How to Build Your First Commander Deck

Embarking on your first Commander deck-building journey is an exciting adventure in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Commander, also known as EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander), is a popular format that allows you to build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature as your commander. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you create your first Commander deck.

Before we dive into the deck-building process, let's understand the basic rules of Commander. Each player starts with 40 life, and the goal is to reduce your opponents' life totals to 0. You can cast your commander any number of times, and it can be cast from your hand, your graveyard, or even from exile. Now, let's get started with building your first deck.

Choosing Your Commander

Your commander is the cornerstone of your deck, so choose one that speaks to you. It could be a legendary creature you've always loved, or one that represents a strategy you want to explore. When selecting your commander, consider its mana cost, abilities, and the colors it's in. For your first deck, it's a good idea to choose a commander that's easy to cast and has abilities that can be supported by a variety of cards.

Some popular Commander decks are built around themes like graveyard recursion, artifact synergies, or creature-based strategies. You can find many pre-constructed Commander decks online or in stores, which can serve as a great starting point for inspiration. However, don't be afraid to branch out and create your own unique theme.

Mana Base

Your mana base is crucial for ensuring you can cast your commander and other spells consistently. In Commander, you have a lot of flexibility with your mana base, as you're not restricted to the traditional 60-card singleton format. Aim for around 36-40 lands in your 100-card deck, and include a mix of basic lands, dual lands, and utility lands.

When choosing lands, consider your commander's colors and the colors of the spells you want to cast. Include fetch lands, shock lands, and tap lands to help you smooth out your mana curve. Don't forget to include lands that can help you ramp, such as Sol lands or mana rocks like Sol Ring and Talisman of Progress.

Creatures

Commander is a format that loves big creatures, so include a mix of creatures that support your strategy and can attack or defend when needed. Consider creatures with relevant keywords, abilities, or synergies with your commander. Aim for around 20-25 creatures in your deck, with a mix of mana costs to ensure you have creatures to play throughout the game.

Some creatures to consider include those with flying, trample, or haste to help you apply pressure quickly. Also, look for creatures that can be recurred or tutored for, as Commander is a format that loves recursion. Examples include Eternal Witness, Wood Elves, and Reclamation Sage.

Support Cards

Support cards are the spells and enchantments that help you execute your strategy and interact with your opponents. These cards can include removal spells, counterspells, tutors, and card draw. When choosing support cards, consider the needs of your deck and the types of strategies your opponents might employ.

In Commander, it's essential to have a balance of interaction and synergy. Include cards that can disrupt your opponents' plans, such as removal spells or board wipes. Also, include cards that can help you draw cards, ramp, or tutor for the cards you need. Some popular support cards include Lightning Bolt, Swords to Plowshares, and Wheel of Fortune.

Tutors and Recursion

Tutors and recursion are essential in Commander, as they allow you to find the cards you need and reuse them. Tutors like Worldly Tutor, Finale of Devastation, and Vampiric Tutor can help you find the key cards you need to win the game. Recursion spells like Unburial Rites, Reanimate, and Patriarch's Bidding can help you bring back your creatures from the graveyard.

When choosing tutors and recursion, consider the needs of your deck and the types of cards you want to tutor for or recur. For example, if you're playing a graveyard recursion strategy, include cards like Buried Ruin, Tormod's Crypt, and Relic of Progenitus to help you control your opponents' graveyards.

Win Conditions

Win conditions are the cards that help you close out the game and secure your victory. In Commander, there are many ways to win, including combat damage, direct damage, or alternative win conditions like comboing off with a specific card or combination of cards.

When choosing win conditions, consider the strengths and weaknesses of your deck. If you're playing a creature-based strategy, include cards like Overrun or Beast Within to help you close out the game quickly. If you're playing a control strategy, consider including cards like Toxic Deluge or Damnation to clear the board and set up your own win condition.

Building your first Commander deck is an exciting journey, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Experiment with different strategies, cards, and mana bases to find what works best for you. Don't be afraid to ask for help or seek advice from other Commander players. The Commander community is welcoming and eager to share their knowledge and experiences. Happy deck-building, and may your commander lead you to victory!