Popular MTG Tribes

There are many tribes in Magic: The Gathering, each with their own unique characteristics and playstyles. Here are a few examples of some of the most popular tribes in the game:

Goblins

Goblins are a tribe of small, aggressive creatures that are known for their ability to swarm the battlefield quickly in Magic: The Gathering. They have a variety of abilities that allow them to generate card advantage and sacrifice their own creatures for various effects.

Some powerful goblin commanders include:

1. Krenko, Mob Boss: This goblin commander allows players to create a token goblin creature for each goblin they control, making it easy to quickly swarm the battlefield with a horde of goblins.
2. Wort, the Raidmother: This goblin commander allows players to create a token goblin creature for each spell that targets one of their goblins, making it easy to generate a large number of goblin tokens.
3. Muxus, Goblin Grandee: Muxus let’s you ramp up your horde of goblins quickly by potentially bringing in several more goblins quickly, and for free. It also pumps him up when he attacks.

Some of the key gameplay mechanics for goblins include:

Token generation: Goblins have a variety of abilities that allow them to generate token goblin creatures, which can be used to quickly swarm the battlefield and put pressure on opponents.

Sacrificing: Goblins have a variety of abilities that allow them to sacrifice their own creatures for various effects, such as generating mana or drawing cards.

Combo: Goblins have a lot of synergy and they tend to work well together, they have a lot of cards that trigger off the presence of other goblins.

Aggression: Goblins are generally very aggressive and are known for their ability to quickly deal a lot of damage.

Redundancy: Goblins decks tend to have a lot of redundancy, meaning that they can function even if some of their key cards are removed from the game.

Goblins are generally considered to be a very aggressive and fast archetype, they can quickly swarm the battlefield and put pressure on opponents. They are also known for their ability to generate card advantage and sacrifice their own creatures for various effects.

Zombies

Zombies are a tribe of creatures that are known for their ability to generate card advantage through the graveyard and recursion in Magic: The Gathering. They have access to a variety of powerful creatures and abilities that can be difficult for opponents to deal with.

Some of the most powerful zombie commanders include:

1. The Scarab God: This zombie commander allows players to return creatures from the graveyard to the battlefield, making it easy to generate card advantage and recur powerful creatures.
2. Wilhelt, The Rotcleaver: One of the best Zombie Commanders – Wilhelt not only gives you a sacrifice outlet for your creatures, adding synergy with other cards but adds Zombie tokens to the battlefield each time a Zombie dies.
3. Mikaeus, The Unhallowed: An excellent commander, and a strong combo piece. Plus, he gives your tribe +1 / +1 and undying. Powerful indeed.
4. Liliana, Heretical Healer: Liliana is often a great choice for graveyard and black decks. Heretical Healer, is a 2/3 with lifelink that will create a 2/2 black Zombie token anytime another non-token creature you control dies.

Some of the key gameplay mechanics for zombies include:

Recursion: Zombies have a variety of abilities that allow them to return creatures from the graveyard to the battlefield, making it easy to generate card advantage and recur powerful creatures.

Grave-based Interaction: Zombies have a lot of abilities that care about the graveyard and they can use it to their advantage, they can draw cards, return creatures, or even deal damage to opponents.

Deathtouch: Many Zombies have deathtouch, which allows them to deal damage to any creature they deal combat damage to, making it difficult for opponents to block.

Self-sacrifice: Zombies have a variety of abilities that require them to sacrifice other zombies to trigger an effect, this allows players to gain value from creatures that have already died.

Synergy: Zombies have a lot of synergy with each other, many abilities and creatures in the tribe benefit from having other Zombies in play or in the graveyard.

Zombies are generally considered to be a slow and grindy archetype, they tend to win through recursion and graveyard-based interactions. They have a variety of powerful creatures and abilities that can be difficult for opponents to deal with, making them a formidable force on the battlefield.

Elves

Elves are a tribe of creatures known for their ability to generate mana quickly and efficiently in Magic: The Gathering. They also have a variety of abilities that allow them to create token creatures, making them difficult for opponents to deal with.

Some of the most powerful elves commanders include:

1. Ezuri, Renegade Leader: This elves commander allows players to create a token elf creature each time an elf creature deals combat damage, making it easy to quickly swarm the battlefield with a horde of elves.
2. Lathril, Blade of the Elves: Being able to generate elves equal to its power can already be a huge ability if you play enough cards to make Lathril stronger, but you can also tap it and another 10 elves to drain each of your opponents of 10 life while gaining 10 yourself.
3. Selvala, Heart of the Wilds: This elves commander allows players to generate a large amount of mana by tapping elves, making it easy to play powerful spells and abilities.

Some of the key gameplay mechanics for elves include:

Token Generation: Elves have a variety of abilities that allow them to create token elf creatures, which can be used to quickly swarm the battlefield and put pressure on opponents.

Mana Generation: Elves have a variety of abilities that allow them to generate mana quickly and efficiently, which can be used to play powerful spells and abilities. This is also known as Ramp. Elves are known for their ability to quickly generate a large amount of mana, which allows them to play powerful spells and abilities early in the game.

Synergy: Elves have a lot of synergy with each other, many abilities and creatures in the tribe benefit from having other elves in play.

Combo: Elves have a lot of combo potential and are known for their ability to generate infinite mana or token creatures.

Card Advantage: Some elves can generate card advantage by drawing cards when they enter the battlefield or when they are sacrificed.

Versatility: Many elves have activated abilities that can provide different effects, such as creating token creatures, drawing cards, or dealing damage to opponents.

In summary, Elves are a tribe that is known for their ability to generate mana quickly and efficiently, and for their ability to create token creatures. They have a lot of synergy with each other, many abilities and creatures in the tribe benefit from having other elves in play. They are known for their versatility and combo potential, and also for their powerful commanders that can lead them to victory. They are considered a very strong archetype in the game, and are popular among players who enjoy playing aggressive and fast decks.

Merfolk

Merfolk are a tribe of creatures that are known for their ability to generate card advantage through their lords, which give them a variety of bonuses and also for their ability to generate tempo advantage through their ability to tap and untap other permanents in Magic: The Gathering.

Some of the most powerful Merfolk commanders include:

1. Sygg, River Cutthroat: This Merfolk commander allows players to draw a card each time a Merfolk deals combat damage to an opponent, making it easy to generate card advantage.
2. Kumena, Tyrant Of Orazca: This Merfolk commander allows players to draw a card each time a Merfolk enters the battlefield and also allows players to tap and untap other permanents with Merfolk, making it easy to generate tempo advantage.
3. Merieke Ri Berit: This Merfolk commander allows players to tap and untap permanents at will and also allows players to gain control of other creatures, making it a powerful control option.

Some of the key gameplay mechanics for Merfolk include:

Lord effects: Merfolk have a variety of lords that give them bonuses, such as +1/+1, islandwalk, or card draw.

Tap and untap: Merfolk have a variety of abilities that allow them to tap and untap other permanents, which can be used to generate tempo advantage and control the battlefield.

Synergy: Merfolk have a lot of synergy with each other, many abilities and creatures in the tribe benefit from having other Merfolk in play.

Islandwalk: Many Merfolk have the islandwalk ability, which allows them to unblockable as long as the defending player controls an Island.

In summary, Merfolk are a tribe that is known for their ability to generate advantage through their lords, which give them a variety of bonuses and also for their ability to generate tempo advantage through their ability to tap and untap other permanents. They have a lot of synergy with each other, many abilities and creatures in the tribe benefit from having other Merfolk in play. They are considered a very strong archetype in the game, and are popular among players who enjoy playing tempo and control decks.

Vampires

Vampires are a tribe of creatures known for their ability to generate card advantage through their ability to drain life from opponents and recur cards from their graveyard in Magic: The Gathering. They also have a variety of powerful creatures and abilities that can be difficult for opponents to deal with.

Some of the most powerful Vampire commanders include:

1. Edgar Markov: This Vampire commander allows players to create a token Vampire creature each time a Vampire enters the battlefield, making it easy to swarm the battlefield with a horde of vampires quickly.
2. Sorin, Lord of Innistrad: This Vampire commander allows players to drain life from opponents and also allows players to return creatures from the graveyard to the battlefield, making it easy to generate card advantage.
3. Twilight Prophet: They’re a four mana Black 2/4 with flying and Ascend. Then, “At the beginning of your upkeep, if you have the city’s blessing, reveal the top card of your library and put it into your hand. Each opponent loses X life and you gain X life, where X is that card’s mana value.”
4. Olivia Voldaren: This Vampire commander allows players to gain control of other creatures and also allows players to drain life from opponents, making it a powerful control option.

Some of the key gameplay mechanics for Vampires include:

Drain Life: Vampires have a variety of abilities that allow them to drain life from opponents, which can be used to generate card advantage and control the battlefield.

Recursion: Vampires have a variety of abilities that allow them to return creatures from the graveyard to the battlefield, making it easy to generate card advantage and recur powerful creatures.

Token Generation: Vampires have a variety of abilities that allow them to create token vampire creatures, which can be used to quickly swarm the battlefield and put pressure on opponents.

Bloodthirst: Some Vampires have the ability bloodthirst, which means they have an increased power and toughness depending on how many opponent’s life have been lost during the game.

Synergy: Vampires have a lot of synergy with each other, many abilities and creatures in the tribe benefit from having other Vampires in play.

Control: Vampires have a variety of abilities that allow them to gain control of other creatures and also abilities that allow them to remove creatures from the battlefield.

Life Drain: Many Vampires have abilities that drain life from opponents, this can be used to generate card advantage, or to control the game by putting opponents under pressure.

In summary, Vampires are a tribe known for their ability to gain an advantage through their ability to drain life from opponents and recur cards from their graveyard. They also have a variety of powerful creatures and abilities that can be difficult for opponents to deal with. They have a lot of synergy with each other, many abilities and creatures in the tribe benefit from having other Vampires in play. They are considered a powerful archetype in the game, and are popular among players who enjoy playing aggressive, combo and control decks.

Angels

Angels are a tribe of creatures that are known for their high power and toughness, their flying ability and their ability to generate card advantage through their abilities in Magic: The Gathering. They are known for their ability to provide life-gain, protection, and powerful board presence.

Some of the most powerful Angel commanders include:

1. Kaalia of the Vast: This Angel commander allows players to protect themselves from spells and abilities and also allows players to cast spells from the graveyard, making it a powerful control option.
2. Giada, Font Of Hope: What makes Giada, Font Of Hope fantastic is any Angel that enters the battlefield will enter it with a +1/+1 counter for each Angel already on the battlefield. Since Angels can easily flood the field, this can cause the Angels to drop into the battlefield with massive stats, allowing you to start swinging in for giant damage early.
3. Avacyn, Angel of Hope: This Angel commander provides Indestructible to all permanents under the control of the player, making it very difficult for opponents to deal with. The downside is that she is expensive to bring into play.
4. Bruna, Light of Alabaster: This Angel commander allows players to gain life and also allows players to return creatures from the graveyard to the battlefield, making it easy to generate card advantage.
5. Lyra Dawnbringer: Lyra Dawnbringer is an anthem for Angels. This means that it will give all other Angels +1/+1 as well as lifelink so long as Lyra Dawnbringer is on the field. It itself has first strike and lifelink as well.

Some of the key gameplay mechanics for Angels include:

Life-Gain: Angels have a variety of abilities that allow them to gain life, which can be used to control the battlefield and make it difficult for opponents to deal damage.

Protection: Angels have a variety of abilities that allow them to protect themselves and other permanents from spells and abilities, making them difficult to remove from the battlefield.

Flying: Angels have the flying ability, which allows them to attack and block creatures with flying or reach.

Board Presence: Angels have high power and toughness, this makes them formidable creatures in combat and they can quickly take control of the battlefield.

In summary, Angels are a tribe known for their high power and toughness, flying ability, and ability to build an advantage through their abilities. They are known for their ability to provide life-gain, protection, and powerful board presence. They are considered a very strong archetype in the game, and are popular among players who enjoy playing control and life-gain-oriented decks.

Other MTG Tribes

Wizards: Wizards are a tribe of spellcasters known for their ability to manipulate magic. They often have abilities that allow them to draw extra cards, counter spells or copy other spells. Wizards are also known for their ability to control the battlefield with powerful spells and abilities.

Dinosaurs: Dinosaurs are a tribe of massive, powerful creatures known for their raw strength and toughness. They often have abilities that grant them bonuses when attacking or make them difficult to block. Dinosaurs are also known for their high toughness and ability to survive in combat for longer periods of time.

Cats: Cats are a tribe of creatures known for their agility and speed. They often have abilities that grant them bonuses when attacking or make them difficult to block. Cats are also known for their ability to work together in a pack and for their stealthy nature.

Pirates: Pirates are a tribe of creatures known for their love of adventure and treasure. They often have abilities that allow them to loot, raid or steal from the opponent. Pirates are also known for their ability to navigate the battlefield and for their willingness to take risks.

Spirits: Spirits are a tribe of creatures that are not bound by the physical realm. They often have abilities that allow them to evade or phase out of combat. Spirits are also known for their ability to manipulate the battlefield and for their connection to the afterlife.

Rogues: Rogues are a tribe of creatures known for their stealth and cunning. They often have abilities that allow them to sneak past defenders or steal from the opponent. Rogues are also known for their ability to operate in the shadows and for their adaptability in different situations.

Horrors: Horrors are a tribe of creatures known for their terrifying appearance and abilities. They often have abilities that deal damage, drain life or exile permanents. Horrors are also known for their ability to instill fear in their opponents and for their immense power.

Merfolk: Merfolk are a tribe of creatures known for their aquatic nature and their ability to adapt to different environments. They often have abilities that grant them bonuses when attacking or make them difficult to block. Merfolk are also known for their intelligence and for their ability to work together as a team.

Eldrazi: Eldrazi are a tribe of giant, otherworldly beings known for their immense power and their ability to reshape the plane. They often have abilities that allow them to exile permanents or deal massive damage. Eldrazi are also known for their mysterious nature and for their ability to inspire awe and fear.

Werewolves: Werewolves are a tribe of creatures known for their ability to transform between human and wolf form. They often have abilities that grant them bonuses when attacking or make them difficult to block. Werewolves are also known for their strength, speed, and endurance.

Knights: Knights are a tribe of creatures known for their courage, honor, and loyalty. They often have abilities that grant them bonuses when attacking or make them difficult to block. Knights are also known for their ability to protect others and for their sense of duty and responsibility.

Demons: Demons are a tribe of creatures known for their malevolent nature and their ability to deal damage. They often have abilities that allow them to drain life or exile permanents. Demons are also known for their power and their ability to corrupt and influence others.

Shapeshifters: Shapeshifters are a tribe of creatures known for their ability to change their form and adapt to different situations. They often have abilities that allow them to copy other creatures or take on different abilities. Shapeshifters are also known for their versatility and adaptability, making them unpredictable and difficult to counter.

Hydras: Hydras are a tribe of massive, multi-headed creatures known for their regenerative abilities. They often have abilities that allow them to grow more heads or deal extra damage for each head present. Hydras are also known for their resilience and ability to survive multiple attacks. They are also known for their powerful attacks and ability to strike multiple opponents simultaneously.

Walls: Walls are a tribe of creatures known for their ability to defend and block attacks. They often have abilities that allow them to block multiple creatures or prevent damage. Walls are also known for their high toughness and their ability to hold back opponents’ attacks.

Elementals: Elementals are a tribe of creatures that are associated with one of the four elements: air, earth, fire, and water. They often have abilities that are related to their element and can be powerful in the right circumstances. Elementals are also known for their raw power and ability to manipulate the elements.

Clerics: Clerics are a tribe of creatures that are associated with religion and healing. They often have abilities that allow them to heal or protect other creatures. Clerics are also known for their ability to inspire and rally others in battle.

Insects: Insects are a tribe of creatures known for their small size and ability to swarm. They often have abilities that allow them to deal extra damage or multiply in numbers. Insects are also known for their ability to adapt and survive in different environments.

Soldiers: Soldiers are a tribe of creatures known for their discipline and training. They often have abilities that allow them to work together as a unit or grant bonuses to other creatures. Soldiers are also known for their ability to hold the line and defend their allies.

Warriors: Warriors are a tribe of creatures known for their strength and combat skill. They often have abilities that allow them to deal extra damage or grant bonuses when attacking. Warriors are also known for their bravery and their ability to lead others in battle.

Gods: Gods are a tribe of powerful, divine beings. They often have abilities that grant them immense power and make them difficult to defeat. Gods are also known for their ability to grant blessings and curses, and for their ability to reshape the plane.

Samurai: Samurai are a tribe of creatures inspired by Japanese warrior culture. They often have abilities that grant them bonuses for honorable actions, such as attacking or defending, and for wielding powerful weapons. Samurai are also known for their discipline, honor and their ability to lead others in battle.

Sphinxes: Sphinxes are a tribe of creatures known for their intelligence and wisdom. They often have abilities that allow them to manipulate the battlefield or ask riddles to opponents. Sphinxes are also known for their enigma and for their ability to protect secrets.

Minotaurs: Minotaurs are a tribe of creatures known for their strength and ferocity. They often have abilities that grant them bonuses when attacking or make them difficult to block. Minotaurs are also known for their rage and for their ability to intimidate opponents.

Tyranids: Tyranids are a tribe of creatures known for their adaptability, speed and overwhelming numbers. They often have abilities that allow them to multiply in numbers or consume other creatures. Tyranids are also known for their hive mind and for their ability to overwhelm opponents.

Oozes: Oozes are a tribe of creatures known for their ability to consume and adapt to different environments. They often have abilities that allow them to engulf other creatures or grow in size. Oozes are also known for their resilience and ability to survive in harsh conditions.

Faeries: Faeries are a tribe of creatures known for their mischievous nature and their ability to manipulate magic. They often have abilities that allow them to fly, grant bonuses to other creatures, or grant bonuses when attacking. Faeries are also known for their ability to deceive and outsmart their opponents.

Allies: Allies are a tribe of creatures that work together to achieve a common goal. They often have abilities that grant bonuses when other allies are present or allow them to team up in combat. Allies are also known for their ability to coordinate and for their sense of camaraderie.

Wurms: Wurms are a tribe of giant, serpentine creatures known for their immense power and size. They often have abilities that allow them to deal extra damage or trample over smaller creatures. Wurms are also known for their ability to swallow opponents whole and for their resilience in battle.

Spiders: Spiders are a tribe of creatures known for their stealth and web-slinging abilities. They often have abilities that allow them to create webs or poison their opponents. Spiders are also known for their ability to stalk and ambush their prey.

Druids: Druids are a tribe of creatures associated with nature and the natural world. They often have abilities that allow them to manipulate the environment or grant bonuses to other creatures. Druids are also known for their ability to commune with nature and for their ability to shape shift.

Scarecrows: Scarecrows are a tribe of creatures known for their ability to strike fear into the hearts of their opponents. They often have abilities that allow them to create fear or grant bonuses when attacking. Scarecrows are also known for their ability to intimidate and for their ability to protect their land.

These are just a few examples of the many tribes that exist in Magic: The Gathering, and the popularity of a tribe can change with time and sets releases.