Commander Staples Have Changed

[@Blacklodge_Willy]

I've never heard anyone ever consider Increasing Ambition a staple.

[@alexanderficken9354]

and its price has never been more than two dollars

[@edhdeckbuilding]

so i wouldn't consider all these cards staples, some of them are just cards i used to play alot. but if you played commander 7 years ago you likely saw increasing ambition quite often.

[@kevinpeterson4017]

@@edhdeckbuildingI’ll back you up on this one. People used to play this all the time when the commander precons first came out. All the “increasing” cards were super popular

[@Blacklodge_Willy]

@@edhdeckbuilding I've been playing since 2017, only time I ever saw that card was when I played it in Kess in order to get that double tutor effect. Diabolic Tutor on the other hand I did see quite often.

[@wat_omy]

@@Blacklodge_Willyyeah man commander 100% was created in 2017

[@Mecal00]

In mono white Gift of Estates, despite first being released in Portal, is still amazing. It can grab you up to 3 plains, it doesn't have the stipulation of "Basic" either! I like it because while it doesn't "ramp" it does guarantee land drops

[@shmackydoo]

Untimely malfunction is so good. My favorite, new red instant

[@EvertfromNederland]

Same. Love it too. Every time you can blow out your opponents plays is a giant win and this card does that fantastic

[@actiondk2279]

Red needs a lot of new cards to even the scales

[@edhdeckbuilding]

it's the worst color in commander by far

[@SpeckyX3]

Correct me if I'm wrong isn't thw powe scaling go black, blue, green, white, then red?

[@axelbrackeniers5488]

I know that people used to say mono white has no card advantage or land ramp but they got so many ramp and card draw spells in the last 3 years. Mono-red is by far the worst the worst option

[@SpeckyX3]

@axelbrackeniers5488 what mean they got seething song and jeskai will.... wait that's about it. Maybe braid of fire. That's about it

[@axelbrackeniers5488]

@@SpeckyX3 seething song doesnt really help Mono-red’s problems in commander. It gives you a quick burst of mana so you can cast your spells sooner. Which also means you run out of cards faster. Without card advantage, rituals become mediocre. Aggro in modern is good because you only have to burn 20 HP. Mono-red in commander is pretty awful since you need to get rid of 120HP. Jeska’s will is a pretty good card though, if i’m not mistaken it lets you draw cards equal to someones hand size no?

[@bobhouses2036]

About heroic intervention, I've also heard people say that they take it out because "what about farewell?" My brother in Christ, saying your board state loses to farewell is like saying you'll lose a footrace against a car, like of course, EVERYTHING loses to farewell.

[@doktarr]

Setting aside counterspells, teferi's protection/clever concealment/guardian of faith/perch protection all get around farewell.

[@ian_lambert-knight]

I find Heroic intervention a hard sell. Just working on a less fragile structure is usually better than trying to protect your entire board. Heroic is good but not that good.

[@n8w00d8]

I only play heroic intervention in one of my deck and the only reason is because the card has two use in that deck. I play Vrondiss and this card let me combo by giving him indestructible, on the upside it can also, sometimes save my board.

[@Myrical32007]

This. THIS. Dont take out cards just because they get countered by ONE card.

[@kevinpeterson4017]

Vandalblast is still a staple in my group. Killing all artifacts is awesome for dealing with players who depend on mana rocks. Anzrag’s rampage is probably better but I’ll play both.

[@patrickaquilina4374]

I love Anzrag’s Rampage as the substitute. I think I have single targeted Vandalblast once in my life

[@NerdJake]

Why would you play go for the throat!!!??? Well, becuase I have it lying around 😅 Usually when I build a deck I look around which cards I have instead of ordering new cards

[@SlongestKongest]

Better that way imo

[@headazrd]

Same here. I'm not opposed to ordering specific cards, but I have more fun cracking the packs and also making something good out of what I have, kinda forces me to think outside the box and find different solutions to the same problem.

[@dariocampanella7992]

Yes, its ok to order some cards but is also fun to use cards lying around.

[@chrisbenson6753]

Limitations breed creativity. Commander is at its best when it isn’t a staple arm’s race

[@johnandrewbellner]

Regarding red card draw, I am really digging the "exile and cast" type of card advantage, and also how that is in many Planeswalkers, especially Chandra cards.

[@Jerhevon]

There's also cards that play into the discard and draw cards. For instance ways to copy your spells. Or Conspiracy Theorist/Containment Construct, or even Inti.

[@trevtimebomb]

Just wanted to say that I really enjoy your channel and your content. I find it to be pretty useful analysis and information for someone who is just dipping into Commander, haha, so thanks!

[@BrianShaw06]

Thraben Charm has been so good for me lately. Probably my favorite of all the new removal spells and I think it's criminally underrated.

[@edhdeckbuilding]

agree. instant speed exile all your opponents gy alone is fantastic.

[@knights_of_old]

Thank you! I'll have to check your other vids for artifacts and multicolor.

[@dariocampanella7992]

Is funny how people dont consider introdiction to annihalation in a green deck: yes is 5 mana but exile any nonland permanent i would use it in monogreen and monored to be fair, but mono green is ramping well and 5 mana doesnt feel too much if you got the mana.

[@EvertfromNederland]

thanks for the tip

[@nathanmarcinek2073]

The only tutor I play in black is Scheming Symmetry, since it brings someone else in to the fun, can help make deals, and I love the art. Otherwise, I only tutor for Equipment in my Nazahn, Revered Bladesmith deck. 6 mana voltron needs help to get where it's going

[@cteal2018]

I agree, I try to reserve the super powerful staples like tutors or R.Study or STithe, etc, for when I want to max out the power for game night at the LGS, at home it is completely more casual.

[@johnandrewbellner]

Regarding green "card draw" and abilities stapled on a creature, what green has quite a lot of now are cards that are in the "look top library + cast from top of library" category.

[@RoachDoggggJR]

Siege Smash has become my new default to replace Abrade. The split second & the pumping mode I find way more value in, I can probably count on 1 hand the amount of times I've used the 3 damage mode for abrade.

[@WookieRookie]

I can't believe this guy is four years old! When I was four years old, I didn't have beard or moustache

[@Fpsdood]

i like offer you cant refuse in my control decks because the treasure usually baits out another greedy play for me to counter

[@kl3r1k3r-7]

You monster ^^

[@jacobstone4070]

I still really like starstorm. Like you've been saying a lot lately, with how many protection spells are out there, you want boardwipes that advantage you. The X in starstorm just allows you to be so flexible with it. More often than not I am using it as like a 4 mana instant to destroy all tokens and utility creatures which isn't really a wipe but has always felt really impactful

[@fidde208]

@edhdeckbuilding I have one scenario where rebuff is better than Blacksmith's, it's in a haktos deck of mine. Haktos will have protection against most things, but not all. Blacksmith's won't work, but rebuff doesn't target haktos and can counter the spell.

[@sunsfssb7699]

Also every multi target spell. Rebuff the Wicked can counter those and protect more than one thing.

[@Kevin-lp3pu]

Demo, you rock dude and your videos are dope man.

[@edhdeckbuilding]

Appreciate that.

[@EvertfromNederland]

Interesting to see how in MTG, just like with a lot of things in life, once a color has a certain image to be bad at something you can change it by creating the cards it needs, but the image still remains. I often have this discussion with people in my playgroup when I tell them that IMO, for casual commander White is (one of) the best colors to play. And everybody always starts with the carddraw because that is just what they have heard from the start even though that has been fixed over time.

[@Woozychu]

Meltdown is a good alternative to vandalblast if you’re worried about tokens specifically

[@Jerhevon]

Heh, as I work to include cheap instant interaction in all colors that has resulted in a bunch of Heartless Act in black and Lightning Axe in red and Nature's Claim in green. It's green, only so much you can do, play to your strengths. :)

[@Jerhevon]

Along these lines, I generally avoid Beast Within and its ilk for costing 3 mana. I don't want to hinder my own game plan by taking off from it to remove one thing.

[@ivernedit]

Last few times I got offered I used the mana to do the thing they were trying to stop anyway like steal their commander till end of turn or counter their big card.

[@cody98533]

you missed season of gathering for draw in green, its a versatile option similar to Rishkar's but better in certain decks!

[@ThisNameIsBanned]

Its kinda funny that some cards you dont play anymore because they got powercreeped out, and others you dont play because they are the pinnacle of powercreep. Understandable, but its fascinating to have both of these extremes present at the same time.

[@edhdeckbuilding]

i like to keep things right around the middle. i'm playing a casual format but i also like to win.

[@psychedelicsewell]

In mono blue I’m very surprised I didn’t hear anything about clone effects. Can I make a guess that they will be discussed along with Cursed mirror in another video?

[@kitgar]

For mono green I also have Kenrith's Transformation as a staple for me.. Very simple interaction to blank powerful creatures and it replaces itself

[@MegatronTarantulas]

People don't really put in swan song "instead of" offer you can't refuse. if they're in monoblue and their removal is counterspells and bounce, they might have it because it's a second copy of a 1 mana counterspell and because the 2/2 body is less consequential with 40 life, or perhaps they're in something like baral where they want a lot of counterspells. What are your opinions on strix serenade? pretty much everyone has some kind of artifact in a typical commander game

[@yummines]

Phasing of Zhalfir is cool, though giving your opponents 2/2s for each creature can sometimes backfire since you didn't really clear their board, you replaced it with 2/2s. Personally I'd recommend Whelming Wave, because unless you have a lot of changeling players in your pod it's pretty much just a board bounce. Plus it would actually benefit you if you're running changeling or a commander of those types like The Watcher in the Water, Koma, or Queza. Imprisoned in the Moon is good since it also hits lands without forcing you to sacrifice a land yourself such as with Ghost Quarter or Strip Mine.

[@moritzbierdimpfl7233]

man i havnt watched any of you videos in a while since i kinda got tired of magic. but i just have to say i love your chanel and all your videos and evrything you do

[@edhdeckbuilding]

thanks man

[@Ultimalight]

I find Call of the Ring to be a strict upgrade from Phyrexian arena. Especially if you can take advantage of the Ring Tempt abilities (Example: Gives evasion to low power commander that wants to attack)

[@verigone2677]

why am I only now realizing Archivist of Oghma only has one arm?

[@nbgace2965]

No tibalts trickery is wild

[@EvertfromNederland]

Demo doesn't like unpredictability

[@nbgace2965]

@ chaos warp

[@edhdeckbuilding]

yeah i'm not sure why tibalts trickery never became a regular for me. it will be in my best of list next week though obviously.

[@moritzbierdimpfl7233]

iv built a mono whit darian deck and it fucking slaps and is tons of fun to play. and you are definitly right about the ramp and card draw

[@DarkJusticeMetal]

Three years ago, I never would've considered white in anything. Now most of my decks are Wx.

[@Raisukee]

Smuggler's Share went down in price because everyone realized it's kind of bad. Too many games where it doesn't draw a single card or make any treasure. A lot of my mono W decks still rely on artifact draw and clues because they aren't heavy on dorks or lifegain, and it's honestly fine if you build to hold up mana often (which white's interaction suite lends itself to). As for knight of the white orchid type ramp, I find it pretty lackluster early game due to ruining curveouts (have to play it before your land), and late game I wind up ahead of everyone not playing simic by hitting all my drops so it does nothing in 90% of the time. I don't think any of the recent attention has done anything for white, as it's always been ahead of red and green if you're willing to play to its strengths.

[@cteal2018]

How does he not include land tax and smothering tithe when he is talking White?

[@brendans1983]

Been watching the channel since the Ibanez used to hang in the background 🍻

[@edhdeckbuilding]

it's on the side wall now, you can't see it on camera.

[@chrisgebben2043]

i sitll use acidic slime its in my 5-color flicker deck and plus its a wincon with infinite flicker effect because it a one sided Armageddon

[@RatedManatee]

I feel a lot more guilty now swapping out my Chain Reaction TODAY.

[@tattooman3603]

I think of them as foundational cards rather than staples. There is always a tempt to remove those "staple" cards for something flashy and new, but since that rots your deck due to a weak "foundation" it tends to collapse and stop working well. When a truly better card comes along, whether due to power creep or a card with more options on it, then it CAN replace those foundational cards and improve your deck. It's always so tempting to remove those foundation cards because they ARE boring and seen so often, but it almost always results in a less functional deck.

[@Z-S-H]

I still play abrade a lot because it is great for knocking out early game ramp such as sol ring or hitting an early game esper sentinel

[@MegatronTarantulas]

check out cast into the fire for a similar but situationally more powerful effect.

[@spencerworks]

This has nothing to do with the video but I just wanted to let you know as a fellow enjoyer of both questing beast and fog, I have assembled a questing beast fog tribal deck, attempting to abuse the "combat damage by creatures you control can't be prevented" part of QB to get some blowouts in combat

[@rainbowcrash6990]

Any thoughts on underworld connections instead of phyrexian arena? Connections does take a land, so playing it on turn 3 isn’t any faster.. but late game it at least can come online right away if you have 4+ lands. Still takes a land to activate, but I like that you can choose not to activate it.

[@crawdaddy1234]

I have used Underworld Connections. Taking up that land is pretty tough. Yes, it can activate the turn it comes down (assuming not on turn 3) - which is nice. But I found that the only decks I would actually use it are those that can untap lands. Witherbloom would make good use of it. I used it in conjunction with Sword of Feast and Famine.

[@gabrielkopp9248]

You could take a look at unholy annex from Duskmourn, basically a strict upgrade to Phyrexian Arena

[@cteal2018]

I like Volcanic Visions as a boardwipe for Red 4:55

[@Jaryism]

Blue just lets White and every color feel like they’re finally equal. Then whenever it wants to win just starts casting endless Time Warps or using infinite untap and gaining control of everyone’s shyte. I’m somewhat joking but mana ramping into taking extra turns is still the most broken thing in the game, until that’s banned Blue will only lose if it’s intentionally handicapping itself.

[@headazrd]

Too true. Only reason I have a mono blue is because I don't do a lot with blue to begin with and just had so many legendary blues lying around, so I slapped em all together and it still kinda works, lol. It feels like you have to try harder to make blue not work well than to make it work well, lol.

[@cd15turb3d]

Yo Demo, I’ve heard you bring up Blacksmiths Skill > Rebuff the Wicked now a couple of times but you never mention Surge of Salvation which also puts Rebuff to shame and is protecting your whole board as well as you yourself. No Indestructible but it does stop Blasphemous Act as an added bonus.

[@markdziamski4859]

I play both infernal grasp and go for the throat.

[@BaldurtheImpious]

An hour long video, thank the lords above!!!

[@edhdeckbuilding]

i got a few long ones coming up

[@tevesh4922]

If you're getting triomes with Skyshroud Claim you're doing it wrong. You need to get lands untapped with it or you may as well play Ranger's Path.

[@longdangley]

Imprisoned in the moon is still quite the staple imo

[@AirborneRendy]

I'll never take out Krosan Grip or any other split second card from my deck. Those cards save me so many games stoping wins and combos.

[@nogard0497]

22:41 you say that you don’t like justifying Counterspells to counter a Commander, but why at 13:44 add the note “25 artifact Commanders” and not “X artifact creatures in the Top 100 played cards (Esper, Haywire Mite, etc.)”? I too don’t like countering a Commander so I think adding more examples to detour people from doing that might help, people can be stubborn 😅

[@lukepent9990]

Countering a commander and removing a commander are very different. Countering stops the card from being used at all, which honestly is often bad for you because it means there is less pressure on your other two opponents and you make the opponent who's commander was countered upset. Removal can wait until the commander is a maximum threat to you and gives time for other players to potentially use their removal on it instead.

[@crawdaddy1234]

I haven’t gotten to the 22:41 mark yet, but my guess is that it’s about playing counterspells that are specifically designed to counter Commanders versus more versatile counterspells. That would be very much in line with using Infernal Grasp over GftT.

[@marcoottina654]

24-.40 you can resculpt your tokens, like Clues :D

[@TonySnow663]

You need to try playing more counter magic its fun. Also, imprisoned gets a problem land is a reason to keep it around.

[@edhdeckbuilding]

counter magic is the opposite of fun. i feel gross everytime i cast one.

[@ivernedit]

Shadow spear beats black smith with removal but not rebuff

[@hanschristopherson8056]

I think abrade is actually better now because three damage kills more things now

[@psychedelicsewell]

With mono red I do still run blasphemous act. And if I’m running that, I always want to run repercussions. And if I have that set up, then chain reaction is a good back up for blasphemous act. Starstorm too. I have to actively tell myself not to run this in every deck that even has red in it.

[@moritzbierdimpfl7233]

so you are telling me you pick a pesky sekura- tribe elder over the glorious battering ram? this is outrageous!

[@thelunchlady8276]

Gotta destroy those pesky walls.

[@Phe0nix1986]

Nice

[@Greatestnesss]

Yeah.. I refuse to give two treasures to my opponent. They almost always will put something more dangerous than you just played on their turn, now you have a bigger problem you can't answer, or at least a problem 2 turns earlier than you would of had to. Jumping someone from like turn 5 to turn 7, I think, is a big deal.

[@crawdaddy1234]

Okay, but think about it this way - you counter their turn five play (assuming it’s a sorcery-speed spell) and give them two treasures. That is their turn. Then they try casting their 8-drop on their next turn, Mana Drain. 😂 Also, most decks aren’t even running 8-drops any more. More likely, they’ll be casting two 4-drops. So getting that 5mv card for one mana is still great.

[@terrencemedders1867]

Am I the ONLY person that loves white, but will not play Swords or Path? I just absolutely HATE giving my opponents anything, and also am not a fan of the target restriction. I only run "exile nonland permanent" for my targeted removal.

[@rainbowcrash6990]

Mtg power creep over the last 5 years is why I’m honestly scared to go play at LGSs against people with new cards lol I don’t want to be the old head with chain reaction and wrath of god 😂 Edit: oh dang, 55 minute video! Love it

[@Blacklodge_Willy]

Those cards honestly still put in work

[@steveolie985]

most people now still play casually around here Upgraded precon's I built are doing work to most of the people I run into.

[@palwatcher6903]

Dockside is banned, so Vandalblast would be useful sicne players will be running artifacts with "peace" in mind.

[@wackzacko]

Wowowowow just gonna completely skip over Delighted Halfling for Green.

[@edhdeckbuilding]

that's a staple for people in green? wow. yeah i don't play mana dorks much. i find they aren't needed in green and just die to boardwipes.

[@wackzacko]

@ i love the safety of knowing that I’m not gonna have to fear being blown out by a counter spell when I’m casting a 5+ cmc commander! I wish edhrec would say what % of mono green decks run it, but I figure if 12% of all decks able to play it do, then it’s gotta be close to staple status

[@terrencemedders1867]

Wait...Okay, I hear you...White has been given enough love to let it ascend from the worst color in the Commander format...But where do you find White to be, overall, better than Green?

[@edhdeckbuilding]

so i just did my anniversary video "best commander cards since my channel started". and yes white is at the top now. when you watch the video you'll see.

[@z3ntropy]

I think tribute is better then henge because henge just gets removed on site- people kinda sleep on tree tribute

[@Brutusque]

Yay powercreep!

[@bobbyfartz5591]

Omg this was just posted. I guess that makes me first?

[@ZanderEzekial77]

First comment on your comment

[@QuantumBeard]

​@@ZanderEzekial77first reply to your comment

[@CrisMW98]

Playing a dorki 2/2 with flash during the enemy turn (like a deep gnome terranancer) while you any of those 3 cmc draw when a small creature enters (tocasia's welcome, enduring innocence, etc) is so nutty. Its like a supercharged cycling.

[@jonathanshuttera1734]

There are 85 artifact commanders

[@edhdeckbuilding]

correct. i have no idea where i got the 25 from.

[@Kjos_jax]

Doesn't play imprisoned in the moon because it takes commanders offline and you don't wanna do that to patrons. Ok... Then less than 20 mins later... talks about running lignify and song of the dryads, which are essentially the same effect. If you don't wish to run blue versions of those because blue has better options, just say so. Why say you don't play those cards and then proceed to say you put the green versions in every single deck that can house them? Don't respond actually... you're always rude in the comments. Consider this one rhetorical.

[@edhdeckbuilding]

hi this is me responding. usually i'm only rude in the comments to people that are rude to begin with . like you. to answer your question: color matters in commander. lignify can be used in a monogreen deck because green isn't good a creature removal. blue however is pretty good at it and imprisoned in the moon isn't needed. not sure what this has to do with my patrons, i put the same cards in all the decks i make whether it's for me or not. btw, why continue to watch my videos if you don't like me? there's gotta be thousands of other creators in the space to watch.

[@Kjos_jax]

@@edhdeckbuilding You brought up your patrons and I've never been rude to you. Your attitude has always been very brash in the comments. I like your content and don't dislike you. I just don't like how you speak you people. I've dealt with the public for 30 years and train people on how to interact with others respectfully. Please be considerate on how you communicate with others. Three times you've been very off putting to me personally and I've seen you get gruff with another person's thread on a video of yours. You seem like a nice reasonable guy but you don't come across that way in the comment section. Acknowledging that doesn't make me rude. Your vids are informative and fun. Be that way to people commenting as well.

[@edhdeckbuilding]

@@Kjos_jax you think your original comment wasn't rude? i think it absolutely was. the issue here might be lack of introspection. i have over 400 patrons who don't think i'm rude. you can read thousands of other interactions i have with other commentors. maybe the issue here is that you have a condescending tone and don't realize it.

[@Kjos_jax]

@@edhdeckbuilding My comment was abrasive because of past experience with your attitude Demo. I wasn't rude the other times you were rude to me. In attempting to explain you've been rude your response is "what about you?" I have read other comments where you come across as very know it all and dismissive. Which I also already stated. You're attempting to spin this around after being called out for not being kind. It's ok to have perspective and improve yourself. I realize my tone was condescending and it is a result of how you've engaged with me previously. We love the same game and probably would get along in person. I will be kind in future comments and continue watching your content. Have a good one and let's move on. I know we both have much better things to do

[@edhdeckbuilding]

@@Kjos_jax your entitled to your opinion. i don't need a therapist. if you don't like interacting with me then stop commenting on my videos. especially in the passive/aggressive way you were baiting me into responding to you. i have more than enough people that like interactions with me, if you don't, oh well, you can't please everyone.

[@leegreening6727]

I think ripples of undeath is better than morbid opportunist and Phyrexian arena

[@edhdeckbuilding]

so much life cost though. just payed against it last night where my opponent just stopped using it after turn 5 and ended up killing it with their own removal so they didn't mill themselves out. i prefer cards with no drawback.

[@okgut2033]

whats a staple? arent those booring cards you see everywhere so theyr booring?!?

[@teaz3139]

"Frixxian Arena"?