Podcasts · Leisure

The Command Zone

The Command Zone

300 episodes

Your weekly source for all things Commander (aka EDH), a multiplayer Magic: The Gathering format, with hosts Jimmy Wong and Josh Lee Kwai. Focused on all aspects of gameplay and strategy from table politics, budget builds, to deck building and more! commandzonecast@gmail.com We wanna make the podcast even better, help us learn how we can: https://bit.ly/2EcYbu4 For advertising opportunities please email PodcastPartnerships@Studio71us.com Privacy Policy: https://www.studio71.com/us/terms-and-conditions-use/#Privacy%20Policy

Episodes page 3 of 6

  1. We used to HATE these Commanders! But Are They Still Bad? | 673

    · 1 h 40 min

    In 2018, we thought these Commanders were the worst of the worst, the scourge of the game, we HATED them! But do these boogeymen from the past still haunt our nightmares? This episode, we’re taking a look back and…

  2. How Bad is Braids, Anyway? | 672

    · 1 h 23 min

    After 15 years on the banlist, the dastardly Braids, Cabal Minion has been UNLEASHED on the world of Commander once again! But after such a long time on ice, is Braids the unbridled force of evil she once was? There’s…

  3. What’s Wrong with the Commander Brackets? | 671

    · 1 h 35 min

    Commander Brackets: It’s the new WotC-led deck classification system that’s taking the format by storm! But wait-- they’re in BETA! So what’s keeping Commander Brackets from being a complete and final product? In this…

  4. Major Commander Unban Announcement! | 670

    · 1 h 59 min

    THE GAME OF COMMANDER HAS CHANGED! In their first major act since taking control of the format, Wizards has released a new Commander B&R announcement, and five whole cards are coming OFF the banned list! At the same…

  5. Tarkir: Dragonstorm’s Best Cards (In the 99) | 669

    · 2 h 11 min

    Here be dragons! Tarkir: Dragonstorm is raging through the world of MTG and, if you don’t want to get swept away, you’re gonna need some powerful cards. Never fear, stormchasers, this episode we’ll be going over the…

  6. “Mardu Surge” Precon Upgrade | Tarkir: Dragonstorm | 668

    · 1 h 04 min

    Do you yearn to mobilize an unstoppable horde of Tarkir: Dragonstorm warriors and tokens? You’re going to need our “Mardu Surge” (red/white/black) precon upgrade guide! We’ll show you 10 cards that mar-DO deserve a…

  7. “Abzan Armor” Precon Upgrade | Tarkir: Dragonstorm | 667

    · 1 h 01 min

    Everyone knows the dragons from Tarkir: Dragonstorm are tough, but upgrading your deck can be even tougher! Well have no fear, because today we’re buffing the “Abzan Armor” (white/black/green) precon with our $50…

  8. The Most Powerful Commanders in Tarkir: Dragonstorm | 666

    · 2 h 05 min

    Looking to take your Commander pod by Dragonstorm with a powerful new deck? Then join us as we break down the best legendary creature cards from Magic’s grand return to Tarkir. Behold all the synergies, strategies,…

  9. “Temur Roar” Precon Upgrade | Tarkir: Dragonstorm | 665

    · 1 h 07 min

    Worried your new Tarkir dragon deck might be more bark than bite? Then, it’s time to power up your “Temur Roar” (green/blue/red) precon with our $50 upgrade guide! We’ll lay out 10 cards to add as fuel for the flames…

  10. “Sultai Arisen” Precon Upgrade Guide | Tarkir: Dragonstorm | 664

    · 1 h 07 min

    Why stop at raising hordes of the undead when you could ALSO raise your precon deck’s power level? This episode, we’re laying out our upgrade guide for the “Sultai Arisen” (blue/black/green) Commander deck from Tarkir:…

  11. “Jeskai Striker” Full Deck Reveal & Upgrade | Tarkir: Dragonstorm | 663

    · 1 h 05 min

    We’re going back to Tarkir and it’s time to Dragonstorm off with the “Jeskai Striker” (white/blue/red) precon reveal! Check out this brand new spellslinger deck, including 10 never-before-seen cards! Then, just to add…

  12. The Complete Guide to Cutting Cards | 662

    · 1 h 05 min

    Adding cards to a Commander deck is fun, easy, and exciting! But choosing which cards to CUT can feel basically impossible. This episode, we’re laying out the complete guide to cutting cards. We’ll help you identify…

  13. The Magic Movie: Baseless Speculation | 661

    · 1 h 38 min

    Can the Magic: the Gathering movie actually be… good? If you find the right people for the job, maybe it could be great! This episode, we’re laying out who we think SHOULD be making the MTG movie. From actors to…

  14. Conceding is Salty! | Fact or Fiction? | 660

    · 1 h 12 min

    A player may concede at any time, but that doesn’t mean they should. OR SHOULD THEY?! This great debate has been held around many a game table, so this episode we’re bringing you our unfettered opinions on the…

  15. The Problem with Deckbuilding Templates | 659

    · 1 h 46 min

    We recently unveiled our new and improved Commander deckbuilding template. This episode, we’re here to tell you why it’s… WRONG! Okay, well not “wrong” exactly, but over-simplified! Templates are a great place to…

  16. Commander Deckbuilding Template for the New Era | 658

    · 1 h 46 min · Episode 658

    Building your own Commander deck from scratch can be intimidating. It’s not just about finding powerful cards. A great brew needs to strike the perfect balance. This episode, we’re here to make that task much easier…

  17. [Brackets] Are Here! Will They Work? | 657

    · 1 h 26 min · Episode 657

    The new Commander [Brackets] system has been officially unveiled in all its 5-tiered glory! But what exactly does the system look like? And how is it different from the old ways? Most importantly, will [Brackets] solve…

  18. It's Finally Happening! | Magic: The Gathering Movie

    · 8:00

    We are super excited to announce that Hasbro Entertainment has signed a deal with Legendary Entertainment to produce an official live-action Magic: the Gathering movie! Over the past 30+ years, MTG has become an…

  19. Aetherdrift’s Best Cards (In the 99) | 656

    · 2 h 05 min · Episode 656

    Don’t blink, because Aetherdrift is coming in FAST! But have no fear, this episode will get you up to speed by going over the very best cards for your 99 from the new set. We’ll lay out all the high-octane tech so you…

  20. The Most Powerful Commanders in Aetherdrift | 655

    · 2 h 35 min · Episode 655

    Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards, and more! https://www.patreon.com/commandzone -------- Show Notes: Do you have the need for speed AND the need for a…

  21. “Eternal Might” Precon Upgrade | Aetherdrift | 654

    · 1 h 07 min · Episode 654

    Want to make the new “Eternal Might” (White/Blue/Black) precon even mightier? Never fear! We’re here to breathe new life into this deck of undeath with our $50 upgrade guide! We’ll give you 10 cards to exhume, and 10…

  22. “Living Energy” Full Deck Reveal & Upgrade | Aetherdrift | 653

    · 1 h 02 min · Episode 653

    Can you feel that? The electricity in the air can only mean one thing: the Aetherdrift “Living Energy” (Red/Blue/Green) precon reveal is HERE! We’ve got a brand new Energy-themed deck to show you, including two new…

  23. Who’s the Target? Lessons in Threat Assessment | 652

    · 1 h 25 min · Episode 652

    Everyone will tell you they’re not the threat, but someone has to be! And figuring out exactly who it is can be the difference between victory and defeat. This episode, we’re breaking down everything you need to…

  24. Commanders We Refuse to Play Against | 651

    · 1 h 43 min · Episode 651

    It’s a mailbag episode! JLK and Rachel sit down to answer all your burning inquiries: Which Commanders do we REFUSE to play against? Which colors do we find the most powerful? What’s the best way to find a new…

  25. MTG in 2024 - Year in Review | 650

    · 2 h 53 min · Episode 650

    Hindsight is a 20/20 with Flying and Indestructible, so it’s time to look back at 2024 and all of the controversies, changes, events, and of course, cards from the last 365 days. From unprecedented bans that shook up…

  26. A Masterclass in Priority | 649

    · 1 h 21 min · Episode 649

    Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards, and more! https://www.patreon.com/commandzone -------- Show Notes: Commander is famously a casual format, so it’s easy to…

  27. We Rank Every Set from 2024 | 648

    · 1 h 48 min · Episode 648

    From gruesome murders to cute woodland critters, 2024 has brought a ton of new cards, styles, and settings to the game of Magic The Gathering. As always, everyone has their favorites and their flops, so this episode…

  28. The Best Cards of 2024 | 647

    · 1 h 19 min · Episode 647

    This episode, we’re bringing in the members of our Command Zone team to answer the question: What are your favorite cards of the year? From powerful new format staples, to quirky pet cards, 2024 certainly had a lot to…

  29. Tips for Teaching Magic: The Gathering | 646

    · 1 h 13 min · Episode 646

    When you’ve been playing Magic for years, it can be hard to remember how difficult it is when you’re just starting out. Teaching new players can be a daunting task. Fortunately here at the Command Zone, we’ve got a…

  30. We Rank Every Precon from 2024 | 645

    · 2 h 19 min · Episode 645

    2024 had a TON of Commander precons hit the shelves - 24 in fact! But not all precons are created equal, and this year had its duds as well as its slam dunks. But which is which? Never fear! We’ve got Rachel, Murph,…

  31. Do We Need the “Banned as a Commander” Rule Back? | 644

    · 1 h 48 min · Episode 644

    The commander is often the most influential card in any EDH deck. In fact, some are SO powerful that they’ve had to be banned from the format entirely – even if they’d be perfectly fair as part of the 99! Couldn’t this…

  32. 4 Commander Decks You Can Build from the Foundations Starter Kit | #643

    · 1 h 22 min · Episode 643

    The Foundations Starter Collection was designed to help new players get into Standard, but it’s also really great for new Commander players! In fact, with a little bit of care and creativity, we’ve come up with a…

  33. JLK Sits Down w/ His Original Playgroup (They Haven't Played Magic in 20 Years) | 642

    · 2 h 02 min · Episode 642

    They haven’t played Magic since the 90’s but now they’re getting thrown into the deep end! In this episode, JLK reunites his long-lapsed original playgroup to show them the (extremely different) world of modern-day…

  34. Most Powerful Commanders | Foundations Jumpstart | 641

    · 1 h 59 min · Episode 641

    Want to give your next Commander deck a bit of a jumpstart? Why not build one of these new anime-style legends from the Foundations Jumpstart set? This episode, we’ll give you the rundown on the most powerful of these…

  35. Foundation's Best Cards (In the 99) | 640

    · 2 h 07 min · Episode 640

    Don’t let the Standard focus fool you, Foundations is loaded with cool new toys for Commander players everywhere! So this episode we’re breaking down our list of the best non-legendary cards for your 99. From cool…

  36. MARVEL + MTG: Earth’s Mightiest New Commanders! | 639

    · 1 h 44 min · Episode 639

    Want to assemble a new deck, but still need to find the right captain? Then, we’re about to be your heroes! We’re breaking down the commanders from Magic’s brand new Marvel Secret Lair! Come see how these comic book…

  37. The Most Powerful Commanders from Foundations | 638

    · 2 h 06 min · Episode 638

    The new legends from Foundations may be in Standard for a while, but they’re going to be in Commander FOREVER – so don’t miss out on seeing which ones are the most powerful! This episode, we’re breaking down the…

  38. What Are the Best 3+ Mana Rocks in Commander? | 637

    · 1 h 12 min · Episode 637

    You know what mana-ROCKS? Fantasy-drafting artifacts that ramp! This episode, Jimmy, JLK, and Rachel are picking the best mana rocks (over 2 mana) in Commander. We all know that two-drop ramp pieces are great, but…

  39. How to Play BLUE w/ Josh Lee Kwai | 636

    · 2 h 06 min · Episode 636

    With tons of counterspells, card draw, and instant-speed interaction, blue may be Magic’s most infamous color. With all that complexity, Blue can be just as tricky to pilot as it is to play against! Luckily, this…

  40. What Should Be Unbanned? | 635

    · 1 h 36 min · Episode 635

    As the new stewards of Commander, Wizards of the Coast announced they’ll be reevaluating the ban list. In this episode, we decided to do the same! We’re going through every banned card to break down which we think…

  41. Duskmourn’s Best Cards (In the 99) | 634

    · 2 h 11 min · Episode 634

    Would you make a deal with a demon? Now is your chance, because Duskmourn is here to offer you what every Magic player truly wants: POWER! This new set is chock full of powerful cards, and we’ll show you the best of…

  42. Looking in the Mirror | A Discussion w/ The Professor

    · 47 min

    JLK sits down with The Professor from Tolarian Community College to discuss the roles and responsibilities of content creators during periods of community crisis. -------- Support the show and become a Patron! Be a…

  43. How Bad Is It? Wizards Takes Over Commander.

    · 2 h 00 min

    Further fallout from last week’s divisive new ban announcement: The Commander Rules Committee has decided to officially hand over control of the format to Wizards of the Coast. This shift in power brings the 13-year…

  44. “Miracle Worker” Precon Upgrade | Duskmourn | 633

    · 1 h 05 min · Episode 633

    Ever been on the wrong side of a Commander game and thought, “I’d need a miracle to win!” We're here to make it happen with our 10-card, $50 upgrade guide for the new “Miracle Worker” (white/blue/black) precon deck!…

  45. Let’s Talk About the Bans | Bonus Episode

    · 1 h 06 min

    This is the episode you’ve been waiting for: We’re talking about the bans. This week’s ban announcement – removing Dockside Extortionist, Jeweled Lotus, Mana Crypt, and Nadu from the format – took the Commander…

  46. The Most Powerful Commanders | Duskmourn | 632

    · 2 h 05 min · Episode 632

    To survive in the harrowed halls of Duskmourn, you’ve gotta be pretty scary yourself. It’s no surprise this set is loaded up with a bunch of frighteningly powerful new Commanders! This episode, we’ll be going over our…

  47. “Jump Scare” Precon Upgrade | Duskmourn | 631

    · 1 h 01 min · Episode 631

    BOO! Did we make you jump? Or are you just leaping to get your hands on the new “Jump Scare” (blue/green) Commander precon from Duskmourn? Settle down, because we’re here to calm your nerves and raise your power level…

  48. “Endless Punishment” Precon Upgrade | Duskmourn | 630

    · 58 min · Episode 630

    Everybody hurts, sometimes… Especially when you’re playing against the new “Endless Punishment” (red/black) precon Commander deck from Duskmourn: House of Horrors! Today, we’re going to help you bring the pain with…

  49. “Death Toll” Full Deck Reveal & Upgrade | Duskmourn | 629

    · 1 h 07 min · Episode 629

    Have no fear, Duskmourn preview season isn’t quite over yet. We’ve got a terrifyingly cool new deck to show you, plus an upgrade guide that’s simply to die for. The time has come to reveal the new “Death Toll”…

  50. The Stupidest Deck I’ve Ever Built | 628

    · 50 min · Episode 628

    Every so often a Commander deck comes along that begs the question: Is this so stupid it’s brilliant, or just regular stupid? This episode, you can be the judge as master brewer Rachel Weeks presents the dumbest deck…

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