Commander Review: Best Wilds of Eldraine cards for EDH

The new set, Wilds of Eldraine will be here this week, and, alongside it, a significant amount of very interesting cards for many builds in our dear casual format, Commander, will also be here.

Here, we separated our analysis in the standard color order: White, Blue, Black, Red and Green, followed by Multicolored and, lastly, Colorless. We have also followed the rarity cycle of Common, Uncommon, Rare and Mythic. If one of these rarities is missing from a section, that's because there weren't relevant cards in that rarity and color for Commander itself.

This time, I didn't analyze lands as I didn't find the lands released in the set relevant enough for this format. So, let's go.

Common

A friendly knight who faces society's paradigms to be with their beloved, Besotted Knight is a card that shines in the Feather, The Redeemed deck.

For just one white mana, in this deck in particular, Feather gets Ward 1 and +1/+1.

Uncommon

Working parallel to Generous Gift, Stroke of Midnight is a great addition to the format. As much as it can't target inconvenient lands such as Cabal Coffers, The Black Gate, Gond Gate, Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx and the like, this doesn't prevent it from being a good removal.

Removing enchantments, creatures, planeswalkers, artifacts and other cards punctually with the single condition of creating a 1/1 Human for your opponent is something that must be highlighted in this format. It really embraces the aforementioned Generous Gift and also Beast Within.

Rares

Starting with Archon of the Wild Rose, a 4/4 body with Flying for just 4 mana already makes it sufficiently good. Now, with the bonus of making your enchanted creatures be a "copy" of its base stats, it is even better.

In Enchantress-themed decks, evasion is something really desirable to guarantee damage, and here, besides the possible base toughness and power buff, creatures also get Flying. Decks such as Sythis, Harvest's Hand, Tuvasa the Sunlit, Calix, Guided by Fate and the like can surely make use of Archon of the Wild Rose.

Expel the Interlopers is another global removal for the format, with the option of maybe saving your creatures in a certain situation and clearing only your opponent's problematic creatures. It is quite versatile precisely due to the choice of which creatures on board will be destroyed.

Also going into the aforementioned decks with Archon of the Wild Rose, A Tale for the Ages is the anthem the enchantments decks looked for in Aggro builds. Even more so with Wilds of Eldraine's new mechanic, Roles, there's the potential of creatures creating very uncomfortable and prickly situations for your opponents.

Mythic

One of the first cards shown in the set, a twice removed cousin of Craterhoof Behemoth, we have Moonshaker Cavalry.

Despite not having the Haste Craterhoof has, Moonshaker Cavalry has a different kind of evasion: Flying. That can, most times, guarantee that the damage from other creatures without summoning sickness goes through and make sure you create lethal situations. For decks which bring Craterhoof Behemoth and share a color with Moonshaker Cavalry, there's no reason not to use both.

The new Virtue cycle is very interesting, and Virtue of Loyalty was the one selected to be here. The most interesting thing about this cycle of cards is the Adventure mechanic present in them: for a low cost, you can have their instant or sorcery effect, and keep it for a future use, when it is safe to and necessary that you cast it.

This virtue here fits in many decks in several archetypes, guaranteeing a buff for all creatures and keeping them untapped. Decks with a high number of mana dorks, or even with many activated abilities, will take advantage of this new addition thoroughly.

Common

Despite looking like a Divination only in instant form, and in fact is exactly that, this card isn't as bad as it seems after its speed was changed to instant speed. Even more so if a reduction is applied: when passing, spending from 2-3 mana to draw 2 is something you should consider having.

Thirst for Knowledge's cycle of cards and its variants always demand a discard to be made by their controllers, and here it doesn't. This is a good common card for the format, quite underestimated, but it has its potential.

Rare

A relative of Dig Through Time and the like, Farsight Ritual is already a good card on its own for its effect without Bargain: 4 mana for 2 cards seems fair. But now, using Bargain and having at your disposal a selection of 8 cards instead of 2 is even better. It is another addition for Control decks when they are looking for answers or even Combo decks when they are looking for the necessary pieces to finish the game.

Mythic

The two blue mythics in the set are here, and the first is Asinine Antics. For 4 mana, setting all your opponent's creatures to 1/1 and the fact it goes through Hexproof and Shroud is quite an effect. Giving us the option of casting it with Flash for 2 additional mana is even better.

This card is versatile in many situations at the Commander table, and it's worth testing it in the games that are to come after the release of the set. Using it as an answer, for instance, to block all your opponent's most problematic creatures, will be quite a surprise.

We have another virtue here, Virtue of Knowledge is another Panharmonicon for Blink-themed decks. Considering that currently decks go in the colors White, Blue and Green or only White and Blue, Brago, King Eternal or Lagrella, the Magpie can see it being used in their builds.

The Adventure spell on the card is also worthy of highlighting: Vantress Visions can be quite useful in many situations at the table. The versatility of this card is quite notable, and it can appear frequently in a nearby future in the format.

Common

Warehouse Tabby is a card which, I daresay, will show its potential with time. Despite not being something obvious when it comes to finishing moves, such as a Cauldron Familiar, Warehouse Tabby also has its value. Despite an interaction of it with Screams from Within already existing, I am under the impression that it is a card which will get better with time.

Uncommon

Ashiok's Reaper is a good card with great potential in specific decks: Lynde, Cheerful Tormentor, Ghen, Arcanum Weaver, Narci, Fable Singer and even Tom Bombadil can find space in their builds for it. Card draw in decks without the support colors White and Green in the enchantment archetype struggle a lot, so Ashiok's Reaper can do well for what it intends to do.

Definitely my favorite card in the set, Back for Seconds is extremely interesting. It is a nerfed Victimize, but it has its potential. Despite the two cards having different goals, Back for Seconds is highlighted here: after all, for 3 mana, Reanimating a creature and bringing back another one from the graveyard to your hand, even if the Bargain cost is necessary to do so, is something very usable in Commander.

I'd definitely use it in some Meren of Clan Nel Toth build, or similar.

Rare

Tangled Colony doesn't seem to be that interesting in Commander, but as it is a type of Hornet Nest but without being able to block, its interactions with Blasphemous Act or damage-based board wipes are something to think about, as you, after all creatures are wiped, can still have a few units, or even dozens of rats.

Not to mention, in Rat typals, this card will obviously be present.

Despite not being as effective as a Massacre Girl, Specter of Mortality fulfills its role well, and works just as well.

Despite it requiring you to exile a high number of creatures to deal with more problematic boards, Specter of Mortality can cause a lot of trouble depending on the game state. It is a good card to watch in the format.

Many cards are like others in this set, and Lord Skitter's Blessing is sort of, with many caveats, a Phyrexian Arena. Even though it is dependent on having an enchanted creature, it is a great card for decks with that theme. After all, you assume it will be used with more colors, so, for 2 mana, having an extra draw every turn is something to keep an eye for in Commander.

A new commander option for Rats besides the already existing ones, Lord Skitter, Sewer King works really well as a staple too. A token generator which deals with problematic cards in the graveyard for very little mana and with a good body for its cost, Lord Skitter, Sewer King can be recurrent in Aristocrats archetypes and decks which involve sacrifice. Not to mention that, for the Bargain mechanic, Lord Skitter fits in like a glove.

My favorite card in the whole set, Lich-Knights' Conquest has the potential of causing a lot of havoc at the tables it is used.

Its goal of being a type of Rise of the Dark Realms with other terms is quite well-structured, and fits almost perfectly its cost for its effect. It is a card which definitely deserves its highlight here and can, indeed, see a lot of play in many Commander tables from now on.

Mythic

This is by far the strongest card in the set. It will cause chaos in Standard or Pioneer with Sheoldred, the Apocalypse, in Modern with The One Ring, and in Commander with these two and many others more.

Regardless of how I look at it, I can't see this card being played without Bargain, even if it costs any pieces on board. It is simply absurd, will see lots of play in many deck archetypes, and I daresay I will strongly risk betting on combo decks around.

Virtue of Persistence is sort of "redundant" to Sheoldred, Whispering One. And, as in Commander it is almost always good to have "redundancy", you can say Virtue of Persistence might show up frequently in games from now on.

As mentioned previously, it will be hidden in the Adventure until it is necessary to use it. Besides, unlike Sheoldred, Whispering One, Virtue of Persistence can target creatures in any graveyard, which makes it stand out a bit.

Rare

This is another good commander; Imodane, the Pyrohammer. Cards which cost just a few mana and deal a lot of damage shine here, such as Flame Slash, Lightning Axe or even Shivan Meteor.

Solphim, Mayhem Dominus found a friend to hold hands with and cause havoc at the table. It is quite interesting, and I particularly expect a lot from this commander from now on.

Mythic

Realm-Scorcher Hellkite is here also as something I bet myself as a card that can work well if it can find its space.

Some complex and fun combo can use this card thoroughly, or even some builds of decks such as Animar, Soul of Elements. I might be wrong, but this card might work well in some player's outrageous plan at tables across the world.

Despite being a bit niche, Virtue of Courage works well in builds with the aforementioned Imodane, the Pyrohammer, Solphim, Mayhem Dominus, Rocco, Street Chef and various decks based on casting from exile.

It was put here not because it is part of the Virtue cycle, but because, despite being specific, it can become an extremely good source of card "draw" when well-used.

Uncommon

This is a finisher for Food decks, such as The Goose Mother, Rocco, Street Chef, Frodo, Adventurous Hobbit with Sam, Loyal Attendant and the like. Besides being a type of Jaheira, Friend of the Forest, except for almost having a built-in Overrun, this card is almost irreplaceable in Food decks. It will definitely be very present in this archetype.

Any Big Creature or Big Spells deck has simply loved Up the Beanstalk. It comes in early, as soon as it does it already provides card draw, and as the game goes on it provides even more. It has great synergy with cards such as Gwenna, Eyes of Gaea and the like.

Rare

Bramble Familiar is another one from the series of "cheating costs" cards. It must be fun imagining an Omniscience will come from it. Besides its creature form, which is a graveyard fill recursion. In the right deck, I imagine it can be quite playful.

Almost a Tooth and Nail, Thunderous Debut is another card which will show its potential at tables across the world as time goes on. I mean, looking at a fifth of your deck and not finding at least two creatures seems hard to happen, but not impossible. After all, anything can happen in Commander.

But you can expect Thunderous Debut to show up in Aggro and Combo decks alike.

Mythic

Blossoming Tortoise can appear in many decks, such as Lord Windgrace, Grolnok, the Omnivore, Thalia and The Gitrog Monster or even in Tatyova, Steward of Tides. It will show up in decks with the land theme in general.

It is a very versatile card, even lowering the activation costs of popular lands, such as Cabal Coffers, Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx or Baldur's Gate. And in case it is copied, these lands' abilities will cost 0, as there isn't a reduction limit. It is a very interesting card and can conquer a lot of space to work in the format.

Uncommon

Obyra, Dreaming Duelist stands out so much that it is included in the Commander list, Fae Dominion, from this set. It is a viable alternative for a Faeries commander as well.

The Little Red Riding Hood, Ruby, Daring Tracker is a great mana dork and works well for combat in early game turns. Not that it is a commander, but I can see her in many Gruul decks around.

Totentanz, Swarm Piper is one of the, if not the best, commander alternative for the very awaited-for Rakdos Rats, but, besides that, it is a great token generator, and seems to have potential as a combo piece because of its effect. It may be recurrent to see it at tables in decks you least expect it to be.

Despite its specific condition to create mana, Troyan, Gutsy Explorer is an interesting mana dork due to its second effect: a small loot. It's funny to notice that it is also a Ravnica Vedalken which came after the March of the Machine catastrophe.

Rare

The highly expected Goose Hydra, the internet meme, is here in our illustrated stamp universe: The Goose Mother is one of the, if not the most, expected card in the new set. Despite not looking that strong, the fact it is iconic is enough to guarantee its space in the format.

Both as the commander and the staple in decks such as Go-Shintai of Life's Origin or Tom Bombadil, Yenna, Redtooth Regent has an absurd potential in Commander. You can expect to see a lot of it in enchantress decks around and the like, because Yenna definitely stands out in the format.

Mythic

Agatha of the Vile Cauldron can be a commander and also a staple, as a source of recursion regarding lowering the cost of abilities and also as a finisher with its activated ability. It is quite interesting and fun. I really hope to see it present at tables and see what players are capable of doing in their builds using it.

The famous Snow White Witch adapted to Magic, Eriette of the Charmed Apple seems to be quite popular in Commander. Despite her build as a commander being quite linear, you can expect to see her a lot.

The third multicolored mythic witch arriving to the tune of "Let it Go", Hylda of the Icy Crown is also looking like quite a popular card in the next few months. It seems to be quite a fun deck to pilot and build.

Rowan, Scion of War opens the way for Exsanguinate and Torment of Hailfire in exorbitant amounts, not to mention the other X-cost spells in the Rakdos color combination. She was already popular as a character, and now, with the addition of black and desparked, I daresay it will be quite sought-after as a commander from now on.

Maybe the mythic "MVP" in Wilds of Eldraine, Talion, the Kindly Lord might be too functional. It can be used as a commander in a non-legendary clone theme, or as a staple in almost any deck which has space for it. I also daresay that, in the format, choosing 2 or 3 is the play.

Despite not standing out as much as his sister, Will, Scion of Peace has his honorable mention here. As Rowan's opposite, you can expect cards such as Approach of the Second Sun, Pull from Tomorrow, Sphinx's Revelation or Aetherflux Reservoir in his build. I can't say he will be popular, as that is something only time will tell about Will.

Honestly, I expected more from a character which is a Faerie/Human hybrid than a Boros commander with equipment. Not that this is bad, on the contrary, as Kellan, the Fae-Blooded has its value, mostly as the Birthright Boon Adventure is a great tutor for the deck's intended goal, but the Boros equipment/aura archetype is so common it will never be a surprise currently.

Uncommon

This is an uncommon which loots and even gives you a Treasure: Collector's Vault is a card with a simple goal which, even though it doesn't look like it, is quite strong. It has the potential in a wide array of decks, precisely as it is simple regarding what it intends to do and does.

Rare

The highly anticipated Food Cookie Knight Syr Ginger, the Meal Ender got its space in Commander. Initially, it is only due to its charisma and because it is iconic, but its effect guarantees its highlight as a commander with some very combo-focused effects. It's worth checking out what it can do.

Mythic

Used in a combo or not, Agatha's Soul Cauldron is a very useful card in the right decks. It has the potential of being used quite frequently in Commander, as it can wreck a lot of havoc in countless builds. It is a card you should keep your eye on in the format.

And here we finish our analysis. I must say that, particularly, I expected a bit more from Wilds of Eldraine in general for Commander, but I also can't say I'm disappointed. There are various fantastic new additions for many decks, besides the high number of new commanders which appeared and will be successful, providing new challenges for the future table games.

Is there a card which was left out? Is there a card which shouldn't be here? Share your opinion in the comment section!