Like it’s the most annoying format every where 2 year olds always complain about your deck and don’t actually want you to win but just shuffle cards around for no reason and if you ever win they all just complain that you are playing a good deck (which is the entire point of the game), because all the annoying salty people don’t let others play what they want there is no interaction and the boards just fill up with 90 creatures and stupid 5 card combos that shouldn’t be playable and it’s a huge mess where no one even understands what’s going on, like how is this the most popular mtg format
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0la5DBtOVNI
So, anyway. Different people will obviously like different things about EDH. Personally, when I build a deck, I like to do it to play what I find fun or cool, not to build a deck that has the highest win percentage. When you think like that, deckbuilding becomes more like game design, instead of being part of what wins you the game. It’s like I’m trying to design a faction of a boardgame - sure, I could design my faction in such a way where it would win every game, but where’s the fun in that? Then, when the actual game starts, I do play my deck/faction to win, because where would be the fun in playing if you’re not trying to win?
I think you’re stuck in thinking about deckbuilding as part of trying to win the game, instead of seeing it as designing an enjoyable game, while trying to win the game only starts at turn 1.
I agree with your take. I played standard for years but I got discouraged over time because the format really limits what you can create and the cost of keeping up became exhausting. Everyone’s deck ends up looking and playing the same once you start playing competitively which is boring. This is also true for cEDH, but outside of competitive play the sky is the limit. You like a weird bunch of cards that no one would ever touch then go nuts and build your dream team. Want to limit your games to pauper or jank, go for it. Can’t afford to run 4 copies of a ridiculously priced card, don’t worry you only need on copy. I find commander easier to keep up and more enjoyable overall.