EDH Optimizer
Pirates Commander decks
Pirates 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 Izzet and Grixis. Its most characteristic cards are Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator, Corsair Captain, Siren Stormtamer: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator | 12 | 64% | +86 pts |
| Corsair Captain | 10 | 58% | +71 pts |
| Siren Stormtamer | 10 | 55% | +71 pts |
| Rogue's Passage | 12 | 42% | +65 pts |
| The Indomitable | 9 | 59% | +64 pts |
| Breeches, Eager Pillager | 9 | 58% | +64 pts |
| Gemcutter Buccaneer | 8 | 58% | +57 pts |
| Captain Lannery Storm | 8 | 69% | +57 pts |
| Path of Ancestry | 9 | 55% | +50 pts |
| Forerunner of the Coalition | 7 | 53% | +50 pts |
| Breeches, Brazen Plunderer | 7 | 64% | +50 pts |
| Coercive Recruiter | 7 | 69% | +50 pts |
| Port Razer | 7 | 58% | +50 pts |
| Hostage Taker | 7 | 71% | +48 pts |
| Ramirez DePietro, Pillager | 6 | 63% | +43 pts |
| Dire Fleet Daredevil | 6 | 56% | +43 pts |
| Coastal Piracy | 6 | 46% | +42 pts |
| Warkite Marauder | 5 | 56% | +36 pts |
| March of the Drowned | 5 | 45% | +36 pts |
| Merchant Raiders | 4 | 69% | +29 pts |
| Malcolm, Alluring Scoundrel | 4 | 50% | +29 pts |
| The Belligerent | 4 | 58% | +29 pts |
| Captain Storm, Cosmium Raider | 4 | 64% | +29 pts |
| Kitesail Larcenist | 4 | 44% | +29 pts |
| Fathom Fleet Swordjack | 4 | 50% | +29 pts |
| Captivating Crew | 4 | 54% | +28 pts |
| Spectral Sailor | 4 | 52% | +28 pts |
| Zara, Renegade Recruiter | 4 | 64% | +28 pts |
| Pitiless Plunderer | 4 | 55% | +26 pts |
| Black Market Connections | 4 | 45% | +25 pts |
Commanders for Pirates
Ranked by how central this archetype is to their decks and by how played each commander is.
By color identity
Blue · Red Best cards by color →
Blue · Black · Red Best cards by color →
Red Best cards by color →
Blue · 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 Pirates deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Admiral Brass, Unsinkable, Edward Kenway, Admiral Beckett Brass. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 21 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Pirates is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Pirates deck?
The three most characteristic are Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator, Corsair Captain, Siren Stormtamer. 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 Pirates played in?
The most common color identities are Blue · Red, Blue · Black · Red, Red. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Pirates 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.