What Cards are Good in Commander?
Commander is a popular Magic: The Gathering format that emphasizes social interaction, strategic deck-building, and a healthy dose of competition. When it comes to building a Commander deck, players often wonder what cards are worth including in their 100-card roster. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most powerful and popular cards in Commander, as well as some tips for building a successful deck.
Turn-One Play
Sol Ring: The ultimate turn-one play. Without a doubt, Sol Ring is the best card in Commander, and it deserves a place in every deck. This card provides two colorless mana, allowing you to ramp up your mana generation and play more powerful spells.
Arcane Signet: The ultimate turn-two play. While not as powerful as Sol Ring, Arcane Signet is still an extremely useful card that provides two mana of any color. This card is especially powerful in mono-colored decks where it can help you play your expensive spells.
Mid-Game Powerhouses
Rhystic Study: Are you paying for that? Rhystic Study is a powerful card draw spell that allows you to draw two cards when a spell is countered. This card is especially useful in decks that rely on counterspells to protect their spells.
Heroic Intervention: You’ll be fine. Heroic Intervention is a powerful defensive spell that gives you an additional 3-4 life for every creature that dies in combat. This card is especially useful in aggro decks that want to swarm the board with creatures.
Late-Game Game-Changers
Mana Drain: The ultimate mana fixer. Mana Drain is a powerful spell that can convert any amount of mana into the colorless mana needed to play a spell. This card is especially useful in decks that rely on colorless mana.
Staff of Domination: A powerful toolbox. Staff of Domination is a powerful artifact that can copy any spell or ability. This card is especially useful in decks that rely on combo pieces or tricky spells.
Top Commander Cards
Here are some of the top Commander cards, grouped by their cost and playstyle:
| Card | Cost | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|
| Sol Ring | 1 | Ramp |
| Arcane Signet | 2 | Ramp |
| Rhystic Study | 2 | Card Draw |
| Heroic Intervention | 3 | Defensive |
| Mana Drain | 3 | Mana Fix |
| Staff of Domination | 4 | Toolbox |
Commander Staples
Here are some cards that are staples in most Commander decks:
- Basic Lands: You can’t build a deck without these.
- Sol Ring: This card is essential for ramping up your mana.
- Mana Drain: This card is essential for fixing your mana.
- Card Draw: Cards like Rhystic Study and Cultivate are essential for finding your spells.
- Removal Spells: Cards like Abrupt Decay and Beast Within are essential for removing problematic creatures.
- Ramp Spells: Cards like Llanowar Elves and Fertile Ground are essential for ramping up your mana.
Building a Commander Deck
Here are some tips for building a successful Commander deck:
- Choose a commander that fits your playstyle: Some commanders are designed for aggro, while others are designed for control.
- Build a ramp deck: Ramp cards like Sol Ring and Arcane Signet can help you play more powerful spells earlier in the game.
- Include card draw and removal spells: Card draw spells like Rhystic Study can help you find your spells, while removal spells like Abrupt Decay can help you remove problematic creatures.
- Use basic lands: Basic lands are essential for any Commander deck, as they provide a reliable source of mana.
- Play to your commander’s strengths: Use your commander’s abilities to generate card advantage, tokens, or other forms of value.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Commander is a format that requires careful deck-building and strategic play. By including the right cards in your deck, you can set yourself up for success and crush your opponents. Whether you’re building a ramp deck, a control deck, or an aggro deck, there are many cards to choose from that can help you achieve your goals. With practice and experience, you’ll be able to build a deck that is uniquely suited to your playstyle and crush your opponents.