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The Commander Rules Committee - Its Story

Dr. Grady Little Sr.

There's a good chance, if you play Magic: The Gathering, you've heard a bit about Commander. It's a format many folks really enjoy, offering a different way to experience the game. For a very long time, the way this particular game style worked, its basic ideas, and even which cards you couldn't use were looked after by a dedicated group of players. This group, known as the Commander Rules Committee, or sometimes just the RC, put in a lot of effort to keep things running smoothly for everyone who loved playing this way. They were, in a way, the caretakers of a beloved part of the Magic experience, working to make sure it stayed fun and fair for countless players around the globe.

This independent assembly of Commander fans and players had, for a good while, been the ones looking after the basic setup and the official list of forbidden cards for the Magic: The Gathering Commander game style, all managed through their website, mtgcommander.net. They were a group of folks who simply cared a lot about the game and wanted to help it grow in a good direction. Their work helped shape how people played and thought about Commander, creating a sort of shared understanding among players. It was, in some respects, a true labor of love from people who were deeply invested in the game's health.

However, as with many things that grow and change, there came a moment when things shifted quite a bit. Following some really strong reactions to choices they made about which cards to ban in September of 2024, the group made a rather big decision. They chose to hand over the reins, giving control of the Commander game style to Wizards of the Coast, the folks who make Magic. This was, you know, a pretty significant turning point for the format, marking the end of one era and the start of another for how Commander would be managed moving forward.

Table of Contents

What Was the Commander Rules Committee?

So, you might be wondering, who exactly were these people, this Commander Rules Committee? Well, for a long stretch of time, they were an independent gathering of folks who loved playing Commander. Their main job, in a way, was to look after the official ways to play and the list of cards you weren't allowed to use in the Magic: The Gathering Commander game style. They did all this through their own website, mtgcommander.net. They were, essentially, volunteers who took on the responsibility of guiding a very popular way to play Magic, trying to keep it a good experience for everyone involved. It's almost like they were the guardians of the format's spirit.

This group, sometimes called the RC or CRC, received thoughts and ideas from another team called the Commander Advisory Group, or CAG. The CAG was made up of community leaders who had different ideas and a lot of connections within the player base. They brought a wide array of views about the game style to the table. This setup meant that the RC wasn't just making choices in a vacuum; they were, in a way, getting input from many different corners of the player community. It was a system set up to gather a breadth of perspectives, which is pretty important when you're trying to make decisions for a large group of people.

The rules for Commander, as set by the Commander Rules Committee, were typically looked at and updated about every three months, if there was a need for it. This regular review process helped them to keep things current and address any issues that might pop up as new cards came out or as the game itself changed. They aimed to keep the game fair and fun, and that meant being ready to adjust things as needed. It was, you know, a constant process of observation and adjustment, trying to keep the game in a good spot for everyone.

How Did the Commander Rules Committee Start?

The story of the Commander Rules Committee really begins with the very beginnings of the Commander game style itself. For about two decades, this group of independent volunteers was the one maintaining the Commander format. They weren't paid by Wizards of the Coast; they were simply people who loved the game and wanted to see this particular way of playing thrive. They created the basic framework, the philosophy, and the rules that so many players have come to enjoy. It was, in a way, a grassroots effort that grew into something quite substantial over time.

Their approach to the game was rooted in certain core ideas. The philosophy of Commander, as they saw it, put a high value on creativity. One of the ways they tried to show this in the rules and the list of forbidden cards was to encourage a slower pace of play compared to other game styles. This slower speed, they felt, gave decks enough time and room to really get going and do different, interesting things. It's almost like they wanted to give players the chance to tell a longer story with their cards, rather than just a quick sprint to the finish line. This idea of fostering creative play was, you know, a big part of their guiding principles.

The committee, as an organized body, existed separately from any of its individual members. This meant that the group's overall purpose and decisions weren't tied to just one person, but to the collective effort of everyone involved. They were, in some respects, a continuing entity even as individual people might come and go from their ranks. It's a way of making sure the format's guiding hand stays consistent over time, which is pretty helpful for a game that sees so many changes and new additions.

A Big Shift - The Commander Rules Committee Hands Over Control

Then came a moment of big change. In response to a very strong wave of unhappiness about some of their banning choices in September 2024, the Commander Rules Committee made a truly significant choice. They decided to hand over the management of the Commander game style to Wizards of the Coast. This was, to be honest, a pretty major development for the entire Commander community, as it meant a new chapter was beginning for the format's leadership. It was a decision that, you know, had been building up for a little while.

The committee itself said that they just couldn't keep going as an independent group because of the strong negative reaction they got from the ban announcement. This suggests that the pressure became too much for a volunteer organization to handle. It's a tough spot to be in, when you're trying to do what you think is best for a game you love, but you face a lot of pushback. So, in a way, this move was a response to the practical difficulties of continuing their work under such circumstances.

This particular announcement, from the Commander Rules Committee, was about banning four specific cards: Nadu, Winged Wisdom, Mana Vault, Dockside Extortionist, and Jeweled Lotus. The last three cards, in particular, caused a lot of discussion and disagreement within the Magic community. It's pretty clear that these decisions were not taken lightly, but they certainly stirred up a lot of feelings among players. The reaction was, you know, quite intense, showing just how much people care about the cards they use in their decks.

Why Did the Commander Rules Committee Make This Change?

So, why did the Commander Rules Committee choose to step back? The core reason, as they stated, was the significant backlash they faced after their banning decisions in September 2024. They simply found it too difficult to keep operating as an independent group given the level of criticism and, sadly, even threats and harassment they experienced. It's pretty disheartening to hear that volunteers, who dedicated so much time and effort, had to deal with such negativity. That kind of pressure, you know, can make any job feel impossible, especially one you do out of passion.

One of the committee members, Olivia, was mentioned as having pushed back against one of the changes made around that time. This shows that decisions within the Commander Rules Committee were not always agreed upon by everyone. It’s important to remember that these were real people, with different views and ideas, trying to come to a consensus for a very diverse player base. Jim Lapage, another person connected to the community, even pointed out that if you didn't like the bans, Olivia was a voice for that viewpoint within the room. This gives you a little peek into the internal discussions, showing that it wasn't a unanimous group always acting as one mind.

The committee also expressed their thanks to Don Miner of EDHREC and his team for helping them with some legal matters related to this big change. This suggests that the process of handing over control was not just a simple conversation but involved some more formal steps. His help was described as very valuable, which highlights that this was a significant organizational shift. It's, you know, not just about changing who makes the rules, but about making sure it's done properly.

What's Next for Commander?

With the Commander Rules Committee stepping aside, the question naturally comes up: what happens now for Commander? Well, the game design team at Wizards of the Coast has taken over the job of managing Commander, which is, you know, the most popular way to play Magic. This means that the official creators of Magic are now directly in charge of shaping the future of this beloved format. It's a pretty big deal, as it brings Commander under the same roof as the game's original creators, which could lead to some interesting new directions.

Wizards of the Coast has announced that they will be taking a new approach to how they think about deck power levels. This is a topic that players often discuss, as some decks are much stronger than others. They are also inviting feedback from the community, which is a good sign that they want to hear what players think. This openness to player input is, in a way, a continuation of the community-focused spirit that the Commander Rules Committee always tried to foster. It's important, I think, for the players to feel like their voices are heard.

The shift means that Wizards of the Coast will now manage the format and have introduced a new system for assessing how strong decks are. This new system, a "bracket system," is something different from how things were done before. It suggests a more structured way of thinking about the balance of the game. It's, you know, a fresh perspective on a topic that can sometimes be a bit tricky to talk about among players, as everyone has their own ideas about what makes a deck "too good" or "just right."

How Does Wizards of the Coast Approach Commander Now?

So, how exactly is Wizards of the Coast going about handling Commander now that they're in charge? They've announced a new method for looking at deck power levels, which is a pretty big topic for players. They're also actively asking for community feedback, which shows they want to keep the players involved in the process. This engagement with the community is, in a way, a really positive sign, as it means they are listening to the people who play the game most often. It's good to have, you know, that direct line of communication.

The rules for Commander, which were previously set by the Commander Rules Committee, are still there, but now they are overseen by Wizards of the Coast. You can still learn how to play Commander, how to pick your main card, how to put a deck together, and how to play with a special companion card. All these basic elements of the game are still in place. The core experience of Commander, you know, remains the same, even with the change in who is managing the rules. It's about preserving what makes the game fun while also looking for ways to make it even better.

The overall philosophy of Commander, which puts creativity first, is something that Wizards of the Coast seems to be carrying forward. The idea of encouraging a slower game pace, which gives decks time to develop and do different things, was a key part of the Commander Rules Committee's vision. This focus on a more relaxed, story-driven game is, in some respects, what makes Commander so appealing to many players. It's nice to see that this foundational idea is still being kept in mind, as it's a big part of the format's identity.

The Community's Voice and the Commander Rules Committee

Even though the Commander Rules Committee has stepped down, the idea of community input remains very important for Commander. There's a great community over on the Commander RC Discord server, which is still a place for people to gather and talk about the game. This shows that the spirit of community that the RC helped build is still alive and well. It's, you know, a testament to how much people care about this game and about sharing their experiences with others.

The Commander Advisory Group (CAG), which worked with the Commander Rules Committee, was a team of community leaders with a lot of different ideas and extensive connections. They represented a wide range of viewpoints on the game style. This group's existence highlights the importance of listening to diverse voices within the player base. It's pretty clear that getting input from many different kinds of players is key to making good decisions for the format, as everyone plays the game in their own way.

People like Olivia, who was a member of the Commander Rules Committee, were known for keeping the fun and lighthearted side of Commander in mind, while also being able to have serious talks about the future of the game. When working with her, she always brought great, honest insights. This kind of balanced perspective is, you know, very valuable in a group that's trying to make decisions for a large and passionate community. It shows that the people involved were truly dedicated to both the enjoyment and the health of the format.

Looking Back at the Commander Rules Committee's Legacy

Looking back, the Commander Rules Committee was, for a long time, the group that looked after the rules and the list of forbidden cards for the Magic: The Gathering Commander format. They were a volunteer panel of Magic players who dedicated a lot of their own time to this effort. Their work shaped how countless people played and enjoyed Commander for two decades. It's pretty amazing to think about how much influence a group of passionate volunteers can have on a game that's loved by so many. They really did, you know, lay a lot of the groundwork.

The philosophy they upheld, prioritizing creativity and a slower game pace, truly helped define Commander as a unique and enjoyable way to play Magic. This approach allowed for a wider variety of decks and play styles to flourish, giving players more room to express themselves through their card choices. It's, in a way, a legacy of fostering fun and innovation within the game. That emphasis on creativity is, I think, a big reason why Commander became so popular in the first place.

While their time as the format's sole caretakers has ended, their contributions are undeniable. The structure, the spirit, and many of the fundamental ideas of Commander today are a direct result of their long-standing efforts. The community they helped build, and the conversations they started, continue to be a vital part of the Commander experience. So, in essence, their work created a strong foundation upon which the format continues to grow and change, even under new management. It's a story of passion, dedication, and, you know, a lot of hard work for the love of a game.

United States European Command

United States European Command

Lieutenant Commander Angela M. Myers

Lieutenant Commander Angela M. Myers

Special statement from Army Commander - Ceylon Independent

Special statement from Army Commander - Ceylon Independent

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