EDH Optimizer
Arcane Commander decks
Arcane shows up as a main archetype for 13 Commander commanders. It is mostly played in green and blue. Its most characteristic cards are Long-Forgotten Gohei, Iname, Life Aspect, Rending Vines: not the most-played cards in the format, but the ones that appear in these decks far above what is normal for the same colors.
Cards that define the archetype
Ranked by how much MORE they are played inside the archetype than in the rest of Commander. Generic staples (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet…) fall out for exactly that reason: they are played everywhere equally.
| Card | Commanders | Avg. inclusion | Excess |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long-Forgotten Gohei | 7 | 69% | +87 pts |
| Iname, Life Aspect | 3 | 80% | +38 pts |
| Rending Vines | 3 | 74% | +38 pts |
| Joyous Respite | 3 | 54% | +38 pts |
| Kodama's Might | 3 | 70% | +38 pts |
| Strength of Cedars | 3 | 58% | +38 pts |
| Baku Altar | 3 | 50% | +38 pts |
| Loam Dweller | 3 | 91% | +37 pts |
| Briarknit Kami | 3 | 80% | +37 pts |
| Wear Away | 3 | 81% | +37 pts |
| Elder Pine of Jukai | 3 | 86% | +37 pts |
| Haru-Onna | 3 | 71% | +37 pts |
| Unchecked Growth | 3 | 71% | +37 pts |
| Hana Kami | 3 | 66% | +37 pts |
| Petalmane Baku | 3 | 79% | +37 pts |
| Kodama of the North Tree | 3 | 75% | +37 pts |
| Myojin of Life's Web | 3 | 70% | +37 pts |
| Forked-Branch Garami | 3 | 71% | +37 pts |
| Traproot Kami | 3 | 62% | +37 pts |
| Lifespinner | 3 | 72% | +37 pts |
| Myojin of Towering Might | 3 | 60% | +37 pts |
| Sekki, Seasons' Guide | 3 | 69% | +37 pts |
| Harbinger of Spring | 3 | 61% | +37 pts |
| Kura, the Boundless Sky | 3 | 72% | +37 pts |
| Jugan, the Rising Star | 3 | 68% | +37 pts |
| Thundering Mightmare | 3 | 50% | +37 pts |
| Primordial Sage | 3 | 73% | +37 pts |
| Kodama of the East Tree | 3 | 74% | +35 pts |
| Kodama of the West Tree | 3 | 57% | +34 pts |
| Rhonas's Monument | 3 | 49% | +33 pts |
Commanders for Arcane
Ranked by how central this archetype is to their decks and by how played each commander is, according to EDHREC data.
By color identity
Green
Blue
Red
White
Black
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🛠️ Build a deck like this 📥 Analyze my deckFrequently asked questions
What is the best commander for a Arcane deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Kodama of the South Tree, The Unspeakable, Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 13 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Arcane is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Arcane deck?
The three most characteristic are Long-Forgotten Gohei, Iname, Life Aspect, Rending Vines. They are not the most-played cards in the format, but the ones that appear far more inside this archetype than in the rest of Commander — which is what actually makes them essential here.
What colors is Arcane played in?
The most common color identities are Green, Blue, Red. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Arcane deck cost?
It depends on the price cap PER CARD you set. Each commander page lists the best cards in three tiers (up to €2, up to €10 and no cap), and the optimizer only suggests swaps that fit the cap you pick.