Should I switch commanders? (Arbiter-> Brago)
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on Oct. 20, 2016, 1:21 p.m. by RedUndead40
So here's my deal. I currently run a Grand Arbiter Augustin IV deck thats totally themed around taxing opponents (Rhystic Study, Ghostly Prison, Chill, etc). This deck has a special place in my heart just because it sticks to its theme very well, and is fun to play.
The problem is its obviously not very fun to play against and I like my friends to have fun while we play. I also dont like to have two decks of the same color scheme so considering switching it to a less stax-y Brago, King Eternal build.
Is it worth dismantling a deck that is close to my heart for my friends' sake? I do want to build Brago but this decision is tough for me.
Keep in mind I have about 10 other decks so its not like my friends have to play Arbiter every match.
RedUndead40 says... #3
Yeah I have plenty of fun playing other decks. At this point though I just break out Taxes maybe like 1 in 30 games so even though I love the deck I just dont play it that often for my friends' sake.
So I just feel like Brago would get more playtime but I still cant bring myself to dismantle my control baby haha.
Not really expecting anyone to give me a definitive answer but just curious if anyone else has been in a similar position.
Thanks for the input DuTogira.
October 20, 2016 2:08 p.m.
Tyrant-Thanatos says... #4
This is a question that's going to receive a lot of different opinions I believe.
Personally, I can tell you that I've dismantled a pretty large share of decks throughout my history playing this game for exactly the same reason. Frankly, if nobody else at the table is having fun, I won't be either. It's why I've strayed away from combo decks for so long, because it seems like every time I build a combo deck, I play it once or twice, it goes off, and the game just ends. No climactic showdowns, no big plays, just me, ramping and/or controlling until my combo fires and the game ends. So I end up tearing them apart after only one or two games.
So I think it depends entirely on your mentality, and the mentality of the playgroup. It's hard to gauge, really. It may be worth it to pay close attention to the attitudes and body language of the other players at the table when you play it, because there's a distinct difference, in my experience, between a deck that people find annoying and may choose to gang up on, and a deck that leaves other players completely resigned from even trying. I've played a fair few stax-type decks that I dismantle just because it kills the mood of the entire night. We go from one game with big plays and shouting and such, then next game I whip out the stax and a few turns in our big fun-time party has become dead silence while everybody is staring at their phones waiting for the game to finally, mercifully, end.
Ultimately it's for you to judge, based on what kind of reactions it gets, and how those reactions make you feel. The important part is that you don't get down on yourself about it, so if you feel the need to play something else, go for it. :)
October 20, 2016 2:22 p.m.
The other option you have is to cripple your prison deck by removing some of the prison elements to make yourself more vulnerable, instead swapping them out in favor of cards which are simply powerful, but not necessarily synergistic with the deck's former playstyle. I have done this with most of my commander decks, staying away from game winning combos and prison effects. That might be route you prefer to take, so that you still have somewhat of a prison playstle, but it is reigned in so that it is simply difficult to interact with you, but not impossible.
DuTogira says... #2
If you're asking for moral guidance, that's subjective, and really something you need to determine for yourself.
You are asking whether you having fun is more important than your friends having fun, but qualify the question with the statement that you have about 10 other decks for them to play against, so they don't have to play against the hated pillow-fort every game.
Based on the fact that you have 10 other decks, I would say that it isn't worth dismantling the pillow-fort. You are allowed to have fun & to have a sentimental deck, and if they don't like they can always just target you.
You've stated that you have no other blue/white deck though, and don't want to have TWO blue/white decks. The added question to this mix then becomes: do you have enough fun when not playing blue/white to make commander fun and worth playing for you, or do you need to play blue/white frequently? Is your own fun worth more than your personal sentiment?
October 20, 2016 1:53 p.m.