Welcome back to another precon guide here on EDHREC. Today we’re upgrading Blame Game, the Commander deck from Karlov Manor. In case you missed it, go take a look at the Review for this deck, where we went over what the deck does and how to play it.

I’m mostly happy with this deck, and gave it a positive review. It has a lot of great synergy, and some fantastic new cards. We just need to speed things up a bit by cutting a few high-cost cards that are out of place or slowing things down.

Let’s tune up.

What’s In the Original Deck?

This deck is red and white (Boros), and led by Nelly Borca, Impulsive Accuser, who’s a 2/4 with vigilance that Suspects a target creature when she attacks, then Goads all Suspected creatures. And whenever an opponent deals combat damage to another opponent, you both draw a card.

Our backup commander is Feather, Radiant Arbiter, a 4/3 Angel with flying and lifelink that lets you pay two mana to copy noncreature spells you cast that target only her. You can target any creature with the copy, not just your own, and you can copy it as many times as you can afford.

Here’s the original decklist for Blame Game:

What Budget Cards Can We Add to Blame Game?

We’ll break our upgrade up into two parts, one budget ($5 or less) and one non-budget (>$5).

There are plenty of cards we can add to this list to Goad our opponents’ creatures. Baeloth Barrityl, Entertainer Goads all creatures with power less than his, and makes you a Treasure whenever a Goaded creature dies in combat. There aren’t a ton of ways in the deck to make him bigger (Slayers' Stronghold and Orzhov Advokist will do the job), but Goading all the little creatures can be a great way of dealing with token decks.

Bothersome Quasit Goads a creature whenever you cast a noncreature spell, which is 40 cards in this upgraded list. Grenzo, Havoc Raiser can Goad a creature whenever one of yours deals combat damage to a player, and can also serve as some much needed card advantage. The Sound of Drums Goads the enchanted creature and doubles its damage, and can also be brought back from the grave if that creature gets taken out. And last is Taunt from the Rampart, a beefed up version of Disrupt Decorum that ensures an absolute bloodbath.

A couple of lands are entering the fray. Arcane Lighthouse makes sure you can Suspect creatures with hexproof or shroud, which are often the ones we want the most. And Maze of Ith lets Nelly attack for her trigger and save her from an unsafe situation.

We’ll add a few artifacts too. Boros Signet was somehow missing from the deck, and much needed ramp to help us get Nelly out quicker. Strionic Resonator can double her attack trigger, because two Goaded creatures is better than one. And Whispersilk Cloak makes sure she can attack with impunity. 

Convenient Target is from the main Manor set, and gives us an additional Suspect, with the ability to get it back from the grave. Late to Dinner can get back any of our creatures that bite the dust. Spectral Grasp gets added to help with “The Goad Problem” in the late game. And Path to Exile is coming in because the precon had no cheap, instant-speed removal spells.

Here’s what’s getting the axe: Agitator Ant, Ancient Stone Idol, Angel of the Ruins, Anya, Merciless Angel, Darien, King of Kjeldor, Elspeth, Sun's Champion, Etali, Primal Storm, Feather, Radiant Arbiter, Kher Keep, Mob Verdict, Prisoner's Dilemma, Rite of the Raging Storm, Wall of Omens, Winds of Rath

I’m sad to kick Feather out, because she has a fantastic ability. But I don’t think this deck is optimized to really take advantage of her.

Here’s the budget upgraded list for Blame Game:

What Are Some Good Expensive Cards We Can Add to Blame Game?

Got some ill-gotten gains burning a hole in your pocket? I’ve got you covered.

Let’s ramp things up. Smothering Tithe is fantastic in this deck, because Nelly makes your opponents draw cards. Jeska's Will gives you a mana boost and/or some card advantage, both welcome. And the big one here is Jeweled Lotus. 

We’re adding two Aurelias, Aurelia, the Law Above from the new set, and Aurelia, the Warleader. Old Aurelia gets us an extra combat, which means more Suspected creatures to Goad, and the new one gives us some card advantage.

Grand Abolisher ensures that our opponents can't mess with our plans. Iroas, God of Victory protects Nelly, and all our other creatures, when they attack. And Hall of Heliod's Generosity helps us get back those important Vow and Impetus Auras.

Out go: Boros Reckoner, Convenient Target, Keeper of the Accord, Maze of Ith, Ransom Note, Sevinne's Reclamation, Spectral Grasp, and Temple of the False God

Here’s the non-budget upgraded list: 

The Goad G.O.A.T

That’s it for our Upgrade Guide for Blame Game. What do you think? Did I make this deck any better? Any usual suspects I missed? What’s the best crime movie? (Hint: it’s Heat.) Let me know in the comments. And keep checking back for more precon guides, here on EDHREC.

More Precon Guides:

Deadly Disguise Upgrade Guide

Revenant Recon Upgrade Guide

Andy Zupke

Andy's been playing Magic on and off since Fallen Empires. He loves to travel, drink, eat, and spend time with family and friends.