Voltron is a deck archetype that is gaining popularity in the commander format. The main strategy of this archetype involves slamming down your commander and suiting it up to become an incredible killing machine. Since commander decks tend to have access to their general every game and 21 damage from a commander is enough to kill an opponent (opposed to the 40 life you would have to deal with otherwise), a Voltron strategy can be very powerful. Key aspects of the strategy include the use of various equipment and aura cards to give power/toughness boosts, evasion and protection from removal.
The strength of Voltron decks lies in the explosiveness the decks can bring to a game; pop out the commander and swing once or twice to finish a game. The biggest weakness of the archetype depends on the same fact; since you’re
putting all your eggs into one basket you will be vulnerable to removal, especially in a multiplayer game. The trick is to find a balance between packing enough of a punch while having enough protection to make your beater stick on the board.
Of course any general can win the game carrying a bunch of swords, but as with any strategy some of them are better fit for the job than others.
Commanders:
Friends of the Auras:
[cards]Uril, the Miststalker
Zur the Enchanter
Bruna, Light of Alabaster[/cards]
Equipment Hoggers:
[cards]Godo, Bandit Warlord
Kemba, Kha Regent[/cards]
I Will Survivers:
[cards]Sigarda, Host of Herons
Thrun, the Last Troll
Geist of Saint Traft
Sygg, River Guide
Eight-and-a-Half-Tails[/cards]
Hitting Harderers:
[cards]Rafiq of the Many
Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon
Omnath, Locus of Mana[/cards]
Quickerers:
[cards]Isamaru,
Hound of Konda
Jenara, Asura of War
Skullbriar, the Walking Grave[/cards]
I like to be a dick to the other players at the table:
Hokori, Dust Drinker
As mentioned above, powerful equipment cards form an essential part to the Voltron deck.
Equipments:
Swords are great. They offer p/t, protection and some nice effects!
[cards]Sword of Body and Mind
Sword of Feast and Famine
Sword of Fire and Ice
Sword of Light and Shadow
Sword of War and Peace[/cards]
Some equipment can give you just the little extra protection you needed.
[cards]Darksteel Plate
Champion’s Helm
Swiftfoot Boots
Mask of Avacyn
Lightning Greaves
Whispersilk Cloak
General’s Kabuto[/cards]
Be careful with the Shroud though, in case you want to buff your dude up some more
Other equipment cards pack that extra punch.
Argentum Armor Doubles as removal
[
card]Umezawa’s Jitte[/card] A jack of all trades
[cards]Loxodon Warhammer
Batterskull
Sword of Vengeance[/cards]
Grafted Exoskeleton Poison kills fast
Empyrial Plate Cheap and efficient bonus as long as you keep some cards in hand
Strata Scythe Mono color decks love the Scythe
In colors:
/ 
Behemoth Sledge
/ 
Demonspine Whip [card]Lashwrithe[/card]
Auras can fill pretty much the same role as equipments, but they are inherently a little more vulnerable to removal. A lot of modern aura cards have some sort of mechanic to deal with this vulnerability (such as Totem armor, or Bestow)
Auras/Enchantments:
Eldrazi Conscription
/ [cards]Armadillo Cloak
Unflinching Courage
Shield of the Oversoul
Privileged Position[/cards]
/ 
Steel of the Godhead
[cards]Unquestioned Authority
Angelic Destiny[/cards]
Daybreak Coronet Only if you’re heavy on auras
[cards]Rancor
Asceticism[/cards] Making all your dudes trolls seems like a good idea, unless you’re already playing Thrun of course
Style points if your commander cmc => 6
[cards]Dragon Breath
Dragon Fangs
Dragon Shadow
Dragon Wings
Dragon Scales[/cards] definitely the worst of the bunch, but vigilance can be more useful in multiplayer
Some other good cards that can be very useful in this archetype:
Board sweepers: Clearing the board is always a solid way to keep those opposing critters in check
Counterspells: Just the little extra protection you need
Equipment
supporters:
[cards]Leonin Abunas
Puresteel Paladin
Stoneforge Mystic
Stonehewer Giant
Taj-Nar Swordsmith
Steelshaper’s Gift
Thada Adel, Acquisitor
Treasure Mage
Fabricate
Reshape
Enlightened Tutor[/cards]
Enchantment supporters:
[cards]Academy Rector
Enlightened Tutor
Sovereigns of Lost Alara
Three Dreams
Sterling Grove[/cards]
Give it a try; simply suit up and go to town!
