Unless youre using some stripped-down race car engine of a deck, most games are won or lost in the first few hands, depending on which player managed to get the starting elements of one or more strategies
For a quick comparison, right now the showcase version of Gandalf the White is selling for over 30$, the foil showcase version is around 70$, and the normal version is listed at just shy of 20$
Other helpful tips If you are having trouble drawing the equipment you need (given Commanders 99 card deck size, use Clouds ability that lets you draw for the number of equipped creatures you have
Merens ability is better than Aeriths, but Aeriths got so much good stuff to build around (ahem, lifelink, etb) that even if she werent a top-tier character, shed have a long-term future
Although typically not the commander, Aragorn and Arwen make a great addition to any creature-based deck of the appropriate colors
If an effect instructs you to choose a card name, you may choose the alternative Adventure name