Volo's Manual of Mediocre Men
Deck Size: 100
Commander
Legal
Est deck cost: $168.55
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Commander
Volo, Itinerant Scholar
When Volo enters, create Volo's Journal, a legendary colorless artifact token with hexproof and "Whenever you cast a creature spell, note one of its creature types that hasn't been noted for Volo's Journal." {2}, {T}: Draw a card for each creature type noted for target permanent you control named Volo's Journal. Choose a Background
Creature
Commander
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Land
Path of Ancestry
This land enters tapped. {T}: 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
Land
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Wincons
Wincons
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Creature
Adric, Mathematical Genius
{2}{U}, {T}: Copy target activated or triggered ability you control. You may choose new targets for the copy. Ultimate Sacrifice — {1}{U}, Sacrifice Adric: Counter target activated or triggered ability. Doctor's companion (You can have two commanders if the other is the Doctor.)
Creature
Balduvian Shaman
{T}: Change the text of target white enchantment you control that doesn't have cumulative upkeep by replacing all instances of one color word with another. (For example, you may change "black creatures can't attack" to "blue creatures can't attack.") That enchantment gains "Cumulative upkeep {1}." (At the beginning of its controller's upkeep, that player puts an age counter on it, then sacrifices it unless they pay its upkeep cost for each age counter on it.)
Creature
Kjeldoran Warrior
Banding (Any creatures with banding, and up to one without, can attack in a band. Bands are blocked as a group. If any creatures with banding you control are blocking or being blocked by a creature, you divide that creature's combat damage, not its controller, among any of the creatures it's being blocked by or is blocking.)
Creature
Sally Sparrow
You may cast creature spells as though they had flash. Whenever one or more other creatures you control leave the battlefield, investigate. This ability triggers only once each turn. (Create a Clue token. It's an artifact with "{2}, Sacrifice this token: Draw a card.")
Creature
Sanwell, Avenger Ace
As long as an artifact creature you control is attacking, prevent all damage that would be dealt to Sanwell. Whenever Sanwell becomes tapped, exile the top six cards of your library. You may cast a Vehicle or artifact creature spell from among them. Then put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
Creature
Scheming Fence
As this creature enters, you may choose a nonland permanent. Activated abilities of the chosen permanent can't be activated. This creature has all activated abilities of the chosen permanent except for loyalty abilities. You may spend mana as though it were mana of any color to activate those abilities.
Creature
Veteran Survivor
Survival — At the beginning of your second main phase, if this creature is tapped, exile up to one target card from a graveyard. As long as there are three or more cards exiled with this creature, it gets +3/+3 and has hexproof. (It can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.)
Creature
Wharf Infiltrator
Skulk (This creature can't be blocked by creatures with greater power.) Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, you may draw a card. If you do, discard a card. Whenever you discard a creature card, you may pay {2}. If you do, create a 3/2 colorless Eldrazi Horror creature token.
Creature
Creature
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Protection
Protection
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Interaction/Counterspells
Interaction/Counterspells
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Ramp
Ramp
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Synergy
Archmage Ascension
At the beginning of each end step, if you drew two or more cards this turn, you may put a quest counter on this enchantment. As long as this enchantment has six or more quest counters on it, if you would draw a card, you may instead search your library for a card, put that card into your hand, then shuffle.
Enchantment
Synergy
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Sideboard
Sideboard
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Maybeboard
Benalish Hero
Banding (Any creatures with banding, and up to one without, can attack in a band. Bands are blocked as a group. If any creatures with banding you control are blocking or being blocked by a creature, you divide that creature's combat damage, not its controller, among any of the creatures it's being blocked by or is blocking.)
Creature
Defiler of Faith
Vigilance As an additional cost to cast white permanent spells, you may pay 2 life. Those spells cost {W} less to cast if you paid life this way. This effect reduces only the amount of white mana you pay. Whenever you cast a white permanent spell, create a 1/1 white Soldier creature token.
Creature
Kjeldoran Skyknight
Flying; first strike; banding (Any creatures with banding, and up to one without, can attack in a band. Bands are blocked as a group. If any creatures with banding you control are blocking or being blocked by a creature, you divide that creature's combat damage, not its controller, among any of the creatures it's being blocked by or is blocking.)
Creature
Niko Aris
When Niko Aris enters, create X Shard tokens. (They're enchantments with "{2}, Sacrifice this token: Scry 1, then draw a card.") +1: Up to one target creature you control can't be blocked this turn. Whenever that creature deals damage this turn, return it to its owner's hand. −1: Niko Aris deals 2 damage to target tapped creature for each card you've drawn this turn. −1: Create a Shard token.
Planeswalker
Nyssa of Traken
You have no maximum hand size. Sonic Booster — Whenever Nyssa of Traken attacks, sacrifice any number of artifacts. When you sacrifice one or more artifacts this way, tap up to that many target creatures and draw that many cards. Doctor's companion (You can have two commanders if the other is the Doctor.)
Creature
Osgood, Operation Double
When you cast this spell, create a token that's a copy of it, except it isn't legendary. {T}: Add {C}. Spend this mana only to cast an artifact spell or activate an ability of an artifact. Paradox — Whenever you cast a spell from anywhere other than your hand, investigate. (Create a Clue token. It's an artifact with "{2}, Sacrifice this token: Draw a card.")
Creature
Titan of Littjara
As this creature enters, choose a creature type. This creature is the chosen type in addition to its other types. Whenever this creature enters or attacks, you may draw a card for each other creature you control that shares a creature type with it. If you do, discard a card.
Creature
Maybeboard
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Upgrade
Teferi's Protection
Until your next turn, your life total can't change and you gain protection from everything. All permanents you control phase out. (While they're phased out, they're treated as though they don't exist. They phase in before you untap during your untap step.) Exile Teferi's Protection.
Instant
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Deck Info
Deck stats
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Deck Tokens & Extras (8)
Description
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Overview"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"TL;DR:"},{"insert":" Drop your commander & background, play a bunch of terrible tiny creatures triggering both abilities for massive card draw, and control the board until you can win with a massive Anthem-fuelled combat phase or hit a combo.\n\nThis deck is here to ask and answer one simple question. What if Volo, the renowned yet eccentric monster scholar of Forgotten Realms fame, instead switched careers to focus on his newly discovered life passion; sketching thirsty fanart to express his undying love and lust for all of the most overlooked (read: bad) human creatures across the Magic multiverse? \n\nIt started entirely as a joke, and yet has quickly become one of my favourite decks, giving absolutely terrible cards a place to shine while being a unique experience that few have seen at a table before. \n\nAt first glance, the two commanders do not interact, as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Folk Hero"}},{"insert":" wants the same creature types and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Volo, Itinerant Scholar"}},{"insert":" wants unique creature types. This deck focuses on human "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"sub"},{"insert":"types; every creature has at least one unique subtype to be able to get both trigger, i.e. Human "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Rogue"},{"insert":", Human "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Knight"},{"insert":", etc... in order to fuel a huge board and either win by surprise combo like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Triskaidekaphile"}},{"insert":" or a massive swing in with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Knowledge Is Power"}},{"insert":". \n\nHere's what it's good at:\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Card advantage."},{"insert":" You will never be short on cards with not one but "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"two"},{"insert":" draw effects right in the Command Zone."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Land drops."},{"insert":" It doesn't have many lands, but it very regularly ends up with the most lands on board due to game length and always having a land in hand."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Control."},{"insert":" The deck intentionally has a lot of suboptimal control pieces like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gallows at Willow Hill"}},{"insert":", but your quantity of draw means you almost always have access to something."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Big boards of small creatures."},{"insert":" Can potentially make them very big and unblockable to smack face and win by combat."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Combo."},{"insert":" The sheer amount of card draw makes "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Triskaidekaphile"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Approach of the Second Sun"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Psychosis Crawler"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nAnd where it's weak:\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Artifact board wipes."},{"insert":" Volo's Journal thankfully has hexproof and can't be directly removed, but if it gets caught up in a wipe like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vandalblast"}},{"insert":", it will set you back to the stone age. Keep those counterspells handy!"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Early single target removal."},{"insert":" If Volo is removed before you can draw any cards from him, recovering is going to be rough."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"C"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"ompeting at high level tables."},{"insert":" I think these two have the potential to be muchstronger, but I specifically built this deck suboptimally and on a budget to match my tables. If you want to make it stronger, check the Upgrades section below."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Emptying"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" your library. "},{"insert":"This is why "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Laboratory Maniac"}},{"insert":" is in the sideboard- it's technically possible but you'd need a lot more untap effects which I don't want to dedicate the deck space to."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Aggro decks."},{"insert":" If an aggro deck targets you from the getgo, there might not be much you can do."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nLet's get doodling!\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Primer (WIP)"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Effective opening hands"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Your ideal opening hand needs only two things.\n\n3 mana sources that can tap for 3 mana of either colour by turn 3- ideally 3 lands, but 2 lands and a rock works fine."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"At least 1 (ideally 2) creature with mana value 1 or 2."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThat's all you need to get your engine going. If you don't have some combination of these in your hand, mulligan until you do.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Pregame Actions"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If you're lucky enough to start with it in your hand, put "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Leyline of Anticipation"}},{"insert":" onto the battlefield. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Flash is incredibly strong here and lets you get around "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Folk Hero"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"'s once per turn restriction."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Setup Turns"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Your first 3-4 turns are going to be generally quite linear, to the point you could flow chart what the best move is. Your goal is to have both Volo and Folk Hero out by turn 3-4, then start dumping out your 1 and 2 drop bad creatures to get draw.\n\nTurn 1"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"There is only four cards you should be touching on turn 1:\n\nPlay a land."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wizard Class"}},{"insert":" as a spare "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reliquary Tower"}},{"insert":"/"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thought Vessel"}},{"insert":" effect."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sol Ring"}},{"insert":", as this allows you to play Volo on turn 2 instead of 3."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wayfarer's Bauble"}},{"insert":", as this should land you at 4 mana on turn 3 instead of 3."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nDo "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"not"},{"insert":" play any of your 1 drop creatures, unless you have a spare and desperately need the blocker against an aggro player- you need these terrible creatures for your card draw.\n\nTurn 2"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"For your second turn, you can basically follow the below priorities for what to cast. This turn is set aside to ramp, or if you can't ramp, play "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Folk Hero"}},{"insert":".\n\nPlay a land."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If you played Sol Ring turn 1, cast Volo."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Knight of the White Orchid"}},{"insert":" is in your hand alongside at least one other 1/2 drop AND an opponent has more lands than you, play it to ramp 1 land."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If you have a 2 mana rock such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fellwar Stone"}},{"insert":", play it."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If you have "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dreamscape Artist"}},{"insert":"* in hand alongside at least one other 1/2 drop AND don't expect a board wipe in the next two turns, play it."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If you're unable to do anything between 2-5, play "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Folk Hero"}},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nMissing casting Folk Hero on this turn is perfectly acceptable if you're ramping, as outside of very rare cases, you're not going to have Volo + Folk Hero out by turn 3 AND be able to cast an additional 1 drop on turn 3. So, if you're ramping on this turn, play Volo on curve turn 3, then turn 4 do Folk Hero + 1 drop + if possible, Volo activation.\n\n*See the section on Dreamscape Artist below in Cards to look out for.\n\nTurn 3"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is the turn you want to have Volo on the field. In most games, your turn will be:\n\nPlay a land."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cast Volo."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nIn some cases, you can cast Volo AND a 1 drop. Use your judgement here; basically, if you only have one 1 drop, you're better waiting til next turn, but if you have 2, there's not much downside to dropping an extra blocker and getting a trigger from Volo's journal.\n\nIf you have both Volo and Folk Hero out by this time, move to the Midgame plan.\n\nTurn 4"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Turn 4 is only going to be a setup turn IF you ramped on turn 2 instead of playing Folk Hero. If you haven't played Folk Hero yet, do so now, and move to Midgame.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Midgame"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Congratulations, you now have both of your commanders on the field by turn 4! This is where the fun begins.\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Endgame"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You have three general paths you can take to win the game. Most common will be Combo, followed by Combat, and lastly in rare situations, drain.\n\nCombo"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You have two primary routes to win by combo, and you can consider them your primary wincons.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Triskaidekaphile"}},{"insert":": With both of your commanders plus Triskaidekaphile's ability, you're going to have pretty fine control over exactly how many cards will be in your hand by your upkeep. Do your math carefully, though, as you likely won't have the mana to compensate for a mistake. \n\nYour basic setup for Trisk is something like having 6 cards in hand (including Trisk) and six creature types noted with Volo's journal. Cast Trisk, draw 1 off folk hero to be back at 6 in hand, and tick up Volo's journal to 7. Then, tap Volo to draw 7 cards, bringing you to 13. Adjust the specific numbers as needed depending on your situation.\n\nThis is a pretty huge removal magnet, though. Don't expect to play Trisk, get to 13 cards, then keep both you and it alive for a full turn cycle. Hold up a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Counterspell"}},{"insert":" or two, or even better, wait until the last possible end step before you and Flash it in using either "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Leyline of Anticipation"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sally Sparrow"}},{"insert":".\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Approach of the Second Sun"}},{"insert":": With Volo, you can pretty easily get to seven names noted in his journal, meaning you can cast Approach then "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"immediately"},{"insert":" draw 7 to be able to cast it again. Pretty easy on paper; but like Triskaidekaphile, don't expect to cast Approach, draw 7, then survive a full turn cycle to cast it again. You need to be smart about your setup and only using it when you know you can immediately win with it.\n\nSome tricks to actually win with Approach:\n\nFlash. Use "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Leyline of Anticipation"}},{"insert":" to cast it on an opponent's end step, then cast it again in your main phase."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Steal the mana you need. This is mostly an expansion of point 1 as it works significantly better with flash, but "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Drain Power"}},{"insert":" can put in work here. Cast it on a green player's upkeep, and not only will you get 10+ extra mana, you also entirely shut off their turn and ability to respond (if they don't have mana rocks/dorks anyway)."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Solitary Confinement"}},{"insert":" (or other pillow fort-esque cards). The discard requirement of this card is truly negligible with Volo. Use your counterspells to protect it and you'll be very hard to kill in a turn cycle."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWant to tutor to make it easier? Sorry, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Archmage Ascension"}},{"insert":" is all you get. This is a casual deck after all.\n\nCombat "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A casual player's favourite. This one is pretty self explanatory. All you need is a big board, then something to buff your creatures up. Due to the nature of the creatures in the deck being pretty terrible, though, this is a harder wincon to achieve than Combo.\n\nThere's a few key cards here to make it possible.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Knowledge Is Power"}},{"insert":" It's no "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Moonshaker Cavalry"}},{"insert":"*, but it is something! Play it when you have a lot of creatures on board, 7 mana, and one or more opponents who don't have enough blockers from preventing you turning them to paste with your absolute gigabrain weakling humans. \n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dollmaker's Shop // Porcelain Gallery"}},{"insert":" Quite similar to Knowledge is Power, except it comes down as early as Turn 2.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"For the Emperor!"}},{"insert":" is a one-off backup version of either of the above. \n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Horn of Gondor"}},{"insert":" is a fantastic support card to all of the above, and your only real token generation engine. Your board might get big, but it won't get "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"big"},{"insert":" without this card in play.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sun Quan, Lord of Wu"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rogue's Passage"}},{"insert":" can make sure your hits actually get through, as you don't have much evasion power otherwise. There's better cards you can play, but the restrictions of these are the most interesting to me. Tetsuko works best combined with flash; attack with your wall of 1/1s which can't be blocked, then during the Combat Damage step, flash in any of the above buff effects in order to get sudden lethal.\n\nDrain"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"There's a third way to win, but it's not going to be super common; "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Psychosis Crawler"}},{"insert":".\n\nTreat it more as a way to drain life totals to pressure people or help a combat win than an actual wincon in and of itself. You can broadly expect to maybe get one activation for ~7-10 life loss before it is summarily executed by the rest of the table, with you being next in line. \n\nCards to look out for"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck has a lot of cards you've never seen before; here's a quick guide to some bangers you'll need to keep an eye for!\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dreamscape Artist"}},{"insert":" - One of the best ramp sources in the deck, as the lands it searches for come in untapped. The fact you're discarding doesn't really matter; Volo draws you so many cards that this effectively reads \"Tap, pay 1 mana, ramp 1 land\" which you can repeat every turn.\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Creature Types"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\"Reading the card explains the card\" is so last decade. All of the creatures in this list have at least one unique creature type, but not all of them are the one listed on the card due to errata. Here's a list of all creature types per card- first, the creature type you want to name when triggering Volo's Journal, then in brackets all of the types for that creature.\n\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Abu Ja'far"}},{"insert":"* - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Human"},{"insert":" (Human)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Adric, Mathematical Genius"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Artificer "},{"insert":"(Human Artificer)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Amoeboid Changeling"}},{"insert":"** - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Changeling "},{"insert":"(Shapeshifter)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Argivian Phalanx"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Kor "},{"insert":"(Human Kor Soldier)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Baithook Angler // Hook-Haunt Drifter"}},{"insert":" † - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Peasant/Spirit"},{"insert":" (Human Peasant/Spirit)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Balduvian Shaman"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Shaman "},{"insert":"(Human Cleric Shaman)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Children of Korlis"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Rebel "},{"insert":"(Human Cleric Rebel)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Crossbow Infantry"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Archer"},{"insert":" (Human Soldier Archer)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Devoted Retainer"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Samurai"},{"insert":" (Human Samurai)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dreamscape Artist"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Spellshaper"},{"insert":" (Human Spellshaper)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Honorable Scout"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Scout"},{"insert":" (Human Soldier Scout)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"James, Wandering Dad // Follow Him"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Scientist "},{"insert":"(Human Scientist)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Kelsinko Ranger"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ranger"},{"insert":" (Human Ranger)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Kjeldoran Warrior"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Warrior"},{"insert":" (Human Warrior)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Knight of the White Orchid"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Knight"},{"insert":" (Human Knight)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mirror Entity"}},{"insert":"** - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Changeling"},{"insert":" (Shapeshifter)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Monk Realist"}},{"insert":"‡ - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Monk"},{"insert":" (Human Cleric Monk)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mothdust Changeling"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Changeling"},{"insert":" (Shapeshifter)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mystic Penitent"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mystic "},{"insert":"(Human Nomad Mystic)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Prince Imrahil the Fair"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Noble "},{"insert":"(Human Noble)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Psychosis Crawler"}},{"insert":" § - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Phyrexian "},{"insert":"(Phyrexian Horror)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Robaran Mercenaries"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mercenary"},{"insert":" (Human Mercenary)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sally Sparrow"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Detective"},{"insert":" (Human Detective)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sanwell, Avenger Ace"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Pilot "},{"insert":"(Human Pilot)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Scheming Fence"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Citizen "},{"insert":"(Human Citizen)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spurnmage Advocate"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nomad"},{"insert":" (Human Nomad)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Standard Bearer"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Flagbearer "},{"insert":"(Human Flagbearer)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sun Quan, Lord of Wu"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Soldier "},{"insert":"(Human Soldier)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Talas Explorer"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Pirate"},{"insert":" (Human Scout Pirate)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Rogue"},{"insert":" (Human Rogue)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Triskaidekaphile"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Wizard"},{"insert":" (Human Wizard)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Universal Automaton"}},{"insert":"** - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Changeling"},{"insert":" (Shapeshifter)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Unsettled Mariner"}},{"insert":"** - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Changeling"},{"insert":" (Shapeshifter)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Veteran Survivor"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Survivor"},{"insert":" (Human Survivor)\n\t\t"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wharf Infiltrator"}},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Horror"},{"insert":" (Human Horror)\n\n* "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Abu Ja'far"}},{"insert":" is the only creature that is "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"only"},{"insert":" a Human, because having just Some Guy™"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"is funny. Also see rules quirk #1 below.\n** Changelings are Humans that are also every creature type, so you can name anything when casting them. To avoid type overlaps with what's already in the deck, here's a few funny options you can name when casting a Changeling: Eldrazi, Kavu, Licid, Pincher, Atog, or Noggle.\n† "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Baithook Angler // Hook-Haunt Drifter"}},{"insert":" can be cast from the Graveyard as a Spirit. See rules quirk #3 below.\n‡ See rules quirk #4 below\n§ See rules quirk #3 below.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Rules quirks to be aware of"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n\nIf a creature is bounced to your hand, and you re-cast it, you "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"can"},{"insert":" name another unique creature type on that card for Volo's Journal, but you "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"cannot"},{"insert":" name one that's already been named. For example, if you first played "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Talas Explorer"}},{"insert":" (correctly) as Pirate but it gets bounced, you can re-cast it as a Scout to get the trigger again, but if you later play "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Honorable Scout"}},{"insert":" you can't name Scout as you cast it. Notably, you can "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"always"},{"insert":" name Human on any creature you re-cast, but only once, and this will prevent the journal trigger from "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Abu Ja'far"}},{"insert":" as that's the only card that's "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"only"},{"insert":" a Human."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Please note that the names being listed in Volo's Journal are "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"not"},{"insert":" counters. On the plus side, that means they are not affected by things like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Solemnity"}},{"insert":", but they also cannot be proliferated."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"There are two cards in this list that are not humans and will only trigger Volo's Journal, but "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"not"},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Folk Hero"}},{"insert":"; "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Baithook Angler // Hook-Haunt Drifter"}},{"insert":"'s Disturb cost/back side and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Psychosis Crawler"}},{"insert":". "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"When casting "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Monk Realist"}},{"insert":", be aware that the wording is \"destroy target\" rather than \"destroy "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"up to one"},{"insert":" target\". This means if "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Folk Hero"}},{"insert":" is the only enchantment in play when it enters, you "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"must"},{"insert":" target Folk Hero. Make sure there's at least one enchantment you want to destroy!"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Upgrades"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"As this was designed originally as a meme deck, there's plenty of suboptimal cards. Want to step up the power level? Here's all the upgrades I'd recommend, and what to replace them with.\n"}]}
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