Creature types are an interesting thing. They matter... if we want them to. We can build a deck around Elves or Zombies or Dragons, and there is support for them because Wizards pushes those types.

Then there are the weird ones. Some are really crazy or out there, like Eyes, for example, which one of my colleagues here at CSI is working on. The ones which are really small, with no real support, but for whatever reason, people care about them.

Finally, there are the ones which have gotten some love but not a ton. Minotaurs jump to mind for me. They (mostly) have a color pair and style, they have a little support, so you can build a deck but it's not going to be as easy to put together as Angels or Merfolk.

Today, I want to talk about another from that third group - not huge, not tiny, just... around, and sometimes cared about. Let's talk about Gorgons.

As per usual, we're talking about value for Commander. Hythonia the Cruel rewards us for running Gorgons and activating its Monstrosity ability; you don't need me or the list to tell you that. With that out of the way, let's look at my top 10 favorite Gorgons for Commander!

Honorable Mention #1

Honorable Mention #2

It would be so much better if it were slightly bigger or had Deathtouch, but still, this isn't a terrible deal. If you're looking for an Eternal Witness alternative with a bigger body, this is your girl.

Number 10

Our repeatable killers. Visara is harder to cast, more evasive, and more abusable because she doesn't require mana to activate. Xathrid Gorgon slots into more decks and functions better as a Rattlesnake, plus it shuts down Commanders until they can figure out how to get their Commander to change zones, which isn't nothing. Visara in the Command zone, though, can become quite the terror of a Creature-based table.

Number 9

This gets its very own slot because it Exiles. That's huge in Commander world, and well-worth the cost. Sacrifice a random token or Treasure and you've got yourself a gone-forever enemy combatant.

Number 8

This is a Damnation on a stick. Yes, it's more expensive, but you get to keep Hythonia at worst and a bunch more if you do it right. The likelihood much more sticks around is pretty small, considering there's a grand total of 26 Gorgons in existence. I actually built a deck around her back in 2014 I still play today! May be time for an upgrade...

Number 7

This is kind of a functional role-player in the right shell. Great stats for the cost, two relevant abilities (I love that you can telegraph them by leaving specific Lands untapped). Plus a nice little triggered ability which can just be a benefit if you don't kill a lot of stuff or can really get out of hand if you work with it.

Number 6

Let's be honest - this is a Commander. It's expensive, but it draws you a lot of cards and isn't a terrible blocker. The thing is, drawing up to seven every time is incredibly powerful. The colors here give you access to whatever you want; this deck is prime for combo shenanigans, if that's the direction you like to run.

Number 5

More honesty: this is very strong. It's also mean, because most tables don't like poison. If you're running this, you're up to no good, and everyone at the table will know it. Doesn't mean you shouldn't do it, just know what you're doing. And kill the table quickly.

Number 4

Aphelia is clearly designed as a Commander, and she's great at it - she can lead Snakes, Gorgons, or both; she's cheap, relevant on the field, and has two excellent abilities. I may build this deck just because she's so cool. However, consider her as a pseudo-Overrun as part of your 99. In the right shell, she can cause a lot of life loss. Throw a Wound Reflection down and watch your opponents, well, die on your End Step.

Number 3

This is what we call in the biz a "utility Creature". You don't build around it, you use it to support what you're already building. It doesn't go in every Black deck, but the ones it goes in you're fine without it and never sorry to see it. It's cheap, it's scary, and the fact it throws out evasion can work wonders. Combine with Aphelia's Snakes (and ability) and it starts getting ugly fast.

Number 2

The Archetypes have, since they've come out, always had an outsized response from the table. This one isn't the strongest of them (that would be Archetype of Imagination, if you're wondering), but it still makes everyone panic. They fire off removal at it like crazy. This is a good thing. You can use that. Play it out before deploying a key Creature to draw out a removal spell. If it sticks, great! Now all your stuff is awesome and theirs is far less awesome. Win-win.

Number 1

From the Command Zone or the 99, this girl is fantastic. Something dies, we pay a little mana and get a free Treasure? I'm sold. I'm slotting this into my Meren of Clan Nel Toth deck right away. If you're killing things and in the colors, you probably want to run this card.

I hope you've gotten some ideas for your next brew, or for updates to your current ones!

Thanks for reading.