Splinter, Radical RatSplinter, Radical Rat | Art by Manuel Castañón

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle's are making their way to Magic in a few weeks, and judging by what we've seen from the set so far, we're in for a full-on Ninja invasion. One of the first possible commanders that caught my eye while looking over the previews was Splinter, Radical RatSplinter, Radical Rat. Doubling triggers has always been a powerful effect to build around, and it got my brewing mind going right away.

When I returned to playing Magic back in 2019, the first deck I built was around Yuriko, the Tiger's ShadowYuriko, the Tiger's Shadow. Many players, myself included, know just how overpowered that commander can be and I've considered changing the deck up for a while. With Splinter, Radical RatSplinter, Radical Rat now on his way, I'm making that switch.

So join me, Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks, as I cover a full budget 99 centered around everyone's favorite rodent mentor for about $40 (based on TCGPlayer pricing, and excluding the commander, since it's still at presale prices).

What Does Splinter, Radical RatSplinter, Radical Rat Do?

As you look over the different Ninja in this deck, you'll see just how many of them have powerful triggers that Splinter, Radical RatSplinter, Radical Rat will be excited to double. But don't overlook is his second ability. Spending two mana to make a member of your team unblockable is a great rate, and honestly just what a Ninja deck needs.

Typically, in a deck like this, you'll ninjutsu a creature in, get its effect, and then it just sits there as the game goes on. Giving evasion to a key member of your team is a way to help it break through your opponents' defenses turn after turn.

Key Cards for Splinter, Radical RatSplinter, Radical Rat

Let's get right into the cards that make this deck so impressive, even on a budget.

Ninja With Card Advantage

• Yuriko, the Tiger's ShadowYuriko, the Tiger's Shadow: Making her way into this list is the current ruling champion of Ninja decks. Luckily, this card fits in the budget right now, and it's even more deadly when you get to double those triggers for each Ninja that hits your opponents.
• Nashi, Moon Sage's ScionNashi, Moon Sage's Scion: Here's another legend that's on the pricier side, but gives this deck access to a few effects that you might not have in your arsenal. Which is worth the price, since it heightens your deck's impact on a game.
• Ingenious InfiltratorIngenious Infiltrator: This Ninja is a great way to refill your hand out of nowhere. If your commander was able to give evasion to your board, and then you ninjutsu this in, you'll be drawing two cards for each member of your team that hits an opponent.

• Ninja of the Deep HoursNinja of the Deep Hours: Even though this creature only draws you a card when it itself hits a player, or two cards with Splinter out, that's still a beneficial outcome, especially when you can drop it down for only two mana and replace an unblocked creature.
• Satoru UmezawaSatoru Umezawa: While I know that most players may only view this legend as a way to drop giant creatures into play for far less than their mana costs, it's mainly in this deck to double that AnticipateAnticipate-esque effect whenever you ninjutsu something in.
• Satoru, the InfiltratorSatoru, the Infiltrator: Speaking of gaining card advantage when you ninjutsu a creature into play, this second version of Satoru is amazing for refilling your hand. Now whenever a Ninja enters in place of an attacker, you'll draw two cards.

Ninja With Great Abilities To Double

• Thousand-Faced ShadowThousand-Faced Shadow Since this deck is centered around your Ninja with great triggers, why not get more copies of them onto your board? Plus, this creature's ability is another trigger for Splinter to copy when it enters the battlefield.
• Prosperous ThiefProsperous Thief: Here's a way for the deck to flood the board with Treasure tokens. Think of this scenario: If you only have three Ninja deal damage to your opponents while this creature and your commander are on the board, then you'll make six Treasures in a single combat.
• Mistblade ShinobiMistblade Shinobi: This creature is going to be the bane of some people's plans. Bouncing someone's creature whenever you hit them can disrupt a player's board over and over again, keeping them on their backfoot.

• Saiba CryptomancerSaiba Cryptomancer: A key thing to note with this card is that its backup ability is a trigger, which means your commander can copy it. Handing out hexproof and a counter at flash speed could save you in a key moment.
• Dokuchi SilencerDokuchi Silencer: Something I haven't highlighted yet are the many cheap evasive creatures that make up this list that assist you with ninjutsu-ing your threats into play. Once you do have your Ninja on the board, those smaller creatures could be used as discard fodder in order to destroy some scary things across the table.
• Bloodline PretenderBloodline Pretender: The playstyle of this deck is centered around Ninja hitting the battlefield, which'll grow this creature with counters. Once your commander is out, it'll get twice that many counters and deal a lot of damage when Splinter gives it evasion.

Synergistic Support Cards

• Etchings of the ChosenEtchings of the Chosen: Naming Ninja when this comes into play will set you up to be dealing more damage and offering you a way to protect your board as the game goes on. Which all makes your deck even more resilient.
• Ninja's BladesNinja's Blades: Here's a card that's such a perfect inclusion in the deck. It comes in attached to a token, but it could also be re-equipped to another evasive creature in order to turn it into a Ninja and double those triggers.
• Nerd RageNerd Rage: I know I've covered a lot of the card advantage spells in this deck already, but I've barely scratched the surface with this list. There's over twenty ways to put cards into your hand with this list. So, having ten or more cards in your hand isn't far-fetched, meaning that you can be hitting for a whole lot of damage with this Aura.

• Momo, Playful PetMomo, Playful Pet: Who knew that Momo would be such a great member of a Ninja gang? This is one of the best creatures to ninjutsu away turn after turn, since it gives you a wide variety of effects when it leaves play.
• Gossip's TalentGossip's Talent: Smoothing out your card draw with that surveil is going to be great, but leveling this up in order to allow a smaller creature to swing in freely each turn will pay off majorly for you in the long run.
• GraveshifterGraveshifter: Here's an honorary Ninja that hits play and brings you back two creatures when your commander is out. Which is very strong, especially if you become the enemy at the table.

Splinter, Radical Rat Commander Deck List

In Closing

Well, there you have it, my budget 99 for Splinter, Radical RatSplinter, Radical Rat that you can pick up for about $40. I hope this got you excited to see some more of the new Ninja that will be entering the format thanks to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set, because this deck will be sure to gain even more great options.

If you're looking for bonus budget content from me, you can check out my YouTube channel The Pillow Fort, or read a few more of my articles right here on EDHREC.