Gavin Verhey
@gavinverhey.bsky.social
Principal Magic Designer at Wizards of the Coast. Former professional player. I fell down a volcano once. Watch me make Mtg: http://youtube.com/GoodMorningMagic
Today, after a trial unban period, we are re-banning High Tide in Pauper. This is due to a combination of power level, impact on player experience, and impact on the format as a whole.
Interested in a more detailed breakdown?
#wotcstaff
Interested in a more detailed breakdown?
#wotcstaff
November 10, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Today, after a trial unban period, we are re-banning High Tide in Pauper. This is due to a combination of power level, impact on player experience, and impact on the format as a whole.
Interested in a more detailed breakdown?
#wotcstaff
Interested in a more detailed breakdown?
#wotcstaff
I keep a copy of the Dutch version of the plane at my desk:
October 31, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I keep a copy of the Dutch version of the plane at my desk:
What are your favorite commons and uncommons for Commander OTHER than just top staples? Hit me with some faves!
Here's one that has been a big overperformer for me. Chips in for a ton of damage, and pretty easily to start making a 1/1 every turn with this in many blue decks. Nice card!
#wotcstaff
Here's one that has been a big overperformer for me. Chips in for a ton of damage, and pretty easily to start making a 1/1 every turn with this in many blue decks. Nice card!
#wotcstaff
October 1, 2025 at 8:57 PM
What are your favorite commons and uncommons for Commander OTHER than just top staples? Hit me with some faves!
Here's one that has been a big overperformer for me. Chips in for a ton of damage, and pretty easily to start making a 1/1 every turn with this in many blue decks. Nice card!
#wotcstaff
Here's one that has been a big overperformer for me. Chips in for a ton of damage, and pretty easily to start making a 1/1 every turn with this in many blue decks. Nice card!
#wotcstaff
As a kid, I fell in love with Star Trek - the exploration, characters, and dilemmas alike. So it was incredible to lead design a set covering the whole series! (Shout-out to @ethanfleischer.bsky.social who led vision!) I can't wait for you to see (and draft!) it in November 2026.
Engage!
Engage!
September 26, 2025 at 8:36 PM
As a kid, I fell in love with Star Trek - the exploration, characters, and dilemmas alike. So it was incredible to lead design a set covering the whole series! (Shout-out to @ethanfleischer.bsky.social who led vision!) I can't wait for you to see (and draft!) it in November 2026.
Engage!
Engage!
Really special week at Wizards: the Commander Summit. We brought out everyone on the Commander Format Panel who could make it for three days of talking, collaborating, and, of course, playing Commander!
So happy to be surrounded in working on this format with so many smart and passionate people. ❤️
So happy to be surrounded in working on this format with so many smart and passionate people. ❤️
September 6, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Really special week at Wizards: the Commander Summit. We brought out everyone on the Commander Format Panel who could make it for three days of talking, collaborating, and, of course, playing Commander!
So happy to be surrounded in working on this format with so many smart and passionate people. ❤️
So happy to be surrounded in working on this format with so many smart and passionate people. ❤️
What card would you put in THIS deck? 😆
I can't wait to see whatever deranged deck somebody builds with this Unknown prize card:
#wotcstaff
I can't wait to see whatever deranged deck somebody builds with this Unknown prize card:
#wotcstaff
August 4, 2025 at 10:54 PM
What card would you put in THIS deck? 😆
I can't wait to see whatever deranged deck somebody builds with this Unknown prize card:
#wotcstaff
I can't wait to see whatever deranged deck somebody builds with this Unknown prize card:
#wotcstaff
Got my weird promo Kor Skyfishers signed here at GenCon. How many of you even knew these existed???
I look forward to defeating people in Pauper with my signed, no expansion symbol cards that advertise the website for the very game we're already playing:
#wotcstaff
I look forward to defeating people in Pauper with my signed, no expansion symbol cards that advertise the website for the very game we're already playing:
#wotcstaff
August 1, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Got my weird promo Kor Skyfishers signed here at GenCon. How many of you even knew these existed???
I look forward to defeating people in Pauper with my signed, no expansion symbol cards that advertise the website for the very game we're already playing:
#wotcstaff
I look forward to defeating people in Pauper with my signed, no expansion symbol cards that advertise the website for the very game we're already playing:
#wotcstaff
Had a blast swinging by our #MTGxSpiderMan off-site here at SDCC! It really makes you say, "BRING ME PICTURES OF SPIDERMAN!"
#wotcstaff
#wotcstaff
July 25, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Had a blast swinging by our #MTGxSpiderMan off-site here at SDCC! It really makes you say, "BRING ME PICTURES OF SPIDERMAN!"
#wotcstaff
#wotcstaff
Friends (thanks to @ifycomedy.com for making this night happen) and fit!
Could we be entering a never before seen dark colors Gavin outfit era?? (Don't get your hopes up)
Could we be entering a never before seen dark colors Gavin outfit era?? (Don't get your hopes up)
July 12, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Friends (thanks to @ifycomedy.com for making this night happen) and fit!
Could we be entering a never before seen dark colors Gavin outfit era?? (Don't get your hopes up)
Could we be entering a never before seen dark colors Gavin outfit era?? (Don't get your hopes up)
Absolutely bananas night last night doing night one of My Chemical Romance's new tour. They *literally* set the stage on fire!
July 12, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Absolutely bananas night last night doing night one of My Chemical Romance's new tour. They *literally* set the stage on fire!
Last year, we finally made enemy Odyssey filterlands. That went well - and other land cycles still need finishing up...
So starting with #MTGEternities we're gradually rolling out enemy cycling+tango lands in precons! (Just shown on
@commandcast.bsky.social!) Commanders and Cubers rejoice!
So starting with #MTGEternities we're gradually rolling out enemy cycling+tango lands in precons! (Just shown on
@commandcast.bsky.social!) Commanders and Cubers rejoice!
July 9, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Last year, we finally made enemy Odyssey filterlands. That went well - and other land cycles still need finishing up...
So starting with #MTGEternities we're gradually rolling out enemy cycling+tango lands in precons! (Just shown on
@commandcast.bsky.social!) Commanders and Cubers rejoice!
So starting with #MTGEternities we're gradually rolling out enemy cycling+tango lands in precons! (Just shown on
@commandcast.bsky.social!) Commanders and Cubers rejoice!
Thanks, Moogles! How'd we do recreating this? (With @itsannamargaret.com, @zabracus.bsky.social, and @parkerbliss.bsky.social)
#wotcstaff
#wotcstaff
July 9, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Thanks, Moogles! How'd we do recreating this? (With @itsannamargaret.com, @zabracus.bsky.social, and @parkerbliss.bsky.social)
#wotcstaff
#wotcstaff
Sorry, I'm in the tank
July 8, 2025 at 6:17 AM
Sorry, I'm in the tank
The meta at Paupergeddon was FANTASTIC. 6 archetypes in T8, a diverse day 2 field, and the whole thing was won by CAW-GATE - one of just 5 copies in 1106 players!
In my 22 matches over the weekend, I faced 16 different decks! It's so varied and fun. Give Pauper a try!
#wotcstaff
In my 22 matches over the weekend, I faced 16 different decks! It's so varied and fun. Give Pauper a try!
#wotcstaff
July 7, 2025 at 1:10 AM
The meta at Paupergeddon was FANTASTIC. 6 archetypes in T8, a diverse day 2 field, and the whole thing was won by CAW-GATE - one of just 5 copies in 1106 players!
In my 22 matches over the weekend, I faced 16 different decks! It's so varied and fun. Give Pauper a try!
#wotcstaff
In my 22 matches over the weekend, I faced 16 different decks! It's so varied and fun. Give Pauper a try!
#wotcstaff
Some people prepare for High Tide with sideboard choices. This guy prepares with wardrobe choices:
July 6, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Some people prepare for High Tide with sideboard choices. This guy prepares with wardrobe choices:
Out here at Paupergeddon in Italy, where a whopping 1106 players have shown up! That makes this... the biggest Pauper event EVER!
It's been amazing watching this community grow and grow. It's like 400 people larger than my first one in 2023. Let's play some Pauper!!
#wotcstaff
It's been amazing watching this community grow and grow. It's like 400 people larger than my first one in 2023. Let's play some Pauper!!
#wotcstaff
July 5, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Out here at Paupergeddon in Italy, where a whopping 1106 players have shown up! That makes this... the biggest Pauper event EVER!
It's been amazing watching this community grow and grow. It's like 400 people larger than my first one in 2023. Let's play some Pauper!!
#wotcstaff
It's been amazing watching this community grow and grow. It's like 400 people larger than my first one in 2023. Let's play some Pauper!!
#wotcstaff
How much does it make a difference to you that Rinoa creates a 1/1 legendary Dog named Angelo versus just creating a 1/1 Dog with the same art that is clearly Angelo?
Like the extra flavor nod? Not worth the extra words/unique token? Same either way? Let me know!
#wotcstaff
Like the extra flavor nod? Not worth the extra words/unique token? Same either way? Let me know!
#wotcstaff
June 25, 2025 at 6:35 PM
How much does it make a difference to you that Rinoa creates a 1/1 legendary Dog named Angelo versus just creating a 1/1 Dog with the same art that is clearly Angelo?
Like the extra flavor nod? Not worth the extra words/unique token? Same either way? Let me know!
#wotcstaff
Like the extra flavor nod? Not worth the extra words/unique token? Same either way? Let me know!
#wotcstaff
This MagicCon I finally got to meet someone I've followed for years. When he introduced himself I fanboyed out and was like we have to take a photo!
This is the face behind @cardboard-crack.bsky.social!
Thanks for all the laughs, commentary, and heartfelt introspection on Magic. ❤️❤️
#wotcstaff
This is the face behind @cardboard-crack.bsky.social!
Thanks for all the laughs, commentary, and heartfelt introspection on Magic. ❤️❤️
#wotcstaff
June 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
This MagicCon I finally got to meet someone I've followed for years. When he introduced himself I fanboyed out and was like we have to take a photo!
This is the face behind @cardboard-crack.bsky.social!
Thanks for all the laughs, commentary, and heartfelt introspection on Magic. ❤️❤️
#wotcstaff
This is the face behind @cardboard-crack.bsky.social!
Thanks for all the laughs, commentary, and heartfelt introspection on Magic. ❤️❤️
#wotcstaff
Are you ever just like "Wow. I live here??"
If not, Seattle may be right for you:
If not, Seattle may be right for you:
June 24, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Are you ever just like "Wow. I live here??"
If not, Seattle may be right for you:
If not, Seattle may be right for you:
(He's been here the whole time.)
June 21, 2025 at 10:06 PM
(He's been here the whole time.)
Celebrity Chaos Draft with @benbatemanmtg.bsky.social live on stage here at MagicCon featuring almost every pack ever made. Literally placed in a treasure chest. This is unreal:
#wotcstaff
#wotcstaff
June 21, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Celebrity Chaos Draft with @benbatemanmtg.bsky.social live on stage here at MagicCon featuring almost every pack ever made. Literally placed in a treasure chest. This is unreal:
#wotcstaff
#wotcstaff
June 18, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Had a great weekend in NYC with some other Wizards where we visited Magic stores, met with store owners and players, gathered feedback, and saw how the release of #MTGxFINALFANTASY has been!
It was a packed but fun time. The Magic scene in NYC is awesome - thanks to everyone for chatting with us!
It was a packed but fun time. The Magic scene in NYC is awesome - thanks to everyone for chatting with us!
June 16, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Had a great weekend in NYC with some other Wizards where we visited Magic stores, met with store owners and players, gathered feedback, and saw how the release of #MTGxFINALFANTASY has been!
It was a packed but fun time. The Magic scene in NYC is awesome - thanks to everyone for chatting with us!
It was a packed but fun time. The Magic scene in NYC is awesome - thanks to everyone for chatting with us!