Would you pay $165 to play a new Magic format? Here’s what Wizards’ controversial wager looks like
Wizards of the Coast is looking to revitalize local store events.
A new way to play Commander, one of Magic: The Gathering’s most popular formats, is coming... and it won’t come cheap. Wizards of the Coast has announced a variant of the format, called Commander Box League, which will make its debut during the prerelease of the upcoming expansion: Edge of Eternities.
This new modality will be available in local stores during the weekend of July 25-31, coinciding with the prerelease events. But what exactly does this variant consist of?
Unlike the traditional Commander format, this mode relaxes several of its restrictions. Players will be able to purchase a box of 30 booster packs for $165 to build a 60-card deck. Here, players will be able to ignore color identity, as well as use multiple copies of cards, something normally forbidden in Commander. The promise from Wizard of the Coast is that with this mode -and having a whole box to work with- the decks will have more identity than the pre-built boxes with 40-card decks and their 6 boosters.
The focus on community and in-store play
Wizards has long been committed to Commander, both in terms of product and community. Commander Box League is part of several experiments aimed at revitalizing in-store play by encouraging new encounters between players. In addition to this premium box, Edge of Eternities Commander boxes will also be launched, with a more accessible price of $45, seeking to attract those who want to live the experience without investing so much.
Edge of Eternities will be available on August 1st, 2025.
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