G'raha Tia, Scion RebornG'raha Tia, Scion Reborn | Art by Yasunari Hirasaka

S'tax Central

Welcome to Too-Specific Top 10, where if there isn’t a category to rank our pet card at the top of, we’ll just make one up! (Did you know that Aether BarrierAether Barrier is the only non-Aura blue enchantment that can cause opponents to sacrifice permanents?)

They say there's no such thing as winning with combat in competitive EDH. Well, who says?

G'raha Tia, Scion RebornG'raha Tia, Scion Reborn reminds me of a card that the larger cEDH meta never really saw, but my local meta did quite a lot: Urza, Chief ArtificerUrza, Chief Artificer. Both exist in Esper colors, and both make possibly huge tokens. None of those things seem to make them cEDH commanders, however, where the mantra goes that prospective commanders either have to ramp, draw a lot of cards, or be part of a combo.

Urza doesn't do any of these things, so why was he a menace in my local meta for a while? Well, partially because of its pilot, Smalls, who is a well-known presence at Top 16s in the cEDH world. As for how his deck won, however? Simply put, he gummed up the board and the gamestate with Stax, and then swung in with huge menace Constructs.

This also seems achievable with G'raha Tia, Scion RebornG'raha Tia, Scion Reborn. In fact, he might be better, only being three mana instead of a whopping six. At three mana, he can routinely come down on turn two and turn on your free interaction, which also tends to have a high mana value that will immediately pay dividends in large tokens.

Then once you untap, you can start generating some real tokens, as you have a deck in the current best colors in cEDH that's 100% dedicated to controlling the game, with zero slots being used for silly things like game-winning combos. In other words, G'raha Tia is viable because it can be completely dedicated to a control and Stax plan, doing nothing but laying down a Stax piece on its turn and then holding mana open for interaction and card draw to keep a steady stream of tokens coming.

There is one concern I do have about the idea, though. Unlike Winota and Urza, G'raha Tia's Stax opportunities aren't on a stick. Instead of hatebears that can contribute to the aggro game plan, we instead need to rely on non-creature Stax pieces that can gum things up for the table. This raises the question: are there good enough non-creature Stax effects available that this idea will work?

Criteria: Noncreature permanents within the Esper color identity that restrict opponents or all players from doing something (other than attacking or dealing damage), or tap, sacrifice, or otherwise negatively affect a subset of something. As is tradition, all results are ordered by EDHREC score, however in this case the card pool was formed via the EDHREC Esper Stax page, rather than Scryfall.

Top 10 Esper, Non-Creature Stax Effects

10. Ashiok, Dream RenderAshiok, Dream Render

(50,956 Inclusions, 3.49% of 1,460,567 Decks)

While they're no Opposition AgentOpposition Agent, Ashiok, Dream RenderAshiok, Dream Render does still accomplish the goal of keeping other decks from tutoring up their win-cons, not to mention shutting off fetches. To then tack on graveyard exile and a bit of mill for ourselves seems like a hot ticket. Even better, G'raha Tia's Hero tokens should be able to keep Ashiok well defended. In fact, I foresee us not getting swung on much at all, as we'll be teleporting in more-than-relevant blockers at instant speed all the time.

9. Aura of SilenceAura of Silence

(56,719 Inclusions, 2.08% of 2,724,101 Decks)

While three mana is a lot to pay in cEDH for something as mundane as a Stax effect that makes the mana rocks your opponents already played more expensive, I must admit that I'm still feeling pretty good about Aura of SilenceAura of Silence.

Yes, failing truly ridiculous hands it's unlikely to come down early enough to stop all the turn-one plays, but there are all sorts of circumstances where the average cEDH deck's win attempt essentially looks like "draw a ton of cards, play a bunch of free mana rocks, and then play Thassa's OracleThassa's Oracle and Demonic ConsultationDemonic Consultation. Aura of SilenceAura of Silence doesn't stop either that first thing or that last thing, but as for the crucial step in the middle? It makes it impossible.

Combine all that with the fact that the hottest thing to do in cEDH right now is play Rhystic StudyRhystic Studys that will then get copied by the likes of MirrormadeMirrormade and Copy EnchantmentCopy Enchantment, and it seems like even a turn-two Aura of SilenceAura of Silence should have an effect on the table. Nothing like getting rid of a Rhystic to then have an opponent who just took off a whole turn to cast Copy EnchantmentCopy Enchantment end up with a Wild GrowthWild Growth instead because they forgot that this thing is also a Seal of CleansingSeal of Cleansing. Two birds, one stone, etc.

8. Grafdigger's CageGrafdigger's Cage

(60,768 Inclusions, 1.03% of 5,926,677 Decks)

Grafdigger's CageGrafdigger's Cage always seems at first like it doesn't do enough to deserve a slot, even at one mana. But then you do the mental checklist of relevant cEDH cards it stops, and suddenly it seems like a bargain:

• Underworld BreachUnderworld Breach
• ReanimateReanimate effects
• Kinnan, Bonder ProdigyKinnan, Bonder Prodigy
• NeoformNeoform and other "tutor creature to the battlefield" effects
• ...like Protean HulkProtean Hulk
• GravecrawlerGravecrawler and similar loops
• Sensei's Divining TopSensei's Divining Top loops

And that's just off the top of my head; there are absolutely corner cases that this hits as well. In fact, that's one of the biggest drawbacks to Grafdigger's CageGrafdigger's Cage: it often impedes your win condition as well as the opponents. It turns out, however, that combat damage does just fine not being able to get stuff out of graveyards and libraries.

7. Deafening SilenceDeafening Silence

(61,927 Inclusions, 2.27% of 2,724,101 Decks)

Once the boogeyman of the cEDH table, Rule of LawRule of Law effects grind everything to a halt. As things have become more midrange, however, players have been happy to sit back and play a mana rock or a value engine on their turn, keeping all their mana available for a hand full of interaction or an Ad NauseamAd Nauseam lying in wait. Deafening SilenceDeafening Silence, however, has retained its value through this period, precisely because it has an easy way to break parity right on the card. If you're a creature-heavy deck, then you can go right on casting things, almost unaffected.

Which is where we hit a problem with G'raha Tia, Scion RebornG'raha Tia, Scion Reborn. Despite wanting to kill with combat damage, G'raha Tia isn't a creature-heavy deck. In fact, we're wanting to play the least amount of creatures possible without missing out on the most truly powerful options available. In other words, we would do the opposite of breaking parity with Deafening SilenceDeafening Silence, where it would actively hurt us while helping our opponents.

With that said, the more typical Rule of LawRule of Laws would actually be quite good with G'raha Tia. After all, our commander only triggers once per turn, and we're already trying to play at instant speed as a result. So why not drag everyone else down to our level?

6. Karn, the Great CreatorKarn, the Great Creator

(64,501 Inclusions, 1.09% of 5,926,677 Decks)

Playing Null RodNull Rod, Stony SilenceStony Silence, or Collector OupheCollector Ouphe in cEDH is a bit of an all-or-nothing venture that's gotten more difficult to pull off as Orcish BowmastersOrcish Bowmasters sees play in most top-tier decks. Luckily, you can still play all of your fast mana options with Karn, the Great CreatorKarn, the Great Creator while shutting off your opponents', which makes him quite good with G'raha Tia, slowing down others while grabbing you a 5/5 on cast.

Combine that with Karn also removing free rocks that have become more prevalent combo pieces with the likes of Hullbreaker HorrorHullbreaker Horror, Teferi, Time RavelerTeferi, Time Raveler, and Valley FloodcallerValley Floodcaller, and it seems everyone's favorite silver Golem is an easy addition.

5. Painful QuandaryPainful Quandary

(71,205 Inclusions, 2.37% of 3,009,486 Decks)

The old adage goes that "a seven-mana spell should more or less win you the game." Well, I would politely request that we change that number to five, at least when it comes to cEDH. And while I like Painful QuandaryPainful Quandary in the odd discard deck in casual, the fact is that it does almost nothing at all at a cEDH table. In a deck not playing Ad NauseamAd Nauseam or NecropotenceNecropotence, they'll just pay the five life. In a deck playing those cards, they're almost certainly in either a ReanimateReanimate or Underworld BreachUnderworld Breach strategy, meaning they'll be equally as happy to be discarding cards.

This one just doesn't cut it in high power.

4. Teferi, Time RavelerTeferi, Time Raveler

(86,863 Inclusions, 6.66% of 1,305,120 Decks)

Grand AbolisherGrand Abolisher and Voice of VictoryVoice of Victory have rapidly become the reason to play white, but neither of them play like Stax. Rather, they're a piece of interaction that just says "I can win the game without you doing anything about it now." So, why did I leave Teferi, Time RavelerTeferi, Time Raveler on the list? Well, because he isn't just a one-sided thing you can plop down at any point and be fairly sure there won't be any negative repercussions for you. Teferi says that you, and only you, are responsible for stopping everyone else's win attempts. You've tied the hands of the entire table as far as interaction, while also giving the whole table a green light to go for their wins at sorcery speed, because eventually you're going to run out of interaction or mana.

All of which is precisely why we won't be playing Teferi in G'raha Tia. We're trying to win with combat damage, not infinite mana from the likes of Teferi and Displacer KittenDisplacer Kitten.

That means that while we might be interested in Voice of VictoryVoice of Victory to keep us on the aggro plan while ensuring that others can't counter our new Stax effects on our turn, what we're not interested in is putting ourselves in a situation where we have to fend off the entire table's aspirations with no help.

3. Authority of the ConsulsAuthority of the Consuls

(130,395 Inclusions, 4.79% of 2,724,101 Decks)

While its two-mana compatriot, Blind ObedienceBlind Obedience, sees quite a bit of cEDH play, Authority of the ConsulsAuthority of the Consuls is typically left out. It turns out that creatures coming into play tapped doesn't really stop that much outside of Kiki-Jiki, Mirror BreakerKiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker, and in general, life gain doesn't mean much in cEDH. Unless, of course, your commander is draining you to make 4/4s several times a turn cycle. Then, getting a steady stream of life gain in the door for a single mana that also slows down opponents while keeping their count of blockers down would be worth quite a lot.

2. Narset, Parter of VeilsNarset, Parter of Veils

(129,997 Inclusions, 4.45% of 2,919,469 Decks)

While I don't think that we'll be packing a full bevy of WindfallWindfalls and Dark DealDark Deals, as we need to keep our instant-speed options heavy, Narset is still worth playing with G'raha Tia. His Heroes should be able to keep her alive most of the time, and with the meta as deep into Rhystic StudyRhystic Study and its various emulators as it is at this point, she should still do plenty of work.

1. Blind ObedienceBlind Obedience

(180,950 Inclusions, 6.64% of 2,724,101 Decks)

I kind of let the cat out of the bag on this one, but our kitty commander doesn't actually like Blind ObedienceBlind Obedience much, despite it being a fine Stax effect. Don't get me wrong, it's probably just on the edge of the 99, as having others' mana rocks come in tapped is quite good. That said, Authority of the ConsulsAuthority of the Consuls having the creatures enter tapped and gaining us much-needed life gives it the nod here, as I doubt we'll have enough mana at any point to spare it for the odd extortion. We'll pass on this one for now, and see what other options we have for a bit harder Stax in the Honorable Mentions.

Honorable Mentions

Well, I made the full list to figure this all out, so why don't we take a look at the rest of it?

Top 40 Non-Creature Esper Stax Effects

11. Cursed TotemCursed Totem: 49,921 Inclusions
12. Rest in PeaceRest in Peace: 45,350
13. Dress DownDress Down: 44,603
14. God-Pharaoh's StatueGod-Pharaoh's Statue: 43,329
15. Vexing BaubleVexing Bauble: 39,409
16. Rule of LawRule of Law: 36,152
17. Torpor OrbTorpor Orb: 35,392
18. MeekstoneMeekstone: 34,948
19. Leyline of the VoidLeyline of the Void: 29,917
20. Winter MoonWinter Moon: 28,870
21. TrinisphereTrinisphere: 25,951
22. Back to BasicsBack to Basics: 24,277
23. Stony SilenceStony Silence: 23,468
24. Thorn of AmethystThorn of Amethyst: 23,382
25. SolemnitySolemnity: 22,166
26. Damping SphereDamping Sphere: 20,449
27. Static OrbStatic Orb: 20,070
28. Sphere of ResistanceSphere of Resistance: 12,593
29. StasisStasis: 12,461
30. Dovin, Hand of ControlDovin, Hand of Control: 11,376
31. SmokestackSmokestack: 11,224
32. Frozen AetherFrozen Aether: 10,761
33. The Tabernacle at Pendrell ValeThe Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale: 8,662
34. Arcane LaboratoryArcane Laboratory: 8,568
35. Mana BreachMana Breach: 8,826
36. HumilityHumility: 6,656
37. KismetKismet: 6,496
38. Suppression FieldSuppression Field: 6,029
39. OverburdenOverburden: 6,004
40. Aether BarrierAether Barrier: 3,246

That's quite the list of things that will slow a game down, but I want to be cautious here. G'raha TiaG'raha Tia still needs to be casting spells non-stop to be able to pull off a win. That means that the usual go-to Stax of things like TrinisphereTrinisphere and Winter MoonWinter Moon aren't going to be an option. Instead, we need the softer Stax that will stop the game plans of various decks, while not affecting ours.

The number one candidate for that plan? Cursed TotemCursed Totem. Being able to stop most creature decks in their tracks while we continue to churn out medium-sized Heroes on the regular is exactly the kind of thing that will win us games. Similarly, at first glance Damping SphereDamping Sphere seems like the kind of "make things expensive" Stax piece that we're trying to avoid. In all actuality, however, what it is is more of a Rule of LawRule of Law-lite that also shuts off Gaea's CradleGaea's Cradle, meaning we're very enthusiastic about it.

Finally, there's another actual Rule of LawRule of Law clone in Arcane LaboratoryArcane Laboratory, but the pieces still on the list that I'm most excited about are Dovin, Hand of ControlDovin, Hand of Control and Aether BarrierAether Barrier. Dovin is a one-sided "your stuff costs more than my stuff" passive with an activated ability that should help keep him alive. Aether BarrierAether Barrier, on the other hand, should punish the current creature-heavy meta, while allowing us to keep on churning out tokens that don't activate its cast trigger to win the game. Yes please!

G'raha Tia, Scion Reborn Stax cEDH Deck List

We've gone through all the Stax pieces, which just leaves the decklist! Let's take a look.

I've been pleasantly surprised by the deck. It's beyond hard to make a new cEDH list that will even keep up with most tables, much less have a chance at winning. The limited playtesting I've done, however, has shown that if folks don't respect G'raha Tia as an actual threat, you'll overwhelm tables slowly and steadily, as others draw combo pieces instead of disruption. With your deck fully committed to the game plan of "don't let others win" while also passively acquiring an army, it all feels a bit inevitable at times. Just watch out for the combos that can win through your pieces, and always have interaction available.

Nuts and Bolts

There always seems to be a bit of interest in how these lists are made (this seems like a good time to stress once again that they are based on EDHREC score, NOT my personal opinion…), and people are often surprised that I’m not using any special data or .json from EDHREC, but this week, instead just went straight to the Esper Stax page!

What Do You Think?

And finally, what is your favorite non-creature Stax piece? Would it work well in a deck like G'raha TiaG'raha Tia or UrzaUrza?

Let us know in the comments, and we'll see you at the table that appears to be missing three legs, but is still somehow standing?