MTG Player Quiz – What Type of Commander Player Are You?
Discover Your Commander Playstyle
Magic: The Gathering's Commander format is more than just a game—it's a reflection of your playstyle, creativity, and strategic mindset. Are you a Timmy/Tammy, a Johnny/Jenny, a Spike, or do you fit into one of our expanded archetypes?
How This MTG Commander Quiz Works
This quiz analyzes your playstyle preferences across multiple dimensions to determine which player type best matches your approach to Commander. The quiz consists of three parts:
- Part 1: Likert Ratings - Rate how well each statement describes you as a Commander player.
- Part 2: Scenarios - Choose how you would respond in various Commander situations.
- Part 3: Self-Assessment - Tell us which player type you think best describes you.
- Be Honest - Answer based on how you truly think and act, not how you wish you would.
Remember: There are no wrong answers. Each player type has its own strengths and approaches to the game.
Player Types Explained
Timmy/Tammy - The Power Gamer
- •Loves big, splashy plays
- •Enjoys massive creatures and spells
- •Plays for epic moments, not just for victory
You're a true power gamer who lives for epic moments. You love big creatures, massive spells, and memorable plays that alter the course of the game dramatically. For you, Commander is about the thrill of doing impressive things, regardless of whether they lead to victory.
Typical Commanders
- →Atla Palani, Nest Tender
- →Gishath, Sun's Avatar
- →Etali, Primal Storm
- →Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma
- →Avacyn, Angel of Hope
Playstyle Tips
- →Don't be afraid to run big, splashy spells even if they're expensive
- →Consider ramp effects to cast your high-cost cards earlier
- →Focus on creating memorable moments rather than optimizing every play
- →Include cards that create explosive turns and game-changing effects
- →Embrace the joy of playing huge creatures and spells
Johnny/Jenny - The Creative Deckbuilder
- •Seeks unique and expressive strategies
- •Enjoys unconventional win conditions
- •Plays to showcase personal deck ideas
You're a creative deckbuilder who sees Magic as a form of self-expression. You value originality and take pride in winning your own way. Discovering unique card combinations and surprising opponents gives you more satisfaction than simply overpowering them.
Typical Commanders
- →Mairsil, the Pretender
- →Riku of Two Reflections
- →Mizzix of the Izmagnus
- →Aminatou, the Fateshifter
- →Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer
Playstyle Tips
- →Look for unique card interactions that others might overlook
- →Don't be discouraged if your combo doesn't work every time
- →Consider including backup plans for when your main strategy is disrupted
- →Experiment with lesser-known commanders to surprise your opponents
- →Value creativity over pure efficiency
Spike - The Competitive Strategist
- •Loves optimizing deck performance
- •Plays the best cards for efficiency
- •Focuses on winning through skill
You're a competitive player who enjoys the challenge of optimization. You appreciate efficient cards, consistent strategies, and measurable improvement. While you respect the social nature of Commander, you still play to win and enjoy refining your approach.
Typical Commanders
- →Thrasios, Triton Hero
- →Tymna the Weaver
- →Najeela, the Blade-Blossom
- →Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy
- →Urza, Lord High Artificer
Playstyle Tips
- →Study the meta and adapt your deck accordingly
- →Focus on consistency and efficiency in your card choices
- →Track your win rate and make data-driven adjustments
- →Learn from losses and continuously refine your strategy
- →Balance interaction with your own game plan
Vorthos - The Storyteller
- •Loves Magic's lore and flavor
- •Builds decks around characters or themes
- •Values immersion over raw power
You appreciate the beauty of Magic's flavor and storytelling. You see cards not just as game pieces but as windows into the multiverse. You value how mechanics serve the creative vision, and you build decks that tell stories or capture specific themes.
Typical Commanders
- →Nicol Bolas, the Ravager
- →Sisay, Weatherlight Captain
- →Jodah, Archmage Eternal
- →Teysa Karlov
- →Gishath, Sun's Avatar
Playstyle Tips
- →Build decks around specific storylines or characters from Magic lore
- →Consider the flavor text and art when selecting cards
- →Create a cohesive theme that tells a story through gameplay
- →Don't be afraid to include suboptimal cards if they fit the theme perfectly
- →Share the lore behind your deck with your playgroup
Melvin/Melanie - The System Architect
- •Appreciates well-designed mechanics
- •Enjoys puzzles, synergies, and elegant interactions
- •Prefers cohesive deck structures over chaotic play
You find beauty in the structure and design of Magic's rules and systems. You appreciate elegantly designed cards and clever mechanical interactions. You enjoy understanding how the game works at a fundamental level and how cards function within these established systems.
Typical Commanders
- →Inalla, Archmage Ritualist
- →Yarok, the Desecrated
- →Yawgmoth, Thran Physician
- →Muldrotha, the Gravetide
- →Anje Falkenrath
Playstyle Tips
- →Look for elegant rules interactions and mechanical synergies
- →Study the comprehensive rules to understand edge cases
- →Appreciate well-designed cards that fit perfectly within Magic's systems
- →Explore unique mechanical identities for each of your decks
- →Value technical precision in your gameplay
Diplomat - The Social Negotiator
- •Enjoys the political aspects of Commander
- •Plays for social interactions as much as the game
- •Thrives on table talk and alliances
You thrive on the social dynamics of multiplayer games. You enjoy negotiation, politics, and influencing the table. For you, Commander is as much about the conversation happening between players as it is about the cards being played.
Typical Commanders
- →Queen Marchesa
- →Kenrith, the Returned King
- →Phelddagrif
- →Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis
- →Zedruu the Greathearted
Playstyle Tips
- →Use politics to your advantage without breaking trust
- →Consider how your actions affect the table's perception of you
- →Include cards that give you bargaining power
- →Balance helping others with advancing your own position
- →Pay attention to table dynamics and adapt accordingly
Architect - The Master Planner
- •Loves intricate board states and engines
- •Finds joy in long-term strategies
- •Prefers decks that build momentum over time
You love constructing complex systems that work together in harmony. You find satisfaction in creating intricate board states and establishing engines that generate compounding value. You approach deckbuilding like designing a machine with many interconnected parts.
Typical Commanders
- →Korvold, Fae-Cursed King
- →Aesi, Tyrant of Gyre Strait
- →Chulane, Teller of Tales
- →Breya, Etherium Shaper
- →Tatyova, Benthic Druid
Playstyle Tips
- →Focus on building engines that generate incremental advantage
- →Look for cards that synergize with multiple aspects of your strategy
- →Be patient and set up your board state before making big moves
- →Include ways to protect your key engine pieces
- →Value consistency and reliability in your card choices
Frequently Asked Questions
Magic: The Gathering has several player psychographics that describe different player motivations and playstyles. The original three, defined by Magic designer Mark Rosewater, are Timmy/Tammy (who play for experience), Johnny/Jenny (who play for creative expression), and Spike (who play to prove something). Our quiz expands on these to include Vorthos (story/flavor enthusiasts), Melvin/Melanie (mechanics enthusiasts), Diplomat (social/political players), and Architect (engine builders).
Absolutely! Most players are a blend of multiple psychographics. Your primary type represents your strongest tendencies, but you likely have elements of other types as well. The radar chart in your results shows how strongly you align with each type.
This quiz is designed to give you insight into your playstyle preferences based on established Magic: The Gathering player psychographics. While no quiz can perfectly capture all nuances of your gameplay, it provides a solid starting point for understanding your approach to Commander. The more honestly you answer, the more accurate your results will be.
Understanding your player type can help you build decks that better align with what you enjoy about Magic, find commanders that match your playstyle, communicate with your playgroup about your preferences, and even appreciate why you might clash with certain opponents. It's a tool for self-reflection and improving your overall Commander experience.
Your self-assessment is just as valuable as the quiz results! If you feel the quiz didn't accurately capture your playstyle, trust your intuition. The quiz is meant to be a tool for reflection, not a definitive label. You know your preferences better than any algorithm.
After completing the quiz, you'll receive recommendations for commanders that align with your player type. You can also use our Commander Quiz or Advanced Search tools to find commanders that match specific aspects of your playstyle. The player type descriptions include typical commanders for each type as well.
Share Your Results
Take the quiz to share your results with your friends and compare answers!
Take the MTG Player Quiz Now