The 8x8 Theory for EDH/Commander

The 8x8 Theory is a mathematical approach to beginning the rough draft of an EDH decklist. Start with your Commander and 35 lands, choose 8 effects you wish to see, and then pick 8 cards for each effect, yielding a clean 64 cards. If you would like to support us, please go to our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/The8x8Theory and make a pledge!

[the8x8theory]

Hi, have you tried Oathbreaker format? Do you feel that the 8x8 theory can be adapted and made applicable? Perhaps to a 6x6 with 24 lands?

the theory is almost entirely about consistency and given most 60 card decks dont run more than 25 I think the theory should hold up assuming an average mana curve.

-Ramona, ( @mona-ex-machina )

[the8x8theory]

I’m building a budget Teneb deck. Abzan has a lot of etb infinit loops with creatures with persist and the like. I put together a list of everything I want but now it’s too much. How do you make cuts? It’s so hard!

When I'm building on my own I usually try to cut the least effective versions of effects in the list. Given were talking about the 8x8 theory I'd reccomend splitting the 8 effect packages appart and reducing them all to the 8 cards. Past that check to see where your curve is too heavy so you dont end up with an all 8 mana Gaddock Teeg list or the like!

Good luck and happy building -Ramona ( @mona-ex-machina )

[the8x8theory]

How do you request things, just send an ask?

yes cant promise theyll get answered though. Most of the contributors have left I think, though I could be wrong.

-Ramona (@mona-ex-machina)

[the8x8theory]

Holy shit, the first day I check on this blog in YEARS is when it starts doing things again

Welcome back, hope I keep seeing you around lol

we may not be back back I just noticed a few easy to answer questions in my inbox that I wanted to clear out.

-Ramona ( @mona-ex-machina )

[the8x8theory]

What would be the best Orzhov commander in a deck that wants to draw cards for Jank combos?

without question Tymna the Weaver is the best option for drawing from the command zone but if you have a play group that would shame you for such a meta option you could opt for Firja, Judge of Valor or Shadrix Silverquill

-Ramona ( @mona-ex-machina )

[the8x8theory]

If your putting a ramp package together for Jund, would you include Blighted Woodlands as part of the 8 or keep in amongst the 35 land count?

The math puts it in the 35 rather than the 8x8 for consistency; you have to remember this is a way to build your deck to see certain effects consistently.

-Ramona ( @mona-ex-machina )

[edhbrew]

Welcome to Commander!

It’s a really fun format. You build a 100 card deck! (unless you have a Companion). It’s singleton! (except for Seven Dwarves, Relentless Rats, etc.) You have a legendary creature in your command zone that you can always cast! (unless they have partner, so you have two. or they can be a planeswalker. but only some planeswalkers). You begin the game with 40 life! (providence). 

I’m sure you’ve got the point by now; it’s a deck which tries to violate every single one of the 11 EDH rules. 10/11 isn’t bad, in my opinion. This deck inspired by the upcoming Lesson mechanic for Strixhaven, a set I am very pleasantly surprised by my anticipation for.

Here: https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/rules-can-smd/?cb=1617050763

Keep reading

[edhbrew]

Companion is a Balanced Mechanic

Hey guys! Been a while, sorry, life. You know.

I got bored. I made a deck. 

I think this is genuinely the deck I am most proud of making in recent times. Go check out the primer in the link. 

I took each of the eight commander-viable companions, and made a turn one deterministic win pile within a Shahrazad subgame. 

Charizard’s Shahrazad. 

Enjoy!

[the8x8theory]

Upload Error

Hello everyone! 

I just want to let you know that I did not drop off the end of the earth, I am receiving upload errors when I’m trying to upload my newest package, so It’ll be a bit of troubleshooting until I can get my next package out to you folk.

Have an amazing weekend!

---@misterman334

[the8x8theory]

Emry, Lurker of the Loch Synergy Package - $7.86

Hello! It’s been a long time since this blog has made content and after a long time of reprieve, I am finally back with some new ideas! I’m dense into college, so I may not be as frequent as I should be, but I will be as consistent as possible.

After a quick review of Throne of Eldraine, there are many insane new tools for commander (I’m looking at you, Chulane), but by far the grossest I have seen lately is Emry. This card is taking modern by storm, but it has even more potential in commander. This package wants to take advantage of her casting artifacts from your graveyard to hopefully push you ahead of the game.

Chakram Retriever - $0.24:

This card is the definition of a cute elemental pupper. He runs fast, and is great at catching. But his important bonus is that he untaps a creature when you cast a spell on your turn. Therefore, with Emry’s tap ability, you can cast a 0 mana artifact over and over again if it has a sac ability, making you draw infinite cards with bauble or have infinite etb triggers for Altar of the Brood. He is very cheap for his capable paws

Shimmer Myr - $2.86:

This robot is a great utility for Emry. Her ability works well for casting artifacts on your turn, but it is limited by instant speed artifact casting. Shimmer Myr takes that limit away, allowing instant speed slams of any card from the grave when you want to. This is a nonbo with Chakram retriever, but it is still powerful.

Mirran Spy - $0.23:

Similar to Chakram Retriever, this card untaps a creature with an artifact casting. This can happen at any time, so it works perfect with Shimmer Myr. Similarly cheap, it is a great pickup for any Emry deck.

Secrets of the Dead - $0.25:

Dead men tell no tales, except to Emry. With this card, every spell you slam from the graveyard yields a new card. This is a solid engine that is quite simple but very effective, drawing cards is by default one of the funnest parts of magic (That’ll come back up with future packages ;) )

Riddlesmith - $0.24:

Call him the riddler, because he leaves the clues to victory with every spell cast. This creature helps churn through your deck and throws cards in the yard, possibly putting in very effective artifacts for more Emry value. It is an even better engine that Secrets of the Dead, even though it is on a creature.

Mirrodin Besieged - $0.64:

Mirrodin Besieged is similar to Monastery Siege in value, except the focus on artifacts is amazing. The Mirran side is great for value creation as having thopters can end a game fast, but the spicier Phyrexian side can make the game go from 5 to 11. It is a solid wincon as long as you are churning through your deck quickly.

Diligent Excavator - $0.20:

This card sadly doesn’t draw cards *womp womp*. BUT! this card is almost even better, it mills you two cards for every historic card. This plays perfectly with Emry, allowing you to eventually play more cards exponentially. Be diligent with this card.

Sai, Master Thopterist - $3.20:

This card is also making waves in modern, it is the ultimate partner in crime. Every artifact gets a thopter that can accelerate the game. The second ability on Sai also allows for solid card draw with sacrificing artifacts, which you can bring back with Emry.

This is a pretty cheap bundle of cards while also being quite powerful. Card draw, recursion, and infinite combos: what more could you want in a deck? It is a tad broken sometimes, but that is often the power level of EDH. This package will by far up your game.

If you guys want any specific packages or any other ideas for articles, let me know! I have lots of plans for this blog and I want to bring it back in style. Have fun and play some cards!

--- @misterman334

[edhbrew]

User Challenge

Hello folksies. 

I have a two-fold challenge for y’all; there are two decks I’ve been trying to work on after bad ideas conceived amongst friends whilst playing EDH. I’ve been struggling to complete them, and thought it might be interesting to see my followers’ takes on them.

So, the first is preliminary called Skipping School. The intention is to skip as many steps and phases as possible. 

The second is Mana Crypt Infect. The intention is to kill someone through Infect with a Mana Crypt, likely that you must donate to your opponents yourself, and then reanimate for the next opponent. 

So, build one or the other, submit them to me, the favourites will be shared and enjoyed, and (depending on how my bank account is looking and where my favourite submitters live) I may buy the deck for you.

(the deck will only be bought if you also reblog this post and follow this blog)

Second, follow my new Instagram, hit me up, enjoy my life.

[edhbrew]

Azorius Senate

Azorius Senate here. Though Isperia may be dead and long gone, the Senate still goes on without her.

So here you go: the Azorius Senate. 

[edhbrew]

Orzhov Syndicate

The Orzhov Syndicate here! Hope you don’t have any outstanding debts, or your soul may be forfeit.

So here you go: the Orzhov Syndicate. 

[edhbrew]

Cult of Rakdos

And tonight we have the party animals, the wild ones, the ones Ravnica loves to hate and hates to love, the Cult of Rakdos!

[edhbrew]

Gruul Clans

Ravnican deck number two of this cycle, and this one’s looking like a smash hit!

Get it, smash? Because Gruul? Like smash? Never mind. 

Here you go: Gruul Clans!

[edhbrew]

Simic Combine

Over the next five days you’ll be getting the five other Ravnican guilds’ EDH decks to complete the previous cycle! What a great way to enjoy another week, huh?

We’re kicking things off tonight with the Simic Combine. 

[edhbrew]

The Pig Tamer

I hope this one won’t boar you, and leave you squealing with excitement! 

I had to go real deep with this one, but it’s an entertaining one, I hope.

Pig tribal. 

So here ya go: the Pig Temur. 

And worry not, the Ravnican decks are coming soon.