Iroh, Firebending Instructor Commander Deck Tech

<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>


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