Three Esper-cially Spicy Brews

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Noctis, Heir Apparent" href="#" target="_blank">Noctis, Heir Apparent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.winonanelson.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Winona Nelson</a></em></p>
<p>Today's commander, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Noctis, Heir Apparent" href="#" target="_blank">Noctis, Heir Apparent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, was brought to my attention by someone who had commented on a previous article. It stuck with me long enough, so I figure I'd write it up.</p>
<p>However, the big news is that this is going to be the final article for the<em> Beyond the</em> <em>Multiverse </em>series. As I'll explain at the end, this is just the last article in the series. I won't waste much more time on this right now, and would rather save it for the end. In addition, because of this, there'll be two lists. A regular <em>Universes Beyond</em>-only list, and, to satisfy the comment, a <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/fin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Final Fantasy</em></a>-only build. We'll still have our usual in-universe section, too.</p>
<p>So, without further ado, let's go on this epic car journey together.</p>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Noctis, Heir Apparent" href="#" target="_blank">Noctis, Heir Apparent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Noctis, Heir Apparent"></div></div>
<p>Noctis hails from <em>Final Fantasy XV</em>, and is the heir to a lineage, the kings of Lucis. He travels with his companions Prompto, Ignis, and Gladiolus to marry Lunafreya to forge a political alliance. However, things go sideways when daemons start attacking, forcing them to save the world first.</p>
<p>Noctis, Heir Apparent has quite the unique set of abilities. The game plan isn't quite as straightforward as your typical <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/boros" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boros</a> (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) Equipment slugfest. Yes, Noctis wants us to get some Equipment out, but we also need to hold up mana for his second ability. This not only forces us to conserve our mana, and perhaps ramp harder than usual, but we have to be quite selective with what cards to put in.</p>
<h3>A Special Kind of Armory</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sword of Truth and Justice|sld|1867"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Excalibur, Sword of Eden"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Buster Sword"></div></div>
<p>The case in point is <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/equipment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Equipment</a>. Our lineup must work with Noctis's activated ability in some capacity. So, cards like <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="Skullclamp" href="#" target="_blank">Skullclamp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will not work here. Instead, the Equipment we add needs to fit into at least one of the following categories:</p>
<p>1. Gives Noctis a decent stat boost. It's a deck designed to win via commander damage, albeit a weird one.</p>
<p>2. The Equipment does something when the equipped creature connects. This is especially useful, since Noctis can't be blocked if we use the activated ability.</p>
<p>To that end, the Swords of X and Y cycle, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of Truth and Justice" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of Truth and Justice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (shown above) are excellent choices. Another good choice is <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>, which lets us cast stuff from our hand when Noctis connects. Even better if he were to get double strike somehow.</p>
<p>On the other hand, <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> is outright terrifying with Noctis. Suddenly, someone could be facing 14 points of unblockable commander damage (or lethal if Noctis has double strike or other buffs).</p>
<p>However, it's worth noting that Noctis only attaches one Equipment at a time, and he warps in at a time <em>after</em> combat begins, so effects that occur at the beginning of combat won't work with him. To that end, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Forge Anew" href="#" target="_blank">Forge Anew</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigarda&#039;s Aid|sld|1727" href="#" target="_blank">Sigarda&#039;s Aid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are two of the best cards in the deck.</p>
<h2>The Traditional Noctis, Heir Apparent Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-Noctis" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Noctis, Heir Apparent
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Adric, Mathematical Genius
*1 Bastion Protector
*1 Bronze Guardian
*1 Cloud, Midgar Mercenary
*1 Codsworth, Handy Helper
*1 Danitha Capashen, Paragon
*1 Gandalf the White
*1 Helitrooper
*1 Loran of the Third Path
*1 Lyse Hext
*1 Mangara, the Diplomat
*1 Noctis, Prince of Lucis
*1 Puresteel Paladin
*1 Sram, Senior Edificer
*1 Weapons Vendor
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Ace&#039;s Baseball Bat
*1 Aettir and Priwen
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Buster Sword
*1 Chromatic Lantern
*1 Colossus Hammer
*1 Excalibur, Sword of Eden
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Machinist&#039;s Arsenal
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Mystic Forge
*1 Panharmonicon
*1 Shadowspear
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Sword of Feast and Famine
*1 Sword of Hearth and Home
*1 Sword of Light and Shadow
*1 Sword of Truth and Justice
*1 Sword of War and Peace
*1 Talisman of Dominance
*1 Talisman of Hierarchy
*1 Talisman of Progress
*1 Ultima Weapon
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Anguished Unmaking
*1 Battlefield Improvisation
*1 Clever Concealment
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Crypt Incursion
*1 Despark
*1 Dispatch
*1 Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal
*1 Overkill
*1 Restoration Magic
*1 Stroke of Midnight
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Void Rend
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Avatar&#039;s Wrath
*1 Cleansing Nova
*1 Open the Armory
*1 Painful Truths
*1 Read the Bones
*1 Steelshaper&#039;s Gift
*1 Toxic Deluge
*1 Traverse Eternity
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Black Market Connections
*1 Forge Anew
*1 Sigarda&#039;s Aid
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Arcane Sanctum
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Choked Estuary
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Command Tower
*1 Drowned Catacomb
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fetid Heath
*1 Glacial Fortress
*1 Inventors&#039; Fair
*6 Island
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Opal Palace
*1 Path of Ancestry
*6 Plains
*1 Port Town
*1 Reflecting Pool
*1 Shineshadow Snarl
*1 Spire of Industry
*6 Swamp
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h3>Pedal To the Metal</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lyse Hext"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gandalf the White"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cloud, Midgar Mercenary"></div></div>
<p>Not too much to write home about, as it's typical Boros tactics with an <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/esper" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Esper</a>-themed trench coat. Moreover, we have contingencies in the event that Noctis gets too expensive to cast.</p>
<p>For example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lyse Hext" href="#" target="_blank">Lyse Hext</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will get double strike so as long as we cast two spells on our turns. So, it'd be better to wait to cast those spells until you've got a clear shot for her to get through. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloud, Midgar Mercenary" href="#" target="_blank">Cloud, Midgar Mercenary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets us tutor for an Equipment, then double the damage triggers while he's equipped and doing damage.</p>
<p>We also have another version of our commander in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Noctis, Prince of Lucis" href="#" target="_blank">Noctis, Prince of Lucis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who can recur destroyed artifacts for a last hurrah.</p>
<p>Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gandalf the White" href="#" target="_blank">Gandalf the White</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ensures that we can flash creatures in on our opponents' turns, so they can attack when it's our turn. Not only that, but we can also cast the Equipment, so we can focus on equipping later.</p>
<p>However, the commenter I mentioned at the beginning said they wanted a deck using only <em>Final Fantasy </em>cards. What would such a list look like?</p>
<h2>Bonus Round - Noctis, Heir Apparent Final Fantasy Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="FF-Only Noctis" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Noctis, Heir Apparent
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Adelbert Steiner
*1 Ashe, Princess of Dalmasca
*1 Bastion Protector
*1 Beatrix, Loyal General
*1 Bronze Guardian
*1 Cid, Freeflier Pilot
*1 Cloud, Midgar Mercenary
*1 Edgar, King of Figaro
*1 Gaius van Baelsar
*1 Gogo, Master of Mimicry
*1 Golbez, Crystal Collector
*1 Helitrooper
*1 Lyse Hext
*1 Morbid Opportunist
*1 Noctis, Prince of Lucis
*1 PuPu UFO
*1 Puresteel Paladin
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Aettir and Priwen
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Buster Sword
*1 Champion&#039;s Helm
*1 Colossus Hammer
*1 Conqueror&#039;s Flail
*1 Dancer&#039;s Chakrams
*1 Fishing Gear
*1 Gilded Lotus
*1 Hero&#039;s Blade
*1 Inspiring Statuary
*1 Machinist&#039;s Arsenal
*1 Mask of Memory
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Ninja&#039;s Blades
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Sword of Truth and Justice
*1 Talisman of Dominance
*1 Talisman of Hierarchy
*1 Talisman of Progress
*1 Thought Vessel
*1 Ultima Weapon
*1 Umezawa&#039;s Jitte
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
*1 Wrecking Ball Arm
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 An Offer You Can&#039;t Refuse
*1 Clever Concealment
*1 Dispatch
*1 Magic Damper
*1 Overkill
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Pull from Tomorrow
*1 Restoration Magic
*1 Slash of Light
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Ultimate Magic: Holy
*1 Void Rend
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Cleansing Nova
*1 Day of Judgment
*1 Fated Clash
*1 Feed the Swarm
*1 Night&#039;s Whisper
*1 Toxic Deluge
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Forge Anew
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Arcane Sanctum
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Command Tower
*1 Darkwater Catacombs
*1 Desolate Mire
*1 Drowned Catacomb
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fetid Heath
*1 Glacial Fortress
*1 Idyllic Beachfront
*1 Ishgard, the Holy See // Faith &amp; Grief
*5 Island
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Path of Ancestry
*5 Plains
*1 Port Town
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Shineshadow Snarl
*1 Skycloud Expanse
*1 Sunken Hollow
*1 Sunken Ruins
*1 Sunlit Marsh
*5 Swamp
*1 Underground River
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h3>Other Ideas</h3>
<p>Here we have a more thematic deck that doesn't lose much, if any, of its potency.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ashe, Princess of Dalmasca"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gogo, Master of Mimicry"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Machinist&#039;s Arsenal"></div></div>
<p>Firstly, a card I've been warming up to recently is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ashe, Princess of Dalmasca" href="#" target="_blank">Ashe, Princess of Dalmasca</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. True, she doesn't do anything on entry, but she is a good equip target since you want to be attacking with her anyway. In addition, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gogo, Master of Mimicry" href="#" target="_blank">Gogo, Master of Mimicry</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can copy Noctis's first ability, allowing you to stack multiple Equipment on him. Given, of course, you can afford to.</p>
<p>While we don't have as many big boosts like Excalibur's or as many Swords of X and Y to use, there's still some choice options. First, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ultima Weapon" href="#" target="_blank">Ultima Weapon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives Noctis a whopping +7/+7 boost while destroying a creature. Secondly, with all of the artifacts in the deck, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Machinist&#039;s Arsenal" href="#" target="_blank">Machinist&#039;s Arsenal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could potentially grant a bigger buff than Excalibur, but that's assuming we don't get checked.</p>
<p>On an entirely different note, going in-universe is pretty much getting more choices with Equipment, and more support tied to said card type. That's basically it.</p>
<h2>Turning Over a New Leaf</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Farewell|who|207"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Farewell|fic|242"></div></div>
<p>With that, this brings us to the end of this series. It's been a fun journey with this series, both with its highs and lows. However, like I said, this is not the end of my time on EDHREC. Oh no, far from it.</p>
<p>I have a couple more series planned, with an article for each coming out every other week. Tune in the week after next, where I turn the page, and begin the next chapter. However, I do have a deck tech for a card from an upcoming set, and I want to acknowledge that this is the last article in this series. So, I'm breaking a cardinal rule for that list.</p>


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