Top 7 Commander 2017 Commanders

Hello everyone! It's been a week now since Commander 2017 has been released. As we all know, the most recent release has been a deviation from all of the previous Commander releases. Instead of decks revolving around an equal distribution of colors or mana as we call in the game, this time we have decks involving themes based on tribes. And no, we're not complaining.

This year, Wizards of the Coast has brought us four of well-known albeit underwhelmed tribes in Magic: The Gathering history. The days of these tribes being left behind are over. Now with more of their brethren joining their ranks and with more tools given at their disposal, the dragons, vampires, wizards, and cats tribes are here. The goblins, elves, merfolks, and zombies tribes better be prepared. The odds are now against them. Well, not really, but at least the dragons, vampires, wizards, and cats can now balance out the playing field better than before.

The Draconic Domination deck presents us the might of the hulking dragons. The Vampiric Bloodlust deck brings the bloodsucking vampires in play. Wizards rally their forces around the Arcane Wizardry deck. Last but not the least, the cats show their fury in Feline Ferocity deck.

 

Each deck reintroduces some of the legendary creatures printed in Magic: The Gathering history under the tribe they represent and also bring new legendary creatures to the fold. Being legendary creatures, they have the possibility to become good commander cards in their own right. Given these legendary creatures, it's once again time to discuss another top 7 list. This time we'll talk about the top 7 Commander 2017's commanders. Let's go!

First we have to discuss how we come up with the list. We will have to include factors such as game relevancy and casting cost. Game relevancy pertains to the effect the commander has on any state of the game. Is the commander useful if cast during the early turns of the game? Does it gains its usefulness during endgames? Or does it require a certain setup before being effective. Casting cost simply put is if the commander is feasible enough to be cast with ease. Or can it be cast multiple times during the game. We're not really just pertaining about cards with low casting cost here but it sure helps since your commander card's casting cost is added with an additional cost of 2 colorless mana after it has been cast before.

Honorable Mentions

O-Kagachi, Vengeful Kami

O-Kagachi, Vengeful Kami makes the first of honorable mentions. A 6/6 flying and trample creature for 6 creature is sweet. But what's sweeter is the vengeance you inflict upon your enemies by his ability. A player you attacked who have attacked you during his turn is sure to incur O-Kagachi's vengeance as you choose and exile a non-land permanent of that opponent. Yes you heard it, of your own choosing. Revenge is a dish best served cold indeed.

Marchesa, the Black Rose

The current queen of Paliano from the plane of Piora made the list. Marchesa has lots to offer despite being a returning card (Marchesa, the Black Rose was printed first in Conspiracy). Her dethrone ability not only applies to her but for all creatures you control. Definitely an advantage for your creatures to grow to formidable strength. That does not just stop there however as your creatures becomes almost invincible by the fact that they return to the battlefield if they have +1/+1 counters. With Marchesa's shared dethrone ability, that may not really be a problem.

Ahrabo, Roar of the Wild

Arahbo, Roar of the Wild makes it to the fray along with his ability to unleash the fury of his feline kindred. He has the ability Eminence which quite makes him already effective as a commander by just, well, by just being a commander. Eminence abilities triggers by not just having the commander on the battlefield but also by having the commander on the command zone. Arahbo's eminence ability gives another cat you control +3/+3 during battle which may be quite enough to scar your foes. Arahbo also has another ability wherein cats you control may double their firepower and gains trample but this ability needs Arahbo in the battlefield though.

Top 7
Mairsil, the Pretender

Mairsil, the Pretender could be anything (artifact) or anyone (creature) at any given time. He can even be everything (multiple artifacts and creatures) at the same time if you wanted. Mairsil gets to exile either an artifact or a creature, put a cage counter on it, and gains all of its activated abilities whenever he enters the battlefield. Something that he may be able to do if he is your very commander. This are not the only way to make Mairsil enter the battlefield every now and then though. 'Bounce' spells and 'blink' spells are sure additions for him to effectively operate as well. Be sure to protect him though. As being many things at the same time will make him a nice target for disposal.

Top 6
Taigam, Ojutai Master

What's more fun than instants and sorceries? Two of that instants or sorceries. Yes, your instants and sorceries gains rebound ability if Taigam, Ojutai Master attacked that turn. And don't worry that your opponents may cancel your instants and sorceries from being cast. They cannot be countered in the first place thanks to the ability they gained from Taigam's first ability. Oh and your dragon creatures cannot be countered too. So you are free to cast those mighty dragons.

Top 5
Inalla, Archmage Ritualist

Inalla, Archmage Ritualist rounds the top 5 with her eminence ability that allows you to make a copy of your recently cast wizard creature by paying an additional 1 colorless mana. This creates all sorts of mayhem by doing twice what your creatures can do. It also opens up multiple possibilities of combos with other wizard creatures you can think of (Hello Snapcaster Mage!). Her additional ability might be a little bit underwhelming but who cares, her first ability does the job already.

Top 4
Scion of the Ur-Dragon

The five-colored dragon is at number four striking fear out of many opponents. Simply said, he can be any dragon at any time. For 2 colorless mana, you search your library for a dragon card, put that dragon card in the graveyard, and then Scion of the Ur-Dragon becomes that dragon. You worry about the dragon you just put in your graveyard? Why not reanimate it (cue dragon roar here)?

Top 3
Kess, Dissident Mage

Kess, Dissident Mage is simply a Snapcaster Mage in your every turn. Period. No actually, her ability might be that simple but in reality it is really a great ability. Why? Just ask those who use the aforementioned Snapcaster Mage and you'll know. Period. Instants and sorceries you cast before do not rest in graveyard anymore. You will be able to cast them back. Kess having a 3/4 flying body helps as well.

Top 2
The Ur-Dragon

The draconic king of the Commander 2017 dragons comes flying and roaring at number 2. A flying 10/10 for 9. Good. The eminence ability to lessen the casting cost of every dragon spells you will cast. Better. But the Ur-Dragon's shared ability to all your dragons to draw cards, and put any permanent in your hand to the battlefield when they attack. Best. I can say no more.

Top 1
Edgar Markov

Edgar Markov steals the main show as the de facto top commander of Commander 2017. Sorin's granddaddy and patron of Markov vampire bloodline from the plane of Innistrad. Edgar Markov eminence ability sires more vampire as you add more vampire into the battlefield. And when the time comes he comes to the battlefield himself, he can call out a swift and decisive attack with his first strike and haste abilities. And just the act of himself attacking, he and his vampiric brethren strengthens.

And that closes the list of top Commander 2017 commanders you can choose. Do you have any card (or cards) in mind that you think should have made the list. Do you have any of card listed above that you think should not be in this list. Please hit that comment section and let's discuss.

And as always, keep shufflin'.