Magic: The Gathering brought 340 new legendary creatures in 2024, giving players plenty of options to build their next commander deck. Among these, fifteen stood out not necessarily for raw power but for their unique mechanics and fresh takes on old archetypes.
Magic: The Gathering saw a wild array of new legendary creatures in 2024. I’ve narrowed down a list of the top 15 Commanders that have been generating serious table talk. Each entry here highlights the reasons why players keep sleeving up these powerful legends. Some of them can lead you straight to victory if left unchecked, and others push you to build intriguing combos or synergy-heavy decks.
Before we jump in, remember that Commander (EDH) is ultimately about having fun with your friends, experimenting, and showing off big plays. Whether you’re into milling your opponents, going wide with tokens, or stealing cards from every deck in sight, there’s bound to be something on this list that fits your style.
So let’s go through the standouts of 2024, and if you’ve got a personal favorite that isn’t here, that’s okay—it’s still awesome.
1. The Wise Mothman (Sultai: Blue, Black, Green)
What It Does
The Wise Mothman introduced “rad counters” to Commander. Whenever you mill nonland cards from an opponent’s library, you pile up these rad counters, which then translate into +1/+1 counters on your creatures. That means you’re basically weaponizing your mill approach and turning it into raw power. In Sultai colors, you can add plenty of self-mill elements, graveyard recursion, and targeted removal to protect your Mothman.
Why It’s Popular
Players love the interplay of milling and combat strength. You won’t just passively deplete opponents’ libraries; you’ll actively create monstrous boards. Everyone who has played the Mothman precon mentions how it can become oppressive in a purely casual setting, but once you hit higher power levels with lots of interaction, it still holds its own. Just don’t be surprised if your friends pack extra graveyard hate.
2. Voja, Jaws of the Conclave (Naya: Red, Green, White)
What It Does
Hailing from the Murders at Karlov Manor set, Voja unites two tribes that don’t always see the spotlight together: Elves and Wolves. Each time Voja attacks, you place X +1/+1 counters on your creatures (X is the number of Elves you control), and then you draw a card for every Wolf you’ve got. It sounds simple, but it ramps up quickly. Combining those tribes can be lethal when your Elves ramp you into powerful spells and your Wolves keep your hand full.
Why It’s Popular
Naya colors already excel at token creation, but the dual synergy with Elves and Wolves is what really sells this Commander. You’ll see Voja decks either spam Elves for faster mana or pump out Wolves for repeated card draw—or both. If the game goes long, you might have an unstoppable board of 10/10 creatures. Opponents, of course, will hold on to board wipes to keep you in check.
3. Ulalek, Fused Atrocity (Five-Color Eldrazi)
What It Does
Modern Horizons 3 introduced this five-color Eldrazi Commander with the Devoid ability. Ulalek lets you copy all spells and abilities you control by paying extra colorless mana when you cast Eldrazi spells. Piling up multiple triggers from the same cast is insane, especially for big bombs with annihilator or other horrifying effects.
Why It’s Popular
It’s a match made in heaven for Eldrazi tribal fans who want to break free from color restrictions. You can load your deck with colorless ramp and classic mana rocks to explode into big spells. If your group doesn’t pack strong interaction, Ulalek will run amok in no time. Just remember that all eyes turn on you once you start dropping Eldrazi. People see those tentacles and think, “We have to kill that now.”
4. Baylen, the Haymaker (Naya: Red, Green, White)
What It Does
Baylen focuses on tapping your tokens for different benefits: add mana, draw cards, or pile up +1/+1 counters and trample on Baylen itself. That’s a lot of flexibility for just three mana. The great part is that you can run away with the game if you accumulate enough tokens, because everything you make can become a resource.
Why It’s Popular
People love the idea of convertible resources in Commander. If you need mana to cast a key spell, you tap tokens for it. If you need card draw, you do that instead. If you just want to smash someone’s face, you swing with an enormous rabbit. Yes, it’s a rabbit—and once it’s fully powered, it’s no laughing matter. It’s not uncommon to see Baylen decks splashing in big token producers like “Avenger of Zendikar,” creating unstoppable synergy.
5. Edward Kenway (Grixis: Blue, Black, Red)
What It Does
Part of the Assassin’s Creed Universes Beyond crossover, Edward Kenway is a Grixis Commander that excels at synergy with Assassins, Pirates, and Vehicles. It spits out Treasure tokens and lets you exile and potentially play cards from opponents’ libraries. That’s already a fun concept, but Grixis colors enhance it with strong removal, recursion, and disruption.
Why It’s Popular
Stealing your opponents’ resources is always entertaining (unless you’re on the receiving end). The Pirates and Assassins can keep your opponents on edge, especially when you’re amassing Treasures that fuel your late-game spells. You might even snag a crucial card from someone’s top deck. It’s a strong midrange strategy that can also dip into more controlling or combo-oriented builds. If you like a bit of unpredictability each game, Edward’s your guy.
6. Ms. Bumbleflower (Selesnya)
What It Does
Ms. Bumbleflower is a Commander that has popped up all over social media. It’s known for generating insane value, tutoring little pests or pollinators, and often accelerating everyone’s board states. That can lead to some awkward moments if your table mates realize you’re inadvertently helping the person who might kill them next.
Why It’s Popular
Players mention how Ms. Bumbleflower’s deck can “King-make,” basically deciding which opponent benefits most from your boosts if you don’t plan carefully. Some people love it; some find it frustrating. Still, the deck is fun for group settings because it touches a lot of different cards each turn. If you enjoy a synergy-based approach with a bit of chaos, Ms. Bumbleflower might be right up your alley.
7. Coram, the Undertaker (Jund Colors)
What It Does
Coram thrives on explosive graveyard recursion. You want to fill your graveyard with big, scary creatures or combos, then reanimate them at the perfect time. It’s a classic Commander trope, but Coram adds extra flair by scaling in power with your graveyard or enabling combos that catapult your board state from zero to unstoppable in a single turn.
Why It’s Popular
Many players enjoy a big finish, and Coram delivers that through “suddenly I have a 20+ power commander with trample and haste” type of moments. If you happen to combine that with mass reanimation spells, you can turn a losing position into a swift victory. Opponents will hold onto their exile-based removal, though, so it’s not foolproof.
8. Mirko, Obsessive Theorist (Dimir: Blue, Black)
What It Does
Mirko is famous for copying enters-the-battlefield effects, letting you double up on powerful ETB triggers under certain conditions. It demands you build with a range of creatures that do something worthwhile each time they show up. And in Dimir, you’ve got access to plenty of tutors, bounce, and reanimation spells to keep the chain going.
Why It’s Popular
People describe Mirko as a “value engine.” It can run away with games if your group isn’t packing enough removal. The deck is strong at midrange tables, though it can struggle against top-tier cEDH lists packing heavy counter magic. Still, the synergy of repeated triggers is too tempting for many. You’ll likely see it drop a “Mulldrifter,” copy it, draw a fistful of cards, and keep on going.
9. Omo, Queen of Vesuva (Simic: Green, Blue)
What It Does
Omo’s big claim to fame is shape-shifter effects. It turns everything into everything, messing with your opponents’ perceptions of how to respond. Lands can become creatures, creatures can mimic other permanents, and so on. Some folks brew silly combos using Omo to copy crucial permanents or stack synergy that no one saw coming.
Why It’s Popular
It’s one of those “weird stuff happens” Commanders. People love brewing because it breaks the usual mold. I’ve seen everything from strong combos that replicate crucial ETBs to comedic builds where you turn your entire board into the same goofy creature. If you’re itching for a Commander that can pivot in a heartbeat, Omo might be your style.
10. Obeka, Splitter of Seconds (Grixis: Blue, Black, Red)
What It Does
There’s been an Obeka in the past, but this version takes a new angle—especially with the Initiative subtheme. That means you can repeatedly venture into the Undercity (or other dungeons) at a ridiculous pace, denying your opponents the chance to respond effectively. It’s all about maintaining control and taking advantage of extra phases.
Why It’s Popular
Dungeon-themed combos are a big draw right now, and letting players abuse the Initiative for repeated triggers just feels powerful. It’s also in Grixis colors, which offer plenty of removal and card draw. If your table doesn’t have a plan to slow you down, you’ll be racking up value in no time. Be ready for your friends to pack more hasty creatures or stax effects next time, though.
11. Satya, Energy Overload (Azorius: White, Blue)
What It Does
Satya brings back energy counters in a big way. You accumulate energy by casting spells or triggering certain ETBs, then spend it on abilities that produce extra resources or bounce your creatures for repeated triggers. It’s an unusual synergy for Azorius, which often focuses on control or blink, so it stands out in a crowded field of existing UW Commanders.
Why It’s Popular
Energy was once considered a Standard mechanic that never had a big Commander break. Now it does. People love how cost-effective energy counters are, and they can become unstoppable with the right synergy. A deck that’s half control, half crazy synergy, can lock down the board while you hoard energy. Just be prepared for eye rolls when you’re on your tenth additional trigger of the turn.
12. Ygra, Eater of All (Golgari: Black, Green)
What It Does
Ygra transforms every other creature on the battlefield into a Food artifact in addition to its other types. That means opponents can sacrifice their creatures for 3 life if they want. Meanwhile, you’re piling up +1/+1 counters on Ygra each time a Food hits the graveyard. In Golgari colors, you can exploit the synergy through reanimation or forced sacrifice effects.
Why It’s Popular
Turning your entire table’s creatures into Food can get silly, especially if you combine it with ways to keep Ygra safe while forcing others to sacrifice their now-edible armies. I’ve heard multiple stories of comedic board states where everyone’s creature is also a Food. It’s strong because you’re bound to see a lot of them die, supercharging Ygra into a one-hit knockout.
13. The Jolly Balloon Man (Boros: Red, White)
What It Does
This Commander is all about copying your own creatures as 1/1 Balloon tokens with flying and haste, and then sacrificing them at the end of turn. It’s reminiscent of Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker, but in a lighter, clownish package. You can still find combos that let you repeatedly untap The Jolly Balloon Man, generating infinite tokens with deadly ETBs.
Why It’s Popular
Some players just love combos that revolve around copying creatures for free. It’s also in Boros, a color pair that’s historically weaker in Commander, so new toys here are welcome. If you’re into an explosive style that might end the game out of nowhere, you’ll be drawn to The Jolly Balloon Man. Just expect your opponents to keep a close eye on your board.
14. Delney, Streetwise Lookout (Mono-White)
What It Does
Delney’s skill set revolves around giving your creatures with power 2 or less a sort of “evasion” so they can’t be blocked by things that are bigger. Plus, if a triggered ability goes off for any of your small creatures, it triggers an additional time. Think of it as a synergy piece for White Weenie or low-power tribal. Combined with cards that love repeated triggers, you can get unstoppable value.
Why It’s Popular
Mono-white has come a long way in Commander, and Delney shows that small creatures can still cause big problems. Doubling triggers from your 2-power creatures can let you do everything from drawing extra cards to draining opponents. In casual or mid-power groups, Delney absolutely shines, though in higher-power tables, you might need more resilience. It’s still a blast to pilot.
15. Caesar, Legion’s Emperor (Mardu: Red, White, Black)
What It Does
Caesar hails from Universes Beyond: Fallout. This Mardu Commander emphasizes aggression by giving you the option to sacrifice another creature each time you attack, which yields powerful triggered effects. You can create attacking Soldiers, draw a card and lose a life, or deal direct damage based on the number of tokens you control. This Commander packs a punch and can sustain a steady offense.
Why It’s Popular
The mix of token production, card draw, and direct damage is a trifecta of synergy. You can ramp up your tokens, which fuels Caesar’s damage-dealing ability. And because you’re in Mardu, you’ve got top-notch removal and synergy with sacrifice strategies. It’s a strong, no-frills Commander for players who like winning through combat.
Tips for Building and Playing These 15 Commanders
1. Protect Your Key Piece
If your Commander is central to your game plan, make sure you have spells to keep them alive. Cards like “Swiftfoot Boots,” “Lightning Greaves,” or basic counter magic can be crucial.
2. Balance Ramp and Card Draw
Commander is known for big mana swings, so don’t skimp on ramp or ways to refill your hand. If you don’t, you risk falling behind decks that can deploy multiple threats quickly.
3. Know Your Pod’s Power Level
Some Commanders, like Ulalek or Ygra, can feel overwhelming in casual pods. Others, like The Jolly Balloon Man or Ms. Bumbleflower, might not thrive in a cutthroat cEDH environment. Communicate with your group about expectations.
4. Include Removal
Whether you’re packing spot removal, sweepers, or stax pieces, you’ll need them at some point. Each Commander on this list can spiral out of control if left unchecked. No one wants to be that player who can’t interact at all.
5. Have Fun
Commander is a social format. Try not to fixate on strictly winning every time. If you see a combo line that’s too easy or consistently annoys your group, talk it out or consider mixing up your build. The variety in Commander is what keeps people coming back.
Final Thoughts
These 15 legendary creatures from 2024 each deliver something distinct: from The Wise Mothman’s rad counters to Caesar, Legion’s Emperor and his quick-swinging token synergy. We’ve got everything from massive Eldrazi tribal combos to silly shape-shifter shenanigans. Ultimately, the best Commander is the one that suits your style and playgroup.
If you’re a control aficionado, you might pair Grixis combos with Edward Kenway or lean into dungeon exploring with Obeka, Splitter of Seconds. Token fans will flock to Baylen, the Haymaker or Ms. Bumbleflower. And if you feel like playing something that confuses everyone at the table, Omo might be your new best friend.
Commander is always evolving, so it’s normal for new sets or new brews to shift which legends see the most play. But as of right now, these 15 have made a real splash and show no signs of disappearing from the format’s consciousness anytime soon. Go forth and build—maybe you’ll discover the next unstoppable synergy no one else has tried yet. Just remember to enjoy the ride.
