(Anya, Merciless AngelAnya, Merciless Angel| Alisa Lee)

Introduction

Today on Under the Radar we'll be looking at a commander who came out a decade ago. 2015 was a crazy year, Inside Out was in theatres, Undertale had just come out, and everyone was trying to guess the color of a dress.

In the world of Magic: The Gathering players were getting their hands on another set of commander precons. The theme for the 2015 decks was experience counters.

The commanders of these decks would gain experience counters and grow stronger as the game progressed. This gave us several iconic new legendaries who are still played today like Meren of Clan Nel TothMeren of Clan Nel Toth, Ezuri, Claw of ProgressEzuri, Claw of Progress, and Mizzix of the IzmagnusMizzix of the Izmagnus.

2015 also gave us the Wade into Battle precon which was infamously janky and behind the curve compared to its counterparts. Kalemne, Disciple of IroasKalemne, Disciple of Iroas, the commander of the deck, only gains experience counters when her controller casts a creature spell with mana value five or greater.

Compared to Ezuri, Claw of ProgressEzuri, Claw of Progress who gains experience when his controller casts a creature with power two or less, or Daxos the ReturnedDaxos the Returned who gains experience whenever they cast an Enchantment KalemneKalemne levels up very slowly. She was also a Boros commander in an era long before that color pair had the tools necessary to thrive in Commander.

It's not Kalemne, Disciple of IroasKalemne, Disciple of Iroas that we're here to talk about today though. At 777 decks (as of 02/10/2024) she's popular enough to avoid being in this series (we only analyze commanders with less than 500 decks to their name).

Instead, we'll be looking at the backup commander of Wade Into Battle, Anya, Merciless AngelAnya, Merciless Angel. Even after almost 10 years, AnyaAnya still only commands 183 decks.

Let's have a look at this unkind Angel and see if we can find some merit in her that the MTG community may have missed.

A Cruel Angel's Thesis

For Anya, Merciless AngelAnya, Merciless Angel is a 4/4 with flying. She gains +3/+3 for each opponent who has a life total which is less than half of their starting life total. She also gains Indestructible as long as at least one opponent meets this condition.

This means that, in a typical game against three opponents, Anya has the potential to become an indestructible 13/13 through the power of her effect alone, that's pretty sweet.

Now there is an awkward caveat to using AnyaAnya which plays a major part in holding back her popularity. When a player is eliminated from the game, they are no longer considered an "opponent" for the purpose of Anya's effect.

This means that the moment an opponent's life total drops to zero Anya loses that +3/+3 buff and, if no other opponents are on 20 or less life, she's also no longer indestructible.

While very frustrating, this eccentricity regarding Anya'sAnya'sability doesn't render her unplayable by any means.

In fact, in some ways, it encourages a courteous play style. You're rewarded for battering everyone down equally and punished for mercilessly targeting a single player.

You need to ensure that you spread your damage around and that you don't go in to finish anyone off until you're ready to take all of the other players at the table down with them.

There are a few different strategies that an avid Anya'sAnya's player can adopt. One is to go for a Voltron build. This takes advantage of Anya's ability to become indestructible and her potentially huge stats by kitting her out with as many auras and pieces of Equipment as possible.

Swing her at each opponent in turn, and knock each of them below half life to power AnyaAnya up ever further.

Another idea is to try and go wide, rather than tall, and try to batter your opponents down through combat damage. White is great at generating tokens, so it's very easy to fill up your board with attackers.

If you want to go for a bit of a thematic combat-oriented deck, you could try for Angel typal since White and Red both have plenty of other Angels to accompany Anya.

Whatever kind of Anya, Merciless AngelAnya, Merciless Angel deck you want to run though, you'll need to pack plenty of burn spells. Cards like ManabarbsManabarbs, Sulfuric VortexSulfuric Vortex, and SpellshockSpellshock that damage every player are very useful at getting opponents below half life.

Even if these cards hurt you, there's only one of you, and three opponents sat around the table. This means that collectively they'll dish out far more damage to everyone else.

Now then let's take a look at how this all comes together...

Anya's Average Deck

As of 02/10/2025, there are 183 Anya, Merciless AngelAnya, Merciless Angel decks logged on EDHREC. The site's Average Deck function brings all 183 of them together, and generates a list showing cards that commonly recur in each of them. Let's take a look...

This list is a little bit jumbled. It doesn't settle on one specific theme. There are plenty of Angels but not quite enough to call it a full-on typal theme, there also aren't enough support cards to draw this out like Vanquisher's BannerVanquisher's Banner, or Door of DestiniesDoor of Destinies.

There are also a few cards that would support an Equipment-based Voltron strategy like Loxodon WarhammerLoxodon Warhammer, and Open the ArmoryOpen the Armory but again not enough to make this theme prominent.

If you decide to use this list as inspiration to make an Anya, Merciless AngelAnya, Merciless Angel deck of your own, it's probably best to pick a single lane and put your focus there.

A few of these cards are pretty pricy and can be cut. You can save more than $100 by removing Zo-Zu the PunisherZo-Zu the Punisher, Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe, Sacred FoundrySacred Foundry, Land TaxLand Tax, and Esper SentinelEsper Sentinel.

It also wouldn't hurt to get rid of Sword of the AnimistSword of the Animist, and Spectator SeatingSpectator Seating. Now that we've looked at the cards to cut for price reasons, let's take a look at the cards we'll want to keep around.

5 Cards to Keep

Heartless HidetsuguHeartless Hidetsugu

Heartless Hidetsugu

Currently in 52% of decks.

Even though Heartless HidetsuguHeartless Hidetsugu and Anya, Merciless AngelAnya, Merciless Angel were printed 10 years apart, it's clear that the two were meant to be together. HidetsuguHidetsugu can halve the life of every player in the game, immediately granting Anya +9/+9, and indestructible.

HidetsuguHidetsugu does need to survive a turn in order to pull this off though, which is no guarantee considering how his effect immediately puts him into everyone's crosshairs.

Fortunately, the deck already contains an easy solution to this. By sliding your Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots or Lightning GreavesLightning Greaves onto Heartless HidetsuguHeartless Hidetsugu he will gain haste and immediately be able to use his effect. You can also use the effect of Slayers' StrongholdSlayers' Stronghold to pull this off.

It's honestly pretty heartwarming that a demonic ogre like HidetsuguHidetsugu and a holy angel like AnyaAnya make such great friends. Magic's most unlikely besties work wonderfully together and form the centerpiece of this deck.

Kediss, Emberclaw FamiliarKediss, Emberclaw Familiar

Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar

Currently in 31% of decks.

As has been discussed above this deck has an awkward late game, since you don't want to finish off any opponents, as doing so drops Anya's stats.

Kediss, Emberclaw FamiliarKediss, Emberclaw Familiar helps with this since, with this lava-loving lizard in play, you will be able to finish off every opponent simultaneously. Not only does this friendly familiar help you close the game but, by spreading the damage which AnyaAnya deals around to every opponent, you will also be able to bring their life down below the halfway mark much more quickly.

Your opponents will certainly be familiar with Kediss, once you've pulled off a big attack with their help.

EarthquakeEarthquake

Earthquake

Currently in 28% of decks.

Of the 24 creatures in this deck, 10 of them (including Anya herself) have flying. This means that you have a lot less to lose by casting spells that target all of the creatures on the ground, since so many of your creatures will be up in the air safe from harm. EarthquakeEarthquake deals X damage to every creature without flying, and to every player.

This card be used very aggressively to wipe out threats on the ground while also dealing massive damage to everyone, in order to bring their life totals down to power Anya up. If you make this a full-on Angel typal deck, they'll all be flying and safe from the harm that EarthquakeEarthquake inflicts.

Sulfuric VortexSulfuric Vortex

Sulfuric Vortex

Currently in 33% of decks.

Speaking of being incredibly aggressive, cards don't get much more threatening than Sulfuric VortexSulfuric Vortex. This three mana red enchantment deals two damage to every player at the start of their turn and stops anyone from gaining life.

Both of these effects are perfect for AnyaAnya. Dealing damage equal to 5% of each player's maximum life to them at the start of each of their turns will bring them down below that golden halfway point pretty easily.

Turning off healing also ensures that they will stay below half life, and they won't heal back up with a surprise Beacon of ImmortalityBeacon of Immortality.

Brash TaunterBrash Taunter

Brash Taunter

Currently in 33% of decks.

Brash TaunterBrash Taunter synergizes with so many different cards in this deck in so many small ways. Brash TaunterBrash Taunter is indestructible, and whenever it is dealt damage, it deals that damage right back to any opponent.

For the taunter can also force an opponent's creature to fight with it. Here's just a small list of cards that are absolutely busted when used alongside Brash TaunterBrash Taunter

-Dictate of the Twin GodsDictate of the Twin Gods quadruples the damage which Brash TaunterBrash Taunter deals. First doubling the damage that the taunter takes, and then doubling that damage again as it gets targeted towards an opponent.

-EarthquakeEarthquake damages the taunter, allowing you to choose one unlucky opponent to get hurt by the EarthquakeEarthquake twice.

-Any card that doubles a creature's power like Legion LeadershipLegion Leadership, Duelist's HeritageDuelist's Heritage, or Boros CharmBoros Charm can be used to power up a creature fighting the taunter, dealing twice as much damage to any opponent.

This is just a small selection of the cards here that work with the taunter, one of the game's most versatile Goblins.

5 Cards to Cut

Exemplar of LightExemplar of Light

Exemplar of Light

Currently in 4% of decks.

Exemplar of LightExemplar of Light is an Angel, which several cards in this deck care about. It can also draw you cards, which is always valuable in red/white. Unfortunately though, this card's abilities rely either on it gaining +1/+1 counters or on its controller gaining life.

This deck does not have enough cards that generate +1/+1 counters or that gain life meaning the ExemplarExemplar is functionally just a 3/3 flyer for four mana. PerhapsExemplar of LightExemplar of Light is not so exemplary after all.

Wear // TearWear // Tear

Wear // Tear

Currently in 33% of decks.

This split card was a relevant way of removing artifacts and enchantments back in 2015 when AnyaAnya was first printed. The 10 years since then have given us many, many superior alternatives.

Requisition RaidRequisition Raid can remove all of the same card types, while also putting +1/+1 counters on each its controller's creatures. Cathar CommandoCathar Commando also has utility as a 3/1 flash creature, and Heliod's InterventionHeliod's Intervention can destroy more targets and also be used as a life gain spell when necessary. True to its name, this card is definitely showing some wear and tear.

Loxodon WarhammerLoxodon Warhammer

Loxodon Warhammer

Currently in 32% of decks.

Speaking of cards that haven't aged well, we've got Loxodon WarhammerLoxodon Warhammer. In its day,Loxodon WarhammerLoxodon Warhammer was one of the most fearsome pieces of Equipment in the game. It was first printed in Mirrodin, the set that introduced Equipment, way back in 2003.

The warhammerwarhammer then enjoyed years of being reprinted in precon after precon, showing up in every single set of Commander decks from 2014 to 2017.

These days though Equipment has become increasingly powerful. There are many swords, spears, and axes out there that slot into this deck far better than the old trusty warhammerwarhammer. EmbercleaveEmbercleave is better at pushing damage through.

Excalibur, Sword of EdenExcalibur, Sword of Eden provides stat bonuses so massive that they are almost comical, and The Reaver CleaverThe Reaver Cleaver generates treasure alongside granting its wielder trample. All the same, Loxodon WarhammerLoxodon Warhammer remains a great budget option.

Tectonic GiantTectonic Giant

Tectonic Giant

Currently in 24% of decks.

While not an awful card, Tectonic GiantTectonic Giant doesn't contribute quite enough to earn its keep in this deck. As a four mana 3/4 Tectonic GiantTectonic Giant is already understated for its cost.

It possesses a useful ability to burn every opponent, or else to provide access to the top few cards of your deck when it attacks or gets targeted by an opponent's spell.

All the same for four mana, there are plenty of alternatives out there that can either provide more card advantage or just dole out more damage than this Giant can.

With competition at the same cost like Neheb, Dreadhorde ChampionNeheb, Dreadhorde Champion, Frontier WarmongerFrontier Warmonger, and Sawhorn NemesisSawhorn Nemesis, there just aren't enough reasons to run Tectonic GiantTectonic Giant over the alternatives.

Boros ReckonerBoros Reckoner

Boros Reckoner

Currently in 23% of decks.

Boros ReckonerBoros Reckoner is essentially a worse Brash TaunterBrash Taunter. It possesses more power, but it doesn't have indestructible.

Without indestructible, Boros ReckonerBoros Reckoner just isn't worth it. It has the potential to deal out a single burst of damage, but it will then die, unlike Brash TaunterBrash Taunter who has the potential to stay around and redirect hit after hit.

There are so many great three drops out there that would be happy to occupy the slot currently taken up by Boros ReckonerBoros Reckoner. The new Screaming NemesisScreaming Nemesis from Duskmourn has a comparable effect, but can prevent an opponent from healing for the rest of the game.

5 Cards to Add

Fiery EmancipationFiery Emancipation

Fiery EmancipationFiery Emancipation

Currently in 16% of decks.

It's much easier to get your opponents' life down below half when all of the damage that you deal to them is tripled. The damage-trebling effect of Fiery EmancipationFiery Emancipation is truly dangerous when combined with all of the gradual burn cards in this deck.

ManabarbsManabarbs will deal 3 damage to every player whenever they tap a land, and Sulfuric VortexSulfuric Vortex will hit every player for 6 every turn.

Yes, you'll be burning yourself as well, but the trebled combat damage that you'll be dealing will ensure that you're able to finish off your opponents before you burn yourself to a crisp.

In a worst-case scenario, with this card in play, you can just use Heartless HidetsuguHeartless Hidetsugu to end the game in a draw.

City on FireCity on Fire offers a similar effect, at a steeper price, but with convoke. Since this deck tends to go tall, rather than wide, Fiery EmancipationFiery Emancipation is typically the better choice, but both cards will work.

Youthful ValkyrieYouthful Valkyrie

Youthful Valkyrie

Currently in 6% of decks.

Youthful ValkyrieYouthful Valkyrie won't need to go in all of the different variants of this deck, but for those looking to amp up the Angel typal theme this card is a must-have. This two mana 1/3 flyer gains a +1/+1 counter whenever an Angel gets played.

Youthful ValkyrieYouthful Valkyrie provides this deck with some much-needed early board presence (the average mana value of cards here is a reasonably steep 3.27) but this card also grows and remains a relevant threat as the game goes on.

Phyrexian VindicatorPhyrexian Vindicator

Phyrexian Vindicator

Currently in 16% of decks.

Given that this deck is so aggressive, you may end up antagonizing other players around the table. Having a Phyrexian VindicatorPhyrexian Vindicator ready to block will make them think twice before attacking you.

Any damage that would be dealt to Phyrexian VindicatorPhyrexian Vindicator gets redirected towards a target of your choice instead.

This card fulfills the same role as Brash TaunterBrash Taunter, except its also a formidable 5/5 flying threat. Try slotting this card into your deck, and I'm sure that my decision to mention it here will be completely vindicated.

Whispersilk CloakWhispersilk Cloak

Whispersilk Cloak

Currently in 5% of decks.

Anya, Merciless AngelAnya, Merciless Angel does have flying, but sometimes that's still not enough to get through. Maybe you're up against an opponent running Kastral, the WindcrestedKastral, the Windcrested and they have more flying blockers than you can count.

Similarly, while she gets indestructible when an opponent has 50% or less life that's still not enough to keep her safe from a Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares, or a Reality ShiftReality Shift. Whispersilk CloakWhispersilk Cloak shores up both of these weaknesses.

With the cloak on, AnyaAnya is unblockable no matter how many fliers are filling the air and can't be targeted by any removal spells full stop.

Taunt from the RampartTaunt from the Rampart

Taunt from the Rampart

Currently in 16% of decks.

Sometimes you want to fight your opponents, but sometimes you want to make them fight each other. Taunt from the RampartTaunt from the Rampart goads the creatures controlled by every opponent and also renders them unable to block for a turn.

If you play this card at the right time, while everyone has a well-developed board, the battlefield will become a chaotic pub fight. Everyone else will be slinging punches at one another, while you can just stand back and watch the chaos unfold.

Naturally, this compliments the deck's strategy of getting every opponent below half life. It also helps deal with any players attempting to turtle up behind a massive board of blockers.

Conclusion

Back in 2015 Anya, Merciless AngelAnya, Merciless Angel never got the chance to shine. Just as she showed no mercy to her opponents, the playerbase showed no mercy to AnyaAnya and she was left to the wayside and forgotten.

There's a vast difference seperating her popularity from that of a commander like KaaliaKaalia, or GiadaGiada. All the same, those willing to look past Anya'sAnya's steely murderous exterior, and her crimson bloodstained are sure to find a commander that's eccentric and aggressive in equal measure.

Ben Macready

Ben is a freelance writer from the UK. He's has been playing Magic since he was 8 years old, back when he thought Enormous Baloth was the best card in the game. You can find more Magic content from him on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2iSANUGoKzdK6XgLyB1qLw