Alela - Brawl to Commander Upgrade I The Command Zone I Magic: the Gathering EDH

[@draxthemsklonst]

"Esper mages devised their weapons to be so devastating that war seemed unnecessary." Always loved Ethersworn Adjudicator's flavor text.

[@kyzer42]

A.K.A. Why the cold war never broke out.

[@sidneypowelstock6812]

-everyone during the cold war

[@Words-of-encouragement.-.]

I know you guys are busy so I appreciate you taking the time to make this mini series. Thanks guys!

[@JackThrowerofPrinnys]

I was gonna focus more on tribal with an enchantment subtheme. Enchanted evening is too flavorful not to run

[@WolfShadowmancer]

"Ether or Aether?" Either.

[@fingerling1231]

That joke only works if you pronounce "either" with an e sound instead of pronouncing it correctly.

[@williamschaefer1822]

@@fingerling1231 aeiou

[@Tacklepig]

How about running some of the Faerie tribal cards from Lorwyn? Scion of Oona can protect your commander from removal (and pump your tokens), Spellstutter Sprite is basically a hard counter with the amount of faeries you will have. Bitterblossom might also be an interesting inclusion as it's an enchantment, the tokens it puts out get pumped by Alela and her lifelink helps mitigate the life loss

[@AquarialDeloAtlantis]

One card i love with Alela is Ethereal absolution since she also pump the spirit tokens made with the secondary effect, Elesh Norn is also a very interresting finisher

[@driphop414]

Really happy that you guys are offering budget approaches to these decks

[@olafthemoose9413]

5:05 doesn't it create a fearie powerful board presence?

[@acedemon3434]

No

[@C4rrEternal]

That pun was terrible. Good job

[@themusicguy8948]

I appreciate you

[@TheProjectRocket]

Yes finally! This is the one ive been waiting for! Perfect

[@scoffingskeptic]

If Reid's not playing Jund I want my money back.

[@omiboimusic7123]

hahahaha this made me laugh lool. Reid is literally Mr Jund

[@thefrozengoat]

this was my favorite Brawl deck to play on the Arena event, followed closely by Chulane. Looking very forward to picking up both of those.

[@Civera89]

This deck only needs 1 card, and it has beautiful art from Rebecca Guay....

[@Jiilaal95]

Bitter blossom?

[@taquito_sauce]

that's ya boi jesper eisling.

[@GamerdevilPro]

@@taquito_sauce the original artwork is by rebecca guay

[@brynt91]

i just wanted to point out oona could help the token strat while slowing the opponent down

[@jimharris5320]

Alela was my favorite from the Arena games... good to know about the card draw, but blue handles that pretty well

[@ferdithetank7535]

Don't be surprised though your experience in mutiplayer games would be quite opposite of that. These decks were designed for Brawl, not for singleton with commanders. And as I can surely say, aggro-tempo decks like this one have general sturggle in multiplayer formats due to higher life totals, abundance of game-winning threats and lack of late-game card advantage and finishers. Unless you build a some sort of combo in your colors, but IMO you would be better of choosing any other legend to pilot, since Alela provides neither card advantage nor tutoring for combo pieces.

[@jimharris5320]

@@ferdithetank7535 I don't have a multi-player group. My games tend to be 1v1. And I like Esper.

[@brningpyre]

I've really been enjoying the Alela deck I built (I didn't use all that much from the precon, tbh). I kept the power level scaled back for my group, but Alela is still really powerful. You should definitely focus on either artifacts (she's great with Urza, Sword/Thopter, Arcum, and all the other blue artifact Shenanigans), or enchantments (Esper enchantress shell with some anthems and whatnot). Your anthems make tokens, and Gravitational Shift is fantastic, lol.

[@alexandermonas5659]

Love these mini-deck-techs. Thanks guys!

[@carnibucle]

I really love this commander when I saw it so much potential

[@jamiekidd5471]

Something small i think you should be running is Intangible Virtue, goes really well with all the tokens

[@lukestange]

I feel like Intruder Alarm is stupidly good with this in tandem with artifact creatures that tap for mana.

[@BangThatGong]

I am quite frankly bored of artifact decks at this point in time so I think I’m going to go a enchantment faerie tribal mix instead with her

[@Njnetsfan15]

Same, I have a Teysa Karlov token deck that I built around Divine Visitation, I'm going to take out some of the good stuff from that deck and try to focus on enchantments. So much good, cheap removal that will also spawn creatures, and if you can manage to keep divine visitation on the field things are going to get nasty quick.

[@felipebatista649]

I feel like Efficient Construction and Sai would be obvious calls for this deck...

[@dezsomodos1314]

Artifact lands (maybe those obvious staples).

[@emiliozeron5310]

But artifact lands does not trigger Alela effect right?

[@EvanFarshadow]

@@emiliozeron5310 no but it still synergizes to put them in

[@xenosai371]

I think personally I’m going to see if I can make an animated artifact/enchantment deck with her because I feel like that it on theme with Eldraine. Also cause I love Sydri

[@DommyXMommy]

I am unbelievably excited for this game knights. I love the cast for the episode. I also love this commander. Alela is sweet!

[@ValariaxSword]

Sweet take on Alela. I’m more drawn toward the tribal strategies but not against playing some of these sick artifacts as well.

[@The_Hist]

I'm very excited to build this, not as a competitive deck but definatly as a casual one.

[@nicholassalamone770]

If I end up building this deck, I'll probably just go Esper Anthems. Then I won't have to choose between enchantments and artifacts.

[@Tugvar]

I have planned these EXACT cards for my Alela deck like week ago :)

[@kenjiromitsui6803]

Bolas' Citadel + Sensei's Divining Top + Aetherflux Reservoir = Draw your deck, kill everyone with Aetherflux. With Alela on the field you get a ton of faeries.

[@KOkami03]

Yeah, I wanted to note that the Skull Clamp faerie token strategy also doesn't work if you have Grand Architect out since it gives blue creatures +1/+1 also...

[@classymofo1059]

Alright we ALL know what Josh Lee Kwai's favorite card of the deck will be and that's a vedalken.... artificer? wait. Grand Architect? Ahh, for a second there, i thought Vedalken Orrery would steal the spotlight again.

[@williamschaefer1822]

probably the limited budget bumped Orrery out. seems a great fit though for an artifact build.

[@SimonLewis_photography]

These brawl decks have a serious amount of value in them. Good on WOTC to push them hard to get the format more popular. Awesome video guys you are the the best on here!

[@thecreekcrawler]

I am putting together a Knight Tribal for Syr Gwyn! trying to get together some awesome equipment and artifacts! Hopefully, you guys make a video for knights!!

[@darksteelmenace595]

Gonna build a sweet flying tribal deck out of this, Im just sad that I don't have a bitterblossom for it.

[@TheDean33]

Have you ever considered a GameKnights episode where you play these upgraded decks?

[@bradleycox8835]

Just buy singles you'll be better off. This is a red herring if u wand an edh then buy the commander to build. This is standard jank you can build something better and you won't pay 35$ for 57 cards you dont need.

[@hiimreyna]

Alela is $25 and the signet is $25. Thats 2 cards of 58. Smothering tithe is in here too. You can buy it for $40 so I'm confused how the singles are a better deal.

[@bradleycox8835]

@@hiimreyna most shops in my area are selling for 45+tax. Online are similar prices. 1) wotc is printing more which will push the price down. 2) There's likely no chance the new signet won't be in most edh/brawl prouducts from now on. 3) the new collector set 450$ has 16 collector boosters which is a steel vs buying just a box of collectors ed. Adding these to the market will add singles since the brawl exclusive cards are in these boosters. 4) Singles might be better and easier since most lgs are getting only 8-12 decks due to printing qty mistakes by wotc. 5) I understand the value is there(right now) in a very few cards in each deck but given time these will crash after cooling down and reprints/large restocks.

[@sowardsfamily2369]

Bought my deck at Walmart today for 20.98, dont let nerds screw you over.

[@hiimreyna]

@@sowardsfamily2369 Just got Korvold from my LGS for $30 even. Not bad, supported my LGs and got some fun stuff.

[@microdanys]

I really like a lot your videos, thanks to you two, I can think of a lot of strategies and sinergies, you two rock, guys, I respect you a lot, greetings from mexico ;)

[@hellehundt1]

Sai seems like a pretty big include to be a mini alela in the deck with carddraw stapled to him.

[@zacharyblack8743]

Yes artifacts are indeed a more powerful way to play this but she is a faerie warlock so you should make her a curse deck commander it's a beautiful theme

[@ilyaginsburg1888]

I'm a very very old player who was seduced to start Commander by his son and just bought the Faerie Schemes for the card value. My friend has gifted me some old unused cards, and Ertai among them. I've never thought he was going to be playable, but he's obviously very good with Aleia! Thanks a lot, guys! BTW, why didn't you mention Yennett, Cryptic Sovereign? It isn't an artifact, alas, but it provides excellent card draw + potential mana saving, and it doesn't depend on having anything in play. Combined with Mythic Forge, it may trigger the most bizarre combos, as you know what's on top of your library.

[@T3RRY_T3RR0R]

Wanted Ertai for my list, couldn't find one in stock. Certainly the deck that Ertai wants to be played in.

[@Yocar3]

Teshar was the add that I loved for this deck

[@NeoBaldev]

i wanted to make alela as a workshop, there's a lot of 2 drop or less artifact that makes you draw, with the new foundry that makes you play artifact from the top + the last ugin... she can make an army by herself with not much mana.

[@T3RRY_T3RR0R]

So many missed opportunities... I get it, short video, but surely a bit of discussion on how suited Alela is to Voltron or Stax play-styles wouldn't have hurt?

[@valentinfuller415]

I found alela to be the best in 1v1 on arena, i think just because it flies over most things in the other decks and when you get angelic exaltation out alela swings for a buttload of lifelink damage

[@kainariylius392]

So, this is going to be one of my new commanders in a stax deck, with faeries as my kill condition.

[@kylesavage4525]

So next game knights will be brawl game or brawl decks turned commander game? I assume the first one but can anyone confirm it?

[@FelixUchiha]

The commander-fied brawl decks would be cool 😎

[@T3RRY_T3RR0R]

Brawl. The point of it is to promote the Brawl format

[@ohb71303]

Went with a bunch of the cheaper artifacts. Threw me in some 0 drops as well as artifact flying creatures such as baleful strix and signal pest. As well for the heck of it divine visitation.

[@docterfantazmo]

I just gotta have my HOWZIT'S!

[@Asbayen]

I want your shirt, Josh.

[@graxal8076]

YES my mtg crush will be back for game knights!!!

[@PortestdorFlamvoldt]

Reid duke is bae

[@jordancali5931]

Turning a brawl deck into an edh deck? Yes please ;).

[@Andreasws24]

Diplomatic Immunity would be really smart on the commander.

[@josh24214]

Well i can't wait for the Game Knights Episode to cover The Throne Of Eldraine Brawl decks in action.

[@stefanellrodt52]

Love it! Thanks guys

[@raiynen]

etchings of the chosen + skull clamp + grand architect = really efficient card draw though at least. just need to find something to pay for etchings of the chosen.

[@pedramcq]

Yay!! Melissa is coming back!!!

[@EvanFarshadow]

No mention of the other faerie generator, Bitterblossom?

[@ecos889]

My recommended upgrade tidesprout tyrant and two artifacts that cost nothing or replace the mana that replaces it infinite tokens and mana if you can afford the more fancy zero and 1 CMC artifacts then a blood artist and a sac outlet like phyrexian alter or game. Thinking of doing Combo can be budget or Uber expensive depending your choice or cards that go around the tyrant :)

[@ecos889]

@ALFREDO RIVERA-MOJER Stax is also quite fun so lon as you are comfortable with getting groans throughout the table and want to see the world slowly burn into a crisp. Emphasis on the word slowly why not also for extra measure make the world actually burn with Armageddon. ;P

[@ecos889]

@ALFREDO RIVERA-MOJER Hehe thanks tbh I am disappointed that the command zone did not consider this combo it was the first thing that came to my head when I saw this card. :P

[@ecos889]

@ALFREDO RIVERA-MOJER It is fun and still needs set up to pull off. Having a I win switch in a commander deck I find it a good thing. What makes a deck competitive is more along the lines of number of tutors, keeping a low CMC and having a tonne of interaction to protect your win con. Even then though people define their own fun :) Competitive does not really equal boring remember being part of a cedh game where pretty much we had a stack of 25 spells and various effects betweent 3 players it was ridiculous XD it's basically high amounts of interactivity in a small amount of time :)

[@RoxyGotMoxy.]

Also you're in esper colours in a flying and artifacts matter deck... Why did you not include Thopter Sword combo? Or Sai? Or Intangible Virtue/Tempered Steel, or Sydri, Galvanic Genius!

[@timothylaveau]

Definitely think Sai should be auto include in here.

[@DarkSwan01]

Even though his tokens aren't flyers but would Dakos, The returned be good in the deck if one goes in the enchantment route?

[@raydelmartinez2905]

Great upgrade list.

[@jonunciate7018]

etchings of the chosen only makes skull clamp a little worse I mean.... it's a sac outlet... kinda get's the around the bonus to toughness... not a lot of anthems that I know of have a built in sac outlet to you let keep the clamp draw engine going.

[@Jaquan018]

True main problem with the Anthems is they buff out your toughness. And that doesn't exactly go well with both Skullclamp and Massacre Girl who otherwise is pretty powerful board wipe if you have about two or three fairies as her "removal" gets better with each creature you kill. Personally, I'm leaning more towards a mix of Enchantment and artifacts with her since Esper offer some great selection in the former. Especially the Auras that steal xD Plus Estrid's Invocation is just amazing enchantment.

[@jonunciate7018]

I like that the enchantments that support artifacts trigger her ability as well. For me she seems a strict upgrade to my Sai, Master Thopterist deck. He'll be in my version of the deck too.

[@targetdreamer257]

Thanks for these mini-sode

[@commanderpower99]

How do you play politics with Reid Duke? I couldn't say no to the guy

[@tomjames8727]

Reid Duke coming to Game Knights ... oh yeah!

[@Deris76]

Out of curiosity, would you play the seals of __ ? I know they're not artifact, not every spell has to be artifacts. It feel like the white one would be useful. It's disenchant with upside. While I know that disenchant itself isn't powerful enough for EDH, would a synergistic 1/1 flyer added to the spell enough? You can also keep a nice politic/threatening enchantment on the board.

[@Aaron-bb5gi]

Just keep putting pump enchantments out and protection for the commander

[@braudiraudi4609]

What about the Pili Pala Combo for unlimited Mana ?

[@greatestever1965]

Also Skullclamp Nonbos with Architect..

[@benstott9308]

Anointed Procession?

[@DAsrada]

Play Bitterblossom and watch the opponents have "but how does it play against fairies" flashbacks. Include a life gain engine like Soulherder plus Suture Priest and Soul's Attendant to really make the opponents feel like "fuck. this. deck."

[@kassill3786]

Well, I hope you return to this commander someday with more enchantment love...she's a warlock, not an artificer! xD

[@richardmorgan9635]

So go divine intervention revel in riches throne of the emtpy sigil and the newer enchantment creatures

[@eyhtdjjtdhsdhghd7263]

Why no pili-pala? It costs less than a dolar, is an artifact and when paired up with grand architect generates infinite colorless mana.

[@James-uz9se]

Will you make those video’s for all the brawldecks?

[@VampiricGamess]

Urza thopter foundry seems ok for this deck also why not mention the pilla palla with grand architect interaction?

[@chikolama8211]

I put tezzeret, master of metal in the deck

[@pvtpain66k]

Master Transmuter.

[@Narabedla4]

interesting, i thought more of "SPAM O-rings and Anthems and ramp"

[@TheRestlessView]

I think this commander is ok but she definitely is weaker because she wants you to play enchantments and artifacts but has no way to help you replace it or search for your engine. I'd propose a change where you can tap 2 faeries to either scry or draw at least.

[@monomanamaniac]

Memnarch would do good in this deck

[@noniddie]

no mention of vehicles?

[@ecos889]

Called it!

[@James-uz9se]

When will the brawldeck battle video be uploaded?

[@maszkar2087]

Memnarch? Anyone?

[@Words-of-encouragement.-.]

Allmaster gaming Are you kidding? ABSOLUTELY!! That card would go great in this deck!

[@Firelord_Trolldemort]

also I can't wait for the pre-release because I played warlock in wow

[@RatoKingo]

Same with me because warlock on d&d

[@Firelord_Trolldemort]

@@RatoKingo I play warlock on hearthstone as well LOL

[@RatoKingo]

Warlock is best class everywhere

[@whatsupdoc6358]

Ertai 💚

[@itimmy101]

Now will she be available in regular booster packs or is she just exclusive to the brawl decks?

[@RossBox]

Brawl decks and the collector packs

[@itimmy101]

@@RossBox really? I sure hope the brawl decks are less than commander decks seeing they consist of 60 cards only!

[@RossBox]

@@itimmy101 WOTC did already announce a significant reprint will come for brawl decks based on initial demand

[@fknnrd5882]

where'd Josh get his shirt?! i want one!

[@lucasbeer]

2:20

[@nugget4296]

I thought there'd be efficient construction

[@ianjuby8492]

i wait sooooo long for content and its going to be a brawl precon game :(

[@novrdd]

Well at least It was made by Melissa :)

[@ianjuby8492]

@@novrdd yea I'm happy about the guests. Just which we would get COMMANDER content since we have to wait month. The are doing a series on how to make them edh decks....yet the game knights is brawl....?

[@darigazz666]

😭

[@golasticus]

They brought in hall of famers to play precons again. Just... Why?

[@ianjuby8492]

@@golasticus well one of them designed them but still i agree!

[@pathic2449]

what about panaharmonicon

[@maxsiddyyoung2036]

pili-pala with grand architect for infinite mana

[@RoxyGotMoxy.]

My only real gripe with this card besides the fairly unexciting standard 'woo artifacts matter' theme is that she's called "Artful Provocateur" and yet there is nothing in her abilities that seems to indicate any flavour with that. She doesn't control creatures or affect players phases or hands or board states or goad anything or even the Provoke mechanic... what exactly is the 'masterful manipulation' or well known faerie trickery here? It just strikes me as either lazy naming or poor card design depending on which they start with when creating cards.

[@FaytVanguard]

Glad knights is last. If you want to see my Syr Gwyn deck: deckstats.net/decks/114065/1404176-rise-of-syr-gwen-mardu-knights/en. Guessing though Game Knights is next though. So likely seeing their version of Syr Gwyn after it.

[@fenixmeaney6170]

NIGHTHAWK TRIBAL!

[@lgroh880]

Anyone know the store price for these

[@bernardleong2849]

No Vedalken Orrery?!?!?! Where's the real Josh and what have you done to him!!!

[@jacoblloyd2573]

Melissa DeTora is the shit yo.

[@c0ym0nty]

another deck with Vedalken archmage