<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Havi, the All-Father" href="#" target="_blank">Havi, the All-Father</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>| Art by <a href="https://danielcorreia.artstation.com/">Daniel Correia</a></em></p>
<h2>Crossing the Rainbow Bridge</h2>
<p>Hello, and welcome to <em>Beyond the Multiverse! </em>Last week, I said that I was recommended a deck, but it got buried under the<em> Final Fantasy </em>previews. Recently, I was able to remember it, and now it's here. Ironically, the set actually bolstered the commander significantly. Patience is a virtue, and all that. Without further ado, let's begin.</p>
<h3>Meeting Odin</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Havi, the All-Father"></div></div>
<p>Odin and Havi (henceforth known as Odin) are one and the same, depending on who you ask. He was an Isu (read:god) who was widely revered in the Nordic pantheon. As imminent catastrophe drew closer, Odin sought a way to avoid death. He achieved this by stealing one such method from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Capitoline Triad" href="#" target="_blank">The Capitoline Triad</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Consequently, when Rangarök came and Odin died, he and eight others used <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yggdrasil, Rebirth Engine" href="#" target="_blank">Yggdrasil, Rebirth Engine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to insert their DNA into the human race. Odin himself would go on to be reborn as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eivor, Wolf-Kissed" href="#" target="_blank">Eivor, Wolf-Kissed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Odin's card seems simple enough. He wants us to run lots and lots of legendary creatures so we can exploit his <em>Sage Project </em>ability and recur said creatures. Thankfully, there's a lot of creature cards in the <em>Universes Beyond</em> card pool that work with legendary creatures. The result is a simple deck with a simple gameplan.</p>
<h3>Opening the Doors to Valhalla</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Serah Farron"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Surtr, Fiery Jötun"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Samwise Gamgee"></div></div>
<p>Like I said, there's a number of cards that work with legendary cards. However, this is mostly in the guise of a theme of historic cards. Firstly, we witness the return of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Surtr, Fiery Jötun" href="#" target="_blank">Surtr, Fiery Jötun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who is an ironic flavor fit here. With each historic spell cast, we can bolt something (or someone's face if we're inclined). Speaking of opponents' faces, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arbaaz Mir" href="#" target="_blank">Arbaaz Mir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> drains our opponents for each historic spell cast. Meanwhile, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gimli of the Glittering Caves" href="#" target="_blank">Gimli of the Glittering Caves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Legolas Greenleaf" href="#" target="_blank">Legolas Greenleaf</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> get stronger for each legendary creature we cast. From the same IP, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Samwise Gamgee" href="#" target="_blank">Samwise Gamgee</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> allows us to recur historic cards from our graveyard. Worth noting that a deck with Odin tends to run a lot of creatures. Having said that, we'll be making a lot of Food tokens.</p>
<p>Waiting for the <em>Final Fantasy </em>set proved worthwhile since doing so gave us more options for this deck. In that vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Serah Farron" href="#" target="_blank">Serah Farron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is among the best from the release. We'll have more than enough legendary creatures to flip her. Once she does, she becomes an anthem for our legends. Both sides also reduce the cost of legendary creatures we cast. However, that discount only applies to our first legend spell cast, so choose wisely. Also, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Venat, Heart of Hydaelyn" href="#" target="_blank">Venat, Heart of Hydaelyn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> draws us a card each turn if we cast a legend. If we can pay a whopping seven mana to blow something up, we get to flip her. When that happens, Hydaelyn will bolster a creature and give it indestructible; if it's a legendary creature, we get to draw a card as well.</p>
<h3>The Endless Battle</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bayek of Siwa"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aragorn, Hornburg Hero"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lightning, Army of One"></div></div>
<p>Earlier, I said Odin's gameplan was simple, and it really is: ATTACK! Being in red, green, and white really helps with this. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tifa, Martial Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Tifa, Martial Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will boost herself and will potentially give us an extra combat step. If multiple creatures with power seven or greater hit other opponents as well, that's even more combat steps! Combine her with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bayek of Siwa" href="#" target="_blank">Bayek of Siwa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for so many combat steps we effectively win that turn. Speaking of double strike, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sabin, Master Monk" href="#" target="_blank">Sabin, Master Monk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will be sure to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Suplex" href="#" target="_blank">Suplex</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> our opponents while being able to recur himself via the blitz ability.</p>
<p>There's also some great incentives to attack. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning, Army of One" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning, Army of One</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, when she connects, will ensure that an opponent will take double damage until our next turn. Be sure to give her double strike, too. With each historic spell cast, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jamie McCrimmon" href="#" target="_blank">Jamie McCrimmon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will get huge, and he already has trample to boot. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heroes&#039; Podium|who|242" href="#" target="_blank">Heroes&#039; Podium</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Day of Destiny|who|206" href="#" target="_blank">Day of Destiny</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flowering of the White Tree" href="#" target="_blank">Flowering of the White Tree</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, alongside others, will boost our legends into beefy threats. In addition, <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> gives a small boost to our legends, but the most important part is that it grants our creatures haste.</p>
<p>The beauty of this deck is that we can mix and match our legends line up to our tastes, since there's so many options out there.</p>
<h3>All-You-Can-Eat Feast</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond - Odin (Not the FF One)" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Havi, the All-Father
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Aerith, Last Ancient
*1 Aragorn, Hornburg Hero
*1 Arbaaz Mir
*1 Arwen, Weaver of Hope
*1 Azusa, Lost but Seeking
*1 Bayek of Siwa
*1 Bruse Tarl, Boorish Herder
*1 Cyan, Vengeful Samurai
*1 Etali, Primal Storm
*1 Gau, Feral Youth
*1 Gimli of the Glittering Caves
*1 Jamie McCrimmon
*1 Jenny, Generated Anomaly
*1 Legolas Greenleaf
*1 Lightning, Army of One
*1 Loran of the Third Path
*1 Mangara, the Diplomat
*1 Sabin, Master Monk
*1 Samut, Voice of Dissent
*1 Samwise Gamgee
*1 Serah Farron // Crystallized Serah
*1 Surtr, Fiery Jötun
*1 Tifa, Martial Artist
*1 Toski, Bearer of Secrets
*1 Venat, Heart of Hydaelyn // Hydaelyn, the Mothercrystal
*1 Vincent, Vengeful Atoner
*1 Wakka, Devoted Guardian
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Day of Destiny
*1 Flowering of the White Tree
*1 Furious Rise
*1 Guardian Project
*1 Path of Discovery
*1 Rising of the Day
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 Akroma&#039;s Will
*1 Beast Within
*1 Big Score
*1 Boros Charm
*1 Clever Concealment
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Entish Restoration
*1 Harrow
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Lifestream&#039;s Blessing
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Savage Beating
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Ultimate Magic: Holy
*1 Unexpected Windfall
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Blasphemous Act
*1 Chandra&#039;s Ignition
*1 Cleansing Nova
*1 Cultivate
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Farseek
*1 Hull Breach
*1 Nature&#039;s Lore
*1 Overwhelming Stampede
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Three Visits
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Heroes&#039; Podium
*1 Sol Ring
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Fabled Passage
*7 Forest
*1 Fortified Village
*1 Furycalm Snarl
*1 Game Trail
*7 Mountain
*1 Path of Ancestry
*7 Plains
*1 Radiant Grove
*1 Rockfall Vale
*1 Rootbound Crag
*1 Sacred Peaks
*1 Sundown Pass
*1 Sunpetal Grove
*1 The Grey Havens
*1 Wooded Ridgeline
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h3>The Stories of Our Time</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gau, Feral Youth"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Overwhelming Stampede"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cyan, Vengeful Samurai"></div></div>
<p>The average Odin list is as I described it, and this list is no exception. Both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gau, Feral Youth" href="#" target="_blank">Gau, Feral Youth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyan, Vengeful Samurai" href="#" target="_blank">Cyan, Vengeful Samurai</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> get benefits from creatures leaving our graveyard. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Savage Beating|mar|26" href="#" target="_blank">Savage Beating</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overwhelming Stampede|ltc|254" href="#" target="_blank">Overwhelming Stampede</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can end games outright if we have the set up for them. The protection spells (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ultimate Magic: Holy" href="#" target="_blank">Ultimate Magic: Holy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, etc.) shield our board while we reach said board state. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Samut, Voice of Dissent|sld|1451" href="#" target="_blank">Samut, Voice of Dissent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives our creatures haste and is a decent attacker in one card; the activated ability is just the gravy on top.</p>
<p>In addition, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wakka, Devoted Guardian" href="#" target="_blank">Wakka, Devoted Guardian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a nifty card. He's got two relevant keywords, decent stats, removes pesky artifacts or enchantments, and buffs our team. That's a lot of utility if you ask me. Speaking of utility, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jenny, Generated Anomaly" href="#" target="_blank">Jenny, Generated Anomaly</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has double strike and lets us explore twice if we hit someone with her. That said, she's on the frail end, so boosting her stats would help. As a consequence, our opponents will block her and deny the triggers if she's big enough.</p>
<h3>Tales Beyond Valhalla</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Saffi Eriksdotter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cadric, Soul Kindler"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Annie Joins Up"></div></div>
<p>Going in-universe gives us a lot to work with, and these words don't do it justice. The big addition is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Saffi Eriksdotter" href="#" target="_blank">Saffi Eriksdotter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who can sacrifice herself to save a creature, and bring back a cheaper creature. Then, the next time a creature dies, we can bring Saffi right back to do it again! There's got to be some kind of combo somewhere. On the other hand, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cadric, Soul Kindler" href="#" target="_blank">Cadric, Soul Kindler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> creates a copy of any legend we cast. The juicy part is that we sacrifice the token later on, so it would trigger Odin to bring something back. I'm not a judge, so correct me if this isn't right. Of course, what's a legends deck without a doubler like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Annie Joins Up" href="#" target="_blank">Annie Joins Up</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>?</p>
<p>Moreover, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reki, the History of Kamigawa" href="#" target="_blank">Reki, the History of Kamigawa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will potentially draw a lot of cards. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hajar, Loyal Bodyguard" href="#" target="_blank">Hajar, Loyal Bodyguard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be repeatedly recurred to protect our creatures. If we wanted to add a few tutors, a good one would be <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Captain Sisay" href="#" target="_blank">Captain Sisay</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kolvori, God of Kinship" href="#" target="_blank">Kolvori, God of Kinship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Djeru and Hazoret" href="#" target="_blank">Djeru and Hazoret</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will help us dig for even more legends for us to cast. Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bard Class" href="#" target="_blank">Bard Class</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> buffs legends, makes them cheaper, and exiles a couple off the top to cast if we cast a legend.</p>
<h3>Final Oblivion</h3>
<p>In summary, it's safe to say that Odin's emblematic of the heavy dose of legendary creatures (historic cards, too) coming out of <em>Universes Beyond</em> releases. It's a kind of deck that'll only get more support as time goes on. However, like a lot of commanders in this archetype, Odin gets overshadowed by the likes of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jodah, the Unifier" href="#" target="_blank">Jodah, the Unifier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Frankly, that's too easy, and it'd be more reward if you were to shave a color or three off. Going for fewer colors tends to breed creativity, which is part of the fun.</p>
<p>Come back next time when we tackle a deck I tried to make earlier this year, but couldn't. Watching it in action and reading the card again has given me an idea. Tune in to see precisely what I'm scheming next time.</p>


Beyond the Multiverse-Havi, the All-Father

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="SP//dr, Piloted by Peni" href="#" target="_blank">SP//dr, Piloted by Peni</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://toniinfante.com/">Toni Infante</a></em></h6>
<p>Hello, everyone, my name is Jonathan, and today I'll be going over the best uncommon legends from <em>Marvel's Spider-Man</em>!</p>
<p>As we know, this set brought along a ton of new possible commanders, and, while everyone's attention was focused on rares and mythic rares, this time I'll be looking at some of the numerous uncommon cards you might have overlooked among all of these new toys!</p>
<p>One quick side note before starting: I'll cover them in color identity order. This means that the order they are presented in does not reflect the quality of the cards at all. With this out of the way, let's dive into the best uncommon legends!</p>
<hr />
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chameleon, Master of Disguise" href="#" target="_blank">Chameleon, Master of Disguise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chameleon, Master of Disguise"></div></div>
<p>I already talked about this card at length in <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/the-best-mayhem-cards-from-marvels-spider-man">another article</a>, so I won't repeat myself too much, but I also <em>really</em> need to express how powerful this card is. In fact, when put into the right list, this is a three-mana clone effect that circumvents the legend rule, perhaps allowing you to have two copies of your commander in play at the same time. Retaining its name although it has another creature's textbox immediately puts this card in the same tier as staples of the format such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spark Double" href="#" target="_blank">Spark Double</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sakashima of a Thousand Faces" href="#" target="_blank">Sakashima of a Thousand Faces</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>I wouldn't recommend playing it as your commander of choice, since the aforementioned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sakashima of a Thousand Faces" href="#" target="_blank">Sakashima of a Thousand Faces</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> actually does its job better. Nonetheless, it's still a great legend to put in the 99, so if your deck cares about your commander (as it should), this is a card you should absolutely consider including, especially if you run discard synergies.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chameleon, Master of Disguise"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spark Double"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sakashima of a Thousand Faces"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Madame Web, Clairvoyant" href="#" target="_blank">Madame Web, Clairvoyant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Madame Web, Clairvoyant"></div></div>
<p>Let's start with this card's glaring problem: its mana value. Before reading what it does, this is a six-mana mono-blue creature with no built-in protection. In other words, it's an expensive card in a color combination with little to no ramp and it requires additional cards to grant its survivability.</p>
<p>But hey, many great stories have a rough start.</p>
<p>Looking at its effects, that's where things get interesting. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Madame Web, Clairvoyant" href="#" target="_blank">Madame Web</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> allows us to look at and cast noncreature cards from the top card of our library, and she also offers some top deck manipulation. Yes, I did omit the "Spider spells" part of its effect, but for a good reason: there are only 8 Spiders that can be played in mono-blue decks, so that's basically a non-existent line.</p>
<p>This card's effects are for sure interesting, for it basically grants unlimited card draw as long as there's a noncreature spell on the top of our library. Of course, it pairs extremely well with cantrips like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brainstorm" href="#" target="_blank">Brainstorm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ponder" href="#" target="_blank">Ponder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Preordain" href="#" target="_blank">Preordain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can both be cast from the top <em>and</em> help us manipulate said top of the library.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, its drawbacks are equally relevant. Mainly, if our deck is not stacked correctly, we've basically paid six mana for a vanilla 4/4 with quite the target on its back.</p>
<p>All in all, this is for sure an interesting commander to build around, perhaps including cards with flashback to take advantage of the light mill sub-theme. I could also see it as a secret backup commander in the 99 of certain decks; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kess, Dissident Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Kess, Dissident Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> comes off the top of my head.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brainstorm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ponder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kess, Dissident Mage"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spider-Man Noir" href="#" target="_blank">Spider-Man Noir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spider-Man Noir"></div></div>
<p>This card makes for an interesting counter/reanimator commander. In fact, when reanimating, you usually end up with one scary creature attacking, and it's rather difficult to build a wider board. That's where <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spider-Man Noir" href="#" target="_blank">Spider-Man Noir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> comes in clutch, rewarding you for attacking with only one body. At the same time, it synergizes well with small creatures that put counters on themselves, like the evergreen <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>.</p>
<p>Hence, the intended gameplan of the deck would be playing a bunch of small- to medium-sized creatures with a bunch of counters on them in the early game while filling the graveyard however you like. Then, in the midgame, our commander can start putting in some work, keeping the counters flowing and the graveyard full. Lastly, in the late game, our big monsters can come back form the underworld to close out the matter.</p>
<p>The clear problem with this idea is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spider-Man Noir" href="#" target="_blank">Spider-Man Noir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s mana cost. In fact, five mana is a bit too high for the whole engine to function without any effort. Of course, black's many ritual effects can help playing our commander earlier than usual, but that only goes so far.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Walking Ballista"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reanimate"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dark Ritual"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="SP//dr, Piloted by Peni" href="#" target="_blank">SP//dr, Piloted by Peni</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="SP//dr, Piloted by Peni"></div></div>
<p>This one is among the most interesting cards we've discussed today.</p>
<p>Let's get the obvious critique out of the way: it's a bit overpriced for its effect, but that's a leitmotiv across all of today's cards at this point.</p>
<p>Now, getting to the juicy part of this creature: it grants an absurd amount of card draw. It's extremely easy to modify a creature, and everyone can choose their own preferred flavor: counters, Auras, or Equipment. Personally, I'd recommend the latter two in this specific case, for they offer more options to grant evasion to your creatures. In fact, considering we are playing a white-blue commander, not many of our bodies will have built-in ways to grant they'll connect in combat. Of course, we can count on flyers, but something as simple as an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aqueous Form" href="#" target="_blank">Aqueous Form</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Loxodon Warhammer" href="#" target="_blank">Loxodon Warhammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will most likely have more success.</p>
<p>The icing on this very tasty cake is the counter that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="SP//dr, Piloted by Peni" href="#" target="_blank">SP//dr, Piloted by Peni</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> comes with as it enters the battlefield: this allows any other creature to immediately become modified and, therefore, a draw engine.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Abzan Falconer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aqueous Form"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Loxodon Warhammer"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prowler, Clawed Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Prowler, Clawed Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vulture, Scheming Scavenger" href="#" target="_blank">Vulture, Scheming Scavenger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Prowler, Clawed Thief"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vulture, Scheming Scavenger"></div></div>
<p>I wanted to cover these two cards together because they both fuel a new kindred strategy that this set has created: Villains. Actually, I had wanted to talk about another card first, namely, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tombstone, Career Criminal" href="#" target="_blank">Tombstone, Career Criminal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but I couldn't really justify it being at the helm of a mono-black Villain deck.</p>
<p>Instead, I'd like to refer to these three cards as the core of this new kindred deck, for they all bring something powerful to the table.</p>
<p>Starting with the last mentioned, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tombstone, Career Criminal" href="#" target="_blank">Tombstone, Career Criminal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a perfect pivotal card for such a build. It provides recursion in the mid-to-late game while also counting on a very good effect throughout the game.</p>
<p>Next, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vulture, Scheming Scavenger" href="#" target="_blank">Vulture, Scheming Scavenger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a very good aggressive card, making all of our Villains more difficult to block and giving us an incentive to enter the red zone as much as possible. The main problem with this card is, once again, its cost: six mana is way too much for such a simple effect, especially considering it doesn't have any kind of protection written in its text.</p>
<p>Last but not least, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prowler, Clawed Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Prowler, Clawed Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the true star of the show. First and foremost, it's as cheap as it gets: a three-mana evasive creature that can start swinging early. Yet, the truly interesting part comes in the second half of the card. In fact, not only is it cheap, it is also very good when played early, for every subsequent Villain will grant us card selection <em>and</em> graveyard filling.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tombstone, Career Criminal"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vulture, Scheming Scavenger"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Prowler, Clawed Thief"></div></div>
<p>In addition, the latter two commanders truly benefit from their color identity. Being in Dimir colors vastly deepens the pool of Villains to choose from, which was the main reason that prevented me from considering <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tombstone, Career Criminal" href="#" target="_blank">Tombstone, Career Criminal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as a possible commander. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prowler, Clawed Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Prowler, Clawed Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in particular shines as a general option, both for the reasons mentioned before and because it fuels a graveyard-matters subtheme. Of course, both of the other two mentioned Villains perfectly fit in this strategy.</p>
<p>The only limiting factor I notice is the sheer number of creatures to choose from. It's true that the blue-black identity increases this quantity, but it's still far from many other established kindred strategies. As of now, there are 32 Villains in Dimir colors, which is not bad, but not excellent either. This implies we might end up including cards we don't really want to only for consistency's sake, and that's never a good sign.</p>
<p>All in all, I think this is a very promising deck idea, but it heavily relies on how much support the archetype will receive in future sets.</p>
<hr />
<p>This is all from me for now! Do you have any additional thoughts on the commanders discussed today? Would you have included some more? Let me know in the comments down below!</p>


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