Wizards of the Coast put a lot of effort into developing cards that would fit each Magic the Gathering format, including the highly popular EDH Commander. That's why you will find a slew of new cards in Core Set 2021 that fit specifically this long-standing casual format.
In this selection of the top commander cards from Core Set 2021, you will find cards that can serve as new commanders and utility cards that can fit certain well-established archetypes.
Mangara, the Diplomat
Finally, a white commander card with the card draw ability. The omission of this card type in previous sets was the weakest point of the white color.
Mangara's second draw ability is especially interesting, because it can draw more than one or two cards per turn.
Though Mangara doesn't have to be a commander in many decks, it will still be auto-included in every white deck due to its rare effects.
Fiery Emancipation
Triple damage in commander format is a serious business. Run it alongside Maelstorm Wanderer and you can kill your opponent in two turns with no other help.
Another great commander choice would be Neheb, the Eternal, which can produce 12 mana a turn, so you can cast your burn spells and kill all your opponents.
There is also an option of playing it with Heartless Hidetsugu, protecting your own life total with Angel's Grace or similar effects, and kill your opponent in one turn.
Elder Gargaroth
Cards that have no immediate ETB effects are usually a bit too slow for constructed formats, but commander will embrace a card like Elder Gargaroth to its fullest. The only drawback is that it can't actually be your commander, since it's not legendary. However, you can still play it to three great effects.
The first and the third ability are probably the best: create a 3/3 green Best creature token and draw a card, respectively. Though, its second ability, gaining life, isn't bad either.
You can also give Elder Gargaroth haste for an immediate effect with commanders like Samut, Voice of Dissent, and Xenagos, God of Revels.
Rin and Seri, Inseparable
Cat tribal decks have existed for some time already, but Rin and Seri introduces both creatures types in a commander shell. Wizards of the Coast has also changed the hound creature type to a dog to allow players to more easily create dog tribal decks.
The best way to utilize both creature types is to play the card alongside a number of changeling cards.
Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose
The Sanguine Bond enchantment has been a favorite of many commander players. But for 5 mana, it was still quite expensive. So now we get Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose. It only costs 3 mana and has the same effect in a commander shell.
Vito will most likely end up in Orzhov Life Drain decks alongside a copy of Sanguine Bond and Defiant Bloodlord. Vampire tribal decks can be quite dangerous, and with Vito in the format, they just got even better.
Unleash Fury
This instant card was made for Xenagos, God of Revels players, who want to take their opponents down quickly.
However, that is not the place Unleash Fury could fit. A commander like Zada, Hedron Grinder could also work. This commander allows you to copy Unleash Fury on every other attacking creature on the board, which could be lethal for your opponent.
Basically, think of Unleash Fury as another copy of Temur Battle Rage.
Radha, Heart of Keld
Radha, Heart of Keld's most important ability is playing lands from the top of your library. This card is basically a Courser of Kruphix effect, which is utilized to great effect in commander decks that run Omnath, Locus of Rage.
Radha can also turn into a terribly-powerful creature by using their last ability. It's repeatable, and it allows them to buff themselves as long as you can pay for it. For example, if you have 12 lands, you can pump twice, which will turn Radha into a 27/27 creature.
Basri Ket
Basri Ket is a brand-new planeswalker for Core Set 2021. It is an inexpensive and very aggressive white planeswalker that can fit a variety of decks in commander.
Players who run Odric, Lunarch Marshal will love Basri's first ability, which makes a creature indestructible. Odric can copy this effect to the rest of the creatures on-board and never lose a board — unless your opponent can swipe the board with an exile AoE.
Chromatic Orrery
Commander players love their mana fixers and producers, and it looks like Chromatic Orrery is a perfect card for the format.
It can be used in decks with Kruphix, God of Horizons and change all the unspent mana from colorless cards into any colors you want. Also, it ramps significantly in decks that run Kozilek, the Great Distortion.
With Chromatic Orrery, you can cast Kozilek, a 10-mana commander, on turn four. Here's how to do it:
- Play land and Sol Ring
- Play another land and Thran Dynamo
- Play a third land and Chromatic Orrery
- Play your fourth land and cast Kozilek
Terror of the Peaks
All dragon tribal players should rejoice; Terror of the Peaks is a perfect companion for Lathliss, Dragon Queen and Utvara Hellkite commanders.
The card also synergizes with The Ur-Dragon, which has 10 points of power. You deal 10 damage to your opponent with the help of Terror of the Peaks' last ability when you combine the two.
You can also combine Terror of the Peaks with Obosh, the Preypiercer and get twice as much damage.
Animal Sanctuary
Animal Sanctuary is a very unusual land for Core Set 2021. But lands like this usually become very popular in format like commander.
There are already three tribes well-supported in the format by this land: bird, cat, and snake. Also, there is a possibility that dogs will become a thing sooner rather than later, bumping that to four
Lastly, Animal Sanctuary fits perfectly with changeling decks, where they will surely benefit from its pump ability.
Barrin, Tolarian Archmage
It looks as though Barrin, Tolarian Archmage was designed for Naban, Dean of Iteration mono-blue commander decks.
You can also throw in Panharmonicon for more double trigger effects to get the most out of Barrin.
Lastly, this card synergizes with Inalla, Archmage Ritualist and bounce effects, or even Yorion, Sky Nomad as your companion.
Sanctum of All
Shrines are back!
There haven't been any new shrine enchantments since the Kamigawa block, and now we have six new shrines to make a new shrine deck for commander.
The best commander for the shrine deck would be Sisay, Weatherlight Captain. Her activated ability can search your deck for all 11 shrines and put them on board consecutively.
When you have all the shrines, you basically win the game, so the value of Sanctum of All is practically unbeatable.
Teferi, Master of Time
The new Teferi planeswalker from Core Set 2021 is nothing short of amazing. It fits the multiplayer mode of commander especially well because of its passive ability, which allows you to activate its active abilities on each of your opponents' turns.
This alone can bring you close to activating Teferi's ultimate ability, which gives you two extra turns.
Subira, Tulzidi Caravanner
Subira is an excellent new commander for red aggro decks that run hordes of small creatures. You can quickly empty your hand and refill it with Subira's last ability while making one or more of your attacking creatures unblockable.
This is one of the best new commanders in Core Set 2021, so if you prefer playing aggressively, definitely consider Subira for your next deck.
Related Content:
- 15 Best Core Set 2021 Cards for Standard
- 15 Best Core Set 2021 Cards for Limited
- 13 Best Core Set 2021 Cards for Pioneer
For more Magic: The Gathering content, card lists, and guides, check out the links above or head over to our MtG hub page.
Published: Jun 22, 2020 08:40 am