Top 10 Group Hug Commanders for Lavaleaper

<p style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cheering Crowd" href="#" target="_blank">Cheering Crowd</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.kimsokol.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kim Sokol</a></span></i></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a set full of larger-than-life heroes and villains, it only makes sense that one of the most powerful new cards for Commander is…an ordinary Human Citizen. Its very name and existence is a synecdoche: one card, with the stats of a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grizzly Bears" href="#" target="_blank">Grizzly Bears</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, is made to represent the whole of the support of the people. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And, just like the swell of support in stadiums around North America every fall, Cheering Crowd grows and rewards its supporters. It really is a beautifully flavored card.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cheering Crowd"></div></div>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cheering Crowd" href="#" target="_blank">Cheering Crowd</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cheering Crowd is a 2/2 for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-rg" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, making it aggressive and easily castable. Human is a relevant creature type, as there are a number of Humans-matters commanders, especially from <em>Innistrad</em>. Citizens began to gain popularity in <em>New Capenna</em>, but there aren’t many commanders that specifically reference them, so it’s kind of a wash. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Where the excitement comes in, however, is the triggered ability.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At the beginning of each player’s first main phase, notably not each pre-combat main phase, as some cards used to be interpreted, that player may put a +1/+1 counter on the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cheering Crowd" href="#" target="_blank">Cheering Crowd</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. If that player chooses to put the counter on the Crowd, that player adds a colorless mana for each counter on the Crowd. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It's again worth noting that the mana is added for each counter, not just +1/+1 counters. While this ability is unique, there are some possible analogs that can be used to estimate its uses.</span></p>
<h2>What Else Does What <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cheering Crowd" href="#" target="_blank">Cheering Crowd</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Does?</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the aspects of the ability that stands out among the crowd of words is that each player can grow the Crowd and make the mana in their first main phase. </span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Eladamri&#039;s Vineyard"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Magus of the Vineyard"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blinkmoth Urn"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There's a precedent for cards that trigger in the main phase and make mana for the turn player: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eladamri&#039;s Vineyard" href="#" target="_blank">Eladamri&#039;s Vineyard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, the <em>Future Sight</em> analog <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magus of the Vineyard" href="#" target="_blank">Magus of the Vineyard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and even the sneaky <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blinkmoth Urn" href="#" target="_blank">Blinkmoth Urn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all add mana in the precombat main phase. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These cards tend to pop up in <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/group-hug" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Group Hug decks</a>, as well as intriguing political builds that look to use the boost better or faster than opponents, even though the opponent gets to use it first.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While not as common, there are creatures that provide choices to opponents in exchange for growing as a threat. In fact, <em>Born of the Gods</em> featured the unsung ability tribute, which gave opponents an unfortunate choice: have the creature grow in size or allow a powerful enters-the-battlefield ability to trigger. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nessian Demolok"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is shown through cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nessian Demolok" href="#" target="_blank">Nessian Demolok</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a 3/3 Beast that either becomes a 6/6 or destroys a noncreature permanent, depending on the will of an opponent of our choice. While the ability didn’t have a lot of initial fanfare, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cheering Crowd" href="#" target="_blank">Cheering Crowd</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could help it make a comeback with an intriguing take on multiplayer aggro!</span></p>
<h2>Pros of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cheering Crowd" href="#" target="_blank">Cheering Crowd</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Crowd comes out early and grows big quickly. Most likely, it will have three opportunities to grow on the first turn cycle, and then four on the next. This means that, if not removed, it could be as big as a two-mana 5/5 attacking on turn three and then a 9/9 on turn four, which are frightening numbers. Your mileage may vary, but, for an aggressive deck, it’s rare to find a creature that can grow that big without requiring additional investment.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Howling Mine"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Desecration Demon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Descent into Avernus"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Political cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Howling Mine" href="#" target="_blank">Howling Mine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> tend to be a bit tough to evaluate because the opponents get to use them first. In 1v1 games, the effect needs to be particularly powerful, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Desecration Demon" href="#" target="_blank">Desecration Demon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> letting opponents sacrifice creatures to tap down the increasingly-large flyer. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In multiplayer, however, political cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Descent into Avernus" href="#" target="_blank">Descent into Avernus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can make games exciting and fun, and can lead to their controllers being given leeway to stick around in games, which they can use to their advantage later. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After all, while you’re busy playing your little spells with the extra mana, I’m counting just how big I can make a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Comet Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Comet Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>!</span></p>
<h2>Cons of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cheering Crowd" href="#" target="_blank">Cheering Crowd</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are some downsides to having a crowd on your side, however. While the ability is political, the ever-growing threat is not. And that threat, while growing, doesn’t have evasion. For as large as it can get, I suppose it makes sense that a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cheering Crowd" href="#" target="_blank">Cheering Crowd</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> disperses pretty quickly when blocked by a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Typhoid Rats" href="#" target="_blank">Typhoid Rats</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mana Flare"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Heartbeat of Spring"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And then there’s the double-edged sword of having to share the mana with the table. I happen to love <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Flare" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Flare</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects - one of my early favorite competitive decks was <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heartbeat of Spring" href="#" target="_blank">Heartbeat of Spring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and I was gifted a signed copy a few years ago - but those effects sometimes literally blow up in your face. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Making huge swaths of mana and then pouring that into large spells is one of the great joys of Commander. But watching everyone else do that before you, game after game? There’s only so long you can cheer for your crowd of opponents before you stop cheering for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cheering Crowd" href="#" target="_blank">Cheering Crowd</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</span></p>
<h2>Which Commanders Want <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cheering Crowd" href="#" target="_blank">Cheering Crowd</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>?</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gruul has a number of interesting commanders that can support a political beater. </span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jolene, the Plunder Queen"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Red XIII, Proud Warrior"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jolene, the Plunder Queen" href="#" target="_blank">Jolene, the Plunder Queen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> stands out as a commander that values mana, gives mana to opponents politically, and grows itself via +1/+1 counters, so it can support counters-matters cards. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A subtle inclusion from the <em>Final Fantasy</em> set is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Red XIII, Proud Warrior" href="#" target="_blank">Red XIII, Proud Warrior</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who gives modified creatures vigilance and trample, which would work well with the tribute mechanic for a unique build that could be a lot of fun.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Adding colors makes more options for the Crowd, and there are plenty of commanders for them to cheer for.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vazi, Keen Negotiator"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rocco, Street Chef"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vazi, Keen Negotiator" href="#" target="_blank">Vazi, Keen Negotiator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a Jund option similar to Jolene, who gives opponents mana and adds counters to creatures when that mana is used. In Naya colors, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rocco, Street Chef" href="#" target="_blank">Rocco, Street Chef</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets players play lands and cast spells from exile and adds counters to creatures when opponents oblige. </span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shalai and Hallar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Animar, Soul of Elements"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shalai and Hallar" href="#" target="_blank">Shalai and Hallar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> also work well with the counters and turn them into direct damage to opponents, although that can be a bit of a non-bo, as opponents can simply decline to put the counters on. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Unfortunately, Temur has a limited number of options, and none stand out the way the others do. Still, a mana-producing cheap creature could give a boost to a commander like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Animar, Soul of Elements" href="#" target="_blank">Animar, Soul of Elements</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who cares about counters and making large sums of mana.</span></p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cheering Crowd" href="#" target="_blank">Cheering Crowd</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an intriguing card, and I am definitely a fan. It creates fun gameplay situations, adds fun and flavor to games, and slots into a variety of existing decks. It might even breathe life into a long-dead mechanic. For two mana, that’s a pretty good deal, if you ask me!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But what are your thoughts on it? And what decks are you looking to slot it into?</span></p>


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