Tribal decks are among the most popular type of decks around within Magic: The Gathering's Commander format, encouraging players to make use of powerful synergies of a given creature type. While classic tribes such as Elves and Goblins are home to a litany of deck-building options, other, more fringe tribes also offer players a variety of choices when picking a commander.

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Since the release fo Ixalan in 2017, Pirates have gone from an incredibly obscure creature type to a popular tribe with fun and distinct synergies. As a tribe primarily found within the colors of Grixis (black, blue, and red), there are several great Pirate commanders to choose from that potentially make use of different colors. So today, we're going to examine the strongest Pirate-Tribal commanders in Magic: The Gathering and see which are the best.

6 Captain Vargus Wrath

Captain Vargus Wrath

An uncommon legendary creature printed in Commander Legends, Captain Vargus Wrath is a rather simplistic Pirate-tribal commander for those looking to construct an aggressive Izzet (blue/red) deck that prioritizes attacking. For the low cost of two mana, this 1/1 Orc Pirate provides an anthem effect whenever it attacks, buffing each Pirate you control by +1/+1 for each time you've cast Vargus from the Command Zone in the game.

This means that when first cast, Vargus Wrath's ability isn't very impactful. However, the longer a game transpires and the more times this commander is played, its effects grows progressively more impactful, allowing your Pirates to deal some serious damage.

5 Breeches, Brazen Plunderer

Breeches, Brazen Plunderer

Breeches, Brazen Plunderer is one of two Partner commanders that appear in Commander Legends that offer an ability that triggers through the use of Pirates. A mono-red Goblin Pirate for four mana, this 3/3 with menace states that when one or more pirates under your control deals combat damage to an opponent, you may exile the top card of those players' libraries. You then gain the ability to play cards put into exile this way until the end of the turn and may spend mana as though it were any color to do so.

While this effect can only trigger off of each of your opponents once per turn without the use of additional combat phases or double strike, Breeches provides a great payoff for going wide with your Pirates, providing card advantage in the form of your opponents' own cards. Furthermore, as Breeches has Partner, it can be used to flexibly create an Izzet or Rakdos (black/red) Pirate deck based on which other commander you choose to partner it with.

4 Ramirez DePietro, Pillager

ramirez depietro, pillager card and art background

Printed as a box-topper of Dominaria United, Ramirez DePietro, Pillager is a commander with a lot in common with the previous entry, putting a Dimir (black/blue) spin on the act of stealing your opponents' spells through the use of Pirates. Like Breeches, this 4/3 Pirate states that when one or more Pirates you control deal combat damage to a player, you exile the top card of that player's library. However, unlike Breeches, which only allows those cards to be played that turn, Ramirez DePietro flexibly allows you to play those cards for as long as they remain exiled.

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Additionally, this commander comes with an added bonus of a triggered ability when it enters the battlefield, causing you to lose two life and create two treasure tokens. This provides an additional source of value, potentially allowing Ramirez DePietro to provide mana ramp when paired with flickering effects.

3 Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator

Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator

Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator is a partner commander that provides a benefit when Pirates under your control deal combat damage to your opponents. A 2/2 Siren Pirate with flying for three mana, when one or more pirates you control deals combat damage to an opponent, you create a treasure token. This means that if you're able to connect against all three of your opponents, Malcolm can provide impressive mana ramp in blue, providing three mana sources per turn.

For those looking to reap the benefits of mana ramp through simply attacking opponents with Pirates, Malcolm is a great option. Malcolm is especially impressive when paired with Breeches, as you gain access to both additional cards to play and mana sources you can use to play said cards.

2 Marchesa, The Black Rose

Marchesa, the Black Rose MTG card

Though not a Pirate itself, Marchesa, the Black Rose is a great option for those looking to build a Pirate-tribal deck. As a Grixis commander, Marchesa provides access to the three colors that feature the most Pirate cards, allowing you to use the best that the tribe has to offer. Though Marchesa's ability doesn't specifically mention Pirates, it inherently synergizes with the Pirate play style quite effectively.

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A 3/3 with Dethrone that provides all other creatures you control with this ability, Marchesa incentivizes you to attack the player with the highest life total, providing creatures that attack said player with +1/+1 counters. Additionally, if a creature with a counter on it under your control dies, it's returned to the battlefield during the next end step. As you may have noticed from each other entry on this list, many pirates have abilities that trigger when the creature at hand attacks, synergizing quite seamlessly with the Dethrone and recursion Marchesa provides.

1 Admiral Beckett Brass

Admiral Beckett Brass

Printed in Ixalan, Admiral Beckett Brass is the most popular choice for a Grixis commander, and it isn't hard to see why. For four mana, Admiral Beckett Brass provides you with the most flexible colors for a Pirate deck. While this 3/3 human Pirate provides all other pirates you control with +1/+1, its selling point is found within its triggered ability. At the beginning of your end step, if three or more pirates you controlled dealt combat damage to an opponent, you may gain control of any nonland permanent that player controls.

This means that if Admiral Beckett Brass is paired with many of the other offense-heavy Pirates on this list, it can be used to steal your opponents' most powerful and game-winning cards indefinitely.

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