Gathering StoneGathering Stone | Art by Paolo Parente

In respective order of these color identities, the main creature types of Lorwyn Eclipsed are Merfolk, Goblin, Kithkin, Elemental, and Elf. There are three additional types being revisited as well: Faerie, Giant, and Treefolk.

5th Place: Kithkin – 21 New Cards

There are a few standouts for Kithkin at rare in Brigid, Clachan's HeartBrigid, Clachan's Heart, Bristlebane BattlerBristlebane Battler, Champion of the ClachanChampion of the Clachan, Kinscaer SentryKinscaer Sentry, and Figure of FableFigure of Fable. However, the fact that few new common or uncommon Kithkin would make the cut over the creatures that already exist in a strategy like this is not a sign of a big improvement.

Maybe I'm being a bit harsh and Kithkin decks will be happy to include Dundoolin WeaverDundoolin Weaver and Eclipsed KithkinEclipsed Kithkin.

Brigid, Clachan's HeartBrigid, Clachan's Heart has some comparisons in the command zone with mana-producers like Katilda, Dawnhart PrimeKatilda, Dawnhart Prime and Selvala, Eager TrailblazerSelvala, Eager Trailblazer. While Brigid's ability itself is less restrictive and more powerful than these commanders, the fact that you have to wait a full turn cycle to access her mana (even with a haste enabler like Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots) is a knock against her.

However, working in her favor is the fact that it's way easier to produce infinite mana by combining her with cards like Gauntlets of LightGauntlets of Light and Staff of DominationStaff of Domination, so maybe the tradeoff is worth it.

The pool of potential Kithkin commanders was exactly two (Brigid, Hero of KinsbaileBrigid, Hero of Kinsbaile and Gaddock TeegGaddock Teeg) before the release of Lorwyn Eclipsed, so Brigid will be a great upgrade for Commander players looking to make a deck focused specifically on Kithkin. Or maybe you can put her to use in a budget-friendly deck that combines tokens and untapping synergies.

4th Place: Merfolk – 21 New Cards

Just like the new Kithkin, there (ironically) isn't a lot of depth for this creature type. What puts Merfolk over the top of Kithkin is the existence of cards like Adept WatershaperAdept Watershaper, Disruptor of CurrentsDisruptor of Currents, and maybe even Merrow SkyswimmerMerrow Skyswimmer that have utility outside a Merfolk-focused deck.

Perhaps -based convoke commanders like Kasla, the Broken HaloKasla, the Broken Halo and Saint Traft and Rem KarolusSaint Traft and Rem Karolus will gain popularity with new synergistic cards from Lorwyn Eclipsed.

Adept WatershaperAdept Watershaper has even more potential, and is especially cute with commanders like Sokrates, Athenian TeacherSokrates, Athenian Teacher and Dragonlord OjutaiDragonlord Ojutai, ensuring they will be protected in some way no matter whether they're tapped or untapped.

Every creature type loves new "lords" – and Deepchannel DuelistDeepchannel Duelist and Deepway NavigatorDeepway Navigator are a perfect fit for anyone inspired by this new set to make Merfolk a thing (probably helmed by Sygg, River GuideSygg, River Guide, or maybe even the new Sygg, Wanderwine WisdomSygg, Wanderwine Wisdom).

With these new additions, Merfolk can keep up with the version of the deck in terms of lord density – and untapping creatures is especially good in a format where you have lots of opponents you need to defend against.

So whether Merfolk players are tired of playing the #1 commander Hakbal of the Surging SoulHakbal of the Surging Soul, or simply want access to cards like Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares and Mirror EntityMirror Entity, Lorwyn Eclipsed offers some fun variety.

3rd Place: Goblins – 23 New Cards

Goblins have a little more depth than Kithkin or Merfolk, with uncommons Boggart CursecrafterBoggart Cursecrafter and Boggart MischiefBoggart Mischief providing nice redundancy for Goblins Aristocrats strategies.

They both affect each opponent, which is a major perk for aristocrats payoffs in Commander. Grub, Storied MatriarchGrub, Storied Matriarch is another great inclusion for players trying out this strategy – maybe even in the command zone.

Scuzzback ScroungerScuzzback Scrounger is a natural fit in red's many TreasureTreasure-based strategies, and Sanar, Innovative First-YearSanar, Innovative First-Year has some great brewing potential.

But what clearly sets Goblins ahead of the creature types so far is Hexing SquelcherHexing Squelcher, a card so powerful it inspired our cEDH expert Harvey McGuinness to write a full article about its effect on cEDH.

2nd Place: Elves – 28 New Cards

These new Elves look absolutely at home in Commander.

Champions of the PerfectChampions of the Perfect is a bigger, more budget-friendly Beast WhispererBeast Whisperer, offering a duplicate of this effect for Elf players. Twilight DivinerTwilight Diviner and Lluwen, Imperfect NaturalistLluwen, Imperfect Naturalist explore some interesting new space and fit perfectly into graveyard-based strategies.

Selfless SafewrightSelfless Safewright acts as a budget-friendly version of Heroic InterventionHeroic Intervention for typal decks – one that you can also cast without leaving up any actual mana.

At uncommon, Lys Alana DignitaryLys Alana Dignitary does a decent Joraga TreespeakerJoraga Treespeaker impression and Morcant's LoyalistMorcant's Loyalist grants Elf strategies an additional lord effect.

And this is all before talking about the two strongest Elves from the new set!

As a new Commander, High Perfect MorcantHigh Perfect Morcant racked up an impressive 200 decks in just 24 hours after being spoiled. Today, it's already closing in on the top 20 spot for commanders – and it's only been around a month.

Finally, Formidable SpeakerFormidable Speaker is an ultra-powerful immediate search engine tacked onto a creature that slots perfectly into any Elf deck (or any green deck at all!). Being able to generate even more mana by untapping creatures like fellow Elves Priest of TitaniaPriest of Titania, Circle of Dreams DruidCircle of Dreams Druid, and Elvish ArchdruidElvish Archdruid is a nice additional bonus.

1st Place: Elementals – 34 New Cards

While the other creature types have around 5-8 cards that look like they will catch on in some Commander decks, it wouldn't be surprising to see much higher numbers (even a full half of all new Elementals) for this multipurpose creature type. This impressive depth and versatility is enough to catapult them into the top spot.

At uncommon, Elemental-focused decks gain a huge upgrade in FlamebraiderFlamebraider (a second SmokebraiderSmokebraider effect that allows you to jump from two to five mana). Twinflame TravelersTwinflame Travelers is an on-theme PanharmoniconPanharmonicon that turbo-charges classic Elementals like ReveillarkReveillark and MulldrifterMulldrifter, while Kindle the Inner FlameKindle the Inner Flame does a great Heat ShimmerHeat Shimmer impression – but twice!

Still at uncommon (yes, this creature type is deep), the vivid Elementals ShimmercreepShimmercreep, PrismabasherPrismabasher, and especially ShinestrikerShinestriker offer powerful effects when they enter. Maxing these creatures out to five isn't as hard as it might look at first glance when they're combined with cards like Fallaji WayfarerFallaji Wayfarer, ScuttlemuttScuttlemutt, Leyline of the GuildpactLeyline of the Guildpact, and the new Tam, Mindful First-YearTam, Mindful First-Year.

Blinking a draw-five ShinestrikerShinestriker with something like EphemerateEphemerate is really living the dream!

At rare, Elemental-centric decks gain cards like SunderflockSunderflock, Champion of the PathChampion of the Path, and Ashling's CommandAshling's Command.

Outside of decks focused on Elementals, LavaleaperLavaleaper is cool new tech in turbo mono-red strategies, while Eirdu, Carrier of DawnEirdu, Carrier of Dawn fits great as a commander for Aristocrats strategies that can end the game on the spot with persist combos.

Finally, it feels like the Elemental Incarnation cycle (EmptinessEmptiness, DeceitDeceit, CatharsisCatharsis, VibranceVibrance, and WistfulnessWistfulness) will find their way into the format, whether powered out ahead of schedule by SmokebraiderSmokebraider and friends in typal decks or simply as value pieces that are relevant in both early and late game scenarios.