EDH Optimizer
Wizards Commander decks
Wizards 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 blue and Izzet. Its most characteristic cards are Riptide Laboratory, Archaeomancer, Azami, Lady of Scrolls: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riptide Laboratory | 13 | 55% | +53 pts |
| Archaeomancer | 13 | 55% | +49 pts |
| Azami, Lady of Scrolls | 9 | 47% | +38 pts |
| Baral, Chief of Compliance | 8 | 46% | +32 pts |
| Harmonic Prodigy | 8 | 55% | +31 pts |
| Wizard's Retort | 7 | 44% | +30 pts |
| Archmage Emeritus | 12 | 48% | +30 pts |
| Step Through | 7 | 50% | +29 pts |
| Flame of Anor | 7 | 52% | +29 pts |
| Venser, Shaper Savant | 7 | 50% | +28 pts |
| Aether Channeler | 7 | 57% | +27 pts |
| Ghostly Flicker | 8 | 63% | +26 pts |
| Rhystic Study | 9 | 35% | +25 pts |
| Snap | 9 | 40% | +24 pts |
| Mana Sculpt | 5 | 46% | +21 pts |
| Stonybrook Banneret | 5 | 58% | +20 pts |
| Cyclonic Rift | 8 | 39% | +20 pts |
| Essence Flux | 6 | 44% | +18 pts |
| Lightning Bolt | 6 | 52% | +18 pts |
| Veyran, Voice of Duality | 5 | 52% | +18 pts |
| Stormcatch Mentor | 5 | 72% | +17 pts |
| Naru Meha, Master Wizard | 4 | 47% | +17 pts |
| Naban, Dean of Iteration | 4 | 57% | +17 pts |
| Talrand, Sky Summoner | 6 | 38% | +17 pts |
| Path of Ancestry | 5 | 50% | +17 pts |
| Mystical Tutor | 5 | 39% | +16 pts |
| Balmor, Battlemage Captain | 4 | 63% | +16 pts |
| Hullbreaker Horror | 6 | 36% | +16 pts |
| Barrin, Tolarian Archmage | 4 | 42% | +15 pts |
| Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx | 4 | 33% | +14 pts |
Commanders for Wizards
Ranked by how central this archetype is to their decks and by how played each commander is, according to EDHREC data.
By color identity
Blue Best cards by color →
Blue · Red Best cards by color →
Blue · Black · Red Best cards by color →
Black · Red Best cards by color →
White · Blue · Red Best cards by color →
Blue · Red · Green 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 Wizards deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Inalla, Archmage Ritualist, Azami, Lady of Scrolls, Kaza, Roil Chaser. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 66 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Wizards is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Wizards deck?
The three most characteristic are Riptide Laboratory, Archaeomancer, Azami, Lady of Scrolls. 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 Wizards played in?
The most common color identities are Blue, Blue · Red, Blue · Black · Red. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Wizards 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.