UPDATED: This list has been updated with the best one mana Commanders in 2024
Looking to play your Commander consistently on turn one? There are a little over 20 legendary creatures in Magic: The Gathering’s 30-year history with a mana value of 1 or less.
A surprising number of these one mana legendary creatures make a compelling choice as a Commander. Do you want a legendary-focused deck? A cEDH build? A token-based strategy? Or perhaps a more quirky unique strategy? If so, we’ve got a one mana Commander for you!
Without further ado, here’s our list of the 10 Best One Mana Commanders in MTG:
#1 Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful
At the very top of our list is Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful. This good boi is both very powerful and flavorful. It also makes for an excellent build around Commander.
Thanks to the vast number of legendary permanents being printed every year and new legendary lands, there’s no shortage of ways to put +1 counters on Yoshimaru to swing for the win.
Yoshimaru works great as a voltron Commander, as well as a +1 counter based Commander. Thanks to its partner ability, you can pair it with any color you like.
#2 Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer
Ragavan is arguably more powerful than Yoshimaru; however, it’s often seen as more of a cEDH Commander than a build-around Commander, which is why it’s #2 on our list.
That being said, you can still build around Ragavan. Red has plenty of synergies with both pirates and treasure. Just don’t be surprised if you collect some table groans when you swing with him on turn two.
#3 Rhys the Redeemed
Rhys the Redeemed made our list of the top 10 token doublers in MTG for good reason. He’s the OG one mana Commander back when the format was called EDH.
Being both Green and White is the perfect color combination for creating and doubling tokens, populating, convoking, and the like. Not to mention, both himself and the tokens he creates are elves.
#4 Rograkh, Son of Rohgahh
Technically, Rograkh is a zero mana Commander, but we included him on this list anyway. Either way, you can cast him on Turn 1.
Rograkh can be built in several different ways. One option is as a voltron Commander in a Boros equipment deck, with a partner like Ardenn, Intrepid Archaeologist. Having an extra body that’s harder to block thanks to menace and trample is pretty good there.
Other popular partner choices include Jeska, Thrice Reborn to stack in the damage, and the previously mentioned Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful, which makes Rograkh a zero mana trigger for the good boi.
#5 Tinybones, The Pickpocket
Tinybones, the Pickpocket, is the newest card on our list from Outlaws of Thunder Junction. It’s also one of the most expensive cards in the set.
Pair Tinybones with discard abilities and go to town in the early turns of the game casting your opponent’s spells.
Tinybones works particularly well with equipment that gives him evasion, such as Brotherhood Regalia. Even if he isn’t equipped, just having Deathtouch makes him an annoying creature for opponents to block.
#6 Frodo, Sauron’s Bane
Frodo isn’t too impressive at face value, but once you pay the extra 5 mana to level him up, this Figure of Destiny can win the game, or at least knock a player out.
To get the most out of Frodo, Sauron’s Bane, combine him with cards that make him untargetable or unblockable, such as the previously mentioned Brotherhood Regalia.
Frodo decks also combine well with cards that have “the Ring tempts you” text, such as Call of the Ring and Slip On the Ring.
#7 Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar
Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar might be the best madness mechanic enabler in Commander. It only costs one mana to cast and gets you a copy of The Underworld Cookbook. The Cookbook provides a way to discard a card for free every turn, plus you can combine it with Asmoran to deal 6 damage to creatures repeatedly.
#8 Norin the Wary
Norin the Wary is the other OG one mana Commander alongside Rhys the Redeemed. The classic way to play Norin is in an Impact Tremors style deck where you deal damage whenever a creature enters the battlefield. Norin can do that 4 times per turn sequence, so it adds up. Plus, nobody is ever going to kill it!
#9 Skrelv, Defector Mite
Skrelv is like having Mother of Runes as your Commander, except it can also help push through damage.
A popular way to utilize Skrelv is in a tax style deck. Skrelv acts as a way to keep your Drannith Magistrate and other hate cards protected, while you assemble a winning strategy before an opponent can fight through with theirs.
#10 Errant, Street Artist
Finally, for those looking for an unusual build around Commander, there’s Errant, Street Artist. Errant gives you a repeatable way to copy spells you control, with the pretty big caveat that they weren’t cast.
A deck that runs Errant is going to want to run cards like Twincast, Wandering Archaic, and Lithoform Engine. By copying a spell, you can use Errant to copy the copy.
This quirky build around Commander gives you an opportunity to play cards that normally wouldn’t be played in Commander, such as Omen Hawker, so you can use Errant’s ability for free every turn!
That completes our list of the best one drop Commanders in Magic: The Gathering! If you liked this list, you might also enjoy reading the Best Equipment Cards in Commander.
READ MORE: 10 Best MH3 Cards for Commander
