It sucks getting trapped in a bad Commander game, but we’ve played with strangers to know there are some early warning signs you can use to avoid an unfun time. From basic rudeness to misleading Rule Zero conversations, in this episode we’re laying out the red flags that all Commander players should watch out for. We all want this community to be fun for everyone, so make sure you’re aware of these potential pitfalls! -------- SUPPORT US ON PATREON: Support the show and become a Patron! Be a par...
Jan 06, 2026•1 hr 21 min
2025: the year where Magic finally let you equip Doc Ock with Summon Materia so he could hop in a racecar and fly into outer space to fend off an attack from the Fire Nation. It’s been a crazy year. But now it’s time to look back over the cards, events, controversies, and changes from the last 365 days of MTG that made this one of the biggest (but also most polarizing) years in the game’s history. Jimmy, JLK and Rachel discuss everything that made 2025 one to remember: the goods and bads, the hi...
Dec 31, 2025•3 hr 27 min
Losing a Commander game is a lot like history—those who don’t learn from it are doomed to repeat it. But what if real-world historical conflicts could help you avoid suffering more losses at game night? This episode, we’re taking a look back at The Great War, dissecting its complexities for lessons you can use on your own MTG Commander battlefields. -------- JOIN OUR PATREON: Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards, and more! https://www.patreon....
Dec 23, 2025•1 hr 27 min
It’s Commander’s biggest night of the year: The Zoney Awards! We’re rolling out the red carpet to crown the best cards from 2025, as voted by our esteemed Academy of Command Zone staff and patrons. Which legendary nominees will win a golden trophy, and who will bring home the title of Best Card of 2025? Grab your popcorn, because it’s time to find out! -------- DUELING DRAGONS PLAYMAT (LESS THAN 2 DAYS LEFT!): We’ve got not one but TWO amazing new Game Knights playmats – get yours now before it’...
Dec 18, 2025•1 hr 52 min
Are your decks putting you to sleep? Tired of playing the same old lines over and over again? There’s GOT to be a better way! Today, we’re showing you how to take your decks and make them less boring. We’ll bring you deckbuilding tips that will breathe new life into your gameplay, with more diverse win conditions, more interesting decision points, and cards that won’t put you in the same position every single game. It’s time to dust off that old deck and make it new again! -------- SUPPORT OUR P...
Dec 11, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Just because a card is popular doesn’t mean it’s good in every deck. With power creep becoming power leap, a lot of Commander staples have been outclassed. So don’t miss our list of well known cards you could probably cut. They may seem fine on their face, but we’ll break down why they’re overrated, and how you can do better. -------- DUELING DRAGONS PLAYMAT KICKSTARTER: We’ve got not one but TWO amazing new Game Knights playmats – get yours now before it’s too late! These epic dragon designs co...
Dec 09, 2025•1 hr 29 min
Sometimes a Commander comes along that looks like the coolest legend ever printed—until you actually try to build it. This episode, the Command Zone crew tells tales of brews that never quite came together. From clunky plans to unfun play patterns, come find out which cards were too tricky to crack even for us, and we’re professionals! -------- DUELING DRAGONS PLAYMAT KICKSTARTER: We’ve got not one but TWO amazing new Game Knights playmats – get yours now before it’s too late! These epic dragon ...
Dec 02, 2025•2 hr 5 min
Another year, another batch of Commander precons. But how did 2025’s crop turn out? With four Final Fantasy decks and a whole slew from within the worlds of Magic, there’s a lot to evaluate, so this episode we’re going one by one through every precon this year. We’ll be grading them each for playability, value, and just plain old fun! Come find out which decks pass, and which you should pass on. -------- DUELING DRAGONS PLAYMAT KICKSTARTER: We’ve got not one but TWO amazing new Game Knights play...
Nov 25, 2025•1 hr 43 min
Want to upgrade a deck that’s multiple colors without spending multiple dollars? Look no further! This episode, we’re bringing you 10 powerful cards—one for each color pair—that cost under $10 TOTAL! This tech gives you a ton of bang for your buck, so don’t miss out on these underrated gems. -------- JOIN OUR PATREON: Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards, and more! https://www.patreon.com/commandzone -------- HELLOFRESH: The best way to cook j...
Nov 22, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Does the lack of Avatar precons have you airbent out of shape? Don’t worry, we’ve brewed four awesome new decks for you with powerful Last Airbender legends! These lists are ready right out of the iceberg, so if you want to bring the beatdown in some cool new ways, do NOT miss this episode. -------- DUELING DRAGONS PLAYMAT KICKSTARTER: We’ve got not one but TWO amazing new Game Knights playmats – get yours now before it’s too late! These epic dragon designs come together to form one stunning bat...
Nov 19, 2025•1 hr 14 min
Looking for some powerful benders and badgermoles to upgrade your favorite Commander deck? Then this episode’ll quench ya, because we’re breaking down the best cards in the 99 from Magic’s latest set, Avatar: the Last Airbender. This set is packed with cool designs and potential new staples that’ll bring the four nations (and your three opponents) to their knees. So don’t miss out on our top picks! -------- DUELING DRAGONS PLAYMAT KICKSTARTER: We’ve got not one but TWO amazing new Game Knights p...
Nov 13, 2025•2 hr 13 min
Magic’s Avatar: The Last Airbender is finally emerging from the iceberg, ready to bring balance to Commander. But what if you don’t want balance? What if you want… POWER? Say no more! This episode, we’re laying out the most powerful legends from Avatar for your viewing pleasure. From humble cabbage merchants to mighty firelords, we’ll show you the strategies and synergies you need to brew a deck that can bend the elements (and your opponents) to your will! -------- JOIN OUR PATREON: Support the ...
Nov 07, 2025•1 hr 45 min
From the format’s inception, color identity has been a core part of Commander, creating deck diversity by forcing players to work within restrictions. But should those limits be loosened for hybrid mana? In most formats, hybrid mana makes cards more versatile, but in Commander it actually holds them back. Lately, the Commander Format Panel has floated changing how hybrid mana works with color identity. Would this help the game, or hurt it? Don’t miss our in-depth breakdown. -------- JOIN OUR PAT...
Nov 04, 2025•1 hr 30 min
Yip yip! Previews for “Avatar: The Last Airbender” are taking off, and we’ve got two exclusive never-before-seen cards to reveal. So bend an ear as we reveal these exciting new airbenders, “Appa, Loyal Sky Bison” and “The Legend of Yangchen.” So if you’re thirsty for Avatar previews, don’t miss this video. It’ll quench ya! -------- JOIN OUR PATREON: Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards, and more! https://www.patreon.com/commandzone -------- CA...
Nov 04, 2025•28 min
1v1 Magic is full of lessons and strategies you can use to up your EDH game. This episode, we’ve enlisted help from the best of the best including: pro players, competitive streamers, and hall of famers. Get ready for a ton of level-up moments as we solicit sage advice from some of the top minds in all of Magic. ------- JOIN OUR PATREON: Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards, and more! https://www.patreon.com/commandzone ------- FACTOR: Eat sma...
Oct 28, 2025•1 hr 44 min
That’s right, the Commander Bracket system has been updated! But do the new changes actually make the brackets more clear? How will the Game Changer cuts impact the health of the format? Is every deck still a 3? Don’t miss our hot takes as Commander Format Panel members Rachel and JLK break down what’s happened and what still needs to be done to make Rule 0 work. -------- Commander Brackets Update Article: https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/commander-brackets-beta-update-october-21-...
Oct 22, 2025•1 hr 14 min
Want some high-impact, low-cost cards that you can run in ANY deck? You’ve come to the right place! It’s time for another 10 for $10, where we bring you 10 cards you can pick up for a grand total of $10. This time, all those cards are colorless! But just because they don’t have any color doesn’t mean they won’t have a huge impact on the board. So come on in and bring a crisp 10 dollar bill! -------- BE A GUEST ON GAME KNIGHTS! Think you have what it takes to become a Game Knight? Then don’t miss...
Oct 18, 2025•1 hr 8 min
The Command Zone fantasy draft is back, but this time we’re bumping up the bracket by drafting GAME CHANGERS! Jimmy, JLK, and Rachel are going to be making their picks for the top cards on the Commander Game Changers list. How brutal will they go? Will they tussle for the tutors? Battle for the bombs? Fight for the fast mana? Tune in and find out! -------- Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards, and more! https://www.patreon.com/commandzone ----...
Oct 14, 2025•59 min
Universes Beyond: What started as a single Secret Lair of The Walking Dead cards has now ballooned to encompass over half of all cards being released next year. Love it or hate it, UB has been a polarizing topic in the MTG community. Do Furby and Dwight from The Office belong in the same game as Urza and Mishra? Is there still room for Magic in Magic: The Gathering? Is it all just too much? Tune in for our takes and let us know what YOU think! -------- JOIN OUR PATREON: Support the show and beco...
Oct 08, 2025•2 hr 2 min
What do you get when you fill an entire office with Commander addicts? A whole lot of decks, that’s what! This episode, we’re calling in the whole Command Zone staff to show off our favorite brews from the past year. So jump in and meet the people who work behind the scenes. We’ve got decks from every bracket, color, and era and we can’t wait to tell you about them! -------- JOIN OUR PATREON: Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards, and more! htt...
Oct 02, 2025•1 hr 47 min
Looking to mess up your opponent's whole plan with a single card? Then it better be a piece of MASS DISRUPTION. That's our term for everything from board wipes to fogs to stax pieces. We’re breaking down how much mass disruption you need, the best cards for each role, and much more. Understanding this tech is a huge part of building better decks, so don’t miss it! -------- JOIN OUR PATREON: Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards, and more! https...
Sep 23, 2025•1 hr 13 min
No pre-made Commander decks? No problem! You can still use the new Spider-Man set to jump into Magic! Crafting a deck yourself might seem tough, but we’re here to help with four full decklists focused around top-tier characters. With these ready-to-build decks, you’ll be swinging over to your LGS ready to save the day (and win the game) in no time! -------- Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards, and more! https://www.patreon.com/commandzone ---...
Sep 22, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Sure, Spider-Man can swing on a web, but which Spider-Man cards can you count on to swing the outcome of your next Commander game? This episode, we’re discussing the most powerful cards for the 99 from the new Universes Beyond: Marvel’s Spider Man set. Will these comic book bombs become the staples of tomorrow? (Spoilers, one might!) Tune in and find out. -------- Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards, and more! https://www.patreon.com/commandz...
Sep 11, 2025•1 hr 59 min
With great power comes great responsibility, so we’re going through the most responsible Commanders from Magic’s new set: Marvel’s Spider-Man! Which web-slingers and ne’er-do-wells will do well in your Command Zone? Don’t miss our friendly neighborhood breakdown of the strategies and synergies to really superpower these new legends. -------- Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards, and more! https://www.patreon.com/commandzone -------- GAME KNIGH...
Sep 05, 2025•1 hr 53 min
BREAKING NEWS: Watery Villain Terrorizes Command Zone! Preview season is in full swing for “Marvel’s Spider-Man” and we’ve got a mono-blue menace to reveal right here on the web. Get ready for a world where the bad guy always has blue mana open with this dastardly new addition to Magic The Gathering - “Hydro Man, Fluid Felon!” Water you waiting for? Come watch! -------- MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN: Can’t get enough of Magic’s first full foray into the Marvel Universe? Get the official scoop on everythin...
Sep 02, 2025•35 min
He’s been called the Mayor of Valuetown, the Draw-Go Despot, and He Whose Hand Is Always Full; it’s the one and only Josh Lee Kwai! Welcome to a guided tour of JLK’s personal Commander decks. Josh is sitting down to bring you a mini deck-tech for each and every commander in his current collection, complete with key cards and strategy for each. Which decks have stood the test of time? What are the recent favorites? All these questions and more will be answered! -------- Support the show and becom...
Aug 28, 2025•2 hr 4 min
Tired of playing with chaff in the Command Zone?! Want to know which legends are truly the best of all time? The GOATs of the format? Today, we’re sitting down and bringing you the greatest Commanders in every single color combination! Whatever guild, wedge, shard, or color calls out to you, we’ll break down the top-tier choices from the entirety of MTG’s history! This episode isn’t for the weak, but it is for you! Come watch. -------- Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our commu...
Aug 20, 2025•1 hr 29 min
Utility lands may not cost you a card slot, but they can cost a fortune! This episode, we’re highlighting some lands that’ll let your mana base make an impact on your gameplan, but not your wallet. We’ve got 10 sweet utility lands you can pick up for just $10 TOTAL, so don’t miss this sweet list that’s anything but basic! -------- WATCH OUR MAGIC MOVIE: Don’t miss our biggest production ever! Four heroes explore a derelict spacecraft and find a Commander battle on a cosmic scale. Will they escap...
Aug 15, 2025•55 min
It ain’t easy beating green, but MTG Hall of Famer Brian Kibler is here to help! Yes, with all that ramp, green can get so far ahead that catching up feels impossible. But today we’re sharing some tips and tricks to exploit the color’s weaknesses and give yourself the best shot against the big bad green deck that keeps stomping your pod! -------- Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards, and more! https://www.patreon.com/commandzone -------- WATCH...
Aug 12, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Commander sucks, right? It’s impossible to balance, you have to sit through long turns, sometimes it feels like you didn’t even get to play. Yes, as much as we love the format (we promise) there are definitely some inherent flaws in our favorite way to play. But what are they and how can we mitigate them to still have a good time even when game night doesn’t go as planned? There’s a lot to talk about, so let’s dive in and start complaining about Commander! -------- WATCH OUR MAGIC MOVIE: Don’t m...
Aug 07, 2025•1 hr 10 min
