The Top Twelve Scariest Commanders To Play Against

The Five Best Commander Precons of the Last Five Years

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Valgavoth, Terror Eater" href="#" target="_blank">Valgavoth, Terror Eater</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Illustrated by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/ajmanzanedo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Antonio José Manzanedo</a></em></p>
<p> Welcome to the next installment in our series examining <em>Magic</em> sets and their impact one year later! <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/examining-bloomburrow-one-year-later" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Last time we </a><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/examining-bloomburrow-one-year-later">examined <em>Bloomburrow</em></a> and the cozy woodland vibes it</span> brought to the gaming table. Today, we're taking a much darker turn with <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/dsk" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Duskmourn: House of Horror</em></a>! <em>Duskmourn</em> came out one year ago (at the time of writing), on September 27th, 2024. The set has had the lion's share of criticism and wasn't as well-received as <em>Bloomburrow</em> for those critical reasons. Nonetheless, the set's lore had a fantastic plot that engaged players in a huge way, as well as mechanics that really tied the set together under its horror flavor. What were the criticisms, and what made <em>Duskmourn</em> shine despite them? Come with us as we delve into the fear factory that was The House! </p>
<h2>General Notes on <em>Duskmourn: House of Horror</em></h2>
<p> We got our first major look at the set <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/first-look-at-duskmourn-house-of-horror" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on June 28th</a>. The set contained various house-horror tropes that hearkened back to pop-cultural horror across the history of the genre. The set takes tropes from a lot of literary horror as well. Stories like the Japanese author Uketsu's <em>Strange Houses</em> or Mark Z. Danielewski's <em>House of Leaves</em> all surely left their mark on this set. Of these tropes, though, the films of the 1980s were most prevalent and were the focal point of much of the art and flavor of the set. You'd see ideas from <em>A Nightmare on Elm Street</em> (1984), <em>Halloween</em> (1978), or even <em>Skinamarink</em> (2022) in this set. Any nightmarish being you can think of from all manner of horror or slasher film could feasibly make an appearance in <em>Duskmourn</em>. For many, however, this was a bit of an issue, but it wasn't necessarily the horror's fault. According to <em>Magic</em> Head Designer Mark Rosewater's <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/making-magic/state-of-design-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">State of Design 2025</a> article, there were a few issues with <em>Duskmourn</em> alongside some great praise. The article explores the good and less-good aspects of the reception of <em>Magic</em>'s designs from the previous year. So, when it came to the Duskmourn setting, Rosewater mentioned that players had issues with what he calls "mundane modernity." To quote Rosewater's analysis within that article: </p>
<blockquote><p>Some things <i>Duskmourn: House of Horror</i> did for the first time bothered players, like having characters wearing and using things that we actually use: things like sneakers, or jeans, or a baseball bat. Part of fantasy is the idea that you're coming to a world that is fundamentally different than your own. Fantasy wants to be inspirational, and seeing everyday objects which are a part of all of our daily lives deflates that.</p></blockquote>
<h3>A Contrast From <em>Bloomburrow</em> Showcases What Makes <em>Magic</em> Special</h3>
<p> And now, I'd like to bring in a slight sidebar. Something I've noticed about sets like <em>Bloomburrow</em> is their propensity to release just before or after a very dark set, such as <em>Duskmourn</em>. <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> has done this a few times as a "palate cleanser." We saw it with the <em>Lorwyn</em> block on the heels of <em>Time Spiral</em> Block, which was extremely dark. We saw it with <em>Kaladesh</em>, with the lighter, brighter themes following <em>Shadows over Innistrad</em> and <em>Eldritch Moon</em>'s sharp morbidity and cosmic grotesquery. And we saw it most recently last year with <em>Bloomburrow</em> releasing before <em>Duskmourn: House of Horror</em>. According to Rosewater's analysis, this brand of dichotomic planar juxtaposition is something that, from a flavor perspective, makes <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> so special. <em>Wizards of the Coast</em> is capable of showcasing great darkness and lightheartedness in equal measure over a short span. The way that the company can manage to do this is a major boon to the <em>Magic</em> cosmology, from a lore standpoint, and to the brand as a whole. This phenomenon keeps players highly engaged and interested for a while longer than they would if it were thematically the same throughout its expansion sets. In turn, the game continues through the revenue players put into it out of their interest in the themes. </p>
<h3>On the "Modern Mundanity" Issue</h3>
<p> Of note, based on some information that I've read recently, to use Rosewater's coined term, "modern mundanity" is still a problem for players. This year, we've had multiple <em>Universes Beyond</em> sets release, the most recent being <em>Marvel's Spider-Man</em>. <em>Spider-Man</em>'s reception at this time is not stellar. One Reddit thread stated that for their store, the set's Prerelease had the worst attendance they had in recent years, beating out <em>Murders at Karlov Manor</em>. </p>
<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:316px" ><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/1nm5qt3/spiderman_was_our_lowest_prerelease_attendance/">Spider-Man was our lowest Pre-Release attendance ever</a><br /> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Any-Conversation1401/">u/Any-Conversation1401</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/">magicTCG</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://embed.reddit.com/widgets.js" charset="UTF-8"></script> By contrast, <em>Final Fantasy</em> sold even better than <em>Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth</em> before the Square Enix collaboration even came out. I'd posit that this stark contrast isn't just about <em>Universes Beyond</em>, as players seem to say and believe. Rather, it's also largely about the lesson that <em>Magic</em> still hasn't quite learned from <em>Duskmourn: House of Horror</em>. Modern mundanity is something that players see as having no place in <em>Magic</em>. Believe it or not, fantasy sells a game rooted in the fantasy genre. Even the science fiction sets do pretty well, looking at <em>Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty</em> and even <em>Edge of Eternities</em>. It's when <em>Magic</em> drops a certain amount of fantastical escapism that it begins to suffer somewhat. Getting back to <em>Duskmourn</em>, people complained a ton about the '80s-chic high school-grade outfits that so many background characters had. It was in huge contrast to the key players in the story: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kaito, Bane of Nightmares" href="#" target="_blank">Kaito</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, The <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Wandering Rescuer" href="#" target="_blank">Wanderer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tyvar, the Pummeler" href="#" target="_blank">Tyvar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Niko, Light of Hope" href="#" target="_blank">Niko</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zimone, All-Questioning" href="#" target="_blank">Zimone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Wandering Rescuer Kaito, Bane of Nightmares Tyvar, the Pummeler"></div></div> </p>
<h3>Ah, Some Light in the Dark... *Click* Maybe Turn That Off Again?</h3>
<p> <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Valgavoth, Terror Eater" href="#" target="_blank">Valgavoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, oh <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Valgavoth, Harrower of Souls" href="#" target="_blank">Valgavoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Let's take a moment to discuss this insanely terrifying Elder Demon. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Valgavoth, Terror Eater Valgavoth, Harrower of Souls"></div></div> His presence in the <em>Duskmourn</em> story made it so much better than many would expect. Uncharacteristically for the majority of other <em>Magic</em> stories, Valgavoth's presence was horrific because he was everywhere and nowhere all at once. We hardly saw much of this monstrous character until the end of the story, but his existence as not just in The House but <em>as The House itself</em> was felt. Valgavoth is <em>Duskmourn</em>, and <em>Duskmourn</em> is Valgavoth. This was so important when looking at the storyline beats. It simply bears mention, because to neglect Valgavoth is to feed the dread he inspires. </p>
<h2>EDHREC Statistics</h2>
<p> So, this article also merits some stats. Here are the top five commanders from <em>Duskmourn: House of Horror</em>, as well as the top five commanders from its Commander decks. </p>
<h3>Top Five <em>Duskmourn: House of Horror</em> Main Set Commanders</h3>
<p> At #5, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kona, Rescue Beastie" href="#" target="_blank">Kona, Rescue Beastie</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Kona is a mono-green creature with a strong ability that, at least when the set was spoiled, I didn't have much faith in. Nonetheless, <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/kona-rescue-beastie" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kona currently ranks at #254 on the site</a> with 7,060 decks at the time of writing. For #4, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Mindskinner" href="#" target="_blank">The Mindskinner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This mono-blue enchantment creature is a dedicated Mill commander by all respects. And it's still surprising to me that the card is so popular as a commander, especially considering its archetype. With <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/the-mindskinner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">8,014 decks on EDHREC</a>, The Mindskinner ranks at #202 on the site, just shy of the Top 200. #3 on this list is a dear favorite of mine: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Jolly Balloon Man" href="#" target="_blank">The Jolly Balloon Man</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I wrote a deck tech on The Jolly Balloon Man very early on in my time with <a href="https://commandersherald.com/the-jolly-balloon-man-a-commander-deck-tech/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commander's Herald</a>, which at the time was one of our sibling sites. So, you can understand why this creep was one of my personal faves. And I suppose the idea stuck well, because he currently boasts a formidable <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/the-jolly-balloon-man" target="_blank" rel="noopener">8,177 decks on EDHREC, ranking at #194</a> among the most popular commanders on the site. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kona, Rescue Beastie The Jolly Balloon Man The Mindskinner"></div></div> #2 is the very person who made the mistake of releasing Valgavoth into The House: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marina Vendrell" href="#" target="_blank">Marina Vendrell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Marina is a commander who deals with one of the set's most memorable gimmicks: Rooms. In essence, Marina can do a lot to make this concept work exceptionally well. And while I'm the only person I know who has a Jolly Balloon Man deck, I've faced quite a few Marina Vendrell builds. She ranks at <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/marina-vendrell" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#146 on EDHREC with 9,819 decks built</a>. Frankly, I can't wait till she breaks 10k! And finally, at #1 for main set commanders in <em>Duskmourn</em>, we have a pint-sized powerhouse that I <em>never</em> expected to see on the top ten, let alone at #1. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arabella, Abandoned Doll" href="#" target="_blank">Arabella, Abandoned Doll</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a truly strong herald of the meek. As an uncommon card and one that's deceptive in its power, I was surprised to see Arabella on this list at all. But lo and behold, <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/marina-vendrell" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arabella has 13,967 decks on EDHREC</a> at the time of writing, and is ranked well within the top 100 most popular commanders on the site at a mighty #76. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Marina Vendrell Arabella, Abandoned Doll"></div></div> </p>
<h3>Top Five Commanders From the <em>Duskmourn</em> Precons</h3>
<p> The top five most popular commanders from the precons of this set are as follows: #5 on this list is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Master of Keys" href="#" target="_blank">The Master of Keys</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a commander whose deck I've faced maybe all of one time. This release was just full of surprises, huh? The Master of Keys is used primarily as an enchantment-centric control commander. With <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/the-master-of-keys" target="_blank" rel="noopener">5,734 decks and a ranking of #346 on EDHREC</a>, The Master of Keys doesn't have a ton of popularity, but it can still hold its own against a lot of other legendary creatures on the list. On the list at #4 is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rendmaw, Creaking Nest" href="#" target="_blank">Rendmaw, Creaking Nest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Rendmaw is a commander whose deck I've faced a handful of times and had a great, really fun match every time. This Scarecrow facilitates a fair few huggy, political builds which is <em>interesting</em> for its black-green color identity. Rendmaw boasts <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/rendmaw-creaking-nest" target="_blank" rel="noopener">8,221 decks on EDHREC and is ranked at #192</a> on here. #3 on our list is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zimone, Mystery Unraveler" href="#" target="_blank">Zimone, Mystery Unraveler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Perhaps made popular by initial games among the four <em>Duskmourn</em> precons, Zimone dominated many tables using that exact table setup. One particular game I enjoyed where Zimone had a great showing was one where Ify Nwadiwe of Dropout and Smosh fame piloted her on Commander At Home. You can find that video below. All the other preconstructed decks from the set also showcase their assets amazingly in it as well: <iframe loading="lazy" title="Commander at Home #44 - Duskmourn Commander Deck Preview with Ify Nwadiwe and Ashlen Rose" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eQY54Y0ftt4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe> Zimone, Mystery Unraveler has a fantastic ranking of <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/zimone-mystery-unraveler" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#127 on EDHREC, with 10,550 decks</a> at the time of writing. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Master of Keys Zimone, Mystery Unraveler Rendmaw, Creaking Nest"></div></div> At #2 on this list is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aminatou, Veil Piercer" href="#" target="_blank">Aminatou, Veil Piercer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. A dedicated Enchantress commander, the designers of her preconstructed deck leaned heavily into the miracle route. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aminatou, the Fateshifter" href="#" target="_blank">Aminatou, the Fateshifter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was popular enough in <em>Commander 2018</em> that it must have rubbed off onto the design here. Due to powerful synergies and a great toolkit in the form of her precon, Aminatou, Veil Piercer <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/aminatou-veil-piercer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ranks at #96 with 12,270 decks on EDHREC</a> right now. And finally, the #1 most popular commander from the <em>Duskmourn</em> precons is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Valgavoth, Harrower of Souls" href="#" target="_blank">Valgavoth, Harrower of Souls</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The House may not <em>always</em> win, but it wins a <em>lot</em>. That obviously includes here in the rankings. Valgavoth is the commander of a Group Slug-style build most of the time, hurting opponents where it hurts them the most, and sometimes in equal or equitable measure. Valgavoth has even infiltrated the Top 50! With <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/valgavoth-harrower-of-souls" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a rank of #38 and 18,152 decks databased on EDHREC</a>, he's one of the fiercest and most formidable commanders of this day and age. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aminatou, Veil Piercer Valgavoth, Harrower of Souls"></div></div> </p>
<h2>Conclusion, and an Open Call for Opinions</h2>
<p> I liked <em>Duskmourn</em> a whole lot more than I did <em>Bloomburrow</em>. I will admit openly that I can be edgy in my interests, but there's definitely a limit. I'm a huge fan of horror in theory, but, perhaps oddly, not in practice. I used to be a haunt actor and designer years ago, and that is maybe the big exception for me, but I can't stomach some horror styles. But haunted houses are my bread and butter, so <em>Duskmourn</em> was too, in essence. But let's hear from some of you, dear readers! What did you think about <em>Duskmourn: House of Horror</em> a year ago, and has that opinion changed? Do you like it more than you did before? Do you like it less? How has this set aged for you? Sound off in the comments below!</p>


Examining Duskmourn: House of Horror, One Year Later

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sothera, the Supervoid" href="#" target="_blank">Sothera, the Supervoid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/dominikmayerart" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dominik Mayer</a></em></p>
<p> I'm not going to lie, that title is a little bit click bait. I apologize, in part because we're motivated to click something like this because we have a vested interest in this concept of "Hat Sets." I'm not concerned if they're bad, as much as I would like to explore it as a phenomenon, and naturally we'll have to talk about its effect on <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>. I spoke with the community on Blue Sky to get a baseline of sentiment - just general community thoughts about this concept. I interviewed <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/vorthosjay.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jay Annelli</a> and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/iwriterobots.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Henn</a>, prominent Vorthos in the <em>Magic</em> community that I know. Some of their expert opinions on this are basis for some perspectives, but understand these are my own sublimations. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Aetherspark"></div></div> </p>
<h2>Definition of a "Hat Set"</h2>
<p> I'm sure when I mention "Hat Sets," certain sets pop into your head. Probably <em>Murders At Karlov Manor, Outlaws of Thunder Junction, </em>and/or<em> Aetherdrift</em>. Some players might include things like <em>Arabian Nights, Ixalan, </em>or<em> Kaldheim</em>. Does that feel weird? What about <em>Edge of Eternities</em>? This is part of this concept I find fascinating. What is the definition of a Hat Set? From what I understand there's some contention about the origins and explanation for this social phenomenon. Most would agree a set is a Hat Set because it diverges from the typical, well developed original <em>Magic</em> story both aesthetically and lore-wise. I think most would agree with this sentiment because it's a conglomeration from sentiments online, and it's fairly broad. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Radiant Lotus"></div></div> </p>
<h2>Origins</h2>
<p> Where does this term "Hat Set" come from? Is it new? Jay Annelli mentioned the term comes from the trope "<a href="https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PlanetOfHats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Planet of Hats</a>." According to TV Tropes a Planet of Hats is "a planet whose inhabitants all share a single defining characteristic. Everybody is a robot, or a gangster, or a Proud Warrior Race Guy, or an over-the-top actor, or has the same name, or wears a silly hat." </p>
<h2>Validity of the Term</h2>
<p> Jay Annelli, Henn, and Mark Rosewater, seem to push back on this kind of term mostly because the term doesn't point out something significant. Mark Rosewater notably pushed back in the following statement: </p>
<blockquote><p>"Do you feel that way about all of Star Wars and Star Trek? Hoth is “the ice planet” and not a diverse ecosystem of which we’ve seen the cold part. When your IP has a lot of worlds, it requires having a singular identifying quality so you can tell them apart. We don’t want to say we’re going to plane X and the audience has no idea what to expect. Also, having a singular identifying quality doesn’t make it inherently two-dimensional. Countries on Earth have identities yet are not two-dimensional."</p></blockquote>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Renewed Solidarity Ketramose, the New Dawn"></div></div> I mostly agree here. The points expressed don't really explain the phenomenon. Not to undermine what Rosewater is saying here, but just because the term has become pejorative, it still attempts to name a phenomenon the community thinks is happening. It might not still be defined by the origins of the word, but it has evolved to hold fairly specific meaning, at least in so far as we've explored in this article. The initial definition doesn't completely encapsulate what the community seems to think - at least not how their opinions about this seem to manifest. </p>
<h2>The Metamorphosis of Hat Sets</h2>
<p> The reason I say the initial definition doesn't seem to add up is because of which sets are Hat Sets. Or more insidiously, which ones remain Hat Sets. The most notable Hat Sets are <em>Murders At Karlov Manor</em> (MKM), <em>Outlaws of Thunder Junction</em> (OTJ), and <em>Aetherdrift</em> (DFT). A lesser mentioned set to fall in this category is <em>Duskmourn</em> (DSK). These sets make some sense to be Hat Sets, at least by the initial definition. As Annelli pointed out, "Thunder Junction didn't have a Planewalker Guide or extra material explaining more about how the world became what it is." It seems to have less material lore wise. The other thing is that these sets have modern aesthetics like sneakers and TVs in <em>DSK</em> and cowboy hats in <em>OTJ</em>. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hashaton, Scarab&#039;s Fist"></div></div> Wait. There's a problem here, then, with <em>Aetherdrift</em>. It takes place in a typical <em>Magic</em> plane and has the aesthetics of previous set's plane Avishkar. It has additional lore information related to the plane. The aesthetics are consistent with that plane. Unless I'm missing something here, <em>Aetherdrift</em> shouldn't be on the list. Except the fact that it meets the Planet of Hats trope: It's a racing set; everyone is a racer. Then which is it? Is the term for Hat Set still holding on to the developed meaning or its initial meaning? There are other elements at play here. I'll eventually talk about whether or not this concept is harmful to the game of <em>Magic</em>, but for now let's leave this point dangling. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Loot, the Pathfinder"></div></div> </p>
<h2>The Weird Thing With <em>Bloomburrow</em> and <em>Edge of Eternities</em></h2>
<p> There's something else interesting happening with <em>Bloomburrow</em> (BLB). This set is fairytale aesthetics: It's light, cute, adolescent. Even the conflicts seem PG. This is very different from the mostly serious, sharp, bleak aesthetic of <em>Magic</em>. Maybe I'm quibbling here. The set is very fantasy inspired if not cute washed. Maybe this isn't enough of a divergence for dissenters to talk about. But what about <em>Edge of Eternities</em> (EOE)? One of the things that drew me to writing this article now was the general acceptance and success of <em>EOE</em>. Even the most hateful and frustrated players sing <em>EOE</em>'s praise. I was floored by this. Aesthetically, it's so divergent from typical <em>Magic</em>. It's a space set, a Sci-Fi set. It has some of the most seriously well developed lore writing in a long time, though. Tons of information about the "plane." <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Webstrike Elite"></div></div> Is there something protecting <em>EOE</em>? No one named <em>EOE</em> as a hat set anywhere. It has lore, but it doesn't meet the aesthetic. If this is okay and <em>BLB</em> is okay, surely the fact that <i>DFT </i>has a single unifying theme is okay? Yet it's cited as one of the biggest offenders for being a Hat Set. </p>
<h2>Time Does Tell</h2>
<p> The second, though more important, thing that drew me to writing about this topic was the fact that this term didn't just appear with the "Hat Set Period." Between 2024-2025 - which includes <em>MKM, Fallout, OTJ, Modern Horizons 3, Assassin's Creed, BLB, DSK, Foundations, Innistrad Remastered, </em>and<em> DFT -</em> sit the most commonly named Hat Sets. At least, that's when I first heard this term. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Academy Ruins"></div></div> Annelli mentioned, "<em>Magic</em> has worked to make each plane unique for 20 years, and the whole hats thing has been applied that whole time." This surprised me. Even amongst the community criticisms about the term Hat Set, a lot of the old sets aren't considered Hat Sets. A lot of sets we've come to think of as the aesthetic of <em>Magic</em> now, since the dawn of this game, had at some point been thought of as a Hat Set. Henn mentioned "I mean like <em>Innistrad</em> is a Hat Set. It's every gothic horror trope in a trench coat. <em>Kaldheim</em> and <em>Theros</em> are Hat Sets. They're referential to real world mythologies. <em>Strixhaven</em> was a Hat Set for wizard school." And he's so right. This concept of "aesthetic" of <em>Magic</em> is fairly flimsy. That's just with in-universe sets. Don't get me started about how this doesn't make sense when talking about UB as well. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rot Hulk"></div></div> </p>
<h2>Do Hat Sets Exist and Does it Matter?</h2>
<p> We have to accept that there isn't a clear definition for a Hat Set. It's not aesthetics, because <em>EOE</em> isn't a Hat Set; not in lore information being necessary because <em>DFT</em> is considered a Hat Set; and not a combination of the two because old sets aren't considered Hat Sets anymore, but once were. The term seems to function as a placeholder for those not comfortable with things they enjoy changing. When <em>Magic</em> stretches the boundaries of the game, if it goes in the direction a player likes, then it's an <em>Edge of Eternities</em> and is lauded as a perfect set. But if it goes against the direction a player likes then it's a Hat Set. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stridehangar Automaton"></div></div> I don't say this as a criticism. Players should feel empowered by hating a set. They're allowed to have opinions and justify them by the consensus of that outcry. But the term basically falls apart as Rosewater, Annelli, and Henn stated. It doesn't describe something universally - as universally as any word does. It brings up a sentiment, but not universally beyond discontent. We have to talk about UB and Hat Sets together in this. Both of these kinds of sets are just sets that the community are commonly disappointed about for lots of different reasons. That might be more relevant. People simply don't like Aetherdrift - and in a lot of ways UB, but not because it's not "aesthetically similar to <em>Magic</em> aesthetic." <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Oviya, Automech Artisan"></div></div> </p>
<h2>Is This Harmful to <em>Magic?</em></h2>
<p> We have to ask ourselves if these UB and Hat Sets are harmful to the game. That's a whole other article, but I'll touch on a few points - metrics specifically. When talking about what is good for <em>Magic</em> we have to understand there are lots of factors. <em>Wizards of the Coast</em> (WOTC) has to juggle what's profitable, enjoyable, and consistent. I'd love to live in a world where art has nothing to do with capitalism, but alas. We have to factor in their metrics into what <em>we</em> think is harmful to the game. Obviously stretching boundaries is profitable. <em>Final Fantasy</em>, a UB IP, and <em>Edge of Eternities</em>, a sci-fi set divergent of the typical <em>Magic</em> aesthetic and story, are proof of this. I've seen fans online talking about the attention to detail and inside references in every set. Success of these sets have little to do with how much effort WOTC puts into their sets. They're not lazy, but more... ambitious. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vnwxt, Verbose Host"></div></div> However they try to listen. People didn't like the racing set or the cowboy set. They like Ravnica. They like Jace - at least now. It's hard to please everyone's shifting moods, but WOTC attempts to be loyal to the people who play this game and have tried to pivot as needed. I'm not sure in the grand scheme of things if WOTC is making mistakes here, but I do think they're trying to make everyone happy when they decide things. It's profitable to keep us happy. </p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p> Hat Sets aren't accurate and effective terminology for the phenomenon we experience when a set doesn't meet our expectations for what a <em>Magic</em> set ought to look, feel, or read like. That doesn't mean it's necessarily harmful, but it can be frustrating not to get what we want. But like I constantly say: Just because your siblings are getting love from your parents, doesn't mean they won't eventually show you love and make time for you. We can coexist. Just because some sets appeal to you and others don't doesn't mean the game is taking a turn for the worse. Either way, give me your takes on Blue Sky. I'm <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/strixhavendropout.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@Strixhavendropout</a>. </p>
<h3>Read More:</h3>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="T53WC4xKEq"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/when-do-lands-become-more-than-a-mana-base/">When Do Lands Become More Than a Mana Base?</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;When Do Lands Become More Than a Mana Base?&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/when-do-lands-become-more-than-a-mana-base/embed/#?secret=4EeYvmxOhD#?secret=T53WC4xKEq" data-secret="T53WC4xKEq" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> </p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="Sp0viDYgyL"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/why-do-we-salt-out-in-commander/">Why Do We Salt Out in Commander?</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Why Do We Salt Out in Commander?&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/why-do-we-salt-out-in-commander/embed/#?secret=wwVU1JN6eO#?secret=Sp0viDYgyL" data-secret="Sp0viDYgyL" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> </p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="vJ3G55LIw7"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/should-you-run-more-removal-in-commander/">Should You Run More Removal in Commander?</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Should You Run More Removal in Commander?&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/should-you-run-more-removal-in-commander/embed/#?secret=BgwUd1cMqZ#?secret=vJ3G55LIw7" data-secret="vJ3G55LIw7" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>


Are "Hat Sets" Bad?

Top 10 Interesting &#038; Interactive - Duskmourn

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Victor, Valgavoth&#039;s Seneschal" href="#" target="_blank">Victor, Valgavoth&#039;s Seneschal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | art by <a href="https://www.jeremywilsonart.com/">Jeremy Wilson</a></h6>
<p> Welcome back to <em>Bottom of the Barrel</em>! This is a series where we pick a theme from EDHREC and look at the “bottom of the barrel.” This means that we look at the least played color-combinations and pick a commander in those colors to brew a spicy new deck around! Today's edition focuses on a mechanic that allows an overlooked new commander to shine: sagas. According to EDHREC, the most popular color combination for decks themed around sagas is Abzan (white, black, and green). Thanks to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Narci, Fable Singer" href="#" target="_blank">Narci, Fable Singer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> coming out with <em>Commander Masters</em>, this stat isn't surprising. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Narci, Fable Singer"></div></div> We always look at the "bottom of the barrel" with this series, but I bent the rules a little with this one. The lowest played color for the saga theme is mono-red, with 3 decks listed in the database. Aside from Abzan and Naya (red, green, and white), most other colors aren't very popular for sagas. Most other color identities are under 100 decks, so it allowed a lot of space for experimentation. With this in mind, I figured we could highlight an underplayed <em>Duskmourn</em> commander: Victor, Valgavoth's Seneschal. Orzhov (black and white) is at 59 decks in the database, and Victor only has 1 deck themed around sagas on the website, so this seems like the perfect choice! <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Victor, Valgavoth&#039;s Seneschal"></div></div> </p>
<h2>Category #1A: Messing With Lore Counters</h2>
<p> Sagas are an interesting card type because they only stick around for a little while before they are either transformed or sacrificed. With this in mind, it's important to note that we can manipulate their lore counters in order to keep them around for longer. This allows us to control when something is transformed or sacrificed, and that can help us to plan ahead for a massive turn. Cards that shine in this category are: Ferropede to guarantee we can reset 1 chapter of a saga we control each combat; Power Conduit to pump up a creature we control while letting us reset a chapter; Hex Parasite to let us reset chapters on our sagas multiple times per turn by just paying mana; Scholar of New Horizons to let us remove a counter to search for a land; and Thrull Parasite to act as a one-time activation that can remove a counter from <em>any permanent.</em> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ferropede Power Conduit Hex Parasite"></div></div> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scholar of New Horizons Thrull Parasite"></div></div> There aren't a lot of cards that let us mess with our sagas like this, but that's why these 5 cards are critical to our gameplan! </p>
<h2>Category #1B: Messing With Lore Counters (Differently)</h2>
<p> Our next batch of cards to talk about allows us to mess with lore counters, but in a completely different way. If a saga leaves the battlefield and then returns, it restarts at chapter 1. The first card that came to mind when thinking about this idea is Flicker, but since it's a sorcery, we can't respond to a saga reaching its final chapter. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flicker"></div></div> The cards I have chosen for category 1B are cards that let us operate at instant speed (for the most part) when trying to reset our sagas: Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd is only card where the effect is not at instant speed, but its attack trigger is a repeatable way to reset our sagas; Meticulous Excavation comes down early and lets us return sagas to our hand before they have to be sacrificed; Cosmic Intervention can bring back any sagas that get sacrificed during a turn (as well as creatures that die during the same turn); Scrollshift is a single-use flicker effect that also draws us a card; and Aerial Extortionist is not only an amazing piece of removal, but we can also exile our own permanents to cast again later, and trigger its "draw a card" ability while we're at it! <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd Meticulous Excavation Cosmic Intervention"></div></div> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scrollshift Aerial Extortionist"></div></div> </p>
<h2>Category #2: Token Creation</h2>
<p> Sagas are great and all, but we need a way to win the game eventually. This brings us to a common theme in the sagas and other enchantments chosen for this deck: creating tokens. This category made me realize that I could easily swap Victor out for Daxos the Returned instead, but I felt like Victor still deserved the love. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Daxos the Returned"></div></div> Let's start with some sagas that create tokens: Firja's Retribution, Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit, Oath of the Grey Host, Genesis of the Daleks, Love Song of Night and Day, Vault 11: Voter's Dilemma, and Three Blind Mice are all token creating sagas each with their own upsides the longer they last in play. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Firja&#039;s Retribution Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit Oath of the Grey Host"></div></div> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Genesis of the Daleks Love Song of Night and Day Vault 11: Voter&#039;s Dilemma"></div></div> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Three Blind Mice"></div></div> These are all terrific cards in our deck, as we can flicker the sagas or mess with the lore counters to create more and more tokens. Outside of these, we have the standard "enchantment token creators" that are seen in most enchantment decks. Archon of Sun's Grace creates Pegasus creatures with flying and lifelink (you'd be surprised how relevant that is!); Monastery Mentor gives us Monk tokens with prowess for each noncreature spell we cast; Ghostly Dancers recurs an enchantment from our graveyard and gives us 3/1 flyers when enchantments enter the battlefield; Hallowed Haunting can give us spirits that continue to grow over the course of the game; Daxos the Returned gives us spirits that get bigger over time; and Historian's Boon is an absolute <em>house</em> in this deck, as it gives us tokens when sagas enter AND when their final chapters trigger. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archon of Sun&#039;s Grace Monastery Mentor Ghostly Dancers"></div></div> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hallowed Haunting Daxos the Returned Historian&#039;s Boon"></div></div> </p>
<h2>Category #3: Recursion</h2>
<p> Considering most sagas sacrifice themselves after their last chapter, recursion is critical to ensuring our deck operates effectively. Two of our best recursion pieces can act as alternate commanders as well, but that will ultimately be your decision in the end. The best pieces of recursion in this deck are: Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher, who lets us benefit from <em>anyone</em> <em>sacrificing anything</em> and can return sagas directly to play; Neva, Stalked by Nightmares, who lets us return an enchantment to our hand while providing advantage when any of our enchantments leave play; and Norika Yamazaki, the Poet, who lets us cast an artifact or enchantment from our graveyard when a warrior or samurai attacks alone (she's a samurai). <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher Neva, Stalked by Nightmares Norika Yamazaki, the Poet"></div></div> Argivian Find is also a sweet piece of recursion for only a single mana at instant speed! <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Argivian Find"></div></div> </p>
<h2>Category #4A: The First "Secret Spice" Ingredients</h2>
<p> Today's deck has two separate sub-categories of "Secret Spice", but it's because they are both separate ways to win the game. Our first "secret spice" ingredients are the Phyrexian Praetors from March of the Machine: Sheoldred, and Elesh Norn. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sheoldred Elesh Norn"></div></div> Both of these creatures can transform into sagas, and with all of our counter manipulation, we can make extra usage of each chapter. Sheoldred's final chapter is a "rise of the dark realms" style effect, and Elesh Norn's final chapter turns our board into a lethal threat. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rise of the Dark Realms"></div></div> </p>
<h2>Category #4B: The Second "Secret Spice" Ingredients</h2>
<p> Our second "secret spice" ingredients are 2 cards that work excellently in this strategy, but can form an infinite combo if played together: Ondu Spiritdancer and Secret Arcade / Dusty Parlor. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ondu Spiritdancer Secret Arcade // Dusty Parlor"></div></div> In order for this combo to work, when need to have the Secret Arcade in play <em>before</em> we cast Ondu Spiritdancer. When Ondu Spiritdancer enters the battlefield, it will see itself as an enchantment, and create a token copy of itself. This generates an infinite loop where we create an infinite number of Ondu Spiritdancer copies. Funnily enough, this exact combo was in the Aminatou, Veil Piercer precon! <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aminatou, Veil Piercer"></div></div> </p>
<h2>Closing Thoughts</h2>
<p data-slot-rendered-content="true">This brings us to the end of our sixth edition of <em>Bottom of the Barrel</em>! I hope you enjoyed exploring a lesser-played color-combination in the world of sagas! As I mentioned before, this deck can just as easily operate with Neva, Stalked by Nightmares, Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher, or Daxos the Returned at the helm, so feel free to experiment!</p>
<p data-slot-rendered-content="true">If you have any thoughts or ideas about this decklist, let me know in the comments below! (I do read them all and greatly appreciate your support!)</p>
<p> Check out my decklist below! &nbsp; <div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Bottom of the Barrel - Victor, Valgavoth&#039;s Seneschal" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander] *1 Victor, Valgavoth&#039;s Seneschal [/Commander] [Enchantments] *1 Black Market Connections *1 Death in Heaven *1 Elspeth Conquers Death *1 Fall of the First Civilization *1 Firja&#039;s Retribution *1 Genesis of the Daleks *1 Ghostly Prison *1 Glasswing Grace // Age-Graced Chapel *1 Hallowed Haunting *1 Historian&#039;s Boon *1 Love Song of Night and Day *1 Meticulous Excavation *1 Michiko&#039;s Reign of Truth // Portrait of Michiko *1 Oath of the Grey Host *1 Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit *1 Secret Arcade // Dusty Parlor *1 Starfield of Nyx *1 Tenuous Truce *1 The Birth of Meletis *1 The Cruelty of Gix *1 The Eldest Reborn *1 The Fall of Lord Konda // Fragment of Konda *1 The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration *1 Three Blind Mice *1 Trial of a Time Lord *1 Tribute to Horobi // Echo of Death&#039;s Wail *1 Vault 11: Voter&#039;s Dilemma *1 Vault 13: Dweller&#039;s Journey [/Enchantments] [Creatures] *1 Aerial Extortionist *1 Archon of Sun&#039;s Grace *1 Ashiok&#039;s Reaper *1 Auramancer *1 Barbara Wright *1 Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher *1 Daxos the Returned *1 Elesh Norn // The Argent Etchings *1 Ferropede *1 Ghostly Dancers *1 Hex Parasite *1 Ian Chesterton *1 Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff *1 Mesa Enchantress *1 Monastery Mentor *1 Neva, Stalked by Nightmares *1 Norika Yamazaki, the Poet *1 Ondu Spiritdancer *1 Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd *1 Scholar of New Horizons *1 Sheoldred // The True Scriptures *1 Starfield Mystic *1 Starnheim Courser *1 Thrull Parasite [/Creatures] [Artifacts] *1 Arcane Signet *1 Fellwar Stone *1 Mirage Mirror *1 Orzhov Signet *1 Power Conduit *1 Sol Ring *1 Talisman of Hierarchy [/Artifacts] [Instants] *1 Argivian Find *1 Cosmic Intervention *1 Inkshield *1 Scrollshift [/Instants] [Sorceries] *1 Redress Fate [/Sorceries] [Lands] *1 Bojuka Bog *1 Caves of Koilos *1 Command Tower *1 Demolition Field *1 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire *1 Fabled Passage *1 Geier Reach Sanitarium *1 Hall of Heliod&#039;s Generosity *1 Isolated Chapel *10 Plains *1 Restless Fortress *1 Shadowy Backstreet *1 Shattered Sanctum *1 Silent Clearing *8 Swamp *1 Temple of Silence *1 Valgavoth&#039;s Lair *1 Vault of Champions *1 Vault of the Archangel [/Lands]"></span></div></p>


Bottom of the Barrel - Victor, Valgavoth's Seneschal

The Top 10 Most Played Commander Cards from DSK

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<a href="https://scryfall.com/search?as=grid&amp;order=released&amp;q=%21%22The+Mindskinner%22+include%3Aextras&amp;unique=prints">The Mindskinner</a> | <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CGo%C3%B1i+Montes%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art">Goñi Montes</a>)</h6>
<h1>Here's a story about a little guy</h1>
<p> That little guy is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Mindskinner" href="#" target="_blank">The Mindskinner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and they're not very blue. Welcome to another deck tech! My name's Nick, and this is my take on one of the most exciting commanders from <em>Duskmourn: House of Horror</em>. What does <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> do in <em>Magic</em>? Most notably, <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?as=grid&amp;order=name&amp;q=%28oracle%3Adraw+oracle%3Acard%29+color%3DU+%28game%3Apaper%29">draw cards</a> and<a href="https://scryfall.com/search?as=grid&amp;order=name&amp;q=%28oracle%3Acounter+oracle%3Atarget+oracle%3Aspell%29+color%3DU+%28game%3Apaper%29"> counter spells</a>. Another thing that the color is known for is a recently keyworded mechanic; mill. Not only is mill an alternate win condition in the game, but outside of an opponent having something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Laboratory Maniac" href="#" target="_blank">Laboratory Maniac</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, it might be the #1 annoyance to opposing players at a table. Anger can often come to the surface when another player mills cards from your deck or exiles your graveyard. In Commander, with the increase in deck size and opponents, mill tends to be used to fill your graveyard rather than your opponents'. But at the low cost of <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> and a stat line of 10/1, <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Mindskinner|DSK|357"></div></div> is hungry for every card your opponents have to offer. </p>
<h2>What you should do</h2>
<p> I will not sugarcoat it; this is not the "ideal" way to build this deck. The most effective way to build the deck is to lean heavily into the Voltron strategy. Cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Mindskinner" href="#" target="_blank">The Mindskinner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, slam any Equipment that pumps the power: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blackblade Reforged" href="#" target="_blank">Blackblade Reforged</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mjölnir, Storm Hammer" href="#" target="_blank">Mjölnir, Storm Hammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hammer of Nazahn" href="#" target="_blank">Hammer of Nazahn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Colossus Hammer" href="#" target="_blank">Colossus Hammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and turn sideways. A form of evasion, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rogue&#039;s Passage" href="#" target="_blank">Rogue&#039;s Passage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, helps out, too. If you could guess, this is not what I did. </p>
<h2>What I did</h2>
<p> I instead decided to put my faith in a man named <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prodigal Sorcerer|SLD|1672" href="#" target="_blank">Tim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and pingers. Tim is the nickname for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prodigal Sorcerer|3ED|75" href="#" target="_blank">Prodigal Sorcerer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and pinger is the term applied to all cards with the same or similar effect as Tim. The most important part of the card <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Mindskinner" href="#" target="_blank">The Mindskinner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> isn't what the card says in the textbox, but what it doesn't say. And what it does not say is the word combat. This means that any form of damage that you can do will allow you to mill your opponents. One damage at a time is very slow, especially when you are staring down 276 cards on average that need to hit the graveyard at the start of a game. So we go all in. </p>
<h2>Tim</h2>
<p> Sixteen. I am running sixteen different pingers in this deck. The few that I am omitting tend to be very "single-use" like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Psionic Sliver" href="#" target="_blank">Psionic Sliver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. There are subtle differences between each pinger. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reveka, Wizard Savant Stuffy Doll Capricious Sorcerer"></div></div> Timing restrictions, staying tapped, and being locked in on only one opponent means that even with all 16, we are not flying through libraries. But Tim has some tricks up their sleeves. </p>
<h2>Timmy</h2>
<p> For every deck that runs an abundance of creatures with a <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-tap" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> symbol, haste is the name of the game. One of the best cards in the deck is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thousand-Year Elixir" href="#" target="_blank">Thousand-Year Elixir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Allowing your Tims to tap immediately and, as a bonus with mana lying around, you can use one again. What if your opponent(s) happen to all of a sudden have <a href="oracle:hexproof (game:paper)">hexproof</a>? You're going to steal every creature they leave behind. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Willbreaker Charisma"></div></div> These two cards allow us to stop filling the graveyard or picking off x/1 creatures and add other creatures to our noble cause. While those creatures might not be named Tim, it does not mean that we cannot show them the joys of being blue. Worst case, they say, as a blocker to keep us alive because mill = mad. </p>
<h2>Mill = Mad</h2>
<p> Once you commit to the mill plan, nay the lifestyle, you will cause an abundance of anger directed your way. So it would help if you found a way to stay alive. I said earlier that <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> is good at countering spells. It just so happens that a few are counter cards and mill as a bonus. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thought Collapse Didn&#039;t Say Please Countermand"></div></div> Blue also tends to be annoying. And since we can access colorless cards, we can also snag a few more annoying pieces. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Propaganda" href="#" target="_blank">Propaganda</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of the most played cards in the format for a reason, but your opponents can always have mana. That's where the following cards come in. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crawlspace Silent Arbiter Misleading Signpost"></div></div> <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crawlspace" href="#" target="_blank">Crawlspace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Silent Arbiter" href="#" target="_blank">Silent Arbiter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> limit the number of creatures that can harm us, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Misleading Signpost" href="#" target="_blank">Misleading Signpost</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of my favorite new ways to mess up the combat step. Even our mana base can get in on the action. <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> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Labyrinth of Skophos" href="#" target="_blank">Labyrinth of Skophos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can take one pesky creature throw it away. Finally, there are some other ways to assist in our mill strategy. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mindcrank Psychic Corrosion Fractured Sanity"></div></div> <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mindcrank" href="#" target="_blank">Mindcrank</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will trigger off more things than most players realize until it hits the battlefield. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Psychic Corrosion" href="#" target="_blank">Psychic Corrosion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has an effect featured on a few other enchantments, but those other ones force you to pick one individual player. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fractured Sanity" href="#" target="_blank">Fractured Sanity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a good chunk at 14 cards per opponent but has the added benefit of Cycling with a smaller mill added on. </p>
<h2>You Remind Me of My Friend Tim</h2>
<p> Tim is a conditional guy. He only does one damage; he has to hit a creature or player. Tim might be a bit picky. We run some other picky cards in this deck. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Soul Barrier Psychic Allergy Psychic Venom"></div></div> Are these cards conditional? Yes. Are these cards good? Debateable. Are they going to get a reaction from the table? Absolutely. And those are just some of the permanent effects. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Suffocation Mind Bomb Psionic Blast|P07|4"></div></div> Other than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Psionic Blast|P07|4" href="#" target="_blank">Psionic Blast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> having some of the best art in the game, it and the cards above will catch people off guard and might allow you to get a critical mill at a crucial moment. </p>
<h2>How Do We "Really" Win?</h2>
<p> Low power, slow strategy, disrupted by a slight breeze. All downsides to the deck. This deck can thrive when players underestimate the overall strategy and the ability to catch a table off guard with a game-winning combo. We return to a well-known and fairly groan-inducing combo to do so. </p>
<div id="4821-5261" style="width: 100%; position: relative; overflow: visible; display: flex; justify-content: center;"><img decoding="async" id="csbLoad" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/images/gear.svg" alt="csb logo" width="300" /> <script id="4821-5261" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/embed.js?v=1&uses=%5B%22Dramatic%20Reversal%22%2C%22Isochron%20Scepter%22%5D&produces=%5B%22Infinite%20magecraft%20triggers%22%2C%22Infinite%20mana%20nonland%20permanents%20you%20control%20can%20produce%22%2C%22Infinite%20storm%20count%22%2C%22Infinite%20untap%20of%20nonland%20permanents%20you%20control%22%5D&id=4821-5261&color=U&extraRequirementCount=1"></script><iframe loading="lazy" src="." width="0" height="0"></iframe></div>
<div>Infinite untap of nonland permanents you control; that's how we win the game. This combo allows all of our Tims, without summoning sickness, to ping our opponents until the job is done. The best part is that this combo will allow us to win with or without <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Mindskinner" href="#" target="_blank">The Mindskinner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on the battlefield. The biggest downside is that this combo has been around for a long time, and many players don't like it. But when running a deck like this, you can take a few liberties.</div>
<h2>Down To Your Last Pathetic Card</h2>
<p> This deck can be fun, but it also can be the deck at the table that spins some wheels and does nothing. Either way, I would love to see one in a Commander pod I'm part of, since it will be full of weird cards, strange effects, and good times. I like my decks to be stronger, and if I were building a personal version of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Mindskinner" href="#" target="_blank">The Mindskinner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, I would lean towards the Voltron strategy with plenty of protection for my commander. I would jam every <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fierce Guardianship" href="#" target="_blank">Fierce Guardianship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Slip Out the Back" href="#" target="_blank">Slip Out the Back</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fleet Swallower" href="#" target="_blank">Fleet Swallower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> type card I could get my hands on. But if I wanted to be in a silly, goofy mood, I would grab this deck without a second thought. <span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Whatever path you decide with this deck, or if you choose to go in a direction I never thought of, you can surely find help by checking out all the other fantastic content at <a href="https://edhrec.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EDHREC</a> and<em><a href="https://commandersherald.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Commander's Herald.</a></em></span> You can find my article series talking about what would happen if every Planeswalker was legal as your commander under <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/myth-realized-what-if-any-planeswalker-could-be-your-commander-simic/">Myth Realized</a>. </em>Thank you for reading and checking out the decklist below! </p>
<h2>Decklist</h2>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Eiffel 65" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander] *1 The Mindskinner [/Commander] [Sorceries] *1 Fractured Sanity *1 Mind Bomb *1 Ponder *1 Preordain *1 Psychic Purge [/Sorceries] [Creatures] *1 Apprentice Sorcerer *1 Bruvac the Grandiloquent *1 Capricious Sorcerer *1 Fledgling Mawcor *1 Fog Bank *1 Giggling Skitterspike *1 Hydroelectric Specimen // Hydroelectric Laboratory *1 Mawcor *1 Pirate Ship *1 Prodigal Sorcerer *1 Reveka, Wizard Savant *1 Rootwater Hunter *1 Silent Arbiter *1 Stinging Barrier *1 Stuffy Doll *1 Suq&#039;Ata Firewalker *1 Willbreaker *1 Zellix, Sanity Flayer *1 Zuran Spellcaster [/Creatures] [Instants] *1 Arcane Denial *1 Consider *1 Countermand *1 Counterspell *1 Didn&#039;t Say Please *1 Dramatic Reversal *1 Opt *1 Pongify *1 Psionic Blast *1 Rapid Hybridization *1 Reality Shift *1 Shore Up *1 Sink into Stupor // Soporific Springs *1 Suffocation *1 Thought Collapse [/Instants] [Artifacts] *1 Arcane Signet *1 Crawlspace *1 Isochron Scepter *1 Lightning Greaves *1 Midnight Clock *1 Mindcrank *1 Misleading Signpost *1 Sapphire Medallion *1 Sol Ring *1 Staff of Nin *1 Swiftfoot Boots *1 Thousand-Year Elixir [/Artifacts] [Enchantments] *1 Backfire *1 Charisma *1 Chronic Flooding *1 Creature Bond *1 Errant Minion *1 Estrid&#039;s Invocation *1 Feedback *1 Mirrormade *1 Propaganda *1 Psychic Allergy *1 Psychic Corrosion *1 Psychic Venom *1 Relic Bind *1 Soul Barrier [/Enchantments] [Lands] *27 Island *1 Labyrinth of Skophos *1 Maze of Ith *1 Mystic Sanctuary *1 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx *1 Otawara, Soaring City *1 Terrain Generator *1 War Room [/Lands]"></span></div>   </p>
<hr />
<h4>Read more:</h4>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="a5iM3tTNAI"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/start-me-up-3-more-duskmourn-commanders/">Start Me Up! - 3 (More) Duskmourn Commanders</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Start Me Up! - 3 (More) Duskmourn Commanders&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/start-me-up-3-more-duskmourn-commanders/embed/#?secret=NTmHIJORgy#?secret=a5iM3tTNAI" data-secret="a5iM3tTNAI" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> </p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="PDDKumqFV5"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/brew-for-your-buck-arabella-arabudget/">Brew For Your Buck - Arabella, Arabudget</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Brew For Your Buck - Arabella, Arabudget&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/brew-for-your-buck-arabella-arabudget/embed/#?secret=w0yTwoft8g#?secret=PDDKumqFV5" data-secret="PDDKumqFV5" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>


duskmourn

The Top Twelve Scariest Commanders To Play Against

The Five Best Commander Precons of the Last Five Years

Examining Duskmourn: House of Horror, One Year Later

Are "Hat Sets" Bad?

Top 10 Interesting & Interactive - Duskmourn

Bottom of the Barrel - Victor, Valgavoth's Seneschal

The Top 10 Most Played Commander Cards from DSK

Eiffel 65 - The Mindskinner Deck

Brew For Your Buck - Arabella, Arabudget

The Best Commander Precons of 2024