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Magic’s New Foundations Commander Decks Are Worth Buying — Here’s Why I’m So Excited
IGN argues that Magic: The Gathering’s forthcoming Foundations Commander decks could provide a more accessible entry point to Commander, particularly for new players and people introducing friends or family to the game. The writer considers the decks appealing because they focus on straightforward, single-colour strategies at a relatively low price, rather than on expensive reprints or complex mechanics.
The five decks cost $30 each, or $150 for the full 500-card set, and each represents one colour: white Angels led by Giada, red Dragons led by Lathliss, green Dinosaurs led by Ghalta, black Zombies and sacrifice led by Ghoulcaller Gisa, and blue artifacts led by Sai. Foundations originally launched in 2024 for Standard and remains legal until 2029, while Commander has already received 12 preconstructed decks across four sets in 2026. The article notes that older beginner-friendly Commander decks can now cost substantially more on the secondary market.
In short
- Five affordable mono-colour decks aim to simplify Commander for newcomers.
- Each deck costs $30, with all five available for $150.
- Decks prioritise coherent themes over competitive power.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
These decks offer practical value for new Commander players with straightforward single-colour strategies at prices that undercut secondary-market alternatives; they reduce barriers to entry for a format that can seem intimidating to beginners.
The case against
However, they may represent poor value against purchasing secondary-market singles, and preconstructed decks arguably discourage players from developing the deckbuilding skills essential for long-term engagement with the format.
Explained simply
Magic: The Gathering is a strategy card game in which players build decks from cards with different abilities and compete against one another. Commander is a popular multiplayer format where each player uses a 100-card deck, usually built around a chosen legendary creature; preconstructed decks are ready to play and can help newcomers learn the format.
Foundations is a Magic set designed to give players a lasting collection of familiar cards, and its cards are legal in Standard until 2029. Commander decks often centre on a particular colour or theme, such as Dragons or Zombies, and may vary in price and complexity. These decks matter to new players because the cost and difficulty of a first deck can shape how easily they join in.