High CMC Commander Questions about Early Game (casual)
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on July 21, 2015, 12:41 p.m. by srgpoofy
So this thread is more so about casual commander play rather than than the compete time and my question is what are some of the better ways to have ones commander deck that has a higher cmc theme (dragons. Eldrazi. And other expensive themes as examples) up to youtr higher mana curve/be interesting early without diluting the theme and ending up with dead hands of nothing of ramp. Also how do you stay relevant in those first 4-5 turns before you can play your first true threat.
In games with 4+ people you usually have time to get set up. With 8+ people you can definitely hang back unnoticed and let whoever is exploding early get hated on lol
Obvious early game plays are ramp, tutors, equipment, pillow forts, etc.
If you play white or blue be sure to auto include Ghostly Prison and/or Propaganda so that if you do have a slow start; folks aren't beating the crap out of you
Next up would be wraths. Just hold back your big threats, drop a wrath somewhere between turns 4-8, then start dropping threats. Wrath of God, Damnation, Cyclonic Rift, Blasphemous Act, etc. It feels so good to clear the board after everyone else has dumped their hands and you've been patient and still have a full hand
July 21, 2015 12:54 p.m.
Karns_Pyromancer says... #5
There are also fun plays like Eye of Ugin, Fist of Suns, Belbe's Portal or Heartless Summoning which can wreck explosive decks at times and speed up your plays by a turn or more.
As previously said, T7 Wrath or Cyclonic Rift will definitely open up your ability to drop big threats.
July 21, 2015 1:35 p.m.
Yeah, ramp is huge in Commander. There's a reason why many people claim the two most important parts of a Commander game are Mana and Card Draw. It's another reason why Sol Ring is a staple in the format, and why the Moxen and Black Lotus are banned. You could also run the Signets if you're 2+ colors: Izzet Signet, Boros Signet, and friends.
Arvail says... #2
Include ramp, have spot removal, and make sure you can generally have some things to do even if they aren't the meat of your deck. Oh, and exercise politics during this time.
July 21, 2015 12:50 p.m.