cheapest commander decks

Cheapest Commander Decks

By Joseph Thomas
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In the world of Magic: The Gathering, Commander decks are a popular and engaging format, allowing players to build unique and powerful decks around a single legendary creature. However, building a competitive Commander deck can be an expensive endeavor. But what if you could create a formidable deck without breaking the bank? Let's delve into the world of affordable Commander decks and explore some budget-friendly strategies.

Before we dive into the cheapest Commander decks, it's essential to understand that 'cheap' doesn't necessarily mean 'weak'. With careful planning and a bit of creativity, you can build a deck that's not only fun to play but also competitive. So, let's buckle up and explore the most affordable Commander decks you can build today.

Budget Commander Decks: The Basics

When building a budget Commander deck, there are a few key aspects to keep in mind. First, focus on the commander itself. The commander is the most expensive card in your deck, so choosing a budget-friendly one is crucial. Second, consider the deck's strategy. Some strategies are more expensive than others, so opting for a budget-friendly strategy can help keep costs down.

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Lastly, don't be afraid to use older cards. Magic: The Gathering has been around for decades, and many powerful cards have been printed over the years. By using older, less expensive cards, you can create a budget-friendly deck that's still competitive. With that in mind, let's look at some of the cheapest Commander decks you can build today.

Budget Commanders: The Cheapest Options

When it comes to budget Commanders, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are a few of the cheapest Commanders you can find:

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MTG How to Build a Commander Deck - Free Commander Deck Building Template
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MTG]zJ]VH,Magic:{kZ<the'LZ<Gathering'MJ<Deck'Ri<Rare'aJ<EDH'SF<Commander Muldrotha Deck
  • Karona, False God: At around $1, Karona is one of the cheapest Commanders you can find. Plus, her ability to make all your creatures indestructible can be incredibly powerful.
  • Roon of the Hidden Realm: Roon is another budget-friendly Commander, costing around $2. Her ability to pump up your creatures and draw cards makes her a powerful choice for a voltron strategy.
  • Muldrotha, the Gravetide: Muldrotha is a bit more expensive, costing around $5, but her ability to recursion creatures and artifacts makes her a powerful choice for a graveyard-based strategy.

Of course, these are just a few examples of budget-friendly Commanders. There are plenty of other cheap Commanders out there, so don't be afraid to explore and find one that speaks to you.

Budget Strategies: Keeping Costs Down

In addition to choosing a budget-friendly Commander, you can also keep costs down by opting for a budget-friendly strategy. Here are a few strategies that tend to be cheaper than others:

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  • Voltron: Voltron decks focus on making one creature as big and powerful as possible. This strategy tends to be cheaper because it only requires a few expensive cards to make it work.
  • Group Hug: Group Hug decks focus on helping all players at the table, rather than just yourself. This strategy tends to be cheaper because it doesn't require expensive cards to win the game.
  • Stax: Stax decks focus on slowing down the game and making it difficult for other players to cast spells. This strategy tends to be cheaper because it doesn't require expensive cards to win the game.

Of course, these are just a few examples of budget-friendly strategies. There are plenty of other strategies out there, so don't be afraid to explore and find one that speaks to you.

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Building a Budget Commander Deck: Tips and Tricks

Now that we've looked at some budget-friendly Commanders and strategies, let's talk about how to actually build a budget Commander deck. Here are some tips and tricks to help you keep costs down:

1. Focus on the Command Zone: The Command Zone is where your Commander lives, and it's also where you'll spend most of your mana. So, focus on making this zone as powerful as possible. This means choosing a powerful Commander and supporting it with cards that pump it up or protect it.

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2. Use Older Cards: As we mentioned earlier, Magic: The Gathering has been around for a long time, and many powerful cards have been printed over the years. By using older, less expensive cards, you can create a budget-friendly deck that's still competitive.

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3. Don't Be Afraid to Cut Expensive Cards: Just because a card is powerful doesn't mean it belongs in your deck. If a card is too expensive, don't be afraid to cut it from your deck. There are plenty of cheaper alternatives out there that can do the same job just as well.

4. Playtest and Tweak: Building a Commander deck is an iterative process. Playtest your deck, see what works and what doesn't, and make changes as needed. Don't be afraid to cut cards that aren't pulling their weight and replace them with something better.

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Budget Commander Deck Examples

Now that we've talked about some tips and tricks for building a budget Commander deck, let's look at a few examples. Here are two budget-friendly Commander decks that you can build today:

Karona, False God Voltron

This deck focuses on making Karona, False God as big and powerful as possible, then using her ability to make all your creatures indestructible to overwhelm your opponents.

Card Price
Karona, False God $1
Armory of Iroas $1
Boros Charm $1
Boros Keyrune $1
Boros Signet $1

As you can see, this deck is incredibly cheap, with most of the cards costing around $1 or less. And yet, it's still a competitive and powerful deck.

Roon of the Hidden Realm Group Hug

This deck focuses on helping all players at the table, rather than just yourself. By drawing cards and pumping up creatures, you can make the game more enjoyable for everyone.

Card Price
Roon of the Hidden Realm $2
Brainstorm $1
Counterspell $1
Daze $1
Preordain $1

Again, this deck is incredibly cheap, with most of the cards costing around $1 or less. And yet, it's still a competitive and powerful deck.

In conclusion, building a budget Commander deck is not only possible but also incredibly fun. By choosing a budget-friendly Commander, opting for a budget-friendly strategy, and using older, less expensive cards, you can create a deck that's both competitive and affordable. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start building your budget Commander deck today!

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