EDH Optimizer
Dwarves Commander decks
Dwarves is a kindred archetype: the deck is built around one creature type and the cards that pay you for having many of them. It is mostly played in Boros and red. Its most characteristic cards are Glóin, Dwarf Emissary, Magda, Brazen Outlaw, Dwarven Mine: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glóin, Dwarf Emissary | 10 | 68% | +80 pts |
| Magda, Brazen Outlaw | 9 | 76% | +74 pts |
| Dwarven Mine | 7 | 57% | +57 pts |
| Gimli of the Glittering Caves | 7 | 73% | +56 pts |
| Dori, Bearer of Friends | 6 | 69% | +50 pts |
| Bearded Axe | 6 | 54% | +50 pts |
| Dwarven Recruiter | 6 | 62% | +50 pts |
| Mines of Moria | 6 | 50% | +47 pts |
| Diamond Pick-Axe | 6 | 51% | +45 pts |
| Orcrist, Goblin-cleaver | 5 | 73% | +42 pts |
| Glóin the Mighty | 5 | 72% | +42 pts |
| Balin, Loremaster | 5 | 71% | +42 pts |
| Kíli the Resourceful | 5 | 75% | +41 pts |
| Dáin's Company | 5 | 74% | +41 pts |
| Dáin Ironfoot | 5 | 75% | +41 pts |
| Thorin, Mountain-king | 5 | 64% | +41 pts |
| Fíli and Kíli, Joyous | 5 | 77% | +41 pts |
| Plundering Barbarian | 5 | 73% | +41 pts |
| Torbran, Thane of Red Fell | 5 | 64% | +36 pts |
| The Reaver Cleaver | 5 | 58% | +35 pts |
| Fíli the Pathfinder | 4 | 88% | +33 pts |
| Dáin, Lord of the Iron Hills | 4 | 78% | +33 pts |
| Dwalin, Weaponmaster | 4 | 76% | +33 pts |
| An Unexpected Party | 4 | 69% | +33 pts |
| Iron Hills Blacksmith | 4 | 54% | +33 pts |
| Ori, Plate Stacker | 4 | 58% | +33 pts |
| Bofur, Reliable Guardian | 4 | 70% | +33 pts |
| Dwarven Grunt | 4 | 72% | +33 pts |
| Axgard Cavalry | 4 | 69% | +33 pts |
| Thorin Oakenshield | 4 | 79% | +33 pts |
Commanders for Dwarves
Ranked by how central this archetype is to their decks and by how played each commander is, according to EDHREC data.
By color identity
White · Red
Red
Red · 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 Dwarves deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are The Lady of Otaria, Bifur, Melodic Rider, Thorin, Company's Leader. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 22 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Dwarves is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Dwarves deck?
The three most characteristic are Glóin, Dwarf Emissary, Magda, Brazen Outlaw, Dwarven Mine. 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 Dwarves played in?
The most common color identities are White · Red, Red, Red · Green. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Dwarves 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.