Cheering CrowdCheering Crowd | Art by Kim Sokol

In a set full of larger-than-life heroes and villains, it only makes sense that one of the most powerful new cards for Commander is…an ordinary Human Citizen. Its very name and existence is a synecdoche: one card, with the stats of a Grizzly BearsGrizzly Bears, is made to represent the whole of the support of the people.

And, just like the swell of support in stadiums around North America every fall, Cheering Crowd grows and rewards its supporters. It really is a beautifully flavored card.

What Does Cheering CrowdCheering Crowd Do?

Cheering Crowd is a 2/2 for , making it aggressive and easily castable. Human is a relevant creature type, as there are a number of Humans-matters commanders, especially from Innistrad. Citizens began to gain popularity in New Capenna, but there aren’t many commanders that specifically reference them, so it’s kind of a wash.

Where the excitement comes in, however, is the triggered ability.

At the beginning of each player’s first main phase, notably not each pre-combat main phase, as some cards used to be interpreted, that player may put a +1/+1 counter on the Cheering CrowdCheering Crowd. If that player chooses to put the counter on the Crowd, that player adds a colorless mana for each counter on the Crowd.

It's again worth noting that the mana is added for each counter, not just +1/+1 counters. While this ability is unique, there are some possible analogs that can be used to estimate its uses.

What Else Does What Cheering CrowdCheering Crowd Does?

One of the aspects of the ability that stands out among the crowd of words is that each player can grow the Crowd and make the mana in their first main phase.

There's a precedent for cards that trigger in the main phase and make mana for the turn player: Eladamri's VineyardEladamri's Vineyard, the Future Sight analog Magus of the VineyardMagus of the Vineyard, and even the sneaky Blinkmoth UrnBlinkmoth Urn all add mana in the precombat main phase.

These cards tend to pop up in Group Hug decks, as well as intriguing political builds that look to use the boost better or faster than opponents, even though the opponent gets to use it first.

While not as common, there are creatures that provide choices to opponents in exchange for growing as a threat. In fact, Born of the Gods featured the unsung ability tribute, which gave opponents an unfortunate choice: have the creature grow in size or allow a powerful enters-the-battlefield ability to trigger.

This is shown through cards like Nessian DemolokNessian Demolok, a 3/3 Beast that either becomes a 6/6 or destroys a noncreature permanent, depending on the will of an opponent of our choice. While the ability didn’t have a lot of initial fanfare, Cheering CrowdCheering Crowd could help it make a comeback with an intriguing take on multiplayer aggro!

Pros of Cheering CrowdCheering Crowd

The Crowd comes out early and grows big quickly. Most likely, it will have three opportunities to grow on the first turn cycle, and then four on the next. This means that, if not removed, it could be as big as a two-mana 5/5 attacking on turn three and then a 9/9 on turn four, which are frightening numbers. Your mileage may vary, but, for an aggressive deck, it’s rare to find a creature that can grow that big without requiring additional investment.

Political cards like Howling MineHowling Mine tend to be a bit tough to evaluate because the opponents get to use them first. In 1v1 games, the effect needs to be particularly powerful, like Desecration DemonDesecration Demon letting opponents sacrifice creatures to tap down the increasingly-large flyer.

In multiplayer, however, political cards like Descent into AvernusDescent into Avernus can make games exciting and fun, and can lead to their controllers being given leeway to stick around in games, which they can use to their advantage later.

After all, while you’re busy playing your little spells with the extra mana, I’m counting just how big I can make a Comet StormComet Storm!

Cons of Cheering CrowdCheering Crowd

There are some downsides to having a crowd on your side, however. While the ability is political, the ever-growing threat is not. And that threat, while growing, doesn’t have evasion. For as large as it can get, I suppose it makes sense that a Cheering CrowdCheering Crowd disperses pretty quickly when blocked by a Typhoid RatsTyphoid Rats.

And then there’s the double-edged sword of having to share the mana with the table. I happen to love Mana FlareMana Flare effects - one of my early favorite competitive decks was Heartbeat of SpringHeartbeat of Spring, and I was gifted a signed copy a few years ago - but those effects sometimes literally blow up in your face.

Making huge swaths of mana and then pouring that into large spells is one of the great joys of Commander. But watching everyone else do that before you, game after game? There’s only so long you can cheer for your crowd of opponents before you stop cheering for Cheering CrowdCheering Crowd.

Which Commanders Want Cheering CrowdCheering Crowd?

Gruul has a number of interesting commanders that can support a political beater.

Jolene, the Plunder QueenJolene, the Plunder Queen stands out as a commander that values mana, gives mana to opponents politically, and grows itself via +1/+1 counters, so it can support counters-matters cards.

A subtle inclusion from the Final Fantasy set is Red XIII, Proud WarriorRed XIII, Proud Warrior, who gives modified creatures vigilance and trample, which would work well with the tribute mechanic for a unique build that could be a lot of fun.

Adding colors makes more options for the Crowd, and there are plenty of commanders for them to cheer for.

Vazi, Keen NegotiatorVazi, Keen Negotiator is a Jund option similar to Jolene, who gives opponents mana and adds counters to creatures when that mana is used. In Naya colors, Rocco, Street ChefRocco, Street Chef lets players play lands and cast spells from exile and adds counters to creatures when opponents oblige.

Shalai and HallarShalai and Hallar also work well with the counters and turn them into direct damage to opponents, although that can be a bit of a non-bo, as opponents can simply decline to put the counters on.

Unfortunately, Temur has a limited number of options, and none stand out the way the others do. Still, a mana-producing cheap creature could give a boost to a commander like Animar, Soul of ElementsAnimar, Soul of Elements, who cares about counters and making large sums of mana.

Conclusion

Cheering CrowdCheering Crowd is an intriguing card, and I am definitely a fan. It creates fun gameplay situations, adds fun and flavor to games, and slots into a variety of existing decks. It might even breathe life into a long-dead mechanic. For two mana, that’s a pretty good deal, if you ask me!

But what are your thoughts on it? And what decks are you looking to slot it into?