Ashad, the Lone CybermanAshad, the Lone Cyberman| Art by Eric Wilkerson

Rise of the Lone Cyberman

Welcome back to Beyond the Multiverse, the series where we ditch our in-universe cards (or printings, in some cases) for those sweet triangle-stamped cards.

Today, we jump from tomb-raiding, like we did in the first article to...the future? Kind of? We're delving through the Doctor Who set this time around, and the set has a lot to offer.

The set introduced a mechanic called Doctor's Companion, which gave us a myriad of new options for multiple color combinations, including a certain Secret Lair that had mechanically unique cards inside. However, we're not focusing on them.

Instead, we're looking at a Grixis option. One of the precons from that release, Masters of Evil, introduced a whopping six commander options for the deck.

For instance, you can use Davros, Dalek CreatorDavros, Dalek Creator to exterminate your opponents. Additionally, MissyMissy is sure to helm a unique deck.

Not today. Instead, we're looking at a more obscure option. One that, I feel, has been overlooked. Without further ado, let's see who I picked.

Ashad is a villain from a more recent incarnation of the Doctor Who franchise: Thirteenth. Partially converted into a Cyberman while retaining the ability to feel, Ashad tried to restore the Cybermen to their former glory.

In addition, he needed to find the Cyberium, a database archiving Cyberman history. In doing this, he sought to wipe out all organic life in the universe, and even allied with The Master to do this.

He was defeated, then revived once more to attack the UNIT headquarters, where he met his end as victory came so close. But, what about his card?

The Flesh is Weak

I'm sure you remember one of the New Capenna Commander precons when looking at his card. Ashad is identical to Anhelo, the PainterAnhelo, the Painter in that they want you to take advantage of the Casualty mechanic to gain value.

While Anhelo copied instants and sorceries, Ashad wants you to copy artifacts. Going through the UB card pool, there's a lot of artifacts worth copying with his ability.

However, it's also worth noting that you must sacrifice artifact creatures for the Casualty ability. When you do this, Ashad gets a +1/+1 counter, making him sizeable. But, that is not the path we're taking.

Restoring the Cyber-Empire

Ashad wants the 99 to be filled to the brim with artifacts, especially nonlegendary ones. For this, the deck has a minor tokens subtheme, so you can sacrifice them to Ashad's ability, making him a bit bigger in the process.

Don't expect to win with commander damage, because this deck is all about value. To flavor the deck, the best targets for Ashad are Cybermen, but there aren't many cards that can get them out. CybershipCybership (12,587 decks) makes them when it connects.

Death in HeavenDeath in Heaven (9,944 decks) acts as both Cybermen maker and graveyard hate, while The Cyber-ControllerThe Cyber-Controller is an anthem that also happens to make Cybermen...and that's basically it.

Despite feuding with the Cybermen during the Tenth Doctor's Era, the Daleks make for good fodder, too. Genesis of the DaleksGenesis of the Daleks (10,705 decks) has the first few chapters make tokens, but be sure to leave some behind to take advantage of that last chapter.

The Dalek EmperorThe Dalek Emperor forces our opponents into a corner: Lose a creature or make a Dalek token that we can sac to Ashad later on. Ooo, evil!

Additionally, we can enlist some Necrons, to help us. Royal WardenRoyal Warden (9,280 decks) makes tokens upon entry, and has Unearth, so we can do it again.

TechnomancerTechnomancer (10,177 decks) brings back nontoken artifacts you had to sacrifice so you can do it again.

Do it twice for a one-sided Rise of the Dark RealmsRise of the Dark Realms. Canoptek SpyderCanoptek Spyder (31,047 decks) draws lots of cards, yes, but what about a second Canoptek Spyder?

In a similar vein, Canoptek Scarab SwarmCanoptek Scarab Swarm (28,366 decks) has the potential to give you lots of little critters. However, you'll need to buff them if you wish to sacrifice them to Ashad's ability.

Setting the Scheme into Motion

Most importantly, since Ashad is essentially an artifact commander, we'll need some artifact synergies. While the scope and depth of artifact synergies are not as incredible as our in-universe selection, there's still some good stuff here.

One with the MachineOne with the Machine and Thirst for KnowledgeThirst for Knowledge will draw us cards, keeping our hands filled. Anrakyr the TravellerAnrakyr the Traveller lets us cast a card for free at the cost of life. Copying CryptothrallCryptothrall (31,205 decks) with Ashad's ability gives all of our artifact creatures hexproof.

Their Name Is DeathTheir Name Is Death (28,023 decks) acts as a one-sided boardwipe for us, potentially allowing us to set up an alpha strike.

Also, Mystic ForgeMystic Forge lets us cast artifacts from the top of our library if we wanted to. Skorpekh LordSkorpekh Lord (13,546 decks) is an anthem and grants evasion to artifact creatures, which reminds me of something.

Rallying the Cybermen

Anthems not only push the weaker creatures to that critical two power, but also help us dish out more damage.

The aforementioned Cyber Controller does it, even making the Cybermen it creates stronger. Andúril, Narsil ReforgedAndúril, Narsil Reforged (34,686 decks) works, too, perhaps one of the best to include here.

However, it's an attack trigger, so be sure to equip it to an expendable creature. Steel OverseerSteel Overseer is slower (unless it has haste somehow), but it can even make itself stronger.

The rest that are printed into the card pool (as of writing) lean towards kindred effects, thus we won't be able to maximize their potential here.

However, the deck I'm showcasing today has a secret weapon lying in wait.

The Cyberium

Of Cybermen and...Bobbleheads?

You read that heading correctly. We're using Bobbleheads, but why? First, they produce mana, even though they cost three to cast. Second is Luck BobbleheadLuck Bobblehead, which wants you to roll dice equal to the number of Bobbleheads you have.

I heard often that Urza, Prince of KroogUrza, Prince of Kroog is one of the main go-to commanders for Bobbleheads, but hear me out a minute.

With Ashad, you can use the Casualty trigger to copy the Bobbleheads as you cast them, so you end up with two on the field instead of one.

You have a small chance at having 14 of them out, thus increasing your odds of winning greatly. In addition, each Bobblehead comes with a second ability based on the number of Bobbleheads you have out. Luck can potentially win games, but what about the others?

Bobbling Along

Firstly, Strength BobbleheadStrength Bobblehead puts +1/+1 counters on a creature you control. Could be useful to weasel out a win through commander damage. Agility BobbleheadAgility Bobblehead grants haste and some potent evasion, enabling a massive swing with enough Bobbleheads out.

In addition, Intelligence BobbleheadIntelligence Bobblehead draws us cards while Perception BobbleheadPerception Bobblehead lets us dig into our library and cast something cheap.

However, the last two are fairly weak, but do serve some purpose here.

Charisma BobbleheadCharisma Bobblehead can potentially become an army in a can, but note that it creates 1/1 tokens that are not artifacts. So, unless you can find a way to make them stronger, they're essentially chump blockers.

Lastly, Endurance BobbleheadEndurance Bobblehead grants a small buff (ironic, because it can enable the tokens from Charisma to, ah, convert them with Ashad's ability), and also grants indestructible for the turn.

But, it can only be activated at sorcery speed (like three other Bobbleheads), so its use is more narrow than I would like. A shame, really.

On another note, Mechanized ProductionMechanized Production (unfortunately not in this list) is perfect for the Bobbleheads: You get more of one Bobblehead, especially Luck, and you're even more likely to achieve a win condition, be it through Luck or the enchantment itself.

Even More Casualties

The lack of tutors in the list is a personal choice, but adding them would be a good idea if you're looking to focus on the alternate win condition more.

However, you can always smack your opponents down via combat damage if the stars don't align. Using Ashad's Casualty ability helps with this.

Doubling up on Cybermen SquadronCybermen Squadron (36,421 decks) gives your artifact creatures double Myriad, so you get more triggers and attackers.

Just remember that they go away at end of combat, so you can't sacrifice them to Ashad unless you're flashing out something.

Two Cyberman PatrolCyberman Patrols (29,527 decks) means that you get two instances of Afflict Three, so either they block and lose six, or you get through. That's a no-win situation for your opponents.

Achieving Singularity

In sum, there's more than just Urza who can utilize the Bobbleheads, and that an UB artifact deck is feasible. However, Ashad will not be the last of the many, many Doctor Who Commander options will be touching on.

He also will not be the last Grixis legend we'll explore either. I, for one, would like to build The ValeyardThe Valeyard, but the current voting/choice numbers are not enough...yet.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. But, I'm going to try and spread out the Doctor Who love so there's not too many at once. The Lord of the Rings, for example, will be the same.

Tune in next time, were we jump from science fiction to something much different. Until next time, may the triangles bless your games.

Owain Roberts

Owain has been playing on and off from around Invasion block to 2011, and has been playing since. He tends to gravitate towards Naya colors, though he's always on the lookout for interesting decks to explore. When he isn't slinging spells, he can be found looking after his pet dogs.