EDH Optimizer
Self-Damage Commander decks
Self-Damage shows up as a main archetype for 105 Commander commanders. It is mostly played in black and Orzhov. Its most characteristic cards are Exsanguinate, K'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth, Font of Agonies: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exsanguinate | 20 | 53% | +55 pts |
| K'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth | 17 | 55% | +53 pts |
| Font of Agonies | 14 | 55% | +49 pts |
| Toxic Deluge | 19 | 51% | +45 pts |
| Bolas's Citadel | 14 | 47% | +45 pts |
| Reliquary Tower | 15 | 52% | +43 pts |
| Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose | 14 | 47% | +42 pts |
| Vilis, Broker of Blood | 12 | 51% | +40 pts |
| Whip of Erebos | 12 | 48% | +40 pts |
| Dread Presence | 11 | 45% | +31 pts |
| Night's Whisper | 15 | 46% | +30 pts |
| Wall of Blood | 8 | 55% | +29 pts |
| Thought Vessel | 10 | 55% | +28 pts |
| Greed | 8 | 52% | +28 pts |
| Infernal Grasp | 11 | 44% | +26 pts |
| Profane Transfusion | 7 | 59% | +25 pts |
| Sanguine Bond | 8 | 50% | +22 pts |
| Consuming Corruption | 8 | 44% | +22 pts |
| Magus of the Mirror | 6 | 56% | +21 pts |
| Sheoldred, the Apocalypse | 7 | 48% | +21 pts |
| Black Market Connections | 10 | 46% | +20 pts |
| Bubbling Muck | 7 | 43% | +18 pts |
| Repay in Kind | 5 | 69% | +18 pts |
| Soul Conduit | 5 | 60% | +18 pts |
| Children of Korlis | 5 | 60% | +18 pts |
| Pact Weapon | 5 | 59% | +17 pts |
| Dark Confidant | 5 | 49% | +17 pts |
| Psychosis Crawler | 5 | 43% | +17 pts |
| Imp's Mischief | 7 | 43% | +16 pts |
| Nighthawk Scavenger | 5 | 49% | +15 pts |
Commanders for Self-Damage
Ranked by how central this archetype is to their decks and by how played each commander is, according to EDHREC data.
By color identity
Black Best cards by color →
White · Black Best cards by color →
Red Best cards by color →
White · Blue · Black Best cards by color →
Black · Green Best cards by color →
Black · Red 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 Self-Damage deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Greven, Predator Captain, The Last Ride, Gallowbraid. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 105 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Self-Damage is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Self-Damage deck?
The three most characteristic are Exsanguinate, K'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth, Font of Agonies. 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 Self-Damage played in?
The most common color identities are Black, White · Black, Red. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Self-Damage 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.