The Command Zone

The Command Zone

Welcome to "The Command Zone," a captivating podcast dedicated to Magic: The Gathering, specifically focusing on the Commander format. Hosted by the experienced and enthusiastic players from The Command Zone team, each episode delves into strategies, card analyses, and community topics that both newcomers and seasoned veterans will find invaluable. Whether you're looking to refine your deck-building skills or simply enjoy engaging discussions about the game, "The Command Zone" offers a deep dive into the world of Commander. The podcast not only covers technical aspects of the game but also explores the cultural impact of Magic: The Gathering. With guest appearances from prominent community members and insights from behind the scenes, listeners can expect a comprehensive look at the creative and strategic elements that make the game fascinating. Join us as we explore intriguing deck concepts, discuss the latest expansions, and share tips to enhance your gameplay experience.

Episodes

  • "Creative Energy" Precon Upgrade | Modern Horizons 3 | 610

    Hosts Rachel Weeks and Gharav Giladi dive into the "Creative Energy" precon deck, focusing on the Jeskai energy theme. They thoroughly analyze the main components of the deck, including the face commander, Satya Aetherflux Genius, and the backup commander, Caithe, Famed Mechanist. The discussion covers strategies for enhancing the deck by adding and removing specific cards to optimize its performance in gameplay. Key highlights include a detailed breakdown of the deck's existing strengths, such as its aggressive nature and energy mechanics, and areas for improvement like its lack of effective win conditions and interaction capabilities.

  • "Tricky Terrain" Full Deck Reveal - Modern Horizons 3 | 609

    In the "Tricky Terrain" episode, hosts Jimmy Wong and Josh Lee Kwai unveil the latest preconstructed deck from Modern Horizons 3. They dive into the new and reprinted cards, emphasizing the deck's focus on land types, which is a rare theme in Magic: The Gathering. They discuss the innovative mechanics of the new cards, particularly highlighting Omo, Queen of Vesuva, and the synergies it creates with various land types. The hosts also analyze the deck's potential for various play styles, from aggressive mana generation to tactical land manipulation.

  • Master Deck Building w/ These Scryfall Hacks | 608

    In this episode of "The Command Zone," hosts Rachel Weeks and Jordan Pridgen share their expertise on Scryfall, Magic's most comprehensive card search tool. They delve deep into how Scryfall can revolutionize deck building, discussing everything from basic search functionalities to advanced techniques like using specific search syntax to filter out unwanted results. With examples ranging from constructing Commander decks to optimizing card selections based on game mechanics, the hosts provide a rich resource for any Magic player looking to improve their deck building skills.

  • Level Up Your Combat Phase | 607

    In "Level Up Your Combat Phase," hosts Rachel Weeks and Murph from The Command Zone podcast discuss various strategies to maximize effectiveness in the combat phase of Magic: The Gathering. They cover the steps involved in the combat phase, the interplay of different keywords, and detailed rules that might affect combat outcomes. The episode is packed with expert advice, rule clarifications, and strategy optimizations aimed at both new and veteran players, ensuring everyone can enhance their gameplay.

  • How to Play GREEN with Brian Kibler | 606

    In this insightful episode of The Command Zone, host Rachel Weeks and Magic: The Gathering Hall of Famer Brian Kibler explore the strengths and intricacies of playing green. They discuss green's role in deck building, its strategic advantages, and typical pitfalls. Kibler shares his extensive experience, focusing on mono-green's potential and versatility in different Magic formats. The conversation covers essential green mechanics like mana ramping, big creatures, and the color's ability to synergize with various game strategies, making it a formidable choice in competitive play.

  • Game Knights Isn't Scripted, BUT… | 605

    In "Game Knights Isn't Scripted, BUT… | 605," hosts Rachel Wheat, Jimmy Wong, and Josh Lee Kwai reveal the intricacies behind producing the Command Zone’s popular "Game Knights" series. They discuss their goals for high-quality, engaging gameplay and share behind-the-scenes details about the series' production, including selecting guests, balancing decks, and crafting episodes that are both entertaining and educational for viewers. They emphasize the non-scripted nature of the games, explaining how thorough planning and an understanding of engaging gameplay dynamics contribute to the series' success. The episode is packed with insights into how the team manages game balance and viewer engagement, ensuring each episode provides an exciting and memorable viewing experience.

  • The Best Cards (In the 99) from Outlaws of Thunder Junction | 604

    In this episode, hosts Rachel Weeks and Josh Lee Kwai delve into the most impactful cards from the "Outlaws of Thunder Junction" set for Commander format. They highlight a variety of cards, emphasizing their strategic importance in different deck archetypes and potential synergies with existing popular commanders. The discussion ranges from new powerful mounts and treasures to cards that create exciting play dynamics and bolster both new and established deck strategies. The hosts share insights on how these cards can reshape the Commander landscape and offer tips on integrating them into various deck builds.