Competitive Commanders (Need Help!)
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on Aug. 16, 2015, 9:10 p.m. by CavalryWolfPack
So I want to invest into a format that is popular at my LGS. While I do play some Modern, and Modern might take off soon, my only real options are Standard and 1 vs 1 competitive Commander. Since I could never afford to keep up with Standard, I have to go to Commander. Now I need a deck that can beat some broken decks. I've seen an amazing Krenko deck that can win on turn 7, absolutely broken Prossh decks that have killed turn 6, and the obvious Rafiq voltron deck. I haven't played there in a while, so some of these are probably dated. Now I need a commander and a basic direction, because there are SO many options. I was thinking about a Zurgo Helmsmasher voltron, but I also want to spite cave a little bit and build some evil control-stax deck. I am on a bit of a budget currently, but I can upgrade the deck over time. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Also, we do have a custom ban list, which does include Oloro and Derevi, so those are out.
CavalryWolfPack says... #3
Unfortunately, she eats up over a large chunk of my budget. Is there anything else that is super competitive?
August 16, 2015 9:21 p.m.
ThisIsBullshit says... #5
Oh you're looking for competitive budget? Good luck lol
Khanye last time I checked, Narset was super expensive to build.
August 16, 2015 9:28 p.m.
canterlotguardian says... #6
Talrand creatureless control. You can build it right for about 200-300 dollars.
August 16, 2015 9:30 p.m.
drobertson5539 says... #8
i play a competitive prossh deck and wanderer is right there with him. Grand Arbiter Augustin IV is another. both can lend themselves to stax. maelstrom wins faster though typically
August 16, 2015 9:34 p.m.
CavalryWolfPack says... #9
Currently, I might be able to get some pieces together. I was looking at commanders, and Grand Arbiter Augustine IV looks competitive enough. Does anybody have experience with this commander, or does anybody have a better suggestions?
August 16, 2015 9:38 p.m.
CavalryWolfPack says... #10
Well, great minds think alike! I didn't even see your suggestion!
August 16, 2015 9:39 p.m.
canterlotguardian says... #11
Grand Arbiter is both competitive and friend-losing. Though since your group is competitive, that probably won't be as much of an issue. Combo/control/stax or maybe just even control/stax.
August 16, 2015 9:41 p.m.
drobertson5539 says... #12
I have experience with both the generals I suggested. The stronger suggestion may be wanderer though. Azami, Lady of Scrolls is another extremely competitive general. though may not be budget
August 16, 2015 9:42 p.m.
CavalryWolfPack says... #13
For the record, this is for store events, not for casual games. I can make this deck focus on 1 vs 1, because that's what the format is. Augustine seems like a fun (OK, maybe not fun) idea. Any suggestions for what I should do next?
August 16, 2015 9:47 p.m.
drobertson5539 says... #14
For what you should do next as far as building the augustine deck?
August 16, 2015 9:49 p.m.
If you are on the budget AND need a competitive commander, I'd certainly start with Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor. He's easy to build on the budget, he's annoying, he's strong and he's control. You can easily build a strong, annoying and winnable deck with it, and he's one of the strongest 1v1 commanders I've seen recently. My friend built one of it and he had 1 loss in 9 games.
Now, totally unrelated to your question, I'd suggest to not go on competitive commander.
August 16, 2015 9:53 p.m. Edited.
CavalryWolfPack says... #17
Why not? I mean, my only options are Standard and Commander, and I honestly cannot keep up with Standard. Even though a deck doesn't rotate until after a year and a half, how long is the deck relevant? Mardu Midrange is non existant, but a little over a year ago Wingmate Roc and Butcher of the Horde were all the rage. Today, they see no play. Roc was $20. Now it's mere pocket change. I don't have another option.
August 16, 2015 10:03 p.m.
drobertson5539 says... #18
Alright well. For general suggestions It is probably pretty obvious that you just run control. You need to get Grand Arbiter asap but he will be an instant target. If they are running blue then you need to save a counterspell before casting him to counter their counter. Even if they aren't running blue. It is usually better to save a counter to protect him with as he is the key to the deck really. Some must include ccards to help give you an idea for the deck are
Rhystic Study Yeah. It's really a great card. either speeds you up or slows them down....for 3 mana...
Aura of Silence it's a must include. it's obvious why. With this and grand arbiter it's hilariously debilitating.
Frozen AEther I can't make the special "A" here so you will have to look this one up. It's such value. the fact they are always a land down.
Academy Rector helps you get to some of these amazing enchantments.
those are some of the control items you need. as far as counters go
Glen Elendra Archmage I run her in decks that don't even run counter because she is such incredible value and such an incredible board presence.
Counterspell it's efficient man. Need I say more
Pact of Negation counter their spells when they don't think you can.
Path to Exile I find myself using early removal when I play this deck alot. THe problem with this one is it ramps them a bit so I try to avoid using it early. However it can stop something like Somberwald Sage from wrecking your plans.
Wrath of God yeah
Cyclonic Rift yeah
Terminus yeah
Sun Titan yeah
Snapcaster Mage probably the most expensive card in the deck but worth it if you can get it. It can bring back removal or counters depending on what you need
Consecrated Sphinx already such value. NOW HE COST 5
Lightning Greaves remember. augustine is the key. protect him
I have also found the deck is especially fond of planeswalkers and they thrive in it. Cast them for cheap and then it's very hard for opponents to deal with them with their now more expensive spells and your counters. you'll find yourself ulting probably every 2-3 times you get one out.
August 16, 2015 10:04 p.m.
drobertson5539 says... #19
The problem with Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor is that he is 6 cmc. Unlike maelstrom wanderer, he doesn't have green's ramp so it can be a very slow deck where some competitive decks [Like the prossh you have seen and my prossh/wanderer] can win as early as turn 4-5. I consistently win by turn 6 with prossh, that is a late win. The highest cmc I've seen a competitive mono blue general have is 5. My understanding is you want a tier 1 general. Not a tier 2. ....competitive edh > standard. By far more value for your money. ESPECIALLY if you already have a playgroup for it.
Also I hope my suggestions helped! let me know what you think and I will happily give more suggestions/advice if you need!
August 16, 2015 10:08 p.m.
FancyTuesday says... #20
Are you sure this is a custom banlist and not just normal Duel Commander rules? Oloro and Derevi are banned in Duel Commander and have been for awhile.
I'm not a particularly competitive player and I exclusively play multiplayer, so my experience probably isn't super valuable, but Arcum Dagsson, Maelstrom Wanderer, and Zur the Enchanter are the biggest "kick me" signs I see in pods. Though I think Zur is banned in Duel Commander.
Whatever the case I would not build Zurgo as a competitive deck. Red is far and away the weakest color in EDH, and without Green and Blue your ramp and control options are crippled. Black is good because of tutors, you're gonna want at least two of those 3 colors in anything competitive that isn't combo-centric/streamlined as monetarily possible.
August 16, 2015 11:23 p.m.
CavalryWolfPack says... #21
I'm pretty sure it's custom. Primeval Titan is legal, and I'm pretty sure he's banned in Dual Commander. I'll have a list up soon, so any help with that would be great
August 17, 2015 12:24 p.m.
narset doesn't have to be expensive. I built a faily budget version that has officially gotten the "im not playing against that" stamp at my LGS. trolling sometimes has its merits...
August 17, 2015 12:34 p.m.
I run a budget cruel control/stax/ramp/token subtheme Brago, King Eternal blink deck that can be used for 1v1 sans Sol Ring. Like Grand Arbiter he will be a target as well. If you get him out turn 2 you know you're on the right track. The only problem with him is he has to connect with an opponent and games tend to not be very fast. Because of this, most people scoop before the match is over which last time I checked is still a win lol. Tangle Wire, Opposition, Winter Orb, Stasis, Static Orb, Parallax Tide, Parallax Wave, any planeswalker, Reality Acid all can be blinked back to refresh counters or target other permanents. You can also permanently exile permanents among other broken things by using Strionic Resonator shenanigans by targeting Brago's triggered ability. I've found that if I have one of the Rishadan trio in my opening hand along with a mana rock that the game gets locked down fairly fast. Many of the cards that I run with Brago can easily be used in a Grand Arbiter deck. Kismet(a timeshifted version of Frozen AEther), Monastery Siege, Dream Tides are other stax/control options I didn't see mentioned. Also recommend running Cloud Cover as a way to protect all your stuff.
August 17, 2015 1:25 p.m.
CavalryWolfPack says... #24
Here's my first draft! However, I ran into a classic problem: I have too many spells! I really don't have enough card draw, and I don't really know what to cut. Please help!In Other News, Taxes Have Been Increased
August 17, 2015 2 p.m.
drobertson5539 says... #25
I suggested Consecrated Sphinx earlier. It is one of the best card draw engines in blue. so try that out. Jace Beleren I'd put him in and take out gideon, champion of justice or maybe both gideon's. You could put in any card draw jace. I'd take out some of the high cmc creatures that don't fit the theme. THe sunblast angel guy and drogskol reaver. Also lavinia. I'd add tamiyo which is more card draw and stall power. AGain if you need more suggestions let me know but that is a start
August 17, 2015 2:56 p.m.
fastbond_stripmine_crucible says... #26
Vorel of the Hull Clade decks are Simi competitive and can easily be budget
elves and goblin decks are generally Simi budget and really competitive Krenko, Mob Boss, Ezuri, Renegade Leader, Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker, Dwynen, Gilt-Leaf Daen, Eladamri, Lord of Leaves, Yeva, Nature's Herald Ib Halfheart, Goblin Tactician ect.
August 17, 2015 4:10 p.m.
CavalryWolfPack says... #27
Consecrated Sphinx is a little expensive. I own some of these cards which is why they're in there. Lavinia was meant to be a one turn staller for most of the big guys, but she probably doesn't do her job very well. I'll look into the other stuff.
August 17, 2015 4:44 p.m.
My absolute favorite commander is Scion of the Ur-Dragon. You can build it combo, aggro, or control. You can easily (as most of the top 8 versions have done) make it combo + control. By building this first you'll have the land base needed to make nearly any deck.
August 17, 2015 5:04 p.m.
Lavinia is much more effective in a blink deck where you can continually abuse her detain ability. Without any way to use her ability more than once (whether its blink or recursion) you might be better off using something else. Scion of the Ur-Dragon is nice, but to get that land base you will have to drop a load of $$ on them which is what the op doesn't want to do. Duel or mono colored commanders are much, much easier on the budget.
August 17, 2015 10:34 p.m.
NotSoLuckyLydia says... #30
Primeval titan is legal in duel commander.
If you don't buy the Blood Moons, force, and expensive dual lands, Wildfire Keranos is actually fairly inexpensive. The strategy being to use counterspells and red removal to keep from dying until you cast Keranos, God of Storms, then follow it up with Wildfire, Jokulhaups, or something similar. Wildfire Keranos This is my Wildfire Keranos list, and while it's not budget, it should give you an idea of what you're looking to do.
Most of the cards for non-bard Elfball decks, most notably Ezuri, are pretty cheap. Just avoid Cradle and you should be fine. There are a ton of different general choices, but the most popular are Ezuri, Yisan (Which is more expensive than Ezuri), Maelstrom Wanderer, and Prossh.
Thalia is good, and if you build the anthem based version, the deck can be made for less than $100 at a high efficiency. Here is a Thalia list I already have, but haven't updated in a while: Anthem Thalia (Apparently Cavern of Souls is fifty dollars now, you might want to avoid that too.)
August 18, 2015 3:05 a.m.
Just drop from competitive if you want stay on a budget. Decks tend to cost over $500 to at least try to compete. Get a new playgroup, try a more casual approach and focus on the fun of the players instead of the win rate of the deck.
August 18, 2015 11:26 a.m.
CavalryWolfPack says... #32
The issue is that this isn't for a playgroup. My LGS only offers EDH and Standard for cinstructed formats. Modern is not taking off and I do not want to invest into a rotating format. EDH is eternal and the payout is pretty sweet
August 18, 2015 12:06 p.m.
drobertson5539 competitive commander is a cancer to the format. And if you like it, so are you.
August 18, 2015 6:25 p.m.
ThisIsBullshit says... #35
shirkit, please, tell me more. How is competitive Commander a cancer to the format?
August 18, 2015 6:29 p.m.
CavalryWolfPack says... #36
shirkit there's no need to be rude. I'm not the biggest fan of competitive EDH either. The format certainly isn't casual anymore though, because there are plenty of players who play to tune their decks over years of testing and work and to win. People get pretty serious about this format. Yes, there are players who are more casual about the format than others (I personally am more casual, but need a format to play competitively), but I can't say with full certainty that EDH is casual. I made this thread for help, not to get flamed for my choice of format. If you don't like it, ignore it.
ThisIsBullshit says... #2
I was gonna say Kaalia of the Vast, she's pretty powerful.
August 16, 2015 9:17 p.m.