The Ultimate Guide to EDH (Commander) – Magic’s Most Creative Format

If there’s one format in Magic: The Gathering that perfectly captures creativity, personality, and social gameplay—it’s EDH, also known as Commander.

Whether you’re a seasoned planeswalker or just getting started, EDH offers something no other format can: freedom. Freedom in deckbuilding, freedom in playstyle, and—importantly—freedom in how you access the cards you love.

Let’s break down what makes EDH so special—and why it’s the perfect format for proxy play.

What is EDH (Commander)?

EDH stands for Elder Dragon Highlander, the original name of the format before it became officially known as Commander.

Here’s what defines it:

• 100-card singleton decks (no duplicates except basic lands)

• One legendary creature as your Commander

• Color identity rules based on your Commander

• Multiplayer-focused gameplay (usually 4 players)

• 40 starting life instead of 20

This creates a format that’s slower, more strategic, and far more expressive than traditional formats like Standard or Modern.

Why EDH is So Popular

Commander isn’t just a format—it’s a playstyle.

• You’re not just playing to win—you’re telling a story

• Decks reflect your personality, favorite mechanics, or wild ideas

• Politics, alliances, and mind games are part of every match

• No two games ever play out the same way

Want to build a deck around dragons? Go for it.
Want to make a chaos deck that flips coins and breaks rules? Even better.

The Power (and Problem) of Staples

Let’s be real—EDH has some seriously powerful cards:

• Mana acceleration like Sol Ring and Mana Crypt

• Game-ending bombs like Craterhoof Behemoth

• Efficient tutors, dual lands, and fast mana

The downside?
Many of these cards are insanely expensive.

A fully optimized EDH deck can easily cost hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars.

Proxies in EDH: The Open Secret

Here’s where EDH stands apart from almost every other format:

EDH is widely proxy-friendly.

Unlike competitive tournament formats, Commander is primarily played in casual, social environments—kitchen tables, local game stores, and friend groups.

Because of that, many players and communities embrace proxies for a few key reasons:

✅ Accessibility

Not everyone can afford a Mana Crypt or original dual lands—and they shouldn’t have to.

✅ Creativity Over Cost

EDH is about ideas, not budgets. Proxies let you build the deck you want, not just the one you can afford.

✅ Testing & Optimization

Want to test a high-power deck before investing? Proxies make that easy.

✅ Leveling the Playing Field

Proxies help balance power levels so games stay fun and competitive.

From Casual EDH to cEDH

While many Commander tables are relaxed and social, there’s also a more competitive side known as cEDH (Competitive EDH).

cEDH decks are:

• Highly optimized

• Built around fast wins and tight combos

• Packed with the best cards ever printed

And this is where proxies become even more important.
Without them, entry into cEDH would be nearly impossible for most players due to cost barriers.

Build Faster with EDH & cEDH Deckbuilder Sets

At MTG Workshop, we don’t just sell individual proxies—we help you build entire decks faster.

Our EDH and cEDH Deckbuilder Sets are designed to give you:

• A powerful foundation of staple cards

• Essential mana bases and ramp pieces

• High-impact spells and format-defining cards

• Flexibility to customize your strategy

Whether you’re crafting a fun, thematic Commander deck or pushing into full competitive cEDH territory, these sets let you skip the grind and jump straight into gameplay.

It’s the easiest way to go from idea → fully functional deck.

Where Proxies Become Art

At MTG Workshop, proxies aren’t just placeholders—they’re upgrades.

We focus on:

• High-quality prints

• Custom and remastered artwork

• Clean, readable designs

• Cards that feel premium in your hands

Because if you’re going to proxy a card… why not make it look better than the original?

Proxy Etiquette (Yes, It Matters)

Even in a proxy-friendly format, there are a few unspoken rules:

• Be transparent – Let your playgroup know you’re using proxies

• Match power levels – Don’t bring a cEDH deck to a casual table

• Respect LGS rules – Some stores have restrictions

• Keep it readable – Your cards should be easy to recognize and understand

Commander is a social format—respect keeps the games fun.

Final Thoughts

EDH is the format where:

• Creativity beats conformity

• Fun beats competition

• And expression beats limitation

And proxies? They’re a natural extension of that philosophy.

They open the door for every player to experience the full depth of Magic—without being gated by price tags.

So whether you’re crafting your dream deck, experimenting with new ideas, or building your next competitive list…

EDH + Proxies = Unlimited Possibilities.

Check out our EDH & cEDH Deckbuilder Sets—and start building smarter today.