Cheap Commander Decklist
Looking to dive into the world of Commander, but on a budget? You're in the right place. Building a cheap Commander deck doesn't mean you have to compromise on fun or strategy. With a bit of creativity and some smart card choices, you can create a powerful and engaging deck without breaking the bank.
Commander, also known as EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander), is a popular Magic: The Gathering format that allows you to build a 100-card singleton deck around a single legendary creature. The key to building a cheap Commander deck is to focus on cards that provide value and utility, rather than just power. Let's explore some affordable strategies and decklist ideas.
Budget Commanders
Choosing a budget commander is the first step. While some commanders can set you back $50 or more, there are plenty of affordable options that can lead your deck to victory. Here are a couple of budget-friendly commanders:
Kaalia of the Vast is a popular and powerful budget commander. Her ability to create token creatures and deal direct damage makes her a great choice for aggressive strategies. Her low price point makes her an excellent starting point for a budget deck.
Token Strategies
Token strategies are a great way to build a budget Commander deck. Tokens are cheap to cast and can overwhelm your opponents with sheer numbers. Kaalia of the Vast is a great commander for token strategies, as her ability to create tokens and deal direct damage can quickly turn the tide of a game.
Some budget-friendly token generators include Pollenbright Drake, Selesnya Conclave, and Goblin Banneret. These cards can create a flood of tokens that can be used to attack, block, or sacrifice for value.
Reanimator Strategies
Reanimator strategies can be quite affordable, as they often rely on cheap creatures and spells to bring them back from the graveyard. Sheoldred, Whispering One is a great budget commander for reanimator strategies, as her ability to return creatures from your graveyard to your hand can provide significant card advantage.
Some budget-friendly reanimation spells include Animate Dead, Resurrection, and Unburial Rites. These spells can bring back powerful creatures from your graveyard, often for just a few mana.
Budget Mana Bases
Building a budget mana base is crucial for keeping your deck affordable. While it's tempting to include expensive dual lands and shock lands, there are plenty of affordable mana options that can still provide consistent and reliable color fixing.
Consider including basic lands, as they provide the most consistent mana production. You can also include lands like Command Tower, Myriad Landscape, and Terramorphic Expanse to provide additional color fixing without breaking the bank.
Landfall Strategies
Landfall strategies can be quite affordable, as they often rely on cheap lands and creatures to trigger their effects. Khalim, the Storm's Fury is a great budget commander for landfall strategies, as his ability to deal damage to your opponents whenever a land enters the battlefield can quickly overwhelm them.
Some budget-friendly landfall cards include Explosive Vegetation, Khalni Garden, and Rampant Growth. These cards can help you ramp out quickly and trigger your landfall effects.
Mana Rocks
Mana rocks are a great way to ramp out quickly and consistently in a budget Commander deck. While some mana rocks can be quite expensive, there are plenty of affordable options that can still provide significant mana production.
Some budget-friendly mana rocks include Talismans (like Talisman of Progress and Talisman of Resilience), Charms (like Nature's Charm and Selesnya Charm), and Signets (like Boros Signet and Golgari Signet). These cards can provide significant mana production while still keeping your deck affordable.
Building a cheap Commander deck doesn't mean you have to sacrifice fun or strategy. With a bit of creativity and some smart card choices, you can create a powerful and engaging deck that can compete with even the most expensive decks. So get out there and start brewing! Who knows, you might just find your next favorite deck.