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Commander
Size: 100Salt sum: 53.48
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SidNYC

606 views3 months ago
Commander
Size: 100Salt sum: 53.48

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{"ops":[{"insert":"PREAMBLE"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nControl the board with the wide suite of interaction and removal, play politics until you can win with a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mairsil, the Pretender"}},{"insert":" combo!\n\nEnsure you have protection before you cast your "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mairsil, the Pretender"}},{"insert":". Watch what your opponents are doing and find a window to deploy him with a "},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"U"},{"insert":" to bounce him, or with enough for a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Counterspell"}},{"insert":" .\n\nWhen he comes down, try to cage "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aetherling"}},{"insert":" . You can bounce Mairsil on the 2nd main phase of your last opponent to cage another card on their end step. (Or in response to removal). Don't wait for your opponent's end step - the Aetherling ability only returns on the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"next"},{"insert":" end step, and you want your commander to not be summoning sick on your turn.\n\nCOMBOS"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe simplest combo is to have a caged "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tree of Perdition"}},{"insert":" , \nTap to make an opponent's life total 4 on the last opponent's end step."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Then activate "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aetherling"}},{"insert":" 's unblockable to KO them."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Blink "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mairsil, the Pretender"}},{"insert":" to reset his toughness to 4."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n------------------------------\n\nA little more work has you caging "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tree of Perdition"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hateflayer"}},{"insert":" .\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tree of Perdition"}},{"insert":" turns your opponent's life to 4"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hateflayer"}},{"insert":" for "},{"attributes":{"background":"#888888","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"2"},{"attributes":{"background":"#e60000","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"R"},{"insert":" mana untaps your commander and kills them."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Blink "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mairsil, the Pretender"}},{"insert":" to reset his toughness to 4."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If you have a haste enabler, you can kill each opponent on their "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"upkeep"},{"insert":"!\n\n------------------------------\n\nThe other combo is to cage either:\n3+ mana producing artifact ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gilded Lotus"}},{"insert":" ) and an Untap effect (e.g. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pili-Pala"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Morphling"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Torchling"}},{"insert":" ) "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vivi Ornitier"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"In addition, you will need:\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Quicksilver Elemental"}},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Walking Ballista"}},{"insert":" in hand, or caged."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The combo works as such:\nYou tap your commander's Gilded Lotus ability for mana ("},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"UUU"},{"insert":"), untap with Pili-Pala ("},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"UU"},{"insert":")"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"OR\nActivate Vivi's ability to make ("},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"UUUU"},{"insert":")"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Then,\nUse Quicksilver Elemental to reset Mairsil's abilities for "},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"U"},{"insert":", enabling your commander to use his \"Once a turn\" abilities "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"again"},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Repeat."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Each iteration of this will add extra "},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"U"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff"},"insert":" "},{"insert":"to your mana pool, letting you make infinite mana.\nYou can then make a massive Walking ballista that pings your opponents down, or if caged, make your commander massively big and ping your opponents down.\n\nCAGE MATCH"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"*SALT ALERT*"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The most obnoxious thing you can do is cage "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nevinyrral's Disk"}},{"insert":" . Then, for "},{"attributes":{"background":"#888888","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"1 "},{"insert":"mana, at instant speed, you can blow up the board . If you've caged an "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aetherling"}},{"insert":" , also pay a "},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"U"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff"},"insert":" "},{"insert":"blinking out your commander to keep him safe! If you have a haste enabler, you can do it multiple times in a commander turn cycle. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"OOF!"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"*SALT ALERT*"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nGood cards to cage"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Oriq Loremage"}},{"insert":" lets you fill your graveyard up with the exact cards you need at the moment to cage.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arcanis the Omnipotent"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jace's Archivist"}},{"insert":" ensures you have a steady flow of cards incoming.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dralnu, Lich Lord"}},{"insert":" lets your commander tap to give a spell in your graveyard "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Flashback"}},{"insert":" - letting you double dip on all your spells.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Shauku, Endbringer"}},{"insert":" turns your commander into targeted removal, which basically says \"Tap: Exile a creature, and put a +1/+1 counter on Mairsil, the Pretender\".\n\nBackup cages"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nIf for some reason you can't get to "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aetherling"}},{"insert":" , or if it was disrupted and exiled, these three provide some backup.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pack Rat"}},{"insert":" basically adds the ability to your commander \"Discard a card that you want to cage: Make a copy of commander that dies to the legend rule, but can cage the card you discarded\""},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cavern Harpy"}},{"insert":" can be played from hand to bounce your commander back to your hand. You can also cage it to give your commander \"Pay 1 life: Bounce commander to hand\""},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Clever Impersonator"}},{"insert":" comes in, copies your commander and dies to the legend rule, letting you cage something. However, his flexibility is insane. I've used him to copy "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rhystic Study"}},{"insert":" , and in one case, copied an opponent's "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sting, the Glinting Dagger"}},{"insert":" to use as an untapper! The flexibility is great."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nUntappers"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Eater of the Dead"}},{"insert":" is a "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"cute"},{"insert":" card that provides graveyard hate while untapping your commander for "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"free"},{"insert":". This is probably the only deck where he's actually good."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Morphling"}},{"insert":" lets you untap for a "},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"U"},{"insert":", and also gives him shroud until end of turn for "},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"U"},{"insert":". The flying for "},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"U "},{"insert":"might also be relevant sometimes!"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Torchling"}},{"insert":" is the weaker of the 'lings, where he gives you untap for "},{"attributes":{"background":"#e60000","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"R"},{"insert":", and a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bolt Bend"}},{"insert":" that targets your commander for "},{"attributes":{"background":"#e60000","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"R"},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pili-Pala"}},{"insert":" when caged essentially turns your commander untap into a filter land, which turns "},{"attributes":{"background":"#888888","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"2"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff"},"insert":" "},{"insert":"to 1 mana of any colour. As this is a mana ability, it doesn't take the stack and can't be responded to!"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thousand-Year Elixir"}},{"insert":" should always be played, and it has \""},{"attributes":{"background":"#888888","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"1"},{"insert":", tap: Untap Mairsil the Pretender.\""},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nSpecial mention"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Viashino Heretic"}},{"insert":" has a special mention as a utility card that can be played on turn 3 naked. Its ability to blow up artifacts is a great political tool, and if dealt with, can be caged. An interesting thing is that if you try to blow up an indestructible artifact (like a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blightsteel Colossus"}},{"insert":" ), its controller still gets hit for the mana value damage! If you have Viashino Heretic caged and an untapper or a haste enabler and enough mana, you could do this on "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"every"},{"insert":" player's turn. Nice!\n\nOther cards"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nHaste Enablers"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nHave "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Anger"}},{"insert":" in your graveyard , and a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mountain"}},{"insert":" in play."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cage "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon"}},{"insert":" , and you can haste your commander for "},{"attributes":{"background":"#000000","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"B"},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Play "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thousand-Year Elixir"}},{"insert":" ."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nGood Cards"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Orcish Bowmasters"}},{"insert":" being flashed in, in response to a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jace's Archivist"}},{"insert":" activation is absolutely VILE.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Faerie Mastermind"}},{"insert":" is a meta call. We don't have many 2 drops, people like to draw cards and this is our weaker "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Trouble in Pairs"}},{"insert":" .\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Kolaghan's Command"}},{"insert":" is always a 2 for 1. I usually fire it off on turn 3, taking down a mana dork and a mana rock, slowing down our opponents. If I have this in my hand, and I fail to protect my commander, I let him go to the graveyard, and use its first mode to get him back. (It also rebuys Clever Impersonator). Of course, if this is countered, you'll need to find / tutor up graveyard hate.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tolaria West"}},{"insert":" exists to be transmuted into whatever utility land you need:\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arcane Lighthouse"}},{"insert":" if you're having trouble with shroud or hexproof."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bojuka Bog"}},{"insert":" for graveyard hate."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Strip Mine"}},{"insert":" for land hate."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWeak cards"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nI think these cards are on the weaker side:\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Solemn Simulacrum"}},{"insert":" has been outclassed. Commander has gotten fast! I'm thinking of putting "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood Pet"}},{"insert":" in its place.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Decree of Pain"}},{"insert":" exists as an uncounterable 5 mana give the board -2/-2 and draw a card. Definitely on the weaker side, I'm considering replacing it with either "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blasphemous Act"}},{"insert":" , or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Asmodeus the Archfiend"}},{"insert":" ("},{"attributes":{"background":"#000000","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"BBB"},{"insert":": Draw 7 cards!)\n\nTUTOR PILES"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gamble"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Entomb"}},{"insert":" \nEarly? "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aetherling"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Developing? "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Oriq Loremage"}},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Mid game? "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Anger"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Late game? Whatever you need for the combo win."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Buried Alive"}},{"insert":" \n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aetherling"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Anger"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Oriq Loremage"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gifts Ungiven"}},{"insert":" \n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aetherling"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Oriq Loremage"}},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Don't have many cards in hand?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arcanis the Omnipotent"}},{"insert":" / "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jace's Archivist"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Torchling"}},{"insert":" / "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Morphling"}},{"insert":" ("},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"depending on your land situation"},{"insert":")"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Want to combo kill?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tree of Perdition"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hateflayer"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"OR"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vivi Ornitier"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Walking Ballista"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nCONCLUSION"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis is a fun deck to play where each game starts off differently.\nYou are actively politicking and controlling the board, and getting yourself ready to just pop off and explode!\n\nYou should be able to set up and win around turn 7-8 with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Counterspell"}},{"insert":" backup. If you go balls to the walls completely shields down, you can expect a turn 5-6 combo win.\n\nNOTES"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nIf you cage "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tree of Perdition"}},{"insert":" early, and an opponent attacks someone else and is able to deal at least 4 damage, you can turn their life to 4 and get a KO.\n\n------------------------------\n\nThere is a combo with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Endling"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood Pet"}},{"insert":" (or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood Vassal"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"though Blood Pet is a great turn 1 play"},{"insert":") and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Walking Ballista"}},{"insert":" \nUse Endling's Undying for "},{"attributes":{"background":"#000000","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"B"},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sacrifice Mairsil to Blood Pet's ability to float a "},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#000000"},"insert":"B"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mairsil comes back from the undying trigger. ("},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Cage another card if you want"},{"insert":")"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Fire off your Ballista, removing the +1/+1 counter. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Repeat"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I don't have Blood pet yet, but I'd remove "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Torchling"}},{"insert":" for Endling, and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Solemn Simulacrum"}},{"insert":" for Blood Pet.\n\n------------------------------\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Minion of Leshrac"}},{"insert":" basically gives your commander \"Tap: Destroy target land\" -- which is great; but instead of durdling, wouldn't you rather be trying to set up your combo victory?\n\n------------------------------\n\nYou can always run "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Demonic Consultation"}},{"insert":" + "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thassa's Oracle"}},{"insert":" but that's \n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"boooooring"},{"insert":". "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is a bracket 4 deck."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"There are other bracket 5 commanders that do this better."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Don't you want to win with your commander instead?\n\nThere is a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mirror-Mad Phantasm"}},{"insert":" caged + "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thassa's Oracle"}},{"insert":" combo as well, which needs you to have 4 mana to win (plus extra for protection). If you want to do this, you need to go DEEP into rituals and fast mana.\n\nWhen you activate Mirror-Mad Phantasm's ability while its caged, you shuffle Mairsil in, and then you mill your whole library looking for a \""},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Mirror-Mad Phantasm"},{"insert":"\" (which has been caged). ("},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffcc"},"insert":"UU"},{"insert":")"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You get a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Narcomoeba"}},{"insert":" from milling."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You unearth a milled "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fatestitcher"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Combat Courier"}},{"insert":" ("},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffcc"},"insert":"UU"},{"insert":"). "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You then flashback "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dread Return"}},{"insert":" targeting Thassa's Oracle and win."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n------------------------------\n\nLORE"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe Dark"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mairsil, the Pretender"}},{"insert":" trapped "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ith, High Arcanist"}},{"insert":" in "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Barl's Cage"}},{"insert":" that drained his power and turned him mad, and usurped his position in the Conclave of Mages.\nUnfortunately, Ith summoned a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rag Man"}},{"insert":" to warn "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jodah, Archmage Eternal"}},{"insert":" about his treachery. \nMairsil was then attacked by a Church of Tal army led by Delphine ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Inquisition"}},{"insert":" ). Mairsil drained her magical defenses with the "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wand of Ith"}},{"insert":" and killed her.\nJodah used the cover of the assault to free Ith, who was almost completely mad by that point. Ith destroyed Mairsil before Jodah cured his mind. \n\nIce Age"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nMairsil had imbued his life into a small ruby ring, and his essence survived into the Ice Age.\nThe ring was found by "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lim-Dûl the Necromancer"}},{"insert":" , who became a powerful necromancer thanks to the power of the ring.\nWhile under Leshrac's command ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Leshrac's Rite"}},{"insert":") , Lim-Dul's undead hordes ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lim-Dûl's Cohort"}},{"insert":" ) terrorized everyone until being defeated by an alliance between Kjeldor and Balduvia.\nJodah was magically still alive, the spirit of Mairsil attempted to take control of Lim-Dul so that he could use the necromancer's powers against his archenemy.\nLeshrac, seeking extra power himself, cut off the necromancer's hand with the ring.\n\nThe ring's next wearer was "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jaya Ballard, Task Mage"}},{"insert":" — Jodah's trusted confidant.\nMairsil spent the next decade poisoning her mind, eventually convincing her to betray her master and slit his throat.\nJodah fought back and Jaya's planeswalker spark ignited when he used "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reflecting Mirror"}},{"insert":" on her.\nJaya's ascension, and the energies it released, eradicated all traces of Mairsil's soul within her.\n\nMagic Origins"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe ring found its way to an ancestor of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Liliana Vess"}},{"insert":" who buried it under the family estate. Lim-Dul's soul lived on in the ring and it corrupted Liliana disguised as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Raven Man"}},{"insert":". \nHer planeswalker spark ignited when the Raven Man tricked her into using a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tainted Remedy"}},{"insert":" on her brother. ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Liliana, Heretical Healer // Liliana, Defiant Necromancer"}},{"insert":" )\n\nDominaria United"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nBy the time the events of Dominaria United came around, Liliana had become a master necromancer, and she figured out the origins of the Raven Man. Her will subsumed to the remnants of his, and of all the necromancers who wore the ring prior, going back all the way to "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mairsil, the Pretender"}},{"insert":", erasing his final vestige.\n\n[ "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/magic-story/homecoming-2022-08-12"},"insert":"Read Homecoming on Wizards' Site"},{"insert":" ]\n\nAlso see: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fellwar Stone"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Inferno"}},{"insert":" (change edition to The Dark), "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Stone Calendar"}},{"insert":" .\n"}]}
Mairsil, the Pretender
When Mairsil enters, you may exile an artifact or creature card from your hand or graveyard and put a cage counter on it.
Mairsil has all activated abilities of all cards you own in exile with cage counters on them. You may activate each of those abilities only once each turn.
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard
Mairsil, the Pretender (c17) 41

Commander

(Ctrl to add secondary)
Aetherling
: Exile this creature. Return it to the battlefield under its owner's control at the beginning of the next end step.
: This creature can't be blocked this turn.
: This creature gets +1/-1 until end of turn.
: This creature gets -1/+1 until end of turn.
Creature - Shapeshifter
Aetherling (dgm) 11

CAGE ME FIRST

(Ctrl to add secondary)
Cavern Harpy
Flying
When this creature enters, return a blue or black creature you control to its owner's hand.
Pay 1 life: Return this creature to its owner's hand.
Creature - Beast Harpy
Cavern Harpy (pls) 97
Clever Impersonator
You may have this creature enter as a copy of any nonland permanent on the battlefield.
Creature - Shapeshifter
Clever Impersonator (ktk) 34
Pack Rat
Pack Rat's power and toughness are each equal to the number of Rats you control.
, Discard a card: Create a token that's a copy of this creature.
Creature - Rat
Pack Rat (rtr) 73

Cages backup

(Ctrl to add secondary)
Gilded Lotus
: Add three mana of any one color.
Artifact
Gilded Lotus (dom) 215
Hateflayer
Wither (This deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters.)
,
: This creature deals damage equal to its power to any target. (
is the untap symbol.)
Creature - Elemental
Hateflayer (eve) 55
Pili-Pala
Flying
,
: Add one mana of any color. (
is the untap symbol.)
Creature Artifact - Scarecrow
Pili-Pala (shm) 258
Quicksilver Elemental
: This creature gains all activated abilities of target creature until end of turn. (If any of the abilities use that creature's name, use this creature's name instead.)
You may spend blue mana as though it were mana of any color to pay the activation costs of this creature's abilities.
Creature - Elemental
Quicksilver Elemental (mrd) 47
Tree of Perdition
Defender
: Exchange target opponent's life total with this creature's toughness.
Creature - Plant
Tree of Perdition (emn) 109
Vivi Ornitier
: Add X mana in any combination of
and/or
, where X is Vivi Ornitier's power. Activate only during your turn and only once each turn.
Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, put a +1/+1 counter on Vivi Ornitier and it deals 1 damage to each opponent.
Legendary Creature - Wizard
Vivi Ornitier (fin) 248
Walking Ballista
This creature enters with X +1/+1 counters on it.
: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.
Remove a +1/+1 counter from this creature: It deals 1 damage to any target.
Creature Artifact - Construct
Walking Ballista (aer) 181

Combo wins

(Ctrl to add secondary)
Arcane Denial
Counter target spell. Its controller may draw up to two cards at the beginning of the next turn's upkeep.
You draw a card at the beginning of the next turn's upkeep.
Instant
Arcane Denial (a25) 41
Counterspell
Counter target spell.
Instant
Counterspell (f05) 11
Delay
Counter target spell. If the spell is countered this way, exile it with three time counters on it instead of putting it into its owner's graveyard. If it doesn't have suspend, it gains suspend. (At the beginning of its owner's upkeep, they remove a time counter. When the last is removed, they may play it without paying its mana cost. If it's a creature, it has haste.)
Instant
Delay (fut) 35
Dispel
Counter target instant spell.
Instant
Dispel (rtr) 36
Fierce Guardianship
If you control a commander, you may cast this spell without paying its mana cost.
Counter target noncreature spell.
Instant
Fierce Guardianship (tle) 307
Negate
Counter target noncreature spell.
Instant
Negate (ogw) 59
Swan Song
Counter target enchantment, instant, or sorcery spell. Its controller creates a 2/2 blue Bird creature token with flying.
Instant
Swan Song (c16) 98

Counterspells

(Ctrl to add secondary)
Endling
: This creature gains menace until end of turn.
: This creature gains deathtouch until end of turn.
: This creature gains undying until end of turn. (When this creature dies, if it had no +1/+1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner's control with a +1/+1 counter on it.)
: This creature gets +1/-1 or -1/+1 until end of turn.
Creature - Shapeshifter Zombie
Endling (mh1) 89
Faerie Mastermind
Flash
Flying
Whenever an opponent draws their second card each turn, you draw a card.
: Each player draws a card.
Creature - Rogue Faerie
Faerie Mastermind (mom) 58
Orcish Bowmasters
Flash
When this creature enters and whenever an opponent draws a card except the first one they draw in each of their draw steps, this creature deals 1 damage to any target. Then amass Orcs 1.
Creature - Archer Orc
Orcish Bowmasters (ltr) 433
Viashino Heretic
,
: Destroy target artifact. This creature deals damage to that artifact's controller equal to the artifact's mana value.
Creature - Lizard
Viashino Heretic (ulg) 95

Creatures

(Ctrl to add secondary)
Buried Alive
Search your library for up to three creature cards, put them into your graveyard, then shuffle.
Sorcery
Buried Alive (ody) 118
Careful Study
Draw two cards, then discard two cards.
Sorcery
Careful Study (ody) 70
Entomb
Search your library for a card, put that card into your graveyard, then shuffle.
Instant
Entomb (ema) 87
Fact or Fiction
Reveal the top five cards of your library. An opponent separates those cards into two piles. Put one pile into your hand and the other into your graveyard.
Instant
Fact or Fiction (ema) 48
Faithless Looting
Draw two cards, then discard two cards.
Flashback
(You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)
Sorcery
Faithless Looting (ema) 128
Frantic Search
Draw two cards, then discard two cards. Untap up to three lands.
Instant
Frantic Search (ulg) 32
Rhystic Study
Whenever an opponent casts a spell, you may draw a card unless that player pays
.
Enchantment
Rhystic Study (pcy) 45
Search for Azcanta
At the beginning of your upkeep, surveil 1. Then if you have seven or more cards in your graveyard, you may transform Search for Azcanta. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card into your graveyard.)
Legendary Enchantment
Search for Azcanta // Azcanta, the Sunken Ruin (xln) 74Search for Azcanta // Azcanta, the Sunken Ruin (xln) 74

Fill the GY

(Ctrl to add secondary)
Arcanis the Omnipotent
: Draw three cards.
: Return Arcanis to its owner's hand.
Legendary Creature - Wizard
Arcanis the Omnipotent (c17) 80
Asmodeus the Archfiend
Binding Contract — If you would draw a card, exile the top card of your library face down instead.
: Draw seven cards.
: Return all cards exiled with Asmodeus to their owner's hand and you lose that much life.
Legendary Creature - Devil God
Asmodeus the Archfiend (afr) 373
Dralnu, Lich Lord
If damage would be dealt to Dralnu, sacrifice that many permanents instead.
: Target instant or sorcery card in your graveyard gains flashback until end of turn. The flashback cost is equal to its mana cost. (You may cast that card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)
Legendary Creature - Wizard Zombie
Dralnu, Lich Lord (tsp) 237
Jace's Archivist
,
: Each player discards their hand, then draws cards equal to the greatest number of cards a player discarded this way.
Creature - Wizard Vedalken
Jace's Archivist (m12) 59
Nevinyrral's Disk
This artifact enters tapped.
,
: Destroy all artifacts, creatures, and enchantments.
Artifact
Nevinyrral's Disk (c17) 217
Oriq Loremage
: Search your library for a card, put it into your graveyard, then shuffle. If it's an instant or sorcery card, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.
Creature - Human Warlock
Oriq Loremage (stx) 80
Shauku, Endbringer
Flying
Shauku can't attack if there's another creature on the battlefield.
At the beginning of your upkeep, you lose 3 life.
: Exile target creature and put a +1/+1 counter on Shauku.
Legendary Creature - Vampire
Shauku, Endbringer (mir) 142

Great cards to cage

(Ctrl to add secondary)
Anger
Haste
As long as this card is in your graveyard and you control a Mountain, creatures you control have haste.
Creature - Incarnation
Anger (jud) 77
Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon
Flying
Infect (This creature deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.)
: Skithiryx gains haste until end of turn.
: Regenerate Skithiryx.
Legendary Creature - Dragon Skeleton Phyrexian
Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon (som) 79
Thousand-Year Elixir
You may activate abilities of creatures you control as though those creatures had haste.
,
: Untap target creature.
Artifact
Thousand-Year Elixir (lrw) 263

Haste Enablers

(Ctrl to add secondary)
Arcane Lighthouse
: Add
.
,
: Until end of turn, creatures your opponents control lose hexproof and shroud and can't have hexproof or shroud.
Land
Arcane Lighthouse (c14) 59
Blightstep Pathway
: Add
.
Land
Blightstep Pathway // Searstep Pathway (khm) 252Blightstep Pathway // Searstep Pathway (khm) 252
Blood Crypt
(
: Add
or
.)
As this land enters, you may pay 2 life. If you don't, it enters tapped.
Land - Swamp Mountain
Blood Crypt (rtr) 238
Bloodstained Mire
, Pay 1 life, Sacrifice this land: Search your library for a Swamp or Mountain card, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle.
Land
Bloodstained Mire (ktk) 230
Bojuka Bog
This land enters tapped.
When this land enters, exile target player's graveyard.
: Add
.
Land
Bojuka Bog (wwk) 132
Clearwater Pathway
: Add
.
Land
Clearwater Pathway // Murkwater Pathway (znr) 260Clearwater Pathway // Murkwater Pathway (znr) 260
Command Tower
: Add one mana of any color in your commander's color identity.
Land
Command Tower (c15) 281
Crumbling Necropolis
This land enters tapped.
: Add
,
, or
.
Land
Crumbling Necropolis (mm3) 233
Dragonskull Summit
This land enters tapped unless you control a Swamp or a Mountain.
: Add
or
.
Land
Dragonskull Summit (xln) 252
Drowned Catacomb
This land enters tapped unless you control an Island or a Swamp.
: Add
or
.
Land
Drowned Catacomb (m11) 224
Exotic Orchard
: Add one mana of any color that a land an opponent controls could produce.
Land
Exotic Orchard (soc) 369
Frostboil Snarl
As this land enters, you may reveal an Island or Mountain card from your hand. If you don't, this land enters tapped.
: Add
or
.
Land
Frostboil Snarl (pstx) 265s
Ghost Quarter
: Add
.
, Sacrifice this land: Destroy target land. Its controller may search their library for a basic land card, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle.
Land
Ghost Quarter (isd) 240
Grixis Panorama
: Add
.
,
, Sacrifice this land: Search your library for a basic Island, Swamp, or Mountain card, put it onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle.
Land
Grixis Panorama (ala) 224
Island
(
: Add
.)
Basic Land - Island
Island (bfz) 255
Luxury Suite
This land enters tapped unless you have two or more opponents.
: Add
or
.
Land
Luxury Suite (bbd) 82
Maze of Ith
: Untap target attacking creature. Prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to and dealt by that creature this turn.
Land
Maze of Ith (ema) 241
Morphic Pool
This land enters tapped unless you have two or more opponents.
: Add
or
.
Land
Morphic Pool (bbd) 83
Mountain
(
: Add
.)
Basic Land - Mountain
Mountain (bfz) 266
Opal Palace
: Add
.
,
: Add one mana of any color in your commander's color identity. If you spend this mana to cast your commander, it enters with a number of additional +1/+1 counters on it equal to the number of times it's been cast from the command zone this game.
Land
Opal Palace (cmr) 352
Polluted Delta
, Pay 1 life, Sacrifice this land: Search your library for an Island or Swamp card, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle.
Land
Polluted Delta (ktk) 239
Scalding Tarn
, Pay 1 life, Sacrifice this land: Search your library for an Island or Mountain card, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle.
Land
Scalding Tarn (mm3) 244
Steam Vents
(
: Add
or
.)
As this land enters, you may pay 2 life. If you don't, it enters tapped.
Land - Island Mountain
Steam Vents (rtr) 247
Strip Mine
: Add
.
, Sacrifice this land: Destroy target land.
Land
Strip Mine (4ed) 363
Sulfur Falls
This land enters tapped unless you control an Island or a Mountain.
: Add
or
.
Land
Sulfur Falls (isd) 248
Swamp
(
: Add
.)
Basic Land - Swamp
Swamp (bfz) 262
Tolaria West
This land enters tapped.
: Add
.
Transmute
(
, Discard this card: Search your library for a card with mana value 0, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle. Transmute only as a sorcery.)
Land
Tolaria West (fut) 173
Wasteland
: Add
.
, Sacrifice this land: Destroy target nonbasic land.
Land
Wasteland (tmp) 330
Watery Grave
(
: Add
or
.)
As this land enters, you may pay 2 life. If you don't, it enters tapped.
Land - Island Swamp
Watery Grave (grn) 259
Xander's Lounge
(
: Add
,
, or
.)
This land enters tapped.
Cycling
(
, Discard this card: Draw a card.)
Land - Island Swamp Mountain
Xander's Lounge (snc) 358

Land

(Ctrl to add secondary)
Arcane Signet
: Add one mana of any color in your commander's color identity.
Artifact
Arcane Signet (cmr) 297
Blood Pet
Sacrifice this creature: Add
.
Creature - Thrull
Blood Pet (plst) TMP-109
Dimir Signet
,
: Add
.
Artifact
Dimir Signet (mm3) 219
Fellwar Stone
: Add one mana of any color that a land an opponent controls could produce.
Artifact
Fellwar Stone (drk) 102
Izzet Signet
,
: Add
.
Artifact
Izzet Signet (mm3) 223
Rakdos Signet
,
: Add
.
Artifact
Rakdos Signet (mm3) 225
Sol Ring
: Add
.
Artifact
Sol Ring (c17) 223
Talisman of Creativity
: Add
.
: Add
or
. This artifact deals 1 damage to you.
Artifact
Talisman of Creativity (mh1) 231
Talisman of Dominance
: Add
.
: Add
or
. This artifact deals 1 damage to you.
Artifact
Talisman of Dominance (mrd) 253
Talisman of Indulgence
: Add
.
: Add
or
. This artifact deals 1 damage to you.
Artifact
Talisman of Indulgence (mrd) 255

Ramp

(Ctrl to add secondary)
Chaos Warp
The owner of target permanent shuffles it into their library, then reveals the top card of their library. If it's a permanent card, they put it onto the battlefield.
Instant
Chaos Warp (c17) 131
Cyclonic Rift
Return target nonland permanent you don't control to its owner's hand.
Overload
(You may cast this spell for its overload cost. If you do, change "target" in its text to "each.")
Instant
Cyclonic Rift (mm3) 35
Damnation
Destroy all creatures. They can't be regenerated.
Sorcery
Damnation (mm3) 63
Deadly Rollick
If you control a commander, you may cast this spell without paying its mana cost.
Exile target creature.
Instant
Deadly Rollick (tle) 309
Kolaghan's Command
Choose two —
• Return target creature card from your graveyard to your hand.
• Target player discards a card.
• Destroy target artifact.
• Kolaghan's Command deals 2 damage to any target.
Instant
Kolaghan's Command (dtk) 224
Rapid Hybridization
Destroy target creature. It can't be regenerated. That creature's controller creates a 3/3 green Frog Lizard creature token.
Instant
Rapid Hybridization (gtc) 44
Toxic Deluge
As an additional cost to cast this spell, pay X life.
All creatures get -X/-X until end of turn.
Sorcery
Toxic Deluge (ema) 108
Vandalblast
Destroy target artifact you don't control.
Overload
(You may cast this spell for its overload cost. If you do, change "target" in its text to "each.")
Sorcery
Vandalblast (rtr) 111

Removal

(Ctrl to add secondary)
Demonic Tutor
Search your library for a card, put that card into your hand, then shuffle.
Sorcery
Demonic Tutor (3ed) 105
Gamble
Search your library for a card, put that card into your hand, discard a card at random, then shuffle.
Sorcery
Gamble (ema) 132
Gifts Ungiven
Search your library for up to four cards with different names and reveal them. Target opponent chooses two of those cards. Put the chosen cards into your graveyard and the rest into your hand. Then shuffle.
Instant
Gifts Ungiven (ss1) 5
Mystical Tutor
Search your library for an instant or sorcery card, reveal it, then shuffle and put that card on top.
Instant
Mystical Tutor (ss1) 6
Vampiric Tutor
Search your library for a card, then shuffle and put that card on top. You lose 2 life.
Instant
Vampiric Tutor (vis) 72

Tutor

(Ctrl to add secondary)
Eater of the Dead
: If this creature is tapped, exile target creature card from a graveyard and untap this creature.
Creature - Horror
Eater of the Dead (drk) 44
Morphling
: Untap this creature.
: This creature gains flying until end of turn.
: This creature gains shroud until end of turn. (It can't be the target of spells or abilities.)
: This creature gets +1/-1 until end of turn.
: This creature gets -1/+1 until end of turn.
Creature - Shapeshifter
Morphling (usg) 85

Untap

(Ctrl to add secondary)
Decree of Pain
Destroy all creatures. They can't be regenerated. Draw a card for each creature destroyed this way.
Cycling
(
, Discard this card: Draw a card.)
When you cycle this card, all creatures get -2/-2 until end of turn.
Sorcery
Decree of Pain (scg) 64
Disallow
Counter target spell, activated ability, or triggered ability. (Mana abilities can't be targeted.)
Instant
Disallow (aer) 31
Forbidden Alchemy
Look at the top four cards of your library. Put one of them into your hand and the rest into your graveyard.
Flashback
(You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)
Instant
Forbidden Alchemy (mm3) 38
Memnarch
: Target permanent becomes an artifact in addition to its other types. (This effect lasts indefinitely.)
: Gain control of target artifact. (This effect lasts indefinitely.)
Legendary Creature Artifact - Wizard
Memnarch (dst) 129
Path of Ancestry
This land enters tapped.
: Add one mana of any color in your commander's color identity. When that mana is spent to cast a creature spell that shares a creature type with your commander, scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom.)
Land
Path of Ancestry (cmr) 353
Prismatic Geoscope
This artifact enters tapped.
Domain —
: Add X mana in any combination of colors, where X is the number of basic land types among lands you control.
Artifact
Prismatic Geoscope (j17) 6
Reality Shift
Exile target creature. Its controller manifests the top card of their library. (That player puts the top card of their library onto the battlefield face down as a 2/2 creature. If it's a creature card, it can be turned face up any time for its mana cost.)
Instant
Reality Shift (c17) 91
Solemn Simulacrum
When this creature enters, you may search your library for a basic land card, put that card onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle.
When this creature dies, you may draw a card.
Creature Artifact - Golem
Solemn Simulacrum (m21) 319
Staff of Domination
: Untap this artifact.
,
: You gain 1 life.
,
: Untap target creature.
,
: Tap target creature.
,
: Draw a card.
Artifact
Staff of Domination (5dn) 156
Torchling
: Untap this creature.
: Target creature blocks this creature this turn if able.
: Change the target of target spell that targets only this creature.
: This creature gets +1/-1 until end of turn.
: This creature gets -1/+1 until end of turn.
Creature - Shapeshifter
Torchling (plc) 110

Retired Cards

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Deck Info

Deck stats

0 pips - 0 cards
0 mana - 7 cards
35 pips - 27 cards
28 mana - 26 cards
27 pips - 21 cards
27 mana - 25 cards
11 pips - 10 cards
25 mana - 23 cards
0 pips - 0 cards
0 mana - 7 cards
0 pips - 0 cards
11 mana - 10 cards
CategoriesQtyOdds
Click charts to focus on cards
Deck extras (0)

Description

{"ops":[{"insert":"PREAMBLE"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nControl the board with the wide suite of interaction and removal, play politics until you can win with a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mairsil, the Pretender"}},{"insert":" combo!\n\nEnsure you have protection before you cast your "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mairsil, the Pretender"}},{"insert":". Watch what your opponents are doing and find a window to deploy him with a "},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"U"},{"insert":" to bounce him, or with enough for a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Counterspell"}},{"insert":" .\n\nWhen he comes down, try to cage "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aetherling"}},{"insert":" . You can bounce Mairsil on the 2nd main phase of your last opponent to cage another card on their end step. (Or in response to removal). Don't wait for your opponent's end step - the Aetherling ability only returns on the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"next"},{"insert":" end step, and you want your commander to not be summoning sick on your turn.\n\nCOMBOS"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe simplest combo is to have a caged "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tree of Perdition"}},{"insert":" , \nTap to make an opponent's life total 4 on the last opponent's end step."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Then activate "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aetherling"}},{"insert":" 's unblockable to KO them."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Blink "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mairsil, the Pretender"}},{"insert":" to reset his toughness to 4."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n------------------------------\n\nA little more work has you caging "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tree of Perdition"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hateflayer"}},{"insert":" .\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tree of Perdition"}},{"insert":" turns your opponent's life to 4"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hateflayer"}},{"insert":" for "},{"attributes":{"background":"#888888","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"2"},{"attributes":{"background":"#e60000","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"R"},{"insert":" mana untaps your commander and kills them."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Blink "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mairsil, the Pretender"}},{"insert":" to reset his toughness to 4."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If you have a haste enabler, you can kill each opponent on their "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"upkeep"},{"insert":"!\n\n------------------------------\n\nThe other combo is to cage either:\n3+ mana producing artifact ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gilded Lotus"}},{"insert":" ) and an Untap effect (e.g. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pili-Pala"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Morphling"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Torchling"}},{"insert":" ) "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vivi Ornitier"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"In addition, you will need:\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Quicksilver Elemental"}},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Walking Ballista"}},{"insert":" in hand, or caged."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The combo works as such:\nYou tap your commander's Gilded Lotus ability for mana ("},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"UUU"},{"insert":"), untap with Pili-Pala ("},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"UU"},{"insert":")"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"OR\nActivate Vivi's ability to make ("},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"UUUU"},{"insert":")"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Then,\nUse Quicksilver Elemental to reset Mairsil's abilities for "},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"U"},{"insert":", enabling your commander to use his \"Once a turn\" abilities "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"again"},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Repeat."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Each iteration of this will add extra "},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"U"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff"},"insert":" "},{"insert":"to your mana pool, letting you make infinite mana.\nYou can then make a massive Walking ballista that pings your opponents down, or if caged, make your commander massively big and ping your opponents down.\n\nCAGE MATCH"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"*SALT ALERT*"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The most obnoxious thing you can do is cage "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nevinyrral's Disk"}},{"insert":" . Then, for "},{"attributes":{"background":"#888888","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"1 "},{"insert":"mana, at instant speed, you can blow up the board . If you've caged an "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aetherling"}},{"insert":" , also pay a "},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"U"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff"},"insert":" "},{"insert":"blinking out your commander to keep him safe! If you have a haste enabler, you can do it multiple times in a commander turn cycle. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"OOF!"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"*SALT ALERT*"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nGood cards to cage"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Oriq Loremage"}},{"insert":" lets you fill your graveyard up with the exact cards you need at the moment to cage.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arcanis the Omnipotent"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jace's Archivist"}},{"insert":" ensures you have a steady flow of cards incoming.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dralnu, Lich Lord"}},{"insert":" lets your commander tap to give a spell in your graveyard "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Flashback"}},{"insert":" - letting you double dip on all your spells.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Shauku, Endbringer"}},{"insert":" turns your commander into targeted removal, which basically says \"Tap: Exile a creature, and put a +1/+1 counter on Mairsil, the Pretender\".\n\nBackup cages"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nIf for some reason you can't get to "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aetherling"}},{"insert":" , or if it was disrupted and exiled, these three provide some backup.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pack Rat"}},{"insert":" basically adds the ability to your commander \"Discard a card that you want to cage: Make a copy of commander that dies to the legend rule, but can cage the card you discarded\""},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cavern Harpy"}},{"insert":" can be played from hand to bounce your commander back to your hand. You can also cage it to give your commander \"Pay 1 life: Bounce commander to hand\""},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Clever Impersonator"}},{"insert":" comes in, copies your commander and dies to the legend rule, letting you cage something. However, his flexibility is insane. I've used him to copy "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rhystic Study"}},{"insert":" , and in one case, copied an opponent's "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sting, the Glinting Dagger"}},{"insert":" to use as an untapper! The flexibility is great."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nUntappers"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Eater of the Dead"}},{"insert":" is a "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"cute"},{"insert":" card that provides graveyard hate while untapping your commander for "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"free"},{"insert":". This is probably the only deck where he's actually good."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Morphling"}},{"insert":" lets you untap for a "},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"U"},{"insert":", and also gives him shroud until end of turn for "},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"U"},{"insert":". The flying for "},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"U "},{"insert":"might also be relevant sometimes!"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Torchling"}},{"insert":" is the weaker of the 'lings, where he gives you untap for "},{"attributes":{"background":"#e60000","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"R"},{"insert":", and a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bolt Bend"}},{"insert":" that targets your commander for "},{"attributes":{"background":"#e60000","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"R"},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pili-Pala"}},{"insert":" when caged essentially turns your commander untap into a filter land, which turns "},{"attributes":{"background":"#888888","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"2"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff"},"insert":" "},{"insert":"to 1 mana of any colour. As this is a mana ability, it doesn't take the stack and can't be responded to!"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thousand-Year Elixir"}},{"insert":" should always be played, and it has \""},{"attributes":{"background":"#888888","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"1"},{"insert":", tap: Untap Mairsil the Pretender.\""},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nSpecial mention"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Viashino Heretic"}},{"insert":" has a special mention as a utility card that can be played on turn 3 naked. Its ability to blow up artifacts is a great political tool, and if dealt with, can be caged. An interesting thing is that if you try to blow up an indestructible artifact (like a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blightsteel Colossus"}},{"insert":" ), its controller still gets hit for the mana value damage! If you have Viashino Heretic caged and an untapper or a haste enabler and enough mana, you could do this on "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"every"},{"insert":" player's turn. Nice!\n\nOther cards"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nHaste Enablers"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nHave "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Anger"}},{"insert":" in your graveyard , and a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mountain"}},{"insert":" in play."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cage "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon"}},{"insert":" , and you can haste your commander for "},{"attributes":{"background":"#000000","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"B"},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Play "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thousand-Year Elixir"}},{"insert":" ."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nGood Cards"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Orcish Bowmasters"}},{"insert":" being flashed in, in response to a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jace's Archivist"}},{"insert":" activation is absolutely VILE.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Faerie Mastermind"}},{"insert":" is a meta call. We don't have many 2 drops, people like to draw cards and this is our weaker "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Trouble in Pairs"}},{"insert":" .\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Kolaghan's Command"}},{"insert":" is always a 2 for 1. I usually fire it off on turn 3, taking down a mana dork and a mana rock, slowing down our opponents. If I have this in my hand, and I fail to protect my commander, I let him go to the graveyard, and use its first mode to get him back. (It also rebuys Clever Impersonator). Of course, if this is countered, you'll need to find / tutor up graveyard hate.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tolaria West"}},{"insert":" exists to be transmuted into whatever utility land you need:\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arcane Lighthouse"}},{"insert":" if you're having trouble with shroud or hexproof."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bojuka Bog"}},{"insert":" for graveyard hate."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Strip Mine"}},{"insert":" for land hate."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWeak cards"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nI think these cards are on the weaker side:\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Solemn Simulacrum"}},{"insert":" has been outclassed. Commander has gotten fast! I'm thinking of putting "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood Pet"}},{"insert":" in its place.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Decree of Pain"}},{"insert":" exists as an uncounterable 5 mana give the board -2/-2 and draw a card. Definitely on the weaker side, I'm considering replacing it with either "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blasphemous Act"}},{"insert":" , or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Asmodeus the Archfiend"}},{"insert":" ("},{"attributes":{"background":"#000000","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"BBB"},{"insert":": Draw 7 cards!)\n\nTUTOR PILES"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gamble"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Entomb"}},{"insert":" \nEarly? "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aetherling"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Developing? "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Oriq Loremage"}},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Mid game? "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Anger"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Late game? Whatever you need for the combo win."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Buried Alive"}},{"insert":" \n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aetherling"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Anger"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Oriq Loremage"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gifts Ungiven"}},{"insert":" \n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aetherling"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Oriq Loremage"}},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Don't have many cards in hand?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arcanis the Omnipotent"}},{"insert":" / "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jace's Archivist"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Torchling"}},{"insert":" / "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Morphling"}},{"insert":" ("},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"depending on your land situation"},{"insert":")"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Want to combo kill?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tree of Perdition"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hateflayer"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"OR"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vivi Ornitier"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Walking Ballista"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nCONCLUSION"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis is a fun deck to play where each game starts off differently.\nYou are actively politicking and controlling the board, and getting yourself ready to just pop off and explode!\n\nYou should be able to set up and win around turn 7-8 with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Counterspell"}},{"insert":" backup. If you go balls to the walls completely shields down, you can expect a turn 5-6 combo win.\n\nNOTES"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nIf you cage "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tree of Perdition"}},{"insert":" early, and an opponent attacks someone else and is able to deal at least 4 damage, you can turn their life to 4 and get a KO.\n\n------------------------------\n\nThere is a combo with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Endling"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood Pet"}},{"insert":" (or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood Vassal"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"though Blood Pet is a great turn 1 play"},{"insert":") and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Walking Ballista"}},{"insert":" \nUse Endling's Undying for "},{"attributes":{"background":"#000000","color":"#ffffff"},"insert":"B"},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sacrifice Mairsil to Blood Pet's ability to float a "},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#000000"},"insert":"B"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mairsil comes back from the undying trigger. ("},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Cage another card if you want"},{"insert":")"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Fire off your Ballista, removing the +1/+1 counter. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Repeat"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I don't have Blood pet yet, but I'd remove "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Torchling"}},{"insert":" for Endling, and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Solemn Simulacrum"}},{"insert":" for Blood Pet.\n\n------------------------------\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Minion of Leshrac"}},{"insert":" basically gives your commander \"Tap: Destroy target land\" -- which is great; but instead of durdling, wouldn't you rather be trying to set up your combo victory?\n\n------------------------------\n\nYou can always run "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Demonic Consultation"}},{"insert":" + "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thassa's Oracle"}},{"insert":" but that's \n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"boooooring"},{"insert":". "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is a bracket 4 deck."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"There are other bracket 5 commanders that do this better."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Don't you want to win with your commander instead?\n\nThere is a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mirror-Mad Phantasm"}},{"insert":" caged + "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thassa's Oracle"}},{"insert":" combo as well, which needs you to have 4 mana to win (plus extra for protection). If you want to do this, you need to go DEEP into rituals and fast mana.\n\nWhen you activate Mirror-Mad Phantasm's ability while its caged, you shuffle Mairsil in, and then you mill your whole library looking for a \""},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Mirror-Mad Phantasm"},{"insert":"\" (which has been caged). ("},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffcc"},"insert":"UU"},{"insert":")"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You get a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Narcomoeba"}},{"insert":" from milling."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You unearth a milled "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fatestitcher"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Combat Courier"}},{"insert":" ("},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffcc"},"insert":"UU"},{"insert":"). "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You then flashback "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dread Return"}},{"insert":" targeting Thassa's Oracle and win."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n------------------------------\n\nLORE"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe Dark"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mairsil, the Pretender"}},{"insert":" trapped "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ith, High Arcanist"}},{"insert":" in "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Barl's Cage"}},{"insert":" that drained his power and turned him mad, and usurped his position in the Conclave of Mages.\nUnfortunately, Ith summoned a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rag Man"}},{"insert":" to warn "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jodah, Archmage Eternal"}},{"insert":" about his treachery. \nMairsil was then attacked by a Church of Tal army led by Delphine ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Inquisition"}},{"insert":" ). Mairsil drained her magical defenses with the "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wand of Ith"}},{"insert":" and killed her.\nJodah used the cover of the assault to free Ith, who was almost completely mad by that point. Ith destroyed Mairsil before Jodah cured his mind. \n\nIce Age"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nMairsil had imbued his life into a small ruby ring, and his essence survived into the Ice Age.\nThe ring was found by "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lim-Dûl the Necromancer"}},{"insert":" , who became a powerful necromancer thanks to the power of the ring.\nWhile under Leshrac's command ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Leshrac's Rite"}},{"insert":") , Lim-Dul's undead hordes ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lim-Dûl's Cohort"}},{"insert":" ) terrorized everyone until being defeated by an alliance between Kjeldor and Balduvia.\nJodah was magically still alive, the spirit of Mairsil attempted to take control of Lim-Dul so that he could use the necromancer's powers against his archenemy.\nLeshrac, seeking extra power himself, cut off the necromancer's hand with the ring.\n\nThe ring's next wearer was "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jaya Ballard, Task Mage"}},{"insert":" — Jodah's trusted confidant.\nMairsil spent the next decade poisoning her mind, eventually convincing her to betray her master and slit his throat.\nJodah fought back and Jaya's planeswalker spark ignited when he used "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reflecting Mirror"}},{"insert":" on her.\nJaya's ascension, and the energies it released, eradicated all traces of Mairsil's soul within her.\n\nMagic Origins"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe ring found its way to an ancestor of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Liliana Vess"}},{"insert":" who buried it under the family estate. Lim-Dul's soul lived on in the ring and it corrupted Liliana disguised as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Raven Man"}},{"insert":". \nHer planeswalker spark ignited when the Raven Man tricked her into using a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tainted Remedy"}},{"insert":" on her brother. ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Liliana, Heretical Healer // Liliana, Defiant Necromancer"}},{"insert":" )\n\nDominaria United"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nBy the time the events of Dominaria United came around, Liliana had become a master necromancer, and she figured out the origins of the Raven Man. Her will subsumed to the remnants of his, and of all the necromancers who wore the ring prior, going back all the way to "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mairsil, the Pretender"}},{"insert":", erasing his final vestige.\n\n[ "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/magic-story/homecoming-2022-08-12"},"insert":"Read Homecoming on Wizards' Site"},{"insert":" ]\n\nAlso see: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fellwar Stone"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Inferno"}},{"insert":" (change edition to The Dark), "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Stone Calendar"}},{"insert":" .\n"}]}
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