Archetune-Up - Attack of the Clones

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doubling Season" href="#" target="_blank">Doubling Season</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/lukacs/">Chuck Lukacs</a>)</h6>
<h1>Prologue</h1>
<p>Hello, and welcome to another installment of <em>Lore Seeker, </em>an article series devoted to the legendary creatures to whom <em>Wizards of the Coast</em> forgot to give a story. I’ll guide you through each aspect that makes up a legendary creature and finally give them a little extra background attention. This time around I’ll be highlighting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Polukranos, Unchained" href="#" target="_blank">Polukranos, Unchained</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Polukranos, Unchained"></div></div>
<hr />
<h1>Story Circle</h1>
<p>Polukranos, known as the World Eater, fell to Theros from its celestial lair during the battle between Purphoros and Heliod, where he was quickly sealed under the Nessian Forest. Elspeth was tasked by Heliod to defeat the Hydra, who had recently escaped its stasis and was ravaging the land. Polukranos was defeated and, in death, was locked away in the Underworld. As we see in his recent depiction, however, Polukranos is back, freed from his chains and angrier than ever.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Heliod, God of the Sun"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elspeth, Sun&#039;s Champion"></div></div>
<hr />
<h1 style="text-align: center;">Card Analysis</h1>
<hr />
<h2>Name:</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/polukranosName.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-45677 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/polukranosName.jpg" alt="" width="289" height="65" /></a></p>
<p>Polukranos loosely translates from Greek to "many heads." More accurately, it means "many helmets," but I think we know what <em>Wizards</em> was going for. An apt name for a Hydra, and a good direction to go for the deck, but more on that later.</p>
<p>Chains seem to be a large trope in <em>Theros Beyond Death</em>. Looking through the creatures, specifically those with <em>Escape</em>, the majority have some element of chains hanging from them. The imagery of chains, especially in conjunction with their attachment to manacles, gives the underworld a much stronger prison feel than it previously had in my mind.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Mana Cost//Color Identity:</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/polukranosCost.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-45676 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/polukranosCost.jpg" alt="" width="87" height="58" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Black:</strong> Amorality and pragmatism; no waste, no qualms, and no feelings.</p>
<p><strong>Green:</strong> Survival of the fittest, pure and simple. What lives will die.</p>
<p><strong>Golgari (green/black): </strong>The colors of the graveyard, rot, and necromancy. As we explored in <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/lore-seeker-creepy-kraul-y/">my last article</a>, the Golgari are interested in recycling. Specifically, the Golgari necromancers make use of the dead, bringing back others to do their bidding for them. In the case of Polukranos, he is his own necromantic master.</p>
<p>I initially wanted to avoid doing creatures of the same color identity back-to-back in this series, but I made an exception because this black-green deck is going to use the graveyard in a very different way than the previous installment. In order to fuel our commander, this is a self-mill deck, so we're going to see a lot of cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stitcher&#039;s Supplier" href="#" target="_blank">Stitcher&#039;s Supplier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that actively put cards in the graveyard, not to revive them like Meren, but to exile them and keep Polukranos around.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hermit Druid"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Satyr Wayfinder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nyx Weaver"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2>Art:</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/polukranosArt.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-45675 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/polukranosArt.jpg" alt="" width="488" height="325" /></a></p>
<p>As we can see, the head that was destroyed in the battle with Elspeth has regenerated in the underworld into two new heads, zombified, discolored, and horrible. It's interesting to me that Polukranos still has faces. <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/lore-seeker-murder-king-fury-road/">When we explored Theros last</a> with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tymaret, the Murder King" href="#" target="_blank">Tymaret, the Murder King</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we discovered that the Zombies in the underworld lose their faces, adopting clay masks created in the underworld to hide their disfigurement and then replaced with the gold ones forged when they escape and become Returned. We also see Elspeth exempt from this mutation; likely her spark protected her (we also see her with a gold mask presumably still in the underworld, but I'll leave that rant for another day.)</p>
<p>Does this mean Polukranos has the power of a planeswalker, or are the rules just different for beasts of his nature? We will likely never know, but it does seem like a missed opportunity to put some rad gold Hydra masks on him.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Type Line:</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/polukranosType.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-45679 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/polukranosType.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="67" /></a></p>
<p>The Hydra originated from Greek mythology in the tale of Heracles (most commonly known as Hercules, the Roman adaptation). Heracles was tasked with a set of labors to redeem himself for prior actions. The Hydra was destroyed with the help of an ally and, more importantly, a golden sword that the goddess Athena bestowed upon him.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Godsend"></div></div>
<p>As a Greek-themed set, we can see a lot of the tropes of this story adapted in to <em>Magic</em>. Elspeth acts as Heracles, having been given a weapon from a God (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Godsend" href="#" target="_blank">Godsend</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) and tasked with defeating the Hydra. The biggest difference between <em>MTG</em> Hydras and those in Greek myths is their amphibious nature; the Lernaean Hydra of myth lived in a lake. We see a lot of large beasts in the water, like Leviathans, so I'm guessing they didn't want to add another big creature to blue's roster.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Rules Text:</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/polukranosRules.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-45678 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/polukranosRules.jpg" alt="" width="461" height="255" /></a></p>
<p>Removing all six heads from the beast kills it, sending it to the underworld once more. We are going to imagine each head as a +1/+1 counter for the remainder our discussion here. Since the Hydra will create a new head for each removed, the fact that Polukranos comes back with twelve heads (counters) is extremely flavorful. This rationale falls apart when we get to his ability when being dealt damage removes counters, but does not regenerate heads on its own.</p>
<p>Let's introduce Polukranos to his new best friend: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vigor" href="#" target="_blank">Vigor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The way replacement effects work is beneficial to us in this case, so instead of losing the counters, Polukranos will gain that many heads. Problem solved!</p>
<p>I want Polukranos to recreate that scene in the Disney version of Hercules. I want so many heads on this beast that they take up the entire sky.</p>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hydraHeads.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-45904 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hydraHeads.jpg" alt="" width="488" height="325" /></a></p>
<p>How do we accomplish this? <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doubling Season" href="#" target="_blank">Doubling Season</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Corpsejack Menace" href="#" target="_blank">Corpsejack Menace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are the key pieces. With one in play, Polukranos enters with 12 from a normal casting or 24 with <em>Escape</em>. With both on the field, the fun really begins, giving us 24 heads from a normal cast or 48 with <em>Escape</em>. That's more like it!</p>
<p>Now, there are a few other options to add additional counters to creatures, but because these are really only interacting with the commander and not any other cards in the deck, two will be plenty.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Doubling Season"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Corpsejack Menace"></div></div>
<hr />
<h1 style="text-align: center;">The Deck</h1>
<hr />
<p><em>Theros Beyond Death</em> introduced a new style of basic land: the Nyx basics (or the Pokelands.) I am not a fan of these, whether for this deck or any other. The only place I think I would consider them is in a deck helmed by one of the Therosian Gods or in an enchantress deck. For this particular deck, I was having a hard time nailing down exactly what type of basic fits, but I decided to take this as an opportunity to talk about some of my favorite basics. These two were both done by my favorite <em>Magic</em> artist, <a href="http://www.johnavonart.com/">John Avon</a>. I love the saturation and depth of these two pieces, and the old border looks more like dirt, perfect to fill our graveyard with.</p>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/polukranosBasics.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-46170 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/polukranosBasics.jpg" alt="" width="520" height="311" /></a></p>
<p>This deck is running a shockingly low number of lands, but we have a work around that I learned from the <a href="https://www.commandersbrew.com/">Commanders Brew</a> podcast. The idea in question is to lower the land count and instead run a bunch of those single-mana spells that tutor for a land, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lay of the Land" href="#" target="_blank">Lay of the Land</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Traverse the Ulvenwald" href="#" target="_blank">Traverse the Ulvenwald</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The reason we want these here is to fill our graveyard with the instants/sorceries that only exist to find the land we need. Because Polukranos doesn't care what type of card is in the graveyard and simply wants a larger number of cards in there, we can use these to both fix our mana and fill the graveyard. It's a neat trick that I have wanted to incorporate in a meaningful way for some time.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="The Second Labor" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Polukranos, Unchained
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Walking Ballista
*1 Deathrite Shaman
*1 Stitcher&#039;s Supplier
*1 Bloodghast
*1 Glowspore Shaman
*1 Hermit Druid
*1 Lotleth Troll
*1 Millikin
*1 Sakura-Tribe Elder
*1 Satyr Wayfinder
*1 Nyx Weaver
*1 Prowling Serpopard
*1 Splinterfright
*1 Springbloom Druid
*1 Stinkweed Imp
*1 Acolyte of Affliction
*1 Brawn
*1 Corpsejack Menace
*1 Erebos, God of the Dead
*1 Polukranos, World Eater
*1 World Shaper
*1 Cavalier of Thorns
*1 Doom Whisperer
*1 Underrealm Lich
*1 Nemesis of Mortals
*1 Vigor
*1 Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis
*1 Ghoultree
*1 Molderhulk
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Expedition Map
*1 Horizon Spellbomb
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
*1 Altar of Dementia
*1 Golgari Signet
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Perpetual Timepiece
*1 Talisman of Resilience
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Ancient Stirrings
*1 Attune with Aether
*1 Caravan Vigil
*1 Lay of the Land
*1 Traverse the Ulvenwald
*1 Dread Summons
*1 Mulch
*1 Nature&#039;s Lore
*1 Night&#039;s Whisper
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Ransack the Lab
*1 Regrowth
*1 Sylvan Scrying
*1 Winding Way
*1 Read the Bones
*1 Damnation
*1 Increasing Ambition
*1 Traverse the Outlands
*1 Rishkar&#039;s Expertise
*1 Decree of Pain
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Veil of Summer
*1 Assassin&#039;s Trophy
*1 Corpse Churn
*1 Evolution Charm
*1 Grapple with the Past
*1 Grisly Salvage
*1 Beast Within
*1 Harrow
*1 Moonlight Bargain
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Crop Sigil
*1 Vessel of Nascency
*1 Greater Good
*1 Doubling Season
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Blooming Marsh
*1 City of Brass
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*9 Forest
*1 Geier Reach Sanitarium
*1 Llanowar Wastes
*1 Mana Confluence
*1 Nurturing Peatland
*1 Overgrown Tomb
*6 Swamp
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Verdant Catacombs
*1 Woodland Cemetery
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<h1>Epilogue</h1>
<p>If you're a fan of big creatures and a deck full of two-for-ones, this is the build for you. I'm very intrigued by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Polukranos Unchained" href="#" target="_blank">Polukranos Unchained</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. That which at first looks like just a big creature leads to some interesting deckbuilding decisions. A big thanks to Tom, EDHREC's resident Greek expert, for giving me some insight into the name of Polukranos and some other general tidbits for this article.</p>
<p>Thank you for reading! As always, let me know which legendary characters you’d like to see get the story spotlight in the future!</p>


Lore Seeker - The Hydra

Diabolic Intent - Horcruxes

Conditions Allow - Haakon, Stromgald Scourge

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maalfeld Twins" href="#" target="_blank">Maalfeld Twins</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://www.sassart.com/">Mike Sass</a>)</h6>
<h1>The Shadow Queen's Army</h1>
<p>At long last, we return to another <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>, where we take a closer look at cards that see play in 300 decks or less on EDHREC, and using them to construct an interesting deck. This week, we're taking a deep dive into the darkness with a mono-black build based around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ayara, First of Locthwain" href="#" target="_blank">Ayara, First of Locthwain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ayara, First of Locthwain"></div></div>
<p>As you could probably guess from the card, this deck is going to focus heavily on getting black creatures into play and leeching our opponents dry with Ayara's first ability. Additionally, the deck is going to have some ways to get creatures back from the graveyard to make them targets to sacrifice for Ayara's second ability, which draws us cards... which finds us was to get our creatures back... to sacrifice for more cards! This deck will play slowly, constantly pecking away at life totals until we're finally victorious! I also snuck in some great goodies which you can really only play in mono-black.</p>
<p>In order to maximize the options for cards with small deck counts, I intentionally stayed away from any tribal synergies; however, if you find tribal decks appealing, I would highly recommend settling on either Zombies or Rat theme, as there are plenty more support cards.</p>
<hr />
<h2>A Token of My Appreciation</h2>
<p>First, we should talk about the most efficient method for getting creatures into play: generating tokens.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Maalfeld Twins"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wakedancer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nested Ghoul"></div></div>
<p>First up in the token-makers category are the pair <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maalfeld Twins" href="#" target="_blank">Maalfeld Twins</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grixis Slavedriver" href="#" target="_blank">Grixis Slavedriver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (147 and 102 decks, respectively). It's obvious that we're going to be sacrificing a lot of creatures to Ayara to replenish our hand, so getting some tokens out of it (and some more life from our opponents) is ideal. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maalfeld Twins" href="#" target="_blank">Maalfeld Twins</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> allows us two extra for the price of one, and the Slavedriver can also come back in a pinch using its <em>Unearth</em> ability. Also note that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grixis Slavedriver" href="#" target="_blank">Grixis Slavedriver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> triggers on <em>leaving</em> the battlefield, not dying. That can definitely make a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyclonic Rift" href="#" target="_blank">Cyclonic Rift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> not as bad!</p>
<p>Speaking of sacrificing creatures, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wakedancer" href="#" target="_blank">Wakedancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can get us an extra body if there's been some of that the turn it hits play. Found in 83 decks, this card is a cheap way to produce a token in black. Given the high mana cost of other black body-makers, she's a welcome addition that won't require a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Charcoal Diamond" href="#" target="_blank">Charcoal Diamond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jet Medallion" href="#" target="_blank">Jet Medallion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to get out early. Plus, triggering upon entering the battlefield also works well when playing against bounce effects.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nested Ghoul" href="#" target="_blank">Nested Ghoul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides a third flavor of black token production, creating a 2/2 Zombie whenever it takes damage. While this isn't exactly ideal, given the sacrifice theme of this deck, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nested Ghoul" href="#" target="_blank">Nested Ghoul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is content to hit the bin the old-fashioned way, through combat damage. This should mean it replaces itself, at worst. Maybe it's even a reason to run <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pestilence" href="#" target="_blank">Pestilence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-type cards in the deck, to maximize token generation. The Ghoul is currently in 55 decks on EDHREC.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Carrion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lab Rats"></div></div>
<p>Creatures aren't the only way black can make tokens. It can instead use a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Carrion" href="#" target="_blank">Carrion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from <em>Mirage</em>. Played in 177 decks, this card serves as the inspiration for this deck. I've been waiting for a commander to provide <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Carrion" href="#" target="_blank">Carrion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> a happy home, and Ayara does just that! Imagine sacrificing your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maalfeld Twins" href="#" target="_blank">Maalfeld Twins</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and netting six tokens and a six-point life swing at the table! Being an instant just makes this card even better, and I like it in any black deck that cares about getting creatures into play. <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> probably likes it as well!</p>
<p>Back in <em>Stronghold</em>, we saw the original version of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Recruit the Worthy" href="#" target="_blank">Recruit the Worthy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It's a black card by the name of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lab Rats" href="#" target="_blank">Lab Rats</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and it sees play in only 173 decks. This card is a staple for me when I need endless chump-blockers or when I'm going Rat tribal. In this deck, it's a great repeatable way to trigger Ayara and provide her some fodder for card draw turn after turn. This card is a favorite of mine, and I feel like it's not seeing enough play for for its power level. Please consider it so that it winds up in more than 300 decks and I don't get to write about it anymore.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Infernal Genesis"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cellar Door"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Breeding Pit"></div></div>
<p>Already, there are several token-making cards that are becoming staples for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ayara, First of Locthwain" href="#" target="_blank">Ayara, First of Locthwain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> decks, including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plague of Vermin" href="#" target="_blank">Plague of Vermin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tombstone Stairwell" href="#" target="_blank">Tombstone Stairwell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. But I think <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Infernal Genesis" href="#" target="_blank">Infernal Genesis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (203 decks) is also doing what these cards are doing, and is worth taking a look at. Adding recursion options to your graveyard while (hopefully) making a boatload of Minion tokens that trigger Ayara is exactly what we want! I'm not going to argue that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plague of Vermin" href="#" target="_blank">Plague of Vermin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> isn't better, because that card is exactly what Ayara is looking for. However, I will say that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Infernal Genesis" href="#" target="_blank">Infernal Genesis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> should still make your list.</p>
<p>My love of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cellar Door" href="#" target="_blank">Cellar Door</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is tough to contain. While I prefer it in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grenzo, Dungeon Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Grenzo, Dungeon Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> builds or those containing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reito Lantern" href="#" target="_blank">Reito Lantern</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, it's also a great option here to either mill yourself or an opponent and have a chance a token that triggers Ayara. It only sees play in 257 decks, but I sincerely believe that number should be over 1,000 given the strength and versatility displayed on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cellar Door" href="#" target="_blank">Cellar Door</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Please keep it on your radar in the future!</p>
<p>Lastly for the token-makers, we have Thrull generator <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breeding Pit" href="#" target="_blank">Breeding Pit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While I'm not crazy about the constant cost to keep it on the field, this is about as close as I can find to a second copy of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ophiomancer" href="#" target="_blank">Ophiomancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for the deck, and you all know how I love deck redundancy! Eventually, I'd like to try a Thrull tribal deck, and this card will be an immediate addition to it. For now, though, it just sees play in 187 decks.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Sacrifice Outlets</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Malevolent Awakening"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cabal Patriarch"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dross Harvester"></div></div>
<p>Now that we've covered how we're going to make all of Ayara's minions, let's talk about how we can put those minions to work. The name of the game is going to be "sacrifice". Much like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ayara, First of Locthwain" href="#" target="_blank">Ayara, First of Locthwain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s second ability, we want to have ways to turn these tokens into some card advantage. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Malevolent Awakening" href="#" target="_blank">Malevolent Awakening</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can provide that by allowing us to trade a creature in play for a creature back in hand. Played in 196 decks, this is one of the staple recursion options I use in my Commander brews. I remember sticking this in decks as a kid when <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oversold Cemetery" href="#" target="_blank">Oversold Cemetery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was too far outside of my budget.</p>
<p>Another sacrifice option from <em>Odyssey</em> is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cabal Patriarch" href="#" target="_blank">Cabal Patriarch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While expensive to cast, this card provides a sizable body and a repeatable creature removal for a fair cost. The ability to turn creatures in your graveyard into further removal is really what sells it for me. I'm surprised it's only in 44 decks, either as the commander or in the 99.</p>
<p>While not actually a sacrifice outlet, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dross Harvester" href="#" target="_blank">Dross Harvester</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> plays well with those cards that do cause loss of creatures. Despite the four life lost each time around the table, with enchantments like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grave Pact" href="#" target="_blank">Grave Pact</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dictate of Erebos" href="#" target="_blank">Dictate of Erebos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in play, you'll be able to get that life back and then some. I think 268 decks is far too few for this underplayed all-star!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Supporting Cards for Mono Black</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sengir Nosferatu"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gravestorm"></div></div>
<p>We have two cards that don't really fit in with the sections above, but are still deserving of some attention. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sengir Nosferatu" href="#" target="_blank">Sengir Nosferatu</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a token generator and sacrifice outlet all in one! Played in only 105 decks, this Vampire can transform into a Bat token for 1B, then back into a Vamp for another 1B, allowing for two triggers on Ayara. This ability can be cycled as much as needed with the commander in play, and provides a two-card mana sink to drain down your opponents. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Black Market" href="#" target="_blank">Black Market</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> only adds to the fun! Add in the blocking shenanigans which this enables, and you end up with an excellent card to slot into this deck.</p>
<p>Lastly, I've been trying to find a good deck in which to slot <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gravestorm" href="#" target="_blank">Gravestorm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but the three black pips in its casting cost has made that difficult. Depending on your meta, please consider this enchantment for some ever-present graveyard hate which really turns on once someone's 'yard goes dry. It's especially great after a well-timed <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bojuka Bog" href="#" target="_blank">Bojuka Bog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Let's take a gander at this mono-black beast.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Legion of the Shadow Queen" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div></p>
<p>[Commander]<br />
*1 Ayara, First of Locthwain<br />
[/Commander]</p>
<p>[Creatures]<br />
*1 Deathgreeter<br />
*1 Mortician Beetle<br />
*1 Blood Artist<br />
*1 Zulaport Cutthroat<br />
*1 Dross Harvester<br />
*1 Flesh Carver<br />
*1 Mardu Strike Leader<br />
*1 Midnight Reaper<br />
*1 Ophiomancer<br />
*1 Priest of Gix<br />
*1 Wakedancer<br />
*1 Disciple of Bolas<br />
*1 Falkenrath Noble<br />
*1 Gravedigger<br />
*1 Marsh Flitter<br />
*1 Mindslicer<br />
*1 Mortivore<br />
*1 Sengir Autocrat<br />
*1 Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder<br />
*1 Ghoulcaller Gisa<br />
*1 Krav, the Unredeemed<br />
*1 Nested Ghoul<br />
*1 Ogre Slumlord<br />
*1 Sadistic Hypnotist<br />
*1 Sengir Nosferatu<br />
*1 Cabal Patriarch<br />
*1 Grave Titan<br />
*1 Grixis Slavedriver<br />
*1 Maalfeld Twins<br />
*1 Noosegraf Mob<br />
*1 Skeletal Vampire<br />
[/Creatures]</p>
<p>[Instants]<br />
*1 Go for the Throat<br />
*1 Carrion<br />
[/Instants]</p>
<p>[Sorceries]<br />
*1 Lab Rats<br />
*1 Spark Harvest<br />
*1 Damnation<br />
*1 Plague of Vermin<br />
*1 Decree of Pain<br />
[/Sorceries]</p>
<p>[Artifacts]<br />
*1 Skullclamp<br />
*1 Sol Ring<br />
*1 Charcoal Diamond<br />
*1 Jet Medallion<br />
*1 Nim Deathmantle<br />
*1 Bontu's Monument<br />
*1 Cellar Door<br />
*1 Commander's Sphere<br />
*1 Crawlspace<br />
*1 Gate to the Afterlife<br />
*1 Lashwrithe<br />
*1 Phyrexian Processor<br />
*1 God-Pharaoh's Gift<br />
[/Artifacts]</p>
<p>[Enchantments]<br />
*1 Dreadhorde Invasion<br />
*1 Gravestorm<br />
*1 Malevolent Awakening<br />
*1 Breeding Pit<br />
*1 Grave Pact<br />
*1 Rite of Belzenlok<br />
*1 Tombstone Stairwell<br />
*1 Black Market<br />
*1 Open the Graves<br />
*1 Infernal Genesis<br />
[/Enchantments]</p>
<p>[Planeswalkers]<br />
*1 Liliana, Dreadhorde General<br />
[/Planeswalkers]</p>
<p>[Lands]<br />
*1 Barren Moor<br />
*1 Bojuka Bog<br />
*1 Cabal Coffers<br />
*1 Cabal Stronghold<br />
*1 Castle Locthwain<br />
*1 Crypt of Agadeem<br />
*1 Polluted Mire<br />
*26 Swamp<br />
*1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth<br />
*1 Westvale Abbey<br />
*1 Witch's Cottage<br />
[/Lands]</p>
<p>[/Deck]</p>

<hr />
<h2>Are You Afraid of the Dark?</h2>
<p>Thanks for digging into all the hyper-underplayed, token-centric options available to black. Any questions, comments, or snide remarks? You know where to leave them below. I'll be around to discuss just how good making this deck tribal can be, alternatives for some of the more expensive cards that made my list, or all the fun I had at the Seattle Lego convention a few weeks ago. Until next time, may your <em>devotion to black</em> remain strong!</p>


Forgotten Harvest - Ayara and Her Minions

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mairsil, the Pretender" href="#" target="_blank">Mairsil, the Pretender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://izzymedrano.com/main/">Izzy</a>)</h6>
<h2>What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?</h2>
<p>Once again, it's time for another <em>Forgotten Harvest,</em> the article series where I highlight the most underplayed cards on EDHREC, clocking in at 300 decks or less. And, as has become common practice for me in this series, I'll be taking a commander that isn't supposed to "Voltron" and suiting it up for battle. <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/forgotten-harvest-mono-red-voltron/">We did it</a> with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient" href="#" target="_blank">Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/forgotten-harvest-muldrotha-voltron/">and then again</a> with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Muldrotha, the Gravetide" href="#" target="_blank">Muldrotha, the Gravetide</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This time, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mairsil, the Pretender" href="#" target="_blank">Mairsil, the Pretender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gets a chance to supersize!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mairsil, the Pretender"></div></div>
<p>Now, before I get into some of the interesting and hyper-underplayed cards that can help Mairsil get swole, it's important to mention those that have covered the Pretender before me: fellow EDHREC writers <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/commander-showdown-mairsil-vs-experiment-kraj/">Joseph Schultz</a> and <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/ultra-budget-brews-mairsil-the-pretender/">Andrew Cummings</a> both did a great job covering many options for Mairsil. I'm going to be covering a few of the cards that they've mentioned before, but I highly recommend checking those articles out to get the full picture of this commander. I've limited my deck to specifically pumping up Mairsil with +1/+1 counters via his cage counter trick. To do this, we'll be leaning on looting and self-mill effects to ensure a plethora of targets, as well as effects that allow Mairsil to hit the battlefield multiple times, plus a healthy amount of evasion.</p>
<p>There are also a fair number of cards which can function as stand-ins for Mairsil should he find himself <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Imprisoned in the Moon" href="#" target="_blank">Imprisoned in the Moon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or listening to a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Song of the Dryads" href="#" target="_blank">Song of the Dryads</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Necrotic Ooze" href="#" target="_blank">Necrotic Ooze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a fantastic alternative, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quicksilver Elemental" href="#" target="_blank">Quicksilver Elemental</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Havengul Lich" href="#" target="_blank">Havengul Lich</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can do more than just copy activated abilities: if Mairsil is on the field, they can borrow his activated abilities.</p>
<p>Alright, let's find those underplayed gems that help make Mairsil a Voltron!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Counter Argument</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Souldrinker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Markov Dreadknight"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Syndicate Trafficker"></div></div>
<p>First on our list of hyper-underplayed cards is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Souldrinker" href="#" target="_blank">Souldrinker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It sees play in just 58 decks on EDHREC, but putting +1/+1 counters on a creature doesn't get any easier: trading three life for a +1/+1 counter is an easy, systematic way to buff our Voltron. And don't forget that, while Mairsil only allows each activated ability to be used once a turn, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Souldrinker" href="#" target="_blank">Souldrinker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s "free" ability is something you can do each turn: by the time it gets to be your turn again, Mairsil could already be an 8/8.</p>
<p>But, then, if you happen to have the mana, and maybe some extra cards in your hand, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Markov Dreadknight" href="#" target="_blank">Markov Dreadknight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can certainly pump up Mairsil faster and with less life lost. Plus, the Dreadknight (263 decks) also has the potential to do some damage on its own, as it has evasion baked right in. The cost of discarding a card is actually a benefit here since it will allow Mairsil to pluck creatures and artifacts with tasty activated abilities right out of the graveyard.</p>
<p>Looking at the decklist below reveals the large number of artifacts in this Grixis build, so it makes sense to include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syndicate Trafficker" href="#" target="_blank">Syndicate Trafficker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, both for the easy +1/+1 counter, but also the protection of indestructibility it can grant to Mairsil when caged. It sees play in 248 decks, but offers some much needed protection in this deck to our critically important commander.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anthroplasm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Solarion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Consumptive Goo"></div></div>
<p>Adding one or two counters at a time is nice, but what about really cranking Mairsil's stats up to 11? For that we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anthroplasm" href="#" target="_blank">Anthroplasm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, one of the first cards I ever brewed with way back in <em>Urza's Legacy</em>. Only 245 decks have this card right now, but it seems tailor-made for our purposes here. Throw a cage counter on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anthroplasm" href="#" target="_blank">Anthroplasm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> when our commander hits the field, and the next turn pump as much mana as possible into growing Mairsil into a beast. Sadly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anthroplasm" href="#" target="_blank">Anthroplasm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s ability doesn't stack well, as it removes all counters on the card before adding the new ones.</p>
<p>But maybe Mairsil could use Anthroplasm's ability as a start, and then follow it up with the activated ability on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Solarion" href="#" target="_blank">Solarion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> the next turn. This card, and a couple other <em>Sunburst</em> cards I'll talk about later, seem right at home in this deck, even if they can't be cast for their full potential. But if that option is appealing, I have included cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chromatic Lantern" href="#" target="_blank">Chromatic Lantern</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exotic Orchard" href="#" target="_blank">Exotic Orchard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to help turn make this Grixis deck capable of all five colors. As an aside, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Solarion" href="#" target="_blank">Solarion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> sees play in only 101 decks on the site.</p>
<p>While slightly on the expensive side, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Consumptive Goo" href="#" target="_blank">Consumptive Goo</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides another route for +1/+1 counter amplification, while also removing a weenie in the process. Ideally used as a quick combat trick, the Goo is only found in 101 decks. Honestly, if I were looking at cards to cut, this would probably be high on the list due to the cost of the ability, but for now it helps keep the mana curve in check, and it functions well on its own without our commander.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Counters as a Cost</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spinal Parasite"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Suncrusher"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Molten Hydra"></div></div>
<p>Since we're putting all these counters on Mairsil, it might be good to put those counters to use. Maybe we can use them to knock down planeswalkers with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spinal Parasite" href="#" target="_blank">Spinal Parasite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. In only 14 measly decks on EDHREC, this <em>Sunburst</em> artifact creature is the only creature ever printed to have a negative toughness. And while that's not a very good reason to play it, the versatility in removing generic counters from permanents does come in handy.</p>
<p>Another <em>Sunburst</em> creature, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Suncrusher" href="#" target="_blank">Suncrusher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (95 decks), pulls double duty for us: not only can it turn extra +1/+1 counters into creature removal, but it can also give Mairsil the ability to bounce himself, allowing for a recast and another card exiled with a cage counter on it. While nine mana is high, I think there's great versatility here, and the chances that it'll wind up on the battlefield as opposed to just feeding Mairsil are low.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Molten Hydra" href="#" target="_blank">Molten Hydra</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s abilities allow for both the addition of counters to Mairsil and a mass damage move. After a few turns of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Solarion" href="#" target="_blank">Solarion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, there may be enough +1/+1 counters on Mairsil for him to go lethal using <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Molten Hydra" href="#" target="_blank">Molten Hydra</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s second ability. The Hydra sees play in 102 decks, and while I'm sure there are better iterations of both of its abilities, getting them both on a single card is very valuable.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Through the Line</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Marchesa&#039;s Smuggler"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Urza&#039;s Avenger"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Merrow Wavebreakers"></div></div>
<p>Now that we've talked about ways to make Mairsil huge, we should spend some time on just how he's going to connect with opponents. First up, we have an excellent option in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marchesa&#039;s Smuggler" href="#" target="_blank">Marchesa&#039;s Smuggler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Only seeing play in 282 decks, this has to be one of my favorite Izzet cards! The creature is well-costed, as is its activated ability, and it doesn't need any other card to work thanks to <em>Dethrone</em>. In this deck, it provides the best evasion, as well as some very relevant haste, all thanks to an activated ability that could end up on a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Necrotic Ooze" href="#" target="_blank">Necrotic Ooze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Havengul Lich" href="#" target="_blank">Havengul Lich</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. A perfect fit!</p>
<p>I looked very hard at the series of "Avenger" cards printed throughout Magic. The two I settled on for this deck were <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza&#039;s Avenger" href="#" target="_blank">Urza&#039;s Avenger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jodah&#039;s Avenger" href="#" target="_blank">Jodah&#039;s Avenger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Played in 27 and 263 decks, respectively, these cards have some great evasion-granting activated abilities, and they're just begging to get "caged" by Mairsil. While it does hurt that you can only use the effect once a turn, having multiple Avengers can help that. Maybe having even a third or fourth version of the card would be beneficial.</p>
<p>While the typical <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mairsil, the Pretender" href="#" target="_blank">Mairsil, the Pretender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck runs untapping cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Leech Bonder" href="#" target="_blank">Leech Bonder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hateflayer" href="#" target="_blank">Hateflayer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, I like my untap effects to come with some evasion. Hence, I've included <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Merrow Wavebreakers" href="#" target="_blank">Merrow Wavebreakers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in the deck. Providing a cheap way to untap Mairsil while also granting evasion fits right in line with this deck's gameplan. Anymore, this kind of effect seems to be found more in white, so I'm glad to see it in blue here. The Wavebreakers are in only 30 decks on the site, which seems low to me for a good Merfork card with a unique ability.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bane Alley Broker"></div></div>
<p>Lastly, I've included a card to help add some chaos to your Mairsil games: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bane Alley Broker" href="#" target="_blank">Bane Alley Broker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (99 decks). While it may not seem like a very good card, getting the Broker's ability on Mairsil while you also have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Myr Welder" href="#" target="_blank">Myr Welder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in a cage can lead to some very interesting interactions, not to mention what happens if you exile it using <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Impostor" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Impostor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s ability. Let me know in the comments if you pick up on any of the other fun interactions this card can create in the deck.</p>
<p>And speaking of the deck, here it is.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Pretending to be Voltron" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div></p>
<p>[Commander]<br />
*1 Mairsil, the Pretender<br />
[/Commander]</p>
<p>[Creatures]<br />
*1 Walking Ballista<br />
*1 Carrion Feeder<br />
*1 Consumptive Goo<br />
*1 Grenzo, Dungeon Warden<br />
*1 Marchesa's Smuggler<br />
*1 Merfolk Looter<br />
*1 Molten Hydra<br />
*1 Pili-Pala<br />
*1 Runaway Steam-Kin<br />
*1 Sage of Hours<br />
*1 Syndicate Trafficker<br />
*1 Bane Alley Broker<br />
*1 Dark Imposter<br />
*1 Myr Welder<br />
*1 Simic Manipulator<br />
*1 Yahenni, Undying Partisan<br />
*1 Anthroplasm<br />
*1 Argent Sphinx<br />
*1 Crystalline Crawler<br />
*1 Herald of Secret Streams<br />
*1 Identity Thief<br />
*1 Mer-Ek Nightblade<br />
*1 Necrotic Ooze<br />
*1 Souldrinker<br />
*1 Gilded Lotus<br />
*1 Cinderhaze Wretch<br />
*1 Havengul Lich<br />
*1 Markov Dreadknight<br />
*1 Merrow Wavebreakers<br />
*1 Spinal Parasite<br />
*1 Torchling<br />
*1 Aetherling<br />
*1 Etherium-Horn Sorcerer<br />
*1 Jodah's Avenger<br />
*1 Quicksilver Elemental<br />
*1 Sphinx of Magosi<br />
*1 Urza's Avenger<br />
*1 Hateflayer<br />
*1 Shauku, Endbringer<br />
*1 Solarion<br />
*1 Suncrusher<br />
[/Creatures]</p>
<p>[Instants]<br />
*1 Cyclonic Rift<br />
*1 Rakdos Charm<br />
*1 Reality Shift<br />
*1 Bedevil<br />
*1 Chaos Warp<br />
*1 Fact or Fiction<br />
[/Instants]</p>
<p>[Sorceries]<br />
*1 Vandalblast<br />
*1 Demonic Tutor<br />
*1 Grave Strength<br />
[/Sorceries]</p>
<p>[Artifacts]<br />
*1 Manifold Key<br />
*1 Retrofitter Foundry<br />
*1 Sol Ring<br />
*1 Dimir Signet<br />
*1 Izzet Signet<br />
*1 Rakdos Signet<br />
*1 Chromatic Lantern<br />
*1 Commander's Sphere<br />
*1 Crystal Shard<br />
*1 Mirage Mirror<br />
[/Artifacts]</p>
<p>[Enchantments]<br />
*1 Phyrexian Scriptures<br />
[/Enchantments]</p>
<p>[Lands]<br />
*1 Blood Crypt<br />
*1 Command Tower<br />
*1 Crumbling Necropolis<br />
*1 Dragonskull Summit<br />
*1 Drowned Catacomb<br />
*1 Exotic Orchard<br />
*9 Island<br />
*6 Mountain<br />
*1 Opal Palace<br />
*1 Sanctum of Eternity<br />
*1 Shivan Reef<br />
*1 Steam Vents<br />
*1 Sulfur Falls<br />
*1 Sulfurous Springs<br />
*8 Swamp<br />
*1 Underground River<br />
*1 Watery Grave<br />
[/Lands]</p>
<p>[/Deck]</p>

<hr />
<h2>I Could've Been a Pretender!</h2>
<p>That's about all there is for this <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>. Questions? Suggestions? Snide remarks? Leave them for me below in the comments. I'll be around to talk about how I left <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Horseshoe Crab" href="#" target="_blank">Horseshoe Crab</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soliton" href="#" target="_blank">Soliton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> off of my list, and why I can't seem to stop making Voltron decks in this article series. What are some of the more interesting activated abilities that Mairsil could gain, especially from hyper-underplayed cards? Are there any activated ability interactions in Grixis that need more attention? Let me know, and I'll see you next time!</p>


Forgotten Harvest - Mairsil, Pretending to be a Voltron

Throne of Eldraine Set Review – Black

The Knowledge Pool - Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood" href="#" target="_blank">Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/igorkieryluk">Igor Kieryluk</a>)</h6>
<h1>Let the Hate Flow Through You</h1>
<p>Boy, howdy! Has it been two weeks already? That must mean it's time to read some <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>! This week, in our never-ending quest to highlight cards that see play in 300 decks or less on EDHREC, we're taking a look at the color pairing of black and red, otherwise known as Rakdos. For those of you unfamiliar, the following gif should help to clarify what it means to be Rakdos:</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-38450 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/tenor.gif" alt="" width="320" height="160" /></p>
<p>Looking through the Rakdos commanders, I came across this neglected fellow in need of some love. His name is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood" href="#" target="_blank">Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and he only sees play in a measly 262 decks (both as commander and in the 99):</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood"></div></div>
<p>Based on Kazarov's text box, we want this deck to do two things: deal lots of damage to our opponents' creatures, and clear a path for a supersized Kazarov to deal 21 to the dome. To achieve this, we'll need to supplement the deck with both enough mana ramp to support our expensive general and proper Equipment to protect him, such as <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> and the like. Additionally, it'll be great to have some ways to give some creatures to our opponents, like with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hunted Horror" href="#" target="_blank">Hunted Horror</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akroan Horse" href="#" target="_blank">Akroan Horse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, so we always have something for Kazarov to bite.</p>
<p>But those cards are plenty popular. Let's get into some underplayed cards that could use more notoriety!</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Needlers</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fire Ants"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thrashing Wumpus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Subterranean Spirit"></div></div>
<p>First, let's look at some of the permanents that can repeatably ping opposing creatures. My favorite of them has to be <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fire Ants" href="#" target="_blank">Fire Ants</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (59 decks). I love the imagery here of unleashing a swarm of bitey Insects to pester other creatures. Plus, the fact that the Ants don't damage themselves is a huge bonus.</p>
<p>The first walking <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pestilence" href="#" target="_blank">Pestilence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to be printed, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thrashing Wumpus" href="#" target="_blank">Thrashing Wumpus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives us exactly what we're looking for. It can function as a means to slowly ping creatures and build up Kazarov, but it can also be used to wipe the board should things begin to look hairy. It only sees play in 148 decks, but that number should be higher.</p>
<p>When working on this deck, I looked long and hard at creatures with protection from red and from black to help preserve the team while the rest of the board is soaking up all the untargeted damage. But I'll leave talk of protection to <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/author/elijah-klein/">Elijah</a> and his article today on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Earnest Fellowship" href="#" target="_blank">Earnest Fellowship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Instead, I'll only bring up <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Subterranean Spirit" href="#" target="_blank">Subterranean Spirit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. In just 35 decks, it's yet another wide pinger that, in this case, saves itself from all red damage.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Magmatic Core"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Circle of Flame"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Noxious Field"></div></div>
<p>I've talked about our next card in previous articles, and I'll continue to talk about it until its numbers increase from the paltry 20 decks that run it right now. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magmatic Core" href="#" target="_blank">Magmatic Core</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> needs your love, folks! It's a wonderful card that, when played right, can function as a repeatable one-sided board wipe. It fits perfectly into what Kazarov is trying to do. Pitter patter!</p>
<p>With this deck not always wanting to deal lethal damage to opposing creatures (if they die, then Kazarov can't get bigger until more hit the battlefield), it's tough to find a deterrent to keep opposing creatures from attacking. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Circle of Flame" href="#" target="_blank">Circle of Flame</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (281 decks) does a great job of that. It basically reads, "If you attack, Kazarov gets huge." Such a great deterrent.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Noxious Field" href="#" target="_blank">Noxious Field</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> plays much the same role as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fire Ants" href="#" target="_blank">Fire Ants</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Subterranean Spirit" href="#" target="_blank">Subterranean Spirit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> do, laying out a fine layer of single-point damage on everything. This <em>Prophecy</em> card only sees play in 65 decks, but it offers this damage-dealing deck some excellent redundancy. Plus, all this damage won't kill off the land it enchants, making this a reliable source of damage.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Damage Done</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Widespread Brutality"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Slice and Dice"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wail of the Nim"></div></div>
<p>In addition to all of the options for repeatable damage sources, there are many instants and sorceries that help the cause, too. For instance, the recently printed <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Widespread Brutality" href="#" target="_blank">Widespread Brutality</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is only seeing play in 104 decks, but it can cut a wide swath through each of the other creatures, making a token to boot. For me, this card feels undercosted for the ability, which is why I'm shocked it doesn't see more play.</p>
<p>Next up is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Slice and Dice" href="#" target="_blank">Slice and Dice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from <em>Onslaught</em>. While I'll rarely play it for the full six mana, the <em>Cycling</em> effect is a great way to grow Kazarov while replacing itself, and all at instant speed. It only sees play in 203 decks, but it's a critical inclusion in this deck.</p>
<p>Another card with built-in versatility, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wail of the Nim" href="#" target="_blank">Wail of the Nim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can save our board from a wipe or pump up our Vampire commander. Ideally, it's going to do both every time thanks to <em>Entwine</em>. Given its 111 deck count on the site, it is a bit of a niche effect, but I'm always looking for an excuse to play it, and I'm happy to have one here.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Radiating Lightning"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Electrickery"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Barrage of Boulders"></div></div>
<p>Moving into instants and sorceries also means that we can find options that only damage opposing creatures. For instance, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Radiating Lightning" href="#" target="_blank">Radiating Lightning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> throws some damage around on the opposing side of the field, both to a player and their creatures. It currently sees play in just 162 decks on EDHREC.</p>
<p>Instead of targeting a specific player, we could always try to hit everything, again at instant speed. For this, it doesn't get much better than an <em>Overload</em>ed <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Electrickery" href="#" target="_blank">Electrickery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Appearing in 226 decks, this instant can be a great combat trick to jump an unblocked Kazarov to lethal quite unexpectedly.</p>
<p>The king of these damage spells for Kazarov has to be <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cosmotronic Wave" href="#" target="_blank">Cosmotronic Wave</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Dealing damage across the board to opposing creatures AND ensuring that Kazarov is going to go unblocked is the dream! Sadly, it sees play in 316 decks, which is 16 too many decks to meet my super-scientific requirements. However, its cousin, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Barrage of Boulders" href="#" target="_blank">Barrage of Boulders</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, clocks in at 173 decks, so I can talk about that instead! For one less mana, we see the same damage to all opposing creatures, with a <em>Ferocious </em>rider that prevents creatures form blocking. Kazaorv will definitely qualify for that rider!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Damage Utility</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Frilled Deathspitter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shield of the Realm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Unstable Footing"></div></div>
<p>There are a few other cards that don't quite fit in under the categories above, but will still help get our Kazarov big and unblockable. The first of these is features an entire mechanic that's built around similar concept: <em>Enrage</em> fits this deck's theme quite well, turning minor bits of damage to our creatures into big effects. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Frilled Deathspitter" href="#" target="_blank">Frilled Deathspitter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great prehistoric example of this, and sees play in only 286 decks. Adding on two extra damage to all these spells and effects is certainly going to add up over time.</p>
<p>With all this global damage floating around, it may become necessary to prevent that damage to one of our own utility creatures. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shield of the Realm" href="#" target="_blank">Shield of the Realm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (161 decks) can certainly help with that. This is one of those cards that I'm shocked doesn't see more play; it has such a wide variety of applications, and its usefulness in Equipment decks alone should have those numbers spiking.</p>
<p>There are other times, however, when you're going to want to make sure your damage gets through. For those moments, there's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unstable Footing" href="#" target="_blank">Unstable Footing</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, played in 119 decks on the site. I prefer this option over something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Everlasting Torment" href="#" target="_blank">Everlasting Torment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as I want to have control over when damage can and can't be dealt. Plus, <em>Wither</em> will lead to the death of opposing creatures. That being said, we don't want them dying, necessarily, just neutralized.</p>
<p>How about we snag a peek at the full decklist?</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Kazarov Damages Everything" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div></p>
<p>[Commander]<br />
*1 Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood<br />
[/Commander]</p>
<p>[Creatures]<br />
*1 Hunted Horror<br />
*1 Burnished Hart<br />
*1 Fire Ants<br />
*1 Frilled Deathspitter<br />
*1 Goblin Spymaster<br />
*1 Plague Spitter<br />
*1 Varchild, Betrayer of Kjeldor<br />
*1 Akroan Horse<br />
*1 Rakdos, Lord of Riots<br />
*1 Sangromancer<br />
*1 Solemn Simulacrum<br />
*1 Hunted Dragon<br />
*1 Kulrath Knight<br />
*1 Subterranean Spirit<br />
*1 Thrashing Wumpus<br />
*1 Harvester of Souls<br />
*1 Mephidross Vampire<br />
*1 Silverclad Ferocidons<br />
[/Creatures]</p>
<p>[Instants]<br />
*1 Electrickery<br />
*1 Unstable Footing<br />
*1 Magmaquake<br />
*1 Terminate<br />
*1 Arcbond<br />
*1 Bedevil<br />
*1 Chaos Warp<br />
*1 Wail of the Nim<br />
*1 Radiating Lightning<br />
[/Instants]</p>
<p>[Sorceries]<br />
*1 Blazing Volley<br />
*1 Vandalblast<br />
*1 Demonic Tutor<br />
*1 Mire in Misery<br />
*1 Barrage of Boulders<br />
*1 Cosmotronic Wave<br />
*1 Widespread Brutality<br />
*1 Slice and Dice<br />
[/Sorceries]</p>
<p>[Artifacts]<br />
*1 Basilisk Collar<br />
*1 Blade of the Bloodchief<br />
*1 Sol Ring<br />
*1 Wayfarer's Bauble<br />
*1 Dowsing Dagger<br />
*1 Lightning Greaves<br />
*1 Rakdos Signet<br />
*1 Shield of the Realm<br />
*1 Tablet of the Guilds<br />
*1 Caltrops<br />
*1 Chromatic Lantern<br />
*1 Commander's Sphere<br />
*1 Loxodon Warhammer<br />
*1 Pristine Talisman<br />
[/Artifacts]</p>
<p>[Enchantments]<br />
*1 Vampiric Link<br />
*1 Circle of Flame<br />
*1 Dragon Shadow<br />
*1 Eternal Thirst<br />
*1 Phyresis<br />
*1 Dauthi Embrace<br />
*1 Noxious Field<br />
*1 Endless Whispers<br />
*1 Magmatic Core<br />
*1 Pestilence<br />
*1 Pyrohemia<br />
[/Enchantments]</p>
<p>[Lands]<br />
*1 Blood Crypt<br />
*1 Bloodstained Mire<br />
*1 Command Tower<br />
*1 Desert<br />
*1 Dragonskull Summit<br />
*1 Forbidden Orchard<br />
*1 Graven Cairns<br />
*1 Luxury Suite<br />
*14 Mountain<br />
*1 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx<br />
*1 Rogue's Passage<br />
*1 Smoldering Marsh<br />
*11 Swamp<br />
*1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth<br />
[/Lands]</p>
<p>[/Deck]</p>

<hr />
<h2>Damage Assessment</h2>
<p>That about does it for Kazarov and his mighty damage-makers. What did you think of the article? Any questions, comments, or snide remarks? If so, leave them in the comments below. I'll be down there to rant and rave yet again about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magmatic Core" href="#" target="_blank">Magmatic Core</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or about how I included <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragon Shadow" href="#" target="_blank">Dragon Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in this deck, but failed to talk about it in the article. Are there any neglected commanders or cards you'd like me to talk about? So long as they see play in 300 decks or less on the site, I'm game to write about them. See you next time!</p>


black