<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>
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<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>
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<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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