Just for fun, try going into an IKEA, buying a few things at random, then dumping all the parts in one pile and throwing away the instructions. See what you come up with, Ludevic-style.
Kraum. Two heads. Three arms. Ten eyes? When it comes to body parts: waste not, want not.
For starters, [card]Kraum, Ludevic's Opus[/card] is a 4/4 with flying and haste. With a healthy power increase, that has the potential to kill opponents by accumulating 21 commander damage in a reasonable time. But wait, there's more.
Whenever an opponent casts his or her second spell each turn, draw a card.
One approach to make this ability trigger more often is to include global mana cost reducers that also benefit your opponents, such as [card]Helm of Awakening[/card], [card]Urza's Filter[/card], and [card]Arcane Melee[/card]. Personally, I'm not a big proponent of doing things that benefit my opponents, but if you can handle the politics of a group hug strategy, then these cards are an option. Be aware that with this approach you might be wrecked by helping three other combo decks go off before you can cast your commander. I'm going to consider Kraum's card draw ability an occasional bonus that happens from time to time without going out of my way to help it along.
Don't forget the ability, though. You'll have to be more vigilant during opponent turns when they cast to see whether they already cast a spell that turn or not.
Behold! In this article, I'm going to build two Kraum decks along different lines.
First, a follow up to a past notion...
Ludevic Flavor
In my previous Ludevic article, I briefly considered the idea of a theme-heavy blue/red deck with [card]Ludevic, Necro-Alchemist[/card] as the second partner. At the time, it seemed that such a deck would focus more on Kraum than Ludevic, but after looking deeper I don't think the predicted focus holds. After all, we get more card results by searching for "Ludevic" than we do "Kraum".
Gatherer search: Name: AND Ludevic, Color: NOT white black green (4 results)
If we are going deep on a theme for a particular character, we can also search the flavor text and get cards with interesting references or quotes.
Gatherer search: Flavor Text: AND Ludevic, Color: NOT white black green (10 results)
If we are going along the lines of an Izzet spellslinger deck similar to [card]Mizzix of the Izmagnus[/card], then [card]Rise from the Tides[/card] might be somewhat effective, comparable to [card]Army of the Damned[/card] if the deck has the right composition of card types.
"Dear brother, it's sweet that you have chosen to share your toys with Ludevic, but I too have found some new playmates."—Ghoulcaller Gisa
[card]Bone to Ash[/card] is a perhaps over-costed counter and cantrip combination that could fill a hole in the mana curve for your spellslinger deck's flavorful [card]Brain in a Jar[/card].
"I can think of worse ways to go. On second thought, maybe not."—Ludevic, necro-alchemist
Speaking of the flavor of brains...
We could expand our options by expanding our search to include Geralf, which shifts the deck further in the direction of zombie (horror) tribal. Like Ludevic, the character [card]Stitcher Geralf[/card] is a legendary human wizard in blue who likes making zombies out of spare parts.
Gatherer search: Name: AND Geralf, Color: NOT white black green (3 results)
Gatherer search: Flavor Text: AND Geralf, Color: NOT white black green (10 results)
There are a few search results that reference both of these wizard characters on the same card. Unfortunately, some of these are ultimately vanilla creatures without any EDH-worthy rules text, like [card]Lupine Prototype[/card] and [card]Seagraf Skaab[/card]. Despite the flavor, one has to be extremely committed to a theme to include vanilla creatures in an EDH deck. While [card]Lupine Prototype[/card] is aggressively costed for a 2 mana 5/5, the rules text requires some effort or circumstance to be as good as a vanilla creature. Likewise, [card]Ludevic's Test Subject[/card] has to do some work in order to transform into [card]Ludevic's Abomination[/card], which is "just" a 13/13 trampler.
"Your recent work is an inspiration. I have the utmost respect for your approach, and your craft is impeccable. At your convenience, I would be honored to collaborate on a project."—Ludevic, letter to Geralf
The popular [card]Rooftop Storm[/card] is used in 2128 decks, which is more decks than a lot of commanders have. [card]Forgotten Creation[/card] is used mainly in [card]Gisa and Geralf[/card] (365 decks), but it also sees play in 78 [card]Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind[/card] and 47 [card]Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix[/card] decks which each have their own ways of weaponizing that upkeep hand cycle. [card]Stitchwing Skaab[/card], [card]Advanced Stitchwing[/card], and [card]Geralf's Masterpiece[/card] can recur themselves out of the graveyard by discarding more cards into your graveyard. As a bonus they are also flying zombie horrors, so Kraum will have some agreeable company up there.
The Flavor Deck
Kraum + Ludevic (+ Geralf): Flavor Country
View on ArchidektCommanders (2)
- 1 Kraum, Ludevic's OpusKraum, Ludevic's Opus
- 1 Ludevic, Necro-AlchemistLudevic, Necro-Alchemist
Creatures (24)
- 1 Furtive HomunculusFurtive Homunculus
- 1 Goblin ElectromancerGoblin Electromancer
- 1 Ludevic's Test SubjectLudevic's Test Subject
- 1 Lupine PrototypeLupine Prototype
- 1 Screeching SkaabScreeching Skaab
- 1 Seagraf SkaabSeagraf Skaab
- 1 Thing in the IceThing in the Ice
- 1 Armored SkaabArmored Skaab
- 1 GuttersnipeGuttersnipe
- 1 Headless SkaabHeadless Skaab
- 1 Scrapskin DrakeScrapskin Drake
- 1 Skaab RuinatorSkaab Ruinator
- 1 Forgotten CreationForgotten Creation
- 1 Makeshift MaulerMakeshift Mauler
- 1 Stitchwing SkaabStitchwing Skaab
- 1 Advanced StitchwingAdvanced Stitchwing
- 1 Docent of PerfectionDocent of Perfection
- 1 Geralf's MasterpieceGeralf's Masterpiece
- 1 Narstad ScrapperNarstad Scrapper
- 1 Relentless SkaabsRelentless Skaabs
- 1 Stitcher GeralfStitcher Geralf
- 1 Geralf's MindcrusherGeralf's Mindcrusher
- 1 Havengul SkaabHavengul Skaab
- 1 Skaab GoliathSkaab Goliath
Instants (16)
- 1 BrainstormBrainstorm
- 1 Thought ScourThought Scour
- 1 ReverberateReverberate
- 1 ReiterateReiterate
- 1 CapsizeCapsize
- 1 Cerebral VortexCerebral Vortex
- 1 Chaos WarpChaos Warp
- 1 Frantic SearchFrantic Search
- 1 Bone to AshBone to Ash
- 1 TurnaboutTurnabout
- 1 RewindRewind
- 1 AetherizeAetherize
- 1 Fact or FictionFact or Fiction
- 1 Insidious WillInsidious Will
- 1 Wild RicochetWild Ricochet
- 1 Cyclonic RiftCyclonic Rift
Sorceries (13)
- 1 PonderPonder
- 1 PreordainPreordain
- 1 Rite of ReplicationRite of Replication
- 1 Wash OutWash Out
- 1 BriberyBribery
- 1 Mana GeyserMana Geyser
- 1 VandalblastVandalblast
- 1 SpelltwineSpelltwine
- 1 Recurring InsightRecurring Insight
- 1 Rise from the TidesRise from the Tides
- 1 Time SpiralTime Spiral
- 1 Volcanic VisionVolcanic Vision
- 1 Epic ExperimentEpic Experiment
Artifacts (6)
- 1 Sol RingSol Ring
- 1 Hero's BladeHero's Blade
- 1 Brain in a JarBrain in a Jar
- 1 Izzet SignetIzzet Signet
- 1 Pyromancer's GogglesPyromancer's Goggles
- 1 Sphinx-Bone WandSphinx-Bone Wand
Enchantments (1)
- 1 Rooftop StormRooftop Storm
Lands (38)
- 1 Command TowerCommand Tower
- 1 Reflecting PoolReflecting Pool
- 1 Exotic OrchardExotic Orchard
- 1 Sulfur FallsSulfur Falls
- 1 Steam VentsSteam Vents
- 1 Shivan ReefShivan Reef
- 1 Spinerock KnollSpinerock Knoll
- 1 Cascade BluffsCascade Bluffs
- 1 Boseiju, Who Shelters AllBoseiju, Who Shelters All
- 1 Homeward PathHomeward Path
- 1 Reliquary TowerReliquary Tower
- 1 Rogue's PassageRogue's Passage
- 1 Temple of the False GodTemple of the False God
- 1 Shinka, the Bloodsoaked KeepShinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep
- 12 MountainMountain
- 12 IslandIsland
Back to the subject of zombies...
Zombie Tribal
Some of the recent sets have added excellent new options for zombie tribal decks. The Commander's Brew podcast had a post-Amonkhet episode about Esper Zombies using [card]Ravos, Soultender[/card] and [card]Silas Renn, Seeker Adept[/card] to add Amonkhet's white zombies to the traditional blue/black zombie tribal mix. Even though he is a human cleric, Ravos does seem fitting for a zombie deck due to the act of dragging a creature back from the graveyard on your upkeep. Silas Renn... not so much.
Kraum happens to be a zombie that adds blue (and red as a bonus) to Ravos/white black for the possibility of a four-color zombie tribal deck.
I want that.
We can get a headstart by looking at [card]Thraximundar[/card] (568 decks) or [card]Lord of Tresserhorn[/card] (147 decks) for zombies in blue, red, and black. Even without any Advanced Filters, the popular approach for both of them already seems to have a zombie focus.
Let's check to see if [card]Daxos the Returned[/card] (626 decks) could conceivably add some zombie white. We would have to tweak the filters in favor of Daxos's zombie side instead of the inherent enchantment focus. The first two zombies listed ([card]Grim Guardian[/card] and [card]Agent of Erebos[/card]) are also the only zombies listed and they still care about enchantments. Adding a filter to search Daxos decks that include both of those cards gives 122 deck results. We don't find many more zombies this way, but we are reminded that [card]Anointed Procession[/card] exists.
The Zombie Deck
Other than Ravos, every creature and planeswalker in this deck has the word "zombie" on it somewhere. Five out the eight enchantments and half of the sorceries say "zombie". The cards that do not specifically have a "zombie" do have names or artwork that are thematic for the undead, such as [card]Debt to the Deathless[/card], [card]Grave Pact[/card], and [card]Anointed Procession[/card] (of zombies). No really, the art has a procession of mummified zombies. It fits! We could run [card]Nim Deathmantle[/card] to make all our zombies even more redundantly zombified, but instead this runs [card]Unscythe, Killer of Kings[/card] to zombify everyone else's creatures in the style of [card]Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet[/card].
[card]Living Death[/card] and [card]Living End[/card] get a special mention for their interaction with [card]Leyline of the Void[/card]. Speaking of which, I think it sure would [card]Traumatize[/card] a lot of people if they were attacked by a horde of zombies... so that one is thematic too, right? Even if you [card]Traumatize[/card] yourself right before the [card]Living End[/card] counters expire and your graveyard vomits forth half your deck's zombies onto the battlefield at once? Yeah? Work with me here. Ok fine, [card]Traumatize[/card] someone else and then target them with a [card]Necromancer's Covenant[/card] for a dozen zombie tokens with lifelink. That's if there is no Leyline out, otherwise all the [card]Traumatize[/card] did was vaporize half an opponent's library directly into exile, and what cruel, monstrous genius would do such a terrible thing?
Kraum + Ravos: Four-Color Zombies
View on ArchidektCommanders (2)
- 1 Kraum, Ludevic's OpusKraum, Ludevic's Opus
- 1 Ravos, SoultenderRavos, Soultender
Creatures (35)
- 1 GravecrawlerGravecrawler
- 1 Binding MummyBinding Mummy
- 1 Relentless DeadRelentless Dead
- 1 Wayward ServantWayward Servant
- 1 AnathemancerAnathemancer
- 1 Cemetery ReaperCemetery Reaper
- 1 Death BaronDeath Baron
- 1 Diregraf CaptainDiregraf Captain
- 1 Diregraf ColossusDiregraf Colossus
- 1 Fleshbag MarauderFleshbag Marauder
- 1 Lich Lord of UnxLich Lord of Unx
- 1 Lord of the AccursedLord of the Accursed
- 1 Plague BelcherPlague Belcher
- 1 Shepherd of RotShepherd of Rot
- 1 Unbreathing HordeUnbreathing Horde
- 1 Zombie MasterZombie Master
- 1 Gisa and GeralfGisa and Geralf
- 1 Kalitas, Traitor of GhetKalitas, Traitor of Ghet
- 1 Lord of TresserhornLord of Tresserhorn
- 1 Undead WarchiefUndead Warchief
- 1 Vengeful DeadVengeful Dead
- 1 Vizier of Many FacesVizier of Many Faces
- 1 Corpse HarvesterCorpse Harvester
- 1 Ghoulcaller GisaGhoulcaller Gisa
- 1 Gray Merchant of AsphodelGray Merchant of Asphodel
- 1 Grimgrin, Corpse-BornGrimgrin, Corpse-Born
- 1 Havengul LichHavengul Lich
- 1 Noxious GhoulNoxious Ghoul
- 1 Stitcher GeralfStitcher Geralf
- 1 Grave TitanGrave Titan
- 1 HelldozerHelldozer
- 1 Mikaeus, the UnhallowedMikaeus, the Unhallowed
- 1 Noosegraf MobNoosegraf Mob
- 1 Pontiff of BlightPontiff of Blight
- 1 ThraximundarThraximundar
Sorceries (8)
- 1 Living EndLiving End
- 1 Living DeathLiving Death
- 1 TraumatizeTraumatize
- 1 Syphon FleshSyphon Flesh
- 1 From Under the FloorboardsFrom Under the Floorboards
- 1 Zombie ApocalypseZombie Apocalypse
- 1 Army of the DamnedArmy of the Damned
- 1 Debt to the DeathlessDebt to the Deathless
Artifacts (7)
- 1 Sol RingSol Ring
- 1 Izzet SignetIzzet Signet
- 1 Orzhov SignetOrzhov Signet
- 1 Chromatic LanternChromatic Lantern
- 1 Hero's BladeHero's Blade
- 1 Unscythe, Killer of KingsUnscythe, Killer of Kings
- 1 Coat of ArmsCoat of Arms
Enchantments (8)
- 1 Graf HarvestGraf Harvest
- 1 Anointed ProcessionAnointed Procession
- 1 Leyline of the VoidLeyline of the Void
- 1 Endless Ranks of the DeadEndless Ranks of the Dead
- 1 Grave PactGrave Pact
- 1 Liliana's MasteryLiliana's Mastery
- 1 Necromancer's CovenantNecromancer's Covenant
- 1 Rooftop StormRooftop Storm
Planeswalkers (2)
- 1 Liliana, the Last HopeLiliana, the Last Hope
- 1 Liliana, Death's MajestyLiliana, Death's Majesty
Lands (38)
- 1 Command TowerCommand Tower
- 1 Reflecting PoolReflecting Pool
- 1 Exotic OrchardExotic Orchard
- 1 Cavern of SoulsCavern of Souls
- 1 Homeward PathHomeward Path
- 1 Reliquary TowerReliquary Tower
- 1 Rogue's PassageRogue's Passage
- 1 Temple of the False GodTemple of the False God
- 1 Cradle of the AccursedCradle of the Accursed
- 1 Unholy GrottoUnholy Grotto
- 1 Blood CryptBlood Crypt
- 1 Godless ShrineGodless Shrine
- 1 Hallowed FountainHallowed Fountain
- 1 Sacred FoundrySacred Foundry
- 1 Steam VentsSteam Vents
- 1 Watery GraveWatery Grave
- 1 Clifftop RetreatClifftop Retreat
- 1 Dragonskull SummitDragonskull Summit
- 1 Drowned CatacombDrowned Catacomb
- 1 Glacial FortressGlacial Fortress
- 1 Isolated ChapelIsolated Chapel
- 1 Sulfur FallsSulfur Falls
- 1 Minamo, School at Water's EdgeMinamo, School at Water's Edge
- 1 Shizo, Death's StorehouseShizo, Death's Storehouse
- 1 Bojuka BogBojuka Bog
- 1 Urborg, Tomb of YawgmothUrborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
- 1 Cabal CoffersCabal Coffers
- 1 Crypt of AgadeemCrypt of Agadeem
- 2 SwampSwamp
- 3 PlainsPlains
- 3 MountainMountain
- 2 IslandIsland
Next time: [card]Reyhan, Last of the Abzan[/card]
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