(NecropotenceNecropotence | Art by Mark Tedin)

Exhibition (1) cEDH! ExcEDH1bition?

Welcome to Too-Specific Top 10, where if there isn’t a category to rank our pet card at the top of, we’ll just make one up! (Did you know that Demonic TutorDemonic Tutor, Vampiric TutorVampiric Tutor, and Imperial SealImperial Seal aren't the only black cards that can go get any card?

Last week, we went and ranked all of the Game Changers according to their EDHREC data, in an effort to see which were the most crucial for those looking to abuse the bracket system as a new cEDH format, c3dh. But Upgraded (3) isn't the only bracket out there! So what if we went all the way down to Exhibition (1), a bracket that was supposed to be for non-competitive decks, and made them competitive anyhow?

Well, it would be all fine and dandy, assuming that we found other players who were on board. Except, what does a competitive bracket that isn't playing the best cards in the format look like?

Top 10 Game Changer Alternatives

The Game Changers list is far from all-inclusive, and there are tons of cards not on it that many would argue should be (cough, cough, NecropotenceNecropotence). Which might all change in a few months.

But for now, if you were looking to play the best cards available that aren't on the Game Changers list, what would those cards be? I think the clearest way to figure that out would be to look at what cards are on the list, and what cards see a ton of cEDH play that could replace them. So, to start off, why not look at the top 100 cEDH cards, and have that work as our main pool to find replacement cards from?

Top 100 Nonland cEDH Cards (According to cEDH-Analytics.com)

1. Sol RingSol Ring
2. Chrome MoxChrome Mox (GC)
3. Lotus PetalLotus Petal
4. Command TowerCommand Tower
5. Mox DiamondMox Diamond (GC)
6. Mana VaultMana Vault (GC)
7. Arcane SignetArcane Signet
8. Mystic RemoraMystic Remora
9. Rhystic StudyRhystic Study (GC)
10. Force of WillForce of Will (GC)
11. FlusterstormFlusterstorm
12. Mental MisstepMental Misstep
13. Swan SongSwan Song
14. Fierce GuardianshipFierce Guardianship (GC)
15. Mindbreak TrapMindbreak Trap
16. Mox OpalMox Opal
17. Pact of NegationPact of Negation
18. Vampiric TutorVampiric Tutor (GC)
19. Demonic TutorDemonic Tutor (GC)
20. Force of NegationForce of Negation
21. Cyclonic RiftCyclonic Rift (GC)
22. The One RingThe One Ring (GC)
23. Deflecting SwatDeflecting Swat
24. Fellwar StoneFellwar Stone
25. Mystical TutorMystical Tutor (GC)
26. An Offer You Can't RefuseAn Offer You Can't Refuse
27. Tainted PactTainted Pact
28. Dark RitualDark Ritual
29. Esper SentinelEsper Sentinel
30. Imperial SealImperial Seal (GC)
31. Thassa's OracleThassa's Oracle (GC)
32. Chain of VaporChain of Vapor
33. Ragavan, Nimble PilfererRagavan, Nimble Pilferer
34. SilenceSilence
35. Orcish BowmastersOrcish Bowmasters
36. Enlightened TutorEnlightened Tutor (GC)
37. GambleGamble
38. Lion's Eye DiamondLion's Eye Diamond (GC)
39. Wishclaw TalismanWishclaw Talisman
40. Opposition AgentOpposition Agent
41. Underworld BreachUnderworld Breach (GC)
42. Birds of ParadiseBirds of Paradise
43. Ranger-Captain of EosRanger-Captain of Eos
44. Demonic ConsultationDemonic Consultation
45. Simian Spirit GuideSimian Spirit Guide
46. Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares
47. Mox AmberMox Amber
48. Red Elemental BlastRed Elemental Blast
49. Grand AbolisherGrand Abolisher
50. Worldly TutorWorldly Tutor
51. Phyrexian MetamorphPhyrexian Metamorph
52. Drannith MagistrateDrannith Magistrate (GC)
53. Brain FreezeBrain Freeze
54. PyroblastPyroblast
55. Diabolic IntentDiabolic Intent
56. Finale of DevastationFinale of Devastation
57. Wheel of FortuneWheel of Fortune
58. Grim MonolithGrim Monolith (GC)
59. Ad NauseamAd Nauseam (GC)
60. Rite of FlameRite of Flame
61. Phantasmal ImagePhantasmal Image
62. Final FortuneFinal Fortune
63. Sevinne's ReclamationSevinne's Reclamation
64. Cabal RitualCabal Ritual
65. Mana DrainMana Drain
66. Eldritch EvolutionEldritch Evolution
67. Mnemonic BetrayalMnemonic Betrayal
68. SnapSnap
69. Lotho, Corrupt ShirriffLotho, Corrupt Shirriff
70. IntuitionIntuition
71. Talisman of DominanceTalisman of Dominance
72. Veil of SummerVeil of Summer
73. Elvish Spirit GuideElvish Spirit Guide
74. Borne Upon a WindBorne Upon a Wind
75. Chord of CallingChord of Calling
76. DispelDispel
77. Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe (GC)
78. Culling the WeakCulling the Weak
79. Delighted HalflingDelighted Halfling
80. Jeska's WillJeska's Will (GC)
81. Toxic DelugeToxic Deluge
82. Displacer KittenDisplacer Kitten
83. Gilded DrakeGilded Drake
84. Dauthi VoidwalkerDauthi Voidwalker
85. Kinnan, Bonder ProdigyKinnan, Bonder Prodigy (GC)
86. Archivist of OghmaArchivist of Oghma
87. Imperial RecruiterImperial Recruiter
88. Deadly RollickDeadly Rollick
89. March of Swirling MistMarch of Swirling Mist
90. Crop RotationCrop Rotation
91. Invasion of IkoriaInvasion of Ikoria
92. Bloom TenderBloom Tender
93. Teferi, Time RavelerTeferi, Time Raveler
94. NecropotenceNecropotence
95. ReanimateReanimate
96. Deathrite ShamanDeathrite Shaman
97. Flesh DuplicateFlesh Duplicate
98. WindfallWindfall
99. Lightning BoltLightning Bolt
100. Praetor's GraspPraetor's Grasp

So. 100 cards, only 22 of which are actually on the Game Changers list. That leaves 78 of the top cards in the game there for the taking, which seems like more than enough to work with, no? With that in mind, let's take a look at our list from last week and see just how "irreplaceable" these Game Changers are.

Criteria: Cards from the Top 100 cEDH cards that do a similar thing to the top ten cards on the Game Changer's list, per EDHREC score. 

10. The One RingThe One Ring Alternatives: NecropotenceNecropotence, Mystic RemoraMystic Remora

(Honorable Mention: Sylvan LibrarySylvan Library)

There is no replacement for The One RingThe One Ring's sheer draw power and protection effect. With that said, there is one permanent that can do half of that equation, arguably better. NecropotenceNecropotence is what I consider to be the biggest omission from the Game Changers list. No matter how you swing it, a card for a life is a good deal, and NecropotenceNecropotence is also good at regulating that deal based on how much life you have or how greedy you want to be.

You can drop it down and dig through 30 cards, or you can just refill your hand to seven every turn and keep the discard decisions to a minimum. Either way, you're going to end up drawing a lot of cards.

Another card just skirting around the edge of the Game Changers list, Mystic RemoraMystic Remora, can also do a good impression of The One RingThe One Ring's drawing power. On turn one, it will very often act as an Ancestral RecallAncestral Recall, then shuffle off to the graveyard on upkeep, job done.

If you can afford to keep it around, however, or draw it later in the game, Mystic RemoraMystic Remora can end up drawing a dozen cards before it's all said and done, and that's if no one decides to go for a combo win that triggers it with every single loop. While the sheer draw power of the fish will be somewhat mitigated as greedy fast mana cards become less common in the lower brackets, make no mistake: Mystic RemoraMystic Remora will still draw cards.

Finally, Sylvan LibrarySylvan Library is your green option, and it's much less good. Not that two extra cards a turn is anything to sneer at, but four life a card adds up fast. Just remember, you don't have to pay (or even draw, if there's an Orcish BowmastersOrcish Bowmasters out). All in all, this is a distant third behind two much more powerful cards, but if this is what colors and slots allows, you're still going to be happy to see it in your opening hand.

9. Enlightened TutorEnlightened Tutor Alternatives: Idyllic TutorIdyllic Tutor, Oswald FiddlebenderOswald Fiddlebender

(Honorable Mentions: Academy RectorAcademy Rector, Moon-Blessed ClericMoon-Blessed Cleric)

When I said Enlightened TutorEnlightened Tutor stands alone last week, I meant it. Alternatives are sparse in white, with all of them only able to find an enchantment or an artifact, not both. With that said, on the enchantment side, there are two good options with their own kind of upside in Idyllic TutorIdyllic Tutor and Moon-Blessed ClericMoon-Blessed Cleric. The upside on the first is that for the extra two mana it costs to cast Idyllic TutorIdyllic Tutor, you're rewarded by getting the enchantment into your hand, rather than on top of your library.

The upside on the second is that it's stapled to a creature, and one that's small enough that it can be repeatedly recurred by Sun TitanSun Titan effects, in addition to being blinkable in the color best known for doing so.

There is also a third option that's notorious from the part it played in the Combo Winter of Urza's Saga standard, Academy RectorAcademy Rector. You have to find a way to sacrifice the old man, but when you do, he'll put whatever insane enchantment you found to win the game directly onto the battlefield with no ifs, ands, or buts.

Finally, there's really only one replacement on the white artifact tutor side of things, and it's Oswald FiddlebenderOswald Fiddlebender. He's a poor excuse for a Birthing PodBirthing Pod (or Repurposing BayRepurposing Bay, in this case), but he does search up artifacts directly onto the battlefield after he's lost summoning sickness. And if that's what you need, he's right there to do it for you.

8. Jeska's WillJeska's Will Alternatives: Rite of FlameRite of Flame, Pyretic RitualPyretic Ritual

(Honorable Mention Seething SongSeething Song)

While there are no rituals that also draw cards other than Jeska's WillJeska's Will, there is really no shortage of rituals. If you're looking to stay in red, there's a whole laundry list of cards that will spit out more mana than you put in, starting at the one-mana slot with Rite of FlameRite of Flame, proceeding through the two-mana ones in PyreticPyretic and Desperate RitualDesperate Ritual, and then rapidly hitting the top end with Seething SongSeething Song and Mana GeyserMana Geyser.

Another solid option is expanding your colors to include black, which gives you access to even better rituals in Dark RitualDark Ritual, Cabal RitualCabal Ritual, and Culling RitualCulling Ritual. Indeed, I would actually predict that for the purposes of both Upgraded (3) and Exhibition (1) cEDH, that Grixis will probably be the core colors most decks operate from, simply because much of the colorless fast mana has been eliminated, leaving black and red as the only colors left that can go fast.

7. Fierce GuardianshipFierce Guardianship Alternatives: Pact of NegationPact of Negation, Force of NegationForce of Negation

(Honorable Mentions: Mindbreak TrapMindbreak Trap, Mental MisstepMental Misstep)

If you've played high-powered Magic before, these were probably the instant alternatives that leapt to your mind, other than the also-on-the-list alternative Force of WillForce of Will. Pact of NegationPact of Negation allows the countering of any spell for free, with only the small caveat of having to pay five mana on your next upkeep or you lose the game outright. Force of NegationForce of Negation is a bit more forgiving, in that it allows you to instead pitch a blue card, a la Force of WillForce of Will. It does have two significant restrictions, however, in that you can only cast it for "free" if it's not your turn, and that it, like Fierce GuardianshipFierce Guardianship, can only counter non-creature spells.

As a consolation prize, however, it does throw in a free exile of the countered spell, which can be pretty huge when it comes to countering win conditions.

On a tier down from the other free spells for most casual observers, experienced cEDH players will actually tell you that both Mindbreak TrapMindbreak Trap and Mental MisstepMental Misstep are the better options over both PactPact and Force of NegationForce of Negation. Mindbreak TrapMindbreak Trap turns itself on with almost every win condition in the game, a fact that's only going to become more true as two-card combos are no longer an option in brackets one and three. Mental MisstepMental Misstep, on the other hand, is extremely restricted in only being able to counter one-mana spells, but has the lowest cost of entry to being free.

After all, you won't always have your commander in play, a blue card in hand, or five mana to pay to not die. In almost every game situation, however, you will have two life to spare. Combine that with the sheer amount of single-mana spells played in high-powered Magic, and how many more are likely to be played in an environment without the likes of Fierce GuardianshipFierce Guardianship and Force of WillForce of Will, and you'll happily throw Mental MisstepMental Misstep in the 99 of anything playing blue at that level.

6. Vampiric TutorVampiric TutorAlternatives: Tainted PactTainted Pact, Demonic ConsultationDemonic Consultation, Diabolic IntentDiabolic Intent

(Honorable Mention: Grim TutorGrim Tutor)

The main reason why you shouldn't feel like you have to have a Vampiric TutorVampiric Tutor is another card that's been at least mentioned for best tutor in the game, Tainted PactTainted Pact. For an extra mana, a total retool of your mana base, and likely exiling a huge portion of your deck, you can find exactly the card you need and put it directly into your hand at instant speed. Just be careful not to put Thassa's OracleThassa's Oracle in your deck alongside it, or you'll be breaking the "no early game two-card combos" rule with the best combo in the game!

Or is it? Demonic ConsultationDemonic Consultation can also do the "exile your whole library" thing with Thassa's OracleThassa's Oracle, for a mana cheaper.

Given that we can't do that in bracket one or three, however, what we should really be discussing is if this is the one-mana replacement for Vampiric TutorVampiric Tutor. Short answer? Yes. While it can make you more than a little squeamish to just outright lose the game by casting a single spell, the chances of exiling the card you name in the top six is only 6.6% on turn one. Now, that chance does go up cumulatively with every card you draw, but even when you've drawn a full half of your deck, the chances are still only 12%.

So what we're talking about, for those that play D&D, is essentially rolling a one or a two on your 20-sided die. I'm not saying that that never happens, I'm just saying that it's not something that you actively worry about playing D&D for the most part, nor should it be here.

What you should be worried about, however, is the amount of cards that this will exile. Unlike Tainted PactTainted Pact, there's no stopping when you hit a vital card with Demonic ConsultationDemonic Consultation. That means that on your way to that card you need right now, you might remove the one you need later forever. So there's definitely some gambling being done here, on multiple levels.

So, if all that exiling makes you a bit squeamish, there is another option in Diabolic IntentDiabolic Intent. Early on, having a creature to sacrifice can be a bit tricky at times, but usually by the time you hit the endgame you've got a dude who's already done his job willing to take the hit and go get you whatever card you want!

Another "I don't want to exile my whole deck" alternative is Grim TutorGrim Tutor. At three mana and sorcery speed, it's definitely not as good as any option we've mentioned here. It will, however, grab a card without putting a game loss on the table, which seems nice.

5. Ancient TombAncient Tomb Alternatives: City of TraitorsCity of Traitors, Crystal VeinCrystal Vein

(Honorable Mentions: Remote FarmRemote Farm, Saprazzan SkerrySaprazzan Skerry, Peat BogPeat Bog, Sandstone NeedleSandstone Needle, & Hickory WoodlotHickory Woodlot)

The easy replacement for Ancient TombAncient Tomb is the colorless two-mana land that most often gets played beside it: City of TraitorsCity of Traitors. While a lot clunkier to play around, and almost always ending up in the graveyard, City can get you an extra mana when you need it, which is all we're really talking about. Crystal VeinCrystal Vein is extremely similar, although it is truly one-use, whereas City of TraitorsCity of Traitors will almost always get you four mana before it shuffles off this mortal coil.

There is another alternative that isn't nearly as popular, however: The Depletion lands, from Mercadian Masques. AA fullfull cyclecycle ofof fivefive, one for each color, they enter tapped and also give you two instances of two mana before sacrificing themselves. That entering tapped bit is a lot to deal with at a high-powered table, but if you want two-mana lands, this is what's left!

4. Demonic TutorDemonic Tutor Alternatives: Tainted PactTainted Pact, Demonic ConsultationDemonic Consultation, Diabolic IntentDiabolic Intent

(Honorable Mention: Grim TutorGrim Tutor)

Much the same as Vampiric TutorVampiric Tutor, Demonic TutorDemonic Tutor's replacements are Tainted PactTainted Pact, Demonic ConsultationDemonic Consultation, Diabolic IntentDiabolic Intent, and Grim TutorGrim Tutor.

3. Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe Alternatives: Carpet of FlowersCarpet of Flowers

(Honorable Mentions: Archaeomancer's MapArchaeomancer's Map, Monologue TaxMonologue Tax, Smuggler's ShareSmuggler's Share)

So, without Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe? Well, you're either going to have to go find a commander that lets you play ramp at the level of Carpet of FlowersCarpet of Flowers, or you're going to have to play something worse. Not just a little bit worse, mind you, a lot worse. Next in line in white is probably Archaeomancer's MapArchaeomancer's Map, a combination of Land TaxLand Tax and BurgeoningBurgeoning that only works until you catch up to other players' land count.

That's all well and fine if there's a ThrasiosThrasios player at the table, but in pretty much every other high-powered experience, folks are playing mana rocks to ramp, not ramping with lands

. Maybe that changes a bit in the arena of c3dh and ExcEDH1bition, but I wouldn't count on it. There are an awful lot of mana dorks to get through before you have to resort to playing FarseekFarseek or Nature's LoreNature's Lore.

So, another alternative if Archaeomancer's MapArchaeomancer's Map isn't going to do it for you is Monologue TaxMonologue Tax and Smuggler's ShareSmuggler's Share. Both got a lot of initial hype, and neither has really lived up to it. Monologue TaxMonologue Tax usually takes several turns to pay for itself, a rate that is just too slow for high-powered play, and Smuggler's ShareSmuggler's Share takes even longer. There is some upside to it also drawing you cards, but really, these are rough replacements that don't quite fit the definition of the word.

2. Rhystic StudyRhystic Study Alternatives: Mystic RemoraMystic Remora, Esper SentinelEsper Sentinel,NecropotenceNecropotence

(Honorable Mentions: Faerie MastermindFaerie Mastermind, Pollywog ProdigyPollywog Prodigy, Consecrated SphinxConsecrated Sphinx)

When it comes to c3dh, Rhystic should be one of your three Game Changers in an Upgraded (3) deck, period. Yes, you should be playing it, and yes, you should already be playing its replacements alongside it, as well. Mystic RemoraMystic Remora arguably should have made the Game Changers list itself, and if I had to bet on two cards that would by the time it's all said and done, it would be Remora and NecropotenceNecropotence.

Esper Sentinel is a bit less intrusive, given that it only triggers once per turn/player, but when it comes to drawing ten or more cards a game, these are the cards that can do that. In short, if you are in these colors, and are trying to play at a high power level, you're already playing these cards.

So, what cards do you actually put in the slot opened up by Rhystic StudyRhystic Study (and let's be honest, The One RingThe One Ring), in an ExcEDH1bition deck?

In short, the value creatures. Faerie MastermindFaerie Mastermind is the most played, although it does lose some of its luster in a format where you can't play Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe. That makes Pollywog ProdigyPollywog Prodigy fairly easily leapfrog it, in my mind, at least in a deck where your commander or most of your creatures can Evolve it fairly quickly. I would also heavily consider Ledger ShredderLedger Shredder if your deck has either an aggro or a discard component, as it will let you see quite a few cards as well.

If you're really looking to draw half your deck, however? Go big, and go Consecrated SphinxConsecrated Sphinx. Yeah, you'll have to either get to six mana or get it out of your graveyard for cheaper, but either way, it will draw you six cards before the turn comes back around to you.

1. Cyclonic RiftCyclonic Rift Alternatives: Chain of VaporChain of Vapor, Perplexing TestPerplexing Test, DamnDamn... None?

(Honorable Mentions: Toxic DelugeToxic Deluge, Out of TimeOut of Time)

There are a lot of board wipes in the game, but there are very few that double as both spot removal and a board wipe. The most well-known of them all use the Overload mechanic. Of those three that do, Cyclonic RiftCyclonic Rift outmatches DamnDamn and Winds of AbandonWinds of Abandon not by a little, but by a lot. First off, it's the only one that's an instant. Second off, it's the only one that can hit a non-creature. Thirdly, it's not the only one that's one-sided, but it is the only one that's one-sided without a crippling downside.

In short, there are a lot of cards that do part of what Cyclonic RiftCyclonic Rift does, or do what it does poorly. There are no real replacements.

When it comes to spot removal, there's more two-mana versions than you can shake a stick at, in addition to two one-mana bounce spells that can hit almost everything in Chain of VaporChain of Vapor and Into the Flood MawInto the Flood Maw. There are also lots of board wipes out there you can use, although none quite get there as far as bouncing everyone else's stuff. Don't get me wrong, you can River's RebukeRiver's Rebuke a single opponent, or find one of many five-mana board wipes that might be a bit more one-sided depending on your deck, but none of that will ever hold a candle to passing turn with all your mana open, and bouncing the board to untap and take a turn to win the game with just your stuff.

So, Cyclonic RiftCyclonic Rift is irreplaceable. And yet, in the Exhibition (1) bracket, we must replace it. So, to answer the actual quesiton, I think DamnDamn is the best replacement, unless you're light on creatures, in which case it's probably EvacuationEvacuation or Perplexing TestPerplexing Test.

Honorable Mentions

You didn't think I was gonna stop at just finding replacements for the top ten, did you?

Top 40 Game Changer Alternatives

11. Mystical TutorMystical Tutor - 372,082 Inclusions. Replacements: Solve the EquationSolve the Equation, SpellseekerSpellseeker, Personal TutorPersonal Tutor
12. Mana VaultMana Vault - 324,130. Replacements: Mox OpalMox Opal, Mox AmberMox Amber, Worn PowerstoneWorn Powerstone
13. Chrome MoxChrome Mox - 322,428. Replacements: Mox OpalMox Opal, Mox AmberMox Amber, Arcane SignetArcane Signet
14. Force of WillForce of Will - 278,805. Replacements: Force of NegationForce of Negation, Pact of NegationPact of Negation, Mental MisstepMental Misstep
15. Bolas's CitadelBolas's Citadel - 234,625. Replacements: NecropotenceNecropotence, Crystal Skull, Isu SpyglassCrystal Skull, Isu Spyglass, The Reality ChipThe Reality Chip, Mystic ForgeMystic Forge
16. Mox DiamondMox Diamond - 225,030. Replacements: Mox OpalMox Opal, Mox AmberMox Amber, Arcane SignetArcane Signet
17. Thassa's OracleThassa's Oracle - 184,635. Replacements: Laboratory ManiacLaboratory Maniac, Jace, Wielder of MysteriesJace, Wielder of Mysteries, various three-card combos
18. Opposition AgentOpposition Agent - 182,147. Replacements: Aven MindcensorAven Mindcensor, StrangleholdStranglehold, Mindlock OrbMindlock Orb
19. Underworld BreachUnderworld Breach - 153,315. Replacements: Yawgmoth's WillYawgmoth's Will, Mnemonic DelugeMnemonic Deluge
20. Imperial SealImperial Seal - 152,943. Replacements: Tainted PactTainted Pact, Demonic ConsultationDemonic Consultation, Grim TutorGrim Tutor
21. Drannith MagistrateDrannith Magistrate - 149,272. Replacements: None.
22. Gaea's CradleGaea's Cradle - 138,534. Replacements: None.
23. Grim MonolithGrim Monolith - 103,230. Replacements: Mox OpalMox Opal, Mox AmberMox Amber, Worn PowerstoneWorn Powerstone, Basalt MonolithBasalt Monolith
24. Urza, Lord High ArtificerUrza, Lord High Artificer - 93,209. Replacements: None.
25. Lion's Eye DiamondLion's Eye Diamond - 88,858. Replacements: Mox OpalMox Opal, Mox AmberMox Amber
26. Trouble in PairsTrouble in Pairs - 73,282. Replacements: Smuggler's ShareSmuggler's Share
27. Ad NauseamAd Nauseam - 76,381. Replacements: NecropotenceNecropotence, NecrodominanceNecrodominance
28. Tergrid, God of FrightTergrid, God of Fright - 62,569. Replacements: It That BetraysIt That Betrays
29. Kinnan, Bonder ProdigyKinnan, Bonder Prodigy - 60,040. Replacements: Thrasios, Triton HeroThrasios, Triton Hero
30. Jin-Gitaxias, Core AugurJin-Gitaxias, Core Augur - 59,855. Replacements: MindslicerMindslicer, Sire of InsanitySire of Insanity, Gnat MiserGnat Miser. So... None.
31. Vorinclex, Voice of HungerVorinclex, Voice of Hunger - 58,248. Replacements: None.
32. Grand Arbiter Augustin IVGrand Arbiter Augustin IV - 49,839. Replacements: Sphere of ResistanceSphere of Resistance, Thorn of AmethystThorn of Amethyst, God-Pharaoh's StatueGod-Pharaoh's Statue
33. Survival of the FittestSurvival of the Fittest - 43,894. Replacements: Worldly TutorWorldly Tutor, Eladamri's CallEladamri's Call, Fauna ShamanFauna Shaman
34. ExpropriateExpropriate - 40,545. Replacements: Time StretchTime Stretch, Karn's Temporal SunderingKarn's Temporal Sundering, Temporal ManipulationTemporal Manipulation
35. Yuriko, the Tiger's ShadowYuriko, the Tiger's Shadow - 39,660. Replacements: None.
36. Glacial ChasmGlacial Chasm - 38,747. Replacements: Solitary ConfinementSolitary Confinement, Teferi's ProtectionTeferi's Protection
37. Serra's SanctumSerra's Sanctum - 32,152. Replacements: Sanctum WeaverSanctum Weaver
38. TrinisphereTrinisphere - 24,374. Replacements: Sphere of ResistanceSphere of Resistance, Thorn of AmethystThorn of Amethyst, Tangle WireTangle Wire
39. Winota, Joiner of ForcesWinota, Joiner of Forces - 19,443. Replacements: None.
40. The Tabernacle at Pendrell ValeThe Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale - 7,476. Replacements: HumilityHumility, Pendrell MistsPendrell Mists, board wipes.

There's no doubt that replacing all of these cards for a competitive deck is a tall order, but honestly, I think what we're really talking about for ExcEDH1bition is just a format that is a turn slower. So, with that in mind, let's take a look at the c3dh decks we had last week and see which of them can still cut it without Game Changers.

Last week, I decided that Magda, Brazen OutlawMagda, Brazen Outlaw was the best c3dh deck, and I don't think anything has changed by moving down two brackets. Magda ramps, tutors, combos, and can win through aggro while staxing out the table. She's flexible and uniquely powerful in a way that is just going to dominate things once the top decks lose many of their best combo lines, tutors, and ramp options.

There is still one other deck that translates well enough to compete, however.

Like Magda, Najeela, the Blade-BlossomNajeela, the Blade-Blossom is uniquely powerful and flexible. Even without looping extra combats (which should absolutely be added to the list of things you shouldn't be doing in the lower brackets), she's still an aggro force to be reckoned with, and she gives access to all five colors so you can play all of the best cards not on the Game Changer list. While I still think that Magda outperforms her here, there's no question that Najeela is still a force to be reckoned with.

ThrasiosThrasios and TymnaTymna is at its heart a good stuff deck, and suffered more than I thought it would moving down to the bottom of the bracket. Don't get me wrong, there's still plenty of good stuff to go around, and Hullbreaker HorrorHullbreaker Horror loops are a fine way to end a game when you have an infinite mana outlet in the command zone. As is Teferi, Time RavelerTeferi, Time Raveler and Displacer KittenDisplacer Kitten loops. But none of these combos was present in the original TnT deck for a reason: Because it was full of two-card infinite mana combos instead. And as much as having most of the fast mana, tutors, and combo pieces that are left is still good, I'm not sure it's good enough to overcome commanders that are just more broken, like Magda and Najeela. In other words, Partner supremacy is finally over?

Nuts and Bolts

There always seems to be a bit of interest in how these lists are made (this seems like a good time to stress once again that they are based on EDHREC score, NOT my personal opinion…), and people are often surprised that I’m not using any special data or .json from EDHREC, but rather just muddling my way through with some Scryfall knowledge! For your enjoyment/research, here is this week’s Scryfall search.

What Do You Think?

This was a very fun challenge to undertake, but ultimately, I think it proved two things, neither of which I was really expecting:

One, that it is extremely possible to make a more-or-less cEDH deck without using the best cards in the format. Yeah, I think it's about a turn slower on average, which is enough that it wouldn't be winning any tournaments, but even these "Bracket 1" decks wouldn't get blown off of a cEDH table.

Two, that this was all a terrible idea.

I'm sure I'm not the only person that was excited at the prospect of a "new format" to brew in, and man it was fun to brew. It also doesn't really feel like a new format, however. It feels like it shakes up the current cEDH meta in the worst way possible: By just taking most of the top decks of the format and tying a hand behind their back, while essentially doing nothing to other top commanders like MagdaMagda and NajeelaNajeela. In other words, while this does shake up the format, it's not in a new, fresh direction. It just hands a blue ribbon to decks that already exist, with no room for new commanders to compete, in all likelihood.

So, to answer the question: Can you create a new cEDH format with the new bracket system? Yeah!

Should you? Probably not.

And finally, what are you using to replace your Game Changers, whether it be to make a competitive ExcEDH1bition deck, or just to keep your existing Core (2) decks going?

Let us know in the comments, and we'll see you at the kids table at the cEDH tournament.

DougY

Doug has been an avid Magic player since Fallen Empires, when his older brother traded him some epic blue Homarids for all of his Islands. As for Commander, he's been playing since 2010, when he started off by making a two-player oriented G/R Land Destruction deck. Nailed it. In his spare time when he's not playing Magic, writing about Magic or doing his day job, he runs a YouTube channel or two, keeps up a College Football Computer Poll, and is attempting to gif every scene of the Star Wars prequels.