Best token commanders

Chatterfang adds a 1/1 Squirrel for every token you create — creature tokens, Treasures, Food and Clues alike. Every token maker in the deck makes twice as many bodies, and the Squirrels pay for his ability: {B} and sacrifice X Squirrels gives a creature +X/-X, which kills most blockers. Three mana, so the doubling starts early. Golgari colors. Few commanders make a token deck this much stronger.

Best for: Players who want the strongest token engine.

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Krenko taps to create a 1/1 Goblin for each Goblin you control — himself included. One activation makes one, the next two, then four, eight, sixteen. Give him haste with Lightning Greaves and he starts the turn he arrives; untap effects let him go twice. Goblin lords and a single pump spell turn the horde into a win. Mono-red, four mana, and very direct.

Best for: Newcomers and players who like big numbers.

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Whenever one or more tokens enter under your control, Marneus draws a card — any token, from Soldiers to Treasures. Every token maker becomes a draw spell. With {6} he makes two 2/2 Astartes Warriors himself, which also draws. A 3/5 with double strike that blocks well, he gives Esper token decks the card draw they normally lack. Instant-speed token makers draw on opponents’ turns, too.

Best for: Players who like card advantage and control.

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Edgar’s eminence works before you cast him: whenever you cast another Vampire spell, you create a 1/1 Vampire token, from the command zone or the battlefield. Every Vampire is two bodies from turn two on. When Edgar attacks, each Vampire gets a +1/+1 counter, tokens included, so the board grows permanently. Mardu colors, first strike and haste. The deck needs nothing but Vampires to make its tokens.

Best for: Players who want an aggressive, consistent token deck.

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Baylen turns tokens into resources. Tap two untapped tokens for one mana of any color, three to draw a card, four to put three +1/+1 counters on Baylen and give it trample. Any token counts — Treasures and Food as well as creatures — and tapping tokens for a cost works even when they are new. Naya colors, three mana.

Best for: Players who like engines with many choices.

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Whenever you attack, Caesar lets you sacrifice another creature — usually a token — and choose two: two 1/1 Soldiers with haste that enter tapped and attacking, draw a card and lose 1 life, or damage to an opponent equal to the number of creature tokens you control. With a wide board the damage mode alone is a threat. Mardu colors.

Best for: Aggressive players who like choices.

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Zurgo makes a 1/1 Warrior token each time he attacks, and whenever a creature token you control leaves the battlefield, you draw a card if it was attacking — otherwise each opponent loses 1 life. Token decks lose tokens all the time, in combat and to wipes; Zurgo turns every loss into a card or a drain. Mardu colors, three mana.

Best for: Newcomers who want a forgiving token deck.

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Whenever Lathril deals combat damage to a player, you create that many 1/1 Elf Warrior tokens. Pump her or give her evasion and each hit makes a crowd. Those tokens are Elves, so they count for her finisher: tap Lathril and ten untapped Elves and each opponent loses 10 life. A token deck with a built-in way to win. Golgari colors.

Best for: Players who want tokens with a clear finish.

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Whenever Arabella attacks, she deals X damage to each opponent and you gain X life, where X is the number of creatures you control with power 2 or less. 1/1 tokens are exactly what she wants: ten of them mean 10 damage to every opponent per attack, without them attacking at all. Two mana in Boros colors. Avoid anthems that push tokens above 2 power.

Best for: Players on a budget who like a fast plan.

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Frodo and Sam are partners with each other, and Sam can fetch Frodo from your library when he enters. Sam creates a Food at the beginning of combat on your turn and makes Food abilities cost {1} less. Gaining 3 life from a Food before combat lets Frodo’s attack tempt you with the Ring, and later draw cards. A token deck built on Food and lifegain in Abzan colors.

Best for: Players who like a gentle, value-based deck.

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