Ranked by how many Commander decks actually run them (EDHREC play rates via Scryfall), with what each card does that earns the slot: the rocks and utility every deck can run. #1 today: Sol Ring.
Updated 2026-08-25 · refreshes automatically every day
The top 5 colorless staples in EDH as of 2026-08-25: 1. Sol Ring; 2. Arcane Signet; 3. Lightning Greaves; 4. Solemn Simulacrum; 5. Skullclamp.
#1One mana in, two out, every turn, in any deck; the most played card in Commander.
Budget stand-in: Flooded Grove $0.28 vs $1.38 · more like this
#2A two mana rock that always makes your colors; zero decisions, pure speed.
#3Equips free: haste plus shroud keeps your commander alive and swinging immediately.
Budget stand-in: Whispersilk Cloak $1.75 vs $4.30 · more like this
#4Ramps a land on arrival, draws a card on death; value at every stage of its life.
#5Pay one, sacrifice a 1/1, draw two; the best draw engine token decks will ever have.
#6Makes your commander's colors and replaces itself when you no longer need it.
#7Protection the turn it lands, then compounding card draw every upkeep after.
Budget stand-in: Toski, Bearer of Secrets $8.34 vs $95.88 · more like this
#8
#9One mana artifact ramp that fetches a real land; every color gets to Cultivate.
#10Artifact Creature · Golem
Budget stand-in: Metallic Mimic $0.99 vs $46.65 · more like this
#11
#12Search any staple in the free card search and it lists every card that does the same job, priced at the cheapest printing.
As of 2026-08-25, the most-played colorless staples in Commander are Sol Ring, Arcane Signet, Lightning Greaves, Solemn Simulacrum, Skullclamp, ranked by EDHREC play rate.
A staple earns a slot in thousands of decks because its effect is cheap for what it does, useful in almost any game, and hard to replace: efficient removal, reliable ramp, repeatable card advantage or free interaction. This page explains, card by card, what that job is.
Not mostly: 15 of the top 50 cost under $2 at their cheapest printing. Prices shown update daily; the free card search on this site finds budget stand-ins for the expensive ones.