Attuma, Atlantean WarlordAttuma, Atlantean Warlord | Art by Nanna Marie Steffensen 

Greetings, monocolor Commander enthusiasts and Merfolk fans. Wizards of the Coast's early preview of Marvel Super Heroes (MSH) was chock-full of Marvel goodness. A thrilling array of superheroes appeared on Magic: The Gathering cards for the first time, including Invisible WomanInvisible Woman, Mister FantasticMister Fantastic, and Quicksilver, Brash BlurQuicksilver, Brash Blur.

Additionally, Marvel-themed Booster Fun cards add a superhero twist to Commander playables.

You can't have a Marvel set brimming with superheroes without some villains. Excitingly, MSH doesn't disappoint by containing cards for Doctor DoomDoctor Doom, Baron Helmut ZemoBaron Helmut Zemo, and Super-SkrullSuper-Skrull. Also, MSH builds upon Marvel's Spider-Man (SPM) by providing players with more Hero and Villain creature cards.

Interestingly, only one MSH legendary uncommon got spoiled in the preview: Attuma, Atlantean WarlordAttuma, Atlantean Warlord. Attuma is also MTG's first monocolored uncommon legendary Merfolk. As soon as I saw Attuma's card, I knew I had to build a Merfolk-themed deck around it.

Let's dive deeper into what makes Attuma a worthwhile Merfolk commander.

What Does Attuma, Atlantean WarlordAttuma, Atlantean Warlord Do?

Attuma's creature typing of Merfolk Warrior Villain is fitting given its appearance in comic books and other forms of media.

Thankfully, Attuma passes the test of not dying to Lightning BoltLightning Bolt. Moreover, what's most impressive about Attuma is its two abilities. Giving other Merfolk +1/+1 is always a win, but drawing a card from attacking with a Merfolk (including itself) is a chef's kiss.

Though four mana may seem high for a Merfolk-centric commander, don't let it dissuade you from playing Attuma.

There is fierce competition in the commander slot for mono-blue Merfolk decks. Svyelun of Sea and SkySvyelun of Sea and Sky is one such competitor with a lower casting cost. Coincidentally, Svyelun draws you a card when it attacks. Where Svyelun differs from Attuma is in gifting ward to other Merfolk instead of +1/+1. If you want your Merfolk commander to lead the attacking, Svyelun of Sea and Sky is a great candidate.

Another Merfolk commander option is Emperor Mihail IIEmperor Mihail II. With Emperor Mihail II in play, you get to cast Merfolk spells from the top of your library. Also, you can create a 1/1 blue Merfolk creature token for when casting said Merfolk spells. It's awesome that you can make a 1/1 blue Merfolk creature token when playing Aquitect's WillAquitect's Will or Merrow CommerceMerrow Commerce. Emperor Mihail II provides an alternative play pattern from Svyelun of Sea and Sky with creature token emphasis.

While Emperor Mihail II and Svyelun of Sea and Sky are fine Merfolk commanders, we're going to head down a path of aggression and card draw with Attuma.

Key Cards for Attuma, Atlantean WarlordAttuma, Atlantean Warlord

Evasion

Instead of throwing attacking Merfolk into a horde of blockers, we can utilize their evasive abilities. A series of one-drops provides incremental damage and ability triggers.

Triton ShorestalkerTriton Shorestalker and Mist-Cloaked HeraldMist-Cloaked Herald are a dynamic, unblockable duo. Right behind them are Merfolk SpyMerfolk Spy and Merfolk WindrobberMerfolk Windrobber. In addition, Merfolk Spy's islandwalk is enhanced by support cards like Tide ShaperTide Shaper and Aquitect's WillAquitect's Will.

Merfolk two-drops are just as stealthy, with Gravelgill ScoundrelGravelgill Scoundrel, River SneakRiver Sneak, and Gray Harbor MerfolkGray Harbor Merfolk. Added utility from Thieving SkydiverThieving Skydiver and Stonybrook BanneretStonybrook Banneret put additional pressure on your opponents.

Anthem Effects

To speed up the clock on dealing lethal damage, look no further than cards with anthem effects to increase your creatures' power and toughness.

Anthem effects for Merfolk have been around since Magic's inception. Originally printed in Alpha (LEA), Lord of AtlantisLord of Atlantis grants your other Merfolk +1/+1 and islandwalk. Following in Lord of Atlantis' footsteps are Merrow ReejereyMerrow Reejerey, Master of the Pearl TridentMaster of the Pearl Trident, Merfolk SovereignMerfolk Sovereign, and others.

Incredibly, there are eight anthem-generating creatures in the 99.

Besides creatures, you have access to several noncreature anthems. Patchwork BannerPatchwork Banner has quickly become an artifact staple in Commander. Another contender is Banner of KinshipBanner of Kinship.

However, the most exciting noncreature anthem in the deck is Chronicle of VictoryChronicle of Victory, from the recent Lorwyn Eclipsed. It's time for Vanquisher's BannerVanquisher's Banner to step aside because Chronicle of Victory grants your Merfolk +2/+2, first strike, and trample! Your opponents will cower in fear when an army of enlarged creatures comes for their heads.

Card Draw

You shouldn't have a problem finding threats and anthem spells with the amount of card draw in the 99.

Luckily, blue has access to the amazing Rhystic StudyRhystic Study and Mystic RemoraMystic Remora. You'll also be drowning in cards thanks to Bident of ThassaBident of Thassa and Kindred DiscoveryKindred Discovery. Note that Kindred Discovery triggers when any Merfolk enters the battlefield or attacks, including Merfolk tokens produced by Deeproot WatersDeeproot Waters and Deeproot PilgrimageDeeproot Pilgrimage.

Intriguingly, the deck list includes two functionally similar Merfolk-matters draw spells. Convoking Harmonized CrescendoHarmonized Crescendo means more mana to cast your newly-drawn cards; whereas Distant MelodyDistant Melody is a lower-mana alternative. Resolving either card draw spell while controlling many Merfolk will feel like winning a door prize.

Speaking of winning, that's precisely what you can do with Attuma and a legion of Merfolk.

How Does Attuma, Atlantean WarlordAttuma, Atlantean Warlord Win?

Finishers

At the top end of your curve are a few Merfolk finishers.

Deepchannel MentorDeepchannel Mentor makes your Merfolk unblockable for six mana. Just behind it is Mist DancerMist Dancer, a 3/3 flyer with the encore ability that gives your other Merfolk flying and +1/+0. In case unblockability and flying aren't enough to deal lethal combat damage, you have another evasive ability available.

Islandwalk is granted to your Merfolk courtesy of Lord of AtlantisLord of Atlantis and Master of the Pearl TridentMaster of the Pearl Trident. Now, what if your opponents don't control an island? Fear not, Harbinger of the SeasHarbinger of the Seas and the aforementioned Tide ShaperTide Shaper and Aquitect's WillAquitect's Will can solve that problem.

What happens if your hand is missing a needed finisher or islandwalk-granting creature? Fetch them with Merrow HarbingerMerrow Harbinger or SeahunterSeahunter. You'll have to forgive Seahunter for not possessing Merfolk typing, but its ability to put any Merfolk permanent card in your library onto the battlefield for is insane! You read that right, Seahunter can drop a Merrow CommerceMerrow Commerce into play.

Thrillingly, there are more Merfolk cards capable of winning the game with a little assistance.

Combo

Wanderwine ProphetsWanderwine Prophets nets you an extra turn, assuming it strikes an opponent and you have another Merfolk for fodder. Fortunately, receiving infinite extra turns is easily achievable by partnering Wanderwine Prophets with Deeproot PilgrimageDeeproot Pilgrimage.

Attacking with Wanderwine Prophets triggers Deeproot Pilgrimage, creating a 1/1 blue Merfolk creature token with hexproof. So long as Wanderwine Prophets deals combat damage to an opponent (unblockability helps), you may sacrifice the Merfolk creature token to earn an extra turn. You can still chain a non-infinite number of additional turns without Deeproot Pilgrimage by sacrificing your available Merfolk.

If all else fails, you have one more outlet for victory thanks to a Game Changer buried in the 99: Thassa's OracleThassa's Oracle. The amount of card draw effects in the deck can get you close to an empty library over time. If a game progresses into a standstill, casting or fetching Thassa's Oracle with a decent board presence could end the game in your favor.

Attuma, Atlantean Warlord Commander Deck List

Pauper Commander Modifications

Interested in a budget version of Attuma, Atlantean Warlord? You can turn the above deck list into a Pauper Commander build. Fortuitously, there are plenty of common Merfolk cards to add, including Merrow LevitatorMerrow Levitator, Skywatcher AdeptSkywatcher Adept, and Sea ScryerSea Scryer. Islandwalk remains relevant thanks to Streambed AquitectsStreambed Aquitects, Tidal WarriorTidal Warrior, and Tideshaper MysticTideshaper Mystic.

While pseudo-finishers like Frostwind InvokerFrostwind Invoker and Storm SculptorStorm Sculptor exist in common form, anthem effects are lacking. Sunken CitySunken City isn't exactly a replacement for Master of the Pearl TridentMaster of the Pearl Trident. You'll have to make do with other noncreature spells to add size to your creatures.

Equipment cards like BonesplitterBonesplitter and Vulshok MorningstarVulshok Morningstar are serviceable. Furthermore, you may want to throw in Wingspan StrideWingspan Stride, One With the WindOne With the Wind, Spectral FlightSpectral Flight, or similar Auras.

What's not lacking among blue commons are draw spells. PonderPonder, PreordainPreordain, and Lórien RevealedLórien Revealed are top-tier card draw options. We can't rule out adding copies of Deep AnalysisDeep Analysis or Treasure CruiseTreasure Cruise either.

You shouldn't have any issues filling out the rest of the 99 for Attuma, Atlantean Warlord to become a considerable force in Pauper Commander.

Read More:

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