Commander Index

Start with the part of the choice that matters most to you. If you already know the commander, search by name. If you are exploring, choose a color identity and strategy, then scan the first page for cards whose rules text points toward the games you want to play. Set and type filters are most useful when you remember where a card appeared or want to compare unusual options such as planeswalkers and Backgrounds.

The index uses current paper Commander legality from Scryfall and keeps only one result for each Oracle card. That prevents alternate art and repeated printings from crowding the grid. The set shown is the printing represented by the current data result, so a card with many versions may also exist in other sets. Prices are a quick market reference when available. The TCGplayer link is the better place to compare specific printings, conditions, and stock.

Popular first uses Scryfall's EDHREC rank, with the most played Commander choices appearing first. Name order is useful for broad browsing. Release order helps surface newer choices or older legends. Mana value makes it easier to compare how early a commander can enter play and how painful later casts may become. Price order appears only when the loaded card data includes usable USD prices.

Color identity decides which cards can go in the deck. It includes the colors on the commander and colored mana symbols in its rules text, not only the mana cost in the upper corner. A blue and red commander can use blue cards, red cards, cards that are both colors, and colorless cards. It cannot use a card with a white, black, or green symbol in its color identity.

Use color as a practical constraint, not a ranking. Mono-color commanders usually produce steadier mana and leave more room for utility lands. Two-color commanders open a wider card pool without making the mana base too demanding. Three or more colors create more options, but they ask you to spend more deck slots and budget on reliable fixing. Once you have a shortlist, the mana base calculator can help estimate the sources needed to cast the deck on time.

Some decks can begin with two commanders. Partner and related abilities tell you which cards may share the command zone. When two commanders are legal together, their color identities combine and the library normally contains 98 cards. Each commander tracks its own additional casting cost from the command zone, and each deals commander damage separately.

Choose a Background is a specific partner-style ability. A legendary creature with that text can be paired with a legendary Background enchantment. The Background is a commander, contributes its color identity, and normally changes or supports what the creature commander can do. A Background does not pair with every commander. When a card in this index carries a Background badge, read the pairing text before treating it as a standalone choice.

Most commanders are legendary creatures. They can attack, block, deal commander damage, and often provide a repeatable engine from the command zone. Their mana value matters because every trip back to the command zone adds two generic mana to the next cast. A commander that costs six may be powerful, but the rest of the deck needs enough early mana and protection to cast it again after removal.

Planeswalkers do not become legal commanders just because they are legendary. A planeswalker needs text that specifically allows it to be your commander, or another rule that grants permission. They also do not deal commander damage unless another effect turns them into creatures and the normal damage requirements are met. The type filter isolates these cards so you can compare them without mixing them into the much larger creature pool.

Strategy tags are clues, not decklists. They are assigned with conservative rules that inspect Oracle text, keywords, and card types. A commander that creates creature tokens can receive Tokens. A commander that rewards artifacts entering or being sacrificed can receive Artifacts. Cards can match several strategies because real Commander decks often overlap, such as artifact tokens, Aura Voltron, or graveyard-based aristocrats.

Read the card after filtering. A commander may mention life gain once but still play better as a combat or token engine. Likewise, a creature with an Equipment reference may support a broad Equipment deck without wanting to win through commander damage. The strongest choice is the one whose repeatable ability supports actions you already enjoy taking. After choosing, use the deck building checklist to balance the theme with lands, ramp, draw, and interaction.

Which cards appear in the index?

The live query asks for paper cards that Scryfall currently marks as legal Commander choices. It includes the usual legendary creatures plus special cases such as permitted planeswalkers, partner-style options, and legendary Backgrounds. If format legality changes, a refreshed cache updates the index.

Why can the result count change while I browse?

The index displays 20 commanders at a time and does not load the rest of the catalog in the background. Choose Show 20 more when you want the next group. If a narrow filter needs more data to find another group of matches, that request happens only after you choose the button.

Why does a card have more than one strategy?

Commander themes overlap. A card can clearly reward both tokens and +1/+1 counters, or both Equipment and combat. The filter matches any deterministic tag assigned to the card, while the card itself shows only one primary strategy badge to keep the grid readable.

Are the prices final store prices?

No. The grid shows a current USD market reference when Scryfall supplies one for the represented printing. Availability, condition, foil treatment, and checkout price can differ. Missing prices are hidden instead of being displayed as zero.

What should I do after choosing a commander?

Build a first draft around the commander's repeatable plan, then check the whole list rather than judging cards one at a time. The full deck audit reviews curve, lands, ramp, draw, interaction, bracket pressure, and cards that deserve another look.