Quick Answer
Every Commander deck is different, but some cards are good enough to include in almost every build regardless of theme or strategy. These are called staples: the baseline of Commander deckbuilding. See current prices at /cards/mtg.
Every Commander deck is different, but some cards are good enough to include in almost every build regardless of theme or strategy. These are called staples: the baseline of Commander deckbuilding.
This guide covers the true Commander staples with current AUD pricing so you know exactly what each one costs before you commit.
What Makes a Staple
A staple is a card that:
- Works in virtually any deck regardless of strategy
- Provides enough value relative to its mana cost to justify inclusion over a theme card
- Has been proven over many years of Commander play
Not every staple goes in every deck. colour restricts many of them. But within each colour, these are the cards experienced players include by default.
Colourless Staples (Go in Every Deck)
These cards have no colour identity restrictions.
Sol Ring. AU$2 to AU$5
The best card in Commander. Costs 1, produces 2 colourless mana per turn from the second turn onwards. Every Commander deck should include it. The power level difference between Sol Ring on turn 1 and not having it is significant.
Arcane Signet. AU$1 to AU$4
A two-mana rock that produces mana in your Commander's colours. One of the best pieces of mana acceleration in the format.
Command Tower. AU$1 to AU$3
A land that produces one mana of any colour in your Commander's colour identity. Strictly better than a basic in almost every Commander deck.
Swiftfoot Boots. AU$2 to AU$5
Gives your Commander (or any creature) hexproof and haste for two mana to equip. Protects your Commander from targeted removal on the turn you deploy it.
Lightning Greaves. AU$3 to AU$7
Similar to Swiftfoot Boots. Gives shroud (stronger protection) and haste. Cannot be equipped to the creature it's currently protecting, which is the downside.
Chaos Warp (red only, but widely included). AU$1 to AU$3
Red's best answer to any permanent type. Exile and replace with a random permanent from the top of the opponent's library.
White Staples
Swords to Plowshares. AU$2 to AU$6
The best targeted creature removal spell in the game. Exile for W, opponent gains life. Trade a mana for a creature.
Path to Exile. AU$2 to AU$5
Second-best targeted creature removal. Opponent searches for a basic land, which is a slight downside compared to Swords.
Austere Command. AU$3 to AU$8
Flexible board wipe with four modes. At least two always apply. One of the best wraths in the format.
Smothering Tithe. AU$15 to AU$25
White's best card advantage piece. Opponents must pay 2 whenever they draw a card or you create a Treasure. With four players drawing regularly, generates enormous mana.
Blue Staples
Counterspell. AU$2 to AU$5
The baseline counter. Cancel any spell for UU.
Rhystic Study. AU$15 to AU$40
The best card draw enchantment in Commander. Opponents must pay 1 whenever they cast a spell or you draw a card. Generates 2 to 6 extra cards per round of turns at most tables.
Cyclonic Rift. AU$25 to AU$50
The best blue board wipe. One-sided. bounces all non-land permanents your opponents control. The overloaded version costs 7 but wins games outright.
Black Staples
Demonic Tutor. AU$20 to AU$45
Search your library for any card. The best tutor in the game. Worth the investment if black is in your colour identity.
Vampiric Tutor. AU$30 to AU$60
Instant-speed version. Costs life but puts the tutored card on top of your deck rather than in hand (so you see it next draw).
Phyrexian Arena. AU$3 to AU$8
Pay 1 life, draw an extra card each turn. Consistent value engine.
Green Staples
Cultivate / Kodama's Reach. AU$1 to AU$3 each
Search for two basic lands, put one in hand, one in play. The backbone of green ramp.
Kodama's Reach is functionally identical to Cultivate. Run both.
Farseek. AU$1 to AU$3
Cheaper than Cultivate but only finds one land. Fast.
Beast Within. AU$2 to AU$5
Green's only flexible removal spell. Destroys any permanent, gives opponent a 3/3 Beast. Worth the downside for universal coverage.
Current Prices in Australia
Check live AUD prices on every card mentioned above at the C3 MTG card hub. Prices change as sets reprint cards. some of the above may have recent reprints at lower prices.
For singles in Australia, the C3 eBay store stocks many Commander staples with direct eBay AU pricing.
The C3 Take
The decisions you make with your TCG collection matter more than most guides suggest. Whether you are buying, selling, or holding, the difference between a good outcome and a poor one almost always comes down to checking current AUD prices before you act. Use the live data at /cards/mtg to make price-informed decisions every time.
What to Read Next
- Browse MTG singles and prices at /cards/mtg
- Find your MTG colour identity at /quizzes/mtg-colour
- Calculate booster box expected value at /tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Commander deck for a new player in Australia?
Any Commander preconstructed deck from a recent set is a good starting point. Pick the theme or colour combination that appeals to you most. Current options from Tarkir: Dragonstorm and Lorwyn Eclipsed are available on Amazon AU.
Can I use a Commander precon in tournament play?
Commander preconstructed decks are legal for casual Commander play and official Commander events. The individual cards are legal in Commander, Legacy, and Vintage. The precon as a whole is not competitive at high-level play but works fine for regular Commander nights.
Where can I find Commander singles in Australia?
Singles for Commander deck upgrades are listed at the C3 eBay store. Use the C3 Card Compare tool to check prices across specific cards you want.