House Rules

[Dudecore]

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.

[Gorzo]

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?

[Moneekahh]

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.

[Yawgmoth85]

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.

[MuggyWuggy]

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

[AdamS]

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

[xStrayKnightx]

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.

[ChrisRodriguez]

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.

[GamenDork]

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...

[Tonygrabowski4]

😡  {Reverse the Sands} 😡

[Agrus Kos, Enforcer of Truth]

{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.

[Tonygrabowski4]

{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.  😜😜😜😜😜

[Javy9656]

😡  {Reverse the Sands} 😡

Oh, the painful memories.

[FlickerYourOwnIdentity]

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

[Wingnut]

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.