<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Starfall Invocation" href="#" target="_blank">Starfall Invocation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CRob+Rey%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art">Rob Rey</a></em></p>
<hr />
<p>Hello, and welcome to <em>Am I the Bolas</em>?<strong> This week, if you hadn't killed my thing, I'd have won!</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> Do us a favor a subscribe to us. We've got some fun stuff in the works and it would mean a lot to Michael, Morgan, and I if you did! Become a Bolcut and get into the Bolcast!</p>
<p>I'm Mike Carrozza and what's better than this?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tom, Bert, and William"></div></div>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Ph5eTtoWQ"><i>Just guys bein' dudes. </i></a></p>
<p>(Post edited for brevity, clarity, and then some.)</p>
<hr />
<h2>SUBMISSION</h2>
<div dir="auto">
<p><em>Hey Mark,</em></p>
<p><em>I read your articles whenever I see them pop on up on the main page, and I have a story to share with you that leaves me questioning on if my deck really is a Bolas.</em></p>
<p><em>I play a more gimmicky version of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Celes, Rune Knight" href="#" target="_blank">Celes, Rune Knight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> where I do not have free repeatable sacrifice outlets and use creatures that can bring themselves back, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flamewake Phoenix" href="#" target="_blank">Flamewake Phoenix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Forsaken Miner" href="#" target="_blank">Forsaken Miner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, to buff my board. I do, however, run a large removal suite in the deck, with 16 instances of nonland removal, like <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> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Emergency Eject" href="#" target="_blank">Emergency Eject</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skyclave Apparition" href="#" target="_blank">Skyclave Apparition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, as well as three board wipes.</em></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Celes, Rune Knight"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flamewake Phoenix"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Forsaken Miner"></div></div>
<p><em>My pod consisted of a <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>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ovika, Enigma Goliath" href="#" target="_blank">Ovika, Enigma Goliath</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bristly Bill, Spine Sower" href="#" target="_blank">Bristly Bill, Spine Sower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I am of the opinion that all of these commanders should not be allowed around to untap or they pop off.</em></p>
<p><em>Right around turn four, everyone had just played their commander, and I had the perfect answer to the board. I had a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Starfall Invocation" href="#" target="_blank">Starfall Invocation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in my hand, which will kill all these Strong Commanders, and I get to revive Celes and wheel some of the cards in my hand again.</em></p>
<p><em>Ovika was played again (around turn six) and they also had an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Agate Instigator" href="#" target="_blank">Agate Instigator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with its Offspring. I let Ovika take a trip around the table (turn seven), and we all ended up losing 16 life as he played eight mana worth of mana rocks, and then he swung all of them at me, so I am getting pretty low. (This is why you don't let Ovika untap). I Swords the Ovika on my turn and I drop to 15 life from ward. Somewhere around here, Bristly Bill also used a fight spell to kill one of my creatures and attacked me.</em></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko, Mob Boss"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ovika, Enigma Goliath"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bristly Bill, Spine Sower"></div></div>
<p><em>Around turn nine, everyone had built a pretty impressive board state again, with each player threatening lethal at my low life. I cast 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>, which worked. I tried to take out Bristly Bill, but the Ovika player saved him by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chaos Warp" href="#" target="_blank">Chaos Warp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>ing my Celes away. Now I'm below 10 life, and Bristly Bill is hanging on as well. Ovika's at 20 life, and Krenko's at 15.</em></p>
<p><em>Unfortunately at this point, everyone pointing their removal my way prevented me from closing out the game. I killed the Ovika and Bristly Bill players, but then Krenko Player, who was mostly left alone, ended up clutching the game.</em></p>
<p><em>During the game there was some groaning, but after the game, they said this was one of the worst games they've played in a long time. They blamed me for it. I pointed out that it turned into a long slug fest because Ovika saved the Bristly Bill player, and because all three players' removal spells were focused entirely on me. I pointed out that at no point was any other removal used on something that wasn't mine and that nobody attacked anyone else but me the whole game. Ovika player said if I didn't Swords his Ovika, he would've just won next turn and we could've played another game. My response was, if you had an answer to a <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>, that would've been the case, but you played all gas and no protection.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>Am I the Bolas?</strong></em></p>
</div>
<p><em>Thanks,</em></p>
<p><em>Forrest Gorp</em></p>
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<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ruinous Ultimatum"></div></div>
</div>
<div dir="auto"></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>You play a lot removal! From your opponents' perspective, if they were trying to get their game plan online and they've identified the source of all the sticks in their spokes, I can't blame them for turning their attention toward you. You pack a lot of removal and it seems like you're not afraid to use it. While I agree with you about them being kill-on-sight commanders, I think there could've been a better Rule Zero conversation considering the reaction you got at the end.</p>
<p>I think of this archetype of player as a racer. It seems like they wanted a battlecruiser experience, where everybody's got their own open lane and they're gunning for the finish line with little impediment. This isn't something the <a href="https://edhrec.com/guides/edhrec-guide-to-commander-brackets">Bracket System</a> can really address, which is why I always like to remind everybody that it's not a replacement for the Rule Zero conversation. Your playstyle isn't racing. There's some tortoise and the hare stuff going on here.</p>
<p>The decks seem fast and powerful, but you're slowing them down to your speed. It's cool gameplay, but it doesn't favor you socially here. I think that there could've been a little self-awareness considering their actions coming for you. For all intents and purposes, you were the archenemy at the table. The rest of the pod had no choice: you were getting rid of big pieces of their game plan. To them, you <em>were</em> the Bolas.</p>
<p>That said...</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko, Mob Boss"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ovika, Enigma Goliath"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bristly Bill, Spine Sower"></div></div>
<p>The entitlement in this submission is off the charts. The Ovika player being upset with how long the game went because their commander was removed is bananas to me. What? I'm supposed to let you just win? Am I not playing the same game you are? Did we not sit down for free-for-all Commander where everybody can be a threat? Look at those command zones! They've got a reputation for speed! Obviously, your job is to slow them down.</p>
<p>I just don't appreciate the Ovika player putting this all on your back.</p>
<p>All of you were invested in winning this one. That's why you stuck it out. Anybody can pull the plug on their game and concede if it's not working for them anymore. You can say, "Hey, it's been two hours and I'd like to move on with another game. I concede." It's allowed. Then you can all have a conversation to get on the same page about your expectations in playstyles and game play.</p>
<p>But nobody conceded. That means you were staying in it to play it through. While you're playing the game, it's the priority. The Ovika player chose this game potentially over another game afterwards, whether they realize it or not. But don't get me wrong: your opponents being annoyed by the length of the game is fair. It's not the kind of Commander they like to play. Frankly, this submission reads like an LGS mismatch over a steady playgroup because of how clear this is: you were the odd one out.</p>
<p>It's not fair to put the length on the game squarely on you. By the Ovika player's own admission, if their commander hadn't been removed, they would've won the next turn, but it's said with a tone of complaint rather than congratulations. Because, Forrest, congratulations, you made the right call. Excellent threat assessment. You're playing to win. However, the Ovika player seems to bristle at you because you also were playing to win. Excuse me! How dare you?! A player who doesn't want another player to win because they've recognized that an opponent winning means that they lose, and the name of the game is avoiding losing, actually? Oh, dear!</p>
<p>I don't understand the Ovika player's mental gymnastics of perspective here. The message isn't "we could've had a shorter game" but rather "you cost me the win", and as your opponent, if we're playing to win, I don't care! No, not "I don't care"; I celebrate that you lost! I'm closer to the win now. We are competing. Your sore loser "I could've wrapped this up if this hadn't been exiled" talk is for no one but yourself. Did we forget that Ovika saved Bristly Bill from Celes? Last I checked, keeping a player alive means they mostly likely get another turn which is going to take some time. Come on!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stubborn Denial"></div></div>
<p>Forrest, I hope you have better Rule Zero conversations. Removal-heavy builds seem more competitive to me, and in that spirit I recommend leading with your deckbuilding mindset to see if anybody brought something to match that. That'd be my advice. You're technically the Bolas for that pod, but I think Ovika's attitude was annoying. I mentioned earlier that I think this isn't a story from an existing playgroup. If I'm wrong and this feels like it happens frequently, I'd like to encourage you to have a chat with your playgroup about compromises that can be made so you can all meet in the middle.</p>
<p>Thanks again for writing in!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Racers&#039; Scoreboard"></div></div>


Am I the Bolas? - "I Would've Won and We Would've Played Another Game"

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines" href="#" target="_blank">Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CMartina+Fa%C4%8Dkov%C3%A1%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art">Martina Fačková</a></em></p>
<hr />
<p>Hello, and welcome to <em>Am I the Bolas</em>?<strong> This week, come on, buddy!</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> Do us a favor a subscribe to us. We've got some fun stuff in the works and it would mean a lot to Michael, Morgan, and I if you did! Become a Bolcut and get into the Bolcast!</p>
<p>I'm Mike Carrozza and I just had to move!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Make Your Move"></div></div>
<p><i>Ugh, if ONLY it just cost three mana!</i></p>
<p>(Post edited for brevity, clarity, and then some.)</p>
<hr />
<h2>SUBMISSION</h2>
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<div><em>Dear Mike,</em></div>
<div></div>
<div><em>I'll be honest, I'm not a regular reader of the column, in fact I don't read much of any of the EDHREC articles, but I stumbled on your column after having a pretty awkward time at FNM looking to change the deck I will mention below, and could use your advice.</em></div>
<div></div>
<div><em>I only recently started to attend FNM at my local LGS that just had a grand reopening, and don't know a ton of people. There is free play EDH regardless of the event, and so I sat with a pod of people I've played with maybe four games with at our previous store and who seem to be the most frequent EDH players. They all seemed familiar with each other, having inside jokes and the like. After an initial first game with reletively few hiccups, although I was targetted for giving someone a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sleeper Agent" href="#" target="_blank">Sleeper Agent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we shuffled up and brought out some different decks. I decide to play my <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Queen Marchesa" href="#" target="_blank">Queen Marchesa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> pillow fort deck that relies on being the monarch to gain card advantage and activate my wincons, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Court of Grace" href="#" target="_blank">Court of Grace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. One of these people, who I'll call E, played <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines" href="#" target="_blank">Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Since I don't have any non-permanent cards that make me the monarch, that commander completely shuts off my entire strategy. As such, when they played their commander before my turn, I immediately removed it with an instant. It was one spell, I didn't think anything of it.</em></div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Queen Marchesa"></div></div></div>
<div></div>
<div dir="auto">
<div><em>E really didn't like this. They immediately scooped. I thought it was unsportsmanlike, but it was a five-player game, so I didn't think anything of it at first. The rest of the game, though, they kept reminding me of how I removed their commander "for no reason". When another player played something with a powerful ETB, they would mention how their commander could have stopped it. When the game was over, the other players, minus one (the player that won) gave me a sour look. Nothing major, but definitely not positive expressions.</em></div>
<div></div>
<div><em>Trying to be fair, I know that everyone wants a chance to "do their thing", and removing someone's commander the turn it comes down might be disallowing that. In my defense, without removing their commander, my deck does literally nothing but sit around with defensive enchantments. The other players besides E and the winner giving me the cold shoulder make me think I might have been hasty and might be the Bolas. I want to make friends here, but I'm worried I just pushed away a pod for failing a social check.</em></div>
</div>
<div dir="auto">
<div></div>
<div><em>Is what I did a social faux pas that won't encourage people to play with me again, or was it simply a poor sport being unable to handle someone playing to win? Or somewhere in between?</em></div>
<div></div>
<div><em>Sincerely,</em></div>
<div><em>Brimaz, King of Oreskos</em></div>
</div>
<div dir="auto">
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines"></div></div>
</div>
<div dir="auto"></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>Thanks for being so direct, Brimaz. I hope you stick around and read more articles on EDHREC. We've got a ton of really great writers here. There's even a <a href="https://edhrec.com/games/crossword?utm_source=edhrec&amp;utm_medium=navbar">weekly crossword</a>! Lots of fun here. Anyway, let's get into this.</p>
<p>If you're playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines" href="#" target="_blank">Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in the command zone, you have to know she's a kill-on-sight commander. She's an absolutely incredible card! A stax piece stapled on a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Panharmonicon" href="#" target="_blank">Panharmonicon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for all your permanents? Do you know how popular enter-the-battlefield effects are in Commander? So many decks don't get to do too much if ETB triggers aren't happening. While you should probably swap a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reclamation Sage" href="#" target="_blank">Reclamation Sage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Haywire Mite" href="#" target="_blank">Haywire Mite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Caustic Caterpillar" href="#" target="_blank">Caustic Caterpillar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from time to time, it's totally fair to favor ETB triggers. They're fun, splashy and effective! That's why <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines" href="#" target="_blank">Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Torpor Orb" href="#" target="_blank">Torpor Orb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are so devastating against the decks that get shut down by them.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Torpor Orb"></div></div>
<p>There are exactly six cards legal in Commander that introduce the monarch without an ETB ability: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coin of Fate" href="#" target="_blank">Coin of Fate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Feast of Succession" href="#" target="_blank">Feast of Succession</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Forth Eorlingas!" href="#" target="_blank">Forth Eorlingas!</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oath of Eorl" href="#" target="_blank">Oath of Eorl</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Starscream, Power Hungry" href="#" target="_blank">Starscream, Seeker Leader</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Throne of the High City" href="#" target="_blank">Throne of the High City</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Considering your deck's strategy relies on the introduction of the monarch, turning off 25 of your 31 cards to get this part of the game rolling is pretty brutal.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Coin of Fate"></div></div>
<p>I think there should've been some more understanding for you here in this game. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines" href="#" target="_blank">Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> takes away your deck's ability to get anything rolling. It's a direct threat to your game plan and should be treated as such. If anybody at the table asks you why and still manages to balk at "I need my commander's ETB to introduce the monarch so my deck can work", then I don't understand what their expectations are for Commander. The others gave you sour looks? These people saw Elesh Norn hit the table and just didn't understand how the third line of text could be restrictive?</p>
<p>This is silly.</p>
<p>If you had done this to kill, like, a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rasputin, the Oneiromancer" href="#" target="_blank">Rasputin, the Oneiromancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or something more innocuous (no shade, RtO players), then maybe that'd have been a reason to be a little salty. But your opponent's playing a stax piece and trigger-doubler from the command zone - that's right, just pay two more mana, pal, you can get there - they should be ready for this kind of thing to happen.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rasputin, the Oneiromancer"></div></div>
<p>Not the Bolas. Ridiculous.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Path to Exile"></div></div>


Am I the Bolas? - You Can't Shut Me Down, I Shut You Down!

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brash Taunter" href="#" target="_blank">Brash Taunter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://velinov.artstation.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Svetlin Velinov</a></em></p>
<p><a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/introducing-the-commander-format-panel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Commander Format Panel</a> (CFP) has built <a href="https://edhrec.com/guides/edhrec-guide-to-commander-brackets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Bracket System</a> to be a tool for players to use in order to create a more enjoyable gaming experience. From <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/game-changers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game Changers</a> to sub categories like mass land denial/destruction, the Brackets aim to give players a foundation from which to build their preferred Commander experience.</p>
<p>What many players are apt to point out, however, is that the Brackets can and have been used as a way to improperly gatekeep certain playstyles and experiences from a pod's game night. Players who wish to avoid <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Moon" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Moon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> experiences ought to be given the space to do so, but games with certain "unfun" or harsh strategies are experiences worth engaging with, even if just to solidify one's original stance against such experiences.</p>
<p>Becoming a better <em>Magic</em> player is a shared goal among Commander players. There's no better evidence of that than EDHREC's popularity among deck brewers. However, becoming better at anything requires failure and shortcomings, meaning "feel-bad" moments are reasonably expected. Where the Brackets intend to limit most extreme feel-bad cases, it ought not be used as the one-size-fits-all solution to preventing all feel-bads.</p>
<h2>Brackets as a Tool</h2>
<p>Most times, the Bracket system is used among players seeking to play Commander with others that aren't considered an established group. This includes everything from a random Commander pod at your local game store's Commander night to playing with established players at an official <em>Magic</em> event.</p>
<p>In these situations, the Rule Zero conversation (the conversation you have before the game starts to discuss what kind of game you're looking to have) is strongly recommended in order for players to discuss their intentions and expectations from a game.</p>
<p>Does a player seek to try out their new jank <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toofer, Keeper of the Full Grip" href="#" target="_blank">Toofer, Keeper of the Full Grip</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck? Maybe <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Atraxa, Praetors&#039; Voice" href="#" target="_blank">Atraxa, Praetors&#039; Voice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> poison counters should wait this game out. Is someone hoping to fire off their <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winota, Joiner of Forces" href="#" target="_blank">Winota, Joiner of Forces</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck in between events at MagicCon? Perhaps the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis" href="#" target="_blank">Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> pillow fort should be swapped for something a bit faster.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Toofer, Keeper of the Full Grip"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Winota, Joiner of Forces"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis"></div></div>
<p>The Brackets are intended to be used in this Rule Zero discussion as a way to communicate more effectively. It's very difficult to quantify a deck's objective power on its own, but the Brackets try to rank decks relative to one another and determine whether or not these decks can produce a Commander game the pod will enjoy.</p>
<p>Like any tool, Brackets require the appropriate input for the desired output to be produced. A hammer cannot join a nail to a block of wood unless the required input is provided. Similarly, the Brackets cannot produce an engaging or enjoyable Commander experience unless the players actively work towards this goal.</p>
<p>Players hoping for a productive Commander game will use the Brackets in good faith and will learn how better to engage with the Brackets, just as anyone who uses a hammer will become more proficient in, say, carpentry the more they use the hammer. Sometimes though, mistakes are made and the carpenter smashes their finger instead of the nail just as some Commander games will leave players with sore feelings.</p>
<p>These mistakes are vital to learning how to more effectively use these tools and should be appropriately embraced instead of vilified. Yes, maybe that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Najeela, the Blade-Blossom" href="#" target="_blank">Najeela, the Blade-Blossom</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> player ought to know of Najeela's raw strength and should've played a slower deck or that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yarok, the Desecrated" href="#" target="_blank">Yarok, the Desecrated</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck should be piloted by someone who doesn't take an hour to resolve their turn before discarding to hand size (from personal experience, if your turn takes an hour and doesn't end the game, please reevaluate the deck you're playing).</p>
<p>What players shouldn't do is use these experiences as barriers. This is to say the uniquely bad experience I had with Yarok shouldn't justify me arguing that the deck was misrepresented somehow or that the Brackets allowed this to happen. A tool can be faulty, but ultimately we players created the experience.</p>
<h2>Brackets as a Shield</h2>
<p>A common criticism of Brackets I've heard argues that the Brackets prevent players, especially newer players, from learning <em>Magic</em> in its entirety. Some players are being overprotected by other, more experienced (or more vocal) players demanding everyone to be shielded from evils like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Drannith Magistrate" href="#" target="_blank">Drannith Magistrate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seedborn Muse" href="#" target="_blank">Seedborn Muse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Drannith Magistrate"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Seedborn Muse"></div></div>
<p>It's as though the Brackets are a helicopter parent guarding their kids from every crack in the street and suspicious looking cartoon shows.</p>
<p>It's not like these arguments come from nowhere; these criticisms are rooted in legitimate concerns and feel-bad experiences. Players have and will continue to justify why they'll never play with or against stax pieces or combo pieces or mass land denial for a multitude of reasons, using the Brackets as a means of gatekeeping such undesirable decks away from their games.</p>
<p>But I'd argue that players that use the Brackets as a shield for new players against <em>every</em> player is a misuse of the tool. In some shape or form, at one point or another, players ought to experience losing against stax pieces or combo pieces or mass land denial.</p>
<p>In the simplest terms, <em>Magic</em> is a game where one person wins and at least one person loses. There's skill to playing <em>Magic</em>, and such skill can only be cultivated through trial and error (You know you've misplayed one of the latter and are now better for it).</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brainstorm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thoughtseize"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scroll Rack"></div></div>
<p>Using the Brackets to broadly police these trials and errors out of Commander is a misuse of the tool and not the outcome it was intended to produce. A safe space must be ensured for players seeking refuge from cards and strategies they don't desire, yes, but this shouldn't be done at the expense of fostering better <em>Magic</em> players.</p>
<p>In fact, such a space should only be used for those who are either so new that they must learn <em>Magic</em>'s basics before engaging with stronger settings or those who <em>have</em> experienced such settings and are seeking a relaxed experience.</p>
<p>This safe space loses its merit the moment it's forced upon players who have no desire to engage with it. Someone who exploits the Brackets by claiming the system demands players to conform to their expectations is misusing the tool for their own benefit. Rule Zero has never forced players to do anything other than open the door to talk about expectations, and the Bracket system is simply a tool that starts this conversation.</p>
<h2>Our Upkeep on Turn Zero</h2>
<p>Until an officially sanctioned Commander tournament forces players to abide by the Brackets regulations, there will never be a time when a player will be forced to go out of their comfort zone when a pod uses the tools at their disposal appropriately. In fact, those who would engage in a tournament regulated by the Brackets make the choice to agree to Bracket expectations, arguably dismissing the "I was forced to play against X" claim.</p>
<p>The issue of being forced into or out of one's comfort command zone doesn't stem from the Brackets imposing the CFP's or WotC's will upon players—it's always been and continue to be the players'. There are <em>plenty</em> of genuine complaints to lodge against WotC, the CFP, and the Brackets, but players misusing the Rule Zero discussion isn't one of them.</p>
<p>The safe space the Brackets intend to create cannot be used as the policing force to "ban" cards or decks. Do you not want to play against <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stasis" href="#" target="_blank">Stasis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> because you've hated your past experiences with it? Understandable, have a nice day playing against a more suitable deck. Do you not want to play against Stasis because of its reputation? Well... you absolutely have that choice, but you should really be concluding that on your own.</p>
<p>Understand why Statis is so hated, or why talks of <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> being banned are taking place, or why <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> is so ubiquitously strong. Take the time to learn <em>why</em> these things are on your own terms instead of exploiting the Rule Zero discussion into preemptively dictating what kind of game the pod should expect to play as opposed to wants to play.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Necropotence"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Panoptic Mirror"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Underworld Breach"></div></div>
<p>Similarly, try playing with these cards in your decks. See how much of a difference <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aura Shards" href="#" target="_blank">Aura Shards</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes in your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rin and Seri, Inseparable" href="#" target="_blank">Rin and Seri, Inseparable</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> token deck, or how <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> alters your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mr. House, President and CEO" href="#" target="_blank">Mr. House, President and CEO</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s experience. If it's unfamiliar, get familiar. Play around with them until you find out what your final verdict is.</p>
<p>In essence, we ought to learn how to better use the Rule Zero discussion and the Brackets to build a better Commander experience instead of insisting the tool do the hard work for us. A better <em>Magic</em> player cannot be built through waiting for WotC to analyze which rules are the most popular or which cards are the most hated. It's up to us to determine what Commander, a player-built format, means to us and how we engage with it.</p>
<p>The majority of <em>Magic </em>is <em>The Gathering</em>, after all. It only makes sense that <em>The Gathering</em> is what makes something <em>Magic.</em></p>
<div class="ArticlePage_content__j0Z44 wp-content">
<p>But what do <em>you</em> think? How do you feel about viewing Brackets more as a tool and less as the law? What are your thoughts on a safe space from "unfun" or powerful cards/decks? Do you think using the Brackets as a foundation instead of a deck builder's destination is worthwhile?</p>
<p>I hope this article is helpful in exploring what the Rule Zero discussion can look like and how to use the Brackets more effectively. Find me on BlueSky at <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/ajwicker4.bsky.social?utm_source=edhrec" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">@ajwicker4.bsky.social</a>, I'd love to hear from you and what your thoughts are.</p>
<p>Tune in next time to continue this deep dive in the Bracket system and more <em>Commander Philosophy!</em></p>
</div>


Why Are the Brackets Telling Me How To Play Commander?

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="New Way Forward" href="#" target="_blank">New Way Forward</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CEli+Minaya%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eli Minaya</a></em></p>
<p>Hello, and welcome to <em>Am I the Bolas</em>?<strong> This week, let's think about the past!</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 want to wish you a happy new year.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cycle of Renewal"></div></div>
<p><i>Thanks for kicking around the AItB column this year!</i></p>
<p>(Post edited for brevity, clarity, and then some.)</p>
<hr />
<h2>A Thank You to the Disciples of Bolas</h2>
<div dir="auto">
<p>On this final Wednesday of one of the most frustrating years of our lives, I wanted to look back on my first year of <em>Am I the Bolas?</em> with EDHREC and talk about my takeaways from the weekly submissions I've been lucky enough to cover.</p>
</div>
<p>I want to, as always, recognize and thank everyone who has ever read this column and submitted their stories to amithebolas@gmail.com. There are many of you probably wondering when your story is coming. Unfortunately, I can't guarantee I'll be able to use all of them, but I do endeavor to find a way to do so in the new year.</p>
<p>There are some that are just either too short or are absolutely gargantuan. There are some that get submitted around the same time as another that is very similar - for example, I have a great mass land destruction submission simmering in the inbox right now, but I don't want to use it since we just had an MLD sub two weeks ago.</p>
<p>There are some that I flat-out cannot bring myself to comment on publicly because some people need a private talking to rather than being put on blast. I digress.</p>
<p>I appreciate you all. Thank you for writing in.</p>
<div dir="auto">
<p>Here's what I've come around to in the last year thanks to the submissions and the thoughts they inspired.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God"></div></div>
</div>
<hr />
<h2>Speaking up Isn’t Easy, but It’s Necessary</h2>
<p>Over the entire run of <em>Am I the Bolas?, </em>whether on EDHREC or on Commander's Herald, there is a thread that persists. People are often put in situations that they quietly didn't want to be part of or even expressed they did not want to be part of. That sucks. Boo! Last week's entry is a great example of this. I'd link it here, but I'm writing both articles in advance. Click my name at the top of this and go look for it. It's a good submission and it's infuriating.</p>
<p>One thing I've been a proponent of is the idea that confrontation has this stigma to it that's undeserved. Sure, people expect confrontation and conflict to lead to the worst because folks often catastrophize the outcome, but is that outcome much worse than the situation you're in right now?</p>
<p>If I'm sitting at a table at my LGS, I've recruited two players to join, and a fourth walks over that I and the other two have discussed not enjoying games with, what do I do? Do we suffer through another game we don't enjoy? Is that better than being honest and direct with someone? It feels bad to exclude someone, sure, but do they want an undercurrent of resentment to permeate their gaming experience?</p>
<p>I'd rather be honest with that person. "Hey, pal. You are a nice enough person, but the decks you bring to the table are often too powerful for the silliness we're engaging with and we'd rather not do that again. Are you able to play one of our decks or do you have a deck that meets us where we're at? If not, we'd rather keep this seat open for someone who can match the play experience we're here for."</p>
<p>If they can produce a deck that meets the vibe, then great! If they can match the expectation of the pod, then awesome, we've had the rule zero conversation. If they don't want to play different decks or change, then they're free to explore the other options at the LGS that match what <em>they</em> are looking for.</p>
<p>Confrontation can be positive. It will lead to either exactly what you want, a compromise that meets many needs, or a simple moment where you can feel bad for a bit, but ultimately, you did right by you, and that's good, too!</p>
<p>Be open and honest. Don't be cruel or mean, but be honest. Assume positive intent, use kindness and open language to get your point across, and leave room for growth. I promise you many, many more positive game experiences if you take this to heart.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Veteran&#039;s Voice"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2>Water Off a Duck's Back</h2>
<p>I've noticed over time that I can get a little salty when threat assessment is tossed by the wayside. In every single submission about kingmaking, I have a moment of "that sucks" followed by a moment of "that's Commander, baby!"</p>
<p>It's a bummer to have your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghostly Prison" href="#" target="_blank">Ghostly Prison</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> destroyed all because Dylan was mad that you found a way through his token army with your now-unblockable commander to take him out of the game. That sucks. But it's also entirely within the possibilities when playing <em>Magic</em>.</p>
<p>Something that's helped me <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTGdAGPDBpo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Woosah</a> my way through it all is taking a beat to think "I have a new obstacle to get through now." That's the part of <em>Magic</em> I love. I enjoy making engines out of my deck and navigating through the obstacles. When someone does something to kingmake someone else, it might seem impossible, and in some cases, it is, but I get to try to dig for an answer and make it work.</p>
<p>I am grateful I get to play more games after this, I am grateful I saw decks "do the thing," and I am grateful for this game that makes me feel smart and creative all at once.</p>
<p>Letting things wash over me like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EPCPAx7h6k" target="_blank" rel="noopener">water off a duck's back</a> is what has allowed me to keep my peace and still be able to find moments to be present and happy playing <em>Magic.</em></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Turtle-Duck"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2>I'm Okay with a Little (Mass) Land Destruction</h2>
<p>Okay.</p>
<p>This isn't an invitation and I definitely hope you do this with a plan, still...but stax and mass land destruction are both things I'm coming around to in <em>Magic</em>. Maybe it's because I'm enfranchised and I'm looking for the more complex and taboo - much like music lovers will find their way to a noise-jazz album at some point or another - but I think I'm ready to give stax another go and to not be immediately upset at the possibility of land destruction.</p>
<p>Also, playing 1v1 <em>Magic</em> helps you get over this a little bit. Play some Limited. Enjoy the diversity and the new dynamics of play.</p>
<p>I'm not dwelling on this and don't want every deck I play against now to be stax or land destruction, I'm just saying, maybe sometimes, we can solve a puzzle that doesn't get out of the box often.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Armageddon"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2>Follow Your Impulse for Kindness</h2>
<p>This is going to feel like a bit of a brag, but whatever, who cares. I like who I am and I try to be a good person. Part of why I think that is because my impulses tend to be toward community and care.</p>
<p>For example, at the last prerelease I attended, a new player (first prerelease!) had a pack of penny sleeves that were falling apart. Without thinking, after watching him struggle for a minute, I handed him the pack of extra sleeves I've been lugging around at prereleases for years in case I open two wildly different decks from my kit (it only happened once). He was appreciative and thanked me.</p>
<p>"Whatever Mikey, that's nice, but don't you think you're tooting your own horn a little here? What, you need another pat on the back there, pal?"</p>
<p>Now, hold on! Later in the prerelease, I saw that same new player offer to give the tokens he had no use for to players in the pairing next to him who were searching for theirs. "Keep 'em! Spread the love!" he said. Look, I'm not taking credit for that. But I am saying that when more people are as open and giving, it invites more behaviors like that.</p>
<p>Years ago, I had a proxy for a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vandalblast" href="#" target="_blank">Vandalblast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in a deck because, at the time, they were hard to come by. Three bucks, but sold out at every store I knew of. I explained this to the pod I joined at my new LGS in Toronto and one of my opponents reached into his backpack, grabbed his binder, pulled out a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vandalblast" href="#" target="_blank">Vandalblast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> put it on the table. I offered him money, but he wasn't having it.</p>
<p>Since then, whenever I could and it wasn't breaking the bank, I've given players cards they mentioned needing. I've even gotten up to buy a copy from the LGS we're playing at if it wasn't going to hurt my pockets. Some the folks who've been on the receiving end of this have told me of times they've paid it forward and honestly, that's what I hope to see more of. A moment of sharing and joy that'll remind you that it might all be cardboard, but it's also the people.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="New Way Forward"></div></div>
<p>As always, thank you for submitting. Please continue to do 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>Happy New Year!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gift of Growth"></div></div>


Am I the Bolas? - A Year of Lessons

Rule Zero: Avatar's Double-Faced Sagas as Commanders

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Central Elevator // Promising Stairs" href="#" target="_blank">Central Elevator // Promising Stairs</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://cristibalanescu.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cristi Balanescu</a></em></p>
<h2>Setting Expectations</h2>
<p>How often do you find yourself playing games where decks are ill-matched?</p>
<p>Maybe the deck you brought is stronger than your opponents' decks, and you accidentally stomp the table. Maybe your opponent undersold their Eldrazi deck, and you chose a lower-powered deck based on that expectation. Commander is a complex format with decks that can wildly vary in power level.</p>
<p>Without a pre-game discussion, you might pull out a strong Bracket 4 deck against a player with a slightly upgraded precon and not realize the power difference until halfway into the game. This is a common experience, especially when playing with strangers at your local game store. It can sour any player's mood.</p>
<p>That's why you need an elevator pitch for your Commander decks.</p>
<p>When a player asks what your deck does or how strong it is, how do you reply? Do you mention what bracket level you think it is? Do you just say the theme? How you talk about your deck will set expectations for your opponents and may even be a deciding factor in how they pick their commander.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Edgar Markov"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bonny Pall, Clearcutter"></div></div>
<p>If you describe your deck as being slow because it's an Eldrazi deck that requires a lot of mana, your opponent might then think their <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edgar Markov" href="#" target="_blank">Edgar Markov</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck is too fast and instead play a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bonny Pall, Clearcutter" href="#" target="_blank">Bonny Pall, Clearcutter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck with that expectation.</p>
<p>Using simple descriptors to set power-level expectations might be fine in short-hand, but you hardly told your opponent anything about your deck. Yet they just know it's low-power and plan accordingly. The problem lies in the fact that what constitutes a low-powered deck will vary person to person.</p>
<p>So, when you set the expectation that your deck is low-power and then your deck outperforms the table early in the game, it can be frustrating for those players. You set an expectation for your opponents, and that expectation was broken the moment you popped off on turn four.</p>
<p>The bracket system looks to give everyone common language to use when determining the experience players want to have. It's a good step in the right direction. However, it's only a part of the discussion.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Bracket System</h2>
<p><img decoding="async" src="https://media.wizards.com/2025/images/daily/en_6Mf3Vbj8q6.jpg" /></p>
<p>Players at my LGS have openly accepted brackets and will mention what bracket their deck is before starting. This has been a huge step forward, given the number of times someone has pulled out a deck without saying anything, or didn't care to discuss power level. Brackets have somewhat narrowed down the conversation, so that if someone says they want to play Bracket 2, we know that means precon-esque power level. If we play Bracket 4, then we know for sure we're playing stronger decks.</p>
<p>And if we say Bracket 3, well...</p>
<p>Bracket 3 feels like the new seven. It's where players who don't understand that their deck is Bracket 4 will say their deck is a high 3. The landscape of Commander hasn't changed, and players still can undervalue their decks. The inclusion of the <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/game-changers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game Changers</a> list helps to set a clear line between brackets, but you certainly don't need Game Changers for a deck to be a Bracket 4.</p>
<p>That's the gray area of this system, and leaves it up to the players to self-evaluate their decks.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cyclonic Rift"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Smothering Tithe"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The One Ring"></div></div>
<p>Brackets are a step in the right direction when it comes to having a more unified understanding of power level, but the pre-game conversation can't simply be, "My deck is Bracket 3." Adding in more information to let others know what experience you're bringing to the table will go a long way to having more fun games of Commander.</p>
<p>My belief is that decks can hang in pods that are one bracket above or below their intended power level. A Bracket 3 deck should be fine in Bracket 4 pods or Bracket 2 pods. A Bracket 1 deck can be in a pod of Bracket 2 decks, etc. The issue arises when a Bracket 4 deck is played in a pod of Bracket 2 decks, or vice versa.</p>
<p>The power imbalance is more apparent when there's a difference of two brackets in any given scenario. The goal of having an elevator pitch for your deck is to have more effective pre-discussions that creates pods where the power-level differences are only off by one.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Pre-Game Discussions</h2>
<p>Pre-game discussions are important because they allow everyone to weigh in on the type of experience they're looking for.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jodah, the Unifier"></div></div>
<p>Recently, I played against someone who wanted to pull out his <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jodah, the Unifier" href="#" target="_blank">Jodah, the Unifier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck after we mentioned wanting a Bracket 3 game. He tried downplaying it, but after two other players at the table said they did not want to play against it, given that Jodah decks are often overwhelming and difficult to play against. So, that player swapped it out for a different deck.</p>
<p>I give this example because a notable commander like Jodah is easier to have expectations for since he's a popular commander that players have probably played against. But so many legends are printed every set, and it's impossible to have thoughts on, let alone experience with, all of these commanders. So, a simple pitch for your deck can help clue players in on what your deck brings to the table.</p>
<p>Think of it as asking players if they wish to play against this deck.</p>
<p>An elevator pitch needs to be simple and concise. It's a way to convey an idea quickly, but also needs to include keywords that players know and can grab onto. Start by mentioning the theme of the deck. Using common terms like "Aristocrat" or "+1/+1 Counters" gets the idea across of what your deck's archetype is.</p>
<p>In addition to this, mentioning the strategy of the deck will go a long way. Is it an aggro deck? Is it a control deck? Is it trying to assemble a combo? Is it a midrange deck that has varying game plans? Understanding the theme and strategy does a lot of heavy lifting because they're ideas that players know and will be able to grasp easily.</p>
<p>After that, mention what the goal of the deck is. Is it trying to win through combat? Are you casting burn spells to scorch the table? Mentioning the goal of your deck will help paint a better picture of what your deck wants to do.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Your Elevator Pitch</h2>
<p>Let's look at a simple formula for what you might say:</p>
<p>"[Commander Name] is my [Theme] deck. It's a [Strategy] deck that wants to accomplish [Goal]. It's Bracket [#]."</p>
<p>Here are some questions that you want to answer. Who is your commander? What theme is your deck? What's the goal of your deck, or how fast is the deck looking to win? What bracket # is your deck? Also, are there notable Game Changers that you should mention, such as extra turn spells or mass land denial?</p>
<p>Here's an example using one of my decks:</p>
<p>"<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gonti, Canny Acquisitor" href="#" target="_blank">Gonti, Canny Acquisitor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is my Rogue deck. It's a theft deck that wants to hit people with evasive Rogues to steal cards, and eventually pump up my Rogues for the win. It's Bracket 3."</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gonti, Canny Acquisitor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Slither Blade"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thieving Skydiver"></div></div>
<p>Let's dissect this example. In the first sentence, I'm answering who my commander is and what the theme is. In the second sentence, I'm answering what style of game plan my deck is and how it tries to win. This is important as some players might want to opt out of playing against a theft deck.</p>
<p>By talking about my deck's playstyle, I'm also giving my opponents the chance to opt out of an experience they don't wish to have. Archetypes like Chaos or Stax will have an effect on the game that players might not be up for.</p>
<p>In this example, Gonti is doing a lot of heavy lifting. My opponents will read what Gonti does and know that it's a theft deck. It helps that Gonti is well-known, as they're the face commander for the <a href="https://edhrec.com/precon/grand-larceny" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Grand Larceny</em> precon</a>. I also mentioned that this is a <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/rogues" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rogue-themed deck</a>. Gonti isn't necessarily a Rogue commander like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anowon, the Ruin Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Anowon, the Ruin Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, so I make sure to let people know that it's a typal deck with Rogue synergies.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anowon, the Ruin Thief"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grim Hireling"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Notorious Throng"></div></div>
<p>Rogue Typal isn't a super popular theme, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anowon, the Ruin Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Anowon, the Ruin Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> being the only notable Rogue commander. Unlike <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/vampires" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vampires</a> or <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/dinosaurs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dinosaurs</a>, which are more well-known archetypes, you'll have to explain more about what Rogues can do. Many Rogues are usually small and have evasion in some form, usually through being unblockable or having keywords like flying or shadow.</p>
<p>However, an unblockable 1/1 becomes more threatening when I put down a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Banner of Kinship" href="#" target="_blank">Banner of Kinship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and turn my small creatures into 7/7s. Or when I'm creating six Treasures a turn with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grim Hireling" href="#" target="_blank">Grim Hireling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>When I describe my deck to players, I might have to add that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Notorious Throng" href="#" target="_blank">Notorious Throng</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an extra turn spell that I could get back with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Halo Forager" href="#" target="_blank">Halo Forager</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bala Ged Recovery" href="#" target="_blank">Bala Ged Recovery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Or, I could emphasize that this is Bracket 3 and that it can generate a lot of card draw through spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kindred Discovery" href="#" target="_blank">Kindred Discovery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>While I can't explain all of this in a quick elevator pitch, emphasizing the deck is Bracket 3 will hopefully convey that this is an optimized list that has strong creature synergies.</p>
<p>Here's a link to my deck, <a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/9811771/gontis_rogue_criminal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gonti's Rogue Criminals</a>. Let me know if my pitch accurately describes my deck or if there's room for improvement.</p>
<hr />
<p>Let's look at another example:</p>
<p>"<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ognis, the Dragon&#039;s Lash" href="#" target="_blank">Ognis, the Dragon&#039;s Lash</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is my token deck. It's an aggro deck that uses hasty tokens to generate a lot of Treasure tokens and cast big splashy spells. It's Bracket 2."</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ognis, the Dragon&#039;s Lash"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Urabrask&#039;s Forge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mob Rule"></div></div>
<p>The goal is to illustrate that this is an aggro deck that wants to make Treasures each turn to cast big spells. Permanents that make haste tokens each turn, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urabrask&#039;s Forge" href="#" target="_blank">Urabrask&#039;s Forge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, make free attackers that will trigger Ognis. Then, once I've amassed a ton of Treasure tokens, I can cast big X spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Song of Totentanz" href="#" target="_blank">Song of Totentanz</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to create an army of Rats. With a focus on making creature tokens, I can get the most out of drain effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirkwood Bats" href="#" target="_blank">Mirkwood Bats</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nadier&#039;s Nightblade" href="#" target="_blank">Nadier&#039;s Nightblade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Finally, with all those Treasure tokens, I can cast big spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mob Rule" href="#" target="_blank">Mob Rule</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to swing out at my opponents. Here's a link to my deck, <a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/8074350/ognis_haste" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ognis' Hasty Minions</a>, and let me know if you think my elevator pitch accurately describes this deck.</p>
<p>Your elevator pitch will look different and may contain more or less the same information, but try out this formula if you're not sure where to start.</p>
<p>Your pitch may include why you built your deck. For example, if you're playing a Bracket 1 deck that has a unique build, you might want to talk about why you built the deck in the first place. Also mention if you have a self-imposed deck-building restriction, like Lenny Wooley's gumball decks, where each card can't cost more than 25¢. Or Dana Roach's Ognis deck that's restricted to mono-red. Unique decks often garner interest from other players.</p>
<p>In an episode of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4Y1xYBSaFw&amp;t=1s&amp;ab_channel=CommanderAtHome" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commander at Home</a>, Ben Brode built a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thraximundar" href="#" target="_blank">Thraximundar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck using only the tiny cards from the series of small <em>Magic</em> decks that <em>Wizards of the Coast </em>released. And for comedic effect, he used the oversized commander card of Thraximundar. While the premise of the deck is more of a gag than a theme, it's an example of how your reason for building the deck can be part of your pitch.</p>
<p>Commander decks are a form of expression.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Now It's Your Turn</h2>
<p>I would love to see more people take this exercise and use it at their local game stores. Giving your opponents an elevator pitch of your commander deck will encourage pre-game discussions and reduce the odds of games feeling imbalanced.</p>
<p>Being able to describe your deck effectively will not only improve games, but also help you better understand your deck. Maybe it can even help distill what you like about your deck and narrow down its focus.</p>
<p>Let me know your thoughts on this approach to pre-game discussions and if you have any suggestions on how you would improve it. Give me your best elevator pitches for your decks in the comments down below, and I'll see you next time!</p>
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rule zero

Am I the Bolas? - "I Would've Won and We Would've Played Another Game"

Am I the Bolas? - You Can't Shut Me Down, I Shut You Down!

Why Are the Brackets Telling Me How To Play Commander?

Am I the Bolas? - A Year of Lessons

Rule Zero: Avatar's Double-Faced Sagas as Commanders

Why You Should Have an Elevator Pitch for Your Commander Decks

Archetune-Up - Lolth Be Praised!