Commander is supposed to be the “hang out, laugh, cast big spells” format. But if a table feels unsafe or weird, the game ends before the first mulligan.
TLDR
- Women+ in Magic (WIM) is a community founded in 2024 that’s focused on making MTG spaces safer and more inclusive, especially in social formats like Commander/EDH.
- Their “secret sauce” is confidence-building safe spaces plus re-entry into mixed spaces together, backed by allies who speak up.
- If you want to help: interrupt the off-color comments, don’t “mana-splain,” and back up players who get put in the “prove you belong” box.
- If you run Commander nights: a clear code of conduct, visible reporting options, and staff who actually enforce them matters more than any prize wall ever will.
- Want in? Start with WIM’s Linktree, Discord, and events, then bring that same energy to your LGS.
Related reading on MTGEDH.com: How to Build a Commander Deck in MTG and Rule 0 in Commander.
What is Women+ in Magic?
Women+ in Magic (WIM) is a grassroots community for women and gender-diverse Magic players that organizes both online and in-person play, teaching, and community-building. It was founded in 2024 by Magic players Lize Korpershoek, Myrna Hendrickx, and Stéphanie Buter.
Their mission is simple and very Commander-coded: make the spaces we play in safer, so more people actually want to show up and stay.
That “women+” phrasing is intentional. It’s meant to signal: this is a place centered on women, and it’s also for gender-diverse players who are often treated like an “edge case” in hobby spaces. (Spoiler: people are not edge cases.)
The problem WIM is trying to solve
There’s a long-running stat that gets cited a lot: a significant chunk of Magic’s player base is women. And yet, if you’ve been to enough prereleases, Commander nights, or big events, you’ve probably noticed the same mismatch WIM’s founders did: the crowd doesn’t always reflect the broader player base.
WIM didn’t start from a place of “Magic is bad.” It started from “Magic is awesome, and we want more of the Gathering part without the social tax.”
The founders have described experiences many players recognize: being treated like you’re new by default, getting talked over, getting comments that have nothing to do with gameplay, or feeling like you have to win twice (once on the board, once in the room).
In Commander, that stuff hits extra hard because the format runs on social trust. You can’t Rule 0 your way around someone making the table uncomfortable.
WIM’s approach: safe spaces, then stronger re-entry
A lot of communities stop at “let’s create a safe space.” WIM treats that as step one, not the finish line.
Here’s the core idea:
- Safe spaces let players build reps: learn the rules, tune decks, try playstyles, and gain confidence without being put on trial.
- Re-entry is the multiplier: when members go back into mixed spaces together, it normalizes seeing women+ players at tables and events, and it makes it easier to handle the occasional weird moment without feeling isolated.
This is also where allies matter. One founder’s advice is blunt and correct: if something feels off at the table, say something. A quick, calm interruption from another player often lands better than asking the targeted person to do emotional labor mid-game.
Why Commander is the perfect place to grow the Gathering
Commander is where a lot of Magic’s social culture lives now. It’s also where a lot of new players land, especially through precons and kitchen table pods.
WIM’s community reflects that reality. Their Discord activity includes things like:
- regular SpellTable nights across time zones
- community events like Sealed
- creative projects like an alter swap (people making alters for each other and mailing them around the world)
That mix matters. It’s not just “play games.” It’s “build belonging,” which is the thing that turns “I tried Commander once” into “this is my hobby.”
Allyship that actually helps at an EDH table
You don’t need a speech. You need a few reliable plays you can deploy at instant speed.
1) Interrupt the weird comment, quickly and neutrally
Try: “Hey, let’s keep it game-related.”
Or: “Not cool. Anyway, whose turn is it?”
Short. Calm. You’re not starting a debate, you’re resetting the table.
2) Don’t “help” unless help was requested
If someone says “I built this deck,” believe them. If they don’t ask for advice, don’t treat the game like your personal TED Talk.
A good rule: Ask first. “Want thoughts after the game?” is a gift. “Actually, you should…” is usually not.
3) Back people up when they set boundaries
If someone says “I’m not comfortable with that,” your job is not to litigate it. Your job is to support it.
4) Make space in the conversation
Commander has a lot of table talk. If one player isn’t getting a word in, you can help without making it a production: “Hold up, I want to hear what you’re thinking.”
5) Learn the house rules of the room (and enforce them)
Most problems happen when expectations are fuzzy. Clarity is kindness, even in cEDH pods.
If you run an LGS or Commander night, steal this checklist
This is the part where store owners sometimes say, “We’re welcoming here,” and then… don’t write anything down, don’t post anything, and don’t enforce anything. Let’s not do that.
- Post a code of conduct where players can see it (not buried in a Facebook post from 2021).
- Define what gets someone warned vs. removed, and follow through consistently.
- Make reporting easy: who to tell, where to go, what happens next.
- Train staff on what to do when someone says “that guy is making me uncomfortable.”
- Create physical safety options: a staff escort to a car, a quiet space, a no-questions “I need help” signal.
- Set a culture: your regulars will follow the vibe you reward.
If you want a simple mental model: you’re not “policing fun,” you’re protecting it.
How to support WIM (or do something similar locally)
If you want to get involved, you’ve got options:
- Join the WIM Discord and show up for SpellTable nights if you’re online-first.
- Attend an event if there’s one near you, or travel with others when possible.
- Support financially if you can (their Patreon helps fund events and growth).
- Share the work: WIM has encouraged community-run gatherings and has shared resources to help others host women+ events.
WIM also kicked off 2026 with a one-year anniversary celebration on February 22 in Utrecht (with allies welcome), and they’ve talked about showing up to major MagicCons with projects aimed at allyship and visibility.
FAQs
What does “women+” mean in MTG communities?
It generally means women plus gender-diverse players, often including non-binary and gender-nonconforming folks. Different communities define it slightly differently, so check the group’s “about” or membership notes.
Is WIM only for beginners?
No. The whole point is that beginners and experienced players can build confidence and community together. Commander pods need both.
Are allies welcome?
Sometimes, depending on the specific event. Some spaces are women+-centered only, and some events explicitly welcome allies. Check the event details.
What if my LGS already has a code of conduct?
Great. The next question is the real one: do staff enforce it consistently? A code of conduct that never gets used is wall decor.
I’m a guy. What’s the single best thing I can do?
Speak up when something gets weird. Don’t make the targeted person carry it alone.
Wrap up
If you remember one thing: Magic is better when more people feel safe sitting down to play it. WIM’s model is powerful because it’s practical: build confidence in supportive spaces, then show up together, backed by allies who actually act like allies.
That’s how you improve the Gathering, one Commander pod at a time.