March of the Machine Precons: Worst to Best

This is your FULL review of all five March of the Machine precons, from worst to best! Figure out which ones you want to buy from Magic's newest set!
Shop through CoolStuffInc and use code "NERDS" at checkout to save 5% on your order!
www.coolstuffinc.com
Order cool shirts AND save 10% with our IntoTheAM link!
bit.ly/IntoTheAM_NitpickingNerds
Buying Dragon Shield product in the United States? Use our affiliate link!
bit.ly/DragonShieldUSA
Buying Dragon Shield product in the EU? Use this affiliate link:
bit.ly/DragonShieldEU
Follow us on Moxfield!
www.moxfield.com/users/Nitpic...
Come join our Discord community!
/ discord
Consider Supporting us via Patreon!
www.patreon.com/user?u=15711695
Follow us on Twitter:
Twitter.com/NitpickingNerds
Interested in sending us something? We have a PO Box! Use this address:
Joseph Maraschiello
Nitpicking Nerds
PO Box 139
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
USA
OUR EQUIPMENT:
○Microphones: amzn.to/3wLlrcd
○Cloudlifter: amzn.to/3iZxZc3
○Beginner Microphone: amzn.to/3d0TghB
○Camera: amzn.to/2SQPuRa
○Lighting: amzn.to/3iZVQZe

[@EMMYMXNC]

I love how content that kitty is with the ear scratchies

[@NitpickingNerds]

She LOVES them

[@poutinemcflurry3544]

Hedron detonator is the perfect example of almost every set having a card that was just randomly made for Prosper Tomb-bound

[@Noddy-Gaming]

2:35 Divine Convocation 12:10 Growing Threat 17:58 Call for Backup 25:04 Tinker Time 33:23 Cavalry Charge

[@andrewrockwell1282]

I'm reviewing the comments from worst to best! 😂

[@NitpickingNerds]

Good luck with that!

[@MTG69]

Pick me, pick me!

[@roondoger]

If only Myrel, Shield of Argive was a knight instead of soldiers. That would be absolutely insane

[@Cupitron]

true, we need a knight version NOW

[@shawngriffith6901]

As any horsegirl will tell you the bond between a person and a horse is incredibly powerful and unbreakable. Horsemanship taps into that bond and together they can't be stopped.

[@andrueurbane7361]

Great content! It is fun that they brought back a bunch of old borderline abilities from flanking, horsemanship, convoke, hybrid mana, and more. You never know how a set plays until you play it, but the throwbacks give me chills and evoke some great if dusty memories.

[@ElevenBricks]

The biggest weakness of the Convoke deck imo was not being in green, which had the best convoke spells prior to this set. However I like how they are shifting what is essentially a ramp keyword out of the color with the best ramp.

[@Timbuktu-qt2lj]

Awesome video! Thanks for making these and getting them out before the decks are released. I appreciate your analysis and use it when making my decisions about which decks to get or skip.

[@silvershadow4297]

Ur telling me that the eminence commander is the best one 😮

[@NitpickingNerds]

Pretty weird right?

[@ventusdm9505]

thanks for the hard work! ❤

[@adamwhite4215]

A lot of people are giving the convoke precon a lower rank than the others. The ability to use your creatures as mana and a commander that can be paid for a unique way has always shown to be a heavy hitter. (Derevi, Yuriko, Liesa,) Honestly, it's the only one I'm interested in. I'm not saying it's the best out of box out of the 5 but I definitely feel it's not the worst. Looking forward to playing them all against each other with friends for some good out-of-box playtesting! :)

[@Hanbro1o]

Having gotten this deck, it is a lot of fun and performs better than expected! Tapping your whole board for Wildfire Awakener is legitimately busted

[@KodamaoftheWeastTree]

I’ve played against this deck both vanilla and upgrade in pods with each of the other decks both upgraded and vanilla, and it loses literally every game. It is by and far the worst deck,

[@adamwhite4215]

@@Hanbro1o Agreed, Wildfire Awakener did some work the matches I've played with it!

[@89qwyg9yqa34t]

Vedalken Humiliator was probably put in there for stuff like slivers, or an army of indestructible/deathtouch/protection things, or if there's like a deck with a creature that can block everything all at once. Whatever. Even if they're just huge, they'll be 1/1 and attacking may not be nearly the big deal it otherwise would be.

[@BlueGriffin20]

I’m getting the backup deck to pick apart for my Marisi, Breaker of the Coil deck. It has a bunch of mentor/training cards that will work great with some of those pieces.

[@Cupitron]

I was waiting 4 your review guys, really love your videos❤

[@NitpickingNerds]

We love doing these!

[@lorcanawithluke]

I know Chant of Vitu-Ghazi is kinda bad still, but it prevents all damage from creatures, not just combat dmg. I think that's pretty relevant in some cases with Chandra's Ignition or Ziatora etc. So its not JUST a fog. But I'll agree its kind bad. In precon environment maybe it can be good.

[@Qroe]

Love that you guys mentioned one of my favorite cards, Intruder Alarm. When I heard about the convoke deck, I hoped we’d get a reprint. But, nope.

[@zenalias3131]

Lore/fluff wise, Kamigawa fox-folk have interesting naming convention. We've got Bright-Palm, Light-Paws, Pearl Ear, Golden-Tail etc. So nope, Light-Paws and Bight-Palm are two different characters

[@heymarkdg]

And yes I knew the quote before you finished saying it. Love it.

[@NitpickingNerds]

YES

[@Medjai_1457]

Not sure if someone already pointed this out or not, but Brimaz's proliferate triggers at the end of every end step, not just your own

[@jrickey]

Vedalken Humiliator was included because Gimbal gives all your artifact creatures trample. Once you get a couple of Gremlin tokens out, it's like a weird, inverted Overrun of sorts. Still probably worth cutting, but it's a cute trick for a precon.

[@Chaoslorden]

I can right away tell that the "unique tokens" deck will be a paint to keep track on all the things. Table will look like someone blew up confetti all over the place haha. To preserve brain power I have started to limit the bimnwr of different tokens and triggers as much as possible and still keep it powerful because it can become so time consuming to keep track of everything and manage the tokens.

[@Smaul002]

I think a lot of ppl are sleeping on Kasla. Preordain on a beefy keyword soup creature that has built in cost reduction is not as bad as everyone is making it seem. Even if you preordain 5 times throughout the game, that’s good value.

[@TheManBearPig89]

I don't think she is a bad commande, I think the problem is that a convoke theme isn't that well supported by the other cards in the 99.

[@davidramage8860]

She herself has convoke, making her easy to cast and recast, keeping a strong board presence. And don't forget card's like kembas banner and horn of Valhalla! Kasla will be a ongoing face smasher throughout the game.

[@Smaul002]

@@davidramage8860 WOW, those cards are gas. I forgot about Kemba’s banner

[@bernabegarcia786]

Great vid thank you

[@shawngriffith6901]

I think "Bright-Palm Light-Paws" is a naming convention for their species or culture similar to the ratfolk with Marrow-Gnawer and Ink-eyes

[@a.velderrain8849]

I remember the "Go back to Gimbals" line, because my family insists on watching ELF every single year.

[@NitpickingNerds]

YES I KNEW I WASN’T ALONE

[@MBison-fs8vp]

Not sure if it was in the decklist or not but Scaretiller fits perfectly in the convoke deck

[@EntheogenShaman]

Love that you still found a way to take a jab at Grave Titan lol, never change.

[@NitpickingNerds]

Grave Titan is never safe

[@andalov]

Thisss is the only one video I had being waiting all over the internet

[@NitpickingNerds]

Welp, here it is!

[@sethl.9945]

I'm pretty new to the format but I have been following your channel for a few weeks. This is a great idea for a segment cause there's a ton of overwhelming information. keep up the good work!

[@NitpickingNerds]

Hope it helped you!

[@bobfranklin2572]

Thanks lads

[@kaladin_nightsong]

As someone who has played the backup deck… the wurm is fantastic!!

[@patricklynch4074]

I have both the gimbal artifacts deck and the knights deck, and i always felt the artifacts were underperforming! I was very surprised when it got #2. Could you give a quick explanation of why its good? I dont really see it myself, nor with gimbal himself. As for the knights, i wanted to cut arvad but i realized if i ever had him i should bring out sidhar jabari and use them together. Other than the commander, he doesnt synergize with anything. That said, synergizing with such a good commander was enough for me to keep him in. Thoughts?

[@zonimi]

Elenda, the Dusk Rose is a Knight. And Blade of Selves in the Backup deck seems a good fit.

[@doom7684]

Ga ga ga garbo. I cracked up hard.

[@potatolegs1305]

Chant has actually saved my butt already but I totally see your point 😆 it's ridiculously expensive

[@89qwyg9yqa34t]

Not sure what the issue is with Revolt. If something died by, say, sacrifice, you get a super-scry. I'd probably use it at 3 mana, but if you very much don't need lands (or do), this is one great way to make whatever you need more likely each turn.

[@theboller4154]

Sidar just jumps from the griffen to a pegasus.

[@EXPNormandy]

The Red Terror is a must have for the Call for Backup deck. 2 card combo with Shalai and Hallar.

[@AaKkisa]

Don’t forget War Elemental and Heliod, Sun-Crowned. All three are going into my Shalai and Hallar deck.

[@marcoottina654]

32:25 with Wojek Embermage (pings with Radiance) or Izzet Staticaster you basically board wide every turn (and also Polymorphist's Jest) Call for Backup deck feeds on any ETB payoff, like triggered abilities duplicators

[@wakefieldwade4019]

Great video.. thanks guys. This set of commander decks seem super medium.

[@AnnaJaneMTG]

Comcoke was primarily selesnya in the past so a lot really good convoke cards (March og the Multitudes, Chord of Calling, Impervious Greatwurm, etc) are all green and not playable in Jeskai

[@NitpickingNerds]

Yeah, even the black dragon is out of bounds color-wise

[@NitpickingNerds]

It is annoying for sure

[@CloudsFPV]

I always try the new "premium sleeves" that come out and I always prefer my dragon shields.

[@davestier6247]

WotC should face federal charges for not printing a goddamn banana token for Kibo. Unacceptable.

[@Frawzen480]

7:46 can anyone else appreciate how fast he said "blue" 4 times?

[@dylan9624]

For Calvary charge I ended up putting in the circle of loyalty seems to fit well

[@ethanwhite145]

Wave-knight goes infinite with benthic biomancer. Still need Jace/lab man to not die to it though

[@NitpickingNerds]

That’s awesome 😎

[@MforMovesets]

Tinker Time has GREAT tools. I missed out on cards like the Golden Goose, I get the deck for that alone.

[@samueloak]

Harsh Mercy for the knight deck. You’re welcome 😉

[@Mr_B_251]

I'm surprised Chief Engineer didn't get brought up for Kasla. Gives all artifact spells convoke. I can see a Kasla deck built around tutoring that thing out and protecting it.

[@MrDontSubscribeToMe]

That sounds like a lot of fun!

[@jacoby-wan_kenobi]

The backup commander for the Naya deck is really good...

[@lemonsnek9393]

Mondrak doesn’t work with incubate, right? You get the incubator tokens but they don’t enter with counters on them

[@joemash4193]

How about Encroahing Myosynth in the Gimbal Gremlin deck? Turns all nonland permanents you control into artifacts. Then if you have Ghirapur Aether Grid out there you can tap all permanents to deal damage to the face. Also considering adding Kar, Living Legacy PW.

[@IBeScrappyDoo2]

Bright-Palm is the brother to Light-paws or maybe a distant cousin !! lol

[@nathanwilson3507]

"Does the griffin then ride the horse?" "I think so" 🤣🤣😂

[@Eldrad235]

Sidar is a Jacked up Varina and the deck plays exactly like my zombie deck freaking hell the deck comes with zombies even look up a varina deck list when making this deck (they messed up cutting low cmc knights in my opinion)

[@Shiek200]

Important to note for Magda and convoke, that she DOES sort of tap for 2 mana... provided that mana is being used for 2 separate spells. Since costs are all paid collectively magda's trigger won't create the treasure in time for you to also use THAT to pay the costs for the spell you tapped magda for, but once the spell is paid for and on the stack you'll have the treasure and can use it for anything else.

[@NitpickingNerds]

This is very true

[@Beckola44]

Most of these Pre-cons are not that good. The Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir is such a strong Commander along with its Eminence ability. I also like Locthwain Lancer, Adeline, and Herald of Hoofbeats. Knights will be making a comeback. Thank you for the video Nitpicking Nerds.

[@Munchie3777]

C'mon beezy the task at hand is chasing birds xd

[@energetek661]

Amber and precons!! Lets go!!!

[@NitpickingNerds]

Best combo confirmed?

[@robertcardenas9336]

Bro elf is my favorite Christmas movie!!

[@NitpickingNerds]

Used to watch it every Christmas!

[@dant1386]

History of benallia is a good addition for the esper deck as well

[@SWAT6809]

also Brimaz says "each end step" so you can proliferate 4 times in a turncycle

[@rynebillings2226]

People really are sleeping on Wand of the World Soul. A mana rock that can turn your creatures into mana dorks for a single spell is a powerful effect. I'll be surprised if it doesn't become a staple in creature based decks that run white in the future.

[@spudster8887]

But it's basically a 4 mana rock? That's ... really weak

[@rynebillings2226]

@@spudster8887 it entering tapped doesn't make it a four mana rock. People do play 2 cmc rocks that enter tapped. They don't suddenly become 3 cmc just because you can't use them that turn.

[@spudster8887]

@@rynebillings2226 I actively disagree, entering tapped is costing you a mana

[@rynebillings2226]

@@spudster8887 you can disagree, but it's not actually true unless you're playing cEDH. What you're saying amounts to "Rampant Growth is bad because it puts a land in play tapped"

[@spudster8887]

@@rynebillings2226 I mean no because it's still 2 mana ramp. Being a 3 mana rock already makes it bad, it entering tapped is a literal death knell without synergy

[@Rayan01012]

Will we ever get the old precon upgrades back?

[@NitpickingNerds]

We like doing them but interest in individual precon videos has died down over the years!

[@stinkypoodog]

Imo, I feel like most of the new convoke cards are quite powerful, and theres already so many degenerate ways to create many tokens easily, even specific coloured tokens. You could easily build a powerful convoke deck with a decent token engine/package. Edit: also alot of combo potential because of how you can cast things for free

[@mitchwhite8941]

Agreed. I love the design space. It's refreshing to see fun and unique interesting decks builds across the table rather than just tuned up monsters with all the same staples all the time.

[@GizZm086]

Awesome!

[@NitpickingNerds]

This set is looking great!

[@nogard0497]

Beezy age reveal guys! The Nerds lore Iceberg is growing!

[@rfccw949]

Would love to see the nerds upgrade the backup commander precon with shalai and hallar as the commander

[@Blackvolttage]

No mention of path of the pyromancer? (And the other paths btw, all except blue are various flavours of fine even outside planechase)

[@gypsieking3280]

Argus is a great shout

[@kamilwhaley-kalaora4839]

Swap bright palm for shalai and halar and the deck becomes easily the most powerful and definitely has the best potential considering it has 3 two-card infinite combos with the commander and goes crazy with things like mana gorger hydra or cathars crusade

[@AaKkisa]

Exactly how I’m building it

[@andymessick5964]

Brimaz can proliferate at the end of EACH end step

[@muninn92]

There are some places now that are presaling some of these decks for almost 80 now.

[@wolfsajin]

I understand the idea of taking out Arvad the cursed from the knights precon. But the fact the deck does start with 10 legendary creatures has gotta count for something! Definitely a bummer he doesn’t count himself for the +2/+2

[@martinithechobit]

Ty I am deciding what to get. May be none.

[@user-rc6hi1vm7h]

41:30 can someone explain to me how kindred discovery works with waverider?

[@mr.mammuthusafricanavus8299]

- I wouldn't be surprised if the Blight Titan art was originally cancelled Grave Titan art... - Very surprised how much Kalonian Hydra is these days when I bought it in the dollar bulk rares box at my LGS a few years ago - Conclave Sledge-Captain getting drunk with his Selesnya friends after a long day in the club: ''Baby got to backup backup backup that mammoth...'' - Esper/Mardu Knight Tribal= Awesome :P

[@MBison-fs8vp]

I like Call of the Bloodline for the Knights deck as well

[@Killericon]

There is an Invasion of Xerex! It even flips into a Knight. It's not a GOOD battle, but still

[@metaphics]

Haakon fits in the precon right? Loot him into the yard, then play him out and start playing other knights too. He’s not mass reanimating but it still seems good.

[@patrickmurphy8604]

He's included in the deck

[@metaphics]

@@patrickmurphy8604 lol I should have checked the deck list. Ty!

[@MRnobodyoftheeveryb]

I need uncivil unrest for my Marchesa the Black Rose Deck, omg is that OP

[@sabomusicllc8165]

Tinker time is way better than anyone at the table expected. I was so pissed at divine convocation, I was looking forward to it and it is trash out of the box.

[@nickd6303]

The big issue I see for the phyrexian deck is if we will see them or incubate again. The convoke deck feels like it's missing some things, additional gripe the face commander is an ALLY when's the next ally set? No pressing complaints for the other three.

[@DraygaFlight]

Incubate has terrifying synergy with token REPLACEMENT like Jinnie?

[@altromonte15]

I liked temple of the false god in golos flicker because I have the greed of a goblin, sadly I've never found a deck outside of that where it's playable

[@arouk7766]

I think Wintermoor Commander is far better than they are making it out to be.....2 Mana 2 power, deathtouch, increasing toughness and the best part giving indestructible to a knight...... This is a dude that you sling and let attack creatures trigger, I like the card especially for 2

[@BlobThoughtsMTG]

You guys should make a video all about Grave Titan alternatives 😂

[@NitpickingNerds]

Oh yes, move over Grave Titan, Blight Titan is HERE

[@perk2469]

"Oh boy I'm looking forward to get the convoke deck!"😀 NN: "Convoke deck is the worst one" 🙃

[@Jakep54903]

I think they are wrong

[@weeklyweeks7545]

Amber she can purr anytime. As long as she is double sleeved in dragon shield on cool stuff Inc.

[@NitpickingNerds]

Always double sleeve your cats!

[@skullkrusher-dx4kg]

Teferris ageless insight and the other thing with the same effect is just strsight up card advantage in this deck. Reccomend %100.

[@insertname5195]

that sounds very good

[@blaarfengaar]

Alhammaret's Archive is the original version that you're thinking of btw

[@skullkrusher-dx4kg]

@@blaarfengaar thx. They are both pretty broken when your commander just says draw a card from the command zone.

[@blaarfengaar]

@@skullkrusher-dx4kg absolutely, I have Alhammaret's in my Kruphix deck and the value it provides is absolutely absurd

[@frankmagyar5532]

Someone needs to make Gimbal UFO tribal

[@VeilXI]

What’s wrong with Read the Bones? Seems decent to me.

[@riverswater5688]

I’m so glad this video exists… I was debating which one to get

[@NitpickingNerds]

Hope it helped at least!

[@mmmmmq]

31:55 three different tokens at three drastically different price points 😋

[@flyingsquirrel111]

I knew Jeskai was going to get the weakest rating. The face commander is so cool, exciting, and visually appealing. Hopefully convoke gets more support.

[@akumu2625]

U forgot city on fire, which is work well with impact tremor in the convoke deck

[@rquer7913]

37:30 They may be riding a Hippogriph, which is partially a horse, so horsemanship would make sense... :D

[@SodCharlie]

Omg i love Amber, so beautiful and thanks for all the videos

[@NitpickingNerds]

Best cat in the multiverse

[@dameonpigeon2736]

Man I just bought a secure the wastes. Unfortunate timing for me

[@2pocketdeuces]

How’d you not mention shalai and hallar?