<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Varina, Lich Queen" href="#" target="_blank">Varina, Lich Queen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/igorkieryluk">Igor Kieryluk</a>)</h6>
<h1>Unlimited Power</h1>
<p>Did you know that EDHREC has an <a href="https://edhwiki.com/wiki/Main_Page">EDH Wiki</a>? Go check it out, if you haven’t already; it’s written by the community <em>for </em>the community, and there’s a lot of cool stuff in there! <em>Deep Analysis</em> is series where we learn about an archetype using its Wiki page, then apply this new knowledge to build a deck.</p>
<p>In this article we'll be covering the Self-Mill archetype.</p>
<h4>"Self-mill is a strategy that focuses on placing as much of one’s own library into the graveyard as quickly as possible, most commonly for the purposes of using cards in that graveyard for additional resources, <a href="https://edhwiki.com/wiki/Recursion">recursion</a>, and/or <a href="https://edhwiki.com/wiki/Reanimator">reanimation</a>."</h4>
<p>Self-Mill is a flexible archetype because, while the name describes our general gameplan, it doesn't really tell us what we're doing with it. The most common types of Self-Mill decks are either Spellslinger-based or creature-based; both of these have similar patterns, but their payoffs are different.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Color Identity</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Dimir</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lazav, the Multifarious"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Taigam, Sidisi&#039;s Hand"></div></div>
<p>Dimir is the core color combination for Self-Mill. Blue offers plenty of enablers, while black provides both enablers and payoffs.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Golgari</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Izoni, Thousand-Eyed"></div></div>
<p>Golgari loves building up a graveyard for their usual shenanigans. Green works very similar to black, providing a solid combination of enablers and payoffs, which makes the color combination work. It's important to note that this color combination somewhat locks decks leaning towards this archetype into being more creature-centric.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Sultai</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sidisi, Brood Tyrant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Muldrotha, the Gravetide"></div></div>
<p>Sultai has all the Golgari/Dimir goodies, coupled with some of the most powerful commanders out there. One nice thing about this color combination's commander pool is how they tend to be build-enabling, making each deck unique.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Grixis</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kess, Dissident Mage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sedris, the Traitor King"></div></div>
<p>Grixis is an undervalued color combination for this, even though it has <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kess, Dissident Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Kess, Dissident Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which is a very popular commander for the strategy. The addition of red to Dimir makes the archetype that much more explosive, and having more wheel and discards effects really smooths out the early/ mid-game.</p>
<hr />
<h2>An Example Deck</h2>
<p>There are plenty of different directions that we can take. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Varina, Lich Queen" href="#" target="_blank">Varina, Lich Queen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example, is a great commander for a Self-Mill strategy: she's in a good color combination and she supports Zombies, a tribe that really benefits from the archetype. However, even though she's a great tribal commander, I tend to enjoy playing her more in control shells (I even <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/epic-experiment-varina-control/">wrote an article</a> about her a couple years back). Varina is a great mana sink that allows us to play an effective reactive game where we eventually start creating Zombie tokens that can be used to dig through our deck, fueling Varina even more, gain life, and establish a prominent board state.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Self-Mill Varina" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*Varina, Lich Queen
[/Commander]
[Artifact]
*Codex Shredder
*Sol Ring
*Wand of Vertebrae
*Arcane Signet
*Fellwar Stone
*Mesmeric Orb
*Perpetual Timepiece
*Talisman of Dominance
*Talisman of Hierarchy
*Talisman of Progress
*Skyclave Relic
[/Artifact]
[Creature]
*Stitcher&#039;s Supplier
*Mire Triton
*Screeching Skaab
*Armored Skaab
*Hullbreacher
*Egon, God of Death
*Notion Thief
*Risen Executioner
*Wonder
*Narfi, Betrayer King
[/Creature]
[Enchantment]
*Training Grounds
*Court of Cunning
*Anointed Procession
[/Enchantment]
[Instant]
*Mental Note
*Opt
*Path to Exile
*Stubborn Denial
*Swords to Plowshares
*Thought Scour
*Arcane Denial
*Counterspell
*Cyclonic Rift
*Despark
*Disdainful Stroke
*Dovin&#039;s Veto
*Heartless Act
*Heliod&#039;s Intervention
*Mission Briefing
*Anguished Unmaking
*Frantic Search
*Empty the Pits
*Fact or Fiction
* Commit // Memory
*Dig Through Time
[/Instant]
[Planeswalker]
*Narset, Parter of Veils
[/Planeswalker]
[Sorcery]
*Preordain
*Serum Visions
*Discovery // Dispersal
*Day&#039;s Undoing
*Bond of Insight
*Day of Judgment
*Deep Analysis
*Dread Return
*Wrath of God
*Final Parting
*From Under the Floorboards
*Unburial Rites
*Echo of Eons
*Merciless Eviction
*Treasure Cruise
[/Sorcery]
[Land]
*Adarkar Wastes
*Arcane Sanctum
*City of Brass
*Clearwater Pathway
*Command Tower
*Drowned Catacomb
*Exotic Orchard
*Fabled Passage
*Fetid Pools
*Ghost Quarter
*Glacial Fortress
*Godless Shrine
*Hallowed Fountain
*Irrigated Farmland
*Mana Confluence
*Morphic Pool
*Prismatic Vista
*Sea of Clouds
*Tectonic Edge
*Underground River
*Watery Grave
*Westvale Abbey
*8 Snow-Covered Island
*4 Snow-Covered Plains
*4 Snow-Covered Swamp
[/Land]"></span></div></p>
<hr />
<h3>Self-Mill</h3>
<p>These cards are our enablers; they feed Varina and allow us to do play some nice payoffs. There are basically two types: consistent and one-shot.</p>
<p><strong>Consistent Self-Mill</strong></p>
<p>These are slower sources of Mill; their value lies in either providing constant value or having some secondary effect also attached to itself, or both.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Codex Shredder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mesmeric Orb"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Court of Cunning"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Codex Shredder" href="#" target="_blank">Codex Shredder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mesmeric Orb" href="#" target="_blank">Mesmeric Orb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wand of Vertebrae" href="#" target="_blank">Wand of Vertebrae</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Egon, God of Death" href="#" target="_blank">Egon, God of Death</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Perpetual Timepiece" href="#" target="_blank">Perpetual Timepiece</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Court of Cunning" href="#" target="_blank">Court of Cunning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>One-Shot Self-Mill</strong></p>
<p>One-shot effects are great for setting us up in the earlier portions of the game. After that, their value rapidly diminishes because we can fuel our graveyard just by playing cards. Plus, the consistent sources can also keep a constant flow of cards. One thing to notice is that they're all Zombies, which interacts pretty well with our commander.</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Armored Skaab" href="#" target="_blank">Armored Skaab</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mire Triton" href="#" target="_blank">Mire Triton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Screeching Skaab" href="#" target="_blank">Screeching Skaab</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stitcher&#039;s Supplier" href="#" target="_blank">Stitcher&#039;s Supplier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3>Self-Mill Payoff</h3>
<p>We run low on payoffs, but it's a more of a conscious choice than a lack of options. It's pretty easy to find them with all the Milling going around, so, by putting fewer in, we have a more consistent deck.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Narfi, Betrayer King"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wonder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Empty the Pits"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Narfi, Betrayer King" href="#" target="_blank">Narfi, Betrayer King</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wonder" href="#" target="_blank">Wonder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Empty the Pits" href="#" target="_blank">Empty the Pits</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dread Return" href="#" target="_blank">Dread Return</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unburial Rites" href="#" target="_blank">Unburial Rites</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3>Thieves Combo</h3>
<p>The thieves combo is the combination of a "thief" effect, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Notion Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Notion Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and a wheel effect. This combo is great because we can have access to both parts of it in our graveyard, and they help us control our opponents by denying them cards. Now, it's important to recognize that some wheel effects reset our graveyard, which might be seen as counterproductive, because it undoes all the self-mill work we've done. However, I think we should look at this as an opportunity, since filling the graveyard is what helps us find this combo in the first place, and after all, we'll have to discard lots of cards right back into the graveyard afterward!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Notion Thief"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Echo of Eons"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hullbreacher" href="#" target="_blank">Hullbreacher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Notion Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Notion Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Narset, Parter of Veils" href="#" target="_blank">Narset, Parter of Veils</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commit // Memory" href="#" target="_blank">Commit // Memory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Echo of Eons" href="#" target="_blank">Echo of Eons</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Day&#039;s Undoing" href="#" target="_blank">Day&#039;s Undoing</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<p>Now let’s go check what we should be looking out for when playing with a Self-Mill deck.</p>
<h4>"Self-mill decks are exceptionally vulnerable to effects that exile cards from graveyards, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Relic of Progenitus" href="#" target="_blank">Relic of Progenitus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Such effects can wholly undo an entire game's worth of work from a self-mill deck and significantly hamper their strategy by eliminating an enormous pool of card advantage.</h4>
<h4>Self-mill decks that focus on eliminating their entire library run the risk of losing the game when they attempt to draw a card from an empty library if they do not locate a game-winning card such as Laboratory Maniac. This can make the self-mill deck hyper-reliant on a few key cards, which allows opponents to vastly incapacitate their strategy if those linchpin cards are removed."</h4>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Laboratory Maniac"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Relic of Progenitus"></div></div>
<p>Graveyard hate is something that we should always worry about; some of our most effective pieces of our gameplan consist on using them either to fuel Varina or to cast spells from the graveyard. However, there's one silver lining: our commander is a powerful engine that can help us recover from bad situations, although we often need a little push to get started, and she offers a clear line of play that isn't as reliant on the graveyard.</p>
<p>Decking out is certainly something that we should worry about in longer games. We do have some three different <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Timetwister" href="#" target="_blank">Timetwister</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects, and they do help us, but it's still dangerous.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sidisi, Brood Tyrant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kess, Dissident Mage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lazav, the Multifarious"></div></div>
<p>If you like making Zombie tokens but aren't particularly fond of the control shell above, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidisi, Brood Tyrant" href="#" target="_blank">Sidisi, Brood Tyrant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great commander that has a somewhat similar kit.</p>
<p>If the spellslinger/control aspects are more your thing, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kess, Dissident Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Kess, Dissident Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerhouse option.</p>
<p>If you want something <em>very</em> different, but which still retains the above deck's flexibility, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lazav, the Multifarious" href="#" target="_blank">Lazav, the Multifarious</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a toolbox commander you may enjoy.</p>
<hr />
<div>
<h2>Commander-Specific and Color-Specific Cards</h2>
<p>If you do decide to give self-mill a try, but don't know which cards in the list above are strictly there for self-mill or just for that commander, I've compiled some parting lists to help sort it out!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anointed Procession"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Training Grounds"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fragmentize"></div></div>
</div>
<p>Commander-Specific cards</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anointed Procession" href="#" target="_blank">Anointed Procession</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Training Grounds" href="#" target="_blank">Training Grounds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="From Under the Floorboards" href="#" target="_blank">From Under the Floorboards</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li>(Both Zombie lords are kind of reliant on having the Zombie tokens)</li>
</ul>
<p>Color-Specific cards: White</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Talisman of Hierarchy" href="#" target="_blank">Talisman of Hierarchy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Talisman of Progress" href="#" target="_blank">Talisman of Progress</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anointed Procession" href="#" target="_blank">Anointed Procession</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anguished Unmaking" href="#" target="_blank">Anguished Unmaking</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Despark" href="#" target="_blank">Despark</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dovin&#039;s Veto" href="#" target="_blank">Dovin&#039;s Veto</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><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></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swords to Plowshares" href="#" target="_blank">Swords to Plowshares</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Day of Judgment" href="#" target="_blank">Day of Judgment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fragmentize" href="#" target="_blank">Fragmentize</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Merciless Eviction" href="#" target="_blank">Merciless Eviction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unburial Rites" href="#" target="_blank">Unburial Rites</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrath of God" href="#" target="_blank">Wrath of God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p>And that’s it for this article. Now I want to hear from you! Share your thoughts on this list or on Self-Mill based decks in general. What archetype do you want to see covered next?</p>
<p>While this series will focus on just archetypes, <a href="https://edhwiki.com/wiki/Main_Page">there’s a ton of other cool community-built content in the Wiki</a>. Check it out, and feel free to contribute, if you’d like!</p>


Deep Analysis - Self-Mill

Evasive Maneuvers — Skulk

Commander Legends Set Review - Wedge and Shard Legends

Archetune-Up - Eerie Number 13

Archetune-Up - The Most Cryptic of Cryptids

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rise of the Dark Realms" href="#" target="_blank">Rise of the Dark Realms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://www.komarckart.com/index.html">Michael Komarck</a>)</h6>
<h1>What Is Dead May Never Die</h1>
<p>Welcome back to <em>Diabolic Intent</em>, where we build decks around iconic villains and their diabolical schemes! This week's featured guest hails from a TV show often noted for its heart-wrenching and gory deaths, the most notable of these being the tragic final season deaths of the show's fanbase, character arcs, and cultural impact. This makes my resurrection of the exceptionally dead conversation around Game of Thrones rather appropriate, given our guest's penchant for similarly necromantic activities.</p>
<p>The Night King's ultimate goal was a bit of a bummer, in that it involved a lot of eternal winter and darkness. In spite of this rather misanthropic campaign strategy, his ideology swayed many loyal recruits from a historically underrepresented base: dead people! Fortunately for us, swampy mages have been championing the right for dead people to serve in private militias since 1993, giving us a wide range of cards to choose from.</p>
<p>Obligatory Spoiler Warning: I'd say I don't want to ruin the ending, but the show kinda beat me to the punch there. (Follow up warning: like many fans, I found the ending of this show maddeningly unsatisfying, and as much as I've tried to forget and move on with my life like everyone else over the past nine months, my pent-up emotions make themselves apparent a few times here.)</p>
<hr />
<h2>Commander - Varina, Lich Queen</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Varina, Lich Queen"></div></div>
<p>Varina is a good choice for those seeking a little variation from the standard Dimir or mono-black Zombie deck. We're looking for a <em>lot </em>of variation, in that we're only running 15 creatures (half the average amount for her), and only 5 of them are even Zombies! Those numbers belie the utility we'll end up getting from Varina's ability, but it's safe to say that we're not leaning all that aggressively into Zombie tribal. Ironically, all of our noncreature Zombie-related cards are black, but the flavor gods demand blue and white for reasons explained below. More ironically still, the next section has none of the white cards.</p>
<hr />
<h2>White Walkers</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chainer, Dementia Master"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Scarab God"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Geth, Lord of the Vault"></div></div>
<p>Mr. Freeze's inner circle was populated by a number of fellows with a similar contempt for the concept of death. Note the common feature of these particular reanimators being that they can make use of creatures in our <em>opponents' </em>graveyards. Rather than packing our own Zombies, our primary strategy will be to fill the yards by slaughtering our enemies with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Damnation" href="#" target="_blank">Damnation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Life&#039;s Finale" href="#" target="_blank">Life&#039;s Finale</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, then follow up with our suite of necromancers to bring them back on the cheap!</p>
<p>We also have the option to preempt our wipes with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lim-Dûl, the Necromancer" href="#" target="_blank">Lim-Dûl, the Necromancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grave Betrayal" href="#" target="_blank">Grave Betrayal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, giving us our creatures immediately. Note that it's cards like these (and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Scarab God" href="#" target="_blank">The Scarab God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) that give us our value with Varina, since they add the Zombie creature type.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Nigh-Invulnerable</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Darksteel Plate"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shielded by Faith"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hammer of Nazahn"></div></div>
<p>Indestructible has proven to be an exceptionally useful keyword for writing about villains because of how perfectly it captures the Achilles' Heel aspect of so many popular villains' invulnerability. The Nightman and his compatriots were immune to most relevant forms of physical and magical attack, and even outside our (important) flavor concerns, it is in our best interests to limit the weaknesses of our White Walker cards listed above. This means that, in their particular case, exile removal is a stand-in for "dragonglass" (obsidian), Valyrian steel, and characters with whom they have no previous dramatic involvement leaping out of the shadows with a knife.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zombie Master"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Boneknitter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lim-Dûl, the Necromancer"></div></div>
<p>While the Boss Zombies' resistances to traditional violence were based on preventing it, their wight soldiers were something of an opposite in that they took inordinate amounts of punishment but could also mostly ignore it. Along with the aforementioned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lim-Dûl, the Necromancer" href="#" target="_blank">Lim-Dûl, the Necromancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we'll throw in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zombie Master" href="#" target="_blank">Zombie Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boneknitter" href="#" target="_blank">Boneknitter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to represent these subordinates' unstoppable shambling.</p>
<p>It's worth noting that the unfortunate title of the Regenerate mechanic frequently confuses players about how it actually works, in that it's less "regeneration" and more "death prevention", but that's actually kind of perfect for our flavor needs.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Iceman Cometh</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blustersquall"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Frost Titan"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Time of Ice"></div></div>
<p>While reanimation was their most notable signature, our wrinkly lads were also quite famous for their wintry demeanor, complementing the literal winter surrounding them at all times. Blue has a long standing tradition of Letting It Go, which manifests mechanically in tapping down creatures. These cards will turn out to be remarkably practical, not just for incidentally screwing with our opponents' plans, but in some cases letting us completely blow out late-game creature gridlocks with our Zombies!</p>
<p>I've put in most of what I consider to be the most valuable freeze/tap cards, but it would be inappropriate to include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wall of Frost" href="#" target="_blank">Wall of Frost</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The Wall stands in definitive opposition to the Night King, and were it not for the exceptional luck of encountering a dragon to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reanimate" href="#" target="_blank">Reanimate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, it may have proven to be an unbeatable opponent (considering that waiting on Dragon Delivery Express was his only plan that we know of).</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Winter&#039;s Rest"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Winter&#039;s Chill"></div></div>
<p>Also on the snow topic, you better believe we're cramming in snow-covered lands instead of basics, so let's throw in some snow tech for fun and profit. Who the hell thought <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winter&#039;s Chill" href="#" target="_blank">Winter&#039;s Chill</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was a good idea? It's terrible, I love it.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Darkness, No Parents</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Darkness"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cover of Darkness"></div></div>
<p>Rarely is a section so explicitly necessitated by our villain's actual name, but here we are. (Get it? He's called The Night King because he brought The Long Night! But there's also a case to be made that it's the show writers' <a href="https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/12392">confused butchering of a different character's name from the books</a>.) These are both solid cards besides, and we've got a consistent tribe to declare for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cover of Darkness" href="#" target="_blank">Cover of Darkness</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Breaker of Toys</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Disenchant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dismantling Blow"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aura of Silence"></div></div>
<p>These are realistically all cards that we should toss in anyway, but I'd like to call specific attention to the fact that they translate well into that totally sick thing White Walkers do where they just grab someone's sword and freeze it so it SHATTERS (god, this show used to be so COOL, pun definitely intended). <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Disenchant" href="#" target="_blank">Disenchant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is pretty much the best value there is, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aura of Silence" href="#" target="_blank">Aura of Silence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> disrupts the entire enemy toy production process, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dismantling Blow" href="#" target="_blank">Dismantling Blow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was accidentally stapled to a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Divination" href="#" target="_blank">Divination</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Fixer-Upper</h2>
<p>Alright, it may be time to disembark the Flavor Train and see about putting in some synergies.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Killing Stuff is Cool</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Harvester of Souls"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Black Market"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Overseer of the Damned"></div></div>
<p>The EDHREC pages for our board wipes and White Walkers recommend all manner of goodies to take advantage of how much we love to watch our enemies die. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overseer of the Damned" href="#" target="_blank">Overseer of the Damned</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is of particular note in that it's almost a White Walker in its own right.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Freezing Stuff is Cooler</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sunblast Angel"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Verity Circle"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Theft of Dreams"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Verity Circle" href="#" target="_blank">Verity Circle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an absolute must-have in this deck. Like holy god, can you imagine that with a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blustersquall" href="#" target="_blank">Blustersquall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? Disgusting. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Theft of Dreams" href="#" target="_blank">Theft of Dreams</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fills a similar role and has some bonus flavor for the dream infiltration that our King does to Bran. (Final gripe: why didn't they just clarify that the Bran crossing the Wall with the dream mark thingy was the reason the Night King could pass the Wall? Someday I will process the grief of the ten years I lost to this show but perhaps it is not this day.) And our potential value with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunblast Angel" href="#" target="_blank">Sunblast Angel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is just too good to pass up!</p>
<p>Whoomp, there it is! Check out the final decklist!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Uh Done Wannit feat. Sheez McQueen" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Varina, Lich Queen
[/Commander]
[Lands]
*1 Arcane Sanctum
*1 Command Tower
*1 Drowned Catacomb
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Godless Shrine
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Morphic Pool
*1 Sea of Clouds
*8 Snow-Covered Island
*7 Snow-Covered Plains
*12 Snow-Covered Swamp
[/Lands]
[Enchantments]
*1 Animate Dead
*1 Aura of Silence
*1 Black Market
*1 Cover of Darkness
*1 Gift of Doom
*1 Grave Betrayal
*1 Ice Over
*1 Indestructibility
*1 Quiet Contemplation
*1 Shielded by Faith
*1 Time of Ice
*1 Verity Circle
*1 Winter&#039;s Rest
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Bond of Discipline
*1 Borrowing 100,000 Arrows
*1 Cleansing Nova
*1 Damnation
*1 Day of Judgment
*1 Deadly Tempest
*1 Fumigate
*1 Life&#039;s Finale
*1 Necromantic Selection
*1 Reanimate
*1 Rise from the Grave
*1 Rise of the Dark Realms
*1 Sleep
*1 Theft of Dreams
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Blustersquall
*1 Cryptic Command
*1 Darkness
*1 Despark
*1 Disenchant
*1 Dismantling Blow
*1 Giant Killer // Chop Down
*1 Go for the Throat
*1 Icy Blast
*1 Murderous Rider // Swift End
*1 Thoughtweft Gambit
*1 Utter End
*1 Winter&#039;s Chill
[/Instants]
[Creatures]
*1 Bone Miser
*1 Boneknitter
*1 Chainer, Dementia Master
*1 Frost Titan
*1 Geth, Lord of the Vault
*1 Harvester of Souls
*1 Lim-Dûl the Necromancer
*1 Niblis of Frost
*1 Overseer of the Damned
*1 Royal Assassin
*1 Subjugator Angel
*1 Sunblast Angel
*1 Tempest Caller
*1 The Scarab God
*1 Zombie Master
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Azorius Signet
*1 Darksteel Plate
*1 Dimir Signet
*1 Grimoire of the Dead
*1 Hammer of Nazahn
*1 Helm of Kaldra
*1 Orzhov Signet
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
[/Artifacts]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>What do you think? Is Winter coming for some of these cards, or do you Hear them Roar? Is the decklist Growing Strong, or is Yours The Fury at some of my inclusions? Would a revision see these cards Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken, or Did We Not Sow ourselves a cohesive list? And whose nefarious designs should I reconstruct in the next installment of <em>Diabolic Intent</em>?</p>
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Diabolic Intent - The Long Night

Shape Anew - Zur's Rebels

Ultra Budget Brews - Sydri, Galvanic Genius

Mind Bend - Esper Landfall

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dromar, the Banisher" href="#" target="_blank">Dromar, the Banisher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by Dave Dorman)</h6>
<h1>"Returne from Whence Ye Came..."</h1>
<p>Welcome back to <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>, home of cards used in 300 decks or less on EDHREC. Before getting into it, I want to say how grateful I am for the positive response to my last article. I had no idea there was such a hunger for something different in a Jund deck. If there are other color combinations where you're looking to spice things up, or a commander you think needs some attention, let me know in the comments. Generally, I plan to let the underplayed cards guide the type of deck I discuss, but if I can do that while scratching an itch felt by the community at large, then all the better!</p>
<div id="attachment_29170" style="width: 490px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29170" class="wp-image-29170 size-full" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/FloorSuperball.gif" alt="" width="480" height="360" /><p id="caption-attachment-29170" class="wp-caption-text"><em>"...And the floor was donated by American Superball."</em></p></div>
<p>As hinted at the end of the <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/forgotten-harvest-hellbent-on-innovation/">last article</a>, this time I'll be exploring a bounce deck, helmed by the bounciest Dragon I know: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dromar, the Banisher" href="#" target="_blank">Dromar, the Banisher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Before getting into all the beautiful bouncy gems that lie in <em>Magic's</em> past, we should talk about how self-bounce has lost the war for relevance to blink strategies.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dromar, the Banisher"></div></div>
<p>Going back to the success of cards like <em>Time Spiral's </em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Momentary Blink" href="#" target="_blank">Momentary Blink</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <em>Wizards of the Coast</em> has been emphasizing the role of blink in the game over self-bounce. Yes, we did just see <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Paradoxical Outcome" href="#" target="_blank">Paradoxical Outcome</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and a reprint of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rescue" href="#" target="_blank">Rescue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but these have been the exception more often than the rule over the last 10 years. I say this as someone who vividly remembers <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flicker" href="#" target="_blank">Flicker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Liberate" href="#" target="_blank">Liberate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as the only blink options for a long time.</p>
<p>Since those simpler times, blink has effectively demolished the modern usability of self-bounce strategies. I get into this because I expect a number of readers to question the relevance of a deck that uses self-bounce rather than blink. Be aware the deck I'm proposing here isn't trying to be the best. It's taking a look at self-bounce and specifically focusing on the cards that don't translate into a blink strategy. You're not going to find all this stuff in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brago, King Eternal" href="#" target="_blank">Brago, King Eternal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. If you like a competitive, edge, blue-white blink is probably more correct for you. However, if you want a deck that's fun, dynamic, unpredictable, and customizable, then keep reading.</p>
<hr />
<h2>After a Quick Search on Gatherer...</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Azorius Aethermage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stormfront Riders"></div></div>
<p>There are only two cards I know in all of <em>Magic: the Gathering</em> that trigger when a creature is bounced: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Azorius Aethermage" href="#" target="_blank">Azorius Aethermage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stormfront Riders" href="#" target="_blank">Stormfront Riders</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These cards are appropriately underplayed given their niche usability, appearing in 49 and 242 decks on EDHREC, respectively. Even so, their abilities are fantastic! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stormfront Riders" href="#" target="_blank">Stormfront Riders</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> replaces a bounced creature with a nice chump blocker, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Azorius Aethermage" href="#" target="_blank">Azorius Aethermage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives you access to some very cheap draw upon bounce. The Aethermage triggers not just for creatures, but for all bounced permanents you control (Hint: this may become relevant in a future article).</p>
<p>With these two cards as the foundation, it should be clear why <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dromar, the Banisher" href="#" target="_blank">Dromar, the Banisher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the preferred commander over, say, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Merieke Ri Berit" href="#" target="_blank">Merieke Ri Berit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. There's a 60% chance that, upon triggering his ability, Dromar will bounce himself back to hand. That's definitely not a great ability compared to those of the other Primeval Dragons. However, this deck tries to turn that to our advantage. Naming white, blue, or black after a Dromar connection could mean an army of Soldiers or a bunch of draw triggers. Plus, you get to recast all the creatures of that color with great "enter the battlefield" effects.</p>
<p>I tried to include some cards to help the Dragon connect with an opponent, such as <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>. Alas, as is the case in most decks, there's a balance in finding room for all the critical strategies of one's deck. I highly recommend that you customize the amount of evasion and removal in the deck below to suit your playgroup's meta. As someone creating a deck for public viewing, this becomes the hardest variable to consider while brewing. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of customization: don't just copy, but make it your own.</p>
<hr />
<h2>I Never Thought I'd Cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Escape Routes" href="#" target="_blank">Escape Routes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>Since we're focusing on bouncing our own stuff, let's look at some more options for returning creatures to our hand. Played in a mere 31 decks, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Escape Routes" href="#" target="_blank">Escape Routes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a card that I would normally walk right past. In this deck, though, it can be a real superstar, enabling shenanigans with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spell Queller" href="#" target="_blank">Spell Queller</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Faceless Butcher" href="#" target="_blank">Faceless Butcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. With the "enters the battlefield" trigger on the stack, use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Escape Routes" href="#" target="_blank">Escape Routes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to bounce the creature. This will cause the "leaves the battlefield" ability to resolve first. Since no card has been exiled yet, that ability fizzles. This is followed by the original ETB trigger, which exiles the targeted card permanently. This will also work with self-bouncer <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tolarian Sentinel" href="#" target="_blank">Tolarian Sentinel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (played in only 28 decks), and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wizard Mentor" href="#" target="_blank">Wizard Mentor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (played in 78).</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Escape Routes"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tolarian Sentinel"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wizard Mentor"></div></div>
<p>Also included in the deck are <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crystal Shard" href="#" target="_blank">Crystal Shard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Erratic Portal" href="#" target="_blank">Erratic Portal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While both of these already see plenty of play, they also help turn your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spell Queller" href="#" target="_blank">Spell Queller</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> into a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dissipate" href="#" target="_blank">Dissipate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While I'm on the subject of these conditional bouncers on sticks, I should also mention the inclusion of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cowardice" href="#" target="_blank">Cowardice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in this deck. While it's only used in 255 decks on EDHREC, it turns <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crystal Shard" href="#" target="_blank">Crystal Shard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Erratic Portal" href="#" target="_blank">Erratic Portal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> into a surefire threat against opposing creatures. The icing on the cake is that it also complicates the plans of opponents playing Voltron, equipment, or token strategies. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cowardice" href="#" target="_blank">Cowardice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> isn't going to make you any friends at the table, but sometimes you need to make a little mischief. I mean, if we all played Group Hug, games would only end through <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Divine Intervention" href="#" target="_blank">Divine Intervention</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Back in <em>Planeshift</em>, we saw a series of 'gating' creatures. Many of you are familiar with a common from this series: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cavern Harpy" href="#" target="_blank">Cavern Harpy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This card has some great repeatable self-bounce, and is an obvious choice for many decks. There are two other neglected cards in this series that find a home with Dromar. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sawtooth Loon" href="#" target="_blank">Sawtooth Loon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> sees play in 260 decks, and offers some self-bounce along with some great hand filtering. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doomsday Specter" href="#" target="_blank">Doomsday Specter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, on the other hand, hurts your opponents' hands, bounces a blue or black creature, and is on only 189 decklists.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cowardice"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sawtooth Loon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Doomsday Specter"></div></div>
<p>I'm a big fan of these 'gating' creatures, if you can't tell. I think they're a frequently overlooked option for many decks, not just Esper bounce. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fleetfoot Panther" href="#" target="_blank">Fleetfoot Panther</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a staple for me in any Cat tribal build, and I'm still dying for an opportunity to use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Natural Emergence" href="#" target="_blank">Natural Emergence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in a deck. Don't be surprised if, like Spellshapers, these 'gating' cards become a frequent soapbox of mine in this article series.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Let's Give These Folks a Big Hand</h2>
<p>I've talked a lot about bouncing cards so far, but not so much what sets self-bounce apart from blink strategies, nor how this deck plans to win the game. In the end, it all boils down to three words: cards in hand. Without proper choices in deck construction, blink decks don't always keep a full hand. With bounce, you're sure to be rocking 6+ cards at any given time. In an effort to prepare, I added typical cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reliquary Tower" href="#" target="_blank">Reliquary Tower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thought Vessel" href="#" target="_blank">Thought Vessel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. There's another great addition that's frequently passed over, and it recently gained some new relevance. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Trusted Advisor" href="#" target="_blank">Trusted Advisor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from <em>Saviors of Kamigawa</em> is a wonderful addition to a deck that expects to rock a big hand. Currently played in 70 decks, I expect this number to shoot up thanks to its creature type and a certain new common from <em>Ravnica Allegiance</em>. You know the one.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Trusted Advisor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kiyomaro, First to Stand"></div></div>
<p>While we're talking about <em>Saviors of Kamigawa</em> cards, I also looked at the Esper cards in the cycle of "Maro" legends from that set. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kagemaro, First to Suffer" href="#" target="_blank">Kagemaro, First to Suffer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides some excellent removal on par with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mutilate" href="#" target="_blank">Mutilate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in a mono-black deck. It's an absolute all-star right after a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Paradoxical Outcome" href="#" target="_blank">Paradoxical Outcome</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or a connection trigger from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dromar, the Banisher" href="#" target="_blank">Dromar, the Banisher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I left <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soramaro, First to Dream" href="#" target="_blank">Soramaro, First to Dream</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> out of the deck, but it would fit in here as well. In its place, I dropped a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sturmgeist" href="#" target="_blank">Sturmgeist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> which I would argue is better given the curve and how little this deck cares about bounced lands.</p>
<p>The underplayed gem of this cycle comes in at 187 total decks, and goes by the name <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kiyomaro, First to Stand" href="#" target="_blank">Kiyomaro, First to Stand</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Sure, it needs some evasion, but we're already running that to help Dromar. Plus, the lifegain triggers on any damage, not on combat damage to a player. So long as your hand stays heavy (and it definitely will), Kiyomaro will pose a great threat and keep us in the game. And don't stress about removal, given all the sweet, sweet bounce we're running.</p>
<p>Alright, enough talking about it. Here's the deck:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Esper Bounce House" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[commander]
*1 Dromar, the Banisher
[/commander]
[creatures]
*1 Fourth Bridge Prowler
*1 Soul Warden
*1 Soul&#039;s Attendant
*1 Trusted Advisor
*1 Zealous Guardian
*1 Burglar Rat
*1 Cavern Harpy
*1 Deputy of Acquittals
*1 Tidehollow Sculler
*1 Vedalken Mastermind
*1 Whitemane Lion
*1 Azorius Aethermage
*1 Kor Sanctifiers
*1 Mangara of Corondor
*1 Merieke Ri Berit
*1 Phyrexian Infiltrator
*1 Spell Queller
*1 Stonecloaker
*1 Wizard Mentor
*1 Doomsday Specter
*1 Dust Elemental
*1 Faceless Butcher
*1 Sawtooth Loon
*1 Soul Snuffers
*1 Tolarian Sentinel
*1 Tradewind Rider
*1 Cloudblazer
*1 Kagemaro, First to Suffer
*1 Kiyomaro, First to Stand
*1 Stormfront Riders
*1 Sturmgeist
*1 Vela the Night-Clad
*1 Tidespout Tyrant
[/creatures]
[instants]
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Cyclonic Rift
*1 Familiar&#039;s Ruse
*1 Dromar&#039;s Charm
*1 Paradoxical Outcome
*1 Return to Dust
*1 Surprise Deployment
[/instants]
[sorceries]
*1 Supreme Verdict
*1 Wrath of God
*1 Merciless Eviction
[/sorceries]
[artifacts]
*1 Azorius Signet
*1 Dimir Signet
*1 Orzhov Signet
*1 Thought Vessel
*1 Cloudstone Curio
*1 Crystal Shard
*1 Erratic Portal
[/artifacts]
[enchantments]
*1 Equilibrium
*1 Escape Routes
*1 Cloud Cover
*1 Leyline of Anticipation
*1 Cowardice
*1 Dire Undercurrents
[/enchantments]
[lands]
*1 Arcane Sanctum
*1 Azorius Chancery
*1 Dimir Aqueduct
*1 Drowned Catacomb
*1 Fetid Heath
*1 Flooded Strand
*1 Glacial Fortress
*1 Godless Shrine
*1 Hallowed Fountain
*10 Island
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Marsh Flats
*1 Mystic Gate
*1 Oboro, Palace in the Clouds
*1 Orzhov Basilica
*8 Plains
*1 Polluted Delta
*1 Reliquary Tower
*1 Sunken Ruins
*7 Swamp
*1 Watery Grave
[/lands]"></span></div>
<hr />
<h2>Time to Bounce</h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-29173 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/HugeAdorableChipmunk-size_restricted.gif" alt="" width="500" height="288" /></p>
<p>Thanks for walking down this bouncy road with me. Got a question, comment, or snide remark? Do you have a favorite card in under 300 decks on EDHREC? Or do you want to tell me bounce isn't worth my time, and I should have talked about something else instead? Let's talk about it in the comments. If these articles on my janky brews can, at their worst, inspire conversation, then that's super-duper! See you next time!</p>


esper