The Best Commons and Uncommons in Lorwyn Eclipsed

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Norman Osborn" href="#" target="_blank">Norman Osborn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.scottmfischer.com/">Scott M. Fischer</a></em></p>
<p>I love a lot of things in <em>Magic</em>, but there's nothing I love more than looting and the villainous vibe of Grixis (<span class="mana-container-container"><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 class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>). Well, luckily for me, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Norman Osborn" href="#" target="_blank">Norman Osborn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> brings both of those things exploding together like a pumpkin bomb of fun.</p>
<p>On his front side, you get a great unblockable threat that cycles through your deck and grows with counters. On his back half, he'll give you access to the cards you discard each turn, as well as reduce the cost of anything you cast from your graveyard.</p>
<h2>He's Something of a Magic Card Himself...</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards side-by-side"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Norman Osborn"></div></div>
<p>There's a lot of flexibility with this commander, since you can cast him early for the front side, then transform him later in the game. Or spend that four mana and get him down for his back half first. As we look over this deck list, the cards will be a bit more focused on the Green Goblin side, playing off of discarding cards and then casting them from the graveyard.</p>
<p>The budget for this deck, excluding the commander, is hovering around the $40 mark (using TCGPlayer pricing, since it best represents what you would most likely be charged at your local game store.)</p>
<p>This list is designed to give you a synergistic and effective build without breaking your bank. So, with all that out of the way, let's take a look at some of the notable inclusions that make this deck tick.</p>
<h2>Tricky Mayhem Enablers</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Welcome the Dead"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Winternight Stories"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Laughing Mad"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Welcome the Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Welcome the Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This card is double trouble for your opponents, because it enables more cards in your hand to be cast with mayhem, while also making you Zombies. Plus, that flashback cost will be discounted by your commander, so you can keep your discard engine running.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winternight Stories" href="#" target="_blank">Winternight Stories</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Drawing three and discarding two makes for some amazing value in this deck, but it also has harmonize, which is another effect that lets you cast this from your graveyard at a cheaper rate.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Laughing Mad" href="#" target="_blank">Laughing Mad</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since mayhem obeys timing restrictions, including instant speed discard effects will prove to be very tricky for your opponents to deal with.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flux"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dihada&#039;s Ploy"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Frantic Search"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flux" href="#" target="_blank">Flux</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: I'm a huge fan of this card, since it allows you to wheel away the specific cards you want to cast with mayhem, while filling your hand right back up in return.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dihada&#039;s Ploy" href="#" target="_blank">Dihada&#039;s Ploy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This deck will more than likely make you the enemy at the table, so having a little bit of life gain can keep you in the game. Also, jump-start allows you to discard a card to recast this from your graveyard, which allows you to continue your value train.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Frantic Search" href="#" target="_blank">Frantic Search</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Drawing and discarding is strong in this list, for sure, however this spell acts almost like a ramp effect, since you can tap lands to float mana and then cast this with mayhem for a reduced cost and untap those lands to be used again.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Repeatable Discard Outlets</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chainer, Nightmare Adept"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Undertaker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Underworld Cookbook"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chainer, Nightmare Adept" href="#" target="_blank">Chainer, Nightmare Adept</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This is one of the best creatures in the deck, since it not only gives you a free discard each turn, but it also allows you to cast creatures from your graveyard and gives them haste.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Undertaker" href="#" target="_blank">Undertaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: The resiliency this creature offers is great for a deck like this. If the table keeps removing your threats, you'll be able to get them right back into your hand.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Underworld Cookbook" href="#" target="_blank">The Underworld Cookbook</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: As I've stated before, there's a good chance this deck will make you the archenemy, so while having Food tokens laying around might not seem useful at first glance, you never know when cracking a few of them could save your life.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ghostly Pilferer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rona, Herald of Invasion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vohar, Vodalian Desecrator"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghostly Pilferer" href="#" target="_blank">Ghostly Pilferer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While the incidental card draw this creature will bring is great for the deck, the fact that it offers you a free discard outlet for only two mana is what takes this card to the next level.</li>
<li><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>: This legend offers you a straightforward looting effect as early as turn two, while also having the option of untapping after you play your commander or any other legendary spell.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vohar, Vodalian Desecrator" href="#" target="_blank">Vohar, Vodalian Desecrator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's another strong looter that brings some life drain to the mix, plus it offers you a way to recast a key instant or sorcery when you need it in a pitch.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skirge Familiar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bog Witch"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Merchant of the Vale"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skirge Familiar" href="#" target="_blank">Skirge Familiar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Even though this creature has a high mana value, it's worth the cost in this deck. Having a free discard outlet that also ramps you in the late game is just what this list needs to help close out games.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bog Witch" href="#" target="_blank">Bog Witch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: One of my all time favorite cards in <em>Magic </em>is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Ritual" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Ritual</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and having this creature on your board is basically giving you access to that effect over and over again.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Merchant of the Vale" href="#" target="_blank">Merchant of the Vale</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While the creature side of this card does offer an expensive rummage effect, the Adventure half is what landed it on this list. One mana to enable a mayhem effect is a solid rate at instant speed.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Mass Discard Effects</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ruin Grinder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Snort"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shattered Perception"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ruin Grinder" href="#" target="_blank">Ruin Grinder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This creature's ETB offers the table the option to wheel, which your deck will most likely benefit the most from. Also, the cycling effect here gives you a way to discard it for only two mana to get a Mountain when you need to be hitting your land drops.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Snort" href="#" target="_blank">Snort</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While this spell doesn't draw you back up to a full seven cards, it does still let you see five new cards, while throwing a lot of cards in your bin to be cast with mayhem. Plus, it has flashback, so you can do it all over again.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shattered Perception" href="#" target="_blank">Shattered Perception</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a clean self-wheel card that has a relatively low mana value, both if you cast it from your hand, or for its flashback cost.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ancient Excavation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brass&#039;s Tunnel-Grinder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Collective Defiance"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ancient Excavation" href="#" target="_blank">Ancient Excavation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This instant is a great way to draw a whole lot of cards all at once, then pick and choose which spells will be best to recast with mayhem later.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brass&#039;s Tunnel-Grinder" href="#" target="_blank">Brass&#039;s Tunnel-Grinder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's another card that gives you a lot of control over what you discard, while also eventually becoming a land. That discover effect on the flip side could make the turn you're popping off even more chaotic to deal with for your opponents.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Collective Defiance" href="#" target="_blank">Collective Defiance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Three mana to discard your hand and replace it with new cards is a very solid rate. On top of that, the escalate ability offers a little bit of targeted interaction if you need it. Speaking of removal...</li>
</ul>
<h2>Synergistic Removal</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lethal Scheme"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Prismari Command"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bitter Triumph"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lethal Scheme" href="#" target="_blank">Lethal Scheme</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Conniving is exactly what your commander loves to do, so this spell felt like an auto-include when I came across it. Plus, if you have enough creatures on the board, it could be cast for free.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prismari Command" href="#" target="_blank">Prismari Command</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Every mode on this card is relevant in the deck, making this incredibly flexible for whatever you need at the time.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bitter Triumph" href="#" target="_blank">Bitter Triumph</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Two mana to destroy a creature or planeswalker is a solid rate, but it's also great for the fact that you can discard a card as you cast it, setting you up to cast it from your graveyard with your commander.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Norman Osborn Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Norman Osborn - EDHREC Article" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Norman Osborn // Green Goblin
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Bog Witch
*1 Captain Howler, Sea Scourge
*1 Chainer, Nightmare Adept
*1 Emrakul&#039;s Messenger
*1 Ghostly Pilferer
*1 Ivora, Insatiable Heir
*1 Magmakin Artillerist
*1 Malcolm, Alluring Scoundrel
*1 Merchant of the Vale // Haggle
*1 Nightscape Familiar
*1 Rielle, the Everwise
*1 River Kelpie
*1 Rona, Herald of Invasion // Rona, Tolarian Obliterator
*1 Ruin Grinder
*1 Scrounging Skyray
*1 Skirge Familiar
*1 Stormshriek Feral // Flush Out
*1 Undertaker
*1 Vohar, Vodalian Desecrator
*1 Waxen Shapethief
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Ancient Excavation
*1 Big Score
*1 Bitter Triumph
*1 Careful Consideration
*1 Change of Plans
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Demand Answers
*1 Dihada&#039;s Ploy
*1 Frantic Search
*1 Increasing Vengeance
*1 Izzet Charm
*1 Laughing Mad
*1 Lethal Scheme
*1 Negate
*1 Prismari Command
*1 Rakdos Charm
*1 Snap
*1 Starstorm
*1 Thrill of Possibility
*1 Without Weakness
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Brass&#039;s Tunnel-Grinder // Tecutlan, the Searing Rift
*1 Dimir Signet
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Izzet Signet
*1 Rakdos Signet
*1 Sol Ring
*1 The Underworld Cookbook
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Burning Vengeance
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Blasphemous Act
*1 Cathartic Reunion
*1 Collective Defiance
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Flux
*1 Grab the Prize
*1 Mana Geyser
*1 Seize the Spoils
*1 Shattered Perception
*1 Snort
*1 Tormenting Voice
*1 Unearth
*1 Welcome the Dead
*1 Winternight Stories
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Cascade Bluffs
*1 Choked Estuary
*1 Command Tower
*1 Crumbling Necropolis
*1 Darkwater Catacombs
*1 Desolate Lighthouse
*1 Dragonskull Summit
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Ferrous Lake
*1 Foreboding Ruins
*1 Frostboil Snarl
*1 Geier Reach Sanitarium
*1 Seething Landscape
*1 Shadowblood Ridge
*1 Shivan Reef
*1 Smoldering Marsh
*1 Sunken Hollow
*1 Underground River
*2 Swamp
*5 Island
*11 Mountain
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>In Closing</h2>
<p>So there you have it, a budget list for everyone's favorite scientist turned villain <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Norman Osborn" href="#" target="_blank">Norman Osborn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. What do you think of this list? Did I miss any budget must-haves? Let me know in the comments!</p>
<p>Also, if you would like to see more budget content around the legends from <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/om1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Spider-Man</em></a>, check out my YouTube channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ThePillowFort" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Pillow Fort</a>.</p>
<p>Oh, and for those of you who haven't yet come across Norman's <em>Through the Omenpaths</em> version: you've now <em>seen</em> the Fleem.</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Untitled-design.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-164644 aligncenter" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Untitled-design-300x201.png" alt="" width="703" height="471" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Untitled-design-300x201.png 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Untitled-design-1024x686.png 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Untitled-design-768x515.png 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Untitled-design.png 1074w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 703px) 100vw, 703px" /></a></p>
<h3>More <em>Spider-Man</em>:</h3>
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<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Rhino, Barreling Brute Deck Tech&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/rhino-barreling-brute-deck-tech/embed/#?secret=W1vzXWRMwM#?secret=JkqaoLgdUY" data-secret="JkqaoLgdUY" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="Plu4dZdZVx"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/cosmic-spider-man-commander-deck-tech/">Cosmic Spider-Man Commander Deck Tech</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Cosmic Spider-Man Commander Deck Tech&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/cosmic-spider-man-commander-deck-tech/embed/#?secret=Hd42z2ZTSN#?secret=Plu4dZdZVx" data-secret="Plu4dZdZVx" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="vgpXpQAHgy"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/doctor-octopus-master-planner-deck-tech/">Doctor Octopus, Master Planner Deck Tech</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Doctor Octopus, Master Planner Deck Tech&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/doctor-octopus-master-planner-deck-tech/embed/#?secret=CxIGmLdswf#?secret=vgpXpQAHgy" data-secret="vgpXpQAHgy" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>


Norman Osborn // Green Goblin Budget Deck Tech

The Best Goblin Combos in Commander

Recross the Paths - Kess, Dissident Mage

Hosts of Mordor - Upgrade Guide

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yawgmoth, Thran Physician" href="#" target="_blank">Yawgmoth, Thran Physician</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://markwintersart.com/">Mark Winters</a>)</h6>
<h1>Commander Horizons</h1>
<p>I know, it's cheeky to call the <em>Modern Horizons </em>set "Commander Horizons" instead, but let's be honest, there are some extremely cool cards coming up in this set that we EDH players should be very excited for! We have returning mechanics, awesome lore characters, and even support for cool tribes.</p>
<p>Today I'm lucky to talk about the very best cards from <em>Modern Horizons. </em>Why are they the very best? Because these are the black cards, and black cards are the best! Let's get digging.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Mythics</h2>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Yawgmoth, Thran Physician</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yawgmoth, Thran Physician"></div></div></p>
<p>Hold on, I am trying to collect my thoughts that do not just jumble together into drool over this card. It's rare to see a card that checks so many boxes. He's powerful, he's a value engine, and he's a Vorthos home-run, right down to the protection from Humans.</p>
<p>As a card in the 99, expect to see him follow a similar trajectory to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yahenni, Undying Partisan" href="#" target="_blank">Yahenni, Undying Partisan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Commanders like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Meren of Clan Nel Toth" href="#" target="_blank">Meren of Clan Nel Toth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teysa Karlov" href="#" target="_blank">Teysa Karlov</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are always happy to have additional sacrifice outlets, especially when those sacrifice outselts also help draw cards, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons" href="#" target="_blank">Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> couldn't be happier to see all those -1/-1 counters.</p>
<p>At the helm of the 99, look to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder" href="#" target="_blank">Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and friends for inspiration. Creatures like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ophiomancer" href="#" target="_blank">Ophiomancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pawn of Ulamog" href="#" target="_blank">Pawn of Ulamog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reassembling Skeleton" href="#" target="_blank">Reassembling Skeleton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> present excellent choices for sacrifice fodder. Of course, Yawgmoth isn't one to be pigeonholed into a singular strategy. Yawgmoth can turn tokens into card advantage, but with that <em>Proliferate </em>ability, he can also become a home for mono-black superfriends, or a very dastardly <em>Infect </em>commander. I fully expect him and Urza to battle for the #1 spot on the <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders#pastmonth">Top Commanders</a> pages for quite some time.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Rares</h2>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Cabal Therapist</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cabal Therapist"></div></div></p>
<p>One of the first cards previewed for the set, this card is designed more for Modern than Commander, where it's much more realistic to blindly guess cards your opponents have in hand. It's possible Therapist could find a spot in metas who know each other's decks very well, or in some <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Telepathy" href="#" target="_blank">Telepathy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-inclusive <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sen Triplets" href="#" target="_blank">Sen Triplets</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> builds, but it's not really a card for EDH.</p>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Cordial Vampire</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cordial Vampire"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edgar Markov" href="#" target="_blank">Edgar Markov</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> sits as the second most popular commander built in the <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders#past2years">past two years</a>, and with new cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cordial Vampire" href="#" target="_blank">Cordial Vampire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, I can only imagine he'll maintain that popularity. Not only will your army get bigger as enemy creatures die, but Vampires have many sacrifices outlets built into their decks, which makes this a very deadly new addition. Consider him also for decks like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elenda, the Dusk Rose" href="#" target="_blank">Elenda, the Dusk Rose</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yahenni, Undying Partisan" href="#" target="_blank">Yahenni, Undying Partisan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Dead of Winter</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dead of Winter"></div></div></p>
<p>Most of us have probably seen snow-covered lands a time or two, especially when someone uses them in conjunction with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Extraplanar Lens" href="#" target="_blank">Extraplanar Lens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to collect value no one else can take advantage of. Well, now snow decks also have a variant of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mutilate" href="#" target="_blank">Mutilate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, one that can work in a multicolored deck with lots of snow-covered basic lands.</p>
<p>I want to believe there is a solid snow deck to be made, but the sad truth is that there are only 40 total snow creatures in the game, so there are very few options to run that will withstand your own <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>. Regardless, I can still accept this as a cheaper, more splashable <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mutilate" href="#" target="_blank">Mutilate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Endling</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Endling"></div></div></p>
<p>The end of a cycle! From <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Morphling" href="#" target="_blank">Morphling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Torchling" href="#" target="_blank">Torchling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thornling" href="#" target="_blank">Thornling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brightling" href="#" target="_blank">Brightling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> we can rejoice at the tying up of loose threads. This is a solid battering ram against other creatures. With deathtouch and menace, it will be extremely difficult for your enemies to interact with this creature favorably in combat. Add in the <em>Undying </em>and it's even more of a nuisance. Unlike several others in this cycle, Endling isn't just a Shapeshifter, but has a second creature type: Zombie. As such, this may see play in some classic Zombie tribal decks like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gisa and Geralf" href="#" target="_blank">Gisa and Geralf</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as an efficient beater and an especially irksome blocker.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Force of Despair</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Force of Despair"></div></div></p>
<p>Speaking of cycles, the black part of the “Force of” cycle is a doozy. The timing restrictions make it a worse rate than a traditional <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hero&#039;s Downfall" href="#" target="_blank">Hero&#039;s Downfall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can kill a creature regardless of when it entered the battlefield, but this is certainly an efficient answer to combos like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker" href="#" target="_blank">Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> + <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pestermite" href="#" target="_blank">Pestermite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or a huge influx of tokens. Look out, bursty token decks! Otherwise, though, this is a niche meta call if you're often up against aggressive decks that summon tons of creatures in one turn, but black has many other removal spells that will occupy this slot and be more effective in the majority of traditional games.</p>
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<h2>Everything Else</h2>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Ninjas</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Throatseeker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Azra Smokeshaper"></div></div></p>
<p>The community has been hungry for more Ninja cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> decks, and <em>Modern Horizons </em>has delivered! Yuriko is very aggressive, often not able to leave blockers behind, which means she can be targeted pretty easily. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Throatseeker" href="#" target="_blank">Throatseeker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> helps mitigate some of that life loss, a welcome addition. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Azra Smokeshaper" href="#" target="_blank">Azra Smokeshaper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a tricky card that helps protect Yuriko in the combat phase. Yuriko has climbed up to the #3 most-built Dimir commander slot, and with the help of these great new Ninjas, I won't be surprised if she eventually sneaks all the way up to #1.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Zombies</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Undead Augur"></div></div></p>
<p>With a tribe as deep and potent as Zombies, there's always a risk that the tribe is already overcrowded and any new cards won't be able to fight their way into decks. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Undead Augur" href="#" target="_blank">Undead Augur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which is basically <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Prophecy" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Prophecy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on legs, is potentially amazing but also potentially dangerous. Zombies are always hungry for card advantage, which could easily push this over the top, but lack of control over this ability makes me think there are better options for Zombies.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Goblins</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sling-Gang Lieutenant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Warteye Witch"></div></div></p>
<p>Whenever I see “Goblin” on the type line, I become very interested. Most Goblin synergies wind up in red, but <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> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wort, Boggart Auntie" href="#" target="_blank">Wort, Boggart Auntie</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> have well-known followings. Grenzo in particular probably represents the best synergies; Grenzo loves to sacrifice creatures, then put them on the bottom of his deck from the graveyard with things like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reito Lantern" href="#" target="_blank">Reito Lantern</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and cheat them right back into play with his bottom-of-the-library ability. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Warteye Witch" href="#" target="_blank">Warteye Witch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> works amazingly well here too, since she can help scry fun new targets to the bottom of the deck for Grenzo!</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Shapeshifters</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Graveshifter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Changeling Outcast"></div></div></p>
<p>The Shapeshifters of this set pique my interest more than usual. This set has Goblins, Ninjas, Zombies, Vampires, and then some. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Changeling Outcast" href="#" target="_blank">Changeling Outcast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> work amazingly well to enable <em>Ninjutsu </em>and to trigger Yuriko, a welcome addition. There are probably better options for recursion in black, but it's not impossible that a few tribes would enjoy a tribal <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gravedigger" href="#" target="_blank">Gravedigger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to recur their fallen soldiers, like sacrifice-happy Vampires or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inalla, Archmage Ritualist" href="#" target="_blank">Inalla, Archmage Ritualist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s ETB-triggering Wizards.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Spells</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Defile"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mind Rake"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Return from Extinction"></div></div></p>
<p>Of the remaining spells, the three above strike me as the most interesting in EDH. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Defile" href="#" target="_blank">Defile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has already gotten attention in Pauper, but a single-target version of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mutilate" href="#" target="_blank">Mutilate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for one black mana at instant speed seems great for most mono-black decks, possibly as a supplement or a replacement for the occasional <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tragic Slip" href="#" target="_blank">Tragic Slip</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mind Rake" href="#" target="_blank">Mind Rake</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s <em>Overload </em>ability is fun in a deck primed to abuse it, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nath of the Gilt-Leaf" href="#" target="_blank">Nath of the Gilt-Leaf</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, though it's notable that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Delirium Skeins" href="#" target="_blank">Delirium Skeins</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> only shows up on about 600 total decks on EDHREC. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Return from Extinction" href="#" target="_blank">Return from Extinction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a decent recursion spell in tribal decks thanks to its low mana cost, possibly budging out any decks still playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aphetto Dredging" href="#" target="_blank">Aphetto Dredging</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. For these three cards, I predict the order of popularity, from highest to lowest, is the same order the cards are displayed above.</p>
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<h2>The Night is Darkest Just Before the Dawn</h2>
<p>What are your favorite black cards from <em>Modern Horizons</em>? What cards are you putting into your decks? Are there any spicy cards I missed above? What cards are on your radar? Let me know in the comments below!</p>


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