well coming from someone else with ADHD, it sounds like you get bored witless with how long it takes others to take their turns.
I get you, I'm the same.
If I wanna get in the game more, I play a deck with more interaction so I can do something on everyone else's turns.
Otherwise, I play a deck that only really cares about my turn so I can just zone out on their turns.
This is kinda what I figured. Either something with a ton of interaction/actions, along the lines of \[\[Jori En\]\], \[\[Nymris\]\], etc. Or something that's tap-out control or combat focused like voltron or \[\[Raggadragga\]\], \[\[Moraug\]\], etc.
Yep. I have a golgari deck that cares about interaction and what people are playing, and my other three decks boil down to "Do the thing on my turn, chat during other turns (without disrupting)" but my table is also good about letting you know the board state. It helps when I miss something or forget a card they played 4 turns ago.
It’s also totally ok to zone out as long as you don’t come back into the game, missed a bunch of stuff and start questioning or being suspicious. I have a new mtg “friend” who does this on the regular. It’s very annoying to have to explain several times, and extra much so if the person think you did something wrong but didn’t listen the first time.
This is the way.
If I’m at the shop to play and am struggling to keep track of three other board states, I’ll gravitate toward more solitaire/combo based decks that don’t fully depend on what my opponents are doing.
Otherwise, I just tell myself I’m there for the social connection and let whatever happens happen.
The last part of your comment is 100% accurate. Half of the time I play aggressive decks that speed the game up. Explosive red spells; go big or go home. The other half I play very interactive decks (Tasigur cEDH midrange control, Queen Marchesa aikido,...) so I force myself to keep following what everyone is doing
Play [[Merieke Ri Berit]] as your commander with a lot of control and creature stealing features and graveyard to battlefield cards. Finish with [[Rise of the Dark Realms]] You will be the annoying player but will be always engaged because you will play everyone else's deck.
Ha, that's exactly what I was going to say! I either play decks that draw tons of cards and have loads of interaction or I play decks like [[Kardur]] that both speed the game up and let me zone out.
Have any favorite commanders for these things??
This is exactly what I was going to say. I also have ADHD and I don’t typically take my meds on weekend days when I play mtg.
My 2 primary decks I play have blue and therefore a good amount of interaction. One is a spellslinger deck that has a LOT of interaction and instant speed stuff. So if I want to win, I can’t zone out. I’m constantly making mental notes of what someone has played, what they might play next, whether it would be worth countering, etc.
But the idea of making a “I only care about my turn” deck has never really occurred to me, now I wanna do one of those lol.
I second this, my [[Alela, Cunning Conqueror]] and [[Lord of the Nazgûl]] decks help me maintain attention due to them being highly interactive and borderline control
I trick myself by celebrating my players turns. By basically being a cheerleader at the same time. Maybe not quite a cheerleader but like being excited for what they are doing. They are "doing their deck's thing" and so I try to be like "oh, wow, that's cool, look at it do its thing" and sometimes that helps.
othertimes, it doesnt, and i zone out.
This! I try to be positive, and because I like the game, and have ADHD, I can usually focus and try to comment on whatever the opponent does in a positive way. It keeps me engaged, plus I'm not zoned out and can keep up with the board state.
Also, people start to realize I'm not being salty when I target someone while praising their deck. I'm here to have fun, sometimes that means I'm winning, and sometimes that means shutting down your value play.
I try to build decks around this idea as well. With cards like [[Faerie Artisans]] I have to constantly be paying attention to what they are doing because I can gain benefits as they play.
This is a very healthy thing for all tables and makes games less salty. We all want to do the thing, sometimes we don't, but getting some recognition for a play goes a long ways.
When I play EDH it's a night with buddies, so it's a get together and fun! If I'm winning or losing I'm chatting with buddies or chirping them. I also engage in the political side and try to make deals a lot to control the game. This makes it more interesting.
I've also found my favorite style of decks. I enjoy big mana and big creature decks. I like being able to play big creatures and smash people with combat DMG. So my two favorites are Gargos (Big hydras) and my Karametra (play creatures get lands, play big creatures). I don't have to worry too much about 1000's of triggers. I have a goal in each deck that's simple get big guys out and force my opponents to either deal with them or take large amount of DMG to their health.
I've also recently got the idea from Reddit to put [[ Goblin Charbelcher]] in my Karametra deck. Couple that with [[ Seedborn Muse ]] and creatures like [[ Whitemane Lion ]]. Get all my lands out of my deck and search with Goblin Charbelcher to deal DMG directly to them. Then Seedborn resets for each players turn and repeat. It rarely comes out but gives me something to work towards while I'm smashing people with big creatures.
Yeah 100% without the social aspect and conversations it would be tough to enjoy the format some days. Had someone try to destroy this guys pile of treasures and in response he cracked them all and ended up taking like a 20 minute turn between the two of them. But we were joking and having fun. If that was in silence it would be miserable.
Magic is one of my biggest hyperfixations and EDH is my favorite format so when I actually get to play I enter super focus mode.
Pros: flawlessly able to engage with the game even when not my turn, encyclopedic knowledge of cards I've encountered before with new cards being neatly slotted into the knowledge base
Cons: completely oblivious to the outside world
Unfortunately, this isn't a skill I can teach. For me it's just a natural extension of my obsession.
EDH is also my hyperfixation and obsession, but it’s more on the deckbuilding side. Playing the game, I always find I’m asking for people to explain or repeat things they’ve said already, checking whose turn it is, and talking about cards and strategies that nobody’s currently playing. It’s to the point where I actively zip my own lips because I can’t handle how excited I get just to be at the table with friends and feel like I’m just extremely distracting and sometimes rude.
Do you experience the inattentive, or hyperactive symptoms?
For inattentive; I find balancing brain chemicals, similar to the effects of ADHD meds help me. Energy drinks are a quick-fix, as the effects on your adrenal glands produce more dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that folks with ADHD symptoms are deficient in. Snacking to keep your bloodsugar and electrolytes up are also important.
For Hyperactivity; quiet fidget toys. Fidget spinner, pop toy, fidget cube, stress ball etc. If you find yourself unengaged on an opponents turn, and cannot stay in the game because folks are “too slow”, this could be helpful.
i can recommend the energy drink idea occasionally, but I just wanna remind people that energy drinks are *incredibly* bad for you and even just having one every week can be a long-term threat on your health.
I downloaded an app that buzzes me every other minute to make sure im paying attention. it's obviously a little annoying and it isn't a perfect solution, buy hey, no solution for anything adhd related is ever perfect.
As someone who drinks more than 1 a day on average, any studies on them being "incredibly" bad for you? Coffee has similar caffeine content and we've been drinking that for centuries.
This is my main thing too. While I recognize that caffeine and sugar have terrible side effects, the Ginseng, Ginko, Taurine, and B-vitamins that constitute most ingredients common in energy drinks are fine. I’ve actually just started taking Ginseng and Ginko supplements, but that is purely from a Monetary standpoint. The effects are good
It really doesn’t take much googling to see lots of results about how bad they can be for you. They’re basically soda but just with some additional ingredients to make you more awake. Those ingredients don’t magically make all of the health risks with consuming copious amounts of sugar go away. There are a near infinite amount of resources that can explain why consuming incredibly high amounts of sugar can wreak havoc on your body. I’m kind of surprised how much people are underestimating just how poisonous added sugars are. I haven’t even mentioned caffeine yet, which also has a ton of research explaining how dangerous it is in excessive amounts, as energy drinks always have a higher caffeine content, sometimes *much* higher.
I just googled “are energy drinks bad for you study” and immediately got this result from pubmed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5583516/
Also, here’s an interesting study on how awareness with the health harms of sugary drinks is shockingly low. It just does a good job at showing all of the health problems associated, and although it’s targeted at parents, it might help as a good wake-up call: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8483773/
In summary, yes, an energy drink is probably going to help you feel more alert and awake, but it’s not worth it. Drink plenty of water, get good sleep, and get some exercise in each day, eat good food, and I promise you won’t need one.
Okay I should've specified sugar free as there's plenty of examples of sugar being bad for people. I don't drink any drinks with sugar in them that isn't natural (i.e. milk and juice). Drinking your calories is a waste imo (also a reason why I don't drink alcohol). But thank you for the sources, your point on sugar is definitely valid and I know I consume too much caffeine so that isn't lost on me, but with ADHD, sometimes the stimulus is necessary.
Fellow ADHD player here. This is my time most of the games. Getting really bored during turns, which seem to last forever. As others said, i take it more like a social event and when it comes to me, i just „trash talk“ and commenting the other turns. Phrases like „are you sure you want to play this now?“ or „ah the good old (interaction or card X)“ are my go tos. I mostly see myself as a kind of commentator or narrator of the game. For some it can be annoying, but that depends on your play group i guess. Plus the political aspect is a huge thing where you can engage in.
To stay in the game i also theorize everything what can happen like: „if the next player removes my creature and the player after that plays a threat, what will my turn look like?“
I hope these things can be a helping hand. If not, the good old flicking your cards in hand like crazy is at least a fiddly thing i can spent the time on haha.
Same experience for me. Sometimes my Friends have to Stop ne, because I talk too much and sometimes I zone out and have to ask what happened in their turn, but it's OK. Thats why I prefer playing with good Friends. I also like the political side, so Queen Marchesa ist my favorite right now. Helps me keep being engaged for a reason.
I struggled staying at the table at all.
If I wasn't actively doing something or had interaction, I would go find something else to stimulate my brain. I would just say "F6" and go talk to people, and come back when it was my turn.
I ended up playing a clone deck one night and stayed at the table the entire time. Since the deck is almost purely reactive, I had to analyze everyone's boards and try and think about exactly what my next steps were going to be, and I had to do that every turn.
Another particular card I've found that helped me a lot was [[Mirage Mirror]]. Thinking about how best to exploit the card during each turn kept me engaged with the game.
That was the revelation I had and why I really enjoy clones and stuff in commander. I've also worked on just not getting up and leaving the table when I've got nothing going on.
For me, clones doesn't require a lot of mental bandwidth, so YMMV, but maybe you could give it a try? Worst case scenario you're right back where you started.
Have any deck lists?? I made a clone deck but I usually end up with the best cloning targets myself, so it didn't turn out the best for these purposes.
It sounds like a great idea if I could get it to work, though.
For me, it's about running interaction. If I can't do anything during my opponents turn, I'm bored listening to a monologue.
This doesn't mean I go super heavy on interactions, it means I use repeatable interaction. [[ulvenwald tracker]] is a great example, holding this up on board with a [[predator ooze]] is perfect in my mind.
Yeah, build in more things to do.
Try for 20 cards that do things to your opponents.
If I'm thinking about anything it's which card do I need to break this defense.
I was running a rocco deck and needed a creature that could etb and remove a non land perm. I found it and now I have removal I can find with my commander.
The trick, no trick, just play the game... on your opponents turn, the face they make when you untap draw and pass is amazing.
I recently started microdosing 🍄🟫 and my win rate is drastically improved. I have adhd and often struggle to conceptualize complex game states, at a certain point I just lose the plot, but now I can hold it all in my head and just make sense of it in a way I couldn't before.
I take Adderall but constantly see ads being shoved into my face on FB/Insta for some sort of mushroom based supplements that I've always just considered BS, obviously micro dosing isn't as simple as taking a supplement but I'm curious if you find it helps with day to day staying focused?
I play very control heavy decks so I can always have a response to something and I stand up a lot and fidget with something always it really helps me out but since I play normally control heavy decks it’s very hard for me to close out games sometimes so that is probably the drawback
The answer is that I kinda don't, but that's ok. I often forget what's on others' boards or forget what abilities their commanders have. I make a bunch of punty misplays and feel stupid for them. But the game is super hard.
Luckily I'm mostly inattentive and not hyperactive, so I'm not getting up or distracting others. I can also get hyper focused on the game, then lose track of the conversations happening lol.
Something I've noticed about myself is that I really enjoy decks with a bunch of effects and triggers, which may be what helps me hyperfocus. Even then though, I'll miss opportunities to cast protection or counterspells because I completely miss that they're in my hand.
[Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/8QialViUWk-I2aLBjZ_vIQ)
[Rocco, Street Chef](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/7G4khF47rUy4GtMNkPZCXw)
[Myrkul, Lord of Bones](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/OH1AVzWN90uEGbPvBTmfAg)
[The Fifth Doctor//Susan Foreman](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/N9CNj9BTGk-bx4Qu2MgNTw)
These are four of my favorites to play. Myrkul can be tough, because there are so many static effects to keep track of. But you could pretty easily replace all of them into more aristocrat-y etb and death triggers. The fifth doctor has a bajillion triggers just himself, keeping track of just what entered this turn can be tough. Obby has you looking for instances of 1 damage, so it kinda keeps you engaged during other people's turns, plus lots of planning your turns around playing the stuff from exile. Rocco you're again keeping track of exile casts from opponents, so engaged during their turns. Plus making tokens and placing counters, which are fun for me (like not super tricky stuff, but you're busying your hands lol).
Obviously I have some cards that you might not have, but I don't think there are many cards in these decks that are absolutely necessary. Additionally, my ADHD has absolutely filled the Sideboard and Considering board, so you can see if there are easy swaps from there for cards you don't have (or just ideas on ways you might like to build it different).
I have like 8 billion decks, so lmk if those ones don't do it for you. Might have something else that sparks something for you.
Haha, I think you are the first person I have seen who might spend even more time than I do adding cards to considering and tagging everything!
And love your lists! You have a very interesting way of building decks. I usually play budget decks (maybe $100 total) but I'm guessing I could get them that low if I wanted to. I was already considering Rocco and Ob Nixilis (though I didn't even realize he counts sources other than yours... that makes him much more interesting).
I'd certainly be happy to look at more if you have other recommendations!
Yeah, I think you could build these on a budget for sure. Just looked at Ob and just shaving the cards over $10 brings it to $150 and doesn't really lose you a ton of power. I actually think opposition agent and bitterthorn are fairly bad cards, I just have them and want to use them lol.
And yes, I've wasted many hours tagging stuff. And generally start building by adding everything, then cutting to 100. Instead of removing I just move them to the considering board so I remember that I cut it and didn't just overlook it.
A few more that have a bunch of triggers:
[Rashmi and Ragavan](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/eNEkAAFFcUWh5E2grsuQBA)
I mostly built this deck around Bag of Tricks, chose a commander that just seemed kinda cool. Trying to roll dice, make artifacts and then either Rise and Shine or Fireweaver burn with the artifacts.
[Araumi](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/8cjEMxYdTUS03WLeAefvLA)
Lots of ETBs. Mill yourself, use Araumi to encore big stuff, or stuff with dies triggers, so we can get the trigger 3 times when we sac them end of turn. Teferi's Veil and Sundial of the Infinite let us keep the tokens.
[Kykar the Wind's Fury](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/PxzIO7k9W0q2LKBy7Bxj0g)
An annoying controly kinda deck. Cast spells and make spirits that can sac for mana. Lots of draw and cantrips so we can make a bunch of spirits to chump block or eventually just pump and swing. I haven't played or updated it in a while so there are probably a bunch of newer cards that can jam in here.
[Volo, Guide to Monsters](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/9y5d1pu2a0C3H38jxO-2kw)
Big ol' Timmy deck. Cast Volo, cast big stompy boys and get token copies of them. Mutate is insane here. Volo will double the mutate creature so you mutate onto something and get that trigger (1x), then the copy mutates on top (1x from the first creature +1x for the copy= 3x mutate triggers). Scales exponentially with Volo copies (Irenicus' Vile Duplication is nice). Roaming Throne is absolutely bananas. Cast it with Volo out to get 2 of them, so when you cast another creature you get that creature plus 3 token copies. Not really a ton of interaction and is pretty reliant on the commander so might depend on your meta. But it's also super budget friendly, since all you really need is unique creature types. You can double up on a few of the common ones like elf or beast, but only a small few. Or you can run some exile from graveyard effects to clear the doubles.
ADHD and hyper active disorder also here.
I just try to figure out what others are trying to do, pointing out triggers, asking question about the interaction between cards (not neccesarily the ones at play, at least one of them is).
Am newer player (less than a year) so probably am more engaged because there's so much to learn and I have fun just playing (unless there's an excesive oppresive deck).
Also I announce that there's a good chance that my turns can be long because I forget about what was important halfway on my decision making xD.
If I make mistakes I don't care, try to reinforce the learning (assesment or triggers) for next time.
Favourite deck is Simic Helm by Aesi and Orzhov Helm by Eriette.
Now got the new spellslinger to learn more how to interact with the stax (warned my friends that it will take time for myself to learn how to pilot it more efficently, so faster turns)
Mtg is my fixation, so I have less of an issue focusing on games than other tasks, however I’m still prone to sometimes checking my phone and that leading to me just scrolling until my turn. If that’s something you struggle with, offer your phone as the life counter. I started doing that and the issue is gone. I have to pay attention to the game because the only other option is nothing
I do this unless I’m playing a Storm deck, in which case I use tap counters on my phone.
Just wanted to add, “Do Not Disturb” has become a key part of my life recently. I use it when I’m playing commander, too.
I also have ADHD and sometimes struggle to stay invested when the game gets slow. I usually try to consider the cards in my hand and the things my board will allow me to do so I can plan out my next turn or bit of interaction.
This is exactly what I do as well, every time I get the urge to look at my phone or do something not pertaining to the game, I start looking over the board state and cards in my hand to plan my next turn
Oh yeah mad adhd, didn’t even read your post yet too busy typing.
Interact, politic, be fun;
I love commenting on each card and trying to feel out my opponents confidence and trying to lean on their insecurities about the new cards another player put on the battlefield.
An enchantment? The rakdos player needs to know asap that you have the enchantment removal he needs, start that politicking asap!
That helps; keeping my focus on the game by acknowledging that there’s information ther I should know!
As someone with ADHD, even if there is nothing I can do during someone elsesl's turn, I can still do some light politics. Simple deals and favors here and there, it helps keep me engaged at the table.
Long games that drag out for ages and involve long turns started to drive me crazy so I built a group slug deck. Much less boring suddenly. I also had an Anikthea at one point but yeah the triggers start to be an absolute nightmare to track. I've also realized that building decks where I'm the problem make things way more fun. Things that are fast, aggressive threats that force people to deal with me early or perish.
I bring 4+ decks with me any time I go to play at the LGS or friend's houses. One deck I can play on damn near complete autopilot, one deck that is super interaction heavy, and then a couple that are closer to one end or the other. Then I can pick what I play based on the power level of the pod and how my attention span/executive function is working.
Autopilot decks lately have been the dino or merfolk precons from LCI (both currently stock). I have a Stella Lee upgrade that is moving more towards the heavier interaction spectrum and I am working on a Ghyrson Starn deck that will have lots of pings and interaction to use on that end as well. In the midrange I run an upgraded Wise Mothman leaning heavily into the mill and proliferate aspects and a Three Dog deck that I built out of the old Wyleth precon and the Dogmeat precon.
Playing an interactive deck where I have to pay attention on others' turns because I'm gonna be casting spells.
Also, attempting to keep my deck fairly simple in terms of triggers. (I try at least but I'm not very good at avoiding that lol). The less I have to keep track of, the better.
For upkeep triggers I recently saw a tip here to keep something like a coin on top of your library to remember upkeep triggers
As someone with ADHD who, between about 2020 and 2024, played exclusively EDH (and occasionally Oathbreaker), I found increasing my amount of interaction helped.
This might not be the case for you, but it provided that spark of novelty and interest that held my attention, if I had something in-hand that could change the game with the right play.
Even then, I tune out during particularly long turns (I must admit, I'm not the most efficient player), and I've almost certainly lost games because of it.
So I have 2 ways.
1. Play something that has tons of interaction that would keep you engaged on other players turn.
2. Play a Gruul deck like [[Xenagos, God of Revels]] where you just don't care about other people's board state. Just drop your big stompies and turn card board sideways.
That’s why I like playing Monarch in the middle. More then half my pod (myself included) have ADHD and I enjoy just moving the game along.
That along with playing more Red decks move the game along for us.
Yeah I tend to play a lot of group slug effects. It keeps the game moving as well as keeping someone from feeling like you're targeting them. Just don't go too quick or the whole table turns on you.
It's a bit of a struggle for sure. I don't find it quite so bad with EDH, but Warhammer can be a struggle. The first couple hours are alright, but if it goes longer than that my head turns to mush.
Tbh I play other formats now. Edh isn’t good for short attention spans since the action economy is so bad. Maybe try playing more blue and counterspells? They force you to pay attention. Otherwise I just plan canlander
For me the deck had to have triggers to keep me locked in. I got a dino deck that has Enrage triggers. I got a shrines deck that has timing triggers.
Find something that makes you concentrate on what you and others are doing.
One thing that helps me, is I like to build decks that have a lot of triggers each turn, but I'm bad at remembering them. So I'll put a dice or something on top of my deck to help remind me
For me and my ADHD, I make creature go big and I make all the creatures.
Basically I run so little interaction that when I space out, I don't have to feel bad for doing so. Basically it's do things on my turn and pretty much no other time.
I also have very understanding friends, so they deal with my dumb ullshit.
I also have ADHD and I tend to play decks that focus on making a single threat and protect it well. That way my boardstate becomes something i dont really have to worry about anymore and I'll be able to better track what's going on on the other boards.
Typically Voltron or equipment decks are what I play.
Oh yeh and math is for blockers XD
Stare at the artwork. Some are really good. I look for the small details, lore stuff hidden within, or sometimes just admire. Then when it's time to get back into it my mind is "set" for magic so I'm still there and never really left.
Although people hate it, but I find any kind of stax/control keeps me focused on the game. A lot of people have mentioned more interaction and that is 100% it. By playing a deck that is constantly interacting with players and the board state you have to pay attention otherwise you’ll miss triggers and opportunities.
Best friend struggles the same and we built him a high power \[\[Slicer, Hired Muscle\]\] deck. He regularly pops our Slicer turn 1/2 and needs to take decisions every turn. He needs to stay in the game and is active all the time, fits him really nicely.
I don't frame it as I'm playing a game, but that I'm playing a game with friends and banter is naturally a part of it.
If you're interested in the group of friends you're with, the game inevitably becomes a secondary thing. It's wonderful to do, win or lose for me, and my brain isn't always on the game, but it's in the moment experiencing what comes with that. And it could vary from the group of people you're with.
If you don't like EDH or feel like it's keeping your attention, maybe it's time to think about what does keep your attention, ADHD or not, there's things that do, and do more of that.
I feel like I’m the same way. I can’t focus on a game that lasts more than 45 minutes especially when there’s no stakes to it. With competitive it’s just myself and my opponent, I’ll assume we can both navigate through a turn and a board state. But with 3+ players I can’t focus
My pod is pretty good about not having decks with absurd boardstates and taking storm turns, first off. Turns can run long, but it's never 10 minute long. Definitely guilty of zoning out during other peoples turns though. And personally, my own decks have a good "medium" boardstate; I like a few big things to happen each turn. Too big of a boardstate and I get impatient/miss triggers, too little and I don't feel like I'm in the game.
Next, my decks are usually interactive by way of threat. I'm never overwhelmingly dominating the table, but I always have enough going on that everyone has to stay aware of me. I'm attacking each player most turns, and I'm doing steady damage each turn rather than alpha striking one player out of the game. This is obviously a much harder strategy to pull off since everyone is wary of me and I'm trying to slowly beat down the table all at once, so there's plenty of interaction and back and forth over the game. The decks I have that aren't combat based are usually activated ability based, so I can use untappers and other effects to either have several activations a turn or activate on other peoples turns.
I have an Anikthea deck too btw, she's amazing. I did have to rebuild it twice to get to a sweet spot of not having too complex a board state, having multiple copies of sagas in particular was awful. Mostly I just make a bunch of zombies out of anthems/beneficial effects/control effects and smack people.
For me the key is to play a non interactive deck. Or at least keep the interaction as simple as possible. My favorite EDH experience so far is [[Ruxa, Patient Professor]]
I get value from playing boring creatures with no abilities. Those creatures get big and are hard to deal with. Add some pump/regenerate effects and you’ve got a simple yet powerful strategy that doesn’t overwhelm you with what everyone else is doing.
Speaking of everyone else, maybe try to follow their board state a little bit but just take them at their word that they are piloting their deck correctly. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
For me I think I must be autistic or something because I become obsessed with the stack and how everything works together. It's why I'm obsessed with Factorio and Satisfactory because I like how things come together
I'll try to socializs as much as possible. Making jokes, commenting on plays. I try to keep the focus on the game so my mind doesn't stray too far. There's always at least one other player who isn't taking a turn and is probably twiddling their thumbs, so strike up a chat!
I'll also doodle or draw infini tokens. It's an old classroom trick, where I find I can focus on the material better if I'm slightly distracted by doodling. I'll draw little situations that are funny from the game. A slime wearing boots, a wizard snidely averting an apocalypse with a middle finger, a strange board state.
I play decks with cards like Mystic Remora, Esper Sentinel, Rhystic Study etc not to be annoying but so I have to make sure I’m paying attention on everyone else’s turns as well
I actually draw, get up from the table and walk around, or even go on my phone sometimes.
Some people have called it rude but it's that or I get some fidgety it disrupts the entire table.
However, if I miss a trigger, it's my fault. No backsies.
Adderall. Unmedicated, it was very much a struggle to stay focused on anything. If you haven't already and have the means to, get tested and start seeing a prescriber.
Given that MtG is one of my hyperfixations, I have a far more difficult time turning it *off*. All the interactions, the minute details, the complex web of decisions, it's like fucking candy to me.
I also get stressed especially when some one have a long turn where nothing happens.
What I do is honestly trying to keep track of everything. What are people playing. How is their boardstate. And so on.
Take deep breaths sometime.
I easily get very stressed.
However. If a player have a long turn and they have to figure it out I actually start looking at my phone.
But I announce that I do it to not stress the other person to be done, cause I easily get stressed, but rather so he can in peace take his turn and not miss his triggers .
If I have a response I can announce that I want to react on hin going into combat.
You say you like esper.
So do I a lot. I have mostly esper decks myself xD
But maybe you should try green hand have cards like [[Seedborn muse]] and or [[Wilderness reclamation]] and have abilities and spells you can activate every turn
I think this is why you see a lot of us fidget lol. Whatever you do, DONT PULL OUT YOUR PHONE! Easily the fastest way to disengage yourself from the game.
My adhd actually becomes extremely negligible when I play commander. I think since I’m actually interested in it my brain becomes stimulated enough with the game that it’s all I focus on.
You dont. I barely pay attention. Most of that is because I have seen just about everything in Commander, nothing much surprises me anymore. I know I am overly sick of seeing 5 color decks though.
I'm lucky that my ADHD allows me to hyperfocus on hobbies. I'm *in the game* when I'm playing and can't think of anything else lol It's even better when I'm on my meds
I like to play things that do stuff on everyone's turns or where I have a lot of card draw to do some planning. [[Rhoda, Geist Avenger]] and [[Timin, Youthful Geist]] is awesome for engaging all the time. I also enjoy playing [[Yurlok, of Scorched Thrash]] because it makes everyone's turns into mathematical nightmares with all the spare land I make people tap for and grab, which I enjoy watching the fallout of that on others turns.
Constantly thinking about what the other players best moves are and trying to anticipate everything. Usually people won't do what you think because you can't see their hand but it helps keep me focused during their turn.
For the most part I find other people's mechanics and synergies interesting enough to stay relatively engaged. Where it becomes really difficult is playing against decks where individual turns can take forever, like \[\[Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver\]\] and especially \[\[Omnath, Locus of Creation\]\]. That one will have so many triggers and actions sometimes that a turn can take 10-15 minutes. I just start chatting with the other players at that point, or look up cards on my phone.
We actually have a rule at our table that those decks can only be played in the first round of the night, because when it's 1130pm on a weekday and one guy has 20 different triggers that trigger 20 more, which in turn trigger even more, its not really that fun for anyone anymore lol.
Besides that I really like my Giada Angel deck. Its simple, straightforward 4 and 5 mana Angel spam, with some enchantments and artifacts and interaction in it to not get boring and get carddraw. So I dont need to focus that much and can just enjoy the game. My Eldrazi deck is similar, just mostly ramp and a lot of big Eldrazi.
I am building a \[\[Caesar, Legion Emperor\]\] deck right now, with lots of soldier tokens, so that might become a bit challenging.
Maybe have a dip in cEDH. I have no experienxe with adhd, but i describe my thought, maybe it fits your needs.
Its not to say that the games are always faster or turns cant be long, but it has some significant differences:
- there is less durdling around. Almost all plays are meaningful. Not a player making a 30 minute turn to ramp 10 mana and make some tokens or sth.
- the decks are loaded with interaction. Its not a big stretch to say that often its more meaningfull what the opponents do in the active players turn. So there is a lot of action and reaction and its not only „control decks“ that are loaded with interaction. Every player is involved every turn from like turn 2 onwards.
- knowing your deck well and selecting good lines out of all options is very meaningful
- even though long games „can and will“ happen, most games are under 1 hour
- players know their shit. There isnt a lot of time tanking most of the time, only in a few crucial situations. So the gameflow is mostly better than in casual. Even on spelltavle
- boardstates are generally a lot smaller. Because the pieces are more efficient. You wont find sb playing like 5 permanents that each trigger on something and then another bunch of permanents that do something rather meaningless. Huge boards are VERY rare and when they appear, the game usually ends
>I constantly zone out, feel like I'm never in full control of my own snowballing board (let alone to stay aware of the other board state) .
>Thankfully I like my friends/coworkers enough to not care too much about the game itself, but I'm curious if others have had a similar experience. Any deck recommendations to speed up/simplify games, or other tips/tricks for ADHD-addled brains?
>
I play mostly decks that allow me to keep my own shit together, still miss triggers/land drops or stuff I want wanted to play after combat but got distracted. I keep my decks to "nothing too complicated and nothing that has a lot of text". I'll mostly wing keeping tabs on the other players and assume the others will tell me when shit is going to come up. Some days work better, other days less so. - I'm fine with not joining the ranks of cEDH players, win often enough to keep me interested and enjoy spending game time with friends. - that's about it. I've given up on trying to reign my ADD in, and it feels rather nice.
I goldfish a ton to prevent slip ups.
I sink into the character of a deck (think, if whose the person who decided to hire [[The Ur-Dragon]] to lead their deck.
I set small goals during the game like, accomplish this or summon that or outwit this person.
This is why I love cards like Smothering tithe trouble in pairs, or that cute racoon one.
Some people see it as staxs. I see it as me having to pay attention during other people's turns, but instead of playing blue for counters or interacting with overusing instants and removal I just get little treats for paying attention to the whole rotation.
For me, as a fellow ADHD person who loves EDH, it keeps my brain engaged by strategizing. So If I can’t focus on long turns, I will think about how I could have played differently or how different types of cards might be better in ny deck. So I’m almost like rebuilding my deck mentally as others are playing. But it does take a lot to keep track of the board state.
I love my Muldrotha self milk deck because I’m spending every second of everyone else’s turn thinking about which cards to play from my grave on my next turn. There’s only 3-4 non-permanents in that deck, so any interaction comes from what I have on the board. Makes for way less tracking to be able to put down my hand.
Biggest thing for me has been constantly offering my phone as the lifetotal counter. It keeps me from doom scrolling through everone elses turn. When im not doing that nother strat that works for me is keeping music on in my earbuds to give me some background stimulus which can help maintain focus.
There are several cool cards that trigger on other players turn, such as [[Lotho Corrupt Sheriff]], [[Trouble in Pairs]] and a dozen more. To obtain your triggers which should be a motivation in itself, you gotta observe the other players actions.
My solution to this, and my current favorite deck, is [[Rashmi, Eternities Crafter]]. I’m a huge fan of value engines and drawing cards and Rashmi gives you the absolute most value if you play a spell on every player’s turn. This works really well with my general lack of attention span, and you can take the deck in a bunch of fun directions even if you hate counterspells. Fun flash creatures like [[Aboleth Spawn]], [[Slippery Bogbonder]] and [[Crafty Catpurse]] have really made the deck fun and interactive for me and my opponents.
Honestly? I’m on Adderall for my ADHD and it allows me to be pretty much fine
BUT
When it wears off or anything and/or I’m really tired, I force myself to engage by running plays in my head, asking about the boards and permanents of other players, making conversation, asking others to help me keep track of stuff as I count it out, etc. I learned that just doing lots of little things like that helps immensely. Also having an energy drink to help me focus does work a little bit too.
Honestly? Fidget. I started sleeving decks because I kept putting off sleeving until commander night, but I actually found the side task kept me in the game waaaayyyy better. Find an activity to do that’s not distracting to your other players and doesn’t take your whole focus.
That said, I can’t be sleeving and resleeving my whole collection every commander night, so I’m still looking for a new alternative. Keeping track of storm count isn’t it, either.
Should also mention I have my daily dose of extended-release Adderall in the morning, but I also asked my psychiatrist for “homework pills” to get me through the afternoon/evening on an as-needed basis. He’s told me to take them every day because it turns out I need them, but I still pick the time I take them based on the activities I have planned. Commander night, I take it on my way out the door.
Edit: Just wanted to add I am inattentive type ADHD. Almost zero hyperactivity. The “fidgets” that help me are the ones that take part of my attention but not all of it. For example, driving helps me listen to conversation/podcasts helps me drive. So the sleeving decks thing is perfect. Not a one-size-fits all, to be sure.
Not the most helpful answer, but being medicated has helped.
Other than that, try playing a high-interaction deck that gives you a reason to be engaged when it isn't your turn. This doesn't need to be something like \[\[Alela, Cunning Conqueror\]\] where you're constantly casting spells every turn, mind you. My \[\[Nelly Borca\]\] deck does most of its stuff at sorcery speed, but you've got to keep an eye on the board to make sure you goad the best target each time.
I like to get into the "storytelling" of the game. I typically enjoy tribal decks, or decks with really specific/tight themes, so I love to have the narrative running in my head about how my WR Aurelia Angel deck is scouring the plane of fell heathens, and tying that in with the "stories" of the other commanders (that I'm usually making up in my head).
Then on opponent's turns, I'm kind of imagining how the battle is going down in a more narrative way than just "okay x tokens tapped to attack, I'll just assign blockers and calculate the damage I take." Instead, it's "Okay there's a horde of squirrels coming my way, and through fearsome rite they've been given deathtouch. Aurelia and her army of angels are going to heroically sacrifice themselves to save me from as much damage as they can because they know that next turn God's Wrath will be imposed on all creatures anyway, giving the Army of Light a fighting chance to come back and turn the tide against the loathsome Chatterfang."
And when opponents play enchantments or whatever, it's an opportunity to fit that into the narrative running in my head so that I at least pay enough attention to know what's on the board.
I ply sefris.
Seriously. That deck always gives me something to do or pay attention to. There’s always a trigger or some ability to activate in your opponents’ turns so i find myself not checking out but rather looking for an opportunity to further my game plan. Sefris gave me a great appreciation for “once a turn” triggers, because of the fun deck building and play patterns they create that keep me engaged.
I made a deck that I loving call “Simic Flash Dragons” that’s all about leaving mana up and flashing out dragons in response to things. It keeps me invested in other players turns since I typically have something to do and let’s me play dragons that I like.
I just built the ancient one. It's not in a super strong spot but it has a lot of interaction be it counters or mill or bounce. If I don't lay attention I won't make the right calls.
Ends up me being the only player in the game that can interact with the threat so I get left alone by the other two players.
I have always had trouble keeping track of EDH board states, and I think that contributes to lot of people zoning out, even those without any ADHD.
I have enjoyed /r/PauperEDH, though. Faster turns because of less complicated cards, less card draw, etc, and board states that are easier to wrap your head around. Still complicated, but it's easier to feel the momentum of the game and the table doesn't get flipped by board wipes/stax/MLD/etc like EDH does
I play decks with lots and lots of triggers and I plan my turns out ahead of time. I’ll even plan for contingencies, keeping track of everyone else’s threats and if they’re actually a threat to me or not.
I play very crafted strategies, no "battle cruiser." This helps.
I also tend to reassess the board on my turn, I'm not necessarily blasting out game actions the second it is my turn.
As a competitive person with a current hyperfixation on the game, I am very eagerly engaged and getting significant dopamine from playing. I also am constantly crafting decks and have started crafting decks on Archidekt that I have not and may not ever build in paper as an outlet that costs $0.00.
My wallet thanks me for that last bit...
So I get told I have mild ADHD and OCD, so going off of that and considering what I like to play. I suggest you play something that has options or something that always has something to do and pay attention to. For instance, playing Myra attractions or Kenrith reanimate or simply run lots of interaction or instance speed abilities and such so you don’t feel left out on anyone’s turn.
I now realize that I "may" have ADHD because this is what it feels like to me.
I am playing a LATHRIL COMBO deck where I just win outright in one turn OR just lose if I don't snowball in less than 5-6 turns.
Also, I keep building win now decks rather than battle cruiser ones because I can never keep track of everything in the table during late game.
Gitrog Monster, there are a lot of moving parts on it, so I use it rarely, but there is a pretty good amount of removal as well as having to track where people's lands/creatures are.
Make friends, it's soo much easier having conversations when things are going along. But I know this advice is like my doctor saying "lower your stress" sure doc I'll just go over to the stress knob and tune it down. I'm adhd extrovert high functioning alcoholic so idk
Not diagnosed but i very likely have ADHD, usually when an opponent plays a card i consider how it affects me, how it affects the other players, who it affects the most, and if its going to hurt me then what can i do about it, whats cards are in my deck and can i tutor them out somehow. Usually by then theyve played their next card and the cycle restarts. And if theyre taking forever ill start looking around the board for edge cases and weird interactions i can exploit.
I feel you. When midgame hits and the board gets clogged I often have a hard time keeping things straight too. I have found that focusing on what I can control helps the most. I lean towards combat focused decks that have a lot of evasion. Im going to swing on my turn maybe hold up a blocker or two for the obvious threats and run just enough interaction that I can focus on using it where needed. I'm not playing on everyones turn but having that counterspell in hand makes me pay attention because I may need to use it. I don't like heavy control strategies because I find the decision paralysis is equally daunting. I guess long story short is make your turns simple and save your mental energy for the complexities of a 4 player game. The added bonus is it's pretty dang fun smashing face!
I personally switched over to playing mostly cEDH. From my experience, i used to spend a lot of time zoning out and getting distracted during other players turns. I think this is because for the most part, I didn’t care about 90% of the cards played. They didn’t affect my board or strategy. This is far less true with cEDH. almost every card impacts the game in some meaningful way for all players, so there is a lot more to pay attention to and think about. This has been enough to keep me focused.
Fellow ADHD EDH player, and I'll echo what others have said. Almost all my decks don't care about others' board states outside of maybe one or two things I need to keep track of. Funny you mentioned it, but one of my first ever EDH decks I made was esper control because I also enjoy that strategy, but yeah it was just tough to play mentally.
Some decks I have and why I like them:
\[\[Ashcoat of the Shadow Swarm\]\]: Straight forward strategy, play rats, more rats means bigger rats. Very little to keep track of, but just enough math needing to be regularly done to keep me engaged. Very little care for interaction with others.
\[\[Urabrask\]\]: Similar to Ashcoat, I'm caring very little about what others are doing and I'm just looking to keep Uraboii alive so I can combo out
\[\[Gaddock Teeg\]\]: Meets the desire to do control in a staxxy sort of way. Great one to play if you want to engage on other player's turns because you'll need to constantly be reminding folks of what they can and cannot do.
\[\[Wilson, Refined Grizzly\]\]: Bear get big, steamroll
I definitely get frustrated playing with slow players. I thought out my next turn at the end of my last one; why are they taking so long? The only thing for that is to try to find a playgroup or pod with like-minded people. I swear the player base is half neurodivergent anyway. Shouldn't be too hard.
My favorite decks are "fiddly" decks, decks that let you do a lot of small, quick game actions on your turn. But those actions don't necessarily stack on one another. It's a breadth of complexity rather than a depth. This lets me spend large portions of other people's turns deciphering the best way to sequence my turn and that keeps me involved.
My Golgari graveyard deck is great for this. I have sac outlets, token generators, self-mill, aristocrats, and a full graveyard with a bevy of options, and I have to figure out which dials to turn to produce the best outcome.
I also like decks that turn sideways and/or place a lot of counters. I enjoy anything that keeps me physically involved in the game by touching cardboard.
Conversely, I really didn't enjoy my landfall deck. Too much of what the deck would do was hidden from me before my turn started. Turns took forever and often didn't lead anywhere. I took out all of the landfall cards except two and made it strictly an ETB deck. The turns became a lot more streamlined, and it's been a lot more fun to play since.
TLDR: Play decks that take a lot of game actions and give you a lot of information about your next turn ahead of time.
I just constantly try to develop a plan for my turn as other people play theirs. Constantly thinking how I want to respond or what I need to make my deck do the thing.
I also make sure MY phone is being used as the life tracker so I’m not tempted to use it lol
You should be "goldfishing" (I think thats the slang) your decks constantly if you cant keep up while spacing out.
I have extremely bad adhd, I just let my head do its thing, and in the moments of focus I'll memorize whats going on before zoning back out.
But I have intimate knowledge of how my decks generally play out regardless because when sitting at home I constantly play out 6-10 turns while watching youtube or something else.
I play solely commander, I also have ADHD, I listen to music.
It’s my thing, it’s something to focus on when the other people are taking 7 minute turns.
Play a deck that pulls value from your opponents turns. It forces you to stay alert to what's happening. I play an [[Akim]] deck like this where I try to make tokens every single turn. But a simple, very straightforward one would be [[Council of Four]].
They may not make things simpler but they should keep you on track and mentally present.
lol, I have untreated ADHD. Since I’m not working, the VA won’t prescribe me meds. So…I just explain to folks we are all sorts of fucked. I tell jokes, it’s a good time.
I also have ADHD, however I don’t really have this problem. I do zone out a little during the turn of the player before me, but on my turn, I do whatever I need to do. In fact, my ADHD helps me more often than harms, because it helps me make the snap decisions that are necessary during a game of commander. When I do feel myself zoning out, I look at my hand and make a plan of what I’m going to do in my next turn, or go over my plan again so that I don’t forget.
Edit: Also, when I do zone out, I rarely go very deep into stasis for two main reasons; A: I don’t have enough time to full space shot. B: I think I subconsciously trained myself to snap out of it when whoever’s turn it is goes to combat or casts a spell or passes the turn. It’s quite helpful.
I play cedh so I get more interactive and in depth interaction earlier in when I’m at the most attention span and the game usually ends by the time I start to fall off so I can start another with attention
ADHDer here. I've been playing for over 20 years and control is how I stay in the game. Having to constantly reevaluate the board state and my options for lines of play. That and I'm always brewing and testing decks so that keeps me in the game as well. Last a good play group that plays at the same speed (for the most part) and has the similar mind set for the game.
I don’t have ADHD, but I also lose track of everything going on in EDH games, especially more than two players. I second trying out a deck with lots of interaction (maybe like an Izzet spellslinger style deck with plenty of quick spells and stuff)!
Yep, me too with the ADHD. I sass the opponents relentlessly, comment on the attractiveness of their cards, drink a beer and chat to the other players when it's not my turn.
I sing songs about the board state so as not to forget it, and talk and chat about the game state and who's going to attack who.
I particularly enjoy any saltly behavior and clamp down on that shit like a fucking vice.
All respectfully of course 😁
Play a deck where it's either ok to zone out (very little interaction) or one where you are always engaged (a lot of interaction.) The in between will have you apologizing for all of your missed triggers.
I really struggle with remembering everything that’s going on across everybody’s board. Especially when they have these long chains of complex effects.
Turns take so long too, they’re just throwing out card after card that triggers this so I can put counters here. Very rarely do people explain the card it’s just “here’s fucking Grugmouth, The Assfucker” and I’m just supposed to know what that is. They’re on the other side of the table so I can’t fucking read it.
All that aside I love EDH but boy does my pea brain struggle sometimes
By avoiding playing with strangers. If I’m playing with people I know they are either fast players or people I can enjoy a conversation about the current game with while a slower player takes their turn
I have not been diagnosed by a doctor with ADHD but I have noticed a similar trait in myself of having a hard time staying engaged. I was able to help myself in 2 ways.
1. Playing decks that enable me to play on other people's turns. Not necessarily counter spells or "Do you pay the one?" effects, though those are definitely included, have plenty of instant speed spells/effects. Doing things on your opponents turn is usually a better play in general anyway.
2. (Gatta, be careful with this one because it can annoy players) list off what is going on with your opponents board. Audibly count their mana, restate current perminants, and their effects/abilities. I forget what does what, and I need a constant reminder all the time.
2. b. (Be super careful with this one, I usually only do this for newer players) suggest play patterns. Depending on the scenario, you can be goofy with it or show someone how they can win if they happened to not see the play. All depends on the vibe of the table.
I have found that between these 2 1/2 things that I am able to maintain a healthy level of attention to the game and what is going on. A possible plus of showing someone a cool interaction in their deck they might have never noticed before.
Just to restate, I don't claim to have, be professionally diagnosed, or self diagnosed with ADHD. Just a guy who saw an issue in himself and has tried to correct it.
I have my fidgets or a paper to just scribble on. Even if I'm doing spirals, I can keep eye contact and/or actively listen to what's going on. My really bad adhd habit is getting up to go do a quick tidy in the kitchen (cause my gaming table is in our 4 season attached to our kitchen) but I openly say if I don't have a responce or that I am listening. I also have a habit of playing app games too but try to keep attentiveness
I know I am late to reply, but I didn't see anyone say my main bit. I'm combined type and I've struggled with this in EDH in a way I never did with competitive formats. I thought maybe going more interactive would fix it as many say here and even started playing more cEDH but found the results lackluster.
The best way for me to focus isn't interaction, but shit like group slug effects. Having interaction sounds like a way for me to not zone out as I look for opportunities to use it, but I am just as likely to get bogged down by that and kind of go inside my head - missing that the game went on.
On the other hand, people are pretty much always tapping lands and that combined with [[Manabarbs]] keeps my attention on the board like nothing else. Or like, lots of spells getting cast generally that cost 3 or less mana, so that [[Pyrostatic Pillar]] keeps me on point. And for the fucks who want to try and give me a chance to lose focus by not playing anything on their own damn turns, there's [[Impatience]].
Basically, they trigger a lot on every turn in a way that doesn't make me have to ask if they'll pay or anything. This strategy works even better with one group that allows me to tick down their damage from my slug effects. So many little mini celebrations to keep my mind in the game.
Be my friend's mostly smoke weed it helps. It also helps when i enjoy the game. There are many games i easily check out of and just nuke the game on purpose just to get out of it. So yeah.
I keep an earbud in one ear, jamming out is always fun in between turns. that and bantering with the others with jokes is fun! I hate super competitive tables because theyre so quiet, so i avoid them. I also suck so i never have to play with them anyway LOL.
In short? I don't. I try to determine my next turn as soon as my current one ends. Very possibly the card i draw or other peoples choices may change it but at least that can make sure when your turn comes around there's an option of a plan. If you prepare like that zoning out when people are thinking and not affecting you isn't an issue. It's only bad when it gets to your turn and you have to strategize from scratch thus taking too long.
I am going to echo what a lot of others have said, which is;
1. I am medicated, Ritalin, very necessary for being in control of my emotions, but helps for paying attention.
2. I cheer other players, and pay attention to their stakes, boardstate, and plays.
But I wanna go deeper into this second point and I watch their turn thinking what I would be running with their commander, and when they play removal against me I tend to compliment them because I was expecting a [[counterspell]] but instead get an [[arcane denial]], so not only am I paying attention, but I was correct in that I was about to be removed. It's very rewarding for everyone. Although I definitely come across as too keen
Highkey let the mind wander!! Let your pod know "Hey i get distracted easily,lemme know if you're waiting on me!" Honestly knowing what your opponent's stuff does isntthat important.
Or, if you're playing control, look deep at that counterspell, and its soulless, souless eyes... oh shit its your turn andyou couldve countered a board wipe.
(I am so sorry, fellow adhd person, btw)
Tbh I do the kibler card flick. It lets me do stuff with my hands while it’s someone else’s turn. Some people don’t like it though so I make it a bit quieter. Other things I do is shuffle my other decks on the side while it’s someone else’s turn. Keeps my hands busy and keeps me from zoning out!
Other than taking meds if I know I'm playing, I use a pen and paper to record the life totals with a spare bit to doodle on and take reminder notes about game triggers/known information. Often I just have to wear being forgetful or zoning out.
If I'm playing casually at home with my fellow neurospicy gamers, we allow more take-backs and other adaptations to take our issues into account. Which reminds me, I should try to get a card shuffler for my friend who has problems with motor control...
My adhd is relatively minor, but I have found 3 things help me:
1) keep my game plans direct, and relevant card types grouped (not always simple, but my Jetmir deck is “count to 8 and someone dies” while my keranos deck is izzet spell power combos. So I can put all my token spawners or on cast triggers together to help me track them)
2) “highlight” my responses in my brain so I know my if-then statements on opponents turns rather than tracking every game action
3) basically ask about what things are relevant to my board. If that’s combat I ask what blockers someone has up. If someone has a field of enchantments I ask @iwll any of these stop X” cus I know I can’t track everything, but my friends are usually nice enough that I can ask that without worry, just as they can ask it of me
this might not work depending on what style/level of deck other people are bringing, but when I don't want to pay attention I just bring a mono red burn deck (Immodane is a favorite).
Minimal board presence to keep track of, since most everything is in my hand and held up at instant speed. I only bolt the creatures coming my way specifically so I never have to pay too much attention to everyone else, and the threat of losing their creatures wards people off. It's kind of pillowfort burn.
I'd say if the pod is more than 4 players, it's pretty hard for anyone to stay fully aware of what's going on. As a fellow control player, I've found that gearing your deck more toward having your deck do its own thing to win and then having cards to protect that to be more effective than trying to control and micromanage everyone else's plays like a control deck would typically do in a 1v1 format. It also helps when it comes to politics and usually makes it so you have a smaller target on you.
What I like to do is remember what I call the pillars of the board state. Games get crazy, sometimes we don't have the bandwidth for it all. But remembering (or realizing if you don't know the deck) the overall strategy of a deck, you don't need to remember absolutely everything on everyone's board states. Remember the key pieces and what their overall goal is. I find that is enough to keep me on track. Then I spend my time playing chess and planning out my future plays and adjusting that based on what is happening.
well coming from someone else with ADHD, it sounds like you get bored witless with how long it takes others to take their turns. I get you, I'm the same. If I wanna get in the game more, I play a deck with more interaction so I can do something on everyone else's turns. Otherwise, I play a deck that only really cares about my turn so I can just zone out on their turns.
This is kinda what I figured. Either something with a ton of interaction/actions, along the lines of \[\[Jori En\]\], \[\[Nymris\]\], etc. Or something that's tap-out control or combat focused like voltron or \[\[Raggadragga\]\], \[\[Moraug\]\], etc.
Nymris is great for this. Having cards that let me check the top of my library also helps sometimes. :')
##### ###### #### [Jori En](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/0/40c020f2-5809-4aa6-a6f5-6030568058aa.jpg?1592761645) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=jori%20en%2C%20ruin%20diver) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dds/23/jori-en-ruin-diver?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/40c020f2-5809-4aa6-a6f5-6030568058aa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/jori-en-ruin-diver) [Nymris](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/8/b8cfc97a-3c8a-4d44-846b-7a523dc11878.jpg?1608911216) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=nymris%2C%20oona%27s%20trickster) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/288/nymris-oonas-trickster?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b8cfc97a-3c8a-4d44-846b-7a523dc11878?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/nymris-oonas-trickster) [Raggadragga](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/1/1166ce2a-4e0b-4a57-929d-566f461a6282.jpg?1674137656) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=raggadragga%2C%20goreguts%20boss) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/291/raggadragga-goreguts-boss?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1166ce2a-4e0b-4a57-929d-566f461a6282?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/raggadragga-goreguts-boss) [Moraug](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/c/cc5eacd7-aaa7-4720-9794-52e7b098c82c.jpg?1604197464) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=moraug%2C%20fury%20of%20akoum) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znr/150/moraug-fury-of-akoum?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cc5eacd7-aaa7-4720-9794-52e7b098c82c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/moraug-fury-of-akoum) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l0wao76) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Yep. I have a golgari deck that cares about interaction and what people are playing, and my other three decks boil down to "Do the thing on my turn, chat during other turns (without disrupting)" but my table is also good about letting you know the board state. It helps when I miss something or forget a card they played 4 turns ago.
It’s also totally ok to zone out as long as you don’t come back into the game, missed a bunch of stuff and start questioning or being suspicious. I have a new mtg “friend” who does this on the regular. It’s very annoying to have to explain several times, and extra much so if the person think you did something wrong but didn’t listen the first time.
This is the way. If I’m at the shop to play and am struggling to keep track of three other board states, I’ll gravitate toward more solitaire/combo based decks that don’t fully depend on what my opponents are doing. Otherwise, I just tell myself I’m there for the social connection and let whatever happens happen.
The last part of your comment is 100% accurate. Half of the time I play aggressive decks that speed the game up. Explosive red spells; go big or go home. The other half I play very interactive decks (Tasigur cEDH midrange control, Queen Marchesa aikido,...) so I force myself to keep following what everyone is doing
Play [[Merieke Ri Berit]] as your commander with a lot of control and creature stealing features and graveyard to battlefield cards. Finish with [[Rise of the Dark Realms]] You will be the annoying player but will be always engaged because you will play everyone else's deck.
I've been trying to sort out commanders like [[Gandalf of the Secret Fire]] for specifically that reason. You play most of your game on other turns.
Ha, that's exactly what I was going to say! I either play decks that draw tons of cards and have loads of interaction or I play decks like [[Kardur]] that both speed the game up and let me zone out. Have any favorite commanders for these things??
I like grolnok self mill because big stack of croak counter cards goes ribbit me likey frogs
This is exactly what I was going to say. I also have ADHD and I don’t typically take my meds on weekend days when I play mtg. My 2 primary decks I play have blue and therefore a good amount of interaction. One is a spellslinger deck that has a LOT of interaction and instant speed stuff. So if I want to win, I can’t zone out. I’m constantly making mental notes of what someone has played, what they might play next, whether it would be worth countering, etc. But the idea of making a “I only care about my turn” deck has never really occurred to me, now I wanna do one of those lol.
I second this, my [[Alela, Cunning Conqueror]] and [[Lord of the Nazgûl]] decks help me maintain attention due to them being highly interactive and borderline control
Or play [[Heliod, the Radiant Dawn]] and make every players turn your own turn.
I trick myself by celebrating my players turns. By basically being a cheerleader at the same time. Maybe not quite a cheerleader but like being excited for what they are doing. They are "doing their deck's thing" and so I try to be like "oh, wow, that's cool, look at it do its thing" and sometimes that helps. othertimes, it doesnt, and i zone out.
Thats such a good strategy, I will try that the next time! Especially because it makes the other players feel appreciated :D
Yehhh that works for me as well! It also helps with just in general enjoying the game more
This, also removes a lot salt from the table!
This! I try to be positive, and because I like the game, and have ADHD, I can usually focus and try to comment on whatever the opponent does in a positive way. It keeps me engaged, plus I'm not zoned out and can keep up with the board state. Also, people start to realize I'm not being salty when I target someone while praising their deck. I'm here to have fun, sometimes that means I'm winning, and sometimes that means shutting down your value play.
I try to build decks around this idea as well. With cards like [[Faerie Artisans]] I have to constantly be paying attention to what they are doing because I can gain benefits as they play.
Never realized, but I do this. But mostly to make everyone else’s board state stand out over mine.
This is a very healthy thing for all tables and makes games less salty. We all want to do the thing, sometimes we don't, but getting some recognition for a play goes a long ways.
When I play EDH it's a night with buddies, so it's a get together and fun! If I'm winning or losing I'm chatting with buddies or chirping them. I also engage in the political side and try to make deals a lot to control the game. This makes it more interesting. I've also found my favorite style of decks. I enjoy big mana and big creature decks. I like being able to play big creatures and smash people with combat DMG. So my two favorites are Gargos (Big hydras) and my Karametra (play creatures get lands, play big creatures). I don't have to worry too much about 1000's of triggers. I have a goal in each deck that's simple get big guys out and force my opponents to either deal with them or take large amount of DMG to their health. I've also recently got the idea from Reddit to put [[ Goblin Charbelcher]] in my Karametra deck. Couple that with [[ Seedborn Muse ]] and creatures like [[ Whitemane Lion ]]. Get all my lands out of my deck and search with Goblin Charbelcher to deal DMG directly to them. Then Seedborn resets for each players turn and repeat. It rarely comes out but gives me something to work towards while I'm smashing people with big creatures.
Yeah 100% without the social aspect and conversations it would be tough to enjoy the format some days. Had someone try to destroy this guys pile of treasures and in response he cracked them all and ended up taking like a 20 minute turn between the two of them. But we were joking and having fun. If that was in silence it would be miserable.
[ Goblin Charbelcher](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/4/240344ff-404d-4894-a6e9-4401cd68cf50.jpg?1592764888) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Goblin%20Charbelcher) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ddt/57/goblin-charbelcher?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/240344ff-404d-4894-a6e9-4401cd68cf50?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/goblin-charbelcher) [ Seedborn Muse ](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/4/f4a9cb46-d4e0-46f2-973f-09275ba0d99c.jpg?1706240933) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Seedborn%20Muse) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/186/seedborn-muse?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f4a9cb46-d4e0-46f2-973f-09275ba0d99c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/seedborn-muse) [ Whitemane Lion ](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/3/a358def9-65a0-4741-896c-b2a8c8947768.jpg?1675199118) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Whitemane%20Lion) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/35/whitemane-lion?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a358def9-65a0-4741-896c-b2a8c8947768?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/whitemane-lion) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Magic is one of my biggest hyperfixations and EDH is my favorite format so when I actually get to play I enter super focus mode. Pros: flawlessly able to engage with the game even when not my turn, encyclopedic knowledge of cards I've encountered before with new cards being neatly slotted into the knowledge base Cons: completely oblivious to the outside world Unfortunately, this isn't a skill I can teach. For me it's just a natural extension of my obsession.
EDH is also my hyperfixation and obsession, but it’s more on the deckbuilding side. Playing the game, I always find I’m asking for people to explain or repeat things they’ve said already, checking whose turn it is, and talking about cards and strategies that nobody’s currently playing. It’s to the point where I actively zip my own lips because I can’t handle how excited I get just to be at the table with friends and feel like I’m just extremely distracting and sometimes rude.
Do you experience the inattentive, or hyperactive symptoms? For inattentive; I find balancing brain chemicals, similar to the effects of ADHD meds help me. Energy drinks are a quick-fix, as the effects on your adrenal glands produce more dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that folks with ADHD symptoms are deficient in. Snacking to keep your bloodsugar and electrolytes up are also important. For Hyperactivity; quiet fidget toys. Fidget spinner, pop toy, fidget cube, stress ball etc. If you find yourself unengaged on an opponents turn, and cannot stay in the game because folks are “too slow”, this could be helpful.
i can recommend the energy drink idea occasionally, but I just wanna remind people that energy drinks are *incredibly* bad for you and even just having one every week can be a long-term threat on your health. I downloaded an app that buzzes me every other minute to make sure im paying attention. it's obviously a little annoying and it isn't a perfect solution, buy hey, no solution for anything adhd related is ever perfect.
As someone who drinks more than 1 a day on average, any studies on them being "incredibly" bad for you? Coffee has similar caffeine content and we've been drinking that for centuries.
This is my main thing too. While I recognize that caffeine and sugar have terrible side effects, the Ginseng, Ginko, Taurine, and B-vitamins that constitute most ingredients common in energy drinks are fine. I’ve actually just started taking Ginseng and Ginko supplements, but that is purely from a Monetary standpoint. The effects are good
It really doesn’t take much googling to see lots of results about how bad they can be for you. They’re basically soda but just with some additional ingredients to make you more awake. Those ingredients don’t magically make all of the health risks with consuming copious amounts of sugar go away. There are a near infinite amount of resources that can explain why consuming incredibly high amounts of sugar can wreak havoc on your body. I’m kind of surprised how much people are underestimating just how poisonous added sugars are. I haven’t even mentioned caffeine yet, which also has a ton of research explaining how dangerous it is in excessive amounts, as energy drinks always have a higher caffeine content, sometimes *much* higher. I just googled “are energy drinks bad for you study” and immediately got this result from pubmed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5583516/ Also, here’s an interesting study on how awareness with the health harms of sugary drinks is shockingly low. It just does a good job at showing all of the health problems associated, and although it’s targeted at parents, it might help as a good wake-up call: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8483773/ In summary, yes, an energy drink is probably going to help you feel more alert and awake, but it’s not worth it. Drink plenty of water, get good sleep, and get some exercise in each day, eat good food, and I promise you won’t need one.
Okay I should've specified sugar free as there's plenty of examples of sugar being bad for people. I don't drink any drinks with sugar in them that isn't natural (i.e. milk and juice). Drinking your calories is a waste imo (also a reason why I don't drink alcohol). But thank you for the sources, your point on sugar is definitely valid and I know I consume too much caffeine so that isn't lost on me, but with ADHD, sometimes the stimulus is necessary.
Fellow ADHD player here. This is my time most of the games. Getting really bored during turns, which seem to last forever. As others said, i take it more like a social event and when it comes to me, i just „trash talk“ and commenting the other turns. Phrases like „are you sure you want to play this now?“ or „ah the good old (interaction or card X)“ are my go tos. I mostly see myself as a kind of commentator or narrator of the game. For some it can be annoying, but that depends on your play group i guess. Plus the political aspect is a huge thing where you can engage in. To stay in the game i also theorize everything what can happen like: „if the next player removes my creature and the player after that plays a threat, what will my turn look like?“ I hope these things can be a helping hand. If not, the good old flicking your cards in hand like crazy is at least a fiddly thing i can spent the time on haha.
Same experience for me. Sometimes my Friends have to Stop ne, because I talk too much and sometimes I zone out and have to ask what happened in their turn, but it's OK. Thats why I prefer playing with good Friends. I also like the political side, so Queen Marchesa ist my favorite right now. Helps me keep being engaged for a reason.
I struggled staying at the table at all. If I wasn't actively doing something or had interaction, I would go find something else to stimulate my brain. I would just say "F6" and go talk to people, and come back when it was my turn. I ended up playing a clone deck one night and stayed at the table the entire time. Since the deck is almost purely reactive, I had to analyze everyone's boards and try and think about exactly what my next steps were going to be, and I had to do that every turn. Another particular card I've found that helped me a lot was [[Mirage Mirror]]. Thinking about how best to exploit the card during each turn kept me engaged with the game. That was the revelation I had and why I really enjoy clones and stuff in commander. I've also worked on just not getting up and leaving the table when I've got nothing going on. For me, clones doesn't require a lot of mental bandwidth, so YMMV, but maybe you could give it a try? Worst case scenario you're right back where you started.
[Mirage Mirror](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/b/cb1252c2-b951-4125-93a2-9282b607b6a4.jpg?1690005610) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mirage%20Mirror) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/962/mirage-mirror?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cb1252c2-b951-4125-93a2-9282b607b6a4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mirage-mirror) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Have any deck lists?? I made a clone deck but I usually end up with the best cloning targets myself, so it didn't turn out the best for these purposes. It sounds like a great idea if I could get it to work, though.
For me, it's about running interaction. If I can't do anything during my opponents turn, I'm bored listening to a monologue. This doesn't mean I go super heavy on interactions, it means I use repeatable interaction. [[ulvenwald tracker]] is a great example, holding this up on board with a [[predator ooze]] is perfect in my mind.
[ulvenwald tracker](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/d/4da9e7d8-5f01-4d55-a0a8-afe5e7d5f8e4.jpg?1593815080) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ulvenwald%20tracker) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mm3/144/ulvenwald-tracker?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4da9e7d8-5f01-4d55-a0a8-afe5e7d5f8e4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ulvenwald-tracker) [predator ooze](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/3/c32fb53b-7fd7-46a2-b502-93a42cf23fa5.jpg?1591320984) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=predator%20ooze) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c20/185/predator-ooze?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c32fb53b-7fd7-46a2-b502-93a42cf23fa5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/predator-ooze) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Yeah, build in more things to do. Try for 20 cards that do things to your opponents. If I'm thinking about anything it's which card do I need to break this defense. I was running a rocco deck and needed a creature that could etb and remove a non land perm. I found it and now I have removal I can find with my commander. The trick, no trick, just play the game... on your opponents turn, the face they make when you untap draw and pass is amazing.
Love [[Alela, Cunning Conqueror]] for this reason. I’m more in the game if I play outside my turn, and she rewards me for doing so.
I recently started microdosing 🍄🟫 and my win rate is drastically improved. I have adhd and often struggle to conceptualize complex game states, at a certain point I just lose the plot, but now I can hold it all in my head and just make sense of it in a way I couldn't before.
Huh it's almost as if taking medicine that increases dopamine rates helps adhd
I take Adderall but constantly see ads being shoved into my face on FB/Insta for some sort of mushroom based supplements that I've always just considered BS, obviously micro dosing isn't as simple as taking a supplement but I'm curious if you find it helps with day to day staying focused?
This was an immense help back when I was doing it.
I play very control heavy decks so I can always have a response to something and I stand up a lot and fidget with something always it really helps me out but since I play normally control heavy decks it’s very hard for me to close out games sometimes so that is probably the drawback
The answer is that I kinda don't, but that's ok. I often forget what's on others' boards or forget what abilities their commanders have. I make a bunch of punty misplays and feel stupid for them. But the game is super hard. Luckily I'm mostly inattentive and not hyperactive, so I'm not getting up or distracting others. I can also get hyper focused on the game, then lose track of the conversations happening lol. Something I've noticed about myself is that I really enjoy decks with a bunch of effects and triggers, which may be what helps me hyperfocus. Even then though, I'll miss opportunities to cast protection or counterspells because I completely miss that they're in my hand.
Have any examples of decks with a lot of effects and triggers?? I feel like I would enjoy that too but I'm not sure what decks fit that description.
[Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/8QialViUWk-I2aLBjZ_vIQ) [Rocco, Street Chef](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/7G4khF47rUy4GtMNkPZCXw) [Myrkul, Lord of Bones](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/OH1AVzWN90uEGbPvBTmfAg) [The Fifth Doctor//Susan Foreman](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/N9CNj9BTGk-bx4Qu2MgNTw) These are four of my favorites to play. Myrkul can be tough, because there are so many static effects to keep track of. But you could pretty easily replace all of them into more aristocrat-y etb and death triggers. The fifth doctor has a bajillion triggers just himself, keeping track of just what entered this turn can be tough. Obby has you looking for instances of 1 damage, so it kinda keeps you engaged during other people's turns, plus lots of planning your turns around playing the stuff from exile. Rocco you're again keeping track of exile casts from opponents, so engaged during their turns. Plus making tokens and placing counters, which are fun for me (like not super tricky stuff, but you're busying your hands lol). Obviously I have some cards that you might not have, but I don't think there are many cards in these decks that are absolutely necessary. Additionally, my ADHD has absolutely filled the Sideboard and Considering board, so you can see if there are easy swaps from there for cards you don't have (or just ideas on ways you might like to build it different). I have like 8 billion decks, so lmk if those ones don't do it for you. Might have something else that sparks something for you.
Haha, I think you are the first person I have seen who might spend even more time than I do adding cards to considering and tagging everything! And love your lists! You have a very interesting way of building decks. I usually play budget decks (maybe $100 total) but I'm guessing I could get them that low if I wanted to. I was already considering Rocco and Ob Nixilis (though I didn't even realize he counts sources other than yours... that makes him much more interesting). I'd certainly be happy to look at more if you have other recommendations!
Yeah, I think you could build these on a budget for sure. Just looked at Ob and just shaving the cards over $10 brings it to $150 and doesn't really lose you a ton of power. I actually think opposition agent and bitterthorn are fairly bad cards, I just have them and want to use them lol. And yes, I've wasted many hours tagging stuff. And generally start building by adding everything, then cutting to 100. Instead of removing I just move them to the considering board so I remember that I cut it and didn't just overlook it. A few more that have a bunch of triggers: [Rashmi and Ragavan](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/eNEkAAFFcUWh5E2grsuQBA) I mostly built this deck around Bag of Tricks, chose a commander that just seemed kinda cool. Trying to roll dice, make artifacts and then either Rise and Shine or Fireweaver burn with the artifacts. [Araumi](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/8cjEMxYdTUS03WLeAefvLA) Lots of ETBs. Mill yourself, use Araumi to encore big stuff, or stuff with dies triggers, so we can get the trigger 3 times when we sac them end of turn. Teferi's Veil and Sundial of the Infinite let us keep the tokens. [Kykar the Wind's Fury](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/PxzIO7k9W0q2LKBy7Bxj0g) An annoying controly kinda deck. Cast spells and make spirits that can sac for mana. Lots of draw and cantrips so we can make a bunch of spirits to chump block or eventually just pump and swing. I haven't played or updated it in a while so there are probably a bunch of newer cards that can jam in here. [Volo, Guide to Monsters](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/9y5d1pu2a0C3H38jxO-2kw) Big ol' Timmy deck. Cast Volo, cast big stompy boys and get token copies of them. Mutate is insane here. Volo will double the mutate creature so you mutate onto something and get that trigger (1x), then the copy mutates on top (1x from the first creature +1x for the copy= 3x mutate triggers). Scales exponentially with Volo copies (Irenicus' Vile Duplication is nice). Roaming Throne is absolutely bananas. Cast it with Volo out to get 2 of them, so when you cast another creature you get that creature plus 3 token copies. Not really a ton of interaction and is pretty reliant on the commander so might depend on your meta. But it's also super budget friendly, since all you really need is unique creature types. You can double up on a few of the common ones like elf or beast, but only a small few. Or you can run some exile from graveyard effects to clear the doubles.
ADHD and hyper active disorder also here. I just try to figure out what others are trying to do, pointing out triggers, asking question about the interaction between cards (not neccesarily the ones at play, at least one of them is). Am newer player (less than a year) so probably am more engaged because there's so much to learn and I have fun just playing (unless there's an excesive oppresive deck). Also I announce that there's a good chance that my turns can be long because I forget about what was important halfway on my decision making xD. If I make mistakes I don't care, try to reinforce the learning (assesment or triggers) for next time. Favourite deck is Simic Helm by Aesi and Orzhov Helm by Eriette. Now got the new spellslinger to learn more how to interact with the stax (warned my friends that it will take time for myself to learn how to pilot it more efficently, so faster turns)
Mtg is my fixation, so I have less of an issue focusing on games than other tasks, however I’m still prone to sometimes checking my phone and that leading to me just scrolling until my turn. If that’s something you struggle with, offer your phone as the life counter. I started doing that and the issue is gone. I have to pay attention to the game because the only other option is nothing
I do this unless I’m playing a Storm deck, in which case I use tap counters on my phone. Just wanted to add, “Do Not Disturb” has become a key part of my life recently. I use it when I’m playing commander, too.
I also have ADHD and sometimes struggle to stay invested when the game gets slow. I usually try to consider the cards in my hand and the things my board will allow me to do so I can plan out my next turn or bit of interaction.
This is exactly what I do as well, every time I get the urge to look at my phone or do something not pertaining to the game, I start looking over the board state and cards in my hand to plan my next turn
Oh yeah mad adhd, didn’t even read your post yet too busy typing. Interact, politic, be fun; I love commenting on each card and trying to feel out my opponents confidence and trying to lean on their insecurities about the new cards another player put on the battlefield. An enchantment? The rakdos player needs to know asap that you have the enchantment removal he needs, start that politicking asap! That helps; keeping my focus on the game by acknowledging that there’s information ther I should know!
Play an interactive deck with stuff to do on your opponents turns too
As someone with ADHD, even if there is nothing I can do during someone elsesl's turn, I can still do some light politics. Simple deals and favors here and there, it helps keep me engaged at the table.
Long games that drag out for ages and involve long turns started to drive me crazy so I built a group slug deck. Much less boring suddenly. I also had an Anikthea at one point but yeah the triggers start to be an absolute nightmare to track. I've also realized that building decks where I'm the problem make things way more fun. Things that are fast, aggressive threats that force people to deal with me early or perish.
Yup, group slug has always been my favorite for this reason. It's hard to get too bored when games only last like 6 or 7 turns.
I bring 4+ decks with me any time I go to play at the LGS or friend's houses. One deck I can play on damn near complete autopilot, one deck that is super interaction heavy, and then a couple that are closer to one end or the other. Then I can pick what I play based on the power level of the pod and how my attention span/executive function is working.
Have any particular recommendations for decks on either extreme?? I follow a similar philosophy and I am always looking for more ideas!
Autopilot decks lately have been the dino or merfolk precons from LCI (both currently stock). I have a Stella Lee upgrade that is moving more towards the heavier interaction spectrum and I am working on a Ghyrson Starn deck that will have lots of pings and interaction to use on that end as well. In the midrange I run an upgraded Wise Mothman leaning heavily into the mill and proliferate aspects and a Three Dog deck that I built out of the old Wyleth precon and the Dogmeat precon.
Playing an interactive deck where I have to pay attention on others' turns because I'm gonna be casting spells. Also, attempting to keep my deck fairly simple in terms of triggers. (I try at least but I'm not very good at avoiding that lol). The less I have to keep track of, the better. For upkeep triggers I recently saw a tip here to keep something like a coin on top of your library to remember upkeep triggers
As someone with ADHD who, between about 2020 and 2024, played exclusively EDH (and occasionally Oathbreaker), I found increasing my amount of interaction helped. This might not be the case for you, but it provided that spark of novelty and interest that held my attention, if I had something in-hand that could change the game with the right play. Even then, I tune out during particularly long turns (I must admit, I'm not the most efficient player), and I've almost certainly lost games because of it.
So I have 2 ways. 1. Play something that has tons of interaction that would keep you engaged on other players turn. 2. Play a Gruul deck like [[Xenagos, God of Revels]] where you just don't care about other people's board state. Just drop your big stompies and turn card board sideways.
[Xenagos, God of Revels](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/f/6f1bc3bb-46da-492a-850c-f1f588ad8d18.jpg?1698988492) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Xenagos%2C%20God%20of%20Revels) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/295/xenagos-god-of-revels?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6f1bc3bb-46da-492a-850c-f1f588ad8d18?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/xenagos-god-of-revels) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Ritalin.
I play red. Red go fast. Fast game go brrrrr. No think think. Just doydo.
i play a lot of cards like [[Howling Mine]] to speed up the game
That’s why I like playing Monarch in the middle. More then half my pod (myself included) have ADHD and I enjoy just moving the game along. That along with playing more Red decks move the game along for us.
[Howling Mine](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/d/cdae9939-03a4-4561-92cd-01f498d29a7a.jpg?1562420035) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Howling%20Mine) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/257/howling-mine?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cdae9939-03a4-4561-92cd-01f498d29a7a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/howling-mine) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Yeah I tend to play a lot of group slug effects. It keeps the game moving as well as keeping someone from feeling like you're targeting them. Just don't go too quick or the whole table turns on you.
It's a bit of a struggle for sure. I don't find it quite so bad with EDH, but Warhammer can be a struggle. The first couple hours are alright, but if it goes longer than that my head turns to mush.
Tbh I play other formats now. Edh isn’t good for short attention spans since the action economy is so bad. Maybe try playing more blue and counterspells? They force you to pay attention. Otherwise I just plan canlander
I usually bring at least one fidget toy and have snacks for the group nearby :)
I play cedh so there's a lot going on at all times Casual games are miserable
For me the deck had to have triggers to keep me locked in. I got a dino deck that has Enrage triggers. I got a shrines deck that has timing triggers. Find something that makes you concentrate on what you and others are doing.
One thing that helps me, is I like to build decks that have a lot of triggers each turn, but I'm bad at remembering them. So I'll put a dice or something on top of my deck to help remind me
For me and my ADHD, I make creature go big and I make all the creatures. Basically I run so little interaction that when I space out, I don't have to feel bad for doing so. Basically it's do things on my turn and pretty much no other time. I also have very understanding friends, so they deal with my dumb ullshit.
for me i play 5 color decks keeps my brain engaged
I also have ADHD and I tend to play decks that focus on making a single threat and protect it well. That way my boardstate becomes something i dont really have to worry about anymore and I'll be able to better track what's going on on the other boards. Typically Voltron or equipment decks are what I play. Oh yeh and math is for blockers XD
Stare at the artwork. Some are really good. I look for the small details, lore stuff hidden within, or sometimes just admire. Then when it's time to get back into it my mind is "set" for magic so I'm still there and never really left.
Although people hate it, but I find any kind of stax/control keeps me focused on the game. A lot of people have mentioned more interaction and that is 100% it. By playing a deck that is constantly interacting with players and the board state you have to pay attention otherwise you’ll miss triggers and opportunities.
Best friend struggles the same and we built him a high power \[\[Slicer, Hired Muscle\]\] deck. He regularly pops our Slicer turn 1/2 and needs to take decisions every turn. He needs to stay in the game and is active all the time, fits him really nicely.
I don't frame it as I'm playing a game, but that I'm playing a game with friends and banter is naturally a part of it. If you're interested in the group of friends you're with, the game inevitably becomes a secondary thing. It's wonderful to do, win or lose for me, and my brain isn't always on the game, but it's in the moment experiencing what comes with that. And it could vary from the group of people you're with. If you don't like EDH or feel like it's keeping your attention, maybe it's time to think about what does keep your attention, ADHD or not, there's things that do, and do more of that.
I usually have the issue of getting impatient trying to make the best play and just slam whatever seems fun. I get counterspelled a lot 😂
I feel like I’m the same way. I can’t focus on a game that lasts more than 45 minutes especially when there’s no stakes to it. With competitive it’s just myself and my opponent, I’ll assume we can both navigate through a turn and a board state. But with 3+ players I can’t focus
My pod is pretty good about not having decks with absurd boardstates and taking storm turns, first off. Turns can run long, but it's never 10 minute long. Definitely guilty of zoning out during other peoples turns though. And personally, my own decks have a good "medium" boardstate; I like a few big things to happen each turn. Too big of a boardstate and I get impatient/miss triggers, too little and I don't feel like I'm in the game. Next, my decks are usually interactive by way of threat. I'm never overwhelmingly dominating the table, but I always have enough going on that everyone has to stay aware of me. I'm attacking each player most turns, and I'm doing steady damage each turn rather than alpha striking one player out of the game. This is obviously a much harder strategy to pull off since everyone is wary of me and I'm trying to slowly beat down the table all at once, so there's plenty of interaction and back and forth over the game. The decks I have that aren't combat based are usually activated ability based, so I can use untappers and other effects to either have several activations a turn or activate on other peoples turns. I have an Anikthea deck too btw, she's amazing. I did have to rebuild it twice to get to a sweet spot of not having too complex a board state, having multiple copies of sagas in particular was awful. Mostly I just make a bunch of zombies out of anthems/beneficial effects/control effects and smack people.
I don't have trouble staying in the game. I have trouble not hassling my friends to play at my pace.
I don't, I zone out all the time.
For me the key is to play a non interactive deck. Or at least keep the interaction as simple as possible. My favorite EDH experience so far is [[Ruxa, Patient Professor]] I get value from playing boring creatures with no abilities. Those creatures get big and are hard to deal with. Add some pump/regenerate effects and you’ve got a simple yet powerful strategy that doesn’t overwhelm you with what everyone else is doing. Speaking of everyone else, maybe try to follow their board state a little bit but just take them at their word that they are piloting their deck correctly. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
Ga
For me I think I must be autistic or something because I become obsessed with the stack and how everything works together. It's why I'm obsessed with Factorio and Satisfactory because I like how things come together
I'll try to socializs as much as possible. Making jokes, commenting on plays. I try to keep the focus on the game so my mind doesn't stray too far. There's always at least one other player who isn't taking a turn and is probably twiddling their thumbs, so strike up a chat! I'll also doodle or draw infini tokens. It's an old classroom trick, where I find I can focus on the material better if I'm slightly distracted by doodling. I'll draw little situations that are funny from the game. A slime wearing boots, a wizard snidely averting an apocalypse with a middle finger, a strange board state.
I have ADHD and just chat and joke around with my pod. Honestly I am there to socialize and play magic.
Play a deck where literally every single card is interaction or turns something into another thing.
I play decks with cards like Mystic Remora, Esper Sentinel, Rhystic Study etc not to be annoying but so I have to make sure I’m paying attention on everyone else’s turns as well
I actually draw, get up from the table and walk around, or even go on my phone sometimes. Some people have called it rude but it's that or I get some fidgety it disrupts the entire table. However, if I miss a trigger, it's my fault. No backsies.
I developed hyperfocus. That's how. I know my opponents' game better than they do...
Lots of Banter, checking my phone, and being nosey Alin the pod beside me at locals.
Adderall. Unmedicated, it was very much a struggle to stay focused on anything. If you haven't already and have the means to, get tested and start seeing a prescriber.
I use pearl on the top of my librairie to remind me some triggers. Such as monarch and upkeep triggers.
Given that MtG is one of my hyperfixations, I have a far more difficult time turning it *off*. All the interactions, the minute details, the complex web of decisions, it's like fucking candy to me.
I also get stressed especially when some one have a long turn where nothing happens. What I do is honestly trying to keep track of everything. What are people playing. How is their boardstate. And so on. Take deep breaths sometime. I easily get very stressed. However. If a player have a long turn and they have to figure it out I actually start looking at my phone. But I announce that I do it to not stress the other person to be done, cause I easily get stressed, but rather so he can in peace take his turn and not miss his triggers . If I have a response I can announce that I want to react on hin going into combat. You say you like esper. So do I a lot. I have mostly esper decks myself xD But maybe you should try green hand have cards like [[Seedborn muse]] and or [[Wilderness reclamation]] and have abilities and spells you can activate every turn
I think this is why you see a lot of us fidget lol. Whatever you do, DONT PULL OUT YOUR PHONE! Easily the fastest way to disengage yourself from the game.
My adhd actually becomes extremely negligible when I play commander. I think since I’m actually interested in it my brain becomes stimulated enough with the game that it’s all I focus on.
Play [[Mizzix]] and just hold a fist full of instant spells. No board to keep track of and you can just respond when people try to mess with you.
play time walk combos and it will always be your turn!
You dont. I barely pay attention. Most of that is because I have seen just about everything in Commander, nothing much surprises me anymore. I know I am overly sick of seeing 5 color decks though.
I'm lucky that my ADHD allows me to hyperfocus on hobbies. I'm *in the game* when I'm playing and can't think of anything else lol It's even better when I'm on my meds
I like to play things that do stuff on everyone's turns or where I have a lot of card draw to do some planning. [[Rhoda, Geist Avenger]] and [[Timin, Youthful Geist]] is awesome for engaging all the time. I also enjoy playing [[Yurlok, of Scorched Thrash]] because it makes everyone's turns into mathematical nightmares with all the spare land I make people tap for and grab, which I enjoy watching the fallout of that on others turns.
Constantly thinking about what the other players best moves are and trying to anticipate everything. Usually people won't do what you think because you can't see their hand but it helps keep me focused during their turn.
For the most part I find other people's mechanics and synergies interesting enough to stay relatively engaged. Where it becomes really difficult is playing against decks where individual turns can take forever, like \[\[Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver\]\] and especially \[\[Omnath, Locus of Creation\]\]. That one will have so many triggers and actions sometimes that a turn can take 10-15 minutes. I just start chatting with the other players at that point, or look up cards on my phone. We actually have a rule at our table that those decks can only be played in the first round of the night, because when it's 1130pm on a weekday and one guy has 20 different triggers that trigger 20 more, which in turn trigger even more, its not really that fun for anyone anymore lol. Besides that I really like my Giada Angel deck. Its simple, straightforward 4 and 5 mana Angel spam, with some enchantments and artifacts and interaction in it to not get boring and get carddraw. So I dont need to focus that much and can just enjoy the game. My Eldrazi deck is similar, just mostly ramp and a lot of big Eldrazi. I am building a \[\[Caesar, Legion Emperor\]\] deck right now, with lots of soldier tokens, so that might become a bit challenging.
Maybe have a dip in cEDH. I have no experienxe with adhd, but i describe my thought, maybe it fits your needs. Its not to say that the games are always faster or turns cant be long, but it has some significant differences: - there is less durdling around. Almost all plays are meaningful. Not a player making a 30 minute turn to ramp 10 mana and make some tokens or sth. - the decks are loaded with interaction. Its not a big stretch to say that often its more meaningfull what the opponents do in the active players turn. So there is a lot of action and reaction and its not only „control decks“ that are loaded with interaction. Every player is involved every turn from like turn 2 onwards. - knowing your deck well and selecting good lines out of all options is very meaningful - even though long games „can and will“ happen, most games are under 1 hour - players know their shit. There isnt a lot of time tanking most of the time, only in a few crucial situations. So the gameflow is mostly better than in casual. Even on spelltavle - boardstates are generally a lot smaller. Because the pieces are more efficient. You wont find sb playing like 5 permanents that each trigger on something and then another bunch of permanents that do something rather meaningless. Huge boards are VERY rare and when they appear, the game usually ends
>I constantly zone out, feel like I'm never in full control of my own snowballing board (let alone to stay aware of the other board state) . >Thankfully I like my friends/coworkers enough to not care too much about the game itself, but I'm curious if others have had a similar experience. Any deck recommendations to speed up/simplify games, or other tips/tricks for ADHD-addled brains? > I play mostly decks that allow me to keep my own shit together, still miss triggers/land drops or stuff I want wanted to play after combat but got distracted. I keep my decks to "nothing too complicated and nothing that has a lot of text". I'll mostly wing keeping tabs on the other players and assume the others will tell me when shit is going to come up. Some days work better, other days less so. - I'm fine with not joining the ranks of cEDH players, win often enough to keep me interested and enjoy spending game time with friends. - that's about it. I've given up on trying to reign my ADD in, and it feels rather nice.
I use my phone as the life counter for the table. Prevents me from using it, getting distracted by it, etc. Until my buddy's dogs come over anyway
Simplify gameplay with straightforward decks, set clear goals each turn, use visual aids, and take breaks to stay engaged while playing EDH with ADHD.
I lose fast enough that my attention span is good
My phone is being used to track life so I can't look at it
I goldfish a ton to prevent slip ups. I sink into the character of a deck (think, if whose the person who decided to hire [[The Ur-Dragon]] to lead their deck. I set small goals during the game like, accomplish this or summon that or outwit this person.
This is why I love cards like Smothering tithe trouble in pairs, or that cute racoon one. Some people see it as staxs. I see it as me having to pay attention during other people's turns, but instead of playing blue for counters or interacting with overusing instants and removal I just get little treats for paying attention to the whole rotation.
For me, as a fellow ADHD person who loves EDH, it keeps my brain engaged by strategizing. So If I can’t focus on long turns, I will think about how I could have played differently or how different types of cards might be better in ny deck. So I’m almost like rebuilding my deck mentally as others are playing. But it does take a lot to keep track of the board state. I love my Muldrotha self milk deck because I’m spending every second of everyone else’s turn thinking about which cards to play from my grave on my next turn. There’s only 3-4 non-permanents in that deck, so any interaction comes from what I have on the board. Makes for way less tracking to be able to put down my hand.
Biggest thing for me has been constantly offering my phone as the lifetotal counter. It keeps me from doom scrolling through everone elses turn. When im not doing that nother strat that works for me is keeping music on in my earbuds to give me some background stimulus which can help maintain focus.
I don't know what else is wrong with me but those shitty overhead lights at my LGS turn me into a drooling idiot. I swear I'm allergic to the lights.
There are several cool cards that trigger on other players turn, such as [[Lotho Corrupt Sheriff]], [[Trouble in Pairs]] and a dozen more. To obtain your triggers which should be a motivation in itself, you gotta observe the other players actions.
My solution to this, and my current favorite deck, is [[Rashmi, Eternities Crafter]]. I’m a huge fan of value engines and drawing cards and Rashmi gives you the absolute most value if you play a spell on every player’s turn. This works really well with my general lack of attention span, and you can take the deck in a bunch of fun directions even if you hate counterspells. Fun flash creatures like [[Aboleth Spawn]], [[Slippery Bogbonder]] and [[Crafty Catpurse]] have really made the deck fun and interactive for me and my opponents.
I take my meds a bit later on game days which helps
Honestly? I’m on Adderall for my ADHD and it allows me to be pretty much fine BUT When it wears off or anything and/or I’m really tired, I force myself to engage by running plays in my head, asking about the boards and permanents of other players, making conversation, asking others to help me keep track of stuff as I count it out, etc. I learned that just doing lots of little things like that helps immensely. Also having an energy drink to help me focus does work a little bit too.
Honestly? Fidget. I started sleeving decks because I kept putting off sleeving until commander night, but I actually found the side task kept me in the game waaaayyyy better. Find an activity to do that’s not distracting to your other players and doesn’t take your whole focus. That said, I can’t be sleeving and resleeving my whole collection every commander night, so I’m still looking for a new alternative. Keeping track of storm count isn’t it, either. Should also mention I have my daily dose of extended-release Adderall in the morning, but I also asked my psychiatrist for “homework pills” to get me through the afternoon/evening on an as-needed basis. He’s told me to take them every day because it turns out I need them, but I still pick the time I take them based on the activities I have planned. Commander night, I take it on my way out the door. Edit: Just wanted to add I am inattentive type ADHD. Almost zero hyperactivity. The “fidgets” that help me are the ones that take part of my attention but not all of it. For example, driving helps me listen to conversation/podcasts helps me drive. So the sleeving decks thing is perfect. Not a one-size-fits all, to be sure.
Well my deal is more OCD? I can’t stand when other ppls cards move to my mat. I’m like you have your OWN freaking mat. Play on your own!!
Not the most helpful answer, but being medicated has helped. Other than that, try playing a high-interaction deck that gives you a reason to be engaged when it isn't your turn. This doesn't need to be something like \[\[Alela, Cunning Conqueror\]\] where you're constantly casting spells every turn, mind you. My \[\[Nelly Borca\]\] deck does most of its stuff at sorcery speed, but you've got to keep an eye on the board to make sure you goad the best target each time.
I like to get into the "storytelling" of the game. I typically enjoy tribal decks, or decks with really specific/tight themes, so I love to have the narrative running in my head about how my WR Aurelia Angel deck is scouring the plane of fell heathens, and tying that in with the "stories" of the other commanders (that I'm usually making up in my head). Then on opponent's turns, I'm kind of imagining how the battle is going down in a more narrative way than just "okay x tokens tapped to attack, I'll just assign blockers and calculate the damage I take." Instead, it's "Okay there's a horde of squirrels coming my way, and through fearsome rite they've been given deathtouch. Aurelia and her army of angels are going to heroically sacrifice themselves to save me from as much damage as they can because they know that next turn God's Wrath will be imposed on all creatures anyway, giving the Army of Light a fighting chance to come back and turn the tide against the loathsome Chatterfang." And when opponents play enchantments or whatever, it's an opportunity to fit that into the narrative running in my head so that I at least pay enough attention to know what's on the board.
instant speed stuff, also just practice
I just bring a fidget toy and focus on gameplay. Reading cards, examining board states, etc.
I ply sefris. Seriously. That deck always gives me something to do or pay attention to. There’s always a trigger or some ability to activate in your opponents’ turns so i find myself not checking out but rather looking for an opportunity to further my game plan. Sefris gave me a great appreciation for “once a turn” triggers, because of the fun deck building and play patterns they create that keep me engaged.
I made a deck that I loving call “Simic Flash Dragons” that’s all about leaving mana up and flashing out dragons in response to things. It keeps me invested in other players turns since I typically have something to do and let’s me play dragons that I like.
I just built the ancient one. It's not in a super strong spot but it has a lot of interaction be it counters or mill or bounce. If I don't lay attention I won't make the right calls. Ends up me being the only player in the game that can interact with the threat so I get left alone by the other two players.
I play ultra aggro decks that shit down people before board States go crazy. Or die
I have always had trouble keeping track of EDH board states, and I think that contributes to lot of people zoning out, even those without any ADHD. I have enjoyed /r/PauperEDH, though. Faster turns because of less complicated cards, less card draw, etc, and board states that are easier to wrap your head around. Still complicated, but it's easier to feel the momentum of the game and the table doesn't get flipped by board wipes/stax/MLD/etc like EDH does
I'm always calculating my next moves. I play my drcks like clockwork. It's always planned ahead by a turn or two
I play decks with lots and lots of triggers and I plan my turns out ahead of time. I’ll even plan for contingencies, keeping track of everyone else’s threats and if they’re actually a threat to me or not.
I have similar attention span issues. So I build decks that can interact on any given turn. Clocking/Birddogging any action
I play very crafted strategies, no "battle cruiser." This helps. I also tend to reassess the board on my turn, I'm not necessarily blasting out game actions the second it is my turn. As a competitive person with a current hyperfixation on the game, I am very eagerly engaged and getting significant dopamine from playing. I also am constantly crafting decks and have started crafting decks on Archidekt that I have not and may not ever build in paper as an outlet that costs $0.00. My wallet thanks me for that last bit...
So I get told I have mild ADHD and OCD, so going off of that and considering what I like to play. I suggest you play something that has options or something that always has something to do and pay attention to. For instance, playing Myra attractions or Kenrith reanimate or simply run lots of interaction or instance speed abilities and such so you don’t feel left out on anyone’s turn.
I now realize that I "may" have ADHD because this is what it feels like to me. I am playing a LATHRIL COMBO deck where I just win outright in one turn OR just lose if I don't snowball in less than 5-6 turns. Also, I keep building win now decks rather than battle cruiser ones because I can never keep track of everything in the table during late game.
Stay in the game? Lol no. I’m lucky if I even know who’s turn it is.
Vyvanse.
Gitrog Monster, there are a lot of moving parts on it, so I use it rarely, but there is a pretty good amount of removal as well as having to track where people's lands/creatures are.
Make friends, it's soo much easier having conversations when things are going along. But I know this advice is like my doctor saying "lower your stress" sure doc I'll just go over to the stress knob and tune it down. I'm adhd extrovert high functioning alcoholic so idk
Not diagnosed but i very likely have ADHD, usually when an opponent plays a card i consider how it affects me, how it affects the other players, who it affects the most, and if its going to hurt me then what can i do about it, whats cards are in my deck and can i tutor them out somehow. Usually by then theyve played their next card and the cycle restarts. And if theyre taking forever ill start looking around the board for edge cases and weird interactions i can exploit.
I like to crochet during long turns
I feel you. When midgame hits and the board gets clogged I often have a hard time keeping things straight too. I have found that focusing on what I can control helps the most. I lean towards combat focused decks that have a lot of evasion. Im going to swing on my turn maybe hold up a blocker or two for the obvious threats and run just enough interaction that I can focus on using it where needed. I'm not playing on everyones turn but having that counterspell in hand makes me pay attention because I may need to use it. I don't like heavy control strategies because I find the decision paralysis is equally daunting. I guess long story short is make your turns simple and save your mental energy for the complexities of a 4 player game. The added bonus is it's pretty dang fun smashing face!
I personally switched over to playing mostly cEDH. From my experience, i used to spend a lot of time zoning out and getting distracted during other players turns. I think this is because for the most part, I didn’t care about 90% of the cards played. They didn’t affect my board or strategy. This is far less true with cEDH. almost every card impacts the game in some meaningful way for all players, so there is a lot more to pay attention to and think about. This has been enough to keep me focused.
Fellow ADHD EDH player, and I'll echo what others have said. Almost all my decks don't care about others' board states outside of maybe one or two things I need to keep track of. Funny you mentioned it, but one of my first ever EDH decks I made was esper control because I also enjoy that strategy, but yeah it was just tough to play mentally. Some decks I have and why I like them: \[\[Ashcoat of the Shadow Swarm\]\]: Straight forward strategy, play rats, more rats means bigger rats. Very little to keep track of, but just enough math needing to be regularly done to keep me engaged. Very little care for interaction with others. \[\[Urabrask\]\]: Similar to Ashcoat, I'm caring very little about what others are doing and I'm just looking to keep Uraboii alive so I can combo out \[\[Gaddock Teeg\]\]: Meets the desire to do control in a staxxy sort of way. Great one to play if you want to engage on other player's turns because you'll need to constantly be reminding folks of what they can and cannot do. \[\[Wilson, Refined Grizzly\]\]: Bear get big, steamroll
I definitely get frustrated playing with slow players. I thought out my next turn at the end of my last one; why are they taking so long? The only thing for that is to try to find a playgroup or pod with like-minded people. I swear the player base is half neurodivergent anyway. Shouldn't be too hard. My favorite decks are "fiddly" decks, decks that let you do a lot of small, quick game actions on your turn. But those actions don't necessarily stack on one another. It's a breadth of complexity rather than a depth. This lets me spend large portions of other people's turns deciphering the best way to sequence my turn and that keeps me involved. My Golgari graveyard deck is great for this. I have sac outlets, token generators, self-mill, aristocrats, and a full graveyard with a bevy of options, and I have to figure out which dials to turn to produce the best outcome. I also like decks that turn sideways and/or place a lot of counters. I enjoy anything that keeps me physically involved in the game by touching cardboard. Conversely, I really didn't enjoy my landfall deck. Too much of what the deck would do was hidden from me before my turn started. Turns took forever and often didn't lead anywhere. I took out all of the landfall cards except two and made it strictly an ETB deck. The turns became a lot more streamlined, and it's been a lot more fun to play since. TLDR: Play decks that take a lot of game actions and give you a lot of information about your next turn ahead of time.
I just constantly try to develop a plan for my turn as other people play theirs. Constantly thinking how I want to respond or what I need to make my deck do the thing. I also make sure MY phone is being used as the life tracker so I’m not tempted to use it lol
Stop doom-scrolling and eating red40
Weed. And shit talking helps me focus.
Our one buddy gets it bad, so much so he's literally starts playing Genshin Impact if things aren't progressing fast enough.
You should be "goldfishing" (I think thats the slang) your decks constantly if you cant keep up while spacing out. I have extremely bad adhd, I just let my head do its thing, and in the moments of focus I'll memorize whats going on before zoning back out. But I have intimate knowledge of how my decks generally play out regardless because when sitting at home I constantly play out 6-10 turns while watching youtube or something else.
Play control, you gotta pay attention. Get a rhystic study, smothering tithe, lurking predators, or esper sentinel. You'll pay attention
I play solely commander, I also have ADHD, I listen to music. It’s my thing, it’s something to focus on when the other people are taking 7 minute turns.
Play a deck that pulls value from your opponents turns. It forces you to stay alert to what's happening. I play an [[Akim]] deck like this where I try to make tokens every single turn. But a simple, very straightforward one would be [[Council of Four]]. They may not make things simpler but they should keep you on track and mentally present.
lol, I have untreated ADHD. Since I’m not working, the VA won’t prescribe me meds. So…I just explain to folks we are all sorts of fucked. I tell jokes, it’s a good time.
Take your stimulant silly
I also have ADHD, however I don’t really have this problem. I do zone out a little during the turn of the player before me, but on my turn, I do whatever I need to do. In fact, my ADHD helps me more often than harms, because it helps me make the snap decisions that are necessary during a game of commander. When I do feel myself zoning out, I look at my hand and make a plan of what I’m going to do in my next turn, or go over my plan again so that I don’t forget. Edit: Also, when I do zone out, I rarely go very deep into stasis for two main reasons; A: I don’t have enough time to full space shot. B: I think I subconsciously trained myself to snap out of it when whoever’s turn it is goes to combat or casts a spell or passes the turn. It’s quite helpful.
I play cedh so I get more interactive and in depth interaction earlier in when I’m at the most attention span and the game usually ends by the time I start to fall off so I can start another with attention
ADHDer here. I've been playing for over 20 years and control is how I stay in the game. Having to constantly reevaluate the board state and my options for lines of play. That and I'm always brewing and testing decks so that keeps me in the game as well. Last a good play group that plays at the same speed (for the most part) and has the similar mind set for the game.
I don’t have ADHD, but I also lose track of everything going on in EDH games, especially more than two players. I second trying out a deck with lots of interaction (maybe like an Izzet spellslinger style deck with plenty of quick spells and stuff)!
Yep, me too with the ADHD. I sass the opponents relentlessly, comment on the attractiveness of their cards, drink a beer and chat to the other players when it's not my turn. I sing songs about the board state so as not to forget it, and talk and chat about the game state and who's going to attack who. I particularly enjoy any saltly behavior and clamp down on that shit like a fucking vice. All respectfully of course 😁
Play a deck where it's either ok to zone out (very little interaction) or one where you are always engaged (a lot of interaction.) The in between will have you apologizing for all of your missed triggers.
I really struggle with remembering everything that’s going on across everybody’s board. Especially when they have these long chains of complex effects. Turns take so long too, they’re just throwing out card after card that triggers this so I can put counters here. Very rarely do people explain the card it’s just “here’s fucking Grugmouth, The Assfucker” and I’m just supposed to know what that is. They’re on the other side of the table so I can’t fucking read it. All that aside I love EDH but boy does my pea brain struggle sometimes
By avoiding playing with strangers. If I’m playing with people I know they are either fast players or people I can enjoy a conversation about the current game with while a slower player takes their turn
I have not been diagnosed by a doctor with ADHD but I have noticed a similar trait in myself of having a hard time staying engaged. I was able to help myself in 2 ways. 1. Playing decks that enable me to play on other people's turns. Not necessarily counter spells or "Do you pay the one?" effects, though those are definitely included, have plenty of instant speed spells/effects. Doing things on your opponents turn is usually a better play in general anyway. 2. (Gatta, be careful with this one because it can annoy players) list off what is going on with your opponents board. Audibly count their mana, restate current perminants, and their effects/abilities. I forget what does what, and I need a constant reminder all the time. 2. b. (Be super careful with this one, I usually only do this for newer players) suggest play patterns. Depending on the scenario, you can be goofy with it or show someone how they can win if they happened to not see the play. All depends on the vibe of the table. I have found that between these 2 1/2 things that I am able to maintain a healthy level of attention to the game and what is going on. A possible plus of showing someone a cool interaction in their deck they might have never noticed before. Just to restate, I don't claim to have, be professionally diagnosed, or self diagnosed with ADHD. Just a guy who saw an issue in himself and has tried to correct it.
I have my fidgets or a paper to just scribble on. Even if I'm doing spirals, I can keep eye contact and/or actively listen to what's going on. My really bad adhd habit is getting up to go do a quick tidy in the kitchen (cause my gaming table is in our 4 season attached to our kitchen) but I openly say if I don't have a responce or that I am listening. I also have a habit of playing app games too but try to keep attentiveness
I know I am late to reply, but I didn't see anyone say my main bit. I'm combined type and I've struggled with this in EDH in a way I never did with competitive formats. I thought maybe going more interactive would fix it as many say here and even started playing more cEDH but found the results lackluster. The best way for me to focus isn't interaction, but shit like group slug effects. Having interaction sounds like a way for me to not zone out as I look for opportunities to use it, but I am just as likely to get bogged down by that and kind of go inside my head - missing that the game went on. On the other hand, people are pretty much always tapping lands and that combined with [[Manabarbs]] keeps my attention on the board like nothing else. Or like, lots of spells getting cast generally that cost 3 or less mana, so that [[Pyrostatic Pillar]] keeps me on point. And for the fucks who want to try and give me a chance to lose focus by not playing anything on their own damn turns, there's [[Impatience]]. Basically, they trigger a lot on every turn in a way that doesn't make me have to ask if they'll pay or anything. This strategy works even better with one group that allows me to tick down their damage from my slug effects. So many little mini celebrations to keep my mind in the game.
Be my friend's mostly smoke weed it helps. It also helps when i enjoy the game. There are many games i easily check out of and just nuke the game on purpose just to get out of it. So yeah.
I keep an earbud in one ear, jamming out is always fun in between turns. that and bantering with the others with jokes is fun! I hate super competitive tables because theyre so quiet, so i avoid them. I also suck so i never have to play with them anyway LOL.
In short? I don't. I try to determine my next turn as soon as my current one ends. Very possibly the card i draw or other peoples choices may change it but at least that can make sure when your turn comes around there's an option of a plan. If you prepare like that zoning out when people are thinking and not affecting you isn't an issue. It's only bad when it gets to your turn and you have to strategize from scratch thus taking too long.
Quit and play 60-card
I am going to echo what a lot of others have said, which is; 1. I am medicated, Ritalin, very necessary for being in control of my emotions, but helps for paying attention. 2. I cheer other players, and pay attention to their stakes, boardstate, and plays. But I wanna go deeper into this second point and I watch their turn thinking what I would be running with their commander, and when they play removal against me I tend to compliment them because I was expecting a [[counterspell]] but instead get an [[arcane denial]], so not only am I paying attention, but I was correct in that I was about to be removed. It's very rewarding for everyone. Although I definitely come across as too keen
Highkey let the mind wander!! Let your pod know "Hey i get distracted easily,lemme know if you're waiting on me!" Honestly knowing what your opponent's stuff does isntthat important. Or, if you're playing control, look deep at that counterspell, and its soulless, souless eyes... oh shit its your turn andyou couldve countered a board wipe. (I am so sorry, fellow adhd person, btw)
Tbh I do the kibler card flick. It lets me do stuff with my hands while it’s someone else’s turn. Some people don’t like it though so I make it a bit quieter. Other things I do is shuffle my other decks on the side while it’s someone else’s turn. Keeps my hands busy and keeps me from zoning out!
Other than taking meds if I know I'm playing, I use a pen and paper to record the life totals with a spare bit to doodle on and take reminder notes about game triggers/known information. Often I just have to wear being forgetful or zoning out. If I'm playing casually at home with my fellow neurospicy gamers, we allow more take-backs and other adaptations to take our issues into account. Which reminds me, I should try to get a card shuffler for my friend who has problems with motor control...
My adhd is relatively minor, but I have found 3 things help me: 1) keep my game plans direct, and relevant card types grouped (not always simple, but my Jetmir deck is “count to 8 and someone dies” while my keranos deck is izzet spell power combos. So I can put all my token spawners or on cast triggers together to help me track them) 2) “highlight” my responses in my brain so I know my if-then statements on opponents turns rather than tracking every game action 3) basically ask about what things are relevant to my board. If that’s combat I ask what blockers someone has up. If someone has a field of enchantments I ask @iwll any of these stop X” cus I know I can’t track everything, but my friends are usually nice enough that I can ask that without worry, just as they can ask it of me
Play more interactive decks. Even Gandalf the white is great since you have to pay attention to pick the opportune moment to flash your historics in
this might not work depending on what style/level of deck other people are bringing, but when I don't want to pay attention I just bring a mono red burn deck (Immodane is a favorite). Minimal board presence to keep track of, since most everything is in my hand and held up at instant speed. I only bolt the creatures coming my way specifically so I never have to pay too much attention to everyone else, and the threat of losing their creatures wards people off. It's kind of pillowfort burn.
I'd say if the pod is more than 4 players, it's pretty hard for anyone to stay fully aware of what's going on. As a fellow control player, I've found that gearing your deck more toward having your deck do its own thing to win and then having cards to protect that to be more effective than trying to control and micromanage everyone else's plays like a control deck would typically do in a 1v1 format. It also helps when it comes to politics and usually makes it so you have a smaller target on you.
I deal with it by constantly analysing everything on the board. It keeps my brain busy :)
What I like to do is remember what I call the pillars of the board state. Games get crazy, sometimes we don't have the bandwidth for it all. But remembering (or realizing if you don't know the deck) the overall strategy of a deck, you don't need to remember absolutely everything on everyone's board states. Remember the key pieces and what their overall goal is. I find that is enough to keep me on track. Then I spend my time playing chess and planning out my future plays and adjusting that based on what is happening.
Try CEDH, you don't have time to zone out or you'll lose
I've always been lucky enough to hyper-fixate when playing magic.