(From Left to Right: DefiantCathar, PhyrexianFanGirl, Dana Fischer, LuaStardust, BobbieChristine, AnnaMargaret, Giraffanat, Rachel Weeks, Zbexx, AirBubbles Cosplay)

Happy International Women's Day!

If you're unsure what this day is all about, it's more than just celebrating women. International Women's Day is a globally celebrated holiday recognizing not only the achievements of women but also raising a call to action for gender equality. My name is Beth, otherwise known as Queen of Cardboard, and I'm proud to be presenting this article to you. As a woman in the community, any chance I get to highlight women in the community, I'm going to. I've been playing Magic for over 20 years and from my perspective, it's only been in the last 5 years where we've seen a movement to support women in these spaces. Most recently, in MagicCon Chicago, it was beyond my wildest dreams to see a safe space hosted by Birds of Paradise and the VML, both women-led groups focused on lifting up and highlighting people from marginalized genders and communities. While there I was able to briefly interview 10 of my favorite female creators, get to know them a little bit and find out who their favorite female commander is to compile this list of the ten best female commanders in Magic: The Gathering.

Given no criteria other than their favorites, this list is pretty hot and includes some of EDHREC's top commanders. Let's get into each card, who picked each card and a little bit about each creator as well.

Olivia Voldaren

Olivia Voldaren is the first of three cards printed depicting Olivia, leader of the vampires of Innistrad. This version is particularly nasty, allowing you to directly deal damage to any creature, thereby turning it into a Vampire. In addition to her first ability, she also has the ability to gain control of any Vampire for as long as you control Olivia Voldaren. This spooky gal was picked by none other than Air Bubbles Cosplay, the Best in Show winner of the MagicCon Chicago Cosplay Contest. Air Bubbles is an award winning cosplayer who amazes both in person shows and with her short form content on TikTok.

Air Bubbles Cosplay | She/Her

Nissa, Resurgent Animist

As a planeswalker, Nissa doesn't get to be in the command zone very often. This version is one of the best cards printed in March of the Machine: Aftermath and she does everything you could possibly want in mono-green. Her Landfall ability first allows you to add a mana of any color, and after it's resolved once, you'll get an Elf or Elemental to hand, revealing cards from the top until you find one. As a commander, Nissa is inexpensive, with a low mana cost to be easily replayed and she helps you get through your deck quickly. It's no surprise that this pick comes from Dana Fischer, one of the youngest players in the competitive magic scene. Dana's been playing Magic competitively with her dad and is a lifelong Nissa fan. You can catch their streams of Dana playing MTG Arena on Twitch.

Dana Fischer | She/Her

Giada, Font of Hope

Giada is an angel introduced to us in the Streets of New Capenna set released in 2022 and gave an already powerful type a near impossible synergy. The only thing slowing down Angels with Giada at the helm is their tendency to have a high mana cost, but Giada's here to help with that as well. In addition to giving each Angel that enters a +1/+1 counter for each Angel on the field, she taps for mana usable only to cast Angel spells. If you know this creator, you already know that this commander was picked by DefiantCathar, known for her powerful Giada-led deck, Sinner Get Ready. In addition to being a fan of powerful cardboard, Eliana is also a founder of Praetors for Change, a team of Queer Magic: The Gathering streamers who raise money for charity. Eliana is also a member of PlayEDH.

Defiant Cathar | She/Her

Jinnie Fay, Jetmir's Second

If the last card was any indication, Streets of New Capenna introduced us to some powerful cards and this next pick is no different. Jinnie Fay is an Elf, one of Magic: The Gathering's most supported typal and token related creatures. Jinnie Fay allows you to turn any token that you create into 2/2 Cats with Haste or 3/1 Dogs with Vigilance. As a lot of token generators make generic 1/1 creatures, this is a vast improvement and can quickly make an overwhelming board. This dangerous pick comes from one of Magic's nicest creators, AnnaMargaret. Whether you've seen AnnaMargaret at an event or caught her content on Instagram and TikTok, her joy is overwhelming and even if she's beating you in commander, you're guaranteed to have fun.

Anna Margaret | She/Her

Titania, Voice of Gaea

I think everyone can agree that one of the coolest things to do is meld two Magic cards into one and Titania, Voice of Gaea is no different. While Titania is the legal commander, it's safe to say that the goal of this deck is always to create Titania, Gaea Incarnate using Titania and Argoth, Sanctum of Nature. To get to the Gaea Incarnate side of Titania, you'll have to have a way to put lands in your graveyard but should you be able to complete the meld, you'll be rewarded by returning every land from your graveyard to the battlefield. It won't be long until you have a land army ready and willing to defend you against all odds. Whenever I see a threatening creature like this across the battlefield I know that there's a good chance Giraffanat had something to do with it. Giraffanat may be one of my good friends, but she's also an amazing cosplayer, a passionate volunteer for Magikids, and absolutely the threat at the table.

Giraffanat | She/Her

Cadira, Caller of the Small

Cadira, Caller of the Small may not seem as scary as the commanders we've seen already, but that's because you've never been run down by an army of angry bunnies. I like to call Cadira "Caller of the Cute" because she is the ultimate token commander. There are tons of amazing token-creating spells in Selesnya, such as Storm Herd and Awaken the Woods. This cute baby is picked by none other than genius deck builder BobbieChristine. Bobbie is a passionate community builder founding Birds of Paradise, a group that highlights and supports marginalized creators. She is also one of the organizers behind the VML/BOP safe play space recently premiering at the front of MagicCon Chicago.

Bobbie Christine | She/Her

 

Atla Palani, Nest Tender

Atla Palani is the OG of cheating in scary creatures. While Atla Palani isn't that scary on her own, you never know what her 0/1 eggs are going to hatch. While you might expect Dinosaurs, I've seen her hatch out everything from Praetors to Eldrazi and more. When you see a smooth-running Atla deck, be prepared for the battle of your life. This Ixalanian mother was picked by superstar creator, Zbexx. Not only does Zbexx help to run her family's game store, but she's a talented cosplayer and positive influencer in the magic community.

Zbexx | She/Her

Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines

Stax isn't a favorite play style for many to play against, but there's no denying that Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines is a powerhouse on the board. Shutting off your opponent's enter-the-battlefield triggered effects can warp the game in your favor but if that weren't enough, this variety of Elesh Norn is a 4/7 and doubles your enter-the-battlefield abilities. Mother was picked by Phyrexian Fan Girl, Anna. Anna is a prolific cEDH player and one half of Commander's Cauldron, her new show with her partner Scylla.

Anna | She/Her

Winota, Joiner of Forces

Cheating out creatures has been a popular theme in Commander and there aren't many that do it better than Winota, Joiner of Forces. Winota has made a splash in the cEDH scene not only because of her powerful ability but also thanks to cEDH powerhouse couple, ComedIan and LuaStardust. Obviously this lovely lady was submitted by none other than Lua herself. Not only is Lua extremely talented as a cEDH grinder but her cosplays are unmatched, being featured at a variety of events. Lua also hosts Scrybabies, a commander play channel with her best friend, Tori of the Vast.

Lua Stardust | She/Them

Octavia, Living Thesis

If you've spent the last year living under the sea, you're probably already familiar with our final pick in this series, Octavia, Living Thesis. This commander has been featured on Command Zone, has a criminally high amount ward 8, and gives target creature base power 8/8 whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell. This commander was submitted by none other than Rachel Weeks who has singlehandedly made this octopus famous with her extra turns deck. Rachel not only recently joined the Command Zone cast but also is a member of the Commander Advisory Group.

Rachel Weeks | She/Her

Girl Power

One of my favorite things in Magic is the gathering. These women are out here not only succeeding as players and creators, but actively promoting community and bringing more women to the game. On today of all days, make sure to show the women in your lives that you support them. For more information on how you can support gender equality, no matter where you are in the world, make sure to check out the UN Women's Get Involved page. It's not only important that we show women in our lives that we support them, but that we take action to do so as well. In this community, some of the ways you can do that are to make sure you do not proxy NSFW art on your cards or accessories, that you stand up against targeted harassment and bullying, and continue to show women not only that they are welcome, but they are encouraged to join in this awesome game. Remember folks, Magic isn't anything without the gathering and women are part of our community.

Which of these commanders are you going to build in 2024? What commander would you have liked to see in the top ten? Don't forget to check out our honorable mentions: Chandra, Fire of Kaladesh, Zacama, Primal Calamity, Eriette of the Charmed Apple - and who could forget The Goose Mother?

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