Best MTG Aggro Commanders

Commander is often regarded as a slower format where players get to utilize big bombs, but aggro decks still play an important role. There are plenty of fun, beatdown strategies available to punish opponents for taking too long to set up their board. While finding the strongest Commander options to lead the charge can be tough given the format’s vast card pool, we’ve luckily come to help narrow things down. Here are the best MTG aggro Commanders.

6 | Arabella, Abandoned Doll

Despite being just an uncommon two-drop, Arabella, Abandoned Doll packs a massive punch and can end games rather quickly with a wide board. The fact that Arabella’s trigger hits each opponent is a big deal in a multiplayer environment, and the lifegain trigger allows you to race other aggressive decks with ease.

To get things started, token makers like Jacked Rabbit and Secure the Wastes are Arabella’s best friend. With the help of token doublers like Anointed ProcessionAnointed ProcessionIf an effect would create one or more tokens under your control, it creates twice that many of those tokens instead., it’s easy to build out a big board in no time. From there, you really just need ways to ensure Arabella can keep attacking unscathed, making cards like Dolmen Gate and Whispersilk CloakWhispersilk CloakEquipped creature can't be blocked and has shroud. (It can't be the target of spells or abilities.)
Equip {2} worthwhile inclusions.

Once you start attacking, you can increase damage output further via trigger doublers such as Delney, Streetwise Lookout, or Kirol, Attentive First YearKirol, Attentive First YearTap two untapped creatures you control: Copy target triggered ability you control. You may choose new targets for the copy. Activate only once each turn.. With the help of Impact Tremors, Agate InstigatorAgate InstigatorOffspring {1}{R} (You may pay an additional {1}{R} as you cast this spell. If you do, when this creature enters, create a 1/1 token copy of it.)
Whenever another creature you control enters, this creature deals 1 damage to each opponent., and other synergistic damage-dealing sources, you should be able to end games in short order. Given how trivial it is to build around Arabella, this legend easily makes the cut.

5 | Bello, Bard of the Brambles

In order to maximize Bello, Bard of the Brambles, you need to play a high density of beefy artifacts and enchantments. While this may seem like an unorthodox game plan for an aggressive archetype, Bello’s triggered ability enables you to turn the corner very quickly. All the while, the card advantage Bello provides for connecting in combat with your animated threats ensures you can keep adding to the board.

With this in mind, your best artifacts and enchantments to play are those that push damage. Berserker’s OnslaughtBerserker’s OnslaughtAttacking creatures you control have double strike. and Aggravated Assault are particularly powerful since they help you draw extra cards by dealing multiple instances of combat damage. When combined with stat boosters like Unnatural GrowthUnnatural GrowthAt the beginning of each combat, double the power and toughness of each creature you control until end of turn. and Coat of Arms, your opponents will end up on the back foot very quickly.

The only thing Bello lacks is the ability to grant evasion, but any Trample enabler from Garruk’s Uprising to Goreclaw, Terror of Qal SismaGoreclaw, Terror of Qal SismaCreature spells you cast with power 4 or greater cost {2} less to cast.
Whenever Goreclaw attacks, each creature you control with power 4 or greater gets +1/+1 and gains trample until end of turn. solves that problem. In this sense, Bello decks really check all of the boxes, so it’s no wonder there are over 26,000 Commander decks to the Raccoon’s name.

4 | Isshin, Two Heavens as One

Isshin, Two Heavens as One revolves around its replacement effect, easily creating tons of pressure and value, to boot. Doubling the attack triggers of token generators like Anim Pakal, Thousandth MoonAnim Pakal, Thousandth MoonWhenever you attack with one or more non-Gnome creatures, put a +1/+1 counter on Anim Pakal, then create X 1/1 colorless Gnome artifact creature tokens that are tapped and attacking, where X is the number of +1/+1 counters on Anim Pakal. and Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin is the easiest way to do this, creating a wide board with ease. This compounds with Aurelia, the Warleader, creating multiple extra combats.

If your onslaught of early tokens doesn’t kill your opponents, bigger bombs like Etali, Primal Storm, and Sun TitanSun TitanVigilance
Whenever this creature enters or attacks, you may return target permanent card with mana value 3 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield. can pull you ahead on resources later on. You can even double up on triggers from equipment like Sword of the AnimistSword of the AnimistEquipped creature gets +1/+1.
Whenever equipped creature attacks, you may search your library for a basic land card, put it onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle.
Equip {2} and enchantments like Chivalric AllianceChivalric AllianceWhenever you attack with two or more creatures, draw a card.
{2}, Discard a card: Create a 2/2 white and blue Knight creature token with vigilance. to pull further ahead.

Of course, since you need to attack for these triggers to work, you’ll want cards like ReconnaissanceReconnaissance{0}: Remove target attacking creature you control from combat and untap it. (If you activate during end of combat, the creature will untap after it deals combat damage.) and Ankle ShankerAnkle ShankerHaste
Whenever this creature attacks, creatures you control gain first strike and deathtouch until end of turn. to protect your creatures. Plus, unlike Arabella, Isshin itself never needs to attack for you to get your money’s worth, so there’s a lot less risk involved. With over 30,000 Isshin decks out there according to EDHREC, this legend has become one of the most popular Commanders, period.

3 | Winota, Joiner of Forces

When it comes to pure explosive potential, few Commanders come close to Winota, Joiner of ForcesWinota, Joiner of ForcesWhenever a non-Human creature you control attacks, look at the top six cards of your library. You may put a Human creature card from among them onto the battlefield tapped and attacking. It gains indestructible until end of turn. Put the rest of the cards on the bottom of your library in a random order.. During the early turns, you’re primarily just looking to go wide with non-Human creatures, best accomplished with cards like Raise the AlarmRaise the AlarmCreate two 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens. and Hordeling Outburst.

This way, when you slam Winota, you can immediately attack and get a bunch of looks for beefy Humans to put into play. Angrath’s Marauders and Blade HistorianBlade HistorianAttacking creatures you control have double strike. are great options for increasing damage, while Captain of the Watch and Geist-Honored MonkGeist-Honored MonkVigilance
Geist-Honored Monk's power and toughness are each equal to the number of creatures you control.
When this creature enters, create two 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens with flying. net you additional tokens to attack with next turn.

Notably, some Winota decklists also emphasize Human hatebears such as Magus of the MoonMagus of the MoonNonbasic lands are Mountains. and Drannith MagistrateDrannith MagistrateYour opponents can't cast spells from anywhere other than their hands. to keep opponents off-balance. This is quite common in cEDH, where Winota remains a somewhat fringe but decent Commander option. In either case, so long as you have cards like Boromir, Warden of the Tower to protect your squad from removal, Winota will quickly create an insurmountable board presence.

2 | Edgar Markov

What makes Edgar Markov stand out is its ability to generate a big board without asking much, so long as you’re playing Vampire Typal. Thanks to this legend’s broken Eminence ability, Edgar continues to generate value during the early turns even when it’s not in play. This is particularly useful for facing down board wipes, since Edgar can rebuild with little effort.

Given that you have access to a consistent token engine, Edgar shells make great use of token doublers like Mondrak, Glory Dominus, and payoffs like Caretaker’s Talent. Your flow of small creatures also does a great job synergizing with cards like Welcoming Vampire or Sanctum SeekerSanctum SeekerWhenever a Vampire you control attacks, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life..

Eventually, after building out a wide battlefield, you then have the luxury of casting Edgar Markov and buffing your whole team. Throw in some trigger doublers like Roaming ThroneRoaming ThroneWard {2}
As this creature enters, choose a creature type.
This creature is the chosen type in addition to its other types.
If a triggered ability of another creature you control of the chosen type triggers, it triggers an additional time., and your opponents are in a world of trouble.

Thanks to its ability to cover all bases, Edgar Markov’s extreme popularity at 50,000 decks according to EDHREC makes complete sense. Notably, this makes Edgar Markov the 3rd most popular Commander overall.

1 | Krenko, Mob Boss

Krenko, Mob Boss is an absolutely terrifying Typal Commander that needs no introduction. Thanks to Goblins’ aggressive nature, its easy to build a quick board out of the gate, and double it with Krenko. Since this Commander’s ability is exponential in nature, creating a lethal board out of nowhere is surprisingly easy.

By using cards like Goblin LackeyGoblin LackeyWhenever this creature deals damage to a player, you may put a Goblin permanent card from your hand onto the battlefield. or Warren InstigatorWarren InstigatorDouble strike
Whenever this creature deals damage to an opponent, you may put a Goblin creature card from your hand onto the battlefield., you can get off to extremely fast starts with Krenko. Follow that up with token generators like Legion Warboss and Siege-Gang LieutenantSiege-Gang LieutenantLieutenant — At the beginning of combat on your turn, if you control your commander, create two 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens. Those tokens gain haste until end of turn.
{2}, Sacrifice a Goblin: This creature deals 1 damage to any target., and going wide is a breeze. Then, when you’re ready to activate Krenko, cards like Umbral MantleUmbral MantleEquipped creature has "{3}, {Q}: This creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn." ({Q} is the untap symbol.)
Equip {0} and Illusionist’s Bracers can double up on value. You can even win with attacking by using cards like Impact Tremors and Goblin Bombardment.

To this day, Krenko remains one of the most popular Commanders out there, accounting for 43,000 decks according to EDHREC. Given just how quickly Krenko’s army can spiral out of control, Krenko earns the title of best MTG aggro Commander.