Eivor, Battle-ReadyEivor, Battle-Ready | Art by Fajareka Setiawan

Entering the Smithy

Hello, and welcome back to another edition of Beyond the Multiverse, where we take those Universes Beyond cards, and make decks with them (and them alone, mind!).

Today, we take a look at an infamous color pair with an infamous theme. If you guessed Equipment, you're correct. If you also guessed Bore-os...I mean Boros, that's right, too. We're looking into Boros Equipment this week.

Now, last week, I mentioned I had a surprise for you: We have two decks this time around, and there's a story behind that. I'll explain that later but, for now, let's get acquainted with the first of the two commanders, shall we?

Armed for Battle

Eivor hails from the Assassin's Creed franchise, where the Assassins fight the Templars to keep them from acquiring powerful artifacts known as the Pieces of Eden to rule the world.

As for our commander herself, she's a Viking Shieldsmaiden (and a reincarnation of Odin) from Norway who partook in the Viking raids in what is now the UK during the 10th century C.E. Meanwhile, she also worked to take down the Templars's predecessors, the Order of the Ancients.

As for her card, you want to drop as much Equipment as you can, so she can deal some big damage with her attack trigger. In addition, it's also convenient that she has both vigilance and haste, so she can attack right away without leaving you open for a crackback.

However, like I said in the beginning, we have two decks to show off today. Consequently, I'm going to do things a little differently. So, we begin with list #1.

The First Weapon

Claiming the Treasure

One thing before I go over the list. The second commander's in there somewhere, can you guess it without scrolling to the end?

This list comes with a number of cheap Equipment that'll help make Eivor a threat in more ways than one. At its heart (and it's also true with the second list), this is a Voltron list, where you bludgeon your opponents with commander damage to eliminate them. We have Bloodforged Battle-AxeBloodforged Battle-Axe (56,587 decks) that will only amass a lot of copies of itself with time. In addition, Brotherhood RegaliaBrotherhood Regalia (76,160 decks) gives Eivor protection and evasion, so she can get through. Meanwhile, Commander's PlateCommander's Plate and Champion's HelmChampion's Helm (133,180 and 62,128 decks respectively) both give her protection (as she's going to be a removal magnet), and a buff to make her more lethal.

Moreover, we have Eivor's signature weapon(s) in Raven Clan War-AxeRaven Clan War-Axe (2,959 decks), which gives her a coveted keyword in trample. Further, if you cast it while Eivor's in your graveyard, you can get her back to your hand and save on the commander tax. We also have ShadowspearShadowspear (reskinned as Totec's Spear; 191,168 decks) that provides even better utility, and give trample at the same time.

Likewise, we have non-Equipment that also help Eivor with her mission. Bastion ProtectorBastion Protector (75,754 decks) renders her indestructible alongside giving her a small buff. Secondly, Chaos Terminator LordChaos Terminator Lord (6,582 decks) gives Eivor double strike when she's attacking. Bureau HeadmasterBureau Headmaster (14,425 decks) makes Equipment cheaper to cast, and has you pay less to equip them to your creatures.

A Voyage Through Time

In summary, Eivor has much going for her, given that you can protect her while she's out. However, I do want to point out one card that was already spoiled, but is not in the list (nor the second one): Cloud, Planet's ChampionCloud, Planet's Champion is a decidedly good option for the 99, or as the commander (I find a lot of these Boros Equipment legends to fit at the helm, so why not randomize which one before each game?).

I will be doing a write-up for him in the future, so this article will not be the last time we'll tackle Boros Equipment. If you wish to know why, it's because I'll be tackling Sephiroth, Planet's HeirSephiroth, Planet's Heir as well. I'll have a restriction for both, so at least Cloud's deck won't look like a repaint of this article.

Most importantly, we need to focus on the now, and work with what we have. That being said, let's go further back in time to our second decklist.

The story behind this list is that it was the list I was originally trying to build months ago, but I couldn't quite get there. However, it's been at the back of my brain for a while, and I want to try again. Without further adeu, behold (not the Tarkir mechanic):

The Second Weapon

The Odyssey

To begin, Kassandra, a descendant of King Leonidas I of Sparta is from the same franchise as Eivor, and was a mercenary during the Peleponnesian War.

She also worked to thwart the Cult of Kosmos (another predecessor to the Templars), and the Order of the Ancients. After she received the Staff of Hermes, she would go on to live for over 2, 400 years before relinquishing the Piece of Eden and passing away.

Her card puts greater emphasis on legendary Equipment. As a result, I tuned this list to center around that as best as I could. There are 16 legendary Equipment within the Universes Beyond card pool.

Two of them are black, thus outside out color identity. On the other hand, we're forced to run the rest to take full advantage of her second ability, which draws us cards when creatures connect.

Granted, they must be carrying legendary Equipment to count for her trigger. I could see GlamdringGlamdring (19,555 decks) being the worst of these, since our instant/sorcery focus is minimal. On the bright side, we're likely to get more options down the road.

However, one of the best card in this list is undoubtedly The Spear of LeonidasThe Spear of Leonidas (19,154 decks), which Kassandra conveniently tutors for when she comes in.

It's a great utility pieces that either gets us a blocker, lets us loot, or gives the equipped creature double strike. That last one is doubly important with our commander out, since two hits to your opponents means two cards drawn.

Lastly, Caduceus, Staff of HermesCaduceus, Staff of Hermes (35, 380 decks) makes Kassandra bigger, and offers some good protection.

The Other Pieces

Alongside the Spear, we have some good legendary Equipment lying around. For example, Excalibur, Sword of EdenExcalibur, Sword of Eden (53,820 decks) makes Kassandra a game-ending threat, especially if you give her double strike and evasion as well.

Andúril, Narsil ReforgedAndúril, Narsil Reforged (36,589 decks) gives counters to all of our creatures, including our commander.

In addition, Bilbo's RingBilbo's Ring (20,883 decks), like Brotherhood Regalia, protects and grants evasion to our commander (and whatever creature that's equipped it. More on that in a moment), but also gives us a card when we attack.

It's worth noting that we want to be going wide with our strategy to some degree. Consequently, that'll give us dig into our deck a little more.

That said, I included a few tutors to help ensure that you do that with Kassandra's ability. Stonehewer GiantStonehewer Giant (30,062 decks) is a bit on the slow side, but it does have vigilance, and thus can be used as a combat trick.

In a similar vein, Rohirrim ChargersRohirrim Chargers (3,151 decks) guarantees us an Equipment that we can freely attach to it. Just note that it won't untap during your next turn when you do this.

Moreover, a few other noteworthy cards include Codsworth, Handy HelperCodsworth, Handy Helper (38,639 decks), who, well, comes in handy. Protecting your commander, auto-equipping, and being a mana dork for Equipment? Don't mind if I do. Secondly, Éowyn, Lady of RohanÉowyn, Lady of Rohan (12,821 decks) cheapens equip costs, like Bureau Headmaster before it.

Further, she also temporarily grants first strike and vigilance to an equipped creatures of your choice. Choose wisely, unless it's the aforementioned Rohirrim Chargers.

They're the perfect target for her ability. Lastly, Taunt from the RampartTaunt from the Rampart (40,744 decks) is a great finisher that also weathers your opponents down for a killing blow.

Returning to the Present

In conclusion, these two lists are different takes on a tried but true archetype in Commander. One wants you to dump Equipment on the board to deal damage, while the other needs you to use legendary Equipment.

However, Voltron is the ideal way to play with both decks. You could always add blue to run Captain America, First AvengerCaptain America, First Avenger if you wished. I hear equipping him with Excalibur is very bonkers.

The Assassin's Creed release was maligned because of the notorious Aftermath-style release, where each pack came with half as many cards as ones from the average set.

On the other hand, there's a lot of cool designs and cards in there. I did it as an advent calendar last year, and assembled Ezio Auditore da FirenzeEzio Auditore da Firenze with the contents (and some extras). That particular Ezio is on the shortlist, so we can expect him in the foreseeable future.

Tune in next time when we delve into my most hated archetype, something beyond my wheelhouse. Until then, may your board be flooded with Equipment (if so, you'll seriously need some Inventory ManagementInventory Management. Sheesh), and may they help you win.