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Already known as MTG's most interactive format, the Elder Dragon Highlander format is getting a holiday update just in time for the end of the year. During a special show, personalities from a popular channel demonstrated a multiplayer match called "Holiday Countdown."

How the Holiday Variant Function

At its core involves a straightforward layer superimposed on a standard EDH game. One special indicator moves to each player. Upon reaching the current player's upkeep, the action briefly pauses. Every player secretly chooses if they will be being Nice or Naughty with the help of two cards.

The participants flip their card at the same time. Next, they apply the bonus linked to their own choice, starting with the person holding the token. The token is then passed clockwise. The countdown advances by one step, and standard gameplay resumes.

The Naughty/Nice options become more significant with each passing round continue, feeling carefully crafted.

Growing Effects

The initial phases granted small, table-wide advantages for the Nice path, like gaining life or Clue tokens. Conversely, Naughty options often gave more targeted advantages, frequently at the expense of an opponent. One round allowed those who picked Naughty create a 4/4 flying Reindeer token. Those who selected Nice made a 1/1 Toy creature token for all participants.

The Grand Arrival

During the eighth round, Santa Claus personally showed up, changing the match. According to the frequency with which a participant selected Nice versus Naughty, Santa distributed sealed “gifts”. They appeared to be small containers, but held Magic booster packs of varying value.

• The nicest player got a high-value special pack.
• The second-nicest player received a another type of Collector Booster.
• Another participant ended up with a less powerful set.
• The least nice player drew the short straw: a historically poor set that's essentially a punchline.

Every card unwrapped immediately became playable for the remainder of the match, played from outside the game with mana treating it as colorless. Players who were nice participants, their present became a huge advantage. Whereas, mischievous participants essentially got a disadvantage.

Recreating the Variant with Friends

Although the original showcase featured considerable production value, this is a concept that any group could easily replicate at home. Each player plays with their usual EDH deck, and the additional materials needed are four different MTG packs of varying value.

A possible challenge is that if everyone know ahead of time what being nice gets you, they all might aim for the top prize. You could change this with alternatives, like doing a mini-draft from a shared pool or letting players use specific cards from their binders.

From how the format played out, Countdown to XT-Mas is definitely a joyous way to create laughter this holiday season. It changes the dynamics in the game in a uniquely festive manner, creating a unique way to play among MTG fans everywhere.