Dack, Rograkh & the Decisions Behind Commander | Gavin Verhey Ep. 23

Gavin Verhey says Rograkh is a card the Magic design team wouldn’t make today. So what has the team learned about Commander, and what makes a card worth banning? The Wizards of the Coast Principal Game Designer joins Craig Mack on The Pregame Podcast to talk Commander bans, cEDH, and cards he might approach differently today. From Najeela’s last-minute change to the power of a free creature in the command zone, Gavin takes us behind the decisions that shape the game. In this episode: How play patterns and widespread use factor into Commander bans Where cEDH fits into the wider Commander conversation Najeela’s last-minute toughness change What Rograkh taught the team about free creatures in the command zone Commander playtesting and designing for different kinds of players Gavin’s love of Cube An early Star Trek design for Q that didn’t make it to print How a childhood love of Magic became a career designing the game Which Magic card would you ask Gavin about? Let us know in the comments, and subscribe for more Pregame conversations! FOLLOW & SUPPORT All our links: https://linktr.ee/Craigmack Patreon:   / wzkdgames   Shop WZKD Games: https://wzkdgames.com/ YouTube:    / @wzkdgames   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033E7AX... Discord:   / discord   Instagram:   / wzkdgames   TikTok:   / craig.mackmtg   X: https://x.com/craig_mack Facebook:   / wzkdgames   Twitch:   / wzkdgmz   #MagicTheGathering #Commander #cEDH