Hello everyone! I'm Levi from The Thought Vessel, and today we're reflecting on a commander era of old. Just a few years ago, these cards were run in nearly every deck that could make use of them. But in today's age of power creep, we've gotten upgrades that are either better in specific situations or simply stronger overall. These are ten cards that were once commander staples but have since been outclassed.

Austere Command

This used to be the gold standard for modular board wipes, taking out key threats while still offering flexibility. Thanks to that versatility, Austere Command still shows up in precons occasionally. However, for less mana, we now have options like Cleansing Nova, another precon staple, or more focused board wipes like Damning Verdict and The Battle of Bywater. One-sided board wipes are far more plentiful than they once were.

Explosive Vegetation

It feels like every other set brings a new ramp spell that gets two lands, but with added value. Vastwood Surge grabs two basics and, with kicker, buffs your board with +1/+1 counters. Migration Path can be cycled away, and Skyshroud Claim puts the lands into play untapped. With so many improved options, there just isn't much space left for this card in most decks, especially with fewer decks wanting four-mana ramp spells in general, and if they do, are they wanting to add a fifth or sixth option?

Burnished Hart

Like Explosive Vegetation, this card suffers from better ramp options. It still has value in non-Green decks that want to ramp with lands, but we now have Wayfarer's Bauble and Solemn Simulacrum as cheaper or more impactful alternatives. While Burnished Hart can still be solid in recursion-based decks like Meren, the upfront cost of six total mana for two basics is steep. It's no longer an auto-include.

Oblivion Stone

This used to be a go-to board wipe in decks that lacked access to strong removal, especially Blue or Green builds, or ones that cared about artifacts. But at seven total mana to destroy everything, or more if you're trying to protect something with fate counters, it's simply too slow by today's standards.

Acidic Slime

Once a mono-Green all-star, this card offered versatile removal and a 2/2 deathtouch body. But five mana is a big ask now. For six, Kogla, the Titan Ape offers repeated artifact destruction and creature fights, plus bounce synergy with humans. For four mana, Druid of Purification can potentially take out multiple permanents. Acidic Slime just doesn't stand out like it used to.

Return to Dust

Speaking of hitting multiple targets, Return to Dust exiles two artifacts or enchantments if cast in the main phase. That's decent, but four mana is a lot for such conditional removal. With options like Swords to Plowshares handling creatures for one mana and Generous Gift removing anything for three, efficient spot removal is more important than ever to free up mana for board development.

Vindicate

It hits any permanent for three mana, which seems solid, but being sorcery speed is a real drawback. Generous Gift and Stroke of Midnight offer similar flexibility but at instant speed, allowing for better timing and reactive plays. Plus, the color requirements are easier to meet. That makes a big difference in gameplay.

Wrath of God

This applies to Damnation and other old-school "destroy all creatures" sweepers. These days, we have options like Damn for flexibility, Cyclonic Rift for blowouts, or more one-sided wipes like Ruinous Ultimatum, Damning Verdict, and Whelming Wave. Even when you just need a clean board wipe, Supreme Verdict is uncounterable, and Fumigate gains life. There are just too many better fits depending on your deck's needs.

Crucible of Worlds

With a major asterisk: we're only talking about decks that have access to Green. In mono-color or colorless decks, Crucible is still great. But with the rise of cards like Conduit of Worlds, Walk-In Closet // Forgotten Cellar, and Ancient Greenwarden, Green decks have access to land recursion with added value. While Crucible still sees play, it's no longer the automatic inclusion it once was.

Zendikar Resurgent

This was once a powerhouse for Green decks, doubling mana and drawing cards when casting creatures. But Commander no longer operates in a way that allows you to tap out for a seven-mana enchantment that doesn't do anything right away--and then hope to untap with it. With the speed of the format increasing, cards like Guardian Project, Beast Whisperer, and The Great Henge provide card draw at a better rate and tempo.

Now, I still like and play a good number of these cards. I never want to tell anyone what they can or can't play. Just because these cards aren't as strong as they once were doesn't mean they're any less fun. I don't think they'll ever completely disappear from the format, but it's nice to know there are plenty of other options out there. Until next time, happy gaming.