EDH Optimizer
Keywords Commander decks
Keywords shows up as a main archetype for 16 Commander commanders. It is mostly played in white and Sultai. Its most characteristic cards are Nighthawk Scavenger, Leyline Prowler, Vampire Nighthawk: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nighthawk Scavenger | 3 | 58% | +43 pts |
| Leyline Prowler | 3 | 66% | +43 pts |
| Vampire Nighthawk | 3 | 59% | +43 pts |
| Dragon Sniper | 3 | 46% | +43 pts |
| Aerial Responder | 3 | 55% | +43 pts |
| Shrike Force | 3 | 50% | +43 pts |
| Zetalpa, Primal Dawn | 3 | 65% | +42 pts |
| Odric, Lunarch Marshal | 3 | 59% | +41 pts |
| Swiftfoot Boots | 4 | 50% | +29 pts |
| Austere Command | 3 | 33% | +27 pts |
Commanders for Keywords
Ranked by how central this archetype is to their decks and by how played each commander is.
By color identity
White Best cards by color →
Blue · Black · Green 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 Keywords deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Odric, Lunarch Marshal, Kathril, Aspect Warper, Odric, Blood-Cursed. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 16 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Keywords is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Keywords deck?
The three most characteristic are Nighthawk Scavenger, Leyline Prowler, Vampire Nighthawk. 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 Keywords played in?
The most common color identities are White, Blue · Black · Green, White · Black · Red. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Keywords 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.