<p>For a few years now, <em>Universes Beyond</em> has been hit or miss regarding integration into digital <em>Magic</em> gaming. Whether it was <em>Magic: The Gathering Online</em> or <em>Magic Arena</em>, some sets in <em>Universes Beyond</em> didn't release for the digital interface. This left many players pining for a more paper-like play experience in these interfaces. However, on Monday, April 21st, Wizards of the Coast announced <em>Through the Omenpaths</em>, a new digital-only release that sates those needs. <em>Through the Omenpaths</em> will serve a similar purpose to <em>Universes Within</em>, bringing in <em>Universes Beyond</em> cards into digital <em>Magic</em> spaces with an in-universe aesthetic.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arvinox, the Mind Flail"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deadpool, Trading Card"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Forge, Neverwinter Charlatan"></div></div>
<h2>Wizards of the Coast's Statement on <em>Through the Omenpaths</em></h2>
<p>In their announcement on <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/through-the-omenpaths-and-digital-universes-beyond-updates">DailyMTG</a>, <strong>Blake Rasmussen</strong> had this to say about the initiative for the digital playspaces:</p>
<blockquote><p>We will not be creating <em>Through the Omenpaths</em> sets mirroring every <em>Universes Beyond</em> set, only the ones that will not be coming to digital platforms. This lets our formats remain mechanically at parity with one another digitally without having to create patchwork solutions here or there. We are also currently only planning to create <em>Through the Omenpaths</em> releases for full sets that are legal in all formats.</p>
<p>For the remainder of 2025, two <em>Universes Beyond </em>sets will be coming to <em>MTG Arena</em> and <em>Magic Online</em>:<em> Magic: The Gathering</em>—FINAL FANTASY and <em>Magic: The Gathering </em>|<em> Avatar: The Last Airbender</em>.</p>
<p>One 2025 set, <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> | <em>Marvel's Spider-Man</em> (as well as future Marvel sets) will not be coming to digital <em>Magic </em>platforms. Instead, we will release our first <em>Through the Omenpaths</em> set on September 23. We'll have more information on that set as we get closer to the release date.</p></blockquote>
<h2>The Implications For <em>Universes Within</em></h2>
<p>The announcement of <em>Through the Omenpaths</em> brings some hope for players who want in-universe versions of powerful <em>Universes Beyond</em> cards. Because these newly in-universe cards will have new art and aesthetics paired with mechanics that exist in paper <em>Magic</em>, this is a recipe to bring cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Orcish Bowmasters" href="#" target="_blank">Orcish Bowmasters</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dino DNA" href="#" target="_blank">Dino DNA</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Celestine, the Living Saint" href="#" target="_blank">Celestine, the Living Saint</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to <em>Universes Within</em> as well.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dino DNA"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Orcish Bowmasters"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Celestine, the Living Saint"></div></div>
<h3>The Potential Financial Impact</h3>
<p>Previously, many members of the <em>Magic</em> community who were critical of the licensing issues behind <em>Universes Beyond</em> have stated that printing mechanically-unique cards in a licensed release makes a pseudo-Reserved List. However, with this new initiative and the hope behind it, this complaint may soon become a much smaller issue. As a result, some <em>Universes Beyond</em> cards may stop carrying as much value on the secondary market. That said, players still need proof of concept from <em>Through the Omenpaths</em> before that idea is proven to hold water.</p>
<h2><em>Universes</em> Within The Digital Playspaces</h2>
<p>The implications of <em>Through the Omenpaths</em> are massive, but the proof that they're effective will have to wait for a few months from now. Nevertheless, it's an exciting prospect for fans of in-universe <em>Magic</em>. It's timely, too, as just three days earlier, <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/mark-rosewater-in-multiverse-sets-should-feel-like-magic">we reported</a> on <em>Magic</em> Head Designer <strong>Mark Rosewater</strong>'s statement that in-Multiverse aesthetics need to feel distinctly like <em>Magic</em>. This statement has sparked some discussion about what that means, both for <em>Magic</em>'s Multiverse and for <em>Universes Beyond</em>.</p>
<p>What do you think about <em>Through the Omenpaths</em> as a concept? Do you hope for in-Multiverse versions of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The One Ring" href="#" target="_blank">The One Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Great Unclean One" href="#" target="_blank">Great Unclean One</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Megatron, Tyrant" href="#" target="_blank">Megatron, Tyrant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? Sound off below!</p>


Through The Omenpaths Introduced For MTGO, Arena

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><em>Magic</em> Head Designer Mark Rosewater | Image Credit: Wizards of the Coast</h6>
<p>It's not surprising to many that <em>Tarkir Dragonstorm</em> is selling quite well right now. The sales data that Wizards of the Coast has access to seems to give credence to that idea. However, a few questions happen to spring from this well-received set, one of which we will cover here. In short, <em>Magic</em> Head Designer <strong>Mark Rosewater</strong> is busy on social media answering questions about <em>Magic</em>'s design process and its reception. Very specifically, on <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/markrosewater">Blogatog</a>, Rosewater's work-oriented Tumblr blog, he has been addressing inquiries about exactly why <em>Tarkir Dragonstorm</em> has sold so well.</p>
<div class="tumblr-post" data-href="https://embed.tumblr.com/embed/post/t:DfYWVw3OWM7GYSz0pPuL-Q/781025267501137920/v2" data-did="da39a3ee5e6b4b0d3255bfef95601890afd80709" ><a href="https://www.tumblr.com/markrosewater/781025267501137920/re-ub-has-made-players-want-in-universe-sets-to">https://www.tumblr.com/markrosewater/781025267501137920/re-ub-has-made-players-want-in-universe-sets-to</a></div>
<p><script async src="https://assets.tumblr.com/post.js?_v=38df9a6ca7436e6ca1b851b0543b9f51"></script></p>
<p>In his most in-depth reply, posted on Thursday, April 17th, Rosewater addressed a slight inaccuracy within his previous answers. In earlier replies, he mentioned the need for <em>Magic</em> sets to push boundaries. However, upon users such as the one in the embedded Tumblr post above calling Rosewater out on this, Rosewater admitted he misspoke. The crux of his point was that players want <em>Magic</em> to feel like <em>Magic</em>. Pushing bounds is still a valid design choice when designing for the game, and that holds true for "in-Multiverse" <em>Magic</em> sets.</p>
<div class="tumblr-post" data-href="https://embed.tumblr.com/embed/post/t:DfYWVw3OWM7GYSz0pPuL-Q/781082769582358534/v2" data-did="da39a3ee5e6b4b0d3255bfef95601890afd80709" ><a href="https://www.tumblr.com/markrosewater/781082769582358534/just-wanted-to-chime-in-that-im-incredibly">https://www.tumblr.com/markrosewater/781082769582358534/just-wanted-to-chime-in-that-im-incredibly</a></div>
<p><script async src="https://assets.tumblr.com/post.js?_v=38df9a6ca7436e6ca1b851b0543b9f51"></script></p>
<p>But this brings us to why this all came together the way it did, from all this discussion of bounds and nostalgia to the roaring success of <em>Tarkir Dragonstorm</em>. During this whole discussion thread, Rosewater mainly tried to say that in-Multiverse <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> sets should, appropriately, feel like <em>Magic</em>.</p>
<p>This is something that <em>Tarkir Dragonstorm</em> has done exceptionally well in many players' eyes. It is entirely plausible that, to use a bit of redundant speech, <em>Magic</em> players want <em>Magic</em> cards. Many of those players are not particularly enthused by the <em>Universes Beyond</em> initiative or its many tie-ins. And to reuse a slight cliche, they often just want <em>Magic</em> the way its creator <strong>Richard Garfield</strong> originally intended.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Breaching Dragonstorm"></div></div>
<h2>Mark Rosewater's Response Is A Good Sign</h2>
<p>Rosewater, addressing these accolades and questions, feels like a good step towards this goal. It at the very least means that the good people at Wizards of the Coast are listening to players' concerns. Does this mean that in the next 2.5 years, we will start getting in-Multiverse sets that definitively feel more like <em>Magic</em> of old? This may be true. At the same time, it could be a shorter span, or even a longer one, until we get that again. Furthermore, some in-Multiverse <em>Magic</em> sets may end up missing the mark on that concept. Such is the way of design-based experimentation. But suffice it to say, we should focus on the here and now and continue to celebrate the critical and commercial successes of <em>Tarkir Dragonstorm</em>.</p>
<p>Let's open the floor to you. How do you feel about the new set? Do you think it "feels" like <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>? Additionally, what is your opinion of <em>Universes Beyond</em>? Sound off below!</p>


Mark Rosewater: In-Multiverse Sets Should Feel Like Magic

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gallifrey Stands" href="#" target="_blank">Gallifrey Stands</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>| Art by <a href="https://geringalex.artstation.com/https://geringalex.artstation.com/">Alexander Gering</a></h6>
<h1>Entering the TARDIS</h1>
<p>Hello, and welcome to another edition of <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>, where we dive into the Universes Beyond card pool and assemble decks from it. Today, we have one of two lists that's near and dear to my heart (The other will be coming soon). Above all, it's been a lot of fun to build and play with, and I've sought to reassemble the deck multiple times.</p>
<p>As icing on the cake, there's a flavor challenge that makes this immaculate. As a result, you weren't sacrificing power like we had to for the <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/beyond-the-multiverse-whos-that-under-the-sea-spongebob-squarepants">Spongebob article</a> I did the other week, but it's still solid in its own right. Let's walk through the door, shall we?</p>
<h2>Meeting the Doctor</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Fourteenth Doctor"></div></div>
<p>The Doctor himself (at least for this incarnation; I'd be using they/them to address them generally) is a much-beloved figure from the <em>Doctor Who </em>series who travels across time and space on a myriad of adventures. They, hailing from the planet Gallifrey, stop numerous villains from achieving their schemes time and again.</p>
<p>This incarnation, however, was a short-lived one, as he was largely present for the series's 60th Anniversary specials. There, he undergoes a journey which culminates into a showdown with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Celestial Toymaker" href="#" target="_blank">The Celestial Toymaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. He triumphs, but not before undergoing a special kind of regeneration that results in both he and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Fifteenth Doctor" href="#" target="_blank">The Fifteenth Doctor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> coexisting.</p>
<p>Most importantly, Fourteenth has but a simple request for us: Run as many Doctors as we can. Moreover, he have you look at the top 14 cards of your library, and ditch any Doctors you see in the graveyard, and you choose one for him.</p>
<p>In addition, he becomes that Doctor, only except he has haste. Considering the cards, stretched across three precons and a Secret Lair Drop, we're bound to have several themes mashing together into some wibbly-wobbly mess.</p>
<p>...What's that? You want a focused deck plan? I threw that in a supernova. I simply don't agree with it. However, we're operating under a challenge: Every card in the deck is from the <em>Doctor Who </em>release, and a lone Secret Lair drop, <em>Secret Lair x Doctor Who: Regeneration</em>. However, we won't be using <em>The Masters of Evil</em> precon for today's decklist. That said, I'll have a section for it later in the article.</p>
<h2>Across Time and Space</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rose Noble"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Tenth Doctor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Clara Oswald"></div></div>
<p>Going through all of the Doctors, we have a total of 17: First-Fifteenth, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The War Doctor" href="#" target="_blank">The War Doctor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (10, 973 decks) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Fugitive Doctor" href="#" target="_blank">The Fugitive Doctor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (4,299 decks), and with them comes a scattered mixture of effects, reflecting the themes of each preconstructed deck that featured the Doctors: Historic, Time Counters, and Exile/Paradox.</p>
<p>As a result, the rest of our deck has to blend in with them. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Tenth Doctor" href="#" target="_blank">The Tenth Doctor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (10,919 decks) is one of the best: He suspends cards on attack and, if you can afford it, bring stuff from exile onto the stack quickly. With that in mind, you'd get to demonstrate those spells with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Twelfth Doctor" href="#" target="_blank">The Twelfth Doctor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or rack up time counters to make <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The War Doctor" href="#" target="_blank">The War Doctor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> a serious problem for your opponents.</p>
<p>Further, I would be remiss if I didn't bring up The Doctor's numerous companions. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rose Noble" href="#" target="_blank">Rose Noble</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (1,490 decks) not only draws us cards, but can be used in the Command Zone if we choose. You can choose to run Fourteenth on his own, but The Doctor must always have a companion.</p>
<p>Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clara Oswald" href="#" target="_blank">Clara Oswald</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6,488 decks) also works, too, and is one of the best of the companions (card-wise), as she doubles up on any triggered abilities the Doctors have. Moreover, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yasmin Khan" href="#" target="_blank">Yasmin Khan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (3,763 decks) "draws" us a card we could cast. In a similar vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sarah Jane Smith" href="#" target="_blank">Sarah Jane Smith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (9,791 decks) lets us investigate for Historic spells we cast.</p>
<p>On the other hand, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jamie McCrimmon" href="#" target="_blank">Jamie McCrimmon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (3,673 decks) is a threat in his own right, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="K-9, Mark I" href="#" target="_blank">K-9, Mark I</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (27,659 decks) protects our legendary creatures (and we'll have a lot!). Similarly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tegan Jovanka" href="#" target="_blank">Tegan Jovanka</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (5,753 decks) protects an attacking historic creature we control.</p>
<h2>We're in a Library; Arm Yourself</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="TARDIS"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Twice Upon a Time // Unlikely Meeting"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Displaced Dinosaurs"></div></div>
<p>Most importantly, the rest of the deck should help bind all three themes together. The Doctor's famous <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="TARDIS" href="#" target="_blank">TARDIS</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (16,010 decks) is an exemplar of what we're looking for: It's Historic, and casts from exile via Cascade. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inspiring Refrain" href="#" target="_blank">Inspiring Refrain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (30,919 decks) is a spell you'll always want to suspend, drawing you cards once every few turns on average.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Into the Time Vortex" href="#" target="_blank">Into the Time Vortex</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (15,276 decks) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Throes of Chaos" href="#" target="_blank">Throes of Chaos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (20,187 decks) not only Cascade, but can be cast from anywhere outside of your hand. This works in tandem with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Thirteenth Doctor" href="#" target="_blank">The Thirteenth Doctor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (16,664 decks) to bolster your creatures, and untap them.</p>
<p>On the other hand, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Displaced Dinosaurs" href="#" target="_blank">Displaced Dinosaurs</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (22,458 decks) turns the Doctors into major threats. In addition, it's worth noting that the clue tokens we make here can also become 7/7s as well. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Twice Upon a Time // Unlikely Meeting" href="#" target="_blank">Twice Upon a Time // Unlikely Meeting</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6,703 decks)'s adventure half gets us a Doctor we need, and (assuming we have at least two Doctors out) gives us an extra turn. Speaking of which, this does raise a concern with the deck.</p>
<p>With only 16 Doctors in the 99, we'll need to find as many of them as we can. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="An Unearthly Child" href="#" target="_blank">An Unearthly Child</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (5,294 decks) helps us dig for the Doctors, but also searches for their Companions and vehicles, too. However, the best of these is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Five Doctors" href="#" target="_blank">The Five Doctors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (4,241 decks). Unkicked, we get to find up to five Doctors.</p>
<p>That said, if you're able to cast it with the kicker cost, we can get those five into play as well. Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Time Lord Regeneration" href="#" target="_blank">Time Lord Regeneration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (4,708 decks) fetches another Doctor if one should happen to kick the bucket.</p>
<h2>Allons-y!</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-The Rise of Gallifrey" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Rose Noble
*1 The Fourteenth Doctor
[/Commander]
[Sorceries]
*1 Cultivate
*1 Farewell
*1 Farseek
*1 Impending Flux
*1 Inspiring Refrain
*1 Into the Time Vortex
*1 Search for Tomorrow
*1 The Five Doctors
*1 Throes of Chaos
*1 Traverse Eternity
*1 Twice Upon a Time // Unlikely Meeting
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Beast Within
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Gallifrey Falls // No More
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Surge of Brilliance
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Time Lord Regeneration
[/Instants]
[Creatures]
*1 Adric, Mathematical Genius
*1 Clara Oswald
*1 Displaced Dinosaurs
*1 Jamie McCrimmon
*1 K-9, Mark I
*1 Sarah Jane Smith
*1 The Eighth Doctor
*1 The Eleventh Doctor
*1 The Fifteenth Doctor
*1 The Fifth Doctor
*1 The First Doctor
*1 The Fourth Doctor
*1 The Fugitive Doctor
*1 The Ninth Doctor
*1 The Second Doctor
*1 The Seventh Doctor
*1 The Sixth Doctor
*1 The Tenth Doctor
*1 The Third Doctor
*1 The Thirteenth Doctor
*1 The Twelfth Doctor
*1 The War Doctor
*1 Yasmin Khan
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 An Unearthly Child
*1 Banish to Another Universe
*1 Day of Destiny
*1 Gallifrey Stands
*1 Grasp of Fate
*1 The Eleventh Hour
*1 The Flux
*1 The Night of the Doctor
[/Enchantments]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Heroes&#039; Podium
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Sonic Screwdriver
*1 TARDIS
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 Talisman of Creativity
*1 Talisman of Curiosity
*1 Talisman of Impulse
*1 Talisman of Progress
*1 Talisman of Unity
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Canopy Vista
*1 Cinder Glade
*1 Command Tower
*1 Deserted Beach
*1 Dreamroot Cascade
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fiery Islet
*2 Forest
*1 Fortified Village
*1 Frostboil Snarl
*1 Furycalm Snarl
*1 Gallifrey Council Chamber
*1 Game Trail
*2 Island
*2 Mountain
*1 Overgrown Farmland
*1 Path of Ancestry
*2 Plains
*1 Port Town
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Rockfall Vale
*1 Stormcarved Coast
*1 Sunbaked Canyon
*1 Sundown Pass
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Thriving Bluff
*1 Thriving Grove
*1 Thriving Heath
*1 Thriving Isle
*1 Vineglimmer Snarl
*1 Waterlogged Grove
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>The Time War Ends</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Heroes&#039; Podium"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gallifrey Stands"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Impending Flux"></div></div>
<p>Firstly, I'm sure this decklist looks like a glorified goodstuff mess, but perhaps this is a reason why The Doctor loves humans: Our ability to see patterns that aren't there. Crucially, there are a few ways to win with this deck.</p>
<p>You can go with the combat damage strategy with stuff like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Day of Destiny" href="#" target="_blank">Day of Destiny</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> 17,137 decks), <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heroes&#039; Podium" href="#" target="_blank">Heroes&#039; Podium</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (41,061 decks), and the aforementioned Displaced Dinosaurs. Our creatures tend to be small fries compared to what our opponents might be playing, so buffing them is just as important as accruing value.</p>
<p>The rest of the deck, like I stated, pulls a lot of the good stuff (including one of the best mana bases of any given set of precons) in to help give it a leg-up in games. While we have wipes like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Farewell" href="#" target="_blank">Farewell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (333,945 decks), both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Impending Flux" href="#" target="_blank">Impending Flux</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Night of the Doctor" href="#" target="_blank">The Night of the Doctor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (8,205 and 8,601 decks respectively) play into our Exile and Historic themes respectively.</p>
<p>In addition to the green ramp spells we have access to, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Search for Tomorrow" href="#" target="_blank">Search for Tomorrow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (82,020 decks), we get to use all six Talismans of our colors. Meanwhile, we have The Doctor's handy <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sonic Screwdriver" href="#" target="_blank">Sonic Screwdriver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (51,211 decks), which is a mana rock that also carries a lot of utility.</p>
<p>However, our ultimate way to win is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gallifrey Stands" href="#" target="_blank">Gallifrey Stands</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (5,127 decks). Firstly, it pulls all of the Doctors from our graveyard to hand. If we can cast enough of them, we win! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Sixth Doctor" href="#" target="_blank">The Sixth Doctor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (12,154 decks) helps with this by copying each Doctor we play. That said, they won't be legendary, but they still fulfill the needed criteria. However, this is a common plan with Fourteenth, and people will see it coming from miles away, so be prepared to protect your game plan.</p>
<h2>Can You Hear the Drums?</h2>
<p>If you want to make use of cards from <em>The Masters of Evil</em> precon, then there's a few options here. Firstly, you'll gain access to <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> (922,694 decks), which is a good wipe all around. On the other hand, we can make great use of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyber Conversion" href="#" target="_blank">Cyber Conversion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (23,264 decks), one of the best targeted removal spells from this release. Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Propaganda" href="#" target="_blank">Propaganda</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (338,922 decks) deters attackers while we assemble our board.</p>
<h2>We're All Stories, In the End</h2>
<p>In conclusion, this list is as wild as it is consistent. Further, it's as flavorful as it's solid. I'm quite confident it's a list that can hold up in a Bracket Three pod, though I typically design for Bracket Two. It's been a blast every game I jammed with it, and I hope you feel the same as well.</p>
<p>That said, while you could make the list the ordinary way, it's a dull approach. Moreover, it's also not as flavorful, and isn't as satisfying. Each game feels like you're watching a full episode of <em>Doctor Who</em> play out right before your eyes. Will there be Cybermen or Daleks? Maybe not, but it fits the mold all the same.</p>
<p>What I also like the list is that, even with the smaller than usual card pool, you could find a way to make other cards work. Maybe you want to run your favorite Doctor's Companions. Perhaps, there's a favorite card you'd like to run. Go ahead.</p>
<p>Make your own episode, and however you want it to (doesn't mean winning every game, by the way. Even heroes have to lose at some point). Either way, I'm sure it'll make for some memorable stories down the road.</p>
<p>Join us next time when we (finally!) make our first dive into Marvel. Until then, and I guess if it's my last chance to say it...</p>


Beyond the Multiverse - The Fourteenth Doctor

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commissar Severina Raine" href="#" target="_blank">Commissar Severina Raine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>|Art by <a href="https://jakemurraystudio.com/">Jake Murray</a></h6>
<h1>The Call at Dawn</h1>
<p>Hi, and welcome to <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>, where we go outside the <em>Magic: The Gathering </em>universe, and explore outside IPs. Today, we're turning our attention to the <em>Warhammer </em>universe (specifically 40k). That particular release was important as it was the first time we had a major release from <em>Universes Beyond</em>.</p>
<p>Such releases fell in two categories: A full-on set, or the soon-to-be-extinct precon releases. <em>Warhammer</em> fell into the latter category, featuring Necrons, Tyranids, Chaos, and the Imperium.</p>
<p>However, it's that last faction we're looking at today. Of the 99 in that precon, one stood out to me as particularly strong, and being an engine on her own. Also, we're picking a deck that's partially outside my wheelhouse. Without further ado, let's get to it.</p>
<h1>Greeting the Commander</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Commissar Severina Raine"></div></div>
<p>Severina was an Imperial Commissar who served the Astra Militarum, protecting a region known as the Bane Stars from the forces of Chaos. Before she assumed command of her regiment, she executed the previous captain, a well-beloved figure, for going against the Lord General Militant's orders, saying that the mission was a suicidal charge.</p>
<p>Severina would go forward with the mission, commanding the regiment, and securing victory despite heavy losses. However, she had to quell a near-mutiny when she took command, and those troops still harbor a grudge for the death of their captain.</p>
<p>Firstly, Severina wants us to go wide, and on the offensive, because her attack trigger will soften our opponents' life totals before our army even connects. More more you attack with, the stronger the effect. However, she also draws you cards by sacrificing a creature by paying two generic mana. A simple, yet paradoxical card.</p>
<h1>Harboring a Grudge</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bastion of Remembrance"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Morbid Opportunist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pitiless Plunderer"></div></div>
<p>I'm going to get this out of the way: I do not like Aristocrats. I despise the archetype for a number of reasons, especially the "death by a thousand cuts" plan. I feel like you're so dependent on assembling an infinite combo to really make cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> shine.</p>
<p>While I enjoyed the Vampire precon from <em>Lost Caverns of Ixalan</em>, that didn't do much to address my disdain for the archetype. There's only one other thing I hate more than aristocrats, so this is number two in a top five list (If you must know, it's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Merieke Ri Berit" href="#" target="_blank">Merieke Ri Berit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>). That said, I'm writing this for you, readers, so I'll swallow my grudge and carry on.</p>
<p>To begin, we do not have a lot of Blood Artist-like effects, so we'd have to take what we can get. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirkwood Bats" href="#" target="_blank">Mirkwood Bats</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (272,056 decks) stands among the best of these, checking for any token that comes in or is sacrificed, which we'll be doing plenty. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sanguinary Priest" href="#" target="_blank">Sanguinary Priest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (11,344 decks) pings a target, and gains us a life back.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bastion of Remembrance" href="#" target="_blank">Bastion of Remembrance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (173,899 decks) gives us a token, and does a good impression of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zulaport Cutthroat" href="#" target="_blank">Zulaport Cutthroat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (using an in-universe example). Lasty, while it's no Blood Artist, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pitiless Plunderer" href="#" target="_blank">Pitiless Plunderer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (219,588 decks) gives us treasure when another creature we control dies.</p>
<h1>Rallying the Creatures</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Securitron Squadron"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Captain of the Watch"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Death in Heaven"></div></div>
<p>Most importantly, we need creatures to sacrifice, and what better options are there, but tokens? Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Captain of the Watch" href="#" target="_blank">Captain of the Watch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (27,946 decks) replenishes our board with soldiers. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Company Commander" href="#" target="_blank">Company Commander</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (18,366 decks) is best played early on, as its enters ability is strongest when all of your opponents are present.</p>
<p>On the other hand, we also have a number of creatures with the Squad mechanic, which we play premium for an extra copy of the card. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Securitron Squadron" href="#" target="_blank">Securitron Squadron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (18,922 decks), if you pay enough into the Squad cost, is a game-ender. Likewise, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ultramarines Honour Guard" href="#" target="_blank">Ultramarines Honour Guard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (18,417 decks) is another anthem effect that could make our creatures bigger.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Death in Heaven" href="#" target="_blank">Death in Heaven</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (10,658 decks) is a graveyard hoser and, picking the right target, an army-in-a can. Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Entrapment Maneuver" href="#" target="_blank">Entrapment Maneuver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (20,403 decks) makes our opponent sacrifice a creature, and we get an army for it. Be sure to use it right to get maximum value out of it. Four mana is a lot to leave up, after all.</p>
<p>The myriad mechanic is another good choice, but will not count for Severina's attack trigger, so keep that in mind. However, the one that stands out here is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dalek Squadron" href="#" target="_blank">Dalek Squadron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (15,401 decks), which has to be double-blocked.</p>
<p>Alternatively, there's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blade of Selves" href="#" target="_blank">Blade of Selves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (76,859 decks), but it'll need the right creature to equip to get mileage in this list. That said, I brought up aristocrats, so what kind of value can we reap from sacrificing our tokens?</p>
<h1>Planning a Strategy</h1>
<p>If there's one thing aristocrat decks tend to gain, it's value. I mentioned the Blood Artist effects earlier, but we have more payoffs. <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> (126,459 decks) gets us an absurd amount of mana.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ashnod&#039;s Altar" href="#" target="_blank">Ashnod&#039;s Altar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Bedivere's Scales; 405,311 decks) does this, too, and it's a free outlet. Those are the ones to immediately slam into the deck (ironically not in this list for a reason I'll explain when we get to it).</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Call for Unity" href="#" target="_blank">Call for Unity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (12,406 decks) is slow to get going, but it can add up. On the other hand, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Morbid Opportunist" href="#" target="_blank">Morbid Opportunist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (164,466 decks) gives us a card if a creature died each turn. In a similar vein, it's best to treat <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skullclamp" href="#" target="_blank">Skullclamp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (667,040 decks) as a sacrifice outlet if the tokens are 1/1s, as that'll draw us two cards for each one you 'clamp.</p>
<p>Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Golden Throne" href="#" target="_blank">The Golden Throne</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (25,043 decks) gives us three mana if we sacrifice a creature. It also can save us from a lethal strike, but only once, and it puts us at one life, so hope no one pings you, and make you lose in such an embarrassing manner.</p>
<p>Alternatively, swinging out with a big board works just as well. However, you need to have a large number of creatures to make that worthwhile, but don't hesitate if you can land a hit in.</p>
<p>One or two life on attack isn't much, but it can add up quickly. There is this tension between this, and an aristocrats plan, so it's best to know when to lean into one strategy more than the other, then switch it when you're ready to do so.</p>
<h1>Addressing the Deck</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-The Call to War" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Commissar Severina Raine
[/Commander]
[Instants]
*1 And They Shall Know No Fear
*1 Anguished Unmaking
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Darkness
*1 Deadly Dispute
*1 Entrapment Maneuver
*1 Flawless Maneuver
*1 Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal
*1 Go for the Throat
*1 Lethal Scheme
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Secure the Wastes
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Unbreakable Formation
*1 Utter End
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Skullclamp
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Talisman of Hierarchy
*1 The Golden Throne
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Ballroom
*1 Command Tower
*1 Desolate Mire
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Memorial to Glory
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Path of Ancestry
*10 Plains
*1 Scoured Barrens
*1 Shineshadow Snarl
*1 Silent Clearing
*10 Swamp
*1 Tainted Field
*1 Temple of Silence
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 War Room
*1 Windbrisk Heights
[/Lands]
[Sorceries]
*1 Austere Command
*1 Collective Effort
*1 Crisis of Conscience
*1 Dread Return
*1 Everything Comes to Dust
*1 Exterminatus
*1 Feed the Swarm
*1 Fell the Mighty
*1 For the Emperor!
*1 Increasing Devotion
*1 Martial Coup
*1 Night&#039;s Whisper
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Bastion of Remembrance
*1 Black Market
*1 Black Market Connections
*1 Call for Unity
*1 Dawn of Hope
*1 Death in Heaven
*1 Intangible Virtue
*1 Vault 75: Middle School
[/Enchantments]
[Creatures]
*1 Captain of the Watch
*1 Company Commander
*1 Dalek Squadron
*1 Elder Arthur Maxson
*1 Escarpment Fortress
*1 General&#039;s Enforcer
*1 Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff
*1 Mentor of the Meek
*1 Mirkwood Bats
*1 Morbid Opportunist
*1 Overseer of Vault 76
*1 Pitiless Plunderer
*1 Primaris Chaplain
*1 Sanguinary Priest
*1 Securitron Squadron
*1 Sloppity Bilepiper
*1 Space Marine Devastator
*1 The Meep
*1 Ultramarines Honour Guard
*1 Wasteland Raider
*1 White Glove Gourmand
[/Creatures]"></span></div>
<h1>Turning the Tide of the Game</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="For the Emperor!"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Exterminatus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal"></div></div>
<p>You'll see that, in this list, I made aristocrats a sub-theme, and focused harder on the aggro plan. This is because you're more likely to get Severina's attack trigger than use the activated ability.</p>
<p>Both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Meep" href="#" target="_blank">The Meep</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (provided you sacrifice a big enough creature; 529 decks) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="For the Emperor!" href="#" target="_blank">For the Emperor!</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (8,418 decks) are swingy finishers in their own right. It had been my original plan all along, and the aristocrats aspect of the deck just came naturally.</p>
<p>For a token list, there's a lot of wipes, but very few are absolute. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Martial Coup" href="#" target="_blank">Martial Coup</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (79,645 decks) leaves behind an army to work with. Secondly, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fell the Mighty" href="#" target="_blank">Fell the Mighty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crisis of Conscience" href="#" target="_blank">Crisis of Conscience</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (68,710 and 5,119 decks respectively) both ensure that our tokens stick around.</p>
<p>The absolute wipes we do have are a last resort, and should be treated as such. Above all, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exterminatus" href="#" target="_blank">Exterminatus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (besides being absolutely fun to slam down; 7,978 decks) will wipe out everything, except lands.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Everything Comes to Dust" href="#" target="_blank">Everything Comes to Dust</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (20,284 decks) will help secure our board, if you use the convoke cost. However, be aware that you'll be sparing some of your opponents' creatures, too.</p>
<p>That said, while we have a ton of wipes, the list also carries lots of board protection. The best of these is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal" href="#" target="_blank">Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (47,752 decks), which either saves our stuff, or clears the way for lethal damage.</p>
<p>However, that's not to say other cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flawless Maneuver" href="#" target="_blank">Flawless Maneuver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unbreakable Formation" href="#" target="_blank">Unbreakable Formation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (260,956 and 174,495 decks respectively) are slouches, either.</p>
<p>Each one has their uses, be it free to cast or can be used to advance our board state in some way. On the other hand, you might even want the board wiped of threats, or to enable the aristocrats subtheme. Perhaps it's both.</p>
<h1>Going Home</h1>
<p>In conclusion, with the limited but burgeoning card pool we have, we can still make something out of it. Even archetypes I tend to not like can be made here. Who knows? We might even get a Blood Artist reskin down the line. Aristocrats is not an archetype I tend to venture into for reasons I explained, but I hope that the list does a good enough job to convey it.</p>
<p>When building the list, I was originally looking at some of the other options that could fit a similar mold. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Colonel Autumn" href="#" target="_blank">Colonel Autumn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would strengthen your tokens, but you need a critical mass of legendary creatures to make him useful. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="MacCready, Lamplight Mayor" href="#" target="_blank">MacCready, Lamplight Mayor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would've worked if we weren't using many anthem effects.</p>
<p>Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elder Arthur Maxson" href="#" target="_blank">Elder Arthur Maxson</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who is in the decklist, gives counters to our tokens, and is a free sacrifice outlet himself, mainly to protect himself. I was going to randomize what commander to use before each game, but I eventually settled on Severina, since the others have a niche to them the deck couldn't satisfy.</p>
<p>Maybe one day I can make that work for a different deck (Though, the Boros Equipment deck from last week is a good candidate for this).</p>
<p>Join me next time, when we return to an earlier franchise with a favorite deck in mind. Until then, may you be inspired by what's beyond <em>Magic</em>'s IP.</p>


Beyond the Multiverse - Commissar Severina Raine

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eivor, Battle-Ready" href="#" target="_blank">Eivor, Battle-Ready</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/fajareka">Fajareka Setiawan</a></h6>
<h1>Entering the Smithy</h1>
<p>Hello, and welcome back to another edition of <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>, where we take those <em>Universes Beyond </em>cards, and make decks with them (and them alone, mind!).</p>
<p>Today, we take a look at an infamous color pair with an infamous theme. If you guessed Equipment, you're correct. If you also guessed Bore-os...I mean Boros, that's right, too. We're looking into Boros Equipment this week.</p>
<p>Now, last week, I mentioned I had a surprise for you: We have two decks this time around, and there's a story behind that. I'll explain that later but, for now, let's get acquainted with the first of the two commanders, shall we?</p>
<h1>Armed for Battle</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Eivor, Battle-Ready"></div></div>
<p>Eivor hails from the <em>Assassin's Creed</em> franchise, where the Assassins fight the Templars to keep them from acquiring powerful artifacts known as the Pieces of Eden to rule the world.</p>
<p>As for our commander herself, she's a Viking Shieldsmaiden (and a reincarnation of Odin) from Norway who partook in the Viking raids in what is now the UK during the 10th century C.E. Meanwhile, she also worked to take down the Templars's predecessors, the Order of the Ancients.</p>
<p>As for her card, you want to drop as much Equipment as you can, so she can deal some big damage with her attack trigger. In addition, it's also convenient that she has both vigilance and haste, so she can attack right away without leaving you open for a crackback.</p>
<p>However, like I said in the beginning, we have two decks to show off today. Consequently, I'm going to do things a little differently. So, we begin with list #1.</p>
<h1>The First Weapon</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-Battle-Hardened" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Eivor, Battle-Ready
[/Commander]
[Lands]
*1 Abstergo Entertainment
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*10 Mountain
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Path of Ancestry
*10 Plains
*1 Rustvale Bridge
*1 Sunbaked Canyon
*1 Sundown Pass
*1 Sunscorched Divide
*1 Temple of Triumph
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Wind-Scarred Crag
[/Lands]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bloodforged Battle-Axe
*1 Brotherhood Regalia
*1 Champion&#039;s Helm
*1 Commander&#039;s Plate
*1 Excalibur, Sword of Eden
*1 Explorer&#039;s Scope
*1 Fireshrieker
*1 Haystack
*1 Hedron Archive
*1 Hidden Footblade
*1 Hookblade
*1 Junk Jet
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Mask of Memory
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Pip-Boy 3000
*1 Raven Clan War-Axe
*1 Shadowspear
*1 Silver Shroud Costume
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Sword of Feast and Famine
*1 Sword of Light and Shadow
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 The Spear of Leonidas
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
*1 Worn Powerstone
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 Armory Paladin
*1 Bastion Protector
*1 Brotherhood Outcast
*1 Bureau Headmaster
*1 Chaos Terminator Lord
*1 Codsworth, Handy Helper
*1 Crimson Caravaneer
*1 Humble Defector
*1 Jenny, Generated Anomaly
*1 Mister Gutsy
*1 Puresteel Paladin
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Austere Command
*1 Cathartic Reunion
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Farewell
*1 Overpowering Attack
*1 Taunt from the Rampart
*1 Wake the Past
*1 What Must Be Done
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Battlefield Improvisation
*1 Bottle-Cap Blast
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Dispatch
*1 Flawless Maneuver
*1 Inventory Management
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Unexpected Windfall
*1 Valorous Stance
*1 Wear // Tear
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Forge Anew
*1 Wild Wasteland
[/Enchantments]"></span></div>
<h1>Claiming the Treasure</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brotherhood Regalia"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodforged Battle-Axe"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inventory Management"></div></div>
<p>One thing before I go over the list. The second commander's in there somewhere, can you guess it without scrolling to the end?</p>
<p>This list comes with a number of cheap Equipment that'll help make Eivor a threat in more ways than one. At its heart (and it's also true with the second list), this is a Voltron list, where you bludgeon your opponents with commander damage to eliminate them. We have <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> (56,587 decks) that will only amass a lot of copies of itself with time. In addition, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brotherhood Regalia" href="#" target="_blank">Brotherhood Regalia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (76,160 decks) gives Eivor protection and evasion, so she can get through. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commander&#039;s Plate" href="#" target="_blank">Commander&#039;s Plate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Champion&#039;s Helm" href="#" target="_blank">Champion&#039;s Helm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (133,180 and 62,128 decks respectively) both give her protection (as she's going to be a removal magnet), and a buff to make her more lethal.</p>
<p>Moreover, we have Eivor's signature weapon(s) in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raven Clan War-Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Raven Clan War-Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (2,959 decks), which gives her a coveted keyword in trample. Further, if you cast it while Eivor's in your graveyard, you can get her back to your hand and save on the commander tax. We also have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shadowspear" href="#" target="_blank">Shadowspear</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Totec's Spear; 191,168 decks) that provides even better utility, and give trample at the same time.</p>
<p>Likewise, we have non-Equipment that also help Eivor with her mission. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bastion Protector" href="#" target="_blank">Bastion Protector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (75,754 decks) renders her indestructible alongside giving her a small buff. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chaos Terminator Lord" href="#" target="_blank">Chaos Terminator Lord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6,582 decks) gives Eivor double strike when she's attacking. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bureau Headmaster" href="#" target="_blank">Bureau Headmaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (14,425 decks) makes Equipment cheaper to cast, and has you pay less to equip them to your creatures.</p>
<h1>A Voyage Through Time</h1>
<p>In summary, Eivor has much going for her, given that you can protect her while she's out. However, I do want to point out one card that was already spoiled, but is not in the list (nor the second one): <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloud, Planet&#039;s Champion" href="#" target="_blank">Cloud, Planet&#039;s Champion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a decidedly good option for the 99, or as the commander (I find a lot of these Boros Equipment legends to fit at the helm, so why not randomize which one before each game?).</p>
<p>I will be doing a write-up for him in the future, so this article will not be the last time we'll tackle Boros Equipment. If you wish to know why, it's because I'll be tackling <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sephiroth, Planet&#039;s Heir" href="#" target="_blank">Sephiroth, Planet&#039;s Heir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as well. I'll have a restriction for both, so at least Cloud's deck won't look like a repaint of this article.</p>
<p>Most importantly, we need to focus on the now, and work with what we have. That being said, let's go further back in time to our second decklist.</p>
<p>The story behind this list is that it was the list I was originally trying to build months ago, but I couldn't quite get there. However, it's been at the back of my brain for a while, and I want to try again. Without further adeu, behold (not the Tarkir mechanic):</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kassandra, Eagle Bearer"></div></div>
<h1>The Second Weapon</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-Ancient Arsenal II" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Kassandra, Eagle Bearer
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Ace&#039;s Baseball Bat
*1 Andúril, Flame of the West
*1 Andúril, Narsil Reforged
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bilbo&#039;s Ring
*1 Brotherhood Regalia
*1 Caduceus, Staff of Hermes
*1 Crown of Gondor
*1 Cursed Mirror
*1 Endless Atlas
*1 Excalibur, Sword of Eden
*1 Glamdring
*1 Hedron Archive
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Mithril Coat
*1 Mjölnir, Storm Hammer
*1 Shadowspear
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Sting, the Glinting Dagger
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Sword of the Animist
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 The Spear of Leonidas
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Abstergo Entertainment
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Furycalm Snarl
*1 Inventors&#039; Fair
*9 Mountain
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Path of Ancestry
*9 Plains
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Sunbaked Canyon
*1 Sundown Pass
*1 Sunscorched Divide
*1 Temple of Triumph
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Thriving Bluff
*1 Thriving Heath
*1 War Room
[/Lands]
[Sorceries]
*1 Austere Command
*1 Blasphemous Act
*1 Cathartic Reunion
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Monastery Raid
*1 Overpowering Attack
*1 Seize the Day
*1 Taunt from the Rampart
*1 Vandalblast
*1 Wake the Past
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Boros Charm
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Inventory Management
*1 Olórin&#039;s Searing Light
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Return to Dust
*1 Reverberate
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Unexpected Windfall
*1 Valorous Stance
*1 Wear // Tear
[/Instants]
[Creatures]
*1 Armory Paladin
*1 Bastion Protector
*1 Bloodthirster
*1 Bureau Headmaster
*1 Codsworth, Handy Helper
*1 Crimson Caravaneer
*1 Gimli of the Glittering Caves
*1 Puresteel Paladin
*1 Rohirrim Chargers
*1 Scourge of the Throne
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Stonehewer Giant
*1 Éowyn, Lady of Rohan
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Forge Anew
*1 Sigarda&#039;s Aid
*1 Vault 101: Birthday Party
[/Enchantments]"></span></div>
<h1>The Odyssey</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Spear of Leonidas"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Caduceus, Staff of Hermes"></div></div>
<p>To begin, Kassandra, a descendant of King Leonidas I of Sparta is from the same franchise as Eivor, and was a mercenary during the Peleponnesian War.</p>
<p>She also worked to thwart the Cult of Kosmos (another predecessor to the Templars), and the Order of the Ancients. After she received the Staff of Hermes, she would go on to live for over 2, 400 years before relinquishing the Piece of Eden and passing away.</p>
<p>Her card puts greater emphasis on legendary Equipment. As a result, I tuned this list to center around that as best as I could. There are 16 legendary Equipment within the <em>Universes Beyond</em> card pool.</p>
<p>Two of them are black, thus outside out color identity. On the other hand, we're forced to run the rest to take full advantage of her second ability, which draws us cards when creatures connect.</p>
<p>Granted, they must be carrying legendary Equipment to count for her trigger. I could see <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glamdring" href="#" target="_blank">Glamdring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (19,555 decks) being the worst of these, since our instant/sorcery focus is minimal. On the bright side, we're likely to get more options down the road.</p>
<p>However, one of the best card in this list is undoubtedly <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Spear of Leonidas" href="#" target="_blank">The Spear of Leonidas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (19,154 decks), which Kassandra conveniently tutors for when she comes in.</p>
<p>It's a great utility pieces that either gets us a blocker, lets us loot, or gives the equipped creature double strike. That last one is doubly important with our commander out, since two hits to your opponents means two cards drawn.</p>
<p>Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Caduceus, Staff of Hermes" href="#" target="_blank">Caduceus, Staff of Hermes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (35, 380 decks) makes Kassandra bigger, and offers some good protection.</p>
<h1>The Other Pieces</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Excalibur, Sword of Eden"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rohirrim Chargers"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Codsworth, Handy Helper"></div></div>
<p>Alongside the Spear, we have some good legendary Equipment lying around. For example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Excalibur, Sword of Eden" href="#" target="_blank">Excalibur, Sword of Eden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (53,820 decks) makes Kassandra a game-ending threat, especially if you give her double strike and evasion as well.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Andúril, Narsil Reforged" href="#" target="_blank">Andúril, Narsil Reforged</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (36,589 decks) gives counters to all of our creatures, including our commander.</p>
<p>In addition, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bilbo&#039;s Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Bilbo&#039;s Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (20,883 decks), like Brotherhood Regalia, protects and grants evasion to our commander (and whatever creature that's equipped it. More on that in a moment), but also gives us a card when we attack.</p>
<p>It's worth noting that we want to be going wide with our strategy to some degree. Consequently, that'll give us dig into our deck a little more.</p>
<p>That said, I included a few tutors to help ensure that you do that with Kassandra's ability. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stonehewer Giant" href="#" target="_blank">Stonehewer Giant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (30,062 decks) is a bit on the slow side, but it does have vigilance, and thus can be used as a combat trick.</p>
<p>In a similar vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rohirrim Chargers" href="#" target="_blank">Rohirrim Chargers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (3,151 decks) guarantees us an Equipment that we can freely attach to it. Just note that it won't untap during your next turn when you do this.</p>
<p>Moreover, a few other noteworthy cards include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Codsworth, Handy Helper" href="#" target="_blank">Codsworth, Handy Helper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (38,639 decks), who, well, comes in handy. Protecting your commander, auto-equipping, and being a mana dork for Equipment? Don't mind if I do. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Éowyn, Lady of Rohan" href="#" target="_blank">Éowyn, Lady of Rohan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (12,821 decks) cheapens equip costs, like Bureau Headmaster before it.</p>
<p>Further, she also temporarily grants first strike and vigilance to an equipped creatures of your choice. Choose wisely, unless it's the aforementioned Rohirrim Chargers.</p>
<p>They're the perfect target for her ability. Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Taunt from the Rampart" href="#" target="_blank">Taunt from the Rampart</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (40,744 decks) is a great finisher that also weathers your opponents down for a killing blow.</p>
<h1>Returning to the Present</h1>
<p>In conclusion, these two lists are different takes on a tried but true archetype in Commander. One wants you to dump Equipment on the board to deal damage, while the other needs you to use legendary Equipment.</p>
<p>However, Voltron is the ideal way to play with both decks. You could always add blue to run <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Captain America, First Avenger" href="#" target="_blank">Captain America, First Avenger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> if you wished. I hear equipping him with Excalibur is very bonkers.</p>
<p>The <em>Assassin's Creed</em> release was maligned because of the notorious <em>Aftermath</em>-style release, where each pack came with half as many cards as ones from the average set.</p>
<p>On the other hand, there's a lot of cool designs and cards in there. I did it as an advent calendar last year, and assembled <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ezio Auditore da Firenze" href="#" target="_blank">Ezio Auditore da Firenze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with the contents (and some extras). That particular Ezio is on the shortlist, so we can expect him in the foreseeable future.</p>
<p>Tune in next time when we delve into my most hated archetype, something beyond my wheelhouse. Until then, may your board be flooded with Equipment (if so, you'll seriously need some <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inventory Management" href="#" target="_blank">Inventory Management</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Sheesh), and may they help you win.</p>


Beyond the Multiverse- Boros Equipment

Borderland Explorer – Soundwave, Sonic Spy

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jodah, the Unifier|sld|1932" href="#" target="_blank">Jodah, the Unifier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://mtg.wtf/artist/caleb_meurer">Caleb Meurer</a></h6>
<h1>Arriving at Bikini Bottom</h1>
<p>Hello, and welcome back to <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>, where we go over cards from beyond Magic's IP in-depth. I had another deck planned for this week, until we got our hands on spoilers for all three <em>Secret Lairs</em> tied to Spongebob Squarepants.</p>
<p>The shift was too abrupt for my liking, but I figure I'd knock this on the head before I miss an opportunity to discuss it. Since we got some time until <em>Final Fantasy </em>drops (I know about the stuff we got up to this point, but I'm saving everything for release), why not cover something that's coming out in a few weeks while we wait?</p>
<h1>Underwater Rainbows?</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jodah, the Unifier|sld|1932"></div></div>
<p>Spongebob (reskinned as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jodah, the Unifier)" href="#" target="_blank">Jodah, the Unifier)</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the main character, who's also the namesake of the show. Firstly, he's a good-natured and hard-working sea-sponge humanoid (more on that latter bit in a moment).</p>
<p>Secondly, he dwells in Bikini Bottom, an underwater city, with his pet snail, Gary. He's a fry cook at Krusty Krabs by profession, and also a student in boating school.</p>
<p>As an aside, I did note that Spongebob himself is humanoid, because his card has the Human creature-type. This isn't completely accurate, but I digress.</p>
<p>This will be true for a lot of the creature-based <em>Secret Lair Drop</em>, so it's best to carry on. Such is part of the nature of reskinned cards.</p>
<p>We've seen billions of decks featuring Jodah since his release in <em>Dominaria United</em>, back in 2022. However, we're Universes Beyond connoisseurs, so that significantly cuts our card pool. Moreover, we're also working with an additional challenge: We're going to be using all three Secret Lairs to assemble the deck.</p>
<p>Fortunately, the basic lands Lair come with two each this time instead of just one each. Just note that, after the first time I mention the character reskins, that I'll be using the names from the show.</p>
<p>As an aside, I'm going by the skin name rather than the card it's representing. Consequently, after the first time I mention each reskin, expect me to use Spongebob's name rather than Jodah's (for example; except in corner cases).</p>
<p>If you'd rather me use the actual card names instead in future articles, please let me know in the comments. With that disclaimer out of the way, let's move into the deck's 99, beginning with the creatures.</p>
<h1>The Residents of Bikini Bottom</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Toxrill, the Corrosive|sld|1929"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Barktooth Warbeard|sld|1931"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Toski, Bearer of Secrets|sld|1930"></div></div>
<p>The first Secret Lair we're covering nets us seven creatures already, including Spongebob. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toski, Bearer of Secrets" href="#" target="_blank">Toski, Bearer of Secrets</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Sandy Cheeks, Martial Astronaut; 180,312 decks) gives us card, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toxrill, the Corrosive" href="#" target="_blank">Toxrill, the Corrosive</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (comically reskinned as Gary, the Snail; 38, 102 decks) is a wipe that builds up over time.</p>
<p>Patrick Star, a reskin of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Barktooth Warbeard" href="#" target="_blank">Barktooth Warbeard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (267 decks), is obviously not the first card to run in the 99, but this will decidedly be a flavor choice. The flavor text on a vanilla legend, in a way, drives home his character, which is a win.</p>
<p>With Charix, the only dual lands we have that have basic land types are <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunken Hollow" href="#" target="_blank">Sunken Hollow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prairie Stream" href="#" target="_blank">Prairie Stream</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. However, even with new lands akin to them, they won't do much to utilize Charix's activated ability.</p>
<p>As a result, it'll depend on other cards in the deck to get it big enough to attack.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skrelv, Defector Mite|sld|1926"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar|sld|1928"></div></div>
<p>This is the price we pay for using every card in a given Secret Lair(s). Sorry! On the other hand, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skrelv, Defector Mite" href="#" target="_blank">Skrelv, Defector Mite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Plankton, Tiny Tyrant; 86,111 decks) can give a creature evasion.</p>
<p>Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar" href="#" target="_blank">Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Squidward, Sarcastic Snob; 57,909 decks) gives us card draw, and I can imagine some corner cases where that first ability is useful.</p>
<p>But these seven can't do it alone. In a tonal whiplash of the year, we're using <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Abaddon the Despoiler" href="#" target="_blank">Abaddon the Despoiler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6,313 decks), who will allow our spells to cascade if an opponent lost enough life during the current turn.</p>
<p>With Spongebob out, what's better than one Cascade? Two. On the other side of the coin, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arwen, Weaver of Hope" href="#" target="_blank">Arwen, Weaver of Hope</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (53,883 decks), who'll ensure our other creatures enter monstrously huge with Spongebob's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coat of Arms" href="#" target="_blank">Coat of Arms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-like buff.</p>
<p>In addition, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Sixth Doctor" href="#" target="_blank">The Sixth Doctor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (11,587 decks) doubles up on all the creatures we're running. Just note that the copy tokens will not be legendary, thus won't be affected by Spongebob.</p>
<h1>Five Memes in All the World</h1>
<p>The second Secret Lair (and the last of the nonbasic land Lairs) centers on noncreature spells. In a similar vein to the first one, the <a href="https://commandersherald.com/spongebob-squarepants-secret-lair-collection-incoming/">internet memes are out in force with this drop</a>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Counterspell|sld|1933"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Daze|sld|1934"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inevitable Betrayal|sld|1935"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Night&#039;s Whisper|sld|1936"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Force of Despair|sld|1937"></div></div>
<p>Consequently, each card here is depicting well-known scenes of the series that were immortalized as memes. Above all, the best two cards in this drop are <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Counterspell" href="#" target="_blank">Counterspell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Night&#039;s Whisper" href="#" target="_blank">Night&#039;s Whisper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, mostly because they're riding on their flexibility.</p>
<p>However, the others have more conditional or situational uses. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Force of Despair" href="#" target="_blank">Force of Despair</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be used on some careless opponent dropping a bunch of creatures in a single turn.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the exile cost might be a bit harsh for this deck, seeing as were in all five colors. So, if you need the card, have a second black card handy.</p>
<p>Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Daze" href="#" target="_blank">Daze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> falls under the category of countermagic you shouldn't be running in Commander because opponents can easily pay the one.</p>
<p>Be wary of that if you use the card. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inevitable Betrayal" href="#" target="_blank">Inevitable Betrayal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is something you can suspend, or cascade off Abaddon if you get lucky.</p>
<p>Otherwise, we'll need to boost the power of the deck. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flowering of the White Tree" href="#" target="_blank">Flowering of the White Tree</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> protects and buffs our board. In addition, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Day of Destiny" href="#" target="_blank">Day of Destiny</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (16,782 decks) isn't quite as much of a finisher as Spongebob, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heroes&#039; Podium" href="#" target="_blank">Heroes&#039; Podium</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but it does its job well.</p>
<p>On the other hand, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Desynchronization" href="#" target="_blank">Desynchronization</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (34,488 decks) is a one-sided <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> that will set us up for a game-winning swing.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Traverse Eternity" href="#" target="_blank">Traverse Eternity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (9,744 decks) will draw us a good grip of cards, depending on the most expensive Historic card we have out. There's at least one other finisher in the deck, but we'll get to that. First, the decklist:</p>
<h1>Entering the Krusty Krab</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-Under the Sea" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Jodah, the Unifier
[/Commander]
[Instants]
*1 Anguished Unmaking
*1 Assassin&#039;s Trophy
*1 Beast Within
*1 Boros Charm
*1 Counterspell
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Daze
*1 Desynchronization
*1 Entish Restoration
*1 Fact or Fiction
*1 Flawless Maneuver
*1 Force of Despair
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Swords to Plowshares
[/Instants]
[Lands]
*1 Abstergo Entertainment
*1 Canopy Vista
*1 Cinder Glade
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Command Tower
*1 Deserted Beach
*1 Dreamroot Cascade
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fiery Islet
*2 Forest
*1 Haunted Ridge
*2 Island
*2 Mountain
*1 Nurturing Peatland
*1 Overgrown Farmland
*1 Path of Ancestry
*2 Plains
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Rockfall Vale
*1 Secluded Courtyard
*1 Shipwreck Marsh
*1 Silent Clearing
*1 Smoldering Marsh
*1 Stormcarved Coast
*1 Sunbaked Canyon
*1 Sundown Pass
*1 Sunken Hollow
*2 Swamp
*1 Temple of Malady
*1 Temple of Silence
*1 Waterlogged Grove
[/Lands]
[Creatures]
*1 Abaddon the Despoiler
*1 Alistair, the Brigadier
*1 Arwen, Weaver of Hope
*1 Barktooth Warbeard
*1 Basim Ibn Ishaq
*1 Bayek of Siwa
*1 Charix, the Raging Isle
*1 Child of Alara
*1 Delighted Halfling
*1 Faramir, Steward of Gondor
*1 Galadriel, Light of Valinor
*1 Gandalf the White
*1 Gimli of the Glittering Caves
*1 Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar
*1 Havi, the All-Father
*1 Jamie McCrimmon
*1 Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff
*1 Queen Marchesa
*1 Samwise Gamgee
*1 Shay Cormac
*1 Sisay, Weatherlight Captain
*1 Skrelv, Defector Mite
*1 Surtr, Fiery Jötun
*1 The Mimeoplasm
*1 The Sixth Doctor
*1 Toski, Bearer of Secrets
*1 Toxrill, the Corrosive
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Cultivate
*1 Farseek
*1 Hull Breach
*1 Inevitable Betrayal
*1 Night&#039;s Whisper
*1 Overwhelming Stampede
*1 Traverse Eternity
*1 What Must Be Done
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Brotherhood Regalia
*1 Chromatic Lantern
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Mithril Coat
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Day of Destiny
*1 Flowering of the White Tree
*1 Guardian Project
*1 Shadow in the Warp
[/Enchantments]"></span></div>
<h1>One Krabby Patty, Coming Right Up</h1>
<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Food|sld|1938" href="#" target="_blank">Food</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>
<p>The list gives us a good idea of what we can expect. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alistair, the Brigadier" href="#" target="_blank">Alistair, the Brigadier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (4,966 decks) will end games, provided that we pay that crucial eight mana. However, the soldier tokens will make for nice chump fodder.</p>
<p>Certainly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Surtr, Fiery Jötun" href="#" target="_blank">Surtr, Fiery Jötun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (5,384 decks), an old favorite of mine from a previous article, returns to take out pesky blockers and planeswalkers (Wait, planeswalkers? What are they? We don't need them here, with very few exceptions). Moreover, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sisay, Weatherlight Captain" href="#" target="_blank">Sisay, Weatherlight Captain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Buttercup, Provincial Princess; 22,209 decks) will have us tutor out what creatures we need.</p>
<p>Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Havi, the All-Father" href="#" target="_blank">Havi, the All-Father</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (7,259 decks) will bring back fallen residents...I mean legendary creatures from your graveyard if he or another one bit the dust.</p>
<p>On the other hand, noncreature spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shadow in the Warp" href="#" target="_blank">Shadow in the Warp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (40,292 decks) helps us make our creatures easier to cast, but also punish opponents who rely on their fancy noncreature spells.</p>
<p>Also, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="What Must Be Done" href="#" target="_blank">What Must Be Done</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6,986 decks) is nice utility: Either it wipes the board, you can use it to bring back a Historic permanent (bonus points if it's a creature, because it'll return with two +1/+1 counters as well).</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brotherhood Regalia" href="#" target="_blank">Brotherhood Regalia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mithril Coat" href="#" target="_blank">Mithril Coat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (74,160 and 236,081 decks respectively) serve as great protection pieces for Spongebob, so he can dish out more value, and further bolster your board.</p>
<p>As far as other finishers go, Spongebob counts as one, be it commander damage or otherwise. However, we shouldn't always rely on him to reach the goalpost.</p>
<p>Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bayek of Siwa" href="#" target="_blank">Bayek of Siwa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (18,020 decks) gives all of our legendary creatures double strike, which actually can work even better with some of the other cards in the deck.</p>
<p>Also, were you thinking that I glossed over the food token that was included in one of the Drops? Fear not, because <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Samwise Gamgee" href="#" target="_blank">Samwise Gamgee</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (45,076 decks) will bring Krabby Pattys in spades. He also gives the deck some recursion if needed.</p>
<h1>Preparing to Surface</h1>
<p>In conclusion, I hope this list provides a home for the Secret Lairsyou acquired. I dipped into flavor for this deck rather than power. As a result, this deck isn't more optimal than its regular Jodah counterparts.</p>
<p>It's not a bad thing anyway, since Jodah's commanding no less than 18,362 decks, probably playing a lot of the same cards throughout.</p>
<p>The angles of using all cards from the Secret Lairs and going Universes Beyond-only should help make this list stand out from most.</p>
<p>Additionally, I was going to use one of the sections here to discuss the increasing price point on Universes Beyond. Moreover, I'm sure this will be something for the <em>Final Fantasy</em> release, so I might return to it then.</p>
<p>What I will say is that, to get the Drops you need for this list, it'll run you about 90 USD for the nonfoils, if you were to order from the website. If that's too much money, but you wish to play with the list (or a variation thereof), proxy it. No need for your wallet to gatekeep you.</p>
<p>Return next time when I sneak in a little surprise for you. Until next time, enjoy your vacation to Bikini Bottom.</p>
<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Island|sld|1940" href="#" target="_blank">Island</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>


Who's That Under the Sea? Spongebob SquarePants!

The Over/Under - A Review of Fallout Commanders

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treebeard, Gracious Host" href="#" target="_blank">Treebeard, Gracious Host</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.campbellwhitedesign.com/">Campbell White</a></h6>
<h1>Planting the Seeds</h1>
<p>Hi, and welcome to <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>, where we take all of those <em>Universes Beyond</em> cards, and make a deck out of the selection there.</p>
<p>However, I do wish to take a moment to address something that came up after the <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/beyond-the-multiverse-rise-of-the-cyberheads">previous article</a> was published.</p>
<p>Apparently, the folks at Wizards of the Coast decided to do away with the triangle stamps in favor of the regular oval that we're so used to seeing with in-universe cards. Personally, I don't agree with this decision, but I digress.</p>
<p>Without further ado, let's jump into our featured commander for this week.</p>
<h1>The Ancient Tree</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Treebeard, Gracious Host"></div></div>
<p>...Wait a minute. Why not <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sam, Loyal Attendant" href="#" target="_blank">Sam, Loyal Attendant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? There's two reasons for this: Firstly, it's much more likely that you'd be using him as a commander alongside <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Frodo, Adventurous Hobbit" href="#" target="_blank">Frodo, Adventurous Hobbit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, giving you an extra color.</p>
<p>In addition, Treebeard is a win condition himself, having access to two coveted keywords for Voltron in trample and ward. That said, who is Treebeard anyway?</p>
<p>Treebeard was an Ent from <em>The</em> <em>Lord of the Rings</em> franchise, and is one of, if not the oldest being in the world of Middle-earth. He took in Merry and Pippin temporarily as they escaped from their Orcish captors. Through them, Treebeard eventually learned of Saruman's treachery, and his felling of trees. Consequently, he amassed the Ents to raze Isengard to the ground, ensuring that Saruman would remain locked in Orthanc.</p>
<h1>A Gracious Feast</h1>
<p>Looking at Treebeard's card, he has the aforementioned keywords. Moreover, he enters with two Food tokens. Additionally, this will be useful for his ability, which puts +1/+1 Counters on a Treefolk or Halfling whenever you gain life. I'm going to give you exactly one guess where we're putting those counters.</p>
<p>Treebeard himself, of course! His deck is a Voltron deck masquerading as a Lifegain deck. Thankfully, there was a precon from the same release that gives us a lot of the key tools we need. Moreover, this version of Treebeard came from that exact deck.</p>
<p>Therefore, it might come as no surprise to some that this deck might amount to a rehash of that precon, slashing a color or doing some other fixes to make sure it's different.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, this is a reality when dealing with commanders from precons. Consequently, it's why I avoid choosing the face cards of a given precon, because what I end up making would be essentially an upgraded version of the deck.</p>
<p>That being said, let us look at the card and see what Treebeard has to offer (though, I did have to cover it a little bit to justify running him over Sam).</p>
<h1>Growing the Plant</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Essence Warden"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pristine Talisman"></div></div>
<p>While you can run the usual <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Greaves" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Greaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and company, I recommend leaning towards the lifegain side of things, so you can grow Treebeard to monstrous proportions. <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>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Essence Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Essence Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prosperous Innkeeper" href="#" target="_blank">Prosperous Innkeeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Impassioned Orator" href="#" target="_blank">Impassioned Orator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all make sure that we gain lots of life, especially the former two. As a result, Treebeard gets a counter, making him massive depending on your opponents.</p>
<p>In addition, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tireless Provisioner" href="#" target="_blank">Tireless Provisioner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can either ramp us or give us Food tokens, depending on what we need.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Astrid Peth" href="#" target="_blank">Astrid Peth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (11,114 decks) makes a Food token whenever she enters or attacks, and has the chance to get slightly bigger whenever you sacrifice one.</p>
<p>Above all, I mentioned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sam, Loyal Attendant" href="#" target="_blank">Sam, Loyal Attendant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (16,966 decks; in the 99) at the beginning of the article, but he does wonders in the 99 here: Making us Food tokens and reducing their activation cost by one.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pristine Talisman" href="#" target="_blank">Pristine Talisman</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ramps us and gains us life, so our commander grows, even only for a little bit.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gilded Goose" href="#" target="_blank">Gilded Goose</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (100,919 decks) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Butterbur, Bree Innkeeper" href="#" target="_blank">Butterbur, Bree Innkeeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6,245 decks; again in the 99) give a steady supply of Food tokens for us to use.</p>
<p>However, gaining one to three life? Amateur numbers.</p>
<h1>The Deluge of Life</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bighorner Rancher"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inscription of Abundance"></div></div>
<p>Furthermore, there are a few ways to gain boatloads of life. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bighorner Rancher" href="#" target="_blank">Bighorner Rancher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (10,428 decks) either gives us a lot of mana after Treebeard gains a few counters, or can be sacrificed to gain at least five life, meaning five +1/+1 counters for Treebeard.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lily Bowen, Raging Grandma" href="#" target="_blank">Lily Bowen, Raging Grandma</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (8,631 decks) gets bigger until she hits at least 17 power, then you gain enough life to make Treebeard almost lethal in one swing.</p>
<p>However, I do need to note that you can't use Treebeard's ability to give Lily the +1/+1 Counters, since she's neither a Halfling or a Treefolk.</p>
<p>Lastly is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inscription of Abundance" href="#" target="_blank">Inscription of Abundance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (48,638 decks), which has a lot of uses. First, the two counters aren't going to matter much, but it'll help Treebeard gain a small boost.</p>
<p>Secondly, since Treebeard will be huge, the last mode ensures he'll take out almost anything, and live to tell about it. Most importantly is that second mode, which nets you life equal to the greatest power among creatures you have, be it Treebeard, or some other large creature you have. Consequently, that's a lot of +1/+1 Counters to put onto Treebeard.</p>
<h1>Reap What You Sow</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Gaffer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Assemble the Entmoot"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sierra, Nuka&#039;s Biggest Fan"></div></div>
<p>While our in-universe counterparts enjoy a much wider selection, it's not like we have nothing. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Gaffer" href="#" target="_blank">The Gaffer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (48,109 decks) draws us a card whenever we gain three or more life each turn.</p>
<p>Easily done with a Food token, but time it right. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Well of Lost Dreams" href="#" target="_blank">Well of Lost Dreams</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (92,118 decks) draws us lots of cards when we gain life, but you do have to pay mana, so spend wisely.</p>
<p>Additionally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gwaihir, Greatest of the Eagles" href="#" target="_blank">Gwaihir, Greatest of the Eagles</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (17,693 decks) nets us a decently sized creature token when we hit that magic three number.</p>
<p>Moreover, he and the tokens he makes can give Treebeard flying when he and one of the eagles attack. Flample, anyone? <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Assemble the Entmoot" href="#" target="_blank">Assemble the Entmoot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (14,208 decks) can give us an army of Treefolk if we gain a critical mass of life, and give your creatures reach. However, since they come in tapped, this leaves you open to a board wipe, so be sure to protect them until your next turn.</p>
<p>Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sierra, Nuka&#039;s Biggest Fan" href="#" target="_blank">Sierra, Nuka&#039;s Biggest Fan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (4,775 decks) could build up to be the ultimate pump spell for Treebeard. With his Trample, he ensures that Sierra gets a quest counter (and a Food token).</p>
<p>Then, she triggers each time you sacrifice said token to build Treebeard up. Keep her around long enough, and she can not only make lots of Food, but can make Treebeard threaten lethal commander damage quickly.</p>
<h1>The Tree that Gives Us Life</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-The Tree of Life" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Treebeard, Gracious Host
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Astrid Peth
*1 Banquet Guests
*1 Bastion Protector
*1 Bighorner Rancher
*1 Butterbur, Bree Innkeeper
*1 Delighted Halfling
*1 Displaced Dinosaurs
*1 Essence Warden
*1 Farmer Cotton
*1 Gilded Goose
*1 Gwaihir, Greatest of the Eagles
*1 Impassioned Orator
*1 Lily Bowen, Raging Grandma
*1 Peregrin Took
*1 Prosperous Innkeeper
*1 Sam, Loyal Attendant
*1 Sierra, Nuka&#039;s Biggest Fan
*1 Soul&#039;s Attendant
*1 The Gaffer
*1 Tireless Provisioner
*1 Triumph of Saint Katherine
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Austere Command
*1 Council&#039;s Judgment
*1 Cultivate
*1 Fumigate
*1 Harmonize
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Regrowth
*1 Single Combat
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Basilisk Collar
*1 Behemoth Sledge
*1 Bilbo&#039;s Ring
*1 Brotherhood Regalia
*1 Caduceus, Staff of Hermes
*1 Elixir of Immortality
*1 Endless Atlas
*1 Haystack
*1 Mithril Coat
*1 Pristine Talisman
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Talisman of Unity
*1 The Great Henge
*1 Trading Post
*1 Well of Lost Dreams
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Brushland
*1 Canopy Vista
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*10 Forest
*1 Fortified Village
*1 Graypelt Refuge
*1 Horizon Canopy
*1 Karn&#039;s Bastion
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Opal Palace
*1 Overgrown Farmland
*10 Plains
*1 Scattered Groves
*1 Sungrass Prairie
*1 Sunpetal Grove
*1 Temple of Plenty
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 The Shire
[/Lands]
[Instants]
*1 Beast Within
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Entish Restoration
*1 Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Inscription of Abundance
*1 Legolas&#039;s Quick Reflexes
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Return to Dust
*1 Stew the Coneys
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Unbreakable Formation
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Assemble the Entmoot
*1 Banish to Another Universe
*1 Guardian Project
*1 Hardened Scales
[/Enchantments]"></span></div>
<h1>Under the Tree</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Caduceus, Staff of Hermes"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Displaced Dinosaurs"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Farmer Cotton"></div></div>
<p>Firstly, this list does use some Equipment, but they're mostly to protect Treebeard while he branches out to your opponent's life totals. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mithril Coat" href="#" target="_blank">Mithril Coat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> stand among the best of these, coming in at instant speed and auto-attaching itself to our commander.</p>
<p>Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Caduceus, Staff of Hermes" href="#" target="_blank">Caduceus, Staff of Hermes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (33,894 decks) gives Treebeard Lifelink, and buffs him when you have 30 or more life. Better still, the Equipment shields him from damage and grants indestructibility.</p>
<p>However, Treebeard will eat a lot of removal, and there's always the chance that he'll get too expensive to cast. Therefore, we can't let the deck roll belly up and die.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Displaced Dinosaurs" href="#" target="_blank">Displaced Dinosaurs</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (21,317 decks) is an alternate path to win if Treebeard gets too expensive to cast. With it in play, you get to turn your Food tokens into 7/7 Dinosaur-shaped nuggets that you can eat (not the cardboard please!) to gain some life.</p>
<p>Consequently, this would trigger your lifegain-related cards. Even having one of these around ensures you can cheaply cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Great Henge" href="#" target="_blank">The Great Henge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, so you can gain more life, ramp, and draw cards.</p>
<p>In addition, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Farmer Cotton" href="#" target="_blank">Farmer Cotton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (37,255 decks; in the 99) gives us Halflings and Food tokens depending on how much mana we use to cast him.</p>
<p>Speaking of Halflings, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Banquet Guests" href="#" target="_blank">Banquet Guests</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (24,012 decks), with all of the Food tokens you'll be making, will get big enough to be a finisher on its own. If you have mana open, you'd be able to protect him using his ability.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Peregrin Took" href="#" target="_blank">Peregrin Took</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (105,186 decks) acts akin to a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hardened Scales" href="#" target="_blank">Hardened Scales</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (also in the decklist), making us an additional Food token each time we make tokens.</p>
<p>However, the activated ability is not ideal since you want to be gaining life. On the other hand, it's still a way to draw more cards, and would help if you end up making more Food tokens than you can handle.</p>
<h1>Of Shade and Respite</h1>
<p>In conclusion, this deck was a different take from the average Voltron list, putting Lifegain as a sub-theme that's critical to how the deck works. Treebeard himself, as of writing, comes in at 1,859 decks.</p>
<p>It's not shabby, but, it could be better. The Abzan precon from the <em>Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth</em>, <em>Food and Fellowship</em>, release gives you a good starting point, if you wish to pursue a list of your own.</p>
<p>Tune in next week as we look to the...wait, we know every card from the <em>Spongebob Secret Lairs</em>? Sweet, I'll do that instead! This will be an interesting deckbuilding challenge for sure, using every card in all three <em>Secret Lair</em>s.</p>
<p>The only thing I'll give away about it is that I'll be using two of each basic land, so we'll be using two of that particular lair.</p>
<p>Until next time, may you join the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Last March of the Ents" href="#" target="_blank">Last March of the Ents</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and raze your opponent's' life totals to the ground.</p>


Beyond the Multiverse- The Tree of Life

<p style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ashad, the Lone Cyberman" href="#" target="_blank">Ashad, the Lone Cyberman</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>| Art by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ericwilkersonart/">Eric Wilkerson</a></p>
<h1>Rise of the Lone Cyberman</h1>
<p>Welcome back to <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>, the series where we ditch our in-universe cards (or printings, in some cases) for those sweet triangle-stamped cards.</p>
<p>Today, we jump from tomb-raiding, like we did in <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-a-lara-croft-deck-with-only-universes-beyond-cards">the first article</a> to...the future? Kind of? We're delving through the <em>Doctor Who</em> set this time around, and the set has a lot to offer.</p>
<p>The set introduced a mechanic called Doctor's Companion, which gave us a myriad of new options for multiple color combinations, including a certain Secret Lair that had mechanically unique cards inside. However, we're not focusing on them.</p>
<p>Instead, we're looking at a Grixis option. One of the precons from that release, <em>Masters of Evil</em>, introduced a whopping six commander options for the deck.</p>
<p>For instance, you can use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Davros, Dalek Creator" href="#" target="_blank">Davros, Dalek Creator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to exterminate your opponents. Additionally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Missy" href="#" target="_blank">Missy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is sure to helm a unique deck.</p>
<p>Not today. Instead, we're looking at a more obscure option. One that, I feel, has been overlooked. Without further ado, let's see who I picked.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ashad, the Lone Cyberman"></div></div>
<p>Ashad is a villain from a more recent incarnation of the Doctor Who franchise: Thirteenth. Partially converted into a Cyberman while retaining the ability to feel, Ashad tried to restore the Cybermen to their former glory.</p>
<p>In addition, he needed to find the Cyberium, a database archiving Cyberman history. In doing this, he sought to wipe out all organic life in the universe, and even allied with The Master to do this.</p>
<p>He was defeated, then revived once more to attack the UNIT headquarters, where he met his end as victory came so close. But, what about his card?</p>
<h1>The Flesh is Weak</h1>
<p>I'm sure you remember one of the New Capenna Commander precons when looking at his card. Ashad is identical to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anhelo, the Painter" href="#" target="_blank">Anhelo, the Painter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in that they want you to take advantage of the Casualty mechanic to gain value.</p>
<p>While Anhelo copied instants and sorceries, Ashad wants you to copy artifacts. Going through the UB card pool, there's a lot of artifacts worth copying with his ability.</p>
<p>However, it's also worth noting that you must sacrifice artifact creatures for the Casualty ability. When you do this, Ashad gets a +1/+1 counter, making him sizeable. But, that is not the path we're taking.</p>
<h1>Restoring the Cyber-Empire</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cybership"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Death in Heaven"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Canoptek Spyder"></div></div>
<p>Ashad wants the 99 to be filled to the brim with artifacts, especially nonlegendary ones. For this, the deck has a minor tokens subtheme, so you can sacrifice them to Ashad's ability, making him a bit bigger in the process.</p>
<p>Don't expect to win with commander damage, because this deck is all about value. To flavor the deck, the best targets for Ashad are Cybermen, but there aren't many cards that can get them out. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cybership" href="#" target="_blank">Cybership</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (12,587 decks) makes them when it connects.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Death in Heaven" href="#" target="_blank">Death in Heaven</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (9,944 decks) acts as both Cybermen maker and graveyard hate, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Cyber-Controller" href="#" target="_blank">The Cyber-Controller</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an anthem that also happens to make Cybermen...and that's basically it.</p>
<p>Despite feuding with the Cybermen during the Tenth Doctor's Era, the Daleks make for good fodder, too. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Genesis of the Daleks" href="#" target="_blank">Genesis of the Daleks</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (10,705 decks) has the first few chapters make tokens, but be sure to leave some behind to take advantage of that last chapter.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Dalek Emperor" href="#" target="_blank">The Dalek Emperor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> forces our opponents into a corner: Lose a creature or make a Dalek token that we can sac to Ashad later on. Ooo, evil!</p>
<p>Additionally, we can enlist some Necrons, to help us. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Royal Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Royal Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (9,280 decks) makes tokens upon entry, and has Unearth, so we can do it again.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Technomancer" href="#" target="_blank">Technomancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (10,177 decks) brings back nontoken artifacts you had to sacrifice so you can do it again.</p>
<p>Do it twice for a one-sided <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rise of the Dark Realms" href="#" target="_blank">Rise of the Dark Realms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Canoptek Spyder" href="#" target="_blank">Canoptek Spyder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (31,047 decks) draws lots of cards, yes, but what about a second Canoptek Spyder?</p>
<p>In a similar vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Canoptek Scarab Swarm" href="#" target="_blank">Canoptek Scarab Swarm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (28,366 decks) has the potential to give you lots of little critters. However, you'll need to buff them if you wish to sacrifice them to Ashad's ability.</p>
<h1>Setting the Scheme into Motion</h1>
<p>Most importantly, since Ashad is essentially an artifact commander, we'll need some artifact synergies. While the scope and depth of artifact synergies are not as incredible as our in-universe selection, there's still some good stuff here.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="One with the Machine" href="#" target="_blank">One with the Machine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thirst for Knowledge" href="#" target="_blank">Thirst for Knowledge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will draw us cards, keeping our hands filled. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anrakyr the Traveller" href="#" target="_blank">Anrakyr the Traveller</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets us cast a card for free at the cost of life. Copying <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cryptothrall" href="#" target="_blank">Cryptothrall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (31,205 decks) with Ashad's ability gives all of our artifact creatures hexproof.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Their Name Is Death" href="#" target="_blank">Their Name Is Death</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (28,023 decks) acts as a one-sided boardwipe for us, potentially allowing us to set up an alpha strike.</p>
<p>Also, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mystic Forge" href="#" target="_blank">Mystic Forge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets us cast artifacts from the top of our library if we wanted to. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skorpekh Lord" href="#" target="_blank">Skorpekh Lord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (13,546 decks) is an anthem and grants evasion to artifact creatures, which reminds me of something.</p>
<h1>Rallying the Cybermen</h1>
<p>Anthems not only push the weaker creatures to that critical two power, but also help us dish out more damage.</p>
<p>The aforementioned Cyber Controller does it, even making the Cybermen it creates stronger. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Andúril, Narsil Reforged" href="#" target="_blank">Andúril, Narsil Reforged</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (34,686 decks) works, too, perhaps one of the best to include here.</p>
<p>However, it's an attack trigger, so be sure to equip it to an expendable creature. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Steel Overseer" href="#" target="_blank">Steel Overseer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is slower (unless it has haste somehow), but it can even make itself stronger.</p>
<p>The rest that are printed into the card pool (as of writing) lean towards kindred effects, thus we won't be able to maximize their potential here.</p>
<p>However, the deck I'm showcasing today has a secret weapon lying in wait.</p>
<h1>The Cyberium</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Project Beyond-Rise of the Cyberheads" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Ashad, the Lone Cyberman
[/Commander]
[Lands]
*1 Academy Ruins
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Choked Estuary
*1 Command Tower
*1 Crumbling Necropolis
*1 Dragonskull Summit
*1 Drowned Catacomb
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fiery Islet
*1 Foreboding Ruins
*1 Frostboil Snarl
*1 Haunted Ridge
*1 Inventors&#039; Fair
*4 Island
*4 Mountain
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Shipwreck Marsh
*1 Smoldering Marsh
*1 Spire of Industry
*1 Stormcarved Coast
*1 Sulfur Falls
*1 Sunken Hollow
*4 Swamp
*1 Temple of Deceit
*1 Temple of Epiphany
*1 Temple of Malice
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
[/Lands]
[Artifacts]
*1 Agility Bobblehead
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Charisma Bobblehead
*1 Chromatic Lantern
*1 Cursed Mirror
*1 Cybership
*1 Endurance Bobblehead
*1 Hedron Archive
*1 Intelligence Bobblehead
*1 Knight Paladin
*1 Luck Bobblehead
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Mystic Forge
*1 Perception Bobblehead
*1 Relic of Sauron
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Strength Bobblehead
*1 Talisman of Creativity
*1 Talisman of Dominance
*1 Talisman of Indulgence
*1 Trading Post
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 Anrakyr the Traveller
*1 Auton Soldier
*1 Canoptek Scarab Swarm
*1 Canoptek Spyder
*1 Chaos Defiler
*1 Cryptothrall
*1 Cyberman Patrol
*1 Cybermat
*1 Cybermen Squadron
*1 Dalek Drone
*1 Dalek Squadron
*1 Evin, Waterdeep Opportunist
*1 Helbrute
*1 Iron Man, Titan of Innovation
*1 Knight Rampager
*1 Lokhust Heavy Destroyer
*1 Morbid Opportunist
*1 Pitiless Plunderer
*1 Royal Warden
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Synth Infiltrator
*1 Technomancer
*1 The Cyber-Controller
*1 The Dalek Emperor
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Arcane Denial
*1 Bottle-Cap Blast
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Cyber Conversion
*1 Deadly Dispute
*1 Galvanic Blast
*1 Go for the Throat
*1 Thirst for Knowledge
*1 Unexpected Windfall
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Beacon of Unrest
*1 Blasphemous Act
*1 One with the Machine
*1 Their Name Is Death
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Death in Heaven
*1 Genesis of the Daleks
[/Enchantments]"></span></div>
<h1>Of Cybermen and...Bobbleheads?</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Luck Bobblehead"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Agility Bobblehead"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Charisma Bobblehead"></div></div>
<p>You read that heading correctly. We're using Bobbleheads, but why? First, they produce mana, even though they cost three to cast. Second is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Luck Bobblehead" href="#" target="_blank">Luck Bobblehead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which wants you to roll dice equal to the number of Bobbleheads you have.</p>
<p>I heard often that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza, Prince of Kroog" href="#" target="_blank">Urza, Prince of Kroog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of the main go-to commanders for Bobbleheads, but hear me out a minute.</p>
<p>With Ashad, you can use the Casualty trigger to copy the Bobbleheads as you cast them, so you end up with two on the field instead of one.</p>
<p>You have a small chance at having 14 of them out, thus increasing your odds of winning greatly. In addition, each Bobblehead comes with a second ability based on the number of Bobbleheads you have out. Luck can potentially win games, but what about the others?</p>
<h1>Bobbling Along</h1>
<p>Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strength Bobblehead" href="#" target="_blank">Strength Bobblehead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> puts +1/+1 counters on a creature you control. Could be useful to weasel out a win through commander damage. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Agility Bobblehead" href="#" target="_blank">Agility Bobblehead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> grants haste and some potent evasion, enabling a massive swing with enough Bobbleheads out.</p>
<p>In addition, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Intelligence Bobblehead" href="#" target="_blank">Intelligence Bobblehead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> draws us cards while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Perception Bobblehead" href="#" target="_blank">Perception Bobblehead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets us dig into our library and cast something cheap.</p>
<p>However, the last two are fairly weak, but do serve some purpose here.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Charisma Bobblehead" href="#" target="_blank">Charisma Bobblehead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can potentially become an army in a can, but note that it creates 1/1 tokens that are not artifacts. So, unless you can find a way to make them stronger, they're essentially chump blockers.</p>
<p>Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Endurance Bobblehead" href="#" target="_blank">Endurance Bobblehead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> grants a small buff (ironic, because it can enable the tokens from Charisma to, ah, convert them with Ashad's ability), and also grants indestructible for the turn.</p>
<p>But, it can only be activated at sorcery speed (like three other Bobbleheads), so its use is more narrow than I would like. A shame, really.</p>
<p>On another note, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mechanized Production" href="#" target="_blank">Mechanized Production</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (unfortunately not in this list) is perfect for the Bobbleheads: You get more of one Bobblehead, especially Luck, and you're even more likely to achieve a win condition, be it through Luck or the enchantment itself.</p>
<h1>Even More Casualties</h1>
<p>The lack of tutors in the list is a personal choice, but adding them would be a good idea if you're looking to focus on the alternate win condition more.</p>
<p>However, you can always smack your opponents down via combat damage if the stars don't align. Using Ashad's Casualty ability helps with this.</p>
<p>Doubling up on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cybermen Squadron" href="#" target="_blank">Cybermen Squadron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (36,421 decks) gives your artifact creatures double Myriad, so you get more triggers and attackers.</p>
<p>Just remember that they go away at end of combat, so you can't sacrifice them to Ashad unless you're flashing out something.</p>
<p>Two <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyberman Patrol" href="#" target="_blank">Cyberman Patrol</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s (29,527 decks) means that you get two instances of Afflict Three, so either they block and lose six, or you get through. That's a no-win situation for your opponents.</p>
<h1>Achieving Singularity</h1>
<p>In sum, there's more than just Urza who can utilize the Bobbleheads, and that an UB artifact deck is feasible. However, Ashad will not be the last of the many, many <em>Doctor Who Commander</em> options will be touching on.</p>
<p>He also will not be the last Grixis legend we'll explore either. I, for one, would like to build <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Valeyard" href="#" target="_blank">The Valeyard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but the current voting/choice numbers are not enough...yet.</p>
<p>Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. But, I'm going to try and spread out the <em>Doctor Who</em> love so there's not too many at once.<em> The Lord of the Rings</em>, for example, will be the same.</p>
<p>Tune in next time, were we jump from science fiction to something much different. Until next time, may the triangles bless your games.</p>


universes beyond