A little help

[Cutthroatfinch]

So I've been trying to figure out what to put into a commander deck and to be honest I'm a bit overwhelmed! I can't seem to pick who I want for commander, what style I want, and what cards might go into it. Do you guys have any tips? I'm also wondering I there are certain cards that every dck should have? Thanks for any and all help.

[Chadgamer]

If money isn't a problem there are plenty of online sources(just look for Commander deck building) that will tell you what cards are "must haves" for EDH. As for your commander, it really depends on your play style. You can literally pick any play style or combination of colors, and you'll find a commander that fits. We might be able to help more if you told us what kind of deck you want, and how much of a budget you're on.

[Wally]

The pre constructed ones are always a good place to start. Most have decent commanders and some decent staples for their colours. They also give you a few commanders for you to change around to how you feel the deck needs to play.

Once you get a good feel for how you want to play, do some searching for commanders of the colours you want or the type of thing you want them to do. (There are plenty of amazing ones on here)

With 100 cards at your disposal, your possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

[Gorzo]

The first thing you need to do is pick your commander, then the rest will fall into place much easier. Here are some things to help you narrow it down, since there are a lot of legendary creatures to choose from.

1) How do you like to win games? If you want to win by attacking with a big, scary commander dealing lots of combat damage, look for one with high power and toughness with something to help you deal that damage - example; {Uril the Miststalker}, {Onmath, Locus of Mana}. Or maybe you to like win by having lots of things, many commanders win by helping you summon other creatures. Example; {Kaalia of the Vast}, {Jhoira of the Ghitu}. Or perhaps you're more fond of tricks and gimmicks, doing unusual effects to obtain victory. Example; {Sen Triplets}, {The Mimeoplasm}, {Zedruu the Greathearted}.

2) Once you pick your commander you will have your colors established. Some things to keep in mind about each color when you are looking for spells:
{W} - White has probably the best removal spells in the format. It has an endless slew if board wipes, from {Wrath of God} to {Austere Command} to {Terminus}. For single targets, it has {swords to plowshares} and {path to exile}. For creatures, it has big controlling effects like {Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite}, {Archon of Justice}, {Blazing Archon}, {Angelic Arbitor}, and many more. It also is one of 2 colors capable of putting enemy commanders on the bottom of libraries, with Terminus, {Banishing Stroke}, {Condemn}, and a couple others.
{U} - Counterspells! So many! It is also able to put commander on the bottom of the library with {Spin into Myth}, {Hinder} and {Spell Crumple}. Blue is also important for drawing cards with spells like {Minds Aglow}, {Blue Sun's Zenith}, and {Trade Secrets}, which can be vital in a long game of EDH. Blue has powerful sea creatures like {Mentos, the Freshmaker}, tons of Sphinx with various effects, and other controlling critters.
{B} - Black kills stuff a lot. Black has access to forcing sacrifice with spells like {Barter in Blood} which can really mess up certain decks. It also has more single-target kill spells than any other color (the {Doom Blade} brigade), and access to a solid variety of board wipes like {Damnation} and {Life's Finale}.  Black has some incredibly powerful creatures as well, including demons and undead. Black has better tutor spells than any other color (like {Diabolic tutor}, no revealing, straight to your hand) and has more of them, as well.
{R} - Red most often uses its big burn ({Bonfire of the Damned}, {Comet Storm}) or big dragons ({Hellkite Charger}, {Bogardan Hellkite}, {Dragon Tyrant}). But there's something to be said about those weird red effects like {Mana Barbs} or {Molten Psyche} - while not staples of the color, these kind of oddball red spells find their way into many combo decks.
{G} - green does what it always does. It searches for land with stuff like {Harrow}. It accelerates mana with "mana dorks" like {Joraga Treespeaker} and {Elvish Archdruid}. But most importantly...GREEN SMASH!!! Rharrrhh!! {Spearbreaker Behemoth}, {Engulfing Slagwurm}, {Worldspine Wurm}, + the endless list of green 8/8s and huge things.
{0} - Artifacts/Colorless. Aside from the staples for any deck like {Lightning Greaves} and {Sensei's Divining Top}, artifacts are versatile utilities that have the ability to fit in any deck. But there are so many, and all for different occasions that it depends all on your deck which ones to add for flavor. But hey, {Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre} and {Kozilek, Butcher of Truth} are two big nasties that almost any deck would welcome.


I might as well have made this an article, it's so freaking long. Sorry about that. This novelization of EDH tips for beginners brought to you by your friendly neighborhood ranting madman Gorzo.

[Double-O-Scotch]

See gorzo? Told ya. Thx again.

[Cutthroatfinch]

Much appreciate the ranting! Thanks guys!

[Cutthroatfinch]

I picked a commander I'm going with {Treva the Redeemer} I've got a few ideas of what im putting in there and I think I'm gonna try to build it around the populate ability and control. But I would love any and all input.

[Gorzo]

I picked a commander I'm going with {Treva the Redeemer} I've got a few ideas of what im putting in there and I think I'm gonna try to build it around the populate ability and control. But I would love any and all input.

Bant tokens ant populate huh? That could interesting for sure! On top of all the obvious Selesnya stuff, {Talrand, the Sky Summoner} and {Cackling Counterpart} would be great. {Sublime Archangel} is an alternate win condition in a token deck if you can afford her, too, and if you copy her with {Cackling Counterpart} or {Seance} and start populating her... It gets silly. {Crush of Wurms} and some older green token makers will be nice additions too. White has lots of little soldier makers, if that's your thing.

[Cutthroatfinch]

Would {Day of the Dragon} be legal in this since it makes red tokens, but it's a blue card?

[Gorzo]

Would {Day of the Dragon} be legal in this since it makes red tokens, but it's a blue card?

I believe so, yes. Because it just says the word red, and includes no mana symbols, red is not part of Day of the Dragons color identity... I'm not 100% sure but pretty confident. Anyone else want to weigh in?

[Juggalonoke]

Would {Day of the Dragon} be legal in this since it makes red tokens, but it's a blue card?

I believe so, yes. Because it just says the word red, and includes no mana symbols, red is not part of Day of the Dragons color identity... I'm not 100% sure but pretty confident. Anyone else want to weigh in?

Yes you can its not a mana symbol so it is allowed

[Cutthroatfinch]

Next question, what artifacts and lands should probably be in every deck? Also on another note, Thank all of you guys for helping me out. It's awesome that there is this strong supportive online community. Tomorrow I'm going in to purchase a few cards for this deck probably only spending $50 now buy expect to put a bit more after I get paid.

[GoJuDragon]

Some artifact staples
{sol ring}
{lightning greeves}/{swiftfoot boots}
{manalyth}
{skullclamp}

Lands
{temple of the false god}
{command tower}

Those are the only ones i can think of ATM, but they are pretty much a must in every edh deck

[Gorzo]

Some artifact staples
{sol ring}
{lightning greeves}/{swiftfoot boots}
{manalyth}
{skullclamp}

Lands
{temple of the false god}
{command tower}

Those are the only ones i can think of ATM, but they are pretty much a must in every edh deck

Pretty much sums it up, though I'd replace manalith with {Chromatic Lantern}
Some additional lands that work well in commander:
{Rupture Spire} \ {Transguild Promenade}
{Reliquary Tower}
{Vivid Meadow} \ {Vivid Creek} \ {Vivid Grove} \ {Vivid Crag} \ {Vivid Marsh}
{Maze of Ith} \ {Mystifying  Maze}
Lorwyn "Hideaway" lands can be fun, like {Spinerock Knoll}. It's pretty easy to fill their conditions in commander.
Ravnica "Bouncelands" like {Azorious Chancery} are well suited for the slow format, as well.