Commander is a popular format in Magic: The Gathering, a collectible card game, where players build 100-card decks around a legendary creature or planeswalker, called the commander. Preconstructed commander decks are designed for beginners, providing a ready-to-play experience out of the box.
Choosing the best commander deck for beginners can be overwhelming, as there are many options available. Factors to consider include the commander’s abilities, the deck’s strategy, and the player’s budget. Some popular preconstructed commander decks for beginners include:
- Commander 2023: Draconic Rage: This deck is designed for players who like big, powerful creatures. It’s led by the dragon commander Ziatora, the Incinerator, and focuses on casting large creatures and dealing damage to opponents.
- Commander 2023: Eligeth, Crossroads Augur: This deck is designed for players who like to control the game. It’s led by the centaur commander Eligeth, Crossroads Augur, and focuses on using cards that manipulate the top of the library and control the flow of the game.
- Commander 2023: Jhoira, Ageless Innovator: This deck is designed for players who like to combo off and win with big spells. It’s led by the artificer commander Jhoira, Ageless Innovator, and focuses on casting artifacts and using them to generate mana and draw cards.
Ultimately, the best commander deck for beginners is the one that the player enjoys playing the most. With so many great options available, there’s sure to be a deck that fits every player’s style.
Commander
In the world of Commander, choosing the right commander is crucial. It shapes your deck’s strategy, influences your gameplay, and ultimately determines your chances of victory. For beginners, selecting a commander that aligns with their preferences and skill level is essential.
- Strategic Alignment: The commander should complement your preferred playstyle. If you enjoy aggressive strategies, consider commanders that excel in dealing damage. Conversely, if you prefer controlling the game, opt for commanders with abilities that disrupt your opponents’ plans.
- Complexity: Beginners may want to start with commanders that have straightforward abilities. As they gain experience, they can gradually transition to more complex commanders that offer a wider range of strategic options.
- Synergy with Deck: The commander should synergize well with the rest of your deck. Its abilities should complement the cards you include, enhancing their effectiveness and creating a cohesive game plan.
- Personal Preference: Ultimately, the best commander for you is the one that you enjoy playing the most. Whether it’s a powerful creature, a cunning strategist, or a charismatic leader, choose a commander that resonates with you and makes the game more enjoyable.
By considering these factors, beginners can make informed decisions when choosing a commander for their “best commander decks for beginners.” Selecting the right commander will provide a solid foundation for building a successful deck and embarking on exciting and rewarding gameplay experiences.
1. Ziatora, the Incinerator (damage)
In the realm of Commander, Ziatora, the Incinerator emerges as a formidable force, particularly in decks tailored for beginners. As a damage-oriented commander, Ziatora excels in leading aggressive strategies that aim to overwhelm opponents with an onslaught of powerful creatures and burn spells. Her unique ability to grant haste to your creatures upon entering the battlefield makes her a potent threat right from the start of the game.
The synergy between Ziatora and damage-based strategies is undeniable. Her presence on the battlefield encourages players to prioritize creatures with high power and abilities that deal direct damage. Cards like Hellrider and Furnace of Rath become even more devastating under Ziatora’s command, allowing beginners to capitalize on their creatures’ offensive capabilities. Moreover, burn spells such as Lightning Bolt and Fireball gain added value, as they can be cast aggressively to reduce opponents’ life totals while simultaneously triggering Ziatora’s haste ability.
Ziatora’s suitability for beginners lies in her straightforward yet effective playstyle. Her ability is easy to understand and execute, allowing new players to focus on developing their overall gameplay skills. Additionally, the damage-oriented strategy is both intuitive and rewarding, providing beginners with a clear path to victory through aggressive tactics.
In conclusion, Ziatora, the Incinerator, stands as an excellent choice for beginners looking to build powerful and engaging Commander decks. Her damage-centric abilities, combined with her beginner-friendly playstyle, make her an ideal starting point for those eager to delve into the exciting format of Commander.
2. Eligeth, Crossroads Augur (control)
Eligeth, Crossroads Augur is a legendary centaur creature that excels in control-oriented strategies in the Commander format of Magic: The Gathering. Its abilities synergize well with decks that aim to disrupt opponents’ plans, protect their own resources, and gradually build up an advantage over time.
- Card Advantage and Selection: Eligeth’s primary ability allows you to draw a card whenever an opponent casts a noncreature spell. This provides a steady stream of card advantage, which is crucial in control decks that aim to outlast their opponents. Additionally, you can choose to exile the drawn card instead, which can be beneficial in certain situations, such as removing a key card from your opponent’s deck or setting up future plays.
- Mana Ramp and Control: Eligeth also has an activated ability that allows you to tap it to add one mana of any color to your mana pool. This mana can be used to cast your own spells or activate other abilities, giving you greater flexibility and control over your resources. The ability to generate mana of any color is particularly valuable in control decks, as it allows you to respond to a wide range of threats and play your spells on your own terms.
- Board Control: Eligeth’s third ability is a triggered ability that triggers whenever an opponent casts a creature spell. You can choose to have Eligeth deal 2 damage to that creature or have it gain 2 life. This ability gives you a way to deal with early threats, protect your own creatures, or gain life to stabilize your position. It also discourages your opponents from casting creature spells, which can be a major advantage in control decks.
- Versatility and Flexibility: Eligeth’s abilities are versatile and can be used in a variety of ways, depending on the situation. This makes it a valuable commander for beginners, as it allows them to adapt their strategy to the game state and their opponents’ decks. Whether you need to draw cards, generate mana, control the board, or gain life, Eligeth has an ability that can help you.
In conclusion, Eligeth, Crossroads Augur is an excellent choice for beginners looking to build a control-oriented Commander deck. Its abilities provide card advantage, mana ramp, board control, and versatility, making it a well-rounded commander that can adapt to a variety of playstyles and strategies.
3. Jhoira, Ageless Innovator (combo)
Jhoira, Ageless Innovator stands as a formidable commander for combo-oriented decks in the Commander format of Magic: The Gathering. Her abilities synergize exceptionally well with strategies that aim to assemble specific combinations of cards to win the game quickly and decisively.
One of Jhoira’s primary strengths is her ability to reduce the mana value of artifact cards in your hand. This ability makes it easier to cast powerful artifacts early in the game, which can give you a significant advantage over your opponents. Additionally, Jhoira can untap artifacts when they enter the battlefield, allowing you to activate their abilities multiple times in a single turn. This can be extremely powerful with artifacts that generate mana, draw cards, or produce other beneficial effects.
Jhoira’s abilities make her an ideal commander for combo decks that rely on artifacts to win the game. Some popular combos that can be used with Jhoira include:
- Paradox Engine + Sensei’s Divining Top: This combo allows you to draw your entire deck and cast all of your spells for free.
- Basalt Monolith + Rings of Brighthearth: This combo allows you to generate infinite mana, which can be used to cast powerful spells or activate abilities multiple times.
- Karn, the Great Creator + Mycosynth Lattice: This combo allows you to turn all of your opponents’ permanents into artifacts, which can then be sacrificed to Karn to deal massive damage.
These are just a few examples of the many combos that can be used with Jhoira, Ageless Innovator. With her powerful abilities and versatility, Jhoira is a great choice for beginners who are looking to build a combo-oriented Commander deck. However, it is important to note that combo decks can be complex and difficult to pilot, so it is important to do your research and practice before playing with Jhoira.
FAQs on Best Commander Decks for Beginners
This section addresses frequently asked questions about choosing and building the best Commander decks for beginners.
Question 1: What factors should beginners consider when choosing a Commander deck?
Beginners should consider the commander’s abilities, the deck’s strategy, and their budget when choosing a Commander deck. The commander’s abilities should align with the player’s preferred playstyle, and the deck’s strategy should be easy to understand and execute. The budget is also an important consideration, as Commander decks can range in price from $20 to $100 or more.
Question 2: What are some good beginner-friendly commanders?
Some good beginner-friendly commanders include:
- Ziatora, the Incinerator (damage)
- Eligeth, Crossroads Augur (control)
- Jhoira, Ageless Innovator (combo)
Question 3: What is the best strategy for beginners in Commander?
The best strategy for beginners in Commander is to focus on a single strategy and build a deck around it. Some popular beginner-friendly strategies include aggro (attacking with creatures), control (preventing opponents from playing the game), and combo (winning the game with a specific combination of cards).
Question 4: How can beginners improve their Commander gameplay?
Beginners can improve their Commander gameplay by practicing regularly, learning from experienced players, and watching online videos and tutorials.
Question 5: What are some common mistakes that beginners make when building Commander decks?
Some common mistakes that beginners make when building Commander decks include:
- Not focusing on a single strategy
- Including too many cards that don’t synergize with each other
- Not having enough mana ramp
- Not including enough interaction
Question 6: What are some tips for building a budget Commander deck?
Some tips for building a budget Commander deck include:
- Using budget-friendly cards
- Reprinting cards from older sets
- Buying singles instead of preconstructed decks
By following these tips, beginners can build a powerful and fun Commander deck without breaking the bank.
Tips for Building the Best Commander Decks for Beginners
Building a Commander deck can be a daunting task for beginners. However, by following a few simple tips, you can create a deck that is both powerful and fun to play.
Tip 1: Choose a commander that you enjoy playing. The commander is the most important card in your deck, so it’s important to choose one that you like and that fits your playstyle. Some good beginner-friendly commanders include Ziatora, the Incinerator (damage), Eligeth, Crossroads Augur (control), and Jhoira, Ageless Innovator (combo).
Tip 2: Focus on a single strategy. There are many different strategies that you can use in Commander, but it’s important to focus on a single strategy when building your deck. This will help you to make your deck more consistent and powerful.
Tip 3: Include enough mana ramp. Mana ramp is essential for any Commander deck, as it allows you to cast your spells on time. Some good mana ramp cards for beginners include Sol Ring, Arcane Signet, and Cultivate.
Tip 4: Include enough interaction. Interaction is important for any Commander deck, as it allows you to disrupt your opponents’ plans. Some good interaction cards for beginners include Counterspell, Swords to Plowshares, and Lightning Bolt.
Tip 5: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re struggling to build a Commander deck, don’t be afraid to ask for help from experienced players. There are many online communities and forums where you can get advice and feedback on your deck.
Summary of key takeaways or benefits: By following these tips, you can build a Commander deck that is both powerful and fun to play. Remember to choose a commander that you enjoy playing, focus on a single strategy, include enough mana ramp and interaction, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Transition to the article’s conclusion: With a little bit of effort, you can build a Commander deck that you’ll love to play. So what are you waiting for? Start building today!
Conclusion
Building the best Commander deck for beginners can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following the tips and advice in this article, you can create a deck that is both powerful and fun to play. Remember to choose a commander that you enjoy playing, focus on a single strategy, include enough mana ramp and interaction, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
With a little bit of effort, you can build a Commander deck that you’ll love to play. So what are you waiting for? Start building today!
