When building a tribal deck around knights in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), selecting the right commander and guiding your strategy effectively can make the difference between a fun deck that fizzles and one that wins. In this article, we’ll explore how to use a “knight commander” — that is, a legendary creature or general that leads a knight-themed deck — and build around it for success.
First, what do we mean by a “knight commander”? In the popular Commander format (also known as EDH), each player selects a legendary creature (or eligible card) as their commander and builds a 100-card singleton deck around it. The color identity of the deck must match the commander.
A knight commander means your general has the knight subtype (or heavily supports knights) and your deck focuses on knights as a creature type. Knights are among the most popular and thematic creature types in this format.
The importance of your commander:
- It sets your color identity (which mana colors you can use).
- It often provides synergy for knights (buffing them, creating tokens, giving bonuses).
- It defines your deck’s theme and strategic focus (aggressive attacks, equipment synergy, go-wide token attack, etc.).
So when you choose your knight commander, think about how you want your knight deck to function.
Choosing the Right Knight Commander
Here are key considerations when selecting your commander for a knights deck:
- Color identity: Knights tend to have strong support in white, black, and red. White especially has many knight creatures and support spells.
- Support for the tribe: Some commanders give bonuses specifically to knights (or to creature type synergy), which makes life easier. Look for abilities that grant anthem effects (“all your creatures get +1/+1”), token creation (knight tokens), or equipment and enchantment support.
- Theme fit and strategy: Decide your playstyle. Do you want a voltron-style knight (one big knight carried by equipment), a swarm style (many small knights attacking together), a token flood style, or a heavy synergy build? Your commander will help define this.
- Budget and fun factor: Many knight commanders are affordable and thematic. The goal should be fun and balanced, not just competitive.
Once you pick the commander, you can build the rest of the deck to harmonize with the commander’s strengths.
Building Your Knight Commander Deck
Here’s a step-by-step guide to building your knight deck effectively:
- Commander and colors
Choose a legendary knight commander, determine its colors (e.g., white-black = Orzhov, white-red = Boros, etc.). - Tribal core – your knights
Gather a solid base of knight-typed creatures. You’ll want creatures with various costs — some aggressive early plays and some heavier late drops. Since this is a tribal deck, aim for synergy among the knights: some that benefit from equipment, some that create tokens, and some that buff other knights.Also include knight-support cards like equipment that boosts power and toughness, enchantments that benefit creatures of the same type, and cards that protect your army.
- Synergy and theme cards
Depending on your commander’s ability and chosen strategy:- If you go equipment/voltron, include cards that let you attach equipment quickly, give “first strike” or “double strike,” and protect your main creature.
- If you go token/trample swarm, include cards that generate knight tokens, anthem effects, and cards that allow your creatures to push through damage.
- If you go aggressive tribal, pick knights that attack well, add removal to clear blockers, and include ways to replenish your board.
Focus on cards that specifically enhance the knight tribe instead of adding generic creatures that don’t fit the theme.
- Supportive non-creature cards
You’ll also need:- Removal: To handle threats and blockers.
- Card draw: To maintain momentum and avoid running out of gas.
- Mana ramp: To cast multiple knights or your commander faster.
- Protection spells: To safeguard key creatures or your board.
- Lands: Balanced mana base to support your commander’s colors.
The knight theme is exciting, but remember the basics of deck construction still apply.
- Deck balance and curve
Since you’re building a 100-card singleton deck in the Commander format, aim for a smooth mana curve. Have a mix of early plays, mid-game synergies, and late-game finishers. Keep around 36–40 lands (depending on how much ramp you include).
Playing Your Knight Commander Deck
Once your deck is built, how should you play it? Here are some tactical tips:
- Early game: Get your board started. Deploy early knights and ramp into your commander. If your commander enhances other knights, cast it when you can capitalize on the buff.
- Midgame: Build momentum with synergy cards. Equip your creatures, use anthem effects, and apply pressure. Try not to overextend into board wipes. A knight deck often thrives on maintaining steady board presence.
- Late game: Push for victory. Your commander may become the finisher or your tokens might overwhelm opponents. Timing matters — attack when opponents are low on defenses or resources.
- Adapt to threats: Keep some protection ready for board wipes or targeted removal. It’s easy for opponents to view a knight deck as a growing threat.
- Multiplayer awareness: In Commander, politics matter. Be mindful of who’s the real threat. Use diplomacy to avoid drawing too much hate early.
