How to Henzie All Over Everyone in Your Commander Games

Introduction

Commander, also known as Elder Dragon Highlander (EDH), is a popular multiplayer format of Magic: The Gathering. It’s a social and interactive format where players build decks around a legendary creature and battle against multiple opponents. In this comprehensive tutorial, we will explore advanced strategies, expert tips, and in-depth advice on how to dominate your Commander games and “Henzie” all over everyone at the table. Whether you’re a seasoned Commander player or new to the format, this guide will provide you with the tools to take your gameplay to the next level and come out victorious.

Step 1: Choosing Your Commander

Step 1.1: Know Your Commander’s Strengths

Choosing the right commander is crucial for building a successful deck. Take the time to thoroughly understand your commander’s abilities, color identity, and unique synergies. Consider how your commander can impact the board state and provide strategic advantages. Choose a commander that aligns with your preferred playstyle and offers powerful interactions that can disrupt your opponents’ strategies.

Step 1.2: Build a Focused Deck

Crafting a focused and synergistic deck is key to winning Commander games. Select cards that complement your commander’s abilities and work well together. Include a balance of proactive cards that advance your game plan and reactive cards that can disrupt your opponents. Consider the overall strategy of your deck, such as aggro, control, combo, or midrange, and tailor your card choices accordingly.

Step 1.3: Utilize Strong Synergies

Look for powerful synergies within your deck that can create game-changing plays. Identify card combinations that can generate overwhelming advantage or lock down the board. Build your deck around these synergies, ensuring you have the necessary support cards and backup plans to execute them effectively.

Step 2: Analyze the Meta

Step 2.1: Understand the Local Playgroup

Get to know the playgroup you regularly play with. Understand the power level and strategies of the decks in your meta. Analyze common threats, recurring strategies, and popular commanders. This knowledge will help you adapt your deck’s composition and make strategic decisions during games.

Step 2.2: Metagame Adjustments

As you gain experience and encounter different playgroups, be prepared to make adjustments to your deck. Regularly evaluate your deck’s performance and make changes to address specific meta threats. Add cards that interact favorably with popular strategies or include hate cards that disrupt prevalent strategies in your playgroup. Stay adaptable and tailor your deck to the changing metagame to gain an advantage over your opponents.

Step 3: Master Politics and Table Talk

Step 3.1: Forge Alliances

Commander games often involve politics and negotiation. Build alliances with other players to form temporary truces or target common threats. Seek opportunities to collaborate with other players and leverage their resources to your advantage. Be diplomatic and use table talk to influence your opponents’ decisions or create discord among them.

Step 3.2: Timing and Threat Assessment

Develop strong threat assessment skills and understand when to make moves and when to hold back. Identify the biggest threats at the table and determine the appropriate timing to deal with them. Avoid becoming the primary target by managing your threats and resources strategically. Choose the right moment to unleash your most devastating plays and disrupt your opponents’ plans.

Step 4: Resource Management

Step 4.1: Card Advantage

Card advantage is crucial in Commander. Seek ways to generate card advantage through card draw, looting effects, or recursion. Include cards that allow you to draw additional cards, such as Rhystic Study or Mystic Remora. Utilize spells and abilities that provide multiple card interactions or allow you to capitalize on your opponents’ resources.

Step 4.2: Mana Ramp and Fixing

Ramp and mana fixing are essential for casting your spells and deploying your threats faster than your opponents. Include a variety of mana ramp cards, such as Sol Ring, Mana Crypt, and Cultivate, to accelerate your game plan. Add mana fixing cards, such as Command Tower and Reflecting Pool, to ensure you have access to the colors you need. Balancing your mana base and ramp package is crucial for consistent and explosive starts.

Step 5: Disruption and Control

Step 5.1: Spot Removal

Include a mix of spot removal spells and abilities to deal with threats on the board. Use cards like Swords to Plowshares, Path to Exile, or Beast Within to efficiently remove problematic creatures or artifacts. Adapt your removal suite based on your meta and be prepared to respond to threats quickly and effectively.

Step 5.2: Board Sweeps

Board wipes or mass removal spells can reset the game and eliminate multiple threats simultaneously. Include powerful board wipes like Cyclonic Rift, Toxic Deluge, or Wrath of God to gain control of the board when necessary. Choose board sweeps that align with your deck’s strategy and provide the greatest advantage in the given situation.

Step 6: Continuous Improvement and Adaptation

Step 6.1: Analyze Your Gameplay

Reflect on your gameplay after each Commander session. Analyze your decisions, plays, and outcomes. Identify misplays, missed opportunities, or weaknesses in your deck’s strategy. Continuously learn from your experiences and adapt your gameplay to improve your overall performance.

Step 6.2: Refine Your Deck Through Testing

Regularly playtest your deck against a variety of opponents and in different playgroups. Observe how your deck performs in different scenarios and adapt it accordingly. Identify cards that underperform or are consistently strong. Make adjustments to optimize your deck’s performance based on the insights gained from playtesting sessions.

Step 6.3: Stay Informed and Experiment

Keep up with the latest Commander sets, new card releases, and changes in the metagame. Stay informed about powerful new commanders and key cards that can enhance your strategies. Experiment with new card synergies, combo lines, or alternate win conditions to surprise your opponents and keep your gameplay fresh and exciting.

Conclusion

Mastering Commander requires a combination of strategic deck building, advanced gameplay tactics, and social interaction skills. By carefully selecting your commander, building a focused deck, analyzing the meta, utilizing politics, managing resources efficiently, disrupting opponents’ strategies, and continuously improving your gameplay, you can achieve dominance in your Commander games. Remember to adapt your strategies, stay informed about the meta, and refine your deck through playtesting and experimentation. With practice, dedication, and the right mindset, you can become a formidable player and “Henzie” all over everyone in your Commander games.