Commander's SphereCommander's Sphere | Art by Ryan Alexander Lee

Welcome to Too-Specific Top 10, where if there isn’t a category to rank our pet card at the top of, we’ll just make one up! (Did you know that Curse of OpulenceCurse of Opulence is the only one-mana enchantment originally printed in a precon that can make you mana?)

It's been a pretty wild world of late when it comes to Commander precons. With each individual set having a set of Commander decks printed with it, and the straight firehose of sets coming out, we've seen seven precons already this year, just six months in, already ahead of schedule to beat 2025's thirteen Commander precons. What makes that all the more insane is that we're only five years removed from the yearly Commander sets, with the last being printed in 2021. It's not hard to see why those were eliminated, however, given that Commander 2021 was printed as essentially Strixhaven Commander, in the same year that we had already had Kaldheim Commander, and were expecting Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Commander, Innistrad: Midnight Hunt Commander, and Innistrad: Crimson Vow Commander.

There was a time, however, when they really did just print one Commander product a year, sometimes only with four decks, sometimes with five. And I, like many others, tended to buy the entire set of them. Why? Well, for one thing, there was no better way to introduce people to Commander than to play the latest balanced set of precons with them. Even more than that, however, these decks tended to have the newest staples that you knew you'd be seeing everywhere before long. In fact, in moments that I'm not proud of, I would often buy an entire set of the yearly Commander precons, then buy another so I could keep my set of playable precons and then tear apart the second set for individual cards.

Those days are long past. With the current price for "standard" precons being $50, and the "premium" Universes Beyond options being well over $100 now, there's no world in which I could buy all of them that came out, even if that was a more reasonable five instead of a less reasonable 13. Still though, there are a lot of good cards coming out of each of these Commander products. In fact, there are so many that I actually wonder if the current firehose has overtaken the nostalgic days of yore? Has power creep caught up to the original Commander decks of 2011? Where do we draw the line on the yearly Commander set as it used to exist, and does a combination of power creep and constant printing mean that the cards of the newer era see more play than those of yore?

Well, let's find out, shall we?

Top 10 Nonland, Preconstructed Commander Deck Cards from the 2020s Versus the Top 10 Nonland, Preconstructed Commander Deck Cards from the 2010s

Criteria: Nonland cards originally printed in a Commander Precon in either the 2010s or the 2020s. As is tradition, all results are ordered by EDHREC score.

10. Veyran, Voice of DualityVeyran, Voice of Duality vs. Kindred DiscoveryKindred Discovery

(Veyran, Commander 2021: 157k; Discovery, Commander 2017: 295k)

At least to start off with, it's a clear win in inclusion numbers from the old guard. Kindred DiscoveryKindred Discovery has almost double the inclusions of Veyran, Voice of DualityVeyran, Voice of Duality, showing that as much as folks love spellslinger, they love kindred decks even more. Inclusion numbers aren't everything, however, and personally, I think I'd pretty easily hand this to Veyran. Yeah, I'm a spellslinger type of guy, but also, five mana to do nothing, likely until your next turn? That's just asking too much.

Winner: Veyran, Voice of DualityVeyran, Voice of Duality

9. Archaeomancer's MapArchaeomancer's Map vs. Sevinne's ReclamationSevinne's Reclamation

(Map, Commander 2021: 159k; Reclamation, Commander 2019: 299k)

Our second matchup keeps the trend alive, with the 2010s representative of Sevinne's ReclamationSevinne's Reclamation blowing one of my personal favorites, Archaeomancer's MapArchaeomancer's Map, out of the water. And with this one, it's not hard to see why. While Archaeomancer's Map does insane things in white decks either just looking to keep up with the Johnsons or being in the lands arena itself, Sevinne's ReclamationSevinne's Reclamation is just one of those universally good cards. Returning a three-mana permanent to the battlefield for three mana is well above rate for what we normally see, and being able to do it twice more from the graveyard would be something we'd pay a lot more than five for.

Winner: Sevinne's ReclamationSevinne's Reclamation

8. Clever ConcealmentClever Concealment vs. FlusterstormFlusterstorm

(Concealment, Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander, 2023: 188k; Flusterstorm, Commander 2011: 318k)

If you'd bet me a thousand dollars, I would've confidently told you that FlusterstormFlusterstorm was printed in a Standard set from way back in the day, not the original Commander set. And while I do like Clever ConcealmentClever Concealment as a solid option to save your board, possibly on the cheap with its convoke, there's really just no contest between these two defensive options. Flusterstorm is one of the best counterspells ever printed, and Clever Concealment is just a bad Teferi's ProtectionTeferi's Protection.

Winner: FlusterstormFlusterstorm

7. Trouble in PairsTrouble in Pairs vs. Idol of OblivionIdol of Oblivion

(Trouble, Murders at Karlov Manor Commander, 2024: 189k; Idol, Commander 2019: 417k)

If we were looking for a prime example that inclusion numbers aren't everything, however, then we have it here in this matchup. Don't get me wrong, I like Idol of OblivionIdol of Oblivion, and I've played enough token decks to know why its sitting here in 417,000 decks. It's nowhere close to even in the same league as Trouble in PairsTrouble in Pairs, however, even with it being a colorless option you can throw into any deck.

Winner: Trouble in PairsTrouble in Pairs

6. The Reaver CleaverThe Reaver Cleaver vs. Herald's HornHerald's Horn

(Cleaver, Dominaria United Commander, 2022: 206k; Horn, Commander 2017, 517k)

At our number six spot, we have two fairly niche cards on either side. For our 2020 entrant, The Reaver CleaverThe Reaver Cleaver sees a lot of play in both Equipment decks and Treasure decks, while our 2010 entrant, Herald's HornHerald's Horn, is a Kindred staple. There's still no contest in play numbers here, with the older cards consistently outperforming the newer ones with their greater inertia. With that said, I must admit that I am 100% behind the numbers here. I feel that Cleaver sees way too much play for its expensive cost, whereas Herald's Horn is the best version of its combination of effects. Yes, you can get a greater reduction with Urza's IncubatorUrza's Incubator, or better card advantage with Vanquisher's BannerVanquisher's Banner, but if you want both, you're just not going to do better than Horn.

Winner: Herald's HornHerald's Horn

5. Cursed MirrorCursed Mirror vs. Teferi's ProtectionTeferi's Protection

(Mirror, Commander 2021: 249k; Protection, Commander 2017: 669k)

Cursed MirrorCursed Mirror is one of my favorite cards of all time, but this is another one where the numbers don't lie. Teferi's ProtectionTeferi's Protection is one of the best cards ever printed, and honestly I am astounded it's not further up this list.

Winner: Teferi's ProtectionTeferi's Protection

4. Flawless ManeuverFlawless Maneuver vs. Toxic DelugeToxic Deluge

(Maneuver, Commander 2020: 439k; Deluge, Commander 2013: 817k)

The numbers keep going up, but our old guard of 2010s cards is keeping more or less double the inclusions despite it all? Is power creep a myth? That's an odd conclusion to come to as we see our first of many free commander spells, but honestly, in the moment? It really feels like old broken cards are beating new cards trying to push the limit. Don't get me wrong, I like Flawless ManeuverFlawless Maneuver. It's a vegetable card, but it's a vegetable card that keeps your aggro and token decks from getting completely blown out of the water. That said, the card most likely to blow those decks out of said water? Toxic DelugeToxic Deluge.

Winner: Toxic DelugeToxic Deluge

3. Deadly RollickDeadly Rollick vs. Commander's SphereCommander's Sphere

(Rollick, Commander 2020: 640k; Sphere, Commander 2014: 995k)

Okay, I take it all back. Power creep is real, Deadly RollickDeadly Rollick is insane, and the only thing crazier than it is the fact that in 2026, Commander's SphereCommander's Sphere is about to pass the million mark. Why, people? Why do you insist on playing this bad card?

Winner: Deadly RollickDeadly Rollick

2. Deflecting SwatDeflecting Swat vs. Chaos WarpChaos Warp

(Swat, Commander 2020: 761k; Warp, Commander 2011: 1.29M)

I don't know what I was expecting, but if it wasn't a mono-red matchup in our number two slot, it certainly wasn't a competitive mono-red matchup. Deflecting SwatDeflecting Swat is one of the best interaction spells ever printed, being both free and flexible, and has acquired a price tag to go with it over the years. Having just recently been removed from the Game Changer's list, it roams free once again at the higher power levels, ruining the day of the overconfident routinely. On the other hand, we have Chaos WarpChaos Warp, a card that several Wizards employees are on record saying should never have existed. A thorough color pie break, Chaos Warp is the only red card available that can get rid of an enchantment without getting color involved, and it does so at instant speed. Yeah, it's a bit pricey compared to the white options that can also remove any permanent, but you know what they say: the best ability is availability.

As a Competitive EDH player, this one feels like it has a clear answer to me. Deflecting Swat is just one of the most powerful cards ever printed, whereas Chaos Warp is really only playable if you're in mono-red, or maybe Rakdos. All that said, I think I actually go with the underdog here, because Chaos Warp is a card of the masses, and creates some of the most fun situations I've ever encountered in Magic. Can the card with better inclusion numbers be an underdog? I'll let you guys decide, feel free to deride me and my every decision down in the comments.

Winner: Chaos WarpChaos Warp

1. Fierce GuardianshipFierce Guardianship vs. Thought VesselThought Vessel

(Fierce, Commander 2020: 765k; Vessel, Commander 2015: 1.53M)

That said, I am on record just last week as saying that Thought VesselThought Vessel isn't good. It's fine for a two-mana rock that enters untapped, and if that's what you're using it for, great. Like Reliquary TowerReliquary Tower, however, if you are just using Thought Vessel to not have to make discard decisions, then I think you're wasting a card slot.

What's almost never wasting a card slot, however? Fierce GuardianshipFierce Guardianship. Easily the lowest bar to clear for a free CounterspellCounterspell, Fierce would be ubiquitous if it weren't for both its price tag and its Game Changer status, a universe I don't want to live in and neither do you. That said, I've got to put it in over the actively bad card, right?

Winner: Fierce GuardianshipFierce Guardianship

Honorable Mentions

I mean, you know we have to finish the contest, right?

I'm not gonna lie, I really thought I was gonna end up with a real controversial decision there for a second, because I am really high on Sevinne's ReclamationSevinne's Reclamation. That said, I think that Toxic DelugeToxic Deluge taking it all makes a lot more sense. It's arguably the best board wipe in the game, and is more popular than any of the free spells while being a lot more impactful than your odd Chaos WarpChaos Warp.

Outside of the bracket, the keen-eyed among you may have noticed that I omitted the lands from this week's list. That happens fairly often, as lands tend to make for boring lists, but just in case any of you were wondering:

Top 10 Lands from Commander Precons

1. Command TowerCommand Tower
2. Path of AncestryPath of Ancestry
3. Myriad LandscapeMyriad Landscape
4. Command BeaconCommand Beacon
5. Ash BarrensAsh Barrens
6. Nesting GroundsNesting Grounds
7. Talon Gates of MadaraTalon Gates of Madara
8. Opal PalaceOpal Palace
9. Overflowing BasinOverflowing Basin
10. Viridescent BogViridescent Bog

The ubiquitous Command TowerCommand Tower was always going to come out on top, but after that, the list gets a bit more interesting. Path of AncestryPath of Ancestry isn't my favorite tap land, but can be impactful in Kindred decks or Scry decks. Myriad LandscapeMyriad Landscape is my favorite ramp spell ever printed on a land (although that's admittedly a short list). Talon Gates of MadaraTalon Gates of Madara has become and invaluable piece of removal and a combo piece in Competitive EDH, while also just being a solid option in casual for mono-color and colorless decks. Opal PalaceOpal Palace is a mainstay of +1/+1 counter decks, and my favorite cheap duals round out the bottom of the list.

Nuts and Bolts

There always seems to be a bit of interest in how these lists are made (this seems like a good time to stress once again that they are based on EDHREC score, NOT my personal opinion…), and people are often surprised that I’m not using any special data or .json from EDHREC, but rather just muddling my way through with some Scryfall knowledge! For your enjoyment/research, here is this week’s Scryfall search.

What Do You Think?

And finally, what is your favorite card that started life in a Precon? Was it on our list? Do you think it will be someday?

Let us know in the comments, and we'll see you at the tables that have specifically been set aside for Commander Night.