{"ops":[{"insert":"This deck is a unique spin on izzet spellslinger built around cards that self recur themselves from the graveyard, most notably the secret commander "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Command the Stage"}},{"insert":" . The commander, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Najal, the Storm Runner"}},{"insert":" , enables the strategy by allowing Command the Stage to be cast up to four times per turn cycle and doubling our important ramp and card advantage spells like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Big Score"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pirate's Pillage"}},{"insert":" .\n\nThe deck has a relatively straightforward gameplan.\nPlay a cost reducer such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Geist of Saint Thalia"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Stormcatch Mentor"}},{"insert":" , or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ruby Medallion"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Play a pinger, such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gandalf, Goblins' Bane // Flameshape"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Coruscation Mage"}},{"insert":" , or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Kessig Flamebreather"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Start Commanding the Stage!"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Initially, you're likely to only be able to cast one command the stage per turn, but once you've reached 5-8 mana you'll be able to cast your commander, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Najal, the Storm Runner"}},{"insert":", and command the stage on everyone's turn! This will quickly build a large army of cadets to overrun your opponents\n\nThe deck also runs quite a few tutors to help find command the stage and similar cards. One really unique aspect of having a hidden commander that self recurs is that you don't care about the downsides to tutors like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Intuition"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gamble"}},{"insert":" , and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gifts Ungiven"}},{"insert":". Casting intuition and grabbing a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Command the Stage"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Asgardian Inspiration"}},{"insert":" , and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Squee, Goblin Nabob"}},{"insert":" is amazing value. \n\nThe deck also supplements the main command the stage plan with a small black mage subtheme from final fantasy ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mysidian Elder"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lindblum, Industrial Regency // Mage Siege"}},{"insert":" ). These tokens help all aspects of the plan, serving as pingers to return command the stage, tokens that get buffed by command the stage, and another card that self recurs from the graveyard with"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vivi's Persistence"}},{"insert":". \n\nUnlike most izzet decks, this deck leans heavily on red for its sources of card advantage, using rummaging effects like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Unexpected Windfall"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vision of Love"}},{"insert":" with our recursive cards, turning these card selection spells into direct card advantage. Discarding a command the stage with something like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cool but Rude"}},{"insert":" also immediately triggers the upkeep return on our opponent's next turn, as does casting a rummaging spell with any pinger on the field. Doubling these spells with our commander's attack trigger also allows us to double up on treasure tokens and card draw. \n\nFinally, this deck wouldn't be complete without some backup sorceries to cast on our opponent's turn to take advantage of our commander's flash enabling ability. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Call for Aid"}},{"insert":" allows you to turn lethal attacks into board wipes for two players, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mind's Desire"}},{"insert":" allows you to take advantage on your opponent's storm count, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Season of Weaving"}},{"insert":" is an one sided board wipe that leaves our massive wizard tokens, and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Worldfire"}},{"insert":" combined with any other spell and a pinger immediately ends the game as a backup win condition, though it requires a large amount of mana. \n\nAs a side note, Worldfire is generally used as an MLD card, but this deck is not bracket 4 power level. In my experience, many players will be completely fine with the card when they realize you're comboing it at instant speed (and spending 10+ mana to kill) in bracket 3, but keep a replacement card handy when playing with new pods.\n\nOne of the newest features of the deck is using Beam Me Up cards from star trek at instant speed to protect your commander or other important pieces. The deck uses "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Open Communications"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Energize"}},{"insert":" as additional intuition or discard targets to maintain protection with your overcosted commander. \n\nHave fun commanding!\n"}]}