Ranking Every Mana Rock with EDHREC – Part 0: What is a Mana Rock?

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Emry, Lurker of the Loch" href="#" target="_blank">Emry, Lurker of the Loch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/dopaprime">Livia Prima</a>)</h6>
<h1>The Rivers and the Lakes that You're Used To</h1>
<p>Greetings, everyone, and welcome back to <em>Monomania Takes on Eldraine</em>. In this article series we build mono-colored decks as a way to explore ramp and draw packages that are synergistic with our particular deck’s strategy, and to challenge staples and misconceptions about the color pie. We took a hiatus from the <em>Throne of Eldraine</em> commanders, but we’re circling back to the fairy tale set in this entry. Today, our commander is all about indulging combos. We're in familiar waters, but let's see if we can find a pearl of interest here.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Emry, Lurker of the Loch"></div></div>
<p>At first glance, Emry seems to embody a few things that I don’t find appealing about mono-blue:</p>
<ul>
<li>She’s yet another blue artifact commander</li>
<li>Instead of opening up new space for the color, she seems to suggest a combo-heavy build</li>
<li>Most of the cards I want to jam in an Emry deck are cards I would play with any other commander</li>
</ul>
<p>What appeals to me, however, is how many different combos Emry can join together effectively in one deck. Because the only cost to cast an artifact from our graveyard is a simple tap, zero-mana artifacts can open up several infinite combos in conjunction with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirran Spy" href="#" target="_blank">Mirran Spy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and a sacrifice outlet such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blasting Station" href="#" target="_blank">Blasting Station</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. We can play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Memnite" href="#" target="_blank">Memnite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example, over and over until we’re dizzy. The fundamental concept of this deck revolves around sticking our commander on the table, playing an artifact at no cost, sacrificing that artifact, then exploiting Emry’s ability with an effect that untaps her to replay the same artifact from the graveyard, then repeat until something breaks.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mirran Spy"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Etherium Sculptor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grinding Station"></div></div>
<p>Even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can become a combo piece with Emry and a cost reduction effect such as <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>. Perhaps my favorite incidental combo here revolves around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mystic Sanctuary" href="#" target="_blank">Mystic Sanctuary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: because we want to cycle through our deck and fill the graveyard, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Trade Routes" href="#" target="_blank">Trade Routes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would be a decent inclusion, anyway, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Trade Routes" href="#" target="_blank">Trade Routes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> becomes a potent weapon with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mystic Sanctuary" href="#" target="_blank">Mystic Sanctuary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and a payoff spell such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nexus of Fate" href="#" target="_blank">Nexus of Fate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This deck is combo soup—it likely won’t be for everyone or make any friends, but it might be a good addition to a collection if you have a play environment comfortable with going infinite.</p>
<p>With this degenerate direction in mind, let’s take a look under the hood.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Pumping Water</h2>
<p>This deck has a low curve, which means that we want to focus our ramp package on pieces that will actively engage with our overall plan. Luckily, many combo pieces can help us ramp when necessary.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Etherium Sculptor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Foundry Inspector"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ugin, the Ineffable"></div></div>
<p>These cost reduction effects, for example, fit perfectly in any artifact deck. When we combine them with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, Emry, a sacrifice outlet, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirran Spy" href="#" target="_blank">Mirran Spy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we can produce infinite colorless mana. Swap <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Codex Shredder" href="#" target="_blank">Codex Shredder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and we can mill out the whole table in one go.</p>
<p>I've had a few months playing with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ugin, the Ineffable" href="#" target="_blank">Ugin, the Ineffable</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> now, and I've been touched by this angel. Ugin 2.0 is the real deal, and it's jumped categories in my mind. When brewing for EDH, I only sincerely consider a small set of planeswalkers for inclusion in this format. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ugin, the Ineffable" href="#" target="_blank">Ugin, the Ineffable</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> vaulted into that pool. I consider it in any deck with ten or more artifacts: it provides card advantage, significant ramp, <em>and</em> removal in one card. Nobody is sleeping on Ugin, but consider picking up extra copies, because this is a Commander staple. In addition to the three cards featured above, I’ve also included <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jhoira’s Familiar" href="#" target="_blank">Jhoira’s Familiar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for consistency.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Phyrexian Altar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ashnod’s Altar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krark-Clan Ironworks"></div></div>
<p>Here we have the other side of the coin: many sacrifice outlets can also help us ramp when we need to. All of these cards will produce the extra mana when we need it in a pinch, or they'll create an infinite loop. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phyrexian Altar" href="#" target="_blank">Phyrexian Altar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, in particular, shines in this deck. It's the only outlet we have to create infinite colored mana. This becomes important when we want to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Capsize" href="#" target="_blank">Capsize</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all of our opponents’ permanents in one turn. Any of these options fulfill the role we really need them to, basically creature a spin cycle of cards in and out of the graveyard.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Feeding the Lake</h2>
<p>With our ramp in order, let’s see how we’re going to find the pieces we need when we need them. Luckily, Emry gives us great direction in how to gain card advantage.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thirst for Knowledge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Frantic Search"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Careful Consideration"></div></div>
<p>Cards that rifle through our deck are perfect. Our graveyard is a resource, which means looting has little downside for us. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thirst for Knowledge" href="#" target="_blank">Thirst for Knowledge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is exceptional because we want artifacts in the graveyard, anyway. <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> can keep an explosive turn rolling and make the most out of limited mana before we find a loop. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Careful Consideration" href="#" target="_blank">Careful Consideration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of my personal pet cards; when played at instant speed, it nets zero card advantage; when played at sorcery speed, it puts you up one card. Even so, it's hard to deny the tremendous rate on this card: digging four cards deep at instant speed for four mana is objectively good. In a deck that utilizes the graveyard, it is exceptional. At the time of writing, this card only sees play in 676 decks on EDHREC; it deserves better.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Golden Egg"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chromatic Star"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aether Spellbomb"></div></div>
<p>Finally, this style of artifact deck loves "Eggs." Any low-cost artifact that draws a card upon entering the battlefield or the graveyard is right at home with Emry. Not only will these cards help hurtle through the deck, they'll also give us decent targets for Emry’s ability in the early game before we assemble a combo. Eggs are underrated in Commander, but they can grease a deck’s engine and fill in gaps. I’ve included five other Eggs for consistency, including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alchemist’s Vial" href="#" target="_blank">Alchemist’s Vial</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conjurer’s Bauble" href="#" target="_blank">Conjurer’s Bauble</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While they seem low-impact, Eggs are vital to our deck's ecosystem.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Deck</h2>
<p>Now let’s put it all together with a coherent deck list. The goal here is that every card buttresses our overall plan of finding and executing a combo.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aetherflux Reservoir"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Capsize"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Codex Shredder"></div></div>
<p>Among the other notable inclusions, we have several cards that can win us the game when we implement an infinite loop. What’s you flavor? Do you want to nuke your opponents? <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aetherflux Reservoir" href="#" target="_blank">Aetherflux Reservoir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can obliterate opponents 50 damage at a time. Want to draw out and savor the victory? <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Capsize" href="#" target="_blank">Capsize</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all their permanents until you find a way to end the game. Dream of milling the table? <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Codex Shredder" href="#" target="_blank">Codex Shredder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Altar of the Brood" href="#" target="_blank">Altar of the Brood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are here for you. For moments of infinite colorless mana, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Walking Ballista" href="#" target="_blank">Walking Ballista</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and if we draw our whole deck using <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vedalken Archmage" href="#" target="_blank">Vedalken Archmage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we can slap a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Laboratory Maniac" href="#" target="_blank">Laboratory Maniac</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on the table.</p>
<p>To protect the board we’ll use to win, I’ve included five cheap counterspells, including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swan Song" href="#" target="_blank">Swan Song</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dispel" href="#" target="_blank">Dispel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Delay" href="#" target="_blank">Delay</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Finally, everything hums with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lotus Petal" href="#" target="_blank">Lotus Petal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Combos aren’t fun for everyone, but sifting through the pieces with Emry might be fun enough to amuse your table and yourself.</p>
<p>This list may not be tuned to perfection, but I believe that it succeeds in the central goal. Season to taste.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Madder Lake" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Emry, Lurker of the Loch
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Memnite
*1 Ornithopter
*1 Phyrexian Walker
*1 Walking Ballista
*1 Etherium Sculptor
*1 Riddlesmith
*1 Foundry Inspector
*1 Laboratory Maniac
*1 Mirran Spy
*1 Tribute Mage
*1 Trinket Mage
*1 Trophy Mage
*1 Jhoira&#039;s Familiar
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Vedalken Archmage
*1 Chakram Retriever
[/Creatures]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Ugin, the Ineffable
[/Planeswalkers]
[Instants]
*1 Dispel
*1 Mystical Tutor
*1 Pongify
*1 Rapid Hybridization
*1 Swan Song
*1 Arcane Denial
*1 Counterspell
*1 Cyclonic Rift
*1 Delay
*1 Reality Shift
*1 Capsize
*1 Frantic Search
*1 Thirst for Knowledge
*1 Aetherize
*1 Careful Consideration
*1 Aetherspouts
*1 Nexus of Fate
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Compulsive Research
*1 Fabricate
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Lotus Petal
*1 Aether Spellbomb
*1 Altar of the Brood
*1 Chromatic Sphere
*1 Chromatic Star
*1 Codex Shredder
*1 Conjurer&#039;s Bauble
*1 Expedition Map
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Terrarion
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
*1 Alchemist&#039;s Vial
*1 Golden Egg
*1 Grinding Station
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Ashnod&#039;s Altar
*1 Blasting Station
*1 Phyrexian Altar
*1 Aetherflux Reservoir
*1 Krark-Clan Ironworks
*1 Mystic Forge
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Trade Routes
*1 Imprisoned in the Moon
*1 Intruder Alarm
*1 Future Sight
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Cephalid Coliseum
*1 Darksteel Citadel
*1 Desert of the Mindful
*1 Emergence Zone
*1 Geier Reach Sanitarium
*1 High Market
*1 Inventors&#039; Fair
*22 Island
*1 Lonely Sandbar
*1 Mystic Sanctuary
*1 Phyrexia&#039;s Core
*1 Remote Isle
*1 Seat of the Synod
*1 Tolaria West
*1 Zoetic Cavern
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>What do you all think of the list? Is there anything I missed? Do you frequently include infinite combos in your decks? Do you find it fun to win that way? Should we chase waterfalls or are familiar evils sufficient fun? Please let me know in the comments! As always, remember to EDHREC responsibly: always dig a little beyond the statistics. I’ll see you all on down the road.</p>


golden egg

Ranking Every Mana Rock with EDHREC – Part 0: What is a Mana Rock?

Monomania Takes on Eldraine – Madder Lake