EDH Optimizer
Modular Commander decks
Modular shows up as a main archetype for 24 Commander commanders. It is mostly played in Boros and blue. Its most characteristic cards are Karn's Bastion, Steel Overseer, Arcbound Crusher: 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% | +94 pts |
| Steel Overseer | 5 | 86% | +86 pts |
| Arcbound Crusher | 4 | 73% | +80 pts |
| Arcbound Reclaimer | 4 | 58% | +80 pts |
| Patchwork Automaton | 4 | 63% | +80 pts |
| The Ozolith | 4 | 53% | +79 pts |
| Walking Ballista | 4 | 59% | +78 pts |
| Stonecoil Serpent | 4 | 64% | +77 pts |
| Hangarback Walker | 4 | 72% | +77 pts |
| Surge Conductor | 4 | 59% | +77 pts |
| Foundry Inspector | 5 | 73% | +69 pts |
| Buried Ruin | 5 | 56% | +65 pts |
| Marketback Walker | 3 | 56% | +59 pts |
| Arcbound Ravager | 3 | 64% | +59 pts |
| Scrap Trawler | 3 | 62% | +47 pts |
| Liberator, Urza's Battlethopter | 3 | 61% | +44 pts |
| Darksteel Citadel | 3 | 54% | +31 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 Best cards by color →
Blue Best cards by color →
Colorless Best cards by color →
Black 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 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 24 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, Arcbound Crusher. 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.