<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kelsien, the Plague" href="#" target="_blank">Kelsien, the Plague</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.rallisart.com/gallery#/magic-the-gathering">Chris Rallis</a></em></p>
<p>One important mechanic is returning in <a href="https://scryfall.com/sets/tle"><em>Avatar</em>:<em> The Last Airbender Eternal</em></a>: experience counters! When I started seeing spoilers, I was immediately on the lookout for potential multicolored commanders that care about how much experience you have, and I stumbled across <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kelsien, the Plague" href="#" target="_blank">Kelsien, the Plague</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, an Assassin from <a href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Ikoria">Ikoria</a> <a href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Kelsien">who's on a revenge tour against the monsters that destroyed his home</a>.</p>
<h2>What does Kelsien, the Plague Do?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kelsien, the Plague"></div></div>
<p>Beyond the helpful vigilance and haste <a href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Keyword_ability">keywords</a>, Kelsien cares about our experience counters, getting a +1/+1 bonus for each one. But how can we increase these counters? This comes in Kelsien's final paragraph of text. We are hoping to ping down vulnerable creatures our opponents control with this commander, because when they die to his ability, we can up our experience count.</p>
<h2>What did this deck look like before <i>Avatar: The Last Airbender</i>?</h2>
<p>Let's use EDHREC's handy dandy <a href="https://edhrec.com/average-decks/kelsien-the-plague">Average Deck</a> feature to see how other brewers have built around Kelsien.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Kelsien, the Plague Average Deck" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Kelsien, the Plague
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Archetype of Finality
*1 Daxos the Returned
*1 Drumbellower
*1 Falthis, Shadowcat Familiar
*1 General&#039;s Enforcer
*1 Harvester of Souls
*1 Humble Defector
*1 Kalemne, Disciple of Iroas
*1 Lae&#039;zel, Vlaakith&#039;s Champion
*1 Magda, the Hoardmaster
*1 Maha, Its Feathers Night
*1 Mari, the Killing Quill
*1 Mathas, Fiend Seeker
*1 Minthara, Merciless Soul
*1 Morbid Opportunist
*1 Mother of Runes
*1 Otharri, Suns&#039; Glory
*1 Shay Cormac
*1 Slaughter Specialist
*1 Taii Wakeen, Perfect Shot
*1 Termination Facilitator
*1 Void Beckoner
*1 White Plume Adventurer
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Basilisk Collar
*1 Boros Signet
*1 Gorgon Flail
*1 Gorgon&#039;s Head
*1 Magewright&#039;s Stone
*1 Orzhov Signet
*1 Patriar&#039;s Seal
*1 Quietus Spike
*1 Rakdos Signet
*1 Shadowspear
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Sting, the Glinting Dagger
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Talisman of Hierarchy
*1 Thornbite Staff
*1 Vorpal Sword
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 All-Out Assault
*1 Aspect of Gorgon
*1 Dazzling Theater // Prop Room
*1 Fighter Class
*1 Gift of Doom
*1 Phyrexian Arena
*1 Rune of Mortality
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 Anguished Unmaking
*1 Boros Charm
*1 Crackling Doom
*1 Fracture
*1 Generous Gift
*1 Mirrodin Avenged
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Stroke of Midnight
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 You Are Already Dead
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Mythos of Snapdax
*1 Night&#039;s Whisper
*1 Open the Armory
*1 Painful Truths
*1 Read the Bones
*1 Ruinous Ultimatum
*1 Steelshaper&#039;s Gift
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Blood Crypt
*1 Bojuka Bog
*1 Caves of Koilos
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Dragonskull Summit
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Forbidden Orchard
*1 Godless Shrine
*1 Isolated Chapel
*5 Mountain
*1 Nomad Outpost
*6 Plains
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Sacred Foundry
*1 Savai Triome
*1 Smoldering Marsh
*1 Spectator Seating
*5 Swamp
*1 Vault of Champions
*1 Vault of the Archangel
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<p>What are the important categories that show up in this list, and what do they tell us about this commander?</p>
<h2>Deathtouch-Enablers</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Falthis, Shadowcat Familiar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rune of Mortality"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gorgon Flail"></div></div>
<p>The Average Deck has 14 cards that can give creatures deathtouch. This ability pairs perfectly with our commander because it means even a one-damage ping will be enough to take out any creature and add to our experience.</p>
<div>
<h2>Experience Counters</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Minthara, Merciless Soul"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kalemne, Disciple of Iroas"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Otharri, Suns&#039; Glory"></div></div>
<p>Besides Kelsien, the Average Deck has four cards that care about experience counters and one that increases the amount of counters we put on ourself (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lae&#039;zel, Vlaakith&#039;s Champion" href="#" target="_blank">Lae&#039;zel, Vlaakith&#039;s Champion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>).</p>
<p>As mentioned in the intro, the rebuilt deck is going to lean way more heavily into experience counters now that <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender Eternal </em>is around the corner.</p>
<h2>Untap Synergies</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Drumbellower"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Magewright&#039;s Stone"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sting, the Glinting Dagger"></div></div>
<p>Once the Kelsien + deathtouch combo has been assembled, the Average Deck showcases the plan to use him multiple times per turn cycle, mowing down opposing threats while increasing experience at the same time.</p>
<h2>Fodder Creatures</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Slaughter Specialist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Humble Defector"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Forbidden Orchard"></div></div>
<p>One fun way to make the most of Kelsien's ping ability is to ensure your opponents have one-toughness creatures to kill. In the average list, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Slaughter Specialist" href="#" target="_blank">Slaughter Specialist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Forbidden Orchard" href="#" target="_blank">Forbidden Orchard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (seriously underrated at only 36% inclusion) fill this role.</p>
<p>Our rebuilt list will have more fun tools for this category.</p>
<h2>Bread and Butter (Mana, Draw, Disruption)</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Magda, the Hoardmaster"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Night&#039;s Whisper"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crackling Doom"></div></div>
</div>
<p>The Average Deck has 35 lands and eight nonland sources of mana, a total of 43 mana sources. If you've read any of my recent articles, you can probably guess what I'm going to say: this feels far too low! This topic is the subject of much debate, though... if you're interested in learning more, you can check out <a href="https://draftsim.com/mtg-edh-deck-number-of-lands/">this article</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTAhqhi8LU0&amp;t=69s">this video</a>, and/or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBtYR4XcOlg">this episode of the EDHREC podcast</a>.</p>
<p>On the plus side, we do see a healthy 11 cards that draw or search for Auras/Equipment as well as 15 pieces of disruption, including seven spot removal spells and three mass removal spells.</p>
<h2>The Rebuild</h2>
<h3>Experience Required</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aang, Airbending Master"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Azula, Ruthless Firebender"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zuko, Firebending Master"></div></div>
<p>To start, let's take a look at the new cards that care about experience counters: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aang, Airbending Master" href="#" target="_blank">Aang, Airbending Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Azula, Ruthless Firebender" href="#" target="_blank">Azula, Ruthless Firebender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zuko, Firebending Master" href="#" target="_blank">Zuko, Firebending Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Throw in the recently spoiled card <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kratos, Stoic Father" href="#" target="_blank">Kratos, Stoic Father</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and we have twice as many experience payoffs as the Average Deck.</p>
<h3>Maximizing Counters</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Patrolling Peacemaker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vraska, Betrayal&#039;s Sting"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Staff of Compleation"></div></div>
<p>With a increased focus on experience, we're also throwing more resources towards steadily upping counters of all types. Proliferate will provide our commander an unstoppable boost (okay, <em>technically </em>they could play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Suncleanser" href="#" target="_blank">Suncleanser</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>).</p>
<p>Proliferate has added synergy with many cards we'd already like to include in a deck like this. Beyond experience, imagine the power of repeatedly increasing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Massacre Girl, Known Killer" href="#" target="_blank">-1/-1</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vincent Valentine" href="#" target="_blank">+1/+1</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Black Market" href="#" target="_blank">charge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archfiend of the Dross" href="#" target="_blank">oil</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> counters.</p>
<h3>Less Removal, More Chaos</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Clackbridge Troll"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rockslide Elemental"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Assault Intercessor"></div></div>
<p>For this rebuild, let's see what happens if we prioritize more creatures dying synergies over board control through cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swords to Plowshares" href="#" target="_blank">Swords to Plowshares</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ruinous Ultimatum" href="#" target="_blank">Ruinous Ultimatum</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The more creatures that are swinging willy nilly at each other in combat, the more fun it is for Kelsien to sit back and strike when the time is right.</p>
<p>Let's switch out some <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><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-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> removal staples for more fun token-generators, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Combat Calligrapher" href="#" target="_blank">Combat Calligrapher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Varchild, Betrayer of Kjeldor" href="#" target="_blank">Varchild, Betrayer of Kjeldor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shadrix Silverquill" href="#" target="_blank">Shadrix Silverquill</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> instead.</p>
<h3>Challenge the Stats</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deathbringer Thoctar"></div></div>
<p>At a measly 16% inclusion rate, this Zombie Beast appears seriously underplayed. The high prevalence of deathtouch-enablers turn the Thoctar into an absolute house. Even without deathtouch, the new creature <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fire Nation Sentinels" href="#" target="_blank">Fire Nation Sentinels</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has a lot of good synergy – now allowing you to take down even two toughness creatures at ease – while growing the rest of your team in the process as an added bonus.</p>
<h2>Putting It All Together</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Kelsien, the Plague Rebuild" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Kelsien, the Plague
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Aang, Airbending Master
*1 Akroan Horse
*1 Archfiend of the Dross
*1 Assault Intercessor
*1 Azula, Ruthless Firebender
*1 Blood Artist
*1 Clackbridge Troll
*1 Combat Calligrapher
*1 Daxos the Returned
*1 Deathbringer Thoctar
*1 Dross Harvester
*1 Falkenrath Noble
*1 Falthis, Shadowcat Familiar
*1 Fire Nation Sentinels
*1 Grateful Apparition
*1 Humble Defector
*1 Kalemne, Disciple of Iroas
*1 Kratos, Stoic Father
*1 Lae&#039;zel, Vlaakith&#039;s Champion
*1 Magda, the Hoardmaster
*1 Maha, Its Feathers Night
*1 Marvin, Murderous Mimic
*1 Massacre Girl, Known Killer
*1 Metastatic Evangel
*1 Minthara, Merciless Soul
*1 Morbid Opportunist
*1 Otharri, Suns&#039; Glory
*1 Patrolling Peacemaker
*1 Rockslide Elemental
*1 Shadrix Silverquill
*1 Slaughter Specialist
*1 Syr Konrad, the Grim
*1 Taii Wakeen, Perfect Shot
*1 Varchild, Betrayer of Kjeldor
*1 Venomcrawler
*1 Vincent Valentine // Galian Beast
*1 Zuko, Firebending Master
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Aetheric Amplifier
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Basilisk Collar
*1 Contagion Clasp
*1 Dowsing Dagger // Lost Vale
*1 Hidden Blade
*1 Recon Craft Theta
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Staff of Compleation
*1 Throne of Geth
*1 Vorpal Sword
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 All-Out Assault
*1 Black Market
*1 Dazzling Theater // Prop Room
*1 Gift of Doom
*1 Glasswing Grace // Age-Graced Chapel
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 Comet Storm
*1 Legion Leadership // Legion Stronghold
*1 Maximum Overdrive
*1 Mirrodin Avenged
*1 Stroke of Midnight
*1 Toxin Analysis
*1 You Are Already Dead
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Sundering Eruption // Volcanic Fissure
[/Sorceries]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Vraska, Betrayal&#039;s Sting
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Axgard Armory
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Blazemire Verge
*1 Bleachbone Verge
*1 Blightstep Pathway // Searstep Pathway
*1 Blood Crypt
*1 Brightclimb Pathway // Grimclimb Pathway
*1 Caves of Koilos
*1 Command Tower
*1 Desolate Mire
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fabled Passage
*1 Forbidden Orchard
*1 Godless Shrine
*1 Haunted Ridge
*1 Karn&#039;s Bastion
*1 Luxury Suite
*2 Mountain
*1 Needleverge Pathway // Pillarverge Pathway
*2 Plains
*1 Sacred Foundry
*1 Shadowblood Ridge
*1 Shattered Sanctum
*1 Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep
*1 Shizo, Death&#039;s Storehouse
*1 Spectator Seating
*1 Sulfurous Springs
*1 Sunbillow Verge
*1 Sundown Pass
*1 Sunscorched Divide
*3 Swamp
*1 Vault of Champions
*1 Vault of the Archangel
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<div>
<h2>Deck Checklist</h2>
<ul>
<li>47 mana sources (36 lands, 4 mana rocks, 4 misc., 3 MDFCs)</li>
<li>9 cards that draw/search</li>
<li>8 targeted disruption</li>
<li>5 mass disruption</li>
<li>9 cards that grant deathtouch</li>
<li>8 cards that care about experience counters</li>
<li>15 cards that care about other types of counters</li>
<li>11 ways to increase counters</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>If you want to see how high you can get your experience counters while creating a big board state for everyone at the table, this build of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kelsien, the Plague" href="#" target="_blank">Kelsien, the Plague</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is right for you! What do you think about this strategy? What about the other <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><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-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> commander options that have recently been spoiled? Let the EDHREC community know in the comments below.</p>
</div>


rwb

Rebuilding Kelsien, the Plague with Avatar: The Last Airbender Eternal