EDH Optimizer
Knights Commander decks
Knights 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 white and Boros. Its most characteristic cards are Knight Exemplar, Knight of the White Orchid, Path of Ancestry: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knight Exemplar | 10 | 62% | +62 pts |
| Knight of the White Orchid | 11 | 51% | +53 pts |
| Path of Ancestry | 9 | 47% | +47 pts |
| Herald's Horn | 7 | 52% | +41 pts |
| Acclaimed Contender | 6 | 52% | +38 pts |
| Worthy Knight | 6 | 47% | +38 pts |
| Vanquisher's Banner | 6 | 40% | +36 pts |
| Valiant Knight | 5 | 59% | +31 pts |
| The Circle of Loyalty | 5 | 54% | +31 pts |
| Kinsbaile Cavalier | 5 | 53% | +31 pts |
| Dion, Bahamut's Dominant | 5 | 41% | +31 pts |
| Benalish Marshal | 5 | 52% | +30 pts |
| Unbreakable Formation | 5 | 41% | +29 pts |
| Adeline, Resplendent Cathar | 6 | 45% | +28 pts |
| Murderous Rider | 4 | 49% | +25 pts |
| Guardian of Faith | 4 | 50% | +24 pts |
| Cut a Deal | 4 | 35% | +20 pts |
| Oketra's Monument | 5 | 40% | +19 pts |
| Knights' Charge | 3 | 71% | +19 pts |
| Wintermoor Commander | 3 | 60% | +19 pts |
| Smitten Swordmaster | 3 | 65% | +19 pts |
| Silverwing Squadron | 3 | 61% | +19 pts |
| Locthwain Lancer | 3 | 62% | +19 pts |
| Bloodcrusher of Khorne | 3 | 43% | +19 pts |
| Blood Knight | 3 | 37% | +19 pts |
| Exsanguinator Cavalry | 3 | 66% | +19 pts |
| Bloodsworn Steward | 3 | 49% | +19 pts |
| Basri's Lieutenant | 3 | 43% | +18 pts |
| Midnight Reaper | 3 | 58% | +17 pts |
| Mass Calcify | 3 | 42% | +16 pts |
Commanders for Knights
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
White · Red
White · Black
Black
White · Blue
White · 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 Knights deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir, Dion, Bahamut's Dominant // Bahamut, Warden of Light, Aryel, Knight of Windgrace. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 47 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Knights is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Knights deck?
The three most characteristic are Knight Exemplar, Knight of the White Orchid, Path of Ancestry. 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 Knights played in?
The most common color identities are White, White · Red, White · Black. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Knights 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.