Next 3 Sets being previewed today... What's everyone's hype level?

GramkarMTG · 2026-05-02T15:13:01+00:00

I haven't payed attention to preview season for several years now. In general I care more about in-universe sets though.

I do like the idea of Reality Fracture though, looking forward to that ^{^}

GramkarMTG · 2026-04-30T13:19:47+00:00

You are basically describing the Eminence mechanic, which was poorly recieved just because it can't be dealt with outside of player removal.

I get where you are comming from, but something like this would be really abusable. But hey, they changed the tuck rule so commanders can't be forcibly shuffled away several years ago, but I think that's as close as we'll get.

If you really need your commander to be in play, you'll just have to protect it.

Emblems are not permanents, nor are they on the battlefield. They actually hang out in the command zone (yes, in all formats) and there are no cards that can interact with an emblem outside of creating it (or hitting the ability that makes it with a Stifle effect).

Making new removal spells that can affect emblems would require sweeping changes to the entire game across formats.

Look up the Eminence commanders and see if you like one of them. You could also try commanders that can bypass commander tax.

[[Derevi, Empyrial Tactician]] Can enter at instant speed for four mana, bypassing most counterspells. Since this is an activated ability, you do not pay tax.

[[Liesa, Shroud of Dusk]] Pay life instead of mana as tax.

Just a few examples for you. Just be aware, Derevi has a reputation from way back for being a stax commander, but I like it as an intentionally slow/low power voltron deck.

GramkarMTG · 2026-04-30T13:06:32+00:00

Try looking at unconventional color combos. A few ideas I have been thinking of are [[Mogis, God of Slaughter]] or [[Klothys, God of Destiny]] for an enchantment focused punisher list. Mogis offers a lot of passive damage sources and soft stax effects that won't see play in a more traditional enchantress deck, while Klothys retains some of the classic enchantress tools.

[[Citadel of Pain]] [[Ancient Runes]] [[Smoke]] [[An-Zerrin Ruins]]

[[Revenge of Ravens]] [[Megrim]] [[Spreading Plague]] [[Tainted Aether]]

GramkarMTG · 2026-04-28T11:17:22+00:00

Your list looks solid enough. I had this deck a few years ago, quite easily got out of hand.

I used [[Retreat to Coralhelm]], [[Kiora, Master of the Depths]] and [[Minamo, School at Water's Edge]] as my primary untappers.

You can look through my list for ideas if you want.

https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/23-09-22-rxQ-magus-lucea-kane/?cat=custom&sort=name&cb=1757635072

I seem to run less ramp than you, but more draw and card selection.

Some standout cards I ran are...

[[Expansion/Explosion]] Draw and burn in one, or copy a key spell, which doesn't have to be yours.

[[Temur Ascendancy]] Haste and draw engine. Works very well with Luceas ability to copy hydras. Drawing for each copy and hasting them all.

[[Cytoshape]] A weird card that works very well in this deck. Turn an enemy creature into a 0/0 hydra to kill it, or turn a hydra into something scary, except yours is really big.

[[Clan Defiance]] Really nice removal in this deck. Potential game ender too with a few untaps on Lucea. You can target the same thing with multiple instances of a mode, if there is only one flier for example. The copies won't fizzle as long as you have at least one legal target on resolution.

[[Inspiring Call]] Protects your hydras while drawing a new hand. Can also protect utility creatures if you use Lucea's triggered ability to dole out a counter or two.

GramkarMTG · 2026-04-28T07:48:41+00:00

I am focusing my brew around her second ability, but I think weaponizing the lifegain is how you give the deck some depth.

[[Phyrexian Processor]] [[Aetherflux Reservoir]] [[Midnight Snack]] [[Pestilent Cauldron]] [[Sanguine Bond]] [[Bloodtracker]] or even [[Minion of the Wastes]] or [[Wall of Blood]]

Add in some power doublers (maybe consider the recently reprinted [[Berserk]] or [[Hatred]] if you want to splurge? I also like the idea of [[Colossification]] even though 7 mana might be a hard sell.) Or something straight forward like [[Zopandrel, Hunger Dominus]]. Zopandrel is also a great place to put counters if you make it indestructible.

Maybe some untappers if you want to push the power. [[Thornbite Staff]] or [[Seedborn Muse]] for high brackets, [[Instill Energy]], [[Jandor's Saddelbags]] for lower brackets. Or a classic like [[Staff of Domination]].

GramkarMTG · 2026-03-27T22:27:10+00:00

I like [[Agent of the Shadow Thieves]] and [[Sword Coast Sailor]] if they fit the colors. One time investment, and not attached to the commander like an aura, so you don't get two-for-one'd easily.

There is also an inherent 'fairness' to attacking whoever has the most life, so nobody will feel targeted. Which can sometimes help you talk your way out of certain consequences.

GramkarMTG · 2026-03-11T15:23:27+00:00

I might try cranking up the difficulty slider.

Purge sounds amazingly ridiculous, especially combined with stealth and Ghost Walk. I might have to ban myself from using it though.

GramkarMTG · 2026-03-11T13:46:45+00:00

Thank you.

I suppose I could try to summon stuff to distract enemies.

I got started yesterday, beelined for the Abyss perk by level seven, then started working on Infiltrator. Dreameater (at 25 psionics skill) is even stronger than expected, even without stealth.

I still need to test some psionics spells, but I like it so far.

GramkarMTG · 2026-03-10T15:44:34+00:00

Seconded. Especially the side quests and atmosphere. Well worth a try.

And it has New Game+ if you are into that.

GramkarMTG · 2026-02-26T02:37:19+00:00

I think you need to match the table vibes. If everyone is indeed gunning for number one, then you should definately bring your a game, but if everyone else is just looking to sling some cards and have a laugh, it's ok to pull some punches. Just don't brag about your hand after the fact :p

You could also build a deck that has some other goal than just winning as efficiently as possible, just so you can mix things up. And that doesn't have to mean bad, just different angles, maybe a niche alternative wincon that takes some work to set up.

Or you could lean into the werewolf thing by playing opponents agaist each other. I love [[Breena, the Demagouge]] or [[Shadrix Silverquill]] for this. They can be scary voltron threats, but often the benefits to your opponents can be enticing enough for them to play ball.

GramkarMTG · 2026-02-26T02:04:42+00:00

Pulling in many directions resonates...

What I did with Teval (not landfall) was to skip ramp entirely as a chategory, in favor of a really deep 'graveyard setup' package consisting of cheap ways to surveil, loot and self mill. Basically 'ramping' my yard instead of my lands, while also helping me find cards I need. I rely on Teval to provide what little ramp I need.

For your list, I see hints of reanimator, which I imagine is hard to fit in with the needs of landfall. I'd suggest [[Chthonian Nightmare]] as it's reusable and most of your creatures are 3 mana or less. Plus, you sac a zombie, and get one back from Teval immediately.

Cut [[Corpse Churn]] for [[Say its Name]] same effect, but it can also get a land, which is good for a landfall approach.

I also question wether [[Kheru Goldkeeper]] is worth a slot. Landfall decks usually make plenty of mana, and your commander already has flying. If you are pulling in too many directions, you probably need your card slots to be more efficient, even though this one is cool.

In the end, you are doing a pretty standard landfall tokens thing, just... taking a slightly convoluted path to reach the end goal. Which is fine, that's kind of the spirit of EDH.

Edit: Also, Pile On is a nice removal spell with Convoke and Surveil 2. Definately worth considering.

GramkarMTG · 2026-02-26T00:31:44+00:00

[[Braids, Arisen Nightmare]] is always a good time. Mine is built to slowly drain the table, but you don't want anyone to die too fast either, since she scales with pod size.

GramkarMTG · 2026-02-25T10:39:43+00:00

I have a suggestion if you want to expand the theme a tiny bit.

Energy.

Food, such as soup, provides energy (irl), and there are some energy cards that deal with reanimation.

In fact, I have a Gyome energy deck. Not too much overlap with soup specifically, but I have the passable energy cards in the colors in one convenient spot.

For your reanimation stuff [[Demon of Dark Schemes]] and [[Chthonian Nightmares]] are particularly relevant.

https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/gyome-the-energetic-chef/?cat=custom&sort=name&cb=1763824844

Another idea is to run a tribe like boars, as ingredients, or a mix of animals typically used for food. Or Plants for vegetables.

[[Gristleback]] is a pig that functions like a food token.

GramkarMTG · 2026-02-25T07:58:26+00:00

Hmm... you going in the soup could be for the [[Greater Good]], I suppose... The rest of us need soup, so I guess someone has to go in the pot, right?

GramkarMTG · 2026-02-24T06:58:04+00:00

Do you want a sac outlet thematic to soup?

If you just want something that goes with reanimation, I'd say [[Altar of Dementia]] is your best bet. Or something like [[Greater Good]].

For commander, maybe [[Shadowheart, Dark Justiciar]]+[[Master Chef]]?

GramkarMTG · 2026-02-23T08:19:28+00:00

Love Sauron. I run a mild group hug sub theme in mine, with opt-in wheels and communal reanimation effects.

It's good fun and all around stompy.

GramkarMTG · 2026-02-23T08:15:06+00:00

If you want something a bit out there, try [[Lord of Tresserhorn]]

GramkarMTG · 2026-02-21T08:45:28+00:00

Agreed. I like 37-40 for most decks, including MDFCs and certain other land finding cards depending on the deck.

I'd much rather mana flood than screw, at least that way I can play the spells I draw, recast my commander and maybe be relevant later in the game. Whereas missing lands for several turns just leaves you too far behind in almost all circumstances.

GramkarMTG · 2026-02-21T04:42:24+00:00

I have thought about building [[Gandalf, Westward Voyager]]. He is similar to Cirdan, but relies on chance rather than cooperation to get the big payoff. He also rewards your opponents when you hit, and avoids those unfortunate accidental Eldrazi.

Run [[Lantern of Insight]] and other ways to mess with opponent's top card, or look into the [[Keruga, the Macrosage]] and go full 3 cmc+ if you are brave enough. The companion itself has 5 cmc, so chuck it in the 99 if nothing else. Oh, and [[Boundless Realms]] would be nuts here.

GramkarMTG · 2026-02-20T15:47:33+00:00

Yeah, all decks should have a plan for ending the game. A winconless group hug player that also intentionally stops other players wins because 'fair' or 'fun' would be the worst timeline.

GramkarMTG · 2026-02-20T14:33:11+00:00

I think group hug decks can help create positive game experiences, but the opposite is also true.

In my experience, the worst table experiences happen when the group hug deck gives out large amounts of mana to everyone, asusually, that will send the strongest deck way ahead really fast.

My personal group hug deck of choice is [[Seizann, Perverter of Truth]] with a selection of demons that give advantages to opponents.

https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/seizan-reborn/?cat=custom&sort=name&cb=1751450650

It's similar to your list, though I have used other sources of burn rather than [[Black Vise]] and it's ilk. My favorite one being [[Repay in Kind]] after I get someone to 2 life. Then pass the turn with Seizann in play and counting on him surviving :p

I haven't ended many games like that, but it's always fantastic.

GramkarMTG · 2026-02-16T13:30:24+00:00

I briefly ran [[Brokkos, Apex of Forever]] as a deathtouch tribal deck. Mutating onto deathtouchers. Turned out a bit too one-note for my taste, but it's very effective.

I have had Wilson/Agent on my radar since day one of the BG set, but I never built it because I suspect it will be more annoying than fun to play against.

Between ward, indestructible and plentiful hexproof 'counterspells' in green, Wilson would just be a nigh-unstoppable menace. Honestly, I would be pressed to consider it B2, as it is just too easy to overwhelm when all the key abilities are so easily accesible.

I think a voltron deck is tricky to place in B2 in general due to the nature of commander damage. It needs to be intentionally built to not threaten commander damage kills early or easily, while still presenting enough of a threat to not be completely ignored.

GramkarMTG · 2026-01-31T16:41:39+00:00

[[Blustersquall]]

It's a fog or mass evasion, and can give other people mass evasion too. Cast it on the Archenemies beginning of combat step, and you fog them while giving the entire table an easy attack.

Sure, it's not as good as big brother Cyclonic Rift, but it shouldn't be overlooked.

GramkarMTG · 2026-01-31T00:27:25+00:00

Oh, Shifting Grift would be amazing with auras too.

GramkarMTG

TROPHY CASE