MTG EDH Deck Building Template

Embarking on the journey of creating an EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander) deck in Magic: The Gathering can be an exciting and rewarding experience. EDH, also known as Commander, is a popular format that allows for unique deck-building strategies and encourages interactive gameplay. To help you get started, we've created this comprehensive guide that will walk you through the process of building an EDH deck using a template approach.

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of deck construction, let's briefly discuss the key aspects of EDH that set it apart from other Magic: The Gathering formats. EDH decks consist of 100 cards, with one legendary creature serving as the deck's commander. This commander is a powerful and unique card that represents the deck's strategy and provides a focal point for your game plan. Additionally, EDH features a starting life total of 40, and each player has the opportunity to cast their commander from the command zone, adding an extra layer of strategy and resilience to the format.

Choosing Your Commander

Selecting your commander is the first and most crucial step in building an EDH deck. Your commander should reflect the strategy you want to employ and serve as the cornerstone of your deck's design. When choosing a commander, consider the following factors:

1. Color identity: Your commander's colors will determine the colors of your deck. Each color has its unique strengths and weaknesses, so choose colors that complement your commander's abilities and synergize well with your chosen strategy.

2. Mana cost: Your commander's mana cost will impact the curve of your deck and the speed at which you can cast it. Aim for a mana cost that allows you to cast your commander consistently and without excessive mana investment.

Commander Types

Commanders can be categorized into several types based on their abilities and playstyles. Familiarizing yourself with these types will help you choose a commander that suits your preferences and playing style. Some popular commander types include:

• Voltron: Focuses on making your commander as large and powerful as possible, often using equipment and auras to boost its stats.
• Stax: Seeks to disrupt your opponents' game plans by creating a board state that favors your strategy, often through the use of lock pieces and hate cards.
• Combo: Employs a specific combination of cards that, when assembled, create a powerful effect or win condition.
• Good Stuff: Consists of a collection of powerful and efficient cards that work well together, often focusing on a specific theme or strategy.

Commander Synergies

When selecting a commander, consider the synergies it has with other cards in your deck. A commander with a powerful enters-the-battlefield (ETB) effect, for example, might benefit from cards that can trigger its ETB multiple times or protect it from removal. Similarly, a commander with a strong activated ability might be well-suited to a deck that focuses on generating mana efficiently or providing repeatable mana sources.

Some popular commander synergies include:

• Token generation: Commanders like Krenko, Mob Boss or Padeem, Consul of Innovation can benefit from decks that focus on creating and manipulating tokens.
• Graveyard recursion: Commanders like Sheoldred, Whispering One or Reanimator commanders can benefit from decks that focus on returning cards from the graveyard to the battlefield.
• Mana rocks: Commanders with high mana costs or expensive activated abilities can benefit from decks that focus on generating mana efficiently, such as those centered around Azusa, Lost but Seeking or Kodama of the East Tree.

Deck Construction Basics

Once you've chosen your commander and have a general idea of your deck's strategy, it's time to start building the deck itself. EDH decks are constructed using a unique set of rules that differ from other Magic: The Gathering formats. Familiarizing yourself with these rules will help you create a well-balanced and competitive EDH deck.

Some key EDH deck construction rules include:

Card Limits

EDH decks consist of 100 cards, with a maximum of one copy of any card (other than basic lands) allowed in the deck. This rule encourages diversity and prevents players from relying on a single, powerful card to win the game. Additionally, EDH decks must contain exactly 60 cards in the main deck and 40 cards in the command zone, with the commander being the only card in the command zone.

Mana Curve

Creating a well-balanced mana curve is essential for ensuring that your deck can consistently cast its spells and generate threats throughout the game. A good mana curve should have a mix of low-cost and high-cost cards, with a focus on cards that can be cast efficiently at each mana cost. When constructing your mana curve, consider the mana curve of your commander and the average mana cost of the cards in your deck.

Here's a general guideline for creating a well-balanced mana curve in EDH:

Mana Cost	Number of Cards
0	8-12
1	12-16
2	16-20
3	12-16
4	8-12
5+	4-8

Land Base

Constructing a functional and efficient land base is crucial for ensuring that your deck can consistently cast its spells. In EDH, you'll typically want to include around 36-38 lands in your deck, with a mix of basic lands and non-basic lands that can produce mana of any color. When selecting lands for your deck, consider the mana requirements of your commander and the average mana cost of the cards in your deck.

Some popular EDH lands include:

• Basic lands: Provide a consistent source of mana and can be used to fix your mana base.
• Shock lands: Dual lands that enter the battlefield tapped and can be used to generate two colors of mana, but at the cost of dealing 2 damage to you.
• Fetch lands: Lands that can be used to search for other lands, helping to fix your mana base and ensure that you can consistently cast your spells.
• Check lands: Lands that can be used to generate two colors of mana, but at the risk of entering the battlefield tapped or untapped, depending on the state of your mana pool.

As you build your EDH deck, don't be afraid to experiment with different strategies and card choices. EDH is a format that rewards creativity and innovation, so feel free to explore unique combinations and synergies that can help you achieve victory at the table. With this comprehensive guide, you now have the tools you need to create a powerful and engaging EDH deck using a template approach.

Happy brewing, and may your commander lead you to victory!