In the annals of gaming history, Magic: The Gathering stands as a towering titan, a strategic masterpiece that has captivated millions worldwide. With its intricate gameplay, vast card pool, and ever-evolving metagame, Magic offers an unparalleled experience that tests the limits of ingenuity and skill. Among the countless battles waged on the tabletop, a select few generals have emerged as legends, their names forever etched in the lore of the game.
From the indomitable warrior Aurelia, the Warleader to the enigmatic planeswalker Elspeth, Sun’s Champion, these generals possess unique abilities and synergies that elevate them above the rest. They command vast armies, cast devastating spells, and inspire their followers to victory. In the annals of Magic: The Gathering lore, these generals have led countless armies to triumph, their exploits forever sung by bards and chronicled in history books.
But who among them reigns supreme? Which general possesses the most cunning, the most powerful abilities, and the most unwavering determination? As the battle rages on, the debate over the greatest general of Magic: The Gathering continues, each contender vying for the crown. In this article, we delve into the strategies, strengths, and weaknesses of these legendary commanders, seeking to determine who ultimately deserves the title of “The Best General in Magic: The Gathering.”
The Legendary Legends
Urza, Lord High Artificer
Urza, the original planeswalker and one of the most powerful beings in the Magic: The Gathering multiverse, is well-known to Magic players. Urza’s inventions have had a profound impact on Dominaria, the world where most of Magic’s stories take place, and he has played a key role in many of the game’s most important events.
Urza is a brilliant artificer and a master of artifice. He has created many powerful artifacts, including the Weatherlight, a skyship that has played a key role in many of Magic’s stories. Urza is also a skilled swordsman and a powerful wizard. Urza has been both a force for good and evil, but there is no doubt that he is one of the most important and influential figures in Magic: The Gathering.
Pros:
- Powerful and versatile commander
- Can generate a lot of mana
- Can draw a lot of cards
- Can win the game in a variety of ways
Cons:
- Expensive to cast
- Can be difficult to protect
- Can be vulnerable to removal
- Can be slow to get going
| Format | Commander |
| Colors | Blue, white |
| Mana cost | 6 |
| Type | Legendary Planeswalker — Urza |
| Loyalty | 6 |
| Abilities |
|
Dominant Defenders
Defenders are an archetype in Magic: The Gathering that focuses on preventing damage to their player or creatures. Typically, these decks will play a role of control, using removal spells and counterspells to disrupt the opponent’s strategy. Additionally, they’ll play creatures with abilities that either buff other creatures’ defense, redirect damage, or prevent damage altogether.
One key piece of tech for this archetype is Fog effects. These often-cheap instant spells will prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to you this turn. This can be a massive swing in tempo, as it forces your opponent to commit more resources into attacking.
Another common strategy for defender decks is to use creatures with high toughness. These creatures will be difficult to kill, and can often hold off entire armies by themselves.
Finally, defender decks will often play cards that reward them for not attacking. This can be in the form of card draw, mana acceleration, or even life gain. By simply sitting back and blocking, these decks can quickly outpace their opponents in resources.
Some of the best generals for defender decks include:
| General | Abilities |
|---|---|
| Oloro, Ageless Ascetic | Lets you draw cards when you gain life, and can prevent damage to you. |
| Brago, King Eternal | Lets you flicker your creatures, which can reset their enter-the-battlefield abilities or save them from removal. |
| Grand Arbiter Augustin IV | Makes your creatures cheaper to cast, and can tap down all of your opponents’ creatures. |
| Darien, King of Kjeldor | Makes all of your creatures into soldiers, and gives them +1/+1 for each other soldier you control. |
| Sigarda, Host of Herons | Makes all of your creatures hexproof, and prevents your opponents from casting creature spells. |
| Tuvasa the Sunlit | Makes all of your creatures into enchantments, and gives them a boost in power and toughness. |
Aggro Architects
Agro generals seek to overwhelm opponents with a rapid offensive. They deploy hordes of aggressive creatures, utilizing combat tricks and cheap spells to deal overwhelming damage. Here are some of the most notable Aggro Architects in MTG:
1. Feather, the Redeemed
Feather’s abilities reward casting noncreature spells, turning even the smallest instants and sorceries into aggressive threats with her signature ability that creates a 1/1 flyer when you cast a noncreature spell. Her prowess ability also boosts her power, making her a formidable late-game threat.
2. Aurelia, the Warleader
Aurelia’s anthem effect boosts your entire army, granting them all haste. This allows them to attack immediately upon entering the battlefield, unleashing a devastating wave of damage. Additionally, her vigilance ability ensures she’ll be ready to defend against counterattacks.
3. Edgar Markov
Edgar Markov is the progenitor of vampires, creating an army of vampire tokens as you cast noncreature spells. These tokens provide both offensive and defensive advantages, allowing you to overwhelm opponents with sheer numbers. His flying ability also gives him an advantage in combat.
4. Akiri, Line-Slinger
Akiri’s prowess ability makes her a formidable attacker, and her bestow ability allows you to enhance other creatures with her stats. You can use this to create a massive army of aggressive beasts, each one capable of dealing significant damage.
5. Purphoros, God of the Forge
Purphoros’ devotion ability allows you to deal damage to opponents whenever you cast a creature spell. This can quickly add up, especially if you’re casting multiple creatures each turn. His haste ability also ensures your creatures can attack immediately, maximizing their damage output.
6. Adeline, Resplendent Cathar
Adeline’s ability to create 1/1 human tokens whenever you attack makes her an incredibly potent aggro commander. The tokens are also humans, which can trigger other abilities in your deck, such as those granted by Thalia, Guardian of Thraben.
7. Zurgo Helmsmasher
Zurgo is a relentless attacker with his prowess ability, fearsome prowess that makes him a difficult blocker, and his trample ability ensures that his damage will get through. Additionally, his mentor ability can boost the power and toughness of other creatures, further enhancing your aggro strategy.
The Best Generals in Magic: The Gathering
When it comes to Magic: The Gathering, there is no shortage of great generals to choose from. However, some generals are simply better than others. These generals are the ones that can lead your army to victory time and time again. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best generals in Magic: The Gathering.
Aetherling
Aetherling is a powerful and versatile general that can be used in a variety of decks. His ability to fly and regenerate makes him difficult to deal with, and he can quickly overwhelm your opponents with his high power and toughness. Aetherling is a great choice for players who are looking for a general that can win games quickly and easily.
Grand Arbiter Augustin IV
Grand Arbiter Augustin IV is a powerful control general that can shut down your opponents’ strategies. His ability to prevent your opponents from casting spells of a certain type can be devastating, and he can quickly take control of the game. Grand Arbiter Augustin IV is a great choice for players who are looking for a general that can control the flow of the game.
Aurelia, the Warleader
Aurelia, the Warleader is a powerful aggro general that can quickly overwhelm your opponents with her army of creatures. Her ability to give your creatures haste and double strike makes her a force to be reckoned with, and she can quickly end the game if she is not dealt with quickly. Aurelia, the Warleader is a great choice for players who are looking for a general that can win games quickly and aggressively.
People Also Ask
Who is the best general in Magic: The Gathering?
The best general in Magic: The Gathering is a matter of opinion, but some of the most popular and powerful generals include Aetherling, Grand Arbiter Augustin IV, and Aurelia, the Warleader.
What are the best decks for each general?
The best decks for each general will vary depending on the general’s abilities and the cards that are available to you. However, some general tips for building a deck for a particular general include:
- Consider the general’s abilities and how they can be used to your advantage.
- Choose cards that synergize with the general’s abilities.
- Build a deck that has a clear win condition.
