EDH Optimizer
Clues Commander decks
Clues 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 blue and Azorius. Its most characteristic cards are Academy Manufactor, Tamiyo's Journal, Inspiring Statuary: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Manufactor | 34 | 64% | +90 pts |
| Tamiyo's Journal | 29 | 56% | +78 pts |
| Inspiring Statuary | 21 | 52% | +56 pts |
| Forensic Gadgeteer | 21 | 60% | +55 pts |
| Tangletrove Kelp | 19 | 57% | +51 pts |
| Erdwal Illuminator | 16 | 56% | +43 pts |
| Five Hundred Year Diary | 15 | 57% | +40 pts |
| Rise and Shine | 14 | 49% | +37 pts |
| Ethereal Investigator | 14 | 49% | +37 pts |
| Piper Wright, Publick Reporter | 13 | 55% | +35 pts |
| Merchant of Truth | 12 | 55% | +32 pts |
| Kappa Cannoneer | 13 | 53% | +32 pts |
| Cyberdrive Awakener | 12 | 49% | +30 pts |
| Archway of Innovation | 11 | 51% | +27 pts |
| Deduce | 10 | 47% | +27 pts |
| Shimmer Dragon | 10 | 47% | +26 pts |
| Mechanized Production | 10 | 52% | +25 pts |
| Junk Winder | 9 | 50% | +23 pts |
| Tireless Tracker | 8 | 65% | +21 pts |
| Detective of the Month | 7 | 54% | +18 pts |
| Urza, Lord High Artificer | 7 | 46% | +17 pts |
| Thought Monitor | 8 | 48% | +16 pts |
| Search the Premises | 6 | 47% | +16 pts |
| Officious Interrogation | 6 | 56% | +16 pts |
| Disorder in the Court | 6 | 54% | +16 pts |
| Thraben Inspector | 6 | 45% | +16 pts |
| Mirkwood Bats | 6 | 61% | +15 pts |
| Dispatch | 7 | 45% | +15 pts |
| Armed with Proof | 5 | 46% | +14 pts |
| Wojek Investigator | 5 | 55% | +13 pts |
Commanders for Clues
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
White · Blue
White
Blue · Green
Blue · Black
Black
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 Clues deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Morska, Undersea Sleuth, Inquisitor Greyfax, Lonis, Cryptozoologist. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 59 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Clues is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Clues deck?
The three most characteristic are Academy Manufactor, Tamiyo's Journal, Inspiring Statuary. 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 Clues played in?
The most common color identities are Blue, White · Blue, White. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Clues 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.