Commander Theory

Commander Theory episodes:

• 11.30.2023

  Is Monored Goodstuff Possible? ft. @golgariguy

  In this episode, Valerio (probably better known as @golgariguy on Twitter) returns to the show to discuss the absolute state of monored. Although White has gotten a lot of community attention in the last few years, Red has quietly fallen...

  
• 11.24.2023

  Lost Caverns of Ixalan Predictions

  Which cards from Lost Caverns of Ixalan are going to see the most play in Commander? How accurate were my predictions on which cards from Wilds of Eldraine would see the most adoption on EDHREC? Tune in to find out!...

  
• 11.16.2023

  The Maindeck Cards of Lost Caverns of Ixalan (and LCC Precons)

  Nick and guest host Brian descend into the Lost Caverns of Ixalan (and the associated precons), exploring the many new staples being released in the set and discovering a few gems that you may have missed. Support the show You...

  
• 11.09.2023

  The Commanders of Lost Caverns of Ixalan (and LCC Precons)

  Taking a slightly different approach to this spoiler season, as I'm skipping past the limited fodder legends and only doing a highlight reel of the most interesting commanders from both Lost Caverns of Ixalan AND the set's Commander precons. Let me...

  
• 11.02.2023

  WHO Set Review Part 3 - Maindeck Cards

  We're wrapping up our coverage of the Doctor Who Commander decks just in time for the end of Lost Caverns of Ixalan spoiler season! Nick is joined by patron Ben to discuss all the cards from WHO with potential to...

  
• 10.20.2023

  WHO Set Review Part 2 - Partners and Standalone Commanders

  We've gotten through WHO's Doctors and Companions, but the set of precons still has over 30 new options for Commanders to discuss, including many of the show's most iconic villains! Nick is joined by patron Ben to highlight the sweetest...

  
• 10.13.2023

  WHO Set Review Part 1 - Doctors and Companions

  With 15 doctors and 25 companions, WHO has unleashed a huge number of options for Commander brewers. Nick is joined by patron Jason to call out the most powerful of the 375 doctor/companion combinations, highlight the sweetest tech for these...

  
• 10.05.2023

  Wilds of Eldraine Predictions

  Which cards from Wilds of Eldraine are going to see the most play in Commander? How accurate were our predictions on which cards from Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth would see the most adoption? Tune in to find...

  
• 09.28.2023

  What Decks Have Gained the Most with @golgariguy

  Valerio (probably better known as @golgariguy on Twitter) returns to the show to discuss which Commander archetypes have gained the most in the last year of Magic releases. You may be able to guess a few but there have been a...

  
• 09.28.2023

  BONUS Episode: Ponies The Galloping 2

  Wizards recently released Ponies: the Galloping 2 as a Secret Lair Drop benefiting children's charity Extra Life. In addition to discussing the cards in this drop and their applications in Commander, I brought in the Discord server's resident MLP expert,...

  
• 09.21.2023

  RE-RUN: Underplayed Creature Types You're Sleeping On

  Taking a break to enjoy the post-spoiler season afterglow; please enjoy this re-run of one of my favorite eps from the past year. Typal is a well you can come back to over and over because, well, it's fun! And there...

  
• 09.15.2023

  Wilds of Eldraine Commander Precon Review

  Did you read through the Wilds of Eldraine spoiler and wonder where the heck the Faerie typal commander was? It's in the precons, as well as a Role so strong they couldn't release it into Standard. Nick and guest host...

  
• 09.07.2023

  The Maindeck Cards from Wilds of Eldraine

  Nick is joined by patron Cary to review the new maindeck cards from Wilds of Eldraine! While the set's themes are on the weak side there are still plenty of new format staples, powerful role-players to bolster narrow archetypes, and...

  
• 08.31.2023

  The Commanders of Wilds of Eldraine

  Nick is joined by patron Cary to review a fresh crop of legends from Wilds of Eldraine! Do you have a hot take or a spicy brew for one of the set's commanders? Hit me up and share your secret...

  
• 08.24.2023

  Our Favorite Keywords ft. Andy from the Legendary Creature Podcast

  In this week's ep, Andy from the Legendary Creature Podcast swung by the pod to chat about our favorite keywords in Magic! Decks discussed in this episode: Everything Typal Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon Sefris of the Hidden Ways Zur - REM Cycle Lord Windgrace Kadena,...

  
• 08.19.2023

  The Next 3 Years Of Magic - Ep. 244

  At GenCon this year Maro and the Magic: The Gathering Team released the plan for the next 3 years of magic sets, something they've never done before. They're calling these next 3 years the Omenpath Story and it starts with...

  
• 08.12.2023

  Lessons From Limited - Ep. 243

  Slothbear suggested this Episode in the CT discord server, and Nick and Zak thought it was a great idea for an episode. Slothbear asked how different formats affect the perception of build-arounds, synergies, and how to translate from 1v1 to...

  
• 08.04.2023

  Is Mono-White Fixed Now?? - Ep. 242

  There have been a TON of updates to Mono-White's suite of cards in the last few years since Nick and Zak released the "Quantifying The Color Pie" Episode, and we've checked in since, but this last year has been giving...

  
• 07.28.2023

  Commander Masters Precon Review - Ep 241

  Commander Masters follows the tradition of being a reprint-only set. JK there are new cards in the commander decks and it doesn't have a separate set code! In this episode, Nick and Zak get to the thing you're all used...

  
• 07.14.2023

  Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth Predictions - Ep. 240

  Well, we finished the set reviews, so what are your bets on the cards seeing the most play in LOTR??? Nick and Zak have some ideas, and do a quick check-in to see what they got right from March of...

  
• 07.07.2023

  Lord of the Rings Commander Decks - Ep. 239

  There comes a time in every review cycle when the two hosts of a podcast make time to get together and look at every new card in the Lord of the Rings, Tales of Middle Earth Commander Decklists. For Nick...

  
• 06.30.2023

  Criminally Underplayed Cards with GolgariGuy - Ep. 238

  There are a LOT of options for cards to play in Commander (basically all of them!), but that doesn't mean all cards get the love they deserve! On this episode Nick and Zak are joined once again by Valerio, better...

  
• 06.24.2023

  Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth Maindeck Cards - Ep. 237

  What's middle earth bringing to the 111th birthday this year? Well, a whole lot of new Magic cards! Nick and Zak dive straight into the nitty-gritty of the new set, talking about all the cards they think could have a...

  
• 06.16.2023

  Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth Legendary Creatures - Ep. 236

  It's finally here! Nick and Zak get into the legends from the set that are poised to make a splash and there are a lot of them! If you don't hear us talking about your favorite new commander from the...

  
• 06.09.2023

  RE-RUN: Seasons Past - The Dark

  Oh Boy! Our very first in the series before we knew we'd be doing it more! Due to some conflicts, this week will be a rerun episode, but we wanted to look back to an episode we really liked and...

  
• 06.05.2023

  How We'd Change Historic Brawl - Ep 235

  Nick and Zak are busy, which means more time away from the game table and friends. So how do they cope? Historic Brawl! The cohosts have sung the praises of the format before, but in this episode the two talk...

  
• 05.26.2023

  Seasons Past: Portal - Ep 234

  There are so many new cards, maybe you'd appreciate a blast from the past? This episode looks back at Portal, one of the first supplemental products for Magic: The Gathering that was intended as an on-ramp for new players. But...

  
• 05.19.2023

  Rule Zero to Hero - "Flip" Commanders - Ep 233

  So you saw a cool legend on the backside of a battle and were wishing you could play it as a commander, huh? Well, Nick and Zak look back at not just battles, but a lot of cards that are...

  
• 05.12.2023

  March of the Machine: Aftermath Set Review - Ep 232

  Does it count as lying if you didn't know it wasn't going to be true in a week? Nick and Zak have one last (we mean it!) spoiler episode for this cycle, and it's some of the most notable cards...

  
• 05.05.2023

  March of the Machine Predictions - Ep 231

  Nick and Zak try to stay on top of what people tend to want to play from sets as a thermometer on the format, so predictions are here! What happened with All Will Be One? Did the two co-hosts hit...

  
• 04.28.2023

  March of the Machine Commander Preconstructed Decks Review - Ep 230

  Another set another bunch of precons! What's that? This set is special and concludes a years-long, multi-set storyline about the Phyrexian invasion of the multiverse? Huh! In this episode Nick and Zak discuss the new cards you can find in...

  
• 04.23.2023

  March of the Machine Maindeck Cards - Ep 229

  Not much to say here! Nick and Zak get into the main deck cards they thought were notable and talk a whole lot of shop. Listen in and let us know what your favorite cards from the set were! Did...

  
• 04.15.2023

  March of the Machines Legendary Creatures Review - Ep 228

  That time again! With a huge swath of 33(!?!) new commanders, Nick and Zak get right to it! Digging into what decks might look like, what cards are really great within the decks, and the general designs they like and...

  
• 04.08.2023

  MOM Story Had Problems: Bonus episode! - Ep 227.5

  Much like the MOM story, we had problems too! While recording we didn't realize Zak's mic was being bypassed by the laptop mic (weird!) so please forgive the less-than-optimal quality on this bonus episode. THAT SAID, Nick had a lot...

  
• 04.08.2023

  Honor Among SLDs: The D&D Movie Crossover Cards - Ep 227

  With the release of the Dungeons and Dragons movie comes a new Secret Lair Drop, complete with commanders for each main character from the movie, and one... large one! Did Wizards do a good job representing the characters on the...

  
• 04.01.2023

  Custom Commanders: Universes Beyond Edition (With Andy from the Legendary Creature Podcast) - Ep 226

  What would your favorite non-Magic characters look like as a magic card? We asked and patrons and other followers responded with some rad designs! In this episode, Nick is joined by Andy from the Legendary Creature Podcast to talk about...

  
• 03.24.2023

  Confessions of a Brewaholic: Brew Better with Jason - Ep 225

  Today's episode highlights community member, CT friend and fan Jason Belk, who is back again for an episode about brewing better! Sometimes a deck concept sits in your mind for a bit too long. Sometimes you buy cards you want...

  
• 03.18.2023

  Feelbads and Threat Assessment With GolgariGuy

  Ever feel targeted because someone at the table didn't like that you were milling them? Ever get irrationally angry when you see someone play a plague stinger? Well, this episode might be for you! In this episode, Nick and Zak...

  
• 03.10.2023

  Budget Builds With Recent Commanders

  The hype train keeps rolling, and with March of the Machines looming on the horizon Nick and Zak wanted to take a look at some decks they liked from the last few months that ended up being budget options! Some...

  
• 03.03.2023

  Bring Back Battlecruiser Magic: Talking PreDH With Charlotte Sable

  New sets this, product fatigue that, all these commanders you've never heard of before. Isn't there any hope for a Magic boomer around here?! Well, the answer is, unsurprisingly, yes! So Nick and Zak had friend-of-the-show and CAG member Charlotte...

  
• 02.25.2023

  Tips and Tricks for Colorless Lists

  About a third of all colorless commanders have been printed in the last 2 years. The family is small, but they sure are mighty! And with more confirmed on the way combined with a fairly large swath of exciting designs...

  
• 02.18.2023

  What Cards WILL BE Most Played? ONE Predictions

  LAST CALL! Boy, I sure am glad everything is one! But it's time to move on, and we had fun! Right? In this episode, Nick and Zak spend time looking over the cards that were most popular in BRO and...

  
• 02.11.2023

  Top 10 Cards from All Will Be One

  ALL WILL BE ONE... top ten list! Normally we'd do the legends, and then the main-deck cards, but we had gotten some feedback and wanted to try something different this time. Here are Nick and Zak's 10 favorite cards from...

  
• 02.03.2023

  All Will Be One Legends

  ALL WILL BE ONE. Unless you're this review of ONE which is broken up into multiple parts. In this episode, Nick and Zak look at the commanders in the main set/theme boosters and see what each legend is doing. Are...

  
• 01.27.2023

  All Will Be One Commander Decks

  Welcome to preview season! Is that some oil dripping from your eyes, or are you just happy to see us? All Will Be One is here and with it, two whole commander decks! As is tradition Nick and Zak get...

  
• 01.20.2023

  Rerun - The Commander Theory Deck Building "Template" Ep. 182

  Nick and Zak are off this week, but here's an episode from about a year ago they  "Many content creators on the internet have posted episodes of shows and podcasts where they discuss a baseline way to build decks. They're...

  
• 01.17.2023

  Rerun - Phyrexian Rebirth Adventure Module

  Since the story is out, and so are we, why not try this fun module Nick put a lot of effort into?  "You read that right: this week on Commander Theory Nick and Zak discuss a project Nick has been...

  
• 01.07.2023

  When To Run Ramp

  Recently Sam Black Tweeted about lands in commander which started a whole fire of people online getting upset and discussing something that's just probably true: you probably run too few lands in your commander decks. Most people will say that...

  
• 12.30.2022

  Cards You’re Playing Wrong ft. Charlotte Sable

  Magic is hard! Sometimes there are corner cases in the rules that people never learn or interactions that don’t quite work the way people expect them to. Are there any cards that people are just playing wrong? Today friend of...

  
• 12.24.2022

  Seasons Past: Urza's Saga

  What a wild time it was for Magic back in 1998! Cards were crazy powerful, interaction was basically non-existent, and there were bannings galore in the only real format at the time. People were leaving in droves! And yet, most...