Power level describes how strong a Commander (EDH) deck is. The old 1–10 scale was subjective — the official bracket system gives clearer definitions. Use the bracket finder below to assess your deck.
Last updated: October 2026EDH power level is a way to communicate how strong your Commander deck is before a game starts. For years, the community used an informal 1–10 scale, but it had a well-known problem: everyone's "7" was different. One player's 7 was a precon with upgrades; another's was a tuned combo deck.
In February 2025, Wizards of the Coast introduced Commander Brackets — a 5-tier system with defined criteria and a curated Game Changers card list. Brackets don't replace the concept of power level; they give it a shared vocabulary.
| Old Scale | Bracket | Typical Deck |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Bracket 1 (Exhibition) | Theme decks, jank, self-expression over winning |
| 3–4 | Bracket 2 (Core) | Unmodified precons, straightforward strategies |
| 5–7 | Bracket 3 (Upgraded) | Tuned precons, synergy-focused, up to 3 Game Changers |
| 8–9 | Bracket 4 (Optimized) | High-power, efficient mana bases, strong combos |
| 10 | Bracket 5 (cEDH) | Competitive tournament-level, metagame-tuned |
This mapping is approximate. The brackets use defined criteria (Game Changers count, intent, expected game length) rather than a number, which makes them more consistent across playgroups.
Ask yourself these questions about your deck:
Answer 5 questions to get a suggested bracket. This is a rough guide, not a definitive ruling.
What is EDH power level?
EDH power level describes how strong a Commander deck is relative to others. Historically measured on an informal 1–10 scale, it is now better expressed through the official bracket system (Brackets 1–5), which uses defined criteria rather than subjective ratings.
How do I determine my deck's power level?
Consider your win condition speed, interaction density, mana base quality, tutor count, and whether you run Game Changers cards. Use the bracket finder above for a guided self-assessment.
What replaced the 1–10 power level scale?
In February 2025, Wizards of the Coast introduced Commander Brackets — a 5-tier system with defined criteria and a Game Changers card list.
Is power level 7 the same as Bracket 3?
Roughly, but not exactly. Bracket 3 (Upgraded) covers what many players called "a 6 or 7" on the old scale — tuned decks with strong synergy and up to 3 Game Changers. But the old scale was subjective, so the mapping is approximate.
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