Ranking Creature Keyword Combinations in Magic: The Gathering

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kwende, Pride of Femeref" href="#" target="_blank">Kwende, Pride of Femeref</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.daarken.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daarken</a></em></p>
<p>Knights have been around since the first expansions of <em>Magic</em>, and for good reason. There’s a lot of interest in the heroes and villains of feudalism, from King Arthur to <em>Game of Thrones</em> and even, in some interpretations, allusions as far removed as <em>Pulp Fiction</em>.</p>
<p>As long as armor, rules, and humanity can intersect, Knights can exist. And adding supernatural powers to the armor or spiritual binding adhering them to the rules adds layers to the conflicts those can form with their humanity, creating some of the most compelling stories in history.</p>
<p>Today we're talking about how to build Knight typal in Commander, featuring the mono-white legend <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kwende, Pride of Femeref" href="#" target="_blank">Kwende, Pride of Femeref</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kwende, Pride of Femeref"></div></div>
<h2>Knights in 60-Card Formats</h2>
<p>Knights have a long history of supporting White Weenie archetypes in 60-card <em>Magic</em>, including the first competitive deck I knew by name: Sleight Knight. The armor of Knights has been shown in the mundane, in the form of first strike, as well as the magical, in the form of protection.</p>
<p>This makes them excellent sideboard threats against the colors they’re protected from, but can also make them generic threats with the aid of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sleight of Mind" href="#" target="_blank">Sleight of Mind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sleight of Mind" href="#" target="_blank">Sleight of Mind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> changes the color of the Knights’ protection and adds blue to the White Weenie deck, allowing it to pressure opponents while protecting against bigger threats, akin to the Counter Cat Zoo deck that would win the first Modern Pro Tour.</p>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kwende, Pride of Femeref" href="#" target="_blank">Kwende, Pride of Femeref</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Knight of Meadowgrain"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Knight of the White Orchid"></div></div>
<p>Kwende works well with the Knights that have first strike, upgrading that ability into double strike. Now, instead of just dominating combat by outmaneuvering opponents, our Knights effectively hit twice, taking out larger blockers or carving through life totals.</p>
<p>Even as the protection Knights semi-archetype went by the wayside, Knights like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Knight of Meadowgrain" href="#" target="_blank">Knight of Meadowgrain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Knight of the White Orchid" href="#" target="_blank">Knight of the White Orchid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> still have the first strike ability, enabling Kwende to turn our solid "French Vanilla" or better creatures into legitimate threats.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Syr Gwyn, Hero of Ashvale"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aryel, Knight of Windgrace"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sidar Jabari"></div></div>
<p>Knights have a few different options at to helm a Commander deck, some of which are quite powerful. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir" href="#" target="_blank">Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has one of the most broken mechanics in Commander in <em>eminence</em> and brings the archetype into Esper. If you’re looking for a Sleight Knight deck, Sidar’s the perfect choice, providing a stream of card filtering and recursion.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syr Gwyn, Hero of Ashvale" href="#" target="_blank">Syr Gwyn, Hero of Ashvale</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> puts the deck into Mardu and is a primarily Equipment, secondarily Knight commander. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aryel, Knight of Windgrace" href="#" target="_blank">Aryel, Knight of Windgrace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a more midrange Orzhov option, making Knight tokens and tapping those Knights to remove threats.</p>
<p>There are other commanders that happen to be Knights, but perhaps the most interesting is the original <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidar Jabari" href="#" target="_blank">Sidar Jabari</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which has flanking and taps blockers when it attacks. While flanking hasn’t seen much support recently, it was the go-to Knight ability for a while, showing their ability to use tactics to outmaneuver opponents.</p>
<p>Still, none of these options have the power and simplicity of Kwende.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kwende, Pride of Femeref" href="#" target="_blank">Kwende, Pride of Femeref</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Akroma&#039;s Will"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brave the Elements"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aven Warcraft"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spare from Evil"></div></div>
<p>While <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir" href="#" target="_blank">Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might be the best commander for the Sleight Knight deck, Kwende can also use protection to enable alpha strikes. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akroma&#039;s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Akroma&#039;s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brave the Elements" href="#" target="_blank">Brave the Elements</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aven Warcraft" href="#" target="_blank">Aven Warcraft</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can help us punch through large amounts of double strike damage.</p>
<p>One of the cuter protection spells is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spare from Evil" href="#" target="_blank">Spare from Evil</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which gives us and our creatures protection from non-Humans. This can help us push through damage or even prevent an alpha strike and enable a counterattack.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flawless Maneuver"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Make a Stand"></div></div>
<p>What makes Knights such an interesting creature type is that they're masters of combat, both offensive and defensive. This is shown in our commander using first strike offensively by upgrading it to double strike, as well as in our card selection.</p>
<p>We use protection spells to enable alpha strikes as well as anti-removal like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flawless Maneuver" href="#" target="_blank">Flawless Maneuver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Make a Stand" href="#" target="_blank">Make a Stand</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to maintain our board when players try to wipe it. This creates openings to maintain the beatdown, using defense to enable counterattacks like true tactical geniuses.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dawn Charm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Path to Exile"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reprieve"></div></div>
<p>The magic of Knights is that they not only dominate on the battlefield, they can dominate the stack, too. Even in mono-white, we use instants to enable attacks, protect our board, and yes, even remove threats.</p>
<p>Our Knights will outmaneuver opponents any way we can, whether it’s via fogs like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dawn Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Dawn Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, spot removal like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Path to Exile" href="#" target="_blank">Path to Exile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or even the odd white <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Counterspell" href="#" target="_blank">Counterspell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reprieve" href="#" target="_blank">Reprieve</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>No matter what happens, we’re going to have a say in it, using the mana left open from casting cheap Knights.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="War Room"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arch of Orazca"></div></div>
<p>Our nonbasic lands provide mana sinks and card advantage, letting us play like a control deck should the position be beneficial.</p>
<p>Leaving up mana to interact on opponents’ turns is great when we have traps to spring, but, if those traps remain un-sprung, we need things to do with our mana. We can activate lands like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="War Room" href="#" target="_blank">War Room</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arch of Orazca" href="#" target="_blank">Arch of Orazca</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on the end step of opponents’ turns, which lets us leave up mana but not completely skip our turns.</p>
<h2>How Does This <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kwende, Pride of Femeref" href="#" target="_blank">Kwende, Pride of Femeref</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Commander Deck Win?</h2>
<p>The goal of the deck is to make small creatures and then outmaneuver our opponents, dealing damage in large chunks with double strike. As an aggressive-leaning midrange deck, we can adopt offensive or defensive positions easily.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kwende, Pride of Femeref" href="#" target="_blank">Kwende, Pride of Femeref</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Kwende, Pride of Femeref Commander Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Kwende, Pride of Femeref
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Archetype of Courage
*1 Attended Knight
*1 Benalish Knight
*1 Capashen Knight
*1 Caravan Escort
*1 Cavalry Drillmaster
*1 Cloud Crusader
*1 Fiendslayer Paladin
*1 Inspiring Paladin
*1 Kjeldoran Skyknight
*1 Knight Exemplar
*1 Knight of Dawn
*1 Knight of Dawn&#039;s Light
*1 Knight of Grace
*1 Knight of Meadowgrain
*1 Knight of the White Orchid
*1 Lightwielder Paladin
*1 Lone Rider // It That Rides as One
*1 Order of Leitbur
*1 Order of the White Shield
*1 Paladin en-Vec
*1 Sigiled Paladin
*1 Silver Knight
*1 Skyhunter Patrol
*1 Student of Warfare
*1 Syr Alin, the Lion&#039;s Claw
*1 White Knight
*1 White Orchid Phantom
*1 Youthful Knight
*1 Zhalfirin Knight
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Akroma&#039;s Blessing
*1 Akroma&#039;s Will
*1 And They Shall Know No Fear
*1 Aven Warcraft
*1 Brave the Elements
*1 Clever Concealment
*1 Dawn Charm
*1 Disenchant
*1 Divine Resilience
*1 Flare of Fortitude
*1 Flawless Maneuver
*1 Generous Gift
*1 Get Lost
*1 Grand Crescendo
*1 Make a Stand
*1 Mana Tithe
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Perch Protection
*1 Reprieve
*1 Return to Dust
*1 Spare from Evil
*1 Stroke of Midnight
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Unbreakable Formation
*1 Your Temple Is Under Attack
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Always Watching
*1 Brave the Sands
*1 Radiant Destiny
*1 True Conviction
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Arch of Orazca
*1 Cavern of Souls
*1 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire
*1 Emeria, the Sky Ruin
*1 Minas Tirith
*1 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
*1 Path of Ancestry
*30 Plains
*1 Three Tree City
*1 War Room
*1 Windbrisk Heights
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>Knights are masters of combat, and this deck looks to push that as far as it can go. There are ways to add more colors, abilities, or card types, but those risk losing what makes Knights special: the power of simplicity.</p>
<h3>Read More:</h3>
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<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="e7ixxtgSzv"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-a-pirate-typal-deck-with-ramirez-depietro-pillager/">Building a Pirate Typal Deck With Ramirez DePietro, PIllager</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Building a Pirate Typal Deck With Ramirez DePietro, PIllager&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-a-pirate-typal-deck-with-ramirez-depietro-pillager/embed/#?secret=rsQgXT2YkB#?secret=e7ixxtgSzv" data-secret="e7ixxtgSzv" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="rbXZwwmnq8"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-a-dinosaur-typal-deck-with-gishath-suns-avatar/">Building a Dinosaur Typal Deck with Gishath, Sun's Avatar</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Building a Dinosaur Typal Deck with Gishath, Sun&#039;s Avatar&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-a-dinosaur-typal-deck-with-gishath-suns-avatar/embed/#?secret=tocouXOs4x#?secret=rbXZwwmnq8" data-secret="rbXZwwmnq8" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>


Building a Knight Deck with Kwende, Pride of Femeref

Top 10 Double Strike Enablers

From the Brim to the Trim - Confusing Opponents with Keywords and Narrow Budgets

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Atraxa, Grand Unifier" href="#" target="_blank">Atraxa, Grand Unifier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>/ By <a href="https://martanael.com/">Marta Nael)</a></h6>
<h1>Blink, and You'll Miss It</h1>
<p>Commander players can be greedy.</p>
<p>Case in point, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Atraxa, Grand Unifier" href="#" target="_blank">Atraxa, Grand Unifier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Atraxa, Grand Unifier"></div></div>
<p>Whenever she enters the battlefield, she lets you look at the top 10 cards of your library and up to 8 of those cards go to hand. Digging that deep and picking specific cards is tremendously powerful. This is a game-ending amount of value.</p>
<p>However, players want to do this every turn. Multiple times a turn; filling your hand with more cards than you can possibly cast. Atraxa, Grand Unifier, in my mind, is the premier “winmore.deck”</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/blink">Blink</a> strategies are the most popular build path for this <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Atraxa, Grand Unifier" href="#" target="_blank">Atraxa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/search/?q=blink">Blink</a> is shorthand for any effect that exiles a permanent and then returns it to the battlefield. This lets players get ETB, enter the battlefield, triggers multiple times instead of once.</p>
<p>These decks have no problem controlling a board or accruing an incredible amount of resources. The problem these decks face is turning that into victory.</p>
<p>The strategy I'm about to outline is just as "win more" as any other Atraxa brew. Like her <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Atraxa, Praetors&#039; Voice" href="#" target="_blank">original iteration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, even less optimized decks will still be powerful. This strategy creates an unstoppable, impenetrable board state. Atraxa won't be in and out gathering supplies. She's going to lead the invasion firsthand.</p>
<h2>The Other Abilities</h2>
<p>Atraxa's unique combination of <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/keywords">keywords</a> make combat a nightmare for our opponents.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Raffine, Scheming Seer"></div></div>
<h3><strong>Flying</strong></h3>
<p>Atraxa has no issue finding someone to fly over. Players often don't have an answer to flyers barring an incidental instance of flying or reach. The rest only hope to draw removal.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thunderous Orator"></div></div>
<h3><strong>Vigilance</strong></h3>
<p>Atraxa is online at all times. Without vigilance, an offensive creature is effectively gone after the attack. After swinging a big creature, that player is left open on their opponent's turns. Atraxa gets to swing and stays open to block each other turn.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sephara, Sky&#039;s Blade"></div></div>
<h3><strong>Lifelink</strong></h3>
<p>Atraxa always collects. The biggest downside to big attacking creatures without trample is chump blocks. Your opponents will gladly sacrifice a Bird token to prevent losing seven. Lifelink ensures that we get value out of every single swing and block. Each swing and block grants you a substantial chunk of health back.</p>
<p>This pairs well with vigilance. Opponents will have to be careful not to increase your life from swinging into your blockers.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Baleful Strix"></div></div>
<h3><strong>Deathtouch</strong></h3>
<p>Atraxa is taking her threats down with her. If you wanted to power past Atraxa you have one more thing to consider. Is swinging at the Atraxa player worth losing whatever I'm swinging with? It doesn’t matter if you're swinging with some gigantic monstrosity. Any instance of damage will be lethal.</p>
<h2>Secret Weapon</h2>
<p>Atraxa's keywords make it difficult for our opponents to approach.</p>
<p>But what if every single creature you control had those game-warping abilities?</p>
<p>Our secret commander, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Odric, Lunarch Marshal" href="#" target="_blank">Odric, Lunarch Marshal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does just that.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Odric, Lunarch Marshal"></div></div>
<p>This is my first secret commander deck of the series.</p>
<p>Secret commander decks are where the “Build around card” is a card in the deck not the command zone.</p>
<p>I am a fan of this strategy as it allows for deck building outside of a commander's colors, and allows for building around cards that aren’t legendary creatures.</p>
<p>Black and green have several <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> spells to pull Odric from the deck. With some luck, Atraxa's ETB trigger is pretty good at finding him herself.</p>
<p>Odric is the premier "Keywords" commander. This wall of text effectively reads:</p>
<p><strong><em>At the beginning of each combat, creatures you control gain each keyword for each keyword on a creature you control.</em></strong></p>
<p>In our case, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Atraxa, Grand Unifier" href="#" target="_blank">Atraxa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on the field, Odric would gain flying, vigilance, deathtouch, and lifelink at the beginning of combat. Each other creature you control gains those abilities too!</p>
<p>Some nuances:</p>
<ul>
<li>This is includes your opponent's combat steps</li>
<li>The abilities remain on each creature until end of turn</li>
<li>It covers 13 specific keywords, not all of them</li>
</ul>
<h2>Key to Victory</h2>
<p>Now for the fun part, the keywords that push <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Atraxa, Grand Unifier" href="#" target="_blank">Atraxa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from powerful to unstoppable.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Oketra the True"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Avenging Huntbonder"></div></div>
<h3><strong>Double Strike</strong></h3>
<p>What's better than a 7/7 body? One that hits twice! Double strike lets you deal damage on the first strike step and the regular damage step of combat. Alongside deathtouch, anything blocking Atraxa will die before it deals damage. Anything that gets blocked will face the same fate.</p>
<p>First strike will interact the same way with deathtouch except there won't be an additional instance of damage at the regular damage step.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crashing Drawbridge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hall of the Bandit Lord"></div></div>
<h3><strong>Haste</strong></h3>
<p>What's better than a 7/7 blocker entering the battlefield? One that can attack that same turn.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crashing Drawbridge" href="#" target="_blank">Crashing Drawbridge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is boots on a stick. What I mean by that ridiculous sentence is that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Greaves" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Greaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> grants haste to one creature at a time, where Crashing Drawbridge grants haste to each creature, every turn.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hall of the Bandit Lord" href="#" target="_blank">Hall of the Bandit Lord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> takes a chunk of life to use, but after your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Atraxa, Grand Unifier" href="#" target="_blank">Atraxa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> swings immediately, you actually come ahead due to lifelink. Also, that haste doesn't go away from end of turn. So if you have Odric out (which is the point of the deck) your whole board has haste. I'd pay three life for that.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stonehoof Chieftain"></div></div>
<h3><strong>Trample</strong></h3>
<p>I didn't forget about trample. Only, with a whole board of flyers, trample becomes a little redundant. There's an incidental smattering of trample in the deck. It plays well with deathtouch. As we only need to assign one point of deathtouch damage to a blocker for it to be lethal. Meaning our 7/7 can assign the other six other damage to our opponent regardless of the blocker's toughness.</p>
<h2>Attacking From a Different Angle</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Akroma, Angel of Wrath"></div></div>
<p>Arkoma has been long beloved for having a staggering amount of keywords. She has so many keywords she had keywords before they <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akroma, Angel of Wrath|lgn|1" href="#" target="_blank">existed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. She's a fast, resilient threat that makes opponents think twice when engaging in any form of combat. She brings four unique keywords to our board that Atraxa doesn't provide: Haste, first strike, protection from black and red, and trample. Because this deck aims to grant every creature the same swath of keywords, this makes Akroma one of the best cards in the deck. You can discard her and get those juicy keywords in play with one of our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cairn Wanderer" href="#" target="_blank">graveyard centric</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Keyword cards.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zetalpa, Primal Dawn" href="#" target="_blank">Zetalpa, Primal Dawn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be used similarly. While not having haste, Zetalpa brings indestructible, trample, and double strike to the field. Every keyword you could want more on Atraxa, Zetalpa brings.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Akroma, Vision of Ixidor"></div></div>
<p>The original <em>Commander Legends</em> product brought a phenomenal update to Akroma. She brings first strike and trample to the table, but more importantly a +1/+1 buff to each other creature for every keyword they have. This payoff is game-ending. Atraxa alone becomes an 11/11, letting her kill anyone after two swings from commander damage. If Odric is out, it's a +6/+6 to every creature you control. While unlikely, this brew is capable at maxing out at +10/+10 to each creature alongside ten bonkers keywords.</p>
<h2>Preparing For Invasion</h2>
<p>Atrxa is a magnet for removal. And for good reason. An Atraxa player left unchecked will have little issue taking over a game. That's why a chunk of our strategy is dedicated to make removing her as difficult as possible.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thryx, the Sudden Storm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elvish Piper"></div></div>
<p>Prevention beats a cure. A key weakness to any big spell strategy is counterspells. If a player answers our seven mana commander for two, that is a huge loss of value for us. If a player can counter Atraxa before she hits the field, they will. That's why we don't give our opponents that option.</p>
<p>I wanted to highlight <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thryx, the Sudden Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Thryx, the Sudden Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> specifically. In a deck packed with huge spells, Thryx takes away the guess work. We cast these Angels easier, unafraid of counterspells.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elvish Piper" href="#" target="_blank">Elvish Piper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and other similar cards are fantastic for this deck. It lets us play or huge creatures much faster and stops opponents from using conventional counter magic to stop us.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Daring Fiendbonder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bastion Protector"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Avacyn, Angel of Hope"></div></div>
<p>If you've managed to resolve Atraxa, the next step is keeping her on the battlefield. Indestructible is pretty good at that. Swinging and blocking become even easier. Most board wipes and removal spells become a fleeting gesture.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sigarda, Font of Blessings"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Slippery Bogbonder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Swiftfoot Boots"></div></div>
<p>Hexproof, like indestructible, is an ability we want on Atraxa at all times. Your opponents will remove her if given the opportunity. So don't give them that opportunity. If you're lucky, they'll send it somewhere else too.</p>
<p>The only way around Atraxa from this point, are specific board wipes, that exile, bounce, or reduce toughness. That's what our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swan Song" href="#" target="_blank">counter magic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is for.</p>
<p>Nothing is stopping <strong>compleat</strong> invasion.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Atraxa Keywords" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Atraxa, Grand Unifier
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Akroma, Angel of Wrath
*1 Akroma, Vision of Ixidor
*1 Atraxa, Praetors&#039; Voice
*1 Avacyn, Angel of Hope
*1 Avenging Huntbonder
*1 Baleful Strix
*1 Bastion Protector
*1 Birds of Paradise
*1 Bloom Tender
*1 Cairn Wanderer
*1 Crashing Drawbridge
*1 Daring Fiendbonder
*1 Delighted Halfling
*1 Elvish Piper
*1 Esper Sentinel
*1 Faeburrow Elder
*1 Kathril, Aspect Warper
*1 Likeness Looter
*1 Majestic Myriarch
*1 Obsessive Stitcher
*1 Odric, Lunarch Marshal
*1 Oketra the True
*1 Raffine, Scheming Seer
*1 Rayami, First of the Fallen
*1 Scavenged Brawler
*1 Sephara, Sky&#039;s Blade
*1 Shalai, Voice of Plenty
*1 Sigarda, Font of Blessings
*1 Slippery Bogbonder
*1 Stonehoof Chieftain
*1 Thryx, the Sudden Storm
*1 Thunderous Orator
*1 Toski, Bearer of Secrets
*1 Urborg Scavengers
*1 Zetalpa, Primal Dawn
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 An Offer You Can&#039;t Refuse
*1 Assassin&#039;s Trophy
*1 Fact or Fiction
*1 Faithful Mending
*1 Frantic Search
*1 Stroke of Midnight
*1 Swan Song
*1 Vampiric Tutor
*1 Worldly Tutor
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Black Market Connections
*1 Concerted Effort
*1 Defense of the Heart
*1 Mystic Remora
*1 Rhystic Study
[/Enchantments]
[Artifacts]
*1 Chromatic Lantern
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Mana Crypt
*1 Monster Manual // Zoological Study
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Cultivate
*1 Demonic Tutor
*1 Farseek
*1 Kodama&#039;s Reach
*1 Profane Tutor
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Sublime Exhalation
*1 Tooth and Nail
*1 Vanquish the Horde
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Boseiju, Who Endures
*1 Cavern of Souls
*1 City of Brass
*1 Command Tower
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fabled Passage
*1 Field of Ruin
*6 Forest
*1 Ghost Quarter
*1 Hall of the Bandit Lord
*1 Indatha Triome
*4 Island
*1 Mana Confluence
*1 Otawara, Soaring City
*6 Plains
*1 Raffine&#039;s Tower
*1 Spara&#039;s Headquarters
*4 Swamp
*1 Zagoth Triome
[/Lands]"></span></div>


<h2>Final Words of Advice</h2>
<p>While she remains unique for her color combination, I would argue that those four keywords are what make her as iconic as a commander.</p>
<p>I feel keywords are underrated in general. Their power is demonstrated with standout cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akroma&#039;s Memorial" href="#" target="_blank">Akroma&#039;s Memorial</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akroma&#039;s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Akroma&#039;s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. However, the strategy itself is not particularly popular.</p>
<p>There are already blink decks, there are already proliferate decks. There are decks that love putting cards in hand. While Atraxa can pull off each of these strategies with great success, I am more interested in pulling off a strategy that no other commander has; blessing a board of creatures with a unique combination of keywords.</p>
<p>Each Atraxa represents the format itself in a way. Her combined <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders">popularity</a> is a testament to that. They are powerful, but allow for countless directions to brew in. This brew itself could be modified in a few different directions. In my mind, that's where much of the fun of Commander is. Pulling off ridiculous, absurdly powerful board states and interactions. Each Atraxa represents this desire perfectly.</p>
<p>I am not the first to brew Atraxa as a "Keywords" commander, and I am certain new ways to build will continue to evolve with time.</p>
<p>Thanks for exploring keywords with me! I'd love to hear how your brews are going.</p>
<p>What is your favorite way to <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/search/?q=atraxa">brew with Atraxa</a>? What are your favorite combination of keywords?</p>
<h3><strong>Read More:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/ultra-budget-brews-odric-lunarch-marshal/">Ultra Budget Brews - Odric, Lunarch Marshal</a></li>
<li><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/the-other-ability-pia-nalaar-consul-of-madness/">The Other Ability- Pia Nalar, Consul of Madness</a></li>
<li><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/deep-analysis-blink/">Deep Analysis - Blink</a></li>
</ul>


The Other Ability - Atraxa's Four Other Abilities (They're Keywords)

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kitt Kanto, Mayhem Diva" href="#" target="_blank">Kitt Kanto, Mayhem Diva</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/faribakhamseh">Fariba Khamseh</a></h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo, 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 featuring <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kitt Kanto, Mayhem Diva" href="#" target="_blank">Kitt Kanto, Mayhem Diva</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kitt Kanto, Mayhem Diva"></div></div>
<p>Kitt is an interesting take on Naya politics, one that rewards going (a bit) wide and hitting hard. On the one hand, being able to activate every turn can be very powerful. However, it does have its obvious restrictions: only being able to do it once a turn makes it harder to make an impact, and having enough creatures to tap can be a challenge.</p>
<p>One thing that Kitt has going for her is the ability to have consistent, on-demand, targeted goad, which has plenty of uses, such as accelerating the game clock, forcing key creatures into bad attacks, or even clearing out blockers for an attack.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Ingredients</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Boros Swiftblade"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Illuminator Virtuoso"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Prophetic Flamespeaker"></div></div>
<p>Kitt relies on her targets, so it's only natural to consider this as our main starting point. <em>Infect</em> creatures appreciate this bump in power and the evasion, but I think it's a bit too on the nose. Instead, today we're going to double strike our way to victory. Double striking creatures are hyper-scaling threats that tend to be great both offensively, for their double damage, and defensively, because they hit other creatures first, which makes them excellent targets for our commander. Another benefit of using creatures with double strike is that our commander helps us do some extra damage by using her ability on our opponents' creatures, which isn't possible with a deck that operates on such a different axis like <em>Infect</em> does. The final upside of using double strike over <em>Infect</em> creatures is that they aren't contained in a single block, which means that we have plenty of options to choose from.</p>
<p>While most of our creatures are vanilla creatures with double strike, a few are worth mentioning. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Adorned Pouncer" href="#" target="_blank">Adorned Pouncer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great threat throughout the game, being an early double striker that can be replayed later on for some smashing. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blade-Blizzard Kitsune" href="#" target="_blank">Blade-Blizzard Kitsune</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an interesting addition, on the surface having <em>Ninjutsu</em>, which might not seem all that useful, but with the number of mana dorks and incremental tokens that we produce, they can help us "haste" it into play. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fabled Hero" href="#" target="_blank">Fabled Hero</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Illuminator Virtuoso" href="#" target="_blank">Illuminator Virtuoso</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are excellent growing threats that get out of hand very quickly, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="God-Eternal Oketra" href="#" target="_blank">God-Eternal Oketra</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a tool for grinding removal-heavy games and it can also take over the game if left unchecked.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scale Up"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rancor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brute Force"></div></div>
<p>Our pump suite is designed to be fast and hard-hitting; we're forgoing some of the usual synergies that shells like these tend to have, like Aura, enchantment, and Equipment support, to help make us go faster. Spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brute Force" href="#" target="_blank">Brute Force</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Built to Smash" href="#" target="_blank">Built to Smash</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Infuriate" href="#" target="_blank">Infuriate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Titan&#039;s Strength" href="#" target="_blank">Titan&#039;s Strength</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are cheap pumps that provide a degree of consistency that is important in an aggressive shell like this. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Madcap Skills" href="#" target="_blank">Madcap Skills</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> provide a lot of power for cheap mana investment and on a permanent base nonetheless.</p>
<p>Protecting our threats is especially important, and as such, we need to have a proper suite of cards to keep our stuff alive. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hyena Umbra" href="#" target="_blank">Hyena Umbra</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spider Umbra" href="#" target="_blank">Spider Umbra</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are cheap proactive protection pieces that allow us to have some peace of mind while we develop our board. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Valorous Stance" href="#" target="_blank">Valorous Stance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a flexible protection spell that can also work as a removal spell in a pinch. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ajani&#039;s Presence" href="#" target="_blank">Ajani&#039;s Presence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can target multiple creatures and even leaves them a counter afterward.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Kitt Kanto Double Strikers" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*Kitt Kanto, Mayhem Diva
[/Commander]
[Creature]
*Avacyn&#039;s Pilgrim
*Birds of Paradise
*Boreal Druid
*Elvish Mystic
*Fyndhorn Elves
*Llanowar Elves
*Adorned Pouncer
*Boros Swiftblade
*Fencing Ace
*Illuminator Virtuoso
*Kor Blademaster
*Lizard Blades
*Swiftblade Vindicator
*Twinblade Geist
*Aven Sunstriker
*Blade-Blizzard Kitsune
*Fabled Hero
*Markov Blademaster
*Mavinda, Students&#039; Advocate
*Mirran Crusader
*Prophetic Flamespeaker
*Siege Striker
*Skyhunter Skirmisher
*Solemn Recruit
*Drizzt Do&#039;Urden
*Fury
*God-Eternal Oketra
*Samut, Voice of Dissent
[/Creature]
[Instant]
*Ajani&#039;s Presence
*Brute Force
*Built to Smash
*Expedite
*Fervent Strike
*Infuriate
*Nature&#039;s Claim
*Path to Exile
*Samut&#039;s Spint
*Swords to Plowshares
*Titan&#039;s Strength
*Vastwod Fortification
*Fists of Flame
*Heroic Intervention
*Invigorated Rampage
*Sejiri Shelter
*Valorous Stance
*Chaos Warp
*Invigorate
*Valakut Awakening
[/Instant]
[Artifact]
*Sol Ring
[/Artifact]
[Enchantment]
*Hyena Umbra
*Rancor
*Spider Umbra
*Angelic Gift
*Goblin Orinflamme
*Madcap Skills
*Rhythm of the Wild
*Marshal&#039;s Anthem
[/Enchantment]
[Sorcery]
*Ancestral Anger
*Crash Through
*Maximize Velocity
*Reckless Charge
*Scale Up
*Shatterskull Smashing
*Bala Ged Recovery
*Harvest Season
*Makindi Stampede
*Emeria&#039;s Call
*Turntimber Symbiosis
*Vanquish The Horde
*Blasphemous Act
[/Sorcery]
[Land]
*Battlefield Forge
*Bountiful Promenade
*Brushland
*City of Brass
*Command Tower
*Exotic Orchard
*Handweir Battlements
*Horizon Canopy
*Jetmir&#039;s Garden
*Karplusan Forest
*Mana Confluence
*Prismatic Vista
*Sacred Foundry
*Slayers&#039; Stronghold
*Spectator Seating
*Spire Garden
*Stomping Ground
*Sunbaked Canyon
*Temple Garden
*4 Forest
*2 Mountain
*4 Plains
[/Land]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>Our mana ramp suite is mainly mana dorks. They're a very cheap source of mana acceleration, which works perfectly, especially since they allow us to cast our many three-mana threats on turn two. They also work great together with our commander, who appreciates having extra bodies to activate her effect more frequently.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Slayers&#039; Stronghold"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rhythm of the Wild"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Expedite"></div></div>
<p>Haste enablers are extremely important for aggressive decks like ours. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Samut&#039;s Sprint" href="#" target="_blank">Samut&#039;s Sprint</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reckless Charge" href="#" target="_blank">Reckless Charge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are a great way to get a creature going ASAP, and they're effective enough to be worth playing even as just a power boost. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhythm of the Wild" href="#" target="_blank">Rhythm of the Wild</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides <em>Riot</em> to each of our subsequent creatures, which can be quite devastating in the right conditions. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Samut, Voice of Dissent" href="#" target="_blank">Samut, Voice of Dissent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a threat that also works as a haste enabler, providing a solid beater that can be played quite safely at instant speed.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<p>For opening hands, we need one or two threats and some way to start pushing damage through. Sequencing in the early game is crucial to our success. Starting at turn two, we can deploy a double-striking threat or two, and by turn four, we're probably ready to play Kitt. We actually have a very similar play pattern to a Voltron deck, because target selection is a key aspect to make our deck work well.</p>
<p>By the mid-game, things'll be sketchy if there are too many board wipes going around, but if we play it safe with our haste enablers, we could circumvent that problem altogether. This is where we have an edge over traditional Voltron lists; by having our threats spread among many creatures, we can better suit our deck to grind things out over time.</p>
<p>Note that our deck isn't exactly well suited for a late-game scenario. We don't want to reach the late game at all. Kitt Kanto's double strikers need us to go fast, so plan the early turns appropriately.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Future Potential Upgrades</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glistener Elf"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sram, Senior Edificer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sevinne&#039;s Reclamation"></div></div>
<p>One area that our deck is a bit lacking is card draw and recursion for grindier games. These cards can slow us down in a 'goldfish' sort of way, but they are a necessary consideration in many environments. Potential alternate build paths could focus more on having late-game helpers. Our deck's support suite was designed to be fast and streamlined, but we could opt into other synergies too, whether it's with Auras or Equipment, to give the deck another angle of attack. Choosing which way to go is entirely personal.</p>
<p>I mentioned it before, too, but Kitt Kanto really could make for an awesome <em>Infect</em> commander. <em>Infect</em> has the added benefit of <em>Proliferate</em> to help offer a noncombat way to finish off our opponents.</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment</em>! What do you think of this list? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which did you not? Was this Epic Experiment a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


double strike

Ranking Creature Keyword Combinations in Magic: The Gathering

Building a Knight Deck with Kwende, Pride of Femeref

Top 10 Double Strike Enablers

From the Brim to the Trim - Confusing Opponents with Keywords and Narrow Budgets

The Other Ability - Atraxa's Four Other Abilities (They're Keywords)

Epic Experiment - Kitt Kanto