Korvold, Fae-Cursed King | Upping the Average

[@coreyroberson4550]

Frankly, I'm shocked that the average decklist doesn't contain Rancor. That may be the best card in my deck. One mana, sac and it returns, plus sometimes you just really need trample to punch through with a massive Korvold. I also run Fortitude, which offers regeneration, a sac outlet, and something that comes back when it is sacced.

[@jakeapplegate6642]

Corey Roberson there is one that cost 3 and gives fear that has the same self recurring mechanic. Not bad for voltron.

[@coreyroberson4550]

@@jakeapplegate6642 Sleeper's Guile? I remember looking at that and deciding three mana might be too high - I like that Rancor is just a single mana and can be sacced and recast for negligible cost. But I do like the return ability.

[@jakeapplegate6642]

Corey Roberson three mana is a bit high for korvold. I agree and fear is not the most reliable form of evasion either but I think it would be fine in a less competitive budget build. My korvold has a really aggressive curve. tappedout.net/mtg-decks/korvold-persist-very-fast/

[@eronXIII]

I run Rancor and also Glistening Oil, which grants Korvold Infect.

[@coreyroberson4550]

@@eronXIII Lol. Yeah, I already get some complaints about Korvold even though it's a fairly casual build. Infect would probably go too far. I do, however, run Glistening Oil in Hapatra, where it can be fun or even hilarious ("Attack me last, and I'll make your creature more deadly...")

[@isaacluginbill1570]

When you guys mentioned Ugin's Nexus a couple of months ago in a podcast I immediately went out and bought one for Korvold and it was such a good upgrade. Also the Korvold's Bed and Breakfast joke got me

[@theearwyrm6105]

Didn't see if this was in the average deck, but Brass's Bounty is an amazing card with Korvold. It essentially replaces its casting cost and draws you so a ton of cards. Everytime I play it, I'm always impressed with the work it does!

[@danielistvan3066]

It’s under blasphemous act

[@yugiohguy4543]

Birds out command sphere in just makes me sad lol

[@michaelchristopher2378]

This is the best EDH deckbuilding video series, and it's not close!

[@DarkX64]

"Where he eats the bed for breakfast" Alright Joey, I see you. That was clean. Love it. NOW GIVE ME VOLRATH THE SHAPESTEALER DANG IT

[@suntitan4419]

I agree I already have my volrath deck done the way I like it but I would like to see his take and opinions on the deck

[@tcrigdon]

@@suntitan4419 mm99mmm9m9m9m99

[@tcrigdon]

9 9 99999999m

[@SubvertTheState]

Birds of paradise should just be replaced with 'Gilded Goose' either use the goose as a dork to ramp into Korvold, or if he's dead and you have an extra 2 mana you can just make permanents (Food Tokens). A lot of food generators are great. Not too far from treasure tokens in some cases.

[@suntitan4419]

Gilded goose is great in this deck but I still run birds in mine as well

[@RPGPod]

I run both! The food is a great thing to have lying around after the goose is cooked or just as a 2 mana draw a card (since Korvold will eat it)

[@KoiPondDreams]

@@RPGPod upvoted for the cooked goose comment lmao

[@RPGPod]

Jeff M they don’t call him KFC for nothing

[@theodorelewis9898]

As a solid replacement for Rythm, Fires of Yavimiya works. Creatures get haste, and you can sac it to pump up Korvold for some extra damage

[@isaiah1158]

I know it's a fringe commander, but I would love to see Krav the Unredeemed and Regna, the Redeemer partner commanders done

[@Dubi264]

I made a deck for them recently and it's one of my new favorites

[@isaiah1158]

@@Dubi264 Right? I’m finding they’re super underrated so far against my friends “normal” decks like Kozilek and Edgar Markov

[@Lasor4]

That FLAVOUR in this episode was off the charts

[@danpk1977]

The one card I don't see on the list that I find to be great is Treacherous Blessing. 3 mana to draw 3 cards and then just sacrifice it to Korvold asap to avoid any downside, makes it a great add to Korvold.

[@anthonycontreras8830]

great recommendation, going in my korvold deck now~!

[@oldbonesnerd9324]

One of my favorite adds in my Korvold deck was dragonlair spider. Get a 1/1 insect whenever an opponent casts a spell? Thaaaank you

[@AuraXars]

12:25 This man has a way with words, i love it!

[@ichhalt12345]

I really enjoy this upping the average series :) thanks Joey

[@testostrodon9674]

Another great video! Would love to see an upping the average video on Prossh at some point. Keep it up!

[@riverketcherside1256]

The Karn from war of the spark is a nice stax effect to slow your opponents while also allowing you to take multiple extra turns with Ugin's Nexus

[@elipetrou9308]

Every time I play korvold he becomes a 20/20 and then I use selvala to generate a ton of mana before playing momentous fall on him to draw a ton of cards. He’s hilariously good. I also agree about the ramp thing. He’s weirdly good at using mana while making a ton of it

[@yugiohguy4543]

I absolutely love bloodghast, animation module, and skull clamp in this deck. Working together or alone all these cards generate huge value.

[@weston9571]

I have Entomb as a second copy of Bloodghast haha

[@yugiohguy4543]

Weston card is sick

[@danielyorke5225]

Thanks man! Priest & zone totally made my list and they are too slow. As soon as you said it I was like “ohhhh. That’s why this deck isn’t putting up W’s!”

[@supermassivi1995]

Really liked the way u change the deck, I'm playing and tunning my Korvold deck since release and started with the Brawl precon. My build now is alot more combo based but I think that this decklist you made is a great place to start and for people that don't want to go the combo route as well. About some of the changes I like Rhythm of the Wild in my Korvold deck because I do have a Melira + Murderous Redcap/Putrid Goblin as wincon so it can protect my creatures from counterspell and be a combo piece if I don't have Melira out. The reason Squee is on the list is Food Chain combo, but without Food Chain there is no reason to run him I like to play with dorks because they are a fast way to ramp into Korvold and they trigger the Aristocrats effects Growth Spasm is ok but I think Springbloom Druid is way better at 3 CMC, if we have Korvold out we can draw a card with the ETB and have a body to sacrifice

[@prashrad2382]

Yess! Joey this is exactly what I wanted. I love this

[@jeremiahradliff6898]

Anger is a nice creature to add, you can sacrifice him to Korvold the turn you bring him out and immediately give Korvold haste.

[@watapon3415]

Love this series, hope you can do some more obscure commanders in the future

[@rubyseverinwhitworth9066]

I have a request, Queen Marchesa as i think the deck could be interesting and the deck needs some more win cons

[@safertobeanonymous2224]

Instead of far haven go with springbloom druid. Early it’s as good late it adds a sac trigger. And for all those complaining he cut the fetches perhaps think of it as. If you have it put it in! If you don’t? Go with these instead of dropping a lot of money on them.

[@AaKkisa]

Some commanders I’d love for you to feature are Ruric Thar, Ghired, and Kumena.

[@jarredjenkins8054]

The only commander I'm willing to run in CEDH that doesn't have blue.... If they stop you from going the turbo ad nasueam route, you just pivot to treasure storm, draw cards and make Mana till you find a combo. Usually one person gets commander damaged out in the process. Yummy And for dessert.... Witherbloom apprentice/Chain smog Dualcaster/Twinflame Underworld breach

[@JinxThe27]

i really like a lot of mana dorks in my korvold list, they accelerate to korvold and the can be eaten up accelerating the draw.

[@benjahs5]

Share the list

[@francosmith4107]

www.moxfield.com/decks/uxtkikNzW0mTluQuOGF4eg

[@marleygoodfellow7965]

scapeshift and ashnod's altar are pricey but absolutely insane in korvold. if you run fetches, even the slow ones or strip mine type effects, you can tutor up all of those and draw like 12 cards!

[@BBOYSD]

My guy! You understand what's up 🤓 Scapeshift is amazing I have a lands sac build of korvold. Throw in Crucible, world shaper, splendid reclamation, ramunap excavator and a lot of mana-drop doublers like azusa or wayward swordtooth. Lotus cobra, Sylvan safekeeper, squandered resources, and zuran orb will really accelerate things. Throw in a amulet of vigor and everything enters untapped. Mayhem devil and retreat to hagra will take care of the rest, and if needed a 30/30+ korvold could give the final blow. Playing out a fabled passage or fetch multiple times during your turn is just evil with korvold out. 🤣

[@marleygoodfellow7965]

@@BBOYSD oh man for sure, its insane! its also actually playable in modern with the amulet since you can just draw your deck and pump korvold and win through as many scapeshifts as you need!

[@TippettRugby]

Hard disagree with cut on Awakening Zone, it's consistently been an all-star or ate premium removal that could have otherwise went at Korvold. Completely agree with Crux of Fate and Chandra's Ignition adds. Other suggestions - 1) more graveyard hate in the form of Tormod's Crypt or Soul-Guide Lantern. 2) Chandra, Acolyte of Flame can give you two free tokens that sac themselves AND let you recur your cheap spells from the yard 3) Field of the Dead, if you can swing the price and are playing more into the lands theme

[@yugiohguy4543]

Awakening zone is one of the better cards for a causal Korvold list. The way you have to look at it is a 3 mana spell that ramps you into Korvold then turns into that same ramp plus a phyrexian arena. Even then it can be better than that when you just bank the tokens then crack all of them once you get Korvold out. Even if Korvold gets removed you can just stack up a few and he is back out. It’s literally good at almost every point in the game.

[@Skywardjack]

I'd love to see an ur-dragon upping the average

[@lordgriselbrand4600]

you made korvold seem really fun! Fun, positive view. If only my playgroup felt the same lol

[@tserrofz9]

I would have added an addendum - Squee Dockside and Temur Sabertooth are for the very common food chains

[@johnstemel8619]

Vicious Shadows does work in a Korvold deck.

[@crovax1375]

One of my favorite cards for Korvold is Need for Speed

[@falscherhase4456]

Need for speed with titania is really busted

[@Circular_Square]

And for the next hungry, hungry boi you should do Ghave, Guru of Spores.

[@TheJimmythebass]

I bought a Chandra's Ignition for my Feather deck and now I'm annoyed at myself for not thinking of also putting it in Korvold.

[@theycallmelittletoe]

Yes Khalini garden is a must, had one laying around from the cat precon

[@rurouni4974]

I was waiting for this one.

[@Kranxxe_o7]

I knew he was gonna add Ugins Nexus, I would add it to my korvold deck too if there was someone selling in my area

[@07Mrbiggs]

Can we get an updated list to this one, including the newest sets??

[@dtopa7524]

Commander Legends Commander's Sphere ! So exited for more spoilers!

[@bashlindsay7618]

I am building a Treasure Deck around Korvold, its going awesome, just need 8 more cards and then I am finished :)

[@NateSix2Six]

Just picked up Korvold, if I had the available funds what should I keep that you cut? really love this vids helps me out so much!

[@mn6334]

Interesting. I made a list based on the Commanders Brew Jund Sacrifice Surprise list but I'm sure there's some really cool additions or changes here, too.

[@mn6334]

One thing that's not in either deck that I'd be interested to read some opinions on is Animation Module. I'm pretty sure it can go infinite with Korvold and Ashnods Altar, until you deck yourself at least. It's also not terribly expensive if I remember correctly.

[@RPGPod]

WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET A SPECIAL EDITION WHERE MATT DOES A NICE GUY UPPING THE AVERAGE?

[@dam49365]

The thing about korvold, is that if you dont have enough creatures when you start sacrificing you just draw a bunch of cards. You need to build aristocratzy to really take advantage of korvold.

[@BBOYSD]

No problem if u build it lands sacrifice instead of aristocrats

[@gregoryteixeira8024]

Now, my prayers to the Gods of Commander have been answered. haha

[@ethranoch]

Replacing Rites of Consumption with Essence Harvest and Ozolith with Ugin's Nexus. Thanks!

[@infernotitan1158]

Not gonna lie, now that Riku is semi-cheap again(Double Masters is a GEM for singleton buys, I'd actually enjoy an episode on him. I've built tons of iterations over the years, and while mine is less budget friendly than yours would be, I still love seeing what people can do on a budget with any commander, because sometimes those hidden gems pop up

[@knightfromlordran]

I literally just took apart Korvold and am gonna build a Meren Protean Hulk combo deck

[@babycake1376]

please do alela next.. been wondering how to build her..

[@georgemanolache6390]

Can you please do an upping the average on Reyhan and Ishai ?

[@A5ylumPri5oner]

Can you please do this with Chulane, every deck has it just be mana dorks and weenies into thassa's or lab manaiac for win it seems, I'd want something with more, stopping power on the board, and feels less, single player on my board.

[@PulseTriangle]

this was a highly entertaining video, thanks for all the extra flavor =P

[@iceicejay9569]

What about the card Tempt with Vengeance I was shocked I didnt see it in your list.

[@djbisson9819]

How about a Purphorose, Bronze Blooded upping the average Joey?

[@marreco167]

Scarab God next please!

[@audiophage0]

Totally agree on Chaos Warp, it's such great removal in red decks not running white, and it's super fun in EDH! Another interesting card for Korvold could be Crack the Earth.

[@Renegadetothe64th]

I really want to build a Volrath the Shapestealer deck but I dont know where to go with it exactly. Maybe you could help?

[@Josh-uh6io]

This was awesome. However hear me out, what about purphoros. Any token or creatures coming in deal 2 damage to all opponents. Plus he’s kinda hard to get rid of without the right removal

[@sirpercivalblakeney9957]

My korvold Deck is gonna be korvold lands so some of my cuts are different then yours, but I do like some of your ideas.

[@swordoflorn]

Just built korvild with all of the food token cards. Still crazy strong. Better thematic wins

[@Barricade159]

I keep deathsprout just for the fact that it reads kill a creature draw a card and put a counter on hungry boy (just eat the land it brings in)

[@VikingBaymax]

I think yennet cryptic sovereign would be a fun upping the average

[@Wilebane]

Dude rhythm of the wild keep persist is overpowered lol

[@king_eternal]

I don't understand this series. You guys state you're taking a commander's average deck list and make some quick swaps to take it from a good start to a grate start, but then you yank really good cards based solely on monetary value. Cards on curve are pulled to add cards not on curve to save a few dollars. I completely understand money is a factor and I'd agree with replacing some big money cards like Mana crypts and dual lands but some cards pulled in this series synergize so well with the specific commanders it's counterproductive and actually weakens the decks. I love seeing when cards are replaced for structural reasons over monetary concerns because it allows me to see the logic and think differently.

[@natehouts843]

@@derekwalter4238 It makes sense that the videos are targeted towards new players. He says in the beginning he wants to "take the deck from a good start to a great start." He's helping new players get off to a better start building their deck.

[@natehouts843]

@@derekwalter4238 No need to be rude. Beginners have to start somewhere and this is a great resource for them.

[@rurouni4974]

Now I have to wait for atraxxa, chulane decktech. Keep up the good work

[@peewee130946]

Atraxa will never get one the deck is too messy because of all the different versions of her.

[@AhranMaoDante]

Now what to cut for Betrothed of Fire.

[@safertobeanonymous2224]

I still don’t really see enough win cons here...... huge card advantage is great but I’m looking at ways to win with them....

[@suntitan4419]

Swamp soup and mountain macaroni for dinner kids

[@marcushart4445]

The Squee kinda points to the problems with EDHREC. Squee is in the auto list not because he combos with Korvold, but because at his best, Korvold is a Food Chain commander who uses food chain and Squee to draw your deck and play your wincon. It doesn’t actually have anything to do with Korvold outside of that. EDHREC takes the numbers and shows them to players but never really explains to people as to why they need to play those cards.

[@russelldoucette7063]

Is there a four color sacrifice commander where Korvold and Thraximundar benefit?

[@elipetrou9308]

Rhythm of the wild is for an infinite combo, same with squee

[@eronXIII]

Okay, don't kill me, but... I don't think this deck needs Skullclamp. I prefer some more value creatures and sac outlets and less of the "trigger on sacrifice", Korvold does that already. Yawgmoth is great although it may be quite expensive by now, but what about Greater Gargadon? Then, having a sac outlet, Rhythm of the wild goes infinite with persist creatures, like Murderous Redcap or Puppeteer Clique, which aren't bad at all in the deck. And speaking of persist... Korvold will never have a -1/-1 counter on it, so... Cauldron of Souls?

[@whasabi1313]

well I think squee is in there because food chain too

[@frenchertoast]

Joey please help! I built a Animar morph deck and a moment before I orded it, I accidentally deleted the decklist! I would be really happy if did one about animar morph(:

[@MikeMurdo]

Dockside was $33 when this was published... wow....

[@egghunter2122]

nice vid cool dude

[@viceverse11]

Great deck

[@SumNeuron]

Thoughts on Veteran Explorer?

[@emarmy00]

Ive never seen that deck building program before, how do I get it?

[@EDHRECast]

archidekt.com/ :)

[@Therodaas]

Can I get that recipe for mountain mac?

[@Derek-so9ym]

Anyone got a cheaper version of this deck?

[@cross_lair]

Redux when?

[@fmg5110]

Make one on melek please

[@raaquin7993]

nice videos, pls Estrid Upping the Average

[@garrettredding2837]

Endless swarm though.....

[@JakeBros3]

I really like this series and I love the EDHreccast but I have to be a bit critical here on this episode. I run a Korvold deck, and in all fairness it could simply be the 50+ games of experience I've had with the commander, but many, many of these cuts I think are being cut for no good reason. I'm all for making a deck better by trimming the fat, but I feel like we halved the cost of this decklist by adding in a bunch of cards that are fairly objectively worse. I'm sorry, but there's no reason to cut Dockside extortionist if we're trying to up the average and are okay with keeping the price the same. Ditto with Liliana, Dreadhorde General. Even taking the tutors out doesn't make sense to me. There are a few great additions with the farhaven elf, Ugin's nexus is super spicy, but many of these additions felt like "hey let's lower the cost of this deck, and make it only slightly worse". I just think there's a fine line between trying to optimize a deck at that $500 budget level, and halving the cost and trying to make it more budget. It's no means a bad decklist, but I feel a lot of amazing cards were cut for additions that aren't better.

[@dantebeleren]

I truly don't know how I feel about this series. On one hand, I appreciate this cause it's good at pointing out things people might not realize and fun niche cards. But... it also contributes to deck homogenization. Which drives me nuts (personally).

[@jopwattel8669]

WHIP OF EREBOS

[@connermcclarren5234]

I need kelsien, please!

[@thomaslepage5941]

Food pun/10

[@Str8upWizardCJ]

How is it making the deck better when you're removing many of the best cards in the deck because of pricetags? Fetch/worlds is a seriously important part of many korvold decks.

[@meyeneetuks4680]

I was just about to say the same thing. Fetch lands (although absurdly overpriced) would be highly recommended in korvold. Prolly the only time i would buy them

[@Str8upWizardCJ]

@@meyeneetuks4680 yuh i mean korvold plus fetch is the best value engine right there. Fetchs basically read, give korvold a counter draw a card and fix mana no cost.

[@golgariguy]

I mean, does Korvold even need to up its average? The average deck os probably plenty strong already 😅

[@davidmcclellan8031]

Cedh says otherwise. But agreed on a budget haha

[@Areszvt]

Food chain and squee

[@MegaZer0]

i'm like 2 years late lol

[@lunasterling4009]

omg yes finally

[@bluebook13]

Turned off the video at 4 minutes when he cut the best card in the deck.