Anti-Venom, Horrifying HealerAnti-Venom, Horrifying Healer | Art by Néstor Ossandón Leal | Norman OsbornNorman Osborn | Art by Scott M. Fischer | Gwen StacyGwen Stacy | Art by Victor Adame Minguez | Peter ParkerPeter Parker | Art by Thanh Tuấn | Cosmic Spider-ManCosmic Spider-Man | Art by Zoltan Boros
Hey, nerds! With the release of Marvel's Spider-Man we're introduced to over 100 new commanders. And instead of asking which is the best, I like asking which is the most fun.
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 EDH only.
I'll only be covering the rare and mythic legendary creatures in this fun ranking. Most of the uncommon and all of the common legends are meant to slot into the 99. Also, you can find deck techs for all the commanders on my list and more by clicking this link.
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.
Anti-Venom, Horrifying HealerAnti-Venom, Horrifying Healer
Five white pips usually mean I'm in for a blast, and Anti-Venom is no exception. That cast trigger is a huge bonus, and his second ability has "combo piece" written all over it.
Fun Rank: Want to Build
Arachne, Psionic WeaverArachne, Psionic Weaver
She seems perfect as a support card in a Humans or Stax build. As a commander, though, I'm going to pass.
Fun Rank: Fun in the 99
Spectacular Spider-ManSpectacular Spider-Man
Like Arachne, this Spider-Man is a great addition to any Human or white-based creature deck. It also works incredibly well with Agatha's Soul CauldronAgatha's Soul Cauldron.
I wish his abilities had some flavorful keywords to match the character.
Fun Rank: Fun in the 99
Spider-Man, Peter ParkerSpider-Man, Peter Parker
If you want to build a Soul Sister deck but are tired of the usual options, I'd suggest giving this Spider-Man a try. You can also combo with Walking BallistaWalking Ballista and LifelinkLifelink.
Fun Rank: Fun
Hydro-Man, Fluid FelonHydro-Man, Fluid Felon
This card feels like it's just begging to be broken, though I haven't figured out the perfect way yet. My leading idea is to get a token army of Hydro-Men going using Orvar, the All-FormOrvar, the All-Form and Mirror GalleryMirror Gallery effects.
Fun Rank: Could be Fun
Lady Octopus, Inspired InventorLady Octopus, Inspired Inventor
Lady Octopus is a straightforward commander that makes me happy that Paradox EngineParadox Engine is banned. She could be fun if built well, but I fear she'll become a combo commander.
Fun Rank: Could be Fun
Mysterio, Master of IllusionMysterio, Master of Illusion
Keep this commander on your radar for future Universes Beyond releases. While we can't build a full-fledged Villain deck yet, give it a year or two, and that'll change. In the meantime, he's a perfect fit for Changeling decks.
Fun Rank: Could be Fun
Spider-Man 2099, Miguel O'HaraSpider-Man 2099, Miguel O'Hara
While I'm a big fan of drawing cards, five mana for this effect feels pretty steep. And it doesn't trigger from multiple instances of damage on the same target, limiting you to at most three cards.
Fun Rank: Fun in the 99
Agent VenomAgent Venom
I won't say no to a Midnight ReaperMidnight Reaper in the command zone. I love sacrificing creatures and drawing cards. Also, Agent Venom isn't a Human and works great in Mikaeus, the UnhallowedMikaeus, the Unhallowed.
Fun Rank: Fun
Black Cat, Cunning ThiefBlack Cat, Cunning Thief
The flavor of this card is on point. And to get multiple triggers, I'd suggest adding Feign DeathFeign Death effects. These allow you to trigger her ability at instant speed.
Fun Rank: Fun
Gwenom, RemorselessGwenom, Remorseless
I get the feeling Gwenom will sit in a weird spot — not quite strong enough for competitive play, but too powerful for most casual tables when built optimally.
I'll be happily adding her to my Mikaeus, the UnhallowedMikaeus, the Unhallowed deck or maybe running her as a backup commander instead.
Fun Rank: Could be Fun
Morlun, Devourer of SpidersMorlun, Devourer of Spiders
It's a shame Morlun doesn't have an ability to kill Spiders, considering his name is "Devourer of Spiders." I'm not really sold on him as a commander. Sure, he's a huge X spell, but I think he's better suited as a finisher.
Fun Rank: Fun in the 99
Venom, Eddie BrockVenom, Eddie Brock
Just like Morlun, a card that's great in the 99. There are many more fun sacrifice commanders for a lot less mana.
Fun Rank: Fun in the 99
Electro, Assaulting BatteryElectro, Assaulting Battery
Electro does a great Birgi, God of StorytellingBirgi, God of Storytelling impression. It gives you an outlet for all your floating red mana when he leaves.
Fun Rank: Fun
Ghost-Spider, Gwen StacyGhost-Spider, Gwen Stacy
This reminds me of Arabella, Abandoned DollArabella, Abandoned Doll, but quite a bit worse. That isn't a bad thing since Arabella is incredibly powerful.
Despite the lower power of this commander, I could see myself building her.
Fun Rank: Want to Build
J. Jonah JamesonJ. Jonah Jameson
If you want to build a menace deck, J. Jonah is a solid option. I could easily see myself building this and putting it in the 99 of a ton of decks.
He also goes hard with Frontier WarmongerFrontier Warmonger.
Fun Rank: Want to Build
Spider-PunkSpider-Punk
There's a lot of hype around Spider-Punk. He seems solidly fun in the 99 of a changeling deck or at the helm of a mono-red combo deck.
Fun Rank: Could be Fun
Spinneret and SpiderlingSpinneret and Spiderling
When I first saw Spinneret and Spiderling, my initial thought was to slot them into the 99. But if you focus on the second ability, you have an interesting red fight/burn commander that can provide a ton of card advantage.
Fun Rank: Want to Build
Lizard, Connors's CurseLizard, Connors's Curse
Incredibly flavorful. A not-so-incredible commander. All I can think of now is that lizard meme.
Fun Rank: Fun in the 99
Sandman, Shifting ScoundrelSandman, Shifting Scoundrel
We've seen a lot of commanders with similar abilities, and most are fun in the 99. I could see a combo deck using this and value lands.
Fun Rank: Could be Fun
Spider-Ham, Peter PorkerSpider-Ham, Peter Porker
This is probably an incredibly hot take, but this card feels like lazy design, and I've zero desire to slot it into any deck.
I won't put it into Not Fun, but it is at the very bottom of Fun in the 99.
Fun Rank: Fun in the 99
Spider-Man, Miles MoralesSpider-Man, Miles Morales
Agatha's Soul CauldronAgatha's Soul Cauldron stocks keep going up. A powerful Craterhoof BehemothCraterhoof Behemoth-esque finisher from the command zone. Green stompy gonna stomp.
Fun Rank: Fun
Sensational Spider-ManSensational Spider-Man
I don't see the appeal to this card. Maybe you can play cards like The Watcher in the WaterThe Watcher in the Water or Sleep-Cursed FaerieSleep-Cursed Faerie and remove the stun counters.
Fun Rank: Could be Fun
Spider-Woman, Stunning SaviorSpider-Woman, Stunning Savior
Great card for Stax or Human decks. A solid addition in the 99.
Fun Rank: Fun in the 99
Doc Ock, Evil InventorDoc Ock, Evil Inventor
The flavor fail of this not costing eight makes me sad. But as a commander for a new player, I love Doc Ock. A simple ability that makes random tokens into beat sticks.
Fun Rank: Fun
Doctor Octopus, Master PlannerDoctor Octopus, Master Planner
Like all the Villains on this list, Doctor Octopus will get better as we have more UB sets.
Fun Rank: Fun in the 99
Superior Spider-ManSuperior Spider-Man
The art on this card goes hard. But I'd rather slot this in the 99 of a Clone deck, than at the helm.
Fun Rank: Fun in the 99
Symbiote Spider-ManSymbiote Spider-Man
I love this as a way to fill the graveyard. And it doesn't need to stay in exile, so I could see it being built as a commander that gives unblockable creatures his first ability.
Fun Rank: Fun
Carnage, Crimson ChaosCarnage, Crimson Chaos
I'm happy casting Carnage even at full cost. The issue I have is that his ability only triggers when he enters.
Fun Rank: Fun
Green Goblin, NemesisGreen Goblin, Nemesis
If you're looking for a Rakdos discard commander, this Green Goblin looks fun. I like when a commander isn't both the enabler and the payoff all in one.
Fun Rank: Fun
Ultimate Green GoblinUltimate Green Goblin
This could make a fun Reanimator or Treasure commander. But I'd rather play him in the 99 of a discard deck.
Fun Rank: Could be Fun
Scarlet Spider, Ben ReillyScarlet Spider, Ben Reilly
I see this and immediately want to do some nonsense with Temur SabertoothTemur Sabertooth and All Will Be OneAll Will Be One.
Fun Rank: Fun
Mary Jane WatsonMary Jane Watson
God, I wish this card were mono-green or was more of a flavor win. Much like Spider-Ham, Peter Porker, I'm tempted to rate this as Not Fun, but drawing cards can be fun.
Fun Rank: Fun in the 99
Silk, Web WeaverSilk, Web Weaver
This is at least the fourth or fifth version of this effect. They're all pretty fun, but nothing that excites me.
Fun Rank: Could be Fun
Mister NegativeMister Negative
Swapping life back and forth to draw cards seems incredibly fun. I want to slam a Tree of PerditionTree of Perdition and draw a billion cards and gain all my life back with Sheoldred, the ApocalypseSheoldred, the Apocalypse.
Fun Rank: Want to Build
The Spot, Living PortalThe Spot, Living Portal
Notably, The Spot needs to actually die and be put on the bottom to return the cards. If you blink him or just send him back to the command zone, the cards stay in exile.
Fun Rank: Fun in the 99
Spider-Man 2099Spider-Man 2099
He triggers his own ability when you cast him from the command zone. Then all you need to do is buff him and one-shot someone the turn he comes down.
Fun Rank: Fun
Kraven the HunterKraven the Hunter
This will slot directly into my Cleopatra, Exiled PharaohCleopatra, Exiled Pharaoh deck. You could try doing a Golgari Combat Trick deck where you buff your opponents' creatures in combat to trigger Kraven.
Fun Rank: Could be Fun
Venom, Deadly DevourerVenom, Deadly Devourer
If we get more Symbiotes in the future, this card will slap. But until then, I'd rather be playing it in 99.
Fun Rank: Fun in the 99
Araña, Heart of the SpiderAraña, Heart of the Spider
I'm glad this triggers on each instance of combat damage, instead of one or more. And you don't need to attack with her. I've been looking for a go-wide Equipment deck, and Araña seems like a great option.
Fun Rank: Want to Build
Jackal, Genius GeneticistJackal, Genius Geneticist
Jackal reminds me of Volo, Guide to MonstersVolo, Guide to Monsters, but Jackal can copy legendary creatures. Simic Legends sounds like a fun way to play all the powerful Simic commanders.
Fun Rank: Want to Build
Norman OsbornNorman Osborn
I want to build Grixis cycling using Norman. Even if you ignore the mayhem line of text, the cost reduction from the graveyard is powerful.
Fun Rank: Want to Build
Eddie BrockEddie Brock
I love Jund and sacrificing creatures. The front side isn't interesting, but the back is all of my favorite things stapled onto one commander.
Fun Rank: Want to Build
Miles MoralesMiles Morales
A great Naya Legends commander that can easily grow your board. I'm going to try Naya planeswalkers, where I turn planeswalkers into creatures.
Fun Rank: Want to Build
Peter ParkerPeter Parker
Web-slinging out colossal Eldrazi sounds absolutely nutty. You can also just slot him into the 99 of a Jodah, the UnifierJodah, the Unifier deck as a powerful backup.
Fun Rank: Could be Fun
Gwen StacyGwen Stacy
I really like that you don't have to just remove +1/+1 counters, but any type. This is a great way to deal with lingering finality or pesky -1/-1 counters.
And she gives you easy card advantage straight from the command zone.
Fun Rank: Fun
Cosmic Spider-ManCosmic Spider-Man
This is easily my least favorite card in the set. The design is incredibly boring, and I've zero interest in trying to build this.
Fun Rank: Not Fun
Iron Spider, Stark UpgradeIron Spider, Stark Upgrade
It's basically a Steel OverseerSteel Overseer in the command zone that can also draw you cards. Another huge reason I'm glad Paradox EngineParadox Engine is banned.
Fun Rank: Could be Fun
More Spider-Man:
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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