<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Barret, Avalanche Leader" href="#" target="_blank">Barret, Avalanche Leader</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/janaschirmer">Jana Shirmer</a> and <a href="https://www.iamag.co/the-art-of-mathias-verhasselt/">Matthias Verhasselt</a></h6>
<p>Hi there, and welcome to part three of building around interesting new commanders from <em>Final Fantasy</em>! Just like last time, we're here to...</p>
<ul>
<li>Highlight interesting gameplan(s) for a <em>Final Fantasy</em> commander</li>
<li>Build a budget-friendly (~$40) "Core" power level deck following these plans</li>
<li>Work through important card categories and discuss notable inclusions</li>
<li>Include a decklist and a deck checklist</li>
<li>Go through mid-budget upgrades (&lt;=$20 per card) as options to invest more into this strategy.</li>
</ul>
<p>For this week, let's take a look chosen <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Barret, Avalanche Leader" href="#" target="_blank">Barret, Avalanche Leader</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. He's quite a character, described as an <a href="https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Barret_Wallace">eco-terrorist with a grudge, equipped with a gun-arm for long range attacks</a> (I guess that's why he has reach!).</p>
<p>Barret offers a classic "Equipment matters" strategy usually reserved for Boros commanders, but in Gruul colors instead.</p>
<h2>What does Barret, Avalanche Leader Do?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Barret, Avalanche Leader"></div></div>
<p>Beyond the reach made possible by his modified arm-that's-now-a-gun, Barret has two main abilities.</p>
<p>First, whenever an Equipment we control enters, it comes with a 2/2 red Rebel friend. Second, we get a free equip to a Rebel each turn when moving to combat.</p>
<h2>The Gameplan(s)</h2>
<p>With these abilities in mind, let's think about what kind of Equipment to build around. Barret's first ability incentivizes us to prioritize low-mana value Equipment, while his second ability works best when making high equip costs free instead.</p>
<p><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=id%3C%3Drg+legal%3Acommander+usd%3C2+t%3Aequipment+cmc%3C3+%28fo%3A%22equip+%7B4%7D%22+or+fo%3A%22equip+%7B5%7D%22+or+fo%3A%22equip+%7B6%7D%22+or+fo%3A%22equip+%7B7%7D%22+or+fo%3A%22equip+%7B8%7D%22+or+fo%3A%22equip+%7B9%7D%22+or+fo%3A%22equip+%7B10%7D%22%29&amp;unique=cards&amp;as=grid&amp;order=cmc&amp;dir=asc">Here's</a> what I searched to find budget-friendly Equipment around 2 mana value and 4 equip cost. As you may have already guessed, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Colossus Hammer" href="#" target="_blank">Colossus Hammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the poster child for this kind of Equipment.</p>
<p>We'll combine this low-cost, high-equip core with other Equipment-matters cards, artifact/token-centric mana production, and thematic disruption and card advantage.</p>
<p>Put it all together and we'll overrun opponents with a Rebel army wielding all sorts of exciting weaponry!</p>
<h2>The Equipment</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Greataxe"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ogre&#039;s Cleaver"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wrecking Ball Arm"></div></div>
<p>As mentioned above, low-mana value, high-equip cost Equipment are exactly what this deck is all about, whether it's cheap/free ways to create more Rebels like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Accorder&#039;s Shield" href="#" target="_blank">Accorder&#039;s Shield</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodforged Battle-Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodforged Battle-Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, disruptive Equipment like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chainsaw" href="#" target="_blank">Chainsaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rock" href="#" target="_blank">Rock</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> tokens, ramp from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Diamond Pick-Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Diamond Pick-Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goldvein Pick" href="#" target="_blank">Goldvein Pick</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or having a keyword bonanza with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Loxodon Warhammer" href="#" target="_blank">Loxodon Warhammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of Vengeance" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of Vengeance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>A deck focused on Equipment often struggles with two issues:</p>
<ol>
<li>What happens if we have all Equipment and nothing to attach it to?</li>
<li>When the game state changes, how can we both spend mana moving Equipment around and still be able to cast new cards?</li>
</ol>
<p>Fortunately, Barret solves both of these problems for us at once!</p>
<div>
<h2>Equipment Matter</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Firion, Wild Rose Warrior"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Oxidda Finisher"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rebel Salvo"></div></div>
<p>Having a high Equipment density opens us up to these possibilities:</p>
<ul>
<li>Doubling up on our commander's token-making ability with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chishiro, the Shattered Blade" href="#" target="_blank">Chishiro, the Shattered Blade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li>Reattaching Equipment for free or cheap with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blacksmith&#039;s Talent" href="#" target="_blank">Blacksmith&#039;s Talent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhuk, Hexgold Nabber" href="#" target="_blank">Rhuk, Hexgold Nabber</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goldwardens&#039; Gambit" href="#" target="_blank">Goldwardens&#039; Gambit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (note the built-in Rebel synergies!)</li>
<li>Dealing tons of direct damage to our opponents with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Judgment Bolt" href="#" target="_blank">Judgment Bolt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or another version of our commander's character – <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Barret Wallace" href="#" target="_blank">Barret Wallace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</li>
</ul>
<p>Quick aside... you know when you are teaching a new player <em>Magic </em>and they inevitably tap their Equipment when they attack and you kind of let it slide because it doesn't really matter... but you let them know it <em>technically </em>could matter at some point?</p>
<p>Well, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Meria, Scholar of Antiquity" href="#" target="_blank">Meria, Scholar of Antiquity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghirapur Aether Grid" href="#" target="_blank">Ghirapur Aether Grid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bottle-Cap Blast" href="#" target="_blank">Bottle-Cap Blast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> showcase this intricacy very well, allowing us to get extra value out of our Equipment beyond powering up our creatures.</p>
</div>
<div>
<h2>Equipment Token Shenanigans</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bludgeon Brawl"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Golem-Skin Gauntlets|MRD|181"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stangg, Echo Warrior"></div></div>
<p>This is where things get a little wild. Importantly, Barret (and Chishiro!) care about Equipment <em>entering</em>, not being cast. This mean that cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dan Lewis" href="#" target="_blank">Dan Lewis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <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>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bludgeon Brawl" href="#" target="_blank">Bludgeon Brawl</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> combine with our commander to supplement each <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasure|TFIN|23" href="#" target="_blank">Treasure</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (and often other noncreature artifacts) we create with a 2/2 Rebel.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bludgeon Brawl" href="#" target="_blank">Bludgeon Brawl</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in particular is also amazing at turning artifact tokens into a bunch of "Equipment" with Equip <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-0" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, leading to fun interactions with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Champion of the Flame" href="#" target="_blank">Champion of the Flame</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Valduk, Keeper of the Flame" href="#" target="_blank">Valduk, Keeper of the Flame</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Golem-Skin Gauntlets" href="#" target="_blank">Golem-Skin Gauntlets</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Throw <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prosperous Bandit" href="#" target="_blank">Prosperous Bandit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stangg, Echo Warrior" href="#" target="_blank">Stangg, Echo Warrior</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> into the mix, and things start to get really out of hand!</p>
<h2>Mass Disruption</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Keen-Eyed Curator"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Storm the Citadel"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Decimate"></div></div>
<p>This color combo isn't exactly <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> control when it comes to the ability for mass removal and disruption (quite the opposite, in fact!).</p>
<p>With that being said, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fiery Confluence" href="#" target="_blank">Fiery Confluence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Burn Down the House" href="#" target="_blank">Burn Down the House</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are flexible removal, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Keen-Eyed Curator" href="#" target="_blank">Keen-Eyed Curator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> represents graveyard disruption that is great at wearing Equipment, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Decimate" href="#" target="_blank">Decimate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an old-school classic, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Storm the Citadel" href="#" target="_blank">Storm the Citadel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ties in great with our "go-wide" subtheme.</p>
</div>
<div>
<h2>Decklist</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Barret, Avalanche Leader" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Barret, Avalanche Leader
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Accorder&#039;s Shield
*1 Adaptive Omnitool
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Blackblade Reforged
*1 Bloodforged Battle-Axe
*1 Chainsaw
*1 Colossus Hammer
*1 Diamond Pick-Axe
*1 Dragonwing Glider
*1 Goldvein Pick
*1 Golem-Skin Gauntlets
*1 Greataxe
*1 Hexgold Halberd
*1 Idol of Oblivion
*1 Loxodon Warhammer
*1 Masterwork of Ingenuity
*1 Stoneforge Masterwork
*1 Ogre&#039;s Cleaver
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Sword of Vengeance
*1 Talisman of Impulse
*1 The Irencrag
*1 Wrecking Ball Arm
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 Ace, Fearless Rebel
*1 Barret Wallace
*1 Chameleon Colossus
*1 Champion of the Flame
*1 Chishiro, the Shattered Blade
*1 Dan Lewis
*1 Firion, Wild Rose Warrior
*1 Gemcutter Buccaneer
*1 Glóin, Dwarf Emissary
*1 Jaheira, Friend of the Forest
*1 Keen-Eyed Curator
*1 Meria, Scholar of Antiquity
*1 Mister Gutsy
*1 Owlbear Shepherd
*1 Oxidda Finisher
*1 Professor Hojo
*1 Prosperous Bandit
*1 Quicksmith Genius
*1 Reckless Fireweaver
*1 Red XIII, Proud Warrior
*1 Rhuk, Hexgold Nabber
*1 Rose Room Treasurer
*1 Stangg, Echo Warrior
*1 Taurean Mauler
*1 Toggo, Goblin Weaponsmith
*1 Valduk, Keeper of the Flame
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Blacksmith&#039;s Talent
*1 Bludgeon Brawl
*1 Ghirapur Aether Grid
[/Enchantments]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Daretti, Scrap Savant
[/Planeswalkers]
[Instants]
*1 Bottle-Cap Blast
*1 Judgment Bolt
*1 Rebel Salvo
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Burn Down the House
*1 Decimate
*1 Fiery Confluence
*1 Goldwardens&#039; Gambit
*1 Shamanic Revelation
*1 Storm the Citadel
*1 Stump Stomp // Burnwillow Clearing
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Cinder Glade
*1 Command Tower
*1 Exotic Orchard
*7 Forest
*1 Karplusan Forest
*1 Kessig Wolf Run
*1 Lindblum, Industrial Regency // Mage Siege
*1 Mines of Moria
*1 Mosswort Bridge
*13 Mountain
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Raging Ravine
*1 Rootbound Crag
*1 Scavenger Grounds
*1 Slagwoods Bridge
*1 Spinerock Knoll
*1 Treasure Vault
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Deck Checklist</h2>
<ul>
<li>49 mana sources (36 lands, 6 Treasure-based ramp, 4 mana rocks, 2 misc., 1 MDFC)</li>
<li>36 cards that are, create, or care about Equipment</li>
<li>11 card draw/selection/recursion</li>
<li>8 targeted disruption</li>
<li>7 mass disruption</li>
</ul>
<h2>Mid-Budget Upgrades</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Reaver Cleaver"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Belt of Giant Strength"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Silkguard"></div></div>
<p>There are a <em>lot </em>of on-theme Equipment and related cards that can improve this deck, while still staying below a $20 price tag for each.</p>
<p>If you're interesting in improving your ramp that synergizes with Barret, try:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kodama of the West Tree" href="#" target="_blank">Kodama of the West Tree</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Paradise Mantle" href="#" target="_blank">Paradise Mantle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dowsing Dagger" href="#" target="_blank">Dowsing Dagger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of the Animist" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of the Animist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Reaver Cleaver" href="#" target="_blank">The Reaver Cleaver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (another card to supplement the "Equipment token" strategy mentioned above!)</li>
</ul>
<p>If you want to focus on Equipment that improves your card advantage/token creation, try:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skullclamp" href="#" target="_blank">Skullclamp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blade of Selves" href="#" target="_blank">Blade of Selves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cori-Steel Cutter" href="#" target="_blank">Cori-Steel Cutter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p>If you are interested in raw power, try:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Belt of Giant Strength" href="#" target="_blank">Belt of Giant Strength</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Excalibur, Sword of Eden" href="#" target="_blank">Excalibur, Sword of Eden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (note: Barret's attach ability means you can put this on any Rebel!)</li>
</ul>
<p>To improve your disruption and protection suite, try:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vandalblast" href="#" target="_blank">Vandalblast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Untimely Malfunction" href="#" target="_blank">Untimely Malfunction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Silkguard" href="#" target="_blank">Silkguard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conqueror&#039;s Flail" href="#" target="_blank">Conqueror&#039;s Flail</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenge the Stats</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Konda&#039;s Banner"></div></div>
<p>I don't see this card on Barret's page yet (disclaimer: there are only about 140 decks logged so far, so a very small sample size).</p>
<p>With that being said, this is my early "Challenge the Stats" pick, pumping all Rebel tokens by +2/+2 when attached to Barret.</p>
</div>
<div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>So there you have it, a low-budget Core deck inspired by one of the many new commanders from <em>Final Fantasy</em>.</p>
<p>Can you see any other cards that fit well into this strategy? Sound off in the comments below! Thanks for reading, and see you next time when <em>Edge of Eternities </em>previews begin.</p>
</div>


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