Is Poison Too Strong?

Should Commander require 10 poison counters to eliminate a player? The argument has been around almost as long as the format has, and John has been hearing this question ever since Scars of Mirrodin block, when Infect was the new player in town. Are there good reasons to keep poison as-is, particularly with the Toxic keyword looming on the horizon with the impending release of All Will Be One? Can anything save us from the mighty Skrelv's merciless bite? Or all we all just a little too worried about a mechanic which has historically been underrepresented in the format? This week, we analyze how poison fits into our format!
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[@hanschristopherson8056]

I would also like to mention that poison is designed around giving the opponent 10 poison counters so increasing the number of counters you would need to deal would make the strategy unplayable

[@TheDubiela]

Just to help out with your deck building, there are new cards in the set that gives poison counters to your opponents on top of an effect, one of the is literally “all opponents gets a poison counter, draw a card” for {1}{U}

[@servalkorion686]

I find it weird how everyone is so concerned about a mechanic no one plays

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

I lost once against a poison deck, and it was a deathtouch theme, monogreen. Not toxic nor infect, and I lost due to my dragon deck having woefully lacking defense against small creatures.

[@armoredduck]

Poison is bad in modern, it hasnt been a deck for years. Its also bad in every other format. Particularly when commander has combo the idea poison is overpowered is absurd.

[@Naturessightsandsounds7040]

Seems like there are plenty of proliferate combos that can end the game pretty easy I mean poison counters isn't an aggro strategy anymore o think it will be more about control...which does sound pretty miserable considering you can't interact with the counters.

[@chiwi7082]

@@Naturessightsandsounds7040 Then again, another combo finish changes very little, and if it's more about control, then it should be slow enough that you get to play, no?

[@Naturessightsandsounds7040]

@Chiwi hmmm you think control=you get to play... interesting I'm not sure you know what control is then.

[@chiwi7082]

@@Naturessightsandsounds7040 If a single deck at your table can shut down the 3 other players while progressing its own wincon, maybe it's not so much about the mechanic itself and more about the powerlevel of that deck in comparison to the others.

[@Naturessightsandsounds7040]

@Chiwi I think it will be too powerful for average power level yes obviously cedh decks don't need to worry but that shouldn't have to be said.I never said it was better than thoracle combo.

[@wad_Mr.J]

In 2 headed where you start with 30 for example it nerfs serras ascendant. Instead of needing 30 life you need 45 life (1.5x your starting total). Where he's turned on right away in edh and remains 1 of the best 1 drops in the format. If you change the poison rule you'll need 60 life to turn on SA and 80 life for the wincon cat.

[@wad_Mr.J]

If you change the rule with poison in commander then you also nerf life gain.

[@GamerGeek527]

The problem isn't infect itself. Though I do think it needs to be half life like Two-Headed Giant. The problem is Proliferate.

[@KnightLeon257]

Great video! I made a deck that in theory is a very strong deck with poison counters. I took into consideration that you will at some point be the villain of the table!

[@Layaway_Virgin]

I hate infect so much, my friend built one and it was the only deck he played for a while. He got mad that I made a blue counter frog deck for it

[@KnightLeon257]

@@Layaway_Virgin I usually have it as an alt win con but i wanted to theorycraft it a bit more! Seems like a viable strategy. Can't wait to see the next video

[@Layaway_Virgin]

@@KnightLeon257 I’ve been tempted to work with it but my playgroup hates it and my lgs refuses to host still. We’ll all be tuned.

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

Honestly, I am more annoyed by the solitaire decks. Superfriends, Stax, Landfall...
You know, the decks that take longer turns than the rest of the table combined.

[@harryfenzlein443]

Somebody once gave a bunch of treasure tokens from you guys. He was an amazing dude!!!

[@Phantom-vo8jy]

no build better decks

[@resaron]

098

[@shpooplers6324]

Its annoying

[@Sir_Pleasant]

098