Defining Bracket 4

It’s turn five. Player 1 just resolved a Doubling Season, Player 2 is debating whether to develop their commander or ramp a little harder, and you're looking at a Forsaken Miner, Blood Artist, and Warren Soultrader in hand—with just enough mana to play them all out. Player 4 is tapped out and possibly scrolling Instagram. Is this a game where you send it? Or will closing out now earn you a “Dude, we were just getting started”?

Maybe you’ve found yourself in that inevitable playgroup arms race that lands somewhere between “a 7 and a 9”, but definitely not cEDH. Thankfully, the Bracket System offers a clean solution for those of us trying to escape this awkward limbo: enter Bracket 4, also known as High Powered EDH, or what I prefer to call Optimized EDH.

To be clear: we’re not playing cEDH here. Many Optimized EDH players either paused on their journey to cEDH, or tried it and made a U-turn. While cEDH has its place, it can be a bit too intense for what we’re often looking for. Optimized EDH keeps the spirit of casual EDH alive but dials it in: you can still jam your favorite deck, crank it to 11, and set it loose. Or, if you’re burned out on stack wars, you can ease off your cEDH list and just... play.

There are a few key differences that define the feel of Optimized EDH; and that “feel” is ultimately what sets it apart.

Brackets 1 & 2 — “Battlecruiser EDH”

I’m sure they technically exist, but I couldn’t tell you what happens there. From what I gather, no one really plays Bracket 1. Honestly, Brackets 1 and 2 might as well be combined to make room for what I’d call “Bracket 3.5”; decks with a few more Game Changers, but not ready to jump into Bracket 4.

Games in these brackets are about social play, storytelling, and lots of Rule 0 conversations. The journey is the reward.

Bracket 3 — “My deck is a 7”

This is how I think ~60% of EDH is played. Big splashy creatures. Pet cards you pulled in a pack. Nine-mana haymakers. Games are fought on the board. Expect a few wipes and a game-ending sorcery around turns 7–10.

I like asking “What Game Changers are you running?” as a Rule 0 question; but otherwise, Bracket 3 is easy to jump into.

Bracket 4 — Optimized EDH

Let’s move away from “High Powered Casual” because I feel like it’s misleading. That’s more like Bracket 3.5. Bracket 4 is Optimized EDH: still Casual, but very much playing to win.

You’re running the Commander you want to play - but you’re building around a cohesive plan. The game is still fought on the board, but now you’ve got efficient removal, interaction, and fewer pet cards (okay, maybe one, but it better pull its weight). Spells are lean, and games usually end on turns 6–9. Focused, not frantic. Social, but serious.

Everyone knows you’re playing to win, but no one should be miserable. If someone brings a Stax deck and three people didn’t enjoy it? Maybe don’t bring it next time.

Bracket 5 — cEDH

This is the clearly defined “we play to the meta” tier. Since the mid-2010s, cEDH has been about winning fast (turns 3–5), efficiently, and often at instant speed.

It’s tight, calculated Magic. Every mana matters. Every decision is impactful. Games can be slow, even if they end quickly, because the stakes of every action are so high.

No need for Rule 0. You say “Let’s play cEDH,” and people know exactly what that means. I actually think every EDH player should try this end of the spectrum at least once; there’s a beauty in the precision.

🔍 What Makes Bracket 4 Different?

You can run Thassa’s Oracle + Demonic Consultation—but you’re probably not going to. Players here often opt for more flavorful win conditions.

Likewise, you’re not just going to drop Assemble the Legion and let it go “brrrrrrr” for eight turns. Games still end in a reasonable amount of time.

Combos like Forsaken Miner + Blood Artist + Warren Soultrader are common—especially when played over a turn or two. You’ll also see Protean Hulk setups.

“What about Underworld Breach + Lion’s Eye Diamond + Brain Freeze? Isn’t that cEDH?” Sure, but in Bracket 4, that’s fair game. It has more interaction points and fewer layers of stack protection.

If you have to ask whether your deck is cEDH or Optimized, it’s probably not cEDH. Bracket 4 is vast. Most 2- or 3-card combos that align with your gameplan are fair game.

And that “XYZ is a cEDH card” line? It’s usually about context. Thassa’s Oracle in a Merfolk tribal deck just scrys. A Bracket 4 and Bracket 5 Grixis list might share 75% of the same cards. It’s how you build and how you play that distinguishes them.

🔎 Where to Find Optimized EDH Decks

Getting into cEDH is simple: go to EDHTop16, pick a Commander, copy the list.

Optimized EDH is harder. There’s no central hub yet. You can sort by Bracket 4 on Moxfield or Archidekt, but you’ll have to dig a bit to find the real gems.

I’m hoping to help change that.

🧠 Final Thoughts

I hope this gave you a solid intro to Optimized EDH.

While cEDH may be the fastest-growing bracket, I believe Bracket 4 has staying power. It’s where tight gameplay, creative deckbuilding, and social fun coexist. You can still play a fun game of what feels like EDH, in spirit, but doesn’t drag your heart and soul through a three hour game after you put your kids to bed.

It’s also where the arms race doesn’t have to end with Thassa’s Oracle.

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Got a question or topic you’d like covered? I’d love to hear from you. Reach out at [email protected].

Let’s keep playing games that feel like Commander.