Wizards has said they are leaving it up to the mtgcommander folks to dictate their own ban list. They are not balancing releases with EDH in mind, even though they throw some winks and nods here and there. Unless we want Wizards to sanction the format and dictate the ban list, we are going to have to accept that logic. I will give the response that I give to every single person who complains about a "meta" in any game:
If you don't like something, don't play with it. If you don't like playing against something, don't play players using that. If your whole group feels the same way, make house rules. If the presence of something means you can no longer enjoy the hobby, stop playing.
I would say that you should try and do a bi-colored commander; more options than mono, but not as complex as tri-colored. In addition to what other people have already mentioned:
Saffi Eriksdotter - She makes everything better by sacrificing herself in their place Savra, Queen of the Golgari - She seems like a good "field commander" Teysa, Orzhov Scion - Could build a strong token theme around her Vhati il-Dal - Will really make opponents think hard about how to block when he's backing up her creatures
The biggest difference I have between multi and duels is removal. In multi, it is usually board wipes/sweeps, and the mana curve tends to run a lot higher. In duels, I prefer more efficient spot removal. Cards like Cyclonic Rift are great in that they do both.
I had recently made the decision to purchase Umezawa's Jitte, Sword of War and Peace and Sword of Feast and Famine for a Voltron deck I was building. I ended up scrapping the deck as it wasn't really working well, and didn't fit my playstyle. Now that I have them, I want to use them though, and I'm trying to decide which of my other decks they're a good "fit" for.
Crosis, the Purger (Discard, Specter-theme) - F&F might be good in this one, as it accentuates the discard theme. It also allows me to leave some mana open for removal spells.
Prime Speaker Zegana (Combo) - this deck has the most number of small utility creatures like Wood Elves and Coiling Oracle, and the greatest number of creatures period among my decks. I would for sure have a lot of targets. Because of her ability, I often have a full hand for W&P. This deck however is my most fine tuned, I can't even fathom what I would drop for it.
Emmara Tandris (Selesnya) looks a lot like Galadriel, so I'm excited to see what she will do. I am looking forward to the Izzet and Simic ones, because those colors only have about two appealing generals each (Niv-Mizzet and Jhoira, Edric and Zegana).
If you don't like something, don't play with it. If you don't like playing against something, don't play players using that. If your whole group feels the same way, make house rules. If the presence of something means you can no longer enjoy the hobby, stop playing.
Saffi Eriksdotter - She makes everything better by sacrificing herself in their place
Savra, Queen of the Golgari - She seems like a good "field commander"
Teysa, Orzhov Scion - Could build a strong token theme around her
Vhati il-Dal - Will really make opponents think hard about how to block when he's backing up her creatures
Crosis, the Purger (Discard, Specter-theme) - F&F might be good in this one, as it accentuates the discard theme. It also allows me to leave some mana open for removal spells.
Prime Speaker Zegana (Combo) - this deck has the most number of small utility creatures like Wood Elves and Coiling Oracle, and the greatest number of creatures period among my decks. I would for sure have a lot of targets. Because of her ability, I often have a full hand for W&P. This deck however is my most fine tuned, I can't even fathom what I would drop for it.
Karador, Ghost Chieftain (Reanimator) - Jitte could serve as another "sac" outlet, allowing you to replay Eternal Witness or Karmic Guide
Trostani, Selesnya's Voice (Tokens)- Again, any of these cards make any token better. Untapped land from F&F can result in more Sacred Mesa tokens, too. The life gain from W&P helps with Storm Herd and Ajani, Caller of the Pride.
What kind of decks do you find yourself running these cards? Creature heavy or light? Where it complements the theme, or gives you brand new effects?
Personally, I hate Maelstrom Wanderer. Cascade into a cascade into a cascade.....