How fast are commanders figured out?
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on Nov. 27, 2019, 5:27 p.m. by RNR_Gaming
So, edh just keeps growing but it definitely doesn't feel like it use to. I feel it's a byproduct of all the resources available to players. What do you think the time frame is for a commander to be fully optimized or figured out? There will obviously be some fluctuation in this given new cards coming out could heavily impact a Commander's viability in more competitive pods. Paradox Engine brought out so much power from cards like Captain Sisay and Arcum Dagson; so basically optimized based on what's available once the set the commander is from is fully spoiled. I say 3 days.
I dunno. I feel like I still haven't actually seen a fully-optimised Ghired, Conclave Exile . It's a commander that people are still trying to fully 'figure out'
November 27, 2019 6:03 p.m.
RNR_Gaming says... #5
Really? I thought that commander would be easy...token doublers and ramp. Doesnt seem to lend itself to any over the top combos just fair bests and tokens.
November 27, 2019 6:10 p.m.
I think for me, i'm still trying to find the perfect balance between all those things; ramp, tokens, beats, card draw, protection, combo ( Aurelia, the Warleader + Helm of the Host + Ghired). Whats the optimum of each strategy? I'm having fun with the deck trying to piece together the best possible combination of cards :)
November 27, 2019 6:32 p.m.
RNR_Gaming says... #7
I mean combo would probably be a birthing pod line involving Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker and Restoration Angel or Devoted Druid with Walking Ballista and Vizer Of Remedies . I don't typically play naya but that's the route I'd go at least for combos. Doubling Season with planeswalkers may also be pretty spicey especially the ones with relevant ultimates.
November 27, 2019 8:50 p.m.
Depends on how linear & synergistic the commander's abilities are. With Feather, the Redeemed - I'd say figured out in a day. For Thantis, the Warweaver - Not sure there will ever be a "figuring out" :) This is why I am most in love with low synergy commanders, who have no "paint by numbers" strategy stapled on.
November 28, 2019 12:44 a.m.
The thing with Commander depends on the commander. What's the philosophy of the build and are we talking cedh or what ? Kind of depends on your definition of figured out in commander.
November 28, 2019 10:56 a.m.
Hjaltrohir says... #10
I don't think a commander can ever be 'completed' or 'figured out' just due to the endless combinations and power levels available in a game of edh.
I think if you mean how long does it take a commander to become competitively viable then probably 2-3 days after being spoiled on average, however since the number of commanders who fall into this category is limited it is less relevant. A commander like Ghired, Conclave Exile is never going to be a competitive commander, and therefore the pressure is off to 'break' it or to optimise it as the people playing it are not aiming for that outcome for the deck anyway. In this respect, a commander is never solved or optimised.
November 28, 2019 1:20 p.m.
RNR_Gaming says... #11
Optimal, decks tend to look the same after a little while. It's been a long while since I've seen a nekusar deck that's not just a pain wheel deck or a karlov deck that's not lifegain.deck. Theres so many resources available that "staples" and optimal builds seem like they're figured out insanely quickly.
November 28, 2019 2:24 p.m.
That is correct, but those are examples of more narrow/paint-by-number abilities stapled onto the commanders.
November 28, 2019 2:41 p.m.
I run Neksuar and my first attempt was a non wheel deck did not work like I wanted ended up in the standard glass cannon wheel and recently I have gone to a hybrid wheel + grixis staxs deck. I am still tweaking the deck at this time but I found most people tend to use only what they find on edhrec or deck techs. I get it not everyone is into exploring their decks and game play. Me personally Neksuar was my first deck not built around creatures turning sideways so it has bee a learning process.
November 28, 2019 3:54 p.m.
MagicalHacker says... #14
Well, since the format isn't solved, I don't think commanders can be solved.*
*Technically speaking, I think each player's unique style comes across as how they have personally "solved" the format, and because of that, each player's time to solve a commander is the answer to your question. For me, From the moment I build a deck to the moment I'm happy with how it plays out is usually a day or two. Rarely, up to a week.
GhostChieftain says... #2
I would say a couple weeks.
November 27, 2019 5:35 p.m.