Top 10 Artifacts / 5-Color Nekusar | The Command Zone 13

Want to see LIVE-ACTION Magic: The Gathering short films? Check our webseries Kitchen Table Fables! CLICK BELOW:
• Kitchen Table Fables
Josh and Jimmy discuss their picks for the TOP 10 must-have artifacts in Commander/EDH. Then we check out Josh's creative brew on Nekusar, transformed into a 5-color deck with Cromat as its Commander.
Follow us on Twitter!
@CommandCast
@jfwong
@JoshLeeKwai
Email us:
[e-mail]
Check out our sister podcast - The Masters of Modern:
www.rocketjump....
Commander/EDH Official Rules, Banlist, Forums, and more:
mtgcommander.ne...
More awesome videos at RocketJump.com!

[@triple_gem_shining]

Nekusar is @ 1:02:00

[@snakeyman5560]

Thanks vro!

[@jhayjatap]

Can you do top #10 artifacts again now that this video is two years old? Many thanks!

[@andrewcapuno3507]

Especially since they've said gilded lotus and scroll rack are in their top overrated cards lol

[@gysahlgemuse7208]

Should incluce Mirage Mirror now imo

[@falkos.2131]

Only 2 years old, pff now its 6 and a lot of opinions have changed!

[@bryanbonar]

Hive Mind with Wheel style spells is ultimate brutal, and is actually a really fun chaos-y card.

[@jmcalcy69]

Are you guys going to do another version of this video, updating for Kaladesh and Aether Revolt? Stuff like Panharmonicon probably would belong in this.

[@derekmullen3503]

I have been listening to a lot of the old podcasts and i feel this may need to be updated with vedelken orrery, panharmonicon, and paradox engine

[@FeltonHM]

vedalken orrery was printed in 2004 or something like that

[@Adjacent_2]

But this was prior to the Prophet of Kruphix ban. After that I think people started respecting Orrery more.

[@mjyates119]

LOL Paradox engine is banned

[@sh1pme2themune9]

mimic vat with sad robot is the dream

[@maxvye8088]

I wonder how much these lists would change with all of the crazy artifacts to come out in recent sets!

[@IMaybe911]

0

[@chrisne1080]

Nekusar. Make him a discard punishment at the same time as a draw card punishment. That way they get the joy of seeing their cards then having to throw them away all the while taking damage again bc of that as well. I may have to do this. Perfect color combinations to deal that much damage without combat damage at all.

[@jth2]

No Windfall, or Reforge the Soul? Liliana's Caress/Megrim for all the wheelin'? Sigil of Sleep for targeted removal? What about Niv-Mizzet with maybe Curiosity or Ophidian Eye infinite combo? Damnable Pact for a win-con. And you guys are always saying Black doesn't have many sweepers.. dunno where you're getting that. Sure it's all creature removal but I can think of a dozen Black creature sweepers off the top of my head without getting into anything that are basically just token/creature type/color hosers.

[@jays2376]

+Justin Hagler Reforge the Soul is nice for the miracle cost. I didn't like Windfall in mine because it was only really good after a Wheel or something else to get their hand size up (when I had a Nekusar deck.) I agree on Black sweepers though.

[@SirNarax]

I think EDH is better than modern, at least for me I like to sit down and play with some people. I am not a huge fan of competitive play... :3

[@rudiherrig2446]

Your statement is true. I did find this months after you posted it.

[@tacothursdays6546]

Doing a 5 Color Aminatou with Niv-Mizzet Reborn as my Commander. Wincons Include Aminatou + Felidar Guardian + Altar of the Brood, Felidar Guardian + Saheeli Rai, or Theater of Horrors + Faeburrow Elder + High Alert.

[@TnumsProd]

I still run my Nekusar as Grixis, but with Vial Smasher and Ludevic as commanders.

[@th3b1]

9 years later.. I'm playing Iron Maiden in combination with Pychosis Crawler and Scrawling Crawler and others realize it as soon as they are around 20 Life :D

[@jacobs2725]

so I'm looking good to build this deck you guys made because it's amazingly brilliant. are there any updates to it? @commandcast

[@ssmmeeaarrggllee]

in spanish Mirrodin's O Stone destroys each permanent WITH a fate counter lol during Mirrodin's prerelease I remember people selectively destroying stuff putting their fate on the rock

[@Ljaysauz]

Scroll Rack in a Melek deck is really dirty. Add in Soothsaying for shuffle on demand if you need it, as well as additional card filtering and library manipulation

[@seanrafferty6752]

I have a question about card interactions. If I have Sensei's Diving Top and Thought Reflection out how would that go? If activate its second ability would I draw a card then put Sensei's diving top on top and then draw another card from Thought Reflection or would I draw two cards and then put it on top of my library? In which order does it happen? Divining top's second ability is all one sentence. So im a little confused.

[@SwagnerCountsThings]

In case you're still looking for an answer: thought reflection is a replacement effect. These effects are most easily identified with "instead". Since it replaces a single card draw with a two card draw, you would draw two, then place Top on top.

[@mysticloss1]

Don't forget abundance makes it so that they do not need to draw. instead of drawing they choose land or non-land.

[@NYoumans]

Black Vice is also not good on account of having to choose a single player when it enters the battlefield. With Panharmonicon in play, you could choose two opponents, but that seems like a stretch. :-)

[@pervhertz8116]

@#4 is, first time in these series, Prophet of Kruphix ;)

[@aliconvoy]

You perfectly described Necropotence

[@QvonJ]

I know this video is a little bit old (I am building a Nekusar deck) but did you on purpose not put card who works with discard (like, Megrim, waste not, lilana’s caress) ? There is a specific reason ? to not put too much hate against you from the others players for exemples ? I really would like to have your point of view The Command Zone ! (And thanks a lot for your video !) Q from France

[@jacobcohen2009]

Not Jimmy or Josh, but I've played with and against Nekusar a number of times, so I think I can offer an answer here. Discard is two steps removed from Nekusar's ability to damage players from draw. Wheels like windfall are good in Nekusar because they force card draw, which trigger Nekusar and redundant effects like Spiteful Visions. Liliana's Caress on the other hand is only good if you cast wheels or if you can ensure that players always have too many cards in hand at end of turn. Mass discard effects like Sire of Insanity are also at odds with Nekusar because Nekusar lets players refill their hands quickly while discard on its own is all about limiting options for other players. A sneaky good card in Nekusar is actually something like Helm of the Ghastlord or Zur's Weirding, which give you more advantage per instance of card draw.

[@QvonJ]

Jacob Cohen thanks a lot ! :) zur's weirding is a great idea !

[@blaisesoulgem4128]

I don't think the board wipes is too much of a problem with grixis colors, but the real advantage of not using Nekusar is that players won't hate you as much.

[@taylormatic]

You do your normal draw before the Puzzle Box goes on the stack.

[@jonathanmcrobie3378]

I have a nekusar deck and it is challenging to win but if you give him infect every time they draw they get poison counters lol XD

[@thephantomcomics]

I wounder about drain power and Baron Sengir, venom, lure?

[@Sarkhamy]

Do one on Mishra Commander(stax rules)

[@jollylumpy6295]

When thinking about this deck I thought... Consecrated Sphinx and Fractured Identity

[@ModernVisage]

Why not Child of Alara?

[@blrieder]

In my playgroup someone plays a Nekusar deck and its strong; don't forget you can also damage players for putting cards into their graveyard!!!!! :)

[@vernmcfarland3058]

my friend made a nekusar that deals damage coming and going. he punishes for card card draw and discard. is there a specific reason you didn't go that route? I told him it maybe because it is not as focused that way. thoughts?

[@french_freys569]

Birthing pod is not instant speed! Learned that the hard way...

[@Necrow_Productions]

still love this deck!

[@andrewnorton4788]

I run a nekusar edh deck and have loads of great fun doing it. To try and prevent people playing the majority of cards they draw from my deck I make use of the discard aswell with cards like megrim, liliana's caress, sangromancer and sire of insanity. Also to limited them causing me damage I run propaganda and painful quandary. Keep up the good work the pod casts are awsome. Andy

[@joshleekwai8895]

Andrew Norton Thanks Andrew! Really glad you are enjoying the show. Some good tips on the deck as well!

[@AzraelVM]

Please just play Nekuzar as your commander if you want to play Nekuzar lol. There is enough board disruption in Grixis. Damnation Blasphemous Act Cyclonic Rift Toxic Deluge Deadly Tempest Evacuate Oblivion Stone Plus where are the Discard mechanic with Megrim, Liliana's caress, waste not, Jace's Archivist? So much card left behind. I play Nekuzar and win regularly.

[@47Mortuus]

In a Game Knights episode Josh didn't do anything with a 5c version of the deck. He's probably still not any smarter, though :(

[@geoffreybaker1966]

And with the creation of Mirage Mirror

[@landleft]

is there a list for this deck?

[@joshleekwai8895]

Alex Seawright Yes sorry, not sure why it's not in the show notes but here is the list: tappedout.net/mtg-decks/jlks-5-color-nekusar-cromat/

[@Necrow_Productions]

Doubling cube in Omnath...

[@WoWhunter007]

+ Mana Reflection = awesomesauce

[@Necrow_Productions]

Everyone would die...

[@kiltman1012]

is there some where i can see the deck list?

[@King-fo3kj]

it's on tappedout

[@n0obz27]

THE Jace where anyone can draw 20. That'd be broke with nekusar.

[@peekaboo6102]

So you have to have Nekusar On the Battlefield for hsi effects or can they be used while in command zone?

[@breaze3242]

Raid Ragers Division battlefield. how it works with all commanders

[@liamblood5239]

Not all commanders, Emminence dude, Emminence.....

[@FeltonHM]

does anyone know what card this is 12:43?

[@morganabrand1272]

SKULLCLAMP

[@KarateChimera]

If you play 5 color Nekusar, make sure you play tempting wurm. haha

[@somersetbassett4580]

What is cEDH? I can't find this format anywhere?

[@morganabrand1272]

cEDH is just Competitive EDH.

[@BarbeChenue]

Child of Alara would've been a better choice, if you need board wipes, no?

[@moxmoonstone]

Child of Alara draws major hate though.

[@BarbeChenue]

+stardust2115 Board wipes help weaker players get back in the game. Child of Alara is the great equalizer.

[@moxmoonstone]

+BarbeChenue Like I said, that's the problem. If the goal of your commander is to destroy everyone's stuff, you're going to draw hate.

[@BarbeChenue]

+stardust2115 I agree, that's why you must explain how you are making the game fair. Boardwiping Memnarch assembling artifacts combos will usually harvest gratitude rather than hate. Removing a board of tokens who are on summoning sickness and threaten everyone is seen as sportsmanship. But destroying sol rings and mana dorks too early is the kind of move that gets hated on. I used Child three times tonight against an Animar deck overextending, even he understood why I had to do it.

[@moxmoonstone]

+BarbeChenue I understand why Child would be a better commander in a lot of ways, but you're still at a political disadvantage if your commander is very threatening. Though having a board wipe as the commander is the most consistent way yo deal with threats, the fact that you can run every tutor in the game in a chromatic comander tends to mitigate these problems without the political disadvantage. As it was explained in the video, the goal of the deck is very "group hug" and "feel good" until you come out of nowhere and win, so having the least threatening commander with some utility is better for this deck in a multiplayer format than the Child. The choice of commander is a huge political decision that can be made before the game even starts, so having a practically nonthreatening commander while everyone at the table is able to do everything they want to do (including wipe the board) is so much more valuable than a single repeatable board-wipe card. Now, if you were playing in a 1 v 1 tournament using this exact deck, then Child would be the best commander to run as far as power and versatility goes, so I could see this deck literally having a different commander for different styles of EDH, but in the multiplayer format of Commander you will be better served by a strictly weaker commander that still has utility value than possibly the most powerful commander in your colors.

[@fernandostar3507]

I'm making a nekusar/duskmantle guildmage/mindcrank

[@47Mortuus]

who tf cares

[@comobisque]

How would you mimic vat an avacyn? Its indestructible

[@dustinsanity85]

+Matthew Kirby You sacrifice it, then imprint it onto Mimic Vat.

[@comobisque]

ahhh Good call

[@Violentcissy]

+Matthew Kirby it could also lose indestructibility somehow

[@dustinsanity85]

I mean, really 9x/10 shes getting Swordsed. Like it always happens. She comes into play, she gets swords'd in response to a sweeper. Literal clockwork. And your Mic Vat's getting Acidic Slimed, also clockwork. I wouldn't put too much stock into the efficiencey there.

[@surge7652]

what is the art at 56:08?

[@TheUCuber]

It doesn't seem to be a magic card. The art has been used several times for "Make a magic the Gatering Card" contests, but so far I haven't found an actual MTG card with this art on it

[@surge7652]

interesting

[@dustinmertz4270]

One way I slow down opponents is propaganda and I have a few token producing zombies that I can chump block with

[@brianhedrick1333]

what card is the pic where the girl has the owl ????

[@poryjahn2]

Brian Hedrick the name of the card is somberwald sage

[@brianhedrick1333]

Saint Jahn thanks man

[@poryjahn2]

good card too perfect for human tribal themes if you need a decent mana dork

[@brianhedrick1333]

Yeah I just love the pic I have been trying to build a zombie edh deck but not having to much luck with it now

[@poryjahn2]

the art is quite nice i love the art from the innastrad blocks some of my favorite in magic. i just about finished with my human & angel tribal deck with new sigarda at commander all i have to do is pick up the somberwald sage and im done. what is the commander for your zombies?

[@flaviomargato5553]

Nekusar only needs to deal 21 damage to opponents to win, right?

[@flaviomargato5553]

+Flávio Margato Oh, nevermind x)

[@Necrow_Productions]

+Flávio Margato I think it does

[@flaviomargato5553]

No, because the commander damage is combat damage.

[@Necrow_Productions]

Flávio Margato oh my mistake, might just be my shop (it does say Nekasaur does the damage)

[@ms.sysbit5511]

+NecroW TheKnight very common misconception. Commander Damage is only combat damage; effect damage is excluded from this. Doesn't matter if it says he does it; he needs to be doing it by combat. Sorry. He needs to reduce life totals to zero to win.

[@kappakappakappabitch]

AEther Vial?

[@thephantomcomics]

I thought no one new of Mana Web.

[@scourgeneo7834]

No Vedalken Orrery...WHAT SORCERY IS THIS?!

[@arthurvandenbergh1881]

Scourge Neo lol took me a sec to realize what you did there

[@Necrow_Productions]

11. Min intro D:

[@AndrewWoodford]

Path the Nekusar and Aura Shards the rest. Bad deck is bad.

[@matt9591]

why would the nekusar player let either of those resolve

[@corryborowic5601]

all that talk of flickering and conjurers closet doesnt make either list... really

[@47Mortuus]

OH... MY... HOLY... LORD! 57:10 "simple math", huh? Making 6 mana out of 3, 10 out of 5 etc. , huh? You need at least 7 mana to even produce 1 mana with Doubling Cube. Apart from the fact that you obviously missed the activation cost of 3 generic, I've already commented on a Game Knights episode, where you misplayed the card and gave somebody about 10 extra mana. Here's just some "simple math": ( available mana - 3 ) x 2 = whatcha get => (3-3)x2=0 ; (5-3)x2=4 ; (7-3)x2=8; (12-3)x2=18 AND NOT available mana x 2 = watcha get (holy... give me strength) AND NOT (available mana x 2) - 3 = watcha get (GAMES KNIGHTS!!!! brackets are not necessary, since you multiply before adding numbers, but i have a feeling that it's necessary...) HOLY LORD, GIVE ME STRENGTH