The Commander format in Magic: The Gathering lets us build decks with 100 cards, which may strain your budget if you’re looking for an effective build. So I’ve dug in to provide you with the Top 10 best MTG budget commander decks, including a list of the essential cards.
Magic the Gathering: Top 10 Best Commander Decks to Build on a Budget
To build these MtG Commander decks on a budget, you need to carefully consider which cards to include in your decklist.
But instead of giving you a full 99 for your commander, I’m looking at a list of the best cards for each deck that won’t break the bank.
You can fill the rest with cards you already own to reduce the cost of your deck even further. However, the cards listed below are essential, and you need to ensure you have them for an effective battlefield presence.
10. Best Cards for Isshin, Two Heavens as One Decks
Isshin’s double attack trigger ability allows you to build a truly powerful Commander deck on a budget. The strategy is as simple as it gets, and all you need to do is trigger as many attack abilities as you can.
Play cards like Mardu Ascendancy and Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin to generate lots of attacking tokens. But be sure to protect your Isshin once it’s on board, as it’ll be the primary target for removal.
- Adriana, Captain of the Guard.
- Hellrider.
- Farewell.
- Path to Exile.
- Skyknight Vanguard.
- Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin.
- Captain Lannery Storm.
- Ruinous Ultimatum.
- Boros Signet.
- Orzhov Signet.
- Brutal Hordechief.
- Mardu Ascendancy.
- Arcane Signet.
- Sol Ring.
9. Best Cards for Omnath, Locus of Creation Decks
Landfall synergies can generate some powerful effects, such as dealing direct damage, drawing cards, gaining life, and creating tokens. Omnath’s color pie is highly versatile, which opens up lots of doors for deckbuilding, but I prefer to focus on ramp and control in this case.
This strategy will help you draw tons of cards and quickly gain a certain level of resilience from your opponent’s attacks.
- Rampaging Baloths.
- Tireless Provisioner.
- Aesi, Tyrant of Gyre Strait.
- Azusa, Lost but Seeking.
- Avenger of Zendikar.
- Scute Swarm.
- Lotus Cobra.
- Kodama’s Reach.
- Cultivate.
- Omnath, Locus of Rage.
- Ancient Greenwarden.
- Tatyova, Benthic Druid.
- Three Visits.
- Sol Ring.
8. Best Cards for Urza, Chief Artificer Decks
Urza’s main trick has always been its artifact synergies, but Chief Artificer Commander has several abilities that you may utilize to your advantage. I find the last ability to be the best, as you basically get a free construct each turn that just keeps on growing.
The more artifacts you play, the bigger these constructs get, and nobody has that many board sweepers to deal with them all.
- Bronze Guardian.
- Steel Overseer.
- Sai, Master Thopterist.
- Thought Monitor.
- Foundry Inspector.
- Master of Etherium.
- Solemn Simulacrum.
- Swords to Plowshares.
- Arcane Signet.
- Etherium Sculptor.
- Sol Ring.
- Azorius Signet.
- Dimir Signet.
- Orzhov Signet.
7. Best Cards for Eriette of the Charmed Apple Decks
Who would’ve thought that auras and life drain could be combined for a winning strategy in EDH? But Eriette delivers on both of those mechanics with perfection.
You gain serious protection from the earliest stages of the gameplay, and if your opponent has no way to deal with your auras, then it’s basically game over. But you do have to watch out for those removal spells.
- Lurrus of the Dream-Den.
- Esper Sentinel.
- Killian, Ink Duelist.
- Kor Spiritdancer.
- Mesa Enchantress.
- Starfield Mystic.
- Light-Paws, Emperor’s Voice.
- Vampiric Link.
- All That Glitters.
- Spirit Link.
- Gift of Immortality.
- Hateful Eidolon.
- Sram, Senior Edificer.
- Minion’s Return.
6. Best Cards for Lathril, Blade of the Elves Decks
Lathril offers something similar to Eriette, but here, it’s all about the elves. If you already have a number of Elf cards, this MtG Commander won’t put a strain on your wallet.
That’s why it’s such a good option to build around for your 99 with a bunch of elves that you already own. Elf tribal decks have always performed well in formats like EDH, so be sure to try this one out.
- Timberwatch Elf.
- Reclamation Sage.
- Dwynen, Gilt-Leaf Daen.
- Lys Alana Huntmaster.
- Arcane Signet.
- Elvish Mystic.
- Shaman of the Pack.
- Imperious Perfect.
- Marwyn, the Nurturer.
- Canopy Tactician.
- Sol Ring.
- Elvish Archdruid.
- Beast Whisperer.
- Elven Ambush.
5. Best Cards for Arcades, the Strategist Decks
When Arcades was first introduced to Magic: The Gathering, everybody knew that there would be a strong “toughness matters” deck, making rounds in various formats. Well, after a few years, it’s evidently showing the best results in EDH.
You’d have to put tons of defenders and creatures with high toughness in your deck, but they’re always cheap and great for this budget Commander deck. You shouldn’t have trouble purchasing them.
- Wingmantle Chaplain.
- Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive.
- Crashing Drawbridge.
- Wall of Blossoms.
- Hover Barrier.
- Wall of Frost.
- Overgrown Battlement.
- Wall of Omens.
- Axebane Guardian.
- Stalwart Shield-Bearers.
- Slaughter the Strong.
- Tower Defense.
- Assault Formation.
- Arcane Signet.
4. Best Cards for Kenrith, the Returned King Decks
Kenrith does a lot of things, but my personal favorite is his last black ability, which reanimates dead creatures. Mind, you can do this as many times as you want if you have the means to pay for it.
But his other skills, such as life gain and card draw engines, are just as useful. Since Kenrith still costs a little over a dollar, he definitely makes up for one awesome budget MtG Commander.
- Seedborn Muse.
- Esper Sentinel.
- Swords to Plowshares.
- Eladamri’s Call.
- Kodama’s Reach.
- Farseek.
- Dockside Extortionist.
- Birds of Paradise.
- Cyclonic Rift.
- Fellwar Stone.
- Smothering Tithe.
- Rhystic Study.
- Sol Ring.
- Arcane Signet.
3. Best Cards for Anowon, the Ruin Thief Decks
Milling and flooding your opponent with tokens is a strategy that’s really hard to counter. If Anowon doesn’t get you with his creatures, he’ll get you with an empty library.
This is one of the most unique commanders on my list, and many MtG players aren’t even aware of its existence. If you like what you see, then be sure to try this deck out.
- Enigma Thief.
- Merfolk Windrobber.
- Military Intelligence.
- Arcane Signet.
- Changeling Outcast.
- Faerie Vandal.
- Invisible Stalker.
- Oona’s Blackguard.
- Slither Blade.
- Soaring Thought-Thief.
- Sygg, River Cutthroat.
- Triton Shorestalker.
- Notorious Throng.
- Sol Ring
2. Best Cards for Niv-Mizzet, Parun Decks
Don’t you just love it when your opponent’s actions benefit your own gameplay? When any player casts an instant or sorcery spell, Niv-Mizzet deals damage to any target.
This simple ruling may not only completely ruin your opponent’s plans, especially if their deck relies on casting lots of spells, but also stop them from doing it altogether, which is a win-win for you anyway.
- Tandem Lookout.
- Imperial Recruiter.
- Serum Visions.
- Opt.
- Preordain.
- Brainstorm.
- Fellwar Stone.
- Talisman of Creativity.
- Counterspell.
- Ophidian Eye.
- Curiosity.
- Sol Ring.
- Arcane Signet.
- Izzet Signet.
1. Best Cards for Korvold, Fae-Cursed King Decks
Korvold is probably the most expensive Commander on my list, going for about $10 a pop. But I just couldn’t resist including him here, as you get a really cool winning strategy.
It’s actually quite simple, and all you need is to grow Korvold by simply sacrificing some tokens and making it unblockable for a single lethal attack.
- Impulsive Pilferer.
- Zulaport Cutthroat.
- Woe Strider.
- Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder.
- Crux of Fate.
- Cultivate.
- Infernal Grasp.
- Tireless Provisioner.
- Chatterfang, Squirrel General.
- Sol Ring.
- Viscera Seer.
- Pitiless Plunderer.
- Mayhem Devil.
- Arcane Signet.
That’s it for my list of the Top 10 best MTG budget commander decks. Stay tuned for more MtG tips and tricks articles, including 15 best March of the Machine cards for Commander and 11 most expensive March of the Machine cards.
Published: Jan 15, 2024 12:18 pm