Is Tifa Lockhart a Good Mono-Green Landfall Commander?

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Together Forever|fic|257" href="#" target="_blank">Together Forever</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/fgq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yuu Fujiki</a></em></p>
<p>I don't consider myself an investigative journalist by any means, but there's been something on my mind I'd like to talk about. I'd gone online digging around to find out how much Booster Boxes costed in 2020. No, I'm not suddenly interested in Booster Boxes for no reason. With the recent release of the estimated cost of <em>Final Fantasy</em> sealed product, a lot of us are worried that there might have been a sudden hike in prices disproportionate to the natural growth of the game.</p>
<p>I say "worried" because angry isn't the right energy for this. There are certainly many reasons that people in this hobby could jump on the hate train about any slight change to this game, but I think the vast majority of players, not just haters, are reacting negatively to the price of <em>Final Fantasy</em>. It's not just saltiness for the sake of saltiness, but real concern across the entire fanbase.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yidaro, Wandering Monster|prm|80921"></div></div>
<p>The question really comes down to: are we going to be paying too much for this hobby? This brings me back to my lack of investigative training: how much did a Collector's Booster Box cost in the past, and has it drastically changed? This is surprisingly hard to figure out, from the hours I've spent trying to find this out online.</p>
<h2>What is MSRP?</h2>
<p>Way back in 2019, <em>Wizards of the Coast</em> (WOTC) stopped using MSRP on their products, which is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. It basically means, in a vacuum, this is what WOTC would like the product to cost for consumers.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hansk, Slayer Zealot|sld|144"></div></div>
<p>I'm not here to discuss what a move like this means to WOTC, or even speculate on their reasons for putting this kind of policy into place, but it's important nonetheless to demonstrate how this would affect the market for consumers. And it does explain why the information I was looking for is hard to find.</p>
<h2>The Effect of MSRP</h2>
<p>MSRP, from the manufacturer, doesn't factor in how various thing might drive up retailer costs, and thus consumer's cost. Demand, accessibility, scarcity, and profit margins of the retailers might drive up this price. Hype also plays a huge role on this too, because it translates into demand, which translates into potentially higher prices initially and presales.</p>
<p>WOTC brought back MSRP in 2024 with the release of <em>Foundations</em>. which should give us a clear number to judge WOTC's responsibility for the cost of their sets. Unfortunately, while spooking around the internet for a few hours, I found it extremely difficult to find those release day prices.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ancient Copper Dragon"></div></div>
<p>The closest I found was a Reddit post claiming they looked on 401 Games to compare the cost. I used the same site and will use this as my reference. I understand this might not be the most accurate, but it's still worth demonstrating. A <em>Foundations</em> Collector Booster box was priced at $356.95 (Converted from CAD to USD) and a <em>Final Fantasy</em> Collector Booster box is priced at $606.83. I double checked it, and that's a difference of roughly $250.</p>
<h2>Premium Like <em>Modern Horizons</em></h2>
<p>Some of the grumbles I've seen online explaining this price hike is that Universe Beyond (UB) sets are meant to be luxury sets, like <em>Modern Horizons</em>. This is confusing because <em>Final Fantasy</em> is going to be a Standard-legal set. So it would need to be Standard accessible, right?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rhystic Study|sld|478"></div></div>
<p>I also looked up <em>Modern Horizons 3</em>'s Collector Booster box price and it came to $428.34. That's still a roughly $178 difference. That's concerning. I'm not oblivious to the fact that these prices for <em>Final Fantasy</em> are inflated in the way they often are with preorders, but the difference is still too stark. I'm sure the prices will come down with the flood of the market, but likely not 100+ dollars.</p>
<h2>Cost of Popular IPs In <em>Magic</em></h2>
<p>I'll be completely upfront that I'm not in a position to know whether WOTC has a legitimate reason for the price hikes. We have no idea how much it truly costs WOTC to get a popular IP like Final Fantasy and how much it might be overcharging to prepare for bigger IPs in the future. It's possible they just raised prices because they thought they could get away with doing so - just for the profit. We just don't know.</p>
<p>Something more important to note here is the duality of bringing in new players into this hobby and retaining them. The struggle here is that as the prices for this hobby go up with Universes Beyond sets, it both disillusions those enfranchised in the game to keep playing and might gatekeep new players because of initial costs to play.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zethi, Arcane Blademaster|sld|432"></div></div>
<p>New players will likely involve themselves with this hobby by buying the products that brought them in, which makes a larger barrier to entry at this price point. If the sets become increasingly more pricey to maintain, it might not bring players. It's hard to see the break point.</p>
<p>The balancing effect of this is unknown to us. Maybe the cost is worth it, maybe it's the best WOTC can manage while providing prospective and enfranchised players with new content. Even giving WOTC the benefit of the doubt, it's hard to say. It's understandable that we'd see the hike in price and get afraid that it'll destroy something we all love.</p>
<h2>The Elephant in the Room</h2>
<p>Either way, Standard is going to suffer from this. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkzXtoG_bZE&amp;ab_channel=TolarianCommunityCollege" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tolarian Community College</a> made a great video that discusses what this might do to Standard. It points out the fact that this will be the new normal for the format because all Universes Beyond prices will be like this moving forward. It's a higher price point than Modern, while being Standard playable cards.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Abaddon the Despoiler"></div></div>
<p>Universes Beyond is planned to be half of all future sets going forward, so this is a price hike on half of all Magic product. Look at what happened to cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Orcish Bowmasters" href="#" target="_blank">Orcish Bowmasters</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The One Ring" href="#" target="_blank">The One Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> did to other formats because of their single printing in LOTR. Imagine that, but for Standard sets.</p>
<p>Reprints need to be normalized for Universes Beyond cards. Universes Within, or something? I don't even know if this will be enough. I'm not sure I know what can solve this problem. Maybe UB can't be Standard-legal or UB can't be half of all sets.</p>
<h2>FOMO</h2>
<p>I've just been speculating on how much it will cost financially, but are we going to buy this stuff? Of course. <em>Magic</em> has a loyal fanbase. We love set releases and new cards. All over my Bluesky is hype about how incredibly designed and satisfying these <em>Final Fantasy</em> cards are. What WOTC refuses to do is to give us bad product. That's why it's been a huge hobby for a lot of people for a long time.</p>
<p>This is tough when we see others cracking packs and opening product like this. Commander is a friendly enough format that sitting out of one set won't warp your play experience, at least for just one set. But it's hard not to want the <em>Final Fantasy</em> product and the future <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> product line, and everything that comes after.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards side-by-side"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Slicer, Hired Muscle"></div></div>
<p>Players are in a tough environment to not to feel pressured into these new and better sets with cards that are incredibly pushed and powerful. The power creep in these sets is important. It gets harder and harder to know how to spend the little money we have for our hobby.</p>
<p>This isn't a criticism of <em>Wizards of the Coast</em>, but an observations of the nature of new sets and cost of those sets. I've seen people online lamenting their inability to afford to participate in this set because of the sudden hikes in price. This feeling adds to the fear that I spoke about again and again - the fear of not being able to participate in a hobby you love.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The One Ring"></div></div>
<p>Is this kind of marketing potentially harmful? I'm not saying people should feel entitled to things we do as a hobby, but practices like chance and FOMO are psychological techniques that have proven taxing to deal with socially. I don't mean to pressure ethics here, but it's worth considering how these practices might affect the health of the fanbase.</p>
<h2>Is This Universes Beyond's Fault</h2>
<p>As a fan of Universes Beyond, I'm in a weird position. I see a lot people looking for something to blame about what's happening here. I want to navigate this carefully. We're in a position where the thing we want is what's causing us strife. If no one wanted <em>Final Fantasy</em> there would be no problem with the cost, but that's not the case.</p>
<p>In 2020, with the release of the Godzilla alternate cards and the Walking Dead Universes Beyond Secret Lair, I doubt WOTC or the fans had any idea it would take off as much as it did. I cannot understate, however, how making UB Standard legal, after initially promising that it wouldn't be, has made opting out of UB impossible for those who had been doing so this far.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Tenth Doctor"></div></div>
<p>This makes the need of <em>Final Fantasy</em> more important than the want. Players who want to remain competitive will have to pay premium on top of premium. It's tough, and I'm conflicted. UB poses a real financial threat to the hobby, but it's simply because of how much people want these IPs in the first place. I don't want to understate or ignore this. I'd like to give you a simple answer to this situation, but it's just not simple.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>I can give you one thing though: a request. <em>Wizards of the Coast</em>, we're looking for transparency. I'd like to understand your choices about these prices and some acknowledgement of the fear a lot of players are experiencing. If we could better understand where you're coming from with this choice, I'm sure we could come to some kind of calm.</p>
<p>I highly doubt that WOTC isn't considering players when they make choices. If the push for Modern and Standard and the Commander Brackets and ban list is an indication of anything, it's that they want to listen and make as many people happy, while still being able to produce this game profitably.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Captain America, First Avenger"></div></div>
<p>Maybe that's a bit too kind, but hey, I'm an optimist. If there were any points I missed, or any pieces of research you'd like to send my way, I appreciate it. I'm <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/strixhavendropout.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@strixhavendropout on Blue Sky</a>.</p>


Let's Talk About the Magic Final Fantasy Prices

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://martanael.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marta Nael</a></em></p>
<p>It's usually not a good idea to give resources to an opponent, especially many different resources to many different players. Usually, any advantage that an opponent has puts us in the position to lose the game, but but but! I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I'm actually a huge advocate for <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/group-hug" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Group Hug</a> decks. Not that chaos nonsense, but real Group Hug. I talk about the distinctions in <a href="https://www.coolstuffinc.com/a/cashinds-seo-02042025-how-to-play-group-hug-in-commander" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this article</a>.</p>
<p>To boil it down a little, I discuss that Group Hug is only valid if it has a win condition. I walk through some of the ways to do that in that article, but the concept is to out-value, or use resources against, the opponents. But Group Hug isn't actually the focus on my article, the card <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> actually is.</p>
<h2>What Does Ms. Bumbleflower Do?</h2>
<p>She's a <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> cost 1/5 creature with vigilance. And whenever you cast a spell, target opponent draws a card, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature, and that creature gains flying until end of turn. When this ability resolves the second time in a turn, you draw two cards.</p>
<p>In the traditional sense, Ms. Bumbleflower has some language on her that seems like Group Hug: she provides card draw to another player whenever you cast a spell.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ms. Bumbleflower"></div></div>
<p>This could be a huge advantage to whatever player gets the advantage. It also does a good job of accelerating the Bumbleflower player as they gain two cards on the second cast, bringing them ahead of each individual they target with the card draw. Additionally, it provides some way to give evasion to their creatures and buff them as blockers. You can even buff other players creatures after casting a cantrip to eke out a bit more damage. It's a good shields-up strategy in the colors of control and combo.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Seedborn Muse"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Approach of the Second Sun"></div></div>
<p>I imagine in a Group Hug strategy for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> the goal is to get to draw spells and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Approach of the Second Sun" href="#" target="_blank">Approach of the Second Sun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seedborn Muse" href="#" target="_blank">Seedborn Muse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Folio of Fancies" href="#" target="_blank">Folio of Fancies</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> combo, milling players each turn. Both are slow and steady strategies typical for Bant Control and Draw.</p>
<p>There's a possibility for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tidal Barracuda" href="#" target="_blank">Tidal Barracuda</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to give your spells flash, which, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seedborn Muse" href="#" target="_blank">Seedborn Muse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, can put you massively ahead, giving cards along the way. You could give the card draw to the player whose end step it is to give yourself more time, and not pile value into one player.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Folio of Fancies"></div></div>
<p>If you're starting to wonder when I'll talk about how strong it is to give flying to Bumbleflower and go in for combat damage, you're slightly missing the essence of Group Hug. In Group Hug you have to hide your power level as long as possible, because giving resources puts a target on your back with players who would like to benefit alone, like mid-range players who might be in danger against an Aggro deck with the gasoline of creature and card advantage.</p>
<p>But <em>this</em> is the essence of my article; why aren't we all putting counters on Bumbleflower?</p>
<h2>Ms. Bumbleflower at Her Best</h2>
<p>SURPRISE! This is actually a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Voltron Deck Tech. Hear me out.</p>
<p>Usually the most common Voltron Commanders are in Boros, but Bumbleflower can do it! She is a 1/5 with vigilance. This is insidious because it makes a great blocker and attacker. Cast one spell on your turn and she gets flying, the evasion needed for a strong Voltron commander. She also has a way to buff herself, which is another great addition for a Voltron commander.</p>
<p>Cast a spell, put a +1/+1 on her and give her flying at the cost of giving one other player a card. Cast a second, and fill your hand with two more cards you can cast, while putting on another counter. In one turn she can go from a 1/5 vigilant creature to a 3/7 flying, vigilant creature.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thunderbolt"></div></div>
<p>Her big toughness makes her survive most <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thunderbolt" href="#" target="_blank">Thunderbolt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects, and with enough time to build her up, she can even survive a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blasphemous Act" href="#" target="_blank">Blasphemous Act</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. She has evasion, protection, built-in card draw, and a way to be a good blocker and attacker.</p>
<h2>Other Voltron Commanders</h2>
<p>What are we usually looking for in a Voltron commander? In a general sense, what players are looking for in a Voltron commander is:</p>
<ul>
<li>Evasion</li>
<li>A way to buff or a good body to buff</li>
<li>Free/discounted cost to buff</li>
<li>Good attacker and/or blocker</li>
<li>Protection</li>
</ul>
<p>The <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/voltron" target="_blank" rel="noopener">top Voltron commanders according to EDHREC</a> are: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rafiq of the Many" href="#" target="_blank">Rafiq of the Many</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Light-Paws, Emperor&#039;s Voice" href="#" target="_blank">Light-Paws, Emperor&#039;s Voice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>; and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Slicer, Hired Muscle // Slicer, High-Speed Antagonist" href="#" target="_blank">Slicer, Hired Muscle // Slicer, High-Speed Antagonist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. What makes these commanders so popular?</p>
<h3>Rafiq</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rafiq of the Many"></div></div>
<p>Rafiq has exalted (a creature attacking alone gets +1/+1) and gives double strike to any creature attacking alone. It goes from a humble 3/3 to a 4/4 with double strike when it attacks alone. That's potentially eight commander damage, which is usually the goal with a Voltron commander. This kind of deck focuses on many exalted effects combined to buff the hell out of itself or any other creature coming in alone.</p>
<p>Rafiq is in the same colors as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, so most of the cards you run in it could translate over easily. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Silent Arbiter" href="#" target="_blank">Silent Arbiter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> create a really spicy combination for this commander, which Bumbleflower could also effectively utilize. Being the only attacker and only blocker is perfect, especially when she's buffed.</p>
<h3>Light-Paws</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Light-Paws, Emperor&#039;s Voice"></div></div>
<p>Light-Paws is a well stated 2/2 for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>. Its ability allows for easy and cheap buffs. Casting a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sage&#039;s Reverie" href="#" target="_blank">Sage&#039;s Reverie</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gets you a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Battle Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Battle Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="All That Glitters" href="#" target="_blank">All That Glitters</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gets you into an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ethereal Armor" href="#" target="_blank">Ethereal Armor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. For six mana Light-Paws is a 14/14 with double strike.</p>
<p>That's lethal commander damage. What it does well is stack up a creature cheaply and quickly with damage. All of these cards are possible in Bumbleflower. The Auras that buff are possible with a commander that gives itself card draw and evasion and buffs, on top of basic stats.</p>
<h3>Slicer</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Slicer, Hired Muscle // Slicer, High-Speed Antagonist"></div></div>
<p>Slicer is well stated as a 3/2 converted for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> with haste and first strike. Equipping him with stuff like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beamtown Beatstick" href="#" target="_blank">Beamtown Beatstick</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives it a way of connecting with evasion. With <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mask of Memory" href="#" target="_blank">Mask of Memory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> you can fill your hand with ways to buff it on contact. Your commander gets additional opportunities to deal combat damage by being passed around.</p>
<p>Sadly, many of Slicer's cards are locked to red, outside of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s wheelhouse, but it runs a ton of Equipment that Bumbleflower can use. She doesn't get additional combats by being passed around, but she might not even need it.</p>
<h2>Fatal Flaws Of Typical Voltron Commanders</h2>
<p>One of the fatal flaws of Voltron is being locked out of blue and green good stuff - stuff like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Counterspell" href="#" target="_blank">Counterspell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Stuff that adds counters are typically green, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hardened Scales" href="#" target="_blank">Hardened Scales</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and counter magic is typically blue, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Denial" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Denial</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Not being able to interact with spells that remove your commander, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghostly Flicker" href="#" target="_blank">Ghostly Flicker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> them, or simply <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Counterspell" href="#" target="_blank">Counterspell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in response, is huge. Board wipes like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vandalblast" href="#" target="_blank">Vandalblast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Farewell" href="#" target="_blank">Farewell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrath of God" href="#" target="_blank">Wrath of God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> go unchecked.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arcane Denial"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vandalblast"></div></div>
<p>Most typical Voltron commanders struggle to put up blockers. Usually after a swing, the player is shields down and vulnerable. Running other creatures take away spells that are able to buff your commander. Rafiq doesn't run into this problem, and neither does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Casting an instant can give a creature the ability to fly and buff them as well, making blockers really strong.</p>
<h2>Card Draw Flaw</h2>
<p>I've talked in great detail on how Bumbleflower excels as a Voltron commander, but the big fatal flaw of this deck is giving out card draw. It doesn't seem like a lot, but big stormy turns with Bumbleflower that puts cards in opponents' hands might be your downfall. I can't talk my way out of this one. It is the fatal flaw that tricks most players into seeing this deck only as a Group Hug deck. Card draw on every cast is just so beneficial to other players that it's hard to work around.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Narset, Parter of Veils"></div></div>
<p>But <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Narset, Parter of Veils" href="#" target="_blank">Narset, Parter of Veils</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gets around that additional card draw. If you don't see that card, you can also draw more yourself, to have interaction up. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teferi&#039;s Ageless Insight" href="#" target="_blank">Teferi&#039;s Ageless Insight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could put four cards in hand on your second spell, making sure you have value in hand to mitigate loss. It's out-valuing others in the way Group Hug typically does.</p>
<p>Free counterspells, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fierce Guardianship" href="#" target="_blank">Fierce Guardianship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Force of Will" href="#" target="_blank">Force of Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are huge in this deck. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="View From Above" href="#" target="_blank">View From Above</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an excellent way to keep a spell up to give Bumbleflower flying when needed. Cantrips like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Opt" href="#" target="_blank">Opt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and value spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Snap" href="#" target="_blank">Snap</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rewind" href="#" target="_blank">Rewind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can refund themselves. It gives tons of mana value while giving card draw.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="View From Above"></div></div>
<p>Stacking all the powerful things in Voltron that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can do, it can be a very powerful deck, even with its one card draw issue. All I can say is that, just because you give out cards because you have to, doesn't mean your deck has to be Group Hug. Most players are playing Bumbleflower as a Voltron commander covertly behind a bunch of Group Hug effects. It's time to just fully embrace the Voltron.</p>
<p>Either way, tell me what you think. I'm <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/strixhavendropout.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@Strixhavendropout on Bluesky</a>.</p>


Ms. Bumbleflower Is Better as a Voltron Deck

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harmless Offering" href="#" target="_blank">Harmless Offering</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>| Art by <a href="https://www.howardlyon.com/illustration/proofs">Howard Lyon </a></h6>
<h1>Interaction in a game of Commander is difficult...</h1>
<p>There are three opponents, with their own boards, and own sets and sequences of interaction. You might be tapping out for an Insurrection or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Craterhoof Behemoth" href="#" target="_blank">Craterhoof Behemoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but someone might have a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fog" href="#" target="_blank">Fog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Obscuring Haze" href="#" target="_blank">Obscuring Haze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>We live in fear of someone having the answer, but sometimes we have the game, all interaction in hand to protect our win, but we still don't try to take the win. Some of the reasoning as to why can be broken up into: improper threat assessment and emotional burden.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Craterhoof Behemoth"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Insurrection"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Obscuring Haze"></div></div>
<h2>Threat Assessment in MTG</h2>
<p><em>Magic: The Gathering</em> is a complicated game with tons of mechanics and points of interaction. Don't get me started with the stack and reverse priority order resolution.</p>
<p>This game is especially complex. Commander makes the game even more complicated with additional players and a more complex stack as they add interaction.</p>
<p>We are going to misplay. We are going to misread a card, forget a trigger, sequence poorly. Maybe we play a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lotus Cobra" href="#" target="_blank">Lotus Cobra</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> after out land for turn and miss an extra mana. These aren't the kind of misplays I'm talking about.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lotus Cobra"></div></div>
<h3>Working Against the Rest of the Table</h3>
<p>I want to first talk about the kind of misplay where you correctly understand the board state and make a call that hinges on an accurate assessment of player intentions, or capabilities, and you get it wrong.</p>
<p>I'll set the scene. I'm playing against a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prossh, Skyraider of Kher" href="#" target="_blank">Prossh, Skyraider of Kher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, 10 Kobolds, and they have a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirkwood Bats" href="#" target="_blank">Mirkwood Bats</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mahadi, Emporium Master" href="#" target="_blank">Mahadi, Emporium Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I've got an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Olivia, Crimson Bride" href="#" target="_blank">Olivia, Crimson Bride</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in hand and a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sheoldred, Whispering One" href="#" target="_blank">Sheoldred, Whispering One</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in grave. I also have an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eowyn, Fearless Knight" href="#" target="_blank">Eowyn, Fearless Knight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in hand and a 10/10 <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher" href="#" target="_blank">Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I'm at 13 life.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Olivia, Crimson Bride"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sheoldred, Whispering One"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher"></div></div>
<p>Do I remove the Mahadi or the Bats with the Eowyn and swing in for the damage, ending that player but leaving me open to the other opponent, or do reanimate the Sheoldred, strengthen my board, and hope the Prossh player doesn't have removal? Sometimes the incorrect assessment is not anticipating or banking on removal.</p>
<p>Don't play with your food. If you can eliminate a threat, you should bite down hard on it. I played this game and the Prossh player <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Assassin&#039;s Trophy" href="#" target="_blank">Assassin&#039;s Trophy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'d my Carmen so I didn't remove the Bats or the Mahadi and was dead to the sacrifices.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mirkwood Bats"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Prossh, Skyraider of Kher"></div></div>
<h3>Arrogance in Interactions</h3>
<p>Here is another situation we might get ourselves into. Imagine you're playing against a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghalta, Primal Hunger" href="#" target="_blank">Ghalta, Primal Hunger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which I do a lot. Imagine they play a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Llanowar Elves" href="#" target="_blank">Llanowar Elves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> one turn, then a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Llanowar Tribe" href="#" target="_blank">Llanowar Tribe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, then a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tribute to the World Tree" href="#" target="_blank">Tribute to the World Tree</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> then a Guardian Project the next.</p>
<p>You have a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Generous Gift" href="#" target="_blank">Generous Gift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dihada, Binder of Wills" href="#" target="_blank">Dihada, Binder of Wills</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>; and open mana. The other player has a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hashaton, Scarab&#039;s Fist" href="#" target="_blank">Hashaton, Scarab&#039;s Fist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with three open mana. Everything the Ghalta player has is just mana and value with a creature entering. Nothing seems scary yet. Even if they play a creature right now I'm not the biggest threat.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tribute to the World Tree"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Generous Gift"></div></div>
<p>You know you should deal with that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tribute to the World Tree" href="#" target="_blank">Tribute to the World Tree</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> but you're hoping the Hashaton is a bigger threat and you can hedge your bets that the damage is going that way, and the Hashaton player might remove it themselves.</p>
<p>This is a huge gamble. Removal is important and limited, but this feels like a big gamble. The Ghalta player could play their commander this turn and that's 12 trample damage.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ghalta, Primal Hunger"></div></div>
<p>It's tough, but we can't let a threat like that lie, we can't toy around with present danger. Turns out the Hashaton player had nothing and the Ghalta came from me next turn.</p>
<p>I know threading the needle with when it absolutely essential moment to use removal, and that's a whole other article, but if you can remove a big value engine and stop snowballing effects you should instead of banking on others to handle it for you.</p>
<p>Also never assume opponents won't see you as a thread just because you aren't doing anything now. Possibility matter too.</p>
<h3>Pity and Underestimating the Other Players</h3>
<p>I know it seems like this should be in the emotional burden section, but the problem with this particular situation is that player will underestimate those they pity. Someone playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Titania, Protector of Argoth" href="#" target="_blank">Titania, Protector of Argoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, missing a few land drops shouldn't be underestimated.</p>
<p><em>It is a lands deck, I will catch up. I will make blockers. Get damage in on them ahead of time. Don't let them build up to becoming a threat.</em> We might think a few missed land drops will make them not a threat for a while, but we can be so wrong.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Titania, Protector of Argoth"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ramunap Excavator"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Terramorphic Expanse"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nissa, Resurgent Animist"></div></div>
<p>In a similar vein, don't underestimate a Voltron deck like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aurelia, the Warleader" href="#" target="_blank">Aurelia, the Warleader</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, after a board wipe. Unless it's a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Farewell" href="#" target="_blank">Farewell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, hitting artifacts and enchantments, graveyards, and creatures, they will rebuild and incredibly fast. Don't think little of those who are a little bit behind.</p>
<p>Depending on the deck, rebuilding and recovery might be easy. Improper assessment of when a player is behind and not a threat shouldn't be based on blanket statements, it should be an assessment of their deck.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aurelia, the Warleader"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sword of Feast and Famine"></div></div>
<h2>Emotional Burden</h2>
<p>Sometimes we are compelled to not remove a threat or win a game because of the social pressures present in a game of Commander. We've all been in a situation where a win feels stinky or uncomfortable, and we lean into that feeling so much that we sandbag or throw. Feels bad to win that way sometimes, but are we helping as much as we think?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tivit, Seller of Secrets"></div></div>
<h3>Winners and Losers</h3>
<p>We all have someone in our playgroup who wins more than anyone else. It's not usually just because their decks are much stronger, but that they're an exceptional pilot of decks in general. They can threat assess well, manage triggers, and sequence very well. They aren't usually playing Bracket 5 at a Bracket 4 table.</p>
<p>There is sometimes a burden to being that winner. Sometimes you've won every game in a session of Commander on Saturday and you want to let your opponent's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reins of Power" href="#" target="_blank">Reins of Power</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> resolve.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reins of Power"></div></div>
<p>I don't know how others feel, but wins like this feel unearned. Finding out my opponent had interaction, but didn't play it, means that in actual fact, I didn't win. It also is a little condescending to let someone else win. Winning is something I would like to earn and it isn't the gift you think it is.</p>
<p>Players want to win on their own merit most of the time and finding out that you actually didn't feels bad. If the goal is to get rid of that bad feeling of constantly losing to the same player, sandbagging doesn't help.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Harmless Offering"></div></div>
<h3>Prolonged Enjoyment</h3>
<p>A deck can sometimes outperform your expectations. It can do the thing faster and more efficiently than before. You're having so much fun piloting, even when you're way ahead, and you don't want the fun to end.</p>
<p>You're taking a fifteen minute turn with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urabrask // The Great Work" href="#" target="_blank">Urabrask // The Great Work</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and you see the win in sight but you don't take it. You want other players to get a chance to go off, you want the game to continue.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Urabrask // The Great Work"></div></div>
<p>Once again, players like to win on their own merits. Finding out that you took a 15 minute turn, could win, and didn't win might even upset other players. They might want to shift to higher power level in a game two, but can't because you sandbagged your own power level.</p>
<p>Maybe they had interaction and could stop you, but you didn't give them the opportunity by not even playing the card. That's the tricky thing with, "I could have won." You never know what other players are holding up.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Swords to Plowshares"></div></div>
<h3>Excessive</h3>
<p>Lastly, decks can be annoying to get the win with, a complicated <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Food Chain" href="#" target="_blank">Food Chain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> stack or something. Maybe you don't want to go through the trouble.</p>
<p>Or maybe you can win, but you'd have to remove someone's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kaalia of the Vast" href="#" target="_blank">Kaalia of the Vast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for the sixth time. Or maybe you could win, but you'd have to kill the player who has been mana screwed all game. Maybe it will feel bad to win this way.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Food Chain"></div></div>
<p>I like to think that everyone playing Commander likes this game enough that the prospect of losing doesn't make the game unfun. We all grapple with loss when we play.</p>
<p>It's okay to face a loss to a complicated win or a uncomfortable piece of removal before your win. Some of us relish the opportunity to see a complex interaction. We like to learn the lines of an interaction so we can be prepared for it next time.</p>
<h1>Finding the Middle</h1>
<p>Ultimately, the point of this article is to let you know that when you have an opportunity to eliminate a threat effectively, you should probably take it. It's what's best for the feelings and ultimate conclusion to your games. I know it might feel bad sometimes, and the reading player's intentions are hard, but we have to attempt it if we want to remain competitive and learn new things.</p>
<p>Either way, talk about it with your pod; see how they feel about all these kinds of situations and get a pulse on what works for you all. If you want to argue with me about this I'm <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/strixhavendropout.bsky.social">@Strixhavendropout</a> on Blue Sky. Catch me there!</p>


Don't Play With Your Food: Social Interactions in Commander

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stop That" href="#" target="_blank">Stop That</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://ansonmaddocks.com/">Anson Maddocks</a>)</h6>
<h1>We usually like to read articles about how to best win a game of <em><strong>Magic: The Gathering</strong></em>,</h1>
<p>strategies on how to better your approach to the game. I'm not interested in that today. I want to talk about the approach we take, when we lose. When we concede a game, how do we go about it? This is, funnily, not a big deal in competitive 1v1 formats like Standard, but in Commander, it's a big deal.</p>
<p>Conceding a game when someone declares you as a target for a high value spell could potentially lead to irreparable damage to the board state for the other players.</p>
<p>In Commander, we all know that as a multiplayer format, the game doesn't necessarily end when you concede. In games like Standard, concession is encouraged to keep the games snappy and worthwhile.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inevitable Defeat"></div></div>
<p>When a player sees they've lost, they concede, in Competitive 1v1 formats. I want to talk about the the potential perspectives and feelings surrounding the topic of concession in Commander.</p>
<h2>"Da Rules"</h2>
<p>Before we get into how we feel, <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/rules">it's important to discuss the official, Wizards of the Coast's, ruling on the topic</a>. Trust me, pro instant speed scoopers in Commander are quick to bring up the comprehensible ruling on the topic. Rule 104.3a reads: "A player can concede the game at any time.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lose Hope"></div></div>
<p>A player who concedes leaves the game immediately. That player loses the game." So, according to Wizards of the Coast, scooping happens instantaneously. Before we discuss the morals of this, we have to discuss what happens when a player leaves the game.</p>
<p>According to rule 800.4a: "When a player leaves the game, all objects (see rule 109) owned by that player leave the game and any effects which give that player control of any objects or players end. Then, if that player controlled any objects on the stack not represented by cards, those objects cease to exist.</p>
<p>Then, if there are any objects still controlled by that player, those objects are exiled. This is not a state-based action. It happens as soon as the player leaves the game. If the player who left the game had priority at the time they left, priority passes to the next player in turn order who’s still in the game."</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lose Focus"></div></div>
<p>So, when someone concedes, everything about their board state, instantaneously changes. This is important to consider. Reading through some of 800.4: If combat damage would be assigned to that player, that damage isn’t assigned; If an object requires that player to pay a cost or choose whether to pay a cost, that cost is not paid; and mostly importantly according to 109.1.</p>
<p>An object is an ability on the stack, a card, a copy of a card, a token, a spell, a permanent, or an emblem so all objects owned by that player leave the game and any effects which give that player control of any objects or players end. Now that we're acquainted with the rules, now for the blood.</p>
<h2>Timing</h2>
<p>The biggest aspect of the etiquette of conceding focuses solely on the speed in which you concede. The colloquial term for this is instant speed scooping and sorcery speed scooping. Instant speed scooping allows a player to remove themselves from a game at any time, as written by WOTC.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Impeccable Timing"></div></div>
<p>It allows a player to leave a game which, from what I see online about this topic, is usually a miserable to continue playing. And they can do that on their own terms.</p>
<p>If they're sitting through a miserable Stax game, with no win in sight or an indeterminate infinite combo that the opponent insists on demonstrating, they can do that whenever they need to.</p>
<p>It also allows for the salty scoop as well, the spiteful one that might affect the games state or not, but simply when you no longer want to be apart of the game. We've all been there.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lose Calm"></div></div>
<p>The alternative is the sorcery speed scoop, which is also known as scooping on your turn. The idea is to let everyone have a chance to do what they need before you scoop.</p>
<p>This one is a little finicky because players will also just like to ask permission to scoop at instant speed in lieu of sorcery speed and consider them equal. "Can I scoop if you don't need me in the game for your turn."</p>
<p>Sorcery speed scooping allows triggers to happen as they need to before removing themselves from the game. It allows player dependent effects to continue until all players have had a chance the utilize this. An <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Insurrection" href="#" target="_blank">Insurrection</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could be ruined by a instant speed scoop by the wrong player.</p>
<p>It disrupts the game state by scooping at instant speed, so sorcery speed scooping attempts to mitigate that. Asking permission also mitigates that.</p>
<p>It wouldn't be an opinion piece if I didn't include my 2 cents. I think for the most part, sorcery speed scooping is the way. We want to win because of our genius of the game.</p>
<p>We don't want to spite another player's win while losing ourselves. We're not trying to king-make, so scooping at instant speed seems spiteful to the person who is trying to win. However, for some reasons I'll get into in a second, scooping at instant speed should be an option as well.</p>
<h2>Doing the Thing</h2>
<p>Another contentious point about concessions is the feeling and reasoning behind the act. I know that's vague, but follow me. Sometimes a game of Commander is down to two players, putting their heart and soul into the end of the game. One player manages to play two components to an infinite combo.</p>
<p>The other player notices and has no interaction and concedes on the spot. The first player might feel some kind of way not being able to play out their combo at least once before their opponent concedes. They built their deck to do the thing and they want the opportunity to do that thing: demonstrate the loop, or finish out their turn to win without the loop.</p>
<p>This is the exact sentiment that brought me to writing this article (and posting about it on my socials to get ideas from the community).</p>
<p>My thoughts here, personally, are that you've already won in a 1v1 when I concede. Conceding is a legitimate win to the other player, and it should feel like that. I know it might not feel as good for some players, but it is still a win. Why should I have to walk through your combo to know that I've lost?</p>
<p>I know it will only take 3 seconds to demonstrate the loop, and to be really honest, I'm willing to see it if the first time you've ever done it, or you're not sure about the line in it and are testing, but if it's just to win the way you want, I'm out.</p>
<p>It seems like you're rubbing my face into a loss. This is why a lot of players insist on scooping at instant speed even when it's high key toxic: to protect against players that want to rub their faces into a loss or a player who wants to make the experience un-fun for the other player. But maybe that's the salt in me. I imagine you can feel the heavy levels of salt through the screen.</p>
<h2>What is the Right Etiquette?</h2>
<p>Hey, if left to me, it will always be a concession at sorcery speed unless the person you're playing with is trying to rub it in your face. Sympathy first, flexibility when needed. The interesting thing is that concession is admitting a loss, which is tough in and of itself. No one likes to lose, to say they have nothing left, but this article is more about how that action affects others.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jaws of Defeat"></div></div>
<p>In Commander everything we do doesn't just affect our board states and our emotions but the board states and emotions of our opponents. What exactly is most important in a game of Commander: personal fun or the fun of the table? It's tough to say when those two things diverge in a game.</p>
<p>Either way, I know I took sides with this article, but take my thoughts as a suggestion. I know how unique everyone's experiences are and these aren't hard and fast rules. I see the ultimate merit to both sides of the argument, and because I've shared a lot of your sentiments.</p>
<p>We can't transpose a hard rule for every play group. We can't expect others to accept our personal expectations on a game, just like we can't get people to not lie about the power levels--sorry, <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/wotc-introduces-new-bracket-system-for-edh">Bracket</a>--of their decks just to get a cheap win. However, we can advocate as much as we can and avoid players we don't enjoy.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Closing Statement"></div></div>
<p>I will always end an article with the same thing: talk to your pod. Talk about your reasons for wanting to scoop at instant or sorcery speed and discuss your feelings on it. It's not about what is right or wrong, it's about compromise to make the experience best for everyone.</p>
<p>Commander is an incredibly social game and requires social solutions. Maybe WOTC sees a need here, like they have with the <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/bracketeering-eternal-might">Brackets</a>, to discuss a Commander specific rule on scooping. Perhaps they don't need to. I want to hear your thoughts! <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/mike-carrozza">For more social aspects of Commander, check out Am I the Bolas</a>.</p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="h8ccnd2pqe"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/am-i-the-bolas-enforcing-the-mulligan-rules/">Am I The Bolas? - Enforcing the Mulligan Rules</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Am I The Bolas? - Enforcing the Mulligan Rules&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/am-i-the-bolas-enforcing-the-mulligan-rules/embed/#?secret=PVCjHBzOqV#?secret=h8ccnd2pqe" data-secret="h8ccnd2pqe" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>


When Should You Concede in Commander?

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.cynthia-sheppard.com/">Cynthia Sheppard</a>)</h6>
<h1>One card that sends me into a blood-rage is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</h1>
<p>It's not because it's part of a two card combo. My combo rage is reserved for anything using <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Peregrine Drake" href="#" target="_blank">Peregrine Drake</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Food Chain" href="#" target="_blank">Food Chain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
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<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="." width="0" height="0"></iframe><br />
I fly into a rage when I see <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> because it is a very political card. I love a little politics in my games, like a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tempt with Discovery" href="#" target="_blank">Tempt with Discovery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but the reason I can't handle the politics of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is because most of my opponents don't recognize it's a political card.</p>
<p>Even if someone utters, "I'm not running the combo," it's a card that reads, "Whenever an opponent loses life, you gain that much life." That means when any of my opponents attack each other, a huge life advantage will be given to the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> player.</p>
<p>We all should know what that means. We have to to eliminate the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or the player. This shift might not be noticed early enough, making that player gain too much life by their next turn.</p>
<p>If they are running <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, they likely are running life as a resource cards, which could be very bad for us. Waiting for a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Generous Gift" href="#" target="_blank">Generous Gift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beast Within" href="#" target="_blank">Beast Within</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to remove the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might be tough even though according to EDHREC <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Generous Gift" href="#" target="_blank">Generous Gift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is in 637,047 of decks and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beast Within" href="#" target="_blank">Beast Within</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is in 975,995.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Generous Gift"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beast Within"></div></div>
<p>The easier, most relevant game action might actually be player removal. No player, no <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, no player with the combined life of your opponents after you eliminate them.</p>
<h2>The Etiquette of Player Removal</h2>
<p>When is it socially acceptable to remove a player? Some things I've noted, talking with other players:</p>
<ul>
<li>How long a game of Commander is and how long the eliminated player will have to wait for the next game?</li>
<li>How it feels to be removed from a game before you're able to to do "the thing."</li>
<li>What is optimal for those on the back foot in a game versus the archenemy?</li>
<li>Isn't Commander supposed to be casual and fun?</li>
</ul>
<p>This is by far no the most exhaustive list. Let us know if you've personally encountered any others.</p>
<h3>Early Elimination</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Farewell"></div></div>
<p>We all know it feels bad to get mana screwed or mana flooded in a game of Commander and have to basically take zero to one game actions before passing the turn.</p>
<p>On average, a game of "healthy" Commander is between 1 hour to 2 hours. The only thing worst than zero to 1 game actions is getting removed from the game before a board wipe like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Farewell" href="#" target="_blank">Farewell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>You play for maybe 40 minutes, you lose gloriously, and then have to play on your phone or spectate a game for another hour or so while players rebuild after a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Farewell" href="#" target="_blank">Farewell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Hey, I'm not arguing that it doesn't suck. It does, but this probably divides players into two categories: Win-at-any-cost players and Fun-at-any-cost players. Some players when left with the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> player's necessary removal will choose to remove them, while others won't for the overall enjoyment of the table.</p>
<p>I'm not sure which I personally prefer, but there has to be some kind of middle ground, right? The sneaky thing about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is that every piece of damage you deal to another player become double duty, you'll have to deal that damage again to the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> player.</p>
<p>Any ounce of compassion you show, you'll pay back double.</p>
<h3>Before Archenemy Status</h3>
<p>It's doubly rough to remove a player when they become a threat before they become archenemy. I played a game where someone played an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to just keep their life total up while attacking their their three or four creature cards. They'd mentioned they'd stopped playing <em>Magic</em> because of how hostile and mean players could be.</p>
<p>They talked about the subtle bullying in the game. This put me in a pickle because I needed to eliminate the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and I'd used the only removal I had already (Pro-tip: don't use your removal as early as I used to, which is to say before turn five).</p>
<p>So I swung into them ruthlessly. They started to get a little salty, understandably, and my partner had to tell me to chill out. I sighed and agreed. It does feel like bullying to swing out everything I have on one player that isn't going to win next turn cycle. Unfortunately, other players felt the same.</p>
<p>We all swung at each other, putting the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> player from a manageable 9 life to 50. It's tough. How do I win over that kind of emotional pressure?</p>
<p>If you're wondering what I'd do, I'd remove the the player. If you don't want to get targeted in a game of Commander, don't play a card that puts a huge target on your back with huge obvious advantage.</p>
<p>This might seem harsh, but with no choice in a format with a winner, it might be the only option for a win. However, my mind and heart are at odds. Sometimes I will be compassionate, and let that player live, like in my example above.</p>
<p>I <em>ALWAYS</em> lose and regret it, but having a soft heart makes me a more fun player to have in a pod, I like to think. Ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves.</p>
<h3>Timing of Removal</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stella Lee, Wild Card"></div></div>
<p>It also comes down to something that I don't think we talk about enough, and that's timing/context. If someone is playing a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stella Lee, Wild Card" href="#" target="_blank">Stella Lee, Wild Card</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck and goes from a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ponder" href="#" target="_blank">Ponder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, holding priority to a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mystical Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Mystical Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you have to remove Stella Lee on the stack.</p>
<p>The next card cast is going to be <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Twisted Fealty" href="#" target="_blank">Twisted Fealty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and that's going to be game. Threat Assessment tinglies should be telling you to remove or counter. It's weird though because imagine if this is the fourth time you've removed Stella Lee, imagine it's in the wake of the third board wipe.</p>
<p>What do we do? This is where the etiquette gets weird. We want the game to be over, but we still want to win. Do we remove the Stella Lee, do we counter the Tutor?</p>
<p>If you're asking what I'd do? If I can win, I'm going to try to stop Stella Lee, but if it's just removal for the sake of potentially digging into my deck for a win, then I'm not removing it. I'll shuffle up and play another, hopefully, less miserable game. Like so many players have echoed, Commander is meant to be fun.</p>
<p>It's not fun after tons of board wipes, extended gameplay, and a miserable crawl to win, at least for me. I don't know if casual is the right word for the game anymore even on Bracket 3-4, though.</p>
<p>There is a deep desire for competition even at those levels. Players fight for their wins, with optimal cards, threat assessment, politics, and interaction.</p>
<h2>Etiquette of Targeted Removal in Commander</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kaalia of the Vast"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kaalia of the Vast" href="#" target="_blank">Kaalia of the Vast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Yeah. 23,955 decks on EDHREC. 8th most popular commander right now. They all know, after reading the title of this section, the question I'm going to ask. How many times can I remove <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kaalia of the Vast" href="#" target="_blank">Kaalia of the Vast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> before I'm the mean one. Turn 4 <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Avacyn, Angel of Hope" href="#" target="_blank">Avacyn, Angel of Hope</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Turn 5 <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Master of Cruelties" href="#" target="_blank">Master of Cruelties</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? I know the trigger doesn't go off with Kaalia putting it into play, but oh how are you going to remove it with Avacyn on board? You can't counter it entering. I know I'm basically ranting at this point, but the point is right there. How many times is it socially acceptable to targeted remove Kaalia before I'm the bully?</p>
<p>I played a game against a Kaalia player a few years ago. She was up against my <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcades, The Strategist" href="#" target="_blank">Arcades, The Strategist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck, which stood no chance. The other player was playing a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mizzix of the Izmagnus" href="#" target="_blank">Mizzix of the Izmagnus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Control deck. You best believe Kaalia was countered, bounced, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pongify" href="#" target="_blank">Pongify</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-ed.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pongify"></div></div>
<p>The Kaalia player got so upset that he picked up his cards and went home mid-game, ranting that everyone comes to this shop for a fun time, not a "whatever this was".</p>
<p>I can understand getting upset when your commander is removed a ton of times, but maybe that's the only solution to the commander or the deck?</p>
<h3>Amount of Targets</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Druid of Purification"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anikthea, Hand of Erebos"></div></div>
<p>Similarly, when you <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Druid of Purification" href="#" target="_blank">Druid of Purification</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, how many targets do you all, collectively, pick from one player? If I'm playing against an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anikthea, Hand of Erebos" href="#" target="_blank">Anikthea, Hand of Erebos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck or <em>ANY</em> artifact synergy deck, should we be picking down one player into oblivion?</p>
<p>How many pieces of removal should we use on one player even if they are the archenemy. I don't mean in the technical sense to secure your win. I mean, ethically. If you have tons of interaction to protect your own board state, how much of it should go into dismantling one player's board? It's tough.</p>
<p>I want to say that it has to be whichever brings you closer to your win, while holding back. You shouldn't spend all your removal on one player and not win: spread it out.</p>
<p>Don't think another player is out for the count just because they aren't going off yet. That and the table feels a little better about it. It protects against <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/salt">saltiness</a>. I'd spread it out every time, except against Anikthea or Ironman-types, but that's just me.</p>
<h2>The Last Bit of Removal</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Seal of Removal"></div></div>
<p>So, I've been going on and on about how this might make others feel in a game of Commander. The ecosystem of a good friend group or pod of Commander comes down to the communal feeling of the group about these things.</p>
<p>These scenarios are conversations we should be having as we develop our play groups to see if we're a good fit for each other, or how we can better cater to our pods.</p>
<p>A compromise might be that Kaalia can only be removed a certain amount of times a game or she can only be played in high power tables that don't care about removing her (Gonna be honest, I don't know if either of those solutions solves the Kaalia problem, but I thought I'd give it a shot).</p>
<p>Either way, I'm not sure there is a one rule above all with this kind of thing, like cultural etiquette outside of card games, it depends on your playgroup to figure what's acceptable. <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/am-i-the-bolas-enforcing-the-mulligan-rules">For more of that in depth, check out Mike Carrozza's Column Am I the Bolas?</a> And let me know what you think at <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/strixhavendropout.bsky.social">@strixhavendropout</a> on Bluesky, we'll see you next time when we chat about the etiquette of conceding the game!</p>


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