Lab Report 011 – Commander Deck Fatigue Is Real

by MaD SaXXon, Tibalt’s Apprentice

I have over 30 Commander decks—and I’m adding more even as I write this. This may be too many.

Back when I was going out to play twice a week, it made sense. I could rotate through up to six decks per session, test ideas, revisit old favorites, and always keep things fresh. But now? I’ve played exactly one paper game in the last two months. A handful of matches on SpellTable, sure, but the rhythm just isn’t there.

So now I’m stuck with this weird pressure: dismantle some decks to focus on a few? That feels like I’m being forced to have fun with what’s left—and that kind of forced fun never really works. In the past, the abundance of both play opportunities and deck options gave me peace of mind. If a game flopped or a deck bricked, no big deal. There was always next time.

But now “next time” isn’t guaranteed.

I’m not writing this because I have the answer. I’m not even sure there is a problem to solve. Maybe this is just part of being a longtime player in a game that’s changed so much. Maybe it’s just a side effect of loving this hobby a lot—maybe too much.

So what do you think, dear reader?
How many decks are too many?
Is it better to have a few you love or a library you rotate through?

Let me know if you’ve found the sweet spot. Or if, like me, you’re still looking for it.

— MaD SaXXon, Tibalt’s Apprentice

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