Dwalin, WeaponmasterDwalin, Weaponmaster | Art by Marco Teixeira

Hey nerds! With the release of The Hobbit, we're introduced to 63 new commanders from across the main set and the new scene boxes. While many people might ask which of these is the most powerful, I prefer to ask how fun they are.

Of course, each person's definition of fun differs, so I might rate a commander lower or higher than you. That doesn't mean I think it's bad or that you're bad for playing it, and, to be clear, this is for casual Commander only. And as is the case with Universe Beyond, I'll be focusing on the 40 rare and mythic rare commanders. If you want a look at the uncommon options, let me know.

If you're looking for deck techs for any of the commanders you see below, here's where you can find all of our The Hobbit deck techs.

The ranks are as follows:

• Want to Build: I'm interested in building these commanders. Their effect could be unique or a new take on an old mechanic I like.
• Fun: These are close to wanting to build, but I'm not going out of my way to brew a list for myself.
• Could be Fun: These commanders are powerful and don't pull you in a single direction, so it allows you to build weird strategies with a powerful engine, or have unique build paths that could work.
• Fun in the 99: Sometimes commanders are printed for 60-card Magic or to support a theme. I don't want to call them not fun, since they usually are fun. But just not fun as the leader of a deck.
• Not Fun: This is usually reserved for older commanders that are seven-mana vanilla creatures, something way too jank, or too salt-inducing for my taste.

The Commanders of The Hobbit

Belladonna TookBelladonna Took

A low-to-the-ground token commander that doesn't benefit from going infinite. It's particularly nasty with Academy ManufactorAcademy Manufactor since it'll often trigger all three options right away. It's a bit generic, but it's nice that it works for any type of token.

Fun Rank: Could be Fun

Bilbo, Unexpected AdventurerBilbo, Unexpected Adventurer

Makes a great Equipment commander since it has built-in evasion. It can also be used as a political commander, since it can return nonland cards from any graveyard. I'd prefer having it in the 99 of an Equipment deck, but I could see this being fun.

Fun Rank: Fun

Fíli the PathfinderFíli the Pathfinder

A great card for the 99 of a Dwarf deck. There are 53 mono-white Dwarves, but you really want to add red for some of the better Dwarves. However, its ability triggers when it enters, so blink effects get extra value here.

Fun Rank: Fun

Kíli the ResourcefulKíli the Resourceful

A fixed version of Puresteel PaladinPuresteel Paladin in the command zone. Notably, the equip clause isn't restricted to once per turn, so if you can equip at instant speed, you get a sweet on-board trick.

Fun Rank: Fun in the 99

Ori, Plate StackerOri, Plate Stacker

I could see this as a silver bullet depending on your meta, but not as a commander. I might try it in the 99 of some blink decks, but otherwise no interest in building this.

Fun Rank: Not Fun

The Queen of DaleThe Queen of Dale

A generically powerful Human that'll find its way into most white decks. I could see this at higher-power tables with less creature removal. But otherwise it'll likely be relegated to the 99.

Fun Rank: Could be Fun

Bilbo, Thief in the NightBilbo, Thief in the Night

I'm glad to see it's an attack trigger, but it's still pretty underwhelming. The cost reduction is nice, but if you want to recur cards, there are better options that come in more colors. I'm willing to be wrong about my initial impression.

Fun Rank: Could be Fun

Elrond, Moon-ReaderElrond, Moon-Reader

I'd play this in the 99 of a Simic Elf deck. Its ability is great, but it's incredibly expensive. This is one of the few times I wish they'd remove the once-per-turn clause and make it exclude mana abilities.

Fun Rank: Fun in the 99

Gandalf, Shadow's FoeGandalf, Shadow's Foe

I'm excited to see a mono-blue land commander that isn't Patron of the MoonPatron of the Moon. Even at seven mana, I'd still be willing to give this a shot with all of the ways we have to ramp with artifacts. If this were a green commander, it'd be much lower on the list, but since it's mono-blue, I'm all in.

Fun Rank: Want to Build

Azog, Moria's RuinAzog, Moria's Ruin

Not a huge fan of removal from the command zone. It'll be great in the 99 of Goblin decks as removal.

Fun Rank: Fun in the 99

Gollum, Riddle MasterGollum, Riddle Master

I'm sad you only get three triggers from Gollum without an easy way to reset it. Black does have several ways to recur cheap creatures, so slap a SkullclampSkullclamp on this baby and enjoy.

Fun Rank: Could be Fun

The Master of Lake-townThe Master of Lake-town

Reminds me of Hope EstheimHope Estheim but on the other end. It is symmetrical, so you'll also mill, but if this is your commander it'll be an upside. My knee-jerk reaction was to slam this into not fun, but I could see a black self-burn deck where you mill yourself to ReanimateReanimate big threats.

Fun Rank: Could be Fun

The Sackville-BagginsesThe Sackville-Bagginses

It's like Mirkwood BatsMirkwood Bats, but in the command zone and for two mana. I like seeing draw effects on sacrifice commanders, so this will slot nicely into the 99 of decks.

Fun Rank: Fun in the 99

Balin, LoremasterBalin, Loremaster

If you love drawing cards, Balin will do that and then some. I won't be surprised to see crazy wins out of nowhere if someone has enough red mana and a Glint-Horn BuccaneerGlint-Horn Buccaneer in play.

Fun Rank: Could be Fun

Dáin IronfootDáin Ironfoot

A great addition to Equipment decks that can give your team double strike.

Fun Rank: Fun in the 99

Fíli and Kíli, JoyousFíli and Kíli, Joyous

The rare red mana dork, but only for specific card types. I could see someone running this as a commander, but I'd be happier slotting it into the 99 of a Dwarf deck.

Fun Rank: Fun in the 99

Gandalf, Goblins' BaneGandalf, Goblins' Bane

I've been looking for a mono-red commander, and I'd play a GuttersnipeGuttersnipe from the command zone. But I'd try a mono-red Equipment deck since Gandalf will not only grow as you equip creatures, but also chip opponents. You can also equip Dreadhorde ArcanistDreadhorde Arcanist to recur key instants and sorceries.

Fun Rank: Want to Build

Smaug the MagnificentSmaug the Magnificent

It shouldn't be a surprise that Smaug is one of the most popular commanders from the set. People love Treasure tokens and Smaug, so to have both on the same card is a huge flavor win. It's also great in the 99 of Dragon decks.

Fun Rank: Fun

Thorin, Company's LeaderThorin, Company's Leader

Like most of the Dwarf commanders on this list so far, he's great in the 99. Its activated ability costs a lot of mana and doesn't have any built-in reduction, so I'm not sure how often you'll realistically activate it.

Fun Rank: Fun in the 99

Thorin, Mountain-kingThorin, Mountain-king

Unfortunately, this only triggers on entering and not also on attack. I'd love to see some toned-down version that is repeatable. It's probably great in a Boros deck with some blink spells to reactivate this ability multiple times.

Fun Rank: Fun in the 99

Beorn the FierceBeorn the Fierce

Oh boy, another Bear commander for everyone's Bear deck. I do love that Beorn turns other creatures into Bears. My biggest issue with it is it's not a six-mana 6/6, so I can't put it into my Colossal DreadmawColossal Dreadmaw deck.

Fun Rank: Fun

Bilbo, Fellow ConspiratorBilbo, Fellow Conspirator

If you're building mono-green Food, then try Bilbo. Don't ask me to do the math on Academy ManufactorAcademy Manufactor with Bilbo in play.

Fun Rank: Fun in the 99

Radagast of RhosgobelRadagast of Rhosgobel

Oh boy, here we go playing a generic green commander again. Honestly, despite being straightforward, I like that he doesn't pull you in a single direction. You can build a pile deck with all of your favorite creatures and shuffle in a random set of them each time you play.

Fun Rank: Fun

The Notary HobbitsThe Notary Hobbits

They seem like a great Halfling-matters commander, if there were more than nine other mono-green Halflings in the game. I'd give it a shot in a Changeling deck or a Halfling deck with more colors.

Fun Rank: Fun in the 99

Bard, King of DaleBard, King of Dale

The first multicolored token-doubling commander. It also doubles your card draw, but I'd rather build around the tokens. It's one of those generically powerful commanders that makes me excited to see some weird builds.

Fun Rank: Could be Fun

Bard, Heir of GirionBard, Heir of Girion

Another generic commander, but less inspiring than Bard's king form. Not much else to say.

Fun Rank: Fun in the 99

Bolg, Erebor's ReckoningBolg, Erebor's Reckoning

Despite being a six-mana 6/6, Bolg won't be making it into my Dreadmaw deck. Six mana for this effect is rather steep for traditional Goblin decks, even if it's from the command zone.

Fun Rank: Fun in the 99

Great Goblin, Foul-HeartedGreat Goblin, Foul-Hearted

I wish it gave Goblins trample instead of Armies, since you'll often only have a single token. But I like that it triggers on enter and attack.

Fun Rank: Could be Fun

Smaug the ImpenetrableSmaug the Impenetrable

We're going to see so many Brash TaunterBrash Taunters try to punch Smaug for value. Even if you don't, a single Blasphemous ActBlasphemous Act can accelerate you ahead while your opponents have no board.

Fun Rank: Fun

Smaug, Wicked WormSmaug, Wicked Worm

It's a fixed Dockside ExtortionistDockside Extortionist in the command zone. I'm glad the Treasures enter tapped, avoiding the usual infinite combo nonsense.

Fun Rank: Could be Fun

The Great GoblinThe Great Goblin

I'm glad to see a new take on Goblins. The Great Goblin wants you to both go wide and tall. Imagine having a Krenko, Mob BossKrenko, Mob Boss in play, then you cast First Day of ClassFirst Day of Class and make dozens of tokens with counters. Also, The Great Goblin is the one dealing the damage, so with a well-timed Tainted StrikeTainted Strike, you can win the game.

Fun Rank: Want to Build

Chief of the WildsChief of the Wilds

I can't wait to see what new battles we'll be getting in the future. If you've been looking for a Wolf commander, Chief is likely the best option. But with only 60 Wolves in the format, it's slim pickings.

Fun Rank: Could be Fun

Tom, Bert, and WilliamTom, Bert, and William

A cheap and repeatable way to sacrifice creatures, and has some weird built-in recursion. You likely won't want to attack with them, so having them as an artifact might be better.

Fun Rank: Fun

Dáin of the Ancient HallsDáin of the Ancient Halls

A Dwarf commander that can pump out damage with a wide enough board. Give it some lifelink, and boom, so much life. I'm glad it has haste, so you can swing right away.

Fun Rank: Fun

Dwalin, WeaponmasterDwalin, Weaponmaster

I love this concept. Instead of buffing equipped creatures, you're buffing all of your Equipment. Now your Lightning GreavesLightning Greaves and Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots not only give shroud/hexproof, but also a damage boost. You'll want to include Resourceful DefenseResourceful Defense in a Dwalin deck so you can move the hone counters over.

Fun Rank: Want to Build

Thorin, King of Durin's FolkThorin, King of Durin's Folk

If you love Treasures and Dwarfs, Thorin is a great option. Not only do you get untapped treasures, but a pretty sizeable buff every time a Dwarf enters. And since it's an enters-the-battlefield (ETB) trigger, if you blink your board, you can get more Treasures.

Fun Rank: Fun

Thranduil the StrategistThranduil the Strategist

This is one of the most Simic commanders to ever Simic in Commander. It cares about both lands and Elves, all in one. This reads like a commander that was supposed to be in some preconstructed deck.

Fun Rank: Fun in the 99

Gandalf, Party GuestGandalf, Party Guest

I don't need another Jeskai commander, but I'll be damned if I don't build this. Legendary Wizards sounds like a great time, especially if I can play Dance with CalamityDance with Calamity.

Fun Rank: Want to Build

Thranduil, the ElvenkingThranduil, the Elvenking

A single Buried AliveBuried Alive can win you the game with Thranduil with something as simple as Devoted DruidDevoted Druid and Immaculate MagistrateImmaculate Magistrate. We did it, we broke Devoted Druid. Jokes aside, this is an incredibly powerful commander that might open up some weird builds.

Fun Rank: Could be Fun

Overall, The Hobbit has been my favorite Universes Beyond set this year. Despite my issues with small sets, I'm excited to go back to a fantasy setting. There are some cool new commanders and lots of great cards to fill out new decks.

I'd love to hear what you're looking forward to building and if you disagree with any of my rankings down in the comments. Make sure to come back every weekday for more great Commander articles here on EDHREC.

Also, if you want to see even more Magic content from me, you can find plenty of that on my YouTube channel BathroomBrewsMTG. Alrighty nerds, I'll see you in the next one!