Mastering Magic: The Gathering Commander - Reddit's Best Deck Building Tips

Embarking on a journey into the world of Magic: The Gathering (MTG) Commander? You're in for a treat! Commander is a fun, engaging format that allows you to build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature. And where better to seek inspiration and advice than the vibrant community of MTG enthusiasts on Reddit?

Reddit, with its numerous MTG subreddits like r/MTG, r/EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander, another term for Commander), and r/Commander, is a goldmine of information, strategies, and deck-building tips. But with so much information out there, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Let's dive into the world of Commander deck building on Reddit.

Understanding Commander Format

Before we delve into the Reddit community, let's ensure we're on the same page about the Commander format. In Commander, each player chooses a legendary creature as their commander, which also serves as the deck's hub. The deck must contain exactly 100 cards, with no more than one copy of any card (except basic lands). The commander card itself is not included in the deck's 100 cards but is placed in a separate command zone.

The goal of the game remains the same: reduce your opponents' life totals to 0. However, Commander introduces several unique rules and strategies, such as the use of the command zone, the shared life total (starting at 40 life instead of 20), and the emphasis on political gameplay and alliances.

Choosing a Commander

Your commander is the heart of your deck, dictating your strategy and the types of cards you'll include. Reddit is filled with discussions and guides on choosing a commander. Some popular choices include iconic legendary creatures like Ajani Goldmane, Atraxa, Praetors' Voice, and The Locust God. When choosing a commander, consider the following:

• Playstyle: Do you prefer aggressive, control, combo, or something else?
• Colors: Which colors does your commander belong to? This will influence your deck's mana base.
• Theme: Do you want your deck to have a specific theme, like pirates, dinosaurs, or artifacts?

Building Your Deck

Once you've chosen your commander, it's time to build your deck. Reddit is home to countless decklists and guides, providing a wealth of inspiration. When building your deck, consider the following:

• Mana curve: Ensure your deck has a balanced mana curve, with a mix of low-cost and high-cost cards.
• Synergy: Include cards that work well together and synergize with your commander's abilities.
• Flexibility: Make sure your deck can adapt to different situations and opponents' strategies.

Navigating Reddit for Commander Deck Building

Now that you understand the basics of Commander and deck building, let's explore how to navigate Reddit for the best resources and advice.

Start by familiarizing yourself with the popular MTG subreddits. r/MTG and r/EDH are the largest and most active, with a wealth of information and discussions. r/Commander is also a great resource, focusing specifically on the Commander format.

Deckbuilding Resources

Both r/MTG and r/EDH have weekly or bi-weekly deck-building threads where users share their decks and receive feedback. These threads are an excellent opportunity to get constructive criticism and inspiration for your own deck. Additionally, many users share their decklists and guides in the form of self-posts or comments.

Some popular resources include the EDHREC website, which uses data from EDH decks shared on the internet to provide statistics and suggestions for deck building. Many Reddit users also share their own brews and decklists, providing a wealth of inspiration and ideas.

Community and Discussion

Reddit's strength lies in its community. Engage with other users by commenting on posts, asking questions, and sharing your own experiences. The MTG community on Reddit is welcoming and eager to help new players. Some popular discussion topics include deck-building strategies, card interactions, and meta trends.

Don't be afraid to ask for help or advice. The Reddit community is more than happy to provide guidance and support. Just be sure to follow Reddit's rules and guidelines for posting and engaging with others.

Embracing the Commander format and the MTG community on Reddit is an exciting journey. With countless resources, discussions, and decklists at your fingertips, you're sure to find inspiration and guidance for your own Commander deck. So, grab your legendary creature, and let the games begin!