<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof|sos|286" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix, the Proof</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/nastasja" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anastasia Ovchinnikova</a></em></p>
<p>As soon as I saw the new Elder Dragons in <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/sos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Secrets of Strixhaven</em></a>, part of my brain started itching. Each of them gives our instants and sorceries an added effect, which led me to think about how to make them work without including anything other than these two card types.</p>
<p>So today we're talking about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix, the Proof</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and building a Commander deck with <em>only</em> instants, sorceries, and lands.</p>
<h2>What Does Quandrix, the Proof Do?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Quandrix, the Proof"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was the one that got my attention first. Cascade is an extremely powerful ability and having a deck full of cascading cards seems like the recipe for a good time. In fact, we can pack the deck with over 60 spells and all of them will come with an added bonus - which sounds pretty good to me.</p>
<p>So, let's see what we're working with.</p>
<h2>The Best Spells for Quandrix, the Proof</h2>
<p>When approaching this deck, I focused on the mana value of the cards I was including. This is because whenever we cast a spell, we're also casting a spell with a lower mana value. So, it's very useful to know at any point what we might get out of the cards we cast.</p>
<h3>Mana Values Zero and One</h3>
<p>Starting with mana value zero, there aren't actually many options. I decided to include just one card: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inevitable Betrayal" href="#" target="_blank">Inevitable Betrayal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This is a very good card, especially at tables with a lower power level, where game-finishing creatures are more common. Getting an extra stealing effect whenever we cast a cheap one-mana spell sounds very good.</p>
<p>Additionally, if we were to suspend it and play it as intended, it isn't that bad either.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inevitable Betrayal"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Into the Flood Maw"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Serum Visions"></div></div>
<p>Our spells that cost one mana mainly cover two roles: cheap interaction and card draw. We get access to cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Into the Flood Maw" href="#" target="_blank">Into the Flood Maw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nature&#039;s Claim" href="#" target="_blank">Nature&#039;s Claim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pongify" href="#" target="_blank">Pongify</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, all of which can deal with our opponents' boards in some way.</p>
<p>We also make good use of cheap cantrips that are usually only playable in 60-card formats. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Preordain" href="#" target="_blank">Preordain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ponder" href="#" target="_blank">Ponder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Serum Visions" href="#" target="_blank">Serum Visions</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all allow us to manipulate the top of our library, which can be very good when we're trying to cascade as much as possible.</p>
<h3>Mana Values Two and Three</h3>
<p>Here is where the bulk of the list is. Considering how commander-centric this deck is, we want to include as many ramp spells as possible so that we're always able to recast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> if/when it gets removed.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rampant Growth"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Double Major"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Filter Out"></div></div>
<p>For this reason, we're running the usual suspects, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rampant Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Rampant Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Three Visits" href="#" target="_blank">Three Visits</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nature&#039;s Lore" href="#" target="_blank">Nature&#039;s Lore</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but more niche cards, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harrow" href="#" target="_blank">Harrow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cycle of Renewal" href="#" target="_blank">Cycle of Renewal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While these cards aren't obscure by any means, they aren't your first go-tos when building the ramp package for your deck either.</p>
<p>Ideally, we get to cast them <em>after</em> <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has hit the battlefield, so that we're getting something more as compensation for our sacrificed land.</p>
<p>Within this mana value range, we can also find some extremely synergistic cards. First off, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Double Major" href="#" target="_blank">Double Major</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, the cheapest way we have to get an additional copy of our commander. And remember: the more cascades, the better.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Road of Return" href="#" target="_blank">Road of Return</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> works as a reset button for our commander: if the commander tax ever gets too high, we can simply put it in our hand to circumvent it one time.</p>
<p>We can get good value out of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pieces of the Puzzle" href="#" target="_blank">Pieces of the Puzzle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Considering how many hits there are in our deck, we'll almost always get a good selection of cards to choose from.</p>
<p>Finally, we also deepen our interaction pool. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Filter Out" href="#" target="_blank">Filter Out</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a home run of a card in this deck; in fact, we aren't running any nonland, noncreature permanents, so it'll always be a one-sided bounce effect. "What about creatures?" you may ask. Well, look no further than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Run Away Together" href="#" target="_blank">Run Away Together</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can also be a protection spell under very specific circumstances.</p>
<p>And then, my own evergreen pet card: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Obscuring Haze" href="#" target="_blank">Obscuring Haze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While I include this card in every green deck I build, here it is as good as it can ever get. It's a free spell that cascades for its mana value (three) and that covers our greatest weakness (board presence).</p>
<h3>Mana Values Four and Five</h3>
<p>We're approaching the end of our mana curve, so we're starting to find the heavy hitters of the deck.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Press the Enemy"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Evacuation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Quantum Misalignment"></div></div>
<p>First, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Press the Enemy" href="#" target="_blank">Press the Enemy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, one of the highlights of the list. At first, this seems like a very expensive counterspell with limited upsides, but the more you look at it, the better it gets.</p>
<p>First, it allows us to cast a spell for free, which is always nice. But the real magic happens if we cast it while our commander's on the battlefield. In fact, looking at the wording on Press the Enemy, we're casting the spell for free <em>from our hand</em>. This is extremely relevant because <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> grants cascade to spells we cast from hand. This means we'll get the cascade trigger for Press the Enemy <em>and</em> for the free spell we cast afterwards.</p>
<p>Then, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Evacuation" href="#" target="_blank">Evacuation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another piece at our disposal to fight clogged boards. Considering we're always playing catch-up with other players to avoid their creatures stomping us, a board-resetting spell is always welcome.</p>
<p>Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quantum Misalignment" href="#" target="_blank">Quantum Misalignment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> reiterates a key concept of the deck, which is copying our commander. If everything goes as it should, this card alone grants us two additional <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s on the board.</p>
<p>That's <em>three</em> cascade triggers for each spell we cast. Things will get out of hand quickly.</p>
<h3>Mana Values Six and Higher</h3>
<p>The actual top end of our curve is reserved for our game finishers.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Clone Legion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wisdom of Ages"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mnemonic Deluge"></div></div>
<p>Once we've reached the late game, we want to follow one of two paths.</p>
<p>First, the game-finishing path. In this scenario, we cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elminster&#039;s Simulacrum" href="#" target="_blank">Elminster&#039;s Simulacrum</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blatant Thievery" href="#" target="_blank">Blatant Thievery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clone Legion" href="#" target="_blank">Clone Legion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to build a board out of nowhere. The added value we get from these expensive spells should be enough for us to overwhelm our opponents.</p>
<p>Alternatively, we press a reset button. This can either mean casting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flood of Tears" href="#" target="_blank">Flood of Tears</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, setting everyone back and betting on the fact we'll be the fastest at rebuilding, or casting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wisdom of Ages" href="#" target="_blank">Wisdom of Ages</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which gets us back a whole game's worth of instants and sorceries, netting us so much card advantage we'll be able to stitch together a win from there.</p>
<p>There's also a secret, third option, which is a special alternative for the <em>very</em> late game: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mnemonic Deluge" href="#" target="_blank">Mnemonic Deluge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This card is at its best when combined with one of the creature-cloning spells: getting three times the creatures and cascading for nine at the same time can only be backbreaking for our opponents.</p>
<h2>Quandrix, the Proof Commander Deck List</h2>
<p>To better see the decklist, I'll divide it into mana value categories.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Spells-Only Quandrix" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Quandrix, the Proof
[/Commander]
[MV 0]
*1 Inevitable Betrayal
[/MV 0]
[MV 1]
*1 Dispel
*1 Gitaxian Probe
*1 Into the Flood Maw
*1 March of Swirling Mist
*1 Nature&#039;s Claim
*1 Opt
*1 Ponder
*1 Pongify
*1 Preordain
*1 Rapid Hybridization
*1 Reclaim
*1 Serum Visions
*1 Suspend
[/MV 1]
[MV 2]
*1 Blue Sun&#039;s Twilight
*1 Delay
*1 Double Major
*1 Farseek
*1 Flow State
*1 Glimpse the Core
*1 Growth Spiral
*1 Nature&#039;s Lore
*1 Planar Genesis
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Reality Shift
*1 Road of Return
*1 Run Away Together
*1 Shared Roots
*1 Snapback
*1 Three Visits
*1 Twincast
*1 Unsubstantiate
[/MV 2]
[MV 3]
*1 Beast Within
*1 Cultivate
*1 Cycle of Renewal
*1 Early Harvest
*1 Entish Restoration
*1 Filter Out
*1 Harrow
*1 Kodama&#039;s Reach
*1 Obscuring Haze
*1 Pieces of the Puzzle
*1 Roiling Regrowth
*1 Solve the Equation
*1 Theoretical Duplication
[/MV 3]
[MV 4]
*1 Eureka Moment
*1 Insidious Will
*1 Irenicus&#039;s Vile Duplication
*1 Planar Engineering
*1 Press the Enemy
*1 Skyshroud Claim
[/MV 4]
[MV 5]
*1 Bribery
*1 Ember Island Production
*1 Embrace the Paradox
*1 Evacuation
*1 Quantum Misalignment
[/MV 5]
[MV 6]
*1 Elminster&#039;s Simulacrum
*1 Flood of Tears
[/MV 6]
[MV 7]
*1 Blatant Thievery
*1 Wisdom of Ages
[/MV 7]
[MV 9]
*1 Clone Legion
*1 Mnemonic Deluge
[/MV 9]
[Land]
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Command Tower
*1 Dreamroot Cascade
*1 Flooded Grove
*10 Forest
*1 Hinterland Harbor
*13 Island
*1 Mystic Sanctuary
*1 Overflowing Basin
*1 Rejuvenating Springs
*1 Simic Growth Chamber
*1 Temple of Mystery
*1 Temple of the False God
*1 Thornwood Falls
*1 Vineglimmer Snarl
*1 Yavimaya Coast
[/Land]"></span></div>

<h2>Closing Thoughts on Quandrix, the Proof</h2>
<p>I had a lot of fun brewing this deck. For me, Commander is synonymous with "gimmick," as I always try to build around a specific niche or to maximize a certain aspect of the deck. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix, the Proof</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> certainly is a very powerful card that can shine as a commander, but I wanted to see if it was possible to create something unusual around it. I think I succeeded in doing so.</p>
<p>The glaring weakness of this deck is its end game: It's difficult to piece together a winning board state in this color combination <em>and</em> using only instants and sorceries. The solution I included in the list, cloning, is one way to go about it, but I'm sure there are other options I haven't considered.</p>
<p>I have yet to try the deck out, but considering how much fun I had building it, I'm sure it'll be a blast to play. If you pick it up, I suggest you personalize your list as much as possible. You can consider my list as a blueprint, a starting point from which your imagination can branch. This idea is perfectly suited for a toolbox approach, since you have so much space to include all the tech cards you want, depending on your play style and your playgroup.</p>
<p>If you try the deck out, let me know how it fares in the comments!</p>


cascade commander

Going Full Instants and Sorceries With Quandrix, the Proof