<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jeleva, Nephalia&#039;s Scourge" href="#" target="_blank">Jeleva, Nephalia&#039;s Scourge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://cynthia-sheppard.squarespace.com/">Cynthia Sheppard</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p><span id="m_7985745279735501680gmail-docs-internal-guid-971aaafd-7fff-35c2-bef7-2bbb00875c9e">Hello EDHREC! 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.</span></p>
<p>In this article we're going to explore one very competitively focused commander, known for her ability to provide both card advantage and the ability to cheat mana costs: we're talking about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jeleva, Nephalia&#039;s Scourge" href="#" target="_blank">Jeleva, Nephalia&#039;s Scourge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jeleva, Nephalia&#039;s Scourge"></div></div>
<div class="card-text-box" lang="en">
<div class="card-text-oracle">
<p><strong>Flying</strong></p>
<p><strong>When Jeleva, Nephalia’s Scourge enters the battlefield, each player exiles the top X cards of their library, where X is the amount of mana spent to cast Jeleva.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Whenever Jeleva attacks, you may cast an instant or sorcery card exiled with it without paying its mana cost.</strong></p>
</div>
</div>
<p>Observation 1:</p>
<p>To consistently benefit from her second trigger, we need a deck with a high number of instants and sorceries. It's true that we can use our opponents' spells, but we can't rely on what we <em>might</em> reveal from their decks.</p>
<p>Observation 2:</p>
<p>In a way, Jeleva can emulate <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Narset, Enlightened Master" href="#" target="_blank">Narset, Enlightened Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> by chaining extra turn spells. This isn't infinite, but it can put us so far ahead that it might not matter.</p>
<p>Observation 3:</p>
<p>Although it looks like she wants top-deck manipulation, it's kind of hard to set it up since we need to cast a spell or use an ability to manipulate our library and then cast Jeleva shortly afterward.</p>
<p>Observation 4:</p>
<p>Counterspells are a bit of a nonbo here.</p>
<p>Observation 5:</p>
<p>Jeleva scales as the game goes, but if she's removed too early, we might lose some crucial spells.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Old Formula</h2>
<p>Let’s see how folks usually build Jeleva:</p>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Jeleva-Sig.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-36375 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Jeleva-Sig.png" alt="" width="677" height="354" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Jeleva-Top.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-36376 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Jeleva-Top.png" alt="" width="620" height="345" /></a></p>
<p>As we can see, big spells are the name of the game. We have multiple splashy effects to cheat out with Jeleva, plus a few ways to support them. What's fun about this section in particular is how both lists don't seem to match; on one hand we have explosive cards with big effects, but on the other, we have reactive cards, full of counterspells and board wipes. This just shows us that the average deck prefers to be more on the controlling side, using Jeleva as a way to get card advantage.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Epic Ingredients</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fists of Flame"></div></div>
<p>The inspiration for this deck came from a new card from <em>Modern Horizons: </em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fists of Flame" href="#" target="_blank">Fists of Flame</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This is an amazing spell for decks that draw lots of cards, but it's even better if we have ways to copy it. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jeleva, Nephalia&#039;s Scourge" href="#" target="_blank">Jeleva, Nephalia&#039;s Scourge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has the ability to grab a bunch of combat-related spells, which may include extra combat phases, and chain them together to get bigger with every hit.</p>
<p>For pump effects, we have a few fun inclusions. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hatred" href="#" target="_blank">Hatred</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a very powerful one-shot tool for both Voltron and non-Voltron commanders alike. In this deck, the card is more powerful because we have ways to copy it, not to mention our ability to generate extra combat phases! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tainted Strike" href="#" target="_blank">Tainted Strike</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is very similar to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hatred" href="#" target="_blank">Hatred</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but it needs a little extra support. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Psychotic Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Psychotic Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an efficient cantrip that gives our commander double strike. Finally, there's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rush of Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Rush of Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> which will double Jeleva's power. That one requires some setup, but the payoff more than makes up for the opportunity cost. The rest of the pumps varies between haste enablers, protection, and straight-up power boosts.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Relentless Assault"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Time Warp"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fury of the Horde"></div></div>
<p>To support this strategy we're running a ton of extra combat steps and extra turn spells. This will lead us to a chain of attacks all in a row, which can be frowned upon, but hey, we're playing a 1/3 as a Voltron commander! For extra combat, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fury of the Horde" href="#" target="_blank">Fury of the Horde</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Relentless Assault" href="#" target="_blank">Relentless Assault</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seize the Day" href="#" target="_blank">Seize the Day</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="World at War" href="#" target="_blank">World at War</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. They all work similarly, providing extra combat steps, which allow Jeleva to chain through more spells and pump herself even higher! Extra turn spells can also help with this; they're a lot less explosive, but have the added benefit of accelerating board-state development, which can be crucial in a slow-ish Voltron deck.</p>
<p>For our non-instants/sorceries, we have a few cards that can help us get through longer games. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Leering Emblem" href="#" target="_blank">Leering Emblem</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> acts as a double <em>Prowess</em> trigger, which gets crazy with the extra combat steps. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strionic Resonator" href="#" target="_blank">Strionic Resonator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> pulls double duty as it doubles both Jeleva's ETB and attack triggers. This is recommended for those longer games where we would need to cast her again and again. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aria of Flame" href="#" target="_blank">Aria of Flame</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a recent addition to the format, and a welcome addition to this deck. This card allows us to interact with other players, which gives us reach and effectively cuts down the amount of commander damage we need to deal to the whole table.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<div><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Jeleva Voltron" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div></div>
<div>[Commander]</div>
<div>*Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge</div>
<div>[/Commander]</div>
<div>[Instant]</div>
<div>*Boon of Erebos<br />
*Brainstorm<br />
*Brute Force<br />
*Built to Smash<br />
*Crimson Wisps<br />
*Dive Down<br />
*Expedite<br />
*Fervent Strike<br />
*Mental Note<br />
*Mystical Tutor<br />
*Opt<br />
*Pongify<br />
*Rapid Hybridization<br />
*Samut's Sprint<br />
*Shadow Rift<br />
*Tainted Strike<br />
*Thought Scour<br />
*Titan's Strength<br />
*Unnatural Endurance<br />
*Cyclonic Rift<br />
*Fists of Flame<br />
*Invigorated Rampage<br />
*Lim-Dul's Vault<br />
*Psychotic Fury<br />
*Reality Shift<br />
*Run Amok<br />
*Temur Battle Rage<br />
*Uncanny Speed<br />
*Chaos Warp<br />
*Long-Term Plan<br />
*Rush of Blood<br />
*Uncaged Fury<br />
*Hatred<br />
*Savage Beating<br />
[/Instant]</div>
<div>[Sorcery]</div>
<div>*Maximize Velocity</div>
<div>*Ponder</div>
<div>*Preordain</div>
<div>*Reckless Charge</div>
<div>*Serum Visions</div>
<div>*Sleight of Hand</div>
<div>*Chart a Course</div>
<div>* Doublecast<br />
*Recoup<br />
*Bonus Round<br />
*Winged Words<br />
*Damnation<br />
*Mizzix's Mastery<br />
*Relentless Assault<br />
*Seize the Day<br />
*Temporal Manipulation<br />
*Time Warp<br />
*World at War<br />
*Fury of the Horde<br />
*Blasphemous Act</div>
<div>[/Sorcery]</div>
<div>[Artifact]</div>
<div>*Sol Ring<br />
*Dimir Signet<br />
*Fellwar Stone<br />
*Izzet Signet<br />
*Leering Emblem<br />
*Rakdos Signet<br />
*Strionic Resonator<br />
*Talisman of Creativity<br />
*Talisman of Dominance<br />
*Talisman of Indulgence<br />
*Chromatic Lantern<br />
[/Artifact]</div>
<div>[Enchantment]</div>
<div>*Aria of Flame<br />
*Thousand-Year Storm<br />
[/Enchantment]</div>
<div>[Land]</div>
<div>*Arid Mesa<br />
*Bloodstained Mire<br />
*Flooded Strand<br />
*Marsh Flats<br />
*Misty Rainforest<br />
*Polluted Delta<br />
*Prismatic Vista<br />
*Scalding Tarn<br />
*Verdant Catacombs<br />
*Wooded Foothills<br />
*Blood Crypt<br />
*Steam Vents<br />
*Watery Grave</div>
<div>*Smoldering Marsh<br />
*Sunken Hollow</div>
<div></div>
<div>*Canyon Slough<br />
*City of Brass<br />
*Mana Confluence<br />
*Dragonskull Summit<br />
*Drowned Catacomb<br />
*Sulfur Falls<br />
*Shivan Reef<br />
*Sulfurous Springs<br />
*Underground River<br />
* Riptide Laboratory<br />
*3 Mountain<br />
*2 Island<br />
*2 Swamp</div>
<div>[/Land]</div>
<div>[/Deck]</div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<hr />
<div>As you can see, this list is pretty tight and doesn't have all that much fat to cut. One thing that needs to be reiterated is that counterspells don't really play well with our strategy, as we usually don't have all that much mana to keep them up, and revealing one from a Jeleva ETB trigger is a nonbo. Instead, we're running protection spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dive Down" href="#" target="_blank">Dive Down</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can help us avoid single-target removal.</div>
<div></div>
<div><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bonus Round"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Doublecast"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thousand-Year Storm"></div></div></div>
<div></div>
<div>When I first started to conceptualize this deck, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fork" href="#" target="_blank">Fork</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects were some of the main types of cards that I wanted to be sure to include. However, after some testing, they showed to be unreliable, becoming a dead draw when exiled with Jeleva while also not working properly with extra combat spells. Even though that was the case for most of them, there were a few that were actually good enough to be playable: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doublecast" href="#" target="_blank">Doublecast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the fixed <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fork" href="#" target="_blank">Fork</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for this deck. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bonus Round" href="#" target="_blank">Bonus Round</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great way to get lots of value from all our pumps and can be played with Jeleva. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thousand-Year Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Thousand-Year Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, while not the most competitive card, felt like it deserved a slot, just because it's fun.</div>
<div></div>
<div>We are running an extremely high number of instants/sorceries, which leaves us with very limited slots for other card types. As a consequence, we're going very light on lands, with a high number of fetchlands. This low land count/high fetch ratio improves our hit rate with our commander when exiling cards off the top of our library. This proposition could be dangerous for the usual deck, but because of the amount of combat tricks in our deck, we're also very light on mana costs.</div>
<div></div>
<hr />
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<p>This deck can be very explosive, but it can also feel very underpowered at times. Knowing which hands to keep is a crucial skill to learn. Keepable hands usually contain at least two lands and a mana rock, the better to land a turn three Jeleva, or even a turn four Jeleva with haste if we can run out an enabler. Chaining through cantrips can also work for games that are expected to go long.</p>
<p>Once Jeleva is on the battlefield, we need to start thinking about the sequence of our spells; the order in which we play our spells can definitely matter and we'll be severely punished by misplays. This will vary from game to game, but I'll advise you to first engage in some "weak" attacks (without committing too much) just so that we don't raise alarms. From there, we can try do some real damage.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chart a Course"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Winged Words"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Strionic Resonator"></div></div>
<p>Mid-game we might start running out of gas, but lucky for us, our commander is a card advantage machine and can help us either on the battlefield or in the command zone. This is the stage where we can do the most damage, but it's also harder to keep her safe. Going slower isn't as much of a problem if we're having difficulties in keeping Jeleva alive, because we can always give her haste and start slingling spells right off the bat. The biggest problem, however, is when we're stuck with no Jeleva and a hand full of combat tricks.</p>
<p>For our late game, even single-target removal can slow us down considerably, and we won't have the cards to consistently pump Jeleva. That being said, if we ever cast her for 8 or more and untap with her, it's very likely that we'll able to finish someone off with all those awesome spells.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Experimental Frenzy"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arcane Denial"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Haze of Rage"></div></div>
<p>This was a hard one, but the result seems very fun to play. If you want to take this deck for a spin, you might consider some of the following adjustments:</p>
<p>Adding more draw with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Experimental Frenzy" href="#" target="_blank">Experimental Frenzy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and/or wheel effects. This can help us climb our way back to a game with raw card advantage.</p>
<p>If your meta proves to be more control-heavy, it might be prudent to add some counterspells. If it has many fliers, more unblockability. If you want to be even more explosive, you could add <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Haze of Rage" href="#" target="_blank">Haze of Rage</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? What do you think about this take on Voltron? 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 - Jeleva Voltron

The Knowledge Pool - Niv-Mizzet, Parun

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Evermind" href="#" target="_blank">Evermind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?action=advanced&amp;artist=[%22Matt%20Thompson%22]">Matt Thompson</a>)</h6>
<h1>Deckbuilding Postbellum</h1>
<p>Hello everyone, and welcome back to another edition of <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>, where I highlight the most hyper-underplayed cards in EDH. For today's article, we're going to take a look at one of the new commanders from <em>War of the Spark</em>. First, however, I should discuss my policy when digesting a new set.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-33747 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Spaghetti-Policy-Always-Sunny.gif" alt="" width="325" height="183" /></p>
<p>During each spoiler season, I keep an eye out for the missing pieces to complete decks on my "wish list." These are cards or commanders that will complete a deck idea I have and make it a legitimate build instead of just a sorry attempt at a deck. I mean, my decks are already full of jank, but at least it's cohesive jank. The hype gets especially heavy for me when tribal themes are spoiled, as a bunch of these ideas are founded in creature types. Anyway, when preview season for <em>War of the Spark</em> began, I had my eye out for any of these missing pieces, ready to pounce.</p>
<p><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> was the first such piece to emerge, but I'm saving that deck for two weeks from now. The second meatball to roll out of <em>WAR</em> was <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="God-Eternal Kefnet" href="#" target="_blank">God-Eternal Kefnet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="God-Eternal Kefnet"></div></div>
<p>My goodness, this commander is wonderful! He plays so well with blue's spellslinger tendencies, especially if you can control the rate of card draw. Additionally, he's very hard to get rid of, slipping back into the library if removed. I knew this birdie would be a popular commander and would likely get paired up with the plethora of extra-turn spells that always crop up whenever folks talk about great blue cards. However, I saw him commanding a different kind of spellslinger deck.</p>
<hr />
<h2>On Top of Spaghetti / All Covered with Cheese...</h2>
<p>The deck I'm talking about is Arcane and Spirit tribal. From all the way back in <em>Kamigawa</em> block, these two themes go hand-in-hand. The <em>Splice onto Arcane</em> cards work especially well with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="God-Eternal Kefnet" href="#" target="_blank">God-Eternal Kefnet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, as you can splice cards onto the copy generated by Kefnet, including the actual card you copied. For example, let's say I draw <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dampen Thought" href="#" target="_blank">Dampen Thought</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (105 decks on EDHREC) and reveal it using Kefnet's ability. I get a copy of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dampen Thought" href="#" target="_blank">Dampen Thought</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that I can cast while the real one goes to my hand. I want to splice the real <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dampen Thought" href="#" target="_blank">Dampen Thought</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in my hand onto the copy, so I reveal it (again), and then pay the full cost of the spell, reduced by two generic mana (the last bit of Kefnet's ability), which makes it UU to mill eight cards while losing no card advantage. The next time I draw an Arcane spell, I can splice <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dampen Thought" href="#" target="_blank">Dampen Thought</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> onto the copy again with no card loss.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dampen Thought"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Consuming Vortex"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lifted by Clouds"></div></div>
<p>Now, I would love to get into each and every underplayed Arcane card, both those that splice and those that can be spliced upon. But nearly every blue card of this spell type is underplayed, so instead I'm going to hit some highlights. There isn't really a clear theme among the effects caused by these Arcane cards, and as the mechanic only appeared in <em>Kamigawa</em> block, there isn't a huge pool to draw from. But one common theme that I've seen is that these spells tend to target creatures a lot! As such, despite being a spellslinger deck devoid of pump spells, the main win condition becomes combat.</p>
<p>Some Arcane spells, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Consuming Vortex" href="#" target="_blank">Consuming Vortex</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (142 decks) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Psychic Puppetry" href="#" target="_blank">Psychic Puppetry</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (80 decks), can be used to remove blockers and clear a path. Others, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lifted by Clouds" href="#" target="_blank">Lifted by Clouds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (20 decks) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Veil of Secrecy" href="#" target="_blank">Veil of Secrecy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (158 decks), provide evasion to your creatures to get those attacks through (<a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/forgotten-harvest-block-party-with-virtus-and-gorm/">Virtus and Gorm</a> from two weeks ago would be so proud). And if a more permanent form of removal is required, I've got <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dismiss into Dream" href="#" target="_blank">Dismiss into Dream</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in the deck to make all that targeting magic lethal. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reweave" href="#" target="_blank">Reweave</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, in 270 decks, also gives some great spot removal for any kind of permanent on its own, assuming you keep on casting/splicing it.</p>
<hr />
<h2>I Lost My Poor Meatball / When Somebody Sneezed</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Teller of Tales"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cloudhoof Kirin"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Unspeakable"></div></div>
<p>In addition to providing Arcane spells, <em>Kamigawa</em> block also brought us a series of Spirits that care about them. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teller of Tales" href="#" target="_blank">Teller of Tales</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (53 decks) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Guardian of Solitude" href="#" target="_blank">Guardian of Solitude</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (35 decks) are both a continuation of the themes above, removing blockers or providing evasion whenever a Spirit or Arcane spell is cast. Similarly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kiri-Onna" href="#" target="_blank">Kiri-Onna</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, in 122 decks, can help clear the field with bounce effects and can be repeatably cast. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quillmane Baku" href="#" target="_blank">Quillmane Baku</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides even more tapping shenanigans, while only seeing play in 33 decks.</p>
<p>An alternative wincon in this deck is mill, though it's the more difficult option. The presence of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dampen Thought" href="#" target="_blank">Dampen Thought</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is bolstered by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloudhoof Kirin" href="#" target="_blank">Cloudhoof Kirin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, found in only 138 decks. Given the card draw in the deck, and the duplication of spells thanks to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="God-Eternal Kefnet" href="#" target="_blank">God-Eternal Kefnet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, all these abilities should be triggering regularly.</p>
<p>The uber-mono-blue Spirit from the same block, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Unspeakable" href="#" target="_blank">The Unspeakable</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, also makes the deck, despite only being in 206 decklists. This also includes the three spells that help summon him directly out of the deck: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reach Through Mists" href="#" target="_blank">Reach Through Mists</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Peer Through Depths" href="#" target="_blank">Peer Through Depths</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sift Through Sands" href="#" target="_blank">Sift Through Sands</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Given the amount of library manipulation and draw in this deck, I expect the alternate summoning route to be a regular occurrence.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lantern Spirit"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Soulsworn Spirit"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Supreme Phantom"></div></div>
<p>As the modern <em>Magic</em> player knows, not all great Spirits come from Kamigawa. The plane of Innistrad has supplied its fair share of Spirit spells. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lantern Spirit" href="#" target="_blank">Lantern Spirit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is currently only in 45 decks, but it fits into the theme of wanting to repeatedly cast Spirit spells, and its self-bounce can pay off big in this deck. When its cost is reduced thanks to a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza&#039;s Incubator" href="#" target="_blank">Urza&#039;s Incubator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, this card can be a real all-star!</p>
<p>Since we're playing Spirits repeatedly, we might as well throw in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nebelgast Herald" href="#" target="_blank">Nebelgast Herald</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (190 decks). Again, we have a phantasm that helps tap down opposing creatures that gets better as we play more and more Spirit spells. Tapping down a creature isn't the same as a full neutralization, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soulsworn Spirit" href="#" target="_blank">Soulsworn Spirit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can provide that option while keeping to our theme. It's a wonder that it only sees play in 75 decks.</p>
<p>Finally, we have the true Spirit tribal cards: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Battleground Geist" href="#" target="_blank">Battleground Geist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Supreme Phantom" href="#" target="_blank">Supreme Phantom</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This duo will help pump our team, making sure that our attacks count for more. Given its fairly weak power level overall, this deck is going to win primarily on tempo and explosive turns, and these cards are going to play a big role in keeping up the pressure. They're in 194 and 133 decks, respectively.</p>
<p>Let's take a look at the final deck, shall we?</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Splicey Meatballs" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div><br />
[Commander]<br />
*1 God-Eternal Kefnet<br />
[/Commander]<br />
[Creatures]<br />
*1 Mausoleum Wanderer<br />
*1 Departed Deckhand<br />
*1 Ghost-Lit Warder<br />
*1 Guardian of Solitude<br />
*1 Kaijin of the Vanishing Touch<br />
*1 Mindshrieker<br />
*1 Rattlechains<br />
*1 Supreme Phantom<br />
*1 Callous Deceiver<br />
*1 Drift of Phantasms<br />
*1 Lantern Spirit<br />
*1 Latch Seeker<br />
*1 Nebelgast Herald<br />
*1 Niblis of the Breath<br />
*1 Soulsworn Spirit<br />
*1 Battleground Geist<br />
*1 Cloudhoof Kirin<br />
*1 Kiri-Onna<br />
*1 Quillmane Baku<br />
*1 Soul Seizer<br />
*1 Sturmgeist<br />
*1 Teller of Tales<br />
*1 Keiga, the Tide Star<br />
*1 Sire of the Storm<br />
*1 The Unspeakable<br />
[/Creatures]<br />
[Instants]<br />
*1 Evermind<br />
*1 Reach Through Mists<br />
*1 Consuming Vortex<br />
*1 Cyclonic Rift<br />
*1 Dampen Thought<br />
*1 Disrupting Shoal<br />
*1 Peer Through Depths<br />
*1 Psychic Puppetry<br />
*1 Stream of Consciousness<br />
*1 Veil of Secrecy<br />
*1 Lifted by Clouds<br />
*1 Murmurs from Beyond<br />
*1 Sift Through Sands<br />
*1 Toils of Night and Day<br />
*1 Shifting Borders<br />
*1 Reweave<br />
[/Instants]<br />
[Sorceries]<br />
*1 Eye of Nowhere<br />
*1 Ideas Unbound<br />
*1 Eerie Procession<br />
*1 Heed the Mists<br />
*1 Petals of Insight<br />
*1 Ribbons of the Reikai<br />
[/Sorceries]<br />
[Artifacts]<br />
*1 Library of Leng<br />
*1 Sensei's Divining Top<br />
*1 Sol Ring<br />
*1 Baku Altar<br />
*1 Long-Forgotten Gohei<br />
*1 Urza's Incubator<br />
*1 Lux Cannon<br />
*1 Primal Amulet<br />
*1 Gilded Lotus<br />
[/Artifacts]<br />
[Enchantments]<br />
*1 Imprisoned in the Moon<br />
*1 Rhystic Study<br />
*1 Jace's Sanctum<br />
*1 Future Sight<br />
*1 The Mirari Conjecture<br />
*1 Dismiss into Dream<br />
[/Enchantments]<br />
[Planeswalkers]<br />
*1 Jace, the Mind Sculptor<br />
[/Planeswalkers]<br />
[Lands]<br />
*1 Desert of the Mindful<br />
*1 Evolving Wilds<br />
*1 Halimar Depths<br />
*26 Island<br />
*1 Lonely Sandbar<br />
*1 Moonring Island<br />
*1 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx<br />
*1 Remote Isle<br />
*1 Soldevi Excavations<br />
*1 Teferi's Isle<br />
*1 Terramorphic Expanse<br />
[/Lands]<br />
[/Deck]</p>

<hr />
<h2>Time to Roll Out!</h2>
<p>That about does it for this edition of <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>. If you have any questions, comments, or snide remarks, you can find me in the comments section below. I'll be down there to talk about how I keep building Spirit tribal or how <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Evermind" href="#" target="_blank">Evermind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would make a really great name for a band. Let me know about the decks on your wish list that are just waiting for a missing card or commander to become a reality, or any hyper-underplayed cards you'd like to see featured on this series in the future. In the meantime, I'll be working out the kinks in this little red-green number that's all set to abuse <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>. See you later!</p>


spellslinger

Epic Experiment - Jeleva Voltron

The Knowledge Pool - Niv-Mizzet, Parun

Forgotten Harvest - Splicey Meatballs

Pursuit of Knowledge - Dimir

Heart of the Cards – Rakdos, the Showstopper

Archetune-Up - Neheb, the Burninator

Heart of the Cards – Samut, Voice of Dissent

Lore Seeker - A Perfect Storm

Replacement Commanders - Izzet Tokens? IT IS!

The Knowledge Pool - Riku of Two Reflections