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Widely known as MTG's most social way to play, the Elder Dragon Highlander format just got a seasonal update perfect for the end of the year. In a special video, creators from a popular channel played a multiplayer match dubbed "Countdown to XT-Mas."

The Mechanics of the Holiday Format Works

The basic idea involves a simple layer superimposed on a regular EDH match. One special indicator travels to each player. When it the current player's upkeep, the action briefly pauses. All gamers secretly chooses if they will be being Nice or Naughty via two cards.

Everyone turn over their card together. Next, they resolve the consequence linked to their own choice, first with the person who has the token. The token is then passed to the next player. The holiday round counter moves forward a single increment, and standard gameplay carries on.

The Naughty/Nice options do escalate as the rounds continue, designed to be finely tuned.

Escalating Effects

The initial phases offered minor, collective boons for being Nice, such as gaining life or investigation clues. On the other hand, The Naughty choices often gave more specific benefits, usually targeting someone else. For instance let players who picked Naughty create a powerful airborne creature. Anyone who selected Nice created a small artifact token creature for everyone.

The Grand Arrival

On the final round, Father Christmas himself showed up, transforming the game. Depending on how often a participant was Nice versus Naughty, Santa distributed sealed “gifts”. They appeared to be deck boxes, but contained Magic booster packs with different rarities.

• The kindest player got a top-tier Collector Booster.
• The next kindest player opened a slightly less valuable Collector Booster.
• A special guest got a mid-range set.
• The least nice player got the worst prize: a historically poor booster pack that's essentially a joke.

Every card from these packs immediately became playable for the rest of the game, used as a bonus by spending mana treating it as all colors. Players who were nice players, their present proved to be a significant boost. Meanwhile, mischievous participants basically received coal in their stocking.

Recreating the Game at Home

While the video included a lot of custom components, this is a concept that any group can adapt in their own playgroup. Participants would bring their usual EDH deck, and the only extra items required would be a selection of booster packs with different worth.

The main challenge is that if players are aware beforehand what being nice gets you, then everyone strategize for the best booster pack. You could mix it up by using other methods, like drafting cards together or letting players use cards they own from their binders.

From how the format played out, this holiday variant is definitely a joyous method to create laughter during festive gatherings. It complicates the strategy in the game in a fun and manner, resulting in a memorable experience among Magic enthusiasts in their playgroups.