Digest

The EDH Redcast dives into the concept of "insurance policies" in Commander decks, focusing on cards that offer benefits when creatures die. The hosts, Joey Schulz, Matt Morgan, and Dana Roach, discuss various strategies for mitigating the risks of board wipes and other setbacks. They highlight cards like Laid to Rest, which draws cards when humans die, and Grimhar's Specter, which discourages board wipes by providing card draw to the opponent. They also explore cards that repopulate the battlefield, such as Thrilling Encore, which brings back all creatures from all graveyards. The hosts then delve into mana-generating insurance policies, like Yordle, Grave Gardener, which turns dead creatures into forests, and Life Insurance, which creates treasure tokens when creatures die. However, they express a preference for cards that actively punish opponents for board wipes, such as Zoolaport Cutthroat, which deals damage to opponents when creatures die. The episode concludes with a discussion on how these insurance policies can be incorporated into deckbuilding, emphasizing the importance of finding synergies and customizing strategies based on individual deck types and playstyles.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the EDH Redcast podcast and its hosts, Joey Schulz, Matt Morgan, and Dana Roach. They begin with a lighthearted exchange of dad jokes, setting the tone for the episode.

00:02:09

EDH Insurance Policies

This Chapter delves into the concept of "insurance policies" in Commander decks, focusing on cards that provide benefits when creatures die. The hosts discuss various strategies for mitigating the risks of board wipes and other setbacks. They highlight cards like Laid to Rest, which draws cards when humans die, and Grimhar's Specter, which discourages board wipes by providing card draw to the opponent.

00:28:04

Mana Generation Insurance

This Chapter explores mana-generating insurance policies, like Yordle, Grave Gardener, which turns dead creatures into forests, and Life Insurance, which creates treasure tokens when creatures die. However, the hosts express a preference for cards that actively punish opponents for board wipes, such as Zoolaport Cutthroat, which deals damage to opponents when creatures die.

00:35:34

Deckbuilding and Insurance Policies

This Chapter discusses how insurance policies can be incorporated into deckbuilding, emphasizing the importance of finding synergies and customizing strategies based on individual deck types and playstyles. The hosts share their personal experiences with discovering insurance policies through playtesting and how they have evolved their deckbuilding approaches over time.

00:43:53

Listener Interaction and Conclusion

This Chapter encourages listeners to share their favorite insurance policy cards in the comments. The hosts emphasize the importance of protecting investments and mitigating the risks of board wipes. The episode concludes with a reminder to check out Ultimate Guard for deck boxes and sleeves.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are "insurance policies" in Commander decks?

  Insurance policies are cards that provide benefits when creatures die, such as card draw, mana generation, and damage to opponents. They help mitigate the risks of board wipes and other setbacks, allowing players to recover and continue playing.

• What are some examples of cards that act as insurance policies?

  Some examples include Laid to Rest, Grimhar's Specter, Thrilling Encore, Yordle, Grave Gardener, Life Insurance, and Zoolaport Cutthroat.

• How do insurance policies affect deckbuilding?

  Insurance policies can be incorporated into deckbuilding to find synergies and customize strategies based on individual deck types and playstyles. They can help mitigate weaknesses and provide additional layers of protection.

• What are some factors to consider when choosing insurance policies?

  Factors to consider include the mana cost, the type of benefit provided, the synergy with other cards in the deck, and the overall playstyle of the deck.

• How can insurance policies be used offensively?

  Some insurance policies, such as Zoolaport Cutthroat, can be used offensively to punish opponents for board wipes or to deal direct damage. They can also discourage opponents from using board wipes in the first place.

• How do insurance policies affect the overall game experience?

  Insurance policies can add a layer of complexity and strategy to Commander games. They can also make games more resilient to setbacks and create opportunities for unexpected comebacks.

• What are some tips for finding insurance policies for your Commander decks?

  Tips include looking for cards that provide benefits when creatures die, considering the overall strategy of your deck, and experimenting with different cards to see what works best.

• What are some of the hosts' favorite insurance policy cards?

  The hosts have a variety of favorites, including Laid to Rest, Grimhar's Specter, Thrilling Encore, Zoolaport Cutthroat, and stocking vengeance.

• How do insurance policies relate to the concept of "eating your veggies" in deckbuilding?

  Insurance policies can be seen as the "veggies" of deckbuilding, as they may not be flashy or exciting, but they provide essential protection and resilience.

• What is the importance of customizing insurance policies for individual decks?

  Customizing insurance policies based on deck type and playstyle can make them more effective and provide a greater advantage. It can also make decks more unpredictable and difficult for opponents to counter.

Show Notes