Commander brackets are the official power-level framework for MTG Commander. Five tiers help players find fair games — from ultra-casual to competitive EDH.
Last updated: October 2026In February 2025, Wizards of the Coast and the Commander Format Panel introduced the Commander Brackets system as a beta. It replaces the informal 1–10 power level scale with five defined tiers anchored to gameplay expectations and a curated list of powerful cards called Game Changers.
As of October 2026, the system is still labeled "beta" while adoption continues to grow. The bracket definitions have been stable since October 2025.
| Bracket | Name | Game Changers | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exhibition | 0 allowed | Ultra-casual, theme-first decks. Emphasis on self-expression over winning. |
| 2 | Core | 0 allowed | Precon-level decks. Straightforward strategies, accessible power level. |
| 3 | Upgraded | Up to 3 | Tuned decks with strong synergy. Some powerful cards, but not optimized for speed. |
| 4 | Optimized | No limit | High-power decks. No card restrictions beyond the banlist. |
| 5 | cEDH | No limit | Competitive EDH. Metagame-tuned, tournament-level play. |
Brackets are anchored to expected game feel and turn-count ranges, not just a card checklist. Wizards of the Coast emphasizes that intent matters most — if your deck consistently plays above its bracket, you should bracket up.
Game Changers are a curated list of cards that Wizards considers powerful enough to dramatically affect Commander games. As of February 2026, the list contains 53 cards.
Game Changers are not banned. They function as a soft restriction layer between brackets:
The list has evolved since launch: starting with approximately 40 cards (February 2025), growing to around 56 (April 2025), being trimmed to roughly 46 (October 2025), and settling at 53 (February 2026). Check the official Wizards announcement for the full list and latest updates.
Brackets don't replace the Rule 0 conversation — they make it easier. Before the old system, "my deck is a 7" could mean wildly different things to different players. Brackets give everyone a shared vocabulary.
Tips for a good pre-game bracket conversation:
If your playgroup runs a Commander league with Castlog, here are ways to integrate brackets:
One league per bracket. Create separate leagues for Bracket 2, 3, and 4. Each has its own standings. Players can participate in multiple bracket leagues with different decks — Castlog tracks deck-level stats.
Budget + Restrictions as bracket enforcement. Use the Budget module (e.g. 40€ deck cap) and Deck Restrictions module (e.g. no tutors, basic lands only) to create guardrails that keep decks within a bracket naturally. Players earn the right to use stronger cards via the Skill Tree as they level up.
Castlog does not enforce brackets automatically at the card level — it provides the scoring, tracking, and restriction tools to run a league that respects the bracket framework.
What are Commander brackets in MTG?
Commander brackets are an official power-level framework introduced by Wizards of the Coast in February 2025. They divide decks into 5 tiers — from casual Exhibition decks (Bracket 1) to competitive cEDH (Bracket 5) — to help players find games at a similar power level.
How many Commander brackets are there?
There are 5 brackets: Bracket 1 (Exhibition), Bracket 2 (Core), Bracket 3 (Upgraded), Bracket 4 (Optimized), and Bracket 5 (cEDH). Brackets 1 and 2 do not allow Game Changers, Bracket 3 allows up to 3, and Brackets 4–5 have no restrictions beyond the banlist.
What are Game Changers in Commander?
Game Changers are a curated list of 53 powerful cards maintained by Wizards of the Coast. They are not banned — they act as a soft restriction in lower brackets. The list is updated periodically.
Are Commander brackets mandatory?
No. Brackets are a framework to help pre-game conversations (Rule 0). They are not enforced by the rules of Commander. Your playgroup decides whether and how to use them.
How do brackets replace the old 1–10 power level scale?
The 1–10 scale was informal and subjective — everyone's "7" was different. Brackets provide clearer definitions anchored to expected gameplay patterns and card restrictions, making pre-game conversations more productive. See our EDH Power Level guide for more.
Create a Commander league organized by bracket. Scoring, standings, and stats — all in one place.