How to Get Started in MTG Commander

New to Commander (a.k.a. EDH) and not sure where to begin? Good news — at Stevenson Games we have the friendliest players for getting into Magic: The Gathering's most popular format!

What Is Commander?

Commander is a 100-card singleton format built around one legendary creature (or planeswalker) as your "commander," who leads your deck and sets the tone for your strategy. Games are usually played with 3-4 players, decks are built for fun and flavor as much as power, and no two games play out the same way. It's social, strategic, and endlessly customizable — which is exactly why it's become the most popular way to play Magic.

The Fastest Way In: Preconstructed Starter Decks

The easiest way to get playing this week is to grab a Commander starter deck. These are ready to play right out of the box — no deckbuilding required — and they're a great way to learn how the format works before you start customizing.

We keep a rotating selection of Commander starter decks in store, including the latest releases. Stop by and ask our staff which decks are in stock — we're happy to help you pick one that matches the playstyle you're into, whether that's go-wide tokens, big scary creatures, spellslinging, or something in between.

Ready to Upgrade? Check Out Our Singles

Once you've played a few games with your starter deck, you'll probably start noticing cards you wish you had — a better mana rock, a flashier finisher, a piece of removal your deck is missing. That's where our singles inventory comes in.

We stock a deep selection of Commander staples and format all-stars, so you can upgrade your deck one card at a time instead of buying a whole new one. Browse our singles inventory online at storefront.sortswift.com/stevenson-games or in store, and don't hesitate to ask us for upgrade suggestions — we love helping new Commander players build out their decks.

Come Play With Us

Got your deck built? We host regular Commander pods in store — Tuesdays at 7pm and Saturdays at 5pm at our Maryland location, and Mondays at 6pm at our Harrisburg location — it's the best way to test out your deck, meet other local players, and get a feel for the format. Bring your deck, or grab a starter deck off the shelf and jump right in.

New Commander League Launching With the Next Precons

We're kicking off a brand-new Commander League to coincide with the release of the newest Foundation 2026 Commander precons; it's the perfect on-ramp if you're wanting to join with everyone on equal footing. Whether you're brand new or a veteran looking for a structured way to play a new deck over several weeks, the league is built to welcome both. More details on dates, format, and sign-up to come.

Ready to start your Commander journey? Come by Stevenson Games, check out our Commander starter decks and singles, sign up for the league, and let's build something fun together.