Table of Contents
Competitive EDH (*cEDH*) is the high-stakes, fast-paced version of Commander. Every card counts. Every turn can shift the game entirely. So constructing your deck with precision is key. One of the biggest decisions you’ll make is how many *tutors* and *redundancy pieces* to include. Let’s dive into how you can use data and intuition to strike the perfect balance.
What’s a Tutor in cEDH?
A tutor is a card that lets you search for another card in your deck. These are usually spells, and often sorceries or instants. Some are creatures. Some are even artifacts!
Tutors are powerful because they give you consistency. When you only have one copy of a card in your 99-card deck, tutors help you find it faster. They effectively act as extra copies of your best win conditions or engines.
Common Tutors in cEDH
- Demonic Tutor – Search for any card for just 2 mana. Simple and strong.
- Imperial Seal – Same deal, but it puts the card on top. Still great in fast games.
- Worldly Tutor – Instant-speed creature fetch. Excellent in creature-based combo decks.
- Enlightened Tutor – Grabs enchantments or artifacts. Great for assembling combos.
- Mystical Tutor – Finds instants and sorceries. Use it before your turn for maximum value.
There are also multi-tutors like Diabolic Intent, Gamble, and Shared Summons that are specific to archetypes or playstyles.
What is a Redundancy Package?
Imagine you need a combo piece to win. But what if that one piece gets exiled? That’s where redundancy packages save the day.
Redundancy means having multiple cards that do similar things or fill the same role. If you need a card like Thassa’s Oracle to win, having a backup like Jace, Wielder of Mysteries is smart.
Unlike tutors, which find the right card, redundancy fills out your deck so you have more chances to naturally draw into the tools you need.
Examples of Redundant Tools
- Alternate Win Conditions – Like running Thassa’s Oracle + Demonic Consultation, but also including Jace or Laboratory Maniac.
- Mana Dorks and Rituals – You might run both Llanowar Elves and Elvish Mystic, or Dark Ritual and Cabal Ritual.
- Counterspells – Redundancy through protection. Run Fierce Guardianship, Force of Will, and Mana Drain.
Let’s break things down further using real database insights found in the CEDH Decklist Database.
Using the cEDH Database to Measure Tutors
The cEDH community constantly updates a decklist database. Studying the top decks can show you how often tutors are used. In general, you’ll notice:
- Competitive decks run 4–7 tutors on average.
- Turbo combo decks use tutors aggressively—sometimes up to 10+.
- Stax or control decks prefer fewer, more targeted tutors.
This makes sense. Combo decks want to assemble pieces as quickly as possible. Tutors help you bypass top-deck luck and go straight to business. If you’re playing Dargo/Thrasios or Rograkh/Silas, you’ll likely want a high tutor count.
But keep this in mind—tutors are usually card-neutral. That means they don’t give you extra cards, just let you pick the one you want. Sometimes, that’s all you need to win. Other times, it can slow momentum. Always balance quantity with quality.
Redundancy: The Silent MVP
Redundancy doesn’t get enough love. But in tournaments or long pods, you’ll notice it pays off. Having more than one way to win makes your deck resilient. It also protects you from effects like Thoughtseize, Praetor’s Grasp, or Drannith Magistrate.
Here’s a handy list of redundancy types you can include:
- Alternate Outlets – Cards like Walking Ballista or Kiki-Jiki duplicate roles in infinite combos.
- Backup Combos – Adding a second win-con, like Turbonaus + Oracle AND Dockside + Loop.
- Extra Enablers – More ways to generate mana or combos pieces, like Birthing Pod and Survival of the Fittest.
By spreading your strategy across multiple cards, you no longer have to “live or die” by that one vital card. And that, my friends, is pretty smart Magic.
Tutors vs Redundancy: Which is Better?
Neither is better—they serve different roles. Tutors give you speed and precision. Redundancy gives you reliability. Ideally, your deck has a healthy mix of both.
Here’s a fun way to think about it:
- Turbo Combo decks: 7–10 tutors, 2–4 redundant pieces.
- Midrange Combo: 4–6 tutors, 3–5 redundancy cards.
- Control-oriented decks: 2–4 tutors, higher redundancy + answers.
This isn’t a rule, just a strong starting point. Always adjust based on your commanders and meta.
A Quick Dive into Tutor Risk
Running too many tutors can backfire. Some cards are weak topdecks. Others are terrible when you’re empty-handed. Overloading on tutors might mean you’re playing weaker cards when you could just add stronger threats or draw spells.
Also, tutors make you predictable. If you always grab the same win-con, opponents will anticipate your next move. Smart players will hold up interaction the moment you search.
Deck Examples
Let’s look at two popular cEDH commanders and see how they use tutors and redundancy.
Najeela, the Blade-Blossom
- Tutors: 7+ – Finds combo pieces, like Druid’s Repository or Derevi.
- Redundancy: Multiple win conditions, including Combat Loops and Ad Nauseam.
This deck thrives off both speed and layered strategies. It’s a poster-child for “balanced.”
Tivit, Seller of Secrets
- Tutors: 3–5 – More selective use, often for Time Sieve or Notion Thief.
- Redundancy: Built around value, extra turns, and control pieces.
Tivit runs slower. It needs more board awareness and protection. Tutors are fewer but meaningful.
Final Thoughts
Using a mix of tutors and redundancy gives your deck stability, flexibility, and power. The cEDH Database is a treasure trove to see how the best players strike this balance. So look at the top builds, copy their ratios, and tweak your own deck over time.
Remember: No tutor or combo piece should be a crutch. Learn your lines, know your outs, and always come prepared for disruption!
Now go forth, shuffle up and tutor responsibly!