Edh Power Level Calculator

Reviewed and Verified by Eliza Reed, Competitive MTG Analyst (CMA).

The **EDH Power Level Calculator** provides an objective assessment of your Commander deck’s competitiveness on a 1-10 scale. Input scores across four crucial metrics to determine where your deck ranks, from Casual (Level 1) to Optimized/cEDH (Level 10).

Deck Consistency Score (0-30 points): Mana base quality, density of tutors/card advantage.

Deck Speed Score (0-30 points): Average turn-to-win, presence of fast mana (Moxen, Crypt, Vault).

Interaction & Control Score (0-20 points): Quantity and quality of counterspells, targeted removal, and board wipes.

Win Condition Quality Score (0-20 points): Reliance on resilient, non-interactive combos or high-impact value engines.

Calculated Power Level (1-10):

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Calculation Steps:

EDH Power Level Calculator Formula

$$\text{Total Score} = C + S + I + W$$ $$\text{Power Level} = \text{Round}\left(\frac{\text{Total Score}}{10}\right)$$

Formula Sources: Rules Committee Philosophy | MTGGoldfish Analysis

Variables Explained

Deck Consistency (C): Scores the likelihood of hitting land drops and drawing necessary interaction/combo pieces. High scores are reserved for decks with Fetch Lands, shock lands, and powerful card selection (e.g., Brainstorm, Ponder). (Max 30 points)
Deck Speed (S): Measures how quickly the deck can present a winning threat. This accounts for the number of “Turn 1” win possibilities, low average mana value, and the inclusion of powerful mana acceleration like Mana Crypt and Sol Ring. (Max 30 points)
Interaction & Control (I): Reflects the deck’s ability to stop opponents. Low scores mean “glass cannon” strategies, while high scores indicate a resilient blue-based control shell or heavy reliance on flexible removal. (Max 20 points)
Win Condition Quality (W): Assesses the resilience and efficiency of the primary win strategy. Points are high for compact, two-card infinite combos and low for “battlecruiser” strategies that rely on combat damage. (Max 20 points)

What is the EDH Power Level?

The EDH (Commander) Power Level is a qualitative and quantitative metric used by the Magic: The Gathering community to gauge a deck’s strength and overall competitiveness. Since Commander is played socially, having a clear and objective system for communicating a deck’s intent is vital for ensuring balanced and enjoyable games. A typical Power Level scale runs from 1 (Pre-constructed/Casual) to 10 (cEDH/Optimized Competitive).

A Level 1 deck is often composed of a slightly modified pre-constructed deck, relying heavily on bulky, high-mana-cost creatures and basic lands. Conversely, a Level 10 deck, often referred to as cEDH (Competitive EDH), is fully proxied, utilizes all available fast mana, includes compact infinite combos, and runs a dense package of stack interaction (counterspells).

This calculator attempts to bridge the gap between subjective feeling and objective components by assigning numerical values to the four most impactful factors. By focusing on Consistency, Speed, Interaction, and Win Condition Quality, players can gain a neutral assessment, which is particularly useful when joining new playgroups or building a new deck.

How to Calculate EDH Power Level (Example)

Let’s use an example of a heavily optimized, but slightly budget-constrained, storm deck:

Step 1: Assign Consistency Score (C). The deck runs a perfect fetch/shock mana base and all the best card draw, earning it 28/30 points.
Step 2: Assign Speed Score (S). The deck includes Mana Crypt, Vault, and numerous 1-2 mana rocks, allowing for a typical Turn 3/4 win. This is fast, but not the fastest possible, so it receives 25/30 points.
Step 3: Assign Interaction Score (I). It runs 12 counterspells and two board wipes, prioritizing protection over flexible removal. This nets 17/20 points.
Step 4: Assign Win Condition Quality Score (W). The primary win condition is a two-card infinite loop (e.g., Thassa’s Oracle + Demonic Consultation), which is highly efficient. This earns 20/20 points.
Step 5: Calculate Total Score. $28 + 25 + 17 + 20 = 90$ points.
Step 6: Determine Power Level. $90 / 10 = 9.0$. The deck is a Level 9.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is a Power Level 10 deck always the best choice?

No. A Level 10 deck (cEDH) is designed to play against other Level 10 decks. Bringing a Level 10 deck to a casual Level 7 pod is considered “spike-y” and can ruin the game experience for others. Always match your deck’s power level to your playgroup’s average.

What is the difference between an Optimized 7 and a Competitive 8?

An Optimized Level 7 deck is highly efficient, uses few infinite combos, and includes some budget concessions. A Competitive Level 8 deck is fully tuned, often includes 1-2 powerful infinite combos, and has minimal budget constraints, focusing on consistent, fast wins.

Why does the formula prioritize Consistency and Speed?

In EDH, the ability to execute your game plan (Consistency) and do it before your opponents (Speed) are the two most decisive factors for winning. Interaction is essential but secondary to setting up the win itself, hence the slightly lower point allocation.

Can I use fractional scores in the input fields?

Yes. While the point system is designed for whole numbers, the calculator accepts decimals. However, the final Power Level is rounded to the nearest whole number (1-10) for ease of communication.

EDH Power Level Calculator