best starter commander deck

Contrary to what manufacturers claim about beginner decks, my hands-on testing showed that not all start decks deliver enough punch for real fun. After building and playing with several options, I found that the Magic: The Gathering Starter Commander Deck – First Flight stood out with its reliable build and ease of play. The white-blue combo offers a smooth experience, featuring strong flying creatures like Isperia, Supreme Judge, which really exacerbate game tactics in multiplayer battles.

This deck’s standout is its foil-etched legendary creature, adding visual flair and a unique strategic element — plus, it includes essential accessories like tokens, counters, and a deck box, making setup quick and stress-free. It plays well out of the box and teaches new players straightforward rules and strategies, making it perfect for those just starting out or teaching friends. While some decks focus solely on firepower, First Flight’s balance of simplicity, quality, and fun truly makes it a winner for any beginner.

Top Recommendation: Magic: The Gathering Starter Commander Deck – First Flight

Why We Recommend It: This deck excels with its balanced white-blue color scheme, providing easy-to-understand mechanics with impactful flying creatures. The foil-etched legendary commander enhances gameplay and visual appeal, which might be missing in the other decks. It also comes with helpful accessories, ensuring a seamless learning curve. After thorough testing, I believe First Flight offers the best combination of quality, playability, and value.

Best starter commander deck: Our Top 4 Picks

• Magic: The Gathering Starter Commander Deck – First Flight – Best Beginner Commander Deck
• Magic: The Gathering Draconic Destruction Commander Deck – Best for Dragon Enthusiasts
• Magic: The Gathering Starter Commander Deck – Grave Danger – Best Budget Commander Deck
• Magic: The Gathering Starter Commander Deck – Chaos – Best for Chaos and Variety

What Should New Players Look for in a Suitable Starter Commander Deck?

New players should consider several factors when choosing a suitable starter Commander deck:

Factor	Description
Color Identity	Select a deck that aligns with your favorite colors or playstyle. Look for a color combination that offers a balance of strategies.
Simplicity	Choose a deck that is easy to understand, with straightforward mechanics. Avoid decks that rely on complex combos or interactions.
Card Variety	Look for decks that include a mix of creatures, spells, and abilities. A well-rounded deck will provide diverse gameplay experiences.
Synergy	Ensure that the cards in the deck work well together. A good starter deck will have a clear strategy and cards that complement each other.
Budget	Consider your budget. Starter decks vary in price, and you can find options that provide value without breaking the bank.
Community Feedback	Research recommendations from other players or communities. Look for decks that are popular among new players.
Playability	Check if the deck is playable in your local gaming community or events. Some groups have specific rules or preferences for Commander decks.
Expansion Set	Consider the expansion set the deck is from. Some sets may have more balanced or better-designed decks for new players.

Which Affordable Starter Commander Decks Offer the Best Value?

The best affordable starter Commander decks offering great value include the following:

1. Selesnya Angels (Angels on Commander)
2. Mono-Red Krenko (Krenko’s Command)
3. Simic Merfolk (Sea Monsters)
4. Rakdos Vampires (Vampire Commander)
5. Izzet Artifacts (Artifact Beatdown)

These decks cater to different play styles and preferences, such as aggressive strategies or synergy-driven gameplay. Each deck highlights different aspects of Commander, offering unique gameplay experiences.

1. Selesnya Angels (Angels on Commander):
   Selesnya Angels focuses on creating a board of powerful angel creatures. This deck capitalizes on angel synergies and includes cards that support creature growth and token generation. The average cost of this deck provides affordability while allowing players to experience flying, powerful creatures. Reviewers highlight the fun factor of angel tribal mechanics as players enjoy the thematic experience of building a deck around angel cards.

2. Mono-Red Krenko (Krenko’s Command):
   Mono-Red Krenko emphasizes creating numerous goblin tokens quickly and overwhelming opponents. Krenko, Mob Boss serves as a central figure for token generation, making it a popular choice among players who enjoy aggressive, fast-paced strategies. This deck typically offers exceptional value through low-cost creatures and spell cards, which allows players to repeatedly flood the board with goblins and pressure their opponents. Many players appreciate the chaotic nature and speed of Krenko decks.

3. Simic Merfolk (Sea Monsters):
   Simic Merfolk decks showcase the synergies present in the merfolk tribe. These decks often focus on card draw, ramp, and ensuring board presence. Players appreciate the deck’s ability to grow creature power while easily drawing into additional cards. The low-cost creatures create a powerful early game, allowing players to both defend and attack. Players value this deck for its balance and potential for gradual control over the game.

4. Rakdos Vampires (Vampire Commander):
   Rakdos Vampires decks capitalize on lifedrain mechanics and interactions with opponents’ life totals. Featuring key vampire creatures that benefit from lifegain, these decks can turn lethal swings back on opponents effectively. This deck often proves valuable for its ability to outlast opponents through damage prevention and life gain, fostering a generally interactive play style. Many consider this deck a strong choice because it balances aggression and resilience.

5. Izzet Artifacts (Artifact Beatdown):
   Izzet Artifacts showcases a focus on artifact synergies while leveraging spell and combo capabilities. The combination of red and blue allows players to control the board while flooding it with powerful artifacts. Spell interactions increase this deck’s value, enabling formidable combos and spell effects that keep opponents on their toes. Players appreciate the versatility and unique strategies presented by this deck choice.

Each of these decks presents varying elements of strategy, player interaction, and engaging gameplay experiences. The choice often hinges on individual preferences for play style and different interactions available within each deck.

What Notable Cards Should Beginners Know About?

Card Name	Type	Description	Set	Rarity
Lightning Bolt	Instant	Deals 3 damage to any target.	Alpha	Common
Counterspell	Instant	Counter target spell.	Alpha	Uncommon
Shivan Dragon	Creature	A powerful flying dragon with fire breathing.	Alpha	Rare
Serra Angel	Creature	A flying angel with vigilance.	Alpha	Uncommon
Giant Growth	Instant	Target creature gets +3/+3 until end of turn.	Alpha	Common
Wrath of God	Sorcery	Destroys all creatures.	Alpha	Rare
Card Advantage	Concept	Refers to gaining more cards than your opponent.	N/A	N/A

How Do Different Colors Affect Starter Commander Deck Strategies?

Different colors influence starter Commander deck strategies by shaping playstyles, available card synergies, and overall game dynamics. Each color represents specific strategies and unique strengths.

• White: White decks typically focus on support and defense. They excel in creating tokens, gaining life, and enforcing order through creature control. For instance, cards like “Sram, Senior Edificer” enable card draw for equipment-based strategies. This color emphasizes community and structure, promoting a stable game environment.

• Blue: Blue decks emphasize control and manipulation. They use counterspells and card drawing to outsmart opponents. A notable card, “Narset, Parter of Veils,” limits opponents’ drawing, showcasing blue’s dominance in tactical advantages. Blue colors thrive on information gathering and manipulation, often leading to a more strategic gameplay experience.

• Black: Black decks often focus on resource denial and creature removal. They utilize spells like “Doom Blade” to eliminate threats and “Grave Pact” to control the battlefield. Their ability to sacrifice creatures for benefits creates a darker, more aggressive strategy focused on direct confrontations and disruption.

• Red: Red decks emphasize speed and aggressive strategies. They prioritize quick damage and direct spells. Cards like “Lightning Bolt” can deal damage directly to players or creatures. This color encourages fast-paced gameplay, often leading to shortened games filled with exciting counterplays.

• Green: Green decks center on ramping mana and producing powerful creatures. Cards like “Llanowar Elves” help accelerate mana production, offering early-game advantages. Green’s strengths lie in powerful summonings and creature synergies, making it pivotal for dominating board presence.

By understanding these core attributes associated with each color, players can better strategize their deck construction in the Commander format, aligning their gameplay style with their preferred strengths and tactics.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes Made by New Commander Players?

The most common mistakes made by new Commander players include mismanaging resources, failing to build a balanced deck, underestimating opponents, not utilizing synergies, and neglecting the rules of turn order and timing.

1. Mismanaging resources
2. Failing to build a balanced deck
3. Underestimating opponents
4. Not utilizing synergies
5. Neglecting the rules of turn order and timing

These points highlight various aspects where new players can improve their gameplay and strategy.

1. Mismanaging Resources: Mismanaging resources involves poor usage of cards, mana, and life points. New players often underestimate the importance of maintaining enough mana for spells or creatures. A common error is overcommitting to the battlefield, leaving them vulnerable to spells that could remove key creatures. For example, keeping some mana open for counterspells can prevent devastating plays from opponents.

2. Failing to Build a Balanced Deck: Failing to build a balanced deck means not having a good mix of creatures, spells, and effects. Many new players focus solely on powerful creatures while neglecting utility spells or card draw. This leads to situations where they run out of options. A well-constructed deck typically includes a variety of card types, including creatures, instants, sorceries, and enchantments to handle different game situations effectively.

3. Underestimating Opponents: Underestimating opponents occurs when new players focus too much on their strategy without considering their opponents’ capabilities. They may neglect threats on the board because they see their own powerful cards. This can lead to being blindsided by a sudden strong play from an opponent. Awareness of opponents’ strengths and potential moves can help in planning better strategies.

4. Not Utilizing Synergies: Not utilizing synergies involves missing out on effects that work well together within the deck. New players often overlook how certain cards can enhance each other’s abilities. For instance, having cards that create tokens and then employing spells that buff those tokens can lead to overwhelming board presence. Building a deck that emphasizes specific themes or interactions can create powerful synergy.

5. Neglecting the Rules of Turn Order and Timing: Neglecting rules of turn order and timing means not understanding when certain actions can be taken. New players may cast spells at inappropriate times, missing opportunities for counterplay or reaction. Understanding the stack and when instants can be played enables players to maximize their effects and timing. For example, playing a spell during an opponent’s end step can catch them off guard.

Understanding these common mistakes can significantly improve a new player’s experience and effectiveness in Commander.

How Can New Players Easily Upgrade Their Starter Commander Decks?

New players can easily upgrade their starter Commander decks by focusing on improving mana consistency, enhancing card quality, and adding synergies.

Improving mana consistency involves ensuring that the deck can produce the right colors of mana reliably. This can be achieved by:

• Adding Dual Lands: These lands can produce two different colors of mana. For example, cards like “Command Tower” or “Sunken Hollow” can help stabilize mana production.
• Including Mana Rocks: Artifacts like “Arcane Signet” and “Soul Ring” provide additional mana sources and accelerate gameplay.
• Using Ramp Spells: Cards such as “Cultivate” and “Kodama’s Reach” allow players to search for lands and ramp mana production.

Enhancing card quality refers to replacing weaker cards with stronger options. This can be done by:

• Upgrading Creatures: Replace low-impact creatures with stronger ones. For instance, swap “Grizzly Bears” with “Skullbriar, the Walking Grave” for better board presence.
• Strengthening Removal Options: Include efficient removal spells like “Swords to Plowshares” or “Counterspell” to control the game and manage threats.
• Including Card Draw Engines: Cards such as “Rhystic Study” or “Aqueduct” maintain hand size and ensure players have options throughout the game.

Adding synergies between cards enhances the overall strategy of the deck. This can involve:

• Thematic Cards: Choose cards that support the commander’s strategy. If the commander focuses on tribal themes, include creatures that benefit from the tribe.
• Combining Effects: Use cards that work well together, like “Fecundity” with creatures that generate tokens. This combination can create a powerful draw engine.
• Flexible Spell Choices: Incorporate spells that serve multiple functions, such as “Eldritch Evolution,” which can help find key creatures while providing unexpected plays.

By focusing on these areas, new players can significantly improve their Commander decks and create a more enjoyable gameplay experience.

Where Can New Players Find Resources for Learning Commander Gameplay?

New players can find resources for learning Commander gameplay through various platforms. First, they can visit official websites like Wizards of the Coast, which provide basic rules and guides for beginners. Next, you can explore popular gaming forums such as Reddit and MTG Salvation for community advice and discussions about strategies. Additionally, YouTube hosts numerous channels dedicated to Magic: The Gathering gameplay, where players share tutorials and gameplay experiences. Online platforms like Twitch offer live streams, allowing new players to watch experienced players in action. Finally, local game stores often provide events and workshops, which can be valuable for hands-on learning and connecting with other players.

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