Widely regarded as MTG's most social format, the Elder Dragon Highlander format has received a festive update perfect for the end of the year. In a holiday-themed video, creators from a popular channel showcased a four-player match titled "Countdown to XT-Mas."
How the Festive Variant Function
Fundamentally involves a simple layer added on top of a regular EDH match. One special token moves around the table. Once it arrives at the active player's turn, the action temporarily stops. Each participant privately decides whether they're being Naughty or Nice via two cards.
All players turn over their choice together. Next, they resolve the bonus linked to their own choice, first with the person holding the token. The token is subsequently handed clockwise. The countdown ticks up by one step, and standard Commander resumes.
The Naughty/Nice options intensify with each passing round go on, seeming finely tuned.
Escalating Outcomes
The initial phases granted small, table-wide benefits for being Nice, including life gain or Clue tokens. On the other hand, The Naughty paths typically offered personal advantages, usually targeting an opponent. For instance allowed those who picked Naughty receive a 4/4 flying Reindeer token. Anyone who selected Nice generated a 1/1 Toy token creature for all participants.
Santa's Big Arrival
On the last phase, Saint Nick himself made an appearance, turning the game. Based on the frequency with which a participant selected Naughty versus Nice, Santa distributed mystery presents. These looked like deck boxes, but contained MTG booster packs worth different amounts.
- The nicest player got a high-value special pack.
- The next kindest player got a different Collector Booster.
- A special guest got a older set.
- The least nice player got the worst prize: a historically poor set which is basically a gag.
Every card from these packs could then be playable for the rest of the game, played from outside the game using mana as though it were all colors. Players who were nice participants, their boon wound up being a significant power spike. Whereas, mischievous participants were given coal in their stocking.
Trying the Format with Friends
Although the demonstration match included a lot of custom components, it's one that players could easily replicate with friends. Each player would bring their usual EDH deck, and all you'd need are four different booster packs of varying value.
A possible drawback is that if everyone know ahead of time the prize for being Nice, then everyone strategize for the most valuable gift. One might change this by using other methods, for example selecting cards from a shared pool or enabling gamers to include specific cards from outside the game.
From the entertaining match, this holiday variant proves to be a festive way to spread some joy this holiday season. It adds a layer to the dynamics in the game in a uniquely festive way, making it a special way to play for MTG players this season.
