5 Tips To Play Control In Commander | And 5 Control Commander Recommendations |

#mtg #edh #control
Do you love playing Control in EDH?
Do your friends hate playing with you in EDH?
Today I will be going over useful tips and tricks that I have found to work for me when I play Control in a four person pod. This video will serve as a guide for those of us who love the Control archetype but hate losing friends over it.
In this video I will explain some of the things non-Control players hate when playing against a Control mage and ways to make our Control strategy more palatable for others to face off against.
Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more videos!

[@xhazlas2572]

Compliment the oponent's "deck" so they like you more. Gotcha~

[@Azoreign]

I usually find that compliments help my opponents place their cards into their graveyard a bit easier.

[@ibeeverywhere]

Lol like wtf

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

It is a simple and remarkably useful tip.

[@Stormbringer005]

Wow that complimenting their card or deck advice is top notch. I did this just recently when I swords'd this guys commander to prevent a 22 dmg chandra ignition. I focused less on me shitting on his play and more on how toast we would've been had I not and I could immediately tell he wasn't feeling as bad about it as he probably could've, and the table fed off that energy.

[@Azoreign]

That is awesome Stormbringer, I am so glad that one of my tips worked for you, as they have worked for me countless times with friends or at some different LGS.

[@foxfire6658]

My favorite control deck is mono green artifact hate. Since green had plenty of ways to destroy artifacts so you can turn a non artifact permanent into an artifact and remove it really effectively. Liqui metal torque, coating, and mycosynth lattice are some pretty fun example

[@theweirdlyfriendlymushroom7920]

What commander do you use for this strategy?

[@Azoreign]

I never really thought of using Liquid Metal Torque as a way for Mono Green to remove stuff! That is awesome.

[@Azoreign]

@@theweirdlyfriendlymushroom7920 I feel like Mono Green has such a wide variety of commanders to choose from. You could probably just pick your favorite way to play: Elves, tokens, ramp, landfall, and then just slot in a solid removal package. Can't go wrong with Mono Green honestly.

[@foxfire6658]

I use a variety of legends in the deck so the deck can be either fast and responsive with yeva, agressive with goreclaw, or you can just focus on advantage with toski

[@foxfire6658]

Also note you can turn lands into artifacts and destroy them

[@bye1551]

This is the perfect video right now, I'm building an Elminster Hyper control deck as a usual Gruul player to expand my commander comfort zone! So hopefully this will be helpful!

[@Azoreign]

When I first saw Elminster I was like: "Cool Gandalf looking guy" Then I saw his alternate art and I couldn't add it to my cart fast enough. Elminster is one of my favorite decks! Goodluck making the switch from Gruul to Azorious.

[@bye1551]

@@Azoreign I originally built him because I loved Eligeth but I hadn't had a planeswalker in the command zone before but as I went, I realised it was a good opportunity to try some control. Not affected by board wipes, can scry towards my alternative win conditions and can reduce the cost of wrath's every turn and in the best colour for mass removal (white) and pre-emptive threat coverage (blue)

[@Azoreign]

It is like you read my mind! That is a very similar reason as to why I built my Elminster deck. A friend of mine has a very powerful Lord Wingrace deck and I was noticing how powerful it is to have a Planeswalker as a commander.

[@delroy234]

I sold my grand arbiter deck, because elminster control made feel in love.

[@ninjaatnight4]

​@Azoreign I wanna get a control deck, elmister is one of the commanders I was lookin into

[@zramirez5471]

I just bought my first cards since 1998 and esper/dimir/artifact was always my thing; this is a HUGE help!

[@thelunchlady8276]

My favorite deck to play is Orzhov control helmed by Kambal. As long as you leave me alone, I'll leave you alone. Then the table just slowly drains themselves.

[@Azoreign]

OOF! Orzhov are great control colors. Hence the reason why I love the color combination of Esper, I always gotta find a way to play blue. But black/white has some amazing gain and drain effects to hit everyone without needing to enter combat.

[@luzarowskia]

Great video. Glad to see Niv Mizzet Parun on this list.

[@Azoreign]

Glad you liked it! Not sure it could be a control video without mentioning Niv.

[@WeatherWeasel66]

Michael Jordan on defense..now that's control....

[@Commander_Claw]

The MJ on teferi thumbnail made me click! Hilarious

[@PaulissVegan]

I just wanna see more commander control videos from you... :)

[@kil0_387]

Funniest mtg video I've seen! Great job

[@cleverkuo-toa644]

Love this!! Can’t wait to build my own control deck now! Absolutely worth a like comment and sub please keep up the amazing work dude

[@Azoreign]

SO excited to see your comment. Thank you for your support. Want to give us any hints on your new commander???? ;)

[@cleverkuo-toa644]

@@Azoreign may be sweet sweet Gwafa Hazid and wacky stuff with bribery counters :)

[@Azoreign]

@cleverkuo-toa644 Gwafa was always a cool creature I liked to add in my early EDH decks. But it would always backfire as my friends didn't like not being able to attack me, so they would always go for me once I stacked up a few bribery counters. How do you plan to get around the late game hate?

[@cleverkuo-toa644]

@@Azoreign no one attacks me I’m way too pretty to be kicked off the pod

[@miinyoo]

I have a ridiculous UBW singularity deck for Commander, like being the Joker amongst the group (funny haha sure but more like in a G-man way) and control is the only way to go. Steal everything and use it against them. Nothing is safe except for removed from game. And then with the rest of the deck just manipulate everyone else's cards and spells. Tapping, untapping, all kinds of crazy stuff. No game is the same twice at all. Only problem is, it's really hit or miss. Sometimes it dominates and others it falls flat on its face. The opponents' decks matter a lot. Pulling synergies out of other people's decks is always an interesting time. Makes for great stories. Think Braids Adept, Eye of Singularity, Time Spiral, Merieke Ri Berit (commander), every steal permanent spell ever made, Dakkon Blackblade of all guys because why not, Mirror Entity for the surge kill with everyone's creatures, many Dopplegangers, it's a hot mess of manipulation. It's slow as f but when it gets going people just start pulling their hair out trying to kill me from behind 3 Hondens and some other cute infinite life tactics. It's so silly but it's so fun completely without counter spells. There's one, it's bad and it's only for clutch moves, Cancel. That's it. I could use Grand Arbiter but I just feel like it's a dick move in a fun game. Reminding people that everything they cast is 1 more is annoying. If I want to be cruel with control, then I have a UB faerie deck made of only 40 - 45 cards. 7 - 8 turn kills with nothing on their board being able to do anything is prolly 60%. It won't beat a zerg zombies or gobs but it'll beat anything that can't get up to speed in that amount of turns.

[@MrBabysheep13]

Hey man what precon do you recommend for a person that's a huge azorius fan ? I don't plan on upgrading it straight away, so it'll be fresh out of the box. I'm looking for great control elements in the deck and general good value, if possible.

[@leaflotus6726]

Galazeth Prismari is my control deck, ramping and gunning someone down is pretty fun

[@wesleyepperson2821]

My friends would be ok with the phrase” BOOM PUT THAT CARD IN THE GRAVEYARD LOSER!” Matter a fact I’m going to start doing that 😂

[@Zakading]

The hardest part in playing control is honestly dealing with the constant whining of other players as you say "no".

[@Azoreign]

It is the worst when someone plays a game ending spell, you have an answer for it, and they start complaining. "I can't believe you didn't let me win, counterspells are so annoying, this is why I don't play blue."

[@Zakading]

@@Azoreign Yeah. Playing a 'leftover UW pile" Azor the Lawbringer deck and the only game I played it so far, I dropped Venser and the entire game boiled down to a 2 hour 2v1 of the other two guys I usually play with trying to desperately kill my Venser because Azor kept turning their Sorcery removal off every turn, with them turning more and more miserable and salty with every bounce/removal/counterspell I played. Similar thing happened with the very first game of my Massacre Girl deck, where literally the only thing my deck did was exploding the board every other turn (which did result in a very hilarious -26/-26 combo to remove a Consuming Abberation).

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

The Dimir list I am putting together is a homage to the Time Spiral block, and my very first custom deck. It was built around Shadowmage Infilitrator, my first gold card, and had regenerating skeletons, fliers, fear, control cantrips and I absolutely loved it. So this one will have defensive creatures, evasion (flying, fear, shadow & unblockable), counterspells, unsommons and weird wildcards. Overall three main keywords: Investigate Surveil, and Suspend. It will be scary to go from a ramping battle cruiser deck where I am usually the main threat to this. The Golgari graveyard deck will be a completed first however.

[@Azoreign]

Always nice to hear that someone is stepping out of their comfort zone. I think you have the right idea when it comes to building a DImir deck. A health amount of control with kill, exile, and counterspells along side a solid list of creatures that have great keywords and evasion. Just don't forget to include some top end cards that are going to help you win the game. Some of my suggestions are things like: Shark Typhoon, Mindleech Mass, Consuming Aberration (one of my all time favorites!) And who is the commander!? There are so many awesome Dimir options.

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

The plan is to use Mirari to copy extra turn spells, and attack thrice in one turn rotation. I also have Paradox Haze with two court cards, and Curse of the Cabal, draining life, cards and permanents very quickly.

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

@@Azoreign The commander will be Eloise, Nephalia Sleuth, in order to not be too reliant on the commander. And she fits thematically with the rest of the deck.

[@bernardvezina-gagnon24]

Great tips ! Im playing nymris rigth now and i am struggling to find a win con . Most of the time i can control the board very well but i cant seem to find a way to end . I added demonic consultation and lab maniac. But it is super inconsistent

[@Azoreign]

Finding a way to win with control heavy decks can certainly be difficult! I am planning on making a series of videos with the best ways to win in each color. So watch out for that and thank you for your comment!

[@Sky-dy4vn]

I absolutely love my genisis engine control/artifact deck. Keeps the hand incredibly full and lets you make instant speed blockers

[@Azoreign]

And who is the commander of your deck??

[@Sky-dy4vn]

@@Azoreign shorikai genesis engine

[@CommanderUnsleeved]

Playing control is a true mind game. Both on the field, and between you and the other players. Good advise!

[@PaulissVegan]

#4 I've never had other players hold back spells, I always have something to attack and to goad and I still hold counterspells/other interaction

[@simoneprina1230]

Just see this video after the "that guy" video. Usefull tips for the neluzar control im go to build

[@Azoreign]

Thank you for watching! Make sure to share your Nekuzar list so we can check it out.

[@mikeowens40]

But what about the tips for the blue players who DO wanna be that guy? 😉 solid control tips 👌 Edit: missed the last part earlier, now I await the sweaty palm control video haha

[@bye1551]

My 1 tip: get good at first impressions cause you'll be moving pods a lot 🤣😂

[@Azoreign]

Working on the next video now! Stay tuned and get your pepper shakers ready to even out the salt content in your playgroup.

[@ttribs]

As long as you don’t counter something silly like a cultivate I think people will understand :)

[@Azoreign]

I will never live this down...

[@delroy234]

@@Azoreign Harrow that I see, counter that I play

[@Legani]

Stifling a fetchland is still rude…but….every chance 🤣

[@dieguenec]

Any chance you got your NivMiz control list posted anywhere? I've built a combo deck for him but my friends dont like it at all and since its one of my fave cards I'd like to play a deck that both me and them like

[@Azoreign]

Funny thing is that MY friends don't like Niv-Mizzet either 🙃 So I actually downgraded my Niv deck to a Balmor, Battle Mage Captain deck. I have a couple suggestions: 1. No combos. Include your basic control but make sure to include bigger, flashier spells. Niv will draw you cards (and hopefully lands). Then your deck wont be as scary but will still be fun and powerful. 2. Have you considered switching to another Niv-Mizzet? I know Parun is the strongest one but he has 2 other Izzet cards that are good, but not broken. Hope this helped!

[@dieguenec]

@@Azoreign I have both Firemind and Parun in deck but the problem is the combo itself. I run Niv + Curiosity + Jace Wielder of Mysteries to win. Id be willing to swap the combo for other stuff, but Id like to have a model anyway (im kinda new in EDH)

[@MegaBekem]

Then I play a Cavern of Souls and a Chimil, the Inner Sun and watch you cry! Then when you try to use your almighty planeswalkers, I play a small little Spark Rupture to continuously kill off your little army! So much for your blue army! Oh, don't even try to mill me to death either, Gaea's Blessing kills that idea too!

[@MegaBekem]

Combos with Meticulous Excavation and Unstable Glyphbridge can be annoying as hell! I use it with Binding of the Old Gods as well! Good luck!

[@MegaBekem]

When you play a card that I have an answer for every time so how do I compliment my opponent's deck when it dies every time?

[@MegaBekem]

"You almost got me down to 30! I had to damage myself halfway there but good job, though!" Is that good enough?

[@biasdahl4737]

I think it’s funny the first half of your video are actually really good piece of advice, and then you proceeded to go into really rude commanders that will piss off your playgroup

[@warnerpipkins1607]

Just order azur control any advice

[@Azoreign]

Awesome! Who is going to be your commander? That will help me give better advice for your deck.

[@warnerpipkins1607]

@@Azoreign heliod,the radiant dawn! Not as likely to be targeted off the rip! Like this guy Grand Arbiter Augustin IV lol

[@Azoreign]

@warnerpipkins1607 I actually just added Heliod into my Elminster deck. What I really like about Heliod is how much they fit on this card. He enters as a 4/4 for 4 mana AND can bring back an enchantments from your Graveyard to your hand. Then he transforms into a Vedalken Orrey that also makes your spells cheaper. If Heliod where in my command zone I would lean into some good enchantment support so Heliod has things to bring back if they get destroyed. And then possibly using artifacts to cast when he flips and possibly top ending with some Eldrazi?

[@Mister-jv6zq]

Niv-Mizzet + Basilisk Collar, Charisma or Sigil of Sleep = ConTROLL🤣

[@Azoreign]

🧌🧌🧌

[@brockveltri6974]

“How to not win magic and make my friends happy” title for video.

[@jiaan100]

The problem with commander

[@riccardocalosso5688]

Hinata is a Kirin, not a Keithrin.

[@ODIRGO]

And where is the fun FOR ME if I play the way you say?? Hehe😂 What's the point of playing control if I can't enjoy their annoyance?

[@Azoreign]

I think another of my videos may peak your interest: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mV6WfqlqZsuch7M If you wanna know how to be "That Guy".

[@shrdn2960]

I have the feeling that, edh, like all multilayer formats besides 2 headed giant, is a dumb format where you have to deal with timmy's feelings when you dirsupt his plans. So you need to make hasty decisions, let things slide, let people win. I notice that in a lot of games the player who was not doing anything wins because the other spent the game stopping eachother from winning. I believe that mtg was not made for 4 players all vs all pods. As a control player, I believe that 1v1 ot maybe 2v2 are the only way to play a proper game of magic. You can play your control properly, you do not need to negotiate every action or worry that everyone teams up against you all the time. Or...just play stax and control everyone...just to deal with groans and complaints. Also don't touch their lands, land destruction is taboo. What a joke of a format 😂

[@Azoreign]

You bring up an interesting point. Are you not able to play control to its fullest in commander?? To a certain degree, yes. When I play standard I do not hesitate to just grind my opponent into the dirt with board wipes, exile spells, and counterspells. But in commander there exists a social contract between the players and that contract changes when playing with randoms at an LGS or with your friend group. You want people to have fun and not get super angry, and you also have to think about yourself too. With 2 additional players your removal spells become that much more important. I think in a fortmat like standard control is your finisher and in commander you can play control but need to make sure you have additional finishers in your deck.

[@zekel787]

Tip #1: Don't play control, no one will like you. Tip #2: if you choose to not follow tip #1, be prepared to lose all of your friends.

[@Azoreign]

Ha! I have had to live and die by this ideology for years now. "Do I want to play control tonight....or have friends when the game is over????" Until I decided to try and find a way to still play my favorite archetype AND not have my friends turn 0 me the next game.

[@JpChristofaro]

So... don't play control?

[@Azoreign]

How to play control "nicely". Might be an oxymoron but...control mages gotta try in 4 player!

[@MegaBekem]

When you have to team 3 against 1 to take someone out, that's just called petty skilless jealousy! Maybe if you gained some skills, you might actually win a game or two!

[@MegaBekem]

Just because I play a deck that can kill you on turn 1 doesn't mean you have to generate petty skilless jealousy! Get better at the game and you might actually look like you know what you are doing!