Commander on a Budget: Building Your First MTG Deck in Texas Under $50

Building a Commander Deck Under $50 Is Totally Doable in Texas

You can build a fully functional, genuinely fun Commander deck in Texas for under $50 by choosing a budget-friendly commander like Lathril, Blade of the Elves or Syr Konrad, the Grim, sourcing singles from $1 bins at local game stores like Knight Watch Games in San Antonio or Dragon’s Lair in Austin, and using proven mana base shortcuts that skip expensive dual lands without crippling your gameplay.

Commander is the most popular Magic: The Gathering format in Texas — walk into any Friday Night Magic at Knight Watch Games on Nacogdoches Road in San Antonio, or swing by Coral Sword in Houston on a weekend, and you’ll find tables packed with Commander players of every experience level. The format’s reputation for expensive decks can scare off newcomers, but the truth is that a tight, themed budget build will win games and earn respect at any kitchen table.

This guide walks you through the entire process: picking your commander, understanding the Rule of 99, building a cheap mana base, and knowing exactly where in Texas to find the singles you need without paying retail prices.

Choosing Your Budget Commander: Three Texas-Approved Picks Under $5

Your commander is the most important card in the deck — it defines your strategy, your colors, and your identity at the table. The good news is that some of the most consistent and fun commanders cost almost nothing.

• Lathril, Blade of the Elves — A black-green Elf tribal powerhouse that generates tokens and drains opponents. Copies run around $2–$3, and the supporting Elf package is dirt cheap. An excellent first deck for players who enjoy swarming the board.
• Chatterfang, Squirrel General — A black-green token doubler that turns any token-generating card into a Squirrel army. Chatterfang itself can spike in price occasionally, so check TCGPlayer and compare with your local LGS singles bins before buying.
• Syr Konrad, the Grim — A mono-black nightmare that deals damage every time a creature leaves any graveyard. Mono-color keeps your mana base simple and cheap. Syr Konrad consistently shows up in $30–$50 budget lists recommended by content creators and is perfect for players new to the format.

All three of these commanders reward consistent, focused deck-building rather than expensive single cards. That focus is exactly what budget deckbuilding demands — and it makes you a better player in the long run.

The Rule of 99: What Goes in Your Deck

Commander decks are exactly 100 cards: your commander plus 99 others. Every card in your 99 should serve your strategy. For a budget build, a reliable starting framework looks like this:

• Lands: 36–38 — Your most important category. See the mana base section below.
• Ramp: 10–12 — Sol Ring (under $2), Arcane Signet (under $2), and color-appropriate signets are budget staples every Commander player should own.
• Card draw: 8–10 — Skullclamp, Read the Bones, Harmonize, and Night’s Whisper all cost under $1 each at most Texas stores.
• Removal: 8–10 — Swords to Plowshares, Beast Within, Swiftfoot Boots, and Chaos Warp give you versatile, affordable interaction across colors.
• Win conditions and theme cards: 25–30 — These are the fun cards that make your deck do its specific thing.

New players often make the mistake of cramming in too many “win conditions” and not enough interaction or ramp. The Rule of 99 is unforgiving — every slot matters. Prioritize consistency over flashy cards, especially on a budget.

Mana Base Shortcuts for Budget Decks

The mana base is where Commander decks get expensive — original dual lands, fetch lands, and shock lands can push a mana base into hundreds of dollars. Budget players can skip all of that with a few simple substitutions.

• Basics first — For a mono-color commander like Syr Konrad, running 35 basic Swamps and a handful of utility lands like Emergence Zone or Castle Locthwain is completely viable.
• Gain lands — Scoured Barrens, Jungle Hollow, and other “gain 1 life” dual lands enter tapped but cost pennies. They belong in every budget two-color build.
• Tri-color commanders — Stick to two-color commanders until you’re more comfortable. Adding a third color multiplies your mana base costs quickly.
• Commander staple lands — Command Tower (under $1), Exotic Orchard, and Terramorphic Expanse are affordable fixing options available in nearly every $1 bin in Texas.

A two-color deck with 36 lands built from gain lands, Command Tower, and basics will function consistently enough to enjoy the format. You can upgrade individual lands one at a time as your budget grows.

Where to Buy Budget MTG Singles in Texas

Texas has a strong local game store scene, and most dedicated MTG stores maintain $1 or bulk single bins that are goldmines for budget deckbuilders. Always check local stores before going to TCGPlayer — you save on shipping, support the local community, and often find deals that aren’t listed online.

• Knight Watch Games (San Antonio) — Nacogdoches Road location runs weekly Commander events and keeps a well-stocked singles case alongside budget bins. Staff are knowledgeable and will often help you find cards on a budget.
• Dice Drop (San Antonio) — San Pedro Ave location is popular with Commander and casual players. Check their bulk bins for cheap staples.
• Dragon’s Lair (Austin) — One of the longest-running game stores in Texas. Their singles selection is extensive, and they host Commander nights regularly.
• Sci-Fi Factory (Fort Worth) — Fort Worth’s go-to spot for MTG players in the DFW area, with singles available and a friendly Commander community.
• Common Ground Games (Dallas) — Dallas Commander players congregate here. Check their event schedule and singles inventory.
• Coral Sword (Houston) — Houston’s dedicated card game store with a serious Magic community and competitive and casual Commander support.

When TCGPlayer makes more sense — large orders, hard-to-find cards, or comparing prices — set a maximum of $1 per card for your first build and filter accordingly. Most budget Commander decks only need two or three cards above that threshold.

Precons vs. Custom Builds: What Makes Sense in Texas

Wizards of the Coast releases Commander preconstructed decks at roughly $45–$60 retail, and they’re widely available at all the Texas stores listed above, plus big-box retailers. Precons are a legitimate starting point — they’re legal, reasonably balanced, and ready to play out of the box. However, a custom budget build around a focused commander often outperforms a precon at the same price point because every card is working toward a single strategy.

The best approach for most new Texas players: if a precon includes a commander you love and has a strategy that appeals to you, buy it and upgrade it over time. If you have a specific commander in mind from the list above, build custom from scratch using local singles bins. Either path leads to a playable deck — the format is forgiving enough for both.

FAQ

What Commander should a beginner in Texas play?

Syr Konrad, the Grim is the most beginner-friendly option because he’s mono-black, straightforward to play, and costs under $3. Lathril, Blade of the Elves is an excellent choice if you prefer green-black and tribal strategies. Both perform well at casual Commander tables across Texas stores like Knight Watch Games and Dragon’s Lair, and neither requires expensive support cards to function.

Where can I buy cheap MTG singles in Texas?

Most dedicated MTG stores in Texas maintain $1 single bins or bulk boxes that are excellent for budget deckbuilding — check Knight Watch Games and Dice Drop in San Antonio, Dragon’s Lair in Austin, Sci-Fi Factory in Fort Worth, Common Ground Games in Dallas, and Coral Sword in Houston. TCGPlayer is a solid backup for cards your local store doesn’t carry. Always verify store hours and inventory availability before making a trip, as stock and store hours can change.

Is it worth buying Commander precons vs. building a custom deck?

Commander precons at $45–$60 offer convenience and a ready-to-play experience, but a focused custom build in the same price range often plays more consistently because every card serves the strategy. Precons are great if you love the commander and theme; custom builds are better if you have a specific game plan in mind. Many experienced Texas players recommend buying a precon once to learn the format, then building custom from that point forward.

How do I upgrade my Commander deck cheaply?

Upgrade one category at a time — start with ramp, then card draw, then removal before touching your theme cards. Set a per-card budget of $2–$3 and look for cards that replace two or three weaker cards with a single more efficient option. Stores like Dragon’s Lair in Austin and Knight Watch Games in San Antonio often have rotating discount bins where recent upgrades show up at reduced prices. Tracking prices on TCGPlayer and buying singles when they dip is another reliable strategy.