<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/eoe"><em>Edge of Eternities</em></a> is approaching fast, moving towards us at lightspeed. Before we get these new packs in our hands, it's important to know what cards we can expect in them. While the rares and mythics are taking up the spotlight, I'm here to put the commons and uncommons center stage.</p>
<p>My name is <a href="https://linktr.ee/thetylerbucks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks</a>, and it's my job to dig through the bulk of each new set so you don't have to. On today's edition of <em>Bulk Up </em>we have a lot to get into, because there's a potential new staple hitting the format with each reveal.</p>
<p>So, join me as we blast off to the stars and explore <em>Magic</em>'s foray into the far reaches of space.</p>
<h3>Emergency Eject</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Emergency Eject"></div></div>
<p>Our first card on the list today has “potential staple” written all over it. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Emergency Eject" href="#" target="_blank">Emergency Eject</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is similar to the Commander format staple <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Generous Gift" href="#" target="_blank">Generous Gift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but instead of giving a 3/3 creature token, the player gets a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lander" href="#" target="_blank">Lander</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> token.</p>
<p>Recently, I’ve been straying away from removal spells that create a creature for an opponent, since most of my white decks want to have a clear board when I move to attacks. So, when you’re opening packs of this new set, keep an eye out for this one, because it might be able to <em>land</em> in more of your decks than you think.</p>
<p>Now, as for my deck suggestion for this card, it's a little bit of a self-indulgent one. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jasmine Boreal of the Seven" href="#" target="_blank">Jasmine Boreal of the Seven</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a commander that I have in my own collection and will greatly appreciate a new removal piece that doesn't put a potential blocker on your opponent's board.</p>
<h3>Seedship Impact</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Seedship Impact"></div></div>
<p>Staying on the removal train, our next card is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seedship Impact" href="#" target="_blank">Seedship Impact</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. An upgraded <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Naturalize" href="#" target="_blank">Naturalize</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that makes you a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lander" href="#" target="_blank">Lander</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> if you destroy something with mana value two or less.</p>
<p>While there have been plenty of effects like this in the past, if you have a deck that is completely built around getting lands into play, this can save you in a few situations. Blowing up a small value piece from one of your foes to set you up for some <em>landfall</em> triggers is a play pattern a lot of green decks are looking for.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kibo, Uktabi Prince" href="#" target="_blank">Kibo, Uktabi Prince</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> loves seeing artifacts bite the dust. So, having a cheap instant spell that can remove someone's value piece while buffing your whole board would surely catch your foes off guard. Plus, since Kibo is cheap to cast, having that Lander token around as a way to ramp you towards the late game shouldn't be overlooked.</p>
<h3>Annul</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Annul"></div></div>
<p>Counterspells are the bane of some players' existence, and when it comes time for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Annul" href="#" target="_blank">Annul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to get into blue mage’s hands, that animosity might get worse. Sure, only countering artifacts or enchantments can be limited in scope, but as we've already talked about today, those card types are some of the strongest in the game.</p>
<p>If you’ve ever played against an <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/enchantress" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Enchantress</a></em> deck, you’ll know that slowing them down is a tall order. Having an answer like this as early as turn one might just keep them on their toes for the rest of the game.</p>
<p>If <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alela, Cunning Conqueror" href="#" target="_blank">Alela, Cunning Conqueror</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is leading one of your decks, consider adding Annul to your 99. Black and blue have a hard time permanently dealing with artifacts and enchantments, so giving this deck a removal option that would also trigger your commander makes for some tight synergy.</p>
<h3>Ruinous Rampage</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ruinous Rampage"></div></div>
<p>Apparently it’s a bad day to be an artifact, because <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ruinous Rampage" href="#" target="_blank">Ruinous Rampage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is also here to clear the board of those pesky metal trinkets. If you have a deck that runs little to no artifacts, that exile effect will leave you free and clear, while crippling the rest of the table.</p>
<p>Also, let’s not overlook that damage you can inflict on each opponent, because in the right deck, that could be exactly what you need. Three mana for nine damage isn’t anything to sneeze at.</p>
<p>Let's highlight the power of that burn effect by throwing this card into a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Niv-Mizzet, Visionary" href="#" target="_blank">Niv-Mizzet, Visionary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck. Once your commander's out, you're looking for any way possible to deal direct damage to your opponents; and the fact this this card comes with an extra effect is just icing on the big, red, destructive cake.</p>
<h3>Decode Transmissions</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Decode Transmissions"></div></div>
<p>Speaking of lowering your opponent’s life totals, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Decode Transmissions" href="#" target="_blank">Decode Transmissions</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that puts a new spin on the typical draw-two-lose-two style of card.</p>
<p><em>Void</em> is an ability from the set that unlocks new layers for some cards, and all you need to do is have a nonland permanent leave your board (or warp a card, which we'll cover later in the list). If you meet that requirement, then each other player loses two life instead.</p>
<p>Three mana for a sorcery that fills up your hand while lowering your opponents' life totals is powerful, especially when you know you can hit that <em>void</em> mode reliably.</p>
<p>One of the most popular commanders on all of EDHREC is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teysa Karlov" href="#" target="_blank">Teysa Karlov</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, the aristocrat queen. Sure, the <em>void</em> effect wouldn't trigger twice when it comes to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Decode Transmissions" href="#" target="_blank">Decode Transmissions</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but a deck like this will ensure you always have something leaving your board.</p>
<h3>All-Fates Scroll</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="All-Fates Scroll"></div></div>
<p>In recent sets we’ve gotten quite a few interesting mana rocks that cost three mana, and just like those other artifacts, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="All-Fates Scroll" href="#" target="_blank">All-Fates Scroll</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is something to consider for your decks. It fixes your mana and ramps you in the early game, but that’s not why I want to talk about it today.</p>
<p>For seven mana, you can sacrifice this artifact and draw cards equal to the number of differently named lands you control. In most decks that have three or more colors, this is a great way to refill your hand, since adding up your basics and non-basics with different names in the late game could draw you a big stack of cards.</p>
<p>Hailing from the <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/fin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Final Fantasy</a></em> set, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Wandering Minstrel" href="#" target="_blank">The Wandering Minstrel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This deck's whole goal is to get as many Towns on the battlefield as possible, which will naturally add to the number of differently names lands you control. Plus, since it's a five-color deck, you might find yourself in a spot where a little mana fixing is a welcomed inclusion.</p>
<h3>Seedship Broodtender</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Seedship Broodtender"></div></div>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/golgari" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Golgari</a> (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) decks tend to love one thing more than anything else: filling up their graveyards. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seedship Broodtender" href="#" target="_blank">Seedship Broodtender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> enters the battlefield and assists you on that journey by milling three cards as early as turn two. Then, in the late game, you can spend five mana to sacrifice this new card and return a creature or Spacecraft to the battlefield from your graveyard.</p>
<p>This is a great curve for a self-mill deck, since by the time you're ready to activate that ability, you should have plenty of nasty threats to recur from your bin!</p>
<p>A deck that would love to have this new Insect join its ranks, is one built around <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>. Picture this: turn two you cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seedship Broodtender" href="#" target="_blank">Seedship Broodtender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, filling up your yard. Then when Meren comes down, you have plenty of good targets for her recursion ability. Finally, sacrifice the Broodtender to reanimate another big threat, and get it right back with Meren's end step trigger, and repeat the process.</p>
<h3>Scout for Survivors</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scout for Survivors"></div></div>
<p>If getting back things from your graveyard is what you're looking for, well the new white uncommon <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scout for Survivors" href="#" target="_blank">Scout for Survivors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is here to help.</p>
<p>With the rise of more and more commanders that care about small value creatures entering the format, a card like this can become incredibly valuable in those decks. If you have a particularly low to the ground aggressive strategy, you could reliably get back two or more creatures with Scout for Survivors.</p>
<p>But don't overlook that this card adds +1/+1 counters to the mix.</p>
<p>Let's head back to <em>Final Fantasy</em> with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aerith Gainsborough" href="#" target="_blank">Aerith Gainsborough</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which, when paired with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scout for Survivors" href="#" target="_blank">Scout for Survivors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you can make things can get a little tricky. Since Aerith's mana value is three, and she has a great <em>dies</em> trigger, you could bring her right back to the battlefield with another +1/+1 counter to keep that game plan rolling!</p>
<p>If only it were that easy to get her back in the video game...</p>
<h3>Umbral Collar Zealot</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Umbral Collar Zealot"></div></div>
<p>Free sacrifice outlets have always been powerful in Commander, which is why <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Umbral Collar Zealot" href="#" target="_blank">Umbral Collar Zealot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is likely to find a home in many players' decks. Sure, it's similar to the format staple <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>, however it has a few important twists.</p>
<p>With this new card you can sacrifice a creature or an artifact to surveil 1, opening it up to so many different strategies. Any commander that incidentally makes tokens (be they creatures or artifacts) or even a graveyard centric deck that wants to put its value pieces in the bin, will be happy to include this card in the 99.</p>
<p>So nice, I had to feature the character twice - <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teysa, Opulent Oligarch" href="#" target="_blank">Teysa, Opulent Oligarch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would absolutely love this card. This commander makes you two different types of tokens, and if you find yourself with far too many Clues to handle, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Umbral Collar Zealot" href="#" target="_blank">Umbral Collar Zealot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can sacrifice one of them on every turn to make you an extra Spirit token.</p>
<h3>Weftstalker Ardent</h3>
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<p>Closing things out today, we have a member of a new creature type called the Drix, who have a proclivity for bending space and time.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Weftstalker Ardent" href="#" target="_blank">Weftstalker Ardent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does this by helping you double the speed of your game in the right deck. Dealing a damage to each opponent whenever a creature or artifact hits your board is incredibly powerful. When paired with the right commander, you could close out a game quickly by having this on your board, or even spending one mana to warp it on the turn you’re ready to pop off!</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arabella, Abandoned Doll" href="#" target="_blank">Arabella, Abandoned Doll</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> loves turning creature tokens into damage, which is exactly what the Weftstalker can assist with. Imagine creating a whole legion of Rats with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Song of Totentanz" href="#" target="_blank">Song of Totentanz</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, dealing a bunch of damage to your opponents when those tokens enter. Finally, you can just move to combat, and deal even more pain off of your commander's trigger... That's just scary value.</p>
<h2>The Wrap Up!</h2>
<p>Well, there you have it, some of the best bulk cards from <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/eoe" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Edge of Eternities</em></a>. Now, this set is too jam packed with great cards to condense them all into one article. So, be on the lookout for another edition of <em>Bulk Up</em>, where I cover even more strong commons &amp; uncommons from this upcoming release.</p>


Great Cards Hidden in Edge of Eternities' Bulk

Edge of Eternities - Ragost, Deft Gastronaut Deck Tech

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fire // Ice|CMD|198" href="#" target="_blank">Fire // Ice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | art by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_L._Martin">David Martin</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.franz-vohwinkel.com/">Franz Vohwinkel</a></h6>
<p>Hello, and welcome back to <em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fire // Ice" href="#" target="_blank">Fire // Ice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></em>, a data-driven series where we'll go over some cards that are gaining and losing popularity in various Commander decks. I'm Julia, EDHREC's Duchess of Data.</p>
<p>Of course, EDHREC has a ton of data. Using this data, we'll draw some conclusions about how certain commander's decks are changing over time, give some insight into how players are thinking about new cards, and maybe even give you some cool tech for your favorite commander's list. Now, let's jump right into it!</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/introducing-the-math-behind-edhrecs-fire-and-ice-series"><strong><em>For information on how we calculate the </em>Fire and Ice<em> Scores used in this article, check out this writeup.</em></strong></a></p>
<h1><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breya, Etherium Shaper" href="#" target="_blank">Breya, Etherium Shaper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Breya, Etherium Shaper"></div></div>
<p>Breya has long been one of the format's most popular commanders, and currently sits at the #46 spot on our top commander list.</p>
<p>This 4-color deck wants us to fill our deck with synergistic artifacts, and rewards us with a powerful sacrifice outlet in the command zone. This deck can get quite powerful, and <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/search/?q=card%3A%22Breya%2C+Etherium+Shaper%22+ci%3Ayoretiller">Breya herself is part of over a dozen infinite combos</a>.</p>
<p>Breya decks have diverse game plans, but some popular cards include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sai, Master Thopterist" href="#" target="_blank">Sai, Master Thopterist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (in 60% of decks), <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skullclamp" href="#" target="_blank">Skullclamp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (in 54% of decks), and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Etherium Sculptor" href="#" target="_blank">Etherium Sculptor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (in 56% of decks).</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sai, Master Thopterist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skullclamp"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Etherium Sculptor"></div></div>
<p>Now that we know what Breya does, let's see what cards are hot and cold for her deckbuilders!</p>
<h2>What's Fiery for Breya Decks?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stridehangar Automaton"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Daretti, Scrap Savant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Voyage Home"></div></div>
<p>Artifact decks have gotten a lot of love recently, especially from <em>Aetherdrift</em>. First, and most popular, is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stridehangar Automaton" href="#" target="_blank">Stridehangar Automaton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with a super high Fire Score of 6.73, the highest we've seen so far in this series.</p>
<p>Looking closely at the card, it's not hard to see why this card is being put in so many Breya lists. It's an anthem for the most common artifact creature token that these decks have access to, it's functionally a token-doubler in most scenarios, and <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/search/?q=card%3A%22Stridehangar+Automaton%22+ci%3Ayoretiller">it's part of even more combos than Breya herself is</a>. This card is a slam dunk include here.</p>
<p>Next up is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Daretti, Scrap Savant" href="#" target="_blank">Daretti, Scrap Savant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who has a Fire Score of 2.81 despite being released over a decade ago. This card is a great include in Breya decks, providing valuable card selection and artifact recursion. I'm surprised that this card's inclusion rate has risen so much recently, given its age. But, it's a powerful card that works well in the deck.</p>
<p>Finally, there's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Voyage Home" href="#" target="_blank">Voyage Home</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with a Fire Score of 3.19. In decks that easily create huge boards full of artifacts, this card is essentially <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Healing Salve" href="#" target="_blank">Healing Salve</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ancestral Recall" href="#" target="_blank">Ancestral Recall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> stapled together.</p>
<p>This is one such artifact-heavy deck, so it tracks that this card has been slotted into a ton of Breya decks since it was released earlier this year.</p>
<h2>What's Icy for Breya Decks?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Counterspell"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rhystic Study"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crime Novelist"></div></div>
<p>There's a few cards that have been taken out of Breya decks recently, but none seem to have left as many decks as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Counterspell" href="#" target="_blank">Counterspell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. With an Ice Score of -3.98, deckbuilders are shying away from this OG piece of counteraction.</p>
<p>I'd hazard a guess that Breya's deckbuilders are more focused on mana-efficient or easier-to-cast interaction, and would rather run countermagic that is free or closer to it. <em>Magic</em>, in general, is printing more and more exciting cards that Breya pilots may want to try out in place of old staples.</p>
<p>We also see big drops in deck inclusion rate for noted <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/game-changers">Game Changer</a> <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhystic Study" href="#" target="_blank">Rhystic Study</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reshape" href="#" target="_blank">Reshape</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, two very powerful cards. Rhystic Study has an Ice Score of -2.93 and Reshape has an Ice Score of -2.82.</p>
<p>Given <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/wotc-introduces-new-bracket-system-for-edh">the implementation of the bracket system</a>, and these cards' status as a Game Changer and a tutor respectively, players who'd rather play in Bracket 3 pods may be slotting these cards out so that they can comfortably sit at those tables.</p>
<p>These cards are about as good as it gets for card advantage and tutors in high-powered casual decks, so I'm guessing that these cards' changes in inclusion rate indicate that some players are moving their decks down the bracket system.</p>
<p>Notably, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crime Novelist" href="#" target="_blank">Crime Novelist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has also fallen out of Breya lists, with an Ice Score of -2.11. This card is really cool, and I expected it to be quite popular following its release in <em>Murders at Karlov Manor</em>. But, it's included in just 2.33% of eligible decks, and appears to be leaving a significant number of Breya decks recently.</p>
<p>This card is powerful, but requires a specifically crafted board state to unlock its full potential. Breya players may be leaning towards easier-to-activate value engines, like some of the cards we talked about in the Fiery section for this commander.</p>
<div id="attachment_159477" style="width: 2570px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at-12.36.33-PM-scaled.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-159477" class="wp-image-159477 size-full" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at-12.36.33-PM-scaled.png" alt="" width="2560" height="851" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at-12.36.33-PM-scaled.png 2560w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at-12.36.33-PM-300x100.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at-12.36.33-PM-1024x340.png 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at-12.36.33-PM-768x255.png 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at-12.36.33-PM-1536x511.png 1536w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at-12.36.33-PM-2048x681.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-159477" class="wp-caption-text">Recent trend data for Breya, Etherium Shaper</p></div>
<h1><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marneus Calgar" href="#" target="_blank">Marneus Calgar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Marneus Calgar"></div></div>
<p>Marneus looks to make a lot of tokens, a <em>lot</em> of the time. To be more specific, this deck wants to have a ton of tokens that enter the battlefield at different times so that our commander can provide huge amounts of card advantage.</p>
<p>This commander was also the leader of a preconstructed deck from the <em>Warhammer 40K</em> series, so a lot of its pilots have upgraded copies of that deck to make it their own.</p>
<p>All that said, some of the most popular cards in Marneus decks include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nadir Kraken" href="#" target="_blank">Nadir Kraken</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (in 57% of decks), <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> (<a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/combo/245-1722-2034/">which combos with Nadir Kraken</a> and is in 45% of decks), and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kambal, Profiteering Mayor" href="#" target="_blank">Kambal, Profiteering Mayor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (in 48% of decks).</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nadir Kraken"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ashnod&#039;s Altar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kambal, Profiteering Mayor"></div></div>
<h2>What's Fiery for Marneus Decks?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Voice of Victory"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Warren Soultrader"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Amphibian Downpour"></div></div>
<p>By far the highest rising card in Marneus Calgar decks is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Voice of Victory" href="#" target="_blank">Voice of Victory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, with a Fire Score of 5.98. This <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grand Abolisher" href="#" target="_blank">Grand Abolisher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> variant works perfectly in this deck, as its Mobilize trigger makes some creature tokens that its commander turns into card advantage. And, it's got the most important parts of Grand Abolisher on an easier-to-cast body, making it invaluable for some higher power versions of this deck.</p>
<p>Now, let's talk about <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/fire-and-ice-what-cards-are-hot-and-cold-for-july-2025">a card we also talked about last week</a>: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Warren Soultrader" href="#" target="_blank">Warren Soultrader</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This card has a Fire Score of 2.93 in Marneus decks, and its easy to see why. It's a (virtually) free sacrifice outlet that draws us a card every time we activate it with our commander on the battlefield.</p>
<p>It's pretty difficult to think of a sac outlet that's more efficient than this for token decks, so it makes a lot of sense that its growing in popularity for Marneus players.</p>
<p>Next up is a card that might seem somewhat strange at first glance, but actually works perfectly in the deck. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Amphibian Downpour" href="#" target="_blank">Amphibian Downpour</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> costs twice as much as a typical <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Frogify" href="#" target="_blank">Frogify</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effect, <em>but...</em> it has Storm.</p>
<p>Because copies of this card on the stack will enter the battlefield at separate times as tokens, each copy of this card on the stack represents a piece of removal <strong>and</strong> a card drawn. That's extremely powerful, and Marenus pilots are taking notice.</p>
<h2>What's Icy for Marneus Decks?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Space Marine Devastator"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ultramarines Honour Guard"></div></div>
<p>There's actually only two cards that are leaving a significant number of Marenus Calgar decks: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Space Marine Devastator" href="#" target="_blank">Space Marine Devastator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ultramarines Honour Guard" href="#" target="_blank">Ultramarines Honour Guard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Both of these cards are good, and both of them can make token copies of themselves, and both of them were included in the original precon from 2022. They've got Ice Scores of -2.04 and -2.09 respectively.</p>
<p>But, as more players upgrade their decks with new cards from <em>Tarkir: Dragonstorm</em> and <em>Final Fantasy</em>, these less powerful Squad cards are likely being taken out for the new hotness.</p>
<div class="mceTemp">
<p><a style="font-size: 16px;" href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at-12.36.17-PM-scaled.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-159478" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at-12.36.17-PM-scaled.png" alt="" width="2560" height="871" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at-12.36.17-PM-scaled.png 2560w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at-12.36.17-PM-300x102.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at-12.36.17-PM-1024x348.png 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at-12.36.17-PM-768x261.png 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at-12.36.17-PM-1536x523.png 1536w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at-12.36.17-PM-2048x697.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></p>
<h1>Conclusion</h1>
<p>So that's what's Hot, and what's not, for July 18th, 2025. Did any of the cards surprise you? Have you added any of the cards I've talked about to your decks? Let me know in the comments below. For now, I'll see you all soon for another edition of Fire and Ice!</p>
</div>


Fire and Ice: What Cards are Hot and Cold for July 18, 2025?

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wastes|OGW|184" href="#" target="_blank">Wastes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://raymondswanland.com/">Raymond Swanland</a>)</h6>
<h1>What Does It Mean To Be Colorless?</h1>
<p>Hey here's a question for you, is colorless a "color" in <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>? Here on <em>The Monolith </em>we talk about monocolored deck building.</p>
<p>And whilst I'm sure you wouldn't bat an eye if I called an all green deck monocolored, would you consider an all colorless deck to be monocolored?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Karn, Silver Golem"></div></div>
<p>Back in 1997, Inquest Magazine posted an April fools joke announcement with some huge news. A new color was coming to <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>!</p>
<p>Produced from basic portal lands, purple mana was being introduced into <em>Magic's </em>card pool and it would allow players to do strange things like control their opponent's turn and anchor creatures to other permanents. It was all very strange and cryptic and, obviously, complete nonsense.</p>
<h2>Planned All Along?</h2>
<p>No, <em>Wizards of the Coast</em> didn't have any plans to add a sixth color to the famous 5 pointed star that makes up <em>Magic's</em> core design philosophy. In fact, in the end, they didn't really need to. <em>Magic</em> had given us a sixth color of <em>Magic</em> from the game's very inception.</p>
<p>It was there in Alpha and remains in every set printed since. All the way up to whatever set just released as you're reading this. Colorless mana!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Emrakul, the Aeons Torn"></div></div>
<p>And whilst it did have some key features that separated it from the big five, it wasn't until the dawn of the Eldrazi that we got to see colorless' true colors.</p>
<p>Colorless was now represented by its very nature. Devoid. Inhuman. The spaces between reality. The Eldrazi were a perfect fit for that philosophy.</p>
<p>An unknowable cosmic horror from beyond our understanding. Colorless now had its own kindred strategies. It had mechanical flavor.</p>
<h3>Mechanical Mechanics</h3>
<p>And this was merely a flourish on what was already there. Colorless was already associated with the machine. Artifacts and Urza's inventions. The Tron lands and mana rocks making for strange, colorless ramp tied to permanents.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Urza&#039;s Tower"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Urza&#039;s Power Plant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Urza&#039;s Mine"></div></div>
<p>Artifact cards in general, whilst playing well with most colors, are predominantly colorless themselves. A few might have a proper pip in them, but for the most part they're all paid for by generic mana.</p>
<p>That is of course then reflected by its sub-type Equipment. Most would associate them with red or white, but equipment cards are overwhelmingly colorless as well.</p>
<p>Colorless had a "vibe" to it that the release of the Eldrazi merely solidified and expanded upon. It was an elegant solution from <em>Magic's </em>designers to fulfill their "what if?" fantasies of a new color. To build on something that was as yet untouched but already bubbling under the surface of the game.</p>
<h2>Still Not Enough</h2>
<p>But despite all this support for <em>Magic's </em>secret sixth primary, there are still those out there that would say, "No! There are five colors in <em>Magic</em>.</p>
<p>Colorless is not a color, it is merely a supplement to the actual five." And they're not unsupported in that claim. In fact, those are the actual rules of <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>!</p>
<p>'105.1. There are five colors in the <em>Magic</em> game: white, blue, black, red, and green'</p>
<p>'105.4. If a player is asked to choose a color, they must choose one of the five colors. “Multicolored” is<br />
not a color. Neither is “colorless.”'</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Angelic Intervention"></div></div>
<p>That's why when this protection spell was printed in <em>March of the Machine</em>, a set that largely revolved around the mechanic of making colorless creature tokens, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Angelic Intervention" href="#" target="_blank">Angelic Intervention</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> had to be worded like this. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mother of Runes" href="#" target="_blank">Mother of Runes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can't protect you from a colorless spell.</p>
<h2>Then What The Heck is My Eldrazi Deck?</h2>
<p>Now whilst I'm sure this was debated for a long time before hand, I think this really became a point of contention when EDH started to gain popularity.</p>
<p>In Commander of course, your deck has a color identity. If your commander is red, you can only include red cards in its deck. Those are the rules of the format.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Liberator, Urza&#039;s Battlethopter"></div></div>
<p>So what about when I build a deck around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Liberator, Urza&#039;s Battlethopter" href="#" target="_blank">Liberator, Urza&#039;s Battlethopter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? Colorless spells have no color. So they can be included in a Commander deck of any color.</p>
<p>But if my commander itself has no color. Then the color identity of that deck... is colorless. It can only run colorless spells. Does that mean that colorless is a color identity? Or that my deck simply doesn't have one?</p>
<h3>The Evidence is There</h3>
<p>And that might be a technicality but there's plenty of other things in the game that point toward this point's legitimacy. Colorless, for example, has its own basic land type. The <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wastes" href="#" target="_blank">Waste</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wastes"></div></div>
<p>That's something that might seem silly or gimmicky until you realize that there are plenty of spells that straight up require colorless mana to cast. In fact, <em>Modern Horizons 3 </em>added a whole heaping of them to the card pool.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="It That Heralds the End"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Breaker of Creation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Echoes of Eternity"></div></div>
<p>The aforementioned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Angelic Intervention" href="#" target="_blank">Angelic Intervention</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is worded that way because needing to protect yourself from a colorless threat is just as important in the game as any of the main five colors.</p>
<p>There's plenty of colorless creatures, spells, and abilities. You need to be able to protect yourself from them in some way.</p>
<h2>Colorless KPIs</h2>
<p>So there's a mechanical justification for this aesthetic problem, but what about the actual aesthetics themselves. As our title asks, what does it mean to be colorless? If red is know by its aggression, direct damage, and impulsive draw. What is colorless known for?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Myr Enforcer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Myr Battlesphere"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Myr Retriever"></div></div>
<p>The Eldrazi are certainly the poster child creature type, but there's also the robots and automatons as well. The Myr of <em>Mirrodin </em>have plenty of iconic cards without a single colored pip.</p>
<p>Not to mention all the Assembly Workers and Constructs. There's also some incredibly influential characters in <em>Magic's </em>lore who don't identify with any of the five colors.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ugin, Eye of the Storms"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Karn Liberated"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tezzeret, Cruel Captain"></div></div>
<p>Ugin has just returned to the fold in <em>Tarkir: Dragonstorm </em>but as the brother of legendary big bad Nicol Bolas, he's been incredibly influential over <em>Magic's</em> history.</p>
<p>Karn is no different, forming Mirrodin itself and inadvertently spreading the curse of the Phyrexians. We've just seen spoilers for <em>Edge of Eternities</em> and Tezzeret has popped once again as well. Despite being largely aligned with blue and black mana in the past, this time around he's completely colorless.</p>
<h3>Solid as Darksteel</h3>
<p>Being colorless when you're a named character is a big deal as well. There's plenty of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skittering Surveyor" href="#" target="_blank">Skittering Surveyor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s that only exist to make draft a little easier and don't really impact the story all that much.</p>
<p>We're trained to think that something being colorless means that it doesn't really matter what color deck you play it in, it's a slightly worse card that anyone can play. Or it's generic enough that anyone would use it.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tezzeret, Artifice Master"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tezzeret, Master of Metal"></div></div>
<p>But when a mainline character who's been in color before, turns up colorless? That means something. It's a statement by <em>Wizards of the Coast. </em>His colorless identity means something stylistically, narratively, and gameplay...ly.</p>
<h2>All is Dust</h2>
<p>So what does this all really mean? In the end its semantics really. The only reason I brought it up is as a big fan of monocolored decks, I've always drawn to the strange allure of a deck that runs absolutely no colors at all.</p>
<p>But with the amount of support <em>Wizards </em>has printed for that archetype, it seems in my mind like it's an idea that's officially supported. Even if the official rules of the game perhaps state otherwise.</p>
<p>It's also an interesting look at how our patterns of play can change how we see our favorite card game. This thought may have never crossed my mind if Emrakul or the Devoid keyword was never printed.</p>
<p>If the colorless mana symbol was never introduced. Or if the format we all now know and love as Commander never rose to popularity.</p>
<p>Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Would you die on the hill that wastes produce <em>Magic's </em>sixth color of mana? Or are you staunch five-only truther? If you were going to add a sixth color to <em>MTG </em>which stupid shade would you pick, and why is it <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@officialmagiconline/video/7508864340657769758">Periwinkle</a>?</p>
<p>Regardless, thank you for reading, and I'll see you on the next edition of <em>The Monolith</em>.</p>


Are Colorless Cards Part of Magic's Color Pie?

Building Armix and Gilanra as Partner Commanders

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giott, King of the Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Giott, King of the Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/johnthacker">John Thacker</a></h6>
<p>One of the more intriguing elements of Role-Playing Games such as <em>Final Fantasy</em> is the weapons, which offer endless amounts of customization of characters.</p>
<p>Some, such as the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Buster Sword" href="#" target="_blank">Buster Sword</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are iconic and representative of not just the Zanbatou (horse-cleaver blades) of Edo Japan but also the characters who wield them.</p>
<p>Each set seems to bring new ways for creatures to do battle based on the setting of the plane, from the fantastic to the mundane.</p>
<p>Someone has to make these items, and the creature type most commonly associated with making and wielding is Dwarves, where Giott reigns King.</p>
<p>Dwarves go way back to the early days of <em>Magic</em>, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magda, Brazen Outlaw" href="#" target="_blank">Magda, Brazen Outlaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> uniting the type and bringing it not only into the public but all the way into cEDH!</p>
<p>While Magda is a decent Dwarf lord, she's more notable for using them to make Treasures and then using those Treasures to tutor for artifacts and Dragons. She can use Dwarves to create some powerful lines, but she’s not a “true” Dwarf commander. Giott, however, has earned the title of King of the Dwarves for a reason. And yes, “King of the Dwarves” includes Magda.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Giott, King of the Dwarves"></div></div>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giott, King of the Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Giott, King of the Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<p>Giott is a 1/1 with double strike for Boros mana. He comes out quickly and can either lead from the front or sit back and accrue card advantage passively by looting when he, another Dwarf, or an Equipment enter, notably not limited to once a turn despite being an uncommon.</p>
<p>The ability to perform attacking, blocking, and reconnaissance ably lend credence to his claim as king. The aggressive cost allows Giott to make effective use of the rummaging, sculpting the hand early and often while remaining reasonable to cast throughout the game, even as commander tax accrues.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Koll, the Forgemaster"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bruenor Battlehammer"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Koll, the Forgemaster" href="#" target="_blank">Koll, the Forgemaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bruenor Battlehammer" href="#" target="_blank">Bruenor Battlehammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both Dwarf commanders that care about Equipment and could lay a claim to being better Dwarf Equipment commanders than Giott. They, however, lean further into the Equipment part and just happen to be Dwarves.</p>
<p>Koll, in particular, is better with Equipment that enter equipped to tokens, such as those with living weapon. Bruenor, on the other hand, pumps equipped creatures and reduces the cost of equipping. Neither carry the Equipment well, however, so both are unable to lead from the front like Giott.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Depala, Pilot Exemplar" href="#" target="_blank">Depala, Pilot Exemplar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is able to lead from the front, and she even acts as a lord for Dwarves, but she focuses on Vehicles instead of Equipment. While there is space for a Dwarf Vehicle deck, especially one that uses Vehicles to tap creatures for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magda, Brazen Outlaw" href="#" target="_blank">Magda, Brazen Outlaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, it would go against the traditional lore of Dwarves as mountainfolk and forgemasters, which is cool but less established.</p>
<p>Giott reigns king because of his aggressive cost and ability to play offense, defense, and card velocity engine. It’s rare to find all of these in an aggressively costed package, and even rarer in a kindred package, making Giott a hidden gem of the <em>Final Fantasy</em> set.</p>
<p>Dwarves occupy an odd space in the kindred world, as they want Equipment, but heavy Equipment decks tend to lean towards singularly powerful threats, such as the ones created in Voltron decks. Giott needs help to become that big, but the double strike accentuates every Equipment he racks up.</p>
<p>Since he’s not that big, however, Giott is just as happy to build up a weapons storehouse and suit up his brethren, taking up their arms only after they’ve fallen.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giott, King of the Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Giott, King of the Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Priest of Ancient Lore"></div></div>
<p>Giott is the rare case where he needs two different categories of cards to work together and form a cohesive offensive strategy.</p>
<p>Thankfully, his rummaging gives him the card velocity and selection needed to bridge the two. Dwarves and Equipment are also flexible enough that they can serve multiple roles.</p>
<p>For example, the aforementioned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bruenor Battlehammer" href="#" target="_blank">Bruenor Battlehammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>’s cost reduction of equip abilities behaves as additional ramp and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Priest of Ancient Lore" href="#" target="_blank">Priest of Ancient Lore</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a Dwarf that gains life and draws a card when it enters, which helps increase the options for future rummaging.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bearded Axe"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Trailblazer&#039;s Boots"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Maul of the Skyclaves"></div></div>
<p>Dwarves tend to have middling stats, with some being aggressively costed small creatures with relevant abilities, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reyav, Master Smith" href="#" target="_blank">Reyav, Master Smith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>’s 2/2 for two that gives double strike to attacking equipped creatures, and some being higher-costed and power-heavy, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bruenor Battlehammer" href="#" target="_blank">Bruenor Battlehammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>’s 5/3 for four mana.</p>
<p>As a result, our secondary synergy category consists of Equipment that increase power, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bearded Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Bearded Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, provide evasion, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Trailblazer&#039;s Boots" href="#" target="_blank">Trailblazer&#039;s Boots</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or combine the two, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maul of the Skyclaves" href="#" target="_blank">Maul of the Skyclaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can even auto-equip itself!</p>
<p>These pieces provide the punch needed to break through the inevitable board stalls that occur when small Boros creatures meet big green beasties.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Prying Blade"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beamtown Beatstick"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Diamond Pick-Axe"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goldvein Pick"></div></div>
<p>One of the benefits of Equipment is that they have been featured so many times in so many sets and at so many rarities that they're flexible enough to perform a variety of tasks.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prying Blade" href="#" target="_blank">Prying Blade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beamtown Beatstick" href="#" target="_blank">Beamtown Beatstick</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Diamond Pick-Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Diamond Pick-Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goldvein Pick" href="#" target="_blank">Goldvein Pick</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are all functional reprints, each of which makes Treasure tokens when the creature connects, which doubles when the creature has double strike, such as Giott’s natural combat ability and Reyav’s universal ability.</p>
<p>These double triggers help to power out the deck’s more explosive turns: as any combo player can attest, a steady stream of mana and cards are the bread and butter, with payoff cards as the meat!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Infiltration Lens"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glimmer Lens"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mask of Memory"></div></div>
<p>Speaking of functional reprints that trigger on combat, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Infiltration Lens" href="#" target="_blank">Infiltration Lens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glimmer Lens" href="#" target="_blank">Glimmer Lens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mask of Memory" href="#" target="_blank">Mask of Memory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all draw or loot with similar timing.</p>
<p>That may seem a bit excessive, given our commander’s ability to rummage, and this is where the deck’s customization can come in. In an unknown playgroup (which is what I build these decks for), I tend to lean towards less interaction, a lower power level, and a more linear strategy.</p>
<p>I also like to plan for the commander to be unavailable, due to excessive commander tax, oppressive static abilities, or other adverse situations.</p>
<p>As a result, a small draw dedicated draw package helps the deck draw through land pockets, fix mana, and find action, although these ten cards could be cut in favor of removal, interaction, or even a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> package.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sunforger"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Citizen&#039;s Crowbar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dispatch"></div></div>
<p>Removal, interaction, or a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> package would make the deck more skill-intensive and more custom to a given playgroup, which is why the current incarnation eschews them.</p>
<p>There are some Equipment that can double as removal, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Citizen&#039;s Crowbar" href="#" target="_blank">Citizen&#039;s Crowbar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which would maintain the deck’s ratio while sneaking in a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Naturalize" href="#" target="_blank">Naturalize</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Interaction such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Path to Exile" href="#" target="_blank">Path to Exile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dispatch" href="#" target="_blank">Dispatch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can deal with the large creatures that can brick wall our smaller Dwarves, and can even slot into a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> package.</p>
<p>The <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> package would consist of the titular card plus nine instants to tutor up. The ability to tutor up those nine cards is a powerful one, but it makes decisions difficult, including our rummaging, as we don’t want to draw the tutorable cards and we risk reducing the amount of live targets it can find.</p>
<h2>How Does This <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giott, King of the Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Giott, King of the Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Commander Deck Win?</h2>
<p>This Giott deck looks to flood the board with Equipment and Dwarves and then punch through damage. It's very much an aggro-combo deck looking to attack early and often while opponents are setting up.</p>
<p>Our curve is relatively low, and we can easily cast multiple spells in the same turn. Equip costs, multi-spelling, and commander tax all provide reasons to run extra lands.</p>
<h2>Giott, King of the Dwarves Commander Decklist</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Giott, King of the Dwarves Commander Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Giott, King of the Dwarves
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Aerial Responder
*1 Axgard Cavalry
*1 Bruenor Battlehammer
*1 Digsite Engineer
*1 Duergar Hedge-Mage
*1 Dwarven Bloodboiler
*1 Dwarven Castle Guard
*1 Dwarven Recruiter
*1 Fairgrounds Warden
*1 Gimli of the Glittering Caves
*1 Glóin, Dwarf Emissary
*1 Hammers of Moradin
*1 Hofri Ghostforge
*1 Insufferable Balladeer
*1 Koll, the Forgemaster
*1 Magda, Brazen Outlaw
*1 Plundering Barbarian
*1 Priest of Ancient Lore
*1 Restoration Specialist
*1 Reyav, Master Smith
*1 Sram, Senior Edificer
*1 Tataru Taru
*1 Toolcraft Exemplar
*1 Torbran, Thane of Red Fell
*1 Warchanter Skald
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Basilisk Collar
*1 Beamtown Beatstick
*1 Bearded Axe
*1 Bloodforged Battle-Axe
*1 Buster Sword
*1 Celestial Armor
*1 Colossus Hammer
*1 Conjurer&#039;s Mantle
*1 Diamond Pick-Axe
*1 Dwarven Hammer
*1 Gimli&#039;s Axe
*1 Glimmer Lens
*1 Goldvein Pick
*1 Hammer of Nazahn
*1 Heirloom Blade
*1 Hoard Hauler
*1 Infiltration Lens
*1 Leyline Axe
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Mask of Memory
*1 Maul of the Skyclaves
*1 Paradise Mantle
*1 Prying Blade
*1 Rogue&#039;s Gloves
*1 Shadowspear
*1 Skullclamp
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Sword of the Animist
*1 The Reaver Cleaver
*1 Trailblazer&#039;s Boots
*1 Two-Handed Axe // Sweeping Cleave
*1 Zephyr Boots
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Open the Armory
*1 Steelshaper&#039;s Gift
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*20 Mountain
*20 Plains
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>This is an aggressive kindred deck, aiming to attack early and often. We don’t need much setup; we want to attack opponents while they are setting up.</p>
<p>We have some ways to punch through damage and break board stalls, as well as to rummage through our library using our commander’s passive ability.</p>
<p>How would you use those final slots? Would you want extra velocity, removal, interaction, or a Sunforger package?</p>


Giott, King of the Dwarves Deck Tech

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Indomitable" href="#" target="_blank">The Indomitable</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://samuelperinart.com/">Samuel Perin</a></h6>
<p>During MagicCon Vegas, we got the news that <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/vehicles">legendary Vehicles</a> can be your commander starting with <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/eoe">Edge of Eternities</a></em>, which caused myself and countless other players to rush to their binders and online search engines.</p>
<p>The announcement that <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/top-10-vehicle-commanders">your favorite rides from the multiverse</a> can be in your command zone sparked quite a lot of creativity in the community.</p>
<p>One of the most played legendary Vehicles in the format already is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Indomitable" href="#" target="_blank">The Indomitable</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a four-mana mono-blue (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) Pirate ship that’s a wicked card draw engine.</p>
<p>It’s also a great attacker when crewed that offers you a way to return it to the battlefield from your graveyard. Sure, you could throw every evasive creature you can find into this deck and call it a day, but I wanted to take this list in a bit more of a nautical direction.</p>
<h2>The Commander - The Indomitable</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Indomitable"></div></div>
<p>Pirate decks typically land in the Grixis Shard (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>), boasting over <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/pirates">twenty-thousand decks here on EDHREC</a>; however, as of writing, only sixty of those are mono-blue.</p>
<p>Well, that’s all about to change when players set sail with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Indomitable" href="#" target="_blank">The Indomitable</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in their command zone. Since this ship draws you a card whenever a creature you control deals combat damage to a player, I packed this $40 deck list full of the sneakiest scurvy dogs on the seven seas.</p>
<p>Now, I know what you’re thinking: aren’t we losing too many good Pirate-matters cards without adding red or black? This is a valid concern, but do not fret, because the raw power of blue is here ensure you don't miss those other crewmates.</p>
<p>As you will see through this list, filling the board with evasive Pirates that draw you a card whenever they push damage forward is a strong enough gameplan for you to keep up with the rest of the table.</p>
<p>That’s enough preamble for one day, so join me Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks, aboard the newest addition to your fleet of decks.</p>
<h3>The Fiercest Members of The Crew</h3>
<p>When I first set out on the journey of building this deck, I’ll admit that I had a little trepidation with this concept (don’t tell anyone or I’ll walk the plank).</p>
<p>However, the more I looked into the Pirates in blue, the more I was blown away by their power, especially on a budget! If you’re still not sold on the idea, let me highlight some of the heavy hitters on the list.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Storm Fleet Negotiator"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Azure Fleet Admiral"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator" href="#" target="_blank">Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: when paired with The Indomitable, these two are unstoppable. Drawing cards and making Treasures along the way just means that your post combat step can get out of hand fast.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Storm Fleet Negotiator" href="#" target="_blank">Storm Fleet Negotiator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This Pirate not only draws everyone a card when it hits a player, but it also adds some more permanents to the board in the form of those <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Map" href="#" target="_blank">Map</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> tokens.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Azure Fleet Admiral" href="#" target="_blank">Azure Fleet Admiral</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Adding the Monarchy to the game can always be a bit risky, but when you have a deck like this that’s filled with flyers and a trampling commander, you should be able to get the crown back if you ever lose it.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kitesail Larcenist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Warkite Marauder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Amphin Mutineer"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kitesail Larcenist" href="#" target="_blank">Kitesail Larcenist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This creature will be on the top of everyone’s hitlist when it hits the board, since it turns people’s staples into Treasures.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Warkite Marauder" href="#" target="_blank">Warkite Marauder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: A great two-drop that can nullify your opponent’s nastiest creature when it attacks, all while drawing you cards in the process.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Amphin Mutineer" href="#" target="_blank">Amphin Mutineer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Even though this isn’t the most evasive Pirate on the list, it’s still a great way to add exile removal to the deck, while being the perfect crewer for your commander.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spectral Sailor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spyglass Siren"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Siren Stormtamer"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spectral Sailor" href="#" target="_blank">Spectral Sailor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Having cheap Pirates as early as turn one might not look too impressive, but when each of them represent card draw in the late game, you look at them a little differently.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spyglass Siren" href="#" target="_blank">Spyglass Siren</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Creating a Map token on ETB is incredible value, since this deck works best when it’s just doing the basics, like hitting land drops, and building up the board with evasive Pirates.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Siren Stormtamer" href="#" target="_blank">Siren Stormtamer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: So many of these cards we’ve seen so far today are headaches for your opponents, but that’s why having a counterspell on a stick like this creature will help protect your gameplan.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cloud Pirates"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Talas Explorer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rishadan Brigand"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloud Pirates" href="#" target="_blank">Cloud Pirates</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Don’t overlook some classic Pirates, because they can still help this deck pack a punch! (Yes, both this card and the next entry on the list have been updated to have "Pirate" in their creature types)</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Talas Explorer" href="#" target="_blank">Talas Explorer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Now this card may read better than it actually plays: since the Oracle text lets you only see one player’s hand, this is still an evasive Pirate that gives you a lot of information when it hits the board.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rishadan Brigand" href="#" target="_blank">Rishadan Brigand</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This classic Pirate enters the battlefield and disrupts your opponents' gameplans, unless they pay three mana. Who says blue can’t have edicts?</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Oaken Siren"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Merchant Raiders"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deadeye Quartermaster"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oaken Siren" href="#" target="_blank">Oaken Siren</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This is a creature that surprised me in this deck, since it can help cast your commander, while also being a vigilant attacker once you’re ready for it draw you cards.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Merchant Raiders" href="#" target="_blank">Merchant Raiders</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: You will be drawing a lot while piloting this deck, which just means that each new Pirate you draw will hit the board and tap down your opponents' threats until they can deal with these Raiders.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deadeye Quartermaster" href="#" target="_blank">Deadeye Quartermaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While this deck isn’t filled with too many Vehicles, the option to go find one of the ships I added to the list and get it into your hand is great utility to have around.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skysovereign, Consul Flagship"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cargo Ship"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Lunar Whale"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skysovereign, Consul Flagship" href="#" target="_blank">Skysovereign, Consul Flagship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: A great target to tutor for, this recent addition to the list of new commanders is awesome in this deck. Evasion and removal is a really nasty combo.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cargo Ship" href="#" target="_blank">Cargo Ship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This ship adds some ramp to the deck, while also being a nice attacker in the air. Swinging over your opponents and then tapping for mana post-combat is a real one-two punch.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Lunar Whale" href="#" target="_blank">The Lunar Whale</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: I underestimated this Vehicle when I first read it, but it has over-performed every time I had it out during playtesting, allowing you to cycle through the top of your deck after combat can make for an explosive turn.</li>
</ul>
<h2>The Full Decklist</h2>
<p>If the cards we’ve covered so far today have gotten you excited, then you’re going to love the rest of the deck! This list is incredibly fun to pilot, and feels like it could fly under the radar until the time is right for you to absolutely decimate the table with your card draw engine. So, after you look things over, be sure to go to <a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/14086525/the_indomitable_budget_deck_edhrec_article">the deck's Archidekt page</a> and playtest it yourself!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="The Indomitable Budget Deck - EDHREC Article" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 The Indomitable
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Amphin Mutineer
*1 Azure Fleet Admiral
*1 Brineborn Cutthroat
*1 Burdened Aerialist
*1 Cloud Pirates
*1 Corsair Captain
*1 Corsairs of Umbar
*1 Crafty Cutpurse
*1 Daring Saboteur
*1 Deadeye Quartermaster
*1 Departed Deckhand
*1 Dreamcaller Siren
*1 Kitesail Corsair
*1 Kitesail Larcenist
*1 Kitesail Skirmisher
*1 Malcolm, Alluring Scoundrel
*1 Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator
*1 Merchant Raiders
*1 Mothdust Changeling
*1 Oaken Siren
*1 Rishadan Brigand
*1 Scrounging Skyray
*1 Siren Lookout
*1 Siren Stormtamer
*1 Skyship Plunderer
*1 Slippery Scoundrel
*1 Spectral Sailor
*1 Spyglass Siren
*1 Staunch Crewmate
*1 Storm Fleet Aerialist
*1 Storm Fleet Negotiator
*1 Talas Explorer
*1 Timestream Navigator
*1 Warkite Marauder
*1 Zephyr Singer
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bident of Thassa
*1 Cargo Ship
*1 Skysovereign, Consul Flagship
*1 Sol Ring
*1 The Lunar Whale
*1 Thought Vessel
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 An Offer You Can&#039;t Refuse
*1 Arcane Denial
*1 Beyeen Veil // Beyeen Coast
*1 Consider
*1 Evacuation
*1 High Tide
*1 Into the Flood Maw
*1 Lookout&#039;s Dispersal
*1 Negate
*1 Opt
*1 Reverse the Polarity
*1 Siren&#039;s Ruse
*1 Snap
*1 You Come to a River
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Ominous Seas
*1 Reconnaissance Mission
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Consuming Tide
*1 Distortion Strike
*1 Ingenious Mastery
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Access Tunnel
*1 Conduit Pylons
*1 Crystal Grotto
*1 Demolition Field
*1 Halimar Depths
*1 Hidden Grotto
*29 Island
*1 Lonely Sandbar
*1 Reliquary Tower
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h3>A Few More Highlights</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="High Tide"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reverse the Polarity"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ominous Seas"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="High Tide" href="#" target="_blank">High Tide</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: The strength of attacking with your board, drawing a bunch of cards, and then casting High Tide in your second main phase to dump your hand is just exactly what you want to be doing with this deck.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reverse the Polarity" href="#" target="_blank">Reverse the Polarity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: The utility of this card is what sets it apart for me. It’s a great counterspell when you need it, but could help you just close things out if your opponents have built up their defenses in a major way throughout the game.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ominous Seas" href="#" target="_blank">Ominous Seas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: As we've mentioned so many times today, this deck <em>a lot </em>draws cards... So, it only seems fitting that if you do that enough times, you get the chance to say “release the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kraken" href="#" target="_blank">Kraken</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>…”</li>
</ul>
<h2>In Closing</h2>
<p>Now that you’ve seen the level of nautical nonsense this deck can offer, I want to hear from you: what cards would you add to the list? Let me know in the comments below.</p>
<p>You can even feel free to add non-budget cards down there, in case someone is willing to drop a few more doubloons than I was. Thank you for spending this time with me today, and I hope you have fun sending your playgroup to Davy Jones' Locker without breaking the bank.</p>


The Indomitable: Mono-Blue Pirates on a Budget

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Amy Rose" href="#" target="_blank">Amy Rose</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Ary by <a href="https://evanstanleyportfolio.com/">Evan Stanley</a></h6>
<h1>We're All Excited About the New Sonic the Hedgehog Secret Lair, But...</h1>
<p>How playable are these new cards? Do they stand out? One that I'm particularly interested in is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Amy Rose" href="#" target="_blank">Amy Rose</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Is she going to stack up to the Boros Voltron decks of the past few years?</p>
<h2>The Stats</h2>
<p>Before we can assess anything, we have to check out Amy's stats. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Amy Rose" href="#" target="_blank">Amy Rose</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> Hedgehog Warrior. She's a 3/3 with haste and reads "Whenever Amy Rose attacks, attach up to one target Equipment to her. Then up to one other attacking creature gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is Amy Rose's power."</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Amy Rose"></div></div>
<p>Initially, I read her and wondered why they focused heavily on Equipments. Most Voltron commanders usually have the option to dabble with Auras and Equipments, and for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arna Kennerüd, Skycaptain" href="#" target="_blank">Arna Kennerüd, Skycaptain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, +1/+1 counters. Voltron strategies are usually glass cannons.</p>
<p>Typically, Voltron encourages an all-in mentality about damage. What I like here is that it encourages multiple creatures on the board, trying trigger her attacks more than once, to make a more divisible attack. I don't know if stacks up, though. We'll see...</p>
<h2>The Equipment</h2>
<p>I think Amy wants us to <strong>cheat</strong>. We want low-cost Equipment with outrageous equip costs that we can circumvent with her ability. We <em>definitely</em> want a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Colossus Hammer" href="#" target="_blank">Colossus Hammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Play the Hammer on turn one and try to swing with Amy Rose on turn four for 13 damage, and maybe 13 on a small creature body like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Esper Sentinel" href="#" target="_blank">Esper Sentinel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Seems good, high damage is always the goal!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Colossus Hammer"></div></div>
<p>Equipment like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blackblade Reforged" href="#" target="_blank">Blackblade Reforged</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrecking Ball Arm" href="#" target="_blank">Wrecking Ball Arm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are perfect because they put out a ton of damage for low casting cost, which becomes a free equip on Amy. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nettlecyst" href="#" target="_blank">Nettlecyst</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will compound with value as you push out more low cost artifacts for more damage.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Excalibur, Sword of Eden" href="#" target="_blank">Excalibur, Sword of Eden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might be possible as well, later on, with the reduction of all the small Equipment, but maybe not. It's worth thinking about because it grants vigilance which Amy will need to adequately defend herself with.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blackblade Reforged"></div></div>
<h2>High-Value Creatures for a Low Cost</h2>
<p>It's going to be pivotal to get a lot of low-cost, value-engine creatures. We want creatures that'll survive after your opponents try to remove Amy. Resilience is the key that's often lost in Voltron strategies. The commander isn't everything.</p>
<p>I'm thinking card draw and interaction are going to be a big problem. They usually are a problem in Boros, Voltron, and combat-heavy decks. For card draw, we'll need to run something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sram, Senior Edificer" href="#" target="_blank">Sram, Senior Edificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Cast a low-cost Equipment and refill your hand with another card.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sram, Senior Edificer"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Puresteel Paladin" href="#" target="_blank">Puresteel Paladin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another option for card draw. Every Equipment entering will trigger a draw. Additionally, it's low cost and could be a target for buffing from Amy. Be careful though, because Amy only provides power. Opportune blocks could kill your value engine.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Danitha Capashen, Paragon" href="#" target="_blank">Danitha Capashen, Paragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is keyword soup which is perfect for Voltron. She also discounts the cost for Equipment, saving some mana for protection spells.</p>
<p>She's also low cost, so you can anticipate getting her out earlier than Amy and then choosing her as a target for buffing. First strike makes her power more relevant because she likely can be buffed and survive the lack of toughness added by Amy.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Danitha Capashen, Paragon"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ardenn, Intrepid Archaeologist" href="#" target="_blank">Ardenn, Intrepid Archaeologist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another good target because he can attach multiple Equipment onto Amy or himself. It allows for a two-pronged attack.</p>
<p>Ardenn could buff himself with some Equipment, then Amy could take the last biggest artifact, forcing out two great attacks. He's low cost, too, so he's right on curve for a turn-four Amy with haste.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stoneforge Mystic" href="#" target="_blank">Stoneforge Mystic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is so important for searching for the value Equipment you might need early game for the strongest lead. This gets the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Colossus Hammer" href="#" target="_blank">Colossus Hammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> next turn. It's also low cost like all the creatures mentioned before which are great for early game damage output.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ardenn, Intrepid Archaeologist"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Esper Sentinel" href="#" target="_blank">Esper Sentinel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is pretty great here too because of the passive card draw. It's a low cost, turn-one play that provides a decent amount of card advantage. That can get in for damage if coupled with Amy effectively.</p>
<h2>Protection</h2>
<p>One the biggest struggles here is going to be removal. Your opponents will probably wait until you attempt to enter combat to nuke Amy. I think the best way to survive this would be running <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swiftfoot Boots" href="#" target="_blank">Swiftfoot Boots</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Greaves" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Greaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. They synergize with the deck's Equipment theme and can easily protect.</p>
<p>Boots and Greaves are consistent and telegraphed. However, I find protection is better when it comes out of nowhere. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s un-equip ability allows you to tutor for a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teferi&#039;s Protection" href="#" target="_blank">Teferi&#039;s Protection</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boros Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Boros Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flawless Maneuver" href="#" target="_blank">Flawless Maneuver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is also an Equipment.</p>
<p>Another really sneaky protection spell is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clever Concealment" href="#" target="_blank">Clever Concealment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> because you can convoke to pay for it and phase out your board from destruction or exile effects like a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Farewell" href="#" target="_blank">Farewell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal" href="#" target="_blank">Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is similar. It also works offensively to phase out your opponent's board for free swings.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sunforger"></div></div>
<p>The standard <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dawn&#039;s Truce" href="#" target="_blank">Dawn&#039;s Truce</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Loran&#039;s Escape" href="#" target="_blank">Loran&#039;s Escape</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Surge of Salvation" href="#" target="_blank">Surge of Salvation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are good here too because they're low cost protection spells you can cast out of nowhere. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mithril Coat" href="#" target="_blank">Mithril Coat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a similar.</p>
<p>Most removal will come in the form of destruction rather than exile so <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mithril Coat" href="#" target="_blank">Mithril Coat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be an Equipment you can use like an instant-speed protection spell.</p>
<p>Lastly, I think just forcing people not to be able to interact on your turn might be best. Something like a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grand Abolisher" href="#" target="_blank">Grand Abolisher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Voice of Victory" href="#" target="_blank">Voice of Victory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are great ways to ensure your combat shenanigans go unhindered.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dawn&#039;s Truce"></div></div>
<h2>Increased Damage</h2>
<p>This deck strikes me as the kind that will like to win as fast as possible. We'll likely not be able to fight against slow, consistent engines. We'll have to burst in with damage and eliminate players before they can find the removal or interaction to stop us. How will we manage that?</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar" href="#" target="_blank">Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a good way. If we can stack Amy with a ton of damage we can deal that to other players if she connects. In the early game this can be very relevant.</p>
<p>Additional ways to make Amy hit harder, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Duelist&#039;s Heritage" href="#" target="_blank">Duelist&#039;s Heritage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, might get us there early as well. Alongside Kediss, this could be a huge lead early.</p>
<p>Anything that gives double strike will likely need to be included, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Legion Leadership // Legion Stronghold" href="#" target="_blank">Legion Leadership // Legion Stronghold</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Halvar, God of Battle // Sword of the Realms" href="#" target="_blank">Halvar, God of Battle // Sword of the Realms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar"></div></div>
<p>Later on in the game, things like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="City on Fire" href="#" target="_blank">City on Fire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fiery Emancipation" href="#" target="_blank">Fiery Emancipation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might be viable to triple the damage Amy and friends can deal; it could be game-ending. Speaking of game-ending, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Full Throttle" href="#" target="_blank">Full Throttle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could be a very viable win con.</p>
<p>Three combats, three Amy triggers, three damage steps. Anything that gives multiple combats could work. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Full Throttle" href="#" target="_blank">Full Throttle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is very pricey, mana-wise, but it could end the game for someone. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akroma&#039;s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Akroma&#039;s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another win con. It's just a crazy card. No notes.</p>
<h2>Ramp and Draw</h2>
<p>Some of the biggest struggles Boros has is land ramp. We have to push artifact ramp and hit our land drops every turn. We'll need tons of mana eventually.</p>
<p>I'd run <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thran Dynamo" href="#" target="_blank">Thran Dynamo</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Talisman of Conviction" href="#" target="_blank">Talisman of Conviction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mind Stone" href="#" target="_blank">Mind Stone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. We need to increase the number of artifacts we have on board while increasing our mana.</p>
<p>Another potential hot take: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inspiring Statuary" href="#" target="_blank">Inspiring Statuary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Big spells, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fiery Emancipation" href="#" target="_blank">Fiery Emancipation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Full Throttle" href="#" target="_blank">Full Throttle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, could be paid for with the artifacts in play. It wouldn't help cast any of our Equipment, but it's a good way to ramp. A <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Land Tax" href="#" target="_blank">Land Tax</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> wouldn't hurt either to hit your land drops.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Full Throttle"></div></div>
<p>Obviously, if we can run <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of the Animist" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of the Animist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for additional ramp on lands on damage, we should. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Armored Skyhunter" href="#" target="_blank">Armored Skyhunter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> also provides saved mana on Equipment and is kind of card advantage. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mask of Memory" href="#" target="_blank">Mask of Memory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> also draws cards.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>I've always had chip on my shoulder when I think about Voltron decks. It's usually an all-in strategy, low creature, high protection deck. I worry that it loses to too many other archetypes.</p>
<p>Wide strategies and combo seems to find a way to win against it. Without a way to give your creature vigilance, it's hard to protect yourself when you attack. It's a glass canon, shields-down strategy. I was hoping that Amy would be different.</p>
<p>In some ways she is. Spreading out the damage at least solves the problem of going all-in on one player at a time. She also free equips and can attack the turn she comes in, but it encourages attacking and zero blocking.</p>
<p>I worry about the crack back. Dealing high amounts of damage to one player simply rallies players against you when you often can't protect yourself against multiple different attacks. But maybe I'm playing Voltron wrong.</p>
<p>I like that in this deck it encourages you to have a board state with other creatures. It still is shields down but at least it gives your choices. I'm not sure it's much different from most Boros Voltron decks.</p>
<p>I would even suggest that it might detract from the central strategy that makes Voltron viable? I'm not sure. I'm conflicted as usual. Let me hear your thoughts. Is this viable? I'm @strixhavendropout on BlueSky.</p>


How is Amy Different From Every Other Boros Voltron Deck?

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cid, Timeless Artificer|fin|412" href="#" target="_blank">Cid, Timeless Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://davidastruga.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">David Astruga</a></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Well, <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/fin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Final Fantasy</em></a> is here and just as predicted, it's an incredibly popular set. Sure, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vivi Ornitier" href="#" target="_blank">Vivi Ornitier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER" href="#" target="_blank">Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Traveling Chocobo" href="#" target="_blank">Traveling Chocobo</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are dominating the spotlight, but let’s take a look at some of the gems from the set that may be hidden in your bulk. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">My name is Tyler ‘Savesya’ Bucks, and it’s my duty to look through your stacks of commons &amp; uncommons so you don’t have to. On today’s Bulk Up, I present to you some amazing cards you might have overlooked, just waiting to be added to your decks.</span></p>
<h3>Blitzball</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blitzball"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let’s kick things off this week with everyone’s favorite game: Is this three mana rock good enough in Commander? <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blitzball" href="#" target="_blank">Blitzball</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> taps for a mana of any color, but it can also tap and sacrifice itself to draw two cards if a legendary creature has dealt combat damage to an opponent that turn. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This card is great in aggressive strategies, especially when you have an expensive commander who loves to get into combat, since those kinds of decks usually need help with refilling their hand.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In terms of a deck suggestion for this card, let’s pair it up with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Slicer, Hired Muscle" href="#" target="_blank">Slicer, Hired Muscle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Decks built around this commander are centered around powering out Slicer, and then passing it around. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you notice, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blitzball" href="#" target="_blank">Blitzball</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be sacrificed to draw those cards whenever an opponent is dealt damage by any legendary creature, you don’t have to be the one to control it. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So, be sneaky and hold this up until it’s just right for you to draw those cards when no one is expecting it. </span></p>
<h3>Restoration Magic</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Restoration Magic"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Every deck needs to protect its key pieces, especially since more and more removal gets added to the format each year. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Restoration Magic" href="#" target="_blank">Restoration Magic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> being a tiered spell that can save a valuable permanent makes it incredibly useful at any point in the game. Since some matchups can be a war of attrition, the option to save your whole board while also gaining six life can be just the thing to put you out of kill-range!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Amalia Benavides Aguirre" href="#" target="_blank">Amalia Benavides Aguirre</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a life gain commander that, when left unchecked, can turn into a board wipe. So, she often becomes a lightning rod for removal, which is where <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Restoration Magic" href="#" target="_blank">Restoration Magic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can come to the rescue. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, you can get extra tricky with these two cards, and here’s how: When Amalia is one counter away from sweeping the table, cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Restoration Magic" href="#" target="_blank">Restoration Magic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for its five mana level, giving your board indestructible and gaining you life. If Amalia gets that final counter, then she'll destroy every creature except for yours.</span></p>
<h3>Sazh's Chocobo</h3>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">+1/+1 counter decks are incredibly popular in Commander, totaling over one hundred and sixty thousand decks <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/plus-1-plus-1-counters" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here on EDHREC</a>. Which is why you could hear a collective cheer during preview season when <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sazh&#039;s Chocobo" href="#" target="_blank">Sazh&#039;s Chocobo</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was revealed. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A one-mana creature that gets a counter every time a land enters your board may not seem flashy, but when your deck just wants to build up counters as quickly as possible, starting that engine on turn one is exactly what you’re looking for. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A mono-colored legend that loves modified creatures is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kodama of the West Tree" href="#" target="_blank">Kodama of the West Tree</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The one thing that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sazh&#039;s Chocobo" href="#" target="_blank">Sazh&#039;s Chocobo</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is missing is some way to punch that damage through, which is where Kodama comes in. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Giving your little chick trample, then ramping lands when it hits is exactly the type of synergy we love to see. So, if you already have a Kodama deck, be sure to go looking for this li'l friend in your boosters.</span></p>
<h3>Al Bhed Salvagers</h3>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Our next card not only fits in with <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/aristocrats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aristocrat decks</a>, but it also makes Clues, Food, Treasures and more even better; it’s <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Al Bhed Salvagers" href="#" target="_blank">Al Bhed Salvagers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We've seen several different variations of this type of card over the years, but the new spin this time around is that it triggers on both creatures and artifacts, making it perfect to pair up with anything that wants to sacrifice itself for your cause.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A commander that consistently makes artifacts that will feed the Salvagers is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff" href="#" target="_blank">Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. He makes you a Treasure whenever a player casts their second spell, which is a great ability, however it does cost you one life in the process. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is what makes <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Al Bhed Salvagers" href="#" target="_blank">Al Bhed Salvagers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> such a great fit in the deck, since you can then use that token for mana, gain your life back, and drain someone else.</span></p>
<h3>Opera Love Song</h3>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Red’s card advantage has come a long way, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Opera Love Song" href="#" target="_blank">Opera Love Song</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is just more proof of that. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sure, it could pump up a couple of your creatures for a turn, but more importantly, it gives you access to the top two cards of your library at instant speed. The rate of this is just amazing, especially since you can hold up that mana as your opponents take their turns, then surprise them with this spell right before your turn.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you picked up the <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/exit-from-exile-precon-primer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Exit From Exile</a></em> precon back in the day, then your commander <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Faldorn, Dread Wolf Herald" href="#" target="_blank">Faldorn, Dread Wolf Herald</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is just champing at the bit for this new spell. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Of course, casting spells from exile is something that keeps your engine running, but that power buff is something that could come up when the time is right. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With all those Wolf tokens you have sitting around, you can turn a chump block into a gotcha-style combat trick! </span></p>
<h3>Stolen Uniform</h3>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At first glance, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stolen Uniform" href="#" target="_blank">Stolen Uniform</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might seem like a pretty narrow Equipment-matters card. While it does rely on an Equipment being on the field, it has a few tricks up its stolen sleeves. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First off, you can steal an opponent’s pivotal protection piece, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Greaves" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Greaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, allowing you to finally target the creature with removal. On top of that, it can also just allow you to attach an Equipment on your side of the field for only one mana, getting around expensive equip costs (I’m looking at you, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Colossus Hammer" href="#" target="_blank">Colossus Hammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>…)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A commander that can add even more tricks to the mix is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arna Kennerüd, Skycaptain" href="#" target="_blank">Arna Kennerüd, Skycaptain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you steal an Equipment from one of your opponents, all you need to do is attack with the creature you attached it to, which will then trigger Arna. That'll create a copy of the Equipment you stole, which you get to keep even after you give back what you borrowed. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not bad for only one mana! </span></p>
<h2>Great Uncommon Legends</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Next up, let’s take a look at a few uncommon legendary creatures that could make for great commanders themselves, but can do some major work in the 99 of another deck.</span></p>
<h3>Black Waltz No. 3</h3>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Guttersnipe" href="#" target="_blank">Guttersnipe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a certified staple in the Commander format, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Black Waltz No. 3" href="#" target="_blank">Black Waltz No. 3</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fits a similar role. Dealing two damage to each opponent whenever you cast a noncreature spell is amazing, and can fit in a few places <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Guttersnipe" href="#" target="_blank">Guttersnipe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> doesn’t. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Decks centered around artifacts, enchantments, or even planeswalkers can tend to spin their wheels, but that’s where this Black Mage can help. Plus, don’t discount this in Standard spellslinger decks, since it can weaponize your value plays.</span></p>
<h3>Ignis Scientia</h3>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For people who have followed my <em>Bulk Up</em> series for a while, you’ll know I love the type of ramp found on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ignis Scientia" href="#" target="_blank">Ignis Scientia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Instead of picking up your deck, searching for a land, then shuffling; you just look at the top six cards of your library and pick the best land. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This helps speed up the game, as well as gives you the ability to hit nonbasics. Sure, it makes fixing your mana a little harder, but the ease of use is worth the risk. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Keep an eye out for this guy and his delicious treats while you’re opening packs from this set!</span></p>
<h3>The Emperor of Palamecia</h3>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Speaking of ramp, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Emperor of Palamecia" href="#" target="_blank">The Emperor of Palamecia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is here to help you cast your noncreature spells, coming down as early as turn two. Even though that mana does come with a restriction, when paired with the right deck, The Emperor can end up feeling like any other mana source. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On top of all of that, it can grow with counters as the game goes on, and transform into a nasty repeatable burn outlet on its flip side. Which makes it great not only in the setup phases of your game, but also when you need to close things out in a match. </span></p>
<h3>Cid, Timeless Artificer</h3>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Closing things out this week with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cid, Timeless Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Cid, Timeless Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which comes with everyone's favorite text “A deck can have any number of cards named <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?as=grid&amp;order=released&amp;q=%21%22Cid%2C+Timeless+Artificer%22+include%3Aextras&amp;unique=prints" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cid, Timeless Artificer</a>.” Since it has that clause, this is an uncommon that will most likely fetch a higher price for a long time. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">It also has the benefit of being a card with alternate art for each version of Cid in the games, adding more value to whichever variant of the card you get. Plus, it’s just a cool design, helping both Heroes and artifact creatures you control. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With this set, and all the <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/spe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marvel cards to come</a>, supporting Heroes will become more valuable as time goes on. </span></p>
<h2>The Wrap Up</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whether you went to a prerelease, draft, or just picked up boosters from this set, you’re bound to find some of the amazing cards we talked about today hidden in your bulk. So, before you let those stacks of cards sit too long, sift through them one more time, because a future staple might be waiting for you. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you want to see more great commons &amp; uncommons from <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/fin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Final Fantasy</em></a>, I did another edition of <em>Bulk Up</em> a few weeks ago that you can <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/amazing-commons-uncommons-from-the-final-fantasy-set" target="_blank" rel="noopener">check out here</a>.</span></p>
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artifacts