<p style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix, the Proof</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.lucasgraciano.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lucas Graciano</a></span></i></p>
<p>We're headed back to school! Ordinarily, that would be a drag. But, when school's got Dragons, spells, and even a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spectacular Skywhale" href="#" target="_blank">Spectacular Skywhale</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, it's much more appealing.</p>
<p>As part of our return to Strixhaven's campus, we've got a <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/sos#cardlists" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brand new cycle of Elder Dragons</a>. All five of these big creatures grant our instants and sorceries some powerful keywords, providing us with a payoff after spending a ton of mana to get them onto the field.</p>
<p>In our case, we're focusing on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix, the Proof</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, the Simic (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) commander from the cycle. This version is much more powerful than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tanazir Quandrix" href="#" target="_blank">Tanazir Quandrix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from our last trip to the magical school, so I'm super excited to see what she can do at the helm of a Commander deck!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Quandrix, the Proof"></div></div>
<h2>What Does Quandrix, the Proof Do?</h2>
<p>For <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-4" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, we get a flying, trampling 6/6 with cascade. That lets us immediately derive some value from our commander, even if the spell gets countered on the stack. Once she's on the battlefield, Quandrix provides cascade to each instant and sorcery spell that we cast from our hand.</p>
<p>I'm reminded of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Imoti, Celebrant of Bounty" href="#" target="_blank">Imoti, Celebrant of Bounty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. That's another Simic commander that gives our stuff cascade, but Imoti forces us to cast huge spells to get any benefit from her abilities. Quandrix triggers on <em>any</em> instant or sorcery we cast from our hand, letting us cascade more often!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Imoti, Celebrant of Bounty"></div></div>
<p>Our 99 is built to maximize the value that Quandrix provides. We'll focus on ramping up to our commander in the early game, manipulating the top of our library to ensure that we always cascade into the right spells, and making use of some splashy cards to close the game out in style.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix, the Proof</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<h3>Top-Deck Manipulation</h3>
<p>To make sure that we get the spells we need <em>when</em> we need them, we've got a few ways to manipulate the top of our deck. It's disappointing to cascade into a simple ramp spell like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nature&#039;s Lore" href="#" target="_blank">Nature&#039;s Lore</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> when we've already got enough lands, or into a counterspell when there's nothing else on the stack. Cards from this group help us avoid that painful possibility.</p>
<p>One of my favorites is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Palantír of Orthanc" href="#" target="_blank">Palantír of Orthanc</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can take a big chunk out of opposing life totals if we mill over something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Apex Altisaur" href="#" target="_blank">Apex Altisaur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The Palantír is a consistent way to keep the top of our deck clean, draw a few cards, and it can hit the battlefield way before our commander does.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Palantír of Orthanc"></div></div>
<p>Then, there's a collection of other cards that let us change the top card of our library. From <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brainstorm" href="#" target="_blank">Brainstorm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Portent" href="#" target="_blank">Portent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brainsurge" href="#" target="_blank">Brainsurge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, there's lots of ways to put exactly the card we want in prime position for cascading.</p>
<p>We've even got a few lands, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crystal Grotto" href="#" target="_blank">Crystal Grotto</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rivendell" href="#" target="_blank">Rivendell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, to provide extra card selection in a pinch. Some top-deck tutors like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Personal Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Personal Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mystical Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Mystical Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> round out this cadre, while also taking up one of our <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/game-changers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game Changer slots</a>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brainstorm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crystal Grotto"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Personal Tutor"></div></div>
<h3>Discounted Spells for Bigger Cascades</h3>
<p>We're happy to cast any spell from our hand to trigger Quandrix's cascade ability, but there's some spells that have high mana values and can be cast for less. The <a href="https://tagger.scryfall.com/tags/card/cheaper-than-mv" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"cheaper-than-mv" tag on Scryfall</a> was super helpful in building out this section of the 99. Free spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Force of Will" href="#" target="_blank">Force of Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Misdirection" href="#" target="_blank">Misdirection</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are great examples, letting us cascade for five while being cast for (basically) free.</p>
<p>This is where two of our Game Changers slot in!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Force of Will"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Misdirection"></div></div>
<p>We can cascade for five by spending just <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="This Town Ain&#039;t Big Enough" href="#" target="_blank">This Town Ain&#039;t Big Enough</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, cascade for five with either <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dig Through Time" href="#" target="_blank">Dig Through Time</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasure Cruise" href="#" target="_blank">Treasure Cruise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or even cascade for seven while grabbing an opponent's spell with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commandeer" href="#" target="_blank">Commandeer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Any one of these cards can really turn the game around for us, providing us their own effect and grabbing another card from our library for free.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="This Town Ain&#039;t Big Enough"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dig Through Time"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Commandeer"></div></div>
<h3>Synergy Pieces</h3>
<p>Finally, we get to the synergy pieces. One of the best cards in this deck is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Whirlwing Stormbrood" href="#" target="_blank">Whirlwing Stormbrood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which lets us cast our commander <em>and</em> all 25 of the sorceries that we've got in our deck at instant speed. This Dragon lets us hold up mana for interaction while also being able to ramp or draw cards if that interaction isn't necessary! It's even got its own spell built in, if we need a cascade trigger in a pinch.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Whirlwing Stormbrood"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archmage of Runes"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Quandrix Apprentice"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archmage of Runes" href="#" target="_blank">Archmage of Runes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> also provides us with some valuable card advantage and cost reduction, letting us keep throwing out spells from our hand at a rapid pace. We shouldn't have a problem reaching its <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-3" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> casting cost, either.</p>
<p>Last but certainly not least, there's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix Apprentice" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix Apprentice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This Human Wizard is one of my favorite creatures in all of Commander. It can hit the board early and keep our hand full of lands throughout the game. It's important that we continue gaining access to more mana after we cast our commander, so we can cast multiple three- and four-mana spells each turn. This two-drop creature ensures that we're able to do so.</p>
<p>It's only in 0.51% of eligible decks on EDHREC's database, and I'd love to see that number go up!</p>
<h2>How Does This <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix, the Proof</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Commander Deck Win?</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While most of our 99 is focused on generating value with our commander's cascade triggers, we do have a few specific win conditions. </span></p>
<p>First up, there's <span class="edhrecp__link side-by-side"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Legend of Kuruk" href="#" target="_blank">The Legend of Kuruk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This Saga starts off by providing us with a bit of top-deck maniuplation and card advantage, but turns into a Spirit token factory that also lets us take an extra turn at an opportune moment. The tokens created by Avatar Kuruk may only be 1/1s, but they're extremely evasive and can serve as a neat game-ending clock.</p>
<p>The extra turn that this transformed creature provides can also provide us with the window we need to win the game, provided that we didn't spend all of our mana to activate the ability in the first place.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards side-by-side"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Legend of Kuruk"></div></div>
<p>Then there's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deekah, Fractal Theorist" href="#" target="_blank">Deekah, Fractal Theorist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. She lets us create huge creature tokens, and can make those tokens unblockable for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-3" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>. The Fractals that she creates have a power and toughness that's dependent on the mana value of the spell we cast, not the amount of mana we spent to cast it. That means that the spells that we cascade into will make us some big tokens too!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deekah, Fractal Theorist"></div></div>
<p>Finally, failing all of that, there's <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> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clone Legion" href="#" target="_blank">Clone Legion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. We don't run a ton of creatures in our 99 - just 20 - so these big spells should provide us with the power and toughness we'll need to crash through for victory in combat. Clone Legion has the added benefit of cascading into another spell, letting us pull off some truly crazy turns.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Craterhoof Behemoth"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Clone Legion"></div></div>
<h2>Quandrix, the Proof Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Proof of Life" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Quandrix, the Proof
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Apex Altisaur
*1 Archmage of Runes
*1 Bloomvine Regent // Claim Territory
*1 Cavalier of Gales
*1 Craterhoof Behemoth
*1 Deekah, Fractal Theorist
*1 Delighted Halfling
*1 Elvish Mystic
*1 Fanatic of Rhonas
*1 Fyndhorn Elves
*1 Haughty Djinn
*1 Hullbreaker Horror
*1 Jadzi, Oracle of Arcavios // Journey to the Oracle
*1 Llanowar Elves
*1 Nyxbloom Ancient
*1 Quandrix Apprentice
*1 Studious First-Year // Rampant Growth
*1 Thing in the Ice // Awoken Horror
*1 Whirlwing Stormbrood // Dynamic Soar
*1 Wistfulness
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Bala Ged Recovery // Bala Ged Sanctuary
*1 Bridgeworks Battle // Tanglespan Bridgeworks
*1 Clone Legion
*1 Ezuri&#039;s Predation
*1 Farseek
*1 Last March of the Ents
*1 Majestic Genesis
*1 Nature&#039;s Lore
*1 Nissa&#039;s Pilgrimage
*1 Personal Tutor
*1 Ponder
*1 Portent
*1 Portent of Calamity
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Rishkar&#039;s Expertise
*1 Sea Gate Restoration // Sea Gate, Reborn
*1 Season of Gathering
*1 See the Truth
*1 Three Visits
*1 Treasure Cruise
*1 Wisdom of Ages
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 An Offer You Can&#039;t Refuse
*1 Auroral Procession
*1 Blessed Respite
*1 Brainstorm
*1 Brainsurge
*1 Commandeer
*1 Counterspell
*1 Dig Through Time
*1 Fierce Guardianship
*1 Force of Will
*1 Frantic Search
*1 Harrow
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Misdirection
*1 Mystic Confluence
*1 Mystical Tutor
*1 Obscuring Haze
*1 Reclaim
*1 Sink into Stupor // Soporific Springs
*1 This Town Ain&#039;t Big Enough
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Buster Sword
*1 Palantír of Orthanc
*1 Sensei&#039;s Divining Top
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Sylvan Library
*1 The Legend of Kuruk // Avatar Kuruk
[/Enchantments]
[Battles]
*1 Invasion of Segovia // Caetus, Sea Tyrant of Segovia
[/Battles]
[Lands]
*1 Command Tower
*1 Crystal Grotto
*1 Dreamroot Cascade
*1 Flooded Grove
*8 Forest
*1 Hedge Maze
*1 Hidden Grotto
*1 Hinterland Harbor
*7 Island
*1 Kishla Village
*1 Mystic Sanctuary
*1 Rejuvenating Springs
*1 Rivendell
*1 Rumble Arena
*1 Temple of Mystery
*1 Waterlogged Grove
*1 Willowrush Verge
*1 Yavimaya Coast
*1 Zhalfirin Void
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Each of the five new <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/ranking-every-elder-dragon-on-a-tier-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elder Dragons</a> is super interesting. They allow us to do something really strong with our instants and sorceries, while still feeling tied to their college's identity. I am happy to see <em>Wizards</em> bring storm back in a relatively controlled way, and I'm also thrilled to see the return of casualty. I think that casualty, in particular, has been in need of some love. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It's great to see this <em>New Capenna</em> mechanic tied to <em>Secrets of Strixhaven</em>'s most iconic creatures.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Silverquill, the Disputant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Prismari, the Inspiration"></div></div>
<p>Regardless of my affinity (no pun intended) for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> decks, I'm particularly intrigued by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lorehold, the Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Lorehold, the Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This flying beater reduces the cost of our spells under specific conditions while helping us meet those conditions, providing a unique sort of value engine.</p>
<p>Which of these five Dragons is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below, and I'll be back next week with more <em>Strixhaven</em> commentary!</p>


Building a Spellslinger Deck with Quandrix, the Proof

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tam, Observant Sequencer" href="#" target="_blank">Tam, Observant Sequencer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/jodiemuir">Jodie Muir</a></em></p>
<p>The preview season for <em>Secrets of Strixhaven</em> is finally here! It feels like it's already been a year since <em>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles</em> released (it's actually been only a month!) and I am practically frothing at the mouth to return to Arcavios.</p>
<p>During the spoiler season for <em>Lorwyn Eclipsed</em>, I covered <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tam, Mindful First-Year" href="#" target="_blank">Tam, Mindful First-Year</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/do-all-the-simic-commander-nonsense-with-tam-mindful-first-year">the deck I built</a> with her at the helm was a mainstay of my Commander deck collection for several months. Now she has another commander: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tam, Observant Sequencer" href="#" target="_blank">Tam, Observant Sequencer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. In this deck tech, I'm going to find some more <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/simic">Simic</a> (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) nonsense to do with Tam.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tam, Observant Sequencer"></div></div>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tam, Observant Sequencer" href="#" target="_blank">Tam, Observant Sequencer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tatyova, Benthic Druid"></div></div>
<p>Tam, Observant Sequencer is a four-mana Simic commander with a <em>Landfall</em> ability that prepares her. When prepared, she can cast the attached spell, Deep Sight. Casting it un-prepares her and she'll need another <em>Landfall</em> trigger to become prepared once more. Deep Sight draws a card and gains a life, much like the <em>Landfall</em> trigger on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tatyova, Benthic Druid" href="#" target="_blank">Tatyova, Benthic Druid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. In that way, Tam is just a slower, less efficient Tatyova.</p>
<p>One of the ways I find it helpful to conceptualize commanders is with inputs and outputs. Tam and Tatyova both have the same input: a land coming into play. Their outputs is where they differ, and a deck that takes full advantage of Tam is one that can maximize the difference between Tam and Tatyova's outputs. Tatyova draws a card and gain a life automatically upon the land entering. Tam grants the opportunity to cast a sorcery each time she triggers. Here, I'll be leveraging Tam's ability to get a cast trigger from a sorcery every turn!</p>
<h2>Key Cards for Tam, Observant Sequencer</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Poppet Stitcher"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Murmuring Mystic"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Talrand, Sky Summoner"></div></div>
<p>While looking for <em>Magecraft</em>-esque triggers to capitalize on having guaranteed access to a sorcery every turn, it didn't take long to uncover the best way to utilize <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tam, Observant Sequencer" href="#" target="_blank">Tam, Observant Sequencer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s output: token-generators. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Poppet Stitcher" href="#" target="_blank">Poppet Stitcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Murmuring Mystic" href="#" target="_blank">Murmuring Mystic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Talrand, Sky Summoner" href="#" target="_blank">Talrand, Sky Summoner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hermes, Overseer of Elpis" href="#" target="_blank">Hermes, Overseer of Elpis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> take Tam's ability to repeatably cast Deep Sight and convert it into an ever-growing amount of material on the board.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scute Swarm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pest Infestation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="For the Common Good"></div></div>
<p><em>Magecraft</em>-style triggers aren't the only path to flooding the board with tokens. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scute Swarm" href="#" target="_blank">Scute Swarm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Springheart Nantuko" href="#" target="_blank">Springheart Nantuko</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chocobo Racetrack" href="#" target="_blank">Chocobo Racetrack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rampaging Baloths" href="#" target="_blank">Rampaging Baloths</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> add tokens to the board with <em>Landfall</em> triggers, something this deck is already built to enable. Springheart Nantuko gets bonus points as it can be bestowed on another token-generator, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Murmuring Mystic" href="#" target="_blank">Murmuring Mystic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, to make additional copies of it when there's mana to spare.</p>
<p><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>, a Vintage Cube staple, is one of my favorite pieces of mass artifact removal for decks that can easily generate a lot of mana. Here, it is not only removal but incredibly effective token generation! Once the opponents have a good idea of what this deck is up to, I'd wager that casting a huge Pest Infestation will often prompt a board wipe, but that's fine because the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pest" href="#" target="_blank">Pest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> tokens provide value in the form of life gain on their way out.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="For the Common Good" href="#" target="_blank">For the Common Good</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a protection spell I'd never seen before building the deck for this article. Making copies of whatever the best token is a few times and proactively preventing most board wipes from foiling the next phase of the deck's game plan is quite strong, even if I wish this card was an instant. (A problem <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alchemist&#039;s Refuge" href="#" target="_blank">Alchemist&#039;s Refuge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can solve!)</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Icetill Explorer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Conduit of Worlds"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Life from the Loam"></div></div>
<p>In order for this deck to keep the land drops flowing, I've included <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Life from the Loam" href="#" target="_blank">Life from the Loam</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and two <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crucible of Worlds" href="#" target="_blank">Crucible of Worlds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> analogues in the form of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Icetill Explorer" href="#" target="_blank">Icetill Explorer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conduit of Worlds" href="#" target="_blank">Conduit of Worlds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Running out of ways to trigger Tam for a couple turns would initiate an inescapable death spiral, and I'd like to avoid that.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sunken Citadel"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tranquil Thicket"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Otawara, Soaring City"></div></div>
<p>To squeeze a little extra utility out of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Life from the Loam" href="#" target="_blank">Life from the Loam</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, I've included several cycling lands, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tranquil Thicket" href="#" target="_blank">Tranquil Thicket</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, that can be used to generate card advantage while dredging Life from the Loam over and over again. The <em>Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty</em> channel lands, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Otawara, Soaring City" href="#" target="_blank">Otawara, Soaring City</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boseiju, Who Endures" href="#" target="_blank">Boseiju, Who Endures</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> also turn Life from the Loam into a source of repeatable removal. Both channel and cycling abilities from lands can be paid for with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunken Citadel" href="#" target="_blank">Sunken Citadel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a utility land that can be found with either <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Analyze the Pollen" href="#" target="_blank">Analyze the Pollen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Traverse the Ulvenwald" href="#" target="_blank">Traverse the Ulvenwald</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>! I love getting to include utility lands packages like this, as it really minimizes the impact of flooding when a large portion of a deck's lands can do more than just provide mana.</p>
<h2>How Does This Tam, Observant Sequencer Deck Win the Game?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glacier Godmaw"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Demolisher Spawn"></div></div>
<p>The big payoff for the mountain of tokens this deck generates is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glacier Godmaw" href="#" target="_blank">Glacier Godmaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and, to a lesser extent, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demolisher Spawn" href="#" target="_blank">Demolisher Spawn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Glacier Godmaw is the perfect finisher in this deck for two reasons: it grants haste and it generates a massive amount of power with an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aftermath Analyst" href="#" target="_blank">Aftermath Analyst</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Splendid Reclamation" href="#" target="_blank">Splendid Reclamation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> bringing back a ton of lands in one fell swoop. This means that tokens generated from <em>Landfall</em> triggers from permanents like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scute Swarm" href="#" target="_blank">Scute Swarm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chocobo Racetrack" href="#" target="_blank">Chocobo Racetrack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> won't be hindered by summoning sickness on the pivotal turn where I'm pushing to end the game.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demolisher Spawn" href="#" target="_blank">Demolisher Spawn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a perfect alternative to Glacier Godmaw. A flat +4/+4 and trample is nothing to sneeze at, and having four types in the graveyard by the point the deck is looking to end a game should be trivial. Furthermore, Demolisher Spawn is a hasty creature with an attack trigger, which allows it to get value from being copied by Shifting Woodland in a way that <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> can't.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sylvan Safekeeper"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aftermath Analyst"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shifting Woodland"></div></div>
<p>By the time I was done assembling this deck, I realized that I'd accidentally included a convoluted infinite combo that generates infinite mana and <em>Landfall</em> triggers. A way to sacrifice lands, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sylvan Safekeeper" href="#" target="_blank">Sylvan Safekeeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, plus a way to make lands enter untapped, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Horizon Explorer" href="#" target="_blank">Horizon Explorer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lotus Cobra" href="#" target="_blank">Lotus Cobra</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effect and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aftermath Analyst" href="#" target="_blank">Aftermath Analyst</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> goes infinite! With <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tam, Observant Sequencer" href="#" target="_blank">Tam, Observant Sequencer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in play this also results in near-infinite casts of Deep Sight, limited only by the number of cards remaining in library! It is unlikely that this combo will be realistic to assemble before the deck is capable of ending the game in more straightforward ways, but it is something to keep in mind when piloting the deck.</p>
<div id="3470-5720-5721-6620" style="width: 100%; position: relative; overflow: visible; display: flex; justify-content: center;"><img decoding="async" id="csbLoad" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/images/gear.svg" alt="csb logo" width="300" /><br />
<script id="3470-5720-5721-6620" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/embed.js?v=1&uses=%5B%22Shifting%20Woodland%22%2C%22Aftermath%20Analyst%22%2C%22Lotus%20Cobra%22%2C%22Sylvan%20Safekeeper%22%5D&requires=%5B%5D&produces=%5B%22Infinite%20LTB%22%2C%22Infinite%20colored%20mana%22%2C%22Infinite%20sacrifice%20triggers%22%2C%22Infinite%20death%20triggers%22%2C%22Infinite%20landfall%20triggers%22%5D&id=3470-5720-5721-6620&color=G&extraRequirementCount=2"></script></div>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="." width="0" height="0"></iframe></p>
<h2>Tam, Observant Sequencer Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Tam, Striving to Be More Than Just Landfall" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Tam, Observant Sequencer
[/Commander]
[Instants]
*1 Aetherize
*1 An Offer You Can&#039;t Refuse
*1 Brainsurge
*1 Chord of Calling
*1 Counterspell
*1 Druid&#039;s Deliverance
*1 Growth Spiral
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Into the Flood Maw
*1 Memory Deluge
*1 Mystic Confluence
*1 Planar Genesis
*1 Quandrix Command
*1 Reality Shift
*1 Resculpt
*1 Simic Charm
*1 Sink into Stupor
*1 Stubborn Denial
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Analyze the Pollen
*1 Explore
*1 Farseek
*1 For the Common Good
*1 Life from the Loam
*1 Malevolent Rumble
*1 Nature&#039;s Lore
*1 Pest Infestation
*1 Primal Command
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Shared Roots
*1 Splendid Reclamation
*1 Step Through
*1 Stock Up
*1 Three Visits
*1 Traverse the Ulvenwald
[/Sorceries]
[Creatures]
*1 Aftermath Analyst
*1 Alandra, Sky Dreamer
*1 Archmage Emeritus
*1 Demolisher Spawn
*1 Edric, Spymaster of Trest
*1 Eternal Witness
*1 Glacier Godmaw
*1 Hermes, Overseer of Elpis
*1 Horizon Explorer
*1 Hydroelectric Specimen
*1 Icetill Explorer
*1 Lotus Cobra
*1 Murmuring Mystic
*1 Poppet Stitcher
*1 Rampaging Baloths
*1 Scute Swarm
*1 Springheart Nantuko
*1 Sylvan Safekeeper
*1 Talrand, Sky Summoner
*1 Transit Mage
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Bident of Thassa
*1 Chocobo Racetrack
*1 Conduit of Worlds
*1 Sol Ring
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Kenrith&#039;s Transformation
*1 Sapling Nursery
*1 Spelunking
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Alchemist&#039;s Refuge
*1 Boseiju, Who Endures
*1 Breeding Pool
*1 Demolition Field
*1 Flooded Grove
*1 Flooded Strand
*6 Forest
*1 Ghost Quarter
*1 Hedge Maze
*6 Island
*1 Lonely Sandbar
*1 Mistrise Village
*1 Misty Rainforest
*1 Otawara, Soaring City
*1 Overflowing Basin
*1 Polluted Delta
*1 Rain-Slicked Copse
*1 Scalding Tarn
*1 Shifting Woodland
*1 Sodden Verdure
*1 Sunken Citadel
*1 Tranquil Thicket
*1 Turbulent Wilderness
*1 Verdant Catacombs
*1 Willowrush Verge
*1 Windswept Heath
*1 Wooded Foothills
*1 Yavimaya Coast
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>I was surprised by how much I loved this deck! The tokens theme makes this <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/landfall">Landfall</a> commander feel pretty distinct from others that I've played, although that's fairly easy when nearly every Landfall deck I build inevitably turns into a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="High Tide" href="#" target="_blank">High Tide</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> storm deck. I'm excited to assemble this one in paper when prerelease week rolls around.</p>
<p>As for classifying this deck, I initially assumed that this build of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tam, Observant Sequencer" href="#" target="_blank">Tam, Observant Sequencer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would find its way into <a href="https://edhrec.com/guides/edhrec-guide-to-commander-brackets">Bracket</a> 2 (Core) fairly easily. Now, I'd still put it in Bracket 2, but with an asterisk. For some tables, this deck could be a little too focused for Bracket 2 play. However, I don't see this deck ever producing a win quickly enough to warrant a bump up to Bracket 3 (Upgraded) regardless of its high consistency.</p>


Let the Tokens Make Landfall with Tam, Observant Sequencer

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Planar Engineering" href="#" target="_blank">Planar Engineering</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CLiiga+Smilshkalne%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Liiga Smilshkalne</a></em></p>
<p>The previews for <em>Secrets of Strixhaven</em> continue in great numbers this week! As mentioned in the previous recap article we did, Wizards of the Coast is tackling each Strixhaven University academic house one by one every day. This past Friday, we covered the houses of Prismari and Lorehold. Yesterday, Wizards revealed the blue-green Quandrix house, and today, they looked at the Mystical Archive bonus sheet. So, to recap, today we will look at both of those aspects of the set! Let's jump in.</p>
<h2>April 6th: Quandrix (Outlets and Content Creators)</h2>
<p>The content creators and media outlets credited with bringing the Quandrix previews to the public are the following:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/cara_mtg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@cara_mtg</a></li>
<li>@MTGArenaJP</li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/andrewkmar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Andrew Mar</a></li>
<li>Guangtou Zhu</li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MagicTheGathering.de/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><i>Magic: The Gathering</i> German Facebook</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MagicTheGathering.jp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><i>Magic: The Gathering</i> Japanese Facebook</a></li>
<li><a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/story" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><i>Magic Story</i></a></li>
<li><i>Magic: The Gathering</i> Social Media</li>
<li><a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><i>Making Magic</i></a></li>
<li>Limited Resources</li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/scottnomana/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ScottNoMana</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/yoskylerseymour/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Skyler Seymour</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Be sure to give these creators credit where credit is due and visit their pages for a more in-depth look at their previews!</p>
<h2>Quandrix Reveals for <em>Secrets of Strixhaven</em></h2>
<p>Quandrix is an academic house full of proud mathematics nerds (or is that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mathemagics" href="#" target="_blank">Mathemagics</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> nerds? The verdict's largely out!). This group of students is led by<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix, the Proof</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, to be sure, but they are <em>driven</em> by the laws of physical logic and order. Their cards also look quite powerful in Limited and Constructed, something that seems like it'll be the case across the entire set's enemy-color combinations. Remember, we aren't looking at cards without confirmed English names. Now, let's look at the previews!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fractal Anomaly"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ambitious Augmenter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fractal Tender"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Planar Engineering"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Harmonized Trio"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Emeritus of Abundance"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Echocasting Symposium"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mind into Matter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pterafractyl"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flow State"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Slumbering Trudge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tester of the Tangential"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Divergent Equation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jadzi, Steward of Fate"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fractalize"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zimone&#039;s Experiment"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Paradox Surveyor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Growth Curve"></div></div>
<h2>April 7th: Mystical Archive (Outlets and Content Creators)</h2>
<p>The content creators and media outlets credited with bringing the Mystical Archive previews to the public include the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>@mtgjp</li>
<li>Chenminyang</li>
<li>Limited Resources</li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MagicTheGathering.jp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><i>Magic: The Gathering</i> Japanese Facebook</a></li>
<li><i>Magic: The Gathering</i> Social Media</li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MagicTheGathering.es/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><i>Magic: The Gathering</i> Spanish Facebook</a></li>
<li>MTGch</li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mtg_baron_ttv/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MTG_Baron</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MTGRecon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MTGRecon</a></li>
<li>Rapsolo</li>
<li><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@rhysticbuddies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RhysticBuddies</a></li>
<li>Tobby</li>
<li><a href="https://www.twitch.tv/magic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WeeklyMTG</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Feel free to click the content creators' links and check out their work!</p>
<h2><em>SOS</em>'s Mystical Archive Bonus Sheet Reveals</h2>
<p>Since the first <em>Strixhaven</em> set, the bonus sheet known as the Mystical Archive has been a mainstay of the setting. These spells are studied and held in the fabled <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Biblioplex" href="#" target="_blank">Biblioplex</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> of Strixhaven University. And now, we have even more of them available! Well... Not until Prerelease on April 17th, but even so, we can also use the cards printed before these versions. On to the reveal!</p>
<p>But before we do that, note that a ton more of these cards are revealed than are accessible on <a href="https://scryfall.com/sets/soa?order=spoiled&amp;as=grid" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scryfall</a> at the moment. To give a little hint about how the sausage is made here at EDHREC, our database links to Scryfall, so if cards aren't there, they won't show up here unless we upload renders one by one. It's a big task and one I do every time WeeklyMTG debuts a preview season. So one more time, in order to spare your favorite <em>Magic</em> journalist, please feel free to consult the list of outlets and content creators (listed above) to see more of these spells!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flusterstorm|SOA|18"></div></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>With that, this wraps up the previews for the Quandrix house and Mystical Archive. Join us on Thursday when we cover Silverquill and Witherbloom!</p>
<p>And in the meantime, let's open the floor to you, dear readers! Are you excited for <em>Secrets of Strixhaven</em>? Are the cards revealed yesterday and today worth building decks around? Alternatively, what's your favorite Strixhaven University house, and which one do you think you'd fit in best among? Sound off in the comments below!</p>


quandrix

Building a Spellslinger Deck with Quandrix, the Proof

Let the Tokens Make Landfall with Tam, Observant Sequencer

Secrets of Strixhaven Preview Recap: Quandrix & Mystical Archive

Top 10 Math Equations Disguised as Magic Cards

Archetune-Up - Over the Slime and Under the Radar

Strixhaven Set Review - Quandrix and Green