Conditions Allow - Haakon, Stromgald Scourge

<h1>Tribes, Themes, Colors</h1>
<p>EDHREC recently added some new functionality to the tribes, themes, and colors pages, so to start off the new year, we'd like to give you a quick rundown on how to best use these new features!</p>
<p>First, we'll talk about the "Related Info" block that cross-references popular combinations for decks that focus on more than one of these qualities. Second, we reorganized the main Themes page to make it easier to navigate the large number of themes we use to classify decks. To introduce these features, let's walk through some examples on how to use them.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Setting the Example</h2>
<p>Suppose that we want to build a deck for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alela, Artful Provocateur" href="#" target="_blank">Alela, Artful Provocateur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. (Side note, "Alela" is also one of the few legendary creatures with a palindromic name, meaning her name is spelled the same way when written backwards, so bonus points for that. Can you think of another palindromic legendary creature before reading to the end of this article? Let's find out, together.)<br />
<a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/alela-artful-provocateur"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-42914 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/alela-panels.png" alt="" width="529" height="613" /></a><br />
Looking at <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/alela-artful-provocateur">Alela's commander page</a>, we can see which themes are already popular for Alela decks, as seen above in the section between "View" and "Budget". <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/enchantments">Enchantments</a> and <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/artifacts">Artifacts</a> each make sense, since both of those words literally appear in Alela's rules text in a beneficial way. Likewise, <a href="https://edhrec.com/tribes/faeries">Faerie (Tribal)</a> and <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/flying">Flying</a> also make good things happen in Alela's text box. <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/auras">Auras</a> and <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/equipment">Equipment</a> make sense since they are subtypes of the aforementioned permanents, and the <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/cantrips">Cantrips</a> theme tends to show up for commanders who have the words "Whenever you cast" in their text. <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/stax">Stax</a> is... a choice that some deckbuilders make sometimes, especially in Esper colors, and we'll leave it at that.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Related Info</h2>
<p>Now suppose we want to make an Alela deck that uses different themes and/or tribes than the popular builds. One way to approach this is to consider which tribes and/or themes are strong in Alela's colors, but haven't received much popular attention in Alela decks. We can find this information by using the navigation bar at the top of the page and selecting <strong>Commanders</strong>, <strong>3 Color</strong>, and <strong>Esper</strong>, like so:</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/wub"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-42910 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/navbar-esper.png" alt="" width="664" height="457" /></a></p>
<p>This will take us to the Esper page which features popular commanders and cards used in Esper decks.</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/wub">edhrec.com/commanders/wub</a></p>
<p>Near the top of this page, there should be a button saying "Related Info (Click to expand)". If we click it, we get to see what tribes and themes are well-established in the chosen colors, like so:</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/wub"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-42905 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/related-commanders-wub.png" alt="" width="256" height="568" /></a></p>
<p>From these lists, for the sake of an example, let's look into building Esper Zombie Tribal with Esper Curses.</p>
<p>If we click Zombies from that list, it will bring us to a page of Zombie Tribal decks in the specific white/blue/black colors we want, without having to visually sift out the green and red cards, like picking the broccoli and chili peppers out of your blueberry squid ink pasta. The Esper Zombie Tribal page has its own relevant information:</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/tribes/zombies/wub">edhrec.com/tribes/zombies/wub</a></p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/tribes/zombies/wub"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-42903 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/related-zombies.png" alt="" width="257" height="379" /></a></p>
<p>If you wanted to know which other color combinations have more than one commander making Zombie Tribal decks, there they are. If you wanted to know which themes are popular with Zombie Tribal decks, that information is also there.</p>
<p>Let's look at a theme page now: Curses!</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/curses/wub">edhrec.com/themes/curses/wub</a><br />
<a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/curses/wub"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-42936 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/related-curses.png" alt="" width="290" height="258" /></a></p>
<p>Likewise, the theme pages have their own color-specific filters as long as enough decks were built with those constraints. If there were particular tribes that specialized in Curses, they would also be listed, but there aren't, because those decks haven't been built yet; we can't show you data that doesn't exist, but we can show you the Enchantments theme, which illustrates an existing Tribal example:</p>
<p><a href="http://edhrec.com/themes/enchantments/wub">edhrec.com/themes/enchantments/wub</a><br />
<a href="http://edhrec.com/themes/enchantments/wub"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-42904 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/related-enchantment.png" alt="" width="344" height="395" /></a></p>
<p>It turns out that God Tribal decks enjoy playing enchantment-heavy builds from time to time. Since the old-timey <em>Theros</em>-block Gods were enchantment creatures, themselves (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Xenagos, God of Revels" href="#" target="_blank">Xenagos, God of Revels</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example), this also makes sense. If we click on "Gods" here, then we go to a page of card statistics for the precise overlap of decks that are both enchantment themed and God Tribal.</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/enchantments/gods">edhrec.com/themes/enchantments/gods</a><br />
<a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/enchantments/gods"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-42957 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/related-ench-gods.png" alt="" width="342" height="279" /></a></p>
<p>Hopefully these info blocks will help you with building and brainstorming in the colors you want, bringing easier access to related ideas, and showing tribes and themes that synergize with whatever strategy you are attempting.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Main Theme Hub</h2>
<p>In addition to Related Info, <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes">the main Themes page</a> has also been reorganized. Instead of a solid wall of card pictures, the big list of themes has been organized into smaller appropriate categories.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>By Card Type</strong> - themes that are based on information in the card's type line</li>
<li><strong>By Card Name</strong> - themes based around a specific named card</li>
<li><strong>For Creatures</strong> - themes that require or imply a significant number of creatures</li>
<li><strong>For The Library</strong> - themes defined by cards going into or out of the library</li>
<li><strong>For The Hand</strong> - themes defined by cards going into or out of the hand</li>
<li><strong>For The Field</strong> - themes defined by cards going into or out of the battlefield</li>
<li><strong>For The Graveyard</strong> - themes defined by cards going into or out of the graveyard</li>
<li><strong>By Strategy</strong> - themes that don't quite fit into the above categories</li>
</ul>
<p>Some themes appear in more than one category. For example, Aristocrats involves sacrificing creatures, which implies creatures, cards leaving the field, and cards entering the graveyard, so it will appear in "For Creatures", "For The Field", and "For The Graveyard". This is intentional.</p>
<hr />
<h2>A Silly Alela Deck</h2>
<p>For your entertainment, here's a pile of a deck based on picking fun artifacts and enchantments from <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/lifegain/wub">Esper Lifegain</a>, <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/curses/wub">Esper Curses</a>, <a href="https://edhrec.com/tribes/sphinges/wub">Esper Sphinges</a>, <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/treasure/wubr">Yore-Tiller Treasure</a>, and <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/sydri-galvanic-genius-vehicles-theme">Sydri Vehicles</a>. Enjoy!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Alela Cursed Lifegain Treasure Vehicle Sphinges" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
1 Alela, Artful Provocateur
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
1 Hangarback Walker
1 Baleful Strix
1 Adaptive Automaton
1 Junk Diver
1 Crashing Drawbridge
1 Phyrexian Metamorph
1 Stuffy Doll
1 Perplexing Chimera
1 Ethersworn Adjudicator
1 Magister Sphinx
1 Enigma Sphinx
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
1 Sol Ring
1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
1 Idol of Oblivion
1 Arcane Signet
1 Azorius Signet
1 Orzhov Signet
1 Dimir Signet
1 Talisman of Dominance
1 Talisman of Hierarchy
1 Talisman of Progress
1 Heraldic Banner
1 Treasure Map
1 Prying Blade
1 Blackblade Reforged
1 Mace of the Valiant
1 Konda&#039;s Banner
1 Sword of the Animist
1 Sigil of Valor
1 Bloodforged Battle-Axe
1 Coat of Arms
1 Smuggler&#039;s Copter
1 Weatherlight
1 Skysovereign, Consul Flagship
1 Parhelion II
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
1 Curse of Disturbance
1 Curse of Verbosity
1 Curse of Exhaustion
1 Torment of Scarabs
1 Smothering Tithe
1 Revel in Riches
1 Mechanized Production
1 Anointed Procession
1 All That Glitters
1 Edge of the Divinity
1 Octopus Umbra
1 Sanguine Bond
1 Exquisite Blood
1 Authority of the Consuls
1 Blind Obedience
1 Back to Basics
1 Thopter Spy Network
1 Etchings of the Chosen
1 Intangible Virtue
1 Favorable Winds
1 Sleeper&#039;s Guile
1 Mirrormade
1 Bereavement
1 Flooded Woodlands
1 Absolute Law
1 High Seas
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
12 Island
12 Plains
12 Swamp
1 Terramorphic Expanse
1 Evolving Wilds
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<hr />
<h3>PS: The Palindrome Answer</h3>
<p>Did you guess what the other legendary palindrome commanders were?</p>
<p>*<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun" href="#" target="_blank">Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Temmet = temmeT. Palindrome!<br />
**Also, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nin, the Pain Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Nin, the Pain Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Nin = niN!</p>


New EDHREC Features - Tribes, Themes, &#038; Colors Update

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sedris, the Traitor King" href="#" target="_blank">Sedris, the Traitor King</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/paulbonnerart/">Paul Bonner</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo Melibeu, and this is <em>Epic Experiment,</em> a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>Today we're going to talk about one of the most interesting commanders in Grixis. He has a powerful ability that allows us to temporarily reanimate any creature in our graveyard. Yes, we're going to build a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sedris, the Traitor King" href="#" target="_blank">Sedris, the Traitor King</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sedris, the Traitor King"></div></div>
<p><strong>Each creature in your graveyard has unearth {2}{B}. <em>({2}{B}: Return the card to the battlefield. The creature gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step or if it would leave the battlefield. Unearth only as a sorcery.)</em><br />
</strong></p>
<p>Observation 1:</p>
<p>Sedris tends to lose out on popularity when compared to similar commanders. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marchesa, the Black Rose" href="#" target="_blank">Marchesa, the Black Rose</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is generally more favored as a creature-based Grixis commander, and in terms of direct reanimation, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chainer, Nightmare Adept" href="#" target="_blank">Chainer, Nightmare Adept</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Karador, Ghost Chieftain" href="#" target="_blank">Karador, Ghost Chieftain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> have a more abusable version of the same effect. However, we do have the advantage of cheating on mana costs.</p>
<p>Observation 2:</p>
<p>Being a six-mana nongreen commander is pretty rough, especially when we then have to pay another three mana to actually start getting value from him.</p>
<p>Observation 3:</p>
<p>Given the previous factor, one should carefully consider before building around Sedris, since he paints a big red target on himself when he's out on the battlefield. On the other hand, he can be a great support for creature-based strategies because he offers a <em>Flashback</em> type of strategy.</p>
<p>Observation 4:</p>
<p>Sedris offers many great lines when played as a creature-based combo commander, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Entomb" href="#" target="_blank">Entomb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> + the <em>Unearth</em> ability becoming a very efficient way to put any creature in our deck into play.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Old Formula</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Sedris-Sig.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-43079" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Sedris-Sig.png" alt="" width="1159" height="534" /></a></p>
<p>As we can see, the average Sedris list try to play the grindy game, with lots of great ETB triggers. This is a bit confusing since we lose the body at end of turn, which means that we can't really abuse them. That being said, I love <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teferi&#039;s Veil" href="#" target="_blank">Teferi&#039;s Veil</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as a way to get around <em>Unearth</em>'s downside.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Epic Ingredients</h2>
<p>When building my last article (<a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/epic-experiment-lich-mastery-sidisi/">Lich's Mastery Sidisi</a>), I considered <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Charbelcher" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Charbelcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but quickly threw down the idea. Ever since then, though, I've been in a Belcher mood, so here we are.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Charbelcher"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Recruiter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mana Severance"></div></div>
<p>If we play a deck with a critical number of Goblins and we trigger <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Recruiter" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Recruiter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s ETB, we can stack the top of our deck with Goblins and then activate the Charbelcher, guaranteeing a whole lot of damage to a single target. If we'd like to go whole-hog, we can also use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Severance" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Severance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to remove all the lands from our own deck, guaranteeing we get a lethal hit from the Belcher! This combo is a fun way to reconcile flavor and functionality, since we're shooting Goblins at our enemies! It isn't a guaranteed one-hit K.O., but for an aggro deck like Goblins, chances are good that this chunk of damage will finish someone off.</p>
<p>By this point you might be wondering about Sedris's role in this plan. It's simple: he provides support by reanimating key Goblins. There are plenty of great Goblins that fuel this deck other than just <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Recruiter" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Recruiter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Engineer" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Engineer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example, can help us find <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Charbelcher" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Charbelcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which our other cards can more easily scoop out of the graveyard. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker" href="#" target="_blank">Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great way to chain key ETB effects. Even cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skirk Prospector" href="#" target="_blank">Skirk Prospector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can help us get to the very important seven-mana mark (the amount of mana we need to cast and activate Charbelcher in the same turn).</p>
<p>I may have buried the lead here a bit, but the best thing about this deck is that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Charbelcher" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Charbelcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is just the Plan B. You read that right, the Belcher is our backup plan. Our main plan is to beat face with our Goblins. Playing Belcher dictates a certain structure for the deck to help support it, but that doesn't mean this structure gets to have no life of its own. In our case, it has plenty of great tribal support.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dockside Extortionist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Munitions Expert"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Matron"></div></div>
<p>Goblins, as a whole, are a great tribe for this type of build because they get plenty of utility on relevant bodies. For removal, we have many great options like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gempalm Incinerator" href="#" target="_blank">Gempalm Incinerator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Cratermaker" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Cratermaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Trashmaster" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Trashmaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Munitions Expert" href="#" target="_blank">Munitions Expert</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. For mana advantage we have a few choices: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dockside Extortionist" href="#" target="_blank">Dockside Extortionist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasure Nabber" href="#" target="_blank">Treasure Nabber</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wily Goblin" href="#" target="_blank">Wily Goblin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example, are some cheap ways to not get behind on mana.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<div><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Sedris, Goblins, and Belchers" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*Sedris, the Traitor King
[/Commander]
[Creature]
*Goblin Lackey
*Goblin Welder
*Legion Loyalist
*Skirk Prospector
*Dimir Infiltrator
*Dockside Extortionist
*Frogtosser Banneret
*Goblin Cratermaker
*Goblin Engineer
*Goblin Lookout
*Goblin Piledriver
*Goblin Recruiter
*Munitions Expert
*Stingscourger
*Warren Instigator
*Wily Goblin
*Boggart Harbinger
*Gempalm Incinerator
*Goblin Chieftain
*Goblin King
*Goblin Matron
*Goblin Sharpshooter
*Goblin Warchief
*Mad Auntie
*Pashalik Mons
*Treasure Nabber
*Boggart Mob
*Caterwauling Boggart
*Goblin Trashmaster
*Ib Halfheart, Goblin Tactician
*Krenko, Mob Boss
*Moggcatcher
*Sling-Gang Lieutenant
*Volley Veteran
*Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker
*Siege-Gang Commander
*Skirk Fire Marshal
[/Creature]
[Artifact]
*Skullclamp
*Sol Ring
*Arcane Signet
*Fellwar Stone
*Izzet Signet
*Rakdos Signet
*Talisman of Creativity
*Talisman of Indulgence
*Commander&#039;s Sphere
*Goblin Charbelcher
*Hedron Archive
*Bolas&#039;s Citadel
[/Artifact]
[Sorcery]
*Diabolic Intent
*Dreadbore
*Mana Severance
*Fabricate
*Trash for Treasure
*Diabolic Tutor
*Distant Melody
*Beacon of Unrest
[/Sorcery]
[Instant]
*Entomb
*Swan Song
*Cyclonic Rift
*Shred Memory
*Whir of Invention
[/Instant]
[Planeswalker]
*Daretti, Scrap Savant
[/Planeswalker]
[Enchantment]
*Kindred Discovery
[/Enchantment]
[Land]
*Command Tower
*City of Brass
*Mana Confluence
*Exotic Orchard
*Path of Ancestry
*Crumbling Necropolis
*Blood Crypt
*Steam Vents
*Luxury Suite
*Dragonskull Summit
*Sulfur Falls
*Shivan Reef
*Sulfurous Springs
*Spirebluff Canal
*Smoldering Marsh
*Temple of Epiphany
*Temple of Malice
*Arid Mesa
*Bloodstained Mire
*Scalding Tarn
*Wooded Foothills
*Prismatic Vista
*Fabled Passage
*Academy Ruins
*Buried Ruin
*Inventors&#039; Fair
*Snow-Covered Island
*Snow-Covered Swamp
*7 Snow-Covered Mountain
[/Land]"></span></div></div>
<div>
<div></div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<hr />
</div>
<p>As you can see, we're an aggressive deck at heart, with a very live combo gameplan. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Severance" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Severance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an almost free support in this build, since it has the same CMC as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Recruiter" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Recruiter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (which means we get some extra value from <em>Transmute</em> cards) and it also makes it easier to "reload" the Belcher once we fire.</p>
<p>We're also rocking a pretty good artifact reanimation suite, with many efficient one-shot effects, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beacon of Unrest" href="#" target="_blank">Beacon of Unrest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Trash for Treasure" href="#" target="_blank">Trash for Treasure</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Daretti, Scrap Savant" href="#" target="_blank">Daretti, Scrap Savant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These effects and the artifact tutors are great at finding Belcher, however we need a backup target, otherwise they can go to waste pretty quickly. Enter <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bolas&#039;s Citadel" href="#" target="_blank">Bolas&#039;s Citadel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> one of the best ways to accelerate our aggro plan.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<p>Goblins are good on their own, which releases us from the typical burden of combo decks that feel the pressure to assemble the combo as quickly as possible. This makes outright aggro an acceptable strategy for us while also prolonging the life expectancy of the deck, since multiple games can have very different outcomes.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Frogtosser Banneret"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Distant Melody"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko, Mob Boss"></div></div>
<p>Early game, we hit the ground running, filling the board with all the Goblins we want; any that die to nasty <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrath of God" href="#" target="_blank">Wrath of God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects can be brought back with Sedris later. This doesn't mean that we should be completely careless with the lives of our Goblins; when to play which Goblins is still an important element for our threat assessment and longevity.</p>
<p>In the mid-game, if our aggro plan is working - say, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Mob Boss" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko, Mob Boss</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has made so many Goblins our opponents can't keep up, or our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Distant Melody" href="#" target="_blank">Distant Melody</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has kept our coffers stocked - we can, of course, continue to just smash. However, we can also start looking for a piece or two of the Belcher combo, especially if there's one opponent whose <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghostly Prison" href="#" target="_blank">Ghostly Prison</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has prevented us from attacking them. This is the out-of-nowhere way our aggressive deck can take out an unwary opponent who thought themselves safe from our army. Keep in mind, though, that the proper Charbelcher combo is a one-time deal.</p>
<p>Sedris himself is the late-game play. If our Gobbos have perished, he can bring them back in spectacular fashion for one final hurrah. Don't rush to play this commander; save him for later, when your opponents think the coast is clear.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tezzeret, the Seeker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wort, Boggart Auntie"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Buried Alive"></div></div>
<p>Balancing out the high number of Goblins together with some of the Belcher support was pretty difficult. I can't really tell if we have the correct ratio, so tinkering with this list may prove useful if you would like to take up this strategy. Lowering the mana curve by cutting out some of our bigger Goblins and go all-out in the aggro plan, for instance, may allow us to cut a land or two, which helps the Belcher's odds ever so slightly.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Buried Alive" href="#" target="_blank">Buried Alive</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with our commander can provide a very useful toolbox. I don't personally think that this is a reliable synergy, but it's a staple in Sedris for a reason. Additionally, more artifact tutors to lean into the combo elements of the deck could help improve its performance. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tezzeret, the Seeker" href="#" target="_blank">Tezzeret, the Seeker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can tutor for Charbelcher right away, for instance.</p>
<p>Finally, if Sedris isn't your cup of tea, but you still want to Belcher people to death, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wort, Boggart Auntie" href="#" target="_blank">Wort, Boggart Auntie</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can do a pretty good impression. We'll lose <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Severance" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Severance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and some of the artifact tutors, but it's nothing that a few other black tutors can't handle!</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment!</em> What do you think about this list? Did you have a blast ? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which didn’t you? Was the <em>Epic Experiment</em> a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Sedris, Goblins, and Belchers

Superior Numbers - Power Begets Power

Archetune-Up - Licia, Durdle-less Lifegain

Forgotten Harvest - The 2019 Crop

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="It That Betrays" href="#" target="_blank">It That Betrays</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/morano">Tomaz Jedruszek</a>)</h6>
<h1><strong>A Hands-On Approach</strong></h1>
<p>Greetings, everyone, and welcome back to <em>Monomania</em>. In this article series we build mono-colored decks as a way to explore ramp and draw packages that are synergistic with our particular deck’s strategy, challenging staples and misconceptions about the color pie. Today’s featured commander is a rapacious tentacle man, and all he wants to do is poke an opponent once. What's in our hand? Is it an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Undertaker" href="#" target="_blank">Undertaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="It That Betrays" href="#" target="_blank">It That Betrays</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? That's the line between life and death.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Volrath the Fallen"></div></div>
<p>Volrath the Fallen and I have a history. I built a budget-friendly version of this deck years ago, played it a few times, and realized that the deck’s fun factor is fairly dependent on cards that cost $10 or more. Some black decks just need <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cabal Coffers" href="#" target="_blank">Cabal Coffers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth" href="#" target="_blank">Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vesuva" href="#" target="_blank">Vesuva</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I dismantled the deck and largely forgot about the commander until recently. In this article, I’m revisiting the first Volrath, entering a shadow dimension of unrestricted budgets, and seeing what I can put together.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shriekmaw"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sibsig Muckdraggers"></div></div>
<p>The concept is simple and compelling: we want high-CMC creatures that we can pitch to pump Volrath. First and foremost, we’re hoping to kill our opponents with commander damage. However, this commander also gestures in two other directions as well. First, because we will be discarding big creatures, we might as well reanimate them afterward. This deck wants cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phyrexian Delver" href="#" target="_blank">Phyrexian Delver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Artisan of Kozilek" href="#" target="_blank">Artisan of Kozilek</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Secondly, because we’re running such expensive creatures, a big mana package is a great contingency plan to cast some of these game-ending monsters from our hand in case Volrath is no longer an option. Our build is creature-focused and loves cheating mana costs. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shriekmaw" href="#" target="_blank">Shriekmaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sibsig Muckdraggers" href="#" target="_blank">Sibsig Muckdraggers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ancient Stone Idol" href="#" target="_blank">Ancient Stone Idol</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> may not be amazing on their own, but they have increased utility here because they work two shifts as big buffs on our commander or utility effects.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Volrath the Fallen" href="#" target="_blank">Volrath the Fallen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> only leads 58 decks listed on EDHREC but deserves a more careful eye. Because he can activate his ability more than once in a turn, it will be easy to one-shot a single opponent. Unlike other Voltron strategies, this deck also has the ability to transition into a big-creature build. Let’s get into it and see what cards will most successfully support what Volrath is trying to do.</p>
<hr />
<h2><strong>Wind Up</strong></h2>
<p>I’ve mentioned this before on Monomania, but the big mana package available to mono-black is difficult to exclude. Unless you are pursuing a low-to-the-ground, aggressive strategy, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cabal Coffers" href="#" target="_blank">Cabal Coffers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth" href="#" target="_blank">Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vesuva" href="#" target="_blank">Vesuva</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deserted Temple" href="#" target="_blank">Deserted Temple</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are almost always powerful additions. Here, they are imperative. When Volrath is inevitably removed from the board, we want the ability to cast cards that cost 10 mana or more for their sticker price. Big mana is an essential component of our ramp package for this reason.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bog Witch"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crypt of Agadeem"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Oblivion Sower"></div></div>
<p>Above we have three flex inclusions that I have chosen to supplement our other ramp strategies. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bog Witch" href="#" target="_blank">Bog Witch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of my favorite underrepresented cards to champion. This card fits into more decks than one may think. As is typical of the Spellshaper creature type, we have to discard a card in order to activate its ability, but in any deck that wants a discard outlet, this isn’t a cost as much as it is an extra benefit. In our deck, this creature can both discard a bomb to the graveyard as well as produce mana necessary to cast a reanimation spell. It only sees play in 496 decks listed on EDHREC and I’m positive there are more graveyard-based decks that want this card.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crypt of Agadeem" href="#" target="_blank">Crypt of Agadeem</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is perfect for our build as well, since we'll be pitching creatures to the yard with our commander or cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bog Witch" href="#" target="_blank">Bog Witch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oblivion Sower" href="#" target="_blank">Oblivion Sower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another powerful flex creature in our deck. While exiling four cards in the hopes of hitting one or two lands isn’t an amazing rate for six mana, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oblivion Sower" href="#" target="_blank">Oblivion Sower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has a few exceptional use cases that push it over the top. First, if you hit three or four lands from the top of your opponent’s deck, this is suddenly an exceptional ramp effect. Second, graveyard hate is very common in certain metas, including my own. In almost every game I play, a graveyard becomes exiled at some point. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oblivion Sower" href="#" target="_blank">Oblivion Sower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> doesn’t care if a land was exiled with its ability or with a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bojuka Bog" href="#" target="_blank">Bojuka Bog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. if it’s in exile, we can snag it. Using this card to target the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lord Windgrace" href="#" target="_blank">Lord Windgrace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> player, I've been able to sneak nine lands onto the battlefield.</p>
<hr />
<h2><strong>Reload</strong></h2>
<p>The card advantage package is really where our deck finds some interesting, off-the-wall inclusions. We want to keep the focus on high-cost creatures and the graveyard while also including powerful card advantage effects.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sandstone Oracle"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Baleful Force"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kozilek, the Great Distortion"></div></div>
<p>These three inclusions embody our primary theme. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sndstone Oracle" href="#" target="_blank">Sndstone Oracle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has a low floor but also a very high ceiling. We have several discard outlets in our deck, which means we will normally be playing with a smaller hand and have a higher chance of drawing three, four, five, or more cards.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Baleful Force" href="#" target="_blank">Baleful Force</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is secretly a decent card. Given a full turn rotation at a four-player pod, you will draw four cards in exchange for four life. The real advantage of this card is actually how unassuming it is. If you play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vilis, Broker of Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Vilis, Broker of Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, an opponent may get spooked immediately and remove it on sight. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Baleful Force" href="#" target="_blank">Baleful Force</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, however, is just innocuous enough to avoid attention. Finally, the new and old Kozileks can also help us draw through our deck. The Great Distortion could even be another discard outlet for us if necessary.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Oversold Cemetery"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Undead Gladiator"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grave Scrabbler"></div></div>
<p>Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oversold Cemetery" href="#" target="_blank">Oversold Cemetery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phyrexian Reclamation" href="#" target="_blank">Phyrexian Reclamation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tortured Existence" href="#" target="_blank">Tortured Existence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fill a particular role in our deck, cycling creatures in and out of our graveyard. These are important pieces because they will help us repeatedly pump Volrath with the same high-cost creatures. Or, if we’re at that stage in the game, we could play a bomb like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Emrakul, the Promised End" href="#" target="_blank">Emrakul, the Promised End</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> every turn and force our opponents to remove it again and again.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Undead Gladiator" href="#" target="_blank">Undead Gladiator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grave Scrabbler" href="#" target="_blank">Grave Scrabbler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> don’t provide us with card advantage directly, but do fulfill that very important role in our deck, once again cycling cards in and out of the graveyard. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Undead Gladiator" href="#" target="_blank">Undead Gladiator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another underrepresented card in our format, only seeing play in 437 decks. This card can help fill in gaps and sculpt bad hands into better ones. You can discard irrelevant cards or a creature you want to reanimate. Whatever you use the Gladiator for, he fits right in with Volrath.</p>
<hr />
<h2><strong>The Deck</strong></h2>
<p>With all that set and settled, let’s take a look at the deck as a whole. Ramp and draw take up an outsized proportion of slots here because we want to ensure that we play our six-mana commander early and power out beaters as fast as possible. There are still other notable inclusions, however, that we can dive into. As always, season to taste.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Emrakul, the Promised End"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Phyrexian Delver"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Empty the Catacombs"></div></div>
<p>Emrakul is at the top of her class in this deck. While she doesn’t pump Volrath to lethal, she does everything we want—she provides a significant buff, has a discount effect, and can hose a player out of the game in a pinch. In addition to this, I’ve also included many other Eldrazi such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Void Winnower" href="#" target="_blank">Void Winnower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="It That Betrays" href="#" target="_blank">It That Betrays</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pathrazer of Ulamog" href="#" target="_blank">Pathrazer of Ulamog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These cards can sneak a win all on their own if necessary. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phyrexian Delver" href="#" target="_blank">Phyrexian Delver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> leads the team of reanimation effects present here, including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Entreat the Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Entreat the Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Animate Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Animate Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood for Bones" href="#" target="_blank">Blood for Bones</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Finally, I’m highlighting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Empty the Catacombs" href="#" target="_blank">Empty the Catacombs</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> here to advocate for its inclusion both with our commander and with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syr Conrad, the Grim" href="#" target="_blank">Syr Conrad, the Grim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This card can refill your hand with fodder for Volrath. In a well-tuned Syr Conrad deck it could just end the game on the spot. I can’t believe this only sees play in 185 decks.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="The Tentacular Now" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Volrath the Fallen
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Undertaker
*1 Bog Witch
*1 Burnished Hart
*1 Fleshbag Marauder
*1 Merciless Executioner
*1 Plaguecrafter
*1 Undead Gladiator
*1 Crypt Ghast
*1 Dread Presence
*1 Filth
*1 Grave Scrabbler
*1 Ravenous Chupacabra
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Magus of the Coffers
*1 Phyrexian Delver
*1 Shriekmaw
*1 Nirkana Revenant
*1 Oblivion Sower
*1 Meteor Golem
*1 Sandstone Oracle
*1 Sheoldred, Whispering One
*1 Baleful Force
*1 Razaketh, the Foulblooded
*1 Vilis, Broker of Blood
*1 Artisan of Kozilek
*1 Sibsig Muckdraggers
*1 Void Winnower
*1 Ancient Stone Idol
*1 Kozilek, Butcher of Truth
*1 Kozilek, the Great Distortion
*1 Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger
*1 Pathrazer of Ulamog
*1 It That Betrays
*1 Emrakul, the Promised End
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Dead of Winter
*1 Entreat the Dead
*1 Blood for Bones
*1 Empty the Catacombs
*1 Mutilate
*1 Decree of Pain
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Expedition Map
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Coldsteel Heart
*1 Key to the City
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Thought Vessel
*1 Extraplanar Lens
*1 Mimic Vat
*1 Whispersilk Cloak
*1 Hedron Archive
*1 Thran Dynamo
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Phyrexian Reclamation
*1 Tortured Existence
*1 Animate Dead
*1 Dance of the dead
*1 Oversold Cemetery
*1 Dauthi Embrace
*1 Strands of Night
*1 Whip of Erebos
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Barren Moor
*1 Bojuka Bog
*1 Cabal Coffers
*1 Cabal Stronghold
*1 Crypt of Agadeem
*1 Desert of the Glorified
*1 Deserted Temple
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Polluted Mire
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Scrying Sheets
*22 Snow-Covered Swamp
*1 Strip Mine
*1 Thespian&#039;s Stage
*1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
*1 Vesuva
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

<hr />
<p>What do you think of the old Volrath? Does this style of deck have a chance or is it just too slow? What did I miss? Where have I gone wrong? Let me know in the comments below! Remember to EDHREC responsibly: always dig a little beyond the statistics. I’ll see you all on down the road.</p>


Monomania – The Tentacular Now

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pramikon, Sky Rampart" href="#" target="_blank">Pramikon, Sky Rampart</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/richardwright">Richard Wright</a>)</h6>
<h1>Pramikon, Forting Up Games Since 2019!</h1>
<p>Hello, Commander faithful! I hope you’ve all enjoyed the holidays, regardless of where you are and whether the weather is frightful or not. Hopefully your snow-covered lands feel a little more on-theme for the season! This is <i>Replacement Commanders</i>, the series where we look at the legendary creatures from the annual precon product from <i>Wizards of the Coast</i> that are not on the front of the package and brew a list or two around their unique abilities! This week we're tackling one of the more difficult commanders from <em>C19...</em></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Pramikon, Sky Rampart</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pramikon, Sky Rampart"></div></div>
<p>To start, I’ve always struggled to find comfort or success with Jeskai decks. My best showing was with a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest" href="#" target="_blank">Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck where I managed to one-shot someone out of the game somewhere around turn seven (only to die immediately from the other two players who didn't want to become the next victim). Scaring the table shouldn’t be a problem with Pramikon, though. At least, not until it’s too late and the game is firmly in our grasp.</p>
<p>I admit, I openly scoffed at Pramikon during the product’s preview season and thought it was more of a niche joke card than anything else. However, every time I have seen the precon deck or decks built with Pramikon in the command zone since, I have been thoroughly impressed, and my mind has been changed. Being able to read the game early and protect yourself from getting attacked by two-thirds of your opponents is a powerful effect. We can use this control effect especially well by setting up some defenses and forcing our opponents to pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Let’s break down the important cards and parts of the deck!</p>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Brick and Mortar</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wall of Denial"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="High Alert"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mystic Barrier"></div></div>
<p>The first thing to do is, of course, work on the defenses. Most people won’t expect much when the Pramikon deck is dropping a few early Walls and defenders, so there’s a good chance everyone will look elsewhere for more profitable attacks.</p>
<p>Pramikon gets particularly weird if we somehow manage to get two of them in play, such as with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sakashima the Imposter" href="#" target="_blank">Sakashima the Imposter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spark Double" href="#" target="_blank">Spark Double</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Helm of the Host" href="#" target="_blank">Helm of the Host</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. If one Pramikon chooses left, and the other chooses right... no one can attack at all, leaving us free to potentially find victory through noncombative ways. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mystic Barrier" href="#" target="_blank">Mystic Barrier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> works as well, since two opposing choices means there is no choice at all!</p>
<p>Aside from these locking pieces, we want Walls and defenders that give us a touch of value along with just a big butt that gets in the way of our enemies. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wall of Omens" href="#" target="_blank">Wall of Omens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mnemonic Wall" href="#" target="_blank">Mnemonic Wall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wall of Stolen Identity" href="#" target="_blank">Wall of Stolen Identity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all have different kinds of value, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fog Bank" href="#" target="_blank">Fog Bank</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wall of Frost" href="#" target="_blank">Wall of Frost</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wall of Denial" href="#" target="_blank">Wall of Denial</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are fairly resilient blockers. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="High Alert" href="#" target="_blank">High Alert</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provided redundancy for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcades, the Strategist" href="#" target="_blank">Arcades, the Strategist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> decks, and for Pramikon, it allows us to be offensive as well as defensive. Imagine winning a game by taking someone out with the walls of your fortress instead of the monsters within!</p>
<p>Alright, now we know a few staples. Let's take a look at some different potential strategies for Pramikon.</p>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Feeding the Flames</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hunted Dragon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Disrupt Decorum"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Benevolent Offering"></div></div>
<p>Even if we have ways to prevent folks from attacking, that’s not always the way to victory. Reading the other players in the early game can give us an idea of which player we can allow to attack us, and which players we would prefer to attack elsewhere. Once Pramikon is on the battlefield and directing traffic, we can help the battle get a little bloodier. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Disrupt Decorum" href="#" target="_blank">Disrupt Decorum</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the type of thing we're looking for, forcing everyone to attack in the only direction they can, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Spymaster" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Spymaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides a body while forcing aggression. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fumiko the Lowblood" href="#" target="_blank">Fumiko the Lowblood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> also does a good job of forcing opponents to attack.</p>
<p>I really enjoy how effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Benevolent Offering" href="#" target="_blank">Benevolent Offering</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> work in this scenario, where we choose one player (who can't attack us) to get creatures and pick a different player (who has almost no creatures) to gain life, while reaping both rewards for ourselves. The Hunted creatures <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hunted Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Hunted Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hunted Lammasu" href="#" target="_blank">Hunted Lammasu</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hunted Phantasm" href="#" target="_blank">Hunted Phantasm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> also provide us a means of throwing troops into the fray, while also giving us some beefy bodies. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rite of the Raging Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Rite of the Raging Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides consistent bodies each turn, while protecting you even from the person who may attack you.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Will Kenrith"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Venser, the Sojourner"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sarkhan the Masterless"></div></div>
<p>We also need to know what precious cargo we're defending. Unsurprisingly, Jeskai has access to several great Planeswalkers, so we can use Pramikon to stop folks from attacking our awesome Superfriends. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rowan Kenrith" href="#" target="_blank">Rowan Kenrith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Will Kenrith" href="#" target="_blank">Will Kenrith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are fantastic, since Will’s minus ability helps make our Planeswalkers cheaper and Rowan’s ultimate doubles our walkers' abilities. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Venser, the Sojourner" href="#" target="_blank">Venser, the Sojourner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> allows us to reset Pramikon if the flow of combat changes and we'd rather folks attack in a new direction, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chandra, Awakened Inferno" href="#" target="_blank">Chandra, Awakened Inferno</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> puts the game on a clock even if we're not attacking. Finally, if we <em>do </em>like combat, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sarkhan the Masterless" href="#" target="_blank">Sarkhan the Masterless</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a hilarious surprise attack from out of nowhere.</p>
<p>There are a ton of support cards in this list that fit in well, including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza’s Ruinous Blast" href="#" target="_blank">Urza’s Ruinous Blast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Time Wipe" href="#" target="_blank">Time Wipe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as Wraths that keeps our commander safe, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oath of Teferi" href="#" target="_blank">Oath of Teferi</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for an additional activation of our Planeswalkers and reset Pramikon if necessary. Put it all together with some of the common ramp and card advantage cards, and I think a Pramikon deck might look something like this:</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Another Brick in the Walls" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Pramikon, Sky Rampart
[/Commander]
[Creature]
*1 Burnished Hart
*1 Fog Bank
*1 Fumiko the Lowblood
*1 Goblin Spymaster
*1 Hunted Dragon
*1 Hunted Lammasu
*1 Hunted Phantasm
*1 Mnemonic Wall
*1 Sakashima the Impostor
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Spark Double
*1 Wall of Denial
*1 Wall of Frost
*1 Wall of Omens
*1 Wall of Stolen Identity
[/Creature]
[Planeswalker]
*1 Chandra, Awakened Inferno
*1 Elspeth, Sun&#039;s Champion
*1 Kasmina, Enigmatic Mentor
*1 Rowan Kenrith
*1 Saheeli, Sublime Artificer
*1 Sarkhan the Masterless
*1 Teferi, Temporal Archmage
*1 Teferi, Time Raveler
*1 Tezzeret, Artifice Master
*1 The Wanderer
*1 Venser, the Sojourner
*1 Will Kenrith
[/Planeswalker]
[Instant]
*1 Aetherspouts
*1 Benevolent Offering
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Cyclonic Rift
*1 Eerie Interlude
*1 Enlightened Tutor
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Return to Dust
*1 Swan Song
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Teferi&#039;s Protection
[/Instant]
[Artifact]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Commander&#039;s Sphere
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Gilded Lotus
*1 Hedron Archive
*1 Helm of the Host
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Sol Ring
*1 The Chain Veil
*1 Thran Dynamo
[/Artifact]
[Enchantment]
*1 Ever-Watching Threshold
*1 High Alert
*1 Land Tax
*1 Mystic Barrier
*1 Oath of Teferi
*1 Rite of the Raging Storm
*1 Smothering Tithe
[/Enchantment]
[Sorcery]
*1 Approach of the Second Sun
*1 Austere Command
*1 Disrupt Decorum
*1 Time Wipe
*1 Urza&#039;s Ruinous Blast
*1 Vandalblast
[/Sorcery]
[Land]
*1 Arid Mesa
*1 Azorius Chancery
*1 Boros Garrison
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Flooded Strand
*1 Forgotten Cave
*1 Hallowed Fountain
*1 Interplanar Beacon
*7 Island
*1 Izzet Boilerworks
*1 Karn&#039;s Bastion
*1 Maze of Ith
*6 Mountain
*1 Mystic Monastery
*6 Plains
*1 Sacred Foundry
*1 Scalding Tarn
*1 Secluded Steppe
*1 Steam Vents
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
[/Land]"></span></div><br />
</p>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Seth’s Great Wall of Jeskai</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Doorkeeper"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nesting Dragon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vent Sentinel"></div></div>
<p>I wanna test out one more potential build path for Pramikon. “Wall tribal” was the first thing I heard folks discussing when it was previewed. I scoffed at this at the time, because it seemed like such a silly thing to do, and because I do overall think <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcades, the Strategist" href="#" target="_blank">Arcades, the Strategist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the better option for this idea.</p>
<p>Still, Pramikon did present an interesting opportunity to run two cards that I have always been a fan of: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doorkeeper" href="#" target="_blank">Doorkeeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vent Sentinel" href="#" target="_blank">Vent Sentinel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <em>Rise of the Eldrazi's </em>defender-matters subtheme is hilarious, and it's the one thing Arcades can't do with Defenders that Pramikon lets us play around with.</p>
<p>On the subjects of defenders, I personally love <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nesting Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Nesting Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as a way of making them for a pretty low investment. Since almost all our creatures have Defender, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="High Alert" href="#" target="_blank">High Alert</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a much more important card in this version of the list. This gives us the inclination to also add in ways to protect it or bring it back, should it wind up in our graveyard. For instance, since it's a three-mana permanent, it gives us a reason to include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sun Titan" href="#" target="_blank">Sun Titan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which also works great with things like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Auramancer" href="#" target="_blank">Auramancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Oh, and since we're so defensive... I included <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Approach of the Second Sun" href="#" target="_blank">Approach of the Second Sun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as another defensive win condition.</p>
<p>While I struggled slightly with the list to get enough walls that I felt were high enough value, the deck ultimately looks like this:</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Seth and his Wall of Jeskai" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Pramikon, Sky Rampart
[/Commander]
[Creature]
*1 Aether Membrane
*1 Aetherflame Wall
*1 Amaranthine Wall
*1 Auramancer
*1 Basilica Guards
*1 Burnished Hart
*1 Colossus of Akros
*1 Consulate Skygate
*1 Crashing Drawbridge
*1 Doorkeeper
*1 Electrostatic Field
*1 Fog Bank
*1 Geist of the Archives
*1 Golden Guardian
*1 Gomazoa
*1 Guard Gomazoa
*1 Guardian of the Ages
*1 Hover Barrier
*1 Kaijin of the Vanishing Touch
*1 Ludevic&#039;s Test Subject
*1 Mnemonic Wall
*1 Nesting Dragon
*1 Perimeter Captain
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Sun Titan
*1 Vent Sentinel
[/Creature]
[Instant]
*1 Aetherspouts
*1 Arcane Denial
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Cyclonic Rift
*1 Eerie Interlude
*1 Enlightened Tutor
*1 Fact or Fiction
*1 Generous Gift
*1 Mystical Tutor
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Return to Dust
*1 Settle the Wreckage
*1 Swan Song
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Teferi&#039;s Protection
[/Instant]
[Artifact]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Azorius Signet
*1 Boros Signet
*1 Commander&#039;s Sphere
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Gilded Lotus
*1 Hedron Archive
*1 Izzet Signet
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Thran Dynamo
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifact]
[Sorcery]
*1 Approach of the Second Sun
*1 Austere Command
*1 Time Wipe
*1 Vandalblast
[/Sorcery]
[Enchantment]
*1 Ever-Watching Threshold
*1 High Alert
*1 Land Tax
*1 Smothering Tithe
[/Enchantment]
[Land]
*1 Arid Mesa
*1 Azorius Chancery
*1 Boros Garrison
*1 Castle Vantress
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Flooded Strand
*1 Hall of Heliod&#039;s Generosity
*1 Hallowed Fountain
*7 Island
*1 Izzet Boilerworks
*7 Mountain
*1 Mystic Monastery
*8 Plains
*1 Sacred Foundry
*1 Scalding Tarn
*1 Steam Vents
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
[/Land]"></span></div><br />
</p>
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Time to Hit the Bricks!</h2>
<p>It’s crazy to think Walls and defenders can make their own viable decks in Commander. I never quite bought into the hype behind <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcades, the Strategist" href="#" target="_blank">Arcades, the Strategist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> when he was revealed, though I do credit him with at least providing card advantage. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pramikon, Sky Rampart" href="#" target="_blank">Pramikon, Sky Rampart</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> may not provide that kind of advantage, but the benefits and value are still there with the right build. There are still many more <i>Replacement Commanders</i> left to go, though!</p>
<p>Feel free to <a href="https://www.twitter.com/DM_Cross">follow me on Twitter</a> and check out the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/praetormagic">YouTube channel</a> that I do with my friends called Praetor Magic. We also stream regularly on <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/praetormagic">Twitch</a>, as well as hosting a <a href="https://discord.gg/CrNHmTE">public Discord server</a> dedicated to talking about Magic of all kinds! Hope to see you there and until next time,</p>
<p>Thanks for reading!</p>


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