What Are Commander Brackets and How Do They Impact Your Deck Building?

Galloping Goons

Wizards of the Coast has introduced the Commander Brackets Beta, a game-changing system designed to bring balance and structure to Commander games. By dividing Commander decks into five distinct brackets based on power level, the Brackets system helps players find opponents with decks of similar strength. This system not only makes matchmaking easier but also encourages more dynamic gameplay, improving the overall Commander experience.

In this article, we’ll break down each bracket and explain how the Game Changers List plays a role in shaping your deck-building decisions.

What Are the Commander Brackets?

The Commander Brackets system categorizes decks into five power tiers, ranging from ultra-casual play to highly competitive formats. Here’s an overview of each bracket:

Bracket 1: Exhibition Experience

The goal in Bracket 1 is not to win—it’s about having fun and showing off your deck’s unique quirks. These decks are designed for ultra-casual play, where victory is secondary to creativity. Whether your deck features ridiculous themes like "Villains yelling in the art" or "Oops, all Horses", the focus is on fun and making the most of the unusual elements you’ve built into your deck. Expect long, slow games with plenty of laughs.

Deck Building Guidelines:

  • No cards from the Game Changers list.
  • Avoid intentional two-card infinite combos or mass land denial.
  • Keep tutors to a minimum, and no extra-turn cards.

Bracket 2: Core

Bracket 2 decks are similar to what you'd find in preconstructed Commander decks. They’re built for fun and have the potential for big plays and splashy turns. While these decks may not include every perfect card, they’re focused on building a strong engine and can still work toward winning the game. You won’t see any game-ending combos happening out of nowhere, but expect strategic swings and exciting moments.

Deck Building Guidelines:

  • No cards from the Game Changers list.
  • Avoid two-card infinite combos and mass land denial.
  • Keep extra-turn cards at a low number, and avoid looping them.
  • Tutors should remain sparse.

Bracket 3: Upgraded

In Bracket 3, decks go beyond the power level of typical preconstructed decks. These decks feature carefully selected cards, each slot filled with the best possible choice for the deck's strategy. Bracket 3 decks might end games a turn or two faster than those in Bracket 2, and they can include up to three cards from the Game Changers list to give your deck a little extra punch. While no two-card infinite combos should be able to finish the game too early, they might still show up in the later stages of the game.

Deck Building Guidelines:

  • Up to three cards from the Game Changers list.
  • No early-game two-card infinite combos.
  • Extra-turn cards should remain minimal.
  • Avoid mass land denial.

Bracket 4: Optimized

Bracket 4 is where things get seriously competitive. This is where the most powerful decks come into play, with optimized strategies, explosive starts, and powerful tutors. Players bring their best versions of the decks they want to play, using strong combos, mass land destruction, and cards from the Game Changers list. Expect fast-paced games where the outcome can be decided in just a few turns.

Deck Building Guidelines:

  • No restrictions other than the banned list.
  • Cards from the Game Changers list are often included for maximum power.

Bracket 5: cEDH (Competitive Commander)

Bracket 5 is the pinnacle of competitive Commander, designed for players who approach the game with a tournament-focused mindset. Here, the goal is to win, and players will build their decks based on metagame strategies and competitive priorities. cEDH decks often contain the most efficient cards and combos, and players pay close attention to the best possible plays, carefully considering tableside negotiation. This bracket is not for the faint of heart—it's all about optimizing your deck to come out on top.

Deck Building Guidelines:

  • No restrictions other than the banned list.
  • These decks are fully optimized for competitive play.

The Game Changers List: A Key Element of Deck Building

One of the most important components of the Commander Brackets is the Game Changers List. This list contains powerful cards that can warp games, leading to faster wins, more explosive combos, or disruptive play that may not be suited for more casual games. The Game Changers list serves two purposes:

  1. Matchmaking: It helps players understand what cards could potentially disrupt the balance of a more casual game. Knowing which cards are considered "game-changers" helps create fairer matchups by ensuring players know which cards to avoid in certain brackets.

  2. Tracking Future Bans: The Game Changers list is also a signal that some of these cards may eventually face bans, especially if they disrupt the intended fun of Commander gameplay. It’s essentially a "watch-list" that helps guide future bans and unbans, keeping the format balanced.

While cards from the Game Changers list are often used in more powerful decks, the idea is not to include them recklessly. Each bracket has clear guidelines on how many Game Changers can be included, with higher brackets allowing more powerful cards to make an appearance.

Why Does This Matter for You?

The introduction of the Commander Brackets system allows for more balanced gameplay and ensures that everyone is playing with decks at their own power level. Whether you're bringing a fun, quirky deck in Bracket 1 or you're diving into the competitive grind of Bracket 5, the Brackets make sure that games are exciting and fair.

The Game Changers List plays an essential role in shaping the gameplay experience, ensuring that powerful cards don’t overshadow more casual strategies. Understanding how these cards affect your deck and how they fit within each bracket is a key part of deck building and gameplay in the new system.

By embracing the Commander Brackets and being mindful of the Game Changers List, you can create a more enjoyable, fair, and competitive Commander experience. Whether you’re a casual player or looking to climb the competitive ranks, the Commander Brackets are here to make your games better than ever. 

Here's a list of Game Changers for Commander Brackets, broken down by category:

Creature (11 Cards)

  1. Drannith Magistrate
  2. Thassa's Oracle
  3. Urza, Lord High Artificer
  4. Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur
  5. Opposition Agent
  6. Tergrid, God of Fright
  7. Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger
  8. Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy
  9. Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow
  10. Winota, Joiner of Forces
  11. Grand Arbiter Augustin IV

Instant (7 Cards)

  1. Enlightened Tutor
  2. Cyclonic Rift
  3. Force of Will
  4. Fierce Guardianship
  5. Mystical Tutor
  6. Vampiric Tutor
  7. Ad Nauseam

Land (5 Cards)

  1. Serra's Sanctum
  2. Gaea's Cradle
  3. Ancient Tomb
  4. Glacial Chasm
  5. The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale

Enchantment (5 Cards)

  1. Smothering Tithe
  2. Trouble in Pairs
  3. Rhystic Study
  4. Underworld Breach
  5. Survival of the Fittest

Sorcery (4 Cards)

  1. Expropriate
  2. Demonic Tutor
  3. Imperial Seal
  4. Jeska's Will

Artifact (8 Cards)

  1. Bolas's Citadel
  2. The One Ring
  3. Trinisphere
  4. Chrome Mox
  5. Grim Monolith
  6. Lion's Eye Diamond
  7. Mox Diamond
  8. Mana Vault

These cards are considered powerful enough to dramatically impact gameplay, and the Commander Brackets system monitors their inclusion for fair matchups across different brackets.

Happy playing, and remember to keep your deck within the bracket that suits your style!

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