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<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<a href="https://scryfall.com/card/ons/127/blackmail">Blackmail</a> | Art by: <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CChristopher+Moeller%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art">Christopher Moeller</a>)</h6>
In February 2006, the now-disbanded Rules Committee made a new rule for a very young format.<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heartless Hidetsugu" href="#" target="_blank">Heartless Hidetsugu</a>, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kaervek the Merciless" href="#" target="_blank">Kaervek the Merciless</a>, and <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind" href="#" target="_blank">Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind</a>, were all banned as commanders only.
While they could not lead your deck, you could still play them in the 99. As the years passed, different legendary creatures went on and off this list.
After eight years, in February 2014, the "banned only as commander" rule was eliminated, and <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Braids, Cabal Minion" href="#" target="_blank">Braids, Cabal Minion</a>, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Erayo, Soratami Ascendant" href="#" target="_blank">Erayo, Soratami Ascendant</a>, and <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary" href="#" target="_blank">Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary</a> became banned in the format, and so far, they have stayed there.
I wonder if they have remained for too long.
Currently, there are ten legendary creatures banned in the format. I want to examine whether any of them should be the reason for bringing back the "banned only as commander" rule.
Should they stay or go, or should some current creatures be added?
My name is Nick; this is Myth Realized - Should We Bring Back Banned Only As Commander?
<h2>Triple Threat.</h2>
There are five cards that I currently have not talked about as candidates to bring back as "Banned Only As Commander" candidates. Today, I cover three of those five.
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Braids, Cabal Minion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Emrakul, the Aeons Torn"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Erayo, Soratami Ascendant"></div></div>
Let's start with my favorite of the three, and the only one I have ever played in any format, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Emrakul, the Aeons Torn" href="#" target="_blank">Emrakul, the Aeons Torn</a>.
<h2>Mother.</h2>
The undisputed biggest and badest spaghetti monster of all the Magic: The Gathering universes and the only one of the <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?as=grid&amp;order=name&amp;q=%28type%3Acreature+type%3Alegendary+type%3Aeldrazi%29+%28game%3Apaper%29">twelve</a> non-meld Legendary Eldrazi banned in the Commander format.
So what is the hatred for the mother of all Eldrazi monsters? This card is tough for anyone, or even a table of other players, to be able to shut down before, during, and after it hits the field.
But what makes it so hard to stop compared to a group of creatures that, on average, cost you a double-digit amount of mana?
This spell can't be countered already in the first line of text, causing a massive issue. While something I appreciate, being stapled onto a big creature occasionally is usually not a big issue outside of playing a control deck in a competitive 60-card format. But considering Emrakul, it is just the tip of the iceberg.
The next issue is that you do not get a reprieve once this card hits the board thanks to the casting of this spell giving you an extra turn. So even in the world where you use something like <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sink into Stupor" href="#" target="_blank">Sink into Stupor</a> to "force" an opponent to cast it again, they will get another turn right away to do so.
Extra turn spells are some of the most disliked spells in the commander format. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Time Stretch" href="#" target="_blank">Time Stretch</a> and <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Expropriate" href="#" target="_blank">Expropriate</a> both find themselves on the <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/salt">salt list</a> most years on EDHrec.
If all of this was not enough, the torn comes with the following: Flying, protection from spells that are one or more colors, and annihilator 6.
So it is hard to block, will not die, and every time it attacks, the blocking player has to sacrifice six of their permanents before they can even try to block.
If extra turns were not disliked enough, the fact that this card has annihilator six also rubs people the wrong way, so much so that only the other two original Eldrazi Titans and the latest retrain of Ulamog have it (when it comes to the suite of legends).
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kozilek, Butcher of Truth"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ulamog, the Defiler"></div></div>
But Nick, look how much mana this creature costs; you are not considering that it costs mana to cast this card; I hear you scream at me from the other side of the internet.
Well, I would tell those people that by my current count, <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/colorless">33 of the top 100</a> most played colorless cards can help you by either accelerating your mana, getting you more lands, or reducing the costs of your Eldrazi. Yes, is a lot of mana. Sadly, it is not as much as you think it is.
One of the best decks I have ever played against was built around <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kozilek, the Great Distortion" href="#" target="_blank">Kozilek, the Great Distortion</a> years ago. Since then, more and more cards have been released, making ramping into colorless cards more straightforward than ever.
Having this card in the command zone would be groan-inducing, to say the least. Unfortunately, to our colorless card-loving players, this one is just a bit too strong to let see the light of day.
Generally, I tend to take a medium-of-the-road stance on these cards because, most often, I do not know how bad these cards might be, or I have a strong feeling one way or another, but I can see the arguments from the other side.
This is not one of those times. This card should not be allowed back into the format in the command zone or the 99. There is too much going on, and even if the table teams up or someone has wrath to take care of it two turns after it comes down, it will be too late for at least one player.
<h2>Do A Flip.</h2>
One of the original "flip" cards and one of the original creatures on the first banned list for the format <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Erayo, Soratami Ascendant" href="#" target="_blank">Erayo, Soratami Ascendant</a> is next up on the discussion list.
It's a cheap to-cast 1/1 flyer in blue. What could be threatening about this card? How about locking out the entire table by turn two of the game and making everyone else suffer while you put together a win that will take 25 minutes?
Play <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Island" href="#" target="_blank">Island</a>, then cast a <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a> and an <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Signet" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Signet</a> on turn one. Turn two; how about another <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Island" href="#" target="_blank">Island</a> and cast <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Erayo, Soratami Ascendant" href="#" target="_blank">Erayo, Soratami Ascendant</a>, with your mana rocks?
Follow it up with <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mox Amber" href="#" target="_blank">Mox Amber</a>, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mishra&#039;s Bauble" href="#" target="_blank">Mishra&#039;s Bauble</a>, and <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Laboratory" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Laboratory</a>. Now, the entire table can only cast one spell a turn, and that spell is automatically countered.
You are also playing mono-blue and packing every counterspell from <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Force of Will" href="#" target="_blank">Force of Will</a> to a foil copy of <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Foil" href="#" target="_blank">Foil</a>.
Yes, this is a bit of a "magical Christmas land" scenario, but the real talk about this card is that it is deceptively easy to flip around and cause a hellish game state for the rest of the table.
This card might need some of the least discussion regarding the possible unbanning of cards in the commander format across the board.
Ask any person how bad it felt to play dual/French Commander when <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Baral, Chief of Compliance" href="#" target="_blank">Baral, Chief of Compliance</a>, was running around, and you will know why this card should never be a guaranteed turn-two play.
Trust me when I tell you that casting four spells in one turn is far better and easier than trying to ultimate a <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jace, Unraveler of Secrets" href="#" target="_blank">Jace, Unraveler of Secrets</a>, or resolve a lesser lockdown piece in <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nullstone Gargoyle" href="#" target="_blank">Nullstone Gargoyle</a>.
<h2>Back In Black.</h2>
Last but certainly not least, we have <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Braids, Cabal Minion" href="#" target="_blank">Braids, Cabal Minion</a>. And I will not bury the lead on this one, readers, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Braids, Cabal Minion" href="#" target="_blank">Braids, Cabal Minion</a> brings the total of cards that should not be allowed back into the format to....two. Braid does not up the count at all.
Yes, Braids is, in their way, an easier-to-play around <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Smokestack" href="#" target="_blank">Smokestack</a> for the caster of the card. The biggest thing bolstering the power of this card and what makes it a good commander to lock out a table is that, unlike the blue version of this card, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Braids, Conjurer Adept" href="#" target="_blank">Braids, Conjurer Adept</a> is that it will punish the other three players at the table before it punishes you.
Braids is a strong commander, and I cannot deny that the earlier this card hits the board, the more havoc it can wreak on a table. But this is an effect you must build around to maximize, not one you can toss into the command zone and go your merry way.
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Griselbrand"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Golos, Tireless Pilgrim"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Leovold, Emissary of Trest"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lutri, the Spellchaser"></div></div>
Take four of the other cards that have been talked about so far in the series. All four of these cards can be built around to maximize their abilities, and if they were allowed to be played in the format, those versions of the individual decks would shine brighter than the others.
But, in all their ways, they can also be placed into the command zone and/or into a deck, and you could carry on business as usual. Braids do not have the same luxury concerning how effective a deck is just using it as a commander or as a random creature in the 99.
The best example of why I would not be worried about a card like Braids, Cabal Minion, being released from the list, especially since it would still be "banned as a commander," is the card <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tergrid, God of Fright" href="#" target="_blank">Tergrid, God of Fright</a>. Tergrid is one of the <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/tergrid-god-of-fright">top 100</a> commanders of all time.
And I think it is a more effective card to have as your commander than Braids would ever be. It does not affect you negatively, and even if you draw the portion of your deck that does not make anyone discard a card or sacrifice any permanents, eventually, someone will do the work for you.
Like Tergrid, Braids would most likely have a high salt score and would be a deck and a strategy that would generally be unfun for the other people at the table to play a game with and, like many of the cards, legal to the format, would self regulate its way out of many decks.
I think that <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Braids, Cabal Minion" href="#" target="_blank">Braids, Cabal Minion</a> would be a fine card to bring back, and honestly, I would like to see it banned as a commander only to make people find a way to maximize its abilities when it is inside the 99, rather than in the command zone.
<h2>Threes Company.</h2>
So, with it all said and done, two cards are never allowed to return, and one of the most unnerving smiles in magic comes back, but not with a vengeance. With only two creatures left on the list, this series is winding down to a close, but I still want to hear from you.
What do you think if <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Braids, Cabal Minion" href="#" target="_blank">Braids, Cabal Minion</a> gets to have a triumphant return? How do you feel about <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Emrakul, the Aeons Torn" href="#" target="_blank">Emrakul, the Aeons Torn</a>, still being trapped?
And what are your favorite four spells to flip around an <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Erayo, Soratami Ascendant" href="#" target="_blank">Erayo, Soratami Ascendant</a>? Tell me here or on the socials anywhere you can find the name nicnax96 and come back for one more article asking: Should We Bring Back Banned Only As Commander?

Myth Realized - Should We Bring Back Banned Only As Commander?

Top 10 Universes Beyond Commanders

Wombo Combo - Best EDH Combo Cards Released in 2024

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Naughty//Nice" href="#" target="_blank">Naughty//Nice</a> | Art by Greg Staples</h6>
<h1>Who's on the List?</h1>
I am not, in fact, Santa Claus. But this year, I'm pretending to be.
In my usual series, <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/kyle-massa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Over/Under</a>, I try to predict how popular new commanders will become one year after their release. But since I've covered every set from 2024 already, I thought this might be a fun opportunity for a retrospective. And so, we're getting naughty. And nice.
What were the biggest blunders of the year? What were the strongest successes? What gimmicks horribly backfired on me? Let's find out!
<h2>Naughty: Universes Beyond Takes Over</h2>
I haven't been as disappointed in the Universes Beyond products as most other players. I viewed them as fun ancillary products for fans of whatever crossover IP we might've visited. Honestly, I was even holding on hope that we might someday get an X-Files product. And then October rolled around.
On the 25th of that month, <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/aligning-the-universes-making-all-our-sets-legal-in-all-our-formats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aaron Forsythe announced</a> all future Universes Beyond sets would be legal in all formats. Furthermore, we'll now have three of them per year, starting with Final Fantasy next June, Marvel's Spider-Man at an undisclosed later date, and an unnamed set after that.
<a href="https://commandersherald.com/gavin-verhey-and-aaron-forsythe-on-commanders-future/">The first half of that news isn't groundbreaking for us</a>; UB cards have been running rampant in Commander for years. It's the other bit that's got me concerned. Forsythe lists several reasons for the change, but the cynical explanation is these licensed sets make massive profits. That makes corporate Hasbro happy, but it's concerning for the long term originality of the game.
Take a set like April's <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/the-over-under-predicting-the-popularity-of-outlaws-of-thunder-junction-commanders/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Outlaws of Thunder Junction</a>. It's an original plane that unites villains from the game's history, including Oko, Vraska, Rakdos, and Tinybones. I didn't love the set, but even I couldn't deny that it was a triumph of concept and worldbuilding. Finding familiar characters in an unfamiliar world was a delight, and it was made possible from years of original storytelling.
You can find that same resonance in Universes Beyond, true, but it has to be built-in. Speaking from personal experience, it was pleasing to see my guy Aragorn as a Magic card in <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/the-over-under-a-review-of-the-lord-of-the-rings-commanders/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tales of Middle-earth</a>.
Yet that's only because I happened to have prior attachment to that world. This year's <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/the-over-under-predicting-the-popularity-of-assassins-creed-commanders/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Assassin's Creed</a>, by contrast, interested me not in the slightest.
If it had been an original set built around the theme of Assassin kindred, I would've given it more of a shot. I suspect many players feel the same.
We're only going to have more of that hit-and-miss feeling moving forward, and I think that's a shame. So for now, Universes Beyond products, you're on the Naughty List.
<h2>Nice: Duskmourn: House of Horror</h2>
From the flavor to the gameplay to the <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marvin, Murderous Mimic" href="#" target="_blank">creepy killer clowns</a>, this was my favorite set of the year. We got 27 new commanders (which I believe is the perfect amount), with some returning characters and many more fresh faces. Check that—creepy faces.
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rendmaw, Creaking Nest"></div></div>
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rendmaw, Creaking Nest" href="#" target="_blank">Rendmaw, Creaking Nest</a> was my favorite, and though many were surprised I named it my Can't-Miss Pick, it's already gone far over 1,200. Thanks, Rendmaw. This class of commanders as a whole is tracking well, with 15 of the 27 already going Over.
I still maintain it's thematically and aesthetically similar enough to Innistrad that it probably shouldn't have become a new plane, but whatever—Duskmourn was still a hit in my book. But while we're on the subject...
<h2>Naughty: So-Called Original Planes That Nonetheless Seem Oddly Familiar</h2>
Maybe it was because they came back-to-back, but what was the deal with Bloomburrow and Duskmourn? I mean, Bloomburrow was an idyllic, whimsical world based around typal synergies. Sounds a lot like my favorite set ever, Lorwyn. And Duskmourn is a top-down horror-themed world featuring the Delirium mechanic. Sounds a lot like Innistrad to me.
Granted, both distinguished themselves in many ways, and I enjoyed both for what they were. Yet still, I couldn't help but think of them as reboots. And when half our future sets are now going to be IP crossovers, we need to cherish our originality.
<h2>Nice: Commander Masters</h2>
This one didn't technically release in 2024, but I did <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/the-over-under-a-review-of-commander-masters-commanders/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">review my picks in August</a>. That's when I earned an 88% correct prediction percentage, which was only three points short of my all-time best.
The other nice thing about this product was its restraint. There were only eight new commanders, which is far fewer than the usual metric crapton we get. (Granted, that's because Commander Masters wasn't a usual booster release, but still.)
It might sound contradictory to ask for less of something we love, but here I believe it applies. I mean, each of these eight earned far more decks and far more attention simply because there were so few of them.
Furthermore, with fewer to design, I think the design team had an easier task crafting interesting commanders. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anikthea, Hand of Erebos" href="#" target="_blank">Anikthea, Hand of Erebos</a>, for example, is an inspired card who generates unique and oftentimes zany game states.
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anikthea, Hand of Erebos"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vial Smasher, Gleeful Grenadier"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Malcolm, the Eyes"></div></div>
Compare that to the 52 new commanders from 2024's Outlaws of Thunder Junction, which had some fun ones, but also featured some absolute stinkers like <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vial Smasher, Gleeful Grenadier" href="#" target="_blank">Vial Smasher, Gleeful Grenadier</a> and <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Malcolm, the Eyes" href="#" target="_blank">Malcolm, the Eyes</a>.
Overall, I wouldn't mind seeing a scaled back approach to commanders moving forward. I don't think it'll happen, but 'tis the season for some wishing.
<h2>Naughty: Doctor Who</h2>
I've already complained about Universes Beyond at length. It's not about that. It's just that, this year, <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/the-over-under-a-review-of-doctor-who-commanders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">I reviewed Doctor Who</a>, only to discover it was my worst performance of all time.
For context, my lifetime correct prediction percentage is 75. My previous low was 50%. My Doctor Who percentage? 47.
It was a shameful performance, not unlike my guy Aaron Judge hitting .184 in this past year's postseason. Here's hoping we both do a little better next year.
<h2>Nice: Modern Horizons 3</h2>
While we're on the subject of 2024 sets, this was a close second on my personal list to Duskmourn: House of Horrors. Whether you enjoy Eldrazi, energy, or creating <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tarmogoyf" href="#" target="_blank">Tarmogoyf</a> tokens, this set had something for everyone.
I mean, even the commons were juiced. Take <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Evolution Witness" href="#" target="_blank">Evolution Witness</a>, for example, which is arguably better than its inspiration, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eternal Witness" href="#" target="_blank">Eternal Witness</a>. I mean, does E-Wit have crazy synergy with proliferate? I think not.
Furthermore, WotC finally admitted that these sets are as much Commander Horizons as they are Modern Horizons, because they released four unique commander decks with it.
Almost every commander in those decks has been a hit, with only <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jyoti, Moag Ancient" href="#" target="_blank">Jyoti, Moag Ancient</a> lingering under 1,200 decks as of now. I can't speak for Modern players, but at this point, I'd happily take an MH4 whenever it's ready.
<h2>Naughty: Nadu, Winged Wisdom</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nadu, Winged Wisdom"></div></div>
Though Horizons sets are awesome, they often bring with them some utterly busted cards. In MH1 it was <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis" href="#" target="_blank">Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis</a>. In MH2, it was <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar" href="#" target="_blank">Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar</a> (it's been three years and some scholars are still split on how to pronounce the name). And in MH3, it was <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nadu, Winged Wisdom" href="#" target="_blank">Nadu, Winged Wisdom</a>.
This card was so stupidly busted that the "only twice each turn" text reads as a laughable limitation. Only twice, huh? That hardly matters when you're equipping <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shuko" href="#" target="_blank">Shuko</a> to everything in sight, while subconsciously reaffirming that yes, it was indeed worth buying this otherwise useless bulk uncommon just for this specific and ridiculous purpose.
And don't forget, it triggers when your opponents target your stuff as well, meaning they basically always get two-for-oned, if not worse.
As someone who enjoys watching Pro Tour coverage, Nadu became doubly annoying. I'm pretty sure it popped up in the Draft portion at least once, then took five of the Top 8 spots, finally winning the whole thing in the hands of pleasant Dane Simon Nielsen. I've had enough of Nadu, so I'm glad it got banned. Welcome to the Naughty List, pal.
<h2>Nice: The Wise Mothman</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Wise Mothman"></div></div>
And it's not just because I'm an amateur cryptozoologist. Fallout's <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Wise Mothman" href="#" target="_blank">The Wise Mothman</a> earns a spot on the Nice List because it's the highest ranked commander of 2024, sitting pretty at Rank 48 with 13111 decks as I write this.
The deck looks super fun and versatile, with Mill, Mutant kindred, +1/+1 counters, Rad counters, and Proliferate all viable themes. Look, I know I've been hard on Universes Beyond in this article, but this one worked for me.
<h2>Naughty: Me</h2>
Calling oneself naughty carries a slightly sexual connotation, but I swear I'm not trying to seduce you. Rather, I'm putting myself on the list for some of this year's worst predictions. A few examples:
<ul>
<li>I predicted <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eluge, the Shoreless Sea" href="#" target="_blank">Eluge, the Shoreless Sea</a> would earn fewer than 1,200 decks. It already leads more than 4,000.</li>
<li>I predicted <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Emrakul, the World Anew" href="#" target="_blank">Emrakul, the World Anew</a> would earn more than 1,200 decks. It has less than 200.</li>
<li>I discovered the return to my favorite plane, Lorwyn, would be delayed another year, and I still haven't gotten over it.</li>
</ul>
That last one was more a personal crisis than a prediction, but I wanted to slip it in somewhere. Bottom line: When you make upwards of 30 predictions for every set every year, you're bound to have some bad ones.
<h2>Nice: Also Me</h2>
That said, you can have some good ones, too. If I may pat myself on the back for a moment, I was happy with many of my Fallout picks going Over, including <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Agent Frank Horrigan" href="#" target="_blank">Agent Frank Horrigan</a> and <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Three Dog, Galaxy News DJ" href="#" target="_blank">Three Dog, Galaxy News DJ</a>, since these Universes Beyond sets are proving to be volatile. Gotta savor the victories when you have them.
<h2>Naughty: The Commander Advisory Group Debacle</h2>
This is a fun article, <a href="https://commandersherald.com/commander-rc-reacts-to-wizards-taking-format-reins/">so we won't get too far into the weeds on this one</a>. Suffice it to say that online bullying is not in keeping with the Christmas spirit, let alone the human spirit.
It's a shame that it led to the dissolution of the Commander Advisory Group. Here's wishing success to the newly formed Commander Format Panel. And if they happen to unban <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Primeval Titan" href="#" target="_blank">Primeval Titan</a>, I wouldn't mind.
<h2>Nice: Play Boosters</h2>
I know there was some trepidation with these at first, mainly due to the extra few dollars per pack. However, it's hard not to feel like you're getting your value's worth when you can open up to four rares in a single pack. Sure, the graphics explaining the contents of said packs are absolutely ludicrous. But the product itself? Not bad at all.
<h2>Naughty: Breaking News, The Big Score, and Special Guests</h2>
We've already touched on Outlaws of Thunder Junction, but while we're on the subject, let's talk about this set's bonus sheets. Some would say one bonus sheet is too many. So how about three?
Seriously, the Breaking News cards are hard enough to read. Don't get me wrong—I appreciate the ambition of the art style. However, the colors are so washed out it's difficult to differentiate one from others, and the newspaper title at the top gets confused with the card names.
Then there's The Big Score, which didn't seem to have any cohesion mechanically, thematically, or artistically.
And then there were the Special Guests, which I've never really enjoyed. I know they're essentially free reprint slots, but they're so rare that they don't provide any real value to the sets, and if they were any less rare, they'd be distracting.
Fortunately, the whole Big Score thing was a unique scenario I doubt we'll ever encounter again. The Special Guests, on the other hand, appear to be a mainstay moving forward. I wouldn't mind if they weren't, but we'll see.
<h2>Nice: Facedown 2/2s</h2>
Between the disguise mechanic in Murders at Karlov Manor and Assassin's Creed, manifest on MH3's <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kozilek, the Broken Reality" href="#" target="_blank">Kozilek, the Broken Reality</a>, and manifest dread from Duskmourn, it felt like facedown 2/2s were having a moment. This was not good for my winning percentage, because my powers of deduction are not exactly Sherlock Holmes level.
<h2>Naughty: The Set Designers Who Drove a Dagger Through the Hearts of Colossal Dreadmaw Fans Everywhere</h2>
I'm sure the people at Wizards are lovely. I'm sure they want what's best for the game. But when I saw this card, a little part of me died...
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Colossal Dreadmask"></div></div>
The meme value of <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Colossal Dreadmaw" href="#" target="_blank">Colossal Dreadmaw</a> was that there was only one <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Colossal Dreadmaw" href="#" target="_blank">Colossal Dreadmaw</a>, yet he kept showing up in every set. Now, thanks to the Dreadmask, literally any creature can be a Dreadmaw, so long as you pay the equip cost.
It's not right! It's not fair! There's only one true <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Colossal Dreadmaw" href="#" target="_blank">Colossal Dreadmaw</a>, and he appears in Core Sets, Jumpstarts, Ixalan blocks, and occasionally Mystery Boosters. Leave my boy alone!
<h2>Nice: All You Readers Out There</h2>
Thanks to everyone out there who visits EDHREC and keeps this fine site going. You've had a great year, and here's hoping the one coming up is even better!

The Naughty/Nice - An Over/Under Holiday Edition

Back to Basics - The Top 10 Most Played Azorius Cards in Commander