The best part of Magic: The Gathering comes from the latter half of its name, The Gathering. So why not get your pod together this Saturday for Halloween, build yourself some creepy Commander decks, and play some spooky Magic?
One of my favorite things about Magic is the sheer number of ways you can build a deck. Sure, you can build the most powerful deck imaginable, but sometimes it's more fun to build around a theme, and Halloween is the perfect excuse to do exactly that. Magic has plenty of terrifying creatures, from the horrors lurking in the shadows of Innistrad to the incomprehensible nightmares that haunt the Multiverse.
Whether you're looking to overwhelm your opponents with a horde of undead, transform into a bloodthirsty beast, or unleash something that should never have existed in the first place, there are plenty of options.
If you need some inspiration for your Halloween Commander decks, here are six of the creepiest creature types in Magic: The Gathering, along with some eligible Commanders to lead them!
Nightmare
What's one of the first things we can remember being scared of? Besides the dark, or accidentally leaving your closet door open as a kid, we've all had nightmares. Sometimes those nightmares are so vivid that they stick with us long after we've woken up. Now imagine if those nightmares could take physical form.
Well, that's essentially what Nightmares are in Magic.
Nightmares are some of the most incomprehensible creatures in the game. Unlike your traditional monsters, they don't necessarily have to follow the rules of what a living creature should look like. They're twisted, unnatural, and sometimes downright disgusting. I think that makes them one of the most interesting creature types for a Halloween deck.
The best part about Nightmares is that they come in so many different forms that you aren't locked into one particular playstyle. You can build around Infect, graveyard strategies, tokens, mill, or even massive creatures. There are even a few Final Fantasy Nightmares if you're more interested in the fantasy than the terror.
A few of my top picks for Nightmare Commanders are Otrimi, the Ever-Playful, Ovika, Enigma Goliath, The Mindskinner, and Zaxara, the Exemplary.
Each one brings something completely different to the table. Otrimi lets you build around Mutate, Ovika rewards you for casting noncreature spells by creating a swarm of Phyrexian Goblins, The Mindskinner is fantastic for a creepy mill strategy, and Zaxara can create some absolutely monstrous Hydras.
Personally, I think Nightmares are one of the most flexible options on this list. You're not necessarily building a traditional typal deck, but you're definitely going to have plenty of horrifying creatures to choose from.
Scarecrow
Scarecrows have been a staple of Halloween decorations and horror movies for decades, so it's only fitting that they make the list. I mean, scare is literally in their name!
There's something unsettling about seeing a humanoid figure standing motionless in the middle of a field. They're supposed to scare away birds, but horror movies have spent years teaching us that they're probably going to do a whole lot worse than that.
In Magic, Scarecrows are definitely on the lower end when it comes to creature count, but you can absolutely make a deck work. In fact, despite their relatively small selection, there's actually some interesting variety among their Commanders.
There are four Scarecrow Commanders that I would point you toward: Reaper King, Rendmaw, Creaking Nest, The Reaper, King No More, and The Swarmweaver.
Reaper King is probably the most recognizable Scarecrow Commander, and for good reason. It rewards you for playing more Scarecrows by destroying your opponents' permanents. It's a fairly straightforward strategy, but that doesn't make it any less terrifying for the rest of the table.
If you'd rather go with something a little different, The Reaper, King No More lets you build around -1/-1 counters and stealing your opponents' creatures after they die. There's something wonderfully thematic about weakening your opponents' creatures before bringing them under your control.
Rendmaw, Creaking Nest is another fantastic option, especially if you enjoy forcing your opponents to attack each other with goaded Birds, while The Swarmweaver offers a more insect-focused approach to building a creepy deck.
Honestly, Scarecrows might be my favorite option on this entire list. They're creepy, they're thematic, and they're just obscure enough that I think bringing a Scarecrow deck to a Halloween Commander night would be a lot of fun.
If I had to pick just one creature type to build around this Halloween, it would probably be Scarecrows.
Horror
If I'm going to make a list of scary creature types, of course I have to include the namesake creature type, Horrors.
While Horror might mean one thing to us, Magic uses the creature type to describe all sorts of unnatural and disturbing monsters. The distinction between Horrors and Nightmares is an interesting one. Nightmares tend to represent fears and twisted thoughts given physical form, while Horrors are often creatures that actually exist in the world, even if their existence seems completely wrong.
I love Horrors, but I do think they're a little more of a catchall creature type than Nightmares, and that becomes pretty obvious when you start looking at the available Commanders.
There are a ton of legendary Horrors to choose from, but not all of them necessarily give off that Halloween feeling.
For example, Sauron, the Dark Lord is classified as a Horror, but I don't really think of him when I'm imagining a Halloween-themed Commander deck. Atraxa, Praetors' Voice is a Phyrexian, which is absolutely horrific when you think about it, but I don't really think she fits the Halloween vibe either.
When I think of Horrors, I think of creatures like Abomination of Llanowar, a disgusting amalgamation of Elves, or Grakmaw, Skyclave Ravager, which just so happens to be my favorite Magic card. There's also The Gitrog, Ravenous Ride, a monstrous frog that looks like it could swallow you whole without a second thought. But my personal pick for this Halloween would be The Master of Keys.
There's something about the design of The Master of Keys that I absolutely love. It looks like something that belongs in a haunted mansion, and its graveyard-focused gameplay feels right at home in a Halloween deck. Filling your graveyard with enchantments and bringing them back through Escape is a really fun strategy that fits the theme surprisingly well.
Horrors probably have the most visual variety out of any creature type on this list, and that's what makes them such a great choice. You can build something genuinely disturbing or just pick the strangest-looking creatures in your collection and see what happens.
Either way, you're going to have a pretty creepy battlefield.
Vampire
Well, if I'm making a list of scary creature types, I feel like I have to include the classics.
Of course, Spiders are terrifying to some people, and Phyrexians are among the most horrifying creations in Magic's lore. But some of the original horror stories and movies helped make Vampires, Werewolves, and Zombies synonymous with the genre.
So I think you know where the rest of this list is going.
Vampires are one of those creature types that, if you build a dedicated typal deck, they're probably going to become a problem for your opponents. Especially if you're playing that Commander. You know the one.
Edgar Markov.
Now don't get me wrong, Edgar Markov has been power crept a bit over the years, but he's still insanely strong. His ability to generate Vampire tokens without even needing to be on the battlefield makes him an incredible starting point for a bloodsucking Vampire deck.
But beyond their strength in Magic, I actually think Vampires are a lot creepier than most people give them credit for.
Vampire folklore developed across centuries of fear surrounding death, disease, and the unknown. The thought of someone you love dying, only to return as something that feeds on the living, is genuinely terrifying. Modern media has definitely romanticized Vampires, but at their core, they're monsters that survive by taking life from others.
When it comes to building a Vampire deck, you have a ridiculous number of Commanders to choose from. I'd probably avoid Edgar Markov if you're playing in a lower-powered pod, but if everyone is bringing something powerful, by all means, bring out the OG.
One of my personal favorites is Olivia Voldaren. She's a Vampire who literally turns other creatures into Vampires before stealing them. It's incredibly thematic, and there's something hilarious about watching your opponents get nervous every time Olivia starts targeting their creatures. If you're a Baldur's Gate fan, there's also Astarion, the Decadent, who gives you a more life-total-focused strategy that feels perfectly appropriate for a Vampire.
There really is an endless number of ways to build Vampires. Whether you want to overwhelm the table with an army of bloodsuckers, drain everyone's life totals, or steal your opponents' creatures, you're going to have plenty of options.
Just maybe leave the garlic at home.
Werewolf
When it comes to classic horror, you literally can't talk about the genre without mentioning Werewolves, so of course they're making the Halloween list.
But are Werewolves actually scary? Maybe not in the traditional sense anymore. We've seen so many interpretations of Werewolves in movies, television, and video games that they've almost become more cool than terrifying.
But if you actually give the concept some thought, being a Werewolf would be absolutely horrifying. Imagine living your life knowing that, at any moment, you could lose control and transform into a feral beast. You wouldn't just be putting yourself in danger, you'd be putting everyone you love in danger too. And what if you didn't remember anything that happened while you were transformed?
Now imagine being the loved one of a Werewolf. The person you care about could suddenly become a giant, uncontrollable monster when a full moon rises or nighttime arrives. You might have no idea whether they're going to recognize you or tear you apart. That's a terrifying concept.
In Magic, Werewolves have been treated pretty much exactly how you'd expect. They're Humans who transform into Wolves, usually through some interaction with the day and night cycle. It's a really fun and thematic mechanic, and I absolutely love the idea of building a deck around it.
Unfortunately, I also have to admit something. Werewolves kind of suck.
Now, don't get me wrong, I love Werewolves. I built a Werewolf deck last Halloween, and I had a great time with it. But they're one of those creature types where the flavor is significantly stronger than the gameplay.
Managing transformations can become awkward, especially when you're relying on your opponents to play a certain way. Even when the deck is working, it can struggle to keep up with more powerful Commander strategies.
That's why I'd only really recommend Werewolves if your pod is playing for the theme rather than trying to bring the strongest decks possible.
If you're looking for a traditional Werewolf Commander, your best two options are Tovolar, Dire Overlord and Ulrich of the Krallenhorde.
Tovolar is probably the better choice mechanically, since he supports your Werewolves, helps with card draw, and makes transforming your creatures much easier. But what I did last Halloween was a little different. I talked to my pod, and through Rule 0, they allowed me to use the Planeswalker Arlinn Kord as my Commander. She's not normally eligible to be a Commander, but having a Werewolf Planeswalker leading the deck felt incredibly thematic, and it ended up being a really fun build.
Honestly, that's one of the things I love about casual Commander. Sometimes bending the rules a little with your pod's permission can make for a much more memorable game.
Zombie
Lastly, you can't have a Halloween Commander night without bringing the horde back to life. Zombies are one of Magic's most recognizable creature types, and they're also one of the most popular options for players building their first typal Commander decks. And why wouldn't they be? They're straightforward, they're effective, and there's something incredibly satisfying about overwhelming your opponents with an army of undead creatures that just refuse to stay dead.
Zombies have been a staple of horror for generations, and I don't think that's ever going to change. The idea of the dead rising from their graves and slowly overwhelming the living is one of the most recognizable horror tropes imaginable.
In Magic, Zombies tend to follow a few pretty familiar strategies. You're either going wide with a massive army of Zombie tokens, sacrificing creatures for value, or playing a reanimator deck that keeps bringing creatures back from the graveyard. Sometimes you're doing all three. Either way, your graveyard is probably going to be full of creatures, and then suddenly it isn't because you've brought all of them back to life.
The nice thing about Zombies is that they aren't particularly picky about who leads them. You can choose just about any legendary Zombie or a Commander that rewards you for playing Zombies, and you'll probably be able to put together a pretty functional deck.
My personal favorite Zombie Commander has always been Grimgrin, Corpse-Born. I love the way Grimgrin turns sacrificing creatures into a way to make himself bigger while destroying your opponents' creatures. It's simple, effective, and incredibly thematic.
But I think this year I'm going to try something a little different. I'm looking at building an Olag and Miau, New Friends deck. Why? Because Zombies and Cats are just so cute together!
Olag and Miau rewards you for playing both Zombies and Cats, allowing them to grow stronger together while draining your opponents' life totals. It's a pretty unusual combination, but I absolutely love the idea of mixing an adorable Cat deck with an army of rotting corpses.
And let's be honest, Halloween doesn't always have to be terrifying. Sometimes it can be a little cute too.
Bonus: Best Magic sets for a Halloween Draft Night
If you're looking to make an entire day out of spooky Magic rather than just playing Commander, why not consider hosting a haunted Draft Night? Magic has visited plenty of horrifying planes over the years, and there are a few sets that feel practically made for Halloween.
Whether you're looking for classic gothic horror or something a little more modern, here are my top recommendations for a Halloween-themed draft.
Duskmourn: House of Horror
I mean, it's literally in the name. House of Horror.
Duskmourn: House of Horror is probably the easiest choice for a Halloween Draft Night. The entire set is built around horror, with a particular focus on the kinds of monsters, haunted houses, and terrifying scenarios you'd expect from classic horror movies.
Unlike Innistrad, which leans heavily into gothic horror, Duskmourn feels like a celebration of more modern horror. You've got creepy dolls, possessed objects, monstrous creatures, and an entire plane that's essentially one giant haunted house.
I'll admit that I never actually drafted Duskmourn, and I didn't attend the prerelease, but I've heard good things about its Limited environment. Either way, I think the theme alone makes it a fantastic option for a Halloween night. If you want your Draft Night to feel like everyone is trapped inside a horror movie, Duskmourn is probably the way to go.
Any Innistrad Set
Vampires, Werewolves, and Zombies, OH MY!
Three of the creature types on this list are major parts of Innistrad's identity, so it should come as absolutely no surprise that I'm recommending the plane for a Halloween Draft Night. Innistrad is essentially Magic's love letter to gothic horror. It takes inspiration from classic monsters, haunted villages, dark forests, and all the things that go bump in the night.
If I had to choose, I'd probably point you toward the original Innistrad set, but honestly, any of the Innistrad releases could make for a fantastic Halloween experience. Innistrad: Midnight Hunt is a great choice if you're particularly interested in Werewolves, while Innistrad: Crimson Vow puts Vampires front and center. There are also Shadows over Innistrad and Eldritch Moon if you're interested in adding a little cosmic horror to your Halloween.
And of course, Innistrad also has Spirits, which probably deserve an honorable mention on this list. After all, what's Halloween without a few ghosts?
At the end of the day, Halloween is one of those holidays that just feels perfect for Magic.
There are so many creepy creatures, terrifying stories, and wonderfully disgusting pieces of artwork throughout Magic's history that you could probably come up with an entirely different list of Halloween-themed decks every year. And that's what makes it fun!
You don't need to build the most powerful Commander deck at the table. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars making sure your deck is perfectly optimized. Sometimes it's enough to grab a creature type you love, throw together something thematic, and enjoy a night of Magic with your friends.
Personally, I'm leaning toward Scarecrows this year, although that Zombie and Cat deck is definitely calling my name.
Whether you're bringing an army of Vampires, unleashing your worst Nightmares, or attempting to make Werewolves work for once, I think a Halloween-themed Commander night is a fantastic way to celebrate the holiday.
So grab your pod, put on a horror movie in the background, bring out some Halloween candy, and get ready for a spooky night of Magic: The Gathering.
