Use Your Life Total as a Resource With This Cecil, Dark Knight Brew

<p style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Golbez, Crystal Collector" href="#" target="_blank">Golbez, Crystal Collector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CBachzim%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bachzim</a></span></i></p>
<p>As someone who has never played <em>Final Fantasy</em> - in fact, actively avoided the franchise - I am delightfully surprised by the designs of the set. Many legends have caught my eye, but the card for the stern and stoic Collector who fancies his <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Water Crystal" href="#" target="_blank">Crystals</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a design I simply haven't been able to shake.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Golbez, Crystal Collector"></div></div></p>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Golbez, Crystal Collector" href="#" target="_blank">Golbez, Crystal Collector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Like a surprising amount of legends from this set, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Golbez, Crystal Collector" href="#" target="_blank">Golbez, Crystal Collector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a two-mana legend, which means he can come down early or at the right time for cheap. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In my experience with this deck, you'll want Golbez out as soon as possible thanks to his first ability. Getting to surveil 1 for each artifact that enters under your control means that you'll be able to plan ahead and fill your graveyard for some selection and then some. As a 1/4, he deters some swings coming your way, which is a nice bonus.</span></p>
<p>What's this "then some" I'm on about? If you've got four artifacts, you've got a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raise Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Raise Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. If you control eight artifacts, your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raise Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Raise Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> hits each opponent equal to the creature's power.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A Dimir artifact or pseudo-self-mill commander isn't necessarily new territory for the color pair, but there's something fresh about what Golbez can do. With this deck, you'll want to sit back and build up a board full of artifacts so you can put the hurt on your opponents. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Using the built-in surveil from Golbez and discard, you'll be able to bring huge creatures to chip away at your opponents. </span></p>
<h2>Making the Engine Hum</h2>
<p>There are several branches to making this deck work: copying Golbez's end step trigger, playing a ton of artifacts, and putting creatures with huge power into your graveyard.</p>
<p>Fortunately, <em>Final Fantasy</em> brings us cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gogo, Master of Mimicry" href="#" target="_blank">Gogo, Master of Mimicry</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Y&#039;shtola Rhul" href="#" target="_blank">Y&#039;shtola Rhul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that allow you to trigger Golbez's end step trigger a few times. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sakashima of a Thousand Faces" href="#" target="_blank">Sakashima of a Thousand Faces</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Roaming Throne" href="#" target="_blank">Roaming Throne</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are other inclusions to get another pop out of the Collector.</p>
<p>If you really like this way to get going, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spark Double" href="#" target="_blank">Spark Double</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another good choice, but as a 0/0, your end step trigger won't hurt anybody, but you can get a little wild the next turn.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gogo, Master of Mimicry"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Y&#039;shtola Rhul"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Roaming Throne"></div></div>
<p>With cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Etherium Sculptor" href="#" target="_blank">Etherium Sculptor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloud Key" href="#" target="_blank">Cloud Key</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> you'll be able to get your mana rocks out quicker while sculpting your top-deck from Golbez's surveil trigger. Crafting that perfect top-deck also comes with putting together a great graveyard.</p>
<p>I'll say, for those who go with an artifact creature heavy build, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Semblance Anvil" href="#" target="_blank">Semblance Anvil</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can send your deck into overdrive.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Etherium Sculptor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cloud Key"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Semblance Anvil"></div></div>
<p>Surveilling isn't the only way to get your big creatures into the graveyard. With my version of a Golbez deck, discarding your big creatures is a way to get the ones stuck in your hand back in the graveyard so Golbez can dig them back to your hand again.</p>
<p>Whether by cycling them like with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Void Beckoner" href="#" target="_blank">Void Beckoner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhet-Tomb Mystic" href="#" target="_blank">Rhet-Tomb Mystic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, looting with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rona, Herald of Invasion" href="#" target="_blank">Rona, Herald of Invasion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or having your artifacts trigger <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rook Turret" href="#" target="_blank">Rook Turret</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Transplant Theorist" href="#" target="_blank">Transplant Theorist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, your graveyard will be what you make it.</p>
<p>Plus, packing a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Monument to Endurance" href="#" target="_blank">Monument to Endurance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> just makes sense! An artifact to trigger Golbez that'll make another artifact to trigger Golbez while you're filling your graveyard for when you trigger Golbez? Sign me up!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Transplant Theorist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rook Turret"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rhet-Tomb Mystic"></div></div>
<p>Other cool cards in the deck? You got it!</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Street Wraith" href="#" target="_blank">Street Wraith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> allows you to trade life for a card, and when you've only got between four and seven artifacts in play, Golbez lets you have it back to ditch for another card. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Matoya, Archon Elder" href="#" target="_blank">Matoya, Archon Elder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> overperforms in this deck, I promise. Drawing on each surveil means you'll keep your graveyard and your hand stocked every time an artifact lands.</p>
<p>My favorite card in the deck to play with Golbez is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unshakable Tail" href="#" target="_blank">Unshakable Tail</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which gives you a Clue token whenever you surveil a creature to your graveyard. Then what? I guess I surveil again! And with a deck that has 40 creatures, you'll probably make a ton of Clue tokens and have a thick graveyard for that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bringer of the Last Gift" href="#" target="_blank">Bringer of the Last Gift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> you held onto.</p>
<p>The Tail was a great reason to keep <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Academy Manufactor" href="#" target="_blank">Academy Manufactor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in the list, but I opted not to...this time.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Unshakable Tail"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Matoya, Archon Elder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Street Wraith"></div></div>
<h2>Putting the Nail in Your Opponents' Coffins</h2>
<p>How does Golbez win a game of Commander? Let me count the ways!</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Golbez, Crystal Collector" href="#" target="_blank">Golbez, Crystal Collector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s end step trigger is a great way to get the game over and done with. There are several different types of creatures in the deck that pack a punch when they come back to your hand.</p>
<p>Returning a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Consuming Aberration" href="#" target="_blank">Consuming Aberration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in the late game can punish self-mill strategies. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Broodstar" href="#" target="_blank">Broodstar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Master of Etherium" href="#" target="_blank">Master of Etherium</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are excellent targets for at least eight points of life loss for each opponent. There are a few fixed rate creatures to snap up like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phyrexian Dreadnought" href="#" target="_blank">Phyrexian Dreadnought</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kozilek, the Great Distortion" href="#" target="_blank">Kozilek, the Great Distortion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that'll ring some bells as well.</p>
<p>While the end step trigger can chip away at opponents, it can also win the game on the spot if you've got a full yard and those end step trigger copiers mentioned above. If you get two copies of this ability and you bring back a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Void Beckoner" href="#" target="_blank">Void Beckoner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Death&#039;s Shadow" href="#" target="_blank">Death&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, that's 21 damage to each opponent. You might want to pack a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodthirsty Conqueror" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodthirsty Conqueror</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to stave off on the crack back if this doesn't kill the table, but I'm a gambler and chose not to include it.</p>
<p>My favorite finisher inclusions in the deck are <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archfiend of Despair" href="#" target="_blank">Archfiend of Despair</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wound Reflection" href="#" target="_blank">Wound Reflection</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While the Archfiend doesn't outright copy Golbez's end step trigger, it packs double the punch, and with six power, it's not a bad deal to get back to hand and deal out 18 points of life loss.</p>
<p>Finally, as with all UBx decks that love artifacts, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tezzeret, Master of the Bridge" href="#" target="_blank">Tezzeret, Master of the Bridge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is just the bee's knees. A repeatable drain equal to the amount of artifacts you control plus a cost reduction and a recursion ability makes Tezz really flexible. Let's be real though, Tezz is mostly a finisher here.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archfiend of Despair"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wound Reflection"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tezzeret, Master of the Bridge"></div></div>
<h2>Go for the Golbez! Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Golbez, Crytal Collector - EDHREC article" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Golbez, Crystal Collector
[/Commander]
[Instants]
*1 Access Denied
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Agadeem&#039;s Awakening // Agadeem, the Undercrypt
*1 Lich-Knights&#039; Conquest
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Altar of Bhaal // Bone Offering
*1 Anvil of Bogardan
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Cloud Key
*1 Collector&#039;s Vault
*1 Dimir Signet
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Liquimetal Torque
*1 Monument to Endurance
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Strionic Resonator
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Talisman of Dominance
*1 The Underworld Cookbook
*1 Transmutation Font
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 Ancient Stone Idol
*1 Archfiend of Despair
*1 Bringer of the Last Gift
*1 Broodstar
*1 Consuming Aberration
*1 Death&#039;s Shadow
*1 Eloise, Nephalia Sleuth
*1 Etherium Sculptor
*1 Fang, Fearless l&#039;Cie
*1 Gogo, Master of Mimicry
*1 High Fae Trickster
*1 Kozilek, the Great Distortion
*1 Likeness Looter
*1 Master of Etherium
*1 Matoya, Archon Elder
*1 Mirko, Obsessive Theorist
*1 Necron Deathmark
*1 Noxious Gearhulk
*1 Phyrexian Dreadnought
*1 Phyrexian Soulgorger
*1 Refurbished Familiar
*1 Rhet-Tomb Mystic
*1 Roaming Throne
*1 Rona, Herald of Invasion // Rona, Tolarian Obliterator
*1 Rook Turret
*1 Rot-Curse Rakshasa
*1 Ruthless Technomancer
*1 Sai, Master Thopterist
*1 Sakashima of a Thousand Faces
*1 Shadowgrange Archfiend
*1 Street Wraith
*1 Stridehangar Automaton
*1 The Cyber-Controller
*1 The Warring Triad
*1 Transplant Theorist
*1 Troll of Khazad-dûm
*1 Unshakable Tail
*1 Void Beckoner
*1 Warren Soultrader
*1 Y&#039;shtola Rhul
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Biotransference
*1 Black Market Connections
*1 Tortured Existence
*1 Wound Reflection
[/Enchantments]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Karn, Living Legacy
*1 Tezzeret, Master of the Bridge
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Academy Ruins
*1 Archway of Innovation
*1 Cabal Coffers
*1 Command Tower
*1 Darksteel Citadel
*1 Drowned Catacomb
*1 Fomori Vault
*1 Geier Reach Sanitarium
*1 Gloomlake Verge
*1 Havengul Laboratory // Havengul Mystery
*5 Island
*1 Midgar, City of Mako // Reactor Raid
*1 Mistvault Bridge
*1 Morphic Pool
*1 Polluted Delta
*1 Seat of the Synod
*1 Shipwreck Marsh
*1 Sunken Hollow
*1 Sunken Ruins
*7 Swamp
*1 Undercity Sewers
*1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
*1 Vault of Whispers
*1 Volrath&#039;s Stronghold
*1 Watery Grave
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>All in all, this is a deck best understood by goldfishing it. Try it out <a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/13812053/golbez_crytal_collector_edhrec_article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>, I think you'll like it!</p>
<p>Is this a deck I put together because I wanted an excuse to play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Death&#039;s Shadow" href="#" target="_blank">Death&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? I'll never tell! I will admit to this being a deck I tinkered with extensively and settled on an "all-in" approach for. It's definitely a glass cannon, but that's still a cannon. Go off, go nuts, go HAM.</p>
<p>There are plenty of different cards to switch in and out to make it your own. Golbez will only fly under the radar a few times before people catch on, so I can see adding more protection than just the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Greaves" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Greaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swiftfoot Boots" href="#" target="_blank">Swiftfoot Boots</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>How would you build your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Golbez, Crystal Collector" href="#" target="_blank">Golbez, Crystal Collector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck? Did I come close? Let me know in the comments!</p>


Golbez, Crystal Collector - Battlecruiser Bruiser

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mog, Moogle Warrior" href="#" target="_blank">Mog, Moogle Warrior</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9COTUMAMI%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OTUMAMI</a></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hello everyone, welcome back for another <em>Final Fantasy </em>deck tech. I'm Command Zoe, and I hope you've all been enjoying the newest set as much as I have. I keep finding new commanders I overlooked on my first go-through of the set, or that I just forgot about after they were previewed. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For today I've thrown together a fun, little Reanimator list featuring everyone's favorite <em>Final Fantasy VI </em>character, Mog. He was the first playable Moogle character in <em>Final Fantasy</em>. He was so popular that they made Mog a recurring name for Moogles throughout the rest of the series. He's probably most widely recognized as the tutorial character in many of the games' menus.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mog, Moogle Warrior"></div></div></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Just like a Moogle, I've been dancin' my whole life...</em></p>
<h2>What Does Mog, Moogle Warrior Do?</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At first glance, Mog is not a flashy commander. At three mana value, he costs more than his stats provide, even with lifelink. The entire reason to play this card is tied to his second ability, <em>Dance</em>. How it works is each player decides whether they want to discard a card to draw a card. Then if anyone discarded a creature this way, Mog's controller creates Moogle token. Then, if anyone discarded a non-creature this way, Mog's controller puts a +1/+1 counter on each Moogle they own. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It should be noted that each of these effects can only happen one time. If multiple creatures are discarded, only one Moogle token is created; ditto for the +1/+1 counters. In practice, the <em>dance</em> ability turns into a neat, little guessing game where each opponent who goes for a card's trying to throw away the same category of card as Mog's owner in order to keep them from getting any extra buffs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Given its ability to filter through the library while providing a way to go both wide and tall, Mog is quite the versatile commander. There are many Boros commanders that do either one or the other, but Mog is the first that does both. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="General Ferrous Rokiric" href="#" target="_blank">General Ferrous Rokiric</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quintorius, Field Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Quintorius, Field Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pia Nalaar, Consul of Revival" href="#" target="_blank">Pia Nalaar, Consul of Revival</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are all popular Boros commanders that can go wide quickly, but lack the ability to make their tokens bigger.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Éomer, King of Rohan" href="#" target="_blank">Éomer, King of Rohan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ash, Party Crasher" href="#" target="_blank">Ash, Party Crasher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kalemne, Disciple of Iroas" href="#" target="_blank">Kalemne, Disciple of Iroas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all have the ability to get tall, but lack any support for going wide. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The commander that's most similar to Mog is probably <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anim Pakal, Thousandth Moon" href="#" target="_blank">Anim Pakal, Thousandth Moon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who can make herself tall while providing an army of Gnomes to attack with. The key differences between the two are the card filtering and the politics of Mog's ability. Mog also makes all creatures taller rather than just himself.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anim Pakal, Thousandth Moon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Maskwood Nexus"></div></div></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>What if we made Anim Pakal and all her Gnomes into Moogles...</em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This version of Mog, Moogle Warrior is a Reanimator deck. The deck will use Mog's <em>dance</em> ability to put big threats into the graveyard, then cast reanimation spells to bring them back. The early Moogles can trade with attackers, or they can not block then get that life back by attacking open opponents on the crack-back. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Later the ever-growing Moogle tokens on top of the pressure from the reanimated creatures should be too much for opponents to handle.</span></p>
<h2>Key Cards for Mog, Moogle Warrior</h2>
<p>The most important part of any Reanimator strategy is the package of cards it targets to get back from the graveyard. This list packs fifteen cards that cost seven mana or more. The Reanimator package's goal is to facilitate and enable the deck's token plan, and it does that in a few different ways.</p>
<p>The first group of cards makes tokens themselves. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overlord of the Mistmoors" href="#" target="_blank">Overlord of the Mistmoors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phyrexian Triniform" href="#" target="_blank">Phyrexian Triniform</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Triplicate Titan" href="#" target="_blank">Triplicate Titan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all create their own tokens in some way.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ancient Gold Dragon"></div></div></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Just roll good — it's easy.</em></p>
<p>The next group of bombs defends our tokens by protecting them in some way. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Avacyn, Angel of Hope" href="#" target="_blank">Avacyn, Angel of Hope</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Serra&#039;s Emissary" href="#" target="_blank">Serra&#039;s Emissary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are obvious in how they keep our board safe, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Angel of the Ruins" href="#" target="_blank">Angel of the Ruins</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Luminate Primordial" href="#" target="_blank">Luminate Primordial</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are also great for protection. Removing threats to Mog and his board can be crucial.</p>
<p>One powerful interaction the deck can do is to reanimate <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Velomachus Lorehold" href="#" target="_blank">Velomachus Lorehold</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, then use his attack trigger to immediately cast another reanimation spell.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite"></div></div></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>What? I'm just keeping my Moogles safe from your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brotherhood&#039;s End" href="#" target="_blank">Brotherhood&#039;s End</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</em></p>
<p>Another critical part of this deck is the token support. It runs all the token doublers and triplers that it can, as well as a few cards with the populate mechanic, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nesting Dovehawk" href="#" target="_blank">Nesting Dovehawk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rootborn Defenses" href="#" target="_blank">Rootborn Defenses</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Muster the Departed" href="#" target="_blank">Muster the Departed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Warleader&#039;s Call" href="#" target="_blank">Warleader&#039;s Call</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> not only helps whittle opponents down, but also will gain life via all the Moogle tokens' lifelink.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Renewed Solidarity"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Summon: Good King Mog XII"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Moogles&#039; Valor"></div></div></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>You wanna make some Moogles? I wanna make some Moogles.</em></p>
<p>One last key card for Mog is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Palantír of Orthanc" href="#" target="_blank">Palantír of Orthanc</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Its floor is scry two plus an extra card draw, but if opponents are foolhardy enough to choose to mill, there are fifteen cards in the deck with a mana value of seven or more. With two or more influence counters, opponents risk taking heavy damage from not allowing the card draw, plus this deck already wants those big creatures in the graveyard anyway.</p>
<h2>How Does This Mog, Moogle Warrior Commander Deck Win?</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The most common way for this deck to win is by amassing a huge board of Moogle tokens, then alpha-striking with support from cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Moonshaker Cavalry" href="#" target="_blank">Moonshaker Cavalry</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elspeth, Storm Slayer" href="#" target="_blank">Elspeth, Storm Slayer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Serra&#039;s Emissary" href="#" target="_blank">Serra&#039;s Emissary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to get around blockers. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gisela, Blade of Goldnight" href="#" target="_blank">Gisela, Blade of Goldnight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite" href="#" target="_blank">Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can also come out in the right situation to end a game with a big attack. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boros Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Boros Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> plays double duty in this deck. Not only is it defending with the indestructible, but giving all Moogle tokens double strike and removing an opponent should give enough life from the lifelink to let you survive any impending repercussions.</span></p>
<p>If attacking isn't an option as a win condition because of some reason or another, there's a backup win condition in group slug cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Impact Tremors" href="#" target="_blank">Impact Tremors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Warleader&#039;s Call" href="#" target="_blank">Warleader&#039;s Call</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Reach critical mass by stacking token doublers and triplers and pinging everyone else to death with your ever-growing army of Moogle tokens.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Summon: Bahamut"></div></div></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>You can always finish them with Mega Flare,<br />
or as I call it, Mountain Dew Baha-mut Blast.</em></p>
<h2>Mog, Moogle Warrior Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Moggin&#039; on &#039;em" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Mog, Moogle Warrior
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Ancient Copper Dragon
*1 Ancient Gold Dragon
*1 Angel of the Ruins
*1 Avacyn, Angel of Hope
*1 Blazing Archon
*1 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
*1 Enduring Innocence
*1 Esper Sentinel
*1 Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
*1 Karmic Guide
*1 Luminate Primordial
*1 Mondrak, Glory Dominus
*1 Moonshaker Cavalry
*1 Nesting Dovehawk
*1 Ojer Taq, Deepest Foundation // Temple of Civilization
*1 Overlord of the Mistmoors
*1 Phyrexian Triniform
*1 Pinnacle Monk // Mystic Peak
*1 Reya Dawnbringer
*1 Seasoned Pyromancer
*1 Serra&#039;s Emissary
*1 Summon: Bahamut
*1 Summon: Good King Mog XII
*1 Triplicate Titan
*1 Velomachus Lorehold
*1 Welcoming Vampire
*1 Witch Enchanter // Witch-Blessed Meadow
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Anointed Procession
*1 Elspeth Conquers Death
*1 Fable of the Mirror-Breaker // Reflection of Kiki-Jiki
*1 Impact Tremors
*1 Muster the Departed
*1 Renewed Solidarity
*1 Tocasia&#039;s Welcome
*1 Warleader&#039;s Call
[/Enchantments]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Boros Signet
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Liquimetal Torque
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Monument to Endurance
*1 Palantír of Orthanc
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 Thought Vessel
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Boros Charm
*1 Clever Concealment
*1 Get Lost
*1 Legion Leadership // Legion Stronghold
*1 Miraculous Recovery
*1 Moogles&#039; Valor
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Perch Protection
*1 Rootborn Defenses
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Unwanted Remake
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Breath of Life
*1 False Defeat
*1 Late to Dinner
*1 Resurrection
[/Sorceries]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Elspeth, Storm Slayer
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Arena of Glory
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Bonders&#039; Enclave
*1 Castle Embereth
*1 Cavern of Souls
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Command Tower
*1 Cori Mountain Monastery
*1 Dalkovan Encampment
*1 Den of the Bugbear
*1 Drownyard Temple
*1 Elegant Parlor
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fountainport
*1 Inspiring Vantage
*1 Minas Tirith
*1 Monumental Henge
*1 Mountain
*1 Needleverge Pathway // Pillarverge Pathway
*3 Plains
*1 Plaza of Heroes
*1 Restless Bivouac
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Rugged Prairie
*1 Sacred Foundry
*1 Spectator Seating
*1 Starting Town
*1 Sunbaked Canyon
*1 Sunbillow Verge
*1 Sundown Pass
*1 Sunken Citadel
*1 Sunscorched Divide
*1 Three Tree City
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mog, Moogle Warrior" href="#" target="_blank">Mog, Moogle Warrior</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has been an absolute delight to tinker with. Any player looking for a Boros list will be able to do something with Mog. He's both powerful and versatile, while allowing for the perfect amount of politicking. Opponents who take the card draw will quickly find themselves struggling to choose between keeping Mog around for the filtering or getting buried under an avalanche of massive Moogle tokens.</span></p>
<p>Thanks so much for taking the time to read the deck tech. I'm <a href="http://linktr.ee/commandzoe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Command Zoe</a>, be sure to follow me across the socials so you don't miss any of content, like last week's <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/growing-up-fast-a-rydia-summoner-of-mist-commander-deck-tech" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Growing up Fast: A Rydia, Summoner of Mist Commander Deck Tech</a>.</p>
<p>Until next time, hope to catch you slingin' Moogle tokens out there.</p>


Straight Up Moggin' - A Mog, Moogle Warrior Commander Deck Tech

Ranking Which Final Fantasy Main Protagonists Got the Best Cards

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zidane, Tantalus Thief|fin|405" href="#" target="_blank">Zidane, Tantalus Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/katanacanata/profile" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Canata Katana</a></em></p>
<p><em>Final Fantasy</em> is already released, but I've still got a lot of awesome cards to look at, so we're checking out one more today. Today's deck is gonna be built around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zidane, Tantalus Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Zidane, Tantalus Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a commander that incentivizes us to steal creatures, but just for a little bit.</p>
<p>I absolutely love theft decks, especially in Pauper, because they tend to match the power level of your opponents' decks. Of course, right? Because you're playing with their creatures. This means that I can play this deck against non-Pauper decks, because even though those decks are built with stronger cards than mine, I can just snatch them, and boom, my deck is just as powerful.</p>
<p>So this is gonna be a lot of fun.</p>
<h2>What Does Zidane, Tantalus Thief Do?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zidane, Tantalus Thief"></div></div>
<p>While Zidane is shiny and new, what he's doing isn't particularly fresh. We've had cards that snatch creatures from opponents' boards for years. But Zidane really gives us something to build around, and offers a payoff in the form of Treasure tokens when we give our creatures back.</p>
<p>Though having a big scary creature for a turn is a pretty decent payoff on it's own.</p>
<p>In addition to this, Zidane nearly doubles the amount of theft cards we can run in our deck, just by having that effect on an ETB. How? Because of the color white, which lets us run blink spells. Essentially, we can turn <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloudshift" href="#" target="_blank">Cloudshift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> into a one-mana copy of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Act of Treason" href="#" target="_blank">Act of Treason</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>And for whatever reason, Zidane also grants lifelink to our stolen creatures, making it even better.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cloudshift"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Act of Treason"></div></div>
<h2>Key Cards for Zidane</h2>
<h3>Blink Spells</h3>
<p>So of course, we're gonna run all the blink spells we can. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scrollshift" href="#" target="_blank">Scrollshift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, awesome. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flicker of Fate" href="#" target="_blank">Flicker of Fate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, even better. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ephemerate" href="#" target="_blank">Ephemerate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, hell yeah!</p>
<p>There are more than enough great options in Pauper, from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Justiciar&#039;s Portal" href="#" target="_blank">Justiciar&#039;s Portal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Acrobatic Maneuver" href="#" target="_blank">Acrobatic Maneuver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Slip On the Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Slip On the Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. We should be able to blink Zidane constantly, and reap the rewards of his theft ability.</p>
<p>And the Treasure we get afterwards just fuels further robbery. Unfortunately, some of these spells, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Otherworldly Journey" href="#" target="_blank">Otherworldly Journey</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, only return Zidane at the end of the turn, skipping combat. But this doesn't make them totally useless, and you'll see why in a bit.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scrollshift"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ephemerate"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Slip On the Ring"></div></div>
<h3>Theft Spells</h3>
<p>First though, let's complete our arsenal of theft spells. Obviously, our supply of blink spells isn't infinite, so we have to dip into actual theft spells, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hijack" href="#" target="_blank">Hijack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. But that's no big worry, because some of these spells are quite decent.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goatnap" href="#" target="_blank">Goatnap</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for instance, gives +3/+0 if what we're stealing is a Goat. Haha, ok, obviously not that one, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Traitorous Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Traitorous Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can give trample to something huge. That'll be particularly funny when you hear your opponent muttering that they "could win this game if they only had trample."</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hijack"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goatnap"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Traitorous Blood"></div></div>
<p>Then there are just some generic ones, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrangle" href="#" target="_blank">Wrangle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Price of Loyalty" href="#" target="_blank">Price of Loyalty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloody Betrayal" href="#" target="_blank">Bloody Betrayal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, etc. Nothing special, but it's not the spells that need to be big and threatening; it's our opponents' cards. And we can usually count on that.</p>
<p>Yes, I did consider running some cards that give our opponents big creatures, but I doubt that'll be necessary</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wrangle"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Price of Loyalty"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloody Betrayal"></div></div>
<h3>Evasion</h3>
<p>Anyways, now that we've got some big creatures on our side of the board, sometimes with lifelink, what are we gonna do with them? Well, we're gonna attack with them, obviously. So let's get some evasion in here.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin War Drums" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin War Drums</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a personal favorite of mine. Trust me, the difference between one chump blocker and two is huge. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Orcish Oriflamme" href="#" target="_blank">Orcish Oriflamme</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is also a decent anthem that'll give us a boost if all we're doing is trading hits with an opponent.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin War Drums"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Orcish Oriflamme"></div></div>
<h3>Sacrifices</h3>
<p>But attacking isn't all we can do. I mean, you can't reduce a creature's worth to just their power and toughness. That'd be so dehumanizing. Don't forget their value as sacrifice fodder!</p>
<p>Yes, if we sacrifice the creature, we don't get Zidane's Treasure token, but it's absolutely worth it to steal a creature for three mana, swing for a ton of damage, and then rob our opponents of a huge creature while gaining some bonus for ourselves.</p>
<p>There's plenty of ways to do this. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ashnod&#039;s Altar" href="#" target="_blank">Ashnod&#039;s Altar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, of course, although two mana isn't really that helpful post-combat. We'd rather use something that's useful any time, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Angelic Purge" href="#" target="_blank">Angelic Purge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tavern Scoundrel" href="#" target="_blank">Tavern Scoundrel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark-Dweller Oracle" href="#" target="_blank">Dark-Dweller Oracle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are pretty handy as well, sitting around until we need them.</p>
<p>And of course, we can't forget <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fling" href="#" target="_blank">Fling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, the iconic game ender.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Angelic Purge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dark-Dweller Oracle"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fling"></div></div>
<p>I ultimately decided to go fairly light on the sacrifice outlets, because constantly stealing your opponents creatures and then sacrificing them over and over again is a pretty nasty game plan. And hey, it means Zidane triggers more. But if you really wanted to, it wouldn't be difficult at all to make an extremely powerful, if toxic deck.</p>
<p>The rest of the deck is just some support for the main game plan. A bunch of ramp, and a ton of removal for the things we can't steal. Our whole plan is essentially just to snatch the biggest things on the board and win with that, so there doesn't need to be a whole lot else here. As long as we make sure that we've always got the mana and cards to carry out that game plan, we should be golden.</p>
<p>And just for extra safety, we'll throw in a few protection spells, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gods Willing" href="#" target="_blank">Gods Willing</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Apostle&#039;s Blessing" href="#" target="_blank">Apostle&#039;s Blessing</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to protect Zidane, because he is a five-mana commander and we really don't want to be recasting him too often.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gods Willing"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Apostle&#039;s Blessing"></div></div>
<p>Yeah, the blink spells could double as protection, but we'd rather use them on our turn, and not in response to a removal attempt.</p>
<h2>Zidane, Tantalus Thief Pauper Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Pauper Commander - Zidane, Tantalus Thief" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Zidane, Tantalus Thief
[/Commander]
[Instants]
*1 Abrade
*1 Acrobatic Maneuver
*1 Apostle&#039;s Blessing
*1 Big Score
*1 Cloudshift
*1 Crib Swap
*1 Demand Answers
*1 Ephemerate
*1 Flicker of Fate
*1 Fling
*1 Generous Gift
*1 Gods Willing
*1 Justiciar&#039;s Portal
*1 Otherworldly Journey
*1 Scrollshift
*1 Slip On the Ring
*1 Thraben Charm
*1 Thrill of Possibility
*1 Unexpected Windfall
*1 Your Temple Is Under Attack
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Ashnod&#039;s Altar
*1 Boros Signet
*1 Commander&#039;s Sphere
*1 Decanter of Endless Water
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Thought Vessel
*1 Whispersilk Cloak
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Bitter Reunion
*1 Fanatical Devotion
*1 Goblin War Drums
*1 Journey to Nowhere
*1 Makeshift Munitions
*1 Oblivion Ring
*1 Orcish Oriflamme
*1 Shiny Impetus
*1 The Shattered States Era // Nameless Conqueror
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Act of Treason
*1 Angelic Purge
*1 Bloody Betrayal
*1 Coronation of Chaos
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Glimpse the Impossible
*1 Goatnap
*1 Hijack
*1 Involuntary Employment
*1 Mark of Mutiny
*1 Pack&#039;s Betrayal
*1 Price of Loyalty
*1 Settle Beyond Reality
*1 Shackles of Treachery
*1 Traitorous Blood
*1 Witch&#039;s Mark
*1 Wrangle
[/Sorceries]
[Creatures]
*1 Blood Aspirant
*1 Dark-Dweller Oracle
*1 Icewind Stalwart
*1 Pegasus Guardian // Rescue the Foal
*1 Tavern Scoundrel
*1 Vanguard Seraph
[/Creatures]
[Lands]
*1 Boros Garrison
*1 Command Tower
*1 Forgotten Cave
*17 Mountain
*17 Plains
*1 Secluded Steppe
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<p>Welp, that's the whole deck. To be honest, I'm surprised it never occurred to me to make a theft deck before. I don't really have a Pauper pod, so I often have to hurl my commons at a bunch of rares and mythics. But this way, I can just steal those shiny cards for myself. Awesome!</p>
<p>Just due to the nature of the strategy, this deck is pretty strong, and I'm quite happy with how it came out.</p>


Pauper Commander - Zidane, Tantalus Thief

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sin, Spira&#039;s Punishment" href="#" target="_blank">Sin, Spira&#039;s Punishment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/tedrick94" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Tedrick</a></em></p>
<p>In today’s current meta, commanders that sit around the seven mana mark tend not to be built too often. But every once and a while, we get a legend that breaks the status quo by capturing player’s imaginations, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sin, Spira&#039;s Punishment" href="#" target="_blank">Sin, Spira&#039;s Punishment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> did just that.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sin, Spira&#039;s Punishment"></div></div>
<p>Having an enters and attack trigger as powerful as this creature has sparks a lot of creativity, which opens it up to all kinds of directions to go in.</p>
<p>With the start of this list, I wanted to focus on some great cards that help set up Sin’s ability by filling up the graveyard. Then we'll close things out by showcasing some great payoffs for all those copy tokens hitting your board.</p>
<p>This deck might be a little bit of an all-in strategy, but that’s what Commander is all about, right?</p>
<h2>Sin, Spira's Punishment</h2>
<p>This deck wants to do one thing: have your commander enter and attack. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sin, Spira&#039;s Punishment" href="#" target="_blank">Sin, Spira&#039;s Punishment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can cheat in a huge number of permanents and specifically relies on you hitting lands to repeat the process.</p>
<p>Including plenty of instant and sorcery ways to fill your graveyard will be important, since your commander's effect will ignore them in the bin, thus increasing your chances of hitting a land to keep the chain going.</p>
<p>Recently, fellow EDHREC writer Jeff Girten released an article covering a decklist for Sin with no non-land permanents that I highly recommend you <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-sin-spiras-punishment-with-no-nonland-permanents" target="_blank" rel="noopener">check out here</a>. As you will see in this list, I did include some payoff permanents to help the deck flow, and could give you more options to build the rest of this 99 on a budget.</p>
<p>With that being said, here are the <em>fourteen cards for under $14</em> you can pick up to get a jumpstart on a new deck!</p>
<h3>Grisly Salvage</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grisly Salvage"></div></div>
<p>Kicking off our list is the classic graveyard filling spell, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grisly Salvage" href="#" target="_blank">Grisly Salvage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Two mana to dig five cards deep, pick out the best creature or land from among them, and put the rest in the bin is exactly what you want in this deck.</p>
<p>As I mentioned before, instant and sorcery spells dodge Sin’s trigger, since it looks for a random permanent. That allows you to hit as many lands as possible, without breaking the chain.</p>
<h3>Doom Whisperer</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Doom Whisperer"></div></div>
<p>Next up, we have a creature you would love to hit with the first card on the list: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doom Whisperer" href="#" target="_blank">Doom Whisperer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. A flying, trampling 6/6 for only five mana is an incredible rate, but the star of the show for this spell is that surveil ability.</p>
<p>With this creature out, you can pay as much life as you want and fill up your graveyard in preparation for your commander’s arrival. All while being a great attacker and blocker in the air!</p>
<h3>Flux</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flux"></div></div>
<p>Another great way to fill up your graveyard is with wheel effects. While a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Windfall" href="#" target="_blank">Windfall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will do great work in the deck, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flux" href="#" target="_blank">Flux</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is here to give you a little more selection.</p>
<p>Making sure you fill your graveyard with lands and your hand with spells is paramount for this deck’s strategy. Being able to do that by turn three will just set you up for success as the game goes on.</p>
<h3>Drown in Dreams</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Drown in Dreams"></div></div>
<p>Depending on where you are in the game, a spell like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Drown in Dreams" href="#" target="_blank">Drown in Dreams</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be exactly what you need in the moment. Whether you need to fill your hand, or your graveyard before Sin comes out, it's here to help.</p>
<p>Then, once your commander is on the board, you can do both! Since it can be cast at instant speed you can play it right before your turn, which then sets you up for a big attack trigger to move yourself towards the endgame.</p>
<h3>Otherworldly Gaze</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Otherworldly Gaze"></div></div>
<p>Speaking of instant-speed graveyard fillers, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Otherworldly Gaze" href="#" target="_blank">Otherworldly Gaze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets you surveil 3, and has flashback for only two mana. Holding this up and casting it just before your commander can help you catch your opponents by surprise, since you can add a few more lands to your graveyard that your opponents weren't ready for.</p>
<p>Plus, that flashback cost is pretty cheap, so it can easily be cast again whenever you need it.</p>
<h3>Stargaze</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stargaze"></div></div>
<p>One of my favorite cards from last year is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stargaze" href="#" target="_blank">Stargaze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, since it offers an incredible level of card selection all in one go.</p>
<p>Say you cast this spell the turn before your commander, where X is equal to four. That allows you to dig a whole eight cards deep, putting the cards you want right now into your hand, and most likely a chunk of lands into the bin that you’ll be ready to copy once Sin hits the board.</p>
<h3>Malevolent Rumble</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Malevolent Rumble"></div></div>
<p>Next up we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Malevolent Rumble" href="#" target="_blank">Malevolent Rumble</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a card that gives you both a little bit of ramp and card advantage.</p>
<p>While it’s nothing too flashy, two mana to mill three cards, while giving you a necessary permanent and an Eldrazi Spawn, is nice at any point in the game. On top of that, you can then sacrifice that Spawn to help get your commander out a turn earlier than people are ready for.</p>
<h3>Harrow</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Harrow"></div></div>
<p>Let's keep this ramp train rolling with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harrow" href="#" target="_blank">Harrow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. At instant speed you can sacrifice a land to go search for two basics and put them on the field untapped.</p>
<p>As I mentioned with the last card on the list, getting Sin out early can help throw the tempo of the table off. Doing that while also adding a land to your graveyard is just icing on this recursion cake.</p>
<h3>Foreboding Landscape</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Foreboding Landscape"></div></div>
<p>If you plan on putting this deck together, adding as many lands to the deck that either cycle or sacrifice themselves for any reason will be great to keep your engine going. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Foreboding Landscape" href="#" target="_blank">Foreboding Landscape</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the perfect land to represent those effects.</p>
<p>Even though it’s a common it still packs a major punch in this deck, since it has two ways to get into your graveyard, while also just tapping for mana if you really need it at the time.</p>
<h2>Payoff Cards</h2>
<p>Now let’s take a look at some of the great payoff cards we can run in this deck to ensure that when <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sin, Spira&#039;s Punishment" href="#" target="_blank">Sin, Spira&#039;s Punishment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> hits the battlefield it’s even more impactful.</p>
<h3>Tireless Provisioner</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tireless Provisioner"></div></div>
<p>One of the best Landfall cards in the game is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tireless Provisioner" href="#" target="_blank">Tireless Provisioner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Creating a Food or a Treasure whenever a land hits your field is a powerful effect at its base level, letting you build up your board as early as turn three.</p>
<p>However, if your commander hits the table while this is out, you could be making a huge number of tokens for each land copy you make. If you make Treasures with the Provisioner, that helps you dodge the drawback of those copy tokens entering tapped, since you can use that new mana right away.</p>
<h3>Kheru Goldkeeper</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kheru Goldkeeper"></div></div>
<p>If Treasures is what you want, then <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kheru Goldkeeper" href="#" target="_blank">Kheru Goldkeeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can help you get them! Since Sin’s exile ability could repeat over and over again, you’ll make a Treasure for every card that left your bin when all those triggers resolve.</p>
<p>On top of that, if this creature ends up in your graveyard, and you want to get it out of the way for your commander’s ability, it has its own way to exile itself with that Renew effect.</p>
<h3>Spelunking</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spelunking"></div></div>
<p>A card that's found a home in plenty of deck lists since its release is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spelunking" href="#" target="_blank">Spelunking</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (even if they don’t include any Caves). The main text that people have fallen in love with for this enchantment is allowing your lands enter play untapped.</p>
<p>If Sin’s ability does make you a whole chunk of land tokens, they will unfortunately be tapped, which is why Spelunking can be so pivotal, giving you the chance to use all that mana right then and there.</p>
<h3>Iridescent Vinelasher</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Iridescent Vinelasher"></div></div>
<p>Another way to utilize those lands is with Iridescent Vinelasher, since it turns all of those <em>landfall</em> triggers into direct damage to your opponents life totals.</p>
<p>Since Sin’s ability happens when it enters and attacks, you could get yourself in a spot where you regularly fill your graveyard, move to combat, and then make a whole bunch of land copies turn after turn. Also, don’t overlook that offspring ability, since that can speed up the burn process if you really need it.</p>
<h3>Second Harvest</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Second Harvest"></div></div>
<p>Closing out the list today, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Second Harvest" href="#" target="_blank">Second Harvest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. When Sin exiles all those cards from your graveyard, they enter as token copies. So, that just means you can wait for when the time is right and fire this off at instant speed, making you a copy of every token you've made over the course of the game to surprise the table.</p>
<p>This spell also works great with all the Treasures, Food, or even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Iridescent Vinelasher" href="#" target="_blank">Iridescent Vinelasher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> offspring tokens you made along the way!</p>
<h2>In Closing</h2>
<p>Well, there you have it, <em>fourteen cards for under $14</em> you can pick up to get you started on your very own deck built around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sin, Spira&#039;s Punishment" href="#" target="_blank">Sin, Spira&#039;s Punishment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Let me know in the comments which cards you would add to this list, that way we can help our fellow players build out their 99s. Also, be sure to check out my <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/tyler-bucks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent <em>Bulk Up</em> articles</a>, where I cover the best commons &amp; uncommons from the new <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/fin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Final Fantasy</a></em> set.</p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="AWdwtjILMX"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/brewing-a-pauper-commander-deck-with-kheru-goldkeeper/">Brewing a Pauper Commander Deck With Kheru Goldkeeper</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Brewing a Pauper Commander Deck With Kheru Goldkeeper&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/brewing-a-pauper-commander-deck-with-kheru-goldkeeper/embed/#?secret=fX5Go02w6W#?secret=AWdwtjILMX" data-secret="AWdwtjILMX" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="Dd8yeeCUDa"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/dont-let-these-final-fantasy-bulk-cards-collect-dust/">Don't Let These Final Fantasy Bulk Cards Collect Dust</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Don&#039;t Let These Final Fantasy Bulk Cards Collect Dust&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/dont-let-these-final-fantasy-bulk-cards-collect-dust/embed/#?secret=yTdRbPr2TF#?secret=Dd8yeeCUDa" data-secret="Dd8yeeCUDa" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="Nx6jkC51Fx"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/amazing-commons-uncommons-from-the-final-fantasy-set/">Amazing Commons &#038; Uncommons from the Final Fantasy Set</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Amazing Commons &#038; Uncommons from the Final Fantasy Set&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/amazing-commons-uncommons-from-the-final-fantasy-set/embed/#?secret=EURSKMsCVJ#?secret=Nx6jkC51Fx" data-secret="Nx6jkC51Fx" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>


Building A Sin, Spira's Punishment Deck on a Budget

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Wandering Minstrel|FIN|249" href="#" target="_blank">The Wandering Minstrel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/pencillien" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thanh Tuan</a></em></p>
<p>Friendly greetings and welcome to an Exhibition (Bracket 1) deck tech for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Wandering Minstrel" href="#" target="_blank">The Wandering Minstrel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>! I'm John Sherwood, and I <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?as=grid&amp;order=name&amp;q=%28game%3Apaper%29+legal%3Acommander+is%3Abear" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bear</a> tidings of low-power, five-color fun.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Wandering Minstrel|FIN|403"></div></div>
<p>I love set mechanics, and this deck is full of them. Instead of foraging for pieces to support a single set mechanic, I built a deck that snatches the set mechanic picnic basket.</p>
<h2>What Does The Wandering Minstrel Do?</h2>
<p>The Wandering Minstrel hits a trifecta with static, triggered, and activated abilities. First, the static ability causes your lands to enter untapped, which is fantastic for a budget five-color mana base.</p>
<p>Next, the triggered ability makes a token creature as a payoff for controlling five or more Towns. Of the 23 new Town lands, 17 always enter tapped. In other words, The Wandering Minstrel overules the Towns' primary downside, then rewards having the Towns with incremental value.</p>
<p>Then there's the activated ability. The Wandering Minstrel is an <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=%28game%3Apaper%29+legal%3Acommander%28invoker%29&amp;unique=cards&amp;as=grid&amp;order=name" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invoker</a>, with an activation cost of <em>eight</em> mana. Three generic plus WUBRG is a lot for an activation, but the payoff is a hearty +X/+X to the whole team.</p>
<p>Immediately after reading this card, I felt an urge to build a deck that's been simmering on my backburner. Truth be told, Sealed is my favorite way to play <em>Magic</em>, and one pillar of limited play is the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bear with Set&#039;s Mechanic" href="#" target="_blank">Bear with Set&#039;s Mechanic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bear with Set&#039;s Mechanic"></div></div>
<p>The bears (2/2s for two mana) that inspired my favorite meme card appear in every <em>Magic</em> set to support limited deck archetypes. As a two-drop that cares about a <em>Final Fantasy</em> set mechanic, The Wandering Minstrel is two-thirds of the way to singing the bear necessities. Sadly, the Wandering Minstrel is not a 2/2, so the commander can't fully commit to the bear bit.</p>
<h2>Bear Necessities</h2>
<p>I committed to including every Town in the deck, to capitalize on The Wandering Minstrel's triggered and activated abilities. With the 23 Towns from <em>Final Fantasy</em>, plus <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thespian&#039;s Stage" href="#" target="_blank">Thespian&#039;s Stage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Planar Nexus" href="#" target="_blank">Planar Nexus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, over a quarter of the deck supports the commander just by making land drops. With the bulk of the mana base solved, I moved on to creatures.</p>
<p>There are hundreds of bears to choose from. Of the creatures that made the final cut, these are some of the ones I consider essential to the deck:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Conclave Guildmage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skarrg Guildmage"></div></div>
<p>Two of Ravnica's three Guildmage cycles are in the list, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conclave Guildmage" href="#" target="_blank">Conclave Guildmage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skarrg Guildmage" href="#" target="_blank">Skarrg Guildmage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are key. They grant trample, pairing with The Wandering Minstrel's power/toughness boost for a build-a-bear overrun. Other bears grant evasion, but these are the most efficient.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grenzo, Dungeon Warden"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grenzo, Dungeon Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Grenzo, Dungeon Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s activated ability is an odd sort of card advantage in this deck. Conveniently, there's no need to pay anything into Grenzo's X cost because every creature in the deck is power 2. With the number of creatures that made the final cut, Grenzo will hit frequently.</p>
<h2>Picnic Baskets</h2>
<p>Initially, I picked about 80 bears with set mechanics, intending to find synergies and work out a secondary theme for the deck. As I curated that list of creatures, I connected five dots that led me in a new direction.</p>
<ol>
<li>Bears have a mana value of two.</li>
<li>Many bears have different mana symbols in their casting cost.</li>
<li>All bears are creatures.</li>
<li>Two is an even number.</li>
<li>Plenty of bears have activated abilities.</li>
</ol>
<p>Spelled out another way:</p>
<ol>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lurrus of the Dream-Den" href="#" target="_blank">Lurrus of the Dream-Den</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jegantha, the Wellspring" href="#" target="_blank">Jegantha, the Wellspring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Umori, the Collector" href="#" target="_blank">Umori, the Collector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gyruda, Doom of Depths" href="#" target="_blank">Gyruda, Doom of Depths</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zirda, the Dawnwaker" href="#" target="_blank">Zirda, the Dawnwaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ol>
<p>My name might be John, but I'm not cut out to be a ranger. I'm Yogi in this over-played metaphor, and I'm not listening to Boo-Boo.</p>
<p>When I say I'm getting a picnic basket, I mean the final version of this deck meets the building restrictions for five different <a href="https://edhrec.com/companions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">companions</a>. Paying three mana to put a companion in hand fits neatly into the mana curve of a deck with no three-drops. I think it would be fun to embrace variety and pick a different companion at random every time.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zirda, the Dawnwaker"></div></div>
<p>Depending on the chosen companion, the deck pivots into very different play patterns. My top picks would be Zirda, Lurrus, or Jegantha, in that order.</p>
<p>The six-mana investment to play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zirda, the Dawnwaker" href="#" target="_blank">Zirda, the Dawnwaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will quickly pay for itself with the discount on activated abilities. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lurrus of the Dream-Den" href="#" target="_blank">Lurrus of the Dream-Den</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a nice insurance policy, and there are some sacrifice outlets in the deck to develop a reanimator engine.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jegantha, the Wellspring" href="#" target="_blank">Jegantha, the Wellspring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> practically guarantees enough mana to activate The Wandering Minstrel's pump ability.</p>
<h2>How Does The Wandering Minstrel Win?</h2>
<p>The primary game plan is go wide to go tall. The commander should always be out on turn two, helping to smooth the tempo before producing creature tokens.</p>
<p>Casting other creatures is a priority until there's enough mana to leverage activated abilities in combat. The best-case scenario is overrunning opponents with multiple pumped creatures. However, decks with this many activated abilities can adapt.</p>
<p>An evasionless, one-power creature is not a a realistic commander damage threat. Fortunately, there are enough combat trick abilities in this deck to make The Wandering Minstrel a sneaky combatant. Many of the deck's creatures either make target creature bigger, grant evasion, or both, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Korozda Guildmage" href="#" target="_blank">Korozda Guildmage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Korozda Guildmage"></div></div>
<p>Three mana is a poor rate for a temporary +1/+1; that cost is too high for Voltron to be a primary game plan. However, this deck's curve is really low. There should be plenty of mana available to chain activated abilities together, or play a key ability on repeat.</p>
<p>When the life totals are low and the win is on the line, a little threat of activation makes a big difference.</p>
<p>As much as I love the combat phase, there are some edge cases in the deck to watch out for. Some of the activated abilities may occasionally tip the scales toward victory. There are eight cards in the deck with non-combat methods of reducing opponents' life totals.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rix Maadi Guildmage"></div></div>
<p>Rix Maadi Guildmage might be creature or player removal if needed. Eliminating a player with a card like this is a fun achievement to unlock.</p>
<h2>The Wandering Minstrel Commander Deck List</h2>
<p>I'll keep hoping for the bear commander of my dreams, but I could see myself sleeving this up in the mean time.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="The Wandering Minstrel Bears" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 The Wandering Minstrel
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Arcus Acolyte
*1 Biomancer&#039;s Familiar
*1 Black Market Tycoon
*1 Bonebind Orator
*1 Bounty Agent
*1 Butch DeLoria, Tunnel Snake
*1 Cartel Aristocrat
*1 Caustic Bronco
*1 Clan Guildmage
*1 Cliffside Rescuer
*1 Combine Guildmage
*1 Conclave Guildmage
*1 Cult Guildmage
*1 Dawntreader Elk
*1 Dismissive Pyromancer
*1 Duskmantle Guildmage
*1 Goblin Cratermaker
*1 Goro-Goro, Disciple of Ryusei
*1 Grenzo, Dungeon Warden
*1 Heartfire Immolator
*1 House Guildmage
*1 Intrepid Paleontologist
*1 Jenson Carthalion, Druid Exile
*1 Kiora&#039;s Follower
*1 Korozda Guildmage
*1 League Guildmage
*1 Legion Guildmage
*1 Legion Vanguard
*1 New Prahv Guildmage
*1 Nivix Guildmage
*1 Osteomancer Adept
*1 Pippin, Guard of the Citadel
*1 Priest of Fell Rites
*1 Qasali Pridemage
*1 Ragged Playmate
*1 Raucous Entertainer
*1 Rix Maadi Guildmage
*1 Rootcoil Creeper
*1 Saheeli, the Sun&#039;s Brilliance
*1 Senate Guildmage
*1 Skarrg Guildmage
*1 Sprouting Goblin
*1 Sunhome Guildmage
*1 Swarm Guildmage
*1 Syndicate Guildmage
*1 Tender Wildguide
*1 Thraxodemon
*1 Treasure Dredger
*1 Twitching Doll
*1 Undergrowth Leopard
*1 Vermin Gorger
*1 Vitu-Ghazi Guildmage
*1 Vizkopa Guildmage
*1 Voracious Varmint
*1 Wight of the Reliquary
*1 Zameck Guildmage
[/Creatures]
[Lands]
*1 Access Tunnel
*1 Adventurer&#039;s Inn
*1 Balamb Garden, SeeD Academy // Balamb Garden, Airborne
*1 Baron, Airship Kingdom
*1 Cactus Preserve
*1 Capital City
*1 Cascading Cataracts
*1 Clive&#039;s Hideaway
*1 Command Tower
*1 Crossroads Village
*1 Crystal Quarry
*1 Dark Depths
*1 Demolition Field
*1 Eden, Seat of the Sanctum
*1 Escape Tunnel
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Forest
*1 Gohn, Town of Ruin
*1 Gongaga, Reactor Town
*1 Guadosalam, Farplane Gateway
*1 Insomnia, Crown City
*1 Ishgard, the Holy See // Faith &amp; Grief
*1 Island
*1 Jidoor, Aristocratic Capital // Overture
*1 Lindblum, Industrial Regency // Mage Siege
*1 Maze of Ith
*1 Midgar, City of Mako // Reactor Raid
*1 Mountain
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Plains
*1 Planar Nexus
*1 Plaza of Heroes
*1 Rabanastre, Royal City
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Sharlayan, Nation of Scholars
*1 Starting Town
*1 Swamp
*1 The Gold Saucer
*1 Thespian&#039;s Stage
*1 Treno, Dark City
*1 Vector, Imperial Capital
*1 Windurst, Federation Center
*1 Zanarkand, Ancient Metropolis // Lasting Fayth
[/Lands]
[Companions]
*1 Gyruda, Doom of Depths
*1 Jegantha, the Wellspring
*1 Lurrus of the Dream-Den
*1 Umori, the Collector
*1 Zirda, the Dawnwaker
[/Companions]"></span></div>
<h2>The Berenstain Bard</h2>
<p>The moral of this story is versatility. The Wandering Minstrel isn't just another set mechanic commander. The Town mana base takes up a mere quarter of the deck, leaving seventy-five cards that could be anything. The Wandering Minstrel isn't a mainstage headliner like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Golos, Tireless Pilgrim" href="#" target="_blank">Golos, Tireless Pilgrim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (RIP), but they jam to the same music.</p>
<p>If smooth mana production and open ended brewing potential are on your playlist, then give The Wandering Minstrel a chance. Tell us about your Minstrel brews in the comments below.</p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="A0Mhr5wJGN"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-an-azorius-mill-commander-deck-with-hope-estheim/">Building an Azorius Mill Commander Deck With Hope Estheim</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Building an Azorius Mill Commander Deck With Hope Estheim&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-an-azorius-mill-commander-deck-with-hope-estheim/embed/#?secret=8EVeY2DDQe#?secret=A0Mhr5wJGN" data-secret="A0Mhr5wJGN" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="vt8qDYetcF"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/final-fantasy-deck-tech-jenova-ancient-calamity/">Final Fantasy Deck Tech: Jenova, Ancient Calamity</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Final Fantasy Deck Tech: Jenova, Ancient Calamity&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/final-fantasy-deck-tech-jenova-ancient-calamity/embed/#?secret=MH9KT9wu1H#?secret=vt8qDYetcF" data-secret="vt8qDYetcF" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="xqSz9bLQbq"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-a-green-token-deck-with-quina-qu-gourmet/">Building a Green Token Deck With Quina, Qu Gourmet</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Building a Green Token Deck With Quina, Qu Gourmet&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-a-green-token-deck-with-quina-qu-gourmet/embed/#?secret=Zx2wWkqfJ5#?secret=xqSz9bLQbq" data-secret="xqSz9bLQbq" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>


The Wandering Minstrel Exhibition Deck Tech

<p style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vaan, Street Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Vaan, Street Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://jakemurraystudio.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jake Murray</a></span></i></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hello hello! Welcome to another <em>Final Fantasy</em> deck tech! This set is full of interesting, powerful commanders, and I'd like to walk you through a brew with one of my favorites. I've long been a fan of mono-colored decks, so it's no surprise that I've been drawn to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vaan, Street Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Vaan, Street Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vaan, Street Thief"></div></div></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This commander is super interesting, and the typal grouping he encourages will make for some interesting deckbuilding.</span></p>
<h2>What Does Vaan, Street Thief Do?</h2>
<p>This Human Scout costs <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, and essentially turns each of our Scouts, Pirates, and Rogues into a worse version of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer" href="#" target="_blank">Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Whenever they deal combat damage to one of our opponents, we'll impulse draw the top card of that player's library. If we don't cast that card, we get a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasure" href="#" target="_blank">Treasure</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. And, when we do cast a spell this way (or any other spell that we don't own), we'll get to buff up our whole board of creatures.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vaan reminds me of some of my other favorite commanders. He encourages us to cast spells from exile and hands out +1/+1 counters like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inti, Seneschal of the Sun" href="#" target="_blank">Inti, Seneschal of the Sun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. </span></p>
<p>I'm also reminded of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mari, the Killing Quill" href="#" target="_blank">Mari, the Killing Quill</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who groups together a few creature types like Vaan does, and provides us with an incentive to deal combat damage to our opponents frequently.</p>
<p>But Vaan is most reminiscent of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Olivia, Opulent Outlaw" href="#" target="_blank">Olivia, Opulent Outlaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Both of these commanders care about multiple creature types, make treasures, and provide +1/+1 counters to our whole team. Decks built around these commanders will have a lot of overlap, so we'll be drawing inspiration from their EDHREC pages as we go!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inti, Seneschal of the Sun"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mari, the Killing Quill"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Olivia, Opulent Outlaw"></div></div>
<p>This commander, and the others that its similar to, provide us with a pretty clear direction: we'll fill the deck with cheap and evasive Scouts, Pirates, and Rogues, pair those creatures with some artifact and non-hand casting synergies, and look to end the game with a buffed-up board of similarly-typed creatures.</p>
<p>Let's get brewing!</p>
<h2>Key Cards for Vaan, Street Thief</h2>
<h3>Cheap and Evasive Creatures</h3>
<p>Let's talk about the cheap and/or evasive creatures that we'll use to trigger our commander's abilities.</p>
<p>First, and my pick for the strongest of the bunch, is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Generous Plunderer" href="#" target="_blank">Generous Plunderer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This card feels tailor-made for the deck: it's got evasion, it makes us extra Treasure tokens, and it even deals extra damage to an opponent when it attacks.</p>
<p>I'm also a big fan of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gemcutter Buccaneer" href="#" target="_blank">Gemcutter Buccaneer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which will provide us with a stream of Treasures and convert those Treasures into extra damage. There's a total of 14 Pirates in the deck (and a few ways to make Pirate creature tokens), so this card will be a good value engine.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Generous Plunderer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gemcutter Buccaneer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Robber of the Rich"></div></div>
<p>Lastly, I wanted to shout out <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Robber of the Rich" href="#" target="_blank">Robber of the Rich</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This was the first one I added to the deck's 99, because it just fits so perfectly. Reach is always nice to have on a creature, and haste means that this guy can start providing card advantage the turn we cast him.</p>
<p>I was surprised at how many creatures fit this deck's game plan and had relevant types, but the deck's creature suite came together quite nicely.</p>
<h3>Artifact and Treasure Synergies</h3>
<p>Next, let's talk about our artifact and Treasure synergies. Red decks have no shortage of these cards, so I had a nice pool to draw from.</p>
<p>First, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Laurine, the Diversion" href="#" target="_blank">Laurine, the Diversion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a sweet control piece (and a Rogue, notably) for a deck that lacks significant removal. While we may not be able to destroy an opponent's big creature, we can certainly sacrifice a spare Treasure to ensure it doesn't swing our way.</p>
<p>And if we want to turn those spare Treasures into aggression, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swashbuckler Extraordinaire" href="#" target="_blank">Swashbuckler Extraordinaire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can do so easily. Plus, double strike works extremely well with Vaan's combat-focused abilities.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Laurine, the Diversion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Swashbuckler Extraordinaire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fathom Fleet Swordjack"></div></div>
<p>There's also <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fathom Fleet Swordjack" href="#" target="_blank">Fathom Fleet Swordjack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This creature will take a big chunk out of an opponent's life total when it attacks, and it just so happens to be a Pirate! It's a great fit here.</p>
<p>There's a whole bunch of other Pirate-centric synergies in the deck, too. Both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breeches, Eager Pillager" href="#" target="_blank">Breeches, Eager Pillager</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breeches, Brazen Plunderer" href="#" target="_blank">Breeches, Brazen Plunderer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> work well with our supporting cast of crewmates, so there's sure to be a good deal of Pirate synergies on our battlefield at any given moment.</p>
<h3>Casting Spells From Exile</h3>
<p>Now, let's talk about the ways we'll gain advantage by casting the spells we steal from our opponents.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Passionate Archaeologist" href="#" target="_blank">Passionate Archaeologist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Keeper of Secrets" href="#" target="_blank">Keeper of Secrets</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and [/el]Flaming Tyrannosaurus[/el] will each hit our opponents for some significant damage when we cast spells from exile.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Passionate Archaeologist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Iraxxa, Empress of Mars"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wild-Magic Sorcerer"></div></div>
<p>Next up, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Iraxxa, Empress of Mars" href="#" target="_blank">Iraxxa, Empress of Mars</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can provide a lot of tokens over the course of the game. Plus, her attack trigger can be a difference maker in clogged board states or close games.</p>
<p>And finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wild-Magic Sorcerer" href="#" target="_blank">Wild-Magic Sorcerer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will give us one of our own spells for free after we cast one of our opponents' spells. It's no surprise that this card is good in any deck that casts spells from exile, but I find it particularly interesting that we still get the cascade trigger off of casting a spell we don't own.</p>
<h2>How Does This Vaan, Street Thief Deck Win?</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This deck ultimately wins through damage. It can sometimes ping our opponents life totals down over time with a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Keeper of Secrets" href="#" target="_blank">Keeper of Secrets</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but it'll more often win through combat damage with an army of Scouts, Pirates, and Rogues. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vaan provides a lot of +1/+1 counters over the course of a game, and that can lead to a victory in the mid/late game.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glóin, Dwarf Emissary"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Caught in the Crossfire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Return the Favor"></div></div>
<p>I'm happy to say that, despite being mono-red, this deck has a good few ways to control the battlefield. Through goad effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glóin, Dwarf Emissary" href="#" target="_blank">Glóin, Dwarf Emissary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, one-sided board wipes like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Caught in the Crossfire" href="#" target="_blank">Caught in the Crossfire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and redirection effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Return the Favor" href="#" target="_blank">Return the Favor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we can protect our board state pretty well.</p>
<h2>Vaan, Street Thief Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Making a Vaan, Street Thief Deck" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Vaan, Street Thief
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Academy Manufactor
*1 Angrath&#039;s Marauders
*1 Breeches, Brazen Plunderer
*1 Breeches, Eager Pillager
*1 Broadside Bombardiers
*1 Captain Lannery Storm
*1 Charming Scoundrel
*1 Coercive Recruiter
*1 Crimson Caravaneer
*1 Dargo, the Shipwrecker
*1 Dire Fleet Daredevil
*1 Fathom Fleet Swordjack
*1 Flaming Tyrannosaurus
*1 Fortune Thief
*1 Gemcutter Buccaneer
*1 Generous Plunderer
*1 Glóin, Dwarf Emissary
*1 Goblin Guide
*1 Goldspan Dragon
*1 Grenzo, Havoc Raiser
*1 Hellspur Posse Boss
*1 Impulsive Pilferer
*1 Iraxxa, Empress of Mars
*1 Kari Zev, Skyship Raider
*1 Keeper of Secrets
*1 Kellan, Planar Trailblazer
*1 Laurine, the Diversion
*1 Nalfeshnee
*1 Party Thrasher
*1 Port Razer
*1 Professional Face-Breaker
*1 Prosperous Bandit
*1 Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer
*1 Robber of the Rich
*1 Rose, Cutthroat Raider
*1 Swashbuckler Extraordinaire
*1 Taurean Mauler
*1 Tin Street Dodger
*1 Treasure Nabber
*1 Wild-Magic Sorcerer
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Beamtown Beatstick
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Inspiring Statuary
*1 Maskwood Nexus
*1 Staff of Eden, Vault&#039;s Key
*1 Tarrian&#039;s Soulcleaver
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Gamble
*1 Reckless Handling
*1 Sundering Eruption // Volcanic Fissure
*1 Vandalblast
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Bottle-Cap Blast
*1 Caught in the Crossfire
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Fiery Cannonade
*1 Great Train Heist
*1 Lightning Bolt
*1 Return the Favor
*1 Siege Smash
*1 Untimely Malfunction
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Alchemist&#039;s Talent
*1 Charred Foyer // Warped Space
*1 Daring Piracy
*1 Passionate Archaeologist
*1 Powerbalance
*1 Uncivil Unrest
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Arena of Glory
*1 Exotic Orchard
*30 Mountain
*1 Mutavault
*1 Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thanks for reading this <em>Final Fantasy</em> deck tech! Before you go, there's a few odd inclusions I wanted to point out. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First among them is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Guide" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Guide</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While this creature seems better suited for aggressive decks in 60-card formats, it actually works quite well in this deck. It's a Scout with haste, so it works well with our commander's abilities, and its attack trigger means that it can clear lands off of the top of our opponents' libraries.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Guide"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We'd much rather impulse draw one of their spells than one of their lands, so this one-mana 2/2 slots right into the deck.</span></p>
<p>In the course of building this deck, I came across a card that I'd never seen before: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fortune Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Fortune Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This creature can prevent us from losing the game due to damage, potentially letting us untap and win the game on the crack back from an opponent's big attack. Plus, it's a Rogue! Vaan loves Rogues.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fortune Thief"></div></div>
<p>In all seriousness, paying <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-4" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> for a 0/1 creature (or <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>+<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-3" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> if we Morph it) is a tough rate. But given that this deck is lower power, it's got room for some fun cards like this.</p>
<p>That's all I've got for this week! I'll see you all again next week for another deck tech.</p>


Making a Vaan, Street Thief Commander Deck

Building a Clone Commander Deck With Kimahri, Valiant Guardian

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unfinished Business" href="#" target="_blank">Unfinished Business</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/search?artistName=eq~Ramza_Psyru" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ramza Psyru</a></em></p>
<h2>Recruitment Process</h2>
<p>Hello, and welcome to a special edition of <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>. This week we're tackling something rather odd. It's a deck that's got a short story to it that was basically my brain being obsessed over it. Basically, we're taking on a Commander deck for the Pride Event this month. To sum it up, it's essentially any two legendary creatures can be your commander(s) as though they had the Partner mechanic. I thought I'd take this opportunity to tackle a deck for the event in case it's something you want to do.</p>
<p>That said, let's get into it.</p>
<h2>Assemble the Turks!</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reno and Rude"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elena, Turk Recruit"></div></div>
<p>We're talking about the Turks, which is an informal name for the Investigation Sector of the General Affairs Department, a branch of the Shinra Company from <em>Final Fantasy VII.</em> To put it in basics, they're spies and assassins who also look out for potential new recruits into the SOLDIER program. They're very much akin to an intelligence agency. Reno, Rude, and Elena are three of the members.</p>
<p>With Reno/Rude (and will henceforth be known as such for simplicity), they do their best iteration of the notorious <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer" href="#" target="_blank">Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Unfortunately, you have to sacrifice a creature or an artifact, and there's no dash mechanic to "protect" them. Elena, on the other hand, recurs historic permanents and gets bigger for each one cast.</p>
<p>If you're not doing the Pride Event (perhaps you're playing this deck later this year, for example), there's a number of Orzhov options you can use. Perhaps <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tymna the Weaver|fca|18" href="#" target="_blank">Tymna the Weaver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on her own.</p>
<p>However, we're going to try and use Reno/Rude to the best of our ability while Elena sits back, act as both utility and part-time win-con.</p>
<h2>An Orientation, If You Will</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hildibrand Manderville"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sarah Jane Smith"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodforged Battle-Axe|pip|226"></div></div>
<p>Crucially, we need to have stuff to sacrifice to Reno/Rude's ability. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sarah Jane Smith" href="#" target="_blank">Sarah Jane Smith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> drops Clue tokens when we cast historic spells. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hildibrand Manderville" href="#" target="_blank">Hildibrand Manderville</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and the token he makes, are great sacrifice fodder. Moreover, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="General&#039;s Enforcer|pip|217" href="#" target="_blank">General&#039;s Enforcer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> protects the Turks, makes a token, and hits graveyards. Secondly, if we can connect with it enough times, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodforged Battle-Axe|pip|226" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodforged Battle-Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will make a lot of copies of itself. Thirdly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Astrid Peth" href="#" target="_blank">Astrid Peth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes tokens when she enters or attacks. However, she is frail, so take care where she attacks.</p>
<p>Further, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff" href="#" target="_blank">Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> nets us Treasure tokens when someone casts multiple spells a turn. Similarly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pitiless Plunderer|fic|281" href="#" target="_blank">Pitiless Plunderer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes two when we lose a creature we control. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Black Market Connections" href="#" target="_blank">Black Market Connections</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does everything: if you pay six life, you get a Treasure, draw a card, and make a creature token to sacrifice. That said, that life loss is brutal long-term, so you're probably better off removing the Treasure. Looking at the cards I mentioned so far, I can notice a subtle pattern.</p>
<h2>Shinra Armory</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Biotransference"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sword of Truth and Justice|sld|1867"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pip-Boy 3000"></div></div>
<p>Going an artifact sub-theme will ensure that the Turks will gain maximum benefit. Artifacts are historic, so Elena will recur them and count for her trigger. They're also the best stuff to sacrifice to get Reno's/Rude's trigger, and the various Equipment will make our smaller creatures more menacing.</p>
<p>Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dalek Squadron" href="#" target="_blank">Dalek Squadron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes tokens that get sacrificed at end of combat. However, why not get rid of one of them to trigger Reno/Rude? Meanwhile, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Canoptek Scarab Swarm" href="#" target="_blank">Canoptek Scarab Swarm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Death in Heaven" href="#" target="_blank">Death in Heaven</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are graveyard hate that make fodder for them. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Biotransference" href="#" target="_blank">Biotransference</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> nets us tokens and turns every creature we have into an artifact, meaning options to sacrifice.</p>
<p>However, we're working with a lot of creatures with tiny stats, so let's buff them. The Swords of X and Y cycle (of which half are in the <em>Universes Beyond</em> card pool) is a great start. Of note is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of Truth and Justice||sld|1867" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of Truth and Justice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which gives the equipped creature a permanent +2/+2. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pip-Boy 3000" href="#" target="_blank">Pip-Boy 3000</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides a lot of utility, including pumping the equipped creature. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Umezawa&#039;s Jitte|sld|1865" href="#" target="_blank">Umezawa&#039;s Jitte</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is very good, doing a lot of stuff just from doing any damage rather than just hitting out opponent.</p>
<p>It's worth noting that the best creature to equip these to is Reno/Rude, since they'll die to a breeze. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Astrid Peth" href="#" target="_blank">Astrid Peth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another good target as well for the same reason. That said, the others aren't bad targets, either. The reason is because we want to get swinging, chipping away at our opponents while getting value from our stuff. That last sentence is a hint as to what the overall archetype of the deck will likely be. I might have even given it away when I mentioned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tymna the Weaver|fca|18" href="#" target="_blank">Tymna the Weaver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h2>Elena and Reno and Rude Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond - The Turks (Pride Event)" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Elena, Turk Recruit
*1 Reno and Rude
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Al Bhed Salvagers
*1 Astrid Peth
*1 Bastion Protector
*1 Canoptek Scarab Swarm
*1 Canoptek Spyder
*1 Canoptek Wraith
*1 Company Commander
*1 Dalek Squadron
*1 Gaius van Baelsar
*1 General&#039;s Enforcer
*1 Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor
*1 Hildibrand Manderville // Gentleman&#039;s Rise
*1 Judge Magister Gabranth
*1 Loran of the Third Path
*1 Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff
*1 Mangara, the Diplomat
*1 Morbid Opportunist
*1 Pitiless Plunderer
*1 Sarah Jane Smith
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Sun Titan
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Biotransference
*1 Black Market Connections
*1 Death in Heaven
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 Anguished Unmaking
*1 Clever Concealment
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Deadly Dispute
*1 Despark
*1 Dismember
*1 Flawless Maneuver
*1 Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal
*1 Lethal Scheme
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Stroke of Midnight
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Utter End
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Austere Command
*1 Cut a Deal
*1 Damn
*1 Toxic Deluge
*1 Unfinished Business
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bloodforged Battle-Axe
*1 Brotherhood Regalia
*1 Genji Glove
*1 Hedron Archive
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Pip-Boy 3000
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Sword of Feast and Famine
*1 Sword of Hearth and Home
*1 Sword of Light and Shadow
*1 Sword of Truth and Justice
*1 Sword of War and Peace
*1 Sword of the Animist
*1 Tome of Legends
*1 Umezawa&#039;s Jitte
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Abstergo Entertainment
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Command Tower
*1 Desolate Mire
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Fetid Heath
*1 Insomnia, Crown City
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Path of Ancestry
*9 Plains
*1 Scoured Barrens
*1 Shineshadow Snarl
*1 Silent Clearing
*1 Sunlit Marsh
*9 Swamp
*1 Tainted Field
*1 Temple of Silence
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>The Briefing</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor|fca|35"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tome of Legends|fic|369"></div></div>
<p>The name of the game with this list is to go on the aggressive while having enough fodder for Reno/Rude's trigger. In addition, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor|fca|35" href="#" target="_blank">Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> helps with this. He'll provide card draw, and incentive for our opponents to go elsewhere. In a similar vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Canoptek Spyder" href="#" target="_blank">Canoptek Spyder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> draws us cards when an artifact enters our board. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brotherhood Regalia" href="#" target="_blank">Brotherhood Regalia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will ensure that Reno/Rude can slip through a horde of tokens and connect.</p>
<p>However, going on the aggressive makes us more vulnerable to board wipes. Fortunately, white gives us access to some counters to this. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal" href="#" target="_blank">Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> serves as one of the best for our purposes. On the other hand, it can also serve as a way to clear blockers for a massive attack. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clever Concealment|fic|236" href="#" target="_blank">Clever Concealment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> easily protects our stuff. Moreover, if we have enough creatures out, we can take advantage of the convoke cost. Speaking of free spells, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flawless Maneuver|sld|1728" href="#" target="_blank">Flawless Maneuver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be cast for free if either commander is out.</p>
<p>With the Turks being so cheap to cast, we can take advantage of a few cards to further our plan. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tome of Legends|fic|369" href="#" target="_blank">Tome of Legends</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will accrue counters quickly, which we can turn into a steady source of card draw. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bastion Protector|fic|233" href="#" target="_blank">Bastion Protector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will protect the Turks while they carry out their respective tasks. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Genji Glove" href="#" target="_blank">Genji Glove</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> not only allows for certain creatures to take advantage of the double strike (like Reno/Rude), but also gives us an extra combat step to reap more value.</p>
<h2>Missions Beyond This Universe</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Esper Sentinel"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Breena, the Demagogue"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cathars&#039; Crusade"></div></div>
<p>Our in-universe options mostly consist of staples we could run. If you're looking for an alternate commander to the Turks, look no further than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breena, the Demagogue" href="#" target="_blank">Breena, the Demagogue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The card can be confusing, so allow me to break it down for you. Say you attack while you have Breena out. Her trigger will go off, and it'll check life totals. If that player has more life than another opponent (not you), you get the trigger. Keep in mind that an opponent can also get Breena's trigger, so there's incentive not to attack you. Those counters will add up very fast, making you into a threat very quickly.</p>
<p>For this section, I'm going to assume that you're going to switch the Turks out for Breena (it'd be good to keep them in the 99 anyway). That said, other options include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Esper Sentinel" href="#" target="_blank">Esper Sentinel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dusk Legion Duelist" href="#" target="_blank">Dusk Legion Duelist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for more card draw. Meanwhile, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Necropolis Regent" href="#" target="_blank">Necropolis Regent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has a heavy black mana requirement, it'll also pump your board each time they connect.</p>
<p>With Breena now at the helm, we want to buff our little guys as much as we can. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Generous Pup" href="#" target="_blank">Generous Pup</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is not just an adorable pooch, but it can pump the whole team, possibly each turn. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Drana, Liberator of Malakir" href="#" target="_blank">Drana, Liberator of Malakir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can put counters on our board when she connects. It's worth noting that she has first strike, so you get said counters onto the other attacking creatures before they deal their damage. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Felidar Retreat" href="#" target="_blank">Felidar Retreat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will make our creatures bigger with each land we play.</p>
<p>I do want to take a moment to address <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cathars&#039; Crusade" href="#" target="_blank">Cathars&#039; Crusade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It's easily one of the best cards to add in-universe, but the amount of counters being added, especially when multiple come in at once (say, a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Martial Coup" href="#" target="_blank">Martial Coup</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) will make heads spin. I avoid it for this reason, but you're welcome to run the card if you can manage it.</p>
<h2>Mission Accomplished</h2>
<p>In conclusion, this an approach in Orzhov colors I can get behind. Like I said, I built this deck specifically for the Pride Event this month, but it won't take much to change the command zone. When you go to play in a pod of random people, be sure to utilize Rule 0 to see if they let you use the Turks as the commanders. If not, there's plenty to choose from. There's even one in the 99 of the decklist I posted. Tune in next week where I tackle what will be a small taste of my ambitions for the <em>Final Fantasy </em>set.</p>


final fantasy commander