Best Naya Commander Ever? Baylen The Haymaker cEDH Deck Deck/Tournament Report

[@jcomposer12]

Rocco was my first cedh deck because I love Naya but this commander has me SO excited to jump back into some Cedh. Tokens are my favorite thing ever, so getting to do them competitively is game changing.

[@lulareverso4532]

What do you think about Aura Shards?

[@MrGrovak]

Dualcaster Mage combos (i see those in the sideboard) and some impact tremors effects seem like they could be great in this deck to give you both an extra win con at infinite and another means to generate infinite tokens

[@Frostman1255]

Oh, I've loved baylen myself. Very fun deck. Our lists are actually pretty close, but I opted for a broodscale line instead of Kiki stuff. I've also love bolt bend in the list, baylen turning it on makes it a nice 2nd deflecting swat Also I do think Artifact Mutation in adition to Aura Mutation is pretty worth it. Even just a 2 drop rock turns into a mana for us.

[@the_real_pirozhochek]

Great video - thanks Ian! I am also building Baylen and it was interesting to hear your view on it.

[@fastestdraw]

I'd give a little thought to Kozilek's Command - it has some overlap with your commander's effect and the colourless is gonna be awkward, but exile graveyards/make tokens/ scry for wincon is pretty sweet. My brain is wanting to say currency converter if you're flooding, but artifacts are a liability. My 'dumb wincon time' brain wants to say 'Halo fountain', but same problem.

[@ComedIanMTG]

my only issue with K command is that we really don't have many ways of producing colorless mana so I would expect it to be almost always uncastable

[@jeremyretherford179]

in my Rocco deck i use a reckless fireweaver as a secondary output for dockside loops to get opponents dead. Might be worth looking into if you haven't already.

[@mosey4650]

i use emiel and twinshot sniper as the kill-con for dockside loops > infinite treasures > flicker twinshot. Even works against one ring protection, just flicker as soon as you can on their turn. Unless they have split second, they are dead

[@connorcedh6590]

I had a lot of the same issues closing out the game with Yasharn and only having one tutor and a decent board presence but couldn’t close out games in a timely manner. The best solution I found was craterhoof, especially here with all the tokens it seems not bad. It’s pretty tough to interact with since spot removal doesn’t disrupt it. It’s a single card win condition. And you don’t even need full lethal most of the time. Just kill the 2 players most likely to break free from your stax. It’s also pretty surprising since no one thinks of it as a cEDH wincon.

[@rubensmith776]

The deck 1000% should be on Vivien on the Hunt, it's a one card wincon that can also win through all of your stax pieces. Unlike birthing pod it is also a very very good value engine with it's +1 and the -1 synergies slightly with Baylen. The +2 is also a **may** and so it cannot be oppoed but you can also just +2 it to save it from Kraumbat if you're just setting up a further turn to win. Somewhat paradoxically people are also much less scared of Vivien because it sees so little play and doesn't have the same historical reputation as birthing pod.

[@josephrice4799]

As always I love the content you put out . Here are my two suggestions: 1st rose room treasurer, it's a value piece, a win con and a control piece. 2nd flame scroll celebrant, it a silence effect when you need it and it can sit in play to slow down or stop infinite combos. Good luck at the invitational 😊😊😊😊

[@ComedIanMTG]

flamescroll was in the considering but I'll have to check the first one. Also thanks!

[@josephrice4799]

@@ComedIanMTG whoa you saw my comment this is so awesome 😎

[@heirophantpm]

I've been putting together a list as well and came upon an interesting potential include: Journey On //Kellan, Daring Traveller the overwhelming majority of the time it's the single most token efficient card: one mana for 4 Maps the creature side isn't completely dead either, particularly if you're running more creature based combos; it hits both sides of the Rosie combo, in addition to just helping you dig a little when needed lemme know and I can share my list... I've been tuning it for a bit and have had a lot of great games

[@ComedIanMTG]

@@heirophantpm I had that in my "I don't own this but it's in my sideboard until I get a copy of it" area 😅

[@colesalenbien3452]

I've been a fan of Twinshot Sniper to fill the noncombat win condition roll. IMO it seems like a free inclusion considering the infinate flicker combos already included in the list. The additinal removal on the channel ability makes it less dead when drawn.

[@Ghaespar]

We're pretty actively trying to come up wirh best lists on Discord. So far, all of us are off Kiki lines, but few of us still play Felidar/Nantuko/Cradle for infinite tokens and mana. I use as a win con Shalai and Halar in case I'm out of commander

[@cyrustalksaboutstuff]

I see you felt the same way about kiki that i do, a lot people sing its gospel but its subpar as a card thats not a win con, being able to take 3 dead cards out to increase token and tutor density

[@JonathanMiller-n1t]

Jetmir? He Can end the game fast and give vigilance and that’s nice for convoke effects and dorks/token creatures

[@jcomposer12]

This is the most surprising thing to not already see in the list. I agree Jetmir just actually ends the game like a Craterhoof if the game is stalled. It's possible he didn't want something that can get you blown out by a Chain of Vapor or other removal spell.

[@blaaaarrrrgMTG]

I was also going to ask about Jetmir

[@kurtf3441]

IMO Jetmir is only a good card when it wins you the game, which means that most of the time it is 4 mana "do nothing". I'd rather have a token generator or a generic good card. If my deck is that ahead and I can't win without an overrun, my first thought is that my deck just isn't very well constructed, not that I need a "win more" card.

[@Vrir16]

Yeah, I think in cEDH the commander needs to bring more value than just a beater/combat value engine. I've really only seen Rocco because of his ability to tutor in the cEDH games I've watched.

[@ComedIanMTG]

@@JonathanMiller-n1t it's in my considering/test list

[@cole3823]

Caretaker's talent with Urabrask's Forge are an awesome draw and beat down engine. especially the talent. that seems like a must have for tokens decks now.

[@Guru4hire]

A card I like is War of the Last Alliance from LOTR. Its a saga that tutors for a legendary creature for the first 2 triggers, and the third is gives all your creatures double strike. You seem to have a lot of legendary creatures and putting 2 into your hand, and 2 that combo, as well as providing the double strike seems good if you have the turns to spare.

[@hunteralford90]

glad you had dragonlair spider in your sideboard too, i have been on that and natural order. Also duelcaster + twinflame, and jetmir

[@Smithfamilyfitnessprogress]

Scout warning a 1 white mana drop next creature you play has flash and also draw a card for one white mana

[@wegcremington773]

I agree somewhat with below. If you want to combo play Rocco or dig up some old Marath pile. Turn this somehow into some stacks beat down deck or try to win with the tokens some other way besides just drawing a bunch of cards/trying to get a kiki combo that Rocco is just 10000% better at getting already.

[@ELDevaux]

Baylen? More like BALLIN'

[@stephenwozab2640]

I love Living Plane + Elesh Norn or Uba Mask + Dranith. Hard locks just seem to be the right amount of salt if you're going to play stacks

[@Dr3dlock11]

Are sans red decks (eg Atraxa and Tymna / Thrass) becoming more viable in cEDH w the rise of Nadu in the 99? Great video btw 👍

[@ComedIanMTG]

@@Dr3dlock11 yeah! The Nadu breakfast combo seems to be performing very well in tymna yhras

[@fluffylegend294]

I’m playing around with Anim and Myrel and a couple other things, and even tooling with Winota, since this can be a heavy combat deck, as you said, too…maybe it’s too spicy, but it’s been fun and solid so far

[@julietremblay768]

Hey Ian! I got 2 cards for you! Inspiring leader Halo fountain I think they are definitely worth looking into 😁😁 Cool deck 😊

[@BearClaymore]

Love this and will try it! I think ankey piece of info missing is the answer to: When is it best to cast your commander? Overall, great deck, looking forward to its updates.

[@ComedIanMTG]

usually after you have a few tokens on board

[@hellNo116]

I am a ghave player and have been for like 6 years now. I wanted to have a ghave experience in cedh and I feel baylen might be the exact fit for me. I will have to sleeve it up and try it.

[@nonbo_mtg3328]

I built a neyali deck a while back and loyal apprentice was insane! A little surprised to not see it here

[@ComedIanMTG]

too few tokens per turn was the issue

[@jcjackson9367]

Any chance for update on this deck? Been working on it myself but havent settled on any changes since bans.

[@PhillipAtchinson]

Always great content, thanks Ian.

[@ElGatix123]

Baylen seems good, there are some infinite token comboa that makes baylen a draw engine, mana fix and finisher by himself I like the idea of a heavy stax Focused list

[@crustycarhartt]

Aggravated assault is a key card. I need it, but it seems mandatory. I'm curious about the card smoke spirits blessing, because it's possible to get double the X if you boardwipe+heroic intervention. It's like a more complicated farmer cotton. I don't think kiki jiki is good here. I like Rosie Cotton with the new eldrazi or scurry oak. My core engine cards are: heirloom blade, Rosie cotton, the new eldrazi, scurry oak, and ashnods altar. I've been including the twin flame combo as a backup, but I'm thinking it's unnecessary. Grand abolisher and creature tutors seem the most important. Also, turning the corner is definitely something I've noticed too.

[@kstandish42]

Wondering how you feel about Mandate of Peace as its a Silence that just requires you to move to combat to activate, could be worth exploring as it doesn't exile itself either like Calamity's Wake.

[@Naustrix]

Kinda how creature based stax decks work you need to be constantly attacking in for chip damage or get the game running long enough to find your wincon maybe try a Magda line in the deck for a second instant speed wincon? love this list love jacked rabbit bought 8 extended borders at $1.78 cents a pop now it’s $11 on tcg direct I’ll be definitely taking apart eleivere for the weekend and try this out I’m used to having like zero win cons haha😂

[@keganbancroft3617]

Aggravated assault might be a good way to close out games

[@davepyrah1414]

Maybe consider switching one of the mana dorks for goose? It is harder to kill with bow masters and can generate tokens for you if you have spare mana in a locked down board state?

[@Kobaltski]

I built this deck last week and chose for my win condition impact tremors kinda effects. the new agate instigator, molten gatekeeper, raid bombardment. also, throne of the god pharaoh does put in work

[@joshuamiller773]

Hear me out. Voice of Resurgence as a token generator, beat down potential, and if it’s up as you make a win attempt it gives you extra tokens to get extra mana or draw from baylen. The floor is one scaling token if it’s killed on sight. It could replace a land. delney could be worth throwing in for turning the corner quicker!

[@ComedIanMTG]

It was definitely considered!

[@hellNo116]

Kiki felidar and karmic guide can be used for a pod win as well and the chain can start by sacrificing any 3 drop. I am sure you know the line. I am curious why it is not a consideration when survival is. Especially since many Naya decks love this line.

[@sladereynolds5032]

hes on every "artifact cant activate ability" so he has to tutor the cards and get rid of his own stax without activating his opponent to be able to interact

[@hellNo116]

@@sladereynolds5032 why no vivien though?

[@ScottyPotty666]

I’m new to cEDH but is there a reason for no purphouros style effects? Just as a win on with your infinite etbs. Seems like a sick brew! Hope to see more of it

[@danielmiller230]

Thoughts about using halo fountain as a possible noncombatant wincon?

[@JoshKnoxChinnery]

Nice work on the deck

[@terrakionjustice1634]

Nuka cola vending machine and academy manufactor? Feel like both of these cards are a must.

[@tking5218]

Without the Pod Lines, Kiki is just sub-par in my opinion because the line is insanely telegraphed. Wouldn't be surprised if you cut it with this commander honestly. I am not saying it would work but Skyhunter Strike Force seems like it would have a home in this deck. Giving Tokens melee is nuts.

[@verzun8470]

Beats are good? Lifelink goes crazy with ocelot? I've heard tales of a 1 mana 5/5 in white... Also old-school craterhoof wins maybe? I wonder if winota works in the package.

[@Limkmc]

Is there a reason for not running fae offering? I played that card in a high powered baylin deck and it was pretty nuts, especially when you have ways to play creatures on other players turns

[@maxxlanglois]

How about Torens, fist of the angels? Get tokens for playing creatures

[@Bennyjackson1]

Would duelcaster combo be a good swap for kiki? It would allow you to play twinflame effects which could be good in this deck

[@jackrolfson3413]

A sunshot militia might help be able to get you a noncombat wincon after you get a couple tokens

[@Mushroomsplaza]

Are you trying to pivot to a deck who's major win cons are combat (winconless style) and dockside only ? Or are you waiting to get more games in first?

[@ComedIanMTG]

Still figuring that out :)

[@Limkmc]

Should this be an elvish reclaimer / friends deck? It seems like there are a ton of important lands

[@Sarkhamy]

2 cards i have found really interesting in this list. Guild Artisan is an MVP in this list imho. If you're gonna be making this many dude tokens, maybe aggrevated assault?

[@dizzystan1]

Are the null rod effects the reason for no ballista? I'd figure with deck in hand that removing the effects wouldn't be hard for a post combat win.

[@ComedIanMTG]

@@dizzystan1 it really isn't necessary as we can have an instant speed line without having to play a dead card But also the null rod effects would only be less incentive

[@kenbadger7047]

A finisher could be Displaced Dinosaurs if you’re wanting to close with combat.

[@tomfossell473]

How does the Monday ban hammer affect Baylen's game plan/viability?

[@matteocapannolo7073]

As for every naya/mardu plan, he got heavily affected in my opinion. Both my decks (Dihada/Baylen) are no longer able to keep up against blu decks

[@guitarID]

Do you feel like shared summons could be the tutor you need. Take out the kiki package and put in shared summons, broodscale and Rosie. Or emiel, dockside

[@Eradical420]

Ian I love the deck thank you so much for posting the list as baylen has been on my radar since teased. Curious on your thoughts about sprout swarm in here or if it’s just one of those weird cards people forgot about for a long time lol

[@ComedIanMTG]

@@Eradical420 it seems pretty slow

[@g.o.bgaming7454]

Why not shalai and halar for the wincon?

[@djalmaalmeida4345]

If you are able to make a lot of mana, isn't worth using 6mana Vivien piles?

[@licenetospam]

3 color Minsc is tough thanks for asking I feel seen

[@LiliNyx_ofc]

What about Role tokens? There's a few like Gylwain or Royal Treatment that offer upside in terms of protection while making tokens.

[@ComedIanMTG]

Gylwain in particular I was really interested in!

[@syndicate5357]

Farmer cotton, taking the farm away from the blue

[@ComedIanMTG]

best comment

[@commanderpower99]

If you need another Farmer Cotton, you could play Pest Infestation. Effectively, the same effect (2 tokens per mana paid) while removing opposing permanents. Now we need a third one :D

[@Kobaltski]

pest infestation makes twice X tokens, but you pay X twice, so you still only get one token per mana. i still play it in my deck cause it is indeed tokens and removal :)

[@commanderpower99]

Oh, right!! My bad. Yeah, it's pretty cool.

[@Limkmc]

Caretakers talent might be good in this deck, it’s a card draw engine + finisher

[@kaamos45]

Wouldn't Marath be a more fitting commander for the second option? Kind of a Naya, toolbox, that can go either Beatdown, Stax, combo, I've played it since it was released on the first edition of pre-cons and have always came back to it, it just has too much options to go with.

[@ryansalmon6507]

Any thoughts on academy man?

[@christownsend3172]

Springheart, felidar combo I think is the baylen combo But curious of what you think of 3 mana Vivien for extra reach?

[@ComedIanMTG]

I did have the nantuko in an earlier version but it did absolutely nothing without the combo

[@thustis100]

Have you thought about birthing pod? It can tutor Kikki jiki combo

[@ComedIanMTG]

@@thustis100 3 null rod effects turned me off to it

[@treygeorge2100]

What if you add god eternal Oketra into the deck

[@jonwaters3401]

Hey Ian, where do you think the deck goes without dockside?

[@ComedIanMTG]

@@jonwaters3401 I struggled a bit to find the new direction I think it is still viable but struggling with identity

[@jonwaters3401]

@ComedIanMTG fair. I hope something comes of it soon haha. Maybe next set will give us another option

[@aaronlucko6952]

Snake pit? Basically carpet of flowers arasta on an enchantment

[@CastironPots]

Silence and halo fountain have been closing games left and right for me

[@voidwalkerMTG]

Shared summons should be pretty good here

[@baamxxv63]

Did you thought about seedborne? Ive been trying it in my version

[@pokedadsam9041]

It’s already there

[@baamxxv63]

@@pokedadsam9041 I'm blind then :p

[@c3dric252]

Is three tree city worth it in Winota?

[@ComedIanMTG]

potentially

[@Sarkhamy]

Has anyone else going the 4 round, cut to 10 format kinda frustrating? Especially since byes in these tournaments are often 5 points, i have played in one of these were top cut wasn't 30-40% players why had byes in rounds 1 and 2.

[@ComedIanMTG]

Byes do really warp this I do agree. I think either 5 top 10 works a whole lot better. Some of the tournament I've played in with the suggested structure at smaller number have made some odd feels-bad moments

[@Sarkhamy]

I feel like if there are byes I'd rather these 40 person tournaments shift to playing 5 rounds cut to top 10. Another round of swiss cuts so much variance.

[@JoshKnoxChinnery]

CEDH needs more win conditions of similar power level (below consult thoracle) that aren't commanders imo.

[@V2ULTRAKill]

It has plenty Dockside obm etb loops Brain breach Infinite mana > finale of devastation DCM lines Spellseeker lines Kikipod Withersmog Lesser breach lines Mayhem devil + infinite sac option Aggravated assault Godo in the 99 packages Etali in the 99 food chain packages

[@V2ULTRAKill]

Hell in a deck with enough slots Goblin matron is a 1 card wincon into a goblin recruiter snoop line

[@xavier16094]

Is Fable of the mirror breaker too slow for cedh?

[@Lunamowon]

Yes.

[@James-yk5ge]

Love the content, but something is wrong with your audio

[@Cupakabra77]

What about stormsplitter and sprout swarm?

[@pokedadsam9041]

There are not enough instants and sorceries.

[@RoflPwny]

Additional X token producers: Song of Totentanz, Forth Eorlingas! Also, is Warleader’s Call a possible include?

[@keving.4650]

I would include it. Run it along with Impact Tremors and Molten Gatekeeper. Witty Roastmaster is good, but I would run Warleader’s Call over Witty Roastmaster.

[@Dexstarslab]

How is Baylen now in the new meta we’re in?

[@mgarratt101]

Same as before, trash but handy to make a video on to drive up engagement

[@Crustgg]

Ok hear me out. Impact tremors/goblin bombardment

[@TCMBiscuit]

why no rosie combo?

[@pokedadsam9041]

It’s there

[@keving.4650]

Cut Kiki-Jiki, Utopia Sprawl, Jacked Rabbit, and put in Impact Tremors, Molten Gatekeeper, and Warleader’s Call. You will also want Ivy Lane Denizen as it’s another Rosie Cotton to pair with Scurry Oak and Basking Broodscale.

[@pokedadsam9041]

There is a better impact tremors now and on a tutorable creature. Pass.

[@PokenShaho]

pantlaza on top 😤

[@BadConAngel]

Reckless Fireweaver or Gobkin Bombardment? Ping everyone to death.

[@jennsen23]

Mayael's Aria - win condition

[@jennsen23]

Halo Fountain

[@Medicinalmagic911]

Marneus needs more love ❤🎉

[@Virtue778]

Docksideless behavior

[@izzyskeemy]

*Facts*

[@FabG-mm3hu]

Final Fortune Modrak or Ojer Tak Impact Tremors & TPeaks

[@dancer6452]

Seems like bruse tarl would be a good beater for when the game is stalled out from stax, ESPECIALLY if you can use the 4 token ability of baylen Lolololol Bruse ALSO provides lifelink for the ocelot

[@jonathankokol908]

Seedborn muse maybe

[@loganfendt4197]

Might be weird but impact tremors or mopeten gatekeeper with infinite creatures

[@tomjon6643]

You don't need an outlet for infinite creature tokens, because your commander is your outlet for infinite creature tokens. Same reason you don't need an outlet for infinite card draw in Stella (Thassa) Because once you've draw your deck, you can play a better combo (Twisted Fealty).

[@keving.4650]

If you’re trying to compete in cEDH pods on a budget, I would run these. I brought a Baylen deck to a cEDH tournament and finished 5th overall.

[@V2ULTRAKill]

Impact tremors bad Run agate instigator instead You're in creature tutor colors

[@fluffylegend294]

Is there a world where Field of the Dead is played in Baylen? 🤔

[@ComedIanMTG]

I think we can't guarantee that many land drops

[@fluffylegend294]

@@ComedIanMTG that’s what I figured, but it’s always worth throwing it out there 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@EspenOset]

Consider hoof? Hoof + natural order maybe? And arcon of valorrs?

[@ComedIanMTG]

@@EspenOset they're under consideration. Except archon. Too many bad experiences with that one haha

[@wccbulletsfly]

i want jetmire in the deck lol

[@ClamsCEDH]

“cedh deck deck” in title

[@keelangilmour2511]

Would you consider a witty roastmaster, impact tremors, goblin bombardment, ingenious artillerist, purphoros card to make tokens and pin the table down?

[@chellthealchemist4751]

Protean hulk

[@fixdelythings]

Paradox Engine good.

[@bodhitree628]

It’s banned