Commander, also known as EDH, is arguably Magic: The Gathering’s most popular format. Its social nature, emphasis on deck building creativity, and ability to accommodate virtually any card ever printed makes it endlessly appealing. Within the vast landscape of Commander, thematic decks hold a special place in the hearts of many players. These decks aren’t just about winning; they’re about expressing a specific idea or flavor through their card choices. And what could be more flavorful than a Food Commander Deck?
The Food mechanic, introduced in *Throne of Eldraine*, might seem simple on the surface. Food tokens are artifacts that can be sacrificed for three mana and three life. While seemingly innocuous, these humble tokens have proven to be surprisingly powerful when combined with the right cards and strategies. This article aims to guide you through the process of building a viable, fun, and potentially dominant Food-themed Commander deck. We’ll explore key commanders, essential card selections, and strategies to turn your opponents into a delectable feast.
Choosing Your Commander: The Chefs of the Deck
The commander you choose will heavily influence the direction of your Food deck. Certain commanders synergize perfectly with the Food mechanic, amplifying its strengths and mitigating its weaknesses. Let’s explore some prime candidates:
Gyome, Master Chef
Gyome, Master Chef, is a standout choice for a Food Commander deck. His ability to create Food tokens at the end of your turn, along with providing your creatures with protection from targeted removal, is invaluable. Gyome effectively provides a constant stream of Food, which can then be used for various purposes. His ability to tap to give a creature ward also adds a layer of protection that is extremely relevant in the commander format, making him a great pick to protect himself, or other vital creatures.
A Gyome deck often leans towards a grindy, value-oriented playstyle. You’ll focus on generating a large number of Food tokens, using them to gain incremental advantages, and outlasting your opponents. Cards that work particularly well with Gyome include Academy Manufactor (creating Clue and Treasure tokens alongside Food for extra value), Witch’s Oven (sacrifice Food for card draw), and cards that care about artifacts entering the battlefield.
Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar
Don’t let the lengthy name intimidate you! Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar is a powerful commander for a Food-based strategy, especially if you want to lean into a more aggressive play style. The key is to get her onto the battlefield with her unique ability, and cast the two cards that can help cast her for a reduced cost.
A deck around Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar lends itself to a more aggressive strategy. You will be looking to deal as much damage as possible as soon as possible and leveraging the card advantage you gain to help push your gameplan forward. Some other great cards to include are Mayhem Devil to deal damage on each food sacrifice, or even a Dockside Extortionist to ramp with artifact tokens.
Baeloth Barrityl, Entertainer + Noble Heritage
While not directly related to Food, Baeloth Barrityl, Entertainer paired with Noble Heritage in the command zone can create a unique and aggressive approach to food token generation. With this pairing, you are looking to generate aggressive creatures that can benefit from the food that you generate.
A deck revolving around this pair can often be a unique approach to generating food, allowing you to gain incremental advantage each turn, or go wide with creatures, all the while benefiting from the advantages that food can give. Some cards that work well with this pairing are cards such as Ancient Gold Dragon and Old Gnawbone to help ramp and generate tokens, along with token doublers like Parallel Lives.
Many other commanders can potentially be used in a Food deck, such as commanders that lean into other token archetypes. However, those mentioned above are some of the most impactful and synergistic options. Choosing the right commander will set the tone for your entire deck and determine its overall strategy.
Core Food Package: Ingredients for Success
Regardless of your commander, certain cards form the core of any successful Food Commander deck. These are the essential ingredients that will fuel your engine and allow you to thrive.
Food Token Generators
These cards are the lifeblood of your deck. You need a reliable way to generate Food tokens to fuel your other synergies. Gingerbrute is an early-game threat that creates Food upon entering the battlefield. Golden Goose is a mana dork that produces Food. Oko, Thief of Crowns, while expensive, can turn opposing creatures into Food, disrupting your opponents’ plans while furthering your own. These examples provide early game utility and provide food tokens at the same time.
Food Synergies
These cards benefit directly from the presence of Food tokens. Academy Manufactor creates Treasure and Clue tokens alongside Food, significantly increasing your artifact production. Feasting Hobbit gets stronger for each food you create, making it a difficult to block threat. Peregrin Took draws you cards when you create food. Devouring Tendrils is a removal card that gets stronger for each food token you have. All these cards are key to creating a potent and synergistic food deck.
Sacrifice Outlets
Having ways to sacrifice Food tokens is essential for activating their life gain ability and other effects. Witch’s Oven allows you to sacrifice Food to gain life and protect a creature. Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar herself, is a sacrifice outlet to draw cards and fuel her cost reduction. Viscera Seer lets you scry when sacrificing a creature which can help you find more answers. Sacrifice outlets allow you to take advantage of food tokens to make other effects.
Payoffs for Sacrificing Food
These cards give you a bonus for sacrificing food tokens. Disciple of the Vault deals damage to opponents when an artifact goes to the graveyard. Marionette Master deals damage when an artifact enters or leaves the battlefield. Nadja, Pyromancer creates a 2/2 when you sacrifice an artifact. All these cards allow you to gain even more from sacrificing a food token.
Deckbuilding Considerations: Seasoning the Deck
With your commander and core Food package in place, it’s time to season your deck with other essential components.
Ramp and Mana Fixing
A consistent mana base is crucial in Commander. Include mana rocks like Arcane Signet and Sol Ring, and ramp spells such as Cultivate and Rampant Growth. Prioritize lands that can produce multiple colors of mana, especially if you’re playing a multi-color deck. This is important to get the deck started and to play the powerful cards you will need to win.
Card Draw and Advantage
Running out of cards is a recipe for disaster. Include cards like Skullclamp (especially effective with tokens), Harmonize, and Midnight Clock to keep your hand full and maintain card advantage. Card draw is one of the most important things in commander, and having access to cards will help fuel your Food strategies
Removal and Control
You need ways to interact with your opponents’ threats. Include single-target removal spells like Swords to Plowshares and Path to Exile, and board wipes like Wrath of God and Farewell. Versatile removal spells like Assassin’s Trophy are always valuable. Be sure to remove anything that might stop your gameplan and that can give your opponents the upper hand.
Recursion and Graveyard Play
Food decks are often a value engines, and graveyard play gives a second chance to recur important pieces. Reanimate allows you to steal your opponent’s most powerful creature. Eternal Witness allows you to get back any card you need from your graveyard. Animate Dead is also a powerful way to cheat creatures from the graveyard onto the battlefield.
Protection
Protect your commander and key cards from removal. Swiftfoot Boots and Lightning Greaves provide haste and hexproof. Heroic Intervention and Teferi’s Protection offer blanket protection from board wipes and other devastating spells. This will keep your important engine pieces safe and on the field.
Strategy and Gameplay Tips: Serving Up Victory
- Early Game: Focus on ramping, fixing your mana, and establishing your Food token generation. Deploy Gingerbrute or Golden Goose early to get the ball rolling.
- Mid Game: Implement Food synergies, control the board with removal spells, and generate card advantage. Use Academy Manufactor to create additional tokens and start accruing value.
- Late Game: Exploit your sacrifice outlets and payoffs for sacrificing Food. Close out the game with cards that drain your opponents or generate overwhelming advantages.
- Beware of graveyard hate, which can shut down recursion strategies.
- Be mindful of opponents’ removal spells and protect your key creatures accordingly.
- Don’t be afraid to use Food tokens defensively to gain life and survive aggressive attacks.
Budget Considerations: A Taste of Power on a Budget
Building a Food Commander deck doesn’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of budget-friendly alternatives to expensive staples.
- Instead of fetch lands, use budget dual lands or basic lands.
- Prioritize commons and uncommons that provide good value, such as Gingerbrute and Golden Goose.
- Look for cards that generate multiple Food tokens for a low mana cost.
- Utilize online resources to find budget-friendly decklists and upgrade guides.
Upgrading the Deck: Second Helpings
As you gain experience playing your Food Commander deck, you’ll likely want to upgrade it with more powerful cards.
- Add fetch lands and shock lands to improve your mana base.
- Include more powerful tutors to find specific cards when you need them.
- Consider adding stax pieces that can slow down your opponents.
- Experiment with different commanders and strategies to keep your deck fresh and exciting.
Conclusion
Building a Food Commander deck is a rewarding experience that allows you to combine strategic gameplay with flavorful theming. By choosing the right commander, including essential Food synergies, and tuning your deck with ramp, removal, and card advantage, you can create a powerful and enjoyable deck that will leave your opponents hungry for more. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your strategy, and get ready to feast your eyes on a delicious victory! Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your own unique take on the Food Commander archetype. What innovative Food deck ideas do you have? Share them in the comments below!
