Grab your water, because it’s about to get dehydrated in here. 🧂

In Episode 109 of Commanders Pod, Jeff is still away, leaving Duncan and Sloan to sift through the salt mine of the Commander format. Today, we are breaking down the "Social Contract" and identifying exactly what makes players scoop in frustration.

From the cards that make the table groan to the playstyles that turn a friendly game into a political nightmare, we’re ranking the saltiest elements of the game. Are you "Lot's Wife" without even knowing it? Or is the community being too sensitive about high-power interaction?

In this episode, we discuss:

- The Salt Score: Our personal rankings of the most hated cards in the 99.

- Player Etiquette: The "Saltiest" things a player can do (that aren't even about the cards).

- Managing the Table: How to handle "Salt" in your local meta and keep the games fun for everyone.

What’s your "Saltiest" MTG story?

We want to hear about the move that made you—or your opponent—the saltiest. Tell us your stories in the comments below!

Support the Pod:

Patreon: https://patreon.com/Commanderspod?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=join_link 

Website: https://commanderspod.com

Email: [email protected]

In Episode 108 of Commanders Pod, Duncan and Sloan are heading into the lab to help one of our incredible Patrons optimize a true classic: Krenko, Mob Boss.Krenko is famous for creating an overwhelming board state in seconds, but in a world of board wipes and fast interaction, how do you ensure the Mob Boss actually finishes the job? Today, we analyze a listener’s current list and suggest the essential "tunes" needed to increase consistency, protection, and explosive speed. Whether you’re a lifelong Goblin player or looking to build your first mono-red deck, this deep dive into Krenko’s mechanics has something for you.Support the Pod:Patreon: https://patreon.com/Commanderspod?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=join_link Website: https://commanderspod.comEmail: [email protected]

Order in the court! ⚖️In Episode 107 of Commanders Pod, we’re trading the playmat for the witness stand. Duncan dons the judge's robes as Jeff and Sloan go head-to-head in our first-ever "Commander Court."The rules are simple: Jeff and Sloan take turns acting as prosecutor and defendant for some of the most controversial topics in the Commander format today. From "social contracts" to specific card salt-levels, no topic is safe from a cross-examination. Expect high stakes, loud debating, and Duncan’s final word on what stays and what goes in the world of EDH.On the Docket Today:The Ethics of Fast Mana: Should mana Crypt and Jeweled Lotus be unbanned?Win Conditions on Trial: Are two card infinite combos ok?Sentencing: Duncan delivers the final verdicts that Jeff and Sloan must live by.Support the Pod:Patreon: https://patreon.com/Commanderspod?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=join_link Website: https://commanderspod.comEmail: [email protected]

In this episode of Commanders Pod, Duncan, Jeff, and Sloan sit down to dissect the highly anticipated release of Secrets of Strixhaven. As the MTG landscape continues to evolve, we’re looking at whether this return to the plane of Arcavios lives up to the prestige of the original.We break down the high-end collector's side of the set, including the rarity of the new Serialized cards and the aesthetic direction of the latest Borderless treatments. We also take a deep dive into the new Mystical Archive—analyzing the power level of the reprints and how they will impact your Commander decks and the broader eternal formats.In this episode, we discuss:The Collector’s Chase: Is the hunt for Serialized cards sustainable for the average player?Mystical Archives 2.0: A look at the new spells entering the fold and their impact on the meta.The Art of Magic: Evaluating the new Borderless frames and the "Secrets" visual style.Final Verdict: Our honest opinions on whether you should buy, craft, or skip this set.Join the Conversation:Which college are you representing this time around? Do you think the Serialized cards are a win for the community? Let us know in the comments below!Email us at [email protected]#MTG #MagicTheGathering #CommandersPod #SecretsOfStrixhaven #EDH #Commander #MTGStrixhaven #TCG #TabletopGaming

In Episode 105, we break down the latest developments in Secret Lairs and take a closer look at Secrets of Strixhaven, searching for hints that might point to something bigger. Our main focus turns to the upcoming Reality Fracture set, as we speculate on its possible themes and uncover potential clues hidden within Strixhaven’s lore and design. From wild theories to grounded predictions, we connect the dots and explore what this mysterious set could mean for Commander and the future of MTG.

In Episode 104, we tackle one of the spiciest debates in Commander: what is the most broken color pairing in EDH? From raw power to synergy and consistency, we break down the top contenders and make our cases for which duo truly reigns supreme. We also dive into the latest April Pool’s Day Secret Lairs, sorting out what’s clever, what’s questionable, and what might actually be worth picking up. And of course, we round things out with another Pro Tip from a Non-Pro, delivering practical advice with just the right amount of real-table perspective.

In Episode 103, we take a deeper look at how the Commander bracket system could be made more precise, focusing on the key metrics that actually drive deck power but are currently overlooked. From interaction density to combo potential, we explore what’s missing and how the system could better reflect real gameplay. We also revisit Secret Lairs, breaking down what’s been working lately, what hasn’t, and where things may be headed. And to top it all off, we officially welcome the newest member of the team — Tim the Editor — because someone has to keep this show from going completely off the rails.

In Episode 102, we dive into the latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles MTG release, discussing the cards, flavor, and what they might mean for Commander tables. We also take a look at the newest Secret Lair offerings, weighing the value and the vibes as only the pod can. Duncan shares his thoughts on the previous episode featuring Jeff’s sons Jaden and Paxton, reflecting on the next generation of Commander players and the chaos they brought to the mic. And to cap things off, we debut a brand-new game segment called “Color Me Confused,” where Jeff and Sloan try to guess the color of a card based on its abilities… with predictably confusing results.

In Episode 101, Sloan and Jeff take the reins while Duncan is away, but they’re far from alone at the table. Jeff is joined by his sons Jaden and Paxton, who bring the next generation of Commander players to the pod. The boys share their favorite cards, decks, and strategies, talk about how they approach the game, and give their honest opinions about playing against their dad. And maybe they will tackle the big question: is Jeff a card bully at the table? It’s a fun, family-filled episode with plenty of laughs, fresh perspectives, and a reminder that the future of Commander is already shuffling up.

For our landmark 100th episode, we don our finest suits and ties and take a most distinguished approach to one of Commander’s most important topics: etiquette. In proper gentlemanly fashion, we discuss table manners, sportsmanship, threat assessment diplomacy, scooping protocol, and the unwritten social contracts that make Commander the format we love. With exaggerated decorum and refined diction, we examine what separates civilized gameplay from cardboard chaos — all while maintaining just enough self-awareness to know we’ve been guilty of these infractions ourselves. It’s polished, principled, and perhaps our most dignified episode yet… at least until someone forgets their trigger.