Schemes, Shuffles, and Self-Credit: Politics and Growth in Commander
Acknowledging Growth: Embracing the Journey and Giving Yourself Credit
If you’ve been following along, you’ll know this week’s post is about the importance of navigating the political side of a Commander game in Magic: The Gathering. But before we get into that, I wanted to take a moment to talk about something that’s been on my mind—giving yourself credit.
I live with a lot of regret. I believe regret is an inherent part of growth. There are personal relationships, financial decisions, and career choices I look back on and wish I had handled differently. But I also know those choices shaped the person I am today. Still, I struggle with giving myself credit for the growth that has come from them.
Life is tough, and there’s no guide on how to do it “right.” What’s good or bad is often subjective. We’re constantly hit with information, temptations, and distractions. Time moves fast, and each year adds new chapters to our stories.
So I want to take a moment to acknowledge the growth we’ve all gone through. Growth takes effort and self-reflection. We won’t always get everything right—our past proves that—but the fact that we keep trying to be better is what really matters. We can’t change the past or fast-forward the present, but we can appreciate where we are and be thankful for everything that comes with it.
What’s a moment of growth in your life that you’re proud of? Let’s take a second to appreciate how far we’ve come.
How to Politic Your Way to a Win in Commander
The Commander format in Magic: The Gathering is a whole different beast—mostly because it's played in groups, not just 1v1. If you know anything about group dynamics, you know that influence is key. In Commander, being able to work the room, pull the strings, and get people to do your bidding can be just as important as drawing the right cards. Whether you're looking to pull off a sweet win or just stir up some chaos (hey, no judgment), here are 8 tips for mastering the art of table politics. Let’s get to it!
1) Know Your Table
Before you dive in, take a moment to figure out who you’re playing with. Are they your close friends? If so, what’s their playstyle? If you're dealing with strangers, maybe just sit back and observe for a game or two to figure out their tendencies. You want to know who’s going to be your ally, who’s going to be a wild card, and who’s just there to ruin everyone’s day. Knowledge is power!
2) What Colors Are You Dealing With?
Each color in Magic has its own strengths. Use that knowledge to your advantage. If you’ve got a blue player at the table, you know they’ll be countering everything in sight, so you might want to steer them toward the aggro red player. Or maybe talk the white player into wiping out the huge green elf army that’s about to trample everyone. Play the colors like a puppeteer pulling the strings, and watch the chaos unfold.
3) Know When to Lay Low
Sometimes, being the quiet observer is your best move. You don’t always need to dive into every fight. Stay out of the spotlight, let others duke it out, and use the chaos to your advantage. Think of it like being the quiet mastermind—waiting until the perfect moment to swoop in and take the win.
4) Befriend the Chaos Player
Every table has that one player who seems to thrive on chaos—doing the weirdest stuff that doesn’t always make sense but somehow works out. They’re like a walking distraction, and honestly, they’re your secret weapon. Befriend this player, sit back, and let them run wild while you quietly plot your victory behind the scenes. The more chaos they create, the less anyone will notice you sneaking up for the win.
5) Scare Tactics, Baby!
The beauty of Commander is that the "threat" can shift in an instant. When you’re not the biggest threat, make sure everyone else knows who the real danger is. Start planting seeds of doubt—“That life-gain deck is really getting out of hand!” or “I think the Voltron player’s gearing up for a big attack!” Scare tactics can make others act irrationally, leaving them wide open for you to swoop in and take the lead.
6) Play Santa Claus
Who doesn’t love a gift, right? If your deck has the means, toss a little favor to the player in the lead. Maybe you can provide them with a blocker, a spare card, or some other resource. Think of it like buying some goodwill to get yourself a little more time to set up your win. You’ll have a helpful ally for a while—and hopefully, they’ll owe you one when the time comes.
7) The Gift of Gab
While laying low can be a good move, don’t forget that Commander is a social game. Chat it up! Stir up some friendly (or not-so-friendly) banter, and you might just make someone miss an important trigger or decision. Throw some shade, make some alliances, and throw everyone off track with a little well-timed chatter. Sometimes, the real play happens in the conversation, not just the cards.
8) Play the Long Con
Table politics work best when you’ve got some history with the players at the table. The more you play, the more you’ll learn about their habits and decks. Use this data to manipulate the game outside the game. “Hey, remember that time [insert player’s name] wiped us all out with that combo? We might want to keep an eye on that.” Use old grudges and memories to shape perceptions and get the table thinking the real threat is someone else. And remember, it’s all in good fun—don’t take it too seriously!
Wrapping It Up
Commander is more than just a card game—it’s a social experience, and politics are at the heart of it. Whether you’re trying to win or just cause a little chaos, these tips will help you maneuver your way through the game and manipulate the table dynamics to your advantage. So go ahead, use those smarts, and get ready to make some moves (and maybe a few enemies) along the way.
Thanks for reading, and remember: time is precious, and I’m honored that you spent a little of yours here. I write this blog as a way to share my passion for Magic and other hobbies, and I hope it helps you dive deeper into yours. Stick around for more posts, and until next time, may your draws be ever in your favor!