The Art of the Culinary Arts in Magic: The Gathering
Have you ever felt the yearning for a Commander deck that’s both satisfying and strategically rich? A deck that isn’t just about brute force or overwhelming combos, but about a carefully crafted plan, a touch of ingenuity, and a healthy helping of…well, food? Then prepare to feast your eyes on the wonderful world of Food Commanders in Magic: The Gathering! Commander, for the uninitiated, is a wildly popular format where you build a singleton deck around a legendary creature known as your Commander. It’s a format for fun, social interaction, and exploring the vast and varied world of MTG. But what if you could combine the thrill of Commander with the delicious delight of a freshly baked pie, or a perfectly brewed cup of tea?
The culinary scene in Magic has truly blossomed in recent sets, and the rise of Food as a mechanic has opened a whole new realm of strategic possibilities. Food tokens, in their simplest form, are a way to gain life, a simple but crucial element in the often brutal landscape of a multiplayer Commander game. You sacrifice a Food token to gain three life. Simple, elegant, and incredibly versatile. But the true genius of Food lies in its potential. Cards interact with Food in fascinating ways, turning these simple tokens into engines for card advantage, powerful board states, and even game-winning strategies.
The history of Food within Magic is a story of evolution. It started subtly, appearing in sets like *Throne of Eldraine* and growing into its own. As more cards were printed that synergized with Food, the strategy gained more and more traction. Recent sets like *Wilds of Eldraine* and *Modern Horizons 2* have further embraced the mechanic, providing a wealth of new cards and commanders that revel in the sweet, salty, and savory possibilities of a well-stocked pantry. Food isn’t just a flavor element; it’s a viable strategy in Magic, a testament to the game’s constant innovation and the community’s inventive spirit.
Culinary Commanders: Leading the Charge
So, who are the chefs leading the charge in this flavorful format? Let’s explore some of the most compelling Food Commanders and discover what makes them so appealing.
Gyome, Master Chef
(White, Black, Green) Gyome is a fantastic starting point for Food decks. His ability to give your Food tokens indestructible, combined with the ability to buff your creatures each time you sacrifice a Food, leads to a powerful and resilient strategy. Gyome encourages you to build a deck that both generates and utilizes Food, creating a symbiotic relationship. The key is to keep your commander protected so you can get value out of your Food and use the added bonuses.
Recommendation: Academy Manufactor – This card shines with Gyome, creating a Food, Clue, and Treasure whenever you create a token.
Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar
(Black, Red, Green) The name alone makes this commander memorable! The deck builds around sacrificing creatures, including Food, to fuel potent discard and draw effects, as well as build a strong board state.
Recommendation: Lord Xander, the Collector – Makes all your opponents discard a ton of cards and fuels Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar’s abilities.
Gale, Waterdeep Prodigy & Ochre Jelly
(Blue, Green) The combination of Gale and Ochre Jelly creates a unique deck. Gale’s draw-oriented abilities help you dig for Food producers and payoffs, while Ochre Jelly can multiply into a powerful attacker. The deck focuses on card advantage, generating Food, and then utilizing that Food to maintain control.
Recommendation: Academy Manufactor – As mentioned earlier, this card is amazing with Gale and Ochre Jelly since it generates all the different kinds of tokens for you to utilize!
The Rock
(Black, White, Green) A fun commander that helps with ramp and makes sure you can have the necessary mana. It helps you create food so you can gain life and gain advantage on your opponents.
Recommendation: Chatterfang, Squirrel General – Allows you to copy the food tokens when you make them, making the deck even stronger!
These are just a few examples, and the landscape of Food Commanders is constantly evolving as new sets release. The true beauty of the format lies in its flexibility. You can build a Food deck that focuses on life gain, card advantage, powerful creatures, or any combination of these elements.
Crafting the Perfect Recipe: Synergies and Strategies
To truly master the art of Food Commanders, it’s crucial to understand the synergies and strategies that make these decks tick.
Generating Food tokens efficiently is paramount. Cards like the aforementioned Academy Manufactor are fantastic, but there are many other powerful options. Consider cards that create Food when creatures enter the battlefield, when you cast spells, or when you attack. This constant stream of Food is the lifeblood of the deck.
Many cards offer powerful payoffs for sacrificing Food. Gaining life, drawing cards, and destroying opposing creatures are all common benefits. Consider what type of payoffs you would like in your deck and build around that.
A growing archetype within the Food strategy is the “Aristocrat” or “Sacrifice” archetype. Cards like Yawgmoth, Thran Physician can turn Food tokens into card draw and create an army. Another benefit from the aristocrat strategy is the life gain, making your deck super resilient.
Cooking Up Victory: Deckbuilding Tips and Tricks
Building a successful Food Commander deck is a bit like following a complex recipe. You need the right ingredients, in the right proportions, to achieve the perfect result.
Mana Base Mastery
A solid mana base is the foundation of any good Commander deck, and it’s especially critical in multicolor Food decks. Lands that enter untapped, dual lands, and ramp spells are essential. Make sure you have enough ways to reliably cast your Commander and your key Food-related spells.
Card Advantage Cuisine
Card draw is vital to maintaining momentum and ensuring you have the resources you need. Look for spells that draw multiple cards, or that offer card advantage through recurring effects. Keep digging for Food and the cards that make it shine.
The Art of Removal
Removal spells are your tools for controlling the battlefield. You need to be able to deal with opposing threats, whether they’re creatures, enchantments, or artifacts. Consider removal that synergizes with Food.
Protection Plan
Protecting your Commander and your key Food engines is crucial. Consider cards that provide hexproof or shroud, and spells that can save your creatures from removal.
Balance the Banquet
A well-balanced deck is a happy deck. Don’t over-emphasize Food creation at the expense of other key elements. Ensure you have a good mix of ramp, card draw, removal, and win conditions.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
The best part of Commander is experimenting. Test out different card combinations, playstyles, and commanders to find what works best for you.
Related Mechanics and Culinary Enhancements
While Food is the main ingredient, there are other flavor enhancers and related mechanics that can elevate your Food Commander deck.
Lifegain synergies are extremely common within Food decks. Since Food tokens provide life, cards that interact with life gain can be a natural fit.
The “Aristocrat” archetype, as mentioned earlier, perfectly compliments the strategy of sacrificing Food. Cards that benefit from sacrificing creatures can turn Food into card draw, board control, and relentless pressure.
Meal tokens also create a new synergy with the food tokens. Meal tokens allow you to choose from a variety of effects as you create the food.
Conclusion: A Dish Served Best with Friends
Food Commanders offer a unique and delicious experience in Magic: The Gathering. They combine the strategic depth of Commander with the satisfying element of food, creating a fun and engaging play experience. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a new player, building a Food deck is a great way to explore the game. This mechanic adds a flavorful twist to the game.
So, why not gather your friends, grab your favorite snacks, and start crafting your own Food Commander masterpiece? Experiment with different commanders, explore the various synergies, and most importantly, have fun. The possibilities are as limitless as your imagination.
Are you ready to create a Food deck today?
