EDH Takes

How easy should it be to win a game of Commander? Some people say that simply reaching the right amount of mana should lead to a win. With the likely unbanning of Coalition Victory, we decided to have a discussion about the idea of "it costs x mana, it SHOULD win you the game."

It has finally happened. Tuesday, February 11th, Gavin Verhey unveiled the long awaited bracket system for commander power matching. Commander players have long desired something resembling an “objective” power level scale. Will the bracket system fulfill that purpose? With the system still in beta, even Gavin himself will admit it is far from perfect. But is it the best system yet? In today's episode of EDHTakes, we will discuss the pros and cons of this revolutionary new tool. (Apologies for the coughing, as I mentioned in the episode I was just getting over bronchitis.)• LinksTwitter -   / edhtakes  Commander Brackets (PLEASE READ PLEASE READ PLEASE READ PLEASE READ) - https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/ann...

The last 2 weeks have been perhaps some the most eventful we in the EDH community have seen since many of us started playing. In today's episode we try to explain the situation and share our thoughts. Is this the end of EDH as we know it??? Probably not. Please be kind to one another.

"Why?" This might be the most commonly asked question in games of EDH. Why are you attacking me? Why did you cast that now? In today's episode of EDHTakes, we discuss the intentionality of actions in EDH, and if there needs to be a reason better than "because I can."

The game of Magic the Gathering is full of creeps... and for once, we're not talking about the players. In today's episode we discuss power creep in Magic, as well as its more insidious cousin, complexity creep.

2023 was a very interesting year for Magic the Gatherering. What's next? In this new installment of EDHTakes, we discuss all the crazy (and definitely true) things that are sure to happen in the magic community this year.

Have you ever played a game of EDH where one player pulls out a very threatening commander, and then proceeds to do next to nothing for the rest of the game once it is removed? In today's episode of EDHTakes, we discuss how building certain types of decks can lead to suboptimal play experiences for one or more players at the table, and what can be done about this.

Are you finding your casual play experience plagued by more and more game warping threats? Never fear!! The "dies to removal" argument is here! In today's episode of EDHTakes, Spencer and Elijah discuss the classic "dies to removal" argument and how it applies to EDH.

What's the play? Isn't that the question... It is often hard to know what is exactly the right move in a game of EDH. Despite this, many players make their decisions with complete confidence that they have made the right call. In today's episode of EDHTakes, we ask the question if you can ever say a decision was "objectively correct" in Commander.

Tis the season for a new episode of EDHTakes! In this special Christmas episode, Spencer and Elijah discuss the many gifts us white players got for EDH this year, as well as some recent controversies surrounding white cards.

The boys are back with a new episode, months in the making! In today's episode of EDHTakes, Spencer and Elijah discuss their feelings on the group hug archetype in commander, the potential pitfalls of the strategy, and how to avoid them.

It is a very human thing to strive for constant improvement in the things we do. And seeing improvement in our skills is a very satisfying thing. But can the need for constant optimization in EDH sometimes go too far? Are all the common pieces of advice for optimization of gameplay and deckbuilding always the right call for everyone? In today's episode of EDHTakes, we discuss the never-ending journey of optimization in EDH.

"That's not casual!!" What people consider "casual" commander varies widely from person to person. Often it seems to be that making any kind of effort to win goes against the casual spirit of the format, and the use of certain cards or strategies detract from the validity of a win. In today's episode of EDHTakes, we discuss how the "casual" mindset can go too far sometimes, and lead to unfun situations.

Doomsday scenario. It's all over.

No, not that control. Are we the masters of our own destinies, or are our actions the result of forces beyond our control? In this particularly cerebral episode of EDHTakes, we discuss the psychological concept of the locus of control, and how it relates to EDH. Intro song by ItsWatR from Pixabay

Commander in the year 2022 is more and more becoming a format of fast starts and quick games. It can often feel like the self correcting nature of multiplayer games isn't quite enough to keep new designed-for-commander cards in check. Today we are exploring ways to equalize games, be they politics, board wipes, or something... unexpected.

As we continue to get beaten down by the power creep and degeneracy of the modern EDH format, it can be easy to forget their are still pockets of players willing to engage in casual magic that truly does feel casual. In today's episode, we discuss if certain cards that feel weak nowadays might actually be stronger than they appear when in a battlecruiser magic setting.

Does the turn order matter and if so how much? I think the obvious answer is the player going first has a significant advantage over the other players at the table but maybe that's not the case. Today we explore this topic and more.

Get yourself a drink and settle in for a good ol time. In today's episode, the boys are joined by GEDH founder, Garrett, to discuss this month's drama on Magic twitter. Let's get RIIIIIGHT into the news!

After a year of episodes, we finally reveal the secret recipe we use to make our EDH decks. Well, sort of. In today's episode of EDHTakes, we discuss a process for constructing a commander deck by asking a series of questions about what you want out of the game.

Hey hey!! We're back with a new, good vibes only episode of EDHTakes! In today's episode, we wanted to share our favorite things in the EDH format, be that cards, strategies, or cool interactions.

We can be pretty negative here on EDHTakes. Downright disparaging at times. While it is not often we wholeheartedly agree with the mainstream magic content creators, I say it is time we give credit where credit is due. On today's episode of EDHTakes, we're turning over a new leaf, and starting off the year with some positivity. Let's discuss some takes we dig.

Here we are! The EDHTakes series finale! Lol just kidding. In the year's final episode, Spencer and Elijah return to their roots; Boros. How have the cards from 2021 affected the power of Boros decks in EDH, and how has community perception of the color combination changed since the "Boros Renaissance?"

With Christmas around the corner, many people feel that magical sense of crippling financial burden. So in the spirit of the holidays, Spencer and Elijah discuss the financial side of EDH. Is the format accessible? Are proxy cards ok? And what can we do to lighten the load?

It is the Thanksgiving special! Time to give thanks and be lazy. In this episode, Spencer and Elijah take a note from other shows short on ideas and celebrate the season with a clipshow style episode(without the clips). This series retrospective allows the guys to look back on the bountiful first year of content, and give thanks for all the growth the channel has experienced. Thank you all so much for listening, and for your continued support. ❤ EDH Takes Episode 0 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi0yOJ83avM

Us Magic players are afforded many opportunities to be disappointed. Maybe you open straight trash in your booster box. Maybe you just can't manage to draw your 3rd land when you're running 38. Maybe you expect EDHTakes to upload a video in the 1st half of the month. So what is at the root of all disappointment? Expectations. In today's episode, Spencer and Elijah discuss various expectations EDH players might have about the game, as well as Elijah's disappointment at the new Innistrad: Crimson Vow set.

"Reading the card explains the card!" Oh if only that were the case. In this Halloween special episode of EDHTakes, Spencer and Elijah discuss the many instances in EDH when cards and the rules aren't always as simple as they seem. There are a few rules mistakes in this episode, but that just makes it more spooky. Can you find them?

"That deck is not a 7!" No matter how well intentioned discussions of deck power level may be, arguments and misunderstandings are still bound to occur. Many commander players are coming to the realization that a 1-10 scale of power is far from perfect. But is there a better way? In today's episode, Spencer and Elijah discuss what other creators had to say on the matter, and whether we would be better off without any power rankings at all.

"That card's OP!" "There's no way I can beat that Sultai deck!" "Combo isn't fair!!" Sadly, many commander players are resigned to be prey, and never the predator. In this episode of EDHTakes, Spencer and Elijah discuss the cards and strategies that put them on the offensive. After discussing what they hunt within the game, Spencer and Elijah take a look at some cards they dig from the new Innistrad: Midnight Hunt expansion.

Commander was intended to be an escape from the high pressure environment of competitive Magic. Yet we cannot keep from asking the question; "Why you so mad, bro?" In today's episode of EDHTakes, Spencer and Elijah hope to explain and better understand what it means to be salty in a game of EDH.

Creatures are perhaps one of the most important pieces in the game of Magic. And with the prevalence of creatures in Magic, many players are bound to have a favorite type of creature. Aesthetic enjoyment paired with mechanical support from WOTC leads many players to build decks around their favorite creature type. These decks are known as "tribal" decks, and are often highly synergistic. However, many players may be sacrificing deck functionality for thematic building. On this episode, Spencer and Elijah discuss how to avoid the all too common "tribal trap".

Hey Hey! The EDHTakes boys are back with a veritable potpourri of gripes and grievances. Please enjoy this fine selection of miscellaneous takes.

Long ago, in a world devoid of any substantial EDH data, a hero emerged. This hero was called EDHREC.com, and it brought with it data from commander decklists across the internet. Magic players rejoiced, for they cannot bear the thought that some knowledge cannot be attained. But what if EDHREC provides rotten fruit, and the starving pay no mind to the quality of their sustenance? On this episode of EDHTakes, Spencer and Elijah discuss the imperfections of EDHREC, and how users should evaluate data more carefully. We are still working out the kinks on our microphone setup, so please excuse any anomalies, thanks.

Commander games often play out where the first player in the lead is the first to be targeted out of the game. But perhaps through more conservative card choices and deckbuilding decisions, you can fly under the radar and avoid much interaction. On this episode of EDHTakes, Spencer and Elijah are joined by old friend and veteran Commander player Bradley Muckey to discuss the many benefits of perceived weakness.

Perhaps one of the most contentious subjects surrounding the format of EDH is its ban list. Many players find themselves asking, "Why is this card not banned?! Why is this card STILL banned?!" Certainly, there is something strange about the Commander ban list. On this episode of EDHTakes, Spencer and Elijah try to answer the question, "how does the ban list work?"

In the years since the first precons, Commander has continued to rise in popularity. It is now even said to be the most popular format of Magic. And with this increase in popular has come many changes to the type of products WOTC puts out and how sets are designed, as well as how the playerbase evaluates new cards. In this episode of EDHTakes, Spencer and Elijah ask the question, "has EDH ruined magic?"

Rule Zero, yay or nay, and for that matter, what does it even mean? That's the question we seek to answer in this episode of EDH Takes. By diving into some of the upsides and downsides of Rule Zero, we hope provide clarity to an otherwise confusing topic. Wish us luck...

While the human experience varies wildly from person to person, there are certain constants in life. Death, taxes, and somebody playing a Golos deck at your LGS. In this episode, Spencer and Elijah discuss the idea that there are certain aspects to EDH that transcend individual metas, and are constants throughout the entire playerbase of EDH.

If you've been playing EDH for a while, you have no doubt come across some pretty strange and obscure cards across the table from you. You have also more than likely seen/heard people tout such obscure cards as "underplayed". In today's episode, Spencer and Elijah discuss the trend of seeking out "underplayed" cards in EDH, and what it really means for a card to be underplayed.

In this episode of EDHTakes, Spencer and Elijah discuss the unsung hero of Magic the Gathering; the amazing basic land. It might be easy to discount the usefulness of a simple basic land, or see nonbasic lands as "strictly better", but that is not always the case. As well as discussing the merits of basic lands, the boys ask the question "should there be more downside to playing more colors in EDH?"

While card draw and mana ramp may be among the most important aspects of EDH, there may be more to consider when determining which color is the "strongest" color in commander. In this episode of EDHTakes, Spencer and Elijah take a closer look at the color Blue, and discuss what they believe makes it the strongest color in EDH.

Infinite combos, stax, infect, hatebears... Are certain strategies and gameplay decisions against the "spirit of EDH"? What even is the spirit of EDH? In this episode of EDHTakes, Spencer and Elijah discuss the enigmatic "spirit of EDH"; if it really exists, and if it does, what does it even mean? (apologies, I, Elijah, misspoke early in the discussion and switched around the words objective and subjective in a sentence. Pardon the confusion.)

The deep mysteries of the universe; Are we alone? Is there life after death? Why are you targeting me!!?? Table politics are often touted as the most enjoyable aspect of EDH, but they can just as easily be the root of conflict between players. In this episode of EDHTakes, Spencer and Elijah take a deeper look into the pros and cons of politics in EDH, and what happens when politics go wrong.

With the release of Commander Legends so recently, surely we should get a break from sets full of amazing edh playables, right? Wrong! On this episode of EDHTakes, Spencer and Elijah attempt to have a short discussion about a few cards from Kaldheim, but fail this attempt at brevity. While not a comprehensive set review, there are still tons of cool cards we dig in Kaldheim.

In this new installment of EDHTakes, hosts Spencer and Elijah challenge the idea that one and two converted mana cost spells are not impactful enough in a format dominated by big spells and lengthy games. Spencer and Elijah do a deep dive on how to feel more impactful in games of Commander by having early plays, how lower cmc spells can lead to better opening hands, and even dare to ask, what turn one plays are better than Sol Ring?

In the premier episode of the EDH Takes podcast, Spencer Cook and Elijah Samuelson discuss the color combination of red and white in EDH. Many commander players believe that Boros is not viable to play in the format due to a myriad of shortcomings. However, hosts Spencer and Elijah have a lot to say about how Boros can be not only viable, but a lot of fun.