having a type

[folding_music]

I've been looking through all the legendary creatures over the past two days, not really looking for creatures who have abilities I care about, but rather cards which suit me based on the theme I perceive in them, their art and name. I don't read the stories, I'm just intuiting character based on what's on the card. i'm far more likely to stick with a deck if I love the commander in a non-mechanical way >:3 my findings are as follows:

- I just won't use anything overtly holy or warlike. I used to think I just wouldn't run humans but that isn't true and it's their general martial depiction that's to blame.
- something being a Dragon, a Vampire or a Dryad greatly raises my estimation of it even if it plain sucks
- I seem to love hermetic creatures, weird artists and misfits. not a great surprise to me
- double-sided cards and partners are too much trouble

I've only gotten up to 2021 and I know Jenova is coming to take the top spot but, for now, here's my top twelve commanders:
Rootha, Mercurial Artist - she rules
Alela, Artful Provocateur - she rules (overpushed edition)
Arjun, the Shifting Flame - i want to receive this type of overwhelming inspiration
Aphemia, the Cacophony - fatalism and cool mythological creatures yes
Lorcan, Warlock Collector - bat wings yes
Judith, the Scourge Diva and Lyzolda, the Blood Witch - the sicko Rakdos cult theme is my fave
Hans Eriksson - such a peaceful giant, I know the type. can probably get 22m in the shotput
Yisan, the Wanderer Bard - the exact archetypal kind of comfort character
Rosheen Meanderer - the exact archetypal kind of comfort character, but more like me lol
Demonlord Belzenlok|SLD - maybe my fave legendary demon art
Oviya Pashiri, Sage Lifecrafter - another example of someone tied up in their own creativity and perfectly happy that way

show me yr guys

[Dunadain]

Just listing cards as they pop into my head

Maha, Its Feathers Night has really stuck with me. It reminds me of Kuro, from Ori and the will of the wisps I actually like the art on Fell even more.

Ebondeath, Dracolich is my favorite deck because I love it both thematically and mechanically.

Alela, Cunning Conqueror ironically, is another good one.

Turtles, in general are a good bet, Gorex, the Tombshell is probably my favorite.

Avacyn, Angel of Hope is the perfect angel, from art to stats to text box to flavor text. In general I like mono-white angels, this one is just my favorite.

I've always loved the Eldrazi, even if I don't enjoy playing against them, and the original Emrakul, the Aeons Torn is awesome (in the literal sense of the word: it inspires awe).

I really like all the new spirit dragons, particularly Teval, Arbiter of Virtue and Teval, the Balanced Scale

Bladewing the Risens new art is great.

I like Black and I like Dragons, haha.

[Sinis]

Top 13... there are thousands. I think for me, it's a mix of mechanical interest, nostalgia, and vibes.

Ihsan's Shade|HML - One of my first Legends, the name is actually perilously close to my real name. I suppose it's still my forum avatar after all this time.
Tomorrow, Azami's Familiar - The card that prompted me to buy a Timetwister|2ED in 2009ish. I really liked the non-draw thing, and would only later find out that you could do silly things with Sylvan Library. I like that it's some weird frog spirit thing.
Lovisa Coldeyes|CSP - I loved the kind of Barbarian/Nordic theme for this, and Ice Age references are a vibe. I tried to build a deck out of it a long time ago. It never really worked; Lovisa is just too lousy for cost, and the team buff is probably not good enough. It didn't help that, at the time, the team didn't have amazing members, either.
Jaya Ballard, Task Mage|TSR - I played this for so long. Loved the options, and I love a sassy pyromancer.
Oona, Queen of the Fae|SHM - I'm a black/dimir player in my heart of hearts, and this one captured me on my return in 2008. When my ex-wife suggested Oonagh as a name for our second child (without being aware of the Magic card), I didn't mention it.
Rakdos, Lord of Riots|RTR - The first deck I built that got truly hated off the table in 2012. I liked the risk/reward proposition. Big Demon.
The Scarab God|HOU - Mostly a draw-go thing. I liked the idea that you could improve some creatures with eternalization (like Needle Specter). It wasn't much of a vibe thematically, but it had huge mechanical and colour preference angles for me.
Dr. Julius Jumblemorph - I loved the Augment mechanic. It was really fun. Loved it in the spoiler season, opened it in a prerelease, built it and played it for a time.
O-Kagachi, Vengeful Kami|C17 - I liked the idea of 'vengeance' as a mechanic with OK, and trying to force players into double-binds (like Trove of Temptation). I met some dear friends playing this deck, and it'll always have a place in my heart for that.
Morophon, the Boundless|MH1 - I like kindred stuff, and I was pleased as punch when Morophon was printed. I know it's not an amazing Kindred commander, but, it's a catch-all. You don't have to play all colours. It does something for your chosen team. It's just kind of a cool home for lots of kindred kinds of decks. Mechanically interesting, not much on the vibes.
Questing Beast|ELD - It's less it's mechanics (which are good/playable) and more that it's a running gag with my friends about how much game text it has. Occasionally, one of us will bust out a VIGILANCE! DEATHTOUCH! HASTE! when someone is taking too long with a turn, or has played something convoluted. Almost pure vibes, with a side of "it does stuff." Usually maindecked.
Rankle, Master of Pranks|ELD - Another in-joke with my friends; after the Rankle, Master of Prankles meme. Also usually maindecked.
Sigurd, Jarl of Ravensthorpe - This card is 100% vibes. I have a fairly strict Norse-themed deck that is my current favourite thing to play.

[PrimevalCommander]

I like commanders that make tokens.

Titania, Protector of Argoth: I love lands, this makes tokens, churns lands, and I couldn't find a multicolored land commander I liked because there are SO many good lands cards once you branch into other colors. So I made it mono green to really focus the card pool.
God-Eternal Oketra makes tokens, wanted a mono white deck that I thought could be fun. I like playing to the board.
Talrand, Sky Summoner no creatures Drake beat down. Makes tokens and is the most fair way I could think to build spell slinger. Still the most fair spell deck I have played with or against.
Zurzoth, Chaos Rider for a true challenge. Makes tokens, bad ones. I saw someone play this online and thought "I could do it better", so I did. Funny enough the deck is built to make the devil tokens hurt so much that once I get about 5 or 6 in play everyone starts sweating. Zurzoth being so fragile makes the deck very swing-y, but it is an interesting deck for sure.

Also I like graveyard decks. I have 3 of them and have to fight myself every set to not pick up another one.

Karador, Ghost Chieftain oldest commander deck. makes my graveyard a second hand.
Sefris of the Hidden Ways first budget deck. Love that it can play overcosted beef and never feel bad about it. Top 3 most fun decks.
Araumi of the Dead Tide super budget. Sort of a combo deck, but truly amazing what you can do at $15 with the right synergy.

My type is
1. Graveyards
2. Lands
3. Tokens

looking back at the question, I'm not sure I answered it right. I'll think about things besides theme and get back to you.

[Lifeless]

I'll have to think about it but I don't usually choose commanders like this. I generally either choose a deck theme (Zur, Eternal Schemer, The Locust God) or I get caught up in the coolness of the effects of a specific legend (Fynn, the Fangbearer, Godo, Bandit Warlord) and ride that wave through the entire deckbuilding process.

There is one exception - Slogurk, the Overslime. For whatever reason I find the idea of him and his showcase card overwhelmingly compelling. I had to go out of my way to make a deck that's reasonably functional and while it's on the lower end of the power spectrum for my group I still like playing it a lot.

[Moxnix]

lumra below of the woods
Arcanis the omnipotent
Khamal the pit fighter
Multani marrow sorcerr
rune scar demon
Avacyn

Big fat cool looking cards that feel like their color

[TheAmericanSpirit]

Judging by my history, I like commanders who cost between 3-5 mana, have high card velocity, and fold like a bedsheet to stax effects.

• Maelstrom Wanderer
• Sythis, Harvest's hand
• Korvold, Fae-Cursed King
• Raffine, Scheming Seer
• Henzie
"Toolbox" Torre
• Selvala, Heart of the Wilds
• The Fourth Doctor
• Sarah Jane Smith

The sole exception is Phelddagrif, but that's more like borrowing Dirk's car. It's a sick ride and I love the features, but at the end of the day, it's not parked in my driveway. I would have never developed it if left to my own devices, it's like the opposite of everything aforementioned I enjoy.

[RxPhantom]

Lord of Tresserhorn's name is Jeff Tresserhorn, and he has an evil twin arch nemesis named Tress Jefferhorn. They alternate between a vengeful blood feud and hilarious sitcom hijinks. Jeff is the only commander I have this kind of headcanon for.

Wait wait wait, I kinda have a story for Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma from this thread that I was really proud of.

[3drinks]

I won't name Kaalia for obvious reasons I think we all know my feelings there. But I'll second your feelings on Lyzolda, the Blood Witch, I love these style of aggro decks and I played with her for years and years. These days, I actually revisited her with a modern flair with Gut, True Soul Zealot w/ "her right-hand ma--err, hellion" in Obosh, the Preypiercer. After playing BG3 I understood more what I did when I had her under the guise of being an Agent of the Iron Throne and just what that organization was up to. That was so much fun.

Rakdos Riteknife is some grade A jank but that art, that vibe. The vileness of what the Rakdos cult was really about. It's like holding a festival and retaining a Captive Audience for it. I'm so Rakdos.

[Avacyn Believer]

Probably no surprise my go-to Commanders are Angels, I love them and I love coming up with ways of making them work. My current Angel commanders:

Archangel Avacyn // Avacyn, the Purifier
Bruna, Light of Alabaster
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
Sigarda, Host of Herons
Firja, Judge of Valor
Jenara, Asura of War
Feather, the Redeemed
Radiant, Serra Archangel
Kasla, the Broken Halo - still in progress, trying to figure this one out (albeit taking my sweet time with it)

Commanders I like for the art and flavour

Alela, Cunning Conqueror - looks so good in foil
Mayael the Anima - iconic art
Licia, Sanguine Tribune
Emmara, Soul of the Accord - love autumn theme
Tana, the Bloodsower - currently a Meria, Scholar of Antiquity deck but planning to change it after few more games. I always wanted a deck for Tana, the art and theme is just so good in my opinion, but can't say why I didn't make one sooner.

Commanders I want to return to, or plan to build because of vibes:

Zul Ashur, Lich Lord - the full art is just so on point and such a simple flavourful zombie commander.
Akroma, Angel of Wrath - Chippy's art is so good, it is pretty much the card that got me into Magic, every time I take that deck apart I want to re-build it again.
Wernog, Rider's Chaplain - he has such a silly ability, but I love the in-universe Innistrad themes.
Kassandra, Eagle Bearer - something about the composition and the colours of this card just speak to me. I am cursed to build Boros decks forever

[materpillar]

I prefer commanders that are central to the deck's game plan but not vital to it. For example, Henzie "Toolbox" Torre decks often just fold to their commander eating two removal spells. I prefer Chromium / Progenitus / The Ur-Dragon as late game win conditions that are there to close out grindier games. Tivadar of Thorn as another blink payoff. esika, god of the tree as a consistent turn 3 play to bridge me into the midgame.

Kotis, the Fangkeeper and Lazav, the Multifarious are exceptions but they have in built protection.

Yurlok of Scorch Thrash I play because I like his art and flavor text.

[Wanli]

My decks' commanders are often not just about their mechanics, but also ooze flavour:

My first deck was and still is helmed by Prossh, Skyraider of Kher, the arrogant dragon with a foolish, yet delicious fan base;
the second one sports Karlov of the Ghost Council, greedy and brutal crime lord;
then there is Feldon of the Third Path, forever trying to resurrect his lost love, but only creating monsters;
Pir, Imaginative Rascal, the day dreamer, and his comforting buddy Toothy, Imaginary Friend.
I once put Ihsan's Shade in charge of my mono-black list (and actually won that game) because in the mid-nineties he really impressed younger me and I felt obliged to give him some time in the spotlight...

[3drinks]

I remember once I did pilot Baron Sengir as an MBC deck. Explaining to people why +2/+2 counters were not just two +1/+1 counters was a thing. Man that was not good (go figure, you choose an 8mv commander in non-g and you have issues ah ha).

[BlackbirdPlaysMTG]

Neat topic, interesting to see how others assess commanders from not just a purely mechanical game-play standpoint. I wanted to react earlier, but forgot about it. I currently have seven commander decks, but I have played many more in the past and sometimes I disassemble or re-assemble decks. Mayael for example was my second EDH deck, but I took it apart many years ago, only for me to put it back together a couple of months ago. I really enjoy it for nostalgic and gameplay reasons.

In general I like stuff that has nature-ey and druidic connotations. Titania, Protector of Argoth, Nissa, Vastwood Seer // Nissa, Sage Animist, Greensleeves, Maro-Sorcerer, Mayael the Anima; you get the picture. I also like angels and white stuff in general. Order and structure. In the mechanical sense I like commanders that give me mana or resources. Commanders that give card advantage in some form or another, commanders that give me mana or commanders that create advantage in the form of board presence. I also like cards that enhance gameplay in some way or another, such as Yeva, Nature's Herald or Avacyn, Angel of Hope. Especially Yeva is fun, mono-green draw-go is just something else. I am also drawn to commanders and decks that put stuff on the board. Enchantress with enchantment spam and churning out tokens (many of my decks make them). Save Alela, Cunning Conqueror most of my commanders do not file under the subtlety category ...

Also, something I noticed is that all my current commanders are all female. When I look at the list of commanders I have played in the past, most of them are female too. Only a handful, such as Ezuri, Claw of Progress, Galazeth Prismari and Talrand, Sky Summoner were male. This is not a conscious decision; I am curious why this is . Maybe Wizards puts all the mechanics and art I like on female characters?

[BlackbirdPlaysMTG]

Judging by my history, I like commanders who cost between 3-5 mana, have high card velocity, and fold like a bedsheet to stax effects.

• Maelstrom Wanderer
• Sythis, Harvest's hand
• Korvold, Fae-Cursed King
• Raffine, Scheming Seer
• Henzie
"Toolbox" Torre
• Selvala, Heart of the Wilds
• The Fourth Doctor
• Sarah Jane Smith

The sole exception is Phelddagrif, but that's more like borrowing Dirk's car. It's a sick ride and I love the features, but at the end of the day, it's not parked in my driveway. I would have never developed it if left to my own devices, it's like the opposite of everything aforementioned I enjoy.

Mechanically speaking I seem to be sort of close to your style of preferred commanders. I could build any of these and be content.

[3drinks]

I like interesting or unique effects. Thinks that both challenge you to think outside the box but can also reward high rules mastery. I recently discovered all those boxes being ticked by Hashaton, Scarab's Fist and that has been a blast because it can grind like no other.