The Weekly Draw - That 101st Card Has Got to Go

You know you’re in deep when your deck edits start feeling like archaeology, carefully unearthing one card at a time just to make room for another.

This week’s draw covers smarter ways to cut cards, sneaky commanders that skip combat altogether, and a look at the Final Fantasy buzz sweeping the format.

Plus: counterspells where you’d least expect them and a few community threads that hit surprisingly hard.

Grab a coffee and lets get started!

The Art of Cutting Cards

3/3 Elk introduces a tagging method to make card cuts easier by categorizing cards by function instead of type. This approach reveals redundancy and helps prioritize flexible cards that serve multiple roles. A smart system for tackling the classic “101st card” problem. LINK

Card Draw: The Ultimate Commander Strategy

The Trinket Mage argues that card draw is the most important mechanic in Commander. Whether you're playing control, aggro, or combo, drawing more cards increases your options, consistency, and ability to adapt. Even cEDH staples like Timna thrive by keeping hands full. LINK

Commanders That Win Without Attacking

The Commander's Quarters highlights commanders built to win without combat damage. Options like Mizzix, Aetherflux Reservoir, and Approach of the Second Sun enable explosive finishes that ignore traditional defenses. Great for players looking to sidestep the red zone. LINK

Overlooked Commanders Worth Building

The Commander's Quarters takes another look at high-mana-value commanders like Vilis, Tishana, and Jadzi. While they require setup, the payoffs are game-warping — drawing huge chunks of your deck or dominating the board in one turn. LINK

Unique Background Combinations

Unpopular MTG's deckbuilding contest explores underrated background pairings with standout builds like Earthquake Boros. These offbeat combinations unlock synergies most tables won’t expect and breathe new life into overlooked legends. LINK

Want to Share Your Work?

Do you write online about Commander? Publish deck tech primers, brewing tips, or format takes? I’d love to feature your work in future issues of The Weekly Draw or highlight it on the EDHMatch blog.

Reply to this email or send a link my way, I’m always looking to spotlight creative voices in the community.

When Decks Carry Emotional Weight

A Reddit thread explores the emotional side of Commander, as one player dismantles a beloved Rin and Seri deck after a divorce. The community response encouraged transforming the deck into something new — a reminder that our decks often carry more than just cardboard. LINK

The Proxy Debate Continues

An LGS ban on proxies for an upcoming EDH tournament sparked heated discussion around accessibility, optimization, and competitive pressure. The thread highlights how prize support often shifts the tone of events — even in “casual” Commander. LINK

Evolving "Funny" Decks

What starts as a joke often ends in combos. This Reddit post dives into meme decks that evolve into real contenders, showing how fun concepts like Chair Tribal can grow into tuned brews — without losing their charm. LINK

Finding Your Commander Community

A post about struggling to find a playgroup resonated across the community. Replies offered encouragement and platforms like SpellTable, Discord, and untap.in. LINK

Voltron Strategies That Actually Win

This thread breaks down how to make Voltron work in a multiplayer format — with tips like running more wipes, fogs, and pillow fort tech to survive past the first kill. A must-read for anyone struggling to close games with commander damage. LINK

Final Fantasy Scalping Concerns

A Reddit thread reports aggressive scalping of Final Fantasy Commander products, echoing trends seen with Warhammer 40K. Wizards confirmed reprints are planned, but early buyers may face inflated prices. Smaller LGSes and one-per-customer policies may offer some relief. LINK

Y'shtola Precon Criticisms

The Y'shtola precon is drawing criticism for its lack of synergy — pairing a noncreature-focused commander with a creature-heavy list. Reddit users suggest major upgrades are needed to make the deck function properly out of the box. LINK

Non-Blue Counterspells Breaking the Color Pie

Unpopular MTG highlights 20 counterspells available outside of blue, from Withering Boon to Lapse of Certainty. These surprise answers offer powerful interaction for non-blue decks and open new angles for reactive play. LINK

That’s it for this week’s draw! Between Final Fantasy spoilers, off-color counterspells, and brewing discussions across the community, there’s no shortage of inspiration to dig into.

If you enjoyed this issue, consider forwarding it to a friend who’s mid-brew or looking for their next deck idea.

And if you’ve written a deck tech, strategy post, or anything Commander-related you'd like featured in a future issue, hit reply and send it my way, I’d love to help share your work.

— Mark
EDHMatch & The Weekly Draw