- Top Tier: Smaug the Wicked Worm and Thorin King of Durin's Folk lead the meta.
- Best Strategy: Treasure hoarding mechanics are central to the set's power.
- Color Identity: Sultai (Green-Blue-Black) offers the strongest Elf synergy.
- Deck Archetypes: Voltron, Token, and Combo builds are highly supported.
- Key Mechanic: "Amass Orcs" and "Create Treasure" appear on most top-tier cards.
Tier List Rankings
The latest Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit set introduces a plethora of powerful commanders suitable for various playstyles. Based on current performance and synergy potential, we have ranked the best options for your next deck build.
Video Highlights:
- Smaug Dominance: Why Smaug the Wicked Worm is considered the #1 commander.
- Dwarf Synergy: Thorin's ability to buff dwarves with artifact tokens.
- Elf Combos: Thranduil's unique graveyard interaction mechanics.
- Budget Options: Powerful mono-color strategies like Beorn.
Commander Power Levels
| Rank | Commander | Color | Archetype | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | Smaug the Wicked Worm | Rakdos | Treasure Combo / Voltron | ★★★★★ |
| S | Thorin, King of Durin's Folk | Boros | Dwarf Tribal / Aggro | ★★★★★ |
| A | Thranduil, the Elven King | Sultai | Elf Tribal / Value | ★★★★☆ |
| A | Smaug, the Impenetrable | Rakdos | Dragon Voltron | ★★★★☆ |
| B | Beorn the Fierce | Mono-Green | Bear Tribal / Stompy | ★★★☆☆ |
| B | Bard, King of Dale | Azorius | Token Doubler | ★★★☆☆ |
While Smaug the Wicked Worm is powerful, be aware that his treasure generation relies on opponents controlling artifacts. In artifact-light pods, his power level decreases significantly. Consider including cards like Howling Mine or Font of Mythos to ensure consistency.
Top Tier Commanders Analysis
Smaug the Wicked Worm
Smaug stands out as the premier commander of the set, acting as a "mini-Dockside" in the command zone. Upon entering the battlefield, he creates a Treasure token for each artifact opponents control. Furthermore, whenever you cast a spell using treasure, you draw a card and lose 1 life. This creates a powerful engine for storm or combo decks.
Strengths:
- Explosive Mana: Can generate massive mana early in the game.
- Card Draw: Built-in card advantage ensures you never run out of gas.
- Combo Potential: Works seamlessly with Amulet of Vigor and Twin Flame effects.
Thorin, King of Durin's Folk
Thorin is the definitive Dwarf commander, offering a robust aggressive strategy. Whenever Thorin or another Dwarf enters, you create a Treasure token. More importantly, other Dwarves you control get +1/+0 for each artifact token you control.
Strengths:
- Anthem Effect: Provides a permanent buff to your board state.
- Ramp: Consistent treasure generation helps cast high-cost dwarves.
- Synergy: Works exceptionally well with Academy Manufactor.
When building Thorin, prioritize low-cost Dwarf creatures to maximize the number of treasure tokens created early. Cards like Dwarven Bloodboiler can utilize the generated treasures to pump your team even further.
Strategy & Synergy Breakdown
Building a successful deck in Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit requires understanding the specific mechanics introduced in the set. Below we break down the primary strategies for the top commanders.
Treasure Hoarding Strategy
Both Smaug and Thorin incentivize keeping Treasure tokens on the board rather than spending them immediately. This "hoarding" mechanic allows you to scale your board presence rapidly.
| Card | Function | Synergy |
|---|---|---|
| Smaug the Magnificent | Deal damage equal to treasures | Voltron finisher |
| Thorin, Company's Leader | Create 2 treasures per attack | Ramp engine |
| Master of Laketown | Mill on life loss | Combo enabler |
| Gandalf, Party Guest | Free spells based on Wizards | Control value |
Tribal Synergies
The set offers deep support for Dwarves, Elves, and Goblins/Orcs.
Dwarf Tribal
- Thorin, King is the best leader.
- Focus on ETB effects to generate treasures.
- Use Anthem effects to buff the team.
- Key Card: Dain, Ancient Halls.
Elf Tribal
- Thranduil enables graveyard value.
- Utilizes Legendary Elves for card draw.
- Activated abilities are copied from graveyard.
- Key Card: Marwyn, the Nurturer.
Goblin/Orc
- Great Goblin supports amass mechanics.
- Bolg provides a wide anthem effect.
- Sacrifice outlets are crucial for value.
- Key Card: Muxus, Goblin Grandmother.
Step-by-Step Deck Building Guide
To build a competitive Commander deck using the new Hobbit commanders, follow this optimized workflow.
Select your Commander
Choose between Smaug the Wicked Worm for combo, Thorin for aggro, or Thranduil for midrange value. Your choice dictates the color identity and mana base.
Establish the Mana Base
Ensure you have at least 35-38 lands. For Smaug and Thorin, prioritize lands that enter untapped to maximize speed. Include Command Tower and Path of Ancestry.
Core Synergy Cards
Fill the deck with cards that trigger your commander. For Thorin, this means Dwarves and Token doublers. For Smaug, include Amulet of Vigor and Parhelia, City of Gold.
Interaction & Protection
Add 8-10 removal spells (Swords to Plowshares, Abrade) and protection (Swiftfoot Boots, Heroic Intervention). Smaug specifically needs protection to maintain his board presence.
Finishers & Win Conditions
Include cards that close the game. Extra combat cards (Scourge of the Throne) work well with Thorin. Storm pieces work well with Smaug.
If you are on a budget, Beorn the Fierce offers a powerful Mono-Green experience that doesn't require expensive dual lands. He turns any creature into a Bear with trample, enabling a stompy strategy that is both effective and affordable.
Checklist & Goals
Before taking your Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit deck to the table, ensure you have covered these essential milestones.
Pre-Flight Checklist:
- Commander chosen and sleeved
- Mana base optimized for color fixing
- Minimum 10 card draw sources included
- 5-10 targeted removal spells added
- Win condition clearly defined (Combo/Voltron/Aggro)
- Sideboard prepared for hate cards (Artifact removal)
Key Matchup Considerations
| Opponent Type | Strategy | Key Cards to Watch For |
|---|---|---|
| Artifact Hate | Protect treasures | Vandalblast, Shatterstorm |
| Creature Swarms | Board wipes / Single target | Wrath of God, Torment of Hailfire |
| Control Decks | Apply pressure early | Counterbalance, Mana Drain |
| Combo Decks | Stax pieces / Discard | Drannith Magistrate, Thoughtseize |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Smaug the Wicked Worm banned in Commander?
No, Smaug the Wicked Worm is not banned. While he is powerful, he does not violate the current Commander ban list rules. However, he is a strong contender for cEDH (Competitive EDH) tables.
Q: Which Thorin is the best commander?
**Thorin, King of Durin's Folk** is widely considered the best option for Dwarf tribal. His ability to buff all other dwarves based on artifact tokens provides a consistent and aggressive game plan.
Q: Can Thranduil use abilities from Elf cards in exile?
No, Thranduil specifically states he gains abilities of Elf cards in your **graveyard**. Cards in exile are not valid targets for his ability unless a specific effect returns them to the graveyard first.
Q: What is the best color combination for The Hobbit commanders?
**Rakdos (Red/Black)** is arguably the strongest due to Smaug's dominance. **Sultai (Green/Blue/Black)** is a close second for Thranduil players. **Boros (Red/White)** is excellent for Dwarf enthusiasts.