Unique Commanders

Commander (EDH) forum

Posted on Aug. 27, 2021, 1:36 p.m. by tiffanyann

Hey guys! For those who don't know me, I'm Tiff and I like to build fun and underplayed commanders. My playgroup has tasked me with coming up with a new deck or theme that hasn't been done to death so I wanna open up the discussion with you guys; What should I build?!

I want something crazy and unique or maybe something never been done before. Any cool suggestions or decks you've always dreamed of?

I'm super janky so anything goes.

Genju of the Realm no creatures only enchant lands is a weird example.

Or Xira Arien Oogie Boogie (Grist) all bugs.

RiotRunner789 says... #2

I built an Oloro deck that was mono black discard, though not sure it that fits off-theme enough. Also, Oloro is popular, I just choose a theme not associated with him.

You could go super janky and go ball/sphere tribal. Anything with a ball in the art like Doomsday or Winter Orb.

Commanders like Zendru and Blim could also be good choices. You would be on theme with gift giving but your gifts could be just odd world enchantments like Concordant Crossroads or Price of Glory. They could be good just based on their range since you could gift anything.

Not sure if I hit any nails on the head but those are my first thoughts.

August 27, 2021 1:50 p.m. Edited.

RambIe says... #3

i think the jankiest deck i ever made was Jodah, Archmage Eternal Manifesto
Every card in the deck was a basic land or something that manifested a basic land into a 2/2 creature
this was part of a $20 budget challenge build the play group did.

August 27, 2021 2:04 p.m.

Akim, the Soaring Wind eternalize/embalm tribal???

August 27, 2021 2:04 p.m.

DrukenReaps says... #5

I think I have a few things that might work for you.

This first is Child's Choices. The idea is to be playing only with cards that give opponents choices to make. Everything from good ones like Rhystic Study to meh ones like Killing Wave. I use to run a 60 card deck based around the same thing. This is kind of a side project.

Next up I'm not sure really counts but Beep-Beep Motherfucker. Its a vehical deck which isn't that unique but it is more focused on tapping and untapping things that have abilities like King Macar, the Gold-Cursed and Fallowsage. I dunno if this is all that unique though, I just haven't seen it out in the wild.

Last idea is playing the best color, colorless In all seriousness if your meta doesn't have a colorless commander floating around it needs one! There are all kinds of silly things you can do if you just pay a little more mana than other colors usually have to. Check out my Druken Distortion. Though if you are looking for unique you might build Hope of Ghirapur or Karn, Silver Golem instead. Just watch out for that Vandalblast...

August 27, 2021 2:05 p.m.

Golgari Spellslinger with Willowdusk, Essence Seer? Sounds fun. How about something creatureless with Targ Nar, Demon-Fang Gnoll?

Finally: Prosper, Tome-Bound instant tribal.

August 27, 2021 2:14 p.m.

EnbyGolem says... #7

I always wanted to see a mono red deck featuring the ol' Homelands duo Chandler and Joven. There's some meme decks around them but I think it would be a next-level challenge to not only make them playable but doing so while also actually utilizing and building around their abilities (aka not just Red good stuff, featuring Chandler and Joven). I've attempted it once but failed miserably, lol

August 27, 2021 2:33 p.m.

Unlife says... #8

I've built a couple of odd decks, my personal favorite is a naya superfriends deck, helmed by Gahiji, Honored One. Its not too out there, but the entire deck is built around Primal Surge, so there are no instants or sorceries at all.

Personally, I'd also think about a deckbuilding restriction, something that really makes you think about how you have to build the deck. Best example, I've got a wheel deck built around 2 partner commanders and a companion Tymna the Weaver/Kraum, Ludevic's Opus/Obosh, the Preypiercer All odd CMC in 4 colors with a wheel/combo based wincon.

For a weird recommendation/challenge: Ich-Tekik, Salvage Splicer/Sakashima of a Thousand Faces/Keruga, the Macrosage creatureless summoner tribal. All your spells and support makes creature tokens, but beyond the commanders there are no creatures in the deck.

August 27, 2021 2:34 p.m.

Gattison says... #9

I have a Gallowbraid voltron deck. You could build Morinfen instead to be different, lol.

Also, Karona, False God is pretty weird, not many people build around her.

Finally, Taniwha would be a challenge.

August 27, 2021 2:45 p.m.

EnbyGolem says... #10

I'm very biased but you could always try building an old-school deck too! It's not really format as much as a deck-building challenge themed around using the old-borders. For my deck, I restricted myself to only use cards from Alpha to Scourge sets but other folks have slightly different deck building rules (such as still allowing the new old-border treated cards). I've been collecting any I see here, if you are interested in taking a look at some of the decks that are already out there :)

August 27, 2021 2:47 p.m.

I'd like to add to my ideas:

The Prosper build would really benefit from Toshiro Umezawa and especially Syr Carah, the Bold.

Finally, I have no idea if there's a commander that could even do it, but a GX version of Mishra, Artificer Prodigy around cards like Wild Pair and Panglacial Wurm would be pretty wild. Does anyone have an idea for a commander for that?

August 27, 2021 2:47 p.m.

tiffanyann says... #12

Awesome suggestions everyone! I've been messing around with a wonky Kynaios and Tiro build that tries to let my opponents play all their big spells Show and Tell style. Things like Braids and Tempting Wurm in the deck, keeping me alive to enable them.

Omniscience_is_life Akim, the Soaring Wind Zombies sounds HILARIOUS.

Peoyogon Chandler with some Illusionist's Bracers effects is EXACTLY the type of thing I'm looking for.

seshiro_of_the_orochi I'd love to do something in simic using Panglacial Wurm and Fblthp, the Lost type stuff.

August 27, 2021 3:27 p.m.

tiffanyann says... #13

Gattison Taniwha is amazing and now I'm brainstorming ideas.

Unlife Pairing Vial Smasher the Fierce and The Prismatic Piper And doing Jund high CMC is up my alley.

DrukenReaps im so down to build a colorless deck, but I'd pick an eldrazi

RambIe Jodah, Archmage Eternal and Jegantha, the Wellspring would be neat off theme

RiotRunner789 Blim is definitely on my list.

August 27, 2021 3:34 p.m.

Scytec says... #14

I've always wanted to build an ocean themed Skeleton Ship deck, just because i think it would be a lot of fun. Also the art is absolutely gorgeous.

August 27, 2021 4:54 p.m.

DrukenReaps says... #15

tiffanyann ah a person of taste! Eldrazi commanders are a ton of fun! I recommend one that draws cards but any of them are good, you will almost always be the arch enemy when using it lol!

August 27, 2021 5:13 p.m.

RambIe says... #16

Almost forgot I used to have a creatureless Thromok the Insatiable deck.
Natural Affinity+Insurrection was the concept
It was totally jank but it was really fun to play

August 27, 2021 5:47 p.m.

rshistorysmuf says... #17

from post 7, I do have Chandler and Joven in a deck too. But it is not mono red. IIRC it also has a Gorilla Shaman too, or as we called it - Billy no mates.

August 27, 2021 7:20 p.m.

EnbyGolem says... #18

rshistorysmuf I must see this! Do you have a list up on TappedOut?

August 27, 2021 10:49 p.m.

Fblthp is a great addition for that. I think if you're going Simic, Momir Vig, Simic Visionary would be the perfect catch. This would enable Lurking Predators, as well. And there is a way to cheat Proteus Staff, as well.

Just flash in some mono-green creature in response to your opponent casting a spell while you have Lurking Predators.(Vedalken Orrery?)

August 28, 2021 12:26 a.m.

1empyrean says... #20

I've seen some good suggestions here already, but just figured I'd say that I'm the same kind of deck builder. I like doing the unusual, even if the commander might actually not be underused.

A few ideas (basically, these are ideas I haven't gotten around to, but want to):

If any of these ideas seem fun, feel free to use them or ask me for further explanations.

August 28, 2021 11:24 a.m.

rshistorysmuf says... #21

Peoyogon , well it is here Wheat and Chaff, I may have to reupdate it due to slight changes.

August 28, 2021 2:27 p.m.

RNR_Gaming says... #22

Iname, Death Aspect mass reanimator. Just a bunch of spirits with things like Patriarch's Bidding and loads of mana rocks/acceleration. Of course this is one of those glass cannon decks that will probably get there once easily but becomes much harder once people know.

August 28, 2021 2:57 p.m.

TypicalTimmy says... #23

August 28, 2021 9:43 p.m.

Scytec I’m so excited to see someone talk about Skeleton Ship! That was my commander for my UB natural disaster deck, before I finally merged a bunch of them together into a WUBRG Natural Disasters!. That art is such a stellar example of The Old Weird from the long-ago times.

August 29, 2021 11:49 a.m.

I have a Tromokratis voltron deck. The challenge my friends gave me was no other creatures allowed, so it’s a “Creatureless” Tromokratis voltron deck.

August 29, 2021 12:44 p.m.

tiffanyann says... #26

August 29, 2021 12:48 p.m.

Scytec says... #27

Giant Crab has always been one of my favorite sea themed monsters. Also i love how representative of a crab the abilities are. It's not good, but it's cool.

August 29, 2021 12:51 p.m.

TypicalTimmy says... #28

I tried to build a Surgeon General Commander when Ikoria came out but it wasn't very good because I couldn't find a balance. I was using creatures with Bestow to "stuff" more auras into the deck. It than gave me creatures if need be, or auras when needed.

The issue is it became extremely fragile. Having two or three creatures on board, does not a good deck make. And if you wanted to try and hold out for massive threats to pump up, the issue became once they are removed, your whole plan falls apart.

I know Bestow creatures become creatures if the host they were enchanting as an aura dies, but overall it just became too much of a headache to try and playtest.

August 29, 2021 1:56 p.m.

tiffanyann any excuse to use Ghost Ship!! Scytec there are SO MANY WONDERS in the Briny Deep... run with it!!!

August 29, 2021 7:58 p.m.

tiffanyann says... #30

Okay. I'm on scryfall art tagger making a list of all blue black cards with boats. This is happening. Name ideas let's go ♡

August 29, 2021 8:01 p.m.

Port and Cardboard?

August 29, 2021 8:06 p.m.

Nautikill?

August 29, 2021 8:08 p.m.

Magic: the Galley-ing?

August 29, 2021 8:10 p.m.

Scytec says... #34

Davy Jones Garage. Glad you like the idea. Kind of makes me want to build mine finally, though just ocean themed. Not specifically boat tribal. :p Tag when in your comments tho. I would love to see the list!

August 29, 2021 8:14 p.m.

tiffanyann says... #35

Filthy Oar

Shipfaced

Send Deck Pics

Last but naut least

August 29, 2021 8:21 p.m.

There’s a ton of great theme-pieces in The Briny Deep - have at it and enjoy! Personally, I would strongly recommend the Iceberg, if you can find one.

August 29, 2021 8:22 p.m.

DECK PICS IM DEAD

August 29, 2021 8:22 p.m.

Scytec says... #38

When the Boats a rockin'

What the Ship??

Absolute Ship Show

August 29, 2021 8:31 p.m.

Scytec says... #39

I'll be honest, Send DECK Pics wins so far, for me anyway. :p

August 29, 2021 8:32 p.m.

TypicalTimmy says... #40

It's Knot my fault!

August 29, 2021 8:36 p.m.

Here I am trying to come up with a fancy way to reference cleats and keel-hauling when deck pics are staring me in the face. I vote, ashamedly, for deck pics. Some day I hope to play with some of you weirdos in real life.

August 29, 2021 8:40 p.m.

Scytec says... #42

Same here, I think getting in a few games would be quite fun

August 29, 2021 8:43 p.m.

TypicalTimmy says... #43

2spoopy4me

August 29, 2021 8:59 p.m.

tiffanyann says... #44

SEND DECK PICS.

Skeleton Ship

BOAT TRIBAL

Deck must contain MAINLY cards with boats in the art.

Nautical jokes like Iceberg mentioned by FormOverFunction are a MUST include.

One or two krakens.

Aaaand a little bit of -1/-1 jank but not to much.

I'm doing this.

Dumb combo ideas welcome.

You guys are awesome.

August 29, 2021 9:11 p.m.

Scytec says... #45

Deadeye Navigator + Great Whale can get you infinite mana. :p

August 29, 2021 9:15 p.m.

TypicalTimmy says... #46

August 29, 2021 9:16 p.m. Edited.

TypicalTimmy says... #47

My votes for the fish party are Pursued Whale, Scourge of Fleets and Shipbreaker Kraken, all for their obvious names.

I'd also include Dark Depths, Halimar Depths and Serpent of Yawning Depths as a wincon. With Serpent, you can turn your boats into fish and your chums into chum with Arcane Adaptation, Conspiracy or Maskwood Nexus.

August 29, 2021 9:27 p.m.

TypicalTimmy says... #48

Lord of Atlantis, Stormtide Leviathan and Arcane Adaptation, Conspiracy or Maskwood Nexus make your entire fleet unblockable as well and would leave you relatively free from krackbacks.

August 29, 2021 9:32 p.m. Edited.

Scytec says... #49

I remember when I was a wee noob wondering why on earth they would ever print a card as absolutely busted as Stormtide Leviathan. that thing was unbeatable!! haha. if we only knew back then. :p

August 29, 2021 9:42 p.m.

TypicalTimmy says... #50

Hey, an 8 mana 8/8 unblockable is a perfectly balanced card with no exploits.

sips Yorkshire tea

August 29, 2021 9:47 p.m.

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