Building a Commander deck in Magic: The Gathering can be an exciting and rewarding experience, even for beginners. This format, also known as EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander), allows you to create a unique and powerful deck centered around a legendary creature, offering a fun and engaging gameplay experience. So, if you're new to Commander, don't worry! We'll guide you through the process, from choosing your commander to building your deck and optimizing it for battle.
Before we dive in, let's address the elephant in the room: the name "Commander" is a trademark of Wizards of the Coast, and the term "EDH" is often used interchangeably. For the sake of simplicity, we'll use "Commander" throughout this article, but remember that they refer to the same format.
Understanding Commander and Choosing Your Commander
Commander is a one-on-one format where each player starts with 40 life and commands an army of 100 cards, including their legendary commander. Your commander is the cornerstone of your deck, and it should reflect the strategy you want to employ. To choose your commander, consider the following:
- Color Identity: Commander decks can have up to five colors, but your commander determines the colors you can use in your deck. Choose a commander that appeals to you and fits within your preferred color combination.
- Power Level: Commander is a casual format, but some decks can be more powerful than others. When starting out, consider choosing a commander with a lower power level to ensure balanced and enjoyable games.
- Playstyle: Different commanders encourage different playstyles. Some commanders are designed for aggressive play, while others focus on control or combo strategies. Choose a commander that aligns with your preferred playstyle.
Popular Commander Choices for Beginners
If you're having trouble deciding on a commander, consider these popular and beginner-friendly options:
- Atraxa, Praetors' Voice: A five-color commander that allows you to play with a wide variety of cards and encourages a powerful token strategy.
- Krenko, Mob Boss: A red commander that focuses on goblin tribal, providing a fun and aggressive playstyle.
- Lazotep Reaver: A black commander that enables a graveyard-based strategy, offering a unique and powerful play experience.
Building Your Commander Deck
Once you've chosen your commander, it's time to build your deck. Commander decks consist of 100 cards, including your commander, and follow these guidelines:
- Deck Construction: Your deck must contain exactly 100 cards. There is no minimum number of lands, but including too few can make it difficult to cast your spells consistently.
- Singleton Rule: With the exception of basic lands, you may only have one copy of any card in your deck. This rule encourages diversity and prevents overpowered combos.
- Color Identity: Your deck can only include cards that share your commander's color identity. This means that if your commander is mono-colored, your deck can only contain cards of that single color.
Optimizing Your Commander Deck
Building a Commander deck is an iterative process. As you play games and gain experience, you'll learn which cards work well together and which ones don't. Here are some tips to help you optimize your deck:
Understanding Your Commander's Abilities
Your commander's abilities should guide your deck-building process. Focus on cards that synergize with your commander's abilities and create a cohesive strategy. For example, if your commander has a +1/+1 counter theme, include cards that generate or manipulate +1/+1 counters.
Testing and Refining Your Deck
Play games with your deck and make adjustments based on your experiences. Pay attention to which cards draw you in, which ones feel like dead weight, and which ones create powerful combos. Use this information to refine your deck and make it stronger.
Building a Commander deck is a journey of discovery and self-expression. Don't be afraid to experiment with different cards and strategies, and most importantly, have fun! Commander is a format that encourages creativity and innovation, so let your imagination run wild and create a deck that reflects your unique playstyle.