Ever feel like you’re standing in front of a giant candy store, but you can’t decide which treat to pick? That’s kind of what it’s like when you first dive into Commander, the most popular way to play Magic: The Gathering. With so many amazing pre-built decks, it’s easy to feel a little lost. You want to jump into the fun, but picking the *right* Starter Commander Deck can seem like a puzzle.
You might worry about picking a deck that’s too complicated, too weak, or just not your style. Maybe you’ve heard Commander is awesome but don’t know where to begin. That’s where we come in! This post is your friendly guide to navigating the world of Starter Commander Decks. We’ll break down what makes them great and help you discover which one will be your perfect entry point into epic multiplayer battles.
By the end of this, you’ll feel confident about choosing a deck that matches your personality and playstyle. Get ready to build your first Commander army and start slinging spells with your friends!
Top Starter Commander Decks Recommendations
- READY-TO-PLAY COMMANDER DECK FOR NEWCOMERS AND FANS: Join friends in epic battles! This Magic: The Gathering Starter Commander Deck, First Flight (White-Blue), is ready to play straight out of the box
- INTRO TO MAGIC’S MOST POPULAR FORMAT: Commander is a multiplayer way to play Magic! Learn how to play with your own deck, easy-to-follow rules, strategy tips, and reference card
- 100 CARD WHITE-BLUE DECK: With the First Flight deck, take wing with the sphinx Isperia, Supreme Judge, and overwhelm foes with a squadron of flying friends
- FOIL-ETCHED LEGENDARY CREATURE CARD: Includes 1 legendary creature card with gorgeous art and a foil-etched treatment. This card serves as your "commander" with unique abilities that make plays even more powerful
- INCLUDES ACCESSORIES AND DECK BOX: Also comes with 10 two-sided tokens, a deck box for storage, and punchout counters to keep track of creature buffs
- GET ALL 5 FOUNDATIONS COMMANDER DECKS—Face off against your friends with all 5 Foundations decks: Calling All Angels, Keen Engineering, Wretched Ranks, Reign of Dragons, and Tramplesaurus Rex
- WELCOME TO THE MULTIVERSE—The perfect way to start playing Commander with your friends. Bring these 100-card decks to the table and battle with 3–5 players
- THRILLING MULTIPLAYER BATTLES—Battle your friends with powerful creatures and spectacular spells in Commander, Magic’s most popular multiplayer format
- FOIL LEGENDARY CARDS—Every Foundations Commander Deck includes 1 Mythic Rare Legendary Creature card with a shiny Traditional Foil treatment to command your deck in style
- CONTENTS—This bundle includes all 5 MTG Foundations Commander Decks; each 100-card deck also comes with 10 double-sided token cards, 1 deck box, 1 strategy guide, and 1 reference card
- WELCOME TO THE MULTIVERSE—The perfect way to start playing Commander with your friends. Bring this 100-card deck to the table and square off against up to three other combatants!
- THRILLING MULTIPLAYER BATTLES—Battle your friends with powerful creatures and spectacular spells in Commander, Magic’s most popular multiplayer format
- ONE GOOD STOMP IS ALL IT TAKES—Tower over the rest of the food chain with Ghalta and let high-power creatures run wild on the battlefield. Higher attack power reduces Ghalta’s casting cost, so unleash her as soon as possible and trample the competition!
- FOIL LEGENDARY CARD—Every Foundations Commander Deck includes 1 Mythic Rare Legendary Creature card with a shiny Traditional Foil treatment to command your deck in style
- CONTENTS—1 ready-to-play Tramplesaurus Rex Foundations MTG Commander Deck (100 cards), 1 deck box, 10 double-sided token cards, 1 strategy guide, 1 reference card
- TINY TAILS, BIG ADVENTURE—Put your best paw forward and enter the world of Bloomburrow. Battle your friends with armies of adorable critters and prove that bravery comes in all sizes!
- PREPARE FOR A SPECIAL DELIVERY—Jovial troubadour Zinnia delivers the pain, plus a whole litter of offspring to overwhelm your opponents.
- EPIC MULTIPLAYER BATTLES—Commander is a multiplayer way to play Magic, an epic, free-for-all battle full of strategic plays and social intrigue
- INTRODUCES 10 COMMANDER CARDS—This deck introduces 10 never-before-seen Commander cards to Magic: The Gathering, including 3 foil cards (one of which is Borderless!)
- CONTENTS—1 ready-to-play Family Matters Bloomburrow Commander Deck, a 2-card Collector Booster Sample Pack, 10 double-sided tokens, and 1 deck box
- MAGIC MEETS THE LORD OF THE RINGS—Experience the beloved story of The Lord of the Rings with the strategic gameplay of Magic: The Gathering, facing off against opponents in thrilling magical battles
- EPIC MULTIPLAYER BATTLES—Commander is a multiplayer way to play Magic, an epic, free-for-all battle full of strategic plays and social intrigue
- ELVEN COUNCIL—Join the elven council with a 100-card Green-Blue deck containing 2 Foil Legendary Creature cards and 98 nonfoil cards
- INTRODUCES 20 COMMANDER CARDS—This deck introduces 20 never-before-seen Commander cards to Magic: The Gathering
- COLLECT SPECIAL TREATMENT CARDS—Each deck comes with a 2-card Collector Booster Sample Pack containing 2 special treatment cards from The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth set, including 1 Rare or Mythic Rare and at least 1 Traditional Foil
- TINY TAILS, BIG ADVENTURE—Put your best paw forward and enter the world of Bloomburrow. Battle your friends with armies of adorable critters and prove that bravery comes in all sizes.
- SQUIRRELS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN—Stock up on tokens, then spend your hoard to clean house with an army of squirrels
- EPIC MULTIPLAYER BATTLES—Commander is a multiplayer way to play Magic, an epic, free-for-all battle full of strategic plays and social intrigue
- INTRODUCES 10 COMMANDER CARDS—This deck introduces 10 never-before-seen Commander cards to Magic: The Gathering, including 3 foil cards (one of which is Borderless.)
- CONTENTS—1 ready-to-play Squirreled Away Bloomburrow Commander Deck, a 2-card Collector Booster Sample Pack, 10 double-sided tokens, and 1 deck box
- ASSEMBLE EARTH’S MIGHTIEST HEROES—Bring the might of the Marvel Universe to the battlefield as you combat your friends with a ready-to-play deck featuring your favorite Marvel super heroes
- ALWAYS COUNT ON CAP—Rally the Avengers with Captain America, boosting your power and abilities for each Hero you add to the team. Attach Equipment and stack counters to ensure your ranks are suited up to save the world!
- 30 NEW COMMANDER CARDS—Each ready-to-play deck includes 30 Commander cards entirely new to Magic: The Gathering
- FOIL BORDERLESS COMMANDER—Command your deck in style with 1 Legendary Creature card featuring Borderless art and a shiny Traditional Foil treatment
- EPIC MULTIPLAYER BATTLES—Magic’s most popular multiplayer play format, Commander is an action-packed, free-for-all battle full of strategic plays and social intrigue (best with 3–5 players)
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SUCCEED—Gain an instant Magic collection. This truly astounding box boasts over 350 cards with essential staples for any color and any way you want to play.
- BORDERLESS CARDS and FULL-ART LANDS—Crown your collection with cards featuring gorgeous pieces of alternate art that fill each card; the Foundations Starter Collection includes 6 Borderless cards and 10 Full-Art Land cards
- RARES and SHINING FOILS—Collect coveted Rare and Mythic Rare cards and cards that gleam with a beautiful foil treatment; this collection includes 75 cards of rarity Rare or higher and 26 Traditional Foil cards (8 of which are Rare or Mythic Rare), plus you’ll find more in the included Play Boosters.
- 3 PLAY BOOSTERS—Whether you want to draft with friends or open packs just to see what you get, Play Boosters are specially balanced for play and fun to open, with 1–2 foil cards and 1–4 cards of rarity Rare or higher in each pack, plus the possibility of an Art card showcasing a piece of art from the set
- DECKBUILDING GUIDE—Learn how to construct your own decks with expert tips and recommendations in the included Deck Builder’s Guide booklet
Your First Steps into Commander: A Starter Deck Buying Guide
Welcome, new planeswalkers! So, you’ve heard about the exciting world of Commander, the popular multiplayer format in Magic: The Gathering. You’re ready to jump in, but the thought of building a deck from scratch feels a little overwhelming. That’s where Starter Commander Decks come in! These pre-built decks are designed to get you playing right away. Let’s break down what makes a good one.
Key Features to Look For
When picking your first Starter Commander Deck, keep these important features in mind:
- The Commander: This is the most important card! Your Commander leads your army and has special abilities. Look for a Commander that excites you. Do you like aggressive creatures? Tricky spells? A Commander that fits your playstyle makes the game more fun.
- Synergy: This means the cards in the deck work well together. A good starter deck has cards that support your Commander’s strategy. They should help you cast spells, play creatures, or draw more cards.
- Power Level: Starter decks are usually designed for casual play. They won’t be as powerful as highly customized decks. This is good for beginners! It means you can learn the game without feeling completely outmatched.
- Card Variety: A good deck has a mix of creatures, spells, and lands. Creatures attack and block. Spells do things like damage your opponents or protect your creatures. Lands give you the “mana” you need to cast your spells.
Important Materials
Starter Commander Decks come with everything you need to start playing.
- The Deck: You get a 100-card deck. This includes your Commander and 99 other cards. All these cards are ready to play right out of the box.
- Deck Box: Most starter decks come with a simple deck box to keep your cards safe.
- Life Counter: You’ll often get a way to track your life total, like a spindown die. This is super helpful for keeping score.
- Strategy Insert: Some decks include a small booklet that explains how to play the deck and suggests ways to improve it later.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes a starter deck great?
- Ease of Use: A good starter deck has clear instructions and plays smoothly. The cards should make sense together. You shouldn’t have to search for hours to figure out what to do.
- Fun Factor: The most important thing is that the deck is fun to play! Does it let you do cool things? Does it create exciting game moments?
- Replayability: Can you play this deck many times and still enjoy it? Starter decks are meant to be a starting point. You can upgrade them later with new cards. A good starter deck provides a solid foundation for those upgrades.
- Card Quality: The cards themselves are printed on standard Magic: The Gathering card stock. The artwork and design are usually very well done. However, the power of the cards can vary between different starter decks. Some might have stronger, more sought-after cards than others.
User Experience and Use Cases
Starter Commander Decks are perfect for several situations:
- New Players: If you’re brand new to Magic: The Gathering or just the Commander format, a starter deck is your best friend. It lets you learn the rules and strategies without the stress of building.
- Casual Game Nights: These decks are ideal for playing with friends in a relaxed setting. They encourage interaction and fun, not just winning at all costs.
- Trying Out a New Strategy: Maybe you’re curious about a certain color combination or playstyle. A starter deck lets you experience it without investing a lot of money.
- Expanding Your Collection: Even experienced players can enjoy starter decks. They often contain useful cards that can be added to other decks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is a Starter Commander Deck?
A: A Starter Commander Deck is a pre-built 100-card Magic: The Gathering deck designed for beginners to easily enter the Commander format.
Q: How many cards are in a Starter Commander Deck?
A: Each Starter Commander Deck contains 100 cards, including one legendary creature that serves as your Commander.
Q: Do I need any other cards to play with a Starter Commander Deck?
A: No, a Starter Commander Deck comes with everything you need to play right out of the box. You just need opponents!
Q: Are Starter Commander Decks good for experienced players?
A: Yes! Experienced players can use them to try new strategies, get specific cards, or as a base for building more powerful decks.
Q: Can I change the cards in a Starter Commander Deck?
A: Absolutely! Starter decks are a great starting point. You can swap cards in and out to make them stronger or fit your personal playstyle.
Q: What does “synergy” mean in a deck?
A: Synergy means that the cards in the deck work well together and help each other achieve a common goal.
Q: How powerful are Starter Commander Decks compared to other decks?
A: Starter decks are generally designed for casual play and are less powerful than highly competitive, custom-built decks.
Q: Where can I buy Starter Commander Decks?
A: You can find them at local game stores, major online retailers, and sometimes at larger general merchandise stores.
Q: What if I don’t like the Commander in the deck I choose?
A: You can still use the other 99 cards! You can also choose to replace the Commander with any legendary creature you own or acquire.
Q: Are Starter Commander Decks a good value for money?
A: For new players, they offer excellent value. You get a playable deck and learn the format for a reasonable price.
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