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State of the Format: What’s top, what’s not ?

A) Do the rules work as intended ?

Yes, we do think they do. Form the feedback we received, and our own experiences, the rules are fine as they are now. There are few exceptions to the original rules / 2HG rules and free-for-all Commander rules. Mainly the higher starting life pool as described in 2HG is unfamiliar to some players, but the balance between longer games and fast Aggro Decks is where we want it to be (a little more on the side of longer Games in the spirit of old EDH and higher CMC cards which are neglected and put in the binders to rot there by Standard/modern/etc. format players).
The Mulligan may be anotherdivergence to other formats, especially since there is a quite new mulligan rule for the other formats. We know that our mulligan is far more forgiving and can lead to lower land counts and better hands – but it also ensures quite nicely that noone is mana screwed (or at least quite scarcely if you aggressivly mulligan for lands) – this is also intended, as there is no fun or entertaining social game by playing with mana shortness.
We would like some cards to be reworded (e.g. deals X damage to each team instead of each player or to untie the rule for shared phases and turns so that a timewarp would apply to a single teammember instead of the whole team), but as long as WotC doesn’t go this step, we won’t reword cards by our own or interfere with basic rules, and therefore such cards remain banned for now. 
 
 

B) Does the Banned List work as intended ?

We are about 95% happy with it right now.
 
We know that the list is longer than usual lists, and it is especially for new players a heavy load to read and may scare off. But once you get the feeling for the philosophy behind the Team Commander format, you can quite easily judge by yourself if a card is banned or not. (You can sum up mass landdestruction, mass discard, fast mana in simple categories: just avoid such card, and if you include a card which could fall under these cats, you can look it up if it is banned). Normally, if you agree that it is not desirable to play in such a manner and you try to avoid building mass Landdestruction etc. decks and cards, you will never have to look up a card.
 

The last 5% is split up between cards which can be used to circumvent the spirit of the format, which build up combos in some decks too fast and regularly and easily and some comanders may turn out to be too strong and dominating the format and may get a ban.

We are always reconsidering, but we also now that ban and then unbanning seems unstable and shilly-shally, but sometimes as the format achanges and new cards are released an adaption may lead to such actions.

In a perfect environment, decks would follow a paper, scissors and rock principle and have weakspots and davantages over other decks in about a 50% ratio. But Magic is of course more complex. We are happy if there are a lot of different Commanders playable, and a lot of different strategies and deck types are playable and enjoyable and can win. If a vertain commander wins about 90% of all games, he tends to overperform and should be banned.

We are fine with a certain tier-creation. Yes, we know: we said there is no such clear thing as tier 1, tier 1.5, tier 2 and tier 3 or such thing in certain. (read here and here for our explanation and approach). But yes, as there are over 893 Legendary Creatures right now (and some partner commanders which lead to more combinations and 11 planeswalkers which can be used as a commander), there are of course some guys who perform better than others. We tried to tell you you should adjust to your playgroup, maybe agree to play a better deck when asked for and a softer deck, when you know you are playing against a player who is not playing the top cards and commanders and use every second of free time to tune their deck in the best ways possible to beat every other deck out there. We know that the meta game is important, and that certain decks will have a natural foe and underperform against aggro or control decks, and we know that Team Commander is way more complex as the interaction between the teampartners and their decks will also have a great impact (e.g. two mono-red Decks will have a hard time to handle enchantments, and may therefore be less effective).

But nonetheless we will present you a „+ Tier deck“ list here for harder decks, which either offer more combo potential or are really fast or very consistent in building up an (card)advantage. Why do we do this: we want to show you, that there are several decktypes and commanders TOP tier right now, and diversity works. If you want a more tournament and competetive style, play such a deck against equal enemies with such decks. If you want a a more relaxed and fun game, just try one of the softer commanders, and feel the challange to build a theme around a not-so-popular and well-working commander. All none-listed commanders can be considered as „- Tier decks“ Though there are still lots of different levels out there…  there may be even „–“ Decks if you like to call them this way. But: Sigh. we repeat ourselves – the individual approach, moentary aspects and there else can have huge impacts on a deck: so this list is far from being perfect or craved into stone, and just reflects our experiences, tournament results and your feedback yet.

+ Tier Decks (harder)

The Decks in this list represent the state of Decks to beat / better decks out here, which can get quite mean and are more often successfull than other decks. Nothing to blame, though.

  • Aminatou, the Fateshifter
  • Will and Rowan Kenrith
  • Lord Windgrace
  • Saheeli, the Gifted
  • Teshar, Ancestor’s Apostle
  • Baral, Chief of Compliance
  • Urza, Lord High Artificer
  • Memnarch
  • Azami, Lady of Scrolls
  • Naru Meha, Master Wizard
  • Yawgmoth, Thran Physician
  • Vilis, Broker of Blood
  • Kokusho, the Evening Star
  • Ayara, First of Lochwain
  • Torbran, Thane of Red Fell
  • Yisan, the Wanderer Bard
  • Titania, Protector of Argoth
  •  Grand Arbiter Augustin IV
  • Ephara, God of the Polis
  • Momir Vig, Simic Visionary
  • Zur the Enchanter
  • Kess, Dissident Mage
  • Kykar, Wind’s Fury
  • Animar, Soul of Elements
  • Thrasios, Triton Hero / +
  • Rashmi, Eternities Crafter
  • Prime Speaker Vannifar
  • Tymna the Weaver / +
  • Elsha of the Infinite
  • Muldrotha, the Gravetide
  • Atraxa, Preator’s Voice
  • Yuriko, the Tiger’s Shadow
  • Mogis, God of Slaughter
  • Sigarda, Host of Herons
  • Arahbo, Roar of the World
  • Golos, Tireless Pilgrim
  • Ramos, Dragon Engine
  • Niv-Mizzet Reborn
  • Sliver Overlord
  • Edgar Markov
  • Karador, Ghost Chieftain
  • Niv-Mizzet, Parun
  • Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
  • Jhoira of the Ghitu
  • Meren of Clan Nel Toth
  • The Gitrog Monster
  • Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
  • Feather, the Redeemed
  • Atla Palani, Nest Tender
  • The Locust God
  • Breya, Etherium Shaper
  • Scion of the Ur-Dragon
  • Child of Alara
  • Oloro, Ageless Ascetic
  • Sharuum the Hegemon
  • Uril the Miststalker
  • Xenagos, God of Revels
  • Tuvasa the Sunlit
  • Chulane, Teller of Tales
  • The Mimeoplasm
  •  Yarok, the Desecrated
 

 

– Tier Decks (softer)

Here are just a few examples of really cool commanders, which may have nice and synergistic and cool and stylish decks, but they can’t keep up to the top notch. We won’t list all 900+ commanders here !

  • Daretti, Scrap Savant
  • Estrid the Masked
  • Nahiri, the Lithomancer
  • Ob Nixilis of the Black Oath
  • Freyalyse, Llanowar’s Fury
  • Sram, Senior Edificer
  • Odric, Lunarch Marshal
  • Avacyn, Angel of Hope
  • God-Eternal Oketra
  • Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
  • Talrand, Sky Summoner
  • Kefnet the Mindful
  • God-Eternal Kefnet
  • Ghalta, Primal Hunger
  • Arcanis the Omnipotent
  • Thassa, God of the Sea
  • Thada Adel, Acquisitor
  •  Lorthos, the Tidemaker
  • Empress Galina
  • Gonti, Lord of Luxury
  • K’rrik, Son of Yawgmoth
  • Ghoulcaller Gisa
  • King Macar, the Gold-Cursed
  • Sheoldred, the Whispering One
  • Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief
  • Massacre Girl
  • Geth, Lord of the Vault
  • Balthor the Defiled
  • Visara the Dreadful
  • Krenko, Mob Boss
  • Neheb, the Eternal
  • Etali, Primal Storm
  • Illharg, the Raze-Boar
  • Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker
  • Lathliss, Dragon Queen
  • Zada, Hedron Grinder
  • Ezuri, Renegade Leader
  • Ayula, Queen Among Bears
  • Gargos, Vicious Watcher
  • Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma
  • Yeva, Natur’s Herald
  • Multani, Maro-Sorcerer
  • Thrun, the Last Troll 
  • Reki, the History of Kamigawa
  • Geist of Saint Traft
  • Daxos of Meletis
  • Azor, the Lawbringer
  • Temmet, Vizir of Naktamun
  • Wrexial, the Risen Deep
  • Phenax, God of Deception
  • Vela the Night-Clad
  • Oona, Queen of the Fae
  • Anje Falkenrath
  • Olivia Veldaren
  • Greven, Predator Captain
  • Rakdos, Lord of Riots
  • Kaervek the Merciless
  • The Scorpion God
  • Ruric Thar, the Unbowed
  • Omnath, Locus of Rage
  • Nikya of the Old Ways
  • Mina and Denn, Wildborn
  • Wort, the Raidmother
  • Karametra, God of Harvests
  • Selvala, Explorer Returned
  • Captain Sisay
  • Emmara, Soul of the Accord
  • Dragonlord Dromoka
  • Gaddock Teeg
  • Trostani, Selesnya’s Voice
  • Rhys the Redeemed
  • Athreos, God of Passage
  • Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim
  • Daxos the Returned
  • Kambal, Consul of Allocation
  • Obzedat, Ghost Council
  • Karlov of the Ghost Council
  • Teysa, Orzhov Scion
  • Mizzix of the Izmagus
  • Melek, Izzet Paragon
  • Keranos, God of Storms
  • Okaun + Zndrsplt
  • Nin, the Pain Artist
  • Glissa, the Traitor
  • Slimefoot, the Sowaway
  • Hapatra, Vizir of Poisons
  • Skullbriar, the Walking Grave
  • Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest
  • Ishkanah, Grafwidow
  • Izoni, Thousand-Eyed
  • Aurelia, the Warleader
  • Depala, Pilot Exemplar
  • Firesong and Sunseeker
  • Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
  • Brian Stoutarm
  • Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer
  • Tajic, Blade of the Legion
  • Ezuri, Claw of Progress
  • Tatyova, Benthis Druid
  • Arixmethes, Slumbering Isle
  • Prime Speaker Zegana
  • Roalesk, Apex Hybrid
  • Kruphix, God of Horizons
  • Saskia the Unyielding
  • Horde of Notions
  • Jodah, Archmage Eternal
  • Progenitus
  • The Ur-Dragon
  • Kaalia of the Vast
  • Queen Marchesa
  • Zurgo Helmsmasher
  • Mathas, Fiend Seeker
  • Alesha, Who Smiles at Death
  • Sen Triplets
  • Varina, Lich Queen
  • Chromium, the Mutable
  • Alela, Artful Provocateur
  • Inalla, Archmage Ritualist
  • Marchesa, the Black Rose
  • Thraximundar
  • Gwendolyn di Corci
  • Jeleva, Nephalia’s Scourge
  • Nicol Bolas, the Ravager
  • Kresh the Bloodbraided
  • Vaevictis Asmadi, the Dire
  • Darigaaz Reincarnated
  • Gishath, Sun’s Avatar
  • Mayael the Anima
  • Samut, Voice of Dissent
  • Ghired, Conclave Exile
  • Rienne, Angel of Rebirth
  • Palladia-Mors, the Ruiner
  • Marisi, Breaker of the Coil
  • Estrid, the Masked
  •  Jenara, Asura of War
  •  Sidisi, Brood Tyrant
  •  Arcades, the Strategist
  • Roon of the Hidden Realms
  • Rafiq of the Many
  • Doran, the Siege Tower
  • Anafenza, the Foremost
  • Kethis, the Hidden Hand
  • Zedruu the Greathearted
  • Sevinne, the Chronoclasm
  • Riku of Two Reflections
  • Surrak Dragonclaw
  • Omnath, Locus of the Roil
  • Yasova Dragonclaw
  • Kadena, Slinking Sorcerer
  • Rayami, First of the Fallen