This is how I see it for commander. If I like a commander for wheels and deals jank such as Nekusar, I'll play it. If I like the art of a commander while also playing in a way I like such as Teysa, Orzhov scion I'll use them. If I want to play bunch of degenerate combos I'll go with Breya or Tasigur. If I want to play fun tribal I'll stick with that grixis pirate Legendary or Kaalia. Otherwise I'll play Markov, Azami or Edric spymaster just to make people mad at obnoxious tribals.cfusionpm wrote: ↑4 years agoThat's ok. I like playing certain styles of decks. I like playing certain kinds of cards. I would consider that an "identity" as much as anything else. I would never be caught dead playing Tron, just like others would never in their lives want to cast Cryptic Command. Sleeves and art are an expression as well. I love alternate arts, promos, foils, full arts, and special versions of cards, which also slots into what could be considered an "identity." It's just the things that you like or are special to you for whatever reason.Simto wrote: ↑4 years agoI always found that so weird. "Expressing my identity through a game of cards", it sounds pretty sad really.blkdemonight wrote: ↑4 years agoI like commander but I don't care for concepts like" expressing my identity"
I like using sleeves with some artwork I think looks cool and I'll pick a card with the artwork I like, but just because I like it, not because "I'm expressing my identity" lol.
I always find it weird the surveys they put out have qustions like that.
But I totally understand that for many people (especially those who roam from deck to deck staying at the top of the competitive field, regardless of archetype or cards) it seems silly or unimportant. And that's ok too.
The survey questions usually seek to quantify this "illogical" desire for certain things over others, regardless of relative strength or presence. It's an emotional investment in the things we do. "I'm a Tron player" "I'm an Infect player" "I'm the Snap/Bolt player" "I'm the guy with mismatched basics" "I'm the one with the fully foiled Jund list" etc. These are all "identities" to many players. Especially ones heavily invested in their deck/format.
Edit: I'll add that even in Commander, I stray sometimes. Although pretty much every deck I have runs Islands, my first deck didn't (Teysa) and one of my current ones does not (Zacama). Though they are also the decks I play the least. Teysa has since been parted out, and Zacama is frequently what I let others play. It's really hard for me to want to play something that doesn't have Islands.
Maro needs to explain himself better in that poll. He should ask what kind of cards should appear in Standard so that they add to non rotating format experience to prop marginal decks or play styles not relevant.