What is Commander (EDH)? A beginner's guide
Last updated: August 27, 2026
Commander (also called EDH) is by far the most popular way to play Magic: The Gathering, and it's the friendliest on-ramp for new and returning players. If you've heard the name but aren't sure what it means, here's the whole idea in a few minutes.
The format in one paragraph
Each player builds a 100-card deck led by a legendary creature — the commander — and games are usually four players, free-for-all, last one standing. It's casual, social, and built around big signature plays rather than tight competition. Most tables play for the swings and the stories.
Singleton: one of each card
Commander is a singleton format: apart from basic lands, your deck can contain only one copy of each card. That means every game is different, and it rewards a wide, characterful collection over four copies of the same staple. It's also why Commander is so beginner-friendly to buy for — you only ever need one of a card.
Colour identity
Your commander sets your deck's colour identity: every card in the deck must only use mana symbols found on your commander (in its cost or rules text). A blue-black commander means a blue-black deck. This one rule shapes the whole deckbuilding process and keeps decks focused.
The Command Zone and starting life
Your commander starts in a special area called the command zone, and you can cast it from there any turn you have the mana. If it dies or leaves, it can return to the command zone (costing a bit more each time — "commander tax"). Players start at 40 life instead of 20, so games last longer.
Commander damage
One extra win condition: if a single commander deals 21 or more combat damage to you over the game, you lose — no matter your life total. It keeps big commanders scary even at 40 life.
How to get started
Pick a commander whose theme excites you, then build around it. Our commander pages show in-stock cards that fit popular commanders, and our budget Commander guide walks through building a first deck without overspending. When you're ready, the deck builder prices a whole list at once.