(Wall of FortuneWall of Fortune | Art by Tom Babbey)
All That Glitters Isn't Gold
Commander is, in theory, a format with 100-card decks, one of which is a legendary creature designated as the commander. In practice, it is a format of 100 cards, plus dice for rolling or representing counters, coins for flipping, sleeves to protect your cards or obscure the back of double-faced cards, and tokens (either a wide variety and number of specific tokens, or a healthy supply of Infinitokens).
I was struck by the urge to build a deck that contained and used exactly 100 rectangular pieces of cardboard, with no additional game pieces or accoutrements. Such a deck might play a little faster, feel less fiddly, or be easier to transport, but mostly I just wanted to see how different things look in a world without accessories.
This being the "Magic Data Science" column, I of course went to the data!
First, I attempted to identify every card that required or implied the existence of a non-card game piece:
- Any card referring to tokens: Treasure, Clue, Powerstone, Creature, copy, or otherwise
- Any card referring to counters: +1/+1, -1/-1, loyalty, ability, shield, or any of the myriad hyper-specific counters
- Any card referring to dice or coins
- Any card requiring you to make a note or secretly choose
- Any card referring to dungeons/venture, initiative, day/night, the monarch, etc
- I also excluded any double-faced cards, in a maximalist effort to eliminate any need for supplies other than just cards
- Finally, I excluded any Un/acorn cards and digital-only cards, because, obviously
All together, this comes to about 6,128 excluded cards. Out of the 25,000ish unique cards in existence, that's actually a smaller proportion than I would have guessed!
The next, most obvious step for me was to look at which commanders run the fewest accessory cards, and which run the most.
Least-Accessorized Commanders
Among commanders with a reasonable number of EDHREC decks to their name, these are the ones who run the lowest proportion of "accessory" cards, and the highest proportion of lone rectangle cards.
| commander | 1 rectangle | accessory |
|---|---|---|
| 6.8% accessories Dromar, the Banisher | Sol RingSol Ring Command TowerCommand Tower Arcane SignetArcane Signet Sway of IllusionSway of Illusion Azorius SignetAzorius Signet Distorting LensDistorting Lens ScuttlemuttScuttlemutt Shifting SkyShifting Sky Orzhov SignetOrzhov Signet Blind SeerBlind Seer Arcane SanctumArcane Sanctum Dimir SignetDimir Signet Tidal VisionaryTidal Visionary Stormscape FamiliarStormscape Familiar Wash OutWash Out Warped DevotionWarped Devotion CounterspellCounterspell | Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe PropagandaPropaganda Ashiok, Nightmare MuseAshiok, Nightmare Muse Mystic RemoraMystic Remora Generous GiftGenerous Gift Hengegate PathwayHengegate Pathway Stormfront RidersStormfront Riders Wandering ArchaicWandering Archaic Swan SongSwan Song Venser, the SojournerVenser, the Sojourner Brightclimb PathwayBrightclimb Pathway Clearwater PathwayClearwater Pathway Call for UnityCall for Unity Shadrix SilverquillShadrix Silverquill SoulherderSoulherder Midnight ClockMidnight Clock Dauthi VoidwalkerDauthi Voidwalker |
| 7.3% accessories Uril, the Miststalker | RancorRancor Command TowerCommand Tower Shield of the OversoulShield of the Oversoul Ethereal ArmorEthereal Armor Armadillo CloakArmadillo Cloak Spirit MantleSpirit Mantle Sol RingSol Ring Ancestral MaskAncestral Mask Unflinching CourageUnflinching Courage Winds of RathWinds of Rath Enchantress's PresenceEnchantress's Presence Sythis, Harvest's HandSythis, Harvest's Hand Mesa EnchantressMesa Enchantress All That GlittersAll That Glitters Bear UmbraBear Umbra Satyr EnchanterSatyr Enchanter Sram, Senior EdificerSram, Senior Edificer | Setessan ChampionSetessan Champion Beast WithinBeast Within Sigil of the Empty ThroneSigil of the Empty Throne Generous GiftGenerous Gift Mayael's AriaMayael's Aria Siona, Captain of the PyleasSiona, Captain of the Pyleas Starfield MysticStarfield Mystic Calix, Destiny's HandCalix, Destiny's Hand Branchloft PathwayBranchloft Pathway Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe Sticky FingersSticky Fingers Hero of IroasHero of Iroas Cragcrown PathwayCragcrown Pathway Needleverge PathwayNeedleverge Pathway Archon of Sun's GraceArchon of Sun's Grace Mana CryptMana Crypt Rhythm of the WildRhythm of the Wild |
| 7.4% accessories Sliver Overlord | Gemhide SliverGemhide Sliver Command TowerCommand Tower Manaweft SliverManaweft Sliver Sliver HivelordSliver Hivelord Cloudshredder SliverCloudshredder Sliver Harmonic SliverHarmonic Sliver Crystalline SliverCrystalline Sliver Sliver LegionSliver Legion Quick SliverQuick Sliver Sol RingSol Ring The First SliverThe First Sliver Necrotic SliverNecrotic Sliver Heart SliverHeart Sliver Sentinel SliverSentinel Sliver Shifting SliverShifting Sliver Galerider SliverGalerider Sliver Bonescythe SliverBonescythe Sliver | Sliver HiveSliver Hive Brood SliverBrood Sliver Sliver QueenSliver Queen Virulent SliverVirulent Sliver Door of DestiniesDoor of Destinies Tempered SliverTempered Sliver Fungus SliverFungus Sliver Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe Biomancer's FamiliarBiomancer's Familiar Mana CryptMana Crypt Swan SongSwan Song Hive StirringsHive Stirrings Mystic RemoraMystic Remora Beast WithinBeast Within Rhythm of the WildRhythm of the Wild Frenetic SliverFrenetic Sliver Maskwood NexusMaskwood Nexus |
| 7.7% accessories Blind Seer | Blue Elemental BlastBlue Elemental Blast DouseDouse HydroblastHydroblast Sway of IllusionSway of Illusion Flash FloodFlash Flood Sol RingSol Ring WillbreakerWillbreaker HibernationHibernation Wash OutWash Out Llawan, Cephalid EmpressLlawan, Cephalid Empress Distorting LensDistorting Lens Dismiss into DreamDismiss into Dream Shifting SkyShifting Sky ScuttlemuttScuttlemutt Well-Laid PlansWell-Laid Plans Tidal VisionaryTidal Visionary HeartstoneHeartstone | Master of WavesMaster of Waves Mind HarnessMind Harness Midnight ClockMidnight Clock PongifyPongify Mystic RemoraMystic Remora GuileGuile PropagandaPropaganda Rapid HybridizationRapid Hybridization Curse of the SwineCurse of the Swine Talrand, Sky SummonerTalrand, Sky Summoner Sword of Body and MindSword of Body and Mind Swan SongSwan Song Sword of Truth and JusticeSword of Truth and Justice Sea Gate RestorationSea Gate Restoration Baral, Chief of ComplianceBaral, Chief of Compliance Mana CryptMana Crypt Narset, Parter of VeilsNarset, Parter of Veils |
| 7.8% accessories Nebuchadnezzar | Sol RingSol Ring TelepathyTelepathy Glasses of UrzaGlasses of Urza Seer's VisionSeer's Vision MegrimMegrim Command TowerCommand Tower Arcane SignetArcane Signet Dimir SignetDimir Signet Geth's GrimoireGeth's Grimoire CounterspellCounterspell Zur's WeirdingZur's Weirding Gitaxian ProbeGitaxian Probe PeekPeek Syphon MindSyphon Mind Sunken HollowSunken Hollow RecoilRecoil PerplexPerplex | Waste NotWaste Not Tergrid, God of FrightTergrid, God of Fright Narset, Parter of VeilsNarset, Parter of Veils PropagandaPropaganda Tourach, Dread CantorTourach, Dread Cantor Davriel, Rogue ShadowmageDavriel, Rogue Shadowmage The Haunt of HightowerThe Haunt of Hightower Quest for the Nihil StoneQuest for the Nihil Stone Mystic RemoraMystic Remora Bloodchief AscensionBloodchief Ascension Ashiok, Dream RenderAshiok, Dream Render Clearwater PathwayClearwater Pathway Dauthi VoidwalkerDauthi Voidwalker Swan SongSwan Song Banshee of the Dread ChoirBanshee of the Dread Choir Bone MiserBone Miser Mana CryptMana Crypt |
| 8.0% accessories The First Sliver | Command TowerCommand Tower Gemhide SliverGemhide Sliver Cloudshredder SliverCloudshredder Sliver Manaweft SliverManaweft Sliver Harmonic SliverHarmonic Sliver Sol RingSol Ring Sliver HivelordSliver Hivelord Sentinel SliverSentinel Sliver Quick SliverQuick Sliver Exotic OrchardExotic Orchard Crystalline SliverCrystalline Sliver Sliver LegionSliver Legion Venom SliverVenom Sliver Arcane SignetArcane Signet Striking SliverStriking Sliver Heart SliverHeart Sliver Bonescythe SliverBonescythe Sliver | Sliver HiveSliver Hive Virulent SliverVirulent Sliver Brood SliverBrood Sliver Tempered SliverTempered Sliver Sliver QueenSliver Queen Profane TutorProfane Tutor Door of DestiniesDoor of Destinies Fungus SliverFungus Sliver Mana CryptMana Crypt Rhythm of the WildRhythm of the Wild Ancestral VisionAncestral Vision Mystic RemoraMystic Remora Forbidden OrchardForbidden Orchard Swan SongSwan Song Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe Beast WithinBeast Within Vivid GroveVivid Grove |
| 8.2% accessories Sliver Legion | Gemhide SliverGemhide Sliver Harmonic SliverHarmonic Sliver Cloudshredder SliverCloudshredder Sliver Command TowerCommand Tower Sinew SliverSinew Sliver Two-Headed SliverTwo-Headed Sliver Manaweft SliverManaweft Sliver Sol RingSol Ring Necrotic SliverNecrotic Sliver Homing SliverHoming Sliver Arcane SignetArcane Signet Quick SliverQuick Sliver Sentinel SliverSentinel Sliver Fury SliverFury Sliver Sliver HivelordSliver Hivelord Winged SliverWinged Sliver Predatory SliverPredatory Sliver | Virulent SliverVirulent Sliver Sliver HiveSliver Hive Fungus SliverFungus Sliver Brood SliverBrood Sliver Tempered SliverTempered Sliver Sliver QueenSliver Queen Enduring SliverEnduring Sliver Hive StirringsHive Stirrings Maskwood NexusMaskwood Nexus Door of DestiniesDoor of Destinies SliversmithSliversmith Beast WithinBeast Within Rhythm of the WildRhythm of the Wild Search for TomorrowSearch for Tomorrow Coalition RelicCoalition Relic Vampiric SliverVampiric Sliver Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe |
| 8.2% accessories Sliver Hivelord | Gemhide SliverGemhide Sliver Command TowerCommand Tower Manaweft SliverManaweft Sliver Harmonic SliverHarmonic Sliver Cloudshredder SliverCloudshredder Sliver Sentinel SliverSentinel Sliver Predatory SliverPredatory Sliver Sol RingSol Ring Venom SliverVenom Sliver Quick SliverQuick Sliver Crystalline SliverCrystalline Sliver Arcane SignetArcane Signet Bonescythe SliverBonescythe Sliver Sinew SliverSinew Sliver Megantic SliverMegantic Sliver Two-Headed SliverTwo-Headed Sliver Spiteful SliverSpiteful Sliver | Virulent SliverVirulent Sliver Sliver HiveSliver Hive Brood SliverBrood Sliver Fungus SliverFungus Sliver Tempered SliverTempered Sliver Hive StirringsHive Stirrings Sliver QueenSliver Queen Door of DestiniesDoor of Destinies Beast WithinBeast Within Rhythm of the WildRhythm of the Wild Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe Vampiric SliverVampiric Sliver Enduring SliverEnduring Sliver Maskwood NexusMaskwood Nexus Skyclave RelicSkyclave Relic Frenetic SliverFrenetic Sliver Vivid GroveVivid Grove |
| 8.4% accessories Bruna, Light of Alabaster | Sol RingSol Ring Sage's ReverieSage's Reverie Battle MasteryBattle Mastery Command TowerCommand Tower Ethereal ArmorEthereal Armor Steel of the GodheadSteel of the Godhead All That GlittersAll That Glitters Eldrazi ConscriptionEldrazi Conscription Azorius SignetAzorius Signet Open the ArmoryOpen the Armory Arcane SignetArcane Signet Auramancer's GuiseAuramancer's Guise Sovereigns of Lost AlaraSovereigns of Lost Alara Winds of RathWinds of Rath Heliod's PilgrimHeliod's Pilgrim Prairie StreamPrairie Stream Righteous AuthorityRighteous Authority | Corrupted ConscienceCorrupted Conscience Archon of Sun's GraceArchon of Sun's Grace Ajani's ChosenAjani's Chosen Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe Hengegate PathwayHengegate Pathway PropagandaPropaganda Starfield MysticStarfield Mystic Sigil of the Empty ThroneSigil of the Empty Throne Hero of IroasHero of Iroas Generous GiftGenerous Gift Swan SongSwan Song Mystic RemoraMystic Remora Mana CryptMana Crypt Katilda, Dawnhart MartyrKatilda, Dawnhart Martyr Keeper of the AccordKeeper of the Accord Invocation of Saint TraftInvocation of Saint Traft Ordeal of ThassaOrdeal of Thassa |
| 8.5% accessories Rafiq of the Many | Command TowerCommand Tower Finest HourFinest Hour Sol RingSol Ring Qasali PridemageQasali Pridemage Noble HierarchNoble Hierarch Sublime ArchangelSublime Archangel Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares Cathedral of WarCathedral of War Sovereigns of Lost AlaraSovereigns of Lost Alara Arcane SignetArcane Signet Steel of the GodheadSteel of the Godhead Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots Seaside CitadelSeaside Citadel Shield of the OversoulShield of the Oversoul Giltspire AvengerGiltspire Avenger Rogue's PassageRogue's Passage Hallowed FountainHallowed Fountain | Beast WithinBeast Within Generous GiftGenerous Gift Blighted AgentBlighted Agent Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe Swan SongSwan Song Shalai, Voice of PlentyShalai, Voice of Plenty Grunn, the Lonely KingGrunn, the Lonely King Branchloft PathwayBranchloft Pathway Barkchannel PathwayBarkchannel Pathway Umezawa's JitteUmezawa's Jitte Tamiyo, Field ResearcherTamiyo, Field Researcher Hengegate PathwayHengegate Pathway Mystic RemoraMystic Remora Elspeth, Knight-ErrantElspeth, Knight-Errant Winged BootsWinged Boots Mana CryptMana Crypt Lion SashLion Sash |
| 9.0% accessories Arcades, the Strategist | Overgrown BattlementOvergrown Battlement Wall of DenialWall of Denial Axebane GuardianAxebane Guardian Wall of BlossomsWall of Blossoms Command TowerCommand Tower Stalwart Shield-BearersStalwart Shield-Bearers High AlertHigh Alert Tetsuko Umezawa, FugitiveTetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive Wall of OmensWall of Omens Sunscape FamiliarSunscape Familiar Sol RingSol Ring Assault FormationAssault Formation Slaughter the StrongSlaughter the Strong Tower DefenseTower Defense Dusk // DawnDusk // Dawn Crashing DrawbridgeCrashing Drawbridge Hover BarrierHover Barrier | Shield SphereShield Sphere Wall of RootsWall of Roots Beast WithinBeast Within Teyo, the ShieldmageTeyo, the Shieldmage Towering TitanTowering Titan Wall of ShardsWall of Shards Huatli, the Sun's HeartHuatli, the Sun's Heart Generous GiftGenerous Gift The Birth of MeletisThe Birth of Meletis Barkchannel PathwayBarkchannel Pathway Colossus of AkrosColossus of Akros Hengegate PathwayHengegate Pathway Branchloft PathwayBranchloft Pathway Wall of KelpWall of Kelp Rigo, Streetwise MentorRigo, Streetwise Mentor Unbreakable FormationUnbreakable Formation Hornet NestHornet Nest |
| 9.0% accessories Merieke Ri Berit | Sol RingSol Ring Command TowerCommand Tower Arcane SignetArcane Signet Freed from the RealFreed from the Real Vizier of Tumbling SandsVizier of Tumbling Sands Thousand-Year ElixirThousand-Year Elixir Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots CounterspellCounterspell Azorius SignetAzorius Signet Pemmin's AuraPemmin's Aura Dimir SignetDimir Signet Aphetto AlchemistAphetto Alchemist Arcane SanctumArcane Sanctum Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares FatestitcherFatestitcher Orzhov SignetOrzhov Signet Hallowed FountainHallowed Fountain | Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe Mystic RemoraMystic Remora Nightmare ShepherdNightmare Shepherd PropagandaPropaganda Swan SongSwan Song Generous GiftGenerous Gift Mana CryptMana Crypt SoulherderSoulherder Athreos, Shroud-VeiledAthreos, Shroud-Veiled Teferi, Who Slows the SunsetTeferi, Who Slows the Sunset Dauthi VoidwalkerDauthi Voidwalker Hengegate PathwayHengegate Pathway Brightclimb PathwayBrightclimb Pathway Clearwater PathwayClearwater Pathway Spark DoubleSpark Double Narset, Parter of VeilsNarset, Parter of Veils Corrupted ConscienceCorrupted Conscience |
| 9.0% accessories Sliver Queen | Command TowerCommand Tower Sol RingSol Ring Gemhide SliverGemhide Sliver Manaweft SliverManaweft Sliver Cloudshredder SliverCloudshredder Sliver Crystalline SliverCrystalline Sliver Harmonic SliverHarmonic Sliver Sliver LegionSliver Legion Arcane SignetArcane Signet Sliver HivelordSliver Hivelord Necrotic SliverNecrotic Sliver Heart SliverHeart Sliver Sliver OverlordSliver Overlord Chromatic LanternChromatic Lantern Lavabelly SliverLavabelly Sliver Quick SliverQuick Sliver The First SliverThe First Sliver | Sliver HiveSliver Hive Brood SliverBrood Sliver Virulent SliverVirulent Sliver Mana CryptMana Crypt Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe Tempered SliverTempered Sliver Parallel LivesParallel Lives Anointed ProcessionAnointed Procession Beast WithinBeast Within Biomancer's FamiliarBiomancer's Familiar Doubling SeasonDoubling Season Mystic RemoraMystic Remora Swan SongSwan Song Door of DestiniesDoor of Destinies Fungus SliverFungus Sliver Forbidden OrchardForbidden Orchard Rhythm of the WildRhythm of the Wild |
There are basically four categories here: Slivers, Auras, Throwbacks, and Others:
- 5 of the 13 least-accessorized commanders are five-color Sliver Lords, and their decks are pretty similar: lots of Slivers, lead by the ramp/fixing Gemhide SliverGemhide Sliver and Manaweft SliverManaweft Sliver, and some very generically popular rocks and lands. The First SliverThe First Sliver and Sliver QueenSliver Queen want to go a little wider, which is reflected in their accessories: Sliver HiveSliver Hive and Brood SliverBrood Sliver.
- Uril, the MiststalkerUril, the Miststalker and Bruna, Light of AlabasterBruna, Light of Alabaster are powered by Auras. Instead of adding power/abilities through counters, they use other pieces of cardboard. Their power buffs are more likely to come from static +1/+1 abilities (Sage's ReverieSage's Reverie, All That GlittersAll That Glitters) than from +1/+1 counters (Setessan ChampionSetessan Champion, Starfield MysticStarfield Mystic, Hero of IroasHero of Iroas).
- Then there are some throwbacks, like Dromar, the BanisherDromar, the Banisher, Blind SeerBlind Seer, NebuchadnezzarNebuchadnezzar, or Merieke Ri BeritMerieke Ri Berit. These are all various levels of obscure, although I always enjoy commanders that let you use otherwise homeless cards, like Tidal VisionaryTidal Visionary.
- Rafiq of the ManyRafiq of the Many just runs a lot of creatures who exalt each other. Its accessories are pretty much all just format staples.
- Arcades, the StrategistArcades, the Strategist is the canonical defender deck that just runs a ton of defenders for card advantage and mana efficiency.
- For the sake of interest, the next 13 least-accessorized commanders are: The Beamtown BulliesThe Beamtown Bullies, Yuriko, the Tiger's ShadowYuriko, the Tiger's Shadow, Volrath the FallenVolrath the Fallen, Kaalia of the VastKaalia of the Vast, Yurlok of Scorch ThrashYurlok of Scorch Thrash, Araumi of the Dead TideAraumi of the Dead Tide, Zurgo HelmsmasherZurgo Helmsmasher, Mirko Vosk, Mind DrinkerMirko Vosk, Mind Drinker, Iname, Death AspectIname, Death Aspect, Phage the UntouchablePhage the Untouchable, Yennett, Cryptic SovereignYennett, Cryptic Sovereign, Phenax, God of DeceptionPhenax, God of Deception, and Circu, Dimir LobotomistCircu, Dimir Lobotomist.
Most Decked-Out Commanders
These are the commanders whose EDHREC decks are composed of the largest proportion of accessory cards - that is, those that produce tokens, counters, and so on.
| commander | 1 rectangle | accessory |
|---|---|---|
| 63.6% accessories Perrie, the Pulverizer | Command TowerCommand Tower Sol RingSol Ring Arcane SignetArcane Signet Seaside CitadelSeaside Citadel Exotic OrchardExotic Orchard Canopy VistaCanopy Vista Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots Prairie StreamPrairie Stream Rishkar's ExpertiseRishkar's Expertise Flooded GroveFlooded Grove Brokers ConfluenceBrokers Confluence Brokers HideoutBrokers Hideout Fortified VillageFortified Village Brokers CharmBrokers Charm Port TownPort Town Skycloud ExpanseSkycloud Expanse Temple of MysteryTemple of Mystery | Agent's ToolkitAgent's Toolkit Slippery BogbonderSlippery Bogbonder Crystalline GiantCrystalline Giant Damning VerdictDamning Verdict Resourceful DefenseResourceful Defense Denry Klin, Editor in ChiefDenry Klin, Editor in Chief Nesting GroundsNesting Grounds Karn's BastionKarn's Bastion Evolution SageEvolution Sage Avenging HuntbonderAvenging Huntbonder Contractual SafeguardContractual Safeguard Midnight ClockMidnight Clock Tezzeret's GambitTezzeret's Gambit Gavony TownshipGavony Township Everflowing ChaliceEverflowing Chalice Generous GiftGenerous Gift Vivid GroveVivid Grove |
| 60.3% accessories Roalesk, Apex Hybrid | Command TowerCommand Tower Sol RingSol Ring Yavimaya CoastYavimaya Coast Temple of MysteryTemple of Mystery Hinterland HarborHinterland Harbor CultivateCultivate Breeding PoolBreeding Pool Arcane SignetArcane Signet Simic Growth ChamberSimic Growth Chamber Simic SignetSimic Signet Flooded GroveFlooded Grove Rejuvenating SpringsRejuvenating Springs CounterspellCounterspell Growth SpiralGrowth Spiral Rampant GrowthRampant Growth Kodama's ReachKodama's Reach Reliquary TowerReliquary Tower | Evolution SageEvolution Sage Fathom MageFathom Mage Karn's BastionKarn's Bastion Tezzeret's GambitTezzeret's Gambit ThrummingbirdThrummingbird Simic AscendancySimic Ascendancy Incubation DruidIncubation Druid Flux ChannelerFlux Channeler Beast WithinBeast Within Contentious PlanContentious Plan Inspiring CallInspiring Call Merfolk SkydiverMerfolk Skydiver Gyre SageGyre Sage Everflowing ChaliceEverflowing Chalice Forgotten AncientForgotten Ancient Herald of Secret StreamsHerald of Secret Streams Rishkar, Peema RenegadeRishkar, Peema Renegade |
| 58.0% accessories Chisei, Heart of Oceans | Sol RingSol Ring CounterspellCounterspell Paradox HazeParadox Haze Mind StoneMind Stone Arcane SignetArcane Signet Reality ShiftReality Shift Solemn SimulacrumSolemn Simulacrum Sky DiamondSky Diamond Mystic SanctuaryMystic Sanctuary Reliquary TowerReliquary Tower Thought VesselThought Vessel Strionic ResonatorStrionic Resonator Trophy MageTrophy Mage NegateNegate Fuel for the CauseFuel for the Cause Sphinx of the Second SunSphinx of the Second Sun Decree of SilenceDecree of Silence | Kiora Bests the Sea GodKiora Bests the Sea God Power ConduitPower Conduit Time of IceTime of Ice ChronozoaChronozoa FerropedeFerropede The Mirari ConjectureThe Mirari Conjecture ClockspinningClockspinning Mystic RemoraMystic Remora Glen Elendra ArchmageGlen Elendra Archmage Medomai's ProphecyMedomai's Prophecy Tezzeret's GambitTezzeret's Gambit Mazemind TomeMazemind Tome Flux ChannelerFlux Channeler Midnight ClockMidnight Clock Cauldron of SoulsCauldron of Souls Everflowing ChaliceEverflowing Chalice MusicianMusician |
| 56.5% accessories Hamza, Guardian of Arashin | Command TowerCommand Tower Sol RingSol Ring Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares Canopy VistaCanopy Vista Beast WhispererBeast Whisperer CultivateCultivate Arcane SignetArcane Signet Selesnya SanctuarySelesnya Sanctuary Sunpetal GroveSunpetal Grove Rampant GrowthRampant Growth Temple GardenTemple Garden Krosan VergeKrosan Verge Avacyn's PilgrimAvacyn's Pilgrim Temple of PlentyTemple of Plenty Return of the WildspeakerReturn of the Wildspeaker Heroic InterventionHeroic Intervention Path to ExilePath to Exile | Inspiring CallInspiring Call Armorcraft JudgeArmorcraft Judge Abzan FalconerAbzan Falconer Good-Fortune UnicornGood-Fortune Unicorn Felidar RetreatFelidar Retreat Conclave MentorConclave Mentor Rishkar, Peema RenegadeRishkar, Peema Renegade Gavony TownshipGavony Township Renata, Called to the HuntRenata, Called to the Hunt FertilidFertilid Cathars' CrusadeCathars' Crusade Mikaeus, the LunarchMikaeus, the Lunarch Champion of LambholtChampion of Lambholt Forgotten AncientForgotten Ancient Incubation DruidIncubation Druid Beast WithinBeast Within Unbreakable FormationUnbreakable Formation |
| 56.3% accessories Kodama of the West Tree | Sol RingSol Ring Toski, Bearer of SecretsToski, Bearer of Secrets Heroic InterventionHeroic Intervention Return of the WildspeakerReturn of the Wildspeaker Rishkar's ExpertiseRishkar's Expertise Beast WhispererBeast Whisperer Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots Lightning GreavesLightning Greaves Llanowar ElvesLlanowar Elves Kenrith's TransformationKenrith's Transformation Shamanic RevelationShamanic Revelation Boseiju, Who EnduresBoseiju, Who Endures Fyndhorn ElvesFyndhorn Elves HarmonizeHarmonize Nature's ClaimNature's Claim Krosan GripKrosan Grip Elvish MysticElvish Mystic | Evolution SageEvolution Sage Beast WithinBeast Within Inspiring CallInspiring Call Oran-Rief, the VastwoodOran-Rief, the Vastwood Forgotten AncientForgotten Ancient Champion of LambholtChampion of Lambholt Avenger of ZendikarAvenger of Zendikar Rishkar, Peema RenegadeRishkar, Peema Renegade Roaring EarthRoaring Earth Renata, Called to the HuntRenata, Called to the Hunt Scavenging OozeScavenging Ooze Loyal GuardianLoyal Guardian Managorger HydraManagorger Hydra Retreat to KazanduRetreat to Kazandu Gyre SageGyre Sage Hardened ScalesHardened Scales Armorcraft JudgeArmorcraft Judge |
| 56.1% accessories Denry Klin, Editor in Chief | Sol RingSol Ring Arcane SignetArcane Signet Command TowerCommand Tower Prairie StreamPrairie Stream Azorius SignetAzorius Signet Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares Port TownPort Town Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots Azorius ChanceryAzorius Chancery Temple of EnlightenmentTemple of Enlightenment Glacial FortressGlacial Fortress Hallowed FountainHallowed Fountain Skycloud ExpanseSkycloud Expanse Path to ExilePath to Exile CounterspellCounterspell Myriad LandscapeMyriad Landscape PanharmoniconPanharmonicon | Wingspan MentorWingspan Mentor Avenging HuntbonderAvenging Huntbonder Damning VerdictDamning Verdict Splendor MareSplendor Mare Resourceful DefenseResourceful Defense Tyrite SanctumTyrite Sanctum Contractual SafeguardContractual Safeguard Nesting GroundsNesting Grounds Keensight MentorKeensight Mentor Grateful ApparitionGrateful Apparition Boon of SafetyBoon of Safety Elspeth ResplendentElspeth Resplendent ThrummingbirdThrummingbird Luminarch AspirantLuminarch Aspirant Herald of Secret StreamsHerald of Secret Streams The OzolithThe Ozolith Avian OddityAvian Oddity |
| 56.0% accessories Mowu, Loyal Companion | Rogue's PassageRogue's Passage Sol RingSol Ring Rampant GrowthRampant Growth Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots Ram ThroughRam Through Return of the WildspeakerReturn of the Wildspeaker HarmonizeHarmonize CultivateCultivate Return to NatureReturn to Nature Llanowar ElvesLlanowar Elves Hunter's InsightHunter's Insight Colossal MajestyColossal Majesty Reclamation SageReclamation Sage Elvish MysticElvish Mystic FireshriekerFireshrieker Rishkar's ExpertiseRishkar's Expertise Sakura-Tribe ElderSakura-Tribe Elder | Hydra's GrowthHydra's Growth Invigorating SurgeInvigorating Surge Snakeskin VeilSnakeskin Veil Forgotten AncientForgotten Ancient Evolution SageEvolution Sage Ancient AnimusAncient Animus Retreat to KazanduRetreat to Kazandu Inspiring CallInspiring Call Ordeal of NyleaOrdeal of Nylea Jiang Yanggu, WildcrafterJiang Yanggu, Wildcrafter Beast WithinBeast Within Pollenbright DruidPollenbright Druid Hardened ScalesHardened Scales Oran-Rief, the VastwoodOran-Rief, the Vastwood Ivy Lane DenizenIvy Lane Denizen Opal PalaceOpal Palace Courage in CrisisCourage in Crisis |
| 54.3% accessories Wyll, Blade of Frontiers | Sol RingSol Ring Command TowerCommand Tower Arcane SignetArcane Signet Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots Izzet SignetIzzet Signet Chaos WarpChaos Warp Blasphemous ActBlasphemous Act Temple of EpiphanyTemple of Epiphany Robe of the ArchmagiRobe of the Archmagi Izzet BoilerworksIzzet Boilerworks Rogue's PassageRogue's Passage Talisman of CreativityTalisman of Creativity Sulfur FallsSulfur Falls Shivan ReefShivan Reef Training CenterTraining Center CounterspellCounterspell Reliquary TowerReliquary Tower | Barbarian ClassBarbarian Class Delina, Wild MageDelina, Wild Mage Wand of WonderWand of Wonder Wyll's ReversalWyll's Reversal Hoarding OgreHoarding Ogre Vexing PuzzleboxVexing Puzzlebox Component PouchComponent Pouch The Deck of Many ThingsThe Deck of Many Things Sword of HoursSword of Hours Brazen DwarfBrazen Dwarf ThunderwaveThunderwave Pixie GuidePixie Guide Chaos ChannelerChaos Channeler Reckless EndeavorReckless Endeavor Treasure ChestTreasure Chest Contact Other PlaneContact Other Plane Netherese Puzzle-WardNetherese Puzzle-Ward |
| 54.0% accessories Vorel of the Hull Clade | Command TowerCommand Tower Sol RingSol Ring Kiora's FollowerKiora's Follower Simic Growth ChamberSimic Growth Chamber CultivateCultivate Temple of MysteryTemple of Mystery Simic SignetSimic Signet CounterspellCounterspell Hinterland HarborHinterland Harbor Breeding PoolBreeding Pool Reliquary TowerReliquary Tower Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots Seedborn MuseSeedborn Muse Growth SpiralGrowth Spiral Yavimaya CoastYavimaya Coast Murkfiend LiegeMurkfiend Liege Arcane SignetArcane Signet | Fathom MageFathom Mage Simic AscendancySimic Ascendancy Everflowing ChaliceEverflowing Chalice Evolution SageEvolution Sage Gyre SageGyre Sage Master BiomancerMaster Biomancer Forgotten AncientForgotten Ancient Astral CornucopiaAstral Cornucopia Deepglow SkateDeepglow Skate Herald of Secret StreamsHerald of Secret Streams Karn's BastionKarn's Bastion Tezzeret's GambitTezzeret's Gambit ThrummingbirdThrummingbird Inspiring CallInspiring Call FertilidFertilid Incubation DruidIncubation Druid Zameck GuildmageZameck Guildmage |
| 53.7% accessories Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider | Sol RingSol Ring CultivateCultivate Heroic InterventionHeroic Intervention Kodama's ReachKodama's Reach Castle GarenbrigCastle Garenbrig Beast WhispererBeast Whisperer Elvish MysticElvish Mystic Llanowar ElvesLlanowar Elves Eternal WitnessEternal Witness Lightning GreavesLightning Greaves Rampant GrowthRampant Growth Karametra's AcolyteKarametra's Acolyte Three VisitsThree Visits Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots Nykthos, Shrine to NyxNykthos, Shrine to Nyx AsceticismAsceticism Return of the WildspeakerReturn of the Wildspeaker | Nissa, Who Shakes the WorldNissa, Who Shakes the World Garruk, UnleashedGarruk, Unleashed Evolution SageEvolution Sage Beast WithinBeast Within Vivien ReidVivien Reid Forgotten AncientForgotten Ancient The OzolithThe Ozolith Garruk, Primal HunterGarruk, Primal Hunter VigorVigor Ugin, the Spirit DragonUgin, the Spirit Dragon Renata, Called to the HuntRenata, Called to the Hunt The Great HengeThe Great Henge Garruk, Caller of BeastsGarruk, Caller of Beasts Oran-Rief, the VastwoodOran-Rief, the Vastwood Incubation DruidIncubation Druid Inspiring CallInspiring Call Rishkar, Peema RenegadeRishkar, Peema Renegade |
| 53.5% accessories Lae'zel, Vlaakith's Champion | Sol RingSol Ring Command TowerCommand Tower Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares Arcane SignetArcane Signet Path to ExilePath to Exile Canopy VistaCanopy Vista Esper SentinelEsper Sentinel CultivateCultivate Bountiful PromenadeBountiful Promenade Rampant GrowthRampant Growth Avacyn's PilgrimAvacyn's Pilgrim Fortified VillageFortified Village Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots Llanowar ElvesLlanowar Elves Nature's LoreNature's Lore Sunpetal GroveSunpetal Grove Temple GardenTemple Garden | Abzan FalconerAbzan Falconer Mikaeus, the LunarchMikaeus, the Lunarch Karn's BastionKarn's Bastion Inspiring CallInspiring Call Champion of LambholtChampion of Lambholt Damning VerdictDamning Verdict Felidar RetreatFelidar Retreat Evolution SageEvolution Sage Hardened ScalesHardened Scales Unbreakable FormationUnbreakable Formation Conclave MentorConclave Mentor Armorcraft JudgeArmorcraft Judge Beast WithinBeast Within Gavony TownshipGavony Township Forgotten AncientForgotten Ancient Grateful ApparitionGrateful Apparition Gyre SageGyre Sage |
| 53.4% accessories Daghatar the Adamant | Command TowerCommand Tower Sol RingSol Ring Sandsteppe CitadelSandsteppe Citadel Evolving WildsEvolving Wilds Arcane SignetArcane Signet CultivateCultivate PutrefyPutrefy Rampant GrowthRampant Growth Terramorphic ExpanseTerramorphic Expanse Blossoming SandsBlossoming Sands Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares Scoured BarrensScoured Barrens Jungle HollowJungle Hollow DesparkDespark MortifyMortify Golgari SignetGolgari Signet Orzhov SignetOrzhov Signet | Abzan FalconerAbzan Falconer Inspiring CallInspiring Call Corpsejack MenaceCorpsejack Menace Winding ConstrictorWinding Constrictor Tuskguard CaptainTuskguard Captain Abzan CharmAbzan Charm Abzan Battle PriestAbzan Battle Priest Ainok Bond-KinAinok Bond-Kin Conclave MentorConclave Mentor Hardened ScalesHardened Scales Ivorytusk FortressIvorytusk Fortress Armorcraft JudgeArmorcraft Judge Mer-Ek NightbladeMer-Ek Nightblade FertilidFertilid Good-Fortune UnicornGood-Fortune Unicorn Hagra ConstrictorHagra Constrictor Evolution SageEvolution Sage |
| 53.0% accessories Farideh, Devil's Chosen | Sol RingSol Ring Command TowerCommand Tower Arcane SignetArcane Signet Izzet SignetIzzet Signet Reliquary TowerReliquary Tower CounterspellCounterspell Izzet BoilerworksIzzet Boilerworks Temple of EpiphanyTemple of Epiphany Chaos WarpChaos Warp Talisman of CreativityTalisman of Creativity Blasphemous ActBlasphemous Act Evolving WildsEvolving Wilds Thought VesselThought Vessel Frostboil SnarlFrostboil Snarl NegateNegate Sulfur FallsSulfur Falls Goblin ElectromancerGoblin Electromancer | Pixie GuidePixie Guide Barbarian ClassBarbarian Class Contact Other PlaneContact Other Plane Delina, Wild MageDelina, Wild Mage Feywild TricksterFeywild Trickster Hoarding OgreHoarding Ogre Brazen DwarfBrazen Dwarf Wizard's SpellbookWizard's Spellbook Component PouchComponent Pouch Aberrant Mind SorcererAberrant Mind Sorcerer Chaos ChannelerChaos Channeler Earth-Cult ElementalEarth-Cult Elemental Diviner's PortentDiviner's Portent Power of PersuasionPower of Persuasion Netherese Puzzle-WardNetherese Puzzle-Ward Treasure ChestTreasure Chest The Deck of Many ThingsThe Deck of Many Things |
These can also be binned into a small number of categories: Counter Variety, +1/+1 Counters, and Dice-Rollers:
- Perrie, the PulverizerPerrie, the Pulverizer, Denry Klin, Editor in ChiefDenry Klin, Editor in Chief, Vorel of the Hull CladeVorel of the Hull Clade, and Vorinclex, Monstrous RaiderVorinclex, Monstrous Raider aren't focused exclusively on +1/+1 counters, but reward having a variety of counter types on any specific creature, across all of your creatures, or inclusive of your planeswalkers. Kodama of the West TreeKodama of the West Tree falls into this category, but is also open to other types of modifications.
- Roalesk, Apex HybridRoalesk, Apex Hybrid, Hamza, Guardian of ArashinHamza, Guardian of Arashin, Mowu, Loyal CompanionMowu, Loyal Companion, and Daghatar the AdamantDaghatar the Adamant all really want you to pile as many +1/+1 counters as possible on your creatures and then Proliferate them, ramp off of them, increment them, or move them around.
- Farideh, Devil's ChosenFarideh, Devil's Chosen just wants you to roll dice (which sounds a little tedious), and Wyll, Blade of FrontiersWyll, Blade of Frontiers lives at the intersection of dice-rolling and counter-putting.
- Chisei, Heart of OceansChisei, Heart of Oceans is in a category of its own, and actually seems pretty sweet. In a world of Proliferating counters, Chisei only wants to remove them. This opens the door for lots of cards that don't see a lot of play elsewhere, mainly those with Cumulative upkeep or counters that count down, like Thing in the IceThing in the Ice.
- The next most-accessorized decks are: Rishkar, Peema RenegadeRishkar, Peema Renegade, Kros, Defense ContractorKros, Defense Contractor, Grakmaw, Skyclave RavagerGrakmaw, Skyclave Ravager, Zegana, Utopian SpeakerZegana, Utopian Speaker, Thelon of HavenwoodThelon of Havenwood, Kalain, Reclusive PainterKalain, Reclusive Painter, Tanazir QuandrixTanazir Quandrix, Alharu, Solemn RitualistAlharu, Solemn Ritualist, The Scorpion GodThe Scorpion God, Adrix and Nev, TwincastersAdrix and Nev, Twincasters, Bennie Bracks, ZoologistBennie Bracks, Zoologist, Skullbriar, the Walking GraveSkullbriar, the Walking Grave, Shaile, Dean of RadianceShaile, Dean of Radiance. Here we finally see the token-centric commanders we might have expected, lead by KalainKalain (which is a Treasure token/+1 counter hybrid), Adrix and NevAdrix and Nev, and Bennie BracksBennie Bracks.
Variety: The Spice of Life?
I've always liked +1/+1 counters, going wide with tokens, and even Superfriends decks, but I thought that focusing on bare cardboard alone might lead to a more essential Magic experience. Though after doing this exercise, I'm fairly convinced that the "essential Magic experience" is a theoretical construct - impossible to define and not worth chasing. And, to the extent it relies on de-accessorizing your decks, not particularly compelling.
So, as compelling as it can be to build with restrictions, I'm not going to shy away from decks that require large stacks of tokens, boxes of dice, or literal dollars' worth of pennies. If you're going to spend literal hours playing a game, you might as well accessorize!
Thoughts? Questions? Critiques? Suggestions?
Let me hear them! I'm curious about the practical aspects of accessory-heavy decks: do you have the right tokens for your deck? How many of each do you bring? Or do you use dry-erase tokens as an outlet for your artistic expression? Do you use dice for +1/+1 counters, or something more bespoke? Have you ever built a deck that really leaned into a truly massive number of tokens or counters? I'd love to see the lists and hear about your experiences! As always, if you aren’t already, please follow me on Twitter.
MtGDS
MtGDS (AKA Magic Data Science) is pretty new to the game, but is trying to understand it as best he can through data. He loves making graphs and finding new ways to measure things. You can read his non-Commander articles at http://mtgds.wordpress.com, and he's worth a follow on Twitter @MtG_DS.
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