If you’re the sort of player who loves the idea of slamming down powerful creatures onto the battlefield, then building a “stompy” deck in Magic: The Gathering is going to be a total blast. You’ll be focused on brute force rather than complex combos or generating endless tokens. The heart of the matter? Picking the right commander is key to this strategy.

Why Stompy?

Why go the stompy route? Stompy decks thrive on the idea of overwhelming your opponents with sheer brute strength. You get to enjoy the thrill of watching your opponents scramble as they face your massive creatures. It’s a style that’s easy to grasp but hard to master, especially if you want to build a deck that can actually compete.

Finding Your Stompy Commander

When hunting for the perfect stompy commander, keep a few things in mind. First, color identity matters—green is basically a must for access to the biggest and baddest creatures and all the ramp spells you can imagine. Then you’ve got casting cost. A commander that’s easy on the mana curve can hit the table early, but sometimes the high-cost ones pack a game-changing punch. Look for abilities that enhance your stompy strategy, whether that’s buffing your creatures or generating value. And of course, pick someone you actually want to play.

Solid Stompy Commander Picks

Halana and Alena, Partners

These two bring a ton of value. They not only give haste to your creatures but also distribute +1/+1 counters, which can turn even the most unassuming creature into a force to be reckoned with.

Minsc and Boo, Timeless Heroes

If you want extra card draw and removal, Minsc and Boo could be your answer. They create a hamster token that only gets bigger, which is both adorable and terrifying.

Volo, Guide to Monsters

Volo can copy your creatures, which is a fun twist. He doesn’t have red, but avoiding duplicate creature types can add an exciting challenge.

Voja, Jaws of the Conclave

Voja can generate tokens, which can be handy even if you’re not all-in on an elf tribal theme.

Suggestions

Atla Palani, Nest Tender

Atla can turn eggs into massive creatures, making her a solid choice for stompy decks. The ability to get big creatures onto the battlefield by sacrificing eggs is just plain fun.

Runadi, Behemoth Caller

Runadi is a straightforward mono-green option that helps you cheat out big creatures and give them haste.

Baru, Wurmspeaker

Baru generates massive wurm tokens and buffs them. You don’t need to go all-in on wurms, but the ability to create and enhance tokens is strong.

Shalai and Hallar

This duo distributes +1/+1 counters and can deal damage when counters are placed on your creatures. Solid value for a stompy deck.

Wrapping It Up

Ultimately, the right stompy commander is a blend of your strategy and your personal flair. Whether that’s Atla, Runadi, or someone else entirely, there’s a stompy commander waiting for you. Enjoy the thrill of the battlefield and may your opponents quake in fear of your massive creatures.

The author does not own or have any interest in the securities discussed in the article.