Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the awesome world of Commander 2018! If you're anything like me, you probably love the Commander format for its wild, unpredictable, and social gameplay. Commander 2018 brought some seriously cool preconstructed decks to the table, each with its unique theme and playstyle. So, let's break down each of these decks and see what makes them tick, shall we?

Overview of Commander 2018 Decks

The Commander 2018 release featured four distinct decks, each helmed by a unique commander and built around a specific theme:

1. Subjective Reality (Esper): An enchantment-focused deck with Aminatou, the Fateshifter, at the helm.
2. Adaptive Enchantment (Bant): Also enchantment-focused, led by Tuvasa the Sunlit.
3. Exquisite Invention (Izzet): An artifacts-matter deck commanded by Saheeli, the Gifted.
4. Nature's Vengeance (Jund): A lands-matter deck led by Lord Windgrace.

Each deck came pre-built with a 100-card singleton deck, ready to play right out of the box. Of course, part of the fun is tweaking and upgrading these decks to better suit your playstyle, but let's start with a comprehensive look at the original decklists.

Subjective Reality (Esper)

The Subjective Reality deck revolves around enchantments and manipulating the top of your library. Aminatou, the Fateshifter, is the star here, allowing you to flicker permanents, rearrange the top of your library, and even exchange your life total with another player (risky, but potentially game-winning!).

This deck comes packed with a bunch of strategic choices that synergize extremely well with Aminatou's abilities. Enchantments form the backbone, providing card advantage, control, and powerful effects. The deck also has a 'top-of-library matters' subtheme, rewarding you for manipulating the order of your cards. The deck's strategy is about setting up a board state where your enchantments provide incremental advantages while you control the flow of the game and disrupt your opponents. You'll want to use cards like Solitary Confinement to protect yourself while you assemble your pieces. Cards like Brainstorm can help set up your draws perfectly for Aminatou's -1 ability, giving you access to the cards you need when you need them.

To optimize this deck, you should consider adding more potent enchantments, like the powerful Swords to Plowshares for targeted removal, and Enlightened Tutor for digging out key pieces. Cards that protect Aminatou are essential since she's the linchpin of the strategy. This deck shines when you can out-value your opponents through incremental advantage and control. Remember, playing this deck is like conducting a symphony of enchantments – timing and coordination are key.

Adaptive Enchantment (Bant)

Adaptive Enchantment, led by Tuvasa the Sunlit, is all about enchantment synergy. Tuvasa herself grows stronger for each enchantment you control, making her a formidable threat on the battlefield. This deck is a straightforward, yet powerful, enchantment-based strategy.

This deck is built around casting as many enchantments as possible to pump up Tuvasa and overwhelm your opponents. You will find a plethora of enchantments that offer various benefits, from card draw to creature buffs. The deck excels at creating a wide board presence and swinging in for massive damage with Tuvasa or other creatures that benefit from having numerous enchantments in play. Cards like Ethereal Armor further amplify the power of your enchanted creatures. The deck also has a decent amount of card draw to ensure you keep the enchantment train rolling, like Enchantress's Presence and Mesa Enchantress.

For upgrades, think about including more powerful enchantments like Propaganda to deter attacks or Ghostly Prison for extra protection. Efficient removal spells that can deal with problematic creatures or artifacts are also a plus. A well-timed Wrath of God can clear the board and leave you with a stronger enchantment-based board state. The Adaptive Enchantment deck is about building a resilient and powerful enchantment-based engine. It's all about knowing when to go wide, when to protect your key pieces, and when to strike for the win. Remember, patience is key, but when the time is right, unleash the full power of your enchanted army.

Exquisite Invention (Izzet)

Saheeli, the Gifted, helms the Exquisite Invention deck, which focuses on artifacts. Saheeli can discount artifact spells and create token copies of artifacts, making her a powerhouse in an artifact-heavy deck. This deck is all about generating value and overwhelming opponents with a swarm of artifacts.

This deck aims to ramp into big artifact spells and generate value through artifact synergies. You'll find a mix of mana rocks, utility artifacts, and powerful artifact creatures. Saheeli's ability to create token copies of artifacts can lead to explosive turns. The deck also includes ways to recur artifacts from your graveyard, ensuring you never run out of steam. Cards like Myr Battlesphere can quickly end games if copied even once or twice. Daretti, Scrap Savant is your right hand for recurring artifacts.

To improve this deck, consider adding more efficient mana rocks like Mox Opal. Some well-placed board wipes will help you reset the board after you've built up a treasure trove of artifacts. A few targeted removal spells can also help you deal with problematic permanents. Exquisite Invention is about building an unstoppable artifact engine. It requires a keen understanding of artifact synergies and the ability to adapt to different board states. Know when to ramp, when to create tokens, and when to go for the final blow. With Saheeli at the helm, you'll be crafting victories in no time.

Nature's Vengeance (Jund)

Lord Windgrace leads the Nature's Vengeance deck, an absolute powerhouse revolving around lands. Windgrace lets you discard lands to draw cards and put lands from your graveyard onto the battlefield, fueling powerful landfall abilities and graveyard recursion. This deck thrives on utilizing lands in every zone – the battlefield, graveyard, and hand.

This deck focuses on ramping with lands and triggering powerful landfall abilities. You'll find a variety of lands that provide value, such as cycling lands and lands that enter the battlefield tapped for additional effects. The deck also includes ways to fill your graveyard with lands and then bring them back for even more value. Cards like The Gitrog Monster provide insane card draw and synergize perfectly with Windgrace's ability to discard lands. Splendid Reclamation will be key to victory.

Upgrades should consider more efficient ramp spells like Rampant Growth, additional graveyard recursion tools, and high-impact landfall creatures. The deck can also benefit from more robust removal spells to deal with problematic permanents. Nature's Vengeance is about maximizing the value of your lands and overwhelming your opponents with a relentless stream of resources. It requires careful planning and a deep understanding of land synergies. Know when to ramp, when to discard, and when to unleash the full fury of your land-based onslaught. With Lord Windgrace leading the charge, you'll turn the earth itself into a weapon.

Key Cards and Synergies Across the Decks

While each deck has its own unique identity, there are some common threads and standout cards worth mentioning:

• Enchantments: In the Esper and Bant decks, cards like Estrid's Invocation and Copy Enchantment provide flexible ways to duplicate valuable enchantments.
• Artifacts: In the Izzet deck, cards like Treasure Nabber can disrupt opponents while providing additional resources.
• Lands: In the Jund deck, cards like Tectonic Edge and Ghost Quarter offer utility while triggering landfall effects.
• New Commanders: Each deck introduced a new commander that could be used in the command zone. These offered exciting new strategies and deck-building options.

Upgrading Your Commander 2018 Decks

One of the coolest things about Commander is the ability to customize and upgrade your decks. Here are some general tips for improving your Commander 2018 decks:

• Identify Weaknesses: Playtest your deck and figure out what it struggles against. Is it lacking card draw? Removal? Protection for your commander?
• Add More Synergies: Look for cards that work well with your commander and the overall theme of the deck.
• Improve Mana Base: A smoother mana base will help you cast your spells more consistently.
• Consider Budget: Upgrading a Commander deck doesn't have to break the bank. There are plenty of powerful and affordable cards out there.

Final Thoughts

The Commander 2018 decks were a fantastic addition to the Commander format, offering diverse and engaging gameplay experiences. Whether you're a seasoned Commander player or just getting started, these decks provide a solid foundation for building your own unique strategies. So grab your favorite deck, gather your friends, and get ready for some epic Commander battles! Happy brewing, commanders!