Forgotten Harvest - Morphing Faceless Menace

The Knowledge Pool - Karlov of the Ghost Council

Core Set 2020 Set Review - Black

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<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> | Art by <a href="https://www.jasonrainville.com/">Jason Rainville</a>)</h6>
<h1>Such a Chimichanga!</h1>
<p>Another two weeks have passed, which means it's time for <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>. This time, I'm focusing all my hyper-underplayed skills on tackling another request from a reader, and I have to say this one was a bit of a challenge! A big thank you to @rowenwolff for daring me to take on the ever-popular commander <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> paired with a Voltron package.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Muldrotha, the Gravetide"></div></div>
<p>I know this may sound unconventional, but as many of you know from my <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/forgotten-harvest-mono-red-voltron/">article on Kurkesh</a>, unconventional is what we're all about here at <em>Forgotten Harvest!</em> As with any Voltron-style deck, the name of the game is going to be granting evasion and packing on mass buffs to our commander. The key will be abusing Muldrotha's recursion ability to turn her into a real chimichanga turn after turn.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-35259 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/giphy-3.gif" alt="" width="320" height="168" /></p>
<p>While it's very tempting for a Voltron to focus on a particular card type like artifacts or enchantments, Muldrotha benefits most from a balanced approach. With optimized diversity in our permanent types, we are allowed more recursion each turn, inevitably leading to a bigger commander.</p>
<p>Another contributing factor in deck design is prioritizing those cards that have a built-in sacrifice effect, so they can then be recast and re-buff our commander. We can use slots for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Claws of Gix" href="#" target="_blank">Claws of Gix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-type cards to sacrifice our permanents and recast them if absolutely necessary, but on the whole, I opted instead for more self-contained sacrificers, peppering in only a few additional cards to help get things in the bin. You may find that a different balance works for you. As always, I encourage you to build your own version of this deck using the cards you enjoy tapping and untapping.</p>
<p>Now, let's see how a Muldrotha Voltron deck actually works.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive, and Dodge</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flight Spellbomb"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Illuminated Wings"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shielding Plax"></div></div>
<p>Some of my first inclusions were the Spellbombs from <em>Scars of Mirrodin</em>. The least-played of the three is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flight Spellbomb" href="#" target="_blank">Flight Spellbomb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, coming in at 133 decks. My research here revealed some fairly limited options for granting evasion while still fitting Muldrotha's theme, so flying is about the best that can be hoped for here. Another instance of this, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Illuminated Wings" href="#" target="_blank">Illuminated Wings</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, sees play in only 8 decks, and also draws you a card when sacrificed. I'm still torn on the amount of evasion to include, and I might need to go back and add more options, even if they're not on-theme. Let me know your thoughts on this in the comments, especially if you give the deck a try.</p>
<p>Providing some safety for our juggernaut is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shielding Plax" href="#" target="_blank">Shielding Plax</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Played in 294 decks, this hexproof-granting enchantment also replaces itself, making for some great hijinks when combined with a sacrifice outlet (see <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Greater Harvester" href="#" target="_blank">Greater Harvester</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> below). I think the protective nature of this enchantment is something Muldrotha can greatly benefit from, as she makes for a pretty big target.</p>
<p>Though it doesn't count as an underplayed card, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plaxmanta" href="#" target="_blank">Plaxmanta</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another option for protecting our commander. While the flash is a bit of a "non-bo" with Muldrotha, I still see value in being able to cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plaxmanta" href="#" target="_blank">Plaxmanta</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, before combat but after buffs, to keep her safe in the red zone from the likes of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Condemn" href="#" target="_blank">Condemn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and other combat tricks. And there's no way I'm spending any green mana on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plaxmanta" href="#" target="_blank">Plaxmanta</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, so it's coming back turn after turn.</p>
<hr />
<h2>+3/+3 For Days</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Seal of Strength"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Llanowar Augur"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aven Augur"></div></div>
<p>I don't know what it is about this color combination, but I kept running into pump effects based on sacrifice which give +3/+3 until end of turn. The simplest of these is the classic <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seal of Strength" href="#" target="_blank">Seal of Strength</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Seen in only 36 decks, the repeatable nature of this card when combined with our commander can mean some big combat phases for us. I've also included <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seal of Doom" href="#" target="_blank">Seal of Doom</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seal of Removal" href="#" target="_blank">Seal of Removal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to help remove pesky blockers, but those cards already get enough love in other decks.</p>
<p>When @rowanwolff first proposed the deck, the card <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Llanowar Augur" href="#" target="_blank">Llanowar Augur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (57 decks) was mentioned as a good inclusion. And yes, this card is an all-star! Much like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seal of Strength" href="#" target="_blank">Seal of Strength</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, this card does its best impression of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giant Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Giant Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on the way to the bin, but it also grants a very relevant trample ability as well.</p>
<p>I liked the idea of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Llanowar Augur" href="#" target="_blank">Llanowar Augur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> so much, in fact, that I also opted to include the blue card from the Augur cycle in <em>Future Sight</em>: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aven Augur" href="#" target="_blank">Aven Augur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It sees play in even fewer decks (only 21), but it can help repeatedly clear the way for our commander to get through. This whole cycle is great when mixed with recursion, and these cards are very underplayed right now.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cunning"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Briarhorn"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Afiya Grove"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cunning" href="#" target="_blank">Cunning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, probably my favorite find for this theme, only sees play in 18 decks right now. The Aura seems tailor-made for this kind of deck. It pumps our baddie +3/+3, sticks around until after combat, then drops off only to be cast again. While I'll admit this card would be even better if I had gone in the Enchantress direction with Muldrotha, I still think it has a good home here, essentially functioning as a second <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seal of Strength" href="#" target="_blank">Seal of Strength</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>The <em>Evoke</em> mechanic plays great with Muldrotha, as can be seen from her page on EDHREC. Of course <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mulldrifter" href="#" target="_blank">Mulldrifter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shriekmaw" href="#" target="_blank">Shriekmaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> made the deck, but I also included the hyper-underplayed <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Briarhorn" href="#" target="_blank">Briarhorn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, despite seeing play in only 122 decks. A great option to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giant Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Giant Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> each turn, I can see its numbers going up in the near future, especially with all the Elemental tribal cards coming out in <em>Core 2020</em>. I can't wait for those!</p>
<p>From the ranks of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Llanowar Reborn" href="#" target="_blank">Llanowar Reborn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Earthen Arms" href="#" target="_blank">Earthen Arms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Afiya Grove" href="#" target="_blank">Afiya Grove</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does something I've rarely seen on another card: it's a noncreature that enters with +1/+1 counters on it. The enchantment slowly doles out its three counters to the creature(s) of your choice, sacrificing itself when its counters are spent. Only seeing play in 51 decks, I'm surprised that more <em>Proliferate</em> decks don't run this card.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Supporting Creatures</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Greater Harvester"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wood Sage"></div></div>
<p>We've covered a lot of the buffs for our commander, but haven't really gotten into the support cards which help to glue the deck together. First on my list here is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Greater Harvester" href="#" target="_blank">Greater Harvester</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This card, in 35 decks, just needs some sweet evasion to regularly get through and start removing opponents' resources. And the "downside" is actually a bonus in this deck, where we can use Muldrotha to recast all those sacrificed permanents again. There's nothing sweeter than binning <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> each turn to keep the Harvester alive while watching the graveyard fill up with all kinds of options.</p>
<p>While we're on the subject of self-mill, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wood Sage" href="#" target="_blank">Wood Sage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is definitely a pet card of mine. It allows you to dig for that one spell you need, and also fills the graveyard with the scraps. With Muldrotha on the field, a whiff from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wood Sage" href="#" target="_blank">Wood Sage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can actually be a blessing! It's only used in 86 decks right now, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tamiyo, Collector of Tales" href="#" target="_blank">Tamiyo, Collector of Tales</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> seems to think the ability is very relevant.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Avenging Druid"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fungal Shambler"></div></div>
<p>Another option for self-mill that can be tough to fit into a deck is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Avenging Druid" href="#" target="_blank">Avenging Druid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I've been looking for a home for this card for a while, a deck where I don't really care what cards go into the bin. But, despite only seeing play in 88 decks, this looks to be a perfect home for it. The Druid is an excellent target for an early-game <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flight Spellbomb" href="#" target="_blank">Flight Spellbomb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or you can feel free to swing in willy-nilly knowing that Muldrotha can bring it back onto the battlefield later on.</p>
<p>Finally, as with any Voltron deck, it's important to include some Plan B options should our commander become incapacitated. My first pick for this role is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vorosh, the Hunter" href="#" target="_blank">Vorosh, the Hunter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. With the option to grow its power and toughness by six each time it connects with an opponent, coupled with native flying, the Dragon is a great second option to Muldrotha. But for a far more underplayed option, please consider <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fungal Shambler" href="#" target="_blank">Fungal Shambler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (21 decks). This loamy devil gives you a great trigger on connection, and has trample to help force that combat damage through. While it will put your opponents on a longer clock, it may be advantageous to keep the key ability granting you so much card advantage and all your buffs separated.</p>
<p>Enough jank, here's the full list:</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Muldrotha Voltron" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div></p>
<p>[Commander]<br />
*1 Muldrotha, the Gravetide<br />
[/Commander]</p>
<p>[Creatures]<br />
*1 Llanowar Augur<br />
*1 Siren Stormtamer<br />
*1 Stitcher's Supplier<br />
*1 Looter il-Kor<br />
*1 Magus of the Bazaar<br />
*1 Plaxmanta<br />
*1 Sakura-Tribe Elder<br />
*1 Wood Sage<br />
*1 Avenging Druid<br />
*1 Bone Shredder<br />
*1 Eternal Witness<br />
*1 Fleshbag Marauder<br />
*1 Scribe of the Mindful<br />
*1 Aura Thief<br />
*1 Aven Augur<br />
*1 Briarhorn<br />
*1 Phyrexian Metamorph<br />
*1 Venser, Shaper Savant<br />
*1 Brood Butcher<br />
*1 Greater Harvester<br />
*1 Mulldrifter<br />
*1 River Kelpie<br />
*1 Shriekmaw<br />
*1 Verdurous Gearhulk<br />
*1 Fungal Shambler<br />
*1 Vorosh, the Hunter<br />
*1 Nylea's Colossus<br />
[/Creatures]</p>
<p>[Instants]<br />
*1 Assassin's Trophy<br />
*1 Sultai Charm<br />
*1 Moonlight Bargain<br />
*1 Status // Statue<br />
*1 Windgrace's Judgment<br />
[/Instants]</p>
<p>[Artifacts]<br />
*1 Claws of Gix<br />
*1 Expedition Map<br />
*1 Flight Spellbomb<br />
*1 Horizon Spellbomb<br />
*1 Nihil Spellbomb<br />
*1 Wayfarer's Bauble<br />
*1 Dimir Signet<br />
*1 Golgari Signet<br />
*1 Simic Signet<br />
*1 Chromatic Lantern<br />
*1 Commander's Sphere<br />
[/Artifacts]</p>
<p>[Enchantments]<br />
*1 Kaya's Ghostform<br />
*1 Seal of Removal<br />
*1 Seal of Strength<br />
*1 Afiya Grove<br />
*1 Animate Dead<br />
*1 Cunning<br />
*1 Ground Seal<br />
*1 Illuminated Wings<br />
*1 Seal of Primordium<br />
*1 Aether Barrier<br />
*1 Hadana's Climb<br />
*1 Pernicious Deed<br />
*1 Reality Acid<br />
*1 Seal of Doom<br />
*1 Shielding Plax<br />
*1 Deadbridge Chant<br />
[/Enchantments]</p>
<p>[Planeswalkers]<br />
*1 Tamiyo, Collector of Tales<br />
[/Planeswalkers]</p>
<p>[Lands]<br />
*1 Barren Moor<br />
*1 Blighted Woodland<br />
*1 Breeding Pool<br />
*1 Drowned Catacomb<br />
*1 Evolving Wilds<br />
*9 Forest<br />
*1 Hinterland Harbor<br />
*8 Island<br />
*1 Lonely Sandbar<br />
*1 Misty Rainforest<br />
*1 Overgrown Tomb<br />
*1 Polluted Delta<br />
*1 Prismatic Vista<br />
*6 Swamp<br />
*1 Terramorphic Expanse<br />
*1 Tranquil Thicket<br />
*1 Verdant Catacombs<br />
*1 Watery Grave<br />
*1 Woodland Cemetery<br />
[/Lands]</p>
<p>[/Deck]</p>

<hr />
<h2>Such a Non-Traditionalist</h2>
<p>Thanks for reading this edition of <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>. I hope you enjoyed my crazy take on a fairly straightforward commander. What are some other non-traditional directions to take popular commanders? Are there any hyper-underplayed graveyard-based cards you'd like to see featured? Lastly, I have a question for you, a question I've been asking myself recently (unrelated to <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>): what are some commanders that haven't really found their archetype yet? I absolutely love suggestions from readers, and try to fit them in as soon as I can. Let me hear your thoughts in the comments section. See you all next time!</p>


Forgotten Harvest - Muldrotha Voltron

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yawgmoth, Thran Physician" href="#" target="_blank">Yawgmoth, Thran Physician</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://markwintersart.com/">Mark Winters</a>)</h6>
<h1>Commander Horizons</h1>
<p>I know, it's cheeky to call the <em>Modern Horizons </em>set "Commander Horizons" instead, but let's be honest, there are some extremely cool cards coming up in this set that we EDH players should be very excited for! We have returning mechanics, awesome lore characters, and even support for cool tribes.</p>
<p>Today I'm lucky to talk about the very best cards from <em>Modern Horizons. </em>Why are they the very best? Because these are the black cards, and black cards are the best! Let's get digging.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Mythics</h2>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Yawgmoth, Thran Physician</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yawgmoth, Thran Physician"></div></div></p>
<p>Hold on, I am trying to collect my thoughts that do not just jumble together into drool over this card. It's rare to see a card that checks so many boxes. He's powerful, he's a value engine, and he's a Vorthos home-run, right down to the protection from Humans.</p>
<p>As a card in the 99, expect to see him follow a similar trajectory to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yahenni, Undying Partisan" href="#" target="_blank">Yahenni, Undying Partisan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Commanders like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Meren of Clan Nel Toth" href="#" target="_blank">Meren of Clan Nel Toth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <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> are always happy to have additional sacrifice outlets, especially when those sacrifice outselts also help draw cards, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons" href="#" target="_blank">Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> couldn't be happier to see all those -1/-1 counters.</p>
<p>At the helm of the 99, look to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder" href="#" target="_blank">Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and friends for inspiration. Creatures like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ophiomancer" href="#" target="_blank">Ophiomancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pawn of Ulamog" href="#" target="_blank">Pawn of Ulamog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reassembling Skeleton" href="#" target="_blank">Reassembling Skeleton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> present excellent choices for sacrifice fodder. Of course, Yawgmoth isn't one to be pigeonholed into a singular strategy. Yawgmoth can turn tokens into card advantage, but with that <em>Proliferate </em>ability, he can also become a home for mono-black superfriends, or a very dastardly <em>Infect </em>commander. I fully expect him and Urza to battle for the #1 spot on the <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders#pastmonth">Top Commanders</a> pages for quite some time.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Rares</h2>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Cabal Therapist</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cabal Therapist"></div></div></p>
<p>One of the first cards previewed for the set, this card is designed more for Modern than Commander, where it's much more realistic to blindly guess cards your opponents have in hand. It's possible Therapist could find a spot in metas who know each other's decks very well, or in some <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Telepathy" href="#" target="_blank">Telepathy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-inclusive <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sen Triplets" href="#" target="_blank">Sen Triplets</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> builds, but it's not really a card for EDH.</p>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Cordial Vampire</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cordial Vampire"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edgar Markov" href="#" target="_blank">Edgar Markov</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> sits as the second most popular commander built in the <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders#past2years">past two years</a>, and with new cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cordial Vampire" href="#" target="_blank">Cordial Vampire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, I can only imagine he'll maintain that popularity. Not only will your army get bigger as enemy creatures die, but Vampires have many sacrifices outlets built into their decks, which makes this a very deadly new addition. Consider him also for decks like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elenda, the Dusk Rose" href="#" target="_blank">Elenda, the Dusk Rose</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yahenni, Undying Partisan" href="#" target="_blank">Yahenni, Undying Partisan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Dead of Winter</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dead of Winter"></div></div></p>
<p>Most of us have probably seen snow-covered lands a time or two, especially when someone uses them in conjunction with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Extraplanar Lens" href="#" target="_blank">Extraplanar Lens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to collect value no one else can take advantage of. Well, now snow decks also have a variant of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mutilate" href="#" target="_blank">Mutilate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, one that can work in a multicolored deck with lots of snow-covered basic lands.</p>
<p>I want to believe there is a solid snow deck to be made, but the sad truth is that there are only 40 total snow creatures in the game, so there are very few options to run that will withstand your own <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dead of Winter" href="#" target="_blank">Dead of Winter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Regardless, I can still accept this as a cheaper, more splashable <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mutilate" href="#" target="_blank">Mutilate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Endling</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Endling"></div></div></p>
<p>The end of a cycle! From <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Morphling" href="#" target="_blank">Morphling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Torchling" href="#" target="_blank">Torchling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thornling" href="#" target="_blank">Thornling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brightling" href="#" target="_blank">Brightling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> we can rejoice at the tying up of loose threads. This is a solid battering ram against other creatures. With deathtouch and menace, it will be extremely difficult for your enemies to interact with this creature favorably in combat. Add in the <em>Undying </em>and it's even more of a nuisance. Unlike several others in this cycle, Endling isn't just a Shapeshifter, but has a second creature type: Zombie. As such, this may see play in some classic Zombie tribal decks like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gisa and Geralf" href="#" target="_blank">Gisa and Geralf</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as an efficient beater and an especially irksome blocker.</p>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Force of Despair</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Force of Despair"></div></div></p>
<p>Speaking of cycles, the black part of the “Force of” cycle is a doozy. The timing restrictions make it a worse rate than a traditional <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hero&#039;s Downfall" href="#" target="_blank">Hero&#039;s Downfall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can kill a creature regardless of when it entered the battlefield, but this is certainly an efficient answer to combos like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker" href="#" target="_blank">Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> + <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pestermite" href="#" target="_blank">Pestermite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or a huge influx of tokens. Look out, bursty token decks! Otherwise, though, this is a niche meta call if you're often up against aggressive decks that summon tons of creatures in one turn, but black has many other removal spells that will occupy this slot and be more effective in the majority of traditional games.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Everything Else</h2>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Ninjas</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Throatseeker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Azra Smokeshaper"></div></div></p>
<p>The community has been hungry for more Ninja cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> decks, and <em>Modern Horizons </em>has delivered! Yuriko is very aggressive, often not able to leave blockers behind, which means she can be targeted pretty easily. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Throatseeker" href="#" target="_blank">Throatseeker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> helps mitigate some of that life loss, a welcome addition. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Azra Smokeshaper" href="#" target="_blank">Azra Smokeshaper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a tricky card that helps protect Yuriko in the combat phase. Yuriko has climbed up to the #3 most-built Dimir commander slot, and with the help of these great new Ninjas, I won't be surprised if she eventually sneaks all the way up to #1.</p>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Zombies</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Undead Augur"></div></div></p>
<p>With a tribe as deep and potent as Zombies, there's always a risk that the tribe is already overcrowded and any new cards won't be able to fight their way into decks. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Undead Augur" href="#" target="_blank">Undead Augur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which is basically <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Prophecy" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Prophecy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on legs, is potentially amazing but also potentially dangerous. Zombies are always hungry for card advantage, which could easily push this over the top, but lack of control over this ability makes me think there are better options for Zombies.</p>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Goblins</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sling-Gang Lieutenant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Warteye Witch"></div></div></p>
<p>Whenever I see “Goblin” on the type line, I become very interested. Most Goblin synergies wind up in red, but <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> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wort, Boggart Auntie" href="#" target="_blank">Wort, Boggart Auntie</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> have well-known followings. Grenzo in particular probably represents the best synergies; Grenzo loves to sacrifice creatures, then put them on the bottom of his deck from the graveyard with things like <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>, and cheat them right back into play with his bottom-of-the-library ability. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Warteye Witch" href="#" target="_blank">Warteye Witch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> works amazingly well here too, since she can help scry fun new targets to the bottom of the deck for Grenzo!</p>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Shapeshifters</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Graveshifter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Changeling Outcast"></div></div></p>
<p>The Shapeshifters of this set pique my interest more than usual. This set has Goblins, Ninjas, Zombies, Vampires, and then some. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Changeling Outcast" href="#" target="_blank">Changeling Outcast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> work amazingly well to enable <em>Ninjutsu </em>and to trigger Yuriko, a welcome addition. There are probably better options for recursion in black, but it's not impossible that a few tribes would enjoy a tribal <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gravedigger" href="#" target="_blank">Gravedigger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to recur their fallen soldiers, like sacrifice-happy Vampires or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inalla, Archmage Ritualist" href="#" target="_blank">Inalla, Archmage Ritualist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s ETB-triggering Wizards.</p>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Spells</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Defile"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mind Rake"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Return from Extinction"></div></div></p>
<p>Of the remaining spells, the three above strike me as the most interesting in EDH. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Defile" href="#" target="_blank">Defile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has already gotten attention in Pauper, but a single-target version of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mutilate" href="#" target="_blank">Mutilate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for one black mana at instant speed seems great for most mono-black decks, possibly as a supplement or a replacement for the occasional <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tragic Slip" href="#" target="_blank">Tragic Slip</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mind Rake" href="#" target="_blank">Mind Rake</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s <em>Overload </em>ability is fun in a deck primed to abuse it, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nath of the Gilt-Leaf" href="#" target="_blank">Nath of the Gilt-Leaf</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, though it's notable that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Delirium Skeins" href="#" target="_blank">Delirium Skeins</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> only shows up on about 600 total decks on EDHREC. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Return from Extinction" href="#" target="_blank">Return from Extinction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a decent recursion spell in tribal decks thanks to its low mana cost, possibly budging out any decks still playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aphetto Dredging" href="#" target="_blank">Aphetto Dredging</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. For these three cards, I predict the order of popularity, from highest to lowest, is the same order the cards are displayed above.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Night is Darkest Just Before the Dawn</h2>
<p>What are your favorite black cards from <em>Modern Horizons</em>? What cards are you putting into your decks? Are there any spicy cards I missed above? What cards are on your radar? Let me know in the comments below!</p>


Modern Horizons Set Review - Black

The Knowledge Pool - Breya, Etherium Shaper

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Meren of Clan Nel Toth" href="#" target="_blank">Meren of Clan Nel Toth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?action=advanced&amp;artist=[%22Mark%20Winters%22]">Mark Winters</a>)</h6>
<h1>Creating in New Ways</h1>
<p>Hey everyone! Kya here once again! Welcome back to <em>Bringing Magic to Life,</em> the series where I appease my corporate overlords and justify my existence here on EDHREC. Here we're going to turn our gaming table into more than just a cardboard throwdown. Here we're going to bring our decks to life!</p>
<p>This month we're actually doing something a little different from what I normally do in this series. Typically we create some fun 3D models and print them out to add a little spice to our games. However, to limit our creations to just 3D printing would be unfair for some, so we're going to find more accessible ways to create small goodies for our table. Not going to lie, it took me a while to find something that didn't involve a 3D printer, paintingl or an anvil, but I think I found something pretty fun that will take anyone only an afternoon to complete! Before we get to that, though, we have to find a deck worthy of our creations!</p>
<hr />
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-32804" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/c4rd4r7_rOZ15npp3l.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="230" /></p>
<h2>The Return of the Dead</h2>
<p>It's amazing that after so many articles I still have decks that haven't been shared yet. We're getting close though, which is enough of a justification to buy more cards, as far as I'm concerned!</p>
<p>Today is a special article, as this is actually one of my most played EDH decks, especially when playing with people for the first time. I can't express enough how stressful it can be to try and make good first impressions. You never want to be that person who needlessly wipes the floor with everyone else at the table, but of course you want to have fun too! This is why I think it's important to own at least one deck that is resilient, but not reliant on immediate combos or overly oppressive win conditions. This deck is my go-to when unsure what I'll be facing and I'm trying to measure a pod for the first time. What is this magical deck I speak of you ask?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Meren of Clan Nel Toth"></div></div>
<p>It's Meren, the girl with the zombie tattoo! As a dark-haired girl with a soft spot for Zombie Dragons, I couldn't help but fall in love with her when she was first released. I can't stress enough how impressed I was with her right out of the box. <em>Wizards</em> has done a great job with many of their Commander decks, but I would put Meren up there as one of the best precons ever created, especially since it can even hold its own against other more tuned decks. Adding even more joy, every piece to upgrade her always feels amazingly satisfying.</p>
<p>So what does she do? Okay, well all know what she does. She's one of the most popular commanders of all time. Trading death with experience counters, to place a creature back into play for free, is amazing. Even if you don't have the counters you can still get a creature back to your hand! Truly one of the few commanders that you'll always benefit from as long as she's on the field. I personally prefer her far more then <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Karador, Ghost Chieftain" href="#" target="_blank">Karador, Ghost Chieftain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Having to pay the mana cost to summon something from my graveyard? Uh, no. Meren has spoiled me far too much to pay for my creatures like some commoner. So how do we make a great (but not so nasty) Meren deck? Well we go with the basics.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Fear We All Know</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fleshbag Marauder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Plaguecrafter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Merciless Executioner"></div></div>
<p>Let's start with the soul of any Meren deck. Sometimes a girl needs to keep the boys at bay, and these three do a great job at just that! Insanely simple and effective. What's best is that Meren can keep bringing them back! It's surprising how greatly a single one of these cards can stall a pod's growth. Although you could argue that these are Stax cards, I've noticed that despite this, many don't find hard feelings when these cards continue to hit the battlefield. Best of all, I can control the length of their cruelty, based on how powerful the pod is that I ventured into.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spore Frog"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sakura-Tribe Elder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Caustic Caterpillar"></div></div>
<p>Absolutely no surprises here, and probably nothing you haven't seen before, but I wanted to highlight these cards to make a point. One of the top reasons I believe Meren is so popular is that she can take average cards and turn them into miniature gods, even over the simplest things. Keep reviving a Tribe Elder and get extra ramp every turn, all while gaining counters! Blow up someone's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> every turn, all while gaining counters! Make yourself invincible from combat damage, or even turn your Spore Frog into a political savior for someone else! All while gaining counters! The list goes on. By the way, I think we can all agree on one thing here: if you're not the Meren player, you hate that dumb frog!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Birthing Pod"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Protean Hulk"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Razaketh, the Foulblooded"></div></div>
<p>Know the best part of not having a combo in your deck? Absolutely zero temptation to do something completely degenerate. There's actual fun in killing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Protean Hulk" href="#" target="_blank">Protean Hulk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and looking through the deck, trying to find something relevant to the actual board state or at the very least just putting creatures on the field. Then do it again and again with Meren! Even with famous combo-searchers like the cards show above, we don't have to be tempted into combos if we don't want to be.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Greater Good"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hermit Druid"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deadbridge Chant"></div></div>
<p>Another fun and common mechanic with Meren is the oddball way you can build your graveyard into a second hand. That, or play with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Greater Good" href="#" target="_blank">Greater Good</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to add even more value in death triggers. Although I do have a few more direct tutors, it's exciting to always have plenty to access, but at the same time enjoy the surprise of not knowing for sure what's coming.</p>
<p>Also, in games where I'm not sure what to expect, I can change the tempo of how quickly I need to win as I want, within reason. This sounds like a strange middle ground to tutoring for you fancy blue players, but us Golgari girls enjoy our methods.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sheoldred, Whispering One"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kokusho, the Evening Star"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hornet Queen"></div></div>
<p>Finally, the absolute best aspect of Meren! You can completely curate how you want to win, which is rare for EDH decks. Do you want to just play a bomb and slowly control the board? Drop a Sheoldred and amass your graveyard to the field. Do you want to just consume peoples' life totals while adding to your own? Kokusho or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gray Merchant of Asphodel" href="#" target="_blank">Gray Merchant of Asphodel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would be happy to help! You want to just token spam and sting people to death with a bunch of Hornets? Well, the Queen has your back! Heck, I even have a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demon of Dark Schemes" href="#" target="_blank">Demon of Dark Schemes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to do some massive work with energy counters of all things! Energy counters! In EDH! Where else but Meren?</p>
<p>Oh. And if you want to be a jerk, we can <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mindslicer" href="#" target="_blank">Mindslicer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for days. I'm not saying "don't swing at me." I'm just saying if that 1/1 even glances in my direction I will bring us back to the stone age quicker than you can say "Nel Toth." That's all.</p>
<p>As briefly mentioned already, this isn't an article to share anything we haven't seen before. Outside my fangirling, it actually had a purpose. With the recent update from the Rules Committee of Rule 0, I thought this article would be a small contribution to my support of it. Commander is a casual format and sometimes we forget that. I'd like to think that with Meren still being on top, many players have also found that fair balance of enjoying engaging games that are not overly stressful or a waste of time due to excessive durdling. Below is the decklist to represent that mentality:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="The Girl with the Zombie Tattoo" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Meren of Clan Nel Toth
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Hermit Druid
*1 Spore Frog
*1 Puppeteer Clique
*1 Burnished Hart
*1 Wurmcoil Engine
*1 Catacomb Sifter
*1 Corpse Connoisseur
*1 Sakura-Tribe Elder
*1 Wood Elves
*1 Massacre Wurm
*1 Undercity Informer
*1 Noxious Gearhulk
*1 Merciless Executioner
*1 Kokusho, the Evening Star
*1 Caustic Caterpillar
*1 Shriekmaw
*1 Phyrexian Plaguelord
*1 Sheoldred, Whispering One
*1 Kjeldoran Dead
*1 Eternal Witness
*1 Viridian Emissary
*1 Mycoloth
*1 Su-Chi
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Viridian Zealot
*1 Protean Hulk
*1 Deathrite Shaman
*1 Grave Titan
*1 Fleshbag Marauder
*1 Terastodon
*1 Avenger of Zendikar
*1 Butcher of Malakir
*1 Demon of Dark Schemes
*1 Mindslicer
*1 Plaguecrafter
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Putrefy
*1 Altar&#039;s Reap
*1 Grisly Salvage
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Bone Splinters
*1 Jarad&#039;s Orders
*1 Casualties of War
*1 Black Sun&#039;s Zenith
*1 Victimize
*1 Buried Alive
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Birthing Pod
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Nim Deathmantle
*1 Expedition Map
*1 Ashnod&#039;s Altar
*1 Eldrazi Monument
*1 Thought Vessel
*1 Skullclamp
*1 Golgari Signet
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Deadbridge Chant
*1 Greater Good
*1 Evolutionary Leap
*1 Grave Pact
*1 Journey to Eternity
*1 Dictate of Erebos
*1 Black Market
*1 Vampiric Rites
[/Enchantments]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Vraska, Relic Seeker
*1 Vraska the Unseen
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Overgrown Tomb
*1 Woodland Cemetery
*1 Hissing Quagmire
*1 Command Tower
*1 Llanowar Wastes
*1 Golgari Rot Farm
*1 Tainted Wood
*1 Polluted Mire
*1 Slippery Karst
*1 High Market
*1 Blooming Marsh
*1 Grim Backwoods
*11 Forest
*12 Swamp
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-32849" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/fb5d93d99e8e45a6c23cfb21fbccbd61.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="185" /></p>
<h2>Birth From the Grave!</h2>
<p>Now that we went over one of my favorite decks, it's time we got to work on how we're bringing it to life... or perhaps unlife! I originally thought of making a sculpture of a Zombie Dragon or of Meren herself with a step by step tutorial. However, I thought that would be too much work for everyone to follow along from just a simple article. For those who have followed my series before, I like to keep these craft projects relatively easy and simple. Some of the more artistically inclined might scoff, but it's tough to make gold from a wave of the hand and expect others to do the same! Another reason I went away from the sculptures is because, truthfully, it's not just Meren we love here. It's all the things she allows us to do in the graveyard! So with that said, let's build a graveyard worthy of her praise!</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-32885" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/59358923_393957421195569_2267585497830260736_n.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="257" /></p>
<p>First thing we're going to grab is some clay! For my purposes I got this non-hardening clay for other projects, but it would be advised to get some that will harden to ensure your graveyard doesn't break apart easily. Especially if you're going traveling with this to show off to your friends! Clay is very cheap, so this whole adventure should only cost you a few dollars.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-32879" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/58606320_449490639192214_5525420382003134464_n.jpg" alt="" width="227" height="300" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-32883" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/58713300_336873757013627_5608757298894733312_n.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="300" /></p>
<p>Next thing we're going to do is flatten out our clay to make it nice and even. Want to know a secret? It doesn't need to be perfectly flat. After all, spooky graveyards are rarely on even ground. With that said, do make some effort to ensure that the cards can at least rest on it.</p>
<p>After that we're going to lay down a card we don't care about on the clay. Let's just throw down this filthy blue card, because who needs those? After this we're going to use an X-ACTO knife to cut around the card, giving some room on each side. Got to make sure we give enough room for sleeves! Feel free to use a ruler to make your cuts straight, and if you're under 18, make sure you're asking an adult for help before handling sharp tools.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-32881" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/58635826_321420515221185_4794446390224748544_n.jpg" alt="" width="295" height="300" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-32880" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/58608360_296970264577187_334354893231882240_n.jpg" alt="" width="308" height="300" /></p>
<p>Now we're going to start making some crosses and tombs to put around our graveyard, to keep the cards still. Keep these limited, as you want room for your fingers to be able to easily and casually dig through your graveyard throughout the game.</p>
<p>Using the knife, we're going to cut some rather sloppy crosses out. They're old so it makes since they're a little warped! If you screw up, it's clay! Just try again and again. It doesn't need to be perfect, and you can always shape out whatever error you make. Then we're going to add a big tombstone for Meren herself, to give the command zone something special! Using the knife, we're going to engrave her name into her slot.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-32882" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/58654649_2328585247410445_5348612684554174464_n.jpg" alt="" width="238" height="300" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-32878" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/57338753_1188512371309845_7373855262592991232_n.jpg" alt="" width="295" height="299" /></p>
<p>Now lets fit everything together! Just smashing those pieces into the ends, we can rub up the clay around the joints to make them stick easy. I wish 3D parts got along so easily.</p>
<p>I also added a small thin roll with a very small space between Meren's tombstone and the graveyard. This allows us to prop Meren up. Let's use a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mortify" href="#" target="_blank">Mortify</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to test out her chair. Goodness knows I have enough of them if the card didn't fit, and got bent out of shape.</p>
<p>Now for the final test! Lets add in the real deck with the sleeves to see if everything fits. Good! Now it's time for painting!</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-32884" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/59286228_679601225794465_4150160596714651648_n.jpg" alt="" width="218" height="202" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-32886" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/59473410_2273672969359786_5096613677553942528_n.jpg" alt="" width="374" height="203" /></p>
<p>First, we'll give it a quick primer spray of black. After that, we're going to paint the tombstones our nice stone colors and a simple brown for the crosses. We could get fancy, but again, this is just a quick project for some fun! If you do want to go more involved, I would recommend 2-3 shades of green for the grass, which will look great with the black under. Maybe at the very end a few small flowers near the Meren prop to keep her up and look pretty!</p>
<p>Now we're all set! Let's look at the game field. That's a cool little graveyard if you ask me! A simple prop that will make your graveyard feel just a little more special!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Closing Thoughts</h2>
<p>So what does everyone think? Don't quit my day job? Stick to 3D modeling? That's fair, but the graveyard was a blast to make. Hopefully this will encourage others to add some crafts to their battlefields as well. Small little additions to these are especially nice because they do not take up a lot of space or become an obnoxious centerpiece. They complement the theme of your deck and highlight what your commander is all about!</p>
<p>Also everyone finally knows my go to deck if they ever run into me. If I see a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rest in Peace" href="#" target="_blank">Rest in Peace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> now, I'm taking it personally!</p>
<p>Until next time,</p>
<p>Kya</p>


Bringing Magic to Life - Unburying the Dead!

The Knowledge Pool - Tasigur, the Golden Fang

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nefarox, Overlord of Grixis" href="#" target="_blank">Nefarox, Overlord of Grixis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/aleksi">Aleksi Briclot</a>)</h6>
<h1>Who Needs the Color Pie, Anyway?</h1>
<p>Welcome back to <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>, where we give cards used in under 300 decks here on EDHREC their due. This time, I'm continuing the pattern of tackling mono-colored decks, and making good on a request from reader @WilliamLordSith for a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nefarox, Overlord of Grixis" href="#" target="_blank">Nefarox, Overlord of Grixis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck at the same time.</p>
<p>However, this isn't going to be your typical mono-black deck. No, we're going for something along the white/green persuasion. We're blowing away all expectations of what colors mean with an off-color enchantress deck.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-31442" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/giphy-2.gif" alt="" width="600" height="300" /></p>
<p>Let's break it down into three sections:</p>
<ol>
<li>What does black, and more specifically our commander, do well?</li>
<li>How can we leverage these strengths when using Auras?</li>
<li>What colorless cards can we use to help bolster the enchantress theme?</li>
</ol>
<hr />
<h2>What Nefarox and Black Do Well</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nefarox, Overlord of Grixis"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Homicidal Seclusion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Demonic Rising"></div></div>
<p>There are two key features to Nefarox: <em>Exalted</em> and creature removal. Focusing on the former, black has a few cards that support keeping the creature count to a minimum. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Rising" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Rising</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (176 decks) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Homicidal Seclusion" href="#" target="_blank">Homicidal Seclusion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (169 decks) are two enchantments that can help out when we're rocking a solo Nefarox, the former providing a nice 5/5 Demon, and the latter buffing our lone creature and gaining us back some life. Given the heavy enchantment theme planned for in this deck, these are quite powerful.</p>
<p>Of course, any black deck isn't complete without some creature removal. Nefarox's attack trigger is a great way to eliminate troublesome attackers on the other side of the table. This deck includes a typical removal package for black, including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Damnation" href="#" target="_blank">Damnation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Go For the Throat" href="#" target="_blank">Go For the Throat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Profane Command" href="#" target="_blank">Profane Command</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. If you decide to give this deck a try, I highly recommend customizing this portion before doing further deck editing. I'm admittedly relying on my favorites for removal, but tinkering is required to find the absolute best cards for the job. You may prefer <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Decree of Pain" href="#" target="_blank">Decree of Pain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shriekmaw" href="#" target="_blank">Shriekmaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and that's totally fine.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Adding in Enchantments</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chime of Night"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Screams from Within"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Parallax Dementia"></div></div>
<p>It's safe to assume, with Nefarox at the helm, that opponents will be losing a lot of creatures. Therefore I looked to add Auras that would provide some extra pain when their creatures hit the bin. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chime of Night" href="#" target="_blank">Chime of Night</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dying Wail" href="#" target="_blank">Dying Wail</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from <em>Urza's Destiny</em> both fit that criteria, and see play in 47 and 18 decks, respectively.</p>
<p>Similar to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chime of Night" href="#" target="_blank">Chime of Night</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Funeral March" href="#" target="_blank">Funeral March</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (30 decks) can help with a cascading creature loss. Speaking of cascades, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Screams from Within" href="#" target="_blank">Screams from Within</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is king, frequently ripping through token decks like tissue paper, while only making it into the sleeves of 142 decks. When looking to cause some life loss, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Banewasp Affliction" href="#" target="_blank">Banewasp Affliction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (45 decks) gets the job done nicely. Finally, the highly political card <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Parallax Dementia" href="#" target="_blank">Parallax Dementia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be a great bargaining chip when players A and B want to gang up on player C for a turn. This <em>Nemesis</em> common sees play in a whole 7 decks, which I think is far too low.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Necromancer&#039;s Magemark"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shade&#039;s Form"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sadistic Glee"></div></div>
<p>Not all of our Auras have to be anti-creature. Some of them can help pump our Nefarox, get his commander damage through, or protect him from death. One of the best Auras to protect your whole enchanted team is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Necromancer&#039;s Magemark" href="#" target="_blank">Necromancer&#039;s Magemark</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from <em>Guildpact</em> (80 decks). While you'd lose any Auras attached to your creatures, getting those creatures back is just fantastic! Speaking of which, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shade&#039;s Form" href="#" target="_blank">Shade&#039;s Form</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an excellent <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="False Demise" href="#" target="_blank">False Demise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for black, allowing you to steal an opposing creature when it hits the bin. The buff on the creature only helps to add to the political benefits of the card. I'm shocked it's only played in 274 decks.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sadistic Glee" href="#" target="_blank">Sadistic Glee</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (263 decks) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ordeal of Erebos" href="#" target="_blank">Ordeal of Erebos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (188 decks) can give our creatures a more permanent boost after enchanting them. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inner Demon" href="#" target="_blank">Inner Demon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, played in 73 decks, provides a pump, some evasion, as well as a small board wipe. Also giving some evasion, <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> (295 decks) can make your creature fearsome over and over again. Assuming the creature can connect, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloak of Confusion" href="#" target="_blank">Cloak of Confusion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from <em>Ice Age</em> does some great "hand management" to disrupt our opponents, seeing play in just 16 decks. Lastly, another source of hand disruption, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strands of Undeath" href="#" target="_blank">Strands of Undeath</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (50 decks) provides a regenerative shield to protect the lucky creature it lands on.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dreadbringer Lampads"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blightcaster"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Xenic Poltergeist"></div></div>
<p>Since we're playing so many Auras, it's probably a good idea to include the black <em>Constellation</em> creatures: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grim Guardian" href="#" target="_blank">Grim Guardian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Agent of Erebos" href="#" target="_blank">Agent of Erebos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thoughtrender Lamia" href="#" target="_blank">Thoughtrender Lamia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doomwake Giant" href="#" target="_blank">Doomwake Giant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dreadbringer Lampads" href="#" target="_blank">Dreadbringer Lampads</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The Lampads get special mention, as they're only played in 298 decks. There's a suite of other powerful enchantment creatures also in the deck, along with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blightcaster" href="#" target="_blank">Blightcaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which has honorable <em>Constellation</em> and sees play in 274 decks. With all this enchantment-fall, you'll be happy to set off that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Screams from Within" href="#" target="_blank">Screams from Within</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> chain for sure!</p>
<p>One final creature that I should talk about, even though it's not enchantment-based, is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Xenic Poltergeist" href="#" target="_blank">Xenic Poltergeist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This <em>Legends</em> card has become a favorite of mine for black decks that have trouble handling artifacts. This can make a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Paradox Engine" href="#" target="_blank">Paradox Engine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> into a 5/5 for one go around the table, making it susceptible to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Damnation" href="#" target="_blank">Damnation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or any other mono-black creature removal. Right now, it only sees play in 161 decks, but I want to see that number creep higher.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Colorless Support</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crown of the Ages"></div></div>
<p>There are four colorless cards worth mentioning that add greatly to the black enchantress theme. First, we have the all-star <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skull of Orm" href="#" target="_blank">Skull of Orm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, capable of resurrecting our spent Auras for their reuse. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crystal Chimes" href="#" target="_blank">Crystal Chimes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fills a similar role, though it's only a one-shot.</p>
<p>Of note in the "under 300" club, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crown of the Ages" href="#" target="_blank">Crown of the Ages</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> helps to swap Auras among creatures. This will help you get the most of the enchantments, in case their host is about to say goodbye, or maybe it'll help get that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chime of Night" href="#" target="_blank">Chime of Night</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on the creature that's about to bite it. Plus, with all these auras targeting your opponents' baddies, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Lighthouse" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Lighthouse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can help make sure that <em>hexproof</em> and <em>shroud</em> won't get in the way.</p>
<p>Enough chatter! Let's check out a deck!</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Nefarox Enchantress" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div><br />
[Commander]<br />
*1 Nefarox, Overlord of Grixis<br />
[/Commander]<br />
[Creatures]<br />
*1 Hex Parasite<br />
*1 Merrow Bonegnawer<br />
*1 Brain Maggot<br />
*1 Ashiok's Adept<br />
*1 Grim Guardian<br />
*1 Nighthowler<br />
*1 Plaguecrafter<br />
*1 Xenic Poltergeist<br />
*1 Agent of Erebos<br />
*1 Blightcaster<br />
*1 Crypt Ghast<br />
*1 Erebos, God of the Dead<br />
*1 Fate Unraveler<br />
*1 Doomwake Giant<br />
*1 Dreadbringer Lampads<br />
*1 Vengeful Pharaoh<br />
*1 Dread<br />
*1 Thoughtrender Lamia<br />
[/Creatures]<br />
[Instants]<br />
*1 Cast Down<br />
*1 Go for the Throat<br />
*1 Sudden Spoiling<br />
*1 Thrilling Encore<br />
*1 Scour from Existence<br />
[/Instants]<br />
[Sorceries]<br />
*1 Demonic Tutor<br />
*1 Profane Command<br />
*1 Torment of Hailfire<br />
*1 Damnation<br />
*1 Beseech the Queen<br />
[/Sorceries]<br />
[Artifacts]<br />
*1 Expedition Map<br />
*1 Sol Ring<br />
*1 Wayfarer's Bauble<br />
*1 Charcoal Diamond<br />
*1 Crown of the Ages<br />
*1 Jet Medallion<br />
*1 Mind Stone<br />
*1 Thaumatic Compass<br />
*1 Crystal Chimes<br />
*1 Skull of Orm<br />
*1 Unstable Obelisk<br />
[/Artifacts]<br />
[Enchantments]<br />
*1 Sadistic Glee<br />
*1 Vampiric Link<br />
*1 Animate Dead<br />
*1 Banewasp Affliction<br />
*1 Chime of Night<br />
*1 Cloak of Confusion<br />
*1 Dragon Shadow<br />
*1 Dying Wail<br />
*1 Ordeal of Erebos<br />
*1 Parallax Dementia<br />
*1 Funeral March<br />
*1 Necromancer's Magemark<br />
*1 Screams from Within<br />
*1 Shade's Form<br />
*1 Stab Wound<br />
*1 Vow of Malice<br />
*1 Inner Demon<br />
*1 Strands of Undeath<br />
*1 Demonic Rising<br />
*1 Homicidal Seclusion<br />
*1 Enslave<br />
[/Enchantments]<br />
[Lands]<br />
*1 Arcane Lighthouse<br />
*1 Barren Moor<br />
*1 Bojuka Bog<br />
*1 Cabal Coffers<br />
*1 Cabal Stronghold<br />
*1 Cathedral of War<br />
*1 Desert of the Glorified<br />
*1 Leechridden Swamp<br />
*1 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx<br />
*1 Polluted Mire<br />
*1 Rogue's Passage<br />
*1 Spawning Pool<br />
*26 Swamp<br />
*1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth<br />
[/Lands]<br />
[/Deck]</p>

<hr />
<h2>In Brightest Day, In Blackest Night...</h2>
<p>I hope you all enjoyed this attempt to throw the color pie out the window. I promise this won't be the last time I try to break things. Do you have any ideas for how you would like to mess with the color pie? How about any cards used in 300 decks or less on this site that you'd like to see featured? Leave me your thoughts on this and more in the comments. As this article proves, I love working off of reader suggestions and challenges, so let them fly! Next time, we'll continue the mono-color pattern with a preventative take on green!</p>


black