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🎴 POD DECK-BUILDING GUIDE

DeckCheck-Centric Framework for Clear, Fair, and Consistent Commander Nights

🎯 Purpose of This Guide

This guide exists to keep our Commander nights organized and consistent.
DeckCheck gives us an objective way to evaluate:

  • Threat Velocity
  • Resource Velocity
  • Consistency
  • Interaction Density
  • Win Turn / Effective Win Turn

This clarity helps prevent mismatches and ensures everyone sits down with accurate expectations.

📅 Weekly Requirement — Submit Decks by Thursday

To prepare balanced pods, every player must:

  1. Run their deck through DeckCheck
  2. Share the DeckCheck power rating
  3. Declare the Tier (1, 2, or 3)
  4. Submit this before Thursday at 11:59 PM

If a player misses the deadline, they may still play but must choose one of the penalty modifiers listed below.

🧱 The Three-Tier System

Tiers are determined by DeckCheck power ranges and Bracket 3 rules (for Tiers 1 & 2).

🔵 Tier 1 — Low Velocity / Precon-Style

DeckCheck Range: 4.5 – 5.5
Restrictions: Bracket 3

📌 Tier 1 Overview

Tier 1 aims for relaxed gameplay similar to upgraded precons.

Mechanical Characteristics

  • Win Turn: Typically Turn 9–11
  • Strategy: Combat-focused, slow value engines
  • Tutors: 0–1
  • Interaction: Basic, minimal free spells
  • Ramp: CMC 2–3, slower rocks
  • Consistency: Low redundancy and low protection

Power Range Enforcement

DeckCheck rating must fall between 4.5 and 5.5.
Anything stronger moves to Tier 2.

⚠️ Tier 1 — Bracket 3 Rules (Mandatory)

  • Max 0–3 Game-Changers
  • No mass land destruction
  • No extra-turn loops
  • No deterministic wins before Turn 6
  • No early hard locks (Turns 2–4)
  • No fast-mana dominance

🎮 Tier 1 Gameplay Expectations

  • Slower tempo
  • Emphasis on board presence
  • High interactivity
  • Longer games

🟩 Tier 2 — Tuned / Synergy-Focused Casual

DeckCheck Range: 5.5 – 6.5
Restrictions: Bracket 3

📌 Tier 2 Overview

Tier 2 is for tuned, synergistic decks that are still clearly noncompetitive.

Mechanical Characteristics

  • Win Turn: Typically Turn 6–8
  • Strategy: Synergy engines and optimized value lines
  • Tutors: 1–3
  • Interaction: Moderate and purposeful
  • Ramp: Efficient CMC 1–2–3 ramp
  • Consistency: Good redundancy and moderate protection

Power Range Enforcement

DeckCheck rating must fall between 5.5 and 6.5.
Higher ratings move to Tier 3.

⚠️ Tier 2 — Bracket 3 Rules (Mandatory)

  • Max 0–3 Game-Changers
  • No mass land destruction
  • No extra-turn loops
  • No Turn 6 or earlier deterministic wins
  • No early oppressive stax
  • No infinite-mana outlet wins before Turn 6

🎮 Tier 2 Gameplay Expectations

  • Strong and reliable
  • Interactive and tactical
  • Clearly casual, but not weak
  • Appropriate for experienced casual play

🔴 Tier 3 — Open Power

DeckCheck: No limits
Restrictions: None

📌 Tier 3 Overview

Tier 3 allows any legal strategy, including high-power and cEDH-level play.

Mechanical Characteristics

  • No DeckCheck ceiling
  • Fast mana allowed
  • All combos allowed
  • Early win attempts expected
  • Stax and efficient protection legal

🎮 Tier 3 Gameplay Expectations

  • High tempo
  • Strong interaction
  • Explosive turns
  • Competitive-level strategies acceptable

⚖️ Bracket 3 Expectations

(Tiers 1 & 2 Only)

To maintain fair mid-power games:

  • Games end Turn 6 or later
  • Wins require setup + interaction windows
  • No mass land destruction
  • No extra-turn abuse
  • No early hard locks
  • Max 0–3 Game-Changers
  • Tier 1 = DeckCheck 4.5–5.5
  • Tier 2 = DeckCheck 5.5–6.5
  • Decks outside their range must move up a tier

📋 Player Checklist

Before game night:

  • Submit your DeckCheck rating + Tier by Thursday
  • Ensure your deck falls within your Tier’s range
  • Follow Bracket 3 rules if in Tier 1 or 2
  • Align your deck’s speed with your intended Tier
  • Bring decks that support fair and interactive games

🧊 Penalties for Late Deck Submission

If you miss the Thursday deadline, choose one:

Option A — Lost & Found Deck

Play a random deck from the community pile.

Option B — Chaos Seat

Start with:

  • One tapped land
  • One Clue token
  • Once per game, any player may ask you a rules question you must answer.

Option C — Frozen Mulligan

Only one mulligan for the game.

Option D — Mystery Draw

A podmate draws your opening seven.
Keep it or take a single mulligan.

Option E — Group Vote

The table chooses a modifier for your game.

🏆 Pod Values

  • Clear communication
  • Respect for everyone’s time
  • Balanced expectations
  • Consistent gameplay across tiers
  • Interactive, fair games
  • No mismatched power levels
  • No frustration from surprise spikes

This structure ensures all players can focus on enjoying the game.

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