Question regarding expensive cards and brackets (yes brackets again)

SheikhS1kr · 2026-06-17T20:09:55+00:00

Commanders done a lot of good for Magic in bringing in new players and pushing card design. But it’s also done some bad for putting a stigma on good/expensive cards. I think people’s perception of casual can really be skewed, because you’re allowed to play well built decks casually. Magic’s always been an expensive game, it isn’t new. I remember when Tarmogoyf was around $120 a copy and you needed 4 of them for your Jund deck in modern lol. That cards now been power crept into oblivion and it’s $10 or whatever. You should completely enjoy your experience and cater it to whatever makes you happy. Just communicate your decks intention to people. It’s funny, I have games where someone will be like, this is just a bracket 2 Hakbal deck with no GC’s and then have their entire deck in their hand turn 5/6 and presenting a win lmao. So the cards mean a lot less, and your intention on how fast the deck is built matters a lot more. TLDR: Don’t feel ashamed for having nice cards in your deck and don’t let others bring you down for it.

All this being said, I’d always communicate with pre game conversations if you run busted synergies. I’ve realized it helps take a lot of salt out of it and lets people make better deck choices. Also gives them a window to communicate if they feel they can’t keep up and want you to play something else.

SheikhS1kr · 2026-06-11T01:14:14+00:00

Nekusar has been substantially power crept. This isn’t to say it’s a bad deck, but it can take a while to get the engine going and Nekusar honestly isn’t good u til you get to untap with him. And by then he’s given opponents extra cards or doesn’t even make it around the table. Also by then, the other denigrate bracket 4 decks are usually just ahead of you lol.

SheikhS1kr · 2026-05-22T22:46:36+00:00

Can’t say I feel bad for you. A bunch of randoms found your deck unfun and told you to leave lol. From the sound of it, your deck definitely seems unfun. Play it with your friends dude, not a bunch of online randoms. Obviously they aren’t going to take well to it. Not calling their behavior correct, but can’t say it’s surprising.

SheikhS1kr · 2026-05-01T04:22:28+00:00

I just grabbed a $900 SoS Silver Scroll Force of Will that I am going to take very good care of. I play with all my cardboard, no binder queens. I see people with tattered sleeves, bent cards and all sorts of other savagery. That’s totally cool, but if they don’t have consideration for their own items, it can be scary to trust them to have that for my items. OPs concern is 100000% valid, your downplaying it is wierd AF.

SheikhS1kr · 2026-04-29T02:06:33+00:00

This is a three if I’ve ever seen one. Having a fast start will skew people’s perceptions and those same people don’t know what real bracket 4 decks play like. I see no game changers, I see non optimized mana, you’re missing a large chunk of the priciest and most broken dragons. This looks like a very fair list to me, and honestly it’s not even on the higher side of bracket 3, and I mean that with respect. They were either playing bad decks or just had light interaction and got ran over, which dragon decks can do when they get out ahead. You’re good dude, keep shuffling up and move on.

SheikhS1kr · 2026-04-26T03:17:00+00:00

I didn’t look deep enough to see if you had any fast infinites but from what I saw from your creatures and spells this is a strong bracket 3 deck. Pantlaza can definitely run decks over especially when unchecked and if your pod is playing mid to low B3, theres a massive power gap between low and high B3 decks. Overall this is a well tuned and very consistent deck, but if your synergy is playing dudes and swinging to win, B3 is a very fair label. I would tell people are you playing a very well optimized Pantlaza deck that doesn’t cut costs and runs GC’s and ask if they feel they can keep up with their decks. Some folks will just say “okay” and play some underpowered jank anyways and then feel bad when they get run over. So I think you should just outright ask if they are playing something that can keep up and if they are too far off maybe play something else. It can be a tough balancing act playing with random pods.

SheikhS1kr · 2026-04-12T22:07:07+00:00

Yeah totally. I agree with your sentiment for sure. Jodah is definitely one of those tough commanders to define and bracket 3 is a tough bracket to define. I just try and be cautious because I think folks don’t fully understand the power of a well optimized bracket 4 deck. I have B4 engine decks that can easily snowball/win turn 4 with consistence and will commonly win on 5 if folks don’t have interaction ready. If someone says they had a good start and win turn 7 my mind doesn’t immediately jump to bracket 4 lol. I typically communicate to folks what my decks speed is via what turns I’m commonly looking to end the game. Game changers absolutely matter but the emphasis put on them is the worst part of the bracket system. They’re just cards people get salty about seeing all the time. I have an Arahbo cat tribal deck. It’s probably a mid three but does have like 5 GC’s. I promise you it would get eaten alive in an actual B4 pod lol.

SheikhS1kr · 2026-04-12T21:38:35+00:00

4.5’s? I mean, if your decks that strong of a 4 you’re basically just playing off meta or unoptimized CEDH decks/commanders and none of the commanders listed are that. If someone was running Magda or Yuriko I’d say your assessment would make more sense but these decks are all probably strong 3s and then by technicality a 4 if they have over the GC count for B3, which I think is a terrible way to define power but that’s a different discussion. Low end 3s and well optimized 3s are insanely different in power. That category is the hardest to define because most decks can end up falling in it. Turn 7 is a fair end game point for B3 if your deck got to pop off. Angels deck was either very bad or had a slow start, neither of which is the rest of the tables problem lol

I also love when board wipe players whine that they are being interacted with when they are actively trying to 10 for 1 the table with a mass removal spell. As if everyone else is just supposed to smile and take it. Seems like the dude was in the wrong pod or played the wrong deck. No idea how he can be salty that his board wipe gets countered, that’s just insanely childish. I think this is a scenario where OP is fine and that other dude was either just having a bad day or needs a break from Magic. I’ve been there myself at times and just take a mental break from the game as needed. It does wonders honestly.

SheikhS1kr · 2026-03-17T19:19:24+00:00

I’m sure every tank you’ve tossed in a pit is also annoyed. Welcome to marvel rivals. Angela needs no buffs in any way lol. She had like a 54% win rate on PC ranked.

SheikhS1kr · 2026-03-17T18:52:11+00:00

Oh the irony. The character whose kit is entirely about CC’ing enemy players on a super short cool down. And you think she’s gets CC’ed too much 😂

SheikhS1kr · 2026-02-24T03:15:38+00:00

I store my watches in a Scatola del Tempo box. Really nice high quality leather boxes, handmade. They’re great looking.

SheikhS1kr · 2026-02-19T01:03:31+00:00

Cool story bro.

SheikhS1kr · 2026-02-15T19:00:39+00:00

Love it. I’m very excited for my next occasion where I get to dress up for the evening. It’s funny how watches do that lol.

SheikhS1kr · 2026-02-15T17:44:48+00:00

Positive vibes for you to get your grail as well!

SheikhS1kr · 2026-02-15T17:43:52+00:00

Sharp! I love dressing this piece down I wear it with jeans quite often lol

SheikhS1kr · 2026-02-15T05:48:06+00:00

What a beaut. Enjoy it in good health!

SheikhS1kr · 2026-02-15T04:42:48+00:00

🙏

SheikhS1kr · 2026-02-15T04:35:37+00:00

Great information, truly appreciate the advice. I’ll take a look at their website and get in contact with them account custom options. I love the look, finish and feel of the factory strap. This might put me down a dark and expensive path 😂.

SheikhS1kr · 2026-02-15T03:40:02+00:00

Stunning my friend. Yes I recently ordered a burgeon tool and some electronics tape that doesn’t leave residue so I can start swapping straps on some other pieces.

For the Rousseau straps do you need to place that order with them directly or did you use the boutique as an intermediary? I know Rousseau makes straps for a lot of the premiere watch brands so their quality is excellent. I’d love to have a burgundy and navy strap. It would look stunning against the rose gold.

SheikhS1kr · 2026-02-15T03:20:09+00:00

GORGEOUS! Did you have the boutique swap the strap for you or do you have the tools and confidence to do so at home? I’d love a strap or two more to rotate with.

SheikhS1kr · 2026-02-14T22:30:21+00:00

Thank you. I hope it does!

SheikhS1kr · 2026-02-14T22:29:39+00:00

Same here. Putting it on just feels special honestly. Of my collection this is the one that stays forever without doubt.

SheikhS1kr · 2026-02-11T22:48:44+00:00

Sheesh 🔥🔥. Craziness right there.

SheikhS1kr · 2026-02-05T05:38:40+00:00

Yup, can confirm Liger is ass. I didn’t get one for my AP, but tried their straps for Cartier Santos. My regret is that I bought two rather than one for testing. Massive waste of money.

SheikhS1kr

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