<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ravenous Squirrel" href="#" target="_blank">Ravenous Squirrel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://danscottart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dan Scott</a></em></p>
<p>Like most people, the first Commander deck I ever built was a total mess of cards with no real theme. At first, I had <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vraska, Relic Seeker" href="#" target="_blank">Vraska, Relic Seeker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in the command zone, until I was informed that planeswalkers couldn't be commanders. (I still think that's stupid.) Then, it was <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pharika, God of Affliction" href="#" target="_blank">Pharika, God of Affliction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, because I thought that card looked sick. Unfortunately, even though it did have some awesome art, it wasn't very good.</p>
<p>But finally, I landed on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest" href="#" target="_blank">Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and I had enough random sacrifice cards in the deck that it was actually alright! I still have that deck to this day, and it's grown pretty strong.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ravenous Squirrel"></div></div>
<p>But of course, this is a Pauper series, and Mazirek is not an uncommon commander. So instead, we're gonna be building around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ravenous Squirrel" href="#" target="_blank">Ravenous Squirrel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a one-mana rodent that wants to see as many cards on the altar as possible.</p>
<p>Every time we sacrifice a creature or artifact, the Squirrel grows, and we can pay three mana to sacrifice one of those in exchange for a card and a life. Not exactly Mazirek, but I think we can make a deck with the same spirit - and hopefully equivalent Pauper power level.</p>
<h2>To the Altar!</h2>
<p>So obviously, the place to start is with sacrificing. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Carrion Feeder" href="#" target="_blank">Carrion Feeder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Viscera Seer" href="#" target="_blank">Viscera Seer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are the perfect cards to begin with, as one-mana creatures that can sacrifice any number of others in a turn. We'll support them with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phyrexian Ghoul" href="#" target="_blank">Phyrexian Ghoul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nantuko Husk" href="#" target="_blank">Nantuko Husk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodthrone Vampire" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodthrone Vampire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who are more expensive, but still highly effective.</p>
<p>Finally, there's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ashnod&#039;s Altar" href="#" target="_blank">Ashnod&#039;s Altar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, the best sacrifice outlet of them all, and a card that I'm always surprised was printed at common.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Carrion Feeder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Phyrexian Ghoul"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ashnod&#039;s Altar"></div></div>
<p>Now, I'd like to play as many artifacts and creatures as possible, so that our sacrifice outlets can also be our sacrifice fodder, but there are a few instants and sorceries that are just too good to pass up.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deadly Dispute" href="#" target="_blank">Deadly Dispute</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for instance, sacrifices a creature, draws two cards, and makes another permanent that can trigger our commander, all for two mana. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reckoner&#039;s Bargain" href="#" target="_blank">Reckoner&#039;s Bargain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Village Rites" href="#" target="_blank">Village Rites</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Corrupted Conviction" href="#" target="_blank">Corrupted Conviction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fanatical Offering" href="#" target="_blank">Fanatical Offering</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all exist in the same vein, sacrificing permanents in exchange for cards.</p>
<p>It's a great deal to make; we trigger our commander for cheap, and draw more cards that can enlarge our commander further.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deadly Dispute"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reckoner&#039;s Bargain"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Village Rites"></div></div>
<h2>Victims</h2>
<p>That should be enough to consistently grow our Squirrel, but it's not terribly efficient to pay three for a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phyrexian Ghoul" href="#" target="_blank">Phyrexian Ghoul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and sacrifice it to itself. So let's see what cards can make a ton of sacrifice fodder.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elfsworn Giant" href="#" target="_blank">Elfsworn Giant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has to be the best one in the deck, making an Elf for every land we play, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sporemound" href="#" target="_blank">Sporemound</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a nearly identical twin.</p>
<p>Then there's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Drey Keeper" href="#" target="_blank">Drey Keeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kozilek&#039;s Predator" href="#" target="_blank">Kozilek&#039;s Predator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which create a total of three bodies on entry, and the Keeper has the upside of giving our commander menace, while the Predator's tokens can sacrifice themselves. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glittermonger" href="#" target="_blank">Glittermonger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is also spectacular, creating a Treasure token every single turn.</p>
<p>Finally, at the bottom of our list, we have some creatures that can die twice, sometimes literally, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Young Wolf" href="#" target="_blank">Young Wolf</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or just in principle, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shambling Ghast" href="#" target="_blank">Shambling Ghast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blisterpod" href="#" target="_blank">Blisterpod</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elfsworn Giant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Drey Keeper"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Young Wolf"></div></div>
<h2>Now To War!</h2>
<p>Now for the matter of putting this slaughter to use. Our commander is pretty great, so why not have multiple? Both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodbriar" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodbriar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gixian Infiltrator" href="#" target="_blank">Gixian Infiltrator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> grow with every sacrifice, just like our Ravenous Squirrel. Along with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Carrion Feeder" href="#" target="_blank">Carrion Feeder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and all our other creatures that can grow, we could have quite a few threatening giants.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodbriar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gixian Infiltrator"></div></div>
<p>And we don't want to leave them hanging, do we? Well, maybe, if they're hanging from a glider. Flying is absolutely the most effective evasive ability, so we'll pack the deck with Equipment like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cobbled Wings" href="#" target="_blank">Cobbled Wings</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gilded Pinions" href="#" target="_blank">Gilded Pinions</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wings of Hubris" href="#" target="_blank">Wings of Hubris</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and any other cards that can put a colossal Squirrel in the air.</p>
<p>We'll make sure to use Equipment, rather than Auras, because we may want to put them on the altar at some point. It's an unlikely scenario, but theoretically you could sacrifice those wings after blockers have been declared to get a game winning point of damage.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cobbled Wings"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gilded Pinions"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wings of Hubris"></div></div>
<p>But that extra +1/+1 counter is useless if your opponents just remove the big Squirrel. So, as with any Voltron deck, we need some protection. Luckily, we're in green, so it's easy peazy.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tamiyo&#039;s Safekeeping" href="#" target="_blank">Tamiyo&#039;s Safekeeping</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gaea&#039;s Gift" href="#" target="_blank">Gaea&#039;s Gift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ranger&#039;s Guile" href="#" target="_blank">Ranger&#039;s Guile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, yeah yeah yeah. All the usual stuff. What I didn't know about, however, was that black actually has some decent protection spells. And I'm not talking about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Not Dead After All" href="#" target="_blank">Not Dead After All</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, because that card wouldn't bring back the counters. I mean <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oblivion&#039;s Hunger" href="#" target="_blank">Oblivion&#039;s Hunger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a card that gives our commander indestructible and draws a card! Awesome.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tamiyo&#039;s Safekeeping"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gaea&#039;s Gift"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Oblivion&#039;s Hunger"></div></div>
<p>Finally, the last step of any good Voltron deck, throwing our commander at someone's face for a ton of direct damage. Usually, that would be done with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fling" href="#" target="_blank">Fling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or some other red variant of those cards. Fling cards are very popular, and for good reason, but there are actually two underplayed black spells that may be even better.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rite of Consumption" href="#" target="_blank">Rite of Consumption</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is literally <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fling" href="#" target="_blank">Fling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but it gains you life! And then, for one more mana, you have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Essence Harvest" href="#" target="_blank">Essence Harvest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which doesn't even require a sacrifice! Perfect, right?</p>
<p>Ok, yeah, clearly the problem is that they're not instants. Yes, I do agree that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fling" href="#" target="_blank">Fling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a better card because it's an instant, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rite of Consumption" href="#" target="_blank">Rite of Consumption</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> isn't as terrible as sorcery speed removal. Most of the time, you'll be casting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fling" href="#" target="_blank">Fling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> right after combat, in your second main phase, in an attempt to win the game.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fling"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rite of Consumption"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Essence Harvest"></div></div>
<p>Sure, you <em>could</em> wait till your opponent's turn, but because it's often the last action in a game, I don't see sorcery speed as a huge deal for these cards. Also, we're not in red. Duh.</p>
<h2>Ravenous Squirrel Pauper Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Pauper Commander - Ravenous Squirrel" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Ravenous Squirrel
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Bayou Groff
*1 Blisterpod
*1 Bloodbriar
*1 Bloodthrone Vampire
*1 Brindle Shoat
*1 Carrier Thrall
*1 Carrion Feeder
*1 Caustic Caterpillar
*1 Copper Myr
*1 Crypt Rats
*1 Dimir House Guard
*1 Drey Keeper
*1 Duskshell Crawler
*1 Eldrazi Repurposer
*1 Elfsworn Giant
*1 Gixian Infiltrator
*1 Glittermonger
*1 Greedy Freebooter
*1 Guildsworn Prowler
*1 Infestation Sage
*1 Jewel Thief
*1 Kozilek&#039;s Predator
*1 Mortician Beetle
*1 Nantuko Husk
*1 Nested Shambler
*1 Phyrexian Ghoul
*1 Sakura-Tribe Elder
*1 Shambling Ghast
*1 Sporemound
*1 Tukatongue Thallid
*1 Viridian Emissary
*1 Viscera Seer
*1 Yavimaya Elder
*1 Young Wolf
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Ashnod&#039;s Altar
*1 Blood Fountain
*1 Chromatic Sphere
*1 Cobbled Wings
*1 Gilded Pinions
*1 Golgari Signet
*1 Heaped Harvest
*1 Ichor Wellspring
*1 Nihil Spellbomb
*1 Nimblewright Schematic
*1 Prized Statue
*1 Tormod&#039;s Crypt
*1 Wings of Hubris
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Bone Shards
*1 Bone Splinters
*1 Chatterstorm
*1 Essence Harvest
*1 Feed the Swarm
*1 Malevolent Rumble
*1 Night&#039;s Whisper
*1 Rite of Consumption
*1 Sign in Blood
*1 Spark Harvest
*1 Unearth
*1 Vampire&#039;s Kiss
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Corrupted Conviction
*1 Deadly Dispute
*1 Eviscerator&#039;s Insight
*1 Fanatical Offering
*1 Gaea&#039;s Gift
*1 Oblivion&#039;s Hunger
*1 Ranger&#039;s Guile
*1 Reckoner&#039;s Bargain
*1 Tamiyo&#039;s Safekeeping
*1 Tragic Slip
*1 Village Rites
[/Instants]
[Lands]
*1 Command Tower
*1 Darkmoss Bridge
*12 Forest
*14 Swamp
*1 Tree of Tales
*1 Vault of Whispers
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<p>Well, there's what <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest" href="#" target="_blank">Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would look like if he got transmogrified into a Squirrel. Much less intimidating, I have to say. Yeah, this deck does basically the exact same thing as a Mazirek deck, but the payoff is so much worse. For sacrificing half our board, we get one moderately sized Squirrel that only does anything if we have evasion and protection in hand.</p>
<p>I remember now why I stopped playing Voltron decks.</p>
<h3>Read More:</h3>
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