Teval, Arbiter of VirtueTeval, Arbiter of Virtue | Art by Alexander Ostrowski | Zurgo StormrenderZurgo Stormrender | Art by Lie Setiawan | Eshki, Temur's RoarEshki, Temur's Roar | Art by Billy Christian

In this week’s article, I want to showcase five unique and budget Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander deck ideas. I hope seeing these deck ideas inspires you to think outside of the box with new commanders. As always, I’ll include key cards to include if you want to build any of these commanders. Alright, let’s get into it!

Zurgo StormrenderZurgo Stormrender Mardu Goblins

First on my list is Zurgo Stormrender Goblins. The original idea for this came from my good friend Wes, and his Zurgo HelmsmasherZurgo Helmsmasher Goblins deck. Most players think of Goblin decks as being mono-red, and for good reason. There are powerful and budget commander options with Krenko, Mob BossKrenko, Mob Boss, Pashalik MonsPashalik Mons, and Muxus, Goblin GrandeeMuxus, Goblin Grandee. Yes, those commanders are great, but they're missing out on powerful black Goblins like Sling-Gang LieutenantSling-Gang Lieutenant, Frogtosser BanneretFrogtosser Banneret, and Boggart MobBoggart Mob.

There aren’t a ton of white Goblins; in fact, there are only seven Goblins with white in their mana cost, and they're all Boros. But white has access to some excellent token support with Intangible VirtueIntangible Virtue, Inspiring LeaderInspiring Leader, and Dollmaker's Shop // Porcelain GalleryDollmaker's Shop // Porcelain Gallery.

Now, why would you want to use Zurgo specifically as a Goblin commander? Well, Zurgo is a powerful card advantage engine in the command zone. Goblins aren’t known for their long game prowess. Often, they quickly close out games with the help of Impact TremorsImpact Tremors and Krenko. But Zurgo adds some mid to late game card advantage that the deck was sorely lacking. Yes, SkullclampSkullclamp is powerful, but we will almost always have access to Zurgo.

There are plenty of ways to sacrifice our Goblin tokens at instant speed with Skirk ProspectorSkirk Prospector, Goblin BombardmentGoblin Bombardment, and Goblin ChirurgeonGoblin Chirurgeon. So you can attack with your tokens, then sacrifice them before damage to refill your hand. And if you don’t need to draw cards, you can sacrifice them for damage.

Key cards to include:

• Krenko, Mob BossKrenko, Mob Boss
• Skirk ProspectorSkirk Prospector
• Treasure NabberTreasure Nabber
• Sling-Gang LieutenantSling-Gang Lieutenant
• Mirror EntityMirror Entity

Teval, Arbiter of VirtueTeval, Arbiter of Virtue Slimes

Next on my list is Teval, Arbiter of VirtueTeval, Arbiter of Virtue featuring Slime Against HumanitySlime Against Humanity. Whenever I get the chance to build a Slime Against Humanity deck, I have to take it. And I think Teval is easily one of the best Slime commanders. Unlike the other cards that allow you to have any number, such as Hare ApparentHare Apparent, Persistent PetitionersPersistent Petitioners, and Dragon's ApproachDragon's Approach, Slime benefits from having more Slimes in your graveyard and exile. And Teval can let you delve away your Slimes to pay for more Slimes. Am I saying slime too much?

Anyways, Sultai has no issues filling up a graveyard with cards like Glacierwood SiegeGlacierwood Siege, Grisly SalvageGrisly Salvage, and Stitcher's SupplierStitcher's Supplier. And the Slimes don’t have to be the only thing you cast with delve. You can delve Thrumming StoneThrumming Stone (if you have the budget), Spellweaver HelixSpellweaver Helix, and Locket of YesterdaysLocket of Yesterdays to get even more value from your Slimes.

My favorite piece of tech for any Slime deck is Surgical ExtractionSurgical Extraction. For a measly two life, you can exile any number of Slimes from your library, giving you a giant trampling Ooze, which you can then sacrifice to Jarad, Golgari Lich LordJarad, Golgari Lich Lord to finish off all your opponents.

Key cards to include:

• Spellweaver HelixSpellweaver Helix
• Surgical ExtractionSurgical Extraction
• Nantuko ShrineNantuko Shrine
• Glacierwood SiegeGlacierwood Siege
• Greater GoodGreater Good

Shiko and Narset, UnifiedShiko and Narset, Unified Auras

Next up is Shiko and Narset, Unified Auras matters. Because they're in Jeskai colors, and because of the precon they come in, players will focus on doing Spellslinger things with this commander. Which makes a ton of sense since there are some great reprints in the precon, with Veyran, Voice of DualityVeyran, Voice of Duality, Monastery MentorMonastery Mentor, and Archmage EmeritusArchmage Emeritus. However, Shiko doesn’t just copy instants or sorceries, but any spell.

A lot of commonly used creatures in Spellslinger decks, like Monastery MentorMonastery Mentor, Third Path IconoclastThird Path Iconoclast, and Kykar, Wind's FuryKykar, Wind's Fury, care specifically about noncreature spells. The same thing is true for prowess triggers. This lets you create creatures that can hold the Auras. And with access to blue, you can easily protect your commander.

There are two types of Auras that would be best. First is the cheap stuff, like Angelic GiftAngelic Gift, Dragon MantleDragon Mantle, and Hyena UmbraHyena Umbra. These are the Auras you won’t mind not copying. Yes, they do draw cards, but Aura decks don't have problems with card advantage thanks to all the aura payoffs in white. Cards like Sram, Senior EdificerSram, Senior Edificer, Kor SpiritdancerKor Spiritdancer, and Mesa EnchantressMesa Enchantress.

The second set is Auras, which provide powerful enter triggers you want more of. For removal, you have Sheltered by GhostsSheltered by Ghosts, Chains of CustodyChains of Custody, and Faith UnbrokenFaith Unbroken. You can use Songbirds' BlessingSongbirds' Blessing, Sage's ReverieSage's Reverie, and Etali's FavorEtali's Favor for card advantage. And finally, the new storm Aura, Tempest TechniqueTempest Technique, that can be found in Shiko and Narset's precon. You would only get one additional copy of the spell, but it is still worth including.

Key cards to include:

• Sigarda's AidSigarda's Aid
• Ethereal ArmorEthereal Armor
• All That GlittersAll That Glitters
• Auramancer's GuiseAuramancer's Guise
• Gremlin TamerGremlin Tamer

Felothar, Dawn of the AbzanFelothar, Dawn of the Abzan Artifacts

Abzan isn’t known for its artifact prowess, but they share similar themes. Both have a +1/+1 counter theme, want to sacrifice cards, and can easily recur big threats from the graveyard. So it felt like a no-brainer to build a Felothar, Dawn of the Abzan artifact deck. You get a powerful sacrifice outlet and payoff in the command zone, and an easy way to grow your artifact creatures. The tricky part will be balancing the artifacts and counter payoffs.

You’ll want to include +1/+1 payoffs with Envoy of the AncestorsEnvoy of the Ancestors, Temperamental OozewaggTemperamental Oozewagg, and Abzan FalconerAbzan Falconer so you can get through with your artifact army. You’ll also want cheap artifacts like Ichor WellspringIchor Wellspring, Mycosynth WellspringMycosynth Wellspring, and Prized StatuePrized Statue to sacrifice to Felothar’s ability. You can also sacrifice artifact tokens made from Bristlebud FarmerBristlebud Farmer, Academy ManufactorAcademy Manufactor, and Myr BattlesphereMyr Battlesphere.

Modular creatures, such as Arcbound RavagerArcbound Ravager, Arcbound CrusherArcbound Crusher, and Arcbound ReclaimerArcbound Reclaimer, also get a massive benefit from the counters. If you want to add an infinite combo, Experimental ConfectionerExperimental Confectioner, Peregrin TookPeregrin Took, and an artifact sacrifice outlet can give you infinite creature and artifact enters triggers and infinite creature and artifact leaves triggers.

Key cards to include:

• Ichor WellspringIchor Wellspring
• Syr Ginger, the Meal EnderSyr Ginger, the Meal Ender
• Throne of GethThrone of Geth
• Arcbound CrusherArcbound Crusher
• Evolution WitnessEvolution Witness

Eshki, Temur's RoarEshki, Temur's Roar Infect

Finally, we have Eshki, Temur's Roar infect. I decided on infect for two reasons. First, if you can give Eshki infect with Corrupted ConscienceCorrupted Conscience, Triumph of the HordesTriumph of the Hordes, or Grafted ExoskeletonGrafted Exoskeleton, you can easily one-shot the table out of nowhere by casting a creature spell with power six or greater. The second reason is that you don’t see too many Temur infect decks, so I thought it could be fun trying to build one.

There are a few ways you can try to build Eshki infect. One option is to play a more traditional Temur goodstuff deck, with the infect payoffs to win on the spot. But I’d rather lean hard into infect and proliferation so you can grow Eshki and spread any early poison counters you can get on your opponents.

First, you want some cheap evasive infect and toxic creatures to get the poison ball rolling, like Blighted AgentBlighted Agent, Viral DrakeViral Drake, and Tainted ObserverTainted Observer. Next, you want the big infect creatures so you can trigger Eshki’s ability. I suggest adding Tyrranax RexTyrranax Rex, Glissa's RetrieverGlissa's Retriever, and Phyrexian HydraPhyrexian Hydra. If you have the budget, Blightsteel ColossusBlightsteel Colossus is always a blast to hit someone with.

And finally, you want ways to proliferate Eshki’s counters and the poison counters you’ve given to other players. Ideally, you’ll want to add proliferation that serves another purpose. Experimental AuguryExperimental Augury, Unnatural RestorationUnnatural Restoration, and Tezzeret's GambitTezzeret's Gambit all provide some form of card advantage along with proliferation. You should also add repeatable ways to proliferate, like Inexorable TideInexorable Tide, Contagion ClaspContagion Clasp, and Staff of CompleationStaff of Compleation.

Key cards to include:

• Grafted ExoskeletonGrafted Exoskeleton
• Corrupted ConscienceCorrupted Conscience
• Inexorable TideInexorable Tide
• Dreamtide WhaleDreamtide Whale
• Venerated RotpriestVenerated Rotpriest

I'd love to hear which of these commander deck ideas you want to see a deck tech for. And I hope I've inspired you to take a second look at the new Tarkir: Dragonstorm commanders. Let me know what some of your weird deck ideas are. Alrighty nerds, I'll see you in the next one!