
Mana Value
5
Popularity
#336
of 3,381 commanders · via EDHREC
Legendary Creature — Elder Dragon
Flying, double strike
At the beginning of combat on your turn, you may choose two. Each mode must target a different player.
• Target player creates a 2/1 white and black Inkling creature token with flying.
• Target player draws a card and loses 1 life.
• Target player puts a +1/+1 counter on each creature they control.
2/5
Midrange · Flexible pace · Political · Wins by combat
+1/+1 counter decks are for players who want small creature upgrades to become permanent pressure across the board. This strategy wants to grow creatures over several turns, using +1/+1 counter commanders, counter doublers, and counter payoffs, to win through combat damage from creatures that keep getting larger. Unlike Tokens, Counters grows creatures over time instead of making many bodies, and unlike Voltron it spreads power beyond one attacker; unlike Proliferate, it focuses on +1/+1 growth rather than every counter type, while Infect is a separate poison plan. Counters matter decks reward pilots who sequence early creatures, multipliers, and protection so each trigger converts into lasting board presence.
Token decks are for players who want one card to become many bodies and then decide whether those bodies attack, block, draw cards, or fuel another engine. This strategy wants to flood the battlefield with creatures, using token commanders, repeatable generators, and anthem effects, to win through a go wide attack or by converting the swarm into damage, drain, or mana. Tokens is different from Aristocrats because making bodies comes first, from Counters because it grows wide instead of tall, and from Voltron because it spreads pressure across many creatures. The best token decks EDH players build reward patience against sweepers and careful timing on the finishing turn.
Group Hug decks are for players who want table politics to matter as much as board position. This strategy wants to give everyone extra cards, lands, or mana, using group hug commanders and symmetrical resource effects, to win through political leverage, hidden payoffs, or a carefully timed finish. Unlike Lifegain, it does not make your own life total the engine; it gives resources away and tries to profit from who uses them. The best political decks EDH players remember are frank about the risk: your gifts can help the wrong player first.
Lifegain decks are for players who want each point of life to become a resource, not just a larger cushion against attacks. This strategy wants to gain life in steady repeatable triggers, using lifegain commanders, Soul Warden effects, and payoff cards, to win through life drain, oversized creatures, or a charged Aetherflux Reservoir. Unlike Group Hug, it keeps the resources for itself, and unlike Aristocrats it is driven by life gained rather than death triggers. The best lifegain decks EDH players build feel patient early, then convert a safe life total into pressure.
| # | Commander | Identity | Strategy | Price | Price Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Mill | $1.08 | ▲ 80.0% | ||
| 02 | Extra Combats | $0.49 | ▲ 2.1% | ||
| 03 | Treasure | $42.33 | ▼ 0.5% | ||
| 04 | Aristocrats | $4.76 | ▲ 6.2% | ||
| 05 | Lands Matter | $12.84 | ▼ 0.7% | ||
| 06 | Group Hug | $5.63 | ▲ 110.1% | ||
| 07 | Equipment | $7.99 | ▲ 238.6% | ||
| 08 | +1/+1 Counters | $3.94 | ▼ 3.7% |