EDH Optimizer
Snakes Commander decks
Snakes 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 green and Golgari. Its most characteristic cards are Hexdrinker, Ohran Viper, Sosuke's Summons: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hexdrinker | 5 | 54% | +100 pts |
| Ohran Viper | 5 | 62% | +100 pts |
| Sosuke's Summons | 5 | 66% | +100 pts |
| Prowling Serpopard | 5 | 63% | +99 pts |
| Hooded Hydra | 5 | 62% | +99 pts |
| Ambush Viper | 5 | 62% | +98 pts |
| Ohran Frostfang | 5 | 75% | +92 pts |
| Lotus Cobra | 5 | 61% | +92 pts |
| Fanatic of Rhonas | 5 | 58% | +87 pts |
| Sosuke, Son of Seshiro | 4 | 57% | +80 pts |
| Skullwinder | 4 | 50% | +80 pts |
| Sachi, Daughter of Seshiro | 4 | 63% | +80 pts |
| Kashi-Tribe Elite | 4 | 57% | +80 pts |
| Sakiko, Mother of Summer | 4 | 60% | +80 pts |
| Orochi Sustainer | 4 | 66% | +80 pts |
| Seshiro the Anointed | 4 | 66% | +79 pts |
| Sakura-Tribe Scout | 4 | 68% | +79 pts |
| Stonecoil Serpent | 4 | 54% | +79 pts |
| Sakura-Tribe Elder | 5 | 78% | +75 pts |
| Orochi Hatchery | 3 | 57% | +60 pts |
| Moss Viper | 3 | 55% | +59 pts |
| Ankle Biter | 3 | 53% | +59 pts |
| Fang of Shigeki | 3 | 56% | +59 pts |
| Swiftfoot Boots | 3 | 43% | +35 pts |
Commanders for Snakes
Ranked by how central this archetype is to their decks and by how played each commander is, according to EDHREC data.
By color identity
Green
Black · 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 Snakes deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Aphelia, Viper Whisperer, Kaseto, Orochi Archmage, Patron of the Orochi. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 14 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Snakes is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Snakes deck?
The three most characteristic are Hexdrinker, Ohran Viper, Sosuke's Summons. 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 Snakes played in?
The most common color identities are Green, Black · Green. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Snakes 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.