If you’ve spent any time around a Commander table, you know how wild and creative this format can be. With thousands of cards printed by Wizards of the Coast, the options are endless. But there’s one way to take your games to a whole new level of fun: play with a themed Commander deck.
What Exactly Is a Themed Commander Deck?
When people talk about a themed Commander deck, they usually mean a deck that commits to one idea and runs with it. That idea can be as straightforward as “dragons” or “elves.” Or it can be something more playful, like “all cards that feature food” or “every creature has to be wearing a hat."
It’s still Magic, but with a little extra personality. You’re not just picking cards for power level, you’re picking them because they fit into your theme. It might make your deck a bit less optimal on paper, but that’s not the point. The point is flavour, fun, and creativity.
Why Themed Games Feel Different
So why bother with themes at all when you could just build the strongest deck possible? Because Commander isn’t really about winning as quickly as possible. It’s about the experience of playing with friends. Here’s what makes themes a little extra special:
1. Decks That Tell a Story
Every Magic card has its own bit of flavour, but when you put them together with a clear theme, you get a deck that feels like it has a voice. A dragon deck doesn’t just win by damage, it feels like you’re unleashing giant flying monsters. A deck built around “pirates” instantly turns every game into a swashbuckling adventure.
2. More Table Interaction
When you sit down with a themed deck, everyone else at the table gets it right away. People will comment, joke, or even cheer you on because they can see what you’re doing. That interaction makes the game more social, and that’s what Commander excels on.
3. Fresh Challenges
Building within a theme forces you to be creative. You’ll end up using cards that don’t always make the cut in a competitive list, and that’s a good thing. It pushes you to find weird synergies and hidden gems that you never would have tried otherwise.
4. Budget-Friendly
Since you’re focusing on a theme instead of raw power, you don’t always need the most expensive staples. Sure, some themes get pricey (looking at you, dragons), but many let you use overlooked commons and uncommons to great effect.
Theme Ideas to Spark Inspiration
The beauty of Commander is that there’s no wrong answer. Still, here are some classic and fun ideas if you’re thinking of trying a theme for the first time:
- Tribal decks: Elves, goblins, angels, zombies — probably the most popular type of theme, and for good reason.
- Superfriends: A pile of planeswalkers, all working together to grind out value.
- Voltron: Make your commander massive with auras and equipment, and swing in for lethal damage.
- Mechanic-focused: Maybe you love +1/+1 counters, sacrifice effects, blink decks, or wheel effects. Build your deck to maximize that one mechanic.
- Any-number cards: Some cards let you run any number in your deck (like Persistent Petitioners or Shadowborn Apostle). These make for chaotic but hilarious builds.
- Flavour-first decks: Pick a theme that’s more about mood than mechanics. Build a spooky Halloween deck, a food-themed deck, or a deck that tells the story of your favourite plane.
The Social Side of Themes
Commander is sometimes called “the social format” for a reason. A themed Commander deck makes that social side even stronger.
- It gives people something to talk about at the table besides life totals and card advantage.
- It invites playful banter, like when your pirate deck steals someone’s treasure tokens or when your food deck hands out snacks (literal or in-game).
- It creates shared moments that stick with players long after the game ends.
Wizards of the Coast might design the cards, but you get to decide how to weave them together. That creative freedom is one of the biggest reasons Commander has exploded in popularity, and themes take that creativity even further.
Why You Should Give It a Try
If you’ve never played a themed game before, it’s worth it for the fresh experience alone. It can reinvigorate a playgroup that’s gotten too focused on optimization, or it can give new players an easy starting point to build their first deck.
Themes give you permission to let go of “the best card for the slot” thinking and instead ask, “Does this fit the story I want to tell?” That shift can be refreshing. And who knows? You might end up enjoying a lower-powered themed game more than a high-powered competitive one.
Build Your Themed Commander Deck
At the end of the day, Commander is what you make it. A themed Commander deck is a way to bring more story, more creativity, and more laughs to your game nights. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel or buy a bunch of high-dollar staples. Just pick a theme that excites you and lean into it.
Ready to build your own themed Commander deck and try something new at your next game night? At Obsidian Games, we’ve got the cards, accessories, and advice to help you build your deck. Drop by the shop or check out our online store!
