EDH Optimizer
Deathtouch Commander decks
Deathtouch shows up as a main archetype for 67 Commander commanders. It is mostly played in Golgari and green. Its most characteristic cards are Hooded Blightfang, Ohran Frostfang, Fynn, the Fangbearer: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hooded Blightfang | 9 | 61% | +37 pts |
| Ohran Frostfang | 9 | 56% | +35 pts |
| Fynn, the Fangbearer | 8 | 56% | +33 pts |
| Saryth, the Viper's Fang | 6 | 44% | +24 pts |
| Nightshade Dryad | 5 | 55% | +21 pts |
| Vraska, the Silencer | 5 | 54% | +20 pts |
| Ambush Viper | 5 | 57% | +20 pts |
| Nighthawk Scavenger | 5 | 55% | +19 pts |
| Poison-Tip Archer | 5 | 48% | +17 pts |
| Archpriest of Shadows | 4 | 50% | +17 pts |
| Hired Poisoner | 4 | 54% | +16 pts |
| Viridian Longbow | 4 | 54% | +16 pts |
| Go for the Throat | 5 | 46% | +16 pts |
| Quietus Spike | 4 | 49% | +16 pts |
| Gifted Aetherborn | 4 | 60% | +16 pts |
| Unstoppable Slasher | 4 | 57% | +16 pts |
| Leyline Prowler | 4 | 45% | +16 pts |
| Harvester of Souls | 4 | 41% | +15 pts |
| Deathcap Glade | 7 | 40% | +15 pts |
| Glissa Sunslayer | 4 | 64% | +15 pts |
| Toski, Bearer of Secrets | 4 | 45% | +13 pts |
| Tower Winder | 3 | 56% | +13 pts |
| Black Widow, Deadly Hunter | 3 | 58% | +12 pts |
| Gorgon Flail | 3 | 57% | +12 pts |
| Assassin Initiate | 3 | 68% | +12 pts |
| Gorgon's Head | 3 | 63% | +12 pts |
| Noxious Newt | 3 | 51% | +12 pts |
| Vampire of the Dire Moon | 3 | 68% | +12 pts |
| Ankle Biter | 3 | 53% | +12 pts |
| Fang of Shigeki | 3 | 52% | +12 pts |
Commanders for Deathtouch
Ranked by how central this archetype is to their decks and by how played each commander is, according to EDHREC data.
By color identity
Black · Green Best cards by color →
Green Best cards by color →
Black Best cards by color →
Black · Red Best cards by color →
Blue · Black Best cards by color →
White · Black · Red 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 Deathtouch deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Shessra, Death's Whisper, Fynn, the Fangbearer, Vraska, the Silencer. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 67 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Deathtouch is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Deathtouch deck?
The three most characteristic are Hooded Blightfang, Ohran Frostfang, Fynn, the Fangbearer. 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 Deathtouch played in?
The most common color identities are Black · Green, Green, Black. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Deathtouch 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.