<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidisi, Undead Vizier" href="#" target="_blank">Sidisi, Undead Vizier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>| Art by <a href="http://www.artofmtg.com/artist/min-yum/">Min Yum</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>In today's article we'll talk about the deadliest of tutors: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidisi, Undead Vizier" href="#" target="_blank">Sidisi, Undead Vizier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sidisi, Undead Vizier"></div></div>
<p><strong>Exploit</strong></p>
<p><strong>When Sidisi, Undead Vizier exploits a creature, you may search your library for a card, put it into your hand, then shuffle your library.</strong></p>
<p>Observation 1:</p>
<p>Sidisi occupies quite a unique space in the format, since she's basically a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in the command zone.</p>
<p>Observation 2:</p>
<p>Having a tutor in the command zone means that we're able to build a deck around any black card in the format.</p>
<p>Observation 3:</p>
<p>Being a Zombie is a huge plus, because it gives the consistency needed for an aggressive tribe.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Old Formula</h2>
<p>For us to determine what new space to explore with this commander, we have to make sure we aren't trekking down already-traveled pathways with her. Sidisi's EDHREC page shows us the following:</p>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Sidisi-Sig.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-42426" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Sidisi-Sig.png" alt="" width="657" height="326" /></a></p>
<p>The High Synergy list shows how competitive-minded <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidisi, Undead Vizier" href="#" target="_blank">Sidisi, Undead Vizier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> tends to be. There are quite a number of rituals to get to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ad Nauseam" href="#" target="_blank">Ad Nauseam</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> pretty quickly, which will draw them right into a deadly win condition, such as a combo.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Epic Ingredients</h2>
<p>Having a tutor in the command zone means that we can build around any specific card in the deck. This means we're not building around a commander so much as we're building around a card in the 99, and choosing that specific card will be the most important step of our process. Previous Sidisi builds chose <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ad Nauseam" href="#" target="_blank">Ad Nauseam</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as that card, but we're not here to make the obvious choice.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lich&#039;s Mastery"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a fun build-around card that's somewhat difficult to actually build around. It needs to be in a lifegain shell, but a lifegain strategy may sometimes just spin its wheels if it isn't able to draw into the build-around cards that reward it. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidisi, Undead Vizier" href="#" target="_blank">Sidisi, Undead Vizier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> removes some of this pressure because she guarantees our access to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Our shell is simple: we're the "big black" control deck. We ramp, kill creatures, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exsanguinate" href="#" target="_blank">Exsanguinate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> people to death. As a general rule, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fits in this shell as a way to refill our hand and go over the top of our enemies.</p>
<p>There are two main downsides that we need to be careful when playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: the loss-of-life trigger, and the 'when <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is removed' trigger.</p>
<p>We have some ways to avoid <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s life-loss trigger. The first is simply removal: destroying creatures before they're able to deal damage is quite effective as a way to protect our life total, and we do have plenty of removal spells in our deck. The second way to avoid the trigger is including "lock" effects, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="No Mercy" href="#" target="_blank">No Mercy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maze of Ith" href="#" target="_blank">Maze of Ith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, because they discourage our opponents from attacking us.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="No Mercy"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Maze of Ith"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bitter Ordeal"></div></div>
<p>The second trigger is a bit trickier, since it makes us vulnerable to enchantment wipes, especially the ever-present <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyclonic Rift" href="#" target="_blank">Cyclonic Rift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Unfortunately, there's little that a nonblue deck can do about spells like that. To play against it, we need to preemptively take those cards out of our opponents' libraries. Effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Praetor&#039;s Grasp" href="#" target="_blank">Praetor&#039;s Grasp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bitter Ordeal" href="#" target="_blank">Bitter Ordeal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> pull double duty as both protection for our pieces and as a way to hate out combo decks.</p>
<p>We're playing two types of lifegain cards: constant lifegain and one-shot effects. The one-shot effects are important because they're more explosive, giving us more cards on a short burst of time. They also tend to have some utility stapled into them, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tendrils of Corruption" href="#" target="_blank">Tendrils of Corruption</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which also functions as removal, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exsanguinate" href="#" target="_blank">Exsanguinate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can either provide lifegain or be an outright win condition. Meanwhile, the constant effects are great in these deck because they can be played before we cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which makes the curve a whole lot smoother. These effects are varied and most of them trigger upon specific actions, which leads into a lifegain snowball, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aetherflux Reservoir" href="#" target="_blank">Aetherflux Reservoir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aetherflux Reservoir"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tribute to Hunger"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Alhammarret&#039;s Archive"></div></div>
<p>Since we're trying to go big and use lots of mana to power explosive turns with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (or even just with Sidisi), ramp is extremely important. Powering out <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> can be the difference between only casting our commander versus casting her and playing the tutored card. Because of that, we're running some land fetch effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Liliana of the Dark Realms" href="#" target="_blank">Liliana of the Dark Realms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thaumatic Compass" href="#" target="_blank">Thaumatic Compass</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These type of cards usually are not all that impressive, but when paired with <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> or any of the mana-doublers, having the constant land drops is quite good.</p>
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">The Mixture</h2>
<div><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Mastery of the Lich" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div></div>
<div>[Commander]Sidisi, Undead Vizier[/Commander]</div>
<div>[Artifact]</div>
<div>*Everflowing Chalice<br />
*Fountain of Renewal<br />
*Sol Ring</div>
<div>*Universal Solvent</div>
<div>*Wayfarer's Bauble<br />
*Azor's Gateway<br />
*Charcoal Diamond<br />
*Fellwar Stone<br />
*Jet Medallion<br />
*Mind Stone<br />
*Thaumatic Compass<br />
*Treasure Map<br />
*Staff of the Death Magus<br />
*Unstable Obelisk<br />
*Aetherflux Reservoir<br />
*Hedron Archive<br />
*Jester's Cap<br />
*Alhammarret's Archive<br />
*Gilded Lotus<br />
*Venser's Journal<br />
*Caged Sun<br />
*The Immortal Sun</div>
<div>[/Artifact]</div>
<div>[Creature]</div>
<div>*Burnished Hart<br />
*Murderous Rider<br />
*Crypt Ghast<br />
*Dread Presence<br />
*Erebos, God of the Dead<br />
*Gray Merchant of Asphodel<br />
*Magus of the Coffers<br />
*Geth, Lord of the Vault<br />
[/Creature]</div>
<div>[Enchantment]</div>
<div>*Retreat to Hagra<br />
*Words of Waste<br />
*No Mercy<br />
*Polluted Bonds<br />
*Curse of Fool's Wisdom<br />
*Lich's Mastery</div>
<div>[/Enchantment]</div>
<div></div>
<div>[Instant]</div>
<div>*Defile<br />
*Go for the Throat<br />
*Crypt Incursion<br />
*Tribute to Hunger<br />
*Tendrils of Corruption</div>
<div>[/Instant]</div>
<div>[Planeswalker]</div>
<div>*Liliana of the Dark Realm</div>
<div>[/Planeswalker]</div>
<div>[Sorcery]</div>
<div>*Battle at the Bridge<br />
*Consume Spirit<br />
*Exsanguinate<br />
*Grim Discovery<br />
*Night's Whisper<br />
*Sign in Blood<br />
*Torment of Hailfire<br />
*Bitter Ordeal<br />
*Praetor's Grasp<br />
*Sadistic Sacrament<br />
*Soul Burn<br />
*Toxic Deluge<br />
*Damnation<br />
*Diabolic Tutor<br />
*Mutilate<br />
*Syphon Mind<br />
*Beseech the Queen<br />
*Corrupt<br />
*Sorin's Vengeance</div>
<div>[/Sorcery]</div>
<div>[Land]</div>
<div>*Cabal Coffers<br />
*Thespian's Stage<br />
*Vesuva<br />
*Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth<br />
*Ghost Quarter<br />
*Strip Mine<br />
*Maze of Ith<br />
*Myriad Landscape<br />
*30 Swamp</div>
<div>[/Land]</div>
<div>[/Deck]</div>
<div></p>
<hr />
<p>As I said earlier, the list is the typical 'big mana' shell that is popular amongst mono-black players. We aren't afraid of the late game, and creatures won't stay on the battlefield to harass us for too long. It's worth noting that we can change our win-con suite to better adjust to our individual meta.</p>
<p>Our win conditions are pretty splashy, mana-wise, which means that we need to be in a leading position to authoritatively end the game. However, since most of them can gain us life, we can still play them as a way to refill our hand. After all, an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exsanguinate" href="#" target="_blank">Exsanguinate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for X=3 still gives us 9 cards with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in play.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Words of Waste"></div></div>
<p>A standout card is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Words of Waste" href="#" target="_blank">Words of Waste</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It doesn't kill our opponents, but it might as well be the final nail in the coffin, because it quickly puts everyone into top deck mode.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<p>For our opening hand, ramp is the name of the game. Our commander makes sure that we never flood out too much and that we do have some interaction if we need it. Our early game is basically just us playing our accelerators. We can change our strategy if we find ourselves taking too much damage, but since we have so many lifegain cards we don't need to worry about it.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Charcoal Diamond"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cabal Coffers"></div></div>
<p>For the mid-game we need to analyze the most optimal move based on the removal options available to our opponents and evaluate how our commander will fit into that. We want to grab <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> right away to get the deck's card advantage train chugging, but if we have another tutor in hand, it might be smarter to find <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> right away or perhaps even a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bitter Ordeal" href="#" target="_blank">Bitter Ordeal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to get rid of pesky <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyclonic Rift" href="#" target="_blank">Cyclonic Rift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Merciless Eviction" href="#" target="_blank">Merciless Eviction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s. Alternatively, we might just want to get another lifegain spell to pay off our Lich enchantment once it's in play!</p>
<p>In the late-game, the world is our oyster. If unchecked, we tend to amass a scary board state with a constant flow of new cards, and we're very difficult to kill. However, we should still be cautious about a random enchantment wipe passing through. Once ahead, it's better to play defensively since we're very likely to win if we take our time.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blightsteel Colossus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Necrogen Mists"></div></div>
<p>If going 'big mana' is too hard, we could potentially switch up a few things by investing in some other win conditions. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blightsteel Colossus" href="#" target="_blank">Blightsteel Colossus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is quite the behemoth, for instance. Alternatively, we could invest in a combo win condition. We also could play more stax pieces and particularly discard spells to lock our enemies out while we accrue tons of card advantage, making it harder for them to remove our precious enchantment.</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment!</em> What do you think about this list? Did we achieved immortality? 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 - Lich Mastery Sidisi

Archetune-Up - Oketra, Zombie Spawner

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cover of Winter" href="#" target="_blank">Cover of Winter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.waynereynolds.com/">Wayne Reynolds</a>)</h6>
<h1>Do You Want To Brew a Snowman?</h1>
<p>Happy holidays, everyone! Welcome to a very festive edition of <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>. Like all the previous articles, we'll be focusing on the Isle of Misfit <em>Magic</em> Cards (those in 300 decks or less on EDHREC) and the ways we can bring those cards together into an unconventional brew. In keeping with the season, we'll be looking at a snow-themed deck this time around.</p>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/giphy.gif"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-42335 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/giphy.gif" alt="" width="480" height="270" /></a></p>
<p>My first step before slinging some snow is looking at the limited pool of cards that care about snow. Surveying the frosty landscape of cards, a few facts became apparent:</p>
<ol>
<li>There's a group of cards that care about having snow permanents on the battlefield.</li>
<li>There's a group of cards that trigger when snow permanents enter the battlefield.</li>
<li>There are snowy cards that bounce themselves or other creatures.</li>
<li>There isn't enough support for the theme unless we go at least 4-color.</li>
</ol>
<p>From this, I began work on a bounce-themed snow deck. For a commander, I was looking for one that could help me play my snow-covered lands. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Golos, Tireless Pilgrim" href="#" target="_blank">Golos, Tireless Pilgrim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> looked appealing, but aside from the one <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dead of Winter" href="#" target="_blank">Dead of Winter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, black offers very little in the way of snow support, so instead, I settled on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis" href="#" target="_blank">Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Iceberg Cancrix"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Marit Lage&#039;s Slumber"></div></div>
<p>K&amp;T give us extra land drops, which is great for new snowy cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Iceberg Cancrix" href="#" target="_blank">Iceberg Cancrix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marit Lage&#039;s Slumber" href="#" target="_blank">Marit Lage&#039;s Slumber</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Both are underplayed cards from <em>Modern Horizons</em>, included in just 62 and 259 decks, respectively. These cards love all the extra snow-covered lands K&amp;T will give us, not to mention the plethora of other snow permanents and bounce effects in the deck. I don't necessarily see the mill from the Cancrix being a game-ender, but it's certainly a good resource-limiting card to make our opponents uncomfortable while we work on something more devastating, like a Marit Lage token.</p>
<hr />
<h2>A Flurry of Fury</h2>
<p>The extra snowy land drops from K&amp;T will also, over time, help bolster those creatures that like having a bunch of snow permanents in play. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rimefeather Owl" href="#" target="_blank">Rimefeather Owl</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (96 decks) is the best of the bunch; this bird allows us to ice up the entire field with its activated ability, then grows larger as the inches of snow pile up. Plus, the ice counters it distributes have the added bonus of synergizing with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rimescale Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Rimescale Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (136 decks). Facing these two on the battlefield together can be brutal for opposing armies (so long as you avoid putting ice counters on your own creatures).</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rimefeather Owl"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Abominable Treefolk"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skred"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Abominable Treefolk" href="#" target="_blank">Abominable Treefolk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, another creature that scales with the frosted board state, is a welcome addition from <em>Modern Horizons</em>. It's only in 55 decks right now, but in this deck, it can be a real all-star. Its triggered ability upon entering the battlefield will work with some of the bounce effects we'll talk about later. However, this ill-tempered Treefolk's trample is the real key here, allowing us to break through armies while our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rimefeather Owl" href="#" target="_blank">Rimefeather Owl</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> soars over them. As a second option for plowing through drifts of blockers, I've also included <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conifer Wurm" href="#" target="_blank">Conifer Wurm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (46 decks).</p>
<p>Lastly, I couldn't include red in this snow deck without playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skred" href="#" target="_blank">Skred</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It's such an efficient damage-dealer in any deck running <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Snow-Covered Mountain" href="#" target="_blank">Snow-Covered Mountain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s, but especially in this one. I'm kind of shocked that it's only run in 167 decks right now. If you're going with a snow-covered manabase, give this sorcery a look.</p>
<hr />
<h2>An Avalanche of Activated Abilities</h2>
<p>Whether requiring frosty mana or a number of snow permanents, there are some powerful activated abilities out there to be utilized by snow-themed decks. One of them happens to be my favorite snow-themed card. As I've said <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/forgotten-harvest-block-party-with-virtus-and-gorm/">previously</a>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rimehorn Aurochs" href="#" target="_blank">Rimehorn Aurochs</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> needs to see so much more play than the 10 decks it's in right now. It's an absolute travesty! Anyway, it's in this deck, as is my second-favorite snowy card: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heidar, Rimewind Master" href="#" target="_blank">Heidar, Rimewind Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (115 decks). I don't understand why such a powerful bouncer sees so little play when all it takes is a small stack of snow-covered lands to make it great. If you like the idea of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boomerang" href="#" target="_blank">Boomerang</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> <em>Imprinted</em> on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Isochron Scepter" href="#" target="_blank">Isochron Scepter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, then please give Heidar some love!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Heidar, Rimewind Master"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Diamond Faerie"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Adarkar Windform"></div></div>
<p>Next up we have the sparkly team-buffer <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Diamond Faerie" href="#" target="_blank">Diamond Faerie</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (31 decks). If we're looking to win with combat damage from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conifer Wurm" href="#" target="_blank">Conifer Wurm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Abominable Treefolk" href="#" target="_blank">Abominable Treefolk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, this card will help us push even more damage through. Combine this crystalline sprite with snow cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Squall Drifter" href="#" target="_blank">Squall Drifter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (43 decks) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Rimerunner" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Rimerunner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (13 decks) to remove blockers, and that win from combat is even more assured.</p>
<p>Speaking of removing cards from combat, if you decide to attack by air, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Adarkar Windform" href="#" target="_blank">Adarkar Windform</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can help keep any blockers earthbound. Similarly, on defense, it can keep the battle out of the skies and in a range where K&amp;T can do some blocking. It's only in 30 decks on EDHREC, which I can understand. Its use is a little niche, but that's the niche this deck lives in!</p>
<hr />
<h1>A Blizzard of Bounce</h1>
<p>Even moving to four colors, there still isn't enough snow to truly fill out the deck's 99. Based on the wintry selection, bounce becomes the clear choice to complement the excellent enters-the-battlefield abilities of cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blizzard Strix" href="#" target="_blank">Blizzard Strix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (67 decks) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ice-Fang Coatl" href="#" target="_blank">Ice-Fang Coatl</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It seems thematically appropriate to include the creature <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Snow Hound" href="#" target="_blank">Snow Hound</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, despite it not technically being related to the snow card type. Showing up in only 16 decks on the site, I very much like this card when <em>casting</em> a creature is important, and blink spells can't help. Please consider it the next time you brew with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Karametra, God of Harvests" href="#" target="_blank">Karametra, God of Harvests</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and the like.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Snow Hound"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Barbarian Guides"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stalking Yeti"></div></div>
<p>Back on theme, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Barbarian Guides" href="#" target="_blank">Barbarian Guides</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives us some repeatable bounce. With the help of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rimefeather Owl" href="#" target="_blank">Rimefeather Owl</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, it can also make an attacker unblockable for a turn before bouncing it. Imagine blasting through a maxed-out <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Abominable Treefolk" href="#" target="_blank">Abominable Treefolk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with snow-landwalk, only to get to use its ETB ability the next turn. I can understand the low deck count of 15, as snow-covered lands aren't all that prevalent, but if you have the means to icify the other side of the field, it's a gem!</p>
<p>In a deck without black, repeatable creature removal is a great thing. I've thus chosen to run <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stalking Yeti" href="#" target="_blank">Stalking Yeti</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from <em>Coldsnap</em>. I do wish its activated ability were faster, but it'll do for removing opposing utility creatures. It's only in 12 decks, which seems fair. What doesn't seem fair, though, is pairing it with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Purphoros, God of the Forge" href="#" target="_blank">Purphoros, God of the Forge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Diamond Faerie" href="#" target="_blank">Diamond Faerie</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Finally, and I know I'm <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/forgotten-harvest-dromars-bounce-house/">repeating myself</a>, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Azorius Aethermage" href="#" target="_blank">Azorius Aethermage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could really use some attention. It's only seeing play in 54 decks on EDHREC, but it's the #1 card for any bounce strategy. And, the best part, it doesn't care about the type of permanent you're bouncing! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Azorius Chancery" href="#" target="_blank">Azorius Chancery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloud Cover" href="#" target="_blank">Cloud Cover</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloudstone Curio" href="#" target="_blank">Cloudstone Curio</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overburden" href="#" target="_blank">Overburden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all love the Aethermage. I'm confident I could write 2,000 words on this card by itself, but for now I'll just say it's worth a second look.</p>
<p>How about a decklist, hmm?</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Wintering in Meletis" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div></p>
<p>[Commander]<br />
*1 Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis<br />
[/Commander]</p>
<p>[Creatures]<br />
*1 Boreal Druid<br />
*1 Iceberg Cancrix<br />
*1 Ice-Fang Coatl<br />
*1 Rime Tender<br />
*1 Rimewind Taskmage<br />
*1 Squall Drifter<br />
*1 Azorius Aethermage<br />
*1 Barbarian Guides<br />
*1 Eternal Witness<br />
*1 Goblin Rimerunner<br />
*1 Reclamation Sage<br />
*1 Snow Hound<br />
*1 Abominable Treefolk<br />
*1 Centaur Omenreader<br />
*1 Mystic Snake<br />
*1 Ohran Yeti<br />
*1 Purphoros, God of the Forge<br />
*1 Solemn Simulacrum<br />
*1 Stalking Yeti<br />
*1 Adarkar Windform<br />
*1 Blizzard Strix<br />
*1 Chulane, Teller of Tales<br />
*1 Conifer Wurm<br />
*1 Diamond Faerie<br />
*1 Heidar, Rimewind Master<br />
*1 Ohran Frostfang<br />
*1 Rimehorn Aurochs<br />
*1 Adarkar Valkyrie<br />
*1 Rimefeather Owl<br />
*1 Rimescale Dragon<br />
[/Creatures]</p>
<p>[Instants]<br />
*1 Path to Exile<br />
*1 Skred<br />
*1 Cyclonic Rift<br />
*1 Beast Within<br />
*1 Chaos Warp<br />
*1 Generous Gift<br />
*1 Fractured Identity<br />
[/Instants]</p>
<p>[Sorcries]<br />
*1 Into the North<br />
*1 Cultivate<br />
*1 Explosive Vegetation<br />
*1 Time Wipe<br />
[/Sorceries]</p>
<p>[Artifacts]<br />
*1 Arcum's Astrolabe<br />
*1 Sol Ring<br />
*1 Azorius Signet<br />
*1 Coldsteel Heart<br />
*1 Selesnya Signet<br />
*1 Simic Signet<br />
*1 Commander's Sphere<br />
*1 Crystal Shard<br />
*1 Sunstone<br />
*1 Thran Dynamo<br />
*1 Vedalken Orrery<br />
*1 Venser's Journal<br />
[/Artifacts]</p>
<p>[Enchantments]<br />
*1 Burgeoning<br />
*1 On Thin Ice<br />
*1 Marit Lage's Slumber<br />
*1 Winter's Rest<br />
*1 Cover of Winter<br />
*1 Imprisoned in the Moon<br />
[/Enchantments]</p>
<p>[Planeswalkers]<br />
*1 Tamiyo, Field Researcher<br />
*1 Teferi, Hero of Dominaria<br />
[/Planeswalkers]</p>
<p>[Lands]<br />
*1 Arctic Flats<br />
*1 Arid Mesa<br />
*1 Boreal Shelf<br />
*1 Fabled Passage<br />
*1 Flooded Strand<br />
*1 Highland Weald<br />
*1 Misty Rainforest<br />
*1 Reliquary Tower<br />
*1 Rogue's Passage<br />
*1 Scalding Tarn<br />
*1 Scrying Sheets<br />
*8 Snow-Covered Forest<br />
*8 Snow-Covered Island<br />
*4 Snow-Covered Mountain<br />
*5 Snow-Covered Plains<br />
*1 Windswept Heath<br />
*1 Wooded Foothills<br />
[/Lands]</p>
<p>[/Deck]</p>

<hr />
<h2>It Doesn't Have To Be a Snowman</h2>
<p>That about wraps up this wintry mix of cards on <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>. I know there have got to be some questions, comments, and snide remarks after all that snowfall. Please leave them below in the comments! I'll be around down there talking about just how many other hyper-underplayed cards made the deck that I didn't have time to talk about above. I know I also included quite a few powerful cards in this build to help compensate for the weaker cards that were on theme. If there's something not in your collection and out of your price range, hit me up for an alternate suggestion.</p>
<p>As always, if you've got a card that sees play in 300 decks or less on the site that you'd like me to write about, let me know. I'm always up for reader suggestions! Until next time, stay frosty!</p>


Forgotten Harvest - Wintering in Meletis

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Planewide Celebration" href="#" target="_blank">Planewide Celebration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/wisnutan">Wisnu Tan</a>)</h6>
<h1><strong>What Team?</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 I’m tackling a popular theme, looking at how to build a championship team using +1/+1 counters. Let’s get into it.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rishkar, Peema Renegade"></div></div>
<p>Rishkar is a surprisingly potent commander when given the right tools. While he may seem innocuous, his subtle ramp effect can help power out powerful cards a turn or two earlier than opponents expect it. Whether this means an early <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zendikar Resurgent" href="#" target="_blank">Zendikar Resurgent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or drawing five cards off of an errant <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shamanic Revelation" href="#" target="_blank">Shamanic Revelation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, it will almost always be an important play.</p>
<p>The real power of this commander is that first ability: putting a counter on up to two creatures so that they can immediately tap for mana. While technically any counter on a creature we control will allow it to tap for green mana, I have chosen to focus on a simple +1/+1 theme to abuse his ability.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hardened Scales"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Contagion Engine"></div></div>
<p>The idea is simple: make our creatures bigger, enable them to tap for mana, and scale them to the game with <em>Proliferate</em> effects to ensure they remain relevant throughout the game. Rishkar isn’t necessarily 'better' than other multicolored +1/+1 options, but his point on the mana curve and his ability to facilitate high quantities of mana makes him a great commander option. With a little bit of work, he could even take his team to state.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Practice for Success</h2>
<p>+1/+1 counters imply important choices in every category, and ramp is no different. There are several effects that can help us ramp efficiently and effectively to keep up with the game state, and maybe even get ahead of our opposition.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gyre Sage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Incubation Druid"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fertilid"></div></div>
<p>These three creatures are par for the course in +1/+1 counter decks. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gyre Sage" href="#" target="_blank">Gyre Sage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is particularly potent in mono-green. If we can even accrue two or three counters on this creature, it becomes a great source of green mana; if left unchecked, the mana it produces can support powerful pivot-turn plays that launch us from last place to first. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Incubation Druid" href="#" target="_blank">Incubation Druid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has a lower ceiling but a higher floor. With even one counter, this creature taps for three mana of any color. That rate is incredible with the right shell. In a Rishkar deck in particular, second-turn <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Incubation Druid" href="#" target="_blank">Incubation Druid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> into turn three Rishkar can accelerate us into a the mid-game with an advantage.</p>
<p>Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fertilid" href="#" target="_blank">Fertilid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a staple card here. This card works well with counters and also fetches lands from our deck, a more stable source of ramp. If we can add more counters and a steady stream of mana, we’ll be able to use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fertilid" href="#" target="_blank">Fertilid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to gain a significant land advantage.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jiang Yanggu, Wildcrafter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nissa, Who Shakes the World"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Harvest Season"></div></div>
<p>In addition to these creatures, we have two planeswalkers that will also help us ramp efficiently while also contributin to our counter theme. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jiang Yanggu, Wildcrafter" href="#" target="_blank">Jiang Yanggu, Wildcrafter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a severely underrated card for Commander. I don’t like planeswalkers in this format, but the <em>War of the Spark</em> 'walkers without ultimate abilities or emblems have proven to be decent role-players. There’s nothing threatening about Jiang, and that's his greatest strength. Because he isn't menacing, our opponents might point their aggression in other directions. His ability actually <em>is</em> threatening, just not in an obvious way. He provides redundancy for our commander’s ability and he also puts more counters on our creatures when we need them.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Nissa needs no introduction. She doubles mana. She puts counters on lands. She’s an all-star in this deck.</p>
<p>Finally, take note of the card <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harvest Season" href="#" target="_blank">Harvest Season</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This one isn’t applicable in many decks, but when it is applicable, it's often the best ramp effect in the deck, and with Rishkar, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harvest Season" href="#" target="_blank">Harvest Season</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is right at home. In this deck we want to play creatures and tap them for mana. With a few tapped creatures, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harvest Season" href="#" target="_blank">Harvest Season</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> suddenly becomes an above-the-curve play. Don’t take this card for granted; it only sees play in 36% of Rishkar decks listed on EDHREC, but that number should be much closer to 100%.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Playing to the Competition</h2>
<p>As above, so below. The +1/+1 theme provides a few good options for us to accumulate card advantage. While situational, this strategy can pay off marvelously when considering how and when to draw cards.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Armorcraft Judge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inspiring Call"></div></div>
<p>These two cards have the same text, but are very different. The Judge is a good card here because of its body, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inspiring Call" href="#" target="_blank">Inspiring Call</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an instant that we can hold until there’s some threat of removal. In an ideal world, these two cards are discounted versions of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shamanic Revelation" href="#" target="_blank">Shamanic Revelation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. If all goes according to plan, they’ll be exactly that. In its worst case, you can play Rishkar and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inspiring Call" href="#" target="_blank">Inspiring Call</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in the same turn for an instant-speed <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Divination" href="#" target="_blank">Divination</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elvish Visionary"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wall of Blossoms"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Carven Caryatid"></div></div>
<p>I don’t think these will be popular choices among most players, but I truly believe that cantrip creatures are phenomenal in a Rishkar deck. When building Rishkar, yes, we want +1/+1 counter support, but we also want bodies on the field to absorb buffs and tap for mana. These cantrip creatures are perfect for just that.</p>
<p>One of the traps inherent in commanders that include a form of ramp in their text is that they can run out of gas fairly quickly, leaving us with nothing to ramp towards. By including a suite of creatures that cycle through our deck, we can hopefully keep our momentum rolling, finding threats and dropping them onto the field.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skullmulcher"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Return of the Wildspeaker"></div></div>
<p>Finally, here are two miscellaneous card advantage effects that I believe earn their place here. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skullmulcher" href="#" target="_blank">Skullmulcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might ask us to sacrifice a few of our utility creatures, but it provides a big body on the board and can help to restock our hand. I’ve raved before about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Return of the Wildspeaker" href="#" target="_blank">Return of the Wildspeaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> but it deserves another mention. I’ve had the chance to cast a few copies of this card in the last couple of months and it hasn’t disappointed—it's exactly what we need it to be at any given moment. When we have a big creature pumped up with counters, it can net us great instant-speed card advantage, and when we have a lot of bodies on the battlefield, it's a great buff to make the team lethal.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Deck</h2>
<p>With all that set and settled, let’s take a look at the deck as a whole. I don’t think I’ve put together a perfect or even tuned Rishkar deck, but I do think it will do the job at a Commander night. My curve is fairly high, and I think it could bear to be lowered by a decent amount, but I like the shape of the deck as it is. As always, season to taste.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Coach of the Year" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Rishkar, Peema Renegade
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Copperhorn Scout
*1 Experiment One
*1 Pelt Collector
*1 Permeating Mass
*1 Servant of the Scale
*1 Elvish Visionary
*1 Gyre Sage
*1 Heart Warden
*1 Incubation Druid
*1 Pollenbright Druid
*1 Sakura-Tribe Elder
*1 Scavenging Ooze
*1 Wall of Blossoms
*1 Carven Caryatid
*1 Champion of Lambholt
*1 Evolution Sage
*1 Fertilid
*1 Generous Stray
*1 Managorger Hydra
*1 Reclamation Sage
*1 Renegade Krasis
*1 Ridgescale Tusker
*1 Tuskguard Captain
*1 Yavimaya Elder
*1 Armorcraft Judge
*1 Forgotten Ancient
*1 Ivy Lane Denizen
*1 Cultivator of Blades
*1 Loyal Guardian
*1 Plaguemaw Beast
*1 Skullmulcher
*1 Bane of Progress
*1 Craterhoof Behemoth
[/Creatures]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Jiang Yanggu, Wildcrafter
*1 Vivien, Champion of the Wilds
*1 Garruk Wildspeaker
*1 Nissa, Who Shakes the World
*1 Vivien Reid
*1 Vivien of the Arkbow
[/Planeswalkers]
[Instants]
*1 Vitalize
*1 Ancient Animus
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Pounce
*1 Solidarity of Heroes
*1 Wrap in Vigor
*1 Beast Within
*1 Inspiring Call
*1 Return of the Wildspeaker
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Finale of Devastation
*1 Harvest Season
*1 Shamanic Revelation
*1 Collective Unconscious
*1 Rishkar&#039;s Expertise
*1 Planewide Celebration
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Contagion Clasp
*1 Cauldron of Souls
*1 Contagion Engine
*1 The Great Henge
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Hardened Scales
*1 Leyline of Abundance
*1 Zendikar Resurgent
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Desert of the Indomitable
*24 Forest
*1 Forge of Heroes
*1 Karn&#039;s Bastion
*1 Khalni Garden
*1 Llanowar Reborn
*1 Memorial to Unity
*1 Mosswort Bridge
*1 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
*1 Oran-Rief, the Vastwood
*1 Rogue’s Passage
*1 Slippery Karst
*1 Tranquil Thicket
*1 Zoetic Cavern
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>Among the other notable inclusions here, we have a few ways to protect our creatures. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heroic Intervention" href="#" target="_blank">Heroic Intervention</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is almost always good, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cauldron of Souls" href="#" target="_blank">Cauldron of Souls</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the real star here. Because our deck has ways to put +1/+1 counters on our creatures, we can essentially undo the <em>Persist</em> effect and use the cauldron to protect the same creatures again and again. We also have a few <em>Proliferate</em> effects to pump up our team and also support our very minor planeswalker subtheme.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cauldron of Souls"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Planewide Celebration"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vitalize"></div></div>
<p>Speaking of 'walkers, I’ve included a few such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vivien of the Arkbow" href="#" target="_blank">Vivien of the Arkbow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Garruk Wildspeaker" href="#" target="_blank">Garruk Wildspeaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vivien Reid" href="#" target="_blank">Vivien Reid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I like the angle of planewalkers in this deck. We can hopefully protect them behind a wall of creatures and squeeze out incremental value.</p>
<p>Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vitalize" href="#" target="_blank">Vitalize</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a very important card in our deck. Because we turn our creatures into mana dorks, we can easily spend this one green at instant speed to untap and produce much more. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vitalize" href="#" target="_blank">Vitalize</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a monster in our strategy.</p>
<p>Anyway, how did I do? I know that +1/+1 counters is a beloved theme in the EDH community and I have very little experience playing with it. In fact, I have much more experience losing to it. Is Rishkar a premium choice for this archetype, or do we need another color, such as blue, to really juice the counters theme? What did I miss? What other facilitators are necessary to get this commander off the ground? 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 - Coach of the Year

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" href="https://edhrec.com/cards/enter-the-infinite">Enter the Infinite</a></span> | Art by <a href="http://www.tnielsen.com/">Terese Nielson</a>)</h6>
<h1>A Game of Thrones... of Eldraine</h1>
<p>Welcome back to <em>Cure for the Common Game</em>, where I'm building a Commander deck for every legendary creature! Today I will be covering the 19 new legends from <em>Throne of Eldraine</em>.</p>
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<h2>Deck #478 - <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syr Faren, the Hengehammer" href="#" target="_blank">Syr Faren, the Hengehammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>We start off with a two-mana 2/2 who's riding a Bear, but is not a Bear. Time for some good ol' fashioned beats!</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #478 Syr Faren, the Hengehammer" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fpE-GDHVlGw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<h2>Deck #479 - <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syr Konrad, the Grim" href="#" target="_blank">Syr Konrad, the Grim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>There are so many fun ways to trigger Konrad, it makes you sad when all your opponents are dead and you have to stop.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #479 Syr Konrad, the Grim" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6wPQKMWzNgA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<h2>Deck #480 - Rankle, Master of Pranks</h2>
<p>Three abilities? Does that make this card a 'charm' like all the other three-mode cards out there? <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Naya Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Naya Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sultai Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Sultai Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, etc? A combat-damage-based charm commander?? Where do I sign up???</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #480 Rankle, Master of Pranks" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tr1uHooqVlA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<h2>Deck #481 - <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grumgully, the Generous" href="#" target="_blank">Grumgully, the Generous</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>Tricksy things with +1/+1 counters in this Gruul deck that is completely devoid of who-mons.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #481 Grumgully, the Generous" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YQUCcpwWz-U?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<h2>Deck #482 - <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gadwick the Wizened" href="#" target="_blank">Gadwick the Wizened</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>I'm glad they made this card, even though they had to tweak some rules to make it work. I've always wanted a Wizard who is also a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Braingeyser" href="#" target="_blank">Braingeyser</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #482 Gadwick the Wizened" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pWw9Q3qQdAw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<h2>Deck #483 - <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Torbran, Thane of Red Fell" href="#" target="_blank">Torbran, Thane of Red Fell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>I'll admit, Torbran has me excited for mono-red. It's gonna be real hard not to put one in every red deck, ever.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #483 Torbran, Thane of Red Fell" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OuIhNeZUbp8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<h2>Deck #484 - <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Questing Beast" href="#" target="_blank">Questing Beast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>Did you almost forget this thing is legendary? I sure did. Why isn't it at least called 'THE' Questing Beast?</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #484 Questing Beast" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/edOrnnaZCF8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<h2>Deck #485 - <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syr Gwen, Hero of Ashvale" href="#" target="_blank">Syr Gwen, Hero of Ashvale</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>Ah, the first of the Brawl-manders! Meet the Knight who loves Equipment!</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #485 Syr Gwyn, Hero of Ashvale" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vWXwGEZZSb0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<h2>Deck #486 - <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Linden, the Steadfast Queen" href="#" target="_blank">Linden, the Steadfast Queen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>I know. It's... not great. But I swore to build all the commanders, dang it, so we're doing this!</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #486 Linden, the Steadfast Queen" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EuZJrJqggnI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<h2>Deck #487 - <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ayara, First of Locthwain" href="#" target="_blank">Ayara, First of Locthwain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>No pain, no gain. Or rather, lots of pain, and lots of drain, and lots of gain in Locthwain.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #487 Ayara, First of Locthwain" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dGit5UbWurc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<h2>Deck #488 - <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syr Carah, the Bold" href="#" target="_blank">Syr Carah, the Bold</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Outpost Siege" href="#" target="_blank">Outpost Siege</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on a commander? I'm listening.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #488 Syr Carah, the Bold" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fVEvRTwC8WA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<h2>Deck #489 - Syr Alin, the Lions Claw</h2>
<p>What you would expect from an uncommon legend. Let's see if we can make it work.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #489 Syr Alin, the Lion&#039;s Claw" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y-LnnjH7Duk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<h2>Deck #490 - <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Korvold, Fae Cursed King" href="#" target="_blank">Korvold, Fae Cursed King</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>NOMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOM.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #490 Korvold, Fae Cursed King" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UCFaf_WoLF8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<h2>Deck #491 - <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chulane, Teller of Tales" href="#" target="_blank">Chulane, Teller of Tales</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>We were all pretty scared by how busted this commander could be, and with good reason. By the way, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aluren" href="#" target="_blank">Aluren</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one amazing card.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #491 Chulane, Teller of Tales" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GWaKuZFHEzw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<h2>Deck #492 - <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></h2>
<p>Three-color "flying tribal"? Seems decent.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #492 Alela, Artful Provocateur" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wAtYZhxihXM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<h2>Deck #497 - <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Emry, Lurker of the Loch" href="#" target="_blank">Emry, Lurker of the Loch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>You know, I was just wishing the other day for a way to recur <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nevinyrral&#039;s Disk" href="#" target="_blank">Nevinyrral&#039;s Disk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>(PS: Don't mind the number jumps; I built a few non-Eldraine commanders in between some of these.)</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #497 Emry, Lurker of the Loch" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BVp0YuLh2Mc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<h2>Deck #503 - <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yorvo, Lord of Garenbrig" href="#" target="_blank">Yorvo, Lord of Garenbrig</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>I love how Yorvo interprets token creatures as permanent buffs. What exactly is he doing with those Saprolings?</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #503 Yorvo, Lord of Garenbrig" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_33rISlZ86k?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<h2>Deck #504 - <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syr Elenora, the Discerning" href="#" target="_blank">Syr Elenora, the Discerning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>Mono-blue card draw seems pretty good, especially when it allows you to one-shot players out of the game.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #504 Syr Elenora, the discerning" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7Jlbl7DBf6Y?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<h2>Deck #505 - <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kenrith, the Returned King" href="#" target="_blank">Kenrith, the Returned King</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>There are so many fun ways to build Kenrith. I personally wanted to play with a lot of five-color cards, because we don't get many chances to rock that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fist of Suns" href="#" target="_blank">Fist of Suns</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #505 Kenrith, the Returned King" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_kCVAnQAujo?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<hr />
<h2>Bonus Time!</h2>
<p>19 new legendary creatures is a lot for a Standard-legal set, or any set, for that matter. It's more than most dedicated Commander sets! These were a ton of fun to build and play. I love the storybook elements and just the overall flavor. I'm certainly looking forward to all of the Commander goodness happening in 2020.</p>
<p>In celebration of reaching 500 decks, I want to share with you all the video for deck #500. I know it's not from Eldraine... in fact, it's quite a bit older than that... but as this is a landmark event, Ithought you might want to see it.</p>
<p>I present Deck #500 - <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Angus Mackenzie" href="#" target="_blank">Angus Mackenzie</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>!</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Deck #500 Angus Mackenzie" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5xESP6faukQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<hr />
<p>Thank you all for reading, watching, and most importantly, playing this amazing format.</p>
<p>Here's to 500 more!</p>
<p>~Brian Canada</p>


Cure for the Common Game - Every Throne of Eldraine Commander Deck

Ranking Every Land with EDHREC – Part 19: The Wrath of Tron

Too-Specific Top 10 - The Islands

Replacement Commanders - Time to Troll!

Commander Showdown - Marisi vs Thantis

<h6 style="text-align:right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Paliano, the High City" href="#" target="_blank">Paliano, the High City</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://www.adampaquettemtg.com/">Adam Paquette</a>)</h6>
<h1><span style="font-weight:400;">Let’s Put it to a Vote</span></h1>
<p>Whether you vote for Pedro, Kodos, or somebody else, this is the article for you. Today on <em><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/tag/mechanically-minded/">Mechanically Minded</a></em><em>, </em>the series where we build decks around mechanics using the wisdom of EDHREC, we're doing some voting.<br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">Voting isn’t technically a mechanic; it’s a game action in which players do exactly what you’d think: vote for a particular outcome. Let's build around it and see what happens.</span></p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Magister of Worth"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bite of the Black Rose"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Council&#039;s Judgment"></div></div><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">Voting first entered <em>Magic</em> with 2014’s </span><span style="font-weight:400;"><i>Conspiracy. </i></span><span style="font-weight:400;">As the game’s first multiplayer booster set, this keyword action was perfect. It personifies the politics of the format, encouraging players to win opponents over to their side and to offer favors in exchange for votes. Voting appeared on cards with </span><span style="font-weight:400;"><i>Will of the Council, </i></span><span style="font-weight:400;">a fancy term that simply means all players vote for one of two possible outcomes. The outcome with the most votes then occurs, with ties usually being settled slightly less in favor of the caster. You’ll see it on cards such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magister of Worth" href="#" target="_blank">Magister of Worth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bite of the Black Rose" href="#" target="_blank">Bite of the Black Rose</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">Voting returned again in 2016 with a sequel set to the original <em>Conspiracy</em> called </span><span style="font-weight:400;"><i>Conspiracy: Take the Crown. </i></span><span style="font-weight:400;">This time it was reimagined as </span><span style="font-weight:400;"><em>Council’s Dilemma</em>:<em> </em></span>p<span style="font-weight:400;">layers still vote for one of two possible outcomes, but each outcome occurs once for each vote cast in its favor, rather than a one-or-the-other outcome.</span></p>
<hr>
<h2><span style="font-weight:400;">Our Elected Leader</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">Now that we’ve settled on our "mechanic", it’s time to pick our commander. As we so often do, I recommend heading to the trusty </span><span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="https://edhrec.com/themes">Themes section</a></span><span style="font-weight:400;">. Let’s start with the </span><span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/politics">Politics theme</a></span><span style="font-weight:400;">. It’s not exclusively about </span><span style="font-weight:400;">voting</span><span style="font-weight:400;"><i>, </i></span><span style="font-weight:400;">but being defined as “cards that encourage interaction and discussion among players” puts us pretty darn close.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">When it comes to voting decks, many players opt for this commander:</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Oloro, Ageless Ascetic"></div></div></span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">Voting </span><span style="font-weight:400;">cards are mostly found in Esper, so this makes good sense. However, I think we can find something a little more interesting than a dude who makes his living chilling in the command zone.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">If I learned anything from 2012’s Speilberg film </span><span style="font-weight:400;"><i>Lincoln, </i></span><span style="font-weight:400;">it's that great facial hair comes in many forms. Also, a great way to earn votes is to bribe people. So, since no legendary creature specifically references </span><span style="font-weight:400;">voting, </span><span style="font-weight:400;">we might instead elect one that lets us reward our opponents in exchange for votes, which made me think of the Goat:</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zedruu the Greathearted"></div></div></span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">Maybe not </span><span style="font-weight:400;">the </span><span style="font-weight:400;">GOAT, but definitely a</span><span style="font-weight:400;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-weight:400;">Goat. Zedruu has always been one of my all-time favorite commanders, and I’ve never had the privilege of writing about her. She was pretty much a shoe-in for this article...</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">...until I recalled a certain new commander from our latest set.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kenrith, the Returned King"></div></div></span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">Kenrith <em>has</em> to be our commander. Notice that each ability benefits all players or a player of your choice, meaning we’ve got five different ways to bribe our opponents for votes. In addition, Kenrith gives us access to all five colors, rather than only three.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">Being a king means he doesn’t need our vote, but he gets it anyway.</span></p>
<hr>
<h2><span style="font-weight:400;">Voting Cards</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">Now that we have our commander, it’s time to explore our central theme. Again, I’m heading to the </span><span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/politics">Politics theme</a></span><span style="font-weight:400;"> for ideas.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Plea for Power"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Split Decision"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Magister of Worth"></div></div></span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">The first three </span><span style="font-weight:400;">voting </span><span style="font-weight:400;">cards we see are three of the best. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plea for Power" href="#" target="_blank">Plea for Power</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> almost always turns into a draw three, which is pretty nice for four mana. We usually want the extra turn, though, even though we usually don’t get it. In this deck, however, we’ll get it way more often since we can offer voters a reward in return.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">Same goes for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Split Decision" href="#" target="_blank">Split Decision</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a powerful card in and of itself. One and a blue to counter any instant or sorcery is nice, and the same cost to copy it might be even better, depending on the circumstances. The drawback, of course, is that you don’t know how the council will vote. Again, that’s where our bribery comes into play.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magister of Worth" href="#" target="_blank">Magister of Worth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be very powerful in one direction or the other. If one player pulls farther ahead of all others, you’ll usually get people to vote for condemnation (which leaves you with the Magister). In the late game, players will more likely vote for grace. Keep that in mind when you play it.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">Let's examine a few more powerful voting cards:</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Capital Punishment"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Coercive Portal"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Council&#039;s Judgment"></div></div></span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">First off, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Capital Punishment" href="#" target="_blank">Capital Punishment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> offers a lose-lose scenario for our opponents (just look at the picture!). We’re trying to work cooperatively with them to maximize our voting cards, so I wouldn’t recommend playing too many similar effects. However, I'll make an exception here because mass sacrifice and mass discard effects are sweet.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">Next up, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coercive Portal" href="#" target="_blank">Coercive Portal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It’s usually a personal <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Howling Mine" href="#" target="_blank">Howling Mine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and that’s already pretty good. The option to wipe the board makes it great. To be honest, you probably won’t convince players to vote for the latter option no matter how well you bribe them. Still, it’s a nice option for the table in case one player gets too out of hand.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Council&#039;s Judgment" href="#" target="_blank">Council&#039;s Judgment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This oddball card is already outstanding as an exile spell (it weirdly gets around hexproof and protection, since it doesn’t target). It’s even better when it exiles two nonland permanents, which it can do when players split the vote evenly. I recommend doing your best to orchestrate this.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">Of course, there are many more </span><span style="font-weight:400;">voting </span><span style="font-weight:400;">cards to be included in our final list. However, I think it's time to move onto another supplementary subject that will reinforce our politically-minded deck.</span></p>
<hr>
<h2><span style="font-weight:400;">Extra Bribery</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">Now that we know what we’re voting for, let’s find some additional bribery tools. Kenrith offers many, but in this deck, I think a few more should do well. Some examples:</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Intellectual Offering"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Selvala, Explorer Returned"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hunted Phantasm"></div></div></span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Intellectual Offering" href="#" target="_blank">Intellectual Offering</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (and the entire Offering cycle, for that matter) is cool because you can bribe several players with one card. Drawing three cards is legitimate upside, but I like the untapping clause for bribing purposes even more. Why? Because you will appear to be doing an opponent a favor without actually giving them a significant advantage. Maybe they now have extra blockers or get to activate a tap ability a second time, but that’s fine. We gain their favor for future votes without giving them too much free stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">I doubt <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Selvala, Explorer Returned" href="#" target="_blank">Selvala, Explorer Returned</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the mutton-head who thought of </span><span style="font-weight:400;"><i>Parley, </i></span><span style="font-weight:400;">but it is her signature mechanic. And hey, it works. We give our opponents free cards, plus we potentially get free mana and free life for our troubles.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">The entire “Hunted” cycle also works well in this slot, but I picked <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> because I think it’s the best of the bunch. Five 1/1s is a lot to give, but a 4/6 unblockable for three is too good to pass up.</span></p>
<hr>
<h2><span style="font-weight:400;">Rigging the Vote</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">Now, when it comes to </span><span style="font-weight:400;">voting</span><span style="font-weight:400;"><i>, </i></span><span style="font-weight:400;">some votes simply must go our way. Sometimes we can’t afford to mess around with bribing our opponents. Fortunately for us, R&amp;D offers several options that tip the ballot in our favor.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brago’s Representative"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Illusion of Choice"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grudge Keeper"></div></div></span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">I think it’s pretty clear what you’re doing with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brago’s Representative" href="#" target="_blank">Brago’s Representative</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. There’s also a near-identical copy of it from </span><span style="font-weight:400;"><i>Conspiracy: Take the Crown </i></span><span style="font-weight:400;">called <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ballot Broker" href="#" target="_blank">Ballot Broker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and we’re totally playing both. Those additional votes help us push through our agenda or even possibly split the vote, as in the case of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Council&#039;s Judgment" href="#" target="_blank">Council&#039;s Judgment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Illusion of Choice" href="#" target="_blank">Illusion of Choice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a low-cost, low-downside way to fix the most important votes. I think it’s excellent in tandem with high-upside cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coercive Portal" href="#" target="_blank">Coercive Portal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Selvala&#039;s Stampede" href="#" target="_blank">Selvala&#039;s Stampede</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. However, it’s probably best with the aforementioned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Council&#039;s Judgment" href="#" target="_blank">Council&#039;s Judgment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Assuming there are three other players at the table, you can vote for the four nonland permanents you like least and exile them all. Now that’s judgement.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grudge Keeper" href="#" target="_blank">Grudge Keeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the weakest of the riggers, though it’s on-theme and highly flavorful. Though the two life isn’t all that much, it’s a decent punishment for those who don’t vote our way.</span></p>
<hr>
<h2><span style="font-weight:400;">The List</span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Kenrith for King" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
Kenrith, the Returned King
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
Ballot Broker
Biomancer&#039;s Familiar
Brago&#039;s Representative
Custodi Lich
Custodi Squire
Grudge Keeper
Gwafa Hazid, Profiteer
Humble Defector
Hunted Dragon
Hunted Horror
Hunted Phantasm
Keeper of Keys
Magister of Worth
Orzhov Advokist
Pramikon, Sky Rampart
Queen Marchesa
Regal Behemoth
Seedborn Muse
Selvala, Explorer Returned
Xantcha, Sleeper Agent
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
Anguished Unmaking
Benevolent Offering
Cyclonic Rift
Fact or Fiction
Fog
Illusion of Choice
Intellectual Offering
Out of Bounds
Split Decision
Swords to Plowshares
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
Capital Punishment
Collective Voyage
Council&#039;s Judgment
Cruel Entertainment
Expropriate
Farseek
Merciless Eviction
Minds Aglow
Pir&#039;s Whim
Plea for Power
Regna&#039;s Sanction
Scheming Symmetry
Selvala&#039;s Stampede
Tempt with Discovery
Tempt with Immortality
Tyrant&#039;s Choice
Virtus&#039;s Maneuver
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
Arcane Signet
Chromatic Lantern
Coercive Portal
Commander&#039;s Sphere
Fellwar Stone
Heartstone
Pendant of Prosperity
Sol Ring
Wishclaw Talisman
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
Ghostly Prison
Marchesa&#039;s Decree
Mystic Barrier
Propaganda
Rhystic Study
Smothering Tithe
Training Grounds
[/Enchantments]
[Land]
Arcane Sanctum
Blood Crypt
Boros Garrison
Breeding Pool
Command Tower
Crumbling Necropolis
Evolving Wilds
Exotic Orchard
Forbidden Orchard
Gateway Plaza
Godless Shrine
Hallowed Fountain
Maze of Ith
Mystic Monastery
Nomad Outpost
Orzhov Guildgate
Overgrown Tomb
Reliquary Tower
Sacred Foundry
Steam Vents
Stomping Ground
Temple Garden
Terramorphic Expanse
Throne of the High City
Watery Grave
3 Plains
3 Island
3 Swamp
1 Mountain
1 Forest
[/Land]"></span></div>
<hr>
<h2><span style="font-weight:400;">Final Votes</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">In the early game, do some favors for your opponents. Give their commander haste and trample, offer them some free life, or maybe even give them a card or two. However, always make sure you name a price. Make them promise to vote for Pedro (or replace Pedro with your name if your name doesn’t happen to be Pedro). Then, in the late game, cash in those favors for big-time </span><span style="font-weight:400;">voting </span><span style="font-weight:400;">spells.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">Of course, don’t expect players to honor their word every time. For those who renege on the deal, go after them with furious retribution. This will show both them and the rest of the table that you take your deals seriously. If you properly decimate oathbreakers, your playgroup will be less likely to break promises with you in the future.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">Likewise, don’t ever promise a future favor in exchange for a present vote without delivering on the promise. If you do it once, your opponents will never trust you to keep your word again. So don’t do it! Both these concepts are already valuable, but they become even more valuable for this deck because we need votes.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight:400;">Happy voting!</span></p>


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