League Overview The Cosmic Cup Commander League is a semi-competitive Commander league designed to balance strong, synergistic deckbuilding with interactive, social gameplay. The league intentionally operates between Wizards of the Coast Bracket 3 (Upgraded) and Bracket 4 (Optimized), emphasizing creativity, interaction, and player expression over winning as quickly as possible. This document serves as the authoritative rules reference for Cosmic Cup Season 5.
Prizing and Structure Entry Fee
The Cup will be a $5 nightly entrance fee. The Cup will run for 11 weeks, from Lorwyn to Strixhaven.
Structure
Every Friday until the Semifinals (Top 16 in LP) we will run 3 games in swiss pods. Each game will award points, points may be redeemed at the end of each night for prizing (posted at the TCG Counter). LP used to redeem for prizing still count towards the Quarterfinals.
Prizing
The Cup will feature nightly prizing based on League Points, and a Top 10 prize structure following the Finals.
1st Place: ~$275 in Store Credit, Promo Card, Champion Playmat 2nd-4th: ~$50 in Store Credit, Promo Card, Finalist Playmat 5th-10th: ~$20 in Store Credit, Promo Card Value of Promo Cards are subjective, but will increase in value based on placement.
Points
The following will be awarded for each game during the Cup:
1st Place: 5 League Points 2nd Place: 3 League Points 3rd Place: 2 League Points 4th Place: 1 League Point 2. Deck Construction Requirements 2.1 Power Expectations
All decks submitted for league play must meet the following expectations:
Demonstrate strong internal synergy and high overall card quality Be capable of winning decisively through coherent game plans Include meaningful interaction and be reasonably disruptable by opponents Avoid tuning consistent with cEDH-speed environments Decks that are determined by staff to exceed these expectations may be subject to required modification or removal from league play.
3.1 Fast Mana
Each deck may include no more than two (2) fast mana cards total. Sol Ring does NOT count towards this limit.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
Mana Vault Lotus Petal Dark Ritual Similar effects that generate a net positive mana advantage ahead of curve
If a card enables a player to have access to three or more mana on turn one without a land-based ramp spell, it is presumed to be Fast Mana.
3.2 Tutors
Each deck may include no more than two (2) cards that search a library.
Clarifications:
Land-fetching effects (e.g., fetch lands or ramp spells that only find lands) do not count toward this limit Tutors with a mana value of four (4) or greater do not count toward this limit If a card allows a player to choose a specific card from their library, it is presumed to be a Tutor.
3.3 Free Interaction
Each deck may include no more than two (2) free interaction spells.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
Force of Will Fierce Guardianship Similar spells that may be cast without paying mana under certain conditions If a player can fully tap out and still counter, remove, or prevent a major opposing action without spending mana, the card is presumed to be Free Interaction.
3.4 Game Changers
Each deck may include no more than five (5) total game changers.
For the updated Oct 2025 Game Changers list, please see:
https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/commander-brackets-beta-update-october-21-2025
3.5 Bracket 3 Restrictions The following Bracket 3 restrictions will apply until turn 5.
No Mass Land Denial No Chaining Extra Turns No 2-Card Infinite Combos (Lockouts, shutdowns) 4. Combos and Win Conditions 4.1 Infinite Combos
Infinite combos, including two-card combos, are permitted only after Turn 5
Combos must be interactable under normal gameplay expectations
The following cards are banned as commanders, but remain legal in the 99:
Urza, Lord High Artificer Kaalia of the Vast Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy Vivi Ornitier Ghyrson Starn Tergrid, God of Fright Tymna the Weaver, when partnered with: Kraum, Ludevic’s Opus, or Thrasios, Triton Hero 6. General Ban Lists The league follows the current official Commander ban list maintained by Wizards of the Coast:
https://magic.wizards.com/en/banned-restricted-list
In addition to the official list, the Cosmic Cup-specific bans and restrictions outlined in this document are fully enforceable
Deck checks may be performed at any time during the season
Players found in violation of deck construction rules may be required to modify their deck immediately or forfeit league points earned with the noncompliant deck
Anti-Turbo Clause Games won before Turn 5 will award first place 4 League Points
No bonus points may be earned for wins before Turn 5
Each opposing player in such a game receives +1 League Point
The LP will NOT count towards reward redemptions
This rule exists to discourage overly fast wins without banning powerful strategies outright. Frequent wins before turn 5 may disqualify you from the Cup.
Entry Fee – $5
Paid on site
