Commanders by Power Level [EDH Tier List]

Commander / EDH* thegigibeast

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Major updates since last time! - Reset discussion —Dec. 9, 2015

Major updates have been done from the original list. Keep feeding the post, you are awesome guyz!

Discussion resetted!

NarejED says... #1

Starting with Tier 1:

Azusa, Lost but Seeking --> Tier 2

Ghave, Guru of Spores --> Tier 2

Griselbrand --> Banned

Iona, Shield of Emeria --> Tier 4

Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord --> Tier 2

Jhoira of the Ghitu --> Tier 2. Her ability seems bonkers in theory, and she does well in less competitive tables, but she actually usually ends up being too slow a lot of the time. Most tier 1 combo decks win the turn BEFORE her suspended spells start resolving.

Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur --> Tier 3

Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker --> Tier 3

Melek, Izzet Paragon --> Tier 2

Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind --> Tier 2. His combo is strong, but it has speed issues and can easily be stopped, often with a single counterspell.

Prime Speaker Zegana --> Tier 2

Scion of the Ur-Dragon: I wish there was some was way to specify that it's Hermit Druid, Ad Nauseam, or Omniscience that makes the deck strong, and that he has almost nothing to do with it. Oh well. Tier 1 is definitely fair placement.

Sydri, Galvanic Genius --> Tier 2

Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger --> Tier 3

Thanks for creating the list! I'll give my thoughts on Tier 2 and 3 when I have the chance.

December 7, 2015 11:41 a.m.

Didgeridooda says... #2

Nice layout on the new one.

Shall we start at the top? Tier 1. I think that Azami, Lady of Scrolls is the only tier 1 mono-color commander. Others like Azusa, Lost but Seeking are strong, but not quite tier 1. Mono color just does not have the versatility to populate the tier 1 list.

I also feel that Prime Speaker Zegana, and Melek, Izzet Paragon could use a bump down at least one tier.

I would also like to see if anyone would like to debate some of the commanders that I run. Mainly Merieke Ri Berit, and Yisan, the Wanderer Bard both are listed as tier 4. Let me know if you want me to make a case for them or not. (Not saying teir 1, just want to see how others rate them, and what their experiences are with them)

December 7, 2015 11:42 a.m.

Purphoros, God of the Forge may be a tier two commander, he's usually about a turn behind other decks like Azami.

December 7, 2015 1:16 p.m.

thegigibeast says... #4

Updated according to your comments NarejED, Didgeridooda and AlmightyDoucheCanoe. Thanks a lot!

I am gonna come back and comment about your two commanders Didgeridooda, but after school, I am currently in class. Won't you mind looking at Sliver Overlord, Daretti, Scrap Savant and Kozilek, Butcher of Truth in exchange?

Please, I would also like if you could +1 to help making this a lot more visible to get even more players to comment and improve the ranking. That would be awesome from you guyz!

December 7, 2015 3:22 p.m. Edited.

NarejED says... #5

Moving on to tier 2 recommendations.

Aurelia, the Warleader --> Tier 3. She's the best Boros has for a commander, but she's still slow, linear, and extremely reliant on turning sideways.

Dralnu, Lich Lord --> Tier 4. The flashback ability is nice, but losing your entire board to a Comet Storm for 10 is beyond terrible. Such a drawback is crippling.

Geist of Saint Traft --> Tier 4. He's just a cheap beater that doesn't net any value in larger games. Even if you try to abuse his ability with turn ending effects, he's still mediocre at best.

Isamaru, Hound of Konda --> Tier 4. He's essentially just a cheap body to be loaded up with equipment and voltroned. Horrible outside of dual commander.

Kamahl, Fist of Krosa --> Tier 3.Kokusho, the Evening Star --> Tier 3. It requires at least two other combo pieces to go off effectively. Otherwise he's a minor deterrence. Essentially an over-costed Zulaport Cutthroat stuffed into the command zone.

Kozilek, Butcher of Truth --> Tier 3.

Linvala, Keeper of Silence--> Tier 3. A very situation ability coupled with a terrible color identity.

Momir Vig, Simic Visionary --> Tier 1. Momir elfball combo is incredibly fast and consistent.

Multani, Maro-Sorcerer--> Tier 3.

Nahiri, the Lithomancer--> Tier 3.

Nissa, Vastwood Seer --> Tier 3

Phenax, God of Deception --> Tier 3. Traditional mill is almost impossible to make viable in a competitive meta.

Radha, Heir to Keld --> Tier 3.

Rasputin Dreamweaver --> Tier 3.

Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon --> Tier 3.

Sliver Hivelord --> Tier 3. Strictly worse than Sliver Overlord for actual sliver decks, and he brings nothing to the table for regular 5C combo shenanigans.

Slobad, Goblin Tinkerer --> Tier 4.

Thassa, God of the Sea --> Tier 3 or 4.

Thraximundar -> Tier 3. If you build around him, he's weak. If you use him as a placeholder for Grixis Storm / Grixis Waste Not / Grixis Reanimator strategies, he brings less to the table than other commanders. Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge > Thrax for storm, Nekusar, the Mindrazer > Thrax for Waste Not, and Sedris, the Traitor King > Thrax for Reanimator. He's just a sideshow beater.

Venser, Shaper Savant --> Tier 3. He's a tempo swing by himself, and a sub-par combo piece when paired with flicker effects like Deadeye Navigator. Not worth running competitively

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed --> Tier 4. Weak effect in a bad color identity.

December 7, 2015 3:36 p.m.

thegigibeast says... #6

Edit done! The only card I am not sure about in your suggestions is Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed. I know he can be really strong in commander, and I have seen some really great multiplayer reanimator lists with him in some of my playgroups. Any thoughts on this people?

December 7, 2015 4:20 p.m.

Didgeridooda says... #7

Sliver Overlord, currently listed tier 2, Slivers are iffy. I would say Sliver Queen is tier 2 or 1.5 but not for slivers, for combo potential. The overlord I would put tier 3. I feel it is actually the definition of tier 3. Slivers are kitchen table allstars.

Daretti, Scrap Savant, currently listed as tier 2, I honestly do not feel that mono red has tier 2 potential. I would list it as tier 3.

Kozilek, Butcher of Truth, currently listed as tier 3. I have seen some very strong, and quick things happen with him. Turn 1 Kozilek with haste, sure it was a god hand, but it happened. I think he is low end tier 2, high end tier 3.

Edit, also featured the deck. Never done that before, so not exactly how all that works.

December 7, 2015 4:55 p.m. Edited.

thegigibeast says... #8

Thanks for the featured man! Awesome, +1 cookie for you!

BTW, what do you mean by low end tier 2 and high end tier 3? Is he more on the 2 or 3 side???

December 7, 2015 5:04 p.m.

Didgeridooda says... #9

Placement for Kozilek is tough. I feel a good argument could be made for either tier for him. I have seen him consistently do some big things fast. He can really be neutered by one counter though. I think tier 3 is the right place for him right now.

December 7, 2015 5:14 p.m.

thegigibeast says... #10

Ok, so tier three will be is home, cause I can't argue on this one!

December 7, 2015 5:15 p.m.

Didgeridooda says... #11

A thread in the EDH forum might get some more traction. Those are usually more easily seen.

December 7, 2015 5:16 p.m.

NarejED says... #14

@ thegigibeast regarding Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed: Think of it this way. Xoahou is essentially strictly worse than Meren of Clan Nel Toth. He costs the same amount of mana to cost, but he has a much weaker color identity (Mono black is widely regarded either the third or fourth weakest color combination in EDH, ahead of Mono Red and Mono White, and closely tied with Boros). His ability is also almost strictly worse. Unless you can find a reliable way to generate infinite black mana, Xiahou can only be triggered at the absolute most once per turn. More often he only triggers every 2-3 turns, since his cost constantly rises and you'll usually be wanting to play whatever you recurred with him in the interim. Meanwhile, Meren triggers every single turn, and, if you've already had a few creatures die, she puts targets directly onto the battlefield. The only small advantage Xiahou holds is that, if worse comes to worse, he can be used for Voltron. But with a 7 turn base clock, he's too slow for this to work anywhere except at the most casual of kitchen tables.

Thus, since Meren is leaps and bounds better than Xiahou in almost every way, and Meren is currently listed in Tier 3, it seemed logical to list Xiahou as tier 4. At least that's my reasoning.

I hope that clears things up!

Now, moving on to my recommendations for Tier 3. I'll probably do this one in multiple segments over the course of several days due to the sheer size.

Arcanis the Omnipotent --> Tier 2. He plays an almost identical deck to Azami, and can combo out in the much the same way. He's distinctly weaker than her, but not by a much. Tier 2 seems the optimal place for him.

Bruna, Light of Alabaster --> Tier 2. She can do some pretty insane things. If played correctly, she often kills one opponent the turn after she's cast. Quite similar in strategy and power level to Uril, The Mistalker, so having them on the same tier seems logical.

Cao Ren, Wei Commander --> Tier 4. Almost strictly worse than Kokusho, the Evening Star.

Ezuri, Claw of Progress --> Tier 2. A totally optimized list has not yet been created for Ezuri, but already he's proven to be insanely powerful with the builds floating around. Both Infect and Zoo with backup combos have proven to be extremely strong. Easily upper-mid Tier 2.

Ezuri, Renegade Leader --> Tier 2. He's on par with Azusa, Lost but Seeking in terms of power.

Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge. This one is highly debatable. There's at least one tier 1 list than runs her as the commander (look up Moxnixi's Jeleva Grixis Storm sometime), but she isn't a critical part of the deck. More of a placeholder whose ability is only occasionally relevant when the deck is on the ropes. Much like Scion of the Ur-Dragon, she's a mediocre commander than famously helms a broken deck that has nothing to do with her. I would say place her in tier two with a disclaimer as a compromise.

Kruphix, God of Horizons --> tier 2. By himself, Kruphix is only tier 3. But due to his being in the best guild color pair in EDH, he gets a sizable power boost. Both abilities are extremely relevant, allowing him to churn out colossal hydras mid-game for lethal after playing a more controlling early game.

Marchesa, the Black Rose: Very borderline. I lean more towards a tier 2 place, but that's just personal experience. Tier 3 can be argued as well, though she's much stronger than a sizable portion of the other commanders listed in tier 3.

Meren of Clan Nel Toth --> Tier 2. She plays like Karador, Ghost Chieftain without white (and thus without Boonweaver combo). She still has no trouble pulling off fast, consistent wins with Mike and Trike combo. She's overall a very strong mid-combo reanimator commander, equal, if not superior to, Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord.

Mizzix of the Izmagnus --> Tier 2. Mizzix storm is only a tiny bit weaker than Melek storm. The two have essentially interchangeable deck shells. Since their power level is so nearly identical, they should logically lie on the same tier.

Omnath, Locus of Mana: A strong case could be made for moving him to Tier 2. He's another one of those extremely borderline commanders.

Shattergang Brothers --> Definitely Tier 2. Shattergang Stax is one of the most oppressive sac-based decks in the format. He's easily capable of running away with the game if allowed to set up.

Shisato, Whispering Hunter --> Tier 4. The prison ability is nice, but the drawback makes it difficult to justify playing her, especially as a commander.

Teneb, the Harvester --> Tier 2. He plays a deck almost identical to Karador's. The only thing that keeps him from being Tier 1 is his reliance on dealing combat damage. That drawback still puts him solidly in the Tier 2 rankings though.

I may not get around to Tier 4, so I'll just go ahead and suggest these revisions now.

Oona, Queen of the Fae --> Tier 2. She plays an extremely resilient control suite with a backup win condition of several infinite mana generator combos that can allow her to win as early as turn 2 with a perfect draw, and by turn 5 on average.

Roon of the Hidden Realm --> Tier 1. I don't know how on earth he ended up so low. He's widely regarded as the second best Bant commander in the game. I'm not entirely sure what the overall "best" build for him is (I've seen prison, control, and mid-combo all perform pretty well), but he's always a powerhouse.

Sedris, the Traitor King --> Tier 2. I may be slightly biased because I myself have built a Sedris deck, but from what I've seen, he's an absolute powerhouse. Like many reanimator decks, one of his main win conditions is Mike and Trike or Necrotic Ooze. He himself serves as an extremely resilient recursion tool, allowing the deck to consistently win with Nooze the turn after Sedris is cast. I've personally pulled off turn 2 wins with the deck multiple times, and once managed to goldfish a turn 1 win with a God hand. (Gigi doesn't want people posting deck links, so I'll leave it up to you to find. The list is on my profile as "Watch me Whip, Now Watch me Trai Trai" if interested. "The Kingdom of Sedraxis" is another powerful Sedris deck that accurately demonstrates his multiplayer strength.) Overall, I've found Sedris to be only marginally weaker than other namesake reanimator commanders like Mimeoplasm and Karador. His biggest weakness is his lack of access to green; the second most powerful color for reanimation.

December 7, 2015 6:33 p.m.

horatio13 says... #15

Lazav, Dimir Mastermind should be moved to tier 1 or teir 2, (I don't have a lazav deck myself but had a mill deck in modern) Lazav has hexproof which is great for any voltron commander, he turns your opponent's best cards into their biggest weaknesses through abusing cards like Bribery and he is half blue so can be defended by counterspells. This deck can either take the place of a control deck who uses lazav as a win-con or a voltron deck or a combo-deck, which is easy to pull off with blacks tutors and the large amount of blue combos. Please make this tier 1 or tier 2.

December 7, 2015 6:36 p.m.

Didgeridooda says... #17

horatio13 I have played against Lazav many times (multiple people's decks), and I feel 3 is exactly where he belongs. He is no where near the tier 1. He does not advance the board-state, and requires too much to go right in order to play strong. Great for kitchen table, but lacking against tier 1/2 opponents in speed, and game advancement.

On a side note, Oona, Queen of the Fae is tier 1 or 2, def not 4.

December 7, 2015 7:28 p.m.

On another note, I've found that traditional Scarecrow Reaper King decks are not very powerful but that Changeling Reaper King is probably around a Tier 2 deck.

All Tribes Welcome EDH is a budget(meaning not above 300 bucks and also meaning it can be improved) EDH deck I designed with Reaper King at the helm. It utilizes cards from a wide variety of tribes to boost the power of the twenty Shapeshifters in the deck. Krenko, Captivating Vampire, etc. are used in this build. In multiplayer games I've found it to compete well against most tier two builds and even tier one voltron.

I wouldn't place it at tier one, but tier two is probably a decent place for it. But, who knows, maybe my experiences with that deck are just miraculous.

December 7, 2015 11:10 p.m.

DARK_VOID says... #19

I think Tasigur, the Golden Fang should be tier one. He's crazy good in commander. You can cast him for 1, use his ability to fill the grave and generate value and card advantage, then once he dies use the cards in your graveyard (that he put there himself) to recast him for 1. Also he consistently makes the top decks in tournament play and often gets first.

December 8, 2015 midnight

NarejED says... #22

@DARK_VOID: The problem with Tasigur (Tassles) is that he just doesn't do enough. Being able to cast him for 1 mana on turn 3 is nice, but his recursion ability doesn't have enough effect to merit use most of the time, meaning that he often ends up being a cheap beater / blocker.

There are two tried and true strong archetypes for Sultai in EDH: Reanimator and combo-control. Tassles isn't the best commander for either. The Mimeoplasm is obviously far superior for reanimator strategies, as it wins the turn you cast him, while Damia, Sage of Stone is far superior for the combo-control archetype as Epochalyptik has stated multiple times in his famous deck Dominus - Dreamcrusher Edition

The problem with basing rankings off of real-world EDH tournament results is that, most of the times, a huge chunk of the decks used are not optimized. Being a casual format by nature, many players don't invest more than 100$ in their decks. Thus the people who DO invest heavily in their decks can run just about anything in the command zone and still do fairly well. For whatever reason, Tasigur just happens to be popular among wealthier players, and Sultai is a dominant color combination by itself to perform well with him.

With all that said, I think Tier 2 is the fair place for Tasigur. Since I made the argument for Kruphix, God of Horizons to be placed there partially off of his color identity, I feel obligated to do the same for Tasigur. Tassle decks can and do indeed do well, but not because of their commander, and since there ARE strictly better commanders that run similar shells, he gets out classesd.

December 8, 2015 12:52 a.m.

Rienuaa says... #24

Selvala is a god tier heavy stax combo deck general. Check out /r/competitiveedh and this list: Explorey-Os! Selvala Combo/Stax

December 8, 2015 1:49 a.m.