Best 2024 Commander Cards for the 99
Welcome back for another History, Restapled, a Commander-focused column that attempts to validate a newer card’s status as a staple by looking at how cards that are similar, synergistic, or competing have fared in the past financially.
Last year’s top Commander cards took big swings, accelerated board states, and closed out games by going way over-the-top.
Honorable Mentions:
MDFC Lands from Modern Horizons 3
I’m struggling to find reasons not to include every relevant MDFC land when I’m building decks when so many of them enter untapped - even the worst ones still serve more functions than basic lands. All of the Modern Horizons 3 MDFC lands have their places, but I’m particularly fond of
Flare of Malice
Black was already the premier color for creature removal, and 2024 only exacerbated this trend, as you’ll see below. I didn’t want the Fun Police to dominate the list too heavily, but Flare of Malice warrants a mention for beating out
10. Warren Soultrader
Not every deck can benefit from a three-mana sac outlet, but those that do will enjoy a windfall of Treasure tokens for zero additional mana. Combo potential abounds, though Warren Soultrader is still a sizable inclusion in fair strategies with a few life to spare.
| Warren Soultrader | ||
| Warren Soultrader (Borderless) | ||
| Warren Soultrader (Retro Frame) |
9. Lavaspur Boots
Joining the ranks of
| Lavaspur Boots |
8. Volatile Stormdrake
Blue now has its own
| Volatile Stormdrake | ||
| Volatile Stormdrake (Borderless) | ||
| Volatile Stormdrake (Retro Frame) |
7. Blasphemous Edict
Even if you have to cast this spell for five mana, you’ll still receive significant bang for your mana buck - not to mention the times when Blasphemous Edict only costs you a single black pip. This is probably the second-best black board wipe after
| Blasphemous Edict | ||
| Blasphemous Edict (Borderless) | ||
| Blasphemous Edict (Extended Art) |
6. Three Tree City
Kindred decks benefited from their own special
| Three Tree City | ||
| Three Tree City (Borderless) (0339) | ||
| Three Tree City (Borderless) (0340) | ||
| Three Tree City (Borderless) (0337) | ||
| Three Tree City (Borderless) (0338) |
5. General Kreat, the boltbringer
You’d be forgiven for writing this off as only a Goblin-typal card, but General Kreat, arriving just under-the-wire in
| General Kreat, the boltbringer |
4. Marionette Apprentice
A mere uncommon has arrived, with a little token friend, to take the Aristocrats throne, triggering off two card types and hitting every opponent. It won’t gain life like
| Marionette Apprentice | ||
| Marionette Apprentice (Retro Frame) |
3. Fanatic of Rhonas
Mana dorks that cost two mana are usually pretty underpowered, but Fanatic of Rhonas blows them all out of the water with its big ol’ booty and ability to fuel its own Ferocious in the very rare circumstance that you don’t control some other beefy boy. This one’s truly eternalized.
| Fanatic of Rhonas | ||
| Fanatic of Rhonas (Extended Art) |
2. Abhorrent Oculus
Say what you will about Commander, but there’s no denying it’s the format with the most upkeeps, and Abhorrent Oculus is ready to take advantage. Its additional casting cost is largely irrelevant later in the game, when it can spiral out of hand in a way that resembles
| Abhorrent Oculus | ||
| Abhorrent Oculus (Borderless) |
1. Unexplained Absence
This undeniable white staple provides both card and mana advantage, exiles threats, transforms your spare Blood token into a 2/2, and kicks off a fun mini game called, “Is that an
| Unexplained Absence | ||
| Unexplained Absence (Extended Art) |
Better of the Best?
What did I miss? Any Commander cards from 2024 you have grown to love? New staples you can’t live without? Let me know, and have a happy new year!
Further Reading:
Steve Heisler is a writer and pop culture journalist covering comedy, games, television, film and the tech industry. His work has been published in Rolling Stone, GQ, Variety, The AV Club, Fast Company and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began collecting Magic cards during Fourth Edition and plays Commander and Modern primarily. He also enjoys tennis, the Dark Souls family of video games and supporting live comedy. He lives in Chicago with his cat, Rosie.
