 <p style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brago, King Eternal" href="#" target="_blank">Brago, King Eternal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | art by <a href="https://www.karlaortizart.com/">Karla Ortiz</a></p> <p>Hello Everyone! I’m Levi from the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5n27ku41qleRMM7CKrWOh3">Thought Vessel Show</a>, and today I am very excited to debut a new series here at EDHREC called <em>Ten Under Twenty</em>, where we take a deep dive on a single commander and find those cards that are simply not getting the respect they deserve.</p> <p>You may find similarities between this series and the “Challenge the Stats” segment on EDHRECCast. The main difference is we are looking for several hidden gems for only one commander at a time. This week, we are looking at one of my favorite commanders of all time, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brago, King Eternal" href="#" target="_blank">Brago, King Eternal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p> <p>In order to qualify for this list, the card has to appear in less than 20% of decks here on EDHREC. This is a buffet-style list, meaning you can take whatever you like and leave whatever you don't.</p> <p>My goal here is to simply shine some light on some great cards that deserve some love. Let’s jump right in!</p> <h3>10.) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Delney, Streetwise Lookout" href="#" target="_blank">Delney, Streetwise Lookout</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (11%)</h3> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Delney, Streetwise Lookout"></div></div> <p>Starting out our list is an absolute beast of a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Panharmonicon" href="#" target="_blank">Panharmonicon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effect in Delney, Streetwise Lookout. For starters, Delney’s first ability ensures that Brago cannot be blocked by creatures with power 3 or greater, which makes the chances of Brago being able to connect for damage almost a guarantee.</p> <p>Speaking of that trigger, the Brago blink effect is also copied, meaning you can flicker every nonland permanent you control twice per turn. And those creatures coming into play with power two or less will also have their triggered abilities doubled.</p> <p>Essentially, this means that one <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wall of Omens" href="#" target="_blank">Wall of Omens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will draw four cards per turn. That’s an incredible amount of value.</p> <h3>9.) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Mightstone and Weakstone" href="#" target="_blank">The Mightstone and Weakstone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (11%) </h3> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Mightstone and Weakstone"></div></div> <p>Being that this is the second half of the melded combination, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza, Planeswalker" href="#" target="_blank">Urza, Planeswalker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Mightstone and Weakstone" href="#" target="_blank">The Mightstone and Weakstone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> goes under the radar. This card can do plenty on its own without its other half, being repeatable ramp, card draw, and spot removal at the same time.</p> <p>In decks that are taking advantage of the <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> infinite combo, the mana can be used to activate the artifact and draw your entire deck at the same time.</p> <h3>8.) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glen Elendra Archmage" href="#" target="_blank">Glen Elendra Archmage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (11%)</h3> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glen Elendra Archmage"></div></div> <p>In a deck like this, keeping Brago safe from removal is essential. If you can do that with the right pieces on board, you can take complete control of the game. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glen Elendra Archmage" href="#" target="_blank">Glen Elendra Archmage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great protective tool.</p> <p>When <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glen Elendra Archmage" href="#" target="_blank">Glen Elendra Archmage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is sacrificed, it comes back into play with a -1/-1 counter. When you blink it with Brago, that ability resets, and you can counter something else and keep <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glen Elendra Archmage" href="#" target="_blank">Glen Elendra Archmage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> around. It becomes an extremely effective removal engine.</p> <h3>7.) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of Hearth and Home" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of Hearth and Home</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (10%)</h3> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sword of Hearth and Home"></div></div> <p> This one is pretty simple compared to the rest of the list. Being able to protect Brago from removal spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swords to Plowshares" href="#" target="_blank">Swords to Plowshares</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beast Within" href="#" target="_blank">Beast Within</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can function like hexproof.</p> <p>Blink decks are also mana-hungry, so being able to get that extra land per turn can really add up if the game runs longer. Also, never underestimate being able to blink your best payoff one extra time per turn. Having a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Agent of Treachery" href="#" target="_blank">Agent of Treachery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to blink in play could make all the difference.</p> <h3>6.) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blessed Sanctuary" href="#" target="_blank">Blessed Sanctuary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (7%)</h3> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blessed Sanctuary"></div></div> <p>This one is more for the bracket two or bracket three style of lists. One of the biggest weaknesses of a blink-style deck is the lack of raw power to use in combat.</p> <p>If Brago were to come across a mono-green stompy deck that had the capability to prevent Brago from connecting with combat damage, this would be a tough spot to work from. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blessed Sanctuary" href="#" target="_blank">Blessed Sanctuary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would protect against damage-based board wipes like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blasphemous Act" href="#" target="_blank">Blasphemous Act</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and also provide a very steady flow of attackers or blockers in the 2/2 Unicorns it makes every time a nontoken creature enters. Off of a Brago trigger, that number could easily be 5–10 Unicorns without a lot of difficulty.</p> <h3>5.) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elspeth Conquers Death" href="#" target="_blank">Elspeth Conquers Death</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (7%)</h3> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elspeth Conquers Death"></div></div> <p>Sagas are a really neat inclusion in a Brago deck since Brago has the capability of blinking them and resetting their lore counters to keep them around. On chapter one, you get a very versatile removal spell for any big threats.</p> <p>When it gets to chapter two, you can consistently slow things down for your opponents by making spells cost two more mana. By chapter three, if you want to let it move toward chapter three, you can bring back your best creature or planeswalker from the graveyard to use again.</p> <h3>4.) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Parting Gust" href="#" target="_blank">Parting Gust</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6%)</h3> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Parting Gust"></div></div> <p>It’s important in a blink deck to have removal that isn’t tied to a creature in the event that an opponent plays a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines" href="#" target="_blank">Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that can completely shut down our entire strategy. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Parting Gust" href="#" target="_blank">Parting Gust</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has the great ability to either be a removal spell or a single-target blink spell depending on what you need at the moment.</p> <h3>3.) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scroll of Fate" href="#" target="_blank">Scroll of Fate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (5%) </h3> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scroll of Fate"></div></div> <p>This card is criminally underplayed. With a Brago trigger on the stack, you can manifest a card into play, which will be blinked and come in on the face-up side. This can allow us to cheat a high mana value card or combo piece without giving opponents the chance to counter the spell.</p> <p>At its floor, it can be used to manifest extra lands. Routinely, we can flash in a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teferi, Time Raveler" href="#" target="_blank">Teferi, Time Raveler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to prevent players from casting spells on our turns. Since manifest is a more niche mechanic, this card is flying under the radar. Hopefully, that will change.</p> <h3>2.) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plagon, Lord of the Beach" href="#" target="_blank">Plagon, Lord of the Beach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (0.88%)</h3> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Plagon, Lord of the Beach"></div></div> <p>For a super sleeper, we have Plagon, Lord of the Beach. Plagon allows us to draw a card for each creature you have that has a toughness greater than power. With Brago in play, this is a minimum of two cards per trigger.</p> <p>Since blink creatures are usually smaller and a good portion of them do, in fact, have greater toughness than power, Plagon can easily draw 5+ cards per turn. In a lesser capacity, you can also pay one mana to have Brago attack for four damage rather than two.</p> <p>1.) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Raven’s Warning" href="#" target="_blank">The Raven’s Warning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (0.57%)</p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Raven’s Warning"></div></div> <p>Our second saga on the list, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Raven’s Warning" href="#" target="_blank">The Raven’s Warning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, is a great card for information. Initially, it will produce a 1/1 flying Bird with some life gain, which when repeated can actually be pretty effective. The second chapter lets you look at each opponent’s hand and draw cards.</p> <p>When playing a deck like this, being able to know the potential threats your opponents are hiding can make you borderline invincible. This card definitely scales with the skill of the pilot, but fair warning: this card does take a lot of time to resolve and can lead to a bit of analysis paralysis.</p> <h2>3 Cards You Don't Always Need for Brago</h2> <p>Now, with all these cards that I am suggesting, it can be intimidating to find cards to cut from the deck to make room. So, in our section, we’ll be looking at some cut candidates.</p> <p>These are good cards, showing up in over 50% of Brago decks here on EDHREC. Just because something is popular doesn’t mean it's an undisputed auto-include. Let's start off with a blink staple.</p> <h3>1.) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mulldrifter" href="#" target="_blank">Mulldrifter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (59%)</h3> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mulldrifter"></div></div> <p>Ah yes, the flying fish. Drawing two cards per entering the battlefield is indeed a strong ability. If you have a card in hand like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ephemerate" href="#" target="_blank">Ephemerate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you can actually get around the sacrifice portion of the evoke cost.</p> <p>However, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Mightstone and Weakstone" href="#" target="_blank">The Mightstone and Weakstone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plagon, Lord of the Beach" href="#" target="_blank">Plagon, Lord of the Beach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> being on the list, we’re simply able to get more bang for the buck with these cards over <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mulldrifter" href="#" target="_blank">Mulldrifter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p> <p>Card advantage isn’t as much of a problem in a deck like Brago that has so many repeatable card advantage engines in the 99, and it’s good to look for cards that can wear multiple hats.</p> <h3>2.) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reality Acid" href="#" target="_blank">Reality Acid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (53%)</h3> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reality Acid"></div></div> <p>This is a card that I actually used to run in my personal Brago list. Being able to remove something for three mana repeatedly is a very solid effect. Since you can blink this card, the time counters running out really isn’t as big of an issue as it appears to be.</p> <p>It's also nice to have a removal spell that simply says “permanent” instead of “nonland permanent” or something even more restrictive. The downside of this card is that this is a leaves-the-battlefield ability instead of an enters-the-battlefield ability.</p> <p>This means that any type of ETB-doubling cards in the deck do not impact this card at all. Additionally, with a traditional removal ETB ability like on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Solitude" href="#" target="_blank">Solitude</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, this can be used twice in the turn it is cast. You also have to telegraph your next removal target by enchanting it without an effective way of using it again until your next turn.</p> <p>If the enchanted permanent can be removed by sacrificing, for example, then the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reality Acid" href="#" target="_blank">Reality Acid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is taken off the board without any real ability to stop it from happening. Because of this, I’m more cold on this card than the average Brago player.</p> <h3>3.) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghostly Flicker" href="#" target="_blank">Ghostly Flicker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (54%)</h3> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ghostly Flicker"></div></div> <p>Another staple in blink decks. The main problem with this card is that we simply have access to better cards. For less mana I would want something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ephemerate" href="#" target="_blank">Ephemerate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for more versatility I want <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Parting Gust" href="#" target="_blank">Parting Gust</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and for a better utility, I want <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eerie Interlude" href="#" target="_blank">Eerie Interlude</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghostway" href="#" target="_blank">Ghostway</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> at a minimum.</p> <p>In a blink deck that also uses white, I just feel we have better things that we can be doing in the 99 with the exception of using this card as a combo piece to win the game.</p> <p>And there you have it! These are some incredible cards that you might want to consider putting in your Brago, King Eternal deck. If you have a commander that you would like to see in the next <em>Ten Under Twenty</em> article or a card you feel needs some love, leave a comment. Until next time, happy brewing!</p> 

Top 10 Hidden Gems for Brago, King Eternal (And 3 You Don't Need)

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<a href="https://scryfall.com/card/otj/11/final-showdown">Final Showdown</a> | Art By: <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CIzzy%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art">Izzy</a>)</h6>
<p> Welcome back to the finale of the March Magic Madness. Unfortunately, the tournament had to be delayed due to a massive unforeseen Dragonstorm that opened up in the skies above <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strixhaven Stadium" href="#" target="_blank">Strixhaven Stadium</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Nevertheless, we will play on and what a final we have for everyone out there. Isn't that right? <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arena Rector" href="#" target="_blank">Arena Rector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: That is indeed right. I am so pumped up for this finale, and I think any of the four remaining teams could take home the trophy. What do you say we stop dragging it out and get down and meet our final four teams? I think that is an excellent idea. Let's get into it and meet the teams. </p>
<h2>Scoring:</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Color Multipliers</strong>
<ul>
<li>Colorless 1.6x</li>
<li>Mono 1.5x</li>
<li>Two-color 1.4x</li>
<li>Three-color 1.3x</li>
<li>Four-color 1.2x</li>
<li>Five Color 1.1x</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Deck Count &lt; or &gt; 15 Thousand</strong>
<ul>
<li>&gt; 15 Thousand 15.1x</li>
<li>&lt; 15 Thousand 14.9x</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Original Print Date</strong>
<ul>
<li>Over five years ago, 5.9x</li>
<li>Printed in 202, 5.5x</li>
<li>Printed less than five years ago, 5.1x</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Was it a "Design Mistake"</strong>
<ul>
<li>Yes 6.9x</li>
<li>No 7x</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Game Changer</strong>
<ul>
<li>Yes 2.5x</li>
<li>No 7x</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Salt Score &lt;, &gt; or = 1.2</strong>
<ul>
<li>&lt; 1.2 avg. Salt score 2.1x</li>
<li>&gt; 1.2 avg. Salt score 1.9x</li>
<li>= 1.2 avg. Salt score 2x</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Basketball scores are made with a generator to align with the "math" used.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h2>Final Four.</h2>
<h3>Wedge Region vs. Guild Region</h3>
<p> (2) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> vs. (13) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza, Lord High Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Urza, Lord High Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow Urza, Lord High Artificer"></div></div> The Ninjas, the highest-ranked team left in the tournament and the winners of the Wedge Region, are led by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. They have cakewalked through this tournament so far, with no match being close. It's safe to say that they're the strongest team left in the tournament and the one to beat, led by an all-star lineup featuring <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fallen Shinobi Silver-Fur Master Ninja of the Deep Hours"></div></div> And a strong bench squad with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nashi, Moon Sage&#039;s Scion" href="#" target="_blank">Nashi, Moon Sage&#039;s Scion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and newcomer <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Changeling Outcast" href="#" target="_blank">Changeling Outcast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This team has tricks that will make their opponents sick, they have moves that will bring out the a chorus of boos, and their leader is a design mistake that makes their enemies quake, but don't let any of this give you too much confidence, sports fans, because the winners from the Guild Region led by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza, Lord High Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Urza, Lord High Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are not planning to roll over. The High Artificers have had as dominant of a tournament as their opponents, making this match-up a battle of behemoths rather than a lopsided affair. Seeds mean nothing this late in the tournament, and Urza and the High Artificers plan to make people remember that. No team in the tournament knows the ins and outs of the rules like the High Artificers. Who would have ever thought about tapping their <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Howling Mine" href="#" target="_blank">Howling Mine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <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>? Or when they ran their <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-0" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>-cost lineup featuring <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lotus Petal Spellbook Welding Jar"></div></div> Their unsung hero of the tournament <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Simulacrum Synthesizer" href="#" target="_blank">Simulacrum Synthesizer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> showed what a new card can do. It gave extra reach to this team that it did not have in years past and pulled its weight and then some in the tournament. So, with all this out of the way, let's see how this game goes. <strong>End of First Quarter:</strong> Ninjas 25 - High Artificers 18. <strong>End of Second Quarter:</strong> Ninjas 55 - High Artificers 56. <strong>End of Third Quarter:</strong> Ninjas 77 - High Artificers 69. <strong>Final:</strong> Ninjas 103 - High Artificers 98. It was a fantastic battle all the way through, and after the second quarter, it looked like the High Artificers would take this one home. However, a well-timed <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commandeer" href="#" target="_blank">Commandeer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and a perfectly cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Curtains&#039; Call" href="#" target="_blank">Curtains&#039; Call</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> brought down the proverbial curtain on Urza and his High Artificers. Punching their way to the Finals of the March Magic Madness tournament is <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow|CMM|690"></div></div> </p>
<h3>Shards Region vs. Blind Eternities Region</h3>
<p> (8) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghyrson Starn, Kelermorph" href="#" target="_blank">Ghyrson Starn, Kelermorph</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> vs. (13) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy" href="#" target="_blank">Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ghyrson Starn, Kelermorph Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy"></div></div> The one and only Universes Beyond commander Ghyrson Starn leads the Kelermorphs out of the Shards Region. Their path was not as easy as Yuriko's or Urza's, but they dispatched all their opponents fairly. The Kelermorphs play with a fast and furious gameplan, embodying the "death by a thousand cuts" style of victory. The key to their victory is often <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flame Fusillade" href="#" target="_blank">Flame Fusillade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which makes every player on their team lethal. Every match, the Kelermorphs try to make their opponents <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fear, Fire, Foes!" href="#" target="_blank">Fear, Fire, Foes!</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and turn every <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Playful Shove" href="#" target="_blank">Playful Shove</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> punch above their weight. As the only Universes Beyond representative, it was unsurprising that they came into this game with an all-UB lineup. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Exalted Flamer of Tzeentch Magnus the Red Pink Horror"></div></div> Kinnan and the Prodigies had the most challenging path to the Final Four. This team knows close games and tough battles, but they can close out with one big flip every time, but since big flips are the name of the game for the Prodigies, they come in as the biggest lineup left in the tournament. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tidespout Tyrant Koma, Cosmos Serpent Colossal Skyturtle"></div></div> Often, in close games, the Prodigies had to rely on their Praetorial Powerhouses of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger" href="#" target="_blank">Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur" href="#" target="_blank">Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Big Flips = Big Victories for the Prodigies, but how will they stack up against this undersized but fiercely fast lineup fielded by the Kelermorphs? Let's find out. <strong>End of First Quarter:</strong> Kelermorphs 22 - Prodigies 16. <strong>End of Second Quarter:</strong> Kelermorphs 49 - Prodigies 35. <strong>End of Third Quarter:</strong> Kelermorphs 88 - Prodigies 59. <strong>Final:</strong> Kelermorphs 122 - Prodigies 89. In the end, no matter how big the Prodigies went with their lineup, they eventually fell to the quick gun gaming of the Kelermorphs. They were in control from the start of the game, and with early and often pinging of their opponents set up pieces, the Final is now set with our second entry. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ghyrson Starn, Kelermorph|40K|124★"></div></div> </p>
<h2>Championship</h2>
<p> The stage is set, and the combatants are ready to go. The first combatant is the most dominant team from the entire tournament. They are a design mistake and one of the most incredible creatures around. You won't see them until it is too late as they strike from the shadows, and the moment you think you have pinned them down, you will learn that it was too late. We welcome <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow|CMM|690" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from the Wedge Region. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow|CMM|690"></div></div> From the Shards Region, we have the creature that might not put the UB in Universes Beyond, but they do put damage into an opponent's face. We welcome <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghyrson Starn, Kelermorph|40K|124★" href="#" target="_blank">Ghyrson Starn, Kelermorph</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ghyrson Starn, Kelermorph|40K|124★"></div></div> Nanjas versus Kelermorphs. UB (blue-black) versus UB (universes beyond). This one is a battle for the ages. This one is for all the marbles. Let's get into the game and break it down. </p>
<h3>First Quarter</h3>
<p> The first quarter was a tight battle. Yuriko and the Ninjas got on the battlefield early with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gingerbrute" href="#" target="_blank">Gingerbrute</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Triton Shorestalker" href="#" target="_blank">Triton Shorestalker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Setting up for a commander ninjutsu play, the following turn, the Kelermorphs countered <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Electrolyze" href="#" target="_blank">Electrolyze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Seeing that the game's speed favored the Kelermorphs, the Ninjas decided to deploy a slower strategy near the end of the first quarter. <strong>End of First Quarter:</strong> Ninjas 22 - Kelermorphs 23. </p>
<h3>Second Quarter</h3>
<p> With a slower strategy in mind, the Ninjas decided it was time for a bit of a secret weapon: the dual threat of Ninja planeswalkers in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kaito, Bane of Nightmares" href="#" target="_blank">Kaito, Bane of Nightmares</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kaito Shizuki" href="#" target="_blank">Kaito Shizuki</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. With a way to get a steady stream on ninjas and an emblem giving some breathing room to the constant single-digit damages being thrown their way, the ninjas were setting up for a big second quarter. The Kelermorphs were not going to take this sitting down, and with some chaining of card-damage-based card draw, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flick a Coin" href="#" target="_blank">Flick a Coin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Needle Drop" href="#" target="_blank">Needle Drop</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, they found their way into a well-timed <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flatline" href="#" target="_blank">Flatline</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>... or so they thought. While it is risky, Yuriko met Ghyrson with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="An Offer You Can&#039;t Refuse" href="#" target="_blank">An Offer You Can&#039;t Refuse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to save their board before the half. <strong>End of Second Quarter:</strong> Ninjas 45 - Kelermorphs 40. </p>
<h3>Third Quarter</h3>
<p> While unable to stop the constant barrage of one damage being thrown at their small creatures, the Ninjas decided that they would be at least able to get value out of the onslaught of spells being thrown at them. The duo of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mystic Remora" href="#" target="_blank">Mystic Remora</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhystic Study" href="#" target="_blank">Rhystic Study</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> slowed down the Kelermorphs to a grinding halt. Not out of the game thoroughly, thanks to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quicksilver Dagger" href="#" target="_blank">Quicksilver Dagger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Manabarbs" href="#" target="_blank">Manabarbs</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, the Kelermorphs knew that this game was slipping away. <strong>End of Third Quarter:</strong> Ninjas 70 - Kelermorphs 62. </p>
<h3>Fourth Quarter</h3>
<p> As a last-ditch play, the Kelermorphs pulled out a bit of a strange strategy in playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Charisma" href="#" target="_blank">Charisma</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The plan was to stall and try to hit a last-second play with the help of <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> and the chaining together of enough game changers, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jeska&#039;s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Jeska&#039;s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Underworld Breach" href="#" target="_blank">Underworld Breach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, to claim victory. Unfortunately for them, the plan was all for naught. Yuriko knew what they had to do to lead their team to victory. Thanks to all the resources they had gathered across the game, one more attack gave them the Yuriko triggers they needed to close it out. They found some of their game changers in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chrome Mox" href="#" target="_blank">Chrome Mox</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While it was not the flashy finish that they wanted, they were able to establish a well-known game-winning play with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thassa&#039;s Oracle" href="#" target="_blank">Thassa&#039;s Oracle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> + <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tainted Pact" href="#" target="_blank">Tainted Pact</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This sealed the deal for the ninjas as they claimed the hardest-fought victory of their tournament to date. <strong>Final:</strong> Ninjas 100 - Kelermorphs 93. </p>
<h2>Winner and Champion</h2>
<p> Congratulations to your winner and this year's March Magic Madness champions <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow|CMM|690" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and the Ninjas! From all of us here at the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strixhaven Stadium" href="#" target="_blank">Strixhaven Stadium</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and on behalf of the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arena Rector" href="#" target="_blank">Arena Rector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we want to thank you for a great tournament season. We hope to see you next year to find out if Yuriko will be defending their crown or if someone from a new universe can step up to the challenge. As always, I've been Nic, and you can find me here on EDHrec. Don't forget to look at all the other fantastic content here and everywhere from the many great minds behind EDHrec.</p>


March Magic Madness - Final Four and National Champion

Wombo Combo - Best Sorcery Combos in EDH

The Top 10 Most Played Commander Cards from DTK

The Over/Under - Predicting the Popularity of Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commanders

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rocco, Cabaretti Caterer" href="#" target="_blank">Rocco, Cabaretti Caterer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | art by <a href="https://www.chrisseamanart.com/">Chris Seaman</a></h6>
<p> Welcome back to <em>Bottom of the Barrel</em>! This is a series where we pick a theme from EDHREC and look at the “bottom of the barrel.” This means that we look at the least played color-combinations and pick a commander in those colors to brew a spicy new deck around! Now I know you see the title and are probably thinking: "Rocco? The infamous combo commander? Yuck!" I understand where you're coming from, but trust me on this one. This is probably one of the most unique Rocco decks you'll see today! <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rocco, Cabaretti Caterer"></div></div> Today's deck is focused around a very splashy theme: energy. The "energy" theme is something that has been explored very recently, with 3 precons being released focusing on the archetype. With this in mind, the most popular color combination for energy is Jeskai (white, red, and blue) with 11,000 decks in the database. Outside of Jeskai and Temur (green, red, and blue), energy isn't really played very often in commander. This is where our man Rocco comes in. Comparing Naya (red, green and white) energy decks to Jeskai or Temur is staggering, as Naya only has 21 decks listed on EDHREC. This is exactly the kind of thing I like to see when writing this series: the bigger the gap between most played colors and least played colors, the better! Sure, you could choose any other Naya commander to helm this deck, but Rocco allows us the ability to get whatever we need whenever we need it. Speaking of which, let's talk about some of the best energy producing creatures in our deck. </p>
<h2>Category #1: Energy Producers</h2>
<p> Keen-eyed observers might notice that most energy strategies rely heavily on having blue in the deck, but if you think that'll limit our options for this deck, you're sorely mistaken. Let's get creative! We have a suite of cards with precon origins for this section, starting with my personal favorite: Nissa, Worldsoul Speaker. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nissa, Worldsoul Speaker"></div></div> If you told me that Nissa was going to have a new legendary creature card, and that creature was going to have something to do with energy, I would have told you simply: "I don't believe you." It's very strange to see Nissa messing around in this design space, but the landfall ability makes sense. Getting to 8 energy might be tough, but if we ever get there, watch out! The remaining energy producing creatures that I would like to highlight are as follows: Aetherstorm Roc - turns all creatures entering into energy; Synth Eradicator - grants energy or impulse draw on attack, and for some reason has a lightning bolt attached to it; Sentry Bot - feels like a fog, but definitely isn't (don't let it's interesting text box fool you); Guide of Souls - a strictly better Aetherstorm Roc (power creep is real, folks); Eddytrail Hawk - giving something flying eventually seems pretty cool, albeit a little underwhelming; Amped Rapter - the scourge of modern; Electrostatic Pummeler - welcome back Aether Revolt standard; Lightning Runner - "oops, I just took 4 combats in a row"; and Aetherwind Basker - big board? Take a million energy. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aetherstorm Roc Synth Eradicator Sentry Bot"></div></div> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Guide of Souls Eddytrail Hawk Amped Raptor"></div></div> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Electrostatic Pummeler Lightning Runner Aetherwind Basker"></div></div> </p>
<h2>Category #2: Proliferate</h2>
<p> If any of you read my article on boros infect, you'll know that red and white excels at finding sneaky ways to proliferate. Now we're adding green, which is a known master at multiplying different kinds of counters. This is about to get wild. Evolution Sage turns our land drops each turn into more and more energy; Metastatic Evangel turns each creature that enters into more energy; Staff of Compleation is what I like to call "The Phyrexian Swiss Army Knife"; Sword of Truth and Justice, while insanely expensive these days, is just ridiculous; Contagion Clasp is a great way to turn our mana into extra energy; and Park Heights Maverick is a practically unblockable way to proliferate every turn. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Evolution Sage Metastatic Evangel Staff of Compleation"></div></div> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sword of Truth and Justice Contagion Clasp Park Heights Maverick"></div></div> </p>
<h2>Category #3: Benefitting from Energy</h2>
<p> Getting energy is all well and good, but what do we do with it? Luckily, there are many ways for us to leverage having energy, as well as even gaining energy, into a potential win. Aetherflux Conduit is one of those cards that you really want to pull off, but it might be too crazy to happen; Aether Revolt can translate our energy into direct damage; Deadlock Trap can shut down problematic creatures on the board; Consulate Surveillance can grant us terrific protection against any unwanted aggression; and The Motherlode, Excavator can turn our energy into one huge unblockable attack. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aetherflux Conduit Aether Revolt Deadlock Trap"></div></div> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Consulate Surveillance The Motherlode, Excavator"></div></div> </p>
<h2>Category #4: The "Secret Spice"</h2>
<p> Today's "secret spice" comes in the form of a very convoluted combo involving every "module" card from the original Kaladesh set. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Decoction Module Fabrication Module Animation Module"></div></div> These "modules" interact in a very interesting way. If a creature enters, Decoction Module with give us 1 energy. When we get that energy, Fabrication Module will put a +1/+1 counter on a creature we control. When we place that +1/+1 counter on a creature we control, we can pay 1 generic mana to create a 1/1 servo creature token with Animation Module. These cards combined with Ashnod's Altar create an infinite loop where we create infinite servo tokens, infinite colorless mana, and an infinitely large (power wise) board. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ashnod&#039;s Altar"></div></div> If you aren't a fan of combos, you can leave Ashnod's Altar out and still do a cool "module thing" without going infinite. </p>
<h2>Category #5: Spice so secret it needs to be talked about last...</h2>
<p> Primal Prayers. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Primal Prayers"></div></div> This card might seem innocuous, but we have several creatures that create an amount of energy that is greater than or equal to their mana cost. What does this mean? Well, if we have Cloudstone Curio on the board, we can create a near infinite amount of energy, and with something like Aether Revolt on the field, that means game over. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cloudstone Curio"></div></div> </p>
<h2>Closing Thoughts</h2>
<p data-slot-rendered-content="true">This brings us to the end of our <strong>ninth</strong> edition of <em>Bottom of the Barrel</em>!! I hope you enjoyed exploring a lesser-played color-combination in the world of energy! It feels amazing to have had nine editions of this series, and I thank you all so much for checking out my wacky ideas over the past few months!</p>
<p data-slot-rendered-content="true">If you have any thoughts or ideas about this decklist, let me know in the comments below!</p>
<p> Check out my decklist below! &nbsp; </p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh">
<div>
<div id="deck_for_archidekt_scraper"> <div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Bottom of the Barrel - Rocco, Cabaretti Caterer" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander] *1 Rocco, Cabaretti Caterer [/Commander] [Artifacts] *1 Aether Refinery *1 Aetherflux Conduit *1 Aetheric Amplifier *1 Aetherworks Marvel *1 Animation Module *1 Arcane Signet *1 Ashnod&#039;s Altar *1 Automated Assembly Line *1 Cloudstone Curio *1 Contagion Clasp *1 Conversion Apparatus *1 Deadlock Trap *1 Decoction Module *1 Fabrication Module *1 Panharmonicon *1 Phyrexian Ironworks *1 Recon Craft Theta *1 Sol Ring *1 Staff of Compleation *1 Stone Idol Generator *1 Sword of Truth and Justice *1 Unstable Amulet [/Artifacts] [Enchantments] *1 Aether Revolt *1 Consulate Surveillance *1 Primal Prayers *1 Scurry of Gremlins [/Enchantments] [Creatures] *1 Aetherstorm Roc *1 Aethertorch Renegade *1 Aetherwind Basker *1 Amped Raptor *1 Architect of the Untamed *1 Blaster Hulk *1 Cankerbloom *1 Eddytrail Hawk *1 Electrostatic Pummeler *1 Evolution Sage *1 Greenbelt Rampager *1 Guide of Souls *1 Lae&#039;zel, Vlaakith&#039;s Champion *1 Lightning Runner *1 Longtusk Cub *1 Metastatic Evangel *1 Nissa, Worldsoul Speaker *1 Overclocked Electromancer *1 Park Heights Maverick *1 Sage of Shaila&#039;s Claim *1 Sakura-Tribe Elder *1 Salvation Colossus *1 Sentry Bot *1 Synth Eradicator *1 Temur Sabertooth *1 The Motherlode, Excavator *1 Voltaic Brawler [/Creatures] [Sorceries] *1 Attune with Aether *1 Jolted Awake *1 Localized Destruction *1 Rampant Growth *1 Unnatural Restoration *1 Wheel of Potential *1 Wrath of the Skies [/Sorceries] [Instants] *1 Galvanic Discharge *1 Path to Exile [/Instants] [Lands] *1 Aether Hub *1 Battlefield Forge *1 Bountiful Promenade *1 Brushland *1 Buried Ruin *1 Command Tower *1 Emergence Zone *6 Forest *1 HELIOS One *1 Karn&#039;s Bastion *1 Karplusan Forest *1 Maze of Ith *5 Mountain *5 Plains *1 Rustvale Bridge *1 Sheltering Landscape *1 Slagwoods Bridge *1 Spectator Seating *1 Spire Garden *1 Talon Gates of Madara *1 Temple of Abandon *1 Temple of Plenty *1 Temple of Triumph *1 Thornglint Bridge [/Lands]"></span></div> </div>
</p></div>
</p></div>


stats

Top 10 Hidden Gems for Brago, King Eternal (And 3 You Don't Need)

March Magic Madness - Final Four and National Champion

Wombo Combo - Best Sorcery Combos in EDH

The Top 10 Most Played Commander Cards from DTK

The Over/Under - Predicting the Popularity of Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commanders

Bottom of the Barrel - Rocco, Cabaretti Caterer

The Top 10 Most Played Cards from FRF

March Magic Madness - Sweet 16

The Over/Under - A Review of Fallout Commanders

March Magic Madness - Round of 32