New to edh need help selecting a commander
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on Sept. 26, 2018, 10:07 a.m. by Rcwatson17
Just getting back in to magic after not playing for about 4 years my friend started playing edh and suggested I buy a precon I got the adaptive enchantment precon and I enjoy playing with it but to upgrade it further would in my opinion not help me grow as a player in this format also the only upgrade route I can see is prison and I feel that is too complicated and expensive for something I don't know if I'll like I've only played in two formats standard I played sultai and abzan modern I played mono green and grixis I'm looking to build a budget edh deck that is fun to play and mildly competitive I'm thinking that a mono colored or two colored deck would be best for what I'm trying to achieve thanks in advance
Ramp is super important in EDH, and going with green helps a ton since ramp there tends to be cheaper. Since you've played Mono Green and Grixis, I suggest you go with Rashmi, Eternities Crafter. That commander can be quite good even on a budget and playing at instant speed just feels good. Besides, drawing cards is just nice. It's also a deck where you can slot in combos if you want, but it's in no way necessary. Finally, any of the more expensive cards you end up picking up for the deck will likely be staples in tons of different EDH decks and maybe even other formats, so the investments won't be hard to trade away if you end up not liking the deck. You can also use some pieces from your precon to get you started.
September 26, 2018 10:49 a.m.
Muldrotha, the Gravetide can either be combo or a value engine
September 26, 2018 11:03 a.m.
Homelessguy says... #6
Selvala, Heart of the Wilds or Selvala, Explorer Returned.
They can either be built around elf ball, aggro, or combo.
September 26, 2018 11:14 a.m.
Rcwatson17 says... #7
I'm glad someone said something about my long sentence smackjack
September 26, 2018 11:21 a.m.
I thought you guys meant me at first. lol Had to go double check.
September 26, 2018 11:28 a.m.
Honestly, interaction with other players is the way to go in terms of growing as a magic player. I echo the previous suggestion of Rashmi, but want to add a similar one: Prime Speaker Zegana.
Zegana Wizard Control melds mild control aspects with Wizard tribal theme to enable a unique approach to the meta that is very interactive. I think the deck is perfect for those willing to learn more about the game, as it allows you to interact constantly with the opponents and especially in multiplayer, hones your skills to do threat assessment. Cards like Gather Specimens and Spelljack are true skill testers - they depend on your opponents decks and your own accurate timing to maximize their value, helping to hone your skills.
However, Zegana herself is awesome commander that enables many different strategies, so any number of builds are possible. Additionally, the next MTG set in the beginning of 2019 will feature Simic as a guild, so the deck will get even more tools.
September 26, 2018 11:39 a.m. Edited.
WizardOfTheNorthernCoast says... #10
Dots, and commas, are overrated.
Go with Krenko, Mob Boss. Can't go wrong with Goblins ;)
September 26, 2018 11:44 a.m.
rob_shifflett says... #11
I started my friend off with Neheb, the Eternal. Almost every Threaten effect, sacrifice outlets, extra combats and Fireball's. It cost me about 30$ to put together, including sleeves. He regularly destroys tables of decks that cost 5 to 20 times as much.
September 26, 2018 12:58 p.m. Edited.
SMASHER101 says... #12
I would just upgrade adaptive enchantment; just put in all of the wild growth effects and ramp a lot!
September 26, 2018 1:16 p.m.
TheKamikazeBagel says... #13
I have some EDH decks that are 1 to 3 colors and are >$100.
If you like graveyard shenanigans Pharika's little deadly fiends
If you like aggro decks maybe Naya Lycanthropes
If you like wierd janky decks, Arcades Tower Defense and its only $35.
September 26, 2018 2:08 p.m.
Since no one has mentioned it, I highly recommend $40 Hermit Druid. There are other lists from the same user that scale in price depending on what you want to spend, but this deck is very powerful for the price. It is a combo oriented deck that requires a good deal of practice to perfect however. Just fyi. I'd feel remiss if I didn't recommend Meren of Clan Nel Toth as she is an I credibly beautiful commander to build around if you like graveyard interaction. For her I'd recommend a specific list around $150...give me a few minutes and I'll see if I can find it.
September 26, 2018 4:21 p.m. Edited.
I'd probably avoid playing dedicated combo, especially as a first deck, because combo is heavily ostracized at lower levels of play. Please with precons rarely enjoy any combo at all.
September 26, 2018 4:47 p.m.
@Arvail - The only reason I suggested it is because he requested something fun to play and moderately competitive. :p Hermit Druid meets both those requirements for some people. Plus it's super budget. I'd personally prefer the meren list I mentioned in most playgroups, but if he's in a combo centric meta trying to compete at a higher level, hermit druid is a good list.
September 26, 2018 5:56 p.m.
Jhoira, Weatherlight Captain can be really fun paired with Paradox Engine
September 26, 2018 6:05 p.m.
killroy726 says... #18
If you are looking to improve on your existing deck you might want to consider making a tron deck with enchantments. I use Rafiq of the Many for this and augmented the enchantment precon for it. My decklist isn't up to date but it might provide some ideas: Rafiq of the tron!
September 26, 2018 7:51 p.m.
BiomancingTerror says... #19
I would highly recommend trying out Stax as it's a very fun way to guarantee people will want to keep playing you, and want to talk about how interesting your deck is. A great starter deck to making new friends in the magic community.
September 26, 2018 7:55 p.m.
Rcwatson17 says... #22
My friend who got me to play edh is building stax and everything he shows me makes me want to drill through his skull besides I don't think I could pilot stax yet
September 26, 2018 8:45 p.m.
generalrenard says... #23
There are many primers on how to play stax and it can be very fun to pilot, though you will be hated (I am a dedicated stax player). After this thread if you still have no ideas who you want to play I would check out this list: http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/list-multiplayer-edh-generals-by-tier/ It may be broken into tiers, but if you filter through that you can probably find the commanders you might want to play and some examples. Otherwise use EDHrec to find archetypes or colors of commanders you want to play.
September 26, 2018 9:23 p.m.
[List - Multiplayer] EDH Generals by Tier for a link of generalrenard. You maybe trying to find a way to squeeze yourself into an already established playgroup so using the tier list might help you get an idea of where the group is sitting at. This podcast may also help you in finding out where the playgroup sits.
The adaptive enchantment deck's main planeswalker commander can be used as a The Chain Veil combo deck (how the combo works + how to make deck good video.
September 27, 2018 3:17 a.m.
DerektheRed says... #25
I'll actually second starting with Rafiq of the Many. Rafiq is Bant colors - you have a Bant pre-con full of aura enchantments and equipment... Put them on Rafiq!
Seriously, he's fun to play. Voltron is a straightforward strategy, and you get green for ramp, white for removal, and blue to keep it interesting. You can get enough of the cards to make the deck work on a budget.
Last, Rafiq can be reasonably competitive; mine can win turn 5 or 6 if I get Shield of the Oversoul (or similar) before you get removal. It's not going to hang with the Tier 1/1.5 generals but why would you want to!? You've already played modern.
September 27, 2018 3:26 a.m.
DerektheRed says... #26
oh, and obviously the stax comment was sarcasm; no one likes playing against stax. It is fun to play tho...
If you want a super fun general and don't care about things like "friends", you can always give the Sen Triplets a try. @Everyone loves the Trips.@
September 27, 2018 3:30 a.m.
Rcwatson17 Welcome back to Magic!
Tatyova, Benthic Druid deck is fun to play and inexpensive to build. The commander is just an uncommon so she can be acquired easily too!
Here's my take of the deck if you need some ideas:
Life is Like A Hurricane
Commander / EDH
SCORE: 21 | 27 COMMENTS | 1583 VIEWS | IN 5 FOLDERS
Here's a budget version where they kept the cost below $25.
Tatyova, Benthic Druid | The Commander's Quarters
Commander / EDH
SCORE: 26 | 2 COMMENTS | 5097 VIEWS | IN 22 FOLDERS
Our decks are built slightly differently. Have a look and you can pick and chose the preferred style. Will be happy to provide more inputs and guidance, just leave a comment under my deck and I'll get back to you!
Cheers!
September 27, 2018 4:52 a.m.
loricatuslupus says... #28
Well werewolves are fun, cheap, thematically build around-able if you like that sort of thing and surprisingly strong (a buffed Ulrich of the Krallenhorde Flip can swing for lethal commander damage over just about anything). Plus plenty of options in red and green to add in extra ramp or artifact/enchantment removal depending on who you play with.
September 27, 2018 8:52 a.m.
god_dammit_nappa says... #29
Honestly, if you want a truly brain-dead simple commander to build around, and you like turning creatures sideways, then Karametra, God of Harvests is the commander for YOU! You can easily build a decent deck with her for under $100.
With some cheap artifacts like Sol Ring, Worn Powerstone, Darksteel Ingot, Fellwar Stone, and Thran Dynamo, you can get Karametra out as early as Turn 3.
Cast an Elvish Mystic? Go fetch a basic land. Rinse and Repeat!
You'll have access to Green's creature-based draw like Shamanic Revelation and White's protection like Dauntless Escort, Make a Stand, Frontline Medic, or Akroma's Blessing / Brave the Elements.
You'll ramp out faster than your opponents will. And if the control player casts a blue spell on your turn? Respond with Seedtime (only like $2 or $3 on TCG) and take an extra turn! GUESS WHO'S GETTING THE BIG FACE-SMASHY THIS NEXT TURN, BLUE PLAYER?
According to TCG, Triumph of the Hordes is only like $8 bucks. Get a Pathbreaker Ibex, put a big dumb dude on the 'field like Metalwork Colossus (super easy to do), and then give your creatures Infect & Trample and swing for game.
September 27, 2018 1:10 p.m.
loricatuslupus says... #30
Oh and as I forgot before, here is obligatory link to furry funtimes: Howlin' With the Pack.
JANKYARD_DOG says... #2
Throw everyone a curve and go Mono Stompy ;) Use Thassa as a commander maybe. Turn their shiny lands into shiny islands for you to landwalk on. Should be relatively cheap to create. My EDH decks are pretty budget as well if you wanna have a browse. Hope it helps.
September 26, 2018 10:42 a.m.