Hey there, Magic: The Gathering fans! Are you ready to dive into the awesome world of MTG Commander? If you're a fan of chivalry, powerful creatures, and strategic gameplay, then you've come to the right place. Today, we're going to explore the exciting realm of Black and White Knight Commander decks. These decks are known for their resilience, aggressive strategies, and the sheer thrill of leading a squad of armored warriors into battle. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the format, this guide will provide you with everything you need to build, play, and dominate with a Black and White Knight Commander deck. So, grab your swords (or, you know, your playmats), and let's get started!

Why Choose a Black and White Knight Commander Deck?

So, why should you even consider a Black and White Knight Commander deck? Well, for starters, Knights are just plain cool. They evoke images of noble warriors, epic battles, and unwavering loyalty. But beyond the aesthetic appeal, Black and White Knight decks offer some serious strategic advantages. The combination of black and white mana provides access to a wide array of powerful spells and abilities. Black gives you access to removal spells, discard effects, and reanimation strategies, allowing you to control the board and bring back your fallen Knights. White, on the other hand, provides you with protection spells, creature buffs, and board wipes, ensuring your Knights stay alive and can dominate the battlefield. Furthermore, a Black and White Knight Commander deck allows you to leverage powerful tribal synergies. Many cards specifically care about Knights, providing bonuses to your creatures and enhancing your overall strategy. This tribal focus creates a cohesive and synergistic deck, where each card works in harmony to achieve your ultimate goal: victory! This deck type offers a blend of aggressive strategies, defensive capabilities, and strategic depth, making it a blast to play. You'll be able to overwhelm your opponents with a relentless assault of armored warriors, while also being able to protect your key creatures and control the board. The ability to disrupt your opponents' plans through removal and discard, while simultaneously building up your own board presence, creates a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience. Plus, the feeling of assembling a knightly army and charging into battle is just plain awesome.

The Strengths of Black and White Knights

One of the main strengths of Black and White Knight Commander decks is their resilience. Knights are known for their ability to withstand damage and maintain a strong board presence. This is often achieved through protection spells, life gain effects, and resilient creatures. This toughness makes it difficult for your opponents to remove your threats, allowing you to maintain a steady stream of damage and eventually overwhelm your opponents. Black and White Knight decks also excel in card advantage. Black gives you access to powerful draw spells and discard effects, while white provides you with efficient card draw and tutors. This allows you to consistently find the cards you need, whether it's a powerful Knight, a removal spell, or a crucial buff. This constant stream of card advantage ensures that you always have options and can adapt to your opponents' strategies. Finally, Black and White Knight decks are highly customizable. There are tons of different Knights available, and you can tailor your deck to fit your playstyle and preferences. You can focus on an aggressive strategy, a more controlling approach, or a mix of both. This flexibility allows you to experiment with different card combinations and strategies, ensuring that you'll never get bored with your deck. In essence, they're a force to be reckoned with. The ability to protect your Knights while simultaneously removing your opponents' threats creates a frustrating experience for your opponents. The deck's resilience, card advantage, and customization options make it a fantastic choice for any MTG Commander player. Black and white offer a potent combination of removal, card draw, and board wipes. This will allow you to maintain control of the game while simultaneously advancing your game plan.

Key Commanders for a Black and White Knight Deck

Alright, let's talk about the heart and soul of your Black and White Knight Commander deck: the commander! The commander is your general, the leader of your knightly forces, and the linchpin of your strategy. Choosing the right commander is crucial, as it sets the tone for your deck and dictates your overall game plan. Here are some of the best commanders for a Black and White Knight Commander deck, each offering unique abilities and strategic advantages. We'll explore each one, highlighting their strengths and how they can be used to lead your knightly army to victory. There are many options when it comes to commanders, so choosing the right one is the key to building a successful deck. Each commander offers a unique set of abilities and strategic advantages, allowing you to tailor your deck to your preferred playstyle. The commanders listed below are some of the most popular and effective choices for Black and White Knight Commander decks.

Aryel, Knight of Windgrace

Aryel, Knight of Windgrace is an excellent choice for a Knight tribal deck. She brings a ton of value to the board. Aryel provides both card draw and board presence, making her a versatile commander. Her activated ability allows you to tap a number of Knights you control to destroy target creatures or planeswalkers. This ability provides a crucial removal option, allowing you to deal with problematic threats and control the board. Additionally, Aryel has vigilance, which allows her to attack without tapping, making her a great attacker. This allows you to pressure your opponents while also maintaining a defensive posture. Finally, Aryel also provides card advantage, drawing you a card whenever a Knight enters the battlefield under your control. This ensures that you always have access to the cards you need. Overall, Aryel is a powerful and versatile commander that is well-suited for a knightly strategy. She's a great choice for both new and experienced players.

Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa and Thrasios, Triton Hero

Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa and Thrasios, Triton Hero are great options to start a Black and White Knight Commander deck. While not specifically a Knight commander, this pairing allows you to run a two-color deck and incorporate Knights into your strategy. Sidar Kondo provides a unique combat advantage. He allows your attacking creatures to gain deathtouch if they're attacking a creature controlled by a player. This gives your Knights a huge advantage in combat, making them difficult to block and preventing your opponents from trading favorably. Thrasios is known for his ability to generate infinite mana with certain cards, such as the infinite combo with Isochron Scepter. This gives you a lot of flexibility and the ability to win the game in various ways. The biggest benefit of these commanders is the additional mana generation and card advantage. This will accelerate your game plan and allow you to quickly assemble your knightly army. Furthermore, this option enables you to include a wide array of cards. The combination of removal, draw, and infinite combos makes this pair a fun and reliable option.

Other Notable Commanders

While Aryel, Knight of Windgrace and Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa and Thrasios, Triton Hero are two of the best choices, there are other commanders that work well in a Black and White Knight Commander deck. Commanders like the mono-white Teshar, Ancestor's Apostle can provide value in your deck. Teshar gives you the ability to bring back powerful creatures, which you can use to overwhelm your opponents. No matter which commander you choose, it's important to tailor your deck to their specific strengths and abilities. By understanding what your commander does best, you can build a more powerful and effective Black and White Knight Commander deck. The best commander for you is the one that best suits your playstyle and preferences. There is no right or wrong answer, so feel free to experiment and find what works best for you.

Building Your Black and White Knight Commander Deck: Card Selection

Now that you've got a commander, let's talk about the cards that will make up the rest of your Black and White Knight Commander deck. The goal is to build a deck that synergizes with your commander and maximizes the strengths of the Knights. Here's a breakdown of the key card categories you'll need to consider when constructing your deck. Remember, the best decks are built with a balance of offense, defense, and strategic flexibility. This allows you to handle various situations and adapt to your opponents' strategies. Let's delve into the card selection process to build a strong deck that will ensure your success. We will explore the types of cards, providing some examples of the best cards available. This will include everything from creature selection to removal and draw spells. This will guide you in making informed decisions about the cards you include in your deck.

Knights: The Core of Your Deck

Obviously, the heart and soul of your deck is the Knights themselves! You'll want to include a variety of Knights to provide a range of effects, abilities, and costs. Prioritize Knights that offer strong value, synergy, and resilience. Focus on Knights that synergize well with your commander and your overall strategy. Consider including a mix of aggressive Knights, defensive Knights, and utility Knights. This will provide you with a flexible and well-rounded game plan. Here are some of the best Knights to consider, and remember to include enough knights to make your deck function as a tribal deck.

• Knight Exemplar: This card is a must-have for any Black and White Knight Commander deck. It gives all your other Knights +1/+1 and indestructible, making them extremely difficult to remove. This card is a must-include for every knight deck, it ensures the survivability of your creatures.
• Dauntless Bodyguard: A cheap knight that can protect your commander or other key creatures by sacrificing itself. This is a very useful card, because it can prevent a loss in a critical moment.
• Blacklance Paragon: A powerful two-drop that has first strike, deathtouch, and trample. This is a very aggressive knight that can take your opponents by surprise.
• Fiendslayer Paladin: A resilient creature that is protected from both black and red, while also gaining life from damage. This is a perfect defensive card to defend yourself.

Removal: Controlling the Battlefield

No MTG Commander deck is complete without a solid suite of removal spells. Black and white provide you with some of the best removal options in the game. Prioritize removal spells that can deal with a variety of threats, including creatures, artifacts, enchantments, and planeswalkers. Include a mix of targeted removal, such as single-target removal and board wipes. Board wipes are essential for resetting the board and clearing away your opponents' threats. Removal is the most important card type in the deck. It is used to get rid of your opponents' threats, ensuring that you will survive long enough to defeat them. Black and White have a wide variety of removal options available, and the goal is to include a mix of the best options.

• Swords to Plowshares: A classic white removal spell that exiles a creature, which can remove any problematic threat from the battlefield.
• Path to Exile: Another great white removal spell that exiles a creature and allows its controller to search their library for a basic land, putting it onto the battlefield. This is the second-best removal in white.
• Generous Gift: A versatile white spell that can destroy any permanent, then giving your opponent a 3/3 beast token. This is a great choice to remove problematic permanents.
• Wrath of God: A classic board wipe that destroys all creatures on the battlefield. This is a must-have for every White deck.
• Anguished Unmaking: A black removal spell that exiles a target permanent and causes its controller to lose 2 life. This is a good removal for any permanent.

Card Draw and Ramp: Fueling Your Strategy

To ensure that you can consistently cast your spells and keep your hand full, you'll need to include card draw and ramp spells. Card draw allows you to maintain a steady stream of cards, ensuring that you always have options. Ramp spells allow you to accelerate your mana production, which will help you cast your powerful spells faster. Focus on card draw spells that are efficient and provide a good card-to-mana ratio. Card draw and ramp cards are critical in any MTG Commander deck because they allow you to accelerate your game plan and stay ahead of your opponents. Black and white offer a variety of options, including both draw and ramp options.

• Smothering Tithe: A white enchantment that allows you to generate treasures. This is a must-have ramp option, because it provides you with treasures when you cast spells.
• Land Tax: A white enchantment that allows you to search your library for basic lands. This will allow you to ensure you have enough lands on the battlefield.
• Read the Bones: A black sorcery that allows you to draw two cards and scry two. This will help you find the cards you need.
• Night's Whisper: A cheap black sorcery that allows you to draw two cards for the cost of two mana. This is the best draw spell available in the format.

Utility and Protection: Supporting Your Knights

To round out your deck, you'll want to include utility and protection spells. Utility spells provide additional value, such as graveyard recursion, tutoring, or life gain. Protection spells safeguard your Knights from removal and other threats. Prioritize spells that provide a significant advantage or protect your key creatures. These cards will allow you to maintain board control and keep your Knights alive. Protection cards are essential in any deck, and the goal is to include enough cards to protect your strategy.

• Teferi's Protection: A white instant that protects you and your permanents from damage. This is a must-have card in the deck, since it protects you from board wipes.
• Reanimate: A black sorcery that allows you to return a creature from your graveyard to the battlefield. This is a very powerful spell that allows you to bring back powerful creatures.
• Demonic Tutor: A black sorcery that allows you to search your library for any card. This is a tutor that will help you find the card you need.

Gameplay Strategies for Your Black and White Knight Commander Deck

Alright, you've built your Black and White Knight Commander deck, now what? Let's dive into some gameplay strategies to maximize your chances of victory. The goal is to build a deck that is fun to play and rewards smart decision-making. We will look at the strategies that will help you leverage your deck's strengths and adapt to your opponents' strategies. By understanding how to approach different matchups, you'll be well on your way to knightly glory! Gameplay strategies are an important aspect of deck building, and the goal is to include strategies that will improve your overall performance.

Early Game: Establishing Your Presence

In the early game, your primary focus should be on establishing your presence on the battlefield and setting up your mana base. Play out your lands and ramp spells. This will allow you to cast your key Knights and removal spells later in the game. You'll want to deploy early game threats, such as cheap Knights or creatures. These will apply early pressure to your opponents and prevent them from developing their boards. Early game strategies are important because you must ensure that you are ready for any situation. By setting up the board early, you can take control of the game early on.

Mid-Game: Controlling the Board and Building Momentum

As you move into the mid-game, your focus shifts to controlling the board and building momentum. Use your removal spells to eliminate your opponents' threats and protect your Knights. Deploy your bigger Knights and begin to apply pressure to your opponents. At this stage, you should have established some form of board control and be in a position to start putting on the pressure. The goal is to maintain control of the board and build towards a win. Mid-game strategies focus on control. This allows you to apply pressure to your opponents and build towards victory.

Late Game: Overwhelming Your Opponents

In the late game, your goal is to overwhelm your opponents and secure the win. Use your card draw to find the cards you need, whether it's more Knights, removal, or game-winning spells. If you've been able to maintain a strong board presence throughout the game, then you should be in a strong position to win. You'll need to use your late-game threats, such as powerful Knights or game-ending spells. The focus of late-game strategies is to close out the game. The goal is to ensure that you are ready to put on the pressure to secure the win.

Tips and Tricks for Success

Here are some final tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Black and White Knight Commander deck: Remember that MTG Commander is a social format. Be respectful of your opponents and have fun! The format is designed to be a blast, and the goal is to ensure you have a good time. Here's some extra tips to help you on your journey.

• Know Your Matchups: Understand what other decks are popular in your playgroup and how your deck matches up against them. This will help you to anticipate your opponents' strategies and adjust your gameplay accordingly.
• Adapt Your Strategy: Be willing to adapt your strategy based on the board state and your opponents' plays. Don't be afraid to change your game plan if your initial approach isn't working.
• Playtest and Refine: The best way to improve your deck is to playtest it and make adjustments based on your experiences. Experiment with different card combinations and strategies to optimize your deck.
• Embrace the Tribal Synergy: Make sure you're taking advantage of the tribal synergies that Knights offer. Use cards that buff your Knights and reward you for playing a tribal strategy.

Conclusion: Ride into Battle!

And there you have it, folks! Your complete guide to building and playing a Black and White Knight Commander deck. These decks are powerful, versatile, and tons of fun to play. With the right commander, card selection, and gameplay strategies, you'll be well on your way to leading your knightly forces to victory. So gather your allies, sharpen your swords, and prepare to ride into battle! The world of MTG Commander awaits, and with your trusty Knights by your side, the battlefield is yours to command. Go forth and conquer, and may your knights always prevail! I wish you the best of luck in your games, and I hope you enjoy playing with your new Black and White Knight Commander deck! Thanks for reading, and happy gaming!"