Good news for anyone who has been hunting for the new Magic: The Gathering Foundations Commander decks. Amazon has restocked all five decks at their $30 MSRP, but there is a catch. The retail price only applies when you buy the complete five-deck bundle, which runs $149.95.
The decks launched earlier this month and quickly became some of the hardest Magic products to find. Individual decks have been selling well above MSRP, with some reaching around $60, so the bundle is the best way to get them at their intended price right now.
Why Are These Decks So Popular?
Wizards of the Coast designed the Foundations Commander decks as an entry point for new players to the Commander format, which is the most popular way to play Magic. Each deck is built around a single color, making them easier to learn than the multicolored decks that usually headline Commander releases.
That simplicity, combined with the low price, made them an easy pick for newcomers. But the decks also turned out to be packed with valuable reprints, which made them a target for longtime players and resellers too. Ready-to-play Commander decks at this price point have not been common in recent years, and that has only added to the demand.
All Five Foundations Commander Decks
Here is the full lineup, along with each deck's commander. All five commanders feature alternate art.
- Calling All Angels (white), led by Giada, Font of Hope
- Keen Engineering (blue), led by Sai, Master Thopterist
- Wretched Ranks (black), led by Ghoulcaller Gisa
- Reign of Dragons (red), led by Lathliss, Dragon Queen
- Tramplesaurus Rex (green), led by Ghalta, Primal Hunger
Each deck leans into a classic theme. Calling All Angels fills the skies with angels, Keen Engineering builds an army of artifact thopters, Wretched Ranks floods the board with zombies, Reign of Dragons is packed with big flying threats, and Tramplesaurus Rex is all about massive dinosaurs and other huge green creatures.
Notable Reprints
Part of the reason these decks have been so popular is that they include several cards that are useful well beyond the deck they come in. Calling All Angels includes Lyra Dawnbringer and Archangel of Tithes, Keen Engineering has Kappa Cannoneer, and Wretched Ranks comes with Grave Titan.
Reign of Dragons includes Dragon Tempest and Scourge of Valkas, while Tramplesaurus Rex packs Birds of Paradise and Llanowar Elves, two of the most popular mana creatures in the game. Those mana cards are a big reason the green deck has been the hardest to find.
Tramplesaurus Rex Is Still The Hardest To Get
Tramplesaurus Rex has become the most sought-after deck in the lineup. Individually, it has been listed by a third-party seller on Amazon for $79.95, well over double its MSRP. If you only want the green deck, it may be worth waiting a bit longer for prices to settle, but if you were planning on picking up multiple decks, the bundle is the way to go.
For newer players, the bundle also makes a lot of sense on its own. Commander is played with four players, so a group of friends can split the five decks and have everything they need for a game night, with one deck left over to swap in. It is a much cheaper way to get a playgroup started than building decks from scratch, especially since Commander decks need 100 singleton cards each.
Keep in mind that stock and prices can change quickly, especially with Magic products in high demand. If you are on the fence, it might be best to grab the bundle while it is available at MSRP.
Have you picked up any of the Foundations Commander decks yet, and which one is your favorite?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.