The Top 10 Best Modal Spells in Commander

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dawn Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Dawn Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by John Avon</em></p>
<p>Welcome to <em>The Cycle Report</em>, an series where I rank the best cards of any given cycle for Commander play. Today, we're looking at one of <em>Magic</em>'s oldest and most expansive cycles: Charms.</p>
<p>If you're unfamiliar, <a href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Modal/Charms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Charms</a> are cards that let players pick from one of multiple effects (usually three). Also, they have "Charm" in their name. There's actually been many different cycles of Charms over the years, making them a sort of meta-cycle (or <a href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Cycle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tight cycle</a>, in designerspeak). In Commander, these cards are especially relevant. The flexibility of Charms means including one can actually free up a card slot - instead of playing one card to counter spells and another to remove a creature, you can play a Charm that can do both!</p>
<p>Today we'll look at the Charms whose effects offer the most value, flexibility, and potential for exciting blow-out plays.</p>
<h2>Honorable Mentions</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vision Charm"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vision Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Vision Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is, admittedly, too niche to see play in most decks. But if your deck centers around artifacts, phasing is just about the best protection you could ask for. And the ability to turn all lands of one type into another is sneakily disruptive, as it has the potential to lock an opponent out of playing spells for a turn. Just watch the <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/tergrid-god-of-fright" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tergrid</a> player try to cast their commander when all their Swamps are Islands! Finally, its inclusion in Magic's funkiest format, <a href="https://blog.cardkingdom.com/fringe-format-dandan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Forgetful Fish</a>, AKA <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dandân" href="#" target="_blank">Dandân</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, lends the card a sort of folklore appeal.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Simic Charm"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Simic Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Simic Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one half of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heroic Intervention" href="#" target="_blank">Heroic Intervention</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which already makes it notable. Bouncing your own creature to save it from a wrath or re-buy its enters or cast trigger is always good value, and bouncing a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blightsteel Colossus" href="#" target="_blank">Blightsteel Colossus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (or <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/yargle-and-multani" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yargle</a>) can be life-saving. Finally, no one suspects a combat trick in Commander, so the +3/+3 can be hilariously effective, and can even be used politically on an opponent's creature.</p>
<h2>10. <a href="https://www.cardkingdom.com/mtg/khans-of-tarkir/jeskai-charm">Jeskai Charm</a></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jeskai Charm"></div></div>
<p>Admittedly, you might not get much use out of the middle mode of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jeskai Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Jeskai Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but if you've ever won a game of Commander with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Bolt" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Bolt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you know the thrill potential is there.</p>
<p>But this card earns its place for the third mode, because there are a lot of <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/jeskai" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jeskai</a> decks that care about noncreature spells and going wide - the new <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/elsha-threefold-master" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elsha</a> is a perfect example, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kykar, Wind&#039;s Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Kykar, Wind&#039;s Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an all-time favorite. The buff to your team coupled with the lifelink can lead to massive point swings, and the removal mode might save your life one day. It'll certainly annoy your opponents, that's for sure.</p>
<h2>9. <a href="https://www.cardkingdom.com/mtg/khans-of-tarkir/sultai-charm">Sultai Charm</a></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sultai Charm"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sultai Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Sultai Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the bread-and-butter of Charms. Its modes aren't exciting or splashy, but it can remove a good deal of troublesome permanents, and if it's not doing that, the final mode lets it replace itself. The ability to draw two cards then discard one has extra relevance in <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/sultai" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sultai</a> decks, which often want specific cards in their graveyard. Dumping a nine-drop haymaker rotting in your hand for later <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/achievement-unlocked-building-reanimation-in-multiplayer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reanimation</a> always feels good.</p>
<h2>8. <a href="https://www.cardkingdom.com/mtg/planeshift/riths-charm">Rith's Charm</a></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rith&#039;s Charm"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rith&#039;s Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Rith&#039;s Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an oldie, but a goodie. It's the only Charm that can destroy a land, and as WotC seems intent on printing more problematic lands (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza&#039;s Saga" href="#" target="_blank">Urza&#039;s Saga</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, anyone?) I value this effect pretty highly. It can also be three 1/1 tokens at instant speed for three mana, which is a respectable rate, and there are <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/baylen-the-haymaker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">any</a> <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/jetmir-nexus-of-revels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">number</a> <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/jinnie-fay-jetmirs-second" target="_blank" rel="noopener">of</a> <a href="http://edhrec.com/commanders/ghired-conclave-exile" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Naya</a> <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/kitt-kanto-mayhem-diva" target="_blank" rel="noopener">commanders</a> <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/phabine-bosss-confidant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">that</a> <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/gahiji-honored-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener">care</a> <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/rith-the-awakener" target="_blank" rel="noopener">about</a> <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/samut-the-driving-force" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tokens</a> <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/ghired-mirror-of-the-wilds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">and</a> <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/hazezon-shaper-of-sand" target="_blank" rel="noopener">going</a> <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/aragorn-hornburg-hero" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wide</a>.</p>
<h2>7. <a href="https://www.cardkingdom.com/mtg/planar-chaos/dawn-charm">Dawn Charm</a></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dawn Charm"></div></div>
<p>On its face, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dawn Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Dawn Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> seems like an entirely defensive spell, but it's one of the more subtly political cards I've seen. The <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fog" href="#" target="_blank">Fog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> mode can save you from an alpha strike, or you can save an ally in return for favors. Similarly, the second mode lets you regenerate <em>any</em> creature, which you can also use to curry favor. The last mode is the most niche, but countering a fully kicked <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rush of Dread" href="#" target="_blank">Rush of Dread</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will always feel incredible, and they never see it coming.</p>
<h2>6. <a href="https://www.cardkingdom.com/mtg/streets-of-new-capenna/riveteers-charm">Riveteers Charm</a></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Riveteers Charm"></div></div>
<p>Like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sultai Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Sultai Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Riveteers Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Riveteers Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is just all around solid. The removal mode can get around hexproof and shroud (just hope your opp isn't packing a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dawn Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Dawn Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, as it targets a player!), and the last mode being incidental graveyard hate is growing more relevant by the day.</p>
<p>If neither of those two modes are doing it for you, you can always see three cards for three mana at instant speed, which is a decent rate.</p>
<h2>5. <a href="https://www.cardkingdom.com/mtg/modern-horizons/archmages-charm">Archmage's Charm</a></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archmage&#039;s Charm"></div></div>
<p>I'll admit, I have mixed feelings about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archmage&#039;s Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Archmage&#039;s Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It is, on its face, quite powerful. <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/staple-remover-counterspell">Countering spells</a> will never not be good. Drawing two cards is fine. Stealing a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skullclamp" href="#" target="_blank">Skullclamp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Esper Sentinel" href="#" target="_blank">Esper Sentinel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with the final mode is always satisfying. The card puts in work, but the amount of dramatic, memorable moments it creates are few and far between, and the longer I play <em>Magic</em>, the more I'm looking to create those moments more than anything else.</p>
<h2>4. <a href="https://www.cardkingdom.com/mtg/return-to-ravnica/rakdos-charm">Rakdos Charm</a></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rakdos Charm"></div></div>
<p>Pound for pound, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rakdos Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Rakdos Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is not better than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archmage&#039;s Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Archmage&#039;s Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but it's <em>my</em> list! There's almost always a use-case for the first two modes, but the real reason <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rakdos Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Rakdos Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is so high on the list is for the final mode, which I just adore. This has the potential to scale incredibly well on clogged boards; I've seen more than one game end with this card dishing out upwards of 40 damage across the table. The fact that it's a symmetrical effect makes it that much cooler.</p>
<h2>3. <a href="https://www.cardkingdom.com/mtg/wilds-of-eldraine/charming-scoundrel">Charming Scoundrel</a></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Charming Scoundrel"></div></div>
<p>We could debate all day if <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Charming Scoundrel" href="#" target="_blank">Charming Scoundrel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a charm or not - and please do, in the comments - but I've been slotting this into more and more decks. It's easy to cast, it blocks in the early game, and it's <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/blink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blinkable</a>. This card can be a solid role player in a shocking number of strategies. Like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sultai Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Sultai Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, the rummaging effect can move a card from your hand to the 'yard for later reanimation, and WotC continues to print commanders with artifact and <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/treasure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Treasure</a> synergies. From <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/prosper-tome-bound" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prosper</a> to <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/sauron-lord-of-the-rings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sauron</a>, <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/uril-the-miststalker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Uril</a> to <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/calamity-galloping-inferno" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Calamity</a>, this lady simply belongs.</p>
<h2>2. <a href="https://www.cardkingdom.com/mtg/gatecrash/boros-charm">Boros Charm</a></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Boros Charm"></div></div>
<p>We've talked enough about the importance of protecting your board and the thrill of burning out an opponent at low life, so I won't reiterate that here. What I will say is I love <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/top-10-double-strike-enablers">double strike</a>. It's easily one of the best ability keywords in the format. It can be used offensively to end games out of nowhere, and it can be used defensively to trade up on blocks. And much like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dawn Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Dawn Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boros Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Boros Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can give double strike to any creature, meaning you can use it politically on an opponent's creature to completely upend an attack step.</p>
<p>Also, fun fact, I believe it's the only card whose artist shares a name with the card they drew!</p>
<h2>1. <a href="https://www.cardkingdom.com/mtg/murders-at-karlov-manor/archdruids-charm">Archdruid's Charm</a></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archdruid&#039;s Charm"></div></div>
<p>I don't think there's any debate that, pound-for-pound, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archdruid&#039;s Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Archdruid&#039;s Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the best Charm WotC has ever printed. When you break it down, it essentially breaks the Charm rules by having <em>five</em> modes, not three.</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Search your library for a creature card and put it into your hand.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Search your library for any land card (yes, really, any land card) and put it onto the battlefield.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Buff your creature, then <a href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Biting" target="_blank" rel="noopener">punch</a> an opponent's creature.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Exile target artifact.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Exile target enchantment.</li>
</ul>
<p>These modes range from good to phenomenal. Given the ability to tutor creatures and lands, the flexibility of this card really is nearly limitless. The only question is, can you cast it?</p>
<h2>Charmed, I'm Sure</h2>
<p>Those were my personal picks for the top 10 Charms in Commander. If anything, I hope you found a good utility piece that frees up a slot in your deck for your <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/pet-cards-hidden-gems-edhrecast-165" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pet card</a> (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Loxodon Warhammer" href="#" target="_blank">Loxodon Warhammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, here I come!) or better yet, synergizes with your commander in ways you never considered.</p>
<p>What do you think? Did I miss your favorite Charm? Are you worried I hit my head and forgot <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Charming Prince" href="#" target="_blank">Charming Prince</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Golgari Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Golgari Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> exist? Let me know in the comments below! I'll read them. I promise.</p>


modal spells

The Top 10 Best Modal Spells in Commander

Top 10 Charms for Commander