When to Use Removal in Commander: Three Questions Before You Kill Anything

You are holding one Swords to Plowshares. Across the table: a 12/12 Ghalta, a Krenko that just came down with three goblins, and a quiet Tatyova player drawing off Rhystic Study. Where does the Swords go, and when? This lesson is for newer Commander players who keep firing removal at the biggest thing on the table and then have nothing left for the play that actually beats them. We cover: Why your answers are scarce (about ten in 99 cards, and roughly one and a half drawn by turn eight) Three questions before any answer leaves your hand: does it grow, is it pointed at me, can someone else answer it The stack, explained on the table: why killing Krenko in response to his ability still gives them goblins, and why the end step of the turn he arrives is the moment Responding to protection (Swiftfoot Boots on the stack) What is worth a Counterspell (Cyclonic Rift, Craterhoof, Exsanguinate) and when to let a spell resolve because it hurts someone else more The cost of holding mana every turn, and the end step habit that fixes it Practice table: you are Atraxa; opponents are Krenko, Mob Boss, Ghalta, Primal Hunger and Tatyova, Benthic Druid. All rules text quoted from the printed cards. This is aimed at casual pods (bracket 2-3); at higher power the same questions apply, the answers just come faster. Previous lessons in this series: Who Do I Attack?    • Who Do I Attack? The Commander Skill New P...   Your First Four Turns:    • Your First Four Turns in Commander: The Op...   How to Play Aggro:    • How to Play Aggro in Commander: One Target...   Stop Sending Your Commander Back Automatically:    • Stop Sending Your Commander Back Automatic...   Card images and data via Scryfall. Magic: The Gathering is © Wizards of the Coast; this is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:56 Answers Are Scarce 1:58 Three Questions 3:55 The Stack 6:06 Counter Or Let It Go 8:21 The Cost Of Waiting 9:20 Make The Call #mtg #commander #edh