Reconstruct History — Commander Mana Values

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Death Cloud" href="#" target="_blank">Death Cloud</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/stephentappin">Stephen Tappin</a>)</h6>
<h1>Prologue</h1>
<p>Hello and welcome to another installment of <em>Lore Seeker, </em>an article series devoted to the legendary creatures to whom <em>Wizards of the Coast</em> forgot to give a story. I’ll guide you through each fragment that makes up a legendary creature and finally give them a little extra background love. This time around we’ll be highlighting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Garza Zol, Plague Queen" href="#" target="_blank">Garza Zol, Plague Queen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Garza Zol, Plague Queen"></div></div>
<hr />
<h1>Story Circle</h1>
<p>Garza Zol was a Vampire that ruled over Krov, the capital city of Kjeldor on Dominaria, during the Ice Age. She allied with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heidar, Rimewind Master" href="#" target="_blank">Heidar, Rimewind Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> during the Thaw, a time near the end of Dominaria's Ice Age, but later had him assassinated.</p>
<p>Garza Zol lived through the Ice Age, so you know what that means: snow deck! Time to make use of all those snow-matters cards, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heidar, Rimewind Master" href="#" target="_blank">Heidar, Rimewind Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <em>Modern Horizons</em> has recently reprinted the basic snow-covered lands, so those are an auto-include. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marit Lage&#039;s Slumber" href="#" target="_blank">Marit Lage&#039;s Slumber</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives us early-game card selection and a late-game threat, and as long as we're talking about Marit Lage, I'll also mention that we're running the classic <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Depths" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Depths</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <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> combo. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dead of Winter" href="#" target="_blank">Dead of Winter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides a cheap and effective board wipe, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Withering Wisps" href="#" target="_blank">Withering Wisps</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fits in well with a package of cards I will touch on in card analysis.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Marit Lage&#039;s Slumber"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dead of Winter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Withering Wisps"></div></div>
<hr />
<h1 style="text-align: center;">Card Analysis</h1>
<hr />
<h2>Name:</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/garzaName.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-37500 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/garzaName.jpg" alt="" width="444" height="70" /></a></p>
<p>During the Thaw, bacteria and disease that was once frozen and dormant started to awaken in the warmer temperatures. The Ice Age lasted for over 500 years, long enough for the population of Dominaria to lose antibodies for these diseases. These conditions lead to a plague that proliferated through Krov, giving the more resilient races like Vampires and Zombies an extreme advantage. Garza was thus able to take advantage of her immunity, and of the weakened state of those more susceptible to the plague, to build her monarchy.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pox" href="#" target="_blank">Pox</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a perfect representation of the disease. There are a number of cards that have a similar effect, though Pox is the best version. 1/3 of this deck will be devoted to casting spells like these to quickly deplete everyone's resources.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Smallpox"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Death Cloud"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Undercity Plague"></div></div>
<p>The secondary gameplan, and the second representation of the plague infecting Garza Zol's domain is, of course, <em>Infect</em>. Pox is a great representation of the players contracting some nasty disease, but <em>Infect</em> affects both creatures and players. These two paths to victory (pox and <em>Infect</em>) seem to be at odds, but more consideration revealed the important through-line: this deck effectively changes everyone's starting life total. Whether we give Garza Zol <em>Infect</em> or not, she will be able to consistently take large chunks out of our opponent's remaining life.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grafted Exoskeleton"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Plague Myr"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon"></div></div>
<p>The final representation of the plague is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pestilence" href="#" target="_blank">Pestilence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which is defined as a fatal epidemic disease. This suite of mass pingers will keep the chump blockers off of the board while creating an acceptable amount of casualties on our side of the board. Pair this effect with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Silverclad Ferocidons" href="#" target="_blank">Silverclad Ferocidons</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and we end up with a mini-Pox for our opponents.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Plague Spitter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thrashing Wumpus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Silverclad Ferocidons"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2>Mana Cost//Color Identity:</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/garzaCost.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-37499 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/garzaCost.jpg" alt="" width="155" height="72" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>"Grixis is a world where the only things found in abundance are death and decay."</em><br />
<em>- </em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fleshbag Marauder" href="#" target="_blank">Fleshbag Marauder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></p>
<p><strong>Blue: </strong>strive for perfection; you can be whatever you desire.</p>
<p><strong>Black: </strong>power at any cost; morality has no sway over decisions.</p>
<p><strong>Red: </strong>do what you desire; freedom of action above all else.</p>
<p>Grixis (blue, black, and red) will do whatever it wants, however it wants to do it, in order to achieve its goals. Garza took advantage of the plague that ravaged her city and weaponized it. Biological warfare is a key strategy; sending infected individuals into enemy territory, experimenting on them, finding ways to increase the potency of the disease that has ravaged her own people, then subjecting her foes to the same ordeal.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Art:</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/garzaArt.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-37503 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/garzaArt.jpg" alt="" width="561" height="411" /></a></p>
<p>This art is rather goofy. Garza Zol is a classic Gothic/Victorian-looking Vampire with some Nordic influence. An extremely impractical dress for the blizzard she is trudging through is surrounded by a large fur-lined cloak, and on top of everything are some wicked shoulder pads that make even the most successful 80's pop singer envious.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Type Line:</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/garzaType.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-37502 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/garzaType.jpg" alt="" width="576" height="49" /></a></p>
<p>As stated previously, Garza's vampirism is what gave her the much-needed edge during the Thaw. It would have given other Vampires that same edge and that would be a large threat to Garza. She is selfish and brutal in her rule, so she systematically destroyed competing Vampires while taking control of Krov. Therefore, other Vampires will not be making an appearance in this decklist.</p>
<p>As with most every popular creature type, <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/garza-zol-plague-queen">Garza Zol's EDHREC page</a> shows a primarily tribal theme. I have noticed a trend of somewhat uninspired deckbuilding decisions in the statistics on EDHREC. It seems that when people are unsure of what to do with a legend, they default to tribal synergies. This is not necessarily a bad thing; Garza is a particularly aggressive creature and benefits quite a bit from lords and anthems. I simply want to challenge you, dear reader, to dig a bit deeper!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Rules Text:</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/garzaRules2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-37629 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/garzaRules2.jpg" alt="" width="577" height="327" /></a></p>
<p>A 5/5 flyer with haste for seven mana is a decent enough rate. Garza holds her own against many similarly-costed Dragons. Tacking on the ability to grow when she's blocked by something smaller, or draw a card if your opponent decides not to block, adds a ton to her power level. An amazing support mechanic for <em>Infect</em> is <em>Proliferate</em>, so this deck contains plenty cards with that effect. If we're able to get the first counter onto Garza, she will continue to grow without the caveat of having to kill a creature.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Contagion Engine"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flux Channeler"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yawgmoth, Thran Physician"></div></div>
<hr />
<h1 style="text-align: center;">The Deck</h1>
<p>You're going to need a lot of black mana with this deck: 65 total black pips on the cards in here means that getting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth" href="#" target="_blank">Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is somewhat important and, unfortunately, a necessary inclusion. The most expensive card is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and while it's not necessary to make the deck function, it is a brutal threat and I would personally deem it worthy. Work on getting a poison counter on everyone in the early game, keep creatures off the board, bide your time, and grind out an eventual <em>Proliferate</em> kill. If <em>Infect</em> doesn't work out, you'll be able to close out the game with your commander. It may therefore be wise to hold off from casting Garza until very late in the game; you want to wait for your moment with her, as you don't want her to die very often.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Black Death" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Garza Zol, Plague Queen
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Blighted Agent
*1 Nightscape Familiar
*1 Plague Myr
*1 Thrummingbird
*1 Flux Channeler
*1 Garza&#039;s Assassin
*1 Ichor Rats
*1 Phyrexian Crusader
*1 Plague Spitter
*1 Plaguecrafter
*1 Flesh-Eater Imp
*1 Hand of the Praetors
*1 Kess, Dissident Mage
*1 Mogis, God of Slaughter
*1 Viral Drake
*1 Yawgmoth, Thran Physician
*1 Dire Fleet Ravager
*1 Heidar, Rimewind Master
*1 Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon
*1 Thrashing Wumpus
*1 Sheoldred, Whispering One
*1 Silverclad Ferocidons
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Expedition Map
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Contagion Clasp
*1 Dimir Signet
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Izzet Signet
*1 Rakdos Signet
*1 Chromatic Lantern
*1 Grafted Exoskeleton
*1 Contagion Engine
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Ponder
*1 Preordain
*1 Vicious Rumors
*1 Black Sun&#039;s Zenith
*1 Exsanguinate
*1 Night&#039;s Whisper
*1 Smallpox
*1 Torment of Hailfire
*1 Dead of Winter
*1 Death Cloud
*1 Pox
*1 Tezzeret&#039;s Gambit
*1 Beseech the Queen
*1 Undercity Plague
*1 Plague Wind
*1 Curse of the Cabal
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Tainted Strike
*1 Bedevil
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Diplomatic Immunity
*1 Glistening Oil
*1 Marit Lage&#039;s Slumber
*1 Phyresis
*1 Phyrexian Arena
*1 Rhystic Study
*1 Withering Wisps
*1 Pestilence
*1 Corrupted Conscience
*1 Inexorable Tide
*1 Havoc Festival
[/Enchantments]
[Planeswalker]
*1 Liliana, Dreadhorde General
[/Planeswalker]
[Lands]
*1 Canyon Slough
*1 Command Tower
*1 Dark Depths
*1 Grixis Panorama
*1 Inkmoth Nexus
*1 Karn&#039;s Bastion
*1 Smoldering Marsh
*8 Snow-Covered Island
*6 Snow-Covered Mountain
*10 Snow-Covered Swamp
*1 Sunken Hollow
*1 Temple of Deceit
*1 Temple of Epiphany
*1 Temple of Malice
*1 Thespian&#039;s Stage
*1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<h1>Epilogue</h1>
<p>Plague your playgroup with this spicy Grixis build. You will be reliant on others to remove permanents other than creatures, so choose your first <em>Infect</em> target wisely. This deck cannot hold up in the archenemy position, but can keep our opponents directed at each other to create some exciting and tense games. If you're not a fan of cackling like a madman, watching the joy drain from your opponent's eyes, and twiddling your fingers like Mr. Burns, this is likely not the deck for you.</p>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/excellent.gif"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-37722 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/excellent.gif" alt="" width="343" height="249" /></a></p>
<p>Thank you for reading! As always, let me know which legendary characters you’d like to see get the story spotlight in the future!</p>


garza zol plague queen

Reconstruct History — Commander Mana Values

Lore Seeker - Plague Queen