Commander brackets
Wizards' five-bracket system for setting expectations before a game. Brackets 1–3 are socially focused; 4 and 5 are high-power and competitive.
Exhibition
at least nine turnsUltra-casual, theme-first decks where the point is the concept rather than winning. Games run long.
- Game Changers
- None
- Mass land denial
- Not allowed
- Extra turns
- Not allowed
- Two-card combos
- Not allowed
“No cards from the Game Changers list. No intentional two-card infinite combos, mass land denial, or extra-turn cards. Tutors should be sparse.”
Core
at least eight turnsRoughly the power of a modern preconstructed deck: real engines and splashy turns, but no early kills.
- Game Changers
- None
- Mass land denial
- Not allowed
- Extra turns
- Low quantities only
- Two-card combos
- Not allowed
“No cards from the Game Changers list. No intentional two-card infinite combos or mass land denial. Extra-turn cards should only appear in low quantities and are not intended to be chained in succession or looped. Tutors should be sparse.”
Upgraded
at least six turnsDeliberately tuned past precon strength, with a small allowance of Game Changers.
- Game Changers
- Up to 3
- Mass land denial
- Not allowed
- Extra turns
- Low quantities only
- Two-card combos
- Not in the early game
“Up to three cards from the Game Changers list. No intentional early-game two-card infinite combos. Extra-turn cards should only appear in low quantities and are not intended to be chained in succession or looped. No mass land denial.”
Optimized
at least four turnsHigh-power Commander built to be as strong as possible, without tuning against a specific metagame.
- Game Changers
- Unlimited
- Mass land denial
- Allowed
- Extra turns
- Allowed
- Two-card combos
- Allowed
“No restrictions beyond the standard banned list.”
cEDH
could end on any turnCompetitive Commander: metagame-aware, tournament mindset, winning over self-expression.
- Game Changers
- Unlimited
- Mass land denial
- Allowed
- Extra turns
- Allowed
- Two-card combos
- Allowed
“No restrictions beyond the standard banned list, plus expectations for careful tableside behaviour and negotiation.”
Cards that require bracket 4 and up 65
