EDH Optimizer
Vanilla Commander decks
Vanilla shows up as a main archetype for 9 Commander commanders. It is mostly played in green and Selesnya. Its most characteristic cards are Muraganda Petroglyphs, Leatherback Baloth, Terrian, World Tyrant: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muraganda Petroglyphs | 3 | 71% | +100 pts |
| Leatherback Baloth | 3 | 67% | +100 pts |
| Terrian, World Tyrant | 3 | 62% | +100 pts |
| Vorstclaw | 3 | 55% | +100 pts |
| Terrain Elemental | 3 | 52% | +100 pts |
| Kalonian Tusker | 3 | 66% | +100 pts |
| Garruk's Gorehorn | 3 | 62% | +100 pts |
| Ancient Brontodon | 3 | 47% | +100 pts |
| Quakestrider Ceratops | 3 | 66% | +100 pts |
| Alpine Grizzly | 3 | 56% | +99 pts |
| Gigantosaurus | 3 | 71% | +98 pts |
| Beastmaster Ascension | 3 | 50% | +94 pts |
| Kodama's Reach | 3 | 46% | +61 pts |
| Nature's Lore | 3 | 43% | +59 pts |
Commanders for Vanilla
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
White · Green
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🛠️ Build a deck like this 📥 Analyze my deckFrequently asked questions
What is the best commander for a Vanilla deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Ruxa, Patient Professor, Jasmine Boreal, Jasmine Boreal of the Seven. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 9 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Vanilla is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Vanilla deck?
The three most characteristic are Muraganda Petroglyphs, Leatherback Baloth, Terrian, World Tyrant. 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 Vanilla played in?
The most common color identities are Green, White · Green. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Vanilla 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.