Archetune-Up - License to Mill

Archetune-Up - The Most Cryptic of Cryptids

Archetune-Up - The Most Contentious River Sausage

EDH Political Science – Political Positions

Archetune-Up - Attack of the Clones

Forgotten Harvest - Ragnar Regenerates

Theros Beyond Death Set Review - Blue

Archetune Up - I'll Have a Blue Christmas WITH You

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cover of Winter" href="#" target="_blank">Cover of Winter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.waynereynolds.com/">Wayne Reynolds</a>)</h6>
<h1>Do You Want To Brew a Snowman?</h1>
<p>Happy holidays, everyone! Welcome to a very festive edition of <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>. Like all the previous articles, we'll be focusing on the Isle of Misfit <em>Magic</em> Cards (those in 300 decks or less on EDHREC) and the ways we can bring those cards together into an unconventional brew. In keeping with the season, we'll be looking at a snow-themed deck this time around.</p>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/giphy.gif"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-42335 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/giphy.gif" alt="" width="480" height="270" /></a></p>
<p>My first step before slinging some snow is looking at the limited pool of cards that care about snow. Surveying the frosty landscape of cards, a few facts became apparent:</p>
<ol>
<li>There's a group of cards that care about having snow permanents on the battlefield.</li>
<li>There's a group of cards that trigger when snow permanents enter the battlefield.</li>
<li>There are snowy cards that bounce themselves or other creatures.</li>
<li>There isn't enough support for the theme unless we go at least 4-color.</li>
</ol>
<p>From this, I began work on a bounce-themed snow deck. For a commander, I was looking for one that could help me play my snow-covered lands. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Golos, Tireless Pilgrim" href="#" target="_blank">Golos, Tireless Pilgrim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> looked appealing, but aside from the one <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>, black offers very little in the way of snow support, so instead, I settled on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis" href="#" target="_blank">Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Iceberg Cancrix"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Marit Lage&#039;s Slumber"></div></div>
<p>K&amp;T give us extra land drops, which is great for new snowy cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Iceberg Cancrix" href="#" target="_blank">Iceberg Cancrix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marit Lage&#039;s Slumber" href="#" target="_blank">Marit Lage&#039;s Slumber</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Both are underplayed cards from <em>Modern Horizons</em>, included in just 62 and 259 decks, respectively. These cards love all the extra snow-covered lands K&amp;T will give us, not to mention the plethora of other snow permanents and bounce effects in the deck. I don't necessarily see the mill from the Cancrix being a game-ender, but it's certainly a good resource-limiting card to make our opponents uncomfortable while we work on something more devastating, like a Marit Lage token.</p>
<hr />
<h2>A Flurry of Fury</h2>
<p>The extra snowy land drops from K&amp;T will also, over time, help bolster those creatures that like having a bunch of snow permanents in play. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rimefeather Owl" href="#" target="_blank">Rimefeather Owl</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (96 decks) is the best of the bunch; this bird allows us to ice up the entire field with its activated ability, then grows larger as the inches of snow pile up. Plus, the ice counters it distributes have the added bonus of synergizing with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rimescale Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Rimescale Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (136 decks). Facing these two on the battlefield together can be brutal for opposing armies (so long as you avoid putting ice counters on your own creatures).</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rimefeather Owl"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Abominable Treefolk"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skred"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Abominable Treefolk" href="#" target="_blank">Abominable Treefolk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, another creature that scales with the frosted board state, is a welcome addition from <em>Modern Horizons</em>. It's only in 55 decks right now, but in this deck, it can be a real all-star. Its triggered ability upon entering the battlefield will work with some of the bounce effects we'll talk about later. However, this ill-tempered Treefolk's trample is the real key here, allowing us to break through armies while our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rimefeather Owl" href="#" target="_blank">Rimefeather Owl</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> soars over them. As a second option for plowing through drifts of blockers, I've also included <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conifer Wurm" href="#" target="_blank">Conifer Wurm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (46 decks).</p>
<p>Lastly, I couldn't include red in this snow deck without playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skred" href="#" target="_blank">Skred</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It's such an efficient damage-dealer in any deck running <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Snow-Covered Mountain" href="#" target="_blank">Snow-Covered Mountain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s, but especially in this one. I'm kind of shocked that it's only run in 167 decks right now. If you're going with a snow-covered manabase, give this sorcery a look.</p>
<hr />
<h2>An Avalanche of Activated Abilities</h2>
<p>Whether requiring frosty mana or a number of snow permanents, there are some powerful activated abilities out there to be utilized by snow-themed decks. One of them happens to be my favorite snow-themed card. As I've said <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/forgotten-harvest-block-party-with-virtus-and-gorm/">previously</a>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rimehorn Aurochs" href="#" target="_blank">Rimehorn Aurochs</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> needs to see so much more play than the 10 decks it's in right now. It's an absolute travesty! Anyway, it's in this deck, as is my second-favorite snowy card: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heidar, Rimewind Master" href="#" target="_blank">Heidar, Rimewind Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (115 decks). I don't understand why such a powerful bouncer sees so little play when all it takes is a small stack of snow-covered lands to make it great. If you like the idea of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boomerang" href="#" target="_blank">Boomerang</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> <em>Imprinted</em> on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Isochron Scepter" href="#" target="_blank">Isochron Scepter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, then please give Heidar some love!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Heidar, Rimewind Master"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Diamond Faerie"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Adarkar Windform"></div></div>
<p>Next up we have the sparkly team-buffer <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Diamond Faerie" href="#" target="_blank">Diamond Faerie</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (31 decks). If we're looking to win with combat damage from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conifer Wurm" href="#" target="_blank">Conifer Wurm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Abominable Treefolk" href="#" target="_blank">Abominable Treefolk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, this card will help us push even more damage through. Combine this crystalline sprite with snow cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Squall Drifter" href="#" target="_blank">Squall Drifter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (43 decks) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Rimerunner" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Rimerunner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (13 decks) to remove blockers, and that win from combat is even more assured.</p>
<p>Speaking of removing cards from combat, if you decide to attack by air, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Adarkar Windform" href="#" target="_blank">Adarkar Windform</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can help keep any blockers earthbound. Similarly, on defense, it can keep the battle out of the skies and in a range where K&amp;T can do some blocking. It's only in 30 decks on EDHREC, which I can understand. Its use is a little niche, but that's the niche this deck lives in!</p>
<hr />
<h1>A Blizzard of Bounce</h1>
<p>Even moving to four colors, there still isn't enough snow to truly fill out the deck's 99. Based on the wintry selection, bounce becomes the clear choice to complement the excellent enters-the-battlefield abilities of cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blizzard Strix" href="#" target="_blank">Blizzard Strix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (67 decks) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ice-Fang Coatl" href="#" target="_blank">Ice-Fang Coatl</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It seems thematically appropriate to include the creature <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Snow Hound" href="#" target="_blank">Snow Hound</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, despite it not technically being related to the snow card type. Showing up in only 16 decks on the site, I very much like this card when <em>casting</em> a creature is important, and blink spells can't help. Please consider it the next time you brew with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Karametra, God of Harvests" href="#" target="_blank">Karametra, God of Harvests</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and the like.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Snow Hound"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Barbarian Guides"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stalking Yeti"></div></div>
<p>Back on theme, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Barbarian Guides" href="#" target="_blank">Barbarian Guides</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives us some repeatable bounce. With the help of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rimefeather Owl" href="#" target="_blank">Rimefeather Owl</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, it can also make an attacker unblockable for a turn before bouncing it. Imagine blasting through a maxed-out <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Abominable Treefolk" href="#" target="_blank">Abominable Treefolk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with snow-landwalk, only to get to use its ETB ability the next turn. I can understand the low deck count of 15, as snow-covered lands aren't all that prevalent, but if you have the means to icify the other side of the field, it's a gem!</p>
<p>In a deck without black, repeatable creature removal is a great thing. I've thus chosen to run <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stalking Yeti" href="#" target="_blank">Stalking Yeti</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from <em>Coldsnap</em>. I do wish its activated ability were faster, but it'll do for removing opposing utility creatures. It's only in 12 decks, which seems fair. What doesn't seem fair, though, is pairing it with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Purphoros, God of the Forge" href="#" target="_blank">Purphoros, God of the Forge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Diamond Faerie" href="#" target="_blank">Diamond Faerie</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Finally, and I know I'm <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/forgotten-harvest-dromars-bounce-house/">repeating myself</a>, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Azorius Aethermage" href="#" target="_blank">Azorius Aethermage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could really use some attention. It's only seeing play in 54 decks on EDHREC, but it's the #1 card for any bounce strategy. And, the best part, it doesn't care about the type of permanent you're bouncing! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Azorius Chancery" href="#" target="_blank">Azorius Chancery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloud Cover" href="#" target="_blank">Cloud Cover</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloudstone Curio" href="#" target="_blank">Cloudstone Curio</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overburden" href="#" target="_blank">Overburden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all love the Aethermage. I'm confident I could write 2,000 words on this card by itself, but for now I'll just say it's worth a second look.</p>
<p>How about a decklist, hmm?</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Wintering in Meletis" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div></p>
<p>[Commander]<br />
*1 Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis<br />
[/Commander]</p>
<p>[Creatures]<br />
*1 Boreal Druid<br />
*1 Iceberg Cancrix<br />
*1 Ice-Fang Coatl<br />
*1 Rime Tender<br />
*1 Rimewind Taskmage<br />
*1 Squall Drifter<br />
*1 Azorius Aethermage<br />
*1 Barbarian Guides<br />
*1 Eternal Witness<br />
*1 Goblin Rimerunner<br />
*1 Reclamation Sage<br />
*1 Snow Hound<br />
*1 Abominable Treefolk<br />
*1 Centaur Omenreader<br />
*1 Mystic Snake<br />
*1 Ohran Yeti<br />
*1 Purphoros, God of the Forge<br />
*1 Solemn Simulacrum<br />
*1 Stalking Yeti<br />
*1 Adarkar Windform<br />
*1 Blizzard Strix<br />
*1 Chulane, Teller of Tales<br />
*1 Conifer Wurm<br />
*1 Diamond Faerie<br />
*1 Heidar, Rimewind Master<br />
*1 Ohran Frostfang<br />
*1 Rimehorn Aurochs<br />
*1 Adarkar Valkyrie<br />
*1 Rimefeather Owl<br />
*1 Rimescale Dragon<br />
[/Creatures]</p>
<p>[Instants]<br />
*1 Path to Exile<br />
*1 Skred<br />
*1 Cyclonic Rift<br />
*1 Beast Within<br />
*1 Chaos Warp<br />
*1 Generous Gift<br />
*1 Fractured Identity<br />
[/Instants]</p>
<p>[Sorcries]<br />
*1 Into the North<br />
*1 Cultivate<br />
*1 Explosive Vegetation<br />
*1 Time Wipe<br />
[/Sorceries]</p>
<p>[Artifacts]<br />
*1 Arcum's Astrolabe<br />
*1 Sol Ring<br />
*1 Azorius Signet<br />
*1 Coldsteel Heart<br />
*1 Selesnya Signet<br />
*1 Simic Signet<br />
*1 Commander's Sphere<br />
*1 Crystal Shard<br />
*1 Sunstone<br />
*1 Thran Dynamo<br />
*1 Vedalken Orrery<br />
*1 Venser's Journal<br />
[/Artifacts]</p>
<p>[Enchantments]<br />
*1 Burgeoning<br />
*1 On Thin Ice<br />
*1 Marit Lage's Slumber<br />
*1 Winter's Rest<br />
*1 Cover of Winter<br />
*1 Imprisoned in the Moon<br />
[/Enchantments]</p>
<p>[Planeswalkers]<br />
*1 Tamiyo, Field Researcher<br />
*1 Teferi, Hero of Dominaria<br />
[/Planeswalkers]</p>
<p>[Lands]<br />
*1 Arctic Flats<br />
*1 Arid Mesa<br />
*1 Boreal Shelf<br />
*1 Fabled Passage<br />
*1 Flooded Strand<br />
*1 Highland Weald<br />
*1 Misty Rainforest<br />
*1 Reliquary Tower<br />
*1 Rogue's Passage<br />
*1 Scalding Tarn<br />
*1 Scrying Sheets<br />
*8 Snow-Covered Forest<br />
*8 Snow-Covered Island<br />
*4 Snow-Covered Mountain<br />
*5 Snow-Covered Plains<br />
*1 Windswept Heath<br />
*1 Wooded Foothills<br />
[/Lands]</p>
<p>[/Deck]</p>

<hr />
<h2>It Doesn't Have To Be a Snowman</h2>
<p>That about wraps up this wintry mix of cards on <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>. I know there have got to be some questions, comments, and snide remarks after all that snowfall. Please leave them below in the comments! I'll be around down there talking about just how many other hyper-underplayed cards made the deck that I didn't have time to talk about above. I know I also included quite a few powerful cards in this build to help compensate for the weaker cards that were on theme. If there's something not in your collection and out of your price range, hit me up for an alternate suggestion.</p>
<p>As always, if you've got a card that sees play in 300 decks or less on the site that you'd like me to write about, let me know. I'm always up for reader suggestions! Until next time, stay frosty!</p>


Forgotten Harvest - Wintering in Meletis

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rooftop Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Rooftop Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://stankoillustration.com/">John Stanko</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 we’ll be highlighting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ludevic, Necro-Alchemist" href="#" target="_blank">Ludevic, Necro-Alchemist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ludevic, Necro-Alchemist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kraum, Ludevic&#039;s Opus"></div></div>
<p>When talking about Ludevic, it's nearly impossible to avoid his ultimate creation, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kraum, Ludevic&#039;s Opus" href="#" target="_blank">Kraum, Ludevic&#039;s Opus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and because they both have <em>Partner</em>, the deck we build will have both of them as its commanders.</p>
<hr />
<h1>Story Circle</h1>
<p>Ludevic of Ulm is a reclusive necro-alchemist that lives in Havengul on the plane of Innistrad. In his necro-alchemical pursuits, he aims for more than simply the creation of Skaabs. Instead, Ludevic aims to understand the horror his creations inspire. Some think that Ludevic's consumption of potions and inhalation of toxic vapors has left him no choice but to abandon his experiments, leaving him to devote his sizable intellect to the problem of making himself and his business partners filthy rich. He has taken Geralf Cecani under his wing, training him in the arts of necro-alchemy.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stitcher Geralf"></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/2019/12/ludevicName.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-42166 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ludevicName.jpg" alt="" width="449" height="90" /></a></p>
<p>A necro-alchemist is a wizard that harnesses the energy of Geists to fuel crazed technological inventions. Effectively, they achieve necromancy through alchemical means. Also known as "skaberen," these wizards hone the craft of creating frankensteinian monstrosities known as Skaabs. Skaabs are blue-aligned Zombies that frequently interact with the graveyard, either through putting cards there from the top of the library, or requiring creatures (corpses) to be exiled from your graveyard. Using up dead bodies to craft a Skaab evokes images of a crazed scientist in a lab coat standing over a piecemeal behemoth abomination, periodically illuminated by blindingly bright arcs of electricity, and we can see through various cards in the game that Ludevic's protégé, Geralf, is following in his mentor's footsteps.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Geralf&#039;s Masterpiece"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2>Mana Cost//Color Identity:</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ludevicCost.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-42163 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ludevicCost.jpg" alt="" width="130" height="83" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Blue: </strong>Intelligence is king; a Wizard must accumulate as much knowledge as possible. Blue is controlled and calculated.</p>
<p><strong>Red: </strong>Impulsive and rash, red is the wild inventor. Exploring an idea only as long as it holds their attention.</p>
<p><strong>Izzet (blue/red): </strong> Leaping from one ill-conceived experiment to another, an Izzet mage is able to spend much time studying, but will abandon fruitless pursuits for more promising experiments. Blue and red embody the mad scientist moving from one obsessive project to the next.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Type Line:</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ludevicType.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-42168 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ludevicType.jpg" alt="" width="624" height="89" /></a></p>
<p>Ludevic is <em>Magic: the Gathering</em>'s Dr. Frankenstein. Unlike that unfortunate would-be giver of life, however, Ludevic is enthralled by his creation and loves the horror Kraum brings to the denizens of Havengul. Instead of running away from the meat golem, Ludevic studies it.</p>
<p>A simple way to build the deck would be as a Zombie tribal deck. The colors of Ludevic don't line up with the primary color of the Zombie tribe (black), and though Ludevic does create monstrosities, he is truly obsessed with the horror he can inflict. The primary path to victory for this deck is a bit of a cobbled together monstrosity itself. Mill, resource denial, and punisher themes all come together here to form a rather annoying deck that, oddly enough, functions a bit like a Group Hug deck. The card that best showcases this idea is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fevered Visions" href="#" target="_blank">Fevered Visions</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fevered Visions"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sulfuric Vortex"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Copper Tablet"></div></div>
<p>It functions similarly to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Howling Mine" href="#" target="_blank">Howling Mine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but asks for a bit in return. This is exactly how we want Ludevic to function. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sulfuric Vortex" href="#" target="_blank">Sulfuric Vortex</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Copper Tablet" href="#" target="_blank">Copper Tablet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> pair with Ludevic to fuel our own Fevered Visions.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Rules Text:</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ludevicRules.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-42167 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ludevicRules.jpg" alt="" width="625" height="286" /></a></p>
<p>Ludevic is a somewhat political commander. Using his ability to point aggression elsewhere is a good way to keep your life total higher than your opponents'. However, I want to trigger this for other people; I want people to have so many cards in their hands that they feel inclined to decline the draw. As mentioned before, using cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sulfuric Vortex" href="#" target="_blank">Sulfuric Vortex</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Copper Tablet" href="#" target="_blank">Copper Tablet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will automatically trigger Ludevic on each of your opponents' turns.</p>
<p>With Ludevic filling the hand, we have access to a few extra options to deal continual damage to our opponents that rely upon the number of cards in hand.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Give Em the Clamps" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Clamps!]
Viseling
Black Vise
Ebony Owl Netsuke
Thumbscrews
Iron Maiden
Misers&#039; Cage
[/Clamps!]"></span></div>
<hr />
<h2>Flavor Text:</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ludevicFlavor.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-42164 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ludevicFlavor.jpg" alt="" width="582" height="104" /></a></p>
<p>When selecting corpses for experimentation, those with large, healthy brains make the most excellent servants. If he is feeling particularly generous, Ludevic will take those less naturally gifted and give them some lessons. In <em>Magic</em>, a thought in one's mind is represented by a card in hand. With Ludevic's ability, we're hoping to load up everyone's hand with as many cards as possible; let's get those brains nice and fat, ready for the harvest.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brain in a Jar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Folio of Fancies"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Forced Fruition"></div></div>
<p>The next step in our gameplan is to limit our opponents' ability to take advantage of their bounty. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Laboratory" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Laboratory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Damping Sphere" href="#" target="_blank">Damping Sphere</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> limit the amount of spells cast each turn. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Maze" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Maze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winter Orb" href="#" target="_blank">Winter Orb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Static Orb" href="#" target="_blank">Static Orb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all inhibit mana production. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Forced Fruition" href="#" target="_blank">Forced Fruition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fits in this category as well because our opponent will never be able to empty their hands, which is the main goal of this group of cards.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arcane Laboratory"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mana Maze"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Static Orb"></div></div>
<hr />
<h1 style="text-align: center;">The Deck</h1>
<hr />
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ludevicBasics.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-42239 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ludevicBasics.jpg" alt="" width="530" height="300" /></a></p>
<p>The basic lands I've selected for Ludevic and Kraum are, appropriately, from the plane of Innistrad. The isolated tower on the water is the perfect quiet place to experiment while the small valley hamlet provides Kraum plenty of individuals to terrorize.</p>
<p>The deck has a very slim average converted mana cost, coming in just under three, and it boasts a healthy dose of card draw. These two factors make it run smoothly and consistently. It's fairly defenseless, aside from a few board wipes, so play them sparingly. People will absolutely get annoyed by a lot of the things this deck does, and aggression towards you is to be expected. Ultimately, the deck operates like a less-tuned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nekusar, the Mindrazer" href="#" target="_blank">Nekusar, the Mindrazer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck, but with loads of flavor.</p>
<p>No card costs over $20, and the deck as a whole sits around $250 if you were to assemble it yourself. The most surprising cost is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Copper Tablet" href="#" target="_blank">Copper Tablet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which was once on the Reserved List pre-2002.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="IT LIVES!" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commanders]
*1 Ludevic, Necro-Alchemist
*1 Kraum, Ludevic&#039;s Opus
[/Commanders]
[Creatures]
*1 Kami of the Crescent Moon
*1 Ludevic&#039;s Test Subject
*1 Chasm Skulker
*1 Gadwick, the Wizened
*1 Jace&#039;s Archivist
*1 Magus of the Wheel
*1 Dreamborn Muse
*1 Viseling
*1 Psychosis Crawler
*1 Stitcher Geralf
*1 Niv-Mizzet, Parun
*1 The Locust God
*1 Dragon Mage
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Tormod&#039;s Crypt
*1 Black Vise
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Anvil of Bogardan
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Brain in a Jar
*1 Copper Tablet
*1 Damping Sphere
*1 Ebony Owl Netsuke
*1 Folio of Fancies
*1 Howling Mine
*1 Izzet Signet
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Talisman of Creativity
*1 Thumbscrews
*1 Winter Orb
*1 Iron Maiden
*1 Misers&#039; Cage
*1 Static Orb
*1 Temple Bell
*1 Font of Mythos
*1 Skullcage
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Minds Aglow
*1 Preordain
*1 Prosperity
*1 Fascination
*1 Mana Vapors
*1 Skyscribing
*1 Day&#039;s Undoing
*1 Windfall
*1 Wash Out
*1 Reforge the Soul
*1 Echo of Eons
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Cyclonic Rift
*1 Vision Skeins
*1 Words of Wisdom
*1 Evacuation
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Mana Maze
*1 Arcane Laboratory
*1 Dictate of Kruphix
*1 Fevered Visions
*1 Psychic Corrosion
*1 Sphinx&#039;s Tutelage
*1 Sulfuric Vortex
*1 Manabarbs
*1 Pyrohemia
*1 Dictate of the Twin Gods
*1 Forced Fruition
[/Enchantments]
[Planeswalker]
*1 Jace Beleren
[/Planeswalker]
[Lands]
*1 Cascade Bluffs
*1 Command Tower
*1 Fiery Islet
*15 Island
*11 Mountain
*1 Riptide Laboratory
*1 Scavenger Grounds
*1 Shivan Reef
*1 Spirebluff Canal
*1 Steam Vents
*1 Sulfur Falls
*1 Temple of Epiphany
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<h1>Epilogue</h1>
<p>I hope I've fueled your mind for your next experiment. The data on EDHREC relating to <em>Partner</em> commanders is a little hazy, but <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/kraum-ludevics-opus-ludevic-necro-alchemist">Ludevic and Kraum</a> command only 114 decks together. This is likely due to the fact that the main reason to run <em>Partner</em> commanders is to add additional colors. Whatever the reason, the two actually work decently well together; if Ludevic is giving out extra cards, your opponents will have more spells to cast, triggering Kraum. This build capitalizes on the extra card draw in order to find the cards that finally hinder the ability to cast extra spells in a turn rather than to draw cards throughout the entire game.</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 - Weird Science