Whenever you begin brewing a new commander deck there are those pet cards that have slots filled before you even start going through your library. If you've created decks across the 5 colors of Magic you will know what I'm talking about. In this blog I will cover 3 cards from each color that are on my roster regardless of the commander or the deck's strategy. This means they will be fairly broad in the effects that they offer but improve the deck no matter what it's trying to accomplish. I'm going to stick to the main 5 colors here, and not include generic or "colorless" mana cards.

#1- Galadriel's Dismissal

This card has been an absolute overachiever for me. The wording on this card is the key. It doesn't say "creatures you control". Instead it targets a player making it potent on both offense and defense. Giving your creatures indestructible doesn't always save your creatures. Phasing them out protects from the dreaded Farewell. The underappreciated aspect of this card is that it's not only good for when your back is against the wall. Phase out your opponents entire board to come crashing into their life total.

#2 - Darksteel Mutation

If there's a worse thing to do to an opponent's commander I've yet to see it. The power levels of legendary creatures keeps rising so nullifying them will give you a major advantage. For 2 mana turn them into a powerless insect that cannot die.

#3- Vanquish the Horde

You never ask the question "should I put board wipes in my deck?" You ask "how many?" The more you need this card, the cheaper it's going to cost. I have found that most often I'm paying 2 white mana to clean up a messy board. When the board wipe is so cheap it gives you an opportunity to rebuild before you pass the turn which many other wipes don't offer.

#1 - Reanimate

The power creep on creatures in 2026 is pretty insane. They can do it all. For a single black mana you can steal an impactful creature to your board from anyone's graveyard. You don't need to be running a reanimator deck for this card to be useful. Creatures die often throughout a game of EDH so it can always help you. Life is a resource so use it.

#2 - Black Market Connections

This is likely a surprise to no one but that's why it's here. It provides value to any deck regardless of its strategy. If it comes down early, be bold and drop 6 health points for a "full send". If it comes down late and your health total is precarious, just draw a card. I always feel good about my board state when I have this card in play.

#3 - Toxic Deluge

This might just be my favorite board wipe in all of Magic. The versatility of this card is unmatched. For just 3 mana you can make everyone's playmat art visible again. Indestructible creatures check under their beds at night for this sorcery. I have seen several situations where paying the right amount of life can cripple opponents far more than it cripples you.

#1 - Big Score

I love casting this card on an opponent's end step right before my turn starts. I get to start the turn with two additional mana and two new cards in my hand. It can launch you from a turn 5 play to a turn 7 play out of nowhere to the surprise of your opponents. It's simply a card that is useful in any stage of a game.

#2 - Vandalblast

I've covered some creature board wipes for other color identities but I find this effect equally as important. In modern magic, artifacts show up on players boards for a number of reasons. The most oppressive are usually stockpiled treasure tokens getting ready for an explosive deployment of resources. This card melts gameplans in an instant, and leaves your own artifacts alone.

#3 - Goblin Bombardment

Hear me out. I know this may seem like a focused card that only goes into certain decks. As a seasoned EDH player I'm convinced that a low mana costed enchantment that merely said "sacrifice a creature: " would be playable. That's it. Players trying to steal or nullify your creatures are thwarted. There are numerous reasons during the course of a game where you would want to have a free sacrifice outlet and this one comes with revenge damage pointed wherever you want it.

#1 - Arcane Denial

There had to be a counter spell for blue and this one is it for me. It counters any spell for just two mana and more importantly only one blue source is needed. It replaces itself but gives the opponent two extra cards. It's not until the next upkeep so they're unlikely able to use them. There are certainly more powerful counter spells out there but this one is my pick and it's considerably more budget friendly.

#2 - Clever Impersonator

Cards that clone scale very well over the course of a game. This one is simply the best clone in my opinion. In the early game it can clone a ramp or utility piece for you. In the end game it can clone a win condition. At it's worst it can be a second copy of any permanent on your board. I always feel very engaged with the game when this card is in my hand.

#3 - High Fae Trickster

Ever since this card came out I have found a home for it in every blue deck I play. You don't have to worry about your permanents being targeted or wiped as the turns go around the table when they all come in seconds before you untap. Another aspect of this card that shouldn't be overlooked is 4 flying damage which is definitely a nice bonus. This card gets the chef's kiss from me.

#1 - Arachnogenesis

There's a certain player in my play group that will groan at the mention of this card. I've gotten out of some very sticky situations with this card. Once you deploy this card a few times your opponents will think twice before attacking you if they see three mana available on your playmat. Test your poker face and see how much you can bluff having an instant spider army.

#2 - Delighted Halfling

I debated between this card and birds of paradise for this list. I chose the halfling because of it's added utility of bringing in your commander without the fear of it being countered. It can't produce colored mana for non-legendary creature spells, but I have found that in modern magic the color fixing can be done in several other ways.

#3 - Song of the Dryads

Everyone has a plan until the plan becomes a tree. It's pretty obnoxious how devastating this enchantment can be to an opponents board state. It can target any permanent in play and keeps it petrified. Casting this on a commander is a heinous act but it can give you the window of time you need to break through. Just make sure you do it quickly because the targeted player is likely laser focused on your downfall.