Hello everyone! I'm Levi from The Thought Vessel Show, and this week we're diving into the top commanders to build around from one of my favorite sets of all time - Dominaria. With this set, we get power, popularity, and of course, some serious spice. I'll be covering it all in this list. But before we dive in, let's start with our honorable mention.
Honorable Mention
The meme of Yargle lives on. At first glance, this is a vanilla creature for five mana, but the 9/3 body in a Mono-Black deck can dish out some serious damage. A well-timed Tainted Strike can KO an opponent out of nowhere. Adding lifelink or trample to this spirit frog can make Yargle surprisingly powerful.
Number Ten
Before the days of Voja, Radha was our premier Gruul elf commander. Attacking with multiple creatures would generate so much mana that it often took over games. Since the mana isn't restricted to casting spells, this deck can abuse infinite combat loops with cards like Aggravated Assault, adding even more layers of threat.
Number Nine
A nice Golgari aristocrat deck is just what the (necromancer) doctor ordered. At its core, Slimefoot is a saproling token deck, which lets you focus on synergies like Tendershoot Dryad while incorporating aristocrat staples like Pitiless Plunderer and Blood Artist. If you can stabilize into the midgame, the value this deck generates is truly impressive.
Number Eight
For aggro players torn between going tall or wide, Valduk asks: "Why not both?" With Valduk, you can Voltron up and send a massive attacker at one opponent, while an army of 3/1 elementals swarms another. This deck dishes out damage quickly and is quite budget-friendly - making it a blast to pilot.
Number Seven
Despite the existence of Azami, Lady of Scrolls and Inalla, Archmage Ritualist, Naban remains underrated. A Mono-Blue wizard deck with a "Wizard Panharmonicon" in the command zone? Sign me up. Doubling up on enter-the-battlefield effects opens up cool synergies with cards like Door of Destinies, Pyre of Heroes, and Conjurer's Closet. It's a rewarding deck that requires some finesse to play, but it's incredibly satisfying.
Number Six
This set introduced the "Historic" mechanic, which refers to any legendary, artifact, or saga card. Teshar takes advantage of historic spells by looping smaller creatures like Benevolent Bodyguard for protection, Burnished Hart for ramp, and Skyclave Apparition for removal. Mono-White doesn't usually get engines this powerful, making Teshar a refreshing and potent option.
Number Five
Of all the commanders designed around historic spells, Jhoira is the most outrageous. Since artifacts count as historic, every Mox, Sol Ring, or Everflowing Chalice you cast draws a card. It's fun to goldfish and build wild combos, but in practice, the deck can become a bit competitive and time-consuming to manage, which is why it lands at number five.
Number Four
Some players see historic spells and think of value or card draw; Traxos players see the potential to untap and swing with a giant robot dinosaur again and again. Traxos makes for a powerful Voltron commander or combo enabler, offering a fantastic option for those looking to play a colorless deck without relying on Eldrazi - an absolute win for variety.
Number Three
It's surprising that Dominaria gave us not one, but two incredibly strong elf tribal commanders. While Radha focuses on combat in Gruul colors, Marwyn ramps into infinite mana with cards like Umbra Mantle or Staff of Domination. These effects spiral into huge damage and explosive plays, making Marwyn a powerhouse in elf tribal decks.
Number Two
Tatyova is a superstar in casual Commander, cEDH, and even Pauper EDH, despite being printed at uncommon. Her landfall ability, drawing cards and gaining life, is incredibly powerful in any game. Combine that with the color pairing of Simic - known for ramp and card draw - and it's easy to see why she has over five thousand decklists. She's not the most unique commander, but her strength is undeniable.
Number One
Muldrotha is one of the few commanders to dethrone Atraxa, Praetors' Voice as the most popular commander on EDHREC. Even after all this time, Muldrotha reigns as the top Sultai commander, boasting over fourteen thousand decks. Her versatility is what makes her so appealing - you can build anything from a lands deck to control or even Superfriends. Muldrotha is also a fantastic Primal Surge commander, able to recast everything that hits the graveyard, turning what seems like a restriction into a strength.
These are the top legends to build around from Dominaria. I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane! If you're looking to build any of these decks, be sure to check out CoolStuffInc. Until next time, happy gaming!