<p style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blech, Loafing Pest" href="#" target="_blank">Blech, Loafing Pest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://cara.app/ilsegort/all" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ilse Gort</a></span></i></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As I typically enjoy doing when a new set releases, I’m setting out on a quest to cover creature types that gained substantial support. A couple of weeks ago, we looked at <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-wizard-typal-with-kaza-roil-chaser" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wizards</a> and <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-warlock-typal-with-honest-rutstein" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Warlocks</a>, two of the more prominent classifications of students at <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Strixhaven" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Strixhaven</a>. Starting last week, we began touring the mascots of the different colleges. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-inkling-typal-with-felisa-fang-of-silverquill" target="_blank" rel="noopener">we covered Inklings last week</a>, we’ll continue with another mascot type to get some support before <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/sos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Secrets of Strixhaven</em></a>. Like their insectoid design, they tend to bug people; still, some find them adorable.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Have you guessed it? It’s <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Pest" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pests</a>!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The term “pest” typically refers to animals that bother people, as reflected in the types that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blex, Vexing Pest" href="#" target="_blank">Blex, Vexing Pest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and his son, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blech, Loafing Pest" href="#" target="_blank">Blech, Loafing Pest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, refer to: Bats, Insects, Snakes, and Spiders. Bats and Spiders have been featured on previous installments, while Snakes and Spiders will have their day in the sun (the latter likely after the rain comes down). Ironically, Pests are associated with a strategy that bothers me: <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/lifegain" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lifegain</a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Originally, Pests gained life on death, but <em>Secrets of Strixhaven</em> introduced a new kind of Pest, which instead gains life on attack. Some justify life gain by how it helps win races in combat, but life gain has always been the bane of my existence. I dislike how it extends games, makes issues with threat analysis, and struggles to translate incremental advantage into ending games. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s the earthbending to my Aang, but, like the Avatar, becoming a complete player means accepting and understanding all aspects of the game.</span></p>
<h2>Pest History</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pests are a creature type that exists primarily in the form of tokens. There are actually three kinds of Pest tokens, as Pests actually predate Strixhaven. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Signal Pest" href="#" target="_blank">Signal Pest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> used to be a staple of hyperaggressive decks in Standard, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nuisance Engine" href="#" target="_blank">Nuisance Engine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was the original Pest token maker, a role-player in early token and sacrifice themed Commander decks.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Signal Pest"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nuisance Engine"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the initial <em>Strixhaven</em> set, Pests were introduced properly as the mascots of <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Witherbloom" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Witherbloom</a> college, gaining life when they died. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blex, Vexing Pest" href="#" target="_blank">Blex, Vexing Pest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was their lord, as well as a lord of Bats, Insects, Snakes, and Spiders. He gained even more life when he died, hinting at the fate of the character, which would be confirmed with the flavor text of his son. Oddly enough, his sorcery side, castable from the command zone, was a grave-filling engine, making Blex a better graveyard commander than a Pest one.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blex, Vexing Pest"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Secrets of Strixhaven</em> and its related <a href="https://edhrec.com/precon/witherbloom-pestilence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Witherbloom Commander deck</a> introduced a new breed of Pest, one where life is gained on attack instead of death. This fundamentally changed how Pests play, as they now want to get into the red zone instead of getting sacrificed or chump blocking (blocking large creatures without trample to prevent damage). This means that we want to be able to attack profitably, which is where our commander comes in.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But how do we address the issues with life gain? And how do we prevent ourselves from wheel-spinning (wasting time with spells and abilities that are inconsequential to the outcome of the game)?</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blech, Loafing Pest"></div></div>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blech, Loafing Pest" href="#" target="_blank">Blech, Loafing Pest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blech, Loafing Pest" href="#" target="_blank">Blech, Loafing Pest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a game-ending threat, unlike his role-playing predecessor. For starters, Blech is a 3/4 creature for three mana - much tougher than his dad. He doesn’t gain life when he dies, but we don’t want him to die. No, we want him to be around for a long, long time, longer than our opponents will be around, that’s for sure.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The nastiness comes from Blech’s triggered ability, adding layers of counters to creatures under the Pest umbrella established by Blex. These permanent boosts persist even after Blex dies, should the worst happen, and they stack on top of each other, unlike Blex’s lordship. This lets us turn the attack-based life gain into layers of counters, and, if the older Pests die, we can pump our team even more.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Merging the old and new Pests is a bit of a challenge, however. The old Pests want sacrifice effects, while the new ones want to get into combat. The old Pests don’t require combat to function, while the new ones want to continue attacking turn after turn.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If one type wants to die, and the other wants to live, how can we get the two to work together?</span></p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blech, Loafing Pest" href="#" target="_blank">Blech, Loafing Pest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pests predate Strixhaven and have two distinct types of tokens (and one mostly-unused one). As a result, most of the Pest cards featured will be cards that produce Pests, which includes creatures that are not Pests themselves. Pests are a largely token-based type and feature lifegain enablers and payoffs, making for a remarkably deep creature type despite only being featured in two sets, one of which just came out.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pest Infestation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pest Summoning"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pest Infestation" href="#" target="_blank">Pest Infestation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pest Summoning" href="#" target="_blank">Pest Summoning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both sorcery spells that make multiple Pests. Summoning makes a couple of Pests, while the Infestation is a mana sink, making twice X Pests and destroying X artifacts or enchantments. Fusing token production with mass removal makes a powerful and flexible card.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sedgemoor Witch"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Callous Bloodmage"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sedgemoor Witch" href="#" target="_blank">Sedgemoor Witch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Callous Bloodmage" href="#" target="_blank">Callous Bloodmage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> each make Pest tokens, although they are not Pests themselves. They are Warlocks, however, and both were part of the Warlock feature last week. The Bloodmage makes a Pest on entering, while the Witch makes them when <em>magecraft</em> triggers.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But are there payoffs within the Pest type?</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blight Mound"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pest Mascot"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blight Mound" href="#" target="_blank">Blight Mound</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives our Pests an additional point of power and menace, while making Pests whenever a nontoken creature dies. This allows us to attack with the newer Pests easier. Speaking of newer Pests, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pest Mascot" href="#" target="_blank">Pest Mascot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> grows when we gain life, doubling up the counters our commander gives, threatening massive damage each turn, with trample ensuring it either connects or takes a lot with it.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Moldervine Reclamation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deathreap Ritual"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Moldervine Reclamation" href="#" target="_blank">Moldervine Reclamation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deathreap Ritual" href="#" target="_blank">Deathreap Ritual</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> both turn the deaths of creatures into card draw for us. The Reclamation triggers whenever a creature we control dies, while the Ritual triggers each end step, checking to see if anyone’s creature died. Both can draw multiple cards per turn cycle, making them excellent engines for us.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Immoral Bargain"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Withering Curse"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Immoral Bargain" href="#" target="_blank">Immoral Bargain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Withering Curse" href="#" target="_blank">Withering Curse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are solid, controllable mass removal spells. The Bargain destroys X nonland permanents, where X is the amount of creatures we sacrifice as an additional cost. Sacrificing older Pests synergizes well with our death and lifegain triggers. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Withering Curse" href="#" target="_blank">Withering Curse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> either shrinks all creatures, which works when we have enough counters stacked up, or all creatures if we’ve gained life, which can trigger our death triggers.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Susur Secundi, Void Altar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grim Backwoods"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Susur Secundi, Void Altar" href="#" target="_blank">Susur Secundi, Void Altar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grim Backwoods" href="#" target="_blank">Grim Backwoods</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> both allow us to turn creatures into card draw. The Altar needs to be stationed, but it can draw us a lot of cards in a pinch. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grim Backwoods" href="#" target="_blank">Grim Backwoods</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a solid way to draw out of stalemates, and can be activated as an instant, unlike the Altar.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But what are we digging for?</span></p>
<h2>How Does This <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blech, Loafing Pest" href="#" target="_blank">Blech, Loafing Pest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Commander Deck Win?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bastion of Remembrance"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Meathook Massacre"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bastion of Remembrance" href="#" target="_blank">Bastion of Remembrance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Meathook Massacre" href="#" target="_blank">The Meathook Massacre</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both solid Aristocrats payoffs, turning the deaths of creatures into life loss for our opponents. The Massacre is a mass removal spell that sticks around to be an Aristocrats-style finisher. It’s especially good here because of our mass removal and penchant for having things die.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Exquisite Blood"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sanguine Bond"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Together, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sanguine Bond" href="#" target="_blank">Sanguine Bond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> form one of the more infamous insta-win combos in Commander. Separately, each serves a solid role in ending the game: one makes opponents lose life when we gain it, and the other makes us gain life when opponents lose it. Both of these work with Pests that gain us life and our commander, which grows our board when we gain life. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Having both in the deck increases the power level, but the adherence to a theme that’s focused around 1/1 creatures balances that out. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Still, it’s best to inform the table that the combo exists in the deck before the game starts.</span></p>
<h2>Blech, Loafing Pest Commander Deck List</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Blech, Loafing Pest Commander Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="&nbsp;
[Commander]
*1 Blech, Loafing Pest
[/Commander]
&nbsp;
[Creatures]
*1 Beledros Witherbloom
*1 Blex, Vexing Pest // Search for Blex
*1 Blood Artist
*1 Callous Bloodmage
*1 Eccentric Pestfinder // Turn Stones
*1 Essenceknit Scholar
*1 Gorma, the Gullet
*1 Lluwen, Exchange Student // Pest Friend
*1 Mirkwood Bats
*1 Morbid Opportunist
*1 Moseo, Vein&#039;s New Dean
*1 Overgrown Pest
*1 Pest Mascot
*1 Pest Rescuer
*1 Pestbrood Sloth
*1 Professor of Zoomancy
*1 Ribtruss Roaster
*1 Sedgemoor Witch
*1 Shopkeeper&#039;s Bane
*1 Signal Pest
*1 South Wind Avatar
*1 Teacher&#039;s Pest
*1 Valentin, Dean of the Vein // Lisette, Dean of the Root
*1 Zulaport Cutthroat
[/Creatures]
&nbsp;
[Enchantments]
*1 Bastion of Remembrance
*1 Black Market Connections
*1 Blight Mound
*1 Deathreap Ritual
*1 Exquisite Blood
*1 Feral Appetite
*1 Grave Pact
*1 Grave Venerations
*1 Moldervine Reclamation
*1 Phyrexian Arena
*1 Ripples of Undeath
*1 Sanguine Bond
*1 Sothera, the Supervoid
*1 The Meathook Massacre
[/Enchantments]
&nbsp;
[Sorceries]
*1 Blasphemous Edict
*1 Containment Breach
*1 Culling Ritual
*1 Deadly Brew
*1 Dread Return
*1 Hunt for Specimens
*1 Immoral Bargain
*1 Pest Infestation
*1 Pest Summoning
*1 Rise of the Witch-king
*1 Send in the Pest
*1 Toxic Deluge
*1 Withering Curse
[/Sorceries]
&nbsp;
[Artifacts]
*1 Cauldron of Essence
*1 Nuisance Engine
*1 Pestilent Cauldron // Restorative Burst
*1 Skullclamp
*1 Well of Lost Dreams
[/Artifacts]
&nbsp;
[Instants]
*1 Plumb the Forbidden
*1 Tend the Pests
*1 Village Rites
[/Instants]
&nbsp;
[Lands]
*1 Command Tower
*15 Forest
*1 Grim Backwoods
*1 High Market
*1 Mortuary Mire
*1 Phyrexian Tower
*1 Spymaster&#039;s Vault
*1 Susur Secundi, Void Altar
*15 Swamp
*1 Three Tree City
*1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
*1 Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth
[/Lands]
&nbsp;"></span></div></span></p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pests are a relatively new creature type, but represent the Witherbloom college well. They’re fun and play in interesting ways, including having a few different options at commander.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But how would you build Pests? And which commander would you choose?</span></p>


pest commander

Building Pest Typal With Blech, Loafing Pest