<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wolverine, Best There Is" href="#" target="_blank">Wolverine, Best There Is</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artofmtg.com/artist/victor-adame-minguez/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Victor Adame Minguez</a></em></p>
<p>Hello, and welcome back to <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>. This week we're back in the <em>Marvel</em> universe. But don't worry about <em>Marvel </em>fatigue; this might be the last time until the <em>Spider-Man</em> set drops, as we're currently getting daily doses of <em>Final Fantasy</em> previews (I can barely contain my hype for the set at this point).</p>
<p>In the meantime, let's see what <em>Marvel</em> deck I should tackle next...</p>
<p><em>Snikt!</em></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wolverine, Best There Is"></div></div>
<p>Oh, right.</p>
<p>Without further ado, let's look at <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wolverine, Best There Is" href="#" target="_blank">Wolverine, Best There Is</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h2>The Wolverine of Canada</h2>
<p>Wolverine is an alias of James Howlett (aka Logan) who was born in Alberta, Canada. He was most prominent as a member of the X-Men, and has been one of the Avengers in some continuities. He's portrayed as a gruff loner with a rebellious attitude against authority figures. A deeper look reveals a heavily traumatized life, a struggle to balance between his human and "wild" self (including his "berserker rages"), and a code of honor and morality. He has been known to leave the team(s) for a time to deal with his issues (something we see in the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhythm of the Wild|sld|1740" href="#" target="_blank">Rhythm of the Wild</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> card depicting him.</p>
<p>His card does exactly what it says on the tin: build him up and <em>*snikt* </em>your opponents' life totals. All he wants to do is attack, and attack he will, because we're going to give our opponents a serious case of overkill. Fortunately, the <em>Universes Beyond</em> card pool helps with this, since we have a nice blend of old and new cards that can make Wolverine deadly.</p>
<h2>Going Berserk With Wolverine</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bone Sabres"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rancor|pip|205"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gimli&#039;s Fury"></div></div>
<p>We'll need ways to power Wolverine up. He starts with a small statline, so we'll need to make him bigger. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bone Sabres" href="#" target="_blank">Bone Sabres</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (22,152 decks) will give him four +1/+1 counters on attack, making him a lethal threat. Similarly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Power Fist" href="#" target="_blank">Power Fist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (44,023 decks) gives him trample, and also gives him a lot of counters whenever he connects to a player (a lovely synergy with his first ability, which I'll get to momentarily). Thirdly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Champion&#039;s Helm|fic|337" href="#" target="_blank">Champion&#039;s Helm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (68,400 decks) serves two purposes: it gives Wolverine a smaller buff, and it also shields him from targeted removal.</p>
<p>However, improving Wolverine's statline isn't the only way we can make him into a deadly force. Before I go over that, I need to mention that first ability, <em>Unrivaled Lethality</em>, which doubles the damage that he deals. With this, we can make him deal even more havoc. Crucially, double strike is a major player, allowing Wolverine to devastate your opponents. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chaos Terminator Lord" href="#" target="_blank">Chaos Terminator Lord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6,928 decks) gives it to him each combat. Both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fireshrieker|pip|232" href="#" target="_blank">Fireshrieker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (96,257 decks) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Spear of Leonidas" href="#" target="_blank">The Spear of Leonidas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (21,477 decks) provide double strike, and the Spear comes with additional utility as well, if needed.</p>
<p>In addition, trample is another keyword that works with Wolverine. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (128,140 decks) gives his power a small buff, but also gives him the trample ability. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shadowspear|sld|1505" href="#" target="_blank">Shadowspear</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Totec's Spear; 199,617 decks) bestows the trample, lifelink, and tears down indestructible and hexproof creatures as well. In a similar vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Loxodon Warhammer|sld|1034" href="#" target="_blank">Loxodon Warhammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Ghal Maraz, the Great Shatterer; 106,676 decks) does this with an even bigger boost to his power. Thirdly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodcrusher of Khorne" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodcrusher of Khorne</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (14,807 decks) gives trample to all of our creatures. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gimli&#039;s Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Gimli&#039;s Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6,330 decks) is a one shot that can potentially eliminate opponents with a jump-scare.</p>
<h2>Of Immortality and Regeneration</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bombadil&#039;s Song"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rhythm of the Wild|sld|1740"></div></div>
<p>Wolverine has the ability to regenerate himself, but we can't always rely on that because it requires two mana open. Worse, you may have to protect him multiple times, as he is a removal magnet. Fortunately we have other ways to protect him. I mentioned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Champion&#039;s Helm" href="#" target="_blank">Champion&#039;s Helm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and that helps. In addition, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mithril Coat" href="#" target="_blank">Mithril Coat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (257,689 decks) grants him indestructibility, especially at instant speed, and can auto-equip onto Wolverine. Further, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heroic Intervention|sld|1750" href="#" target="_blank">Heroic Intervention</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (821,880 decks) protects our board while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bombadil&#039;s Song" href="#" target="_blank">Bombadil&#039;s Song</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (16,261 decks) protects just our commander. Finally, since Wolverine will be subject to counterspells when casting him, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhythm of the Wild" href="#" target="_blank">Rhythm of the Wild</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (302,108 decks) ensures that he gets to land while rudely telling those pesky blue players to bother someone else.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rite of Passage|sld|1739" href="#" target="_blank">Rite of Passage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (15,550 decks) can grow Wolverine with each time he's dealt damage, but be sure to keep him from dying when doing so. Lastly, if Wolverine gets too expensive to cast, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Command Beacon|sld|1533" href="#" target="_blank">Command Beacon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (269,829 decks) can be sacrificed to get him out of the command zone, so you can cast him again.</p>
<h2>Wolverine, Best There Is Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-SNIKT!" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Wolverine, Best There Is
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bone Sabres
*1 Champion&#039;s Helm
*1 Endless Atlas
*1 Excalibur, Sword of Eden
*1 Fireshrieker
*1 Gimli&#039;s Axe
*1 Hunter&#039;s Bow
*1 Loxodon Warhammer
*1 Mithril Coat
*1 Power Fist
*1 Shadowspear
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 The Great Henge
*1 The Ozolith
*1 The Spear of Leonidas
*1 Unlicensed Hearse
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Beast Within
*1 Berserk
*1 Bombadil&#039;s Song
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Entish Restoration
*1 Gimli&#039;s Fury
*1 Harrow
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Inscription of Abundance
*1 Krosan Grip
*1 Unexpected Windfall
[/Instants]
[Creatures]
*1 Atalan Jackal
*1 Birds of Paradise
*1 Bloodcrusher of Khorne
*1 Bloodthirster
*1 Cavern-Hoard Dragon
*1 Chaos Terminator Lord
*1 Crimson Caravaneer
*1 Delighted Halfling
*1 Scourge of the Throne
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Blasphemous Act
*1 Cathartic Reunion
*1 Chandra&#039;s Ignition
*1 Cultivate
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Farseek
*1 Harmonize
*1 Hull Breach
*1 Overpowering Attack
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Seize the Day
*1 Three Visits
*1 Wreck and Rebuild
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Gimli&#039;s Reckless Might
*1 Grim Reaper&#039;s Sprint
*1 Hardened Scales
*1 Rancor
*1 Rhythm of the Wild
*1 Rising of the Day
*1 Rite of Passage
*1 Shiny Impetus
*1 Stolen Strategy
*1 Unnatural Growth
*1 Wild Wasteland
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Cinder Glade
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Command Tower
*1 Dining Room
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fabled Passage
*9 Forest
*1 Game Trail
*9 Mountain
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Opal Palace
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Rockfall Vale
*1 Rootbound Crag
*1 Sheltered Thicket
*1 Temple of Abandon
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Thriving Bluff
*1 Thriving Grove
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Using Deadly Force</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Berserk|sld|1738"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scourge of the Throne|ltc|225"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Overpowering Attack"></div></div>
<p>If I was using in-universe cards with this list, we'd get a lot more power-doubling cards in here. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Berserk" href="#" target="_blank">Berserk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (24,694 decks) is like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gimli&#039;s Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Gimli&#039;s Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in that it can kill someone out of nowhere. In addition, we can regenerate Wolverine and nullify Berserk's end step trigger, ensuring his survival. In a similar vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unnatural Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Unnatural Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (162,583 decks) makes Wolverine's stats double. A high enough statline will make this lethal.</p>
<p>That said, what we also really need are extra combat steps. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seize the Day|sld|480" href="#" target="_blank">Seize the Day</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Round Two; 63,495 decks) only targets Wolverine, but it can be cast again from your graveyard for, befitting its <em>Universes Beyond </em>name, a second round of combat. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodthirster" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodthirster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (which is also really good with double strike, by the way) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scourge of the Throne" href="#" target="_blank">Scourge of the Throne</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (44,711 decks and 70,116 decks, respectively) are two creatures that achieve this, with the former netting us multiple combat steps if the stars align.</p>
<p>Moreover, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grim Reaper&#039;s Sprint" href="#" target="_blank">Grim Reaper&#039;s Sprint</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (19,267 decks) gives a small buff to Wolverine as well as the above, but a creature will need to die to cast it cheaply. While it's not in the list, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Last Night Together" href="#" target="_blank">Last Night Together</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (9,188 decks) has two creatures attack on the next combat. That said, it provides counters and some useful keywords. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overpowering Attack" href="#" target="_blank">Overpowering Attack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s (40,140 decks) cost can be reduced if Wolverine was able to connect the first time around.</p>
<h2>Other Cards For Wolverine</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chandra&#039;s Ignition|sld|1594"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Ozolith|sld|1741"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rising of the Day"></div></div>
<p>There's a few other noteworthy cards I wanted to mention. First of these is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chandra&#039;s Ignition" href="#" target="_blank">Chandra&#039;s Ignition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Miku's Ignition; 141,494 decks). Wolverine's first ability gives it more reach, letting you remove more creatures than you typically would. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Ozolith" href="#" target="_blank">The Ozolith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Admantium Bonding Tank; 203,856 decks) will store any +1/+1 counters that Wolverine had, should he be removed. Then, you recast him and move the counters back on him. Next, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gimli&#039;s Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Gimli&#039;s Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (7,820 decks) not only gives our commander a big power boost, but the Equipment grants him evasion as well.</p>
<p>Next, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hunter&#039;s Bow" href="#" target="_blank">Hunter&#039;s Bow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gimli&#039;s Reckless Might" href="#" target="_blank">Gimli&#039;s Reckless Might</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (11,306 and 20,745 decks, respectively) allow Wolverine to pick off opposing creatures (and the latter gives him haste). <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inscription of Abundance|ltc|251" href="#" target="_blank">Inscription of Abundance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (51,870 decks) packs a lot of utility: it buoys our life total, buffs Wolverine, and allows him to pick off a pesky creature. Speaking of haste, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rising of the Day" href="#" target="_blank">Rising of the Day</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (138,156 decks) gives our commander a tiny buff, but it more importantly gives him haste. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Excalibur, Sword of Eden" href="#" target="_blank">Excalibur, Sword of Eden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (61,469 decks) is among the most terrifying cards in the deck. Equipping it to our commander means he's automatically in lethal range, whether it'd be commander damage, or ordinary damage.</p>
<p>We also have a couple of creatures that could use a boost to achieve their effects. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Atalan Jackal" href="#" target="_blank">Atalan Jackal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (26,236 decks) ramps us on connecting, and it already has trample and taste. Also, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crimson Caravaneer" href="#" target="_blank">Crimson Caravaneer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6,082 decks) comes with double strike and trample, plus nets us some treasure tokens when it connects. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cavern-Hoard Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Cavern-Hoard Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (70,080 decks) gives us a ton of Treasures when they hit someone relying too much on their precious trinkets. Unlike the other two, the Dragon doesn't need much support, since it's got a decent statline.</p>
<h2>We're Done Here, Bub</h2>
<p>In conclusion, the stars mostly aligned with this build. Using the <em>Universes Beyond</em> card pool, most of the key pieces found their way into the deck, and I'm sure there will be more support for Wolverine in the future (a reskinned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Xenagos, God of Revels" href="#" target="_blank">Xenagos, God of Revels</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would be nice). This deck is one of those where you don't want to do any thinking and help wind down for the night. Simple decks like that are good to have on hand.</p>
<p>Half of the <em>Marvel</em> legends are now covered, and at this point I'm using multiple legends from certain sets. I imagine we could do with a break from the likes of <em>The Lord of the Rings</em>, and find something fresh. Maybe something from the <em>Secret Lair Drops</em>, perhaps (provided, of course, I can assemble the deck with the card pool)?</p>
<p>On a different note, I did receive an idea for an article a little bit ago, and I'll soon get to it. Feel free to let me know in the comments which <em>Universes Beyond </em>commander you'd like me to cover next, especially those from franchises I haven't covered yet. Join me next time when we venture off the beaten path for a change of scenery.</p>


gruul commander

Going Berserk In Commander, With Wolverine, Best There Is