EDH Optimizer
Prowess Commander decks
Prowess shows up as a main archetype for 25 Commander commanders. It is mostly played in Izzet and Jeskai. Its most characteristic cards are Opt, Archmage Emeritus, Brainstorm: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opt | 6 | 51% | +58 pts |
| Archmage Emeritus | 6 | 47% | +52 pts |
| Brainstorm | 6 | 50% | +50 pts |
| Monastery Mentor | 4 | 74% | +47 pts |
| Balmor, Battlemage Captain | 4 | 54% | +46 pts |
| Preordain | 5 | 49% | +46 pts |
| Ponder | 5 | 52% | +44 pts |
| Veyran, Voice of Duality | 4 | 57% | +43 pts |
| Jeskai Ascendancy | 4 | 65% | +41 pts |
| Bria, Riptide Rogue | 3 | 49% | +38 pts |
| Consider | 4 | 49% | +37 pts |
| Whirlwind of Thought | 4 | 69% | +36 pts |
| Crash Through | 3 | 43% | +35 pts |
| Storm-Kiln Artist | 5 | 58% | +35 pts |
| Expedite | 3 | 44% | +34 pts |
| Pongify | 3 | 37% | +32 pts |
| Boros Charm | 3 | 48% | +32 pts |
| Battlefield Forge | 4 | 48% | +31 pts |
| Sacred Foundry | 4 | 45% | +26 pts |
| Faithless Looting | 4 | 51% | +25 pts |
| Expressive Iteration | 3 | 47% | +25 pts |
| Lightning Bolt | 3 | 48% | +19 pts |
Commanders for Prowess
Ranked by how central this archetype is to their decks and by how played each commander is, according to EDHREC data.
By color identity
Blue · Red
White · Blue · Red
White · Red
Red
Blue
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 Prowess deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Kraum, Ludevic's Opus, Narset, Enlightened Exile, Bria, Riptide Rogue. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 25 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Prowess is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Prowess deck?
The three most characteristic are Opt, Archmage Emeritus, Brainstorm. 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 Prowess played in?
The most common color identities are Blue · Red, White · Blue · Red, White · Red. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Prowess 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.