14 Unique And Important Cards For The Commander Format

[@kylereblitz2856]

Uktabi Drake is a one mana flying & haste creature in green.

[@crawdaddy2004]

I feel it’s more a one-mana burn spell. 😂

[@kylereblitz2856]

@@crawdaddy2004 true, it is in the Ball Lightning family tree (I think that's the tree in the artwork), but it still satisfies the condition of immediate attacker for 1 mana. Aside: I used Uktabi Drake, Spark Elemental, and Vault Skirge in a deck featuring Cairn Wanderer way back when. So, the sending itself to the yard was actually beneficial.

[@Bargadiel]

That could be crazy as a surprise finisher in a green white aura deck.

[@stevenvietdo]

Very good with initiative or monarch

[@coreyroberson4550]

I've had Uktabi Drake in my Edric deck for years. I hardly ever pay the echo - just swing and draw a card (or two if Bident of Thassa ia in play).

[@kovala]

Every time Demo mentions Panglacial Wurm, take a shot ;)

[@dangerfield6855]

Or commit to memory.

[@Rexcilious]

Or Blightseel

[@sovsen92]

Ojer Axonil doesn't actually work with Obsidian Fireheart. The burning lands themselves deal damage to their controller, but Ojer only increases noncombat damage from red sources you control. So unless you want to turn your own land red and make it burn, your opponents only take 1 damage for each burning land they control on their upkeeps even when Ojer is on the battlefield. Cards such as Furnace of Rath (which can also be played in an Ojer deck) would intensify the burning though.

[@Merlewhitefire]

Also I mean. Damage synergizes pretty good with even more damage, in general.

[@derekludwig3945]

​@Merlewhitefire there are enough cards that *actually* synergize with Ojer that you can do better than including nonsynergistic cards just because they do damage. If you like the card, it's your deck to put it in, so go ahead, but it's not as good a fit as any of the cards that actually work with Ojer's ability.

[@thegreatestblood]

Xenic Poltergeist is great in Etrata, the SIlencer. Turn an artifact into an artifact creature and then exile it with a hit counter with Etrata's trigger. Artifact removal in Dimir is greatly appreciated; especially when it gets you closer to winning.

[@maggiek8616]

Other cards that come to mind for being pretty unique are Stigma Lasher. Sure red does the can't gain life effect a lot, but Lasher persists even if it later dies. Ritual of the Machine is one of the few mono black ways to gain control of creatures in play. And very recently we got Sergeant John Benton. Maybe he doesn't count because Universe Beyond, but still the very first Selesnya creature to ever have haste.

[@triplebog]

I don't think Ojer and obsidian fireheart work together like that. Ojer needs a red source that you control to activate it's effect. Fireheart causes the opponents lands to deal damage to themselves. So colorless and you don't control the source

[@derekludwig3945]

You're correct. It's yet another example of this dude not reading/understanding the cards.

[@imofage3947]

Renounce plays real nice with Barren Glory + One with Nothing. You know, if you want to flex on your oppenents.

[@energetek661]

love videos like this. Pushing to play fun and interesting cards vs format staples. One really cool card I found is currency converter. I have a rakdos artifact deck that loves discarding, and it can also be fetched by urza's saga.

[@jacquesdespadas]

There’s so much exile removal PfE, Riftsweeper, and Renounce are looking like good resiliency. There are tons of 3- and 4-lifegain payoffs, so you could easily trigger something with that as well. Dauntless Aven can untap your exerted creatures so you can exert them on back to back combats, assuming they survive.

[@JimboBango]

Dauntless Aven is cool, but I do think Drumbellower should get a lot more love

[@grantmurdock7385]

Renounce will be fun in my Karador deck, for sure. I've already got Illumination and Lapse of Reason to help cover me late game. Nobody expects white counterspells, and man do they always put in work.

[@chadsamuels6512]

I like head games in Black it's a little bit of a mean card because it only affects one player but the ability to mess with upon an opponent's hand and leave them cards in it as opposed to just discarding cards is mechanically unique. It forces them to deal with a card they may have just tutored for or if you cash scheming symmetry it can Shuffle way the the card that they just put on top of their Library you limit them to playing Just lands but if you need say a board wipe to happen you can hand them the board wipe as well and force them to use it

[@itsdeanbeaches]

Always gotta give it up to Demo love your videos and really helps me being a broke father can't buy all the expensive staples so gotta do unique things.

[@edhdeckbuilding]

glad i could help

[@karlgrylls2406]

I would play Renounce on Isochron Szepter in a Orzhov Deck. Go wide strategy and sac all of the tokens when you have a Vito or Sanguine bond. Also in Azorius: Stealing opp stuff with blue, sacking it to Renounce, also with Isochron. Isochron makes this card much better. Or Boros: Stealing opp stuff with red, most of the time red gives them haste, attacking opp, then sacrificing the creatures before they return to their owner

[@HitthaChoint420]

Look up Planar Birth from Urza's Saga

[@HitthaChoint420]

Renounce and PB would make one mega landfall trigger. I'm thinking that black demon with landfall counters now 😂😂

[@maggiek8616]

There's a few other things about Obsidian Fireheart that makes it so interesting. The lands continue to burn even after the player who put the counters on them leaves the game. Also if the blaze counters get moved for any reason, they stop dealing damage at all.

[@casketbase7750]

11:30 Drumbellower is an upgraded version of this card, and the white version of Seedborn Muse. Terrific in Kelsien The Plague decks.

[@MegaGenguy]

An underrated card I've been putting into a lot of my white decks is Scapegoat. 1 white mana and the low cost of sacrificing a creature (a random token 99% of the time) to return all your creatures to hand at instant speed. Very cheap board wipe protection in the color that already wants to be recurring ETB effects anyways.

[@lightbearer313]

Another one you may like is Ghostway.

[@timhartel8012]

Demo, I think your first five color deck should be completely made of of each mechanically unique card available.

[@brandonlopina7733]

Renounce works in decks that check for the number of clues or foods you have sacrificed in the turn to do some effect.

[@connorl0204]

17:27 obsidian fireheart sounds like a slam dunk in ob nixilis captive kingpin, but its really mana intensive to make use of it. I cant say I’ve really ever had much trouble with mana in my deck though, i usually end up with way too many lands in play/exile/hand, to the point it feels almost like I’m playing green too.

[@darangen]

Love videos like this that highlight those niche synergies with certain objectives. Thanks!

[@edmundcampbell5893]

I haven't seen it in the comments, but renounce is a must in any barren glory deck. as long as you have a way to get rid of your hand it essentially wins you the game.

[@blaiselaramee4695]

Thank you for Soul Sculptor, going right into my enchantment hate deck where I have a million ways to destroy enchantments, now I can use that to destroy their creatures too. Please make more videos like this!

[@mtggodzilla7308]

Renounce can be used to win the game with Barren of Glory on the field. 😉

[@JetNAmplify]

Torrent elemental is a unique card. Whi needs cyclonic rift when u can just tap everyones creatures whenever you want and just attack through. And if you exile it you can just cast it again. So run it with delve to to that whenever

[@alexroel123]

Obsidian fireheart is actually in my Zo-Zu the punisher deck! Along with every single way in monored to double/triple/+1/+2 damage i deal (usually noncombat with zo-zu and effects like these)

[@jerryloiselle8507]

I know that you like the part where you can destroy any enchantment on the board with ghastly death tyrant, but there's another creature option to remove enchantments off the board: baleful beholder (etb either give menace to your team OR every opponent sac an enchantment). I'm not running it in any deck atm, but I think its even better if you want an enchantment removal etb in black because it can 3 for one, plus giving menace is more powerful I think that giving deathtouch.

[@connorl0204]

5:16 soul sculptor is a great way to protect your commander (or another important creature) from a board wipe too!

[@gavmcdangle1893]

I have renounce in my Atagotog barren glory deck, absolute banger there

[@strangebynature2798]

Xenic Poltergeist + Thornbite Staff = No treasures but mine. Combine with Pitiless Plunderer for infinite death triggers. Renouce pairs with a Barren Glory for an alternate wincon. Also adds some extra salt to an Insurrection

[@Dragon_Fyre]

You could use Renounce where you want everything in graveyard ie. prior to casting Living Death.

[@bobbyz5443]

Jabari’s Influence is one of my favorites

[@Radman8126]

Treebeard, if I don’t have a means to use all my food, I can use renounce to gain life at instant speed during combat, putting +1/+1 counters on my attacking commander 😮

[@HitthaChoint420]

Nice 🎯

[@STS-qi1qy]

Obsidian Fireheart seems a solid slot in a Captive Kingpin deck as well. A number of 1 loss of life triggers that persist even if there's a boardwipe and you need to rebuild and recast Ob

[@natelagrassa9337]

Love the card but haven’t found a good fit in my red decks.

[@ryansmith841]

@@natelagrassa9337 I run it in my Ghyrson Starn deck, if it sticks around for a turn, you can activate the ability and have a 1 damage pinger that turns into 3 damage if your commander's out

[@micahhonig1575]

Beacon hawk is another awesome free untapper in white. I run both in my Ghen, Arcanum Weaver deck

[@edhdeckbuilding]

great find.

[@O_violet]

Phoenix chick is my favorite one drop in Sophina, Spearsage Deserter

[@Trasgobardo]

Mobile Garrison also untaps and is colorless. Yeah it doesn't fly, but is just _Crew 2_, it's a 3/4 and it untaps creatures or artifacts. Also I found recently "Saprazzan Bailif" 3UU with ETB exiles all artifacts and enchantments from all graveyards. And when LTB return the exiled cards to their owners hands. I'm seeing if I like it to use for artifact/enchantment recursion in my Phenax deck, where I'm milling, of course, but also have several ways of exiling graveyards, to my benefit and to not give graveyard decks an advantage. I don't know if will work but at least there is the possibility.

[@RowanKiens]

Renounce reminds me of Plumb The Forbidden: it sort of gives you a way to be a bit better off after a mass exile effect like Farewell, Merciless Eviction or other boardwipes. Other than that, I can only see myself playing Renounce in a commander game alongside Bastion Of Remembrance or Dictate Of Erebos. Nobody wants to whipe your board with those in play, and there aren't many cards that allow you to do it yourself.

[@travisrainwater3291]

renounce is a slam dunk in a deck focused on winning with Barren Glory

[@aarongates4245]

Thank you, Soul Sculptor is going to be a great tool against tron decks. Also Renounce is amazing in a food deck. Sure you get 1 less life, but without paying the mana for each.

[@SillyPuppyPrincess]

Orcish Squatters could be something for my Alesha deck! Normal attack trigger don’t work with her, but these who check after blocking do work! :3

[@karlgrylls2406]

Imagine Helm of the Host with Squatters lol

[@Aldo7Aces]

Phoenix chick is useful for taking the monarchy/initiative. I have many decks that introduce both, so having something able to take it from people is always something I'm looking for.

[@maxruff875]

I did this very recently while looking at Words of Worship. I thought it was super unique and wanted to slot it into the new Will, Scion of Peace Commander deck I've been brewing.

[@NateFinch]

Obsidian Fireheart is arguably good in an Ob Nixilis Captive Kingpin deck because it's doing one damage at a time. The problem is that it's very mana intensive for what you get out of it.

[@ColorfulHelices]

Gotta love Sundial of the Infinite I think blue and red also have some "end the turn" effects, but none in colorless. Best counter spell in the game lol.

[@nanoglitch6693]

Reconnaissance is one of my favorite unique "secret" tricks. Really great when you got a bunch of attack triggers but don't want to lose your guys to bigger blockers or something.

[@coreyroberson4550]

I wouldn't call that a secret; that's the intended purpose, and the card is fairly infamous. The real secret to Reconnaissance is that you can untap all of your attackers during the end of combat step, after they have all dealt damage. Not only does it protect your attackers, but it also gives them pseudo-vigilance.

[@nanoglitch6693]

@@coreyroberson4550 Guess you completely missed the quotation marks around "secret"? That implies that I don't actually consider it a secret. I apologize if that was beyond your reading comprehension level but I don't if you're just being a pedantic nitwit. 😂

[@danielwomer]

Renounce goes into a Piru Aristocrats deck!!

[@simonchi5372]

Renounce could really fit in off color themed landfall together with effects that return everything back to battlefield like Second Sunrise.

[@mattjrm3847]

Obsidian Fireheart is good in Ob nixilis, Captive kingpin for dealing 1 damage each upkeep. Fun card 👍

[@sabarslax]

Obsidian Fireheart + proliferate + Deepglow Skate + Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider + Wildfire Elemental

[@marvin5342]

the most mechanichally unique cards I know of from the top of my head are Lightning Storm and volcano hellion and maybe pulsemage advocate, would be really interested in your opinion on them

[@JohnRambo-sj8ri]

Beacon Hawk is probably better than Dauntless Aven. It untaps creature on combat damage, not attack, but most likely it's just the same for one less mana. I had a whole Tocasia, Dig Site Mentor deck with Beacon Hawk, Dauntless Aven, Civic Gardener and ofc Copperhorn Scout where you would attack with vigilance, then surveil multiple times, untap those creatures, surveil again and so on. The deck didn't work out in that iteration but the idea was fun.

[@Shimatzu95]

In reguarda to: get stuff back from exile, there is also the emblem of kaldheim kaya. Not a reliable option due to being tied to an emblem though.

[@Shimatzu95]

Sting, the equipment from lord of the rings is a decent colorless way to untap equipted creature for free repeatetly.

[@thomaspetrucka9173]

Conquer is an aura that also steals an opponent’s land.

[@alexroel123]

Wyll scion of peace works great with Renounce! It also has a place in my Ratadrabik boardwhipe tribal deck

[@frankthetank520]

Thank you for finding a new card for zo zu the punisher. Also I kinda want to switch to the noncombat god when he drops

[@tattooman3603]

Another card similar to Debt of Loyalty, but better (I think) is Adarkar Valkyrie, since it's repeatable.

[@Suppaichu]

10:45 i'd argue beacon hawk could be better, it needs to connect, but that what the flying is there for. Also, if Dauntless aven doesn't connect it means it probably died.

[@isapel3035]

Martyr's Bond + renounce + Faith's Reward

[@DanteInformal]

I have to find room for Renounce in my Trynn and Silvar Human aristocrats deck! This seems like a great emergency button when I need to sacrifice things but Silvar is not on the field yet.

[@rolindahlquist3124]

Renounce and zuran orb you can get a 2fer if you sac land. Sac a land for 4 life?

[@HitthaChoint420]

You can only sacrifice to one effect. To renounce, or the orb, but not both.

[@HitthaChoint420]

But planar birth from Urza's Saga works with either 💯

[@coreyroberson4550]

If you like Dauntless Aven, wait till you see Drumbellower. I've got both of them in my Emmara, Soul of the Accord Vehicles deck.

[@edhdeckbuilding]

yes but drumbellower doesn't untap on your turn.

[@coreyroberson4550]

@@edhdeckbuilding Very true. In my case, getting three untaps is more important than when they happen. But in the right circumstance, doing it during your turn may be more important.

[@ZackeroniAndCheese]

Renounce + Restore Balance

[@gianmarcofrongia8666]

Now I want an Obsidian Fireheart ❤

[@ivernedit]

Think death tyrant could fit in my master former anew blink etb deck

[@andrewhall9972]

Not to be obnoxious, but I haven't seen anyone talking about White Plume Adventurer as a simple slot in as a better alternative if you aren't trying to double up on the untapping theme.

[@chelgoth]

Obsidian Fireheart would go good in Ghyrson Starn

[@jazzsax357]

Dauntless Aven works with Isshin.

[@Josh-iv5ou]

Renounce is really good in a Ratchet field medic deck!

[@xayidegreymind5782]

Diabolic visions UB for a sorcery that is much better than ponder

[@norbertoravec476]

Renounce - playable in Karlov. However, zuran orb is better choice.

[@edhdeckbuilding]

zuran orb only sacs lands though.

[@fredriksundelin6093]

Mass sacrifice may counter mass exile if graveyard strats are used

[@jakobfalcke9458]

radiant Performer&radiate are quite unique in what they're doing

[@punkypinko2965]

Neat episode.

[@chrisgebben2043]

i got a idea for renounce.... does it work after you do a Reins of Power?

[@HitthaChoint420]

Sure does, if you wanna dump your creatures before the swap, or to dump theirs after!!

[@andrewtaylor5883]

Despotic Scepter = Destroying anything you own * At base it is a bad sacrifice outlet however against the Etali's (and such) of this game will be helpful

[@Syncopiia]

I'm throwing Phoenix Chick in my Goro-Goro deck. Also Debt of Loyalty is disgusting in Chun-Li / Zethi. I've stolen 5 creatures in a game with it.

[@AugustAMcClung]

Renounce & Barren Glory = win the game

[@norbertoravec476]

Reconnaissance is so so so much better card for untapping attacking creatures.

[@edhdeckbuilding]

yes but it only untaps attacking creatures.

[@anthonyi8484]

17:50 the land is dealing the damage not a red permanent you control so this doesn’t work

[@markcahalan5698]

Unique cards and you didn't include Avoid Fate? I actually got someone with that a few weeks ago. Many brains were broken when the mono-green deck said "Nah, I'ma counter that" Green doesn't exactly rival blue in untapping creatures, but it's no slouch. Seeker of Skybreak is arguably the best creature that untaps a creature. Only 2 mana with only tap to activate... and it can target itself... Illusionist Bracers anyone?

[@edhdeckbuilding]

did an off-color counterspells video already

[@teferitoots8043]

Renounce - Rodolf Duskbringer? As protection.

[@Xylol1337]

didnt draw my pheonix chick in ma ognis deck once up till now xD

[@okgut2033]

Ahh yeah renounce the card to just get everything back with cosmic Intervention or faiths reward. Its a two card combo to ramp at bare Minimum Maybe you also can combine it with any balance like effect to set back everyone besides you 👀

[@adamklosterman101]

Obsidian Fireheart seems like a great mana sink for an infinite red mana combo. Lol

[@Dragon_Fyre]

Has that ever been a problem for Red ? I think that is more a concern in white or green to do something effective with infinite mana other than creating counters/tokens which could get board wiped or gaining life (which does not necessarily win the game).

[@laughlan]

Unique is an absolute adjective.

[@MirridonOnslaught]

How in the literal shit is Phoenix chick not a rare or mythic?!?! It has built in recursion at a low cost. Flying, haste?!? This thing can just tap Yolo turn sideways every turn

[@obadijahparks]

Academy manufacturer.

[@HitthaChoint420]

Love this dude in my chatterfang deck 💯

[@timl5043]

Love your videos and appreciate all your work. But--please, my friend: "unique" means one-of-a-kind. Nothing can be _very_ unique. It's either unique--or it isn't.

[@edhdeckbuilding]

i know what unique means. its' literally what this video is about. this comment confuses me.

[@timl5043]

Unique is a binary state. Something is or isn't unique. There are no shades of uniqueness. You can't modify it--there's no such thing as 'very unique.' That's all. @@edhdeckbuilding

[@digitaldespot6154]

Renounce + Barren Glory

[@rewty]

anyone else get anxiety when a video doesn't have time stamps?

[@HitthaChoint420]

Looking for the laugh react 😂😂

[@blackhorrorghost]

Phoenix Chick might be perfect for my Marisi deck

[@HitthaChoint420]

Renounce+Planar Birth

[@HitthaChoint420]

Idk why i love planar birth so much... 🤦‍♂️