A heated discussion over the definitions of “casual” and “competitive” Commander was interrupted today after a bystander called the entire table a “bunch of fucking nerds” as they walked by.
“I was just commenting that competitive and casual Commander are indistinguishable due to the format’s micro-balancing through power level matching, and that even if two sets of four identical decks are played with two different pods, their designations will differ completely. As there is no universally accepted scale of power level, it’s a subjective topic that cannot have a definitive answer. I’m certain my argument would have settled the debate had it not been for the interruption.”
“I don’t see how anyone could think that competitive and casual commander are one in the same. Casual is not a moniker reserved for the atmosphere of a play area, nor the dynamics of each individual’s interpersonal relationships with the others in the pod. It’s about whether or not decks have been adequately optimized. I was about to refute the point when hooligans decided to bark their neadertholic diatribe at our direction, likely stemming from a childhood rife with absent parental figures.”
“I kind of agreed with Mark, but neither of them are right. Casual and competitive are distinguishable, but it’s not about optimization either. Fundamentally the difference between casual and competitive commander is the mindset of the player. If you’re playing to win, no holds barred and unapologetic you’re playing competitively. This distinction exists separately from the casual nature of friends wanting games using suboptimal lines of play as a tradeoff of “enjoyment.” If it’s happening at a kitchen table then you likely have your answer. At least I thought so until I snapped out of it after being called out on how lame it all sounds.”
“I’m glad this playgroup brought me in because none of them are aware of the established distinction between competitive and casual Commander. They kept talking about power levels, mindsets or whatever. The thing they’re forgetting is that if there’s a lowercase ‘c’ preceding the EDH acronym then it’s competitive. If there’s no little c then it’s not. It’s honestly baffling that anyone could think it’s more complex than that or requires any discussion about it. In fact, I’m kind of glad everyone got called a bunch of fucking nerds.”
Even though the group’s discussion was cut short, and a clear winner of the debate not crowned, it provided the pod a moment of clarity. No matter what they thought about the distinction between types of EDH, the urge to have an in-depth discussion about it was objectively nerdy as fuck.