MTG Commander Decks: 12 Best Precons and How to Choose One

MTG Commander decks are the most popular way to play Magic: The Gathering with friends. Commander is a social, multiplayer format built around a legendary creature, and preconstructed MTG Commander decks let you start playing straight out of the box. This guide explains how Commander works, highlights 12 great precons, and shows you how to choose and upgrade MTG Commander decks.

What is Commander?

Commander is a Magic format where each player builds a 100-card deck led by a legendary creature, called the commander. Apart from basic lands, every card in the deck must be different, and every card must match the commander’s colour identity. Games usually involve three or four players and start at 40 life, which makes them longer and more social than one-on-one formats.

Commander basics

• 100 cards: 99 cards plus your commander.
• Singleton: only one copy of each card except basic lands.
• Colour identity: every card must match your commander’s colours.
• Command zone: your commander starts outside the deck and can be cast from there.
• 40 life: players start with more life than in other formats.
• Multiplayer: games are usually played with three or four players.

What are preconstructed MTG Commander decks?

Preconstructed MTG Commander decks, or precons, are complete 100-card decks built by Wizards of the Coast. They are designed to be played straight out of the box and usually include a themed commander, a strategy and a mix of new and reprinted cards. Precons are the easiest way to start playing Commander, and many experienced players buy them for their new cards.

Types of precons

• Starter Commander decks: beginner-friendly decks with simple strategies.
• Set Commander decks: released alongside each major Magic set.
• Collector editions: versions with special foil treatments.
• Universes Beyond decks: crossovers with franchises such as Final Fantasy and Marvel.

12 great MTG Commander decks to consider

Here are 12 MTG Commander decks from our store, covering beginner decks, crossovers and recent sets.

Starter Commander decks

1. Starter Commander Deck: First Flight: a flying-focused deck that is easy to learn.
2. Starter Commander Deck: Grave Danger: a graveyard-themed deck for players who like recursion.
3. Starter Commander Deck: Chaos Incarnate: an aggressive, chaotic deck for fun multiplayer games.

Final Fantasy Commander decks

4. Final Fantasy Commander Deck: Counter Blitz: built around Final Fantasy X characters.
5. Final Fantasy Commander Deck: Limit Break: a powerful deck themed around Final Fantasy VII.
6. Final Fantasy VI Commander Deck: Revival Trance: a collector edition themed around Final Fantasy VI.

Marvel Super Heroes Commander decks

7. Commander Collector Deck: Avengers Assemble: team up iconic heroes.
8. Commander Collector Deck: Wakanda Forever: themed around Wakanda and its heroes.
9. Commander Collector Deck: Doom Prevails: play as one of Marvel’s greatest villains.
10. Commander Collector Deck: The Fantastic Four: Marvel’s first family in Commander form.

Recent set decks

11. Secrets of Strixhaven Commander Deck: Lorehold Spirit: a red-white spirit and history theme.
12. Lorwyn Eclipsed Commander Deck: Blight Curse: a dark, curse-themed deck.

We also stock decks such as Murders at Karlov Manor Revenant Recon. Browse our collections and MTG singles for more.

How to choose MTG Commander decks

With so many MTG Commander decks available, choosing one comes down to a few questions.

What strategy do you enjoy?

• Aggressive: attack early and often.
• Control: answer threats and win late.
• Combo: assemble pieces that win together.
• Tokens: create armies of small creatures.
• Graveyard: bring cards back from the dead.
• Spellslinger: cast lots of instants and sorceries.

Which colours do you like?

Each colour in Magic has its own personality. White favours order and protection, blue favours knowledge and control, black favours ambition and sacrifice, red favours speed and chaos, and green favours growth and big creatures. Many MTG Commander decks combine two or three colours.

Do you love a franchise?

If you are a fan of Final Fantasy, Marvel or another franchise, a Universes Beyond deck lets you play with your favourite characters.

How experienced are you?

Starter Commander decks are designed for new players. Set decks and collector editions can be more complex.

Commander brackets and power level

Commander uses a bracket system to help players match decks of similar power. Brackets range from casual decks to highly optimised competitive decks. Most preconstructed MTG Commander decks sit in the lower or middle brackets, which makes them good for casual games. Talk with your playgroup about brackets before a game so everyone has fun. You can read more about Commander on the official Magic: The Gathering Commander page.

How to upgrade MTG Commander decks

Precons are a starting point. Upgrading your deck is part of the fun of Commander.

Upgrade priorities

1. Mana base: add better lands that enter untapped and fix colours.
2. Ramp: add mana rocks and ramp spells, such as Sol Ring and Arcane Signet.
3. Card draw: include ways to keep your hand full, such as Rhystic Study in blue.
4. Removal: add flexible removal and board wipes.
5. Protection: include cards such as Heroic Intervention and Swiftfoot Boots to protect your commander.
6. Synergy: swap weaker cards for ones that support your commander’s strategy.

Find upgrade cards in our MTG singles, including staples such as Sol Ring, Arcane Signet, Heroic Intervention and Swiftfoot Boots.

Upgrade tips

• Change a few cards at a time and play test.
• Keep a list of cards you want to try.
• Focus on your commander’s main strategy.
• Keep the deck at a power level your playgroup enjoys.

Protecting MTG Commander decks

Commander decks are shuffled a lot, so protection matters. Double-sleeve valuable cards, use a deck box that holds 100 sleeved cards, and consider a playmat to protect cards on the table. Browse our accessories for sleeves and deck protection.

Commander etiquette

Commander is a social format, so a few habits make games better for everyone.

• Discuss power level and brackets before playing.
• Explain what your cards do when asked.
• Keep turns moving.
• Be a good sport whether you win or lose.

MTG Commander decks FAQ

What are the best MTG Commander decks for beginners?

Starter Commander decks such as First Flight, Grave Danger and Chaos Incarnate are designed for new players and are easy to learn.

How many cards are in MTG Commander decks?

A Commander deck has exactly 100 cards, including the commander.

Can I play preconstructed MTG Commander decks against each other?

Yes. Precons are designed to be played against other precons and make great casual games.

Are Commander collector editions worth it?

Collector editions include special foil treatments. They are worth it if you love the look of foils and want a premium version of the deck.

How do I start upgrading my precon?

Start with the mana base, ramp and card draw, then add removal and cards that support your commander’s strategy.

What comes in MTG Commander decks?

Most preconstructed MTG Commander decks include the 100-card deck, a foil commander, sometimes one or more alternate foil commanders, tokens and a deck box. Collector editions add special foil treatments across the deck. Contents vary by product, so always check the listing.

Typical contents

• A 100-card ready-to-play deck.
• A foil face commander.
• Tokens used by the deck’s cards.
• A deck box to store everything.
• Sometimes a collector booster sample pack or a display commander.

Building MTG Commander decks from scratch

Once you are comfortable with precons, you may want to build your own deck. A common starting framework for a 100-card Commander deck looks like this:

• Commander: 1 legendary creature.
• Lands: about 36 to 38.
• Ramp: about 10 cards that add mana.
• Card draw: about 10 cards that refill your hand.
• Targeted removal: about 8 to 10 cards.
• Board wipes: about 2 to 4 cards.
• Strategy cards: the remaining slots, focused on your commander’s plan.

These numbers are guidelines rather than rules. Adjust them to fit your commander and playgroup.

Popular Commander staples

Some cards appear in a huge number of MTG Commander decks because they work in almost any strategy. Examples include:

• Sol Ring: a colourless mana rock found in nearly every deck.
• Arcane Signet: mana in your commander’s colours.
• Command Tower: a land that taps for any of your commander’s colours.
• Swiftfoot Boots and Lightning Greaves: protect and speed up your commander.
• Heroic Intervention: protect your board in green.
• Rhystic Study: powerful card draw in blue.
• Swords to Plowshares: efficient removal in white.

Playing your first game with MTG Commander decks

Your first game of Commander can feel big, with lots of cards and players. Keep it simple: play a land each turn, cast ramp early, and focus on your commander’s main plan. Ask other players what their cards do, and do not worry about winning. Most playgroups are happy to help new players learn.

Turn order basics

1. Untap your permanents.
2. Upkeep, then draw a card.
3. Main phase: play a land and cast spells.
4. Combat: attack with creatures.
5. Second main phase: cast more spells.
6. End step: pass the turn.

MTG Commander decks by colour combination

Magic uses names for each colour pair and trio, and most MTG Commander decks fall into one of them. Knowing the names helps you browse precons and find a deck that matches your style.

Two-colour pairs

• Azorius (white-blue): control, flyers and protection.
• Dimir (blue-black): card draw, removal and tricks.
• Rakdos (black-red): aggression and sacrifice.
• Gruul (red-green): big creatures and combat.
• Selesnya (green-white): tokens and enchantments.
• Orzhov (white-black): life drain and recursion.
• Izzet (blue-red): instants, sorceries and spells.
• Golgari (black-green): graveyard value.
• Boros (red-white): equipment and fast attacks.
• Simic (green-blue): ramp, counters and card advantage.

Three-colour and beyond

Three-colour MTG Commander decks offer more options but need a stronger mana base. Popular combinations include Esper (white-blue-black), Jund (black-red-green), Naya (red-green-white), Grixis (blue-black-red) and Bant (green-white-blue). Four- and five-colour decks give you access to almost every card but require careful land choices. If you are new, a two-colour precon is usually the easiest to play well.

Budget tips for MTG Commander decks

• Start with a precon rather than building from nothing.
• Upgrade the mana base gradually with affordable dual lands.
• Look for reprints of staples, which are often cheaper.
• Trade cards you do not use with friends.
• Buy upgrade singles instead of extra booster packs.

Sharing MTG Commander decks with friends

Precons are a great way to introduce friends to Magic. Keep a couple of MTG Commander decks ready so new players can borrow one and join in. Starter Commander decks are especially good for this because their strategies are simple to explain.

Buying MTG Commander decks online: a practical checklist

Shopping for MTG Commander decks online is convenient, but a little preparation helps you get exactly what you expect. Use this checklist every time you buy Magic: The Gathering products, whether you are picking up a single card, a sealed box or a premium collection.

Before you order

• Confirm the exact product. Check the set name, card number, language and finish in the listing title and photos.
• Read the condition. Singles are usually listed as Near Mint, Lightly Played or similar. Graded cards show the grading company and grade.
• Check stock status. In-stock items ship sooner than pre-orders, which ship when the product releases.
• Compare value, not just price. A bundle with sleeves, dice or promos may be better value than packs alone.
• Know the policies. Read the shipping, returns and contact information before checkout.

When your order arrives

• Open the parcel carefully and check that everything matches the order.
• Inspect singles and slabs under good light straight away.
• Sleeve and store cards immediately so they keep their condition.
• Contact the store quickly if anything is wrong, with photos of the item and packaging.

How to store and care for MTG Commander decks

Good storage protects both the look and the value of MTG Commander decks. Cards are made of layered paper and ink, so heat, light, moisture and pressure all cause damage over time. A few simple habits make a big difference.

1. Sleeve first. A soft penny sleeve stops scratches and fingerprints.
2. Add rigid protection. Toploaders or semi-rigid holders stop bends for valuable cards.
3. Choose the right binder. Side-loading, acid-free binders keep cards secure and easy to view. Avoid ring binders that press into cards.
4. Control the environment. Keep cards in a cool, dry room away from windows, radiators and damp basements.
5. Store sealed product flat. Boxes and tins last longer stored flat and out of direct light.
6. Handle with clean, dry hands. Oils and moisture can mark card surfaces.

You can find sleeves, toploaders, binders and deck boxes in our TCG accessories range.

Useful terms for MTG Commander decks collectors

• Single: an individual card sold on its own.
• Sealed: unopened product in its original factory wrap.
• Pull rate: how often a type of card appears in packs.
• Chase card: the most wanted card in a set.
• Slab: a card graded and sealed in a hard plastic case.
• NM / LP / MP / HP: condition grades from Near Mint to Heavily Played.
• Reprint: a card printed again in a later product.
• Pre-order: reserving a product before its release date.

Common mistakes to avoid with MTG Commander decks

Even experienced collectors make avoidable mistakes. Keeping these in mind will save you money and protect your cards.

• Chasing one card through endless packs. If you need a specific card, the single is almost always the cheaper route.
• Skipping protection. A card left unsleeved for a day can pick up a scratch that lowers its value.
• Buying on hype alone. Prices can move quickly after a release. Check several recent sales before paying a premium.
• Ignoring condition notes. Two copies of the same card can differ greatly in value because of wear.
• Storing cards in the wrong place. Attics, garages and sunny windowsills are hard on cardboard.
• Forgetting your goal. A clear plan, such as finishing a set or upgrading a deck, keeps spending focused.

A simple plan to get started with MTG Commander decks

1. Set a goal. Decide whether you are collecting, playing or both.
2. Set a monthly budget. Spending a fixed amount keeps the hobby fun and sustainable.
3. Mix sealed and singles. Open packs for enjoyment and buy singles for the cards you really need.
4. Protect as you go. Sleeves and toploaders cost little compared with the cards they protect.
5. Track your collection. A simple list shows what you own and what you still want.
6. Sell or trade duplicates. Turn cards you do not need into new additions through a trusted store.

Why shop for MTG Commander decks at TCG Store USA

TCG Store USA is an online trading card shop for collectors and players. We list Magic: The Gathering products with clear titles and photos, separate in-stock items from pre-orders, and offer a sell and trade service when you want to turn cards into cash or store credit. Browse our singles, booster boxes and graded cards, or contact us with any question about an order or product. For official news, rules and release announcements, visit the official Magic: The Gathering site.

Final thoughts on MTG Commander decks

MTG Commander decks are the easiest way to enjoy Magic’s most popular format. Pick a precon with a strategy and theme you love, learn how it plays, and upgrade it over time with cards that make it your own. Whether you start with a beginner deck or a crossover collector edition, Commander offers endless fun with friends. Browse our shop for MTG Commander decks, singles for upgrades and accessories to protect your cards.