I thought it would be interesting to hear some of your house rules and/or cards that are frowned upon during your edh matches.
Frowned upon cards for me and those I play with (so far) are:
{divinity of pride}: We either don't play it or, if someone does, change 25 life to 50 life. A turn five (or possibly less) 8/8 flyer with lifelink is a bit ridiculous.
{Sorin Markov}: The fact that Sorin enters play and immediately puts a player to 1/4 life is sickening. The fact that he can do it and live is why he catches the ol' stink eye when he hits the board.
We don't really have any special house rules but I was thinking about one. I was visualizing an incentive for polishing of an opponent. Maybe like some life or perhaps a card. Anywho, I look forward to reading your rules/"banned" cards.
It's not a strict rule but nither me or my best friend will run {Iona, the shield emria} because its just not fun at all.
We also allow the nephilem to be used as a four color commander.
{Serra Ascendant} is a card Moneekah and I dislike.
We've stopped using the 21 commander combat damage rule altogether in my playgroup. We all agreed it just wasn't fun. Anyone can slap a {Whispersilk cloak} on a mediocre-power commander and win in just a few turns. When it happened, the person doing it would usually be the one to say it was "lame" and unfun, and wanted the game to continue until life totals actually hit 0. So we just stopped using it, and we've been having a blast!
It's nice not having to keep track of all the different commanders' damages, too. That could get annoying.
Quote from: imthelolrus on December 19, 2013, 01:08:27 PM
{Serra Ascendant} is a card Moneekah and I dislike.
Yeah it ruins multi EDH quite a bit. Tempted to remove mine from my Trosti deck
Now with competitive EDH (1v1) on the rise tho, I feel until there is a definitive list of banned cards and a standard points system, it's hard to say: this card should be banned
If I start a playgroup in the near future, the only house rule will be that the nephilim can be used as commanders. They are legenda in my heart :)
We got rid of the silly and redundant "mana symbols" are color identity. We allow hybrid cards in decks that don't produce the that color, as hybrid cards are not gold cards. You can even put {Ancient Grudge} in a mono-red deck, but since you can't pay for {G} it's kinda stupid to do it. But other cards like {Crystal Shard} are fair game.
We found it redundant (as others have) to have restrictions on the cards in your deck, considering your commander already restricts what color mana you can produce. It has been a great success, and we found ourselves not really even using the new rules that often.
Edit: as coffee said, we made the Nephilim legendary creatures. No one has used them yet, but they'd be legal if you played with us.
Can we get this stickied? Please, oh mighty mods of iMtg. Grant me this request.
Combos are right out, No {Zur the Enchanter}, and no decks designed specifically to ruin the fun in your group. That's it though.
We bump Poison counters from 10 to 25, in the event that someone's actually using Infect.
{Felidar Sovereign} is bumped to 80 life.
X cost in cards is restricted to 5 at the most.
And everyone has their first two turns at the same time, then start properly at T3.
No insta-kill combos.
No player deaths inside the first 10 turns.
Players must have at least six land on the field before being a viable target.
These rules are put in place so the games can stretch a bit. We play casually and for fun, and long games can get ridiculously funny.
Quote from: xStrayKnightx on December 19, 2013, 10:35:08 PM
We bump Poison counters from 10 to 25, in the event that someone's actually using Infect.
Infect is lame. LOL. But seriously, it's lame.
Nobody in our group has played an EDH infect. I was thinking about it. What is the difference between wither and infect? Wither is just -1/-1 counters to creatures, right? That might be better. Just switch all instances of infect with wither instead. That way the deck still has to inflict player damage as normal.
We don't have any official rules, but if someone plays {Winter Orb}, be prepared for some saltiness.
That's what I think EDH shouls be: play whatever you want, but if you start douching it up be prepared for death by group rape. However this is only possible if all decks have the same power level. And that's kind of unrealistic, which is why the need arises for house rules like "no infinites" and such. The only reason people ban infinites is because they make the game unfun. But if the group is able to gang up on anyone trying to get cute with an infinite or what have you, and stop that person, combos actually become fun because to pull it off, you need to be excellent at .politics..
I will probably get hate for this but I feel that it needs to be said.
I am constantly reminding myself to breathe while I write this...
House rules are fine at your kitchen table.
When I am building a deck I am not thinking about your kitchen table.
But when posting decks and whatnot and talking about their successes shouldn't the poster let the reader know if their deck is being played in a handicapped arena?
How can someone who plays in an extremely cut throat, competitive meta reliably get good feedback when the feedback is coming from people who play in "everybody holds hands and plays some magic games?"
Infect: viable strategy that can keep a player on their toes (easily dealt with if your deck is built correctly)
21 commander damage: stops the game from lasting what could be hours, also a main strategy of many decks.(easily dealt with if your deck is built correctly)
Insta-win cards: don't let them resolve or have removal... If you don't then they deserve to win. (easily dealt with if your deck is built correctly)
Combo: if they were able to do it without anyone stopping them, they deserve to win, shuffle up and play again. (easily dealt with if your deck is built correctly)
Sorin markhov/ magister sphinx : don't let it resolve... Or keep pressure on them so it isn't in their best interest to do so...(easily dealt with if your deck is built correctly)
Early turn plays: the first few plays of the game are so important it is difficult to fathom why players would willingly skip through the first few at the same time...(can win the game in the first 4 turns if your deck is built correctly)
Banning specific commanders: if they aren't on the official ban list, than play anything you want. I am going to and so is everyone else.
I understand that as of right now most people still consider commander (EDH) to be a casual format...
But it sounds to me that some people aren't even playing the same game as I am...
I am confused, mostly because I am no longer sure of the validity of this forum as a feedback mechanism regarding commander.
House rules are fine at your kitchen table.
I am not trying to offend anyone. I am legitimately torn, because I enjoy the forum.
Commander is a casual format and was made to be played casually, but it is easily broken and some people (like you and me!) have fun breaking it. So don't be surprised when you see all the crazy house rules people have. It's in the nature of EDH to have those. Some metas just are not equipped to deal with infect decks, and such.
I suggest that if you post an EDH deck for feedback, you say it's competitive. I'll definitely give feedback! I'm very interested in "cutthroat" commander, it's all I play online and it is what I am almost done building in real life. :D
I don't know where the outrage is coming from...commander is a multiplayer game. Super competitive people can start their own commander leagues and playgroups. Those group of players choose to ban certain things then that is fine. I would advise groups not to ban cards that aren't in the ban list. Just because a strategy isn't viable or "fair" doesn't mean you can't meta game around it. You can all gang up, you can do whatever to stop em.
And for the record, I think that doubling the poison counters makes sense, since you're doubling the life. But that is neither here nor there.
I guess I'm not seeing the big deal either. What's so bad about people playing the way that's fun for them? We're not forcing you to use our house rules. Even at the lgs, if someone who doesn't normally play with us plays, we tell them about our house rule, and ask if it's okay with them, and if they aren't comfortable with it, we don't use it that game. It's supposed to be fun for everyone. If your playgroup isn't having fun, why are you guys playing?
I think competitive EDH is slightly ridiculous, personally. Although we don't follow any "house rules", I find myself not wanting to play against decks that take the fun and randomness out of the format. A 100 card singleton deck simply wasn't meant to win on turn 4. In my book, if you play a degenerate commander deck, I won't play against you anymore, as I build my decks for both fun and competition, not solely the latter.
We got rid of the commander dmg, don't use infect as a gentlemans agreement lol. As far as infinite combos if they can pull it off it urs kind of take to it. Also we tryed a chaos rules system where we created alternate aspects of the game such as all v
Creatures have haste/into play tapped. We came up with 20 different scenarios with equal positive and negative. Players roll for them selves solely or any player can roll and the egrets become world. This was very fun and adds a twist to every game no matter the deck decision. I love cutthroat games but it's nice to just laugh all came long.
Normal house rules at my lgs are everyone gets a free partial mull
Normal games people play by the general rules
If you are a combo deck, after about 3 times people play with you, they just get over it and kill you right away. So there's that to consider if you wanna be a spike and combo out 20 turns
I've got an infect win condition within my Selesnya life gain/never die deck. 10 infect damage dealt fast/unblockable is a great answer for OP'd voltron commanders (uril/jarad) it changes their strat completely because now they have to focus on drawing some removal in singleton format
Today starts a commander league at the store I play at in Los Angeles, it will be in 4 play pods, a few weeks, $5, points based win system, Pre Modern sealed "expert" deck, revised plateau are some of the prizes.
A few things the lgs changed for the league
-points for unlimited combos (you can do up to X combos then it becomes minus points
-sylvan primordial is banned and primeval Titan is legal. Sylvan primordial has proven to be devastating to a multiplayer board many times, while Titan may ramp like crazy, it doesn't wipe your opponents board while doing so.
-game continues if player "wins" via combo out (other players can't get win point for match but they can still get other things)
I'm interested to find out all details. It's going on soon at 3pm
Quote from: Arzair on December 20, 2013, 11:27:39 AM
I will probably get hate for this but I feel that it needs to be said.
I am constantly reminding myself to breathe while I write this...
House rules are fine at your kitchen table.
When I am building a deck I am not thinking about your kitchen table.
But when posting decks and whatnot and talking about their successes shouldn't the poster let the reader know if their deck is being played in a handicapped arena?
How can someone who plays in an extremely cut throat, competitive meta reliably get good feedback when the feedback is coming from people who play in "everybody holds hands and plays some magic games?"
Infect: viable strategy that can keep a player on their toes (easily dealt with if your deck is built correctly)
21 commander damage: stops the game from lasting what could be hours, also a main strategy of many decks.(easily dealt with if your deck is built correctly)
Insta-win cards: don't let them resolve or have removal... If you don't then they deserve to win. (easily dealt with if your deck is built correctly)
Combo: if they were able to do it without anyone stopping them, they deserve to win, shuffle up and play again. (easily dealt with if your deck is built correctly)
Sorin markhov/ magister sphinx : don't let it resolve... Or keep pressure on them so it isn't in their best interest to do so...(easily dealt with if your deck is built correctly)
Early turn plays: the first few plays of the game are so important it is difficult to fathom why players would willingly skip through the first few at the same time...(can win the game in the first 4 turns if your deck is built correctly)
Banning specific commanders: if they aren't on the official ban list, than play anything you want. I am going to and so is everyone else.
I understand that as of right now most people still consider commander (EDH) to be a casual format...
But it sounds to me that some people aren't even playing the same game as I am...
I am confused, mostly because I am no longer sure of the validity of this forum as a feedback mechanism regarding commander.
House rules are fine at your kitchen table.
I am not trying to offend anyone. I am legitimately torn, because I enjoy the forum.
i agree i love the competitive play style casual is ok once in a while but i dont like it as much
In the end, Commander is Commander no matter if its painted casually or competitively. If you play competitively, good for you. Just know that not everyone plays to the same level. If you play casually, don't get annoyed if someone with a competitive deck swoops in and TKO's you inside five turns.
A lot of Commander decks are built with some house rules in mind. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
In my play group we just go by the commander rules and ban list....although my play group hates when I play {U}. Cause it's usually a combo deck that can win as early as turn 2...ie Kiki/twin combo. They are a brave bunch...I tried to put a banned list to add to the wizards one but they didn't want to.
Even though normal rules and ban lists are the only rules used, using {Elvish Piper}, {Winter Orb}, or {Divinity of Pride} will get you some angry glares...
😡 {Reverse the Sands} 😡
Quote from: Tonygrabowski4 on December 19, 2013, 10:47:14 AM{divinity of pride}: We either don't play it or, if someone does, change 25 life to 50 life. A turn five (or possibly less) 8/8 flyer with lifelink is a bit ridiculous.
{Sorin Markov}: The fact that Sorin enters play and immediately puts a player to 1/4 life is sickening. The fact that he can do it and live is why he catches the ol' stink eye when he hits the board.
Haha, I break both of these rules...in multiple decks, one of my decks has both of them.
Quote from: Agrus Kos, Enforcer of Truth on January 08, 2014, 09:03:39 PM
Quote from: Tonygrabowski4 on December 19, 2013, 10:47:14 AM{divinity of pride}: We either don't play it or, if someone does, change 25 life to 50 life. A turn five (or possibly less) 8/8 flyer with lifelink is a bit ridiculous.
{Sorin Markov}: The fact that Sorin enters play and immediately puts a player to 1/4 life is sickening. The fact that he can do it and live is why he catches the ol' stink eye when he hits the board.
Haha, I break both of these rules...in multiple decks, one of my decks has both of them.
And this is fine. I like both cards and, in a competitive setting, wouldn't think twice about playing them. Just know if you ever come to my house for MTG night, you will be asked to remove them from your deck. 😜😜😜😜😜
If you want to make commander fun, here are a few tips.
Have someone play {Chaos Lord} or group hug.
Play Planeschase commander. (So much fun!!!)
Play ante with expensive rares. Like {Search the City} (the most expensive of them all.)
Someone, (yes this is a must) plays unglued and unhinged commander.
You know have the most interesting playgrouo to ever live
Quote from: FlickerYourOwnIdentity on January 09, 2014, 09:01:26 PM
If you want to make commander fun, here are a few tips.
Have someone play {Chaos Lord} or group hug.
Play Planeschase commander. (So much fun!!!)
Play ante with expensive rares. Like {Search the City} (the most expensive of them all.)
Someone, (yes this is a must) plays unglued and unhinged commander.
You know have the most interesting playgrouo to ever live
Funny you mention planechase, last weekend I actually had the joy of a solid 6 hou,r 4 player game using planechase cards. It was easily the best mtg game I have ever been involved in. So back and forth with tons of negotiating and betrayal. Literally 4-5 board wipes, just awesome. Not rules related, but felt like chiming in.
Quote from: FlickerYourOwnIdentity on January 09, 2014, 09:01:26 PM
...Someone, (yes this is a must) plays unglued and unhinged commander. You [now] have the most interesting playgrou[p] to ever live.
Sounds
very fun. I wish I was playing during the unhinged/unglued sets. They seem like tons of fun.
Quote from: Tonygrabowski4 on January 10, 2014, 04:52:35 AM
Quote from: FlickerYourOwnIdentity on January 09, 2014, 09:01:26 PM
...Someone, (yes this is a must) plays unglued and unhinged commander. You [now] have the most interesting playgrou[p] to ever live.
Sounds very fun. I wish I was playing during the unhinged/unglued sets. They seem like tons of fun.
I really do want to make a {Frankie Peanuts} deck. And I won't even use the logical paradox trick to make people concede with him lol
Paradox...
Not one, but very laughed about among a friend group.
What would happen if you asked Pinocchio if he was lying?
Quote from: FlickerYourOwnIdentity on January 10, 2014, 07:45:44 AM
What would happen if you asked Pinocchio if he was lying?
Answer: It depends. If you are asking him if he is resting flat on a surface, his answer will not matter. If; however, you are asking him if he is engaging in an untruth, it matters greatly. In the latter case, I suspect his feeble wooden head would implode. As a result his nose and/or wooden head fragments might impale bystanders. So,
Watch Out!
Also: http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr05/2013/7/31/15/enhanced-buzz-21918-1375298608-5.jpg
My belief is build a deck full of cards you like to pay with and wouldn't mind playing against. Then at that point play to the best of the decks abilities. If people get salty and that bothers you then think about changing it. If you are into edh to make friends and have fun build with that in mind but if you are in it to make powerful deck and challenge yourself interms of differen play and creativity then go for the cutthroat. Just whatever you decide own it. I hate when people apologize for playing magic. You can Armageddon but don't ack like you are sorry. The card/combo/synergy is in you deck because you put it rhere
Quote from: Agrajagzz9 on January 11, 2014, 03:12:02 PM
My belief is build a deck full of cards you like to pay with and wouldn't mind playing against. Then at that point play to the best of the decks abilities. If people get salty and that bothers you then think about changing it. If you are into edh to make friends and have fun build with that in mind but if you are in it to make powerful deck and challenge yourself interms of differen play and creativity then go for the cutthroat. Just whatever you decide own it. I hate when people apologize for playing magic. You can Armageddon but don't ack like you are sorry. The card/combo/synergy is in you deck because you put it rhere
very true there isnt anthing i hate more then people who appologize for something tht they made the deck to do if u put it in to win then use it and dont appologize. ur insulting the opponet if u r apologizing for an intentional thing
Half the fun of edh and magic in general is building a deck and tweaking the components until you've built it as best you can, our lgs plays a very cutthroat edh. every one brings good edh deck and we all enjoy it thouroughly :). Most of the players can spot the infi combos coming and there is enough blue running around to balance out :).