Art: Néstor Ossandón Leal · ™ & © Wizards of the Coast
Celes, Rune Knight
WBRLegendary Creature — Human Wizard Knight · from $0.38
When Celes enters, discard any number of cards, then draw that many cards plus one.
Whenever one or more other creatures you control enter, if one or more of them entered from a graveyard or was cast from a graveyard, put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control.
A typical Commander deck
A starting template, not a rule — counts to fill in around the commander.
- Lands3736–38 for most decks; fewer with cheap curves
- Ramp10mana rocks, dorks, land ramp — mostly 2–3 mana
- Card draw10repeatable engines beat one-shot cantrips
- Targeted removal6answers for creatures AND artifacts/enchantments
- Board wipes3sweepers reset boards you've lost
- Synergy & win conditions33the deck's actual plan
Staples in these colors
The 100 cards that fit this color identity in the most EDHREC decklists (EDHREC rank via Scryfall).
Budget
55 of 100 at $5 or less · 42 at $1 or less
| # | Card | Type | MV | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sol Ring | Artifact | 1 | $1.07 |
| 2 | Command Tower | Land | 0 | $0.26 |
| 3 | Arcane Signet | Artifact | 2 | $0.34 |
| 4 | Exotic Orchard | Land | 0 | $0.19 |
| 5 | Reliquary Tower | Land | 0 | $4.28 |
| 6 | Swords to Plowshares | Instant | 1 | $0.98 |
| 7 | Swiftfoot Boots | Artifact | 2 | $1.43 |
| 8 | Lightning Greaves | Artifact | 2 | $3.86 |
| 9 | Path of Ancestry | Land | 0 | $0.16 |
| 10 | Path to Exile | Instant | 1 | $0.71 |
| 11 | Fellwar Stone | Artifact | 2 | $0.47 |
| 12 | Rogue's Passage | Land | 0 | $0.31 |
| 13 | Evolving Wilds | Land | 0 | $0.09 |
| 14 | Thought Vessel | Artifact | 2 | $2.23 |
| 15 | Blasphemous Act | Sorcery | 9 | $0.72 |
| 16 | Bojuka Bog | Land | 0 | $1.12 |
| 17 | Terramorphic Expanse | Land | 0 | $0.10 |
| 18 | Chaos Warp | Instant | 3 | $0.32 |
| 19 | Myriad Landscape | Land | 0 | $0.25 |
| 20 | Mind Stone | Artifact | 2 | $0.21 |
| 21 | Dark Ritual | Instant | 1 | $0.44 |
| 22 | Polluted Delta | Land | 0 | $19.85 |
| 23 | Flooded Strand | Land | 0 | $12.78 |
| 24 | Skullclamp | Artifact | 1 | $4.85 |
| 25 | Solemn Simulacrum | Creature | 4 | $0.27 |
| 26 | Misty Rainforest | Land | 0 | $35.98 |
| 27 | Bloodstained Mire | Land | 0 | $14.54 |
| 28 | Fabled Passage | Land | 0 | $0.65 |
| 29 | Windswept Heath | Land | 0 | $11.19 |
| 30 | Wooded Foothills | Land | 0 | $17.96 |
| 31 | Verdant Catacombs | Land | 0 | $29.16 |
| 32 | Scalding Tarn | Land | 0 | $36.86 |
| 33 | Marsh Flats | Land | 0 | $32.04 |
| 34 | Commander's Sphere | Artifact | 3 | $0.19 |
| 35 | Reanimate | Sorcery | 1 | $6.56 |
| 36 | Arid Mesa | Land | 0 | $31.40 |
| 37 | Godless Shrine | Land | 0 | $8.47 |
| 38 | Generous Gift | Instant | 3 | $0.93 |
| 39 | Demonic Tutor | Sorcery | 2 | $62.80 |
| 40 | Smothering Tithe | Enchantment | 4 | $56.09 |
| 41 | Toxic Deluge | Sorcery | 3 | $5.04 |
| 42 | Blood Crypt | Land | 0 | $8.68 |
| 43 | Ancient Tomb | Land | 0 | $56.94 |
| 44 | Sacred Foundry | Land | 0 | $10.28 |
| 45 | Deflecting Swat | Instant | 3 | $70.85 |
| 46 | Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth | Land | 0 | $56.13 |
| 47 | Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth | Land | 0 | $16.76 |
| 48 | Clifftop Retreat | Land | 0 | $0.19 |
| 49 | Esper Sentinel | Creature | 1 | $58.03 |
| 50 | Temple of the False God | Land | 0 | $0.19 |
| 51 | Dragonskull Summit | Land | 0 | $0.45 |
| 52 | Chromatic Lantern | Artifact | 3 | $0.38 |
| 53 | Isolated Chapel | Land | 0 | $0.21 |
| 54 | Feed the Swarm | Sorcery | 2 | $0.19 |
| 55 | Smoldering Marsh | Land | 0 | $0.27 |
| 56 | City of Brass | Land | 0 | $9.17 |
| 57 | The One Ring | Artifact | 4 | $109.88 |
| 58 | Faithless Looting | Sorcery | 1 | $0.36 |
| 59 | Vandalblast | Sorcery | 1 | $1.74 |
| 60 | Phyrexian Arena | Enchantment | 3 | $1.92 |
| 61 | Jeska's Will | Sorcery | 3 | $39.58 |
| 62 | Deadly Rollick | Instant | 4 | $26.52 |
| 63 | Teferi's Protection | Instant | 3 | $34.90 |
| 64 | Cavern of Souls | Land | 0 | $47.72 |
| 65 | Vampiric Tutor | Instant | 1 | $48.13 |
| 66 | Mana Confluence | Land | 0 | $34.75 |
| 67 | Urza's Saga | Enchantment | 0 | $34.67 |
| 68 | Battlefield Forge | Land | 0 | $0.20 |
| 69 | Lotus Petal | Artifact | 0 | $35.11 |
| 70 | Enlightened Tutor | Instant | 1 | $21.99 |
| 71 | Caves of Koilos | Land | 0 | $0.30 |
| 72 | Wayfarer's Bauble | Artifact | 1 | $0.31 |
| 73 | Talisman of Indulgence | Artifact | 2 | $0.47 |
| 74 | Black Market Connections | Enchantment | 3 | $10.78 |
| 75 | Victimize | Sorcery | 3 | $0.57 |
| 76 | Deadly Dispute | Instant | 2 | $0.29 |
| 77 | Roaming Throne | Creature | 4 | $47.06 |
| 78 | Ashnod's Altar | Artifact | 3 | $8.15 |
| 79 | Talisman of Hierarchy | Artifact | 2 | $0.45 |
| 80 | Big Score | Instant | 4 | $0.41 |
| 81 | War Room | Land | 0 | $0.79 |
| 82 | Blood Artist | Creature | 2 | $2.78 |
| 83 | Sulfurous Springs | Land | 0 | $0.49 |
| 84 | Abrade | Instant | 2 | $0.17 |
| 85 | Talisman of Conviction | Artifact | 2 | $0.35 |
| 86 | Herald's Horn | Artifact | 3 | $2.88 |
| 87 | Mana Vault | Artifact | 1 | $91.59 |
| 88 | Anguished Unmaking | Instant | 3 | $1.58 |
| 89 | Chrome Mox | Artifact | 0 | $51.19 |
| 90 | Lightning Bolt | Instant | 1 | $0.75 |
| 91 | Ghostly Prison | Enchantment | 3 | $5.72 |
| 92 | Luxury Suite | Land | 0 | $8.62 |
| 93 | Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx | Land | 0 | $45.68 |
| 94 | Reflecting Pool | Land | 0 | $5.50 |
| 95 | Rakdos Signet | Artifact | 2 | $0.31 |
| 96 | Spectator Seating | Land | 0 | $5.71 |
| 97 | Vault of Champions | Land | 0 | $16.60 |
| 98 | Austere Command | Sorcery | 6 | $0.33 |
| 99 | Flawless Maneuver | Instant | 3 | $9.24 |
| 100 | Farewell | Sorcery | 6 | $4.44 |
Curve of these staples
3
0
14
1
15
2
16
3
6
4
5
2
6
1
7+
Most played with Celes, Rune Knight
The 25 most-played cards in 38 settled top-16 lists running Celes, Rune Knight (any pairing) at 16+ player events since Mar 7, 2026, ranked by lists played — top-4 counts shown for context. Results from Topdeck.gg.
| # | Card | Played in | Top 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arcane Signet | 100% · 38 of 38 | 10 |
| 2 | Command Tower | 100% · 38 of 38 | 10 |
| 3 | Goblin Bombardment | 95% · 36 of 38 | 9 |
| 4 | Lesser Masticore | 95% · 36 of 38 | 10 |
| 5 | Sol Ring | 95% · 36 of 38 | 10 |
| 6 | Murderous Redcap | 92% · 35 of 38 | 7 |
| 7 | Blood Crypt | 89% · 34 of 38 | 9 |
| 8 | Godless Shrine | 89% · 34 of 38 | 9 |
| 9 | Silence | 89% · 34 of 38 | 10 |
| 10 | Dark Ritual | 87% · 33 of 38 | 8 |
| 11 | Sacred Foundry | 87% · 33 of 38 | 9 |
| 12 | Bloodstained Mire | 84% · 32 of 38 | 8 |
| 13 | Esper Sentinel | 84% · 32 of 38 | 8 |
| 14 | Grand Abolisher | 84% · 32 of 38 | 8 |
| 15 | Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff | 84% · 32 of 38 | 8 |
| 16 | Reanimate | 84% · 32 of 38 | 9 |
| 17 | Arid Mesa | 82% · 31 of 38 | 7 |
| 18 | Lotus Petal | 82% · 31 of 38 | 8 |
| 19 | Marsh Flats | 82% · 31 of 38 | 7 |
| 20 | Orcish Bowmasters | 82% · 31 of 38 | 8 |
| 21 | Vampiric Tutor | 82% · 31 of 38 | 7 |
| 22 | Voice of Victory | 82% · 31 of 38 | 7 |
| 23 | Badlands | 79% · 30 of 38 | 7 |
| 24 | Chrome Mox | 79% · 30 of 38 | 7 |
| 25 | City of Brass | 79% · 30 of 38 | 8 |
Combos with Celes, Rune Knight
The 10 most popular of 59 combos (by EDHREC decklist count) using this commander that fit its color identity, from Commander Spellbook.
Celes, Rune Knight + Murderous Redcap
Infinite +1/+1 counters on most creatures you control · Infinite creature ETB · Infinite creature LTB · Infinite death triggers
Celes, Rune Knight + Goblin Bombardment + Persist Creature
Infinite creature LTB · Infinite creature ETB · Infinite creature sacrifice triggers · Infinite death triggers · Infinite damage · Infinite +1/+1 counters on creatures you control
Celes, Rune Knight + Viscera Seer + Persist Creature
Infinite creature LTB · Infinite creature ETB · Infinite creature sacrifice triggers · Infinite death triggers · Infinite scry 1 · Infinite +1/+1 counters on creatures you control
Ashnod's Altar + Celes, Rune Knight + Persist Creature
Infinite creature LTB · Infinite creature ETB · Infinite creature sacrifice triggers · Infinite death triggers · Infinite colorless mana · Infinite +1/+1 counters on creatures you control
Altar of Dementia + Celes, Rune Knight + Persist Creature
Infinite creature LTB · Infinite creature ETB · Infinite creature sacrifice triggers · Infinite death triggers · Infinite mill · Infinite self-mill · Infinite +1/+1 counters on creatures you control
Celes, Rune Knight + Phyrexian Altar + Persist Creature
Infinite creature LTB · Infinite creature ETB · Infinite colored mana · Infinite creature sacrifice triggers · Infinite death triggers · Infinite +1/+1 counters on creatures you control
Celes, Rune Knight + Umbral Collar Zealot + Persist Creature
Infinite creature LTB · Infinite creature ETB · Infinite creature sacrifice triggers · Infinite death triggers · Infinite surveil · Infinite +1/+1 counters on creatures you control
Carrion Feeder + Celes, Rune Knight + Persist Creature
Infinite creature LTB · Infinite creature ETB · Infinite creature sacrifice triggers · Infinite death triggers · Infinite +1/+1 counters on creatures you control
Blasting Station + Celes, Rune Knight + Persist Creature
Infinite creature LTB · Infinite creature ETB · Infinite creature sacrifice triggers · Infinite death triggers · Infinite damage · Infinite +1/+1 counters on creatures you control
Bartolomé del Presidio + Celes, Rune Knight + Persist Creature
Infinite creature LTB · Infinite creature ETB · Infinite creature sacrifice triggers · Infinite death triggers · Infinite +1/+1 counters on creatures you control
Top finishes
The 8 most recent of 40 finishes placing top 16 at 16+ player events with this commander. Results from Topdeck.gg.
- 15th of 16 — The Hobbit Play Booster Top Prize cEDH Tournament on Topdeck.ggSep 20, 2026 · 0–2–0 · by Dale
- 10th of 16 — Finnish CEDHEU2027 Qualifier #2/5 @ Tampere on Topdeck.ggSep 12, 2026 · 0–1–3 · by Teemu Arponen
- 13th of 66 — Commander Wars VI on Topdeck.ggSep 5, 2026 · 1–3–0 · by CRONZ
- 15th of 25 — Card Quest CEDH League Season 10 Week 3 on Topdeck.ggSep 3, 2026 · 0–1–1 · by Justin Smith
- 2nd of 35 — TITANS OF THE UNDERGROUND - SEASON 2 ROUND 7 on Topdeck.ggAug 29, 2026 · 2–2–1 · by Michael BANKS
- 12th of 21 — MCL Shuffle n Cut 48-Open - CEDH Melbourne Aug 2026 on Topdeck.ggAug 22, 2026 · 1–2–1 · by Trace Toten
- 10th of 27 — CEDH Monthly Cash Tournament (August) @ Grand J Games Melbourne on Topdeck.ggAug 15, 2026 · 0–2–1 · by Trace Toten
- 6th of 21 — cEDH Singularity Series #7 on Topdeck.ggAug 1, 2026 · 2–2–0 · by CEO of Big Horse Cope [Prowess]
Card data and images courtesy of Scryfall; popularity ranking from EDHREC decklist data included in Scryfall bulk. Combo data courtesy of Commander Spellbook. Tournament results courtesy of Topdeck.gg. Deckwarden is unofficial Fan Content and is not endorsed by Wizards of the Coast.