<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Monk Gyatso" href="#" target="_blank">Monk Gyatso</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CMasateru+Ikeda%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" rel="noopener">Masateru Ikeda</a></em></p>
<p>Remember last year when Wizards printed the now infamous <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nadu, Winged Wisdom" href="#" target="_blank">Nadu, Winged Wisdom</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? You know, the card that's banned in pretty much every format. Well, what if I told you that they reprinted Nadu, but in white?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Monk Gyatso"></div></div>
<p>Sure, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Monk Gyatso" href="#" target="_blank">Monk Gyatso</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> isn't actually Nadu, it uses the same combo pieces and can win out of nowhere. And in this Monk Gyatso Commander deck tech, I'll showcase the power that is White Nadu. While I usually do budget decks, I decided to go all out here, so budget isn't a consideration.</p>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Monk Gyatso" href="#" target="_blank">Monk Gyatso</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<p>The airbending master, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Monk Gyatso" href="#" target="_blank">Monk Gyatso</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, allows you to airbend your creatures whenever they become the target of a spell or ability. This only works with other creatures, so he can't airbend him self. And unlike <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Norin the Wary" href="#" target="_blank">Norin the Wary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or Nadu, this is a <em>may</em> ability.</p>
<p>This prevents your opponents from targeting your creatures with cheap spells or abilities to disrupt the game plan. However, it provides enough protection that it'll be hard to remove combo pieces if Monk Gyatso is protected.</p>
<p>And much like his Simic counterpart, Gyatso is a powerful combo commander. There are several creatures and Equipment that have abilities we can activate for zero mana to trigger his ability as often as we'd like.</p>
<p>But we still have to cast the creatures again; isn't that a problem? Well, yes. But actually no. The two mana to cast a card in exile can be reduced with effects to be free, which is a key part of the combos in the deck.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Monk Gyatso" href="#" target="_blank">Monk Gyatso</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<h3>Cost Reducion</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Semblance Anvil"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pearl Medallion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Oketra&#039;s Monument"></div></div>
<p>As I mentioned before, a key part of the combo is reducing costs. This is trivial in monocolored decks thanks to the cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pearl Medallion" href="#" target="_blank">Pearl Medallion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oketra&#039;s Monument" href="#" target="_blank">Oketra&#039;s Monument</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These pieces aren't only combo enablers but can save you dozens of mana over the course of a game. The best cost reducer is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Semblance Anvil" href="#" target="_blank">Semblance Anvil</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> because it can reduce multiple card types by two at once.</p>
<p>There is an argument to add <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza&#039;s Incubator" href="#" target="_blank">Urza&#039;s Incubator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> since most of the creatures for the combo are Ally or Human.</p>
<h3>The Creature Targeting</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nomads en-Kor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shaman en-Kor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Warrior en-Kor"></div></div>
<p>The next key pieces are the targeters. These are the cards that can target creatures for zero mana repeatedly. Taking a page from the Nadu playbook, I first added <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nomads en-Kor" href="#" target="_blank">Nomads en-Kor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It's one mana and does exactly what we need. I also included <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shaman en-Kor" href="#" target="_blank">Shaman en-Kor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Warrior en-Kor" href="#" target="_blank">Warrior en-Kor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for redundancy. They share the same ability that lets you target creatures for zero mana and are cheap.</p>
<p>It's a perfect option if you're looking to build this deck on any budget. But only three ways to target aren't enough, especially in Commander.</p>
<h3>The Equipment Package</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shuko"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grafted Wargear"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pre-War Formalwear"></div></div>
<p>Thankfully, several pieces of Equipment can be equipped for zero. The most common option found in Nadu decks was <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shuko" href="#" target="_blank">Shuko</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Greaves" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Greaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. But I went a little deeper and added <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grafted Wargear" href="#" target="_blank">Grafted Wargear</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Umbral Mantle" href="#" target="_blank">Umbral Mantle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to my list. The downside of Wargear isn't a problem since you airbend the creature before it becomes equipped.</p>
<p>My favorite piece of Equipment is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pre-War Formalwear" href="#" target="_blank">Pre-War Formalwear</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Now, I might be too high on this card thanks to Vintage Cube, but it reanimates the targeting creatures, and it's a great airbend target with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aang, the Last Airbender" href="#" target="_blank">Aang, the Last Airbender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h2>How Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Monk Gyatso" href="#" target="_blank">Monk Gyatso</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Win?</h2>
<h3>The Combo</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Helpful Hunter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anticausal Vestige"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Solemn Simulacrum"></div></div>
<p>Unlike a lot of the Nadu combos, Monk Gyasto's combo is straightforward. All you need is Monk Gyasto, ideally <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Semblance Anvil" href="#" target="_blank">Semblance Anvil</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and a zero-mana way to target creatures. You'll also need some creatures that are worth airbending.</p>
<p>Target your creature, let's say <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Helpful Hunter" href="#" target="_blank">Helpful Hunter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shuko" href="#" target="_blank">Shuko</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. You'll then airbend the Cat with Gyasto's ability. Then you'll recast Helpful Hunter from exile for free and draw a card. Now you repeat this for infinite card draw, storm, and enters triggers.</p>
<h3>The Payoffs</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aetherflux Reservoir"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Altar of the Brood"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Appa, Steadfast Guardian"></div></div>
<p>There are two primary combo finishes and one backup. The two primary finishes are <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> and <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>. Unlike the normal blink combos, airbending has you cast the spell, so you'll gain infinite life to blast the table. And Altar of the Brood adds a mill win condition thanks to all the creatures entering the battlefield.</p>
<p>The backup win condition requires <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Appa, Steadfast Guardian" href="#" target="_blank">Appa, Steadfast Guardian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vedalken Orrery" href="#" target="_blank">Vedalken Orrery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Appa's second ability creates 1/1 tokens when you cast spells from exile. So this, along with Vedalken Orrery, allows you to combo right before your turn and swing with infinite 1/1s.</p>
<h2>Monk Gyatso Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Mono White Nadu?!" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Monk Gyatso
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Aang, Airbending Master
*1 Aang, the Last Airbender
*1 Anti-Venom, Horrifying Healer
*1 Anticausal Vestige
*1 Appa, Steadfast Guardian
*1 Charming Prince
*1 Claim Jumper
*1 Cloud, Midgar Mercenary
*1 Deep Gnome Terramancer
*1 Delivery Moogle
*1 Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines
*1 Enduring Innocence
*1 Fiend Hunter
*1 Flickerwisp
*1 Giver of Runes
*1 Helpful Hunter
*1 Inspiring Overseer
*1 Knight of the White Orchid
*1 Loran of the Third Path
*1 Mother of Runes
*1 Nomads en-Kor
*1 Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd
*1 Ranger of Eos
*1 Ranger-Captain of Eos
*1 Recruiter of the Guard
*1 Shaman en-Kor
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Spirited Companion
*1 Stoneforge Mystic
*1 Wall of Omens
*1 Warrior en-Kor
*1 White Orchid Phantom
*1 Witch Enchanter // Witch-Blessed Meadow
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Aetherflux Reservoir
*1 Altar of the Brood
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Archaeomancer&#039;s Map
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Grafted Wargear
*1 Lavaspur Boots
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Oketra&#039;s Monument
*1 Pearl Medallion
*1 Pre-War Formalwear
*1 Semblance Anvil
*1 Shuko
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Thought Vessel
*1 Umbral Mantle
*1 Vedalken Orrery
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Airbender Ascension
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Avatar&#039;s Wrath
*1 Farewell
*1 Sunfall
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Cloudshift
*1 Enlightened Tutor
*1 Ephemerate
*1 Generous Gift
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Silence
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Teferi&#039;s Protection
[/Instants]
[Lands]
*1 Ancient Tomb
*1 Arid Mesa
*1 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire
*1 Emeria, the Sky Ruin
*1 Fabled Passage
*1 Flagstones of Trokair
*1 Flooded Strand
*1 Marsh Flats
*1 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
*21 Plains
*1 Prismatic Vista
*1 Reliquary Tower
*1 Talon Gates of Madara
*1 Urza&#039;s Saga
*1 Windswept Heath
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>Despite my aversion to combo, I've enjoyed piloting Monk Gyatso. It's a powerful deck that isn't reliant on combos to win and can play a fair midrange game. It's definitely one of my strongest decks and can easily punch up into <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/edhrec-guide-to-commander-brackets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bracket 4</a>.</p>
<p>Even if you aren't a combo player, I'd highly suggest giving this deck a try. The combo is straightforward, which helps make tutoring much easier. And while I loaded up on tutors and some fast mana, these pieces aren't necessary. You can easily cut most of the expensive cards and still have an incredibly powerful midrange deck.</p>
<p>I'd love to hear your thoughts on the deck in the comments. What's your favorite combo commander? Do you think Monk Gyatso is underrated? And make sure to check out more <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/avatar-the-last-airbender-commander-deck-techs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Avatar</em> deck techs. </a></p>


gyatso

They Reprinted Nadu?! - Monk Gyatso Deck Tech