<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Persecute" href="#" target="_blank">Persecute</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CD.+Alexander+Gregory%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">D. Alexander Gregory</a></em></p>
<p>Hello, and welcome to <em>Am I the Bolas</em>?<strong> This week, a conversation starter!</strong></p>
<p>This column is for all of you out there who have ever played some <em>Magic </em>and wondered if you were the bad guy. I'm here to take in your story with all of its nuances so I can bring some clarity to all those asking, "Am I the Bolas?"</p>
<p>I'm ready to hear you out and offer advice. All you have to do is email amithebolas@gmail.com with your story, a pseudonym you want to use, and of course, only include details you don't mind in the column! You might see your story below one day. You might even hear it on the podcast. Which podcast?</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-25893" src="https://commandersherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bolcast_logo430x430-300x300.png" alt="" width="249" height="249" /></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AmITheBolcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">THIS PODCAST!</a></p>
<p>I'm Mike Carrozza and I'm having a bit of an identity crisis!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thirst for Identity"></div></div>
<p><i>WHO EVEN AM I ANYMORE?! lol jk. </i></p>
<p>(Post edited for brevity, clarity, and then some.)</p>
<hr />
<h2>SUBMISSION</h2>
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<p><em>Hey there! </em></p>
<p><em>So, I'm the host of a playgroup with a clear intention of playing within the guidelines of <a href="https://edhrec.com/guides/edhrec-guide-to-commander-brackets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bracket 3</a>, mainly to avoid too much salt, and uneven matches between Bracket 3 decks and Bracket 4 decks. I have five Bracket 3 decks and one Bracket 4 deck. The power level between the Bracket 3 decks and the Bracket 4 deck are abundantly clear via gameplay. </em></p>
<p><em>A player in our group is consistently salty over a few of my Bracket 3 decks. While they are indeed highly optimized Bracket 3 decks, they are still Bracket 3 and wouldn't shake a stick at my Bracket 4 deck, or anyone's Bracket 4 deck for that matter. I don't play my Bracket 4 deck at this group unless everyone wants to play at that level, so that deck is not the problem in question. The problem is that this said salty player is consistently telling me that my strong Bracket 3s are in fact Bracket 4. </em></p>
<p><em>I have explained to him that the Bracket System is a healthy guideline to build intention and power limits, and not exclusively a "Power" ranking system. There is obviously a wide range of "power levels" within Bracket 3 guidelines. He disagrees and says my Bracket 3 decks are in fact Bracket 4 because they are so optimized. None of them have infinite combos, land denial, stax pieces, or more than three <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/game-changers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game Changers</a>. They all fit perfectly within every guideline of the Bracket 3 description and requirements. They don't eliminate players until about turn seven or nine. </em></p>
<p><em><strong>Am I the Bolas for simply optimizing my Bracket 3 decks to be competitive?</strong></em></p>
<p><em><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Eliminate the Competition"></div></div></em></p>
<p><em>Follow up - I suppose I should mention that this is not a new player. I would never enjoy "pubstomping noobs," and by no means do I dominate the win-rate in our pod. This player is every bit as good as I am, and his decks are also highly optimized, usually sitting around $1K each. I've repeatedly tried explaining to him that being a strong/optimized Bracket 3 doesn't make a deck a Bracket 4 and he disagrees.</em></p>
<p><em>Thanks, </em></p>
<p><em>Tehd Danszin</em></p>
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<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Circle of Confinement"></div></div>
</div>
<hr />
<h2>VERDICT</h2>
<p>Thank you for writing and asking me to weigh in on your story. As I mention every week, if folks don't write to me, there's no column, so if you, the reader, want to send me a story, whether it's your own or one from Reddit or a friend's, please send it to amithebolas@gmail.com and I'll get to it here.</p>
<p>I appreciate you writing in about this because this is a topic that comes up a lot, but rarely do I get an example that is so granular that it demonstrates a difficulty I've had with the Bracket System since it's been more widely adopted. I'll explain, but I think it's important that I get something out of the way: there is no real Bolas in this story, but everybody's got something to work on. Pobody's nerfect, and so on.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Monument to Perfection"></div></div>
<p>The Bracket System is pretty great! The team that worked on it and continues to do so did a good job. However, there are some kinks that need straightening out, and that's okay. Expected, even! The collective chase for the perfect system is a bit of a fool's errand. We see it in the comment section of this column time and time again, where people agree and disagree about the submissions that I receive for this series.</p>
<p>The social nature of Commander makes the game so much less predictable and makes it much more difficult to find a system that will work all the time.</p>
<p>The Bracket System is a useful tool to get the conversation <em>started.</em> However, by the time a playgroup is solidified, that conversation's been going on for a while. People have gotten to know each other, dynamics and traits emerge, and patterns are learned. The relationship has grown.</p>
<p>The Bracket System is a good way to set a baseline, but in the end, if you're playing in playgroup pods regularly, the rules can be retooled to fit your group. House rules allow you to tailor the experience that makes everybody as happy as they can be.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reject Imperfection"></div></div>
<p>Brackets can also usually contend against each other when they're one away from each other, like say, playing a good Bracket 2 deck against some Bracket 3 decks. Tehd, you nailed it when you said the Bracket System isn't a "Power" ranking, but you acknowledge the spectrum of power levels that can be contained within the expectations of the Bracket. It's an exaggeration, but this subcategorization is almost like the Bracket's a <em>just slightly</em> different format than Commander.</p>
<p>Before the Bracket System, we had the imperfect one-to-ten power level scale. In my experience, it's always worked best when I've used it for regular playgroups. Having a common reference point to work from on the power scale allows playgroups to better determine where decks land among each other and what they each can handle.</p>
<p>Continue having conversations around how decks in your playgroup stack up against each other and whether there might be sub-Bracket rules that could be helpful to implement for a more even experience. Find ways to meet each other at the same level as much as possible.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cut a Deal"></div></div>
<p>All that said, it seems like there's just a fundamental misunderstanding with this opponent in particular. If you're evenly matched when it comes to gameplay ability and his decks are also optimized, I'd have to learn more about the elements of your decks that upset your opponent. You mentioning that you're not dominating the win rate of the group absolutely perplexes me here.</p>
<p>If I had to pick a Bolas, I'd have a hard time - even if your opponent's complaints based on the information we have seem unfounded, there is a dismissiveness and "hand-waving" attitude of sticking to the guns of "well, they're Bracket 3 because of the rules." Sure, there might only be three Game Changers, but there's a difference between playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhystic Study" href="#" target="_blank">Rhystic Study</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Smothering Tithe" href="#" target="_blank">Smothering Tithe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> versus <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coalition Victory" href="#" target="_blank">Coalition Victory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glacial Chasm" href="#" target="_blank">Glacial Chasm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crop Rotation" href="#" target="_blank">Crop Rotation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Even among the Game Changers there is a hierarchy.</p>
<p>Which all leads back to where we began which is that the Bracket Systems serves to <em>begin</em> the conversation. It's up to you to keep it going rather than to shut it down because boxes are checked. I'd be really curious about the rest of the playgroup's reaction to your decks and whether other players get held to the same standard as you do by this pal of yours.</p>
<p>I think there's been a trend surrounding most recent submissions where the solution is having a conversation among the players in the group while also making the effort to accept the fact that <em>Magic</em>, especially Commander, doesn't always break your way. If it keeps happening, it's time for a chat or retooling some cards in your decks. Toss in a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doom Blade" href="#" target="_blank">Doom Blade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> instead of a value piece, make sure you've got your draw spells over something you see in your hand and never cast, and make sure your land count is high enough so you don't get screwed.</p>
<p>Take the necessary steps in your means to ensure that <em>you</em> have a good time while contributing as much as possible to the good time of your opponents, within reason.</p>
<p>I don't know. This one is strange to me. I don't think you're the Bolas, but I think get a little more of a conversation going rather than shutting things down based on the rules of Bracket 3. Find out what it is your friend is really annoyed by and if it's everything, then that's a different conversation. Being frustrated with the game can sometimes be part of the experience.</p>
<p>Dust yourself off, get some air, then get ready for the next game.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Last One Standing"></div></div>


Am I the Bolas? - The Bracket 3 Spectrum

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Johnny, Combo Player" href="#" target="_blank">Johnny, Combo Player</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.kensukeart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kensuke Okabayashi</a></em></p>
<p>Like many other articles before, what drew me to this topic was a conversation with my partner, discussing something we'd seen on Blue Sky.</p>
<p>Which commanders are viable to build was the topic. There were a lot of <em>Final Fantasy</em> legends that players were really excited to build that surprised both of us. People were building anything. It started to bring up this idea of playable and not playable decks, which brought up motivation for deck building.</p>
<h2>Color First or Mechanic First</h2>
<p>When we sit down to build a Commander deck, what motivates our deck building? For some players it's colors that informs choices. We've all played against players who never cast their commander. Its usually, though not always, a way to further a power seeking desire. You get to play the best cards in a certain color.</p>
<p>cEDH functions this way, sometimes; most decks with certain colors are running a lot of the same cards.</p>
<p>However, sometimes the desire is to play a mechanically specific strategy in certain colors. Perhaps someone wants to play Grixis (<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-b" 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>) Reanimator and is struggling to find a good commander that mechanically benefits from this strategy. They might play any Grixis value engine. This allows players to have all the colors they need to pursue the strategy with or without the commander, but the 99 might not be just the best Grixis cards.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mirko, Obsessive Theorist"></div></div>
<p>Lastly, and most commonly, players are motivated by the mechanical uniqueness of a commander. They're seeing a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirko, Obsessive Theorist" href="#" target="_blank">Mirko, Obsessive Theorist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and running cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Umbral Collar Zealot" href="#" target="_blank">Umbral Collar Zealot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doom Whisperer" href="#" target="_blank">Doom Whisperer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in the deck. They want to surveil and make Mirko bigger for better reanimation targets.</p>
<p>It's all synergistic. The mechanic informs the building.</p>
<h2>Which Is the best?</h2>
<p>This is tough, because my instinct is to say mechanic forward has to be the answer. It's a matter of pride for me. There's a reason it's the most popular building type. It's the lifeblood of Commander.</p>
<p>What brings players into this game is seeing something they like, whether it's character or mechanic, and building around that. It's the challenge of trying to creatively include and exclude cards in your deck.</p>
<p>But then I felt really split because I'm a little hypocritical. I don't know necessarily if this is about what's best. Part of what we love about Commander is the freedom to build decks whatever way we want. If we want to play all the best Grixis cards in a deck - while I'd suggest playing Standard or Modern first - then by golly you should be able to.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sauron, the Dark Lord"></div></div>
<p>Even in my explanation of building a mechanic-forward deck, I have to discuss people who build a deck because of their favorite blorbo. This is definitely in the spirit of Commander but results in decks that are more in line with Bracket 1.</p>
<p>I've always had hesitancy with Bracket 1, though it's a legitimate way to the play Commander. I've said as much in previous articles about winning (read that <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/is-winning-the-most-important-thing-in-commander" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>).</p>
<p>This brings up the duality of what goes into building and playing <em>Magic</em>, which I won't rehash again in this article. The nuts and bolts of it is simply everyone is motivated by different things and it's all valid and important.</p>
<p>However, it wouldn't be me if I didn't throw in a monkey wrench.</p>
<h2>What Are the Pros and Cons of the <em>Magic</em> Player Archetypes</h2>
<p>Most of us are familiar with the various articles written by Mark Rosewater discussing the archetypes of players, but if you're not, there are examples <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/making-magic/timmy-johnny-and-spike-2013-12-03" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here,</a> <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/making-magic/timmy-johnny-and-spike-revisited-2006-12-18" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here,</a> and <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/making-magic/melvin-and-vorthos-2007-05-07-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.</a> These different archetypes inform how a player builds their decks and plays it.</p>
<p>Lets discuss how they manifest in a typical game and the pros and cons of these play patterns.</p>
<h3>Dominant Three</h3>
<h4>Spike</h4>
<p>"Spike is the competitive player. Spike plays to win. Spike enjoys winning. To accomplish this, Spike will play whatever the best deck is." This is how Rosewater sees Spike. A Spike is likely to play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Three Blind Mice" href="#" target="_blank">Three Blind Mice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doubling Season" href="#" target="_blank">Doubling Season</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in an <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> deck to make infinite Mice and swing out.</p>
<p>They likely wouldn't really like Commander because of how uncompetitive it is, how it lacks guaranteed plays, and the RNG of it, but for the sake of this article assume they're playing Commander.</p>
<p>The pros to a Spike player is that they'll push through to find the most efficient and meta-intensive way to build a deck. If you're looking for efficiency, they're who you should speak to.</p>
<p>They'll likely always build commanders that draw cards and give value in the command zone. Spike players will have great mana-to-mana cost ratios in their deck, constantly tuning them as new cards come out, fueling some of the most powerful things you can do in the format. They don't build anything but Bracket 4 or 5 (cEDH).</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spike, Tournament Grinder"></div></div>
<p>The cons are that they lack flavor. The lines are consistent and repetitive. They're limited by the commanders they'll build. They want to win more than let others go off.</p>
<p>Playing against them will be tough and brutal every time. There's no room for whimsy or fun plays. It's all business all the time. You won't find interesting, but you'll find innovative with a Spike player.</p>
<h4>Tammy/Timmy</h4>
<p>"Timmy likes to win big. He doesn’t want to eke out a last minute victory. Timmy wants to smash his opponents. He likes his cards to be impressive, and he enjoys playing big creatures and big spells." This is how Rosewater sees Tammy.</p>
<p>A Timmy is likely to play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elvish Piper" href="#" target="_blank">Elvish Piper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to put out <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant" href="#" target="_blank">Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and then every other big stupid creature in their hand. They want value and explosiveness. They don't care the cost.</p>
<p>The pros are that Tammy will always play obvious strategies. There is no bs or politicking or lies, just smash. They'll play flashy big spells that do crazy stuff. They love the spectacle and we can enjoy that as well. Some of the most memorable plays of the game will likely be something a Tammy has done.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Timmy, Power Gamer"></div></div>
<p>The cons are endless. There's likely no removal coming from a Tammy; they're too busy doing their own thing. They might have removal if it's attached to a big blowout spell like a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ruinous Ultimatum" href="#" target="_blank">Ruinous Ultimatum</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyclonic Rift" href="#" target="_blank">Cyclonic Rift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Tammy players are often blown out by complicated interactions on the stack that remove their expensive spells. They're often slow going to build up mana for their awesome big spells, but does it matter when you can slam a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Craterhoof Behemoth" href="#" target="_blank">Craterhoof Behemoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>?</p>
<h4>Johnny/Jenny</h4>
<p>"Johnny is the creative gamer to whom <em>Magic</em> is a form of self-expression. Johnny likes to win, but he wants to win with style." I am a humble Jenny myself. What a player like this wants to play are synergistic plays.</p>
<p>Being able to reanimate a bunch of Angels with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shilgengar, Sire of Famine" href="#" target="_blank">Shilgengar, Sire of Famine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and then play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thief of Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Thief of Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to remove the finality counters is a fun synergy that a Johnny would like.</p>
<p>What are the pros and cons for this kind of player? I'm biased but this is sort of the middle ground between Spike and Tammy. They want a little bit of both worlds. They want big stupid spells that synergize well enough to do something competitive. It's not just about winning; it's about winning with a <em>WOW!</em></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Johnny, Combo Player"></div></div>
<p>That might be the problem here, though. Johnny players are always struggling with the best of both worlds. They don't have the explosiveness of a Tammy or the efficiency of a Spike.</p>
<p>However, that also inlays its strength. Jenny players also don't struggle with the problems of the other two archetypes. They won't have to wait to do something interesting and exciting when they have all the mana in the world. They're interesting and fun enough to do something exciting when they win.</p>
<h3>Lesser Known Two</h3>
<h4>Vorthos</h4>
<p>"Vorthos ... started collecting cards because he liked the art, then read some <em>Magic</em> novels, then saw his favorite characters appear on some cards and decided to learn to play." They're art over functionality, story over mechanic. They build with a love for the lore. They're likely playing every original pre-mending planeswalker card in a <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/planeswalkers/five-color" target="_blank" rel="noopener">five-color Super Friends deck</a>.</p>
<p>The pros of a player like this is that they're always going to play cards with some lore or story you haven't heard. You can listen to them go on and on about cool facts about the games and characters.</p>
<p>They're also someone who knows the art of every card, being able to tell you a ton about how a card got designed. They collect some of the prettiest versions of every card too.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vorthos, Steward of Myth"></div></div>
<p>The cons are likely that all their decks are Bracket 1s. They're not motivated by power but by story. They often become blood bags in games for value and triggers because of their lack of competitiveness. It's not actually a bad thing if that's the vibe. We all have a little of Vorthos in us. We all have pet cards.</p>
<h4>Melanie/Melvin</h4>
<p>"Melvin ... enjoys watching how all the pieces can be skillfully woven together." They're interested in the rules, how the game can get interesting in terms of mechanics.</p>
<p>This is slightly different from a Jenny. Mechanics is more surrounding how a card works with other things, synergistic or not. A Melvin is likely playing a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deadpool, Trading Card" href="#" target="_blank">Deadpool, Trading Card</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as a commander because it makes for interesting interactions with the mechanics of the game. That or a mutate deck. They want to see how cards work together and how they're ruled.</p>
<p>The pros to players like this is they <em>will</em> know the rules. Weird interactions? They got your back. Melvin will do interesting things in their games like a Johnny without the desire to win holding them back. They'll want to do the interesting thing always.</p>
<p>Melanie will always have a creative way of interacting with cards you see every day. They love to push boundaries of what a card will do. I'm a little biased because I'm a Jenny/Melanie. I love a weird little interaction.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stifle"></div></div>
<p>The cons are that the stacks will be complex. If Melanie has a response, it likely will have everyone taking out their phone to check the rulings on it. They aren't motivated by winning, so their decks might not even have a win-con. It's completely up in the air.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>Circling back to the initial conversation with my partner, we disagree a bit about what makes a commander playable. He insists that some commanders have text on them that aren't enough of a value engine to be strong enough to be viable. I'm not sure that's what motivates players, in the end, to pick a commander.</p>
<p>I don't really have a big message here. I just think it's important to explore how each player might build and play. It's good to see the strengths and weaknesses of each type.</p>
<p>If there were some points I neglected, feel free to throw them in the comments or send me a message on <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/strixhavendropout.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blue Sky. I'm @strixhavendropout.</a></p>
<h3>Read More:</h3>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="nrXx0E6EVh"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/powerful-magic-cards-we-take-for-granted-in-commander/">Powerful Magic Cards We Take for Granted in Commander</a></p></blockquote>
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