The 10 Most Fun Commanders of 2025

Cloud, Ex-SOLDIERCloud, Ex-SOLDIER | Art by Justyna Dura | Teval, the Balanced ScaleTeval, the Balanced Scale | Art by Chris Rahn | Kilo, Apogee MindKilo, Apogee Mind | Art by Tuan Duong Chu

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Hey nerds! In 2025, Wizards of the Coast launched an astounding 484 new commanders for us to get our arms on. Fun reality: that is 161 extra commanders than we acquired in 2024. And given the discharge cadence, it may be onerous to maintain up. That’s the place I are available!

In this text we’re going over my picks for the ten most enjoyable commanders of 2025. These are commanders I’ve both performed with or in opposition to. If a commander is just not talked about, I most likely did not see it within the wild.

And if you would like my opinion on commanders from particular units, try my enjoyable rating collection.

Okay, with out additional ado, let’s get into it!

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#10 – Hope EstheimHope Estheim

I performed in opposition to Hope Estheim for the primary time at MagicCon Atlanta a number of months again. When the cardboard was first spoiled, I actually didn’t suppose a lot of it. A straight-up mill commander didn’t actually seize me, and I figured it might largely present up in Lifegain or Equipment shells. But truly seeing it in motion modified my thoughts.

The deck I confronted caught to a Final Fantasy theme, utilizing largely playing cards from the primary set and the commander decks. Sticking to a theme made the deck really feel like demise by a thousand cuts as an alternative of getting combo’d in a single flip. Plus, since Hope’s capability solely triggers on its controller’s flip, you actually have to remain on high of your lifegain as an alternative of simply letting it occur passively.

It ended up being much more fascinating than I anticipated.

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#9 – Garnet, Princess of AlexandriaGarnet, Princess of Alexandria

I’ve wished to construct a Saga commander for years now, however I could not decide on any current choices. After a number of Final Fantasy drafts and a few surprisingly robust runs that includes Garnet, I knew what I needed to do.

The deck was only a hodgepodge of Sagas I already owned and what I may get from pals. I did not really feel the necessity to spend extra cash on the deck as I had a sense she’d be loads highly effective with what I had. My largest challenge with the deck was maintaining with all of the triggers and the variety of cube. I have already got one other dice-heavy deck, and did not need two of them in my rotation.

I sadly took her aside after a number of weeks, however she was an absolute blast to play with.

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#8 – Peter ParkerPeter Parker

After seeing Spider-Man, I used to be skeptical in regards to the energy stage and taste of the set. Most of the playing cards are disappointing, which is a disgrace for such a beloved IP. However, there are a number of standouts.

Peter ParkerPeter Parker specifically was extremely enjoyable to play in opposition to. There is one card specifically I need to shout out: MoonmistMoonmist. Aside from being a Fog impact, which I really like, it additionally transforms all Humans. The web-slinging price wasn’t so restrictive that he could not solid spells, but it surely turned out to be a extra fascinating construct round in apply.

Even for those who hate Spider-Man, I’d counsel giving Peter Parker a attempt, not less than as soon as.

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#7 – Cloud, Ex-SOLDIERCloud, Ex-SOLDIER

For years, I’ve struggled with constructing Equipment decks. While I really like the flavour of suiting up one creature with 4 totally different swords, I like having redundancy if my one risk is eliminated. And Cloud, Ex-SOLIDER is a superb possibility for a go-wide Equipment deck. He needs you unfold out the Equipment as an alternative of giving all of it to him.

Of course, there is not something fallacious with doing that, however you may draw extra playing cards the opposite approach.

I’m enjoying a largely inventory precon, with an added Tifa LockhartTifa Lockhart and Firion, Wild Rose WarriorFirion, Wild Rose Warrior. I’d love so as to add Buster SwordBuster Sword to the listing, however it’s kind of out of my value vary in the intervening time. If you are in search of a enjoyable go-wide Equipment deck, I’d extremely suggest the Final Fantasy VII precon.

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#6 – Captain Howler, Sea ScourgeCaptain Howler, Sea Scourge

This Shark Pirate is formidable, constant, and has a enjoyable play sample. Aside from the novelty of his creature kind, Captain Howler has quite a bit going for him.

His capability can stack, permitting you to attract a ton of playing cards with the fitting setup. And on high of that, you may set off his capability at prompt pace. So for those who may give a creature unblockable, or go large sufficient, there is not a lot your opponent will be capable to do.

I have never had the pleasure of piloting him a lot, however I’ve gotten my head kicked in a number of occasions by him. Still, regardless of getting crushed, he is simply one in all my favourite commanders this yr.

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#5 – Gogo, Master of MimicryGogo, Master of Mimicry

I’ve solely had the privilege of enjoying in opposition to Gogo as soon as, and it nonetheless broke into my high 5. Much like Hope, I wasn’t too excessive on this commander. I may see the imaginative and prescient, however thought it was going to be both busted or boring. Well, after a single sport, I’ve modified my thoughts.

The listing I performed in opposition to was a finances brew from a brand new participant. She’d copy Evolving WildsEvolving Wilds triggers to ramp, and ultimately received utilizing Mechanized ProductionMechanized Production and Solemn SimulacrumSolemn Simulacrum. I’m engaged on brewing a binder chaff listing and may’t wait to provide it a whirl.

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#4 – Shiko and Narset, UnifiedShiko and Narset, Unified

Over the years, Commander precons have improved fairly a bit. It wasn’t that way back that precons would want a number of swaps to perform, and that does not even embrace the mana base. Thankfully, Shiko and Narset are not any exception, as this precon was a blast to play with and in opposition to proper out of the field.

Now, I do not personal a duplicate of this deck; I used my good friend’s Aura construct. Turns out stacking copies of Combat ResearchCombat Research and All That GlittersAll That Glitters can finish video games. The deck has some complexity because it copies permanents.

Overall, it is an easy-to-grasp deck. The largest challenge is counting all of your buffs appropriately, however cube assist with that.

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#3 – Kilo, Apogee MindKilo, Apogee Mind

Kilo was one in all my most anticipated commanders when it was spoiled. Unlike Peter ParkerPeter Parker, Kilo reads higher than they felt as a commander. Part of this sense was my unwillingness so as to add staples like Clock of OmensClock of Omens and Intruder AlarmIntruder Alarm to my deck. But even with out these playing cards, I nonetheless have a beautiful time with Kilo.

I hoped to place them increased on my year-end listing, however quantity three is not dangerous. I’ve been tempted to construct a Kilo Voltron deck that takes benefit of the proliferation.

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#2 – Inspirit, Flagship VesselInspirit, Flagship Vessel

Maybe it is dishonest having two commanders from the identical precon within the high three, but it surely’s my article. I did not have excessive hopes for Inspirit, however I used to be completely satisfied to be confirmed fallacious. After a number of video games with Kilo, I gave Inspirit a run and fell in love.

The Spacecraft’s capability in apply introduces quite a few resolution factors to a sport. The fundamental cause it is relegated to the quantity two spot is the variety of cube. It’s one of many decks I play early within the night, so I save myself and the playgroup from half-hour turns simply shifting cube round.

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#1 – Teval, the Balanced ScaleTeval, the Balanced Scale

For a number of years, I’ve been tuning a Kamahl, Heart of KrosaKamahl, Heart of Krosa // Tormod, the DesecratorTormod, the Desecrator deck. Then this Dragon will get spoiled and powercreeps my favourite deck of all time.

I picked up the final copy of the precon at my LGS, totally able to intestine it. But I wished to get one inventory sport in. The deck has stayed a inventory precon, together with the mana base, to this present day. The solely adjustments I’d take into account making are extra untapped lands, and Insidious RootsInsidious Roots. But at the same time as a inventory listing, I do not really feel the necessity to make any adjustments.

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Wrap Up

When we noticed the discharge schedule for 2025, I’ll admit I used to be a bit skeptical. But this yr felt like a fantastic steadiness of fundamental units and UB. Final Fantasy had a number of commanders on this listing. Which is not shocking provided that of the 484 new commanders, 177 of them got here from Final Fantasy. Overall, this was the hardest yr to select my high ten enjoyable commanders. There have been tons of nice choices throughout the board, and I’d love to listen to which commander was your favourite this yr.

If you need extra written content material, be certain that to take a look at our Lorwyn Eclipsed deck techs and be looking out for my enjoyable rating coming quickly. You may discover me over on YouTube for those who’re in search of much more Magic content material. Alrighty, nerds, I’ll see you within the subsequent one!