Karona, False GodKarona, False God | Art by Matthew D. Wilson

Greetings and salutations dear brewers, and welcome to a new Trim. I'm Arnaud and I'm thrilled to take you on a journey where fake divinities are aplenty and apostates don't even know whom to turn to.

Last time, we parted ways after a very heartwarming mana-burning cuddle, and I left you with the usual choices. Third place went to Esika's ChariotEsika's Chariot. With 13 votes (22%), that cart on wheels isn't going anywhere. Second spot was awarded to Otharri, Suns' GloryOtharri, Suns' Glory, with 20 votes (34%). Rebels will certainly rejoice at not having to fight yet again the Phyrexian scourge.

With 25 votes (43%), the top place went to Karona, False GodKarona, False God, an interesting and dangerous sword.

The aggregation of Akroma, Phage, and Zagorka is a peculiar one indeed, and sports a couple of very interesting abilities. First, she wants to befriend everyone, and to this end will pass around the table to sow mayhem as she sees fit.

The second ability is quite versatile. While she can indeed provide a massive buff to any board of a specific type, she can also pump herself by choosing Avatar. Swinging with an 8/8 (if not much more, but I'm getting ahead of myself) is no joke.

Before diving in, a little disclaimer. These decks are usually intended to be played in a Bracket 2 to possibly low-3 environment (unlikely in this case). They're not supposed to be optimized or competitive, just fun.

With this out of the way, let's take each and every card from both the normal and budget options on Karona's page and throw them all in Archidekt.

340 cards, not a bad start. Let's cut.

First Trim – The Cardboard Chainsaw Massacre

In case you're new here, first of all, welcome. From the Brim to the Trim is a series focused on building extremely budget decks, with one single premise: no cards worth $1.11 and above allowed.

With this in mind, let's begin the first surgery. Getting rid of everything above $2 already brings the list down to a puny 234 cards, and this is only the beginning. Before axing further, let's take a look at the somewhat reasonable options that lie in the $1.11-$2 range:

• Tempt with DiscoveryTempt with Discovery: At $1.11, this misses the mark by the smallest margin. A card that perfectly embodies what the deck wants to do: tempt people.
• Duelist's HeritageDuelist's Heritage: $1.12, still so very close, and another card I would have added without a second thought. It's a massive boost and a great political tool all in one. A shame.
• Shield of the OversoulShield of the Oversoul: Karona is here to stay, you hear me? To stay!
• Tempt with BunniesTempt with Bunnies: Would you refuse free bunnies? Would you?
• Verduran EnchantressVerduran Enchantress: Classic draw outlet that gave its name to the related archetype.
• Reins of PowerReins of Power: A widely underrated win condition. Let your opponents do your work.
• PropagandaPropaganda: Can't say I'm surprised this is above budget; it's a fantastic deterrent.

This leaves a bunch of cards in the $1-$1.10 segment:

• An Offer You Can't RefuseAn Offer You Can't Refuse: I'm usually not a fan of counterspells in these decks, but this one feels right at home.
• Cascading CataractsCascading Cataracts: The mana base is probably going to be challenging, so every bit of fixing helps.
• Diabolic TutorDiabolic Tutor: Eh, I'll probably pass.
• Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares: The best single-target removal in white, period.
• The Sound of DrumsThe Sound of Drums: This has the potential to hurt, and to hurt bad.
• Perplexing ChimeraPerplexing Chimera: Such a fun card, and it creates such a wonderful, wonderful mess...

After this initial cleaving, the list is already down to a much more manageable 214 cards. The road ahead is still long, but at least the bushes have been cleared. Onwards.

Second Trim – Cardward Scissorhands

Let's continue with the compulsory phase, the one that everyone finds boring yet without which no deck can truly work. Let's eat the veggies.

Given the variety of colors at hand, the sheer numbers in each category are no surprise. See for yourself:

I'm going to keep a decent amount of ramp. Karona is costly, and will likely be removed a couple of times, especially if she starts getting some juicy trinkets attached.

For the same reason, the draw package must be solid. You want both ramp and toys to play with.

I'm not going to be so strict on removal, focusing on the Aura package. While important, I'd rather reserve some room for protection. More on that later.

With all these considerations, let's cut the following:

The land base is interesting. Usually this is a part I skim over quickly before turning to more interesting matters, but I feel like it's worth giving it some more attention here.

In these scenarios, you want to keep in mind that, while having a huge package of cheap dual lands certainly helps, keeping at least a third of basic lands is fundamental, as most of the cheaper ramp spells care only for those.

I'll keep a fairly decent land count, probably 37-ish, again taking into consideration the commander's hefty cost and subsequent plans for the future. I'll also be heavy on the tapped lands, as aside from the one you play the turn Karona comes in, you can afford some sort of delay.

I'll also keep Temple of the False GodTemple of the False God, if only for flavor reasons. If there's one deck to play this in, it's this one!

With this healthy yet heavy endeavor finally achieved, the list looks much brisker, at 146 cards. Now for the difficult part.

Third Trim – Cutting Off the Rough Edges

So what's the big idea?

In essence, it's quite simple: Play Karona, make sure it can't hit you, pass it around the table, rejoice at the looks of horror as it smashes faces.

This is why there are so many Auras that care about either goading creatures or preventing them from attacking you. Karona is no joker, and she can smash for at least eight damage the turn she comes in. Add a couple of boosts, and that's two hits away from lethal commander smacking.

The problem is: What do we cut? The ramp package needs to remain hefty, you need all the Auras in the world (well, most of them), and possibly some ways to protect Karona... The task at hand is arduous.

Among the cards that remain yet untouched are the following:

• A hefty protection package: 14 spells. Those are probably not all necessary, but there are some really nice bits there.
• A few tutors: Off with them, no regrets
• A few counterspells: These fall into the protection category.
• Some recursion: A couple are worth staying, most are underwhelming.
• A decent pump package: Not 100% convinced, as most goad Auras will already pump Karona.
• A few alternatives: These I like quite a lot, as they make for a great plan B if your initial plan is thwarted.
• Evasion outlets: Essential to make sure your commander drives the point in.
• Token makers: I see the idea, it's simply not the plan today.
• Miscellaneous stuff

That's a lot to go through, so let's divide these in two packages. First:

That's a great start, let's keep up the pace:

I have long pondered over Assault SuitAssault Suit. The "can't be sacrificed" part of the card is a great protection outlet, as your opponents won't hesitate a second if they have the means to get rid of Karona. But in the end, it's too mana-intensive.

Slicer, Hired MuscleSlicer, Hired Muscle would also have been a perfect fit, were it not for its almost $7 price tag.

At any rate, only 10 more cards to go. Let's end this.

Final Trim - Heart-Wrenching Choices

Well, here they are, the final ten. Or are they?

You see, I've had the utmost difficulty to make the cuts insofar, and since I'm a masochist, I'm actually going to add another couple Auras to the mix: Spirit LinkSpirit Link and Vampiric LinkVampiric Link (sadly Spirit Loop is way out of price range). They do not provide lifelink, they make you gain life equal to the damage dealt. And that's a huge difference.

At the very worst, they'll act as nullifier of sorts, as any damage dealt to you by the enchanted creature will be negated (don't discount commander damage though; it still applies). At best, they get attached to Karona, which means she'll net you at least 20 life per rotation, assuming she survives.

I'm also adding Arna Kennerüd, SkycaptainArna Kennerüd, Skycaptain. Given the sheer amount of buffs, it can act both as a solid Plan B and a huge boost to Karona all in one.

So. 12 final cards to cut. Since there are no bad decisions to make, I think the right course of action is to slightly trim every section ever so slightly. Let's get to it:

• Fact or FictionFact or Fiction: I love this card, but I believe each other option remains better.
• Skyshroud ClaimSkyshroud Claim: Not as good here, as it's restricted to Forests, and there aren't any nonbasics with that land type.
• Guild ArtisanGuild Artisan: For the same reason I decided to cut Sword Coast SailorSword Coast Sailor. Once your opponents understand your plan, they're unlikely to give you anything if they can help it.
• Maximum CarnageMaximum Carnage: Cute, but also quite mana intensive.
• Spectral GraspSpectral Grasp: A fine way to make sure a creature won't hit you. But there are a lot of other options already, and it provides no actual buff.
• Return to NatureReturn to Nature: Let them keep their toys.
• All That GlittersAll That Glitters and Ethereal ArmorEthereal Armor: I know this sounds counter-intuitive. But Karona isn't likely to bear more than a couple Auras, and these may not be impactful enough
• Martial ImpetusMartial Impetus: A bit weaker compared to the others.
• Perplexing ChimeraPerplexing Chimera: As much as I love this card, it's also on the high end of the curve and slightly situational, not to mention a double-edged sword.
• Wrong TurnWrong Turn: It's extremely thematic, so it's a true heart-breaker.
• FogFog: I'm all in favor of playing more Fog effects in Commander. And yet I don't know what else to cut.
• A Forest: Because I simply don't want to cut anything else.

And finally, after pondering for what seemed like an eternity, I give you:

Karona, False God Commander Deck List

Additional Trim – A Look Into the Past

After this nightmare of a headachy build, let's lean back and have a look at some old brew. Let's see how Storvald, Frost Giant JarlStorvald, Frost Giant Jarl endured.

It's... not great. There are currently 11 cards worth more than $1.10. See for yourselves:

• Duelist's HeritageDuelist's Heritage: $1.11
• Rhonas's MonumentRhonas's Monument: $1.12
• Sol RingSol Ring: $1.13
• Decanter of Endless WaterDecanter of Endless Water: $1.14
• Conclave Sledge-CaptainConclave Sledge-Captain: $1.39
• Sejiri ShelterSejiri Shelter: $1.70
• Champion of LambholtChampion of Lambholt: $1.88
• Hadana's ClimbHadana's Climb: $1.92
• Heronblade EliteHeronblade Elite: $2.21 (!)
• Basilisk CollarBasilisk Collar: $3.26 (!!)
• Belt of Giant StrengthBelt of Giant Strength: $4.08 (!!!)

That's painful, to say the least. Let's try finding somewhat suitable replacements:

• Arcane SignetArcane Signet: The only reason I can imagine it not being played is its price at the time.
• CultivateCultivate, Rampant GrowthRampant Growth and FarseekFarseek: Because Ramp.
• Prairie StreamPrairie Stream and Canopy VistaCanopy Vista: Because Storvald costs a hefty seven mana.
• Trygon PredatorTrygon Predator: Who doesn't like recurring removal?
• Thryx, the Sudden StormThryx, the Sudden Storm: Flash, flies, protects your stuff.
• Cyclone SummonerCyclone Summoner: Thematic wipe
• Invisible StalkerInvisible Stalker: What's better than an unblockable 1/1? An unblockable 7/7!
• Shrike ForceShrike Force: Evasive, double-strikes, and stays in defense. What's not to love?

You can find the updated list here.

Conclusion

This has been an unexpectedly taxing one. I hope you enjoyed this journey into the lands of madness, politicking, and forced attacks.

I'm very curious to know if any of you have actually played Karona before, and if so whether it was successful, fun, or both.

I'll see you in two weeks with a new Trim, but in the meantime, take care of yourselves, be kind to each other, and don't cut any lands.

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