🔗 Share this article

Already known as Magic: The Gathering's most social way to play, Commander just got a holiday update just in time for the end of the year. During a recent show, hosts from a popular channel showcased a multiplayer game titled "Holiday Countdown."

The Mechanics of the Festive Format Function

Fundamentally is a straightforward mechanic superimposed on a normal EDH match. A designated token travels around the table. When it the current player's upkeep, the action halts for a moment. All gamers secretly chooses if they will be being Naughty or Nice via two cards.

Everyone turn over their choice simultaneously. After that, they resolve the consequence linked to their own choice, first with the player who has the marker. This marker is subsequently handed clockwise. A special tracker moves forward by one step, and regular gameplay resumes.

The choices intensify over time continue, seeming finely tuned.

Escalating Outcomes

At the start granted modest, shared boons for the Nice path, including life gain or Clue tokens. On the other hand, The Naughty paths often gave more targeted upsides, usually at the expense of an opponent. For instance allowed players who picked Naughty get a 4/4 flying Reindeer token. Those who picked Nice created a small artifact creature token for each player.

Santa's Big Finale

During the last phase, Santa Claus personally made an appearance, transforming the match. Depending on the tally of a participant was Naughty versus Nice, Santa handed out wrapped prizes. These looked like small containers, but contained Magic booster packs with different rarities.

• The most benevolent player received a top-tier Collector Booster.
• Another friendly player received a slightly less valuable Collector Booster.
• A special guest ended up with a older set.
• The least nice player drew the short straw: a historically poor set acting as a joke.

Each card unwrapped immediately became used for the duration, used as a bonus using mana considered to be all colors. The kinder participants, their present wound up being a huge power spike. However, mischievous participants were given a disadvantage.

Recreating the Format with Friends

While the video featured considerable production value, the format is something anybody could easily replicate in their own playgroup. Everybody would bring their regular EDH deck, and the only extra items required are a selection of booster packs of varying value.

A possible issue lies in the fact that if everyone know the rewards in advance the prize for being Nice, players might might aim for the most valuable gift. One might change this by using other methods, for example doing a mini-draft from a communal pile or enabling gamers to use cards from their collection not in their deck.

Judging by the entertaining match, Countdown to XT-Mas stands as a joyous method to create laughter this holiday season. It complicates the social interplay at the table in a fun and manner, creating a memorable experience among MTG enthusiasts in their playgroups.