Best Cedh Burn Spells

2 min read 01-01-2025

Commander is a popular format in Magic: The Gathering known for its diverse strategies and powerful commanders. Within the competitive cEDH (competitive Commander) meta, burn strategies, focusing on dealing direct damage to opponents, have carved a niche. While not always the most consistent, a well-timed burn strategy can swiftly take down opponents. This article explores some of the best burn spells for building a competitive cEDH burn deck.

Key Considerations for cEDH Burn Spells

Before diving into specific cards, understanding the nuances of burn spells in cEDH is crucial. Unlike casual play, cEDH demands efficiency and synergy. A "good" burn spell in cEDH isn't just about raw damage; it needs to offer value beyond simple point removal. We're looking for spells that:

Deal significant damage: While a single-point burn spell might be useful in casual games, cEDH demands impactful damage output. We need spells that can significantly impact the game state, ideally taking down opponents or severely weakening them in a single cast.
Synergize with the deck: The best burn spells complement the overall strategy. They may interact well with other cards, triggering combos, or providing additional utility beyond damage.
Cost-effectiveness: Mana efficiency is paramount in cEDH. High-cost spells are less desirable unless their impact significantly outweighs their cost.

Top cEDH Burn Spells

Here's a breakdown of some standout burn spells frequently seen in competitive cEDH burn decks:

1. Lightning Bolt:

A classic for a reason. Its low cost and immediate impact make it a staple in many decks, not just burn. While the damage output might seem small, its versatility and reliability are key.

2. Chain Lightning:

Dealing damage to multiple opponents makes Chain Lightning a strong option, especially in multiplayer games common to Commander.

3. Lava Spike:

Similar to Lightning Bolt, the low cost and instant speed makes this an excellent card to deal with threats or chip away at opponent's life totals.

4. Burning Inquiry:

While not direct damage, Burning Inquiry acts as efficient card draw by dealing damage. This advantage is extremely valuable, fueling your hand and providing the resources to launch more attacks.

5. Blasphemous Act:

A board wipe that can deal significant damage to opponents, particularly those with many creatures on the battlefield. It's devastating if timed correctly.

6. Fork:

Duplicating a powerful burn spell like Lightning Bolt or Lava Spike to double the damage output is a powerful game changer.

Building Your cEDH Burn Deck

Selecting burn spells is just one piece of the puzzle. A successful cEDH burn deck requires careful deck construction. Consider including:

Mana acceleration: Providing consistent mana to cast your spells quickly is crucial.
Card draw: Refueling your hand for more burn spells is essential.
Protection: Safeguarding your commander and other key cards from removal spells is critical.
Synergistic effects: Including cards that interact well with burn spells to maximize their impact.

By carefully selecting burn spells and building a well-rounded deck, you can construct a competitive cEDH burn strategy that can successfully challenge the meta. Remember that the meta is dynamic, so research and adaptation are key to success.