The Commander
Whenever Krenko attacks, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then create a number of 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens equal to Krenko's power.
Guide
Gameplan
Cast Krenko early, attack to snowball Goblin tokens, then convert that wide board into a lethal alpha strike or a damage combo. Each attack stacks a +1/+1 counter first, so token output grows exponentially across turns. You protect Krenko, swing, and overwhelm before opponents stabilize.
Strengths
- Explosive token generation that can win out of nowhere by turn 4-5
- Cheap 3-mana commander that's easy to recast and rebuild around
- Mono-red gives access to strong Goblin tribal and aggressive haste/sacrifice payoffs
- Self-buffing counters mean output compounds even without external pumps
Weaknesses
- Relies on attacking, so it's vulnerable to removal, blockers, and Fog effects
- Mono-red struggles with card advantage and has limited interaction
- Slow to grind back after a board wipe; very board-state dependent
- Summoning sickness delays the first big swing unless you have haste
Key Cards
- Fervor — Gives Krenko and all tokens haste so you can attack and swing immediately.
- Skullclamp — Turns excess 1/1 Goblins into a relentless card-draw engine.
- Goblin Bombardment — Free sacrifice outlet that converts the token horde into direct damage and a win condition.
- Purphoros, God of the Forge — Each token entering deals 2 to all opponents, turning a Krenko swing into lethal.
- Impact Tremors — Cheap, repeatable damage from every Goblin that enters the battlefield.
- Goblin Chieftain — Anthem plus haste makes Krenko's army hit harder and connect faster.
- Shadowspear — Trample and lifelink push Krenko's growing power through chump blockers.
Upgrade Path
Add fast mana (Sol Ring, Mana Crest, Goblin-friendly rocks) and haste enablers like Lightning Greaves and Hammer of Purphoros so Krenko swings the turn he lands. Lean into noncombat finishers (Purphoros, Impact Tremors, Goblin Bombardment) so a board wipe or Fog doesn't blank you, and pack protection like Heroic Intervention's red analogues and instant-speed pumps. Improve card flow with Skullclamp, Outpost Siege, and Reforge the Soul to refuel after going wide.
Core Cards
The most-played cards for this commander, built from aggregated deck data (the Mythic Graph). Build public decks to seed it.
Win Conditions
- ▸Alpha strike with a wide, anthem-buffed Goblin army
- ▸Purphoros or Impact Tremors converting mass token creation into direct damage
- ▸Goblin Bombardment sacrificing the horde for lethal
- ▸Overrun effects like Goblin War Drums or Trumpet Blast pushing through trample/evasion
Archetypes
- Goblin Tribal — Krenko floods the board with Goblins that pair with lords and tribal payoffs.
- Tokens / Go-Wide Aggro — His attack trigger generates an army that overwhelms opponents in combat.
- Aristocrats — Endless Goblin tokens feed sacrifice outlets and drain effects for inevitable damage.
- Combo — Tokens plus Purphoros or Goblin Bombardment can close games without combat math.
Combos
- Najeela, the Blade-Blossom + Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin + Phyrexian Altar
→ Infinite +1/+1 counters on a creature, Infinite colored mana, Infinite combat phases
Combos via Commander Spellbook.
Related Commanders
Same color identity (R), by popularity.
