Am I The Bolas? - I Really Want to Build This Commander, But My Friend Hates It

Mike Carrozza • January 22, 2025

Opinion
Toxrill, the Corrosive Illustrated by Simon Dominic

Hello, and welcome to Am I the Bolas?

This column is for all of you out there who have ever played some Magic and wondered if you were the bad guy. I'm here to take in your story with all of its nuances so I can bring some clarity to all those asking, "Am I the Bolas?"

I'm ready to hear you out and offer advice. All you have to do is email amithebolas@gmail.com! You might see your story in the column. You might even hear it on the podcast. Which podcast? 

THIS PODCAST!

I'm Mike Carrozza, aka Mark Carbonza, and - hey, look at my new car!

THEY JUST GAVE THIS TO ME!!!

This week, to build or not to build?

I'm coming to Chicago! I've been selected to be a featured creator at MagicCon Chicago!

If you get your badges for the Con here, you'd be helping me out!

That means that next month I will be at MagicCon Chicago hanging out and playing games. I'm there to meet anybody and everybody who wants to meet me and sling some cardboard. I'll have more information soon. For now, follow me and the podcast at @mikecarrozza and @amithebolcast on Twitter and BlueSky. 

Anyway, let's get back to what you're really here for.

HEY, MIKE

(Post edited for brevity, clarity, and then some.)

Hi Mike,

I both listen to your podcast and read your articles online. I honestly enjoy hearing your take on some of the issues others have, many of which I have also experienced. Never stop being awesome!
 
My question is am I the Bolas for wanting to play decks with strong mechanics even if my someone in my playgroup doesn't like it?
 
I'm a relatively new player and have been playing since August of last year. I have built a lot of different Commander decks, including Isshin, Two Heavens as One, Shalai and Hallar, Reaper King, and Kykar, Wind's Fury to name just a few.
 
The other day, a friend of mine was talking about new deck ideas, and Maha, Its Feathers Night came up. I then said I wanted to build a -1/-1 counter deck and didn't know if I should build it mono-black with Maha or Dimir with Toxrill, the Corrosive. He then said that I shouldn't build either because they are both overpowered and not fun to play against.
 
I understand that everyone has an opinion, and when you're with playgroup certain expectations should be discussed and met, but does that mean I shouldn't play the things I want to play solely because someone doesn't think it's fun to play against?
 
Thanks,
Micah
 

HIYAH, MICAH!

Thank you for writing in and asking me to weigh in on your story. As I mention every week, if folks don't write to me, there's no column, so if you, the reader, want to send me a story, whether it's your own or one from Reddit or a friend's, please send it to amithebolas@gmail.com and I'll get to it here.

I appreciate the kind words off the top of this submission and I hope there are many more folks out there who also dig the podcast and the column! Thanks so much!

It is important to listen to your playgroup, of course. That said, they shouldn't be stopping you from brewing something. Most they can do is ask you not to play the deck or refuse to play against it. Then of course, they can stop inviting you to play. 

What I'm getting at here is what I say often: speak to your playgroup. Confrontation doesn't have to be a scary word. Speak to the player who thinks the legends you like are too powerful and ask if there would be a particular instance in which this could be fun. Maybe issue a challenge to the group to brew a deck that's a little more higher powered that can compete with one another so that you can feel like you're feeding this desire to build these strong commanders while also allowing folks to be part of the journey to getting there. 

I understand the pull of wanting to play something a little more intense, but some playgroups are not into that. Open the discussion with everybody. If that one player is the odd one out, then they have to figure out how they want to react to this situation. It's perfectly possible that they can use one of their current decks and fare well against you when you're eating a bunch of their removal. It can also be fun to play a bit of Archenemy if that's the group's speed from time to time.

Finally, if you really want to build the deck and it's something that will make you happy despite those two legends being absolutely bingo bongo, do it. If this playgroup does not enjoy it, there are online communities and perhaps even people at your local game store who do appreciate that kind of gameplay. 

Talk to your playgroup. It might work out, but if they are staunchly opposed, let it go with them for now. I'm not saying don't try to revisit it, but definitely give it a rest with them for the time being. Go hunting for playgroups at the LGS or in Discord communities who love a Spelltable game.

You are not the Bolas for wanting to build the decks. You are definitely riding a fine line because these legends are definitely high on red flag lists for lots of people, but unless you're playing it with people who don't want to play against it, then you're on notice, but you're not the Bolas. 

Make sure you've got a backup deck that can match a less powerful or oppressive vibe, but don't be shy to propose the deck when you build it. 

Mike Carrozza

Mike Carrozza

Mike Carrozza is a stand-up comedian from Montreal who’s done a lot of cool things like put out an album called Cherubic and worked with Tig Notaro, Kyle Kinane, and more people to brag about. He’s also been an avid EDH player who loves making silly stuff happen. @mikecarrozza on platforms