In the vast and ever-evolving tapestry of Magic: the Gathering, countless commanders have emerged, each vying for dominance and shaping the destiny of countless battles. However, amidst this plethora of options, a select few have ascended to the summit, renowned for their unparalleled power and indomitable spirits. These are the Commanders of Legend, the beacons of hope and the harbingers of despair on the battlefield.
Among these legendary figures stands Atraxa, Praetors’ Voice, a formidable force of swift might and unparalleled versatility. As the leader of the Phyrexian Praetors, Atraxa commands a vast array of abilities, granting her access to a myriad of strategies and playstyles. Her infect counters swiftly wither away opposing creatures, while her proliferate mechanic fuels her growth and bolsters her presence on the battlefield. With each passing turn, Atraxa harnesses the strengths of her diverse abilities, becoming an unstoppable juggernaut that crushes all who dare to stand in her path.
Another commander who has etched their name into the annals of Magic’s history is Omnath, Locus of Rage. This indomitable elemental force embodies the untamed fury of nature, raining destruction upon his enemies with every step. Omnath’s unparalleled connection to the land grants him an immense repertoire of abilities, allowing him to unleash devastating firestorms, summon towering elementals, and manipulate the very fabric of the battlefield. As the embodiment of primal power, Omnath inspires his followers to conquer their fears and embrace the chaotic might of the wild.
Legendary Creatures Unleashed
1. Atraxa Praetors’ Voice
Atraxa is a formidable commander that combines the power of infect, proliferate, and superfriends. Her activated ability can spread -1/-1 counters and infect counters to opposing creatures, effectively weakening them and dealing quick damage. She also grants planeswalkers +1/+1 counters, making them more resilient and powerful. With her proliferate ability, Atraxa can maximize the value of cards like Contagion Clasp and Doubling Season, further boosting the power of her infect or superfriends strategy. Add to this her strong stats, toughness, and vigilance, and Atraxa stands as one of the most versatile and potent commanders in Magic: the Gathering.
Here’s a sample table highlighting Atraxa’s key attributes:
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Activated Ability | Spread -1/-1 and infect counters |
| Planeswalker Support | Grants +1/+1 counters to planeswalkers |
| Proliferate | Increases value of infect and superfriends cards |
| Stats | 7/7 with vigilance |
Planeswalkers at the Helm
Planeswalkers are powerful beings who can travel between planes and are some of the most powerful beings in the Multiverse. As commanders, they offer unique abilities and strategies that can be used to great effect. Here are some of the best Planeswalkers to consider for your commander deck:
Ajani Goldmane
Ajani is a versatile Planeswalker who can support a wide range of strategies. His +1 ability creates a 2/2 cat creature token, which can quickly build an army on the battlefield. His -3 ability gives all creatures you control +2/+2 and lifelink, making them difficult to defeat in combat. Finally, his ultimate ability can win you the game on the spot, especially if you have a large number of creatures on the battlefield.
Elspeth, Sun’s Champion
Elspeth is an aggressive Planeswalker who can quickly overwhelm your opponents. Her +1 ability creates a 1/1 Soldier creature token, which can quickly build an army on the battlefield. Her -3 ability gives all creatures you control +1/+1 and indestructible, making them extremely difficult to defeat. Finally, her ultimate ability allows you to search your library for any number of creature cards and put them onto the battlefield, which can quickly end the game in your favor.
Chandra, Torch of Defiance
Chandra is a powerful Planeswalker who can deal devastating damage to your opponents. Her +1 ability deals 2 damage to any target, which can quickly whittle down your opponents’ life totals. Her -3 ability deals 4 damage to any target and draws you a card, which can help you keep your hand full of cards and keep the pressure on your opponents. Finally, her ultimate ability deals 6 damage to any target and all other creatures, which can quickly end the game in your favor.
| Planeswalker | Abilities |
|---|---|
| Ajani Goldmane | +1: Create a 2/2 cat creature token. -3: Give all creatures you control +2/+2 and lifelink. -7: You get an emblem with “Creatures you control get +1/+1 and have vigilance.” |
| Elspeth, Sun’s Champion | +1: Create a 1/1 Soldier creature token. -3: Give all creatures you control +1/+1 and indestructible. -7: Search your library for any number of creature cards and put them onto the battlefield. |
| Chandra, Torch of Defiance | +1: Chandra deals 2 damage to any target. -3: Chandra deals 4 damage to any target and draws a card. -7: Chandra deals 6 damage to any target and all other creatures. |
Budget-Friendly Magic: Affordable Commanders
For budget-minded players, Magic: The Gathering offers an array of affordable commanders that can lead to formidable decks without breaking the bank. Here are some of the most budget-friendly options:
Monocommander
Monocolored commanders limit deck-building to a single color, reducing the cost of mana bases and allowing for more focused strategies. [[Yuriko, the Tiger’s Shadow]] (2BB) is a budget-friendly mono-black commander that rewards discarding and unleashing ninjas for explosive attacks.
Dualmander
Dualcolored commanders allow for more color combinations and deck-building flexibility. [[Emmara, Soul of the Accord]] (GW) is an excellent mono-white choice, buffing tokens and granting vigilance for powerful board presence. [[Veyran, Voice of Duality]] (UR) is a great mono-blue choice, doubling the value of spells and creating a storm of cards and tokens.
Triommander
Tricolored commanders offer even more color combinations and synergistic options. [[Queen Marchesa, Long May She Reign]] (WB) is a budget-friendly tri-colored commander that rewards attacking and controlling the board. Her ability to create creature tokens and prevent opponents from casting spells can quickly overwhelm opponents.
Table: Budget-Friendly Triommander Options
| Commander | Colors | Mana Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Queen Marchesa, Long May She Reign | White/Black/Red | WB |
| Xyris, the Writhing Storm | Green/Blue/Black | GUB |
| Tymna the Weaver & Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa | White/Black/Green | WBG |
Breaking the Mold: Unique and Unconventional Commanders
Gishath, Sun’s Avatar
A legendary Dinosaur commander that wards lethal damage once per turn. This resilience, combined with its high power and access to dinosaur support cards, makes Gishath a force to be reckoned with.
Henzie “Toolbox” Torre
A Human Artificer that allows you to tutor for artifacts and creatures from your deck. Henzie’s ability to find the right tool for any situation makes it an incredibly versatile commander in artifact-based or equipment-heavy strategies.
Yarok, the Desecrated
A Merfolk Shaman that doubles the number of creatures with ETB (enters the battlefield) triggers you control. Yarok can create explosive board states by repeatedly triggering valuable effects, making it a potent commander for decks focused on creature synergies.
Korvold, Fae-Cursed King
A Demon commander that rewards you with treasure tokens whenever your creatures die. Korvold’s ability to generate mana and cards advantage makes it an exceptional choice for Aristocrats-based strategies, where sacrificing creatures for value is a key component.
Xyris, the Writhing Storm
A Serpent creature that deals damage to opponents whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell. Xyris rewards spell-heavy decks and can quickly overwhelm opponents with a barrage of burn damage.
Grist, the Hunger Tide
A planeswalker commander that creates 1/1 Insect tokens when you sacrifice creatures. Grist’s versatile abilities allow for aggressive strategies, board control, and card advantage, making it a formidable commander in both creature-based and control builds.
Lathril, Blade of Elves
An Elf Warrior that boosts the power of other Elves you control based on the number of Elves you have. Lathril’s ability to create an overwhelming army of Elves quickly makes it a formidable presence on the battlefield.
Magic the Gathering: Best Commanders
In the vast world of Magic: the Gathering, the choice of a commander can make or break your game. With countless legendary creatures to choose from, selecting the best one for your deck can be a daunting task.
To help you navigate this complex decision, here are some factors to consider:
- Type of deck: Determine the overall strategy and theme of your deck. Do you want to focus on creatures, spells, or a combination of both?
- Mana cost: Commanders have varying mana costs, which can impact the timing and efficiency of your strategy.
- Card advantage: Commanders that generate card advantage can give your deck a significant boost in longevity and resilience.
- Synergy with your deck: The commander should synergize well with the rest of your deck, enhancing its overall performance.
Based on these criteria, here are some of the most highly regarded commanders in Magic: the Gathering:
- Chulane, Teller of Tales: This powerful commander produces tokens, draws cards, and provides a mana advantage, making it a versatile leader for creature-based decks.
- Heliod, Sun-Crowned: Heliod excels in decks with devotion to white, boosting creatures and granting them lifelink.
- Krenko, Mob Boss: With its low mana cost and ability to produce Goblin tokens, Krenko is a formidable commander for aggressive swarm decks.
- Atraxa, Praetors’ Voice: As a planeswalker commander, Atraxa offers a unique blend of abilities, including counterspells, removal, and life gain, making it suitable for versatile control decks.
- Tergrid, God of Fright: Tergrid punishes your opponents for discarding cards, generating value and disruption in decks focused on graveyard strategies.
People Also Ask
Who is the strongest commander in Magic: the Gathering?
The strongest commander can vary depending on the deck and playstyle, but some of the most powerful options include Chulane, Teller of Tales, Atraxa, Praetors’ Voice, and Tergrid, God of Fright.
What is the best deck for beginners in Magic: the Gathering?
For beginners, mono-colored decks with a straightforward strategy are often recommended. These decks can include Chulane for green, Heliod for white, or Krenko for red.
How do I choose the right commander for my deck?
Consider the type of deck you want to build, the mana cost of the commander, its card advantage abilities, and how well it synergizes with the rest of your deck’s cards.
