Tips for building a competitive multiplayer EDH deck.
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on Aug. 8, 2013, 1:39 p.m. by truble
Once you have picked a general it is time to build the list.
When you are trying to play competitive EDH, you are basically playing 100 card vintage singleton. So the first thing you need to do when you are building your list is say, "am I playing the best cards in my colors".
You start with the legacy ban list. If it is banned in legacy and legal in EDH, you should look into it. I say look into it mind you, you do not have to play it for sure, but you should look into it.
Then you go over to the vintage restricted list. If you cant play two of it in vintage, the most powerful format, you should look into it.
Also take a look at some of the EDH staples lists that float around. Sometimes there are cards that suck in 60 card decks but are great in 100 card singleton. Epochalyptik has his own list which can be found here: List of EDH Staples and Power Cards
Also you have to pick a budget. Some decks play cards that cost upwards of $200. Some decks play Mishra's Workshop , Mana Drain , Force of Will , Imperial Seal , Timetwister , Candelabra of Tawnos , or other very expensive cards. Many people just cant pay for them.
Now that you have a list of good cards you need to decide what you want to be doing with the deck.
Are you playing all in on the combo route? Do you want to be controlling? What cards do you need in your hand to win? What do your first three turns look like? Can you hold off three other players while you combo out? etc.
Check out other decks on tapped out that play your general or colors. Look for cards that you might have missed. Try google to find primers or deck-tecs on your general.
Lastly you need to playtest and playtest. Play other people. Play by yourself as you watch TV. This is the only way to know if cards are good in the deck, how many lands you should run, etc.
Keep a list of things you want to try in the maybe board and try different combinations of cards
Know your deck well and you will do well. Always know what you want when you tutor. Know your combo like the back of your hand. Know how many black blue sources you have left in your deck half way through a game when you have uncracked fetches. etc.
This should be your deck, your baby, no one else should be able to pick it up and do better then you would with it.
And have fun. Take a general you like and make it as good as you can.
If you have other tips, post them below in the comments.
Bobgalarneau says... #2
A tough thing to do with a deck is to find a way to beat 3 opponent "at the same time" or in 2-3 turns. Some deck are real good in 1 vs 1 or casual multiplayer, but if you plan to do commander damage with your Rafiq of the Many deck in a 4 player game, your opponents will team up to kill you....
Look at cards that will affect all your opponents like the overpowered Exsanguinate or Debt to the Deathless
August 8, 2013 2:17 p.m.