Magic: The Gathering is one of the most popular TCGs in the world, and its prestige can make it daunting to start playing. Commander has been a hit alternative format for MTG, allowing players to plan a deck around one creature they always have access to.
Even then, the incentivized creativity can make it hard to pick a commander for your first games. Today, will be going over the top 7 Magic The Gathering Commanders for beginners.
This list will provide a wide range of game plans, color identities, and price points so that no matter how you play, you’ll be able to get your foot in the door.
7.
Emmara, Soul of the Accord
Mass Token Lifelinkers
Emmara, Soul of the Accord is the leader of the Token Triumph Starter Precon deck, making her a stellar first purchase for those looking to try the format.
She’s very simple, spawning 1/1 tokens with lifelink whenever she’s tapped. The deck comes packed with plenty of ways to force this every turn, and Selesnya (the white/green color combo) has even more if you’re willing to customize the deck.
‘Go wide and swing out’ is a strategy as old as time, and the lifesteal provided by her tokens will make any damage you take after swinging out negligible in the long term.
Emmara is a stellar introduction to token decks, a powerful archetype that has power in every color identity.
6.
Gisa and Geralf
Zombie Reanimation
Only a single creature, despite the two names, Gisa and Geralf lead the Grave Danger Starter Precon, acting as an easy introduction to Magic’s brand of reanimation and graveyard play.
Whenever they enter the battlefield, you discard (known in magic as ‘mill’) four cards. Then, as long as they’re on your field, you can cast a Zombie creature from your graveyard once per your turn.
Enter effects trigger no matter how a creature makes it to the battlefield, and are reanimation’s bread and butter.
By utilizing your graveyard as a second deck, you can cheat out big Zombies and dig for spells you’re hoping to find ASAP. By being proactive and risking other cards, you can tip the scales in your favor, hard.
5.
Okaun, Eye of Chaos/Zndrsplt, Eye of Wisdom
Coin-flip Rushdown
A proper duo Commander, Okaun and Zndrsplt are Partners, meaning both can reside within the Command Zone and leading the Heads I Win Tails You Lose precon.
The cycloptic duo is a reminder that Magic isn’t immune to the whims of random chance, and that gambling for a win can be oh-so-satisfying. Both Okaun and Zndrsplt ask you to flip coins until you lose the flip on the start of your turn, offering different boons based on which is on the field.
Okaun gets huge, doubling his power every time you win the flip, while Zndrsplt draws you cards for each successful flip. Very importantly, their cards read WHENEVER A PLAYER wins a coin flip, so not only do their effects trigger off other coin flip sources, but even off other players’ flips.
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This can get out of hand super fast, either making Okaun impossible to handle or Zndrsplt drawing you other resources to win the game outright. If you’re confident in your luck or just want to leave the game up to fate, there’s few better Commanders for the job. The best part? It’s just plain funny!
4.
Atarka, World Render
Draconic Ramp
Atarka, World Render is the lead Commander of the Draconic Destruction Starter Precon, setting her as a flagship for Magic’s take on Dragons.
Dragons can be found in every color, but typically follow a few rules. They’re usually on the expensive side mana-wise, and they act as massive tempo pieces. Dragons make up for their slow start by forcing reactions from your opponents, and Atarka cranks that to eleven by potentially doubling all combat damage they deal.
On top of being a large body with scary keywords, Atarka’s decks focus on lowering the cost of playing Dragons and speeding up your own mana growth. With a Gruul color combo (Green/Red) Atarka allows for massive ramp turns and huge damage one after another.
3.
Anikthea, Hand of Erebos
Enchantment Conversion
Leading the Enduring Enchantments Precon, Anikthea, Hand of Erebos is a powerful Commander focusing on buffing Enchantment cards and turning them into hard-to-handle bodies.
In Magic, Enchantments are typically cards that provide strong passive effects. With Anikthea, not only do cards that are both Enchantments and Creatures have an easier time attacking, but she can bring non-creature enchantments back as Creatures.
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With her color identity, Anikthea can easily discard strong cards, then bring them in alongside her when she enters or attacks. Plenty of cards in Magic let you play with card types, and Anikthea is a great way to get a grip on the basics.
2.
Ms. Bumbleflower
Group-hug Politicking
Politicking is a large part of big table Commander, and few do it better than the Grouphug deck. Ms. Bumbleflower encourages you to play nice with your opponents, buffing folks you think you can handle for bigger rewards. Get strong, dissuade opponents from hitting you, and keep the enemy guessing on your real goals.
If you thrive in the long con, this style of player manipulation is for you. The mental side of Magic is one of its most interesting parts, just make sure you’re playing with folks who aren’t too sore losers.
1.
Valgavoth, Harrower of Souls
Sacrificial Ping
There are a few versions of Valgavoth, but his Harrower of Souls varient found in the Endless Punishment precon is a great introduction to self-sacrifice and on-death effects.
Valgavoth thrives with cards that empower him for saccing his own creatures. Targeted damage, card draw, extra mana, Rakdos (Red/Black) does it all!
He’s a very aggressive commander, perfect for players who like acting first and putting pressure on their opponents. He also comes with ward, forcing players trying to target him with removal to pay life, potentially triggering your other cards anyway.
With Black, you’re never gone for long. Just keep your opponents guessing and never let up!
