26 APR 2024 · Have you ever had one of those days where every time you try to win, an opponent just slaps you right back down? It can feel like you're trying to run head-first through a brick wall. This week, John breaks down the concept of Window Theory and the Patterns of Victory that have been discussed in cEDH circles to help you identify when the optimal time is to try to score a win! 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: CCOSAVE at checkout. For a limited time, you can also use promo code CCOPERKS to get 10% of your order credited back to your account, when you spend $100CAD, or more. 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 Background music for this episode is "Maze" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons  Shoutout to the Mind Sculptors Podcast and Ken Baumann for their talk on Patterns of Victory in cEDH: https://youtu.be/_siatCV_lMc?si=cCQ2yWZuOdk2cW1_ Shoutout to Playing with Power for their talk on window theory in cEDH: https://youtu.be/y8CP69Ex5LY?si=XG9uCp6lH_lv0-IR  Find us on Twitter at @gemstoneminemtg Reach us via email at gemstoneminepodcast@gmail.com 00:00 Introduction 1:46 Stages of the Game 03:21 What are Windows? 04:34 Four Patterns of Victory 07:20 Fusion Ad 08:17 Patterns Reveal Windows 14:05 Casual Windows 19:13 Using Window 23:46 Closing Thoughts 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

11 APR 2024 · The conventional wisdom says that Breach decks can't play Grafdigger's Cage, arguably one of the most powerful stax pieces in the format. But what if there was a deck that played like the lovechild of Razakats and Midrange Naus was raised by their weird uncle who only played Modern Eggs? That's how you get Jeskai Midrange Ad Naus! (And a special *bonus* casual deck that this experiment inspired!). 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Fusion Gaming Ad 01:28 The Commanders 03:17 The Deck 06:57 The Gameplan 13:08 Strengths & Weaknesses 14:16 Mulligans 19:55 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: CCOSAVE at checkout. For a limited time, you can also use promo code CCOPERKS to get 10% of your order credited back to your account, when you spend $100CAD, or more. 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  - This week's decklist: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/NQbc5WEoj0S71hxQdZXTHg - *BONUS* Simic Casual deck: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/kJ4O-cz-_k-gx3pChjVXlA  - 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

29 MAR 2024 · More Jeskai month! Jeskai has had some wild changes in cEDH over the past several years. Much of what informs the power of modern Jeskai decks in cEDH comes from a relatively short period of time that changed *everything* that players thought they knew about this color identity. So how does red changes the Azorius gameplan we all know so well? Check out this week's episode to see for yourself! 00:00 Introduction 01:43 What is Jeskai? 09:28 Fusion Ad 10:07 Top Jeskai Commanders 13:27 The History of Breach 20:27 What Jeskai Lacks 22:17 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: CCOSUMMER or CCOSAVE at checkout. For a limited time, you can also use promo code CCOPERKS to get 10% of your order credited back to your account, when you spend $100CAD, or more. 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. 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 Our theme song is "Lonely Satellite" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons Reach us via email at gemstoneminepodcast@gmail.com

14 MAR 2024 · It's time for Jeskai Month! If you've ever played a voltron deck or an equipment matters deck and you've been curious about cEDH, or if you want to play a deck that makes "midrange hell" feel like "midrange heaven", Callahan from the Mind Sculptors joins us this week to talk about their personal favorite HOT BREW: Jeskai / Kraum Stoneblade! 0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:57 Introducing Callahan! (segment *not* sponsored by Apple) 0:08:32 Introducing Jeskai Stoneblade! 0:27:26 Strengths of the Deck 0:30:16 Gameplan 0:32:31 Unique Cards  0:51:29 Weaknesses 0:55:23 Opening Hands 1:01:55 Closing Thoughts Callahan's Jeskai Stoneblade Decklist: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/-b1ovTg8GkG2OTkrj_04Ww Callahan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/callahanishere The Mindsculptors on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sculptybois Thank you to our sponsors, Fusion Gaming Online. They’re your source for all of your gaming needs. You can find them here: 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: CCOSUMMER at checkout. For a limited time, you can also use promo code CCOPERKS to get 10% of your order credited back to your account, when you spend $100CAD, or more. Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout? Check out the reward tiers at https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show. 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 Our theme song is "Lonely Satellite" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons Reach us via email at gemstoneminepodcast@gmail.com

7 MAR 2024 · There's been a lot of hype around a particular 1/1 for 2 in the new Lord of the Rings: Tales from Middle-earth set, and this week, we're going to break down Orcish Bowmasters! How big of an impact should we expect it to have in the cEDH metagame? What's the MAGIC NUMBER you'll need to survive the wrath of the Orcs? Thank you to our sponsors, Fusion Gaming Online. They’re your source for all of your gaming needs. You can find them here: 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: CCOSUMMER at checkout. For a limited time, you can also use promo code CCOPERKS to get 10% of your order credited back to your account, when you spend $100CAD, or more. Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout? Check out the reward tiers at https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show. 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 Our theme song is "Lonely Satellite" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons Background music for this episode is "Maze" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons Reach us via email at gemstoneminepodcast@gmail.com

29 FEB 2024 · Azorius month is coming in hot for our finish with a brand new control deck brew! Displacer Kitten can do some powerful things in cEDH and this week, John is trying to make a blink deck work in cEDH! If you remember playing decks like Aminatou the Fateshifter or Roon of the Hidden Realm, this deck may be one to try for yourself! 00:00 Introduction 00:43 The Commander 03:33 The Deck 08:23 Fusion Gaming Ad 09:01 How Oji Plays Control 12:23 Winning the Game 16:42 Mulligan Decisions 21:27 Closing Thoughts Displacer Kitten at Home: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/Wwuo-tAuFE-uOm9lysBhPQ Thank you to our sponsors, Fusion Gaming Online. They’re your source for all of your gaming needs. You can find them here: 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: CCOSUMMER at checkout. For a limited time, you can also use promo code CCOPERKS to get 10% of your order credited back to your account, when you spend $100CAD, or more. Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout? Check out the reward tiers at https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show. 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 Our theme song is "Lonely Satellite" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons Background music for this episode is "Maze" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons Reach us via email at gemstoneminepodcast@gmail.com

16 FEB 2024 · AZORIUS MONTH just keeps coming! After last week's Hot Brew with DJYavimaya, we're keeping the good stuff coming with a deep dive on how Azorius works as a color pair. Plus, because John can't help himself, a discussion on how to play control in multiplayer Magic! 00:00 Introduction 01:26 The Low-Color Challenge 04:00 Fusion Gaming Ad 04:49 Defining Azorius 08:23 Control in Multiplayer 12:14 Azorius Commanders 17:54 What Azorius Lacks 20:30 Closing Thoughts Shoutout to Spleenface for the article that informed quite a bit of this episode on Commander's Herald: https://commandersherald.com/the-state-of-control-in-cedh/ Spleenface on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Spleenface Thank you to our sponsors, Fusion Gaming Online. They’re your source for all of your gaming needs. You can find them here: 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: CCOSUMMER at checkout. For a limited time, you can also use promo code CCOPERKS to get 10% of your order credited back to your account, when you spend $100CAD, or more. Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout? Check out the reward tiers at https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show. 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 Our theme song is "Lonely Satellite" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons Our background music is "Maze" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons Reach us via email at gemstoneminepodcast@gmail.com

9 FEB 2024 · This February is AZORIUS MONTH on Gemstone Mine, and we're kicking it off with a Hot Brew! This week, DJ Yavimaya joins us to share his take on Tameshi, Reality Architect, an Azorius commander who enables a fresh new take on control in cEDH, and has some truly awesome lines to win the game! The One Ring! Blind Obedience! *Aether Spellbomb?!* You'll have to check this one out! 00:00 Introduction 01:03 Introducing DJ Yavimaya 02:46 Introducing Tameshi, Reality Architect 08:15 Tameshi's Strengths 11:02 Tameshi's Weaknesses 12:50 Playing the Deck 17:53 Unique Cards in Tameshi 24:19 Winning the Game 36:31 Tutor Chains 41:22 Fusion Gaming Ad 42:17 Mulligan Decisions & Playing Control in Multiplayer 49:06 Tameshi's Matchups 51:06 Closing Thoughts DJ's Tameshi List: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/bZkoFr3N6EWCRnw4OPSfow DJ Yavimaya: https://twitter.com/DJ Yavimaya Azorius cEDH Discord: https://discord.gg/QBG4wymWrZ Thank you to our sponsors, Fusion Gaming Online. They’re your source for all of your gaming needs. You can find them here: 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: CCOSUMMER at checkout. For a limited time, you can also use promo code CCOPERKS to get 10% of your order credited back to your account, when you spend $100CAD, or more. Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout? Check out the reward tiers at https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show. 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 Our theme song is "Lonely Satellite" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons Reach us via email at gemstoneminepodcast@gmail.com #mtg #mtgcommander #edh #cedh #gaming #mtgcommunity #contentcreator

26 JAN 2024 · Temur is the color identity of ferocity, of explosive growth and... robot dogs! This week, John unveils his latest cEDH brew built around the little robot that could: K-9! Looking for a deck that can jam a win with Dockside Extortionist just as easily as it can lateral into a grind plan with The One Ring? Be sure to check this one out! 00:00 Introduction 01:27 The Commanders 05:38 The Deck 12:07 Winning the Game 16:44 Fusion Gaming Ad 17:37 Single-Card Discussion 23:07 Mulligan Decisions 30:13 Closing Thoughts Check out the decklist: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/_oA-Qyd3mki7R6zNqGpFAg Check out Kai's list: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/VqhvQTV9o0etIkD6JxYwiw Check out Surreal's list: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/HnXiywWtkUO5osbJ-uZZFg Kai's video on FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: https://youtu.be/U_tYggex4Vc Thank you to our sponsors, Fusion Gaming Online. They’re your source for all of your gaming needs. You can find them here: 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: CCOSUMMER at checkout. For a limited time, you can also use promo code CCOPERKS to get 10% of your order credited back to your account, when you spend $100CAD, or more. Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout? Check out the reward tiers at https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show. 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 Our theme song is "Lonely Satellite" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons Background music is "Maze" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons Find us on Twitter at @gemstoneminemtg - Reach us via email at gemstoneminepodcast@gmail.com

19 JAN 2024 · It doesn't have the rituals or unconditional tutors of Black. It doesn't have the safety of silences or stax of White. But what Temur does have is a potential for some absolutely *explosive* plays in cEDH and Commander in general. This week, John goes deep on the color identity of Temur. Strengths? Check. Weaknesses? Check. Commander analysis? Check check. Temur month is going strong on Gemstone Mine! 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Temur's Identity 03:57 Temur's Commanders 08:26 Fusion Gaming Ad 09:53 Brewing in Temur 12:54 What Temur Gives Up 15:25 Closing Thoughts Thank you to our sponsors, Fusion Gaming Online. They’re your source for all of your gaming needs. You can find them here: 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: CCOSUMMER at checkout. For a limited time, you can also use promo code CCOPERKS to get 10% of your order credited back to your account, when you spend $100CAD, or more. Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout? Check out the reward tiers at https://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcast. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show. 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 - Our theme song is "Lonely Satellite" by Bio Unit licensed via Creative Commons - Find us on Twitter at @gemstoneminemtg - Reach us via email at gemstoneminepodcast@gmail.com