<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eowyn, Shieldmaiden" href="#" target="_blank">Eowyn, Shieldmaiden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/elliott">Craig Elliott</a>)</h6>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hello again everyone! It’s Bert from the Scrap Trawlers, where we do EDH on a budget. <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/riders-of-rohan-precon-primer/">Last time</a> I talked about the new Riders of Rohan deck from the Tales of Middle-earth Commander decks. Now we're back to give that deck some upgrades so it can work a bit better for us in our games. With that being said, let's get started by looking at the original list! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Riders of Rohan" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="&nbsp;
[Commander]
*1 Éowyn, Shieldmaiden
[/Commander]
&nbsp;
[Creatures]
*1 Aragorn, King of Gondor
*1 Archivist of Gondor
*1 Bastion Protector
*1 Beregond of the Guard
*1 Boromir, Gondor&#039;s Hope
*1 Champions of Minas Tirith
*1 Combat Celebrant
*1 Dearly Departed
*1 Denethor, Stone Seer
*1 Erkenbrand, Lord of Westfold
*1 Faramir, Steward of Gondor
*1 Fiend Hunter
*1 Flamerush Rider
*1 Frontier Warmonger
*1 Frontline Medic
*1 Gilraen, Dúnedain Protector
*1 Gimli of the Glittering Caves
*1 Grey Host Reinforcements
*1 Harsh Mentor
*1 Humble Defector
*1 Lossarnach Captain
*1 Palace Jailer
*1 Prince Imrahil the Fair
*1 Riders of Rohan
*1 Selfless Squire
*1 Théoden, King of Rohan
*1 Verge Rangers
*1 Village Bell-Ringer
*1 Weathered Wayfarer
*1 Zealous Conscripts
*1 Éomer, King of Rohan
[/Creatures]
&nbsp;
[Sorceries]
*1 Call for Aid
*1 Earthquake
*1 Forth Eorlingas!
*1 Increasing Devotion
*1 Sunset Revelry
*1 Supreme Verdict
*1 Taunt from the Rampart
*1 Visions of Glory
[/Sorceries]
&nbsp;
[Instants]
*1 Lost to Legend
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Unbreakable Formation
[/Instants]
&nbsp;
[Enchantments]
*1 Banishing Light
*1 Court of Ire
*1 Fealty to the Realm
*1 Marshal&#039;s Anthem
*1 Oath of Eorl
*1 Shared Animosity
[/Enchantments]
&nbsp;
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Commander&#039;s Sphere
*1 Crown of Gondor
*1 Door of Destinies
*1 Heirloom Blade
*1 Herald&#039;s Horn
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 Talisman of Progress
*1 Thought Vessel
*1 Vanquisher&#039;s Banner
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Field of Ruin
*1 Furycalm Snarl
*1 Glacial Fortress
*5 Island
*5 Mountain
*1 Path of Ancestry
*9 Plains
*1 Port Town
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Secluded Courtyard
*1 Sulfur Falls
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Throne of the High City
*1 Tranquil Cove
*1 Wind-Scarred Crag
*1 Windbrisk Heights
[/Lands]
&nbsp;"></span></div></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Entering the True Battlefield</span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Eowyn, Shieldmaiden"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As is custom at this point, before we get into the upgrades, lets go over our face commander, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eowyn, Shieldmaiden" href="#" target="_blank">Eowyn, Shieldmaiden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Eowyn is a Human commander in the Jeskai colors. This gives us a bit more support than we would have if we were just in Boros. That support is what makes Eowyn such a force to be reckoned with. We have a ton of Humans that are playable in our colors and they all have niche synergies that can make the deck hum. Eowyn encourages the player to play a Human creature so that they can get more tokens and ultimately get to that card draw at the end of her ability. So our plan for the deck is to focus on empowering the deck with a few more creatures that can make the most out of our board states, while also upping the baseline of card draw so that we can have an easier time throughout the game.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">New Recruits</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are a few cards that I would like to get added to the deck so that we can more reliably draw cards. One of the cards I really like is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quarrel’s End" href="#" target="_blank">Quarrel’s End</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from the main set. It’s a simple common, but drawing two cards and making a Human creature gives us the possibility to trigger Eowyn and make a few more creatures and advance our board state. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Idol of Oblivion" href="#" target="_blank">Idol of Oblivion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will provide us with a ton of cards over the course of a game. It'll draw us a card whenever we make a token, and it doesn’t have to be a creature token, so we can add some other synergies and increase the power of this card as well.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mass Appeal"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Adriana, Captain of the Guard"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Coppercoat Vanguard"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Still in the vein of card draw I would like to bring your attention to [/el]Mass Appeal[/el] and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Distant Melody" href="#" target="_blank">Distant Melody</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. They both have a similar function to give us some burst draw and have a high ceiling that can provide us with a ton of cards. Last but not least I have another new card from the main set that will give us some great card advantage. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Horn of the Mark" href="#" target="_blank">Horn of the Mark</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has perfect applications for our deck, making it so that we can continually get creatures in our hand to cast and trigger Eowyn even more. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One question that I've been asking myself since I saw the deck is “How do we protect Eowyn and our value creatures?” I opted for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swiftfoot Boots" href="#" target="_blank">Swiftfoot Boots</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and a new card from March of the Machine: Aftermath, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coppercoat Vanguard" href="#" target="_blank">Coppercoat Vanguard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Shroud and Ward are powerful mechanics that give us a bit more protection for our creatures. With Eowyn costing five, we really like to have her stick once we cast her. With these two additions and the suite that was included in the deck, we have a nice assortment of protection. Let’s move on to some general enablers that will empower our deck even more. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So in this section I want to get the most out of our creatures so we can power them up and make our combat step a bit more effective. One of the best cards for this is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Adriana, Captain of the Guard" href="#" target="_blank">Adriana, Captain of the Guard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Melee is extremely powerful for us as we'll have a ton of creatures to attack with and it gives us power just for attacking. Another two creatures that can power up our combat step are <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hero of Bladehold" href="#" target="_blank">Hero of Bladehold</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blade Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Blade Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I know that Hero doesn't make Humans on attack, but they're worth it just for the Battle Cry effect. Pumping our creatures makes it so our opponents have a harder time trading with some of our smaller creatures. Blade Historian giving our attacking creatures double strike really solidifies our board presence and makes us a problem to deal with.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hero of Bladehold"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blade Historian"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thalia’s Lieutenant"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lastly I want to include one of my favorite creatures, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thalia’s Lieutenant" href="#" target="_blank">Thalia’s Lieutenant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, just for the counters on our creatures and the possibility for it to get huge from the creatures entering the battlefield.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Barred from Battle</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this section we'll go over some cards that will be cut. I know <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dearly Departed" href="#" target="_blank">Dearly Departed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has the potential to pump all of our creatures, but the slot for it can be used for a card that has more of an immediate effect on our board. Costing six mana and not being a Human makes it a bit too ineffective for my taste, so it'll definitely be cut. In a similar vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marshal’s Anthem" href="#" target="_blank">Marshal’s Anthem</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another card I feel doesn't really fit in the deck. It's an anthem that has the upside of getting a creature back from the yard each time you kick it, but the mana investment that's needed for this is just a bit too much for my taste.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dearly Departed"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Court of Ire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fealty to the Realm"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A majority of the Monarch cards included in the deck do better in a deck specific to the mechanic. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fealty to the Realm" href="#" target="_blank">Fealty to the Realm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Denethor, Stone Seer" href="#" target="_blank">Denethor, Stone Seer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Court of Ire" href="#" target="_blank">Court of Ire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and a host of other cards just feel like they were made for our alternate commander, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aragorn, King of Gondor" href="#" target="_blank">Aragorn, King of Gondor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Next let's go over some of the cards I would add if there were no budget restriction.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">No Limit Soldier</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So here at Scrap Trawlers we are a budget focused group. But what are some cards that I would include with Eowyn if there were no budget? First and foremost I'd have to go with token all star <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anointed Procession" href="#" target="_blank">Anointed Procession</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The synergy between this and Eowyn just would be amazing, so it definitely can't be overlooked. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="And They Shall Know No Fear" href="#" target="_blank">And They Shall Know No Fear</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has crept up to five bucks lately, but I can't think of any other place where it would fit in better than here. It serves as both a pump and protection spell that we can use to keep our creatures safe.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anointed Procession"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kindred Discovery"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="And They Shall Know No Fear"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Speaking of protection spells, having either <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flawless Maneuver" href="#" target="_blank">Flawless Maneuver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teferi’s Protection" href="#" target="_blank">Teferi’s Protection</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would ensure that we're safe from whatever our opponents can throw our way. Lastly a card that has a home in every creature type synergy deck is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kindred Discovery" href="#" target="_blank">Kindred Discovery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Drawing cards would be a breeze with this on the battlefield. So if you feel like spending a few extra bucks, try to pick up some of these to make your deck even more powerful.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Roster for War</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here is what our modified list looks like!</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Riders of Rohan Upgrade" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="&nbsp;
[Commander]
*1 Éowyn, Shieldmaiden
[/Commander]
&nbsp;
[Sorceries]
*1 Call for Aid
*1 Chart a Course
*1 Distant Melody
*1 Earthquake
*1 Forth Eorlingas!
*1 Mass Appeal
*1 Quarrel&#039;s End
*1 Rally at the Hornburg
*1 Sevinne&#039;s Reclamation
*1 Sunset Revelry
*1 Supreme Verdict
*1 Taunt from the Rampart
[/Sorceries]
&nbsp;
[Creatures]
*1 Adriana, Captain of the Guard
*1 Bastion Protector
*1 Beregond of the Guard
*1 Blade Historian
*1 Boromir, Gondor&#039;s Hope
*1 Combat Celebrant
*1 Coppercoat Vanguard
*1 Erkenbrand, Lord of Westfold
*1 Faramir, Steward of Gondor
*1 Flamerush Rider
*1 Frontier Warmonger
*1 Frontline Medic
*1 Gilraen, Dúnedain Protector
*1 Gimli of the Glittering Caves
*1 Grey Host Reinforcements
*1 Harsh Mentor
*1 Hero of Bladehold
*1 Mentor of the Meek
*1 Palace Jailer
*1 Prince Imrahil the Fair
*1 Riders of Rohan
*1 Selfless Squire
*1 Thalia&#039;s Lieutenant
*1 Théoden, King of Rohan
*1 Verge Rangers
*1 Weathered Wayfarer
*1 Zealous Conscripts
*1 Éomer, King of Rohan
[/Creatures]
&nbsp;
[Instants]
*1 Call the Coppercoats
*1 Lost to Legend
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Unbreakable Formation
[/Instants]
&nbsp;
[Enchantments]
*1 Banishing Light
*1 Oath of Eorl
*1 Shared Animosity
[/Enchantments]
&nbsp;
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Commander&#039;s Sphere
*1 Door of Destinies
*1 Herald&#039;s Horn
*1 Horn of the Mark
*1 Idol of Oblivion
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 Talisman of Progress
*1 Thought Vessel
*1 Vanquisher&#039;s Banner
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Field of Ruin
*1 Furycalm Snarl
*1 Glacial Fortress
*5 Island
*5 Mountain
*1 Path of Ancestry
*9 Plains
*1 Port Town
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Secluded Courtyard
*1 Sulfur Falls
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Throne of the High City
*1 Tranquil Cove
*1 Wind-Scarred Crag
*1 Windbrisk Heights
[/Lands]
&nbsp;"></span></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I had a fun time going through this deck in particular and am excited to see some of your builds for it in the future. Let me know what you think of the upgrades and the deck in general!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Make sure to check back for more precon guides from us Scrap Trawlers. You can also check out our budget content over on </span><a href="https://www.twitch.tv/scraptrawlers"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Twitch</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/scraptrawlers"><span style="font-weight: 400;">YouTube</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and follow us on </span><a href="https://twitter.com/scraptrawlers"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Twitter</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Don’t forget to upgrade your precon on a budget!</span></p>


Riders of Rohan - Upgrade Guide

Food and Fellowship - Precon Upgrade Guide

Food and Fellowship - Precon Primer

Elven Council - Precon Primer

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Galadriel, Elven Queen" href="#" target="_blank">Galadriel, Elven Queen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/tithendar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Axel Sauerwald</a>)</span></h6>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hello friends! And welcome back to EDHREC for another Scrap Trawlers Precon Upgrade Guide. Today we’re looking at the Elven Council deck to see if we can solve its identity crisis for just a few pieces of gold.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As you saw in my <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/elven-council-precon-primer/">Precon Primer</a>, this deck plays smoothly out of the box, but doesn’t exactly know what it wants to be. So with this upgrade guide we’re going to cut some of the cards that served the story but hurt the strategy, while adding cards to beef up the Elf aggro. And in true Scrap Trawlers fashion, we’re gonna do it for cheap.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But don’t worry! If you’ve plundered the Lonely Mountain and are looking to spend a few extra coins to upgrade this precon, I’ve got you covered too.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Head of the Council</span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Galadriel, Elven Queen"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Leading the deck is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Galadriel, Elven Queen" href="#" target="_blank">Galadriel, Elven Queen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who kicks off a vote when we enter combat, but only if an Elf has entered our battlefield this turn. Based on the votes, we either get a Ring temptation and a +1/+1 counter on our Ring-bearer, or we just draw a card.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As you saw in my primer, I’m not thrilled with this version of Galadriel. But I’m going to leave her in charge for now, and rely on her ability to pump our Ring-bearer to add more oomph to our supporting Elves.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here’s the original decklist:</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Elven Council Precon" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Galadriel, Elven-Queen
[/Commander]
[Instants]
*1 Beast Within
*1 Galadhrim Ambush
*1 Growth Spiral
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Inscription of Abundance
*1 Learn from the Past
*1 Mystic Confluence
*1 Opt
*1 Sail into the West
*1 Swan Song
*1 Trap the Trespassers
*1 Windswift Slice
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Asceticism
*1 Lignify
*1 Song of Earendil
[/Enchantments]
[Creatures]
*1 Arbor Elf
*1 Arwen, Weaver of Hope
*1 Celeborn the Wise
*1 Colossal Whale
*1 Cirdan the Shipwright
*1 Elrond of the White Council
*1 Elvish Archdruid
*1 Elvish Mystic
*1 Elvish Piper
*1 Elvish Visionary
*1 Elvish Warmaster
*1 Erestor of the Council
*1 Farhaven Elf
*1 Gandalf, Westward Voyager
*1 Haldir, Lorien Lieutenant
*1 Hornet Queen
*1 Legolas Greenleaf
*1 Mirkwood Elk
*1 Mirkwood Trapper
*1 Paradise Druid
*1 Radagast, Wizard of Wilds
*1 Realm Seekers
*1 Reclamation Sage
*1 Wood Elves
*1 Wose Pathfinder
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Commander&#039;s Sphere
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Lothlorien Blade
*1 Mirror of Galadriel
*1 Model of Unity
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Whispersilk Cloak
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Cultivate
*1 Devastation Tide
*1 Elven Farsight
*1 Genesis Wave
*1 Lorien Revealed
*1 Overwhelming Stampede
*1 Plea for Power
*1 Preordain
*1 Raise the Palisade
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Seeds of Renewal
*1 Sylvan Offering
*1 Travel Through Caradhras
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Command Tower
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Field of Ruin
*1 Flooded Grove
*15 Forest
*1 Hinterland Harbor
*11 Island
*1 Lonely Sandbar
*1 Rejuvenating Springs
*1 Thornwood Falls
*1 Tranquil Thicket
*1 Vineglimmer Snarl
*1 Woodland Stream
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This deck has </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">five</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> alternate commanders who can lead the deck. But as you’ll see shortly, not all of them are continuing on this journey.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">More Elves to Die Side by Side With</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the biggest things the deck was lacking was consistent ways to drop Elves every turn. We’re correcting that oversight with two cards that can do just that: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Imperious Perfect" href="#" target="_blank">Imperious Perfect</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wolverine Riders" href="#" target="_blank">Wolverine Riders</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Wolverine Riders gives us the tokens for free, on </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">each </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">upkeep, and Perfect just needs a green mana.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Imperious Perfect"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wolverine Riders"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elven Ambush"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But we can make more tokens than that, right? Let’s add in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elven Ambush" href="#" target="_blank">Elven Ambush</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elvish Promenade" href="#" target="_blank">Elvish Promenade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to get massive amounts of Elves for our army of tree-dwellers.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Want even <em>more</em> Elves? How about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marwyn, the Nurturer" href="#" target="_blank">Marwyn, the Nurturer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? She gets bigger whenever we make an Elf, and she gives us a ton of mana. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beast Whisperer" href="#" target="_blank">Beast Whisperer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> draws us a card whenever we cast a creature spell, and is one of the most egregious oversights in the precon list. We’ve also got the fancy, and underrated, box topper from Streets of New Capenna, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gala Greeters" href="#" target="_blank">Gala Greeters</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Make a treasure each turn just for bringing more Elves to the party? Why not? Or maybe just boost our life total if we’re getting low.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Marwyn, the Nurturer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beast Whisperer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gala Greeters"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since we’re going to have all these Elves at this soirée, why not draw a bunch of cards because of it? Enter <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Distant Melody" href="#" target="_blank">Distant Melody</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Of course we want some more voting happening here too, so we’re adding <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Split Decision" href="#" target="_blank">Split Decision</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. And to make sure the vote goes our way, we’ll give a slot to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Illusion of Choice" href="#" target="_blank">Illusion of Choice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</span></p>
<p>And last, we can't forget those beautiful modal spells. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Return of the Wildspeaker" href="#" target="_blank">Return of the Wildspeaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can either draw us a bunch of cards, or help us close out the game. Either way, I'm happy.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Distant Melody"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Split Decision"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Return of the Wildspeaker"></div></div>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">I Shall Diminish, and Go Into the West</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You know the drill. Cards go in, cards gotta come out. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First to abandon the journey are our two Wizards, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gandalf, Westward Voyager" href="#" target="_blank">Gandalf, Westward Voyager</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Radagast, Wizard of Wilds" href="#" target="_blank">Radagast, Wizard of Wilds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These merry fellows have no business being in this Elven Council, since they’re not, you know, </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Elves.</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> But more importantly, as you’ll see, we’re cutting several of the high MV cards in the deck, so they no longer had a role to play in this tale.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gandalf, Westward Voyager"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Radagast, Wizard of Wilds"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Colossal Whale"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’re cutting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Colossal Whale" href="#" target="_blank">Colossal Whale</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Because…seriously. Why is this here? Okay, it’s got a high MV, so it triggers the Wizards. And it fills a removal spot, sure. But….there are no Whales in the forest. I’m 90% sure of that.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hornet Queen" href="#" target="_blank">Hornet Queen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is going too. While the Queen can more logically find a home in the forest than a Whale, we have no need of bees (although we may regret not having a flyer or two in the deck on occasion).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’m cutting two other new cards, because, frankly, they suck. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sail into the West" href="#" target="_blank">Sail into the West</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Travel Through Caradhras" href="#" target="_blank">Travel Through Caradhras</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> may be here for more voting, but in both cases we can’t consistently get enough benefit from either of them.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sail into the West"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Travel Through Caradhras"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Seeds of Renewal"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seeds of Renewal" href="#" target="_blank">Seeds of Renewal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> isn’t really necessary in the deck. We’ve already got a couple of other recursion cards with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Learn from the Past" href="#" target="_blank">Learn from the Past</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirkwood Elk" href="#" target="_blank">Mirkwood Elk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I don’t think the deck is looking to dig through the grave that much.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And last we’re cutting some mana sources. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commander’s Sphere" href="#" target="_blank">Commander’s Sphere</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is going because we already have enough ramp, and we’re also cutting one Forest and one Island. I think we’re safe going down to 36 lands due to all the extra ramp we have, and a very low average mana value of 3.10 after the upgrade.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Splendorous Elves</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Okay, we’ve seen the cheap upgrades. Now it’s time for you hoarders of jewels and gold to show off your excess. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’ll start with the expensive Elves. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eladamri, Lord of Leaves" href="#" target="_blank">Eladamri, Lord of Leaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes sure your army can swing in unopposed by fellow green players. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Circle of Dreams Druid" href="#" target="_blank">Circle of Dreams Druid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does a decent impression of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gaea’s Cradle" href="#" target="_blank">Gaea’s Cradle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. And <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Allosaurus Shepherd" href="#" target="_blank">Allosaurus Shepherd</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> protects your green spells and turns your Elves into Dinos. Who wouldn’t want that?</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Eladamri, Lord of Leaves"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Allosaurus Shepherd"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Craterhoof Behemoth"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Realmwalker" href="#" target="_blank">Realmwalker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an honorary Elf that lets you cast Elves from the top of your library. And <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Craterhoof Behemoth" href="#" target="_blank">Craterhoof Behemoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> just ends games when you have a large army of any kind of creature.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coat of Arms" href="#" target="_blank">Coat of Arms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will have your Elf hordes pumping some serious iron to get those gains, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Freyalise, Llanowar’s Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Freyalise, Llanowar’s Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is like a Swiss army knife in the deck.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kindred Discovery" href="#" target="_blank">Kindred Discovery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Great Henge" href="#" target="_blank">The Great Henge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can both draw you a ton of cards, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kindred Summons" href="#" target="_blank">Kindred Summons</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can snatch a bunch of Elves from the top of your library.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Coat of Arms"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Freyalise, Llanowar’s Fury"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Great Henge"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And of course we can’t forget the voting! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Selvala’s Stampede" href="#" target="_blank">Selvala’s Stampede</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gets you all kinds of fun stuff into play from either your hand or your library. And let’s not forget the grandest voting spell of all, the friendship killer, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Expropriate" href="#" target="_blank">Expropriate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Time of the Elves is Over</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here’s the final upgraded decklist:</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Elven Council Precon Upgrade" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Galadriel, Elven-Queen
[/Commander]
[Sorceries]
*1 Cultivate
*1 Devastation Tide
*1 Distant Melody
*1 Elven Farsight
*1 Elvish Promenade
*1 Genesis Wave
*1 Lorien Revealed
*1 Overwhelming Stampede
*1 Plea for Power
*1 Preordain
*1 Raise the Palisade
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Sylvan Offering
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Asceticism
*1 Lignify
*1 Song of Earendil
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 Beast Within
*1 Elven Ambush
*1 Galadhrim Ambush
*1 Growth Spiral
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Illusion of Choice
*1 Inscription of Abundance
*1 Learn from the Past
*1 Mystic Confluence
*1 Opt
*1 Return of the Wildspeaker
*1 Split Decision
*1 Swan Song
*1 Trap the Trespassers
*1 Windswift Slice
[/Instants]
[Creatures]
*1 Arbor Elf
*1 Arwen, Weaver of Hope
*1 Beast Whisperer
*1 Celeborn the Wise
*1 Cirdan the Shipwright
*1 Elrond of the White Council
*1 Elvish Archdruid
*1 Elvish Mystic
*1 Elvish Piper
*1 Elvish Visionary
*1 Elvish Warmaster
*1 Erestor of the Council
*1 Farhaven Elf
*1 Gala Greeters
*1 Haldir, Lorien Lieutenant
*1 Imperious Perfect
*1 Legolas Greenleaf
*1 Marwyn, the Nurturer
*1 Mirkwood Elk
*1 Mirkwood Trapper
*1 Paradise Druid
*1 Realm Seekers
*1 Reclamation Sage
*1 Wolverine Riders
*1 Wood Elves
*1 Wose Pathfinder
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Lothlorien Blade
*1 Mirror of Galadriel
*1 Model of Unity
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Whispersilk Cloak
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Command Tower
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Field of Ruin
*1 Flooded Grove
*14 Forest
*1 Hinterland Harbor
*10 Island
*1 Lonely Sandbar
*1 Rejuvenating Springs
*1 Thornwood Falls
*1 Tranquil Thicket
*1 Vineglimmer Snarl
*1 Woodland Stream
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We added way more Elves to punch through with our aggro strategy. There’s not a whole lot we could do to increase the voting power of the deck, but honestly that wasn’t a huge concern for me.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We lowered the average mana value from 3.31 to 3.10, which was enough to allow us to cut some lands and add more fun cards to the deck.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">All in all, I’m still not a huge fan of Galadriel, but we definitely made some great improvements to the way the deck plays, while also staying true to the deck’s Elven roots.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’ve got three other decks to talk about for this set, so make sure you stay tuned for those articles as well! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From your friends in the Scrap Trawlers, take care. And remember to budget…before you buy it.</span></p>


Elven Council - Precon Upgrade Guide

From the Brim the Trim - Cooking Budget and Opponents to a Crisp!

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir" href="#" target="_blank">Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/simondominic">Simon Dominic</a>)</span></h6>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hello friends, and welcome back to EDHREC for another Precon Primer from your friends in the Scrap Trawlers. </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">March of the Machine</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is bringing the Phyrexian storyline to its climax, and with it comes five Commander decks covering many different strategies and playstyles, while also giving us plenty of new tasty nuggets to chew on. And what’s more, the decks are bringing back Planechase! Let’s prepare for battle with today’s deck, Cavalry Charge, the white/blue/black deck led by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir" href="#" target="_blank">Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</span></p>
<h2><b>Bringing Eminence Back</b></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If overwhelming your opponents with charging battalions of Knights that just won’t stay dead sounds like a good time, then this is definitely the deck for you. Cavalry Charge is led by Sidar Jabari, a 4/3 Human Knight with flying and first strike for four mana. And when he deals combat damage to a player, you can return a Knight from your graveyard to the battlefield.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Oh, you want more? How about freaking Eminence? That’s right, this commander is bringing the divisive mechanic back, with style. The Eminence ability lets you loot (draw then discard) a card whenever you attack with one or more Knights, whether your commander is on the field <em>or</em> in the zone. So you’re getting some incredible card advantage, and potentially filling your grave with Knights for Sidar to bring back.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elenda and Azor"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The backup commander for this deck is the teamup of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elenda and Azor" href="#" target="_blank">Elenda and Azor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a six mana 6/6 Vampire Knight Sphinx with flying and ward 2. Whenever they attack, you can pay XWUB to draw X cards. And then at your end step you can pay four life to create a number of 1/1 Vampire Knight tokens equal to the number of cards you drew that turn.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here’s the full list for Cavalry Charge:</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Cavalry Charge Precon" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Acclaimed Contender
*1 Adeline, Resplendent Cathar
*1 Arvad the Cursed
*1 Aryel, Knight of Windgrace
*1 Corpse Knight
*1 Elenda and Azor
*1 Ethersworn Adjudicator
*1 Exsanguinator Cavalry
*1 Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight
*1 Haakon, Stromgald Scourge
*1 Herald of Hoofbeats
*1 Hero of Bladehold
*1 Josu Vess, Lich Knight
*1 Knight Exemplar
*1 Knight of the Last Breath
*1 Knight of the White Orchid
*1 Knights of the Black Rose
*1 Liliana&#039;s Standard Bearer
*1 Locthwain Lancer
*1 Midnight Reaper
*1 Murderous Rider // Swift End
*1 Order of Midnight // Alter Fate
*1 Silverwing Squadron
*1 Smitten Swordmaster // Curry Favor
*1 Syr Elenora, the Discerning
*1 Syr Konrad, the Grim
*1 Valiant Knight
*1 Vodalian Wave-Knight
*1 Vona, Butcher of Magan
*1 Wintermoor Commander
*1 Worthy Knight
*1 Xerex Strobe-Knight
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Commander&#039;s Sphere
*1 Conjurer&#039;s Mantle
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Fractured Powerstone
*1 Herald&#039;s Horn
*1 Ichor Elixir
*1 Maul of the Skyclaves
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Orzhov Signet
*1 Sigiled Sword of Valeron
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Vanquisher&#039;s Banner
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Chivalric Alliance
*1 Knights&#039; Charge
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 Despark
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Pull from Tomorrow
*1 Return to Dust
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Unbreakable Formation
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Distant Melody
*1 Fell the Mighty
*1 Painful Truths
*1 Path of the Enigma
*1 Promise of Loyalty
*1 Read the Bones
*1 Time Wipe
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Arcane Sanctum
*1 Bojuka Bog
*1 Choked Estuary
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*6 Island
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Path of Ancestry
*8 Plains
*1 Port Town
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Shineshadow Snarl
*1 Sunken Hollow
*5 Swamp
*1 Temple of Deceit
*1 Temple of Enlightenment
*1 Temple of Silence
*1 Temple of the False God
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Thriving Heath
*1 Thriving Isle
*1 Thriving Moor
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<h2><b>Knightmare</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So what does this deck do? It punches and kicks, and never lets up. The average mana value of the deck sits at a nice 3.34, and you really feel the energy in the early game. Not to mention, the Eminence is in effect as soon as you can start attacking. So if you can get a turn one <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Foulmire Knight" href="#" target="_blank">Foulmire Knight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or even a turn two <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wintermoor Commander" href="#" target="_blank">Wintermoor Commander</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you’re off to a fantastic start with a significant card advantage engine from Sidar’s Eminence.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Haakon, Stromgald Scourge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hero of Bladehold"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Syr Konrad, the Grim"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now usually an all-out aggro deck in Commander falls apart very easily with a board wipe or two. But Sidar comes in clutch there as well with his damage trigger, not to mention other recursion cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Haakon, Stromgald Scourge" href="#" target="_blank">Haakon, Stromgald Scourge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Knights’ Charge" href="#" target="_blank">Knights’ Charge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite having 32 creatures in the deck, and some powerful recursion tools, the deck still wants to supply you with ample ammunition in the form of tokens. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Adeline, Resplendent Cathar" href="#" target="_blank">Adeline, Resplendent Cathar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Xerex Strobe-Knight" href="#" target="_blank">Xerex Strobe-Knight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aryel, Knight of Windgrace" href="#" target="_blank">Aryel, Knight of Windgrace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hero of Bladehold" href="#" target="_blank">Hero of Bladehold</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and more are all here to give you a burgeoning, unstoppable army.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before you go thinking aggro is all this deck does, let me tell you about the other ways we’re hurting our opponents. How about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syr Konrad, the Grim" href="#" target="_blank">Syr Konrad, the Grim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, one of the best uncommon legends ever printed? Old Konnie hits your opponents whenever a creature card goes to your graveyard, which is exactly what’s gonna happen with Sidar’s looting ability. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Corpse Knight" href="#" target="_blank">Corpse Knight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> hits them whenever a creature enters our battlefield, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Knights’ Charge" href="#" target="_blank">Knights’ Charge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> brings the hurt whenever we attack. </span></p>
<h2><b>Knights’ Dawn</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Time for the best part of precons: new cards! And we’re starting off by looking at the coolest throwback in the history of throwbacks (throwbacks, as everyone knows, were invented in 1997). It’s <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Herald of Hoofbeats" href="#" target="_blank">Herald of Hoofbeats</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which gives your Knights none other than Horsemanship. We haven’t seen this keyword, outside of reprints and Un-sets, since </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Portal Three Kingdoms</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> almost 25 years ago. And what a welcome return it is. This card is fantastic not only for Knight decks, but also for those decks running around that like anthem effects for all creature types.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Herald of Hoofbeats"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vodalian Wave-Knight"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Locthwain Lancer"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vodalian Wave-Knight" href="#" target="_blank">Vodalian Wave-Knight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might be popular in those very same decks. It’ll certainly be an auto-include in white/blue Merfolk decks (with apologies to all you <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca" href="#" target="_blank">Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> players). </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’ve got a couple of new black Knights in this list as well, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Locthwain Lancer" href="#" target="_blank">Locthwain Lancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exsanguinator Cavalry" href="#" target="_blank">Exsanguinator Cavalry</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Both are getting through for beats with that menace, and providing, albeit in a roundabout way, some card advantage.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A couple of duds in the deck, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Path of the Enigma" href="#" target="_blank">Path of the Enigma</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ichor Elixir" href="#" target="_blank">Ichor Elixir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Both are really only playable if you’re running Planechase.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Conjurer’s Mantle"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chivalric Alliance"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Path of the Enigma"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conjurer’s Mantle" href="#" target="_blank">Conjurer’s Mantle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a new all-star for creature-type decks, especially in white, which, after a long drought, is finally seeing powerful card advantage effects regularly. Speaking of which, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chivalric Alliance" href="#" target="_blank">Chivalric Alliance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is going to be every go-wide white deck’s best friend for the foreseeable future. Card is <em>very</em> good.</span></p>
<h2><b>Planechase</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But those aren’t the only new cards! Each of the precons from </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">March of the Machine</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> features 10 Planechase cards, five of which are brand new planes. So let’s take a gander at those.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inys Haen" href="#" target="_blank">Inys Haen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, from the Cridhe plane (??) works really well with our reanimator theme, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Littjara" href="#" target="_blank">Littjara</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> nestles in nicely with all the tokens we’re making.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inys Haen"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Paliano"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Caldaia"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Paliano" href="#" target="_blank">Paliano</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> loves that our commander is looking to connect with opponents’ faces. And <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unyaro" href="#" target="_blank">Unyaro</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes Knights tokens when chaos ensues.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And last is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Caldaia" href="#" target="_blank">The Caldaia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which gives our creatures Blitz, allowing them to get sacrificed at the end step. And that’s just fine with Sidar.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dang, it’s almost like these planes were designed specifically for this deck.</span></p>
<h2><b>Knights’ Charge</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So how does the deck play?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fast and smooth. I tested the deck multiple times and each time I had an engine going by turn three, four at the latest. The low average mana value really works in the deck’s favor, as you can just chip away at life totals immediately. And Sidar is a phenomenal commander in this deck. The card advantage, while also filling the grave with Knights you can recur later, is flawless.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because of how efficient the deck is, you barely feel the typical slowness caused by the precon manabase. In fact, the lands package might be my only complaint about this deck. 12 out of the 39 lands won’t give you mana on the turn they come in. But like I said, this is typical of a precon, and I’m just nitpicking at this point.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Honestly, the deck is strong enough that it makes a case for why they abandoned Eminence for so long. Not having to have your commander on the field to get its abilities at times feels like playing on easy mode. So, if you’re looking to slow the deck down a tad to play with more casual friends, swap the commander for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elenda and Azor" href="#" target="_blank">Elenda and Azor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While this commander is no slouch, it’s going to be a </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">much</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> slower time due to its higher cost and more finicky abilities. Granted, free tokens at every end step is great, but I think you’d have to build more of a card-draw deck to really get a lot of benefit.</span></p>
<h2><b>Conclusion</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’m so on board with this deck.</span></p>
<p><b>Verdict: Buy it</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is an emphatic “Yes” for me. And not just because of how well the deck functions. The reprint value is phenomenal as well. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Adeline, Resplendent Cathar" href="#" target="_blank">Adeline, Resplendent Cathar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Knight Exemplar" href="#" target="_blank">Knight Exemplar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hero of Bladehold" href="#" target="_blank">Hero of Bladehold</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Herald’s Horn" href="#" target="_blank">Herald’s Horn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vanquisher’s Banner" href="#" target="_blank">Vanquisher’s Banner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are all serious money reprints. And they make the deck an easy Buy.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Adeline, Resplendent Cathar["></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Knight Exemplar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vanquisher’s Banner"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That’s it for the primer! So what am I gonna do to improve this already strong deck? I’d honestly start with the lands, but that would make for a very boring upgrade article. I’m sure we’ll find a few tasty things to add for just a few dollars. So stay tuned for that!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Until next time, remember to budget…before you buy it.</span></p>


Cavalry Charge - Precon Primer

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir" href="#" target="_blank">Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/simondominic">Simon Dominic</a>)</h6>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hello friends! And welcome back to EDHREC for another Scrap Trawlers precon Upgrade Guide. I’m Andy, and today I’m seeing if I can amp up the </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cavalry Charge</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> precon from </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">March of the Machine</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for just a few bucks.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As you may have seen in my primer for </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cavalry Charge</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, I’m really happy with the deck right out of the box. Seriously, very few notes. As far as precons go, this one, as the kids say, slaps. So where can we go to improve it?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’m gonna upgrade a couple of lands, give the deck a few anthem effects, and make sure our commander is hitting opponents more often for that sweet recursion triggered effect.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And for all you big spenders out there, stay tuned to the end, because we’re gonna look at some pricey cards to upgrade the list as well.</span></p>
<h2><b>In Charge of the Charge</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This deck is led by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir" href="#" target="_blank">Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. He’s a 4/3 white, blue, and black Human Knight with flying and first strike, and he brings a Knight back from our graveyard whenever he connects with an opponent’s face. Oh, also Eminence. Holy crap, we got Eminence again! Sidar’s ability, whether he’s on the field or in the zone, lets you loot (draw a card and discard a card) whenever you attack with Knights. </span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here’s the original decklist:</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Cavalry Charge Precon" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Acclaimed Contender
*1 Adeline, Resplendent Cathar
*1 Arvad the Cursed
*1 Aryel, Knight of Windgrace
*1 Corpse Knight
*1 Elenda and Azor
*1 Ethersworn Adjudicator
*1 Exsanguinator Cavalry
*1 Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight
*1 Haakon, Stromgald Scourge
*1 Herald of Hoofbeats
*1 Hero of Bladehold
*1 Josu Vess, Lich Knight
*1 Knight Exemplar
*1 Knight of the Last Breath
*1 Knight of the White Orchid
*1 Knights of the Black Rose
*1 Liliana&#039;s Standard Bearer
*1 Locthwain Lancer
*1 Midnight Reaper
*1 Murderous Rider // Swift End
*1 Order of Midnight // Alter Fate
*1 Silverwing Squadron
*1 Smitten Swordmaster // Curry Favor
*1 Syr Elenora, the Discerning
*1 Syr Konrad, the Grim
*1 Valiant Knight
*1 Vodalian Wave-Knight
*1 Vona, Butcher of Magan
*1 Wintermoor Commander
*1 Worthy Knight
*1 Xerex Strobe-Knight
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Commander&#039;s Sphere
*1 Conjurer&#039;s Mantle
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Fractured Powerstone
*1 Herald&#039;s Horn
*1 Ichor Elixir
*1 Maul of the Skyclaves
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Orzhov Signet
*1 Sigiled Sword of Valeron
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Vanquisher&#039;s Banner
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Chivalric Alliance
*1 Knights&#039; Charge
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 Despark
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Pull from Tomorrow
*1 Return to Dust
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Unbreakable Formation
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Distant Melody
*1 Fell the Mighty
*1 Painful Truths
*1 Path of the Enigma
*1 Promise of Loyalty
*1 Read the Bones
*1 Time Wipe
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Arcane Sanctum
*1 Bojuka Bog
*1 Choked Estuary
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*6 Island
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Path of Ancestry
*8 Plains
*1 Port Town
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Shineshadow Snarl
*1 Sunken Hollow
*5 Swamp
*1 Temple of Deceit
*1 Temple of Enlightenment
*1 Temple of Silence
*1 Temple of the False God
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Thriving Heath
*1 Thriving Isle
*1 Thriving Moor
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The alternate commander for this deck is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elenda and Azor" href="#" target="_blank">Elenda and Azor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While I dig this pair for a slower game, I’m far more interested in seeing what we can do to make this deck punch even harder with Sidar in the lead.</span></p>
<h2><b>Battlefield Promotion</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With any commander that has a “when it deals combat damage to an opponent” effect, you’re going to get the most mileage by giving your commander more abilities. Namely, trample, double strike, and unblockable (how is this not a keyword?).</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sword Coast Sailor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flaming Fist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Folk Hero"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’ve enlisted a couple of Backgrounds for this upgrade, because Backgrounds are always fun to add when you have a commander that wants to attack. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword Coast Sailor" href="#" target="_blank">Sword Coast Sailor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ensures that we’re hitting faces every attack, barring any removal effects. And <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flaming Fist" href="#" target="_blank">Flaming Fist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives our commander double strike. Because what’s better than triggering Sidar once? You guessed it. It’s twice. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Duelist’s Heritage" href="#" target="_blank">Duelist’s Heritage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has entered the fray for the same reason.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since this is a creature type-focused deck, we can lean into that with another Background, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Folk Hero" href="#" target="_blank">Folk Hero</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which will give us a lot of extra card draw for just two mana.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We can also use this focus to upgrade our land base a bit, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unclaimed Territory" href="#" target="_blank">Unclaimed Territory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Secluded Courtyard" href="#" target="_blank">Secluded Courtyard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These take the place of two lands that enter tapped, speeding us along on our merry way.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skyhunter Strike Force"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Marshal of Zhalfir"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crippling Fear"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’m also adding two powerful and cheap Knights to the deck, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skyhunter Strike Force" href="#" target="_blank">Skyhunter Strike Force</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marshal of Zhalfir" href="#" target="_blank">Marshal of Zhalfir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. And while we’re making our Knights bigger, we’re also gonna make everything else smaller to move in for that alpha strike, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crippling Fear" href="#" target="_blank">Crippling Fear</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</span></p>
<p><b>Dishonorable Discharge</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Alright, cards go in, cards must come out. We’ve added nine cards, so let’s see what we’re dropping.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The easiest place to start was the lands. I’ve never been a big fan of lands with counters, because I like to stack my lands and the counters just make it messy. So to make room for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Secluded Courtyard" href="#" target="_blank">Secluded Courtyard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unclaimed Territory" href="#" target="_blank">Unclaimed Territory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, I’m taking out <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thriving Isle" href="#" target="_blank">Thriving Isle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thriving Moor" href="#" target="_blank">Thriving Moor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. So now </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’ll </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">be </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">thriving more</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Get it? Please, hold your applause to the end.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Syr Elenora, the Discerning"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Path of the Enigma"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Maul of the Skyclaves"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The deck had an abundance of card advantage, which wasn’t totally necessary with Sidar’s Eminence ability. So out goes <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Painful Truths" href="#" target="_blank">Painful Truths</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Path of the Enigma" href="#" target="_blank">Path of the Enigma</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pull from Tomorrow" href="#" target="_blank">Pull from Tomorrow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syr Elenora, the Discerning" href="#" target="_blank">Syr Elenora, the Discerning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. As much as I didn’t want to cut any Knights, Elenora just didn’t do enough to justify the five mana cost. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A couple of Equipment were in the precon that seem superfluous, so they’re getting axed. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maul of the Skyclaves" href="#" target="_blank">Maul of the Skyclaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigiled Sword of Valeron" href="#" target="_blank">Sigiled Sword of Valeron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both too expensive to equip, and really don’t add enough value.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Last to fall is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fell the Mighty" href="#" target="_blank">Fell the Mighty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Precons these days tend to have too many board wipes, which just drag out the game. By replacing this with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crippling Fear" href="#" target="_blank">Crippling Fear</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, I’m moving the game forward rather than resetting.</span></p>
<h2><b>Extravagant Knights</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Okay big spenders, it’s your time to open those wallets.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spending big money on creature type-focused decks is incredibly easy, because a lot of the best cards are in such high demand. Take <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cavern of Souls" href="#" target="_blank">Cavern of Souls</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example, which is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unclaimed Territory" href="#" target="_blank">Unclaimed Territory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on steroids.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cavern of Souls"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Urza’s Incubator"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Door of Destinies"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza’s Incubator" href="#" target="_blank">Urza’s Incubator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will make your Knights cheaper, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Door of Destinies" href="#" target="_blank">Door of Destinies</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will make them much more threatening. And <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kindred Discovery" href="#" target="_blank">Kindred Discovery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will draw you more cards than you’ll ever need with all the Knights you’re gonna turn sideways.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sadly missing from the precon is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kinsbaile Cavalier" href="#" target="_blank">Kinsbaile Cavalier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which gives all your Knights double strike. I know the deck already has some high value reprints, but…come on. A real missed opportunity.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Invasion of New Phyrexia" href="#" target="_blank">Invasion of New Phyrexia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a lot of fun here, as the front side gives us Knight tokens, while the back is a Teferi that pumps and protects our Knights for his -2.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akroma’s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Akroma’s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a solid, but pricey, inclusion for any aggro deck. We’ve also got <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vexilus Praetor" href="#" target="_blank">Vexilus Praetor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which, while not a Knight, does a great job of helping Sidar punch some faces. Also from Warhammer 40K is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="And They Shall Know No Fear" href="#" target="_blank">And They Shall Know No Fear</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Invasion of New Phyrexia"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Akroma’s Will"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="And They Shall Know No Fear"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And last, with all the creatures going to graveyards, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rise of the Dark Realms" href="#" target="_blank">Rise of the Dark Realms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a fun way to borrow other people’s toys for a while.</span></p>
<h2><b>Knight and Day</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here’s the final upgraded decklist:</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Cavalry Charge Upgrade" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Acclaimed Contender
*1 Adeline, Resplendent Cathar
*1 Arvad the Cursed
*1 Aryel, Knight of Windgrace
*1 Corpse Knight
*1 Elenda and Azor
*1 Ethersworn Adjudicator
*1 Exsanguinator Cavalry
*1 Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight
*1 Haakon, Stromgald Scourge
*1 Herald of Hoofbeats
*1 Hero of Bladehold
*1 Josu Vess, Lich Knight
*1 Knight Exemplar
*1 Knight of the Last Breath
*1 Knight of the White Orchid
*1 Knights of the Black Rose
*1 Liliana&#039;s Standard Bearer
*1 Locthwain Lancer
*1 Marshal of Zhalfir
*1 Midnight Reaper
*1 Murderous Rider // Swift End
*1 Order of Midnight // Alter Fate
*1 Silverwing Squadron
*1 Skyhunter Strike Force
*1 Smitten Swordmaster // Curry Favor
*1 Syr Konrad, the Grim
*1 Valiant Knight
*1 Vodalian Wave-Knight
*1 Vona, Butcher of Magan
*1 Wintermoor Commander
*1 Worthy Knight
*1 Xerex Strobe-Knight
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Chivalric Alliance
*1 Duelist&#039;s Heritage
*1 Flaming Fist
*1 Folk Hero
*1 Knights&#039; Charge
*1 Sword Coast Sailor
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Crippling Fear
*1 Distant Melody
*1 Promise of Loyalty
*1 Read the Bones
*1 Time Wipe
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Commander&#039;s Sphere
*1 Conjurer&#039;s Mantle
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Fractured Powerstone
*1 Herald&#039;s Horn
*1 Ichor Elixir
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Orzhov Signet
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Vanquisher&#039;s Banner
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Despark
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Return to Dust
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Unbreakable Formation
[/Instants]
[Lands]
*1 Arcane Sanctum
*1 Bojuka Bog
*1 Choked Estuary
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*6 Island
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Path of Ancestry
*8 Plains
*1 Port Town
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Secluded Courtyard
*1 Shineshadow Snarl
*1 Sunken Hollow
*5 Swamp
*1 Temple of Deceit
*1 Temple of Enlightenment
*1 Temple of Silence
*1 Temple of the False God
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Thriving Heath
*1 Unclaimed Territory
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s amazing what a few cards and a few bucks can do to improve a precon. We upgraded nine cards for just $6. With those new cards we sped up the mana base, pumped up our Knights, and made Sidar’s triggered ability more frequent. All in all, a nice improvement to an already great deck.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Make sure to check back for more precon guides from us Scrap Trawlers. You can also check out our budget content over on <a href="https://t.co/IhjXcrVDY9">Twitch</a> and <a href="https://t.co/LA160SUixH">YouTube</a> and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/ScrapTrawlers">Twitter</a>. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Until next time, remember to budget…before you buy it.</span></p>


Cavalry Charge - Upgrade Guide

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gimbal, Gremlin Prodigy" href="#" target="_blank">Gimbal, Gremlin Prodigy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/fajareka">Fajareka Setiawan</a>)</h6>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hello again everyone! I’m Bert from the Scrap Trawlers channel, where we do EDH on a budget. Last time we showed off the new <em>Tinker Time</em> deck from <em>March of the Machine</em>, so now we're back to give that deck some upgrades so it can work to its full potential. So that we can go over the upgrades properly let's take a look at the decklist and talk about the areas that we want to improve upon. Here is the list:</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Tinker Time Precon" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="&nbsp;
[Commander]
*1 Gimbal, Gremlin Prodigy
[/Commander]
&nbsp;
[Creatures]
*1 Academy Manufactor
*1 Cutthroat Negotiator
*1 Everquill Phoenix
*1 Feldon of the Third Path
*1 Gilded Goose
*1 Hedron Detonator
*1 Hellkite Igniter
*1 Junk Winder
*1 Master of Etherium
*1 Pain Distributor
*1 Pia and Kiran Nalaar
*1 Rashmi and Ragavan
*1 Sandsteppe War Riders
*1 Schema Thief
*1 Sharding Sphinx
*1 Shimmer Dragon
*1 Thopter Assembly
*1 Tireless Provisioner
*1 Tireless Tracker
*1 Vedalken Humiliator
*1 Whirler Rogue
*1 Workshop Elders
[/Creatures]
&nbsp;
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bloodforged Battle-Axe
*1 Combine Chrysalis
*1 Fractured Powerstone
*1 Gruul Signet
*1 Ichor Elixir
*1 Inspiring Statuary
*1 Izzet Signet
*1 Replicating Ring
*1 Simic Signet
*1 Skyclave Relic
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Spine of Ish Sah
[/Artifacts]
&nbsp;
[Sorceries]
*1 Brass&#039;s Bounty
*1 Crack Open
*1 Dance with Calamity
*1 Echo Storm
*1 Fiery Confluence
*1 Path of the Animist
*1 Reverse Engineer
*1 Rise and Shine
*1 Root Out
*1 Saheeli&#039;s Artistry
*1 Thoughtcast
[/Sorceries]
&nbsp;
[Instants]
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Masterful Replication
*1 Perplexing Test
*1 Reality Shift
*1 Spell Swindle
*1 Stroke of Genius
*1 Struggle // Survive
*1 Vampires&#039; Vengeance
[/Instants]
&nbsp;
[Enchantments]
*1 Aid from the Cowl
*1 Curse of Opulence
*1 Ghirapur Aether Grid
*1 Imprisoned in the Moon
*1 Thopter Spy Network
*1 Weirding Wood
[/Enchantments]
&nbsp;
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Saheeli, Sublime Artificer
[/Planeswalkers]
&nbsp;
[Lands]
*1 Cinder Glade
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*7 Forest
*1 Frontier Bivouac
*1 Frostboil Snarl
*1 Game Trail
*8 Island
*8 Mountain
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Simic Growth Chamber
*1 Temple of Abandon
*1 Temple of Epiphany
*1 Temple of Mystery
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Vineglimmer Snarl
[/Lands]
&nbsp;"></span></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Welcome to the Tinker Shop!</span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gimbal, Gremlin Prodigy"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before we get into the upgrades portion of the article, let's first recall our face commander <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gimbal, Gremlin Prodigy" href="#" target="_blank">Gimbal, Gremlin Prodigy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Gimbal gives us an unique take on both the Temur color group and the artifact strategy. Gimbal is Temur (red, green, blue) and two colorless for a Gremlin Artificer that cares about artifact creatures and artifact tokens with different names. This gives us a few ways we can build the deck. I plan on taking some good value artifact creatures to create a board state where we can be able to create our artifact tokens in peace. Gimbal looks to want to play as a midrange deck, so this fits in the plan that I have made for the deck. Lets get started, shall we?</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What's New on Gimbal’s Menu</span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rose Room Treasurer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mythos of Illuna"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="March of Progress"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Just like always, we want to shore up some of the weak sides of our precon. To do that we'll be adding cards to increase our overall card draw and ramp, and increase the overall synergy of the deck. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let's get started with some ramp, shall we?</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> I only wanted to add a couple of cards, as we already have a few ramp spells and Treasure production. For some additional Treasures, here is a pet card of mine: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rose Room Treasurer" href="#" target="_blank">Rose Room Treasurer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Alliance is a powerful ability that triggers on each creature entering our battlefield, including token creatures. It’s a four mana spell and not <em>true</em> ramp, but we add to the overall mana production of the deck. Some actual mana rocks I'm adding are <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Liquimetal Torque" href="#" target="_blank">Liquimetal Torque</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>,<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cursed Mirror" href="#" target="_blank">Cursed Mirror</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mind stone" href="#" target="_blank">Mind stone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Out of these cards, Liquimetal Torque is my favorite, as it sets up some really good plays with our deck, allowing us to give something trample through Gimbal, or make a copy of something we normally wouldn't be able to. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Next I have some cards that will add to our overall draw package. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cathartic Pyre" href="#" target="_blank">Cathartic Pyre</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chart a Course" href="#" target="_blank">Chart a Course</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Big Score" href="#" target="_blank">Big Score</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are just some simple card draw options that'll give us value throughout the entire game with Cathartic Pyre and Big Score providing secondary effects. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thought Monitor" href="#" target="_blank">Thought Monitor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> being an artifact creature means copy it and power it up with some of our other cards we're adding. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Idol of Oblivion" href="#" target="_blank">Idol of Oblivion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another pet card of mine, but it will definitely draw you a bunch of extra cards over the game. </span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Idol of Oblivion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arterial Alchemy"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chart a Course"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lastly we have some cards that will just add to the overall synergies of the deck. To add to our token productions, I've added two cards to get a bit more Blood flowing. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arterial Alchemy" href="#" target="_blank">Arterial Alchemy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Olivia’s Attendants" href="#" target="_blank">Olivia’s Attendants</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> give us access to Blood, which makes our draws a bit smoother while also increasing our token production for Gimbal’s ability.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I felt the deck could do with a few more cards that make it easier to make copies. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="March of Progress" href="#" target="_blank">March of Progress</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mythos of Illuna" href="#" target="_blank">Mythos of Illuna</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skitterbeam Battalion" href="#" target="_blank">Skitterbeam Battalion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sicarian Infiltrator" href="#" target="_blank">Sicarian Infiltrator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> do that and then more! For a spicy pick I even added <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fae Offering" href="#" target="_blank">Fae Offering</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for some additional token creation.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Picky Eater</span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Workshop Elders"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dance with Calamity"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Path of the Animist"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gimbal’s menu needs a bit of refinement, so we have a few cards to cut. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ichor Elixir" href="#" target="_blank">Ichor Elixir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fractured Powerstone" href="#" target="_blank">Fractured Powerstone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> have been cut for some of the ramp that was mentioned earlier. However, if you and your friends have an inkling to play Planechase, keep them in so you can get those rolls.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Also cut from the deck are the super expensive cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Workshop Elders" href="#" target="_blank">Workshop Elders</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dance with Calamity" href="#" target="_blank">Dance with Calamity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brass’s Bounty" href="#" target="_blank">Brass’s Bounty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, just to make our curve a bit smoother. Super niche cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Path of the Animist" href="#" target="_blank">Path of the Animist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Weirding Wood" href="#" target="_blank">Weirding Wood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aid from the Cowl" href="#" target="_blank">Aid from the Cowl</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Everquill Phoenix" href="#" target="_blank">Everquill Phoenix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> have also been cut to add space for some synergistic cards that will give us a bit more staying power. Path of the Animist does a great impression of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Explosive Vegetation" href="#" target="_blank">Explosive Vegetation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but since the focus of the card is mainly Planechase, we can cut it. Both Weirding Wood and Everquill Phoenix are present in the deck so that they can create their unique tokens, but they seem like a bit of a deep dive and can be replaced with something that meshes with the deck more. Aid from the Cowl seems a bit random to me, so I went ahead and cut it so that we can make space for more goodness.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When we make cuts like these, it's important to keep in mind that you can keep cards that you like and find another cut somewhere else. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Exquisite Taste</span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Faerie Artisans"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wurmcoil engine"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Adrix and Nev, Twincasters"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here we'll go over some cards that aren't included in my modified list due to their price points, but will power up your Gimbal deck to new heights. The first and by far one of my favorites is going to be <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Faerie Artisans" href="#" target="_blank">Faerie Artisans</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This little gem will create an artifact token copy of whatever creature last entered the battlefield under our opponents' control. Faerie Artisans not only makes our opponent sequence their plays so that we end up with a weaker creature, but also gives us another artifact token for Gimbal to count. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another awesome card that we can include is going to be <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wurmcoil Engine" href="#" target="_blank">Wurmcoil Engine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. A solid six mana 6/6 that has deathtouch and lifelink that will make two Wurm artifact creature tokens on death, this is just more of what we want. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Adrix and Nev, Twincasters" href="#" target="_blank">Adrix and Nev, Twincasters</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will also take us to new heights being a hard to remove token doubler that helps us create a stronger board state. Last but certainly not least we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Old Gnawbone" href="#" target="_blank">Old Gnawbone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> which is just absurd in a deck like this. We care about the number of different tokens that get created but we also need mana to cast spells, and we have the creatures to get through to our opponents. Having this monstrous Dragon on our side is going to make a huge difference in our token creation, and I am here for every bit of it.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finished Product</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Well here is our modified list:</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Tinker Time Precon Upgrade" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Gimbal, Gremlin Prodigy
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Academy Manufactor
*1 Cutthroat Negotiator
*1 Feldon of the Third Path
*1 Gilded Goose
*1 Junk Winder
*1 Master of Etherium
*1 Olivia&#039;s Attendants
*1 Pia and Kiran Nalaar
*1 Rashmi and Ragavan
*1 Rose Room Treasurer
*1 Sandsteppe War Riders
*1 Schema Thief
*1 Sharding Sphinx
*1 Shimmer Dragon
*1 Sicarian Infiltrator
*1 Skitterbeam Battalion
*1 Thopter Assembly
*1 Thought Monitor
*1 Tireless Provisioner
*1 Tireless Tracker
*1 Vedalken Humiliator
*1 Whirler Rogue
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bloodforged Battle-Axe
*1 Combine Chrysalis
*1 Cursed Mirror
*1 Gruul Signet
*1 Idol of Oblivion
*1 Inspiring Statuary
*1 Izzet Signet
*1 Liquimetal Torque
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Replicating Ring
*1 Simic Signet
*1 Skyclave Relic
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Spine of Ish Sah
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Big Score
*1 Cathartic Pyre
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Perplexing Test
*1 Reality Shift
*1 Vampires&#039; Vengeance
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Chart a Course
*1 Crack Open
*1 Echo Storm
*1 Fiery Confluence
*1 March of Progress
*1 Mythos of Illuna
*1 Reverse Engineer
*1 Rise and Shine
*1 Root Out
*1 Saheeli&#039;s Artistry
*1 Thoughtcast
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Arterial Alchemy
*1 Curse of Opulence
*1 Fae Offering
*1 Ghirapur Aether Grid
*1 Imprisoned in the Moon
*1 Thopter Spy Network
[/Enchantments]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Saheeli, Sublime Artificer
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Cinder Glade
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*7 Forest
*1 Frontier Bivouac
*1 Frostboil Snarl
*1 Game Trail
*8 Island
*8 Mountain
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Simic Growth Chamber
*1 Temple of Abandon
*1 Temple of Epiphany
*1 Temple of Mystery
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Vineglimmer Snarl
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We've increased the functionality of the deck a bit, so I hope that you take these changes out in the wild and show your friends how strong precons, Gimbal specifically, can be. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Make sure to check back for more precon guides from us Scrap Trawlers. You can also check out our budget content over on </span><a href="https://www.twitch.tv/scraptrawlers"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Twitch</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/scraptrawlers"><span style="font-weight: 400;">YouTube</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and follow us on </span><a href="https://twitter.com/scraptrawlers"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Twitter</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Don’t forget to upgrade your precon on a budget!</span></p>


Tinker Time - Upgrade Guide

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spider Spawning" href="#" target="_blank">Spider Spawning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thesteveprescott/?hl=en">Steve Prescott</a></h6>
<h1>Limited Inspiration</h1>
<p>Hello, fellow brewer, and welcome back to <em>Brew for your Buck</em>, where we swap out the top 10 most expensive cards in a deck with 10 budget cards that add a unique twist. Until now we've looked at a lot of different two-color decks, in part because as we add colors the most expensive cards tend to just be the mana base, which for us creates a weird dynamic for removing and adding cards. Based on your feedback, we're going to switch it up a bit. We'll only look at the top ten <span style="text-decoration: underline;">nonland</span> cards going forward, trusting you to adjust your mana base as needed for your budget and deck functionality. I'll include "additional savings" from the mana base after the list of cuts just so it's clear.</p>
<p>With that out of the way, let's move on to today's deck. My favorite way to play <em>Magic </em>besides Commander is Limited. I started my foray into drafting back in the <em>Scars of Mirrodin</em> block, and yes, I forced <em>Infect</em> until I didn't, then 3-0'd the FNM with a red-white beatdown deck. After <em>Scars</em> block, something happened that is now mythical in the annals of Limited: triple <em>Innistrad</em> draft. And within that format was one of the most famous Limited decks of all time<em>. Shadows Over Innistrad: Remastered</em> kind of brought it to <em>Arena</em>, but we are bringing it to Commander. Yes, dear reader, today's budget package is the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spider Spawning" href="#" target="_blank">Spider Spawning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck, shoehorned into an existing Commander deck as a tribute to the fun I had all those years ago.</p>
<p>Fortunately, we have a perfect commander to do this: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidisi, Brood Tyrant" href="#" target="_blank">Sidisi, Brood Tyrant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Sidisi is all about getting creatures in the 'yard, which happens to be perfect for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spider Spawning" href="#" target="_blank">Spider Spawning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Being in Sultai also allows us to play all of the cards we need for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spider Spawning" href="#" target="_blank">Spider Spawning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and its myriad of friends that made the 40-card deck pop.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sidisi, Brood Tyrant"></div></div>
<p>Looking at the average list on EDHREC, the deck clocks in at $367.40. As expected, seven of the top 10 most expensive cards are lands. Taking out that many without replacing them with basics or other budget lands would probably be catastrophic in a deck looking to mill itself, so as mentioned before we're going to look at the top 10 nonlands to remove:</p>
<ol>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($40.15)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyclonic Rift" href="#" target="_blank">Cyclonic Rift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($35.81)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reanimate" href="#" target="_blank">Reanimate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($11.05)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Life from the Loam" href="#" target="_blank">Life from the Loam</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($10.02)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Birds of Paradise" href="#" target="_blank">Birds of Paradise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($6.65)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Entomb" href="#" target="_blank">Entomb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($5.91)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Buried Alive" href="#" target="_blank">Buried Alive</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($5.90)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Assassin&#039;s Trophy" href="#" target="_blank">Assassin&#039;s Trophy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($5.53)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deathrite Shaman" href="#" target="_blank">Deathrite Shaman</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($5.37)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cryptbreaker" href="#" target="_blank">Cryptbreaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($5.27)</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
<p style="padding-left: 200px; text-align: left;"><strong>Total Value of Cuts: $131.66</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We can save an additional $134.04 by replacing the expensive lands with budget options, for a total savings of <strong>$265.70.</strong></p>
<hr />
<h2>Additions</h2>
<h3>The Trinity</h3>
<p>To start off, we know we're adding <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spider Spawning" href="#" target="_blank">Spider Spawning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($0.11), it's the namesake card of the deck. In <em>Innistrad</em> Limited there were other key cards needed to infinitely loop it. One reason why the deck was so silly is because a lot of these cards would be close to last picks since they really didn't do much in any other draft deck. These were <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Runic Repetition" href="#" target="_blank">Runic Repetition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($0.02) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Memory&#039;s Journey" href="#" target="_blank">Memory&#039;s Journey</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($0.15). Once you were down to only a few cards left in the deck, you could use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Memory&#039;s Journey" href="#" target="_blank">Memory&#039;s Journey</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to shuffle <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spider Spawning" href="#" target="_blank">Spider Spawning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Runic Repetition" href="#" target="_blank">Runic Repetition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> back into your deck, then use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Runic Repetition" href="#" target="_blank">Runic Repetition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to put <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Memory&#039;s Journey" href="#" target="_blank">Memory&#039;s Journey</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> back into your hand and repeat to make unlimited Spiders.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spider Spawning"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Runic Repetition"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Memory&#039;s Journey"></div></div>
<h3>Classic Support</h3>
<p>Some of the classic support cards for the draft deck are already in our list, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deranged Assistant" href="#" target="_blank">Deranged Assistant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Splinterfright" href="#" target="_blank">Splinterfright</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but we have a few more classics to add. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gnaw to the Bone" href="#" target="_blank">Gnaw to the Bone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($0.12) keeps you alive as you mill yourself towards that state of bliss, and while we have plenty of ways to mill ourselves, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Selhoff Occultist" href="#" target="_blank">Selhoff Occultist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($0.07) goes into overdrive in Commander, with more players at the table, creature tokens (like the Zombies that Sidisi makes) dying, and board wipes flying around.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gnaw to the Bone"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Selhoff Occultist"></div></div>
<h3>Best Impressions</h3>
<p>The decks that really got to pop off had multiple copies of the key cards. Well, we can't do that in Commander, but thankfully we've been to Innistrad three times (as of 2023), so we can look to the sister sets for redundancy. <em>Midnight Hunt</em> and <em>Crimson Vow</em> tried to capture the nostalgia, like we're doing today, bringing us <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vilespawn Spider" href="#" target="_blank">Vilespawn Spider</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rootcoil Creeper" href="#" target="_blank">Rootcoil Creeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Turn the Earth" href="#" target="_blank">Turn the Earth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vilespawn Spider" href="#" target="_blank">Vilespawn Spider</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is already in the deck, which really threw me for a loop as to why the card it pays homage to isn't. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rootcoil Creeper" href="#" target="_blank">Rootcoil Creeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($0.07) is not in the deck, but it is a great addition, being a mana dork to get us to Sidisi early and acting as a one-shot <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Runic Repetition" href="#" target="_blank">Runic Repetition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Turn the Earth" href="#" target="_blank">Turn the Earth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($0.13) is essentially <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Memory&#039;s Journey" href="#" target="_blank">Memory&#039;s Journey</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with some extra flexibility and lifegain thrown in.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rootcoil Creeper"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Turn the Earth"></div></div>
<h3>Commanding Shifts</h3>
<p>Okay, okay, I know we can't only jam Limited cards into the deck, so the last few cards are proof that I am not lost in a Bruce Springsteen song. This is Commander, after all, and there are some sweet additions that can supplement our Limited dreams. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mausoleum Secrets" href="#" target="_blank">Mausoleum Secrets</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($0.84) is one of my favorite tutors on a budget, and this is a perfect home for it. It can find 31 of the cards in our deck for two mana at instant speed, making it a really powerful tutor for us. In a similar vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Songs of the Damned" href="#" target="_blank">Songs of the Damned</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($0.78) can give us a huge burst of mana, again at instant speed to fuel a big turn. Finally, the newly reprinted <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oversold Cemetery" href="#" target="_blank">Oversold Cemetery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ($0.47) will let us grab a key creature out of our graveyard. Most of the time we want them to stay in there, but with all the milling we're doing, this card can act more like card draw than recursion.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mausoleum Secrets"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Songs of the Damned"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Oversold Cemetery"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2>Wrap Up and Savings</h2>
<p>Let's take a look at what we've saved:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture1.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-96628" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture1-300x235.png" alt="" width="352" height="276" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture1-300x235.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture1.png 355w" sizes="(max-width: 352px) 100vw, 352px" /></a></p>
<p>We achieve a massive 72% cost reduction from the average if we make these swaps and cut out the pricey lands. And hey, maybe by cutting out just the nonlands, you can keep one of the expensive lands for your collection! I definitely like this new method going forward, so look for more mana base savings in the future.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Spider Senses" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Sidisi, Brood Tyrant
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Altar of Dementia
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Conduit of Worlds
*1 Mesmeric Orb
*1 Perpetual Timepiece
*1 Sol Ring
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Animate Dead
*1 Cemetery Tampering
*1 Out of the Tombs
*1 Oversold Cemetery
*1 Path of Discovery
*1 Sultai Ascendancy
[/Enchantments]
[Creatures]
*1 Death Baron
*1 Deathbloom Ritualist
*1 Deranged Assistant
*1 Diregraf Captain
*1 Elves of Deep Shadow
*1 Eternal Witness
*1 Genesis
*1 Golgari Grave-Troll
*1 Golgari Thug
*1 Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
*1 Kagha, Shadow Archdruid
*1 Llanowar Elves
*1 Millikin
*1 Muldrotha, the Gravetide
*1 Nyx Weaver
*1 Old Rutstein
*1 Old Stickfingers
*1 Ramunap Excavator
*1 Reclamation Sage
*1 Rootcoil Creeper
*1 Sakura-Tribe Elder
*1 Satyr Wayfinder
*1 Selhoff Occultist
*1 Skull Prophet
*1 Splinterfright
*1 Stinkweed Imp
*1 Stitcher&#039;s Supplier
*1 Syr Konrad, the Grim
*1 Timeless Witness
*1 Underrealm Lich
*1 Urborg Lhurgoyf
*1 Vilespawn Spider
*1 Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver
*1 Wonder
*1 World Shaper
*1 Zellix, Sanity Flayer
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Beast Within
*1 Fact or Fiction
*1 Gnaw to the Bone
*1 Grisly Salvage
*1 Mausoleum Secrets
*1 Memory&#039;s Journey
*1 Overwhelming Remorse
*1 Putrefy
*1 Songs of the Damned
*1 Turn the Earth
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Cultivate
*1 Dread Return
*1 Living Death
*1 Runic Repetition
*1 Spider Spawning
*1 Splendid Reclamation
*1 Stitch Together
*1 Victimize
[/Sorceries]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Tyvar, Jubilant Brawler
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Bojuka Bog
*1 Breeding Pool
*1 Command Tower
*1 Dakmor Salvage
*1 Drowned Catacomb
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*5 Forest
*1 Island
*1 Llanowar Wastes
*1 Misty Rainforest
*1 Opulent Palace
*1 Overgrown Tomb
*1 Polluted Delta
*1 Rejuvenating Springs
*6 Swamp
*1 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire
*1 Undergrowth Stadium
*1 Verdant Catacombs
*1 Watery Grave
*1 Woodland Cemetery
*1 Yavimaya Coast
*1 Zagoth Triome
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>Thanks for taking this journey down memory lane with me. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Memory&#039;s Journey" href="#" target="_blank">Memory&#039;s Journey</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lane? Something like that. As always, I look forward to your feedback in the comments, and I'll see you next time when we brew for your buck!</p>
