Commander stands as the undisputed champion among the various formats in the world of Magic: The Gathering. This captivating format invites players to showcase their ingenuity in deck-building and tactical prowess. Unlike other formats that strive to dominate with predictable strategies and meta-defining decks, Commander thrives on the joy of communal play.
Embracing a philosophy of fun and camaraderie, Commander is widely regarded as a casual format, though we’ll delve into its competitive side as well. It champions lively board interactions, extravagant creatures, and dazzling combinations. Within Commander’s realm, players find an avenue to express their individuality and creativity, owing to the vast card pool it encompasses.
Born in 1994 under the moniker of Elder Dragon Highlander (EDH), the format came into being thanks to the visionary mind of Adam Staley. Inspired by the legendary Elder Dragons from the Legends expansion, a select group of five mighty Dragons became the pioneering Commanders. As its popularity soared, Wizards of the Coast (WotC) recognized the fervor surrounding this remarkable format. In 2008, Commander earned the prestigious distinction of an official WotC format, accompanied by a rebranded, legally-sound name.
The Commander Experience: Embracing Creativity and Camaraderie
Commander provides an unparalleled gameplay experience, enticing players with its blend of strategic depth and social interaction. It transcends the realm of mere competition and fosters a communal atmosphere, where players come together to revel in the artistry of the game.
The cornerstone of Commander lies in its deck-building concept. Unlike traditional formats, where players construct decks with a minimum of 60 cards, Commander mandates a towering 100-card deck, reinforcing the need for versatility and adaptability. This expansive deck size allows players to incorporate a diverse array of spells, creatures, and artifacts, enabling them to express their personal style and preferences.
Choosing a Commander
Selecting a commander for your deck is a pivotal decision that sets the stage for your entire gameplay experience. Whether it’s a legendary creature or a planeswalker, the commander embodies your leadership, dictating the strategies and possibilities that unfold throughout the game.
To qualify as a commander, a card must meet one of two criteria. Firstly, it can be a legendary creature, representing a figure of remarkable prowess and influence. Alternatively, a card can explicitly state the phrase, “This card can be your Commander,” granting it the prestigious role of leading your forces.
Commanders in MTG are exclusively creatures or planeswalkers, imbued with the potential to shape the destiny of your deck. As you embark on the journey of constructing your Commander deck, the first question that arises is: Who shall command your army?
The Significance of Color Identity in Commanders
A commander’s color identity plays a pivotal role in shaping the composition of your deck and determining the range of spells and abilities at your disposal. The color identity of a commander refers to the combination of colors required to cast it, as indicated by its mana cost.
For instance, consider the awe-inspiring Muldrotha, the Gravetide, whose casting cost demands six mana: three colorless, one blue, one black, and one green. As a result, Muldrotha’s color identity encompasses the vibrant hues of blue, black, and green, commonly known as the Sultai colors in the realm of Magic.
However, here’s the captivating aspect: when constructing a Commander deck, the cards you include must align with the color identity of your chosen commander. Taking Muldrotha, the Gravetide as an example once again, your deck can solely consist of cards that bear the colors blue, black, green, or any combination thereof.
Essentially, the color identity of your commander acts as the guiding force, delineating the boundaries of your deck’s composition. This restriction, accompanied by the ban list, forms the sole limitations that govern the construction of your Commander deck.
Check out the best cards for commander.
Commander Rules
Playing Commander follows the same core principles as any other format, yet it offers a unique and enthralling gameplay experience.
With up to four players engaging in epic confrontations, each wielding a deck consisting of precisely 100 distinctive cards, including the commander, the stage is set for unforgettable battles.
Deck Construction Rules
When constructing a Commander deck, several rules must be observed to ensure a level playing field and foster strategic diversity:
- Deck Size: A Commander deck comprises exactly 100 cards, consisting of one commander card and 99 other cards. Alternatively, you may have two partner commanders, accompanied by 98 other cards.
- Card Limitations: With the exception of basic lands, each card in the deck must be unique in terms of name. Duplicates are prohibited.
- Color Identity: All cards within the deck must align with the color identity of the commander. The color identity includes the mana symbols present in the casting cost, color indicators, and abilities of the commander card.
Rules of Play
To fully immerse yourself in the world of Commander, familiarize yourself with the following essential rules:
- Number of Players: Commander games require a minimum of two players and a maximum of four players.
- Starting Life Total: Each player begins the game with a life total of 40, allowing for a more epic and enduring clash of titans.
- Command Zone: The commander card starts the game in the command zone, a special zone designated for commanders. From here, the commander can be cast during the game.
- Commander Tax: Every time a commander is cast from the command zone, its mana value increases by two, in addition to its original mana cost. This increment reflects the growing challenge of repeatedly summoning a powerful leader.
- Victory Through Combat: If any player is dealt 21 or more combat damage by a single commander over the course of the game, that player is defeated. The path to victory lies in the relentless assault of your opponents’ life totals.
- Last Player Standing: The player who remains standing, outlasting their adversaries and emerging victorious, claims the triumph in a Commander battle of wits and strategy.
- Commander’s Fate: When a commander card is placed in the graveyard or exiled, its controller may choose to return it to the command zone instead. This rule also applies if the commander is placed in the owner’s hand or library, ensuring that the commander remains an ever-present force throughout the game.
The Difference Between Standard and Commander Formats
While both Standard and Commander are captivating Magic formats, they possess distinct characteristics that set them apart from each other. These differences contribute to the unique flavor and gameplay experience offered by each format.
Deck Size and Starting Life Total
One notable dissimilarity lies in the deck construction requirements and starting life totals. Standard, along with most constructed formats, mandates a minimum deck size of 60 cards, with players beginning the game with 20 life.
In contrast, Commander adopts a more expansive approach. Decks in Commander consist of precisely 100 cards, offering a rich tapestry of possibilities. Furthermore, players commence their Commander battles with a starting life total of 40, fostering an environment of prolonged clashes and strategic depth.
Game Duration
Another distinguishing factor between Standard and Commander lies in the duration of gameplay. Standard games are generally swift affairs, often concluding within approximately 20 minutes. The fast-paced nature of Standard encourages quick decision-making and rapid exchanges on the battlefield.
In contrast, Commander embraces a more leisurely pace, with game durations ranging from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. This extended timeframe allows players to weave intricate narratives, build epic board states, and experience the ebb and flow of strategic interactions on a grander scale.
Competitiveness vs. Casual Appeal
Standard firmly resides within the realm of competitive play. It possesses a well-defined metagame, with the strongest decks frequently making appearances in tournaments. The format undergoes rotations each year, introducing new sets and shifting the landscape of viable strategies.
Conversely, Commander shines as a casual format, fostering a welcoming and social atmosphere. It is easy to find a playgroup or join a playpod at your local game store, providing an avenue for relaxed and enjoyable gameplay experiences. However, it is worth noting that Commander tournaments do exist, catering to those seeking a more competitive edge. These competitive Commander games, often referred to as cEDH (competitive EDH), offer a different flavor of play for those seeking heightened strategic challenges.
Rotation and Card Pool
A significant divergence between Standard and Commander lies in their approaches to rotation and the growth of the card pool. Standard adheres to a rotation cycle, with older sets cycling out of legality each year. This rotation ensures a dynamic and ever-evolving format, spurring deck innovation and adaptation.
In contrast, Commander stands firm as a format immune to rotation. While certain cards may be banned for various reasons, the overall card pool continues to expand, incorporating new releases and offering players a vast array of options for deck construction. This enduring nature of the format allows players to develop long-lasting relationships with their decks and explore a seemingly limitless realm of card interactions.
Cards Banned in Commander
To maintain balance and promote an enjoyable gameplay experience, certain cards are banned in the Commander format. The following list outlines the cards currently prohibited in legal Commander play:
Banned Card Types:
- 25 cards with the card type “Conspiracy” are banned.
- Nine cards that involve “playing for ante” are banned.
Banned for Offensive Content:
Cards whose art, text, name, or combination thereof are racially or culturally offensive are banned across all formats, including Commander.
Specific Cards Banned in Commander:
- Ancestral Recall
- Balance
- Biorhythm
- Black Lotus
- Chaos Orb
- Coalition Victory
- Channel
- Emrakul, the Aeons Torn
- Erayo, Soratami Ascendant
- Falling Star
- Fastbond
- Flash
- Gifts Ungiven
- Golos, Tireless Pilgrim
- Griselbrand
- Hullbreacher
- Iona, Shield of Emeria
- Karakas
- Leovold, Emissary of Trest
- Library of Alexandria
- Limited Resources
- Lutri, the Spellchaser
- Mox Emerald
- Mox Jet
- Mox Pearl
- Mox Ruby
- Mox Sapphire
- Panoptic Mirror
- Paradox Engine
- Primeval Titan
- Prophet of Kruphix
- Recurring Nightmare
- Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary
- Shahrazad
- Sundering Titan
- Sway of the Stars
- Sylvan Primordial
- Time Vault
- Time Walk
- Tinker
- Tolarian Academy
- Trade Secrets
- Upheaval
- Yawgmoth’s Bargain
As the Commander format evolves and new cards are released, the list of banned cards may expand. To stay up to date with the current state of card bans, it is advisable to consult official sources and updates from the governing bodies of the format.
Selecting the Perfect Commander for Your Deck
When venturing into the world of Commander, choosing the right commander for your deck is a crucial and exciting decision.
Sometimes, inspiration strikes when you come across a captivating commander that ignites your passion for building a deck. Personally, Nicol Bolas, The Ravager was the card that sparked my enthusiasm, and it remains one of my favorite Commander decks to this day, despite the many others I have built since.
To guide you in selecting the ideal commander, consider the following approaches:
1. Follow what you like
If you already have a commander in mind that resonates with your playstyle, thematic preferences, or simply captures your imagination, embrace it wholeheartedly. Let your passion be your guiding light, as a deep connection with your commander can fuel your creativity and drive your deck-building endeavors.
2. Begin with the 99
Rather than designing your deck around a specific commander, you may find inspiration from a potent card combo that has caught your attention. Alternatively, you might have a collection of formidable creatures yearning for a worthy commander to lead them into battle. Start by considering the cards you wish to include in the 99 (the non-commander cards) and use resources like the Magic Card Database to find the perfect commander that complements your chosen cards and synergizes with your envisioned strategy.
3. Embrace Tribal Synergies
Exploring specific creature types can unlock fascinating possibilities for your Commander deck. Whether you find allure in commanding a legion of Dragons, Goblins, Merfolk, or even Dogs, certain commanders excel at leveraging tribal abilities and mechanics to create formidable combinations or unleash devastating attacks. Delve into the lore and mechanics surrounding your preferred creature type, and let it guide your choice of commander.
4. Leverage Deck Archetypes
The four primary deck archetypes in Magic: The Gathering—aggro, control, combo, and midrange—offer distinct playstyles and strategic approaches. If you have a clear vision of the type of deck you wish to construct, understanding these archetypes can provide a solid foundation for selecting your commander. Aggro decks focus on swift, direct damage; control decks excel at denying opponents’ resources and limiting their plays; combo decks rely on specific card combinations for powerful synergies; and midrange decks strike a balance between aggression and control. Identifying your preferred archetype can help guide your choice of commander that aligns with your strategic vision.
5. Embrace Mechanic-Focused Commanders
If you have a particular mechanic in mind that captivates your interest, seek out commanders that synergize with that mechanic. For instance, if you are drawn to the ninjitsu mechanic, Yuriko, the Tiger’s Shadow could be an excellent choice. Her ability to leverage ninjitsu in combat and unleash devastating effects complements a deck centered around this elusive and cunning mechanic. Similarly, when the mutate mechanic was introduced in Ikoria, building a Commander deck around it became a thrilling endeavor, and commanders like Vadrok, Apex of Thunder offered fascinating possibilities.
6. Capitalize on Card-Type Commanders
For players keen on constructing artifact-heavy or equipment-focused decks, commanders that specifically enhance and capitalize on these card types can be ideal. Consider commanders such as Syr Gwyn, Hero of Ashvale or Nazahn, Revered Bladesmith for an equipment-focused deck. Although both commanders excel with equipment, their unique abilities and playstyles lead to distinct deck strategies and dynamics. Understanding the nuances of each commander’s abilities will guide you in crafting a deck that optimizes the potential of your chosen card type.
7. Explore Your Collection
Take a journey through your collection of rare and mythic Magic: The Gathering cards. Within this treasure trove, you may stumble upon a legendary creature or planeswalker that sparks your imagination and inspires you to build a deck around it. Evaluating your collection is not only an opportunity to tap into cards you already possess, but it also allows you to assess the resources available to you. Being aware of the cards you have on hand helps when planning a deck, as each card must be unique. Reviewing your collection may even enable you to build a budget-friendly Commander deck by utilizing the cards you already own.
8. Favor Color Combinations
Magic’s color wheel assigns distinct characteristics to each color, often resulting in players having a preferred color combination. If you find it challenging to settle on a specific commander, narrowing down your choices by selecting a favored color combination can be a viable approach. You can even undertake this step after reviewing your Magic collection. For example, if you possess a considerable number of black and green cards and wish to acquire your commander as a single card, narrowing your search to commanders in those colors streamlines the decision-making process.
Crafting a Commander Deck: A Blueprint for Success
When it comes to building a Commander deck, careful planning and consideration are paramount. Follow these essential steps to create a deck that balances power, consistency, and strategic depth:
Determining Land Count
A common question that arises when constructing a 100-card deck is the appropriate number of lands. As a general guideline, 36 to 38 lands are recommended for a Commander deck. However, decks incorporating mana dorks or inexpensive mana rocks may require fewer lands. Tailor your land count to the specific needs and characteristics of your deck.
Commander Deck Template
The podcast Command Zone introduced a Commander deck formula, which serves as a valuable guideline rather than a strict rule. Here is the template:
- 36-38 Lands
- 31-33 Cards focused on executing your deck plan
- 10 (minimum) Mana Ramp cards to accelerate your mana development
- 10 Card Draw cards to maintain card advantage and consistency
- 5 Targeted Removal cards to handle problematic threats
- 5 Board Wipes cards to reset the battlefield if needed
- 1 Commander card that serves as the centerpiece of your deck
This template provides a balanced foundation for your deck, ensuring a mix of essential components that contribute to a well-rounded and functional gameplay experience.
Mind the Mana Curve
The mana curve is a vital consideration when constructing a Commander deck. It refers to the distribution of mana values across the cards in your deck. While Commander games tend to be longer, allowing for the casting of bigger spells and executing intricate combos, it is crucial to ensure that your deck has a balanced distribution of mana values to support consistent gameplay throughout the different stages of a game.
There is no universal formula for mana curves in Commander decks, but the following outline can serve as a starting point:
- Zero and one-mana value cards: 5-10
- Two-mana value cards: 14-20
- Three-mana value cards: 12-20
- Four-mana value cards: 8-14
- Five-mana value cards: 5-10
- Six-mana value cards: 4-8
- Seven-mana value or higher: 1-5
Remember that this formula does not account for lands since they have no mana value. Adapt these numbers based on your deck’s strategy, focus, and preferred playstyle.
Embrace Card Types and Synergies
While considering the mana curve, don’t overlook the importance of card types and synergies within your deck. Explore combinations of creatures, artifacts, enchantments, instants, and sorceries that synergize with your commander’s abilities and support your overall strategy. Seek out cards that complement each other, amplifying their impact when played together.
Playtesting and Iteration
Building a Commander deck is an iterative process. After assembling your initial decklist, playtest it against different opponents and in various scenarios to gauge its effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Take note of cards that overperform or underperform, and make adjustments accordingly. Iteration and fine-tuning are essential steps in refining your deck and optimizing its performance.
How to Win at Commander EDH
Commander’s open-ended nature allows for a multitude of creative strategies and win conditions. Explore some common approaches to achieving victory in this format:
1. Combat & Direct Damage: The most traditional and widely employed method of winning is through combat damage. Assembling a powerful army of creatures, enhanced by keyword abilities like trample, flying, and haste, allows you to reduce opponents’ life totals until you emerge as the last player standing. Construct a deck that emphasizes strong creatures, efficient combat tricks, and effective combat synergies to excel in this approach.
2. “Win the Game” Cards: These captivating cards provide an avenue to claim victory instantly when specific conditions are met. However, it is crucial to discuss the use of such cards with your playgroup to ensure a balanced and enjoyable game. Examples include Chance Encounter, which grants victory upon accumulating ten luck counters, and Biovisionary, which requires controlling four copies (including token copies) of itself to win. Crafting a deck around “win the game” cards involves aligning your deck plan and strategy with the conditions necessary for these win-cons.
3. Infinite Combos: Utilizing powerful card combinations, infinite combos offer an opportunity to create an unstoppable chain of actions that can lead to victory. As with “win the game” cards, it’s essential to discuss the inclusion of infinite combos with your playgroup. These combos often generate infinite mana, card draw, or other advantageous effects that pave the way to victory. Combining cards like Freed from the Real and Selvala, Heart of the Wilds, or Azami, Lady of Scrolls and Mind Over Matter, can create unstoppable synergies that enable game-ending moves or set up conditions for other win conditions.
4. Milling: Deck-milling involves depleting opponents’ libraries, forcing them to lose the game by running out of cards to draw. While less common in Commander due to its multiplayer nature, milling strategies can be effective when targeting multiple players simultaneously. However, mill decks can limit interaction and deviate from the core philosophy of Commander, which revolves around board interaction and a focus on social gameplay. Competitive EDH (cEDH) mill decks often take a different approach, self-milling their own library to exploit cards like Thassa’s Oracle to secure victory. It’s important to note that mill decks are not commonly seen among casual players and may not be suitable for beginners.
Essential Commander Staples: Enhancing Your Deck’s Foundation
When crafting your Commander deck, certain cards have become widely recognized as staples due to their versatility and utility across various strategies and playstyles. While not every staple is essential for every deck, incorporating some of these powerful cards can significantly enhance your deck’s performance. Here are a few notable Commander staples that are worth considering:
- Sol Ring: This artifact accelerates your mana production, providing an early advantage in the game.
- Command Tower: This land is a versatile inclusion, as it can produce any color of mana required by your commander’s color identity.
- Chromatic Lantern: This artifact ensures that you have access to all colors of mana, helping to smooth out your mana base and enable flexibility in casting your spells.
- Command Beacon: This land allows you to return your commander from the command zone to your hand, ensuring that you can recast them easily and overcome commander tax.
- Solemn Simulacrum: This creature serves as a valuable ramp card, providing both land acceleration and card draw upon entering the battlefield.
- Arcane Signet: This mana rock is a cost-effective way to generate mana of your commander’s colors, providing ramp and fixing in one card.
- Swiftfoot Boots: This equipment grants your commander hexproof and haste, protecting them from targeted removal and allowing them to make an immediate impact on the game.
While these staples serve as a solid foundation, it’s important to explore additional resources, such as comprehensive staple lists available online, to discover a wide range of powerful cards that may be suitable for your deck. These extensive lists cover the best staple cards in each color and can help you refine your deck’s composition, ensuring that you include optimal cards for your chosen strategy.
Bringing It All Together: Crafting a Cohesive Commander Deck
Adopting an organized approach can greatly enhance your deck-building experience. Consider the following steps to bring all the elements together and create a cohesive and focused deck:
1. Start a Decklist Document: Begin by creating a decklist in a Word or Google document. Organize the list by card types, such as creatures, sorceries, instants, planeswalkers, and so on. This allows for a clear visual representation of your deck’s composition.
2. Adding Cards to the Decklist: As you discover cards you wish to include in your deck, add them to the decklist along with relevant details. Include the number of copies you want to include, a link to where you can purchase the card as a single, and the card’s mana value in parentheses. This approach streamlines the process and provides all the necessary information for deck construction.
3. Find Your Commander: Since Commander is centered around your chosen commander, use resources like the Magic Card Database to search for specific cards based on type, text, or name. Select a commander that aligns with your deck plan and desired strategies. Make a note of your commander in your decklist, along with a brief outline of the strategies you aim to incorporate.
4. Deck Plan and Strategy: Write a basic outline in your decklist document that encompasses your chosen commander and the key strategies you intend to incorporate. This serves as a guide to keep your deck plan on track. Include essential elements such as fetching target creatures from your deck, creating token creature copies, protecting against control and removal, returning creatures from the graveyard, and alternate win conditions if applicable. This outline helps maintain focus and clarity throughout the deck-building process.
5. Reference the Deck Template and Mana Curve: Consistently refer to the Commander Deck Template and Mana Curve outline as references while building your deck. These resources provide valuable guidance and ensure that your deck remains well-balanced and cohesive. Stay mindful of the recommended number of lands, the distribution of cards focused on executing your strategy, and the mana curve to ensure a smooth and functional deck.
Competitive Commander (cEDH): A High-Stakes Battle of Skill
Within the diverse landscape of Commander, a subformat has emerged known as Competitive Commander (cEDH). This variant has gained popularity alongside the overall Commander format, offering a unique and intense gaming experience. Here’s an overview of cEDH:
- Similarities to Commander: cEDH shares the same ban list as the regular Commander format and does not have separate official rules from Wizards of the Coast (WotC). It can be played in both 1v1 duels or in a group of four, providing flexibility for competitive gameplay.
- Lightning-Fast Games: Unlike the more casual pace of traditional Commander games, cEDH matches are characterized by their swiftness. While not all cEDH decks are designed to win as quickly as possible, they are optimized for efficiency and effectiveness, ensuring a rapid path to victory when compared to casual play. The focus on speed and consistency sets cEDH apart from its more leisurely counterpart.
- Powerful Combos and Denial: cEDH decks heavily rely on powerful and game-ending combos. These decks are meticulously constructed to achieve maximum consistency, utilizing the most potent card combinations available. They are designed to deny opponents access to resources, disrupt their game plans, and create an environment of relentless competition. As such, cEDH demands a high level of strategic thinking, adaptability, and skill.
- Financial Considerations: Building a cEDH deck can come with a significant financial investment. Decks often incorporate the best and most powerful cards from Magic’s extensive history, resulting in high-powered and high-cost configurations. The pursuit of optimization and competitiveness in cEDH can lead to acquiring expensive and rare cards, making this subformat more suitable for experienced and dedicated players.
Places to Play Commander MTG
Commander offers various platforms for players to engage in the format, whether it’s for casual play or competitive battles. Consider the following venues where you can enjoy the Commander experience:
1. Local Game Store (LGS): Your local game store is a reliable and vibrant hub for playing Commander outside of your regular playgroup. Many game stores host weekly or monthly Commander events, allowing you to meet new players, test your decks against different strategies, and immerse yourself in the local Magic: The Gathering community.
2. Magic Arena: Magic Arena is a digital platform available on PC, Mac, and mobile devices, providing a gamified and immersive way to play Magic: The Gathering online. While it primarily focuses on Standard and other constructed formats, it also offers a limited selection of Commander options. Magic Arena allows you to engage in casual Commander matches or join special events, offering convenience and accessibility for online play.
3. Magic: The Gathering Online (MTGO): MTGO is the original online platform for playing Magic: The Gathering. It closely replicates the paper format and offers a wide range of formats, including Commander. MTGO caters to seasoned players who appreciate its depth and comprehensive card pool. It provides an opportunity to engage in both casual and competitive Commander play, allowing you to test your skills against a diverse community of Magic enthusiasts.
4. SpellTable: SpellTable, developed by Wizards of the Coast (WotC), is an all-in-one solution for playing paper Magic remotely. It combines video chat, digital card scanning, and interactive tabletop features to create a seamless virtual gaming experience. SpellTable allows you to play Commander with friends and opponents from anywhere in the world, providing a convenient option for remote play.
5. cEDH Tournaments: For those seeking the competitive edge of cEDH, tournaments are a thrilling avenue to test your skills against top players. While finding dedicated Commander tournaments can be challenging, local game stores often host competitive Commander events. These tournaments offer an opportunity to showcase your optimized decks, engage in high-stakes battles, and further refine your strategies in a competitive environment.
Final Thoughts
Commander offers boundless creative possibilities, catering to players of all skill levels and preferences. Embrace the iterative nature of deck-building, enjoy the process of refining your deck through gameplay, and continue to explore the vast potential that Commander has to offer. With time, experience, and a willingness to adapt, your deck will evolve into a formidable force on the battlefield.
