Questions & answers
Commander mana base Q&A
Direct answers to the most-searched questions about EDH mana bases. Each page is a single question with a direct answer, supporting context, and links to deeper reading.
How many lands should I run in a Commander deck?
Most Commander decks should run 37 lands. Aggro or low-curve builds can drop to 35; ramp, control, or high-curve decks push to 38 or 39. Anything under 35 or over 40 needs a specific reason to justify it.
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What is the best mana base for a Commander deck?
The best Commander mana base is 37 lands sized to the commander's color identity: Command Tower + Exotic Orchard + a fetch/dual suite tuned to your budget, plus 2-4 utility lands specific to the archetype.
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Do I need fetch lands in Commander?
Fetch lands are mandatory in 3+ color decks at $250+ budget. In 2-color decks or under $100 total manabase budget, you can skip fetches — pain lands, check lands, and Prismatic Vista cover most of the same fixing for a fraction of the cost.
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How many basic lands should a Commander deck run?
A budget Commander deck runs 10-15 basics. A mid-tier deck runs 5-8. A high-power deck runs 3-5 basics as fetch-land targets. In non-basic hate metas (Blood Moon, Back to Basics), lean toward more basics regardless of budget.
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Is Sol Ring good in Commander?
Sol Ring is arguably the strongest card in Commander — 1 mana for a permanent that taps for 2. It's an unwritten rule to include it in every EDH deck. If you don't play Sol Ring, you're voluntarily starting a turn behind.
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What are the best budget lands for Commander?
Best budget Commander lands: Command Tower ($1), Exotic Orchard ($2), Path of Ancestry ($1), Reliquary Tower ($1), and Bojuka Bog ($2). Add check lands ($3-5) and pain lands ($5-10) as budget allows. Skip fetches and shocks until $250+ manabase budget.
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