Jeskai Cycling - Precon Upgrade Guide | C20 | The Command Zone 322 | Magic: The Gathering EDH

Support the show and become a Patron! Be a part of our community, receive awesome rewards, and more! / commandzone
----------
Show Notes:
It's time for the budget upgrade guide for the Jeskai Cycling "Timeless Wisdom" C20 precon. We're taking a look at the full list, analyzing all the stats and discussing the reprint value. Then we give you 10 cards to add and 10 cards to remove in order to get this deck quickly tuned-up and primed for combat with "real" Commander decks.
----------
The Command Zone podcast is brought to you by Card Kingdom! Make sure to use our affiliate link when ordering Magic cards, accessories and more: www.cardkingdom...
Huge thanks to UltraPro ( / ultraprointl ) for sponsoring this episode and providing awesome prizes for our giveaways. Be sure to check out their Ikoria themed sleeves, playmats and deck boxes!
Find UltraPro:
Facebook: / ultraprointernational
Twitter: / ultraprointl
----------
The full deck list for Timeless Wisdome:
magic.wizards....
----------
Follow us on Instagram:
@CommandCast
Follow us on Twitter:
@CommandCast
@JoshLeeKwai
@jfwong
Follow us on Facebook:
/ commandcast
Email us:
[e-mail]
----------
Huge thanks to Geoffrey Palmer the awesome Living Cards animations. Follow him here:
/ livingcardsmtg
/ @livingcardsmtg816
Commander/EDH Official Rules, Banlist, Forums, and more:
mtgcommander.ne...

[@FlyingZoroark]

I give Craig’s hosting 10/10 poison counters, a total knockout

[@emmab6253]

*large hi-five*

[@andrewsparkes8829]

Agree. I'd actually like The Command Zone to become a group show, where each episode 2 of 5 or 6 hosts host it (almost always having a Jimmy or Josh, though). It just gives more viewpoints and will free up the main hosts too. Between Craig, DJ Ashlen-Rose and Jimmy and Josh, there's 5 already! Add in Ladee and maybe Kyle, and boom, there's plenty to choose from! (Note: I do love Jimmy and Josh but their playstyles and values are well-documented, so would just be interesting to see, say, Kyle's cEDH perspective or DJ's 'janky', fun comboish brew mindset widen the whole show a little more!)

[@geefron]

In and of itself

[@jordanhouston9901]

Seeing Toothy reminded me of a game I played once with a friend. He was playing Pir and Toothy as his commanders and he was absolutely dominating the game, and took the other 3 players out with his 45/45 Toothy. I managed to draw a removal spell and he had to draw 45 cards and decked out. Probably one of the best ways I've won a game

[@tobiasfangor8809]

That's great.

[@mtgdudeguy7174]

Nice

[@patrickmchugh4616]

Drawing cards feels so awesome you sometimes get drunk on the power. Once I cast Cyclonic Rift overloaded with a Multani, Maro-Sorcerer on board. I resolved my commander Prime Speaker Zegana, and promptly drew around 40+ cards leaving me with about 4 cards in library and I ended up decking myself. Not my proudest moment.

[@UncleJrueForTue]

I almost decked out with Toothy after slapping a hydra's growth on it. Thankfully I added Gaea's blessing(tech against some mill opponents) to my deck so when I ditched it I survived.

[@leemiller6977]

NICE!

[@nickfitzpatrick5878]

Want to see a game night that the editors play against each others.

[@newtonsanfordwood]

With their own decks too

[@roncrawford5013]

They've all played on Game Knights at some point. Check out some of the earlier episodes and you'll see tons of Craig.

[@twoneraps3352]

@@roncrawford5013 Craig isn't all the editors

[@_somerandomguyontheinternet_]

RON CRAWFORD YOU DARE IMPLY THAT ONE CAN EVER HAVE ENOUGH CRAIG BLANCHETTE?!?!?! HERESY!

[@roncrawford5013]

@@_somerandomguyontheinternet_ lol right?

[@Donler]

They talk about what cards to 'swap in' at 34:36

[@xela1400A]

Thank you :)

[@kylarstern42]

I think I've been underestimating how strong cycling can be. This has given me some things to think about. Great episode!

[@kianhwa24]

1:13 we're adding 10 cards in and taking 10 cards out They cost around 10 bucks And we're cycling them around

[@jakestyles002]

Great job, Craig... as Always, Jimmy you killed it... we listeners/viewers can't thank you enough for all your hard work and dedication. Stay well!

[@cc_rex5017]

When you guys started singing Bycicle Race, i immediately had to show it my mum, who is a huge Queen fan XD And I once had an opponent in a Multiplayer, who managed to get out Decree of Silence AS WELL AS Solemnity. That was the moment where everyone conceeded

[@Akla1601]

Nimble Obstructionist has the initials N.O.

[@samnimmer5780]

Hey guys today is my 18th birthday and getting to see your videos has made my day brighter and I really appreciate it thank you

[@r.c.beringuela2426]

I'm a simple man, I see Mr. Infect, I hit like and watch the episode.

[@papaSwarls]

In that order?

[@Samuel-S]

That’s my favorite commander right there! I’m so happy for you Kykar! 5:42

[@DKMonsieur]

One great card from the M21 set is Teferi's Ageless Insight. It's the second effect of Alhammarret's Archive for 2UU, and since it's an enchantment it can be searched with Idyllic Tutor.

[@spencersonnier1]

If you want to add another land for taking out Temple of the False God, add in Blasted Landscape. Taps for colorless. Cycles for 2.

[@Venusmoder]

How about raugrin triome? Taps for all your colors and cycles for 3

[@lockecole3726]

I personally took it out for Mystic Sanctuary.

[@_somerandomguyontheinternet_]

Opens to a not bad rendition of Bicycle. Realizes Josh isn’t there. That explains a lot... ... Don’t worry I’m just joshing ya man 😂🤣😂

[@gusmethenitis7003]

Huh, didn't know cycling infect was viable

[@CianDelano]

I so want this deck! Like seriously this is magical timing this deck coming out. Starting like a month and a half ago I started playing a deck focused on drawing 2 cards a turn, with things like Faerie Vandal, Improbable Alliance, Jace, Arcane Strategist, and Mad Ratter, as well as Nadir Kraken for extra fun, just... tokens and +1/+1 counters all over the place and its just so much fun! When I saw this decks commander, I got so excited!

[@Aigis31]

Awesome episode! I do hope that, in the future, there's a simple graphic for whenever someone mentions quadrant theory on the show. It's something that sounds super complicated, and especially when not elaborated on, can feel very excluding for those unfamiliar.

[@J.Griffin4]

I think the deck is great! I'm just now getting back into magic and I ordered this deck today. Looking forward to playing with my friends. Great video and breakdown!

[@flyingturtle140]

"They may be the cutest token wizards has ever printed" Sad cat dragon noises

[@andrewsparkes8829]

I've always had a soft spot for the Gremlinesque Tarkir Goblins myself.

[@mtgdudeguy7174]

100% agreed

[@ericbitson8927]

Cat Dragon tokens win, for sure

[@nathanex5122]

i see you're interested in cycling

[@DarkEinherjar]

Astral Slide also triggers whenever ANYONE cycles a card, not just you.

[@antares8826]

So if all four players play a cycling deck... ^^

[@DarkEinherjar]

@@antares8826 Yes, you can flicker their Gavi when they cycle to stop them from getting dinocat tokens. >:)

[@kustomkrunch]

The Alhammarret's archive was so the luckiest pull I got out of the Mystery Boosters and I am without a doubt grabbing this deck because of it. Loved the Video!

[@jackthomas5607]

The very first card I thought of that wasn't mentioned was Amulet of Vigor. With a substantial percentage of the landbase coming in tapped if you get stuck having to drop one, being able to untap them, including the bounce lands, cycle the cards you bounced and still have mana up for more cycles outside of Gavi's first turn ability is vital. Needs to go in.

[@EloquentTroll]

I would consider Improbable Alliance for this deck, you get a 1/1 flying Faerie on the same trigger as Gavi, and it's only 2 mana to cast. Actually "draw your second card in a turn) was the draft theme for UR in Eldraine, so there's more examples out there, but the Alliance pays out in flying tokens.

[@sglied1320]

I built Brallin and Shabraz, I had most of the cards in my locust god deck and Alela deck so it was pretty easy to build. I think I only need like 14 cards, looking forward to playing that!

[@birdofnyx376]

One card i would add would be bag of holding, it allows you another way to reuse your cycling cards

[@ahmadalissami9871]

pheonixlord 255 you are a genius

[@koelkast9]

Have it in my madness deck too. So much value for these niche decks

[@ahmadalissami9871]

D yuuup definetely dude

[@oqihouqiop]

pheonixlord 255 bag of holding is an underrated draw piece for boros

[@fernandesbrandon1]

HOLY SHIT I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT....

[@robynmaag1266]

THAT'S NOT 6 FEET APART! hehe glad you guys are still podcasting :)

[@JuQmadrid]

A budget card that's amazing on this deck is Bag of Holding.

[@Svarnir_Frostfang]

I’m so glad to watch this and see that most of my plans to change up the deck were here.

[@stalkerstomper3304]

A sneaky combo is Escape Protocol with Cloud of Fairies and a Gavi on the field. With Gavi, make your cycling abilities zero, then cycle a card for 0, triggering Escape Protocol and paying 1 to flicker Cloud of Fairies, tap your 2nd land to add mana to the pool before Fairies returns, Fairies returns and untaps 2 lands, cycle for 0 again, pay 1 and flicker Fairies and dump the extra land untapped into the pool, and rinse and repeat to keep drawing cards and adding mana until you have no cycling cards left to draw. It's awesome!

[@hiddenrob6289]

Love cycling videos just what I need to get it going the blood I love it. I always watch these before I go out and get my body moving. I always watch one of these, and then put up my heavy playlist like Delta Parole, Three Days Grace, System and then I just go haaaaard!!!! Tactic hasnt let me down yet.

[@FableErrejeDMR]

Please bring more guest its really fresh and we love to see DJ, craig, etc.

[@dyne313]

I have an Ephara Commander deck and I was thinking of slotting her right into this deck, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who agrees.

[@saltgp]

Love the snow summit hat. Snow summit and bear mountain are my go to resorts

[@Madboyfred]

Been waiting for this one! Keep up the good work guys!

[@JamDonut11]

Next time you do a underrated card list, you should put languish in it. 4 mana for -4/-4 to everything is really good for it's mana cost. I've never seen anyone else use it, but it can help a lot, especially against token decks.

[@enersha]

i really like experimental frenzy w/ gavi because you can still cycle from your hand, tectonic reformation is also great. i want more crucible of worlds effects

[@CosmicConical]

The upgrades to this deck are so great because for once I actually own most of the cards!!!! Would just need an Aven Wind Guide and an Astral Slide.

[@Will_Morand]

Concept: move cycling predominantly into white(with obvious support in other colors) as whites form of card draw.

[@jtyree0226]

Will Morand they should add Reds “exile cards from top of library you may play them till end of your next turn” cards to white. Honestly just color shifting cards to white would be a great idea(IE color shifted act on impulse, experimental frenzy, utopia sprawl etc..)

[@stratuvarious8547]

2 years on and I still hate the Signet lands, a land that can't make mana independently will always suck (barring those few lands with just utility abilities).

[@786Demigod]

patiently waiting for the abzan precon upgrade vid...

[@StrongButAwkward]

Protip on some super secret bad card tech for a deck with a strong looting mechanic throughout from someone that used to play a Jeskai colors deck with lots of looting in a 300 card format: Planar Birth is a pretty great way to dump a bunch of basic lands you preferentially discarded to loot effects. It let's all players get the effect but historically opponents got a few lands sometimes and I would flip like 15 lands into play. It's also one of my pet cars so I'm hyped to just use it again.

[@MtgGalaxy]

1:04:12 Jimmy: Wash your hands! One thing we always touch with our hands is our cards I was half expecting Jimmy to say "Be sure you wash your cards!"

[@ancientswordrage]

These were recorded sooooo long ago, they wouldn't have known.

[@EngeltheFallen]

Oh man, Craig with deck upgrades is just what I want to see. Need more Craig on Game Knights for sure.

[@unpinkoh]

I’m hoping you guys got Mitch to guest for Game Knights!

[@trivialencounters]

This would be awsome

[@stephanieleddington992]

that would be sick!

[@alexanderforbes1452]

A budget episode where everyone plays decks that are 25 dollars or less.

[@noahsanchez9985]

Would be cool to see him play a match AND not hear him say “so basically” 50 times in ten minutes. 🤣

[@TheBoltimus]

Take a shot whenever Craig says “in and of itself”

[@Blizz3112]

Brallin-Shabraz-Wheel effects decks seem to be a real fun deck to make... They even support each other incredibly well...

[@CaptBackwards]

I would put deadeye nav + pengrine drake. Now cycle your entire deck! Maybe add a card to shuffle your GY back into your deck for infinite cycling!

[@Aigis31]

Command Zone: don't commit too hard to strategies your deck is hardly in on Also command zone: here's a bunch of cards you should add in to specifically work with Astral Drift and Astral Slide!

[@Lyscian420]

Lol good point. But to be fair: drift, slide, escape protocol, and all the tutors combine nicely with the inherent card filtration of the deck, and you'll probably be able to find one of those three somewhat reliably. And the effect is so powerful anyway, it's worth finding. Not to mention how broken the deck can get, just fiend hunter or mulldrfiter and a few cycle cards can wreck a table, with slide/drift/protocol.

[@kitsovereign4127]

If you're looking for an Elvish Visionary in Jeskai, Fblthp the Lost does a pretty good impression.

[@DarthXentus]

true, but it goes to your library when you try to Astral it.

[@victoraugustodeodoro5318]

Fblthp gets shuffled only if he's targeted by a spell

[@DarthXentus]

@@victoraugustodeodoro5318 ah, I thought he included abilities. My b.

[@victoraugustodeodoro5318]

No problem :)

[@olafthemoose9413]

The cat dragons wasitora can create are the cutest tokens ever made. The cat dinos are close but the cat dragons are just soooo cute.

[@haingis]

never noticed how similar looking Memory Erosion and Fraying Sanity where. almost looks like FS is an homage to ME

[@chaos5896]

I really want to see them do this with the partners for this precon. I think Brallin is amazingly good to make a wheel deck.

[@GunbladeKnight]

I would build the partners, through in every card that cycles for 2 or less, and put in Tandem Lookout and just combo out with Fluctuator to kill everyone.

[@Goldschmitt]

A loot/cycling deck... Another place to shine with Rielle! I was thinking about making this kind of deck but with Rielle as the commander.. Now I must admit I have a hard time making my mind. I think she'll only join the deck, but not as a commander anymore.. With Brallin and Shabraz, Ominous Seas and such.. The counters can rise so fast.

[@dvancebum]

My favorite adds to deck are Decree of Silence, Hall of Heliod's Generosity, Crucible of Worlds

[@lucarioknightb7685]

the partner pairing here is SO good; genuinely looking to build it as wheel tribal, pulling all of that old Izzet Wheel stuff out of storage...I'm pretty excited. And the Cycling general is sick, the friggin' Kykar-friendly dragon...maybe I'm just biased towards Jeskai, but DAMN am I excited for this one.

[@square1189]

I love this commander and box. I will keep some card but I will mostly use my Nekusar deck as a based. Get my blue draw cards, red discard and then draw card plus given all creatures haste. So many tokens creatures and cards... cant wait to build this deck

[@grahamhoskins3023]

There are a few new cards from Ikoria I’d add to this precon - this video was filmed in mid March though they mentioned so no Ikoria add-in suggestions

[@AvidusMauch]

Yes, sadly a downside of Ikoria and the commander set having the same release date.

[@jacobhiggins8648]

Wow this deck looks amazing especially with the upgrades! So much card draw

[@Venusmoder]

I also happen to have a copy of enlightened tutor, which I will definitely be putting in this deck.

[@tenarakunn]

Also don't foget Nadir Kraken for the Cycling Synergies! Since you aren't paying mana to cycle with Gavi, you can probably still pay the 1 mana, meaning you are getting a field full of tokens and a big threat that eventually needs to be dealt with

[@anubis44r]

10:38 the difference between flashback and cycling is, that cycling can be on lands, artifacts, creatures, instants and sourceries. Flashback only on instants and sourceries. Of course the cycling deck's numbers are great but the possibilities to have synergy of the deck theme were much higher than in the flashback deck

[@NRGFL0]

Jimmy being the fun police against fun cards like Decree of Annihilation and Decree of Silence

[@Compnooka]

Maybe I missed it, but did you talk about Starstorm? An instant speed board wipe with cycling could be a nice addition.

[@eamonbell6378]

I believe it comes in the deck, but I'm not entirely sure

[@Compnooka]

@@eamonbell6378 It's in the Temur "instants matter" deck, but not the Jeskai one.

[@atemnirnasha]

I cannot wait for the rest of these episodes come out

[@kurtisohlhausen1538]

I'm so looking forward to these pre cons

[@Rh3ttD4v1s]

I love Josh but Craig is a great host too! Totally down to have him on more often Again nothing against Josh.

[@jacobhiggins8648]

Rhett Davis it seemed like this episode was more focused. Sometimes when Josh and jimmy are hosting together they can ramble off topic!

[@ameagher45]

Fblthp the Lost seems like a good Elvish Visionary substitute. It still works with the Astral Enchantments because it is the triggered ability targeting him and not a spell.

[@ryx6071]

Gavi is a scary combo machine, can't wait for the Abzan one.

[@shogert2370]

About Decree of Silence Just slap Solemnity in it ;)

[@tacothursdays6546]

I'd replace Niv-Mizzet the Firemind with Niv-Mizzet Parun or possibly even the OG Niv-Mizzet Dracogenius. Firemind has an easy tap to draw but if you've got mana open and instants to play, Parun can give you more draws across the full turn cycle if your opponents don't play any instants or sorceries. Dracogenius lets you pay BR to draw a card so you can freecycle Gavi then get another draw on each opponent's turn. I also think Izzet Charm has a possible spot in Gavi or the Skyshark Partners for the draw two cards then discard two cards mode.

[@francogentile383]

Thats a nice upgrade! I'll go with dracogenius for the extra wheels.

[@sp00n29]

You can also use Akroma's Memorial or Eldrazi Monument to pump up all your tokens, in addition to Aven Wind Guide, giving you a total of 4 attempts at finishing the game.^^

[@biggmonty]

Craig you crushed it! Feel free to infect this channel more often!

[@kylehuber3408]

great video guys! i love this deck and will be picking this one up

[@dralkk358]

Theres a new legendary enchantment in M21 that has the same draw an extra card effect as Alhammaret's archive and costs one less mana. It's also not $20, I think it's called Teferi's Timeless Wisdom or something

[@ScottieC2112]

Great call Dr. Alkk! It's called Teferi's Ageless Insight, cost 2UU (2 colorless, 2 blue), Legendary Enchantment, and "If you would draw a card except the first one you draw in each of your draw steps, draw two cards instead." You miss out on life gain, but it is currently around $1, making it an amazing addition in a budget deck.

[@amybrooks4669]

I think you're really underrating Bralin and Shabraz. Bralin goes infinite with Curiosity (Have 8+ cards in hand during cleanup), and Cycling makes Bralin with a curiosity draw 4 cards. The card is very good.

[@bigwig8657]

Astral slide is also a player, and a fair few random other cards in other decks that cycle, like decree of pain.

[@christopheratkins9791]

Instead of Wall of Omens for a 2 mana card advantage engine, I'd suggest the Modern Horizons card Watcher of Tomorrow. You don't get the card right away the first time you cast it, but once you can slide it you get to Impulse every time you cycle.

[@willpimblett6330]

FYI cloud of fairies allows you to get infinite mana when paired with any kind of flicker effect and a land that taps for 2 or more for example deadeye navigator plus azoriuos chancery, you pay 2 to flicker cloud of faires it comes in untaps chancery and a another land allowing u to always get up on mana.

[@andrewnicolls3618]

Starts at 3:40

[@PrimeEnLightenedShadow]

Ty!

[@thetravmanTV]

This deck is looking fantastic. Can't wait to play it

[@tannergariepy3408]

even tho i dont like the card that much protal mage won me that game with this deck... it was down to 4 health( me ) and 7 health (my buddy) right after a board whipe and i had no creatures to play besode portale mage whihc ive had in my hand almost the whole game but hadent discarded for this exact moment and he just played a 7/4 induscturble vigilance flyer as his only creature on the field and when he attack ge'd thought he just won but then i slapped down portal mage and mad his own creture attack homself for exactly enough damage to finish him off and ohh it felt sooo soo good

[@autobotjazz1972]

if you play decree of annihilation, be sure to plan your escape route ahead of time .

[@gabrielethier2046]

Just stick a boros charm in the deck

[@gabrielethier2046]

@@nathanmoore3866 Only if youre actually casting it

[@tonycrawford8934]

Hall of Heliod's Generosity is an auto include with so many vital enchantments. Crucible of worlds would be great to get it and other cycling lands back if necessary too.

[@TheJimmylilly11]

I thought for sure between the partner video and this one that someone would bring up *curiosity & *drogskul revear. Especially with brallin & Shabraz.

[@dezsomodos1314]

Have you noticed Jimmy's nice nails and at the end he just randomly starts shuffling cards? It is cool.

[@valladaresRey]

2020 year of Commander and we get hit with social distancing, chaos gods have a Grimm sense of humor

[@puffin-onehandedgamer1164]

53:31 Thunder cat! may I also add to the list at the end: Akroma's memorial is pretty powerful, giving all those tokens the following: flying, first strike, vigilence, trample, haste and pro red and pro black, so they are pretty protected against many boardwipes.

[@portlandaustin]

Pro black doesn't work. Look up how the ability works it is weird.

[@emeraldsky1289]

I have that in my jodah eldrazi tribal deck

[@IceSki117]

Somebody is missing. Also, nice opening song, it reminds me of my years in high school marching band. That song is one of the favorites for the upperclassmen in my band.

[@Venusmoder]

You can also win with lab maniac in this deck. Especially when paired with new perspectives an a draw doubler, you can basically draw your whole deck for free

[@jbreau]

Reveillark is a house in this type of deck, Agent of Treachery also seems bonkers if you ever get it going with the Astral enchantments.

[@ethansapp4575]

So you cycle N.O to stop the sphinx drawing cards but what does cycling do again

[@benjaminlehman3221]

I want a few of the red cards for my Ajne madness deck.

[@stephanieleddington992]

tectonic reformation in Anja Madness would be so good.

[@EloquentTroll]

I took Anje apart to work on Grusilda Monster Masher, but I also want the red cards from this deck.

[@garchomp4027]

you could cut something for shark typhoon if you want to spend more money

[@aidanwright3037]

Me: * sees Craig sitting at the table * Me: "Oh? On Karn?"

[@dougphisig]

I'm trying to decide between this one and enhanced evolution either way some pretty fun commands coming.

[@juuuurgenful]

You mention decree of silence without mentioning solemnity, blasphemy! ;)

[@mth4456]

I think theres a really good deck here if you combine this and the Madness deck from last year. Make it mostly focused on madness and the deck from last year. Grab the good red cycler synergies in this deck. The red commander that pings, the waste not dino, and a few outside cards like wheels and glint horn buccaneer.

[@me12345635]

Would you guys ever consider having a link or sponsor with Magic Card Market? I'd love to support the show by buying cards through your sites but the shipping is expensive given I live in the UK :( Love all the content though!

[@thetogtube2]

are you guys still shipping during the quarantine?

[@cerospace9977]

@@thetogtube2 yep

[@caligo7918]

same for me in Germany, can't find half the stuff ultra pro puts out in the US and the shipping cost is brutal

[@Kallistosprom]

Totally agree with this statement

[@mtgdudeguy7174]

Maybe check out Magic Madhouse too