Magic: The Gathering's Five New Commander Brackets Explained
Commander Brackets are a new system created by Wizards of the Coast to make it easier for players to match up in Magic: The Gathering's Commander format. This system is still in beta and aims to give anyone a clear way to find games with opponents who are at a similar skill level to the deck they use. It replaces the old and often confusing "power level 1-10" system.
There are five categories for decks:Exhibition, Core, Upgraded, Optimized, and cEDH (which stands for competitive Commander). The first three categories focus on casual play with limits on strong cards to ensure the games are fun and balanced. The last two categories cater to more serious play. This new brackets system is pretty controversial, but it’s an interesting new aspect to the game.
Exhibition Is The Lowest Bracket
This Is A Bracket For Casual Players
In the Magic: The Gathering Commander Brackets system, the Exhibition (Bracket 1) is designed for the most casual type of play. The main goal is to have fun rather than to win, so Players can focus on creative and interesting deckbuilding. Unique or themed decks are encouraged, putting enjoyment above the need to compete.
Magic: The Gathering Gives A First Look At Latest Final Fantasy Cards, Commanders & More
Magic: The Gathering provides a first look at its Final Fantasy crossover, revealing all the new cards, commanders, and more contained within.
- Deckbuilding Restrictions:
- No cards from the Game Changers list.
- No intentional two-card infinite combos.
- No mass land denial cards.
- No extra-turn cards.
- Tutors should be sparse.
- Card Choices: Cards are chosen for flavor, theme, or interesting interactions rather than raw power. Unconventional or unusual strategies are encouraged.
- Game Changers: None allowed.
Winning isn’t the priority; the aim is to have a good time and enjoy the experience together. When building decks for Exhibition, there are strict limits to keep the power levels from getting too high. This bracket is for anyone who appreciates creative deckbuilding and is likely to appreciate saving money on cards with a tabletop simulator.
Core Is More Competitive But Fairly Casual
For Those Who Take It Seriously, But Not Too Far
In the Commander format of Magic: The Gathering, the Core (Bracket 2) includes decks that have a moderate power level, meant to reflect the typical modern pre-made Commander decks. The goal is to make sure there’s a fun and balanced gameplay experience without being too powerful or too weak. Decks in this bracket usually have strong card choices that work well together.
- Deckbuilding Restrictions:
- No cards from the Game Changers list.
- No intentional two-card infinite combos.
- No mass land denial.
- Extra-turn cards allowed in low quantities, not intended for chaining or looping.
- Tutors should be sparse.
- Card Choices: Generally well-constructed decks with a balance of powerful and fun cards. While not perfectly optimized, the deck aims to win but includes some cards not strictly necessary.
- Game Changers: Zero Game Changer cards are allowed.
Magic: The Gathering's New Movie & TV Universe Has A Built-In Reason For A D&D Crossover
Magic: The Gathering has a bright future in live-action TV, with a potentially amazing Dungeons & Dragons crossover baked into its TV universe.
Players can't use intentional two-card combos that lead to an automatic win or strategies that destroy a lot of lands at once. While extra-turn cards can be included, there should only be a few, and they shouldn't create endless loops that disrupt the game. Tutors can be used, but they should be limited as well.
Upgraded Is A Middle Ground
Most Casual Players Will Likely Be Here
In Magic: The Gathering's Commander format, Upgraded is the third level in a five-tier system that sorts Commander decks by their strength and how they are played. The main feature of an Upgraded deck is that it includes carefully chosen cards, showing more skill in deckbuilding and strategy than a Core deck.
- Deckbuilding Restrictions:
- Up to three cards from the Game Changers list.
- No intentional early-game two-card infinite combos (though late-game combos are possible).
- Extra-turn cards are allowed in low quantities, but chaining or looping them is discouraged.
- No mass land denial.
- Card Choices: Cards are carefully selected for effectiveness, and players should have a strong and well-rounded deck. The inclusion of up to three Game Changer cards means some powerful additions, but the overall strategy shouldn't rely heavily on these cards.
- Game Changers: Up to three cards from the official Game Changers list are permitted.
One important aspect of the Upgraded level is that players can include up to three cards from the "Game Changers" list. These are powerful cards that can affect how the game plays but are not banned. However, players have to avoid easily accessible two-card infinite combos early in the game, and mass land denial is not allowed at this level.
Optimized Is A Competitive Bracket
This Is Where You Go If You're Good
In the Magic: The Gathering Commander Brackets, Optimized (Bracket 4) is the highest level of casual play. This level focuses on making the most powerful decks possible, and everyone needs to follow the official banned card list. Players can use the strongest cards and strategies, leading to games that often start quickly and end in rapid victories.
- Deckbuilding Restrictions: No restrictions other than the standard Magic: The Gathering ban list.
- Card Choices: May include many cards from the "Game Changers" list. High-impact cards that significantly alter game states are expected.
- Game Changers: Unlimited; any number of cards from the Game Changers list are permitted.
How do you feel about a Magic: The Gathering cinematic universe being made?
Hasbro and Legendary are teaming up to develop a Magic: The Gathering cinematic universe comprised of movies and TV shows, and I'm only mostly happy about the news. It's great to see the tabletop world continue to get love on screen, but part of me is also really frustrated that Magic is moving forward while Dungeons & Dragons remains in an unclear state of limbo, with the Paramount+ spinoff of Honor Among Thieves scrapped and a sequel to the acclaimed 2023 movie still not greenlit due to the first one's underperformance at the box office. Though Legendary didn't back Dungeons & Dragons, part of me would still rather see Hasbro put their faith in making that sequel happen with Paramount before moving on to the next thing.
Decks in this bracket commonly include powerful tutors to find important cards, combos that can finish games fast, and mass land destruction spells to disrupt opponents. This is basically competitive without being sweaty. The goal here is to win through smart strategies rather than sticking to a specific metagame or tournament rules.
CEDH Is The Highest-Level Bracket Available
This Is For Those Who Can End Players In A Combo Or Two
CEDH (Competitive EDH) is the highest level of play at Bracket 5 in Magic: The Gathering. CEDH is all about winning, and the mindset of players matches it. These players have the best MTG cards and love competition, and anyone who joins should be among the best players in the game.
- Deckbuilding Restrictions: No restrictions beyond the official Magic: The Gathering ban list.
- Card Choices: Pet cards are usually replaced with cards that are most effective in the metagame. Optimal card choices for competitive play are prioritized.
- Game Changlers: All Game Changer cards are allowed.
In CEDH, there are no specific deck-building rules aside from the usual banned cards. So players can use very powerful cards that wouldn’t be suitable for the lower brackets. Winning is the main goal, so personal favorites take a backseat to choosing the strongest options for competitive play in Magic: The Gathering.
Source: Magic: The Gathering
