Demonstrate the Loop

In this episode, we do a full breakdown of Drew's Zirda/Zacama companion commander deck referenced in our very first episode. In addition to the typical card-by-card break downs, we also go over the deck building experience when building around a companion and what Drew believes is the strength of this approach.

Have you built a deck around any of the companions? What has been your experience? Let us know!

Drew's Zirda/Zacama deck list: https://archidekt.com/decks/667212#Zirda/Zacama_Companion_EDH

In this episode, we approach the idea of Magic players in other formats coming into Commander. While arguably the most identifying aspect of Commander is its added deck-building restrictions, that doesn't necessarily have to mean you can't play your deck from Standard when you migrate over, just that it'll take some tweaking.

Over the course of this episode Josh, Drew, and Daniel discuss their experiences going from Standard/Limited/Kitchen Table Magic players to the Commander players they are today, and Daniel & Drew show their work by taking two popular recent Standard decks, Temur Adventures and Esper Doom Dance respectively, and showing how they can be pretty simply updated to function as originally intended in the Commander format (deck lists for each below in the description). With this, we hope to show how leaving your format behind, or just taking a break from it, shouldn't mean that you have to leave your favorite/pet deck behind too, and that ultimately Commander is a format driven by player expression arguably moreso than any other; with enough effort, anything you can think of can be done.

If you liked this episode, please be sure to let us know! Drop a review on your podcast platform of choice, share it around & tell your playgroup about it, and follow us on our social accounts. If you really liked it and want to see us do more, let us know by sending us an email at [email protected] or through our Facebook/Twitter/Instagram page. Do you have a MtG deck from another format you want us to try to convert? Let us know!

Daniel's Riku Temur Adventures decklist: https://archidekt.com/decks/648175#Dan's_Temur_Adventures

JumpStart is here! Just a forewarning, we're pretty critical in this one. Honestly more critical than I really wanted to be. But sometimes that's how it goes. 

Ultimately I think that the roll-out for JumpStart did it a lot more harm than good, but maybe we'll be proven wrong. But what did you think? Do you think that JumpStart is a worthwhile set to buy into? What do you make of Drew's argument comparing veteran players buying this set in comparison to Unstable (& the other Un-sets) - will JumpStart appeal to the same player base? Let us know!

Core 2021 is out! In this episode we share are thoughts on the new cards, go over our favorites, and discuss the implications that cards like Teferi, Master of Time will have on the Commander format. After you give the episode a listen, let us know your thoughts on printing new cards featuring classic Magic characters, super-powered cards in Commander, and what your favorite cards from this set are!

You ever have a bad idea? Just an awful, truly indefensible idea for a deck that you can't get out of your head? Maybe a single card that you're just positive you can break wide open, founding an entire archetype all on your own? Anyway, in a special show we're calling "Minimum Viable Decklist", Daniel & Drew take you through their attempts to build several different commander decks all around The Ozolith and Planeswalkers. They discuss deck-building theories, card selection, and entertain the idea for probably much longer than they should have.

Drew's MVD - Uhhh, 4-color pile of cards: https://archidekt.com/decks/630049#Drew's_Breya_Ozolith

*Editors Note* This episode was recorded prior to the Companion rules changes. Seeing Drew's arguments are more from a flavor perspective than a rules one, we didn't feel the need to necessarily go back and re-write/re-record the arguments, but that may impact your opinion on it.

Thank you for listening, and please comment with any constructive feedback that you have, as we're still finding our bearings with this show. Have you built a commander deck with a companion? Why/why not? Has the rule change for companions influenced your decision either way? Let us know!