Commander's Pod

In Episode 115 of Commanders Pod, Duncan and Jeff are diving into the ultimate flex in Magic: The Gathering—"Blinging" out your favorite deck. What drives a player to track down the absolute rarest, fanciest, and most premium printings of a card just to put it in a 99-card deck?This week, Jeff opens up his deck box to showcase his pride and joy: a fully customized, maxed-out Aloy deck. We talk about the journey of hunting down specific showcase frames, serialized borders, extended arts, and foils, while debating whether the visual upgrades change how a deck actually feels to play across the table.If you love beautiful card art, premium printing styles, or just want to see how deep the aesthetic rabbit hole goes, this episode is for you.What is the "blingiest" card in your entire collection?Do you try to foil out your favorite 99, or do you prefer the classic, clean look of standard printings? Let us know in the comments below!#mtg #MagicTheGathering #commander #edh #commanderspod #MTGBling #AloyMTG #PremiumMTG #mtgcommunity #tabletopgaming 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]

Let’s talk about the elephant in the local game store. 🐘In Episode 114 of Commanders Pod, Duncan and Jeff tackle one of the most critical and debated questions in modern tabletop gaming: Does Wizards of the Coast actually care about what their players want?Lately, the conversation around Magic: The Gathering has shifted dramatically away from gameplay and directly onto the financial barrier to entry. This week, we are pulling no punches as we look at the current reality of being an active player in 2026. From print-to-demand structures that fluctuate secondary market values overnight, to the sheer velocity of product releases, we ask if the casual kitchen-table player is being left behind in favor of corporate margins.We want your honest thoughts:Do you feel valued as a player right now, or are you starting to feel priced out of your favorite hobby? Let’s keep the discussion constructive, but let us know exactly where you stand in the comments below.#MTG #MagicTheGathering #Commander #EDH #CommandersPod #WizardsOfTheCoast #MTGFinance #WotC #TabletopGaming #MTGCommunitySupport 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]

The layout of the studio might look a little different this week, but the deep dives are just as intense. 🔍In Episode 113 of Commanders Pod, Duncan and Jeff hold down the fort to tackle the absolute weirdest corner cases, layers, and hidden interactions in Magic: The Gathering. Our main segment today is completely dedicated to those specific moments where a player drops a piece and the entire table asks: "Wait, does that do what I think it does?"What is the most confusing card interaction you've ever had to call a judge for?Drop the cards in the comments below, and let's see if the community can figure out how the stack actually resolves it!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]#MTG #MagicTheGathering #Commander #EDH #CommandersPod #MTGRules #TheStack #MTGCommunity #TabletopGaming

In Episode 112 of Commanders Pod, the full crew—Duncan, Jeff, and Sloan—are teaming up to look at another incredible deck list submitted by one of our Patron subscribers.Today, we are diving deep into the 99 to give our honest opinions on how to optimize this brew. From identifying underperforming cards to suggesting explosive hidden gems, we’re sharing our personal favorite upgrades to maximize the deck's synergy, consistency, and power level. Whether you run this exact commander or just want to learn our philosophy on slot selection, this masterclass has something for every deck builder.But this week’s episode holds a bittersweet place in our hearts. As mentioned during the show, this will be Sloan's final episode in the studio before he embarks on an exciting new journey this June. To send him off the right way, our editor completely hijacked the timeline at the end of the episode to surprise everyone—including the hosts—with a custom-crafted tribute looking back at a year of Sloan's best moments, chaotic debates, and legendary "Pro Tips."Stick around after the final sign-off for a special walk down memory lane you won't want to miss.Sloan has been a massive cornerstone of what makes this podcast a family. Please join us in the comments section below to share your favorite Sloan rants, your appreciation for his "Pro Tips," and to wish him the absolute best on his next adventure!Want your deck featured on a future episode? Join our community on Patreon to submit your lists!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]

Lock your doors and hide your decks—there are criminals at the Commander table. 🕵️‍♂️In Episode 111 of Commanders Pod, the full crew is back together as Jeff rejoins Duncan and Sloan to lay down the law. This week, we are breaking down the 11 Commander Crimes—the absolute worst legal maneuvers, etiquette violations, and social contract breaches a player can commit during a game of EDH.We go down the list of the top 10 offenses that turn a great game night into a total mistrial. To top it all off, Jeff steps up to the podium at the very end to issue a surprise 11th warrant for a crime that has been flying under the radar for far too long.Are you a model citizen at the table, or are you secretly serving a life sentence in your playgroup's bad graces?What is the worst "crime" someone can commit in your local meta?Have you ever been guilty of one of these? Let us know what should be punishable by an immediate scoop in the comments below!#MTG #MagicTheGathering #Commander #EDH #CommandersPod #MTGCommunity #TabletopGaming #CommanderCrimes #MTGOutlawsSupport 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]

What happens in Vegas... ends up on the podcast! 🎰In Episode 110 of Commanders Pod, Duncan is back from an action-packed trip to MagicCon Las Vegas, and he’s bringing all the secrets back with him. While Jeff is still away, Duncan and Sloan sit down to comb through the massive announcements from the preview panels.We’re talking everything from the MTG x Marvel collaboration to our return to Middle-earth with The Hobbit. We dive into the mechanics of the newly revealed cards, including a first look at the "Echoverse" in Reality Fracture and those wild new card treatments.However, the end of today’s episode comes with a heavy heart. After years of being a cornerstone of the show, Sloan shares some personal news regarding a big move coming up this June. We talk about what this means for the pod and share some favorite memories from the journey so far.We want to hear from you:What was your favorite reveal from MagicCon? And please join us in the comments in wishing Sloan the absolute best on her new adventure!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]

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