EDH Optimizer
X Spells Commander decks
X spells turn surplus mana into effect, so they scale just as well on turn four as on turn ten. They pair naturally with big mana and with effects that double X or the spell itself.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unbound Flourishing | 8 | 72% | +36 pts |
| Goldvein Hydra | 8 | 65% | +36 pts |
| Crackle with Power | 8 | 51% | +36 pts |
| Comet Storm | 8 | 53% | +36 pts |
| Primordial Hydra | 7 | 64% | +32 pts |
| Lifeblood Hydra | 7 | 63% | +32 pts |
| Stonecoil Serpent | 7 | 59% | +31 pts |
| Voracious Hydra | 6 | 62% | +27 pts |
| Animist's Awakening | 6 | 61% | +27 pts |
| Nexos | 6 | 56% | +27 pts |
| Curse of the Swine | 6 | 53% | +27 pts |
| Steelbane Hydra | 6 | 62% | +27 pts |
| Pull from Tomorrow | 6 | 54% | +27 pts |
| Jaya's Immolating Inferno | 6 | 52% | +27 pts |
| Finale of Revelation | 6 | 55% | +27 pts |
| Hydroid Krasis | 6 | 67% | +25 pts |
| Hungering Hydra | 5 | 63% | +23 pts |
| Elementalist's Palette | 5 | 59% | +23 pts |
| Mistcutter Hydra | 4 | 58% | +18 pts |
| Genesis Hydra | 4 | 61% | +18 pts |
| Torment of Hailfire | 4 | 53% | +18 pts |
| Hooded Hydra | 4 | 48% | +18 pts |
| Mana Geyser | 5 | 55% | +17 pts |
| Kalonian Hydra | 4 | 55% | +17 pts |
| Garruk's Uprising | 7 | 62% | +16 pts |
| Inspiring Call | 5 | 63% | +16 pts |
| Exsanguinate | 4 | 73% | +15 pts |
| Storm-Kiln Artist | 6 | 58% | +15 pts |
| Archmage Emeritus | 6 | 55% | +15 pts |
| Vastwood Hydra | 3 | 53% | +14 pts |
Commanders for X Spells
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
Blue · Red
Blue · Green
Red
Red · Green
White · 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 X Spells deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Zaxara, the Exemplary, Rowan, Scion of War, Magus Lucea Kane. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 93 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central X Spells is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a X Spells deck?
The three most characteristic are Unbound Flourishing, Goldvein Hydra, Crackle with Power. 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 X Spells played in?
The most common color identities are Green, Blue · Red, Blue · Green. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a X Spells 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.