MTG - A Guide To Alesha Who Smiles At Death Commander / EDH for Magic The Gathering

[@TolarianCommunityCollege]

If you have not yet read "The Truth Of Names", the Magic Story all about Alesha, you can do so here. It is one of my favorite stories, and Alesha is an awesome character: magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/magic-story/truth-names-2015-01-28 Also, super special thanks to Judge April for providing the voice of Alesha at the start of this video. Be sure to check out her amazing cube content here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKPagIVmipehias

[@greedfires123]

It is honestly one of my favourite mtg stories ever.

[@magicalbamboo2096]

You pronounce these names so well

[@gemofmagic9436]

I haven't read that story yet, thank you for the link!

[@chucklapd07]

Tolarian Community College Both Grenzos

[@treasureberry7154]

Tolarian Community College ghave aristocrats

[@Dafins100]

Followed this guide and made a deck with a few differences. Holy crap it is insanely fun and strong! Thanks Prof!!!

[@TolarianCommunityCollege]

+Daniel Feeny Yas!

[@OldLineGames]

so glad you are bringing back the EDH series! I missed them.

[@PokePotato]

At 6:50 when you are meant to be showing a picture of Yahenni, Undying Partisan you instead showed an image of Yahenni's expertise

[@TolarianCommunityCollege]

DOH DOH DOH DOH DOH

[@PokePotato]

Tolarian Community College Maybe you could run Expertise anyway for value. Expertise into sunforger seems pretty good

[@Mihail4444]

Yes, just wanted to mention that. Hey Prof, is there a way to fix this? Or is it too late? :D Great deck-tech anyways!

[@toastman3421]

What a coincidence, this video comes out as I'm in the process of building an Alesha deck!

[@thelair3867]

totally underestimated the power of this card, definitely wanna build this now!

[@Daisiethecrazy]

As someone new to Magic who happens to be trans, Alesha is a profoundly meaningful character to me. Thanks for this great video, I can't wait to use some of your ideas for my deck!

[@LibertyFixxxer]

Jesus loves you

[@enmadaniaisabel1552]

IM INTERSEX AND I ALSO LOVE ALESHA AND HER STORY SHE WAS MY FIRST COMMANDER DECK :3

[@lorenzobetti8150]

Professor! Alesha is my first commander ever, and I'm so glad you covered her (!) in one of your amazing videos. My list was almost the same as yours, but you gave me some new ideas - Nim Deathmantle is amazing. Thank you!

[@xerkesaarrious9546]

I love this deck tech. Alesha is one of my three current commanders on mtgo and paper and she's lots of fun, I thoroughly enjoy seeing this deck tech! Thanks Prof!

[@torinwilliams4671]

2 years on and this is still my favorite EDH decks ever

[@jasonbinkley4309]

I only have one EDH deck and Alesha is it. It has changed and been slowly upgraded over the past few years with every new set printed their is always a new toy to add to this generals arsenal. Thank you Prof. I've been waiting for this video for a long time and it was worth the wait. You did my pet card justice.

[@asa466]

Perfect timing on this video, as I have recently been building an Alesha deck of my own. Here are a few of my favorite cards for the deck that I think you missed: Breath of Fury: gives you extra combat steps as long as your creatures can't be blocked and have creatures to sacrifice. Since you can reanimate a creature for 2 mana with Alesha, this gives you extra combat steps as long as you have mana, and then until you run out of creatures. Aurelia, the Warleader: not quite as good as breath of fury, but two combat steps per turn is great for Alesha. Ankle Shanker: gives all your creatures first strike and deathtouch, which make them essentially invulnerable to combat damage for the turn. Palisade Giant: a decoy that soaks up all the damage so your small creatures don't die in combat. Behind the scenes: gives all your creatures skulk, which is perfect with so many low power creatures. Noosegraf Mob: gives you massive hoards of zombies. Order / Chaos: chaos is awesome for this deck, and especially synergises with Master of Cruelties. Thanks again, Professor. I really enjoyed this video, and I thought the intro was fantastic :)

[@Walter13200]

This is just the help I needed. I was playing this all wrong. I did have Grenzo, dungeon warden, and I knew he was supposed to be there. I actually had a handful of these cards already. Hopefully I have suitable upgrades or find some of these cards cheap.

[@-KillaWatt-]

I own an Alesha deck as well. Master of Cruelties is such a flavourful additional to any Alesha deck. A demon that comes back and hits for near lethal to only allow Alesha to deliver the death blow. I always had a special place in my heart for this combo. Its the epitome of magic flavour.

[@SUP3RL0L226]

Thanks Prof! You could not have chosen a better commander to do a tech on. I recently just built an Alesha deck but was looking for upgrades. Thanks so much!

[@ColbyEisbrenner]

First of all, great deck tech! I have a Alesha deck, and really enjoy it, and I can't help but mention a few combo's you may have missed.. There are a lot of lesser known infinite combo's in the deck, for instance: -Fiend Hunter + Sun Titan + sac outlet = Infinite sac triggers (damage with goblin bombardment) same is true with Fiend hunter + Kiki Jiki, or Karmic guide, and a sac outlet. - Kiki Jiki + karmic guide + sac outlet = Infinite sac triggers - Kiki Jiki + reviellark + sac outlet = Infinite sac triggers - Fellidar Guardian + Reviellark or Karmic guide or Kiki Jiki + sac outlet = Infinite sac triggers There's more, but who has the time, this deck can be quite volatile...

[@MNMasterProductions]

Thanks professor! I've been wanting to make a Alesha edh deck for a while now but have been coming across the problem of what to put it and take out this has definitely helped me out by seen other options that I did not know about thanks again and keep up the great work!

[@hiimkross5309]

Wow thank you soo much, I asked for you to make this but didn't actually think it'd happen!

[@LKMizore112]

I would love to see an Uril the Mistalker deck guide! Great video, my friend was getting back into edh and he really likes Alesha. This had a whole lot of great ideas. Thank you.

[@tomvisser2807]

Thanks Professor. This is an awesome deck that speaks to my more aggressive playstyle. Great video.

[@nayrash5207]

Riku of Two Reflections would be a cool deck tech, Always nice to see how someone else would build on of your favourite commanders.

[@schlaackmusic]

I love my Alesha deck, but this is full of awesome ideas. Thank you!

[@MirabeauLaing]

I've been running Alesha since she was released, and there's some really cool ideas in here that I hadn't thought of. I've been thinking of making a second Alesha deck just cuz I love her so much so thank for some ideas of how to make the decks different and fun!

[@watsondontaable]

Great job Professor I didn't expect a deck tech from you

[@ethanadler3600]

Love this video! I've been looking to get into commander, but I'm not really into spending a ton of money. This deck looks super sweet and pretty budget. Thank you, Professor!

[@ryanm3429]

No one remembers lim-dul's paladin, in alesha it's a powerhouse

[@dr3dg352]

Recently discovered this card and didn't make the connection. Thanks!

[@PeakeyTheBard]

Cheers just ordered him now for my retro/ classic frame Alisha deck (timeshifted Alisha)

[@Nah_Bohdi]

KoT had so many great legendary cards, love collecting them.

[@TheSushiandme]

Finally an edh deck tech.

[@dwfischer]

so happy to see this. favorite deck I've ever built.

[@JmannXIII43]

strionic resonator seems good here to get 2 reanimation triggers from one Alesha attack

[@GoldRaven12]

Avacyn, Angel of Hope! I'm not going to stop suggesting it!

[@Jacobjinglepocket]

I'd love to see an Omnath, Locus of Rage deck tech!

[@thomasevanroach]

Jacobjinglepocket Here's mine that's given me a lot of success, it's resilient and a ton of fun: tappedout.net/mtg-decks/30-10-16-RAj-omnath-edh/

[@WilhelmScreamer]

Jam piles of sac outlets plus land ramp and you are golden

[@ty_sylicus]

What a fieresome deck! Looks like fun too. Please do an Aurelia deck!

[@snorlax42]

Appreciate you actually getting a trans woman to voice Alesha!

[@JimJimTheMonkey]

I love these deck techs, always a treat. My only real thought, and mind you this is not a complaint just my director brain messing with me, is Ashley's voice over in the beginning. I just wish she recited her lines more like a warrior general or channeled lady Mormont or Daenerys from GOTS, if that can put an image in one's head. Proud and strong enough to lead her horde into the thunderous maw of Kolaghan's brood. And again no complaints, just me airing out my head.

[@toddnaevestad3322]

I'd love to see a video on Sisters of Stone Death EDH. One of my favorite Golgari cards and just cool in general. I have a thing for gorgons.

[@LAUDANADANADUNUM]

I'd personally love to see a Deck Tech for Jace, Vryn's Prodigy, as I'm making a semi-casual list with him right now. Loved the video Professor, cheers!

[@goob1824]

Professor ive hoped you would do this for so long and my dreams just came true

[@tinyrubi7290]

I just had taken cards out of my Alesha, deck for other things and felt terrible saying there was no doubt I would rebuild her soon. Well looks like soon just arrived. Had a ton of your list.

[@Freeiniquity]

sweet video! looks a lot like the Alesha deck I had before I jammed 27 combos into it. A thromok deck tech would be cool to see

[@brentvandestaey6436]

Amonkhet gave this deck a really good field wipe that really synergises well with all the power 2 or less creatures: Dusk to Dawn. I highly recommend you seek a slot for this if you're building it. Yes, it hits Alesha, but all you're other creatures survive plus the aftermath part is just bonkers if you have a loaded graveyard.

[@godwrath1744]

I'm happy to see you really like Yahenni, my commander, Professor!

[@quentinchristensen3793]

Love this deck ! probably the first time I'll actually try to make one for me ! Already have a foil Alesha B-)

[@timlamiam]

I did mine with dredge, looting, wheels, and reanimation. Incredibly fun to dredge 5+ every turn and have a whole 30 card extra hand to work with. Slam or recur a living death and watch as ur opponent boards melt while u get 10 free creatures

[@balfanghellfire]

Sorry to say, her voice killed her badassness for me.

[@Bluecrimson217]

Yeah, it was super cringey.

[@QueenFiria]

Show a little respect.

[@aylamaiia]

QueenFiria make us.

[@aylamaiia]

QueenFiria we have a right to criticize.

[@elephantofdoom]

I agree. I actually like that she is trans, it makes sense and helps explain how important names are for the Mardu, but that voice honestly just makes it seem like a parody of the concept.

[@mitchdezylva8082]

I must admit Professor, I love the fact that you use alliterative tricolons, they are a severely underrated and underused aspect of language

[@TheMaddestHatter234]

And to everyone asking why it matters that Alesha is a trans character- it’s because there’s a kid at your lgs, and you may not know this kid, or more likely, you may not know that you know this kid, but there’s a kid who’s going to see this card in the display case, and ask the store owner about it, and the store owner is going to mention offhand that she’s trans, and this kid is going to drag their parent/sibling/friend over to the display case and go “look, she’s like me! She’s trans like me!” And the look on that child’s face when they see themselves in the game they love will be the reason

[@LUwUcii]

I built this deck because she is trans so she’s the only commander I can really relate to 😊 I HATE using red too, usually play Esper, Orzhov, or mono Black, but yeah… most people have 50+ commanders they can play and see themselves as… trans girls have 1, and that’s a start.

[@ariechriswell2669]

Kiki also combos with a sac-outlet and either Lark or Karmic Guide. For Guide, tap Kiki, hold priority, sac him, Guide copy comes in and reanimates him. For Lark, copy it and sac Kiki then the copy - doesnt net infinite creatures, but still works.

[@kodguerrero]

This deck looks fun as hell to play! Combos and hidden tricks everywhere :D

[@brighamschellinger147]

I'd like to see a Jeleva deck tech, or possibly the Get Good Frog. (The Gitrog Monster) Regardless of what you choose though; I will be watching. Your content is the best on KZbin.

[@grizzerotwofour7858]

great vid! solid art choices as well. long live OG whispersilk cloak!

[@docterfantazmo]

I freaking love *ALESHA!* She was my first deck back into MTG a few years back. I basically have all the cards here except for *Sorin Markov* and *Avalanche Riders* as I don't wanna be THAT guy at the table and *Imperial Recruiter* as I need to eat. Some other killer cards are *Dictate of Erebos* (although that's great in almost any EDH deck with Black), *Elspeth, Sun's Champion* for the utility and *Kytheon, Hero of Akros* for that recurable value.

[@andrewdelaney913]

I have been playing almost this exact deck for a year now, it is very fun and strong in both 1 v 1 and multiplayer games. These cards combo with so many things in the deck u might as well play them.- Worldgorger Dragon, Animate dead, Dance of the dead, Necromancy, Phyrexian Delver, Blasting station, Corpse connoisseur, Reconnaissance, Reanimate, Exhume, Disciple of Blolas, Wurmcoil engine, Victimize . This deck can be a combo machine if played correctly. Imperial recruiter makes it way more consistent but is not necessary by any means.

[@RockyOwl]

How about a Queen Marchesa (Long May She Reign) EDH Tech?

[@Tedurbin202]

Queen Marchesa (Long May She Reign) is one of my favorite commanders. My deck focuses on pseudo pillow fort strategies, and encouraging others to attack everyone else but me. It's a very political deck that doesn't try to win via huge swings or combos, but grinding the peasants out of their resources and slowly torturing those who would commit treason against Queen Marchesa (Long May She Reign).

[@Humstuck]

I did a Queen Marchesa deck for Duel Commander and I played it in a 3 players FFA the other day and it ended up being good enough for our playgroup. Its a control deck nothing too fancy. If you are interested, www.mtgvault.com/humstuckmtg/decks/duel-commander-queen-march/ Its still not perfected for my playgroup though.

[@RockyOwl]

I've built one recently, and I too have been enjoying it greatly! Really loving the pillow-fort-esque strategy of it and the way the monarch is a bargaining chip and an incentive for a game.

[@Tedurbin202]

+Joshua Kelley I'm happy to hear it. :) I hope you have more fun playing with Queen Marchesa (Long May She Reign).

[@itsFireBRND]

Im pretty interested in this too. I have a Marchesa, the Black Rose deck but Queen Marchesa seems good too

[@valiantarcgaming790]

What's really funny about this is a day before this came pit I was starting to build a deck around her.

[@fallnightrain]

Great video! Wrong Yahenni card was used at 6:50 mark when explaining the fiend hunter loophole.

[@VinicioGualtieri]

Thansk for the video Professor, well done as all of your video. Next time for EDH Deck Teck please do King Macar (and his many many vehicles).

[@jakewalters3951]

another great video prof! Your goblin highlander deck wast the first one I made when I got back into magic and I've sense splashed black, I run Wort as my commander when I'm playing it as an EDH deck and would love to see you do a take on black splash goblins.

[@fragarach97]

I'd love to see a deck tech for Vela the Night-Clad, she's oodles of fun for me to play and can do some pretty unique things.

[@timtiesflies]

sweet build prof. id love to see you do a tasigur, atraxa or omnath (locus of mana) deck tech.

[@richardwallace6643]

I find it worth noting that with commanders like Alesha who are one color with hybrid mana in their rules text, you can build them as two color decks. In this case, if say you were really strapped for cash, the deck could be built as either Rakdos or Boros and still be very effective, though obviously not optimal.

[@phazing9]

Awesome to see April in more things!

[@justinstaley9889]

I see what you did there Prof. I appreciate that.

[@maxheath1158]

Working on an Alesha Infect build. It might make me a monster, but I can't stop.

[@Grimmlocked]

a lot of depth for a cheap commander thanks prof!

[@z-super4782]

Came back to this video and wow that first part was interesting. An also yeah trying to build her again

[@Zarundar]

Love these deck techs, Prof! I hope to see your take on Leovold someday. I know he isn't very popular by his nature, but that's why I'm curious to see what you would do with him.

[@benrichardson5662]

I very much advocate for including Mesmeric Fiend for some welcome redundancy with Tidehollow Sculler, and Stigma Lasher to put the lock on life gain strategies.

[@Wisedom44]

Dear gosh that's one of my favourite cards!! I'm makeing this now 😃

[@blackcrern]

i feel like these would make great additions to this build if you want a power focus sword of feast and famine- more open mana is always good erebos's emmissary-discard pump for free grim haruspex- refill your hand Oliva mobilized for war- discard, pump and give haste cathar's crusade- obvious ambuscade shaman- cheaper than ogre battledriver (yet havent seen it used in Alesha edh)

[@aham2903]

Yay, my favorite commander is getting some attention!

[@thatman8848]

Damn wish we had a commander circuit where I live! Alesha is sick. Got two!

[@duckhuntdynasty6562]

Excellent deck tech! I liked those combos there. I will always be asking for a Reaper King Deck Tech for commander. JUST to help me polish mine!

[@TheJPKaram]

Always love your edh deck techs prof I would be interested in seeing your take on a Lazav deck or or a Gwafa Hazid one

[@Arkevorkhat]

Another card to look into is Petravark from Invasion. It is fiend hunter for lands. (3R {2/2} Creature nightmare Beast "When Petravark comes into play, remove target land from the game. When petravark leaves play, return the removed card to play under its owner's control.")

[@Genderkaiser]

I would really like to see a video on Malfegor. It seems like a really fun build around card, and I am a suckered for weird keywords like madness and hellbent

[@ILikeEggs1017]

I would love to see a Daxos EDH deck. I run one myself and the deck is primarily centered around pumping Daxos. His ability makes so creators with power 2 or greater can not block him.

[@calebsmith7913]

Hanweir Garrison, Iroas, and Purphoros would be pretty good additions. Seeing as Alesha brings back the actual creature and not a token, Hanweir Battlements can be something truly terrifying.

[@bobbymichealson798]

The goal isn't so much to win but to have fun interesting interactions, lots of everyone benefits, but I benefit more

[@samverick]

Crown of Dark Tidings? Crowd of Dark Tidings? Oh Prof, never change!

[@MrDSK4]

Momir Vig, semic visionary I always see evolve builds but he can be so much more

[@gassmanoxe4693]

A great haste engine to include would be Anger. Buried Alive to put Anger in the yard with two other re-animator targets and let the fun begin!

[@Blightblues7]

My favorite commander is Selvala, heart of the wilds and I would love to see a deck tech on her.

[@bgray8791]

would love to see a shu Yun, the silent tempest deck tech. Alesha is one of my favorite commanders

[@Scopesightzx]

I would recommend Flamekin Village over battlements, as it has the upside of producing red over colorless

[@martindubois3727]

Scopesightzx but it also enters the battlefield tapped more often than not

[@True_Lycan]

i'd love to see some Commander Werewolf love, Ulrich needs it!

[@Bobbossh]

Loot cards and grave tutors are great in this deck. Anger might be your best solution for haste. Having other options for grave revival such as animate dead if your commander isn't available might not be a bad idea either.

[@howleyheellibot]

Grand Arbiter tech next! I wanna see some more control type decks!

[@pudgimelon]

i play this deck and while you have some good suggestions I hadn't thought of, you also missed some great alesha targets. Triskelion, Palisade Giant, and Anger are some of my favorites.

[@NamedAfterTexas]

Adrianna, Captain of the guard! I love that deck!

[@N0madic]

I would love to see a Titania, Protector of Argoth, partially due to how odd the mana base can be for a Mono-G deck.

[@ΒασίληςΜέρτογλου]

You should put your list on a site we can check every single card like that !!!

[@r00ster22]

It would be cool to see your take on a Yasova Dragonclaw deck professor.

[@flbthptheintroverted5913]

Ah yes, the perfect counter to the one guy at my playgroup with his boros boardwipe deck

[@benjaminshufelt6337]

I took this deck and added so many infinite combos. It is very competitive.

[@williamfinch4008]

Kurt Card Kingdom I've had nothing but good customer service with them have been pretty awesome by the way your channel bases that your music makes it feel like a Reading Rainbow by the way

[@akselhansen304]

would love to see a deck tech like this on Mizzix! :D or Oona or Memnarch or Omnath Locus of Rage :D

[@gublergubler777]

I think a really flavorful Gwafa Hazid deck would be fun to watch.

[@panayiotischaralambous9914]

please please pretty please professor, give us a Jori En deck tech! I'd love to see your take on it!

[@kevinwhite4840]

I've gone down the dark path of using sneak attack with blightsteel

[@samhparker]

You should do some gameplay vids with the deck techs you've done in the past!