EDH Optimizer
Connive Commander decks
Connive shows up as a main archetype for 17 Commander commanders. It is mostly played in Dimir and black. Its most characteristic cards are Villainous Hideout, Baron Strucker, HYDRA Overlord, Lethal Scheme: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villainous Hideout | 6 | 56% | +60 pts |
| Baron Strucker, HYDRA Overlord | 6 | 69% | +59 pts |
| Lethal Scheme | 5 | 56% | +50 pts |
| Unstable Experiment | 5 | 57% | +49 pts |
| Iron Monger, Sadistic Tycoon | 5 | 64% | +49 pts |
| Tombstone, Career Criminal | 5 | 74% | +49 pts |
| Glorious Purpose | 4 | 64% | +40 pts |
| Kang, Temporal Tyrant | 4 | 54% | +40 pts |
| Moonstone, Harsh Mistress | 4 | 55% | +40 pts |
| Prowler, Clawed Thief | 4 | 70% | +39 pts |
| Leader, Super-Genius | 4 | 66% | +39 pts |
| Chameleon, Master of Disguise | 4 | 76% | +36 pts |
| Kid Loki | 3 | 50% | +30 pts |
| Doc Ock's Henchmen | 3 | 76% | +30 pts |
| M.O.D.O.K. | 3 | 50% | +29 pts |
| Madame Masque | 3 | 58% | +29 pts |
| Swarm, Being of Bees | 3 | 63% | +29 pts |
| Black Cat, Cunning Thief | 3 | 50% | +29 pts |
| Ledger Shredder | 3 | 60% | +28 pts |
Commanders for Connive
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 · Black
Black
Blue · Black · Red
White · Blue · 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 Connive deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Cyclonus, the Saboteur // Cyclonus, Cybertronian Fighter, Prowler, Clawed Thief, Kang, Temporal Tyrant. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 17 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Connive is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Connive deck?
The three most characteristic are Villainous Hideout, Baron Strucker, HYDRA Overlord, Lethal Scheme. 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 Connive played in?
The most common color identities are Blue · Black, Black, Blue · Black · Red. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Connive 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.