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Already known as Magic: The Gathering's friendliest format, Commander is getting a seasonal twist just in time for the end of the year. As part of a recent video, hosts from a popular channel demonstrated a four-player match dubbed "Holiday Countdown."

How the Holiday Format Function

The basic idea involves a simple mechanic added on top of a normal Commander game. A designated marker circulates between players. Once it arrives at the current player's upkeep, the game temporarily stops. Each participant secretly chooses whether they're being Nice or Naughty by using indicator cards.

All players turn over their card at the same time. Next, they resolve the effect tied to their decision, starting with the player who has the marker. It is then passed clockwise. The countdown moves forward a single increment, and standard gameplay resumes.

The Naughty/Nice options do escalate as the rounds go on, seeming finely tuned.

Escalating Outcomes

The initial phases offered minor, collective advantages for the Nice path, including gaining life or Clue tokens. On the other hand, Naughty choices usually provided more targeted benefits, usually targeting someone else. As an example allowed players who picked Naughty create a 4/4 flying creature. Those who picked Nice made a small artifact creature token for everyone.

Santa's Big Showdown

When the eighth round, Santa Claus himself arrived, transforming the game. Depending on the tally of each player selected Naughty versus Nice, Santa gave out wrapped prizes. Outwardly, these were small containers, but contained Magic booster packs worth different amounts.

• The nicest player received a premium Collector Booster.
• Another friendly player opened a different Collector Booster.
• A special guest ended up with a less powerful booster pack.
• The most mischievous player drew the short straw: a historically poor booster pack that's essentially a punchline.

Each card from these packs immediately became playable for the remainder of the match, cast from exile using mana as though it were any color. Players who were nice players, their boon wound up being a huge power spike. However, the naughty players essentially got a punitive gift.

Playing the Format with Friends

Although the demonstration match featured significant polish and preparation, this is a concept that anybody can adapt in their own playgroup. Participants uses their regular EDH deck, and the only extra items required would be several booster packs with different worth.

A possible challenge could be that if everyone know the rewards in advance the prize for being Nice, they all might aim for the most valuable gift. One might add variety by using other methods, like doing a mini-draft from a communal pile or allowing participants to pull cards they own from their binders.

From the successful demonstration, this holiday variant proves to be a joyous way to add holiday cheer this holiday season. It adds a layer to the dynamics between players in a fun and way, resulting in a memorable way to play for MTG players this season.