Rally the Ancestors - Stonebrow Rides Again

From the Brim to the Trim - Budget Flybys and Goblin Lullabies

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goring Ceratops" href="#" target="_blank">Goring Ceratops</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://zezhouchen.com/albums/86634">Zezhou Chen</a>)</h6>
<h1>Let's Take Our Bulk Pile for a Ride...</h1>
<p>Hey there, my name is Jordan, and I run the<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjaHYyBX_RTuM-HtvI_qsoA"> EDH Jank Center</a> on YouTube. Welcome to <i>Finding Homes For Janky Cards</i>, the series where we rifle through that big pile of bulk you've got lying around and find a package of five janky, budget, or under-utilized cards and pair them with a commander that will help them shine. The deck we get out of it might not be the fanciest or most extravagant at the table, but we're still going to build it because <b>every</b> card deserves a loving home!</p>
<p>This week, our hospitable host is: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Emmara, Soul of the Accord" href="#" target="_blank">Emmara, Soul of the Accord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Emmara, Soul of the Accord"></div></div>
<p>Emmara is a pretty popular commander who boasts over 2,000 decks to her name at the time of writing this article. People love to build token-based brews around her for obvious reasons, but today I'd like to take a shot at building <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Emmara, Soul of the Accord" href="#" target="_blank">Emmara</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as a Vehicle commander!</p>
<p>Builders have already done this since the tap ability on this card synergizes with the <em>Crew </em>Mechanic perfectly, but I'd like to showcase some really awesome budget cards that I think can work in the deck.</p>
<p>Oh, and did I mention my build is under $50? Well, just in case I didn't: <strong>It's under $50! ($45.23 at the time of writing this article)</strong></p>
<p>Let's take a look at the average <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Emmara, Soul of the Accord" href="#" target="_blank">Emmara</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> decklist:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Emmara, Soul of the Accord - Average Decklist" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Emmara, Soul of the Accord
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Ancient Imperiosaur
*1 Avacyn&#039;s Pilgrim
*1 Bennie Bracks, Zoologist
*1 Champion of Lambholt
*1 Citanul Hierophants
*1 Drumbellower
*1 Eternal Witness
*1 Ghalta and Mavren
*1 Jaheira, Friend of the Forest
*1 Jaspera Sentinel
*1 King Darien XLVIII
*1 Maja, Bretagard Protector
*1 Mentor of the Meek
*1 Mondrak, Glory Dominus
*1 Nullmage Shepherd
*1 Queen Allenal of Ruadach
*1 Rhys the Redeemed
*1 Rumor Gatherer
*1 Saryth, the Viper&#039;s Fang
*1 Seedborn Muse
*1 Selesnya Evangel
*1 Stonybrook Schoolmaster
*1 Trostani Discordant
*1 Welcoming Vampire
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Camaraderie
*1 Citywide Bust
*1 Cultivate
*1 Harmonize
*1 Harvest Season
*1 Hour of Reckoning
*1 Nissa&#039;s Expedition
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Shamanic Revelation
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Halo Fountain
*1 Idol of Oblivion
*1 Paradise Mantle
*1 Relic of Legends
*1 Skullclamp
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Springleaf Drum
*1 Throne of the God-Pharaoh
*1 Wand of the Worldsoul
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Beast Within
*1 Clever Concealment
*1 Generous Gift
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 March of the Multitudes
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Rite of Harmony
*1 Rootborn Defenses
*1 Sundering Growth
*1 Swords to Plowshares
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Anointed Procession
*1 Aura Shards
*1 Beastmaster Ascension
*1 Cryptolith Rite
*1 Divine Visitation
*1 Glare of Subdual
*1 Growing Rites of Itlimoc
*1 Nature&#039;s Chosen
*1 Parallel Lives
*1 Presence of Gond
*1 Quest for Renewal
*1 Tocasia&#039;s Welcome
[/Enchantments]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Archangel Elspeth
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Bountiful Promenade
*1 Canopy Vista
*1 Command Tower
*10 Forest
*1 Fortified Village
*1 Gavony Township
*1 Holdout Settlement
*1 Krosan Verge
*1 Overgrown Farmland
*10 Plains
*1 Selesnya Sanctuary
*1 Sunpetal Grove
*1 Survivors&#039; Encampment
*1 Temple Garden
*1 Temple of Plenty
[/Lands]"></span></div>


<hr />
<p>As usual, we're seeing a TON of expensive staples here. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bennie Bracks, Zoologist" href="#" target="_blank">Bennie Bracks, Zoologist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <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="Mondrak, Glory Dominus" href="#" target="_blank">Mondrak, Glory Dominus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provide so much advantage for token builds, but since we're taking this in a more Vehicular direction, we're kicking these guys to the curb!</p>
<p>Here's something wild to think about: the three aforementioned cards cost about the same amount as the entire deck list you'll see at the end of this article. How do we achieve such a low cost? Keep reading!</p>
<p>Seatbelts buckled? Sweet, now let's dive in to our janky selections.</p>
<hr />
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Saruli Caretaker" href="#" target="_blank">Saruli Caretaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>in of 0% of 1,121,097 decks</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Saruli Caretaker"></div></div>
<p>I just absolutely love this card for this build. It comes down on turn one, and on the next turn we can tap our commander with its ability. This will not only generate us one mana of any color (amazing in a multi-color deck), but also a cheeky 1/1 token from our commander's ability! Turn two with three creatures ready to <em>Crew</em> on the next turn? Sign. Me. Up.</p>
<p>The more tokens we can generate, the better, because they'll all help out with some of the Vehicles we're running that have higher <em>Crew</em> costs, like these guys:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Colossal Plow"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Consulate Dreadnought"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Demolition Stomper"></div></div>
<p>With Saruli Caretaker and other <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Loam Dryad" href="#" target="_blank">cards</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> like it, we can get these chunky things started (get it? because Vehicles?) and start swinging out for some damage!</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dauntless Aven" href="#" target="_blank">Dauntless Aven</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>in 0% of 1,090,818 decks</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dauntless Aven"></div></div>
<p>This is a card I had never seen before brewing up this build and searching "untap" abilities on Scryfall, but I'm glad we can now salvage it from the bulk pile!</p>
<p>In our deck we're going to want to continuously tap and untap <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Emmara, Soul of the Accord" href="#" target="_blank">Emmara</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> so that we can keep getting more and more tokens to <em>Crew</em> with. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dauntless Aven" href="#" target="_blank">Dauntless Aven</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides us with that by being an evasive creature that can swing in relatively unharmed and untap our commander.</p>
<p>But also, at a base-level evaluation, a 2/1 flier can be pretty formidable when armed with something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gavel of the Righteous" href="#" target="_blank">Gavel of the Righteous</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which we're running in this deck as a finisher of sorts. Additionally, with two power on the board we can <em>Crew</em> our Vehicles even faster, which leaves room to maybe even go to combat with some of our spare 1/1s. All of this utility from a four-cent common? I'll take that any day of the week, baby.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Samite Herbalist" href="#" target="_blank">Samite Herbalist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>in 0% of 586,331 decks</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Samite Herbalist"></div></div>
<p>Listen, in any deck where you <em><strong>do something</strong></em>, you want to run cards that synergize with that something. In Vehicles decks, we tap creatures. So wouldn't it be nice if we had a suite of really awesome budget creatures that give us advantage of some kind when they tap to <em>Crew</em> our Vehicles? Well, look no further than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Samite Herbalist" href="#" target="_blank">Samite Herbalist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and its friends:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Veteran of the Depths"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stonybrook Schoolmaster"></div></div>
<p>Whether it's scrying and life gain, buffing power, or creating more tokens, all of these budget options do work for us in this build!</p>
<p>This also works the other way with creatures<strong> untapping: </strong></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pheres-Band Tromper"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Oreskos Sun Guide"></div></div>
<p>Oh, and none of these cards cost over 20 cents. You're welcome!</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="War Report" href="#" target="_blank">War Report</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>in 0% of 1,090,818 decks</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="War Report"></div></div>
<p>This card is a pretty straightforward inclusion in my opinion, yet I don't see it played much at all and the stats back this statement up. However, cards like this and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Congregate" href="#" target="_blank">Congregate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> do a ton of work on most board states with creatures on them.</p>
<p>We're going to have a good amount of both creatures <em>and </em>artifacts on our board in most games, so <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="War Report" href="#" target="_blank">War Report</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will almost never be dead in hand. Also, we can cast this at instant speed, which makes it insanely versatile! I want to add that this card also counts every creature and artifact, not just our own.</p>
<p>Imagine: your opponents also have pretty full board states and one of them swings out at you for what they think is lethal, but you cast this in response and pad your life total! I for one would love to see my friends deflate after seeing that cast.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Congregate"></div></div>
<p>I personally have had a ton of success running <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Congregate" href="#" target="_blank">Congregate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in my decks, so I think <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="War Report" href="#" target="_blank">War Report</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will do the same amount of work for us in this build.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goring Ceratops" href="#" target="_blank">Goring Ceratops</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>in 1% of 1,093,994 decks</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goring Ceratops"></div></div>
<p>This is by far my favorite card of the 5 listed here (don't tell the others I said that). Is it the most efficient card in the world? Not at all. However, that last ability makes it SO much fun to run in a deck where we care about attacking!</p>
<p>Granting double strike to all of our attacking creatures is an insane way to finish off a game. Not only will we be dealing double damage, but we'll also be getting two triggers off of anything that cares about dealing combat damage. Super sweet!</p>
<p>We also are running more classic finishers, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="True Conviction" href="#" target="_blank">True Conviction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and the underrated <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bond of Discipline" href="#" target="_blank">Bond of Discipline</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but in my eyes, nothing will ever beat a chonky, stompy creature.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="True Conviction"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bond of Discipline"></div></div>
<p>Now let's take a look at our jankified decklist!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Emmara, $50 Vehicles" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Emmara, Soul of the Accord
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Aeronaut Admiral
*1 Bronze Guardian
*1 Dauntless Aven
*1 Foreboding Statue
*1 Foundry Inspector
*1 Giant Ox
*1 Goring Ceratops
*1 Hornet Nest
*1 Hotshot Mechanic
*1 Kitsune Ace
*1 Loam Dryad
*1 Losheel, Clockwork Scholar
*1 Oreskos Sun Guide
*1 Pheres-Band Tromper
*1 Ratchet, Field Medic
*1 Rebbec, Architect of Ascension
*1 Samite Herbalist
*1 Sanwell, Avenger Ace
*1 Saruli Caretaker
*1 Slippery Bogbonder
*1 Sram, Senior Edificer
*1 Stonybrook Schoolmaster
*1 Veteran of the Depths
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Armed and Armored
*1 Beast Within
*1 Congregate
*1 Dawn Charm
*1 Fog
*1 Hope and Glory
*1 Sejiri Shelter
*1 War Report
*1 Wilt
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Bond of Discipline
*1 Cleansing Nova
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Glare of Subdual
*1 Tempered Steel
*1 True Conviction
[/Enchantments]
[Artifacts]
*1 Aerial Surveyor
*1 Aradara Express
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Colossal Plow
*1 Consulate Dreadnought
*1 Cultivator&#039;s Caravan
*1 Demolition Stomper
*1 Enchanted Carriage
*1 Gavel of the Righteous
*1 Goliath Truck
*1 Knight Paladin
*1 Liquimetal Torque
*1 Mechtitan Core
*1 Mighty Servant of Leuk-o
*1 Mobile Garrison
*1 Mysterious Limousine
*1 Nautiloid Ship
*1 Parhelion II
*1 Raiders&#039; Karve
*1 Reckoner Bankbuster
*1 Replicating Ring
*1 Skysovereign, Consul Flagship
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Thundering Chariot
*1 Untethered Express
*1 Weatherlight
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Buried Ruin
*16 Forest
*17 Plains
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Tyrite Sanctum
[/Lands]"></span></div>


<hr />
<p>Looks pretty awesome to me!</p>
<p>That about does it for this month's installment, let me know in the comments down below what cards you'd like me to find a home for next! Your suggestions might just make it into the next article.</p>
<p>Cheers!</p>


Finding Homes for Janky Cards - Emmara, Soul of the Accord

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Radiant Solar" href="#" target="_blank">Radiant Solar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/mokhman">Alexander Mokhov</a></h6>
<h1>Venture into Valuetown</h1>
<p>Hello, fellow brewer, and welcome back to <em>Brew for Your Buck</em>, where we swap out the top 10 most expensive cards in a deck with 10 budget cards that add a unique twist.</p>
<p>It's probably no secret at this point that black is my favorite color in the game, so I was on the lookout to not bore you all with another black deck but also search for something I could put together from cards in my collection.</p>
<p>An LGS in my area was unfortunately going out of business (thankfully someone bought it and it's back!) right around the time of <em>Commander Legends: Battle for Balder's Gate </em>release, so I ended up getting a few discount boxes during their closing sale. In reading through the Background pairings possible, I noticed a really interesting synergy between these two:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Alora, Merry Thief"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Far Traveler"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alora, Merry Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Alora, Merry Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can make one of our creatures unblockable, but that comes with the drawback of having to return it back to our hand in the end step. However, when we order our triggers on our end step, we can target that creature with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Far Traveler" href="#" target="_blank">Far Traveler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> first, blink it, then not have to return it! Now we have something most blink decks don't have: a way to win quickly. Looking at the average list on EDHREC, the deck clocks in at $189.10, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhystic Study" href="#" target="_blank">Rhystic Study</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and a bunch of blink staples making up our top 10. When did <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Propaganda" href="#" target="_blank">Propaganda</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> become a $4+ dollar card?!</p>
<ol>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhystic Study" href="#" target="_blank">Rhystic Study</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($37.63)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Preston, the Vanisher" href="#" target="_blank">Preston, the Vanisher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($20.68)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thassa, Deep-Dwelling" href="#" target="_blank">Thassa, Deep-Dwelling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($13.60)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Displacer Kitten" href="#" target="_blank">Displacer Kitten</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($9.90)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Farewell" href="#" target="_blank">Farewell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($9.64)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conjurer&#039;s Closet" href="#" target="_blank">Conjurer&#039;s Closet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($7.91)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Panharmonicon" href="#" target="_blank">Panharmonicon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($6.05)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teleportation Circle" href="#" target="_blank">Teleportation Circle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($5.07)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Talisman of Progress" href="#" target="_blank">Talisman of Progress</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($4.68)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Propaganda" href="#" target="_blank">Propaganda</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($4.65)</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
<p style="padding-left: 200px; text-align: left;"><strong>Total Value of Cuts: $119.99</strong></p>
<p>This time around, the manabase doesn't make up a huge percentage of the deck's value. We can save an additional $23.70 if we cut and replace the ones that would have made the top-10, bringing our total savings to <strong>$143.69</strong>.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Additions</h2>
<p>For all of you that are upset with taking out our blink pieces, don't worry. You'll still be able to head straight to value town and with an actual clock to boot. For our budget package, we turn to another <em>D&amp;D</em> mechanic: dungeons. It turns out that there are a lot of ways to venture into the dungeon when our creatures enter the battlefield or do combat damage to an opponent, and our commanders are set up to do both of these, so we'll be flying through dungeons and reaping the benefits in no time!</p>
<h3>Venture "Lords"</h3>
<p>Our first substitutions are the some of the best venturers we have access to. First up, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Radiant Solar" href="#" target="_blank">Radiant Solar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($0.48) is just cracked. Not only do we get a venture trigger when it enters, but we'll venture <strong>every time</strong> we blink a creature. Not to mention <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Radiant Solar" href="#" target="_blank">Radiant Solar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> also flies, so we can target something else with Alora's ability and still crack in for a six-point life swing. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hama Pashar, Ruin Seeker" href="#" target="_blank">Hama Pashar, Ruin Seeker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($0.06) is a no-brainer, doubling up our dungeon value for just existing on the battlefield.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Radiant Solar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hama Pashar, Ruin Seeker"></div></div>
<h3>Attacking for Value</h3>
<p>While Alora gives us some fantastic evasion, she only does so with one key creature. Our plan is to end the game through combat damage while supporting our creatures with all of our dungeon value, so granting more of our board evasion will accelerate us to a win. To start, we can add <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Midnight Pathlighter" href="#" target="_blank">Midnight Pathlighter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($0.25) to grant our board a unique form of evasion. Even though the format is clogged with more and more legendary creatures, at the bare minimum we guarantee a venture trigger with the creature we target with Alora. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seasoned Dungeoneer" href="#" target="_blank">Seasoned Dungeoneer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($3.42) can give 17 out of 39 creatures in our final list protection from creatures (read: unblockable) and some card filtering with the <em>Explore</em> mechanic as well. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thorough Investigation" href="#" target="_blank">Thorough Investigation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($1.61) grants us Clues for attacking so much, and in turn the Clues will give us a venture in addition to a card. We can even store up the Clues and turbo through a dungeon in one big card-drawing, venturing turn!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Midnight Pathlighter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Seasoned Dungeoneer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thorough Investigation"></div></div>
<h3>Completion Bonuses</h3>
<p>Now that we've accelerated our dungeon room rate, we can take a look at cards that grant us big bonuses for completing them. The recently-banned-in-Legacy <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="White Plume Adventurer" href="#" target="_blank">White Plume Adventurer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($3.22) saw a significant price drop, so we can snag a copy on the cheap. Like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seasoned Dungeoneer" href="#" target="_blank">Seasoned Dungeoneer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> above, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eccentric Apprentice" href="#" target="_blank">Eccentric Apprentice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($0.06) can help us attack with other creatures that aren't being sneaked through with Alora by turning a blocker into a bird. These two are also fine blink targets, as we'll take the initiative on their way in. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Imoen, Mystic Trickster" href="#" target="_blank">Imoen, Mystic Trickster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($0.06) keeps the good times rolling, drawing us two cards per turn as long as we have the initiative, which should be trivial if we have an unblockable creature each turn.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="White Plume Adventurer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Eccentric Apprentice"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Imoen, Mystic Trickster"></div></div>
<p>One omission from our budget package to note is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nadaar, Selfless Paladin" href="#" target="_blank">Nadaar, Selfless Paladin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. He's a great card for the strategy and cheap ($0.30) if you want to pick up a copy, but his inherent vigilance prevents him from being blinked with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Far Traveler" href="#" target="_blank">Far Traveler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Watch out for those non-bos!</p>
<h3>Generic Value</h3>
<p>Okay, we could slot in some other dungeon cards, but I just thought it was criminal that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sludge Monster" href="#" target="_blank">Sludge Monster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($0.17) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Myr Battlesphere" href="#" target="_blank">Myr Battlesphere</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($0.21) were not in the average deck list. Both of them have ETB and attack triggers that are just insane if we get them turn after turn. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sludge Monster" href="#" target="_blank">Sludge Monster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will lock down two creatures per turn, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Myr Battlesphere" href="#" target="_blank">Myr Battlesphere</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>... well, games will just END if it sticks around for a few turns. A note on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sludge Monster" href="#" target="_blank">Sludge Monster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: just because it leaves the battlefield when it blinks doesn't mean the slime counters are removed from anything, so feel free to slime it up like a Nickelodeon show from the 90s.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sludge Monster"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Myr Battlesphere"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2>Wrap Up and Savings</h2>
<p>Let's take a look at what we've saved:</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Picture1.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-97451 aligncenter" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Picture1.png" alt="" width="364" height="262" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Picture1.png 364w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Picture1-300x216.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 364px) 100vw, 364px" /></a></p>
<p>Now that's what I call some savings! We dropped the price of the deck down to just under $55, and yet again kept 90/100 cards from the original list. Value engineering at its finest.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Venturing for Value" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Alora, Merry Thief
*1 Far Traveler
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Abdel Adrian, Gorion&#039;s Ward
*1 Aerial Extortionist
*1 Aether Channeler
*1 Archaeomancer
*1 Brago, King Eternal
*1 Circuit Mender
*1 Cloudblazer
*1 Dawnbringer Cleric
*1 Eccentric Apprentice
*1 Flickerwisp
*1 Githzerai Monk
*1 Hama Pashar, Ruin Seeker
*1 Hero of Bretagard
*1 Imoen, Mystic Trickster
*1 Inspiring Overseer
*1 Karmic Guide
*1 Kor Cartographer
*1 Midnight Pathlighter
*1 Mistmeadow Witch
*1 Mulldrifter
*1 Myr Battlesphere
*1 Oji, the Exquisite Blade
*1 Pegasus Guardian
*1 Peregrine Drake
*1 Radiant Solar
*1 Reflector Mage
*1 Reveillark
*1 Rumor Gatherer
*1 Seasoned Dungeoneer
*1 Sludge Monster
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Soulherder
*1 Spirited Companion
*1 Sun Titan
*1 Venser, Shaper Savant
*1 Watcher for Tomorrow
*1 White Plume Adventurer
*1 Yorion, Sky Nomad
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Azorius Signet
*1 Commander&#039;s Sphere
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Golden Argosy
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Austere Command
*1 Hallowed Respite
*1 Time Wipe
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Blessed Sanctuary
*1 Candlekeep Sage
*1 Ghostly Prison
*1 Thorough Investigation
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 Blur
*1 Cloudshift
*1 Counterspell
*1 Eerie Interlude
*1 Ephemerate
*1 Generous Gift
*1 Ghostly Flicker
*1 Lae&#039;zel&#039;s Acrobatics
*1 Momentary Blink
*1 Negate
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Swords to Plowshares
[/Instants]
[Lands]
*1 Adarkar Wastes
*1 Azorius Chancery
*1 Command Tower
*1 Deserted Beach
*1 Glacial Fortress
*1 Hallowed Fountain
*1 Idyllic Beachfront
*8 Island
*13 Plains
*1 Port Town
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Reliquary Tower
*1 Sea of Clouds
*1 Temple of Enlightenment
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>Time for feedback! Did you like the dungeon idea? Is there a commander that you want to see next? Let me know in the comments and I'll see you next time when we brew for your buck!</p>


Brew for Your Buck - Venturing For Value

Achievement Unlocked - Building a Deck Around Battles

Too-Specific Top 10 - (Technically) Overcosted

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(Prism | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/dopaprime">Livia Prima</a>)</h6>
<p><em>If you're looking for more </em>Flesh and Blood<em> data and content, go check out our other sites, <a href="https://fabrec.gg/">FABREC</a> and <a href="https://spellvoid.com/">Spellvoid</a>!</em></p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Prism-Sculptor-of-Arc-Light.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-98342 aligncenter" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Prism-Sculptor-of-Arc-Light-215x300.jpg" alt="Prism Sculptor of Arc Light" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Prism-Sculptor-of-Arc-Light-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Prism-Sculptor-of-Arc-Light.jpg 546w" sizes="(max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After letting <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/MON001/prism-sculptor-of-arc-light">Prism, Sculptor of Arc Light</a> go to the eternal depths of the Living Legends status, the only option Prism players had was either turning to the dragon mommy or making the Light Illusionist hero playable in Blitz. For many, it was worth it and if you’re a Prism player who still hasn’t gotten over the fact that she’s “gone,” continue reading.</span></p>
<h2><b>What Does She Do?</b></h2>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Prism.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-98338 aligncenter" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Prism-215x300.jpg" alt="Prism" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Prism-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Prism.jpg 546w" sizes="(max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Young <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/MON002/prism">Prism</a> has 4 intellect and 20 life. She is a Light Illusionist and as such can play generic, Light, Illusionist, and Light Illusionist cards. As a once per turn instant that costs two resources, you can banish a card from Prism’s soul and create a Spectral Shield token. These babies are ward 1 auras that were made before ward was a thing.</span></p>
<h2><b>Weapon and Equipment</b></h2>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Luminaris.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-98339 aligncenter" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Luminaris-215x300.jpg" alt="Luminaris" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Luminaris-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Luminaris.jpg 546w" sizes="(max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The backbone of most Prism decks is <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/MON003/luminaris">Luminaris</a>, a beautiful Light Illusionist weapon which gives your Illusionist attacks go again with a yellow card in pitch (but you can do this with a lovely alternative, more about this later) and turns all your auras into tiny Light Kodachis. You can also use <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/MON088/iris-of-reality">Iris of Reality</a>, which turns your auras into more expensive versions of <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/CRU177/talishar-the-lost-prince">Talishar</a>, without the rust counters. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you want to go full Legendary with your equipment, <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/EVR154/arcanite-skullcap">Arcanite Skullcap</a>, <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/FAB017-GF/vestige-of-sol">Vestige of Sol</a>, and <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/MON089-CF/phantasmal-footsteps">Phantasmal Footsteps</a> are your must-haves. Other pieces of equipment you could want for your deck are <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/EVR137/crown-of-reflection">Crown of Reflection</a>, <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/CRU178/fyendals-spring-tunic">Fyendal's Spring Tunic</a>, <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/CRU179/gamblers-gloves">Gambler's Gloves</a>, or other matchup specific pieces. If you’re on a budget, <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/BOL005/halo-of-illumination">Halo of Illumination</a> is a good choice, as are <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/MON090/dream-weavers">Dream Weavers</a>, <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/LXI004/deep-blue">Deep Blue</a>, and <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/UPR152/silent-stilettos">Silent Stilettos</a>.</span></p>
<h2><b>Card That Are the Core</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are multiple ways to play Prism, but the two most popular ones are Heralds / Attack Action Prism and Aura Prism. Both of these have their pros and cons, such as the fear of your Phantasm attacks being popped or a Brute going ape on your auras. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These cards should be the backbone to Prism decks.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/MON004/herald-of-erudition">Herald of Erudition</a> is a lovely dominate attack and if it doesn’t hit and stays on the chain, you can always copy it with <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/EVR138/fractal-replication">Fractal Replication</a>. As for Auras, <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/MON005/arc-light-sentinel">Arc Light Sentinel</a> as well as <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/MON006/genesis">Genesis</a> will be your best friends.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Arc-Light-Sentinel.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-98341 aligncenter" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Arc-Light-Sentinel-215x300.jpg" alt="Arc Light Sentinel" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Arc-Light-Sentinel-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Arc-Light-Sentinel.jpg 546w" sizes="(max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now, depending on your playstyle, you might want to just go <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/PSM014/merciful-retribution">Merciful Retribution</a> + <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/MON013/ode-to-wrath">Ode to Wrath</a> and create a bunch of Spectral Shields and watch as your enemies try to figure out how to make you lose health. On the topic of OtW, it also gives your Illusionist attacks go again (remember we talked about that with Luminaris). <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/MON063/soul-shield">Soul Shield</a> is a good defense reaction as it goes straight to your soul and it is yellow, so it can be used as a pitch. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let’s take a look at the formats she can be played in and if she’s unplayable, playable, fun to play, a winner, or needs more support.</span></p>
<h2><b>Blitz</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In Blitz, time is money, and Prism has some very expensive cards that require some time to set up. She doesn’t have many zero cost cards but some attack actions she has are one cost and some auras she plays are zero cost. However, you need to be prepared to pay a pretty penny when it comes down to ALS, or really any aura you want to play as an instant. If you keep your deck pretty yellow, you’ll have no problem with this one. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another thing to keep in mind is that Prism can be played as an interrupter deck similarly to a Wizard. Your opponent plays his card and the priority switches to you - this is an important moment to think about the cards you have in hand, whether to create a Shield or to put down an aura. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a competitive player, you want to keep a rich sideboard of equipment for any and all opponents. Luckily, most of your equipment will already have Arcane Barrier and the Shields also serve as a ward. Iris Prism is still a relatively new and not-often-seen thing, so that might surprise your enemies enough to throw them off guard. Concentrate on the cards you have in your deck, read your opponent well and prep your turns in advance. Arsenal smart and think about what you can do with the next four cards you draw. You could arsenal ALS just to put him down and still have a two-card hand, or you can put down Replication and wait for a powerful combo and two resources to come to you.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Casual Prism fans and players might feel a bit disappointed when they see that they can’t let 20 damage just slide in the first few turns. Blitz Prism has to be fast and furious, but still gracious and cunning. So let your love for Solana and the first girly of the Great Library fill your heart up while you wield your Illusionist weapons and play your go again attacks. Take pleasure in every card that goes into your soul and every aura that deals damage and you’re sure to have fun with her.</span></p>
<h2><b>CC</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">R.I.P. Prism</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></i></p>
<h2><b>UPF</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is where the fun starts. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re an Ultimate Pit Fight tactician, you’re gonna want to make sure one of the people next to you doesn’t touch you. With this, you can have all the time in the world to set up your auras and be a real late-game threat. All of the tips for Blitz apply for UPF, with a dash of conversing with other players. As a Prism player, you might get the empathy of the rest of the community (after all, this is one of the very few formats where you can still play her) and then BAM - hit em with the “first attack loses phantasm +4 go again <a href="https://spellvoid.com/card/MON004/herald-of-erudition">Herald of Erudition</a>” thing. </span></p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Herald-of-Erudition.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-98344 aligncenter" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Herald-of-Erudition-215x300.jpg" alt="Herald of Erudition" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Herald-of-Erudition-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Herald-of-Erudition.jpg 546w" sizes="(max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Competitive players will enjoy Prism in UPF, but be prepared that as soon as you start putting down auras, you will be targeted. By Wizards, by neighbors, by anybody who can touch you to pop those auras. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you want to channel your inner diplomat, turn to Prism’s beauty and grace before you start punching your enemies in the face. Backstabbing is where it’s at with UPF, so don’t feel bad about it. </span></p>
<h2><b>Overall Score: Fun to Play / Winner</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you get a very tough matchup, you might not win, but you will have fun with this deck. The feeling of having an empty hand and still attacking your enemy is always nice and the potential Prism currently has is enough to put her in Living Legends a second time. Even if you’re still salty about the first time, with the right set of legendary equipment and a playset of the must-have cards in your deck, you will have fun.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As for casual players, you’ll have fun either way just playing a hero that entered the LL status in the first few years of this game’s existence. </span></p>


CnC (Casual and Competitive) - Prism - Flesh and Blood

Myth Realized - What if Any Planeswalker Could Be Your Commander? (Green)

Do Your Worst - Rakdos Enchantress

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Savannah Lions" href="#" target="_blank">Savannah Lions</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | <a href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?action=advanced&amp;artist=[%22Daniel%20Gelon%22]">Art by Daniel Gelon</a></h6>
<h1>Old Mister Johnson Had Troubles of His Own</h1>
<p>Hello, and welcome back to <em>Singleton Shmingleton</em>, where I bend the singleton rules of Commander by building decks with as many functional reprints of a certain card as possible. This week we are taking a look at a card with a lengthy pedigree in other formats. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Savannah Lions" href="#" target="_blank">Savannah Lions</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was the original aggressive one-drop, headlining White Weenie decks before red became the go-to aggro color. In the days when creatures were bad and games started slowly, a 2/1 on turn one demanded an answer, fast.</p>
<p>The Cat itself has dropped off some in the last thirty years, but it started a powerful lineage. Standard aggro decks live or die by the quality of their one-drops, and 2/1s often tie these decks together. Even at a time when White Weenie isn't at the top of any format, these little guys see play in Standard Soldier decks and Pioneer Humans decks. Outside of white, there's a certain <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer" href="#" target="_blank">monkey</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that shows up all over Modern.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Savannah Lions"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Recruitment Officer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer"></div></div>
<p>2/1 for one mana has continued to be an efficient rate in sixty-card <em>Magic</em> through decades of power creep, even if these days you're hoping for some real upside tacked on. Sadly, this is not the kind of efficiency that holds up well in Commander. Aggression in the form of small fast creatures doesn't pan out well against multiple opponents at 40 life each. Aggro decks can succeed, but they need some sort of engine that can snowball to be able to keep up with the rest of the table's development. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Savannah Lions" href="#" target="_blank">Savannah Lions</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> sees play in 1,702 decks, but that number is buffered by a lot of Cat decks and the iconic status of the card. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elite Vanguard" href="#" target="_blank">Elite Vanguard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, another vanilla version, only sees 733 decks, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Expedition Envoy" href="#" target="_blank">Expedition Envoy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which should also have the creature type boost as an Ally, only sees 681 decks. If we're going to make an engine out of these cards, we're going to need to do more than attack with them.</p>
<hr />
<h2>He Had a Yellow Cat That Wouldn't Leave His Home</h2>
<p>Every time I start thinking about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Savannah Lions" href="#" target="_blank">Savannah Lions</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> variants, my mind starts wandering over to the dark side. Specifically, into the color black. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodsoaked Champion" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodsoaked Champion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dread Wanderer" href="#" target="_blank">Dread Wanderer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gutterbones" href="#" target="_blank">Gutterbones</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? <em>These</em> are cards I would play in Commander! Recursive bodies can fuel all sorts of shenanigans, from Aristocrats strategies to <em>Dredge</em> decks. Now, for this to be a true <em>Shmingleton</em> deck, we'll have to care about more than just their general utility.</p>
<p>Anyways, here's a list of 2/1s for one in black that can recur themselves.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="He Tried and He Tried to Give the Cat Away" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="Creature
*1 &#039;Lifetime&#039; Pass Holder
*1 Bloodsoaked Champion
*1 Cult Conscript
*1 Dread Wanderer
*1 Dungeon Crawler
*1 Gravecrawler
*1 Gutterbones"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>This isn't quite enough to count on always having one, but once we add in cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodghast" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodghast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dregscape Zombie" href="#" target="_blank">Dregscape Zombie</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we're starting to reach critical mass. The best of these "lions" are quite popular, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gravecrawler" href="#" target="_blank">Gravecrawler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in 39,794 decks and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodsoaked Champion" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodsoaked Champion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> at 17,700 decks. The worst by far is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dungeon Crawler" href="#" target="_blank">Dungeon Crawler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, since we're definitely not going to put in the work for any dungeons, and it looks like no one else will either, as it sees play in only 748 decks.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="&quot;Lifetime&quot; Pass Holder"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2>He Gave it to a Man Going Far Far Away</h2>
<p>We still need a way to turn these cards into an engine, but luckily there's a perfect payoff that we can run in the command zone. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anhelo, the Painter" href="#" target="_blank">Anhelo, the Painter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets us use our tiny creatures to copy spells. Since these creatures are cheap and we can get them back, that's almost like getting a bunch of free spells! I'm surprised to find so few of these reusable 2/1s on Anhelo's EDHREC page. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodsoaked Champion" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodsoaked Champion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is only in 20% of his decks, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cult Conscript" href="#" target="_blank">Cult Conscript</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is only in 11%. These are perfect enablers for him to start copying spells every turn. Now all we have to do is fill the rest of the deck with powerful spells, and we'll be good to go.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anhelo, the Painter"></div></div>
<p>Yes, using this commander means we don't get to use the namesake <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Savannah Lions" href="#" target="_blank">Savannah Lions</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but like I said before, I can't help turning to the dark side!</p>
<p>Also, if we're truly investigating the power of consistency, shouldn't we also fill the deck with a lot of copies of the same <em>type </em>of spell? Something that can keep the engine going? Something that always feels good? That's right, this is going to become the first double episode of <em>Shmingleton</em>, because that card is <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__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Divinations" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="*1 Archmage&#039;s Charm
*1 Counsel of the Soratami
*1 Distorted Curiosity
*1 Divination
*1 Field Research
*1 Jace&#039;s Triumph
*1 Of One Mind
*1 Secrets of the Golden City
*1 Winged Words"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>I'm surprised that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winged Words" href="#" target="_blank">Winged Words</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the most played of these cards, even above <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archmage&#039;s Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Archmage&#039;s Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but two mana to draw two always feels good, I suppose. Personally I like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Of One Mind" href="#" target="_blank">Of One Mind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> the most, because two cards for one mana is a serious discount, and the stipulation isn't all that hard in the right deck. If you run any Humans that produce tokens, most of those tokens will be non-Human, and if you care about a creature type like Wizard or Rogue, you'll get a good mix of Humans and non-Humans in the deck just by accident!</p>
<p>This many <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Divination" href="#" target="_blank">Divination</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s can really churn through our deck, finding more 2/1s or more <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Divination" href="#" target="_blank">Divination</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s to keep the engine running. Even better are the four other draw-twos we'll play. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Big Score" href="#" target="_blank">Big Score</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unexpected Windfall" href="#" target="_blank">Unexpected Windfall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pirate&#039;s Pillage" href="#" target="_blank">Pirate&#039;s Pillage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seize the Spoils" href="#" target="_blank">Seize the Spoils</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> work perfectly with copy effects; we only have to pay the additional cost once, but we get twice the draws and twice the Treasure. All but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seize the Spoils" href="#" target="_blank">Seize the Spoils</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> end up being mana-neutral, so we can play whatever we've drawn right away!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Big Score"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pirate&#039;s Pillage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Seize the Spoils"></div></div>
<p>Now that we have an engine, we need to figure out what to do with it. This is one of the problems that I fall into most often in Commander: I find a way to generate value, but I don't have a next step. It feels crude to just dig into a combo or into a ridiculous finisher. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Craterhoof Behemoth" href="#" target="_blank">Craterhoof Behemoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> win the game definitively, but their power often makes it feel like they devalue all of the decisions and actions that led up to the point in the game where they're cast. I find myself wanting the endgame to be just as fun as the journey. This is a deck that draws a lot of cards, so our payoff should be a celebration of drawing cards.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chasm Skulker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Alandra, Sky Dreamer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nadir Kraken"></div></div>
<p>This is a deck that can play a grindy attrition game quite well. We can trade resources before anything spirals out of control and then keep on refilling our hands, but the deck can struggle if another player gets momentum going, and individual spot removal and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Counterspell" href="#" target="_blank">Counterspell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s stop being enough to slow things down. Many of our threats grow when we draw cards, so they can get to be pretty large, but this deck isn't built to go over the top the way some decks are.</p>
<p>The engine itself feels so good. Drawing cards is its own reward, and we can feel clever while doing it. It's actually not too hard to bring most of our 2/1s back, and they put in work as pesky attackers and as bodies. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Savannah Lions" href="#" target="_blank">Savannah Lions</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will never take over Commander, but this deck successfully exploits the stats of these kinds of creatures over and over again.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Decklist</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="But the Cat Came Back, the Very Next Day" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Anhelo, the Painter
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 &#039;Lifetime&#039; Pass Holder
*1 Alandra, Sky Dreamer
*1 Bloodghast
*1 Bloodsoaked Champion
*1 Champion of Wits
*1 Chasm Skulker
*1 Cult Conscript
*1 Dread Wanderer
*1 Dregscape Zombie
*1 Dungeon Crawler
*1 Ghoulsteed
*1 Gixian Puppeteer
*1 Gravecrawler
*1 Gurgling Anointer
*1 Gutterbones
*1 Haunted Dead
*1 Jace&#039;s Projection
*1 Mad Ratter
*1 Minn, Wily Illusionist
*1 Nadir Kraken
*1 Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
*1 Oneirophage
*1 Oona&#039;s Gatewarden
*1 Prized Amalgam
*1 Psychosis Crawler
*1 Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer
*1 Razorlash Transmogrant
*1 Scrapheap Scrounger
*1 Scrapwork Mutt
*1 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse
*1 Skyclave Shade
*1 The Locust God
*1 Thopter Mechanic
*1 Tolarian Kraken
*1 Toothy, Imaginary Friend
*1 Tormented Hero
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Archmage&#039;s Charm
*1 Big Score
*1 Counterspell
*1 Deadly Dispute
*1 Frantic Search
*1 Tainted Indulgence
*1 Thirst for Discovery
*1 Unexpected Windfall
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Chart a Course
*1 Compulsive Research
*1 Counsel of the Soratami
*1 Distorted Curiosity
*1 Divination
*1 Field Research
*1 Ghastly Discovery
*1 Jace&#039;s Triumph
*1 Of One Mind
*1 Pirate&#039;s Pillage
*1 Secrets of the Golden City
*1 Seize the Spoils
*1 Winged Words
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Dimir Signet
*1 Izzet Signet
*1 Rakdos Signet
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Thought Vessel
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Improbable Alliance
*1 Ominous Seas
[/Enchantments]
[Planeswalker]
*1 Teferi, Temporal Pilgrim
[/Planeswalker]
[Lands]
*1 Arid Mesa
*1 Blood Crypt
*1 Bloodstained Mire
*1 Bojuka Bog
*1 Command Tower
*1 Crumbling Necropolis
*1 Dragonskull Summit
*1 Drowned Catacomb
*1 Flooded Strand
6x Island
*1 Marsh Flats
*1 Misty Rainforest
*1 Mountain
*1 Polluted Delta
*1 Scalding Tarn
*1 Smoldering Marsh
*1 Steam Vents
*1 Sulfur Falls
*1 Sunken Hollow
5x Swamp
*1 Verdant Catacombs
*1 Watery Grave
*1 Wooded Foothills
*1 Xander&#039;s Lounge
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<h2>Until Next Time</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fencing Ace"></div></div>
<p>Next time, we'll be focusing on a small creature with a very strong ability: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fencing Ace" href="#" target="_blank">Fencing Ace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Did you know there are ten functional reprints of this card? We'll see if we can break them!</p>


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