How this list is organized: mono-color sections keep up to ten leaders and each matching multicolor identity keeps up to two. EDHREC deck counts order each exact identity.
Mono-White — pick 1
Mono-White commanders
1 eligible new commander exists in this exact printed identity; 1 is included under the series rules.
Mono-White commander
Rhys, the Evermore
Blight and -1/-1 counters become a resource, so the deck wants expendable creatures, counter movement, or payoffs for weakened bodies.
What the card does: Flash When Rhys enters, another target creature you control gains persist until end of turn. (When it dies, if it had no -1/-1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner's control with a -1/-1 counter on it.) {W}, {T}: Remove any number of counters from target creature you control. Activate only as a sorcery.
Why it ranks: Within the Mono-White identity, 1 eligible new option exists; this guide keeps the complete mono-color field up to ten. EDHREC currently reports 123 decks for this commander.
Orzhov — picks 2–3
Orzhov commanders
2 eligible new commanders exist in this exact printed identity; 2 are included under the series rules.
Orzhov commander
Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of Twilight
Blight and -1/-1 counters become a resource, so the deck wants expendable creatures, counter movement, or payoffs for weakened bodies.
What the card does: Flying, lifelink Creature spells you cast have convoke. (Your creatures can help cast those spells. Each creature you tap while casting a creature spell pays for {1} or one mana of that creature's color.) At the beginning of your first main phase, you may pay {B}. If you do, transform Eirdu. // Flying, lifelink Each other nontoken creature you control has persist. (When it dies, if it had no -1/-1 counters on it, return it...
Why it ranks: Within the Orzhov identity, 2 eligible new options exist; this guide keeps the two most adopted multicolor leaders. EDHREC currently reports 5,161 decks for this commander.
Orzhov commander
Abigale, Eloquent First-Year
The rules text gives the deck a concrete build-around, while the remaining slots must supply interaction, card flow, and a reliable way to close.
What the card does: Flying, first strike, lifelink When Abigale enters, up to one other target creature loses all abilities. Put a flying counter, a first strike counter, and a lifelink counter on that creature.
Why it ranks: Within the Orzhov identity, 2 eligible new options exist; this guide keeps the two most adopted multicolor leaders. EDHREC currently reports 3,061 decks for this commander.
Selesnya — pick 4
Selesnya commanders
1 eligible new commander exists in this exact printed identity; 1 is included under the series rules.
Selesnya commander
Brigid, Clachan's Heart // Brigid, Doun's Mind
Token production gives the deck both material and scaling payoffs, with the command zone defining which permanents should fill the list.
What the card does: Whenever this creature enters or transforms into Brigid, Clachan's Heart, create a 1/1 green and white Kithkin creature token. At the beginning of your first main phase, you may pay {G}. If you do, transform Brigid. // {T}: Add X {G} or X {W}, where X is the number of other creatures you control. At the beginning of your first main phase, you may pay {W}. If you do, transform Brigid.
Why it ranks: Within the Selesnya identity, 1 eligible new option exists; this guide keeps the two most adopted multicolor leaders. EDHREC currently reports 6,246 decks for this commander.
Boros — picks 5–6
Boros commanders
2 eligible new commanders exist in this exact printed identity; 2 are included under the series rules.
Boros commander
Bre of Clan Stoutarm
The rules text gives the deck a concrete build-around, while the remaining slots must supply interaction, card flow, and a reliable way to close.
What the card does: {1}{W}, {T}: Another target creature you control gains flying and lifelink until end of turn. At the beginning of your end step, if you gained life this turn, exile cards from the top of your library until you exile a nonland card. You may cast that card without paying its mana cost if the spell's mana value is less than or equal to the amount of life you gained this turn. Otherwise, put it into your hand.
Why it ranks: Within the Boros identity, 2 eligible new options exist; this guide keeps the two most adopted multicolor leaders. EDHREC currently reports 5,454 decks for this commander.
Boros commander
Kirol, Attentive First-Year
The rules text gives the deck a concrete build-around, while the remaining slots must supply interaction, card flow, and a reliable way to close.
What the card does: Tap two untapped creatures you control: Copy target triggered ability you control. You may choose new targets for the copy. Activate only once each turn.
Why it ranks: Within the Boros identity, 2 eligible new options exist; this guide keeps the two most adopted multicolor leaders. EDHREC currently reports 972 decks for this commander.
Azorius — pick 7
Azorius commanders
1 eligible new commander exists in this exact printed identity; 1 is included under the series rules.
Azorius commander
Sygg, Wanderwine Wisdom // Sygg, Wanderbrine Shield
Repeatable card flow is the engine; the best builds maximize the trigger while protecting the commander that keeps the hand moving.
What the card does: Sygg can't be blocked. Whenever this creature enters or transforms into Sygg, Wanderwine Wisdom, target creature gains "Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player or planeswalker, draw a card" until end of turn. At the beginning of your first main phase, you may pay {W}. If you do, transform Sygg. // Sygg can't be blocked. Whenever this creature transforms into Sygg, Wanderbrine Shield, target creature you contr...
Why it ranks: Within the Azorius identity, 1 eligible new option exists; this guide keeps the two most adopted multicolor leaders. EDHREC currently reports 2,250 decks for this commander.
Abzan — pick 8
Abzan commanders
1 eligible new commander exists in this exact printed identity; 1 is included under the series rules.
Abzan commander
Doran, Besieged by Time
Combat is the value engine, making haste, evasion, and protection structural parts of the deck rather than optional upgrades.
What the card does: Each creature spell you cast with toughness greater than its power costs {1} less to cast. Whenever a creature you control attacks or blocks, it gets +X/+X until end of turn, where X is the difference between its power and toughness.
Why it ranks: Within the Abzan identity, 1 eligible new option exists; this guide keeps the two most adopted multicolor leaders. EDHREC currently reports 11,996 decks for this commander.
Five-Color — picks 9–10
Five-Color commanders
2 eligible new commanders exist in this exact printed identity; 2 are included under the series rules.
Five-Color commander
Ashling, the Limitless
Token production gives the deck both material and scaling payoffs, with the command zone defining which permanents should fill the list.
What the card does: Elemental permanent spells you cast from your hand gain evoke {4} as you cast them. (If you cast a spell for its evoke cost, it's sacrificed when it enters.) Whenever you sacrifice a nontoken Elemental, create a token that's a copy of it. The token gains haste until end of turn. At the beginning of your next end step, sacrifice it unless you pay {W}{U}{B}{R}{G}.
Why it ranks: Within the Five-Color identity, 2 eligible new options exist; this guide keeps the two most adopted multicolor leaders. EDHREC currently reports 24,254 decks for this commander.
Five-Color commander
Mass of Mysteries
Token production gives the deck both material and scaling payoffs, with the command zone defining which permanents should fill the list.
What the card does: First strike, vigilance, trample At the beginning of combat on your turn, another target Elemental you control gains myriad until end of turn. (Whenever it attacks, for each opponent other than defending player, you may create a token copy that's tapped and attacking that player or a planeswalker they control. Exile the tokens at end of combat.)
Why it ranks: Within the Five-Color identity, 2 eligible new options exist; this guide keeps the two most adopted multicolor leaders. EDHREC currently reports 2,153 decks for this commander.