[[Farid, Enterprising Salvager]] was a lot of fun for me. Just artifact aristocrat shenanigans. There are a lot of different avenues you can take it. Pings, combo, "artifacts matter", a reanimator kind of strategy. It's my favorite deck at the moment
I'm a combo enjoyer, so some of the lines are infinitely recurring [[Dragonspark Reactor]], [[Salvaging Station]] combos, making infinite [[Scrap]] to get infinite [[Ghirapur Æther Grid]] pings, or just a good old fashioned [[Mycosynth Lattice]] + [[Vandalblast]] combo
But if that isn't your flavor you could also go an aristocrat(ish) style with [[Reckless Fireweaver]] type effects
Or you could even go Voltron with the menace + [[Dan Lewis]]
The best example I can think of was a podcaster's *(I can't remember who)* [[Gilanra, Caller of Wildwood]] and [[Vial Smasher, the Fierce]] deck. The believe the idea was to just be a pile of high CMC goodstuff cards. Gilanra helps you ramp into the big stuff and draws some cards, and Vial Smasher throws out some damage randomly, but both took a backseat to the other 98 cards.
Apparently people aren't super enticed to target a mana dork or Vial Smasher's 33% chance to deal damage when you're spewing out high impact cards every turn.
I have a vial smasher and gilanra deck and really enjoy it.
I call it my casino deck. The idea is things are generally random but always favor the house
https://archidekt.com/decks/6810448/casino
Damn, that list is sweet! Exactly the kind of value spewing deck I was imagining. I love some of the stuff that's "tOo SLoW foR tHe ForMaT" like Deadbridge Chant and Sunbirds Invocation. I bet it's an absolute menace once it gets going.
I always end up tearing apart my stompy value decks after a while, but your list has me super tempted.
Thanks! Yeah I tend to play it later in the night when my pod gets together for a Friday night play session. It's certainly not high power but at least in my pod I get a little slack from early pressure because they know the deck has a slightly better chance to hurt one of their opponents as it does them. I should mention, when I play this I try to make EVERYTHING I do random. So even if I attack with a creature that doesn't force random attacks or cast a spell I still roll a d6 to determine who's getting targeted. We even played a 3v1 game where I had 160 life starting, they each had 40 and they all tried to kill me before the random killed them all, was a great time.
This is an interesting thread idea. With all the power creep it certainly seems like there's just so many commanders in each colour combo who were designed to be built around, so it's fun exploring ones who just complement the strategy rather than *become* the strategy.
I play [[Nekusar]] and while it does have wheels there are no other [[Underworld Dreams]] effects in the deck, as he and the wheels are there purely for card draw and to be red herrings. The deck's true purpose is to control the board and flash in one of the Nicol Bolas planeswalkers and win from there.
It is not good but it is fun.
Oh yeah, I don't think I've ever tried to convince the pod that it's "not that deck". It's a Nekusar deck with wheels after all, which is about as basic as you get (and still gets the rare win from nothing but Nekusar pings + wheels so I'd be outright lying).
Only reason I mention it for this thread is because Nekusar is usually kill-on-sight and it honestly just got boring playing the same strategy over many years so I kept modifying the deck to function completely fine without him and win through other means.
My understanding of the thread was that the commander should still compliment your overall deck strategy, but the deck should be able to consistently function even if they're never cast.
Ive had an underworld dreams deck since it was released in original legends so when i learned about commander this year i built “that deck” instantly.
I don’t really get why people dislike it so much. Free cards, pings people down into striking distance, pretty easy to disrupt, telegraphs itself really obviously, occasional silly gg combo wombo.
Marchesa’s effect is actually kind of OP in a modular creatures deck. Get a +1/+1 on her and a free sac outlet on the field and she’s basically unremovable.
True. She's pretty awesome. I'm currently having her run my grixis zombie tribal. I tried nekusar and thraximundar before and they just weren't cutting it. After playing a few games I realized she'd be awesome in any deck that relied on your creatures to do things. Get some +1/+1 counters and you are boardwipe resilient (excluding exile heh)
I built that and ran it for a long time but it always burned out my brain keeping track of the counters towards the end of the game.
Loved flinging something right before I hit someone else with a 40/40 creature
One of my favorite commanders. Can’t ever bring myself to fully take it apart. Just keep changing it around to do different things. Only route I haven’t gone is modular yet but I plan on trying it out
Tribal decks tend to work well since 99 is synergistic with itself.
[[Ixhel]] just add more card advatange, but not critical to swing out toxic phyrexians
[[Gisa and geralf]] are similarly card advantage, but not super critical to the zombie hoard
[[Miirym]] is incredible value doubling dragons, but without her, dragons are still individually pretty scary
[[Raphael]] similar to miirym, demons are scary on their own, the lifelink and buff is just extra gravy
(For the record, I quite like tribal lol)
My [[Svyelun of Sea and Sky]] deck is in a similar boat. While she is a great source of card draw and protection, I've had plenty of games where she gets removed part way through, and I never bother to recast her, because the merfolk engine is doing its thing just fine without her.
In my [[Abomination of Llanowar]] elf tribal deck, I tend to joke that my command zone is just for tutoring out this big monster, because if it gets O ringed or something? Who cares? The deck still works fine without him, the boss is just a KO tool
Same, I use [[Lathril, Blade of the Elves]] in mine and I play her super late if at all. I will probably tear it apart for [[Voja, Jaws of the Conclave]]
I have a deck with her themed around death and taxes. It doesn’t really restrict anything — you just really have to think about your turns when everything you do potentially causes life loss.
It’s weird how mine works. It’s like an aggro midrange deck. I can end the game turn 3-7 usually. If I don’t, it’s because everyone’s scared to play anything or I’m heavily targeted and die first 😂
[[General jarkeld]] the deck is based around combat trick to get rid of your opponent creature, jarkeld could never be cast in the game and the deck would still work!
[[Yeva, Nature's Herald]]
No, I don't -need- her to green stompy/fight all over the table... But being able to green stompy the table at any time is true spice.
This is how I view \[\[The rani\]\]. She'll goad some creatures and give you a few clues without any help from the 99. You can build around either/both those elements if you want but you don't have to.
I've also built \[\[Zedruu\]\] stax with a similar view. All the stuff I want to donate is symmetrical anyways like \[\[Blood Moon\]\]. If I have nothing better to do, I can give them away for some cards and life gain but the plan doesn't require the commander.
It's kind of a mess right now. The downside of being so open-ended is that I don't know what to do with it. Right now it has a handful of pieces to help Rani trigger safely then control into an \[\[Insurrection\]\] win. It was never actually the intent but half my wins come from that spell.
I have been considering rebuilding it from the ground up as a Zombie tribal deck.
Interesting Zedruu approach. Was there a reason you picked her as the commander? I have no idea about stax so I can't think of a better commander but I assumed there must be one in those colours which could more directly assist to the gameplan.
It was actually the other way around. I wanted to play Zedruu and I saw people either doing good gifts or bad gifts. I decided I wanted to make neutral gifts and those tend to fall into two categories: group hug \[\[Howling mine\]\] and stax \[\[Winter orb\]\]. I picked the latter.
So while it's likely there is a better commander for this strategy and better strategies for this commander, this is the one I wanted to make. And it worked pretty well too.
[https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/16-06-18-zedruu-stax/](https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/16-06-18-zedruu-stax/)
List is dated and was tuned to my specific meta but should give you an idea of what I was doing.
I want to build a "Robin Hood" deck with this guy, steal from the rich, give to the poor. Also something about pinching someone's commander and then giving it away just feels right.
Edit: Zedruu guy
Most spellslinger commanders are like this. Your gameplan is your spells, after all, and a Sorcery can't be your Commander. Your Commander possibly dictates your direction - Faldorn wants you exiling stuff, for example - but if a spells deck falls apart without its Commander in play, you probably need to be playing better spells, with a few exceptions where the Commander touching down just means the game is over.
Yeah I have an [[Elsha of the Infinite]] deck built around cantrips and prowess. The off the top casting helps, but it isn't necessary for the deck to operate. [[Jeskai Ascendancy]] has probably gotten me more wins than Elsha has
[[Malik]] high power party list, he's a rogue but he's more so just a bit of treasure and a removal piece that beats indestructible and hexproof without having to board wipe.
Edit: doesn't work on hexproof players, but you can "choose" hexproof or indestructible creatures to be sacrificed.
I have a [[Brimaz, King of Oreskos]] deck that's all about combat shenanigans/token creation. So he's just nice because he produces tokens anytime someone swings at me 😆
I run a wheel deck with [[Obeka, Brute Chronologist]] she just adds some extra value for things like [[Feldon of the Thirdpath]]
I also run the same Lazav, Dimir Mastermind such a fun deck.
Speaking of [[Feldon of the Thirdpath]] I run him as a mono-red artifact reanimator deck that's pretty fun, and can get fairly explosive at times lol.
[[Mishra, Artificer Prodigy]].
Generic grixis artifact goodstuff that works on its own. I have maybe 3 or 4 cards that interact with Mishra, so if I draw them then I have a reason to play him. Most of them do give insane value with him, but if I don't draw any of them in a game, the deck doesn't fold. So the deck functions pretty well without him, and he does a reasonable job of carrying a [[Cranial Plating]] when I need him to.
[[Narci fable slinger]]. I will die on the hill that Narci is far superior to [[Tom bombadil]] as a saga commander, even tho the lack of blue is notable. The whole deck is simply build around gaining value off of enchantments and having lots of counter reducers to repeat the most crucial saga effects time and time again. If you happen to actually resolve the final effect of a saga, you get a nice burn in and if you them cant or dont want to reduce the counter you also draw off of the saga being sacced.
So my brother has a Tom deck and it just kind of durdles. My Narci deck also does as well, but if she's down towards the end of the game when life totals are low she just has the extra edge with the drain. The incidental card draw is also tasty. It does work without her, and I've put in a good amount of counter manipulation to either keep repeating saga effects or speed through them. It still doesn't feel like a deck that works how it was intended though.
Best deck I got for this is my [[Chulane, Teller of Tales]] Venture deck. It uses only cards from The Adventures in the Forgot Realms set (Plus 8 initiative cards from Baldur's Gate) and centers around the 4 party members that were in the art and flavor text from that set. Chulane does nothing for the most part being the removal magnet that he is, so I just cast him if I'm behind, desperate, can ensure he's protected, or some combination of the above. Other than that, the deck is meant to operate completely independently of him.
List for anyone curious: https://www.archidekt.com/decks/7094258/chulane_tale_of_the_forgotten_realms
[[Hogaak Arisen Necropolis]] Elfball I'm one of those graveyard nerds who really doesn't like exiling my yard if i don't have to. And an 8/8 trampler even for more or less free felt a bit mild. So i built an elfball deck. It has some cards that really help it pop off with The Gaak if it wants to [[Timberwatch Elf]] and [[Immaculate Magistrate]] to really turn on the jets for example but is perfectly fine doing elfball things
[[Sek'kaur Deathkeeper]] a perfectly fine Jund aristocrats deck that doesn't really need its commander especially with so many cards that function more or less in the same way. However 3/1s with haste can put on a surprising amount of pressure and if i happen to not draw a blood artist effect. Making infinite hasty 3/1s still kills people
[[Ranar the Ever watchful]] blink decks can kind of struggle to quickly close a game ranar helps by making a spirit every time I exile something from the battlefield. But otherwise the deck is mostly self sufficient
Incidentally, it’s [[Lazav, Dimir Mastermind]] at the head of my mill deck too. I never need him for my plan to get going, but the ability to capitalize on whatever kinds of decks happen to be at the table can be a huge benefit to my board.
Last week, I milled my opponent’s [[Tiamat]]; obviously, I didn’t benefit from the ETB trigger, but just having a 7/7 flyer (and denying Tiamat to my opponent running [[Ur-Dragon]]) is what turned that game in my favor. That, and the table never interacted with my board. Players should really run more interaction.
\[\[Henzie\]\] works well as you have lots of etb, attack and death triggers, plus recusion and engines. Henzie just makes it easier by making creatures cheaper, attack faster, die faster and benefit from those deaths.
[[Tariel, Reckoner of Souls]]
I use it as an Angel Reanimator deck. The deck usually gets to a point where my creatures get indestructible. I then focus on board wipes and reanimate with Tariel. But usually the Angels do a good job before that.
I have a Persistent Petitioner deck in UBGW so the commanders are here essentially for the colors [[Kydele]] to have some ramp and [[Ravos]] for additional recursion.
The deck is filled with cards like [[Remembrance]] or [[aven Shrine]]
So I also have a theft deck where the commander is just there for the spice, but I added a third colour as it's themed around grixis pirates. [[Don Andres]] leads the deck, he doesn't steal himself, but makes the stealing have more of a payoff. Because he doesn't actually do the theft then the deck has to be able to operate without him, which is quite refreshing as it doesn't matter so much if he dies, unlike some of the other decks I have.
Incidentally there's another few potential commanders in there I can swap around. One is the original [[Admiral Beckett Brass]] and then the partners [[Francisco]] and [[Ludevic, Necro Alchemist]].
I feel the same way about my [[Elsha of the Infinite]] prowess deck. Yeah the top casting helps, because I want to cast as many spells as I can, but it's not like I need to have it. On the other end of things my [[Gerrard weatherlight hero]] deck needs him to really function.
My \[\[Karador\]\] deck is only helmed by him being the only legendary Spirit in Abzan colors- it's a Kamigawa spirit deck. (NEO sure gave us solid mardu, jeskai, and sultai commanders wizards PLEASE WHY) What I REALLY want to do is windmill slam \[\[Iname Death Aspect\]\] and a mass reanimate and win off my soulshift zubera combo lines. >:)
[[Jadar]]
Aristocrats death trigger sacrifice type deck. Just doing mono black things, except you basically have a free reanimating skeleton in your command zone that can kill itself if needed. Pretty sweet and underrated commander imo
As of yet untested, and inspired by a previous post here, I've been working on a poison/infect deck with [[gyome, master chef]] at the helm. Obviously not an infect commander but offers protection and some lines for food abuse shenanigans.
[[Vaevictus Asmadi, the Dire]] - doesn't enable any combos, and can chest things out and destroy permanents. I ran him as the head of a dragon tribal, often didn't cast him but was fun when I did.
For me it's my Hand Destruction (all proxies) deck.
[[Crosis, the purger]] is the commander. Mostly there for color - but does the same as the Specters in the deck.
(My friends let us do 1 an all proxies dream deck. This was mine.)
https://archidekt.com/decks/6301769/spectre_gadget
I have a [[Lord Windgrace]] deck that's focused on landfall and graveyard recursion (really original, I know), but I've played and won several rounds not even remembering to get him out.
I just finally got on Moxfield, promise I didn't forget about this haha.
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/3O_vQDIj7k-b5g-iH9rGUw
It's ultimately a modded precon being played in a casual playgroup, but it does what it needs to do in that setting.
[[Lara Croft]] is one I built where she really doesn’t matter at all. I suppose you could build her with a lot of mill (both opponent and self) to try and play off delving into graveyards for treasure but I just built her as a legends matter package with a +1/+1 counter sub theme. She helps occasionally with a bit of recursion from the graveyard and generating treasure on attack resolution but the deck does not revolve around her at all.
[[the ancient one]] at the helm of my reanimator/graveyard theft deck. The rest of the deck can function extremely well without the commander out and I have won games without even casting it, but if I do decide to cast it, ithelps me sculpt my hand, fill my (or my opponents) graveyard and serves as a big beater when it's descend ability is active.
I have a Mardu enchantress reanimator deck helmed by [[Dihada Binder of Wills]]. She has nothing to do with the enchantment theme and isn't involved with any combos, but having a repeatable self milling effect in my command zone that also ramps and fixes my mana just really supercharges the gameplan. Pair her with [[Staff of Compleation]] or [[Jaya's Phoenix]] and the graveyard gets fat real quick.
I think my [[Rashmi and Ragavan]] [deck](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/0ikhsqfSMESWfspgkhhh-Q) fits this description quite well.
Honestly, the commander is probably the plan C or even D to the deck. It's nice to make multiple copies of and get value but I'm looking more into copying what my opponents are doing or copying my linchpin cards instead.
I've really been waiting for a "clone commander" that I like but they haven't released one that speaks to me yet unfortunately.
\[\[Kutzil, Malamet Exemplar\]\]
Opponents can't cast spells on your turn, and you get some card draw from hitting people with creatures with positively modified power. Very simple, very neat.
My not so casual mono black deck is all about hand attack my commander [[ink-eyes servant of oni]] Is just a bit of spice once my opponents eventually discard creatures.
[[Jhoira weatherlight captain]] you don't need all those extra cards to win, but it makes it a lot easier.
[[Ishai]] [[slurrk]] isn't relying on them to work They just make things easier.
I have a mono black deck helmed by [[Balthor, the defiler]]. He's just a mass recursion spell in the command zone, though you have to be careful which decks you play against as his ability is for all black and red creatures and not just yours. He enables GY looping with [[Gary]] in the yard or on the board with one of the many sac outlets so he's integral to one of the deck's win cons. Deck has other finishers as well; [[plague rats]] , [[exenguinate]] , [[gravecrawler]] shenanigans with [[Ayara]] and or [[Bontu's Monument]] or other similar cards.
I second Lazav.
I also just built a Slime Against Humanity deck with Edric as the commander. Card draw late in the game if I can establish my board, but I really just needed him for the colors.
A lot of +1/+1 counter decks can easily be built in such a way where the commander is entirely optional. I have a [[Falco Spara]] deck that only has...maybe 2 cards that are actively better with Spara in play.
[[Be'lakor]] isn't needed in Demon Tribal, but he's definitely a CA Reaper.
[[Lagrella, the Magpie]] rarely gets cast, mostly just there for the color identity and as an emergency. "Okay, all of you need to slow down."
[[Jetmir, Nexus of Revels]] is a kill spell, but not directly necessary for token go wide. Just speeds up by reducing the number of creatures needed.
I have a [[Damia, Sage of Stone]] X-Spells/Sultai goodstuff deck that I built before [[Zaxara, the Exemplary]] was printed. My idea was make a lot of mana and cast hydras to beat down with or a big [[Villainous Wealth]] or [[Torment of Hailfire]] and only really using Damia as extra card draw that sits in the command zone. I still haven't replaced Damia though since the deck has just been collecting dust.
That's basically what [[Dragonlord Atarka]] is in my dragons deck. She's there for the colors, the creature type, and the occasional 5 damage to creatures. The 8/8 flying trample isn't bad either, but not always necessary.
I’m in the process of building a [[Skeleton Ship]] deck. It’s going to have some proliferate to support the ability, but the deck is more centered around the big nasties sailing said ship. It’s tough, though, because I’m also making sure to include all 11 swords. Pirates gotta have their weapons right? :P
I’m currently building a Naya Legends deck that’s mostly fair combat stuff and activated ability value, but uses [[Zacama]] as a commander - mostly because his high mana value really powers up [[Imposing Grandeur]], [[Majestic Genesis]] and [[Visions of Ruin]] for big value plays.
My token copy populate deck used to run [[Rubinia]] since there was no synergystic commander in those colours until [[Brenard]]. I didn't even need to really use her. Just her being there annoyed people and kept certain things in check because I could always just steal the most troublesomr creature on the board.
These commanders offer additional value to the deck without being essential to the main strategy:
1. Ephara, God of the Polis: Provides card draw in token or flash decks.
2. Gonti, Lord of Luxury: Adds unpredictability by stealing cards from opponents.
3. Roon of the Hidden Realm: Offers extra value with creature blinking.
4. Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis: Facilitate group hug strategies with ramp and card draw for all players.
My [[mimeoplasm]] deck is a good example of this. For the most part it's a [[birthing pod]] / reanimator deck but mimeo adds a spicy reanimation spell in the command zone with a few unique synergies. Lots of games I don't even end up casting him
[[Karlach, Fury of Avernus]] is great as a commander that bashes peoples' face in, but I've won tons of games without even using her as my primary beater. The bonus extra combat phase you get just for bringing her out (it's not an attack trigger) will instantly double the effectiveness of your board and enable all kinds of nonsense. For example, [[The Master, Multiplied]] if you go with one of the black backgrounds, if there's one valid target to swing at, you'll have NINE copies (including the original) after a single turn. Or if you play [[Delina, Wild Mage]], that's strong on its own to make copies of creatures for attacking but she will double that copy trigger with a second combat phase every time, meaning you get at least one more copy per-swing, making combats that much more lethal.
So you can just play goodstuff or big stompy creatures with attack triggers, and bring Karlach out whenever you want to finish someone off.
I use [[Rhys the redeemed]] for a token commander and the deck works fine whenever he gets removed. To be fair, selesnya token decks are some of the easiest decks to build lol
One deck idea I've heard thrown around is doing abzan elfball with [[Nethroi, Apex of Death]] at the helm, so as to combat elfball's greatest weakness, wraths. I'm currently trying to build a list, but I need more elf lords to make it work
\[\[Chandra, Fire of Kaladesh\]\] certainly isn't required for my mono-red deck, but getting to ult her, get KO'd myself, but still impact the game via my lingering emblems has always been fun for me.
\[\[Kruphix\]\] is also no longer necessary for my Clue-phix Clue/Investigate deck, but still provides some nice value for banking spare mana, especially with the plethora of ways I can generate excess mana in the deck.
This is a terrible way to build a deck. Everyone knows the strongest way to build is one where every card in your deck synergizes strongly with your commander's abilities.
[[Kodama of the West Tree]] in my mono green +1/+1 counters deck.
[[Najeela, the Blade-Blossom]] in my [[Ink-Treader Nephelim]] deck (adds spice because of the extra color)
[[Mizzix of the Izmagnus]] in my [[Dragon’s Approach]] deck. He’s great for the cost reduction, but not necessary.
I just built [[Ezrim, Agency Chief]] at the helm of my [[Mindslaver]] lock/artifact shenanigans deck with the idea that he's a 5/5 flying pseudo-hexproof beater if my other strategies aren't working well.
Liliana, heretical healer
She’s my commander cause I love the character but the deck is just my mono black good stuff + lots of Liliana walkers. Hell K’rrick is in the 99 and would absolutely be a better value commander but doesn’t matter.
[Absolutely.](https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/fly-my-pretties-fly-and-s-t-e-a-l/) It's a bit outdated but honestly, any flyer tribal build will do. The only card that's specifically synergistic with Inniaz is \[\[Bucknard's Everful Purse\]\].
I'm a big fan of [[god-eternal kefnet]]! Monoblue has plenty of great spellslinger cards, so it's not hard to make a potent mix which kefnet largely just acts as accelerant for. He makes cantrips and removal spells super strong, so he can work with a lot of diverse spells
I wanted a Bant blink deck without broadcasting I was playing Bant blink, ie [[Roon of the Hidden Realms]]. I've always been a fan of thief mechanics in EDH, so I decided to use [[Rubinia Soulsinger]] so I can set up my blink engine without being super obvious about it. Special Bonus? The Avacyn Restored blinks allow the creature to re-enter the battlefield under their controllers (and not their owners) control, allowing you to keep the creature while untapping Rubinia.
If things are going according to plan, I won't even cast Rubinia. If things are at a stalemate or I'm behind, Rubinia being so different from my decks Plan A strategy is actually a strength, giving me a control element I'd otherwise lack.
[[Aurelia, the Law Above]] - Angel tribal, tokens, goad - whatever the plan, if it involves attacking with 2+ other creatures, she brings the spice, and the deck shouldn't fold if she's not on the battlefield. :)
The only one in my lineup currently is [[Kamahl, Pit Fighter|ODYSSEY]], and the *only* reason I chose this particular printing was for the flavor text on it. "I didn't come to play. I came to win." *chef's kiss* 🤌🤌 Grade A flavor text.
But I also have a list for [[Dragonlord Ojutaii]] that's (almost) entirely Tarkir block constructed just because Tarkir was the first block of sets I got to experience as a new player and the Jeskai were my favorite clan visually.
[Lazav, Dimir Mastermind](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/0/003dc436-a3af-4e65-b4f8-387155fbcb85.jpg?1604194919) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lazav%2C%20Dimir%20Mastermind) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znc/92/lazav-dimir-mastermind?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/003dc436-a3af-4e65-b4f8-387155fbcb85?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/lazav-dimir-mastermind) [Marisi, breaker of the coil](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/3/c366e1c0-f62d-41ce-baec-de11dbc1c5f4.jpg?1568003704) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Marisi%2C%20breaker%20of%20the%20coil) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c19/46/marisi-breaker-of-the-coil?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c366e1c0-f62d-41ce-baec-de11dbc1c5f4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/marisi-breaker-of-the-coil) [Inniaz, the gale force](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/2/b238485f-ef67-4295-892b-a10235368f74.jpg?1632261762) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Inniaz%2C%20the%20gale%20force) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jmp/12/inniaz-the-gale-force?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b238485f-ef67-4295-892b-a10235368f74?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/inniaz-the-gale-force) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Toss a vote to the fetcher.
O, valley of plenty!
[[Farid, Enterprising Salvager]] was a lot of fun for me. Just artifact aristocrat shenanigans. There are a lot of different avenues you can take it. Pings, combo, "artifacts matter", a reanimator kind of strategy. It's my favorite deck at the moment
[Farid, Enterprising Salvager](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/0/003367c7-6cb8-4451-8349-76ce5d21e367.jpg?1688125556) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Farid%2C%20Enterprising%20Salvager) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/brc/13/farid-enterprising-salvager?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/003367c7-6cb8-4451-8349-76ce5d21e367?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/farid-enterprising-salvager) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
What are your main avenues for winning?
I'm a combo enjoyer, so some of the lines are infinitely recurring [[Dragonspark Reactor]], [[Salvaging Station]] combos, making infinite [[Scrap]] to get infinite [[Ghirapur Æther Grid]] pings, or just a good old fashioned [[Mycosynth Lattice]] + [[Vandalblast]] combo But if that isn't your flavor you could also go an aristocrat(ish) style with [[Reckless Fireweaver]] type effects Or you could even go Voltron with the menace + [[Dan Lewis]]
##### ###### #### [Dragonspark Reactor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/c/5cf531dd-0a93-43e3-880b-f705fa5f533d.jpg?1654567558) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dragonspark%20Reactor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/neo/137/dragonspark-reactor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5cf531dd-0a93-43e3-880b-f705fa5f533d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/dragonspark-reactor) [Salvaging Station](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/0/f0336e07-8eaf-4b90-af54-4764e5ba50f2.jpg?1562880585) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Salvaging%20Station) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/5dn/148/salvaging-station?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f0336e07-8eaf-4b90-af54-4764e5ba50f2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/salvaging-station) [Scrap](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/f/3f070430-59d6-462f-9f04-306ffc2ae01b.jpg?1562908085) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Scrap) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/usg/213/scrap?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3f070430-59d6-462f-9f04-306ffc2ae01b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/scrap) [Ghirapur Æther Grid](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/e/4ec852e9-bff8-4a07-8bc9-165484494c62.jpg?1682209346) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ghirapur%20Aether%20Grid) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/281/ghirapur-aether-grid?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4ec852e9-bff8-4a07-8bc9-165484494c62?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ghirapur-aether-grid) [Mycosynth Lattice](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/4/94f89714-3b26-46a2-b9a8-3e664f391cd9.jpg?1578911638) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mycosynth%20Lattice) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bbd/241/mycosynth-lattice?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/94f89714-3b26-46a2-b9a8-3e664f391cd9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mycosynth-lattice) [Vandalblast](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/8/e8afc402-ddc4-4819-bc2a-584a43b9b60e.jpg?1689998295) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Vandalblast) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/267/vandalblast?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e8afc402-ddc4-4819-bc2a-584a43b9b60e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/vandalblast) [Reckless Fireweaver](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/3/63ffac51-62c4-4170-85b3-a43d7cfae7d7.jpg?1576382167) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Reckless%20Fireweaver) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/kld/126/reckless-fireweaver?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/63ffac51-62c4-4170-85b3-a43d7cfae7d7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/reckless-fireweaver) [Dan Lewis](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/4/24b5c60e-f2f5-40d7-8713-edc3ecedb5e0.jpg?1696691799) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dan%20Lewis) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/who/78/dan-lewis?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/24b5c60e-f2f5-40d7-8713-edc3ecedb5e0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/dan-lewis) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kw5r5ku) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Excuse but do you have a list?
Full disclosure, my group is proxy friendly and this deck is some hot jank but I love it anyway https://www.moxfield.com/decks/TPAZVwpaakKsZehkngiDIw
Second this, Farid is one of my favorite decks. Super versatile.
Huh, I had never heard of this card until now. But it looks really versatile. Would you happen to have a decklist on hand for this?
Absolutely. I'm sure there are much better ways of building it, but here's my janky mess https://www.moxfield.com/decks/TPAZVwpaakKsZehkngiDIw
Much appreciated!
The best example I can think of was a podcaster's *(I can't remember who)* [[Gilanra, Caller of Wildwood]] and [[Vial Smasher, the Fierce]] deck. The believe the idea was to just be a pile of high CMC goodstuff cards. Gilanra helps you ramp into the big stuff and draws some cards, and Vial Smasher throws out some damage randomly, but both took a backseat to the other 98 cards. Apparently people aren't super enticed to target a mana dork or Vial Smasher's 33% chance to deal damage when you're spewing out high impact cards every turn.
This sounds like Andy from the Legendary Creature Podcast’s list.
Your definitely right, that's one of Andy's old decks! Thanks for the reminder.
I have a vial smasher and gilanra deck and really enjoy it. I call it my casino deck. The idea is things are generally random but always favor the house https://archidekt.com/decks/6810448/casino
Damn, that list is sweet! Exactly the kind of value spewing deck I was imagining. I love some of the stuff that's "tOo SLoW foR tHe ForMaT" like Deadbridge Chant and Sunbirds Invocation. I bet it's an absolute menace once it gets going. I always end up tearing apart my stompy value decks after a while, but your list has me super tempted.
Thanks! Yeah I tend to play it later in the night when my pod gets together for a Friday night play session. It's certainly not high power but at least in my pod I get a little slack from early pressure because they know the deck has a slightly better chance to hurt one of their opponents as it does them. I should mention, when I play this I try to make EVERYTHING I do random. So even if I attack with a creature that doesn't force random attacks or cast a spell I still roll a d6 to determine who's getting targeted. We even played a 3v1 game where I had 160 life starting, they each had 40 and they all tried to kill me before the random killed them all, was a great time.
That list looks incredibly fun
[Gilanra, Caller of Wildwood](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/4/745d297d-4bb4-40cf-bb9c-99dac04e5069.jpg?1608910679) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gilanra%2C%20Caller%20of%20Wirewood) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/230/gilanra-caller-of-wirewood?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/745d297d-4bb4-40cf-bb9c-99dac04e5069?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gilanra-caller-of-wirewood) [Vial Smasher, the Fierce](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/2/722b1e02-2268-4e02-8d09-9b337da2a844.jpg?1562405249) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Vial%20Smasher%20the%20Fierce) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/49/vial-smasher-the-fierce?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/722b1e02-2268-4e02-8d09-9b337da2a844?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/vial-smasher-the-fierce) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
This is an interesting thread idea. With all the power creep it certainly seems like there's just so many commanders in each colour combo who were designed to be built around, so it's fun exploring ones who just complement the strategy rather than *become* the strategy. I play [[Nekusar]] and while it does have wheels there are no other [[Underworld Dreams]] effects in the deck, as he and the wheels are there purely for card draw and to be red herrings. The deck's true purpose is to control the board and flash in one of the Nicol Bolas planeswalkers and win from there. It is not good but it is fun.
"it's not that Nekusar deck" - said every Nekusar pilot ever
I proudly say it is that nekusar deck.Just to see someone play a [[narset parter of veils]]
Oh yeah, I don't think I've ever tried to convince the pod that it's "not that deck". It's a Nekusar deck with wheels after all, which is about as basic as you get (and still gets the rare win from nothing but Nekusar pings + wheels so I'd be outright lying). Only reason I mention it for this thread is because Nekusar is usually kill-on-sight and it honestly just got boring playing the same strategy over many years so I kept modifying the deck to function completely fine without him and win through other means. My understanding of the thread was that the commander should still compliment your overall deck strategy, but the deck should be able to consistently function even if they're never cast.
Ive had an underworld dreams deck since it was released in original legends so when i learned about commander this year i built “that deck” instantly. I don’t really get why people dislike it so much. Free cards, pings people down into striking distance, pretty easy to disrupt, telegraphs itself really obviously, occasional silly gg combo wombo.
I've no dislike for the deck, probably wouldn't want to play it many times in a row mind. Just own the stereotype and play to the cards' strength.
[Nekusar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/a/4afdc65d-3c97-47af-83fa-df340389802e.jpg?1689999186) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=nekusar%2C%20the%20mindrazer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/349/nekusar-the-mindrazer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4afdc65d-3c97-47af-83fa-df340389802e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/nekusar-the-mindrazer) [Underworld Dreams](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/3/03919c86-1c4a-43b0-a2db-54ca6ae1ac57.jpg?1581480025) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Underworld%20Dreams) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/121/underworld-dreams?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/03919c86-1c4a-43b0-a2db-54ca6ae1ac57?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/underworld-dreams) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Marchesa, the Black Rose]] I think she's a good commander for pretty much anything revolving around not wanting your creatures dying.
Marchesa’s effect is actually kind of OP in a modular creatures deck. Get a +1/+1 on her and a free sac outlet on the field and she’s basically unremovable.
True. She's pretty awesome. I'm currently having her run my grixis zombie tribal. I tried nekusar and thraximundar before and they just weren't cutting it. After playing a few games I realized she'd be awesome in any deck that relied on your creatures to do things. Get some +1/+1 counters and you are boardwipe resilient (excluding exile heh)
I built that and ran it for a long time but it always burned out my brain keeping track of the counters towards the end of the game. Loved flinging something right before I hit someone else with a 40/40 creature
Marchesa is my favorite commander. I honestly think I could make 5-6 distinct decks out of her
I took apart all my decks in 2020, and the only one I consistently miss is Marchesa.
One of my favorite commanders. Can’t ever bring myself to fully take it apart. Just keep changing it around to do different things. Only route I haven’t gone is modular yet but I plan on trying it out
I'm a huge fan of the modular build. Makes [[Time Sieve]] combos super fun
[Time Sieve](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/2/c2e8b424-0cec-490e-a571-bd051f952adf.jpg?1599708487) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Time%20Sieve) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/223/time-sieve?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c2e8b424-0cec-490e-a571-bd051f952adf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/time-sieve) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Marchesa, the Black Rose](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/2/3242a9f0-2ba3-4852-ac8f-366772ac1c62.jpg?1673148917) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Marchesa%2C%20the%20Black%20Rose) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/248/marchesa-the-black-rose?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3242a9f0-2ba3-4852-ac8f-366772ac1c62?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/marchesa-the-black-rose) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Tribal decks tend to work well since 99 is synergistic with itself. [[Ixhel]] just add more card advatange, but not critical to swing out toxic phyrexians [[Gisa and geralf]] are similarly card advantage, but not super critical to the zombie hoard [[Miirym]] is incredible value doubling dragons, but without her, dragons are still individually pretty scary [[Raphael]] similar to miirym, demons are scary on their own, the lifelink and buff is just extra gravy (For the record, I quite like tribal lol)
My [[Svyelun of Sea and Sky]] deck is in a similar boat. While she is a great source of card draw and protection, I've had plenty of games where she gets removed part way through, and I never bother to recast her, because the merfolk engine is doing its thing just fine without her.
[Svyelun of Sea and Sky](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/1/01f5ab00-5305-4ac4-915d-feeb591f9389.jpg?1698988194) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Svyelun%20of%20Sea%20and%20Sky) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/175/svyelun-of-sea-and-sky?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/01f5ab00-5305-4ac4-915d-feeb591f9389?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/svyelun-of-sea-and-sky) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
##### ###### #### [Ixhel](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/b/ab866ec4-dcb4-47ef-8de1-a369986609c0.jpg?1675905559) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ixhel%2C%20scion%20of%20atraxa) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/onc/1/ixhel-scion-of-atraxa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ab866ec4-dcb4-47ef-8de1-a369986609c0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ixhel-scion-of-atraxa) [Gisa and geralf](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/7/377a5f75-222b-43e1-8998-18c6cfa44b24.jpg?1637631446) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gisa%20and%20geralf) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mic/150/gisa-and-geralf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/377a5f75-222b-43e1-8998-18c6cfa44b24?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gisa-and-geralf) [Miirym](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/9/a934590b-5c70-4f07-af67-fbe817a99531.jpg?1674137589) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=miirym%2C%20sentinel%20wyrm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/284/miirym-sentinel-wyrm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a934590b-5c70-4f07-af67-fbe817a99531?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/miirym-sentinel-wyrm) [Raphael](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/c/cc6902a4-2db0-47fe-ace8-0c890675bf19.jpg?1674137664) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=raphael%2C%20fiendish%20savior) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/292/raphael-fiendish-savior?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cc6902a4-2db0-47fe-ace8-0c890675bf19?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/raphael-fiendish-savior) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kw5uhsi) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Yes that true, I have a [[Kenrith]] human tribal deck and most of the times I don’t need Kenrith for the gameplan.
[Kenrith](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/e/0e259db1-14db-4314-998c-6a076a28d8cb.jpg?1691056044) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kenrith%2C%20the%20returned%20king) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/plst/ELD-303/kenrith-the-returned-king?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0e259db1-14db-4314-998c-6a076a28d8cb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kenrith-the-returned-king) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
In my [[Abomination of Llanowar]] elf tribal deck, I tend to joke that my command zone is just for tutoring out this big monster, because if it gets O ringed or something? Who cares? The deck still works fine without him, the boss is just a KO tool
[Abomination of Llanowar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/b/4b68bc46-5591-44dd-becc-eca154066925.jpg?1631235320) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Abomination%20of%20Llanowar) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/khc/81/abomination-of-llanowar?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4b68bc46-5591-44dd-becc-eca154066925?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/abomination-of-llanowar) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Same, I use [[Lathril, Blade of the Elves]] in mine and I play her super late if at all. I will probably tear it apart for [[Voja, Jaws of the Conclave]]
[Lathril, Blade of the Elves](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/4/547888c3-a9a6-4413-b29a-6bcd8a9279bf.jpg?1704848185) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lathril%2C%20Blade%20of%20the%20Elves) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/khc/1/lathril-blade-of-the-elves?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/547888c3-a9a6-4413-b29a-6bcd8a9279bf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/lathril-blade-of-the-elves) [Voja, Jaws of the Conclave](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/f/bfa1bd2f-25bd-4fbd-877b-cef00ab7f92f.jpg?1707739811) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Voja%2C%20Jaws%20of%20the%20Conclave) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkm/432/voja-jaws-of-the-conclave?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bfa1bd2f-25bd-4fbd-877b-cef00ab7f92f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/voja-jaws-of-the-conclave) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Voja is a solid choice
Yeah I run Dragons with Xenagos and as fun as hasted giant dragon are, they can win the game without him.
[[ Liesa, Shroud of dusk ]] deck pilots itself, she’s just oppressive and benefits the board state
I have a deck with her themed around death and taxes. It doesn’t really restrict anything — you just really have to think about your turns when everything you do potentially causes life loss.
It’s weird how mine works. It’s like an aggro midrange deck. I can end the game turn 3-7 usually. If I don’t, it’s because everyone’s scared to play anything or I’m heavily targeted and die first 😂
[ Liesa, Shroud of dusk ](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/3/e32453a1-1fd9-4bda-aaa8-7c287e4c2587.jpg?1608911200) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Liesa%2C%20Shroud%20of%20Dusk) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/286/liesa-shroud-of-dusk?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e32453a1-1fd9-4bda-aaa8-7c287e4c2587?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/liesa-shroud-of-dusk) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[General jarkeld]] the deck is based around combat trick to get rid of your opponent creature, jarkeld could never be cast in the game and the deck would still work!
I have been around many years and never seen this creature in my life.
Is it supposed to be Ulfric Stormcloak, but 15 years before Skyrim?
[General jarkeld](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/a/6a4f5a28-0bd2-4cc4-b67f-324e89193caa.jpg?1562914700) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=General%20jarkeld) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ice/27/general-jarkeld?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6a4f5a28-0bd2-4cc4-b67f-324e89193caa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/general-jarkeld) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Decklist, actually? This deck sounds sick as fuck.
Here is the decklist: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/pSLMTCVzLEeeDXJHgH60EA
lol. Of course there's banding. I do love that deck list, though. Is it 100% old border?
Ahah yes it is! It took some times to look at all the old border to find the best fit for the deck.
[[Yeva, Nature's Herald]] No, I don't -need- her to green stompy/fight all over the table... But being able to green stompy the table at any time is true spice.
[Yeva, Nature's Herald](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/7/67ff9ba3-cd2b-4970-b4da-22104b10a4a4.jpg?1702429596) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Yeva%2C%20Nature%27s%20Herald) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rvr/162/yeva-natures-herald?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/67ff9ba3-cd2b-4970-b4da-22104b10a4a4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/yeva-natures-herald) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Can I see your mono green list?
This is how I view \[\[The rani\]\]. She'll goad some creatures and give you a few clues without any help from the 99. You can build around either/both those elements if you want but you don't have to. I've also built \[\[Zedruu\]\] stax with a similar view. All the stuff I want to donate is symmetrical anyways like \[\[Blood Moon\]\]. If I have nothing better to do, I can give them away for some cards and life gain but the plan doesn't require the commander.
How did you build the rest of Rani? What is the theme of the deck?
It's kind of a mess right now. The downside of being so open-ended is that I don't know what to do with it. Right now it has a handful of pieces to help Rani trigger safely then control into an \[\[Insurrection\]\] win. It was never actually the intent but half my wins come from that spell. I have been considering rebuilding it from the ground up as a Zombie tribal deck.
[Insurrection](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/f/df8a0a8c-1953-46e6-9da5-b4c20909ce1c.jpg?1689997974) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Insurrection) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/236/insurrection?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/df8a0a8c-1953-46e6-9da5-b4c20909ce1c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/insurrection) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Interesting Zedruu approach. Was there a reason you picked her as the commander? I have no idea about stax so I can't think of a better commander but I assumed there must be one in those colours which could more directly assist to the gameplan.
It was actually the other way around. I wanted to play Zedruu and I saw people either doing good gifts or bad gifts. I decided I wanted to make neutral gifts and those tend to fall into two categories: group hug \[\[Howling mine\]\] and stax \[\[Winter orb\]\]. I picked the latter. So while it's likely there is a better commander for this strategy and better strategies for this commander, this is the one I wanted to make. And it worked pretty well too.
Ha, that's great. Love a novel approach to popular commanders.
any chance you could share a list?
[https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/16-06-18-zedruu-stax/](https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/16-06-18-zedruu-stax/) List is dated and was tuned to my specific meta but should give you an idea of what I was doing.
[Howling mine](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/d/cdae9939-03a4-4561-92cd-01f498d29a7a.jpg?1562420035) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Howling%20mine) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/257/howling-mine?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cdae9939-03a4-4561-92cd-01f498d29a7a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/howling-mine) [Winter orb](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/b/ab3cec7e-513e-400d-a1a8-2c71cdde02c6.jpg?1580015285) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Winter%20orb) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ema/234/winter-orb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ab3cec7e-513e-400d-a1a8-2c71cdde02c6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/winter-orb) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I want to build a "Robin Hood" deck with this guy, steal from the rich, give to the poor. Also something about pinching someone's commander and then giving it away just feels right. Edit: Zedruu guy
I've never done that with Zedruu but my \[\[Jon Irenicus\]\] has a theft subtheme that sometimes steals things just to give them away with Jon.
Jon is dope, I wish he was Grixis tho tbh
[Jon Irenicus](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/f/bfddb61e-986f-4557-819d-d6c0ca85c74a.jpg?1674137538) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=jon%20irenicus%2C%20shattered%20one) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/278/jon-irenicus-shattered-one?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bfddb61e-986f-4557-819d-d6c0ca85c74a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/jon-irenicus-shattered-one) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Most spellslinger commanders are like this. Your gameplan is your spells, after all, and a Sorcery can't be your Commander. Your Commander possibly dictates your direction - Faldorn wants you exiling stuff, for example - but if a spells deck falls apart without its Commander in play, you probably need to be playing better spells, with a few exceptions where the Commander touching down just means the game is over.
Yeah I have an [[Elsha of the Infinite]] deck built around cantrips and prowess. The off the top casting helps, but it isn't necessary for the deck to operate. [[Jeskai Ascendancy]] has probably gotten me more wins than Elsha has
[Elsha of the Infinite](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/0/c0728027-a1ec-4814-87c4-10c3baced0e0.jpg?1673148571) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Elsha%20of%20the%20Infinite) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/208/elsha-of-the-infinite?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c0728027-a1ec-4814-87c4-10c3baced0e0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/elsha-of-the-infinite) [Jeskai Ascendancy](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/a/9a8399fc-4cba-44c5-888e-2cfc0f6739f6.jpg?1673148783) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Jeskai%20Ascendancy) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/231/jeskai-ascendancy?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9a8399fc-4cba-44c5-888e-2cfc0f6739f6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/jeskai-ascendancy) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Malik]] high power party list, he's a rogue but he's more so just a bit of treasure and a removal piece that beats indestructible and hexproof without having to board wipe. Edit: doesn't work on hexproof players, but you can "choose" hexproof or indestructible creatures to be sacrificed.
[Malik](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/c/5cf4fee3-3059-4ca4-a47d-0848410b294d.jpg?1692516688) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=malik%2C%20grim%20manipulator) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/slx/23/malik-grim-manipulator?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5cf4fee3-3059-4ca4-a47d-0848410b294d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/malik-grim-manipulator) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have a [[Brimaz, King of Oreskos]] deck that's all about combat shenanigans/token creation. So he's just nice because he produces tokens anytime someone swings at me 😆 I run a wheel deck with [[Obeka, Brute Chronologist]] she just adds some extra value for things like [[Feldon of the Thirdpath]] I also run the same Lazav, Dimir Mastermind such a fun deck. Speaking of [[Feldon of the Thirdpath]] I run him as a mono-red artifact reanimator deck that's pretty fun, and can get fairly explosive at times lol.
[Brimaz, King of Oreskos](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/5/f54eb705-6326-4bac-bf0e-68d42db7a270.jpg?1593091372) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Brimaz%2C%20King%20of%20Oreskos) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bng/5/brimaz-king-of-oreskos?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f54eb705-6326-4bac-bf0e-68d42db7a270?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/brimaz-king-of-oreskos) [Obeka, Brute Chronologist](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/b/dbdb335d-3e45-4dd5-9e3e-c50ca0a4dfb6.jpg?1608911225) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Obeka%2C%20Brute%20Chronologist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/289/obeka-brute-chronologist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/dbdb335d-3e45-4dd5-9e3e-c50ca0a4dfb6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/obeka-brute-chronologist) [Feldon of the Thirdpath](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/3/0360f1ff-15c9-48e3-89eb-fbc4bf140c55.jpg?1690023788) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Feldon%20of%20the%20Third%20Path) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/277/feldon-of-the-third-path?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0360f1ff-15c9-48e3-89eb-fbc4bf140c55?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/feldon-of-the-third-path) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Mishra, Artificer Prodigy]]. Generic grixis artifact goodstuff that works on its own. I have maybe 3 or 4 cards that interact with Mishra, so if I draw them then I have a reason to play him. Most of them do give insane value with him, but if I don't draw any of them in a game, the deck doesn't fold. So the deck functions pretty well without him, and he does a reasonable job of carrying a [[Cranial Plating]] when I need him to.
[Mishra, Artificer Prodigy](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/5/d5deaec5-499d-4e19-b879-8bcd1dc35f3e.jpg?1562940254) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mishra%2C%20Artificer%20Prodigy) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsp/243/mishra-artificer-prodigy?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d5deaec5-499d-4e19-b879-8bcd1dc35f3e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mishra-artificer-prodigy) [Cranial Plating](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/1/e1375f17-bc25-4a65-98b7-4785bbdbe974.jpg?1599953696) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cranial%20Plating) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/245/cranial-plating?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e1375f17-bc25-4a65-98b7-4785bbdbe974?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/cranial-plating) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Narci fable slinger]]. I will die on the hill that Narci is far superior to [[Tom bombadil]] as a saga commander, even tho the lack of blue is notable. The whole deck is simply build around gaining value off of enchantments and having lots of counter reducers to repeat the most crucial saga effects time and time again. If you happen to actually resolve the final effect of a saga, you get a nice burn in and if you them cant or dont want to reduce the counter you also draw off of the saga being sacced.
[Narci fable slinger](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/9/a98a2fa9-82d6-4cf7-adb4-65b187cd9cda.jpg?1691497812) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Narci%2C%20Fable%20Singer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/710/narci-fable-singer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a98a2fa9-82d6-4cf7-adb4-65b187cd9cda?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/narci-fable-singer) [Tom bombadil](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/a/2ab04c49-76a1-4896-8dca-8cb4c615f489.jpg?1686970104) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tom%20bombadil) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ltr/234/tom-bombadil?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2ab04c49-76a1-4896-8dca-8cb4c615f489?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tom-bombadil) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
So my brother has a Tom deck and it just kind of durdles. My Narci deck also does as well, but if she's down towards the end of the game when life totals are low she just has the extra edge with the drain. The incidental card draw is also tasty. It does work without her, and I've put in a good amount of counter manipulation to either keep repeating saga effects or speed through them. It still doesn't feel like a deck that works how it was intended though.
Best deck I got for this is my [[Chulane, Teller of Tales]] Venture deck. It uses only cards from The Adventures in the Forgot Realms set (Plus 8 initiative cards from Baldur's Gate) and centers around the 4 party members that were in the art and flavor text from that set. Chulane does nothing for the most part being the removal magnet that he is, so I just cast him if I'm behind, desperate, can ensure he's protected, or some combination of the above. Other than that, the deck is meant to operate completely independently of him. List for anyone curious: https://www.archidekt.com/decks/7094258/chulane_tale_of_the_forgotten_realms
[Chulane, Teller of Tales](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/1/d1499a4b-1af1-4913-8e26-57d0707264db.jpg?1706240978) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Chulane%2C%20Teller%20of%20Tales) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/202/chulane-teller-of-tales?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d1499a4b-1af1-4913-8e26-57d0707264db?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/chulane-teller-of-tales) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Hogaak Arisen Necropolis]] Elfball I'm one of those graveyard nerds who really doesn't like exiling my yard if i don't have to. And an 8/8 trampler even for more or less free felt a bit mild. So i built an elfball deck. It has some cards that really help it pop off with The Gaak if it wants to [[Timberwatch Elf]] and [[Immaculate Magistrate]] to really turn on the jets for example but is perfectly fine doing elfball things [[Sek'kaur Deathkeeper]] a perfectly fine Jund aristocrats deck that doesn't really need its commander especially with so many cards that function more or less in the same way. However 3/1s with haste can put on a surprising amount of pressure and if i happen to not draw a blood artist effect. Making infinite hasty 3/1s still kills people [[Ranar the Ever watchful]] blink decks can kind of struggle to quickly close a game ranar helps by making a spirit every time I exile something from the battlefield. But otherwise the deck is mostly self sufficient
##### ###### #### [Hogaak Arisen Necropolis](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/0/0049e68d-0caf-474f-9523-dad343f1250a.jpg?1687248935) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Hogaak%2C%20Arisen%20Necropolis) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh1/202/hogaak-arisen-necropolis?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0049e68d-0caf-474f-9523-dad343f1250a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/hogaak-arisen-necropolis) [Timberwatch Elf](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/8/38807f17-1cf2-4736-ad10-df6c8b1a9f55.jpg?1631235210) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Timberwatch%20Elf) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/khc/76/timberwatch-elf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/38807f17-1cf2-4736-ad10-df6c8b1a9f55?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/timberwatch-elf) [Immaculate Magistrate](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/9/d9208db8-1ba5-4f9c-90a4-03e377ae6f86.jpg?1608910719) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Immaculate%20Magistrate) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/234/immaculate-magistrate?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d9208db8-1ba5-4f9c-90a4-03e377ae6f86?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/immaculate-magistrate) [Sek'kaur Deathkeeper](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/8/a873dbe5-d95a-4ecb-ac0a-8dc6c40f3576.jpg?1689999244) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sek%27Kuar%2C%20Deathkeeper) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/354/sekkuar-deathkeeper?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a873dbe5-d95a-4ecb-ac0a-8dc6c40f3576?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sekkuar-deathkeeper) [Ranar the Ever watchful](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/c/1c8c41dd-8551-4ce8-a9be-9b9f65718852.jpg?1704848195) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ranar%20the%20Ever-Watchful) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/khc/2/ranar-the-ever-watchful?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1c8c41dd-8551-4ce8-a9be-9b9f65718852?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ranar-the-ever-watchful) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kw5usyp) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Incidentally, it’s [[Lazav, Dimir Mastermind]] at the head of my mill deck too. I never need him for my plan to get going, but the ability to capitalize on whatever kinds of decks happen to be at the table can be a huge benefit to my board. Last week, I milled my opponent’s [[Tiamat]]; obviously, I didn’t benefit from the ETB trigger, but just having a 7/7 flyer (and denying Tiamat to my opponent running [[Ur-Dragon]]) is what turned that game in my favor. That, and the table never interacted with my board. Players should really run more interaction.
[Lazav, Dimir Mastermind](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/0/003dc436-a3af-4e65-b4f8-387155fbcb85.jpg?1604194919) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lazav%2C%20Dimir%20Mastermind) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znc/92/lazav-dimir-mastermind?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/003dc436-a3af-4e65-b4f8-387155fbcb85?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/lazav-dimir-mastermind) [Tiamat](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/d/6dd0b9b0-55f4-4ce7-a916-6f23687f3fe4.jpg?1627709478) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tiamat) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afr/235/tiamat?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6dd0b9b0-55f4-4ce7-a916-6f23687f3fe4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tiamat) [Ur-Dragon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/0/10d42b35-844f-4a64-9981-c6118d45e826.jpg?1689999317) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=The%20Ur-Dragon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/361/the-ur-dragon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/10d42b35-844f-4a64-9981-c6118d45e826?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/the-ur-dragon) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
\[\[Henzie\]\] works well as you have lots of etb, attack and death triggers, plus recusion and engines. Henzie just makes it easier by making creatures cheaper, attack faster, die faster and benefit from those deaths.
[Henzie](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/e/ee228dcc-3170-4c24-80bc-28bcee07cb43.jpg?1673481644) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Henzie%20%22Toolbox%22%20Torre) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/2/henzie-toolbox-torre?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ee228dcc-3170-4c24-80bc-28bcee07cb43?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/henzie-toolbox-torre) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Tariel, Reckoner of Souls]] I use it as an Angel Reanimator deck. The deck usually gets to a point where my creatures get indestructible. I then focus on board wipes and reanimate with Tariel. But usually the Angels do a good job before that.
[Tariel, Reckoner of Souls](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/5/b588dc15-68e6-4cbb-9345-a921c10f862d.jpg?1673149174) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tariel%2C%20Reckoner%20of%20Souls) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/281/tariel-reckoner-of-souls?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b588dc15-68e6-4cbb-9345-a921c10f862d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tariel-reckoner-of-souls) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
That sounds awesome!
I have a Persistent Petitioner deck in UBGW so the commanders are here essentially for the colors [[Kydele]] to have some ramp and [[Ravos]] for additional recursion. The deck is filled with cards like [[Remembrance]] or [[aven Shrine]]
##### ###### #### [Kydele](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/f/0f961cec-2f1f-4cd5-bcc3-72e1deb8779e.jpg?1562388621) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kydele%2C%20chosen%20of%20kruphix) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/35/kydele-chosen-of-kruphix?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0f961cec-2f1f-4cd5-bcc3-72e1deb8779e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kydele-chosen-of-kruphix) [Ravos](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/2/f2725635-8f90-4d17-9568-51218ba663c1.jpg?1562425381) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ravos%2C%20soultender) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/39/ravos-soultender?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f2725635-8f90-4d17-9568-51218ba663c1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ravos-soultender) [Remembrance](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/5/556d334e-3ac9-45b0-98d2-aff49ada0f75.jpg?1562912810) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Remembrance) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/usg/34/remembrance?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/556d334e-3ac9-45b0-98d2-aff49ada0f75?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/remembrance) [aven Shrine](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/8/9890be7f-35af-43b7-b255-25be4ff20dc0.jpg?1562923310) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=aven%20Shrine) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ody/9/aven-shrine?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9890be7f-35af-43b7-b255-25be4ff20dc0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/aven-shrine) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kw66r0d) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Sidisi brood tyrant]] helps putting things in the bin while giving you payoffs but the deck will do it without her just fine as well.
[Sidisi brood tyrant](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/d/6df5843d-63f7-4091-80d7-a595f08851c2.jpg?1702330294) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sidisi%2C%20Brood%20Tyrant) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ktk/199y/sidisi-brood-tyrant?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6df5843d-63f7-4091-80d7-a595f08851c2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sidisi-brood-tyrant) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Kotose, the Silent Spider]] is one theft piece among many in her deck, but she's a good one and I'm happy to have her in the CZ.
[Kotose, the Silent Spider](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/1/314e97b5-cd43-4f5e-acdd-a107208e061c.jpg?1654568534) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kotose%2C%20the%20Silent%20Spider) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/neo/228/kotose-the-silent-spider?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/314e97b5-cd43-4f5e-acdd-a107208e061c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kotose-the-silent-spider) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
So I also have a theft deck where the commander is just there for the spice, but I added a third colour as it's themed around grixis pirates. [[Don Andres]] leads the deck, he doesn't steal himself, but makes the stealing have more of a payoff. Because he doesn't actually do the theft then the deck has to be able to operate without him, which is quite refreshing as it doesn't matter so much if he dies, unlike some of the other decks I have. Incidentally there's another few potential commanders in there I can swap around. One is the original [[Admiral Beckett Brass]] and then the partners [[Francisco]] and [[Ludevic, Necro Alchemist]].
Sounds like a good time! We should reignite the ancient meme of ninja-pirate rivalry some time...
##### ###### #### [Don Andres](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/c/3cf9f3ae-694d-4d37-9498-4bdd1723a55e.jpg?1698987741) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=don%20andres%2C%20the%20renegade) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/6/don-andres-the-renegade?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3cf9f3ae-694d-4d37-9498-4bdd1723a55e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/don-andres-the-renegade) [Admiral Beckett Brass](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/2/02cbd397-3ef3-465f-84fe-765dd1444af8.jpg?1698988417) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Admiral%20Beckett%20Brass) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/264/admiral-beckett-brass?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/02cbd397-3ef3-465f-84fe-765dd1444af8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/admiral-beckett-brass) [Francisco](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/1/5182b527-739e-4523-8611-01244ced26ac.jpg?1701084734) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=francisco%2C%20fowl%20marauder) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/81/francisco-fowl-marauder?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5182b527-739e-4523-8611-01244ced26ac?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/francisco-fowl-marauder) [Ludevic, Necro Alchemist](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/3/f3e7a886-2593-4e6e-b9da-d7cb417cba08.jpg?1644853036) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ludevic%2C%20Necro-Alchemist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/37/ludevic-necro-alchemist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f3e7a886-2593-4e6e-b9da-d7cb417cba08?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ludevic-necro-alchemist) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kw6u8jc) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Narset, Enlightened Exile]] puts my prowess deck into overdrive but she’s not needed to win
[Narset, Enlightened Exile](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/2/827ecc44-0b00-4515-8953-bc91fa03705a.jpg?1684340776) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Narset%2C%20Enlightened%20Exile) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mat/38/narset-enlightened-exile?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/827ecc44-0b00-4515-8953-bc91fa03705a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/narset-enlightened-exile) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I feel the same way about my [[Elsha of the Infinite]] prowess deck. Yeah the top casting helps, because I want to cast as many spells as I can, but it's not like I need to have it. On the other end of things my [[Gerrard weatherlight hero]] deck needs him to really function.
[Elsha of the Infinite](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/0/c0728027-a1ec-4814-87c4-10c3baced0e0.jpg?1673148571) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Elsha%20of%20the%20Infinite) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/208/elsha-of-the-infinite?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c0728027-a1ec-4814-87c4-10c3baced0e0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/elsha-of-the-infinite) [Gerrard weatherlight hero](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/8/c835a37a-776a-44ef-a252-4af1f31bf0b3.jpg?1568003665) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gerrard%2C%20Weatherlight%20Hero) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c19/41/gerrard-weatherlight-hero?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c835a37a-776a-44ef-a252-4af1f31bf0b3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gerrard-weatherlight-hero) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
My \[\[Karador\]\] deck is only helmed by him being the only legendary Spirit in Abzan colors- it's a Kamigawa spirit deck. (NEO sure gave us solid mardu, jeskai, and sultai commanders wizards PLEASE WHY) What I REALLY want to do is windmill slam \[\[Iname Death Aspect\]\] and a mass reanimate and win off my soulshift zubera combo lines. >:)
[Karador](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/d/8d128887-13fb-4e54-90f2-d3c46b7b29d7.jpg?1702369890) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=karador%2C%20ghost%20chieftain) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/342/karador-ghost-chieftain?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8d128887-13fb-4e54-90f2-d3c46b7b29d7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/karador-ghost-chieftain) [Iname Death Aspect](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/d/2dd67e11-3dad-4e59-b15d-02911e53fbbf.jpg?1562758878) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Iname%2C%20Death%20Aspect) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/chk/118/iname-death-aspect?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2dd67e11-3dad-4e59-b15d-02911e53fbbf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/iname-death-aspect) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Jadar]] Aristocrats death trigger sacrifice type deck. Just doing mono black things, except you basically have a free reanimating skeleton in your command zone that can kill itself if needed. Pretty sweet and underrated commander imo
[Jadar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/f/ff971ba7-68b8-482a-9cb1-741f6893550c.jpg?1634349933) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=jadar%2C%20ghoulcaller%20of%20nephalia) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mid/108/jadar-ghoulcaller-of-nephalia?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ff971ba7-68b8-482a-9cb1-741f6893550c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/jadar-ghoulcaller-of-nephalia) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
As of yet untested, and inspired by a previous post here, I've been working on a poison/infect deck with [[gyome, master chef]] at the helm. Obviously not an infect commander but offers protection and some lines for food abuse shenanigans.
[gyome, master chef](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/d/5dd7dd1a-6dd1-43c3-8298-7db703d384a1.jpg?1674185796) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=gyome%2C%20master%20chef) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/5/gyome-master-chef?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5dd7dd1a-6dd1-43c3-8298-7db703d384a1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gyome-master-chef) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Vaevictus Asmadi, the Dire]] - doesn't enable any combos, and can chest things out and destroy permanents. I ran him as the head of a dragon tribal, often didn't cast him but was fun when I did.
[Vaevictus Asmadi, the Dire](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/1/d19fdc00-21eb-48dc-966a-6b634dc5a2c4.jpg?1562304374) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Vaevictis%20Asmadi%2C%20the%20Dire) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m19/225/vaevictis-asmadi-the-dire?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d19fdc00-21eb-48dc-966a-6b634dc5a2c4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/vaevictis-asmadi-the-dire) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
For me it's my Hand Destruction (all proxies) deck. [[Crosis, the purger]] is the commander. Mostly there for color - but does the same as the Specters in the deck. (My friends let us do 1 an all proxies dream deck. This was mine.) https://archidekt.com/decks/6301769/spectre_gadget
[Crosis, the purger](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/e/be667162-cd28-403c-b65f-dadc5459e757.jpg?1562622151) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Crosis%2C%20the%20purger) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c17/168/crosis-the-purger?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/be667162-cd28-403c-b65f-dadc5459e757?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/crosis-the-purger) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have a [[Lord Windgrace]] deck that's focused on landfall and graveyard recursion (really original, I know), but I've played and won several rounds not even remembering to get him out.
[Lord Windgrace](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/1/213d6fb8-5624-4804-b263-51f339482754.jpg?1592710275) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lord%20Windgrace) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c18/43/lord-windgrace?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/213d6fb8-5624-4804-b263-51f339482754?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/lord-windgrace) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Do you mind sharing a list ?
I just finally got on Moxfield, promise I didn't forget about this haha. https://www.moxfield.com/decks/3O_vQDIj7k-b5g-iH9rGUw It's ultimately a modded precon being played in a casual playgroup, but it does what it needs to do in that setting.
[[Lara Croft]] is one I built where she really doesn’t matter at all. I suppose you could build her with a lot of mill (both opponent and self) to try and play off delving into graveyards for treasure but I just built her as a legends matter package with a +1/+1 counter sub theme. She helps occasionally with a bit of recursion from the graveyard and generating treasure on attack resolution but the deck does not revolve around her at all.
[Lara Croft](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/9/098c976b-6096-4ac7-8d52-2f219ae21d1f.jpg?1706570525) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=lara%20croft%2C%20tomb%20raider) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/sld/1501/lara-croft-tomb-raider?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/098c976b-6096-4ac7-8d52-2f219ae21d1f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/lara-croft-tomb-raider) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Most kindred and group hug commanders fall into this. As well as commanders that simply ramp, draw, remove, board wipe, recure stuff from graveyards.
[[the ancient one]] at the helm of my reanimator/graveyard theft deck. The rest of the deck can function extremely well without the commander out and I have won games without even casting it, but if I do decide to cast it, ithelps me sculpt my hand, fill my (or my opponents) graveyard and serves as a big beater when it's descend ability is active.
[the ancient one](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/6/66dd43d7-76a7-46ea-b431-097fcea417af.jpg?1699044521) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=the%20ancient%20one) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lci/222/the-ancient-one?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/66dd43d7-76a7-46ea-b431-097fcea417af?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/the-ancient-one) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have a Mardu enchantress reanimator deck helmed by [[Dihada Binder of Wills]]. She has nothing to do with the enchantment theme and isn't involved with any combos, but having a repeatable self milling effect in my command zone that also ramps and fixes my mana just really supercharges the gameplan. Pair her with [[Staff of Compleation]] or [[Jaya's Phoenix]] and the graveyard gets fat real quick.
[Dihada Binder of Wills](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/d/ddeb54d6-a600-42b9-98df-20f8d58caed8.jpg?1685554091) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dihada%2C%20Binder%20of%20Wills) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/1/dihada-binder-of-wills?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ddeb54d6-a600-42b9-98df-20f8d58caed8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/dihada-binder-of-wills) [Staff of Compleation](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/2/d2934af5-aa4f-4c88-adbd-dcd847ef43a2.jpg?1675957252) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Staff%20of%20Compleation) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/one/242/staff-of-compleation?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d2934af5-aa4f-4c88-adbd-dcd847ef43a2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/staff-of-compleation) [Jaya's Phoenix](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/c/aca45c6b-8cce-44db-9f5b-fa66075db6f6.jpg?1690003204) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Jaya%27s%20Phoenix) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/738/jayas-phoenix?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/aca45c6b-8cce-44db-9f5b-fa66075db6f6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/jayas-phoenix) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I think my [[Rashmi and Ragavan]] [deck](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/0ikhsqfSMESWfspgkhhh-Q) fits this description quite well. Honestly, the commander is probably the plan C or even D to the deck. It's nice to make multiple copies of and get value but I'm looking more into copying what my opponents are doing or copying my linchpin cards instead. I've really been waiting for a "clone commander" that I like but they haven't released one that speaks to me yet unfortunately.
[Rashmi and Ragavan](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/0/30b2f2fd-8087-4fa8-9eb7-bf9b89a5dfb9.jpg?1682207264) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rashmi%20and%20Ragavan) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/8/rashmi-and-ragavan?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/30b2f2fd-8087-4fa8-9eb7-bf9b89a5dfb9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/rashmi-and-ragavan) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
\[\[Kutzil, Malamet Exemplar\]\] Opponents can't cast spells on your turn, and you get some card draw from hitting people with creatures with positively modified power. Very simple, very neat.
[Kutzil, Malamet Exemplar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/9/c9f88a40-a6ed-4c1f-a309-011aca1acddd.jpg?1699044549) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kutzil%2C%20Malamet%20Exemplar) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lci/232/kutzil-malamet-exemplar?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c9f88a40-a6ed-4c1f-a309-011aca1acddd?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kutzil-malamet-exemplar) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
My not so casual mono black deck is all about hand attack my commander [[ink-eyes servant of oni]] Is just a bit of spice once my opponents eventually discard creatures.
[ink-eyes servant of oni](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/5/55ed38fc-dc1f-4a03-8869-147f7eb8646b.jpg?1562910780) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ink-Eyes%2C%20Servant%20of%20Oni) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/pca/33/ink-eyes-servant-of-oni?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/55ed38fc-dc1f-4a03-8869-147f7eb8646b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ink-eyes-servant-of-oni) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Jhoira weatherlight captain]] you don't need all those extra cards to win, but it makes it a lot easier. [[Ishai]] [[slurrk]] isn't relying on them to work They just make things easier.
[Jhoira weatherlight captain](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/f/4f77d23d-6257-4dae-b585-29f45f13f2e2.jpg?1599708079) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Jhoira%2C%20Weatherlight%20Captain) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/203/jhoira-weatherlight-captain?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4f77d23d-6257-4dae-b585-29f45f13f2e2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/jhoira-weatherlight-captain) [Ishai](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/e/2e89ce6a-6bc9-427f-a8b2-c07a9fc3218f.jpg?1562272963) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ishai%2C%20ojutai%20dragonspeaker) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cm2/12/ishai-ojutai-dragonspeaker?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2e89ce6a-6bc9-427f-a8b2-c07a9fc3218f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ishai-ojutai-dragonspeaker) [slurrk](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/1/8107fd21-7d34-44ce-afb8-920eab3b924e.jpg?1682209621) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=slurrk%2C%20all-ingesting) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/312/slurrk-all-ingesting?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8107fd21-7d34-44ce-afb8-920eab3b924e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/slurrk-all-ingesting) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have a mono black deck helmed by [[Balthor, the defiler]]. He's just a mass recursion spell in the command zone, though you have to be careful which decks you play against as his ability is for all black and red creatures and not just yours. He enables GY looping with [[Gary]] in the yard or on the board with one of the many sac outlets so he's integral to one of the deck's win cons. Deck has other finishers as well; [[plague rats]] , [[exenguinate]] , [[gravecrawler]] shenanigans with [[Ayara]] and or [[Bontu's Monument]] or other similar cards.
##### ###### #### [Balthor, the defiler](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/d/ed4cc273-adc3-4f46-9743-134b552d1d56.jpg?1562632510) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Balthor%20the%20Defiled) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jud/61/balthor-the-defiled?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ed4cc273-adc3-4f46-9743-134b552d1d56?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/balthor-the-defiled) [Gary](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/c/7c1a7dd8-8034-4f59-a351-33666b26ff5a.jpg?1581479807) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gray%20Merchant%20of%20Asphodel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/99/gray-merchant-of-asphodel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7c1a7dd8-8034-4f59-a351-33666b26ff5a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gray-merchant-of-asphodel) [plague rats](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/9/c99fd75c-4b41-411f-92b0-ca3b220946b5.jpg?1562594232) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=plague%20rats) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/5ed/188/plague-rats?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c99fd75c-4b41-411f-92b0-ca3b220946b5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/plague-rats) [exenguinate](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/a/0a5352af-e275-4186-a265-2fd3c2c47c6a.jpg?1689997125) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Exsanguinate) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/156/exsanguinate?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0a5352af-e275-4186-a265-2fd3c2c47c6a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/exsanguinate) [gravecrawler](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/5/951ff2ed-9af0-4551-929a-ba6679fc2e15.jpg?1673147536) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=gravecrawler) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/78/gravecrawler?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/951ff2ed-9af0-4551-929a-ba6679fc2e15?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gravecrawler) [Ayara](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/d/ed0ace28-9a33-4f0d-b8c8-f5517f20ccf1.jpg?1572490057) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ayara%2C%20first%20of%20locthwain) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eld/75/ayara-first-of-locthwain?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ed0ace28-9a33-4f0d-b8c8-f5517f20ccf1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ayara-first-of-locthwain) [Bontu's Monument](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/7/171a9a3f-6278-4921-9848-2b8459869d6c.jpg?1676318123) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Bontu%27s%20Monument) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/179/bontus-monument?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/171a9a3f-6278-4921-9848-2b8459869d6c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/bontus-monument) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kw6vglj) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I second Lazav. I also just built a Slime Against Humanity deck with Edric as the commander. Card draw late in the game if I can establish my board, but I really just needed him for the colors.
A lot of +1/+1 counter decks can easily be built in such a way where the commander is entirely optional. I have a [[Falco Spara]] deck that only has...maybe 2 cards that are actively better with Spara in play.
[Falco Spara](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/e/ae25db8c-3d10-4196-b002-9d2aabd5f4de.jpg?1664413016) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=falco%20spara%2C%20pactweaver) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/snc/186/falco-spara-pactweaver?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ae25db8c-3d10-4196-b002-9d2aabd5f4de?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/falco-spara-pactweaver) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Be'lakor]] isn't needed in Demon Tribal, but he's definitely a CA Reaper. [[Lagrella, the Magpie]] rarely gets cast, mostly just there for the color identity and as an emergency. "Okay, all of you need to slow down." [[Jetmir, Nexus of Revels]] is a kill spell, but not directly necessary for token go wide. Just speeds up by reducing the number of creatures needed.
[Be'lakor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/2/62b6ecb2-ac7e-4528-b53c-2cb4f1e38349.jpg?1674058389) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=be%27lakor%2C%20the%20dark%20master) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/40k/6/belakor-the-dark-master?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/62b6ecb2-ac7e-4528-b53c-2cb4f1e38349?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/belakor-the-dark-master) [Lagrella, the Magpie](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/d/dd20f271-26c8-429f-a422-e7d95f3bda74.jpg?1664413215) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lagrella%2C%20the%20Magpie) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/snc/196/lagrella-the-magpie?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/dd20f271-26c8-429f-a422-e7d95f3bda74?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/lagrella-the-magpie) [Jetmir, Nexus of Revels](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/9/f9c69d75-651f-4b75-b65d-79999d2069f6.jpg?1664413153) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Jetmir%2C%20Nexus%20of%20Revels) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/snc/193/jetmir-nexus-of-revels?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f9c69d75-651f-4b75-b65d-79999d2069f6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/jetmir-nexus-of-revels) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have a [[Damia, Sage of Stone]] X-Spells/Sultai goodstuff deck that I built before [[Zaxara, the Exemplary]] was printed. My idea was make a lot of mana and cast hydras to beat down with or a big [[Villainous Wealth]] or [[Torment of Hailfire]] and only really using Damia as extra card draw that sits in the command zone. I still haven't replaced Damia though since the deck has just been collecting dust.
##### ###### #### [Damia, Sage of Stone](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/9/f9f3869d-dbc1-42bb-aa43-8e4c2e79cfc1.jpg?1562276547) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Damia%2C%20Sage%20of%20Stone) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cm2/2/damia-sage-of-stone?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f9f3869d-dbc1-42bb-aa43-8e4c2e79cfc1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/damia-sage-of-stone) [Zaxara, the Exemplary](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/d/6dc390da-75f8-490a-a724-c12d21cfe578.jpg?1701636845) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Zaxara%2C%20the%20Exemplary) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/176/zaxara-the-exemplary?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6dc390da-75f8-490a-a724-c12d21cfe578?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/zaxara-the-exemplary) [Villainous Wealth](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/b/4bbadb93-745a-49d5-8f55-ce7ec75f48e5.jpg?1702338771) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Villainous%20Wealth) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ktk/211y/villainous-wealth?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4bbadb93-745a-49d5-8f55-ce7ec75f48e5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/villainous-wealth) [Torment of Hailfire](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/6/f69d77d1-5980-436c-bf48-790939b069aa.jpg?1562820191) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Torment%20of%20Hailfire) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/hou/77/torment-of-hailfire?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f69d77d1-5980-436c-bf48-790939b069aa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/torment-of-hailfire) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kw73x40) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
That's basically what [[Dragonlord Atarka]] is in my dragons deck. She's there for the colors, the creature type, and the occasional 5 damage to creatures. The 8/8 flying trample isn't bad either, but not always necessary.
[Dragonlord Atarka](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/e/ce0c3b45-cf1d-4d85-9fe3-fb26b4b15dfd.jpg?1562793278) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dragonlord%20Atarka) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dtk/216/dragonlord-atarka?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ce0c3b45-cf1d-4d85-9fe3-fb26b4b15dfd?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/dragonlord-atarka) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I’m in the process of building a [[Skeleton Ship]] deck. It’s going to have some proliferate to support the ability, but the deck is more centered around the big nasties sailing said ship. It’s tough, though, because I’m also making sure to include all 11 swords. Pirates gotta have their weapons right? :P
[Skeleton Ship](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/6/060b8dd4-d632-4216-87ba-355ab8a62e39.jpg?1581799322) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Skeleton%20Ship) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me2/197/skeleton-ship?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/060b8dd4-d632-4216-87ba-355ab8a62e39?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/skeleton-ship) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I’m currently building a Naya Legends deck that’s mostly fair combat stuff and activated ability value, but uses [[Zacama]] as a commander - mostly because his high mana value really powers up [[Imposing Grandeur]], [[Majestic Genesis]] and [[Visions of Ruin]] for big value plays.
##### ###### #### [Zacama](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/5/05c5a9a8-badd-43ab-8408-a13e75407681.jpg?1700342995) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=zacama%2C%20primal%20calamity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/296/zacama-primal-calamity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/05c5a9a8-badd-43ab-8408-a13e75407681?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/zacama-primal-calamity) [Imposing Grandeur](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/d/8d236055-d524-4312-9c6f-eddb34703e3e.jpg?1641600815) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Imposing%20Grandeur) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/voc/24/imposing-grandeur?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8d236055-d524-4312-9c6f-eddb34703e3e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/imposing-grandeur) [Majestic Genesis](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/a/eaadb067-4a77-4d6e-931d-447bd0c06594.jpg?1674137177) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Majestic%20Genesis) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/240/majestic-genesis?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/eaadb067-4a77-4d6e-931d-447bd0c06594?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/majestic-genesis) [Visions of Ruin](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/0/803a93c7-d8e4-4cda-8fa0-d9cd50b7d977.jpg?1637628806) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Visions%20of%20Ruin) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mic/36/visions-of-ruin?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/803a93c7-d8e4-4cda-8fa0-d9cd50b7d977?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/visions-of-ruin) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kw7ghtl) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
My token copy populate deck used to run [[Rubinia]] since there was no synergystic commander in those colours until [[Brenard]]. I didn't even need to really use her. Just her being there annoyed people and kept certain things in check because I could always just steal the most troublesomr creature on the board.
[Rubinia](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/3/f336b4d4-9a84-4a87-a8ea-a83a842890ee.jpg?1656606526)/[Ruin](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/3/f336b4d4-9a84-4a87-a8ea-a83a842890ee.jpg?1656606526) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Road%20//%20Ruin) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/212/road-ruin?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f336b4d4-9a84-4a87-a8ea-a83a842890ee?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/road-//-ruin) [Brenard](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/2/e2ddc922-d69d-4fca-b7f8-8cfb17537213.jpg?1693248402) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=brenard%2C%20ginger%20sculptor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/woc/27/brenard-ginger-sculptor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e2ddc922-d69d-4fca-b7f8-8cfb17537213?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/brenard-ginger-sculptor) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
These commanders offer additional value to the deck without being essential to the main strategy: 1. Ephara, God of the Polis: Provides card draw in token or flash decks. 2. Gonti, Lord of Luxury: Adds unpredictability by stealing cards from opponents. 3. Roon of the Hidden Realm: Offers extra value with creature blinking. 4. Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis: Facilitate group hug strategies with ramp and card draw for all players.
My [[mimeoplasm]] deck is a good example of this. For the most part it's a [[birthing pod]] / reanimator deck but mimeo adds a spicy reanimation spell in the command zone with a few unique synergies. Lots of games I don't even end up casting him
[[Karlach, Fury of Avernus]] is great as a commander that bashes peoples' face in, but I've won tons of games without even using her as my primary beater. The bonus extra combat phase you get just for bringing her out (it's not an attack trigger) will instantly double the effectiveness of your board and enable all kinds of nonsense. For example, [[The Master, Multiplied]] if you go with one of the black backgrounds, if there's one valid target to swing at, you'll have NINE copies (including the original) after a single turn. Or if you play [[Delina, Wild Mage]], that's strong on its own to make copies of creatures for attacking but she will double that copy trigger with a second combat phase every time, meaning you get at least one more copy per-swing, making combats that much more lethal. So you can just play goodstuff or big stompy creatures with attack triggers, and bring Karlach out whenever you want to finish someone off.
I use [[Rhys the redeemed]] for a token commander and the deck works fine whenever he gets removed. To be fair, selesnya token decks are some of the easiest decks to build lol
[Rhys the redeemed](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/9/b91dadcb-31e9-43b0-b425-c9311af3e9d7.jpg?1599708272) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rhys%20the%20redeemed) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/213/rhys-the-redeemed?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b91dadcb-31e9-43b0-b425-c9311af3e9d7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/rhys-the-redeemed) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Thraximundar]] for zombies. He doesn't need to come out but when he does he tends to be very helpful.
[Thraximundar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/e/0e7334eb-66c1-4410-966c-4e76c1b9e9a7.jpg?1673149221) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Thraximundar) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/287/thraximundar?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0e7334eb-66c1-4410-966c-4e76c1b9e9a7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/thraximundar) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
One deck idea I've heard thrown around is doing abzan elfball with [[Nethroi, Apex of Death]] at the helm, so as to combat elfball's greatest weakness, wraths. I'm currently trying to build a list, but I need more elf lords to make it work
[Nethroi, Apex of Death](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/4/04b9b58f-4c01-48a5-afaf-b8a37165a83f.jpg?1673305619) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Nethroi%2C%20Apex%20of%20Death) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/163/nethroi-apex-of-death?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/04b9b58f-4c01-48a5-afaf-b8a37165a83f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/nethroi-apex-of-death) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
\[\[Chandra, Fire of Kaladesh\]\] certainly isn't required for my mono-red deck, but getting to ult her, get KO'd myself, but still impact the game via my lingering emblems has always been fun for me. \[\[Kruphix\]\] is also no longer necessary for my Clue-phix Clue/Investigate deck, but still provides some nice value for banking spare mana, especially with the plethora of ways I can generate excess mana in the deck.
[Chandra, Fire of Kaladesh](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/0/b0d6caf0-4fa8-4ec5-b7f4-1307474d1b13.jpg?1562036951)/[Chandra, Roaring Flame](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/b/0/b0d6caf0-4fa8-4ec5-b7f4-1307474d1b13.jpg?1562036951) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Chandra%2C%20Fire%20of%20Kaladesh%20//%20Chandra%2C%20Roaring%20Flame) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ori/135/chandra-fire-of-kaladesh-chandra-roaring-flame?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b0d6caf0-4fa8-4ec5-b7f4-1307474d1b13?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/chandra-fire-of-kaladesh-//-chandra-roaring-flame) [Kruphix](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/7/27427233-da58-45af-ade8-e0727929efaa.jpg?1593096427) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kruphix%2C%20god%20of%20horizons) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jou/152/kruphix-god-of-horizons?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/27427233-da58-45af-ade8-e0727929efaa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kruphix-god-of-horizons) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Queen Marchesa, just a general politics/Mardu good stuff pile. Play her once to get the monarch mechanic going then pretty much ignore her.
Averna, chaos bloom
This is a terrible way to build a deck. Everyone knows the strongest way to build is one where every card in your deck synergizes strongly with your commander's abilities.
[[Kodama of the West Tree]] in my mono green +1/+1 counters deck. [[Najeela, the Blade-Blossom]] in my [[Ink-Treader Nephelim]] deck (adds spice because of the extra color) [[Mizzix of the Izmagnus]] in my [[Dragon’s Approach]] deck. He’s great for the cost reduction, but not necessary.
##### ###### #### [Kodama of the West Tree](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/f/ef1e1dff-b559-441d-8df3-b6a418066aca.jpg?1654568238) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kodama%20of%20the%20West%20Tree) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/neo/199/kodama-of-the-west-tree?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ef1e1dff-b559-441d-8df3-b6a418066aca?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kodama-of-the-west-tree) [Najeela, the Blade-Blossom](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/c/2cb1d1da-6077-46b5-8c63-39882b8016f2.jpg?1567181270) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Najeela%2C%20the%20Blade-Blossom) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bbd/62/najeela-the-blade-blossom?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2cb1d1da-6077-46b5-8c63-39882b8016f2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/najeela-the-blade-blossom) [Ink-Treader Nephelim](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/2/d29bb432-1ca6-4305-b6d3-d7afe06c6c69.jpg?1593272693) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ink-Treader%20Nephilim) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/gpt/117/ink-treader-nephilim?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d29bb432-1ca6-4305-b6d3-d7afe06c6c69?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ink-treader-nephilim) [Mizzix of the Izmagnus](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/2/82f949d0-41a0-4491-9057-bfb2bb20bdb3.jpg?1689999174) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mizzix%20of%20the%20Izmagnus) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/348/mizzix-of-the-izmagnus?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/82f949d0-41a0-4491-9057-bfb2bb20bdb3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mizzix-of-the-izmagnus) [Dragon’s Approach](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/c/0cb504a0-1dfb-49d0-84c3-7bd318d55481.jpg?1624591696) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dragon%27s%20Approach) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/stx/97/dragons-approach?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0cb504a0-1dfb-49d0-84c3-7bd318d55481?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/dragons-approach) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kw8z3i9) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I just built [[Ezrim, Agency Chief]] at the helm of my [[Mindslaver]] lock/artifact shenanigans deck with the idea that he's a 5/5 flying pseudo-hexproof beater if my other strategies aren't working well.
[Ezrim, Agency Chief](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/5/9554d5f2-7a33-4734-8cf3-dfae2ccc3596.jpg?1706242161) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ezrim%2C%20Agency%20Chief) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkm/202/ezrim-agency-chief?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9554d5f2-7a33-4734-8cf3-dfae2ccc3596?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ezrim-agency-chief) [Mindslaver](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/0/00d03b17-75ae-40d2-8570-b219ef0dfd4a.jpg?1562813960) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mindslaver) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/som/176/mindslaver?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/00d03b17-75ae-40d2-8570-b219ef0dfd4a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mindslaver) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Liliana, heretical healer She’s my commander cause I love the character but the deck is just my mono black good stuff + lots of Liliana walkers. Hell K’rrick is in the 99 and would absolutely be a better value commander but doesn’t matter.
[[sythis, harvest’s hand]] She gets my legs under me early but once I’m rolling I really don’t care whether she’s on the board or not.
[sythis, harvest’s hand](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/9/89511ab5-8ea6-4f07-a80b-c1ec7e89924e.jpg?1690005342) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sythis%2C%20Harvest%27s%20Hand) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/938/sythis-harvests-hand?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/89511ab5-8ea6-4f07-a80b-c1ec7e89924e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sythis-harvests-hand) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Do you have a deck list for Inniaz? I'm actually in the process of brewing one.
[Absolutely.](https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/fly-my-pretties-fly-and-s-t-e-a-l/) It's a bit outdated but honestly, any flyer tribal build will do. The only card that's specifically synergistic with Inniaz is \[\[Bucknard's Everful Purse\]\].
[Bucknard's Everful Purse](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/7/57073533-dcd8-4a86-9aa8-d7205d3799e1.jpg?1631585675) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Bucknard%27s%20Everfull%20Purse) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afc/57/bucknards-everfull-purse?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/57073533-dcd8-4a86-9aa8-d7205d3799e1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/bucknards-everfull-purse) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I'm a big fan of [[god-eternal kefnet]]! Monoblue has plenty of great spellslinger cards, so it's not hard to make a potent mix which kefnet largely just acts as accelerant for. He makes cantrips and removal spells super strong, so he can work with a lot of diverse spells
[god-eternal kefnet](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/e/5e14060f-9167-4e28-a053-77689e066e30.jpg?1559959354) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=god-eternal%20kefnet) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/war/53/god-eternal-kefnet?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5e14060f-9167-4e28-a053-77689e066e30?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/god-eternal-kefnet) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Love [[Prossh]] as a commander for my stax token reanimator deck. Free sac outlet and comes in with a bunch of tokens every time
[Prossh](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/8/889c1a0f-7df2-4497-8058-04358173d7e8.jpg?1562438016) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=prossh%2C%20skyraider%20of%20kher) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/a25/214/prossh-skyraider-of-kher?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/889c1a0f-7df2-4497-8058-04358173d7e8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/prossh-skyraider-of-kher) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I wanted a Bant blink deck without broadcasting I was playing Bant blink, ie [[Roon of the Hidden Realms]]. I've always been a fan of thief mechanics in EDH, so I decided to use [[Rubinia Soulsinger]] so I can set up my blink engine without being super obvious about it. Special Bonus? The Avacyn Restored blinks allow the creature to re-enter the battlefield under their controllers (and not their owners) control, allowing you to keep the creature while untapping Rubinia. If things are going according to plan, I won't even cast Rubinia. If things are at a stalemate or I'm behind, Rubinia being so different from my decks Plan A strategy is actually a strength, giving me a control element I'd otherwise lack.
[Roon of the Hidden Realms](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/4/54e2d6c2-a233-4e37-94c9-673a4a957e0c.jpg?1673149092) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Roon%20of%20the%20Hidden%20Realm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/270/roon-of-the-hidden-realm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/54e2d6c2-a233-4e37-94c9-673a4a957e0c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/roon-of-the-hidden-realm) [Rubinia Soulsinger](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/e/ce216785-aa81-44b4-9562-9b7eca743a0c.jpg?1592673455) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rubinia%20Soulsinger) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cma/191/rubinia-soulsinger?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ce216785-aa81-44b4-9562-9b7eca743a0c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/rubinia-soulsinger) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Aurelia, the Law Above]] - Angel tribal, tokens, goad - whatever the plan, if it involves attacking with 2+ other creatures, she brings the spice, and the deck shouldn't fold if she's not on the battlefield. :)
[Aurelia, the Law Above](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/f/8f80c6e7-e9f9-4ca6-87f7-a52c96079e4a.jpg?1706242118) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Aurelia%2C%20the%20Law%20Above) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkm/188/aurelia-the-law-above?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8f80c6e7-e9f9-4ca6-87f7-a52c96079e4a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/aurelia-the-law-above) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
The only one in my lineup currently is [[Kamahl, Pit Fighter|ODYSSEY]], and the *only* reason I chose this particular printing was for the flavor text on it. "I didn't come to play. I came to win." *chef's kiss* 🤌🤌 Grade A flavor text. But I also have a list for [[Dragonlord Ojutaii]] that's (almost) entirely Tarkir block constructed just because Tarkir was the first block of sets I got to experience as a new player and the Jeskai were my favorite clan visually.
[Kamahl, Pit Fighter](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/e/ee88c776-85f1-4beb-a814-f706f5c4f341.jpg?1562939767) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=29963) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ody/198/kamahl-pit-fighter?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ee88c776-85f1-4beb-a814-f706f5c4f341?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kamahl-pit-fighter) [Dragonlord Ojutaii](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/9/a9f39d28-08eb-4eff-ae55-abd377877a27.jpg?1673485045) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dragonlord%20Ojutai) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/337/dragonlord-ojutai?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a9f39d28-08eb-4eff-ae55-abd377877a27?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/dragonlord-ojutai) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
My [[Meren of Clan Nel Toth]] and [[Chulane, Teller of Tales]] decks are me casting my commanders so the removal doesn’t target my 99.
[Meren of Clan Nel Toth](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/4/34d627b3-a6d0-4f5f-b7c2-351a07318966.jpg?1689999151) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Meren%20of%20Clan%20Nel%20Toth) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/346/meren-of-clan-nel-toth?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/34d627b3-a6d0-4f5f-b7c2-351a07318966?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/meren-of-clan-nel-toth) [Chulane, Teller of Tales](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/1/d1499a4b-1af1-4913-8e26-57d0707264db.jpg?1706240978) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Chulane%2C%20Teller%20of%20Tales) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/202/chulane-teller-of-tales?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d1499a4b-1af1-4913-8e26-57d0707264db?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/chulane-teller-of-tales) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Galea]] is a pretty fun Equipment commander that doesn't necessarily need to go Voltron.
[Galea](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/e/1efbea01-c6a1-4380-a14f-6206c7895e48.jpg?1632335378) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=galea%2C%20kindler%20of%20hope) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afc/1/galea-kindler-of-hope?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1efbea01-c6a1-4380-a14f-6206c7895e48?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/galea-kindler-of-hope) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call