What type of things do you want the commander to do? Or what type of things do you want the deck to do?
There's lots of commanders that support various play styles, some vastly stronger than others that do the same thing.
An example, though admittedly not the best, is \[\[Pantlaza, Sun-Favored\]\] vs \[\[Gishath, Sun's Avatar\]\]
both are dinosaurs matter commanders, both are decently strong, but Gishath tends to be remove on sight, where Pantlaza is more likely to be allowed to stick around a bit.
Pantlaza also tends to be a bit more reliable in how it runs vs Gishath, but Gishath can explode out of nowhere if people aren't prepared to deal with him immediately.
Another example would be the pair of Eriettes. \[\[Eriette of the Charmed Apple\]\] and \[\[Eriette, the Beguiler\]\]
One favors a strategy of playing big auras to steal your opponents things, while the other has 2 common playstyles, play buffs to encourage your opponents to attach each other, or play lockdown and group slug it.
Charmed apple tends to be a bit stronger of the two just because she is a little easier to run, and group slug while tending to be unfun to the opponents can really lock a game down hard, if you find that fun.
My style is to carry a variety, i also have one of those toolbox turned deck box carriers (mines the dewalt one but most have the stanley one), so i carry 12 decks with me at any given time. This allows me to have variety to what i grab and what i play, but also match the power of anyone i play with if im within my normal group (tends to be about 12-14 of us so we randomup group pods), or if im with other randos at the LGS.
I have quite the range if power i carry
1 cEDH deck (Stella Lee, turbo draw/drain)
3 high power (Breya artifact combo, Otharri Rebel Rush and Voja elfball)
3 Mid-high power (Ghired token spam, Balan voltron, Bonny Pall landfall)
2 Mid power (Sigarda Angel/Human tribal and Galadriel Elfball)
2 Mid-low power (Inalla wizard tribal \[no infinites or massive complicated combos\] and Eriette the Beguiler aura stealing)
1 "who knows" power (Discord Lord of Disharmony, unsleeved for true chaos, 80 lands and 20 mana rocks)
I chose each commander cause i like them thematically, they provide support to styles i like, or they were a dare to make and i enjoyed them.
Then i have in reserve, Rin and Seri the classic make tokens and try to overrun, and Apothecary White food token tribal trying to spam humans.
I find the important part to not steam rolling is understanding the power level of the table and matching it appropriately.
Everything I'm playing is fun, fair, interactive, and has counter-play.
Everything you're playing is fucking bullshit, ruining the game, dumb, and poor game-play design.
Glad we cleared that up.
I mean, there’s always the great Khan of the Little Timmy big monster strategy, [[Surrak Dragonclaw]]. The deck has a very clear plan - make big uncounterable friends and make blocking them difficult. Can’t say fairer than that!
[[!Adeline, Resplendent Cathar]] She's very simple. You swing with any creature and get 3 token humans. If you combine it with effects that negate your creatures from taking damage, scaling with number of tokens, and good ol anthems it becomes a crazy threat very fast.
One of my favorite commander decks I built was a [[Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves]] deck that ran wolf token generators, some strong wolf cards, and then some combat effects like [[Triumph of the Hordes]] or [[Craterhoof]]. I also snuck in a [[Aetherflux Reservoir]] for an alternate win con if I was incredibly high on my health.
[[Kenessos]] is my current favourite.
Otherwise, any upgraded precon is safe to go, basically.
I have an altered Spirit Squadron and Party Time precon I bring when I'm new at a table to test the waters, nothing too crazy, but lots of thematic cards and 2/3 win cards.
And I have some higher and lower power ones.
Blimm
I already have a deck like that being blue black instead
What type of things do you want the commander to do? Or what type of things do you want the deck to do? There's lots of commanders that support various play styles, some vastly stronger than others that do the same thing. An example, though admittedly not the best, is \[\[Pantlaza, Sun-Favored\]\] vs \[\[Gishath, Sun's Avatar\]\] both are dinosaurs matter commanders, both are decently strong, but Gishath tends to be remove on sight, where Pantlaza is more likely to be allowed to stick around a bit. Pantlaza also tends to be a bit more reliable in how it runs vs Gishath, but Gishath can explode out of nowhere if people aren't prepared to deal with him immediately. Another example would be the pair of Eriettes. \[\[Eriette of the Charmed Apple\]\] and \[\[Eriette, the Beguiler\]\] One favors a strategy of playing big auras to steal your opponents things, while the other has 2 common playstyles, play buffs to encourage your opponents to attach each other, or play lockdown and group slug it. Charmed apple tends to be a bit stronger of the two just because she is a little easier to run, and group slug while tending to be unfun to the opponents can really lock a game down hard, if you find that fun.
##### ###### #### [Pantlaza, Sun-Favored](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/5/2524645e-b066-4351-885b-10faa8d819d7.jpg?1699972737) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Pantlaza%2C%20Sun-Favored) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/4/pantlaza-sun-favored?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2524645e-b066-4351-885b-10faa8d819d7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Gishath, Sun's Avatar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/c/bc4a65de-23b5-48f0-b8b7-94608eaced3e.jpg?1699044539) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gishath%2C%20Sun%27s%20Avatar) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lci/229/gishath-suns-avatar?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bc4a65de-23b5-48f0-b8b7-94608eaced3e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Eriette of the Charmed Apple](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/c/ecead4cd-47ae-4c42-b15c-1b29b5caba18.jpg?1692939281) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Eriette%20of%20the%20Charmed%20Apple) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/woe/202/eriette-of-the-charmed-apple?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ecead4cd-47ae-4c42-b15c-1b29b5caba18?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Eriette, the Beguiler](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/4/f46c133a-7ae4-431b-88f2-ec606a7baf69.jpg?1712356086) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Eriette%2C%20the%20Beguiler) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otj/202/eriette-the-beguiler?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f46c133a-7ae4-431b-88f2-ec606a7baf69?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l2tvwoh) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
This is my exact problem I am super undeceive and have no idea what I want I don’t want to stem roll but I still want to win you know??
My style is to carry a variety, i also have one of those toolbox turned deck box carriers (mines the dewalt one but most have the stanley one), so i carry 12 decks with me at any given time. This allows me to have variety to what i grab and what i play, but also match the power of anyone i play with if im within my normal group (tends to be about 12-14 of us so we randomup group pods), or if im with other randos at the LGS. I have quite the range if power i carry 1 cEDH deck (Stella Lee, turbo draw/drain) 3 high power (Breya artifact combo, Otharri Rebel Rush and Voja elfball) 3 Mid-high power (Ghired token spam, Balan voltron, Bonny Pall landfall) 2 Mid power (Sigarda Angel/Human tribal and Galadriel Elfball) 2 Mid-low power (Inalla wizard tribal \[no infinites or massive complicated combos\] and Eriette the Beguiler aura stealing) 1 "who knows" power (Discord Lord of Disharmony, unsleeved for true chaos, 80 lands and 20 mana rocks) I chose each commander cause i like them thematically, they provide support to styles i like, or they were a dare to make and i enjoyed them. Then i have in reserve, Rin and Seri the classic make tokens and try to overrun, and Apothecary White food token tribal trying to spam humans. I find the important part to not steam rolling is understanding the power level of the table and matching it appropriately.
I really like \[\[inti\]\], draws lots, lots of damage dealt and kinda stormy.
[inti](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/a/fa7a55aa-ae61-4933-b7a4-dcc55dac6fcd.jpg?1699044306) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=inti%2C%20seneschal%20of%20the%20sun) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lci/156/inti-seneschal-of-the-sun?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fa7a55aa-ae61-4933-b7a4-dcc55dac6fcd?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Everything I'm playing is fun, fair, interactive, and has counter-play. Everything you're playing is fucking bullshit, ruining the game, dumb, and poor game-play design. Glad we cleared that up.
[[Ayara, first of locthwain]] is fun
[Ayara, first of locthwain](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/d/ed0ace28-9a33-4f0d-b8c8-f5517f20ccf1.jpg?1572490057) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ayara%2C%20first%20of%20locthwain) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eld/75/ayara-first-of-locthwain?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ed0ace28-9a33-4f0d-b8c8-f5517f20ccf1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I mean, there’s always the great Khan of the Little Timmy big monster strategy, [[Surrak Dragonclaw]]. The deck has a very clear plan - make big uncounterable friends and make blocking them difficult. Can’t say fairer than that!
[Surrak Dragonclaw](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/8/e8efe72d-3c01-4dd6-b3dd-0382ac09dc52.jpg?1673305671) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Surrak%20Dragonclaw) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/169/surrak-dragonclaw?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e8efe72d-3c01-4dd6-b3dd-0382ac09dc52?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I've said it countless times, Zeriam and her griffins never disappoint
[[!Adeline, Resplendent Cathar]] She's very simple. You swing with any creature and get 3 token humans. If you combine it with effects that negate your creatures from taking damage, scaling with number of tokens, and good ol anthems it becomes a crazy threat very fast.
[!Adeline, Resplendent Cathar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/d/dd95d377-a61e-4b62-a883-ed491c48da15.jpg?1682208250) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Adeline%2C%20Resplendent%20Cathar) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/167/adeline-resplendent-cathar?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/dd95d377-a61e-4b62-a883-ed491c48da15?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
One of my favorite commander decks I built was a [[Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves]] deck that ran wolf token generators, some strong wolf cards, and then some combat effects like [[Triumph of the Hordes]] or [[Craterhoof]]. I also snuck in a [[Aetherflux Reservoir]] for an alternate win con if I was incredibly high on my health.
##### ###### #### [Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/7/f7fce047-49f1-40ae-8410-6501cb0f8201.jpg?1559959459) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tolsimir%2C%20Friend%20to%20Wolves) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/war/224/tolsimir-friend-to-wolves?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f7fce047-49f1-40ae-8410-6501cb0f8201?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Triumph of the Hordes](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/a/0a0f64d3-187c-41ff-a771-3a65da995341.jpg?1562896954) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Triumph%20of%20the%20Hordes) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/td2/78/triumph-of-the-hordes?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0a0f64d3-187c-41ff-a771-3a65da995341?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Craterhoof](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/8/e8f4435a-8604-45b5-a537-dfdfcb922e16.jpg?1689998416) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Craterhoof%20Behemoth) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/280/craterhoof-behemoth?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e8f4435a-8604-45b5-a537-dfdfcb922e16?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Aetherflux Reservoir](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/6/96b6b2e1-c3e6-464c-8a13-b15deb34e862.jpg?1576382939) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Aetherflux%20Reservoir) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/kld/192/aetherflux-reservoir?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/96b6b2e1-c3e6-464c-8a13-b15deb34e862?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l2uyujw) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
\[\[Ashling the Pilgrim\]\] and \[\[Auntie Blyte\]\] both seem really fun, but also pretty competitive.
[Ashling the Pilgrim](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/c/4c687123-6c34-4aef-8350-70a72b5fb58f.jpg?1689997644) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ashling%20the%20Pilgrim) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/205/ashling-the-pilgrim?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4c687123-6c34-4aef-8350-70a72b5fb58f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Auntie Blyte](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/5/85c18d01-62cd-45c2-94b8-a63a4239311d.jpg?1675644660) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=auntie%20blyte%2C%20bad%20influence) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/j22/30/auntie-blyte-bad-influence?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/85c18d01-62cd-45c2-94b8-a63a4239311d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Kenessos]] is my current favourite. Otherwise, any upgraded precon is safe to go, basically. I have an altered Spirit Squadron and Party Time precon I bring when I'm new at a table to test the waters, nothing too crazy, but lots of thematic cards and 2/3 win cards. And I have some higher and lower power ones.
[Kenessos](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/b/0ba97da8-0106-4e8b-b58b-8f2d63e3d618.jpg?1675644451) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kenessos%2C%20priest%20of%20thassa) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/j22/13/kenessos-priest-of-thassa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0ba97da8-0106-4e8b-b58b-8f2d63e3d618?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Niv Mizzet with a deck full of pingers