MTG Salvation

I want to build a deck for the soul purpose to introduce people to this format, Something I can loan to people that covers all the fun interactions that are to be had.

I do not want to just buy a precon and be done with it. I want something that is somewhat competitive and most people could run without much needed experience.

I have a ton of extra staples and lands, so It's a good start already.

Ideas for commanders or colors/staple cards to add?

I think almost any of the more mainstream commanders is suitable, certainly almost all the precon commanders. I would go for a straightforward deck strategy, so something more combat oriented instead of a super complex combo deck that needs a lot of knowledge of the various card interactions in order to be piloted to success. When I lend decks to people who play the format for the first time, I usually give them my Gahiji or Karametra builds. Both are creature and combat focused and are pretty straightforward in what they want to do. I would also build a deck that, while being able to hold its own, is not aiming to be archenemy - or is likely to be perceived as archenemy. So probably none of the more infamous/hated commanders, and not something like a stax/lockdown strategy. Of course it also depends a bit on the skill of the players you want to introduce. If they are very skilled and have a strong preference for e.g. control decks, they might be very happy with a control EDH deck. If they are rather new to the game in general, a very reactive deck might be too complex and overwhelming. It is probably difficult to build a deck that fits all possible player types, but I would err on the side of less complexity and rather make sure to include plenty of haymaker cards with a big immediate impact on the board, so that the deck will help to showcase some of the unique perks of the format.

Pick any UG(x) commander and just build a goodstuff deck. They're easy to pilot and it's fun to ramp way ahead and drop big ol' value creatures. Prime Speaker Zegana or Damia, Sage of Stone are the kind of commanders I have in mind.

A friend at my LGS has a loaner Xenagos, God of Revels deck that is pretty linear and not very expensive. I'd definitely give them your typical Gruul beatsticks, some ramp, and some burn. Craterhoof Behemoth, Explosive Vegetation, Comet Storm, those types of cards.

I'm gonna have to agree with everyone else and say start them with something linear while they play a few games and learn the format. I'd like to suggest aggro Sram, though the random auras it needs aren't usually just lying around for most people. But, it is an efficient deck, it's not expensive to build, it's easy to play, it helps keep the newbie's hand full of cards, and it can even pull off a win.

I'll cast a vote for Omnath, Locus of Rage. Simple mechanics, aggressive playstyle and usually does its thing on his own turn. Plus, all you need to build it are some bulk ramp spells and pseudo fetches and you're already good to go.

That being said, anything that largely revolves around stack interactions, e.g. Counterspells, usually requires knowledge of the opposing decks and solid threat assessment. For that reason i'd exclude U for any beginners decks. Let them get a grip of the game and format before moving on.

Seconding the G/U choice. It gives you access to removal, card advantage, and ramp. Just make sure your theme is clear and limit the tutors since an unfamiliar pilot won't know the special interactions in the deck.

I personally build a Rubinia deck for my wife (link here) that serves this purpose. Nothing too fancy, no obscure keywords, straight forward way to pilot it, with a hint of discovery.once you've played it a bit. Plus room to improve the deck down the line.

Tatyova, Benthic Druid could also be a suitable commander.

I'd pick Xenagos, God of Revels or Omnath, Locus of Rage. Simple, linear, beneficial for following the standard rules of MtG. Easy to play and reasonably successful.

I'd maybe think about Kresh the Bloodbraided or Thraximundar too. They're both a ton of fun. Albeit casual, and require some building around, but they both give a good reckoning of themselves and benefit from the big splashy plays that EDH is known for. So they're a good way to illustrate the difference of scale in EDH.

I'm sorry after re-reading the thread I'm a little unclear. Is this deck going to be made for true beginners that have very little M:tG experience? Or is it made for people that understand the basic rules of the game but have never tried EDH before?

I had the consideration to make a The Gitrog Monster deck that is possible to lend out. Especially now that is more Splendid Reclamation effects that put all lands back into play.

Nothing too fancy, ramp (Harrow), some cycling lands and lands that can sacrifice themselves (Evolving Wilds), cards that get back lands from grave(The Mending of Dominaria), some commander protection and stuff that cares about lands Multani, Yavimaya's Avatar, Blackblade Reforged, Sylvan Awakening.

Also that person would need a bit help to remember the upkeep triggers when the frog is out (sac a land, draw a card from that), but that is easily done.

I'd second R/G aggro.
Led by Atarka, World Render, the game plan is pretty simple: attack with dragons.
Green for ramp and red for more damage (e.g. extra combat phase, double strike, haste, etc.).
There is also good removal in both colours.

Newcomers tend to love dragons.

My personal loaner deck is my extreme budget Karametra, God of Harvests. It costs less than $40, is explosive, and has enough challenging interactions to help people grasp how Commander can work without being too overwhelming. It's probably a little more complicated than straight-up Gx ramp, but I've found that a lot of newer players actually like to be challenged.

Whatever you build, do not include many tutors. In decks I have lent, people have never tutored properly.

Quote from Dunharrow »

Whatever you build, do not include many tutors. In decks I have lent, people have never tutored properly.

I was going to write EXACTLY what Dunharrow above wrote. NO TUTORS. AT ALL.
players, both new and experienced will just browse through the deck for an eternity.

That being said, basic land tutors are fine. i'd even shy away from non-basic tutors, unless the deck only has a handfull of non-basics.

Another thing, i've found that the most popular loaner decks i have are the ones where there is possibilities for trick-plays. as in synergy-heavy, as long as you can see it sort of decks. Also, a nice sprinkling of cards that LOOK very powerful. weirdly enough, when i loan out my rakdos the defiler deck, even experienced players never pull the trigger to do anything awesome. they just hoard cards and say stuff like "but everything is so awesome! i don't wanna discard anything". that's why a good loaner deck should have a light sprinkling of awesome-ness - it makes them feel even more special than they'd normally.

limit it to 2 colours lest colour-screw be a thing, lower the CMC average to like 3 or 4, top off at 6 or 7, add in a good amount of spot removal for everything, have a general with max CMC 5, and base the deck's strategy around it.

It needs to be cheap, easy to play and have a few good Dumb easy to spot interactions. As above I would suggest basic land tutors only and some powerful effects. Omnath, Locus of Rage seems perfect and you can jam in things like Greater Good to help towards getting gas. Atarka, World Render seems similarly straightforward enough for anyone to grasp whilst having some actual power behind it. I would also put in a couple of G/W commanders in Shalai, Voice of Plenty and Trostani, Selesnya's Voice as being swarmy decks with access to good removal and they Feel powerful.