<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sythis, Harvest&#039;s Hand" href="#" target="_blank">Sythis, Harvest&#039;s Hand</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CRyan+Yee%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ryan Yee</a></em></p>
<p>Hello, and welcome to <em>Am I the Bolas</em>?<strong> This week, end the game already!</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, I'm in Japan right now looking for this flower!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hana Kami"></div></div>
<p>Somebody pretend to be me in the comments!</p>
<p>(Post edited for brevity, clarity, and then some.)</p>
<hr />
<h2>SUBMISSION</h2>
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<p><em>Good Afternoon,</em></p>
<p><em>I have been following your podcast and articles for some time now and, while reading a recent article during a lunch break at work, I was reminded of a scenario from roughly a year ago that ended up with me taking apart a deck and feeling guilty and I would appreciate your take on it.</em></p>
<p><em>For some context, I play with several playgroups and had, at the time, recently joined a larger playgroup that plays twice a week and people message ahead to check if we have enough players for a pod or two etc - pretty standard I'm sure for large groups trying to coordinate pods.</em></p>
<p><em>On the night in question, we had four people agree to meet at the local LGS after work. The players who confirmed, myself included, had recently been enjoying playing more and more competitive games with us all owning strong Bracket 4 decks that were heavily optimized and some Bracket 5 decks. For that reason, I grabbed my <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scion of the Ur-Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Scion of the Ur-Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck before leaving. I also grabbed a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sythis, Harvest&#039;s Hand" href="#" target="_blank">Sythis, Harvest&#039;s Hand</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck I own in case the group would want to switch it up.</em></p>
<div><em><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scion of the Ur-Dragon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sythis, Harvest&#039;s Hand"></div></div></em></p>
<p><em>I ended up getting caught at work and arrived late. I had texted ahead, told them not to wait up, and to start without me if needed, I'd hop in for game two.</em></p>
<p><em>When I arrived, a local looking for a game had joined in with them. They were around turn four - enough of the game left that I thought I'd look for a different game if there was one around. Just to be clear, none of this was a problem, I enjoy meeting new people and playing with anyone. I was, however, feeling a bit nervous about the decks I had opted to bring.</em></p>
<p><em>I found a pod and asked what sort of power level they were looking to play. I explained the situation and what decks I had brought. I said that the Sythis deck was the weaker of the two decks as it was not optimized, I had built it with cards I owned rather than a bespoke list. I also said that, to be clear, it's still a Sythis Enchantress deck, meaning it's hard to shut down and can spiral into some silly board states.</em></p>
<p><em>They said that sounded fair and that they were happy playing against it and I joked (and meant it) that if they weren't balanced I would not take any offense at being targeted or treated like an archenemy.</em></p>
<p><em>The problem began when I realised that only one of the other players (we can call him Player 1) was running much removal and he wasn't in the best colours to deal with enchantments. One of the players (Player 2) running an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arabella, Abandoned Doll" href="#" target="_blank">Arabella, Abandoned Doll</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Boros deck, was also unfortunately mana screwed and couldn't find the pieces to impact the game much.</em></p>
<p><em>This ended up leading towards a spiralling board full of enchantments and me sat on a full grip of cards. Player 1 did a decent job of mitigating my board, tipping into a win by removing key pieces and finding a board wipe twice. Each time I rebuilt, he would manage to remove a game winning piece, but after what felt like a very long and grindy game I won through an army of flying Pegasi. I could tell that despite not complaining and us actually getting on really well, Players 2 &amp; 3 didn't enjoy the game and were frustrated with how long it took to finish.</em></p>
<p><em>They asked if I would mind switching decks and I repeated the initial comments about the Scion Deck being heavily optimised and quite powerful. They said they didn't mind as long as it had a way to win if I was ahead. Not a problem, let's do this archenemy plan from turn one.</em></p>
<p><em>I won around turn six after casting <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> to defend my <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Old Gnawbone" href="#" target="_blank">Old Gnawbone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hellkite Charger" href="#" target="_blank">Hellkite Charger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> combo.</em></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Old Gnawbone"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hellkite Charger"></div></div>
<p><em>This game was a lot more fun on all sides and they all told me they enjoyed playing "archenemy" trying to stop it doing its thing, but I still felt bad about coming across as "pubstomping."</em></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><em>After I got home I took apart the Sythis deck and decided not to build decks that fall into any sort of category where I take long turns at a high power level without the ability to win straight away.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>Am I the Bolas here, am I overthinking the pubstomping angle or should I have tried to join a different group that was a more balanced level?</strong></em></p>
</div>
<div><em>Kindest of Regards,</em><br />
<em>Nikya</em></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>It means a lot to me that you enjoy the column and the podcast so much. I cannot thank you enough for supporting AITB!</p>
<p>This is a lovely submission. You're in tune with the nonverbal communication of your new podmates and you were open to the discussion when they expressed their hope you would switch-up your deck. You read the situation well enough to recognize the change of pace was welcomed. I'm glad that the archenemy experience was well-received. I think this is the kind of attitude a lot of pods could use, frankly.</p>
<p>It's fair that you dismantled the deck. Sythis is a resilient pain in the butt of a commander and Enchantress as an archetype really can snowball without trying. Enchantments might be difficult to remove, but you get hit with a sweeper, you're supposed to feel your legs cut out from under you for a moment, at least. Instead, Sythis gives you a way back in which is what makes it such a powerful card in the command zone.</p>
<p>You built it to be higher-powered and the pod agreed with it. I don't think there's any pubstomping happening, really. There was an understanding of the circumstances and it just didn't turn out all that fun. You are "overthinking the pubstomping angle," but it comes from a place of compassion, which is often the case in these submissions.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deconstruct"></div></div>
<p>The bigger problem is that the deck didn't close it out and when someone is playing a really strong deck, outclassing the rest of them at the table, there is a sense of "dear god, please just end it" that starts to take over. It's a creeping feeling that amplifies with each passing turn and rebuffed piece of interaction. The reason the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scion of the Ur-Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Scion of the Ur-Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck was so much better received was because it was a boss battle where the boss knew his toolkit really well and there was a plan to wreck the table.</p>
<p>It's a lot of fun trying to punch above your weight. What if you actually <em>do</em> win? What if, right? That'd be a pretty cool story. "My Bracket 2 pile took the W over a Bracket 4 Dragon deck that can tutor for whatever it wants!" I would brag about that, for sure! Is it pubstomping? No, because it's agreed upon prior!</p>
<p>I don't believe that taking Sythis apart is entirely because of this game. I figure if you'd joined another pod, the deck would have performed fine, but I wouldn't be surprised if you'd told me not too long later that you'd taken Sythis apart. I think deep down, there was something else about it that wasn't working for you and now you have a new thing to consider. I don't see a Bolas here, but rather a mage learning a lesson and taking thoughts back to the drawing board. Have fun with the next brew! I hope it rules!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deconstruction Hammer"></div></div>


Am I the Bolas? - High-Powered Rebuilding

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hakbal of the Surging Soul" href="#" target="_blank">Hakbal of the Surging Soul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.tylerwalpole.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tyler Walpole</a></em></p>
<p>There have been a lot of conversations about the Bracket System and Rule Zero conversations again <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/wizards-of-the-coast-commander-brackets-update-for-october-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">since the recent update</a>. But something that we aren't talking about nearly enough in conversations like this is how to pick a Commander play pod.</p>
<p>Rule Zero conversations are important in any situation, but often times it helps start conversations and set expectations with randos (random players). Sometimes you're faced with being unable to meet up with your usual play pod and have to improvise.</p>
<p>But this article isn't about randos. This is about how to cultivate a healthy, recurring play pod.</p>
<h2>Understanding Yourself</h2>
<p>Before you can even think about what kind of people you'll include in your group or ground rules you'll implement for your play group, you have to first understand yourself. What makes you salt out? What type of <em>Magic</em> player are you? How do you like to win? How do you like to lose? These questions give you a realistic starting point about the kind of experience with Commander you want.</p>
<p>Thinking about if you're the kind of person who hates <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Farewell" href="#" target="_blank">Farewell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Armageddon" href="#" target="_blank">Armageddon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, no matter what the circumstances are, will be important things to consider. You may want to set expectations about how you'll react to those kinds of plays or request to outright restrict it.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Farewell"></div></div>
<p>You'll also want to know if you're <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/different-approaches-to-building-a-commander-deck" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a Spike, a Johnny, a Tammy, a Melanie, or a Vorthos</a>. Spikes might want to play with other Spikes. At least, it would be more fair to those around you to meet Spike energy with other Spikes. Johnnys might be comfortable with Tammys. Vorthoses might be happier against a Melanie.</p>
<p>These aren't hard and fast rules, but it's important to factor in the motivations you have for playing. Compatibility here matters. Knowing what kind of player you are will help here.</p>
<p>Knowing that an infinite combo is a sort of way you hate losing might be something you want to know about yourself too. If you want to win with <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> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pathbreaker Ibex" href="#" target="_blank">Pathbreaker Ibex</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, that's also important to know. This is how you'll pitch yourself to others. They'll have as much of a right to be picky about who they play with as you do, so you'll need to know how to pitch your decks and play patterns.</p>
<p>Once you can understand yourself, you can explain your preferences.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pathbreaker Ibex"></div></div>
<h2>Rule Zero Conversations</h2>
<p>A lot of people think that rule zero conversations are just to discuss which <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/game-changers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game Changers</a> they're running and that's it. It's not. It's about explaining anything that will affect how the game will be played and experienced. There are so many things you'll need to discuss. This seems tedious, but ultimately the only way to find a good match with others is with a reasonable amount of effort put into these conversations.</p>
<p>This is important when cultivating a strong play pod for yourself.</p>
<p>You might want to talk about your experience level of the game. If this is your first time playing Commander and your deck is a slightly upgraded precon, that might mean something different for a player who's been playing since <em>Arabian Nights</em> running a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hakbal of the Surging Soul" href="#" target="_blank">Hakbal of the Surging Soul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s upgraded precon. There's nothing to be ashamed about being new. It doesn't mean you can't join tables that are more experienced or strong, but it's important to talk about.</p>
<p>You might do better playing in higher power tables or higher experienced games. A lot of youngest siblings learn faster on the backs of their older sibling's experiences. This is the same. Some players aren't interested in teaching, but simply playing. Sometimes you might want to match experience levels so you don't feel overwhelmed too. This is a good thing to discuss or set expectations around.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hakbal of the Surging Soul"></div></div>
<h3>Post-Game Conversations</h3>
<p>Another thing about Rule Zero conversations is that it's both a pre and post conversation. If someone says their deck is a Bracket 3, but everyone at the table disagrees, that's something you should bring up in the post-game. I've told others if you find you're often arguing about the power of your deck, whatever Bracket you have it in is wrong. That's just how that works.</p>
<p>If you're arguing it's a 3 but you're always losing even in low power pods, perhaps it's actually a 2. Consistently stomping the hell out of decks that are 3s might mean you're punching above your weight class and actually a 4.</p>
<p>This is also a good time to discuss salt. Yes, we should discuss it. If you got upset about how someone behaved or performed in a game (It's totally healthy to be upset) but you should be constructive with how you go about it. Be upset, yes - it's only natural - but make sure you're telling people why and how you feel. Don't lash out, describe what bothered you and why.</p>
<p>I think a lot of people put up with things they don't like because they're afraid to show salt, but it's normal to salt out (<a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/why-do-we-salt-out-in-commander" target="_blank" rel="noopener">I talk about this a lot in another one of my articles</a>). It's important to explain your experience and give people time to correct it, so you can decide if that group is right for you.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Craterhoof Behemoth"></div></div>
<h2>Feedback</h2>
<p>It's so important in a healthy play pod for everyone to be open to feedback. If I say your deck is too strong for the Bracket we're playing in, you need to be able to receive that feedback. You should be looking for this ability in the people you play with. If no one is taking into consideration the feelings and thoughts of others, then how can they demonstrate adaptability enough to change their behavior?</p>
<p>We should be giving feedback and giving others the opportunity to change behavior before jumping to conclusions that they're not worth keeping in the group. They should be given time to absorb the feedback and take steps to try to be better. (I feel like I'm putting on my counselor's hat for this article.)</p>
<h3>Adaptability and Compromise</h3>
<p>I spoke a little bit about adaptability as well. Players should understand that Commander is a game with tons of variables. <em>People</em> have tons of variables too. There is no way we can find the perfect four people who get along the best. We have to be realistic. Some of us are going to have to adapt. There will be compromise. How much, is the question.</p>
<p>If you find that most of your decks salt out your play group, then maybe that's not the group for you. You shouldn't have to shelve all your decks. But if you run <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Armageddon" href="#" target="_blank">Armageddon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in all your white decks without a way to win after you cast it, and no one is about it, it might be a card you could easily remove from your deck.</p>
<p>Pick your battles wisely.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Armageddon"></div></div>
<p>It's also important to understand and accept that everyone is different and those differences aren't right or wrong. They're just different. How someone copes with bad feelings and how someone handles winning is going to be different. We are also variable as people. We should be understanding of that.</p>
<p>Setting expectations about how you like or dislike certain things is key. Don't shame people for their differences unless it is harmful.</p>
<p>If someone is throwing chairs when they lose, that's harmful. Getting a little mouthy is harmless. I stress, a <em>little</em> here. Cussing someone out is different. We should be vocal about what we can handle from each other, including how everyone copes.</p>
<p>I can say I don't like any salt when someone loses, and set that expectation for what I want, and others can decide if that's something they are capable of or want. I can also compromise and say I don't like instant-speed scooping as a way to salt out. Compromise, but both statements are valid.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Agate Instigator"></div></div>
<h2>Inclusivity</h2>
<p>This whole article is about curating your experience in play pods, and though it might seem like what I'm asking is for you to exclude all the things you don't like, I'm really not. I'm saying conversations need to be had. Expectations should be made. It's better if you're inclusive. We learn to work through certain things we don't like by small exposure. I know I used to hate losing to infinite combos. I set an expectation about multiple pieces and only late game combos, and now I'm comfortable with early-game, two-card combos.</p>
<p>I'm not saying people have to do what I've done, but allowing yourself exposure is important.</p>
<p>We should let all kinds of players and play patterns into our groups, and stress test them. We should see how something works before we determine they are automatically out. Giving players time to adapt to expectations and get comfortable is the goal. I can't stress enough that adaptability, compromise, and talking things through is the ultimate solution to curating strong play pods. Hold people accountable to these three things and it'll be hard to have a play group you don't enjoy playing with.</p>
<p>But that's just my opinion. Tell me yours! I'm <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/strixhavendropout.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@strixhavendropout on Bluesky</a>.</p>


Curating a Healthy Play Pod in Commander

Adapting Your Decks to the Optimized Bracket 4

Adapting Your Decks to Core Bracket 2

<p>Hello EDHREC readers!</p>
<p>Today we are finally ready to unveil a project we have been working on - the EDHREC Deck Power Level Analyzer. Just head to <a href="https://calc.edhrec.com/">the power level analyzer page</a> and paste a decklist or link to your deck on one of our affiliated deckbuilder websites into the text field and click submit. Our advanced algorithm will check your deck's contents to give you an objective score for your deck. This is the perfect addition to your rule 0 pregame conversations. Have fun with the new feature and thanks to all of you for being EDHREC users!</p>
<p><a href="https://calc.edhrec.com/">EDHREC Deck Power Level Analyzer</a></p>


commander power level

Am I the Bolas? - High-Powered Rebuilding

Curating a Healthy Play Pod in Commander

Adapting Your Decks to the Optimized Bracket 4

Adapting Your Decks to Core Bracket 2

Announcing the EDHREC Deck Power Level Analyzer