Commander Strategies without a Commander

I've, on more than one occasion, have wanted to build a commander deck and had to settle for a less than perfect commander, since there isn't one.  For instance, I have a Abzan life gain matters deck (because green and white are the best at gaining life but black and white are best at taking advantage of it).  I played for years with Daghatar, the Adamant as my commander, since I wasn't expecting to play my commander anyways.  Then I made Gyniva, Obsessed Life Giver:


Since then, I've had the option of running her when I'm with players that haven't had a problem with custom cards.  It's been great and I want to give everyone the same opportunity.

Share your favorite custom commanders that fill that niche you've been looking for, or, if you have an idea for a deck and need a tailor made commander, ask here, and I (and hopefully others) will try to make one that fits the bill.

Comments

  • For Sagas, Wizards has gone from Satsuki, the Lving Lore (interesting, but not enough cards to choose from yet) straight to Tom Bombadil (5c value town). I came up with Myriel a few months ago, but they support all enchantress strategies, so I'm interested in seeing other takes on Saga commanders.
    Myriel Epic Enthusiast

    For something even more niche, I love Charms (Commands, Confluences, etc. as well, but especially Charms). Currently, the only commander that has any meaningful interaction with charms is Ramos, Dragon Engine, so I'd love to see ideas for a modal-spells-matters commander.
  • Here's a simple idea for a modal spells matters commander.  I made it 5 colors, to allow for all the charms, but if I were to make it more flavorful, the B/R hybrid would just be R and the U/G hybrid would just be U.  I don't know what colors you're wanting to focus on with your modal cards, though, so I decided to play it safe and make it WUBRG.

    (Also, I know it shouldn't be common.  I meant to make it rare, but am too lazy to go back once I hit publish.)

    Revraal Scheming Magistrate
  • edited March 18
    @cadstar369 I made this with TenebrisNemo's custom mechanic a while back for a contest.  It's a Saga-focused commander, even without the second commander synergy.

    https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/cerano-master-of-encores

  • @cadstar369 Modal commander challenge accepted.  I had to fight hard to resist including every single colour, but I couldn't justify the green, even though it's red that lacks any monocoloured Faeries.  The name is a nod to the "modalstorm" strategy that it enables.

    https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/zufina-the-rising-tempest

  • @StuffnSuch ;@Jadefire ;it's been a hot minute, but I wanted to thank you both for these commanders. :)

    In particular, I've been working on a commander deck for Zufina over here if it might interest anyone.
  • @cadstar369 You're welcome.  Thanks for the challenge to make a modal commander, Zufina wouldn't have happened without it.  Your commander deck looks good, it seems there are many powerful effects to go around without green, especially when you can start doubling or tripling up on modes that were never meant to be received in multiples, so that's good to know.
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