High Perfect MorcantHigh Perfect Morcant | Art by Victor Adame Minguez | The Reaper, King No MoreThe Reaper, King No More | Art by Zack Stella | Ashling, the LimitlessAshling, the Limitless | Art by Kai Carpenter | Auntie Ool, CursewretchAuntie Ool, Cursewretch | Art by Daniel Zrom | Maralen, Fae AscendantMaralen, Fae Ascendant | Art by Steve Prescott
Hey nerds! With the release of Lorwyn Eclipsed, we're introduced to 21 new commanders from the main set and precons. While many people might ask which of these is the most powerful, I prefer to ask how fun they are.
Of course, each person's definition of fun differs, so I might rate a commander lower or higher than you. That doesn't mean I think it's bad or that you're bad for playing them, and, to be clear, this is for casual Commander only.
If you're looking for deck techs for any of the commanders you see below, you can find all of our Lorwyn Eclipsed deck techs here.
The ranks are as follows:
- Want to Build: I'm interested in building these commanders. Their effect could be unique or a new take on an old mechanic I like.
- Fun: These are close to wanting to build, but I'm not going out of my way to brew a list for myself.
- Could Be Fun: These commanders are powerful and don't pull you in a single direction, but because of that, it allows you to build weird strategies with a powerful engine, or have unique build paths that could work.
- Fun in the 99: Sometimes commanders are printed for 60-card Magic or to support a theme. I don't want to call them not fun, since they usually are fun. But just not fun as the leader of a deck.
- Not Fun: This is usually reserved for older commanders who are seven-mana vanilla creatures, something way too jank, or are too salt-inducing for my taste.
The Commanders of Lorwyn Eclipsed
Rhys, the EvermoreRhys, the Evermore
My gut reaction to seeing Rhys is a 99 card. But the more I think about him, the more I realize he'll be a great combo commander. Instant-speed persist works great with sac outlets and enters triggers. And white has no shortage of blink cards to keep giving creatures persist with Rhys' ability.
Fun Rank: Fun
Deck Tech by Nicholas Lucchesi
Ferrafor, Young YewFerrafor, Young Yew
Seven mana for this effect will either feel busted or garbage. I like the idea of building a Group Hug deck that spreads counters and proliferates them. I'm surprised I don't see Generous PatronGenerous Patron listed on Ferrafor's EDHREC page.
Fun Rank: Want to Build
Sygg, Wanderwine WisdomSygg, Wanderwine Wisdom
Notably, this version of Sygg doesn't necessarily care about Merfolk, unlike the original Sygg, River GuideSygg, River Guide. However, his abilities work great with getting your fishy friends through to draw cards and chip away at an opponent's health.
Fun Rank: Fun
Deck Tech by Michael 'Wheels' Whelan
Grub, Storied MatriarchGrub, Storied Matriarch
Both sides of Grub leave something to be desired as a commander. Both sides are quite underwhelming to build your deck around and don't particularly feel "Goblin."
Fun Rank: Fun in the 99
Brigid, Clachan's HeartBrigid, Clachan's Heart
Brigid is hands down the best Kithkin typal commander, but that isn't her only build path. Her back side is Gaea's CradleGaea's Cradle in the command zone. Notably, you can only add green or white, not a mix of the two.
Fun Rank: Fun
Abigale, Eloquent First-YearAbigale, Eloquent First-Year
This is easily one of my favorite commanders to be printed in the last few years. Her ability to turn powerful black creatures with downsides into giant beatsticks is so fun. I'd make sure to include Vampire HexmageVampire Hexmage so I can turn off my opponent's commander, but also remove the counters from it.
Fun Rank: Want to Build
Deck Tech by Jesse Barker Plotkin
Eirdu, Carrier of DawnEirdu, Carrier of Dawn
Each side of Eirdu could be its own commander. Unlike Brigid, which makes tokens, then gives you mana for tokens, I'm not sure what the synergy here is exactly. I suspect players will build combo decks around the persist side.
Fun Rank: Could be Fun
Ashling, RekindledAshling, Rekindled
A solid inclusion in the 99 of an Elemental deck. Her abilities aren't particularly powerful or interesting. I could see a Spellslinger deck using her as a way to fill your yard and ramp into big spells.
Fun Rank: Fun in the 99
Sanar, Innovative First-YearSanar, Innovative First-Year
I'm sure someone will build this and enjoy it. But I don't see the appeal in building a vivid commander that is limited to two colors.
Fun Rank: Fun in the 99
High Perfect MorcantHigh Perfect Morcant
The new Golgari () Elf commander will be an absolute nightmare to play against. Morcant is essentially a repeatable board wipe in the command zone. It's trivial for a well-built Elf deck to dump half its creatures into play at once, leaving opponents with nothing.
Fun Rank: Not Fun
Lluwen, Imperfect NaturalistLluwen, Imperfect Naturalist
I love having a repeatable Worm HarvestWorm Harvest in the command zone. Of course, I might be biased given my love for Life from the LoamLife from the Loam. Getting multiple activations of this ability each turn won't be difficult.
Fun Rank: Want to Build
Trystan, Callous CultivatorTrystan, Callous Cultivator
I'm more than happy to slot Trystan into the 99 of a Lathril, Blade of the ElvesLathril, Blade of the Elves or a generic Graveyard deck. The mill ability is nice, but the payoff is rather weak.
Fun Rank: Fun in the 99
Bre of Clan StoutarmBre of Clan Stoutarm
A powerful lifegain commander with the ability to cheat on mana. Yes, you could build a standard Lifegain deck loaded up with Soul WardenSoul Warden style effects. Or, you could play Healing SalveHealing Salve and cheat Giants into play.
Fun Rank: Fun
Kirol, Attentive First-YearKirol, Attentive First-Year
Kirol's ability doesn't pull you into a single direction. You can copy powerful attack triggers from Etali, Primal StormEtali, Primal Storm, or powerful Equipment like Buster SwordBuster Sword. I'm excited to see what unique builds people come up with.
If you're looking for some inspiration, check out DougY's Top 10 Triggers to Copy with Kirol article.
Fun Rank: Fun
Tam, Mindful First-YearTam, Mindful First-Year
If we get more cards with vivid, I could see Tam being a fun two-color option to cheat on colors. But with only 11 cards in Simic (), there isn't quite enough to build around the new mechanic.
Fun Rank: Fun in the 99
Auntie Ool, CursewretchAuntie Ool, Cursewretch
After years, we finally have a Jund -1/-1 counter commander. Unfortunately, she doesn't sound interesting as a commander. Yes, she is powerful, but the abilities don't feel flavorful.
Fun Rank: Could be Fun
Deck Tech by Alejandro Fuentes
The Reaper, King No MoreThe Reaper, King No More
A more flavorful -1/-1 counter commander than Auntie Ool. It's great that you can pick which creature to steal, and you can do this on any turn.
Fun Rank: Fun
Doran, Besieged by TimeDoran, Besieged by Time
Unlike his original, and happier version, Doran, the Siege TowerDoran, the Siege Tower, this Doran can take advantage of high-power, low-toughness creatures. It only cares about the difference between power and toughness. So a creature like Yargle and MultaniYargle and Multani will get +12/+12.
Of course, you won't get the cost reduction, but the buff is still worth it.
Fun Rank: Fun
Maralen, Fae AscendantMaralen, Fae Ascendant
Finally, I can build my Lorwyn pile commander. Jokes aside, Maralen looks like an incredibly powerful Elf commander. You can use your opponents' card advantage and protect your board with counter spells. Notably, her ability lets you cast spells on your opponents' turns as well.
Fun Rank: Fun
Ashling, the LimitlessAshling, the Limitless
If you love value commanders, then Ashling, the LimitlessAshling, the Limitless will be perfect for you. I can't wait to evoke a Maelstrom WandererMaelstrom Wanderer and to ramp with Risen ReefRisen Reef. Ashling also makes a great Elemental Sacrifice deck, where you can sacrifice them to effects like Goblin BombardmentGoblin Bombardment.
Fun Rank: Fun
Mass of MysteriesMass of Mysteries
Myriad is always a blast to play. Imagine giving your MulldrifterMulldrifter myriad with a Risen ReefRisen Reef in play. Just think about all of that sweet, sweet value. And it incentivizes combat, since you'll need to attack to trigger myriad.
Fun Rank: Want to Build
Overall, Lorwyn Eclipsed feels like a home run. I'd be happy to sit across from nearly every commander in the set, and I wouldn't hate building every commander from the set. It's a great mix of flavor and power.
I'd love to hear what you're looking forward to building and if you disagree with any of my rankings down in the comments. Make sure to come back every day for more great Commander articles.
Also, if you want to see even more Magic content from me, you can find plenty of that on my YouTube channel BathroomBrewsMTG. Alrighty nerds, I'll see you in the next one!
Benjamin Levin
Ben has been playing Magic since 2012 and started creating Magic the Gathering content in October of 2022 on YouTube under the name BathroomBrewsMTG (YouTube.com/@BRBMTG). Primarily focusing on budget EDH content. When he isn't thinking or talking about MTG, he is usually playing video games, spending time with his wife or playing with his two cats. You can find him on Twitter @BathroomMTG.
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