EDHREC Wraps 2025, Commander Brackets and Product Waves Explained
EDHREC released a year end time capsule that walks through the biggest Commander stories of 2025, from the rollout of Wizards of the Coast's Commander Brackets to the popularity of Universes Beyond preconstructed decks. The piece highlights how format changes, product drops, community projects, and event coverage shaped play and conversation this year, and invites readers to share what they would include.
EDHREC released a year end time capsule that recounts the major Commander developments of 2025 and how they changed play and conversation across the format. The feature places particular focus on Wizards of the Coast's Commander Brackets beta rollout and the April unbans, calling out the policy and perception shifts that followed. Those changes altered list construction and table expectations, and sparked a broader Game Changers discussion about governance and community input.
At the same time commercial product waves drew strong engagement. Universes Beyond preconstructed decks based on Final Fantasy generated notable popularity, with players tracking list trends and adapting builds around iconic characters and mechanics. Limited edition drops also kept conversation lively, with the Secret Lair collaboration featuring Sonic generating both market attention and playroom curiosity. EDHREC frames these releases not just as purchases but as metagame levers that influence what players build and bring to stores and kitchen tables.
Community creativity and event coverage rounded out the year. The time capsule highlights a short parody film called Beyond the Edge of Eternities as an example of how players and creators used Commander culture for storytelling and humor. On the events front EDHREC covered Final Fantasy programming at PAX East and returned reporting from New York Comic Con, chronicling panels, previews, and the in person moments that matter to local players and online audiences.
The practical takeaway is immediate. Update your decks to reflect the April unbans and bracket driven conversations, track precon and drop trends to spot emerging archetypes, and pay attention to event reports for rule interpretations and community reactions. The time capsule closes by inviting readers to contribute their own picks for 2025 highlights, a prompt to reflect on what mattered in your playgroups and local scenes.
Share what you would include in a personal time capsule for 2025 so the community can map what changes and releases mattered most to actual players.
