EDH Optimizer
Skeletons Commander decks
Skeletons 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 black and Dimir. Its most characteristic cards are Skeleton Crew, Reassembling Skeleton, Gutterbones: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skeleton Crew | 4 | 52% | +99 pts |
| Reassembling Skeleton | 4 | 55% | +95 pts |
| Gutterbones | 3 | 39% | +75 pts |
| Death-Priest of Myrkul | 3 | 46% | +75 pts |
| Corpses of the Lost | 3 | 49% | +75 pts |
| Persistent Specimen | 3 | 46% | +75 pts |
| Village Rites | 3 | 51% | +65 pts |
| Deadly Dispute | 3 | 49% | +61 pts |
Commanders for Skeletons
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
Blue · Black
Black · Red · Green
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 Skeletons deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Uchbenbak, the Great Mistake, Ozox, the Clattering King, Skeleton Ship. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 8 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Skeletons is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Skeletons deck?
The three most characteristic are Skeleton Crew, Reassembling Skeleton, Gutterbones. 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 Skeletons played in?
The most common color identities are Black, Blue · Black, Black · Red · Green. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Skeletons 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.