<h2>Time To Cast Your Vote!</h2>
<p>Since the last EDHREC Combo Vote in 2025, there have been a few new cards printed.</p>
<p>To be exact, that number is 2,394 new cards. Granted, many of them don't find themselves contributing to two-card combos. But a lot of them do.</p>
<p>With that many cards comes a lot of data, and data is what EDHREC does. So to incorporate those new cards, and to better reflect any changes in the community's sentiment toward existing two-card combos, we're running back the Commander Bracket Combo Vote.</p>
<p>Voting begins <em>now</em> and will be open through April 12.</p>
<p><strong>Everyone's invited to <a href="https://edhrec.com/combo-vote" target="_blank" rel="noopener">head here and start participating</a>.</strong></p>
<h2>How Does It Work?</h2>
<p>Utilizing combo data from EDHREC's sister site <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commander Spellbook</a>, voters are presented with a two-card combo and are asked three questions:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong> Can this combo be reasonably executed in the first six or so turns?</strong></li>
<li><strong>Are the prerequisites (ignoring mana) easy enough that you'd still call this a two-card combo?</strong></li>
<li><strong>Is it easy to leverage this combo into a win?</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>If you've ever wondered if a two-card combo in your deck might impact which <a href="https://edhrec.com/guides/edhrec-guide-to-commander-brackets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bracket</a> it belongs in, this community-driven vote will help decide.</p>
<p>EDHREC will use the collected data to display Bracket ratings for individual combos on the site as well as sharpen Bracket estimates for <a href="https://archidekt.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Archidekt</a>'s deck analysis. While Brackets help players determine their deck's power level, a deck incorporating infinite or near-infinite two-card combos might be hard to categorize on its surface.</p>
<p>To that end, each question in the Combo Voting is built around measuring real in-game impact in an average Commander game.</p>
<p>The data generated won't carry official status, but it will help players assess where their combo-powered decks actually land among the Bracket System, and provide data to smooth those Bracket-related pre-game conversations.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Felidar Guardian"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Restoration Angel"></div></div>
<p>On the voting page, each voter will be presented with a two-card combo as identified by Commander Spellbook.</p>
<p>They'll be asked to assess the combo using the above three questions with either a "Yes," indicating that they agree with the question in relation to the combo, or "No," indicating that they do not agree.</p>
<p>Based on the voter's answers, they'll be presented with an opportunity to submit a vote for the lowest-powered Bracket in which the combo is safe to play.</p>
<h2>When Can I Vote?</h2>
<p><strong>Voting will be live from Wednesday, April 8 through Sunday, April 12.</strong></p>
<h2>How Will It Help?</h2>
<p>The Bracket System saw a "beta" period before being rolled out officially in February of 2025. In October 2025, the Commander Format Panel made adjustments to the specific classifications, <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/commander-brackets-beta-update-october-21-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">which you can read about here</a>.</p>
<p>In short, every Commander deck will fit into one of five Brackets based on a number of criteria related to that deck's power level, card inclusions and intent.</p>
<div id="attachment_181228" style="width: 1255px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Commander_Brackets_Beta_v3-e1775587769534.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-181228" class="wp-image-181228 size-full" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Commander_Brackets_Beta_v3-e1775587769534.jpeg" alt="" width="1245" height="803" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Commander_Brackets_Beta_v3-e1775587769534.jpeg 1245w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Commander_Brackets_Beta_v3-e1775587769534-300x193.jpeg 300w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Commander_Brackets_Beta_v3-e1775587769534-1024x660.jpeg 1024w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Commander_Brackets_Beta_v3-e1775587769534-768x495.jpeg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1245px) 100vw, 1245px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-181228" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">October 2025's revised Commander Brackets infographic.</span></p></div>
<p>The "Exhibition" Bracket, or Bracket 1, contains decks that "just focus on fun" and are usually based on a theme - in other words, "ultra-casual." Next up is "Core," followed by "Upgraded" and "Optimized."</p>
<p>According to Gavin Verhey and other Commander Format Panel (CFP) members, most decks fall into those two latter categories. Lastly, there's the "cEDH" Bracket, which is exactly what it sounds like.</p>
<p>We see above that the first three Brackets specifically call out two-card combos as prohibitive of placement in that Bracket. But what exactly determines a "two-card combo," its feasibility in being played in early stages of the game, and whether that combo truly "ends" a game? That's where your vote matters.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The World Tree"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Maskwood Nexus"></div></div>
<p>Commander Spellbook is host to more than 80,000 combos - doubled from when this vote was organized last year - and that number includes many dozens of clear two-card combos.</p>
<p>However, many of these combos fall into a bit of a "gray area" due to either the prerequisites required to initiate their effect, or the effect itself possibly not being game-ending on its own. That's covered in the latter two questions with which voters will be prompted.</p>
<p>As for the first question, the Commander Format Panel defines "early game" as "players able to expect to play at least six turns before anyone wins or loses," which is why the question is worded in this way.</p>
<p>If a two-card combo can be reasonably executed in the early game, that has relevance when determining which Bracket a deck might belong to.</p>
<h2>Where Does the Data Go?</h2>
<p>The information generated from this year's Commander Bracket Combo Vote will be used in a variety of ways much like last year's, but first and foremost the updated data will be available for public viewing on EDHREC in the weeks following the end of the initial voting period.</p>
<p>The primary goal behind the Commander Bracket Combo Vote is to provide players with more tools with which to assess their decks through the lens of the Bracket System.</p>
<p>To that end, deckbuilding site <a href="https://archidekt.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Archidekt</a> will also be provided the data to allow the site to provide a more accurate estimate of a deck's Bracket.</p>
<p>White the Commander Bracket Combo Vote is not conducted in association with Wizards of the Coast, the data generated by the voting, like everything else on EDHREC, is thanks purely to the community at-large.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Biovisionary"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rite of Replication"></div></div>
<h2>What's Next?</h2>
<p>Nothing! Other than voting, that is. <a href="https://edhrec.com/combo-vote" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Let's get to it!</a></p>
<p>The Commander Bracket Combo Vote is now live, and the only thing left to do is lend your Commander expertise to it.</p>
<p>As always, thanks for reading, and happy voting!</p>


Commander Bracket Combo Voting Returns!

<p style="text-align: right;"><em>Header image art by <a href="https://victoradameart.com/">Victor Adame Minguez</a> (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="High Perfect Morcant" href="#" target="_blank">High Perfect Morcant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) | <a href="https://danscottart.com/">Dan Murayama Scott</a> (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flourishing Defenses" href="#" target="_blank">Flourishing Defenses</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>)</em></p>
<p>It behooves <em>Magic </em>players to keep one eye on reveals at all times, these days.</p>
<p>While the buzz generated from a Tuesday drop of a number of <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/msh">Marvel Super Heroes</a> </em>cards was still reverberating, even more reveals rippled out from Wizards of the Coast HQ. Yesterday, that came in the form of three cards:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Unexpected Assistance"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Perfect Intimidation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="High Perfect Morcant"></div></div>
<p>It's that last one aiming to outshine its superheroic rivals guest-spotting from <em>Marvel. </em></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="High Perfect Morcant" href="#" target="_blank">High Perfect Morcant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, revealed as part of the ongoing <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/ecl"><em>Lorwyn Eclipsed</em></a> <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/magic-story/lorwyn-eclipsed-episode-1-out-of-this-wood">story arc</a>, is barely a day old and is already flying up the ranks.</p>
<p>As of the time of this writing, we can see High Perfect Morcant is already leading 200 decks, as per EDHREC. To put that into context, there are three other legendary creatures from <em>Lorwyn Eclipsed </em>that have been in the public's collective awareness since <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/everything-revealed-for-2026-in-the-preview-panel-at-magiccon-atlanta">MagicCon Atlanta in late September</a>:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ashling, Rekindled"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sygg, Wanderwine Wisdom"></div></div>
<p>That's three months, give or take, of deckbuilding time for that original trio. Eirdu's leading the way with 612 lists, while Ashling's leading 211. Sygg's bringing up the rear with 90.</p>
<p>That means in only 24 hours, High Perfect Morcant's already more popular than Sygg, and breathing down the rekindled neck of Ashling.</p>
<h2>What's powering that popularity?</h2>
<p>We can look for early indicators on <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/high-perfect-morcant">Morcant's Commander Page</a>.</p>
<p>From the hop, there's one glaring bit on Morcant's type line that'll always propel people into a deckbuilding frenzy: Elf.</p>
<p>Elves, <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/kindred">as a creature type</a>, are the second-most popular build-around, behind only Dragons.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lathril, Blade of the Elves"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Voja, Jaws of the Conclave"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Galadriel, Light of Valinor"></div></div>
<p>The above legends are the type's most popular leaders right now, with Lathril leading the way at 9,367. So Morcant's got a ways to go. But with 200 lists, Morcant's already more popular than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Imaryll, Elfhame Elite" href="#" target="_blank">Imaryll, Elfhame Elite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and not too far behind <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eladamri, Lord of Leaves" href="#" target="_blank">Eladamri, Lord of Leaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (294), a card that has a nearly three-decade headstart.</p>
<p>That's not saying too much, though, since Elves have plenty of better options for Commander these days. It remains to be seen where Morcant'll end up, but the card's got one thing about it the other Elf bosses don't, and that's an immediate and obnoxious two-card combo:</p>
<div id="1084-7151" style="width: 100%; position: relative; overflow: visible; display: flex; justify-content: center;"><img decoding="async" id="csbLoad" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/images/gear.svg" alt="csb logo" width="300" /><br />
<script id="1084-7151" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/embed.js?v=1&uses=%5B%22High%20Perfect%20Morcant%22%2C%22Flourishing%20Defenses%22%5D&requires=%5B%5D&produces=%5B%22Near-infinite%20ETB%22%2C%22Near-infinite%20creature%20tokens%22%2C%22Near-infinite%20proliferate%22%2C%22Reduce%20any%20number%20of%20opposing%20creatures'%20toughness%20to%200%22%2C%22Reduce%20any%20number%20of%20opposing%20creatures'%20toughness%20to%200%20whenever%20an%20Elf%20enters%20under%20your%20control%22%5D&id=1084-7151&color=G&extraRequirementCount=0"></script></div>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="." width="0" height="0"></iframe><br />
As seen above, pairing Morcant's ability with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flourishing Defenses" href="#" target="_blank">Flourishing Defenses</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> pretty much immediately wipes the battlefield free of any creature you don't control, and keeps it that way for as long as you've got both cards in play.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flourishing Defenses"></div></div>
<p>How popular is this particular pairing? Of the 200 Morcant decks already logged, 79% of them include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flourishing Defenses" href="#" target="_blank">Flourishing Defenses</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. People see a two-card combo, and they want to play that two card combo. <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/analyzing-marvel-super-heroes-first-trending-commanders">Just look at <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Caltrops" href="#" target="_blank">Caltrops</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></a>.</p>
<p>That percentage of inclusion is tops in Morcant decks by a mile if we factor out Elf creatures. Of the decks' noncreature spells, the next-most popular card is Elvish Promenade, at 61%</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elvish Promenade"></div></div>
<p>Oh, and earlier, that wasn't entirely true. There <em>is </em>one other Elf legend that can be a part of a two-card combo:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nath of the Gilt-Leaf"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sadistic Hypnotist"></div></div>
<div id="28-3611" style="width: 100%; position: relative; overflow: visible; display: flex; justify-content: center;"><img decoding="async" id="csbLoad" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/images/gear.svg" alt="csb logo" width="300" /><br />
<script id="28-3611" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/embed.js?v=1&uses=%5B%22Nath%20of%20the%20Gilt-Leaf%22%2C%22Sadistic%20Hypnotist%22%5D&requires=%5B%5D&produces=%5B%22Opponents%20can%20only%20have%20cards%20in%20hand%20when%20it%20isn't%20your%20turn%22%5D&id=28-3611&color=BG&extraRequirementCount=0"></script></div>
<h2><iframe loading="lazy" src="." width="0" height="0"></iframe></h2>
<p>There's also the aspect of <em>blight. </em></p>
<p>With High Perfect Morcant, we're getting a new keyword in <em>blight, </em>which reads:</p>
<p><em>Blight 1. (They each put a -1/-1 counter on a creature they control.)</em></p>
<p>It's a new, fancy thing on a <em>Magic </em>card, which means there'll be plenty among us who are going to want to give it a whirl. And who can blame them? So far, on the exactly one (1) card on which it exists, it's really neat.</p>
<h2>Hoofin' It Up the Rankings</h2>
<p>Obviously this is all kneejerk speculation, since the card doesn't technically exist yet. <em>Lorwyn Eclipsed </em>doesn't release until January 23, 2026, which is simultaneously way too long of a wait and also right around the corner.</p>
<p>It'll be interesting to see where everything shakes out in terms of popularity of <em>Lorwyn Eclipsed </em>commanders, and EDHREC's the place to be to read all about that very topic as it develops.</p>
<p>In the meantime, reveals are going to come fast and furious - hell, in the span of writing this article, there's already been another:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kirol, Attentive First-Year"></div></div>
<p>Our little vampire teenager's already leading themselves one whole commander deck on EDHREC, acquired in the span of an hour or two.</p>
<p>So where do <em>you </em>fall when it comes to High Perfect Morcant? Signpost for what'll be a great set in <em>Lorwyn Eclipsed</em>? Or red flag?</p>
<p>Where do you think it lines up in terms of popularity opposite Bruce Banner and the rest of the Universes Beyond offerings that bookend <em>Lorwyn Eclipsed's </em>release? Sound off below!</p>
<h3>Read More:</h3>
<p>https://edhrec.com/articles/analyzing-marvel-super-heroes-first-trending-commanders</p>
<p>https://edhrec.com/articles/way-too-early-top-10-cards-of-2026</p>
<p>https://edhrec.com/articles/ashling-rekindled-ashling-rimebound-deck-tech</p>


The Popularity of High Perfect Morcant: 24 Hours Later

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rocco, Street Chef|mat|94" href="#" target="_blank">Rocco, Street Chef</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CJack+Hughes%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jack Hughes</a></em></p>
<hr />
<p>Hello, and welcome to <em>Am I the Bolas</em>?</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, aka Mark Carbonza, and I have no idea who this lil guy is, but I can't stop saying his name over and over and over again.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Papalymo Totolymo"></div></div>
<p><em>Papalymo Totolymo! Papalymo Totolymo! Papalymo Totolymo!!!</em></p>
<p>This week, why it's important to have a rule zero chat.</p>
<p>(Post edited for brevity, clarity, and then some.)</p>
<hr />
<h2>SUBMISSION</h2>
<div dir="auto">
<p><em>Hi Mary Carbonara,</em></p>
<div><em>Got a story where I'm trying to determine whether I broke social rules or if someone spilled the salt shaker on his playmat.</em></div>
<div></div>
<div><em>I play mostly on Spelltable recently and found myself in a lobby titled "Bracket 3 Fun Decks". I pull out my <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rocco, Street Chef" href="#" target="_blank">Rocco, Street Chef</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> <a href="https://moxfield.com/decks/joLFwCA-8kOw_O2vQfGe5Q" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deck</a> before the other players take out <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>, <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>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kambal, Consul of Allocation" href="#" target="_blank">Kambal, Consul of Allocation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. There was not much of a pre-game discussion and "fun decks" is subjective, but a stax deck, a stax deck, and Eminence reads relatively powerful in my mind.</em></div>
<div><em><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deadpool, Trading Card"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Edgar Markov"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kambal, Consul of Allocation"></div></div></em></p>
</div>
<div></div>
<div><em>My Rocco deck has various win lines, but it does have two combo packages: one centered around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="All Will Be One" href="#" target="_blank">All Will Be One</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Red Terror" href="#" target="_blank">The Red Terror</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-type effects and the other around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rosie Cotton of South Lane" href="#" target="_blank">Rosie Cotton of South Lane</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scurry Oak" href="#" target="_blank">Scurry Oak</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects. Notably, neither of these combos are two-card combos, it needs another piece to end the game, and I run a single tutor in the deck: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rocco, Cabaretti Caterer" href="#" target="_blank">Rocco, Cabaretti Caterer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for flavor reasons (pun extremely intended). To me, this makes the combos fair game in a Bracket 3 game. But this was not discussed before mulligans.</em></div>
<div></div>
<div><em>The game starts off well enough. An early <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Birds of Paradise" href="#" target="_blank">Birds of Paradise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives me a turn-two commander, and every player benefits from it on that turn rotation. By the next turn though, Deadpool comes out and turns off my Rocco, but gives everyone another impulse draw. A turn or so after that, I stick Rosie Cotton on the field and have my one and only tutor on an impulse draw with only a single turn to cast it. I do some quick maths, then move to my turn.</em></div>
<div></div>
<div><em>My draw for turn is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Peregrin Took" href="#" target="_blank">Peregrin Took</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Given my mana situation, I am able to play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rocco, Cabaretti Caterer" href="#" target="_blank">Rocco, Cabaretti Caterer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, tutor <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scurry Oak" href="#" target="_blank">Scurry Oak</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to the field, play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Peregrin Took" href="#" target="_blank">Peregrin Took</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which starts the loop:</em></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scurry Oak" href="#" target="_blank">Scurry Oak</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s evolve trigger puts a counter on it, making a Squirrel</em></li>
<li><em>The Squirrel triggers <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Peregrin Took" href="#" target="_blank">Peregrin Took</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, making a Food</em></li>
<li><em>Each token triggers Rosie Cotton to put a counter on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scurry Oak" href="#" target="_blank">Scurry Oak</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></em></li>
<li><em>Rinse and repeat</em></li>
</ul>
<div><em>I demonstrate the loop to the table, signaling points to interact, of which the table has none. Deadpool player asks rather assertively whether there is a "may" on any of the triggers. I begin to explain that no, but I can choose to put the counters elsewhere, but I get interrupted by him again before I can finish, asking the same question. I shorten my explanation and end the loop, ending with 69,420,000,000 Foods and Squirrels. I demonstrate drawing most of my deck with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Peregrin Took" href="#" target="_blank">Peregrin Took</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with a rather clear line in mind.</em></div>
<div><em> </em></div>
<div><em>Before I can make a play though, the Deadpool player again interrupts saying "Okay I scoop. I'm not about to wait here for ten minutes while you figure out what your lines are." Before I can reply, he alt+F4s, as does the Edgar player. Kambal sticks it out while I ramp out <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Night of the Sweets&#039; Revenge" href="#" target="_blank">Night of the Sweets&#039; Revenge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, buff my board and swing out. </em></div>
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<div><em> </em></div>
<div><em>The rage quitting here is what has me questioning my Bolas status. I can't determine whether the reaction was due to losing, or an unexpected combo, or because he really thought I would take too long to round out the game. So my question is: Am I the Bolas for playing a three-card combo in Bracket 3 without discussing it beforehand? And do the decks I'm playing against justify me playing more cutthroat than I might if I was against more "socially fun" decks? </em></div>
<div><em> </em></div>
<div><em>Thanks for your time, </em></div>
<div><em> </em></div>
<div><em>BluePaint</em></div>
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<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 like this one so much I might bring it on the podcast this week.</p>
<p>For simplicity's sake, <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/commander-brackets-beta-update-april-22-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here's the most recent bracket breakdown</a> we got in April 2025 from Gavin.</p>
<p><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tHg5ycJPfJ.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-155774 aligncenter" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tHg5ycJPfJ-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="649" height="366" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tHg5ycJPfJ-300x169.jpg 300w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tHg5ycJPfJ-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tHg5ycJPfJ-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tHg5ycJPfJ-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tHg5ycJPfJ.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 649px) 100vw, 649px" /></a></p>
<p>Bracket 3 states that it's the Upgraded bracket with the following expectation:</p>
<p><em>"Decks are thoughtfully designed, full of synergistic or strong cards. Games could end out of nowhere with powerful spells and late-game combos." </em>It forbids mass land denial and chaining extra turns while allowing specifically <em>late-game</em> two-card infinite combos. Notably, the stipulation of "few tutors" disappears in Bracket 3, which we assume means that tutors are good to go in the bracket as long as they aren't Game Changers that surpass the amount you're allowed to have to remain in this bracket. Up to three Game Changers are allowed, but this isn't important here.</p>
<p>Suffice it to say, there's an expectation that you'll be playing with <em>some</em> power and you can expect some games to end abruptly if a deck gets there. If you label games as Bracket 3, these are the things we've come to agree upon. If there's anything that you disagree with in the Bracket 3 breakdown, it should be mentioned in a rule zero discussion. While I don't like tutors for myself, I don't impose that rule on others, so I don't bring it up. However, two-card infinite combos are a bummer no matter when the game comes together. At least three pieces and even then, I'd rather die to a seven-piece combo I've never seen before - and that's just a takeout order! BADUM TSS!</p>
<p>I can see where the others are coming from in the sense that the tutor got the final piece to a combo that essentially wins you the game, but that doesn't take into account the fact that you had to draw <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Peregrin Took" href="#" target="_blank">Peregrin Took</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, too. This is now a three-card combo that allows you to draw into a win pretty effectively. There are interaction points, but I'll forgive Bracket 3 for not packing the instant-speed board wipe heat.</p>
<p>There's a bit of a "technically it's Bracket 3" thing happening here where, while it's not the late-game per se, considering the story might take place at turn four or five, it's not a <em>two</em>-card combo, it's a <em>three</em>-card combo. It's still in early stages of the game, but it meets the requirement of not being a <em>two</em>-card combo.</p>
<p>It still ended the game sooner than the others expected, but technically falls within Bracket 3. I think considering the information you had, plus, let's face it, a Kambal and Edgar are at the table along with a new commander that threatens to turn your own commander off, you played within the rules. The hesitance or reluctance to have a rule zero discussion is what led to this and should be a learning moment for the Edgar and Deadpool players. Have the conversation.</p>
<p>It's also totally fair to not want to play with someone who plays combos with so few pieces that go off so early. The way they went about it was dumb and sad, really. You'd figure the Deadpool player (who must've gotten it hot off the presses considering when this submission was made) would find a way to have a laugh about it. This is something to bring up in the rule zero conversation and if that's not been discussed then leaving abruptly, while well within your right, wouldn't make me want to play with you again either. The assumption that you didn't know what you were digging for after explaining the combo clearly is also bananas to me. Why wouldn't you stick around and hear someone out or say "okay, I scoop, but for the next one, how about no infinite combos until later in the game"? It seems so petty and (I've been trying to avoid this word) childish to storm off without hearing about what you're looking for and saying you expect a ten-minute wheel-spinning turn. I see somebody comboing out like that, I'll ask if they know what they're looking for and scoop when they say it's coming.</p>
<p>I think the other thing this highlights is that there's a yearning for the "my deck is a seven" crowd to find a space that lets them build at Bracket 3, but play at Bracket 2 - longer games with no abrupt endings, but they can still use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jeska&#039;s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Jeska&#039;s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>You're not the Bolas. I will encourage you to speak up and insist on the rule zero chat and to bring up stuff like this in the future so everybody is clear. That said, this is within the bracket rules and seems like it would have been a hurdle game at worst at most tables - a game you have where you find out that maybe you're not all on the same page but now it's time to chat and get on the same page, pull out new decks and get another going.</p>
<p>Thanks again for writing in!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rocco, Street Chef|mat|94"></div></div>


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