I just sold a complete set of beta duals, so I have a lot of money dedicated to commander now.
I was wondering what were in your opinions the best commanders for each color and combination and why?
I do not care about my friends hating me, sometimes that's the most fun.
I currently run Kaalia and love her, Trostani but don't care for her, and Daxos of Meledis, and love him!
Looking for any and all advice.
Personally, I prefer old Kozilek, though any mono-C deck with an Eldrazi at the helm will likely play similarly. Not really competitive-viable, though.
People will probably line up saying Gitrog, but I don't know if that deck is figured out yet. I think any Necrotic Ooze deck is a good choice in G/B. Meren is nice but I prefer Jarad.
New Ezuri can be a pretty decent combo deck. I might vote for Edric, Spymaster of Trest, though. I know a few users here that have terrifying Edric lists.
The last batch is again pretty up in the air. I do think Aurelia is the strongest option in Boros - she's relatively cheap for her effect (cheaper than Gisela who, while very abusable, has less immediate impact) and it's a very strong effect, really. I think Karlov is probably correct as BW as he can get some really fast Commander damage kills outside of playing like a control deck, though I don't think BW is a very strong competitive color combination. I think GW is stronger with Saffi Eriksdotter for some 'lark combo options. Maybe Captain Sisay, but that may just be my nostalgia speaking - I don't think that deck has stayed particularly strong.
I would put UB with Oona, Queen of the Fae for infinite mana combo options, but that's another deck that falls into the "used to be very very strong, then we got a few years of amazing Commander products" category.
For the most part I agree, and without much thought either, as the strong tri-color Commanders really stand out from the rest. I would argue that Karador, Ghost Chieftain is stronger than Ghave, since Boonweaver Giant combo became a thing, and that Grixis Storm with Jeleva is probably stronger than a Marchesa deck.
I think the only 5C decks I hear about are some version of Waste Not or Hermit Druid, where the Commander adds almost nothing. Do Hermit Druids still pay Scion, and is there room in the deck for the back-up win? I don't think I've seen people talk seriously about Hermit in ages.
Also, inb4 thread devolves into "My pet deck is best deck"
Good input. Especially about the "weak" colors and combinations.
Since mono decks will always be limited to their characteristics it's no wonder W can't compete. Some fast weenie/token commander propably could make up for the lacking CA. But since even Brimaz, King of Oreskos is too slow, i dunno. Maybe something like Geist of Saint Traft that goes wide with 1/1 spirits instead or something.
GR, UR, BR, RW, GW, WB, UB, ... so many overlooked color combinations that could use some fresh commanders. BR is such a cool flavorful thing, yet there isn't a convincing commander.
With typical 5C decks in mind i wonder what the 4C decks will bring. Unless they are well defined they could be very much alike and good stuff again. Would be a waste of a whole release.
as someone who has seen it a lot over the years. don't just pick whats "best". you'll burn out quickly and say the format is broken. people won't want to play against you after awhile because the deck is too strong too.
anyway, go through a list of commanders and pick out the ones that interest you mechanically, then build around them. don't worry about if they're competitive or not. you can make any of them competitive really with a little time and effort. what you want to do is build something you'll actually enjoy, the rest falls into place.
a big part of "competitiveness" is also going to be your group. what trounces at one shop might not at another.
for instance; i have a zegana build that does really well locally, but gets beaten just as much. they know what to expect and how to deal with it. if i take that same deck and i travel even 30 minutes away? total dominance. unhindered turn 3 wins.
Can probably be anything, I have no idea what a strong mono-white deck would be. I might try Hokori, Dust Drinker, myself.
Hokori is pure evil incarnate and I'd agree probably the best mono white general as he plays to whites greatest strengths, i.e. playing efficient creatures and slowing your opponents ability to keep pace. Just know that you will be hated even though you are probably playing the most fair deck at the table.
BR is such a cool flavorful thing, yet there isn't a convincing commander.
Given that BR is the home to Grenzo, I dare refute that claim. Grenzo can very easily play around heavy control shells and keep up the pace with other combo decks while throwing out enough ground troops to hold back the occasional aggro deck as well. Grenzo is not the very best pick in EDH or anything, but he's certainly a contender for high-tier generals, and indeed Rakdos's only real representative.
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My Commander decks:
Chandra, Torch of Defiance - Oops! All Chandras.
Prime Speaker Zegana - Draw for Power.
Pir & Toothy - Counterpalooza.
Arcades, the Strategist - Another Brick in the Wall.
Zacama, Primal Calamity - Calamity of Double Mana.
Edgar Markov - Vampires Don't Die.
Child of Alara - Dreamcrusher.
On mono-red, how is Purphoros, God of the Forge more competitive than Krenko, Mob Boss? I've played both, and it feels as if Krenko gold-fishes much more quickly, and consistently.
Purphoros can win out of nowhere and through fair amounts of hate, while Krenko has a very hard time doing so because it needs to build up a board presence with the most easily-removed creature type. That's the only reason I can think of, anyway.
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I was wondering what were in your opinions the best commanders for each color and combination and why?
I do not care about my friends hating me, sometimes that's the most fun.
I currently run Kaalia and love her, Trostani but don't care for her, and Daxos of Meledis, and love him!
Looking for any and all advice.
Mono
B - Mikaeus, the Unhallowed
R - Purphoros, God of the Forge
U - Arcum Dagsson
G - Yisan, the Wanderer Bard
W - Eight-and-a-Half-Tails
0 - Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger
Dual
WU - Brago, King Eternal
BG - Meren of Clan Nel Toth
GR - Wort, the Raidmother
GU - Ezuri, Claw of Progress
UR - Mizzix of the Izmagnus
BR - Grenzo, Dungeon Warden
WB - Karlov of the Ghost Council
RW - Aurelia, the Warleader
GW - Gaddock Teeg
UB - Phenax, God of Deception
Multi
BRG - Prossh, Skyraider of Kher
WUB - Zur the Enchanter
URW - Narset, Enlightened Master
URG - Animar, Soul of Elements
UBR - Marchesa, the Black Rose
GWU - Derevi, Empyrial Tactician
WBR - Kaalia of the Vast
BGW - Ghave, Guru of Spores
BGU - Tasigur, the Golden Fang
RGW - Marath, Will of the Wild
5C
WUBRG - Progenitus
G Azusa, Lost but Seeking
WUB Sharuum the Hegemon
Phenax - Mill
Breya - Combo
Sidisi, Brood Tyrant - Token
Oloros - Combo
Jeleva - eh...working on it
Yidris - Soft Combo
I think Ad Nauseam with Sidisi, Undead Vizier is the strongest mono-black deck.
Agree entirely.
Can probably be anything, I have no idea what a strong mono-white deck would be. I might try Hokori, Dust Drinker, myself.
Personally, I prefer old Kozilek, though any mono-C deck with an Eldrazi at the helm will likely play similarly. Not really competitive-viable, though.
Agree. GAAIV makes a strong stax commander as well.
People will probably line up saying Gitrog, but I don't know if that deck is figured out yet. I think any Necrotic Ooze deck is a good choice in G/B. Meren is nice but I prefer Jarad.
GR doesn't benefit from any OP Commanders, so this one is also pretty debatable - my own choice would be Omnath, Locus of Rage.
New Ezuri can be a pretty decent combo deck. I might vote for Edric, Spymaster of Trest, though. I know a few users here that have terrifying Edric lists.
Probably, although UR storm isn't super tied down to one Commander. Can't count out Jhoira of the Ghitu either, though it's a different deck.
BR is another combo without obviously broken Commanders, however I do think that Grenzo is the best of the bunch for his interaction with Doomsday.
The last batch is again pretty up in the air. I do think Aurelia is the strongest option in Boros - she's relatively cheap for her effect (cheaper than Gisela who, while very abusable, has less immediate impact) and it's a very strong effect, really. I think Karlov is probably correct as BW as he can get some really fast Commander damage kills outside of playing like a control deck, though I don't think BW is a very strong competitive color combination. I think GW is stronger with Saffi Eriksdotter for some 'lark combo options. Maybe Captain Sisay, but that may just be my nostalgia speaking - I don't think that deck has stayed particularly strong.
I would put UB with Oona, Queen of the Fae for infinite mana combo options, but that's another deck that falls into the "used to be very very strong, then we got a few years of amazing Commander products" category.
For the most part I agree, and without much thought either, as the strong tri-color Commanders really stand out from the rest. I would argue that Karador, Ghost Chieftain is stronger than Ghave, since Boonweaver Giant combo became a thing, and that Grixis Storm with Jeleva is probably stronger than a Marchesa deck.
I think the only 5C decks I hear about are some version of Waste Not or Hermit Druid, where the Commander adds almost nothing. Do Hermit Druids still pay Scion, and is there room in the deck for the back-up win? I don't think I've seen people talk seriously about Hermit in ages.
Also, inb4 thread devolves into "My pet deck is best deck"
Draft my Peasant Cube.
Modern: URW Madcap Experiment
Pauper: MonoU Tempo Delver
My EDH Commanders:
Aminatou, The Fateshifter UBW
Azami, Lady of Scrolls U
Mikaeus, the Unhallowed B
Edric, Spymaster of Trest UG
Glissa, the Traitor BG
Arcum Dagsson U
Since mono decks will always be limited to their characteristics it's no wonder W can't compete. Some fast weenie/token commander propably could make up for the lacking CA. But since even Brimaz, King of Oreskos is too slow, i dunno. Maybe something like Geist of Saint Traft that goes wide with 1/1 spirits instead or something.
GR, UR, BR, RW, GW, WB, UB, ... so many overlooked color combinations that could use some fresh commanders. BR is such a cool flavorful thing, yet there isn't a convincing commander.
With typical 5C decks in mind i wonder what the 4C decks will bring. Unless they are well defined they could be very much alike and good stuff again. Would be a waste of a whole release.
anyway, go through a list of commanders and pick out the ones that interest you mechanically, then build around them. don't worry about if they're competitive or not. you can make any of them competitive really with a little time and effort. what you want to do is build something you'll actually enjoy, the rest falls into place.
a big part of "competitiveness" is also going to be your group. what trounces at one shop might not at another.
for instance; i have a zegana build that does really well locally, but gets beaten just as much. they know what to expect and how to deal with it. if i take that same deck and i travel even 30 minutes away? total dominance. unhindered turn 3 wins.
Hokori is pure evil incarnate and I'd agree probably the best mono white general as he plays to whites greatest strengths, i.e. playing efficient creatures and slowing your opponents ability to keep pace. Just know that you will be hated even though you are probably playing the most fair deck at the table.
In search of a foil french Dromar, the Banisher, pm me if you have one you want to part with, also foil Stratadon's.
Given that BR is the home to Grenzo, I dare refute that claim. Grenzo can very easily play around heavy control shells and keep up the pace with other combo decks while throwing out enough ground troops to hold back the occasional aggro deck as well. Grenzo is not the very best pick in EDH or anything, but he's certainly a contender for high-tier generals, and indeed Rakdos's only real representative.
Chandra, Torch of Defiance - Oops! All Chandras.
Prime Speaker Zegana - Draw for Power.
Pir & Toothy - Counterpalooza.
Arcades, the Strategist - Another Brick in the Wall.
Zacama, Primal Calamity - Calamity of Double Mana.
Edgar Markov - Vampires Don't Die.
Child of Alara - Dreamcrusher.
Sig and Avatar drawn by me.