Ardenn & Rograkh | Upping the Average

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[@jjjjrrrrmmmm123]

Fun fact, Ardenn trigger and helm of the host do work together. Helms wording places a trigger ability at the same time. Allowing you to stack and use the helm, BECAUSE the helm is not giving an ability but doing something itself. It will trigger and fizzle without a creature.

[@shadow29livecom]

Shh. This is how my secret godo cEDH deck plays

[@matthewbesherse7001]

Lol I was literally about to argue with you… but you right.

[@kasualh]

Love this one, Joey! These Boros baddies were the first generals I build from legends and you’ve made some great suggestions and cuts that I really didn’t have the heart to do. Keep ‘em coming!

[@santiagoferreiro351]

The only things I love more than the great content of the cast, are the puns. So good puns.

[@nik700]

Since Puresteel Paladin is in the list, and in the same vein as Bludgeon Brawl and Arterial Alchemy, I have to shoutout Toggo (Boros Tatyova!)

[@santuli_91]

I have a Toggo and Ardenn landfall/equipment deck and every time I have Puresteel Paladin out I feel so powerful

[@christophercabral3196]

Amazing Suggestions! Out of all the EDHREC content, these Upping the Average videos are my absolute favorite! Thank you for putting the time and careful consideration for these card choices! I am currently struggling making my Delina, Wild Mage deck work. Would you mind doing her sometime in the future? Thanks in advance!

[@MrPinkpanzer]

Thanks for the content! I strongly disagree with the cut of sigarda's aid. That's like not wanting more graveyard reanimation in a meren deck because meren is already doing it. A) the redundancy is very useful against removal heavy metas B) if you have both arden and aid out, then you're already in a good position. Being good in 3/4 of game states is better than a card that just helps us when we're ahead or at parity. C) there may be scenarios that come up where equipping to multiple creatures is a more optimal line of play than just dumping everything on one. D) Flash is SO GOOD. You can hold up mana for your equipment as combat tricks, hold up that mana for removal, or protection. For 1-mana, this card does so much to help the deck. That's just my opinion, though. I hope everyone that reads this has a great day.

[@mikeyp266]

I agree, my personal flavor of the deck leans into warrior tribal under the assumption that my commanders will cost a billion mana by turn 5....so when you flash in a haste equipment and load up bruenor you can still win

[@guthc9776]

Sigarda's Aid is still worth the slot IMO. A one W alternative is very good backup if Ardenn gets removed. The flash lets you sneak equip lethal damage before the damage step. It also has a hilarious effect with Bloodforged Battle Axe and double strike. Koll the forgemaster is a pretty funny include if you run Skullclamp too. It becomes a repeatable 1 mana draw 2 with Rograkh.

[@UnreasonableOpinions]

Kaldra Compleat is a pet card of mine, but it's also not something you ever want to hardcast. It's amazing for decks with Godo in them particularly or other tutor-cheats, since more than once I've seen them respond to the Godo ETB by killing it before I can fetch the Helm of the Host and build the instant-kill, and if you pull this instead you still have a strong creature on the board. Bloodforged Battleaxe is also fantastic in any deck that cheats equip costs - you end up swimming in the things.

[@daem0nfaust]

I had that same design of shirt. I loved that shirt. I also love this pairing. It's my only partner commander.

[@dionseannavarrette3400]

I love your untapped videos!! I could take a trip over to the website. But i don’t get interested in a deck till it’s been through you!! Thank you!!!

[@PoopKingg]

Great video, after seeing your take on this style I would love to see one for Zurgo Helmsmasher.

[@raustzeal4212]

Another nice thing about helm of the host is that you can attach it to your opponents stuff with arden and copy their best cards!

[@PilzLanguste]

Oh my goodness! Built this Deck around 3-4 months ago, so stoked to see your take on this! :)

[@bolasevilshade7135]

I've been experimenting with Mantle of the Ancients in some of my equipment/voltron decks. My personal meta has a lot of board wipes, and I find it to be a good draw late game to come back swinging.

[@TheCrazyPlayer]

Also, more of that same kind of pump effect as All That Glitters is awesome (if potentially overkill)!

[@rockandrolljew89]

It's also generally good to have one or two "win out of nowhere" cards in your deck.

[@PhoenixianDragon11]

Godo, Ardenn and Helm of the host do actually work fine together. Since the helm triggers at the beginning of combat also (regardless of whether or not it’s equipped to something) just stack the triggers so Ardenn will resolve first, and then the helm gives you a token copy with haste right away. It’s also effective at copying opponents’ creatures on the fly too.

[@drorian]

yep. always do this to copy my opponent's creatures. (not to combo with godo) in my ardenn nadier deck.

[@tourtchi]

That was my second commander deck! Great to have some advice on it! TY

[@thomaspadilla6965]

Did you hear I was building this? The coincidence is scary

[@jamesking8779]

You just upgraded my Rog/Ardenn deck. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@TheCrazyPlayer]

I’ve been contemplating this deck for a while now, so it’s cool to see you take it on. Also, please, for love of Bob, reprint some of these equipment cards, WotC! (Not just the Swords of X and Y; Sword of the Animist and Bloodforged Battleaxe should *not* be so frelling expensive!)

[@JohnDoe-df7bl]

I'm just gonna say so many people say crush contraband over return to dust but why does nobody talk about Heliod's intervention? It scales to the same value as both of those cards and even beyond.

[@jeremykline6687]

Because it doesn’t work with Sunforger, the legit strongest card in the deck. Trust me, sunforger is ABSURD. I have won more games than I’ve lost with Kediss/Arden, and a few with using sunforgers ability to tutor for Teferi’s protection or other absurd cards (for a mana discount, I might add!)

[@Hexatomb]

Great video, I went a totally different direction with my boros deck. I went Ardenn & Jeska and focused on pirates and mutiny cards, but a got some great inspiration from this video to help me improve my deck. Thanks!

[@SkellyBobRoss]

Akroma's Will on our usually 1 creature Voltron for 4 mana is what feels bad from my perspective.

[@rockandrolljew89]

Unblockable (from pro all colors) and double strike is how people die. The incidental lifegain is really nice too. The potential to have colored equipment fall off is the bigger issue.

[@SkellyBobRoss]

@@rockandrolljew89 I think there are better ways of making them unblockable, but I see what you mean.

[@McThing111]

love this video, wanted to make this deck when they came out but didn't now i wanna do it!!

[@21Kikoshi]

goood find regarding the protection consideration

[@rosskred1160]

Ive been playing this deck a while now and a few additions Id add are loyal apprentice and welcoming vampire. Also Jeska, thrice reborn triples damage for just 3 mana. knight of the white orchid ramps, provides a body to equip late game if needed, also you can search for mistveil plains to keep using sunforger.

[@linkal_8097]

One of my friends plays this deck and figured out that Pacifism works really well with Ardenn. If a bigger threat than that 3/3 on turn 2 you cast against, Ardenn can just switch pacifism over to your opponent's Ulamog!

[@yohnazo]

Nice! I've just put an equipment deck together where I want to be able to swtich out Akiri and Wyleth, seems to work well for both so far. This gives em some thoughts on future optimization though. I do run Arden in the deck and have a copy of Rograkh, so at some point I might give it a spin, but I think I enjoy the card draw on the commander more. I was thinking right until the end of the video 'Aww, he hasn't mentioned Blood Forged Battle-Axe', so I was really happy when you did, I find it really fun.

[@Seven_Swell]

I see you already have Slash the Ranks in there, which is an awesome board wipe in voltron, but I am a big fan of Divine Reckoning, which is similar but has flashback. (Although you can only keep 1 creature) Flashing it back has given me the win against some stubborn decks.

[@connermcclarren5234]

I've had this deck since commander Legends came out, and have been working on it since, and I gotta say, my most unique card in there is likely fractured Loyalty for some wild plays to change the game!

[@jdazzani]

Ohhhh this looks nice!

[@rabidcabbage7230]

even though it's a bit redundant you should add Astor, Bearer of Blades since he helps you draw into gas, and can make some plays with you being able to attach equipments on a moments notice, while not having to wait for your turn. Also he's like 12 cents, but he is four mana

[@Bluejayount1]

Robe. Of. Stars. I hold that it is the single most powerful equipment in voltron/equipment decks. Mantle of the ancients is a powerhouse as well. Both can be acquired cheaply

[@Keyserbjj]

Robe of Stars is amazing

[@derekgunnels4856]

I bought Kaldra Complaet for swag points, but sword of vengeance is honestly just better. Not sure if I should drop my maul of the sky clave or sword of hearth and home from my akiri deck, but you make good points on swords with white protection.

[@alecolson8360]

This is my jank pair, love those silly boiks

[@derekgunnels4856]

I'm lucky I got a shadow spear super cheap before people realized how good it is. Also got a $20 stoneforge mystic.

[@matthewdevey8878]

Nice video

[@poweringdom.1552]

Cutting Sigarda aid is wild even with that reasoning. Sigarda aid is just the one card I couldn't let go

[@dougclendening5896]

It's tough because it would rarely be something you'd dig or tutor for, but it would help lower your mana costs over a game. Kind of feels win-more from that point of view. You don't really want to rely on finding it.

[@Xubrai]

Very impressed with the series, now that I stumbled across it. Would love to see what you would do with Killian, Ink Duelist.

[@arogers279709]

I swear every time I try and look at Goblin Gaveler he is the only card that looks so angry he has motion blur

[@davepyrah1414]

With only 7 none equipment artefacts in the deck is bludgeon brawl really worth it? I know you can make treasure but that's not a main theme of the deck and equipped treasures don't actually do anything without some other card to make them provide a buff...

[@revelmonger]

Do you choose these decks yourself or are they chosen from a poll? Just wondering because I have played almost every deck you've done an upping the average video for and agree with pretty much every change.

[@madscientist2621]

My experience with this deck has taught me that sometimes I can get away with suiting up one my non-commander creatures. I have had rounds where I totally ignored Roggy simply cause I didn't need him and I didn't want to risk him on the battlefield.

[@rockandrolljew89]

Even though its 5 cmc, Bronze Guardian is a busted card to suit up

[@abitofsupport601]

I built this deck and won on turn 2-4 several games in a row. I then promptly deleted this deck from existence because it wasn't fun for my group.

[@ncuco]

You've made boros equipment and boros... Mana rocks. I wanted to make an artifact aggro creature deck. Was thinking between Zabaz, but i rather not focus on modular, so maybe Jor Kadeen (budget!). But I'd like to see ur deck tech in whatever color.

[@wolfgangws]

Considering Equipments are pretty much the most important type in your deck, I would add a Goblin Welder yo the deck and recover colossus Hammer

[@rockandrolljew89]

I question the meta you are playing in where Ardenn lives long enough that you don't need redundant effects like Sigarda's aid. In my experience, it draws a lot of hate very fast.

[@Yontanian]

This is why im keeping it in my list.

[@loorky2126]

Actually the timing of the godo-helm-ardenn combo works totally fine as Helm checks which creature is attatched to it as it resolves and not when it is put on the stack. This means you can put the helm trigger first on the stack to resolve it last and make a copy of godo once ardenn equiped helm to him.

[@ShadWickBrand]

Joey when he sees a Sun Titan 🔪🙎‍♂✂

[@BrodyTwice]

I like kher keep here more than the spires

[@rangodash]

I have to say, the best way to build this is definitely PolyGodo

[@jamisonbebiak7917]

Sigarda's Aid?!?!?!?! You crazy Joey, You Crazy!!!

[@charliepeterson8171]

I use the partner pair of Arden and Jeska, Thrice Reborn. Just punch them for like 40 on turn 4 👍👍👍

[@Nr4747]

If you're playing a lower power and/or more budget friendly version of the deck, I honestly would cut All That Glitters if you're not already running Smothering Tithe. It's a strong card but very all-in, doesn't make your other cards that care about equipment better - and just feels "off" for that reason in an equipment deck, at least to me. Again: I'm not saying the card isn't strong here, just that it feels a little off-theme for me.

[@ethanhammond6259]

A cheaper, reliable form of protection from "x" color is Flickering Ward Its an aura that costs only 1 white mana and has you choose a color as it enters the battlefield. The creature gets protection from the chosen Color But it gets better: for just one white mana, you can return it to your hand at any time So you can play it to get in a good attack, then bounce it and put it on a blocker for cheap It also goes NUTS with enchantresses and creatures like Scram 2 white mana to draw a card? And its a recurrable effect? Yes please 🎶

[@kennethroberts6102]

What do you think of including Inferno of the Star Mounts in equipment decks? With a couple pieces of equipment or one Colossus Hammer, it can be pretty easy to spend a couple red with the ability and do 20 damage to anything.

[@RedCometNurse]

Another video, another request for Elsha of the Infinite for an Upping the Average.

[@KingSkinny-ww2pl]

Amazed there was no mention of Batterskull or Sword of the Animist

[@plant260]

Would love to see tatsunari, toad rider once kamigawa is out!

[@coder159]

You forgot the skullclamp combo. Ardenn can equip cards to enemy creatures, not just your own. You can use skullclamp and something like captain's hook as constant removal and card draw.

[@mfonlyfans]

Will you ever consider revisiting or revising something like this?

[@duodoppelpack]

From personal experience Dowsing Dagger and Burning Anger do a ton of work in this deck and are some cheap includes

[@CapnSnackbeard]

Is there a way to get PDH results from EDHRec?

[@crossr1984]

I have been playing Wyleth since it came out. It is fun, but has started to get repetitive. I was thinking of swapping for these guys, but I don't know, maybe I'm over Boros equipment (never thought I'd say it).

[@tabletopnlock]

Stop sleeping on Hot Soup and Gingerbrute!! I run Jeska and Ardenn in the CZ with the Bomber Man Combo... :)

[@EDHRECast]

Might wanna check out 21:12 ;)

[@ErasmusHereticus]

Really surprised to not see Dowsing Dagger either in the average list or in the additions here. Rograkh's evasion makes flipping it a piece of cake even if you hit the player you gave the tokens to.

[@ingolf82]

I would love to see a "upping the average" on "Vial smashing pirates", which is Malcom, Keen-eyed navigator and Vial smasher the fierce. it sounds like a grixis pirates list that doesn't have Admiral beckett Brass at the helm, but it only plays 13 pirates, where 1 is a changeling. it is actually a Grixis combo deck that combos with Thassa's orachle and demonic consultation as well as Malcom and Glint horn buccaneer. the average deck list still has Hull breacher in it. it is a pirate, so I get that, but its banned, so in it's place I put Admiral Beckett Brass. I think this deck idea is super fun. I would love to see what changes you would make to the list. the list I chose from edhrec was "all", this includes both cheap and expensive cards I assume?

[@anathema9124]

ew

[@shiranui498]

I'm know imagining Rograkh swinging Ardenn around when you turn him into an artifact using liquimetal torque

[@wurdofwizdumb1928]

KEEPER OF THE ACCORD is the most underplayed card in Edh

[@reznorcp4157]

Could you do one with tevesh szat??

[@Fighting_irish493]

I just built this deck basically

[@rabidcabbage7230]

heliods intervention could be good

[@ghast43]

Do Roon of the Hidden Realm!

[@matthewbesherse7001]

So I would like to mention something here. Kalemne, Disciple of Iroas is apparently wrongly accused as a giant tribal deck…. No wonder here deck numbers suck. She is a equipment deck. Those auto-equip-ment make her a powerhouse. An expensive version of her can do 40+ damage to all opponents turn 3. But regardless of the perfect god hand she can easily swing for 12 commander damage turn 3 with zero crack back. Everyone focuses on her experience counter ability… that ability is garbage. Her power comes from vigilance double strike at 4 cmc. One heroes blade makes her do 12 commander damage throw in a o-naginata now we are talking 18 commander damage. The deck above is the only Boros equipment deck that I believe can be as lethal. If you give her life link she becomes impossible to race with damage due to vigilance. So basically. My challenge the stats is; Why are there so many giants in Kalemne decks? Spend 5 mana to give her effectively +2/+1 or spend three mana and give her +6/+0 and trample? If she had green or her ability was an anthem sure but it’s not it’s voltron. My Kalemne deck literally has 3 creature 5+ cmc. They are godo, bandit warlord, archangel Avacyn, and balefire liege.

[@styfen]

Honestly feels like there's just not enough Stax elements in these lists. Considering how cheap the commanders are and the colours they use, not having some stax to slow down everyone else on the board and leverage the advantage further in order to get that commander damage in seems odd. Esper Sentinel is a great stax/card draw option to equip outside of the commanders but I'd like to see more. Ethersworn Cannonist for example is a perfect fit in this deck.

[@sirrzoidberg3771]

Ive seen gameplay of builds like that and what ends up happening is you swing with a weak rograk because you only had stax pieces and also those stax pieces end up hindering more than helping and creates salt. I would pick a few allstars like ethersworn cannonist but keep it to a minimum.

[@spencersonnier1]

Any equipment deck, but especially one that wants to suit up one creature, absolutely NEEDS Trailblazers Boots. Two mana to cast, two mana to equip. It gives the creature Non-Basic Landwalk. It absolutely needs to be in here.

[@GoyfAscetic]

Up Mayael's the Anima's Average please

[@rafikvz]

do mimeoplasm please

[@vicenteiiporciuncula1158]

I currently have decks inspired by this series, please stop! /s Suggesting an Ardenn/Esior deck tech!

[@plain6677]

30 lands? My God, people are so influenced by cedh than they forget their basics for casual decks

[@skullkrusher-dx4kg]

I dont beleive arden targets to begin with.

[@coder159]

Where's Jeska? Also, master warcraft is nuts in this deck. You can use it to 1-shot someone, or you can have a player attack another player with all their creatures, leaving them completely open to your next turn while screwing over another player. Its nuts

[@EDHRECast]

Master Warcraft lets you choose which creatures attack, but it does not let you decide who they attack. Their controller still gets to decide who they will attack.

[@coder159]

@@EDHRECast Thats true, but its not intended as pure removal, more just to open up an attack lane for you (and others I guess). Its also good for redirecting an attack from you to someone else. Would you cut it from your deck?

[@rhys567]

L

[@tourtchi]

Jeska has done some nasty 1-shots for me too, very time efficient!