What does cEDH need to change heading into 2027? This week on the Pregame Podcast, Craig Mack sits down with Josh Welder ZE from CriticalEDH to talk Tayam, tournament structure, the future of competitive Commander, and how we keep growing cEDH.
Josh has become one of the players most associated with Tayam, Luminous Enigma, so naturally we make him answer for what he has done to innocent cEDH tables everywhere.
We talk about:
• Why Josh chose Tayam and why he definitely does NOT recommend you play it
• CriticalEDH and Keeping Tabs on cEDH
• The future of cEDH tournaments in 2027
• Random pairings, blind standings and alternative scoring systems
• Top 16 vs larger Top Cuts
• Better coordination between tournament organizers
• Judging and tournament consistency
• What players can do to help cEDH continue growing
• Whether cEDH should ever have its own ban list
• And somehow... the possibility of UNBANNING FLASH
Then Andrei returns for cEDH and life coaching as we break down cards from Reality Fracture and talk about which ones could actually have an impact on competitive Commander.
And yes...
We have to talk about Samut, Tyrant of Naktamun.
Split second.
No response.
Literally.
Relax. The sky isn't falling.
Your win rate might be.
In the Tournament Report, we look at two neighboring cEDH communities doing something I think more regions should be doing: CIRCUITS.
We break down the Colorado Summer Circuit Invitational and the Legends of the Stack New Mexico Invitational, including their metas, conversion rates and Top 4 finishes.
And somehow...
Craig won New Mexico.
After 16 episodes of giving tournament advice, we finally have limited statistical evidence that some of it might actually work.
We also talk about why local circuits, leaderboards and Invitationals can be incredible tools for growing competitive Commander communities and keeping players engaged.
Finally, Events You Should Be At:
Baked Ziti 4 - Goldsabertooth's NY cEDH
https://topdeck.gg/event/baked-ziti-4-goldsabertooths-ny-cedh
Competitive cEDH, Grim Monoliths, potentially Mox Diamonds, and enough Italian food to make scrubbing out feel significantly better.
MagicCon: Atlanta - November 13-15, 2026
https://www.magic.gg/news/magiccon-atlanta-2026-gather-for-the-multiverse
Craig will be at MagicCon Atlanta as a creator all weekend, slinging cards in the Creator Space and recording live content from the Wizards table Friday at 11 AM.
If you've never been to a MagicCon, come experience it.
The games.
The artists.
The vendors.
The previews.
LobbyCon at 2 AM.
Because the best part of Magic: The Gathering has always been the Gathering.
Support the Pregame Podcast on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/WZKDGAMES
Craig Mack:
https://linktr.ee/Craigmack
CriticalEDH:
https://linktr.ee/CriticalEDH
cEDH Coaching with Andrei Blanton:
Moxfield: BingeyLongtooth
Email: andrei.blanton@gmail.com
Want help tuning a list, improving your tournament game, or building something completely ridiculous that somehow still wins? Reach out to Andrei for cEDH coaching.
Check out CriticalEDH and Keeping Tabs on cEDH and show Josh some love!
If you enjoy the show, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and help us grow cEDH one degenerate at a time.
Drop a comment below:
If you could change ONE thing about cEDH tournaments heading into 2027, what would it be?
#cEDH #CompetitiveCommander #MTG #MagicTheGathering #Commander #EDH #RealityFracture
