Epic Experiment - The Beamtown Bullies

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chishiro, the Shattered Blade" href="#" target="_blank">Chishiro, the Shattered Blade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/lasahido">Lius Lasahido</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo, and this is <em>Epic Experiment</em>, a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>Let's take a look at <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chishiro, the Shattered Blade" href="#" target="_blank">Chishiro, the Shattered Blade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chishiro, the Shattered Blade"></div></div>
<p>Chishiro is the real deal! A four-mana 4/4 that has two impactful abilities is already pretty good, but when you factor the ways that these abilities complement each other, we see Chishiro's true potential as a commander. Creating a 2/2 token for each Aura/Equipment that enters the battlefield is a pretty good rate, especially since there are many zero-mana Equipment, and Auras are well-known for their sheer versatility. The end-of-turn trigger can also be pretty powerful and can snowball pretty hard if we invest in counters synergies, since +1/+1 counters counts as modifications.</p>
<p>Red is perfect for going wide, and it offers cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Purphoros, God of the Forge" href="#" target="_blank">Purphoros, God of the Forge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for token-centric builds, while green has counter-based support, which we can use to leverage Chishiro's second ability for a more go-tall build.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Ingredients</h2>
<p>Chishiro's kit tends to point towards a go-wide strategy, and leveraging all the extra value from our spells to build a giant board - but what if we instead used our threats to go <em>taller</em>?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thundersteel Colossus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aradara Express"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Esika&#039;s Chariot"></div></div>
<p>Vehicles are cost-effective threats that have an implicit cost of needing other creatures to <em>Crew</em> them (I'll refer to those as 'pilots'). Chishiro provides a constant stream of 2/2s while still allowing us to advance our board by playing Aura-based mana acceleration or removal. It may sound suspicious at first, but the end result is a surprisingly smooth playstyle!</p>
<p>For our Vehicle selection, a good place to start is by looking at <em>Crew</em> costs that come in multiples of 2. For instance, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Esika&#039;s Chariot" href="#" target="_blank">Esika&#039;s Chariot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an efficient way to make more tokens while maintaining a clock, and we have almost no trouble activating <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mighty Servant of Leuk-o" href="#" target="_blank">Mighty Servant of Leuk-o</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s <em>Crew</em> trigger, so it becomes a reliable source of card advantage that also smashes faces. Given that most of our cards are noncreatures, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mizzium Tank" href="#" target="_blank">Mizzium Tank</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a freebie that also grows, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thundersteel Colossus" href="#" target="_blank">Thundersteel Colossus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an exciting top-end threat that can easily push through that last bit of damage that we need.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nylea&#039;s Presence"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragon Mantle"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kenrith&#039;s Transformation"></div></div>
<p>Our commander doesn't care who or what our Auras are placed on, merely that they enter the battlefield under our control. As such, we can play around with different effects to fill our Aura quota. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overgrowth" href="#" target="_blank">Overgrowth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects are usually less popular than their traditional ramp counterparts, but they allow us to play a large number of Auras and create lots of 2/2 tokens without sacrificing precious deck space. These Auras come in two different types: the vanilla, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fertile Ground" href="#" target="_blank">Fertile Ground</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which are early-to-mid-game-focused and provide more ramp for less mana; and the utility Auras, which come with small benefits attached to them, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kenrith&#039;s Transformation" href="#" target="_blank">Kenrith&#039;s Transformation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These are good draws all around, and they're even better when they knock down a terrible threat <em>and </em>create a creature for us!</p>
<p>Cheap cantripping Auras, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragon Mantle" href="#" target="_blank">Dragon Mantle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Frog Tongue" href="#" target="_blank">Frog Tongue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are the lifeblood of our deck, acting as decent draw effects with excellent upside. One mana to draw a card and create a 2/2 token is dang powerful. We don't even care all that much about any further effects when these cheap enchantments draw cards!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reclamation Sage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Professional Face-Breaker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Quicksmith Genius"></div></div>
<p>One of the best things about Vehicle decks is that the usual utility creatures become pilots, so there's a lot of space to play around. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Champion of Lambholt" href="#" target="_blank">Champion of Lambholt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerful card for Chishiro in general and gives evasion to our already beefy threats. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Professional Face-Breaker" href="#" target="_blank">Professional Face-Breaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives us an impressive combination of both mana ramp and card draw, which helps us in the early to mid-game, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quicksmith Genius" href="#" target="_blank">Quicksmith Genius</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is great at filtering cards in our hand.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<div class="header"><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Chishiro Vehicles" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*Chishiro, The Shattered Blade
[/Commander]
[Artifact]
*Accorder&#039;s Shield
*Bone Saw
*Cathar&#039;s Shield
*Kite Shield
*Paradise Mantle
*Sigil of Distinction
*Spidersilk Net
*Sol Ring
*Heart of Kiran
*Lightning Greaves
*Reckoner Bankbuster
*Smuggler&#039;s Copter
*Swiftfoot Boots
*Unlicensed Hearse
*Cultivator&#039;s Caravan
*Darksteel Plate
*Mighty Servant of Leuk-o
*Mizzium Tank
*Renegade Freighter
*Esika&#039;s Chariot
*Fleetwheel Cruiser
*Hoard Hauler
*Nautiloid Ship
*Smuggler&#039;s Buggy
*Surgehacker Mech
*Untethered Express
*Weatherlight
*Aradara Express
*Ballista Charger
*Enchanted Carriage
*Skysovereign, Consul Flagship
*Thundersteel Colossus
[/Artifact]
[Creature]
*Speedway Fanatic
*Champion of Lambholt
*Eternal Witness
*Foundry Inspector
*Professional Face-Breaker
*Quicksmith Genius
*Reclamation Sage
*Shimmer Myr
[/Creature]
[Enchantment]
*Abundant Growth
*Dragon Mantle
*Frog Tongue
*Rancor
*Spider Umbra
*Unbridled Growth
*Utopia Sprawl
*Wild Growth
*Fertile Ground
*Kenrith&#039;s Transformation
*Lignify
*Nylea&#039;s Presence
*Rune of Might
*Rune of Speed
*Wolfwillow Haven
*Grafted Growth
*Overgrowth
*Song of Dryad
*Weirding Wood
*Market Festival
[/Enchantment]
[Instant]
*Chaos Warp
[/Instant]
[Sorcery]
*Blasphemous Act
[/Sorcery]
[Land]
*City of Brass
*Command Tower
*Copperline Gorge
*Cragcrown Pathway
*Exotic Orchard
*Game Trail
*Ghost Quarter
*Inventors&#039; Fair
*Karplusan Forest
*Mana Confluence
*Rootbound Crag
*Spire Garden
*Stomping Ground
*Tectonic Edge
*Temple of Abandon
*12 Forest
*9 Mountain
[/Land]"></span></div></div>
<div></div>
<div>
<hr />
</div>
<p>Aside from our ramp Auras pulling a two-for-one when our commander is out, we also get plenty of value from our utility-based Vehicles: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cultivator&#039;s Caravan" href="#" target="_blank">Cultivator&#039;s Caravan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hoard Hauler" href="#" target="_blank">Hoard Hauler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are good ways to get ahead in mana, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unlicensed Hearse" href="#" target="_blank">Unlicensed Hearse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nautiloid Ship" href="#" target="_blank">Nautiloid Ship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are "free" sources of graveyard hate, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reckoner Bankbuster" href="#" target="_blank">Reckoner Bankbuster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Smuggler&#039;s Copter" href="#" target="_blank">Smuggler&#039;s Copter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provide more card draw, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Surgehacker Mech" href="#" target="_blank">Surgehacker Mech</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skysovereign, Consul Flagship" href="#" target="_blank">Skysovereign, Consul Flagship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are solid creature and planeswalker removal.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bone Saw"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Unlicensed Hearse"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Darksteel Plate"></div></div>
<p>Our Equipment suite is a lot less flashy than our Aura suite, but don't sleep on them. We have two types of Equipment: 'cheerios' and protection pieces. The first type, cheerios, are zero-mana Equipment, which serve as a great way to fill our board with tons of tokens all at once. I recommend sandbagging cheerios, holding them in hand to help rebuild after someone plays a board wipe and we need to reestablish our board. The second type are the usual protection Equipment, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Darksteel Plate" href="#" target="_blank">Darksteel Plate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These are crucial because they help us keep our commander around, and we need that extra time for Chishiro to spit out all those pilots!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<p>For our opening hand, we're mostly looking for some cheap threats and enablers (Auras and Equipment). While it's true that our gameplan starts after we get our commander into play, that doesn't mean we have zero meaningful choices in the prior turns. Setting up our board by playing our Vehicles is one important step, and so is knowing when to commit our commander to the board. Usually, it's better to wait until we can cast him <em>and </em>several Auras on the same turn, to get immediate value out of him.</p>
<p>By the mid game, we should have a couple of Vehicles out and should start pressuring our opponents by activating them and attacking frequently. Usually, this stage of the game is when the board wipes start coming out, but this is why Vehicles work so nicely with Chishiro in the first place - our pilots are destroyable, but our actual threats dodge board wipes extremely well. We only need to care about keeping our commander safe. If he's removed too many times, we may have a rough go of it, but since so many of our Auras are also cantrips, it's hard for this deck to ever run out of steam!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Enchantress&#039;s Presence"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Daretti, Scrap Savant"></div></div>
<p>Chishiro is a versatile commander, and many readers may see the decklist and seek to make some adaptations. There are two main directions I think the list above could take when deciding upon future upgrades and evolutions: artifact/Equipment matters, and enchantments/Aura matters. I went for a more balanced build between the two, but there's plenty of power to be had when streamlining along just one of these themes.</p>
<p>The enchantment route has plenty of draw power, especially with Enchantress cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Enchantress&#039;s Presence" href="#" target="_blank">Enchantress&#039;s Presence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Setessan Champion" href="#" target="_blank">Setessan Champion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which makes the ramp and removal suite even more effective. Meanwhile, the artifact route feels a bit better against removal-heavy games, since it gets a lot of recursion pieces like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Daretti, Scrap Savant" href="#" target="_blank">Daretti, Scrap Savant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Making tons of 2/2 tokens after a huge <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scrap Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Scrap Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does sound pretty wild. Enchantment themes lean into green's strengths, while artifact themes lean into red's, so the choice of streamlining the deck may depend upon your favorite color for modifications!</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment</em>! What do you think of this list? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which did you not? Was this Epic Experiment a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Chishiro

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alora, Merry Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Alora, Merry Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.aaronbmiller.com/">Aaron Miller</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo, and this is <em>Epic Experiment</em>, a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>Let's take a look at <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alora, Merry Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Alora, Merry Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Alora, Merry Thief"></div></div>
<p>Alora's kit is simple, yet surprisingly flexible. While it might seem a bit underwhelming at first, since it's a combat ability in a multiplayer format, it only targets one creature, and we have to bounce that creature back to our hand at our end step. However, upon closer inspection, there are a lot of ways that we can capitalize on this snazzy and subtle effect!</p>
<p>The most obvious interactions with Alora are, of course, creatures that benefit from the evasion, like <em>Infect</em> or <em>Ninjutsu</em> creatures. Playing around with Backgrounds is super fun and gives us color flexibility for these archetypes, but overall, the pool on each of those specific strategies still feels limited, for some reason.</p>
<p>The second part of her triggered ability is the thing that caught my eye. It turns out that it's actually really easy to leverage Alora's 'downside' into a strength! Bouncing our creatures can be extremely versatile! We can use it to re-trigger enter-the-battlefield effects, for instance, or invest in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Act of Treason" href="#" target="_blank">Act of Treason</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects to steal, attack with, and subsequently bounce our opponents' creatures. We can also avoid bad end-of-turn triggers, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sneak Attack" href="#" target="_blank">Sneak Attack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Purphoros, Bronze-Blooded" href="#" target="_blank">Purphoros, Bronze-Blooded</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ball Lightning" href="#" target="_blank">Ball Lightning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects. The possibilities are endless!</p>
<p>So what did I decide to try with Alora? Let's get to it!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Ingredients</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Far Traveler"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reflector Mage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Azami, Lady of Scrolls"></div></div>
<p>Let's get straight to the point: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Far Traveler" href="#" target="_blank">Far Traveler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an <em>incredible</em> Background to pair with Alora. First, it gives us the option to keep the creature that we targeted with our commander, because we can stack the end step triggers so that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Far Traveler" href="#" target="_blank">Far Traveler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> blinks the creature first. When it re-enters, it's considered a new game object, and Alora's ability won't affect that creature anymore!</p>
<p>Second, it allows us to get even more value out of our ETB triggers. Blinking creatures to get tons of extra effects is tried and true for white and blue, which means we have a lot of tricks to work with. In fact, while looking through cards, I realized there's a tribe of creatures that would make this deck really hum along nicely, and it has the bonus of making the deck even more D&amp;D themed: Wizards are perfect for this strategy, because they're moderately cheap, have plenty of useful ETB effects like removal and card draw, and they'll benefit from a constant source of unblockability.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Barrin, Tolarian Archmage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Champion of Wits"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Naban, Dean of Iteration"></div></div>
<p>The blue side of our deck resembles a somewhat run-of-the-mill Wizard tribal list, with lots of card draw and utility-based threats. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Naban, Dean of Iteration" href="#" target="_blank">Naban, Dean of Iteration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of the archetype's cornerstones, as he's cheap and allows us to go over the top pretty fast. Cheap creatures, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Faerie Seer" href="#" target="_blank">Faerie Seer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overwhelmed Apprentice" href="#" target="_blank">Overwhelmed Apprentice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sage of Epityr" href="#" target="_blank">Sage of Epityr</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are solid early plays that can be bounced back to our hand as a cheap way to fuel some of our favorite cards, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rumor Gatherer" href="#" target="_blank">Rumor Gatherer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Watcher for Tomorrow" href="#" target="_blank">Watcher for Tomorrow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerhouse in this deck and plays well with our Background, constantly digging out tons of extra cards for us. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyclone Summoner" href="#" target="_blank">Cyclone Summoner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might be a bit wonky at times, especially when it ends up bouncing our Background and commander (ouch), but it's still a one-sided board wipe that can be used more than once throughout a game. That 7/7 body is also no joke with Alora.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Door of Destinies"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Obelisk of Urd"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vanquisher&#039;s Banner"></div></div>
<p>Our support suite feels pretty different than most Wizards builds out there! We're trying to gather as much power as possible to make a single threat hit hard, but without committing to the usual Aura/combat tricks that characterize an evasive strategy. Those don't play nice with our commander pair, but pure power helps make <em>any </em>of our creatures a threat. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Door of Destinies" href="#" target="_blank">Door of Destinies</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerful damage boost that grows pretty quickly when combined with Alora's play pattern, since we'll be able to cast and recast a lot of cheap creatures over and over.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kindred Discovery" href="#" target="_blank">Kindred Discovery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is even more busted, granting us tons of triggers when we attack, recast, and blink our various creatures. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Azami, Lady of Scrolls" href="#" target="_blank">Azami, Lady of Scrolls</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a personal favorite, since she plays extremely well with our Background, always allowing us to get a tapped creature for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Far Traveler" href="#" target="_blank">Far Traveler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, as well as letting us 'double dip' when that creature comes back untapped. (Remember, Azami's ability doesn't care about summoning sickness!)</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Alora Wizard Tribal" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*Alora, Merry Thief
*Far Traveler
[/Commander]
[Creature]
*Faerie Seer
*Overwhelmed Apprentice
*Sage of Epityr
*Deep Gnome Terramancer
*Drannith Magister
*Metallic Mimic
*Mistmeadow Witch
*Naban, Dean of Iteration
*Omenspeaker
*Raffine&#039;s Informant
*Sage&#039;s Row Savant
*Stonybrook Banneret
*Thassa&#039;s Oracle
*Voidmage Prodigy
*Watcher for Tomorrow
*Adaptative Automaton
*Barrin, Tolarian Archmage
*Champion of Wits
*Cloudfin Seer
*Deputy of Detention
*Exclusion Mage
*Gadwick, the Wizened
*Mirror Entity
*Patron Wizard
*Rumor Gatherer
*Windrider Wizard
*Elite Guardmage
*Galepowder Mage
*Glen Elendra Archmage
*Master of Winds
*Riverwise Augur
*Sower of Temptation
*Venser, Shaper Savant
*Azami, Lady of Scrolls
*Cyclone Summoner
*Galecaster Colossus
[/Creature]
[Artifact]
*Moonsnare Prototype
*Sol Ring
*Springleaf drum
*Arcane Signet
*Azorious Signet
*Fellwar Stone
*Talisman of Progress
*Door of Destinies
*Panharmonicon
*Vanquisher&#039;s Banner
*Obelisk of Urd
[/Artifact]
[Enchantment]
*Land Tax
*Duelist&#039;s Heritage
*Dictate of Helliod
*Kindred Discovery
[/Enchantment]
[Instant]
*Cloudshift
*Ephemerate
*Path to Exile
*Swords to Plowshares
*Arcane Denial
*Cyclonic Rift
*Disenchant
*Eerie Interlude
[/Instant]
[Sorcery]
*Fragmentize
*Farewell
[/Sorcery]
[Land]
*Adarkar Wastes
*Command Tower
*Deserted Beach
*Exotic Orchard
*Fabled Passage
*Flooded Strand
*Glacial Fortress
*Hallowed Fountain
*Hengegate Pathway
*Mystic Gate
*Otawara, Soaring City
*Port Town
*Prairie Stream
*Prismatic Vista
*Sea of Clouds
*Temple of Enlightenment
*Tranquil Cove
*14 Island
*6 Plains
[/Land]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>White might not be a conventional Wizard tribal color, but I think it has plenty to offer to the archetype. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reflector Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Reflector Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deputy of Detention" href="#" target="_blank">Deputy of Detention</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are a solid removal duo with abilities that mono-blue doesn't usually have access to. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elite Guardmage" href="#" target="_blank">Elite Guardmage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great three-for-one, and getting multiple ETB triggers can help us stabilize an otherwise lost game. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rumor Gatherer" href="#" target="_blank">Rumor Gatherer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an impressive newcomer that feels like it was tailor-made for the archetype, given how easy it is to trigger its ability twice.</p>
<p>While these are good additions to the archetype, the main selling point in white isn't its threat potential - it's the support that the color provides. I mean this both in terms of offense, with anthem effects and other combat tricks to help us pack a bigger punch, and the extra blink support, which synergizes extremely well with our gameplan.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Duelist&#039;s Heritage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Galepowder Mage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Eerie Interlude"></div></div>
<p>For instance, on the offensive front, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Duelist&#039;s Heritage" href="#" target="_blank">Duelist&#039;s Heritage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great card when combined with our commander, allowing our threats to scale pretty quickly. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dictate of Heliod" href="#" target="_blank">Dictate of Heliod</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> plays well with some of our instant-speed interactions, and turns a tribe that every expects to be tiny into an evasive, meaningful chunk of damage. Our Bakcground covers a lot of our blinking needs, but we can also enlist cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Galepowder Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Galepowder Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mistmeadow Witch" href="#" target="_blank">Mistmeadow Witch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which are great, tribe-relevant options. Oh, and who could forget the classics? We love to play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloudshift" href="#" target="_blank">Cloudshift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ephemerate" href="#" target="_blank">Ephemerate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eerie Interlude" href="#" target="_blank">Eerie Interlude</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<p>Since both of our commanders cost three mana, we're mostly looking for a couple of solid early ETB Wizards in our opening hands. One-drops are especially desirable, because they curve out pretty well with our Background. Frankly, our early game is quite busy. Between playing our commander, our Background, and mana rocks/early Wizard drops, the deck tends to have a smooth transition to the mid-game without many difficult choices.</p>
<p>The mid-game is usually when our lines start getting a bit more complex. We have to carefully choose which creature to target with Alora, and whether we want to blink it with our Background to get the instant value and keep it in play, or else let it bounce back to hand to cast later, and target a different creature with our Background for a different ETB trigger. If we make these choices carefully, we can set ourselves up for a really good late-game. We get tons of value from all our creatures flitting in and out of play, and lots of these creatures provide tons of extra utility, allowing us to grind through almost any board state. Repeating their ETB effects keeps us safe, and our evasion and pump effects transforms them into lethal threats, so our opponents won't have to suffer long!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Augury Adept"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sevinne&#039;s Reclamation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mist-Syndicate Naga"></div></div>
<p>Any list can be improved upon, so I always like to suggest other directions you could take this idea if it strikes your fancy. Mixing Wizards, enablers, and payoffs isn't an exact science, and this ratio may vary according to personal preference. Even adding some more combat-oriented threats, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Augury Adept" href="#" target="_blank">Augury Adept</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, can change how the deck plays. With all the different moving parts, it's a bit hard to find slots to add creature recursion, but I'm sure many players out there would love to add more into the 99! If I may be so bold, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sevinne&#039;s Reclamation" href="#" target="_blank">Sevinne&#039;s Reclamation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could fit right into a deck with this many three-drops!</p>
<p>And of course, Alora's also still really fun with those other strategies too! I invite you to explore those other strategies, like <em>Ninjutsu </em>or <em>Infect. </em>Frankly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ball Lightning" href="#" target="_blank">Ball Lightning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> tribal sounds fun, too!</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment</em>! What do you think of this list? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which did you not? Was this Epic Experiment a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Alora

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kitt Kanto, Mayhem Diva" href="#" target="_blank">Kitt Kanto, Mayhem Diva</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/faribakhamseh">Fariba Khamseh</a></h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo, and this is <em>Epic Experiment</em>, a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>Today we're featuring <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kitt Kanto, Mayhem Diva" href="#" target="_blank">Kitt Kanto, Mayhem Diva</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kitt Kanto, Mayhem Diva"></div></div>
<p>Kitt is an interesting take on Naya politics, one that rewards going (a bit) wide and hitting hard. On the one hand, being able to activate every turn can be very powerful. However, it does have its obvious restrictions: only being able to do it once a turn makes it harder to make an impact, and having enough creatures to tap can be a challenge.</p>
<p>One thing that Kitt has going for her is the ability to have consistent, on-demand, targeted goad, which has plenty of uses, such as accelerating the game clock, forcing key creatures into bad attacks, or even clearing out blockers for an attack.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Ingredients</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Boros Swiftblade"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Illuminator Virtuoso"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Prophetic Flamespeaker"></div></div>
<p>Kitt relies on her targets, so it's only natural to consider this as our main starting point. <em>Infect</em> creatures appreciate this bump in power and the evasion, but I think it's a bit too on the nose. Instead, today we're going to double strike our way to victory. Double striking creatures are hyper-scaling threats that tend to be great both offensively, for their double damage, and defensively, because they hit other creatures first, which makes them excellent targets for our commander. Another benefit of using creatures with double strike is that our commander helps us do some extra damage by using her ability on our opponents' creatures, which isn't possible with a deck that operates on such a different axis like <em>Infect</em> does. The final upside of using double strike over <em>Infect</em> creatures is that they aren't contained in a single block, which means that we have plenty of options to choose from.</p>
<p>While most of our creatures are vanilla creatures with double strike, a few are worth mentioning. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Adorned Pouncer" href="#" target="_blank">Adorned Pouncer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great threat throughout the game, being an early double striker that can be replayed later on for some smashing. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blade-Blizzard Kitsune" href="#" target="_blank">Blade-Blizzard Kitsune</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an interesting addition, on the surface having <em>Ninjutsu</em>, which might not seem all that useful, but with the number of mana dorks and incremental tokens that we produce, they can help us "haste" it into play. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fabled Hero" href="#" target="_blank">Fabled Hero</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Illuminator Virtuoso" href="#" target="_blank">Illuminator Virtuoso</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are excellent growing threats that get out of hand very quickly, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="God-Eternal Oketra" href="#" target="_blank">God-Eternal Oketra</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a tool for grinding removal-heavy games and it can also take over the game if left unchecked.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scale Up"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rancor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brute Force"></div></div>
<p>Our pump suite is designed to be fast and hard-hitting; we're forgoing some of the usual synergies that shells like these tend to have, like Aura, enchantment, and Equipment support, to help make us go faster. Spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brute Force" href="#" target="_blank">Brute Force</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Built to Smash" href="#" target="_blank">Built to Smash</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Infuriate" href="#" target="_blank">Infuriate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Titan&#039;s Strength" href="#" target="_blank">Titan&#039;s Strength</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are cheap pumps that provide a degree of consistency that is important in an aggressive shell like this. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Madcap Skills" href="#" target="_blank">Madcap Skills</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provide a lot of power for cheap mana investment and on a permanent base nonetheless.</p>
<p>Protecting our threats is especially important, and as such, we need to have a proper suite of cards to keep our stuff alive. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hyena Umbra" href="#" target="_blank">Hyena Umbra</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spider Umbra" href="#" target="_blank">Spider Umbra</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are cheap proactive protection pieces that allow us to have some peace of mind while we develop our board. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Valorous Stance" href="#" target="_blank">Valorous Stance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a flexible protection spell that can also work as a removal spell in a pinch. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ajani&#039;s Presence" href="#" target="_blank">Ajani&#039;s Presence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can target multiple creatures and even leaves them a counter afterward.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Kitt Kanto Double Strikers" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*Kitt Kanto, Mayhem Diva
[/Commander]
[Creature]
*Avacyn&#039;s Pilgrim
*Birds of Paradise
*Boreal Druid
*Elvish Mystic
*Fyndhorn Elves
*Llanowar Elves
*Adorned Pouncer
*Boros Swiftblade
*Fencing Ace
*Illuminator Virtuoso
*Kor Blademaster
*Lizard Blades
*Swiftblade Vindicator
*Twinblade Geist
*Aven Sunstriker
*Blade-Blizzard Kitsune
*Fabled Hero
*Markov Blademaster
*Mavinda, Students&#039; Advocate
*Mirran Crusader
*Prophetic Flamespeaker
*Siege Striker
*Skyhunter Skirmisher
*Solemn Recruit
*Drizzt Do&#039;Urden
*Fury
*God-Eternal Oketra
*Samut, Voice of Dissent
[/Creature]
[Instant]
*Ajani&#039;s Presence
*Brute Force
*Built to Smash
*Expedite
*Fervent Strike
*Infuriate
*Nature&#039;s Claim
*Path to Exile
*Samut&#039;s Spint
*Swords to Plowshares
*Titan&#039;s Strength
*Vastwod Fortification
*Fists of Flame
*Heroic Intervention
*Invigorated Rampage
*Sejiri Shelter
*Valorous Stance
*Chaos Warp
*Invigorate
*Valakut Awakening
[/Instant]
[Artifact]
*Sol Ring
[/Artifact]
[Enchantment]
*Hyena Umbra
*Rancor
*Spider Umbra
*Angelic Gift
*Goblin Orinflamme
*Madcap Skills
*Rhythm of the Wild
*Marshal&#039;s Anthem
[/Enchantment]
[Sorcery]
*Ancestral Anger
*Crash Through
*Maximize Velocity
*Reckless Charge
*Scale Up
*Shatterskull Smashing
*Bala Ged Recovery
*Harvest Season
*Makindi Stampede
*Emeria&#039;s Call
*Turntimber Symbiosis
*Vanquish The Horde
*Blasphemous Act
[/Sorcery]
[Land]
*Battlefield Forge
*Bountiful Promenade
*Brushland
*City of Brass
*Command Tower
*Exotic Orchard
*Handweir Battlements
*Horizon Canopy
*Jetmir&#039;s Garden
*Karplusan Forest
*Mana Confluence
*Prismatic Vista
*Sacred Foundry
*Slayers&#039; Stronghold
*Spectator Seating
*Spire Garden
*Stomping Ground
*Sunbaked Canyon
*Temple Garden
*4 Forest
*2 Mountain
*4 Plains
[/Land]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>Our mana ramp suite is mainly mana dorks. They're a very cheap source of mana acceleration, which works perfectly, especially since they allow us to cast our many three-mana threats on turn two. They also work great together with our commander, who appreciates having extra bodies to activate her effect more frequently.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Slayers&#039; Stronghold"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rhythm of the Wild"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Expedite"></div></div>
<p>Haste enablers are extremely important for aggressive decks like ours. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Samut&#039;s Sprint" href="#" target="_blank">Samut&#039;s Sprint</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reckless Charge" href="#" target="_blank">Reckless Charge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are a great way to get a creature going ASAP, and they're effective enough to be worth playing even as just a power boost. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhythm of the Wild" href="#" target="_blank">Rhythm of the Wild</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides <em>Riot</em> to each of our subsequent creatures, which can be quite devastating in the right conditions. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Samut, Voice of Dissent" href="#" target="_blank">Samut, Voice of Dissent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a threat that also works as a haste enabler, providing a solid beater that can be played quite safely at instant speed.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<p>For opening hands, we need one or two threats and some way to start pushing damage through. Sequencing in the early game is crucial to our success. Starting at turn two, we can deploy a double-striking threat or two, and by turn four, we're probably ready to play Kitt. We actually have a very similar play pattern to a Voltron deck, because target selection is a key aspect to make our deck work well.</p>
<p>By the mid-game, things'll be sketchy if there are too many board wipes going around, but if we play it safe with our haste enablers, we could circumvent that problem altogether. This is where we have an edge over traditional Voltron lists; by having our threats spread among many creatures, we can better suit our deck to grind things out over time.</p>
<p>Note that our deck isn't exactly well suited for a late-game scenario. We don't want to reach the late game at all. Kitt Kanto's double strikers need us to go fast, so plan the early turns appropriately.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Future Potential Upgrades</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glistener Elf"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sram, Senior Edificer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sevinne&#039;s Reclamation"></div></div>
<p>One area that our deck is a bit lacking is card draw and recursion for grindier games. These cards can slow us down in a 'goldfish' sort of way, but they are a necessary consideration in many environments. Potential alternate build paths could focus more on having late-game helpers. Our deck's support suite was designed to be fast and streamlined, but we could opt into other synergies too, whether it's with Auras or Equipment, to give the deck another angle of attack. Choosing which way to go is entirely personal.</p>
<p>I mentioned it before, too, but Kitt Kanto really could make for an awesome <em>Infect</em> commander. <em>Infect</em> has the added benefit of <em>Proliferate</em> to help offer a noncombat way to finish off our opponents.</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment</em>! What do you think of this list? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which did you not? Was this Epic Experiment a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Kitt Kanto

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strefan, Maurer Progenitor" href="#" target="_blank">Strefan, Maurer Progenitor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.rallisart.com/">Chris Rallis</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo, and this is <em>Epic Experiment</em>, a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>Let's take a look at <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strefan, Maurer Progenitor" href="#" target="_blank">Strefan, Maurer Progenitor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Strefan, Maurer Progenitor"></div></div>
<p>Blood tokens, like Clue tokens, are a super fun mechanic! Creating a bunch of useful artifacts is great, and there's a lot that we can do with them, such as using them to fuel graveyard-matters strategies or artifact-based strategies. The color pairing of BR is perfect for these types of artifact-token strategies, so having a commander that generates a ton of them is a very solid starting point. It's worth noting that this ability only triggers at the end of our turn, which means that many traditional 'punisher' effects in red don't directly interact with Strefan. However, some of them can allow us to ping ourselves for that fourth token.</p>
<p>Strefan's attack trigger is just as powerful as his first ability, allowing us to cheat Vampires into play. If you ever played Standard when <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord" href="#" target="_blank">Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was legal, you know how strong cheating a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Champion of Dusk" href="#" target="_blank">Champion of Dusk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be in the right shell, and with the whole Vampire pool to choose from, this type of ability is even more powerful. With enough support, it's very easy to consistently hit people without much mana investment. As if that isn't impressive enough, we can also build around type-changing cards, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conspiracy" href="#" target="_blank">Conspiracy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and use this ability to cheat out any creature that we want!</p>
<p>All in all, Strefan is an interesting build-around commander that has a lot of potential even outside of his intended tribal shell.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Ingredients</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hellkite Igniter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragon&#039;s Approach"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Knollspine Dragon"></div></div>
<p>One of the many upsides of having so many cheap discard outlets (Blood tokens) is the ability to set up our graveyard. [elDragon's Approach[/el] is a great enabler for a Dragon-tastic strategy, one that also gets enabled by Strefan's ability. Damage means Blood, Blood means filtering, filtering means a bigger yard and more toys to play with. This duo synergy makes for a consistent strategy, where one part sets up our draw, while the other acts as our finisher.</p>
<p>Let's talk about Dragons. In a shell that pumps out this many artifacts, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hellkite Igniter" href="#" target="_blank">Hellkite Igniter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> becomes a fast clock, especially since we can often get it into play for three mana with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragon&#039;s Approach" href="#" target="_blank">Dragon&#039;s Approach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, leaving more mana aside for us to use that pump effect multiple times! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hellkite Tyrant" href="#" target="_blank">Hellkite Tyrant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can also be a reasonable win condition, since we'll make so many artifacts with our commander! Even when we can't threaten to win the game with it, we can still use it to steal our opponents' artifacts, and it's always useful to acquire more utility artifacts and mana rocks. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Knollspine Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Knollspine Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great target for when we're trying to recover, as our deck already tends to deal consistent damage to our opponents, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Utvara Hellkite" href="#" target="_blank">Utvara Hellkite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a good mid-range option for when we want to get value across multiple turns.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ankh of Mishra"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rampaging Ferocidon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sulfuric Vortex"></div></div>
<p>Our Dragons are good at dealing huge bursts of damage, but they're not all able to one-shot an opponent, so we also have to set the stage for their arrival by lowering enemy life totals before any winged beasts arrive. One effective way to help lower everyone's life total is to play a few hate pieces that provide a constant clock to our opponents. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ankh of Mishra" href="#" target="_blank">Ankh of Mishra</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Burning Earth" href="#" target="_blank">Burning Earth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Manabarbs" href="#" target="_blank">Manabarbs</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are a good way to punish players for going bigger than us. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harsh Mentor" href="#" target="_blank">Harsh Mentor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Immolation Shaman" href="#" target="_blank">Immolation Shaman</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are great at slowing down some specific strategies, such as Aristocrats, while also being generally useful for minor punishments here and there, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rampaging Ferocidon" href="#" target="_blank">Rampaging Ferocidon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sulfuric Vortex" href="#" target="_blank">Sulfuric Vortex</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are great ways to ensure that all of our damage is permanent. Even if some of these cards don't always reliably trigger our commander's Blood generation, they work great at controlling the pace of the game.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Strefan&#039;s Approach" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*Strefan, Maurer Progenitor
[/Commander]
[Creature]
*Firebrand Archer
*Harsh Mentor
*Immolation Shaman
*Kessig Flamebreather
*Reckless Fireweaver
*Glint-Horn Buccaneer
*Rampaging Ferocidon
*Fathom Fleet Swordjack
*Hellkite Tyrant
*Hellkite Igniter
*Knollspine Dragon
*Utvara Hellkite
[/Creature]
[Sorcery]
*26 Dragon&#039;s Approach
*Damnation
*Blasphemous Act
[/Sorcery]
[Instant]
*Price of Progress
*Terminate
*Chaos Warp
[/Instant]
[Land]
*Arid Mesa
*Blood Crypt
*Bloodstained Mire
*City of Brass
*Command Tower
*Mana Confluence
*Polluted Delta
*Prismatic Vista
*Scalding Tarn
*Smoldering Marsh
*Sulfurous Springs
*Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
*Wooded Foothills
*18 Mountain
*6 Swamp
[/Land]
[Enchantment]
*Roiling Vortex
*Ghirapur Aether Grid
*Spellshock
*Sulfuric Vortex
*Burning Earth
*Mana Barbs
*Triskaidekaphobia[/Enchantment]
[Artifact]
*Sol Ring
*Ankh of Mishra
*Arcane Signet
*Dragonspark Reactor
*Fellwar Stone
*Lightning Greaves
*Oni-Cult Anvil
*Rakdos Signet
*Ruby Medallion
*Swiftfoot Boots
*Talisman of Indulgence
*Cryptolith Fragment
[/Artifact]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>Besides <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragon&#039;s Approach" href="#" target="_blank">Dragon&#039;s Approach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we still have some 'poking' effects to trigger our commander as much as possible. While their damage output will be severely limited, their main purpose is to make sure that we're able to continue getting Blood tokens even while developing our board. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Firebrand Archer" href="#" target="_blank">Firebrand Archer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kessig Flamebreather" href="#" target="_blank">Kessig Flamebreather</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are solid creatures because they're cheap enough to be played on curve with our other Slug pieces (and our commander). <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Triskaidekaphobia" href="#" target="_blank">Triskaidekaphobia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a bit on the expensive side, but it more than makes up by allowing us to get the full four tokens every turn (and it can even act as an alternative win condition).</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragonspark Reactor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Oni-Cult Anvil"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glint-Horn Buccaneer"></div></div>
<p>Strefan is one of those commanders that benefit greatly from having a dedicated support suite. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oni-Cult Anvil" href="#" target="_blank">Oni-Cult Anvil</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great artifact, providing a constant stream of bodies and life that helps us get around aggression. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragonspark Reactor" href="#" target="_blank">Dragonspark Reactor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> works very similarly to a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fireball" href="#" target="_blank">Fireball</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but it has the benefit of growing in damage without having to invest mana. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glint-Horn Buccaneer" href="#" target="_blank">Glint-Horn Buccaneer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reckless Fireweaver" href="#" target="_blank">Reckless Fireweaver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are fast sources of chip damage, which, unlike the aforementioned sources, have the benefit of being either cheaper or more effective than their competition. However, they do tend to be a bit more unreliable when it comes to triggering Strefan's ability, so watch out for that!</p>
<hr />
<div id="mtgh_7dde8" class="mtgh">
<div class="header">
<div>
<h2>Methodology</h2>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="mtgh_f554a" class="mtgh">
<p>For opening hands, we're mostly looking to start creating our precious Blood tokens ASAP. This means we're trying to get our commander out as soon as possible. In the early game, we need to set up for our commander, either with ramp or an early damage enabler, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kessig Flamebreather" href="#" target="_blank">Kessig Flamebreather</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. We'll be set once we start creating Blood tokens, so we shouldn't be afraid of sacrificing a few to dig for more cards.</p>
<p>By the mid-game, we should be very close to triggering <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragon&#039;s Approach" href="#" target="_blank">Dragon&#039;s Approach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and we may even use Blood to get some extra Approaches into the graveyard early to help us hit their threshhold as quickly as possible. Choosing a good target for the first Approach payoff is key to maintaining pressure throughout the game. If we think our opponents lack removal, we can opt for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Utvara Hellkite" href="#" target="_blank">Utvara Hellkite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. If we have a few Blood tokens around, we can pick <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hellkite Igniter" href="#" target="_blank">Hellkite Igniter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. At this stage, the damage that we've done with our hate pieces starts piling on, so it's important to find as soon as possible a way to finish off some of our opponents - otherwise they might gang on us.</p>
<p>Our deck the explosive power found in many other strategies, so the late game can be challenging if we're in top deck mode. Try to keep up persistent pressure, and find an opening for a late-game Approach to shake up the table if you find yourself in a board stall.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bladewing the Risen"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stinkweed Imp"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="War&#039;s Toll"></div></div>
<p>Non-singleton decks tend to be a bit slot-intensive, so keep this in mind when adding new cards to this deck, or trying out a few tweaks to the list! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bladewing the Risen" href="#" target="_blank">Bladewing the Risen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a good addition to the Dragon suite, as it allows us to discard Dragons when we draw them without that much concern. Since we have a graveyard-based synergy and do a lot of looting, it isn't a stretch to want to include a few <em>Dredge </em>cards, either. A few of those might allow us to reduce the numbers of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragon&#039;s Approach" href="#" target="_blank">Dragon&#039;s Approach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> needed in the 99, since we can get four into the graveyard more quickly that way. Adjusting our Group Slug pieces is another fun way to give this deck some variance too, and there are tons of interesting punisher cards out there to choose from.</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment</em>! What do you think of this list? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which did you not? Was this Epic Experiment a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Strefan

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gadwick, the Wizened" href="#" target="_blank">Gadwick, the Wizened</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://www.colinboyer.com/">Colin Boyer</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo, and this is <em>Epic Experiment</em>, a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>Let's take a look at <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gadwick, the Wizened" href="#" target="_blank">Gadwick, the Wizened</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gadwick, the Wizened"></div></div>
<p>Gadwick is a powerful commander. It has a strong ETB and has a triggered ability that can be quite useful, and both of these effects give Gadwick that "damned if you do, damned if you don't" quality that's often seen on some of the most powerful commanders out there. This combination of effects also covers one of the biggest downsides of playing an X-cost commander, namely the cost of actually playing it; an ever-increasing mana cost means we'll draw fewer cards from Gadwick's first ability, but that second ability puts in enough work that we don't feel like we're losing value even if we cast Gadwick without drawing any cards at all.</p>
<p>However, Gadwick does have a deckbuilding cost attached to him. Running a large suite of cheap blue cantrips is an absolute must for us to continually tap our opponents' creatures, and this deckbuilding 'restriction' eats away a decent chunk of space in the 99, which makes it harder to build around various deck archetypes. Another awkward thing about his triggered ability is the necessity of instant-speed cards to play defensively (which is arguably the best way to use it), which limits some deck archetypes even further.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Ingredients</h2>
<p>Commanders with a strong ETB are a bit of an all-or-nothing proposition. On the one hand, having a good ETB effect can be oppressive in EDH games, because it causes the deck to bend toward blink effects, and when the ETB effect is too good, we end up with a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Golos, Tireless Pilgrim" href="#" target="_blank">Golos, Tireless Pilgrim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> situation. On the other hand, some ETB effects are a bit lackluster and don't pack that much of a punch. Gadwick's ETB is very powerful, but it definitely falls into the second camp, because we can't blink or flicker him to re-trigger that effect. We only get that payoff when he's cast.</p>
<p>So how can we give Gadwick a fresh new spin?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Moon-Circuit Hacker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mistblade Shinobi"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Prosperous Thief"></div></div>
<p>With the new <em>Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty </em>set, we now have a solid 12 mono-blue <em>Ninjustsu</em> creatures, which are surprisingly great with Gadwick's kit. Hear me out: while Gadwick is out, every blue spell we cast can tap a potential blocker, making it easier for us to use <em>Ninjutsu. </em>We exchange Gadwick for a Ninja, returning him to our hand, and next turn we can cast our commander again to draw a bunch more cards! This is a <em>very</em> powerful engine once it starts rolling.</p>
<p>The mono-blue Ninja suite is surprisingly good, too, providing solid little perks like card draw and mana acceleration. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prosperous Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Prosperous Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerful mana-ramping tool that can get pretty out of control with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sakashima&#039;s Student" href="#" target="_blank">Sakashima&#039;s Student</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mist-Syndicate Naga" href="#" target="_blank">Mist-Syndicate Naga</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ninja of the Deep Hours" href="#" target="_blank">Ninja of the Deep Hours</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>,<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Moon-Circuit Hacker" href="#" target="_blank">Moon-Circuit Hacker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Higure, the Still Wind" href="#" target="_blank">Higure, the Still Wind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are extra ways to draw cards, which Gadwick mostly has covered already, but it's still a nice upside. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mistblade Shinobi" href="#" target="_blank">Mistblade Shinobi</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Moonsnare Specialist" href="#" target="_blank">Moonsnare Specialist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are tempo-focused removal, which might help us maintain a board state where we can slip our threats through.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Caged Sun"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Icebreaker Kraken"></div></div>
<p>Since we're already trying to pay lots of mana for our commander, why don't we fill out the rest of the 99 with a 'hyper-mana' type of strategy? Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gauntlet of Power" href="#" target="_blank">Gauntlet of Power</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Caged Sun" href="#" target="_blank">Caged Sun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Extraplanar Lens" href="#" target="_blank">Extraplanar Lens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> allow us to generate a lot of mana with our lands, allowing Gadwick to draw us even more cards and find even more mana-doublers! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant" href="#" target="_blank">Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerful new addition that not only helps us accelerate in a way that wasn't possible before, but it also provides a solid defense while doing so. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger" href="#" target="_blank">Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerful clock that immediately exiles two problematic permanents. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Icebreaker Kraken" href="#" target="_blank">Icebreaker Kraken</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> helps us lock down our opponents' boards.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Gadwick Ninjutsu" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*Gadwick, the Wizened
[/Commander]
[Creature]
*Thousand-Faced Shadow
*Moon-Circuit Hacker
*Covert Technician
*Mist-Syndicate Naga
*Mistblade Shinobi
*Pilgrim&#039;s Eye
*Prosperous Thief
*Treasure Mage
*Trinket Mage
*Walker of Secret Ways
*Archaeomancer
*Moonblade Shinobi
*Moonsnare Specialist
*Ninja of the Deep Hours
*Sakashima&#039;s Student
*Solemn Simulacrum
*Higure, the Still Wind
*Consecrated Sphinx
*Duplicant
*Agent of Treachery
*Hullbreaker Horror
*Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant
*Meteor Golem
*Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur
*Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger
*Icebreaker Kraken
[/Creature]
[Artifact]
*Everflowing Chalice
*Relic of Progetnus
*Sol Ring
*Fellwar Stone
*Isochron Scepter
*Mind Stone
*Thought Vessel
*Extraplanar Lens
*Hedron Archive
*Panharmonicon
*Gauntlet of Power
*Caged Sun
[/Artifact]
[Enchantment]
*Verity Circle
*Dismiss into Dream
[/Enchantment]
[Instant]
*Consider
*Hightide
*Leap
*Opt
*Pongify
*Rapid Hybridization
*Shadow Rift
*Wash Away
*Arcane Denial
*Counterspell
*Cyclonic Rift
*Deliberate
*Negate
*Reality Shift
*Oona&#039;s Grace
[/Instant]
[Sorcery]
*Cloak of Feathers
*Ponder
*Preordain
*Serum Visions
*Slip Through Space
[/Sorcery]
[Land]
*Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
*Ghost Quarter
*Tectonic Edge
*36 Island
[/Land]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>Aside from having our commander as a target for the <em>Ninjutsu</em> creatures, we have a few good ETB creatures we can bounce back to hand, too. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pilgrim&#039;s Eye" href="#" target="_blank">Pilgrim&#039;s Eye</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Solemn Simulacrum" href="#" target="_blank">Solemn Simulacrum</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are terrific <em>Ninjutsu </em>targets to recast over and over, especially in a deck that wants every land drop it can get, to use for all those mana-doublers. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasure Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Treasure Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> allows us to find <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Caged Sun" href="#" target="_blank">Caged Sun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (among other goodies), which can accelerate our gameplan if it sticks. Attacking with Ulamog and then getting it back into our hand to cast it again has got to be one of the most memorable plays of the night! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Agent of Treachery" href="#" target="_blank">Agent of Treachery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can become quite the headache if we get to the point of triggering its end-of-turn ability.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pilgrim&#039;s Eye"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Agent of Treachery"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger"></div></div>
<p>To supplement our commander, we're using what I call a "Gadwick suite", which are cards that are mostly there just for our commander, rather than for the other cards in the 99. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Panharmonicon" href="#" target="_blank">Panharmonicon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is great in any deck with so many powerful ETB abilities, but doubling Gadwick's draw just makes our mana that much more effective. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hullbreaker Horror" href="#" target="_blank">Hullbreaker Horror</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a really good tempo control card that can effectively act as a second copy of our commander when we need to clear blockers. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Isochron Scepter" href="#" target="_blank">Isochron Scepter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a reliable way to constantly get trigger our commander's second ability, and if we ever get a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="High Tide" href="#" target="_blank">High Tide</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> under it, it's just crazy.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<p>For our opening hand, we're mostly looking to start off with some early spells to trigger our commander and a <em>Ninjutsu</em> creature. Mana rocks are good, but not necessary for an opener, because our mana curve is very unusual in this deck, especially with so many cantrips greasing the wheels.</p>
<p>Our early game is pretty set in stone: on the third turn, we'll cast our commander so that on turn four we can <em>Ninjutsu</em> and whisk our commander out of play. This allows us to untap with five to six mana on turn five, which can be used to cast our commander for more cards, and thus the engine begins.</p>
<p>In the mid-game, we should be looking to get a mana multiplier effect like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Caged Sun" href="#" target="_blank">Caged Sun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> so that we can start snowballing. By this point, it might be hard to get through multiple blockers, but if we're already established, it's not that big of a deal.</p>
<p>Getting to the late game is usually not a problem; we have a lot of draw power and our top end is quite strong. Additionally, many of our threats are very hard to remove once we stick them in play, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger" href="#" target="_blank">Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant" href="#" target="_blank">Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Keep recasting our commander, use it to tap down offenses and defenses, and annihilate enemies with immense and self-protecting threats!</p>
<hr />
<div id="mtgh_f554a" class="mtgh">
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
</div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Naru Meha, Master Wizard"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gonti, Lord of Luxury"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gyruda, Doom of Depths"></div></div>
<p>While this type of big mana is powerful, there might be other shells more suitable for this type of strategy, should you choose to keep experimenting! Going for a more tempo-oriented build might get more mileage out of our smaller creatures, and we can even try building around some tribal synergy. There are a lot of other ETB commanders that might benefit from all these Ninjas, too. For instance, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gyruda, Doom of Depths" href="#" target="_blank">Gyruda, Doom of Depths</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerful commander that has the benefit of being just in the right colors for both getting unblockability and having a wider array of <em>Ninjutsu</em> creatures.</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment</em>! What do you think of this list? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which did you not? Was this Epic Experiment a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Gadwick

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grolnok, the Omnivore" href="#" target="_blank">Grolnok, the Omnivore</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/simondominic">Simon Dominic</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo, and this is <em>Epic Experiment</em>, a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>Let's take a look at <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grolnok, the Omnivore" href="#" target="_blank">Grolnok, the Omnivore</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grolnok, the Omnivore"></div></div>
<p>Grolnok is a versatile permanent-based commander that acts as a self-mill card advantage engine. One of the most impressive things about it is its sheer flexibility, allowing it to be at the helm of a myriad of permanent-based strategies; even <em>Flashback</em>-heavy investments have a good payoff, since they don't get exiled. It honestly really feels more like a Sultai legend than like a Simic legend, which is a good thing. The tribal aspect of Grolnok might be an underrated element of its kit; it allows for cheap <em>Changeling</em> cards, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Universal Automaton" href="#" target="_blank">Universal Automaton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, to accelerate its mill triggers, although I wouldn't invest too heavily in tribal synergies.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Ingredients</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mental Note"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Knowledge Pool"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir"></div></div>
<p>Grolnk is a powerful way to get incremental advantages, but a secondary effect of its kit is a way to dig for specific cards. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mental Note" href="#" target="_blank">Mental Note</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thought Scour" href="#" target="_blank">Thought Scour</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> become powerful digging tools, and slower cards, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mesmeric Orb" href="#" target="_blank">Mesmeric Orb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are basically free looks. All this digging needs an actual payoff, otherwise what's the point? There are a bunch of powerful cards to consider, but one combination that caught my eye very early on was the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir" href="#" target="_blank">Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Knowledge Pool" href="#" target="_blank">Knowledge Pool</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> combo, a powerful hard lock that has a surprisingly safe play pattern for an 11-mana combo (we use Teferi on EOT and play Knowledge Pool on our turn).</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Codex Shredder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hedron Crab"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crawling Sensation"></div></div>
<p>Self-mill is an important part of our deck, and we need a solid foundation in order to fully utilize our commander's ability. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Codex Shredder" href="#" target="_blank">Codex Shredder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wand of Vertebrae" href="#" target="_blank">Wand of Vertebrae</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are cheap self mill sources that can also help if we get an important card stuck in our graveyard. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Merfolk Secretkeeper" href="#" target="_blank">Merfolk Secretkeeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Minister of Inquiries" href="#" target="_blank">Minister of Inquiries</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hedron Crab" href="#" target="_blank">Hedron Crab</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Universal Automaton" href="#" target="_blank">Universal Automaton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (to some extent) are self-mill sources that can be used as blockers in a pinch. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crawling Infestation" href="#" target="_blank">Crawling Infestation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crawling Sensation" href="#" target="_blank">Crawling Sensation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are slow self-mill enchantments, but they provide a lot of defensive power in the mid-game.</p>
<p>Since we have the ability to dig through our deck and have access to a lot of permanents, we're using a silver bullet suite that allows us to have a nice array of answers to problematic effects. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Venser, Shaper Savant" href="#" target="_blank">Venser, Shaper Savant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Frilled Mystic" href="#" target="_blank">Frilled Mystic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are good defensive options; while we lose the element of surprise, having them constantly there can play mind games with the rest of the table whenever we leave mana open. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scavenging Ooze" href="#" target="_blank">Scavenging Ooze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soul-Guide Lantern" href="#" target="_blank">Soul-Guide Lantern</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are effective graveyard hate that can also provide a bit of secondary value that might prove to be useful even when the graveyard hate is not all that necessary.</p>
<p>Our commander is our main source of card advantage, so keeping it alive is extremely important, which means that including a protection suite is very much a must if we want to have any sort of consistency. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Greaves" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Greaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swiftfoot Boots" href="#" target="_blank">Swiftfoot Boots</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Darksteel Plate" href="#" target="_blank">Darksteel Plate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provide some solid protection against single and mass removal. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crystal Shard" href="#" target="_blank">Crystal Shard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Erratic Portal" href="#" target="_blank">Erratic Portal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are a bit of a spicy tech that not only can protect our commander, but also get value from our many strong ETB creatures.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Grolnok" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*Grolnok, the Omnivore
[/Commander]
[Creature]
*Birds of Paradise
*Hedron Crab
*Merfolk Secretkeeper
*Minister of Inquiries
*Universal Automaton
*Scavenging Ooze
*Brazen Borrower
*Eternal Witness
*Reclamation Sage
*Frilled Mystic
*Sower of Temptation
*Venser, Shaper Savant
*Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir
*Hullbreaker Horror
*Waker of Waves
[/Creature]
[Artifact]
*Codex Shredder
*Sensei&#039;s Divining Top
*Sol Ring
*Soul-Guide Lantern
*Universal Solvent
*Wand of Vertebrae
*Lightning Greaves
*Mesmeric Orb
*Swiftfoot Boots
*Crystal Shard
*Erratic Portal
*Knowledge Pool
*Mycosynth Lattice
[/Artifact]
[Enchantment]
*Wild Growth
*Drowned Secrets
*Fertile Ground
*Frogify
*Jace&#039;s Erasure
*Kenrith&#039;s Transformation
*Omen of the Sea
*Wolfwillow Haven
*Crawling Infestation
*Crawling Sensation
*Glittering Frost
*Imprisoned in the Moon
*Overgrowth
*Verdant Haven
*Words of Wilding
[/Enchantment]
[Instant]
*Consider
*Mental Note
*Opt
*Otherworldy Gaze
*Thought Scour
*Arcane Denial
*Curate
*Cyclonic Rift
*Deliberate
*Long-Term Plans
*Commit // Memory
[/Instant]
[Planeswalker]
*Narset, Parter of Veils
*Karn, the Great Creator
*Tamiyo, Collector of Tales
[/Planeswalker]
[Sorcery]
*Increasing Confusion
*Ponder
*Preordain
*Serum Visions
*Sleight of Hand
*Echo of Eons
[/Sorcery]
[Land]
*Barkchannel Pathway
*Botanical Sanctum
*Breeding Pool
*City of Brass
*Command Tower
*Dreamroot Cascade
*Exotic Orchard
*Hinterland Harbor
*Mana Confluence
*Prismatic Vista
*Mana Confluence
*Rejuvenating Springs
*Yavimaya Coast
*Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth
*9 Forest
*14 Island
[/Land]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>We have three powerful planeswalkers that, because of their sheer power, I feel are very relevant to discuss. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Karn, the Great Creator" href="#" target="_blank">Karn, the Great Creator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an interesting addition; on the one hand, it acts as a silver bullet, but its main purpose is to imitate our commander for our key artifacts (mainly <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Knowledge Pool" href="#" target="_blank">Knowledge Pool</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>).</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Karn, the Great Creator"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tamiyo, Collector of Tales"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Narset, Parter of Veils"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tamiyo, Collector of Tales" href="#" target="_blank">Tamiyo, Collector of Tales</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a fantastic card in this list. Her +1 is great when we have our commander out, and her -3 is a great failsafe ability in case we get a card in the graveyard that we really want back. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Narset, Parter of Veils" href="#" target="_blank">Narset, Parter of Veils</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerful lock piece, and together with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commit // Memory" href="#" target="_blank">Commit // Memory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Echo of Eons" href="#" target="_blank">Echo of Eons</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we have a powerful easy to execute combo that doesn't really rely on our commander and can buy us the time to assemble our main lock.</p>
<hr />
<div id="mtgh_f554a" class="mtgh">
<div class="header">
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<p>For our opening hands, we're looking for cheap ways to start self-milling, because once we start going it's <em>very</em> hard to stop us. Lands and ramp are nice, but I'd prioritize ways to actually capitalize on Grolnok's ability from the first moment that it hits the table.</p>
<p>In the early game, we're trying to set up for our commander's arrival, either with some of our cheap self-mill-enablers or simply by ramping into a faster buildup. Self-milling without our commander is very dangerous, so we should carefully consider if it's worth getting a card stuck in our graveyard.</p>
<p>By the mid-game, if we're able to establish a self-mill engine with our commander, then we'll be rolling in resources. It's hard to miss on stuff like land drops or action cards with the number of cards that we can see, and the best part is that it tends to snowball. In the later stages, we should always pay attention for opportunities to flash in Teferi at the end of the turn.</p>
<p>Our deck has a very strong late game because it can build back up very quickly whenever our commander hits the table. All those precious cards that we hadn't had the chance to cast are still available to us, and by this point, mana isn't that much of a problem, so we probably will have the opportunity to chain at least one or two huge cards before passing the turn.</p>
</div>
</div>
<hr />
<div id="mtgh_f554a" class="mtgh">
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
</div>
<p>Say this current list isn't 100% your style. What else could you pursue to assist this strategy?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Earthcraft"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Propaganda"></div></div>
<p>Investing heavily into Stax effects, removing the cantrips, and playing more like a pillow fort strategy could be quite effective, since one of the main obstacles of such strategy is finding its relevant effects in time.</p>
<p>Finding another permanent-based combo can also change the deck up a bit. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Earthcraft" href="#" target="_blank">Earthcraft</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> plus <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Squirrel Nest" href="#" target="_blank">Squirrel Nest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a cheap (at least mana-wise) "I win" combo that can be very easily dug out with our engine. We could even put more priority on self-mill cards to go even faster!</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment</em>! What do you think of this list? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which did you not? Was this Epic Experiment a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Grolnok

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kyodai, Soul of Kamigawa" href="#" target="_blank">Kyodai, Soul of Kamigawa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/danielzrom">Daniel Zrom</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo, and this is <em>Epic Experiment</em>, a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>Let's talk about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kyodai, Soul of Kamigawa" href="#" target="_blank">Kyodai, Soul of Kamigawa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kyodai, Soul of Kamigawa"></div></div>
<p>Kyodai is a very flexible commander, one that doesn't really lean in any particular direction and has a solid enough kit to be included in a number of archetypes. The ETB mileage may vary according to the type of permanent we're targeting; lands are pretty much irremovable while we have our commander out, but creatures are still pretty easy to get rid of. Given the vulnerability of the type, there needs to be a fast clock element to this deck (or else a heavy counterspell investment) if we want any creatures to become our indestructible targets. Otherwise, it's pretty easy for the table to gather two removal spells for Kyodai and its target, or to just use an exile effect.</p>
<p>The pump ability is expensive (and color-intensive), but it's very useful, and the Voltron aspect is great even for decks that aren't investing in it, providing a solid backup win condition.</p>
<p>Kyodai is also a great support commander for <em>Companion</em> builds. Since it's a five-color commander, we have more options to choose from. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zirda, the Dawnwaker" href="#" target="_blank">Zirda, the Dawnwaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> + Kyodai might be my favorite duo to build around.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Ingredients</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Swarm Intelligence"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sunbird&#039;s Invocation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lithoform Engine"></div></div>
<p>Having the ability to protect any permanent can be quite strong with the right kind of cards, so how about we build around cards whose only downside is the potential blowout of getting removed before they can make up for their investment? There are a lot of cards that fit this category, but I think the inherent safety of the Spellslinger archetype will help us with some much-needed consistency for Kyodai!</p>
<p>Spell-copying effects, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swarm Intelligence" href="#" target="_blank">Swarm Intelligence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thousand-Year Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Thousand-Year Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloven Casting" href="#" target="_blank">Cloven Casting</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are a great way to pull ahead quickly. With a flexible suite of spells, it can provide a lot of options for each of our turns. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirari&#039;s Wake" href="#" target="_blank">Mirari&#039;s Wake</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerful mana-doubler that can very quickly take over the game, given the sheer amount of extra mana it provides! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maelstrom Nexus" href="#" target="_blank">Maelstrom Nexus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunbird&#039;s Invocation" href="#" target="_blank">Sunbird&#039;s Invocation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are consistent sources of two-for-one that slowly take over the game. There's even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Song of Creation" href="#" target="_blank">Song of Creation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Whirlwind of Thought" href="#" target="_blank">Whirlwind of Thought</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which are a bit riskier, but which each offer a more explosive payoff.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Eureka Moment"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Treacherous Terrain"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Conflux"></div></div>
<p>For spells, we're choosing a powerful suite of ramp and removal, with plenty of them being gold to be copiable with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloven Casting" href="#" target="_blank">Cloven Casting</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Modal spells are great to either copy or <em>Cascade</em> into, since they'll hardly be blanks. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treacherous Terrain" href="#" target="_blank">Treacherous Terrain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerful burn effect that can quickly take over the game if cast or copied multiple times, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fevered Suspicion" href="#" target="_blank">Fevered Suspicion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another powerful addition that helps us get ahead.</p>
<p>The best part of building a battlecruiser deck like this one is that each threat packs a lot of punch without the need of a huge board. We do have a few Plan B threats to help us diversify, though: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="General Ferrous Rokiric" href="#" target="_blank">General Ferrous Rokiric</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shark Typhoon" href="#" target="_blank">Shark Typhoon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are great sources of tokens, which can be used defensively in the earlier portions of the game and offensively when we flip the switch. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kess, Dissident Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Kess, Dissident Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elsha of the Infinite" href="#" target="_blank">Elsha of the Infinite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are two unconventional sources of card advantage, but they can play quite nicely with Kyodai. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zacama, Primal Calamity" href="#" target="_blank">Zacama, Primal Calamity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a crazy powerful defensive threat that can allow for really powerful board swings while also providing a solid clock.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Big Boy Spellslinger Kyodai" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*Kyodai, Soul of Kamigawa
[/Commander]
[Companion]
*Jegantha, the Wellspring
[/Companion]
[Creature]
*Baral, Chief of Compliance
*Goblin Electormancer
*Soulfire Grandmaster
*General Ferrous Rokiric
*Kess, Dissident Mage
*Elsha of the Infinite
*Zacama, Primal Calamity
[/Creature]
[Sorcery]
*Ponder
*Preordain
*Serum Visions
*Expressive Iteration
*Farseek
*Nature&#039;s Lore
*Rampant Growth
*Scour All Possibilities
*Three Visits
*Grow from the Ashes
*Wargate
*Decimate
*Mizzix&#039;s Mastery
*Mystic Retrieval
*Skyshroud Claim
*Bring to Light
*Escape to the Wilds
*Urban Evolution
*Merciless Eviction
*Spelltwine
*Conflux
*Fevered Suspicion
*Treacherous Terrain
*Blasphemous Act
[/Sorcery]
[Instant]
*Consider
*Opt
*Assassin&#039;s Trophy
*Deliberate
*Despark
*Dovin&#039;s Veto
*Fracture
*Galvanic Iteration
*Growth Spiral
*Izzet Charm
*Terminate
*Abzan Charm
*Fire Covenant
*Prismari Command
*Sultai Charm
*Eureka Moment
*Emergency Powers
[/Instant]
[Enchantment]
*Song of Creation
*Whirlwind of Thought
*Wilderness Reclamation
*Maelstrom Nexus
*Mirari&#039;s Waker
*Shark Typhoon
*Sunbird&#039;s Invocation
*Thousand-Year Storm
*Cloven Casting
*Swarm Intelligence
[/Enchantment]
[Artifact]
*Sol Ring
*Lithoform Engine
[/Artifact]
[Land]
*Arid Mesa
*Blood Crypt
*Bloodstained Mire
*Breeding Pool
*City of Brass
*Command Tower
*Flooded Strand
*Godless Shrine
*Hallowed Fountain
*Indatha Triome
*Ketria Triome
*Mana Confluence
*Marsh Flats
*Misty Rainforest
*Overgrown Tomb
*Polluted Delta
*Raugrin Triome
*Sacred Foundry
*Savai Triome
*Scalding Tarn
*Steam Vents
*Stomping Ground
*Temple Garden
*Verdant Catacombs
*Watery Grave
*Windswept Heath
*Wooded Foothills
*Zagoth Triome
*3 Forest
*3 Island
*2 Mountain
*Plains
*2 Swamp
[/Land]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>Since we're playing such a mana-intensive deck, I felt that this is a perfect shell to try out <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jegantha, the Wellspring" href="#" target="_blank">Jegantha, the Wellspring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as a <em>Companion</em>. Sure, we lose a few powerful cards (like the Ultimatum cycle), but the extra consistency of always having a mana dork is invaluable. Jegantha also works great with our Charms and makes casting a big card and our commander on the same turn cycle much more manageable.</p>
<p>Having a nice suite of cantrips and ramp closes out our deck perfectly. These effects are necessary because they massively enhance our most vulnerable moment: the early game. They're also great cards to copy, and can really speed up our late game when we get things going.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<p>We're looking to play the long game, and that means we should keep opening hands with some early control and ramp. We do have a few good early threats, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="General Ferrous Rokiric" href="#" target="_blank">General Ferrous Rokiric</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or the cost-reducing bros, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Baral, Chief of Compliance" href="#" target="_blank">Baral, Chief of Compliance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Electromancer" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Electromancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Electromancer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Abzan Charm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Galvanic Iteration"></div></div>
<p>In the early game, one of our biggest priorities is developing a mana base that allows us to cast our spells. This might seem a bit obvious, but our deck is very color-intensive, and with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Abzan Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Abzan Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Galvanic Iteration" href="#" target="_blank">Galvanic Iteration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, it'll pay off for us to take extra care and more deliberately craft our mana base to set us up for later success.</p>
<p>By the mid-game, when mana is no longer that much of an issue (and with Jegantha to smooth things out if necessary), we can start looking into playing some of our bigger threats. This is where having a ton of powerful instants is beneficial, as we can hold out playing spells on our turn and have the option to blank a destroy-based removal with our commander.</p>
<p>The late game is where we shine. Even with just one threat, we can take over a board. A single, indestructible <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zacama, Primal Calamity" href="#" target="_blank">Zacama, Primal Calamity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or hard-to-kill <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swarm Intelligence" href="#" target="_blank">Swarm Intelligence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will dominate the battlefield with ease. Since Kyodai can flash into play at instant speed to protect these big baddies, the later half of the game is where our commander will truly shine, and totally fluster our opponents by halting their usual removal effects. With enough mana, Kyodai itself will be a surprise source of commander damage. Watch out, folks!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
<p>That was just my version of Kyodai, but other players might want to take this idea and make some tweaks!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zirda, the Dawnwaker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inspired Ultimatum"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glistener Elf"></div></div>
<p>The first change one might consider is cutting Jegantha out of the <em>Companion</em> slot. Without it, the list can get a bit more streamlined and gain the ability to include some other, more powerful cards, such as some Ultimatums. One could also exchange the <em>Companion</em>; the aforementioned Zirda + Kyodai pair seems like a very fun deck to mess around with, for instance. Having a pseudo-five-color Zirda gives us the chance to have cards that we normally don't, not to mention the extra protection, is always nice when around a non-commander card.</p>
<p>If both of these brews aren't your cup of tea, why not try out <em>Infect</em>-based strategies? Having a way to protect one of your threats provides an extra layer of consistency that we don't usually see for that strategy.</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment</em>! What do you think of this list? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which did you not? Was this Epic Experiment a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Kyodai

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons" href="#" target="_blank">Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://www.tylerjacobsonart.com/">Tyler Jacobson</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo, and this is <em>Epic Experiment</em>, a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>Let's talk about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons" href="#" target="_blank">Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons"></div></div>
<p>Cheap commanders are great. I love how they always give us a consistent curve. Hapatra's an amazing turn-two play, sometimes considered to be at her best in those earlier stages of the game, where she can reliably attack without having to worry about blockers. Attack opponent X, then put counters on opponent Y's creatures? Awesome! It's especially amazing that there are so <em>many</em> synergies Hapatra can make use of: counters, tokens, deathtouch... she can do a lot for such a cheap body.</p>
<p>-1/-1 counters can be harder to build around than +1/+1 counters, not just because we see more +1/+1 counter effects in <em>Magic </em>sets, but also because 'controlling an enemy board' has a smaller range than 'buffing up my own board'. However, -1/-1 counters don't have to our primary focus with Hapatra. Perhaps we could turn that into a subtheme instead and give her a new archetype that will greatly benefit from keeping a big board under control.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Ingredients</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lolth, Spider Queen"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vraska, Golgari Queen"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Garruk Relentless"></div></div>
<p>There are two big things that make Hapatra a great tool for controlling the board. First, shrinking enemy creatures is a natural part of her gameplan, and that will constantly make the most threatening creatures a lot less threatening. Second, we get deathtouch creatures as a reward whenever we do this! Those are amazing defensive creatures. That much potential for board control, on such a cheap body, is just <em>perfect</em> for a Superfriend strategy!</p>
<p>Vraskas, Garruks, Lolths, all these planeswalkers need good defenses for us to reach their amazing ultimate abilities. With Hapatra leading the charge, our turn-two commander will create a huge defensive line that keeps our 'walkers super safe, and super deadly.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Contagion Clasp"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Smell Fear"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Evolution Sage"></div></div>
<p>Not only that, but both -1/-1 counter decks and Superfriends decks are strategies that naturally want to play a ton of cards with <em>Proliferate</em>! In Hapatra Superfriends, these cards get even more impressive, simultaneously acting as a defensive tool <em>and </em>speeding up the clock to help our 'walkers reach their ultimates more quickly. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Contagion Engine" href="#" target="_blank">Contagion Engine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Contagion Clasp" href="#" target="_blank">Contagion Clasp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are great incremental value engines whose initial value goes into overdrive with our commander. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Smell Fear" href="#" target="_blank">Smell Fear</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be a strong removal spell, acting as a type of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doom Blade" href="#" target="_blank">Doom Blade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with powerful upside. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plaguemaw Beast" href="#" target="_blank">Plaguemaw Beast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is slow and clunky, but we're in no rush here, so having this consistent source of<em> Proliferate</em> is very much appreciated.</p>
<p>We protect our planeswalkers so well that we don't need to run a bazillion of them. They'll be super hard to kill regardless, so we can pick the very best 'walkers, and the ones we're playing pack plenty of power. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lolth, Spider Queen" href="#" target="_blank">Lolth, Spider Queen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Liliana, Dreadhorde General" href="#" target="_blank">Liliana, Dreadhorde General</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are great value planeswalkers with kits that mesh really well with our commander, from their static abilities to their ultimates. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Garruk, Apex Predator" href="#" target="_blank">Garruk, Apex Predator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> continues to be one of the most exciting top-end Golgari planeswalkers out there, providing solid board control and creating more and more bodies. Even weird ones, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Garruk, Unleashed" href="#" target="_blank">Garruk, Unleashed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, can act as a 'support' planeswalker, allowing our commander to get through pesky chump blockers.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skinrender"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Banewhip Punisher"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yawgmoth, Thran Physician"></div></div>
<p>While we're not trying to exclusively craft a -1/-1 counters deck, our deck still has the need for a solid -1/-1 counters package, so that Hapatra can get things started in the first place. Finding the right balance of these cards might be a bit meta-dependent, since creature-heavy environments might get more mileage out of cards that put -1/-1 counters onto every creature in play. My preferred approach is to avoid going in <em>too</em> deep with these effects because we really only need a handful of deathtouch tokens to fortify our Superfriends against a bevy of attackers.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yawgmoth, Thran Physician" href="#" target="_blank">Yawgmoth, Thran Physician</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might be the best all-around card in the deck, providing an absolute amount of value and versatility (which includes a nasty combo). <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grim Affliction" href="#" target="_blank">Grim Affliction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> wouldn't normally make the cut, but that additional <em>Proliferate </em>is just too dang good, making blockers and pumping up a 'walker. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Banewhip Punisher" href="#" target="_blank">Banewhip Punisher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a good value creature, providing a solid delayed removal and a body to go with it. Heck, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Carnifex Demon" href="#" target="_blank">Carnifex Demon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is just crazy powerful when it hits in the mid-game! We care very little about the fact that it friendly-fires our own tokens, because Hapatra will just replace them!</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Hapatra Superfriends" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons
[/Commander]
[Creature]
*Birds of Paradise
*Elves of Deep Shadow
*Festering Mummy
*Banewhip Punisher
*Evolution Sage
*Carth the Lion
*Skinrender
*Yawgmoth, Thran Physician
*Plaguemaw Beast
*Carnifex Demon
*Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider
[/Creature]
[Planeswalker]
*Nissa, Voice of Zendikar
*Garruk Relentless
*Garruk, Unleashed
*Sorin the Mirthless
*Vraska, Golgari Queen
*Lolth, Spider Queen
*Nissa, Vital Force
*Nissa, Who Shakes the World
*Ob Nixilis Reignited
*Vraska the Unseen
*Wrenn and Seven
*Garruk, Cursed Huntsman
*Liliana, Dreadhorde General
*Ugin, the Ineffable
*Vraska, Relic Seeker
*Garruk, Apex Predator
*Karn Liberated
*Ugin, the Spirit Dragon
[/Planeswalker]
[Enchantment]
*Oath of Nissa
*Crumbling Ashes
*The Meathook Massacre
*Blowfly Infestation
*Nest of Scarabs
[/Enchantment]
[Artifact]
*Skullclamp
*Sol Ring
*The Ozolith
*Contagion Clasp
*Lightning Greaves
*Swiftfoot Boots
*Sword of Truth and Justice
*Contagion Engine
[/Artifact]
[Instant]
*Malakir Rebirth
*Nature&#039;s Claim
*Assassin&#039;s Trophy
*Infernal Grasp
*Grim Affliction
*Khalni Ambush
*Hagra Mauling
[/Instant]
[Sorcery]
*Farseek
*Nature&#039;s Lore
*Rampant Growth
*Smell Fear
*Three Visits
*Bala Ged Recovery
*Cultivate
*Kodama&#039;s Reach
*Toxic Deluge
*Damnation
*Skyshroud Claim
*Turntimber Symbiosis
*Black Sun&#039;s Zenith
*Agadeem&#039;s Awakening
[/Sorcery]
[Land]
*Blooming Marsh
*City of Brass
*Command Tower
*Darkbore Pathway
*Ghost Quarter
*Grasping Dunes
*Ifnir Deadlands
*Karn&#039;s Bastion
*Llanowar Wastes
*Mana Confluence
*Nesting Grounds
*Nurturing Peatland
*Overgrown Tomb
*Phyrexian Tower
*Rogue&#039;s Passage
*Shizo, Death&#039;s Storehouse
*Tainted Wood
*Tectonic Edge
*Temple of Malady
*Twilight Mire
*Undergrowth Stadium
*Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
*Woodland Cemetery
*Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth
*6 Forest
*6 Swamp
[/Land]"></span></div>
<hr />
<div id="mtgh_f554a" class="mtgh">
<div class="header">
<p>There are so many cool support cards for counters strategies. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crumbling Ashes" href="#" target="_blank">Crumbling Ashes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a staxy way of dealing with problematic creatures without having to over-commit with our counters. Spreading this effect around is always better for our <em>Proliferate</em> triggers. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nest of Scarabs" href="#" target="_blank">Nest of Scarabs</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great redundant piece for our commander, although it has the potential to create more tokens with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Black Sun&#039;s Zenith" href="#" target="_blank">Black Sun&#039;s Zenith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we don't really invest all that much on these massive counter-placing spells.</p>
</div>
<hr />
<div class="header">
<h2>Methodology</h2>
</div>
</div>
<p>For opening hands, we're mainly looking for some early ramp and a planeswalker or two. Our mana curve might be a bit higher than other decks, what with all these planeswalkers, but since we have such a cheap commander, we can easily get our early game covered. Hapatra can snipe some early mana dorks an utility creatures, but even if we can't find another creature to put a -1/-1 counter onto, don't be afraid to put one onto Hapatra herself! Those deathtouch blockers are instrumental to protecting our planeswalkers once they start to arrive.</p>
<p>By the mid-game we should have at least one or two Snakes, which means the planeswalker arrival can finally commence! It will start a little slow, but with every 'walker we cast, we'll keep up with our enemies and the speed of our clock will increase. It's great to keep Hapatra in play if we can, but we don't need to be too afraid of losing her, because her cheap mana cost means we can always get her back really easily.</p>
<p>The late game often is kind to us, barring explosive aggro or combo decks. Very often, we can reach a post-Wrath board state that leads into a minor game stall-out, and at that moment, if we manage to land a planeswalker like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vraska, Relic Seeker" href="#" target="_blank">Vraska, Relic Seeker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or even plain <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ob Nixilis Reignited" href="#" target="_blank">Ob Nixilis Reignited</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we can take control the pace of the game. Importantly, our deck does not have 'explosive' plays - we're not casting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tooth and Nail" href="#" target="_blank">Tooth and Nail</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Torment of Hailfire" href="#" target="_blank">Torment of Hailfire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for a sudden victory, for instance - but with a little bit of scrappiness and clever timing, our slow-and-steady gameplan will be almost impossible for our enemies to dismantle.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
<p>There's always room for improvement and adaptation for a list like this! Since this is a two-themed deck, we certainly run into that classic issue where, by the time we are finished including lands and general-purpose staples, we're somewhat card-slot-starved. It's entirely possible to choose to focus on one of those themes more than the other or to try a more middle-of-the-road approach.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Chain Veil"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Doubling Season"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Smokestack"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Chain Veil" href="#" target="_blank">The Chain Veil</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerful card in Superfriends lists, allowing for two (or even more) activations on the same turn. I thought it felt a smidge clunky in this deck, but you could totally choose to use it if you want extra planeswalker power!</p>
<p>Another powerful planeswalker staple I didn't include in this list is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doubling Season" href="#" target="_blank">Doubling Season</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which arguably could increase our explosive potential. I chose to omit this card because ultimately I think opponents are more likely to focus on taking you down if they know your deck has a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doubling Season" href="#" target="_blank">Doubling Season</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that can auto-ultimate planeswalkers. This could be a meta call, though! If you like doubled loyalty and doubled Snake tokens, this is another exciting staple you could try.</p>
<p>And of course, you could make this alternative Hapatra brew even <em>more </em>alternative! If you'd like to go for a more Stax-oriented shell, that might be another powerful way to protect a board of planeswalkers, while we lose nothing but a few spare Snake tokens. We'd probably have to play fewer payoff cards (for instance, losing some of the <em>Proliferate</em> cards), but overall I think this themes and our commander could mesh pretty well if you're interested in making the deck a bit more vicious!</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment</em>! What do you think of this list? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which did you not? Was this Epic Experiment a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Hapatra Superfriends

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest" href="#" target="_blank">Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/davidgaillet">David Gaillet</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo Melibeu, and this is <em>Epic Experiment</em>, a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>Let's take a look at <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest" href="#" target="_blank">Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest"></div></div>
<p><strong>Observation</strong></p>
<p>Shu Yun is a powerful Voltron commander, being cheap and providing one of the fastest commander damage threats out there. The biggest thing Shu Yun has going for himself is his ability to passively grow without the need for outside assistance. This allows its controller to be able to play a "normal" game and still have access to that powerful threat, and it opens up a lot of space for noncreature-spell-based strategies, which we can fully integrate with a Voltron threat without any real effort. Extra turns, artifacts matter or 'eggs' cards, and even mill effects can all be merged together to create a whole new angle, if we're building it right.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Ingredients</h2>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Polymorph" href="#" target="_blank">Polymorph</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, as an archetype, is a bit funny. At a deckbuilding level it can be quite diverse, giving us plenty of options for both targets and general strategies to theorycraft. Gameplay-wise, however, it can get a bit repetitive, leading to many games feeling 'samey'.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bruna, Light of Alabaster"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Polymorph"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragon Breath"></div></div>
<p>This doesn't have to be a bad thing, though; knowing our exact target(s) off of a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Polymorph" href="#" target="_blank">Polymorph</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> may be the same in each game, but the things our deck does <em>around </em>that target can be all types of spicy. For instance, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bruna, Light of Alabaster" href="#" target="_blank">Bruna, Light of Alabaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an interesting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Polymorph" href="#" target="_blank">Polymorph</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> target! Her ability is quite impressive, especially with access to more colors, and it also plays well with one of red's best tools: looting/rummaging. Since Bruna cheats from both graveyard and hand, it's very convenient to just bin excess Auras and turn them into new cards, which can be more Auras!</p>
<p>Both red and blue offer plenty of efficient choices for Polymorph effects, which is good, because we need a few of them to be consistent enough for the deckbuilding costs (namely, that we won't be playing any creatures in the 99 aside from Bruna).</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Transmogrify"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Divergent Transformations"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reality Scramble"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Polymorph" href="#" target="_blank">Polymorph</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Transmogrify" href="#" target="_blank">Transmogrify</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are the baseline for this type of effect and they work pretty similarly, aside from a few corner cases. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Divergent Transformations" href="#" target="_blank">Divergent Transformations</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> isn't as reliable as the former two, since it requires two targets, but the fact that it's an instant and that it's cheaper than other alternatives makes it worthy. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reality Scramble" href="#" target="_blank">Reality Scramble</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has built-in recursion and can be used in the late game to fish for more Auras. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lukka, Coppercoat Outcast" href="#" target="_blank">Lukka, Coppercoat Outcast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a bit on the expensive side, but as I said before, we need the numbers. Plus, it does have the benefit of potentially getting a second activation (although that's kind of a long shot).</p>
<p>With the setup discussed, let's talk about the payoffs: our Auras! This is where the deck gets smart. While it's not very usual to see an Aura-based Shu Yun deck, they are still a very effective way of buffing and triggering <em>Prowess</em> for our commander. It's also worth noting that we can attach our Auras to Shun Yun without any fear, because once we <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Polymorph" href="#" target="_blank">Polymorph</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, they'll all go right to Bruna, even from the graveyard. Thus, we can threaten our opponents with commander damage, while sumltaneously setting up for a big Bruna haymaker.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="All That Glitters"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cartouche of Knowledge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Octopus Umbra"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="All That Glitters" href="#" target="_blank">All That Glitters</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Auramancer&#039;s Guise" href="#" target="_blank">Auramancer&#039;s Guise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ethereal Armor" href="#" target="_blank">Ethereal Armor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mantle of the Ancients" href="#" target="_blank">Mantle of the Ancients</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sage&#039;s Reverie" href="#" target="_blank">Sage&#039;s Reverie</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are super-powerful Auras that are also very cheap to play, which works great with Shu Yun. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Battle Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Battle Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Corrupted Conscience" href="#" target="_blank">Corrupted Conscience</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Octopus Umbra" href="#" target="_blank">Octopus Umbra</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eldrazi Conscription" href="#" target="_blank">Eldrazi Conscription</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are our haymaker Aura suite. We also have a few Auras that draw cards when they enter the battlefield, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Angelic Gift" href="#" target="_blank">Angelic Gift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cartouche of Knowledge" href="#" target="_blank">Cartouche of Knowledge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rousing Read" href="#" target="_blank">Rousing Read</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rune of Speed" href="#" target="_blank">Rune of Speed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These cards are a good way to dig while keeping up the tempo, and when we get Bruna online, they grant us even more card advantage.</p>
<p>Haste enablers are extremely important for our strategy, because we can only attach stuff to Bruna when she attacks. One would think the necessary step here is to add in Auras that grant haste, but they're actually not very helpful, especially since we need mana to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Polymorph" href="#" target="_blank">Polymorph</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Bruna into play in the first place.</p>
<p>Instead, these Auras are better-suited to make our commander more threatening: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragon Breath" href="#" target="_blank">Dragon Breath</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be discarded while we're setting up, and it comes out for free; the boot duo of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Greaves" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Greaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swiftfoot Boots" href="#" target="_blank">Swiftfoot Boots</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are always relevant here, and it's especially nice that Bruna doesn't care about shroud; and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mass Hysteria" href="#" target="_blank">Mass Hysteria</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Need for Speed" href="#" target="_blank">Need for Speed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both cheap enough that they're not a heavy burden on our curve. Cheap haste enablers are the difference between getting value from our commander, and not getting any value at all.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Shu Yun Polymorph" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*Shu Yun, The Silent Tempest
[/Commander]
[Creature]
*Bruna, Light of Alabaster
[/Creature]
[Enchantment]
*Cartouche of Zeal
*Escape Velocity
*Ethereal Armor
*Hyena Umbra
*Mass Hysteria
*Need for Speed
*All That Glitters
*Angelic Gift
*Cartouche of Knowledge
*Daybreak Coronet
*Dragon Breath
*Felidar Umbra
*Frenzied Rage
*Madcap Skills
*Rune of Speed
*Spirit Mantle
*Battle Mastery
*Rousing Read
*Shielded by Faith
*Timely Ward
*Angelic Destiny
*Auramancer&#039;s Guise
*On Serra&#039;s Wings
*Sage&#039;s Reverie
*Corrupted Conscience
*Mantle of the Ancients
*Octopus Umbra
*Sigil of the Empty Throne
*Spectra Ward
*Eldrazi Conscription
[/Enchantment]
[Artifact]
*Sol Ring
*Arcane Signet
*Fellwar Stone
*Lightning Greaves
*Swiftfoot Boots
*Talisman of Conviction
*Talisman of Creativity
*Talisman of Progress
*Cloud Key
[/Artifact]
[Instant]
*Mystical Tutor
*Swan Song
*Cathartic Pyre
*Cyclonic Rift
*Faithful Mending
*Izzet Charm
*Chaos Warp
*Frantic Search
*Divergent Transformations
[/Instant]
[Planeswalker]
*Lukka, Coppercoat Outcast
[/Planeswalker]
[Sorcery]
*Careful Study
*Faithless Looting
*Cathartic Reunion
*Rip Apart
*Thrilling Discovery
*Breath of Life
*Late to Dinner
*Polymorph
*Reality Scramble
*Retether
*Transmogrify
*Vanquish the Horde
*Blasphemous Act
[/Sorcery]
[Land]
*Arid Mesa
*Bloodstained Mire
*Cascade Bluffs
*Cave of the Frost Dragon
*City of Brass
*Command Tower
*Den of the Bugbear
*Flooded Strand
*Ghost Quarter
*Hall of Storm Giants
*Hallowed Fountain
*Mana Confluence
*Marsh Flats
*Misty Rainforest
*Mystic Monastery
*Polluted Delta
*Prismatic Vista
*Raugrin Triome
*Sacred Foundry
*Scalding Tarn
*Sea of Clouds
*Shivan Reef
*Spectator Seating
*Steam Vents
*Tectonic Edge
*Training Center
*Windswept Heath
*Wooded Foothills
*3 Island
*3 Mountain
*2 Plains
[/Land]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>Looting effects are very effective at renewing our hand; we can keep non-Auras in our hand and comfortably bin the Auras, knowing that Bruna can get them back later. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cathartic Pyre" href="#" target="_blank">Cathartic Pyre</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Izzet Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Izzet Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are effective flexible card draw that, in a pinch, can also be used for control. The ability to <em>Flashback </em>both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Faithless Looting" href="#" target="_blank">Faithless Looting</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Faithful Mending" href="#" target="_blank">Faithful Mending</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is really valuable for a deck that tends to have a bit of downtime when things don't go our way.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Late to Dinner"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Retether"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mantle of the Ancients"></div></div>
<p>The final pieces of this list are our recursion tools, which are a key part for our deck to be more reliable. Although we won't be able to slot as many as we'd like, they're still an important component of our strategy. Reanimation spells are a much-needed backup for when we lose Bruna, and indeed, getting Bruna back tends to be more reliable way than using Shu Yun. Barring that, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Retether" href="#" target="_blank">Retether</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mantle of the Ancients" href="#" target="_blank">Mantle of the Ancients</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> allow for another plan B.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<p>Our opening hands are a bit flexible because we have two main gameplans. We can prioritize different cards depending on how we want to play things out. For example, dig-heavy hands are a bit of a gamble; sometimes the tempo we lose from exclusively digging in the first few turns can make our whole strategy a bit too slow. Meanwhile, Aura-heavy hands are great for early aggression with our commander and can very easily pivot into the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Polymorph" href="#" target="_blank">Polymorph</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> plan. There are also the Polymorph rush hands, where we try to get Bruna into play ASAP.</p>
<p>In the early game, we're mostly using the first couple of turns to set up, either by playing cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Greaves" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Greaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, playing mana rocks, or simply by digging through our library with lots of looting effects. Playing our commander makes us a bit vulnerable to removal, so sometimes it's better to wait a turn to get more mana before committing Shu Yun to the board.</p>
<p>The mid-game is where we're the most threatening. While we have our commander out, we're simply a double threat, and this kind of pressure can get deep into our opponents' fears. When we finally pull the trigger with a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Polymorph" href="#" target="_blank">Polymorph</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effect, one of the main things to consider is whether or not it's risky to do so without having haste enablers. Without them, it's a bit of a coin flip, especially against removal-heavy decks. Getting an attack off with Bruna is crucial for our success because it's when we start getting the snowball rolling with both power and protection.</p>
<p>The late-game can be unkind to us. Bruna could get removed, and our commander could get too expensive to cast. If we reach that point, it's best to duck for a bit and try to sculpt a hand of powerful and cheap Auras/interaction, while accruing the mana to cast our commander and buff/protect him.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Velomachus Lorehold"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rograkh, Son of Rohgahh"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elspeth, Sun&#039;s Champion"></div></div>
<p>A Polymorph deck has tons of potential future paths if you'd like to change up this deck's formula! For example, you can change the deck's entire <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Polymorph" href="#" target="_blank">Polymorph</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> target. Fishing for a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Velomachus Lorehold" href="#" target="_blank">Velomachus Lorehold</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and/or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Narset, Enlightened Master" href="#" target="_blank">Narset, Enlightened Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would completely change our archetype, turning into a more extra turns/combat step shell. These cards are still very good with our commander, but they are a bit expensive, and some people might not appreciate playing against it.</p>
<p>Changing commanders might be a fun thing to try, too. With <em>Partner </em>commanders, you could separate the secondary win condition from the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Polymorph" href="#" target="_blank">Polymorph</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fodder. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rograkh, Son of Rohgahh" href="#" target="_blank">Rograkh, Son of Rohgahh</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great card to reshape, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker" href="#" target="_blank">Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can act pretty similarly to Shu Yun! The list is pretty tight as it is, but I'd also be down to try adding planeswalkers to the mix, since they can give us a proper independent game plan with actual late-game power. With this strategy, the world it your oyster.</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment</em>! What do you think of this list? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which did you not? Was this <em>Epic Experiment</em> a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>
