Meren of Clan Nel Toth (Commander) - Birthing Pod

Background image for The Best Commander From Every Year of the 2000s
Jonathan Zucchetti
Nov 20, 2025
The Best Commander From Every Year of the 2000s
With 2025 drawing to a close, let's take a look back at this quarter century and pick out the best commanders from each year.
Deck Filters
Cardsphere
Archidekt
Commander Spellbook
Moxfield
Scryfall
MTGStocks
Beifong's Bounty Hunters
7.7%inclusion3 decks39 decks
4%synergy
Ba Sing Se
5.3%inclusion2 decks38 decks
3%synergy
Badgermole Cub
4.8%inclusion2 decks42 decks
3%synergy
Avatar Destiny
2.6%inclusion1 decks38 decks
1%synergy
Earthbender Ascension
2.6%inclusion1 decks38 decks
1%synergy
High Synergy Cards
Birthing Pod
87%inclusion829 decks957 decks
84%synergy
Spore Frog
83%inclusion795 decks957 decks
77%synergy
Plaguecrafter
74%inclusion709 decks957 decks
65%synergy
Fiend Artisan
69%inclusion662 decks957 decks
64%synergy
Protean Hulk
68%inclusion647 decks957 decks
63%synergy
Buried Alive
70%inclusion674 decks957 decks
62%synergy
Eternal Witness
86%inclusion822 decks957 decks
61%synergy
Viscera Seer
74%inclusion711 decks957 decks
58%synergy
Eldritch Evolution
62%inclusion594 decks957 decks
58%synergy
Sakura-Tribe Elder
87%inclusion832 decks957 decks
57%synergy
Top Cards
Assassin's Trophy
70%inclusion671 decks957 decks
25%synergy
Skullclamp
69%inclusion663 decks957 decks
38%synergy
Reanimate
69%inclusion661 decks957 decks
50%synergy
Victimize
65%inclusion622 decks957 decks
46%synergy
Entomb
65%inclusion620 decks957 decks
57%synergy
Haywire Mite
65%inclusion619 decks957 decks
47%synergy
Gray Merchant of Asphodel
64%inclusion608 decks957 decks
57%synergy
Accursed Marauder
62%inclusion468 decks753 decks
53%synergy
Braids, Arisen Nightmare
62%inclusion591 decks957 decks
49%synergy
Birds of Paradise
61%inclusion585 decks957 decks
41%synergy
Game Changers
Demonic Tutor
36%inclusion347 decks957 decks
21%synergy
Vampiric Tutor
29%inclusion277 decks957 decks
18%synergy
Worldly Tutor
25%inclusion238 decks957 decks
15%synergy
Ancient Tomb
19%inclusion181 decks957 decks
13%synergy
Orcish Bowmasters
16%inclusion152 decks957 decks
12%synergy
Survival of the Fittest
15%inclusion147 decks957 decks
13%synergy
Natural Order
14%inclusion131 decks957 decks
10%synergy
Opposition Agent
13%inclusion129 decks957 decks
11%synergy
Crop Rotation
10%inclusion96 decks957 decks
1%synergy
Necropotence
10%inclusion96 decks957 decks
7%synergy
Creatures
Wight of the Reliquary
60%inclusion472 decks789 decks
50%synergy
Mikaeus, the Unhallowed
56%inclusion540 decks957 decks
53%synergy
Grim Haruspex
56%inclusion539 decks957 decks
52%synergy
Carrion Feeder
55%inclusion529 decks957 decks
47%synergy
Yawgmoth, Thran Physician
52%inclusion502 decks957 decks
45%synergy
Blood Artist
52%inclusion498 decks957 decks
32%synergy
Llanowar Elves
52%inclusion498 decks957 decks
19%synergy
Cankerbloom
52%inclusion495 decks957 decks
38%synergy
Deathrite Shaman
49%inclusion467 decks957 decks
35%synergy
Zulaport Cutthroat
47%inclusion454 decks957 decks
26%synergy
Elves of Deep Shadow
47%inclusion452 decks957 decks
29%synergy
Ravenous Chupacabra
46%inclusion443 decks957 decks
42%synergy
Reclamation Sage
44%inclusion424 decks957 decks
26%synergy
Elvish Mystic
43%inclusion415 decks957 decks
17%synergy
Sheoldred, Whispering One
42%inclusion400 decks957 decks
36%synergy
Fauna Shaman
42%inclusion399 decks957 decks
36%synergy
Massacre Wurm
41%inclusion390 decks957 decks
32%synergy
Dauthi Voidwalker
40%inclusion379 decks957 decks
36%synergy
Warren Soultrader
39%inclusion298 decks761 decks
29%synergy
Wood Elves
39%inclusion371 decks957 decks
30%synergy
Sidisi, Undead Vizier
38%inclusion367 decks957 decks
36%synergy
Fleshbag Marauder
35%inclusion333 decks957 decks
29%synergy
Kokusho, the Evening Star
34%inclusion329 decks957 decks
32%synergy
Solemn Simulacrum
34%inclusion327 decks957 decks
24%synergy
Insidious Fungus
34%inclusion178 decks526 decks
27%synergy
Syr Konrad, the Grim
32%inclusion308 decks957 decks
18%synergy
Fyndhorn Elves
32%inclusion307 decks957 decks
16%synergy
Junji, the Midnight Sky
31%inclusion298 decks957 decks
28%synergy
Shriekmaw
31%inclusion292 decks957 decks
26%synergy
Caustic Caterpillar
30%inclusion289 decks957 decks
22%synergy
Razaketh, the Foulblooded
27%inclusion256 decks957 decks
25%synergy
Demon's Disciple
24%inclusion231 decks957 decks
21%synergy
Satyr Wayfinder
24%inclusion230 decks957 decks
18%synergy
Umbral Collar Zealot
23%inclusion21 decks90 decks
18%synergy
Midnight Reaper
22%inclusion209 decks957 decks
19%synergy
Butcher of Malakir
21%inclusion201 decks957 decks
17%synergy
Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER
21%inclusion23 decks111 decks
17%synergy
Morbid Opportunist
20%inclusion196 decks957 decks
10%synergy
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
20%inclusion195 decks957 decks
11%synergy
Honest Rutstein
20%inclusion167 decks824 decks
10%synergy
Disciple of Freyalise
19%inclusion148 decks761 decks
11%synergy
Merciless Executioner
18%inclusion169 decks957 decks
15%synergy
Walking Ballista
18%inclusion168 decks957 decks
16%synergy
Acidic Slime
17%inclusion164 decks957 decks
14%synergy
Pitiless Plunderer
17%inclusion162 decks957 decks
2%synergy
Mindslicer
17%inclusion158 decks957 decks
16%synergy
Stitcher's Supplier
16%inclusion153 decks957 decks
8%synergy
Spinner of Souls
15%inclusion61 decks397 decks
11%synergy
Woe Strider
15%inclusion146 decks957 decks
10%synergy
Delighted Halfling
15%inclusion144 decks957 decks
7%synergy
Instants
Beast Within
37%inclusion358 decks957 decks
1%synergy
Abrupt Decay
37%inclusion350 decks957 decks
21%synergy
Dark Ritual
33%inclusion317 decks957 decks
16%synergy
Village Rites
24%inclusion233 decks957 decks
7%synergy
Putrefy
20%inclusion187 decks957 decks
-15%synergy
Grisly Salvage
19%inclusion183 decks957 decks
8%synergy
Heroic Intervention
18%inclusion171 decks957 decks
-12%synergy
Culling the Weak
17%inclusion159 decks957 decks
13%synergy
Malakir Rebirth
16%inclusion157 decks957 decks
6%synergy
Fell the Profane
16%inclusion119 decks761 decks
7%synergy
Deadly Rollick
16%inclusion149 decks957 decks
5%synergy
Saw in Half
15%inclusion143 decks957 decks
8%synergy
Veil of Summer
15%inclusion141 decks957 decks
9%synergy
Deadly Dispute
13%inclusion125 decks957 decks
-7%synergy
Revitalizing Repast
12%inclusion93 decks761 decks
-8%synergy
Noxious Revival
12%inclusion116 decks957 decks
7%synergy
Tear Asunder
11%inclusion107 decks957 decks
-4%synergy
Chord of Calling
11%inclusion101 decks957 decks
5%synergy
Flare of Malice
10%inclusion75 decks761 decks
7%synergy
Corrupted Conviction
10%inclusion91 decks957 decks
2%synergy
Golgari Charm
8.6%inclusion82 decks957 decks
-8%synergy
Force of Vigor
7.8%inclusion75 decks957 decks
4%synergy
Rushed Rebirth
7.1%inclusion68 decks957 decks
5%synergy
Nature's Claim
6.5%inclusion62 decks957 decks
-3%synergy
Tragic Slip
6.3%inclusion60 decks957 decks
1%synergy
Mausoleum Secrets
5.1%inclusion49 decks957 decks
4%synergy
Sorceries
Toxic Deluge
50%inclusion479 decks957 decks
29%synergy
Diabolic Intent
46%inclusion445 decks957 decks
36%synergy
Culling Ritual
39%inclusion376 decks957 decks
19%synergy
Living Death
38%inclusion360 decks957 decks
31%synergy
Green Sun's Zenith
27%inclusion258 decks957 decks
21%synergy
Unmarked Grave
23%inclusion221 decks957 decks
21%synergy
Rise of the Witch-king
21%inclusion200 decks957 decks
8%synergy
Nature's Lore
20%inclusion191 decks957 decks
-6%synergy
Life // Death
17%inclusion167 decks957 decks
14%synergy
Damnation
17%inclusion164 decks957 decks
9%synergy
Dread Return
17%inclusion160 decks957 decks
7%synergy
Cultivate
17%inclusion160 decks957 decks
-23%synergy
Agadeem's Awakening
17%inclusion158 decks957 decks
13%synergy
Three Visits
16%inclusion157 decks957 decks
-2%synergy
Flare of Cultivation
15%inclusion129 decks857 decks
12%synergy
Finale of Devastation
15%inclusion141 decks957 decks
8%synergy
Rampant Growth
15%inclusion139 decks957 decks
-20%synergy
Blasphemous Edict
14%inclusion57 decks400 decks
7%synergy
Farseek
14%inclusion131 decks957 decks
-5%synergy
Jarad's Orders
13%inclusion125 decks957 decks
10%synergy
Bala Ged Recovery
12%inclusion111 decks957 decks
0%synergy
Persist
11%inclusion110 decks957 decks
9%synergy
Life from the Loam
11%inclusion104 decks957 decks
3%synergy
Primal Growth
10%inclusion91 decks957 decks
7%synergy
Kodama's Reach
8.3%inclusion79 decks957 decks
-16%synergy
Rise of the Dark Realms
8.0%inclusion77 decks957 decks
4%synergy
Chain of Smog
8.0%inclusion77 decks957 decks
5%synergy
Unearth
7.4%inclusion71 decks957 decks
3%synergy
Imperial Seal
6.3%inclusion60 decks957 decks
4%synergy
Breach the Multiverse
5.6%inclusion54 decks957 decks
2%synergy
Squirming Emergence
5.3%inclusion51 decks957 decks
0%synergy
Lively Dirge
5.0%inclusion41 decks819 decks
3%synergy
Utility Artifacts
Ashnod's Altar
56%inclusion536 decks957 decks
36%synergy
Phyrexian Altar
39%inclusion371 decks957 decks
30%synergy
Altar of Dementia
37%inclusion357 decks957 decks
29%synergy
Lightning Greaves
33%inclusion317 decks957 decks
11%synergy
Swiftfoot Boots
14%inclusion138 decks957 decks
-10%synergy
The One Ring
10%inclusion94 decks957 decks
5%synergy
Strionic Resonator
8.2%inclusion78 decks957 decks
6%synergy
Desecrated Tomb
5.0%inclusion48 decks957 decks
4%synergy
Enchantments
Animate Dead
54%inclusion518 decks957 decks
46%synergy
Grave Pact
40%inclusion379 decks957 decks
31%synergy
Dictate of Erebos
27%inclusion254 decks957 decks
21%synergy
Sylvan Library
26%inclusion253 decks957 decks
17%synergy
Journey to Eternity
24%inclusion234 decks957 decks
19%synergy
Guardian Project
24%inclusion227 decks957 decks
16%synergy
Birthing Ritual
23%inclusion171 decks759 decks
21%synergy
Necromancy
22%inclusion211 decks957 decks
19%synergy
Insidious Roots
20%inclusion185 decks903 decks
9%synergy
Moldervine Reclamation
18%inclusion175 decks957 decks
-6%synergy
Phyrexian Arena
17%inclusion159 decks957 decks
3%synergy
The Meathook Massacre
15%inclusion148 decks957 decks
7%synergy
Pattern of Rebirth
13%inclusion128 decks957 decks
12%synergy
Teval's Judgment
13%inclusion17 decks129 decks
11%synergy
Evolutionary Leap
13%inclusion122 decks957 decks
10%synergy
Ripples of Undeath
12%inclusion93 decks759 decks
4%synergy
Wild Growth
12%inclusion111 decks957 decks
2%synergy
Greater Good
11%inclusion104 decks957 decks
5%synergy
Into the Pit
11%inclusion54 decks506 decks
8%synergy
Awakening Zone
10%inclusion100 decks957 decks
5%synergy
Carpet of Flowers
8.4%inclusion80 decks957 decks
6%synergy
Black Market
8.3%inclusion79 decks957 decks
5%synergy
Utopia Sprawl
7.8%inclusion75 decks957 decks
1%synergy
Attrition
7.3%inclusion70 decks957 decks
6%synergy
Chthonian Nightmare
7.1%inclusion56 decks784 decks
5%synergy
Deathreap Ritual
6.8%inclusion65 decks957 decks
-5%synergy
Bastion of Remembrance
5.7%inclusion55 decks957 decks
-8%synergy
Virtue of Persistence
5.6%inclusion54 decks957 decks
4%synergy
Dance of the Dead
5.2%inclusion50 decks957 decks
4%synergy
Black Market Connections
5.2%inclusion50 decks957 decks
-3%synergy
Planeswalkers
Grist, the Hunger Tide
22%inclusion208 decks957 decks
12%synergy
Vivien on the Hunt
16%inclusion152 decks957 decks
15%synergy
Liliana, Dreadhorde General
13%inclusion128 decks957 decks
8%synergy
Vraska, Golgari Queen
8.2%inclusion78 decks957 decks
1%synergy
Utility Lands
Phyrexian Tower
59%inclusion561 decks957 decks
44%synergy
High Market
53%inclusion504 decks957 decks
44%synergy
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
47%inclusion446 decks957 decks
24%synergy
Bojuka Bog
43%inclusion413 decks957 decks
3%synergy
Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth
40%inclusion383 decks957 decks
12%synergy
Dryad Arbor
32%inclusion303 decks957 decks
22%synergy
Boseiju, Who Endures
29%inclusion277 decks957 decks
11%synergy
Takenuma, Abandoned Mire
27%inclusion258 decks957 decks
15%synergy
Shifting Woodland
22%inclusion166 decks761 decks
12%synergy
Cabal Coffers
21%inclusion205 decks957 decks
12%synergy
Grim Backwoods
20%inclusion187 decks957 decks
6%synergy
Spymaster's Vault
12%inclusion94 decks761 decks
9%synergy
Reliquary Tower
12%inclusion115 decks957 decks
-11%synergy
Gaea's Cradle
10%inclusion94 decks957 decks
5%synergy
Command Beacon
10%inclusion92 decks957 decks
6%synergy
Castle Locthwain
8.6%inclusion82 decks957 decks
5%synergy
Midgar, City of Mako
8.4%inclusion9 decks107 decks
5%synergy
Susur Secundi, Void Altar
7.8%inclusion7 decks90 decks
4%synergy
Dakmor Salvage
7.3%inclusion70 decks957 decks
0%synergy
Crypt of Agadeem
6.6%inclusion63 decks957 decks
5%synergy
Westvale Abbey
6.4%inclusion61 decks957 decks
3%synergy
Khalni Garden
6.1%inclusion58 decks957 decks
3%synergy
Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
5.9%inclusion56 decks957 decks
3%synergy
Strip Mine
5.9%inclusion56 decks957 decks
3%synergy
Volrath's Stronghold
5.6%inclusion54 decks957 decks
4%synergy
Hissing Quagmire
5.3%inclusion51 decks957 decks
2%synergy
Mana Artifacts
Sol Ring
91%inclusion868 decks957 decks
11%synergy
Arcane Signet
55%inclusion528 decks957 decks
-7%synergy
Golgari Signet
24%inclusion225 decks957 decks
-4%synergy
Talisman of Resilience
18%inclusion169 decks957 decks
-7%synergy
Chrome Mox
7.7%inclusion74 decks957 decks
5%synergy
Mana Crypt
7.0%inclusion67 decks957 decks
5%synergy
The Soul Stone
6.0%inclusion5 decks83 decks
3%synergy
Jeweled Lotus
5.4%inclusion52 decks957 decks
4%synergy
Lands
Swamp
99%inclusion943 decks957 decks
1%synergy
Forest
99%inclusion943 decks957 decks
1%synergy
Command Tower
94%inclusion902 decks957 decks
9%synergy
Overgrown Tomb
76%inclusion723 decks957 decks
31%synergy
Woodland Cemetery
74%inclusion708 decks957 decks
13%synergy
Llanowar Wastes
71%inclusion680 decks957 decks
19%synergy
Undergrowth Stadium
64%inclusion616 decks957 decks
26%synergy
Verdant Catacombs
55%inclusion527 decks957 decks
26%synergy
Tainted Wood
54%inclusion512 decks957 decks
9%synergy
Twilight Mire
47%inclusion451 decks957 decks
12%synergy
Underground Mortuary
42%inclusion383 decks914 decks
21%synergy
Darkbore Pathway
40%inclusion383 decks957 decks
20%synergy
Deathcap Glade
40%inclusion381 decks957 decks
10%synergy
Nurturing Peatland
35%inclusion332 decks957 decks
22%synergy
Golgari Rot Farm
30%inclusion290 decks957 decks
-12%synergy
Necroblossom Snarl
30%inclusion285 decks957 decks
-6%synergy
Temple of Malady
27%inclusion255 decks957 decks
-9%synergy
Wastewood Verge
23%inclusion46 decks197 decks
7%synergy
Exotic Orchard
22%inclusion212 decks957 decks
-5%synergy
Bayou
21%inclusion199 decks957 decks
9%synergy
Blooming Marsh
20%inclusion191 decks957 decks
6%synergy
Disciple of Freyalise
19%inclusion148 decks761 decks
11%synergy
Marsh Flats
17%inclusion162 decks957 decks
11%synergy
Bloodstained Mire
17%inclusion161 decks957 decks
11%synergy
Windswept Heath
17%inclusion160 decks957 decks
9%synergy
Agadeem's Awakening
17%inclusion158 decks957 decks
13%synergy
Malakir Rebirth
16%inclusion157 decks957 decks
6%synergy
Polluted Delta
16%inclusion156 decks957 decks
10%synergy
Misty Rainforest
16%inclusion153 decks957 decks
9%synergy
Fell the Profane
16%inclusion119 decks761 decks
7%synergy
Wooded Foothills
15%inclusion147 decks957 decks
9%synergy
Vernal Fen
14%inclusion13 decks90 decks
3%synergy
Boggart Trawler
14%inclusion107 decks755 decks
10%synergy
Fabled Passage
14%inclusion133 decks957 decks
1%synergy
Evolving Wilds
13%inclusion125 decks957 decks
-14%synergy
Revitalizing Repast
12%inclusion93 decks761 decks
-8%synergy
Prismatic Vista
12%inclusion115 decks957 decks
6%synergy
Haunted Mire
12%inclusion111 decks957 decks
-5%synergy
Bala Ged Recovery
12%inclusion111 decks957 decks
0%synergy
Viridescent Bog
11%inclusion90 decks857 decks
-10%synergy
Terramorphic Expanse
10%inclusion99 decks957 decks
-10%synergy
Jungle Hollow
10%inclusion96 decks957 decks
-15%synergy
Festering Thicket
8.9%inclusion8 decks90 decks
3%synergy
City of Brass
7.8%inclusion75 decks957 decks
5%synergy
Mana Confluence
7.3%inclusion70 decks957 decks
5%synergy
Woodland Chasm
7.2%inclusion69 decks957 decks
-1%synergy
Reflecting Pool
5.6%inclusion54 decks957 decks
3%synergy
Myriad Landscape
5.3%inclusion51 decks957 decks
-11%synergy
Golgari Guildgate
5.3%inclusion51 decks957 decks
-4%synergy