Embarking on your first Commander deck-building journey is an exciting adventure in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Commander, also known as EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander), is a fun and engaging format that allows you to build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature as your commander. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you create your first Commander deck.
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of deck-building, let's briefly discuss the key aspects of Commander. Each player starts with 40 life instead of the usual 20, and the goal is to reduce your opponents' life totals to 0. The commander you choose sets the tone for your deck, and you'll want to build around its colors, abilities, and flavor.
Choosing Your Commander
Selecting your commander is the first and most crucial step in building your deck. Your commander should represent the strategy and playstyle you want to explore. It could be a powerful legendary creature with a unique ability, or a fun and flavorful character from the Magic multiverse.
When choosing your commander, consider the following:
- Colors: Your commander's colors will determine the mana base and overall theme of your deck. Each color has its strengths and weaknesses, so choose colors that complement your commander's abilities and the strategy you want to employ.
- Mana Cost: Your commander's mana cost should be reasonable, allowing you to cast it consistently throughout the game. While some powerful commanders have high mana costs, they often come with built-in ways to reduce that cost.
- Abilities and Synergies: Look for abilities that synergize with other cards in your deck or create interesting combos. A good commander will have multiple abilities that work well together and support your deck's strategy.
Multicolor Commanders
Multicolor commanders offer the most flexibility in deck-building, as they allow you to access cards from multiple color pie slices. This can lead to more powerful and diverse strategies, but it also means you'll need to be more mindful of your mana base.
When building around a multicolor commander, consider the following:
- Mana Fixing: Include cards that help you consistently produce the mana you need, such as dual lands, fetch lands, and mana rocks.
- Color Balance: Ensure that your deck has a good balance of cards from each color in your commander's identity. This will help you maintain a consistent game plan and avoid being mana-screwed.
Tribal Commanders
Tribal commanders focus on a specific creature type, such as Humans, Elves, or Vampires. Building around a tribal commander can be a fun and rewarding experience, as it allows you to explore the depth and breadth of a particular creature type.
When building a tribal deck, keep the following in mind:
- Tribal Matters: Include cards that support your chosen creature type, such as lords (creatures that grant bonuses to other creatures of the same type) and tribal synergies (cards that interact specifically with your chosen creature type).
- Curve and Density: Ensure that your deck has a good curve of creatures, with a mix of low-cost and high-cost options. This will help you maintain board presence and pressure throughout the game.
Building Your Deck
Once you've chosen your commander, it's time to start building your deck. The goal is to create a cohesive and functional 100-card singleton deck that showcases your commander's abilities and supports your chosen strategy.
Here are some tips to help you build your deck:
Card Selection
When choosing cards for your deck, consider the following:
- Strategy: Ensure that each card in your deck supports your chosen strategy. Every card should have a purpose and contribute to your overall game plan.
- Synergies: Look for cards that synergize with your commander, other cards in your deck, or your chosen strategy. These cards will often create powerful combos or enable unique play patterns.
- Curve: A good mana curve ensures that you have playable cards at every stage of the game. Aim for a mix of low-cost and high-cost cards that allow you to maintain board presence and pressure throughout the game.
Mana Base
A solid mana base is crucial for casting your spells on time and maintaining a consistent game plan. When building your mana base, consider the following:
- Land Count: Commander decks typically run between 36 and 40 lands, depending on your deck's mana curve and the number of mana rocks you include.
- Mana Sources: Include a mix of basic lands, dual lands, fetch lands, and mana rocks to ensure that you can consistently produce the mana you need.
- Color Balance: Ensure that your mana base has a good balance of colors, taking into account your commander's identity and the colors of the spells in your deck.
As you build your deck, don't be afraid to test and iterate. Commander is a format that rewards experimentation and innovation, so don't be afraid to try out new cards or strategies. With each game you play, you'll learn more about your deck and the format, allowing you to refine and improve your deck over time.
Embarking on your first Commander deck-building journey is an exciting and rewarding experience. By following this guide and experimenting with different strategies and cards, you'll create a unique and engaging deck that showcases your commander's abilities and reflects your personal playstyle. So grab your legendary creature, and let the adventures begin!