Volo Deck Tech + Mutate Build!

[@projack5617]

Attention: since evoke is a "modal" cast (an alternate cost) and you are copying it from the stack the modal choise still remain on the creature once on the battle field so the token and the original creature would both die

[@TheGrifcannon22]

I've said it before and I'm saying it again. DJ, I love your enthusiasm when you're doing deck techs! You makeme excited about decks I may never build myself but I feel that same excitement when I get started on brewing a new deck.

[@Buchaus]

Glasspool mimic is still a shapeshifter rogue in addition to whatever types of the creature it's copying so if you play that first you'll lose out on doubling your other shapeshifters

[@regaleagle6533]

Yeah that was a rules goof. You can use shapeshifters but have to ensure it’s not the kind that is additive on creature types and takes your opponents creature types alone.

[@MalteLewandowski]

I mean its written all over that card, but yeah sometimes you can skip those things because of excitement.

[@regaleagle6533]

@@MalteLewandowski haha yeah even the right kind though still mess with you in the graveyard so I think 1 or 2 that copy opponents things is probably best.

[@rhiannamilton8240]

Just to clarify at 11:45 there is a few things that aren't quite correct. The copy resolves first not the original. On a previously unmutated creature the copy resolves and triggers for X = 1. Then the original resolves and you get two mutate triggers since it now has two sets of 'when this creature mutates...' each trigger will resolve as X = 2. So yes overall we're digging for a total of X = 5 but this does not equate to 5 triggers. There are 3 triggers total for the Starrix/Mutate.

[@illsval114]

adrix and nev, doubling season, parallel lives, etc, do NOT trigger on Volo token arrival. Copying a permanent spell does NOT count as "create a token" 608.3b If the object that’s resolving is a copy of a permanent spell, that object becomes a token permanent and is put onto the battlefield under the control of the spell’s controller. It is no longer a copy of a spell. The token put onto the battlefield this way is not “created” for the purposes of any replacement effects or triggered abilities that refer to creating a token.

[@chudymojzesz2171]

5:20 Unfortunatelly, neither Esix nor Adrix and Nev work here. Copied creature spell are not counted as created, you can look at the gatherer for Double Major which also copies creature spell and in the rulings you can read "The token that a resolving copy of a spell becomes isn’t said to have been “created.”".

[@marshallbrenha7869]

Tragic, I was really hoping adrix and nev would give some insane value here

[@joshandrews515]

Just a question but would Esix still not work considering it says when you create a token copy it. I guess I’m a little lost on the whole “create” rule. I mean are you not essentially creating a copy token of the creature with Volo?

[@chudymojzesz2171]

@@joshandrews515 You don't create a token. You copy a spell and it enters as a token, but the token isn't "created"

[@evanlevenseller3080]

I feel like he was saying it synergizes because you can make more tokens by having 2 of them out, not by making copies of the tokens.

[@chudymojzesz2171]

@@evanlevenseller3080 Well, it depends on how many actual effects You have in the deck that creates tokens. Because if all you have is some random creatures like avenger of zendikar or hornet queen, it's not really worth putting those in

[@Glornie]

one little suggestion: put Night Soil in the deck... let you get rid of any cards in your graveyard, create a saproling for tendershoot to buff and let you also remove troublesome combo pieces from opponents graveyards. and a late game mana sink.

[@michaelturner2806]

If you want to risk your Druid slot, I can recommend Selesnya Eulogist, a centaur druid that has a non-tapping activated ability to exile a creature from a graveyard *and* make a copy of one of your tokens via the Populate mechanic. (Populate can only target creature tokens.) Druid's Deliverance is a fog with populate as well, and Full Flowering is a sorcery for XXG that lets you Populate X times (you can choose a different token or the same one for each). Second Harvest is a sorcery for 2GG that makes another token for each token you control. Not just creature tokens, so if you have a Food laying around from that goose you can get another one as well. Edit: I saw someone else pointing out that for copied creature spells, they aren't technically "created", so I withdraw my recommendation for Parallel Lives and Doubling Season.

[@regaleagle6533]

The Eulogist is an interesting choice that can help with mutate and shapeshifters getting from graveyard for some nice value I may consider it.

[@Kazz1187]

That’s insane how auspicious statix works with volo. Thank you for putting in the gameplay to show us

[@Mithrandork]

I haven't seen anyone mention Panharmonicon with Volo yet. Getting 4 etb triggers off one card sounds awesome

[@AbyssArray]

Panharmonicon triggers on permanent etbs entering, Volo's ability is a cast trigger - now if you have etb effects on your creature, yeah that would cause 4 triggers overall, it means you'd have to build them around being etbs, if was an etb trigger rather than a cast trigger for Volo, easy 1 for 8 etbs lol

[@Mithrandork]

@@AbyssArray right, I'm aware how Panharmonicon works. Still worth it because a lot of creatures worth running have etb effects. The video itself mentions Mulldrifter which would be awesome

[@regaleagle6533]

@@Mithrandork ETBs is def a strong way to go.

[@majinvegeta6364]

This is the first deck of yours that I've wanted to build in YEARS!

[@MistahStompy]

First card that came to mind for me when I saw Volo is Uro Titan of Nature's Wrath! Yes you will not get to keep both, but you still get the ETB, and he can exile creatures from your grave that you may have doubled up on!

[@VexylObby]

The Uktabi Orangutan reference is appreciated.

[@mth4456]

Those monkeys in the background though lol

[@VexylObby]

@@mth4456 🙈

[@regaleagle6533]

Secret Volo Deck Tech - phantom steed. You flash in two horses right before your turn 8 flying power for 4 mana. But wait theres more you exile two of your great ETB creatures and every time you attack each one makes a copy of the exiled creature. Board wipe or horse death results in retrieval of creatures triggering another ETB. The horses don't have to die so exiling them doesn't block the return of your dude. Oh and it just takes up your horse + illusion spot in deck. Secret tech 2- deep sea kraken - 3 mana for two 6/6 unblockable. Suspend 9 might make this card sound scary but when every time an opponent casts a spell it takes a turn off these come out faster than you think. Secret volo tech 3 - thought sponge. If your opponents just draw for turn with a copy you get draw 4 for 4. If they cast like a brainstorm all the sudden you get some fattiest that draw 10 cards for 4. Pretty good for the sponge slot in deck.

[@NotANameist]

Playing mtg on and off since the late 90’s, I have learned almost every single ability. Dozens and dozens of them. But mutate for whatever reason is a gigantic mental block for me, my brain seems to melt whenever I think about it.

[@samconsumespie1012]

opponents name in the arena clip is your mom and that just makes me happy

[@derelictdragon2550]

So someone correct me if I'm wrong here, but doesnt both muldrifters die when volo copies it? Since it copies the spell and not the creature, and copied spells always remember any alternate cost paid, like with the mutate example he talks about later

[@Gankula]

You are correct. To quote rule 706.10 "If an effect of the copy refers to objects used to pay its costs, it uses the objects used to pay the costs of the original spell or ability." The reminder text of evoke asks the copy to check how it's cost was paid. The copy remembers the originals cost and is also sacrificed.

[@derelictdragon2550]

@@Gankula that's what I thought, I still the evoke creatures are good in the deck, just slightly weaker then originally thought

[@LakeVermilionDreams]

Yeah, I've been incorrect about this. I believe the confusion comes from people being used to copying a permanent Mulldrifter, but Volo copies the spell itself, which carries with it the evoke alternate cost.

[@bv310]

DJ, you are speaking my language with this deck idea. Big fan

[@brennanholliday8845]

Wild i just pulled a volo and was thinking about what to do with it. Mutate sounds awesome

[@cheer90099]

"except it is a Shapeshifter Rogue in addition to its other types"

[@joshuasinger4649]

Seems like cards like Loaming Shaman might help with the "oh no it's in my graveyard" element.

[@BrodyTwice]

No mention of delve? Delving away the repeats in your graveyard seems pretty good

[@regaleagle6533]

It seems better to have less duplicates than require a combo to do something as minor as make your commander work again.

[@BrodyTwice]

I agree with that but even so this build had duplicates and it isn't guaranteed to not come across them in a 100 card deck making dig through time and treasure cruise even better than usual

[@HowlingShabriri]

@@regaleagle6533 building the deck to want a small grave seems reasonable and running delve allows you to overlap a little without worrying.

[@MissingNovice]

@@regaleagle6533 I'm probably gonna run delve and escape cards just as contingencies for shapeshifters and mutates, but not as like a dependency for the whole deck.

[@mclark347]

I kinda feel delve isn't great because your deck has a high creature count, meaning you aren't going to have much in your graveyard to begin with.

[@haldir1991]

I'm having so much fun playing it in arena. But this won't be a commander I shall bring to my playgroup table. Another great simic commander. Ok :)

[@kenny3gg483]

I never would have thought mutate good idea

[@aeoncraft2084]

Love it, already had it in my newly made mutate commander deck with surrak dragonclaw. I did not know that it gives double mutate triggers, I thought it just created a copy onto the field.

[@okorpheus]

I'm not sure you're right about evoke. I think the copy might be treated as if it were evoked as well for the same reasons the copy of the mutate spell is still a mutate spell.

[@okorpheus]

706.10. To copy a spell, activated ability, or triggered ability means to put a copy of it onto the stack; a copy of a spell isn’t cast and a copy of an activated ability isn’t activated. A copy of a spell or ability copies both the characteristics of the spell or ability and all decisions made for it, including modes, targets, the value of X, and additional or alternative costs

[@LakeVermilionDreams]

Agreed. It's copying the spell, which carries with it the evoke rules. Magic players are more accustomed to copying the permanent Mulldrifter, or blinking it.

[@gamingwmee]

I feel like Altar of the Brood is kind of a slept on card, considering we're going to be putting a ton of creatures in play (and likely trying to bounce/sacrifice things to do it again,) it's going to be putting in a ton of work

[@mtgcatmom]

I like Selesnya Eulogist to exile stuff from your own graveyard and copy a token. That way you can gobble up anything in your graveyard that would block Volo from triggering.

[@NotANameist]

Question: does Thieving Skydiver (kicked) work here? I’m not seeing it in anyone’s list and it’s not showing up on the edhrec page.

[@lazarusthegnome4703]

yes

[@mtgtomescourer]

Great idea for this guy! Cool to see a different idea for him.

[@strangevenom]

One spell you don't want to see whilst playing this deck: Crib Swap.

[@s4mbuk4]

Pulled Volo, also love the guy, great suggestions :)

[@assau1tedpeanutinc540]

Thanks DJ

[@sonkal-elkent6143]

Haven't looked so I assume there aren't enough creatures to pull it off to be a main focus, but Delve would work great with Volo

[@thetogtube2]

YOLO - this things is nuts 🥜

[@jamieritch3668]

Love it DJ!

[@davidruth5601]

Ego Erasure is a way to not care about creature types for a turn, even if it has a small downside.

[@xXDerPuppenspielerXx]

Do I understand the wording correctly, that doubling season does not work with Volo (because a copied spell on the stack creates a token, not an effect) but Adrix and Nev do, because their effect does not specify from which source the tokens have to come from? I was really confused when I saw you propose them, so I tried to figure that out, but please correct me :)

[@regaleagle6533]

You are right

[@michaelserrahn5606]

No doubling season effects will work, because the copied spell will become a token not create a token. Cards like rite of replication create tokens as part of the resolution. While cards like lithoform engine has reminder text that says "The copy becomes a token.". It's all in the wording of the cards.

[@mclark347]

I think Volo works well with the Shrieking Drake + Earthcraft combo, since it automatically becomes net positive mana instead of just infinite triggers but net zero.

[@charlessilva1996]

Ok. I watched the part of the 5 mutate triggers and I still don’t think I follow along. The 1st mutate trigger counts as 1, then it sees the copy which counts for 2, the copy sees the target for 1, and the original cast for 2, so doesn’t that add up to 4 triggers where is the missing 5th trigger? 😅

[@regaleagle6533]

Its really just three triggers but the size of the triggers is 1, 2, 2. The copy goes on and sees 1. The original goes on and sees both. Then the copy goes off for mutating again and sees both. The 5 trigger explanation is wrong by the rules and confusing but the result is correct unless some crazy interactions happen with opponents.

[@krenarspahiu4261]

So if I copy a card that has mutated. Would the new creature also have the additional effects (ex. Flying, deathtouch, lifelink)? Or would it simply be a single card that says mutate & only have the effect of the card that was cast?

[@floydyutiamco]

Is mutating auspicious sterix still gets copied even if there's another beast in the graveyard?

[@Lionthehawaiian]

Wait is it 4 or 5 triggers? On the screen it shows when mutating while volo is on the field it shows 4 triggers occurring. Also is this the same from every etb effect off of mutating?

[@lordwhatshisname3408]

Hopefully someone can clarify for me since im still a little confused: If you cast starrix, volo copies it, and you mutate the starrix on to scute swarm for example, do you get another copy of scute swarm from the mutate cast?

[@SirPoonga]

Twinning Staff

[@ATEshred]

I am so confused how volo made the stirrix trigger 5 times??!?

[@damagedjoker69]

first stirrix comes in and triggers (for 1 permanent). second stirrix comes in and triggers as well (2 permanents). the second stirrix coming in will also trigger the first one for a second time (2 permanents). so you only get 3 triggers and this will get you 5 permanents, he said 5 triggers by mistake

[@brianpraamsma2607]

Can somebody go into more detail as to the triggers of mutate? If volo is out and a vanilla creature is being mutated onto, does the original and the copy both see its been mutated on twice?

[@Gankula]

I got you. So the first auspicious starrix comes in on top of a creature, his mutate trigger goes on the stack netting one permanent. Then the copy of the auspicious starrix goes on top of the original pile. The copy has mutated once already, and once it gets on the original pile it will have mutated twice. Now it's ability goes on the stack twice because it has the mutate ability twice from the copy that got on top of it. So we have one original trigger for 1, and then two triggers for 2 because it mutated twice.

[@brianpraamsma2607]

@@Gankula ok. That made it much clearer! Thanks!

[@damagedjoker69]

so really it's 3 triggers that give you 5 permanents. when he says 5 triggers it was confusing me too

[@richardmorgan2653]

Where can I find that shirt you're wearing?

[@coreypadilla6668]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but you can’t mutate a beast o to another beast to get a trigger because it doesn’t “hide” under the other creatures, it all becomes one sharing every thing written on the card including the creature type.

[@dirken1174]

From the official mutate rules- "702.140e A mutated permanent has all abilities of each card and token that represents it. Its other characteristics are derived from the topmost card or token." So the top card determines its creature type, name, and power/toughness, but it has the abilities and keywords of all cards below it in addition to the top cards own abilities and keywords.

[@Vyronix]

Here's my thinking though, mutate seems great but if a mutated stack dies, all the cards go to the GY right? So then any future "Beast" mutates won't get copied

[@matteobagni1235]

Mutate is strong enough, you get enough value during the game

[@regaleagle6533]

This is true so pack some graveyard removal like Uro or one of my new favorites Quandrix command. Also for the love of god ignore his suggestion to use trumpeting gnarr. Thats a big old anti synergy piece :D

[@jacobthurley6130]

I am sure someone else has said this, but Adrix and Nev and other token doublers would not actually double the tokens created from Volo.

[@TransHammer]

Found my new causal commander bc I love dnd and mtg

[@JNB6037]

I've been brewing this deck for a little while now and I've found that Kogla is pretty good and I like Biogenic Slime with making four 4/4 bodies for 5 mana by your end step

[@regaleagle6533]

Huh thats an interesting one I was going to go for Biowaste Blob.

[@mignaultj]

Dryad of the Elysian Grove IS a nymph tho. I must be stupid, because I do not understand what he said 7:38 ????

[@VirtuesOfSin]

Rules Question; because Faerie Artisans says "created with Faerie Artisans", does that mean their effects won't stack? Or do they only check their self-created tokens?

[@regaleagle6533]

They each make one and then they each remove one. 11/8/2016 If you control multiple Faerie Artisans, each one’s ability only exiles tokens created with the ability of that specific Faerie Artisans.

[@augmentedlinguist4674]

Question how would volo work with hydroid krasis or any of the eldrazi titians with cast triggers? Would the copy also proc it's effect or no? And if so why?

[@HalcyonVentures]

No cast triggers aren't copied, because you're not casting the copy, the copy just appears on the stack on top of the original.

[@jeffdunam5092]

Okay, I think I understand the Auspicious Starrix combo thanks to your excellent example. But why wouldn't you put it on top of the lotus cobra? 11:16

[@stalkerstomper3304]

I believe he put it below Lotus Cobra because if he put it on top, the creature type would change from snake to beast, and then once it's a beast, the other mutate creatures which are also beasts, will not create a copy with Volo due to you already controlling a beast. The way he did it allows for future mutates with your other mutate creatures. I believe that's the most logical reason for that stacking of creature types. Yes, you'd get a better body, but you'd lose any future benefits of mutating again for copies.

[@bomdoboy]

i stillnot understand volo and mutate and how it is 5 times. Need full text explanation

[@Trans-former24]

I almost built volo mutate, but trumpeting gnarr kinda screws the game plan a little pit. And any deck that can't run gnarr just isn't worth it lol

[@regaleagle6533]

Trumpeting Gnarr is like the 8th best choice to put in the deck going mutate build. Just leave him out and put in baby godzilla.

[@anguishedcarpet]

@@regaleagle6533 thank you, everyone sleeps on babyzilla

[@regaleagle6533]

@@anguishedcarpet when you get 3 mutate triggers and have two baby Godzilla that’s pretty dang good. It’s not like there’s a ton of amazing frog options hahaha

[@matteobagni1235]

Slippery bogbonder! Yolo is kill on sight, you need more and more protection!

[@dariocampanella7992]

uhm. why not sakashima of the thousand faeces?

[@marcellusjordan5681]

No Risen Reef + Master of Waves? That would be gross assuming there aren't other Merfolk or Elementals

[@nicholaslau3003]

So for mutate, whenever u mutate does it trigger 5 times?

[@regaleagle6533]

Only 3 times. Starrix copies 5 times because it says it goes off based on the number of times you have mutated. So standard mutate 1 + 1 + 1 and with him 1 + (X=)2, 2

[@tannerfarley]

Guardian project has anti synergy with the deck Since the copy comes in first and has the same name as the original, there isn't an efficient way to draw cards

[@regaleagle6533]

Guardian project effects are a dime a dozen. You in no way need to for card draw

[@tannerfarley]

@@regaleagle6533 I agree but I just don't understand why it's in this deck then. Because if everything is going well, then it does nothing

[@regaleagle6533]

I just am not sure going full untribal makes sense. There’s some great humans and elf legends that support this theme so well. Having a handful of each and then making everything else your copy target seems great. Especially humans.

[@DarthJacobi]

Palladium Myr is so good in this deck if Volo is out get 2 sol rings for 3 basically

[@ashcombrink4998]

Yes and no. Black lotus is only good because you're getting resources for nothing. If black lotus cost 3, it would be a bad card. Part of why Sol ring is powerful is because you get 1 free mana on the turn you play it.

[@MrNemitri]

what about cards that remove cards from graveyards, there are some that let the player choose which, so just exile a conflicting creature type before resolving.

[@regaleagle6533]

It’s just not worth the combo

[@GammaBeastBoy]

It’s still a shapeshifter unless I’m mistaken cause it gets the additional types

[@jamesblack3586]

You know if you use cards that clean the grave yard you can mitigate having a few multiples of a given creature type if you wanted to play an elf and another elf is in the grave yard and night soil exiles the dead elf you would get the trigger from volo

[@regaleagle6533]

Night soil is a pretty boring way to remove creatures from grave. Quandrix Command, Uro, maybe Seles Eulogist going in for me. 1/1s are boring.

[@VirtuesOfSin]

Are you ignoring Legendary somehow? I understand Uro, because he is a glorified Ramp spell and all his copies are going to self-destruct by the ETB trigger anyway, but Fblthp? I guess I could see drawing 2+ cards if you cast him from hand. It's probably the best instant card draw, but maybe Oculus instead? 2 bodies instead of 1 plus death trigger card draw. (Edit) Beast Whisperer isn't a may, so gatta be careful with that. I can imagine accidentally drawing out because you had 3 Volos and cast Beast Whisperer. Draw 6, then draw 4 whenever you cast a creature (x3 if they're a 'unique type' lmao). [saying 3 because Spark Double is stupid with this commander xD].

[@MajinRaviel]

Uuu 🔥🔥🔥

[@envysart797]

Careful with uktabi, you’ll get demonitosed xd

[@dragonballtalk8527]

Please do narrated slideshows more often where u say hi at beginning and bye at end

[@strangevenom]

Echoing Equation: If we're waiting to cast Volo until we can get value from him, we'll have a ton of mana available, so why not put in Augmenter Pugilist / Echoing Equation? Turning all our creatures into Volo before casting ANYTHING in our deck is going to be ridiculous.

[@regaleagle6533]

Its a nice thought but 5 mana and then you still have to cast whatever big stompy you want a bunch of copies of eh?

[@strangevenom]

@@regaleagle6533 This is why I rate MDFCs. I admit it's not going to do what I suggested often, but when it doesn't, it's not a bad cost for a creature on the other side.

[@regaleagle6533]

@@strangevenom Consider instead if thats the effect you are going for mystic reflection. You can take one of your smaller drops and for 2 mana turn them into a pair of your beefiest boys.

[@nathankidd3240]

Auspicious starrixis trouble. It’s mana intensive

[@nathankidd3240]

He’s also a beast I’d rather play rampaging bayloth

[@strangevenom]

Unfortunately, Guardian Project does NOTHING if Volo is on the battlefield as the token enters first, and when the real creature enters, there is something else in play with its name. I like Path of Discovery instead.

[@EvanYoungMusic]

Llanowar Tribe. Get 6 mana.

[@nathones]

Token doublers don’t work with Volo

[@juansanchez4301]

Why isn't he just UG in his casting cost. Wizards is so inconsistent!

[@RobMedellin]

I couldn't read the sarcasm, but I guess you were sarcastic about UG always been overpowered, right? just checking

[@joachimpearson4892]

thought sponge

[@NoOne-ni4um]

I’m genuinely angry at you. I just built my chromium mutate deck. Why couldn’t this tech come out a week earlier? Lol

[@majinvegeta6364]

I'm building a Surgeon General Commander mutate deck, but I want to build a Volo anti-tribal deck too just because it will be a very different experience

[@captianbacon]

Um mutated creatures are all types from the stack...

[@DonovanPresents]

I'd rather have Ornithopter of Paradise over Birds of Paradise tbh

[@YenSnipest]

Wandering Archaic is hullbreacher or profit all over again. It's just...a stagnator of play so it'll be gone one day. You play it...your kinda a dick. Like Umezwa's jitte and how it ignores any real challenge to be used. Kinda...just a dick card. But nooooo Primeval titan was the problem, clearly. I mean, I kinda get how it was...but at least we got to PLAY the game when it hit everyone's fields still.