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Already known as Magic: The Gathering's friendliest format, the Elder Dragon Highlander format just got a festive update just in time for the holidays. In a recent video, hosts from a popular channel played a multiplayer match titled "Holiday Countdown."

How the Holiday Variant Function

At its core involves a simple layer added on top of a standard EDH game. A designated marker travels between players. Once it arrives at the current player's turn, the action briefly pauses. All gamers makes a hidden choice if they will be being Nice or Naughty by using choice cards.

Everyone turn over their card simultaneously. After that, they apply the bonus linked to their decision, beginning with the player holding the token. This marker is subsequently handed to the right. The holiday round counter advances a single increment, and regular gameplay resumes.

The choices do escalate over time continue, seeming finely tuned.

Increasing Effects

Early rounds provided minor, collective benefits for the Nice path, such as life gain or investigation clues. On the other hand, The Naughty paths typically offered more specific benefits, often at the expense of another player. As an example let those choosing Naughty receive a powerful airborne Reindeer token. Those who picked Nice created a small artifact creature token for everyone.

The Climactic Arrival

During the last phase, Santa Claus personally arrived, transforming the experience. Based on how often a participant chose Nice versus Naughty, Santa distributed wrapped prizes. Outwardly, these were small containers, but contained MTG booster packs of varying value.

• The most benevolent player received a top-tier special pack.
• The second-nicest player got a slightly less valuable Collector Booster.
• A special guest got a mid-range booster pack.
• The most mischievous player essentially received coal: a notoriously weak booster pack which is basically a punchline.

All cards from these packs immediately became used for the duration, used as a bonus using mana treating it as any color. The kinder players, their gift wound up being a huge power spike. Meanwhile, the naughty players basically received a punitive gift.

Playing the Variant at Home

Although the demonstration match featured considerable custom components, it's one that players can adapt in their own playgroup. Each player plays with their regular EDH deck, and the additional materials needed are four different MTG packs of varying value.

The main drawback lies in the fact that if players know the rewards in advance the prize for being Nice, then everyone might aim for the top prize. Groups can change this by using other methods, such as selecting cards from a communal pile or letting players use specific cards from their binders.

Based on how the format played out, Countdown to XT-Mas stands as a festive way to add holiday cheer when playing with friends. It complicates the strategy between players in a uniquely festive way, resulting in a special experience among Magic players everywhere.