Aatchik, Emerald RadianAatchik, Emerald Radian | Art by Loïc Canavaggia

Insects are the most common animals on Earth, so it makes sense that they would populate other planes of existence as well. For a while, they seemed to pop up seemingly randomly, making a big splash when they did. In fact, it seems like whenever they come, they bring a huge wave of friends with them!

Whether it’s Scute SwarmScute Swarm’s landfalling multiplication or Springheart NantukoSpringheart Nantuko’s Pro-Tour-winning synergy with Nadu, Winged WisdomNadu, Winged Wisdom, Insects have the ability to overwhelm the battlefield with a single card.

But what would an Insect-themed deck look like? And how can we incorporate the smaller grubs, like Modern staple Haywire MiteHaywire Mite?

As Commander has become more popular and the universes within and beyond of Magic have expanded, the entomology has created a beautiful array of arthropods. The one thing that’s remained common from Nantuko to Golgari to the far reaches of space is an obsession with the grave, which is where today’s Aatchik, Emerald RadianAatchik, Emerald Radian deck tech comes in.

What Does Aatchik, Emerald RadianAatchik, Emerald Radian Do?

Aatchik is a six-mana Insect Druid from what is, apparently, one of Magic’s least-popular sets, Aetherdrift. Its set, high mana cost, and pedestrian power and toughness allow it to pass under the radar. But its power is real, and it's a curve-topper extraordinaire, ready and willing to capitalize off of the discarded (or milled) carapaces of its fallen brethren.

When Aatchik enters, it makes a 1/1 Insect token for each artifact and/or creature card in the grave. That means that, when possible, we want to do our jobs with artifacts and creatures, especially Insects.

Why especially Insects? Well, whenever an Insect dies, Aatchik gets a +1/+1 counter and each opponent loses a life. The words “for each” and “each opponent” do a lot of heavy lifting here, as the former means that Aatchik wants to come down late and make a big impact, while the latter means that we can easily drain the board with a sacrifice effect.

While Aatchik is a solid combo commander, there are some other cool options, especially when it comes to grindy games. Zask, Skittering SwarmlordZask, Skittering Swarmlord allows us to cast Insects from the grave and puts Insects that die on the bottom of the library, then mills.

It’s a solid engine, but the high cost means it needs to be a bit higher-impact if we’re going to have it in the command zone. In the 99, however, it’s perfectly playable! 

Amzu, Swarm's HungerAmzu, Swarm's Hunger is another solid curve-topper, but grafting menace onto Insects leans a bit too hard on the 99, as there aren’t a lot of cheap Insects. The SwarmweaverThe Swarmweaver is also an aggressive option, but it requires a lot to go right the first few turns to meet its delirium requirement.

While there are other options that can add or subtract colors, they're more commanders that are Insects than Insect commanders.

Key Cards for Aatchik, Emerald RadianAatchik, Emerald Radian

As a commander, Aatchik represents the culmination of several turns of setup. When it comes out, it needs six mana, a grave full of creatures and artifacts, and a sacrifice outlet. If we can put those pieces together before it comes out, however, winning becomes trivial.

That’s the power of evolution, baby!

Before Aatchik comes out, we need to have the graveyard full of offerings to our Insect overlord. Nyx WeaverNyx Weaver is an excellent source of mill, while also being able to pop itself once we have something we need to return.

Village RitesVillage Rites and related effects combine sacrificing with drawing, as does Vampiric RitesVampiric Rites. These help us dig deep while meeting the grave requirement, setting up a huge turn.

Once Aatchik comes out, we need to have a way to win the game. “Free” sacrifice effects, such as Viscera SeerViscera Seer and Ashnod'sAshnod's, DementiaDementia, and Phyrexian AltarPhyrexian Altars all allow us to use the life loss from Aatchik to win outside of combat. Altar of DementiaAltar of Dementia can even mill out opponents, if their decks are low enough!

Our nonbasic lands provide some grindiness, protecting our commander or key pieces with SwarmyardSwarmyard, making Insects with Eumidian HatcheryEumidian Hatchery, and drawing cards with Arch of OrazcaArch of Orazca and War RoomWar Room.

We can even make bursts of mana and secretly sacrifice things with Phyrexian TowerPhyrexian Tower.

How Does This Aatchik, Emerald RadianAatchik, Emerald Radian Commander Deck Win?

We aim to drop quick Insects and fill the grave with mill and sacrifices before dropping our commander, making a huge board of small creatures, and sacrificing that board to drain our opponents out. It’s a brutally simple and efficient plan, one that’s been honed through years of evolution.

Aatchik, Emerald RadianAatchik, Emerald Radian Commander Deck List

Conclusion

Insects are all over the world, representing many people’s greatest fear. And, judging by the power of Aatchik…they should be scared. I, for one, welcome our Insect overlords, and hope they’re appeased by this deck tech.

But how would you build Insects? And do you think we captured the creepiness of the creepy crawlies?

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