Hello and welcome back. First, I’m going to apologize. Spider-Man spoilers are swinging their way across the internet, but I won’t be covering them in today’s article. While I had started writing an article about some of the cards mechanics and synergies, two things happened to derail that. First, Matt Tabak essentially and more eloquently wrote about that and beat me to the initial release on the Magic website. Second, the Commander Format Panel had met Wednesday, and that overall interests me loads more than the Spider-Man set itself.
So again, apologies if you’re looking for that content today. I’ll get to it in the next article if nothing major happens with the CFP. Now, onto the subjects of interest I see coming up for the CFP to address from my tiny corner of the internet.
MORE LIKELY FOR THE CFP
The following sections are something the Command Format Panel have greater power to control or be a part of finding a solution for. Something to keep in mind is that the CFP can only directly affect the format rules, bans and unbans, and tweaking the bracket system. They only have limited ability to interact with other areas, and we’ll get to those soon. Otherwise, there are things they just can’t control or have a say in, and I’ll address those later.
THE BRACKET SYSTEM
One of the most common things I’ve seen mentioned is the Bracket system for Commander and how it IS good for the format but isn’t doing enough to help keep games as equal in power as some would appreciate. This is a valid critique of the system, as it was made to be somewhat vague to allow for a better range of matching decks and experience in a spectrum rather than a strict strata.
Unfortunately, some players are super, super rigid and if told not to do something or fail at reading the room, will simply do whatever they want (in casual Commander). Many of the critiques about the vagueness of the system I see in the comments to various CFP members are about that very abuse. There can be very, very powerful Bracket 2 decks (especially in Green), precons don’t always match Bracket 2, and Brackets 3 and 4 can overlap a bit too much. Shifting where those decks actually fall is partly up to the players involved in those deck designs.
I think this is a two fold problem, one with some players and one with the system. Some players are either lying or just not good at measuring their deck’s power against the pool of decks they play against and the system allows those abuses. The second is that the players who are asking for the changes to make the systems a bit more specific want something to help back them up when arguing against these players and their decks. At least, that’s what I’m getting out of it.
Having that backup would be helpful. I’ve run into some problems where people comment about a deck’s supposed strength, but having only one game with a deck is an almost worthless sample size. Even a few games, unless they are very consistent facing off against many different decks and obviously finely tuned, might not be enough to make a good judgment. So, the deck itself can be a lower bracket one game and elevated that next because of the system's vagueness and a player's interpretation of that system. Having a few more guidelines to not only help back up arguments for a deck not being used despite where the deck may fit in the Bracket system literally and to help those deck move into a more proper light and game strength might do wonders.
That said, this potential for abuse has been addressed by the creators of the bracket system, just not written down. There are also still many players that don’t use or don’t know about the bracket system either. Another comment I found frequently is that the communication about the system was hampered by having the infographic and having the article the dove more into the nuances of the system being separate. This could be an easy fix with a regular website or webpages people could visit all in one place, so we’ll see if Wizards of the Coast will donate some time to that and if the CFP suggests such.
PRECONSTRUCTED DECK POWER
Precons have come a long way since the beginning. They’re more powerful, more filled with synergistic cards, better lands (yes they’re better), and sometimes even infinite combos. This seems to be a concern for some players and I agree. My Feather deck (solid bracket 2 deck) has trouble keeping up with some of the precons made these days, and because of the power level out of the box some players have begun claiming that the relationship between the word “precon” and Bracket 2 should be reevaluated.
While players don’t want people buying comparably low powered decks, having them be as complex as they are is also seen as a bad onboarding ramp for new players to the format. I also agree with this, though it can be mitigated by a good teacher and practice over time. Still, something to bring the designs back a bit for new players would be nice, something between the two-colored decks meant for simpler play and the main deck series now might work. In my opinion, a simple main list with slightly better lands, since “good” lands are harder to get, would be just fine. Of course, the lands can’t be the best. People would buy the decks just for those if they had enough. It’s a tough balancing act.
That’s where the CFP comes in. They can suggest to WotC to pull back on some of the power in the decks since they are a body WotC could consult for feedback. However, this is a double-edged sword from a business perspective. Often, the “better” precons decks are sold out online and at the local LGS as many commenters have said online. Going for less powerful decks might mean less units sold for WotC (outside of the lands mentioned above), and it could also affect a set’s perception in the Commander sphere of the internet. Fixing that problem isn’t something WotC could fix either. Players like what they like, and they’ll buy those items. Some people also unfortunately buy them to resell later.
PRECONSTRUCTED DECK LEGENDS
Another critique of the precon decks were the legends that are engines and payoff for doing the thing. I agree with this one as well, though not as much as some other players. Hashaton, Felothar, and Tidus have been brought up as examples, but others could include Valgavoth and RGW Cloud. Really, any legend that is a self contained force of the table that more or less runs on its own. No real build around required, just add spice (or salt) and the deck is done.
I do think they pulled back a little recently with designs in Edge of Eternities, where the commanders are powerful via their effects and you build to abuse and get the payoffs from other cards OR they are kinda also a payoff but you have to build to get there. For the most part. That said, turning the ship would take design two to three years, so I can’t yet say this will continue as a trend. This also doesn’t extend to Universes Beyond yet, but Avatar and Spider-Man seem okay for the most part so far. Time will tell.
As above, the CFP can make those suggestions to WotC to take a less all-inclusive design approach and give us more build around commanders.
RHYSTIC STUDY (AND OTHER CARDS)
Banning Rhystic Study, or at least adding it to the Game Changers list, has been brought up again. With the cards longevity in this space as a talking point, it will hopefully get addressed. I’m personally fine with it joining the GC list. I already don’t run it myself and while it is very, very good, a deck can run fine without it. It could also present WotC an opportunity to printed a more balanced version if such a thing it possible.
Some other cards have come up for the GC list, or bans or unbans, but so far I’ve not read anything as consistent as Rhystic. Whole other subsections of cards have however. Planeswalkers as commanders has come up a few times, as have gold, silver, and the ‘fun’ cards from booster draft fun environments.
I’ll get to the silver border cards in a moment. First I’ll address the other two. Gold bordered cards at this point seem kind of a moot point, but it must still be affecting people. If you’ve played the format as long as I have, these cards are functionally identical to their actual peers, down to the art and templating. The only real difference besides the border is that the cards are cheaper (though largely still very expensive). While they are akin to the 30th anniversary edition cards in that they are real but not, I don’t see any reason personally why they can be allowed, and at least during games I’ve played with them, have been for years.
The mystery booster fun cards are a bit of a different story. Much like what I think the Silver Border Initiative is trying to achieve, these would likely have to be considered on a case by case basis, if at all. One problem with Commander as a format is the people want a myriad of things that often conflict with each other. As I mentioned prior, some players are clambering for a more descriptive Brackets System that helps them and others get the kind of games they want. That’s fine, but it can leave little wiggle room for flexibility if it becomes too rigid and a same-ish effect to be abused by bad actors. Just because people can/could doesn’t mean they should, after all. The cards from the mystery boosters come in many not-great-for-the-game flavors, or some are just weird, over powered, or underperform. Those cards aren’t there to be great, just entertaining and as such they vary wildly.
THE SILVER BORDERED INITIATIVE
Something I’m much more interested in is the Silver Border Initiative. I think it could be a slippery slope to let some silver and acorn cards in and not others, thereby still upsetting some people. However, there are some cards that would probably be fine for the format overall and work within the rules of a normal game.
Unfortunately we’ll have to wait for the CFP to meet and release any new developments. At the time of writing, I only know that they are meeting and asking for comments about the Commander format.
LESS LIKELY FOR THE CFP
THE COST OF PRECONSTRUCTED DECKS
Fortunately and unfortunately, the Commander Format Panel has very limited ability to change certain things, though they can voice their opinion. One such item is the price of a preconstructed decks for the format.
There is a lot to unpack as to why. Current economics from paper costs to shipping, limited print runs to meeting a higher projected demand. I’m not an economist or have any inside knowledge about this, but I wouldn't expect prices to drop anytime soon. Remember that the cards included in the product don’t really affect the price to produce the product, only what it costs when it hits the shelves (and likely some number are scalped away).
THE PACE OF RELEASES
There are other formats outside of Commander (right? Who knew?), and as such not only does the CFP not really have any power to change this, but it is likely to continue as long as the higher ups in WotC/Hasbro want the moneys. There really isn’t much more to say on this subject, but I completely identify with the fatigue. It was a central reason, even five years ago, I stopped doing Youtube.
DECKS ARE THE SAME
The hegemonization of decks is something that players also want to have addressed, but the CFP has very limited sway with this particular critique. While they can suggest reprints of cards instead of functionally or functionally near mechanically identical cards, a lot of the sets released need an infusion of cards for rotation purposes (forced or otherwise). Some of the cards will be best in class at what they do, so getting WotC to not print them will undoubtedly be an uphill battle.
Beyond that, they could advocate for players to take that responsibility on themselves to lessen the hegemonization of decks. It is my opinion on my opinion alone in this article that as uncomfortable as it is for some people we players are usually the problem with things. I mean it too. This isn’t to say that we weren’t basically given all the cards to create problems with, but it is our fault that we pick them up and put a sleeve around them. So, if players want less decks that are the same, outside of some very specific circumstances, that solution is ours to find.
UNIVERSES BEYOND POWER CREEP
Similar to my first point about the cost of preconstructed decks, the powerful cards that come with UB sets are there for a few reasons. The first obviously is money because a set has to sell. If you’re not offering something new that can keep up with how the game is played today, then it’s draft chaff (or a pet card). From a business side of things, this helps sell packs and decks.
Another side to it is people want their favorite characters to have impact in the game. They don’t always have to be the most broken thing to come out of the printer, but it certainly helps them be a desirable card and excite those fans who love the character. While not UB specifically, when Feather the Redeemed was spoiled from War of the Spark I was thrilled. I also obtained my copy by “stealing” it from a friendly draft with friends, so I understand the need for a card you want for a character you like (I declared the card mine and no one raised objections).
All that said, there is something about all of that contributing to power creep relative to other cards in the format. I faced a LOT of RGW Cloud in the weeks after the Final Fantasy released and the fact he has Haste is ridiculous and it helps him outclass most other equipment-centric commanders in those colors, which I believe are all UB cards anyway.
Beyond saying that there is power creep I saw nothing else specific about the complaint in my small corner of the internet. It would be cool if there is another Commander decks only set like Doctor Who or Warhammer 40K that had some input or oversight by the CFP, but their ability to affect card design might be limited or non-existent.
PRACTICE AND PATIENCE
With nothing announced at the time of writing coming out officially from the CFP, this article is only serving as a reminder that the Panel can and can’t really do. It’s best to keep that in mind when something doesn’t go in the way we’d hope.
Having a group of people that are looking out for our best interest (yes, they are despite some opinions) isn’t something to take for granted. When the Rules Committee disbanded and their role was given to Wizards of the Coast, I was greatly concerned that would be the end of an era. While it still was, it wasn’t the end of having people who play and care about this format being active in shaping it in a slow and steady fashion.
For that, I’m grateful
Until next time, shuffle up and enjoy.
