Commanders Inspired by Pop Culture Tropes: A Magic: The Gathering Exploration

Commanders Inspired by Pop Culture Tropes: A Magic: The Gathering Exploration

Magic: The Gathering is a game that draws inspiration from a vast array of sources, including history, mythology, fantasy literature, and even pop culture. The game's beauty lies in how it integrates these influences into its deck-building and gameplay mechanics. One fascinating subset of Magic decks is the "Magic Commander deck," where players build their decks around a unique commander—a legendary creature or planeswalker who leads their forces. These commanders often draw on pop culture tropes, allowing players to express their favorite characters and stories through the game. Let’s take a look at how some of these pop culture-inspired commanders reflect classic tropes.

1. The Antihero Commander: Kuro, Pitlord

In pop culture, the antihero is a character who exists on the fringe of traditional heroism—often morally complex, flawed, and driven by personal motivations. Magic: The Gathering embraces this trope in several commanders, one of the most notable being Kuro, Pitlord. A towering demon with a twisted sense of justice, Kuro embodies the characteristics of an antihero. His dark, destructive power in Magic is reminiscent of characters like Wolverine or antiheroes from the "grimdark" subgenre of fantasy. Players who choose Kuro for their Magic Commander deck often find themselves playing a strategy that is focused on overwhelming opponents with power, all while remaining unpredictable and somewhat untrustworthy—just like any good antihero.

2. The Mentor: Narset, Enlightened Exile

Mentors are another powerful trope in pop culture, often portrayed as wise and experienced guides who help the protagonist grow. In Magic: The Gathering, Narset, Enlightened Exile serves as an excellent representation of this archetype. A monk with a deep understanding of martial arts and philosophy, Narset helps to guide others to enlightenment, even though she harbors a deep inner conflict. She is known for her ability to manipulate spells and combat with grace, embodying the mystical mentor archetype seen in characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi or Gandalf. A Magic Commander deck built around Narset often revolves around using her ability to exile spells and manipulate the flow of time, providing a sense of control and teaching lessons along the way.

3. The Rebel Leader: Ashling the Pilgrim

The trope of the rebel leader is central to countless stories in pop culture, from Luke Skywalker to Katniss Everdeen. These characters often rise from humble beginnings to challenge oppressive forces. In the world of Magic: The Gathering, Ashling the Pilgrim encapsulates this archetype. As a fiery planeswalker with the ability to manipulate the elements and lead rebellions, Ashling’s personality and abilities reflect the fierce determination and revolutionary spirit of a rebel leader. A Magic Commander deck built around Ashling typically revolves around a fiery strategy, using her red mana-based powers to burn and destroy anything that stands in the way of freedom.

4. The Underdog: Gonti, Lord of Luxury

Underdog stories have always been popular in pop culture, with characters who, despite their disadvantages, rise to greatness through cleverness, perseverance, or sheer willpower. One of the best representations of this trope in Magic is Gonti, Lord of Luxury. Gonti is a mischievous, underappreciated figure from the plane of Ixalan, but with his cunning and unique ability to steal spells from his opponents, he embodies the underdog who defies expectations. Players who choose Gonti as their commander often build Magic Commander decks that rely on clever trickery and stealing valuable resources from their opponents—just as an underdog hero might use ingenuity to outwit a more powerful enemy.

5. The Reluctant Hero: Atraxa, Praetors’ Voice

The reluctant hero is a trope that explores the internal struggle of a character who doesn’t want to take on the mantle of heroism but must ultimately do so out of necessity. Atraxa, Praetors' Voice is a perfect fit for this archetype. Created as part of a sinister experiment, Atraxa is a powerful, multifaceted creature who becomes a champion for something greater than herself. Atraxa's ability to proliferate various counters on other creatures is reminiscent of characters who, despite their reluctance, have the power to shape the world around them. Players building a Magic Commander deck around Atraxa can capitalize on her versatility, using a combination of counters to gain strategic advantages, all while remaining true to her duality of power and restraint.

Conclusion

The world of Magic: The Gathering is a rich tapestry woven with inspiration from across pop culture. Whether it’s the brooding antihero, the wise mentor, or the underdog rebel, Magic embraces these timeless tropes through its commanders. By building a Magic Commander deck around a character that resonates with a particular pop culture archetype, players are not only engaging in strategic gameplay, but they’re also telling a story—one that reflects the heroes, villains, and antiheroes that have captivated audiences for generations. Embracing these tropes allows for a deeper connection to the game and opens the door for endless creative deck-building possibilities.