Top 10 MTG Cards for Commander in 2023
Welcome back for another History, Restapled, a Commander-focused column that attempts to validate a newer card’s status as a staple by looking at how cards that are similar, synergistic, or competing have fared in the past financially.
Few years in recent memory were as thrilling for Commander as 2023. Not only did
The game also emerged from Middle-earth and Gallifrey relatively unscathed (save the former’s effect on other formats). Fittingly, the Top 10 Commander Cards list from this outrageous year contains plenty of over-the-top effects to appease our inner Timmys and Johnnys, without neglecting our Spikes.
Note: These were evaluated as inclusions in the 99.
10. Mondrak, Glory Dominus
| Mondrak, Glory Dominus | ||
| Mondrak, Glory Dominus (Showcase) | ||
| Mondrak, Glory Dominus (Oil Slick Raised Foil) |
9. Breach the Multiverse
Unlike
| Breach the Multiverse | ||
| Breach the Multiverse (Extended Art) |
8. Sword of Forge and Frontier
| Sword of Forge and Frontier | ||
| Sword of Forge and Frontier (Oil Slick Raised Foil) |
7. Minas Tirith , Rivendell , Barad-dur , Mines of Moria and The Shire
Any deck that runs three colors or fewer will love this new cycle of auto-include lands from
| Minas Tirith | ||
| Minas Tirith (0341) (Borderless) | ||
| Rivendell | ||
| Rivendell (Borderless) | ||
| Barad-dur | ||
| Barad-dur (0340) (Borderless) | ||
| Mines of Moria | ||
| Mines of Moria (0342) (Borderless) | ||
| The Shire | ||
| The Shire (Borderless) |
6. Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant and Last March of the Ents
These spells operate similarly: one lets you dump your hand upon ETB (not a “cast” trigger, notably) while the other requires a fatty on the field but draws you additional cards from which to dump. The effect, in both cases, is back-breaking for a color well known to have more than a handful of great creature targets at the ready. I prefer Last March of the Ents for its uncounterability, but Ghalta’s repeatability might put it slightly over the top, objectively. You can’t go wrong with either.
| Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant | ||
| Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant (Borderless) | ||
| Last March of the Ents | ||
| Last March of the Ents (Borderless) | ||
| Last March of the Ents (Borderless Poster) |
5. Cyber Conversion
This unassuming new blue spell represents an easy way to completely neuter an opponent’s strategy by turning their commander face down, making players beg for more traditional removal. Even if Cyber Conversion isn’t targeting the lynchpin of a player’s deck, it can still get around stoppers like indestructible and regenerate, and costs merely the price of a
| Cyber Conversion | ||
| Cyber Conversion (Extended Art) |
4. Roaming Throne
Kindred deck pilots rejoiced when this new staple was previewed, but The Roaming Throne offers plenty of utility for other themes, too. Unexpectedly doubling a commander’s triggered ability even once can make a substantial impact on the game, and odds are slim that the commander is, for instance, the only Human or Zombie in a deck with something to set off The Roaming Throne. Plus, the card is colorless and boasts just enough ward to make removing it a meaningful annoyance. Expect to see this one a lot.
| Roaming Throne | ||
| Roaming Throne (Borderless) |
3. Moonshaker Cavalry
| Moonshaker Cavalry | ||
| Moonshaker Cavalry (Extended Art) |
2. Delighted Halfling
Mana dorks that cost one mana are already at a premium, not to mention those that can produce more than one color of mana with regularity. Even fewer offer more than one toughness and exactly zero others make your legendary spells uncounterable. Delighted Halfling is like a baby
| Delighted Halfling | ||
| Delighted Halfling (Extended Art) | ||
| Delighted Halfling (Borderless) |
1. Etali, Primal Conqueror
Commander has its new villain, and it comes equipped with an ability that’s easier to trigger than its predecessor,
| Etali, Primal Conqueror | ||
| Etali, Primal Conqueror (Showcase) |
Happy holidays, everyone. And a healthy new year!
Further Reading:
Steve Heisler
Steve Heisler is a writer and pop culture journalist covering comedy, games, television, film and the tech industry. His work has been published in Rolling Stone, GQ, Variety, The AV Club, Fast Company and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began collecting Magic cards during Fourth Edition and plays Commander and Modern primarily. He also enjoys tennis, the Dark Souls family of video games and supporting live comedy. He lives in Chicago with his cat, Rosie.