Since Wizards of the Coast launched the Commander format on June 17, 2011, preconstructed decks have multiplied. EDHREC counts roughly 150 of them by mid-2026 — and yet, according to the community database, dozens of heavily played themes have never received their own. For these orphan archetypes, there's only one option: build your deck by hand, card by card, then protect it as it deserves, in keeping with its value.
150 Commander Precons, and Yet These Themes Are Still Waiting for Theirs
The Commander format has just celebrated its fifteenth anniversary: officially launched on June 17, 2011 with its first dedicated preconstructed decks, it has established itself as Magic's most popular multiplayer mode. Nearly every set now comes with ready-to-go precons, playable straight out of the box.
Yet, in an item published on June 19, 2026, Ciel Collins (EDHREC) reaches the opposite conclusion: despite roughly 150 precons released to date, nearly 34 themes with more than 500 decks on the platform have never had an official version. Strategies that thousands of players already assemble, but that Wizards hasn't yet turned into a product. These figures remain a snapshot of June 2026 and will keep shifting.
The Big Snubs: Creature Types and Mechanics Without a Precon
On the tribal side, EDHREC's list is surprising. Some iconic creature types remain without a dedicated precon: Hydra, Bird, Sphinx, Soldier, Saproling, Goblin, Assassin, even Rat. So many archetypes that players have been building for years around well-known legendary commanders. Magic certainly doesn't lack successful tribal precons, but these families still slip through the cracks.
On the non-typal side, two mechanics dominate the requests according to EDHREC: Extra Combats, present in nearly 20,000 recorded decks, and Extra Turns, around 10,000 decks. Two spectacular play styles, but still absent from the official preconstructed catalogue.
EDHREC goes further and even ventures predictions about the year certain themes might finally get their precon. Be careful: these dates are pure speculation from the platform, not a roadmap from Wizards. The publisher hasn't confirmed any of these themes, and nothing guarantees the timeline EDHREC suggests.
Good news for these orphans: the commander almost always exists as a single. For a Hydra or Goblin deck, the legendary backbone is available — all that's "missing" are the 99 supporting cards and the lands to gather yourself. That's precisely the work a precon would do for you.
Building Your Own Commander Deck: 100 Cards in Singleton
Without a precon, you have to roll up your sleeves. A Commander deck follows a strict rule: exactly 100 cards, in singleton. Apart from basic lands, each card must be unique, and the whole thing is built around the color identity of a legendary commander, placed in the Command Zone.
In practice, you first choose your commander — say a legendary Hydra for a +1/+1 counters deck — then gather the other 99 cards one by one, much like a typal deck built around a tribe. That's where the budget climbs: the centerpieces are often sought-after singles, to be tracked down card by card rather than by opening a sealed product.
This handcrafted build has a real advantage: the deck is unique, tailored to your strategy and your local meta. But it means an investment spread across dozens of sometimes pricey cards — all the more reason to protect them seriously once gathered.
Protecting a Hand-Built Deck: Sleeves, Double-Sleeving and Storage
A Commander deck is 100 cards — exactly the contents of a standard pack of 100 sleeves. It's the natural unit of purchase: one pack protects the entire deck, with no surplus or shortfall. For cards handled every game, opaque, durable sleeves like the Dragon Shield Matte 100 form the foundation.
Should You Double-Sleeve?
For valuable cards, EDHREC recommends double-sleeving: a Perfect Fit inner sleeve (64x89 mm) slid in upside down, then a classic outer sleeve over it. The result: reinforced sealing, doubly protected edges and a card that's nearly untouchable. It has become the norm for a Commander deck that fields several premium singles.
The main drawback is practical: a double-sleeved deck swells and no longer fits in a standard deck box. You need a box designed for 100+ double-sleeved cards, like Dragon Shield's Double Shell, otherwise you'll be forcing the cards every time you put them away.
| Criterion | Single sleeve | Double-sleeving |
|---|---|---|
| Protection level | Good | Maximum |
| Target cards | Everyday play deck | Valuable singles |
| Deck thickness | Standard | Noticeably thicker |
| Deck box required | 100 standard cards | 100+ double-sleeved |
| Shuffling | Flexible | More rigid |
| Price range | Affordable | Mid / premium |
Finally, the cards that aren't running in the deck — duplicates, sideboard pieces, projects on hold — find their place in a pocket binder, ideal for keeping a collection legible and accessible between games.
The Takeaway
EDHREC's findings are a reminder of the obvious: even after 150 precons, Commander remains a build-it-yourself format. For fans of Hydras, Goblins or Extra Combats, there's no ready-to-go purchase — just the pleasure of assembling your deck card by card. The rest is protecting it in keeping with the investment. And you, which orphan theme would you most like to see finally turned into an official precon?
Sources: EDHREC — Which Commander Themes Still Don't Have a Precon?, Wikipedia — Magic: The Gathering Commander, EDHREC — Should You Double-Sleeve Your Commander Decks?, EDHREC — Guide to Sleeves
