Complete Guide to the EDH Bracket System
Understanding power levels 1-5 and how Rate My Decks calculates your bracket.
The Commander bracket system was designed to give players a common language for discussing deck power levels. Instead of vague terms like "a 7" or "high-powered casual," the bracket system defines five clear tiers with specific criteria. Rate My Decks calculates your bracket automatically by analyzing every card in your deck and comparing it to these criteria.
Understanding your deck's bracket helps you build appropriate decks for your playgroup and avoid the dreaded pubstomping. Here is how each bracket works and what you need to know to build for each level.
Bracket 1 — Anything Goes
Max score: 4
Bracket 1 is the entry-level bracket for preconstructed decks, jank builds, and theme-first casual decks. These decks have low synergy, no game changers, and no fast mana. The goal is to play fun cards and have a good time, not to optimize for wins.
•No Game Changers (zero on the official list)
•No mass land denial or extra turn spells
•No two-card infinite combos
•Average mana value typically above 4.0
•Low removal density (fewer than 8 pieces)
•Little to no tutors or fast mana
•Card draw is minimal and comes from high-CMC sources
Bracket 2 — Core
Max score: 7
Bracket 2 is the default starting point for most Commander decks. These are upgraded precons or intentionally-built casual decks with a clear strategy. They have decent ramp, some draw, and a few synergistic cards, but they avoid high-power staples and game changers.
•Zero Game Changers (or rarely 1 very weak one)
•Focused strategy with synergy
•8-12 ramp pieces, mostly 2-3 CMC mana rocks
•8-10 card draw effects
•8-12 removal/interaction spells
•Very few tutors (maybe 1-2 expensive ones)
•Average mana value around 3.5
•No fast mana beyond Sol Ring and Arcane Signet
Bracket 3 — Upgraded
Max score: 8
Bracket 3 represents focused, well-constructed casual decks that include some higher-power cards. These decks have a clear game plan, consistent ramp and draw, and a few Game Changers. This is where you start seeing tutors, efficient interaction, and combo potential.
•1-5 Game Changers
•Excellent ramp (10-14 pieces including some fast mana)
•12+ card draw effects including efficient ones
•12+ removal/interaction spells
•2-5 efficient tutors
•Combo indicators present (usually 1-2 potential lines)
•Average mana value between 3.0 and 3.5
•Strong commander synergy
Bracket 4 — Optimized
Max score: 9
Bracket 4 is the highest level of casual play — optimized decks tuned for maximum power without crossing into full competitive territory. These decks run premium fast mana, efficient tutors, and many Game Changers. They win by turn 5-7 consistently and pack significant interaction.
•6+ Game Changers (sometimes up to 10)
•Premium fast mana: Mana Crypt, Jeweled Lotus, Chrome Mox
•Many efficient tutors: Demonic, Vampiric, Enlightened
•Near-perfect mana curve (avg MV below 3.0)
•15+ removal/interaction spells
•Clear combo lines with multiple redundant pieces
•Optimized mana base with fetch lands and duals
•High commander synergy score
Bracket 5 — cEDH
Max score: 10
Bracket 5 is competitive EDH — maximum power, no restrictions. Every card is chosen for maximum efficiency. These decks use all available fast mana, free countermagic, the best tutors, and compact combo wins. Games typically end by turn 2-4.
•Every Game Changer that fits the strategy
•All premium fast mana pieces
•All efficient tutors
•Free countermagic: Force of Will, Fierce Guardianship, Pact of Negation
•Compact combo wins: Thoracle + Consultation, Breach + Brain Freeze
•Average mana value below 2.5
•Perfect mana base with all fetch/dual/shock lands
•Stax and interaction density maximized
How Rate My Decks Calculates Your Bracket
Our analyzer examines every card in your deck against 12 weighted factors. The raw score sum is clamped to a bracket maximum to determine the final power score (1-10) and bracket (1-5).
Premium Fast Mana (2.5 max)
Cards like Mana Crypt, Jeweled Lotus, Chrome Mox, Mox Diamond. Each adds 0.70 to the raw score, capped at 2.5 total.
Common Fast Mana (0.8 max)
Sol Ring, Fellwar Stone, Arcane Signet. Each adds 0.15, capped at 0.8.
Tutors (1.5 max)
Demonic Tutor, Vampiric Tutor, Enlightened Tutor. Each adds 0.30, capped at 1.5.
Interaction (1.6 max)
Removal and counterspells. Each piece adds 0.08, capped at 1.6.
Combo Pressure + Extra Turns (2.0 max)
Combo indicators add 0.40 each, extra turns add 0.25 each. Combined cap of 2.0.
Mana Efficiency (0.8 max)
Based on average mana value. Under 2.0 gets full 0.8, scaling down stepwise.
Ramp Quality (0.6 max)
Based on number of ramp pieces. 15+ ramp pieces gets full 0.6.
Draw Quality (0.6 max)
Based on card draw density. 15+ draw effects gets full 0.6.
Curve Health (0.5 max)
Percentage of spells costing 1-3 MV. 60%+ gets full 0.5.
Land Base Quality (0.6 max)
Based on land composition, fetch density, and color fixing.
Commander Synergy (0.8 max)
How well the 99 cards support the commander's strategy.
Game Changers (1.4 max)
Each Game Changer adds 0.35, capped at 1.4.
How to Move Between Brackets
Moving up a bracket is usually about adding key categories of cards:
- Bracket 1 to 2: Add a focused game plan, better ramp, and consistent card draw.
- Bracket 2 to 3: Add a few Game Changers, a tutor or two, and tighten your curve.
- Bracket 3 to 4: Add premium fast mana, efficient tutors, and multiple Game Changers.
- Bracket 4 to 5: Optimize every card slot for maximum efficiency, add free countermagic, and include a compact combo win.
Conversely, removing Game Changers and fast mana is the fastest way to lower your bracket for casual play.
What about the "Rule 0" conversation?
Rule 0 discussions are still important even with the bracket system. The brackets provide a starting point for conversation, but every playgroup is different. Always discuss your deck's power level with your group before playing. The bracket system is a tool for conversation, not a replacement for it.