Do Your Worst - Mono-Black Blink

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Damnation" href="#" target="_blank">Damnation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://www.artofmtg.com/artist/kev-walker/">Kev Walker</a>)</h6>
<h1>Colorology</h1>
<p>Greetings, everyone, and welcome back to <em>Grapple With the Past</em>, a series in which we look back at the set pages for old releases to discuss the cards that made it and the cards that fell into obscurity in EDH. Once a set releases, Commander players write and read reviews, test out the new cards, and incorporate winners into their EDH repertoire. But with the constant stream of new products, it’s easy for cards to slip through the cracks. I’ve found that by exploring set pages on EDHREC, I frequently stumble upon cards that could easily find a spot in one of my decks. In this series we look for irregularities in the data, try to identify sleeper cards from formats past, and discuss the legacy of particular sets in Commander.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Akroma, Angel of Fury"></div></div>
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<p>The <em>Magic: the Gathering</em> releases that I most enthusiastically and unerringly love are the ones that play with my understanding of the game. I started playing around the time of the original <em>Mirrodin</em> block, but I took a break from <em>Magic</em> after <em>Dissension</em>. As such, <em>Planar Chaos</em> has been a blind spot for me. The game has changed considerably in the last thirteen years, and yet, looking back through EDHREC, there are still cards and ideas that surprise and delight me from this set.</p>
<p>At a glance, the most salient feature of <em>Planar Chaos</em> is its ambition. It reappropriated mechanics among the colors, reimagined popular characters, and printed some of the weirdest cards I've ever seen. In what other world would <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Temporal Extortion" href="#" target="_blank">Temporal Extortion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> even be possible? And all in one set!</p>
<p>These qualities also make it an interesting set for EDH, a format where color identity and the effects available to any given color matters more than anywhere else. Let's take a look at the cards that make waves and which remain under the surface for Commander from <em>Planar Chaos</em>.</p>
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<h2>The Commander Class</h2>
<p>While the commander options on display from this set may be outclassed in this day and age, some are still quite playable. Others, however, are an interesting window back into an older version of EDH.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Intet, the Dreamer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Braids, Conjurer Adept"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Radha, Heir to Keld"></div></div>
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<p>I remember running into the old three-color cycle of Dragon commanders fairly frequently. Nowadays, it's easy to look at <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Intet, the Dreamer" href="#" target="_blank">Intet, the Dreamer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teneb, the Harvester" href="#" target="_blank">Teneb, the Harvester</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Numot, the Devastator" href="#" target="_blank">Numot, the Devastator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and dismiss them on how expensive and slow they are, but they were pretty popular generals when I started playing EDH. I would love to build and play some of these Dragons today, but it just isn't interesting anymore now that there are so many more efficient commander options.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Braids, Conjurer Adept" href="#" target="_blank">Braids, Conjurer Adept</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, on the other hand, is today the most popular commander from this set. I haven't played against a Braids deck before, but I would bet that some of this additional popularity is due to publicity from Jumbo Commander. He has a very <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0FZfSawZjU">fun Braids deck</a>.</p>
<p>The rest of the commanders here are pretty innocuous. One time I played against a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Radha, Heir to Keld" href="#" target="_blank">Radha, Heir to Keld</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> mana dork tribal deck, but I can't say I've seen any of these others in the wild.</p>
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<h2>The Top 10</h2>
<p>This set is immediately recognizable based on its top ten cards. Even if you've never heard the name <em>Planar Chaos</em> before, you've been exposed to some of these cards. Not only is the card quality from this set perfectly pitched for Commander, it also distributes much-needed effects among the colors.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Harmonize"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Damnation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pongify"></div></div>
<p>What a murderer's row for EDH. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harmonize" href="#" target="_blank">Harmonize</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the best generic card advantage in green. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pongify" href="#" target="_blank">Pongify</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is some of the best creature removal for blue. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Damnation" href="#" target="_blank">Damnation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is second only to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toxic Deluge" href="#" target="_blank">Toxic Deluge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in terms of black board wipes. I won't dwell too long on these staples in the top ten. We know them. We love them. They're still among the best options in the format. This isn't even mentioning the other staples in the top ten including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth" href="#" target="_blank">Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mesa Enchantress" href="#" target="_blank">Mesa Enchantress</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Teneb, the Harvester"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pyrohemia"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Necrotic Sliver"></div></div></div>
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<div>In what may seem like a strange turn, two of the aforementioned Dragons also make their way into the top ten. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Intet, the Dreamer" href="#" target="_blank">Intet, the Dreamer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teneb, the Harvester" href="#" target="_blank">Teneb, the Harvester</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> both find themselves in the 99 of 5% or more of possible decks. Both see play primarily in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scion of the Ur-dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Scion of the Ur-dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Ur-dragon" href="#" target="_blank">The Ur-dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> decks. Similarly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Necrotic Sliver" href="#" target="_blank">Necrotic Sliver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> finds itself here based on its play in Sliver tribal decks. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pyrohemia" href="#" target="_blank">Pyrohemia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, on the other hand, seems like an outlier. It sees play in more decks than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pestilence" href="#" target="_blank">Pestilence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> by more than 2000 decks. Is this effect really that much more valuable in red? In <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Neheb, the Eternal" href="#" target="_blank">Neheb, the Eternal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Torbran, Thane of Red Fell" href="#" target="_blank">Torbran, Thane of Red Fell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> decks, this card is a star.</div>
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<h2>Think Twice</h2>
<p>There are so many interesting cards to dissect from this set that this article could turn into a novela if I'm not careful. Because of this, I'll only focus on nine of my favorites, cards that I've played and been impressed by.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dreamscape Artist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reality Acid"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rebuff the Wicked"></div></div></div>
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<p>If anybody at <em>Wizards</em> reads this, please note that Spellshapers are my favorite creature type and I would love a <em>Spellshaper</em> general in any subsequent Commander product. The idea behind Dreamscape artist is compelling. You can essentially transform any card in your hand into a blue <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harrow" href="#" target="_blank">Harrow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. As with most Spellshapers, this is very good in any blue deck that plays with its graveyard. If you can discard a <em>Flashback</em> or <em>Jump-Start</em> card with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dreamscape Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Dreamscape Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deep Analysis" href="#" target="_blank">Deep Analysis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chemister&#039;s Insight" href="#" target="_blank">Chemister&#039;s Insight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you're already producing above-average value and ramping lands in blue.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reality Acid" href="#" target="_blank">Reality Acid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has been an all-star in my blink decks. Blinking this enchantment with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aminatou, the Fateshifter" href="#" target="_blank">Aminatou, the Fateshifter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerful control engine.</p>
<p>Finally, I really like surprising players in white. Over time, people I've played with have gotten wise to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lapse of Certainty" href="#" target="_blank">Lapse of Certainty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rebuff the Wicked" href="#" target="_blank">Rebuff the Wicked</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is still unexpected. While this card is actually most similar to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gods Willing" href="#" target="_blank">Gods Willing</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> rather than most counterspells, it can still protect a key piece of your board in a pinch, whether it be a creature, an artifact, or even a land. It's been a long time since <em>Wizards</em> has played with giving white counter magic, but I think the effect fits the color well.</p>
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<div><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Imp&#039;s Mischief"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kor Dirge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Treacherous Urge"></div></div></div>
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<p><em>Planar Chaos</em> gave <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toshiro Umezawa" href="#" target="_blank">Toshiro Umezawa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> a few gifts. If you still haven't hopped on the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Imp&#039;s Mischief" href="#" target="_blank">Imp&#039;s Mischief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> train, I'm here to advocate for it. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shunt" href="#" target="_blank">Shunt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects are sorely underrated in EDH, especially in removal-heavy metas. This effect is a perfect way to punish a player for messing with your board. Outside of that scenario, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Imp&#039;s Mischief" href="#" target="_blank">Imp&#039;s Mischief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is also good when there is a clear archenemy at the table. Any removal spell that they cast can be used against them. It can even clear up counterspell wars. Because EDH players tend to favor cheap removal, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Imp&#039;s Mischief" href="#" target="_blank">Imp&#039;s Mischief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> won't even make you lose too much life. It's just good.</p>
<p>In a similar vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kor Dirge" href="#" target="_blank">Kor Dirge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great you-did-this-to-yourself style of removal spell. You can use it to blank an attack or blank a block. It's much more limited in its application than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Imp&#039;s Mischief" href="#" target="_blank">Imp&#039;s Mischief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but it still has a place in some decks.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treacherous Urge" href="#" target="_blank">Treacherous Urge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a fun card that reminds me of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mindclaw Shaman" href="#" target="_blank">Mindclaw Shaman</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Hand disruption in EDH usually isn't great, but if it provides you with significant value, it can work. Think <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syphon Mind" href="#" target="_blank">Syphon Mind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. You would run <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syphon Mind" href="#" target="_blank">Syphon Mind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> even if it didn't make your opponents discard. Similarly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treacherous Urge" href="#" target="_blank">Treacherous Urge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is amazing in pods with players that like ramping into haymakers.</p>
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<div><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Porphyry Nodes"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mantle of Leadership"></div></div></div>
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<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Porphyry Nodes" href="#" target="_blank">Porphyry Nodes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is and always has been an underrated card for enchantment decks. It doesn't play well with enchantresses, but it can really control a board, especially if you already run a lot of removal. And for one mana, you can't get a better deal. Consider this in enchantment-focused decks that want to draw out a game, decks that already play cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Luminarch Ascension" href="#" target="_blank">Luminarch Ascension</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mantle of Leadership" href="#" target="_blank">Mantle of Leadership</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a house. I play this in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kykar, Wind&#039;s Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Kykar, Wind&#039;s Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and it can turn my Bird into a one-shot Voltron commander all on its own. Consider this card in decks that produce a lot of tokens all at once. This should be played in almost every <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Siona, Captain of the Pyleas" href="#" target="_blank">Siona, Captain of the Pyleas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck from here on.</p>
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<h1>Up Next</h1>
<p>That's that for <em>Planar Chaos</em>. I am very sorry that I couldn't get to your comments in a timely fashion last week: I was moving across the country and rarely had internet for that week. I'll be engaged in the comments of this article as usual!</p>
<p>What do you all think of this set? What cards do you run? Most importantly, what is your favorite colorshifted effect? Which colorshifted effect belongs in its new color? Is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harmonize" href="#" target="_blank">Harmonize</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> appropriate as a green card? Should white receive more counterspells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rebuff the Wicked" href="#" target="_blank">Rebuff the Wicked</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? Is blue a good home for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harrow" href="#" target="_blank">Harrow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? Finally, what important character from <em>Magic</em>'s history deserves to be colorshifted like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akroma, Angel of Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Akroma, Angel of Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? I would love to see some of the Gods colorshifted. Not Heliod, he should stay white. Maybe a white Bontu or a black Hazoret. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!</p>
<p>What set do you want to see next? Remember to EDHREC responsibly: always dig a little beyond the statistics. I’ll see you all on down the road.</p>


imps mischief

Do Your Worst - Mono-Black Blink

Grapple with the Past - Planar Chaos