All prominent commanders in MTG, ranks

A more powerful Magic: The Gathering mechanic than Eminence may be the reason it has only appeared in five unique cards in the game's history.

Eminence is an ability that allows a commander to influence the game in the Command Zone. Each Eminence Commander does something slightly different, but usually grants some type of bonus when casting a spell or triggers when a condition is met. There are only five official cards in Eminence, but a sixth card, a predecessor to the mechanic, has sneaked into the list.

We also recently learned that the Heroes in a Half Shell card was originally designed with Eminence in mind, but fancier guys prevailed and the mechanic was ultimately removed from the card.

Updated by Niall Walsh on July 2, 2026: Great commanders continue to be rare in Magic: The Gathering, but with so many new sets released since the last update, we took a closer look at each set through a new lens to see if their rankings have changed. Since the last update we've seen how close we are to the new Eminence Commander, so we've included some context for that as well.

6

Honorable Mention: Ororo, Immortal Ascetic

excellence, excellence

Oloro does not use Prestige as a keyword since it did not exist when this card was printed, but the function of its final ability is the same. If Oloro, Immortal Ascetic is in your command area, you gain 2 life at the start of the upkeep. This ability, like any other precognition effect, triggers while on the battlefield.

When Oloro is in play, you can also pay 1 mana to make your opponent lose a life and draw a card. Considering his base abilities, you can build a very powerful Pillow Pot deck with tons of ways to inflict life drain and slowly drain your opponent's life over the course of the game.

5

Arabo, the roar of the world

The meowing won't stop in the command area.

The best cat-themed deck commander, Arahbo, Roar of the World turns all small cats into big cats, even when not in play. When combat begins on your turn, Arabo gives another cat you control +3/+3 until the end of the turn, regardless of whether it is in play or in the command zone.

However, if you send Arahbo onto the battlefield, you can transform the cat you control into a larger cat for just 3 mana. Arahbo brings variety to the deck. Of course, you can go for a token-based or relative-based deck by using your strongest creatures, making one creature stronger than anything else on the battlefield and trampling it with equipment and other abilities.

The Eminence ability is powerful, but I can't help but wonder if it was broader and gave it +1/+1. every Until the end of the turn, the cat indicates whether more play can be seen in the current Commander scene.

4

Archmage Ritualist Inala

wizard queen

A prominent wizard-themed commander, Archmage Ritualist Inalla rewards you for playing by converting more wizard creatures into an army of clones. When a non-token wizard enters the battlefield under your control, you can quickly create a copy by paying one common mana. The token will be exiled at the start of the next end step, but long enough for you to play around with it.

If you get enough mages, Inalla's second ability allows him to deal some truly incredible damage. All you have to do is tap on five of the wizards. You can gain 5 lives by hitting your opponent, breaking a deadlock on the board or eliminating an opponent at the end of another player's turn.

Inalla expands on the sub-theme of Wizards in Magic, following other cards:

• Galecaster Colossus
• Azami, Woman of Scrolls
• Sigil Tracer
• chief inquisitor

3

Siddar Jabari of Zhalfir

Please tell me it's a good article

Sidar Jabari, Knight-Commander of Zhalfir, is excellent at keeping cards moving through the hand, and once a card is played, he brings his knights back for a second round. The Eminence ability allows Sidar to draw a card and then discard it when attacking with one or more knights.

Sidar allows you to toss Knight cards you don't need or can't use right away and scour your deck for cards you can put to better use right away. When Sidar is played, he can bring discarded knights onto the battlefield one by one as he deals combat damage to the player.

2

Edgar Markov

Build your vampire horde

Edgar Markov, the ultimate vampire commander, spawns an army of vampire tokens for every vampire spell you cast, turning every creature 2:1 in value. For each Vampire spell you cast with Edgar Markov as your commander, you gain a 1/1 Vampire creature token. Even if the original spell is countered, you will always get value from the spell as it generates tokens.

As if free creature tokens weren't enough, Edgar Markov strengthens his vampire army each time he attacks, putting a +1/+1 counter on every vampire you control. Just one or two attacks can quickly make a creature grow beyond what most players can handle.

Edgar Markov also comes equipped with First Strike and Haste, giving your team a boost when they come out on their turn, and can usually attack through most creatures your opponent controls.

there very There's a strong argument to be made that Edgar Markov is the best Eminence Commander right now, and having faced him multiple times, he could be a real pain in the ass, but for now, it's still the Dragons we're most afraid of.

1

ur dragon

first dragon

Anyone who has played with or against Ur-Dragon knows that hitting the 9 mana required to cast it is a walk in the park in Commander. Even if you don't cast Ur-Dragon, he remains one of the most threatening commanders in the game.

While Ur-Dragon is in the command zone or in play, dragon spells you cast cost 1 less regular mana to play. All dragon cards can come down at least one turn early, putting them on the curve by the time players expect powerful cards to hit the battlefield.

Once Ur-Dragon reaches the battlefield, he can unleash his final ability. When dragons you control attack, you draw a card for each attacking dragon and put a permanent card from your hand into play. This ridiculously powerful ability accelerates you so much faster than your enemies that it can be nearly impossible to turn back without an immediate answer.

franchise

Magic: The Gathering

original release date

August 5, 1993

number of players

2 or more players

Age Recommendations

13 years or older

length per game

variable