Deckbuilding Contest Finalists - April 2025

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Downsize" href="#" target="_blank">Downsize</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | <a href="https://www.ryanpancoast.com/">Ryan Pancoast</a>)</h6>
<div></p>
<p>Welcome to spring! My name is Ben, and you may know me from <em>Conditions Allow</em>, my article series on EDHREC and <a href="https://commandersherald.com/tag/conditions-allow/">Commander's Herald</a>. It is my great pleasure to bring the Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest to EDHREC.</p>
<p>This will be a monthly contest with a different theme each month.</p>
<p>Your goal is to build a Commander legal deck that fulfills the prompt in a creative or unique fashion. At the end of each month, three finalists will be selected for you to vote on.</p>
<p>Whoever gets the most votes will be crowned the winner, although all three finalists receive a prize.</p>
<p>This month, we're getting into the spring cleaning spirit by cutting a color from our decks.</p>
<p></div>
<div></p>
<h3>What’s The Contest All About?</h3>
<p>Working within the parameters of the prompt provided below, construct a decklist with your own creative spin. Three chosen finalists will be awarded <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/">store credit to use on Cardsphere</a>.</p>
<p><strong>For April's deckbuilding contest, construct a Commander-legal deck that uses fewer colors than are in the commander's color identity. You may include lands to cast your commander, but spells and abilities must not require the color you're omitting. </strong></p>
<p><strong>For example, if you choose to build an Izzet deck with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eshki Dragonclaw" href="#" target="_blank">Eshki Dragonclaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as your commander, you cannot include any cards that require green mana to cast or use, but you can include green lands to cast Eshki. As always, decks will be judged on creativity and originality.</strong></p>
<p></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yasova Dragonclaw"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Obosh, the Preypiercer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rigo, Streetwise Mentor"></div></div>
<p>This contest prompt is inspired by the growing list of commanders that don't require all of their colors to be cast. Commanders like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alesha, Who Smiles at Death" href="#" target="_blank">Alesha, Who Smiles at Death</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Keruga, the Macrosage" href="#" target="_blank">Keruga, the Macrosage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jinnie Fay, Jetmir&#039;s Second" href="#" target="_blank">Jinnie Fay, Jetmir&#039;s Second</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can all helm decks that leave out one color in their identity.</p>
<p>Two color decks often have cheaper mana bases, or you might prefer how a deck with fewer colors plays. Some of these commanders also naturally push you to prioritize one color over the others.</p>
<p>An Alesha deck with no other red cards can more easily optimize it's mana base to pay for her activated ability. On the other hand, you can build Simic <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yasova Dragonclaw" href="#" target="_blank">Yasova Dragonclaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to play the rare theft deck without red.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nethroi, Apex of Death"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Prossh, Skyraider of Kher"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Raffine, Scheming Seer"></div></div>
<p>Of course, you can choose any commander for this challenge, not just ones that abridge their own mana costs. This is a great opportunity to push strategies outside of their normal colors while having support from a strong commander.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nethroi, Apex of Death" href="#" target="_blank">Nethroi, Apex of Death</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can lead a Selesnya reanimator deck, or a Golgari aggro deck that cheats its smaller attackers into play en masse. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raffine, Scheming Seer" href="#" target="_blank">Raffine, Scheming Seer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could make for an interesting Orzhov or even mono black tempo deck.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inalla, Archmage Ritualist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Oloro, Ageless Ascetic"></div></div>
<p>Perhaps the easiest route to take is to choose a commander that doesn't need to be cast at all. You can easily build a deck of any color with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Ur-Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">The Ur-Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oloro, Ageless Ascetic" href="#" target="_blank">Oloro, Ageless Ascetic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has been helming mono white lifegain decks for almost as long as Commander's been around.</p>
<p>These commanders tend to be more specific to a creature type or theme, however, so building a creative deck that stands out will be more difficult.</p>
<h3>How To Participate</h3>
<ul>
<li>Brew an EDH/Commander legal deck on <a href="https://archidekt.com/">Archidekt</a> that satisfies the prompt.</li>
<li>Any unreleased cards spoiled during the contest’s duration are allowed.</li>
<li>Silver-bordered and acorn cards, while cool, are not allowed.</li>
<li>Digital-only cards (such as those designed for the Alchemy format on Arena) are not allowed.</li>
<li>Strictly one deck submitted per user.</li>
</ul>
<p>Reply to the <a href="https://archidekt.com/forum/thread/11254934">Archidekt newspost</a>, or submission post on the <a href="https://discord.gg/sctEc9Ru36">Archidekt Discord</a> with a link to your deck before <strong>9:00 pm EST</strong> (UTC -5, currently) on <strong>Wednesday, April 9, 2025</strong> (do not submit the same deck in multiple places).</p>
<p>Only one submission per user! From the eligible submissions, we'll select three finalists with lists that we believe best embody the spirit of the prompt. Deck descriptions are not required but certainly may provide valuable context!</p>
<div></p>
<p>On <strong>Wednesday, April 16, 2025</strong>, we’ll announce three finalists via the Archidekt Discord and a brief article on EDHREC highlighting each deck.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/sets">Each finalist will be awarded credit to use on Cardsphere</a>. The value of the credit is in US dollars and depends on the finalist's placement in deck upvotes at the end of the week-long polling period:</p>
<ul>
<li>1st Place Prize - $250</li>
<li>2nd Place Prize - $150</li>
<li>3rd Place Prize - $100</li>
</ul>
<p></div>
<p>Finalists will be contacted via email or Discord (depending on where they submitted) regarding their winnings within roughly 24 hours following the conclusion of voting on <strong>Wednesday, April 23, 2025</strong>.</p>
<p>Please note, <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/login">you must have a Cardsphere account</a> in order to receive your winnings. It's quick and free-- <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/">register here</a> if you don't have an account already!</p>
<p><a href="https://archidekt.com/contestRules">Official contest rules</a>.</p>
<p>If you have any questions, feel free to ask here, or join the Archidekt <a href="https://discord.gg/sctEc9Ru36">public Discord server</a>. We look forward to seeing what you all come up with!</p>


Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest - April 2025

Deckbuilding Contest Finalists - March 2025

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Experiment One" href="#" target="_blank">Experiment One</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | art by <a href="https://www.chasestoneart.com/">Chase Stone</a></h6>
<p>Welcome to spring! My name is Ben, and you may know me from <em>Conditions Allow</em>, my article series on EDHREC and <a href="https://commandersherald.com/tag/conditions-allow/">Commander's Herald</a>. It is my great pleasure to bring the Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest to EDHREC.</p>
<p>This will be a monthly contest with a different theme each month.</p>
<p>Your goal is to build a Commander legal deck that fulfills the prompt in a creative or unique fashion. At the end of each month, three finalists will be selected for you to vote on.</p>
<p>Whoever gets the most votes will be crowned the winner, although all three finalists receive a prize.</p>
<p>At the beginning of last month, Gavin Verhey introduced the Commander Brackets Beta. Now, after a month of testing and adjusting, we want to see your wildest, most creative Exhibition (Bracket 1) decks.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inspired Idea"></div></div>
<div></p>
<h3>What’s The Contest All About?</h3>
<p>Working within the parameters of the prompt provided below, construct a decklist with your own creative spin. Three chosen finalists will be awarded store credit to <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/">cardsphere.com</a>.</p>
<p><strong>For March's deckbuilding contest, brew a Commander-legal list that fits the criteria for the Exhibition Bracket (Bracket 1) of the new <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/introducing-commander-brackets-beta">Commander Brackets Beta</a>. Decks in this bracket are focused on showcasing a unique or unusual idea or theme. Decks will be judged both on the creativity of their theme, and how well the deck shows it off.</strong></p>
<p>As you're brewing, keep in mind that Archidekt's new Bracket Estimator usually won't estimate your deck as Bracket 1. The main difference between the Exhibition (B1) and Core (B2) brackets is your intent.</p>
<p>Archidekt cannot know what your goal with a deck is, so we assume that you, like most players, are trying to beat your friends, and default to the Core (2) bracket for decks without tutors, two card combos, and game changers. Be sure to manually set your deck's bracket to 1 when you submit.</p>
<p></div>
<div></p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Repopulate"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ambition&#039;s Cost"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arcanist&#039;s Owl"></div></div></p>
<p>The core of this deckbuilding challenge is having a strong theme to show off. The more concrete your vision, the easier it'll be to find cards that fit.</p>
<p>This could be related to the art, such as including only cards that show a certain animal, or chairs. It could also be mechanical, such as requiring each card to reference the number four, or contain only prime numbers.</p>
<p>You could also think more abstractly. What would Twelfth Night look like as a Commander deck? What cards would you choose to represent your favorite vacation spot?</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vadrok, Apex of Thunder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spy Kit"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scroll of Fate"></div></div></p>
<p>For the truly mechanically minded out there, combo decks aren't off the table for this challenge either. Since you're in Bracket 1 you can't include any two-card infinite combos, or tutors to help put the pieces together, this is the perfect chance to show off a convoluted combo that requires too many cards for a "normal" deck.</p>
<p>Extra bonus points if your combo doesn't win the game, but creates a unique board state, or showcases a niche rules interaction.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cut Down"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Double Down"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="By Invitation Only"></div></div></p>
<p>While the idea is important, the key to success with this month's prompt will be the individual cards you include. As many cards as possible should be included to support your theme or idea.</p>
<p>Scryfall is an excellent tool for finding the exact card you need. Between advanced search and art tags, you should be able to find exactly what you need.</p>
<p></div>
<h3>How To Participate</h3>
<ul>
<li>Brew an EDH/Commander legal deck on <a href="https://archidekt.com/">Archidekt</a> that satisfies the prompt.</li>
<li>Any unreleased cards spoiled during the contest’s duration are allowed.</li>
<li>Silver-bordered and acorn cards, while cool, are not allowed.</li>
<li>Digital-only cards (such as those designed for the Alchemy format on Arena) are not allowed.</li>
<li>Strictly one deck submitted per user.</li>
</ul>
<p>Reply to the <a href="https://archidekt.com/forum/thread/11254934">Archidekt newspost</a>, or submission post on the <a href="https://discord.gg/sctEc9Ru36">Archidekt Discord</a> with a link to your deck before <strong>9:00 pm EST</strong> (UTC -5, currently) on <strong>Wednesday, March 12, 2025</strong> (do not submit the same deck in multiple places).</p>
<p>Only one submission per user! From the eligible submissions, we'll select three finalists with lists that we believe best embody the spirit of the prompt. Deck descriptions are not required but certainly may provide valuable context!</p>
<div></p>
<p>On <strong>Wednesday, March 19, 2025</strong>, we’ll announce three finalists via the Archidekt Discord and a brief article on EDHREC highlighting each deck.</p>
<p>Each finalist will be awarded credit on cardsphere.com. The value of the credit is in US dollars and depends on the finalist's placement in deck upvotes at the end of the week-long polling period:</p>
<ul>
<li>1st Place Prize - $250</li>
<li>2nd Place Prize - $150</li>
<li>3rd Place Prize - $100</li>
</ul>
<p></div>
<p>Finalists will be contacted via email or Discord (depending on where they submitted) regarding their winnings within roughly 24 hours following the conclusion of voting on <strong>Wednesday, March 26, 2025</strong>.</p>
<p>Please note, you must have a Cardsphere account in order to receive your winnings. It's quick and free-- <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/">register here</a> if you don't have an account already!</p>
<p><a href="https://archidekt.com/contestRules">Official contest rules</a>.</p>
<p>If you have any questions, feel free to ask here, or join the Archidekt <a href="https://discord.gg/sctEc9Ru36">public Discord server</a>. We look forward to seeing what you all come up with!</p>


Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest - March 2025

Deckbuilding Contest Finalists - February 2025

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Felidar Retreat" href="#" target="_blank">Felidar Retreat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | art by <a href="https://www.ralphhorsley.co.uk/">Ralph Horsley</a></h6>
<p>Happy February! My name is Ben, and you may know me from <em>Conditions Allow</em>, my article series on EDHREC and <a href="https://commandersherald.com/tag/conditions-allow/">Commander's Herald</a>. It is my great pleasure to bring the Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest to EDHREC.</p>
<p>This will be a monthly contest with a different theme each month.</p>
<p>Your goal is to build a Commander legal deck that fulfills the prompt in a creative or unique fashion. At the end of each month, three finalists will be selected for you to vote on.</p>
<p>Whoever gets the most votes will be crowned the winner, although all three finalists receive a prize.</p>
<p>This is the second contest of the year, so we're focusing on the number two. Specifically, two color decks that do something unexpected.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Saw It Coming"></div></div>
<div></p>
<h3>What’s The Contest All About?</h3>
<p>Working within the parameters of the prompt provided below, construct a decklist with your own creative spin. Three chosen finalists will be awarded store credit to <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/">cardsphere.com</a>.</p>
<p><strong>For February's deckbuilding contest, brew a two color Commander-legal deck with a theme or strategy not usually seen in those colors. The more unexpected your deck's theme is, the better.</strong></p>
<p></div>
<div></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>One of <em>Magic: The Gathering's</em> defining features is the color pie, which defines what each of the five colors can do in the game. This ensures each color plays differently, and allows players to express themselves through the cards they choose to include in their decks.</p>
<p>Each of these identities can also be interpreted in different ways, which opens up many different styles of play even among the same colors.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Felidar Retreat"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blasphemous Act"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lifetap"></div></div></p>
<p>With thirty years of cards to choose from, however, there's no reason to limit your deckbuilding to what the color pie says. Every year we get new cards that push and pull the colors in different directions.</p>
<p>Can you build a <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> landfall deck, or a <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> control deck? What about a <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> lifegain deck? You're not supposed to, but that shouldn't stop us from trying.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hobbit&#039;s Sting"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Young Wolf"></div></div></p>
<p>This is also a great exercise for building a color pair you're very familiar with. Thinking outside the box is a great way to break old patterns and reignite a passion you might've lost.</p>
<p>Similarly, this could be the perfect time to revisit a color pair you don't like. What used to be strange and unwieldy can become fresh and invigorating when approached from a different angle.</p>
<p>If you love Burn decks, try porting that to Azorius, or take your favorite Orzhov deck and rebuild it as Simic.</p>
<p></div>
<h3>How To Participate</h3>
<ul>
<li>Brew an EDH/Commander legal deck on <a href="https://archidekt.com/">Archidekt</a> that satisfies the prompt.</li>
<li>Any unreleased cards spoiled during the contest’s duration are allowed.</li>
<li>Silver-bordered and acorn cards, while cool, are not allowed.</li>
<li>Digital-only cards (such as those designed for the Alchemy format on Arena) are not allowed.</li>
<li>Strictly one deck submitted per user.</li>
</ul>
<p>Reply to the <a href="https://archidekt.com/forum/thread/11254934">Archidekt newspost</a>, or submission post on the <a href="https://discord.gg/sctEc9Ru36">Archidekt Discord</a> with a link to your deck before <strong>9:00 pm EST</strong> (UTC -5, currently) on <strong>Wednesday, February 12, 2025</strong> (do not submit the same deck in multiple places). Only one submission per user! From the eligible submissions, we'll select three finalists with lists that we believe best embody the spirit of the prompt. Deck descriptions are not required but certainly may provide valuable context!</p>
<div></p>
<p>On <strong>Wednesday, February 19, 2025</strong>, we’ll announce three finalists via the Archidekt Discord and a brief article on EDHREC highlighting each deck. Each finalist will be awarded credit on cardsphere.com. The value of the credit is in US dollars and depends on the finalist's placement in deck upvotes at the end of the week-long polling period:</p>
<ul>
<li>1st Place Prize - $250</li>
<li>2nd Place Prize - $150</li>
<li>3rd Place Prize - $100</li>
</ul>
<p></div>
<p>Finalists will be contacted via email or Discord (depending on where they submitted) regarding their winnings within roughly 24 hours following the conclusion of voting on <strong>Wednesday, February 26, 2025</strong>. Please note, you must have a Cardsphere account in order to receive your winnings. It's quick and free-- <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/">register here</a> if you don't have an account already!</p>
<p><a href="https://archidekt.com/contestRules">Official contest rules</a>.</p>
<p>If you have any questions, feel free to ask here, or join the Archidekt <a href="https://discord.gg/sctEc9Ru36">public Discord server</a>. We look forward to seeing what you all come up with!</p>


Deckbuilding Contest - February 2025

Deckbuilding Contest Finalists - January 2025

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Generous Gift" href="#" target="_blank">Generous Gift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://ronspearsart.com/">Ron Spears</a>)</h6>
<h2>Mastering Commander</h2>
<p>Welcome to<em> Rookie Roadmap</em>, where we give newer <em>Magic </em>players a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sméagol, Helpful Guide" href="#" target="_blank">helpful guide</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and easy-to-use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Expedition Map" href="#" target="_blank">map</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for the latest and greatest set releases. Ever since the first <em>Masters</em> set, players have joked that any supplemental set from <em>Jumpstart</em> to <em>Commander Legends</em> is secretly <strong>the</strong> <em>Commander Masters;</em> with <a href="https://commandersherald.com/commander-masters-second-looks-part-1/">reprints</a> aimed at keeping staples priced low for Commander players. Finally, those jokes are no longer necessary, because this set really is <em>Commander Masters </em>(CMM). One of the best things about reprints is their accessibility, whether that's in buying price or their proven history in the format. If you're a long-time player eager for new reprint prices or a <a href="https://commandersherald.com/your-new-to-commander-guide-to-the-lord-of-the-rings-tales-of-middle-earth/">beginner looking to finally invest in the format</a>, here's your beginner's guide for what to look out for in <em>Commander Masters.</em></p>
<h2>Choose Your Fighter</h2>
<p>As with every set, <em>Commander Masters</em> is accompanied by <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/?s=commander+masters+precon&amp;cat=4">four preconstructed Commander decks</a>. Unlike a normal set, however, they are not necessarily connected to the themes and mechanics of the main set. Instead, they are supplemental and standalone, allowing the designers to get old characters onto cards and revisit fan-favorite mechanics and creature types.</p>
<h3>Eldrazi Unbound</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zhulodok, Void Gorger"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Omarthis, Ghostfire Initiate"></div></div>
<p>One of Magic's signature villains, <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/search/?q=eldrazi">the Eldrazi,</a> make their return in <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/eldrazi-unbound-precon-primer/?utm_source=edhrec&amp;utm_medium=article_preview">Eldrazi Unbound</a>, led by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zhulodok, Void Gorger" href="#" target="_blank">Zhulodok, Void Gorger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The deck leans heavily into casting big colorless spells, as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zhulodok, Void Gorger" href="#" target="_blank">Zhulodok, Void Gorger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets them <em>Cascade</em> twice, allowing you to chain together powerful spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="It That Betrays" href="#" target="_blank">It That Betrays</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flayer of Loyalties" href="#" target="_blank">Flayer of Loyalties</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rise of the Eldrazi" href="#" target="_blank">Rise of the Eldrazi</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Colorless decks often struggle with card advantage in Commander, and double <em>Cascade</em> triggers are a great way to work around this. The alternate commander in this deck, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Omarthis, Ghostfire Initiate" href="#" target="_blank">Omarthis, Ghostfire Initiate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, also addresses the card advantage problem by <em>Manifesting</em> cards from your library when it dies. You can then use those colorless tokens to attack or flip over into actual creatures with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ugin&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Ugin&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Sliver Swarm</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sliver Gravemother"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rukarumel, Biologist"></div></div>
<p>Another <a href="https://commandersherald.com/socially-anxious-sliver-makes-family-worry/">iconic <em>Magic</em> creature type</a>, <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/search/?q=sliver">Slivers</a>, reappear with a brand new five color commander: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sliver Gravemother" href="#" target="_blank">Sliver Gravemother</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Slivers grow stronger the more of them you have, so being able to gain three copies of the best ones with the ability <em>Encore</em> seems like an easy recipe for success. Some Slivers like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloudshredder Sliver" href="#" target="_blank">Cloudshredder Sliver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> don't do anything extra in multiples, but others are more impactful. Multiple copies of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harmonic Sliver" href="#" target="_blank">Harmonic Sliver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lazotep Sliver" href="#" target="_blank">Lazotep Sliver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all give each Sliver you control multiple instances of their effects. If you'd like to spread this power to creatures of other types, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rukarumel, Biologist" href="#" target="_blank">Rukarumel, Biologist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> turns all of your creatures into Slivers. You can also use Rukarumel for <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/search/?q=Rukarumel">other typal shenanigans</a>, similar to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Adaptation" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Adaptation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Enduring Enchantments</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anikthea, Hand of Erebos"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Narci, Fable Singer"></div></div>
<p>Thanks to <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/enduring-enchantments-precon-primer/?utm_source=edhrec&amp;utm_medium=article_preview">Enduring Enchantments</a>, we finally have two excellent Abzan enchantment commanders. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anikthea, Hand of Erebos" href="#" target="_blank">Anikthea, Hand of Erebos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> wants to pull enchantments out of the graveyard as 3/3 creatures with menace. Sagas help keep your graveyard full, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eidolon of Blossoms" href="#" target="_blank">Eidolon of Blossoms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Narci, Fable Singer" href="#" target="_blank">Narci, Fable Singer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> help reload your hand. Those tokens also trigger <em>Constellation</em> effects, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archon of Sun&#039;s Grace" href="#" target="_blank">Archon of Sun&#039;s Grace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boon of the Spirit Realm" href="#" target="_blank">Boon of the Spirit Realm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/search/?q=archon%20of%20sun%27s%20grace">making your army of tokens truly deadly</a>.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Planeswalker Party</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Commodore Guff"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Leori, Sparktouched Hunter"></div></div>
<p>Finally, we come to a character you probably hadn't heard of before, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commodore Guff" href="#" target="_blank">Commodore Guff</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, leading a <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/planeswalker-party-precon-primer/?utm_source=edhrec&amp;utm_medium=article_preview">Planeswalker Party</a>. This deck (rather obviously focused around planeswalkers) wants to slowly accumulate value through their activated abilities until you finally win. This could be with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sarkhan the Masterless" href="#" target="_blank">Sarkhan the Masterless</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sparkshaper Visionary" href="#" target="_blank">Sparkshaper Visionary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> turning all your planeswalkers into flying creatures, an army of tokens buffed by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elspeth, Sun&#039;s Champion" href="#" target="_blank">Elspeth, Sun&#039;s Champion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or just having both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chandra, Awakened Inferno" href="#" target="_blank">Chandra, Awakened Inferno</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chandra, Legacy of Fire" href="#" target="_blank">Chandra, Legacy of Fire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in play.</p>
<p>As always, these decks are designed to be played against each other. If you want to step things up a notch, you can also check out our <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/?s=scrap+trawlers&amp;cat=4">upgrade guides</a> written by the Scrap Trawlers. They've written in-depth reviews of each deck if you want to be sure they're exactly what you're looking for.</p>
<h2>Making a Comeback</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ruby Medallion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deflecting Swat"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Personal Tutor"></div></div>
<p>With all of the new cards limited to the Commander precon decks, the real draw (pun intended) of <em>Commander Masters</em> lies in its many reprints. This is a great opportunity to get your hands on powerful cards that have been historically expensive. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deflecting Swat" href="#" target="_blank">Deflecting Swat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deadly Rollick" href="#" target="_blank">Deadly Rollick</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fierce Guardianship" href="#" target="_blank">Fierce Guardianship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are all getting reprinted, along with each of the <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=mv%3D2+medallion">Medallions</a>. This is also the first time <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Capture of Jingzhou" href="#" target="_blank">Capture of Jingzhou</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is being reprinted, so there are <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/search/?q=Capture%20of%20Jingzhou">a ton of new combos to discover</a>.</p>
<p>Fans of Reanimator decks will also be happy to see both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Razaketh, the Foulblooded" href="#" target="_blank">Razaketh, the Foulblooded</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archfiend of Despair" href="#" target="_blank">Archfiend of Despair</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, while Aristocrats players are getting brand new art for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder" href="#" target="_blank">Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Other notable reprints include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mangara, the Diplomat" href="#" target="_blank">Mangara, the Diplomat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Savage Beating" href="#" target="_blank">Savage Beating</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arachnogenesis" href="#" target="_blank">Arachnogenesis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Ur-Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">The Ur-Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Great Henge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Puresteel Paladin"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Meren of Clan Nel Toth"></div></div>
<p>Especially for players who've <a href="https://commandersherald.com/your-new-to-commander-guide-to-the-lord-of-the-rings-tales-of-middle-earth/">recently gotten into Commander</a>, <em>Commander Masters</em> might be the perfect time to snag old Commander cards you may have missed the first time around. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Meren of Clan Nel Toth" href="#" target="_blank">Meren of Clan Nel Toth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Ur-Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">The Ur-Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both powerful commanders from previous preconstructed decks. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sun Quan, Lord of Wu" href="#" target="_blank">Sun Quan, Lord of Wu</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chainer, Dementia Master" href="#" target="_blank">Chainer, Dementia Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both old cards that can't be reprinted easily outside of a release like this.</p>
<h2>Drafting A Deck</h2>
<p><em>Commander Masters</em> was also designed with the intention to <a href="https://magic.gg/news/commander-masters-draft-primer">draft Commander decks</a> to play against your friends. This works a lot like a normal draft. Each player starts with three packs which you pass around the table in alternating left-right order. However, each pack in CMM has 20 cards, and you pick two cards at a time. Additionally, at the end of the draft you'll build a 60-card deck that can include as many copies of any card as you drafted. Otherwise, normal Commander rules apply. All your cards must be in your commander's color identity and your starting life is 40.</p>
<p>There's just one more small exception. For the purposes of draft, every mono-color legendary creature is considered to have <a href="https://edhrec.com/partners">Partner</a>. This helps make sure you have enough useful cards, and makes sure everyone isn't fighting over a small pool of multi-color options.</p>
<p>Drafting can be a great way for established players to re-ignite their passion and <a href="https://commandersherald.com/conquering-the-commander-cube-balancing-your-cube-pt-1/">deckbuilding creativity</a> in the game. Being forced to use cards you wouldn't otherwise and apply cards in unique new ways is a great way to get a fresh take on <em>Magic</em> and the Commander format. Playing Sealed Constructed is also a great way to introduce friends to the game. The limited card pool keeps things comprehensible, while still allowing for plenty of personal customization. It also ensures that you don't win just because you have more "good" cards.</p>
<h2>The Gathering</h2>
<p><a href="https://commandersherald.com/set-review-commander-masters/"><em>Commander Masters</em></a> is a great set for remembering that <em>Magic</em> is really about "the Gathering". Of course, some of us play to win. Some of us just want the shiniest cards or the craziest deck at the table. Thankfully, <em>Commander Masters</em> really does let you have it all. And whether you pick up the precons, organize a draft, or even just buy singles to add to your decks, <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/how-to-get-your-friends-into-edh-with-commander-masters/?utm_source=edhrec&amp;utm_medium=article_preview">you can't play Commander without a group of friends</a>.</p>


Ben Doolittle