How do you build a commander deck?
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on Feb. 13, 2013, 11:42 p.m. by Rewdog
Hello All!
I plan on starting to play EDH casually with my friends, and though i have borrowed another's deck before, I cannot seem to make one of my own that runs well. I have given it numerous attempts, but it just never works quite right. So how does and EDH have a build that flows well? Does it run on a Curve? Do mana costs matter all that much?
Yeah, the article Epochalyptik put up is a good starting point.
Too bad the commander decks are expensive now, because those are awesome starting points too.
I'd say pick a legend that you really like and has a useful, cool effect and just build on from there. There's not much input I can really come up with that won't be covered in Epochalyptik's article, but good luck!
February 14, 2013 12:04 a.m.
I started my first EDH deck when looking at some legendary card that had at least 2 color and when I saw Doran, the Siege Tower , I was simply like "Woah, his ability seems fun! I HAZ to do a deck with that! And simply proceed to make a not so good deck with him flowing Treefolk and Wall tribal and named it Treebeard and the Walls of Isengard [EDH, Doran]
It's a deck I'm semi-ashamed of now I'm getting the hang of EDH a lot more but it was hella fun to build and I can't say no to the flavor I put in it. I'd suggest stuff along those line to start. Try to look for the "OMG, A deck built around HIM is gonna be some much nuts to do!" moment really help to enjoy your deck
February 14, 2013 2:24 a.m.
Mana curves, card advantage, tempo, etc. all matters in EDH just like it does in any other format. It's just at a different pace in EDH than, say, sealed or modern.
Because you're playing with a 99 card deck (your commander sits off to the side in the command zone), decks aren't as consistent as they are in other formats, even a vintage deck with half the restricted list. There are a few things that happen because of this:
1) Decks are slower than if you used the same cards in another format. Even though turn three kills are possible in EDH, they would probably be turn one or two kills in constructed. This allows you to use larger spells than you normally would. Sheoldred, Whispering One is a great example of a creature who is in almost every black EDH deck, but doesn't see play anywhere else.
2) Tutors and mana ramping are far more important. Mystical Tutor makes all of your instants and sorceries two-ofs in the deck. Cultivate is god-status in making sure you don't miss land drops.
3) There are more answers to a smaller number of problems. Keep in mind, your commander is generally part of your win condition, but it's the only one of its kind in your entire deck. Your opponents, on the other hand, will be running all kinds of removal and hatred to stop your commander from functioning. In other words, you may have ten cards in your deck that function as part of a win condition. However, your opponents have several dozen answers to those few cards buried in your 100 card deck.
4) Aggro isn't as strong in this format in comparison to control or combo. Most decks that could be considered aggro rely on using a commander like Rafiq of the Many to win through general damage. The problem with aggro is consistently getting an army of weenies out on the table on top of needing to do 40 damage to kill someone. Because of this, decks like White Weenie aren't strong enough. Control decks are easy to build if you rely on your commander to win (just him and 99 ways to protect him). Combo decks are all over the place since assembling the pieces is no different than if you were to try and dig through your deck for removal/counters/creatures/etc.
A few other things before I wrap up this long-winded post:
There's staples in EDH like in any other format. If you play black, you run Demonic Tutor , no exceptions. Playing white? Swords to Plowshares . Green? Acidic Slime . Strip Mine , Maze of Ith , Sol Ring , Solemn Simulacrum , Lightning Greaves , card:Sensei's Divining Top, Command Tower , and Reliquary Tower are pretty much auto-includes in any commander deck. I know it's a "casual format" for people to try new things, but they're called staples for a reason. You better have a really good reason for not having them in your deck (availability or cost are good reasons).
Other than that, it's a really fun format. Good luck!
February 14, 2013 5:09 a.m.
Dreadwhite509 says... #6
I was hesitant to build one of these at first. By put my friend explained it as "you can use all your favorite cards, and make it around a legendary creature," so I did so. My first EDH deck ever, was around Treva, the Renewer she's awesome :) sadly he said she was not a good general, and he had doubts, but I realized a few things. The deck MAY be based completely on the general, in mine Treva is more of a centerpiece to the other weirdness going on. There are NO good or and generals EVER (in my opinion) Remember, it's one creature, out if 100 cards, get creative and you can make an incredible deck regardless. The mana curve varies GREATLY I've seen an absurd amount mana curves from balanced to wacky. Pick your favorite cards, and make it unique :) I found it makes it more fun.My other bant deck- Rubinia, Treva's emissary Rubinia Soulsinger is COMPLETELY based on her abilities. But not on the creature. more like other cards that do the same thing does. You'll come to put in more effort than u think into making these decks. In my opinion it's the best format. :)
February 14, 2013 11:40 a.m.
Yeah that's a really good point. Some EDH decks build around their commander, some don't. My Gaddock Teeg deck had to be built around my commander. Damia, Sage of Stone ? Not so much. She's my commander mainly for the color combination.
February 15, 2013 2:13 a.m.
the3rdH0kage says... #8
Listen to these guys. But anyway if your looking for a good multi-colored Commander I use Teneb, the Harvester , he guarentees a bunch of graveyard fun.
February 19, 2013 9:20 p.m.
I got really bored and searched up every legend in the game to familiarize myself with good commanders. Usually a commander that is flexible and offers utility is best.
For example, Jedit Ojanen is bad, Angus Mackenzie is good.
February 19, 2013 9:48 p.m.
Rafiq of the Many , Zur the Enchanter , Animar, Soul of Elements , Uril, the Miststalker , Kaalia of the Vast , Damia, Sage of Stone , Sharuum the Hegemon , and Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon are probably some of the better generals off the top of my head.
February 19, 2013 10:34 p.m.
the3rdH0kage says... #11
If you can pull off the appropriate mana ramp you could look at Progenitus
February 19, 2013 10:36 p.m.
The problem with Progenitus is he dies to Clone and his cousins. If you're going to play five colors, play Child of Alara .
Epochalyptik says... #2
Read this.
February 13, 2013 11:46 p.m.