Magic: The Gatheringhas many interesting and varied mechanics that offer vastly different ways to play the game. Some players elect to take a fast approach, flooding their opponents with spells every turn. Often, these commanders take advantage of the flash mechanic, a keyword that allows permanents to be played as fast as instants.
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Flash is a unique mechanic that helps ensure you always have an answer to each opponent’s strategy, whether that is flashing in a creature to block or bringing in a new enchantment to alter the game’s rules. These commanders aim to take advantage of the flash keyword and gain immense value from casting spells every single turn.
10Ramos, Dragon Engine
A five color mana option for the bold, Ramos is indeed an engine for casting massive amounts of spells. Casting colored spells feeds into their +1/+1 counters, allowing them to generate immense amounts of mana after removing five. As this can only happen once each turn, Ramos requires a good amount of flash spells and instants to get the most out of them, eventually creating a massive mana engine for constant spellslinging.
His high cost makes him difficult to get out, but the colorless requirement greatly alleviates this. Additionally, while he permits all colors in his deck, he does not need all of those colors, allowing you to customize your deck easily. You may even avoid red and black mana entirely for their lack of flash options and instead elect to capitalize on the wealth of options green, blue, and white have.
9Yeva, Nature’s Herald
Yeva is a simple commander with big potential. Of all the things to be able to flash, green creatures are some of the best. Most of them have big bodies with great enter-the-battlefield effects, and flash ultimately helps protect them from removal and functionally gives them haste if you cast before your turn.
The amount of defensive options provided by Yeva is also substantial. Flashing in a creature with reach to deal with a pesky flyer or bringing in a low-cost deathtouch to take out big threats is huge, and it is more than likely going to dissuade opponents from attacking you.
8Derevi, Empyrial Tactician
Derevi is a flash commander that doesn’t necessarily need other flash cards to be good. Derevi technically doesn’t have flash, instead having an innate ability that functions like flash, with the added benefit of being immune to the commander tax. Her abilities are simple, rewarding successful hits with tapping or untapping permanents.
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However, what makes her an effective flash commander is that her ability can essentially allow for a complete regeneration of your mana pool after your turn. Simply flash a bunch of creatures in prior to your turn, play spells as necessary, hit an opponent with your creatures, untap your lands, and you essentially have free mana to do the same thing again. It’s simple but very effective, especially within her colors.
7Raff Capashen, Ship’s Mage
Raff Capashen is a flash commander looking to turn other permanents into flash cards. Historic spells are extremely varied and encompass everything frompowerful Saga enchantmentsto planeswalkers, making Raff an extremely versatile commander for those looking to get value out of high-risk cards.
What makes his ability great is that flash cards are so difficult to remove quickly, requiring instants to deal with. Essentially, he can sneak in an entire team of high-value cards just before your turn to absolutely devastate opponents once your turns begin.
6Chromium, The Mutable
For those seeking to fight more with their chosen commander, Chromium is more your style. A hardy 7/7 with flash and flying, he is able to deliver some devastating hits to your opponents. What’s more is that he cannot be countered, and his innate ability gives him hexproof in a pinch, so he is certain to come in and stick around.
As you want to keep as many cards in hand to protect your dragon, Chromium simply pairs well with flash cards that can be easily played once you are certain he is safe to attack on your turn. Additionally, blue and black have some great flash synergy cards that are often unable to be used in other decks, making Chromium a great choice to take advantage of those cards.
5Elsha Of The Infinite
A more traditional spellslinger, Elsha takes an alternative approach to flash decks. While she pairs well with flash, Elsha relies more on top-decking your cards so you can surprise enemies with lightning-quick casts of powerful noncreature spells.
As such, she can be agreat storm commander, building up long chains of cast spells until you eventually bring down the pain with a large storm spell. Alternatively, she can be built as a superfriends deck, using scry spells to ensure your planeswalkers get out reliably and safely onto the battlefield, where they can be useful with their powerful effects. No matter which way you build her, she is a solid purveyor of flash spells that aim to make the most of her surprise tactics.
4Chulane, Teller Of Tales
Chulane is a feared powerhouse commander and for good reason: he generates so much value. One creature cast not only gives him card draw but ramp as well by allowing you to play lands, allowing him to quickly outpace opponents provided he can keep casting.
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Additionally, Chulane has arguably the best colors for flash creatures. Green, blue, and white all have some of the greatest flash creatures between them. Chulane’s abilities synergize well with flash creatures, creating a sustainable chain of creature casts that can quickly build a board before your turn even begins.
3Ephara, God Of The Polis
An oldie but one that has stood the test of time, Ephara is a master at getting card draw from flash spells. While perhaps not as powerful as Chulane, Ephara touches on classic feel of flash spells being cast every turn. As her ability activates every upkeep, you should be aiming to get a creature on the board every turn, either by flashing it in orby creating tokens.
As a touch of sweetness on top of it all, Ephara is very difficult to remove, having indestructible and being mostly intangible as a noncreature until you’re able to bring your devotion high enough (which itself can be easily controlled with flash creatures).
2Rashmi, Eternities Crafter
Another commander that rewards casts every turn, Rashmi pairs so well with flash cards. The first spell cast every turn (not just yours) essentially turns into a mini cascade, potentially allowing you to cast free spells of lesser mana cost. Even if they aren’t cast, Rashmi puts them into your hand, ensuring that at least you get some card draw.
Unsurprisingly, Rashmi pairs well with anything that can be cast at instant speed, especially flash cards.
1Nymris, Oona’s Trickster
Nymris is a rare blue and black flash commander. Blue and black have a wealth of good flash cards, especially ones that synergize specifically with other flash cards. As her ability only activates during opponents' turns, it is imperative that you have a wealth of flash cards and instants.
While this makes her reliant on flash cards, her ability more than makes up for it. Offering selective card draw not provided by any other commander, Nymris ensures you get the cards you need while building your board.
