EDH Optimizer
Modular Commander decks
Modular shows up as a main archetype for 22 Commander commanders. It is mostly played in Boros and blue. Its most characteristic cards are Karn's Bastion, Steel Overseer, Patchwork Automaton: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karn's Bastion | 5 | 65% | +78 pts |
| Steel Overseer | 5 | 86% | +73 pts |
| Patchwork Automaton | 4 | 63% | +67 pts |
| Arcbound Crusher | 4 | 73% | +67 pts |
| Arcbound Reclaimer | 4 | 58% | +67 pts |
| Walking Ballista | 4 | 59% | +65 pts |
| Stonecoil Serpent | 4 | 63% | +64 pts |
| The Ozolith | 4 | 53% | +64 pts |
| Hangarback Walker | 4 | 72% | +64 pts |
| Foundry Inspector | 5 | 73% | +59 pts |
| Buried Ruin | 5 | 55% | +54 pts |
| Marketback Walker | 3 | 56% | +50 pts |
| Arcbound Ravager | 3 | 64% | +49 pts |
| Threefold Thunderhulk | 3 | 52% | +48 pts |
| Surge Conductor | 3 | 61% | +47 pts |
| Liberator, Urza's Battlethopter | 3 | 62% | +42 pts |
| Scrap Trawler | 3 | 62% | +39 pts |
| Darksteel Citadel | 3 | 54% | +27 pts |
Commanders for Modular
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
Blue
Colorless
Black
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 Modular deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp, Iron Spider, Stark Upgrade, Omarthis, Ghostfire Initiate. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 22 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Modular is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Modular deck?
The three most characteristic are Karn's Bastion, Steel Overseer, Patchwork Automaton. 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 Modular played in?
The most common color identities are White · Red, Blue, Colorless. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Modular 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.