Kyler, Sigardian Emissary | Upping the Average

[@KeroTheInvincible]

"Kylar got a +1 counter just by the fact you clicked on this video!" Bold of you to assume your audience is human, Joey.

[@h3g20]

🦾🤖

[@Jeyhs]

Lmao 🤣

[@nik700]

Repel the Abominable is sooooo good, even more when you realize that prevents any source, not just combat damage

[@Lucidian13]

Bogbonder was the first thing I thought of when kyler was spoiled, surprised it isn't in the average deck

[@mrtusk]

I’m literally at my desk brewing this deck now as I got the video notification

[@Insanir]

Planar Guide is a 1 mana human, that mass blinks all creatures on the battlefield. you would loose your tokens, of course. But that also counts for your opponent's tokens. And Kyler stills sees his humans returning to cash in.

[@mn6334]

Thanks for that suggestion. I had a Planar Guide sitting around and didn't even think about whether it was a Human. It seems great for this deck.

[@newworldsound]

“Humans have been in every single set.” *Stares at Lorwyn/Shadowmoor* Haha great video! Keep em coming.

[@monomanamaniac]

Being that this is my favorite commander currently, I think I've watched this video a dozen times. I'd love to see a redux of this deck seeing as how a ton of new toys are out there

[@JustASpider980]

I just got the Coven precon, so id like this idea too. You said as much yourself, they are on nearly every plane. Itd be nice to see whatd come out since then.

[@monomanamaniac]

@JustASpider980 it's a great deck. I ended up going with Kyler myself, and I think one of them did too

[@adamapple8638]

Would love to see an episode for Chainer, Dementia Master at some point! Love your videos :)

[@mn6334]

I have Bogbonder in my Kyler deck already. The last time I played it I actually didn't put the Hexproof counter on Kyler, I put it on Sigarda, Heron's Grace...

[@ryaninzana5640]

Livin’ the dream…

[@jordanhenriksen653]

Dream scenario right there, at least until you get board wiped LOL

[@Jhihadi]

Put it on shalai with avacyn out. The table was never so quite

[@cheddargobIin]

Just wanted to show some love to the Upping the Average series on this channel. Joey (and whomever is also involved in this) has done a great job bringing me back as a viewer even when black isn’t in the color identity lol

[@thomasbuege8074]

Got a way to include Reverent Hoplite!!!! If you swap out Cathars Crusade with Teleportation Circle you can get the same bonus EVERY TURN and if you can get Hoplite out there you are adding X plus ones plus ones EVERY TURN to Kyler thus pumping your army. Found this card in Arena and it is HIGHLY underrated and only $2 right now

[@peachydls341]

Great vid and nice breakdown of the deck.

[@Yesnomu]

"Pir pressure" is so groanworthy, I hate it. :D Great video!

[@alexvelazquez111]

A card that I added was crashing drawbridge to give my creatures haste. It always hurts to have so many tokens come in and have to wait to attack with them when they are so big. I also added a couple of fogs since we tend to swing full board.

[@cobaltbluemaru]

I like this addition.. it also helps triggering Coven more since it has 0 power

[@buddadragonmtg4848]

Hahaha yes I love tossing that card into non red token or big beatty boys decks for that very reason. Ok I make a million billion tokens pass. Board wipe pass.... F....

[@ironavenger6630]

Um wow I just commented on one of your vids yesterday about doing an episode on kyler and here we are today lol

[@AndySangas]

Teleportation Circle is a nice pairing with Kyler, especially with humans like Reverent Hoplite that have good ETB effects.

[@kylarstern42]

Kyler has been interesting me for a little while now but this just clinched it, I need to build this deck!

[@jimmyd404]

I just built mine, I'll post Wednesday how It plays

[@andrewrockwell1282]

Thanks for recommending Tyrite Sanctum. I hadn't thought of it, but it should be really good.

[@TyranAmiros]

I was surprised that I'd come to a lot of the same conclusions you did about what cards the deck needs - I do use Reverent Hoplite, and it definitely performs, as does Pir as backup extra counter generator. As far as land goes, Idyllic Grange is basically a I'd love to see an update to the video; I've been trying cards printed after MIC and some of them work really well: Hopeful Initiate from VOW is repeatable artifact/enchantment control in this deck; Resourceful Defense and Damning Verdict from New Capenna Commander are both very strong - the first helps with moving counters, the second is a great boardwipe in a counters deck. Horn of Gondor from Lord of the Rings is perfect for token generation, and Doomskar Warrior from MOM is only $0.15 but can help tutor for the piece you need.

[@cobaltbluemaru]

My version also has Clue-producing permanents as my card draw engines (Tireless Tracker, Search the Premises, Ulvenwald Mysteries and Thorough Investigation). Then I can sac these Clues using Tamiyo’s Journal to Demonic Tutor a card needed.

[@VegasJ-5150]

Been waiting for this tune-up. I am currently testing out Pyre of Heroes. Super tool box card that lets you get whatever affect you need for 2 mana plus add at least one power to the team.(I keep a list of CMC on my phone and what affect they provide so I don't have to guess) Doesn't draw hate like a birthing pod would either. Other cards that have been putting in work are Sanctifier en-Vec for those dirty graveyard decks and Safi Eriksdottir which combos nicely with Angel of Glory's Rise. Keep this series coming, really enjoy it.

[@W4ngatang]

pyre is sorcery speed unfortunately

[@VegasJ-5150]

@@W4ngatang Good catch. Just added it.

[@CryptonicNova]

One card I'm really looking to try is Glorious Sunrise. For three and two green you can give your creatures +1/+1 and Trample, Make a land tap for three green, Draw a card, or gain three life. For me, all these abilities on one card make it a great include for not only budget friendly versions, but most lists overall.

[@claygillman9351]

Since we have a lot of ramp spells, do you think that Garruk's Uprising would be better to have than Mirari's Wake? Because we will have so many huge creatures we will draw so many cards, and those big creatures will trample over little chump blockers.

[@mntalcesjr.4307]

First comment! Thanks for upgrading our human friends :)

[@seanm4682]

I've been playing Trynn Champion of Freedom and she's pretty fun in the decl

[@treehell4035]

Hey a man from the future here I was wondering if any of the new Myriad stuff from D&D commander legends wold make the list?

[@Heavy_Play]

With all the +1/+1 counters being flung around in this deck I'm surprised Abzan Falconer isn't in more lists!

[@kiprianwarren6353]

Kyler was the first commander in a long time I got excited to build around. First game post-build and he was dominating the table with ease, couldn't have been happier. If you have the card already (and what degenerate commander player doesn't already have it), did you know Serra Ascendant was a human?

[@YaBoyEdGames]

I just played a game last week at my lgs. Turn two Serra ascendant was hilarious for me but not for them lol

[@richardfried1533]

As a potential upgrade, is doubling season good in here or is it too much mana to be dishing out for an enchantment?

[@plain6677]

Not worth it. 5 mana do nothing is not for this deck. Hardened scales or Pir are better for counters. You don’t need to double the tokens (not enough payoffs)

[@tkarp11]

Love the series! Can we get a K’rrik episode?

[@SeekerOfKnowledge87]

Question/concern for those who have played him. He costs 5 mana and shortly after he is cast, a board wipe is likely coming. He then will cost 7 mana. We most likely don't have haste. I understand it being easier to protect him from spot removal, but I'm just concerned about casting him, then putting humans without haste out to get him big, then waiting till your next turn to attack, but being blown out before then.

[@claygillman9351]

Hi Darius, I am in a PRECON league right now. I get to do $22 worth of upgrades each week. The first week was rough because they kept removing Kyler. The second week the same thing happened, even though I added some more protection. It just seems like it is too hard to protect Kyler. I added in the Slippery BogBonder and Saryth, the Viper's Fang for week three to help with hexproof. Hopefully week three will go better. :-)

[@SeekerOfKnowledge87]

@@claygillman9351 Thanks for taking the time to answer. It seems my concerns are valid. Good luck with your future games!

[@abisadeonasanwo2789]

So I run a bunch of protection effects for Kyler, sometimes you have to play slower so you can hold up protection

[@MathasiaJ]

I would love to see Zedruu soon! I'm building a Zedruu deck that's very much not average and I'm interested to see what you guys come up with

[@christopherlefriant7091]

I've seen a few luminarch ascendants in lists...but no one seems to use obsessive skinner...omfg...also - I like borderland ranger for ramp instead of farseek. Druid of purification is fast becoming an auto add in my green decks - and he is human to boot. Recruiter of the guard fills a toolbox function for the deck and at it's worst is 2 humans in one card, similarly ranger-captain of eos but your 1 drops are much less prevelant (champion of the parish/mikaeus are the only ones you actually want to get). The problem with this deck is actually the sheer volume of humans to choose from - you almost need to focus on a sub-sub theme (humans with counters that happen to be soldiers or knights, "soul sisters" style lifegame or *don't laugh* GW werewolves - plenty of mana dorks and mayor, duskwatch recruiter and caretaker of avabruk)

[@teradul2480]

18:40 do you mean... Right in PLAINS sight?

[@jollyrogers18]

Why is Branching Evolution not on this list? Amazing video. Really helped me find some upgrades.

[@frandynamo2143]

I know the new Sigarda is underwhelming even in a human tribal deck but I love her and that artwork.. Howard Lyon gets me every time! I just ordered a foil one lol I will use her even if it’s suboptimal 😂 but yeah this deck looks super fun I think I’m gonna try it out.

[@thomasbuege8074]

Can you do a Reaper King deck next??? Please and thank you for the content!

[@HidaMan]

I've been working on a version of Kyler that emphasizes both human token generation as well as effects that place +1/+1 counters on all of my creatures (like Basri's Solidarity, Oath of Ajani, etc, including a few Ajani walkers as well) to kind of generate a backup Kyler-like effect but also to facilitate related synergies, including a fun Sigarda's Summons surprise wincon should it actually play out. Not really going for a super competitive angle, mine is usually a more casual pod, plus I just really love playing with +1/+1 counters.

[@marljevincalabia3746]

I'm currently building Kyler. Are there non-combat alternate wincons for this deck? Not Approach of the Second Sun, though.

[@nickmiller3748]

I really like orzhov advokist. It does a similar role as citadel siege and could buff your opponents creatures but not faster than kyler. Also can just buy some time

[@mikemeyer3530]

Love the video!! Think you could swing a Lyra Dawnbringer Upping the Average??

[@txag007]

I honestly think there should be 1 or 2 options to give your creatures trample to overrun your opponents.

[@morrius0757]

It only allows you to draw once each turn, but that's why I have Glorious Sunrise in mine, trample is important sometimes to finish out games and it's one of the few cards that gives reliable trample for this deck.

[@TheCrazyPlayer]

So, these recommendations are definitely for the higher budget version of this deck. First, Branching Evolution, from Jumpstart (~$10 at time of writing). It gives you double +1/+1 counters on *all* of your creatures. That can add up *very* quickly. But, probably the best expensive card for this deck is Primal Vigor (~$20 at time of writing). It doubles both the tokens you would make, *and* the +1/+1 counters *all* your creatures receive. It’s a *beating* in this deck, because it double dips for Kyler. Make a token? Nope, you get two. That’s two +1/+1 counters, right? Nope, that’s *four* counters, and that’s if you only make *one* token. Oh, BTW, Branching Evolution and Primal Vigor stack multiplicatively, so each single +1/+1 counter would end up being *four* counters. *Absolutely terrifying*

[@jimmyd404]

Luckily Primal Vigor is still $20

[@thevo-matoranchronicler588]

Only issue is I think Primal Vigor also applies to your opponents, so watch out for that. Still cheaper than Doubling Season though.

[@zinc4916]

I would love to see you do a deck tech on an old kamigawa commander for the up and coming set. Maybe one of the patrons like the patron of the nezumi which is basically syr Konrad but triggers on permanents and does 1 damage to that opponent but doesn’t trigger on your recursion.

[@maradri03gaming9]

Can we get a shadrix vid? I find the average deck to be confusing

[@DonJuanDecepticon]

I think Shamen of Forgotten Ways would go nice in this deck, For another win condition.

[@ironavenger6630]

Hey could you do one on edgar charmed groom ? I know he isn't the best but he is pretty consistent sac fodder. Could be good in vampire aristocrats.

[@MrBsauce12]

Wait no Doubling season mention at the end? 🤔 i assumed it would be an auto include for anyone willing to pay for it

[@DAsrada]

This deck for me seems to always end up losing. Maybe I need more ways to protect my board.

[@Insanir]

I have a Kyler-deck, but thinking about rebuilding it with Kathilda or Torens. Because 5 mana really hurts and then you still have to work for him getting counters. But the buffs you can get with him are ridiculous.

[@newlybricked]

I just bought 9 mana dorks and a bunch of cheap humans with built in evasion to switch up. I've done a few iterations of kyler and all of them have been beaters. Now im doing mana dorks cause you can ramp out kyler quicker and more likely to have him out on turn 3 or 4 plus when kyler is out your getting mana ramp and +1+1 counters in 1 creature. 5 does hurt but if you some lands and one or 2 mana dorks out you're not worries if he dies cause you can cast him the very next turn.

[@mmartak]

Joey, you are summoning your inner Matt Morgan. First by selecting Selesnya and tribal humans, and then by making dad jokes.

[@mmartak]

Also, isn't Obscuring Haze strictly better than Repel the Abominable?

[@thatguy550]

When kamigawa comes out, you need to do millicent

[@toddhall7218]

Branching Evolution ?

[@lxixian7504]

I have so many humans I want to play in this deck, I just play them all. Get a 60/65 ish base for the deck. Grab all the humans you want and add random ones till you hit 100.

[@fallout-qx4eo]

Love the videos thank you if I could make a request maybe look at scion of the ur dragon he has a very different playstyle to the ur dragon

[@tkr63]

Fractal Harness or nah?

[@usagimomiji87]

I also put an Altar of dementia on my kyler. its very easy do mill 100 cards if you get 7 humans on board

[@hozz1014]

Wouldn't doubling season be the best high-budget card?

[@AbyssArray]

I'd say for Knight of the White Orchid, in a deck like this I would include it, but I'd also choose to not include cards like Rampant Growth, Farseek, Cultivate, etc (only ones I'd keep are Three Visits and Nature's Lore - searching for that Forest, specifically having the option to grab the untapped Temple Garden or Canopy Vista) - the typical green ramp. I'd probably also push my creature count up to the 40 mark or so - I definitely do like the inclusions overall, I considered building this deck but my cousin chose to instead A card I would probably consider is Eerie Interlude, like Semester's End, exiles your stuff against a board wipe and brings them all back, less of an upside but also costs 1 less mana

[@cheraxe4ever12345678]

You can swap Rampant Growth with Diligent Farmhand

[@ahoyturtle]

for how important it is to protect Kyler, I'm surprised you didn't include things like Shielded by Faith and Shield of the Oversoul.

[@tattooman3603]

Or Gift of Immortality.

[@tattooman3603]

Very surprised you didn't add a Deranged Outcast to the deck. With all the token humans being added, it's super easy to sacrifice one, two, or three of them, spend that bit of mana to add two +1/+1 tokens for each sacrificed human to make Kyler into a towering titan of power, which in turn will make your board a monstrous wave of giants too. You may not get the benefit of a Craterhoof's trample ability, but this card can easily destroy the board as quickly and easily as a Craterhoof. Since there is no tap or untap on his ability, it can be used as soon as he hits the board, and he has the added benefit of being able to sacrifice himself to buff your Kyler. Also, Drannith Magistrate is a HUGE benefit to this deck. He's only 2 CMC to cast and instantly prevents your opponents from being able to get their commanders out of the command zone which is going to cripple them. It's also going to hurt that graveyard player to the point their game is likely over. Best, thing is, it works with things like your Angel of Glory's Rise since you aren't "casting" your humans from the graveyard but returning them. Finally, I'm kind of surprised you haven't suggested a Gift of Immortality to put on either Sigarda, Heron's Grace or on Kyler himself since both are so important in the deck. Kyker's CMC is fairly restrictive to begin with so getting him right back onto the board for free is huge. No commander tax ever as long as nobody exiles that enchantment or manages to kill Kyler a second time prior to that turn's end step. Notice it says at the beginning of the next end step, so chances are, even if they have the spell to kill Kyler on their turn, chances are they won't have a second spell to do it again prior to THEIR end step at which point the aura is back on Kyler (or Sigarda) protecting him/her. Finally, a Huatli, Radiant Champion is also phenomenal. With all the humans you'll likely have on board, it's super easy to get Huatli to his ultimate on his second turn on board, which is going to give you amazing card draw.

[@ghast43]

Do Roon next, please!

[@circolocofanatic]

Basris luitenant works really well and puts some creatures on the battlefield in case of a boardwipe.

[@DarthSmirnoff]

Forgotten Ancient seems fun in this deck, if a lot janky.

[@endersblade]

Wait...you thought Kyler was underwhelming? Right out of the box, that precon is so-so, sure. But he also isn't the commander of it. I have a guy in my group, brand new to MTG, his first deck was that precon. After the first playthrough I and another friend stripped the deck down to human tribal only, added cards from our collection to it (most of which are featured on this video of course), and now, even in a newbie's hands, it is one of the most potent decks at our table. Getting counters on Kyler is piss easy in those colors, and suddenly your board is 10/10 or better. Cathar's Crusade is just gross in this deck. This deck practically builds itself.

[@simonnice9030]

Forgotten Ancient seems decent in this deck, despite not being human ;).

[@mihneadragu1116]

Where are the anti-human cards?

[@brandonhiggs88]

Call the coppercoats would be good I think

[@EDHRECast]

It's in the deck! :)

[@endersblade]

If ever a deck needed D-season.

[@Ryan-so3il]

If you need another piece of card draw try drumhunter

[@HeyHeyHeyJoJoJo]

Sadly odric will not be a human anymore... He is now a vampire

[@JackLodge18]

Bestie I loved the video but you forgot rite of harmony

[@andrewrockwell1282]

35 creatures is nothing. My Kyler deck runs 50.

[@abisadeonasanwo2789]

Got a list?

[@izzydarkhart4144]

Got to strongly disagree with taking the new sigarda out, i am always able to use her ability 100% of the time and flud the board with humans no set up necessary (majority of the time i use katilda so can use humans to play more humans but have been able to do the same with kyler) . If you are unable to use her ability any of the time you are playing humans way wrong.

[@GoyfAscetic]

Mayael The Anima

[@marcusn4814]

And of course he’s not available on MTGO

[@plain6677]

Mmh so many taplands… not good at all in an aggro deck.

[@dustinjohnson2224]

Okay, it just another plus one counter deck. Boring deck

[@aidenignition]

I played my Human Selesnya deck that was initially built for Sigarda, but I put Kyler as the commander. I think you’re underestimating Sigardia Zealout. I just buffed up Kyler and then used it’s ability to double buff Kyler and give him vigilance. I had ~7 humans out and a board wipe happened so I played the Angel and won immediately.