<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sisay, Weatherlight Captain" href="#" target="_blank">Sisay, Weatherlight Captain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.annasteinbauer.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anna Steinbauer</a></em></p>
<p>Breaking into the cEDH format doesn't have to be difficult! I understand that it can be intimidating, especially when some of the decks or interactions can get complicated. While some of the card choices can be confusing or some of the combo lines slightly hard to wrap your head around, you'll quickly realize that it's not all that different than normal Commander games - we just take priority a bit more seriously and things can get crazy quickly.</p>
<p>In this guide, I'll walk you through:</p>
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li><strong>What is cEDH?</strong>
<ul>
<li>What is cEDH itself? What makes Competitive Commander different than casual Commander games? What's up with Brackets 4 &amp; 5?</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Building a cEDH Deck</strong>
<ul>
<li>What do you need to know before putting together your own deck? I'll cover popular archetypes, Commanders, staples, and finding the right deck for <em>you.</em></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Playing cEDH</strong>
<ul>
<li>Once you sit down at the table, what do you need to know? What common combos should you look out for? What are the first few turns like?</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>


<p>cEDH is defined by the Commander Format Panel in the Bracket System thusly:</p>
<blockquote><p>Decks are built to win in the competitive metagame. Players intend to use only the most powerful strategies</p></blockquote>
<p>This is a fine enough working definition, especially in a short space. A longer definition could be:</p>
<blockquote><p>Decks are built to win in the competitive metagame and must be able to compete at the table. Players intend to use only the most powerful strategies, including the fastest mana, focused strategies, and the best interaction available to achieve their <em>ultimate goal of winning the game</em>.</p></blockquote>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Craterhoof Behemoth"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thassa&#039;s Oracle"></div></div>
<p>While navigating the intricacies of a normal Commander game can be difficult, with each player often bringing a different ideal to the table, cEDH is simple: just win.</p>
<p>This is the strongest thing that Competitive Commander has going for it and that attracts so many. A game where everyone is trying to win puts everyone on an even playing field where all of the expectations are the same and you know what you're getting into.</p>
<p>While there's nothing wrong with the normal social contract and complex dance of finding your idealistic EDH pod/power level, having the clarity and ease of simply sitting down and everyone being on (or close) to the same page is often a breath of fresh air for me. Of course, it also brings with it some form of ideals (that aren't always upheld, but still) that help reinforce the goal of aiming to win the game.</p>
<p>They also depend on local playgroups, just like EDH, but are especially aspired to within a tournament environment. These include, but aren't limited to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Play a good deck
<ul>
<li>Ironically, you do have to worry some about deck selection in cEDH games - if your deck can't keep up then you'll be asking to lose - and that isn't that fun for everyone else!</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>No "kingmaking"
<ul>
<li>Don't take game actions that specifically set up one player to win (if that player isn't yourself) if you can help it</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>No spite plays
<ul>
<li>No making plays that mess with another player specifically "just because" or because you're upset at them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>No using memory of previous games
<ul>
<li>Upset someone countered your spell earlier or in a previous match in the night? Get over it, save your interaction for when it matters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Priority matters - a lot
<ul>
<li>When you're playing games of cEDH, who's turn it is to take actions on the stack needs to be carefully tracked and monitored. If you skip ahead in priority to counter someone's spell, you may be missing the chance to let an opponent use their interaction when you didn't need to. Pay attention!</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Always play to your outs
<ul>
<li>Have a counterspell and no one else does? You probably should use it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>No takebacks. Or loads of takebacks.
<ul>
<li>Not doing takebacks is the most softly held ideal, mainly because, well, it can be a bit boring! Depending on the playgroup, you'll either be held to your word ("A card laid is a card played") or encouraged to find the best solution to a problem together with the table, usually by people showing off what they have to others or placing things on the stack and, well, taking them back.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>We'll talk more about some specifics of behavioral ideals &amp; etiquette - the things that are important to make a game of cEDH work - in a later section.</p>
<p>These things and more are part of what helps separate cEDH from casual Commander games - together with the meta and power level aspects which we'll cover now.</p>


<p>Since <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/wotc-introduces-new-bracket-system-for-edh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the introduction of the Bracket system</a>, many players seem to have become more confused - not less- about what some of the difference between high power Commander (i.e., Bracket 4) and cEDH (i.e., Bracket 5) really is. This difference has most commonly been defined by pundits and also WoTC themselves as a "meta" difference - and this is something that I agree with and will try to quickly explain to you here.</p>
<p>Most of the confusion seems to come from the use of the word "meta" - implying that there is a defined hierarchy of the most powerful &amp; widely played decks that can be planned for, reacted against, and similar. While at the tournament level of playing cEDH this can be true , it's better to think about the average "meta" of Competitive Commander being more concerned with the cards you're always going to consistently see.</p>
<p>While you may not always play against <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tymna the Weaver" href="#" target="_blank">Tymna</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> &amp; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kraum, Ludevic&#039;s Opus" href="#" target="_blank">Kraum</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in your pods, you can rest assured you will be running into a lot of these high-powered cards:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Force of Will" href="#" target="_blank">Force of Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhystic Study" href="#" target="_blank">Rhystic Study</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thassa&#039;s Oracle" href="#" target="_blank">Thassa&#039;s Oracle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jeska&#039;s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Jeska&#039;s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Necropotence" href="#" target="_blank">Necropotence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ad Nauseam" href="#" target="_blank">Ad Nauseam</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p>It demands a certain amount of streamlining and the ability to both create win attempts and stop opposing win attempts very quickly - as soon as turn one. As a direct result, this limits the lower level options of what really is "viable" in a cEDH game - theoretically you <em>can</em> play any Commander with any amount of combos and Game Changers if you so please - but don't be surprised if you're left in the dust or have your normally game-ending <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Great Henge" href="#" target="_blank">The Great Henge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> countered.</p>
<p>There's no room for dawdling, or else another deck will punch your teeth in.</p>
<p>With the game compressed into so few turns, many of your opponents will be threatening a win in the next turn cycle; is your deck prepared for that? You'll also have to work together with your opponents to help stop whoever is actually the largest threat at that point, an aspect of the game that feels uniquely different from many EDH games that I've played.</p>
<p>These factors represents what is, unfortunately, a bit of a purely vibes-based distinction between Brackets 4 and 5. At the end of the day, Bracket 4 is for having fun doing your thing while casting powerful spells - Bracket 5 is about winning the game. Finding where you stand on those lines is up to you - and maybe also down to how your opponents are thinking.</p>


<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rhystic Study|j22|114"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ad Nauseam"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mox Diamond"></div></div>
<p>Thanks to the rules of Bracket 5, you get any amount of Game Changers to play in cEDH games! This is great, because most iconic and important cards played in cEDH are on the Game Changers list. They are:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ad Nauseam" href="#" target="_blank">Ad Nauseam</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ancient Tomb" href="#" target="_blank">Ancient Tomb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bolas&#039;s Citadel" href="#" target="_blank">Bolas&#039;s Citadel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chrome Mox" href="#" target="_blank">Chrome Mox</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Consecrated Sphinx" href="#" target="_blank">Consecrated Sphinx</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crop Rotation" href="#" target="_blank">Crop Rotation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deflecting Swat" href="#" target="_blank">Deflecting Swat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Drannith Magistrate" href="#" target="_blank">Drannith Magistrate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Enlightened Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Enlightened Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fierce Guardianship" href="#" target="_blank">Fierce Guardianship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Food Chain" href="#" target="_blank">Food Chain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Force of Will" href="#" target="_blank">Force of Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gaea&#039;s Cradle" href="#" target="_blank">Gaea&#039;s Cradle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gamble" href="#" target="_blank">Gamble</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gifts Ungiven" href="#" target="_blank">Gifts Ungiven</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grim Monolith" href="#" target="_blank">Grim Monolith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Imperial Seal" href="#" target="_blank">Imperial Seal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Intuition" href="#" target="_blank">Intuition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jeska&#039;s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Jeska&#039;s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy" href="#" target="_blank">Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lion&#039;s Eye Diamond" href="#" target="_blank">Lion&#039;s Eye Diamond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Vault" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Vault</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mox Diamond" href="#" target="_blank">Mox Diamond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mystical Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Mystical Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Necropotence" href="#" target="_blank">Necropotence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Notion Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Notion Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Opposition Agent" href="#" target="_blank">Opposition Agent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Orcish Bowmasters" href="#" target="_blank">Orcish Bowmasters</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhystic Study" href="#" target="_blank">Rhystic Study</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seedborn Muse" href="#" target="_blank">Seedborn Muse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Smothering Tithe" href="#" target="_blank">Smothering Tithe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Survival of the Fittest" href="#" target="_blank">Survival of the Fittest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thassa&#039;s Oracle" href="#" target="_blank">Thassa&#039;s Oracle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The One Ring" href="#" target="_blank">The One Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Underworld Breach" href="#" target="_blank">Underworld Breach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vampiric Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Vampiric Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winota, Joiner of Forces" href="#" target="_blank">Winota, Joiner of Forces</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Worldly Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Worldly Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p>You may notice that this is the vast majority of the Game Changers list! It's true! It seems as if the list is greatly informed by cEDH itself (or perhaps it is because we just happen to play all the most powerful cards). Every deck that can play all of the Game Changers in its colors usually does so - outside of those that are explicitly aimed at protecting lower power games, such as Tabernacle, the Phyrexian Praetors, and a few other more niche cards that are truly not good enough to hang.</p>


<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Efficient Construction"></div></div>
<p>One of the biggest joys in <em>Magic</em> is finding a deck that clicks just perfectly with your gameplay taste. I do have good news: there is almost certainly a cEDH deck that you will enjoy! Whether it's a spicy brew of your own or finding a commonly agreed upon powerful list, there’s something that will work for your preferred play style.</p>
<p>Many people start by either looking at a specific commander (or partner commanders) that they want to play with - or by looking for a specific playstyle or looking to accomplish a specific combo.</p>
<p>However, one top level recommendation: <em>Start with something established to learn how everything works</em>. More on that later too.</p>
<p>Regardless of where you start, there's something important for you to look out for - your list <em>does</em> have to be powerful. If a deck can’t hack it at a cEDH table, you’ll just not be having enough fun - and neither will anybody else at the table.</p>
<p>Let's walk through some of the best Commanders, the winningest combos, and other bits and bobs about finding the right cEDH deck for you. I'll also point out some resources that make finding other people's deck lists to become inspired by as easy as possible.</p>


<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Azor&#039;s Elocutors"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Heated Debate"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Droning Bureaucrats"></div></div>
<p>There's a loose framework for what makes a deck "cEDH viable," a phrase that itself is loaded and not actually that useful. What I mean is here are the things that <em>I</em> look for in a deck to know whether or not I believe the deck would have a shot at standing on its own at the average Bracket 5 table.</p>
<p>It should have at least three of these different elements:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>A fast, compact win condition</strong> - Two to three cards that are easily assembled that win the game on their own. These can be either generically good or deck specific. More on combos later.</li>
<li><strong>Two or more (preferably more) colors</strong> - More colors equals higher average card quality and more flexibility in what the cards in your deck can do for you. It's pretty simple! This does have a practical ceiling though - most four-color decks, for example, have plenty of playable cards and get to have more consistent mana over five-color decks.</li>
<li><strong>A Combo/Extreme Synergy-Centric <em>or</em> a Card Advantage Creating <em>or</em> a Mana Producing Commander</strong> - The Commander is the eight (and ninth, with Partners) card in hand. It should be a part of a combo (for example: Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy; Malcolm, Keen Eyed Navigator; Magda; Najeela the Bladeblossom; etc.), have extreme synergy with the rest of your deck (Winota, K'rrik, Sisay, Weatherlight Captain), create card advantage (Tymna, the Weaver, Thrasios, Triton Hero, Yuriko, the Tigers Shadow), or create a distinct mana advantage (Rograkh, Kinnan, Malcolm, many more). If your Commander can't check one of these boxes, you'll be quickly questioning why its there.</li>
<li><strong>Blue color identity</strong> - This isn't a joke, blue combines all of the best free interaction (Force of Will, Mindbreak Trap, Force of Negation, etc.) with what may be the two most important cards in the format, Mystic Remora &amp; Rhystic Study, to keep you stocked on cards.</li>
<li><strong>Sans blue identity, <em>every</em> powerful interactive spell you can play</strong> - Silence effects in white, Deflecting Swat (and a few others) in red, etc.</li>
</ul>
<p>Having a synergistic commander with three-color identity and lots of interaction gets you very far. A fast combo paired with two or more colors, while still being sans blue, can win a ton of games. Any one or two of these alone, especially only one, definitely won't hack it.</p>
<p>Of course, this also is a competently imperfect science. There are decks that check only two of these boxes that can win quite a lot (Magda, for example) and there are other decks that could check all of them (Najeela) that are currently struggling. At the end of the day, the person best suited to determine what deck you would like to play is you; if you want to experience the grind of a niche deck that has a lower win rate than others, that is on you!</p>
<p>If you want to play a pile of four-color good stuff, that is on you as well. This is just a guide.</p>


<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Johnny, Combo Player"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Timmy, Power Gamer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spike, Tournament Grinder"></div></div>
<p>A few words on each of the three major archetypes of cEDH - and a few words as well on the missing commonly played <em>Magic</em> archetype as well. Each widely played deck falls into one of these three buckets, though some can ride the line between several different ones. Find the one that you think will best suit your playstyle or preferences and go from there.</p>
<h3>Turbo/Fast Combo</h3>
<p>Often considered the strongest archetype in Competitive Commander, <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/edhrec-guide-to-cedh-turbo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Turbo decks</a> have one pretty obvious aim: win quickly.</p>
<p>Turbo decks, with the poster child deck being the Grixis Rograkh/Silas Ren, pack the leanest combos and, often, as many mana accelerating effects as possible. Some pilots also cut interaction in exchange for even more power.</p>
<p>Since they're so focused on the early game, though, they can often stumble into the mid and late game. A focus on explosiveness often means giving up some level of average card quality, making the average draw worse.</p>
<h3>Midrange</h3>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/cedh-midrange/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Midrange cEDH decks</a> are trying to eat their cake and have it too. Usually they're three or more colors, feature a balanced, yet wide, range of effects (winning cards, interaction, acceleration, card draw, etc.) and aim to win in the mid or late game.</p>
<p>An average Midrange deck is all about having the highest average card quality possible, meaning that every draw step or Rhystic Study trigger could theoretically be game altering - or could perhaps not apply to the current situation at all while still being a good card.</p>
<p>They also prominently feature combo wins, though usually cut the cards that would let them execute them extremely quickly for more draw and mana engines. The classic example is Tymna, the Weaver/Kraum, Ludevic's Opus, (nicknamed Blue Farm) a four-color pile that relies on sticking a value engine, such as one of its commanders, to draw many cards (that it hopefully can turn into a win).</p>
<h3>Stax</h3>
<p>Stax, perhaps a dying archetype, focuses on resolving several "Stax" pieces that slow down the game, restricting the choices of other players, before winning with a combo or, often, combat damage.</p>
<p>Classic Stax cards include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rule of Law" href="#" target="_blank">Rule of Law</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aven Mindcensor" href="#" target="_blank">Aven Mindcensor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archon of Emeria" href="#" target="_blank">Archon of Emeria</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and similar effects. Stax remains the main home of combat-focused decks in cEDH, but requires very exacting piloting and being able to identify windows of winning opportunity before an opponent bounces your one most restrictive piece and goes for the win.</p>
<p>Not for the faint of heart.</p>
<h3>Traditional Tempo/Control...?</h3>
<p>Tempo and Control, in the traditional <em>Magic</em> senses, unfortunately don't exist meaningfully in a cEDH context. The problem is that all of the cards that you would usually use to trade resources with opponents - removal spells, counterspells, etc. - put you at a massive disadvantage vs. your opponents.</p>
<p>In a normal game, they represent a one-for-one trade, placing you on even ground, if not ahead or behind on mana. In a multiplayer format, you put yourself down a card, a single opponent down a card, and two opponents <em>up</em> on you on cards and mana. Not a great trade.</p>
<p>Even normal Tempo fuel, such as cantrips, have diving value, thanks to the increased number of players.</p>
<p>In a normal 1v1 game, you take every other turn in the match, making taking a bit of time off, alongside mana and a card, to sculpt your hand or deck an easy prospect. Your opponent, in many ways, only has a one turn window in which to punish you for spinning the wheels. In cEDH, you only take every fourth turn, as opposed to every other one, making every turn, every card, and every mana spent that much more valuable.</p>
<p>Cantrips, only letting you take a look at one or two more cards of your 98-99 card deck, quickly become a waste of mana (and deck inclusion slots). As a result, decks rely on much more effective, and definite forms of deck manipulation: tutors. These leave cantrips, and other traditional tempo and control forms of larger card advantage for that matter, in the dust.</p>


<p>This is by no means all encompassing - I've selected what feels like a representative list of some of the most popular lists that also cover bases on options and playstyles.</p>
<h3>Tymna/Kraum (Blue Farm)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tymna the Weaver"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kraum, Ludevic&#039;s Opus"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tymna the Weaver" href="#" target="_blank">Tymna the Weaver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> &amp; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kraum, Ludevic&#039;s Opus" href="#" target="_blank">Kraum, Ludevic&#039;s Opus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are far and away the most common, and also the most powerful, commander combination available in Competitive Commander at this time. It features the four strongest colors, missing only the relatively weak green, getting to pack in the best interaction, white Silence effects, the easiest and most compact winning combos, explosive mana, all while having two commanders that draw loads and loads of cards.</p>
<p>Even in situations where you’re a bit low on action, both Tymna and Kraum are able to draw anywhere from one to five-plus cards per turn cycle, quickly turbocharging your position. It’s no mystery why this deck and these commanders are so popular; they do quite literally do it all.</p>
<p>Theoretically beginner friendly - but I have seen some players get bogged down with decision paralysis since all of the cards are, well, good.</p>
<h3>Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy"></div></div>
<p>Kinnan is the powerhouse two-color commander available in the format. Getting onto the battlefield quickly, he provides an explosive burst of mana that you can pour into powerful advantage engines, his own activated ability (to cheat in cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nyxbloom Ancient" href="#" target="_blank">Nyxbloom Ancient</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>), or just casting big dudes outright.</p>
<p>Most importantly, he combines with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Basalt Monolith" href="#" target="_blank">Basalt Monolith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to make infinite colorless mana. Use this mana on something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thrasios, Triton Hero" href="#" target="_blank">Thrasios, Triton Hero</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to draw your entire deck (find a way to win then, I dare you!) or on a massive <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Finale of Devastation" href="#" target="_blank">Finale of Devastation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to pump your creatures and kill the table.</p>
<p>Probably the most beginner friendly of the popular decks, due to low mana requirements, a straightforward plan, and plenty of blue interaction to help cover your bases.</p>
<h3>Thrasios/Tymna (TnT)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thrasios, Triton Hero"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tymna the Weaver"></div></div>
<p>Enjoy green creatures and maximizing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gaea&#039;s Cradle" href="#" target="_blank">Gaea&#039;s Cradle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? TnT is definitely the option for you. This classic cEDH deck plays piles and piles of value creatures, hoping to get in attackers with Tymna on the battlefield to draw cards and getting as much mana from Gaea's Cradle as possible.</p>
<p>It gets to pair this all with solid interaction suites, the best tutors, and more. Thanks to its colors, it can still win with Thassa's Oracle, but also has cool infinite mana lines with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hazel&#039;s Brewmaster" href="#" target="_blank">Hazel&#039;s Brewmaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Devoted Druid" href="#" target="_blank">Devoted Druid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Draw your library with Thrasios, call it a day. Win-con in the command zone! Certified best <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seedborn Muse" href="#" target="_blank">Seedborn Muse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck.</p>
<h3>Rograkh/Silas (RogSi)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rograkh, Son of Rohgahh"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Silas Renn, Seeker Adept"></div></div>
<p>RogSi is <em>the</em> Turbo deck in Competitive Commander - and before the bans that removed the explosiveness of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dockside Extortionist" href="#" target="_blank">Dockside Extortionist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Crypt" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Crypt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was borderline the agreed-upon best deck. It very well still may be a pile of insanely powerful instants, sorceries, and artifacts that usually has one goal: Cast Necropotence or Ad Nauseam, take a ton of damage to draw a ton of cards, leverage that into a Thoracle or Underworld Breach win, often at instant speed thanks to the likes of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Valley Floodcaller" href="#" target="_blank">Valley Floodcaller</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Borne Upon a Wind" href="#" target="_blank">Borne Upon a Wind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Not for the faint of heart - jamming into Rhystic Studies &amp; coming out just fine is common.</p>
<h3>Tivit, Seller of Secrets</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tivit, Seller of Secrets"></div></div>
<p>If we were to have a Control deck in cEDH, Tivit may be the closest. An Esper pile that leverages permission, enchantments, and value engines to bridge into the late game where it can easily win with its own signature combo.</p>
<p>Leveraging Tivit's ability to make five artifacts on his own every turn, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Time Sieve" href="#" target="_blank">Time Sieve</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets you take semi-infinite turns (as many turns are as relevant, anyways).</p>
<h3>Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow"></div></div>
<p>If we were to have a Tempo deck in cEDH, it's the Tiger's Shadow. Yuriko and her army of Ninjas seek to maximize your Yuriko triggers every turn, caring less about the damage than the card draw that the ability provides.</p>
<p>The damage can sometimes be relevant and set up to be devastating. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vampiric Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Vampiric Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shadow of Mortality" href="#" target="_blank">Shadow of Mortality</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, resolve the first trigger, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brainstorm" href="#" target="_blank">Brainstorm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in response to the second trigger, put it back on top, dome everyone again. That's good, clean gaming.</p>
<p>Dimir colors allow for counterspells and removal alike, while also giving you the premium win condition every deck wants in Thassa's Oracle. A very, very fun deck to mess around with, especially as Ninjas are printed surprisingly often.</p>
<h3>Sisay, Weatherlight Captain</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sisay, Weatherlight Captain"></div></div>
<p>A complex, five-color combo deck that plays as many legendary creatures is as reasonable. Once you have enough in play, Sisay can simply tutor wins directly into play.</p>
<p>The deck also gets to play a wide range of flexible utility creatures that you can grab in a pinch with Sisay as well. Since it's creature (and planeswalker!) based, Sisay operates on a different axis than most pilots come prepared for. Noncreature interaction is common for most gamers to bring. Creature removal? Much less so.</p>
<p>The current main win line is leveraging <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oath of Teferi" href="#" target="_blank">Oath of Teferi</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God" href="#" target="_blank">Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aminatou, the Fateshifter" href="#" target="_blank">Aminatou, the Fateshifter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to create infinite flicker effects. From here, there are several cards which win the game, the easiest being using <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Saheeli Rai" href="#" target="_blank">Saheeli Rai</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s +1 ability to ping out the table.</p>
<p>I love how many funky cards this deck gets to play; where else are you seeing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ertai Resurrected" href="#" target="_blank">Ertai Resurrected</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> entering the battlefield out of the library to great effect?</p>
<h3>Magda, Brazen Outlaw</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Magda, Brazen Outlaw"></div></div>
<p>A mono-red combo deck that also plays a high amount of stax pieces and a pile of some of the most unplayable cards you've ever seen. There are many one- and two-mana Dwarfs that you play simply because they make mana for you - and do nothing else at all.</p>
<p>Using those Treasures for Magda's ability, tutor an Artifact Dwarf such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Adaptive Automaton" href="#" target="_blank">Adaptive Automaton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clock of Omens" href="#" target="_blank">Clock of Omens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> into play to make infinite tapped Treasures (which you can still sacrifice to Magda to tutor up actual game winning cards). Huge artifact bombs, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Portal to Phyrexia" href="#" target="_blank">Portal to Phyrexia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="God-Pharaoh&#039;s Statue" href="#" target="_blank">God-Pharaoh&#039;s Statue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, also fetchable by the commander, buy time to assemble the engine.</p>


<p>cEDH decks are scattered far and wide across the world wide web. What can we do about that? There are a few different places available.</p>
<p><strong>Interested in data?</strong> <a href="https://edhtop16.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EDHTop16</a> pulls down most data from large cEDH tournaments, presents the highest performers, and then gives you the deck lists of the highest performers for those specific decks. It's where I go to find what people who think a <em>ton</em> about the format and then get results are doing.</p>
<p><strong>Interested in curation?</strong> <a href="https://cedh-decklist-database.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The cEDH Decklist Database</a> is a long-term community project that takes a more curated approach to decks, with teams of judges and similar that narrow down to a much smaller list of decks - also a good place to find Discord communities and Primers for specific decks.</p>


<p>Often, a hard part of getting into cEDH can come from being surprised by the different phases of the game that present themselves in most, if not all, matches. While not all games are made the same, they often have a similar tenor that I find fits neatly into the early game, mid game, and late game.</p>
<p>I'll provide a quick and dirty overview of what may happen in these sections of the game, what one may have to look out for during them, and what you may aim for by that point, along with a rough turn range for each.</p>
<h2>The Early Game (Turns 1-2)</h2>
<p>The early turns are mainly for one thing: set up and development of your first major piece. Players dump out the mana rocks in their opening hands then turn that first burst of mana into something impactful: an unrestricted tutor, a Mystic Remora, a Rhystic Study, one (or both) of their commanders, a deck-specific impact piece (two one-drop Dwarves for Magda, for example).</p>
<p>Usually, nothing <em>too</em> dangerous happens from the jump, though the most powerful of card advantage engines (e.g., Rhystic Study) are often worth countering to save yourself the headache. Also, the occasional win attempt will happen here as well from a deck like Rograkh/Silas or any Esper deck that has the Thassa's Oracle nuts.</p>
<p>Play heads up, don't go shields down!</p>
<h2>The Mid Game (Turns 3-7)</h2>
<p>The middle of the game is where you have to constantly stay on your toes. At this point, everyone has largely executed the plan of their opening hand (your opening hand <em>did</em> have a plan, right? Check out the next section) and are ready to move onto what's next.</p>
<p>In these turns, everyone will make their major win attempts and either be stopped or win the game. Having and using your interaction carefully is an important step during the mid game. If someone isn't explicitly winning the game - or playing something that you think will get them very close - don't bother with a counterspell; you'll need it later.</p>
<p>Depending on the players, the decks, and the seat order, you'll have to find your own window of opportunity to win the game. Finding a window is a tough skill. You have to deduce when your opponents' shields are down - or at least down enough vs. how much interaction you have to protect your win. It's an acquired skill that best comes from reps. The best advice to help build those reps though is just win. Try to win. If it works, it works. If it fails, try to figure out why you didn't win in that situation and try not to go for it in that spot again.</p>
<h2>The Late Game (Turns 8+)</h2>
<p>Late turns in cEDH games are a bit of a mess. Someone has a ton of cards in hand but isn't actually set up to win. Somebody is at four life but somehow hanging on. Everyone has had a major win attempt stopped and there's maybe one total counterspell available at the table. Every spell and every draw step could represent the game finally ending.</p>
<p>Honestly, hold on for dear life, try to build up some incremental advantages, and pray that someone doesn't finally draw the Tainted Pact they've been looking for for four turns when you're not ready for it.</p>


<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Serum Powder"></div></div>
<p>Mulliganing is one of the most important phases in a cEDH game. Not because it's a turn 0/1 format where you can mulligan your way to an insane win, but because what's in your opening hand will define your first several turns - and the trajectory of the rest of your game.</p>
<p>I have two main tips for EDH players coming to cEDH games for the first time:</p>
<ul>
<li>Be aggressive. The London Mulligan (the current mulliganing system) is extremely busted, especially since we also get a free one, letting you look at loads of cards and then sculpting your final hand. Most cEDH decks shouldn't be afraid to go all the way to five cards in hand, if not lower, in pursuit for the perfect start. Why look at seven cards of your deck when you can look at 28?</li>
<li>Keep a hand with a plan. In many EDH games, keeping a hand with lands and spells, usually a curve too, is good enough. Bonus points if there's a Sol Ring. In cEDH, that kind of thinking will have you left in the dust quickly. A hand needs to be able to feature a kind of plan - a good reason for keeping it. "This hand lets me cast my must-have commander on turn one" or "After developing four mana with these rocks on turn one, I'll cast this Vampiric Tutor in my next upkeep to set up Rhystic Study for my draw step."</li>
</ul>
<p>If your hand doesn't have a plan, you'll be floundering quickly. Bonus points if the hand has two plans. And a Sol Ring.</p>


<p>Another often relevant aspect of playing in cEDH games is the concept of playing to your seat. In a multiplayer game of <em>Magic</em> (and in normal <em>Magic</em>, but multiplayer increases the effect), going sooner than other players has a distinct, built-in advantage.</p>
<p>Even if everyone is just hitting their land drops every turn, whoever's playing first will have one mana when other players have none, two mana while other players have one, and so on. They're getting to act while other players have fewer resources to respond - and get to respond with more resources available to players who are acting. They get to take their second turn when everyone else has had only one.</p>
<p>It's a decided resource imbalance that's unfortunately baked into the fabric of most every turn-based game. That's why in cEDH, its important to be extremely wary of this dynamic at all times.</p>
<p>I can't really give you many specific ways to do this, "Play to Your Seat," in this short introductory guide. The best you can do is be vigilant of the resource imbalances that exist and that you can use to your leverage. If you're first, know that you're automatically ahead on velocity over your opponents. This can lead to more successful fast pushes for wins.</p>
<p>If you're fourth, unfortunately, you also have to look explosive to catch up, but it can blow up in your face. Or you can try to go slow instead and wait for everyone else to expend their resources, allowing you to sneak in from behind.</p>
<p>Regardless of where you are at the table, you have to stay vigilant of the resource imbalances present. This is another aspect which is best learned via experience, so get playing and figure it out!</p>


<p>Combos, combos, combos! Many cEDH games are ended with the venerable "I Win Now" button known as combos.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, unless there's a Winota deck at your table or a <em>very</em> restrictive stax deck, the game almost certainly will not end in combat.</p>
<p>Here are the most popular combos you need to know to look out for. There are also some more archetype-specific ones that I won't cover here, but you'll come to know them soon enough.</p>
<h3>Thassa’s Oracle + Demonic Consultation/Tainted Pact</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thassa&#039;s Oracle"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Demonic Consultation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tainted Pact"></div></div>
<p>The easiest cEDH win condition of all! Cast Thassa’s Oracle ("Thoracle"), then respond to the enters ability with Demonic Consultation or Tainted Pact to exile your entire library (Tainted Pact does come with a deck building restriction of having a 1-of mana base). It’s that easy.</p>
<p>Since it also costs as little as three mana, you’ll usually have mana left over to protect your own win attempt or cast something like Grand Abolisher or Silence before even trying to win. Here’s a special tip too: if you have both Tainted Pact and Demonic Consultation in hand, but no Thassa’s Oracle, use Tainted Pact until you reveal Thassa’s Oracle. Cast Thoracle, then use Demonic Consultation. Boom!</p>
<h3>Underworld Breach + Brain Freeze + Lion’s Eye Diamond/Lotus Petal</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Underworld Breach"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brain Freeze"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lion&#039;s Eye Diamond"></div></div>
<p>Underworld Breach, Brain Freeze, and LED is another iconic, compact, and hard to disrupt combo.</p>
<p>The loop itself is pretty easy:</p>
<ol>
<li>Cast Underworld Breach</li>
<li>Cast Lion's Eye Diamond</li>
<li>Crack Lion's Eye Diamond for blue, discarding your hand</li>
<li>Exile cards to cast Brain Freeze (or LED if you have enough extra cards) from your graveyard for its escape cost (exiling three cards) to fill up more cards in your graveyard</li>
<li>You can alternate casting LED and using it to make blue mana to cast Brain Freeze, building up an arbitrary Storm count which you can then use to mill out all of your opponents.</li>
</ol>
<p>If for some reason this doesn't work, you can usually empty your whole library and then cast Thassa's Oracle (also from the graveyard). One reason this combo is so strong is that once it gets going, you have access to all of the interaction in your graveyard (from earlier in the game or from milling) available to you immediately, effectively raising the size of your hand.</p>
<p>If your opponent puts an Underworld Breach on the stack, it's a Red Alert of the highest priority.</p>
<h3>Animate Dead Loops</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Animate Dead"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Abdel Adrian, Gorion&#039;s Ward"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Worldgorger Dragon"></div></div>
<p>Animate Dead is a really, really weird <em>Magic</em> card. A reanimation Aura enchantment that sends the creature back to the graveyard if it leaves play, it's able to be used together with Abdel Adrian or Worldgorger Dragon to win the game.</p>
<p>When Abdel Adrian enters, you can use his ability to exile all of your permanents... including Animate Dead. Animate Dead leaves play, Abdel Adrian is killed, returning all of your nonland permanents to play, which lets you reanimate Abdel with Animate Dead, you get the idea.</p>
<p>This lets you make infinite 1/1s while also untapping each of your non-land mana sources each time, usually netting infinite mana. Winning the game from there is trivial, hopefully. Worldgorger Dragon, on the other hand, exiles all of your permanents on his own, letting you make infinite mana easily with lands! This is a bit of an older combo set, and a bit of a hard one to set up, but is still popular in Mardu decks, some Grixis decks, and any deck looking for just one more way to win.</p>
<h3>Deck-Specific Combos</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Time Sieve"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Devoted Druid"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Helm of the Host"></div></div>
<p>Deck-specific combos is an all encompassing bucket for a <em>lot</em> of combos that you will lose to. Outside of the three- and four-color value pile type decks, many players are going to be packing some form of unique combo to their commander. Being able to be part of a combo is an important part of Commander playability in the first place.</p>
<p>I can't list them all, obviously, but some of the most popular (past and present) are:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tivit, Seller of Secrets" href="#" target="_blank">Tivit, Seller of Secrets</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> + <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Time Sieve" href="#" target="_blank">Time Sieve</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Godo, Bandit Warlord" href="#" target="_blank">Godo, Bandit Warlord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> + <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Helm of the Host" href="#" target="_blank">Helm of the Host</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Devoted Druid" href="#" target="_blank">Devoted Druid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> + <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hazel&#039;s Brewmaster" href="#" target="_blank">Hazel&#039;s Brewmaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Najeela, the Blade-Blossom" href="#" target="_blank">Najeela, the Blade-Blossom</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> + <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Derevi, Empyrial Tactician" href="#" target="_blank">Derevi, Empyrial Tactician</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator" href="#" target="_blank">Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> + <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glint-Horn Buccaneer" href="#" target="_blank">Glint-Horn Buccaneer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p>Once you lose to one of these once though, you won't forget it.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rule of Law"></div></div>
<p>How should you behave in a cEDH game?</p>
<p>Be excellent to one another. It's really just that easy, right? Hopefully. cEDH, while it takes itself a bit more seriously than casual Commander, is still, at the end of the day, all about having fun through the frame of aiming for winning.</p>
<p>The lens of competition can sometimes make things get heated. Tempers can pop up, someone will disagree with a play, someone may be upset by one of their <em>own</em> plays in retrospect. This is natural, especially since a sit-down game is missing some of the natural outlets for frustration found in some other methods of competing (e.g., literally moving your body).</p>
<p>Keeping a cool head is not only going to help you perform better in the game, its just plain nice.</p>
<p>Take a reasonable amount of time for your game actions. Obviously, in high pressure spots, you need some time to think or ask other players something. But its imperative to keep play moving along at a reasonable pace.</p>
<p>Think about your turn. I've said it multiple times already - in most cEDH games, you should have a plan at all times. Use that plan to move your turn and the actions you take on others' turns in a specific direction. Meaningless umming and uh-ing to try to gain a few percentage points isn't worth slowing down the game. Lets play another one.</p>
<p>In a more "casual" cEDH setting (oxymoron, I know), don't be afraid to help each other out a little bit. Some of the most fun you can have in a cEDH game is helping another player find the line or have the table brainstorm the way that someone can be stopped or win through all of the craziness. Team work makes the dream work.</p>
<p>Treat other people's cards well. Although there are plenty of proxies around, there are a load of <em>very</em> nice cards around too. This is normal EDH etiquette, but it's especially true when the guy who asks you to cut his deck is sliding something like $12,000+ of foil across the table to you.</p>
<p>Have fun, dang it. Competing can and should be fun, or at minimum enjoyable <em>on average</em>. Find a way to have a great time or else you won't be playing for long. Granted, it may not be for you, and that's okay. But if you're going to spend time doing it, it's worth your while to figure out a way to engage healthily.</p>
<p>If you can do that, it helps out with the other things listed above.</p>


Intro to cEDH

The Most Important Commander Deckbuilding Tools

<p>New to EDHREC or unsure of how some of its features will work for you? Here is a simple guide to the site's core features. Have other questions about the site? <a href="https://edhrec.com/faq">Check out our dedicated FAQ page for more information and how to contact us</a>.</p>


<p>EDHREC is a versatile resource for all types of deck builders. At its core, EDHREC is a deck analysis and recommendation tool for the Commander format of <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>.</p>
<p>EDHREC compiles deck lists from popular deck-building websites, and computes data from those lists to help players build decks.</p>
<p>Whether you're upgrading a freshly unwrapped preconstructed deck, copying a ready-to-go netlist or expressing your own unique and original brewing style, EDHREC has features to help you make informed card choices.</p>
<p>Also, we produce a variety of professional-grade, regularly scheduled content. You can read <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles">articles on EDHREC.com</a>, listen to the <a href="https://rss.com/podcasts/bolcast/">Am I the Bolcast</a> podcast, or watch the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/EDHRECast">EDHRECast on YouTube</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/newsletter">Our primary newsletter, EDHRECap</a>, is your dedicated recap of the week's news and deck techs sent free to your inbox every Monday and Thursday.</p>


<p>EDHREC collects deck data from <a href="http://www.archidekt.com">Archidekt</a>, <a href="http://www.moxfield.com">Moxfield</a>, and <a href="http://www.scryfall.com">Scryfall</a>, and new data often appears on our pages within a few days.</p>
<p>Updating your deck a bunch of times does not make duplicates of the deck in our database.</p>


<p>There's a lot of data on EDHREC, and there are several ways to approach it. Before you get lost in the twists and turns, take a little time to get familiar with the interface.</p>
<p>From left to right, the main menu includes a link to the home page, dropdown menus for primary features, a clipboard, search bar and optional account access.</p>
<div id="attachment_154619" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/EDHREC-Menu.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154619" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-154619 size-large" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/EDHREC-Menu-1024x47.jpg" alt="A screenshot of the EDHREC menu bar." width="1024" height="47" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/EDHREC-Menu-1024x47.jpg 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/EDHREC-Menu-300x14.jpg 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/EDHREC-Menu-768x35.jpg 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/EDHREC-Menu-1536x70.jpg 1536w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/EDHREC-Menu.jpg 1901w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154619" class="wp-caption-text">It's easy to get lost, browsing thousands of commanders and tens of thousands of cards. The menu bar is your dungeon map, compass and key all in one convenient package.</p></div>
<hr />
<h3>Use the Clipboard!</h3>
<p>As you're browsing EDHREC, you can click the "<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>+</strong></span>" sign over any card to add it to the clipboard. The + sign appears when you hover over the card with a computer cursor, or after a single tap on the + sign on a mobile device.</p>
<div id="attachment_155533" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-06-at-10.17.36 AM.png"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-155533" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-155533 size-medium" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-06-at-10.17.36 AM-300x127.png" alt="image showing the plus sign after hovering over a card on desktop" width="300" height="127" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-06-at-10.17.36 AM-300x127.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-06-at-10.17.36 AM.png 506w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-155533" class="wp-caption-text">Desktop view</p></div>
<p>Your clipboard is cached on your current device, and you can conveniently export the clipboard's contents as text, or directly to certain deckbuilding applications.</p>
<p>Once a card has been added to your clipboard, you'll get a confirmation check and the number will be added to your clipboard tally next to the search bar.</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/clipboardplus.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-155535 size-medium" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/clipboardplus-300x81.png" alt="clipboard add confirmation" width="300" height="81" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/clipboardplus-300x81.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/clipboardplus.png 504w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></p>
<div id="attachment_155536" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/clipboardbar.png"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-155536" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-155536" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/clipboardbar-300x22.png" alt="clipboard confirmation near search bar" width="400" height="29" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/clipboardbar-300x22.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/clipboardbar-1024x75.png 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/clipboardbar-768x56.png 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/clipboardbar.png 1172w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-155536" class="wp-caption-text">Confirmation for card(s) added to clipboard.</p></div>


<h3>Signing into EDHREC</h3>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/signin?redirect=/signin">Signing in</a> to EDHREC gives you a few customization options for browsing the site.</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/signinedhrec.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-155818" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/signinedhrec-1024x700.png" alt="signinedhrecscreen " width="1024" height="700" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/signinedhrec-1024x700.png 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/signinedhrec-300x205.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/signinedhrec-768x525.png 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/signinedhrec.png 1232w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></p>
<h3>Patreon status and connection</h3>
<p>Once you're signed in, you should see your Patreon status (if any) as well as options to change your password and sign out.</p>
<h3>Toolbar site settings</h3>
<p>If you're signed in, you also get access to more options within the settings section of the toolbar.</p>
<div id="attachment_155821" style="width: 280px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/randomcontactsettings.png"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-155821" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-155821" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/randomcontactsettings.png" alt="" width="270" height="60" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-155821" class="wp-caption-text">(Left-right) random card, contact, settings</p></div>
<h3>EDHREC retail affiliate price settings</h3>
<p>If you click on settings, the signed in options now contain retail pricing filters and salt scores (if desired).</p>
<p>Note that EDHREC is affiliated with multiple retail affiliates in and outside of the US, and you can filter these options (or for Magic Online/MTGO) in these settings.</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/settingspricing.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-155823" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/settingspricing.png" alt="" width="972" height="944" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/settingspricing.png 972w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/settingspricing-300x291.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/settingspricing-768x746.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 972px) 100vw, 972px" /></a></p>
<h3>How to toggle Dark Mode for EDHREC</h3>
<p>From here, you can also toggle Dark Mode on or off.</p>
<div id="attachment_155826" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/darkmode-scaled.png"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-155826" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-155826 size-large" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/darkmode-1024x271.png" alt="" width="1024" height="271" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/darkmode-1024x271.png 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/darkmode-300x80.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/darkmode-768x204.png 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/darkmode-1536x407.png 1536w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/darkmode-2048x543.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-155826" class="wp-caption-text">Dark Mode on</p></div>
<div id="attachment_155827" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/lightmode-scaled.png"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-155827" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-155827" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/lightmode-1024x280.png" alt="" width="1024" height="280" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/lightmode-1024x280.png 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/lightmode-300x82.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/lightmode-768x210.png 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/lightmode-1536x421.png 1536w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/lightmode-2048x561.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-155827" class="wp-caption-text">Dark Mode off</p></div>


<p><a href="https://www.patreon.com/edhrec">EDHREC's Patreon</a> is a great way to support the development of the site and get access to some advanced features for Patrons only.</p>
<p>You can join for free or with a paid subscription that gives access to various features, with two paid subscription options:</p>
<div id="attachment_155895" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/patreonperks.png"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-155895" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-155895" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/patreonperks-1024x865.png" alt="" width="1024" height="865" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/patreonperks-1024x865.png 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/patreonperks-300x253.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/patreonperks-768x649.png 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/patreonperks-1536x1297.png 1536w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/patreonperks.png 1584w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-155895" class="wp-caption-text">Patreon perks include Uncommon and Rare support tiers</p></div>
<h3>Uncommon</h3>
<p><strong>$2 USD/mo</strong></p>
<div class="sc-9cf63b2c-1 fdXOlh">
<div class="cm-VzrHRj cm-dupTbP cm-NAbYEF cm-TOsLDU cm-ThmtRO cm-GGZhvK">
<div>
<ul>
<li>Ad-free website layout</li>
<li>Access to our private Discord</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<h3>Rare</h3>
<p><strong>$5 USD/mo</strong></p>
<div class="sc-9cf63b2c-1 fdXOlh">
<div class="cm-VzrHRj cm-dupTbP cm-NAbYEF cm-TOsLDU cm-ThmtRO cm-GGZhvK">
<div>
<ul>
<li>Ad-free website layout</li>
<li>Card art selector</li>
<li>Access to "Load More" on Recs</li>
<li>Access to experimental features before they're available to anyone else. The current experimental feature is on-card Advanced Filters.</li>
<li>Access to our private Discord, including an exclusive channel where we test new website features and share ideas</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>By supporting EDHREC on Patreon, you'll also be among the first to know about any new Patreon-exclusive features or site updates.</p>


<p>The figurehead of every Commander deck is a legend you play from the Command Zone. Commanders determine a deck's color identity, and most commander decks are built to capitalize on the commander's abilities.</p>
<p>The tools and content on EDHREC are dedicated to <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/how-to-choose-your-commander">helping you choose</a> this most essential card to lead your Commander deck.</p>
<p>If you already know the card you're looking for, you can simply type the name in our search bar.</p>
<div id="attachment_153514" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-20-at-12.09.24 PM.png"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153514" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-153514 size-medium" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-20-at-12.09.24 PM-300x255.png" alt="edhrec searchbar variant" width="300" height="255" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-20-at-12.09.24 PM-300x255.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-20-at-12.09.24 PM-768x653.png 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-20-at-12.09.24 PM.png 816w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153514" class="wp-caption-text">The search bar includes an autocomplete function.</p></div>
<p>There are over two thousand possible commanders, and that's not counting the numerous possible partner pairings. EDHREC has tools to help you break past the decision paralysis and enjoy the journey of building a deck.</p>
<h3>Top Commanders</h3>
<p>The EDHREC home page features a list of the most popular commanders other players built in the last week. This list may change rapidly during spoilers for a new set, and it tends to be fairly stable between set releases. The home page also spotlights one lucky <strong>Commander of the Day</strong>.</p>
<div id="attachment_153491" style="width: 286px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/topcommandershomepage.png"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153491" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-153491 size-medium" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/topcommandershomepage-276x300.png" alt="top commanders weekly homepage screenshot" width="276" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/topcommandershomepage-276x300.png 276w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/topcommandershomepage.png 610w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 276px) 100vw, 276px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153491" class="wp-caption-text">The list of Top Commanders Weekly list updates frequently with new data.</p></div>
<hr />
<div id="attachment_155213" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/acornganger.jpeg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-155213" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-155213" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/acornganger.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="434" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/acornganger.jpeg 535w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/acornganger-207x300.jpeg 207w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-155213" class="wp-caption-text">The Commander of the Day is randomly selected.</p></div>
<p>To view more Commanders based on popularity, you can check out the <strong>Top Commanders</strong> page under the Commanders menu. This menu also allows you to browse Commanders by Partner variations and color identities.</p>
<p>Browsing by color identity is easy and straightforward. However, one of the key aspects of EDHREC is the ranking of cards by popularity.</p>
<p>Viewing possible commanders in order of popularity can help you jump to the top of the power creep heap, or dig deep for something unconventional.</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-20-at-12.26.03 PM.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-153516 aligncenter" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-20-at-12.26.03 PM-230x300.png" alt="top commanders dropdown" width="230" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-20-at-12.26.03 PM-230x300.png 230w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-20-at-12.26.03 PM.png 430w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px" /></a></p>
<p>The default view of the <strong>Top Commanders </strong>page shows the most popular commanders of the last two years.</p>
<p>There are tabs to filter <strong>Top Commanders</strong> by <strong>Past Month</strong> and <strong>Past Week</strong>. The filter menu also gives us a bunch of other options to better sort cards to our needs.</p>
<div id="attachment_153517" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11bee1d2-cace-4d6f-8be1-7770296791ec.png"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153517" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-153517 size-large" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11bee1d2-cace-4d6f-8be1-7770296791ec-1024x162.png" alt="top commanders menu" width="1024" height="162" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11bee1d2-cace-4d6f-8be1-7770296791ec-1024x162.png 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11bee1d2-cace-4d6f-8be1-7770296791ec-300x48.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11bee1d2-cace-4d6f-8be1-7770296791ec-768x122.png 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11bee1d2-cace-4d6f-8be1-7770296791ec-1536x243.png 1536w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11bee1d2-cace-4d6f-8be1-7770296791ec-2048x324.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153517" class="wp-caption-text">You may change views between card images, tables and text. This menu also allows you to group, sort and filter the results. Give it a try!</p></div>
<h6 style="text-align: center;"></h6>


<p>You chose a commander. Now what? Let's take <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oloro, Ageless Ascetic" href="#" target="_blank">Oloro, Ageless Ascetic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for an example, and explore the options and features <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/oloro-ageless-ascetic">on a commander page</a>.</p>
<div id="attachment_154789" style="width: 772px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Oloro-Commander-Numbered.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154789" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-154789 size-full" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Oloro-Commander-Numbered.jpg" alt="A screenshot of the Oloro, Ageless Ascetic commander page on EDHREC." width="762" height="458" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Oloro-Commander-Numbered.jpg 762w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Oloro-Commander-Numbered-300x180.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 762px) 100vw, 762px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154789" class="wp-caption-text">A commander page is organized into boxes with functions.</p></div>
<p>The Commander page is divided into boxes of buttons that are designed to help you build a deck.</p>
<ul>
<li>Box 1 features the card image with the commander's deck count and rank compared to every other commander in the database.</li>
<li>Box 2 has links to the Commander's decks, plus simple filters for Commander Bracket, Budget and Tags.</li>
<li>Box 3 shares a link to an EDHREC article featuring the chosen card. Maybe this content will inspire your next brew.</li>
<li>Box 4 provides advanced filters to include or exclude user-selected parameters from displayed commander data.</li>
<li>Box 5 shows charts, combos and similar commanders, as well as links to other helpful <em>Magic</em> sites.</li>
</ul>


<div id="attachment_154770" style="width: 281px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Card-dropdown.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154770" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-154770 size-full" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Card-dropdown.jpg" alt="A screenshot of the card dropdown menu on EDHREC.com." width="271" height="235" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154770" class="wp-caption-text">The "Cards" dropdown is the fastest route to view data on the most popular cards and combos.</p></div>
<p>The <strong>Cards</strong> dropdown leads to data on all cards, not just commanders.  Legendary creatures are viewed here as cards in the 99, alongside the non-legendary cards that make up most deck lists.</p>
<p>The majority of <em>Magic's </em>30,000+ cards are fair game in the 99 of your Commander decks. Every Commander-legal card has its own page with deck data, combos and similar cards.</p>
<p>Often, the search for a card begins with a broad sense of the slot it needs to fill. Browsing cards <strong>By Color</strong> identity or <strong>By Type</strong> is a direct, but often overwhelming approach. Be sure to use the filters to narrow the field.</p>


<p>EDHREC presents cards with data organized to help you make deckbuilding decisions. The most popular cards in the Commander format appear on the <a href="https://edhrec.com/top">Top Cards</a> page.</p>
<div id="attachment_154623" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Top-Cards-Menu.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154623" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-154623 size-large" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Top-Cards-Menu-1024x154.jpg" alt="A screen shot of the EDHREC Top Cards menu." width="1024" height="154" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Top-Cards-Menu-1024x154.jpg 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Top-Cards-Menu-300x45.jpg 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Top-Cards-Menu-768x116.jpg 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Top-Cards-Menu-1536x231.jpg 1536w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Top-Cards-Menu.jpg 1908w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154623" class="wp-caption-text">View the top cards of the Past 2 Years, Past Month or Past Week</p></div>
<p>The default view of Top Cards displays data for the last two years, in thumbnail view without grouping, sorting or filtering. This is just the tip of the data iceberg. Here, as on other EDHREC pages, there's a lot more to see beneath the surface.</p>
<p>You can reduce the size of the data pool by selecting the tabs for Past Month or Past Week. Additionally, there are options to narrow and organize the Top Cards to hone in on details such as card characteristics or inclusion percentages.</p>


<p>The marrow in the bones of every deck are the lands. EDHREC's <a href="https://edhrec.com/lands">Landbase</a> page takes the guesswork out of choosing lands for any deck. Simply select a color identity to browse the lands that fit those colors.</p>
<p>The lands page for each color identity displays lands by cycles and other common descriptors. You may also choose to view lands alphabetically, or ranked by popularity based on EDHREC data.</p>
<div id="attachment_154779" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mono-Red-Lands.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154779" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-154779 size-large" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mono-Red-Lands-1024x266.jpg" alt="A screenshot of the mono Red lands page on EDHREC." width="1024" height="266" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mono-Red-Lands-1024x266.jpg 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mono-Red-Lands-300x78.jpg 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mono-Red-Lands-768x199.jpg 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mono-Red-Lands-1536x399.jpg 1536w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mono-Red-Lands.jpg 1919w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154779" class="wp-caption-text">Someone please challenge the stats on that [el]Krosan Verge[/el].</p></div>


<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/top/salt">Once a year, EDHREC surveys the community to rate the "saltiness" of every card</a> in the database. Anyone may participate in grading cards on a scale from <strong>0</strong> (not salty) to <strong>4</strong> (most salty). The resulting salt score is the average of all the votes a card received.</p>
<p>Although salt scores are mostly for fun, the cards with high salt scores have infamous reputations. There is no connection between the salt scores and Commander Brackets or the Game Changers list.</p>
<p>Along with community members and other sites, <a href="https://archidekt.com/search/decks?">Archidekt</a> utilizes EDHREC's salt score as a casual statistic for deckbuilders to check at a glance. You can see this on a deckpage under "Salt Sum" along with further information about how this is calculated.</p>
<div id="attachment_155538" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/saltsumarch.png"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-155538" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-155538 size-large" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/saltsumarch-1024x101.png" alt="archidekt precon deck title and stats" width="1024" height="101" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/saltsumarch-1024x101.png 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/saltsumarch-300x30.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/saltsumarch-768x76.png 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/saltsumarch-1536x151.png 1536w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/saltsumarch.png 1704w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-155538" class="wp-caption-text">(On Archidekt) The Salt Sum is total sum of all the salt scores of every card in your deck.</p></div>
<p>The EDHREC salt score is a helpful litmus test for the vibes certain cards might bring to your games.</p>


<p>The Game Changers list is determined by Wizards of the Coast based on input from the <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/introducing-the-commander-format-panel">Commander Format Panel</a>.</p>
<p>EDHREC hosts a dedicated page for Game Changers because this is essential information for deckbuilding within the <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/commander-brackets-beta-update-april-22-2025">Commander Bracket system</a>.</p>
<p>If you're building for a lower bracket, then you can refer to this list as cards to avoid. If you're building for higher brackets, then look at these cards as spicy recommendations.</p>
<p>At Bracket 3 and above, you should be prepared to face off against these cards, even if you don't play them in your own decks.</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/commander-bracket-system-updates-and-unbans-april-2025"><em>This list has been updated with April 2025's additions and removals.</em></a></p>
<h3>White</h3>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Drannith Magistrate" href="#" target="_blank">Drannith Magistrate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Enlightened Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Enlightened Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Humility" href="#" target="_blank">Humility</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Serra&#039;s Sanctum" href="#" target="_blank">Serra&#039;s Sanctum</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Smothering Tithe" href="#" target="_blank">Smothering Tithe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teferi&#039;s Protection" href="#" target="_blank">Teferi&#039;s Protection</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<h3>Blue</h3>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Consecrated Sphinx" href="#" target="_blank">Consecrated Sphinx</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyclonic Rift" href="#" target="_blank">Cyclonic Rift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Expropriate" href="#" target="_blank">Expropriate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Intuition" href="#" target="_blank">Intuition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Force of Will" href="#" target="_blank">Force of Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fierce Guardianship" href="#" target="_blank">Fierce Guardianship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Narset, Parter of Veils" href="#" target="_blank">Narset, Parter of Veils</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhystic Study" href="#" target="_blank">Rhystic Study</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thassa&#039;s Oracle" href="#" target="_blank">Thassa&#039;s Oracle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza, Lord High Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Urza, Lord High Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mystical Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Mystical Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur" href="#" target="_blank">Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<h3>Black</h3>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bolas&#039;s Citadel" href="#" target="_blank">Bolas&#039;s Citadel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Imperial Seal" href="#" target="_blank">Imperial Seal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Necropotence" href="#" target="_blank">Necropotence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Opposition Agent" href="#" target="_blank">Opposition Agent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Orcish Bowmasters" href="#" target="_blank">Orcish Bowmasters</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tergrid, God of Fright" href="#" target="_blank">Tergrid, God of Fright</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vampiric Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Vampiric Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ad Nauseam" href="#" target="_blank">Ad Nauseam</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<h3>Red</h3>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deflecting Swat" href="#" target="_blank">Deflecting Swat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gamble" href="#" target="_blank">Gamble</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jeska&#039;s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Jeska&#039;s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Underworld Breach" href="#" target="_blank">Underworld Breach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<h3>Green</h3>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crop Rotation" href="#" target="_blank">Crop Rotation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Food Chain" href="#" target="_blank">Food Chain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gaea&#039;s Cradle" href="#" target="_blank">Gaea&#039;s Cradle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Natural Order" href="#" target="_blank">Natural Order</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seedborn Muse" href="#" target="_blank">Seedborn Muse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Survival of the Fittest" href="#" target="_blank">Survival of the Fittest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger" href="#" target="_blank">Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Worldly Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Worldly Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<h3>Multicolor</h3>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aura Shards" href="#" target="_blank">Aura Shards</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy" href="#" target="_blank">Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Notion Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Notion Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winota, Joiner of Forces" href="#" target="_blank">Winota, Joiner of Forces</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grand Arbiter Augustin IV" href="#" target="_blank">Grand Arbiter Augustin IV</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<h3>Artifacts</h3>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The One Ring" href="#" target="_blank">The One Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chrome Mox" href="#" target="_blank">Chrome Mox</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grim Monolith" href="#" target="_blank">Grim Monolith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lion&#039;s Eye Diamond" href="#" target="_blank">Lion&#039;s Eye Diamond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mox Diamond" href="#" target="_blank">Mox Diamond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Vault" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Vault</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<h3>Lands</h3>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ancient Tomb" href="#" target="_blank">Ancient Tomb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glacial Chasm" href="#" target="_blank">Glacial Chasm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mishra&#039;s Workshop" href="#" target="_blank">Mishra&#039;s Workshop</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale" href="#" target="_blank">The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>


<p>Combos have been an archetypal pillar of <em>Magic: the Gathering</em> since the beginning. There's a broad range of combos from <a href="https://edhrec.com/combos/early-game-2-card-combos">elaborate multi-card loops to powerful 2-card pairs</a> that can immediately win the game.</p>
<p>Because the Bracket system asks players to be honest about the speed and efficiency of their combos, EDHREC identifies combos that are appropriate for your target bracket.</p>
<div id="attachment_154781" style="width: 774px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Combo-Menu.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154781" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-154781 size-full" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Combo-Menu.jpg" alt="Screenshot of the combo menu on EDHREC." width="764" height="279" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Combo-Menu.jpg 764w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Combo-Menu-300x110.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 764px) 100vw, 764px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154781" class="wp-caption-text">The combo menu  provides links to view combos by color identity or recommended bracket.</p></div>
<p>EDHREC's combos pages are powered by <a href="http://www.commanderspellbook.com">Commander Spellbook</a>, with step-by-step instructions, metadata, and Bracket recommendations.</p>
<div id="attachment_154782" style="width: 767px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Iso_Rev.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154782" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-154782 size-full" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Iso_Rev.jpg" alt="A screenshot of the EDHREC combo page for Dramatic Reversal and Isochron Scepter." width="757" height="544" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Iso_Rev.jpg 757w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Iso_Rev-300x216.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 757px) 100vw, 757px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154782" class="wp-caption-text">The Isochron Scepter and Dramatic Reversal  combo is a frequent flyer in Optimized (4) and cEDH (5) games.</p></div>


<p style="text-align: left;">The "<strong>Sets</strong>" dropdown contains upcoming and recent set releases for <em>Magic: The Gathering. </em>Clicking "<strong>More...</strong>" will take you to a page that displays links to every set in in the game.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">If there is a particular set you're fond of, or if you're trying to keep up with the latest and greatest cards, the set pages are great place to find picks for your piles.</p>
<div id="attachment_154793" style="width: 251px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154793" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-154793 size-full" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sets-dropdown.jpg" alt="A screenshot of the Sets dropdown menu on EDHREC." width="241" height="367" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sets-dropdown.jpg 241w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sets-dropdown-197x300.jpg 197w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 241px) 100vw, 241px" /><p id="caption-attachment-154793" class="wp-caption-text">The most recent Magic sets appear directly in the Sets dropdown.</p></div>
<h6 style="text-align: center;"></h6>


<p>At the bottom of the Sets dropdown is a link to one of the coolest features on the site.</p>
<h2>Precon Upgrades</h2>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/precon">Preconstructed decks</a> are a critical gateway into the Commander format, and many established players enjoy playing and tinkering with precons.</p>
<p>Whether you're setting sail with your first precon, or you're an experience precon shipwright; EDHREC can help you turn your preconstructed deck into a cardboard <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_of_Theseus">Ship of Theseus</a>.</p>
<div id="attachment_154799" style="width: 162px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Precon-Upgrade-sidebar.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154799" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-154799 size-full" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Precon-Upgrade-sidebar.jpg" alt="A screenshot of the sidebar for the Precon Upgrade section on EDHREC." width="152" height="211" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154799" class="wp-caption-text">The  sidebar on a precon upgrade page is a quick approach to swapping cards for a precon.</p></div>
<p>Once you've selected your precon of choice, you can quickly see alternative commanders, and view cards other players Add or Cut.</p>
<p>This can help you take your deck in any direction you like. Shore up a weak spot, double down on the deck's strengths or tune it to your own unique style.</p>


<p>The <strong>Tags</strong> page is the hub for dedicated themes and strategies. While there's nothing wrong with a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kenrith, the Returned King" href="#" target="_blank">Kenrith, the Returned King</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> goodstuff pile, there's nothing cohesive about it either.</p>
<p>Commander decks often showcase a certain card type or share a primary mechanic. This focus gives the deck clear identity and unified purpose.</p>
<p>If that sounds like your kind of deck building, then the Tags pages were made for you.</p>
<div id="attachment_154800" style="width: 149px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tags-dropdown.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154800" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-154800 size-full" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tags-dropdown.jpg" alt="A screenshot of the tags dropdown on EDHREC." width="139" height="278" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154800" class="wp-caption-text">Within the Tags dropdown, you'll find Tags, Themes, Kindred and Companions</p></div>
<p>The main <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags">Tags</a> page is wide-cast net for every imaginable deck archetype. Meanwhile the <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/themes">Theme</a> and <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/kindred">Kindred</a> tabs divide the tags into two main groups: Themes are tags focused on mechanical cohesion, and Kindreds are tags focused on specific creature types.</p>


<p>Companion decks take the idea of a central theme to a whole new level. There are nine legal Companions (RIP <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lutri, the Spellchaser" href="#" target="_blank">Lutri, the Spellchaser</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) from <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/iko">Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths</a></em>.</p>
<p>Choosing a companion for a deck requires the deck to follow the card's companion deckbuilding restriction in addition to matching the Commander's color identity.</p>
<div id="attachment_154808" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/All-Companions.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154808" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-154808 size-large" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/All-Companions-1024x249.jpg" alt="A screenshot of all the Commander-legal companion cards." width="1024" height="249" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/All-Companions-1024x249.jpg 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/All-Companions-300x73.jpg 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/All-Companions-768x187.jpg 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/All-Companions-1536x374.jpg 1536w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/All-Companions.jpg 1904w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154808" class="wp-caption-text">In Commander, choosing a Companion doesn't count toward the 100 card limit.</p></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yorion, Sky Nomad" href="#" target="_blank">Yorion, Sky Nomad</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is legal as a Commander or in the 99 of a deck, but its deckbuilding restriction violates Commander's 100-card limit. If you really want to oppress your friends with your EDH version of Yorion Control  then you'll have to ask them nicely, Rule Zero style.</p>
<p>The other eight companion cards have companion restrictions that are achievable within the deckbuilding rules of commander, and each of them presents an interesting challenge to crafting a deck.</p>


<p>Most of the pages on EDHREC involve browsing cards that you can export to your choice of deckbuilding site.</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/recs">The <strong>Recs</strong> page is where you can import a partial or complete deck list</a> and EDHREC will make data-powered recommendations.</p>
<div id="attachment_132149" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-12-212301.png"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-132149" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-132149 size-large" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-12-212301-1024x359.png" alt="Screen shot of the Recs page on EDHREC." width="1024" height="359" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-12-212301-1024x359.png 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-12-212301-300x105.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-12-212301-768x269.png 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-12-212301-1536x539.png 1536w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-12-212301.png 1919w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-132149" class="wp-caption-text">The Recs page is your shortcut to personalized card recommendations based on the cards already in your deck, and data from EDHREC.</p></div>
<p>At a minimum, you must select a commander for the Recs page to work. If you add only the commander, then the results will reflect that legend's average deck list.</p>
<p>Add more cards in the 99, the Recs tool makes more specific recommendations.</p>


How to Use EDHREC

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swords to Plowshares|J13|1" href="#" target="_blank">Swords to Plowshares</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | art by <a href="https://samwolfeconnelly.com/">Sam Wolfe Connelly</a></h6>
<h1>Threats and Resource Management</h1>
<h4><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/how-to-build-a-commander-deck" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Article 1: How to Build a Commander Deck</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/how-to-choose-your-commander">Article 2: How to Choose Your Commander</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/beginner-content-how-to-win-a-commander-game">Article 3: How to Win a Commander Game</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/commander-mana-curves-for-beginners">Article 4: Commander Mana Curves</a> |</h4>
<p>Hello there, and welcome to the world of Commander, <em>Magic: The Gathering's </em>most popular format! My name is Brian, and I aim to be your guide for navigating this format that we at EDHREC know and love so much. In this series, we're focused on helping out players new to the format get started. If you missed the previous articles, make sure to check out the links above.</p>
<p>Today, we're talking about two somewhat related topics: threat assessment and managing your resources. The former has a big effect on the latter; if you're going to spend resources to deal with a threat, you need to make sure it's worthwhile. We touched on these a bit in Article 3, but I wanted to expand on them a bit further to hammer home their importance to your gameplay.</p>
<h3>Definitions</h3>
<p>I'm going to define a "threat" in two ways. The first is anything that will make you lose the game. For example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Impact Tremors" href="#" target="_blank">Impact Tremors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Mob Boss" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck. The other type of threat is something that stops you from winning the game, like an opponent playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rest in Peace" href="#" target="_blank">Rest in Peace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> against your graveyard deck. Both types of threats need to be dealt with ASAP if you're planning on winning (or not losing) the game. We'll get into how and when they're dealt with in more detail below.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Impact Tremors"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rest in Peace"></div></div>
<p>Resources are a little more straightforward. In <em>Magic,</em> there are two main resources: mana and cards. Some players (especially black mages like me) might argue that your life total is also a resource, but we'll focus on the first two for today's article. Mana and cards go hand in hand. If you have a lot of mana and no cards (commonly called mana flood), you can't do much of anything.</p>
<p>Conversely, if you have a lot of cards but no mana to play them (mana screw), you'll be outpaced by your opponents.</p>
<p>Some of the most popular and powerful commanders are cards that increase access to these resources. For example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Muldrotha, the Gravetide" href="#" target="_blank">Muldrotha</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives you access to more cards, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Ur-Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">The Ur-Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> reduces the cost of your Dragons, giving you access to more mana.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prosper, Tome-Bound" href="#" target="_blank">Prosper, Tome-Bound</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aesi, Tyrant of Gyre Strait" href="#" target="_blank">Aesi, Tyrant of Gyre Strait</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are examples of commanders that give you both, probably why they're so popular!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Muldrotha, the Gravetide"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Ur-Dragon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aesi, Tyrant of Gyre Strait"></div></div>
<h3>Threats</h3>
<p>Threat assessment is an important part of Commander, especially given the multiplayer nature of the format. You'll have to be on the lookout for threats from three different opponents, all of whom need to be watching out for the threats coming from you and the rest of the table.</p>
<p>This means everyone will be adding and removing threats to the game. The tough part is deciding when <strong>you</strong> should be the one to deal with a threat.</p>
<p>Let's go back to the Krenko example. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Impact Tremors" href="#" target="_blank">Impact Tremors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will become a problem real fast if the Krenko player can untap with it. All three of that player's opponents should consider it threat level midnight, and use their combined resources to take it out before it wins the Krenko player the game. It's an easy example, but as we'll see when we get to resources, it's important to asses it properly.</p>
<p>Other cases might have a little more nuance. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rest in Peace" href="#" target="_blank">Rest in Peace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might be a threat to your graveyard deck but not to the other players. You can't rely on them to deal with it for you. After all, why should they spend the resources to help you? For this reason you need to save resources for cards that really impede YOUR gameplan.</p>
<p>Of course, you probably won't have the luxury of dealing with only one threat at a time so prioritizing them is another skill you need to practice. Let's say you're playing your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Muldrotha, the Gravetide" href="#" target="_blank">Muldrotha</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck against <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Mob Boss" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>/<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Impact Tremors" href="#" target="_blank">Impact Tremors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rest in Peace" href="#" target="_blank">Rest in Peace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>You've got ways in your deck to deal with both. In this case, I might aim for the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rest in Peace" href="#" target="_blank">Rest in Peace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> first. Once it's gone, I can use leverage my commander's ability to then deal with the Krenko player while simultaneously opening up my avenue to win the game. In the meantime, my opponents might deal with the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Impact Tremors" href="#" target="_blank">Impact Tremors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, saving me the need to do so.</p>
<p>As a game evolves, threats will come and go, shift their level of importance, and be the topic for table politics. Commander games can get very complicated for this exact reason, and there isn't really a "correct" formula. A lot of it will come from playing your deck and experiencing how other decks operate. Get into the habit of asking yourself "what stops me from winning?" and you'll get better and better at threat assessment.</p>
<h3>Resource Management - Gameplay</h3>
<p>Outside of win conditions, ramp and card velocity are the most important aspects to a Commander deck. Why? They give you access to more resources, which you desperately need. At the start of the game, it's your 100 cards versus your opponents' collective 300. At the beginning of turn 2, it's your one land versus your opponents' collective three.</p>
<p>This wild imbalance means you need to catch up fast, and if your opponents are good players, they'll be wanting to do the same thing. You can't just sit there and amass mana and cards without using them, (despite what many blue players might think) so let's look at a few ways to effectively use the resources you have access to.</p>
<p>This is where threat assessment plays a big part. Let's say you're holding a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swords to Plowshares" href="#" target="_blank">Swords to Plowshares</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in hand, and your opponent has some big monster like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghalta, Primal Hunger" href="#" target="_blank">Ghalta, Primal Hunger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on their board. Do you fire off the Swords right away?</p>
<p>Heck, no! Ghalta might seem threatening, but I'd rather not spend my card to deal with it unless I absolutely have to. If it's likely to hit one of my opponents, I'm happy to sandbag my card and force my opponent to deal with the big Dino.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Swords to Plowshares"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ghalta, Primal Hunger"></div></div>
<p>Here's another example: It's turn two, I've got five cards in hand and two lands on the battlefield. One of my cards is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reckless Impulse" href="#" target="_blank">Reckless Impulse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a very efficient card velocity spell. If you've got nothing else to do on turn 2, it might be tempting to fire it off. But it's really unlikely that I'll be able to do anything with those exiled cards by the end of my next turn. It's probably better to take the turn off and wait to use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reckless Impulse" href="#" target="_blank">Reckless Impulse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> later when it's more likely to be more impactful.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reckless Impulse"></div></div>
<p>Both of these examples are simplified, but they work to demonstrate the concept of resource management during a game. Remember it's your cards and mana versus three times that, so keep it in mind during a game to maximize what you have!</p>
<h3>Resource Management - Deckbuilding</h3>
<p>If you didn't read Article 3 (and you should) we used the example of casting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swords to Plowshares" href="#" target="_blank">Swords to Plowshares</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> versus <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrath of God" href="#" target="_blank">Wrath of God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Using Swords will actually be resource negative for you: you spent your mana and card to deal with one opponent's creature, but the other two players spent no mana and no cards. On the other hand, casting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrath of God" href="#" target="_blank">Wrath of God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> into a big board allows you to spend four mana and a card to deal with far more than that from your opponents.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Utter End"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wrath of God"></div></div>
<p>This is not me saying that you should never play targeted removal like Swords. In fact, Swords is one of the best ways to deal with a single threat <em>because</em> it only costs one mana. Imagine if the example was <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Utter End" href="#" target="_blank">Utter End</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> versus <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrath of God" href="#" target="_blank">Wrath of God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> instead. Would you rather pay four mana and a card to deal with one thing or a lot of things? It becomes a lot more clear which one is better.</p>
<p>In this way you can "manage" your resources via deckbuilding choices. Unless I'm paying a premium for flexibility, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beast Within" href="#" target="_blank">Beast Within</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, I want my single-target removal under three mana. Otherwise, I want to be able to hit more than one target; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Casualties of War" href="#" target="_blank">Casualties of War</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for example.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beast Within"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Casualties of War"></div></div>
<p>I want to write an entire article comparing types of interaction, so I'll leave it there for now. The lesson is to think about how you can include and use certain cards that will negate your starting 1:3 resource deficit, while simultaneously allowing you to deal with opposing threats</p>
<h3>Wrap Up</h3>
<p>Alright, I know that was a lot more conceptual than the previous beginner content you might have seen from me or other writers. If you want me to expand or clarify anything, drop me a comment below. Threat and resource management are skills that take practice, but I'll leave you with the two main things to consider:</p>
<ol>
<li>What stops you from winning the game?</li>
<li>What is the best way to negate the resource imbalance between you and your opponents?</li>
</ol>
<p>Look out for more beginner articles from me soon, and if you're looking for cheap and effective decks, check out my other series <em>Brew For Your Buck</em> here on EDHREC. Until the next time, have fun assessing threats and managing resources!</p>


Threats and Resource Management

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Confluence|EXP|042" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Confluence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | art by <a href="https://www.howardlyon.com/">Howard Lyon</a></h6>
<h4><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/how-to-build-a-commander-deck" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Article 1: How to Build a Commander Deck</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/how-to-choose-your-commander">Article 2: How to Choose Your Commander</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/beginner-content-how-to-win-a-commander-game">Article 3: How to Win a Commander Game</a> |</h4>
<p>Hello there, and welcome to the world of Commander, <em>Magic: The Gathering's </em>most popular format! My name is Brian, and I aim to be your guide for navigating this format that we at EDHREC know and love so much.</p>
<p>In this series, we're focused on helping out players new to the format get started. If you missed the previous articles, make sure to check out the links above.</p>
<p>Today, we're talking about mana curves. What is a mana curve, why it's important, how to examine your deck's curve, and what to keep in mind when you're adding or removing cards.</p>
<h3>What is a mana curve?</h3>
<p>If you're new to the game, you may have not heard of a mana curve before. A mana curve is the distribution of mana values of the nonland cards in your deck.</p>
<p>If that still doesn't make sense, that's okay. It's much easier to visualize. Here's the mana curve of a deck recently featured in my other series, <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/brew-for-your-buck-mary-read-and-anne-bonny-budget-combo">Brew For Your Buck</a>:</em></p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.31.03.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-143409 aligncenter" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.31.03.png" alt="" width="1796" height="400" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.31.03.png 1796w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.31.03-300x67.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.31.03-1024x228.png 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.31.03-768x171.png 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.31.03-1536x342.png 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1796px) 100vw, 1796px" /></a></p>
<p>Much better. You can see the "curve" on the graph, with most of the cards clustered in the 2-4 mana range.</p>
<h3>Why does it matter?</h3>
<p>Okay, so who cares? You should! Having a well-structured mana curve means you will be able to play out your cards, making your deck more effective, meaning you'll win more, which is ultimately more fun! I often see newer players struggle in games because they can't play enough of their cards.</p>
<p>It's a frustrating experience for them, and takes away from the dynamic gameplay of a multiplayer format, making it less fun for the rest of the table.</p>
<p>Here's another way to think about it: Let's assume that the average game of Commander lasts about 12 turns. How many five mana cards are you reasonably going to play in those 12 turns? Better yet, how many total cards will you see during the game? It's probably less than you think.</p>
<p>Adjusting your mana curve to maximize the effectiveness of your deck is one of the most important deckbuilding decisions you can make.</p>
<h3>Commander Matters</h3>
<p>There are many different ways and reasons to adjust your mana curve, and as usual, it starts with your commander. There are two reasons: 1) you probably want to cast your commander as soon as you get to that point in the curve, and 2) your commander's abilities will affect the other decisions around your mana curve. Let's take a look at two of my personal decks:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rose, Cutthroat Raider"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Belbe, Corrupted Observer"></div></div>
<p><a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/10673136/rosie_the_riveter">Rosie the Riveter</a>:</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.56.16.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-143412 aligncenter" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.56.16.png" alt="" width="1800" height="372" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.56.16.png 1800w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.56.16-300x62.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.56.16-1024x212.png 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.56.16-768x159.png 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.56.16-1536x317.png 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/10673122/beldrazi">Beldrazi</a>:</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.56.04.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-143411 aligncenter" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.56.04.png" alt="" width="1808" height="390" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.56.04.png 1808w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.56.04-300x65.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.56.04-1024x221.png 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.56.04-768x166.png 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-10.56.04-1536x331.png 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1808px) 100vw, 1808px" /></a></p>
<p>The mana curves for these two decks are wildly different. The first one is weighted heavily towards mana value 1-3, while the second has a huge spike after six mana. Why? It's all about the commanders.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rose, Cutthroat Raider" href="#" target="_blank">Rose</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> wants me to attack all three of my opponents so I can make the max amount of Junk tokens, so I focused on cheap creatures for turns one through three so that by turn four, I can cast Rose and get the maximum benefit.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Belbe, Corrupted Observer" href="#" target="_blank">Belbe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (with the help of some key one drops) can pretty easily generate six mana as early as turn two, so I want to have plenty of Eldrazi haymakers to cast way ahead of schedule.</p>
<p>Despite the big difference in the mana curves, in both cases you can see the importance of the commander's mana value, and the resulting mana value of the cards around it. I love these examples since they showcase the extremes of how your mana curve can change based on the commander.</p>
<h3>Nuts and Bolts</h3>
<p>Okay, hopefully you've got the concept down, so let's get into some actionable things to consider during your deckbuilding:</p>
<h4><strong><em>In general</em><em> </em>it is better to lower your curve where you can</strong>.</h4>
<p>Belbe in the example above shows that doing so is not always the case, but if you're just starting out, keeping your curve low will yield the fastest results. There is a reason why <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rampant Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Rampant Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is played in nearly 810,000 decks and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Natural Connection" href="#" target="_blank">Natural Connection</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is played in only 6,000.</p>
<p>Putting a bunch of 6+ mana cards in your deck might seem fun and powerful, but if you can only cast two of them in a game, drawing a bunch of them isn't very effective. Look for cards that do something similar but for less mana.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rampant Growth"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Natural Connection"></div></div>
<h4>Concentrate the majority of your cards between 2-4 mana.</h4>
<p>There are a lot of effective cards printed in this mana value range that can really swing the tide of the game. Keeping your cards in this range will also open up a lot more options during gameplay and let you react to different game scenarios.</p>
<p>If you're at five mana, you can cast two 2-drops, a 4-drop, or cast your three mana commander like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vadrik, Astral Archmage" href="#" target="_blank">Vadrik</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and hold up a two mana <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Counterspell" href="#" target="_blank">Counterspell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to protect it.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vadrik, Astral Archmage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Counterspell"></div></div>
<h4>Make sure your high mana cards are impactful</h4>
<p>On the flip side, when you do play one of your higher mana value cards, make sure it's something that's extremely impactful. A generic example is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyclonic Rift" href="#" target="_blank">Cyclonic Rift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which will send opposing boards back to the stone age.</p>
<p>Something a little more niche might be <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Terror of the Peaks" href="#" target="_blank">Terror of the Peaks</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Miirym, Sentinel Wyrm" href="#" target="_blank">Miirym, Sentinel Wyrm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cyclonic Rift"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Miirym, Sentinel Wyrm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Terror of the Peaks"></div></div>
<h4>Consider the "actual" mana value of your cards</h4>
<p>Many cards that are commonly played in Commander have cost reduction effects attached to them. The most common example of course is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blasphemous Act" href="#" target="_blank">Blasphemous Act</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It will show up on your curve as an 8+ mana card, but in reality you can cast it for a lot less than that.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, an X spell like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hangarback Walker" href="#" target="_blank">Hangarback Walker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will show up as zero mana value, but you probably won't be casting it for no mana since it will insta-die.</p>
<p>An advantage of X spells is that they can slot in at multiple spots on the curve, but consider them at the mana value you'll be casting them most often.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blasphemous Act"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hangarback Walker"></div></div>
<h4>Look for cards with "multiple" mana values</h4>
<p>Similar to the last point about X spells, there are also cards that have "multiple" mana values. These cards are often powerful because of their flexibility.</p>
<p>One of my favorite card types, Adventures, are a good example. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Virtue of Persistence" href="#" target="_blank">Virtue of Persistence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is considered a seven mana card, but it helps offset its high cost by having Locthwain Scorn as a mode you can cast early while you wait to get there.</p>
<p>The mana value of split cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wear // Tear" href="#" target="_blank">Wear // Tear</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is equal to the mana value of both halves (three in this case) but you can cast either (or both in this case) half for less than that.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Virtue of Persistence"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wear // Tear"></div></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Mana Curve Tools</h3>
<p>Now that you've got those mana curve concepts in your tool belt, you can apply them to your deckbuilding. The last thing to touch on are the tools available to help you mana all of these numbers. Look no further than <a href="https://archidekt.com/">Archidekt</a>.</p>
<p>The graphs I included above all game from my lists from Archidekt. Those screenshots are just of the basic and general mana curve, which is where you should focus your attention early. As you become a more experienced deckbuilder, you can dive even deeper, including filters by color...</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-11.59.15.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-143416 aligncenter" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-11.59.15.png" alt="" width="1812" height="1000" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-11.59.15.png 1812w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-11.59.15-300x166.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-11.59.15-1024x565.png 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-11.59.15-768x424.png 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-11.59.15-1536x848.png 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1812px) 100vw, 1812px" /></a></p>
<p>...or by any number of other options, including personalized categories if you make them:</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-11.59.35.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-143417 aligncenter" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-11.59.35.png" alt="" width="1798" height="652" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-11.59.35.png 1798w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-11.59.35-300x109.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-11.59.35-1024x371.png 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-11.59.35-768x278.png 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-30-at-11.59.35-1536x557.png 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1798px) 100vw, 1798px" /></a></p>
<p>If you have a deck that you feel like isn't firing on all cylinders, try plugging it into Archidekt and seeing what the mana curve section reveals. You might be surprised at the results, and you'll have a good starting point for improving your mana curve if necessary.</p>
<h3>Wrap Up</h3>
<p>Whew! We covered a lot today, and I hope it wasn't too overwhelming. The idea of a mana curve is really important for our game, and not just in Commander. It's even more of a focus in other formats that are much faster and more competitive than Commander, where even a tiny slip up might spell disaster.</p>
<p>If your decks aren't performing as well as you'd like, I highly encourage you to review your decks and check out your mana curve. And when you build a new one, make sure you take these ideas into account! I promise it'll lead to more plays and as a result, more fun.</p>
<p>Look out for more beginner articles from me soon, and if you're looking for cheap and effective decks, check out my other series <em>Brew For Your Buck</em> here on EDHREC. If you have any questions or comments, drop them down below and I'll be sure to address them. Until then, happy deckbuilding and watch out for the curve!</p>


Commander Mana Curves for Beginners

MTG Foundations: Choosing Your Color

A Beginner's Guide to MTG Card Storage and Accessories

<h1>How to Win a Commander Game</h1>
<h4><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/how-to-build-a-commander-deck">Article 1: How to Build a Commander Deck</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/how-to-choose-your-commander">Article 2: How to Choose Your Commander</a></h4>
<p class="p1">Hello there, and welcome to the world of Commander, <em>Magic: The Gathering's </em>most popular format! My name is Brian, and I aim to be your guide for navigating this format that we at EDHREC know and love so much.</p>
<p class="p1">In this series, we're focused on helping out players new to the format get started. If you missed the previous articles, make sure to check out the links above.</p>
<p class="p1">Today we’re discussing how to win a game of commander. I’m not going to get into the various ways to reduce opposing life totals to zero, dealing 21 commander damage, milling the table, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thassa’s Oracle" href="#" target="_blank">Thassa’s Oracle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p class="p1">Those are all deck specific. What I’m talking about is more general, and can be used for any deck, anywhere. We’ll cover some deck building elements, gameplay concepts, and the all important social aspect to maneuver your way to a win. Winning is not everything in this casual format, but it does feel good when you do!</p>
<h3 class="p1">Deckbuilding</h3>
<p class="p2">Before you even sit down to play, the composition of your deck needs to consist of ways to finish the game. Check out <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/how-to-build-a-commander-deck/">Article 1</a> for more details, but this is the first thing I’m thinking about during the deckbuilding process. Most of the time, these cards will synergize directly with your commander.</p>
<p class="p2">For example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teysa Karlov" href="#" target="_blank">Teysa Karlov</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> doubling up your death triggers means your wincons could be something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vengeful Bloodwitch" href="#" target="_blank">Vengeful Bloodwitch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zulaport Cutthroat" href="#" target="_blank">Zulaport Cutthroat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p class="p1"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vengeful Bloodwitch"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Teysa Karlov"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zulaport Cutthroat"></div></div></p>
<p class="p1">The rest of your deck should support using those cards to win the game. Work your way backwards as you build, asking yourself how the rest of your choices support using these cards to win the game.</p>
<p class="p1">In our example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skullclamp" href="#" target="_blank">Skullclamp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could be considered one of your card velocity options, since it is extremely potent with Teysa to dig through your deck, along with helping to kill off your small creatures to trigger your win cons</p>
<h3>Card Advantage</h3>
<p class="p1">Another deckbuilding consideration that can help you win is including cards to help you achieve card advantage. You may have heard this term used to describe drawing cards, but I consider that card <em>velocity</em>.</p>
<p class="p1">To me, card <em>advantage</em> is how to leverage your cards to nullify as many of your opponents' cards as possible. Remember, you have 100 cards against your opponents' collective 300. So including cards that can even the score can also help you win.</p>
<p class="p1">A classic example is targeted removal versus wrath effects. Consider <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swords to Plowshares" href="#" target="_blank">Swords to Plowshares</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> versus <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrath of God" href="#" target="_blank">Wrath of God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. When you use Swords to remove an opposing creature, you’ve spent one card to remove one opponent’s card. But the other two opponents are now up a card on you, so you’ve created negative card advantage.</p>
<p class="p1"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Swords to Plowshares"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wrath of God"></div></div></p>
<p class="p1">On the flip side, if each of your opponents have a creature on the battlefield and you use Wrath, you’ve spent one card to remove three, putting you neutral.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="Apple-converted-space">Anything more than that, and you're ahead! </span><span class="Apple-converted-space">Don't get me wrong, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swords to Plowshares" href="#" target="_blank">Swords to Plowshares</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an incredibly efficient removal spell, but I make sure I'm to including enough cards that can take out more than one threat at a time.</span></p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Mulligans<span class="Apple-converted-space"> &amp; Turn Planning</span></strong></h3>
<p class="p1"><span class="Apple-converted-space">One of my biggest level ups playing Commander was when I really started paying attention to mulligans and sequencing my first few turns. A mix of lands and spells is nice to see in those first seven cards, but it's important for those spells to be relevant in the early game. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="Apple-converted-space">Ask yourself when looking at that first seven, "what do my first three turns look like?"</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="Apple-converted-space">If your cards don't do anything in the first couple turns, I'd consider pitching that hand and drawing a new hand. I'm always hoping for some mana acceleration (like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Signet" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Signet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) and card velocity (like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reckless Impulse" href="#" target="_blank">Reckless Impulse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) so I can continue to have things to do after the first couple of turns. Don't forget, your commander counts as a card to play too!</span></p>
<p class="p1"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arcane Signet"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reckless Impulse"></div></div></p>
<p>On the other hand, I'll tend to throw back a hand that has a recursion spell (like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eternal Witness" href="#" target="_blank">Eternal Witness</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) since it probably won't be useful in the first couple of turns.</p>
<p>It may seem obvious, but I'll also put back hands with too many high mana value spells. It may be exciting to see your most powerful spells when you start the game, but if your opening hand is four lands, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Terror of the Peaks" href="#" target="_blank">Terror of the Peaks</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crucible of Fire" href="#" target="_blank">Crucible of Fire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ancient Copper Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Ancient Copper Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, your first couple of turns might be pretty rough, especially if you don't draw another land.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Terror of the Peaks"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crucible of Fire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ancient Copper Dragon"></div></div>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Hand</strong> Dumping</h3>
<p>The concept of "hand dumping" is still something I struggle with. The instinct to play out all your cards and use your mana every turn makes sense. Let's say you're playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aesi, Tyrant of Gyre Strait" href="#" target="_blank">Aesi, Tyrant of Gyre Strait</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. If you play it as soon as have six mana, you'll give your opponents plenty of time to eliminate it before you can get any value from it.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you can play Aesi and immediately follow it up with a land drop, you can guarantee that you'll at least draw a card before your opponents can do anything about it.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aesi, Tyrant of Gyre Strait"></div></div>
<p>Another good example would be an <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/equipment">Equipment deck</a>, the most popular archetype in Boros (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-wr" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) If you've got a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of Fire and Ice" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of Fire and Ice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in your hand, maybe you want to hold on to it, even if you don't have something to do on turn three.</p>
<p>The reason? Well if you need a turn to play it, it could get destroyed before you can ever equip it. You might consider waiting until you can cast it and equip it in the same turn.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sword of Fire and Ice"></div></div>
<p>Finally, you may want to hold on to your cards if you know your opponent can deal with them. Let's say one opponent just used <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mystical Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Mystical Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to find <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrath of God" href="#" target="_blank">Wrath of God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> because they need a way to deal with your other opponent, who has a huge board of Goblin tokens thanks to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Mob Boss" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko, Mob Boss</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Even if you can spend the mana, it certainly doesn't make sense to play your creatures knowing that they'll get swept away soon.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mystical Tutor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko, Mob Boss"></div></div>
<h3>Threat Assessment</h3>
<p>The other way that hand dumping can work against you is leaving you without any answers to opposing threats. Let's say I'm playing my <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ratadrabik of Urborg" href="#" target="_blank">Ratadrabik of Urborg</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck, and I decide to use my <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anguished Unmaking" href="#" target="_blank">Anguished Unmaking</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to nab my opponent's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>It's tempting after all, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerful card and has probably given them a big advantage already. But, on their next turn, another player casts the scourge of my existence, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rest in Peace" href="#" target="_blank">Rest in Peace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. All of a sudden my deck is completely shut off, and I used my interaction on something that wasn't immediately threatening me.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ratadrabik of Urborg"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anguished Unmaking"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rest in Peace"></div></div>
<p>It's important to understand what will be the biggest roadblocks stopping you from winning the game. It could be a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rest in Peace" href="#" target="_blank">Rest in Peace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> shutting off your graveyard deck, or your opponent's commander that will win them the game if untap with it. Another good question to ask yourself while playing: "what stops me from winning the game?"</p>
<h3 class="p1">The Social Aspect</h3>
<p>Commander is a multiplayer game. That's an obvious statement, but it's important to remember that you're not the only one trying to win. However, you can use that to your advantage.</p>
<p>Deals and helping each other are commonplace in our game, and I'd argue one of the most essential skills to learn if you want to increase your win percentage.</p>
<p>Let's go back to the Ratadrabik example. When that Rest In Peace comes down, and I'm out of ways to get rid of it myself, I'll ask my other opponents to kill it for me. Why? Because if my deck doesn't work then maybe I can't deal with a threat that will end the game.</p>
<p>Another example that comes up all the time is a commander with "boots". Many decks will play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Greaves" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Greaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and/or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swiftfoot Boots" href="#" target="_blank">Swiftfoot Boots</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as ways to protect their commander. If that commander if becoming a big threat, but you only have a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pongify" href="#" target="_blank">Pongify</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to deal with it, you can work with another player to use their <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Disenchant" href="#" target="_blank">Disenchant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to kill the boots.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lightning Greaves"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pongify"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Disenchant"></div></div>
<p>Here's the catch: In both examples, I was being socially proactive. No one is going to work with you if you don't ask. When you ask yourself "what stops me from winning the game?" but you can't deal with it, now ask "who else does it stop from winning the game?". Just like the rest of <em>Magic, </em>social interaction is something that takes practice, so give it a try during your next game!</p>
<h3>Wrapping up</h3>
<p>We covered a lot today, and hopefully that means you learned a lot! If you have any questions, be sure to ask down below in the comments. If you're a more experienced player and have some more tips of our newer friends, be sure to drop those down there too. Be on the lookout for more beginner articles from me, and you can also check out my budget deckbuilding series, <em>Brew For Your Buck, </em>right here on EDHREC. Until next time, happy playing!</p>


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