<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="PuPu UFO" href="#" target="_blank">PuPu UFO</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://linktr.ee/racrufi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Racrufi</a></em></p>
<p>Believe it or not, the <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/fin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Final Fantasy</em></a> set is almost here. Whether you’re going to a pre-release, a draft, buying packs, or just picking up singles, you’ll be getting tons of playable cards for Commander. Spoiler season has been headlined by some flashy rares and mythics, but today we'll be taking a look at a few great commons and uncommons that might've slipped under your radar.</p>
<p>My name is Tyler ‘Savesya’ Bucks, and on this edition of <em>Bulk Up</em> we're shining a spotlight on those cards people tend to skip over when opening a booster. With this list, I'll be highlighting new singles that can fit in a broader range of decks, or pair well with popular strategies. So, let’s not waste any more time and jump right into things!</p>
<h2>The Best Commons and Uncommons in <em>Final Fantasy</em></h2>
<h3>PuPu UFO</h3>
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<p>Kicking things off this week with not only one of the best bulk cards of the set, but also one of the worst named cards of all time. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="PuPu UFO" href="#" target="_blank">PuPu UFO</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great blocker that offers up some amazing ramp capabilities in the right build. If your deck is drawing one to two additional cards each turn rotation, there's a good chance you’ll be able to throw a land down with the UFO while still hitting your land drop for the turn.</p>
<p>As for a deck I'd suggest you add this little Alien to, let’s pair it up with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Niv-Mizzet, Parun" href="#" target="_blank">Niv-Mizzet, Parun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Those decks are already filled with ways to draw cards, which means that from the start of the game you could be throwing down an additional land each turn rotation. Having the right lands to cast your commander is paramount in this deck, so that means you’ll be dropping that egotistical Dragon earlier than anyone is ready for.</p>
<h3>Summon: Fenrir</h3>
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<p>Speaking of land ramp, the first Summon card we'll look at today can help with that. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Fenrir" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Fenrir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a Saga creature that fetches a basic land on its first chapter, gives a counter to a creature you cast on the second chapter, then draws you a card if you have the biggest creature on the board before sacrificing itself. If you're running a deck that's centered around creatures primarily, this might be more helpful than a normal <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cultivate" href="#" target="_blank">Cultivate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in that deck.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tayam, Luminous Enigma" href="#" target="_blank">Tayam, Luminous Enigma</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> works perfectly with these new Saga creatures. Feeding into those counter synergies as well as the fact that you can bring them back to your board if they do end up in your graveyard. I recently did an <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/build-a-tayam-luminous-enigma-deck-with-your-dragonstorm-bulk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">article about a Tayam deck</a> made primarily out of bulk from <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tdm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Tarkir: Dragonstorm</em></a>, and I definitely think you could start throwing some of these Summons in that list to power it up!</p>
<h3 class="m-2">Relm's Sketching</h3>
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<p>You know what they say: if you can’t ramp lands, copy them. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Relm&#039;s Sketching" href="#" target="_blank">Relm&#039;s Sketching</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a sorcery that lets you copy the best land, artifact, or even creature on the board. Four mana is a little steep for getting a copy of something, but since you can grab three different permanent types, that kind of makes up for it if you ask me. Plus, as the years go on, we've been getting more and more ways to go off with tokens. So, as we get more sets, this spell will only continue to grow in value.</p>
<p>A really interesting commander from last year that would work great with this new spell is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eluge, the Shoreless Sea" href="#" target="_blank">Eluge, the Shoreless Sea</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Not only does it care about lands, but it can also reduce the blue mana in the casting cost of instant and sorcery spells you cast. If you can copy the best creature, artifact, or land with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Relm&#039;s Sketching" href="#" target="_blank">Relm&#039;s Sketching</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for only two mana, you're definitely in a good position to take that game!</p>
<h3>Sidequest: Catch A Fish</h3>
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<p>Next up, let’s turn an enchantment into a land with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidequest: Catch a Fish" href="#" target="_blank">Sidequest: Catch a Fish</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. On the front side, this can help you draw a card, make you a Food token, and then flip over into a land. That's already really great, but that activated ability of the land shouldn’t be overlooked. Sacrificing an artifact, like the Food you just made, to put a +1/+1 counter on all your creatures is a really good effect to keep in your back pocket.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alela, Artful Provocateur" href="#" target="_blank">Alela, Artful Provocateur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a commander that cares both about enchantments as well as artifacts, making it perfect for this Sidequest. Creating a Faerie when you cast the enchantment side, and then again when you cast the artifact you draw off the top is very nice. Once it’s flipped over to that land side, you can wait for the right moment to throw a counter on your board of flyers to help them pack even more of a punch.</p>
<h3>Summon: G.F. Ifrit</h3>
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<p>Our next entry on this list offers both card rummaging and a little bit of ramp. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: G.F. Ifrit" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: G.F. Ifrit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another Saga creature that gives you the ability to discard a card to draw a card for its first two chapters, and then its final two gives you a red mana on your first main phase. A card like this can help you sculpt a better hand for your late game and then gives you some additional mana to enact those plans.</p>
<p>Let's go back to a classic mono-red commander with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Feldon of the Third Path" href="#" target="_blank">Feldon of the Third Path</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. He cares about filling up the graveyard with threats to replace his wife with, so the Summon’s ability to throw cards in the bin that you can make tokens of later is a great pairing. Then it will give you some extra mana that you can use to activate that ability, helping smooth out your later turns.</p>
<h3>Overkill</h3>
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<p>This next card might be in the running for the most aptly named spell of all time: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overkill" href="#" target="_blank">Overkill</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. If you or someone you know is still a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Murder" href="#" target="_blank">Murder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> believer (and I know you’re out there) this is just another nail in your favorite kill spell’s coffin. Giving a creature -0/-9999 at instant speed is just a wild ability and can help get you out of some extra tricky situations. Indestructible creatures won’t stand a chance against <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overkill" href="#" target="_blank">Overkill</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which is especially brutal if someone was holding up a protection spell like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boros Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Boros Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to protect a key piece.</p>
<p>If you’re looking to make your opponents' creatures die with zero toughness, then <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Massacre Girl, Known Killer" href="#" target="_blank">Massacre Girl, Known Killer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the commander for you! Her decks are usually filled with all kinds of ways to lower the board's stats, drawing you a whole bunch of cards all at once. Which is great value, but sometimes you just need to clear one thing off the board. So, three mana to remove a threat, and then draw a card isn’t too bad of a combo.</p>
<h3>Phoenix Down</h3>
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<p>One of the most important items in the <em>Final Fantasy</em> franchise is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phoenix Down" href="#" target="_blank">Phoenix Down</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and its ability was perfectly captured with this card. Sure, the ability to snipe a few specific creature types might come up in a game once in a while. However, the main star of the show is that recursion ability. The fact that this can sit on the battlefield gives you the opportunity to activate it when the time is right. Pair this with a commander that loves to fill your graveyard, and your deck just got all the more resilient.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Queen Kayla bin-Kroog" href="#" target="_blank">Queen Kayla bin-Kroog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a commander I’ve considered building around for a while, because it just plays so well with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phoenix Down" href="#" target="_blank">Phoenix Down</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Since Queen Kayla has you discard your hand, and lets you return some of the cards you threw away to the battlefield, you can choose this new artifact to be one of them. Once it’s on your board, you can then use it to bring back something else you discarded, which helps give you even more access to the cards in your bin.</p>
<h3>Self-Destruct</h3>
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<p>We have a new addition in the long line of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fling" href="#" target="_blank">Fling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-style spells with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Self-Destruct" href="#" target="_blank">Self-Destruct</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Two mana for an instant-speed way for one of your creatures to deal a killing blow to a troublesome creature or even an opponent is a great rate. The fact that it deals that damage to itself as well is where things can get tricky. Of course, if your creature’s power is lower than its toughness that's great, but if the creature you choose is indestructible you don’t have to deal with that downside.</p>
<p>I recently did an <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-kuja-genome-sorcerer-on-a-budget-fourteen-cards-under-14" target="_blank" rel="noopener">article covering the new card</a> for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kuja, Genome Sorcerer" href="#" target="_blank">Kuja, Genome Sorcerer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which was based around Wizards and burn. If you're planning to build that deck, I think you should consider throwing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Self-Destruct" href="#" target="_blank">Self-Destruct</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in there. Once Kuja doubles the damage your Wizards do, this new instant could be a way to just take a player out at any point. Sure, you might lose one of your creatures in the process, but that’s a risk Kuja is willing to take.</p>
<h3>Quina, Qu Gourmet</h3>
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<p>Token strategies are incredibly popular, especially in green, which is what makes <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quina, Qu Gourmet" href="#" target="_blank">Quina, Qu Gourmet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> such a great Legend in the uncommon slot. Whenever you make any type of token, you will also make a 1/1 Frog. That means you can be adding more bodies to a board with other creature tokens or give a bit more punching power to a deck that only makes noncreature tokens, like Treasures, Clues, or Food.</p>
<p>Let’s make our own little <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/blb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bloomburrow</a></em> party with Quina and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chatterfang, Squirrel General" href="#" target="_blank">Chatterfang, Squirrel General</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. With just those two out, anytime you make a token you’ll also make a Frog and a Squirrel. That turns a popular card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tireless Provisioner" href="#" target="_blank">Tireless Provisioner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> into an outlet for getting three tokens anytime a land enters your board. Just think about that interaction for every other token engine in your deck… Now that's what I call value right there!</p>
<h2>The Wrap Up</h2>
<p>There you have it, some of the best commons and uncommons from the new <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/fin"><em>Final Fantasy</em></a> set. Which were your favorites? Were there any bulk cards I missed? Let me know in the comments below! I might revisit this set with another Bulk Up in the coming weeks since the power level of these cards keep getting better and better. So, until next time, enjoy forming your team, and slaying your foes!</p>


Amazing Commons &#038; Uncommons from the Final Fantasy Set

<p>When I was a child watching my brothers play <em>Final Fantasy IX</em>, I was obsessed with the character of Zidane. Not only did I have long blonde hair, I also had a tail… Okay, one of those things was a lie (which one? You decide!). So when I first saw his card, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zidane, Tantalus Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Zidane, Tantalus Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, I loved how it captured his generous yet rambunctious nature.</p>
<p>Today we'll be looking at a fun direction to take this commander in: borrowing cards from other players, as well as gifting them some pieces that benefit you at the same time. My name is Tyler ‘Savesya’ Bucks, and with all that in mind, let’s take a look at fourteen cards for under $14 that will get you started on a brand new <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/fin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Final Fantasy</a></em> deck!</p>
<h2>Zidane, Tantalus Thief</h2>
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<p>The first thought that came to mind when I saw <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zidane, Tantalus Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Zidane, Tantalus Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was his synergy with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Threaten" href="#" target="_blank">Threaten</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects. Sure, I could fill this list with every version of that type of card, but that would be a little one-note. If you have a lot of those cards, throw them in this deck!</p>
<p>This list will showcase some interesting ways to steal your opponents' cards, whether it's one at a time or multiple all at once. We'll also look at a few spells that will “gift” cards to other players, so that you can get a Treasure in return. Finally, at the end of the list, I'll showcase two cards that represent a few tricky directions you can take this commander.</p>
<h3>Kari Zev's Expertise</h3>
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<p>Kicking things off with one of my favorite versions of a Threaten effect, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kari Zev&#039;s Expertise" href="#" target="_blank">Kari Zev&#039;s Expertise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Three mana is the going rate for stealing a creature for a turn, but adding the ability to cast a spell with mana value two or less for free is what sets this apart. Sure, you might only hit something like a Signet or cheap removal off of this, but that’s better than nothing when you consider you'll also get a Treasure once you return the creature you borrowed.</p>
<h3>Claim the Firstborn</h3>
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<p>Like I said at that start of this article, I won’t fill this list with too many Threaten effects, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Claim the Firstborn" href="#" target="_blank">Claim the Firstborn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is too good not to include. One mana to take a creature with mana value three or less is incredibly powerful, especially in this deck, since you’ll get that mana back when you make that Treasure. You don’t always need to get the biggest thing from your opponents; as long as you’re stealing cards, Zidane will be happy!</p>
<h3>Captivating Crew</h3>
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<p>Say you have a lot of Treasure tokens sitting around, and nothing to dump them all into. That’s where a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Captivating Crew" href="#" target="_blank">Captivating Crew</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can truly shine. Four mana to steal one creature for a turn isn’t the greatest rate, but if you have the resources to swipe several creatures at a time, it could turn the game in your favor. Plus, at the end of your turn, you’ll make a Treasure for each creature you give back.</p>
<h3>Frenzied Fugue</h3>
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<p>Speaking of four-mana theft spells, next up we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Frenzied Fugue" href="#" target="_blank">Frenzied Fugue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. When this enters, and at the beginning of your upkeep, you’re going to steal the enchanted permanent until end of turn. Since this is a repeatable way to take something and then give it back on each of your turns, it’ll be a nice little Treasure making engine. Also, don’t overlook the fact that you can steal any permanent with this card like lands or even planeswalkers.</p>
<h3>Call for Aid</h3>
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<p>These next two cards will show off the power of stealing your opponents' things en masse. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Call for Aid" href="#" target="_blank">Call for Aid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets you gain control of all the creatures target opponent controls, which is a major shift in your favor even though you can’t attack them that turn. Plus, once you give all those creatures back, you’ll be making a huge number of Treasure tokens, which can set you up for your endgame from there.</p>
<h3>Insurrection</h3>
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<p>Taking all the creatures from one player is great, but taking all the creatures on the battlefield is even better! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Insurrection" href="#" target="_blank">Insurrection</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the most expensive card on this list, and for good reason. Back in the early days of Commander, this card used to be a favorite win-con for many red decks. When paired with Zidane, this spell will make you a whole lot of Treasures when you give those creatures back to anyone who survived the onslaught. (Also see <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mob Rule" href="#" target="_blank">Mob Rule</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for another budget option.)</p>
<h3>Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos</h3>
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<p>Moving on to the cards I’m titling “Gifts,” we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos" href="#" target="_blank">Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This is a creature you can give away to each opponent on their turn, which has to attack, can’t attack you, and grows with counters. With this creature and your commander alone, you’ll be making three Treasures and forcing your opponents to whittle each others' life totals down in the process.</p>
<h3>Yes Man, Personal Securitron</h3>
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<p>Up next is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yes Man, Personal Securitron" href="#" target="_blank">Yes Man, Personal Securitron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This deck can benefit from a little bit of politics, since you'll be handing out some value pieces during the game. Yes Man is a prime example of this, where you can make a deal with another player to give it back and forth to each other throughout the game. Drawing two cards and making a Treasure token is a nice combo. Plus, you could make a large amount of Soldier tokens when this creature leaves the battlefield.</p>
<h3>Coveted Jewel</h3>
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<p>Possibly the wackiest card on this list is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coveted Jewel" href="#" target="_blank">Coveted Jewel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. For six mana you'll draw three cards and get a rock that taps for three mana; sounds like a good rate to me! However, if someone attacks you and you don't block all the attackers, they gain control of the Jewel. Luckily, your commander will make you a Treasure when that happens. Plus, since this deck’s main goal is to take creatures and attack with them, there’s a good chance you'd be able to swing right over and take the Jewel back on your next turn.</p>
<h3>Humble Defector</h3>
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<p>I recently built a deck around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Jolly Balloon Man" href="#" target="_blank">The Jolly Balloon Man</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and got extremely excited to find a new home for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Humble Defector" href="#" target="_blank">Humble Defector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Drawing two cards just for tapping this creature is a great rate. However, you have to give it away once you do that. This is where incorporating some politics into your games will be the most beneficial, since you could just trade the Defector back and forth with the same player. Drawing two and creating a Treasure on each of your turns is the type of value that can help you close out games.</p>
<h3>Hithlain Rope</h3>
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<p>Our next card on the list offers some more possible card draw as well as land ramp, just for the small price of handing it over to the player to your right. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hithlain Rope" href="#" target="_blank">Hithlain Rope</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives players two different options they can activate, which could help incentivize them to pass this card around the table, depending on what they need in that moment. The main drawback is that you have to pass it to your right, which means it'll take a little longer to get back to you. However, in this deck, giving it away once might be enough value for one game.</p>
<h3>Discerning Financier</h3>
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<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Discerning Financier" href="#" target="_blank">Discerning Financier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> raised my eyebrows when I first saw it in one of my <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/woe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wilds of Eldraine</a></em> boosters. Making you a Treasure if your opponents have more lands than you is nice to have around. The main star in this card’s text box comes from the fact that you can pass an opponent a Treasure to draw a card for three mana. If you have your commander out when you do that, you’ll be at parity with your Treasures, since you’ll make a new one just for handing it out. This is great for making deals with other players, since you're not going down in resources.</p>
<h3>Kazuul's Fury</h3>
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<p>Our final two cards will highlight some of the ways you can take this deck, while still fitting in any build for this commander. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kazuul&#039;s Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Kazuul&#039;s Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fling" href="#" target="_blank">Fling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> style effect that’s attached to a land on the backside, making it feel free to run. Sure, giving the cards you steal back to your opponents makes you lose those Treasures, but sometimes you want to just get a threat off the board entirely. This spell, and other cards like it, are definitely a direction to go if you’re looking to make this a meaner build.</p>
<h3>Cloudshift</h3>
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<p>Finally, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloudshift" href="#" target="_blank">Cloudshift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can save one of your important creatures when you need it; but there’s something more sinister lurking behind this card. With the wording it has, when you exile a creature you've stolen, it comes back to play under your control, not its owner. Recent blink cards aren’t usually worded this way, so finding a few cards that let you steal something for the rest of the game could be extra tricky for your opponents to deal with.</p>
<h2>In Closing</h2>
<p>So, there you have it, fourteen cards for under $14 to get you started on your very own <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zidane, Tantalus Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Zidane, Tantalus Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck. Let me know in the comments what cards you would include in the rest of the 99, and bonus points for telling me your favorite Threaten effect. You can check out the full list, as well as some cards that didn't make the cut, <a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/13127458/zidane_cheerful_thief_pillow_fortteen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on my Archidekt!</a></p>
<h3>A Fancy Fifteenth - Slicer, Hired Muscle</h3>
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<p>If you liked the playstyle of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos" href="#" target="_blank">Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, then you might also enjoy his more expensive cousin <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Slicer, Hired Muscle" href="#" target="_blank">Slicer, Hired Muscle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While it’s not the most essential inclusion for this deck, if you have some more funds set aside while you're building, then give this <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/bot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Transformer</a> a chance!</p>


Zidane, Tantalus Thief | Stealing Your Friends' Cards on a Budget

<p style="text-align: right;"><em>Kuja, Genome Sorcerer | Art by <a href="https://www.iamag.co/the-art-of-joshua-raphael/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joshua Raphael</a></em></p>
<p>The long-awaited <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/fin"><em>Final Fantasy</em></a> set is on the horizon, and the hype train has already left the station. Even if you aren't the most excited to see cards from this video game series enter <em>Magic</em>, you do have to admit that some of these new designs are incredible. One of the legendary creatures that has taken the internet by storm already is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kuja, Genome Sorcerer" href="#" target="_blank">Kuja, Genome Sorcerer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>When I was young, my brothers played through <em>Final Fantasy IX</em> and I'll be honest with everyone here: Kuja was terrifying to me... So, it seems only fitting that I would overcome my fear for this villain and bring you fourteen cards for under $14 to help you get started on brewing around this commander on a budget. Strap in, throw <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4AQ7kRcn_A" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kuja's awesome theme</a> on, and get ready to bring the house down with your accursed flames!</p>
<h2>What Does Kuja, Genome Sorcerer Do?</h2>
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<p>Coming in straight from my childhood nightmares to terrorize your playgroup, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kuja, Genome Sorcerer" href="#" target="_blank">Kuja, Genome Sorcerer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. On its front side, you'll be making an 0/1 Wizard on your endstep that pings your opponents when you cast noncreature spells. Then, after you control four or more Wizards, Kuja will flip to his other side, Trance Kuja, Fate Defied, which then doubles the damage any of your Wizards deal from there on out.</p>
<p>Since this commander costs four mana, there's a good chance you'll have a Wizard or two out already by the time you cast him. That means you'll be flipping over to the damage doubling side sooner than most people think. So, with this list I'll be highlighting some great Wizards that pair nicely with that second side of Kuja, as well as some big noncreature spells that can help set you far ahead the rest of the table, especially when paired with those little Wizard tokens.</p>
<p>Let's take a look at the list now.</p>
<h3>Coruscation Mage</h3>
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<p>Our first card this week is a perfect Wizard for this list. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coruscation Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Coruscation Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deals a damage to each opponent when you cast a noncreature spell, which is the main goal of this deck already. It also can come with an offspring token, to add even more fuel to its fire. Once your Kuja flips, you could possibly be dealing four damage to your foes over and over again. Pair this Otter with your small Wizard tokens, and it's time to really deal some pain.</p>
<h3>Gleeful Arsonist</h3>
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<p>This next card fills a similar role to our last entry, and it comes with an added layer of protection. If <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gleeful Arsonist" href="#" target="_blank">Gleeful Arsonist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> happens to get killed as your game goes on, that undying effect is here to bring it right back with a +1/+1 counter on it. Since the Arsonist deals damage to your opponents equal to its power, you'll almost prefer it to get destroyed just so it can come back better than ever! Plus, this card looks like it fits right in with Kuja and his antics...</p>
<h3>Irencrag Pyromancer</h3>
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<p>Decks built around this new commander will most likely be filled with cantrips (spells that have an effect and also draws you a card), to help trigger your Wizard's pinging abilities as often as you can. If your build of the deck goes in that direction, then <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Irencrag Pyromancer" href="#" target="_blank">Irencrag Pyromancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is perfect for you. Of course, the ability to double its damage could just end games for you, but even dealing three damage as its base level can clear up your opponents' threats. Dropping this on turn three could just halt a lot of other players' game plans if they're concerned you could just wipe their value pieces off the board.</p>
<h3>Blood Cultist</h3>
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<p>Another great way to keep the board clear of small threats is with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Cultist" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Cultist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Tapping to deal one damage isn't too bad, especially when you can ping things down to grow your creature. However, once Kuja has flipped over to his other side, you can then deal two damage to enemy creatures or just swing in with a big beefy Cultist. One way or another, adding this card to your deck will be a thorn in everyone else's sides.</p>
<h3>Basalt Ravager</h3>
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<p>Next up is a card you might want to hold on to until your board is just right. Sure, you can slam <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Basalt Ravager" href="#" target="_blank">Basalt Ravager</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> down before you have double damage and it would probably make a big impact. However, if you wait until the right time and Kuja has been flipped over, you could possibly just take a player out of the game. On top of that burn damage the Ravager offers, it can also swing in to deal eight damage if you put it in the red zone.</p>
<h3>Anathemancer</h3>
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<p>Speaking of game enders, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anathemancer" href="#" target="_blank">Anathemancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can truly take some of the more lavish players at your table out of the game. When it enters, it hits one of your opponents with a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Price of Progress" href="#" target="_blank">Price of Progress</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-esque effect, which, when paired with a damage doubler, could be backbreaking. This type of spell is great for picking off a player who might be more ahead than the rest of the table, after they fill their board with stacks of specialty lands. Also, even though <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anathemancer" href="#" target="_blank">Anathemancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s unearth is expensive, you could take someone by surprise late in the game to close things out.</p>
<h3>Harmonic Prodigy</h3>
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<p>Alright, since we're midway through the list, it's time to double everything our Wizards are doing with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harmonic Prodigy" href="#" target="_blank">Harmonic Prodigy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>! So far, every creature we've talked about has had a triggered ability, which means that when the Prodigy is out, your game plan is going to go up a level. With <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kuja, Genome Sorcerer" href="#" target="_blank">Kuja, Genome Sorcerer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> flipped, doubling your Wizard's damage, that 0/1 token is dealing four damage whenever you cast a noncreature spell. Which is already crazy, but then you drop something like that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anathemancer" href="#" target="_blank">Anathemancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> we just talked about... That could be game over.</p>
<h3>Harnesser of Storms</h3>
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<p>This deck is already looking to cast as many noncreature spells as possible, so adding a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harnesser of Storms" href="#" target="_blank">Harnesser of Storms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to the list will ensure you're constantly churning through your library. This deck will most likely be an <em>all-in</em> type of strategy, so having an effect to dig deeper into your library while you're progressing through a risky turn will be a big help. Even if this creature only assists you with hitting your land drops each turn, you'll be happy to have it on your team.</p>
<h3>Party Thrasher</h3>
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<p>If you happen to have a lot of those 0/1 tokens sitting around, why not throw a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Party Thrasher" href="#" target="_blank">Party Thrasher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> down and have them help you cast your spells? Giving convoke to all your noncreature spells is a great way to push through that last little bit of damage to the rest of the table, by chaining several powerful spells together on the same turn. Plus, even if you run out of threats to cast, the Thrasher has a way to exile two cards from your library and ensure you can keep this pain train rolling.</p>
<h3>Electrostatic Infantry</h3>
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<p>A majority of the noncreature spells you'll be casting in a deck like this will be instants and sorceries, which is exactly what <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Electrostatic Infantry" href="#" target="_blank">Electrostatic Infantry</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> loves to see. Gaining a counter whenever you sling one of those spells is great, especially when you make it to the late game and can double the trampling damage this creature can offer. Given enough time, this could be a way to slam through your opponent's defenses and turn their chump blockers into chump change (I don't even know if that made sense).</p>
<h3>Taurean Mauler</h3>
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<p>Listen, I know this bull thing doesn’t look like a Wizard, but technically <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Taurean Mauler" href="#" target="_blank">Taurean Mauler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a part of that team. Throwing this onto the field in the early game and letting it grow to a massive size just means that you can consistently pressure the boards of the other players at the table. On top of that, the next few spells I'll be talking about on this list work perfectly when you have a big creature like the Mauler, which is just champing at the bit for its damage to be doubled!</p>
<h3>Soul's Fire</h3>
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<p>Next up, we have a spell that's similar to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fling" href="#" target="_blank">Fling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but lets you keep your creature around. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soul&#039;s Fire" href="#" target="_blank">Soul&#039;s Fire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> allows one of your Wizards to deal damage equal to its power to any target. When played in conjunction with the flip side of <span class="edhrecp__link only-back"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kuja, Genome Sorcerer" href="#" target="_blank">Kuja, Genome Sorcerer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you can deal a big chunk of damage to anything! Think of that with either of our last two cards on the list, and that's a way to wipe one of your foes out of the game completely, at instant speed.</p>
<h3>Chandra's Ignition</h3>
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<p>One of the most impactful spells on the entire list is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chandra&#039;s Ignition" href="#" target="_blank">Chandra&#039;s Ignition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Not only is this spell a board wipe, but when paired with a large Wizard, it could take your opponents' life totals down to single digits; all while clearing the way for your last remaining threat to swing through freely and deal another major blow. This card is a staple in our format, so be sure to snatch one up just in case that price starts to climb higher and higher.</p>
<h3>Surge to Victory</h3>
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<p>We're closing things out this week with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Surge to Victory" href="#" target="_blank">Surge to Victory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, basically an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overrun" href="#" target="_blank">Overrun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effect in this deck. Giving your board a buff to their power based on the mana value of the spell you exile is great for a big swing, especially since those 0/1 Wizard tokens can finally enter into combat. Then, you get to cast a copy of that spell when your creatures hit a player, which just adds insult to injury! Imagine casting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soul&#039;s Fire" href="#" target="_blank">Soul&#039;s Fire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> over and over again after a big combat? That's brutal.</p>
<h2>In Closing</h2>
<p>Well, there you have it: fourteen cards for under $14 to help get you started on a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kuja, Genome Sorcerer" href="#" target="_blank">Kuja, Genome Sorcerer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck. I know the <em>Final Fantasy</em> set is still almost a month away, but grabbing these cards for a low price now will help you in the long run.</p>
<p>Let me know what you thought of this list in the comments below. Also, if Kuja scared you as a kid as well, let me know and we can support each other during this scary time. Thank you everyone for reading this far, and I'll see you next week!</p>


Building Kuja, Genome Sorcerer on A Budget - Fourteen Cards Under $14

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anzrag&#039;s Rampage" href="#" target="_blank">Anzrag&#039;s Rampage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.lucasgraciano.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lucas Graciano</a></em></p>
<p><em>Murders at Karlov Manor</em>… Anytime that set is mentioned, it will likely be met with some form of criticism. Whether their ire is directed towards its complicated mechanics or Ravnica fatigued, the target of most people's frustration is the theme. A murder mystery set sounded interesting on paper, but unfortunately, it didn’t seem to translate well with the large scale of an entire set.</p>
<p>Even though this set wasn’t a fan favorite, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any hidden gems just laying low in your bulk. Sure, I could highlight cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demand Answers" href="#" target="_blank">Demand Answers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Escape Tunnel" href="#" target="_blank">Escape Tunnel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Snarling Gorehound" href="#" target="_blank">Snarling Gorehound</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and many other budget singles that have made their way into plenty of decks. However, this rag-tag list of lesser played cards could just be the perfect accomplice for your favorite commander!</p>
<p>My name is Tyler ‘Savesya’ Bucks, and on today’s edition of <em>Bulk Up</em> we're taking a look at the much-maligned crime scene known as <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/mkm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Murders at Karlov Manor</em></a>.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anzrag&#039;s Rampage" href="#" target="_blank">Anzrag&#039;s Rampage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
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<p>First up, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anzrag&#039;s Rampage" href="#" target="_blank">Anzrag&#039;s Rampage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a card that a lot of people thought would take Commander by storm. However, it’s only showing up in 0.65% of possible decks on EDHREC. Here’s a question: when was the last time you saw a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vandalblast" href="#" target="_blank">Vandalblast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> cast for only one target? It’s usually played for its overload cost, which is five mana, the same as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anzrag&#039;s Rampage" href="#" target="_blank">Anzrag&#039;s Rampage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. So, if you have a deck where you could benefit from cheating out a big creature, this might be the spell for you!</p>
<p>In terms of a deck I'd suggest you run <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anzrag&#039;s Rampage" href="#" target="_blank">Anzrag&#039;s Rampage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in, let’s take a look at <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ureni of the Unwritten" href="#" target="_blank">Ureni of the Unwritten</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This commander loves cheating big Dragons into play, so their decks are packed full of nasty threats just waiting to hit the battlefield. Since Ureni is a whopping seven mana, you could cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anzrag&#039;s Rampage" href="#" target="_blank">Anzrag&#039;s Rampage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> a few turns before your Spirit Dragon comes out, setting your opponents behind, while slamming down a big threat. Everything your deck loves to do!</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treacherous Greed" href="#" target="_blank">Treacherous Greed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
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<p>Our next card, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treacherous Greed" href="#" target="_blank">Treacherous Greed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, synergizes perfectly with the new mobilize mechanic from <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tdm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Dragonstorm</em></a>. Three mana to draw three, gain three, and drain three from your opponents is an amazing rate. When paired with those temporary Warrior tokens you’re making, it can help refill your hand out of nowhere. The fact that it's an instant allows you to cast it at the end of combat, then move into your second main phase with even more options than before!</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zurgo Stormrender" href="#" target="_blank">Zurgo Stormrender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, one of the commanders from the recent <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/mardu-surge-precon-guide-tarkir-dragonstorm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mardu precon</a>, allows you to be even trickier with this spell. If you sacrifice one of your tokens at the end of combat, it's still considered an “attacking” creature in the rules of the game. So Zurgo will also draw you a card on top of the ones you get with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treacherous Greed" href="#" target="_blank">Treacherous Greed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Three mana draw four sounds like good value to me.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fae Flight" href="#" target="_blank">Fae Flight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
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<p>Evasion and protection are two important facets to include in a lot of decks, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fae Flight" href="#" target="_blank">Fae Flight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> assists with both. When this Aura enters, the enchanted creature gains hexproof until end of turn, which can catch an opponent off guard after they target your commander with removal. Plus, giving flying and a little power boost will help you chip in for damage more freely as the game goes on.</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-kotis-the-fangkeeper-enchantress-on-a-budget" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Last week, I wrote about</a> <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kotis, the Fangkeeper" href="#" target="_blank">Kotis, the Fangkeeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and included <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fae Flight" href="#" target="_blank">Fae Flight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in that list. That's a perfect example of how useful this spell could be. Even though Kotis has indestructible, giving hexproof for a turn will still save you from getting your commander locked down, halting your game plan in the process. That flying also helps any deck that’s centered around connecting with creatures, especially when that results in stealing your opponent's cards.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Case of the Stashed Skeleton" href="#" target="_blank">Case of the Stashed Skeleton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
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<p>Many Commander players shy away from including tutors in their decks, since it can defeat the singleton nature of the format. However, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Case of the Stashed Skeleton" href="#" target="_blank">Case of the Stashed Skeleton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has some quirks that will still appeal to those players. In a deck centered around Aristocrats or aggro, this card can slot right in. Making you a token and then allowing you to find any card in your deck once that token disappears feels like the perfect crime.</p>
<p>Another way to ensure “you control no suspected Skeletons” is with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jon Irenicus, Shattered One" href="#" target="_blank">Jon Irenicus, Shattered One</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Giving that token away to someone else not only helps you solve the case, but it continues your plan of forcing your opponents to attack each other. What would you go searching for in this deck? If it was me, I'd go find one of my favorites, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Abyssal Persecutor" href="#" target="_blank">Abyssal Persecutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>!</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Officious Interrogation" href="#" target="_blank">Officious Interrogation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
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<p>Hear me out; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Officious Interrogation" href="#" target="_blank">Officious Interrogation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might not go in every deck, but it can be an absolute bomb with a lot of commanders. There’s plenty of token decks floating around nowadays, so the fact that this spell is at instant speed means that you could stock up on a whole lot of Clues to piggyback off of your opponents' value. Pairing this with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inspiring Statuary" href="#" target="_blank">Inspiring Statuary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rise and Shine" href="#" target="_blank">Rise and Shine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can push your board straight into the late game.</p>
<p>An absolute classic commander is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breya, Etherium Shaper" href="#" target="_blank">Breya, Etherium Shaper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and she works perfectly with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Officious Interrogation" href="#" target="_blank">Officious Interrogation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Once you have a board full of Clues, leaving just two mana up means you can crack one of them to draw a card or activate one of Breya’s many abilities at any time. This can throw your foes off their game, especially if you have a big pile of Clues just sitting there… <em>menacingly.</em></p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wispdrinker Vampire" href="#" target="_blank">Wispdrinker Vampire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
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<p>We’ve gotten so many cards that care about smaller creatures lately, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wispdrinker Vampire" href="#" target="_blank">Wispdrinker Vampire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one that's seemed to slip under the radar. Draining the table any time a creature with power two or less enters lets you keep your game plan going, while setting your own life total head and shoulders above the rest. Even though that final ability may be expensive, it could just save the game for you with a big attack, or a surprising block.</p>
<p>Adding the Wispdrinker in a deck helmed by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thalisse, Reverent Medium" href="#" target="_blank">Thalisse, Reverent Medium</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might just put the table on a clock they can’t outrun. Creating small tokens, draining the table, and then making even more on each end step could push your match into the endgame. Then give all those Spirits lifelink and deathtouch to add insult to injury.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Break Out" href="#" target="_blank">Break Out</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
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<p>Our next spell is a bit of a head-scratcher. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Break Out" href="#" target="_blank">Break Out</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a two-mana spell that lets you look at the top six cards of your library, and either put a big creature into your hand, or small creature right into play with haste. Now, two mana to draw one creature, with the possibility of whiffing, is a little risky. However, the fact that you could get something out for free is the real star of the show. On top of that, it can make for a fun story to tell at the end of the game.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raggadragga, Goreguts Boss" href="#" target="_blank">Raggadragga, Goreguts Boss</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> loves mana creatures, which tend to be on the smaller side. Plus, giving one of them haste would be a great way to follow up with another spell on the same turn. Since your commander buffs your mana creatures when they hit the board, you don’t care if they have power two or less in your library. You know that once they're out, they can become big beaters.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Case of the Uneaten Feast" href="#" target="_blank">Case of the Uneaten Feast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
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<p>Our final card this week is one that most likely suffers from the issue of people giving up on reading the card halfway through. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Case of the Uneaten Feast" href="#" target="_blank">Case of the Uneaten Feast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> not only gains you life when creatures enter your board, but once you solve the case, you can cast any creatures in your graveyard for a turn. The value of that effect is incredible, so if this is in a token deck or life gain strategy, you could hit that final ability faster than expected.</p>
<p>It feels like this case and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Amalia Benavides Aguirre" href="#" target="_blank">Amalia Benavides Aguirre</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are made for each other. Not only will it consistently trigger your commander, but if Amalia wipes the board, you can cast some of the creatures you lost all over again! Also, since Amalia is two mana, and this enchantment is one, they curve perfect for an amazing first couple turns.</p>
<h2>The Wrap Up</h2>
<p>Listen, I know looking at this set again might have brought back too many grisly memories, but I'm proud of you for being brave enough to make it to the end of the article. Who knows, maybe there’s a few of you out there who were morbid enough to love this set, and I for one give all my respect to those players.</p>
<p>So, whether you loved it, hated it, or landed somewhere in between, let me know what you thought of this list in the comments below. Will you be adding any of these cards to your decks, or do you consider this set a closed case? Alright, that’s enough crime puns for one day…</p>


Are There Hidden Gems From Murders at Karlov Manor?

<p style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kotis, the Fangkeeper" href="#" target="_blank">Kotis, the Fangkeeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://evynfong.square.site/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Evyn Fong</a></p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tdm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Tarkir: Dragonstorm</em></a> brought so many amazing new cards into the game. A commander that's stood out above the rest is none other than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kotis, the Fangkeeper" href="#" target="_blank">Kotis, the Fangkeeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Already totaling over five thousand decks on <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/kotis-the-fangkeeper" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EDHREC</a>, the community has been infatuated with this character since preview season. Whether it's for his abilities, or because he's a heartthrob, that's for you to decide.</p>
<p>There's plenty of directions to take Kotis, but today I'll be putting a spotlight on the Enchantress architype. To do that, I, Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks, will showcase fourteen cards for under $14 you can pick up right now to help get you started on a brand-new deck.</p>
<h2>The Commander - Kotis, the Fangkeeper</h2>
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<p>One of the most beloved cards in the commander format is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Villainous Wealth" href="#" target="_blank">Villainous Wealth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, so it should come as no surprise that a creature that can give you that effect turn after turn would become very popular to build around. With this list I'll be highlighting a few things that every <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kotis, the Fangkeeper" href="#" target="_blank">Kotis, the Fangkeeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck needs: evasion, buffing, and additional value that'll build up along the way.</p>
<p>So, let's take a look at some amazing budget Auras that you can utilize to steal the best cards from your friends' decks!</p>
<h3>Favor of the Overbeing</h3>
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<p>A prime example of both buffing and evasion is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Favor of the Overbeing" href="#" target="_blank">Favor of the Overbeing</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Giving Kotis plus +2/+2, flying, and vigilance for only two mana is an amazing rate. This card alone can allow you to exile four cards from whoever you hit, all while being able to leave your commander up as a blocker because of that vigilance.</p>
<h3>Canopy Cover</h3>
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<p>Another great two-mana spell for this deck is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Canopy Cover" href="#" target="_blank">Canopy Cover</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which basically gives your creature flying and hexproof. Your commander will be a lightning rod for removal, and even though that indestructible is a great safety net, you always have to prepare for exile removal, and this Aura ensures no one can touch a hair on Kotis's undead head!</p>
<h3>Fae Flight</h3>
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<p>On a similar axis as our last entry is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fae Flight" href="#" target="_blank">Fae Flight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Adding plus one to Kotis’s power and giving him flying is exactly what this deck is looking for. On top of that, this Aura acts almost like a counterspell if your opponents are ready to try to get the Fangkeeper off your board.</p>
<h3>Demonic Embrace</h3>
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<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Embrace" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Embrace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> adds some more flying to the list, as well as a nice power boost, all while having the ability to be cast from your graveyard if it winds up there. That gives it extra utility, since there's a good chance that, against your best efforts, Kotis will end up being removed at some point. And <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Embrace" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Embrace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will be there when he returns.</p>
<h3>Rancor</h3>
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<p>Speaking of coming back from the grave, the next card on our list, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, offers that effect for free. It only costs one mana and gives your commander a power buff as well as trample, which isn’t necessarily evasion, but can still help push damage through. The best part of this spell is that it will almost always come back, meaning that you can rely on it to be there as long as the game goes on.</p>
<h3>Aether Tunnel</h3>
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<p>Say you don’t even want to worry about blockers. Well, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aether Tunnel" href="#" target="_blank">Aether Tunnel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are here to assist you with that! For two mana you can give Kotis unblockable, as well as +1/+0, which will ensure you’ll be hitting someone for three damage each time you attack. On top of that, this pairs well with anything else that buffs your commander’s power, since it clears the way entirely.</p>
<h3>Security Bypass</h3>
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<p>Decks built around Kotis tend to have one main game plan: attack with Kotis. To help with that, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Security Bypass" href="#" target="_blank">Security Bypass</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> giving more of that premium evasion to your commander if it attacks alone. It also lets the creature it’s attached to connive whenever it deals damage to someone, which will help with sculpting your hand while also growing its power.</p>
<h3>Fly</h3>
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<p>Another card that adds more value to your attacks is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fly" href="#" target="_blank">Fly</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Not only does it give flying to your creature (shocking, I know) but whenever you hit a player, you venture into the dungeon. The go-to option out of the three dungeons is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lost Mine of Phandelver" href="#" target="_blank">Lost Mine of Phandelver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and I suggest you follow that trend in this deck as well. All the options it offers are generically good, and you can even put some counters on Kotis along the way.</p>
<h3>Sleeper's Robe</h3>
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<p>Next up we have an oldie but a goodie! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sleeper&#039;s Robe" href="#" target="_blank">Sleeper&#039;s Robe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives your commander <a href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Fear" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fear</a>, even if it doesn’t say that keyword, and draws you a card when it connects. Even though you'll be stealing other people’s spells in this deck, you still want to make sure you have cards in your hand. Your goal should be to throw a new Aura on Kotis as often as you can, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sleeper&#039;s Robe" href="#" target="_blank">Sleeper&#039;s Robe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> helps with that.</p>
<h3>Combat Research</h3>
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<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Combat Research" href="#" target="_blank">Combat Research</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is similar to our last card on the list, drawing you a card whenever Kotis hits a player. However, this time around you also get +1/+1, and ward <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, for just a single mana. As I said earlier, your commander will draw a lot of hate from the table, so adding an additional roadblock on top of the indestructible it already has can deter people from sending removal your way.</p>
<h3>Well Rested</h3>
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<p>Kotis is surely going to be tired after all of that attacking, so he deserves to be <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Well Rested" href="#" target="_blank">Well Rested</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> when the turn gets back to you. Drawing a card and putting counters on your commander will help your game plan move forward for sure. However, the fact that you’re gaining a little bit of life as the game goes on shouldn’t be understated. The table most likely will be attacking you when your defenses are down, so you just need a little bit of extra padding to get you through the rest of the battle.</p>
<h3>Strong Back</h3>
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<p>Time to pump up your commander’s power even more, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strong Back" href="#" target="_blank">Strong Back</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Making all your Auras cost three less to cast helps you load up Kotis even more than before, but that final ability is the real star of the show. Giving +2/+2 for each Aura attached to your commander means you could be stealing a huge chunk of spells from your opponents each time you connect. This card can truly change things in your favor when it hits the board.</p>
<h3>Giant Inheritance</h3>
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<p>Keeping up with the plan of powering up Kotis, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giant Inheritance" href="#" target="_blank">Giant Inheritance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which is like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>’s big brother. Once you throw that <a href="https://scryfall.com/card/twoe/15/monster-sorcerer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monster Role</a> on your creature, it’ll end up with +6/+6 and trample! If that draws the ire of the table, like I think it will, you’ll be able to get this Aura back if it ever ends up in your graveyard from the battlefield. That just makes it a constant game ending threat.</p>
<h3>Entity Tracker</h3>
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<p>Closing things out with a generically good card draw engine, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Entity Tracker" href="#" target="_blank">Entity Tracker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. If you go the Aura route, you’ll be drawing each time you load Kotis up for battle. However, the Tracker triggers off of any enchantments hitting your board, which means if you hit an opponent for a ton of damage, you could be casting several enchantments for free and refilling your hand! That flash shouldn't be overlooked either, since you can cast this right before all the spells you steal resolve, to be extra sneaky.</p>
<h2>In Closing</h2>
<p>I hope this list was helpful for you and your journey building around Kotis! As you can tell, these Auras fit perfectly in most builds for this commander. So even if you don't go the full Enchantress direction, you could still grab these singles to power up your own deck.</p>
<p>If you want to see the full list, including the cards that didn't make the main fourteen, <a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/12534594/kotis_the_fangkeeper_enchantress_pillow_fortteen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">you can check those out on my Archidekt</a>.</p>


Building Kotis, the Fangkeeper Enchantress on a Budget

<p style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tayam, Luminous Enigma" href="#" target="_blank">Tayam, Luminous Enigma</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | art by <a href="https://www.samburley.com/">Sam Burley</a></p>
<p>Imagine this: You got incredibly hyped for <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tdm#cardlists"><em>Tarkir: Dragonstorm</em></a>, so you went to prerelease and left with prize packs on top of the bulk from another very nice player! However, it didn't end there... You also host a draft at your house and end up with even more boosters than you expected by the end of it.</p>
<p>One question keeps coming to your mind as that pile of bulk rapidly amasses... "What am I supposed to do with all of these cards?!"</p>
<p>Well, if you're me, you don't have to imagine this, because this is my reality. I currently have way more new singles on my hands than I was prepared for, but I'm not complaining! Since this set is so stacked from the commons up to the mythics, it got me thinking.</p>
<p>Was there a commander from <em>Magic's</em> past that synergizes perfectly some of the core mechanics from this set? Well, the answer to the question turned out to be a resounding yes!</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Enter Tayam, Luminous Enigma</h2>
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<p>Both the Sultai and Abzan clans have strong counter and graveyard synergies throughout the set. So, with that in mind, there was a commander that stood out among the rest when I was looking for the best headliner for this bulk fest!</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tayam, Luminous Enigma" href="#" target="_blank">Tayam, Luminous Enigma</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives us access to three colors as well as a way to utilize both counters and the spells in your graveyard. This allowed me to find plenty of great cards in the main set to build towards a full 99, however we might need a little bit more glue to hold this thing together!</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">The Decklist</h3>
<p>As you will see in the list below, there are fourteen cards from other sets that will help the deck become much more well-rounded, plus there's also a list of budget lands that can help fix your mana.</p>
<p>The best part about all of those outside inclusions is the fact that you could pick them up for about $14. On top of that, there's a good chance that you already own a few of those cards, since most of them are staples, or from recent sets!</p>
<p>The main gameplan for this deck is to build counters on your creatures and then cash them in for value with Tayam. New cards with the endure mechanic, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fortress Kin-Guard" href="#" target="_blank">Fortress Kin-Guard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, help you with building those counters or building up your ranks. Creatures with <em>Renew,</em> such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Champion of Dusan" href="#" target="_blank">Champion of Dusan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, allow you to exile them from your graveyard to put specific counters onto one of the key pieces on your board.</p>
<p>To assist those mechanics, the deck is filled with payoffs for having counters on your team, or helping you fill your graveyard so that you can recur something even more suited for whatever situation you're in.</p>
<p>So, take a look at the list down below, and then I'll highlight some of the best cards that can help this bulk deck put up a fight at most Commander tables!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Tayam, Luminous Enigma - Build A Budget Deck With Dragonstorm Bulk" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Tayam, Luminous Enigma
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Abzan Devotee
*1 Ainok Wayfarer
*1 Alchemist&#039;s Assistant
*1 Anafenza, Unyielding Lineage
*1 Armament Dragon
*1 Champion of Dusan
*1 Descendant of Storms
*1 Felothar, Dawn of the Abzan
*1 Feral Deathgorger // Dusk Sight
*1 Formation Breaker
*1 Fortress Kin-Guard
*1 Host of the Hereafter
*1 Hundred-Battle Veteran
*1 Kin-Tree Nurturer
*1 Krumar Initiate
*1 Lasyd Prowler
*1 Attuned Hunter
*1 Poised Practitioner
*1 Qarsi Revenant
*1 Rainveil Rejuvenator
*1 Reputable Merchant
*1 Sage of the Fang
*1 Sandskitter Outrider
*1 Sinkhole Surveyor
*1 Stalwart Successor
*1 Unburied Earthcarver
*1 Undergrowth Leopard
*1 Warden of the Grove
*1 Yathan Tombguard
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Knockout Maneuver
*1 Nature&#039;s Rhythm
*1 Rite of Renewal
*1 Roamer&#039;s Routine
*1 Synchronized Charge
*1 Worthy Cost
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Cruel Truths
*1 Duty Beyond Death
*1 Heritage Reclamation
*1 Lightfoot Technique
*1 Snakeskin Veil
*1 Wail of War
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Abzan Monument
*1 Herd Heirloom
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Barrensteppe Siege
*1 Encroaching Dragonstorm
*1 Revival of the Ancestors
*1 Static Snare
*1 Stormplain Detainment
*1 Hollowmurk Siege
[/Enchantments]
[Lands From the Set]
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Blossoming Sands
*1 Jungle Hollow
*1 Sandsteppe Citadel
*1 Scoured Barrens
*8 Swamp
*8 Forest
*3 Plains
[/Lands From the Set]
[Adds From Outside Sets]
*1 Trash the Town
*1 Revitalizing Repast // Old-Growth Grove
*1 Return of the Wildspeaker
*1 Damn
*1 Diresight
*1 Cankerbloom
*1 Song of Freyalise
*1 High-Society Hunter
*1 Stargaze
*1 Winding Constrictor
*1 Managorger Hydra
*1 Armored Scrapgorger
*1 Rishkar, Peema Renegade
*1 Wall of Roots
[/Adds From Outside Sets]
[Budget Lands to Include]
*1 Shineshadow Snarl
*1 Sungrass Prairie
*1 Caves of Koilos
*1 Necroblossom Snarl
*1 Scattered Grove
*1 Fortified Village
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Canopy Vista
*1 Command Tower
*1 Deceptive Landscape
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Viridescent Bog
[/Budget Lands to Include]"></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Key Cards from Dragonstorm</h3>
<p>This deck's biggest strength is found in its counter synergies, so prioritizing engine pieces that stack those onto your team will be your main priority. The fact that your commander ensures you get at least one vigilance counter on any creature that enters under your control makes it very pivotal in your gameplan.</p>
<p>A few other cards in the deck that build up your board with counters is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Warden of the Grove" href="#" target="_blank">Warden of the Grove</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Barrensteppe Siege" href="#" target="_blank">Barrensteppe Siege</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stalwart Successor" href="#" target="_blank">Stalwart Successor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Felothar, Dawn of the Abzan" href="#" target="_blank">Felothar, Dawn of the Abzan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. After playtesting the deck, I can tell you not to be too precious about your counters as the game goes on.</p>
<p>Since <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tayam, Luminous Enigma" href="#" target="_blank">Tayam, Luminous Enigma</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can trade three of them in for a permanent in your graveyard, if you find yourself stalling out in the match, pull the trigger and recur a new value piece!</p>
<p>Some more cards from the main set that just hum in this deck are <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hollowmurk Siege" href="#" target="_blank">Hollowmurk Siege</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yathan Tombguard" href="#" target="_blank">Yathan Tombguard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, becoming powerful draw engines when paired with your counter stacked creatures.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Duty Beyond Death" href="#" target="_blank">Duty Beyond Death</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightfoot Technique" href="#" target="_blank">Lightfoot Technique</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> act as both protection and fit in with all the other counter makers in your deck.</p>
<p>You even have strong game ending spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Synchronized Charge" href="#" target="_blank">Synchronized Charge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Revival of the Ancestors" href="#" target="_blank">Revival of the Ancestors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to assist with buffing your board for a big alpha strike!</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Great Includes from Outside the Set</h3>
<p>Since most of the cards in the list are from a standard set, it needed a little help with the normal fruits and veggies that every deck needs: ramp, card draw, removal and a few more counter-centric pieces.</p>
<p>While you could still try to make this deck with only cards from <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tdm"><em>Dragonstorm</em></a>, spending just a little bit more to pick up these fourteen cards will help you have a fighting chance against other bracket <em>2 Core</em>, and even bracket <em>3 Upgraded</em> matchups.</p>
<p>To assist with card draw we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Diresight" href="#" target="_blank">Diresight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stargaze" href="#" target="_blank">Stargaze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="High-Society Hunter" href="#" target="_blank">High-Society Hunter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> which will also help fill your graveyard with more reanimation targets for your commander. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Return of the Wildspeaker" href="#" target="_blank">Return of the Wildspeaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Trash the Town" href="#" target="_blank">Trash the Town</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can put cards in your hand and/or add some additional punching power to the deck!</p>
<p>Synergistic ramp can be found with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rishkar, Peema Renegade" href="#" target="_blank">Rishkar, Peema Renegade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Song of Freyalise" href="#" target="_blank">Song of Freyalise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wall of Roots" href="#" target="_blank">Wall of Roots</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Armored Scrapgorger" href="#" target="_blank">Armored Scrapgorger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. In the case of those last two, they will generate mana, as well as counters; which your commander can then remove to bring something back from your graveyard.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winding Constrictor" href="#" target="_blank">Winding Constrictor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Managorger Hydra" href="#" target="_blank">Managorger Hydra</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both huge counter-generating engines, which will allow your gameplan to snowball even faster. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Revitalizing Repast" href="#" target="_blank">Revitalizing Repast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> acts as more protection for the deck, as well as an additional land drop when you need it.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cankerbloom" href="#" target="_blank">Cankerbloom</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> doesn't just give you the option to remove an opponent's pesky artifact or enchantment, but it can also proliferate all the counters on your board. Finally, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Damn" href="#" target="_blank">Damn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> acting as either targeted removal or a boardwipe when it's needed!</p>
<p>On top of those fourteen cards, you'll see I added a list of budget lands to assist you with your fixing, without breaking the bank. Even if you don't want to grab those exact singles, picking up a few solid dual lands will ensure you can cast all the spells you need to in this three-color deck.</p>
<h2>The Wrap Up!</h2>
<p>Well, I hope you enjoyed this trip through your bulk piles as much as I have. <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tdm">Dragonstorm</a>, </em>is an amazing set, and the fact that a huge percentage of this deck comes from the main set is just a testament to that! If you would like to test out the deck for yourself, as well as see the 'maybe' board for more possible includes, you can do that right <a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/12578899/tayam_luminous_enigma_build_a_budget_deck_with_dragonstorm_bulk">here on my Archidekt</a>.</p>


Build a Tayam, Luminous Enigma Deck with Your Dragonstorm Bulk

<p>It's been several weeks since the release of <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tdm"><em>Tarkir: Dragonstorm</em></a>, and it's already making a huge impact on Commander! From the commons up to the mythic rares, there's already a lot of instant staples in this set. That being said, there are plenty of playable rares that are sitting in the budget range that I want to shine the spotlight on today!</p>
<p>My name is Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks, and I go through your bulk bins so you don't have to. My main goal with the<em> <a href="https://commandersherald.com/the-best-bulk-from-tarkir-dragonstorm-part-1-bulk-up/">Bulk Up</a> </em>series is to show players that they don't have to break the bank to supercharge their decks. Plus, if you've opened a lot of boosters from a recent set, there's a good chance that some of these great bulk rares are sitting in a pile on your kitchen table!</p>
<p>For clarity, I define bulk rares as follows: rares, usually under $1, that often get overlooked during deckbuilding, causing their price to stay in budget building range.</p>
<p>With that out of the way, let's take a look at the list and <em>Bulk Up</em>!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Bloomvine Regent</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloomvine Regent"></div></div>
<p>First up, flying in from <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tdm">Tarkir</a></em>, we have <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>! Three mana to get a basic <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Forest" href="#" target="_blank">Forest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> into play and another into your hand isn’t too bad of a rate. Even though it doesn’t help you color-fix, like some other land-fetching effects, it makes up for that by also being a five-mana 4/5 flyer that can be a life gain engine in a Dragon deck. In a mono-color or even a two-color deck, this could just be a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cultivate" href="#" target="_blank">Cultivate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with upside!</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vrondiss, Rage of Ancients" href="#" target="_blank">Vrondiss, Rage of Ancients</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a Dragon commander in Gruul that would take full advantage of both modes from <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>. Dragon decks are already mana-hungry, so any help with ramp is needed, but the fact that Vrondiss creates so many tokens means that you’ll be gaining a whole lot of life. Since both sides of the card works so well with your commander, you’ll never feel bad when you pull this creature off the top of your deck.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Temur Battlecrier</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Temur Battlecrier"></div></div>
<p>In the main set of <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tdm">Dragonstorm</a></em>, Temur was filled with so many great ‘power matters’ cards, and a perfect example of that is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Temur Battlecrier" href="#" target="_blank">Temur Battlecrier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. At its base level, you will be getting one-mana reduction for each of the spells you cast on your turn (since the Battlecrier has four power itself). If you were to put this in a deck with a high-power commander, or in a deck that makes a lot of buff tokens, you could see your spells costing cheaper and cheaper, making this a supercharged <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Anarchomancer" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Anarchomancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>!</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eshki Dragonclaw" href="#" target="_blank">Eshki Dragonclaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a commander that I am very familiar with, after my list of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN-kDwSpdT0&amp;t=509s">budget Adventure spells</a> to pair with her gained some traction! While playtesting the deck I built around her, I noticed that any little bit of help with mana acceleration is welcomed. Chaining spells together to trigger your commander can get expensive, so with only the Battlecrier and Eshki out, all the spells on your turn will cost two mana less!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Naga Fleshcrafter</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Naga Fleshcrafter"></div></div>
<p>Clones are always handy to have around, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Naga Fleshcrafter" href="#" target="_blank">Naga Fleshcrafter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is here with a very interesting take on that type of effect. On the battlefield it can copy any creature on the board for only four mana, that’s on rate for most copying effects.</p>
<p>However, once it’s in your graveyard, you can use that <em>Renew</em> ability to buff a creature, then turn your whole board into a copy of it. If you pair this with popular strategies centered around tokens, evasion, stompy, or really anything ready to have a big combat, you can simply turn your whole board into your best attacker, which could be enough to close out a game!</p>
<p>A commander that works well with graveyard synergies, as well as stealing powerful creatures from your opponents, is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gyruda, Doom of Depths" href="#" target="_blank">Gyruda, Doom of Depths</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. When it enters you mill your opponents, then steal the best creature that goes into the graveyard that way. Running this clone in the deck allows you to copy Gyruda, get its enters trigger again, then sacrifice the Fleshcrafter to state-based actions. Now that it’s in your graveyard, you can just <em>Renew</em> it to turn your whole board into the best thing you stole (as long as it’s not legendary!)</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Tip the Scales</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tip the Scales"></div></div>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/abzan-armor-precon-guide-tarkir-dragonstorm">Coming in from the Abzan precon</a>, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tip the Scales" href="#" target="_blank">Tip the Scales</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This new three-mana board wipe hits a similar note as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toxic Deluge" href="#" target="_blank">Toxic Deluge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> by being cheap to cast while also giving you a little bit of control as to what will get swept up. In the case of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tip the Scales" href="#" target="_blank">Tip the Scales</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you're limited to the level of -X/-X you’re able to hit by how large the creature you sacrifice is.</p>
<p>I do think that it could still find a home in decks that reliably have larger creatures since there’s a good chance you would be able to wipe most of your opponents' chump blockers off the board, making way for bigger attacks to come.</p>
<p>Not that it needs anymore help, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Korvold, Fae-Cursed King" href="#" target="_blank">Korvold, Fae-Cursed King</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would benefit from utilizing this new sweeper. Sacrificing a creature to cast this spell will draw you a card and grow your commander, then you'll wipe most of the board all while leaving Korvold safe. Only three mana to change the face of the game in your favor is a nice rate, if you ask me.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Awaken the Honored Dead</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Awaken the Honored Dead"></div></div>
<p>Sorcery-speed removal might not be the most ideal in today’s meta, however I think we should make an exception for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Awaken the Honored Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Awaken the Honored Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Three mana to destroy any nonland permanent on the board, fill your graveyard, and then get something strong back to your hand from your graveyard are all pivotal in the right kind of deck. Even though the last chapter makes you discard a card, there’s plenty of cards that prefer to be in your graveyard, all while you get back exactly what you need for that turn.</p>
<p>A truly unique commander that can be built in so many different ways is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Xavier Sal, Infested Captain" href="#" target="_blank">Xavier Sal, Infested Captain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. If your deck is built around creating tokens and you need more permanents to remove counters from, then this new Saga is here to help. Imagine casting it, destroying something, then using your commander to remove the Saga’s lore counter, populate, and then destroy something all over again. It will surely become your playgroup’s least favorite combo.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Floral Evoker</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Floral Evoker"></div></div>
<p>Another card that assists you with filling your graveyard with creatures, all while ramping you, is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Floral Evoker" href="#" target="_blank">Floral Evoker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/the-sultai-arisen-precon-guide-tarkir-dragonstorm">from the Sultai precon</a>. If you have a deck that's constantly throwing cards into the bin, you know that sometimes you'll mill a great land away that you just wish was on your battlefield instead. Similarly, you might also be in a spot where a creature is in your hand, and you just want it in your yard to reanimate. Well, Floral Evoker can help with both of those situations, all while growing whenever a land comes into play under your control.</p>
<p>I have a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nethroi, Apex of Death" href="#" target="_blank">Nethroi, Apex of Death</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck in my collection, and I can tell you from experience that I would prefer that my lands are on the battlefield, and my creatures were in the graveyard. The Evoker assists on both levels, and all for only one mana! Plus, it can become a large threat on the battlefield while still having a smaller power in the graveyard if you need to recur it with Nethroi.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Glacierwood Siege</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glacierwood Siege"></div></div>
<p>If you happen to be in Simic colors and still need help with graveyard strategies, then <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glacierwood Siege" href="#" target="_blank">Glacierwood Siege</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is here to help. Both modes can assist you depending on where you are in your gameplan. Sometimes you need more of your cards to be milled away; in that case you can choose 'Temur'. Other times, your bin is packed full of great lands, and choosing 'Sultai' as you cast this lets you have access to those cards again. If you’re in these colors and thinking about splurging on the expensive staple <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crucible of Worlds" href="#" target="_blank">Crucible of Worlds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, pick this bulk rare up instead!</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flubs, the Fool" href="#" target="_blank">Flubs, the Fool</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a deck that can live fast and die young, so spells like this Siege can help offer some life support. As your gameplan continues, you’ll be discarding plenty of cards, and even though your commander lets you play an additional land on your turn, you may end up with no ways to get land drops. For only three mana, you can have a way to play any land you discard along the way not just <em>once</em>, but twice!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Thunder of Unity</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thunder of Unity"></div></div>
<p>A lot of aggressive strategies in Commander run into a few issues: little to no cards in hand as well as drawing the ire of the rest of the table as the game goes on. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thunder of Unity" href="#" target="_blank">Thunder of Unity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is here to help give you some more cards in hand, plus it sets you up for two turns of some life gain and drain. Sure, it’s a little telegraphed that one big token-making spell can help turn the match in your favor, but if no one has the means to remove this Saga, you can be set up for a huge swing in the game.</p>
<p>This new Saga is an absolute slam dunk in the Mardu precon, especially if you have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zurgo Stormrender" href="#" target="_blank">Zurgo Stormrender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> at the helm. Slamming down a lot of you threats from your hand just to have this Siege help refill it is nice of course, but if you can pump out a large number of tokens while those last two chapters are active, you can take your opponents down a few pegs. Pairing this with another spell that’s already in the precon like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grand Crescendo" href="#" target="_blank">Grand Crescendo</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be such a huge blowout!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Winternight Stories</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Winternight Stories"></div></div>
<p>Next up, we have a card that has a similar effect to many other spells we’ve seen before, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winternight Stories" href="#" target="_blank">Winternight Stories</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> brings another twist to the table. Harmonize lets you cast it again from your graveyard, which adds a lot of value to the mix. As we talked about before, throwing a creature into your 'yard can be just what some decks want, turning that downside into upside.</p>
<p>Paired with the right commander, this spell can become its own engine, allowing you to churn through the top cards for your deck, looking for the right piece at the right time.</p>
<p>A commander that I fell head over heels in love with when I first saw it this year was <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hashaton, Scarab&#039;s Fist" href="#" target="_blank">Hashaton, Scarab&#039;s Fist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Decks built around this commander are always looking for ways to discard creatures while not going down with their cards in hand. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winternight Stories" href="#" target="_blank">Winternight Stories</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fits that bill perfectly, all while being able to be cast again from your graveyard. Plus, its harmonize ability costs four generic mana and a blue, which means that the 4/4 Zombie versions of the creatures Hashaton makes can perfectly assist in recasting this spell!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Revival of the Ancestors</h3>
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<p>Closing out the list today is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Revival of the Ancestors" href="#" target="_blank">Revival of the Ancestors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can give you board presence and the means to capitalize on it, all in one card. Making three flyers, buffing up to three creatures, and then giving your board trample and lifelink for a big swing can change the game in your favor! Trample is incredible, of course, but that lifelink shouldn't be overlooked since it can make for a big life total swap between you and your foes.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghave, Guru of Spores" href="#" target="_blank">Ghave, Guru of Spores</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a classic commander that still sees play to this day, and for good reason. Making tokens and building counters are both very popular archetypes, and this new Saga is proof of that. Ghava loves trading in counters for creatures, and vice versa, so having a spell that helps with both sides is incredibly useful in this deck! On top of that, if you already have a big board of modified tokens, this Saga can assist with closing out that game.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">The Wrap Up!</h2>
<p>Thank you so much for making it to the end of the list! This set is truly incredible, and even these budget rares can pack a big punch. If I missed any of your favorites here today, let me know in the comments below. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to dive headfirst into all those bulk piles I see building up...</p>


The Bulk Rares from Tarkir: Dragonstorm You Don't Want to Miss - Bulk Up!

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Neriv, Crackling Vanguard" href="#" target="_blank">Neriv, Crackling Vanguard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | art by <a href="https://www.lucasgraciano.com/">Lucas Graciano</a></h6>
<p>If you’re one of the <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/mardu-surge-precon-guide-tarkir-dragonstorm">countless people who picked up the new Mardu precon</a> for <em>Tarkir: Dragonstorm</em>, you probably got pulled towards running <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zurgo Stormrender" href="#" target="_blank">Zurgo Stormrender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as your commander.</p>
<p>His mix of life drain, while drawing cards is a hard combo to pass up. However, today I will be shining a spotlight on the other legend in the box: Neriv, Crackling Vanguard, one of the new Spirit Dragons!</p>
<p>Neriv’s synergy with unique tokens is a deckbuilding challenge that a lot of <em>Magic</em> players will likely gravitate towards. The precon does a nice job with making tokens with a wide array of names, but I wanted to take that theme to the next level by highlighting a few mechanics and budget singles that will only amplify that plan.</p>
<p>Whether you’re building from the ground up or adding some cards to the deck off the shelf, this list will help you along the way! My name is Tyler ‘Savesya’ Bucks, and here are fourteen cards under $14 to help you build around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Neriv, Crackling Vanguard" href="#" target="_blank">Neriv, Crackling Vanguard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">The Commander - Neriv, Crackling Vanguard</h3>
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<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Neriv, Crackling Vanguard" href="#" target="_blank">Neriv, Crackling Vanguard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> loves nothing more than variety. As proof of that, whenever your commander attacks, you’re going to exile a card for each uniquely named token you control. With that in mind, I found plenty of synergistic cards that make very specific tokens, all to appease the mighty Neriv.</p>
<p>So, because this deck will be filled with many one-off tokens, you might want to pick yourself up a fresh pack of <a href="http://www.infinitokens.com">InfiniTokens</a> (not a sponsor of this article, just a really good product to have on hand for this kind of build.)</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Toby, Beastie Befriender</h3>
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<p>Starting off our list, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toby, Beastie Befriender" href="#" target="_blank">Toby, Beastie Befriender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This card is an example of something that benefits your deck in two different ways. First, it helps give your board evasion if you have four or more tokens, which is great for closing out games.</p>
<p>Second, it does something that this deck will really take advantage of by being one of the only cards in these colors that can create a beast token. I can just imagine the excited look on Neriv's face when he sees that beastie on the board as he attacks!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Lagomos, Hand of Hatred</h3>
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<p>Our next card, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lagomos, Hand of Hatred" href="#" target="_blank">Lagomos, Hand of Hatred</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, ensures that you always have a new token at the start of each of your combats. Making a hasty Elemental each turn will be very helpful with triggering your commander, but its second ability is great in this type of deck as well.</p>
<p>Since you will most likely be swinging all out with your board, it’s inevitable that a lot of creatures won’t survive combat, making that tutor effect all the more possible.</p>
<p>Plus, even if five creatures don’t die when you attack, sacrificing that Elemental along with any of the Warrior tokens you make with the new <em>‘</em>mobilize’ mechanic will be sure to get you there.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Iraxxa, Empress of Mars</h3>
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<p>A great way to capitalize off of casting so many spells from exile in this deck is with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Iraxxa, Empress of Mars" href="#" target="_blank">Iraxxa, Empress of Mars</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a lesser-known legend from the <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/who">Doctor Who</a> </em>set. Playing this creature on a turn where you’ll be casting a whole bunch of cards from exile will help amplify your board presence, especially since those Alien Warrior tokens are unique only to Iraxxa.</p>
<p>Plus, during combat, that battle cry ability will give a power buff to your creatures, making it even harder for your opponents to decide on blocks.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Elturel Survivors</h3>
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<p>Myriad is already powerful; in this deck, however, it can be taken to the next level. When you attack with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elturel Survivors" href="#" target="_blank">Elturel Survivors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you’ll make a copy of it attacking each of your other opponents, which your commander will see as a token with a new name and exile a card for you to play.</p>
<p>On top of that value, this is just a great creature in the deck, making some really big trampling bodies to pressure your opponents' life totals,; especially that one player who somehow always ends up having seventeen lands on the board…</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">The Jolly Balloon Man</h3>
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<p>I hope you're not afraid of clowns, because <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Jolly Balloon Man" href="#" target="_blank">The Jolly Balloon Man</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> helps this deck on its quest to make as many one-off tokens as possible, by creating balloon copies of your creatures.</p>
<p>Say you have a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beetleback Chief" href="#" target="_blank">Beetleback Chief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on the battlefield (which comes in the <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/mardu-surge-precon-guide-tarkir-dragonstorm">Mardu Precon</a></em>); you can have the Balloon Man make a 1/1 flying token copy of it. Neriv will then see that as a token with a new name once you move to combat, all while you get to reuse that ETB effect, and hit someone in the face with a goblin shaped balloon! Sounds like a good time, right?</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Anim Pakal, Thousandth Moon</h3>
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<p>Now believe it or not, Gnome tokens can be made by a few different cards, but none do it better than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anim Pakal, Thousandth Moon" href="#" target="_blank">Anim Pakal, Thousandth Moon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. In this deck, if this card goes unchecked, each combat will be more impactful than the last.</p>
<p>Hitting your foes over and over again with a growing army of Gnomes is a great enough gameplan, but the fact that you have a way to repeatedly make unorthodox tokens will ensure you’re consistently exiling at least one card with your commander when you attack.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Quintorius Kand</h3>
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<p>The planeswalker <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quintorius Kand" href="#" target="_blank">Quintorius Kand</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great example of a card that helps you at several different points in the game. Its static ability of shocking the table and gaining you some life when you cast spells from exile will help pad your life total while you push forward a very aggressive gameplan.</p>
<p>The first plus ability making a 3/2 Spirit can give you some benefits if you don’t already have a Spirit on the board. Even its two minus abilities can help the deck, either discovering into something impactful or using its ultimate and recurring some spells, plus gaining a whole bunch of mana to cast them!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Darkstar Augur</h3>
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<p>Flying in from <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/blb"><em>Bloomburrow</em></a>, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Darkstar Augur" href="#" target="_blank">Darkstar Augur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, bringing card draw and offspring along with it! When you cast the Augur you have the option to pay a mana to get a token copy of it, which again works very well with your commander.</p>
<p>However, even though Neriv’s ability is a form of ‘card draw’, you could get stuck in a spot where you can’t get any good attacks in and those cards stay in exile, and you don’t want to be caught in that position, so adding additional ways to gain some card advantage along the way will be very important.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Space Marine Devastator</h3>
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<p>A mechanic very similar to offspring is squad, showcased here on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Space Marine Devastator" href="#" target="_blank">Space Marine Devastator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. When it comes to squad, you can pay its cost as many times as you would like, which turns this into a partial board wipe if you have the resources for it.</p>
<p>Of course, by the end of it, you’ll have a unique token to go with your gameplan, all while messing with your opponents' boards. That type of crossover will assist your deck with not feeling too one-note, and a dynamic deck is always more enjoyable to play!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Curse of Opulence</h3>
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<p>A card I was surprised didn’t show up in the Mardu precon was <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Curse of Opulence" href="#" target="_blank">Curse of Opulence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (it did however appear in the <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/jeskai-striker-precon-guide-tarkir-dragonstorm"><em>Jeskai</em> deck</a>). Neriv doesn’t just love looking at different types of <em>creature</em> tokens but instead marvels at any token you can create! So, in a deck where you’ll be constantly pushing into the red zone, having a cheap way to gain some mana back will help your engine to continue forward.</p>
<p>Also, since <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Curse of Opulence" href="#" target="_blank">Curse of Opulence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes a Gold token, you can still have all the Treasure-makers you want, and you’ll still be triggering your commander often.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">We Ride at Dawn</h3>
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<p>Speaking of helping with mana, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="We Ride at Dawn" href="#" target="_blank">We Ride at Dawn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> offers a powerful twist to this list. It gives all those creature tokens you’re making a way to assist with casting not just your commander but every other powerful legend in your deck. Not only does it add convoke to your utility belt, but it also makes you a mercenary token whenever your commander attacks, which is this deck’s whole thing.</p>
<p>I can see a nice play pattern where you make a whole board of tokens, tap them for a few big creatures, and move to close out the game as soon as you can.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Not Dead After All</h3>
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<p>If you can’t tell, this deck is very reliant on its commander, which will make it a big target for removal. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Not Dead After All" href="#" target="_blank">Not Dead After All</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> only costing a single mana, and bringing your most important piece back from the dead is great, but it also has another layer which helps your deck!</p>
<p>Your creature will come back with a Wicked Role attached to it, which will be yet another unique token to add to your list. Protection, on top of adding to your gameplan, this card fits perfectly into your dastardly plans…</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Caesar, Legion's Emperor</h3>
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<p>A commander we got last year in these colors that happens to enjoy tokens as well is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Caesar, Legion&#039;s Emperor" href="#" target="_blank">Caesar, Legion&#039;s Emperor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Adding this card to a token deck brings a lot of necessary toolbox affects you might need. It can give you tokens, card draw, and even removal when you need it the most, just at the cost of one of your creatures.</p>
<p>Caesar also fits nicely into your curve, since you can cast him the turn before your commander and start setting the groundwork for your explosive endgame.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Neyali, Suns' Vanguard</h3>
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<p>Finally, we have a card that fits perfectly into this strategy, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Neyali, Suns&#039; Vanguard" href="#" target="_blank">Neyali, Suns&#039; Vanguard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Giving your board full of one-of-a-kind tokens double strike is enough of a reason for it to be here, but there’s more! Neyali also lets you exile cards from the top of your library, with the condition that you can only cast them on a turn you’ve attacked with a token.</p>
<p>Luckily, in this deck, that won’t be a problem. Just be sure not to mix up your exile piles, and prolong the game trying to figure out who exiled what… That will only give your opponents more reasons to dislike this deck.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">In Closing</h2>
<p>Well, there you have it, fourteen cards under $14 to help you upgrade that Mardu precon, or to start a build from the ground up. Neriv is such an interesting take on a token deck, and putting this list together was a whole lot of fun.</p>
<p><a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/12391401/neriv_crackling_vanguard_pillow_fortteen">If you want to see the cards I considered for this deck, check out my Archidekt list</a> for it right here. Let me know in the comments what cards you would add to this list, I would love to see even more ways to make wild tokens!</p>


Tyler Bucks

Amazing Commons & Uncommons from the Final Fantasy Set