The Best Ways to Play Kaheera, the Orphanguard in Commander

Old Man Magic: The Bureaucratic Undead

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://martanael.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marta Nael</a></em></p>
<p>It's usually not a good idea to give resources to an opponent, especially many different resources to many different players. Usually, any advantage that an opponent has puts us in the position to lose the game, but but but! I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I'm actually a huge advocate for <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/group-hug" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Group Hug</a> decks. Not that chaos nonsense, but real Group Hug. I talk about the distinctions in <a href="https://www.coolstuffinc.com/a/cashinds-seo-02042025-how-to-play-group-hug-in-commander" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this article</a>.</p>
<p>To boil it down a little, I discuss that Group Hug is only valid if it has a win condition. I walk through some of the ways to do that in that article, but the concept is to out-value, or use resources against, the opponents. But Group Hug isn't actually the focus on my article, the card <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> actually is.</p>
<h2>What Does Ms. Bumbleflower Do?</h2>
<p>She's a <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> cost 1/5 creature with vigilance. And whenever you cast a spell, target opponent draws a card, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature, and that creature gains flying until end of turn. When this ability resolves the second time in a turn, you draw two cards.</p>
<p>In the traditional sense, Ms. Bumbleflower has some language on her that seems like Group Hug: she provides card draw to another player whenever you cast a spell.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ms. Bumbleflower"></div></div>
<p>This could be a huge advantage to whatever player gets the advantage. It also does a good job of accelerating the Bumbleflower player as they gain two cards on the second cast, bringing them ahead of each individual they target with the card draw. Additionally, it provides some way to give evasion to their creatures and buff them as blockers. You can even buff other players creatures after casting a cantrip to eke out a bit more damage. It's a good shields-up strategy in the colors of control and combo.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Seedborn Muse"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Approach of the Second Sun"></div></div>
<p>I imagine in a Group Hug strategy for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> the goal is to get to draw spells and <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> or a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seedborn Muse" href="#" target="_blank">Seedborn Muse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Folio of Fancies" href="#" target="_blank">Folio of Fancies</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> combo, milling players each turn. Both are slow and steady strategies typical for Bant Control and Draw.</p>
<p>There's a possibility for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tidal Barracuda" href="#" target="_blank">Tidal Barracuda</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to give your spells flash, which, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seedborn Muse" href="#" target="_blank">Seedborn Muse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, can put you massively ahead, giving cards along the way. You could give the card draw to the player whose end step it is to give yourself more time, and not pile value into one player.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Folio of Fancies"></div></div>
<p>If you're starting to wonder when I'll talk about how strong it is to give flying to Bumbleflower and go in for combat damage, you're slightly missing the essence of Group Hug. In Group Hug you have to hide your power level as long as possible, because giving resources puts a target on your back with players who would like to benefit alone, like mid-range players who might be in danger against an Aggro deck with the gasoline of creature and card advantage.</p>
<p>But <em>this</em> is the essence of my article; why aren't we all putting counters on Bumbleflower?</p>
<h2>Ms. Bumbleflower at Her Best</h2>
<p>SURPRISE! This is actually a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Voltron Deck Tech. Hear me out.</p>
<p>Usually the most common Voltron Commanders are in Boros, but Bumbleflower can do it! She is a 1/5 with vigilance. This is insidious because it makes a great blocker and attacker. Cast one spell on your turn and she gets flying, the evasion needed for a strong Voltron commander. She also has a way to buff herself, which is another great addition for a Voltron commander.</p>
<p>Cast a spell, put a +1/+1 on her and give her flying at the cost of giving one other player a card. Cast a second, and fill your hand with two more cards you can cast, while putting on another counter. In one turn she can go from a 1/5 vigilant creature to a 3/7 flying, vigilant creature.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thunderbolt"></div></div>
<p>Her big toughness makes her survive most <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thunderbolt" href="#" target="_blank">Thunderbolt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects, and with enough time to build her up, she can even survive a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blasphemous Act" href="#" target="_blank">Blasphemous Act</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. She has evasion, protection, built-in card draw, and a way to be a good blocker and attacker.</p>
<h2>Other Voltron Commanders</h2>
<p>What are we usually looking for in a Voltron commander? In a general sense, what players are looking for in a Voltron commander is:</p>
<ul>
<li>Evasion</li>
<li>A way to buff or a good body to buff</li>
<li>Free/discounted cost to buff</li>
<li>Good attacker and/or blocker</li>
<li>Protection</li>
</ul>
<p>The <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/voltron" target="_blank" rel="noopener">top Voltron commanders according to EDHREC</a> are: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rafiq of the Many" href="#" target="_blank">Rafiq of the Many</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Light-Paws, Emperor&#039;s Voice" href="#" target="_blank">Light-Paws, Emperor&#039;s Voice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>; and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Slicer, Hired Muscle // Slicer, High-Speed Antagonist" href="#" target="_blank">Slicer, Hired Muscle // Slicer, High-Speed Antagonist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. What makes these commanders so popular?</p>
<h3>Rafiq</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rafiq of the Many"></div></div>
<p>Rafiq has exalted (a creature attacking alone gets +1/+1) and gives double strike to any creature attacking alone. It goes from a humble 3/3 to a 4/4 with double strike when it attacks alone. That's potentially eight commander damage, which is usually the goal with a Voltron commander. This kind of deck focuses on many exalted effects combined to buff the hell out of itself or any other creature coming in alone.</p>
<p>Rafiq is in the same colors as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, so most of the cards you run in it could translate over easily. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Silent Arbiter" href="#" target="_blank">Silent Arbiter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> create a really spicy combination for this commander, which Bumbleflower could also effectively utilize. Being the only attacker and only blocker is perfect, especially when she's buffed.</p>
<h3>Light-Paws</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Light-Paws, Emperor&#039;s Voice"></div></div>
<p>Light-Paws is a well stated 2/2 for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>. Its ability allows for easy and cheap buffs. Casting a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sage&#039;s Reverie" href="#" target="_blank">Sage&#039;s Reverie</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gets you a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Battle Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Battle Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="All That Glitters" href="#" target="_blank">All That Glitters</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gets you into an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ethereal Armor" href="#" target="_blank">Ethereal Armor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. For six mana Light-Paws is a 14/14 with double strike.</p>
<p>That's lethal commander damage. What it does well is stack up a creature cheaply and quickly with damage. All of these cards are possible in Bumbleflower. The Auras that buff are possible with a commander that gives itself card draw and evasion and buffs, on top of basic stats.</p>
<h3>Slicer</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Slicer, Hired Muscle // Slicer, High-Speed Antagonist"></div></div>
<p>Slicer is well stated as a 3/2 converted for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> with haste and first strike. Equipping him with stuff like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beamtown Beatstick" href="#" target="_blank">Beamtown Beatstick</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives it a way of connecting with evasion. With <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mask of Memory" href="#" target="_blank">Mask of Memory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> you can fill your hand with ways to buff it on contact. Your commander gets additional opportunities to deal combat damage by being passed around.</p>
<p>Sadly, many of Slicer's cards are locked to red, outside of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s wheelhouse, but it runs a ton of Equipment that Bumbleflower can use. She doesn't get additional combats by being passed around, but she might not even need it.</p>
<h2>Fatal Flaws Of Typical Voltron Commanders</h2>
<p>One of the fatal flaws of Voltron is being locked out of blue and green good stuff - stuff like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Counterspell" href="#" target="_blank">Counterspell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Stuff that adds counters are typically green, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hardened Scales" href="#" target="_blank">Hardened Scales</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and counter magic is typically blue, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Denial" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Denial</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Not being able to interact with spells that remove your commander, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghostly Flicker" href="#" target="_blank">Ghostly Flicker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> them, or simply <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Counterspell" href="#" target="_blank">Counterspell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in response, is huge. Board wipes like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vandalblast" href="#" target="_blank">Vandalblast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Farewell" href="#" target="_blank">Farewell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <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> go unchecked.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arcane Denial"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vandalblast"></div></div>
<p>Most typical Voltron commanders struggle to put up blockers. Usually after a swing, the player is shields down and vulnerable. Running other creatures take away spells that are able to buff your commander. Rafiq doesn't run into this problem, and neither does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Casting an instant can give a creature the ability to fly and buff them as well, making blockers really strong.</p>
<h2>Card Draw Flaw</h2>
<p>I've talked in great detail on how Bumbleflower excels as a Voltron commander, but the big fatal flaw of this deck is giving out card draw. It doesn't seem like a lot, but big stormy turns with Bumbleflower that puts cards in opponents' hands might be your downfall. I can't talk my way out of this one. It is the fatal flaw that tricks most players into seeing this deck only as a Group Hug deck. Card draw on every cast is just so beneficial to other players that it's hard to work around.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Narset, Parter of Veils"></div></div>
<p>But <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Narset, Parter of Veils" href="#" target="_blank">Narset, Parter of Veils</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gets around that additional card draw. If you don't see that card, you can also draw more yourself, to have interaction up. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teferi&#039;s Ageless Insight" href="#" target="_blank">Teferi&#039;s Ageless Insight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could put four cards in hand on your second spell, making sure you have value in hand to mitigate loss. It's out-valuing others in the way Group Hug typically does.</p>
<p>Free counterspells, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fierce Guardianship" href="#" target="_blank">Fierce Guardianship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Force of Will" href="#" target="_blank">Force of Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are huge in this deck. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="View From Above" href="#" target="_blank">View From Above</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an excellent way to keep a spell up to give Bumbleflower flying when needed. Cantrips like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Opt" href="#" target="_blank">Opt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and value spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Snap" href="#" target="_blank">Snap</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rewind" href="#" target="_blank">Rewind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can refund themselves. It gives tons of mana value while giving card draw.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="View From Above"></div></div>
<p>Stacking all the powerful things in Voltron that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can do, it can be a very powerful deck, even with its one card draw issue. All I can say is that, just because you give out cards because you have to, doesn't mean your deck has to be Group Hug. Most players are playing Bumbleflower as a Voltron commander covertly behind a bunch of Group Hug effects. It's time to just fully embrace the Voltron.</p>
<p>Either way, tell me what you think. I'm <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/strixhavendropout.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@Strixhavendropout on Bluesky</a>.</p>


Ms. Bumbleflower Is Better as a Voltron Deck

Which Commanders Are Most Affected by the New Game Changers?

<p style="text-align: right;"><em>Zenos yae Galvus/Shinryu, Transcendent Rival | Art by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mokhman/?hl=en">Alexander Mokhov</a></em></p>
<p>The <em>Magic: The Gathering </em>fandom was still reacting to May 7's first <em>Magic: The Gathering — FINAL FANTASY </em>reveal when another one dropped on social media only a few hours later.</p>
<p>Coming off the heels of <a href="https://scryfall.com/card/fin/241/shantotto">Shantotto, the Radical Lady</a>, the details of which you can find here, the second legendary creature of the day appeared - Zenos yae Galvus/Shinryu, Transcendent Rival:</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-150936" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus.jpg 672w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-150935" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus-1-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus-1-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus-1.jpg 672w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a></p>
<p>Yes, it's a dual-faced card. While Shantotto is a character featured in <em>Final Fantasy XI, </em>Zenos yae Galvus arrives to <em>Magic </em>via <em>Final Fantasy XIV </em>and its associated expansions. That particular game released to consoles and PC in August of 2013. Fitting perfectly into Commander games that utilize politics, the <em>Burning Chains </em>trigger on the card's Shinryu side will lead to plenty of humorous stories.</p>
<p>In addition to the basic art and frame, Wednesday also saw the reveal of an alternate treatment:</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-150949" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus.jpg 672w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-150948" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus-1-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus-1-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus-1.jpg 672w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a></p>
<p>With <em>Magic: The Gathering — FINAL FANTASY </em>heading to Standard on its release next month, that effect might not hold as much value in a one-vs.-one environment.</p>
<p>Magic: The Gathering — FINAL FANTASY is slated for release on June 13, 2025 and promises to be stuffed with iconic characters, events, and legends from the long-running video game series. The set will feature both Play and Collector Boosters and four preconstructed Commander Decks (in both base and Collector's Edition versions), as well as Bundles, Prerelease Kits, and Starter Kits.</p>
<p>How do Zenos/Shinryu's abilities fit the character? Are you suprised to see the character make an appearance in <em>Magic </em>form? Be sure to frequent EDHREC as deck techs featuring all the revealed characters start hitting the website in the coming weeks - with a deck tech centered around Zenos coming courtesy of <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/michael-wheelan">Wheels</a>.</p>


Final Fantasy First Look: Zenos yae Galvus

<p style="text-align: right;"><em>Shantotto, the Radical Lady | Art by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jsraphael_/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joshua Raphael</a></em></p>
<p>On May 7th, <em>Magic</em> fans were surprised with a reveal of another new character coming to the game, courtesy of the upcoming <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> — <em>FINAL FANTASY</em>.</p>
<p>According to translation from the card's printed Japanese, we're looking at Shantotto, the Radical Lady:</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-241-shantotto.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-150792" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-241-shantotto-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-241-shantotto-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-241-shantotto.jpg 672w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a></p>
<p>As per translation, here's what we're seeing:</p>
<p><strong>Shantotto, the Radical Lady</strong></p>
<p>Legendary Creature - Dwarf Wizard</p>
<p>Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is the amount of mana spent to cast that spell. If X is 4 or greater, draw a card.</p>
<p><em>"Oh my! I'm so pissed."</em></p>
<p>The uncommon legend fits with the red/blue color pair's spell-slinging focus, and the character as featured in <em>Final Fantasy XI </em>sees its "Tarutaru" identifier streamlined in <em>Magic </em>as the "Dwarf" creature type. The character's popularity exploded in the years following 2002's release of <em>FFXI. </em>As a result, Shantotto is featured in several subsequent expansions and crossovers.</p>
<p><em>Magic: The Gathering</em> — <em>FINAL FANTASY</em> is slated for release on June 13, 2025 and promises to be stuffed with iconic characters, events, and legends from the long-running video game series. The set will feature both Play and Collector Boosters and four preconstructed Commander Decks (in both base and Collector's Edition versions), as well as Bundles, Prerelease Kits, and Starter Kits. <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> — <em>FINAL FANTASY</em> will be Standard-legal upon its release next month, the first Universes Beyond release to be so.</p>
<p>Despite the release more than a month away, the crossover has proven to be extremely popular, already becoming<a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/final-fantasy-best-selling-mtg-set-before-official-release-date" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> the best-selling <em>Magic </em>set to date</a>. Several of the characters have already been revealed in <em>Magic </em>form, including <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/final-fantasy-mtg-spoiler-reveals-tifa-lockhart-cards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tifa Lockhart</a>.</p>
<p>What's your opinion on Shantotto? Does the card match the character? How would you have designed it? Show off your <em>FFXI </em>knowledge below. And be sure to check back often, as more cards are expected to be revealed leading up to MagicCon: Las Vegas.</p>


Final Fantasy First Look: Shantotto, the Radical Lady

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Interpret the Signs" href="#" target="_blank">Interpret the Signs</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | <a href="https://www.cynthia-sheppard.com/">Cynthia Sheppard</a>)</h6>
<div></p>
<p>A new month is upon us, which means it's time for the next Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest!</p>
<p>This is a monthly contest with a different theme each month.</p>
<p>Your goal is to build a Commander legal deck that fulfills the prompt in a creative or unique fashion. At the end of each month, three finalists will be selected for you to vote on.</p>
<p>Whoever gets the most votes will be crowned the winner, although all three finalists receive a prize.</p>
<p>For this month's competition, we're looking into the past and trying to decipher the cryptic names of old <em>Magic</em> decks.</p>
<p></div>
<div></p>
<h3>What’s The Contest All About?</h3>
<p>Working within the parameters of the prompt provided below, construct a decklist with your own creative spin. Three chosen finalists will be awarded <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/">store credit to use on Cardsphere</a>.</p>
<p><strong>For May's deckbuilding contest, build a Commander-legal deck based on the name of a classic sixty card deck.</strong></p>
<p><strong> However, Rather than adapting the strategy of the deck, develop a creative interpretation based only on the deck's name.</strong></p>
<p><strong> A non-exhaustive list of wacky deck names is included here, but you can choose any deck from competitive sixty card formats. </strong></p>
<p><strong>Including an explanation of your thought process in the deck description will help your submission stand out.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Tin Fins, Zoo, Maverick, The Rock, MUD, Deadguy Ale, Fruity Pebbles, </strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Four Horsemen, Cephalid Breakfast, Full English Breakfast</strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Nic Fit, Raisin Bran, Quick n' Toast, The Mighty Quinn, </strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>The Truffle Shuffle, Ice Station Zebra, Zero Effect, Spring Tide, Iggy Pop</strong></em></p>
<p></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inkwell Leviathan"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cavalier of Night"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Toggo, Goblin Weaponsmith"></div></div>
<p>This month's prompt is about interpreting a deck name in a creative way, without consideration for the cards in the actual deck. For example, Tin Fins sounds like a deck built around sea creatures and artifacts.</p>
<p>That could be copying <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inkwell Leviathan" href="#" target="_blank">Inkwell Leviathan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or suiting merfolk up with as many equipment as possible. Four Horsemen might include only four creatures, each riding a horse, or be a deck built around a four card combo.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lotus Petal|tmp|294"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zombie Master"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zaffai, Thunder Conductor"></div></div>
<p>Some names are harder to interpret. You might have an idea of what a Fruity Pebbles deck would do, but what about Raisin Bran? Or Nic Fit? The color of Raisin Bran might remind you of the old artifact border, while raisins might represent the desiccated figures of Zombies.</p>
<p>For Nic Fit you might focus on the apparent typo, and include cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zaffai, Thunder Conductor" href="#" target="_blank">Zaffai, Thunder Conductor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> which have spelling mistakes in their text.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Creative Technique"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reinterpret"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thirst for Meaning"></div></div>
<p>Of course, you can pick any deck from the long history of Magic tournaments. Keep in mind, however, that the more strange and cryptic the deck name the more opportunity you have for creative interpretation.</p>
<p>That shouldn't stop you from exploring an idea for UR Delver or Domain Overlords, but be careful you don't simply recreate that strategy in Commander.</p>
<h3>How To Participate</h3>
<ul>
<li>Brew an EDH/Commander legal deck on <a href="https://archidekt.com/">Archidekt</a> that satisfies the prompt.</li>
<li>Any unreleased cards spoiled during the contest’s duration are allowed.</li>
<li>Silver-bordered and acorn cards, while cool, are not allowed.</li>
<li>Digital-only cards (such as those designed for the Alchemy format on Arena) are not allowed.</li>
<li>Strictly one deck submitted per user.</li>
</ul>
<p>Reply to the Archidekt news post, or submission post on the <a href="https://discord.gg/sctEc9Ru36">Archidekt Discord</a> with a link to your deck before <strong>9:00 pm EST</strong> (UTC -4, currently) on <strong>Wednesday, May 14, 2025</strong> (do not submit the same deck in multiple places).</p>
<p>Only one submission per user! From the eligible submissions, we'll select three finalists with lists that we believe best embody the spirit of the prompt. Deck descriptions are not required but certainly may provide valuable context!</p>
<div></p>
<p>On <strong>Wednesday, May 21, 2025</strong>, we’ll announce three finalists via the Archidekt Discord and a brief article on EDHREC highlighting each deck.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/sets">Each finalist will be awarded credit to use on Cardsphere</a>. The value of the credit is in US dollars and depends on the finalist's placement in deck upvotes at the end of the week-long polling period:</p>
<ul>
<li>1st Place Prize - $250</li>
<li>2nd Place Prize - $150</li>
<li>3rd Place Prize - $100</li>
</ul>
<p></div>
<p>Finalists will be contacted via email or Discord (depending on where they submitted) regarding their winnings within roughly 24 hours following the conclusion of voting on <strong>Wednesday, May 28, 2025</strong>.</p>
<p>Please note, you must have a Cardsphere account in order to receive your winnings. It's quick and free-- <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/signup?referrer=archidekt_contest">register here</a> if you don't have an account already!</p>
<p><a href="https://archidekt.com/contestRules">Official contest rules</a>.</p>
<p>If you have any questions, feel free to ask here, or join the Archidekt <a href="https://discord.gg/sctEc9Ru36">public Discord server</a>. We look forward to seeing what you all come up with!</p>


Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest - May 2025

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spirit Bonds" href="#" target="_blank">Spirit Bonds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/willmurai" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Willian Murai</a></em></p>
<p>As <em>Magic</em> players, we've all been there: the aristocrats player waits for the perfect moment to unleash a long string of sacrifice effects that ends the game. On one hand, it's impressive to watch; it feels like a complex puzzle being assembled before your eyes. On the other hand, it can feel like an unsatisfying way to lose, essentially having your game plan amount to nothing.</p>
<p>Whatever your feelings may be on aristocrats, there's no denying their popularity within <em>Magic</em>, especially in Commander. According to EDHREC data, there are over 100 thousand <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/aristocrats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aristocrat decks in their database</a>. This huge amount of popularity means that there are only six deck "themes" or strategies that are more popular than it on EDHREC.</p>
<p>Most aristocrat decks are heavily associated with the color black, as it provides the most support for both sacrifice outlets and cards that benefit from creatures dying. However, there are plenty of great aristocrat cards outside of black, and this mini-series of articles covers the best options for aristocrat players in every color!</p>
<p>We began this series over on <a href="https://commandersherald.com/the-best-aristocrat-cards-in-commander-green-edition/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commander's Herald with green</a>, and will be continuing our "mini-series" here with white.</p>
<p>This list is in no particular order, but the first card is an absolute heater...</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Martyr&#039;s Cause" href="#" target="_blank">Martyr&#039;s Cause</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Martyr&#039;s Cause"></div></div>
<p>Martyr's Cause is a rare sacrifice outlet in white that covers two critical categories for any aristocrat deck: protection, and free sacrifice outlet. By "free," I mean that it doesn't cost any mana to sacrifice creatures, and the difference between having to use mana vs. not is pretty huge. The "protection" piece comes in the form of protecting our life total; we're playing aristocrats, so there's no denying that we will be attacked. This card allows us to blank potentially lethal attacks, and aristocrat decks often only need to survive one or two combat steps before being able to go off.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fanatical Devotion" href="#" target="_blank">Fanatical Devotion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fanatical Devotion"></div></div>
<p>Fanatical Devotion is another "free" white sacrifice outlet, which is amazing, but it also provides aristocrat decks with a rare opportunity: regeneration. Regenerate is not a mechanic that's seen too often anymore, but that's no reason to underrate it.</p>
<p>If you're unfamiliar with how regeneration works, it's pretty simple. Whenever a creature is destroyed (either from a "destroy" effect or from damage), you may activate the regenerate ability (in this case, sacrificing a creature), tap the creature, and remove it from combat (if it's in combat). When you do this, the damage is removed and the creature is not destroyed. This can save some critical creatures in response to spot removal or a board wipe, and that's what makes this card so good.</p>
<p>Aristocrat decks often have several expendable creatures, so sacrificing something expendable for the good of protecting something more important is a price we're willing to pay.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Knight-Captain of Eos" href="#" target="_blank">Knight-Captain of Eos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Knight-Captain of Eos"></div></div>
<p>Like our first two picks, this is another sacrifice outlet, but a little more specific. It does two things that we want: it generates disposable bodies when it enters, and it gives us a sacrifice outlet that can protect our life total. Sure, we need to sacrifice Soldiers, but this creature makes Soldiers when it enters <em>and</em> Soldiers are one of the most common creature types in white.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Martyred Rusalka" href="#" target="_blank">Martyred Rusalka</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Martyred Rusalka"></div></div>
<p>This card might seem innocuous, but it can prevent an opponent's biggest threat from attacking us. It's the perfect political piece, as we can threaten to activate it if an opponent is aiming to attack us. The mana cost on any sacrifice ability can be tricky, but holding up one white mana can telegraph this <em>and</em> things like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swords to Plowshares" href="#" target="_blank">Swords to Plowshares</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Path to Exile" href="#" target="_blank">Path to Exile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Swords to Plowshares"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Path to Exile"></div></div>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Promise of Bunrei" href="#" target="_blank">Promise of Bunrei</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Promise of Bunrei"></div></div>
<p>This card can act as a three-mana spell that creates four disposable bodies for our strategy, and that's amazing. The only tricky part about it is that we can't choose exactly when to trigger it; we <em>have</em> to sacrifice it as soon as one of our creatures die. We should have enough sacrifice outlets where this shouldn't be a problem, but it's important to keep in mind.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Promise of Tomorrow" href="#" target="_blank">Promise of Tomorrow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Promise of Tomorrow"></div></div>
<p>There is no other card that can be riskier to our strategy than this one. Exiling our creatures is not a "may" trigger, so any reanimation effects are effectively turned off while this is in play.</p>
<p>The floor of this card might be low, but the ceiling is incredibly high. If we have a sacrifice outlet onboard, we can sacrifice our creatures to trigger this whenever we need. On the plus side, this card is crazy against board wipes, as it basically renders any effort from our opponents to deal with our board null and void (outside of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Farewell" href="#" target="_blank">Farewell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>).</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Farewell"></div></div>
<p>One thing to keep in mind with this: it <em>does not </em>take away any death triggers you may have, as the creatures become exiled <em>after</em> they die - which is so cool!</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spirit Bonds" href="#" target="_blank">Spirit Bonds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spirit Bonds"></div></div>
<p>This card creates tokens from our nontoken creatures entering the battlefield, for the small price of <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>. While that ability is pretty good, we're going to focus primarily on the second ability: making a non-Spirit indestructible. Similarly to Knight-Captain of Eos, this relies on a specific creature type, but also like Knight-Captain of Eos, this card creates the creature type we need.</p>
<p>It turns out, protecting our important pieces is very good!</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Worthy Cause" href="#" target="_blank">Worthy Cause</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Worthy Cause"></div></div>
<p>This is a single-use sacrifice spell that gains us life equal to the sacrificed creature's toughness. Instead of seeing this as a one-mana spell, I advise you to see it as a three-mana spell, as we'll want to use the buyback ability. Always having a three-mana, instant-speed way to keep us alive is huge. Remember when I said we'll probably be getting attacked a lot?</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anafenza, Unyielding Lineage" href="#" target="_blank">Anafenza, Unyielding Lineage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anafenza, Unyielding Lineage"></div></div>
<p>This card just came out in <em>Tarkir: Dragonstorm</em>, but it's incredible for aristocrat decks. Endures 2 means that we can put two +1/+1 counter on Anafenza or we can create a 2/2 Spirit. Getting Anafenza big doesn't really do anything, as she doesn't have evasion, but the ability to create more expendable creatures is why I'm talking about this card. Our creatures <em>will</em> die, and if we can benefit by creating more creatures in the process, we're in a winning position.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Loyal Retainers" href="#" target="_blank">Loyal Retainers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Loyal Retainers"></div></div>
<p>I tried to stay away from creatures with single-use sacrifice abilities, but this one is just too strong. Not only can it generate infinite combos (this is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gerrard, Weatherlight Hero" href="#" target="_blank">Gerrard, Weatherlight Hero</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s best friend), but it can also bring back our commander in a pinch. Depending on the commander, this may not matter, but it's likely that our commander will be a magnet for removal, and rather than casting it for 10 or more mana, we can just return it with this ability!</p>
<div id="238-2533-5147" style="width: 100%; position: relative; overflow: visible; display: flex; justify-content: center;"><img decoding="async" id="csbLoad" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/images/gear.svg" alt="csb logo" width="300" /><br />
<script id="238-2533-5147" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/embed.js?v=1&uses=%5B%22Gerrard%2C%20Weatherlight%20Hero%22%2C%22Loyal%20Retainers%22%2C%22Goblin%20Bombardment%22%5D&requires=%5B%5D&produces=%5B%22Infinite%20blinking%22%2C%22Infinite%20damage%22%2C%22Infinite%20death%20triggers%22%2C%22Infinite%20ETB%22%2C%22Infinite%20LTB%22%2C%22Infinite%20sacrifice%20triggers%22%5D&id=238-2533-5147&color=RW&extraRequirementCount=1"></script></div>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="." width="0" height="0"></iframe><br />
Outside of "protecting" our commander or going infinite, the game is flooded with great legendary creatures these days, and that makes this card the perfect reanimation option for any white deck (especially if it lacks black!).</p>
<p>That concludes my list for the color white. I hope all you aristocrat players out there learned something new today. Stay tuned for my exploration into the remaining colors, all while saving the best (black) for last!</p>


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