{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Commander Deck Template: Instruction Manual"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Build your deck by categorizing cards based on their primary role, using these guidelines. A huge thank you to The Command Zone Podcast and Rachel Weeks for putting together the most concise deckbuilding template I have seen. Very usable, especially for new players and even experienced players who like to have a jumpstart to tweak from! I wanted to use their template in a format that can be copy pasted into my deckbuilding tool of choice! I hope you enjoy using it as well!"},{"insert":"\n\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1. Ramp (10 Cards)"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Purpose"},{"insert":": Accelerate your mana resources to outpace opponents.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"What to Include"},{"insert":":\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Permanent mana sources"},{"insert":": Cards that add lands, mana rocks, or cost reducers."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mana doublers"},{"insert":": Effects that increase your mana output over time."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Land ramp"},{"insert":": Spells that fetch lands to the battlefield or hand."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Avoid"},{"insert":":"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Temporary mana (e.g., one-time rituals)."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cards that only fix colors without increasing total mana."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"2. Card Advantage (12 Cards)"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Purpose"},{"insert":": Generate a net gain of cards to maintain resources.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"What to Include"},{"insert":":\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Repeatable draw"},{"insert":": Effects that provide cards over multiple turns."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Burst draw"},{"insert":": Spells that immediately draw 2+ cards."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Synergistic impulse draw"},{"insert":": Exiling cards to play later "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"only if"},{"insert":" your deck leverages exile synergy."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Avoid"},{"insert":":"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\"Replace effects\" (draw 1, discard 1)."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Tutors (these belong in "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Plan Cards"},{"insert":")."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"3. Targeted Disruption (12 Cards)"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Purpose"},{"insert":": Answer immediate threats or disrupt opponents’ key plays.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"What to Include"},{"insert":":\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Spot removal"},{"insert":": Destroy/exile a single permanent or counter a spell."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Hand disruption"},{"insert":": Force opponents to discard specific cards."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Protection"},{"insert":": Single-target hexproof/indestructible in response to threats."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Avoid"},{"insert":":"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Multi-target effects (see "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Mass Disruption"},{"insert":")."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Stax pieces that slow the game but don’t directly answer threats."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"4. Mass Disruption (6 Cards)"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Purpose"},{"insert":": Reset the board, protect your assets, or punish wide strategies.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"What to Include"},{"insert":":\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Board wipes"},{"insert":": Destroy all/most creatures, artifacts, or enchantments."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"X-spells"},{"insert":": Scalable effects that hit multiple targets."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Protection spells"},{"insert":": Prevent damage, destroy attackers, or phase out your board."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Multi-target removal"},{"insert":": Exile/destroy 2+ permanents."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Avoid"},{"insert":":"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Single-target removal, even if flexible."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"5. Lands (38 Cards)"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Purpose"},{"insert":": Ensure consistent mana and color access.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"What to Include"},{"insert":":\nBasics, duals, and utility lands."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Modal cards (MDFCs) "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"only if you count them as lands"},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Avoid"},{"insert":":"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Nonland cards, even if they have a land side (count those in other categories)."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"6. Plan Cards (30 Cards)"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Purpose"},{"insert":": Execute your deck’s "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"core theme and win condition"},{"insert":".\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"What to Include"},{"insert":":\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Theme-Specific Payoffs"},{"insert":": Cards that directly enable or reward your deck’s strategy."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Examples"},{"insert":":"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"For "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"+1/+1 Counters"},{"insert":": Cards that distribute counters, synergize with counters, or win via counters."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"For "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Landfall"},{"insert":": Cards that trigger on land drops or scale with lands."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"For "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Combo"},{"insert":": Pieces that enable infinite loops or game-ending interactions."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"For "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Knight Typal"},{"insert":": Lords, tribal synergy, or knights that reward you for going wide/tall."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Win Conditions"},{"insert":": Cards that end the game if unanswered (e.g., overrun effects, combo finishers)."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Tutors"},{"insert":": Fetch your theme’s critical pieces (e.g., a knight lord, a combo component)."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Overlap Cards"},{"insert":": Include cards from other categories "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"only if they directly advance your theme"},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Avoid"},{"insert":":\nGeneric \"goodstuff\" cards that don’t synergize with your theme."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cards that are strong but distract from your strategy (e.g., a random board wipe in a combo deck)."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Key Questions for Plan Cards"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Does this card reward me for doing what my deck wants to do?"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If you’re a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"sacrifice deck"},{"insert":", include cards that profit from creatures dying."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If you’re a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"spellslinger deck"},{"insert":", include cards that cast/cheat spells."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Does this card help me win the game, or is it just value?"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Prioritize cards that "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"end games"},{"insert":" over cards that "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"extend games"},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Is this card replaceable?"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If a card doesn’t tie into your theme, cut it for something that does."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Key Principles"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Overlap Encouraged"},{"insert":": A card can belong to multiple categories (e.g., a board wipe that also draws cards counts as "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Mass Disruption"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Card Advantage"},{"insert":")."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Prioritize Primary Role"},{"insert":": If a card fits multiple categories, assign it to the one most critical to your strategy."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Tutors Are Tools"},{"insert":": Tutors belong in "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Plan Cards"},{"insert":"—they find your win conditions but don’t generate card advantage."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Flexible Spells"},{"insert":": Modal cards (e.g., \"choose one\") go in the category where their most impactful mode lies. With MDFC's that have lands, count as lands first with the spell effect as an extra. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Higher Brackets: "},{"insert":"This system, to me, helps with keeping concise strategy and synergy for brackets 3 and 4 and to upgrade from bracket 2 into these categories. Category 5, being cEDH and Meta focused doesn't adhere to these loose requirements. Remember to follow the bracket system rules, if you choose to follow that with your playgroup, in order to properly bracket your deck. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Final Checklist"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Total cards = 108. Yes, a commander deck is 99 + 1 so there should be some overlap in certain sections as there are cards that are capable of doing multiple actions. Take these into account when building. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Lands are strictly 38. Use caution when cutting lands and ensure you are adding/cutting based on the overall mana value of your deck"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mass Disruption includes protection and multi-target effects. Essentially any card that affects multiple players, permanents, or more either offensively or defensively should count here. We are not looking for 6 board wipes. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Every card in "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Plan Cards"},{"insert":" should directly advance your win condition or help synergize with your chosen kindred or strategy theme. This takes higher precedence the higher bracket you intend to play, especially into bracket 4. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"}]}