{"ops":[{"insert":"This is one of my favorite decks I've made due to how simple the deckbuilding is for it.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ardbert, Warrior of Darkness"}},{"insert":" is a commander that cares about Legendary White or Black cards. Yes, cards, not just creatures, not just enchantments but "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"anything and everything that has the Legendary subtext and is White or Black. "},{"insert":"On top of this, he only cares that you are "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"casting the legendaries"},{"insert":", which means even if a card gets countered, "},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Ardbert still triggers his effect"},{"insert":" letting you get the counters you need.\nA ton of your creatures serve to help this, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ardbert, Warrior of Darkness"}},{"insert":" is a relatively cheap commander, just requiring a Black, White and colorless mana to play, if you can play him, you can practically play any other creature you have as most of this deck contains cards that cost either the exact same mana as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ardbert, Warrior of Darkness"}},{"insert":" OR costs something very similar to him "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"(such as [2] ["},{"attributes":{"background":"#ffffcc","italic":true},"insert":"W] "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"or [2] ["},{"attributes":{"background":"#444444","color":"#ffffff","italic":true},"insert":"B]"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":" )."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Notable Creatures"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Abzan Falconer"}},{"insert":": Anything with a +1/+1 on it also gains flying, this will help your legendaries swing directly at your opponents easier, especially since nothing in the deck has Trample.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Commissar Severina Raine"}},{"insert":": Assuming you play a white legendary, your cards will have Vigilance, if you cast a black, they will have menace, if you cast both and attack with Severina Raine, you will deal additional damage, which is VERY nice.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Elena, Turk Recruit"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Teshar, Ancestor's Apostle"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ravos, Soultender"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Squall, SeeD Mercenary"}},{"insert":": Lets you grab back a cheap Legendary "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"(or even Ardbert himself if you haven't returned him to the Commander Zone)"},{"insert":" from the grave and trigger your commander's effects easily "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"(alongside any ETB effects from the target creature)."},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Athreos, God of Passage"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Athreos, Shroud-Veiled"}},{"insert":": Both Indestructible, both trigger "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ardbert, Warrior of Darkness"}},{"insert":"'s color effects "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"(both of them!) "},{"insert":"and both let you play creatures again. Additionally, they can both avoid being board wiped if your devotion is low "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"(this can happen if you get board wiped a ton!) "},{"insert":"and they will both still trigger their effects as a result!\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gandalf the White"}},{"insert":": Legendaries have flash, which means you can play them outside your own turn "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"(though remember that Vigilance and Menace go away after the end of that turn)"},{"insert":" and will support cards such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Judge Magister Gabranth"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Syr Vondam, Sunstar Exemplar"}},{"insert":".\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Elas-Boromir-Ratadrabik Infinite"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Final set of notable creatures is the combo of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Boromir, Warden of the Tower"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ratadrabik of Urborg"}},{"insert":" which can cause an infinite combo should you have all three of them, it goes as follows:\nAll three creatures are on the board, you use Boromir's effect to sacrifice him, this triggers Elas effect to hit every opposing player for 1 damage, then Ratadrabik activates, bringing Boromir back. Because you used Boromir's effect, the ring's temptation is still in the stack, which means you can attach the ring's temptation on Boromir, he is now a legendary and you heal 1 life with Elas\nRepeat the above combo as much as you want, until someone stops you, via an instant "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"(or some form of flash), "},{"insert":"you've won.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Notable Artifacts"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blitzball"}},{"insert":": Mana rock unless you want to draw 2, which can be accomplished fairly easily since most of your deck has Legendary Creatures and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ardbert, Warrior of Darkness"}},{"insert":"'s effect can apply both Vigilance and Menace for the turn. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"(Removed due to the 3-mana cost, making it harder to play)"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Champion's Helm"}},{"insert":": Gives Hexproof and additional stats, place this on anyone who you want to keep applying the effects of "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"(I'd recommend Ardbert as he is your main +1/+1 battery)."},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Excalibur, Sword of Eden"}},{"insert":": Everything is legendary meaning the scary 12 cost can go down fast, allowing for potentially a free +10/0 to whatever creature gets the sword.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mithril Coat"}},{"insert":": Additional protection and it automatically equips when you play it, very nice alongside the aforementioned "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Champion's Helm"}},{"insert":".\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Notable Enchantments"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Day of Destiny"}},{"insert":": Give even more stats to your cards, if you play any of your White/Black Legendaries, they will benefit from a potential +5/+5 for just existing.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Flowering of the White Tree"}},{"insert":": Same as above but also gives Ward "},{"attributes":{"background":"#bbbbbb"},"insert":"1"},{"insert":" for potential protection, should you have all three active on the field, that's +7/+6 with Ward "},{"attributes":{"background":"#bbbbbb"},"insert":"1"},{"insert":" for existing\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"One Ring to Rule Them All"}},{"insert":": A delayed board wipe with additional damage and a bit of milling "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"(though you mill as well, you have ways to bring any creatures you mill back) "},{"insert":"it's pretty good and particularly scary against single digit life opponents, especially for late game.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"War of the Last Alliance"}},{"insert":": For the turn you play this and the following turn, you get to search your deck for practically anything, don't forget that around the majority of your deck is legendary meaning you can plan most, if not anything, you want.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"We Ride at Dawn"}},{"insert":": You're playing with legendaries, use the lower power ones to cast big cards in your deck, especially if "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ardbert, Warrior of Darkness"}},{"insert":" hasn't bolstered their stats yet.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Resourceful Defense"}},{"insert":": You play with +1/+1 counters in this deck and this is a really easy way to make sure those stick around, the activated ability is a bit expensive though you could use "},{"insert":{"card-link":"We Ride at Dawn"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Squall, SeeD Mercenary"}},{"insert":" as a combo to make one big creature that hits twice.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Other Notables"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Board Wipes: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Damning Verdict"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Toxic Deluge"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Urza's Ruinous Blast"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"(the latter I forgot to buy at the time of writing but it is something I will buy for myself at a later time). "},{"insert":"All three of these either utilize the +1/+1 counters to prevent you from being hit by the board wipe or utilize the Legendary subtext to prevent you from removing anything important.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Recursion: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Primevals' Glorious Rebirth"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reanimate"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cauldron Haze"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fight On!"}},{"insert":". All four of these lets you play the cards again, allowing "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ardbert, Warrior of Darkness"}},{"insert":" to activate his ability again which is kind of important! Special note to "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cauldron Haze"}},{"insert":" which will remove all your counters but allow you to build your creatures back up at the cost of putting your creatures at -1/-1.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Protection: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Flawless Maneuver"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Restoration Magic"}},{"insert":". Not too many, though to be fair we are avoiding spending hundred of dollars on something like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Teferi's Protection"}},{"insert":", so these do enough, especially since we care more about casting legendaries.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Card Draw: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Diabolic Intent"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Night's Whisper"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nasty End"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Treacherous Greed"}},{"insert":". As previously mentioned, we want to cast legendary spells to trigger "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ardbert, Warrior of Darkness"}},{"insert":" 's effect so sacrificing a Legendary with lower stats won't matter as much. Special note to "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Venat, Heart of Hydaelyn // Hydaelyn, the Mothercrystal"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Breena, the Demagogue"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tataru Taru"}},{"insert":" for being creatures with constant card draw.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Single Target Removal:"},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vindicate"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Anguished Unmaking"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Despark"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dire Tactics"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fracture"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Path to Exile"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Utter End"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Unmake"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Venat, Heart of Hydaelyn // Hydaelyn, the Mothercrystal"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vanishing Verse"}},{"insert":". Many options, many exile, one you remove something, most won't be coming back. Additional note to "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Kaya's Guile"}},{"insert":" which can force every opponent to sacrifice a creature and potential follow up some of your non-exiles with forcing the entire grave to be exiled.\n\n\nUPDATE 2026-09-07\n-Removing "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gaius van Baelsar"}},{"insert":" for "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Karlov of the Ghost Council"}},{"insert":" for additional removal. Karlov can consistantly get +1/+1 counters with Ardbert's effects vs Gaius being a single use ETB.\n-Replacing "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Restless Fortress"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Insomnia, Crown City"}},{"insert":" for better speed/utility ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tainted Field"}},{"insert":" is just faster while"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Glasswing Grace // Age-Graced Chapel"}},{"insert":" can serve as both a land and a way to help Ardbert fly over blockers)\n"}]}