Silverquill, the DisputantSilverquill, the Disputant | Art by Antonio José Manzanedo

We're finally returning to the fan favorite plane of Arcavios with Secrets of Strixhaven. This school of mages is made up of five colleges that were formed by Elder Dragons, one of which is none other than our commander for today, Silverquill, the DisputantSilverquill, the Disputant. This legend loves to trade creatures for copying instants and sorceries, which immediately sent me in the direction of a token-based strategy.

So, with all that in mind, join me Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks, as I cover a budget 99 that you can pick up for about $40 (using TCGPlayer pricing, and not including the commander, since we're still in prerelease prices.)

What Does Silverquill, the DisputantSilverquill, the Disputant Bring to the Table?

I'm incredibly excited to be able to talk about Silverquill, the DisputantSilverquill, the Disputant, because the first version of this character, Shadrix SilverquillShadrix Silverquill, is my all-time favorite commander. This time around, this legend leans more towards an Aristocrat/Spellslinger strategy.

Since that's the case, I utilized a lot instants and sorceries that add tokens to the board, as well as plenty of payoffs for having a wide army at your disposal.

Key Cards for Silverquill, the DisputantSilverquill, the Disputant

Let's kick things off with just a few of the X spells that make up this list, since they work perfectly for building up your ranks, while also being great to copy in exchange for sacrificing a token.

X Spell Token Makers

• United FrontUnited Front: Here's one of the more expensive cards in the deck, that does a few very useful things for this strategy. Not only does it make you a whole lot of tokens, but it also pumps up your entire board. Plus, copying it will give you double the tokens and two +1/+1 counters on everything.
• Blot Out the SkyBlot Out the Sky: This spell can be backbreaking for the other decks at the table, while leaving you relatively untouched. Building up a board of flyers is very beneficial for getting into the late game, since their evasion can push damage through your opponents' defenses.
• Horn of ValhallaHorn of Valhalla: I almost skipped past this card while building the deck, until I realized that it could simply end games. It floods your board with tokens, and then be equipped to Silverquill, turning it into a way to take out players with commander damage.

Token Generation with Modality

• Aerith Rescue MissionAerith Rescue Mission: This common is a great example of a spell that makes tokens, while having another use. If you already have plenty of attackers, copying this card in order to tap six creatures could just close out a game.
• Will of the MarduWill of the Mardu: Here's a card that could does some crazy things in the list. The removal it offers is great, but the fact this this could double your tokens, and then double them again at instant speed, is what makes this card so strong.
• Season of the BurrowSeason of the Burrow: Removal, recursion, and token creation is all combined together on this card. Plus, if you copy it, you can choose a wide range of its effects in order to get multiple uses for the five mana you spent on it.

Consistent Token Makers

• Skrelv's HiveSkrelv's Hive: While instants and sorceries are great for this deck, since you can possibly copy them, having some permanents like this enchantment allows you to have a solid stream of tokens on your board at all times.
• Baron Bertram GraywaterBaron Bertram Graywater: This legend brings a whole lot to this list. Not only does it offer up more tokens as the game goes on, it also allows you to trade some in for card advantage.
• Monastery MentorMonastery Mentor: Here's a classic token maker that also adds some prowess to the mix. Those Monks are perfect for a deck that's looking to sling some spells, since they make for some even stronger attackers as the game goes on.

Ways to Buff Your Board

• For the Emperor!For the Emperor!: Sure, these types of pump spells aren't as strong as a card like Craterhoof BehemothCraterhoof Behemoth, but they can still win games. If you copy this spell, your wide board is now getting +4/+4, as well as vigilance and lifelink. That's a massive life total swing right there.
• Zealous PersecutionZealous Persecution: Here's a card that doesn't see much play in Commander but will be brutal in the deck. Copying it will give your opponents' boards -2/-2, and yours +2/+2. If you're facing another token deck, there's a good chance their board will be decimated after this.
• KinbindingKinbinding: If you're looking for a big pump, turn after turn, then this enchantment is for you. Not only does it buff your entire board as you make more tokens, but it also gives you a Kithkin at the start of your combat, filling out your ranks.

Card Advantage

• StargazeStargaze: As I mentioned before, X spells are great to copy, since you get their effect twice. In the case of this spell, if X equals four, you'll dig a total of sixteen cards deep, picking out the best eight to go into your hand (resolving them one after the other, of course.)
• Tempt with BunniesTempt with Bunnies While this card may give out some tokens to your opponents, it can also fill out your board, while refilling your hand. I've always wanted to see what people do when they get tempted by bunnies, twice.
• Eviscerator's InsightEviscerator's Insight When you copy a spell like this one, you don't have to pay its alternative costs for the copy. Which means you could cast this, sacrifice a creature, then use your commander's casualty ability to copy it again, making two Treasures and drawing four cards for only two mana.

Draining the Table

• Mirkwood BatsMirkwood Bats Here's a creature that has led to countless game-ending turns, and will do the same for this deck. Now whenever you make a huge number of tokens, and anytime you sacrifice one of them, you'll be lowering everyone else's life totals.
• Elas il-Kor, Sadistic PilgrimElas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim: This legend will drain the table when your creatures die, while also gaining you a whole lot of life over the course of the game. Making for a great turn two play in any of your games.
• Venerated StormsingerVenerated Stormsinger: Token creation and draining the table is what this uncommon brings to the deck. If you ever get caught on an empty board, this Cleric will help build you back up to your original power, offering up sacrifice fodder and padding your life total.

Silverquill, the Disputant Commander Deck List

My Final Thoughts on Silverquill, the Disputant

Well, there you have it, my list for Silverquill, the DisputantSilverquill, the Disputant. As I said before, this is one of my favorite characters in all of Magic, so it truly was an honor to get to build a deck for this new form of his. I hope you enjoyed this list, because I had a blast making it.

If you're looking for more budget content from me, you can find it right here on EDHREC as well as on my YouTube channel The Pillow Fort, where you can check out a deck tech for my personal Shadrix Silverquill list.