Commander: Wizards Shares Power Level Brackets Beta

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Commander: Wizards Announces Power Level Brackets Beta

The Commander Format Panel proposal includes five different tiers of ways to play Commander, from the most casual to the most competitive, with a general idea of what cards can be included and a list of cards considered too strong for certain tiers.

By Romeu

translated by Cards Realm

revised by Romeu

Table of contents

> Why create Brackets?
> The Five Commander Brackets
> Commander's Game Changers List
> What to Expect from the Future?

Through the DailyMTG program, Wizards of the Coast announced the Commander Brackets beta this Tuesday (11).

Developed by the Commander Format Panel (CFP) and announced by project lead Gavin Verhey, the system offers a common language for defining power levels and creating more balanced matches, while maintaining the flexibility that the Commander format has always had.

Check out a detailed analysis of each part of the announcement and the impact of the Game Changers on the new structure below.

Why create Brackets?

The goal of Commander Brackets is to avoid classic matchups where decks present themselves with drastically different power levels. While many groups already have their own dynamics, the new system aims to make it easier to find compatible matches – whether in casual encounters or in more competitive environments.

The announcement highlights that for many players, nothing will change, but for those looking for a game with more balanced matches, the tool will be essential to communicate intentions and adjust player expectations.

Right at the beginning, Verhey makes three points clear:

Players who already have a good dynamic with each other are not required to adopt the new system.

The system acts as an evolution of the “power level 1–10” system, helping to identify and mitigate power discrepancies during matches.

As a testing phase, Wizards encourages players to try out the system, especially at events like MagicCon: Chicago, and provide feedback for improvements.

The Five Commander Brackets

Commander Brackets will be divided into five tiers:

Bracket 1: Exhibition

Aimed at ultra-casual games, where the focus is on creativity and fun – for example, thematic and experimental decks, without worrying about winning.

The use of cards listed as Game Changers is prohibited, in addition to limitations on two-card combos, extra turns, mass LDs and limited use of tutors.

Bracket 2: Core

Represents the power level of current preconstructed decks. These are games with the potential for impactful plays and consistent gameplay, but without abuse.

It also does not allow Game Changers cards, early combos or mass LD strategies. Players should not use more than one extra turn per sequence, and only more discreet tutors.

Bracket 3: Upgraded

This is intended for decks that are slightly stronger than the preconstructed lists, allowing up to three Game Changers cards to be included to expand the possibilities without unbalancing the early game.

Explosive two-card combos are still out, and the use of mass LDs remains prohibited.

Bracket 4: Optimized

Here, players can use the full power of their decks, with explosive plays, aggressive combos, heavy use of tutors and even strategies involving mass LDs.

Restrictions only on banned cards, allowing decks to be optimized to the maximum.

Bracket 5: cEDH

Focused on a highly competitive environment, where victory is the main objective. The format requires rigorous planning and deck construction focused on consistency.

Just like in Bracket 4, the only limitation is the banned list, but with a very different mentality, focused on the competitive scene.

Each bracket was designed so that players can quickly identify the power level and type of experience they want to have, making the games between similar decks much more harmonious.

Commander's Game Changers List

One of the highlights of the announcement is the introduction of the Game Changers list – a set of 40 cards that radically transform Commander games. These cards are positioned as a barometer of the impact they can have on the game, acting as a buffer between legal cards and those that could be banned in the future.

Check out the complete list below:

The intention is that higher level players (Brackets 3 to 5) will have access to these cards, while casual levels (Brackets 1 and 2) will be free of this “imbalance factor”, promoting a fairer and more fun experience for everyone.

What to Expect from the Future?

The announcement also features a transparent roadmap. After the beta phase, Wizards plans to tweak the system based on feedback – especially during events like MagicCon: Chicago, where some of the community will have the opportunity to test the tool in real-world environments.

Future updates may include revisions to the bracket structure, as well as changes to the Game Changers list, even allowing the possibility of unbanning certain cards if necessary and inserting them into this category, where they would not affect games aimed at the casual experience.

Source: DailyMTG

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Romeu

Journalist, Writer and translator for Cards Realm, and Um Gamer's editor-in-chief. Player of virtually all formats of Magic: The Gathering and is a lifetime fan of Final Fantasy and role-playing games.

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