Unfinished BusinessUnfinished Business | Art by Ramza Psyru

Recruitment Process

Hello, and welcome to a special edition of Beyond the Multiverse. This week we're tackling something rather odd. It's a deck that's got a short story to it that was basically my brain being obsessed over it. Basically, we're taking on a Commander deck for the Pride Event this month. To sum it up, it's essentially any two legendary creatures can be your commander(s) as though they had the Partner mechanic. I thought I'd take this opportunity to tackle a deck for the event in case it's something you want to do.

That said, let's get into it.

Assemble the Turks!

We're talking about the Turks, which is an informal name for the Investigation Sector of the General Affairs Department, a branch of the Shinra Company from Final Fantasy VII. To put it in basics, they're spies and assassins who also look out for potential new recruits into the SOLDIER program. They're very much akin to an intelligence agency. Reno, Rude, and Elena are three of the members.

With Reno/Rude (and will henceforth be known as such for simplicity), they do their best iteration of the notorious Ragavan, Nimble PilfererRagavan, Nimble Pilferer. Unfortunately, you have to sacrifice a creature or an artifact, and there's no dash mechanic to "protect" them. Elena, on the other hand, recurs historic permanents and gets bigger for each one cast.

If you're not doing the Pride Event (perhaps you're playing this deck later this year, for example), there's a number of Orzhov options you can use. Perhaps Tymna the WeaverTymna the Weaver on her own.

However, we're going to try and use Reno/Rude to the best of our ability while Elena sits back, act as both utility and part-time win-con.

An Orientation, If You Will

Crucially, we need to have stuff to sacrifice to Reno/Rude's ability. Firstly, Sarah Jane SmithSarah Jane Smith drops Clue tokens when we cast historic spells. Meanwhile, Hildibrand MandervilleHildibrand Manderville, and the token he makes, are great sacrifice fodder. Moreover, General's EnforcerGeneral's Enforcer protects the Turks, makes a token, and hits graveyards. Secondly, if we can connect with it enough times, Bloodforged Battle-AxeBloodforged Battle-Axe will make a lot of copies of itself. Thirdly, Astrid PethAstrid Peth makes tokens when she enters or attacks. However, she is frail, so take care where she attacks.

Further, Lotho, Corrupt ShirriffLotho, Corrupt Shirriff nets us Treasure tokens when someone casts multiple spells a turn. Similarly, Pitiless PlundererPitiless Plunderer makes two when we lose a creature we control. Black Market ConnectionsBlack Market Connections does everything: if you pay six life, you get a Treasure, draw a card, and make a creature token to sacrifice. That said, that life loss is brutal long-term, so you're probably better off removing the Treasure. Looking at the cards I mentioned so far, I can notice a subtle pattern.

Shinra Armory

Going an artifact sub-theme will ensure that the Turks will gain maximum benefit. Artifacts are historic, so Elena will recur them and count for her trigger. They're also the best stuff to sacrifice to get Reno's/Rude's trigger, and the various Equipment will make our smaller creatures more menacing.

Firstly, Dalek SquadronDalek Squadron makes tokens that get sacrificed at end of combat. However, why not get rid of one of them to trigger Reno/Rude? Meanwhile, both Canoptek Scarab SwarmCanoptek Scarab Swarm and Death in HeavenDeath in Heaven are graveyard hate that make fodder for them. Secondly, BiotransferenceBiotransference nets us tokens and turns every creature we have into an artifact, meaning options to sacrifice.

However, we're working with a lot of creatures with tiny stats, so let's buff them. The Swords of X and Y cycle (of which half are in the Universes Beyond card pool) is a great start. Of note is Sword of Truth and JusticeSword of Truth and Justice, which gives the equipped creature a permanent +2/+2. Meanwhile, Pip-Boy 3000Pip-Boy 3000 provides a lot of utility, including pumping the equipped creature. Finally, Umezawa's JitteUmezawa's Jitte is very good, doing a lot of stuff just from doing any damage rather than just hitting out opponent.

It's worth noting that the best creature to equip these to is Reno/Rude, since they'll die to a breeze. Astrid PethAstrid Peth is another good target as well for the same reason. That said, the others aren't bad targets, either. The reason is because we want to get swinging, chipping away at our opponents while getting value from our stuff. That last sentence is a hint as to what the overall archetype of the deck will likely be. I might have even given it away when I mentioned Tymna the WeaverTymna the Weaver.

Elena and Reno and Rude Commander Deck List

The Briefing

The name of the game with this list is to go on the aggressive while having enough fodder for Reno/Rude's trigger. In addition, cards like Gix, Yawgmoth PraetorGix, Yawgmoth Praetor helps with this. He'll provide card draw, and incentive for our opponents to go elsewhere. In a similar vein, Canoptek SpyderCanoptek Spyder draws us cards when an artifact enters our board. Meanwhile, Brotherhood RegaliaBrotherhood Regalia will ensure that Reno/Rude can slip through a horde of tokens and connect.

However, going on the aggressive makes us more vulnerable to board wipes. Fortunately, white gives us access to some counters to this. Firstly, Galadriel's DismissalGaladriel's Dismissal serves as one of the best for our purposes. On the other hand, it can also serve as a way to clear blockers for a massive attack. Secondly, Clever ConcealmentClever Concealment easily protects our stuff. Moreover, if we have enough creatures out, we can take advantage of the convoke cost. Speaking of free spells, Flawless ManeuverFlawless Maneuver can be cast for free if either commander is out.

With the Turks being so cheap to cast, we can take advantage of a few cards to further our plan. Tome of LegendsTome of Legends will accrue counters quickly, which we can turn into a steady source of card draw. Meanwhile, Bastion ProtectorBastion Protector will protect the Turks while they carry out their respective tasks. Finally, Genji GloveGenji Glove not only allows for certain creatures to take advantage of the double strike (like Reno/Rude), but also gives us an extra combat step to reap more value.

Missions Beyond This Universe

Our in-universe options mostly consist of staples we could run. If you're looking for an alternate commander to the Turks, look no further than Breena, the DemagogueBreena, the Demagogue. The card can be confusing, so allow me to break it down for you. Say you attack while you have Breena out. Her trigger will go off, and it'll check life totals. If that player has more life than another opponent (not you), you get the trigger. Keep in mind that an opponent can also get Breena's trigger, so there's incentive not to attack you. Those counters will add up very fast, making you into a threat very quickly.

For this section, I'm going to assume that you're going to switch the Turks out for Breena (it'd be good to keep them in the 99 anyway). That said, other options include Esper SentinelEsper Sentinel and Dusk Legion DuelistDusk Legion Duelist for more card draw. Meanwhile, while Necropolis RegentNecropolis Regent has a heavy black mana requirement, it'll also pump your board each time they connect.

With Breena now at the helm, we want to buff our little guys as much as we can. Generous PupGenerous Pup is not just an adorable pooch, but it can pump the whole team, possibly each turn. Meanwhile, Drana, Liberator of MalakirDrana, Liberator of Malakir can put counters on our board when she connects. It's worth noting that she has first strike, so you get said counters onto the other attacking creatures before they deal their damage. Finally, Felidar RetreatFelidar Retreat will make our creatures bigger with each land we play.

I do want to take a moment to address Cathars' CrusadeCathars' Crusade. It's easily one of the best cards to add in-universe, but the amount of counters being added, especially when multiple come in at once (say, a Martial CoupMartial Coup) will make heads spin. I avoid it for this reason, but you're welcome to run the card if you can manage it.

Mission Accomplished

In conclusion, this an approach in Orzhov colors I can get behind. Like I said, I built this deck specifically for the Pride Event this month, but it won't take much to change the command zone. When you go to play in a pod of random people, be sure to utilize Rule 0 to see if they let you use the Turks as the commanders. If not, there's plenty to choose from. There's even one in the 99 of the decklist I posted. Tune in next week where I tackle what will be a small taste of my ambitions for the Final Fantasy set.