EDH Optimizer
Deathtouch Commander decks
Deathtouch shows up as a main archetype for 65 Commander commanders. It is mostly played in Golgari and green. Its most characteristic cards are Ohran Frostfang, Fynn, the Fangbearer, Swiftfoot Boots: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohran Frostfang | 9 | 56% | +36 pts |
| Fynn, the Fangbearer | 8 | 56% | +34 pts |
| Swiftfoot Boots | 14 | 48% | +34 pts |
| Hooded Blightfang | 8 | 57% | +34 pts |
| Saryth, the Viper's Fang | 7 | 43% | +29 pts |
| Go for the Throat | 6 | 44% | +23 pts |
| Assassin Initiate | 5 | 60% | +21 pts |
| Quietus Spike | 5 | 45% | +21 pts |
| Vraska, the Silencer | 5 | 55% | +21 pts |
| Unstoppable Slasher | 5 | 46% | +21 pts |
| Ambush Viper | 5 | 58% | +21 pts |
| Poison-Tip Archer | 5 | 48% | +17 pts |
| Nightshade Dryad | 4 | 61% | +17 pts |
| Lightning Greaves | 7 | 41% | +17 pts |
| Hired Poisoner | 4 | 53% | +17 pts |
| Viridian Longbow | 4 | 53% | +17 pts |
| Deathcap Glade | 7 | 39% | +17 pts |
| Cover of Darkness | 4 | 51% | +17 pts |
| Leyline Prowler | 4 | 45% | +17 pts |
| Mari, the Killing Quill | 4 | 61% | +16 pts |
| Royal Assassin | 4 | 68% | +16 pts |
| Harvester of Souls | 4 | 40% | +16 pts |
| Nighthawk Scavenger | 4 | 55% | +16 pts |
| Glissa Sunslayer | 4 | 64% | +15 pts |
| Phyrexian Arena | 5 | 39% | +14 pts |
| Toski, Bearer of Secrets | 4 | 44% | +13 pts |
| Tower Winder | 3 | 57% | +13 pts |
| Gorgon Flail | 3 | 58% | +13 pts |
| Noxious Newt | 3 | 50% | +13 pts |
| Morbid Opportunist | 5 | 60% | +13 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
Green
Black
Black · Red
Blue · Black
White · Black · Red
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, Glissa Sunslayer, Fynn, the Fangbearer. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 65 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 Ohran Frostfang, Fynn, the Fangbearer, Swiftfoot Boots. 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.