Mystical Tutor: Building an MTG Commander Deck

Greg Montique
Apr 28
3 min read

Building an MTG Commander deck is one of the most exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) experiences in Magic: The Gathering. With a card pool as big as MTG’s and countless strategies to explore, starting from scratch can feel like navigating a labyrinth. But fear not! With a clear plan, smart card choices, and a little attention to your mana base, you’ll be piloting your masterpiece in no time.

Let’s break down the key steps and throw in a few tips for making your deck strong, fun, and consistent.

1. Start with Your Commander

Your deck will revolve around your Commander, so choosing wisely is critical. Your Commander must be a legendary creature and its colors dictate which cards you can include (this is called your "color identity"). The abilities of your commander should inspire your deck strategy.

Warrior in flowing robes wields a staff amidst rocky terrain. Card titled "Narset, Enlightened Master" with game text and stats.

Things to consider when picking a Commander:

Power Level: Casual and competitive decks have very different expectations.
Synergy: Does the Commander naturally work with a tribe (like Elves or Dragons) or a mechanic (like tokens, counters, or lifegain)?
Fun Factor: Play what you’ll enjoy, not just what’s statistically "best."

Once you’ve chosen your leader, your deck should complement and maximize what they bring to the table.

2. Establish a Game Plan

Every Commander deck needs a plan for how it wins the game. Ask yourself:

Am I swinging wide with lots of creatures?
Am I controlling the board until I can cast a massive spell?
Am I comboing off with intricate interactions?
Am I politicking and flying under the radar until the perfect moment?

Having a rough idea of your win conditions (and how you survive until then) will help guide your card choices.

3. Building the Core of Your Deck

Once you know your strategy, start filling in the important categories. A balanced Commander deck often includes:

Ramp (10-15 cards): Cards that give you more mana early like Sol Ring, Cultivate, or Signets.
Card Draw (8-12 cards): Ways to refill your hand, like Rhystic Study or Harmonize.
Removal (8-10 cards): Single-target removal (like Swords to Plowshares) and board wipes (like Wrath of God).
Interaction/Protection (5-8 cards): Counterspells, hexproof-granting effects, or ways to stop opponents' combos.
Win Conditions (variable): Your bombs and finishers!

The rest of your deck is built around creatures and spells that boost the ability of your commander. Make sure your deck doesn’t lean too hard into one area. Balance keeps your deck flexible and ready for anything.

4. Land Management: The Unsung Hero

One of the most common mistakes in Commander deck-building is underestimating your mana base. Here’s how to get it right:

How Many Lands?

Typical Deck: 36–38 lands.
Low-Cost Aggro Decks: You might get away with 34–36 lands if you have a lot of cheap spells to deal damage and ramp.
High-Cost or Mana-Dependent Decks: Go for 38–40 lands.

Types of Lands to Include

Basic Lands: Reliable and safe from common hate cards.
Dual Lands and Shocklands: Help fix your colors if you’re in multiple colors.
Utility Lands: Lands like Rogue’s Passage or Reliquary Tower add extra value.
Mana Fixers: Use cards like Command Tower and Path of Ancestry for color consistency.

A great mana base smooths out your draws and makes the difference between winning and floundering with color-screwed hands.

5. Test, Tweak, and Have Fun!

Once your deck is sleeved up, test it, a lot. See which cards feel clunky and which ones shine. Don’t be afraid to swap things out and adjust based on your meta (the other decks you regularly play against). Commander is a living format, and decks grow and change over time.

Most importantly: build what you enjoy playing! Whether it’s a hyper-efficient cEDH deck or a janky tribal Skeleton theme, Commander is about having a blast with friends, memorable games, and unexpected plays.

So Build An MTG Commander Deck!

Building a Commander deck isn’t just about assembling 100 cards, it’s about crafting an experience. A great deck tells a story, plays to its strengths, and leaves room for unforgettable moments at the table. Choose a strategy you love, balance your deck’s needs, and give your mana base the respect it deserves. You’ll find yourself not just playing Magic, but truly mastering it.