Rose, Cutthroat RaiderRose, Cutthroat Raider | Art by Zezhou Chen

Tales of a Junktown Magic Player

Hello fellow brewer and welcome back to Brew For Your Buck, where we swap out the top 10 most expensive cards in a deck with 10 budget cards that add a unique twist. It's always a treat when I have a deck I want to build, because I can encapsulate my brewing process into an article in real time. We've focused on Outlaws of Thunder Junction for the last couple of articles, and I realized we never really took a look at anything from Universes Beyond: Fallout. Fortunately, our subject commander for today checks that box too:

Rose made quite a stir when she was previewed. She provides mana acceleration and card advantage in the command zone, and is reminiscent of Tymna the WeaverTymna the Weaver in a color that has some of the best attacking payoffs in the game. I know at some point there was even some cEDH discussion around Rose, though I haven't yet seen her at tables or in any content. If you have, let me know in the comments! Her average list has some of the echoes of cEDH I think, coming in at a whopping $608.99. After a look at the top of our list, it'll be clear why:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Mana CryptMana Crypt ($178.88)
               2. Dockside ExtortionistDockside Extortionist ($78.75)
               3. Deflecting SwatDeflecting Swat ($39.03)
               4. Ragavan, Nimble PilfererRagavan, Nimble Pilferer ($38.93)
               5. Roaming ThroneRoaming Throne ($25.23)
               6. Passionate ArchaeologistPassionate Archaeologist ($16.88)
               7. Jeska's WillJeska's Will ($15.95)
               8. Ruby MedallionRuby Medallion ($14.39)
               9. Birgi, God of StorytellingBirgi, God of Storytelling ($13.63)
               10. BloodthirsterBloodthirster ($9.55)

Total Value of Cuts: $425.09

Mana CryptMana Crypt and DocksideDockside alone make up 42% of the cost for the original list, so cutting them for the sake of savings is a pretty obvious place to start. On top of removing the above cards, replacing the expensive lands (Urza's SagaUrza's Saga and NykthosNykthos) with Mountains leads to an additional $69.53 in savings, for a total of $498.36.

I really wanted to maximize the Junk creation from Rose, since that's what leads to the extra mana and cards. Our budget package will look at ways to up the Junk production by generating attackers, and then take advantage of them and the Junk they create.

Additions

Three shall be the number thou shalt count

Generating three attackers will be key so we can ensure we get three Junk tokens with Rose. Encore works great for this, with Impulsive PilfererImpulsive Pilferer already in the list. The Goblin is especially strong with our other artifact synergies, and so is Fathom Fleet SwordjackFathom Fleet Swordjack ($0.14), which can really push some damage on a board full of trinkets. We don't really care if the Swordjack tokens die in combat, we just want that attack trigger. Thatcher RevoltThatcher Revolt ($0.09) is a janky card from Avacyn Restored, but has the same use as the Swordjack: expendable tokens that can attack right away. It's also "free" if you're planning on sacrificing the Junks later that turn.

We also get to use two of my pet cards: Kuldotha RebirthKuldotha Rebirth ($0.86) and Gleeful DemolitionGleeful Demolition ($1.30). This deck will have plenty of artifacts around, and one mana to make three Junks on the following turn is a fantastic rate. Rebirth also has the bonus of being "free" if you sacrifice a Junk for its additional cost, and Demolition can be used as a removal spell for an opposing artifact if needed.

Right here is where I need to mention cards with Myriad.cards with Myriad. Sadly, they don't actually work with Rose. In order to have attacked an opponent, you need to declare a creature as an attacker. Since the tokens created by the Myriad ability never actually get declared as attackers (they enter tapped and attacking), Rose won't see them when she triggers at end of combat.

Attacking Advantage

Now that we have some ways to generate extra attackers, I went looking for ways to make use of them in addition to Rose. Amber Gristle O'MaulAmber Gristle O'Maul ($0.07) can accompany your other brawlers to help refill your hand, since we're always aiming to attack all three opponents during each of our combat steps. Gut, True Soul ZealotGut, True Soul Zealot ($0.08) can easily upgrade any of our smaller tokens, especially the temporary ones from Encore or Thatcher RevoltThatcher Revolt. Just like Myriad, the Skeleton token won't help trigger Rose on the turn it enters the battlefield, but it's far more threatening on future turns than a random 1/1 Goblin.

One Robot's Junk...

Making three artifacts a turn is sneakily powerful, and I wanted to add ways to the deck to abuse the Junk tokens even further. Inspiring StatuaryInspiring Statuary ($0.17) seemed like an obvious choice. It can't help cast Rose, but with only fourteen other artifacts in the final list, this turns the Junks into mana if you're not ready for the impulse draw. Dire FlailDire Flail ($0.12) is a great equipment for us; one mana to cast and equip, and works especially well with our first striking commander. Later we can craft it with a Junk (very on theme for Fallout) and start hurling the other Junks around for six damage apiece.

Having another way to sacrifice the Junk, especially at instant speed, seems like an important thing to have access to in the deck. Slobad, Goblin TinkererSlobad, Goblin Tinkerer ($0.11) works great in this slot, and can help your creatures attack with impunity or avoid a board wipe. Perhaps my favorite find for this deck is Kurkesh, Onakke AncientKurkesh, Onakke Ancient ($0.25). This long forgotten Ogre turns each Junk into two cards! Simply activate the Junk, stack the triggers such that Rose adds red mana, and use that mana to pay for Kurkesh's ability and target the Junk's impulse draw ability to copy it.

Wrap Up & Savings

Let's see what we saved:

82% is obviously a massive savings, though as I mentioned before, a huge chunk of that is Mana CryptMana Crypt and Dockside ExtortionistDockside Extortionist. Whatever, I'll take it! Did I miss any ways to make it rain Junk? Would you lean more into attacking or artifacts? Let me know in the comments and I'll see you next time when we brew for your buck!

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Please note: card prices listed in this article are accurate at the time of writing, but prices can vary over time and between locations.

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Brian Cain

Brian played Magic intermittently between 2003 and 2017 when he fully embraced his love for Commander. Finding ways to maximize the value of each piece of cardboard in the deck is one of his favorite things to explore, especially if it involves putting lands in the graveyard! Outside of Magic, Brian works as a consultant in the marine industry, turning his passion for boats and ships into a career.