The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Commander (EDH) – A Journey Into the Multiverse

Welcome to the world of Commander, or as it's officially known, Elder Dragon Highlander (EDH), the most popular and unique format in Magic: The Gathering! Whether you're new to Magic, returning after a break, or looking to try a more social and casual way to play, Commander is an incredible format that brings together strategy, creativity, and fun. In this post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Commander, why it’s beloved by so many players, and how you can start building your own custom Commander deck.

What is Commander (EDH)?

Commander is a multiplayer format of Magic: The Gathering, typically played with 3 to 4 players, although you can go beyond that. The main defining feature of the format is that each deck is led by a commander, a legendary creature or planeswalker that acts as the “leader” of the deck. The format is known for its large deck size (100 cards) and its “singleton” nature, meaning players can only have one copy of each card in their deck (except for basic lands).

Unlike most Magic formats, Commander is often about creativity and personal expression, allowing players to explore synergies, themes, and unique playstyles that may not fit into the more competitive formats. The fun of Commander lies in the social aspect and the chance to make wild plays, surprising your opponents with powerful combos or quirky, out-of-the-box strategies.

A Brief History of Commander (EDH)

Commander’s origins trace back to a group of Magic players in 2002, who started experimenting with the idea of using powerful legendary creatures to lead their decks. They dubbed it "Elder Dragon Highlander," referencing the "Elder Dragons" in Magic lore (such as Nicol Bolas and Arcades Sabboth) as the central characters of the format. Over time, the format gained popularity through grassroots efforts and word of mouth, and eventually, Wizards of the Coast, the company behind Magic: The Gathering, officially recognized Commander in 2011 as a sanctioned format.

Since then, Commander has become the most popular and widely played Magic format, with millions of players around the world engaging in this format. It has its own distinct rules, set of cards, and even events like Commander-specific tournaments, including Commander Showdown, Commander Legends, and others.

The Basics of Commander

1. The Commander

Every Commander deck is built around a single legendary creature or planeswalker, called the commander. This card is not just part of the deck – it’s the face of the deck and defines your playstyle.

Your commander starts in the command zone (an area separate from your deck), and you can cast it whenever you have enough mana to do so.

2. 100-Card Deck

As mentioned earlier, each Commander deck contains 100 cards, and because it’s a singleton format, you can only have one copy of each card (except for basic lands like Forest, Island, Mountain, Plains, and Swamp). The only exception is cards like Commander-specific cards that have the same name as the commander but are part of the format’s unique rules.

3. Mana Base

Managing your mana base is one of the most important parts of Commander. Since most decks have multiple colors of mana, ensuring that your deck is consistent and capable of casting your spells is crucial. You'll need a variety of lands and mana sources (mana rocks, ramp spells) to help you access the right colors.

4. The Rules

Commander has some unique rules compared to other formats:

• Starting Life Total: You start with 40 life instead of the usual 20.
• Commander Damage: If a player takes 21 or more damage from a single commander over the course of the game, that player loses, regardless of their life total.
• The Command Zone: Your commander is placed in the command zone instead of your hand, and every time you cast it from there, it costs 2 colorless mana more for each time it has been cast from the command zone.

Why Play Commander?

Commander is a refreshing change of pace from competitive formats, and it brings a variety of benefits for players:

1. It’s Social and Fun

Unlike formats like Standard or Modern, which can sometimes be more competitive, Commander is known for its relaxed, social atmosphere. The format encourages group play, friendly banter, and creative deck-building. Many players love Commander for its community-oriented nature, with people often forming local playgroups or organizing casual Commander nights at local game stores.

2. Endless Customization

Building a Commander deck is an incredibly personalized experience. Since the format allows you to select your commander and build your deck around it, you can create synergies and thematic decks that reflect your unique style. Whether you want to build around a specific tribe, explore a powerful combo, or simply play your favorite creatures, Commander lets you express yourself through your deck.

3. Low Barrier to Entry

While Commander can be as competitive as you want it to be, it’s also great for casual play. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on tournament-level cards, and most of the time, decks are built with fun and creativity in mind. It’s a great format for players to try new cards and strategies without the pressure of winning every match.

4. Diverse Strategies

The variety of commanders, cards, and themes means that the strategies in Commander are practically limitless. You could focus on aggro, where you try to deal damage quickly; control, where you manipulate the game and stop your opponents' plans; or combo, where you try to assemble a combination of cards that win the game in one powerful turn. This makes each deck a puzzle to solve, giving players plenty of opportunities to explore different strategies.

How to Get Started with Commander

Now that you understand the basics of Commander, let’s talk about how you can get started:

1. Pick Your Commander

Your first step is to select your commander. This is the most fun part of the process because your commander will shape the entire deck. Some players pick their favorite character, others choose a commander based on a specific strategy they want to pursue. Don’t be afraid to experiment – there are so many legendary creatures and planeswalkers to choose from!

2. Build Your Deck

After selecting your commander, the next step is to build a 100-card deck. Your deck should focus on supporting your commander’s strengths and creating synergies with the other cards you include. Don’t forget to balance your mana base, include ramp (ways to generate more mana), and think about your win conditions (how you plan to win the game). The best part of building a deck is that you can tweak and modify it as you go!

3. Play and Learn

Once your deck is ready, gather some friends and start playing! The more you play, the better you’ll get at understanding the nuances of your deck and improving it. Commander is a learning process, and part of the fun is discovering new interactions and combos you didn’t expect.

4. Join the Commander Community

Whether online or at your local game store, there’s a huge Commander community you can tap into. You can watch videos, read articles (like this one!), or even attend Commander events to gain inspiration, share your deck, and see how others build their decks.

Conclusion

Commander is an incredible format that’s all about creativity, community, and fun. With its expansive ruleset, unique playstyle, and emphasis on social interactions, it’s no surprise that it’s become a favorite of Magic: The Gathering players worldwide. If you’re new to the format, take it slow, have fun, and experiment with different commanders and deck-building ideas. And remember, every game of Commander is a chance to learn, grow, and, most importantly, have a good time with friends.

At Galloping Goons, we love helping players build the perfect custom Commander decks, whether you’re just getting started or looking to optimize your existing deck. Stay tuned for more tips and guides on how to craft your dream Commander deck!