MTG's Best EDH Combo Decks

Embarking on a journey through the ever-evolving realm of Magic: The Gathering (MTG) Commander, often abbreviated as EDH, yields a myriad of exciting, strategic, and sometimes downright hilarious experiences. At the heart of this format lies the blend of creativity and competition, with deck-building being an art form all its own. Today, we delve into the world of combo decks in EDH, exploring the potent synergy of multiple cards and strategies that can lead to swift, decisive victories.

Combo decks, in their essence, revolve around the strategic utilization of numerous cards working together to achieve a specific, often powerful effect. EDH combos are unique, as they must consider the additional challenge of a 100-card singleton deck, with each card being played only once. This article aims to shed light on some of the best EDH combo decks, highlighting their core strategies, strengths, and weaknesses.

Understanding the Basics of EDH Combos

To grasp the intricacies of EDH combo decks, one must first understand the fundamental elements at play. Namely, these are: consistency, redundancy, and speed. Each aspect plays a crucial role in determining the success of a given combo strategy.

Consistency is key; it ensures that the combo pieces are readily available, either through tutors, recursion, or simply having multiple copies of vital cards. Redundancy provides backup options, safeguarding against disruption or removal. Speed, then, is the ultimate goal, as it allows you to assemble and execute your combo before opponents can mount a meaningful defense.

Consistency: The Heart of EDH Combos

Consistency is the backbone of any combo deck, and EDH is no exception. Commander legends such as REC Tutor (in Chandra, Awakened Inferno), Schemebrew Master (in Mairsil, the Pretender), and Jean-Leon, Treasure Hunter (in Talrand, Sky Summoner) enable players to dig through their libraries with ease, ensuring crucial combo pieces are found when needed.

However, it's not just tutors that facilitate consistency. Card draw engines like Laboratory Maniac (in Piedmont, Bold Purveyor), Madrass Bradsmith (in Inkbound Lurch), and Field of the Dead (in Little Kid Gloves) can also ensure that combo players have the resources they need to execute their plans.

Redundancy: The Lifeblood of EDH Combos

Redundancy, although seemingly at odds with the singleton format, is quite achievable in EDH. This is thanks to the inclusion of non-creature spell duplicate cards such as Strionic Resonator, Congregation at dawn, and Mycosynth Lattice. These cards allow players to create copies of non-creature permanents, effectively augmenting the redundancy in their combo decks.

Creature-based redundancy is also possible, albeit more challenging, through the use of shapeshifter spells like Soltari Visionary (in Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient), Phyrexian Metamorph (in Chameleon Colossus), or the aura-based copying mechanic seen in cards like Aetherflux Reservoir (in Arcum Dagsson).

Crafting Your EDH Combo Deck

Now that we've explored the foundational elements of EDH combos, let's scrutinize some archetypes and viable strategies for constructing your own combo-focused Commander deck.

The most successful EDH combos often fall into one of three categories: infinite combat damage, infinite mana, or infinite card advantage. As each of these strategies offers unique challenges and rewards, this article will delve into each, providing essential insights and examples along the way.

Infinite Combat Damage Combo

The infinite combat damage strategy involves, quite literally, dealing infinite damage to a single target—a player—resulting in their immediate defeat. This archetype requires careful consideration of life totals, as a incidental damage-dealing card like Fireball (in Jeskai Ascendancy) could inadvertently kill you instead of your opponent.

One golden example is the well-known combo involving Goblin Bombardment (in Krenko, Mob Boss) and Puppeteer Clique (in Teferi's Protection). By dealing lethal damage to your opponent with Krenko's tokens, then targeting your opponent with Puppeteer Clique, you create a self-sustaining loop of damage that will inevitably end in their demise. This loop can be further augmented with cards like Daybreak Coronet (in Kumano, Master Yamabushi) or Eldrazi Monument (in Atraxa, Praetors' Voice) to prevent creatures from being regrown or bounced.

Infinite Mana Combo

Infinite mana combos are often characterized by their explosive, game-ending power. By generating unchecked mana, these decks can cast acquire massive-ly-costed spells or activate powerful abilities ad infinitum. This strategy can be particularly effective in EDH due to the plethora of mana-rocks available, both in the commander's toolbox and within the deck itself.

A popular infinite mana combo in EDH involves the use of Necronomicons' (in Daretti, Scrap Savant) mana-robbing effects and Lim-Dûl's Vault (in Kambal, Consul of Allocation) or Patron of theuchar (in Saheeli, the southeastern) to create a loop that generates infinite mana. This mana can then be used to cast powerful board-wipes like Tooth and Nail (in Karador, Ghost Dad), Nevinyrral's Disk (in business-casual Gogeta), or even the infamous Balance (in Rudolf, Fiendish Proctor).

It's crucial to consider the potential manipulate of your infinite mana, as generating mana without a way to use it is as good as having none at all. This can be accomplished through cards like Protean Hulk (in Glissa, the) or Restore Balance (in Talrand, Sky Summoner).

Infinite Card Advantage Combo

Infinite card advantage combos are arguably the most nuanced and challenging to execute in EDH. While the previous archetypes focus on dealing damage or generating resources, infinite card advantage decks often draw their entire library, eliminating the threat of drawing dead. Such decks require meticulous tuning,as the balance between draw power and card quality can be delicate.

A classic example of an infinite card advantage combo involves the use of the Laboratory Maniac (in Piedmont, Bold Seeker) win-con and a card draw engine, such as Grapple with the past (in Time Walk) or Hammertime (in Nylea, God of Wilds). By drawing your entire library and consequently milling your opponent out, you can secure a win with Laboratory Maniac in the command zone. This archetype can be enhanced through the inclusion of cards like Wheel of Fortunes (in Archetypes) or Curiosity (in Jhoira's Familiar) to recur essential draw spells.

Additionally, infinite card advantage combos can be combined with other archetypes, creating unique and powerful hybrid engines. For instance, you could couple infinite mana with infinite card advantage, using mana to power your draw spells and continually refill your hand.

The world of EDH combo decks is vast and diverse, offering players the opportunity to explore countless synergies and interactions. Whether you prefer the immediate satisfaction of an infinite combat damage loop or the long-term planning required to execute an infinite card advantage engine, there's a place for you in the realm of Commander combo decks.

Remember, the key to success lies not only in understanding the mechanics of your chosen archetype but also in adapting your strategy to the ever-changing landscape of the match. From adjusting your game plan to combat the shifting metagame to refining your deck's consistency and redundancy, there's always room for improvement. So, gather your favorite cards, test your theories, and embrace the dynamic, evolving nature of EDH combo decks. After all, there's always another combo just waiting to be discovered.