Commander's Pod

Commander’s Pod Episode 48: And Now for Something Completely Different

In this eclectic episode, hosts Duncan, Jeff, and Sloan switch things up with a mix of Magic: The Gathering news, personal stories, and engaging discussions. Jeff recounts a dramatic near-victory in Tales from the Table, and the crew dives into "Aggro Jeff," exploring a fiery gameplay moment. They tackle hot topics like Secret Lair’s new test run in WPN stores and the innovative Chaos Vault Secret Lair series, sharing their thoughts on how the product could evolve. Plus, they discuss rumors of a Universes Beyond MTG set based on a popular tv show, teasing exciting possibilities for fans. Sloan wraps things up with a teaser in “Pro Tips From a Non-Pro,” making this episode a fun blend of surprises, insights, and lively banter.

Commander’s Pod Episode 46: Year in Review, and Year in Preview

In this reflective and forward-looking episode, hosts Duncan, Jeff, and Sloan recap the highlights of the past year in Magic: The Gathering, from memorable games to standout releases and community milestones. They share their hopes and predictions for the coming year, including thoughts on the new tier system and its potential impact on Commander. Jeff dives into his latest trigger rant, Sloan offers a helpful tip for new players, and the team wraps it all up with their signature humor and camaraderie. Join the hosts as they celebrate the past and anticipate what’s to come—don’t forget to kill Andrew first!

In this festive episode of Commander’s Pod, we’re sharing the best gift ideas for Magic: The Gathering players. We start with a quick introduction before diving into Tales from the Table. Next, in Counterspell, we debate who’s worse—Jeff or Andrew—over some friendly banter. Then, Jeff’s Triggers takes center stage, as Jeff recounts his most memorable and sometimes frustrating Magic moments. In the main segment, Santa’s Gifts for Magic Players, we explore the best gift ideas, from deck boxes and storage solutions to must-have sets. Finally, Sloan wraps up the episode with Pro Tips for Beginners, offering a quick, helpful tip for new players. Tune in for a holiday-themed Magic gift guide!

Join us for Episode 43 of Commander’s Pod, where we dive into some of our favorite things in the world of Magic: The Gathering! In this episode, we’ll kick things off with a quick intro and Jeff’s Tales from the Table, where he shares a memorable night out playing Magic. Then, we’ll get into a thought-provoking discussion in Counterspell—do you feel guilty when you take down a player who's clearly struggling in a game?

In Jeff’s Triggers, Jeff will reflect on some of the things that set him off during gameplay—get ready for some laughs and maybe a few “oops” moments!

The heart of the episode is our main segment, A Few of Our Favorite Things, where we share our personal favorite decks, cards, commanders, Magic moments, and sets. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting your Commander journey, this episode is packed with nostalgia, insight, and plenty of enthusiasm for the game we love. Tune in to discover our favorites and maybe get inspired to try something new at your next game night!

In this episode of Commander’s Pod, we explore the often-overlooked but essential social side of Magic: The Gathering, specifically in the Commander format. We kick things off with Tales from the Table, sharing some fun and quirky moments from our own playgroups (you won't want to miss this one!). Next up, in Counterspell, we dive into the art of Mulliganing—how do you decide when to take that second shot at your opening hand? Then, Jeff’s Triggers returns with his unique insights and experiences, followed by our main topic: The Social Aspects of Commander. We’ll discuss the interpersonal dynamics that come with playing Commander, from navigating table politics and dealing with player quirks to handling rules disagreements and finding a game to join. We also offer some tips for those who may not be the most outgoing and how to feel comfortable at the table regardless of your personality.

In this episode of Commander’s Pod, we dive deep into the good things happening in the world of Magic: The Gathering! But first, we share some hilarious Tales from the Table, where we discuss the experience of being the "cost/upkeep monitor" in your playgroup, reminding others to pay that extra mana, even when you never do! Then, we shift gears to the future of MTG in our Counterspell segment, pondering what’s in store for the game by 2025. Jeff’s Triggers make an appearance next, as we dive into some of his thoughts, followed by a crucial tip in That Doesn’t Do What You Think It Does, where we talk about the often-missed opportunity to let lethal damage resolve before scooping up your cards. After that, we dig into today’s main topic: What is Magic Doing Right? From recent improvements to standout decisions, we discuss the positive strides Magic: The Gathering is making and what we love about the game right now. Plus, don’t miss our Pro Tips for Beginners to help you level up your game!

Tune in for all this and more in Episode 41 of Commander’s Pod!

In this milestone 40th episode of The Commander's Pod, we’ve got a packed show with something for everyone! First up, Duncan, Jeff, and Sloan recount an unforgettable Tales from the Table, featuring a legendary Eluge story. Then, the crew dives into the world of meme cards—how do they feel about quirky releases like the SpongeBob Secret Lair? (Hint: it’s more than just a laugh!) Jeff’s back with Jeff’s Triggers, and we explore the ins and outs of Commander rules in That Doesn’t Do What You Think It Does—specifically, when to send your Commander to the command zone after it’s exiled or otherwise removed. Finally, the episode wraps with Marvel Madness as we discuss the Marvel: Foundations set, what we love, and how it might affect Standard moving forward. It’s a mix of laughs, strategy, and a deep dive into the latest Magic news. Don’t miss it!

In this episode of The Commanders Pod, we dive into the frustrating world of Secret Lair drops and the chaos they bring. That doesn't do what you think it does, kicks things off with a deep dive into a sticky rules interaction, where trying to kill a creature with a triggered ability on the stack won’t work quite the way you think! But the real meat of the episode comes later when we talk about the ongoing issues with Secret Lair drops, from the infamous Marvel SL fiasco to the early days of Mythic Edition and the 30th Anniversary Countdown.

We break down the frustration of queue errors, cart issues, and the recent revelation that a cheat allowed users to bypass the whole system. What started as a cool way to get limited-edition cards has turned into a nightmare for collectors, and we’re asking: What should Wizards of the Coast do to fix this broken system?

Join us for a passionate discussion of customer service, botched releases, and how Secret Lair could evolve—or if it’s even worth trying to fix at all!