The Command Zone Reveals a Seasonal MTG Game Mode You Can Recreate with Friends.

Already considered MTG's most interactive way to play, the Elder Dragon Highlander format just got a holiday twist perfect for the holidays. As part of a holiday-themed episode, hosts from a popular channel showcased a four-player game dubbed "Holiday Countdown."

How the Holiday Variant Works

Fundamentally involves a straightforward mechanic superimposed on a regular Commander match. A designated token circulates between players. Upon reaching the active player's turn, the action temporarily stops. Every player makes a hidden choice if they will be being Naughty or Nice via choice cards.

The participants flip their choice together. They then apply the consequence linked to their own choice, beginning with the player holding the marker. The token is then passed to the right. The countdown ticks up one notch, and standard Commander resumes.

The Naughty/Nice options do escalate with each passing round go on, feeling finely tuned.

Growing Choices

At the start granted minor, collective advantages for the Nice path, such as gaining life or investigation clues. In contrast, Naughty choices often gave more specific benefits, frequently to the detriment of someone else. One round let players who picked Naughty create a 4/4 flying creature. Players that picked Nice made a small artifact creature token for everyone.

The Grand Showdown

When the last phase, Father Christmas himself arrived, turning the game. Depending on the tally of each player selected Naughty versus Nice, Santa distributed sealed “gifts”. Outwardly, these were deck boxes, but inside were MTG booster packs worth different amounts.

• The nicest player was awarded a top-tier special pack.
• The next kindest player opened a another type of Collector Booster.
• One player received a mid-range set.
• The least nice player drew the short straw: a famously bad set that's essentially a punchline.

All cards from these packs instantly were playable for the rest of the game, used as a bonus using mana considered to be any color. For the nicer players, their boon wound up being a significant advantage. Meanwhile, those who chose Naughty were given coal in their stocking.

Recreating the Format Yourself

While the original showcase included significant custom components, it's one that players can adapt with friends. Each player would bring their usual EDH deck, and the additional materials needed are a selection of MTG packs from different sets.

The main drawback is that if players know ahead of time the prize for being Nice, players might try to get the top prize. Groups can mix it up with alternatives, for example selecting cards together or enabling gamers to include cards from their collection from outside the game.

From how the format played out, this holiday variant is definitely a fun format to create laughter this holiday season. It changes the social interplay between players in a fun and manner, creating a unique experience for Magic fans in their playgroups.