Counterpunch - Ghave Precon Upgrade

Back to Basics - The Top 10 Most Played Rakdos Cards in Commander

Singleton Shmingleton - Four Color Aristrocrats

Blood Rites - Precon Review

Brew For Your Buck - A Dedication To A Friend, Aristocrats And Spellslinger

Brew For Your Bug - Going Infinant

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brenard, Ginger Sculptor" href="#" target="_blank">Brenard, Ginger Sculptor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by</span> <a href="https://martanael.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Marta Nael</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">)</span></h6>
<h1><span style="font-weight: 400;">Building Aristocrats Without Black Mana</span></h1>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/aristocrats">Aristocrats</a> is one of the most popular themes in all of Commander, with thirteen different color combinations popping up on its page. However, while six of the three-color combinations feature here, Bant does not. It makes sense; this color combination doesn't feature black (a hallmark of Aristocrat decks) and features in each color combination on the <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/aristocrats">Aristocrats page</a>. That said, as the game evolves, we're getting more and more options. <em>Magic's</em> latest set may have given us the perfect legend to build around.</span></p>
<hr />
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Give my compliments to the chef!</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brenard, Ginger Sculptor" href="#" target="_blank">Brenard, Ginger Sculptor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a very <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/search/?q=brenard">unique card</a>. It cares about Food and Golems, but it lets you lean into both types since the tokens it create are both creature types. At first, I thought the Golem build-around would be mostly flavor text and I would rather build around sacrificing value creatures. But dang, Golems work <em>so well</em> with this card. Just be sure as you look at the page for this commander that you're able to sort through the noise. With so many decks to this commander's name already, it's helpful to filter for others who are <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/brenard-ginger-sculptor/sacrifice">building sacrifice decks with EDHRECs filters</a>.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brenard, Ginger Sculptor"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Specifically, these sacrifice decks utilize the “Splicers”, or cards that create Golem tokens when they enter. These cards have insignificant bodies that are easy to sacrifice, and a powerful EtB that creates Golems that are pumped by our commander. These cards can put so much power on the battlefield and generate a Golem's-ton of value. A bunch of them even grant extra abilities to your other Golems.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wing Splicer" href="#" target="_blank">Wing Splicer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blade Splicer" href="#" target="_blank">Blade Splicer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Master Splicer" href="#" target="_blank">Master Splicer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and more benefit the tokens they create, but also any of the tokens our commander makes. Often, the more niche tribes such as Golems don't have any good finishers, but the same can't be said here. If the value itself isn't enough to end the game. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phyrexian Triniform" href="#" target="_blank">Phyrexian Triniform</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Triplicate Titan" href="#" target="_blank">Triplicate Titan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can create an entire board state out of nowhere when combined with our sacrifice outlets.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wing Splicer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Triplicate Titan"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Reaching Beyond the Staples</span></h2>
<p><strong>What we lose:</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Well, I won't lie... playing in this combination of colors we lose a lot. First, we lose some of the best sacrifice outlets. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Viscera Seer" href="#" target="_blank">Viscera Seer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> still holds up today as one of the best and cheapest free outlets. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Carrion Feeder" href="#" target="_blank">Carrion Feeder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fills the same role and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Woe Strider" href="#" target="_blank">Woe Strider</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> features as both of the aforementioned card's big brother. However, with many strong artifact options, I think this is likely the area where we lose the least by not playing black.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Viscera Seer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Carrion Feeder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Woe Strider"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Losing the payoffs are where it really hurts. One of the strengths of these decks is that they can easily win outside of combat with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zulaport Cutthroat" href="#" target="_blank">Zulaport Cutthroat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. We lose out on these as well as some of the payoffs that reward us for sacrificing creatures like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mayhem Devil" href="#" target="_blank">Mayhem Devil</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Morbid Opportunist" href="#" target="_blank">Morbid Opportunist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blood Artist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mayhem Devil"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Morbid Opportunist"></div></div>
<p><strong>What we still have:</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Don't worry though. With the artifact options we do have, I don't think we can complain too much. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phyrexian Altar" href="#" target="_blank">Phyrexian Altar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ashnod&#039;s Altar" href="#" target="_blank">Ashnod&#039;s Altar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are classics and still all-stars in any Aristocrats deck. Not only is it free to sacrifice the creatures, but it's also mana-positive; These cards can quickly repay the cost that was spent to cast them.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Phyrexian Altar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ashnod&#039;s Altar"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other outlets work well specifically with this deck's strategy. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pyre of Heroes" href="#" target="_blank">Pyre of Heroes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Birthing Pod" href="#" target="_blank">Birthing Pod</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both limited to once per turn, but with the Golem strategy they both work well to enable our commander and create even more board presence.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Birthing Pod"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pyre of Heroes"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blasting Station" href="#" target="_blank">Blasting Station</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> looks like it only works once per turn, but as long as we have non-token creatures alongside our commander then we can activate it as much as we like. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skullclamp" href="#" target="_blank">Skullclamp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an interesting card in that even though our commander makes 1/1 tokens, it also pumps them up. This means it's not a sacrifice outlet itself until our commander dies, but that doesn't mean you can't combine it with the deck's other outlets to draw insane amounts of cards.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blasting Station"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skullclamp"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Who Even Needs a Sacrifice Outlet?</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sacrifice outlets <em>can</em> be overrated. Many of the best creatures in the format sacrifice themselves for a benefit. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Selfless Spirit" href="#" target="_blank">Selfless Spirit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sakura-Tribe Elder" href="#" target="_blank">Sakura-Tribe Elder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are two of the most-played creatures in the format and they do double duty in our deck as creatures that can trigger our commander's ability on their own.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Selfless Spirit"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sakura-Tribe Elder"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Evoke as a mechanic works great with any deck that cares about creatures dying. You can pay the cheaper cost of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mulldrifter" href="#" target="_blank">Mulldrifter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and draw double the cards for a cheaper cost. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reclamation Sage" href="#" target="_blank">Reclamation Sage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a staple for a reason, but we can find the same effect with Evoke on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Foundation Breaker" href="#" target="_blank">Foundation Breaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. </span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Foundation Breaker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mulldrifter"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Evoke mechanic's infamous cards are the <em>Modern Horizons 2</em> cycle of free cards, two of which, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Solitude" href="#" target="_blank">Solitude</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Subtlety" href="#" target="_blank">Subtlety</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are both well worth it in this deck. The card disadvantage is mitigated by the ability to double up the trigger and still keep the creature with our commander's ability.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Solitude"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Subtlety"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So we can get by without some of the staples, but what are we gaining from playing these colors?</span></p>
<hr />
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">But What Are The Pros of Playing Bant?</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only is it fun to build around an archetype that isn't traditionally supported, but this color combination also gives us a lot of interesting synergies. First off, one of the most unique aspects of this card is that it is one of the few commanders that cares about food.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Food has gotten an insane amount of support since its original token appearance four years ago. Much of this support is within Bant colors. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Academy Manufactor" href="#" target="_blank">Academy Manufactor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> just keeps getting better and better and is a perfect fit for this deck. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Motivated Pony" href="#" target="_blank">Motivated Pony</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can really pack a punch and put a ton of power on the board out of nowhere. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Night of the Sweets&#039; Revenge" href="#" target="_blank">Night of the Sweets&#039; Revenge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is not only one of the greatest card names in history, but it also does a little bit of everything. It's a mana rock and comes with a Food that also allows all of our Food to tap for mana. Once we have our deck fully built out, it can become a win condition.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Academy Manufactor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Motivated Pony"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Night of the Sweets&#039; Revenge"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Token-doublers are expensive because they can have a game-warping effect. If it's in your budget, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anointed Procession" href="#" target="_blank">Anointed Procession</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doubling Season" href="#" target="_blank">Doubling Season</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are all-stars in this deck. Not only do they work well with our commander's ability, but they also work so well with all the Golem tokens we are creating.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anointed Procession"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Doubling Season"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">In Conclusion</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This deck takes advantage of so many different mechanics and cards in unique ways. What ways have you built around this new card? Let me know in the comments.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Check out the full deck below!</span></p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Aristo-Food" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div></p>
<p>[Commander]</p>
<p>*1 Brenard, Ginger Sculptor</p>
<p>[/Commander]</p>
<p>[Lands]</p>
<p>*1 Command Tower</p>
<p>*1 Spara's Headquarters</p>
<p>*1 Rejuvenating Springs</p>
<p>*1 Hallowed Fountain</p>
<p>*1 Temple Garden</p>
<p>*1 Breeding Pool</p>
<p>*1 Bountiful Promenade</p>
<p>*1 Sea of Clouds</p>
<p>*1 Misty Rainforest</p>
<p>*1 Flooded Strand</p>
<p>*1 Windswept Heath</p>
<p>*1 Dreamroot Cascade</p>
<p>*1 Overgrown Farmland</p>
<p>*1 Deserted Beach</p>
<p>*1 Myriad Landscape</p>
<p>*1 Krosan Verge</p>
<p>*1 High Market</p>
<p>*1 Boseiju, Who Endures</p>
<p>*1 Otawara, Soaring City</p>
<p>*1 Branchloft Pathway</p>
<p>*1 Barkchannel Pathway</p>
<p>*1 Hengegate Pathway</p>
<p>*1 Yavimaya Coast</p>
<p>*1 Brushland</p>
<p>*1 Adakar Wastes</p>
<p>*3 Islands</p>
<p>*5 Forests</p>
<p>*3 Plains</p>
<p>[/Lands]</p>
<p>[Creatures]</p>
<p>*1 Wing Splicer</p>
<p>*1 Blade Splicer</p>
<p>*1 Sensor Splicer</p>
<p>*1 Motivated Pony</p>
<p>*1 Ich-Tekik, Salvage Splicer</p>
<p>*1 Master Splicer</p>
<p>*1 Darksteel Splicer</p>
<p>*1 Academy Manufactor</p>
<p>*1 Solemn Simulacrum</p>
<p>*1 Malcator, Purity Overseer</p>
<p>*1 Sakura-Tribe Elder</p>
<p>*1 Mulldrifter</p>
<p>*1 Vital Splicer</p>
<p>*1 Gilded Goose</p>
<p>*1 Triplicate Titan</p>
<p>*1 Maul Splicer</p>
<p>*1 Phyrexian Triniform</p>
<p>*1 Selfless Spirit</p>
<p>*1 Rootwire Amalgam</p>
<p>*1 Meteor Golem</p>
<p>*1 Thought Monitor</p>
<p>*1 Foundation Breaker</p>
<p>*1 Cankerbloom</p>
<p>*1 Ancient Stone Idol</p>
<p>*1 Eternal Witness</p>
<p>*1 Esper Sentinel</p>
<p>*1 Cradle Clearcutter</p>
<p>*1 Solitude</p>
<p>*1 Subtlety</p>
<p>[/Creatures]</p>
<p>[Enchantments]</p>
<p>*1 Anointed Procession</p>
<p>*1 Fanatical Devotion</p>
<p>*1 Parallel Lives</p>
<p>*1 Trail of Crumbs</p>
<p>*1 Evolutionary Leap</p>
<p>*1 Night of Sweets' Revenge</p>
<p>*1 Greater Good</p>
<p>[/Enchantments]</p>
<p>[Artifacts]</p>
<p>*1 Sol Ring</p>
<p>*1 Arcane Signet</p>
<p>*1 Skull Clamp</p>
<p>*1 Birthing Pod</p>
<p>*1 Pyre of Heroes</p>
<p>*1 Blasting Station</p>
<p>*1 Phyrexian Altar</p>
<p>*1 Ashnod's Altar</p>
<p>[/Artifacts]</p>
<p>[Instants]</p>
<p>*1 Swords to Plowshares</p>
<p>*1 Generous Gift</p>
<p>*1 Beast Within</p>
<p>*1 Cyclonic Rift</p>
<p>*1 Fierce Guardianship</p>
<p>*1 Swan Song</p>
<p>*1 Arcane Denial</p>
<p>*1 Flawless Maneuver</p>
<p>[/Instants]</p>
<p>[Sorceries]</p>
<p>*1 Farseek</p>
<p>*1 Neoform</p>
<p>*1 Nature's Lore</p>
<p>*1 Three Visits</p>
<p>*1 Rampant Growth</p>
<p>*1 Cultivate</p>
<p>*1 Kodama's Reach</p>
<p>*1 Organic Extrinction</p>
<p>*1 Hour of Reckoning</p>
<p>*1 March of Progress</p>
<p>*1 Thought Cast</p>
<p>[/Sorceries]</p>
<p>[/Deck]</p>

<h3>Read more:</h3>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="gnyg54z4hH"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/do-your-worst-mono-blue-aristocrats/">Do Your Worst - Mono-Blue Aristocrats</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Do Your Worst - Mono-Blue Aristocrats&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/do-your-worst-mono-blue-aristocrats/embed/#?secret=839NOS5UbW#?secret=gnyg54z4hH" data-secret="gnyg54z4hH" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="ki44XAyKxC"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/commander-mechanic-building-aristocrats-in-commander-start-here/">Commander Mechanic - Building Aristocrats in Commander? Start Here!</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Commander Mechanic - Building Aristocrats in Commander? Start Here!&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/commander-mechanic-building-aristocrats-in-commander-start-here/embed/#?secret=KyfZIiAAQu#?secret=ki44XAyKxC" data-secret="ki44XAyKxC" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>


Trading Dudes for Foods: Bant Aristocrats

Rally the Ancestors - Grimgrin's Grim Kin

Reconstruct History — Insurrection

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rise of Extus" href="#" target="_blank">Rise of Extus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.wyliebeckert.com/?show=portfolio">Wylie Beckert</a>)</h6>
<h1>Looks Like We've got Another Mystery on our Hands!</h1>
<p>Hello, and welcome back to <em>Archetune-Up</em>, an article series devoted to tweaking a deck with the help of the EDHREC <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes">Theme</a> <a href="https://edhrec.com/tribes">Pages</a>!</p>
<p>For this article, I wanted to cover a legend that has captured my interest from the moment they were first spoiled, and the only three-color card in <em>Strixhaven</em>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Extus, Oriq Overlord" href="#" target="_blank">Extus, Oriq Overlord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Extus, Oriq Overlord"></div></div>
<p>Extus has been the only legend on my brain since spoiler season (seriously, it took me almost an <a href="https://twitter.com/thejesguy/status/1394121100267765761?s=20">entire month of deliberation</a> to get my personal list together), and even now he hasn't relinquished his hold over me. In an effort to try and loosen his vice-like grip (or spread his teachings, whichever you think applies), I decided to check out his average list, and see what he was working with.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Average Extus" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Extus, Oriq Overlord
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Blood Artist
*1 Cruel Celebrant
*1 Dockside Extortionist
*1 Doomed Traveler
*1 Dualcaster Mage
*1 Elenda, the Dusk Rose
*1 Grim Haruspex
*1 Impulsive Pilferer
*1 Keeper of the Accord
*1 Mayhem Devil
*1 Monastery Mentor
*1 Ogre Slumlord
*1 Pawn of Ulamog
*1 Pitiless Plunderer
*1 Sedgemoor Witch
*1 Sengir Autocrat
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Storm-Kiln Artist
*1 Syr Konrad, the Grim
*1 Teysa Karlov
*1 Thalisse, Reverent Medium
*1 Viscera Seer
*1 Young Pyromancer
*1 Zulaport Cutthroat
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Anguished Unmaking
*1 Call the Coppercoats
*1 Dark Ritual
*1 Despark
*1 Fracture
*1 Fury Storm
*1 Generous Gift
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Plumb the Forbidden
*1 Rise of the Dread Marn
*1 Secure the Wastes
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Thrill of Possibility
*1 Village Rites
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Ashnod&#039;s Altar
*1 Boros Signet
*1 Orzhov Signet
*1 Rakdos Signet
*1 Skullclamp
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 Talisman of Hierarchy
*1 Talisman of Indulgence
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Anointed Procession
*1 Assemble the Legion
*1 Bastion of Remembrance
*1 Bitterblossom
*1 Black Market
*1 Smothering Tithe
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Blot Out the Sky
*1 Demonic Tutor
*1 Diabolic Intent
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Jeska&#039;s Will
*1 Lingering Souls
*1 Martial Coup
*1 Painful Truths
*1 Read the Bones
*1 Reanimate
*1 Ruinous Ultimatum
[/Sorceries]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Tevesh Szat, Doom of Fools
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Arid Mesa
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Blood Crypt
*1 Bloodstained Mire
*1 Caves of Koilos
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Dragonskull Summit
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Godless Shrine
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Luxury Suite
*1 Marsh Flats
*3 Mountain
*1 Nomad Outpost
*1 Phyrexian Tower
*4 Plains
*1 Sacred Foundry
*1 Savai Triome
*1 Spectator Seating
*6 Swamp
*1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
*1 Vault of Champions
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>With over 1,000 decks to his name, Extus is easily the most popular legend coming out of <em>Strixhaven</em>, and for good reason! He's incredibly versatile, able to build entire gameplans around either his front half or his flip side, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Awaken the Blood Avatar" href="#" target="_blank">Awaken the Blood Avatar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>That said, there are two things I took away from this average list:</p>
<ul>
<li>Y'all ain't running enough lands! How in the world is <strong>33</strong> acceptable??</li>
<li>The average decklist shows that the majority of people are building around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Awaken the Blood Avatar" href="#" target="_blank">Awaken the Blood Avatar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p>Both sides of Extus are great, but each one wants their decks to do <em>slightly </em>different things. Yes, both Extus and The Blood Avatar want plenty of creatures to churn through, but Extus wants to play a bit more of a grindy game, accruing value over time with nontoken creatures. Conversely, The Blood Avatar wants a wide board of fodder to sac in order to create multiple Avatar tokens in a turn, and token fodder will often do this the best.</p>
<p>Looking at all the token makers and support in this list, a lot of these decks are geared to summon The Blood Avatar as opposed to follow the ways of Extus. I have a personal fondness for The Oriq Overlord, despite his Saturday morning cartoon villainy in the <em>Strixhaven</em> story, so he's who I'll be focusing on building around today!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Like, Zoinks, Scoob!</h2>
<p>I'll be using EDHREC's <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/aristocrats/rwb">Mardu Aristocrats Theme</a> to find the inclusions for today's list. Before I dig into the cards I added, I want to take a moment to also mention that I brought the land count up to 36 from 33. 36 is still a bit lean for me, but it is <em>a lot</em> better than the blatantly irresponsible 33 the original deck had, so with that quick fix out of the way, what does this theme hold for us?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Valakut Awakening"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Agadeem&#039;s Awakening"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Malakir Rebirth"></div></div>
<p>Well, it has... more land!</p>
<p>If you've read my articles this year, y'all should know how much I <span style="text-decoration: underline;">adore</span> <em>Battle for Zendikar</em>'s MDFCs. On top of being outright fantastic cards, they pull double duty in an Extus deck, since they are both lands <em>and</em> spells. They help patch up the land base while also being cards that can trigger <em>Magecraft</em> to keep the deck chugging along!</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Valakut Awakening" href="#" target="_blank">Valakut Awakening</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Agadeem&#039;s Awakening" href="#" target="_blank">Agadeem&#039;s Awakening</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Malakir Rebirth" href="#" target="_blank">Malakir Rebirth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hagra Mauling" href="#" target="_blank">Hagra Mauling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> were the four MFDCs found on the Aristocrats theme page, but there are a few others that would also be a perfect fit for the deck. <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>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ondu Inversion" href="#" target="_blank">Ondu Inversion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shatterskull Smashing" href="#" target="_blank">Shatterskull Smashing</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are all viable options for Extus, and I cannot recommend them enough!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Ruh-roh, Raggy!!</h2>
<p>Now that we've got the mana base in order, what's next? Well, while The Blood Avatar wants to force itself into the foray and bring games to an end quickly, Extus wants to move a bit slower and more methodically. What exactly does that mean, though?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tormenting Voice"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Costly Plunder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Buried Alive"></div></div>
<p>What Extus desires instead of pure power is <em>synergy</em>! Extus tacks on a free <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raise Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Raise Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with every spell we cast, so why not take advantage of that?</p>
<p>Spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tormenting Voice" href="#" target="_blank">Tormenting Voice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Costly Plunder" href="#" target="_blank">Costly Plunder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> have additional costs needed to cast them, so if Extus is in play, even if we discard or sacrifice a creature to help pay for the spell, we can just get another right back! This is a great way to quickly and cheaply accrue value, turning the downside of these cards' additional costs into something negligible, or even beneficial! These kinds of spells are right at home here, from removal like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Final Payment" href="#" target="_blank">Final Payment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bone Splinters" href="#" target="_blank">Bone Splinters</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to a reusable sac outlet like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Worthy Cause" href="#" target="_blank">Worthy Cause</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. All of them are welcome additions to Extus's repertoire.</p>
<p>Due to this deck being more graveyard-based than a Blood Avatar deck, we need to make sure we have ways to enable our shenanigans, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Buried Alive" href="#" target="_blank">Buried Alive</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does just that. For three mana, we get to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raise Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Raise Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> a creature from our graveyard if Extus is out, and then comb through our deck for three creatures to dump them directly into our precious graveyard. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Buried Alive" href="#" target="_blank">Buried Alive</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might not be as powerful as it is in a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Karador, Ghost Chieftain" href="#" target="_blank">Karador, Ghost Chieftain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Meren of Clan Nel Toth" href="#" target="_blank">Meren of Clan Nel Toth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck, but it is still <em>fantastic</em> here. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Entomb" href="#" target="_blank">Entomb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and the brand new <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unmarked Grave" href="#" target="_blank">Unmarked Grave</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from <em>Modern Horizons 2</em> would also be wonderful additions in the same vein if we want some more redundancy for an effect like this.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Jinkies!</h2>
<p>I dug up a lot of interesting and powerful interactions and cards for Extus during my deep dive over the past month, and one class of card in particular stood out to me when I was constructing by personal brew. Since they weren't listed in the <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/aristocrats/rwb">Aristocrats Theme</a>, I wanted to be sure to dedicate a section to them, since I think they are so integral to how our Oriq Overlord functions.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Order of Midnight"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Merchant of the Vale"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Embereth Shieldbreaker"></div></div>
<p>Much like the MDFCs from the first section, <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?as=grid&amp;order=name&amp;q=type%3Aadventure+commander%3AWBR"><em>Adventure</em> creatures</a> are important for any Extus build. Adventure cards provide the best of both worlds, with one half triggering Extus's <em>Magecraft</em> ability, and the other half that can be sacrificed and subsequently brought back! With Extus and a sacrifice outlet, you have the potential to loop two <em>Adventure</em> creatures multiple times in a turn, triggering all of your <em>Magecraft</em> effects as well as all of the effects that trigger when your creatures die.</p>
<p>While this style of card are a home-run in this deck, I only added the three most important ones: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Order of Midnight" href="#" target="_blank">Order of Midnight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Merchant of the Vale" href="#" target="_blank">Merchant of the Vale</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Embereth Shieldbreaker" href="#" target="_blank">Embereth Shieldbreaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Others, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shepherd of the Flock" href="#" target="_blank">Shepherd of the Flock</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Foulmire Knight" href="#" target="_blank">Foulmire Knight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Realm-Cloaked Giant" href="#" target="_blank">Realm-Cloaked Giant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are also great inclusions, and I would highly recommend giving them all a look if you want to build Extus.</p>
<hr />
<h2>I Would Have Gotten Away With It, Too!</h2>
<p>There we have it, ten easy inclusions to make a deck more Extus-centric!</p>
<p>While I am happy with the additions to the deck, I personally think that the list could use even more more synergy to help differentiate itself from Blood Avatar decks. Swapping generic removal spells for things like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spark Harvest" href="#" target="_blank">Spark Harvest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, having ways to protect Extus like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Selfless Savior" href="#" target="_blank">Selfless Savior</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Benevolent Bodyguard" href="#" target="_blank">Benevolent Bodyguard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or having ways to loop instants and sorceries, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Living Lightning" href="#" target="_blank">Living Lightning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghitu Chronicler" href="#" target="_blank">Ghitu Chronicler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, really makes Extus hum. In an Extus build, the cheaper, the better, and the more spells you can cast in a turn, the more likely you are to win.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spark Harvest"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Selfless Savior"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Living Lightning"></div></div>
<p>That said, no matter what side you decide to build around, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Extus, Oriq Overlord" href="#" target="_blank">Extus, Oriq Overlord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>//<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Awaken the Blood Avatar" href="#" target="_blank">Awaken the Blood Avatar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is incredibly fun and gives Aristocrat players two different ways to go about draining the life from their opponents.</p>
<p>What about you, though? Which side do you prefer, Extus, or The Blood Avatar? Are there any neat moves that you've come up with for either side? Make sure to let me know down below!</p>
<p>As always, you can reach me on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/thejesguy">@thejesguy</a>), where you can always hit me up for <i>Magic- </i>or Jeskai-related shenanigans 24/7. Do you have any comments, questions, or concerns? Please don’t hesitate to leave them below or get in touch! Stay safe, get vaccinated, wear your mask, and keep fighting the good fight. I support you. No justice, no peace.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Archetune-Up Extus Would Have Gotten Away With it Too!" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Extus, Oriq Overlord
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Blood Artist
*1 Cruel Celebrant
*1 Dockside Extortionist
*1 Doomed Traveler
*1 Dualcaster Mage
*1 Elenda, the Dusk Rose
*1 Embereth Shieldbreaker
*1 Grim Haruspex
*1 Mayhem Devil
*1 Merchant of the Vale
*1 Monastery Mentor
*1 Order of Midnight
*1 Pawn of Ulamog
*1 Pitiless Plunderer
*1 Sedgemoor Witch
*1 Sengir Autocrat
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Storm-Kiln Artist
*1 Syr Konrad, the Grim
*1 Teysa Karlov
*1 Viscera Seer
*1 Young Pyromancer
*1 Zulaport Cutthroat
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Ashnod&#039;s Altar
*1 Boros Signet
*1 Orzhov Signet
*1 Rakdos Signet
*1 Skullclamp
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 Talisman of Hierarchy
*1 Talisman of Indulgence
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Anguished Unmaking
*1 Call the Coppercoats
*1 Costly Plunder
*1 Despark
*1 Fury Storm
*1 Hagra Mauling
*1 Malakir Rebirth
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Plumb the Forbidden
*1 Rise of the Dread Marn
*1 Secure the Wastes
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Thrill of Possibility
*1 Valakut Awakening
*1 Village Rites
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Agadeem&#039;s Awakening
*1 Buried Alive
*1 Demonic Tutor
*1 Diabolic Intent
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Jeska&#039;s Will
*1 Martial Coup
*1 Painful Truths
*1 Read the Bones
*1 Tormenting Voice
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Assemble the Legion
*1 Bastion of Remembrance
*1 Black Market
*1 Smothering Tithe
[/Enchantments]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Tevesh Szat, Doom of Fools
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Arid Mesa
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Blood Crypt
*1 Bloodstained Mire
*1 Caves of Koilos
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Dragonskull Summit
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Godless Shrine
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Luxury Suite
*1 Marsh Flats
*4 Mountain
*1 Nomad Outpost
*1 Phyrexian Tower
*5 Plains
*1 Sacred Foundry
*1 Savai Triome
*1 Spectator Seating
*7 Swamp
*1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
*1 Vault of Champions
[/Lands]"></span></div>



Archetune-Up - The Monster of the Week