Magic: The Gathering’s Commander format, often abbreviated as EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander), offers a unique and enjoyable way to play the game. One of the most fun and thematic ways to build a Commander deck is to focus on the prehistoric might of dinosaurs. In this detailed guide, we’ll explore how to create a competitive and enjoyable Magic: The Gathering Dinosaur Commander deck. We’ll cover everything from deck-building strategies and card recommendations to using advanced tools like KrakenTheMeta for optimizing your deck.

Choosing Your Commander

The centerpiece of any Commander deck is, of course, the commander. When it comes to a dinosaur-themed deck, there are several excellent options to consider:

Gishath, Sun’s Avatar

Gishath, Sun’s Avatar is an 8-mana (5RGW) legendary Dinosaur from the Ixalan set. It has trample, vigilance, and haste, and whenever it deals combat damage to a player, you can reveal that many cards from the top of your library and put any number of Dinosaur creature cards from among them onto the battlefield. This ability makes Gishath a perfect commander for a synergistic Dinosaur deck.

Atla Palani, Nest Tender

Atla Palani, Nest Tender is a 4-mana (1RGW) legendary Human Shaman from the Commander 2019 set. Though not a Dinosaur herself, Atla’s ability to create Egg tokens and transform them into any creature from your library makes her an excellent choice for a Dinosaur deck. By including high-cost Dinosaurs in your deck, you can use Atla’s ability to cheat them into play.

Core Strategies

Once you’ve chosen your commander, it’s crucial to build a deck around their strengths. Here are some core strategies to consider when building your Dinosaur Commander deck:

Ramp

Dinosaurs tend to have high mana costs, so including a strong ramp package is essential. Strategies can include:

• Mana Dorks: Cards like Llanowar Elves, Fyndhorn Elves, and Birds of Paradise can accelerate your mana in the early game.
• Mana Rocks: Artifacts like Sol Ring, Gruul Signet, and Arcane Signet provide additional mana sources.
• Land Ramp: Spells such as Rampant Growth, Kodama’s Reach, and Cultivate can fetch lands from your deck and accelerate your mana base.

Card Draw

Maintaining a steady flow of cards is critical to keep your options open. Consider including:

• Rishkar’s Expertise: Draw cards equal to the greatest power among creatures you control, then you can cast a 5-mana card for free.
• Beast Whisperer: Draw a card whenever you cast a creature spell.
• Elemental Bond: Draw a card whenever a creature with power 3 or greater enters the battlefield under your control.

Combat Enhancements

Dinosaurs excel in combat, so adding cards that enhance their abilities can be very beneficial:

• Rhythm of the Wild: Non-token creatures you control have riot, giving them haste or an additional +1/+1 counter.
• Garruk’s Uprising: Grants trample to your creatures and lets you draw whenever a creature with power 4 or greater enters the battlefield.

Top Dinosaur Cards

Here are some must-have Dinosaur cards to include in your deck:

• Zetalpa, Primal Dawn: A powerful finisher with flying, double strike, vigilance, trample, and indestructible.
• Regisaur Alpha: Creates a Dinosaur token and grants all of your Dinosaurs haste.
• Etali, Primal Storm: A card advantage engine that can cast spells from your opponents’ decks for free.

Advanced Optimization with KrakenTheMeta

To take your Dinosaur Commander deck to the next level, leveraging advanced tools like KrakenTheMeta can be incredibly beneficial. KrakenTheMeta is a powerful platform for Magic: The Gathering players, offering comprehensive deck-building tools, detailed analytics, and community engagement features.

Deck Building and Analytics

Using KrakenTheMeta’s deck building tool, you can easily add and organize your Dinosaur cards. The platform offers deck composition analysis, allowing you to fine-tune your deck for optimal performance. Additionally, KrakenTheMeta provides detailed statistics and performance metrics, helping you to identify any weaknesses or areas for improvement in your deck.

Card Database and Pricing

KrakenTheMeta’s extensive card database ensures that you have access to up-to-date information on new sets, card rulings, and printings. By using the card search and pricing tool, you can stay informed about the latest card values and market trends, ensuring you make cost-effective decisions when acquiring new additions for your deck.

Community Engagement

Engaging with the KrakenTheMeta community can provide valuable insights and feedback. You can share your Dinosaur Commander deck, browse decks created by other members, and actively participate in discussions to gain new strategies and tips. Additionally, the AI integration on KrakenTheMeta allows you to “roast” decks for fun and share them socially, adding an element of entertainment to your deck-building experience.

Conclusion

Creating a Magic: The Gathering Dinosaur Commander deck can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor. By choosing the right commander, implementing core strategies, and utilizing advanced tools like KrakenTheMeta, you can build a deck that is not only thematic but also competitive. With the right combination of ramp, card draw, and combat enhancements, your Dinosaur deck will be a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.

Don’t forget to engage with the community and use analytics to continually refine and improve your deck. Happy brewing!