Gilgamesh, Master-at-ArmsGilgamesh, Master-at-Arms | Art by Lorenzo Mastroianni

Greetings, mono-red aficionados and Equipment devotees. Final Fantasy (FIN) introduced a plethora of exciting legendary creatures to Magic: The Gathering. It's hard to ignore FINs mythic rare creature cards Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIERSephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER, Vivi OrnitierVivi Ornitier, and Lightning, Army of OneLightning, Army of One. However, Prerelease weekend taught me that FIN isn't just a mythic rare or bust set.

As I opened my first FIN Prerelease kit, my dreams of finding a valuable promotional card vanished. Instead, a foil-stamped Gilgamesh, Master-at-ArmsGilgamesh, Master-at-Arms gazed back at me. I was not familiar with Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms nor had played Final Fantasy V, but I did notice its Equipment synergy. Luckily, my Sealed pool supported an RW Equipment deck, including Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms. Much to my surprise, Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms led the way to a 3-0 record.

You may be thinking, how does Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms's performance in Sealed have anything to do with Commander? Well, that is precisely what I want to discuss with you today. For this deck tech, we will examine the potential of Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms leading an Equipment-themed Commander deck.

What Does Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms Do?

Paying for a legendary 6/6 Human Samurai with no evasion is awful. Yet, Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms's long-winded ability gives reason for spending six mana.

Its ability triggers whenever it enters the battlefield or attacks. When that happens, you get to look at the top six cards of your library and put any number of Equipment cards from among them onto the battlefield. Also, you may attach one of the Equipment cards placed onto the battlefield this way to Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms or another Samurai. The rest of the cards go on the bottom of your library in a random order.

Hitting two or more Equipment cards from Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms's ability is fantastic. Though you'll need to have enough Equipment cards in your 99 to consistently find two or more Equipment cards with each triggered ability. For further context on how many Equipment cards to include in the 99, I recommend reading Benjamin Nicol's article.

Though it identifies with white, Armored SkyhunterArmored Skyhunter possesses a similar ability to Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms. Attacking with Armored Skyhunter lets you find an Aura or Equipment card within the top six cards of your library and place it onto the battlefield. In addition, you get to attach the selected Equipment card to a creature.

Notably, Armored Skyhunter's ability doesn't trigger when it enters, and you can't select more than one Aura or Equipment card. I mention this to show that Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms's ability can generate even more value for you.

Two alternative mono-red commanders for Equipment-themed decks are Slicer, Hired MuscleSlicer, Hired Muscle and Alexios, Deimos of KosmosAlexios, Deimos of Kosmos. Both legendary creatures want you to attach Equipment to them and deal 21 commander damage. Moreover, your opponents can temporarily control Slicer, Hired Muscle and Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos to deal combat damage on your behalf.

Although Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms doesn't let you pass control of it to your opponents, all three red legendary creatures can deal significant combat damage when suited up.

Key Cards for Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms

It's obvious Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms needs plenty of Equipment cards in the 99. However, you have lots of Equipment card choices to fill a select number of slots. Also, you need to save room for lands, creatures, and other non-Equipment cards.

Let's take a closer look at which cards you should prioritize.

Evasive Equipment

To avoid getting chump-blocked, we need to give Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms some evasion.

For starters, we can leverage the Universes Beyond duo of Brotherhood RegaliaBrotherhood Regalia and Silver Shroud CostumeSilver Shroud Costume. The package of pseudo-protection and unblockability makes Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms hard to stop from attacking unscathed. In addition, Commander's Plate provides constant protection and unblockability, except from colorless and red sources.

Alternatively, you can rely on Equipment cards like Sword of VengeanceSword of Vengeance. Giving Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms a keyword soup means it will slice and dice its way through blockers.

I'm also eager to play Leyline AxeLeyline Axe and EmbercleaveEmbercleave, which grant double strike, trample, and a minor buff. Brute-force attacking your way to victory is undoubtedly a viable option.

Living Equipment

Wizards of the Coast has designed several "living Equipment" mechanics. Although each mechanic has a different name, they all have Equipment enter the battlefield as a creature or attached to a creature token.

So why should you run living Equipment cards? Three reasons justify the inclusion: first, Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms' ability only attaches one Equipment to itself from among the top six cards of your library; second, you may need to rely on another creature if Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms' is immobilized or when its commander tax gets out of reach; third, living Equipment cards have outstanding synergy with Akki Battle SquadAkki Battle Squad and Firion, Wild Rose WarriorFirion, Wild Rose Warrior.

Three living Equipment cards that provide haste are Rabbit BatteryRabbit Battery, Samurai's KatanaSamurai's Katana, and Dragonwing GliderDragonwing Glider. Hitting any of these Equipment cards with Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms enters ability trigger is excellent since they have haste. Moreover, Dragonwing Glider gives flying, haste, and a buff to Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms, making it a terrifying threat.

Even though Hexplate WallbreakerHexplate Wallbreaker is missing haste, it's a fantastic choice for the 99. An additional combat phase and +2/+2 is helpful, plus it enters as a standalone creature. It's worth noting that Hexplate Wallbreaker is one of a handful of cards that generate additional combat steps in the deck list.

Stoneforge MysticStoneforge Mystic may be absent, but Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms's ability can find Batterskull for you. BatterskullBatterskull impressively grants Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms vigilance, lifelink, and +4/+4. Further, putting Batterskull (and Hexplate Wallbreaker) into play with Firion, Wild Rose WarriorFirion, Wild Rose Warrior on the battlefield means you get additional token copies attached to creature tokens with haste until the end of the turn.

If necessary, Batterskull and its creature token are a viable threat when stacked with other Equipment.

How Does Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms Win?

Combat and Commander Damage

Winning with Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms requires combat damage. One road to victory is dealing 21 commander damage. Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms equipped with Excalibur, Sword of EdenExcalibur, Sword of Eden and ShadowspearShadowspear can one-shot opponents. So can an unblocked Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms with Buster SwordBuster Sword and Leyline AxeLeyline Axe.

To ensure Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms connects with opponents, you have some helpful board wipes.

Blowing up the battlefield can clear the way for your commander. Moreover, Nibelheim Aflame and Chandra's Ignition get the job done. Don't overlook Nibelheim Aflame's flashback effect either. You may use Blasphemous Act as a clutch spell, but ensure Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms is indestructible when it goes boom.

Even if you can't have Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms do all the work, you can deal massive combat damage with other creatures.

I mentioned Batterskull, but there's also Armory AutomatonArmory Automaton. This unassuming Construct lets you attach as much Equipment as you want to it when it enters or attacks. Also, Raubahn, Bull of Ala MhigoRaubahn, Bull of Ala Mhigo has an eye-catching ward ability and one free Equipment attachment per attack.

Finally, it would be a miss to leave out Gogo, Mysterious MimeGogo, Mysterious Mime. Four mana seems like a lot, but it can copy Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms, Armory Automaton, and other creatures before attacking. Be mindful which creature you copy with Gogo, Mysterious Mime because you're forced to attack with both of them.

Combo Finishers

If you're going to pilot a competitive deck, why not run a few infinite combos?

The iconic two-card combo of Godo, Bandit WarlordGodo, Bandit Warlord and Helm of the HostHelm of the Host plays nicely with the deck's theme. Essentially, the combo creates non-legendary token copies of Godo, Bandit Warlord, infinite combo phases, and pulls your Equipment cards out of your library and onto the battlefield.

Note that Godo, Bandit Warlord's ability untaps itself and all Samurai you control, including Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms.

Helm of the Host forms another infinite combo with Akki Battle SquadAkki Battle Squad. Similar to the combo above, you want Akki Battle Squad equipped with Helm of the Host. You'll also need another modified creature to attack unharmed for repeatable combat phases. Additionally, any modified creatures under your control get to untap for the additional combat steps.

Interestingly, there is one more infinite combo featuring Akki Battle Squad. The combo starts with Akki Battle Squad on your battlefield and Sword of Hearth and HomeSword of Hearth and Home equipped to a different creature without summoning sickness. Next, attack with the creature equipped by Sword of Hearth and HomeSword of Hearth and Home unharmed and deal combat damage to an opponent. Finally, use Sword of Hearth and Home's triggered ability to flicker Akki Battle Squad and find a basic land to place on the battlefield.

Repeat these steps to infinitely attack, untap all of your modified creatures, and put basic lands from your library onto your battlefield.

Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms Commander Deck List

You can lower the power and price point of the deck without sacrificing much of its synergy. I'd recommend replacing the two Game Changers and Godo, Bandit Warlord to get closer to the Core bracket. Suitable substitutes include Bolt BendBolt Bend, Bronzeplate BoarBronzeplate Boar, and GeosurgeGeosurge.

Furthermore, swapping out Commander's PlateCommander's Plate, Buster SwordBuster Sword, and ShadowspearShadowspear will reduce costs. Some more affordable Equipment options are Loxodon WarhammerLoxodon Warhammer, Hero's HeirloomHero's Heirloom, and Tenza, Godo's MaulTenza, Godo's Maul.

Now it's time to pick a weapon and walk the path of a Samurai.