Do you need to improve the consistency of your white Commander deck by adding card draw? We’ve compiled a list of the best of the best MTG has to offer.
White is known as the color with the most powerful answers in the entire game. Think Swords to Plowshares and Farewell. Due to this, MTG has made fewer card draw effects over the game’s history. Mark Rosewater, Head of MTG Design, explains below.
In recent years, players started asking Magic to print more white card draw for Commander. And they have! In fact, one of the best card draw cards in the entire format is in white now.
For this list, we are looking at card draw that can go in virtually any strategy. That means we haven’t included build around cards like Puresteel Paladin, Sram, Senior Edificer, and Mesa Enchantress.
Without further ado, here is MTG’s 10 Best White Card Draw in Commander & EDH:
Honorable Mentions
Before we get into the white pip cards, colorless spells, namely artifacts, deserve to be mentioned. The One Ring is one of the most powerful card draw cards in all of MTG, and you can run it in a mono-white Commander build.
There’s also a handful of other artifacts that are worth running, such as Skullclamp and Mask of Memory. So, don’t forget to consider colorless card draw in your deck!
#1 Esper Sentinel
In response to the outcry of white Commander deck players demanding better card draw, MTG printed Esper Sentinel in Modern Horizons 2.
It’s now one of the best card draw cards in the entire format. Only a few cards like Mystic Remora and Rhystic Study rank higher.
Run it and be happy. This is where you want to be.
#2 Land Tax
Land tax is the OG white card draw. In Commander, it’s one of the best turn 1 plays you can do. Drawing (searching) 3 every turn is massive. It guarantees you won’t be mana screwed, and you can thin out your deck so you are less likely to draw basic lands late game.
#3 Tithe
There aren’t many cards in the game that can draw two cards for one mana, and Tithe can do that at instant speed. Lands are pretty useful, especially if you cast it in the early game. In Commander, you can always use the additional mana to help pay for Commander tax.
#4 Archivist of Ogma
Archivist of Oghma can draw lots of cards in the right group, but in casual play, it might not do much. If your meta is running fetch lands and tutors, this is one of the best white card advantage cards you can run.
#5 Trouble in Pairs
Trouble in Pairs is quickly becoming a premier card draw for white Commander decks everywhere. Smuggler’s Share ended up disappointing players, but this card is the real deal.
Almost every player will be trying to cast two spells or draw two cards on their turn. This results in a pretty consistent draw 2 or 3 per turn cycle in the mid and late game.
For full disclosure, the card art for Trouble in Pairs has been under controversy for allegedly mass plagiarizing other artworks. MTG even suspended the card’s artist, Fay Dalton, as a result.
#6 Cut a Deal
Three mana to draw three cards is very solid in Commander. Although each other player will end up with a card, you’ll be getting much more.
#7 Loran of the Third Path
On turn 3, use this to blow up a Rhystic Study or similarly annoying card. Then pick the player furthest behind and start drawing a card a turn. Both abilities combined make Loran a must-include for most white decks.
#8 Fall of the First Civilization
Fresh from the new MTG x Assassin’s Creed crossover is Fall of the First Civilization. This is a big upgrade from Secret Rendezvous and has an identical first ability.
The best part about Fall of the First Civilization is that it can also be used in an artifact removal slot. If your deck is not a go wide deck, the final chapter acts as additional card advantage by setting your opponents back.
If you combine all three chapters of this saga, there’s a lot of card advantage here, and you’ll up much than 3 cards vs your opponents.
#9 Mangara, the Diplomat
It wasn’t long ago that Mangara used to be one of the most premium recurring card draw cards in white. Players generally want to play two cards a turn, so you’ll be getting a fair amount of draw triggers here. Plus, it discourages opponents from attacking you.
#10 Secret Rendezvous
Secret Rendezvous is a bit like Cut a Deal, but you’ll be helping a single player get ahead quite a bit. If there’s a player with a more casual deck in the pod or is behind, it doesn’t end up being too much of a big deal. Drawing 3 cards for 3 mana is a great rate in any color.
Honorable Mention: Palace Jailer
Palace Jailer doesn’t automatically draw cards, but it does introduce a way to do so throughout the game. Thanks to white having some of the best spot removal in the game, and fog effects, you’ll have plenty of ways to preserve your status as the monarch.
That’s our list of the best white card draw in MTG Commander & EDH. You also might be interested in the best counterspells in Commander and best board wipes.
