My first Commander is...
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on Feb. 15, 2015, 9:58 a.m. by FAMOUSWATERMELON
I want to try a commander deck (which will be my first), but I am torn between commanders to choose from. I would like a fun multi-color commander (not 5 color), but not too no-creatures-in-the-deck-type colors (like Grixis, Esper or Jeskai). Does anyone have a commander suggestion?
lemmingllama says... #3
Narset, Enlightened Master lets you run absolutely no creatures in your deck.
Sharuum the Hegemon lets you run artifacts rather than creatures.
Also anything Izzet colors would be perfect for you, commanders like Melek, Izzet Paragon, Keranos, God of Storms, and Nin, the Pain Artist let you run very few creatures
February 15, 2015 10:02 a.m.
He said 'NOT no-creatures-in-deck' which I interpreted as he wants creatures.
February 15, 2015 10:03 a.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #5
ChiefBell - Do you have any suggestions for a Jund commander (besides Prossh, I've already decided against him)?
lemmingllama - Sorry if it was made unclear, but I want colors that tend to have creatures, not colors that don't have creatures in the deck (I know it sounds weird, but I find complete control over the opponent to be a bit boring).
February 15, 2015 10:05 a.m.
February 15, 2015 10:08 a.m.
But the thing is, you can pick a commander and then ignore his strategy to a great degree. You could pick Prossh but then decide to not infinite combo.
February 15, 2015 10:09 a.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #9
No, the reason I'm not so hot on Prossh is because so many people use him...
February 15, 2015 10:10 a.m.
lemmingllama says... #10
Oh, I missed the "no". Well then, I feel silly.
The Mimeoplasm is probably the most fun creature deck, basically you get to reuse your creatures over and over again.
Kresh the Bloodbraided is pretty great, he gets big very quickly.
Also I personally like the Experiment Kraj decks that abuse the +1/+1 counters. Not necessarily the most competitive, but very fun.
Finally, if you want creature combo decks, look at Balthor the Defiled. He isn't multicolored, but he runs exclusively creatures and can set up massive blowouts.
February 15, 2015 10:11 a.m.
Didgeridooda says... #11
RG has some decent options. Xenagod is pretty good with that new dragon, and there are tons of stuff that make the deck pretty strong. It is also creature based.
February 15, 2015 10:12 a.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #12
Thank you all! I'll consider the options that you gave me.
February 15, 2015 10:16 a.m.
ThisIsBullshit says... #13
Guys guys guys run Kaalia of the Vast or gtfo
February 15, 2015 10:19 a.m.
Didgeridooda says... #15
I will make a little pitch here. Xenagos, God of Revels is a great first commander. Ramp hard, drop monsters every turn, and give them haste, and make em huge.
Make sure all the monsters you have are equipped with some sort of evasion. Trample, flying, Rhox effects, or etb like Woodfall Primus
The deck can be done on somewhat of a budget. Greater Good is just about the best card the deck could ask for.
Giant Adephage, Atarka, World Render, Thorn Elemental, Blightsteel Colossus, Putrefax, Balefire Dragon, Hellkite Charger, Hellkite Tyrant, Thundermaw Hellkite. There are lots of beater options for the deck. But you have to ramp really really hard. Run the tutors, get some more draw in there. It is a solid deck, and a great first go at commander.
February 15, 2015 10:30 a.m.
Didgeridooda says... #17
Budget, desired competitive level, and combo/no combo are some things that could help narrow stuff down.
There are some really good search engines out there that you can use. I like cardkingdom's search, but I know there are others out there.
Do you have any favorite mechanics when you play? Do you have a play group, and what do they like/dislike?
February 15, 2015 10:35 a.m.
Didgeridooda says... #18
Chief, I agree. Black is the best EDH color. I was just thinking Xenagod is a great first build for EDH. Can be fairly budget, and can roll hard. It is also very functional as a work in progress deck.
I did ask some questions to help understand a little better what they are looking for.
February 15, 2015 10:38 a.m.
Golgari, Gruul, and Jund are fantastic creature based EDH decks. All of them have merits. Jund is priciest due to manabase.
February 15, 2015 10:52 a.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #21
Varolz, the Scar-Striped, Vorel of the Hull Clade or Gahiji, Honored One would be my recommendations. Varolz is obviously super creature-based but also graveyard based and offers lots of coolness. Vorel can be great for creature and noncreature cards and is easy to pick up. Gahiji can be built to be a token-based smashy deck, a political manipulation deck or both!
February 15, 2015 11:06 a.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #22
Hm, Didgeridooda, I like the evasion idea. Maybe I'll try Temur with Intent, The Dreamer. He sounds like a lot of fun.
February 15, 2015 11:50 a.m.
Didgeridooda says... #23
He is ok, but relying on a commander's attack is risky. He is much more susceptible to being tucked.
I am also not a fan of red in EDH. Just not that great.
February 15, 2015 11:53 a.m.
buildingadeck says... #24
My first build was Selvala, Explorer Returned, and I have to say that it has been pretty damn fun. Draw, life gain, and power creatures. You also have access to Avacyn, Angel of Hope, Archetype of Endurance, and Sigarda, Host of Herons, which is a pretty great combo.
February 15, 2015 12:21 p.m.
beakedbard says... #26
Animar, Soul of Elements is always a good creature heavy commander only problem is people playing him usually get hated off the board quite quickly.
February 15, 2015 12:23 p.m.
I run Ezuri and its really fun. Sure its mono green, but it has lots of creatures, lots of fatties and loots of synergies :).
February 15, 2015 12:41 p.m.
buildingadeck says... #28
ChiefBell: It depends on your play style. Adding red does give a lot of options, but you CAN do without. Mayael the Anima is a great commander if he wanted to add red, and while it takes a little more strategy, it is generally a pretty easy deck to run as well. Red also gives access to Blasphemous Act, which is among the better board wipes in EDH aside from Supreme Verdict.
February 15, 2015 12:42 p.m.
MagicalHacker says... #29
Hey, I know you want a deck that cares about creatures and you're looking for a 2-3 color deck, so I may be able to help you. I've built about 200 edh decks on tapped out with different commanders, so I may be able to help you find a deck you will like if you can be a bit more specific. This is what I have so far:
- Not a control deck
- Not creature light
- 2-3 colors
I would need some more limiting factors, so let me know if there any archetypes you like or dislike (aggro, combo, rampy, tokens, infinite combo, etc), if there are any specific colors you like or dislike, or if there are any commanders you know you don't want (for example, because your friends already use them).
:)
February 15, 2015 1:32 p.m.
Schuesseled says... #30
As the chief said, all colours have creatures a plenty.
Marchesa, the Black Rose can have an army of unkillable scary monsters, check out:
February 15, 2015 1:48 p.m.
Edric, Spymaster of Trest is a good budget option for you. Put as many unblockables/evasion as you want and draw all the cards while your opponents kill themselves for cards.
Darien, King of Kjeldor - soldiers.
Brion Stoutarm - steal things and throw them for great justice.
February 15, 2015 1:49 p.m.
Marchesa, the Black Rose grixis, and ALL sorts of fun only putting this here because he said grixis wasn't creature heaver also Sedris, the Traitor King can make a pretty strong deck
February 15, 2015 6:32 p.m.
Didgeridooda says... #33
Blasphemous Act is one of the better red wipes. Not even close to one of the best wipes in EDH.
February 15, 2015 8:02 p.m.
Actually it really can be when you cast it for a single R against a tokens deck.
February 16, 2015 5:15 a.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #35
MagicalHacker - More limiting factors? Ok. So I guess I like a combination of control and creatures, but not too heavy on either side (Bant was a bit what I was thinking about, for both the Azorius-type control game and Simic monsters-type game, but I couldn't figure out a Bant commander that I really liked). I would like either 2 or 3 colors, a commander that has some sort of fun ability, not just your "normal" drawing power, a fairly cheap commander (in terms of mana, I don't really care about the budget) and someone that is not played too often, such as Prossh (I would say that 40% of the EDH decks I've seen have him as commander). Could you fit my very picky commander choice? :)
February 16, 2015 7:52 a.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #36
And by fun ability, I mean not "tap target permanent" or "draw X cards" type of thing. More like Medomai (extra turns???? Yes please!!!)
February 16, 2015 7:58 a.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #37
FAMOUSWATERMELON: Looking at your Limiting factors. Have you considered Roon of the Hidden Realm? Might not be cheap in terms of mana, but he is Bant, isn't played too often and he is a helluva lot of fun to build around with "enter the battlefield" kinda creatures. He can be monstrously powerful in the right hands.
I also still think Varolz, the Scar-Striped would be up your alley. Cheap cost, fun ability and deckbuilding options, strong colours.
February 16, 2015 8:33 a.m.
Schuesseled says... #38
You just described marchesa, cheap cist, fun ability, half combos half creatures.
February 16, 2015 9:02 a.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #39
pookypuppy6 - I say Roon of the Hidden Realm while doing my own research, and he's obviously pretty beast, might look into him. Varolz, the Scar-Striped is an interesting choice as well, but I feel like making a deck around him would be relying too much on his ability to win the game, which is a risk I am reluctant to take.
Schuesseled - Marchesa is interesting as well, I'll look into her.
Sorry I'm so picky guys :)
February 16, 2015 9:41 a.m.
Didgeridooda says... #40
Protection, and Indestructible are things I want to hit with wipes. I hardly see token decks, and when I do, I never really have a problem with them. Might just be me, but I don't see tokens as a very competitive idea in EDH.
February 16, 2015 10:08 a.m.
Schuesseled says... #41
I tired a Varolz deck, it's....boring. You can only ever do things at sorcery speed, and sure you can kill someone with one hit on occassion, but you get dominated in multiplayer.
February 16, 2015 10:45 a.m.
MagicalHacker says... #42
What do you mean by fun ability? You mean a unique effect? Because some effects let you decide what to do. For example, you can use Derevi, Empyrial Tactician to untap the land enchanted by Leafdrake Roost via one of the drakes it made. At that point, you've got a exponential growth of whatever you Untap with Derevi's trigger.
Anyways, sorry about the tangent, but are you saying you want an effect that is more than just an overdone ability?
February 16, 2015 11:59 a.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #43
Yes, I guess, a fairly unique ability is what I would enjoy. Do you have any ideas?
February 16, 2015 12:09 p.m.
MagicalHacker says... #44
Sweet! Alright, yes I do!
Here are the constraints I'm using:
- must be less than 4 CMC
- must be 2-3 colors
- must synergize with creatures
- (every deck can be made to employ control elements of you so desire)
- must have a unique ability (basically drawing cards, tapping permanents, etc is boring)
- (it's up to you to decide which is unused at your LGS)
Alright, this is what we've got (keep in mind some of the decklists attached are in dire need of updating/rebuilding heh):
- Hanna, Ship's Navigator: Now while she may not look like much, being able to return artifacts and enchantments is already kind of annoying, but when you can return enchantment creatures and artifact creatures, things get out of hand fast. Not to mention the ridiculous combo she has with Mindslaver. (I've been meaning to build this but haven't gotten around to it heh.)
- Teysa, Orzhov Scion: When youre not comboing off with Darkest Hour and a sac outlet, you get to make all the black tokens, which can result in either winning the game cause you slapped your opponents too hard or in stopping crazy threats by first sacrificing the black tokens to sac outlets you have in your deck already cause of the aforementioned combo and then sacrificing the newly made white tokens to Teysa. MagicalHacker - Teysa, Orzhov Scion.
- Jhoira of the Ghitu: It's easy to see how she can do whatever you want her to do. Mostly people suspend MLD then suspend huge threats and then just win. But suspending extra turn spells should be part of the mix I say! If you like casting Omniscience for 2 mana in a deck where you already have lots of expensive stuff to cast, this is the deck for you. MagicalHacker - Jhoira of the Ghitu.
- Pharika, God of Affliction: If you like tribal decks that do a million things simultaneously, Pharika is for you. Snake tribal? Check. Self mill? Check. Politics and group hug? Check. Anti-graveyard? Check. Deathtouch shenanigans? Check. Constellation? Check. If you thought Doomwake Giant couldn't get any better, oh ho ho, THINK AGAIN. MagicalHacker - Pharika, God of Affliction.
- Gaddock Teeg: Be prepared for people to hate this deck, because hate bears is coming to edh! Seriously, the commander is one of the biggest hosers in EDH, and he nicely prevents a lot of removal for him here too. And how do you get around his ability to you? Play lots of creatures of course! Oh and whatever you're worried about outside his limiting factors, you get Nevermore. MagicalHacker - Gaddock Teeg.
- Rhys the Redeemed: If there ever was a unique ability, Rhys's second ability would be it. Obviously you can see how creatures will work well with him, but the real win is when you got Illusionist's Bracers equipped, Rings of Brighthearth paid for, and Doubling Season, Parallel Lives, and Primal Vigor all on the battlefield. Just if you're wondering, that makes 342 copies of each token you have. Yeah. MagicalHacker - Rhys the Redeemed (Selesnya).
- Saffi Eriksdotter: She is notorious for being a commander of an infinite combo deck, but when the pieces are basically all creatures, it's gotta feel good getting the win via combat damage too sometimes. Of the pieces, it brings a tear to my eye to see Angel of Glory's Rise used once again. (Oh how I miss the good ol days of human reanimator in standard!) MagicalHacker - Saffi Eriksdotter.
- Edric, Spymaster of Trest: This guy is a power house. Extremely political, this guy gets value if you got cheap unblockable creatures and control cards. Seriously stupid good, especially with a card like Chasm Skulker. MagicalHacker - Edric, Spymaster of Trest.
- Vorel of the Hull Clade: While not as good as some the others on here, it's nice to get lots of counters on everything all the time. Personally, I like how he makes Darksteel Reactor a realistic win con! Anyways, proliferate and +1/+1 shenanigans alike will like this deck, so bring lots of dice. MagicalHacker - Vorel of the Hull Clade.
- Adun Oakenshield: If you were wondering if there was a counterpart to the aforementioned Hanna, well you're in luck. If a threat you play gets killed, no matter, play it again. Tadaaaa. I don't know if there's an infinite combo like with Hanna, mostly because I haven't built this deck yet either, but adding black and green makes self mill more doable, so you've got a commander for a nice toolbox deck if you wish.
- Marath, Will of the Wild: This guy is pretty neat since he can do all the things. In fact, I haven't seen a more versatile commander since Cromat, which says a lot. This guy works really well in killing dudes by giving him deathtouch, elemental tribal, fixing persist creatures, restocking +1/+1 counters on creatures that use them, gaining life by giving him lifelink, proliferating in general, and even being a nuisance with Grafted Exoskeleton! This definitely needs an update but here it is anyways. MagicalHacker - Marath, Will of the Wild.
- Derevi, Empyrial Tactician: I mentioned this in the earlier comment, but Derevi is pretty powerful when it comes to effects that require tapping to make tokens because those tokens can come right back and untap those token makers. Not only that, but they can give you more mana by untapping mana rocks and other stuff. Derevi is known to be pretty powerful, especially when she flashes in pre-combat and taps the nastiest creature before it can attack. Versatile, creature using, control powerhouse. Oh and it never costs more than four. Oh and True Conviction is hilarious. I wish I could feel like I've talked about it enough but alas... MagicalHacker - Derevi, Empyrial Tactician.
- Doran, the Siege Tower: While this one seems strange at first, when you realize you can abuse high toughness creatures while potentially nerfing opponents high power creatures, all in the colors of amazing defenders and ways to let defenders attack, and other "toughness matters" cards like Trostani, Selesnya's Voice, you got a pretty nasty baseline to add control to and call it a day. MagicalHacker - Doran, the Siege Tower.
- Karador, Ghost Chieftain: I know what you're thinking, "He's 8 frickin mana dude!!!" But let me assure that he NEVER costs more than three if you bring forth your gameplan correctly. Lots of ETB abilities or sacrifice abilities makes this toolbox deck amazing, and who could forget about cards like Fauna Shaman? MagicalHacker - Karador, Ghost Chieftain.
- Animar, Soul of Elements: Last but not least, this guy. While lots of people use him for morph shenanigans because he makes them free at 3 counters, I see him more of a creature combo guy. If you play lots of colorless creatures, you can chain them to make them cost little to no mana. If you have a Glimpse of Nature effect first, you can essentially amass a huge army of artifact creatures and Eldrazi for very little loss of cards in your hand and little mana. Think of it like creature storm. MagicalHacker - Animar, Soul of Elements.
Sorry for the long post, but I honestly think these are your best options, so really analyze the commanders, and since I haven't updated the decks in a long time, please look at other peoples decks too. (Keep in mind that the noncontrol versions will be more helpful since any deck can have control added to them, so that can always be done lastly.)
Good luck, and feel free to ask me any more questions about these commanders or other ones. :)
February 16, 2015 5:57 p.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #45
Holy crap man, thanks a ton!!
After some lecture (and deck looking), I think I'm either going to try Teysa, Orzhov Scion, partially because her ability (combined with Darkest Hour) is a complete a**, Marath, Will of the Wild because Naya is definitely my favorite shard (one of my first decks was the Ajani VS Bolas deck, and Ajani won every single time :) ), or Derevi, Empyrial Tactician mostly because Bant has a solid combination of big creatures and some control aspects, but also because I can see where you're going with token and mana producers.
Finally, what are your views on Mayael the Anima? I love Naya, and the idea of cheating out big creatures every turn is very appetizing.
Once again, what you've done is nothing short of amazing. Thanks a ton!!!
February 16, 2015 8:32 p.m.
MagicalHacker says... #46
No problem, this is what I enjoy doing :)
I thought about Mayael as a recommendation, and she works well if all your control pieces ARE big creatures because it's extremely easy to whiff on her ability. That seemed a bit too reliant on you be okay with that, so I imagined it would be fine not including her since I already have so many :)
February 17, 2015 12:25 p.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #47
Well, you're very good at it! :)
I think I'll go with Marath. I like the counter sub-theme (Sunbond and Ageless Entity sould be very fun in there) and the really useful abilities that he has (infect is nasty).
Once again, a huge thanks to all your help (and everyone else)!!
February 17, 2015 12:45 p.m.
MagicalHacker says... #48
Cool, idk how many of these are on my decklist, but these also synergise extremely well with Marath's ability:
- Archangel of Thune (with lifelink equipments/auras)
- Ashnod's Altar
- Blade of the Bloodchief
- Cathars' Crusade
- Death's Presence
- Doubling Season
- Gyre Sage
- Hardened Scales
- Ivy Lane Denizen
- Mana Echoes
- Phyrexian Altar
- Primal Vigor
- Spike Feeder
- Thermopod
- Treasonous Ogre
And to a lesser extent...
February 17, 2015 2:46 p.m.
Deckologist says... #49
Karametra, God of Harvests having a high amount of creatures yields you more land when she's out. 
has some amazing creatures that do a large variety of things. It's a good starting point in my opinion because you play the deck like you would any kind of starter deck and it rewards you for doing so.
February 18, 2015 2:22 a.m.
Didgeridooda says... #50
What is your budget going forward with this deck? After picking my commander the first thing I do is get the land base together. I prefer lands that come in to play untapped with a couple exceptions. Normally utility lands.
Since I don't know your budget, I will suggest lands that I would use.
Shocks -- Stomping Ground, Temple Garden, Sacred Foundry
Pain lands -- Battlefield Forge, Brushland, Karplusan Forest, Mana Confluence, City of Brass
Fast lands -- Razorverge Thicket, Copperline Gorge
Buddy lands -- Rootbound Crag, Sunpetal Grove, Clifftop Retreat
Hideaways -- Mosswort Bridge, Spinerock Knoll, Windbrisk Heights
Reflecting Pool, Emeria, The Sky Ruin, Any fetches that match even just one of your colors (9 of them). Yavimaya Hollow, Stripmine, Tectonic Edge, Arcane Lighthouse, Flamekin Village, Temple of the False God, Dryad Arbor goes with Green Sun's Zenith for very good turn one ramp,
ChiefBell says... #2
You can build creature heavy or creature light in any colour you want.
If you do want to focus on creatures then Jund (GBR) is good.
February 15, 2015 9:59 a.m.