The Top 10 Broken Cards for Commander (EDH Tips & Strategy) February 15, 2012
Posted by James in : all, strategy, tips, constructed , trackback
Commander (Elder Dragon Highlander) gives us a unique opportunity to find cards that are broken because (a) the game is multiplayer, (b) players start the game at 40 life, or (c) players each get a “general.” The list of cards here are broken precisely because of these elements. (Even so, I am not saying that they should be banned, or are necessarily better than the cards from the Commander Power 9.) The point is merely that these are cards that should probably be in your deck whenever possible.
Tenth Place: Nezumi Graverobber
Nezumi Graverobber is vulnerable to removal, but it can wreck havoc in any multiplayer game. With multiple player’s it’s not only likely that you will find a graveyard that’s easy to exile, but you’re also likely to find plenty of things to bring back to life.
Ninth Place: Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant
Rune-Tail is great because of the 40-life rule. It is likely to flip right away. The ability is one that is often dismissed, but it is great in creature heavy decks and is a great combo with cards that produce a lot of tokens.
Eighth Place: Lurking Predators
I’ve had great luck with Lurking Predators 1-on-1, but it’s really broken in multiplayer games. Of course, you do need to build around this card. You’ll want a lot of large creatures in your deck, and some Eldrazi should be in there somewhere.
Seventh Place: Hallowed Burial
Hallowed Burial is great because of the “general rule.” Generals that die or are exiled can be put into the “command zone” and can be cast again from that zone. Hallowed Burial stops that from happening.
Sixth Place: Consecrated Sphinx
Consecrated Sphinx is great, but it’s even better in multiplayer. If no one kills it, then you’ll draw more than enough cards to do whatever you want.
Fifth Place: Condemn
Like Hallowed Burial, Condemn is good at stopping generals. It is the best removal against generals in the set. (Spin into Myth is also worth playing and has a similar ability, but it costs five times as much mana.)
Fourth Place: Hinder
Hinder is also good because of the “general rule” as well as cards with flashback or other graveyard abilities. It costs more than Condemn, but it can stop just about any spell, so it’s much more versatile.
Third place: Luminarch Ascension
Luminarch’s Ascension is great in multiplayer. Many players refuse to play it because it encourages players to gang up against you. Even so, it encourages them to do that precisely because it’s such a good card.
Second place: Mystic Remora
Mystic Remora is great in multiplayer games because there’s a good chance you’ll draw several extra cards from it. Players will almost never want to spend the extra mana.
First Place: Serra Ascendant
Serra Ascendant is the best example of a broken card from Commander’s 40-life-rule. It’s likely to be a 6/6 creature with flying and lifelink for one mana. Need I say more?
Honorable mention: Mind’s Eye. Just about every Commander deck should have a Mind’s Eye in it, and I’ve already talked about how good it is. (It’s another card that’s great in multiplayer.)
Comments»
Condemn cannot be used as Planeswalker removal, because it says “target attacking CREATURE”.
Akapes, thanks for the correction. I just meant removal vs generals.