Tokens are the easiest part of a Commander deck to forget. They end up shuffled into the library, scattered across the bottom of a bag, or left at home on the one night your deck goes wide. A simple system fixes that for good.
The short answer: carry only the tokens your deck can make, sleeve them in a different colour from your deck, and keep them in a dedicated spot in your deck box along with a few dice for counters.
Which tokens does my Commander deck need?
Go through your list and note every card that creates a token, from creatures to Treasure, Food or Clues. You need one or two of each type, plus extra copies of anything your deck makes in bulk.
How many tokens should I carry?
Most decks need between five and fifteen. Decks built around making lots of creature tokens need more, but dice or counters can stand in for duplicates of the same token.
Should I sleeve my tokens?
Yes, but use a different sleeve colour from your deck. That way a token can never end up hidden in your library, and it's obvious which cards belong where when you pack up.
Can I use dice instead of tokens?
Dice work well for counters and for tracking several copies of the same token. Many tables are happy with a die on a single token card to show how many you have. Agree a system with your playgroup so everyone can read the board.
How do I keep tokens separate from my deck?
Give them their own place in the box rather than loose on top of the deck. SquadPod Slim keeps ten tokens alongside a single-sleeved 100-card deck, split across its two side-by-side stacks, so your tokens travel with the deck but stay out of it.
Are double-sided tokens worth it?
Yes. Double-sided tokens give you two types in the space of one card, which makes a compact token stack go much further. They're especially useful for decks that make several token types.
What about decks that make dozens of tokens?
Carry a small selection of each type and use dice to track numbers. If you regularly need more, a separate token box or a binder page for the extras keeps your main deck box tidy.
How do I organise tokens across several decks?
Give each deck its own tokens, stored with that deck, so you never borrow from one and forget to return them. A small shared box of common tokens covers the occasional surprise. Our guide to storing multiple Commander decks covers the wider system.
Can I make my own tokens?
In casual play, printed or homemade tokens are usually fine as long as they're clear and readable. At store events, check with the organiser. Either way, sleeve them so they handle like the rest of your cards.
How do I stop tokens getting lost at the table?
Put them back in their place in the box as soon as they leave play, rather than in a pile next to your playmat. A quick token count when you pack up stops them disappearing one game at a time.
What else should I keep with my tokens?
A couple of dice for counters, a way to track life totals, and any emblems or special markers your deck uses. Our Commander night packing list covers the full kit.
What are the most common tokens in Commander?
Treasure, Clue and Food tokens turn up in many decks, alongside small creature tokens and markers such as the monarch. Check your own list first, then add spares of whichever ones your playgroup's decks create most often.
Should tokens go in my deck box or a separate box?
In the deck box if they fit, so the deck and its tokens always travel together. Use a separate token box only when a deck needs more tokens than its box can hold.
Do tokens need the same protection as cards?
They don't need the care you'd give valuable cards, but sleeved tokens shuffle and handle better and last longer. Keeping them in the same box as your deck gives them the same protection from bending and spills. Our guide to shuffling a Commander deck covers keeping the deck itself in good shape.
SquadPod Slim Commander deck box
Holds 100 single-sleeved cards and 10 tokens in two side-by-side stacks, with your commander displayed in an included toploader behind the front window. Hinged lid, click-shut latch, five colourways.
More Commander guides
- What to Pack for MTG Commander Night at Your Local Game Store
- How to Store Multiple MTG Commander Decks Without Running Out of Space
- How to Shuffle a Commander Deck Without Damaging Your Cards
- The Best Slim MTG Deck Box for Travel: Why Slim Beats Bulky
Magic: The Gathering is a trade mark of Wizards of the Coast LLC. This is an unofficial guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by Wizards of the Coast. SquadPod® is a registered trade mark of Blubbercove Ltd.