Armix, Filigree ThrasherArmix, Filigree Thrasher | art by Daniel Ljunggren

Partner is a mechanic in EDH that has been a little contentious over the years, but there's no denying the impact it has had on the format; for better or worse.

Even outside of the ultra-strong combinations running rampant in cEDH, "partners" allow for unparalleled creativity in deckbuilding, especially due to the 4-color avenues opened through combinations like Tymna the WeaverTymna the Weaver and Kydele, Chosen of KruphixKydele, Chosen of Kruphix, or Ravos, SoultenderRavos, Soultender and Ludevic, Necro-AlchemistLudevic, Necro-Alchemist.

In 2020, Commander Legends brought with it over 40 new legendary creatures with the "partner" ability; all of which were printed as mono-colored legends for the first time.

These new mono-colored legends expanded deckbuilding possibilities even more, and sheer amount of new options caused something unfortunate: severely underplayed combinations.

Now that we're a few years removed from Commander Legends, it feels appropriate to look back at the data and see what "partner" pairs need some love.

Underrated/Under-loved Combo #1: Nadier, Agent of the Duskenel and Armix, Filigree Thrasher

The first underrated pair that we are talking about explores "partners" in the monocolored space in an interesting way. According to EDHREC (at time of writing), there is only a single deck using this pair in the database!

This statistic surprised me, as Nadier alone seems like a very strong commander for a specific reason: he triggers off of any tokens. With all the Clues, Food, and Treasures running around, this combination felt like a match made in heaven.

Armix acts as a repeatable piece of removal in the command zone, and these days it seems like running more removal in your EDH decks is necessary. Lately, cards that are getting printed are at least good, if not downright great.

This "partner" pair immediately made me think of cards like Academy ManufactorAcademy Manufactor, Rapacious GuestRapacious Guest, Experimental ConfectionerExperimental Confectioner, Hazel's BrewmasterHazel's Brewmaster, and Nuka-Cola Vending MachineNuka-Cola Vending Machine.

Building a "tchotchke" deck, as Rachel Weeks of the Command Zone puts it, seems like a really fun way to brew around this mono-black pair.

Even if this partner pair isn't your style, only one deck on EDHREC seems criminal.

Underrated/Under-loved Combo #2: Ich-Tekik, Salvage Splicer and Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator

Unlike our first underrated pair, these partners are shown a little more love, with 82 decks on EDHREC. Simic is a color combination that usually has a very specific play pattern: ramp, draw cards, repeat.

However, this partner pair allows players to challenge what is expected with Simic commanders by relying heavily on artifacts.

First things first, Ich-Tekik puts this deck firmly on a Golem-typal plan. With that, I envision loading this deck up with every possible "splicer" card in these colors.

This would be things like: Wing SplicerWing Splicer, Maul SplicerMaul Splicer, Vital SplicerVital Splicer, and Sandstorm SalvagerSandstorm Salvager.

Blue allows this deck to really shine as it provides the ability to flicker/blink these "splicer" effects to create more and more Golems.

Malcolm is the "cherry on top", as his Treasure generation both ramps out our "splicer" effects and grows our Golems when we sacrifice them!

And don't get me started on all the "token doubling" effects in these colors...I'm looking at you, Adrix and Nev, TwincastersAdrix and Nev, Twincasters!

Underrated/Under-loved Combo #3: Halana, Kessig Ranger and Silas Renn, Seeker Adept

Our next combination expands a unique archetype into 3 colors. According to EDHREC, there are only 28 decks with these partners in the database. I could see a reason why: opponents probably find this deck very frustrating to play against.

Halana allows creatures entering to fight another creature on the board, and when every creature in our deck has deathtouch...you see the problem.

A "Deathtouch Typal" deck is something that many players have toyed with for awhile, and I firmly believe that this partner pair provides a terrific option.

Most cards that care about deathtouch as a mechanic exist in black and green, but adding blue allows you to play cards like Baleful StrixBaleful Strix, and the assortment of Bident of ThassaBident of Thassa-esque cards for consistent card draw.

All-stars in this deck would be things like Hooded BlightfangHooded Blightfang, Fynn, the FangbearerFynn, the Fangbearer, Aveline de GrandpréAveline de Grandpré, and Ohran FrostfangOhran Frostfang.

While yes, this deck can be mean and remove our opponents' creature at will, it is also a unique way to explore an underrated, but fun, archetype.

Underrated/Under-loved Combo #4: Miara, Thorn of the Glade and Thrasios, Triton Hero

According to EDHREC, there are only 99 decks in the database with this partner pair. Full disclosure, this partner pair is very personal to me, as I had a Sultai Elf-typal deck before Leovold, Emissary of TrestLeovold, Emissary of Trest was banned.

I had nearly given up on Sultai Elves until I saw Miara get revealed. Golgari Elves is a newly supported archetype thanks to Abomination of LlanowarAbomination of Llanowar and Lathril, Blade of the ElvesLathril, Blade of the Elves, so it seemed like the perfect time to return to this deck.

Yes, I know Thrasios is incredibly strong, but, in my opinion, he fit the theme more than Kydele, Chosen of KruphixKydele, Chosen of Kruphix.

The Lord of the Rings commander precon led by Galadriel, Elven-QueenGaladriel, Elven-Queen provided a bunch of new goodies for this deck as well, as it focused heavily on an Elf-typal theme with a secondary focus on a "voting" theme.

Voting is one thing that I love in Commander, so I was beyond excited to add those cards to this list. Cards from this deck that are perfect includes are things like: Galadriel, Elven-QueenGaladriel, Elven-Queen, Elrond of the White CouncilElrond of the White Council, Haldir, Lórien LieutenantHaldir, Lórien Lieutenant, and Windswift SliceWindswift Slice.

If you aren't a fan of having a ton a creatures in play, this pair isn't for you, but let's be honest, who doesn't having a critical mass of creatures in play??

Underrated/Under-loved Combo #5: Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper and Krark, the Thumbless

Jund spellslinger? Why not? According to EDHREC, there are only 67 decks with this partner pair in the database, and with the pure chaos I've seen Krark bring to commander tables, this surprises me.

Krark plus green seems like it could be a crazy combination, as copying ramp spells could catapult us into a huge lead. Also, this partner pair benefits greatly from the Final Fantasy set's introduction of the 0/1 black Wizard creature tokens.

These tokens deal 1 damage to each opponent whenever we cast a noncreature spell, and that seems very strong with Krark in the command zone. (See things like Cornered by Black MagesCornered by Black Mages or Circle of PowerCircle of Power.)

Outside of these newer includes, I can see cards like Witherbloom ApprenticeWitherbloom Apprentice, ManamorphoseManamorphose, Tavern ScoundrelTavern Scoundrel, Sedgemoor WitchSedgemoor Witch, and Wort, the RaidmotherWort, the Raidmother going absolutely insane in a deck like this.

Just think about it: what if Wort copied a Torment of HailfireTorment of Hailfire? Absolutely gross.

I hope you enjoyed exploring some lesser-played partner pairs that deserve some love! Hopefully, this has inspired some of you, and if it has, happy brewing!