<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gishath, Sun&#039;s Avatar|xln|222" href="#" target="_blank">Gishath, Sun&#039;s Avatar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://www.zackstella.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zach Stella</a></em></p>
<p>As <em>Jurassic Park</em> attempts to prove that “Life…finds a way” to revitalize its flailing franchise, the Dinosaur creature type is alive and thriving in <em>Magic</em>.</p>
<p>Recently, it seems as though Dinosaurs have taken up the mantle of “generic large green creature” previously held by Wurms and Beasts. Other colors have Dragons, Demons, Angels, and sea monsters, but green has struggled a bit (in spite of its reputation in Commander) to develop an iconic top-end type of its own.</p>
<p>Sure, it has little guys like Elves, but, for game-ending threats, it often finds itself bleeding into other colors. All that changed, however, when the game visited Ixalan for the first time.</p>
<p>In <em>Ixalan</em>, Dinosaurs became an officially-supported type. Some Dinosaurs already existed and were errata-ed to be Dinosaurs from types like Beasts, but Dinos really didn’t exist until then. A subsequent visit to Ixalan, along with mechanically-unique Jurassic Park cards, have fleshed out the creature type and given it a bit of an identity.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gishath, Sun&#039;s Avatar"></div></div>
<p>Dinos are typically big, strong, and tough, capable of enduring damage and even welcoming it. So today we're building a Dino deck, featuring one of the legends from <em>Ixalan</em>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gishath, Sun&#039;s Avatar" href="#" target="_blank">Gishath, Sun&#039;s Avatar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gishath, Sun&#039;s Avatar" href="#" target="_blank">Gishath, Sun&#039;s Avatar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<p>Put simply, Gishath eats everything. It chomps on life totals. It swallows blockers. It even eats removal spells like a champ.</p>
<p>And for eight mana, it ought to. For that seemingly steep price, we get a 7/6 with vigilance, trample, and haste. That huge body comes down swinging, can attack and block profitably, and can’t be chump-blocked. All of this with an ability that triggers whenever it connects.</p>
<p>And that ability is a doozy! When it connects, we reveal cards equal to the combat damage the opponent takes from the top of our library and put all of the Dinosaurs revealed this way onto the battlefield.</p>
<p>It’s worth noting that this ability triggers during the combat damage step. The combat phase has five steps: beginning of combat, declare attackers, declare blockers, combat damage, and end of combat, in that order. Since the combat damage step occurs after the declare attackers step, and the creatures do not enter tapped and attacking, the creatures Gishath puts onto the battlefield cannot attack during the combat step they were created, even if they have haste.</p>
<p>While the timing concern may make it seem like granting haste to those creatures is a waste of time, additional combat steps and generally adding haste to curve-toppers is actually vital to giving the deck its identity.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pantlaza, Sun-Favored"></div></div>
<p>For a while, Gishath stood alone as the apex predator at the top of the Dinosaur food chain. But <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pantlaza, Sun-Favored" href="#" target="_blank">Pantlaza, Sun-Favored</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> emerged onto the scene a couple of years ago and has narrowly eclipsed its predecessor in popularity. Apparently, being the Avatar of the Sun is nothing compared to earning its favor!</p>
<p>Pantlaza is a 4/4 for five mana, so it's more aggressively-costed and comes down earlier than Gishath. It has an ability that is similar to cascade, and it grants that to Dinosaurs that enter after it. <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/giott-king-of-the-dwarves-deck-tech" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Like Giott last week</a>, Pantlaza is a card advantage engine that doesn't require anything beyond what we're already doing: casting Dinosaurs.</p>
<p>So why would we go with Gishath over Pantlaza? It comes down to explosive potential. Pantlaza is a great commander. It synergizes well with the high mana curve-toppers and tendency towards escalation of Dinosaurs. It gives the deck inevitability by churning out card advantage in the form of multiple Dinosaurs entering the battlefield per turn.</p>
<p>But it doesn’t have the excitement of Gishath’s ability, and it will often fail to find worthwhile cards to discover. Gishath, even if blocked, will typically flip more cards for a higher total mana value than Pantlaza. It’s a tough call, but Gishath’s ability to put Dinosaurs into play regardless of mana value makes the deck operate more like a ramp or combo deck and less like a reskinned midrange deck.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gishath, Sun&#039;s Avatar" href="#" target="_blank">Gishath, Sun&#039;s Avatar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>While the creatures flipped off of Gishath can’t attack the same turn without being granted haste and having additional combats, we still want to grant our creatures haste.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rhythm of the Wild"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fires of Yavimaya"></div></div>
<p>Why is haste so important? Because the later games go, the less likely it is that our threats will live through a full table rotation. As odd as it may sound, Gishath’s ability is a closer. It’s there to seal the game off in a flurry of scales, feathers, claws, and fangs.</p>
<p>As an eight-mana spell, quite a lot will have happened before it drops onto the table, and, if it’s the only threat on our board at that time, it may have some trouble finding an open target.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fervor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Concordant Crossroads"></div></div>
<p>Cards like <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> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fires of Yavimaya" href="#" target="_blank">Fires of Yavimaya</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, however, hit the board in the sweet spot between our ramp spells and our Dinosaurs. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fervor" href="#" target="_blank">Fervor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Concordant Crossroads" href="#" target="_blank">Concordant Crossroads</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> give that ability to everyone, which encourages players to attack each other and leaves them open to counterattacks.</p>
<p>All of these cards are low mana value and would be redundant if flipped off of a Pantlaza trigger, while Gishath can just put them on the bottom.</p>
<p>Speaking of fitting in under ramp, Dinosaurs have some powerful type-specific ramp spells, having been designed as big green monsters.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Otepec Huntmaster"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Knight of the Stampede"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Otepec Huntmaster" href="#" target="_blank">Otepec Huntmaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Knight of the Stampede" href="#" target="_blank">Knight of the Stampede</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are a couple of the ways we have to reduce the cost of Dinosaurs, including our commander, enabling the beatdown plan whether it's out or not. And therein lies the necessity of the haste enablers: We can’t count on our commander being out and need to be able to assume the aggressor role before it lands and in between times it's been removed.</p>
<p>Eight mana is a lot to start, and upwards of 10 to 12 mana in subsequent turns means we’ll likely be tapping out to cast it.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Greater Good"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Primal Surge"></div></div>
<p>So, what do we do if Gishath gets removed? We try to load up our hand to keep the cards flowing!</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Greater Good" href="#" target="_blank">Greater Good</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of the best cards to do this, as we can sac our commander in response to the removal to draw cards equal to its power and then discard three cards, which will more than likely include some number of lands.</p>
<p>The secret sauce of the deck, however, and a big reason we don’t want to be discovering with Pantlaza, is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Primal Surge" href="#" target="_blank">Primal Surge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This sorcery flips permanents off of the top of the library until the whole thing is on the battlefield or a non-permanent is flipped. With <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Primal Surge" href="#" target="_blank">Primal Surge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> being the only non-permanent in the deck and with all of the haste enablers, Surge is essentially a ten-mana “I win the game” spell.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wakening Sun&#039;s Avatar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thrashing Brontodon"></div></div>
<p>Like with most decks in this series, the initial build is light on removal and non-basic lands. Our removal is built into our creature package, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wakening Sun&#039;s Avatar" href="#" target="_blank">Wakening Sun&#039;s Avatar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> acting as a controllable board wipe and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thrashing Brontodon" href="#" target="_blank">Thrashing Brontodon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> helping to remove problem permanents.</p>
<p>Our basic lands lean green because green pips are the most common among our spells and because we need green to open up our ramp and fixing roles, so green needs to be the first color we play. If we were to include nonbasic lands, we would start with ones that produce green and at least one of our other colors, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Command Tower" href="#" target="_blank">Command Tower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stomping Ground" href="#" target="_blank">Stomping Ground</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>While we can’t use too many of them, one or two colorless utility lands, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kessig Wolf Run" href="#" target="_blank">Kessig Wolf Run</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, could help with the explosion. Targeting Gishath with Wolf Run can do a pretty effective simulation of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Primal Surge" href="#" target="_blank">Primal Surge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, although it’s a largely useless land early.</p>
<h2>How Does This <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gishath, Sun&#039;s Avatar" href="#" target="_blank">Gishath, Sun&#039;s Avatar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Commander Deck Win?</h2>
<p>This Gishath deck looks to ramp into large Dinosaurs, give them haste, and turn them sideways. We can draw lots of cards with all the power we put onto the battlefield, keeping the action flowing and the advantage bar growing.</p>
<h2>Gishath, Sun's Avatar Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Gishath, Sun&#039;s Avatar Commander Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Gishath, Sun&#039;s Avatar
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Akroma&#039;s Memorial
*1 Hammer of Purphoros
*1 Herald&#039;s Horn
*1 The Fire Crystal
*1 The Great Henge
*1 Urza&#039;s Incubator
*1 Vanquisher&#039;s Banner
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 Apex Altisaur
*1 Atzocan Seer
*1 Balamb T-Rexaur
*1 Beast Whisperer
*1 Bronzebeak Foragers
*1 Burning Sun&#039;s Avatar
*1 Carnage Tyrant
*1 Curious Altisaur
*1 Disciple of Freyalise // Garden of Freyalise
*1 Drover of the Mighty
*1 Earthshaker Dreadmaw
*1 Ghalta, Primal Hunger
*1 Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant
*1 Goring Ceratops
*1 Hulking Raptor
*1 Intrepid Paleontologist
*1 Ixalli&#039;s Lorekeeper
*1 Kinjalli&#039;s Caller
*1 Kinjalli&#039;s Sunwing
*1 Knight of the Stampede
*1 Majestic Heliopterus
*1 Marauding Raptor
*1 Otepec Huntmaster
*1 Pantlaza, Sun-Favored
*1 Polyraptor
*1 Rampaging Brontodon
*1 Ravenous Tyrannosaurus
*1 Regisaur Alpha
*1 Samut, Voice of Dissent
*1 Scion of Calamity
*1 Silverclad Ferocidons
*1 Sunfrill Imitator
*1 Temple Altisaur
*1 Thrashing Brontodon
*1 Tranquil Frillback
*1 Tyrranax Rex
*1 Verdant Sun&#039;s Avatar
*1 Wakening Sun&#039;s Avatar
*1 Wayward Swordtooth
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Concordant Crossroads
*1 Fervor
*1 Fires of Yavimaya
*1 Garruk&#039;s Uprising
*1 Greater Good
*1 Guardian Project
*1 Mass Hysteria
*1 Rhythm of the Wild
*1 Rising of the Day
*1 Sylvan Library
*1 Tribute to the World Tree
[/Enchantments]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Garruk, Primal Hunter
[/Planeswalkers]
[Sorceries]
*1 Primal Surge
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Canopy Vista
*1 Cinder Glade
*1 Command Tower
*20 Forest
*1 Hushwood Verge
*1 Jetmir&#039;s Garden
*1 Jungle Shrine
*5 Mountain
*5 Plains
*1 Stomping Ground
*1 Sunpetal Grove
*1 Temple Garden
*1 Thornspire Verge
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>The more recognizable and powerful Dinosaurs are big green monsters, but there are also smaller utility creatures. We look to drop as many permanents onto the battlefield as quickly as we can and give them haste to end the game in a few big combats. Ramping into <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Primal Surge" href="#" target="_blank">Primal Surge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives us a ten mana “I win” button to go along with our explosive eight-mana commander.</p>


Building a Dinosaur Typal Deck with Gishath, Sun's Avatar

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giott, King of the Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Giott, King of the Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/johnthacker">John Thacker</a></h6>
<p>One of the more intriguing elements of Role-Playing Games such as <em>Final Fantasy</em> is the weapons, which offer endless amounts of customization of characters.</p>
<p>Some, such as the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Buster Sword" href="#" target="_blank">Buster Sword</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are iconic and representative of not just the Zanbatou (horse-cleaver blades) of Edo Japan but also the characters who wield them.</p>
<p>Each set seems to bring new ways for creatures to do battle based on the setting of the plane, from the fantastic to the mundane.</p>
<p>Someone has to make these items, and the creature type most commonly associated with making and wielding is Dwarves, where Giott reigns King.</p>
<p>Dwarves go way back to the early days of <em>Magic</em>, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magda, Brazen Outlaw" href="#" target="_blank">Magda, Brazen Outlaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> uniting the type and bringing it not only into the public but all the way into cEDH!</p>
<p>While Magda is a decent Dwarf lord, she's more notable for using them to make Treasures and then using those Treasures to tutor for artifacts and Dragons. She can use Dwarves to create some powerful lines, but she’s not a “true” Dwarf commander. Giott, however, has earned the title of King of the Dwarves for a reason. And yes, “King of the Dwarves” includes Magda.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Giott, King of the Dwarves"></div></div>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giott, King of the Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Giott, King of the Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<p>Giott is a 1/1 with double strike for Boros mana. He comes out quickly and can either lead from the front or sit back and accrue card advantage passively by looting when he, another Dwarf, or an Equipment enter, notably not limited to once a turn despite being an uncommon.</p>
<p>The ability to perform attacking, blocking, and reconnaissance ably lend credence to his claim as king. The aggressive cost allows Giott to make effective use of the rummaging, sculpting the hand early and often while remaining reasonable to cast throughout the game, even as commander tax accrues.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Koll, the Forgemaster"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bruenor Battlehammer"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Koll, the Forgemaster" href="#" target="_blank">Koll, the Forgemaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bruenor Battlehammer" href="#" target="_blank">Bruenor Battlehammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both Dwarf commanders that care about Equipment and could lay a claim to being better Dwarf Equipment commanders than Giott. They, however, lean further into the Equipment part and just happen to be Dwarves.</p>
<p>Koll, in particular, is better with Equipment that enter equipped to tokens, such as those with living weapon. Bruenor, on the other hand, pumps equipped creatures and reduces the cost of equipping. Neither carry the Equipment well, however, so both are unable to lead from the front like Giott.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Depala, Pilot Exemplar" href="#" target="_blank">Depala, Pilot Exemplar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is able to lead from the front, and she even acts as a lord for Dwarves, but she focuses on Vehicles instead of Equipment. While there is space for a Dwarf Vehicle deck, especially one that uses Vehicles to tap creatures for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magda, Brazen Outlaw" href="#" target="_blank">Magda, Brazen Outlaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, it would go against the traditional lore of Dwarves as mountainfolk and forgemasters, which is cool but less established.</p>
<p>Giott reigns king because of his aggressive cost and ability to play offense, defense, and card velocity engine. It’s rare to find all of these in an aggressively costed package, and even rarer in a kindred package, making Giott a hidden gem of the <em>Final Fantasy</em> set.</p>
<p>Dwarves occupy an odd space in the kindred world, as they want Equipment, but heavy Equipment decks tend to lean towards singularly powerful threats, such as the ones created in Voltron decks. Giott needs help to become that big, but the double strike accentuates every Equipment he racks up.</p>
<p>Since he’s not that big, however, Giott is just as happy to build up a weapons storehouse and suit up his brethren, taking up their arms only after they’ve fallen.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giott, King of the Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Giott, King of the Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Priest of Ancient Lore"></div></div>
<p>Giott is the rare case where he needs two different categories of cards to work together and form a cohesive offensive strategy.</p>
<p>Thankfully, his rummaging gives him the card velocity and selection needed to bridge the two. Dwarves and Equipment are also flexible enough that they can serve multiple roles.</p>
<p>For example, the aforementioned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bruenor Battlehammer" href="#" target="_blank">Bruenor Battlehammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>’s cost reduction of equip abilities behaves as additional ramp and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Priest of Ancient Lore" href="#" target="_blank">Priest of Ancient Lore</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a Dwarf that gains life and draws a card when it enters, which helps increase the options for future rummaging.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bearded Axe"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Trailblazer&#039;s Boots"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Maul of the Skyclaves"></div></div>
<p>Dwarves tend to have middling stats, with some being aggressively costed small creatures with relevant abilities, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reyav, Master Smith" href="#" target="_blank">Reyav, Master Smith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>’s 2/2 for two that gives double strike to attacking equipped creatures, and some being higher-costed and power-heavy, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bruenor Battlehammer" href="#" target="_blank">Bruenor Battlehammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>’s 5/3 for four mana.</p>
<p>As a result, our secondary synergy category consists of Equipment that increase power, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bearded Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Bearded Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, provide evasion, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Trailblazer&#039;s Boots" href="#" target="_blank">Trailblazer&#039;s Boots</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or combine the two, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maul of the Skyclaves" href="#" target="_blank">Maul of the Skyclaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can even auto-equip itself!</p>
<p>These pieces provide the punch needed to break through the inevitable board stalls that occur when small Boros creatures meet big green beasties.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Prying Blade"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beamtown Beatstick"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Diamond Pick-Axe"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goldvein Pick"></div></div>
<p>One of the benefits of Equipment is that they have been featured so many times in so many sets and at so many rarities that they're flexible enough to perform a variety of tasks.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prying Blade" href="#" target="_blank">Prying Blade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beamtown Beatstick" href="#" target="_blank">Beamtown Beatstick</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Diamond Pick-Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Diamond Pick-Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goldvein Pick" href="#" target="_blank">Goldvein Pick</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are all functional reprints, each of which makes Treasure tokens when the creature connects, which doubles when the creature has double strike, such as Giott’s natural combat ability and Reyav’s universal ability.</p>
<p>These double triggers help to power out the deck’s more explosive turns: as any combo player can attest, a steady stream of mana and cards are the bread and butter, with payoff cards as the meat!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Infiltration Lens"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glimmer Lens"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mask of Memory"></div></div>
<p>Speaking of functional reprints that trigger on combat, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Infiltration Lens" href="#" target="_blank">Infiltration Lens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glimmer Lens" href="#" target="_blank">Glimmer Lens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mask of Memory" href="#" target="_blank">Mask of Memory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all draw or loot with similar timing.</p>
<p>That may seem a bit excessive, given our commander’s ability to rummage, and this is where the deck’s customization can come in. In an unknown playgroup (which is what I build these decks for), I tend to lean towards less interaction, a lower power level, and a more linear strategy.</p>
<p>I also like to plan for the commander to be unavailable, due to excessive commander tax, oppressive static abilities, or other adverse situations.</p>
<p>As a result, a small draw dedicated draw package helps the deck draw through land pockets, fix mana, and find action, although these ten cards could be cut in favor of removal, interaction, or even a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> package.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sunforger"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Citizen&#039;s Crowbar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dispatch"></div></div>
<p>Removal, interaction, or a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> package would make the deck more skill-intensive and more custom to a given playgroup, which is why the current incarnation eschews them.</p>
<p>There are some Equipment that can double as removal, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Citizen&#039;s Crowbar" href="#" target="_blank">Citizen&#039;s Crowbar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which would maintain the deck’s ratio while sneaking in a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Naturalize" href="#" target="_blank">Naturalize</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Interaction such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Path to Exile" href="#" target="_blank">Path to Exile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dispatch" href="#" target="_blank">Dispatch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can deal with the large creatures that can brick wall our smaller Dwarves, and can even slot into a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> package.</p>
<p>The <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> package would consist of the titular card plus nine instants to tutor up. The ability to tutor up those nine cards is a powerful one, but it makes decisions difficult, including our rummaging, as we don’t want to draw the tutorable cards and we risk reducing the amount of live targets it can find.</p>
<h2>How Does This <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giott, King of the Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Giott, King of the Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Commander Deck Win?</h2>
<p>This Giott deck looks to flood the board with Equipment and Dwarves and then punch through damage. It's very much an aggro-combo deck looking to attack early and often while opponents are setting up.</p>
<p>Our curve is relatively low, and we can easily cast multiple spells in the same turn. Equip costs, multi-spelling, and commander tax all provide reasons to run extra lands.</p>
<h2>Giott, King of the Dwarves Commander Decklist</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Giott, King of the Dwarves Commander Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Giott, King of the Dwarves
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Aerial Responder
*1 Axgard Cavalry
*1 Bruenor Battlehammer
*1 Digsite Engineer
*1 Duergar Hedge-Mage
*1 Dwarven Bloodboiler
*1 Dwarven Castle Guard
*1 Dwarven Recruiter
*1 Fairgrounds Warden
*1 Gimli of the Glittering Caves
*1 Glóin, Dwarf Emissary
*1 Hammers of Moradin
*1 Hofri Ghostforge
*1 Insufferable Balladeer
*1 Koll, the Forgemaster
*1 Magda, Brazen Outlaw
*1 Plundering Barbarian
*1 Priest of Ancient Lore
*1 Restoration Specialist
*1 Reyav, Master Smith
*1 Sram, Senior Edificer
*1 Tataru Taru
*1 Toolcraft Exemplar
*1 Torbran, Thane of Red Fell
*1 Warchanter Skald
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Basilisk Collar
*1 Beamtown Beatstick
*1 Bearded Axe
*1 Bloodforged Battle-Axe
*1 Buster Sword
*1 Celestial Armor
*1 Colossus Hammer
*1 Conjurer&#039;s Mantle
*1 Diamond Pick-Axe
*1 Dwarven Hammer
*1 Gimli&#039;s Axe
*1 Glimmer Lens
*1 Goldvein Pick
*1 Hammer of Nazahn
*1 Heirloom Blade
*1 Hoard Hauler
*1 Infiltration Lens
*1 Leyline Axe
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Mask of Memory
*1 Maul of the Skyclaves
*1 Paradise Mantle
*1 Prying Blade
*1 Rogue&#039;s Gloves
*1 Shadowspear
*1 Skullclamp
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Sword of the Animist
*1 The Reaver Cleaver
*1 Trailblazer&#039;s Boots
*1 Two-Handed Axe // Sweeping Cleave
*1 Zephyr Boots
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Open the Armory
*1 Steelshaper&#039;s Gift
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*20 Mountain
*20 Plains
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>This is an aggressive kindred deck, aiming to attack early and often. We don’t need much setup; we want to attack opponents while they are setting up.</p>
<p>We have some ways to punch through damage and break board stalls, as well as to rummage through our library using our commander’s passive ability.</p>
<p>How would you use those final slots? Would you want extra velocity, removal, interaction, or a Sunforger package?</p>


Giott, King of the Dwarves Deck Tech

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hermes, Overseer of Elpis" href="#" target="_blank">Hermes, Overseer of Elpis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://darius_zablockis.artstation.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Darius Zablockis</a></em></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hermes, Overseer of Elpis" href="#" target="_blank">Hermes, Overseer of Elpis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a new commander that comes out flying like the eponymous Greek God with winged shoes. Birds of a feather stick together, and Hermes knows how to get the flock out of here!</p>
<p>Interestingly, Hermes pulls the deck in a couple of different directions, as he makes Birds similar way to the way <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Murmuring Mystic" href="#" target="_blank">Murmuring Mystic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does, and then capitalizes off of our small, evasive creatures. There’s certainly something to be said for building this as a Spellslinger deck, perhaps with incidental other Birds to take advantage of the secondary ability. But Birds have been struggling to find a solid leader for a while, and Hermes might just be the deity for the job.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hermes, Overseer of Elpis"></div></div>
<p>Like Soldiers from last week, Birds were featured in <em>Onslaught</em> block as a blue-splash-white pairing for Limited purposes. Many leaked into white and shared the Soldier type, and the Aven have historically been Bird Wizards.</p>
<p>More recently, there have been mixes of anthropomorphic birds like Kefnet’s followers in places like <em>Amonkhet</em>, and standard Birds, such as the infamous <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Storm Crow" href="#" target="_blank">Storm Crow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> memes. In general, Birds tend to be small flying creatures with a heavy focus in blue, outclassed in the skies by Sphinxes, Dragons, Angels, and Demons.</p>
<p>The low mana value does give some benefits, however, as they offer flexibility in mana. While those big monsters’ controllers are tapping out, the Bird player can leave mana up for interaction, which is where Hermes’s focus on instants and sorceries comes in.</p>
<h2>What Does Hermes, Overseer of Elpis Do?</h2>
<p>Hermes is a powerful <em>Magic</em> card on its own, and it gets even better when it’s built around. It has a mana value of four, which is reasonable for a creature that makes the cards in the deck better, but not so much for a centerpiece card. As a Spellslinger commander, Hermes does a decent <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Talrand, Sky Summoner" href="#" target="_blank">Talrand, Sky Summoner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> impression, making 1/1 Birds with flying and vigilance instead of 2/2 flying Drakes.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Talrand, Sky Summoner"></div></div>
<p>As a Bird commander, however, Hermes scries 2 whenever or more Birds attack, so it can come down and generate immediate value if we cast a Bird anywhere on turns 1-3. Scrying 2 every turn, regardless of whether we cast a nonland spell, is strong, but not necessary for the deck to function. As a result, Hermes is better served as a Bird deck that's better with him in play but can function without him, than as a Spellslinger deck that needs him out to generate value for the primary plan.</p>
<p>Other options do exist for Bird commanders, but most add colors for more flexibility or options, or lean into other mechanics and just happen to be Birds.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tawnos, the Toymaker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Choco, Seeker of Paradise"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gwaihir the Windlord"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tawnos, the Toymaker" href="#" target="_blank">Tawnos, the Toymaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> adds green and doubles Birds, but also doubles Beasts, so it’s really not a proper Bird commander. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akim, the Soaring Wind" href="#" target="_blank">Akim, the Soaring Wind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Choco, Seeker of Paradise" href="#" target="_blank">Choco, Seeker of Paradise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> work with Birds, but are more closely related to tokens and Chocobos specifically.</p>
<p>Kangee has two cards that are decent commanders: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kangee, Aerie Keeper" href="#" target="_blank">Kangee, Aerie Keeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> costs at least seven mana to enter with any Feather counters, but does pump all Birds for those counters, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kangee, Sky Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Kangee, Sky Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> pumps creatures with flying, regardless of type, so it’s less of a Bird commander and more of a Flying commander.</p>
<p>Probably the best option is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gwaihir the Windlord" href="#" target="_blank">Gwaihir the Windlord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who gives Birds vigilance and can reduce its cost if two or more cards were drawn the turn it was cast. But that needs more of a focus on card draw, and the six-mana cost gets prohibitive really fast.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kastral, the Windcrested"></div></div>
<p>What Hermes does that the others don’t is make Birds <em>and</em> makes Birds better. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kastral, the Windcrested" href="#" target="_blank">Kastral, the Windcrested</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is probably the next-best Bird commander, adding white, being a Bird and a flyer, and triggering on combat damage with one or more Birds. With Hermes, however, the Birds just need to attack; they don’t need to connect.</p>
<p>Oddly enough, that means that Hermes can dispatch Birds as scouts to attack into larger boards for the scries, which Kastral can’t do, despite being a Scout itself!</p>
<h2>Key Cards for Hermes, Overseer of Elpis</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rise of Eagles"></div></div>
<p>While Hermes doesn’t need other Birds or Bird producers, it functions better as a Bird deck that wants him in play but doesn’t require it. As a result, we’re packing a solid amount of other Birds and Bird producers, such that the deck can keep attacking with small flyers, even without Hermes out there.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Murmuring Mystic" href="#" target="_blank">Murmuring Mystic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the clear analogy, as its effect is similar to what Hermes does. We do need to be careful with the board state, however, as Mystic’s Birds don’t have vigilance, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rise of Eagles" href="#" target="_blank">Rise of Eagles</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>’s have different stats. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Esior, Wardwing Familiar" href="#" target="_blank">Esior, Wardwing Familiar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a necessary piece to protect Hermes, as it’s not likely to be drawn into combat, but could be a focus for removal. In general, our Birds are small, mana-efficient flyers.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Coastal Piracy"></div></div>
<p>Death by a million pecks might sound like a frustratingly slow way to work through our opponents, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coastal Piracy" href="#" target="_blank">Coastal Piracy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects can bust open those windows of opportunity. An advantage that a large number of hungry beaks has over rows and rows of Dragon fangs is that each beak peck is a separate trigger. Three 2/2s is better than one 6/6 when each is pumped or when each triggers on connecting with the opponent.</p>
<p>The disparity gets even bigger when combined with a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arm with Aether" href="#" target="_blank">Arm with Aether</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which bounces a creature each time one of ours connects. That way, we don’t have to worry about the backswing!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wash Out"></div></div>
<p>Speaking of backswings and avoiding them, we want to play some removal to avoid getting smacked or stonewalled by larger creatures. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pongify" href="#" target="_blank">Pongify</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and related effects are excellent sources of removal because they replace larger threats or flying blockers with creatures that don’t fly. As a result, the body we leave behind is largely inconsequential.</p>
<p>We can also sweep those tokens away with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spectral Deluge" href="#" target="_blank">Spectral Deluge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wash Out" href="#" target="_blank">Wash Out</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can act as the sort of backbreaking board wipes that double as finishers.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Counterspell"></div></div>
<p>Speaking of backbreaking board wipes, one of the weaknesses of a Hermes Bird deck is that it's susceptible to getting blown out by overextending.</p>
<p>A Hermes Spellslinger deck can re-cast the commander and build back the board state quickly, but runs the risk of the commander getting too expensive from targeted and mass destruction. A Hermes Bird deck is more resilient to targeted removal because it's less dependent on Hermes, but needs to avoid overextending into a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrath of God" href="#" target="_blank">Wrath of God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effect.</p>
<p>While playing around them takes time, patience, and practice, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Counterspell" href="#" target="_blank">Counterspell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects can be invaluable, but it's important to use them properly. This is not a control deck; we’re not aiming to counter everything. We’re not even aiming to counter opposing threats. Our counters are in our deck to protect our board.</p>
<p>If we use them at other times, we may wind up losing counter wars at pivotal times. If you do find yourself losing such a counter war, try looking at your grave at the end of the game and ask yourself if you didn’t see them or if you burned them too early. That’ll help you figure out if you really need more or if you need to use them more sparingly.</p>
<h2>How Does This Hermes, Overseer of Elpis Commander Deck Win?</h2>
<p>Hermes is a tempo deck, which makes it an aggro deck with some light control elements. The big difference between tempo decks and aggro/control decks is that tempo decks are aggressive decks that use control elements like removal and counterspells to create openings to push through attacks and to protect threats, while aggro/control decks look to control the board long enough for the aggressive elements to close the game out.</p>
<p>This is not a control deck in any sense of the term, and it lacks the resources to effectively control three opponents simultaneously. What it can do is beat down with small flyers, using counters to keep beating down and removal to open opponents’ boards to being attacked.</p>
<h2>Hermes, Overseer of Elpis Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Hermes, Overseer of Elpis Commander Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Hermes, Overseer of Elpis
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Aether Channeler
*1 Augury Owl
*1 Clinquant Skymage
*1 Crookclaw Elder
*1 Cruel Witness
*1 Curiosity Crafter
*1 Enduring Curiosity
*1 Esior, Wardwing Familiar
*1 Harrier Strix
*1 Keeper of the Nine Gales
*1 Knightfisher
*1 Ledger Shredder
*1 Mist Raven
*1 Mockingbird
*1 Murder of Crows
*1 Murmuring Mystic
*1 Plumecreed Escort
*1 Sage Aven
*1 Sage Owl
*1 Soaring Show-Off
*1 Spire Owl
*1 Storm Crow
*1 Strix Lookout
*1 Thieving Magpie
*1 Thrummingbird
*1 Ultimecia, Temporal Threat
*1 Vexing Radgull
*1 Warden of Evos Isle
*1 Wingblade Disciple
*1 Zephyr Falcon
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Airborne Aid
*1 Alrund&#039;s Epiphany
*1 Arm with Aether
*1 Curse of the Swine
*1 Open into Wonder
*1 Ravenform
*1 Rise of Eagles
*1 Sleep
*1 Spectral Deluge
*1 Wash Out
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Coastal Piracy
*1 Reconnaissance Mission
[/Enchantments]
[Artifacts]
*1 Bident of Thassa
*1 The Indomitable
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Aetherize
*1 An Offer You Can&#039;t Refuse
*1 Arcane Denial
*1 Counterspell
*1 Disallow
*1 Disdainful Stroke
*1 Dissipate
*1 Negate
*1 Pongify
*1 Rapid Hybridization
*1 Reality Shift
*1 Resculpt
*1 Strix Serenade
*1 Swan Song
*1 Tale&#039;s End
[/Instants]
[Lands]
*40 Island
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>This is a moderately fast tempo deck, seeking to attack with small evasive threats while protecting its board and removing blockers. Attacking draws us cards and gains information and resources, enabling future attacks. The low mana value of our Birds gives us the flexibility to go wide and cast spells. This flexibility makes Hermes a better Bird commander than a Spellslinger one.</p>
<p>This deck is for those who enjoy attacking, as well as those who enjoy Delver and Canadian Threshold decks. Those decks are similarly aggressive tempo decks, built to beat down while using control elements to enable that aggression and keep windows for attack open.</p>


Building a Bird Typal Deck with Hermes, Overseer of Elpis

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Miles &quot;Tails&quot; Prower" href="#" target="_blank">Miles &quot;Tails&quot; Prower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/johnthacker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Thacker</a></em></p>
<p>I’m not that into video games, but Sonic is one of the few I do have some history with, as I grew up with a neighbor that had a Sega system with <em>Sonic 2</em>. I loved that game because, unlike <em>Final Fantasy</em>, it had a multiplayer mode, so I got to play, too.</p>
<p>My neighbor would get first pick of character because it was his system and game, so I would be Tails while he would be Sonic. With the advent of the most recently-announced Secret Lair, I can relive those memories by making a Tails deck and suiting him up with every machine known to man (and some known only to Foxes).</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Miles &quot;Tails&quot; Prower"></div></div>
<p>Interestingly enough, Foxes were recently featured in <em>Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty</em>, along with the return of Vehicles and the creation of the Pilot creature type. Vehicles are an artifact subtype that have power and toughness only when animated or crewed, although their other abilities can be used whether they're crewed or not.</p>
<p>Their tapping abilities are affected by summoning sickness when animated or crewed, but not otherwise. As a result, one needs to be careful when crewing or animating Vehicles.</p>
<p>Tails never was the more intuitive of the two characters, but figuring things out always made me feel like a genius, and this Tails deck can make you feel that way, too!</p>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Miles &quot;Tails&quot; Prower" href="#" target="_blank">Miles &quot;Tails&quot; Prower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<p>Miles is a 3/1 flier for three with flash, which is fairly aggressively costed for an Azorius (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) legendary creature. Flash functions a lot like haste, enabling Tails to come down on an open board or one post-wrath and get some chip in. Do it seven times, and you can steal a game with commander damage!</p>
<p>Speaking of functioning like haste, crewing Vehicles is an outside ability, so creatures that are summoning sick can still be used to crew. Crewing cares about power and protects the creature from combat (although that part I never understood from a Vorthos perspective: How does the destruction of a Vehicle not affect those crewing it? They must have excellent safety precautions!). Tails’s small toughness, therefore, is not all that important.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shorikai, Genesis Engine"></div></div>
<p>There are two primary commanders people tend to think of when it comes to Azorius Vehicles: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shorikai, Genesis Engine" href="#" target="_blank">Shorikai, Genesis Engine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kotori, Pilot Prodigy" href="#" target="_blank">Kotori, Pilot Prodigy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Both of them happen to be in this deck, primarily because of how powerful they are.</p>
<p>Shorikai is a Vehicle that can be a commander, and it generates Pilots to crew itself and other Vehicles. It also functions as a card draw/selection engine and a means of loading up the graveyard. Kotori is a Pilot that alters crew costs to be crew 2, which can significantly lower the cost of crewing and enable aggressive turns. It also gives an artifact creature lifelink and vigilance on each of our combats.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kotori, Pilot Prodigy"></div></div>
<p>What sets Tails apart from the others, in addition to the IP and nostalgia factors, is that Tails combines the draw from Shorikai with the augmenting and crewing from Kotori. Tails draws a card when a Vehicle with flying enters or gives flying to a Vehicle entering without it.</p>
<p>Vehicles tend to have above-rate power and toughness, enabling them to attack for large amounts of power at the cost of needing to be crewed. Tails has a body that crews Vehicles easily and an ability that makes those above-rate Vehicles evasive. He combines what the others do well in one adorably aggressive package.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Miles &quot;Tails&quot; Prower" href="#" target="_blank">Miles &quot;Tails&quot; Prower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>Tails’ primary need is Vehicles. A lot of them. Without Vehicles, he can still be an interesting tempo commander, but the Vehicles are where the draw engine and evasive addendums come into play.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Smuggler&#039;s Copter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Peacewalker Colossus"></div></div>
<p><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> is the poster child for the power of Vehicles, having been banned in Standard almost as quickly as it entered. Speaking of it entering, it has flying, so Tails can draw a card when the Copter enters, and it can block and loot (hence the Looter Scooter nickname) the same turn it comes down.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Peacewalker Colossus" href="#" target="_blank">Peacewalker Colossus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an ironically-named beater, given that it neither promotes peace nor walks (if Tails comes down first). It also has an activated ability that animates Vehicles, making it one of the more dangerous cards in the deck.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cyberdrive Awakener"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Armed and Armored"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dance of the Manse"></div></div>
<p>The reason why the Colossus is so dangerous is because it can animate multiple Vehicles. One of the downsides of playing too many Vehicles is that going up the crewing ladder has diminishing returns. Vehicles stacking up like Matryoshka dolls goes tall but not wide, and can only go as tall as the last Vehicle crewed.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyberdrive Awakener" href="#" target="_blank">Cyberdrive Awakener</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> animates and pumps the Vehicles, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Armed and Armored" href="#" target="_blank">Armed and Armored</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> animates, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dance of the Manse" href="#" target="_blank">Dance of the Manse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> <em>re</em>animates. All three of these cards make it so our collection of mechs can be controlled remotely; you could even call them autopilot cards!</p>
<p>One of the primary benefits Tails has over other Azorius Vehicles commanders is that he has a built-in engine: Each Vehicle entering either draws cards or gains flying. In order to use the card draw engine, we need to be casting multiple Vehicles in a turn, digging as deep as we can to try to find one of the autopilot cards.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Etherium Sculptor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Foundry Inspector"></div></div>
<p>While digging, we don't want to be hamstrung on mana, so we need cost-reduction effects. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Etherium Sculptor" href="#" target="_blank">Etherium Sculptor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one that comes to mind quickly, having fueled powerful artifact decks since players were just learning the name “Esper.” It and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Foundry Inspector" href="#" target="_blank">Foundry Inspector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> help to give the deck the velocity to rip through our library and fill up our garage with as many mechs, skyships, cars, and boats as we can fit.</p>
<p>A quality of Vehicles that's a double-edged sword is that they aren’t creatures when they aren’t crewed. This is a benefit in that they're difficult to remove: they can’t be hit by creature removal, mass or spot, on anyone else’s turn, unless we make them vulnerable. The downside is that it means that we're wide open to being attacked when they aren’t animated.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Swords to Plowshares"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dispatch"></div></div>
<p>As a result, we need to pack removal for when opponents inevitably turn on us. Much of our removal is instant-speed stock removal, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swords to Plowshares" href="#" target="_blank">Swords to Plowshares</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dispatch" href="#" target="_blank">Dispatch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, both of which exile opponents' threats for the low, low price of one white mana. We want stuff dead and not coming back, and we want it done for cheap, as our mana should be spent advancing our board.</p>
<h2>How Does This Miles "Tails" Prower Commander Deck Win?</h2>
<p>Miles wins through a fairly linear play pattern: cast Vehicles, crew Vehicles, smash with Vehicles. He has an easier time smashing with them when they have flying and an easier time building the board by drawing off of the ones that already do.</p>
<p>What we're hoping to find through all of that digging is a mass animation spell, so that all of our Vehicles can attack, preferably with flying, and eliminate multiple opponents.</p>
<h2>Miles "Tails" Prower Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Miles" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Miles &quot;Tails&quot; Prower
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Aerial Surveyor
*1 Brotherhood Vertibird
*1 Cargo Ship
*1 Deluxe Dragster
*1 Imperial Recovery Unit
*1 Imposter Mech
*1 Mechtitan Core
*1 Mighty Servant of Leuk-o
*1 Mindlink Mech
*1 Mobile Garrison
*1 Mobilizer Mech
*1 Nautiloid Ship
*1 Parhelion II
*1 Peacewalker Colossus
*1 Prodigy&#039;s Prototype
*1 Reaver Titan
*1 Reckoner Bankbuster
*1 Salvation Engine
*1 Shorikai, Genesis Engine
*1 Skysovereign, Consul Flagship
*1 Smuggler&#039;s Copter
*1 Surgehacker Mech
*1 The Indomitable
*1 The Lunar Whale
*1 The Regalia
*1 Thopter Fabricator
*1 Thunderhawk Gunship
*1 Unidentified Hovership
*1 Unlicensed Hearse
*1 Weatherlight
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 Aeronaut Admiral
*1 Cid, Freeflier Pilot
*1 Cyberdrive Awakener
*1 Etherium Sculptor
*1 Foundry Inspector
*1 Gold Myr
*1 Hotshot Mechanic
*1 Interface Ace
*1 Kitsune Ace
*1 Kotori, Pilot Prodigy
*1 Lita, Mechanical Engineer
*1 Ornithopter of Paradise
*1 Palladium Myr
*1 Silver Myr
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Stenn, Paranoid Partisan
*1 Vedalken Engineer
*1 Voyager Quickwelder
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Armed and Armored
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Dispatch
*1 Generous Gift
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Reality Shift
*1 Stroke of Midnight
*1 Swords to Plowshares
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Dance of the Manse
*1 Organic Extinction
*1 Vanquish the Horde
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*20 Island
*20 Plains
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>This is a medium-speed engine-based deck, so those who enjoy midrange and fairly standard Commander strategies will like this. We also have just enough explosive power to appeal to those who enjoy combo decks.</p>
<p>It’s always fun to find an Azorius commander that doesn’t look to stifle opponents’ fun and/or creativity, and this one is a ton of fun to play, whether you like the IP or not!</p>


Building a Vehicles Deck with Miles "Tails" Prower

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heidegger, Shinra Executive" href="#" target="_blank">Heidegger, Shinra Executive</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CDanciao%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Danciao</a></em></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heidegger, Shinra Executive" href="#" target="_blank">Heidegger, Shinra Executive</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a new commander that supports the Soldier creature type by helping the little guys go wide and tall at the same time. He’s a solid curve-topper, flooding the board with Soldiers by himself and coming with a reasonable mana value and decently aggressive stats.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Heidegger, Shinra Executive"></div></div>
<p>One of the intriguing aspects of building typal decks is that even if decks share colors, they will rarely share many cards. While we <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-a-cleric-typal-deck-with-minwu-white-mage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">looked at a mono-white list last week</a>, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Minwu, White Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Minwu, White Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Clerics, the decks have very different structures, means of attack, and board states.</p>
<p>If you’re getting tired of seeing the same old staples, try a typal deck!</p>
<p>It’s always fun when an older creature type gets a boost from a new set, whether it’s within the <em>Magic</em> IP or from <em>Universes Beyond</em>. Soldiers have flooded the board since <em>Alliances</em> with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kjeldoran Outpost" href="#" target="_blank">Kjeldoran Outpost</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and were pushed even further as the representative white weenie type in <em>Onslaught</em>.</p>
<p>Nearly every set features new Soldiers, as establishing the presence, type, and strength of the military is integral to worldbuilding. As a result, Soldiers pop up on seemingly every plane.</p>
<p>This can get a little confusing, however, as some Soldiers have additional typing while others are generic grunts. For example, even if a Soldier token depicts a Human Soldier, it won’t trigger things that care about Humans.</p>
<h2>What Does Heidegger, Shinra Executive Do?</h2>
<p>One of the more subtle but important aspects of Heidegger is his mana value. As with the Minwu deck, we'll spend our early turns adding to the board instead of casting spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. As a result, we rely on hitting land drops to cast our spells on-curve instead of using mana rocks to cast spells early.</p>
<p>So, what is Heidegger’s mana value, and why does it matter? His mana value is four, which matters because four is an important number when it comes to sweepers in Commander. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrath of God" href="#" target="_blank">Wrath of God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Damnation" href="#" target="_blank">Damnation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are older than the format itself; green decks tend to reach the kinds of threats we can’t attack into; and blue decks are almost to the point of being able to leave mana up every turn.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wrath of God"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Odric, Master Tactician"></div></div>
<p>Our commander comes out at the perfect moment to make an impact: punishing wraths, making green-sized threats, and hitting the field just before a permission spell ceases to be a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Time Walk" href="#" target="_blank">Time Walk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for the blue player.</p>
<p>While there are other options for Soldier commanders, most of them center on manipulating combat and enabling aggression. They aren't threats themselves, however, so they don't do anything the deck doesn’t already do.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Odric, Master Tactician" href="#" target="_blank">Odric, Master Tactician</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a solid Soldier commander: It costs four, has first strike and an additional point of toughness, and allows us to determine who attacks and blocks (if anyone). It gets around green decks and under blue decks, but it doesn’t enable us to recover from a wrath, which are becoming increasingly popular.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harbin, Vanguard Aviator" href="#" target="_blank">Harbin, Vanguard Aviator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commander Mustard" href="#" target="_blank">Commander Mustard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> both add a color, with Harbin being a cheap early flyer that gives flying to all creatures we control and Mustard being a more expensive curve-topper that gives vigilance, trample, and haste to all Soldiers, as well as an activated ability that lets Soldiers ping opponents when they attack.</p>
<p>While they both provide reach (in terms of ways around blockers), neither acts as wrath protection or a post-wrath threat.</p>
<p>What Heidegger does for Soldiers that's unique is provide a post-wrath threat. By himself, he represents wave after wave of Soldier tokens, one of which can get very big. He doesn’t need to enter combat himself to do it, either, so he can keep himself out of harm’s way, especially when opponents can present blockers.</p>
<p>These small moments are amplified when considering the roadblocks aggro decks face nowadays, including the relative size of modern creatures and the presence of lifelink on evasive threats. Racing is key, and creating opportunities for chip damage can make all-out attacks deadly later.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for Heidegger, Shinra Executive</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Myrel, Shield of Argive"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Prava of the Steel Legion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hero of Bladehold"></div></div>
<p>It should come as no surprise that Soldier decks need Soldiers. What may be somewhat surprising, though, is the amount of cards that make Soldier tokens. Our commander is one of them, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Myrel, Shield of Argive" href="#" target="_blank">Myrel, Shield of Argive</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a similar effect, albeit one that shuts off instant-speed interaction and is a bit worse at following up a wrath effect.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prava of the Steel Legion" href="#" target="_blank">Prava of the Steel Legion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a neat partner commander option that not only makes Soldiers but also toughens them up, helping them survive <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pyroclasm" href="#" target="_blank">Pyroclasm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Infest" href="#" target="_blank">Infest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hero of Bladehold" href="#" target="_blank">Hero of Bladehold</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a nasty beatdown creature, making Soldiers and putting out a battle cry that our little Soldiers desperately need in order to present a threat.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Daru Warchief"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rescue Retriever"></div></div>
<p>Soldiers need anthems to unite under. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Daru Warchief" href="#" target="_blank">Daru Warchief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of the best, providing power, toughness, and a cost reduction for Soldiers. The cost reduction is vital because we don’t play mana rocks, but we do want to hit the ground running.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rescue Retriever" href="#" target="_blank">Rescue Retriever</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is not only the best boy but also is a rare Dog Soldier that isn’t a humanoid from Tarkir. The doggo is an inspiration to the troops, rallying them in the form of permanent boosts via +1/+1 counters. After all, who better to bring troops together than an adorable mascot?</p>
<p>While the majority of the deck is designed around Soldiers and anthems, we do have a couple of other important roles to fill.</p>
<p>Since we need a critical mass of bodies and mass pump effects, as well as ways to get out of board slogs, we need card draw. The majority of that draw is tied to the monarch, as we can get damage in quickly and sneak bodies through for small amounts of damage and regaining the monarch.</p>
<p>The presence of the monarch can also direct threats away from us so we don’t have to spend resources blocking, in addition to being thematic: Soldiers protect monarchs, after all!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Akroma&#039;s Will"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brave the Elements"></div></div>
<p>The other major role we need is board protection, as we need permanents to stick around in order to stack abilities and develop a board presence. These cards are essentially the same as those from last week’s Cleric deck.</p>
<p>Dawn seems to be an ideal time of day for both Clerics and Soldiers, as both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dawn Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Dawn Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dawn&#039;s Truce" href="#" target="_blank">Dawn&#039;s Truce</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can protect our board. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akroma&#039;s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Akroma&#039;s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brave the Elements" href="#" target="_blank">Brave the Elements</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are arguably better here than in the Cleric deck, as they enable big pushes of damage, slamming our large board into our opponents’ faces.</p>
<h2>How Does This Heidegger, Shinra Executive Commander Deck Win?</h2>
<p>Heidegger is a white weenie deck, plain and simple. We’re looking to fill the ground with small bodies early, pump those bodies with anthems, and either recoup card draw with the monarch or protect our board. We want to hit hard, hit early, and wrap the game up quickly before our threats get outclassed.</p>
<p>We have some light interaction, as well as some ways to create opportunities, like using <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dawn Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Dawn Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fog" href="#" target="_blank">Fog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to catch opponents overextending and hit them hard on the crack back. As simple as the deck may seem, patience, timing, and flexibility can be the difference between winning and losing.</p>
<p>And what would a Soldier deck be without tactical decisions?</p>
<h2>Heidegger, Shinra Executive Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Heidegger, Shinra Executive Commander Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Heidegger, Shinra Executive
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Archetype of Courage
*1 Archon of Coronation
*1 Ballyrush Banneret
*1 Bastion Protector
*1 Benalish Commander
*1 Boromir, Warden of the Tower
*1 Bounty Agent
*1 Brimaz, King of Oreskos
*1 Captain of the Watch
*1 Catapult Master
*1 Cathar Commando
*1 Champions of Minas Tirith
*1 Coppercoat Vanguard
*1 Daru Warchief
*1 Esper Sentinel
*1 Field Marshal
*1 Firemane Commando
*1 Goldnight Commander
*1 Haazda Marshal
*1 Hero of Bladehold
*1 Intrepid Hero
*1 Keeper of the Accord
*1 Knight-Captain of Eos
*1 Lossarnach Captain
*1 Myrel, Shield of Argive
*1 Odric, Master Tactician
*1 Palace Jailer
*1 Palace Sentinels
*1 Platoon Dispenser
*1 Prava of the Steel Legion
*1 Precinct Captain
*1 Preeminent Captain
*1 Protector of the Crown
*1 Recruitment Officer
*1 Rescue Retriever
*1 Resolute Reinforcements
*1 Reverent Hoplite
*1 Siege Veteran
*1 Thalia, Heretic Cathar
*1 Valiant Veteran
*1 Veteran Swordsmith
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Court of Ardenvale
*1 Court of Grace
*1 Noble Purpose
*1 SOLDIER Military Program
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 Akroma&#039;s Will
*1 And They Shall Know No Fear
*1 Brave the Elements
*1 Clever Concealment
*1 Dawn Charm
*1 Dawn&#039;s Truce
*1 Divine Resilience
*1 Duty Beyond Death
*1 Flare of Fortitude
*1 Make a Stand
*1 Unbreakable Formation
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Coin of Fate
*1 Coveted Jewel
[/Artifacts]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Elspeth, Storm Slayer
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*40 Plains
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>This is a fairly fast and aggressive typal deck, with its speed and board protection serving as positive traits while it’s hindered a bit by being comprised of individually small creatures and lacking strong card advantage engines.</p>
<p>We want to be pushing the pace from the beginning, putting out Soldier tokens instead of building up mana. As a result, our curve is moderately low, with our commander as a curve-topping threat that hits hard after a wrath. Heidegger wants to flood the red zone, even if it’s not safe for him to venture out himself.</p>
<p>This deck is for those who enjoy attacking, as well as those who enjoy the Vorthos/Melvin element of pieces fitting together thematically. It does take some patience to find the moments to attack profitably, as well as the willingness to see acceptable losses in order to gain advantages like the monarch.</p>
<p>When you find new ways to create openings, it’s a lot of fun, and it shows how fun aggressive decks can be!</p>


Building a Soldier Typal Deck with Heidegger, Shinra Executive

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Minwu, White Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Minwu, White Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.josuhernaiz.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Josu Hernaiz</a></em></p>
<p>One of the things I love about Universes Beyond is that, even though none of the universes <em>Magic</em> has gone to have spoken to me yet, there are a lot of cool legends that show creativity in design and add to the card pool in intriguing ways. As a result, I choose to see them as unique game pieces rather than delving into the lore of a series of games I’ll never play. One of my favorite games to play during spoiler season is to try to find legends that either add layers to existing cards, or commons and uncommons that provide a critical mass of effects to enable existing strategies. One of the commanders that caught my eye in <em>Final Fantasy </em>is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Minwu, White Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Minwu, White Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Minwu, White Mage"></div></div>
<p>Minwu provides support for a classic typal strategy, Clerics. Clerics have been around since the beginning of <em>Magic</em>, seeing particular success in <em>Onslaught</em>, where they were primarily in white with some black. They have historically had a connotation with life gain, although some of their common abilities, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soul Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Soul Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>’s, have occasionally been shared with Wizards, Citizens, and non-occupation creature types. As a result, our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Minwu, White Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Minwu, White Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck will have Clerics and cards that have abilities that work with them.</p>
<h2>What Does Minwu, White Mage Do?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ajani&#039;s Pridemate"></div></div>
<p>The first thing that likely sticks out about Minwu is the prohibitively expensive five-mana casting cost. For a spell to be worth spending that kind of mana in today’s spell economy, it needs to be a curve-topping threat, and Minwu fits that role well. Unfortunately, Minwu does not seem to dominate combat at first glance, despite having both lifelink and vigilance, as the power and toughness are both three. It's worth noting, however, that the last ability, which puts a +1/+1 counter on all Clerics includes itself, so it can act as a much bigger <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ajani&#039;s Pridemate" href="#" target="_blank">Ajani&#039;s Pridemate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that boosts the whole team.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Orah, Skyclave Hierophant"></div></div>
<p>While there are other options for Cleric commanders, most of them happen to be Clerics, but don’t provide a payoff for what Clerics do. For example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Taborax, Hope&#039;s Demise" href="#" target="_blank">Taborax, Hope&#039;s Demise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a mono-black Cleric commander, but it only cares about Clerics dying, which doesn’t really capture what Clerics do. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Orah, Skyclave Hierophant" href="#" target="_blank">Orah, Skyclave Hierophant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an Orzhov Cleric commander, which has the benefit of adding to the color identity so there are more playable cards. It also cares about death triggers of Clerics, although it adds an element of white by reanimating them as well. Both Taborax and Orah are interesting engines, but neither provides a payoff, meaning that their decks take a lot of game actions without contributing meaningfully to winning the game in a timely manner.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Soul Warden"></div></div>
<p>What Minwu does that is unique to other Cleric commanders is that it supports an archetype that Clerics feature prominently in: Soul Sisters. In fact, Minwu gives Soul Sisters something it desperately needs: a clock. Soul Sisters consist of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soul Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Soul Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soul&#039;s Attendant" href="#" target="_blank">Soul&#039;s Attendant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and similar creatures that gain life each time a creature enters the battlefield. In fact, most of those effects trigger for each player, which can get out of hand quickly in a game of Commander. Unfortunately, these creatures are usually small, so the life buffer is similar to a high Hit Points stat in <em>Pokemon</em>; it helps to soak up damage but not to prevent it, so the deck struggles to turn the corner after getting punched in the mouth due to a lack of dealing meaningful or consistent damage.</p>
<p>The layers of counters turns our small creatures into threats and can even make crazy combinations, especially with the new <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/ranking-the-job-select-equipment-cards-from-final-fantasy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">job select Equipments</a> that can turn creatures like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hangarback Walker" href="#" target="_blank">Hangarback Walker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> into powerful exhaust if we decide to go in a more combo-heavy route.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for Minwu, White Mage</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Soul&#039;s Attendant"></div></div>
<p>One set of cards that’s key for a Soul Sisters deck is…the Soul Sisters. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soul Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Soul Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soul&#039;s Attendant" href="#" target="_blank">Soul&#039;s Attendant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are the namesake cards of the archetype, but there are actually close to 20 cards that provide a similar effect. Some are Clerics, some aren’t (like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lifecreed Duo" href="#" target="_blank">Lifecreed Duo</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>), and some aren’t even creatures (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ajani&#039;s Welcome" href="#" target="_blank">Ajani&#039;s Welcome</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>). We need as many copies of this ability as we can find, as it’s the bread-and-butter of the deck. This means accepting some off-curve and somewhat disappointing options, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Angelic Chorus" href="#" target="_blank">Angelic Chorus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, in order to make sure we see multiple copies every game.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archangel of Thune"></div></div>
<p>Soul Sisters decks are notorious for being slow, trigger-heavy, and a bit frustrating to play against. This is where Minwu comes in, as the White Mage provides a payoff for the lifegain. But our commander isn’t alone. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archangel of Thune" href="#" target="_blank">Archangel of Thune</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is arguably the most powerful card in the deck, removing the limit on Clerics that our commander has, while also being a flying attacker. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nykthos Paragon" href="#" target="_blank">Nykthos Paragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> adds to the counters flying around, and, like the other cards that provide layers of counters, triggers for each <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soul Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Soul Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> activation.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mentor of the Meek"></div></div>
<p>While the majority of the deck is designed around gaining life and payoffs of life gain, we do have a couple of other important roles to fill. Since we need a critical mass of triggers and payoffs, as well as ways to keep our triggers flowing, we need card draw. The majority of that draw is tied to creatures entering the battlefield, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mentor of the Meek" href="#" target="_blank">Mentor of the Meek</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, enabling us to maximize the ETB triggers that we're already building around with the Soul Sisters. The other major role we need is board protection, as we need permanents to stick around in order to stack abilities and develop a board presence.</p>
<p>Dawn seems to be an ideal time of day for Clerics, as both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dawn Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Dawn Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dawn&#039;s Truce" href="#" target="_blank">Dawn&#039;s Truce</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can protect our board, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dawn of Hope" href="#" target="_blank">Dawn of Hope</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a card draw effect that capitalizes off of our life gain.</p>
<h2>How Does This Minwu, White Mage Commander Deck Win?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nykthos Paragon"></div></div>
<p>Our Minwu deck uses the commander to take a notoriously nebulous archetype and give it a pretty clear win condition: building a board and pushing combat damage with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nykthos Paragon" href="#" target="_blank">Nykthos Paragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects. Gain life, turn that life into power, and use that power to bash opponents’ faces is a much cleaner win condition than trying to draw into and protect <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Felidar Sovereign" href="#" target="_blank">Felidar Sovereign</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or hope the table lets our life total stay high enough to fire the Death Star of an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aetherflux Reservoir" href="#" target="_blank">Aetherflux Reservoir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> shot to the face. (Still waiting on a Star Wars Universes Beyond, by the way, but, with Marvel coming up, there’s hope.)</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hangarback Walker"></div></div>
<p>If you're looking for a more combo-based build, or one at a higher power level, you could add <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hangarback Walker" href="#" target="_blank">Hangarback Walker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to combine with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heliod, Sun-Crowned" href="#" target="_blank">Heliod, Sun-Crowned</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to mow down opponents. Two-card combinations and ways to find them would increase the power level, however, and this one is low enough to play at casual or semi-competitive tables, such as those running similarly strong and supported creature types, like Dragons, Elves, or even Slivers. This build should be able to hold its own at any of those tables.</p>
<h2>Minwu, White Mage Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Minwu, White Mage Commander Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="&nbsp;
[Commander]
*1 Minwu, White Mage
[/Commander]
&nbsp;
[Enchantments]
*1 Ajani&#039;s Welcome
*1 Angelic Chorus
*1 Answered Prayers
*1 Authority of the Consuls
*1 Case of the Uneaten Feast
*1 Cleric Class
*1 Cradle of Vitality
*1 Dawn of Hope
*1 Light of Promise
*1 Sunbond
*1 Tocasia&#039;s Welcome
[/Enchantments]
&nbsp;
[Creatures]
*1 Aerith Gainsborough
*1 Ajani&#039;s Pridemate
*1 Archangel of Thune
*1 Auriok Champion
*1 Daxos, Blessed by the Sun
*1 Dazzling Angel
*1 Distinguished Conjurer
*1 Elenda&#039;s Hierophant
*1 Enduring Innocence
*1 Essence Channeler
*1 Exemplar of Light
*1 Gideon&#039;s Company
*1 Guide of Souls
*1 Healer of the Pride
*1 Heliod, Sun-Crowned
*1 Hinterland Sanctifier
*1 Impassioned Orator
*1 Kor Celebrant
*1 Lifecreed Duo
*1 Lunarch Veteran // Luminous Phantom
*1 Mentor of the Meek
*1 Nykthos Paragon
*1 Qala, Ajani&#039;s Pridemate
*1 Redemption Choir
*1 Righteous Valkyrie
*1 Rumor Gatherer
*1 Soul Warden
*1 Soul&#039;s Attendant
*1 Suture Priest
*1 Twinblade Paladin
*1 Vanguard Seraph
*1 Voice of the Blessed
*1 Welcoming Vampire
[/Creatures]
&nbsp;
[Artifacts]
*1 Field-Tested Frying Pan
*1 Well of Lost Dreams
*1 White Mage&#039;s Staff
[/Artifacts]
&nbsp;
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Ajani, Strength of the Pride
[/Planeswalkers]
&nbsp;
[Instants]
*1 Akroma&#039;s Will
*1 Brave the Elements
*1 Clever Concealment
*1 Dawn Charm
*1 Dawn&#039;s Truce
*1 Divine Resilience
*1 Flare of Fortitude
*1 Grand Crescendo
*1 Make a Stand
*1 Unbreakable Formation
*1 Your Temple Is Under Attack
[/Instants]
&nbsp;
[Lands]
*40 Plains
[/Lands]
&nbsp;"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>This is a fairly fast and aggressive typal deck, with its speed and board protection serving as positive traits while it’s hindered a bit by a relative lack of removal or recovery. We want to be pushing the pace from the beginning, putting out Soul Wardens instead of building up mana. As a result, our curve is relatively low, with our commander as a curve-topping threat. Minwu sits back until there are enough counters for it to bully other creatures in combat, slowly building up counters until we have an overwhelming board presence.</p>
<p>This deck is for those who enjoy triggers and counters, as well as those who like taking a picture of beautifully spread out board states. It does take some focus to follow all of the interactions and triggers while maintaining board state, so I’d recommend taking it out when you have the energy and space to do so. When you do, it’s a lot of fun, and it shows just how powerful monocolored strategies can be!</p>


Building a Cleric Typal Deck with Minwu, White Mage

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cid, Timeless Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Cid, Timeless Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/lasahido" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lius Lasahido</a></em></p>
<p>As mentioned in my <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ardyn, the Usurper" href="#" target="_blank">Ardyn, the Usurper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-a-demon-typal-deck-with-ardyn-the-usurper" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Demon Typal Deck Tech</a> last week, <em>Final Fantasy</em> is a cool IP that doesn’t speak to me. There are, however, tons of interesting designs, many of which are amazing as IP-agnostic game pieces. The one I’m focusing on today is a timewalking mechanist who reminds me of when I was just learning the game in high school. The school I went to has a mascot named Sidney Raider, after the Spanish hero El Cid. This timeless hero of gallantry, bravery, and sacrifice seems a fitting commander for a deck, so let’s learn how to build around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cid, Timeless Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Cid, Timeless Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Interestingly enough, Cid reminds me of high school in more than just his name: he works with artifacts and cycling, which were themes of a couple of my early decks! I started playing with <em>Champions of Kamigawa</em>, right after <em>Mirrodin</em> block, which was a terrible time to learn. Damage went on the stack; mana burned if it wasn’t all spent; and broken-in-half artifacts enabled incredibly explosive starts. My first deck that could compete was a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grinding Station" href="#" target="_blank">Grinding Station</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Cheerios combo deck; my second was <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Astral Slide" href="#" target="_blank">Astral Slide</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ETBs and Morphs. Somehow, someway, Cid manages to bridge my high school experience and my current deckbuilding kick: strange typal decks!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cid, Timeless Artificer"></div></div>
<h2>What Does Cid, Timeless Artificer Do?</h2>
<p>Cid is an intriguing card in the 99, and can even take multiple slots, as a deck can have any number of cards named <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cid, Timeless Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Cid, Timeless Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It also has cycling, which is another ability better served in the 99. So…why run Cid as a commander? Well, in addition to being an aggressively-costed four-drop, Cid gives artifact creatures and Heroes +1/+1 for each Artificer we control and each Artificer in our graveyard. This pump only happens if we have a copy out, so we can use our commander to take advantage of the waves and waves of Cid’s past lives we cycle away.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Urza, Lord Protector"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Urza, Prince of Kroog"></div></div>
<p>There are a number of legendary Artificers who could helm an Artificer-themed deck, most of whom involve adding or subtracting a color from our Azorius color identity. Ironically, the closest we can get to a predecessor to the kindly and paternal Cid is one of the incarnations of the curmudgeonly eugenicist, Urza. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza, Lord Protector" href="#" target="_blank">Urza, Lord Protector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza, Prince of Kroog" href="#" target="_blank">Urza, Prince of Kroog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both in the deck, so we could tag them in as the commander if wanted. The Lord Protector reduces the cost of artifacts, instants, and sorceries we cast, although we already do have some cost reducers and we don’t run many instants or sorceries. The Prince of Kroog acts as a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tempered Steel" href="#" target="_blank">Tempered Steel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and a means of copying artifacts, but Cid already pumps the artifact creatures and we don’t have a glut of mana to pour into the Prince’s ability, so he doesn’t really add anything.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hare Apparent"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragon&#039;s Approach"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Persistent Petitioners"></div></div>
<p>Trying to place this deck into known archetypes is a bit of a tough ask, as Cid has an ability that breaks a fundamental rule of singleton formats. The more successful cards that can have any number of copies tend to be focal points of their decks: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hare Apparent" href="#" target="_blank">Hare Apparent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <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>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Persistent Petitioners" href="#" target="_blank">Persistent Petitioners</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Slime Against Humanity" href="#" target="_blank">Slime Against Humanity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Cid is a bit more of a role-player and is the first to be able to go into the command zone. While cycling may be a blank on a commander (without committing to the bit), Cids do work together by offering flexibility. They need artifact creatures and/or Heroes to pump, however, so we can’t just pack our deck with a bunch of Cids. While there is probably a more Cid-focused cycling deck or a cheap, evasive artifact-focused aggro deck, our list is a moderate tempo-based version.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for Cid, Timeless Artificer</h2>
<p>One of the most important cards in a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cid, Timeless Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Cid, Timeless Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck is…<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cid, Timeless Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Cid, Timeless Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>! Why is that? Well, it does the things we need, which is why we have it as a commander and why we’re playing a card where we can have any number of copies. But how many is enough? Is there such a thing as too many? Unlike other cards with similar effects, we don’t need more than 20, nor do we need a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thrumming Stone" href="#" target="_blank">Thrumming Stone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, as we’re cycling instead of casting. We also have a version in the command zone, so we’re likely casting it as the primary copy and the rest will be cycled away to dig for the “real” spells. As a result, 15 Cids seems like a fair amount - one for each variant!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cid, Timeless Artificer|fin|407"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cid, Timeless Artificer|fin|409"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cid, Timeless Artificer|fin|414"></div></div>
<p>The other Artificers need to either produce or interact with artifacts, as Cid pumps them and many effects care about them. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Padeem, Consul of Innovation" href="#" target="_blank">Padeem, Consul of Innovation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sai, Master Thopterist" href="#" target="_blank">Sai, Master Thopterist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can draw us cards with our artifacts. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Drafna, Founder of Lat-Nam" href="#" target="_blank">Drafna, Founder of Lat-Nam</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hanna, Ship&#039;s Navigator" href="#" target="_blank">Hanna, Ship&#039;s Navigator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> combine to give the deck a fairly strong engine: bouncing, re-casting, copying, and recurring artifacts to slowly develop a wide board through synergy. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Whirler Rogue" href="#" target="_blank">Whirler Rogue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides evasive bodies that soak up the Cid boosts like a sponge and can also tap to punch through extra damage in a pinch.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Padeem, Consul of Innovation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Drafna, Founder of Lat-Nam"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mishra&#039;s Bauble"></div></div>
<p>While <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> isn’t usually an important card to go into detail about, the deck is mana-hungry and there are interesting combos and synergies with it. It both provides mana to fuel Drafna’s abilities and is an incredible outlet for them, as making extra Sol Rings is one of the more powerful things one can do. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mind Stone" href="#" target="_blank">Mind Stone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mishra&#039;s Bauble" href="#" target="_blank">Mishra&#039;s Bauble</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are similarly powerful artifacts to juggle around, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ornithopter of Paradise" href="#" target="_blank">Ornithopter of Paradise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can quickly go from a setup mana creature to a game-ending threat!</p>
<h2>How Does This Cid, Timeless Artificer Commander Deck Win?</h2>
<p>Ideally speaking, our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cid, Timeless Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Cid, Timeless Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck wins by powering up incidental bodies using copies of our namesake card. It’s worth noting that Cid cares about all Artificers, not just copies of himself, so we wind up with ways to add almost 40 power and toughness if we can flip our whole deck into play. While that's unlikely, it shows how many Artificers we're running, many of whom make bodies for us to pump.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cid, Timeless Artificer|fin|419"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cid, Timeless Artificer|fin|418"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cid, Timeless Artificer|fin|417"></div></div>
<p>When a single Thopter can slice off half of your life? Yeah, that’s a powerful aggressive line. When you factor in that that’s not even using our better cards? You better believe this deck has potential. While we’d prefer to win through cycling Cids to stack up boosts on evasive creatures, sometimes we need to rely on the synergies shared between members of the Artificer creature type, using spare copies of Cid to dig to our more powerful cards and to piece together the synergies needed to build inevitability.</p>
<h2>Cid, Timeless Artificer Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Cid, Timeless Artificer Commander Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Cid, Timeless Artificer
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Artificer&#039;s Assistant
*1 Aspiring Aeronaut
*1 Aviation Pioneer
*14 Cid, Timeless Artificer
*1 Digsite Engineer
*1 Drafna, Founder of Lat-Nam
*1 Esper Sentinel
*1 Etherium Sculptor
*1 Etherium Spinner
*1 Experimental Aviator
*1 Grand Architect
*1 Hangarback Walker
*1 Hanna, Ship&#039;s Navigator
*1 Inspired Sphinx
*1 Jhoira&#039;s Familiar
*1 Leonardo da Vinci
*1 Lita, Mechanical Engineer
*1 Losheel, Clockwork Scholar
*1 Master Transmuter
*1 Master Trinketeer
*1 Myr Retriever
*1 Oltec Matterweaver
*1 Ornithopter of Paradise
*1 Padeem, Consul of Innovation
*1 Renowned Weaponsmith
*1 Riddlesmith
*1 Sai, Master Thopterist
*1 Scrap Trawler
*1 Sharding Sphinx
*1 Thopter Mechanic
*1 Thought Monitor
*1 Urza, Lord Protector
*1 Urza, Powerstone Prodigy
*1 Urza, Prince of Kroog
*1 Whirler Rogue
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Cloud Key
*1 Crystal Skull, Isu Spyglass
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Mishra&#039;s Bauble
*1 Retrofitter Foundry
*1 Shorikai, Genesis Engine
*1 Sol Ring
*1 The Mightstone and Weakstone
*1 Thopter Fabricator
*1 Whirlermaker
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Thopter Spy Network
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*20 Island
*20 Plains
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>There are some powerful cards in our deck, which enable fast starts. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Esper Sentinel" href="#" target="_blank">Esper Sentinel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are the more egregious offenders, especially since <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Esper Sentinel" href="#" target="_blank">Esper Sentinel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be annoying to track. At least, with its synergy with Cids, the Sentinel can get strong enough that most players will just not be able to pay its cost. While we do play some staples, we have ways to make those staples more interesting. And while we do play 15 of the same card, that card has a lot of “play” to it. When do you cast it? When do you cycle it? Do you cast a spare copy or the commander itself? We can even use the spare copies to have access to our commander without paying for tax!</p>
<p>This deck is one for those who enjoy tempo decks with a solid amount of flexibility and problem solving. It’s easy to play but tough to master, as every card has decision-making trees. If you enjoy Kaijudo/Duel Masters, you’ll love the decision trees that come with each copy of Cid, as those games are largely defined by the choices of how you want to play each individual card.</p>
<p>How would you build a Cid deck? And how many Cids is too many? Let us know in the comments.</p>


Building an Artificer Typal Deck with Cid, Timeless Artificer

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ardyn, the Usurper" href="#" target="_blank">Ardyn, the Usurper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/ludongjun" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Russel Lu</a></em></p>
<p>I might not have the best history with the <em>Final Fantasy</em> games, but I <em>do</em> have a long history with the Demon creature type, which is why <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ardyn, the Usurper" href="#" target="_blank">Ardyn, the Usurper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> stood out to me as the previews for the newest set came in. My first-ever booster pack was a <em>Champions of Kamigawa</em> pack, which had some real beauties in it, including one of my prized Magic possessions: a foil <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kuro, Pitlord" href="#" target="_blank">Kuro, Pitlord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While time and power creep haven’t been kind to poor Kuro, the creature type has remained iconic. Like they have been since <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lord of the Pit" href="#" target="_blank">Lord of the Pit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in <em>Alpha</em>, Demons are huge flying creatures based in black. Over the years, however, they’ve been released from the shackles of drawbacks to become truly terrifying!</p>
<h2>Notable Demons for Ardyn, the Usurper</h2>
<p>Ardyn is not a Demon, nor does he meet many of the requirements of a Demon, outside of a high mana value and a whole lot of black color pips. What Ardyn <em>does</em> do, however, is give Demons a host of keywords: menace, lifelink, and haste. He also reanimates creatures of any type from our graveyard as 5/5 black Demons (which, of course, get all the keywords he provides).</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ardyn, the Usurper"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Varragoth, Bloodsky Sire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ob Nixilis, Unshackled"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Valgavoth, Terror Eater"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vilis, Broker of Blood"></div></div></p>
<p>We want our Demons to be big creatures that dominate the board and provide large chunks of flying damage. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rune-Scarred Demon" href="#" target="_blank">Rune-Scarred Demon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a big, beefy brawler that battles above the clouds, but the best aspect of this bruiser is that he brings along a buddy. With all the different jobs Demons can do, he’s a veritable swiss army knife!</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Demonlord Belzenlok"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rot-Curse Rakshasa"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rune-Scarred Demon"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Harvester of Souls"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Great Unclean One"></div></div></p>
<p>One of my favorite Demons is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodgift Demon" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodgift Demon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a medium-sized flying threat that gives a mini-<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sign in Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Sign in Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to any player each upkeep. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phyrexian Arena" href="#" target="_blank">Phyrexian Arena</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is still potent, and one attached to a large flyer is fairly good. Even better, though, is the political aspect. If someone else needs cards to catch up we can give them some, and it can also deal the final point of damage in a pinch!</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Plague Drone"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodgift Demon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodletter of Aclazotz"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sower of Discord"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archfiend of Despair"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Desecration Demon" href="#" target="_blank">Desecration Demon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> used to dominate <em>Return to Ravnica</em> Standard, and it’s still a cheap political threat that gets better as the game goes on. While it appears to be an above-rate flyer, it gets better in the context of a Demon deck. By itself, it forces opponents to choose between letting him grow and sacrificing a creature to tap him down and grow him. Some decks will have spare bodies, but most will have to make a tough call; even those who can regularly pay the sac tax will eventually have to pay the piper once our other removal goes online.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Burning-Rune Demon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lord of the Void"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Razaketh, the Foulblooded"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Venomcrawler"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Desecration Demon"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Abhorrent Overlord" href="#" target="_blank">Abhorrent Overlord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is our equivalent to Gary (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gray Merchant of Asphodel" href="#" target="_blank">Gray Merchant of Asphodel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>). Maybe we should call her Abby. Would that catch on? Let me know in the comments below! Regardless, the Overlord gives us a host of Harpies equal to our devotion to black, which should be quite high. While not quite the game-ending big bang shot of Gary, Abby gives us enough power to close games out in one or two big, evasive swings.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Demon of Wailing Agonies"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reiver Demon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Abhorrent Overlord"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Demon of Loathing"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kothophed, Soul Hoarder"></div></div></p>
<p>One of the more instantly impactful Demons on a game of Commander is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doom Whisperer" href="#" target="_blank">Doom Whisperer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Believe it or not, the most dangerous aspect of this card isn’t a word or a number: it’s a punctuation mark. The colon between the phrase “Pay 2 life” and “Surveil 2” means that we can pay any amount of life in increments of two to stack our topdeck and load up the graveyard. We can even set up the reanimation of powerful creatures.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Doom Whisperer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Demon of Dark Schemes"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nightmare Shepherd"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rakshasa Debaser"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Infernal Sovereign"></div></div></p>
<h2>Cards for Demon Typal Strategies</h2>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Liliana&#039;s Contract" href="#" target="_blank">Liliana&#039;s Contract</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of the more powerful pieces of typal technology any creature type has access to. Even in a deck without Demons, four Changelings can facilitate the alternate win condition. Since the deck is packed with them, fulfilling the condition is nice and easy.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Liliana&#039;s Contract"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blood Speaker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Demonic Counsel"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Living Death"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Whip of Erebos"></div></div></p>
<p>One of the aspects of Demons in popular culture is that they're closely tied to death, making them incredibly difficult to put down once and for all. Reanimation spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Animate Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Animate Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> epitomize this, although perhaps the scariest and deadliest reanimation spell in <em>Magic</em> is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dread Return" href="#" target="_blank">Dread Return</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, castable from the graveyard without paying any mana, combining perfectly with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doom Whisperer" href="#" target="_blank">Doom Whisperer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>’s graveyard loading to bin the threat and the reanimation spell without paying a single mana.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dread Return"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Demonic Covenant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Animate Dead"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Haunting Voyage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bringer of the Last Gift"></div></div></p>
<h2>Demon Ramp</h2>
<p>One of the major downsides of Demons is their high casting cost. Rituals can help pay costs beyond the amount of mana we have, but we start to feel the aftereffects later when removal starts to catch up. Foretelling Demons with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dream Devourer" href="#" target="_blank">Dream Devourer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> helps us to control how wide and how quickly our board develops, letting us play around removal and pressure just enough to provoke responses.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dark Ritual"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cabal Ritual"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dream Devourer"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ancient Cellarspawn"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Abyssal Harvester"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bontu&#039;s Monument" href="#" target="_blank">Bontu&#039;s Monument</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another cost reducer, this time coming with a repeated source of card advantage. Each creature we create comes with a mini-<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sign in Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Sign in Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, just like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodgift Demon" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodgift Demon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, helping us find more creatures and dig deeper and deeper for the pieces we need to close out the game.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Herald&#039;s Horn"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Urza&#039;s Incubator"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sol Ring"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bontu&#039;s Monument"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jet Medallion"></div></div></p>
<h2>Removal Spells for Ardyn</h2>
<p>Demons are warped and twisted minds, thriving on asserting their power over the living. This is shown in their propensity for forcing opponents to sacrifice creatures rather than using targeted destruction. After all, while <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> is more likely to answer the specific threat, making the opponent choose between their favorite creatures with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archfiend of Depravity" href="#" target="_blank">Archfiend of Depravity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is so much more delicious!</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archfiend of Depravity"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reaper from the Abyss"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Indulgent Tormentor"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Overseer of the Damned"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Withering Torment"></div></div></p>
<p>While spot removal might not be the Demon's way, sometimes it is necessary. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Infernal Grasp" href="#" target="_blank">Infernal Grasp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Feed the Swarm" href="#" target="_blank">Feed the Swarm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are some of the rare bits of enchantment removal in mono-black, although some say that they're color pie breaks. Here, however, they're necessary bits of removal for permanents we can’t easily answer.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Infernal Grasp"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Feed the Swarm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kindred Dominance"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shadowgrange Archfiend"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pestilence Demon"></div></div></p>
<h2>Ardyn, the Usurper Commander Deck List</h2>
<p>Here's our list:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Ardyn, the Usurper Commander Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Ardyn, the Usurper
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Abhorrent Overlord
*1 Abyssal Harvester
*1 Ancient Cellarspawn
*1 Archfiend of Depravity
*1 Archfiend of Despair
*1 Blood Speaker
*1 Bloodgift Demon
*1 Bloodletter of Aclazotz
*1 Bringer of the Last Gift
*1 Burning-Rune Demon
*1 Demon of Dark Schemes
*1 Demon of Loathing
*1 Demon of Wailing Agonies
*1 Demonlord Belzenlok
*1 Desecration Demon
*1 Doom Whisperer
*1 Dream Devourer
*1 Great Unclean One
*1 Harvester of Souls
*1 Indulgent Tormentor
*1 Infernal Sovereign
*1 Kothophed, Soul Hoarder
*1 Lord of the Void
*1 Nightmare Shepherd
*1 Ob Nixilis, Unshackled
*1 Overseer of the Damned
*1 Pestilence Demon
*1 Plague Drone
*1 Rakshasa Debaser
*1 Razaketh, the Foulblooded
*1 Reaper from the Abyss
*1 Reiver Demon
*1 Rot-Curse Rakshasa
*1 Rune-Scarred Demon
*1 Shadowgrange Archfiend
*1 Sower of Discord
*1 Valgavoth, Terror Eater
*1 Varragoth, Bloodsky Sire
*1 Venomcrawler
*1 Vilis, Broker of Blood
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Animate Dead
*1 Demonic Covenant
*1 Liliana&#039;s Contract
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Demonic Counsel
*1 Dread Return
*1 Feed the Swarm
*1 Haunting Voyage
*1 Kindred Dominance
*1 Living Death
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Bontu&#039;s Monument
*1 Herald&#039;s Horn
*1 Jet Medallion
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Urza&#039;s Incubator
*1 Whip of Erebos
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Cabal Ritual
*1 Dark Ritual
*1 Infernal Grasp
*1 Withering Torment
[/Instants]
[Lands]
*40 Swamp
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Final Thoughts on Ardyn, the Usurper Demon Typal</h2>
<p>Demons are large black flyers, and Ardyn helps make them ever more dangerous and threatening. They do a variety of jobs, from drawing cards to forcing opponents to sacrifice their own creatures. Sometimes they're a little slow at contributing to the board, but there are cost reducers to help with that, and they've been power crept in a definitive way!</p>


Building a Demon Typal Deck with Ardyn, the Usurper

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Mob Boss|jmp|339" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko, Mob Boss</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://karlkopinski.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Karl Kopinski</a></em></p>
<p>No creature type in <em>Magic</em> better epitomizes the phrase “just a little guy” than Goblins. But rest assured, where there’s just a little Goblin, a lot more are hiding nearby, waiting to make a splash on the game in the most humorous and painful way possible.</p>
<p>According to the <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/kindred" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EDHREC stats</a>, Goblins are the 7th most popular creature type across all data-scraped deck building sites, with over 35,000 decks built. They've been part of <em>Magic</em> since the beginning, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mons&#039;s Goblin Raiders" href="#" target="_blank">Mons&#039;s Goblin Raiders</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as part of the "<a href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Sligh#:~:text=The%20philosophy%20of%20the%20%22Sligh,utilize%20all%20of%20its%20mana." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sligh Principle</a>" red decks that revolutionized the way players look at deck lists, introducing the concept of a mana curve. Goblins have been featured in Duel Decks and Starter Decks, as an integral part of introducing new players to <em>Magic</em> and the color red.</p>
<p>It seems like Goblins are all over the multiverse, with each set adding to their ranks. Goblins love to go wide and go boom, and our build for this deck tech will do both!</p>
<h2>Notable Goblins for Commander Decks</h2>
<p>Like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Ur-Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">The Ur-Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-a-dragon-commander-deck-with-the-ur-dragon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">last week</a>, our commander this week, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Mob Boss" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko, Mob Boss</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, does one thing and does it well. He adds to our board exponentially, challenging the limits of our creativity and our ability to represent an accurate board state. Each turn, our board gets wider and wider. There are creatureless builds, highlighting how quickly Krenko alone gets out of hand, as well as combo builds, as Krenko can easily go infinite and make a quality cEDH commander. As a typal commander, however, Krenko presents a repeated must-answer threat that can easily snowball out of control.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko, Mob Boss"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stadium Headliner"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Underfoot Underdogs"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shock Brigade"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Devoted Duelist"></div></div></p>
<p>We want our creatures to hit the ground running, so there are a couple of ways to do that: make multiple bodies or enable the casting of multiple spells. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skirk Prospector" href="#" target="_blank">Skirk Prospector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> turns our excess bodies into mana, enabling massive turns and powering out our larger threats. One of the stranger aspects of newer Goblin builds, especially with a lightning rod for a commander, is that they're growing more and more hungry for mana. Cool Goblins keep getting printed, and there’s a tendency to cut lands for them, but it’s better to build in ramp without committing slots to dead cards.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Warchief"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Howlsquad Heavy"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skirk Prospector"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Chieftain"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pashalik Mons"></div></div></p>
<p>One of the key elements of go-wide strategies is the presence of lords - creatures who provide boosts and/or keywords for those that fit certain criteria. There are lots of Goblin lords. Some provide haste, some provide a generic cost reduction, but only <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Trashmaster" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Trashmaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets us blow up artifacts.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hobgoblin Bandit Lord"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brightstone Ritual"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Trashmaster"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin King"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conspicuous Snoop" href="#" target="_blank">Conspicuous Snoop</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides some interesting nuance to Goblin decks. At the highest levels of play, topdeck manipulation can set up infinite win cons. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skirk Prospector" href="#" target="_blank">Skirk Prospector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a key Goblin with an activated ability, as is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Chirurgeon" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Chirurgeon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can protect key parts of our board.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko&#039;s Command"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Conspicuous Snoop"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Chirurgeon"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Instigator"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Muxus, Goblin Grandee"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mogg War Marshal" href="#" target="_blank">Mogg War Marshal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an unassuming piece of cardboard, but it’s secretly the perfect role player for a deck like this. It brings a buddy along with it, and, if the echo isn’t paid, it brings another. Two 1/1s for two mana is a solid rate, and the more lords we have, the better the rate gets, especially when our commander can turn those two bodies into four!</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Warren Instigator"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Legion Warboss"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Battle Cry Goblin"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beetleback Chief"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mogg War Marshal"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Lackey" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Lackey</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has been a key card in Goblin decks across formats, from Legacy to EDH to cEDH, and everything in between. If little red guys are being played, there are few better turn-one plays.</p>
<p>You may notice that this deck eschews <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. How can we get away with that? Well, as good as a turn-two Krenko is, a turn-one <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Lackey" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Lackey</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is even better. True, the returns diminish as boards develop, but the Lackey is also a solid play after a board wipe, which could otherwise be backbreaking for a deck like this.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Lackey"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Piledriver"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goro-Goro, Disciple of Ryusei"></div></div>
<h2>Complementary Cards for Goblin Decks</h2>
<p>With Goblins, speed is the name of the game. We want to take opponents out before they get a chance to get fully set up, before we even have to resort to the combat step, if need be. After all, why risk bodies in combat when we can threaten to overwhelm opponents with numbers? Well, because of board wipes. So, how do we win during this phase, before the wipe hits? Keep direct damage coming with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Impact Tremors" href="#" target="_blank">Impact Tremors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects, and going with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Bombardment" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Bombardment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shocking Sharpshooter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Bombardment"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Impact Tremors"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin War Strike"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Witty Roastmaster"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin War Strike" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin War Strike</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a hard-hitting card. Its damage scales with the number of Goblins we control, so it’s best used pre-combat, after activating Krenko, before attacking. That way, our army of Goblins will be at its largest when it hits. It also enables us to alpha strike with reckless abandon (the best kind) on the turn we intend to win.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Purphoros, God of the Forge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Siege-Gang Commander"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Siege-Gang Lieutenant"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin War Strike"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="General Kreat, the Boltbringer"></div></div></p>
<h2>Goblin Draw Spells and Card Advantage</h2>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Recruiter" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Recruiter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a key part of the higher-level Goblin decks. Since it puts any Goblins we want on top of our library, we can set up <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conspicuous Snoop" href="#" target="_blank">Conspicuous Snoop</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for any number of combinations. We can also combine it with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skullclamp" href="#" target="_blank">Skullclamp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to draw into whatever cards we put there. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skullclamp" href="#" target="_blank">Skullclamp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be an issue if we have lords out with no ways to sacrifice creatures, as we can find ourselves in the strange position of needing help to get our creatures killed.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skullclamp"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rundvelt Hordemaster"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Recruiter"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Ringleader"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Moria Marauder"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Outpost Siege" href="#" target="_blank">Outpost Siege</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a draw engine that doubles as a source of repeatable direct damage…or it would, if we didn’t have to pick a side. Luckily, we can take the perspective that it will either find what we want or be what we want. Thankfully, both options are relevant in a deck like this.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dark-Dweller Oracle"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Matron"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Moggcatcher"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rummaging Goblin"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Outpost Siege"></div></div></p>
<h2>Removal Spells for Goblin Decks</h2>
<p>Being in mono-red, our removal options are somewhat limited. Our best options are also Goblins, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Sharpshooter" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Sharpshooter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Cratermaker" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Cratermaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The Sharpshooter can mow down opposing creatures, including untapping off of creatures that would be dying anyways, to get in extra pings. The Cratermaker is primarily there to ping small creatures or blow up artifacts, but we can live the dream occasionally, blowing up an Eldrazi with a little explosives expert. He might die, but what a way to go!</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Sharpshooter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Cratermaker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tibalt&#039;s Trickery"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Abrade"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Untimely Malfunction"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gempalm Incinerator" href="#" target="_blank">Gempalm Incinerator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might just be the most exciting singular card in the deck. Not only does it cycle to draw a card, but it smacks a creature hard when it does. As an activated ability, it isn’t being cast, so it's difficult to counter. It doesn’t even stop at the Goblins we control, however, as it smacks for an amount equal to the total number of Goblins on the field. If we can hit an opponent’s <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stuffy Doll" href="#" target="_blank">Stuffy Doll</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we can have a lot of fun!</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reverberate"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Return the Favor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mogg Salvage"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flare of Duplication"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gempalm Incinerator"></div></div></p>
<h2>Krenko, Mob Boss Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Krenko, Mob Boss Commander Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Krenko, Mob Boss
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Battle Cry Goblin
*1 Beetleback Chief
*1 Conspicuous Snoop
*1 Dark-Dweller Oracle
*1 Devoted Duelist
*1 Gempalm Incinerator
*1 General Kreat, the Boltbringer
*1 Goblin Chieftain
*1 Goblin Chirurgeon
*1 Goblin Cratermaker
*1 Goblin Instigator
*1 Goblin King
*1 Goblin Lackey
*1 Goblin Matron
*1 Goblin Piledriver
*1 Goblin Recruiter
*1 Goblin Ringleader
*1 Goblin Sharpshooter
*1 Goblin Trashmaster
*1 Goblin Warchief
*1 Goro-Goro, Disciple of Ryusei
*1 Hobgoblin Bandit Lord
*1 Howlsquad Heavy
*1 Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin
*1 Legion Warboss
*1 Mogg War Marshal
*1 Moggcatcher
*1 Moria Marauder
*1 Muxus, Goblin Grandee
*1 Pashalik Mons
*1 Purphoros, God of the Forge
*1 Rummaging Goblin
*1 Rundvelt Hordemaster
*1 Searslicer Goblin
*1 Shock Brigade
*1 Shocking Sharpshooter
*1 Siege-Gang Commander
*1 Siege-Gang Lieutenant
*1 Skirk Prospector
*1 Squee, Dubious Monarch
*1 Stadium Headliner
*1 Underfoot Underdogs
*1 Warren Instigator
*1 Witty Roastmaster
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Abrade
*1 Brightstone Ritual
*1 Flare of Duplication
*1 Mogg Salvage
*1 Return the Favor
*1 Reverberate
*1 Tibalt&#039;s Trickery
*1 Untimely Malfunction
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Goblin War Strike
*1 Krenko&#039;s Command
*1 Vandalblast
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Goblin Bombardment
*1 Impact Tremors
*1 Outpost Siege
[/Enchantments]
[Artifacts]
*1 Skullclamp
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*40 Mountain
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<p>Goblins are single-minded, and their decks are similar. They swarm the field, attack, and burn opponents coming and going. Sometimes, their speed literally blows up in their face, but one thing’s for sure: their lives may be short, but they’re not boring!</p>


Building a Goblin Commander Deck with Krenko, Mob Boss

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragon Tempest|c17|134" href="#" target="_blank">Dragon Tempest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by Willian Murai</em></p>
<p><em>Magic</em> is a complicated game; Commander, as a format, is especially so. When it comes to building decks, one of the easier on-ramps is to appeal to the familiar: start with cards that are designed to work with each other, that reference each other by name, and get a feel for how they play together. That’s the premise of this column; each week we build a deck around a creature type, which delivers on the “feel” of the type. Today, we’re talking about one of the more notorious creature types in all of <em>Magic</em>: Dragons.</p>
<p>According to the EDHREC stats, <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/kindred" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dragons are the most popular creature type</a>, with almost 73,000 decks built. They've been part of <em>Magic</em> since the beginning, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shivan Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Shivan Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as one of the more iconic early game finishers. More recently, there have been a few preconstructed decks providing specific support, as well as two <em>Dungeons and Dragons</em> sets, and a new Dragon-focused Tarkir set. It seems like Dragons are all over the multiverse, with each set adding to their ranks. While more than twice as many Dragons are in red as any other color, each color has solid representation, and our deck will highlight the full range of the type.</p>
<h2>Notable Dragons</h2>
<p>As mentioned, there have been a few Dragon-themed Commander decks, one of which supplied the second most-popular commander of all time: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Ur-Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">The Ur-Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <em>Eminence</em> is one of the strongest abilities in the game, operating from the command zone as long as our commander is there. Thankfully the ability is limited to typal decks, but our commander might just be the strongest of the lot, providing access to all five colors from its color identity and a universal cost reduction from its <em>eminence</em> ability. Even if we never cast it, that is a <em>ton</em> of value.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Ur-Dragon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scavenger Regent"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Atarka, World Render"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Silumgar, the Drifting Death"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dromoka, the Eternal"></div></div></p>
<p>The first trip to Tarkir provided a cycle of legendary Dragons that all trigger when a Dragon attacks. These abilities can trigger multiple times and they can stack, causing our flying horde to become deadlier and deadlier the more Dragons we have. This is where <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Ur-Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">The Ur-Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> outshines other Dragon commanders: the discount lets us cast multiple spells in a turn, dominating the mid- to late-game.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ojutai, Soul of Winter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Teneb, the Harvester"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bladewing the Risen"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thrakkus the Butcher"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Steel Hellkite"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kolaghan, the Storm&#039;s Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Kolaghan, the Storm&#039;s Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scourge of Valkas" href="#" target="_blank">Scourge of Valkas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> help the deck hit the ground running. Kolaghan provides haste while Scourge deals damage when Dragons enter, so the Dragons can do more than sit there menacingly - although they do that quite well.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kolaghan, the Storm&#039;s Fury"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ganax, Astral Hunter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scourge of Valkas"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Korlessa, Scale Singer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lathliss, Dragon Queen"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloomvine Regent" href="#" target="_blank">Bloomvine Regent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> represents a new type of Dragon introduced in the latest foray into Tarkir: the Omens. With its secondary sorcery side, the Regent is able to be an early-game <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cultivate" href="#" target="_blank">Cultivate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and a late-game Dragon, all in one card. Since we want both effects, it’s a natural fit!</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sunscorch Regent"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rith, Liberated Primeval"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Utvara Hellkite"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Earthquake Dragon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloomvine Regent"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Amareth, the Lustrous" href="#" target="_blank">Amareth, the Lustrous</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an unassuming but powerful Dragon. Since the deck is mostly permanents, including the Omen Dragons, there’s a strong likelihood of flipping more giant scaly beasties with the ETB effect.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sagu Wildling"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragonlord Ojutai"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thunderbreak Regent"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Amareth, the Lustrous"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Broodmate Dragon"></div></div></p>
<p>One of the stronger <em>Dungeons and Dragons</em> additions was <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lozhan, Dragons&#039; Legacy" href="#" target="_blank">Lozhan, Dragons&#039; Legacy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which is one of several other potent Dragon commanders, albeit without the speed or options that The Ur-Dragon provides. As a role-player, however, Lozhan slings damage and domes opponents for huge chunks.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scalelord Reckoner"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jeskai Shrinekeeper"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragonlord Dromoka"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lozhan, Dragons&#039; Legacy"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wasitora, Nekoru Queen"></div></div></p>
<h2>Dragon Support Cards</h2>
<p>As a popular creature type, there are many cards that specifically reference Dragons. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crucible of Fire" href="#" target="_blank">Crucible of Fire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is arguably the most on-the-nose. Making giant scaly monsters slightly giant-er may seem like it’s not doing much, but it’s actually quite solid in a deck that wants permanents and seeks to blot out the skies with flyers before opponents can stabilize.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Encroaching Dragonstorm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Breaching Dragonstorm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crucible of Fire"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragon Tempest"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Draconic Muralists"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sarkhan&#039;s Triumph" href="#" target="_blank">Sarkhan&#039;s Triumph</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a Dragon tutor, which helps multifaceted decks like this find the piece they need when they need it. While some decks use tutors to find specific answers, we actually use it to find specific threats: haste enablers, direct damage, flying power…all of these are things we can find.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wrathful Red Dragon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Firespitter Whelp"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragonologist"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Temur Ascendancy"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sarkhan&#039;s Triumph"></div></div></p>
<h2>Ramp Spells for Dragons</h2>
<p>Our primary role players are ramp spells. Dragons cost a lot of mana and we need fixing to cast them on time. In particular, the Orbs of Dragonkind provide additional effects when used to cast Dragons, which plan to do kind of a lot.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragonstorm Globe"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragon&#039;s Hoard"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Carnelian Orb of Dragonkind"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jade Orb of Dragonkind"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lapis Orb of Dragonkind"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chromatic Lantern" href="#" target="_blank">Chromatic Lantern</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a bit of a controversial inclusion nowadays, as there are far stronger turn-three plays. Here, however, it’s much more than a three-mana rock; it fixes our mana and lets us use lands of any kind to make mana of any color.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chromatic Lantern"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arcane Signet"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fellwar Stone"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragonbroods&#039; Relic"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pillar of Origins"></div></div></p>
<h2>Removal Spells</h2>
<p>The other type of role player we need is removal spells: ways to break parity and navigate clogged boards. One of our biggest obstacles is high-toughness, vigilant creatures, such as those created by Voltron decks. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crux of Fate" href="#" target="_blank">Crux of Fate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a one-sided board wipe (choosing non-Dragons to kill, of course), which is a particularly nasty way of leveraging our large flyers for a dominating board.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crux of Fate"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Disruptive Stormbrood"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Twinmaw Stormbrood"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spit Flame"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragon&#039;s Fire"></div></div></p>
<p>The other major obstacle for us is troublesome noncreature permanents. Our attack with large creatures plan can be stuffed by a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Propaganda" href="#" target="_blank">Propaganda</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or two, and our burn ‘em out plan can be squelched by a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Leyline of Sanctity" href="#" target="_blank">Leyline of Sanctity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effect. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beast Within" href="#" target="_blank">Beast Within</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Generous Gift" href="#" target="_blank">Generous Gift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are solid catch-alls, which have the downside of giving the opponent a body. However, that downside is mitigated by the fact that the bodies we give don’t have flying!</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Osseous Exhale"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beast Within"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Generous Gift"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Piercing Exhale"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragonback Assault"></div></div></p>
<h2>The Ur-Dragon Deck List</h2>
<p>The game plan for our deck is fairly straightforward: make big Dragons; turn them sideways; win the game. We have ways, including our commander, to get them out faster, and ways to push them through using removal, until our opponents are buried in the shade of our scaly wings.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="The Ur-Dragon Commander Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 The Ur-Dragon
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Amareth, the Lustrous
*1 Atarka, World Render
*1 Bladewing the Risen
*1 Bloomvine Regent // Claim Territory
*1 Broodmate Dragon
*1 Disruptive Stormbrood // Petty Revenge
*1 Draconic Muralists
*1 Dragonlord Dromoka
*1 Dragonlord Ojutai
*1 Dragonologist
*1 Dromoka, the Eternal
*1 Earthquake Dragon
*1 Firespitter Whelp
*1 Ganax, Astral Hunter
*1 Jeskai Shrinekeeper
*1 Kolaghan, the Storm&#039;s Fury
*1 Korlessa, Scale Singer
*1 Lathliss, Dragon Queen
*1 Lozhan, Dragons&#039; Legacy
*1 Ojutai, Soul of Winter
*1 Rith, Liberated Primeval
*1 Sagu Wildling // Roost Seek
*1 Scalelord Reckoner
*1 Scavenger Regent // Exude Toxin
*1 Scourge of Valkas
*1 Silumgar, the Drifting Death
*1 Steel Hellkite
*1 Sunscorch Regent
*1 Teneb, the Harvester
*1 Thrakkus the Butcher
*1 Thunderbreak Regent
*1 Twinmaw Stormbrood // Charring Bite
*1 Utvara Hellkite
*1 Wasitora, Nekoru Queen
*1 Wrathful Red Dragon
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Breaching Dragonstorm
*1 Crucible of Fire
*1 Dragon Tempest
*1 Dragonback Assault
*1 Encroaching Dragonstorm
*1 Temur Ascendancy
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 Beast Within
*1 Dragon&#039;s Fire
*1 Generous Gift
*1 Osseous Exhale
*1 Piercing Exhale
*1 Sarkhan&#039;s Triumph
*1 Spit Flame
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Carnelian Orb of Dragonkind
*1 Chromatic Lantern
*1 Dragon&#039;s Hoard
*1 Dragonbroods&#039; Relic
*1 Dragonstorm Globe
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Jade Orb of Dragonkind
*1 Lapis Orb of Dragonkind
*1 Pillar of Origins
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Crux of Fate
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*8 Forest
*8 Island
*8 Mountain
*8 Plains
*8 Swamp
[/Lands]"></span></div>


Jeremy Rowe