MTG – Achievement Unlocked! Using Points to Enhance EDH / Commander Games of Magic: The Gathering

A PDF of the TCC Endorsed Points / Achievements list can be found here: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B_gYz_k66upbRTBVal9QLUNvc2c&usp=sharing

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Commander: the multiplayer Magic: The Gathering game where you choose a legendary creature to serve as your commander, and then construct a deck using 99 other cards that fall within that commander’s color identity. 100 cards total and, except for basic lands, there can be only one of each.

But can there be only one way to win at Commander?

Using a Commander point or achievement system can be an excellent way to add depth and complexity to your Commander playgroup or league. This video will discuss what a point system for commander is, how it works, and why you might want to try one with your playgroup.

If you haven’t already seen my introductory videos on building your first commander deck, or selecting the right commander for your deck, you may do so here and here.

What is a Commander Points System?

A Commander Points System allows players to earn points during a game of commander for achievements other than simply being the last player standing.

Reminiscent of “Achievements and Badges” that are now standard fare for most video games, a Commander Points system not only gives rewards to players for their accomplishments during a game, but also can add great depth and complexity to gameplay, especially for a playgroup the meets regularly, or an EDH / Commander League at your local game store.

How Does a Commander Points System Work?

Let’s begin with a two very basic Commander Achievements: Victory, and Sole Survivor.

When you complete an achievement, you earn, or in some cases lose, the appropriate number of points. So with just these two achievements in play, you would earn 1 point each time you eliminated a player, but whoever happened to be the last player standing would earn 3 points.

This creates a very interesting dynamic, as often times in commander games, you might eliminate a player or even two, but then be eliminated yourself. At the end of the game, several, if not all, players have earned points.

Ideally, these points would be saved over the course of a predetermined amount of time. If you are using a points system for an EDH / COmmander league, these points would be earned over, say, a season.

Different stores have different incentives for earning points. They can be redeemed for packs, singles, or just store credit.

For a playgroup, the points are a great way to determine an overall winner within that group, be it for a single game or, as I personally prefer, over a longer period of games.

Obviously, these are not the only achievements available. In fact, the list I am going to show you contains 134 possible achievements that were very laboriously developed and thoroughly tested.

But of course, many stores already have their own points system that they have developed, and there’s nothing stopping you from working on your own or with your playgroup on one either. However, the points system officially endorsed by Tolarian Community College is the following, and is available for download in via a link in this video’s description.