Magic: The Gathering's robust Commander format allows players to construct decks that utilize a wide variety of mechanics, strategies, or deck archetypes. One popular mechanic that is often utilized in the Commander format is the use of +1/+1 counters, and various ways they can be utilized for value.
While +1/+1 counters are most often tied to Green in some capacity, +1/+1 counter decks can be found within a wide range of colors, each with their own strengths and weaknesses as well as ways that these counters can be used. So today, we're going to examine the legendary creatures that have been printed throughout Magic's history and see which make for the strongest commanders!
10 Halana And Alena, Partners
Recently printed in Innistrad: Crimson Vow, Halana and Alena, Partners are a solid option for those looking to build a Gruul counters-based deck. A 2/3 with first strike and reach for four mana, Halana and Alena state that at the beginning of its controller's combat step, they put a number of +1/+1 counters on another target creature equal to Halana and Alena's power, even providing that creature with haste. At minimum, this commander can reliably supply two +1/+1 counters per turn, whilst also providing haste to a creature. When paired with effects that can put these counters on Halana and Alena, they can provide even more offensive value than they would otherwise.
9 Leinore, Autumn Sovereign
Leinore, Autumn Sovereign is a Selesyna commander option for a +1/+1 themed deck that is capable of both providing counters and card draw. A 0/4 for four mana, at the beginning of combat on its controller's turn, that player can put a +1/+1 counter on a creature they control and can then draw a card if they control three or more creatures with different power. While one counter per turn isn't much to write home about, this card draw can help keep things running smoothly for its controller.
8 Vorel Of The Hull Clade
For those looking to build a Simic +1/+1 counter deck, Vorel of the Hull Clade is a simple yet effective option. For the low cost of three mana, Vorel is a 1/3 with an activated ability for two mana. Upon tapping Vorel to use this ability, its controller can double each kind of counter on an artifact, creature, or land they control. This allows a player to go all in on a heavy-hitting creature, reliably doubling the number of +1/+1 counters on it each turn.
7 Ezuri, Claw Of Progress
Another Simic option, Ezuri, Claw of Progress is a commander that rewards its controller for casting smaller creatures by providing massive quantities of +1/+1 counters. Ezuri states that whenever a creature with power two or less enters the battlefield under its owner's control, that player gets an experience counter.
Through the use of efficient creatures or token generators, an Ezuri player is capable of amassing several experience counters. This is key, as at the beginning of combat on its owner's turn, that player can put a number of +1/+1 counters on a creature they control equal to the number of experience counters they have, converting a previously insignificant creature into a devastating threat.
6 Felisa, Fang Of Silverquill
Uniquely, Felisa, Fang of Silverquill is a potent +1/+1 counter commander that lacks access to green, and is a strong option for an Orzhov commander. A 3/2 vampire wizard with flying and mentor for four mana, thanks to its mentor ability, Felisa can reliably put a +1/+1 counter on a creature whenever it attacks. While most +1/+1 counter commanders aim to attack with their buffed up counter-heavy creatures, Felisa actually incentivizes sacrificing them. This is because when a creature under its owner's control dies, if it had any counters on it, its controller creates a 2/1 flying inkling token for each counter that was on it, providing additional power in an evasive form.
5 Skullbriar, The Walking Grave
A classic Golgari option for a +1/+1 counter commander, Skullbriar, The Walking Grave is a 1/1 with haste for two mana that gains a +1/+1 counter whenever it deals combat damage to a player. While one counter per turn is far from impressive, Skullbriar is uniquely resilient. Normally, if a creature with +1/+1 counters on it dies, those counters are good as gone. However, Skullbriar distinctly maintains its counters as it moves between zones such as the Command Zone and the graveyard. This means that Skullbriar's controller can reliably invest their resources to put counters on their commander, as even if it is removed, it will be back with a vengeance.
4 Pir, Imaginative Rascal And Toothy, Imaginary Friend
Often viewed as the definitive choice for those looking to build a Simic commander deck based around +1/+1 counter synergies, Pir, Imaginative Rascal and Toothy, Imaginary Friend are blue and green creatures respectively, each having Partner. Firstly, Pir is a 1/1 human for three mana that if any number of counters would be put on a permanent under its owner's control, that many plus one are put on that permanent instead, greatly improving one's counter output over the course of a game.
While Pir is capable of providing extra counters, Toothy is able to make stellar use of +1/+1 counters. A 1/1illusion for four mana, whenever its controller draws a card, a +1/+1 counter is put on it, synergizing in potent fashion with Pir. Additionally, when Toothy leaves the battlefield, its controller draws a card for each counter that was on it, meaning that these counters can effectively be cashed in for alternative value.
3 Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider
For those looking for a mono-colored +1/+1 counter commander, it's hard to beat the power of the Mono-Green Phyrexian Praetor, Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider. A 6/6 with trample and haste for six mana, Vorinclex greatly accelerates its controller's counter-based effects while bringing those of an opponent down to a crawl. Whenever Vorinclex's controller would put a counter of any kind on a permanent or player, they put twice as many on that target instead. Meanwhile, if an opponent would put a counter on a target, they put half as many rounded down on that target instead!
2 Hamza, Guardian Of Arashin
A stellar choice for a Selesnya +1/+1 counter commander, Hamza, Guardian Of Arashin is a commander capable of reducing mana costs through the use of +1/+1 counters. While Hamza may seem costly at first glance as a 5/5 elephant warrior for six mana, it costs one less to cast for each creature its owner controls with a+1/+1 counter on it. Once in play, Hamza provides this cost reduction to all creatures its owner would cast, causing each creature its owner would cast by the number of creatures with counters on them that player controls. This can allow for incredible high-costed cards to be cast for negligible amounts of mana by simply utilizing +1/+1 counters.
1 Atraxa, Praetors' Voice
By and large one of the most popular commanders in the entire format, Atraxa, Praetors' Voice is a four colored Angel Horror that is each color save for red. A 4/4 with flying, vigilance, deathtouch, and lifelink, Atraxa states that at the beginning of each of its controller's end steps, that player proliferates. This means that for each permanent or player with counters of any kind on them, Atraxa's controller can provide each of those permanents with an additional counter. Through the use of +1/+1 counters Atraxa allows a player to progressively grow the size of each creature they control every turn by simply being in play. Additionally, thanks to its color identity, an Atraxa deck can feature every other entry of this list within the 99 of the deck, save for Halana and Alena.