EDH Optimizer
Cycling Commander decks
Cycling shows up as a main archetype for 61 Commander commanders. It is mostly played in black and white. Its most characteristic cards are Ash Barrens, Monument to Endurance, Fluctuator: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ash Barrens | 7 | 46% | +53 pts |
| Monument to Endurance | 5 | 47% | +37 pts |
| Fluctuator | 4 | 65% | +31 pts |
| Wayfarer's Bauble | 4 | 43% | +26 pts |
| Neutralize | 3 | 47% | +23 pts |
| Abandoned Sarcophagus | 3 | 47% | +23 pts |
| Curator of Mysteries | 3 | 45% | +23 pts |
| Desert of the True | 3 | 57% | +23 pts |
| Lonely Sandbar | 3 | 58% | +23 pts |
| Secluded Steppe | 3 | 73% | +23 pts |
| Archfiend of Ifnir | 3 | 49% | +22 pts |
| Vizier of Tumbling Sands | 3 | 48% | +22 pts |
| Ominous Seas | 3 | 49% | +22 pts |
| Sun Titan | 3 | 40% | +17 pts |
| Frantic Search | 3 | 52% | +12 pts |
Commanders for Cycling
Ranked by how central this archetype is to their decks and by how played each commander is.
By color identity
Black Best cards by color →
White Best cards by color →
White · Blue · Black Best cards by color →
Black · Red Best cards by color →
Red Best cards by color →
White · Blue 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 Cycling deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Gavi, Nest Warden, Jo Grant, Night Nurse, Healer of Heroes. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 61 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Cycling is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Cycling deck?
The three most characteristic are Ash Barrens, Monument to Endurance, Fluctuator. 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 Cycling played in?
The most common color identities are Black, White, White · Blue · Black. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Cycling 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.