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% | +93 pts |
| Tamiyo's Journal | 29 | 56% | +80 pts |
| Inspiring Statuary | 21 | 52% | +58 pts |
| Forensic Gadgeteer | 21 | 60% | +57 pts |
| Tangletrove Kelp | 19 | 57% | +53 pts |
| Erdwal Illuminator | 16 | 55% | +44 pts |
| Five Hundred Year Diary | 15 | 57% | +42 pts |
| Piper Wright, Publick Reporter | 14 | 54% | +39 pts |
| Kappa Cannoneer | 14 | 52% | +36 pts |
| Rise and Shine | 13 | 50% | +35 pts |
| Ethereal Investigator | 13 | 47% | +35 pts |
| Merchant of Truth | 12 | 56% | +33 pts |
| Archway of Innovation | 12 | 51% | +31 pts |
| Cyberdrive Awakener | 12 | 50% | +31 pts |
| Mechanized Production | 11 | 51% | +28 pts |
| Shimmer Dragon | 10 | 47% | +27 pts |
| Deduce | 9 | 48% | +25 pts |
| Tireless Tracker | 8 | 65% | +22 pts |
| Junk Winder | 8 | 50% | +21 pts |
| Thraben Inspector | 7 | 47% | +19 pts |
| Urza, Lord High Artificer | 7 | 45% | +18 pts |
| Thought Monitor | 8 | 48% | +17 pts |
| Officious Interrogation | 6 | 56% | +17 pts |
| Disorder in the Court | 6 | 53% | +17 pts |
| Mirkwood Bats | 6 | 60% | +16 pts |
| Dispatch | 7 | 46% | +15 pts |
| Armed with Proof | 5 | 47% | +14 pts |
| Search the Premises | 5 | 48% | +14 pts |
| Seat of the Synod | 8 | 56% | +14 pts |
| James, Wandering Dad | 5 | 44% | +14 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 Best cards by color →
White · Blue Best cards by color →
Blue · Green Best cards by color →
White Best cards by color →
Blue · Black Best cards by color →
Black 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 Clues deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Morska, Undersea Sleuth, Inquisitor Greyfax, Lonis, Cryptozoologist. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 57 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, Blue · Green. 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.