Draw three for 0 mana at Sorcery speed!

Upkeep

What’s your dream “Pod” for commander? I was watching Tolarian Community College’s newest episode of “Shuffle Up and Play” (link below) and was cackling at the banter the whole time. When you bring certain personalities together, the chemistry is undeniable, and the pod of Arin Hanson, Cosmonaut Marcus, and Rhystic Sam was hitting on all cylinders.

No idea who those people are? I’d encourage you to check out their content. It’s worth your time!

Anyway, there is a definite “vibe” that makes for my ideal pod, and after thinking about it a bit, I think I have mine figured out.

Amy the Amazonian / Arin Hanson / and Rachel Weeks would be an awesome time, pretty much guaranteed.

Probably never happen, but one can dream!

How about you? Who’s in your dream pod? Let us know below!

Draw

Need some gas to get you through the day? Check out the links below for the latest and greatest in the world of Commander.

Ancestral Recall, but a Sorcery.

I love cards that fly under the radar, and while Seize the Spotlight isn’t exactly unknown, it definitely isn’t as popular as I think it should be.

According to EDHRec, StS is only in 1.67% of eligible decks (2,830,056 as of today), and yet in my experience, it is extremely powerful. Comparable to some of the strongest spells in Magic’s history.

You see, there is an interesting psychological phenomenon that takes place with this card. For the caster, it generates some mix of creature and card advantage, and for the opponents, they have to choose between giving you an unknown advantage (hidden draw) or opening up their valuable board to shenanigans.

MOST people are not willing to risk their best creature for a single card and treasure, which is weirdly how this card is calculated. Since each opponent has to choose, each opponent is weighing their creature against only a single card and treasure, rather than three treasures and three cards.

This effect is even more powerful if you have sacrifice outlets on board, or are in colors like black that are likely to be able to sacrifice at instant speed. A creature like Viscera Seer all but guarantees your opponents will choose Fortune.

Result? Three mana for three treasures (mana neutral) and three cards. Yeah, move over Ancestral Recall, we’re coming for you.

End Step

I love cards that open the floor to interesting mind games in magic, like Seize the Spotlight above. Another great example, though more obvious, is Prisoner’s Dilemma. This sort of dynamic is part of what has lofted commander to the incredible popularity it now enjoys.

Do you have any favorite “mind game” cards? What are they? Let us know in the comments, and thanks for reading.

Until next untap.