<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cleopatra, Exiled Pharaoh" href="#" target="_blank">Cleopatra, Exiled Pharaoh</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/aliena85" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mandy Jurgens</a></em></p>
<p>Hey nerds! In this week's article, I wanted to showcase a personal favorite deck of mine, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cleopatra, Exiled Pharaoh" href="#" target="_blank">Cleopatra, Exiled Pharaoh</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Yes, the new <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tmt?utm_source=edhrec">Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles</a> </em>(TMNT) set wasn't received with open arms, but it did provide several powerful upgrades for Cleopatra, which I have no issues sleeving up.</p>
<p>Besides, Cleopatra is already a Universes Beyond (UB) commander, so let's lean into that theme and play as many UB cards as possible.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cleopatra, Exiled Pharaoh"></div></div>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cleopatra, Exiled Pharaoh" href="#" target="_blank">Cleopatra, Exiled Pharaoh</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<p>Cleopatra pulls you in two directions. First and foremost is +1/+1 counters. She places counters on other legendary creatures, including your opponents', which makes for a great political tool. The downside is that she can't put these counters on herself. Not a huge issue, but something to keep in mind.</p>
<p>The second focus is legendary creatures. Not just yours, but all of them in play. Whenever a legendary creature with counters dies, you get to draw cards and lose a little life. Notably, it's any kind of counter, ranging from keyword counters to scream counters. Okay, scream counters are from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="All Hallow&#039;s Eve" href="#" target="_blank">All Hallow&#039;s Eve</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but you get the point.</p>
<p>The easiest counters to add though are +1/+1 and -1/-1. You'll need to be careful adding both at the same time, as they cancel each other out.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for Cleopatra, Exiled Pharaoh</h2>
<h3>The TMNT Cards</h3>
<p>As I said at the start, TMNT released some powerful legends to add to this deck.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Madame Null, Power Broker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Michelangelo, Weirdness to 11"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mutagen Man, Living Ooze"></div></div>
<p>If I could only add one card, it would be <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Michelangelo, Weirdness to 11" href="#" target="_blank">Michelangelo, Weirdness to 11</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Having a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hardened Scales" href="#" target="_blank">Hardened Scales</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effect on a two-mana legend is exactly what this deck wants. Not only that, but he also comes with a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mutagen" href="#" target="_blank">Mutagen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> token, which gives +1/+1 counters. It's the perfect enabler and support piece for this deck.</p>
<p>Coming in close second is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mutagen Man, Living Ooze" href="#" target="_blank">Mutagen Man, Living Ooze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It makes Mutagen tokens free to sacrifice and scales as the game progresses. I'm even considering adding more ways to make Clue and Map tokens to take full advantage of Mutagen Man.</p>
<p>Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Madame Null, Power Broker" href="#" target="_blank">Madame Null, Power Broker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can essentially double the power of creatures at the cost of life.</p>
<h3>Gaining Life</h3>
<p>A major issue I had when I first built the deck was running out of life.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sheoldred, the Apocalypse"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="South Wind Avatar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Weather the Storm"></div></div>
<p>My first thought was to add <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects, but they were too slow and inefficient. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sheoldred, the Apocalypse" href="#" target="_blank">Sheoldred, the Apocalypse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was a pricey pickup for the deck, but worth every penny. She's a legend who lets me draw my deck without fear of dying and can even stop pesky wheel decks. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="South Wind Avatar" href="#" target="_blank">South Wind Avatar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> isn't legendary, but pairs nicely with Madame Null.</p>
<p>The most recent addition to the deck is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Weather the Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Weather the Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It's not unusual to play several spells a turn, especially after drawing a dozen or two cards. It also makes a great anti-combo piece; if someone goes infinite, you can too.</p>
<h3>Sac Outlets</h3>
<p>Despite Cleopatra wanting creatures to die, I've found it's more efficient to have your creature die in combat than by sacrificing them to <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>. But if we're going to sacrifice them, I want more than just mana.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yahenni, Undying Partisan"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Gitrog, Ravenous Ride"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yawgmoth, Thran Physician"></div></div>
<p><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> is a free unconditional sac outlet when it's needed, but on a legendary creature. I'll gladly take that over an artifact that doesn't quite fit the theme. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Gitrog, Ravenous Ride" href="#" target="_blank">The Gitrog, Ravenous Ride</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> basically doubles the card draw and lets you put a metric ton of lands into play. Unfortunately, you won't draw off Cleopatra's ability until you finish drawing off Gitrog's, but it's still a ton of cards.</p>
<p>Finally, <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> has the added benefit of adding -1/-1 counters to creatures, giving you more draw in the future. Yawgmoth does have protection from Humans, which means Cleo can't target Yawg with her ability.</p>
<h2>How Does This Cleopatra, Exiled Pharaoh Commander Deck Win?</h2>
<p>Another issue I initially had was actually winning the game. I could draw a million cards, but couldn't close out games.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Psychosis Crawler"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord"></div></div>
<p>Turns out having 40 cards in hand isn't a win condition. So I turned to the lowest hanging fruit, which happened to be the best option: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Psychosis Crawler" href="#" target="_blank">Psychosis Crawler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Crawler has won me more games than I can count in this deck. If you're able to get it and a free sac outlet in play, you'll often win on the spot.</p>
<p>Another powerful finisher is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord" href="#" target="_blank">Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. His ability does cost a bit, but it's absolutely worth it if you can knock a threat out of the game.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Walking Ballista"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Agatha&#039;s Soul Cauldron"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Altar of Dementia"></div></div>
<p>The second set of finishers relies on getting a <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> under <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Agatha&#039;s Soul Cauldron" href="#" target="_blank">Agatha&#039;s Soul Cauldron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Sometimes the line is to swing in with a large trampling board and ping down the rest of the damage.</p>
<p>Or you go for plan D, and instead sacrifice your board to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Altar of Dementia" href="#" target="_blank">Altar of Dementia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and mill out someone. Another option is to cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Living Death" href="#" target="_blank">Living Death</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, sacrifice your board to Altar, targeting yourself, then reanimating all your creatures.</p>
<h2>Cleopatra, Exiled Pharaoh Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Golgari Legendary Counters" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Cleopatra, Exiled Pharaoh
[/Commander]
[Instants]
*1 Abrupt Decay
*1 Assassin&#039;s Trophy
*1 Beast Within
*1 Deadly Rollick
*1 Fell the Profane // Fell Mire
*1 Malakir Rebirth // Malakir Mire
*1 Obscuring Haze
*1 Revitalizing Repast // Old-Growth Grove
*1 Tear Asunder
*1 Weather the Storm
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Agadeem&#039;s Awakening // Agadeem, the Undercrypt
*1 Bala Ged Recovery // Bala Ged Sanctuary
*1 Black Sun&#039;s Zenith
*1 Bridgeworks Battle // Tanglespan Bridgeworks
*1 Farseek
*1 Living Death
*1 Nature&#039;s Lore
*1 Three Visits
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Agatha&#039;s Soul Cauldron
*1 Altar of Dementia
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Ozolith, the Shattered Spire
*1 Sol Ring
*1 The Ooze
*1 The Ozolith
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 Agent Frank Horrigan
*1 Bebop, Skull &amp; Crossbones
*1 Birds of Paradise
*1 Delighted Halfling
*1 Drivnod, Carnage Dominus
*1 Emissary Green
*1 Evolution Sage
*1 Grakmaw, Skyclave Ravager
*1 Grismold, the Dreadsower
*1 Gwenna, Eyes of Gaea
*1 Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons
*1 Honest Rutstein
*1 Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
*1 Jenova, Ancient Calamity
*1 Kami of Whispered Hopes
*1 Kodama of the West Tree
*1 Leatherhead, Swamp Stalker
*1 Madame Null, Power Broker
*1 Michelangelo, Weirdness to 11
*1 Mona Lisa, Ever Adaptable
*1 Mutagen Man, Living Ooze
*1 Pir, Imaginative Rascal
*1 Psychosis Crawler
*1 Reki, the History of Kamigawa
*1 Rishkar, Peema Renegade
*1 Rocksteady, Mutant Marauder
*1 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse
*1 Skullbriar, the Walking Grave
*1 South Wind Avatar
*1 Splinter, the Mentor
*1 The Gitrog Monster
*1 The Gitrog, Ravenous Ride
*1 Vadmir, New Blood
*1 Varolz, the Scar-Striped
*1 Walking Ballista
*1 Yahenni, Undying Partisan
*1 Yawgmoth, Thran Physician
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Birthing Ritual
*1 Chthonian Nightmare
*1 Fight Rigging
*1 Hardened Scales
*1 Tinybones Joins Up
*1 Vraska Joins Up
[/Enchantments]
[Battles]
*1 Invasion of Fiora // Marchesa, Resolute Monarch
[/Battles]
[Lands]
*1 Abstergo Entertainment
*1 Deathcap Glade
*1 Fabled Passage
*7 Forest
*1 High Market
*1 Karn&#039;s Bastion
*1 Llanowar Wastes
*1 Nurturing Peatland
*1 Overgrown Tomb
*1 Phyrexian Tower
*1 Reliquary Tower
*1 Shifting Woodland
*7 Swamp
*1 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire
*1 Underground Mortuary
*1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
*1 Verdant Catacombs
*1 Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>Cleopatra has been one of my favorite decks for over a year now, and I can't recommend her enough. She combines the fun graveyard nonsense of Golgari (<span class="mana-container-container"><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-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) with the card draw of Izzet (<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-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>). The biggest threat to this deck is graveyard hate and decking yourself. I've had a few games where opponents force me to draw my library by trading two big legendary creatures in combat.</p>
<p>I've never had a game where I felt like I've done nothing, and that's the best feeling. Even if you only take some of my build as inspiration, give her a shot. I'd suggest building an all-UB deck with her. There are more than enough legends at this point to build a powerful deck even with that restriction.</p>
<p>If you want to see even more <em>Magic</em> content from me, you can find plenty of that on my YouTube channel <a href="http://youtube.com/@BRBMTG?utm_source=edhrec" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BathroomBrewsMTG</a>. Alrighty nerds, I'll see you in the next one!</p>


golgari 1 1 counters

Golgari Legends and +1/+1 Counters With Cleopatra, Exiled Pharaoh