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

Adapting Your Decks to Core Bracket 2

Rookie Roadmap: How to Play With Commander Masters