Spectacular Spider-ManSpectacular Spider-Man | Art by Julian Totino Tedesco

Hello, Commander fanatics and Spidey fans. Are you as excited as I am to play with Marvel's Spider-Man (SPM) cards? I'm looking forward to Miles MoralesMiles Morales, Gwen StacyGwen Stacy, and other Marvel characters appearing in a game of Commander.

Moreover, SPM's most sought-after Hero cards are the borderless textured foil Spectacular Spider-ManSpectacular Spider-Man cards. Pulling a coveted Bombastic Bag-Man or Future Foundation Suit variant could make you a few hundred dollars richer. Fortunately, you can obtain a normal art Spectacular Spider-ManSpectacular Spider-Man borderless foil for considerably less.

No matter which Spectacular Spider-Man card you choose to play, it can serve as an exciting mono-white commander. Today, I'd like to talk to you about Spectacular Spider-Man leading a Human kindred Commander deck.

What Does Spectacular Spider-ManSpectacular Spider-Man Do?

Spectacular Spider-ManSpectacular Spider-Man is a low-curve Spider Human Hero with some useful abilities. You can play Spectacular Spider-Man at instant speed because of flash, and give it flying until end of turn for .

Furthermore, paying and sacrificing Spectacular Spider-Man to give your creatures hexproof and indestructible for a turn is quite heroic.

Interestingly, white has other creatures capable of gifting indestructibility. Boromir, Warden of the TowerBoromir, Warden of the Tower is a 3/3 with vigilance for that can sacrifice itself to save your team. Boromir can also counter a spell an opponent casts if it was cast for no mana. While Boromir, Warden of the Tower possesses fantastic support abilities, it lacks offensive prowess.

Lena, Selfless ChampionLena, Selfless Champion is another white creature that can protect your army. Though six mana is daunting, Lena can enter with a slew of 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens.

In addition, Lena's sacrifice ability differs from Spectacular Spider-Man and Boromir in that it only grants indestructibility to your creatures with power less than its power. This is fine with tons of 1/1 or 2/2 creature tokens under your control, but not when playing larger threats.

Thankfully, Spectacular Spider-Man doesn't have the same limitations as Boromir or Lena. It can fly over blockers to deal commander damage and protect creatures of any power.

Let's continue our discussion by highlighting several key cards for the 99.

Key Cards for Spectacular Spider-ManSpectacular Spider-Man

Elite Humans

You can't build a Human kindred deck without Thalia's LieutenantThalia's Lieutenant. Moreover, distributing +1/+1 counters and potentially growing Thalia's Lieutenant for only two mana is outstanding.

Better yet, you can retrieve Thalia's Lieutenant from the graveyard with Daily Bugle ReportersDaily Bugle Reporters. If you want to take Thalia's Lieutenant's enters ability to the next level, double it with Peter Parker's CameraPeter Parker's Camera or Elesh Norn, Mother of MachinesElesh Norn, Mother of Machines.

Another must-include Human is Cosmogrand ZenithCosmogrand Zenith. Honestly, I can't stop talking about Cosmogrand Zenith to fellow players. Casting two spells on any turn nets you two 1/1 white Human Soldier creature tokens or gives +1/+1 counters to your creatures — amazing! Both choices are helpful depending on the game state.

Wizards of the Coast clearly wanted to push the stats for Cosmogrand Zenith, considering its casting cost and rarity.

Although Greymond, Avacyn's StalwartGreymond, Avacyn's Stalwart is a pricy card, its abilities are astonishing. First, Greymond grants Humans you control two abilities between lifelink, vigilance, and first strike. Second, it provides a +2/+2 buff to all of your Humans if you control four or more (including itself).

Four mana for a Human lord providing multiple abilities and a buff is an incredible value.

Creature Token Makers

Getting to four Humans is easier with creature token makers. Lossarnach CaptainLossarnach Captain is a fine card that creates a 1/1 white Human Soldier creature token during each of your upkeeps.

In addition, tapping an opponent's creature during combat is relevant, and receiving a free Human Soldier creature token assists with triggering the abilities of Cosmogrand Zenith and Spider-UKSpider-UK.

When you want to make Human creature tokens, Horn of GondorHorn of Gondor is your answer. It gifts a creature token upon entering, but its activated ability is the real prize. You can pay and tap it to create X 1/1 white Human Soldier creature tokens, where X is the number of Humans you control.

Notably, Horn of Gondor's ability doubles the number of Human creatures currently under your control.

While not a repeatable source of creature tokens, Friendly NeighborhoodFriendly Neighborhood is a standout SPM card. Four mana for three 1/1 green and white Human Citizen creature tokens and an enchantment is a reasonable use of mana. However, Friendly Neighborhood becomes more alluring due to its activated ability.

Tapping the enchanted land plus one mana to give Spectacular Spider-Man (or any creature) +1/+1 until the end of the turn for each creature you control at sorcery speed can be massive. Pair Friendly Neighborhood with Horn of Gondor to make Spectacular Spider-Man a ginormous threat.

Spidey's Friends

You can't make Spider-Man your commander without including a few friends from SPM. Silver Sable, Mercenary LeaderSilver Sable, Mercenary Leader and Daily Bugle ReportersDaily Bugle Reporters gift+1/+1 counters and provide additional value.

Even more value comes from Spider-UKSpider-UK, which can gain you two life and a card when two or more creatures enter on your turn.

One SPM card worth mentioning may not be as friendly as your neighborhood Spider-Man. Anti-Venom, Horrifying HealerAnti-Venom, Horrifying Healer is a high-powered card with a casting cost of . Casting it resurrects your best creature in the graveyard, and it gets a +1/+1 counter with every point of damage received.

Your opponents will struggle with removing Anti-Venom from the battlefield due to its damage-negating ability, and the protection spells we'll talk about next.

Protection

We can't rely on Spectacular Spider-Man to save the day every time. As such, we'll want to run cards like And They Shall Know No FearAnd They Shall Know No Fear and Flare of FortitudeFlare of Fortitude.

I'm impressed by And They Shall Know No Fear; giving your Humans +1/+0 and indestructibility is useful when defending, attacking, or nullifying a board wipe.

On the other hand, Flare of Fortitude is mainly defensive. Also, you shouldn't have an issue casting Flare of Fortitude for zero mana in a pinch.

Although Bastion ProtectorBastion Protector doesn't protect the whole team, it does serve a purpose. Bastion Protector turns Spectacular Spider-Man into a 5/4 indestructible (and flyable) attacker.

How Does Spectacular Spider-ManSpectacular Spider-Man Win?

+1/+1 Counters

To consistently turn Spectacular Spider-Man and fellow allies into sizable threats, the deck contains a +1/+1 counters sub-theme. Cathars' CrusadeCathars' Crusade is a white Commander staple that distributes +1/+1 counters with ease. Further, its ability is amplified by Lae'zel, Vlaakith's ChampionLae'zel, Vlaakith's Champion.

Lae'zel isn't a Human, but doubling the number of +1/+1 counters provided by Cathars' Crusade is fantastic. Lae'zel also doubles +1/+1 counters given by Metallic MimicMetallic Mimic, Thalia's Lieutenant, and Cosmogrand Zenith.

In case you reach a stalemate, Abzan FalconerAbzan Falconer may be of service. You have plenty of ways to place +1/+1 counters, so why not give your creatures flying? Windmill slamming Abzan Falconer with Cathars' Crusade on your battlefield could be game-ending for your opponents.

Finishers

Although +1/+1 counters are a fine strategy, a backup plan doesn't hurt either. Finishers such as Mirror EntityMirror Entity can close games.

I've been playing Mirror Entity in kindred decks for a long time. Plowing five mana into its activated ability turns your 1/1 Human creature tokens into monstrous 5/5s. Moreover, mana available for Mirror Entity's ability should make your opponents think twice before attacking you or blocking your troops.

When it comes to increasing your creatures' size, consider Moonshaker CavalryMoonshaker Cavalry. White's version of Craterhoof BehemothCraterhoof Behemoth has one purpose: to eliminate your opponents. Trample may push damage through blockers, but flying can get around them.

Hopefully you've amassed (and protected) a bunch of Humans by the time you can cast Moonshaker Calvary.

Speaking of flying, Akroma's WillAkroma's Will is capable of winning games in the air. Without your commander present, you can attack with creatures possessing flying, double strike, and vigilance, or lifelink, indestructible, and protection from all colors. Controlling your commander means your creatures gain all of these abilities to devastate opponents.

Your array of finishers can turn a problematic situation into a decisive victory.

Spectacular Spider-Man Commander Deck List

Fear not, budget-conscious players. You don't need to run the priciest white cards to win with Spectacular Spider-Man.

Regarding your mana base, Lotus FieldLotus Field, Adagia, Windswept BastionAdagia, Windswept Bastion, and Nykthos, Shrine to NyxNykthos, Shrine to Nyx aren't mandatory. You can save some money by swapping them with cards like Minas TirithMinas Tirith, Eiganjo, Seat of the EmpireEiganjo, Seat of the Empire, and Temple of the False GodTemple of the False God.

Two other nice-to-have cards are Trouble in PairsTrouble in Pairs and Greymond, Avacyn's StalwartGreymond, Avacyn's Stalwart. They're excellent white cards, but you can run something else. Perhaps Smuggler's ShareSmuggler's Share or Beregond of the GuardBeregond of the Guard?

Feel free to add more SPM cards or removal spells; your options are near limitless!

More Spider-Man: