I only managed to make it to CommandFest on the Sunday, but honestly, that was enough to leave me buzzing. What an event. It’s hard to put into words without sounding over the top, but the energy in that hall? Incredible. Everywhere you looked, people were laughing, shuffling decks, trading cards, and just… connecting. It felt like the kind of day you wish you could stretch out a little longer. My old complaint was, I didn’t go for all 3 days!
Meeting Arist R.K. Post, and a Few More Legends
One of the biggest reasons I wanted to go to CommandFest was to meet Arist R.K. Post. Or, well, re-meet him, if that makes sense.
For some background on why I was so excited to meet/re-meet him, I started writing a little under a decade ago for a site called Hittin’ Crits. The first event I was ever invited to was the Magic: The Gathering Grand Prix in 2016. To be honest, I think my editor, Al, was the one invited, but because he wanted to play in the event, he told me to cover it instead. So there I was, 9 a.m. on day one, sitting down for my first-ever artist interview. That artist? R.K. Post.
I even got to draw Odie from Garfield for his daughter, which she later handed back to me at the end of the event, coloured in beautifully. It’s one of those small, random memories that sticks with you.
Fast forward to CommandFest Melbourne, and here I am again. I’ve admired his work for years, so getting my 2016 Rick and Morty playmat re-signed felt surreal. I slipped in an Arbor Elf card too, because why not? He was friendly, quiet spoken, patient, and, honestly, exactly as I remembered him. He even said I looked familiar, and when I reminded him of that old interview, we had this warm, nostalgic chat. He hasn’t changed a bit.
I also got to meet April Prime, and wow, her energy is infectious. I picked up an autograph on her adorably ugly Afterburner Expert piece, which is somehow both chaotic and charming. Then there was Jeff Laubenstein, whose work always feels like it’s pulled straight from a dream. Alex Stone had some incredible prints on display, and I couldn’t resist stopping to admire them. Benjamin Ee brought this vibrant, almost cinematic style that really stood out. And last and certainly not least, Kelogsloops, his art is even more stunning in person. Soft, flowing, almost ethereal. Seeing all these artists in one place was overwhelming in the best way.
Each interaction felt personal, even if it was just a quick chat or a signature. It reminded me that Magic isn’t just about the cards, it’s about the creativity and the people behind them. That’s something you can’t replicate online.
Selling, Trading, and a Little Nostalgia
I stopped by MTG Mate and sold off some old cards that had been sitting in my binder for way too long, something I’ve never done before. Honestly, I wasn’t looking forward to it. I had no idea what to expect and wasn’t entirely sure how much or what I even had. But it turned out to be such a cool and slightly weird experience. There’s this moment where you’re handing over cards you’ve owned for years, and part of you thinks, should I really be doing this? Then you realise they’ve just been collecting dust, and suddenly it feels liberating.
Talking to Nick at MTG Mate made the whole process easy. He was friendly, patient, and explained everything step by step. If you’ve never done this before, I think you need to try it at least once. He went through the cards, pulling out the ones worth something, and then laid them on this neat mat with price markers, $1 to $100, then every $5 after 20, and once you hit $50, it jumps in $10 increments. It was oddly satisfying watching the pile grow and seeing where each card landed. Especially as many of them landed in the middle to lower end of the mat.
Nick didn’t just price cards; he chatted about the event, shared little tidbits like which cards had spiked recently or had a commander deck with this as the commander, and even mentioned trends from last year. I learnt so much in that short time, I honestly think I forgot more of what we talked about over the 15 or so minutes than what I remembered. As someone who’s used MTG Mate before for my most recent commander deck, this face-to-face experience really connected me to the brand. It felt personal, not transactional.
The pricing was fair, and he even gave me the option of taking store credit for 25% extra value. Honestly, I should have taken it. It would’ve forced me to buy more Magic cards, which, let’s be real, I did anyway. In the end, I made a little money, cleared space in my binder, and walked away feeling like I’d unlocked a new part of the hobby.
There’s something satisfying about knowing those cards will find a new home. And yes, the cash funded a few impulse buys, because resisting temptation at an event like this? Not happening.
Most vendors offered similar services, but this was my first time doing it, and it felt like a milestone in my MTG journey. Definitely something I’ll do again… well, once I’ve refilled that folder.
Commander Games – The Heart of CommandFest
I squeezed in a few Commander games, because it’s CommandFest after all. Honestly, that was the main reason I came. I’d been itching to try out two new decks I’d recently built, and this felt like the perfect place to give them a proper run. There’s something about sitting down at a table with strangers, shuffling up, and knowing anything can happen. It’s exciting in a way that kitchen-table Magic just isn’t.
The deck I was most excited for? Rhys the Redeemed. And wow… it delivered. Big shoutout to Craterhoof Behemoth for helping me swing in for 54 points of damage. Nothing beats turning a board full of 1/1 tokens into trampling monsters with +8/+8. The timing couldn’t have been better, as fellow content creator, Old Man Collects Games had just called a judge over, ready to claim his win and prize points. And then, well, I may have Leroy Jenkins’d the game in front of the judge. His reaction? “That is the greatest win I’ve seen this weekend.” I’m not sure if that’s true, but I’ll take it.
That moment stuck with me. It wasn’t just the win, it was the laughter, the disbelief, the way everyone at the table leaned in as the math unfolded. Commander does that. It creates stories you’ll retell for years. And honestly, that’s why I love this format. It’s not about crushing opponents; it’s about those ridiculous, over-the-top plays that make everyone smile, even the person who just lost…. which is normally me.
I played a few more games after that, swapping decks and chatting with new faces. Some games were quick, some dragged on, but every one of them had that same vibe: fun first, competition second. By the end of the day, I’d made a couple of new friends, traded deck ideas, and walked away feeling like my Rhys deck earned its spot in the rotation.
The Atmosphere, More Than Just Cards
What really stuck with me wasn’t just the games or the vendors (though they were fantastic). CommandFest was the atmosphere, the kind of vibe you can’t manufacture. Everywhere I looked, people were laughing, leaning over tables, swapping stories about decks and plays. Strangers sat down together, played a few rounds, and by the end, they weren’t strangers anymore. I lost count of how many times I saw players who’d just faced off in a tournament end up laughing and playing casual games together. That sense of community, it’s hard to fake. And honestly, it’s what makes Magic special.
There’s something about hearing the shuffle of cards mixed with bursts of laughter and the occasional “No way!” when someone pulls off a wild combo. It felt alive. Even when I wasn’t playing, just walking around CommandFest and watching games unfold was fun. You could feel the passion in the room; people weren’t just there to win; they were there to share something they love.
Catching Up and Surprises
I had some great chats with friends, Logan, RubeePlays, Attack on Cardboard, and so many other great content creators. It’s funny how these events turn into mini-reunions. We swapped stories, compared decks, and just enjoyed being in the same space again. And then there were the surprises, bumping into people I didn’t even know who played Magic. That was a shock, in the best way. Looks like my playgroup is about to get a lot bigger, which is a nice bonus I wasn’t expecting.
There’s something special about that. You go in thinking it’s just about the cards, but you leave with new friends, new memories, and maybe even a few plans for future game nights. Honestly, that’s the real prize of CommandFest.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never been to a CommandFest, I think you should. Even if you only make it for one day, as I did, it’s worth it. The artists, the vendors, the games; they’re all amazing. But it’s the people who make it unforgettable. I walked in with a deck and a plan. I walked out with stories, new friends, and a renewed love for the game.
And I have to give a massive shout-out to Let’s Play Games for organising this event and making my first CommandFest something truly special. Everything ran smoothly, the atmosphere was incredible, and you could feel how much effort went into making sure players had a great experience. It’s not easy to pull off an event of this scale, but they nailed it. Honestly, CommandFest Melbourne is now firmly on my list of favourite events, and I can’t wait to see what they do next year.
This wasn’t just a day of Magic, it was a celebration of community, creativity, and connection. If you’re on the fence about going to one of these, don’t hesitate. Grab a deck, grab a friend (or go soloas I did, you’ll make plenty there), and dive in. You won’t regret it.
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