 <p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nekusar, the Mindrazer" href="#" target="_blank">Nekusar, the Mindrazer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CMark+Winters%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mark Winters</a></em></p> <p>Hello everyone, and welcome back to <em>Ten under Twenty,</em> the article series in which we look at all kinds of commanders and find those hidden gems that simply aren’t getting the play they deserve. In order to qualify as a gem, the card must be in less than 20% of eligible decks for EDHREC. This week, we're looking at an oldie but a goodie, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nekusar, the Mindrazer" href="#" target="_blank">Nekusar, the Mindrazer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Naturally, this list is a buffet style, meaning you can simply take what you like and leave what you don’t. At the end of the day, it is your deck. Before we get into the cards, let’s first look at the commander.</p> <h2>Nekusar, the Mindrazer</h2> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nekusar, the Mindrazer"></div></div> <p>Nekusar was originally printed in <em>Commander 2013</em>. This was a revolutionary commander, opening up the <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/wheels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wheels archetype</a> (named after <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wheel of Fortune" href="#" target="_blank">Wheel of Fortune</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>), providing a damage outlet in the command zone as a payoff by inflicting a point of damage off of every card an opponent draws.</p> <p>The deck is traditionally filled with as many Wheel effects as possible, causing players to constantly pitch their hand for a new one, often multiple times in the same turn. The cards we're looking at will want to support this strategy in one way or another.</p> <p>Let’s begin!</p> <h2>10) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zenith Chronicler" href="#" target="_blank">Zenith Chronicler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (11%)</h2> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zenith Chronicler"></div></div> <p>Starting off our list, we have a card draw enabler, just not a wheel-related one. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zenith Chronicler" href="#" target="_blank">Zenith Chronicler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> forces each other player to draw a card off of their first multicolored spell. Since this is not a “may” ability, this will generate a lot of additional card draws and Nekusar triggers over the course of the game, as it isn’t threatening enough to catch a spot removal spell. It can also serve as a three-power blocker in a pinch to dissuade chip damage from smaller creatures.</p> <p>It may not be the spiciest card on this list, but it definitely deserves more representation than the eleven percent it's currently in.</p> <h2>9) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Insatiable Avarice" href="#" target="_blank">Insatiable Avarice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (9%)</h2> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Insatiable Avarice"></div></div> <p>This goes with flavoring your powerful cards to the deck when you can. Instead of running a <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/game-changers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game Changer</a> like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you can play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Insatiable Avarice" href="#" target="_blank">Insatiable Avarice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> which can add the optional bonus of drawing cards. What is nice about the card draw effect is it can be assigned to a target player, so there are scenarios where you can tutor a card to the top of your deck, force another player to draw three cards and take three damage (plus any other Nekusar-like effects in play), and then wheel those cards away with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Windfall" href="#" target="_blank">Windfall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or a similar card. Having a choice like that in your deck can lead to far more interesting games than a simple tutor would.</p> <p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is showing up in close to 29% of decks, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Insatiable Avarice" href="#" target="_blank">Insatiable Avarice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is at only 9%? I feel as a community we can show some more love to this card.</p> <h2>8) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archfiend of Ifnir" href="#" target="_blank">Archfiend of Ifnir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (8%)</h2> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archfiend of Ifnir"></div></div> <p>A big issue that Nekusar faces in games is in combat. Because Nekusar wants to dedicate so many card slots to wheeling cards and enablers, there isn’t a lot of room for profitable blockers if a deck like a mono-green stompy comes to avenge their discarded <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Craterhoof Behemoth" href="#" target="_blank">Craterhoof Behemoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This is where the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archfiend of Ifnir" href="#" target="_blank">Archfiend of Ifnir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> comes into play.</p> <p>When wheeling, players will constantly be discarding cards to draw their new hand. For each card Nekusar draws, the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archfiend of Ifnir" href="#" target="_blank">Archfiend of Ifnir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will be putting a -1/-1 counter on each creature opponents control. Let’s say in a Nekusar deck that focuses on Wheels that actually discard cards (a tall order, I know, but just stay with me here), they pitch an average of ten cards per turn through two Wheel spells. With 10 -1/-1 counters being placed, it would be hard to find even Eldrazi that would be able to stick around.</p> <p>Another nice part of this card is if that matchup doesn’t call for that level of creature control, or you simply don’t have the mana, it comes with its own cycling keyword, letting you pitch the card to your graveyard for a new card at a low price of two generic mana. This is great for Nekusar and only shows up in 8% of decks on EDHREC.</p> <h2>7) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigil of Sleep" href="#" target="_blank">Sigil of Sleep</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (7%)</h2> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sigil of Sleep"></div></div><br />Admittedly, this is a pet card of mine, so I will absolutely accept any comments of bias on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigil of Sleep" href="#" target="_blank">Sigil of Sleep</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> here at number seven. The main thing to remember about this card is it says “damage,” not “combat damage.” This creates a spectacularly annoying removal/tempo engine with Nekusar, where every time an opponent draws a card, Nekusar can bounce one of their creatures back to hand. In a token deck, it's even worse since you can elect to return the tokens back to hand, where they would cease to exist. All of this synergy for one blue mana.</p> <p>Is this the best thing that Nekusar can do? Absolutely not. But it's one of the more <em>fun</em> things you can do. This card shows up in only seven percent of Nekusar decks, only costs one blue mana to cast, and is under $2 to buy. Honestly, there isn’t much of a reason to not try Sigil of Sleep.</p> <h2>6) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anvil of Bogardan" href="#" target="_blank">Anvil of Bogardan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (7%)</h2> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anvil of Bogardan"></div></div><br />Coming to us straight from the Reserved List, we have one of the more expensive cards on our list in Anvil of Bogardan. The Anvil is a great “group hug” effect in Nekusar since the deck is capable of punching opponents for both discarding and drawing cards. Getting an extra draw trigger and a discard trigger each turn can lead to a huge increase in damage output.</p> <p>Since Anvil is a bit more on the expensive side, I can understand it only showing up in seven percent of Nekusar decks on EDHREC, but if you do have a Nekusar deck that plays cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Howling Mine" href="#" target="_blank">Howling Mine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and other draw enablers, this would be a slam dunk addition for you.</p> <h2>5) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Witch&#039;s Clinic" href="#" target="_blank">Witch&#039;s Clinic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6%)</h2> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Witch&#039;s Clinic"></div></div><br />If there is one thing that I irrationally love in Commander, it's high-floor cards. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Witch’s Clinic" href="#" target="_blank">Witch’s Clinic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is exactly that. As an untapped nonbasic land, the only opportunity cost involved with this card is that it doesn’t produce any colors. When you use a Wheel spell in Nekusar and have every player draw seven cards, that's going to be 21 total damage. Witch’s Clinic can give Nekusar lifelink to gain that much life. There can be scenarios in which the Nekusar deck can gain life so fast that opponents can’t deal enough damage to knock Nekusar out before they're eliminated themselves. Not too shabby for a $2 card.</p> <h2>4) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Saw It Coming" href="#" target="_blank">Saw It Coming</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (2.22%)</h2> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Saw It Coming"></div></div><br />At only 2.22%, we have a very interesting counterspell. One of the main pain points that Nekusar can run into in games is the hesitation to wheel if there's something really strong in hand that you don’t want to discard. Because of this, foretell is an incredible mechanic to utilize in a Wheel deck.</p> <p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Saw It Coming" href="#" target="_blank">Saw It Coming</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a counterspell that you can exile from your hand face down to use later. As Nekusar continues to wheel and deal damage, that counterspell can still be used, giving you your “eighth” card in hand.</p> <h2>3) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Siren Stormtamer" href="#" target="_blank">Siren Stormtamer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (0.38%)</h2> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Siren Stormtamer"></div></div><br />In the same breath as Saw It Coming, it's really helpful to be able to place cards in positions where they're out of hand but still able to be used. Siren Stormtamer is our next example, only being played in 0.38% of Nekusar decks. It serves as a counterspell or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stifle" href="#" target="_blank">Stifle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for a spell or ability that's targeting you or a creature you control, like Nekusar. Being that it's seen on the battlefield, it won’t catch a player by surprise, but it often discourages players from using their removal your way since they don’t want to waste it.</p> <h2>2) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Will of the Jeskai" href="#" target="_blank">Will of the Jeskai</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (0.24%)</h2> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Will of the Jeskai"></div></div><br />At our second deepest hidden gem, we have a new card from <em>Tarkir: Dragonstorm</em> with Way of the Jeskai. Since this is a new card, I don’t anticipate it staying as a hidden gem for very long. Another Wheel effect for five card draws after the fact, this also boasts the ability to give each instant or sorcery in your graveyard flashback for the turn. In a Nekusar game, it's not unreasonable to have multiple Wheel effects in your graveyard from previous turns that can be used on the turn to chain into more card draw effects and have everyone draw an extra 15 cards or so. In the endgame for Commander, this could be enough damage to eliminate players.</p> <p>Only 52 decks are currently using this card according at the time of writing, so this is definitely your opportunity to get ahead of the curve.</p> <h2>1) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bohn, Beguiling Balladeer" href="#" target="_blank">Bohn, Beguiling Balladeer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (0.158%)</h2> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bohn, Beguiling Balladeer"></div></div><br />Finally, at the top of our list, we have Chris Pine from the Dungeons and Dragons Movie Secret Lair. Bohn, Beguiling Balladeer allows Nekusar to take advantage of the foretell mechanic on any card in hand, creating a vault of cards to use later. Unlike the other foretell counterpart in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dream Devourer" href="#" target="_blank">Dream Devourer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, Bohn can also help with Nekusar combat problems by goading creatures on the second spell cast in a turn, sending them in a different direction. For only three mana and showing up in only 0.158% of Nekusar decks, this legendary creature definitely deserves more love than it's getting.</p> <h2>Cards Seeing Too Much Play In Nekusar Decks</h2> <p>When I suggest ten new cards for a Nekusar deck, I understand that it can be intimidating to try to find cards to take out to make room. With that in mind, I have an additional section called “Cut Candidates” which are the cards that I believe might be getting a little too much play for what they do.</p> <h3>1) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kami of the Crescent Moon" href="#" target="_blank">Kami of the Crescent Moon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (59%)</h3> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kami of the Crescent Moon"></div></div><br />This one is definitely going to have some controversy, but bear with me. Kami is a nice <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Howling Mine" href="#" target="_blank">Howling Mine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effect, allowing an additional card to be drawn each turn for each player. It's nice to force other players to draw more cards, but I think it's more important to have these types of effects either attached to something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spiteful Visions" href="#" target="_blank">Spiteful Visions</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to add damage and draw the card, or provide more card draw like another Wheel might. I also prefer <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Howling Mine" href="#" target="_blank">Howling Mine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> over <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kami of the Crescent Moon" href="#" target="_blank">Kami of the Crescent Moon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> since it's an artifact instead of a creature and won’t get caught up in creature-based board wipes.</p> <h3>2) <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>/ <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swiftfoot Boots" href="#" target="_blank">Swiftfoot Boots</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (42% and 35%, respectively)</h3> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Swiftfoot Boots"></div></div><br />I understand the urge to keep Nekusar safe by granting shroud or hexproof. But with the amount of redundancy of damage outlets Nekusar has, keeping two slots dedicated to these Equipment spells could be used more efficiently since Nekusar isn’t really positioned as an attacker or containing a payoff to take advantage of haste. I suggest using one or the other if you're a fan of protection magic, but not both.</p> <h3>3) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Megrim" href="#" target="_blank">Megrim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (54%)</h3> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Megrim"></div></div><br />Using this card requires a bit more finesse in deck building to really take advantage of. You would have to use a lot more Wheel spells that force discarding effects and neglect the shuffle wheel effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winds of Change" href="#" target="_blank">Winds of Change</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. In place of this card, you could play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raiders&#039; Wake" href="#" target="_blank">Raiders&#039; Wake</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which only costs one additional mana and can make players discard cards and self-enable instead. There are decks that are going to want <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Megrim" href="#" target="_blank">Megrim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but I would rather focus on the card draw side of the ability and keep the deck on a singular focus.</p> <p>And there you have it, ten new cards to try out in Nekusar and three to take a look at cutting. I hope you found some hidden gems to try out! Of course, there are <em>way</em> more gems for Nekusar than ten, so let us know your favorite hidden gem in the comments that wasn’t on my list! If you have a commander you would like to see next, let us know in the comments or by sending an email to thoughtvesselshow@gmail.com.</p> <p>Until next time, happy brewing!</p> 

Ten Hidden Gems for Nekusar, the Mindrazer

20 Best Zombie Cards for Commander

Eternal Might Precon Review - Aetherdrift

Eternal Might Precon Upgrade Guide - Aetherdrift

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Screeching Scorchbeast" href="#" target="_blank">Screeching Scorchbeast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://isnino.artstation.com/">Nino Is</a>)</h6>
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<h3><a href="https://commandersherald.com/fallout-set-review-white/">White</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/fallout-set-review-blue/">Blue</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/fallout-set-review-black/">Black</a> | <a href="https://commandersherald.com/fallout-set-review-red/">Red</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/fallout-set-review-green/">Green</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/fallout-set-review-artifacts-lands/?utm_source=edhrec&amp;utm_medium=article_preview">Artifacts &amp; Lands</a> | <a href="https://commandersherald.com/fallout-set-review-allied-shards/">Allied &amp; Shards</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/fallout-set-review-enemy-colors-and-wedges/">Enemy &amp; Wedges</a> | <a href="https://commandersherald.com/fallout-set-review-cedh/">cEDH</a> | <a href="https://commandersherald.com/fallout-reprint-review/">Reprints</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/the-over-under-predicting-the-popularity-of-fallout-commanders/">Over/Under</a></h3>
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<h2>A Theoretical Degree in Physics</h2>
<p> Welcome back to set review season! I'm Brian, your usual host of <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/brian-cain/"><em>Brew For Your Buck</em></a> and fortunately I love writing set reviews, because it's seemingly <strong>ALWAYS</strong> set review season. I'm also a big fan of the <em>Fallout</em> franchise. While I started with <em>Fallout 3</em>, and <em>Fallout 4</em> really hits home for me as someone that frequents Boston, I still think <em>New Vegas</em> is my favorite installment. The Old West theme plus the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Battle of Hoover Dam" href="#" target="_blank">Battle of Hoover Dam</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as the dramatic conclusion really made it a fun game for me. While we're going through the cards, I'll try to comment on flavor as well as function, but I haven't played the first two games so forgive my lack of knowledge there. Anyways, let's get into everyone's favorite apocalyptic <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wasteland" href="#" target="_blank">Wasteland</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with everyone's (without any bias at all) favorite color in <em>Magic</em>: Black! </p>
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<h2>Mythics</h2>
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<p> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/maxresdefault.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-124116" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/maxresdefault.jpeg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/maxresdefault.jpeg 1280w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/maxresdefault-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/maxresdefault-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/maxresdefault-768x432.jpeg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></a> We have no mythics to look at this time around for black, but does rarity <em>really</em> matter for precons? </p>
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<h2>Rares</h2>
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<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Feral Ghoul" href="#" target="_blank">Feral Ghoul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Feral Ghoul"></div></div> We jump right in with one of the more iconic enemies in the franchise. Some of the scariest times I've had playing these games are sneaking into buildings full of these guys. Even the art looks like what I see after I panic-jump into <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="V.A.T.S." href="#" target="_blank">V.A.T.S.</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to save my skin. This has an obvious home in <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/aristocrats">Aristocrats</a> and <a href="https://edhrec.com/typal/zombies">Zombie-typal</a> lists, where you're probably already sacrificing your creatures to grow this into a huge threat. Once you're ready, pop this to irradiate your opponents for a huge amount. For clarity, here's how rad counters work: <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Radiation"></div></div> So yes, you can add this to the list of things that win the game in conjunction with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gravecrawler" href="#" target="_blank">Gravecrawler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phyrexian Altar" href="#" target="_blank">Phyrexian Altar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or any other ways to generate <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/search/?q=ci%3Ablack+result%3A%22Infinite+death+triggers%22">infinite death triggers</a>. &nbsp; </p>
<div id="3490-4050-4505" style="width: 100%; position: relative; overflow: visible; display: flex; justify-content: center;"><img decoding="async" id="csbLoad" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/images/gear.svg" alt="csb logo" width="300" /> <script id="3490-4050-4505" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/embed.js?v=1&uses=%5B%22Feral%20Ghoul%22%2C%22Animation%20Module%22%2C%22Phyrexian%20Altar%22%5D&produces=%5B%22Infinite%20%2B1%2F%2B1%20counters%20on%20Feral%20Ghoul%22%2C%22Infinite%20death%20triggers%22%2C%22Infinite%20ETB%22%2C%22Infinite%20LTB%22%2C%22Infinite%20mill%22%2C%22Infinite%20rad%20counters%20for%20opponents%22%2C%22Infinite%20sacrifice%20triggers%22%2C%22Near-infinite%20lifeloss%22%5D&id=3490-4050-4505&color=B&extraRequirementCount=1"></script></div>
<p> &nbsp; </p>
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<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hancock, Ghoulish Mayor" href="#" target="_blank">Hancock, Ghoulish Mayor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hancock, Ghoulish Mayor"></div></div> As the mayor of Goodneighbor, Hancock is welcoming to all wasteland types so long as they abide by the rules. That's well represented by his ability to anthem up any other Zombies and Mutants you have lying around, though you do need to get some work to get there. Interestingly, we don't have an existing Zombie or Mutant commander that cares about counters, so if you're looking to overlap those two themes I think Hancock is your best bet. Otherwise, this seems like a great card for its precon that cares about exactly those things. He also is an X/1 with Undying<em>,</em> something that I'm sure makes <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yawgmoth, Thran Physician" href="#" target="_blank">Yawg</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> players look up from their loops. Also, Do we ever find out his first name? I bet it's Herbie. </p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nuclear Fallout" href="#" target="_blank">Nuclear Fallout</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nuclear Fallout"></div></div> Hey! That's the name of the game! While still outclassed by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toxic Deluge" href="#" target="_blank">Toxic Deluge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and maybe <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Damnation" href="#" target="_blank">Damnation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, I think this card is actually really good compared to most other black board wipes. As far as wiping the board goes, it's a half-off <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Black Sun&#039;s Zenith" href="#" target="_blank">Black Sun&#039;s Zenith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bane of the Living" href="#" target="_blank">Bane of the Living</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. With all the indestructible going around these days, giving creatures -X/-X instead of destroying them is almost always upside. It also comes with the bonus of self-mill which helps your <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/reanimate">Reanimator</a> deck, opponent mill which helps your <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/mill">Mill</a> deck, and even some damage which helps your <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/group-slug">Group Slug</a> deck! Clearly there's a lot of good use cases, so check your board wipe slots to see if it makes the cut. </p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Screeching Scorchbeast" href="#" target="_blank">Screeching Scorchbeast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Screeching Scorchbeast"></div></div> This one I don't remember from the games and honestly I'm glad because it looks like a pain in the butt to fight. I'm assuming from the art and the card mechanics that it breathes radiation and brings <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Feral Ghoul" href="#" target="_blank">Feral Ghoul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s back to life or something. In <em>Magic</em>, it doesn't seem that bad to face down. Giving each player rad counters is going to help, but limiting it to only one 2/2 per turn is a little sad, especially for a six mana play. Perhaps it was too oppressive otherwise, but compared to some other plays at this point on the curve, it's a little less impactful than I would hope. It still seems great for its precon and maybe you can prove me wrong in a mill deck like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidisi, Brood Tyrant" href="#" target="_blank">Sidisi, Brood Tyrant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. </p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="V.A.T.S." href="#" target="_blank">V.A.T.S.</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="V.A.T.S."></div></div> For those of you unfamiliar with the games, the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System or V.A.T.S. is the defining combat feature of the <em>Fallout</em> franchise. It allows you to (more or less) stop time and choose enemy (or friendly) targets depending on your equipped weapon, including specific body parts. You can use it to hit extremely small targets like combat controllers on robots, or a readied grenade in the hand of a raider. You can also use it target multiple enemies and take them out in quick, uninterrupted succession. This <em>Magic</em> card is basically the perfect representation of V.A.T.S. in our game. <em>Split second</em> is the ideal mechanic to use, giving your opponents no chance to stop it. I'm not sure how well the "equal toughness" clause plays, but this probably nabs a large amount of the opposing creatures on the board. This card looks powerful and is just a 10/10 flavor-wise, nice job Wizards<em>.</em> </p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vault 12: The Necropolis" href="#" target="_blank">Vault 12: The Necropolis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vault 12: The Necropolis"></div></div> Here's where I know my franchise knowledge fails me, since a quick perusal of <a href="https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/Fallout_Wiki">Nukapedia</a> reveals that Vault 12 only appears in the first game. If you have an opinion on the flavor let me know in the comments, but this card really encapsulates how good <em>Magic, </em>and more specifically Sagas, can tell a story. I think we get the gist: a radiation spill (probably intentional knowing Vault-Tec), leading to residents becoming <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Feral Ghoul" href="#" target="_blank">Feral Ghoul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s, which then get stronger with all the rads. This looks like one of the finishers for the Mutant Menace precon, because that second and third chapter can end the game in a hurry. It's a little slow, but also very on-theme for the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Endless Ranks of the Dead" href="#" target="_blank">endless</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> assault that is usually associated with Zombies, so look for it those decks too. In fact, if you're running a Zombie-typal list, that precon seems like a pretty good buy. </p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wasteland Raider" href="#" target="_blank">Wasteland Raider</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wasteland Raider"></div></div> Lumping all the raiders together in one card is probably the best way to do it, since there are usually a lot of them, represented here by <em>Squad</em>. It might seem like the best <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fleshbag Marauder" href="#" target="_blank">Fleshbag Marauder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> we've seen, but it gets prohibitively expensive rather fast, so you really want to have other creatures of your own to trade up into 4/3s to make this truly effective for that price. A pretty generic card for a pretty generic enemy. </p>
<hr />
<h2>Uncommons &amp; Commons</h2>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloatfly Swarm" href="#" target="_blank">Bloatfly Swarm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloatfly Swarm"></div></div> A four mana 5/5 flyer is not a bad place to be, this thing can even do additional damage with the rad counters. It irradiates everyone when the counters are removed, so whoever trades with this in combat might even evoke the ire of your other opponents. Quick rules note: players only get rad counters based on the number of +1/+1 counters that are removed, so don't think you can <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> this to give everyone thirteen rads. Unless of course you're in some kind of counters matter deck with ways to add +1/+1 counters like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winding Constrictor" href="#" target="_blank">Winding Constrictor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doubling Season" href="#" target="_blank">Doubling Season</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. If that's the case, go nuts! </p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Butch DeLoria, Tunnel Snake" href="#" target="_blank">Butch DeLoria, Tunnel Snake</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Butch DeLoria, Tunnel Snake"></div></div> The 1950's Americana culture represented in the games really shines with Butch here, and he's actually a really neat card. If you were looking for your Snake/Rogue typal commander, here you go. Otherwise I think he fits in to the 99 of either of those decks as a potentially large, hard-to-block threat. He can even give your other creatures an easier way to get through, which those type of decks generally want as well. Not super exciting, but he has some potential. </p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Infesting Radroach" href="#" target="_blank">Infesting Radroach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Infesting Radroach"></div></div> Oh look! More irradiated Insects. I like this one better than the Bloatflies, only because of it's last ability that works well with all of the "creature card leaves your graveyard" stuff we've been getting lately. Managing to pump this up turns it into a pretty big threat too, since the opponent that gets hit with this is milling and taking radiation damage too. I think radiation is another great flavor-win for the set, the milling + damage just feels like being irradiated (not that I ever had been, at least not more than normal). </p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ruthless Radrat" href="#" target="_blank">Ruthless Radrat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ruthless Radrat"></div></div> The final card on our list shows another use of Squad<em>, </em>and the fact that it's not a mana payment makes this an interesting one to watch out for. The usual token synergies can be used to amplify the effectiveness of this card, and I think this slams straight into <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syr Konrad, the Grim" href="#" target="_blank">Syr Konrad, the Grim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> decks for it's ability to drain your opponents on cast and then make a bunch of bodies to drain again </p>
<hr />
<p> Well, that was a quick one since we're only looking at precons, but I hope you still liked it anyway! If you have any thoughts or comments about the cards, drop them in the comments or hit me up on <a href="https://twitter.com/BrewForYourBuck">Twitter</a>. I'm off to fire up <em>Fallout 4</em> and do what I usually do during my playthroughs: never finish the main story since I'm doing all the side quests! &nbsp;</p>


Fallout Set Review - Black

Too-Specific Top 10 - Undead Legends

Archetune-Up - No One Hits Like Gaston, Matches Wits Like Gaston...

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Varina, Lich Queen" href="#" target="_blank">Varina, Lich Queen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/igorkieryluk">Igor Kieryluk</a>)</h6>
<h1>Unlimited Power</h1>
<p> Did you know that EDHREC has an <a href="https://edhwiki.com/wiki/Main_Page">EDH Wiki</a>? Go check it out, if you haven’t already; it’s written by the community <em>for </em>the community, and there’s a lot of cool stuff in there! <em>Deep Analysis</em> is series where we learn about an archetype using its Wiki page, then apply this new knowledge to build a deck. In this article we'll be covering the Self-Mill archetype. </p>
<h4>"Self-mill is a strategy that focuses on placing as much of one’s own library into the graveyard as quickly as possible, most commonly for the purposes of using cards in that graveyard for additional resources, <a href="https://edhwiki.com/wiki/Recursion">recursion</a>, and/or <a href="https://edhwiki.com/wiki/Reanimator">reanimation</a>."</h4>
<p> Self-Mill is a flexible archetype because, while the name describes our general gameplan, it doesn't really tell us what we're doing with it. The most common types of Self-Mill decks are either Spellslinger-based or creature-based; both of these have similar patterns, but their payoffs are different. </p>
<hr />
<h2>Color Identity</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Dimir</h3>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lazav, the Multifarious Taigam, Sidisi&#039;s Hand"></div></div> Dimir is the core color combination for Self-Mill. Blue offers plenty of enablers, while black provides both enablers and payoffs. </p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Golgari</h3>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis Izoni, Thousand-Eyed"></div></div> Golgari loves building up a graveyard for their usual shenanigans. Green works very similar to black, providing a solid combination of enablers and payoffs, which makes the color combination work. It's important to note that this color combination somewhat locks decks leaning towards this archetype into being more creature-centric. </p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Sultai</h3>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sidisi, Brood Tyrant Muldrotha, the Gravetide"></div></div> Sultai has all the Golgari/Dimir goodies, coupled with some of the most powerful commanders out there. One nice thing about this color combination's commander pool is how they tend to be build-enabling, making each deck unique. </p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Grixis</h3>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kess, Dissident Mage Sedris, the Traitor King"></div></div> Grixis is an undervalued color combination for this, even though it has <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kess, Dissident Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Kess, Dissident Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which is a very popular commander for the strategy. The addition of red to Dimir makes the archetype that much more explosive, and having more wheel and discards effects really smooths out the early/ mid-game. </p>
<hr />
<h2>An Example Deck</h2>
<p> There are plenty of different directions that we can take. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Varina, Lich Queen" href="#" target="_blank">Varina, Lich Queen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example, is a great commander for a Self-Mill strategy: she's in a good color combination and she supports Zombies, a tribe that really benefits from the archetype. However, even though she's a great tribal commander, I tend to enjoy playing her more in control shells (I even <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/epic-experiment-varina-control/">wrote an article</a> about her a couple years back). Varina is a great mana sink that allows us to play an effective reactive game where we eventually start creating Zombie tokens that can be used to dig through our deck, fueling Varina even more, gain life, and establish a prominent board state. <div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Self-Mill Varina" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander] *Varina, Lich Queen [/Commander] [Artifact] *Codex Shredder *Sol Ring *Wand of Vertebrae *Arcane Signet *Fellwar Stone *Mesmeric Orb *Perpetual Timepiece *Talisman of Dominance *Talisman of Hierarchy *Talisman of Progress *Skyclave Relic [/Artifact] [Creature] *Stitcher&#039;s Supplier *Mire Triton *Screeching Skaab *Armored Skaab *Hullbreacher *Egon, God of Death *Notion Thief *Risen Executioner *Wonder *Narfi, Betrayer King [/Creature] [Enchantment] *Training Grounds *Court of Cunning *Anointed Procession [/Enchantment] [Instant] *Mental Note *Opt *Path to Exile *Stubborn Denial *Swords to Plowshares *Thought Scour *Arcane Denial *Counterspell *Cyclonic Rift *Despark *Disdainful Stroke *Dovin&#039;s Veto *Heartless Act *Heliod&#039;s Intervention *Mission Briefing *Anguished Unmaking *Frantic Search *Empty the Pits *Fact or Fiction * Commit // Memory *Dig Through Time [/Instant] [Planeswalker] *Narset, Parter of Veils [/Planeswalker] [Sorcery] *Preordain *Serum Visions *Discovery // Dispersal *Day&#039;s Undoing *Bond of Insight *Day of Judgment *Deep Analysis *Dread Return *Wrath of God *Final Parting *From Under the Floorboards *Unburial Rites *Echo of Eons *Merciless Eviction *Treasure Cruise [/Sorcery] [Land] *Adarkar Wastes *Arcane Sanctum *City of Brass *Clearwater Pathway *Command Tower *Drowned Catacomb *Exotic Orchard *Fabled Passage *Fetid Pools *Ghost Quarter *Glacial Fortress *Godless Shrine *Hallowed Fountain *Irrigated Farmland *Mana Confluence *Morphic Pool *Prismatic Vista *Sea of Clouds *Tectonic Edge *Underground River *Watery Grave *Westvale Abbey *8 Snow-Covered Island *4 Snow-Covered Plains *4 Snow-Covered Swamp [/Land]"></span></div> </p>
<hr />
<h3>Self-Mill</h3>
<p> These cards are our enablers; they feed Varina and allow us to do play some nice payoffs. There are basically two types: consistent and one-shot. <strong>Consistent Self-Mill</strong> These are slower sources of Mill; their value lies in either providing constant value or having some secondary effect also attached to itself, or both. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Codex Shredder Mesmeric Orb Court of Cunning"></div></div> </p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Codex Shredder" href="#" target="_blank">Codex Shredder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mesmeric Orb" href="#" target="_blank">Mesmeric Orb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wand of Vertebrae" href="#" target="_blank">Wand of Vertebrae</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Egon, God of Death" href="#" target="_blank">Egon, God of Death</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Perpetual Timepiece" href="#" target="_blank">Perpetual Timepiece</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Court of Cunning" href="#" target="_blank">Court of Cunning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p> <strong>One-Shot Self-Mill</strong> One-shot effects are great for setting us up in the earlier portions of the game. After that, their value rapidly diminishes because we can fuel our graveyard just by playing cards. Plus, the consistent sources can also keep a constant flow of cards. One thing to notice is that they're all Zombies, which interacts pretty well with our commander. </p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Armored Skaab" href="#" target="_blank">Armored Skaab</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mire Triton" href="#" target="_blank">Mire Triton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Screeching Skaab" href="#" target="_blank">Screeching Skaab</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stitcher&#039;s Supplier" href="#" target="_blank">Stitcher&#039;s Supplier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3>Self-Mill Payoff</h3>
<p> We run low on payoffs, but it's a more of a conscious choice than a lack of options. It's pretty easy to find them with all the Milling going around, so, by putting fewer in, we have a more consistent deck. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Narfi, Betrayer King Wonder Empty the Pits"></div></div> </p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Narfi, Betrayer King" href="#" target="_blank">Narfi, Betrayer King</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wonder" href="#" target="_blank">Wonder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Empty the Pits" href="#" target="_blank">Empty the Pits</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dread Return" href="#" target="_blank">Dread Return</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unburial Rites" href="#" target="_blank">Unburial Rites</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3>Thieves Combo</h3>
<p> The thieves combo is the combination of a "thief" effect, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Notion Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Notion Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and a wheel effect. This combo is great because we can have access to both parts of it in our graveyard, and they help us control our opponents by denying them cards. Now, it's important to recognize that some wheel effects reset our graveyard, which might be seen as counterproductive, because it undoes all the self-mill work we've done. However, I think we should look at this as an opportunity, since filling the graveyard is what helps us find this combo in the first place, and after all, we'll have to discard lots of cards right back into the graveyard afterward! <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Notion Thief Echo of Eons"></div></div> </p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hullbreacher" href="#" target="_blank">Hullbreacher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Notion Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Notion Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Narset, Parter of Veils" href="#" target="_blank">Narset, Parter of Veils</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commit // Memory" href="#" target="_blank">Commit // Memory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Echo of Eons" href="#" target="_blank">Echo of Eons</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Day&#039;s Undoing" href="#" target="_blank">Day&#039;s Undoing</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<p> Now let’s go check what we should be looking out for when playing with a Self-Mill deck. </p>
<h4>"Self-mill decks are exceptionally vulnerable to effects that exile cards from graveyards, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Relic of Progenitus" href="#" target="_blank">Relic of Progenitus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Such effects can wholly undo an entire game's worth of work from a self-mill deck and significantly hamper their strategy by eliminating an enormous pool of card advantage.</h4>
<h4>Self-mill decks that focus on eliminating their entire library run the risk of losing the game when they attempt to draw a card from an empty library if they do not locate a game-winning card such as Laboratory Maniac. This can make the self-mill deck hyper-reliant on a few key cards, which allows opponents to vastly incapacitate their strategy if those linchpin cards are removed."</h4>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Laboratory Maniac Relic of Progenitus"></div></div> Graveyard hate is something that we should always worry about; some of our most effective pieces of our gameplan consist on using them either to fuel Varina or to cast spells from the graveyard. However, there's one silver lining: our commander is a powerful engine that can help us recover from bad situations, although we often need a little push to get started, and she offers a clear line of play that isn't as reliant on the graveyard. Decking out is certainly something that we should worry about in longer games. We do have some three different <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Timetwister" href="#" target="_blank">Timetwister</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects, and they do help us, but it's still dangerous. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sidisi, Brood Tyrant Kess, Dissident Mage Lazav, the Multifarious"></div></div> If you like making Zombie tokens but aren't particularly fond of the control shell above, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidisi, Brood Tyrant" href="#" target="_blank">Sidisi, Brood Tyrant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great commander that has a somewhat similar kit. If the spellslinger/control aspects are more your thing, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kess, Dissident Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Kess, Dissident Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerhouse option. If you want something <em>very</em> different, but which still retains the above deck's flexibility, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lazav, the Multifarious" href="#" target="_blank">Lazav, the Multifarious</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a toolbox commander you may enjoy. </p>
<hr />
<div>
<h2>Commander-Specific and Color-Specific Cards</h2>
<p> If you do decide to give self-mill a try, but don't know which cards in the list above are strictly there for self-mill or just for that commander, I've compiled some parting lists to help sort it out! <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anointed Procession Training Grounds Fragmentize"></div></div> </p></div>
<p> Commander-Specific cards </p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anointed Procession" href="#" target="_blank">Anointed Procession</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Training Grounds" href="#" target="_blank">Training Grounds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="From Under the Floorboards" href="#" target="_blank">From Under the Floorboards</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li>(Both Zombie lords are kind of reliant on having the Zombie tokens)</li>
</ul>
<p> Color-Specific cards: White </p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Talisman of Hierarchy" href="#" target="_blank">Talisman of Hierarchy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Talisman of Progress" href="#" target="_blank">Talisman of Progress</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anointed Procession" href="#" target="_blank">Anointed Procession</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anguished Unmaking" href="#" target="_blank">Anguished Unmaking</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Despark" href="#" target="_blank">Despark</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dovin&#039;s Veto" href="#" target="_blank">Dovin&#039;s Veto</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Path to Exile" href="#" target="_blank">Path to Exile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swords to Plowshares" href="#" target="_blank">Swords to Plowshares</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Day of Judgment" href="#" target="_blank">Day of Judgment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fragmentize" href="#" target="_blank">Fragmentize</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Merciless Eviction" href="#" target="_blank">Merciless Eviction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unburial Rites" href="#" target="_blank">Unburial Rites</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrath of God" href="#" target="_blank">Wrath of God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p> And that’s it for this article. Now I want to hear from you! Share your thoughts on this list or on Self-Mill based decks in general. What archetype do you want to see covered next? While this series will focus on just archetypes, <a href="https://edhwiki.com/wiki/Main_Page">there’s a ton of other cool community-built content in the Wiki</a>. Check it out, and feel free to contribute, if you’d like!</p>


zombie