How to Build Your First Commander Deck with AI

Building a Commander deck traditionally means browsing through thousands of cards, reading tier lists, and spending hours on forums figuring out which 99 cards work together. That is fine if you have been playing Magic for years. If you are new, it is overwhelming.

Manacove takes a different approach. Instead of searching for cards, you have a conversation. Tell the AI what kind of deck you want, and it builds one for you. Here is exactly how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Create a Free Account

Head to Manacove's sign-up page and create an account. Free accounts get 3 deck builds per month - enough to try different commanders and strategies before committing to one.

No credit card required. Just an email and password.

Step 2: Start a New Deck Build

From your dashboard, click "New Deck" to start a conversation with the AI deck builder. You will see a chat interface similar to messaging apps you already know.

The AI will ask you a few questions to understand what you want. You do not need to know card names or Magic terminology. Just describe what sounds fun.

Step 3: Describe What You Want

This is where Manacove shines. You can be as vague or specific as you want:

Vague is fine:

• "I want to play with Zombies"
• "Build me something aggressive with red and white"
• "I like big creatures and ramping up mana"

Specific works too:

• "Build a Lathril Elves deck focused on going wide with tokens, budget under $50"
• "I want a Prosper exile-value deck at power level 6"
• "Miirym Dragons with a landfall subtheme"

Even just a commander name works:

• "Build me an Aesi deck"

The AI adapts to your level of knowledge. New player with a vague idea? It picks a commander, explains its strategy, and builds a complete list. Experienced player with specific requirements? It respects your constraints and focuses on optimization.

Step 4: Watch the AI Build

Once you have described your deck idea, the AI gets to work. It selects cards from a database of over 33,000 Magic cards, evaluating each one for:

• Synergy with your commander and strategy
• Mana curve distribution so you have plays at every stage of the game
• Category balance across ramp, card draw, removal, lands, and win conditions
• Budget constraints if you specified a price range
• Price data from TCGPlayer and Card Kingdom for accurate cost estimates

The AI does not just dump a random list. It thinks about how cards interact with each other, ensures you have enough lands and ramp, and includes answers to common threats.

Step 5: Review and Refine

After the initial build, you can review every card and ask questions:

• "Why did you include Arcane Signet?"
• "Can we swap the expensive cards for budget alternatives?"
• "I want more removal and less card draw"
• "Add a Craterhoof Behemoth"
• "What does this card do?"

The AI explains its choices in plain language and adjusts the deck in real time. Swap cards, change strategies, or explore different directions. Every change automatically recalculates the mana curve, color distribution, and category balance.

This back-and-forth is the most valuable part. Each conversation teaches you about card synergies, deckbuilding principles, and Commander strategy - all in context of your specific deck.

Step 6: Export Your Decklist

When you are happy with the deck, export it to your preferred platform:

• Moxfield - the most popular deck management site
• Archidekt - another excellent deckbuilding platform
• Plain text - copy-paste into any tool or forum

The export includes every card with quantities, organized by category. You can also share a link to your deck on Manacove for others to see.

Step 7: Play and Iterate

Your first build is a starting point, not a final product. Play some games, see what works and what does not, and come back to Manacove to refine.

Common post-game adjustments:

• "I never had enough mana. Can we add more ramp?"
• "I kept drawing removal when I needed threats"
• "Board wipes destroyed me every game. Add more protection"

The AI remembers your deck and can make targeted adjustments based on your play experience.

Tips for Your First Build

Start with a popular commander. Commanders like Prosper, Lathril, Wilhelt, and Aesi have deep card pools and well-understood strategies. The AI has more to work with, and you can find gameplay videos to learn from.

Set a budget. If you plan to buy the deck, tell the AI your budget upfront. "$50 budget" or "keep it under $100" helps the AI make smart substitutions.

Ask why. When the AI includes a card you have never seen, ask about it. Understanding why each card earns its slot teaches you more about Commander than any guide.

Do not optimize too early. Your first deck should be fun, not perfect. Play games, learn what your deck wants to do, and upgrade over time based on experience.

Ready to Build?

Create your free account and build your first deck. Three free builds per month, real-time pricing, and AI that adapts to your experience level.

Not sure which commander to pick? Check out our guide on top 10 commanders for new players or read about how to choose your first commander.