EDH Optimizer
Toolbox Commander decks
Toolbox shows up as a main archetype for 93 Commander commanders. It is mostly played in white and five colors. Its most characteristic cards are Thousand-Year Elixir, Lightning Greaves, Birds of Paradise: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thousand-Year Elixir | 5 | 43% | +37 pts |
| Lightning Greaves | 6 | 44% | +32 pts |
| Birds of Paradise | 5 | 48% | +26 pts |
| Fyndhorn Elves | 4 | 49% | +25 pts |
| Loran of the Third Path | 4 | 54% | +24 pts |
| Marvin, Murderous Mimic | 3 | 47% | +22 pts |
| Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd | 3 | 52% | +22 pts |
| Minamo, School at Water's Edge | 3 | 41% | +22 pts |
| Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite | 3 | 42% | +21 pts |
| Eternal Witness | 4 | 60% | +21 pts |
| Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire | 3 | 39% | +21 pts |
| Witch Enchanter | 3 | 37% | +21 pts |
| Reclamation Sage | 3 | 45% | +19 pts |
| Elvish Mystic | 4 | 60% | +17 pts |
| Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx | 3 | 40% | +15 pts |
| Kutzil, Malamet Exemplar | 3 | 54% | +14 pts |
Commanders for Toolbox
Ranked by how central this archetype is to their decks and by how played each commander is, according to EDHREC data.
By color identity
White Best cards by color →
White · Blue · Black · Red · Green Best cards by color →
White · Green Best cards by color →
Green Best cards by color →
Red Best cards by color →
Blue 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 Toolbox deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Momir Vig, Simic Visionary, Yisan, the Wanderer Bard, Captain Sisay. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 93 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Toolbox is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Toolbox deck?
The three most characteristic are Thousand-Year Elixir, Lightning Greaves, Birds of Paradise. 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 Toolbox played in?
The most common color identities are White, White · Blue · Black · Red · Green, White · Green. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Toolbox 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.