Should Every Commander Deck Have Sol Ring?
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The short, direct answer is: no, not every Commander deck needs Sol Ring. While it’s an iconic card and often considered a staple, its inclusion isn’t universally beneficial and, in some situations, it might actively hinder your strategy. The better answer is: it depends on your deck’s strategy, mana curve, and the overall power level you’re aiming for. Let’s delve into why this ubiquitous card isn’t a “must-include” for every single Commander deck.
The Case Against Universal Sol Ring Inclusion
The argument against Sol Ring in every deck stems from a few key points:
Draw Quality in the Mid-to-Late Game
As highlighted in the provided article, Sol Ring often becomes a poor draw in the mid-to-late game. By that point in the game, most decks will have established their mana bases, and drawing a mana rock that only produces colorless mana can be less impactful than a land or a card that directly advances your game plan. If your deck doesn’t heavily rely on artifact synergies, Sol Ring’s late-game topdeck is often underwhelming.
Over-Reliance on Early Ramp
Many players feel compelled to include Sol Ring simply because it’s seen as a standard inclusion. However, this mindset can lead to an over-reliance on early ramp at the expense of other important cards. A deck that draws Sol Ring in the early game might get an advantage, but a deck that draws it in the mid-game or even the late-game finds it less helpful than other options. This is particularly true if your deck has a low mana curve. Having excessive mana becomes less relevant.
Deck Archetype Considerations
Certain archetypes don’t benefit from Sol Ring as much as others. For instance, decks focused on landfall, or those that run a significant number of mana dorks (creatures that tap for mana) may not need the colorless mana Sol Ring provides. Furthermore, decks with specific color requirements will get more benefit from other mana rocks that produce colored mana.
The “Target on Your Back” Effect
Playing Sol Ring early can sometimes paint a target on your back. Other players may perceive your fast mana as a sign that you’re trying to end the game quickly. This could lead to you becoming the immediate focus of other player’s removal spells. While sometimes a good early ramp can make your board more threatening, if you are not aiming for a fast start, Sol Ring may give your opponent the wrong impression about your deck and the pace you are aiming for.
Color Fixation Issues
Sol Ring produces only colorless mana. If your deck relies on having a balanced mix of mana, other rocks, like Arcane Signet or even the talisman cycle, are much better alternatives as they provide colored mana for your plays. In a multicoloured deck, mana fixing will often be more important than the extra mana Sol Ring provides.
When Sol Ring Shines
Despite these points, there are still many scenarios where Sol Ring is a great choice:
- High Mana Curve Decks: Decks with expensive commanders or win conditions that require large amounts of mana definitely benefit from Sol Ring to ensure they can cast their more costly spells.
- Heavy Artifact Synergies: If your deck features cards that benefit from artifacts entering or leaving the battlefield, or cards that specifically require a large number of artifacts, then Sol Ring becomes a great inclusion.
- Fast Mana Strategies: Decks designed to have a fast start need a quick boost to resources, where Sol Ring will help achieve this.
- Low Mana Count Decks: Some decks are more streamlined, featuring a smaller number of lands. In this kind of deck, Sol Ring becomes much more useful.
The Verdict
Sol Ring is a powerful card. There is no question about that. However, it’s not a universal “must-include” for every Commander deck. Like any card, it needs to be evaluated based on whether it aligns with your strategy and improves your deck. So when deck building, consider your deck’s curve, synergy, and your play style before automatically including Sol Ring. Sometimes a different mana rock, or even more land, will be the correct inclusion. Always think if this card will help with your deck strategy and don’t assume it must be in every deck.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are some alternatives to Sol Ring for ramp in Commander?
There are many excellent alternatives depending on your deck’s colors and needs. Some popular options include: Arcane Signet, the various Signets (e.g., Izzet Signet), Fellwar Stone, Cultivate, Kodama’s Reach, Birds of Paradise, Llanowar Elves, and Mana Crypt. Also, if your deck is running green, the multitude of land ramp options become available.
2. How many lands should a typical Commander deck have?
A common rule of thumb is 35-40 lands. This number can vary based on your deck’s mana curve and ramp strategy. Decks with more ramp can sometimes get away with fewer lands, and decks that need to play their commander early often need a higher land count. Landfall focused decks will also benefit from more land.
3. What is the perfect Commander deck ratio?
There is no “perfect” ratio, but a good starting point is 35-40 lands, 8-10 ramp spells, and the rest filled with creatures, removal, and card draw. The exact distribution will heavily depend on your deck’s strategy and commander.
4. Can you use Sol Ring in Standard or Modern?
No, Sol Ring is not legal in Standard or Modern because it was not printed in any sets legal for those formats. It’s legal in Commander, Legacy, and restricted to one copy in Vintage.
5. Why is Umezawa’s Jitte banned in Modern?
Umezawa’s Jitte is banned in Modern due to its ability to quickly take over a game, creating a resource advantage over time through its counters. In many ways, it provides more value the longer the game lasts, and so it can cause games to drag on for too long.
6. How many creatures should you run in a Commander deck?
While there are no specific rules, a typical Commander deck often runs between 20 and 40 creatures. This number depends on your deck’s strategy. Some decks focus more heavily on creatures, while others use more spells or artifacts.
7. How many colors should a Commander deck have?
You can build a Commander deck with any number of colors, from one to five. The number of colors will be dictated by your commander’s color identity.
8. Can I have artifacts in any Commander deck?
Yes, most artifacts are colorless and can be included in any Commander deck, regardless of its color identity. However, there are some artifacts with color identities that must be included in a matching commander deck.
9. Does a Commander deck have to be exactly 100 cards?
Yes, a Commander deck must contain exactly 100 cards, including the commander. A companion card, if used, is treated as a 101st card.
10. How much ramp should a Commander deck have?
A good starting point for a typical Commander deck is 8-10 ramp spells. Adjust this number based on your commander’s cost and your deck’s overall mana curve.
11. How many people should play Commander?
Commander is designed for four players per game, but it can also be played with fewer or more players. It is best with 3-4 players to create a balanced multiplayer experience.
12. Are the Warhammer 40,000 Commander decks legal?
Yes, the Warhammer 40,000 Commander decks are legal in Commander, Vintage, and Legacy formats, but they are not legal in Standard, Pioneer, or Modern formats.
13. What are some of the strongest Commanders in the format?
Some of the strongest commanders often mentioned are The Ur-Dragon, Meren of Clan Nel Toth, Atraxa, Praetors’ Voice, and Urza, Lord High Artificer. Many commanders can be strong depending on the deck strategy built around them.
14. Are preconstructed Commander decks worth buying?
Yes, preconstructed Commander decks are a great starting point for new players and can provide a good foundation for deck building. Many offer good value and can be upgraded with time.
15. What is a “turn one Sol Ring”?
A “turn one Sol Ring” refers to playing Sol Ring as your first action of the game, which allows for a significant ramp advantage in the early game. This can be both a powerful play and also can draw unneeded attention from opponents.