The Pre-Game Podcast by WZKD-

Sam Black joins the Pregame Podcast to talk cEDH deckbuilding, the brewer’s edge, and how Rograkh and Thrasios keeps evolving. Can an unfamiliar deck outperform the established best deck? And what does your list do when three opponents shut down Plan A?

SUPPORT PREGAME ON PATREON
Enjoy the interviews, tournament coverage, and deck discussions? Help support the show and what we’re building at WZKD Games:
https://www.patreon.com/c/WZKDGAMES

IN EPISODE 21

• Sam’s approach to finding overlooked cards and building through interaction.
• How a viewer’s Oboro Breezecaller suggestion changed Rograkh and Thrasios.
• Tournament draws, seat order, incentives, and the community trust that makes competitive Commander work.
• Sam’s case against fetchlands, plus an unforgettable childhood Ancestral Recall trade.
• Duncan Gilchrist winning MBG Commanderpalooza #3 and Harley Anderson winning the Cian Colony Memorial Tournament 4, both on Blue Farm.
• Two different approaches to Tymna and Kraum, plus The Wandering Minstrel’s third-place finish.
• Upcoming cEDH events: Rocket City Liftoff and Yapsgiving.

If you enjoy the episode, hit like, subscribe, and tell us: what overlooked card deserves another look in cEDH?

PUSH TO 10K
We’re kicking off our Push to 10K giveaway next week. Full details are coming in the announcement. Stay tuned!

SAM’S TABLE — SAM BLACK ON YOUTUBE
https://www.youtube.com/@samuelhblack

EVENTS YOU SHOULD BE AT
Rocket City Liftoff — Huntsville, Alabama
November 7 weekend; two-day cEDH schedule. Prize payouts scale with attendance.
https://topdeck.gg/event/rocket-city-liftoff

Yapsgiving cEDH 10K — Provo, Utah
November 7–8, 2026. Saturday at Utah Valley Convention Center; Sunday’s cut moves to Riftgate.
https://topdeck.gg/event/yapsgiving-10k

Check the organizer listings for current registration, schedules, prize structures, and proxy requirements.

CONNECT WITH PREGAME & WZKD GAMES
All our links: https://linktr.ee/Craigmack
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/WZKDGAMES
WZKD Games: https://wzkdgames.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wzkdgames
Discord: https://discord.gg/c5cCuSPtdY
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wzkdgames
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@craig.mackmtg
X: https://x.com/craig_mack
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wzkdgames
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/wzkdgmz

cEDH coaching with Andrei: andrei.blanton@gmail.com

#cEDH #SamBlack #MTG

What does solving a tough Magic problem have in common with figuring out your next move in life?

Adam Holmes of F6 Supplies joins Craig Mack for Episode 20 of the Pregame Podcast for a conversation about problem-solving in Magic: The Gathering, business, and life beyond the table.

We talk Magic, cEDH, and the story behind F6, one of my favorite stops at any tournament. From the lightbox to the playmats and accessories, Adam brings a lot to this community. And those charging banks? I own two. My phone gets more backup plans than my deck does.

Plus, we break down the weekend’s cEDH results from Pamplona and Fort Wayne, with Arcum Dagsson and Krark/Thrasios taking home the wins. Then it’s Tournaments You Should Be At, featuring Houston, Yapsgiving, Decatur, and Tacoma.

What’s one lesson from Magic you’ve actually used outside the game? Let us know in the comments.

Like, subscribe, and share this episode with your tournament travel buddy. Your support helps us keep bringing great people and great conversations to the Pregame.

F6 SUPPLIES
https://shopf6.com/

TABLE READY CARDS
https://tablereadycards.com/

SUPPORT THE SHOW
WZKD Games Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/WZKDGAMES

ALL OUR LINKS
Craig Mack’s socials, content, and more:
https://linktr.ee/Craigmack

WZKD Games:
https://wzkdgames.com/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@WZKDGAMES

cEDH coaching with Andrei Blanton:
andrei.blanton@gmail.com

TOURNAMENT RESULTS & WINNING DECKLISTS

CEDH Norte: Pamplona
https://topdeck.gg/event/cedh-norte-bilbao-zaragoza-pamplona

Sendoa Cardiel’s Arcum Dagsson:
https://topdeck.gg/deck/cedh-norte-bilbao-zaragoza-pamplona/egYwSEzhLIhHbw0OZnZg9kx0dBj2

Perfect Storm: Tabernacle 10K
https://topdeck.gg/event/perfect-storm-comins-games-tabernacle-10k

Ethan / Pickle_poltergeist’s Krark & Thrasios:
https://topdeck.gg/deck/perfect-storm-comins-games-tabernacle-10k/F7oWrpk8MANUVKbpgzidjrj3Ia93

TOURNAMENTS YOU SHOULD BE AT

Houston CCS Qualifier | October 24–25, 2026
https://topdeck.gg/event/css-20000-cedh-invitational-qualifier-6

Yapsgiving | November 7–8, 2026
https://topdeck.gg/event/yapsgiving-10k

Decatur Deathmatch | November 7–8, 2026
https://topdeck.gg/event/the-decatur-deathmatch

Brainstorm, Tacoma | November 21–22, 2026
https://topdeck.gg/event/brainstorm-tacomas-cedh-open-10k

Check each organizer’s current registration, venue, prize details, and proxy policy before making plans.

#cEDH #MTG #Commander

We have Storm-Kiln Artist at home. Apparently, we also have tournament wins.

I recently won a LandGO Qualifier with Vraska, Soul of Stone—and in this Pregame Podcast deck tech, I’m breaking down the list, the mulligans, and how all those Treasures turn into wins.

From the top down, it looks like Rog/Ishai. Behind the wheel, it’s a midrange control deck that builds draw engines, fights over the stack, and saves up for an explosive turn.

We’re covering:

🍔 Why Vraska is our “Storm-Kiln Artist at home”

💰 Treasure engines, haste enablers, Academy Manufactor, and Xorn

🤫 Silence effects and choosing your window to win

🔥 Underworld Breach and the secret Magda plan

🐉 Niv-Mizzet, Hullbreaker Horror, and alternate finishes

🃏 Draw engines, clones, and what makes an opening hand worth keeping

And yes—we’re talking about the game where I tutor-chained into a Breach line DURING a stack battle with Niv-Mizzet already on the battlefield.

You should have seen their faces. Priceless.

📋 FULL DECKLIST:

https://moxfield.com/decks/iLagAXcOXnScboVvDDLv5Q

Would you sleeve up Vraska? Drop your questions and card suggestions in the comments, and subscribe to The Pregame Podcast for more cEDH deck techs, tournament talk, and interviews.

Clown on the commander if you want. You’re about to Vraska ’round and find out.

#cEDH #MTG #Vraska

What separates a great cEDH player from someone with a powerful deck? Jordan and Lily Drake of Drake Academy and Team Monolith join Craig Mack and Andrei to talk coaching, tournament preparation, threat assessment, and the future of competitive Commander.

Also: what happens when the person standing between you and the top cut is the person you married?

On Episode 19 of the Pregame Podcast, we get into the decisions, practice habits, and honest feedback that help players improve—and why being competitive doesn’t mean making everyone at the table miserable.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• The mistakes Jordan and Lily see when coaching cEDH players
• Mulligans, threat assessment, and trusting your decisions
• How Team Monolith practices, reviews games, and develops players
• Competing against your spouse—and surviving the ride home
• Teamwork, tournament integrity, and the line between preparation and collusion
• What cEDH needs from tournament rules, qualification, and championship events
• The weekend’s tournament report and Events You Should Be At

And yes, Craig may need professional help learning to win before turn eight. Fortunately, this time we mean coaching.

👇 What’s holding YOUR cEDH game back: mulligans, threat assessment, table politics, or knowing when to go for the win? Tell us in the comments.

Subscribe to the Pregame Podcast for cEDH interviews, tournament reports, deck discussions, and more Magic: The Gathering.

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SUPPORT & FOLLOW THE PREGAME
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WZKD Games Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/WZKDGAMES

Craig Mack — all socials, content & links:
https://linktr.ee/Craigmack

WZKD Games:
https://wzkdgames.com/

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cEDH COACHING WITH ANDREI BLANTON
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Want help tuning your deck, improving your decisions, or preparing for your next tournament?

Coaching inquiries: andrei.blanton@gmail.com

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TABLE READY CARDS
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Check out Table Ready Cards:
https://tablereadycards.com/password

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DRAKE ACADEMY — JORDAN & LILY
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Watch Drake Academy on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlFNc9TrgcE

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drakeacademymtg/

X:
https://x.com/DrakeAcademyMTG

Discord:
https://discord.gg/F8DsU3UUsU

Jordan’s Moxfield:
https://moxfield.com/users/JordanDrakeAcademy

Lily’s Moxfield:
https://moxfield.com/users/HellaLily

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TEAM MONOLITH
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Website:
https://monolithmtg.gg/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@MonolithMTG

X:
https://x.com/Monolith_MTG

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PRISMARI DECKLIST
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View the Prismari deck on Moxfield:
https://moxfield.com/decks/zC5McfdD0EWpvKa8agS9bA

#cEDH #MTG #Commander

Six mana. One commander. Anybody have a response?

Dack Fayden, Helping Hand brings BIG DACK ENERGY to cEDH—a mono-white combo deck built to turn its commander into a game-ending chain of creature loops and dungeon triggers.

This is the deck Etali, Ang, and Gyruda wish they could be. With the combo pieces available and the loop protected, we’re skipping the suspense and getting straight to your opponents picking up their cards.

🔗 DECKLIST ON MOXFIELD:
https://moxfield.com/decks/1QmhAfnYGnurqbK_6yKB7w

🔗 ALL OUR LINKS — SOCIALS, CONTENT & WAYS TO SUPPORT:
https://linktr.ee/Craigmack

In this Pregame Podcast deck tech, we break down:
• How Dack’s creature package builds the winning loop
• Fast mana and explosive turn-one and turn-two possibilities
• Setting up a turn-three win attempt
• Stax pieces and creature removal that buy you time
• Silence effects and protecting your combo
• Which opening hands to keep—and when to mulligan
• The counters, bounce spells, and disruption you need to respect

Mono-white. An extremely direct game plan. The confidence of a guy blasting Creed in a modified Camaro.

Would you bring Dack to a tournament—or are you already holding up interaction? Tell us below.

Subscribe to Pregame Podcast for more cEDH deck techs, tournament reports, and competitive Commander conversations.

#cEDH #MTG #DackFayden

Is your deck holding you back—or is it how you’re playing it? Logan from CriticalEDH joins Craig Mack to talk cEDH strategy, threat assessment, better practice, and turning tournament experience into better decisions.

Welcome to Episode 18 of the Pregame Podcast! We’re getting into competitive Commander, the community that keeps us coming back, and why “just get more reps” isn’t the whole answer.

I played 141 games of cEDH in one month. That’s a number you say proudly to your playgroup—and very quietly to your wife.

Logan and I discuss how the Crit League helped get me hooked, what players can learn from established meta decks, and when loyalty to your favorite commander becomes staying together for the sleeves.

IN THIS EPISODE:
• Meaningful practice, online leagues, and improving at cEDH
• Threat assessment, table politics, and when to spend interaction
• Mastering one deck versus learning multiple strategies
• Off-meta brewing and understanding why the best decks work
• Logan’s Even Flow Krark–Thrasios brew
• Welcoming new players and growing the cEDH community
• Tournament standards, transparency, and honest prize support
• Baked Ziti 4 and Mulligan Championship Series tournament reports
• BIG DACK ENERGY: our Dack Fayden deck tech
• Sunshine Showdown: last call for October 10–11, 2026

Logan has opinions. I have follow-up questions. Neither of us knows how to leave it at “yeah, fair enough.”

👇 What improved YOUR game the most: mastering one deck, trying different decks, coaching, or reviewing your mistakes?

PREGAME PODCAST — FOLLOW & SUPPORT

All our links, socials, and content:
https://linktr.ee/Craigmack

Support us on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/WZKDGAMES

CRITICAL EDH — FOLLOW, PLAY & SUPPORT

Official links, YouTube, socials, and league information:
https://linktr.ee/CriticalEDH

Join the CriticalEDH Discord:
https://discord.gg/rkrJsqy8HD

CriticalEDH Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/CriticalEDH

Ad Naus — cEDH community discussions:
https://adnaus.gg/

cEDH coaching directory:
https://pregame.gg/

BIG DACK ENERGY — DACK FAYDEN cEDH DECK TECH

Watch the full deck tech:
https://youtu.be/nanBy6ZBnv4

My decklist on Moxfield:
https://moxfield.com/decks/1QmhAfnYGnurqbK_6yKB7w

TOURNAMENT REPORTS

Baked Ziti 4:
https://edhtop16.com/tournament/baked-ziti-4-goldsabertooths-ny-cedh

Mulligan Championship Series:
https://edhtop16.com/tournament/mulligan-championship-series-october-w-guaranteed

EVENTS YOU SHOULD BE AT

Sunshine Showdown — October 10–11, 2026
Coconut Creek, Florida
Event details and registration:
https://topdeck.gg/event/sunshine-showdown-cedh-tournament

Subscribe to Pregame Podcast for cEDH interviews, tournament reports, deck techs, and conversations about the future of competitive Commander.

#cEDH #MTG #Commander

Seven straight wins. A Breach the Bay 2 Open victory. And yes… Lurking Predators.Craig Mack sits down with Andrei Blanton to break down Witherbloom, the Balancer—a Golgari cEDH deck built around creature engines, instant-speed combos, and some absolutely BASED card choices.Andrei explains the strategy behind his tournament-winning build, the changes he’s made since, and how this deck turns an innocent-looking board into a table-ending problem. From Corpse Dance loops to Sprout Swarm combos, we walk through how the pieces work—and when to go for the win.IN THIS DECK TECH:• Why Andrei chose midrange over turbo• How to build your board and when to cast Witherbloom• Corpse Dance, Entomb, and Eternal Witness combo lines• Sprout Swarm combos and their different outlets• Razaketh and Hoarding Broodlord tutor chains• Why Lurking Predators earned its slot• K’rrik, Chatterfang, Yawgmoth, and Warren Soultrader synergies• Removal, table politics, and winning at instant speedDECKLIST + PRIMERhttps://moxfield.com/decks/05oZVnIK4EOL5O3A6osldQQUESTIONS & cEDH COACHINGWant help piloting Witherbloom or taking your cEDH game to the next level? Reach out to Andrei Blanton for deck questions and coaching:andrei.blanton@gmail.comFOLLOW CRAIG MACK / WZKD GAMESFind our socials, streams, and more:https://linktr.ee/CraigmackCHAPTERS00:00 Meet the Breach the Bay 2-winning deck01:53 From abandoned brew to tournament winner06:21 The Beledros Witherbloom origins10:55 Witherbloom, the Balancer explained15:30 Token engines and creature synergies19:11 Lurking Predators is absolutely BASED23:48 When should you cast your commander?26:57 Braids, card advantage, and table politics32:34 Disruptive creatures and stax34:10 K’rrik and Corpse Dance synergies39:04 Chatterfang and Warren Soultrader41:00 Opposition Agent and Wandering Archaic44:00 Tutors and sorcery choices50:26 Removal and the interaction package59:09 How the deck wins1:00:07 Corpse Dance combo walkthrough1:04:43 Sprout Swarm combos1:09:17 Hoarding Broodlord combo walkthrough1:12:20 Razaketh ties it all together1:13:08 Strengths of the deck1:15:26 Coaching and closing thoughtsWhat’s the most BASED card in this list—and would you sleeve up Witherbloom? Let us know in the comments.Like the video and subscribe for more cEDH deck techs, tournament breakdowns, and the Pregame Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/@WZKDGAMES#cEDH #Witherbloom #MTG

Evan Pierce of MTG Basics joins Pregame Podcast to talk winning at cEDH, his approach to Kinnan, tournament mindset, and the future of competitive Commander. He’s my pick for the best player in the world, a good friend, and apparently incapable of letting me win at foosball.

MTG Basics is one of my favorite channels, and this conversation shows why. Evan makes you think differently about the game—between opportunities to make fun of me.

In Episode 17, we get into:
• Evan’s life outside Magic and how he found cEDH
• Tournament preparation, mulligans, and playing without letting results get in your head
• Table politics, threat assessment, and making deals that actually make sense
• Kinnan’s place in the meta and the “little flips” build
• Rhystic Study, Samut, and where the format goes next
• F6 Supply and Evan’s projects outside the command zone

PLUS: Tournament Report returns with results from the CCS Invitational Qualifier and Ohio cEDH: Highlander 3—meta share, Top 16 conversion rates, Top 4 pilots, and my patented HAT TIP to the winners.

And our Dumpster of the Week? Kinnan. Fifteen entries across both events. Zero Top 16s. We invite Evan on to explain why the deck is good, and the deck immediately requests legal representation.

We also cover Events You Should Be At, including the Black Lotus Invitational qualifier I’m hosting at WZKD Games and why you should get involved with Land Go’s Commander Invitational series. I went to the Invitational in Nashville and loved it. It’s cEDH MagicCon—and I want more players and stores to be part of it.

What’s the best piece of cEDH advice you’ve ever received? Drop it in the comments.

EVAN PIERCE & MTG BASICS
Subscribe to MTG Basics
Shop F6 Supply

cEDH COACHING WITH ANDREI BLANTON
Want to sharpen your game? Contact Andrei for cEDH coaching:
andrei.blanton@gmail.com

SUPPORT & JOIN THE PREGAME COMMUNITY
Patreon
Join our Discord
Craig Mack’s Linktree

EVENTS YOU SHOULD BE AT
WZKD Games Black Lotus Invitational Qualifier — come play, I’m hosting!
Land Go Events — learn about the series, find qualifiers, and get your store involved

TOURNAMENT RESULTS
CCS Invitational Qualifier
Ohio cEDH: Highlander 3

Subscribe to Pregame Podcast for cEDH interviews, tournament reports, deck talk, and questionable jokes delivered with unreasonable confidence.

#cEDH #MagicTheGathering #Commander

What does cEDH need to change heading into 2027? This week on the Pregame Podcast, Craig Mack sits down with Josh Welder ZE from CriticalEDH to talk Tayam, tournament structure, the future of competitive Commander, and how we keep growing cEDH.

Josh has become one of the players most associated with Tayam, Luminous Enigma, so naturally we make him answer for what he has done to innocent cEDH tables everywhere.

We talk about:

• Why Josh chose Tayam and why he definitely does NOT recommend you play it
• CriticalEDH and Keeping Tabs on cEDH
• The future of cEDH tournaments in 2027
• Random pairings, blind standings and alternative scoring systems
• Top 16 vs larger Top Cuts
• Better coordination between tournament organizers
• Judging and tournament consistency
• What players can do to help cEDH continue growing
• Whether cEDH should ever have its own ban list
• And somehow... the possibility of UNBANNING FLASH

Then Andrei returns for cEDH and life coaching as we break down cards from Reality Fracture and talk about which ones could actually have an impact on competitive Commander.

And yes...

We have to talk about Samut, Tyrant of Naktamun.

Split second.

No response.

Literally.

Relax. The sky isn't falling.

Your win rate might be.

In the Tournament Report, we look at two neighboring cEDH communities doing something I think more regions should be doing: CIRCUITS.

We break down the Colorado Summer Circuit Invitational and the Legends of the Stack New Mexico Invitational, including their metas, conversion rates and Top 4 finishes.

And somehow...

Craig won New Mexico.

After 16 episodes of giving tournament advice, we finally have limited statistical evidence that some of it might actually work.

We also talk about why local circuits, leaderboards and Invitationals can be incredible tools for growing competitive Commander communities and keeping players engaged.

Finally, Events You Should Be At:

Baked Ziti 4 - Goldsabertooth's NY cEDH
https://topdeck.gg/event/baked-ziti-4-goldsabertooths-ny-cedh

Competitive cEDH, Grim Monoliths, potentially Mox Diamonds, and enough Italian food to make scrubbing out feel significantly better.

MagicCon: Atlanta - November 13-15, 2026
https://www.magic.gg/news/magiccon-atlanta-2026-gather-for-the-multiverse

Craig will be at MagicCon Atlanta as a creator all weekend, slinging cards in the Creator Space and recording live content from the Wizards table Friday at 11 AM.

If you've never been to a MagicCon, come experience it.

The games.
The artists.
The vendors.
The previews.
LobbyCon at 2 AM.

Because the best part of Magic: The Gathering has always been the Gathering.

Support the Pregame Podcast on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/WZKDGAMES

Craig Mack:
https://linktr.ee/Craigmack

CriticalEDH:
https://linktr.ee/CriticalEDH

cEDH Coaching with Andrei Blanton:
Moxfield: BingeyLongtooth
Email: andrei.blanton@gmail.com

Want help tuning a list, improving your tournament game, or building something completely ridiculous that somehow still wins? Reach out to Andrei for cEDH coaching.

Check out CriticalEDH and Keeping Tabs on cEDH and show Josh some love!

If you enjoy the show, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and help us grow cEDH one degenerate at a time.

Drop a comment below:

If you could change ONE thing about cEDH tournaments heading into 2027, what would it be?

#cEDH #CompetitiveCommander #MTG #MagicTheGathering #Commander #EDH #RealityFracture

Comedian MTG joins the Pregame Podcast for our biggest interview yet.

Ian is one of the most accomplished and creative brewers in cEDH, with successful lists across an absurd number of commanders — and apparently 1,435 decks sitting in his Moxfield account. We talk about how he evaluates unconventional commanders, how he knows when a deck is actually good, why some brews fail, and what separates a good cEDH pilot from someone simply playing powerful cards.

But this conversation goes well beyond deckbuilding.

We get into the current state of politicking in competitive EDH, when persuasion crosses the line into gaslighting, the responsibility established players and creators have toward newer players, tournament behavior, draws, coaching, building better cEDH communities, and why Ian believes you can compete at the highest level without making everyone at the table miserable.

Then we break down recent tournament results and finish with Events You Should Be At, featuring two upcoming cEDH weekends worth putting on your calendar.

SUPPORT THE PREGAME PODCAST
WZKD GAMES Patreon:
https://patreon.com/WZKDGAMES

FOLLOW CRAIG MACK / WZKD GAMES
Craig Mack Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/Craigmack

FOLLOW COMEDIAN MTG
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@ComedIanMTG

Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/comedianmtg

Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/Comedianmtg

EVENTS YOU SHOULD BE AT

Yapsgiving — cEDH 10K
November 7–8 • Provo, Utah
Presented by Salt City Gaming Events.

Registration & event info:
https://topdeck.gg/event/yapsgiving-10k

The Atrium 2
November 21–22 • Claremont, California
Hosted by BFF cEDH and Lost Levels Card Shop, with the official LobbyCon on November 20.

Registration & event info:
https://topdeck.gg/event/the-atrium-2-1

If you enjoy the show, LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE, and tell us in the comments:

Where is the line between good cEDH politicking and going too far?

PREGAME PODCAST | WZKD GAMES

#cEDH #MTG #Commander #MagicTheGathering #CompetitiveEDH #ComedianMTG #EDH

Can a toxic player kill an entire local cEDH community? And is it finally time to BAN Rhystic Study?

On Pregame Podcast Episode 14, I sit down with longtime cEDH player, brewer, Krark/Sakashima sicko, and one of the people most responsible for building the competitive Commander community here in Santa Fe: Ken Bauman.

Find all my links, socials, streams and more here:
https://linktr.ee/Craigmack

Ken and I get into what it actually takes to build and sustain a local cEDH scene, how experienced players should treat newcomers, why being a good human can genuinely make you a better political player, and the behaviors that can absolutely destroy a community.

We also talk about:

• How Ken found cEDH and helped grow the Santa Fe scene
• How to introduce new players to competitive Commander
• Why established players need to actively welcome new players
• Teaching cEDH without overwhelming people
• Politicking without turning yourself into the table enemy
• Why losing, learning, and laughing matter
• Why you shouldn’t immediately dismiss fringe decks and brews
• The story behind Too Deep
• Krark/Sakashima and roughly 1,500 games worth of coin flips
• Why Krark may still be seriously underplayed
• Ken’s cEDH Mount Rushmore
• And finally… Ken gets the microphone and makes his case for why RHYSTIC STUDY SHOULD BE BANNED.

And because apparently one giant cEDH conversation wasn’t enough, we’ve also got some very cool decks this week, including Thor, Ms. Bumbleflower, and everybody’s favorite beautiful idiot: Flubs the Fool.

Then in EVENTS YOU SHOULD BE AT, we’re looking at two more cEDH tournaments worth putting on your calendar:

SUNSHINE SHOWDOWN
October 10–11 — Coconut Creek, Florida
https://topdeck.gg/event/sunshine-showdown-cedh-tournament

I’m going to try to make this one myself… God willing.

ROCKET CITY LIFTOFF
November 7 — Huntsville, Alabama
https://topdeck.gg/event/rocket-city-liftoff

If you enjoy competitive Commander, tournament cEDH, deckbuilding, brewing, politics, or just listening to two grown men talk far too seriously about flipping coins and paying for Rhystic Study triggers, you’re in the right place.

Subscribe to PREGAME PODCAST for weekly cEDH conversations, tournament coverage, deck discussions, interviews, events you should be at, and whatever else happens to break our brains that week.

ALL LINKS:
https://linktr.ee/Craigmack

cEDH ON TOP.

A player made a deal around Necropotence… then immediately argued that Necropotence doesn’t technically “draw” cards.

Was that clever cEDH gameplay?

Or was it just lying?

This week on The Pregame Podcast, Craig Mack and Andrei Blanton break down where the line should be when it comes to deals, misleading opponents, technical truths, and maintaining trust at a competitive cEDH table.

We also dive into the August cEDH Meta Report to look at what actually happened across the tournament scene: which decks are winning, which commanders are climbing, what’s falling off, and what the data might tell us about where the format is headed next.

PLUS:

• The difference between good politicking and deception
• Why your reputation matters in competitive Commander
• The August cEDH metagame
• Decks and strategies gaining momentum
• What we’re watching heading into the next month
• BANGERS YOU SHOULD BE AT — You Dead! cEDH 5K and The Atrium 2

Do you think lying is ever acceptable in cEDH?

Drop your answer in the comments — because I have a feeling people are going to disagree on this one.

Subscribe for weekly cEDH news, strategy, tournament coverage, deckbuilding discussion, and questionable opinions from people who spend way too much time thinking about competitive Commander.

WZKD Games / Pregame Podcast

All WZKD links:
https://linktr.ee/Craigmack

#cEDH #MTG #Commander #MagicTheGathering #CompetitiveCommander #cEDHMeta

We survived Breach the Bay 2.

Barely.

This week on The Pregame Podcast, we’re excited to officially welcome Breach the Bay 2 Open Champion Andrei Blanton as a new co-host of the show — whenever his schedule allows!

Andrei is an incredible deck builder, a member of Too Deep, a student of the game, and someone who consistently brings unique decks to major cEDH tournaments…and somehow keeps WINNING WITH THEM.

This week we talk about:

🔥 Andrei’s Breach the Bay 2 Open WIN
🧠 Building unique decks in an established cEDH meta
🤝 How to politick without being manipulative or adversarial
🗣️ Why sharing information can actually help you win games
🌎 Language barriers in competitive cEDH — and how we can handle them better
🏆 Our full Breach the Bay 2 experience
❤️ What we LOVED about the event
😬 And a few things we could have done without...

Plus, BANGERS YOU SHOULD BE AT!

🍖 THE COOKOUT 2026
https://topdeck.gg/event/the-cookout-2026

🏛️ THE ATRIUM 2
https://topdeck.gg/event/the-atrium-2-1

And yes…we are still absolutely exhausted from Breach the Bay.

So Episode 12 is a little different. We’re hanging out, talking cEDH, telling stories, and recovering from an incredible weekend.

Normal Pregame formatting returns next week!

If you enjoy the show, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and drop a comment — it helps us more than you know.

And let us know:

What did you think of Breach the Bay 2?

Follow Craig / The Pregame / WZKD Games:
https://linktr.ee/Craigmack

cEDH ON TOP.

Tournament day is coming. Are you actually ready?

This week on The Pregame, we break down two recent cEDH events featuring K’rrik, Son of Yawgmoth, Rocco, Cabaretti Caterer, and Krark & Sakashima.

Then we dive into HOW TO PREPARE FOR A cEDH TOURNAMENT — knowing your deck, studying the meta, understanding what your opponents are playing, sharing information, navigating table politics, managing mistakes, and having the confidence to play YOUR game.

Plus, Events You Should Be At! We spotlight the Summer Sizzler 5K and make one final pitch for Breach the Bay 2, which has a chance to become one of the biggest cEDH events ever.

And if you stick around until the end… I reveal what I’m considering playing at Breach. 👀

Next week: the full Breach the Bay recap — whether I crush it or get absolutely destroyed.

Shuffle up. Have fun. LET’S PREGAME.

Find Craig & The Pregame:
https://linktr.ee/Craigmack

#cEDH #MTG #Commander #CompetitiveCommander

EPISODE 10!

The Pregame Podcast officially hits double digits, and we're celebrating with a great one.

This week, PIGEON joins Craig to talk about becoming a better cEDH player, navigating tables, improving the format, and some of the lessons Magic can teach us beyond the game.

We also break down two recent tournaments featuring some interesting decks—including the first appearance of Gleaming Splendor—and look ahead to Breach the Bay 2, The Cookout, and the TopDeck Invitational.

The Invitational is the Super Bowl of cEDH, and Craig is putting his predictions on tape: Jason Doan, Evan Pierce, Zach Shepherd, and Pigeon in the final pod. Who takes it all down?

Plus, we've heard some VERY interesting things about the decks people are bringing…

A huge thank you to everyone who's watched, listened, commented, and supported the Pregame Podcast through our first 10 episodes.

We're just getting started.

Episode 9.5 – The Hobbit cEDH Set Review

Could The Hobbit become one of the most impactful sets ever released for Competitive Commander?

In this special edition of The PREGAME Podcast, Craig Mack breaks down the biggest winners from the set, evaluating which cards have real cEDH potential, which belong in the 98/99 of established archetypes, and which might become format-defining staples.

From Smaug, the Wicked Worm and Bag End Banquet to The Queen of Dale, Dragon's Desire, and more, Craig dives into the cards that could reshape the metagame—and separates the true contenders from the hype.

Did he miss a hidden gem? Is one of these cards being overrated?

Join the discussion and let us know what you think the biggest cEDH card from The Hobbit will be.

Stay prepared. Stay competitive. See you in the next pod.

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 9 of the PREGAME Podcast with Craig Mack and WZKD Games!This week we're breaking down one of the most exciting weekends in Competitive Commander while welcoming Max P from the Win and In Podcast to discuss the future of cEDH, the health of the format, and the deck he's bringing to the upcoming Invitational.This Week's Topics🏆 CCS $20K Qualifier tournament recap📊 The biggest metagame takeaways and standout performances🧙 Auntie Ool – Is this the next breakout commander?⚡ Cursewretch Turbo and why players are taking notice🛡️ Akiri/Thrasios returns to the conversation🎙️ Special Guest: Max P (Win and In Podcast)Max joins Craig to discuss:🔥 The current state of Competitive Commander💡 Small tweaks that could make cEDH even better🎯 What makes the community so special🃏 His newest brew for the upcoming Invitational📈 Where he thinks the metagame is headed nextWhether you're preparing for your next tournament, looking for the latest tech, or just love talking high-level Commander, Episode 9 is packed with strategy, insight, and great conversation.👇 Join the discussion:Is Auntie Ool the real deal?Can Cursewretch Turbo become a top-tier strategy?What changes, if any, would you make to improve cEDH?What deck do you think wins the next major event?If you enjoy Competitive Commander, tournament coverage, metagame analysis, deck techs, interviews with top players, and the latest cEDH news, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the 🔔 so you never miss an episode of the PREGAME Podcast.Stay prepared. Stay competitive. See you in the next pod.

Welcome to Episode 8 of The PREGAME Podcast!This week we're joined by Jack from Doot Loot to discuss one of the most ambitious cEDH events ever planned—Breach the Bay 2.Inspired by the feel of a classic MagicFest, Breach the Bay 2 is shaping up to be far more than just another tournament. We dive into what makes the event unique, the innovative Japanese point system, and why this could become a blueprint for the future of competitive Commander events.We also break down everything happening in cEDH right now, including our July Meta Report, the biggest stories from the Excalibur Columbus $10,000, and our first reactions to The Hobbit spoilers. Could these new cards reshape the competitive landscape? We discuss the commanders, staples, and interactions that already have players talking.This Episode Includes:🏆 Jack from Doot Loot joins the show🌉 Everything you need to know about Breach the Bay 2🎲 The Japanese point system explained📊 July 2026 cEDH Meta Report💰 Excalibur Columbus $10,000 recap and standout decks🧙 The Hobbit spoilers and their impact on cEDH🔥 Cards that could redefine the format🎙️ Community news, tournament discussion, and competitive Commander insightsWhether you're preparing for your next tournament or just love staying on top of the competitive Commander metagame, Episode 8 is packed with everything you need to know.👇 Tell us in the comments:Which Hobbit card has the biggest cEDH potential?Are you planning to attend Breach the Bay 2?What deck impressed you most from the July metagame?Is the Japanese point system something more tournaments should adopt?If you enjoy cEDH, Competitive Commander, tournament coverage, metagame analysis, spoiler season, and interviews with leaders in the community, be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the 🔔 so you never miss an episode of The PREGAME Podcast.Stay prepared. Stay competitive. We'll see you next week!Doot Loot: https://www.doot-loot.com/Breach the Bay2: https://www.breachthebay.com/Rog Si Deck Tech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC1454XNq1sCraig Mack on x: https://x.com/Craig_MackWZKD on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WZKDGames/WZKD GRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wzkdgamesCRAIG MACK MOXFIELD: https://moxfield.com/users/CraigMack

🎙️ Welcome back to Episode 4 of the PREGAME Podcast with Craig Mack and WZKD Games!This week we're taking a deep dive into the current cEDH metagame, breaking down what the numbers are telling us about the format, which decks are rising to the top, and which commanders are beginning to make serious waves in competitive Commander.Topics this week include:📊 cEDH Meta Breakdown by the Numbers⚡ Ral, Monsoon Mage Performance & Potential🩸 Gwennon the Remorseless Analysis🐉 Kinnan, Scion of Ur-Dragon and Emerging Brews🦸 Marvel Cards That Are Overperforming Expectations🔥 The Cards Players May Have Missed💬 Why Craig Mack Thinks Rhystic Study Should Stay in cEDHThe Rhystic Study debate has become one of the hottest topics in competitive Commander. Is the card unhealthy for the format, or is it a necessary pillar that helps keep the metagame balanced? Craig breaks down why he believes Rhystic Study remains an important part of cEDH and what could happen if it ever left the format.Whether you're grinding tournaments, preparing for your next event, or just trying to stay ahead of the evolving cEDH metagame, Episode 4 has everything you need to know.👇 Let us know in the comments:Should Rhystic Study remain legal in cEDH?And which commander are you most excited about right now:⚡ Ral, Monsoon Mage🩸 Gwennon the Remorseless🐉 Kinnan, Scion of Ur-DragonIf you enjoy competitive Commander content, tournament breakdowns, deck techs, metagame analysis, spoiler discussions, and cEDH strategy, make sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of the PREGAME Podcast.

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 7 of The PREGAME Podcast with Craig Mack and WZKD Games!

This week, Craig is joined by cEDH legend Matt Hayes for an in-depth conversation about where Competitive Commander is headed—and why 2026 may be the strongest year the format has ever seen.

Together, they discuss why the cEDH community should focus on showcasing the best of the format: incredible gameplay, welcoming communities, and unforgettable tournament experiences, rather than letting the occasional controversy define what makes competitive Commander special.

🏆 Matt Hayes joins the podcast
🌍 The explosive growth of cEDH in 2026
🤝 Why we should celebrate what makes Competitive Commander great
📅 What Magic: The Gathering could look like in 2027
🧙 Breaking down the first The Hobbit spoilers and what they could mean for cEDH
🔥 Summer Classic 3 tournament recap
📊 Standout decklists, spicy innovations, and the biggest surprises from the event
🎯 Current metagame trends and where the format is headed next

Whether you're a seasoned tournament grinder or just getting into Competitive Commander, this episode is packed with insight, discussion, and optimism about the future of the game we all love.

💬 Join the conversation in the comments!

• Is cEDH entering its golden age?
• What are your thoughts on the first Hobbit spoilers?
• Which Summer Classic 3 deck impressed you the most?
• What do you hope to see from Magic in 2027?

If you enjoy competitive Commander, cEDH tournament coverage, metagame analysis, deck techs, spoiler season, and conversations with the biggest names in the format, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of The PREGAME Podcast.

Stay prepared. Stay competitive. See you in the next pod.

#cEDH #CompetitiveEDH #Commander #MagicTheGathering #MTG #MattHayes #TheHobbit #SummerClassic3 #CommanderMeta #TournamentMagic #WZKDGames #CraigMack #PregamePodcast #EDH

In this episode: