Mechanical Memories - A History of Gifting

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breena, the Demagogue" href="#" target="_blank">Breena, the Demagogue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/simondominic">Simon Dominic</a>)</h6>
<h1>Brew-na, the Deck-a-gogue</h1>
<p>Welcome to <em>Challenge the Stats</em>! This series is based on the awesome <a href="https://edhrecast.libsyn.com/">EDHRECast</a> segment where we pick out cards that we think are overplayed, underplayed, or sleepers to challenge EDHREC’s data. Remember, these are merely comments on the data, and card choices made by <em>you,</em> the deckbrewer, for any reason such as flavor, budget, art, or fun are always most important and are what keep our format unique and awesome.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Breena, the Demagogue"></div></div>
<p>This week, we're challenging a new commander from the <em>Strixhaven</em> Commander decks: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breena, the Demagogue" href="#" target="_blank">Breena, the Demagogue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (1,090 decks). She encourages our opponents to attack each other and points us in a political direction. Another political Orzhov +1/+1 counters commander came out at the same time, so we can also consider these cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shadrix Silverquill" href="#" target="_blank">Shadrix Silverquill</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (550 decks).</p>
<p>These challenges will lean towards underplayed cards since those tend to get washed out of precon commanders' pages. I talked to a lot of folks about these challenges, so I'd like to thank friends from my playgroup, Midgey and <a href="https://twitter.com/MtgProphet">ProphetofAres</a>, and from the <a href="https://discord.gg/MADh5x7Smb">Challenge the Stats Discord</a>–<span class="headerText-3Uvj1Y"><span class="username-1A8OIy desaturateUserColors-1gar-1 clickable-1bVtEA" role="button">Die Uschi / Ruben, AwesomeMcCoolName, MysticChaos, LooterScooter, TheStephenation, and CapybaraWashingMachine.</span></span></p>
<hr />
<h2>Underplayed</h2>
<h3>1. Malakir Rebirth (19%) and Sejiri Shelter (15%)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Malakir Rebirth"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sejiri Shelter"></div></div>
<p>These are two of the most useful MDFCs from <em>Zendikar Rising</em>, as they're able to save our creatures from removal. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sejiri Shelter" href="#" target="_blank">Sejiri Shelter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can also be used offensively to help us sneak attackers through and avoid losing creatures in combat, which is helpful for Breena's attack trigger. They're both in less than 20% of Breena decks, which seems far too low.</p>
<p>If you haven't tried MDFCs in your decks, it's definitely worth trying out! If you're not sure whether or not to replace lands or spells, my rule of thumb is to split the difference, so if I'm adding in both, I'd cut one land and one spell.</p>
<h3>2. Tainted Strike (6%)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tainted Strike"></div></div>
<p>When our commander has evasion and the potential to get pretty buff, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tainted Strike" href="#" target="_blank">Tainted Strike</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a hilarious way to come out of nowhere and knock a player out of the game.</p>
<p>Additionally, we're encouraging our opponents to attack each other, so if one opponent goes to hit another opponent, we can <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tainted Strike" href="#" target="_blank">Tainted Strike</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> it for extra hilarious shenanigans!</p>
<h3>3. Vow of Malice (6%)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vow of Malice"></div></div>
<p>Not a lot of folks are adding the Vows to the deck. As a whole, they're a pretty hotly contested cycle among Commander players, but I'm a fan of their flexibility to enchant either our creatures or a threatening creature across the table.</p>
<p>In Breena, the most included is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vow of Duty" href="#" target="_blank">Vow of Duty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> at 24% (probably because it was in the precon), and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vow of Malice" href="#" target="_blank">Vow of Malice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vow of Torment" href="#" target="_blank">Vow of Torment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both at 6%. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vow of Duty" href="#" target="_blank">Vow of Duty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is pretty great to give Breena vigilance, allowing her to sit back as a strong blocker on defense, but I'd like to make a case for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vow of Malice" href="#" target="_blank">Vow of Malice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Giving our creatures evasion is helpful for getting attack triggers, and might just help Breena get through for a commander damage win. It's also great to give our opponents' creatures <em>Intimidate</em> so they can survive combat to keep attacking and giving us cards and counters (and hurting our opponents).</p>
<hr />
<h2>Sleepers</h2>
<h3>4. Play of the Game</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Play of the game"></div></div>
<p>If we're the threat, we don't want to be casting this, and if we're not the threat, odds are good that we can get some help paying the <em>Assist</em> cost!</p>
<p>Folks are pretty excited about the new <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vanquish the Horde" href="#" target="_blank">Vanquish the Horde</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but in a deck that cares about politics, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Play of the Game" href="#" target="_blank">Play of the Game</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could be even better since it's exile removal and hits <em>all</em> nonland permanents.</p>
<h3>5. Batwing Brume</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Batwing Brume"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fog" href="#" target="_blank">Fog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s can be very good in Commander, especially when they have extra utility. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Batwing Brume" href="#" target="_blank">Batwing Brume</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a multipurpose Fog that has the potential to punish or even knock out a player that's going wide. Since Breena might be building up one big creature instead of an army, having a defense for the token player could be key.</p>
<p>In fact, here's a bonus Fog recommendation: in addition to protecting us from an attack, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dawn Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Dawn Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can save our commander or counter a potentially game-ending spell that targets us.</p>
<h3 class="p1">6. Reconnaissance</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reconnaissance"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reconnaissance" href="#" target="_blank">Reconnaissance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is often a sleeper hit, but it works really well with Breena. It has weird interactions with how rules changed after the card was made. Basically, during combat, you can safely remove your creature from potential damage and untap it. That can be in response to any of these steps:</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="mw-redirect" title="Beginning of Combat Step" href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Beginning_of_Combat_Step">Beginning of Combat Step</a></li>
<li><a class="mw-redirect" title="Declare Attackers Step" href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Declare_Attackers_Step">Declare Attackers Step</a></li>
<li><a class="mw-redirect" title="Declare Blockers Step" href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Declare_Blockers_Step">Declare Blockers Step</a></li>
<li><a class="mw-redirect" title="Combat Damage Step" href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Combat_Damage_Step">Combat Damage Step</a></li>
<li><a class="mw-redirect" title="End of Combat Step" href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/End_of_Combat_Step">End of Combat Step</a></li>
</ul>
<p>That means we can activate Reconnaissance even after our opponent has declared blockers or after damage has been done, letting us proc any attack triggers and giving our creatures pseudo-vigilance without worrying about losing any of them in battle.</p>
<p>With Breena's attack trigger, we can send two creatures at our opponents with the highest life total, draw two cards and get some counters, and then decide if we want them to continue through combat or be ushered back to safety.</p>
<h3>7. Custodi Lich</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Custodi Lich"></div></div>
<p><em>Monarch</em> cards are good in political decks because they encourage other players to talk to each other and make deals, so we aren't the only ones doing it.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Custodi Lich" href="#" target="_blank">Custodi Lich</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an extra juicy deal because we can ask one player to give us the <em>Monarch</em> in exchange for making a third player sacrifice a creature.</p>
<p>Other good <em>Monarch</em> picks are <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marchesa&#039;s Decree" href="#" target="_blank">Marchesa&#039;s Decree</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (10%), to incentivize attacks elsewhere, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Protector of the Crown" href="#" target="_blank">Protector of the Crown</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, to help us keep the Monarch, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Court of Grace" href="#" target="_blank">Court of Grace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (37%), to give us some fliers we can attack with and pump up.</p>
<h3>8. <em>Persist</em> cards</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cauldron of Souls"></div></div>
<p>The <em>Persist</em> mechanic is often thought of in regards to combos with +1/+1 counters since they cancel out the -1/-1 counter, but what if we use <em>Persist</em> as a value mechanic instead? <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cauldron of Souls" href="#" target="_blank">Cauldron of Souls</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets us save any of our creatures, and maybe our opponents' creatures, too, if they're willing to make a deal with us! We're able to knock that -1/-1 counter pretty easily with Breena and reuse the Cauldron on the same creatures.</p>
<p>On a related note, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Puppeteer Clique" href="#" target="_blank">Puppeteer Clique</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets us steal a creature from an opponent's graveyard, then exile it once we've gotten some utility out of it, plus it has flying to sneak in for Breena's attack triggers. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kithkin Spellduster" href="#" target="_blank">Kithkin Spellduster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a bit expensive to get on the battlefield, but once it's there we have another evasive creature to attack with, and it can repeatedly sacrifice itself to blow up our opponents' enchantments.</p>
<h3>9. Akroan Horse</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Akroan Horse"></div></div>
<p>Do your opponents not have creatures to get a draw trigger from Breena? Give them creatures with Akroan Horse! Similar to this, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clackbridge Troll" href="#" target="_blank">Clackbridge Troll</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a favorite draw engine of mine, but with Breena, it's another way to give our opponents creatures to attack with. It doesn't matter that they have zero power!</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Slaughter Specialist" href="#" target="_blank">Slaughter Specialist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a new card from <em>Innistrad: Midnight Hunt</em> that give our opponents creatures and gets bigger when they die. It also synergizes with +1/+1 counters if our Breena deck leans in that direction. Finally, it's in dire need of a reprint, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Forbidden Orchard" href="#" target="_blank">Forbidden Orchard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a fantastic land that gives our opponents creatures.</p>
<p>On a similar note, I'm a bit surprised <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Curse of Disturbance" href="#" target="_blank">Curse of Disturbance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is being cut from about half of Breena decks, since it does a great job at giving our opponents creatures to attack with.</p>
<h3>10. Crescendo of War</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crescendo of war"></div></div>
<p>I haven't gotten a chance to play with this card yet, but it looks very fun. It's a bit of a gamble because we can die to it, but we get to pump up all creatures on the battlefield progressively more each turn.</p>
<p>However, only <em>our</em> creatures get pumped up on defense, so it incentivizes our opponents to send their scary creatures elsewhere.</p>
<hr />
<p>For this decklist, we're going to build off of the average Breena decklist and add in our picks! Check out the <a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/1900418#Breena_EDHREC">Archidekt</a> <a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/1900418#Breena_EDHREC">link</a> to see what was removed to make room.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Brew-na Breena" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Breena, the Demagogue
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Akroan Horse
*1 Author of Shadows
*1 Basri&#039;s Lieutenant
*1 Bold Plagiarist
*1 Clackbridge Troll
*1 Combat Calligrapher
*1 Custodi Lich
*1 Deathbringer Liege
*1 Esper Sentinel
*1 Felisa, Fang of Silverquill
*1 Guardian of Faith
*1 Keen Duelist
*1 Keeper of the Accord
*1 Knight of the White Orchid
*1 Mangara, the Diplomat
*1 Necropolis Regent
*1 Nils, Discipline Enforcer
*1 Oreskos Explorer
*1 Orzhov Advokist
*1 Scholarship Sponsor
*1 Selfless Squire
*1 Shadrix Silverquill
*1 Shaile, Dean of Radiance
*1 Slaughter Specialist
*1 Sunscorch Regent
*1 Windborn Muse
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bloodthirsty Blade
*1 Cauldron of Souls
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Orzhov Signet
*1 Pendant of Prosperity
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Talisman of Hierarchy
*1 Victory Chimes
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Ambition&#039;s Cost
*1 Council&#039;s Judgment
*1 Play of the Game
*1 Promise of Loyalty
*1 Secret Rendezvous
*1 Tragic Arrogance
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Citadel Siege
*1 Court of Grace
*1 Crescendo of War
*1 Curse of Disturbance
*1 Duelist&#039;s Heritage
*1 Ghostly Prison
*1 Reconnaissance
*1 Smothering Tithe
*1 Together Forever
*1 Vow of Malice
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 Anguished Unmaking
*1 Batwing Brume
*1 Dawn Charm
*1 Despark
*1 Fracture
*1 Generous Gift
*1 Inkshield
*1 Malakir Rebirth
*1 Oblation
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Sejiri Shelter
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Tainted Strike
[/Instants]
[Lands]
*1 Barren Moor
*1 Bojuka Bog
*1 Caves of Koilos
*1 Command Tower
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Godless Shrine
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Mikokoro, Center of the Sea
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Opal Palace
*1 Orzhov Basilica
*12 Plains
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Silverquill Campus
*7 Swamp
*1 Tainted Field
*1 Temple of Silence
*1 Vault of Champions
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<h1>Pre-connaissance Mission</h1>
<p>Are there any other cards you would challenge? Let me know in the comments below! As always, you can find me on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jevin_mtg">@jevin_mtg</a>.</p>
<p>For more Breena content you can check out Joey Schultz's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlxjp1sM0qQ">Precon Recon video</a>, and the <a href="https://edhrec.com/precon/silverquill-statement">Precon Upgrade Guide</a> on EDHREC.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Silverquill Statement Precon Upgrade | Precon Recon" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nlxjp1sM0qQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


akroan horse

Mechanical Memories - A History of Gifting

Challenge the Stats – Breena, the Demagogue

Too-Specific Top 10 - Monster Guide