Sandman, Shifting Scoundrel Commander Deck Tech

<p style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quina, Qu Gourmet" href="#" target="_blank">Quina, Qu Gourmet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by Artist <a href="https://www.artstation.com/fajareka" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fajareka Setiawan</a></span></i></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hello hello! With </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Magic</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">'s </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Final Fantasy</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> set releases today (June 13th), and I wanted to talk about one of the coolest commanders from this set: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quina, Qu Gourmet" href="#" target="_blank">Quina, Qu Gourmet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>-based token decks are a tried and true strategy, and Quina provides a fun way to create extra tokens in the command zone. Let's get brewing, and flood the board with Frogs!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Quina, Qu Gourmet"></div></div></span></p>
<h2>What Does Quina, Qu Gourmet Do?</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, Quina gives us an extra 1/1 Frog creature token. And, for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, Quina lets us sacrifice a Frog to put a +1/+1 counter on Quina. While the ability to sacrifice our Frogs is cool, we'll mostly focus on that first ability, making tokens in small batches so that our commander can get as close to doubling our token production as possible. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There's a few other mono-green token commanders that we can draw inspiration from. According to </span><a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/tokens/mono-green" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">EDHREC's tag system</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, some popular decks for this strategy center around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Peregrin Took" href="#" target="_blank">Peregrin Took</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Freyalise, Llanowar&#039;s Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Freyalise, Llanowar&#039;s Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jaheira, Friend of the Forest" href="#" target="_blank">Jaheira, Friend of the Forest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Each of these commanders provides something unique to a token deck, like extra token production, card advantage, or mana advantage, and we'll make sure that each of them find a slot in the 99 of this deck. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I want to focus particularly on the card advantage that Freyalise, and other similar cards, provide. Being green means that we usually won't have a problem making tons of mana. I'd like to make sure that we've got places to spend that mana, and that'll be key to this deck's success.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Peregrin Took"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Freyalise, Llanowar&#039;s Fury"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jaheira, Friend of the Forest"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This deck will aim to build up a huge board of tokens, from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Food" href="#" target="_blank">Food</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clue" href="#" target="_blank">Clue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s, before turning those tokens sideways in combat. We'll seek to get Quina out quickly, then leverage its abilities to drown our opponents in a sea of 1/1s. Then, once our board is wide enough, we'll use an overrun effect to ensure that just one attack can end the game. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So, the game plan is pretty simple: </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quina, Qu Gourmet" href="#" target="_blank">Quina, Qu Gourmet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as early in the game as possible, </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Make as many creature tokens as possible,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Then turn those creature tokens into a victory through combat.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Quina, Qu Gourmet"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Frog"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Overrun"></div></div></span></p>
<h2>Key Cards for Quina, Qu Gourmet</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The best cards in this deck are those that make tokens repeatedly. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gala Greeters" href="#" target="_blank">Gala Greeters</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example, can make us a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasure" href="#" target="_blank">Treasure</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> every turn (meaning that our commander will net us an additional Frog too). Plus, its other modes - gaining life or +1/+1 counters - are super useful too. One of my favorite cards is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chittering Dispatcher" href="#" target="_blank">Chittering Dispatcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can net us up to four extra tokens from our commander per turn (one from the myriad tokens, and up to three more when those myriad tokens leave the battlefield). And, because we'll be making so many tokens, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sandstorm Salvager" href="#" target="_blank">Sandstorm Salvager</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a fantastic fit here. This Human Artificer makes a token when it enters the battlefield, and can buff our board of tokens to be huge if it's left alone long enough.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gala Greeters"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chittering Dispatcher"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sandstorm Salvager"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let's talk about how we can take advantage of our very full battlefield of tokens. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Enduring Vitality" href="#" target="_blank">Enduring Vitality</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and the aforementioned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jaheira, Friend of the Forest" href="#" target="_blank">Jaheira, Friend of the Forest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can turn a board full of Frogs into a ton of <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>. And, a classic in the Commander format, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Essence Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Essence Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will put in some serious work here with pumping our life total. Lastly, rounding out the cards that take advantage of our wide board state is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sylvan Anthem" href="#" target="_blank">Sylvan Anthem</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This enchantment will provide card selection and a small anthem for our whole team, two extremely powerful effects for token decks.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Enduring Vitality"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Essence Warden"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sylvan Anthem"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It's </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Final Fantasy</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> season for us </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Magic</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> players, so let's talk about the new cards that have found their way into this deck. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Earth Crystal" href="#" target="_blank">The Earth Crystal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great artifact, providing cost reduction and even more +1/+1 counters on our creatures. Because our commander lets us sacrifice Frogs to gain counters, this card is a perfect fit here. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sphere Grid" href="#" target="_blank">Sphere Grid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> works extremely well with our wide board of creatures, letting them grow whenever they deal combat damage and providing some powerful keyword abilities to boot. And lastly, my favorite </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Final Fantasy</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> card in this deck is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Esper Origins" href="#" target="_blank">Esper Origins</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. We get card advantage, mana advantage, and even a mini-overrun. I love cards that fill multiple roles in decklists, and this new card does just that.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Earth Crystal"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sphere Grid"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Esper Origins"></div></div></span></p>
<h2>How Does This Deck Win?</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Once we've got a big board of creatures, we need a few ways to go over the top and actually win the game. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse" href="#" target="_blank">Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can provide a huge power and toughness buff to our board, while also making a few extra tokens as the game goes on. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Champion of Lambholt" href="#" target="_blank">Champion of Lambholt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can get huge over the course of a game, making all of our creatures nigh unblockable. And, of course, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Craterhoof Behemoth" href="#" target="_blank">Craterhoof Behemoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a classic win-con in green decks, letting us swing in for huge damage.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Champion of Lambholt"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Craterhoof Behemoth"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are two more win-cons here: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Get a Leg Up" href="#" target="_blank">Get a Leg Up</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nissa, Ascended Animist" href="#" target="_blank">Nissa, Ascended Animist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Get a Leg Up" href="#" target="_blank">Get a Leg Up</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> may seem like an ordinary combat trick, it can be lethal if we've got one unblocked creature on a board full of tokens. And Nissa is an amazing card that does so much for the deck; it can produce tokens, remove our opponents' pesky permanents, and even end the game with its ultimate ability.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Get a Leg Up"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nissa, Ascended Animist"></div></div></span></p>
<h2>Quina, Qu Gourmet Commander Deck List</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Building a Quina, Qu Gourmet Deck" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="&nbsp;
[Commander]
*1 Quina, Qu Gourmet
[/Commander]
&nbsp;
[Artifacts]
*1 Animation Module
*1 Chitterspitter
*1 Emerald Medallion
*1 Esika&#039;s Chariot
*1 Idol of Oblivion
*1 Skullclamp
*1 The Earth Crystal
[/Artifacts]
&nbsp;
[Sorceries]
*1 Bridgeworks Battle // Tanglespan Bridgeworks
*1 Chatterstorm
*1 Esper Origins // Summon: Esper Maduin
*1 Ezuri&#039;s Predation
*1 For the Common Good
*1 Shamanic Revelation
[/Sorceries]
&nbsp;
[Enchantments]
*1 City of Death
*1 Cryptolith Rite
*1 Doubling Season
*1 Growing Rites of Itlimoc // Itlimoc, Cradle of the Sun
*1 Parallel Lives
*1 Primal Vigor
*1 Sphere Grid
*1 Sylvan Anthem
[/Enchantments]
&nbsp;
[Instants]
*1 Archdruid&#039;s Charm
*1 Beast Within
*1 Collective Resistance
*1 Defend the Rider
*1 Druid&#039;s Deliverance
*1 Get a Leg Up
*1 Inspiring Call
*1 Nature&#039;s Claim
*1 Overprotect
*1 Second Harvest
*1 Tyvar&#039;s Stand
*1 Wrap in Vigor
[/Instants]
&nbsp;
[Creatures]
*1 Arasta of the Endless Web
*1 Arbor Elf
*1 Augur of Autumn
*1 Birds of Paradise
*1 Champion of Lambholt
*1 Chittering Dispatcher
*1 Circle of Dreams Druid
*1 Clifftop Lookout
*1 Craterhoof Behemoth
*1 Disciple of Freyalise // Garden of Freyalise
*1 Elvish Mystic
*1 Enduring Vitality
*1 Essence Warden
*1 Fyndhorn Elves
*1 Gala Greeters
*1 Gilded Goose
*1 Haywire Mite
*1 Jaheira, Friend of the Forest
*1 Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse
*1 Llanowar Elves
*1 Peregrin Took
*1 Prosperous Innkeeper
*1 Regal Force
*1 Sandstorm Salvager
*1 Scute Swarm
*1 Silverback Elder
*1 Somberwald Beastmaster
*1 Tendershoot Dryad
*1 Tireless Provisioner
*1 Valley Mightcaller
[/Creatures]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Freyalise, Llanowar&#039;s Fury
*1 Nissa, Ascended Animist
*1 Nissa, Voice of Zendikar
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*29 Forest
*1 Fountainport
*1 Khalni Garden
*1 Oakhollow Village
*1 The Shire
[/Lands]
&nbsp;"></span></div></span></p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This deck is a lot of fun, but it isn't necessarily the strongest strategy. It's got a few individually strong cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Primal Vigor" href="#" target="_blank">Primal Vigor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doubling Season" href="#" target="_blank">Doubling Season</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but being mono-green prohibits us from tutoring for those cards effectively. The deck also does quite poorly against board wipes. I've included cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrap in Vigor" href="#" target="_blank">Wrap in Vigor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to mitigate that risk, but it's still a notable weakness of the deck. This Quina, Qu Gourmet deck likely sits around Bracket 3, but could be improved with the inclusion of a few powerful <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/game-changers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game Changers</a>, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Survival of the Fittest" href="#" target="_blank">Survival of the Fittest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Primal Vigor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wrap in Vigor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Survival of the Fittest"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">All that said, I'm quite happy with how this deck turned out. It's a lot of fun to leverage all the card advantage and mana acceleration that green token decks have access to, and it's even more fun to cover our battlefield in Frogs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let me know your thoughts on this deck, and on MTG x FF, in the comments below! I'll see you all soon for another deck tech.</span></p>


mono green commander deck

Sandman, Shifting Scoundrel Commander Deck Tech

Building a Green Token Deck With Quina, Qu Gourmet