<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Umori, the Collector" href="#" target="_blank">Umori, the Collector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>| | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/styloren">Jehan Choo</a>)</h6>
<h1>Time to Make a New Friend</h1>
<p><em>Companions</em> are a game-changer. They give us access to a free card from the start of the game in exchange for some deckbuilding restrictions (and, of course, they now have an extra three-mana tax). Here on <em>Collected Company</em>, we’re going to take a look at all of them and see how we can build around their quirks.</p>
<p>In this article, we'll talk about one of the more interesting of the <em>Companions;</em> its ability to shape its deck is unparalleled, making the choice that much more impactful. It's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Umori, the Collector" href="#" target="_blank">Umori, the Collector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> time!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Umori, the Collector"></div></div>
<p>The cost reduction is a pretty nice effect to have, especially when considering that we are playing a very specialized deck.</p>
<p>While very similar to Zirda's ability, Umori doesn't suffer as much with the <em>Companion</em> tax. Umori's cost reduction is more versatile and that makes it that much more powerful.</p>
<p>Out of the types of permanents available, creatures are the strongest, with artifacts being a close second, then enchantments, and planeswalkers as a dead last.</p>
<h3>Notable Exclusions</h3>
<ul>
<li>ALL SORCERIES</li>
<li>ALL INSTANTS</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h2>Endless Possibilities</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The First Sliver"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Karador, Ghost Chieftain"></div></div>
<p>Creature is the easiest type to find a suitable commander for. It might seem that we've got plenty of options, but, considering what we lose, we better get a lot of value from our creatures. Commanders that have innate recursion, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Karador, Ghost Chieftain" href="#" target="_blank">Karador, Ghost Chieftain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are the quintessential creature-based commanders and are worth considering as the starting point for any creature-based Umori list. Tribes with plenty of creatures to spare can also benefit from the discount, especially those that are on the aggressive side. Regarding our losses, we don't lose all that much, to be honest; most of our losses can be replaced by creatures (although we'll lose some consistency and efficiency).</p>
<h3>Notable Exclusions</h3>
<ul>
<li><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></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Animate Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Animate Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skullclamp" href="#" target="_blank">Skullclamp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Birthing Pod" href="#" target="_blank">Birthing Pod</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Panharmonicon" href="#" target="_blank">Panharmonicon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grave Pact" href="#" target="_blank">Grave Pact</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Finale of Devastation" href="#" target="_blank">Finale of Devastation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pharika, God of Affliction"></div></div>
<p>Enchantment is another great permanent type. Between some enchantment staples and some great enchantment creatures, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doomwake Giant" href="#" target="_blank">Doomwake Giant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we have plenty of great cards to build a deck. One thing to notice is that we might have some trouble finding good finishers, so we'll probably have to grind our way out of every game. We don't have the luxury of choice, either: it's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pharika, God of Affliction" href="#" target="_blank">Pharika, God of Affliction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or bust. Our losses are notable in that we lose most of the best finishers in the format, some enchantress effects, and most tutors.</p>
<h3>Notable Exclusions</h3>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Argothian Enchantress" href="#" target="_blank">Argothian Enchantress</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects</li>
<li><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></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gray Merchant of Asphodel" href="#" target="_blank">Gray Merchant of Asphodel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Enlightened Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Enlightened Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lord Windgrace"></div></div>
<p>This is more of a meme than a suggestion, but Umori can really help out reducing the costs of planeswalkers. I doubt that this would be a functional shell since we'll forfeit any other type of control elements and possible bodies, leaving our planeswalkers extremely vulnerable.</p>
<h3>Notable Exclusions</h3>
<ul>
<li>EVERYTHING</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h2>Is it Too Late For Halloween?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reaper King"></div></div>
<p>Artifacts are a very good type to pair with Umori. After all, they get the most mileage out of the cost reduction and they also tend to play similar effects. Artifacts also tend to have a more diverse choice pool and they're pretty well-rounded.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rattleblaze Scarecrow"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Universal Automaton"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Heap Doll"></div></div>
<p>One artifact commander in particular that really appreciates the cost reduction aspect of Umori is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reaper King" href="#" target="_blank">Reaper King</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Scarecrows as a tribe are filled with sub-optimal creatures that are just too expensive and that lack any real power to them. Umori helps us by making them cheap enough to justify running them, which is good because we're packing a bunch of them: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rattleblaze Scarecrow" href="#" target="_blank">Rattleblaze Scarecrow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wingrattle Scarecrow" href="#" target="_blank">Wingrattle Scarecrow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> seem lackluster choices, but when considering that we'll always cast them with our commander on the field (which means a black permanent), we get to profitably sacrifice them to trigger our commander one more time; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Adaptive Automaton" href="#" target="_blank">Adaptive Automaton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Metallic Mimic" href="#" target="_blank">Metallic Mimic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Universal Automaton" href="#" target="_blank">Universal Automaton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are some cheap tribal support that can help out a bit (we can even go infinite with the aforementioned Scarecrows); and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heap Doll" href="#" target="_blank">Heap Doll</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scarecrone" href="#" target="_blank">Scarecrone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scaretiller" href="#" target="_blank">Scaretiller</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scuttlemutt" href="#" target="_blank">Scuttlemutt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provide some utility.</p>
<p>As mentioned before, Scarecrows aren't a particularly strong tribe, as such the number of cards we play is limited. This means that whenever we are online, we need to get more mileage out of triggers. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Panharmonicon" href="#" target="_blank">Panharmonicon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Helm of the Host" href="#" target="_blank">Helm of the Host</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are crazy powerful cards that have the potential to make our other supports exponentially more impactful. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blade of Selves" href="#" target="_blank">Blade of Selves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conjurer&#039;s Closet" href="#" target="_blank">Conjurer&#039;s Closet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are consistent ways to get triggers. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirrorworks" href="#" target="_blank">Mirrorworks</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strionic Resonator" href="#" target="_blank">Strionic Resonator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are a bit taxing, but each has a lot of utility outside of our commander.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grindstone"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aetherflux Reservoir"></div></div>
<p>Our win conditions are mainly combo. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Painter&#039;s Servant" href="#" target="_blank">Painter&#039;s Servant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a Scarecrow and, together with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grindstone" href="#" target="_blank">Grindstone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, is a great player-sniping tool. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sensei&#039;s Divining Top" href="#" target="_blank">Sensei&#039;s Divining Top</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bolas&#039;s Citadel" href="#" target="_blank">Bolas&#039;s Citadel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are build-your-own <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Necropotence" href="#" target="_blank">Necropotence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can be an outright win condition with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aetherflux Reservoir" href="#" target="_blank">Aetherflux Reservoir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Umori plays a crucial role in a deck like this. It's an early play that helps us get to the point where we start chaining Scarecrows from our hand. The impact of the <em>Companion </em>tax is negligible because our early plays aren't all that exciting (since we need to hold playing Scarecrows until after we have our commander on the battlefield).</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Reaper King Umori" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*Reaper King
[/Commander]
[Companion]
*Umori, the Collector
[/Companion]
[Artifact]
*Everflowing Chalice
*Grindstone
*Sensei&#039;s Divining Top
*Skullclamp
*Sol Ring
*Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
*Arcane Signet
*Blade of Selves
*Fellwar Stone
*Ichor Wellspring
*Lightning Greaves
*Mind Stone
*Mycosynth Wellspring
*Strionic Resonator
*Swiftfoot Boots
*Wishclaw Talisman
*Ashnod&#039;s Altar
*Birthing Boughs
*Chromatic Lantern
*Darksteel Plate
*Sculpting Steel
*Aetherflux Reservoir
*Birthing Pod
*Hedron Archive
*Helm of the Host
*Krark-Clan Ironwork
*Nevinyrral&#039;s Disk
*Panharmonicon
*Perilous Vault
*Thran Dynamo
*Cauldron of Souls
*Conjurer&#039;s Closet
*Mirrorworks
*Scourglass
*Bolas&#039;s Citadel
*Spine of Ish Sah
*The Great Henge
[/Artifact]
[Creature]
*Heap Doll
*Universal Automaton
*Baleful Strix
*Etherium Sculptor
*Metallic Mimic
*Myr Retriever
*Painter&#039;s Servant
*Adaptive Automaton
*Foundry Inspector
*Junk Diver
*Scarecrone
*Scrap Trawler
*Scuttlemutt
*Shimmer Myr
*Wild-Field Scarecrow
*Wingrattle Scarecrow
*Jhoira&#039;s Familiar
*Master Transmuter
*Phyrexian Metamorph
*Scaretiller
*Kuldotha Forgemaster
*Sphinx Summoner
*Rattleblaze Scarecrow
*Sharuum the Hegemon
*Myr Battlesphere
[/Creature]
[Land]
*Ancient Den
*Arcane Sanctum
*Arch of Orazca
*Blast Zone
*Cascading Cataracts
*City of Brass
*Command Tower
*Crumbling Necropolis
*Darksteel Citadel
*Exotic Orchard
*Forest
*Frontier Bivouac
*Ghost Quarter
*Glimmervoid
*Great Furnace
*Indatha Triome
*Inventors&#039; Fair
*Island
*Jungle Shrine
*Ketria Triome
*Mana Confluence
*Mystic Monastery
*Nomad Outpost
*Opulent Palace
*Plains
*Raugrin Triome
*Reflecting Pool
*Sandsteppe Citadel
*Savage Lands
*Savai Triome
*Seaside Citadel
*Seat of the Synod
*Spire of Industry
*Swamp
*Tectonic Edge
*Tree of Tales
*Zagoth Triome
[/Land]"></span></div></p>

<hr />
<h2>This is the Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jousting Dummy"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chromatic Star"></div></div>
<p>I don't think that investing more into Scarecrows is worth it, but that's certainly an option.</p>
<p>One interesting build is adding Eggs to provide a more solid draw engine. Umori's cost reduction allows for a great chain of draw with low-costed artifacts.</p>
<p>Umori is a fun <em>Companion</em>! The cost-reducing ability feels great in-game, especially in an artifact shell where both our threats and our ramp are discounted. It might not seem like this is the case, but there is a lot of space when building a deck using Umori. It's a shame that we can't have instants or sorcery because it would be interesting to have a spellslinger build.</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Collected Company</em>! What do you think about this article? What are your thoughts on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Umori, the Collector" href="#" target="_blank">Umori, the Collector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Which<em> Companion</em> do you want to see covered next? Share your opinions in the comments.</p>


Collected Company - Umori

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doomsday" href="#" target="_blank">Doomsday</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artpad.org/">Jaime Jones</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo Melibeu, and this is <em>Epic Experiment,</em> a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>In this article we'll be building around the single most complex card in the game. After this card is cast, it's a whole new game. The card that I'm talking about is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doomsday" href="#" target="_blank">Doomsday</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Doomsday"></div></div>
<p><strong>Search your library and graveyard for five cards and exile the rest. Put the chosen cards on top of your library in any order. You lose half your life, rounded up.</strong></p>
<p>Observation 1:</p>
<p>There are two main reason why this card is only played mostly at competitive tables. The first one is the cutthroat nature of the card; this isn't a "let's be friends" card, this is an "I'm gonna win right now" card. The second is how difficult it is to play it even with a predefined pile; there are so many variables that it often leads into a lot of dead time for the rest of the table.</p>
<p>Observation 2:</p>
<p>Having a cheap way to get through all five cards is crucial for a good Doomsday pile. It doesn't matter if we spend a bunch of resources into making our deck a five-card pile if we have trouble accessing said pile.</p>
<p>Observation 3:</p>
<p>Mana is also an inevitable barrier that we need to overcome. For us to both cast Doomsday and win on the same turn, it means that we'll need three black mana just as a start. This is both color-intensive and expensive mana-wise.</p>
<p>Observation 4:</p>
<p>Doomsday's interaction with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hive Mind" href="#" target="_blank">Hive Mind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might be something worth exploring. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wound Reflection" href="#" target="_blank">Wound Reflection</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and even having Symmetrical Mill effects (to get powered by Hive Mind) are basically auto-win.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Epic Ingredients</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Happily Ever After"></div></div>
<p>It's often common to see ourselves as part of the "good guys"; after all, we understand our actions and can relate with our motivations. That being said, what if we're actually the baddies? What if, to us, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doomsday" href="#" target="_blank">Doomsday</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is our happy ending? One might even say that we'll live... <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Happily Ever After" href="#" target="_blank">Happily Ever After</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Here in <em>Epic Experiment</em>, we usually choose function over form. However, winning the game with this combination of cards seems way too funny to pass on.</p>
<p>Let's talk about this interaction. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Happily Ever After" href="#" target="_blank">Happily Ever After</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a "You Win" card that needs some set-up in order to be effective (I wrote an article about it, here's the <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/epic-experiment-happily-ever-after/">link</a>). Doomsday is the perfect set-up card for it, as it stacks our deck, allowing us to have easy access to all the support we need.</p>
<p>For commander choices, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Golos, Tireless Pilgrim" href="#" target="_blank">Golos, Tireless Pilgrim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a perfect pick for this strategy. Its activated ability is really powerful on its own, and it allows us to dig through our Doomsday pile very fast. Golos's ETB trigger is also very helpful because it let us find high-value lands, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth" href="#" target="_blank">Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cabal Coffers" href="#" target="_blank">Cabal Coffers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<hr />
<h3>Doomsday Piles</h3>
<p>From top to bottom:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Happily Ever After" href="#" target="_blank">Happily Ever After</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Turnabout" href="#" target="_blank">Turnabout</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Planewide Celebration" href="#" target="_blank">Planewide Celebration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beacon of Immortality" href="#" target="_blank">Beacon of Immortality</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nexus of Fate" href="#" target="_blank">Nexus of Fate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p>This is how this pile operates:</p>
<ol>
<li>We cast Doomsday with Golos on the field and enough mana to activate it</li>
<li>Activate Golos</li>
<li>Cast Planewide Celebration (choosing 1 token and the rest life gain)</li>
<li>Cast Turnabout</li>
<li>Activate Golos</li>
<li>Cast Nexus of Fate</li>
<li>Cast Happily Ever After</li>
<li>Cast Beacon of Immortality</li>
</ol>
<p>This pile allows us to start our extra turn with all the required pieces if we cast it with at least six life before casting Doomsday.</p>
<p>We have some backup for each piece other than Happily Ever After. They're easy to exchange, but some will often require some adaptation on our part.</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zacama, Primal Calamity" href="#" target="_blank">Zacama, Primal Calamity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> substitutes Turnabout, but we need to replace Nexus of Fate with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Final Fortune" href="#" target="_blank">Final Fortune</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heroes Remembered" href="#" target="_blank">Heroes Remembered</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can cover Beacon of Immortality. We'll need at least 26 life before Doomsday, though</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Progenitus" href="#" target="_blank">Progenitus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> covers for Planewide Celebration, but we need to replace Beacon of Immortality with Heroes Remembered, and we'll need at least 30 life before Doomsday.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Final Fortune" href="#" target="_blank">Final Fortune</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can cover for Nexus of Fate. However, we'll have to cast Beacon of Immortality before Happily ever After, so we need at least 12 life before Doomsday</li>
</ul>
<p>As you can see, life is the one constant that we need to invest heavily in, and even then, we can't fully guarantee that we'll be successful. This means that life gain is crucial; that being said, investing heavily in our life total eases our burden on the combo turn. However, as important as life gain is to us, we're not including strictly life gain cards, as these effects tend to be nullified pretty quickly. Instead, we're using a wide array of strong life gain cards that pull double duty. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Courser of Kruphix" href="#" target="_blank">Courser of Kruphix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tatyova, Benthic Druid" href="#" target="_blank">Tatyova, Benthic Druid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are constant sources of life gain. These might not seem much; however, during the course of a game they can add up. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloudblazer" href="#" target="_blank">Cloudblazer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elite Guardmage" href="#" target="_blank">Elite Guardmage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Knight of Autumn" href="#" target="_blank">Knight of Autumn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are one-shot effects, but they are less vulnerable to removal. The extra life buffer, coupled with the bodies, are an essential part of how we can stay afloat against more aggressive decks.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Biomancer&#039;s Familiar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zirda, the Dawnwaker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Training Grounds"></div></div>
<p>We also have a dedicated cost-reducing suite for Golos's activate ability. These cards aren't here to help us combo; instead, their job is to help us grind better. When we start getting to the point of being able to activate Golos's ability twice a turn, we're pretty much set, and there's a noticeable difference between needing 14 mana and needing 10 mana.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Happily Ever After Doomsday" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*Golos, Tireless Pilgrim
[/Commander]
[Artifact]
*Sol Ring
*Arcane Signet
*Chromatic Lantern
*Heartstone
[/Artifact]
[Creature]
*Arboreal Grazer
*Birds of Paradise
*Baleful Strix
*Biomancer&#039;s Familiar
*Coiling Oracle
*Elvish Visionary
*Hydroid Krasis
*Courser of Kruphix
*Drift of Phantasms
*Dryad of the Ilysian Grove
*Knight of Autumn
*Murderous Rider
*Spellseeker
*Uro, Titan of Nature&#039;s Wrath
*Zirda, the Dawnwaker
*Crypt Ghast
*Elite Guardmage
*Cloudblazer
*Mulldrifter
*Tatyova, Benthic Druid
*Felidar Sovereign
*Zacama, Primal Calamity
*Progenitus
[/Creature]
[Enchantment]
*Authority of the Counculs
*Training Grounds
*Blind Obedience
*Ghostly Prison
*Happily Ever After
*Revenge of Ravens
[/Enchantment]
[Instant]
*Crop Rotation
*Mystical Tutor
*Nature&#039;s Claim
*Arcane Denial
*Cyclonic Rift
*Despark
*Dovin&#039;s Veto
*Final Fortune
*Growth Spiral
*Teferi&#039;s Protection
*Turnabout
*Beacon of Immortality
*Nexus of Fate
[/Instant]
[Sorcery]
*Farseek
*Nature&#039;s Lore
*Cultivate
*Doomsday
*Grim Tutor
*Kodama&#039;s Reach
*Damnation
*Debt to the Deathless
*Skyshroud Claim
*Hour of Promise
*Austere Command
*Planewide Celebration
*Heroes Remembered
[/Sorcery]
[Land]
*Blood Crypt
*Bojuka Bog
*Breeding Pool
*Cabal Coffers
*City of Brass
*Command Tower
*Exotic Orchard
*Field of the Dead
*Ghost Quarter
*Godless Shrine
*Hall of Heliod&#039;s Generosity
*Hallowed Fountain
*Indatha Triome
*Ketria Triome
*Mana Confluence
*Overgrown Tomb
*Raugrin Triome
*Sacred Foundry
*Savai Triome
*Steam Vents
*Stomping Ground
*Tectonic Edge
*Temple Garden
*Tolaria West
*Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
*Watery Grave
*Zagoth Triome
*2 Forest
*Island
*Mountain
*2 Plains
*Snow-Covered Forest
*Snow-Covered Island
*Snow-Covered Mountain
*Snow-Covered Plains
*Snow-Covered Swamp
*2 Swamp
[/Land]"></span></div></p>

<hr />
<p>Golos's ETB is really powerful, especially in EDH where we have a huge pool of lands, but we are restricted to only one copy. This, together with Golos's activated ability, makes Golos tricky to deal with. Remove it, we get another powerful land; leave it alone, we start activating it. There's no escape.</p>
<p>Speaking of powerful lands, the iconic duo of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cabal Coffers" href="#" target="_blank">Cabal Coffers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth" href="#" target="_blank">Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a quick way to get to the mana threshold that we need to combo off. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bojuka Bog" href="#" target="_blank">Bojuka Bog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be a great graveyard hate if timed right. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Field of the Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Field of the Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the best land when we're looking to grind out on longer games. Outside of those, we can always grab rainbow lands like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Command Tower" href="#" target="_blank">Command Tower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> just for the color fixing they provide.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Felidar Sovereign"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Debt to the Deathless"></div></div>
<p>As far as back up win conditions we have a couple of decent options, both of which have their own dedicated Doomsday pile. It might not be as flavorful as Happily Ever After, but we should have some options just in case. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Felidar Sovereign" href="#" target="_blank">Felidar Sovereign</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a perfect fit for a deck that already has lots of life gain potential and also has easy access to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beacon of Immortality" href="#" target="_blank">Beacon of Immortality</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heroes Remembered" href="#" target="_blank">Heroes Remembered</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and extra turn effects. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Debt to the Deathless" href="#" target="_blank">Debt to the Deathless</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s first job is to net us life, but we can also use it as a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fireball" href="#" target="_blank">Fireball</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effect, especially with our untap effects. The best part is that since Doomsday also takes cards from the graveyard we don't need to keep holding it until we can K.O. our opponents.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<p>Our opening hands have a bit of variance into them: we're a five-color deck that has a lot of combo pieces that we DON'T want to find before going off. Luckily for us, we can recover them in the late game with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doomsday" href="#" target="_blank">Doomsday</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (as long as they haven't been exiled), so we get some of those benefits even though it's not optimal.</p>
<p>The early game should be dedicated to ramp and color-fixing and protecting ourselves. An explosive start isn't necessarily good for us, so by building a strong foundation we'll transition better into the mid game, which is by far more important than trying to goldfish.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Field of the Dead"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cabal Coffers"></div></div>
<p>In the mid game, we should start looking for opportunities to combo lines, and they'll usually start by getting our commander online. While we need our Golos to combo out, we don't mind that much if it dies; in fact, Golos's ETB makes it that much attractive to keep casting it. One important mid game decision point is which land to choose for our first Golos's trigger: do we have either of the Coffers/Urborg combo in our hand (or have access to tutors for one of them)? Then we should get the other piece. Are we going for a slower game? Then <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Field of the Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Field of the Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can provide useful chump blockers.</p>
<p>The late game is somewhat kind to us. Our commander is a really powerful draw engine, and it generates a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation to our opponents. We also have three ways to win the game, so it'll be pretty hard to get hated out of the game. That being said, the deck is vulnerable to being aggro'd out and relies on life points to win the game, so we can't be too reckless.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Propaganda"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kambal, Consul of Allocation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Retreat to Kazandu"></div></div>
<p>If we're already being the baddies, why not go full villain and invest heavier in prison elements? <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Propaganda" href="#" target="_blank">Propaganda</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and friends works similar to life gain cards (outside the combo, of course) by making our opponents have to choose between developing the board or attacking us. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thaumatic Compass" href="#" target="_blank">Thaumatic Compass</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maze of Ith" href="#" target="_blank">Maze of Ith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> each give us both political capital and make our attack taxes (attaxes?) that much more effective.</p>
<p>We could also invest in more life gain elements and rely on them to reach the late game. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Retreat to Kazandu" href="#" target="_blank">Retreat to Kazandu</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a good constant source of life gain, especially in a deck like ours that is constantly triggering <em>Landfall</em>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soul Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Soul Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects are a great way to give us a lot of life very quickly; however, they tend to work more like a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fog" href="#" target="_blank">Fog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effect than most cards(that's if we don't pair it with other prison elements).</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment!</em> What do you think about this list? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which didn’t you? Was this <em>Epic Experiment</em> a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Doomsday

Collected Company - Gyruda

Epic Experiment - Illuna Storm

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gerrard, Weatherlight Hero" href="#" target="_blank">Gerrard, Weatherlight Hero</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://zack_stella.artstation.com/">Zack Stella</a>)</h6>
<h1 style="text-align: left;">Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo Melibeu, and this is <em>Epic Experiment,</em> a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>In this article we'll be looking into the second iteration (technically third, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Master of Arms" href="#" target="_blank">Master of Arms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> doesn't really count) of one of the most iconic characters in <em>Magic</em> lore history: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gerrard, Weatherlight Hero" href="#" target="_blank">Gerrard, Weatherlight Hero</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gerrard, Weatherlight Hero"></div></div>
<p><strong>First Strike</strong></p>
<p><strong>When Gerrard Weatherlight Hero dies, exile it and return to the battlefield all artifact and creature cards in your graveyard that were put there from the battlefield this turn.</strong></p>
<p>Observation 1:</p>
<p>Having access to a slightly worse <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Second Sunrise" href="#" target="_blank">Second Sunrise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effect in the Command Zone can be quite versatile, as it can function in both aggressive decks looking for board wipe protection and combo decks as a sort of engine card.</p>
<p>Observation 2:</p>
<p>Gerrard's main drawback as a Boros commander is his high mana cost which can get prohibitively expensive if we cast him a bunch of times. Another glaring weakness is his vulnerability to single target removal spells, which not only further exacerbates his high CMC problem but also completely invalidates his main selling point.</p>
<p>Observation 3:</p>
<p>The artifact builds of Gerrard seem a bit stronger than his creature ones, as both of his colors provide plenty of support, unlike with creature-based synergies where red is a bit lacking.</p>
<p>Observation 4:</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nevinyrral&#039;s Disk" href="#" target="_blank">Nevinyrral&#039;s Disk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is just a nasty card with Gerrard. It gives us a recurrable asymmetrical board wipe, although it can get expensive pretty quickly.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Old Formula</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gerrard-Sig.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-47477" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gerrard-Sig.png" alt="" width="1066" height="407" /></a></p>
<p>As we can see, Gerrard's high synergy list mainly consists of the combo aspect of the commander, which is not all that surprising since it does seem like a more commander-focused build.</p>
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">The Epic Ingredients</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Coalhauler Swine"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arcbond"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blasphemous Act"></div></div>
<p>Gerrard's ability to protect our board illustrates his qualities as a leader, sacrificing himself for his people. But what if we're in a "are we the baddies?" type of situation and we turn his selfless sacrifice into a sadistic desire to make our people suffers twice as much? While still somewhat a small niche, the self-damage archetype, for lack of a better name (I ended up calling it piñata in this <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/epic-experiment-pinata-riku/">Riku article</a>), keeps getting better with time. Gerrard's job is quite simple: he is a cheap way to get more value from our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stuffy Doll" href="#" target="_blank">Stuffy Doll</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects, allowing us to get be able to complete the combo multiple times a turn.</p>
<p>For the actual pieces, we're trying to gather a two-card combo, with the first part being the creatures, and the second being the damage effects. Both parts of this combo are pretty straightforward: we have a few copies of same effect, two of the most noteworthy being <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Repercussion" href="#" target="_blank">Repercussion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which turns our opponents' creatures into self-damaging <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stuffy Doll" href="#" target="_blank">Stuffy Doll</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcbond" href="#" target="_blank">Arcbond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which turns any creature into a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coalhauler Swine" href="#" target="_blank">Coalhauler Swine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Angrath&#039;s Marauders"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Furnace of Rath"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dictate of the Twin Gods"></div></div>
<p>Damage-doubling cards, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dictate of the Twin Gods" href="#" target="_blank">Dictate of the Twin Gods</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, work really well in this type of combo because they double dip in the sense that they double the damage that the creatures deal and then double the damage that they deal from the trigger. There are some great options here, but I'd advise to not go overboard with them since they do have the tendency to sit stagnant in our hand.</p>
<p>Our commander is a great help to keep a chain going, but we can't rely on having him out all the time; granting indestructibility to our creatures is one efficient way to get around this minor detail. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archangel Avacyn" href="#" target="_blank">Archangel Avacyn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great one-time effect that also acts as a small clock. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Frontline Medic" href="#" target="_blank">Frontline Medic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is cheap and is pretty easy to trigger since we have the tendency to have a couple of bodies lying around. Last, but not least, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boros Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Boros Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which is cheap, instant-speed, and fetchable with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">The Mixture</h2>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Gerrard Piñata" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*Gerrard, Weatherlight Hero
[/Commander]
[Artifact]
*Everflowing Chalice
*Sol Ring
*Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
*Ankh of Mishra
*Arcane Signet
*Boros Signet
*Coldsteel Heart
*Fellwar Stone
*Mind Stone
*Talisman of Conviction
*Sunforger
*Worn Powerstone
*Hedron Archive
[/Artifact]
[Creature]
*Dockside Extortionist
*Mogg Maniac
*Selfless Spirit
*Boros Reckoner
*Frontline Medic
*Magus of the Moon
*Rampaging Ferocidon
*Spiteful Sliver
*Zo-Zu the Punisher
*Spitemare
*Truefire Captain
*Volcano Hellion
*Archangel Avacyn
*Stuffy Doll
*Coalhauler Swine
*Angrath&#039;s Marauders
[/Creature]
[Enchantment]
*Land Tax
*Tectonic Reformation
*Blood Moon
*Repercussion
*Spellshock
*Sulfuric Vortex
*Burning Earth
*Furnace of Rath
*Manabarbs
*Smothering Tithe
*Dictate of the Twin Gods
[/Enchantment]
[Instant]
*Enlightened Tutor
*Swords to Plowshare
*Path to Exile
*Boros Charm
*Price of Progress
*Thrill of Possibility
*Arcbond
*Chaos Warp
*Teferi&#039;s Protection
*Wear // Tear
[/Instant]
[Sorcery]
*Faithless Looting
*Magmatic Insight
*Vandalblast
*Cathartic Reunion
*Tormenting Voice
*Twinflame
*Chain Reaction
*Shivan Meteor
*Star of Extinction
*Blasphemous Act
*Earthquake
*Molten Disaster
[/Sorcery]
[Land]
*Command Tower
*Sacred Foundry
*City of Brass
*Mana Confluence
*Battlefield Forge
*Clifftop Retreat
*Inspiring Vantage
*Temple of Triumph
*Prismatic Vista
*Fabled Passage
*Ash Barrens
*16 Snow-Covered Mountain
*10 Snow-Covered Plains
[/Land]"></span></div></p>

<hr />
<p>The rest of the deck is a dedicated group slug shell, which helps getting our opponents low enough to be in range of our combo, and the group slug cards do stack well with our damage-doublers. Our biggest problem, as a combo deck, is to fill the gap between the beginning of the game and the combo turn. It's really naive to think that we, without blue in our deck, could ever hope to curve out into a win in the early game by playing creatures and then, on the next turn, playing a board wipe.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arcbond"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Boros Charm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Enlightened Tutor"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, while a staple in Boros, is especially good here. We're packing the usual package of forge-able spells, but with a small twist: we have combo options available to us. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcbond" href="#" target="_blank">Arcbond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which we can use with or without our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stuffy Doll" href="#" target="_blank">Stuffy Doll</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s, is an instant we can fetch with our favorite Equipment, to begin a beautiful combo. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boros Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Boros Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which I discussed already, is great when played out of nowhere, and there's even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Enlightened Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Enlightened Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which also has plenty of amazing target, such as most of our damage-doublers and even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stuffy Doll" href="#" target="_blank">Stuffy Doll</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> itself.</p>
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Methodology</h2>
<p>For our opening hand, we're looking mostly into early hate and mana ramp. We don't need to rush to end the game, so it's better to have a disruptive early game where we can sneak in a few instances chip damage.</p>
<p>For the early game, we'll be dividing our turns between accelerating and trying to play hate pieces. Most of these pieces tend to attract aggro from other players, so a little bit of reading the room goes a long way. We need to start looking into possible targets/threats, since some of our answers are single-target only.</p>
<p>By the mid-game, we should start looking to control the board, either by stacking multiple lock pieces or simply using one of our many board wipes to reset the board. This is the time where we'll start to look for possible openings to play our combo, but that'll mostly depend on which pieces we have available at the time.</p>
<p>Things start getting a little worse for us in the late game. Most of the difficulties stem from the fact that we don't have enough card draw, and we need at least two cards to combo out. However, it does become easier to snipe a player or two with our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Earthquake" href="#" target="_blank">Earthquake</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects or even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Price of Progress" href="#" target="_blank">Price of Progress</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stranglehold"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Imperial Recruiter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Heartless Hidetsugu"></div></div>
<p>We have plenty of great suggestions. For a more lock-centric build, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stranglehold" href="#" target="_blank">Stranglehold</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blind Obedience" href="#" target="_blank">Blind Obedience</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are great options. Need a little help getting the combo out faster? The recruiter duo <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Recruiter of the Guard" href="#" target="_blank">Recruiter of the Guard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Imperial Recruiter" href="#" target="_blank">Imperial Recruiter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can find some of our combo creatures. We could also add some haymakers with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heartless Hidetsugu" href="#" target="_blank">Heartless Hidetsugu</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or even something hasty such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aurelia, the Warleader" href="#" target="_blank">Aurelia, the Warleader</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment!</em> What do you think about this list? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which didn’t you? Was the <em>Epic Experiment</em> a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Gerrard Piñata

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Siona, Captain of the Pyleas" href="#" target="_blank">Siona, Captain of the Pyleas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>| Art by <a href="https://chrisrallis.artstation.com/">Chris Rallis</a>)</h6>
<h1>Stax and Attacks</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo Melibeu, and this is <em>Epic Experiment,</em> a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>In this article we'll be talking about a very interesting Selesnya commander, who has the ability to go both wide and tall: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Siona, Captain of the Pyleas" href="#" target="_blank">Siona, Captain of the Pyleas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Siona, Captain of the Pyleas"></div></div>
<p><strong>When Siona, Captain of the Pyleas enters the battlefield, look at the top seven cards of your library. You may reveal an Aura card from among them and put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Whenever an Aura you control becomes attached to a creature you control, create a 1/1 white Human Soldier creature token.</strong></p>
<p>Observation 1:</p>
<p>Siona is an amazing card; it does the usual Selesnya token stuff, but with the unique spin of 'Auras matter'.</p>
<p>Observation 2:</p>
<p>The combination of a decent ETB and a great static ability makes her kit impressive for such a cheap commander.</p>
<p>Observation 3:</p>
<p>Siona's ability to flood the board with cheap Auras is kind of lackluster at face value. However, there are many ways that we can abuse the extra bodies in green.</p>
<p>Observation 4:</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shielded by Faith" href="#" target="_blank">Shielded by Faith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a two-card combo with Siona, which in itself is already impressive, but even more so when you consider that one piece of the combo (Siona) digs for the other.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Old Formula</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Siona-Sig.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-46816" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Siona-Sig.png" alt="" width="1189" height="330" /></a></p>
<p>Siona is full of powerful synergies. Her kit brings to her EDHREC page a bevy of low-cost Auras, which work great with Enchantress effects. We even get full value from the stricter forms of these abilities, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kor Spiritdancer" href="#" target="_blank">Kor Spiritdancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Epic Ingredients</h2>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Smokestack"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rancor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Martyr&#039;s Bond"></div></div><br />
When <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Siona, Captain of the Pyleas" href="#" target="_blank">Siona, Captain of the Pyleas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was spoiled, I was impressed by her potential to flood the board by using cheap Auras like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flickering Ward" href="#" target="_blank">Flickering Ward</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can be easily built around in GW. The ability to put that many permanents into play goes really well with one of my guilty pleasures cards: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Smokestack" href="#" target="_blank">Smokestack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Siona's kit allows her to easily negate the downsides of a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Smokestack" href="#" target="_blank">Smokestack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with two or three counters. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="World Queller" href="#" target="_blank">World Queller</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> works here, too, which is not as disruptive as Smokestack, but the redundancy is quite nice and can pretty much shut down decks that aren't dedicated to a theme as strongly as we are.</p>
<p>Siona's ETB naturally gravitates her towards <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wild Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Wild Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects. This means our lands will be a more efficient than the rest of the table, which breaks the symmetry of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winter Orb" href="#" target="_blank">Winter Orb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects. As you can see, Siona can has all the makings of an interesting Stax commander!</p>
<p>We have quite a diverse hate suite, hitting many of the most common threats; however, this is a section where we should look to adapt to our meta. For example, against artifacts, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Damping Matrix" href="#" target="_blank">Damping Matrix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Collector Ouphe" href="#" target="_blank">Collector Ouphe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stony Silence" href="#" target="_blank">Stony Silence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aura Shards" href="#" target="_blank">Aura Shards</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Against graveyard decks, there's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Containment Priest" href="#" target="_blank">Containment Priest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ground Seal" href="#" target="_blank">Ground Seal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wheel of Sun and Moon" href="#" target="_blank">Wheel of Sun and Moon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. To slow down decks with heavy tutor or card advantage abilities, we can use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alms Collector" href="#" target="_blank">Alms Collector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aven Mindcensor" href="#" target="_blank">Aven Mindcensor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Smothering Tithe" href="#" target="_blank">Smothering Tithe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The possibilities are plentiful, and how deep we go against a particular archetype is metagame-dependent.</p>
<p>Another key factor in this deck is our recurring enchantment suite. These enchantments are a guaranteed way to get consistent ETB triggers, providing us value and card advantage when combined with Enchantress effects. We mostly have two kinds of Auras. First, the ones that come back after going to the graveyard, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aspect of Mongoose" href="#" target="_blank">Aspect of Mongoose</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brilliant Halo" href="#" target="_blank">Brilliant Halo</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These are important effects, since we use them as sacrifice fodder, then replay them to get even more tokens. Second, the Auras that we get to bounce back to our hand, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flickering Ward" href="#" target="_blank">Flickering Ward</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Whip Silk" href="#" target="_blank">Whip Silk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conviction" href="#" target="_blank">Conviction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These make grindy games a whole lot easier.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shielded By Faith"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sigil of the Empty Throne"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Triumph of the Hordes"></div></div>
<p>Since we actually need to win, let's talk about win conditions. The <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shielded by Faith" href="#" target="_blank">Shielded by Faith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> combo is a must-include, a cheap two-card combo that we have a shot at digging it with our commander. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigil of the Empty Throne" href="#" target="_blank">Sigil of the Empty Throne</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is exactly the type of grindy permanent-producing win con that we're looking for. On the other hand, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Triumph of the Hordes" href="#" target="_blank">Triumph of the Hordes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lacks the permanent threat potential of other win cons, but can eliminate one problematic player much faster, giving us a nice balance of effects for immediate victory or for longer games.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Siona Stax" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div></p>
<p>[Commander]Siona, Captain of the Pyleas[/Commander]</p>
<p>[Creature]</p>
<p>*Avacyn's Pilgrim<br />
*Birds of Paradise<br />
*Argothian Enchantress<br />
*Auratog<br />
*Collector Ouphe<br />
*Containment Priest<br />
*Grand Abolisher<br />
*Kor Spiritdancer<br />
*Qasali Pridemage<br />
*Sram, Senior Edificer<br />
*Aven Mindcensor<br />
*Setessan Champion<br />
*Thalia, Heretic Cathar<br />
*Alms Collector</p>
<p>*Eidolon of Blossoms<br />
*Hokori, Dust Drinker<br />
*Loxodon Gatekeeper<br />
*World Queller<br />
[/Creature]</p>
<p>[Enchantment]</p>
<p>*Flickering Ward<br />
*Land Tax<br />
*On Thin Ice<br />
*Rancor<br />
*Sentinel's Eyes<br />
*Spider Umbra<br />
*Utopia Sprawl<br />
*Whip Silk<br />
*Wild Growth<br />
*Aspect of Mongoose<br />
*Brilliant Halo<br />
*Conviction<br />
*Darksteel Mutation<br />
*Felidar Umbra<br />
*Fertile Ground<br />
*Ground Seal<br />
*Kenrith's Transformation<br />
*Seal of Primordium<br />
*Sterling Grove<br />
*Stony Silence<br />
*Sun Clasp<br />
*Wheel of Sun and Moon</p>
<p>*Wolfwillow Haven<br />
*Aura Shard<br />
*Enchantress's Presence<br />
*Overgrowth<br />
*Shielded by Faith<br />
*Verdant Haven<br />
*Weirdling Woods</p>
<p>*Dawn's Reflection</p>
<p>*Market Festival</p>
<p>*Smothering Tithe<br />
*Sigil of the Empty Throne<br />
*Martyr's Bond<br />
[/Enchantment]</p>
<p>[Artifact]</p>
<p>*Skullclamp</p>
<p>*Sol Ring<br />
*Winter Orb<br />
*Damping Matrix<br />
*Static Orb<br />
*Tangle WIre<br />
*Smokestack</p>
<p>[/Artifact]</p>
<p>[Sorcery]</p>
<p>*Idyllic Tutor<br />
*Triumph of the Hordes<br />
*Wrath of God<br />
*Austere Command</p>
<p>[/Sorcery]</p>
<p>[Instant]</p>
<p>*Enlightened Tutor</p>
<p>[/Instant]</p>
<p>[Land]</p>
<p>*Command Tower<br />
*Bountiful Promenade<br />
*Temple Garden<br />
*City of Brass<br />
*Mana Confluence<br />
*Brushland<br />
*Sunpetal Grove<br />
*Fortified Village<br />
*Canopy Vista<br />
*Scattered Grove<br />
*Temple of Plenty<br />
*Stirring Wildwood<br />
*Blossoming Sands<br />
*Tranquil Thicket<br />
*Secluded Steppe<br />
*Ash Barrens<br />
*Ghost Quarter<br />
*Tectonic Edge<br />
*10 Snow-Covered Forest<br />
*7 Snow-Covered Plains<br />
[/Land]</p>
<p>[/Deck]</p>
<hr />
<p>Now let's get one thing straight about this list and, to some extent, its archetype. Stax is pretty divisive among EDH's community, with many people having negative feelings about it. As a social format, part of our goal is to adjust our decks according to our meta and games are only fun if everyone is enjoying them. Because of that, it might be better to ask how your playgroup feels about stax before playing it, so you don't build something that will make people unhappy.</p>
<p>Since our commander can dig pretty deep for Auras, we're also using Auras as our removal suite. Opting out of instant-speed interaction has the obvious downside of losing the flexibility of acting in response; however, our removal has the knee-capping potential of permanently locking an opponent out of their commander. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kenrith&#039;s Transformation" href="#" target="_blank">Kenrith&#039;s Transformation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an efficient removal that also cantrips, for instance, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Darksteel Mutation" href="#" target="_blank">Darksteel Mutation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a nasty card which can pretty much shut down someone's commander, since it doesn't allow the enchanted creature to be destroyed as collateral by board wipes.</p>
<p>Our card draw suite is mainly Enchantress effects, with some focus on those of the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kor Spiritdancer" href="#" target="_blank">Kor Spiritdancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> style, since they are cheaper. It's usually not a good idea to only use these kinds of draw effects, and to diversify the card advantage suite a bit more, but our deck has a tendency of being able to recast the same enchantment multiple times, so I'm happy to lean into these abilities.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<p>Our priorities for an opening hand vary based on our opponents because some of our lock pieces are more effective than others. Normally, what we want to see is a form of mana acceleration and some source of disruption. Our commander is great at finding some more action, which can lead into more flexibility for what we keep in our opening hand.</p>
<p>In the early game our priority is to accelerate to either put down a stax piece or to start putting out Soldiers with Siona. A good early game is crucial to keep the rest of the table in check, but we always have to keep in mind that we need to be ahead on board before playing things like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winter Orb" href="#" target="_blank">Winter Orb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>By the mid game we should start layering down our disruption by playing multiple pieces that lock other players down. This is really crucial if we want to actually stop our opponents instead of just slowly annoying them. Another key aspect that we must not forget is the free damage that we can dish out with our tokens, especially when blocking might mean that we get back one of our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-type of Auras.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Winter Orb"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rancor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Triumph of the Hordes"></div></div>
<p>In the late game we should have found the combo, or even just ground people out with our tokens. Otherwise our deck will start to be out-scaled pretty quickly. Luckily for us, this is where the more explosive cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shielded By Faith" href="#" target="_blank">Shielded By Faith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Triumph of the Hordes" href="#" target="_blank">Triumph of the Hordes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> come in handy.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Linvala, Keeper of Silence"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cryptolith Rite"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Calix, Destiny&#039;s Hand"></div></div>
<p>Like I said before, there are plenty of ways to lock the game out, and there are many things to take into consideration, such as power level and environment. So if you want to take this deck and adapt it, there's plenty of opportunity to do so! For instance, one could capitalize on the tokens with effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cryptolith Rite" href="#" target="_blank">Cryptolith Rite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glare of Subdual" href="#" target="_blank">Glare of Subdual</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment!</em> What do you think about this list? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which didn’t you? Was the <em>Epic Experiment</em> a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Siona Stax

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<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> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/depingo">Anna Steinbauer</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo Melibeu, and this is <em>Epic Experiment,</em> a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>In this article we'll talk about one particularly powerful mono-color combo commander released in <em>Throne of Eldraine</em>: <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>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Syr Konrad, the Grim"></div></div>
<p><strong>Whenever another creature dies, or a creature card is put into a graveyard from anywhere other than the battlefield, or a creature card leaves your graveyard, Syr Konrad, the Grim deals 1 damage to each opponent.</strong></p>
<p><strong>(1)(B): Each player puts the top card of their library into their graveyard.</strong></p>
<p>Observation 1:</p>
<p>His triggered ability is so easy to trigger that he can be built around many common themes such as Mill, Aristocrats, and Dredge.</p>
<p>Observation 2:</p>
<p>There are a lot of powerful cards that can be combined with <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>: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mindcrank" href="#" target="_blank">Mindcrank</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can keep milling our opponents as long as one of them mills a creature, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Morality Shift" href="#" target="_blank">Morality Shift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a straight-up "win the game" button in the right circumstances.</p>
<p>Observation 3:</p>
<p>While his activated ability is not all that exciting, it does a decent job of starting a self-mill chain. It can also be an outlet for infinite mana.</p>
<p>Observation 4:</p>
<p>Being a five-mana combo piece is a pretty nasty downside, making it hard to do a full combo in a single turn, which also makes him vulnerable to removal.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Old Formula</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Syr-Konrad-Sig.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-46237" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Syr-Konrad-Sig.png" alt="" width="1061" height="471" /></a></p>
<p>Syr Konrad is quite the powerhouse! Just looking at his signature card list shows Syr Konrad's high combo potential. Many of those cards can be quite explosive in the right circumstances. Aside from that, we see also a trend of Aristocrat effects and self-mill, which completely makes sense.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Epic Ingredients</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ashes of the Fallen"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Haakon, Stromgald Scourge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Walking Ballista"></div></div>
<p>It's not a surprise that a <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> list is probably relying on some sort of combo, so in order to find a space on the current posted lists, we need to try to find a different type of combo. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ashes of the Fallen" href="#" target="_blank">Ashes of the Fallen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is such an interesting niche card, and together with <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> (or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Liliana, Untouched By Death" href="#" target="_blank">Liliana, Untouched By Death</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>), it lets us make infinite ETB/LTB (enters-the-battlefield and leaves-the-battlefield) triggers on zero-mana 0/0s, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stonecoil Serpent" href="#" target="_blank">Stonecoil Serpent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This combo fits right in with a Syr Konrad deck because of his ability to emulate a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zulaport Cutthroat" href="#" target="_blank">Zulaport Cutthroat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in the command zone.</p>
<p>One thing that impresses me about this combo is that, while historically speaking, a deck that runs cheeri0s effects suffers from having a lot of dead cards, this deck can take advantage of them even outside of the combo turn. With plenty of Aristocrat effects, like draw on LTB (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Prophecy" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Prophecy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>), or treasure token on LTB <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pitiless Plunderer" href="#" target="_blank">Pitiless Plunderer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we can make our zero-drops into a "build your own sorcery" effect.</p>
<p>The biggest hurdle that we have to overcome when playing <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> is that we need to get him into our graveyard first in order to cast him. This might seem like a minor set-back, but in a deck that's already slot-heavy like ours, finding the right balance can prove to be a bit of a challenge. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Final Parting" href="#" target="_blank">Final Parting</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great way to set up for the combo, as we can get access to both main combo pieces. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bog Witch" href="#" target="_blank">Bog Witch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overeager Apprentice" href="#" target="_blank">Overeager Apprentice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are an interesting way to discard Haakon (if we're unfortunate enough to draw him) and power out our combo in just one card.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Syr Konrad Cheeri0s" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div></p>
<p>[Commander]Syr Konrad, the Grim[/ec]</p>
<p>[Creature]</p>
<p>*Endless One<br />
*Hangarback Walker<br />
*Phyrexian Marauder<br />
*Shifting Wall<br />
*Stonecoil Serpent<br />
*Ugin's Conjurant<br />
*Walking Ballista<br />
*Dusk Legion Zealot<br />
*Reassembling Skeleton<br />
*Rotting Rats<br />
*Yarok's Fenlurker<br />
*Zulaport Cutthroat<br />
*Bog Witch<br />
*Grim Haruspex<br />
*Haakon, Stromgald Scourge<br />
*Midnight Reaper<br />
*Overeager Apprentice<br />
*Plaguecrafter<br />
*Woe Strider<br />
*Yahenni, Undying Partisan<br />
*Crypt Ghast<br />
*Disciple of Bolas<br />
*Erebos, Bleak-Hearted<br />
*Nightmare Shepherd<br />
*Pitiless Plunderer<br />
*Ravenous Chupacabra<br />
*Solemn Simulacrum<br />
*Shriekmaw<br />
*Skirge Familiar<br />
*Harvester of Souls<br />
*Kokusho, the Evening Star</p>
<p>[/Creature]</p>
<p>[Instant]</p>
<p>*Entomb</p>
<p>*Costly Plunder</p>
<p>*Hero's Downfall</p>
<p>[/Instant]</p>
<p>[Sorcery]</p>
<p>*Torment of Hailfire<br />
*Buried Alive</p>
<p>*Fortuitous Find<br />
*Damnation<br />
*Mutilate<br />
*Beacon of Unrest</p>
<p>*Final Parting<br />
*Beseech the Queen<br />
[/Sorcery]</p>
<p>[Enchantment]</p>
<p>*Phyrexian Reclamation<br />
*Dark Prophecy<br />
*Grave Pact<br />
*Greed<br />
*Dictate of Erebos</p>
<p>[/Enchantment]</p>
<p>[Artifact]</p>
<p>*Everflowing Chalice<br />
*Sol Ring</p>
<p>*Wayfarer's Bauble<br />
*Ashes of the Fallen<br />
*Charcoal Diamond<br />
*Coldsteel Heart<br />
*Fellwar Stone<br />
*Jet Medallion<br />
*Mind Stone<br />
*Mindcrank<br />
*Commander's Sphere<br />
*Hedron Archive<br />
*Gilded Lotus<br />
[/Artifact]</p>
<p>[Planeswalker]</p>
<p>*Liliana, Untouched By Death</p>
<p>[/Planeswalker][Land]</p>
<p>*Buried Ruin<br />
*Ghost Quarter<br />
*Tectonic Edge<br />
*Myriad Landscape<br />
*Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth<br />
*Cabal Coffers<br />
*Cabal Stronghold<br />
*29 Swamp</p>
<p>[/Land]</p>
<p>[/Deck]</p>

<hr />
<p>The rest of the deck is the usual mono-black Aristocrat shell that wants to play a grind game until either we're ready to combo out or use one of our secondary win conditions (mostly some poke with our commander or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kokusho, the Evening Star" href="#" target="_blank">Kokusho, the Evening Star</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>). If all else fails we can always try to go for a big <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Torment of Hailfire" href="#" target="_blank">Torment of Hailfire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Most of our combo pieces are somewhat resilient to hate: Haakon can be cast from the graveyard, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Liliana, Untouched by Death" href="#" target="_blank">Liliana, Untouched by Death</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a planeswalker, and they are both interchangeable. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ashes of the Fallen" href="#" target="_blank">Ashes of the Fallen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, however, is a one-of-a-kind card that doesn't have the same protection as those pieces and, because of that, it needs some special attention regarding recursion/protection. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beacon of Unrest" href="#" target="_blank">Beacon of Unrest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a flexible way to recover it, while also giving us the option of reanimating a high-priority target; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fortuitous Find" href="#" target="_blank">Fortuitous Find</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can provide a lot of value when it recovers two cards, although it's mainly there to get back Ashes.</p>
<hr />
<div id="mtgh_22ab7" class="mtgh">
<div class="header">
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nightmare Shepherd"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Erebos, Bleak-Hearted"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kokusho, the Evening Star"></div></div>
</div>
</div>
<p>We don't really need to rush for the combo for our opening hand; keeping a hand that can build an engine is much safer than trying to force a 2+0,5+0,5 card combo. Keep in mind that a hand with fast mana and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Final Parting" href="#" target="_blank">Final Parting</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is great since we can rush for a combo finish pretty easily.</p>
<p>For the early game we should aim to play some of our Aristocratic pieces, as they tend to give us a better mid game and they allow us to cash in early our cheeri0s. Needless to say, some pieces naturally have higher priority than others, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects are pretty important when comboing (although our commander can act as one), so it's better to play them as late as possible.</p>
<p>By the mid game we should be able to have some small engine going, even if it's something as lackluster as only one <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Prophecy" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Prophecy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-type effect on the battlefield. This is where we should start actively looking for our combo lines. If we're running a bit low on gas, we can play <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> just to chip in with some damage; although this might not seem like all that much, that might be the difference between having someone eliminated by a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Torment of Hailfire" href="#" target="_blank">Torment of Hailfire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or not.</p>
<p>The late game might be a question of whether we can find our combo pieces in time. Let's be honest, winning a game by grinding out people with ping damage in a non-dedicated deck with plenty of zero-drops is not an effective way to do things. However, they do help us stay health long enough to have a decent chance of finding our combo. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Behold the Beyond" href="#" target="_blank">Behold the Beyond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Final Parting" href="#" target="_blank">Final Parting</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are a strong late game critters that can pretty much seal the deal.</p>
<hr />
<div id="mtgh_22ab7" class="mtgh">
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
</div>
<div><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodchief Ascension"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grafted Exoskeleton"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Forever Young"></div></div></div>
<p>As I said in my initial analysis on <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>, there are a lot of powerful cards that we can use to fully abuse the power of our commander. Most of these were cut out since we don't really have all that many slots and they aren't as exciting to add. Nonetheless, they can be great additions.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Forever Young" href="#" target="_blank">Forever Young</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects are fun additions because, together with our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Prophecy" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Prophecy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects, we have some draw chain (I'd recommend adding <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maga, Traitor to Mortals" href="#" target="_blank">Maga, Traitor to Mortals</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to add another 0/0 creature).</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment!</em> What do you think about this list? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which didn’t you? Was the <em>Epic Experiment</em> a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Syr Konrad Ashes Combo

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sedris, the Traitor King" href="#" target="_blank">Sedris, the Traitor King</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/paulbonnerart/">Paul Bonner</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo Melibeu, and this is <em>Epic Experiment,</em> a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>Today we're going to talk about one of the most interesting commanders in Grixis. He has a powerful ability that allows us to temporarily reanimate any creature in our graveyard. Yes, we're going to build a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sedris, the Traitor King" href="#" target="_blank">Sedris, the Traitor King</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sedris, the Traitor King"></div></div>
<p><strong>Each creature in your graveyard has unearth {2}{B}. <em>({2}{B}: Return the card to the battlefield. The creature gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step or if it would leave the battlefield. Unearth only as a sorcery.)</em><br />
</strong></p>
<p>Observation 1:</p>
<p>Sedris tends to lose out on popularity when compared to similar commanders. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marchesa, the Black Rose" href="#" target="_blank">Marchesa, the Black Rose</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is generally more favored as a creature-based Grixis commander, and in terms of direct reanimation, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chainer, Nightmare Adept" href="#" target="_blank">Chainer, Nightmare Adept</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Karador, Ghost Chieftain" href="#" target="_blank">Karador, Ghost Chieftain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> have a more abusable version of the same effect. However, we do have the advantage of cheating on mana costs.</p>
<p>Observation 2:</p>
<p>Being a six-mana nongreen commander is pretty rough, especially when we then have to pay another three mana to actually start getting value from him.</p>
<p>Observation 3:</p>
<p>Given the previous factor, one should carefully consider before building around Sedris, since he paints a big red target on himself when he's out on the battlefield. On the other hand, he can be a great support for creature-based strategies because he offers a <em>Flashback</em> type of strategy.</p>
<p>Observation 4:</p>
<p>Sedris offers many great lines when played as a creature-based combo commander, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Entomb" href="#" target="_blank">Entomb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> + the <em>Unearth</em> ability becoming a very efficient way to put any creature in our deck into play.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Old Formula</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Sedris-Sig.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-43079" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Sedris-Sig.png" alt="" width="1159" height="534" /></a></p>
<p>As we can see, the average Sedris list try to play the grindy game, with lots of great ETB triggers. This is a bit confusing since we lose the body at end of turn, which means that we can't really abuse them. That being said, I love <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teferi&#039;s Veil" href="#" target="_blank">Teferi&#039;s Veil</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as a way to get around <em>Unearth</em>'s downside.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Epic Ingredients</h2>
<p>When building my last article (<a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/epic-experiment-lich-mastery-sidisi/">Lich's Mastery Sidisi</a>), I considered <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Charbelcher" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Charbelcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but quickly threw down the idea. Ever since then, though, I've been in a Belcher mood, so here we are.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Charbelcher"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Recruiter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mana Severance"></div></div>
<p>If we play a deck with a critical number of Goblins and we trigger <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Recruiter" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Recruiter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s ETB, we can stack the top of our deck with Goblins and then activate the Charbelcher, guaranteeing a whole lot of damage to a single target. If we'd like to go whole-hog, we can also use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Severance" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Severance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to remove all the lands from our own deck, guaranteeing we get a lethal hit from the Belcher! This combo is a fun way to reconcile flavor and functionality, since we're shooting Goblins at our enemies! It isn't a guaranteed one-hit K.O., but for an aggro deck like Goblins, chances are good that this chunk of damage will finish someone off.</p>
<p>By this point you might be wondering about Sedris's role in this plan. It's simple: he provides support by reanimating key Goblins. There are plenty of great Goblins that fuel this deck other than just <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Recruiter" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Recruiter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Engineer" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Engineer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example, can help us find <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Charbelcher" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Charbelcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which our other cards can more easily scoop out of the graveyard. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker" href="#" target="_blank">Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great way to chain key ETB effects. Even cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skirk Prospector" href="#" target="_blank">Skirk Prospector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can help us get to the very important seven-mana mark (the amount of mana we need to cast and activate Charbelcher in the same turn).</p>
<p>I may have buried the lead here a bit, but the best thing about this deck is that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Charbelcher" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Charbelcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is just the Plan B. You read that right, the Belcher is our backup plan. Our main plan is to beat face with our Goblins. Playing Belcher dictates a certain structure for the deck to help support it, but that doesn't mean this structure gets to have no life of its own. In our case, it has plenty of great tribal support.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dockside Extortionist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Munitions Expert"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Matron"></div></div>
<p>Goblins, as a whole, are a great tribe for this type of build because they get plenty of utility on relevant bodies. For removal, we have many great options like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gempalm Incinerator" href="#" target="_blank">Gempalm Incinerator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Cratermaker" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Cratermaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Trashmaster" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Trashmaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Munitions Expert" href="#" target="_blank">Munitions Expert</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. For mana advantage we have a few choices: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dockside Extortionist" href="#" target="_blank">Dockside Extortionist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasure Nabber" href="#" target="_blank">Treasure Nabber</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wily Goblin" href="#" target="_blank">Wily Goblin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example, are some cheap ways to not get behind on mana.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<div><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Sedris, Goblins, and Belchers" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*Sedris, the Traitor King
[/Commander]
[Creature]
*Goblin Lackey
*Goblin Welder
*Legion Loyalist
*Skirk Prospector
*Dimir Infiltrator
*Dockside Extortionist
*Frogtosser Banneret
*Goblin Cratermaker
*Goblin Engineer
*Goblin Lookout
*Goblin Piledriver
*Goblin Recruiter
*Munitions Expert
*Stingscourger
*Warren Instigator
*Wily Goblin
*Boggart Harbinger
*Gempalm Incinerator
*Goblin Chieftain
*Goblin King
*Goblin Matron
*Goblin Sharpshooter
*Goblin Warchief
*Mad Auntie
*Pashalik Mons
*Treasure Nabber
*Boggart Mob
*Caterwauling Boggart
*Goblin Trashmaster
*Ib Halfheart, Goblin Tactician
*Krenko, Mob Boss
*Moggcatcher
*Sling-Gang Lieutenant
*Volley Veteran
*Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker
*Siege-Gang Commander
*Skirk Fire Marshal
[/Creature]
[Artifact]
*Skullclamp
*Sol Ring
*Arcane Signet
*Fellwar Stone
*Izzet Signet
*Rakdos Signet
*Talisman of Creativity
*Talisman of Indulgence
*Commander&#039;s Sphere
*Goblin Charbelcher
*Hedron Archive
*Bolas&#039;s Citadel
[/Artifact]
[Sorcery]
*Diabolic Intent
*Dreadbore
*Mana Severance
*Fabricate
*Trash for Treasure
*Diabolic Tutor
*Distant Melody
*Beacon of Unrest
[/Sorcery]
[Instant]
*Entomb
*Swan Song
*Cyclonic Rift
*Shred Memory
*Whir of Invention
[/Instant]
[Planeswalker]
*Daretti, Scrap Savant
[/Planeswalker]
[Enchantment]
*Kindred Discovery
[/Enchantment]
[Land]
*Command Tower
*City of Brass
*Mana Confluence
*Exotic Orchard
*Path of Ancestry
*Crumbling Necropolis
*Blood Crypt
*Steam Vents
*Luxury Suite
*Dragonskull Summit
*Sulfur Falls
*Shivan Reef
*Sulfurous Springs
*Spirebluff Canal
*Smoldering Marsh
*Temple of Epiphany
*Temple of Malice
*Arid Mesa
*Bloodstained Mire
*Scalding Tarn
*Wooded Foothills
*Prismatic Vista
*Fabled Passage
*Academy Ruins
*Buried Ruin
*Inventors&#039; Fair
*Snow-Covered Island
*Snow-Covered Swamp
*7 Snow-Covered Mountain
[/Land]"></span></div></div>
<div>
<div></div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<hr />
</div>
<p>As you can see, we're an aggressive deck at heart, with a very live combo gameplan. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Severance" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Severance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an almost free support in this build, since it has the same CMC as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Recruiter" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Recruiter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (which means we get some extra value from <em>Transmute</em> cards) and it also makes it easier to "reload" the Belcher once we fire.</p>
<p>We're also rocking a pretty good artifact reanimation suite, with many efficient one-shot effects, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beacon of Unrest" href="#" target="_blank">Beacon of Unrest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Trash for Treasure" href="#" target="_blank">Trash for Treasure</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Daretti, Scrap Savant" href="#" target="_blank">Daretti, Scrap Savant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These effects and the artifact tutors are great at finding Belcher, however we need a backup target, otherwise they can go to waste pretty quickly. Enter <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bolas&#039;s Citadel" href="#" target="_blank">Bolas&#039;s Citadel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> one of the best ways to accelerate our aggro plan.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<p>Goblins are good on their own, which releases us from the typical burden of combo decks that feel the pressure to assemble the combo as quickly as possible. This makes outright aggro an acceptable strategy for us while also prolonging the life expectancy of the deck, since multiple games can have very different outcomes.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Frogtosser Banneret"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Distant Melody"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko, Mob Boss"></div></div>
<p>Early game, we hit the ground running, filling the board with all the Goblins we want; any that die to nasty <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrath of God" href="#" target="_blank">Wrath of God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects can be brought back with Sedris later. This doesn't mean that we should be completely careless with the lives of our Goblins; when to play which Goblins is still an important element for our threat assessment and longevity.</p>
<p>In the mid-game, if our aggro plan is working - say, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Mob Boss" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko, Mob Boss</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has made so many Goblins our opponents can't keep up, or our <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> has kept our coffers stocked - we can, of course, continue to just smash. However, we can also start looking for a piece or two of the Belcher combo, especially if there's one opponent whose <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghostly Prison" href="#" target="_blank">Ghostly Prison</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has prevented us from attacking them. This is the out-of-nowhere way our aggressive deck can take out an unwary opponent who thought themselves safe from our army. Keep in mind, though, that the proper Charbelcher combo is a one-time deal.</p>
<p>Sedris himself is the late-game play. If our Gobbos have perished, he can bring them back in spectacular fashion for one final hurrah. Don't rush to play this commander; save him for later, when your opponents think the coast is clear.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tezzeret, the Seeker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wort, Boggart Auntie"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Buried Alive"></div></div>
<p>Balancing out the high number of Goblins together with some of the Belcher support was pretty difficult. I can't really tell if we have the correct ratio, so tinkering with this list may prove useful if you would like to take up this strategy. Lowering the mana curve by cutting out some of our bigger Goblins and go all-out in the aggro plan, for instance, may allow us to cut a land or two, which helps the Belcher's odds ever so slightly.</p>
<p><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> with our commander can provide a very useful toolbox. I don't personally think that this is a reliable synergy, but it's a staple in Sedris for a reason. Additionally, more artifact tutors to lean into the combo elements of the deck could help improve its performance. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tezzeret, the Seeker" href="#" target="_blank">Tezzeret, the Seeker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can tutor for Charbelcher right away, for instance.</p>
<p>Finally, if Sedris isn't your cup of tea, but you still want to Belcher people to death, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wort, Boggart Auntie" href="#" target="_blank">Wort, Boggart Auntie</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can do a pretty good impression. We'll lose <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Severance" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Severance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and some of the artifact tutors, but it's nothing that a few other black tutors can't handle!</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment!</em> What do you think about this list? Did you have a blast ? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which didn’t you? Was the <em>Epic Experiment</em> a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Sedris, Goblins, and Belchers

Epic Experiment - Anje Living End

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teshar, Ancestor&#039;s Apostle" href="#" target="_blank">Teshar, Ancestor&#039;s Apostle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/mischeviouslittleelf">Even Amundsen</a>)</h6>
<h1>Underdog in the Zone &amp; the 99</h1>
<p>Hello, everyone! Welcome back to another edition of the <em>Underdog's Corner</em>, where I will do my hardest to convince you to try out a legendary creature that is underappreciated, underplayed, underpowered, or some combination of the three! For today, I want to specifically highlight a card from <em>Dominaria</em> that is currently appearing in under 1,200 decks on EDHREC. What does that equate to? As of today, it ranks around 343 on the most-played white cards list. It even ranks behind <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sinew Sliver" href="#" target="_blank">Sinew Sliver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a random Sliver that probably only sees play in Sliver tribal decks. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Generous Gift" href="#" target="_blank">Generous Gift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from <em>Modern Horizons</em> is in over 1,700 decks, and it's only been available for three months! However, not only do I want to talk about this card as a contributing member of the 99, but I also think it has a home as a commander of its own deck. Give it up for this week's contender: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teshar, Ancestor&#039;s Apostle" href="#" target="_blank">Teshar, Ancestor&#039;s Apostle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>!</p>
<h2>Teshar, Ancestor's Apostle</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Teshar, Ancestor&#039;s Apostle"></div></div>
<p>As a flying four-mana 2/2, Teshar is not going to be mixing it up in combat. However, his stats aren't why we're interested in him.</p>
<h4>Whenever you cast a historic spell, return target creature card with converted mana cost 3 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield.</h4>
<p>'Historic' is a "batch" keyword from <em>Dominaria</em>; artifacts, legendary spells, and Sagas are all historic. Legendary spells and Sagas are certainly less prevalent than artifacts, though if we wanted to build around just those, there are three Sagas and about 200 legendary white cards. However, since there are still nearly 1,800 artifacts to choose from, we'll end up leaning heavily on the artifact theme.</p>
<p>The name of the game with Teshar is recursion, specifically recurring creatures with converted mana costs of three or less. This is something that white loves to do, and I really appreciate that Teshar brings a consistent engine to the theme. With that said, we're going to need to put creatures in our graveyard consistently to get value out of our flying legend.</p>
<hr />
<h2>We Must Construct Additional Constructs</h2>
<p>Glancing through Teshar's High Synergy and Top Cards on EDHREC tells a good story of what we can expect from this deck:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Junk Diver"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Salvage Scout"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scrapyard Recombiner"></div></div>
<p>Recursion engine pieces such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Myr Retriever" href="#" target="_blank">Myr Retriever</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Junk Diver" href="#" target="_blank">Junk Diver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> rank the highest on Teshar's most-played cards lists, as well as cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Restoration Specialist" href="#" target="_blank">Restoration Specialist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Salvage Scout" href="#" target="_blank">Salvage Scout</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This core of cards is going to be important to keep our engine running smoothly.</p>
<p>As one example, we can sacrifice <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Salvage Scout" href="#" target="_blank">Salvage Scout</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to grab <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Myr Retriever" href="#" target="_blank">Myr Retriever</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from our graveyard, which can then bring back Salvage Scout with Teshar's trigger. After that, we can sacrifice Myr Retriever to grab another artifact out of our yard. This combo can fuel itself over and over until we empty our graveyard of artifacts. This type of combo is crucial to having Teshar run smoothly, and to that end we're including a lot of redundancy in the deck.</p>
<p>Now that we've set up this shell, we can decide how we want to fill out the rest of the deck. One card that caught my attention was <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scrapyard Recombiner" href="#" target="_blank">Scrapyard Recombiner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It's currently the third most popular newly-released card for Teshar, and it's not too hard to see why: the Recombiner is a veritable Swiss Army Knife for this deck, checking off nearly every box that we could possibly want; it's a creature, it's historic, and it can dump itself into the yard while also tutoring key pieces. While "Construct Tribal" doesn't really exist under a cohesive theme, this gives us an incentive to look into what Constructs are available, as we can repeatedly tutor them to our hand. <em>Wizards</em> has created a lot of great artifact creatures over the years, but leaning towards ones that share this creature type could help us break any ties when deciding which creatures to include.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Myr Battlesphere"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kuldotha Forgemaster"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scrap Trawler"></div></div>
<p>Thankfully, Constructs can fill a lot of different roles in our deck. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Myr Battlesphere" href="#" target="_blank">Myr Battlesphere</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can't be recurred by Teshar's ability, but who needs that when Battlesphere is a threat on its own? For other threatening Constructs, we also have access to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cataclysmic Gearhulk" href="#" target="_blank">Cataclysmic Gearhulk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for a partial Wrath, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scuttling Doom Engine" href="#" target="_blank">Scuttling Doom Engine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Traxos, Scourge of Kroog" href="#" target="_blank">Traxos, Scourge of Kroog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for beaters.</p>
<p>We can include utility cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kuldotha Forgemaster" href="#" target="_blank">Kuldotha Forgemaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. If we follow this path, we have a two-step tutor that can let us find any artifact in our deck and put it into play. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Foundry Inspector" href="#" target="_blank">Foundry Inspector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another great card that offers a discount for each time we want to trigger Teshar's ability. Not only that, it opens up more options for combos with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krark-Clan Ironworks" href="#" target="_blank">Krark-Clan Ironworks</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, if we feel so inclined to include enough pieces for it.</p>
<p>Speaking of Krark-Clan Ironworks, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scrap Trawler" href="#" target="_blank">Scrap Trawler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a common piece for Ironworks combos, also happens to be a Construct, and yes, you should include it in the deck. We're going to need to put creatures into the yard often, and a good number of them will be artifact creatures. Whenever an artifact dies, we get to return one to our hand that has a lesser converted mana cost. This gives us a great way of recurring cards, especially when combined with a mana-producing sacrifice outlet like Ironworks.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Sipping on Haterade</h2>
<p>While artifact recursion is a powerful engine, we're going to need other creatures to recur, and Teshar's stipulation of a specific converted mana cost defines the subset of creatures we need to pull from. Typically, these creatures aren't going to be impactful enough to win the game on their own, but they can certainly provide utility to either enhance our strategy or hinder our opponents. We're going to borrow a strategy from Legacy's well-established 'Death and Taxes' archetype: slowing down our opponent enough to get our engine online.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tocatli Honor Guard"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grand Abolisher"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ranger-Captain of Eos"></div></div>
<p>If you didn't notice, many of the creatures included in our list so far have no enter-the-battlefield effects. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tocatli Honor Guard" href="#" target="_blank">Tocatli Honor Guard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hushwing Gryff" href="#" target="_blank">Hushwing Gryff</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> both give us easily recurrable versions of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Torpor Orb" href="#" target="_blank">Torpor Orb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to shut down such strategies. In metas that I've played in, Torpor Orb isn't a common sight, so most people don't build around it. However, if it were to hit the battlefield, there are plenty of decks that would quickly get shut down. The second deck I ever built, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Roon of the Hidden Realm" href="#" target="_blank">Roon of the Hidden Realm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, got shut down by a player playing the Orb, and on that day I learned a harsh lesson about (not) diversifying the threats in my deck.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grand Abolisher" href="#" target="_blank">Grand Abolisher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ranger-Captain of Eos" href="#" target="_blank">Ranger-Captain of Eos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> perform similar functions by helping us shut down opponents' interactions on our turn. Additionally, the Ranger-Captain offers versatility by tutoring up a creature with converted mana cost 1 or less. It's a little odd to advocate for a creature with an ETB effect after discussing three cards that stifle those abilities, but the flow of the game will hardly make that an issue as you have control over when you deploy those effects. What are some good targets for Ranger-Captain? Right off the bat is either <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mother of Runes" href="#" target="_blank">Mother of Runes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giver of Runes" href="#" target="_blank">Giver of Runes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Consistently handing out protection is a powerful tool. We can also find <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Memnite" href="#" target="_blank">Memnite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ornithopter" href="#" target="_blank">Ornithopter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for a zero-cost reanimation spell with our commander.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stoneforge Mystic"></div></div>
<p>Lastly for our Death and Taxes line-up, we have a classic: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stoneforge Mystic" href="#" target="_blank">Stoneforge Mystic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has always been an incredibly powerful <em>Magic </em>card, and tutoring for any Equipment gives us a lot of flexibility. Having access to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skullclamp" href="#" target="_blank">Skullclamp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> immediately? How about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conqueror&#039;s Flail" href="#" target="_blank">Conqueror&#039;s Flail</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to stave off interaction? Or maybe even a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Diviner&#039;s Wand" href="#" target="_blank">Diviner&#039;s Wand</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as a combo finisher? If we throw in a sacrifice outlet, we can sacrifice Mystic and then recur her with Teshar's ability to tutor for more Equipment.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Loop Around</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Teshar, Ancestor&#039;s Apostle"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Myr Retriever"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krark-Clan Ironworks"></div></div>
<p>While we've covered quite a bit of ground, don't lose sight of the fact that Teshar is an incredibly powerful engine in the command zone. I won't list out every combo that's available, but I'll leave you with one example:</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Myr Retriever" href="#" target="_blank">Myr Retriever</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skullclamp" href="#" target="_blank">Skullclamp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krark-Clan Ironworks" href="#" target="_blank">Krark-Clan Ironworks</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and a zero-cost artifact allow us to dig through our entire deck with infinite colorless mana. From there, winning should be trivial, assuming we've built our deck decently well.</p>
<p>I hope this brief look at our resident Bird Wizard has given you something to think about! Teshar is an incredibly unique <em>Magic </em>card, and even if you only include him in the 99, I think you won't be disappointed. Below is a list that I hope will inspire some creative decklists; there's so many directions you can go!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="”Bringing Teshar Back”" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Teshar, Ancestor’s Apostle
[/Commander]
[Creature]
*1 Aven Mindcensor
*1 Aviary Mechanic
*1 Cataclysmic Gearhulk
*1 Foundry Inspector
*1 Giver of Runes
*1 Glint Hawk
*1 Grand Abolisher
*1 Hangarback Walker
*1 Hushwing Gryff
*1 Junk Diver
*1 Kami of False Hope
*1 Kor Skyfisher
*1 Kuldotha Forgemaster
*1 Leonin Squire
*1 Memnite
*1 Mentor of the Meek
*1 Mother of Runes
*1 Myr Battlesphere
*1 Myr Retriever
*1 Ornithopter
*1 Ranger-Captain of Eos
*1 Recruiter of the Guard
*1 Remorseful Cleric
*1 Restoration Specialist
*1 Salvage Scout
*1 Scrap Trawler
*1 Scrapyard Recombiner
*1 Shimmer Myr
*1 Stoneforge Mystic
*1 Sun Titan
*1 Thalia, Heretic Cathar
*1 Tocatli Honor Guard
*1 Traxos, Scourge of Kroog
*1 Treasure Hunter
*1 Trusty Packbeast
*1 Walking Ballista
*1 Workshop Assistant
[/Creature]
[Artifact]
*1 Aetherflux Reservoir
*1 Altar of Dementia
*1 Ashnod&#039;s Altar
*1 Blasting Station
*1 Conqueror&#039;s Flail
*1 Diviner&#039;s Wand
*1 Everflowing Chalice
*1 Krark-Clan Ironworks
*1 Lotus Petal
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Mox Amber
*1 Phyrexian Altar
*1 Skullclamp
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Thought Vessel
*1 Tormod&#039;s Crypt
*1 Torpor Orb
*1 Worn Powerstone
[/Artifact]
[Instant]
*1 Brought Back
*1 Enlightened Tutor
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Swords to Plowshares
[/Instant]
[Enchantment]
*1 Ghostly Prison
[/Enchantment]
[Sorcery]
*1 Austere Command
*1 Dusk / Dawn
*1 Slaughter the Strong
[/Sorcery]
[Land]
*1 Arcane Lighthouse
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Emeria, The Sky Ruin
*1 Field of Ruin
*1 Geier Reach Sanitarium
*1 Ghost Quarter
*1 High Market
*1 Inventors&#039; Fair
*1 Mirrorpool
*1 Phyrexia&#039;s Core
*21 Plains
*1 Scavenger Grounds
*1 Sequestered Stash
*1 Tectonic Edge
*1 Wasteland
[/Land]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>Thanks, once again, for joining me in the <em>Underdog's</em> Corner!</p>
