How to be "That Guy" in EDH | Ultimate Control Guide | 5 Control Commander Recommendations

[@brockveltri6974]

I think people forget the beauty of magic as a card game that differs it from other games. I feel like most commander players make a deck and try to do a thing and cut out all interaction to do that thing more effectively. I have caught myself doing this a few times while deck building and during some mtgo games. Magic let’s you do thing that you cannot do in almost any other card game. Playing cards on other peoples turns and utilizing the stack. These “control” decks are literally just regular decks as they do what magic specializes in. Interacting is so much more fun then just tapping out and casting a permanent every turn. It blows my mind how some players enjoy playing 4 cards in a game, lose on turn 8 because they haven’t stopped anything I’m doing and re-que into the next one. That is not fun magic for anyone I hope. Play interaction, play counter spells, play removal, stop this one dimensional deck building designs and play good cards.

[@LeonSilver23]

Holy shit, my decks became really good as I followed your tips! You are an absolute monster 😢

[@choco7485]

Just finished building a Varina control deck following many suggestions from this video. Hoping it performs as well as it looks!

[@blazetrinity9462]

Great points you mentioned there. Another thing I learnt from playing control for so long in EDH, is to include more stax pieces, this can help slow the game down closer to your pace, some pieces might end up answering more than 1 threat or even the whole board. I still play my esper control deck, it is an anti-creature deck, running stax pieces like humility, tainted aether, overburden, just to name a few. You can back this up with your removals and counters, take your time while the board is slowed down, by playing a lot of card advantage spells and eventually win. The deck wins thru several infinite turn combos, paired up with some PWs for inevitability.

[@bedwarssweat6205]

I do think that if you're trying to win and not just be "that guy" arcane denial is worth running

[@Azoreign]

I agree. Giving some card draw or some treasures with An Offer You Can't Refuse takes some of the sting away from having a spell countered.

[@atherion6382]

Very good video! Had Rashmi built twice, she is definitely OP but you have to cast her early lest you loose the cards in hand and protect her for one whole turn, after that, easy sailing. I love control, put a lot of controlly cards in each deck but yes, the playgroup hates that so be sure your playgroup likes you as a person, otherwise they will stop playing with you :-D You missed one crucial thing though: closing out the game. The best way is to combo off, which is also generally disliked. You can also outvalue your opps, which is also something ppl don't like to see because it takes a lot of time or you cast something op like omniscience or expropriate (5th saltiest card).

[@kamilwhaley-kalaora4839]

Counterbalance and decree of silence are pretty great in decks like these

[@Azoreign]

Counterbalance for the art alone is amazing and this effect can just be brutal. Decree of Silence is certainly a big mana spell, but if you find a way to cheat it in or a way to flicker it reliably, that is game right there!

[@shmackydoo]

Thank you, this really helped 😁

[@raustzeal4212]

Enjoyed your video. I however dont agree that you must play blue to play control. It helps sure, but you can still play control without blue. I have found red and white to work well in this regard as well.

[@Azoreign]

Funny enough. This was actually a video idea I have lined up! "How to effectively play control without blue". Because I agree with you. Each color has their form of control but having access to counter magic is what most people think of with "control".

[@raustzeal4212]

Look forward to it. If you do end up making that video you would be remiss not to mention sunforger specifically as a control card, very potent if you build around it.

[@Azoreign]

@@raustzeal4212 I have been burned by sunforger based decks quite a few times....I would never forget to mention that little menace!

[@BMBAnauta]

About to build my first commander deck. I choose control.

[@xboxgamer474246]

Offer and Arcane Denial are incredible options at 90% of tables.

[@Commander_Claw]

This was a great video. How do you only have under 250 subscribers?! I think lots of players really don't know hoe to politic but this was a good way to start a foundation of verbiage/ deal making new players can start with even if they're not control players

[@Azoreign]

Thank you so much Commander_Claw. You have definitely given me an idea for a new video (past the one I am currently working on). Veteran players often say "make deals" or "use politics" but for newer players those terms might mean absolutly nothing.

[@Commander_Claw]

@@Azoreign lol I misspelled how in my first comment freaking typo. No you're videos are on point! That's another element why MTG is amazing. Your opponents just might be your opposite that brings a balance effect vs the third opponent who has expensive cards and can destroy all the players. Or the other players haven't built their decks cohesive enough to consider sequencing cards. Nonetheless bait cards. Lol this game goes so deep. Feel free to comment on my channel anytime.

[@voluntarism335]

You need enough draw power to be able to play control because you have to outdraw your 3 opponents together. Things like the magic mirror, the one ring, recurring insight.

[@jiaan100]

Lots of draw power and ramp so you can cast a bunch of spells. Or obviously you just combo them out since that's clearly the best strategy and only not dominant because people will stop playing with you. Edh should probably be played with 15 life, not 40

[@AprilsMoon92]

Winter orb + seedborn muse + disruptive student can piss people off too

[@fernandob2275]

1:19 sounds like me playing control is the least of these peoples issues, tbh.

[@Neptun1127]

what about Damia as a control commander?

[@andrijagrgic2357]

insults towards you and family is music in my ears

[@Hayden-bz3ig]

Breya is everything but green so fuck yeah

[@Cardez99]

Gonna be honest and say I'd only use this deck against eldrazi and slivers

[@samduquaine1161]

Good stuff

[@Azoreign]

Glad you enjoyed

[@bobfranklin2572]

Loose what little friends i have, speedrun teferi%

[@Azoreign]

I wasn't aware control mages have friends???...just opponents.

[@BUHDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA]

@@Azoreign thats ong

[@miraalnilam9540]

able to give a goldfish or moxfield for a suggested deck?

[@Azoreign]

That is something that always seems to get away from me to be honest. I feel like I am constantly updating my decks to the point where I just don't bother putting them online. But if I had to suggest some ultimate control commanders: Niv-Mizzet Parun. Kess Dissident Mage, Tasigur the Golden Fang. Hoped this helped.

[@miraalnilam9540]

@@Azoreign ahh alright, all helpful suggestions, i do ponder your take on Grand Arbiter Augustin IV

[@handfulloftrash]

So many words yet so little insight. Commander players a so cringe.