{"ops":[{"insert":"ORVAR, THE ALL-FORM"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Everything Is a Copy of Something"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"TheorycraftMTG | Commander Deck Primer | Mono-Blue Spellslinger & Combo"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Why play one copy of your best permanent when you can make as many as you want?"},{"insert":"\nIntroduction"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Welcome to my "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Orvar, the All-Form"},{"insert":" Commander deck!\nThis is a mono-blue spellslinger deck built around one of the most unusual commanders in Magic: The Gathering.\nMost spellslinger decks reward us for casting instants and sorceries by drawing cards, creating tokens, or dealing damage.\nOrvar takes that idea in a completely different direction.\nInstead of simply rewarding us for casting spells, Orvar lets us turn inexpensive spells into copies of our own permanents.\nA one-mana spell can become another land.\nA simple targeting effect can become another Mulldrifter.\nAnd with the right combination of cards, we can generate infinite mana, infinite creatures, or enough resources to win the game outright.\nThe best part is that many of the spells we're using aren't particularly powerful on their own.\nWe're turning cards that might normally be overlooked into the engines that power our entire strategy.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The goal is simple: target our permanents, copy our permanents, and eventually overwhelm the table with value."},{"insert":"\n\n1. Meet the Commander"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Orvar, the All-Form"},{"insert":" is a four-mana legendary Shapeshifter with changeling.\nIts primary ability reads:\nWhenever we cast an instant or sorcery spell, if that spell targets one or more other permanents we control, we create a token that's a copy of one of those permanents.\nThere are a few important things to understand.\nFirst, Orvar triggers when we "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"cast"},{"insert":" the spell, not when it resolves.\nSecond, the spell must target another permanent we control. Targeting Orvar itself doesn't satisfy the ability.\nThird, Orvar creates a token copy of the chosen permanent, meaning the token can copy lands, artifacts, creatures, enchantments, and other eligible permanents.\nThis gives us tremendous flexibility.\nWe can copy lands to accelerate our mana.\nWe can copy creatures to generate enter-the-battlefield triggers.\nWe can copy mana rocks to increase our available resources.\nAnd we can copy powerful permanents to create an overwhelming battlefield.\nOrvar also has a second ability that creates a token copy of itself if an opponent's spell or ability causes us to discard it.\nThat ability is useful occasionally, but our deck is primarily built around its first ability.\n\n2. Early Game — Build the Engine"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Our early turns are about establishing mana, finding inexpensive spells, and preparing to cast Orvar.\nMana Acceleration"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Our acceleration package includes:\nSol Ring"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Arcane Signet"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mind Stone"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sapphire Medallion"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Gilded Lotus"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"High Tide"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sol Ring and Arcane Signet help us develop mana quickly.\nSapphire Medallion reduces the cost of our blue spells, allowing us to cast more spells during a single turn.\nGilded Lotus becomes particularly interesting once Orvar is on the battlefield because copying it gives us another artifact capable of producing three mana.\nHigh Tide is one of our most important explosive mana spells.\nIt makes Islands produce additional blue mana for the remainder of the turn.\nBecause we're playing 28 basic Islands alongside other blue mana sources, High Tide can generate enormous amounts of mana.\nEarly Card Selection"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We also have efficient card selection and draw through:\nOpt"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Gitaxian Probe"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mystic Remora"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Faerie Seer"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Augur of Bolas"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Archmage Emeritus"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"These cards help us find the right combination of mana, targeting spells, and payoff creatures.\nOur goal isn't necessarily to cast Orvar as quickly as possible.\nIdeally, we want to cast Orvar when we can immediately follow it with a spell that targets one of our permanents.\nThat way, even if Orvar is removed, we've already generated some value.\n\n3. Targeting Spells — The Heart of the Deck"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is what makes Orvar different from almost every other commander.\nMany of our most important cards are inexpensive spells that target our own permanents.\nOne-Mana Targeting Effects"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Our package includes:\nWhim of Volrath"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mind Games"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Dream's Grip"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Twisted Image"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Shadow Rift"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Slip Through Space"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Thermal Flux"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Clockspinning"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Tidal Bore"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"These spells may look underwhelming individually, but with Orvar on the battlefield, they become permanent-copy effects.\nFor example, casting Twisted Image targeting one of our creatures triggers Orvar.\nWe create a token copy of that creature, then Twisted Image resolves and draws us a card.\nShadow Rift works similarly, allowing us to copy a creature while drawing a card and giving the targeted creature shadow.\nDream's Grip can target a permanent to tap or untap it, triggering Orvar and creating a copy.\nWhim of Volrath and Mind Games are especially valuable because they have buyback.\nWhy Buyback Matters"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Buyback allows us to pay an additional cost when casting a spell.\nIf we do, the spell returns to our hand as it resolves instead of going to the graveyard.\nThis gives us a repeatable way to trigger Orvar.\nWith sufficient mana, we can cast the same targeting spell repeatedly, creating additional permanent copies every time.\nAnd if we're copying mana-producing permanents, we can eventually generate more mana than we're spending.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"That's when the deck stops being a value engine and starts becoming a combo deck."},{"insert":"\n\n4. Copying Lands — The Mana Engine"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"One of the strongest things Orvar can do is copy lands.\nBecause Orvar creates token copies of permanents, we aren't restricted to creatures.\nOur lands are some of the most valuable copy targets in the deck.\nIslands"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Even copying a basic Island can be worthwhile.\nEvery additional Island increases our available mana.\nIt also improves the effectiveness of High Tide.\nIf we repeatedly copy Islands, our mana production can grow dramatically.\nMystic Sanctuary"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mystic Sanctuary is one of our most interesting lands.\nWhen it enters the battlefield untapped, provided we control three or more other Islands, we can return a target instant or sorcery card from our graveyard to the top of our library.\nOrvar can create token copies of Mystic Sanctuary.\nIf those copies enter untapped and meet the Island requirement, they can provide additional opportunities to recover spells from our graveyard.\nOther Utility Lands"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We also run:\nCephalid Coliseum"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Halimar Depths"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Reliquary Tower"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Riptide Laboratory"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Swarmyard"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Temple of the False God"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Tolaria West"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"These provide utility beyond basic mana production.\nCopying a useful land can sometimes be more valuable than copying a creature.\nThe important lesson is that "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Orvar doesn't need an expensive creature to generate value. Sometimes the best permanent to copy is simply a land."},{"insert":"\n\n5. Enter-the-Battlefield Creatures — Value Through Copies"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Our deck includes several creatures that become significantly more powerful when we create token copies of them.\nMulldrifter — Card Advantage"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mulldrifter draws two cards when it enters the battlefield.\nIf we target Mulldrifter with a spell while Orvar is on the battlefield, we create a token copy.\nThat token enters and draws two cards.\nEvery additional targeting spell can generate another Mulldrifter and another two cards.\nWith a repeatable buyback spell and sufficient mana, this can become a tremendous card-draw engine.\nAether Channeler — Flexible Value"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Aether Channeler offers three choices when it enters:\nCreate a 1/1 flying Bird token."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Return another target nonland permanent to its owner's hand."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Draw a card."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Copying Aether Channeler gives us additional opportunities to choose whichever effect is most useful.\nThis can provide card advantage, board control, or additional creatures.\nPeregrine Drake — Mana Generation"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Peregrine Drake is one of the most important combo creatures in the deck.\nWhen it enters the battlefield, we untap up to five lands.\nWith Orvar on the battlefield, targeting Peregrine Drake creates another Drake token.\nThat token enters and untaps up to five lands.\nIf those lands produce more mana than we spend on the targeting spell, we can generate additional mana.\nWhen combined with repeatable targeting effects, this can create an infinite-mana engine.\nCloud of Faeries — Early Mana Efficiency"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cloud of Faeries untaps up to two lands when it enters.\nCopying it can provide additional mana while creating more creatures.\nAlthough it doesn't generate as much mana as Peregrine Drake, its low mana cost makes it easier to deploy early.\n\n6. The Infinite Mana Engines"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Orvar is capable of assembling several powerful combos.\nThe most important ones involve repeatedly casting spells that target our permanents while generating enough mana to cover their costs.\nCombo 1 — Orvar + Peregrine Drake + Whim of Volrath"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Required pieces:"},{"insert":"\nOrvar, the All-Form"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Peregrine Drake"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Whim of Volrath"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Lands capable of producing sufficient mana"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"How it works:"},{"insert":"\nHave Orvar and Peregrine Drake on the battlefield."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cast Whim of Volrath targeting Peregrine Drake, paying its buyback cost."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Orvar triggers and creates a token copy of Peregrine Drake."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The new Drake enters and untaps up to five lands."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Whim of Volrath resolves and returns to our hand."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Use the untapped lands to cast Whim of Volrath again."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If the lands produce more mana than the total cost of Whim of Volrath with buyback, we generate net mana with each repetition.\nThis gives us arbitrarily large amounts of mana, as well as arbitrarily many Peregrine Drake tokens.\nCombo 2 — Orvar + Peregrine Drake + Mind Games"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mind Games provides another repeatable targeting effect through buyback.\nWe can use the same general strategy:\nCast Mind Games targeting Peregrine Drake."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Pay its buyback cost."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Create a Drake token through Orvar."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Untap lands with the new Drake."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Return Mind Games to our hand."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Repeat while generating enough mana to sustain the loop."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Once our mana production exceeds the cost of repeating the spell, we can generate arbitrarily large amounts of mana.\nCombo 3 — Orvar + High Tide + Repeatable Targeting"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"High Tide increases the amount of blue mana our Islands produce.\nThis can make our repeatable targeting engines significantly more efficient.\nWith enough Islands, High Tide can allow a buyback spell to generate more mana through copied Peregrine Drakes than we're spending.\nThis can turn a previously inefficient interaction into a winning combo.\n\n7. Isochron Scepter and Dramatic Reversal"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Our deck also includes the classic combination of Isochron Scepter and Dramatic Reversal.\nIsochron Scepter"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"When Isochron Scepter enters the battlefield, we can imprint an instant card with mana value two or less from our hand.\nWe can then pay two mana and tap Isochron Scepter to copy that card and cast the copy.\nDramatic Reversal"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Dramatic Reversal untaps all nonland permanents we control.\nIf we imprint Dramatic Reversal onto Isochron Scepter, we can repeatedly untap our mana rocks and other nonland permanents.\nIf those permanents produce more than two mana combined, we can generate arbitrarily large amounts of mana.\nThis combo doesn't require Orvar.\nHowever, it provides the mana needed to support our other engines and can help us assemble a winning turn.\nOne important detail is that copying Dramatic Reversal with Isochron Scepter does not trigger Orvar unless the copied spell targets a permanent we control.\nDramatic Reversal doesn't target anything, so it doesn't trigger Orvar.\n\n8. Vesuvan Duplimancy — Another Copy Engine"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Vesuvan Duplimancy gives us another way to create token copies of our creatures.\nWhenever we cast a spell that targets only a single artifact or creature we control, Vesuvan Duplimancy creates a token copy of that permanent, except the token isn't legendary.\nThis works extremely well with many of our inexpensive targeting spells.\nIf we control both Orvar and Vesuvan Duplimancy, a spell targeting one of our creatures can potentially create two copies.\nOne from Orvar and one from Vesuvan Duplimancy.\nThis can double the value of our targeting spells.\nWith Mulldrifter, that means additional card draw.\nWith Aether Channeler, it means more utility.\nWith Peregrine Drake, it means more land untapping.\nVesuvan Duplimancy is one of our strongest ways to generate value without relying entirely on Orvar.\n\n9. Hullbreaker Horror — Controlling the Battlefield"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Hullbreaker Horror is one of our most powerful late-game threats.\nWhenever we cast a spell, we can choose to return a spell we don't control or a nonland permanent to its owner's hand.\nWith a deck full of inexpensive spells, Hullbreaker Horror can repeatedly disrupt our opponents.\nIt also has flash and can't be countered.\nIf we generate arbitrarily large amounts of mana, Hullbreaker Horror can help us repeatedly cast spells and bounce opposing nonland permanents.\nThis can clear the way for our creatures and leave opponents struggling to rebuild.\nHullbreaker Horror also works well alongside our mana rocks and spell-based engines.\n\n10. Winning the Game"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Our deck has several ways to convert its engines into a win.\nWin Condition 1 — Laboratory Maniac"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Laboratory Maniac allows us to win the game if we would draw a card while our library is empty.\nOur deck has several ways to draw large numbers of cards.\nMulldrifter copies, Archmage Emeritus, Mystic Remora, and other card-draw effects can help us work through our library.\nOnce Laboratory Maniac is on the battlefield and our library is empty, drawing a card wins the game.\nHowever, we need to protect Laboratory Maniac from removal before the draw resolves.\nWin Condition 2 — Brain Freeze"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Brain Freeze has storm, meaning it creates a copy for each spell cast before it during the current turn.\nWith a repeatable spellcasting engine, we can build an arbitrarily large storm count.\nWe can then cast Brain Freeze targeting our opponents to mill their libraries.\nThis doesn't immediately win the game by itself, but it can leave opponents without libraries and force them to lose when they next attempt to draw cards.\nWin Condition 3 — Infinite Creature Copies"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"With Orvar, Peregrine Drake, and a repeatable targeting spell, we can potentially create arbitrarily many Peregrine Drake tokens.\nThese creatures can win through combat if we can survive to attack with them.\nWe can also use additional turns or combat opportunities to convert a massive battlefield into lethal damage.\nWin Condition 4 — Overwhelming Permanent Advantage"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sometimes we don't need an infinite combo.\nRepeatedly copying Mulldrifter, Aether Channeler, Gilded Lotus, or other valuable permanents can generate enough resources to take over the game.\nWith enough mana and card advantage, we can eventually overwhelm opponents through superior resources and interaction.\n\n11. Interaction and Protection"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"As a mono-blue deck, we have access to excellent countermagic and tempo spells.\nCountermagic"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Our counterspell package includes:\nCounterspell"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Arcane Denial"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"An Offer You Can't Refuse"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Daze"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Flash Counter"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Commandeer"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Stifle"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"These help protect Orvar, stop opposing win conditions, and prevent removal from disrupting our engines.\nBounce and Tempo"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We also run:\nCyclonic Rift"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Boomerang"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Into the Flood Maw"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Snap"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Venser, Shaper Savant"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Silent Departure"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Gigadrowse"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"These provide ways to interact with opposing permanents and buy time.\nCyclonic Rift is especially powerful when overloaded, allowing us to return opponents' nonland permanents to their hands.\nSnap is particularly interesting because it can return a creature to its owner's hand while untapping up to two lands.\nThese tempo spells allow us to control the game while developing our own resources.\n\n12. Tutors and Consistency"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Because our deck relies on assembling specific combinations of cards, tutors play an important role.\nOur tutor package includes:\nMystical Tutor"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Merchant Scroll"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Solve the Equation"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Spellseeker"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Micromancer"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Gifts Ungiven"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Tolaria West"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mystical Tutor can find an important instant or sorcery.\nMerchant Scroll searches for a blue instant.\nSolve the Equation finds an instant or sorcery.\nSpellseeker and Micromancer can find inexpensive spells that help enable our Orvar engines.\nGifts Ungiven can assemble packages of important cards, although the cards chosen by opponents may end up in our graveyard.\nTolaria West can transmute to find a card with mana value zero, including certain lands.\nThese cards make the deck more consistent and help us find the appropriate interaction or combo piece.\n\n13. Mulligan Guide"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Our ideal opening hand contains:\nTwo or three lands."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A mana rock or cost-reduction effect."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"An inexpensive targeting spell."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A card-draw or selection effect."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A useful creature or tutor."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"For example, a hand containing three Islands, Sol Ring, Whim of Volrath, Mulldrifter, and Merchant Scroll provides a solid foundation.\nWe have mana acceleration, a repeatable targeting spell, a valuable creature to copy, and a tutor.\nHands to Avoid"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Avoid hands with too many expensive creatures and not enough mana.\nAlso avoid hands containing several targeting spells but no way to generate value from them.\nA hand full of interaction can keep us alive, but we still need a plan to advance our battlefield.\nThe most important question when evaluating an opening hand is:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Can this hand establish Orvar and start generating value within the first several turns?"},{"insert":"\n\n14. Advanced Piloting Tips"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Don't Cast Orvar Without a Plan"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Orvar is a four-mana commander that can attract removal.\nIdeally, we want to cast it when we have enough mana to follow up with a targeting spell.\nCopy Lands Early"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Copying a land might not look exciting, but it helps us develop the mana required for our more powerful turns.\nPrioritize Repeatable Spells"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Whim of Volrath and Mind Games are particularly valuable because buyback allows us to cast them repeatedly.\nUnderstand the Stack"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Orvar's ability triggers when we cast a qualifying spell.\nThe copy token is created when that trigger resolves, usually before the original spell resolves.\nEven if the original spell is countered, Orvar's triggered ability can still resolve if its own requirements remain satisfied.\nProtect Our Combo Pieces"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Peregrine Drake, Orvar, Isochron Scepter, and Laboratory Maniac can all be important to our win conditions.\nWe should try to hold interaction when we're preparing to commit to a winning turn.\nKnow When to Combo"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We don't always need to assemble an infinite combo immediately.\nSometimes it's better to develop mana, draw cards, and wait until we can protect our winning turn.\n\n15. Strengths and Weaknesses"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Strengths"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Extremely powerful permanent-copying engine."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Multiple infinite-mana combinations."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Excellent card advantage."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Strong countermagic and interaction."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Can copy lands, creatures, and artifacts."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Multiple win conditions."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Rewards creative sequencing and deck knowledge."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Weaknesses"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Relies heavily on Orvar for its primary strategy."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Can be vulnerable to repeated commander removal."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Requires specific combinations of cards for its strongest plays."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Some targeting spells are weak without Orvar."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Can struggle against effects that restrict spellcasting."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Requires careful stack management and combo sequencing."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is a deck that rewards patience and a strong understanding of Magic's rules.\n\n16. Bracket and Rule Zero"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I would describe this as a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"high-powered, combo-oriented Commander deck"},{"insert":", with its formal bracket classification dependent on the current Commander bracket criteria.\nUnlike a casual value-based Orvar build, this list contains several ways to generate arbitrarily large amounts of mana and assemble deterministic winning positions.\nIt also runs powerful tutors, efficient interaction, and established combo pieces.\nBefore playing, I would explain it to the table like this:\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"\"This is a mono-blue Orvar deck focused on copying permanents with cheap targeting spells. It can generate infinite mana and creature copies through Peregrine Drake and buyback effects, and it has win conditions like Laboratory Maniac and Brain Freeze. It's a combo deck with a strong interaction package.\""},{"insert":"\nThat gives the table an accurate idea of what to expect.\n\n17. Final Thoughts — Everything Is a Copy of Something"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"What I love about Orvar is how it completely changes the way we evaluate cards.\nA spell that simply taps a permanent can become a copy effect.\nA spell that changes a creature's power and toughness can become a card-advantage engine.\nAnd a creature that untaps lands can suddenly become the centerpiece of an infinite-mana combo.\nWe're taking ordinary blue spells and turning them into extraordinary engines.\nSome games, we'll slowly build an advantage by copying Islands and mana rocks.\nOther games, we'll draw enormous numbers of cards with Mulldrifter.\nAnd sometimes, we'll assemble Peregrine Drake and a buyback spell and generate more mana and creatures than we could ever reasonably need.\nThe best part is that Orvar rewards creativity.\nWe're not just asking whether a spell is powerful.\nWe're asking what happens when that spell creates another copy of our best permanent.\nAnd once we start thinking that way, the possibilities become almost endless.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Why settle for one when you can have everything?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"— TheorycraftMTG"},{"insert":"\n"}]}