Unstable ExperimentUnstable Experiment | Art by David Palumbo

On today's edition of Bulk Up, we're looking at the best commons and uncommons from Magic's upcoming Spider-Man set. I'm evaluating these cards based on their playability in the 99 of popular decks, so even though there's a few legendary creatures you could build around on this list, I'll be discussing their merit outside of the command zone.

With that being said, join me Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks, as I highlight some of the great cards you can find hidden in this set's bulk.

Card Advantage

While it might not look like it at first glance, Unstable ExperimentUnstable Experiment shares a lot of similarities with cards like Thrill of PossibilityThrill of Possibility. However, it also offers the upside of adding a counter to one of your creatures with that connive effect, all at instant speed.

The new commander Kilo, Apogee MindKilo, Apogee Mind would be a good home for this card, since that one counter you add to a creature will multiply over and over again as the game goes on.

Sure, this legend doesn't fit in every deck, but if you find yourself consistently attacking with modified creatures, this is the card for you. Say you have a 99 filled with Auras, Equipment or even just counters, SP//dr, Piloted by PeniSP//dr, Piloted by Peni could be a great card draw engine to add to that list.

Tidus, Yuna's GuardianTidus, Yuna's Guardian is another precon commander who would benefit from a card like this. Since that deck constantly modifies its creatures, this'll add so much value when you send them into combat.

Five mana to counter a spell or draw three cards is a steep price, I know. However, since those effects are stapled together, School DazeSchool Daze may be a great fit in a draw-go strategy. Hold up your mana for other people's turns and either draw more cards or halt your opponent's game plan.

A deck that loves to leave their lands untapped is Melek, Reforged ResearcherMelek, Reforged Researcher. When paired with that commander, this spell would only cost two mana, making both of the effects it offers more than reasonable to cast.

Now I know what you might be thinking: Casting spells with mana value four or greater isn't something you do often. However, Superior Foes of Spider-ManSuperior Foes of Spider-Man fits in more decks than you might think.

A commander that works well with these Villains is the new Tannuk, Steadfast SecondTannuk, Steadfast Second. Even though you're only spending three mana to warp out your spells, they'll have the same mana value as their normal casting cost when they're on the stack.

So, now when you warp in that Blightsteel ColossusBlightsteel Colossus, you'll also gain access to the top card of your library thanks to these Superior Foes.

• Green Goblin, RevenantGreen Goblin, Revenant: If you have a deck that constantly discards, this legend could draw you a whole bunch of cards when you move to combat.
• Risky ResearchRisky Research: While we already have several spells that this card is similar to, it's a good idea to set these aside in case you build a deck that needs more draw.
• Pictures of Spider-ManPictures of Spider-Man: Mono-green can sometimes have trouble with card draw, but this handy artifact can get a few much-needed creatures into your hand, as well as a Treasure token in a pinch.

Interaction

If you or someone you know is a still a believer in MurderMurder, well then let me introduce you to The Spot's PortalThe Spot's Portal. A three-mana answer to a creature that places it at the bottom of an opponent's library. Denying them any opportunity to recur it from their graveyard.

A commander that would welcome this spell with open arms is Zevlor, Elturel ExileZevlor, Elturel Exile. Simply pay two extra mana and target a creature from each one of your opponents. Sure, you'll lose six life in the exchange, but I think if you ask the other players at the table, they'd totally consider Zevlor a "Villain."

Fight spells are a little polarizing in the community, however Rhino's RampageRhino's Rampage could be enough to change the mind of a few skeptics out there. This card offers a power buff, creature removal, and artifact destruction all for one mana.

The most obvious home for a spell like this would be in a Neyith of the Dire HuntNeyith of the Dire Hunt deck. Fighting creatures is the name of the game there, so the addition of artifact removal with Rhino's Rampage would make your deck a little more versatile.

When I first read Amazing AcrobaticsAmazing Acrobatics, I wasn't impressed. A big reason for that is because I missed one very important line of text: "Choose one or both." While a three-mana counterspell might not blow you away, pairing that with tapping down another player's threats could be worth it in your deck.

Whenever I think of tapping creatures, I think of Hylda of the Icy CrownHylda of the Icy Crown. Countering a spell, locking down two creatures, and then activating one of your commander's abilities all in one go is the type of blowout the archenemy at a table would hate to see.

• Scout the CityScout the City: Yes, this can kill off a pesky flyer, but it's also a nice form of card advantage in a graveyard deck - filling up your bin and adding a card to your hand.
• Terrific Team-UpTerrific Team-Up: This is a punch spell that could give a deck with smaller creatures a nice way to take down a big threat.

Mana Ramp

This next creature is one of my favorite mana dorks of the year. Spider ManifestationSpider Manifestation comes down early, fixes your mana and can untap when you start spinning into the bigger spells in your deck. I don't know what's scarier, the value or the art.

Henzie "Toolbox" TorreHenzie "Toolbox" Torre is another commander that cheats a card's mana value when it's on the stack. When you blitz out an expensive creature for a reduced cost, that'll still untap your Spider Manifestation, setting you up to cast even more big beaters.

At face value, Supportive ParentsSupportive Parents might seem like a card with few homes (and I'm not making a family drama joke here either.) If you're playing a token strategy, this allows you to tap your team for mana. But there's a few more tricks hidden up those parental sleeves of theirs.

Several commanders would love to have some Supportive Parents in their 99. Kona, Rescue BeastieKona, Rescue Beastie, Wylie Duke, Atiin HeroWylie Duke, Atiin Hero, Rip, Spawn HunterRip, Spawn Hunter, Emmara, Soul of the AccordEmmara, Soul of the Accord and many more would benefit from having a loving home life... I mean... adding this card to their list.

Hello and welcome to one of our favorite segments on Bulk Up: Is this three mana value rock good enough in commander? Hot Dog CartHot Dog Cart taps for a mana of any color and makes you a Food token when it enters. Which doesn't really seem like it's worth it in today's meta.

However, a deck that could benefit from having this around could be the upcoming commander The Cabbage MerchantThe Cabbage Merchant. Even though this would be a rival food cart on the block, the fact that the Food token could also help tap for mana is enough for me to want to throw it in that deck.

If you want to see a full budget deck list for that commander, check out my recent article all about The Cabbage Merchant.

Similar to the last card on the list, I'm here to pose the question: Is Molten Man, Inferno IncarnateMolten Man, Inferno Incarnate a good option for mono-red land ramp? It really depends. Since you have to sacrifice a land when it leaves the battlefield, it could be a case where this only temporarily gives you mana advantage.

Molten Man reminds me of another recent mono-red lands matter commander, Zell DinchtZell Dincht. Pairing these two together could be a great combo for hitting landfall triggers and buffing up your creatures with your land count.

Other Notable Highlights in Marvel's Spider-Man

I'm a huge fan of utility lands like the Daily Bugle BuildingDaily Bugle Building. Anything that gives you more ways to assist a commander with attacking, especially in a land slot, is a big win in my book.

Not that it needs any more help, but Light-Paws, Emperor's VoiceLight-Paws, Emperor's Voice could benefit greatly from a land like this. Once your commander is built up with Auras, you can make it even harder for your opponents to block your attacks.

While there's a lot of ways to clone creatures these days, Chameleon, Master of DisguiseChameleon, Master of Disguise offers you the option of copying your commander. Since this creature keeps its name, you won't have to sacrifice one of them to the legend rule.

Chameleon would be great in blink style deck, since you could reset what it copies when you have it enter the battlefield all over again. Putting this new clone in a Yorion, Sky NomadYorion, Sky Nomad deck would ensure you're constantly reusing your best ETB triggers.

If you're running any kind of Voltron deck in these colors, Sun-Spider, Nimble WebberSun-Spider, Nimble Webber could be a solid value player in that list. Since it enters and grabs you any Aura or Equipment in your deck, it can assist with getting you out of whatever jam you might find yourself in.

Captain America, First AvengerCaptain America, First Avenger loves throwing his Equipment all around. So, Sun-Spider can swing on in and assist Cap by fetching whatever weapon that battle requires.

While Heroes' HangoutHeroes' Hangout only lets you play one out of the two cards you exile, that's not a bad rate for only a single mana. On top of that, it can buff a few of your creatures when you need that help.

Playing cards from exile is what Pia Nalaar, Consul of RevivalPia Nalaar, Consul of Revival is all about. If you play a land or cast a spell that you exiled with Heroes' Hangout, you'll also get a Thopter token for your efforts.

• Secret IdentitySecret Identity: This can offer you some protection or evasion when you need it, which is nice, but that art is too superb not to highlight it on this list. (If you want to see the inspiration for this piece, check out UnmaskUnmask.)
• Alien SymbiosisAlien Symbiosis: If you're running an Aura based strategy, this gives you the option to continually recast it from your graveyard if it happens to end up there.
• Costume ClosetCostume Closet: In a +1/+1 counter deck, this artifact ensures you don't lose all of your counters to removal - which could add some extra resiliency to the mix.

The Wrap Up

Well, there you have it: The best commons and uncommons hidden in your Spider-Man bulk. While a few of the cards on this list seem to have a more limited scope than we're used to, they can still pack a major punch in the right deck.

What do you think, did I miss any great cards today? Let me know in the comments below!

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