EDH Optimizer
Cantrips Commander decks
A cantrip costs one and replaces itself, so it lowers the deck variance without spending resources: each one is an extra look for a land, an answer or a piece. In Commander their real value is how often they trigger something else, not the card itself.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opt | 18 | 58% | +29 pts |
| Ponder | 18 | 50% | +26 pts |
| Preordain | 16 | 48% | +25 pts |
| Consider | 13 | 48% | +23 pts |
| Solemn Simulacrum | 16 | 45% | +20 pts |
| Archmage Emeritus | 12 | 47% | +17 pts |
| Spirited Companion | 8 | 55% | +16 pts |
| Laboratory Maniac | 11 | 47% | +16 pts |
| Psychosis Crawler | 11 | 46% | +16 pts |
| Rumor Gatherer | 7 | 54% | +15 pts |
| Wizard Class | 10 | 50% | +14 pts |
| Loran of the Third Path | 9 | 48% | +14 pts |
| Welcoming Vampire | 8 | 57% | +14 pts |
| Decanter of Endless Water | 7 | 46% | +14 pts |
| Snap | 10 | 43% | +14 pts |
| Eerie Interlude | 6 | 40% | +13 pts |
| Enduring Innocence | 7 | 48% | +13 pts |
| Knight of the White Orchid | 9 | 48% | +12 pts |
| Mentor of the Meek | 7 | 53% | +11 pts |
| Rhystic Study | 9 | 37% | +11 pts |
| Ominous Seas | 7 | 43% | +11 pts |
| Gitaxian Probe | 6 | 41% | +11 pts |
| Midnight Clock | 7 | 34% | +11 pts |
| Triskaidekaphile | 6 | 42% | +11 pts |
| Blue Sun's Zenith | 5 | 36% | +10 pts |
| Charming Prince | 5 | 47% | +10 pts |
| Helpful Hunter | 5 | 44% | +10 pts |
| Wall of Omens | 5 | 46% | +10 pts |
| Enter the Enigma | 5 | 41% | +10 pts |
| Body of Knowledge | 5 | 49% | +9 pts |
Commanders for Cantrips
Ranked by how central this archetype is to their decks and by how played each commander is, according to EDHREC data.
By color identity
Blue Best cards by color →
White Best cards by color →
Blue · Red Best cards by color →
White · Blue Best cards by color →
Red Best cards by color →
Green Best cards by color →
Paste your list and we tell you whether the deck actually does what it wants to do: curve, ramp, interaction and a 10,000-game simulation.
🛠️ Build a deck like this 📥 Analyze my deckFrequently asked questions
What is the best commander for a Cantrips deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Geralf, the Fleshwright, Syr Elenora, the Discerning, Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 189 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Cantrips is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Cantrips deck?
The three most characteristic are Opt, Ponder, Preordain. 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 Cantrips played in?
The most common color identities are Blue, White, Blue · Red. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Cantrips 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.