EDH Optimizer
Counters Matter Commander decks
Counters Matter shows up as a main archetype for 47 Commander commanders. It is mostly played in Simic and blue. Its most characteristic cards are Karn's Bastion, Nesting Grounds, Resourceful Defense: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karn's Bastion | 7 | 53% | +72 pts |
| Nesting Grounds | 6 | 65% | +64 pts |
| Resourceful Defense | 5 | 62% | +55 pts |
| Grateful Apparition | 5 | 61% | +54 pts |
| Damning Verdict | 5 | 66% | +53 pts |
| Luminarch Aspirant | 4 | 51% | +44 pts |
| Metastatic Evangel | 4 | 53% | +42 pts |
| Forgotten Ancient | 4 | 61% | +36 pts |
| Slippery Bogbonder | 3 | 63% | +33 pts |
| Avenging Huntbonder | 3 | 60% | +33 pts |
| Diamond City | 3 | 46% | +33 pts |
| Elspeth Resplendent | 3 | 52% | +33 pts |
| Contractual Safeguard | 3 | 60% | +33 pts |
| Scholar of New Horizons | 3 | 60% | +33 pts |
| Dusk Legion Duelist | 3 | 53% | +32 pts |
| Mikaeus, the Lunarch | 3 | 65% | +31 pts |
| Tezzeret's Gambit | 3 | 59% | +31 pts |
| Evolution Sage | 3 | 55% | +29 pts |
| Incubation Druid | 3 | 64% | +29 pts |
| Fathom Mage | 3 | 59% | +28 pts |
| Three Visits | 3 | 55% | +26 pts |
| Flooded Grove | 4 | 57% | +26 pts |
| Inspiring Call | 3 | 62% | +25 pts |
| Hardened Scales | 3 | 68% | +21 pts |
Commanders for Counters Matter
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 · Green
Blue
Green
White
White · Blue · Green
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 Counters Matter deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Denry Klin, Editor in Chief, Donatello, Rad Scientist, The Duke, Rebel Sentry. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 47 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Counters Matter is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Counters Matter deck?
The three most characteristic are Karn's Bastion, Nesting Grounds, Resourceful Defense. 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 Counters Matter played in?
The most common color identities are Blue · Green, Blue, Green. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Counters Matter 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.