Top 10 Gruul X Spells for Rosheen, Roaring Prophet

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hinata, Dawn-Crowned" href="#" target="_blank">Hinata, Dawn-Crowned</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artofmtg.com/artist/alexander-mokhov/">Alexander Mokhov</a>)</h6>
<h1>Hitting the Target</h1>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hi there! I’m Jeremy Rowe, AKA J Ro, the Unsummoned Skull, a former Judge, Tournament Organizer, and Pro Tour competitor. I’m also a current teacher, college professor, streamer, community leader, and content creator. In this series, we examine the big EDH questions: What makes a card good? What’s the difference between popularity and synergy? What even is that synergy thing anyways? My intention is to differentiate between high- and low-synergy cards, describe in what ways the cards work with the commander, and explain why high synergy is such a good thing. For a deck to be powerful and consistent, each card needs to do a job, and these cards do WORK!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week, I, an intrepid mad scientist, will attempts to harness the power of a popular new commander that puts the “Nasty” in “Neon Dynasty”! While the Kami of old seem to have calmed a bit since their warring days, </span><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hinata, Dawn-Crowned" href="#" target="_blank">Hinata, Dawn-Crowned</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> embodies the primal rage of the plane, bubbling beneath the glitz and glamor of the Neon Dynasty.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hinata, Dawn-Crowned"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hinata was met with a tremendous amount of hype as soon as it was previewed, and with good reason. A 4/4 flying trampler for four mana is already a solid rate, and it comes with what essentially amounts to <em>W</em></span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ard 1</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for our team, plus a significant cost reduction effect for our own spells. These abilities and stats work well for either offensive or defensive builds. Hinata is an extremely versatile commander, just as suited for </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Heroic</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> strategies as it is for slinging <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fireballs" href="#" target="_blank">Fireballs</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>… so which will it be? How do we make the best use of Hinata?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is my belief that all Commander decks are midrange decks, needing the same jobs done in order to switch cleanly between offense and defense, as well as to combat a variety of threats from around the table. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hinata, Dawn-Crowned" href="#" target="_blank">Hinata, Dawn-Crowned</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a special commander, so let’s find the right tools for these jobs!</span></p>
<hr />
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ramp</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Most decks need ramp to play high-impact spells at a time when they are still relevant. Hinata has a decently high mana value, indicating a more defensive or protective playstyle. With spells that want to target multiple permanents, Hinata can be a mana-hungry deck, and, with a decent number of unique cards, the deck needs to be able to cast our commander multiple times a game.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jeska&#039;s Will"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Battlefield Thaumaturge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Electromancer"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jeska&#039;s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Jeska&#039;s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a fairly ubiquitous red sorcery, one of the more powerful and popular cards to come out of <em>Commander Legends</em>. Since the mana-creation mode targets an opponent, Hinata can reduce the cost of the spell, making it even better than usual. The additional card draw is gravy, as the burst of mana helps with the numerous cards in the deck that require large amounts of mana, with or without our commander in play.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Battlefield Thaumaturge" href="#" target="_blank">Battlefield Thaumaturge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">provides a similar cost reduction effect to our commander, and it can double up the effect to further reduce any pressure on our mana. This is a unique card to our commander, showing up in more than half of Hinata decks, and not really seeing much play in any other Jeskai decks!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Electromancer" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Electromancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another static cost reduction that further increases the deck’s functionality even if Hinata isn't out. Hinata is a magnet for removal spells, even if they do cost one more for our opponents to play, so I like extra mana reduction.</span></p>
<hr />
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spot Removal</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to being able to cast spells on time (or early enough in the game to still be relevant), decks need removal to be able to deal with the threats opposing decks present, as well as to be able to protect their own threats from opposing removal. In Hinata’s case, both forms of removal will benefit from the cost reduction, which is part of what makes our commander so scary!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Swords to Plowshares"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rewind"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Abrade"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swords to Plowshares" href="#" target="_blank">Swords to Plowshares</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a classic removal spell for white decks, and it works decently here. About half of all Hinata decks run it even though it doesn’t get any cost reduction because it’s just a cheap piece of removal. Cards don’t have to directly or uniquely synergize with our commander if they're good enough.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rewind" href="#" target="_blank">Rewind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, in conjunction with Hinata, actually <em>nets </em>us mana, because our commander makes it cost three to cast! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rewind" href="#" target="_blank">Rewind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unwind" href="#" target="_blank">Unwind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> perfectly encapsulate the small advantages needed to take a deck from 'powerful' to 'broken in half', and I’m here for it.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crush Contraband" href="#" target="_blank">Crush Contraband</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> hits two targets, which means Hinata makes it cost just two mana. Two mana to exile two permanents is just too good to pass up, and we need exile to handle tricky indestructible threats out there.</span></p>
<hr />
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mass Removal</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Most decks need plans for what to do if things get out of hand, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hinata, Dawn-Crowned" href="#" target="_blank">Hinata, Dawn-Crowned</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is no different. Quite a lot of decks are capable of making a big or wide board, and they can make them awfully quickly. As a result, Hinata needs to be able to knock them all down in one swing.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Heliod’s Intervention"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Curse of the Swine"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Distorting Wake"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heliod’s Intervention" href="#" target="_blank">Heliod’s Intervention</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerful board wipe with Hinata, who reduces the mana cost for each thing we target, and that includes X spells. For WW, we destroy every artifact and enchantment we want. The spell is plenty playable enough on its own already, but that's incredible!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Curse of the Swine" href="#" target="_blank">Curse of the Swine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is also ubiquitous with Hinata; both it and Heliod’s Intervention are in over 80% of Hinata decks, and for good reason. Like the Intervention, it's a board wipe that targets a bunch of stuff. Granted, it leaves a 2/2 Boar behind (which is quite adorable), but that's worth it to exile every single creature we don't like!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Distorting Wake" href="#" target="_blank">Distorting Wake</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> bounces every nonland permanent our opponents control. In this deck, this card is a three-mana sorcery-speed <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyclonic Rift" href="#" target="_blank">Cyclonic Rift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.<br />
</span></p>
<hr />
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Card Draw</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Every deck needs card draw, selection, tutoring, or advantage, to help find the pieces it needs to transition between the phases of the game. There are always going to be spells that are better early than late, or better from ahead, or better from behind. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hinata, Dawn-Crowned" href="#" target="_blank">Hinata, Dawn-Crowned</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a mana-hungry commander that makes efficient use of its mana, but we can run out of things to do if the setup isn’t there.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Whirlwind of Thought"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archmage Emeritus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Paradoxical Outcome"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Whirlwind of Thought" href="#" target="_blank">Whirlwind of Thought</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is particularly useful in a deck that has a cost-reduction effect in the command zone. We cast a bunch of spells! This card helps us churn right through the deck!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archmage Emeritus" href="#" target="_blank">Archmage Emeritus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> functions similarly to the Whirlwind, currently seeing play in over 65% of Hinata decks. I'd say this is one of the more important cards from <em>Strixhaven</em>. If you're playing any <em>Heroic </em>effects, it's nice to have another body on the field here too, and don't forget that HInata helps protect it a little form single-target removal effects by taxing our enemies if they try to take it down.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Paradoxical Outcome" href="#" target="_blank">Paradoxical Outcome</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a card draw effect that's more unique for Hinata than for other Jeskai decks. For usually just one mana, we bounce anything we want (which is great to do to help save them from removal) and draw a whole new hand while we're at it!</span></p>
<hr />
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Win Conditions</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The last major job that most decks need is a way to actually close out the game. Ramping allows you to play spells out, but can be dead draws late game. removing threats works for a while, but with three opponents, someone’s going to stick something, and games can either stall out or develop into arms races. Card draw helps, but what are you looking to actually draw? The answer is... win conditions!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Comet Storm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crackle with Power"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Metallurgic Summonings"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Comet Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Comet Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a solid big boom for a deck looking to ramp mana and decrease spell costs. The <em>Multikicker</em> increases the number of targets for this spell, so the X gets the reduction and the spell can do more damage! This is the one of the mana sinks we're looking for all game.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crackle with Power" href="#" target="_blank">Crackle with Power</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the sort of card that gets me salivating. It deals <em>five times</em> X damage to X targets, and Hinata effectively gets rid of one of the X's in the cost! This is a board wipe, mana sink, and big smack, all at once!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Metallurgic Summonings" href="#" target="_blank">Metallurgic Summonings</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an amazing spellslinger finisher, creating some truly enormous Construct tokens. If we're playing spells that've had their costs dramatically reduced, that may change the amount of mana we pay, but it doesn’t change the mana value of that spell when it's on the stack. If our spell has X in the converted mana cost, we calculate however much mana went into that X, whether or not we actually had to <em>pay </em>any of that mana. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Metallurgic Summonings" href="#" target="_blank">Metallurgic Summonings</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes our spells better, and can get even them back in a pinch!</span></p>
<hr />
<h2>Just Try to Get out of this in One Piece!</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let's round it out with a sample Hinata decklist! We're focusing on doing the jobs a deck needs to function, in a way that capitalizes on the commander’s unique characteristics. We’re taking this in a different direction: making a lot of Treasures, a la One Piece!</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Hinata, Pirate Kirin of Kamigawa!" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Hinata, Dawn-Crowned
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Academy Manufactor
*1 Archaeomancer
*1 Archmage Emeritus
*1 Battlefield Thaumaturge
*1 Dockside Extortionist
*1 Elsha of the Infinite
*1 Esper Sentinel
*1 Feather, the Redeemed
*1 Galazeth Prismari
*1 Goldspan Dragon
*1 Radiant Scrollwielder
*1 Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer
*1 Sakashima of a Thousand Faces
*1 Storm-Kiln Artist
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Aetherflux Reservoir
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Azorius Signet
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Izzet Signet
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 Talisman of Creativity
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Metallurgic Summonings
*1 Mystic Remora
*1 Rhystic Study
*1 Smothering Tithe
*1 Underworld Breach
*1 Whirlwind of Thought
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Aether Gale
*1 By Force
*1 Crackle with Power
*1 Curse of the Swine
*1 Deep Analysis
*1 Distorting Wake
*1 Launch the Fleet
*1 Open into Wonder
*1 Reconstruct History
*1 Sea Gate Restoration
*1 Smoke Spirits&#039; Aid
*1 Soulfire Eruption
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Arcane Denial
*1 Brainstorm
*1 Comet Storm
*1 Counterspell
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Disorder in the Court
*1 Fierce Guardianship
*1 Icy Blast
*1 Magma Opus
*1 March of Swirling Mist
*1 Mystic Confluence
*1 Negate
*1 Paradoxical Outcome
*1 Prismari Command
*1 Reality Spasm
*1 Rewind
*1 Sublime Epiphany
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Volcanic Offering
[/Instants]
[Lands]
*1 Arid Mesa
*1 Cascade Bluffs
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fabled Passage
*1 Flooded Strand
*1 Hallowed Fountain
*1 Mystic Monastery
*1 Mystic Sanctuary
*1 Otawara, Soaring City
*1 Prismatic Vista
*1 Raugrin Triome
*1 Reliquary Tower
*1 Riverglide Pathway
*1 Sacred Foundry
*1 Scalding Tarn
*1 Sea of Clouds
*1 Shivan Reef
*1 Spectator Seating
*1 Steam Vents
*1 Sulfur Falls
*1 Training Center
*5 Plains
*7 Island
*5 Mountain
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hopefully, this guide helps you to evaluate cards and use the data at hand! Results may vary, as playgroups, deck choices, and the luck of the draw can impact how games go.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Which cards overperformed for you? Which cards were overrated? Join me next time as we explore which cards are dead weight, and which cards do WORK!</span></p>


These Cards Do WORK - Hinata, Dawn-Crowned

Too-Specific Top 10 - Any Target

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prosper, Tome Bound" href="#" target="_blank">Prosper, Tome Bound</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/indus">Yongjae Choi</a>)</h6>
<h1>Live Long and Prosper</h1>
<p>Welcome to <em>Challenge the Stats</em>! This series is based on the awesome <a href="https://edhrecast.libsyn.com/">EDHRECast</a> segment, where we pick out 10 cards for a commander that we think are overplayed, underplayed, or sleepers, to challenge EDHREC’s data. Remember, these are merely comments on the data, and card choices made by <em>you,</em> the deckbrewer, for any reason such as flavor, budget, art, or fun are always most important and are what keep our format unique and awesome.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Prosper, Tome Bound"></div></div>
<p>For this article, I'm going to challenge one of my favorite new commanders, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prosper, Tome Bound" href="#" target="_blank">Prosper, Tome Bound</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Prosper is the most popular precon commander from <em>Adventures in the Forgotten Realm</em>, and it's easy to see why. He's a card and mana advantage engine, has interesting play patterns, and can be built in many different ways.</p>
<p>Looking at his EDHREC page, we can see an interesting split between a) low-power and high-power, and b) low-budget and high-budget. Don't be intimidated by the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer" href="#" target="_blank">Ragavans</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dockside Extortionist" href="#" target="_blank">Docksides</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on the page! For every one of these big-ticket cards, there's a budget replacement waiting in the wings.</p>
<p>These challenges will focus on the underplayed and sleeper cards, since those tend to get drowned out on the pages of precon commanders. We're going to challenge the data from all the Prosper decks out there (1,165 at time of writing), and you can see how often those cards are played in parentheses (%). Here we go!</p>
<hr />
<h1>Challenges</h1>
<hr />
<h2>Underplayed</h2>
<hr />
<h3>1. Forsworn Paladin (6%)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Forsworn Paladin"></div></div>
<p>If you're playing a Signet to get out Prosper on turn three, try including the Paladin and see how it plays. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Forsworn Paladin" href="#" target="_blank">Forsworn Paladin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> functions as a mana rock by getting Prosper out a turn early, but it has a lot of upside later, too! We can give any creature deathtouch, making combat a nightmare for our opponents. We can also hold up mana to make Treasure and bluff instants.</p>
<p>I feel the same way about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kalain, Reclusive Painter" href="#" target="_blank">Kalain, Reclusive Painter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. She helps us get Prosper out on turn 3, and she has the nifty upside of making our creatures <em>Monstrous</em> (or our opponents' creatures <em>Monstrous</em> when we steal them).</p>
<h3>2. Share the Spoils (49%)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Share the Spoils"></div></div>
<p>Half of players are cutting this card out of the Prosper precon, but this card gives me the warm fuzzies. It's super fun to get the whole table talking about who's going to play what. Even if politics isn't your thing, we get to break symmetry on this card because we'll collect Treasure as we cast things, we get first crack at the revealed cards, <em>and</em> we'll disrupt our opponents' strategies because we'll see what they have coming! Our opponents can already see what we have coming most of the time, thanks to Prosper's exile ability, so we don't really care about another effect that reveals our next play.</p>
<p>I had a game recently against a combo deck where <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Share the Spoils" href="#" target="_blank">Share the Spoils</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> stole three tutors from them. It got the whole table talking and was a great time.</p>
<p>There are a few other cards from the precon that warrant a test drive before cutting them. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reckless Endeavor" href="#" target="_blank">Reckless Endeavor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has been pretty nutty for me. If we're hoping for a high roll on either Treasure or a board wipe, we'll probably get one roll high enough, and two high rolls feels epic. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bucknard&#039;s Everfull Purse" href="#" target="_blank">Bucknard&#039;s Everfull Purse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another one a lot of folks are cutting. I think it plays better than it reads. It will probably help us get Prosper out on turn 3, which is all I care about for this deck's mana acceleration. We're also breaking symmetry on it if we have other Treasure synergies in our deck (hello, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marionette Master" href="#" target="_blank">Marionette Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>).</p>
<h3>3. Inspiring Statuary (19%)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inspiring Statuary"></div></div>
<p>The price on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inspiring Statuary" href="#" target="_blank">Inspiring Statuary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is steadily creeping up with every Treasure card that's printed, and for good reason. A mana rock that turns all of our Treasure into <em>permanent </em>mana rocks is a huge mana advantage. Prosper sneezes and five Treasure tokens appear, but now they can tap for mana every turn, instead of just sacrificing themselves!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Sleepers</h2>
<hr />
<h3>4. Mindleecher (2%)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mindleecher"></div></div>
<p>Sometimes it takes too long to wait for a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stolen Strategy" href="#" target="_blank">Stolen Strategy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to trigger. Mindleecher gives us that effect right away, and we can play those cards for as long as they're exiled! I also really like the option of turning our commander into an evasive threat. Not long ago, I had a dream come true of mutating <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mindleecher" href="#" target="_blank">Mindleecher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> onto <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer" href="#" target="_blank">Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to make the flying monkeys from The Wizard of Oz!</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/edhrec-image-rotated.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-70481 aligncenter" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/edhrec-image-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/edhrec-image-225x300.jpg 225w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/edhrec-image-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/edhrec-image-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/edhrec-image-rotated.jpg 1512w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /></a></p>
<h3>5. Scheming Symmetry (3%)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scheming symmetry"></div></div>
<p>In a Prosper deck that cares about exiling opponents' top cards (as many of them seem to do), <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scheming Symmetry" href="#" target="_blank">Scheming Symmetry</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can easily be a one-sided double-tutor when we exile whatever card they find with our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gonti, Lord of Luxury" href="#" target="_blank">Gonti, Lord of Luxury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Etali, Primal Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Etali, Primal Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>! Better yet, make a deal if the table needs a removal spell to take down the archenemy! Did someone keep a two-lander and is missing land drops? Give them a tutor! You know they won't win on the spot, but ask for a favor later in the game.</p>
<h3>6. Aetherworks Marvel (Appears in 1 deck. Probably mine.)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="aetherworks marvel"></div></div>
<p>I'm surprised this one hasn't caught on more. Whenever we happen to spend six Treasure, we get a free spell out of the top six cards of our library. Was there a board wipe that killed all our creatures? That's no problem, Marvel will give us a free spell every turn for probably the rest of the game.</p>
<h3>7. Comet Storm (2%)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="comet storm"></div></div>
<p>Instants are particularly good with Prosper, since we can cast them after he exiles a card on our end step. Heck, I'm elated when Prosper exiles something as simple as a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spikefield Hazard" href="#" target="_blank">Spikefield Hazard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> instead of a regular land, just so I can get instant-speed Treasure. Even if we're casting X spells for 0 and making a Treasure token, that feels pretty good. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Comet Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Comet Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a win condition and a removal spell, but we can also just pay two mana and make a Treasure if we want to.</p>
<p>Heck, I'd even cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Damnable Pact" href="#" target="_blank">Damnable Pact</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rolling Earthquake" href="#" target="_blank">Rolling Earthquake</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for X=0 to get a Treasure, and those <em>also</em> double as win conditions!</p>
<h3>8. Fathom-Fleet Swordjack (2%)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="fathom-fleet swordjack"></div></div>
<p>Most of the win conditions for Prosper are pretty budget, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marionette Master" href="#" target="_blank">Marionette Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mayhem Devil" href="#" target="_blank">Mayhem Devil</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Disciple of the Vault" href="#" target="_blank">Disciple of the Vault</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nadier&#039;s Nightblade" href="#" target="_blank">Nadier&#039;s Nightblade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reckless Fireweaver" href="#" target="_blank">Reckless Fireweaver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, so we don't need to go looking for budget alternatives to game-ending cards. One situation I sometimes see, however, is if we want to tune <em>down</em> our deck. Prosper is <em>powerful</em>, and you might accidentally punch too high for your table. If you find that's the case, check out this fun Pirate! Whenever it attacks, it'll deal damage equal to the number of artifacts you control. The kicker here is that it has <em>Encore</em>, so it has the potential to wipe out our opponents if it winds up in our graveyard. Both of these situations are more interactable, meaning there will be more tension and resolution as the threat is dealt with or the game is won, making a more interesting story for a lower-powered table.</p>
<p>Another fun casual win condition I love is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nettlecyst" href="#" target="_blank">Nettlecyst</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Steal an opponent's creature, give it +20/+20 with all the Treasure we have laying around, and smash into the red zone!</p>
<h3>9. Ghirapur Orrery (1%)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="ghirapur orrery"></div></div>
<p>Thanks to Mike Carrozza for this pick! We can easily clear out our hand in this deck, since even out card advantage spells are impulse/exiled-based draw effects, so the Orrery will restock us super quickly! Pair with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Uba Mask" href="#" target="_blank">Uba Mask</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to exile the cards drawn from the Orrery for a total of 5 cards exiled per turn! Check out Mike's article series <a href="https://commandersherald.com/author/mike-carrozza/">"Am I the Bolas?</a>" over on <a href="https://commandersherald.com/">Commander's Herald</a>, where he does the magical version of <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/">AITA</a>.</p>
<h3>10. Viridian Longbow (2%)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="viridian longbow"></div></div>
<p>HanShotFirst from the <em>CTS</em> <a href="https://discord.gg/MADh5x7Smb">discord</a> gets credit for this gem. When our deck is constantly using exile-based card advantage, all our upcoming cards are face-up in exile, removing the element of surprise that can make kill spells so powerful. As long as that's the case, we might as well have an on-board trick! Giving our deathtouching commander a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Viridian Longbow" href="#" target="_blank">Viridian Longbow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> means we can threaten to pick off any troublesome creatures at will. Combine that with a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dauthi Voidwalker" href="#" target="_blank">Dauthi Voidwalker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Draugr Necromancer" href="#" target="_blank">Draugr Necromancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Author of Shadows" href="#" target="_blank">Author of Shadows</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and we've got a neat little engine to cast a handful of our opponents' best creatures.</p>
<h3>Bonus Challenges</h3>
<p>Our <a href="https://discord.gg/MADh5x7Smb">discord</a> has been brainstorming more hot picks for Prosper. TheStephenation thinks <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hazoret&#039;s Undying Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Hazoret&#039;s Undying Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> seems like it could be nutty, perhaps depending on how the rest of our deck is built. AwesomeMcCoolName is intrigued by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Surreal Memoir" href="#" target="_blank">Surreal Memoir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elkin Bottle" href="#" target="_blank">Elkin Bottle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elkin Lair" href="#" target="_blank">Elkin Lair</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ice Cauldron" href="#" target="_blank">Ice Cauldron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. We can just tap the Cauldron for X=0 to exile a card from our hand and then cast that card from exile, ignoring the second ability. Let us know what you think of these cards, or if you've had a chance to test them in your Propser deck in the comments below!</p>
<p>Let's go to a decklist! Since Propser's EDHREC page seems to skew towards the pricier cards, I've included a budget upgraded precon list, taking out my 28 least favorite cards from the precon (including a few lands), and adding 28 of my favorite budget includes for Prosper, currently totaling $22. Enjoy!</p>
<p><a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/1822224#Prosper_budget_upgrades">Click here to see only the upgrades.</a></p>
<hr />
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Prosper Budget Upgrades" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Prosper, Tome-Bound
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Aetherworks Marvel
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bucknard&#039;s Everfull Purse
*1 Chaos Wand
*1 Ebony Fly
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Ghirapur Orrery
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Oracle&#039;s Vault
*1 Rakdos Signet
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Talisman of Indulgence
*1 Viridian Longbow
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Kaya&#039;s Ghostform
*1 Outpost Siege
*1 Share the Spoils
*1 Shiny Impetus
*1 Theater of Horrors
[/Enchantments]
[Creatures]
*1 Academy Manufactor
*1 Breya&#039;s Apprentice
*1 Dire Fleet Daredevil
*1 Draugr Necromancer
*1 Dream Devourer
*1 Dream Pillager
*1 Etali, Primal Storm
*1 Fathom Fleet Swordjack
*1 Forsworn Paladin
*1 Gonti, Lord of Luxury
*1 Grim Hireling
*1 Kalain, Reclusive Painter
*1 Magmatic Channeler
*1 Marionette Master
*1 Mayhem Devil
*1 Mindleecher
*1 Murderous Rider
*1 Nadier&#039;s Nightblade
*1 Pontiff of Blight
*1 Tectonic Giant
*1 Wild-Magic Sorcerer
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Bedevil
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Comet Storm
*1 Commune with Lava
*1 Dark Ritual
*1 Faithless Salvaging
*1 Hurl Through Hell
*1 Malakir Rebirth
*1 Rakdos Charm
*1 Spikefield Hazard
*1 Terminate
*1 You Find Some Prisoners
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Apex of Power
*1 Brass&#039;s Bounty
*1 Creative Technique
*1 Damnable Pact
*1 Disrupt Decorum
*1 Fevered Suspicion
*1 Ignite the Future
*1 Light Up the Stage
*1 Reckless Endeavor
*1 Rolling Earthquake
*1 Strike It Rich
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Bojuka Bog
*1 Command Tower
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Foreboding Ruins
*1 Mortuary Mire
*13 Mountain
*1 Rakdos Carnarium
*1 Shadowblood Ridge
*1 Smoldering Marsh
*1 Spinerock Knoll
*13 Swamp
*1 Tainted Peak
*1 Underdark Rift
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<h2>Me, Internet-Bound</h2>
<p>What do you think about these challenges for Prosper? Are there any other cards you would challenge? Let me know in the comments below! For more Prosper content, check out <a href="https://commandersherald.com/adventures-in-the-forgotten-realms-commander-review-planar-portal/">Mike Carrozza's precon review article</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPau3SvlXF4">Joey Schultz's Precon Recon video</a>! As always, you can find me on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jevin_mtg">@jevin_mtg</a>.</p>


comet storm

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Underdog's Corner - Hallar, the Firefletcher