Building a Commander deck on a budget can be a daunting task, but it's definitely achievable with the right strategy. Commander, also known as EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander), is a highly customizable and engaging format in Magic: The Gathering. It allows you to build a 100-card singleton deck around a single legendary creature, offering endless possibilities for creativity and fun. So, let's dive into how you can create a fantastic Commander deck without breaking the bank.
First and foremost, you need to choose your commander. This is the most important card in your deck, as it sets the tone for your strategy. You might want to consider budget-friendly options like Krenko, Mob Boss for a token-based deck, Torbran, Thane of Red Fell for a burn-focused strategy, or Momir Vig, Simic Visionary for a ramp and big creatures approach. The key is to find a commander that speaks to you and fits within your budget.
Deck Construction Basics
Once you've chosen your commander, it's time to start building your deck. The first step is to understand the basic structure of a Commander deck. It should consist of:
- 1 Commander (legendary creature)
- 99 other cards (including lands)
- At least 20 lands
- No more than 1 copy of any card, except basic lands
The next step is to determine your deck's strategy. This will guide your card choices and help you maintain a cohesive and powerful deck. Some common Commander strategies include aggro (focused on quick damage), control (aiming to disrupt your opponents' plans), combo (using multiple cards to create powerful effects), and midrange (balancing power and efficiency).
After deciding on your strategy, you can start filling out your deck. Here's a general guideline for card distribution:
- 20-25 Lands
- 25-30 Creatures
- 10-15 Spells
- 10-15 Enchantments/Artifacts
- 10-15 Instants/Sorceries
- 5-10 Planeswalkers/Other (depending on your strategy)
Budget Lands
Lands are the backbone of your deck, and you'll need at least 20 of them. For a budget deck, consider using a mix of basic lands and cheap non-basic lands. Basic lands are free, and you can get them in any Magic set. Non-basic lands can provide additional benefits, like mana fixing or card draw. Some budget-friendly options include:
- Command Tower
- Myriad Landscape
- Path of Ancestry
- Tainted Peak
- Fabled Passage
You can also consider using lands with enters-the-battlefield (ETB) triggers or other useful abilities, like Cinder Glade or Sunpetal Grove. Just make sure you have a good mana base that can consistently cast your spells.
Budget Creatures
Creatures are the workhorses of your deck, and you'll want a mix of cheap and powerful ones. For a budget deck, focus on creatures that provide value or have useful abilities. Some examples include:
- Grizzly Bears
- Squadron Hawk
- Llanowar Elves
- Fyndhorn Elves
- Elvish Mystic
You can also include creatures that synergize with your commander or strategy, like Pir, Imaginative Rascal for a token deck or Kazandu Mammoth for a ramp deck. The key is to find creatures that fit your strategy and provide value.
Budget Strategies and Cards
Now that you have the basics of deck construction down, let's look at some budget-friendly strategies and cards you can include in your deck.
Ramp and Big Creatures
One popular Commander strategy is to ramp out quickly and overwhelm your opponents with large creatures. This strategy can be quite budget-friendly, as many of the best ramp cards are cheap. Some examples include:
- Sol Ring
- Lightning Greaves
- Rampant Growth
- Kodama's Reach
- Farseek
For creatures, consider cards like Woodland Bellower, Avenger of Zendikar, or Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger. The goal is to get out big creatures quickly and overwhelm your opponents.
Token Generation
Another budget-friendly strategy is to generate tokens and use them to overwhelm your opponents. This strategy can be quite powerful, as tokens can be used to block, attack, or provide other benefits. Some examples of token generators include:
- Krenko's Command
- Hordeling Outburst
- Anointed Procession
- Parallel Lives
- Cathars' Crusade
You can also include cards that synergize with tokens, like Pir, Imaginative Rascal or Purebred DK. The goal is to generate a large number of tokens quickly and use them to attack or provide other benefits.
Combo
Combo decks are focused on using multiple cards together to create powerful effects. While some combo decks can be quite expensive, there are many budget-friendly options as well. One example is the Tooth and Nail combo, which involves using Tooth and Nail to tutor for and cast a powerful creature like Avenger of Zendikar or Emrakul, the Aeons Torn. Other budget-friendly combo pieces include:
- Phyrexian Arena
- Sensei's Divining Top
- Mana Vault
- Sol Ring
- Lightning Greaves
The key to a successful combo deck is to have a consistent mana base and to protect your combo pieces from disruption. You can also include cards that disrupt your opponents' combos, like Rule of Law or Stony Silence.
Building a Commander deck on a budget can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following these guidelines and focusing on your strategy, you can create a powerful and engaging deck that will provide hours of fun. So, get out there and start building! And remember, the best part of Commander is playing with your friends, so don't be afraid to ask for help or advice along the way.