MTG x 40k - Tyranid Commander Deck Previews

A look at my favourite cards from the new Warhammer 40,000 Universes Beyond decks for Commander.
Muddstah's full and thematic reveal video:
• Magic: The Gathering X...
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[@MTGMuddstah]

I'm glad you liked my reveal video Vince!

[@dirtydeeds4free553]

[@matthewyoho5422]

Point of clarification from a lore perspective: the "Shadow in the Warp" isn't the result of the Tyranids being a null force within the warp, it's actually the polar opposite - the *overwhelming* psychic might of the hive mind is so utterly immense, so overpowering, generating so much "noise", that anyone nearby trying to access the warp or transmit/receive messages through it probably can't (and will go mad/die trying). The shadow bit isn't referring to *being* in the area of influence, you see, it's how the parts of the Imperium that are far enough away not to be impacted by it perceive the regions that are impacted: to outside observers it's like those systems have been "snuffed out", under the weight of an immense and impenetrable shadow.

[@PleasantKenobi]

Cheers for the heads up and clarity - it is the polar opposite to Sisters of Silence! Thank you!

[@NotSoGentleJester]

It's absolutly amazing to hear you reviewing the cards from this set because you know so much about the lore and deliever it in such a entertaining way. And TBH, these Magic Cards are so incredible cool because all the past and future lore these characters hold in their own vast universe. I would absolutly love to see you reviewing each and every card and tell the storys behind them!

[@PleasantKenobi]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@BW-CZ]

I'm late, but Vince, the Haruspex being a manadork is actually not a miss! Haruspex is one of the feeder bioforms of the Tyranids (just also happens to be real nasty in combat) so it's main goal is to actually collect biomass to then vomit into the digestion pools. Just how this grows as stuff dies and then dumps mana into your mana pool!

[@seriouspoulp3337]

Exactly what I was about to comment, thank you good sir !

[@Doznac]

I'm a tyranid fan. Honestly, when I first started getting into magic, I was excited about slivers. I've always been a fan of the hivemind, and this set looks sweet.

[@sosukelele]

Yeah, as soon as I found out about slivers, a part of my mind linked them with tyranids (and xenomorphs, if I'm being honest)

[@joshuanolet8679]

For a moment there I forgot you were mainly an MTG channel. You know your warhammer lore and info so well. Thanks for bridging these two awesome hobbies Vince!

[@DctrJimbo]

I’ve never played Warhammer but I like tabletop games and I love the aesthetic of all the cards they’ve been showing off. So many cool designs and scenes. The reprints with new art are the coolest part to me

[@Pengu92]

When these decks were announced, I was so stoked about the tyranids (still am). I plan on switching from Swarmlord to Magus Lucea, it's going to feel great using a head cultist to bring the swarm into battle.

[@felixsonofscouty]

also she just seems like a better commander

[@Pengu92]

@@felixsonofscoutyRamp in the command zone and being a counter enabler is cool, but I'd be lying if my inner child didn't love The Swarmlord after seeing it

[@felixsonofscouty]

@@Pengu92 thats also very fair

[@Avusui]

Am I being negative by saying tyranids is the worst one it seems? I love tyranids and thematically I feel like they missed.

[@Pengu92]

If it's about 40k flavor, I can't account for that since 90% of my info comes from this channel. Mechanically though; ravenous, X spells, and slight token theme feels right. Then again, I could just be blinded by a Temur deck that actually interests me.

[@MSvento06]

These decks are pretty awesome, so many interesting new legendaries you could theme their own deck around.

[@emperornapoleon6204]

Tyrannies are the best 40k faction, and I WILL be picking up this deck. Great run through of all the cards!

[@gfinc1601]

my buddy at uni played tyranids and seeing all his models as mtg cards is so sick

[@connormilton9701]

If sporocysts terraform worlds, having them put basic lands onto the battlefield would be fairly thematically appropriate since it's literally changing the landscape.

[@wutebear9656]

Got back into MTG at M11, not been buying cards for about a year. I have Legacy decks and way too many commander decks built. Thanks to you, PK, I started buying and painting 40k models. I plan to buy all 4 40k commander decks in non-foil from my local game shop. Least excited for Necrons, but loving the play style of the Tyranid deck, but honestly Marneous Calgar slaps booty. Then again I have a Korvold treasure deck built.

[@jamdaham9054]

IMO, Lictor actually makes a lot of sense flavourwise. They are camouflaged scouts for the Hive that hunt down their prey and attack out of nowhere (Flash). Then, if they find a large concentration of prey, they leave a pheromone trail to attract other Nids to the slaughter (It's second ability).

[@BDbiogamer]

I was lukewarm about this set before this week, considered skipping it. But this week, after seeing how well-executed this deck is and hearing your excitement as you talk about the lore behind each card, I am completely sold. I’m glad the Warhammer fans are getting such a well-executed set of decks, I will be ordering the whole set to savor the flavor with y’all :3

[@nottsfhj]

Same. I'm actually shocked how good they are.

[@EpicFobert]

Shadow in the Warp is an immediate addition to my Myriim deck, love to see it

[@stoephil]

I am a Warhammer fan... But a Warhammer fantasy battle fan, not 40.000. :P That deck has great flavor and a very cool machanic identity though.

[@samuelham4520]

The forgotten older brother of Warhammer IP.

[@timzoat]

I once was a Tyranid content creator, now I am a MTG content creator. This is a great time for me!

[@joeycote480]

I like the Haruspex design. Very much feeds into the idea that Tyranids devour everything and use those resources to make more. Although another creature with a similar ability (like a Tervigon) but that allows you to take off +1 counters in order to draw cards might be even more thematic.

[@sosukelele]

Tbf, if the point of the sporocyst is to terraform a planet in order to make it more habitable for tyranids it would make sense for it to ramp you via lands, as it's "terraforming" the battlefield and making it more "habitable" for your tyranids, allowing _more_ and _larger_ ones to populate the field. Seems like a flavor win imho

[@sertaki]

I'm very happy for you that you get to preview the Imperium deck! :D

[@sammartin8746]

The haruspex is a mana dork because the haruspex is one of the tyranid bioforms that eats up a bunch of biomass during an invasion, it then spews it all up into one of the pools at the base of the big capillary towers (The tubes like those on the island art) that then pumps it up to the ships, basically they binge and purge biomass (which is basically what mana seems to represent for the tyranid deck)

[@sammartin8746]

Also I am very enthused to use unbound flourishing with the zoanthrope, using the Magus to get 4 instances of X is good, but what if you just casually double the value of X every time as well, how does creating two ward 2 16/16 fliers and dealing two lots of 16 damage to any target for 10 mana sound?

[@SilverAlex92]

I think that having you review this set is amazing. You know enough of both commander, magic and wh40k, I love all this warhammer 40k lore Im getting from you

[@foulmouthgamer5166]

I love this deck just so much fun to be had!

[@geoffreyprecht2410]

I've been a Temur player for years, and a Tyranid player for even longer. This deck is hitting all the right buttons for me. Timmy/Johnny chonky monster combos, good ramp, and lots of fun synergy to experiment with, all with the impeccable flavor or my favorite bugs! This deck is a home run for me, and I can't wait to pick one up even though I've been boycotting GW lately (by which I mean Games Workshop, not Selesnya).

[@michaelheppler991]

Thank you for the Video - I know it was 11 months ago, but just getting into Magic and went and bought this deck after watching your video.

[@PleasantKenobi]

Hope you enjoyed it, and I hope the deck brings you a lot of fun games!

[@connorhamilton5707]

Lictor can be used in combination with Forbidden Orchard to guarantee the token. Still not super strong, but it helps make it more functional as a surprise blocker.

[@pheonixbluere]

I preordered this deck from my LGS. I’ve never played 40k but I’m intrigued by it.

[@alexallin3942]

I played Fantasy back in the mid 2000's in school and near the end started to explore 40k, and Tyranids were my immediate first choice. I am beyond hyped for this deck. My brother also did a bit of 40k and played Necrons, so I'm totally going to get that deck too and use it as fuel for my attempts to get him into Magic!

[@FakeDonut]

I built an animar hydra tribal deck and it's an absolute beast, but with this deck released, I get the feeling I have to switch from hydras to tyranids, because this deck has soooo many new additions to my deck

[@tashannoc]

I played 40k in high school, almost 30 years ago. Tyranids and Genestealers we're my jam. I was so excited when this deck was announced, and I'm really looking forward to playing it.

[@SingerOfW]

I admit I was kinda lukewarm on Ravenous at first, but seeing it on so many cards in the deck is going to make for a very skill-intensive deck, where you have to pick between playing multiple smaller spells or a single bigger one. The former is usually better, so rewarding the latter with some card draw is a great way to keep these options balanced and not give you an obvious answer. You'll have to think a lot with this deck, which is simply marvelous for what boils down to the "Drop big beatsticks and smash faces" gameplan. This... This might be the deck I pick up, honestly.

[@mrbelbobaggins8959]

I’m a magic player who casually reads some 40K lore. I’m so freaking hyped for these decks. I was initially planning on just getting the Tyranid one, but I may end up getting all 4.

[@ProtomanBlues87]

I am in love with the tyranid deck. I wanna get one to keep as is and sleeved, convert my monogreen deck into old one eye, and put many of the others into my animar deck.

[@Noatzon]

So just something I've realised now but "Exocrine" is technically a boardwipe you can tutor with both Imperial Recruiter & Recruiter of the Guard. In Commander i think that's pretty cool and while I'm not up to date on my Legacy it might see play as a one of in some big red or Boros D&T kinda things?

[@KomradeKrisis1701]

I feel like Bone Sabres was a missed opportunity to bring back Living Weapon as a mechanic, but I also completely understand why they didn't, lol

[@DeisFortuna]

Ghyrson looks like a fun commander for a pings deck. BRB gonna actually make this.

[@andydavidkramer6142]

Great Video. Explaining cards with a good pinch of lore. Perfect 👍🏻 Just pity that you didn‘t mention ‚Old One Eye‘.

[@sinistermind33]

I've had many 40k armies. Eldar, necron, chaos sm, guard, been looking at getting back into it after about 4 years

[@shardfire4469]

Love it! So many of those cards are really badass!

[@Ulfhednir9]

40k and MTG fan here. Love the Voltann, Vlka Fenryka, Nurgle (Especially traitorguard and deamons) and chaos knights but I preorderd this deck :)

[@izaiahsundquist6877]

Theory on why cards ramp: The lands look like they are normal lands warped by Tyranids, so maybe it's flavorwise that grabbing a land means that the land is being conquered and controlled by the Tyranids.

[@joeycote480]

Exocrine should have been Pyrovore considering the rules that pyrovores would deal a hit to any creature within a certain distance of themselves when the pyrovore died. Surprised the Exocrine wasn't more like Spikeshot Goblin.

[@maclenag91]

Pretty dam dope!! loving it always loved 40k so fun. I don't own any 40k however. so it's dope to get this in mtg. Unbound Flourishing would be a must in this deck and I hope gets spoiled for it.

[@venomturtle17]

I think the Sporocyst ramp comes from the "terra-forming" bit. Making a world more inhabitable is kinda like generating mana I guess.

[@RagdorUltron]

It's all amazing!! Keep up the great content.

[@TyranitarStudios]

Thank you for doing this!!

[@CheckOutMyPokemons]

Man these decks are a slam dank, especially flavourwise. Really hope these do well and we get a second set with Eldar, Orks etc.

[@alistairetheblu]

13:30 or toughness. Evolve checks both. Yay reminder text!

[@ghost64626]

I don't know shit about War Hammer 40k, but the Tyranid remind me SO much of the Zerg in Starcraft and that makes me hype as shit. I'm definitely picking up this deck

[@codyarrington7693]

I can't wait to get this deck. Looks fucking awesome!

[@32Loveless50]

interesting we got red terror here as it where removed in the newest codex in 40k. though most hope we get it back.

[@ArkAngel_45]

I already wanted this deck, but now I want it even more.

[@ashardalondragnipurake]

combining the red terror and the gunslinger with the termagaunt swarms could grow interesting fast just need to get a reliable trample on it

[@flibblemunch]

Once upon a time a decade or so ago i dropped roughly $150 on a Tyranid army. I painted some of it, played half of a game for 2 hrs then never touched it again. I love the Tyranid lore though so this'll be an absolute must have for me even though big stompy monsters isn't really my playstyle.

[@vollied4865]

I like how tyranids are considered the worst of the precons but have the most cohesive and easy strategy to execute irony.

[@jonathandoherty9082]

I can't wait for this deck, it looks so damn fun

[@Nipa96M]

I mean I guess that the sporocyst has ramp because it is preparing land for the hive. The same land that you will use in game to summon your tyranids. It's not 1 to 1 but it's close enough that it tickles my fancy.

[@ianpaterson5337]

The Haruspex thematic importance is that it’s an eater beast. It devours worlds biomass and feeds it to the birthing pools.

[@glenhaase6817]

(Judge here) Re - Biophagus: The X in ravenous cares about how much X was in the casing cost, not how many counters are actually put on it. If you X 3 with a doubling season, you'll get 6 counters but won't draw a card.

[@TheDetectiveJ]

How do you get four instances of Zoanthrope with the Magus? She only copies once per spell/ activated ability per tap.

[@dom2056]

My only commander deck is animar soul of elements, and I can safely say that the tyranid cards as a whole are better in that deck then any other edh deck. Animar is easily the best tyranid tribal commander as well

[@mitch5387]

I was so excited when I reread Swarmlords ability and realizing he didn't need to be the commander to benefit. Animar 100% is going to be my commander heading the bugs.

[@onedropmtg6038]

I’m so excited for this, but I really want a warhammer fantasy product. Maybe it’s because I’m addicted to Vermintide, but I’d love to see the Ubersreik Five in magic cards.

[@cthulawha]

all hail our rat overlords yes yes

[@jedstanaland2897]

The Magus Kucea Kay could turn an already particularly powerful burn deck into something that is almost unbelievable level.

[@macs.9644]

I'm starting getting into Warhammer and wasn't going to buy any of the decks since 40k is expensive but probably am going to pick up one or two from my LGS

[@Ulfhednir9]

I really REALLY hope we see these in MTG Arena

[@PrimalLuxrays]

My favorite army is Genestealer Cults and I’m so happy they get so much representation in this deck!

[@fenrismarks876]

I used to play tyranids until they redid the Codex and all of my units kind of became obsolete I didn't have the money to get new stuff so I dropped the game pretty much I love the fact that your needs are coming into this I'm intending to buy one of each of the decks and a foiled version of the tyranids

[@TheWeatherLightCafe]

No idea who W. Hammer is but this is the X deck I’ve always wanted

[@deathmastersnikch4365]

When does clamavus effect go on the stack? Its a creature not an instant/sorcery so it needs a trigger When it etbs, dies, attacks?

[@Lukaz2009]

I have no clue what the 40K lore is, but these precons are sweet so far! I really hope that Ravenous finds its way outside of Universes Beyond because it is such a sweet keyword.

[@origaminosferatu3357]

I haven't played Warhammer since I was a teen and I've been trying to stay away from buying precons because of their new prices but by the Four-Armed Emperor, as an old Tyrannid player this deck has got me weak at the scything talons.

[@XmortoxX1990]

As a Simic enjouer and Temur fan, this commander deck is for me.

[@fernandopires135]

loving tyranids... but imperium and chaos are not what i expected... chaos is too much "chaos friendship" and imperium is the care bears version of the imperium (looking at you greyfax)

[@BFG93]

Im not fussed for warhammer, but seeing your reaction im all about. Cant say im aware of lore but fun to get see a Warhammer fans reaction to it and share what you know.

[@draketheduelist]

...you battle-brothers can't deny.

[@DyrianLightbringer]

I feel like WotC really missed the flavor of the 40k factions when they printed these decks. Abaddon is known for being indestructible, so let's not give him indestructible. Tyranid are known for swarming, so let's give them +1/+1 counters. Space Marines are known for being fearless, carrying big-ass guns, and wearing some of the toughest armor, so let's have Marneus make tokens. Still, the Tyranid deck, while it doesn't FEEL like Tyranid to me, does have some mechanics I would love to play with, so I might have to get that one.

[@Ulfhednir9]

The 1/1 tokens would benefit abit from the gunslinger me thinks. But now what is the best commander in this deak? The Magus or Broodlord?

[@docterfantazmo]

Temur was perfect for Nids, still think Necrons should've had W though. Gawd, I need the Ork secret lair now.

[@Deta1lafo]

I am hyped for the decks, but not because i play warhammer. I tried to get my brother into Magic and now with the new Warhmmer decks he wants to play the game.

[@robertvaughan4296]

Super excited for the Tyranids deck, definite mechanical and flavor fails with several cards. But the art is enough to make up for that shortcoming.

[@SadBoi_1066]

This man has become hype, destroyer of worlds

[@gabriellee9887]

I love this deck and want to play pro with it

[@chrisb8041]

They should make the nids work well with slivers

[@chaosdweller1864]

i love the deck it just needs a simple tun up and its ready to go.

[@ProAverageJoe]

The only thing I'm disappointed about is how there is no option for the tryanid basic lands to be full art. I think that would have been amazing. Love everything else about the deck

[@mr.mammuthusafricanavus8299]

Funny how these new commander decks seem the best in years :P

[@benroberts1052]

Ikr, the other decks seemed pretty weak with lackluster reprints.

[@EadricRicmund]

Dumb dad joke level of though process, but I get an image of of the Levi founder being a Genestealer Patriarch when I head “He infects the planet with his Genes”

[@snakeman830]

The Tyranid deck is a difficult thing for me, because I despise Universes Beyond, but the card designs in here are so cool and I have to assume they will never get proper Magic versions thanks to the copyrighted typelines. I don't know yet if I will buy it or not, but I don't see any other way right now to be able to use these mechanics that I do want to play around with.

[@RefaTheGreat]

These designs are fire.

[@hd_1635]

I Dont play warhammer but i like the alien like arts of this Deck.

[@Ariande796]

I wish we had gotten an orc deck, they are the happiest fuckers in 40k

[@oriondye3212]

Still waiting for my UNO/MTG crossover wizards! Think of all the UNO players you can get interested in magic! No crosover would be more successful than an UNO crossover, players will love pulling an UNO REVERSAL on a players fireball. Make it happen wizards!

[@RagdorUltron]

It almost feels like these are fan made cards because most of them are really good and flavorful. Good job Wizards.

[@TriforceChad]

3:46 I'm a nid player, not a genestealer cult player, so I may be wrong, but I think it's the opposite of what you described. The first generation of cult members are very tyranid like, and become LESS tyranid like in appearance each generation to better infiltrate the populations. Close to the final stage of infiltration cult members can be near indistinguishable from their origional host species. However, once the cult reaches a critical mass the next generation after that actually results in purestrain genestealers, starting the cycle all over

[@PleasantKenobi]

No. The tyranid genes get stronger with every generation.

[@TriforceChad]

@@PleasantKenobi did some more digging and I'm sorry, but I think you're mistaken on this one. The wiki mentions that latter cult members "mingle amongst the heard", indistinguishable from normal humans. Bell of lost souls also has an article that mentions first generation cult members look near identical to purestrain genestealers, but by the 4th generation you can't even tell they aren't human.

[@cthulawha]

@@PleasantKenobi sorry dude, the first gen is very tyranid, second gen less so but still not passable, third is almost passable(just have to hide the third clawed arm and ridges on head, 4th gen is passable as a human with make up and bad lighting but passable enough to infiltrate even high levels of society and government and the 5th generation returns to the pure strain gene stealer

[@bobafettig8899]

idk why winged hive tyrant was R/U instead of R/G? flavor oof

[@user-qd8pb2xq7j]

I like the idea of the deck but I feel that the implementation could be better. It is way too chunky - there are a lot of huge creatures but too few ways to provide extra mana or make them cheaper. It could work with animar-style commander but current face commander doesn't really help his own deck. Also I hoped that tyranid mechanic would involve fighting enemy creatures instead of giving you a card as it is more in tune with being ravenous.

[@stevendildy3447]

i think you got the birth mutation reversed. love the channel 👌

[@PleasantKenobi]

No. I got it right.

[@ashardalondragnipurake]

the harridan being 4/4 is kindof weird but then you see mortarion being i think a 5/6 and spezmarins being a 2/2 i think all the numbers are just kindof low in these decks

[@sinistermind33]

The collectors edition should have full art basics. Nuff said