<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves" href="#" target="_blank">Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://ryanpancoast.com/">Ryan Pancoast</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo, and this is <em>Epic Experiment</em>, a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>Let's take a look at <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves" href="#" target="_blank">Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves"></div></div>
<p>Tolsimir is an all-time favorite commander of mine. This card is just awesome, from its concept to its art and abilities.</p>
<p>Tolsimir is a versatile commander who's a bit of a mid-range king. From the get-go, we have a five-mana creature that gains us life and comes with a removal stapled to it, but that's only the beginning. For each Wolf that enters the battlefield afterward, we get those triggers again and again, which makes controlling the battlefield an easy task. This impressive kit allows Tolsimir to capitalize on different strategies: Wolves entering the battlefield can be abused by blink effects, the lifegain can be used for life-matters payoffs, and Wolves' natural token synergies play into the classic green-white tokens archetype.</p>
<p>However, there are still two main issues that need to be addressed when building Tolsimir. First, a five-mana commander is a bit on the expensive side, which can quickly lock us out of playing him if he's removed too often. The second issue is that without proper support, it's pretty hard to get value out of the fight trigger and keep our creature, which means that we need to do a lot of set up before getting full value from our commander.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Ingredients</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Astral Slide"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sarulf&#039;s Packmate"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Primal Forcemage"></div></div>
<p>Out of the many ways to have a constant flow of creatures to trigger our commander, <em>Cycling</em> seems to have fallen under the radar. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Astral Slide" href="#" target="_blank">Astral Slide</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Astral Drift" href="#" target="_blank">Astral Drift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both amazing engines that allow us to keep triggering our commander while also digging us for more action.</p>
<p>As a tribe, Wolves have a surprisingly good number of solid ETB creatures to blink, so much so that we have the luxury of selecting mostly for their effect instead of having to fill in with beefier creatures for the fight ETB. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cemetery Prowler" href="#" target="_blank">Cemetery Prowler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a graveyard hate effect that has the added benefit of giving us a slight discount on some of our spells. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ferocious Pup" href="#" target="_blank">Ferocious Pup</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Irregular Cohort" href="#" target="_blank">Irregular Cohort</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are versatile cards since they give us two triggers to play around with. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Howling Giant" href="#" target="_blank">Howling Giant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tovolar&#039;s Huntmaster" href="#" target="_blank">Tovolar&#039;s Huntmaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Somberwald Beastmaster" href="#" target="_blank">Somberwald Beastmaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are our top-end targets that flood the board with more tokens.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Drannith Healer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Forsake the Worldly"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Akroma&#039;s Vengeance"></div></div>
<p>We have every one-mana <em>Cycling</em> card available at our disposal, but as a two-colored <em>Cycling</em> deck, we quickly have to rely on more expensive ones, which isn't too bad, since we also have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fluctuator" href="#" target="_blank">Fluctuator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. One nice thing about <em>Cycling</em> strategies is that we can pack a myriad of different card effects among the different <em>Cycling</em> cards. We've got <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Forsake the Worldly" href="#" target="_blank">Forsake the Worldly</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wilt" href="#" target="_blank">Wilt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for artifacts and enchantments, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Radiant&#039;s Judgment" href="#" target="_blank">Radiant&#039;s Judgment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for creatures, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akroma&#039;s Vengeance" href="#" target="_blank">Akroma&#039;s Vengeance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> takes care of anything barring planeswalkers.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Tolsimir Cycling" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves[/Commander]
[Creature]
*Ascendant Packleader
*Flourishing Fox
*Young Wolf
*Drannith Healer
*Masked Vandal
*Valiant Rescuer
*Cemetery Prowler
*Eternal Witness
*Ferocious Pup
*Primal Forcemage
*Briarpack Alpha
*Irregular Cohort
*Nightpack Ambusher
*Pack Guardian
*Sarulf&#039;s Packmate
*Oketra&#039;s Attendant
*Skalla Wolf
*Timeless Dragon
*Wolfir Silverheart
*Elvish Aberration
*Hollowhenge Overlord
*Imposing Vantasaur
*Orchard Strider
*Pale Recluse
*Tovolar&#039;s Huntmaster
*Winged Shepherd
*Howling Giant
*Somberwald Beastmaster
[/Creature]
[Enchantment]
*Mark of Asylum
*Sterling Grove
*Astral Drift
*Astral Slide
*Howling Moon
*Howlpack Resurgence
*Sigil of the Nayan Gods
*Anointed Procession
*Cast Out
*Parallel Lives
[/Enchantment]
[Artifact]
*Sol Ring
*Flucuator
*Bow of Nylea
[/Artifact]
[Instant]
*Enlightened Tutor
*Angelsong
*Clear
*Dissenter&#039;s Deliverance
*Djeru&#039;s Renunciation
*Lull
*Repopulate
*Wilt
*Akroma&#039;s Blessing
*Forsake the Worldly
*Radiant&#039;s Judgement
*Sylvan Reclamation
[/Instant]
[Planeswalker]
*The Wanderer
[/Planeswalker]
[Sorcery]
*Edge of Autumn
*Beneath the Sands
*Idyllic Tutor
*Marshaling Cry
*Migration Path
*Wrath of God
*Akroma&#039;s Vengeance
*Austere Command
*Plea for Guidance
[/Sorcery]
[Land]
*Ash Barrens
*Bountiful Promenade
*Branchloft Pathway
*Brushland
*Canopy Vista
*City of Brass
*Command Tower
*Mana Confluence
*Overgrown Farmland
*Scattered Grove
*Secluded Steppe
*Sunpetal Grove
*Temple Garden
*Temple of Plenty
*Tranquil Thicket
*Ghost Quarter
*Tectonic Edge
*10 Forest
*9 Plains
[/Land]"></span></div>

<hr />
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<p>There are plenty of great support cards for Tolsimir, although since we're a bit slot-starved between our Wolves and our <em>Cycling</em> cards, we have to be choosey with them. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mark of Asylum" href="#" target="_blank">Mark of Asylum</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Wanderer" href="#" target="_blank">The Wanderer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are ways to avoid losing our Wolves to our fight triggers, for instance. In a deck with so many token-generators, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anointed Procession" href="#" target="_blank">Anointed Procession</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Parallel Lives" href="#" target="_blank">Parallel Lives</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> quickly put us over the edge. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Primal Forcemage" href="#" target="_blank">Primal Forcemage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s pump is a really efficient way to both protect from and rip apart our opponents' threats.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mark of Asylum"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anointed Procession"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Wanderer"></div></div>
<p>We need to find our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Astral Drift" href="#" target="_blank">Astral Drift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>/ <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Astral Slide" href="#" target="_blank">Astral Slide</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as fast as possible, and while we have some drawing power with our <em>Cyclers</em>, we still need to have a few tutors. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Enlightened Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Enlightened Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a cheap tutor that can be used either before our draw step or together with our <em>Cyclers</em> to get one of our enchantments. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Idyllic Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Idyllic Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a bit expensive, but it gets it into our hands, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sterling Grove" href="#" target="_blank">Sterling Grove</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is versatile and can either find or protect our key enchantments.</p>
<p>Our early game is a bit slow, with a few turns dedicated to setting up our board. This means that we're either digging for the <em>Cycling</em> enchantments or playing some of our support cards. It's also worth keeping in mind that since we lack the sheer number of <em>Cycling</em> cards as most of our decks usually have, it's good to consider holding out some <em>Cyclers</em> so that we have them available for when we start going off.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wilt"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Astral Slide"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Akroma&#039;s Blessing"></div></div>
<p>While our game plan revolves around those the <em>Cycling</em> enchantments, we're no slouches if we don't find them. Our commander is a strong mid-range threat and, together with our Wolves, he can help us control the board and give us some breathing room to find what we're looking for.</p>
<p>If we get to keep our board, then by the late game we're pretty well set. The advantage of having a lot of cards that cantrip is that we can redraw and get ahead on board at the same time. We're a bit lacking in the bombs department, so to win, we'll need to do a bit of grinding. At that point, though, even just casting our beefiest can also be a pretty decent gameplan if we need a board state! The benefit of a grindy strategy is that it's slow to build up, but just as difficult to completely dismantle!</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment</em>! What do you think of this list? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which did you not? Was this experiment a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Tolsimir

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigarda, Champion of Light" href="#" target="_blank">Sigarda, Champion of Light</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.howardlyon.com/">Howard Lyon</a>)</h6>
<h1>The Night is Dark and Full of Terrors</h1>
<p>Hello, and welcome back to <em>Archetune-Up</em>, an article series devoted to tweaking a deck with the help of the EDHREC <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes">Theme</a> <a href="https://edhrec.com/tribes">Pages</a>!</p>
<p>With the beginning of <em>Innistrad: Midnight Hunt</em> previews, spoopy season is in full swing, and I couldn't be more excited. Autumn is my favorite time of the year, and Innistrad is my favorite plane, so having them both together at the same time is just <em>awesome</em>.</p>
<p>Over the next few weeks, as Halloween creeps in, I plan on writing about each of the five tribes of the plane, and what better way to start off than with the stalwart survivors, the Humans of Innistrad?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sigarda, Champion of Light"></div></div>
<p>This new iteration of Sigarda has gotten a bit of flack for not being more interesting than her previous form, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigarda, Heron&#039;s Grace" href="#" target="_blank">Sigarda, Heron&#039;s Grace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (and for not having hexproof somewhere), but I quite like the aggressive slant of this version. A sizable, flying, trampling body is always welcome on a commander, and the added anthem and potential card advantage are lovely features that make this Sigarda appealing at the helm of a Human deck.</p>
<p>She isn't as defensive as <span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigarda, Heron&#039;s Grace" href="#" target="_blank">her previous card</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but I see that as a boon instead of a drawback. This is great for certain metas and playgroups where targeted effects are scarce and the protection isn't as warranted. Instead of using the commander as a form of defense, a Humans deck can really kick it into high gear with a more aggressive <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigarda, Champion of Light" href="#" target="_blank">Sigarda</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to help them push damage through and close out games.</span></p>
<p>That said, while we're looking to put together an aggressive list, I still think <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigarda, Heron&#039;s Grace" href="#" target="_blank">Sigarda, Heron&#039;s Grace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s average list is the place to start, so let's grab that and see where we can make some tune-ups!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Average Sigarda" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Sigarda, Heron&#039;s Grace
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Angel of Glory&#039;s Rise
*1 Archetype of Courage
*1 Avacyn&#039;s Pilgrim
*1 Baird, Steward of Argive
*1 Champion of Lambholt
*1 Champion of the Parish
*1 Destiny Spinner
*1 Devout Chaplain
*1 Druid of Purification
*1 Duskwatch Recruiter
*1 Esper Sentinel
*1 Eternal Witness
*1 Fiend Hunter
*1 Frontline Medic
*1 Grand Abolisher
*1 Hamlet Captain
*1 Hanweir Militia Captain
*1 Herald of War
*1 Heron&#039;s Grace Champion
*1 Juniper Order Ranger
*1 Maja, Bretagard Protector
*1 Mentor of the Meek
*1 Mikaeus, the Lunarch
*1 Mother of Runes
*1 Odric, Lunarch Marshal
*1 Odric, Master Tactician
*1 Riders of Gavony
*1 Shalai, Voice of Plenty
*1 Shanna, Sisay&#039;s Legacy
*1 Thalia&#039;s Lancers
*1 Thalia&#039;s Lieutenant
*1 Thalia, Heretic Cathar
*1 Thraben Doomsayer
*1 Tireless Tracker
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Cathars&#039; Crusade
*1 Growing Rites of Itlimoc
*1 Guardian Project
*1 Mirari&#039;s Wake
*1 Sanctuary Lockdown
*1 True Conviction
*1 Ulvenwald Mysteries
[/Enchantments]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Icon of Ancestry
*1 Lifecrafter&#039;s Bestiary
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Selesnya Signet
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Vanquisher&#039;s Banner
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Collective Effort
*1 Cultivate
*1 Dusk // Dawn
*1 Harmonize
*1 Increasing Devotion
*1 Kodama&#039;s Reach
*1 Rampant Growth
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Beast Within
*1 Eladamri&#039;s Call
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Repel the Abominable
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Unbreakable Formation
[/Instants]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Ajani, the Greathearted
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Blossoming Sands
*1 Canopy Vista
*1 Castle Ardenvale
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*6 Forest
*1 Fortified Village
*1 Gavony Township
*1 Krosan Verge
*14 Plains
*1 Scattered Groves
*1 Selesnya Sanctuary
*1 Sunpetal Grove
*1 Temple Garden
*1 Temple of Plenty
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Unclaimed Territory
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>Unlike the past few articles, this average list doesn't have any glaring flaws. The land count is acceptable, there are anthems, and lots of Humans. The biggest issue is that there are a couple of <em>other</em> Angels in the list. I am <em>very</em> strict when it comes to my tribal decks. I don't care if the Angels have tribal synergies or not: if it isn't a Human, it's out. I'm cutting it. 😤</p>
<p>I could keep complaining about the non-Human cards I had to cut, but instead, let's just get into the cards I added from the <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/sigarda-herons-grace/human">G/W Human Theme</a>, shall we?</p>
<hr />
<h2>Strength in Numbers</h2>
<p>Because of the cuts to the creature count, the deck is now at 28 total creatures. For casual tribal decks, I like being at 30 or more, so let's pick up some solid Humans from this theme and add them to our growing coven!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bastion Protector"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Silverblade Paladin"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Courageous Outrider"></div></div>
<p>The three Humans I added are strong and straightforward and are welcome additions to the list. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bastion Protector" href="#" target="_blank">Bastion Protector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> pumps <span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigarda, Champion of Light" href="#" target="_blank">Sigarda</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and helps her stick around, which is quite important, since she's one of main forms of card advantage in this deck. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Silverblade Paladin" href="#" target="_blank">Silverblade Paladin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is just a solid creature, letting us push damage through with two double striking creatures, one of which can be <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigarda, Champion of Light" href="#" target="_blank">our commander</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This is relevant, since it will let her knock opponents out with commander damage in three attacks. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Courageous Outrider" href="#" target="_blank">Courageous Outrider</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is just a solid Human with a good body, and it can replace itself, which I'll never turn away!</span></p>
<p>All three of these cards a very solid role-players, and each adds a bit of flexibility to the deck. Most of the time, tribal decks try to win games by going wide and dealing combat damage, so having ways to accrue card advantage or close out games with Humans, while also potentially facilitating commander damage, will give our deck a lot of dimensionality.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Bigger the Toolbox, the Longer the Life</h2>
<p>Now that all our Humans are accounted for, I want to make sure they have the proper amount of support. These last seven cards I'm adding are ways to give our survivors the push they needed to make it through the night.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Makindi Stampede"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ondu Inversion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bala Ged Recovery"></div></div>
<p>Let's start off with <em>Zendikar Rising</em> MDFCs. There isn't a decklist I've put together that doesn't use these anymore. Of all the MDFCs that were incidentally scattered across the Human Tribal theme page, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Makindi Stampede" href="#" target="_blank">Makindi Stampede</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ondu Inversion" href="#" target="_blank">Ondu Inversion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bala Ged Recovery" href="#" target="_blank">Bala Ged Recovery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> caught my interest the most. These are all desirable effects that I'm happy to include, especially when they double as lands. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ondu Inversion" href="#" target="_blank">Ondu Inversion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a particular favorite of mine, since sometimes you just <em>need </em>a board wipe, no matter if you're piloting a creature-based deck or not, and slotting it in as part of the mana base is a great option to have.</p>
<p>Other options for MDFCs for this deck would be <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sejiri Shelter" href="#" target="_blank">Sejiri Shelter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Turntimber Symbiosis" href="#" target="_blank">Turntimber Symbiosis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sejiri Shelter" href="#" target="_blank">Sejiri Shelter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be used offensively or defensively, depending on if you need to blank enemy removal or push damage through. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Turntimber Symbiosis" href="#" target="_blank">Turntimber Symbiosis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, on the other hand, is usually not great when it's cheating out smaller creatures, as it only adds three extra +1/+1 counters to whatever you find, but since <span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigarda, Champion of Light" href="#" target="_blank">Sigarda</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> cares about having varied powers, those extra counters can be enough to trigger her <em>Coven</em> ability and dig for some extra friends!</span></p>
<hr />
<h2>Bar the Gate! Hold for Reinforcements!</h2>
<p>Lastly, I've got four more cards to assist our Human companions through their most dire hour. We've seen a couple of them before, but the others are neat, niche inclusions for this list.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Overwhelming Stampede"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spare From Evil"></div></div>
<p>Both of these spells seek to modify our entire team in some way. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overwhelming Stampede" href="#" target="_blank">Overwhelming Stampede</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a game-ending spell that can quite literally overwhelm the board with minimal investment. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spare From Evil" href="#" target="_blank">Spare From Evil</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can pivot between offensive and defensive, depending on what we need at the time. Giving all of our Humans protection from non-Humans is great for blunting an assault or completely bypassing our opponents' defenses, so use it accordingly!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Call the Coppercoats"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bow of Nylea"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Call the Coppercoats" href="#" target="_blank">Call the Coppercoats</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an army in a can. It's been picking up in popularity recently, showing up in over <a href="https://edhrec.com/cards/call-the-coppercoats">4,400 decks</a>, and for good reason! I usually dislike spells that rely on our opponents, but when they're cheap, scalable, and an instant, I have to make an exception. Having a powerful and flexible spell like this ready to go at a moment's notice is incredibly strong, as it can add a large number of bodies to the board in a flash. The icing on the cake with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Call the Coppercoats" href="#" target="_blank">Call the Coppercoats</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, though, is that all the creatures it makes are <em>Human</em> Soldiers, meaning that not only will Sigarda pump them, but they will also synergize with our plentiful Human payoffs, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hamlet Captain" href="#" target="_blank">Hamlet Captain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heron&#039;s Grace Champion" href="#" target="_blank">Heron&#039;s Grace Champion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>!</p>
<p>The final card, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bow of Nylea" href="#" target="_blank">Bow of Nylea</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, might seem a bit odd at first, but I think it's worth the slot because of its versatility. The main appeal of <span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bow of Nylea" href="#" target="_blank">Bow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is twofold: first, to make our team a pain for enemies to block, and second, as a means of putting +1/+1 counters on our creatures. The ability to add extra counters as needed helps us diversify our team's power, and will go a long way in making sure we are able to trigger <em>Coven</em>. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Like I said earlier, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigarda, Champion of Light" href="#" target="_blank">Sigarda</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of this deck's main means of accruing card advantage, so a permanent that helps our entire team while also enabling our commander's ability is awesome. That isn't even mentioning the other three abilities of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bow of Nylea" href="#" target="_blank">Bow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> either! Pinging fliers, gaining life, and putting cards back into the deck are just icing on the cake. I think <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bow of Nylea" href="#" target="_blank">Bow of Nylea</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> flies under the radar quite often, but here, it's right at home. </span></p>
<hr />
<h2>Welcome to the Fold</h2>
<p>There we have it! A lovely little Human list, poised to take on whatever the ghastly creatures lurk in the night!</p>
<p>While these two Innistrad sets are focused on Werewolves and Vampires, I think Humans stand to gain a lot here, especially since they're getting their own <em>Coven Counters</em> precon!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Leinore, Autumn Sovereign"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Contortionist Troupe"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gavony Dawnguard"></div></div>
<p>There are going to be a lot of synergistic Human Tribal cards coming out over the next few months, so be sure to keep a lookout. If there was ever a time to band together with your fellow Humans, it's now! There will be upgrades and powerful cards aplenty!</p>
<p>What about you though? What are your thoughts on Human Tribal? Was I too strict when I excluded all non-Human cards form the deck? What's your favorite Innistrad tribe? Make sure to let me know down below!</p>
<p>As always, you can reach me on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/thejesguy">@thejesguy</a>), where you can always hit me up for <i>Magic- </i>or Jeskai-related shenanigans 24/7. Do you have any comments, questions, or concerns? Please don’t hesitate to leave them below or get in touch! Stay safe, get vaccinated, wear your mask, and keep fighting the good fight. I support you. No justice, no peace.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Archetuned-Up NEW Sigarda" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Sigarda, Champion of Light
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Archetype of Courage
*1 Avacyn&#039;s Pilgrim
*1 Bastion Protector
*1 Champion of Lambholt
*1 Champion of the Parish
*1 Courageous Outrider
*1 Devout Chaplain
*1 Druid of Purification
*1 Esper Sentinel
*1 Eternal Witness
*1 Fiend Hunter
*1 Frontline Medic
*1 Grand Abolisher
*1 Hamlet Captain
*1 Hanweir Militia Captain
*1 Heron&#039;s Grace Champion
*1 Juniper Order Ranger
*1 Maja, Bretagard Protector
*1 Mentor of the Meek
*1 Mikaeus, the Lunarch
*1 Mother of Runes
*1 Odric, Lunarch Marshal
*1 Odric, Master Tactician
*1 Riders of Gavony
*1 Shanna, Sisay&#039;s Legacy
*1 Silverblade Paladin
*1 Thalia&#039;s Lancers
*1 Thalia&#039;s Lieutenant
*1 Thalia, Heretic Cathar
*1 Thraben Doomsayer
*1 Tireless Tracker
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Cathars&#039; Crusade
*1 Growing Rites of Itlimoc
*1 Guardian Project
*1 Mirari&#039;s Wake
*1 True Conviction
*1 Ulvenwald Mysteries
[/Enchantments]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bow of Nylea
*1 Icon of Ancestry
*1 Lifecrafter&#039;s Bestiary
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Selesnya Signet
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Vanquisher&#039;s Banner
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Beast Within
*1 Call the Coppercoats
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Repel the Abominable
*1 Spare from Evil
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Unbreakable Formation
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Bala Ged Recovery
*1 Cultivate
*1 Dusk // Dawn
*1 Harmonize
*1 Increasing Devotion
*1 Kodama&#039;s Reach
*1 Makindi Stampede
*1 Ondu Inversion
*1 Overwhelming Stampede
*1 Rampant Growth
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Blossoming Sands
*1 Canopy Vista
*1 Castle Ardenvale
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*6 Forest
*1 Fortified Village
*1 Gavony Township
*1 Krosan Verge
*14 Plains
*1 Scattered Groves
*1 Selesnya Sanctuary
*1 Sunpetal Grove
*1 Temple Garden
*1 Temple of Plenty
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Unclaimed Territory
[/Lands]"></span></div>



Archetune-Up - A Light in the Darkness

Archetune-Up - The Hunter's Blades

Deep Analysis - Enchantress

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Siona, Captain of the Pyleas" href="#" target="_blank">Siona, Captain of the Pyleas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>| Art by <a href="https://chrisrallis.artstation.com/">Chris Rallis</a>)</h6>
<h1>Stax and Attacks</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo Melibeu, and this is <em>Epic Experiment,</em> a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>In this article we'll be talking about a very interesting Selesnya commander, who has the ability to go both wide and tall: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Siona, Captain of the Pyleas" href="#" target="_blank">Siona, Captain of the Pyleas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Siona, Captain of the Pyleas"></div></div>
<p><strong>When Siona, Captain of the Pyleas enters the battlefield, look at the top seven cards of your library. You may reveal an Aura card from among them and put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Whenever an Aura you control becomes attached to a creature you control, create a 1/1 white Human Soldier creature token.</strong></p>
<p>Observation 1:</p>
<p>Siona is an amazing card; it does the usual Selesnya token stuff, but with the unique spin of 'Auras matter'.</p>
<p>Observation 2:</p>
<p>The combination of a decent ETB and a great static ability makes her kit impressive for such a cheap commander.</p>
<p>Observation 3:</p>
<p>Siona's ability to flood the board with cheap Auras is kind of lackluster at face value. However, there are many ways that we can abuse the extra bodies in green.</p>
<p>Observation 4:</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shielded by Faith" href="#" target="_blank">Shielded by Faith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a two-card combo with Siona, which in itself is already impressive, but even more so when you consider that one piece of the combo (Siona) digs for the other.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Old Formula</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Siona-Sig.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-46816" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Siona-Sig.png" alt="" width="1189" height="330" /></a></p>
<p>Siona is full of powerful synergies. Her kit brings to her EDHREC page a bevy of low-cost Auras, which work great with Enchantress effects. We even get full value from the stricter forms of these abilities, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kor Spiritdancer" href="#" target="_blank">Kor Spiritdancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Epic Ingredients</h2>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Smokestack"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rancor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Martyr&#039;s Bond"></div></div><br />
When <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Siona, Captain of the Pyleas" href="#" target="_blank">Siona, Captain of the Pyleas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was spoiled, I was impressed by her potential to flood the board by using cheap Auras like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flickering Ward" href="#" target="_blank">Flickering Ward</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can be easily built around in GW. The ability to put that many permanents into play goes really well with one of my guilty pleasures cards: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Smokestack" href="#" target="_blank">Smokestack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Siona's kit allows her to easily negate the downsides of a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Smokestack" href="#" target="_blank">Smokestack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with two or three counters. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="World Queller" href="#" target="_blank">World Queller</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> works here, too, which is not as disruptive as Smokestack, but the redundancy is quite nice and can pretty much shut down decks that aren't dedicated to a theme as strongly as we are.</p>
<p>Siona's ETB naturally gravitates her towards <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wild Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Wild Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects. This means our lands will be a more efficient than the rest of the table, which breaks the symmetry of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winter Orb" href="#" target="_blank">Winter Orb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects. As you can see, Siona can has all the makings of an interesting Stax commander!</p>
<p>We have quite a diverse hate suite, hitting many of the most common threats; however, this is a section where we should look to adapt to our meta. For example, against artifacts, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Damping Matrix" href="#" target="_blank">Damping Matrix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Collector Ouphe" href="#" target="_blank">Collector Ouphe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stony Silence" href="#" target="_blank">Stony Silence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aura Shards" href="#" target="_blank">Aura Shards</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Against graveyard decks, there's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Containment Priest" href="#" target="_blank">Containment Priest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ground Seal" href="#" target="_blank">Ground Seal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wheel of Sun and Moon" href="#" target="_blank">Wheel of Sun and Moon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. To slow down decks with heavy tutor or card advantage abilities, we can use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alms Collector" href="#" target="_blank">Alms Collector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aven Mindcensor" href="#" target="_blank">Aven Mindcensor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Smothering Tithe" href="#" target="_blank">Smothering Tithe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The possibilities are plentiful, and how deep we go against a particular archetype is metagame-dependent.</p>
<p>Another key factor in this deck is our recurring enchantment suite. These enchantments are a guaranteed way to get consistent ETB triggers, providing us value and card advantage when combined with Enchantress effects. We mostly have two kinds of Auras. First, the ones that come back after going to the graveyard, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aspect of Mongoose" href="#" target="_blank">Aspect of Mongoose</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brilliant Halo" href="#" target="_blank">Brilliant Halo</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These are important effects, since we use them as sacrifice fodder, then replay them to get even more tokens. Second, the Auras that we get to bounce back to our hand, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flickering Ward" href="#" target="_blank">Flickering Ward</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Whip Silk" href="#" target="_blank">Whip Silk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conviction" href="#" target="_blank">Conviction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These make grindy games a whole lot easier.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shielded By Faith"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sigil of the Empty Throne"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Triumph of the Hordes"></div></div>
<p>Since we actually need to win, let's talk about win conditions. The <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shielded by Faith" href="#" target="_blank">Shielded by Faith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> combo is a must-include, a cheap two-card combo that we have a shot at digging it with our commander. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigil of the Empty Throne" href="#" target="_blank">Sigil of the Empty Throne</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is exactly the type of grindy permanent-producing win con that we're looking for. On the other hand, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Triumph of the Hordes" href="#" target="_blank">Triumph of the Hordes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lacks the permanent threat potential of other win cons, but can eliminate one problematic player much faster, giving us a nice balance of effects for immediate victory or for longer games.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Siona Stax" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div></p>
<p>[Commander]Siona, Captain of the Pyleas[/Commander]</p>
<p>[Creature]</p>
<p>*Avacyn's Pilgrim<br />
*Birds of Paradise<br />
*Argothian Enchantress<br />
*Auratog<br />
*Collector Ouphe<br />
*Containment Priest<br />
*Grand Abolisher<br />
*Kor Spiritdancer<br />
*Qasali Pridemage<br />
*Sram, Senior Edificer<br />
*Aven Mindcensor<br />
*Setessan Champion<br />
*Thalia, Heretic Cathar<br />
*Alms Collector</p>
<p>*Eidolon of Blossoms<br />
*Hokori, Dust Drinker<br />
*Loxodon Gatekeeper<br />
*World Queller<br />
[/Creature]</p>
<p>[Enchantment]</p>
<p>*Flickering Ward<br />
*Land Tax<br />
*On Thin Ice<br />
*Rancor<br />
*Sentinel's Eyes<br />
*Spider Umbra<br />
*Utopia Sprawl<br />
*Whip Silk<br />
*Wild Growth<br />
*Aspect of Mongoose<br />
*Brilliant Halo<br />
*Conviction<br />
*Darksteel Mutation<br />
*Felidar Umbra<br />
*Fertile Ground<br />
*Ground Seal<br />
*Kenrith's Transformation<br />
*Seal of Primordium<br />
*Sterling Grove<br />
*Stony Silence<br />
*Sun Clasp<br />
*Wheel of Sun and Moon</p>
<p>*Wolfwillow Haven<br />
*Aura Shard<br />
*Enchantress's Presence<br />
*Overgrowth<br />
*Shielded by Faith<br />
*Verdant Haven<br />
*Weirdling Woods</p>
<p>*Dawn's Reflection</p>
<p>*Market Festival</p>
<p>*Smothering Tithe<br />
*Sigil of the Empty Throne<br />
*Martyr's Bond<br />
[/Enchantment]</p>
<p>[Artifact]</p>
<p>*Skullclamp</p>
<p>*Sol Ring<br />
*Winter Orb<br />
*Damping Matrix<br />
*Static Orb<br />
*Tangle WIre<br />
*Smokestack</p>
<p>[/Artifact]</p>
<p>[Sorcery]</p>
<p>*Idyllic Tutor<br />
*Triumph of the Hordes<br />
*Wrath of God<br />
*Austere Command</p>
<p>[/Sorcery]</p>
<p>[Instant]</p>
<p>*Enlightened Tutor</p>
<p>[/Instant]</p>
<p>[Land]</p>
<p>*Command Tower<br />
*Bountiful Promenade<br />
*Temple Garden<br />
*City of Brass<br />
*Mana Confluence<br />
*Brushland<br />
*Sunpetal Grove<br />
*Fortified Village<br />
*Canopy Vista<br />
*Scattered Grove<br />
*Temple of Plenty<br />
*Stirring Wildwood<br />
*Blossoming Sands<br />
*Tranquil Thicket<br />
*Secluded Steppe<br />
*Ash Barrens<br />
*Ghost Quarter<br />
*Tectonic Edge<br />
*10 Snow-Covered Forest<br />
*7 Snow-Covered Plains<br />
[/Land]</p>
<p>[/Deck]</p>
<hr />
<p>Now let's get one thing straight about this list and, to some extent, its archetype. Stax is pretty divisive among EDH's community, with many people having negative feelings about it. As a social format, part of our goal is to adjust our decks according to our meta and games are only fun if everyone is enjoying them. Because of that, it might be better to ask how your playgroup feels about stax before playing it, so you don't build something that will make people unhappy.</p>
<p>Since our commander can dig pretty deep for Auras, we're also using Auras as our removal suite. Opting out of instant-speed interaction has the obvious downside of losing the flexibility of acting in response; however, our removal has the knee-capping potential of permanently locking an opponent out of their commander. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kenrith&#039;s Transformation" href="#" target="_blank">Kenrith&#039;s Transformation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an efficient removal that also cantrips, for instance, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Darksteel Mutation" href="#" target="_blank">Darksteel Mutation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a nasty card which can pretty much shut down someone's commander, since it doesn't allow the enchanted creature to be destroyed as collateral by board wipes.</p>
<p>Our card draw suite is mainly Enchantress effects, with some focus on those of the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kor Spiritdancer" href="#" target="_blank">Kor Spiritdancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> style, since they are cheaper. It's usually not a good idea to only use these kinds of draw effects, and to diversify the card advantage suite a bit more, but our deck has a tendency of being able to recast the same enchantment multiple times, so I'm happy to lean into these abilities.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<p>Our priorities for an opening hand vary based on our opponents because some of our lock pieces are more effective than others. Normally, what we want to see is a form of mana acceleration and some source of disruption. Our commander is great at finding some more action, which can lead into more flexibility for what we keep in our opening hand.</p>
<p>In the early game our priority is to accelerate to either put down a stax piece or to start putting out Soldiers with Siona. A good early game is crucial to keep the rest of the table in check, but we always have to keep in mind that we need to be ahead on board before playing things like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winter Orb" href="#" target="_blank">Winter Orb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>By the mid game we should start layering down our disruption by playing multiple pieces that lock other players down. This is really crucial if we want to actually stop our opponents instead of just slowly annoying them. Another key aspect that we must not forget is the free damage that we can dish out with our tokens, especially when blocking might mean that we get back one of our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-type of Auras.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Winter Orb"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rancor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Triumph of the Hordes"></div></div>
<p>In the late game we should have found the combo, or even just ground people out with our tokens. Otherwise our deck will start to be out-scaled pretty quickly. Luckily for us, this is where the more explosive cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shielded By Faith" href="#" target="_blank">Shielded By Faith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Triumph of the Hordes" href="#" target="_blank">Triumph of the Hordes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> come in handy.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Linvala, Keeper of Silence"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cryptolith Rite"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Calix, Destiny&#039;s Hand"></div></div>
<p>Like I said before, there are plenty of ways to lock the game out, and there are many things to take into consideration, such as power level and environment. So if you want to take this deck and adapt it, there's plenty of opportunity to do so! For instance, one could capitalize on the tokens with effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cryptolith Rite" href="#" target="_blank">Cryptolith Rite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glare of Subdual" href="#" target="_blank">Glare of Subdual</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment!</em> What do you think about this list? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which didn’t you? Was the <em>Epic Experiment</em> a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Siona Stax

Commander Showdown - Trostani vs Ghired

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhythm of the Wild" href="#" target="_blank">Rhythm of the Wild</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://www.morano.pl/main.php">Tomasz Jedruszek</a> )</h6>
<h1>Prologue</h1>
<p>Hello and welcome to another installment of <em>Lore Seeker, </em>an article series devoted to the legendary creatures to whom <em>Wizards of the Coast</em> forgot to give a story. I’ll guide you through each fragment that makes up a legendary creature and give them a little extra background love. This time around we’ll be highlighting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghired, Conclave Exile" href="#" target="_blank">Ghired, Conclave Exile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ghired, Conclave Exile"></div></div>
<hr />
<h1>Story Circle</h1>
<p>Ghired is from the plane of Ravnica and was initially aligned with the Selesnya Conclave. After witnessing the manifestation of the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ilharg, the Raze-Boar" href="#" target="_blank">Ilharg, the Raze-Boar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> leading up to Bolas' attempt to complete <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Elderspell" href="#" target="_blank">The Elderspell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ritual, he shifted allegiance to the Gruul Clans. Ghired maintains a deep love and connection to animals and the magic of the Selesnya. He calls upon Boars, Rhinos, and other large beasts to aid his destruction.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ilharg, the Raze-Boar"></div></div>
<p>The recently-released <a href="https://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/guildmasters-guide-ravnica">Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica</a> is an amazing resource for learning about Ravnican city life. It's the first place where guildless members of society are specifically mentioned. When looking at cards from Ravnica, it's easy to overlook the fact that not every member of society is affiliated with a guild. In fact, approximately 50% of the denizens of Ravnica maintain a life apart from guilds. The module guide also describes what it takes to transfer from one guild to another, an uncommon but not unheard of practice. If you're interested in learning more about Ravnica as a setting, I highly recommend checking it out. For those of you who also happen to play Dungeons and Dragons, there's also the upside of running a campaign in Ravnica with this book.<a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/d-d-gm-guide-ravnica-map-misc.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-38634 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/d-d-gm-guide-ravnica-map-misc.jpg" alt="" width="233" height="350" /></a></p>
<p>Ghired went through a transformation while witnessing the glory of Ilharg, undergoing a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shamanic Revelation" href="#" target="_blank">Shamanic Revelation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Profound Journey" href="#" target="_blank">Profound Journey</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> left him questioning both his own beliefs and the belief structure of the Selesnya Conclave, culminating in his exile. Let's look closely at each aspect of his card to give him a deck that befits this transformation.</p>
<hr />
<h1 style="text-align: center;">Card Analysis</h1>
<hr />
<h2>Name:<a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ghiredName.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-38608 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ghiredName.png" alt="" width="395" height="103" /></a></h2>
<p><strong>Exile:</strong> to expel and bar someone from their native country</p>
<p>The story blurb does not indicate that the speaker of the Selesnya Conclave had anything to do with Ghired leaving. His name, however, tells a different story: Ghired left of his own volition, uprooting his life and heading to the Rubblebelt, a discontinuous archipelago of reclaimed city, long since abandoned, left to be taken over by the flora and fauna of Ravnica. This is where the Gruul Clans call home. Each member of the Selesnya is closely connected with a Voda, a Dryad that leads the community and unites each member with the Worldsoul, a manifestation of nature itself whose current form is that of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Trostani, Selesnya&#039;s Voice" href="#" target="_blank">Trostani, Selesnya&#039;s Voice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Abandoning the guild in order to serve a new god wounded the Worldsoul personally. Severing of the connection through any means other than those that are proper invites the punishment of banishment.</p>
<p>You might say that Ghired went on an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Otherworldly Journey" href="#" target="_blank">Otherworldly Journey</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a card which not only represents his story but which also synergizes beautifully with his enter-the-battlefield ability. We'll be sure to include extra effects like this in our final build! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ilharg, the Raze-Boar" href="#" target="_blank">Ilharg, the Raze-Boar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, Ghired's inspiration, also makes an appearance, and also synergizes nicely with these types of cards; if Ilharg puts a large creature into play and we flicker it with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Otherworldly Journey" href="#" target="_blank">Otherworldly Journey</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, that creature won't be returned to our hand at the end of the turn. As such, we'll look for a large suite of creatures that have a big impact on the board, preferably creating tokens or generating ramp.</p>
<p>Along these lines, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloudstone Curio" href="#" target="_blank">Cloudstone Curio</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a centerpiece to generate massive amounts of value. Whenever we play a creature that comes in with a token, we're able to bounce the nontoken creature back to our hand, recast it, and so on. I discovered an accidental infinite loop using the Curio, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Burning-Tree Emissary" href="#" target="_blank">Burning-Tree Emissary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flameshadow Conjuring" href="#" target="_blank">Flameshadow Conjuring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These three cards generate infinite red and green mana, as well as infinite Emissary tokens with haste. If you are somehow unable to attack, adding <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Impact Tremors" href="#" target="_blank">Impact Tremors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to the loop can take care of that.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cloudstone Curio"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Burning-Tree Emissary"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flameshadow Conjuring"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2>Mana Cost//Color Identity:</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ghiredCost.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-38607 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ghiredCost.png" alt="" width="175" height="84" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Red: </strong>Freedom of expression is of utmost importance.</p>
<p><strong>Green: </strong>Nature before all else. Darwinism at its finest.</p>
<p><strong>White: </strong>All for one, one for all. Utilitarianism's most extreme version.</p>
<p><strong>Selesnya </strong>(GW)<strong>: </strong>The Selesnya Conclave believes in a harmonious union of nature and civilization. Conclave members dream of embracing all of Ravnica in their "peaceful" union. Their growing army resists the ambition and destructive impulses of other guilds.</p>
<p><strong>Gruul </strong>(RG)<strong>: </strong>The Gruul Clans are the most out of place on Ravnica. They desire a fresh start and are eager to topple the established city in order to reclaim the land in the name of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Natural Order" href="#" target="_blank">Natural Order</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>The two guilds share the color of green in their identity, so I assume Ghired's main affiliation is with green mana. A strong connection to nature is essential to him, which is realized through his ability to call upon the power of large green creatures. The deck is balanced heavily toward green to showcase his identity.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Selesnya Signet"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gruul Signet"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Natural Order"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2>Art:</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ghiredArt.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-38611 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ghiredArt.png" alt="" width="571" height="417" /></a></p>
<h5 style="text-align: center;">(Art by <a href="http://conceptartworld.com/news/guardians-galaxy-vol-2-concept-art-john-dickenson/">Yongjae Choi</a>)</h5>
<p>I love the way both guilds' garb comes together in this piece. Ghired understands the merit of quality armor, carrying a piece of the Selesnya with him at all times. The added horns and scavenged material really push the feel of Ghired's initiation to the Gruul clan, highlighted most by his bright red pants.</p>
<p>Less prominently displayed is the stampede of Rhinos behind him. I've seen a good amount of gameplay with this deck and can attest that there will indeed be a stampede of Rhinos trampling over your opponents. The Rhino token Ghired creates upon entering the battlefield is a fantastic target for <em>Populate,</em> and with constant access to him, you'll be guaranteed to see loads them. It's a good thing <em>WotC</em> supplied preconstructed deck buyers with plenty of tokens to represent his stampede. (This is sarcasm; for those unaware, the deck only came with a single Rhino token)</p>
<hr />
<h2>Type Line:</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ghiredType.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-38610 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ghiredType.png" alt="" width="593" height="53" /></a></p>
<p>In a recent <a href="https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/187535331893/is-cleric-considered-a-spellcaster-type-are">Blogatog post from Mark Rosewater</a>, it was specified that each color now has a designated spellcasting creature type primarily linked to it.</p>
<ul>
<li>White - Cleric</li>
<li>Blue - Wizard</li>
<li>Black - Warlock</li>
<li>Red - Shaman</li>
<li>Green - Druid</li>
</ul>
<p>I find it strange that Ghired would be considered a Shaman then, given that it is primarily considered the red spellcaster type. As we explored with his mana cost, the guilds he has been aligned with are Selesnya and Gruul. The only color shared by the two is green, so given this new categorization I would have guessed Ghired would be a Druid. Just like with mechanics, though, I understand that it is not a hard and fast rule. Some iconic green-aligned Shaman creatures are <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sakura-Tribe Elder" href="#" target="_blank">Sakura-Tribe Elder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eternal Witness" href="#" target="_blank">Eternal Witness</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oracle of Mul Daya" href="#" target="_blank">Oracle of Mul Daya</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. We'll make sure to give Ghired some other Shamans in his deck, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragonmaster Outcast" href="#" target="_blank">Dragonmaster Outcast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which is both flavorful and powerful if we're able to duplicate those Dragon tokens!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Rules Text:</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ghiredRules.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-38609 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ghiredRules.png" alt="" width="594" height="299" /></a></p>
<p>As we explored earlier, the primary strategy of the deck is to utilize enter-the-battlefield abilities. However, there are some very effective cards that allow us to attack with ease, enabling Ghired's <em>Populate </em>trigger <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reconnaissance" href="#" target="_blank">Reconnaissance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can save any of our creatures from unprofitable attacks and, because of unintuitive timing in combat, lets us untap each creature that attacked after it has dealt damage, effectively giving our team vigilance. The other two enablers are less tricky: both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dolmen Gate" href="#" target="_blank">Dolmen Gate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Iroas, God of Victory" href="#" target="_blank">Iroas, God of Victory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> prevent damage dealt to our attacking creatures. Iroas has additional benefit of giving our team menace. That's not his primary purpose here, but it doesn't hurt.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reconnaissance"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dolmen Gate"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Iroas, God of Victory"></div></div>
<p>My final recommendation for the combat-focused portion of the deck is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breath of Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Breath of Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: with this Aura attached to a Rhino token and Ghired on the board (and at least one opponent we can attack profitably), we can keep giving ourself extra combat steps.</p>
<hr />
<h1 style="text-align: center;">The Deck</h1>
<hr />
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/basics.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-38653 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/basics.jpg" alt="" width="682" height="317" /></a></p>
<p>The guild kits released with the recent Ravnica sets gave us some very cool and highly thematic basic lands to use with this build. Ghired is now aligned with Gruul, so both red and green lands are going to be the Gruul basics, while the white influence of Selesnya can be represented by the plains.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloudstone Curio" href="#" target="_blank">Cloudstone Curio</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the second most expensive card in the deck behind <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Enlightened Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Enlightened Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which we're going to use to find the Curio. Cloudstone Curio is one of the most important cards in the deck, so that's an easy keep. A tutor can be replaced with consistent card draw, but what I like about this one is the ability to find either half of the combo as well as other important artifacts and enchantments, such as those that enable us to attack with impunity.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="A Journey to Value Town" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Ghired, Conclave Exile
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Dragonmaster Outcast
*1 Elvish Reclaimer
*1 Burning-Tree Emissary
*1 Dockside Extortionist
*1 Vitu-Ghazi Guildmage
*1 Draconic Disciple
*1 Eldrazi Displacer
*1 Farhaven Elf
*1 Reclamation Sage
*1 Selesnya Eulogist
*1 Wood Elves
*1 Bramble Sovereign
*1 Elvish Piper
*1 Iroas, God of Victory
*1 Temur Sabertooth
*1 Biogenic Ooze
*1 Ilharg, the Raze-Boar
*1 Militant Angel
*1 Thragtusk
*1 Wingmate Roc
*1 Armada Wurm
*1 Bane of Progress
*1 Avenger of Zendikar
*1 Krosan Tusker
*1 End-Raze Forerunners
*1 Decimator of the Provinces
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Dolmen Gate
*1 Gruul Signet
*1 Selesnya Signet
*1 Thaumatic Compass
*1 Cloudstone Curio
*1 Panharmonicon
*1 Conjurer&#039;s Closet
*1 Minion Reflector
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Farseek
*1 Ghired&#039;s Belligerence
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Entreat the Angels
*1 Decimate
*1 Natural Order
*1 Shamanic Revelation
*1 Phyrexian Rebirth
*1 Rishkar&#039;s Expertise
*1 Profound Journey
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Enlightened Tutor
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Otherworldly Journey
*1 Eerie Interlude
*1 Sylvan Reclamation
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Reconnaissance
*1 Impact Tremors
*1 Boar Umbra
*1 Elemental Bond
*1 Fervor
*1 Rhythm of the Wild
*1 Anointed Procession
*1 Breath of Fury
*1 Flameshadow Conjuring
*1 Parallel Lives
[/Enchantments]
[Planeswalker]
*1 Domri, Chaos Bringer
[/Planeswalker]
[Lands]
*1 Boros Guildgate
*1 Canopy Vista
*1 Cinder Glade
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Endless Sands
*8 Forest
*1 Gruul Guildgate
*1 Hall of Heliod&#039;s Generosity
*1 Homeward Path
*1 Jungle Shrine
*1 Mirrorpool
*4 Mountain
*6 Plains
*1 Rootbound Crag
*1 Sacred Foundry
*1 Scattered Groves
*1 Scavenger Grounds
*1 Selesnya Guildgate
*1 Sheltered Thicket
*1 Skarrg, the Rage Pits
*1 Sunpetal Grove
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<h1>Epilogue</h1>
<p>Ghired is a powerful commander that can be abused in a couple of ways. I believe pushing his ETB ability will yield stronger results, as attacking with your commander always comes with risks. Being so recent, it is hard to gauge what his <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/ghired-conclave-exile">EDHREC page</a> will look like in final builds, but I'm excited to see it.</p>
<p>What do you think about Ghired? What are your impressions on <em>Commander 2019</em> in general? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading! As always, let me know which legendary characters you’d like to see get the story spotlight in the future!</p>


selesnya

Epic Experiment - Tolsimir

Archetune-Up - A Light in the Darkness

Archetune-Up - The Hunter's Blades

Deep Analysis - Enchantress

Epic Experiment - Siona Stax

Commander Showdown - Trostani vs Ghired

Lore Seeker - An Exile's Path

Archetune-Up - Shanna's Motley Crew

Pursuit of Knowledge - Selesnya

The Knowledge Pool - Karametra, God of Harvests