The Most Civilized Control Deck - Ephara, God of the Polis EDH / Commander for Magic: The Gathering

Check out my Guide To Sigarda, Host Of Herons Commander Tech Here: • MTG - A Guide To Sigar... and my Guide To Teysa, Orzhov Scion here: • MTG - In Debt To Teysa...
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[@TolarianCommunityCollege]

Don't forget to check out my review of Battle Decks from, Card Kingdom: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqe8g6yir9Rona8 If you are looking for a cheap, affordable way to play casual Magic, these may be of extreme interest to you!

[@demonzero677]

Throw in a Remand. if you want to be cheeky with the second sun then remand is your friend. Cast sun, remand sun, draw, next turn you win because second sun does NOT state the first one had to resolve, just that one had to be cast. So remand makes for a nice way to sneak out victory, especially if you have the mana to cast sun twice along with remand.

[@luckymottu7841]

Tolarian Community College I love your video's Prof so much so that I've decided to return to the game of MTG after 7+ years, I've got alot of catching up to do so keep up the great videos & I'll visit your patreon and help with what I can. Thank you again :)

[@johnathondawes7462]

Tolarian Community College a great idea for deck techs would be future commanders. Like in the new hour of devastation set, pick those legendaries and make decks with them. Also, what would be REALLY cool to see is the new 2017 dragon commander preferably Ramos, the dragon that produces 10 mana, 2 of each color. just an idea 😁

[@Zanzibawrr]

Tolarian Community College hey prof, great video. I wonder if you could brew a commander deck with the newly spoiled locust god :D

[@Cookiemunster779]

Since you have done a control deck this time why don't you go for an aggresive archetype next? Some cool choices are purphoros Hazoret Mogis god of slaughter or Saskia unyielding

[@corbinhills1997]

I'm very new to magic (only played about 10 games) :(. I'd like to thank you and say that your videos really have heart and soul behind them, you put in time and work to make truly quality videos and to this I say thank you. I would support you on patreon but don't have the funds to do that right now and I hope I'll be able to in the future. also you have the most stylish suits of any KZbinr out there lol.

[@SylveonSilver]

I will always love this video

[@JoelBurger]

Love Ephara, one of my favorite commanders. Just so many ways to build around her ability between blink creatures, flash creatures, and token generators. Or even going human tribal.

[@luliby2309]

I love the intros you add to your deck techs. They add such a great level of flavor and show off your literary prowess!

[@alonsoferrer6323]

Hey prof, just wanted to tell you that one year ago I decided to make an ephara edh deck thanks to this video. Now I think it’s one of the most powerfull of my playgroup. Thank you for the creative tips!

[@deetdeetdeet203]

I love these commander videos. When you get into character, it makes these videos very enjoyable. Well done professor, I wish you would make more of these

[@dagaren4444]

Excited to see something from the Prof on my feed. Even more excited that it was about EDH!

[@KitsuLeif]

Woop-woop! That's the sound of da polis!

[@SomeFreakingCactus]

Your profile image made this even better for me.

[@jonahwoo165]

I know this was 3 years ago, but I really appreciate this comment

[@flightlessfedora4281]

I built this deck a little over a year ago, has to watch the video. I love what you did with it, I hadn't thought about running a single Wastes, lovely. As always prof, lovely

[@spartansunset]

This was an awesome video with really well chosen music. I really like how it focuses on strategy but is infused with passion for the theme.

[@KyleCronin93]

Just starting to get into MTG with commander, your videos are a ton of help for getting started, thanks so much!

[@limeshredder]

Hi TCC, I just wanted to say how great your content has been lately. Keep up the great work!

[@geeh9748]

Watching your videos helped me get into Magic. Thank you.

[@johnstone2728]

Really nice looking deck. Been thinking about getting into EDH and this deck tickles my fancy. Cheers for the deck tech.

[@samarbrander981]

Literally my first and still favorite edh deck I love ephara and I'm glad to see the prof talking about her!

[@FunPheonix]

I really appreciate all you do for the community prof! Keep up the awesome content

[@note_than]

I just built a white blue deck with Medomai the ageless as the commander, and approach is my favorite win condition by far.

[@Joltfire95]

Love your EDH videos, you make things very easy to follow and understand. In the future, I would love to see an Intet. the Dreamer deck tech. Temur dragons sound fun!

[@sammcguire3798]

How Bout a Locust God EDH? Emphasis on card draw and U/R tokens

[@denniscantrell5486]

Sam McGuire Ever since I saw that I've been brewing all day. Finally a use for Dragonshift!

[@AndrewWoodford]

Sam McGuire and Flying Goat and Almond Cat Drake!

[@piscosower]

Sam McGuire yes he is disgusting with skull clamp!

[@DatBrasss]

Dennis Cantrell OH MY GOD YOU'RE RIGHT

[@Zanzibawrr]

Sam McGuire have coat of arms out and then use a wheel effect. You will have 7 8/8 insects with flying and haste. If that's not degenerate i don't know what is

[@jayhenry2197]

Thanks so much for this! I've wanted to play an Ephara deck since she was first released. This will be a great reference going forward.

[@denniscantrell5486]

Loved the Vid Professor. Looking forward to your next Edh lecture. (For anybody who remembers when he called them that.) A lecture on The Mimeoplasm would please me very much. As it is my favorite Commander.

[@myanrueller91]

Thanks professor for this video! I am actually building a version of this deck with cards I have, and budget friendly additions, to upgrade slowly over time!

[@lookeoj]

I was looking to make a blue edh deck and thank you for this. Been sitting on her in my binder for awhile. Thanks! And much love

[@aidenmann6190]

This deck tech is lit prof! Good work!

[@adym15]

Thank you for this timely deck tech, Prof! Looking forward to assembling & piloting it when my group meets next time. My meta has evolved into a controlling meta, with the majority of the decks geared towards stopping others from playing (i.e. Mizzix counters everything, Nekusar wheels, Winter Orbs, Anafenza, Gaddock Teeg & hatebear friends etc). In our most recent meetup, one of the guys won multiple games by locking the rest of us out so I want to have a deck that is able to respond to that without being a jerk.

[@Apollo_1988]

Been playing with a ephara deck for about 6 months now, and I have a pretty high win percentage with her at the helm. Favorite commander by far... no one ever sees her coming until it's to late!

[@cooperzilkenat3220]

Good vid! Adapting some of these ideas into my Lavinia of the Tenth deck

[@kylesavage4525]

Thank you Professor for the deck tech i have an Ephara deck myself.My theme though is more about instant making creatures (flash,blink,instant tokens) and have some fying synergies as well.I also use some artifact creatures as mana dorks like myr since they help me draw cards. My first game with this deck (and first EDH game ever) i accidentally combo off by using great whale (ETB:untap 7 lands) + Eldrazi displacer + Dimensional infiltrator. It was hilarious!

[@wizard209]

I run a white blue standard deck and run approach of the second sun, I was so happy to see you running it

[@clauderodrigue6461]

I'm slowly building angus Mackenzie with ephara and karametra I love this so much

[@easycube5251]

OMG! Thanks professor. I've been waiting for this since Born of the Gods.

[@denniscantrell5486]

My friend, and primary Commander buddy, built his first commander deck around Ephara. Always enjoy playing against it.

[@CommandersBrew]

Ephara is one of my (Andy) fav commanders! We gotta face our decks off sometime!

[@belowthecurvegaming7281]

Loved that. You sir have just inspired my first non-beater deck :)

[@leimad13]

Nice info mate. My Ephara makes use of Leyline of Anticipation, Vedalken Oreary and Winding Canyons so I can play few other creatures and sorceries on my opponent turns. I also use these creatures with flash: Angel of Dire Hour, Dust Elemental and Whitmane Lion. I do concentrate on exiling my opponents stuff more though and not on casting board wipes. Also it looks like I need to include few things you mentioned, good tech:)

[@RollieB89]

I was thinking earlier today that I would love to see more Edh deck techs from you. So please make more, you have an interesting way in presentation that I don't find boring. And for the next video I would like to see an Olivia Voldaren deck.

[@tmcdon]

Thank you for the Commander content, Proff. I appreciate you.

[@Wiseguy150]

I would love to see updates on your older edh decklists as the new cards have come out. Perhaps one video explaining your changes and rationale for those changes on decks like teysa, sygg, or Sapling of colfenor would be nice

[@sharktooth5]

Yay, love these interesting deck techs :) keep up the good work

[@TheBobtheratkiller]

First I would like to thank you for all the effort you put into your videos. Second, I would love to see your take on Queen Marchesa. Third, Cheers!

[@TiredinIT]

This is wonderful. Multiplayer control is really tricky, and this is a good way to go about it

[@master27270]

Thank you so much, I just tore this deck down and this was uploaded an hour later. Version 2.0 on its way thanks Prof.

[@jacksonhill4431]

Another great deck from TCC. Keep up the good work!

[@jordanclemens5834]

Hey Prof, love all your deck techs and am planing on making a couple just because they seem so good! I would love if you did techs on either Gisela, Blade of Goldnight, Kaalia of the Vast, or Atarka, World Render. Kaalia I am in process of making and Gisela and Atarka are two of my favorites that I have built and I would love to see your take on them. Keep up the great work!

[@arttulatsa2343]

Thank you for the great video! I play UW-control in commander but with Noyan Dar, Roil Shaper as the leader. I play Approach of the Second Sun and it is so much fun! My original plan was to win with lands like Inkhmoth Nexus but it feels so dull now. Next thing I'm going build will be Angus Mackenzie with Approach... as the main win conditon. (No, I don't win many games but I'm having a tons of fun!)

[@courtesyh4855]

Professor, you should do a EDH guide to Omnath, Locus of Mana. I can provide a list of what my deck has but I think people would like a budget version as it's really easy to build one. It's a fun mono color commander that is basically a bank simulator. :D

[@decca720]

oh, oh by the gods, professor! At 6:35 my heart hurt when i saw "acelleration"! As a fellow English graduate and aspiring professor, I feel it is my duty to point this out. Otherwise, splendid video as always! This deck looks fun fun fun. I'd always thought Ephara's ability to be intriguing and powerful.

[@TolarianCommunityCollege]

+decca720 Well, it's a fifteen minute long detailed video that took weeks to make. If a minor typo is the biggest fault, I consider hat a huge success.

[@decca720]

Absolutely! Also a recommendation to help the win condition happen: Soothsaying happens to be my favorite blue enchantment of all-time. Perfect for the mana you might have up after a rewind.

[@IAmPhase]

Hats are in fact a huge success!

[@IvanMTG1]

was expecting a more jokey response to this from the prof...

[@mtganimemiikefan]

Hats off to you for hat one

[@glitchedjson4042]

I like that you show interesting and fun builds, but I'd also like to see them in action!

[@maverick7581]

I would really love to see a Sigarda, Heron's Grace deck tech. Humans are my favorite creature type.

[@PlaneswalkerProject]

This was so perfectly timed! I've been on a Commander building kick and seeing a UW deck is such an inspiration! :) Any plans for a video about your time at Vegas? It seems like it was a blast I'm sad I missed it!

[@Zeviander]

Love it! This video has inspired me to build a EDH deck.

[@joshmerciez4287]

Professor, loved the video. Would greatly appreciate a Captain Sisay EDH deck teck in the future.

[@Wisedom44]

Beautiful, just stunning this is the best win con commander deck I've ever seen 😝🙌

[@SirRichardHoniker]

I put this deck up on MTG vault, and linked the video in the description. A fantastic deck that works well.

[@redhawk_5654]

The scorpion god deck tech would be interesting to see XD, would love to know how you would make it.

[@calebstemp7506]

I've been struggling to find a satisfying build for my Pharika deck. I'd love it if you would cover her in a future video. Thanks!

[@melvilsmith4706]

Great to see my first commander get some attention! If I may contribute to this deck, I would suggest to throw in some more creatures with flash. Restoration Angel and Seht's Tiger are by far my favorites. Alongside the angel and the flicker engines you mentionned, Venser, the Sojourner is also great to exploit some value creatures such as Wall of Omens and Augury Owl. Bonus point if you manage to blink / bounce several times Seht's Tiger to live long enough to win a desperate game. In regards to the token producers, I find Emeria Angel, Brimaz, King of Oreskos and Hero of Bladehold very efficient: drawing without spending a single mana is quite satisfying. Since I mostly play duel commander, my build is quite different. I tend to think that Ætherling and Deadeye Navigator, at least if you can't win right after casting it, are too costly for the format, but I like the idea of playing Approach of the Second Sun. I have already thought about it and I'm happy to see that I'm not the only one. Magnifique Progesseur, salutations de France =) !

[@JonasBEF]

What the hell guys? Why isnt there a top comment referring the awesome art and effects the Prof. used in this video?! Prof., this was awesome work. Didnt thought I could be so hyped by a freakin deck tech! Thumbs up for you, sir Greetings from Germany

[@mitchviele7548]

Cool tech Prof! Boseiju, Who Shelters All would be good for pulling off approach of the second sun!

[@Piragno]

Love to see you're still doing these videos; higly enjoyable. Are you planning to make a similar one for the new mono-red Neheb, the Eternal from Hour of Devastation?

[@Krajcik1964]

You did a Teysa commander spotlight. You've also done one for Sen Triplets. Not going to beat around the bush, I run Approach of the Second Sun in Teysa. Instead of Sen Triplets, I also have a deck that uses either Oloro, Ertai the Corrupted or Merieke as the commander. Also has Approach in it. Even more fun if you're hold Demonic Consultation in hand. I know you run that particular card in an Azorious build. Still, all too fun to DC the Approach the end step before your turn, after having just cast it your previous turn.

[@devinanglin7116]

Land Tax only triggers on your upkeep. Good Vid, keep em coming!

[@anthonymelograne6080]

Professor, you should tech either Derevi Stax or Mazirek Sacrifice/Counters. These are the 2 decks in my paper collection and function on opposite ends of the spectrum. Derevi is my all in spike deck that can shut a table down by turn 3-4 and Mazirek is still very powerful but far less oppressive. As always Prof, your videos are great. Keep them coming.

[@tknocker8750]

Krenko mono mountains! I made this deck and it is a lot of fun to play.

[@pgfourtwenty1428]

Cool deck tech! I wanted to comment sooner, but i was playing this deck and the game lasted so long because Opposition was my wincon ;). I am happy that Winding Canyons, one of my favorite lands (almost auto include in 3 or less color decks) is so much better than it usually is in this deck.

[@TheZshoes]

You should do a commander deck tech on Phenax, God of Deception I feel like that's a little different and it would be interesting to put together, as always this was a great video

[@yuanhyuga]

I use your link to buy from cardkingdom so I hope they keep sponsoring you!

[@AndrewWoodford]

I lost it at the durdle spell! By gosh darn it's so fun to try for the Approach win.

[@iam9991000]

Nice, I was looking for an Azorius/Esper deck.

[@shangrel110]

"don't wanna say baah to that one" why did I laugh so hard?

[@andrewlaverghetta715]

I really like your edh deck techs.

[@crystalgriffith5863]

This looks like a very interesting deck! If I build this deck, I think one of the things I would change would be adding Sphinx's Tutelage to it. :)

[@sixcycle]

4:41 "Batter-field" eh :P Someone is a fan of batterskull :D Great video! Don't forget flickerwhisp :D

[@LegoM007]

A Scorpion Deck tech would be of great help. Really looking forward to that guy for commander!

[@councilgatewatch2062]

Thanks, Prof! We always love seeing an interactive, political deck in EDH!

[@jffarrawr]

mono green elves would be great to see. it would be nice to see some sort of u/B mill deck. great video!

[@nickgarcia1331]

I really liked Mastery of Unseen with Ephara- creature generation, it can manifest an Ephara, and the life gain can make up for the slower pace of the deck. The 3W activation and 1W casting cost are also more conducive to multicolor.

[@jaccohop1239]

Hello, I am also running an Ephara deck and I love my Nevermaker in it. However after playing it for a while I cut the deadeye navigator because it is way too broken for my friends and is no fun at all esp with Nevermaker because you can just never have them draw anything useful anymore. Also terrain generator is a strong option in this kind of deck because you typically do "draw play land go" in this deck and play a lot of things on instant speed/Flash and ramping and making sure you don't overdraw is both great. In practice I won most games on Karthar's Crusade sometimes with Glen Elendra archmage. I loved your suggestion of Faerie Artisan, that card was not printed when I made my version yet and it has a really cool effect. In my deck I run both Venser the Sojouner and Vensers Journal, both seem to do what you want to do(not die and keep control), the Venser -1 ability to give all your creatures unblockable is often overlooked but can be very strong at the right time, obviously the + ability is pure value in this deck. If you want cheap value Mirror-Sigil Sergeant is great. For all of you at home who don't realise it, the copies of Mirror-Sigil Sergeant also copy themselves when left untouched. I love your win conditions even though it is bit a strange one. I was thinking that Chrystal shard was an auto include as well but I am wrong again. Anyway keep up the good work and original approaches and I will follow your deck techs.

[@SuperDomi94]

I love Ephara, she was the second commander deck I ever built and she never fails to deliver. As you said, she often slips under the radar as she doesn't do any flashy thing, but the little advantage you accumulate troughout the game can go a long way. Speaking of that, I personally prefer running a more tempo-ish and creature-oriented build, as I was fascinated by the possibility of creating an efficient blue deck based on creatures rather than spells. In the end, when all of your creatures have spell-like etb effect AND draw you a card, you just submerge your opponents with the purest, durdlest value possible.

[@theDelta9er]

I'd love to see you do a tech on Atarka EDH! I run her myself and she is blast to play when unloading the dragon horde on everyone.

[@TheLateKnightChannel]

Hey TCC, I was wondering, can you make a video of a commander deck around Athreos? I really love this video, and I wanted to see what ideas you may have around Athreos.

[@drunknmunkySF]

man i love this tech! Would be nice if you did a tech about Tajic Sunforger. It's the best thing to have all your instants in reach when Sunforger is attached to a creature with {RW} open!!

[@RabbitOvHell1990]

I found that Ephara goes really well with Porphyry Nodes in a control/enchantment shell with copy enchantment, energy flux, propaganda, overburden and such... it's basically the WU version of Creatureless Oloro, which can be done due to Ephara's Indestructible and her not being a creature most of the time

[@kendalcannon8858]

Man I'm building an Ephara deck rn and there were some cool cards that i didnt think of adding.

[@IronDuke_xX]

Prof thank you for this deck tech! I am about to join the Azorious Senate and have been torn on which commander to go with. I would like the deck to be able to compete at a fairly high level but don't want to shoehorn myself into the typical Brago builds. This deck looks genuinely fun to play and I will definately consider it. I am also looking at the new Sphinx, Azor and Medomai. I would be intrigued to hear your views on either of those :-)

[@hivemind18]

We need a massive EDH game with every deck that the Professor has covered

[@smargio]

I would watch the heck out of that.

[@davsr7789]

this is my favorite U/W commander, snapcaster mage and aven mindcensor are good additions too

[@drakeconsumerofsoulsandche5761]

doge much snappy not budget

[@Penniwhistle]

That spelling of "acceleration" at 6:35. I thought you were an English professor sir. In all seriousness, love the content and your personality. Thank you for the videos!

[@knightwing6309]

I always go back to this. While I am a red player at heart, I’ve built a version of Ephara (roughly based on this list) and dang she is indeed powerful!

[@_Stucki]

Narset, Enlightened Mastet without Creatures and a lot of Planeswalker. By the way great video Prof

[@gazzelleFLORENCE]

I feel it should be mentioned that at 4:50 Deputy of Acquittals says "another target creature", and as such cannot target itself for the cast-ETB-bounce loop as he mentions in the video.

[@ChrisWood]

I'd love to see a tech on Samut, Voice of Dissent. There was, of course, Cassius Marsh's deck on "Game Knights", but I could also see a Voltron build around her.

[@prosperwaldmann6954]

Moorland haunt is worth a mention in my opinion. Otherwise, great vid! Huge fan of Ephara

[@DarkRulerHaDes666]

I run Ephara in my Grand Arbiter Augustin IV deck, and she's certainly a useful tool. I could see her being a good commander if I chose that route.

[@nicolodipietrantonio566]

I feel like you should mention trading post in the video when you go over the token makers. It's effect is cheaper than Heliod and is has a bunch of effects. The only downside is you can't use it multiple times to spam tons of tokens at once.

[@andrewdenne5459]

I won a crazy game yesterday with Approach of the second sun. It was very satisfying

[@kingpopaul]

Gift of estates is a nice white ramp to replace cultivate. Oath of Liege is a double edged sword.

[@davidelliott320]

Fun Video as always, Professor please do an Oona, Queen of the Fae EDH deck, I have the card but no idea what to build around it

[@eebbaa5560]

Can you make a video about Staple Binders? Please and thank you, TCC! Keep up the great work!