Runadi, Behemoth CallerRunadi, Behemoth Caller | Art by Billy Christian

Greetings and salutations, from a place where fandom is more air churning and less groupie crying. I'm Arnaud, and I'm delighted as always to take you on a journey of uncanny builds, budget brews, and hooves to the head.

Last time, we parted ways with our usual three contenders. Third place went to Wolverine, Best There IsWolverine, Best There Is (which secretly made my day), earning 21 votes (24%). Sorry claw-man, better luck next time. Second spot was reached by Cadric, Soul KindlerCadric, Soul Kindler. An interesting card, to which we may return someday (yes, I love unusual Boros commanders, can you tell?).

Top spot was awarded this week to none other than Runadi, Behemoth CallerRunadi, Behemoth Caller, and I'm giggling already.

Coming right up from Jumpstart 2022, this card is beautiful in its simplicity, rewarding you for casting huge monsters. And having ramp in the command zone is a huge advantage as well. My only regret is not being able to play red to take advantage of Alena, Kessig TrapperAlena, Kessig Trapper, but that's a story for another time.

No more dilly-dallying, we've got work on our hands. Let's grab each and every card from the commander's page and pour them into Archidekt, using both the normal and budget options.

Mmmh, 289 cards. That's somewhat lower than usual. Maybe we'll find room to squeeze in some hidden gems.

First Trim – The Cardboard Chainsaw Massacre

The first step, of course, is to get rid of all of the unnecessary fluff, bling, and shinies. By this I mean each and every card worth more than $1.10 (and yes, I know that 10 cents are triggering some of you, but so do market fluctuations).

Before getting rid of them altogether, let's take a look at what beauties lie in the $1.10-$2 range. This time around, there's a surprisingly large number: 32 of them. Here's what I consider noteworthy, should you feel like spending slightly more:

• Gyre SageGyre Sage: With all the massive stompers you're likely to play, this will skyrocket in no time.
• Hardened ScalesHardened Scales: Final Fantasy failed to drop this below our threshold, but aside from that, it's a classic staple in +1/+1 decks.
• Hydra's GrowthHydra's Growth: Big monster becomes huge.
• Up the BeanstalkUp the Beanstalk: Probably the best card draw engine in our situation...
• Garruk, Primal HunterGarruk, Primal Hunter: ...and probably the second best.
• Overwhelming StampedeOverwhelming Stampede: Classic finisher.
• Bane of ProgressBane of Progress: Omnomnoms all artifacts and good synergy with our core strategy.
• Defiler of VigorDefiler of Vigor: Ramp spell of sorts, and boosts our team over and over. One of my personal pet cards.
• Lifestream's BlessingLifestream's Blessing: Expensive yes, but doesn't care about response removal and will draw an obscene number of cards. And it's repeatable. Yowza.
• Traverse the OutlandsTraverse the Outlands: My favorite ramp spell in big creatures decks.
• Disciple of FreyaliseDisciple of Freyalise: I've said it time and again, and I'll say it once more. These MDFCs from Modern Horizons 3 will steadily raise in price over time. Get yours while you can.
• Greater GoodGreater Good: Huge and repeatable draw outlet.
• Bugenhagen, Wise ElderBugenhagen, Wise Elder: A slightly better Triumph of FerocityTriumph of Ferocity, but doubles-up as a mana dork. Solid.
• Emerald MedallionEmerald Medallion: How is this still only $1.70?
• Unnatural GrowthUnnatural Growth: Another personal favorite, this ends games.
• Rishkar's ExpertiseRishkar's Expertise: Two in one, and triggers your commander twice.
• Herd HeirloomHerd Heirloom: Makes coffee, pancakes, walks the dog, and gets the kids home.

Whew. It's been a while since I last had such a slew of cards in here. And it's not over. We still have five cards in the $1-$1.10 range to consider:

• Eternal WitnessEternal Witness: Honestly, when's the last time you've been disappointed by this recursion outlet?
• Collective ResistanceCollective Resistance: Removal and protection in a neat package.
• Tyvar's StandTyvar's Stand: Same, but with pump and protection
• Fyndhorn ElvesFyndhorn Elves: Another dork. We'll need a lot.
• Soul's MajestySoul's Majesty: Who wants to draw 10 cards with a single card?

Well well well. It seems this is going to be a short trim. We're already down to 163 cards after only getting rid of the expensive stuff. Let's move on.

Second Trim – Cardward Scissorhands

Huh. Color me surprised here. I was expecting an avalanche of huge mana costs, but instead the curve currently looks like this:

The average currently stands at 3.80. And while this isn't low, not by a mile, it's still lower than I thought it would be.

Incidentally, these are the stats for our usual vitamins.

All in all, fairly regular for a mono- deck.

I'd like to keep a decent amount of both card draw and ramp, despite having an outlet in the command zone. A lot of these cards are expensive, and you'll need all the gas you can hold to keep up.

Let's keep a healthy amount of removal. As for board wipes... a single one will have to do. After all, you're the threat!

For now, let's trim.

And after slimming the land base, we're already down to a puny tiny little 122 cards. Not that much wiggle room, but I may have a few surprises up my sleeve.

Also, the curve now stands proudly at a 4.45 average. Yes, you'll play big monsters and you'll like it!

Onwards.

Third Trim - Cutting Off the Rough Edges

All right. Let's get to the fun part.

I'll keep the strategy part simple for once: Drop ramp, drop more ramp, drop more ramp again, cast monster after monster, smash face, win.

I feel this could be a solid option for someone new to commander. No tricky shenanigans, no difficult cards to play. Just dive in and stampede straight ahead.

There are still 22 cards (at the very least) that need to go. I've also identified a few juicy options to either add to the list or replace some spells that I find a bit... unconvincing.

Before we get there, let's see what the deck currently holds.

• A decent number of +1/+1 related spells. Given the already mighty power of the creatures coupled with the commander's ability, I'm not sure these are all relevant.
• Some recursion. Nice, but we'll keep only those printed on creatures.
• Some protection spells, same reasoning. I'll keep a couple in addition to creatures (I love me a good FogFog!).
• A couple tutors. Thanks but not thanks.
• Some miscellaneous stuff, not extremely impressive.

Right. The list is down to 102 cards, but I'm not quite done just yet.

Final Trim - Heart-Wrenching Choices

So. Before moving on to the last cuts, I'd like to add some cards back into the list. I went and searched for all creatures costing seven or more mana to cast, but less than $1.11 in price, and I've found the following worthy inclusions:

• Altanak, the Thrice-CalledAltanak, the Thrice-Called: How this isn't in the initial list is a mystery to me. 9/9 trample for a puny seven mana (12/12 with your commander), that draws you cards whenever it's targeted. I say yes.
• Demolisher SpawnDemolisher Spawn: It's big, it's bad, it tramples, it has haste, and potentially buffs your army for even more lethal damage. Need I say more?
• Diamond WeaponDiamond Weapon: One of the newest inclusions. Blocks air strikes and will cost close to nothing after a board wipe. It only lacks trample, but you can't have them all, can you?
• Myojin of Towering MightMyojin of Towering Might: A mighty boy (12/12 with your commander out), which can dish out even more damage.
• Sandstone OracleSandstone Oracle: I've stopped counting the times this has refilled my hand. And potentially 7/7 in the air is not bad.
• Triplicate TitanTriplicate Titan: 14/14 flying, vigilance, trample. This is one mighty wall that hits hard, and leaves friends in the aftermath!

With that being added to the mix, what should be removed?

• Nyxborn HydraNyxborn Hydra: A bit too situational, and that bestow cost is hefty.
• Genesis HydraGenesis Hydra: Cheating something into play is nice, but the curve is already so high I doubt it'll hit anything truly relevant.
• Collective ResistanceCollective Resistance: Nice protection outlet doubled with removal, but not exactly in the mood of this brew.
• Thunderfoot BalothThunderfoot Baloth: Efficient, but relies too much on the commander.
• Meteor GolemMeteor Golem: Great removal, but no evasion.
• Green Sun's ZenithGreen Sun's Zenith: I like card selection, but the spell is not cast, therefore not triggering the commander.
• TerastodonTerastodon: Efficient removal, but doesn't affect creatures, and the Elephant has no evasion thereafter.

And with that, I give you the monstrosity that is:

Runadi, Behemoth Caller Commander Deck List

Additional Trim - A Look Into the Past

This is going to be a quick one.

This time around, we're taking a look at Kethis, the Hidden HandKethis, the Hidden Hand, and the jolly band of legendaries in his toll.

Well, there's a single card that has risen past the $1.10 mark: Tyrite SanctumTyrite Sanctum.

Let's replace it with a good old Woodland CemeteryWoodland Cemetery and be done with it!

You can find the updated (!) list here.

Conclusion

I'm very curious of your opinion on this one. I based it mostly on my experience with both Imoti, Celebrant of BountyImoti, Celebrant of Bounty with Keruga, the MacrosageKeruga, the Macrosage companion, and a budget version of Gilanra, Caller of WirewoodGilanra, Caller of Wirewood and Alena, Kessig TrapperAlena, Kessig Trapper partners. While the colors are different, the general strategy remains similar, and they're both a blast to play, despite eye-gouging mana curves.

To be clear, I've built the deck with a firm Bracket 2 mindset, maybe a low 3. I probably wouldn't risk punching higher than that.

Would you play something like this? Add more ramp? Tweak elsewhere?

Let me know in the comments below, and I'll see you in two weeks!