets the attention they deserve. But today, we’re shining a light on some hidden gems: powerful, cool, or flavorful commanders we think should be more popular! Rachel and Gaurav go over a selection of underappreciated commanders, telling you why they should be more played and how to play them. Maybe y...

Show Notes: Want your new enchantress deck to stand the test of time? Then don’t miss our $50 upgrade guide for “Enduring Enchantments,” the Abzan (WBG) preconstructed deck from Commander Masters. We’ve chosen 10 cards to add and 10 cards to Nyx in order to give this deck some life in higher powered pods. Don’t miss out! -------- Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, re...

From the depths of the Blind Eternities, the Eldrazi monstrosities spill forth, bringing unspeakable destruction in their wake. Now that unspeakable destruction can be yours with our upgrade guide for the colorless “Eldrazi Unbound” precon from Commander Masters! And who better to upgrade the deck than returning guest and Eldrazi expert Ashlen Rose! She’ll bring you 10 cards to devour and 10 to br...

Commander Masters may be mostly reprints, but the precons are loaded up with new toys for your next deck! But which ones are you going to see in the wild? This episode Rachel and Jordan go over all the new cards you need to know from Commander Masters. We’ll cover the best and the worst, giving you the inside scoop on all the strategies and synergies you’ll want to take advantage of on the battlef...

If you live for the Sliver, Commander Masters has you covered! This episode Jordan and Rachel sit down to upgrade the new 5-color “Sliver Swarm” precon deck. With a $50 budget, they’ll suggest 10 cards to join the hive, and 10 to cut out of the gene pool. Can craft the perfect hoard of mega slivers and be the terror of your table! -------- Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our com...

Want to party like a planeswalker? Have we got a deck for you! This episode, editor Damen Lenz joins Rachel to bring you our $50 upgrade guide for the new Jeskai (RWU) “Planeswalker Party” precon deck from Commander Masters. They’ll pick out 10 cards that spark joy, and 10 to cast off into the blind eternities to help you put the “Super” back in Super Friends! -------- Support the show and become...

It’s time to exhume some enchantments and send your opponents to the underworld! This episode, we’re revealing the new Abzan (WBG) precon deck from Commander Masters, “Enduring Enchantments.” We’ll break down the stats and examine all ten brand new cards – including 2 new legends – to see if the stars have aligned to create any new format staples. Plus, don’t miss the reprint value and synergy dis...

White has gone from being considered Commander’s weakest monocolor option to a top-tier option. But even with a strong card pool, you have to know how to wield it. So our wonderful mono-white expert Rachel Weeks is here to show you how to make it shine. We’ll cover its strengths and weaknesses, then get into the nuts and bolts of how to build a winning white deck and pilot it to victory. Don’t mis...

Middle Earth is full of brand new Commanders, and many of them come with a built-in plan. But for others, the brewin’ takes some doin’. So we’re breaking down the most interesting legends in Magic’s new Lord of the Rings set – the ones that might lead to strategies we’ve never seen before. Come see if these cool and crazy characters inspire you to make something new! -------- Support the show and...

The “Riders of Rohan” deck calls for aid, and we shall answer! This episode, we’re doing a $50 upgrade for the red, white, and blue human-themed Commander precon from The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth. Come see which 10 cards got recruited to join the fight and which 10 were deemed unfit for battle. The beacons are lit and so is this episode – don’t miss it! -------- Support the show an...

Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth is loaded with flavor, and we don’t just mean Second Breakfast! This episode, Rachel and Jordan dish out the legends that truly bring Tolkien’s epic story to life in cardboard. They’ll be tossing some spicy book quotes and lore tidbits into the stew, along with all the hearty strategy and synergy discussion you crave. Get ready to dig in! -------- Support t...

While Middle-earth is full of iconic legends, Magic’s new Lord of the Rings set boasts plenty of precious cards for the 99 of your decks. This episode, we’re breaking down the new tech you’ll want to amass for your collection. What new staples could the Shire be hiding? Which must-have cards lurk at the base of Mt. Doom? And just how good is The One Ring? Come journey with us to find out!   ------...

One does not simply play “Hosts of Mordor” out of the box. So here’s our budget upgrade guide for the blue, black, and red precon from Magic’s latest set, The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth. We’ve got 10 cards to add and 10 to remove in order to maximize this deck’s villainous powers. That way it’ll be able to compete at more Uruk-HAI-powered tables. Don’t miss it! -------- Support the s...

The votes are in, the people want more power! We’re bringing it to you with our $50 upgrade guide for the “Elven Council” The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth precon. Our esteemed panel of Jake Boss has nominated 10 cards to add and 10 to remove so you can send your elves to war with the strength of Valinor behind them! Tune in and check it out, the fate of Middle-earth DEPENDS on it! ----...

In The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth, Magic gets a brand new mechanic: The Ring tempts you. But is the ring powerful enough to make an impact in Commander? This episode, we break down The Ring’s rules and highlight the cards that use it best—including some powerful new Commanders. So give in to the call of The Command Zone and see which cards might shake up your next game night. -------...

Hungry for a higher-powered Commander deck? Come chow down on our $50 upgrade guide for “Food and Fellowship,” the white, black, and green precon from Magic’s latest set, The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth. We’ve got a 10-course menu of cards that’ll spice up your list, plus a compost pile of 10 cards to remove. Find out which hungry, hungry hobbits we think you should start in the comma...

Show Notes: Many new legends were forged in The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth. But which will emerge to rule them all? This episode, we’re breaking down the most powerful commanders from Magic’s latest set to show you the combos and synergies that will make them the bane of your fellowship. Who will you side with? The heroes, the villains, or whatever Tom Bombadil is? Come watch and fin...