Commander League

MTG Commander League Overview:

Entry Fee: $100

The entry fee includes a preconstructed Commander deck of your choice (or one selected by the organizers if you prefer a random deck).

The league will run for 12 weeks.

Deck Composition:

Each player begins with a preconstructed Commander deck (official Wizards of the Coast decks or a selection of custom decks could be provided). The deck must meet the typical Commander deck-building rules:

     100 cards total.

     One commander card (legendary creature or planeswalker).

     No more than one copy of any card (except for basic lands).

League Rules:

Weekly Deck Upgrades:

     Every week, players may replace one land card and one non-land card in their deck.

         The land card replaced may be any basic or non-basic land.

         The non-land card replaced may be any card (creature, spell, artifact, enchantment, etc.).

Weekly Format:

     The league plays the Commander format each week.

     Players face off in 4-player free-for-all games, with each match being single-elimination for that round.

     Each game will be timed (e.g., 90-minute matches) to ensure everyone plays enough games.

Up to 4 games may be played per week, but 2 of your 3 opponents must not be people you have played already this week.

Prizes and Rewards:

     The entry fee of $100 will go toward a prize pool that is distributed at the end of the league.

     Players accumulate league points every match based on their performance:

         1st Place: 6 points

         2nd Place: 4 points

         3rd Place: 2 point

         4th Place: 0 points

In the case of a tie (being eliminated simultaneously) the points are to be added together, and divided evenly between all those eliminated together.

Deck-Building and Upgrade Guidelines:

Starting Deck:

All players will be given the choice between 3 preconstructed decks worth roughly $65-$120 from a recent set of preconstructed Commander decks. They will choose 1, and register their commander. Once chosen, the commander cannot be changed.

Upgrade Week-by-Week:

Week 1: Players start with the deck as-is. The first week will focus on getting used to the preconstructed deck, understanding how to strategize with it, and planning upgrades.

Weeks 2-8: Players can begin replacing one land and one non-land card per week. The upgrades may involve:

     Lands: Trading basic lands for more efficient non-basics or lands that help with mana fixing.

     Non-Lands: Replacing cards that don't synergize well or are underperforming with stronger or more strategic options. Cards to look for could include:

         Staple Commander cards (like tutors, board wipes, or card draw spells).

         Theme-specific cards that improve synergy (for example, adding more ramp cards for a fast deck or cards that enable your commander’s abilities).

Players are encouraged to:

     Make gradual improvements rather than drastic changes to the deck each week.

     Avoid overpowered cards that would break the format (staying within budget).

Card Limitations:

Cards must be legal in Commander and fit the deck's color identity (based on the commander).

Weekly Themes & Points System:

Week 1: Ramp Week

Theme: Focus on mana acceleration and ramp strategies.

Bonus Points:

     +1 Point: For each ramp spell played (mana acceleration) — only once per game.

     +1 Point: For each permanent that produces more than one mana — only once per game.

     +1 Point: For having at least 5 mana available by turn 5.

     Elimination Rule: Lose 1 point for eliminating the player with the fewest overall league points at the table.

Week 2: Tribal Week

Theme: Focus on tribal synergies and creature types.

Bonus Points:

     +1 Point: For each creature of your chosen tribe that survives when you are eliminated or when you win.

     +1 Point: For controlling at least 3 creatures of the same tribe at any point in the game.

     +1 Point: For controlling a tribal synergy card (e.g., anthem, lord, or tribal tutor) that boosts your tribe.

     Elimination Rule: Lose 1 point for eliminating the player with the fewest overall league points at the table.

Week 3: Aggression Week

Theme: Focus on attacking and aggressive strategies.

Bonus Points:

     +1 Point: For each time your commander attacks a player.

     +1 Points: Per longest consecutive turns where you dealt combat damage to a player.

     +1 Point: For successfully attacking and reducing a player's life total by 10 or more in a single turn.

     Elimination Rule: Gain 2 points for eliminating the player with the highest overall league points at the table.

Week 4: Control Week

Theme: Control strategies, such as countering spells, removing threats, and managing the game.

Bonus Points:

     +1 Point: For each counterspell cast.

     +1 Point: For each artifact/enchantment destroyed.

     +1 Point: For each form of removal used during the game. (Artifact, Enchantment, Sorcery, Instant, etc)

     Elimination Rule: Lose 1 point for eliminating the player with the fewest overall league points at the table.

Week 5: Spellslinger Week

Theme: Focus on instants and sorceries, building around spellslinging.

Bonus Points:

     +1 Point: Per your highest storm count during the game (number of spells cast in a single turn, without copies).

     +1 Point: For successfully casting a spell that interacts with other spells (e.g., copying, cascading).

     +1 Point: For each creature you control that has prowess when you exit the game

     Elimination Rule: Gain 2 points for eliminating the player with the highest overall league points at the table.

Week 6: Graveyard Week

Theme: Focus on graveyard synergies, reanimation, and recursion.

Bonus Points:

     +1 Point: For each creature card reanimated.

     +1 Point: For each non-creature, non-land card (artifact, enchantment, planeswalker) is brought back from the graveyard to your hand.

     +1 Point: For having your graveyard be at least half the size of your library at any point during the game.

     Elimination Rule: Lose 1 point for eliminating the player with the fewest overall league points at the table.

Week 7: Artifact Week

Theme: Build around artifacts and artifacts' synergies.

Bonus Points:

     +1 Point: For each artifact you control when you exit the game.

     +1 Point: For the first time you use an artifact to target another artifact.

     +1 Point: For activating an artifact’s ability that directly impacts the game. (At table or judge discretion)

     Elimination Rule: Gain 1 point for eliminating the player with the highest overall league points at the table.

Week 8: Combat Week

Theme: Focus on combat and dealing damage.

Bonus Points:

     +1 Point: For each time you deal combat damage to a player.

     +2 Points: For attacking and reducing a player's life total to less than half in one turn.

     +1 Point: For successfully attacking with creatures of 5 or more power.

     Elimination Rule: Lose 1 point for eliminating the player with the fewest overall league points at the table.

Week 9: Combo Week

Theme: This week celebrates enchantments, from enchantment creatures to enchantment-based synergies and win conditions. Players are encouraged to build decks that use enchantments as their primary tool for gaining value, controlling the board, and achieving victory.

Bonus Points:

+1 Point: For controlling 3 or more enchantments at the end of your turn.

+1 Point: For casting or resolving an enchantment that has a significant effect on the game (e.g., "Rhystic Study," "Darksteel Mutation," "Leyline of Anticipation").

+2 Points: For using an enchantment as a win condition (e.g., "Helm of the Gods," "Utopia Sprawl," "Sigarda’s Aid").

+1 Point: For enchantment synergies, such as cards that gain value from enchantments or enchantment-based combos (e.g., "Enchanted Evening" + "Opalescence").

+1 Point: For using enchantment removal or disrupting opponents' enchantment-based strategies (e.g., using "Auratog," "Krosan Grip," "Destructive Revelry").

Elimination Rule: Lose 1 point for eliminating the player with the fewest overall league points at the table.

Week 10: Big Creature Week

Theme: Focus on playing large creatures (creatures with power 7 or more).

Bonus Points:

     +1 Point: For each creature with power 7 or greater that you control at any point in the game.

     +2 Points: For casting a creature with power 10 or greater.

     +1 Point: For having 3 or more creatures with power 5 or greater on the battlefield.

     Elimination Rule: Lose 1 point for eliminating the player with the fewest overall league points at the table.

Week 11: My Commander Week

Theme: Build around your commander’s abilities and maximize its use.

Bonus Points:

     +1 Point: For activating your commander’s abilities 3 or more times.

     2x Points: For winning the game by utilizing your commander’s effect.

     +1 Point: For any unique interaction involving your commander that impacts the game.

     Elimination Rule: Gain 2 points for eliminating the player with the highest overall league points at the table.

Week 12: Final Push Week

Theme: Double points week! Players earn double points for both performance and theme-related bonuses.

Bonus Points:

     All previous week's bonus points are doubled this week.

     Elimination Rule: Lose 8 points for eliminating the player with the fewest overall league points at the table. Gain 8 points for eliminating the player with the highest overall league points at the table.

Top 8 Tournament Weekend:

After 12 weeks of league play, the Top 8 players based on total league points will be invited to a single-elimination tournament over the weekend.