Episodes

  • Why Play CHEAP Commanders? - Lessons from cEDH

    Why Play CHEAP Commanders? - Lessons from cEDH
    Aug 30 2025
    Have you ever faced off a Commander deck where it just kind of felt like your opponent was two steps ahead of you? While you're still ramping and Getting Ready, they're establishing value engines and applying pressure? And no matter how many times you tried to stop them, they just kept bouncing back? If they were running a deck with a cheap commander, John may have some insight this week on how they made that work...

    00:00 Introduction
    01:59 What Commanders Do
    03:49 Warm Bodies
    05:38 Igniters
    07:22 Lightning Rods
    09:11 Flex Plays
    10:52 Inevitables
    12:24 Closing Thoughts

    - Trelasarra, Moon Dancer: https://moxfield.com/decks/ltopExpOgEivkY0_E6G28Q
    - Syr Vondam, Sunstar Exemplar: https://moxfield.com/decks/za8mGvnRgESpcbyK_C9ENA
    - Krile Baldesion: https://moxfield.com/decks/absaFfj5jEu7z9BiWxPxaw


    https://www.FusionGamingOnline.com Want a 5% discount off all of your MTG order? Head over to Fusion Gaming Online and use exclusive promo code: CCONATION

    https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout? Become a patron today. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show.

    - Our theme song is "Lonely Satellite" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons
    - Our background song is "Maze" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons
    - Find us on Twitter at @gemstoneminemtg
    - Reach us via email at gemstoneminepodcast@gmail.com

    Social media:
    https://www.CommanderCookout.com
    https://www.Instagram.com/CommanderCookout
    https://www.Facebook.com/CCOPodcast
    @gemstoneminemtg, @CCOPodcast and @CCOBrando on Twitter https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast
    https://ko-fi.com/commandercookout
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    17 mins
  • The BEST Utility Lands in Commander!! - Lessons from cEDH

    The BEST Utility Lands in Commander!! - Lessons from cEDH
    Jul 28 2025
    John's back from hiatus and he's got the itch to start brewing again. While putting together some new low-color decks, he got to thinking about utility lands, how they can help decks eke out additional value and help them compete with higher-color shells common in cEDH. If you're still a Reliquary Tower believer or you've never heard of War Room, be sure to check this episode out!

    00:00 Introduction
    02:17 Why Play Utility Lands?
    03:31 The Cost of Playing Utility Lands
    05:43 The Fine Print
    07:03 Being Picky with your Lands
    10:57 Closing Thoughts



    • Low-Color Utility Lands Package: https://moxfield.com/decks/UGGgJtNPukSGKRE-bJJu9g
    https://www.FusionGamingOnline.com Want a 5% discount off all of your MTG order? Head over to Fusion Gaming Online and use exclusive promo code: CCONATION

    https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout? Become a patron today. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show.

    - Our theme song is "Lonely Satellite" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons
    - Our background song is "Maze" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons
    - Find us on Twitter at @gemstoneminemtg
    - Reach us via email at gemstoneminepodcast@gmail.com

    Social media:
    https://www.CommanderCookout.com
    https://www.Instagram.com/CommanderCookout
    https://www.Facebook.com/CCOPodcast
    @gemstoneminemtg, @CCOPodcast and @CCOBrando on Twitter https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast
    https://ko-fi.com/commandercookout
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    14 mins
  • The Most Powerful Unbanning in EDH History?! - Lessons from cEDH

    The Most Powerful Unbanning in EDH History?! - Lessons from cEDH
    Apr 25 2025
    On April 22, 2025, FIVE cards came off of the Commander Banlist! How will these unbans impact your games? What are the implications from a competitive standpoint? Are any of these cards standouts?

    Chapters:
    00:00 Introduction
    01:45 Sway of the Stars
    02:43 Coalition Victory
    03:58 Panoptic Mirror
    05:58 Braids, Cabal Minion
    07:28 Gifts Ungiven
    09:39 Closing Thoughts

    https://www.FusionGamingOnline.com Want a 5% discount off all of your MTG order? Head over to Fusion Gaming Online and use exclusive promo code: CCOHOLIDAY

    https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout? Become a patron today. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show.

    - Our theme song is "Lonely Satellite" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons
    - Our background song is "Maze" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons
    - Find us on Twitter at @gemstoneminemtg
    - Reach us via email at gemstoneminepodcast@gmail.com

    Social media:
    https://www.CommanderCookout.com
    https://www.Instagram.com/CommanderCookout
    https://www.Facebook.com/CCOPodcast
    @gemstoneminemtg, @CCOPodcast and @CCOBrando on Twitter https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast
    https://ko-fi.com/commandercookout
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    12 mins
  • How Brews FAIL in cEDH - Lessons from cEDH

    How Brews FAIL in cEDH - Lessons from cEDH
    Apr 11 2025
    Not every brew comes together. When you brew as many decks as John does, a lot of them come up short, and the cutting room floor is littered with deck ideas which, for one reason or another, failed to come together. This week, John talks about many of the common deckbuilding mistakes you may make while coming up with your new decks, and he explains how the secret to building your next great commander deck might be to FAIL FASTER!

    ttps://www.FusionGamingOnline.com Want a 5% discount off all of your MTG order? Head over to Fusion Gaming Online and use exclusive promo code: CCOHOLIDAY

    https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout? Become a patron today. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show.

    Chapters:
    00:00 Introduction
    01:26 Phases of Brewing
    03:53 Inspiration
    05:10 Construction
    09:01 Testing
    11:42 Closing Thoughts

    - Our theme song is "Lonely Satellite" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons
    - Our background song is "Maze" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons
    - Find us on Twitter at @gemstoneminemtg
    - Reach us via email at gemstoneminepodcast@gmail.com

    Social media:
    https://www.CommanderCookout.com
    https://www.Instagram.com/CommanderCookout
    https://www.Facebook.com/CCOPodcast
    @gemstoneminemtg, @CCOPodcast and @CCOBrando on Twitter https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast
    https://ko-fi.com/commandercookout
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    14 mins
  • What's the Deal with Thrasios in cEDH? - Lessons from cEDH

    What's the Deal with Thrasios in cEDH? - Lessons from cEDH
    Mar 21 2025
    "Few tutors" isn't in your #EDH deck ain't "no tutors". This week, John is looking at what more tutors means for #mtg deckbuilding in the lower brackets, and he has some tools for Moxfield users who may want a starting point for introducing tutors into their own decks for casual play.

    https://www.FusionGamingOnline.com Want a 5% discount off all of your MTG order? Head over to Fusion Gaming Online and use exclusive promo code: CCOHOLIDAY

    https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout? Become a patron today. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show.


    Chapters:
    00:00 Introduction
    01:30 How Metagames Shift
    02:44 Why Was Thrasios Good?
    04:12 What Happened to Thrasios?
    08:53 Why is Thrasios Back?
    15:10 Closing Thoughts


    - Our theme song is "Lonely Satellite" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons
    - Our background song is "Maze" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons
    - Find us on Twitter at @gemstoneminemtg
    - Reach us via email at gemstoneminepodcast@gmail.com

    Social media:
    https://www.CommanderCookout.com
    https://www.Instagram.com/CommanderCookout
    https://www.Facebook.com/CCOPodcast
    @gemstoneminemtg, @CCOPodcast and @CCOBrando on Twitter https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast
    https://ko-fi.com/commandercookout
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    17 mins
  • Being Sneaky in EDH - How Can We Use Tutors in Brackets 1-3?

    Being Sneaky in EDH - How Can We Use Tutors in Brackets 1-3?
    Mar 7 2025
    "Few tutors" isn't "no tutors". This week, John is looking at what more tutors means for deckbuilding in the lower brackets, and he has some tools for Moxfield users who may want a starting point for introducing tutors into their own decks for casual play.Introducing Commander Brackets Beta: https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/introducing-commander-brackets-betaTutors - Brackets 1-3:https://moxfield.com/decks/JNuEl-87xUG4ed27MawX6gArtifact Tutors:https://moxfield.com/decks/dlsAe6y8xUOWlVoxwnaNAg Enchantment Tutors:https://moxfield.com/decks/c3BUfHQxxEuc3gNzxbpVhg Equipment Tutors:https://moxfield.com/decks/d4_1SMcHpEmgGwbzhw7cGw Kindred Tutors:https://moxfield.com/decks/LPK2cl_nGkSr3Sy0n18IGQ Spell Tutors:https://moxfield.com/decks/zLhs1KOVCUeNFiLoTYCudg "The Demon" Tutors:https://moxfield.com/decks/qn0QNs_9906na8LlgmrFyg To-Graveyard Tutors:https://moxfield.com/decks/9CHp8LpVcEqd67_xX9a7fA To-Hand Creature Tutors:https://moxfield.com/decks/PcUcSAH_V0aB5rcOysmCoQ To-Play Creature Tutors:https://moxfield.com/decks/9wt4s5Tsl0ir9BPk_EI3DQ Transmuter Tutors:https://moxfield.com/decks/ZtV2s5qKB0Kb_Gj0N2TxpQ Unconditional Tutors:https://moxfield.com/decks/wNj1L_XY7UODnaeOc3HXEA Chapters:00:00 Introduction02:25 Tutors in Brackets03:32 Packages on Moxfield10:00 Why Package Up Tutors?15:49 Closing Thoughtshttps://www.FusionGamingOnline.com Want a 5% discount off all of your MTG order? Head over to Fusion Gaming Online and use exclusive promo code: CCOHOLIDAYhttps://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout? Become a patron today. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show.- Our theme song is "Lonely Satellite" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons- Our background song is "Maze" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons- Find us on Twitter at @gemstoneminemtg- Reach us via email at gemstoneminepodcast@gmail.comSocial media:https://www.CommanderCookout.com https://www.Instagram.com/CommanderCookout https://www.Facebook.com/CCOPodcast @gemstoneminemtg, @CCOPodcast and @CCOBrando on Twitter https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast https://ko-fi.com/commandercookout
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    17 mins
  • Reacting to Commander Brackets - Lessons from cEDH

    Reacting to Commander Brackets - Lessons from cEDH
    Feb 14 2025
    WotC has announced a new matchmaking system for Commander players and it's their Brackets system! John has some thoughts on the new proposed brackets and their list of GAME CHANGERS that he wanted to share this week.

    Introducing Commander Brackets Beta: https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/introducing-commander-brackets-beta

    https://www.FusionGamingOnline.com Want a 5% discount off all of your MTG order? Head over to Fusion Gaming Online and use exclusive promo code: CCOHOLIDAY

    https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout? Become a patron today. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show.

    - Our theme song is "Lonely Satellite" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons
    - Our background song is "Maze" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons
    - Find us on Twitter at @gemstoneminemtg
    - Reach us via email at gemstoneminepodcast@gmail.com

    Social media:
    https://www.CommanderCookout.com
    https://www.Instagram.com/CommanderCookout
    https://www.Facebook.com/CCOPodcast
    @gemstoneminemtg, @CCOPodcast and @CCOBrando on Twitter https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast
    https://ko-fi.com/commandercookout
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    9 mins
  • How Mana Sinks CHANGE THE GAME With Commander Deckbuilding! - Lessons from cEDH

    How Mana Sinks CHANGE THE GAME With Commander Deckbuilding! - Lessons from cEDH
    Jan 31 2025
    We've been exploring how many lands and how many mana sources to include over the past month, and today we're going to put that theory to practice as we focus on Reid Duke's article which argues that the simple answer is that adding more lands rarely hurts and will almost always help. John's got a casual brew this week that focuses on utilizing mana sinks to squeeze the most value out of every mana, turn over turn!

    00:00 Introduction
    02:20 Why Play Mana-Sinks?
    05:40 The Commander
    07:40 The Gameplan
    11:42 So... How Many Lands?
    17:24 Closing Thoughts

    Duke, R. (2021). Managing Your Mana Base - Deep Dive. Channel Fireball. Retrieved December 24, 2024, from https://www.channelfireball.com/article/Managing-Your-Mana-Base-Deep-Dive/817630e3-756a-481c-8042-b2bf1e8bbd10/

    Karsten, F., PhD. (2022). How Many Sources Do You Need to Consistently Cast Your Spells? A 2022 Update. Channel Fireball. Retrieved December 24, 2024, from https://www.channelfireball.com/article/Managing-Your-Mana-Base-Deep-Dive/817630e3-756a-481c-8042-b2bf1e8bbd10/

    Karsten, F., PhD. (2023). What’s an Optimal Mana Curve and Land/Ramp Count for Commander? Channel Fireball. Retrieved December 24, 2024, from https://www.channelfireball.com/article/What-s-an-Optimal-Mana-Curve-and-Land-Ramp-Count-for-Commander/e22caad1-b04b-4f8a-951b-a41e9f08da14/

    Karsten, F., PhD. (2024). How Many Lands Do You Need in Your Deck? An Updated Analysis. Channel Fireball. Retrieved December 24, 2024, from https://www.channelfireball.com/article/How-Many-Lands-Do-You-Need-in-Your-Deck-An-Updated-Analysis/cd1c1a24-d439-4a8e-b369-b936edb0b38a/ The Ancient One: https://moxfield.com/decks/1yTXVgMix06QFBpDelPrqg

    https://www.FusionGamingOnline.com Want a 5% discount off all of your MTG order? Head over to Fusion Gaming Online and use exclusive promo code: CCOHOLIDAY

    https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout? Become a patron today. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show.

    - Our theme song is "Lonely Satellite" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons
    - Our background song is "Maze" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons
    - Find us on Twitter at @gemstoneminemtg
    - Reach us via email at gemstoneminepodcast@gmail.com

    Social media:
    https://www.CommanderCookout.com
    https://www.Instagram.com/CommanderCookout
    https://www.Facebook.com/CCOPodcast
    @gemstoneminemtg, @CCOPodcast and @CCOBrando on Twitter https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast
    https://ko-fi.com/commandercookout
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    18 mins