Commander, also known as Elder Dragon Highlander (EDH), is a unique and captivating format in the world of Magic: The Gathering. In Commander, players build decks around a legendary creature, their commander, and battle it out in multiplayer games. But the format introduces a crucial question for deck builders: How many cards do you need for Commander? Let’s embark on a journey through the intricacies of Commander deck construction to unravel the ideal deck size, card selection, and strategies that can lead you to victory.
Understanding Commander Format
Magic: The Gathering has various formats, each with its rules and limitations. Commander is distinctive due to its singleton rule. This means that except for basic lands, each card in your deck must have a different name. This restriction results in a diverse and unpredictable gaming experience.
The Commander
The heart of a Commander deck is the legendary creature known as the Commander. It resides in a special zone called the command zone, and you can cast it from there. But what’s truly unique is that your commander defines your deck’s colour identity, which restricts the mana symbols in your deck. Choosing the right commander is the first step in crafting a formidable deck.
The 100-Card Requirement
In Commander, the minimum deck size is 100 cards. The 100-card requirement encourages diversity and unpredictability in games. It also emphasizes the singleton nature of the format, ensuring that no two games play out the same way.
The Commander’s Role
Your commander is a central figure in your deck, and it has a few special rules associated with it. Firstly, it must be a unique card within your deck. Secondly, it starts the game in the command zone, and its casting cost increases by two colourless mana each time you cast it from there. Lastly, commander damage is a special rule in Commander. If a player is dealt 21 or more combat damage by a single commander throughout a game, they lose.
The Land Count
Lands are the backbone of your Commander deck, providing the mana you need to cast spells. But how many lands should you include? The ideal land count varies based on your deck’s strategy and the mana curve of your spells. You’ll also need to consider mana fixing and ramp, which ensure you have the right colours of mana at the right time.
Essential Card Types
Lands are your primary source of mana. In Commander, you can include both basic and non-basic lands in your deck. Non-basic lands can offer various utility abilities that can enhance your deck’s performance. One staple non-basic land is Command Tower, which can produce any colour of mana your commander’s colour identity allows.
Ramp
Ramp cards are essential for accelerating your mana production. They include mana rocks like Sol Ring, ramp spells like Rampant Growth, and land ramp cards that put additional lands into play. A proper ramp ensures you can cast your spells on time and gain an advantage over your opponents.
Card Draw
Card advantage is a key aspect of Commander. Card draw spells, or cards that let you draw additional cards, ensure you have a steady stream of resources. Card draw engines, like Rhystic Study, provide consistent card advantage. Additionally, cards that allow you to selectively choose cards from your deck, known as card selection, can improve your draws.
Removal
Removal spells are crucial in commanders to deal with threats, protect your board, and disrupt your opponents’ strategies. You should include both spot removal, which targets specific cards or creatures, and mass removal, which clears the board of multiple threats. Board wipes can be game-changing but be prepared for retaliation.
Filling Out the Deck
Creatures play diverse roles in Commander decks. They can be utility creatures that provide unique abilities, win conditions that help you secure victory, or creatures that synergize with your commander’s strategy. Balancing these roles is key to building a well-rounded deck.
Artifacts and Enchantments
Artifacts and enchantments can offer powerful effects, protection, and evasion. Including the right ones can significantly enhance your deck’s performance. Be sure to consider how these cards align with your commander’s strategy and colour identity.
Instants and Sorceries
Instants and sorceries provide a range of effects, from counterspells and removal to tutors and card fetching. They can also serve as game-changing spells that turn the tide of battle. Careful selection of these cards is vital to adapt to different game situations.
The Power of Synergy
Your commander’s abilities and colour identity often guide your deck’s theme and strategy. Building around your commander ensures that every card in your deck contributes to a cohesive game plan. Identify synergistic interactions and win conditions that align with your commander’s strengths.
Synergy within the Deck
While building around your commander is essential, don’t neglect the synergy within the deck itself. Combining different card types, such as creatures, artefacts, and instants, can create powerful interactions. Ensure that your deck operates harmoniously, avoiding conflicting strategies that might hinder your success.
The Importance of Playtesting
Creating your initial decklist is only the beginning. To achieve a refined and competitive deck, you must engage in playtesting. This involves repeatedly playing your deck to identify its weaknesses, evaluate its consistency, and adapt it to various situations.
Commander Deck Staples
Certain cards have proven themselves indispensable in Commander. These staples are versatile, suitable for various decks, and often budget-friendly alternatives are available. Recognizing and including these staples can strengthen your deck.
Deck Size Variations
While the standard Commander deck consists of 100 cards, some players explore the uncharted territory of one-card Commander decks. This unconventional approach brings unique challenges and advantages that can result in unexpected and thrilling games.
Battle of the 100s
There’s an ongoing debate about whether a Commander deck should have exactly 100 cards or if it’s acceptable to have 101 or more. The choice often depends on your playgroup’s agreement and the so-called Rule 0, which allows customization of the format’s rules.
Balancing Your Deck
The mana curve is a crucial consideration in Commander deck building. It refers to the distribution of card costs in your deck. A well-balanced mana curve ensures that you can cast spells at every stage of the game. Striking the right balance helps you avoid mana flood and mana screw.
Meta Considerations
Understanding your local and competitive meta is essential. Adapting your deck to the metagame, or the collective deck preferences and strategies in your playgroup, is crucial. Building hate cards that target common threats can give you an edge.
The Social Aspect of Commander
Commander is a multiplayer format, which introduces a layer of politics and diplomacy to the game. Building alliances, negotiating favourable outcomes, and practising effective table politics can impact your success in Commander games.
Sportsmanship and Fun
While winning is rewarding, Commander emphasizes sportsmanship and fun. It’s important to play in a way that ensures everyone at the table enjoys the game. Avoiding unfun strategies and being a gracious winner or loser enhances the Commander experience.
The Art of Sideboards
Although sideboards are not a typical feature of Commander, some playgroups choose to include them as house rules. Sideboards can be used for swapping out cards between games, accessing wish effects, or countering specific threats that you anticipate facing.
Preparing for the Unexpected
Sideboards can help you prepare for the unexpected. Consider including anti-hate sideboard cards, silver bullets that target specific strategies, or versatile cards that can adapt to various situations.
The Future of Commander
The Commander format continues to evolve, with Wizards of the Coast introducing new rules and expanding the colour identity concept. New commanders and strategies keep the format fresh, while the Commander community actively shapes its future.
Technological Innovations
Commander deck building has benefited from technological advancements. Deck-building apps, online play platforms, and the rise of digital Commander play have added new dimensions to the format. Exploring the digital vs. physical Commander experience is an exciting prospect.
Conclusion:
Commander is a format that embraces diversity, creativity, and strategy. Finding your deck’s identity and adapting it over time is a rewarding journey that allows you to explore the vast multiverse of Magic: The Gathering.
Final Thoughts:
In Commander, the possibilities are endless. Your unique deck journey is a testament to your creativity and adaptability. With every shuffle of the cards, you embark on an adventure in a format that keeps you forever exploring the multiverse.
Now, you have a comprehensive understanding of how to construct your Commander deck, from the ideal deck size of 100 cards to the importance of synergy and playtesting. With this knowledge, you can embark on your own Commander adventures, crafting decks that reflect your strategic brilliance and love for the game.
