Commander Showdown - Grismold vs Slimefoot

Archetune-Up - Oketra, Zombie Spawner

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seven Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Seven Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.jasonrainville.com/">Jason Rainville</a>)</h6>
<h1>Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho!</h1>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Once Upon a Time" href="#" target="_blank">Once Upon a Time</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, in the magical land known as EDHREC, there was a collection of sad, neglected cards, each played in 300 decks or less. But these cards knew that, despite the minimal amount of attention they garnered, one day their prince would come and use them in some <em>amazing</em> strategy no one else was playing. That prince was named <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Seven Dwarves"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer"></div></div>
<p>You'll have to forgive my fanciful introduction, but today we're all about fairy tales in this edition of <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>. Specifically, we're going to look at the new <em>Throne of Eldraine</em> card, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seven Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Seven Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Now, we're limited to only using seven copies of this card in the deck, which is better than the traditional one copy, but is probably going to need some help if we want some really big Dwarves. Thus, we're going to pair these <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seven Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Seven Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with a copy/token strategy led by the great <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer" href="#" target="_blank">Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>The goal here will be to build up an army of Dwarves that all pump one another, and then either grant them evasion with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Levitation" href="#" target="_blank">Levitation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archetype of Aggression" href="#" target="_blank">Archetype of Aggression</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or clear the rest of the board with something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghired&#039;s Belligerence" href="#" target="_blank">Ghired&#039;s Belligerence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, before making one big attack.</p>
<p>We'll start by talking about how we can reliably get at least a couple of the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seven Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Seven Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> onto the battlefield from our deck. Then we'll get into some options for turning our existing creatures into one of the Seven. Finally, we'll cover some great and underplayed token-making options in Izzet. How does that sound?</p>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/giphy.gif"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-41385 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/giphy.gif" alt="" width="300" height="169" /></a></p>
<hr />
<h2>Don't be Bashful!</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mitotic Manipulation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Assembly Hall"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mask of the Mimic"></div></div>
<p>According to math, you've got a 41% chance of drawing one of the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seven Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Seven Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in your opening hand. And while Izzet isn't well known for its creature tutors, blue does make it pretty easy to get a second copy of something once you have your first. For instance, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mitotic Manipulation" href="#" target="_blank">Mitotic Manipulation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great way to knock through a chunk of your deck on the hunt for a second Dwarf. It also can hunt for a basic land, should that be needed instead. For that second reason, especially, I think this card could see play in more than the 81 decks that use it right now.</p>
<p>Should one of your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seven Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Seven Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> still be in your hand, you could always use an activation from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Assembly Hall" href="#" target="_blank">Assembly Hall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to nab a second. It's understandable why such a card that depends on multiple copies to be relevant would see so little play in Commander. I mean, it's only in 5 decks right now on the site! F-I-V-E!!! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thrumming Stone" href="#" target="_blank">Thrumming Stone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the likely culprit, pushing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Assembly Hall" href="#" target="_blank">Assembly Hall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> out of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Persistent Petitioners" href="#" target="_blank">Persistent Petitioners</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shadowborn Apostle" href="#" target="_blank">Shadowborn Apostle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> decks. For this deck, though, given the upper limit of seven copies of our Dwarves, the Hall is going to play so much better, and be worth the mana investment. If you'd prefer this ability, but in creature form, I also recommend the recently-printed <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pattern Matcher" href="#" target="_blank">Pattern Matcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (only in 9 decks).</p>
<p>When you want to get another Dwarf into play quickly, perhaps even as a combat trick, nothing beats <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mask of the Mimic" href="#" target="_blank">Mask of the Mimic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from <em>Stronghold</em>. For a measly blue mana, you can swap out a token at the end of an opponent's turn for a second copy of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seven Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Seven Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Again, this isn't the strongest card for your typical singleton build. Nor does it play well with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Persistent Petitioners" href="#" target="_blank">Persistent Petitioners</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> decks where, odds are, you'd end up just trading one Petitioner for another. This is verified by the 13 decks that use it on the site. Here, however, it's a champion!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Because I'm Happy!</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tilonalli&#039;s Skinshifter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spy Kit"></div></div>
<p>There are so many great clone and copy-making cards in Izzet, and they all see plenty of play. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rite of Replication" href="#" target="_blank">Rite of Replication</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mimic Vat" href="#" target="_blank">Mimic Vat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Helm of the Host" href="#" target="_blank">Helm of the Host</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> have become auto-includes in typical <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer" href="#" target="_blank">Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> decks. There are also a few not-so-well-known cards that can create a similar effect, and help to boost our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seven Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Seven Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to the max.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tilonalli&#039;s Skinshifter" href="#" target="_blank">Tilonalli&#039;s Skinshifter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great eighth copy of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seven Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Seven Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> when on the attack. Plus, it has the added versatility to become a second copy of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rapacious One" href="#" target="_blank">Rapacious One</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> should the moment call for it. It's only in 188 decks right now, but this clone ability in mono-red is a rare thing. Couple that with red's evasion options and the number of cards red has that trigger abilities on combat damage, and this card seems very undervalued, generally speaking.</p>
<p>Then, there's one of my favorite <em>Magic</em> cards: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spy Kit" href="#" target="_blank">Spy Kit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It can make any of your creatures into a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seven Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Seven Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in name, adding one more round of +1/+1 to all of the Dwarf brethren. It combos very well with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mask of the Mimic" href="#" target="_blank">Mask of the Mimic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, letting you grab any creature out of your deck and drop it onto the battlefield. Even the +1/+1 boost from the Equipment is relevant, when played with the self-immolating card <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Kaboomist" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Kaboomist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spy Kit" href="#" target="_blank">Spy Kit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> needs to see play in more than the 51 decks that currently use it. Please help me out by looking out for other potential uses.</p>
<hr />
<h2>What's Up, Doc?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cloudseeder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sparkspitter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Faerie Formation"></div></div>
<p>The last piece of this deck is to ensure there are plenty of tokens that we can turn into our copied <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seven Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Seven Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> using Brudiclad's ability. Along with standard token-making options like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dockside Extortionist" href="#" target="_blank">Dockside Extortionist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodforged Battle-Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodforged Battle-Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Notorious Throng" href="#" target="_blank">Notorious Throng</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, I've also included some lesser-played options for getting our token numbers up.</p>
<p>One of the first places I looked for red and blue token production was the cycle of token-creating Spellshapers from <em>Future Sight</em>. All of these creatures are underplayed, including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloudseeder" href="#" target="_blank">Cloudseeder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (86 decks), <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sparkspitter" href="#" target="_blank">Sparkspitter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (64 decks), and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sliversmith" href="#" target="_blank">Sliversmith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (129 decks). Now, none of these cards are going to provide an explosive swarm of tokens a la <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clone Legion" href="#" target="_blank">Clone Legion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but they all come out early and can generate steady tokens for several turns in anticipation of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer" href="#" target="_blank">Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with a huge payoff. These tokens can also be great for chump blocking or sacrificing to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mask of the Mimic" href="#" target="_blank">Mask of the Mimic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>A card I'm surprised that I get to talk about, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Faerie Formation" href="#" target="_blank">Faerie Formation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, feels far too good compared to the number of decks that use it (259 at the time of writing). I guess I have the lack of Brawl deck availability to thank when discussing this powerful token generator. Four mana feels like a steal when you get to draw a card and create a 1/1 flyer. On a five-mana 5/4 body with evasion, this Faerie is all kinds of good. Hopefully with the second print run of the Brawl decks we can see its numbers go up.</p>
<p>Here's the final decklist:</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Brudiclad and the Seven Dwarves" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div><br />
[Commander]<br />
*1 Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer<br />
[/Commander]</p>
<p>[Creatures]<br />
*1 Cloudseeder<br />
*1 Dockside Extortionist<br />
*1 Goblin Kaboomist<br />
*1 Loyal Apprentice<br />
*7 Seven Dwarves<br />
*1 Sliversmith<br />
*1 Archetype of Aggression<br />
*1 Goblin Rabblemaster<br />
*1 Legion Warboss<br />
*1 Sparkspitter<br />
*1 Tilonalli's Skinshifter<br />
*1 Crafty Cutpurse<br />
*1 Pattern Matcher<br />
*1 Faerie Formation<br />
*1 Deepfathom Skulker<br />
*1 Rapacious One<br />
[/Creatures]</p>
<p>[Instants]<br />
*1 Mask of the Mimic<br />
*1 Cyclonic Rift<br />
*1 Lazotep Plating<br />
*1 Cackling Counterpart<br />
*1 Chaos Warp<br />
*1 Counterflux<br />
*1 Fated Infatuation<br />
*1 Spell Swindle<br />
[/Instants]</p>
<p>[Sorceries]<br />
*1 Earthquake<br />
*1 Fireball<br />
*1 Tempt with Vengeance<br />
*1 Vandalblast<br />
*1 Ghired's Belligerence<br />
*1 Heat Shimmer<br />
*1 Mitotic Manipulation<br />
*1 Quasiduplicate<br />
*1 Notorious Throng<br />
*1 Rite of Replication<br />
*1 Tempt with Reflections<br />
*1 Kindred Charge<br />
*1 Stolen Identity<br />
*1 Blasphemous Act<br />
*1 Clone Legion<br />
[/Sorceries]</p>
<p>[Artifacts]<br />
*1 Bloodforged Battle-Axe<br />
*1 Sol Ring<br />
*1 Izzet Signet<br />
*1 Spy Kit<br />
*1 Commander's Sphere<br />
*1 Mimic Vat<br />
*1 Thran Dynamo<br />
*1 Helm of the Host<br />
*1 Assembly Hall<br />
[/Artifacts]</p>
<p>[Enchantments]<br />
*1 Curse of Opulence<br />
*1 Metamorphic Alteration<br />
*1 Mirror Mockery<br />
*1 Flameshadow Conjuring<br />
*1 Levitation<br />
*1 Storm the Vault<br />
*1 Followed Footsteps<br />
*1 Mirror March<br />
[/Enchantments]</p>
<p>[Planeswalkers]<br />
*1 Jace, Cunning Castaway<br />
[/Planeswalkers]</p>
<p>[Lands]<br />
*1 Cascade Bluffs<br />
*1 Dwarven Mine<br />
*1 Fabled Passage<br />
*1 Haunted Fengraf<br />
*12 Island<br />
*15 Mountain<br />
*1 Shivan Reef<br />
*1 Spirebluff Canal<br />
*1 Steam Vents<br />
*1 Sulfur Falls<br />
*1 Temple of the False God<br />
[/Lands]</p>
<p>[/Deck]<br />
</p>
<hr />
<h1>It's Home from Work We Go!</h1>
<p>Thus we conclude the tale of <em>Brudiclad and the Seven Dwarves</em> as told by <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>. As we've now wrapped up storytime, feel free to leave your questions, comments, and snide remarks in the comments section below. I'll be there thinking of more ways I can use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spy Kit" href="#" target="_blank">Spy Kit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in Commander builds, expounding on the benefits of Spellshapers, and waiting for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="True Love&#039;s Kiss" href="#" target="_blank">True Love&#039;s Kiss</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>If you've got a neglected card in 300 decks or less that you'd like to see highlighted on here, or a particular strategy that you think needs more love, let me know! I thrive on reader suggestions. Until next time, may you live <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Happily Ever After" href="#" target="_blank">Happily Ever After</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>!</p>


Forgotten Harvest - Brudiclad and the Seven Dwarves

Commander Focus — Kykar, Wind's Fury

Commander Showdown - Trostani vs Ghired

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maalfeld Twins" href="#" target="_blank">Maalfeld Twins</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://www.sassart.com/">Mike Sass</a>)</h6>
<h1>The Shadow Queen's Army</h1>
<p>At long last, we return to another <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>, where we take a closer look at cards that see play in 300 decks or less on EDHREC, and using them to construct an interesting deck. This week, we're taking a deep dive into the darkness with a mono-black build based around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ayara, First of Locthwain" href="#" target="_blank">Ayara, First of Locthwain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ayara, First of Locthwain"></div></div>
<p>As you could probably guess from the card, this deck is going to focus heavily on getting black creatures into play and leeching our opponents dry with Ayara's first ability. Additionally, the deck is going to have some ways to get creatures back from the graveyard to make them targets to sacrifice for Ayara's second ability, which draws us cards... which finds us was to get our creatures back... to sacrifice for more cards! This deck will play slowly, constantly pecking away at life totals until we're finally victorious! I also snuck in some great goodies which you can really only play in mono-black.</p>
<p>In order to maximize the options for cards with small deck counts, I intentionally stayed away from any tribal synergies; however, if you find tribal decks appealing, I would highly recommend settling on either Zombies or Rat theme, as there are plenty more support cards.</p>
<hr />
<h2>A Token of My Appreciation</h2>
<p>First, we should talk about the most efficient method for getting creatures into play: generating tokens.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Maalfeld Twins"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wakedancer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nested Ghoul"></div></div>
<p>First up in the token-makers category are the pair <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maalfeld Twins" href="#" target="_blank">Maalfeld Twins</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grixis Slavedriver" href="#" target="_blank">Grixis Slavedriver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (147 and 102 decks, respectively). It's obvious that we're going to be sacrificing a lot of creatures to Ayara to replenish our hand, so getting some tokens out of it (and some more life from our opponents) is ideal. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maalfeld Twins" href="#" target="_blank">Maalfeld Twins</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> allows us two extra for the price of one, and the Slavedriver can also come back in a pinch using its <em>Unearth</em> ability. Also note that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grixis Slavedriver" href="#" target="_blank">Grixis Slavedriver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> triggers on <em>leaving</em> the battlefield, not dying. That can definitely make a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyclonic Rift" href="#" target="_blank">Cyclonic Rift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> not as bad!</p>
<p>Speaking of sacrificing creatures, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wakedancer" href="#" target="_blank">Wakedancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can get us an extra body if there's been some of that the turn it hits play. Found in 83 decks, this card is a cheap way to produce a token in black. Given the high mana cost of other black body-makers, she's a welcome addition that won't require a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Charcoal Diamond" href="#" target="_blank">Charcoal Diamond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jet Medallion" href="#" target="_blank">Jet Medallion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to get out early. Plus, triggering upon entering the battlefield also works well when playing against bounce effects.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nested Ghoul" href="#" target="_blank">Nested Ghoul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides a third flavor of black token production, creating a 2/2 Zombie whenever it takes damage. While this isn't exactly ideal, given the sacrifice theme of this deck, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nested Ghoul" href="#" target="_blank">Nested Ghoul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is content to hit the bin the old-fashioned way, through combat damage. This should mean it replaces itself, at worst. Maybe it's even a reason to run <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pestilence" href="#" target="_blank">Pestilence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-type cards in the deck, to maximize token generation. The Ghoul is currently in 55 decks on EDHREC.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Carrion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lab Rats"></div></div>
<p>Creatures aren't the only way black can make tokens. It can instead use a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Carrion" href="#" target="_blank">Carrion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from <em>Mirage</em>. Played in 177 decks, this card serves as the inspiration for this deck. I've been waiting for a commander to provide <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Carrion" href="#" target="_blank">Carrion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> a happy home, and Ayara does just that! Imagine sacrificing your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maalfeld Twins" href="#" target="_blank">Maalfeld Twins</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and netting six tokens and a six-point life swing at the table! Being an instant just makes this card even better, and I like it in any black deck that cares about getting creatures into play. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teysa Karlov" href="#" target="_blank">Teysa Karlov</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> probably likes it as well!</p>
<p>Back in <em>Stronghold</em>, we saw the original version of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Recruit the Worthy" href="#" target="_blank">Recruit the Worthy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It's a black card by the name of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lab Rats" href="#" target="_blank">Lab Rats</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and it sees play in only 173 decks. This card is a staple for me when I need endless chump-blockers or when I'm going Rat tribal. In this deck, it's a great repeatable way to trigger Ayara and provide her some fodder for card draw turn after turn. This card is a favorite of mine, and I feel like it's not seeing enough play for for its power level. Please consider it so that it winds up in more than 300 decks and I don't get to write about it anymore.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Infernal Genesis"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cellar Door"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Breeding Pit"></div></div>
<p>Already, there are several token-making cards that are becoming staples for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ayara, First of Locthwain" href="#" target="_blank">Ayara, First of Locthwain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> decks, including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plague of Vermin" href="#" target="_blank">Plague of Vermin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tombstone Stairwell" href="#" target="_blank">Tombstone Stairwell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. But I think <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Infernal Genesis" href="#" target="_blank">Infernal Genesis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (203 decks) is also doing what these cards are doing, and is worth taking a look at. Adding recursion options to your graveyard while (hopefully) making a boatload of Minion tokens that trigger Ayara is exactly what we want! I'm not going to argue that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plague of Vermin" href="#" target="_blank">Plague of Vermin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> isn't better, because that card is exactly what Ayara is looking for. However, I will say that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Infernal Genesis" href="#" target="_blank">Infernal Genesis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> should still make your list.</p>
<p>My love of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cellar Door" href="#" target="_blank">Cellar Door</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is tough to contain. While I prefer it in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grenzo, Dungeon Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Grenzo, Dungeon Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> builds or those containing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reito Lantern" href="#" target="_blank">Reito Lantern</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, it's also a great option here to either mill yourself or an opponent and have a chance a token that triggers Ayara. It only sees play in 257 decks, but I sincerely believe that number should be over 1,000 given the strength and versatility displayed on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cellar Door" href="#" target="_blank">Cellar Door</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Please keep it on your radar in the future!</p>
<p>Lastly for the token-makers, we have Thrull generator <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breeding Pit" href="#" target="_blank">Breeding Pit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While I'm not crazy about the constant cost to keep it on the field, this is about as close as I can find to a second copy of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ophiomancer" href="#" target="_blank">Ophiomancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for the deck, and you all know how I love deck redundancy! Eventually, I'd like to try a Thrull tribal deck, and this card will be an immediate addition to it. For now, though, it just sees play in 187 decks.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Sacrifice Outlets</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Malevolent Awakening"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cabal Patriarch"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dross Harvester"></div></div>
<p>Now that we've covered how we're going to make all of Ayara's minions, let's talk about how we can put those minions to work. The name of the game is going to be "sacrifice". Much like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ayara, First of Locthwain" href="#" target="_blank">Ayara, First of Locthwain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s second ability, we want to have ways to turn these tokens into some card advantage. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Malevolent Awakening" href="#" target="_blank">Malevolent Awakening</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can provide that by allowing us to trade a creature in play for a creature back in hand. Played in 196 decks, this is one of the staple recursion options I use in my Commander brews. I remember sticking this in decks as a kid when <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oversold Cemetery" href="#" target="_blank">Oversold Cemetery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was too far outside of my budget.</p>
<p>Another sacrifice option from <em>Odyssey</em> is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cabal Patriarch" href="#" target="_blank">Cabal Patriarch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While expensive to cast, this card provides a sizable body and a repeatable creature removal for a fair cost. The ability to turn creatures in your graveyard into further removal is really what sells it for me. I'm surprised it's only in 44 decks, either as the commander or in the 99.</p>
<p>While not actually a sacrifice outlet, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dross Harvester" href="#" target="_blank">Dross Harvester</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> plays well with those cards that do cause loss of creatures. Despite the four life lost each time around the table, with enchantments like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grave Pact" href="#" target="_blank">Grave Pact</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dictate of Erebos" href="#" target="_blank">Dictate of Erebos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in play, you'll be able to get that life back and then some. I think 268 decks is far too few for this underplayed all-star!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Supporting Cards for Mono Black</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sengir Nosferatu"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gravestorm"></div></div>
<p>We have two cards that don't really fit in with the sections above, but are still deserving of some attention. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sengir Nosferatu" href="#" target="_blank">Sengir Nosferatu</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a token generator and sacrifice outlet all in one! Played in only 105 decks, this Vampire can transform into a Bat token for 1B, then back into a Vamp for another 1B, allowing for two triggers on Ayara. This ability can be cycled as much as needed with the commander in play, and provides a two-card mana sink to drain down your opponents. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Black Market" href="#" target="_blank">Black Market</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> only adds to the fun! Add in the blocking shenanigans which this enables, and you end up with an excellent card to slot into this deck.</p>
<p>Lastly, I've been trying to find a good deck in which to slot <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gravestorm" href="#" target="_blank">Gravestorm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but the three black pips in its casting cost has made that difficult. Depending on your meta, please consider this enchantment for some ever-present graveyard hate which really turns on once someone's 'yard goes dry. It's especially great after a well-timed <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bojuka Bog" href="#" target="_blank">Bojuka Bog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Let's take a gander at this mono-black beast.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Legion of the Shadow Queen" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div></p>
<p>[Commander]<br />
*1 Ayara, First of Locthwain<br />
[/Commander]</p>
<p>[Creatures]<br />
*1 Deathgreeter<br />
*1 Mortician Beetle<br />
*1 Blood Artist<br />
*1 Zulaport Cutthroat<br />
*1 Dross Harvester<br />
*1 Flesh Carver<br />
*1 Mardu Strike Leader<br />
*1 Midnight Reaper<br />
*1 Ophiomancer<br />
*1 Priest of Gix<br />
*1 Wakedancer<br />
*1 Disciple of Bolas<br />
*1 Falkenrath Noble<br />
*1 Gravedigger<br />
*1 Marsh Flitter<br />
*1 Mindslicer<br />
*1 Mortivore<br />
*1 Sengir Autocrat<br />
*1 Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder<br />
*1 Ghoulcaller Gisa<br />
*1 Krav, the Unredeemed<br />
*1 Nested Ghoul<br />
*1 Ogre Slumlord<br />
*1 Sadistic Hypnotist<br />
*1 Sengir Nosferatu<br />
*1 Cabal Patriarch<br />
*1 Grave Titan<br />
*1 Grixis Slavedriver<br />
*1 Maalfeld Twins<br />
*1 Noosegraf Mob<br />
*1 Skeletal Vampire<br />
[/Creatures]</p>
<p>[Instants]<br />
*1 Go for the Throat<br />
*1 Carrion<br />
[/Instants]</p>
<p>[Sorceries]<br />
*1 Lab Rats<br />
*1 Spark Harvest<br />
*1 Damnation<br />
*1 Plague of Vermin<br />
*1 Decree of Pain<br />
[/Sorceries]</p>
<p>[Artifacts]<br />
*1 Skullclamp<br />
*1 Sol Ring<br />
*1 Charcoal Diamond<br />
*1 Jet Medallion<br />
*1 Nim Deathmantle<br />
*1 Bontu's Monument<br />
*1 Cellar Door<br />
*1 Commander's Sphere<br />
*1 Crawlspace<br />
*1 Gate to the Afterlife<br />
*1 Lashwrithe<br />
*1 Phyrexian Processor<br />
*1 God-Pharaoh's Gift<br />
[/Artifacts]</p>
<p>[Enchantments]<br />
*1 Dreadhorde Invasion<br />
*1 Gravestorm<br />
*1 Malevolent Awakening<br />
*1 Breeding Pit<br />
*1 Grave Pact<br />
*1 Rite of Belzenlok<br />
*1 Tombstone Stairwell<br />
*1 Black Market<br />
*1 Open the Graves<br />
*1 Infernal Genesis<br />
[/Enchantments]</p>
<p>[Planeswalkers]<br />
*1 Liliana, Dreadhorde General<br />
[/Planeswalkers]</p>
<p>[Lands]<br />
*1 Barren Moor<br />
*1 Bojuka Bog<br />
*1 Cabal Coffers<br />
*1 Cabal Stronghold<br />
*1 Castle Locthwain<br />
*1 Crypt of Agadeem<br />
*1 Polluted Mire<br />
*26 Swamp<br />
*1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth<br />
*1 Westvale Abbey<br />
*1 Witch's Cottage<br />
[/Lands]</p>
<p>[/Deck]</p>

<hr />
<h2>Are You Afraid of the Dark?</h2>
<p>Thanks for digging into all the hyper-underplayed, token-centric options available to black. Any questions, comments, or snide remarks? You know where to leave them below. I'll be around to discuss just how good making this deck tribal can be, alternatives for some of the more expensive cards that made my list, or all the fun I had at the Seattle Lego convention a few weeks ago. Until next time, may your <em>devotion to black</em> remain strong!</p>


Forgotten Harvest - Ayara and Her Minions

<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>


Lore Seeker - An Exile's Path

Archetune-Up - Shanna's Motley Crew

The Knowledge Pool - Feather, the Redeemed

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Protection of the Hekma" href="#" target="_blank">Protection of the Hekma</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://www.ryanleeart.com/">Ryan Lee</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 finally give them a little extra background love. This time around we’ll be highlighting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun" href="#" target="_blank">Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun"></div></div>
<hr />
<h1>Story Circle</h1>
<p>Temmet was the unofficial tour guide in Naktamun for the Gatewatch. Temmet was the first to encounter the Gatewatch when they escaped the wastes on the plane of Amonkhet. Temmet grew suspicious of the Gatewatch, noting their clothing and mannerisms as foreign to his city and way of life. He answered their questions and eventually treated them to an audience with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oketra the True" href="#" target="_blank">Oketra the True</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, the god of stability, order, and protection on Amonkhet. Temmet eventually confirmed that the members of the Gatewatch were not native to Amonkhet. Having discovered them in the embalming chambers, he attempted to have them restrained but ended up getting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mind Control" href="#" target="_blank">Mind Control</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>led by Jace.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Oketra the True"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Oketra&#039;s Monument"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jace, Cunning Castaway"></div></div>
<p>He was a minor character, especially in the shadow of Nicol Bolas's schemes. The plane of Amonkhet was based on ancient Egyptian history, Temmet on King Tutankhamen. King Tut was one of the shortest-lived Pharaoh's in ancient Egypt, so it's fitting that Temmet made very little impact on the story at large... but what impact did he have before his 15 seconds of fame?</p>
<hr />
<h1 style="text-align: center;">Card Analysis</h1>
<h2>Name:</h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-36252 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/temName.jpg" alt="" width="507" height="84" /></p>
<p><strong>Vizier: </strong>title; highest official in ancient Egypt to serve the pharaoh, often appointed directly by the pharaoh.</p>
<p>Given this definition, it seems ol' King Tut went through a bit of a demotion in his translation to <em>MtG, </em>although when gods walk among their subjects, it should be expected. In Naktamun the viziers worked directly for the gods. Temmet is primarily the vizier of Oketra, but served other gods and their respective viziers. His position was one that was highly respected and revered.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vizier of Many Faces"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2>Mana Cost//Color Identity:</h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-36250 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/temCost.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="69" /></p>
<p><strong>White: </strong>White would be happiest in a utopian society where everyone shares and cooperates with one another.</p>
<p><strong>Blue: </strong>For blue, the purpose of life is to discover what you want and how to achieve it.</p>
<p>Temmet seemed well on his way to achieving the ultimate goal of a utopian society. He was in charge of the embalming process on Amonkhet, meaning he worked with the dead and performed many rituals. Amonkhet's natural magic brings the dead back to life as wild malevolent creatures. The cartouche system in the city harnessed the natural power of the plane and channeled it through a talisman. Attendant mummies put these cartouches on the dead in the embalming process, binding specific orders and tasks to the undead servants. If the denizens of a city are all indentured servants and programmed to cooperate, it makes a utopia easy! Temmet embodies form over function, utilitarianism to the utmost degree.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Embalmer&#039;s Tools"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cartouche of Solidarity"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2>Art:</h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-36255 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/temArt.jpg" alt="" width="571" height="418" /></p>
<p>King Tut was a very young and shortlived pharaoh in Egypt. In fact, he was mostly forgotten by the people of the time. He lived to around the age of 19, another correlation to Temmet, who is depicted to be around 16 years old. The story/legend of Tutankhamen rose in popularity only after his tomb was discovered: his chamber was mostly untouched by grave robbers, so the great number of artifacts and relics found gave the modern world a closer look at the ancient culture.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Desecrated Tomb"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Treasure Trove"></div></div>
<p>For this reason, when assembling Temmet's flavor-filled deck, I am including a large sub-theme of artifacts and Treasure. It will be a good representation of the massive trove discovered in King Tut's burial chamber while supplying our deck with plenty of meat to fill out its bones. (Well, perhaps 'bones' is the wrong word... its wrappings?) This will be an artifact-heavy deck, including a few combos to finish off the game and grind out value. I also wanted to include a package of Trap cards as a nod to the classic trope of the booby-trapped tomb.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Traps and Treasure" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Combo Pieces]
*1 Teshar, Ancestor&#039;s Apostle
*1 Scrap Trawler
*1 Krark-Clan Ironworks
*1 Myr Retriever
*1 Junk Diver
*1 Workshop Assistant
*1 Foundry Inspector
*1 Etherium Sculptor
[/Combo Pieces]
[Traditional Traps]
*1 Pit Trap
*1 Mindbreak Trap
*1 Arrow Volley Trap
*1 Whiplash Trap
[/Traditional Traps]
[Polymorph Traps]
*1 Pongify
*1 Rapid Hybridization
*1 Swan Song
[/Polymorph Traps]"></span></div>
<hr />
<h2>Type Line:</h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-36254 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/temType.jpg" alt="" width="592" height="54" /></p>
<p>Naktamun is governed much like a church, Temmet performing many duties similar to a priest. Another card that portrays someone performing the embalming ritual is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anointer Priest" href="#" target="_blank">Anointer Priest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which gives us a strategic direction for the deck. White likes gaining life and making a lot of small creatures, and if we're using lots of creatures in an artifact-heavy deck, we can take advantage of the abilities of one <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teshar, Ancestor&#039;s Apostle" href="#" target="_blank">Teshar, Ancestor&#039;s Apostle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Timed correctly, Teshar can create some crazy infinite loops: by sacrificing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Myr Retriever" href="#" target="_blank">Myr Retriever</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Junk Diver" href="#" target="_blank">Junk Diver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and/or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Workshop Assistant" href="#" target="_blank">Workshop Assistant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krark-Clan Ironworks" href="#" target="_blank">Krark-Clan Ironworks</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we can reclaim and cast these creatures an infinite number of times. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Etherium Sculptor" href="#" target="_blank">Etherium Sculptor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and other cost-reducers can help guarantee the combo goes off smoothly. To join the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anointer Priest" href="#" target="_blank">Anointer Priest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we'll add the "Soul Sisters" like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soul Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Soul Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soul&#039;s Attendant" href="#" target="_blank">Soul&#039;s Attendant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to our deck, generating infinite life as a result of this loop. That, however, is just a buffer for us to search for our real win condition: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Altar of the Brood" href="#" target="_blank">Altar of the Brood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which will mill our enemies to death as our creatures flit in and out of play!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anointer Priest"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Myr Retriever"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Altar of the Brood"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2>Rules Text:</h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-36253 aligncenter" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/temRules.jpg" alt="" width="584" height="295" /></p>
<p>This card may not look like it has flavor text, but the mechanic of <em>Embalm</em> says a lot on its own. From this reminder text, we know that Temmet dies and is revived with Amonkhet's magic. The <em>Embalm</em> ability makes him a really interesting commander too. When Temmet dies, we can choose to put him into the graveyard instead of the command zone, circumventing a bit of commander tax. When <em>Embalm</em> is activated, the card is then exiled, giving us an opportunity to put him back into the command zone. From there, he'll only cost two more mana to recast, even though it'll be the third time we have had his likeness on the field! First cast costs two mana, then <em>Embalm</em> for five, cast again for four, and <em>Embalm</em> for five once more... this cycle of casting keeps him on the board for a longer period of time at a cheaper cost to us. On top of that, if Temmet becomes a token, his beginning-of-combat trigger can target himself. (The <em>Embalmed</em> token does not deal commander damage, however.)</p>
<hr />
<h1 style="text-align: center;">The Deck</h1>
<p>This deck is a strange combination of aggro and combo. In the early game, we'll create small tokens and use Temmet to get them through. In the mid game, we'll transition to more of a control deck. In the final stages of the game, we'll hopefully go off with Teshar. It's a weird spot to fill, so the best advice I can give is to spread the love. Attack everyone for little bits of damage; focus down Planeswalkers with your unblockable tokens, and gain some favor with the rest of the table until you have a chance to get to your combo. You will be playing pretty active rather than the usual reactivity of a deck in these colors.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="King Tut" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Artificer&#039;s Assistant
*1 Soul Warden
*1 Soul&#039;s Attendant
*1 Anointer Priest
*1 Etherium Sculptor
*1 Myr Retriever
*1 Myrsmith
*1 Riddlesmith
*1 Argivian Archaeologist
*1 Foundry Inspector
*1 Junk Diver
*1 Scrap Trawler
*1 Treasure Hunter
*1 Workshop Assistant
*1 Heliod, God of the Sun
*1 Teshar, Ancestor&#039;s Apostle
*1 Treasure Keeper
*1 Vedalken Archmage
*1 Vizier of Many Faces
*1 God-Eternal Oketra
*1 Stonehewer Giant
*1 Sun Titan
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Tormod&#039;s Crypt
*1 Altar of the Brood
*1 Flayer Husk
*1 Pyramid of the Pantheon
*1 Skullclamp
*1 Ancestral Blade
*1 Azorius Signet
*1 Cogworker&#039;s Puzzleknot
*1 Embalmer&#039;s Tools
*1 Nim Deathmantle
*1 Pit Trap
*1 Shrine of Loyal Legions
*1 Sunset Pyramid
*1 Talisman of Progress
*1 Desecrated Tomb
*1 Gate to the Afterlife
*1 Oketra&#039;s Monument
*1 Krark-Clan Ironworks
*1 Batterskull
*1 Scytheclaw
*1 God-Pharaoh&#039;s Gift
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Curse of the Swine
*1 Wrath of God
*1 Phyrexian Rebirth
*1 Treasure Cruise
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Enlightened Tutor
*1 Pongify
*1 Rapid Hybridization
*1 Swan Song
*1 Lazotep Plating
*1 Mindbreak Trap
*1 Arrow Volley Trap
*1 Whiplash Trap
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Cartouche of Solidarity
*1 Legion&#039;s Landing
*1 Luminarch Ascension
*1 Smothering Tithe
*1 Thopter Spy Network
*1 Treasure Trove
*1 Mind Control
[/Enchantments]
[Planeswalker]
*1 Jace, Cunning Castaway
[/Planeswalker]
[Lands]
*1 Ancient Den
*1 Academy Ruins
*1 Ancient Tomb
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Cradle of the Accursed
*1 Darksteel Citadel
*1 Glacial Fortress
*1 Hallowed Fountain
*1 Irrigated Farmland
*11 Island
*1 Moorland Haunt
*11 Plains
*1 Port Town
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Sea of Clouds
*1 Seat of the Synod
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

<hr />
<h1>Epilogue</h1>
<p>I hope you enjoyed this micro history lesson of an article. I certainly know more about ancient Egypt than I did before writing it. This deck will flood the battlefield with artifacts and generate a ton of value. Once the engine is established, the deck will be hard to stop, and the Traps will create some fantastic "Gotcha!" moments that will generate stories that you and your friends will remember for years.</p>
<p>That’s it for this week! As always, let me know which legendary characters you’d like to see get the story spotlight in the future!</p>
