beginner's guide to commander format mtg featured image by mono color magic featuring art from Eowyn Shieldmaiden, artist: Craig Elliott

Beginners Guide to Commander Format MTG Magic: the Gathering

The cornerstone of the Commander format is the commander itself—a legendary creature that not only shapes your deck’s strategy but also brings a distinctive thematic flavor to your play experience. Your commander determines the color identity you’ll play with, which is reflected in the narrative and mechanics of your 99-card singleton deck.

Salt piling up under a grinder

What is Salt or Salt Score in MTG Magic: the Gathering?

In Magic: the Gathering (MTG), we often find ourselves engaged in heated debates and conversations around strategy and gameplay. Among these discussions lies the topic of “salt” or “salt score,” which may be unfamiliar to newer players. Let’s rectify that by discussing the main factors that make a single card salt-inducing, why a card may garner just a little salt, and how to avoid making your friends salty at all.

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What is Ward in MTG Magic: the Gathering? Rules, Cards

When it comes to protecting your board state in Magic: The Gathering, you’ve got options: Hexproof, Shroud, Protection—the list goes on. But have you ever wished for something a little more, well, taxing for your opponents? Enter the Ward ability, as of 2021 a new evergreen mechanic. This new keyword ability is a form of creature protection that forces your opponent to pay a little extra if they want to mess with your game plan.

The word protection inside a circle

How Does Protection Work in MTG Magic: the Gathering?

Protection is a keyword ability that represents a shield against certain elements. It typically comes in the form of “protection from [quality]”, where the quality could be a color, a card type, a subtype, a faction, or another characteristic. Protection from [specific color] is the most common form. It’s a static ability that grants protection from the stated quality.