Ever stare at the wall of colorful Commander Preconstructed decks and feel a little lost? It’s like trying to pick one flavor of ice cream when there are a hundred! Deciding which prebuilt deck to buy for your next game of Magic: The Gathering can be tough. Each one promises a unique adventure, but you want to make sure you pick a deck that actually fits your style and won’t need a total overhaul right away. It’s frustrating to spend your hard-earned gold on a deck that doesn’t quite click when you play it.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We are diving deep into the latest Commander Precon offerings. We will break down what makes each deck tick, highlighting their strengths and pointing out areas where you might want to swap out a card or two later on. By the end of this post, you will know exactly which deck offers the best starting point for your next legendary journey, saving you time and ensuring more fun at the table.
Top Commander Decks Precon Recommendations
- RETURN TO THE LAND OF LIGHT AND SHADOW—Lorwyn returns, not as it once was, but a world split in two. Explore this dual-aspect plane filled with enchanting creatures and embrace the powers of order and chaos.
- READY-TO-PLAY COMMANDER DECK—Pick up and play Magic’s most popular multiplayer format
- CONTENTS—100-card Dance of the Elements deck with 12 new cards (including 2 foil Mythics), deck box, 10 double-sided token cards, strategy insert, reference card
- RETURN TO THE LAND OF LIGHT AND SHADOW—Lorwyn returns, not as it once was, but a world split in two. Explore this dual-aspect plane filled with enchanting creatures and embrace the powers of order and chaos.
- READY-TO-PLAY COMMANDER DECK—Pick up and play Magic’s most popular multiplayer format
- CONTENTS—100-card Blight Curse deck with 12 new cards (including 2 foil Mythics), deck box, 10 double-sided token cards, strategy insert, reference card
- TINY TAILS, BIG ADVENTURE—Put your best paw forward and enter the world of Bloomburrow. Fight beside adorable critters and prove that bravery comes in all sizes.
- GET ALL 4 BLOOMBURROW COMMANDER DECKS—Make trash and smash with Animated Army, make offspring and go wide with Family Matters, make friends and then end them with Peace Offering, or hoard tokens to defeat your enemies with an army of squirrels with Squirreled Away
- EPIC MULTIPLAYER BATTLES—Commander is a multiplayer way to play Magic, an epic, free-for-all battle full of strategic plays and social intrigue
- INTRODUCING 40 COMMANDER CARDS—Each deck introduces 10 never-before-seen Commander cards to Magic: The Gathering, including 3 foil cards (one of which is Borderless.)
- COLLECT SPECIAL TREATMENT CARDS—Each deck also comes with a 2-card Collector Booster Sample Pack containing 2 cards from the Bloomburrow set, including 1 alt-border Rare or Mythic Rare and at least 1 Traditional Foil card
- NO FISHY BUSINESS—Explore the depths for lands and buff your army of Merfolk to change the tide of battle!
- INTRODUCES 10 COMMANDER CARDS—This deck introduces 10 never-before-seen Commander cards to Magic: The Gathering
- COLLECT SPECIAL TREATMENT CARDS—Each deck also comes with a 2-card Collector Booster Sample Pack containing 2 alt-border cards from the The Lost Caverns of Ixalan set, including 1 Rare or Mythic Rare and at least 1 Traditional Foil card
- EPIC MULTIPLAYER BATTLES—Commander is a multiplayer way to play Magic, an epic, free-for-all battle full of strategic plays and social intrigue
- JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF IXALAN—Explore the cavernous depths beneath Ixalan in a race to the hidden core. Will you uncover treasure and glory, or will your adventure spell certain doom?
- SURPASS YOUR PROGRAMMING—Boost artifacts and proliferate counters with the aid of interstellar vessel, Inspirit, and its sentient navigational consciousness, Kilo
- 2 FOIL BORDERLESS COMMANDERS—Every Edge of Eternities Commander Deck includes 2 Traditional Foil Legendary Creature cards featuring Borderless art
- INTRODUCES 12 COMMANDER CARDS—Each deck introduces 12 never-before-seen Commander cards to Magic: The Gathering
- COLLECT SPECIAL TREATMENT CARDS—Each deck also comes with a 2-card Collector Booster Sample Pack containing 1 Traditional Foil card and 1 alt-border Rare or Mythic Rare (foil or nonfoil)
- THRILLING MULTIPLAYER BATTLES—Commander is a multiplayer way to play Magic, an epic, free-for-all battle full of strategic plays and social intrigue
- FIGHT DRAGONS WITH DRAGONS—Return to Tarkir for an epic battle between dragons and clans; discover which clan fits your playstyle with distinct three-color gameplay, and add draconic power to your collection
- STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT—Ally with the Mardu clan to make attacker tokens and sacrifice them for value with this Red-White-Black Commander deck
- 2 FOIL BORDERLESS COMMANDERS—Command your army with the Mythic Spirit Dragon, Neriv, or Zurgo, leader of the new Mardu; every Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck includes 2 Traditional Foil Legendary Creature cards featuring gorgeous Borderless art
- BATTLE ALONGSIDE YOUR CLAN—The Mardu are nomads who defend and expand their vast territory through agile tactics and the exploitation of weakness. A unified force, they are revered for their lightning-wielding fighters, expert beast riders, and commitment to their clan.
- INTRODUCES 10 COMMANDER CARDS—Each deck introduces 10 never-before-seen Commander cards to Magic: The Gathering
- FIGHT DRAGONS WITH DRAGONS—Return to Tarkir for an epic battle between dragons and clans; discover which clan fits your playstyle with distinct three-color gameplay, and add draconic power to your collection
- HIT HARD AND HIT OFTEN—Join the Jeskai spirit dragon, Shiko, and former planeswalker Narset and the Jeskai clan to cast extra spells and flurry spell effects with this Blue-Red-White Commander deck
- 2 FOIL BORDERLESS COMMANDERS—Every Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck contains 2 Traditional Foil Legendary Creature cards featuring gorgeous Borderless art, including each clan’s Mythic Spirit Dragon
- BATTLE ALONGSIDE YOUR CLAN—Led by monk-practitioners of the Way, the Jeskai seek unity of thought and a shared understanding of reality. Precise, compassionate, and rigorous, they consider it their duty to guide Tarkir to a better future.
- INTRODUCES 10 COMMANDER CARDS—Each deck introduces 10 never-before-seen Commander cards to Magic: The Gathering
- FIGHT DRAGONS WITH DRAGONS—Return to Tarkir for an epic battle between dragons and clans; discover which clan fits your playstyle with distinct three-color gameplay, and add draconic power to your collection
- GROW BACK FROM BEYOND—Ally with the Sultai to fill your graveyard and return with zombie druids with this Black-Green-Blue Commander deck
- 2 FOIL BORDERLESS COMMANDERS—Command your army with the Mythic Spirit Dragon, Teval, or Kotis, leader of the Sultai clan; every Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck includes 2 Traditional Foil Legendary Creature cards featuring gorgeous Borderless art
- BATTLE ALONGSIDE YOUR CLAN—Adept at transforming challenge into opportunity, the Sultai cultivate sprawling land into farms and cities. Not even death can stop them, as their powerful necromancers raise the honored dead to continue leading and serving.
- INTRODUCES 10 COMMANDER CARDS—Each deck introduces 10 never-before-seen Commander cards to Magic: The Gathering
Your First Step into Commander: Buying Guide for Precon Decks
Commander (also known as EDH) is the most popular way to play Magic: The Gathering. Preconstructed (Precon) decks are fantastic starting points. They give you a ready-to-play deck right out of the box. This guide helps you choose the best one for you.
Key Features to Look For in a Precon Deck
1. Commander Identity and Strategy
Every Commander deck centers around one legendary creature—your Commander. Look at what colors your Commander uses. This tells you the deck’s main game plan.
- Color Identity: Does the Commander use Green for big creatures, Blue for tricky spells, or Black for draining life? Pick colors that sound fun to play.
- Deck Theme: Does the deck focus on a specific mechanic, like sacrificing creatures (Aristocrats) or making lots of tokens? A clear theme means the cards work well together.
2. Card Quality and Value (The “Staples”)
A good Precon offers good “staple” cards. These are powerful, widely used cards that fit into many different decks.
- Reprint Value: Wizards of the Coast often reprints expensive, useful cards in new Precons. Check spoiler lists online to see if the deck includes cards you need for other projects.
- Mana Base: The lands in the deck matter a lot. Better Precons include more “dual lands” that can tap for two different colors of mana without hurting you.
Important Materials and Components
When you buy a Commander Precon, you receive more than just 100 cards. Check that all these parts are included:
- The Deck (100 Cards): This includes the Commander card, 99 other cards, and usually one foil (shiny) version of the Commander.
- Life Counters: Most decks include a spindown life counter. This plastic die helps you track your 40 starting life total.
- Tokens: You need tokens to represent creatures or effects the deck creates. Good Precons include enough tokens for the main strategies.
- Deck Box: Sometimes, the packaging doubles as a simple storage box.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all Precons are created equal. Some are much stronger right out of the packaging.
Quality Boosters (What Makes a Deck Great)
- Synergy: When almost every card supports the main theme, the deck plays smoothly. High synergy means less frustration.
- Inclusion of Ramp: “Ramp” means ways to get extra mana quickly (like playing extra lands or artifacts that produce mana). Decks rich in good ramp play faster and are more powerful.
Quality Reducers (What Makes a Deck Weak)
- Poor Mana Base: If the deck has too many basic lands and not enough lands that produce multiple colors, you will often be stuck waiting for the right color of mana. This reduces the fun significantly.
- Too Many “Filler” Cards: Some older Precons include cards that don’t really help the main strategy. These cards just take up space where better cards should be.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use the deck.
- For New Players: Choose a deck with a straightforward strategy, often focusing on Green for creature power or White/Blue for simple board control. These teach basic Commander rules well.
- For Experienced Players: Look for decks that introduce a complex, newer mechanic or feature a unique Commander. These decks are fun to upgrade later.
- Upgrading Potential: A great Precon is one that is fun on its own but also has room to swap out a few cards for better ones later. Check if the core cards support powerful upgrades.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Commander Precon Decks
Q: Do I need to buy anything else to play a Precon deck?
A: No. Precon decks are designed to be played immediately. You just need a group of friends and the basic rules of Magic: The Gathering.
Q: Are Precon decks strong enough to beat custom decks?
A: Usually, no. Precons are built for beginners. Custom decks built by experienced players are often much stronger, but Precons are usually close enough for casual games.
Q: How many cards are in a standard Commander Precon?
A: A Commander deck always contains exactly 100 cards: one legendary creature (the Commander) and 99 other cards.
Q: Should I replace the Commander card right away?
A: Not necessarily. Test the deck first! You might find you enjoy the Commander’s ability before deciding to swap it out for a different legendary creature.
Q: What does “upgrading” a Precon mean?
A: Upgrading means swapping out some of the weaker cards for stronger, more expensive, or more synergistic cards to improve the deck’s overall speed and power.
Q: How often do new Precon sets come out?
A: New Commander Precon products are usually released alongside major Magic: The Gathering expansion sets, typically four major releases per year.
Q: What if a card is missing from my new deck?
A: If you purchased the deck new and it is sealed, contact the store or the manufacturer (Wizards of the Coast) for a replacement. This is rare, but it happens.
Q: Which colors are generally easiest for new players?
A: Decks with Green (for fast mana and big creatures) or White (for small, helpful creatures and defense) are often the most straightforward for learning the game.
Q: Are the foil cards in the deck valuable?
A: The foil version of the Commander is usually the most valuable single card, but the overall value depends on the other reprinted cards inside the deck.
Q: Can I use a Precon deck in the competitive Commander format?
A: You can technically use any 100-card legal deck, but Precons are rarely competitive at high levels because they lack the finely tuned card choices of top-tier decks.