App icon for MTG Life Counter: Lotus
MTG Life Counter: Lotus Track life and commander damage for up to 10 players
Launch

Denethor, Ruling Steward
Price tag $0.22

Legendary CreatureHuman Noble

Magic color symbol for W Magic color symbol for B
Orzhov

How it feels to play against

Mildly Annoying Some frustrating moments but still fun.

Popularity

Decent Pick Moderately popular, encounter occasionally.

Ranking

#2507 Current Rank
#2350 Last Week
#2329 Last Month

Videos

Commander gameplay videos featuring Denethor, Ruling Steward.

New Cards

Fresh cards from recent sets that players are experimenting with in Denethor, Ruling Steward decks.

Hidden Hideout Hidden Hideout
+5% Synergy $2.00
Agent Bishop, Man in Black Agent Bishop, Man in Black
+2% Synergy $0.32
The Last Ronin's Technique The Last Ronin's Technique
0% Synergy $0.18
Ninja Teen Ninja Teen
0% Synergy $1.90
Super Shredder Super Shredder
0% Synergy $28.74

High Synergy Cards

Cards that work exceptionally well with Denethor, Ruling Steward's abilities and overall game plan.

Mirkwood Bats Mirkwood Bats
+37% Synergy $0.78
Faramir, Field Commander Faramir, Field Commander
+36% Synergy $0.14
Horn of Gondor Horn of Gondor
+34% Synergy $2.53
Bastion of Remembrance Bastion of Remembrance
+33% Synergy $0.23
Nasty End Nasty End
+31% Synergy $0.13
Lash of the Balrog Lash of the Balrog
+28% Synergy $0.09
Castle Ardenvale Castle Ardenvale
+25% Synergy $0.26
Gollum, Patient Plotter Gollum, Patient Plotter
+24% Synergy $0.31
Haunt of the Dead Marshes Haunt of the Dead Marshes
+24% Synergy $0.17
Gothmog, Morgul Lieutenant Gothmog, Morgul Lieutenant
+23% Synergy $0.22

Top Cards

The most popular and reliable cards that form the backbone of successful Denethor, Ruling Steward decks.

Morbid Opportunist Morbid Opportunist
+20% Synergy $0.35
Zulaport Cutthroat Zulaport Cutthroat
+19% Synergy $0.73
Village Rites Village Rites
+18% Synergy $0.82
Teysa Karlov Teysa Karlov
+17% Synergy $2.31
Cruel Celebrant Cruel Celebrant
+12% Synergy $0.58
Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim
+8% Synergy $2.27
Blood Artist Blood Artist
+8% Synergy $1.47
Skullclamp Skullclamp
+5% Synergy $5.71
Path to Exile Path to Exile
-14% Synergy $0.90
Swords to Plowshares Swords to Plowshares
-26% Synergy $0.93

Game Changers

Powerful cards that can single-handedly turn the tide of a game when resolved.

The One Ring The One Ring
0% Synergy $102.57
Bolas's Citadel Bolas's Citadel
-7% Synergy $17.55
Teferi's Protection Teferi's Protection
-10% Synergy $54.73
Smothering Tithe Smothering Tithe
-13% Synergy $57.08

Creatures

Essential creatures that complement Denethor, Ruling Steward's strategy through synergy, utility, or raw power.

Gríma Wormtongue Gríma Wormtongue
+22% Synergy $0.21
Reassembling Skeleton Reassembling Skeleton
+21% Synergy $0.23
Fleshtaker Fleshtaker
+21% Synergy $0.13
Priest of Forgotten Gods Priest of Forgotten Gods
+20% Synergy $0.62
Mentor of the Meek Mentor of the Meek
+19% Synergy $0.29
Westfold Rider Westfold Rider
+18% Synergy $0.12
Corpse Knight Corpse Knight
+17% Synergy $1.11
Boromir, Warden of the Tower Boromir, Warden of the Tower
+17% Synergy $4.48
Doomed Traveler Doomed Traveler
+17% Synergy $0.08
Baron Bertram Graywater Baron Bertram Graywater
+16% Synergy $0.27
Kambal, Profiteering Mayor Kambal, Profiteering Mayor
+15% Synergy $5.50
Lossarnach Captain Lossarnach Captain
+14% Synergy $0.37
Easterling Vanguard Easterling Vanguard
+14% Synergy $0.15
Protector of Gondor Protector of Gondor
+14% Synergy $0.11
Pitiless Plunderer Pitiless Plunderer
+13% Synergy $3.18
Hunted Witness Hunted Witness
+13% Synergy $0.24
Rosie Cotton of South Lane Rosie Cotton of South Lane
+12% Synergy $0.36
Marauding Blight-Priest Marauding Blight-Priest
+11% Synergy $0.24
Syr Konrad, the Grim Syr Konrad, the Grim
+11% Synergy $0.56
Cirith Ungol Patrol Cirith Ungol Patrol
+11% Synergy $0.13
Bartolomé del Presidio Bartolomé del Presidio
+10% Synergy $0.32
Hardened Tactician Hardened Tactician
+10% Synergy $0.27
Doomed Dissenter Doomed Dissenter
+10% Synergy $0.14
Cathar Commando Cathar Commando
+8% Synergy $0.25
Samwise the Stouthearted Samwise the Stouthearted
+8% Synergy $0.21
Xathrid Necromancer Xathrid Necromancer
+8% Synergy $0.30
Teysa, Orzhov Scion Teysa, Orzhov Scion
+7% Synergy $2.55
Ophiomancer Ophiomancer
+7% Synergy $0.60
Adeline, Resplendent Cathar Adeline, Resplendent Cathar
+7% Synergy $2.68
Nadier's Nightblade Nadier's Nightblade
+6% Synergy $0.30
Aron, Benalia's Ruin Aron, Benalia's Ruin
+6% Synergy $0.06
Braids, Arisen Nightmare Braids, Arisen Nightmare
+5% Synergy $2.72
Butcher of Malakir Butcher of Malakir
+5% Synergy $0.36
Falkenrath Noble Falkenrath Noble
+5% Synergy $0.15
Vengeful Bloodwitch Vengeful Bloodwitch
+5% Synergy $0.29
Umbral Collar Zealot Umbral Collar Zealot
+4% Synergy $0.36
Keeper of the Accord Keeper of the Accord
+4% Synergy $0.38
Viscera Seer Viscera Seer
+3% Synergy $0.34
Marionette Apprentice Marionette Apprentice
+2% Synergy $0.96
Starscape Cleric Starscape Cleric
+2% Synergy $0.60
Athreos, God of Passage Athreos, God of Passage
+2% Synergy $15.19
Elenda, the Dusk Rose Elenda, the Dusk Rose
0% Synergy $4.74
Solemn Simulacrum Solemn Simulacrum
0% Synergy $0.32
Kambal, Consul of Allocation Kambal, Consul of Allocation
-1% Synergy $8.74
Gray Merchant of Asphodel Gray Merchant of Asphodel
-1% Synergy $2.86
Mondrak, Glory Dominus Mondrak, Glory Dominus
-1% Synergy $40.19
Suture Priest Suture Priest
-2% Synergy $6.24
Welcoming Vampire Welcoming Vampire
-5% Synergy $1.97
Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff
-8% Synergy $12.77
Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose
-11% Synergy $9.58

Instants

Key instant-speed responses for protection, removal, and keeping Denethor, Ruling Steward safe.

Corrupted Conviction Corrupted Conviction
+20% Synergy $0.33
Tragic Slip Tragic Slip
+12% Synergy $0.34
Raise the Alarm Raise the Alarm
+10% Synergy $0.19
Reprieve Reprieve
+9% Synergy $1.49
Deadly Dispute Deadly Dispute
+8% Synergy $0.35
Call the Coppercoats Call the Coppercoats
+8% Synergy $5.90
Murder Murder
+7% Synergy $0.15
Disenchant Disenchant
+6% Synergy $0.08
Dire Tactics Dire Tactics
+6% Synergy $0.25
Slip On the Ring Slip On the Ring
+6% Synergy $0.28
Altar's Reap Altar's Reap
+6% Synergy $0.45
Orcish Medicine Orcish Medicine
+6% Synergy $0.23
Shelob's Ambush Shelob's Ambush
+6% Synergy $0.12
Bitter Downfall Bitter Downfall
+6% Synergy $0.15
Mortify Mortify
+5% Synergy $0.19
Final Payment Final Payment
+5% Synergy $0.09
Go for the Throat Go for the Throat
+4% Synergy $0.59
Duty Beyond Death Duty Beyond Death
+4% Synergy $0.34
Fake Your Own Death Fake Your Own Death
+4% Synergy $0.25
Plumb the Forbidden Plumb the Forbidden
+3% Synergy $0.32
Unbreakable Formation Unbreakable Formation
+2% Synergy $1.29
Stroke of Midnight Stroke of Midnight
-3% Synergy $0.32
Utter End Utter End
-3% Synergy $0.28
Fell the Profane Fell Mire Fell the Profane
-7% Synergy $3.17
Dark Ritual Dark Ritual
-9% Synergy $6.64
Inkshield Inkshield
-9% Synergy $4.68
Generous Gift Generous Gift
-10% Synergy $1.42
Despark Despark
-12% Synergy $0.33
Fracture Fracture
-12% Synergy $0.32
Anguished Unmaking Anguished Unmaking
-21% Synergy $0.76

Sorceries

Important sorcery spells that advance Denethor, Ruling Steward's game plan and control the board.

Sam's Desperate Rescue Sam's Desperate Rescue
+14% Synergy $0.20
Martial Coup Martial Coup
+12% Synergy $0.23
Shadow Summoning Shadow Summoning
+12% Synergy $0.10
Increasing Devotion Increasing Devotion
+11% Synergy $0.33
Claim the Precious Claim the Precious
+11% Synergy $0.38
Mordor Muster Mordor Muster
+10% Synergy $0.22
Victimize Victimize
+9% Synergy $1.27
Visions of Glory Visions of Glory
+9% Synergy $0.33
Eaten Alive Eaten Alive
+8% Synergy $0.12
Feed the Swarm Feed the Swarm
+7% Synergy $0.38
Bone Splinters Bone Splinters
+7% Synergy $0.18
Sunset Revelry Sunset Revelry
+6% Synergy $0.16
Now for Wrath, Now for Ruin! Now for Wrath, Now for Ruin!
+6% Synergy $0.12
Captain's Call Captain's Call
+6% Synergy $0.09
Dread Return Dread Return
+5% Synergy $0.47
The Battle of Bywater The Battle of Bywater
+5% Synergy $3.30
Macabre Waltz Macabre Waltz
+5% Synergy $0.13
Gather the Townsfolk Gather the Townsfolk
+5% Synergy $0.23
Rite of Oblivion Rite of Oblivion
+4% Synergy $0.36
Dusk // Dawn Dusk // Dawn
+3% Synergy $0.30
Lingering Souls Lingering Souls
+2% Synergy $0.08
Fumigate Fumigate
+1% Synergy $0.31
Exsanguinate Exsanguinate
0% Synergy $0.40
Unearth Unearth
0% Synergy $0.60
Debt to the Deathless Debt to the Deathless
-1% Synergy $0.32
Diabolic Intent Diabolic Intent
-1% Synergy $16.12
Kaya's Wrath Kaya's Wrath
-2% Synergy $0.51
Read the Bones Read the Bones
-3% Synergy $0.27
Sign in Blood Sign in Blood
-4% Synergy $2.79
Austere Command Austere Command
-4% Synergy $0.59
Vindicate Vindicate
-5% Synergy $0.91
Night's Whisper Night's Whisper
-7% Synergy $0.28
Reanimate Reanimate
-7% Synergy $9.19
Toxic Deluge Toxic Deluge
-9% Synergy $4.63
Damn Damn
-18% Synergy $2.50

Utility Artifacts

Versatile artifacts that provide ongoing value, card selection, or strategic advantages.

Ashnod's Altar Ashnod's Altar
+8% Synergy $14.97
Oketra's Monument Oketra's Monument
+7% Synergy $5.37
Ravenous Amulet Ravenous Amulet
+6% Synergy $0.23
Witch's Cauldron Witch's Cauldron
+6% Synergy $0.23
Andúril, Flame of the West Andúril, Flame of the West
+5% Synergy $5.12
Tithing Blade Consuming Sepulcher Tithing Blade
+4% Synergy $0.45
The Golden Throne The Golden Throne
+4% Synergy $11.00
Vat of Rebirth Vat of Rebirth
+3% Synergy $0.29
Sinister Monolith Sinister Monolith
+3% Synergy $0.27
Tarrian's Journal The Tomb of Aclazotz Tarrian's Journal
+2% Synergy $0.45
Bontu's Monument Bontu's Monument
+1% Synergy $5.97
Phyrexian Altar Phyrexian Altar
-1% Synergy $54.80
Wayfarer's Bauble Wayfarer's Bauble
-5% Synergy $0.32
Swiftfoot Boots Swiftfoot Boots
-14% Synergy $1.92

Enchantments

Powerful enchantments that support Denethor, Ruling Steward's strategy and create lasting battlefield effects.

Tolls of War Tolls of War
+18% Synergy $0.17
Vampiric Rites Vampiric Rites
+17% Synergy $0.18
Hidden Stockpile Hidden Stockpile
+14% Synergy $0.27
Lunar Convocation Lunar Convocation
+13% Synergy $0.43
Feast of the Victorious Dead Feast of the Victorious Dead
+13% Synergy $0.15
Intangible Virtue Intangible Virtue
+10% Synergy $0.37
Oath of the Grey Host Oath of the Grey Host
+9% Synergy $0.19
Anointed Procession Anointed Procession
+8% Synergy $56.94
Call of the Ring Call of the Ring
+7% Synergy $3.47
Agent of the Iron Throne Agent of the Iron Throne
+7% Synergy $0.41
Flowering of the White Tree Flowering of the White Tree
+6% Synergy $8.93
War of the Last Alliance War of the Last Alliance
+6% Synergy $1.29
Cathar's Call Cathar's Call
+6% Synergy $0.19
Tale of Tinúviel Tale of Tinúviel
+6% Synergy $0.22
Fog on the Barrow-Downs Fog on the Barrow-Downs
+6% Synergy $0.15
Banishing Light Banishing Light
+5% Synergy $0.17
Dreadhorde Invasion Dreadhorde Invasion
+5% Synergy $1.10
Dawn of a New Age Dawn of a New Age
+5% Synergy $3.14
Grave Pact Grave Pact
+4% Synergy $29.84
Dawn of Hope Dawn of Hope
+4% Synergy $0.49
Barrensteppe Siege Barrensteppe Siege
+4% Synergy $0.34
Funeral Room // Awakening Hall Funeral Room // Awakening Hall
+3% Synergy $5.40
Muster the Departed Muster the Departed
+3% Synergy $0.30
Life Insurance Life Insurance
+2% Synergy $0.31
Bitterblossom Bitterblossom
+1% Synergy $33.38
Sanguine Bond Sanguine Bond
0% Synergy $6.32
Dictate of Erebos Dictate of Erebos
0% Synergy $21.17
Skrelv's Hive Skrelv's Hive
0% Synergy $2.22
The Meathook Massacre The Meathook Massacre
-1% Synergy $25.45
Black Market Black Market
-1% Synergy $4.92
Glasswing Grace Age-Graced Chapel Glasswing Grace
-2% Synergy $0.33
Land Tax Land Tax
-3% Synergy $14.83
Exquisite Blood Exquisite Blood
-5% Synergy $32.24
Blind Obedience Blind Obedience
-6% Synergy $4.85
Authority of the Consuls Authority of the Consuls
-10% Synergy $3.20
Ghostly Prison Ghostly Prison
-10% Synergy $3.46
Black Market Connections Black Market Connections
-12% Synergy $17.76
Phyrexian Arena Phyrexian Arena
-13% Synergy $3.44

Planeswalkers

Planeswalkers that work alongside Denethor, Ruling Steward to provide ongoing value and board presence.

Elspeth, Sun's Champion Elspeth, Sun's Champion
+12% Synergy $1.66
Elspeth, Storm Slayer Elspeth, Storm Slayer
+2% Synergy $40.81

Utility Lands

Non-basic lands that offer additional utility beyond just mana production.

Minas Tirith Minas Tirith
+16% Synergy $6.34
Barad-dûr Barad-dûr
+13% Synergy $1.32
Great Hall of the Citadel Great Hall of the Citadel
+7% Synergy $0.27
Westvale Abbey Ormendahl, Profane Prince Westvale Abbey
+6% Synergy $4.01
Kor Haven Kor Haven
+5% Synergy $17.69
Mortuary Mire Mortuary Mire
+3% Synergy $0.41
Dalkovan Encampment Dalkovan Encampment
+2% Synergy $0.41
Temple of the False God Temple of the False God
+1% Synergy $0.40
Restless Fortress Restless Fortress
+1% Synergy $0.67
Shambling Vent Shambling Vent
0% Synergy $0.38
Windbrisk Heights Windbrisk Heights
-1% Synergy $0.27
High Market High Market
-2% Synergy $0.47
Castle Locthwain Castle Locthwain
-2% Synergy $4.00
Cabal Coffers Cabal Coffers
-4% Synergy $30.06
Phyrexian Tower Phyrexian Tower
-6% Synergy $23.57
Rogue's Passage Rogue's Passage
-12% Synergy $0.31
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
-13% Synergy $58.79
Reliquary Tower Reliquary Tower
-14% Synergy $2.49
Vault of the Archangel Vault of the Archangel
-15% Synergy $0.51
Bojuka Bog Bojuka Bog
-22% Synergy $0.52

Mana Artifacts

Artifacts focused on mana acceleration and color fixing for consistent gameplay.

Commander's Sphere Commander's Sphere
+8% Synergy $0.34
Inherited Envelope Inherited Envelope
+6% Synergy $0.25
Pristine Talisman Pristine Talisman
+4% Synergy $0.37
Charcoal Diamond Charcoal Diamond
+3% Synergy $0.33
Marble Diamond Marble Diamond
+2% Synergy $0.26
Mind Stone Mind Stone
-1% Synergy $0.34
Thought Vessel Thought Vessel
-2% Synergy $2.92
Fellwar Stone Fellwar Stone
-7% Synergy $0.63
Orzhov Signet Orzhov Signet
-14% Synergy $0.33
Arcane Signet Arcane Signet
-17% Synergy $0.39
Sol Ring Sol Ring
-21% Synergy $1.19
Talisman of Hierarchy Talisman of Hierarchy
-21% Synergy $0.47

Lands

The mana base foundation for Denethor, Ruling Steward decks, ensuring smooth and reliable mana development.

Scoured Barrens Scoured Barrens
+16% Synergy $0.18
Evolving Wilds Evolving Wilds
+7% Synergy $0.23
Orzhov Guildgate Orzhov Guildgate
+7% Synergy $0.14
Insomnia, Crown City Insomnia, Crown City
+7% Synergy $0.19
Forsaken Sanctuary Forsaken Sanctuary
+6% Synergy $0.30
Thriving Heath Thriving Heath
+6% Synergy $0.32
The Grey Havens The Grey Havens
+6% Synergy $0.31
Terramorphic Expanse Terramorphic Expanse
+4% Synergy $0.33
Thriving Moor Thriving Moor
+4% Synergy $0.26
Shire Terrace Shire Terrace
+4% Synergy $0.25
Crossroads Village Crossroads Village
+4% Synergy $0.19
Silverquill Campus Silverquill Campus
+3% Synergy $0.30
Ash Barrens Ash Barrens
+3% Synergy $0.29
Neglected Manor Neglected Manor
+3% Synergy $0.09
Forlorn Flats Forlorn Flats
+2% Synergy $0.26
Swamp Swamp
+1% Synergy $0.13
Plains Plains
+1% Synergy $0.16
Sunlit Marsh Sunlit Marsh
+1% Synergy $0.19
Myriad Landscape Myriad Landscape
0% Synergy $0.28
Snowfield Sinkhole Snowfield Sinkhole
0% Synergy $0.36
Glasswing Grace Age-Graced Chapel Glasswing Grace
-2% Synergy $0.33
Path of Ancestry Path of Ancestry
-3% Synergy $0.32
Temple of Silence Temple of Silence
-5% Synergy $0.32
Scrubland Scrubland
-5% Synergy
Witch Enchanter Witch-Blessed Meadow Witch Enchanter
-6% Synergy $2.85
Fell the Profane Fell Mire Fell the Profane
-7% Synergy $3.17
Concealed Courtyard Concealed Courtyard
-8% Synergy $1.22
Exotic Orchard Exotic Orchard
-9% Synergy $0.29
Desolate Mire Desolate Mire
-9% Synergy $0.29
Orzhov Basilica Orzhov Basilica
-11% Synergy $0.27
Shadowy Backstreet Shadowy Backstreet
-12% Synergy $11.77
Tainted Field Tainted Field
-15% Synergy $0.26
Bleachbone Verge Bleachbone Verge
-15% Synergy $10.50
Shineshadow Snarl Shineshadow Snarl
-16% Synergy $0.33
Shattered Sanctum Shattered Sanctum
-16% Synergy $1.17
Marsh Flats Marsh Flats
-19% Synergy $29.07
Brightclimb Pathway Grimclimb Pathway Brightclimb Pathway
-19% Synergy $4.75
Command Tower Command Tower
-20% Synergy $0.26
Vault of Champions Vault of Champions
-23% Synergy $14.11
Isolated Chapel Isolated Chapel
-25% Synergy $0.32
Fetid Heath Fetid Heath
-25% Synergy $0.31
Caves of Koilos Caves of Koilos
-27% Synergy $0.35
Godless Shrine Godless Shrine
-30% Synergy $9.87

Similar Commanders

The following Commanders share a similar playing style, strategy, or theme like Denethor, Ruling Steward.