What’s more satisfying than a perfectly cooked meal? How about devouring your opponents in a game of Commander with a delicious Food deck? In the vast and ever-evolving world of Magic: The Gathering, certain card types and mechanics rise to prominence, captivating players with their unique playstyles and powerful synergies. One such rising star is the humble Food token. Originally introduced in the fairytale-inspired set *Throne of Eldraine* and seeing a delicious resurgence in *Wilds of Eldraine*, Food has proven to be more than just a flavorful addition; it’s a legitimate strategy capable of holding its own in the cutthroat environment of Commander.
This article is your guide to crafting a potent and enjoyable Food Commander MTG experience. We’ll explore the core components of a Food-based strategy, highlight some of the most effective commanders for leading the charge, delve into the key cards that fuel the feast, and offer valuable tips to help you navigate the battlefield and serve up sweet, sweet victory.
What are Food Tokens and Why are They Good?
At its heart, a Food token is an artifact with a simple, yet effective ability: “{Two}, Sacrifice this artifact: You gain three life.” While this might seem underwhelming at first glance, the true power of Food lies in its versatility and synergy. These seemingly innocuous tokens can fuel a myriad of strategies, providing a consistent stream of life gain, enabling powerful triggered abilities, and acting as fodder for sacrifice outlets.
The strengths of a Food deck in Commander are manifold. First and foremost, the consistent life gain provides a crucial defensive buffer, allowing you to weather early aggression from faster decks and survive the long, grindy games that Commander often becomes. This life gain can also be a valuable resource, fueling abilities that require life as a cost, like those found on some black cards.
Furthermore, Food decks excel at generating value. The ability to consistently create tokens allows you to establish a board presence, even in the face of board wipes. These tokens can then be sacrificed for various effects, triggering abilities that draw cards, boost creatures, or deal damage. This constant flow of value allows you to outpace your opponents and maintain a crucial advantage. Food enables powerful card draw. Food is a cheap token, which has synergy with cards like Academy Manufacturer or Mondrak, Glory Dominus.
Finally, Food decks are surprisingly versatile. They can be built to focus on life gain, token generation, sacrifice synergies, or even combo-based strategies. This adaptability allows you to tailor your deck to your playstyle and adjust to the ever-changing metagame of your local Commander scene.
Commanding the Kitchen: Top Commanders for Food Decks
Choosing the right commander is paramount to the success of any Commander deck, and Food decks are no exception. Here are a few of the top contenders for leading your culinary crusade:
First, there’s Alela, Artful Provocateur. This Esper (white, blue, black) commander rewards you for playing artifacts and enchantments by creating flying faerie tokens. Food tokens contribute directly to Alela’s ability, pumping your existing creatures and creating a flying army, providing a strong offensive threat. Alela allows you to spread damage quickly and efficiently.
Then there is Gyome, Master Chef. This Rakdos (black, red) commander excels at creating Food tokens and buffing creatures. Gyome creates a food token whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control and allows you to tap an untapped creature you control to give another creature +1/+1 and lifelink until end of turn. A commander like Gyome thrives in a creature heavy strategy.
We can’t forget Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar. This Rakdos commander has the unique ability to let you cast her for only one black mana as long as you discard a card and you control a creature. Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar turns all your sacrifice effects into direct damage to a target, which can act as a win condition if unanswered.
While these are just a few examples, the best commander for your Food deck will ultimately depend on your personal preferences and the specific direction you want to take your strategy. Be sure to explore different options and experiment with different commanders to find the one that best suits your playstyle.
A Culinary Arsenal: Key Cards and Synergies
The success of a Food Commander MTG deck hinges on a collection of key cards that work together to create a synergistic and powerful engine. These cards can be broadly categorized into token generators, sacrifice outlets, payoffs, and support cards.
Token generators are the lifeblood of any Food deck. Cards like Gingerbread Cabin are invaluable for creating a consistent stream of Food tokens. Golden Egg provides early ramp and card draw alongside a Food token. Sweettooth Witch provides a steady stream of food and can get back creatures from your graveyard. Syr Ginger, the Meal Ender, creates food while also being able to deal damage based on the number of foods you control.
Sacrifice outlets are crucial for converting those Food tokens into valuable effects. Witch’s Oven is a classic example, allowing you to sacrifice Food tokens to generate value. Academy Manufactor is a must-have, turning each Food token into a Treasure token and a Clue token in addition to the Food token. This allows you to create an abundance of resources. Trail of Crumbs provides card advantage by allowing you to sacrifice food to look at the top two cards of your library and putting a land from among them into your hand.
Payoffs are the cards that reward you for having or using Food tokens. Korvold, Fae-Cursed King is a powerful creature that grows larger with each sacrificed permanent. Feast of the Unicorn rewards you for sacrificing food to buff another creature. Celebrant of Celebrations rewards you for sacrificing food to tap target creature or planeswalker.
Finally, support cards provide the necessary protection, removal, and ramp to keep your Food engine running smoothly. Counterspells like Swan Song can protect your key cards from removal. Removal spells like Swords to Plowshares and Assassin’s Trophy can deal with problematic threats. Ramp spells like Arcane Signet ensure you can cast your spells on time.
Building Your Menu: Deck Construction and Archetypes
There’s no single “right” way to build a Food Commander MTG deck. The beauty of the format lies in its flexibility and the ability to tailor your deck to your specific preferences. However, there are a few general archetypes that can serve as a starting point for your deckbuilding journey.
One approach is to focus on a creature heavy deck to get value from a commander such as Gyome, Master Chef. Another approach is to focus on a sacrafice based strategy to get the most of cards like Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar.
Alternatively, you can build a value-based midrange deck that aims to grind out your opponents through consistent card advantage and incremental life gain. This approach typically involves a higher density of token generators, sacrifice outlets, and payoff cards that provide consistent value over time.
Regardless of the archetype you choose, it’s important to strike a balance between token generation, sacrifice outlets, payoffs, and support cards. You’ll also want to consider your mana curve, ensuring that you have a healthy mix of early-game ramp, mid-game value engines, and late-game threats.
Cooking Up a Victory: Gameplay Tips and Strategy
Playing a Food Commander MTG deck effectively requires a solid understanding of the format, a strategic approach to deckbuilding, and a keen awareness of your opponents’ strategies. Here are a few gameplay tips to help you navigate the battlefield and serve up a delicious victory.
In the early game, focus on ramping your mana and establishing a Food engine. Playing early token generators like Golden Egg and Gingerbrute will set you up for success in the mid-game.
In the mid-game, use your Food tokens for value and control. Sacrifice them to draw cards, boost your creatures, or remove threats. Be mindful of your life total and use Food to gain life when necessary. Identify key threats on the board and prioritize your removal spells accordingly.
In the late game, exploit your advantage to close out the game. Swing in with your boosted creatures, activate your powerful abilities, and whittle down your opponents’ life totals. Be patient and persistent, and don’t be afraid to take calculated risks.
A Recipe for Affordability: Budget Considerations
Building a Food Commander MTG deck doesn’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of budget-friendly options available that can allow you to create a competitive and enjoyable deck without spending a fortune.
When selecting cards, prioritize those that provide the most value for their cost. Look for efficient token generators, sacrifice outlets, and payoff cards that can be acquired at reasonable prices. Consider using alternative versions of expensive cards, such as budget-friendly lands or removal spells. Don’t be afraid to proxy cards that you don’t own, especially when testing out new strategies.
As your budget allows, you can gradually upgrade your deck with more powerful and expensive cards. Lands are often a good place to start, as they can significantly improve the consistency and efficiency of your mana base. You can also invest in more powerful removal spells, counterspells, or value engines.
Savor the Flavor: Embracing the Food Commander Experience
Playing a Food Commander MTG deck is a unique and rewarding experience. It offers a blend of strategy, synergy, and flavor that is sure to delight players of all skill levels. With its consistent life gain, value generation, and adaptable playstyle, Food can be a formidable force in the Commander format.
So, grab your apron and get cooking! Experiment with different commanders, explore different strategies, and discover the delicious power of Food in Commander. Your opponents won’t know what hit them when you serve up a feast of flavor and a plate of delicious victory with your Food Commander deck.
