Beyond the QuietBeyond the Quiet | Art by Serena Malyon | Worthy CostWorthy Cost | Art by Andrew Mar

This was an amazing year for Magic: The Gathering. Players returned to Tarkir, beloved Final Fantasy (FIN) characters flooded into formats, and Avatar: The Last Airbender (TLA) airbended into the game. Exhilarating product offerings, such as the Final Fantasy Chocobo Bundle and Sultai Arisen Commander Precon, complemented amazing set releases. Although Marvel's Spider-Man (SPM) failed to deliver everything players wanted, it succeeded as a flavor win.

Each 2025 Standard-legal set introduced players to exciting new-to-MTG cards. Playing FIN's Barret WallaceBarret Wallace and Tifa LockhartTifa Lockhart as creature cards is wonderful. You can even select Dawnsire, Sunstar DreadnoughtDawnsire, Sunstar Dreadnought and other legendary Spacecraft as your commander!

While impressive Universes Beyond creature cards are great for deck building, so are some of MTG's newer sorcery spells. Has UltimaUltima or Zero Point BalladZero Point Ballad ruined your plans to win a game? Let's look beyond neon ink foils and serialized cards to uncover the best sorceries for Commander in 2025.

10. Devastating OnslaughtDevastating Onslaught

Devastating OnslaughtDevastating Onslaught is basically a scalable version of Molten DuplicationMolten Duplication. Though Molten Duplication is more cost-effective when making one token copy, the upside of creating two or more token copies is enticing.

If you're scratching your head at what to copy multiple times, let me be of assistance:

Dragons, Demons, and Dinosaurs, oh my! Swarming your opponents with numerous Hellkite TyrantHellkite Tyrants, Cavern-Hoard DragonCavern-Hoard Dragons, or Balefire DragonBalefire Dragons will get you closer to victory. As will copying BloodthirsterBloodthirster or Trumpeting CarnosaurTrumpeting Carnosaur.

Moreover, red decks focused on Clone or Sneak strategies are a great fit for Devastating Onslaught. You can take Devastating Onslaught to the next level by keeping its tokens around with Obeka, Brute ChronologistObeka, Brute Chronologist or Sundial of the InfiniteSundial of the Infinite.

9. Esper OriginsEsper Origins

Yes, spending to surveil 2 and gain two life is mediocre. However, there's more to Esper Origins than its face value. Paying Esper Origins' flashback cost unlocks additional value to pull you ahead of your opponents.

Saga-centric decks led by commanders such as Terra, Magical AdeptTerra, Magical Adept and Tom BombadilTom Bombadil offer a synergistic home for Esper Origins. Further, Esper Origins' Saga abilities are maximized when playing creature cards. You'll want to run Esper Origins in the 99 of Yuna, Hope of SpiraYuna, Hope of Spira, Garnet, Princess of AlexandriaGarnet, Princess of Alexandria, and Sigurd, Jarl of RavensthorpeSigurd, Jarl of Ravensthorpe to help cast creatures and pump them for a lethal attack.

Outside of Saga-focused commanders, Esper Origins may benefit Glarb, Calamity's AugurGlarb, Calamity's Augur or Uurg, Spawn of TurgUurg, Spawn of Turg.

8. SuplexSuplex

Did you expect to see a common on this list? Just like in Final Fantasy VI, you can SuplexSuplex the Phantom TrainPhantom Train or another artifact during a Commander game. If that's not enough of a reason to play Suplex, then I'll nudge you a little more.

There are plenty of potent artifacts to exile, especially in higher-tier Commander Brackets. Removing a Game Changer like Mana VaultMana Vault or The One RingThe One Ring with Suplex is excellent. Additionally, Defense GridDefense Grid and Esper SentinelEsper Sentinel are fine targets, too.

Suplex can also exile smaller or already damaged creatures. While it may seem less appealing than eviscerating an artifact, there are prime targets. Notable creatures to exile include Kinnan, Bonder ProdigyKinnan, Bonder Prodigy, Llanowar ElvesLlanowar Elves, and Lotho, Corrupt ShirriffLotho, Corrupt Shirriff.

Now for the question you've been waiting for—is Suplex better than AbradeAbrade? Casting a spell at sorcery speed instead of instant speed is a deterrent. However, the upside of exile is a tradeoff worth considering. In competitive games where players exploit fast mana to execute infinite combos, Abrade seems more suitable for disruption. Otherwise, both Suplex and Abrade are wonderful inclusions in red decks.

7. Singularity RuptureSingularity Rupture

Is a six-mana boardwipe playable? It is when you can mill half of your opponents' libraries! Singularity RuptureSingularity Rupture is effectively a kicked Maddening CacophonyMaddening Cacophony and DamnationDamnation on one card. Additionally, Singularity Rupture is a complementary inclusion in decks that run TraumatizeTraumatize, Cut Your LossesCut Your Losses, and similar spells.

Thus, Singularity Rupture synergizes well with a handful of Mill-focused commanders.

Captain N'ghathrodCaptain N'ghathrod is a top choice for milling opponents. Clearing the battlefield with Singularity Rupture and following up with sizable Horror is fantastic. Alternatively, Phenax, God of DeceptionPhenax, God of Deception can mill opponents and avoid dying to Singularity Rupture. You may choose to slot Singularity Rupture in the 99 of Umbris, Fear ManifestUmbris, Fear Manifest or The Wise MothmanThe Wise Mothman for more milling fun.

6. Nibelheim AflameNibelheim Aflame

FIN's Nibelheim AflameNibelheim Aflame devastates creatures in a wall of flames. In addition, you can cast it from your graveyard and receive four new cards. Not only is Nibelheim Aflame an impressive board wipe, but it's also one mana cheaper than Chandra's IgnitionChandra's Ignition, Waltz of RageWaltz of Rage, and Showstopping SurpriseShowstopping Surprise.

Nibelheim Aflame is a fine addition to any red deck interested in its destructive counterparts. Wolverine, Best There IsWolverine, Best There Is doubles the damage it deals, making Nibelheim Aflame twice as deadly. If you want to end the game, try casting Nibelheim Aflame with mana produced by Vivi OrnitierVivi Ornitier or Clive, Ifrit's DominantClive, Ifrit's Dominant 's backside mana ability.

This may not be among the most played red cards in Commander, but it has the potential to get there in time.

5. Cornered by Black MagesCornered by Black Mages

Cornered by Black MagesCornered by Black Mages's playability lies not in what it does, but what it leaves behind. A 0/1 black Wizard creature token that pings opponents is actually quite useful. In fact, its ability is equivalent to that of Firebrand ArcherFirebrand Archer, Coruscation MageCoruscation Mage, and Kessig FlamebreatherKessig Flamebreather. Would you pay one more mana for Firebrand Archer to make an opponent sacrifice a creature when it enters? I know I would!

Cornered is a worthwhile consideration in Spellslinger and Burn decks. Accordingly, it triggers off black staples like Dark RitualDark Ritual, Deadly DisputeDeadly Dispute, and Deadly RollickDeadly Rollick. Wizards-matter cards also get a bonus from the creature token typing. Playing Cornered by Black Mages in multicolor builds opens up even more interactions.

Excitingly, FIN includes several legendary creatures that want this in their 99. Kuja, Genome SorcererKuja, Genome Sorcerer is the quintessential commander for Cornered by Black Mages as it makes copies of the same 0/1 black Wizard creature token. Furthermore, Kuja, Genome Sorcerer's backside possesses an ability that doubles the damage dealt by Wizards you control.

Or you may elect to place Black Waltz No. 3Black Waltz No. 3 at the helm, though my favorite commander pairing for Cornered by Black Mages is Y'shtola, Night's BlessedY'shtola, Night's Blessed. I find it exciting to trigger Y'shtola's ability, remove a creature, and leave behind another source of indirect damage.

4. Will of the JeskaiWill of the Jeskai, Will of the AbzanWill of the Abzan, and Will of the SultaiWill of the Sultai

Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander (TDC) contains an incredible cycle of modal spells representing five clans. Additionally, each modal spell in the cycle lets you choose both abilities if you control your commander. One oddity is Will of the MarduWill of the Mardu being an instant, while the other four spells are sorceries.

Although Will of the TemurWill of the Temur is arguably the weakest card in the cycle, Will of the JeskaiWill of the Jeskai, Will of the AbzanWill of the Abzan, and Will of the SultaiWill of the Sultai are stupendous.

Will of the Jeskai's two abilities are not equal. Giving opponents the option to wheel their hand is less powerful than forcing them. Also, you have better red wheel card choices. But where it shines brightest is granting flashback to instant and sorcery cards in your graveyard. Spellslinger decks can leverage Will of the Jeskai to unleash a barrage of card draw, indirect damage, and devastating effects.

Casting BrainstormBrainstorm, Seething SongSeething Song, and GrapeshotGrapeshot from your graveyard merely scratches the surface of possibilities.

At first glance, Will of the Azban looks like a four-mana variant of Gix's CommandGix's Command. Both cards eliminate your opponents' highest-powered creatures and can retrieve a creature from your graveyard. Where Will of the Abzan surpasses Gix's Command is returning any creature to your battlefield instead of your hand.

Reanimator decks led by Betor, Ancestor's VoiceBetor, Ancestor's Voice, Raffine, Scheming SeerRaffine, Scheming Seer, and Sauron, the Dark LordSauron, the Dark Lord may maximize Will of the Abzan's abilities. However, you'll want to control a commander to reap all of the rewards.

You may soon be playing Will of the Sultai alongside Aftermath AnalystAftermath Analyst. One fewer mana for almost the same effect with upside is impressive. Splendid ReclamationSplendid Reclamation is always an option, but it won't mill additional lands.

Fascinatingly, putting lands on your battlefield isn't the only thing Will of the Sultai can do. You also get to turn a creature into a frightening threat. Placing five +1/+1 counters on a creature shouldn't be hard with a deck led by Teval, the Balanced ScaleTeval, the Balanced Scale, Hearthhull, the WorldseedHearthhull, the Worldseed, or Lord WindgraceLord Windgrace. Lands Matter-themed decks now have Will of the Sultai as a new support card.

3. Stock UpStock Up

Aetherdrift's (DFT) Stock UpStock Up is a multi-format superstar, including Commander. Seeing a fifth card to grab two is what makes Stock Up special. Uncovered CluesUncovered Clues comes close, but it has restrictions. Also, Farsight RitualFarsight Ritual costs more for a similar effect.

Note that Stock Up doesn't draw cards, so the abilities of Alandra, Sky DreamerAlandra, Sky Dreamer and Homunculus HordeHomunculus Horde won't trigger when Stock Up resolves.

Commanders that care about casting sorcery spells and triggering non-card draw abilities may want Stock Up. For example, Vivi OrnitierVivi Ornitier and Bria, Riptide RogueBria, Riptide Rogue benefit from casting Stock Up to find more noncreature spells. In turn, Y'shtola, Night's BlessedY'shtola, Night's Blessed and Shiko, Paragon of the WayShiko, Paragon of the Way can leverage Stock Up's mana cost.

If you haven't tried Stock Up, I highly recommend it.

2. Full ThrottleFull Throttle

Full ThrottleFull Throttle is the only MTG card granting two consecutive combat phases. That reason alone is enough to slide Full Throttle into Extra Combat decks. Lightning, Army of OneLightning, Army of One, Tifa, Martial ArtistTifa, Martial Artist, and Isshin, Two Heavens as OneIsshin, Two Heavens as One are just a few commanders yearning for additional combat phases.

Don't be shy about playing Full Throttle alongside Relentless AssaultRelentless Assault and Great Train HeistGreat Train Heist, either. When you need to go all out, go Full Throttle.

1. Nature's RhythmNature's Rhythm

What happens when you merge Chord of CallingChord of Calling and Green Sun's ZenithGreen Sun's Zenith? You get Nature's RhythmNature's Rhythm. Placing any creature in your deck onto the battlefield is worth the extra when compared to Green Sun's Zenith. Further, you can harmonize Nature's Rhythm for a second chance at finding a combo piece or late-game bomb.

Birthing Pod and Combo decks can utilize Nature's Rhythm. Fetching mana dorks such as Bloom TenderBloom Tender and Paradise DruidParadise Druid help ramp you into win conditions. Likewise, you may need to grab Devoted DruidDevoted Druid or Thassa's OracleThassa's Oracle to assemble a winning combo.

In less-tuned decks, you can spend an abundance of mana to unleash game-enders like Avenger of ZendikarAvenger of Zendikar and Etali, Primal ConquerorEtali, Primal Conqueror. Alternatively, you may need Kutzil, Malamet ExemplarKutzil, Malamet Exemplar or another hatebear to slow down your opponents.

Your searchable options for Nature's Rhythm are only limited by available mana and the creature cards left in your library.

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