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<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Weathered Wayfarer|2x2|578" href="#" target="_blank">Weathered Wayfarer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://dermotpower.com/wizards-of-the-coast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dermont Power</a></em></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Lands. The single most prominent card type found in every <em>Magic</em> deck that has ever existed. Despite newer cards pushing the power level higher and higher every set, lands seem to be the one spot everyone knows to not push too much.</p>
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<p>Odds are our mana bases haven't changed too much since... well, forever ago. The last time I remember actively searching for new lands for Commander was during Ikoria's release and I was hunting each Triome, despite not having a deck for any of them to call home.</p>
<p>Most recently, players would be cracking packs for the new <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commercial District" href="#" target="_blank">surveil lands</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but these are just a strict upgrade over Theros's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Temple of Malady" href="#" target="_blank">Temples</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, as opposed to Ikoria's five Triomes being completely new.</p>
<p>It seems nowadays that any deck can secure its colors reliably without mana rocks to compensate. There are enough <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Indatha Triome" href="#" target="_blank">Triomes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Evolving Wilds" href="#" target="_blank">Evolving Wilds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fabled Passage" href="#" target="_blank">Fabled Passage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prismatic Vista" href="#" target="_blank">Prismatic Vista</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s, and other cheap <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Riveteers Overlook" href="#" target="_blank">fetch lands</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for any and every deck to have reliable access to all five colors at any given moment.</p>
<p>So what does this mean? Weren't precons specifically designed with poor mana bases in mind? Should players be constrained by mana fixing in order to create a more social environment? Are the Brackets asking players to specifically cut lands to "be legal" for a given Bracket?</p>
<h2>Mana Bases Are Bracketless</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Badlands"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bayou"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Plateau"></div></div>
<p>Your mana base is everything that can generate you mana reliably; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Signet" href="#" target="_blank">rocks</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Llanowar Elves" href="#" target="_blank">dorks</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seething Song" href="#" target="_blank">rituals</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and lands are all what form this base to build your game around. For this discussion, we'll be highlighting the lands portion of the mana base, but the points found here can be generalized for the other portions as well.</p>
<p>Gavin Verhey of <em>Wizards of the Coast</em> and the Commander Format Panel has detailed this a few different times, but ultimately the CFP's stance is this: A Bracket 5 deck's lands are perfectly OK for a Bracket 1 game.</p>
<p>Essentially, the lands that form the mana bases most commonly found in Bracket 5 aren't considered to belong to Bracket 5. The Brackets aren't aiming to place an arbitrary restriction on someone's lands as to artificially create a weaker deck.</p>
<p>There is no fundamental reason why a Bracket 2 deck couldn't run all five dual lands if able. The lands themselves are just a means for a player to play the game. <em>How</em> they use the mana their <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Volcanic Island" href="#" target="_blank">Volcanic Island</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> generates is what regulates which Bracket they should play in.</p>
<p>Yes, Bracket 2 decks have been compared to being as powerful as Commander precons. Yes, WoTC's precons historically have had fairly lackluster lands. It makes sense that Bracket 2 decks being portrayed as precons gives players the impression "if it's not in a precon, I shouldn't play it."</p>
<p>But this is a very vague description of what makes something Bracket 2-friendly. Not only is it hard for players to compare their decks to any one precon, but not every precon is equal to one another. I couldn't count how many recent precons <a href="https://edhrec.com/precon#warhammer40,000commander" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the <em>Warhammer</em> decks</a> would breeze over.</p>
<p>Additionally, Commander precons' mana bases take into consideration the secondary market and whether or not WoTC is willing to reprint certain cards for financial purposes. Precons' poor mana bases have more to do with WoTC's business model and less to do with what a precon can handle.</p>
<p>It's more than okay for your Bracket 2 deck to run whatever lands you feel are necessary to secure your mana base. Issues begin to arise when your lands start doing other things - things more powerful than just producing mana (and free mana is pretty hard to beat).</p>
<h2>That's No Mountain...</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cabal Coffers"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Urza&#039;s Saga"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle"></div></div>
<p>Aside from the <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/game-changers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game Changing</a> lands, there are plenty of ways your lands could be viewed as too much for Bracket 2. While running a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boseiju, Who Endures" href="#" target="_blank">Boseiju, Who Endures</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> isn't hurting anyone, and a stray <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inventors&#039; Fair" href="#" target="_blank">Inventors&#039; Fair</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> helps with consistency, repeating these effects excessively or otherwise further exploiting similarly powerful lands can be what breaks the Bracket barrier.</p>
<p>Players engaging in a Bracket 2 game come to the table assuming that their opponents are looking for a game focused more on the social aspects of Commander that often finish with flashy and dramatic ways. As long as your mana base reflects this, there's no harm in running only the most efficient lands possible.</p>
<p>The big distinction here is what do you <em>intend</em> to do. If you intend to build a Bracket 2 deck, chances are your deck is already 90% of the way to becoming a Bracket 2 deck.</p>
<p>Do you intend to run <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cabal Coffers" href="#" target="_blank">Cabal Coffers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> alongside <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth" href="#" target="_blank">Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> specifically to resolve some game-winning X spell early? Probably not Bracket 2 safe. Do you intend to run Cabal Coffers alongside Urborg because you're playing a mono-black Zombie kindred deck and would like your lands to be more than just 37 swamps? Probably ok.</p>
<p>The hard part is realizing when you've transitioned from, say, upgrading basic lands to shocklands and instead begin actively optimizing which nonbasic lands can outright lead to a game ending, such as with the Coffers + Urborg example.</p>
<p>Is your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza&#039;s Saga" href="#" target="_blank">Urza&#039;s Saga</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> going to tutor for something valuable or something that threatens victory? Does your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle" href="#" target="_blank">Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> seek to immediately threaten lethal, if not victory, or does it simply fit into you mono-red Goblins deck?</p>
<p>The lands themselves are often not the problem. As long as any given land doesn't border Game Changer status, there's no unilateral reason for it to be excluded from a particular Bracket for this reason alone.</p>
<h2>The Lands Aren't the Problem — Your Deck Is</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Simic Growth Chamber"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kodama of the East Tree"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Meloku the Clouded Mirror"></div></div>
<p>Any given Bracket 2 Commander deck shouldn't be concerned with trying to find the amorphous Bracket barrier. If this is what your deck is doing, you've already lost the point.</p>
<p>The Brackets are to be a set of tools, guidelines that direct deckbuilding and game play in a desired direction. These tools can be used for better or worse, and actively stress-testing these tools at the expense of your opponents is for the worse.</p>
<p>For example, let's say someone seeks to build their first ever Commander deck for Bracket 2. They don't have an established play group, which is precisely what the Bracket system aims to help with.</p>
<p>They've reviewed all of the relevant Bracket descriptions and Game Changers and are left with what lands to play.</p>
<p>In theory, they would never encounter a problem with their lands being considered outside the scope of Bracket 2 since, as a new Commander player, they aren't familiar with fully optimizing their lands to act as more than just lands.</p>
<p>They've built the deck with the expressed intent of learning <em>Magic</em> through a different format and are ready to have Commander impress upon them a whole slew of perspectives.</p>
<p>Once they've played for long enough and have learned the faults with their first deck, they may seek to upgrade the deck to better challenge their opponents. At this point, it's possible this player has an established play group, at which point the Bracket system has completed it's function and is no longer required.</p>
<p>But let's say this isn't the case and this player is upgrading their lands to play against strangers. It's at this point the player begins to ask questions like "What's the difference between Bracket 2 and Bracket 3? How many upgrades are considered 'too many?'"</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deserted Temple"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scorched Ruins"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rings of Brighthearth"></div></div>
<p>It's here, right here, that their deck has most likely crossed the Bracket barrier. They've started searching for a line to act as a limit they wish to approach but never cross.</p>
<p>A player shifting Brackets can be a definitive moment of development in their <em>Magic</em> experience, but it needs to be recognized as a shift. It'd be detrimental to everyone involved if this player were to start actively optimizing with Cabal or Boseiju or Urza's Saga with victory in mind and try to convince themselves that their deck isn't "that deck."</p>
<p>The lands you run can look as optimized or as janky as you please. Just make sure you're running them for the right reasons.</p>
<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>
<p>To be honest, I don't remember the last time I looked at someone's lands and thought "Man, I should've played another deck." That's what the Commander is for!</p>
<p>It'd be foolish of me to play against strangers, let alone my established play group, and tell them that their deck is too strong or weak because our lands look different.</p>
<p>While most of my decks don't run the most optimized lands for their mana bases, I think it has less to do with me actively trying to power down a deck and is instead due to outside factors such as prices and availability.</p>
<p>Would my <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Szarel, Genesis Shepherd" href="#" target="_blank">Szarel, Genesis Shepherd</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Bracket 2 deck love the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commercial District" href="#" target="_blank">surveil lands</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? Absolutely. Can I be bothered to drop $30-$40 just to fetch <em>slightly</em> better lands than my <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sheltered Thicket" href="#" target="_blank">cycling lands</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? Nope.</p>
<p>In fact, running fewer nonbasics has helped cut down time spent deciding which land is the best land to fetch. The more basics I've started run... the more basic my turns have become...? It forms a pun, therefore it's good!</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16px;">But what do you think? How do you feel about lands being "Bracketed"? What are your thoughts on precons going up against powerful lands? Do you think precons should start including stronger lands?</span></p>
<p>I hope that this article is helpful in discussing why lands ought to be generally unrestricted, but I'd love to hear from you and what your thoughts are. Tune in next time to continue this deep dive in the Bracket system and more <em>Commander Philosophy</em>!</p>
<h3>Read More:</h3>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="G2emUKUqAr"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/commander-philosophy-sol-ring-isnt-good-for-commander/">Commander Philosophy - Sol Ring Isn't Good For Commander</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Commander Philosophy - Sol Ring Isn&#039;t Good For Commander&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/commander-philosophy-sol-ring-isnt-good-for-commander/embed/#?secret=8B7JQYooa5#?secret=G2emUKUqAr" data-secret="G2emUKUqAr" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="8iEymH1iIR"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/what-planetary-annihilation-means-for-commander-precons/">What Planetary Annihilation Means For Commander Precons</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;What Planetary Annihilation Means For Commander Precons&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/what-planetary-annihilation-means-for-commander-precons/embed/#?secret=Od13oXvIKq#?secret=8iEymH1iIR" data-secret="8iEymH1iIR" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="XjVl3ALq88"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/lots-of-new-landfall-toys-where-do-we-go-from-here/">Lots Of New Landfall Toys — Where Do We Go From Here?</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Lots Of New Landfall Toys — Where Do We Go From Here?&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/lots-of-new-landfall-toys-where-do-we-go-from-here/embed/#?secret=bXxG9Ei3aN#?secret=XjVl3ALq88" data-secret="XjVl3ALq88" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
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When Do Lands Become More Than a Mana Base?

Adapting Your Decks to Core Bracket 2

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<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> | Art by <a href="https://ronspearsart.com/">Ron Spears</a>)</h6>
<h2>Mastering Commander</h2>
<p>Welcome to<em> Rookie Roadmap</em>, where we give newer <em>Magic </em>players a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sméagol, Helpful Guide" href="#" target="_blank">helpful guide</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and easy-to-use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Expedition Map" href="#" target="_blank">map</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for the latest and greatest set releases. Ever since the first <em>Masters</em> set, players have joked that any supplemental set from <em>Jumpstart</em> to <em>Commander Legends</em> is secretly <strong>the</strong> <em>Commander Masters;</em> with <a href="https://commandersherald.com/commander-masters-second-looks-part-1/">reprints</a> aimed at keeping staples priced low for Commander players. Finally, those jokes are no longer necessary, because this set really is <em>Commander Masters </em>(CMM). One of the best things about reprints is their accessibility, whether that's in buying price or their proven history in the format. If you're a long-time player eager for new reprint prices or a <a href="https://commandersherald.com/your-new-to-commander-guide-to-the-lord-of-the-rings-tales-of-middle-earth/">beginner looking to finally invest in the format</a>, here's your beginner's guide for what to look out for in <em>Commander Masters.</em></p>
<h2>Choose Your Fighter</h2>
<p>As with every set, <em>Commander Masters</em> is accompanied by <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/?s=commander+masters+precon&amp;cat=4">four preconstructed Commander decks</a>. Unlike a normal set, however, they are not necessarily connected to the themes and mechanics of the main set. Instead, they are supplemental and standalone, allowing the designers to get old characters onto cards and revisit fan-favorite mechanics and creature types.</p>
<h3>Eldrazi Unbound</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zhulodok, Void Gorger"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Omarthis, Ghostfire Initiate"></div></div>
<p>One of Magic's signature villains, <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/search/?q=eldrazi">the Eldrazi,</a> make their return in <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/eldrazi-unbound-precon-primer/?utm_source=edhrec&amp;utm_medium=article_preview">Eldrazi Unbound</a>, led by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zhulodok, Void Gorger" href="#" target="_blank">Zhulodok, Void Gorger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The deck leans heavily into casting big colorless spells, as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zhulodok, Void Gorger" href="#" target="_blank">Zhulodok, Void Gorger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets them <em>Cascade</em> twice, allowing you to chain together powerful spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="It That Betrays" href="#" target="_blank">It That Betrays</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flayer of Loyalties" href="#" target="_blank">Flayer of Loyalties</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rise of the Eldrazi" href="#" target="_blank">Rise of the Eldrazi</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Colorless decks often struggle with card advantage in Commander, and double <em>Cascade</em> triggers are a great way to work around this. The alternate commander in this deck, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Omarthis, Ghostfire Initiate" href="#" target="_blank">Omarthis, Ghostfire Initiate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, also addresses the card advantage problem by <em>Manifesting</em> cards from your library when it dies. You can then use those colorless tokens to attack or flip over into actual creatures with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ugin&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Ugin&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Sliver Swarm</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sliver Gravemother"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rukarumel, Biologist"></div></div>
<p>Another <a href="https://commandersherald.com/socially-anxious-sliver-makes-family-worry/">iconic <em>Magic</em> creature type</a>, <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/search/?q=sliver">Slivers</a>, reappear with a brand new five color commander: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sliver Gravemother" href="#" target="_blank">Sliver Gravemother</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Slivers grow stronger the more of them you have, so being able to gain three copies of the best ones with the ability <em>Encore</em> seems like an easy recipe for success. Some Slivers like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloudshredder Sliver" href="#" target="_blank">Cloudshredder Sliver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> don't do anything extra in multiples, but others are more impactful. Multiple copies of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harmonic Sliver" href="#" target="_blank">Harmonic Sliver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lazotep Sliver" href="#" target="_blank">Lazotep Sliver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all give each Sliver you control multiple instances of their effects. If you'd like to spread this power to creatures of other types, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rukarumel, Biologist" href="#" target="_blank">Rukarumel, Biologist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> turns all of your creatures into Slivers. You can also use Rukarumel for <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/search/?q=Rukarumel">other typal shenanigans</a>, similar to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Adaptation" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Adaptation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Enduring Enchantments</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anikthea, Hand of Erebos"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Narci, Fable Singer"></div></div>
<p>Thanks to <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/enduring-enchantments-precon-primer/?utm_source=edhrec&amp;utm_medium=article_preview">Enduring Enchantments</a>, we finally have two excellent Abzan enchantment commanders. <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> wants to pull enchantments out of the graveyard as 3/3 creatures with menace. Sagas help keep your graveyard full, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eidolon of Blossoms" href="#" target="_blank">Eidolon of Blossoms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Narci, Fable Singer" href="#" target="_blank">Narci, Fable Singer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> help reload your hand. Those tokens also trigger <em>Constellation</em> effects, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archon of Sun&#039;s Grace" href="#" target="_blank">Archon of Sun&#039;s Grace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boon of the Spirit Realm" href="#" target="_blank">Boon of the Spirit Realm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/search/?q=archon%20of%20sun%27s%20grace">making your army of tokens truly deadly</a>.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Planeswalker Party</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Commodore Guff"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Leori, Sparktouched Hunter"></div></div>
<p>Finally, we come to a character you probably hadn't heard of before, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commodore Guff" href="#" target="_blank">Commodore Guff</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, leading a <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/planeswalker-party-precon-primer/?utm_source=edhrec&amp;utm_medium=article_preview">Planeswalker Party</a>. This deck (rather obviously focused around planeswalkers) wants to slowly accumulate value through their activated abilities until you finally win. This could be with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sarkhan the Masterless" href="#" target="_blank">Sarkhan the Masterless</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sparkshaper Visionary" href="#" target="_blank">Sparkshaper Visionary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> turning all your planeswalkers into flying creatures, an army of tokens buffed by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elspeth, Sun&#039;s Champion" href="#" target="_blank">Elspeth, Sun&#039;s Champion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or just having both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chandra, Awakened Inferno" href="#" target="_blank">Chandra, Awakened Inferno</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chandra, Legacy of Fire" href="#" target="_blank">Chandra, Legacy of Fire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in play.</p>
<p>As always, these decks are designed to be played against each other. If you want to step things up a notch, you can also check out our <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/?s=scrap+trawlers&amp;cat=4">upgrade guides</a> written by the Scrap Trawlers. They've written in-depth reviews of each deck if you want to be sure they're exactly what you're looking for.</p>
<h2>Making a Comeback</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ruby Medallion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deflecting Swat"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Personal Tutor"></div></div>
<p>With all of the new cards limited to the Commander precon decks, the real draw (pun intended) of <em>Commander Masters</em> lies in its many reprints. This is a great opportunity to get your hands on powerful cards that have been historically expensive. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deflecting Swat" href="#" target="_blank">Deflecting Swat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deadly Rollick" href="#" target="_blank">Deadly Rollick</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <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> are all getting reprinted, along with each of the <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=mv%3D2+medallion">Medallions</a>. This is also the first time <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Capture of Jingzhou" href="#" target="_blank">Capture of Jingzhou</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is being reprinted, so there are <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/search/?q=Capture%20of%20Jingzhou">a ton of new combos to discover</a>.</p>
<p>Fans of Reanimator decks will also be happy to see both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Razaketh, the Foulblooded" href="#" target="_blank">Razaketh, the Foulblooded</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archfiend of Despair" href="#" target="_blank">Archfiend of Despair</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, while Aristocrats players are getting brand new art for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder" href="#" target="_blank">Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Other notable reprints include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mangara, the Diplomat" href="#" target="_blank">Mangara, the Diplomat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Savage Beating" href="#" target="_blank">Savage Beating</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arachnogenesis" href="#" target="_blank">Arachnogenesis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Ur-Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">The Ur-Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Great Henge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Puresteel Paladin"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Meren of Clan Nel Toth"></div></div>
<p>Especially for players who've <a href="https://commandersherald.com/your-new-to-commander-guide-to-the-lord-of-the-rings-tales-of-middle-earth/">recently gotten into Commander</a>, <em>Commander Masters</em> might be the perfect time to snag old Commander cards you may have missed the first time around. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Meren of Clan Nel Toth" href="#" target="_blank">Meren of Clan Nel Toth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Ur-Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">The Ur-Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both powerful commanders from previous preconstructed decks. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sun Quan, Lord of Wu" href="#" target="_blank">Sun Quan, Lord of Wu</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chainer, Dementia Master" href="#" target="_blank">Chainer, Dementia Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both old cards that can't be reprinted easily outside of a release like this.</p>
<h2>Drafting A Deck</h2>
<p><em>Commander Masters</em> was also designed with the intention to <a href="https://magic.gg/news/commander-masters-draft-primer">draft Commander decks</a> to play against your friends. This works a lot like a normal draft. Each player starts with three packs which you pass around the table in alternating left-right order. However, each pack in CMM has 20 cards, and you pick two cards at a time. Additionally, at the end of the draft you'll build a 60-card deck that can include as many copies of any card as you drafted. Otherwise, normal Commander rules apply. All your cards must be in your commander's color identity and your starting life is 40.</p>
<p>There's just one more small exception. For the purposes of draft, every mono-color legendary creature is considered to have <a href="https://edhrec.com/partners">Partner</a>. This helps make sure you have enough useful cards, and makes sure everyone isn't fighting over a small pool of multi-color options.</p>
<p>Drafting can be a great way for established players to re-ignite their passion and <a href="https://commandersherald.com/conquering-the-commander-cube-balancing-your-cube-pt-1/">deckbuilding creativity</a> in the game. Being forced to use cards you wouldn't otherwise and apply cards in unique new ways is a great way to get a fresh take on <em>Magic</em> and the Commander format. Playing Sealed Constructed is also a great way to introduce friends to the game. The limited card pool keeps things comprehensible, while still allowing for plenty of personal customization. It also ensures that you don't win just because you have more "good" cards.</p>
<h2>The Gathering</h2>
<p><a href="https://commandersherald.com/set-review-commander-masters/"><em>Commander Masters</em></a> is a great set for remembering that <em>Magic</em> is really about "the Gathering". Of course, some of us play to win. Some of us just want the shiniest cards or the craziest deck at the table. Thankfully, <em>Commander Masters</em> really does let you have it all. And whether you pick up the precons, organize a draft, or even just buy singles to add to your decks, <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/how-to-get-your-friends-into-edh-with-commander-masters/?utm_source=edhrec&amp;utm_medium=article_preview">you can't play Commander without a group of friends</a>.</p>


edh gameplay

When Do Lands Become More Than a Mana Base?

Adapting Your Decks to Core Bracket 2

Rookie Roadmap: How to Play With Commander Masters