EDH Optimizer
Clerics Commander decks
Clerics is a kindred archetype: the deck is built around one creature type and the cards that pay you for having many of them. It is mostly played in white and Orzhov. Its most characteristic cards are Soul Warden, Soul's Attendant, Mother of Runes: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soul Warden | 8 | 52% | +57 pts |
| Soul's Attendant | 7 | 51% | +52 pts |
| Mother of Runes | 7 | 47% | +52 pts |
| Weathered Wayfarer | 5 | 48% | +38 pts |
| Selfless Spirit | 5 | 49% | +36 pts |
| Mangara, the Diplomat | 5 | 58% | +34 pts |
| Maze of Ith | 4 | 39% | +33 pts |
| Righteous Valkyrie | 4 | 50% | +31 pts |
| Archivist of Oghma | 4 | 40% | +30 pts |
| Battletide Alchemist | 3 | 48% | +25 pts |
| Shadow-Rite Priest | 3 | 56% | +25 pts |
| Kor Haven | 3 | 38% | +25 pts |
| Giver of Runes | 3 | 40% | +24 pts |
| Priest of Forgotten Gods | 3 | 45% | +24 pts |
| Dawn Charm | 3 | 43% | +24 pts |
| Ghostly Prison | 4 | 34% | +23 pts |
| Cleric Class | 3 | 46% | +21 pts |
| Black Market Connections | 3 | 43% | +20 pts |
| Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx | 4 | 36% | +19 pts |
| Authority of the Consuls | 3 | 49% | +15 pts |
| Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth | 3 | 31% | +15 pts |
| Village Rites | 3 | 47% | +15 pts |
| Victimize | 3 | 50% | +14 pts |
| Sign in Blood | 3 | 33% | +13 pts |
Commanders for Clerics
Ranked by how central this archetype is to their decks and by how played each commander is, according to EDHREC data.
By color identity
White
White · Black
Black
White · Blue · Black
White · Green
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 Clerics deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Orah, Skyclave Hierophant, Lady Evangela, Oriss, Samite Guardian. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 31 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Clerics is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Clerics deck?
The three most characteristic are Soul Warden, Soul's Attendant, Mother of Runes. 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 Clerics played in?
The most common color identities are White, White · Black, Black. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Clerics 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.