Surprise DeploymentSurprise Deployment | Art by Bradley Williams
It's time to announce the finalists for this month's Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest!
In case you missed the announcement post, this is a monthly contest with a different theme each time. The goal is to build a Commander-legal deck that fulfills the prompt in a creative or unique fashion. At the end of each month, three finalists will be selected for you to vote on.
Whoever gets the most votes will be crowned the winner, although all three finalists receive a prize.
As a reminder, this month's prompt was to brew a Commander-legal deck that features a "jumpscare." In other words, decks should appear to be doing one thing, then quickly shift in an unexpected and threatening direction.
We collected submissions from the Archidekt newspost and evaluated them based on their creativity and originality.
Now, it's your turn to decide who'll be crowned the winner.
Read about each deck list below, then visit your favorite and upvote them on Archidekt. Whoever has the most upvotes by Wednesday, October 22, 2025 will be the winner, and receive $250 credit to cardsphere.com.
Second and third place will receive $150 and $100 cardsphere.com credits, respectively.
Finally, here are the three finalists chosen for this month's contest, presented in no particular order. Follow the link in each deck list to vote on your favorite!
Beware the Hidden Cellarspawn by erisaurolophus
Beware the Hidden Cellarspawn
View on ArchidektCommander (1)
- 1 Kethis, the Hidden HandKethis, the Hidden Hand
Cost Reduction (16)
- 1 Alisaie LeveilleurAlisaie Leveilleur
- 1 Bolas's CitadelBolas's Citadel
- 1 Bontu's MonumentBontu's Monument
- 1 Emerald MedallionEmerald Medallion
- 1 Goreclaw, Terror of Qal SismaGoreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma
- 1 Honest RutsteinHonest Rutstein
- 1 Jet MedallionJet Medallion
- 1 Nylea, Keen-EyedNylea, Keen-Eyed
- 1 Oketra's MonumentOketra's Monument
- 1 Pearl MedallionPearl Medallion
- 1 Rhonas's MonumentRhonas's Monument
- 1 Serah Farron // Crystallized SerahSerah Farron // Crystallized Serah
- 1 The Darkness CrystalThe Darkness Crystal
- 1 The Earth CrystalThe Earth Crystal
- 1 The Wind CrystalThe Wind Crystal
- 1 Umori, the CollectorUmori, the Collector
Secret Commander (1)
- 1 Ancient CellarspawnAncient Cellarspawn
Recursion (7)
- 1 Bortuk BonerattleBortuk Bonerattle
- 1 Coiling RebirthCoiling Rebirth
- 1 Colfenor, the Last YewColfenor, the Last Yew
- 1 Karador, Ghost ChieftainKarador, Ghost Chieftain
- 1 Liliana, Heretical Healer // Liliana, Defiant NecromancerLiliana, Heretical Healer // Liliana, Defiant Necromancer
- 1 Shigeki, Jukai VisionaryShigeki, Jukai Visionary
- 1 Teshar, Ancestor's ApostleTeshar, Ancestor's Apostle
Removal (8)
- 1 Boseiju, Who EnduresBoseiju, Who Endures
- 1 Commander Sofia DaguerreCommander Sofia Daguerre
- 1 Grist, the Hunger TideGrist, the Hunger Tide
- 1 Isildur's Fateful StrikeIsildur's Fateful Strike
- 1 Kogla, the Titan ApeKogla, the Titan Ape
- 1 Loran of the Third PathLoran of the Third Path
- 1 The Meathook MassacreThe Meathook Massacre
- 1 Yawgmoth's Vile OfferingYawgmoth's Vile Offering
Big Cheatable (10)
- 1 Diamond WeaponDiamond Weapon
- 1 Excalibur, Sword of EdenExcalibur, Sword of Eden
- 1 Ghalta, Primal HungerGhalta, Primal Hunger
- 1 Gorex, the TombshellGorex, the Tombshell
- 1 The Capitoline TriadThe Capitoline Triad
- 1 The Cauldron of EternityThe Cauldron of Eternity
- 1 The Great HengeThe Great Henge
- 1 The Skullspore NexusThe Skullspore Nexus
- 1 Thrasta, Tempest's RoarThrasta, Tempest's Roar
- 1 Torgaar, Famine IncarnateTorgaar, Famine Incarnate
Draw (8)
- 1 Glissa SunslayerGlissa Sunslayer
- 1 Mangara, the DiplomatMangara, the Diplomat
- 1 Reki, the History of KamigawaReki, the History of Kamigawa
- 1 The Immortal SunThe Immortal Sun
- 1 The Kenriths' Royal FuneralThe Kenriths' Royal Funeral
- 1 Toski, Bearer of SecretsToski, Bearer of Secrets
- 1 Venat, Heart of Hydaelyn // Hydaelyn, the MothercrystalVenat, Heart of Hydaelyn // Hydaelyn, the Mothercrystal
- 1 Vraska Joins UpVraska Joins Up
Tutor (8)
- 1 Enlightened TutorEnlightened Tutor
- 1 EntombEntomb
- 1 Idyllic TutorIdyllic Tutor
- 1 Instrument of the BardsInstrument of the Bards
- 1 Lively DirgeLively Dirge
- 1 Sidisi, Undead VizierSidisi, Undead Vizier
- 1 Unmarked GraveUnmarked Grave
- 1 Varragoth, Bloodsky SireVarragoth, Bloodsky Sire
Mill (3)
- 1 Lumra, Bellow of the WoodsLumra, Bellow of the Woods
- 1 Old RutsteinOld Rutstein
- 1 The Warring TriadThe Warring Triad
Lifegain (1)
- 1 Bloodthirsty ConquerorBloodthirsty Conqueror
Copy (1)
- 1 Weaver of HarmonyWeaver of Harmony
Lands (36)
- 1 Abstergo EntertainmentAbstergo Entertainment
- 1 Bountiful PromenadeBountiful Promenade
- 1 Clive's HideawayClive's Hideaway
- 1 Command TowerCommand Tower
- 1 Eiganjo, Seat of the EmpireEiganjo, Seat of the Empire
- 1 Exotic OrchardExotic Orchard
- 3 ForestForest
- 1 Geier Reach SanitariumGeier Reach Sanitarium
- 1 Godless ShrineGodless Shrine
- 1 Indatha TriomeIndatha Triome
- 1 Isolated ChapelIsolated Chapel
- 1 Lush PorticoLush Portico
- 1 Minas TirithMinas Tirith
- 1 MirrorpoolMirrorpool
- 1 Mosswort BridgeMosswort Bridge
- 1 Overgrown TombOvergrown Tomb
- 3 PlainsPlains
- 1 Plaza of HeroesPlaza of Heroes
- 1 Shadowy BackstreetShadowy Backstreet
- 1 Sunpetal GroveSunpetal Grove
- 3 SwampSwamp
- 1 Takenuma, Abandoned MireTakenuma, Abandoned Mire
- 1 Temple GardenTemple Garden
- 1 The Grey HavensThe Grey Havens
- 1 Underground MortuaryUnderground Mortuary
- 1 Undergrowth StadiumUndergrowth Stadium
- 1 Vault of ChampionsVault of Champions
- 1 Windbrisk HeightsWindbrisk Heights
- 1 Woodland CemeteryWoodland Cemetery
- 1 Yavimaya, Cradle of GrowthYavimaya, Cradle of Growth
When someone pulls out a Kethis, the Hidden HandKethis, the Hidden Hand deck, you're probably expecting to see powerful legendary creatures, some legends-matter effects, and maybe a bit of self-mill. That is, in fact, how a game with erisaurolophus' deck is likely to start.
Then they tutor for Ancient CellarspawnAncient Cellarspawn.
Suddenly, you realize that every piece of ramp they've played has come in the form of cost reduction. Not only are their spells dirt cheap to cast, each one is triggering Ancient CellarspawnAncient Cellarspawn and hitting someone for a few damage.
"Okay, no big deal," you think to yourself. "It's only a few damage at a time and they have three opponents to work their way through."
Then they cast a Diamond WeaponDiamond Weapon for . Next a The Cauldron of EternityThe Cauldron of Eternity for . Then — good grief, is that a free Excalibur, Sword of EdenExcalibur, Sword of Eden?
Now you're getting domed for six or more left and right and you begin to question what choices in life brought you to this moment.
Removing Ancient CellarspawnAncient Cellarspawn will certainly help, but erisaurolophus has come prepared with a suite of recursion spells. Unfortunately for you, most are legendary so they can be recurred themselves by Kethis should the need arise.
This is an incredibly synergistic deck that does little to give away the jumpscare until one of its many tutors can grab it. Check out erisaurolophus' description in the Archidekt link for additional details!
Omenpath to Zendikar by Pandalk
Ghired, Mirror of the Wilds - Omenpath to Zendikar
View on ArchidektCommander (1)
- 1 Ghired, Mirror of the WildsGhired, Mirror of the Wilds
Copy (15)
- 1 Bramble SovereignBramble Sovereign
- 1 Calamity, Galloping InfernoCalamity, Galloping Inferno
- 1 Devastating OnslaughtDevastating Onslaught
- 1 Fable of the Mirror-Breaker // Reflection of Kiki-JikiFable of the Mirror-Breaker // Reflection of Kiki-Jiki
- 1 Flamerush RiderFlamerush Rider
- 1 Ironwill ForgerIronwill Forger
- 1 Jaxis, the TroublemakerJaxis, the Troublemaker
- 1 Kiki-Jiki, Mirror BreakerKiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker
- 1 Molten DuplicationMolten Duplication
- 1 Orthion, Hero of LavabrinkOrthion, Hero of Lavabrink
- 1 Rionya, Fire DancerRionya, Fire Dancer
- 1 Splinter TwinSplinter Twin
- 1 Springheart NantukoSpringheart Nantuko
- 1 The Jolly Balloon ManThe Jolly Balloon Man
- 1 TwinflameTwinflame
Draw (14)
- 1 Charming ScoundrelCharming Scoundrel
- 1 Elvish VisionaryElvish Visionary
- 1 Enduring InnocenceEnduring Innocence
- 1 Gallant CitizenGallant Citizen
- 1 Helpful HunterHelpful Hunter
- 1 Inspiring OverseerInspiring Overseer
- 1 Llanowar VisionaryLlanowar Visionary
- 1 Priest of Ancient LorePriest of Ancient Lore
- 1 Seasoned PyromancerSeasoned Pyromancer
- 1 Spirited CompanionSpirited Companion
- 1 Splitskin DollSplitskin Doll
- 1 Voice of ManyVoice of Many
- 1 Wall of BlossomsWall of Blossoms
- 1 Wall of OmensWall of Omens
Land Animation (9)
- 1 Crackling EmergenceCrackling Emergence
- 1 Earthbending StudentEarthbending Student
- 1 Embodiment of FuryEmbodiment of Fury
- 1 Haru, Hidden TalentHaru, Hidden Talent
- 1 Llanowar LoamspeakerLlanowar Loamspeaker
- 1 Obuun, Mul Daya AncestorObuun, Mul Daya Ancestor
- 1 Toph, the Blind BanditToph, the Blind Bandit
- 1 Toph, the First MetalbenderToph, the First Metalbender
- 1 Vastwood AnimistVastwood Animist
Ramp (4)
- 1 Avacyn's PilgrimAvacyn's Pilgrim
- 1 Birds of ParadiseBirds of Paradise
- 1 Dryad of the Ilysian GroveDryad of the Ilysian Grove
- 1 Overlord of the HauntwoodsOverlord of the Hauntwoods
Removal (4)
- 1 Austere CommandAustere Command
- 1 Expel the InterlopersExpel the Interlopers
- 1 Skyclave ApparitionSkyclave Apparition
- 1 Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares
Tutor (8)
- 1 Archdruid's CharmArchdruid's Charm
- 1 Disorienting ChoiceDisorienting Choice
- 1 Green Sun's ZenithGreen Sun's Zenith
- 1 Kura, the Boundless SkyKura, the Boundless Sky
- 1 Pir's WhimPir's Whim
- 1 Sidequest: Raise a Chocobo // Black ChocoboSidequest: Raise a Chocobo // Black Chocobo
- 1 Sowing MycospawnSowing Mycospawn
- 1 Weathered WayfarerWeathered Wayfarer
Recursion (1)
- 1 Timeless WitnessTimeless Witness
Ally (7)
- 1 Akoum BattlesingerAkoum Battlesinger
- 1 Beastcaller SavantBeastcaller Savant
- 1 Hada FreebladeHada Freeblade
- 1 Harabaz DruidHarabaz Druid
- 1 Kazandu BlademasterKazandu Blademaster
- 1 Masked VandalMasked Vandal
- 1 Turntimber RangerTurntimber Ranger
Lands (37)
- 1 Alpine MeadowAlpine Meadow
- 1 Canopy VistaCanopy Vista
- 1 Cinder GladeCinder Glade
- 1 Command TowerCommand Tower
- 1 Dwarven MineDwarven Mine
- 1 Emeria, the Sky RuinEmeria, the Sky Ruin
- 1 Exotic OrchardExotic Orchard
- 1 Fire-Lit ThicketFire-Lit Thicket
- 7 ForestForest
- 1 Glittering MassifGlittering Massif
- 1 Kessig Wolf RunKessig Wolf Run
- 1 Mossfire ValleyMossfire Valley
- 6 MountainMountain
- 4 PlainsPlains
- 1 Radiant SummitRadiant Summit
- 1 Rugged PrairieRugged Prairie
- 1 Sacred PeaksSacred Peaks
- 1 Sheltered ThicketSheltered Thicket
- 1 Sungrass PrairieSungrass Prairie
- 1 Sunscorched DivideSunscorched Divide
- 1 Thespian's StageThespian's Stage
- 1 Urza's CaveUrza's Cave
- 1 Valakut, the Molten PinnacleValakut, the Molten Pinnacle
"So that Ancient CellarspawnAncient Cellarspawn deck is pretty spooky," you reflect, "but at least Pandalk is just playing a cute Allies deck. Making token copies of Allies with cards like Kiki-Jiki, Mirror BreakerKiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker then copying those tokens with Ghired, Mirror of the WildsGhired, Mirror of the Wilds is pretty clever!"
It is pretty clever. So clever and effective on its own that surely it's the only thing the deck has going on... right?
Then the Valakut, the Molten PinnacleValakut, the Molten Pinnacle drops.
You might initially dismiss it as a flavor inclusion in this Zendikar-heavy list, but warning bells should start going off when Valakut is animated into a creature with something like Haru, Hidden TalentHaru, Hidden Talent. Those bells should turn into air-raid sirens when Pandalk makes a copy of the animated Valakut with their Kiki-Jiki, Mirror BreakerKiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker effects and then copies that copy with Ghired.
Staring down the barrel of several Valakuts, you realize that all Pandalk needs to do is animate a humble MountainMountain, copy it, then copy that token copy to trigger each of their Valakuts multiple times.
What initially appeared as a slightly off-beat Allies list is now threatening lethal with a gaggle of Valakuts that probably shouldn't be allowed to exist but do anyway because WotC didn't like making lands legendary for a bit.
With plenty of land tutors like Pir's WhimPir's Whim and Kura, the Boundless SkyKura, the Boundless Sky, and because earthbending returns destroyed and exiled lands to play for some reason, this is a remarkably consistent and resilient list.
Check out Pandalk's description in the Archidekt link for more about it!
All the Legends... All at Once! by ryankgress
All the Legends... All at Once!
View on ArchidektCommander (1)
- 1 General Marhault ElsdragonGeneral Marhault Elsdragon
Haunted House (2)
- 1 Adventurers' GuildhouseAdventurers' Guildhouse
- 1 Mountain StrongholdMountain Stronghold
Hall of Legends (42)
- 1 Agatha of the Vile CauldronAgatha of the Vile Cauldron
- 1 Bard ClassBard Class
- 1 Bombadil's SongBombadil's Song
- 1 Casal, Lurkwood Pathfinder // Casal, Pathbreaker OwlbearCasal, Lurkwood Pathfinder // Casal, Pathbreaker Owlbear
- 1 Hajar, Loyal BodyguardHajar, Loyal Bodyguard
- 1 Heroes' PodiumHeroes' Podium
- 1 Inti, Seneschal of the SunInti, Seneschal of the Sun
- 1 Isao, Enlightened BushiIsao, Enlightened Bushi
- 1 Ivora, Insatiable HeirIvora, Insatiable Heir
- 1 Kamahl's Druidic VowKamahl's Druidic Vow
- 1 Klothys, God of DestinyKlothys, God of Destiny
- 1 Kolvori, God of Kinship // The Ringhart CrestKolvori, God of Kinship // The Ringhart Crest
- 1 Mithril CoatMithril Coat
- 1 Mox AmberMox Amber
- 1 Nylea, God of the HuntNylea, God of the Hunt
- 1 Ragavan, Nimble PilfererRagavan, Nimble Pilferer
- 1 Reki, the History of KamigawaReki, the History of Kamigawa
- 1 Relic of LegendsRelic of Legends
- 1 Rograkh, Son of RohgahhRograkh, Son of Rohgahh
- 1 Ruby, Daring TrackerRuby, Daring Tracker
- 1 Shigeki, Jukai VisionaryShigeki, Jukai Visionary
- 1 Shroofus SproutsireShroofus Sproutsire
- 1 The Ring Goes SouthThe Ring Goes South
- 1 Toski, Bearer of SecretsToski, Bearer of Secrets
- 1 Wilson, Refined GrizzlyWilson, Refined Grizzly
- 1 [Lure / Reinforcements][Lure / Reinforcements]
- 1 Alluring ScentAlluring Scent
- 1 Benefactor's DraughtBenefactor's Draught
- 1 Genesis ChamberGenesis Chamber
- 1 Goblin GrapplerGoblin Grappler
- 1 Hunted TrollHunted Troll
- 1 Jangling AutomatonJangling Automaton
- 1 Khenra CharioteerKhenra Charioteer
- 1 LureLure
- 1 Mogg InfestationMogg Infestation
- 1 Nemesis MaskNemesis Mask
- 1 OutmaneuverOutmaneuver
- 1 Revenge of the HuntedRevenge of the Hunted
- 1 ShadowspearShadowspear
- 1 Taunting ElfTaunting Elf
- 1 Tempting LicidTempting Licid
- 1 Varchild's War-RidersVarchild's War-Riders
Removal (5)
- 1 Animist's MightAnimist's Might
- 1 Beast WithinBeast Within
- 1 Blasphemous ActBlasphemous Act
- 1 Chaos WarpChaos Warp
- 1 Return to NatureReturn to Nature
Land Tutor (7)
- 1 Archdruid's CharmArchdruid's Charm
- 1 Expedition MapExpedition Map
- 1 Kura, the Boundless SkyKura, the Boundless Sky
- 1 Nylea's InterventionNylea's Intervention
- 1 Sylvan ScryingSylvan Scrying
- 1 Tempt with DiscoveryTempt with Discovery
- 1 Urza's CaveUrza's Cave
Backup Bands (6)
- 1 Baton of MoraleBaton of Morale
- 1 Battering RamBattering Ram
- 1 Helm of ChatzukHelm of Chatzuk
- 1 Invasion PlansInvasion Plans
- 1 Timber WolvesTimber Wolves
- 1 Urza's EngineUrza's Engine
Draw (5)
- 1 Garruk's UprisingGarruk's Uprising
- 1 Greater GoodGreater Good
- 1 Guardian ProjectGuardian Project
- 1 Life's LegacyLife's Legacy
- 1 The Great HengeThe Great Henge
Lands (33)
- 1 Boseiju, Who EnduresBoseiju, Who Endures
- 1 Command TowerCommand Tower
- 1 Commercial DistrictCommercial District
- 1 Fabled PassageFabled Passage
- 1 Forbidden OrchardForbidden Orchard
- 11 ForestForest
- 10 MountainMountain
- 1 Rootbound CragRootbound Crag
- 1 Spire GardenSpire Garden
- 1 Stomping GroundStomping Ground
- 1 Tyrite SanctumTyrite Sanctum
- 1 Urza's SagaUrza's Saga
- 1 Wooded FoothillsWooded Foothills
- 1 Yavimaya, Cradle of GrowthYavimaya, Cradle of Growth
You look to your final opponent in this hellscape of a game you've found yourself in and breathe a sigh of relief. General Marhault ElsdragonGeneral Marhault Elsdragon is a pretty straightforward card, so surely ryankgress is playing a run-of-the-mill Gruul aggro list. Finally, someone normal!
You spot a Bard ClassBard Class and Reki, the History of KamigawaReki, the History of Kamigawa — there must be a legendary subtheme. Cute, but not overly worrisome.
Then ryankgress casts a Nemesis MaskNemesis Mask. Synergizing incredibly well with General Marhault ElsdragonGeneral Marhault Elsdragon's triggered ability, it could represent a pretty large creature coming your way. Spicy, but still pretty manageable.
Then they cast one of their many land tutors and play an Adventurers' GuildhouseAdventurers' Guildhouse.
The first thing you do is grab your phone and look up the official rules for banding. The second thing you do is close that tab and Google "explanation of banding mtg."
It takes a couple minutes, but you get the gist: Attacking creatures with banding can form a "band" that can only be blocked as a group rather than as individual creatures. When blocked, the attacking player gets to decide how any blockers' combat damage is assigned within the band.
Conversely, when a creature with banding blocks, the defending player gets to decide how an attacking creature's combat damage is assigned.
With horror, you realize this means that a single creature that blocks a band controlled by the player with General Marhault ElsdragonGeneral Marhault Elsdragon will trigger the General's ability for each creature in that band.
The numbers get out of control pretty quickly.
In addition to easy "taunting" options like Nemesis MaskNemesis Mask, ryankgress includes a few Ring temping cards (Bombadil's SongBombadil's Song, The Ring Goes SouthThe Ring Goes South) to turn their Taunting ElfTaunting Elf or Goblin GrapplerGoblin Grappler into a legendary creature for the band.
To get even more General Marhault ElsdragonGeneral Marhault Elsdragon triggers, they play cards like Varchild's War-RidersVarchild's War-Riders and Mogg InfestationMogg Infestation. If ryankgress forces six of your creatures to block their band of three, each of those three attackers will get +18/+18.
Throw in some trample from an Urza's EngineUrza's Engine or Khenra CharioteerKhenra Charioteer and you might just be dead.
For more about this banding jumpscare, check out ryankgress' description in the Archidekt link.
Who Pulled off the Best Jumpscare?
I'm not sure which player won in this hypothetical game from hell, but I am confident I'd be sweating bullets by the end.
So who do you think pulled off the best jumpscare? Follow the Archidekt links in the headers of each section to upvote the deck you think should win!
The final rankings based on your votes will be announced on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
Jeremy Cassidy
Jeremy works as the Head of Product Management at Space Cow Media. When not chasing his toddler around, Jeremy can be found brewing up yet another hidden commander list on Archidekt.
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