A Beginner's Guide to MTG Card Storage and Accessories

<h1>How to Win a Commander Game</h1>
<h4><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/how-to-build-a-commander-deck">Article 1: How to Build a Commander Deck</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/how-to-choose-your-commander">Article 2: How to Choose Your Commander</a></h4>
<p class="p1">Hello there, and welcome to the world of Commander, <em>Magic: The Gathering's </em>most popular format! My name is Brian, and I aim to be your guide for navigating this format that we at EDHREC know and love so much.</p>
<p class="p1">In this series, we're focused on helping out players new to the format get started. If you missed the previous articles, make sure to check out the links above.</p>
<p class="p1">Today we’re discussing how to win a game of commander. I’m not going to get into the various ways to reduce opposing life totals to zero, dealing 21 commander damage, milling the table, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thassa’s Oracle" href="#" target="_blank">Thassa’s Oracle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p class="p1">Those are all deck specific. What I’m talking about is more general, and can be used for any deck, anywhere. We’ll cover some deck building elements, gameplay concepts, and the all important social aspect to maneuver your way to a win. Winning is not everything in this casual format, but it does feel good when you do!</p>
<h3 class="p1">Deckbuilding</h3>
<p class="p2">Before you even sit down to play, the composition of your deck needs to consist of ways to finish the game. Check out <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/how-to-build-a-commander-deck/">Article 1</a> for more details, but this is the first thing I’m thinking about during the deckbuilding process. Most of the time, these cards will synergize directly with your commander.</p>
<p class="p2">For example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teysa Karlov" href="#" target="_blank">Teysa Karlov</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> doubling up your death triggers means your wincons could be something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vengeful Bloodwitch" href="#" target="_blank">Vengeful Bloodwitch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zulaport Cutthroat" href="#" target="_blank">Zulaport Cutthroat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p class="p1"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vengeful Bloodwitch"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Teysa Karlov"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zulaport Cutthroat"></div></div></p>
<p class="p1">The rest of your deck should support using those cards to win the game. Work your way backwards as you build, asking yourself how the rest of your choices support using these cards to win the game.</p>
<p class="p1">In our example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skullclamp" href="#" target="_blank">Skullclamp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could be considered one of your card velocity options, since it is extremely potent with Teysa to dig through your deck, along with helping to kill off your small creatures to trigger your win cons</p>
<h3>Card Advantage</h3>
<p class="p1">Another deckbuilding consideration that can help you win is including cards to help you achieve card advantage. You may have heard this term used to describe drawing cards, but I consider that card <em>velocity</em>.</p>
<p class="p1">To me, card <em>advantage</em> is how to leverage your cards to nullify as many of your opponents' cards as possible. Remember, you have 100 cards against your opponents' collective 300. So including cards that can even the score can also help you win.</p>
<p class="p1">A classic example is targeted removal versus wrath effects. Consider <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swords to Plowshares" href="#" target="_blank">Swords to Plowshares</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> versus <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrath of God" href="#" target="_blank">Wrath of God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. When you use Swords to remove an opposing creature, you’ve spent one card to remove one opponent’s card. But the other two opponents are now up a card on you, so you’ve created negative card advantage.</p>
<p class="p1"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Swords to Plowshares"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wrath of God"></div></div></p>
<p class="p1">On the flip side, if each of your opponents have a creature on the battlefield and you use Wrath, you’ve spent one card to remove three, putting you neutral.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="Apple-converted-space">Anything more than that, and you're ahead! </span><span class="Apple-converted-space">Don't get me wrong, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swords to Plowshares" href="#" target="_blank">Swords to Plowshares</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an incredibly efficient removal spell, but I make sure I'm to including enough cards that can take out more than one threat at a time.</span></p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Mulligans<span class="Apple-converted-space"> &amp; Turn Planning</span></strong></h3>
<p class="p1"><span class="Apple-converted-space">One of my biggest level ups playing Commander was when I really started paying attention to mulligans and sequencing my first few turns. A mix of lands and spells is nice to see in those first seven cards, but it's important for those spells to be relevant in the early game. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="Apple-converted-space">Ask yourself when looking at that first seven, "what do my first three turns look like?"</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="Apple-converted-space">If your cards don't do anything in the first couple turns, I'd consider pitching that hand and drawing a new hand. I'm always hoping for some mana acceleration (like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Signet" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Signet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) and card velocity (like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reckless Impulse" href="#" target="_blank">Reckless Impulse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) so I can continue to have things to do after the first couple of turns. Don't forget, your commander counts as a card to play too!</span></p>
<p class="p1"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arcane Signet"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reckless Impulse"></div></div></p>
<p>On the other hand, I'll tend to throw back a hand that has a recursion spell (like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eternal Witness" href="#" target="_blank">Eternal Witness</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) since it probably won't be useful in the first couple of turns.</p>
<p>It may seem obvious, but I'll also put back hands with too many high mana value spells. It may be exciting to see your most powerful spells when you start the game, but if your opening hand is four lands, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Terror of the Peaks" href="#" target="_blank">Terror of the Peaks</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crucible of Fire" href="#" target="_blank">Crucible of Fire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ancient Copper Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Ancient Copper Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, your first couple of turns might be pretty rough, especially if you don't draw another land.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Terror of the Peaks"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crucible of Fire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ancient Copper Dragon"></div></div>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Hand</strong> Dumping</h3>
<p>The concept of "hand dumping" is still something I struggle with. The instinct to play out all your cards and use your mana every turn makes sense. Let's say you're playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aesi, Tyrant of Gyre Strait" href="#" target="_blank">Aesi, Tyrant of Gyre Strait</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. If you play it as soon as have six mana, you'll give your opponents plenty of time to eliminate it before you can get any value from it.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you can play Aesi and immediately follow it up with a land drop, you can guarantee that you'll at least draw a card before your opponents can do anything about it.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aesi, Tyrant of Gyre Strait"></div></div>
<p>Another good example would be an <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/equipment">Equipment deck</a>, the most popular archetype in Boros (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-wr" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) If you've got a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of Fire and Ice" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of Fire and Ice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in your hand, maybe you want to hold on to it, even if you don't have something to do on turn three.</p>
<p>The reason? Well if you need a turn to play it, it could get destroyed before you can ever equip it. You might consider waiting until you can cast it and equip it in the same turn.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sword of Fire and Ice"></div></div>
<p>Finally, you may want to hold on to your cards if you know your opponent can deal with them. Let's say one opponent just used <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mystical Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Mystical Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to find <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrath of God" href="#" target="_blank">Wrath of God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> because they need a way to deal with your other opponent, who has a huge board of Goblin tokens thanks to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Mob Boss" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko, Mob Boss</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Even if you can spend the mana, it certainly doesn't make sense to play your creatures knowing that they'll get swept away soon.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mystical Tutor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko, Mob Boss"></div></div>
<h3>Threat Assessment</h3>
<p>The other way that hand dumping can work against you is leaving you without any answers to opposing threats. Let's say I'm playing my <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ratadrabik of Urborg" href="#" target="_blank">Ratadrabik of Urborg</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck, and I decide to use my <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anguished Unmaking" href="#" target="_blank">Anguished Unmaking</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to nab my opponent's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>It's tempting after all, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerful card and has probably given them a big advantage already. But, on their next turn, another player casts the scourge of my existence, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rest in Peace" href="#" target="_blank">Rest in Peace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. All of a sudden my deck is completely shut off, and I used my interaction on something that wasn't immediately threatening me.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ratadrabik of Urborg"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anguished Unmaking"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rest in Peace"></div></div>
<p>It's important to understand what will be the biggest roadblocks stopping you from winning the game. It could be a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rest in Peace" href="#" target="_blank">Rest in Peace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> shutting off your graveyard deck, or your opponent's commander that will win them the game if untap with it. Another good question to ask yourself while playing: "what stops me from winning the game?"</p>
<h3 class="p1">The Social Aspect</h3>
<p>Commander is a multiplayer game. That's an obvious statement, but it's important to remember that you're not the only one trying to win. However, you can use that to your advantage.</p>
<p>Deals and helping each other are commonplace in our game, and I'd argue one of the most essential skills to learn if you want to increase your win percentage.</p>
<p>Let's go back to the Ratadrabik example. When that Rest In Peace comes down, and I'm out of ways to get rid of it myself, I'll ask my other opponents to kill it for me. Why? Because if my deck doesn't work then maybe I can't deal with a threat that will end the game.</p>
<p>Another example that comes up all the time is a commander with "boots". Many decks will play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Greaves" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Greaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and/or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swiftfoot Boots" href="#" target="_blank">Swiftfoot Boots</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as ways to protect their commander. If that commander if becoming a big threat, but you only have a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pongify" href="#" target="_blank">Pongify</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to deal with it, you can work with another player to use their <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Disenchant" href="#" target="_blank">Disenchant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to kill the boots.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lightning Greaves"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pongify"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Disenchant"></div></div>
<p>Here's the catch: In both examples, I was being socially proactive. No one is going to work with you if you don't ask. When you ask yourself "what stops me from winning the game?" but you can't deal with it, now ask "who else does it stop from winning the game?". Just like the rest of <em>Magic, </em>social interaction is something that takes practice, so give it a try during your next game!</p>
<h3>Wrapping up</h3>
<p>We covered a lot today, and hopefully that means you learned a lot! If you have any questions, be sure to ask down below in the comments. If you're a more experienced player and have some more tips of our newer friends, be sure to drop those down there too. Be on the lookout for more beginner articles from me, and you can also check out my budget deckbuilding series, <em>Brew For Your Buck, </em>right here on EDHREC. Until next time, happy playing!</p>


Beginner Content - How to Win a Commander Game

How to Build a Treasure Deck in EDH

How to Build a Vampires deck in EDH

Foundations: How to Build Mana Bases

How to Choose Your Commander

How to Build a Commander Deck

How to Build an Equipment Deck in EDH

EDH Rules: How to Play Commander

<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>


Rookie Roadmap: How to Play With Commander Masters