Marchesa, the Black RoseMarchesa, the Black Rose | Art by Matthew Stewart

Greetings and salutations, my monarchic friends, and welcome to a new Trim. I'm Arnaud, and I'm delighted to take you on a journey of countless counters, thematic thieves, and belligerent betrayals.

I'm rather happy with the results of last time's poll. It seems you were more interested in the choices offered, as 156 of you cast your vote. Third place, by far, went to Gisela, the Broken BladeGisela, the Broken Blade, with 22 votes (14%). Broken she was, broken she shall remain. Second place went to Calamity, Galloping InfernoCalamity, Galloping Inferno, with 64 votes (41%). This fiery pony led the way for quite a while, so much so that this is probably not the last you've seen of it. With 70 votes (45%), the top spot therefore went to none other than Marchesa, the Black RoseMarchesa, the Black Rose.

Paliano's finest was first featured in the original Conspiracy set. A fantastic setting, both from a lore and a gameplay perspective. And while I'm keeping expectations low given the current trend, I can't help but hope that someday Wizards of the Coast will decide to revisit this draft-dedicated environment. Just like I'm hoping for Battlebond 2. But I digress.

Marchesa is a fun commander to build around, with several different avenues, which we'll analyze in a moment.

For the time being, let's grab each and every card from the regular and budget sections and throw them into Archidekt.

317 cards. A good start.

First Trim – Jewelery Is Not For the Miser

As is now custom, a warm welcome to all the new readers of this series! The core idea is rather simple: building a deck using the cards on EDHREC, while forgoing anything worth $1.11 or more.

As usual, let's start by getting rid of the bling. After the initial axing, there are still... Oh, 211 cards left under $2. That's rather low, but let's not give up just yet.

Before moving on, let's take a look at the best options between $1.11 and $2, just in case you have a bit more of a budget:

• Mob RuleMob Rule: I still believe this card is underrated. And especially here, it's a crown jewel. Steal all the big guys and swing for the win.
• Rakdos SignetRakdos Signet: Wait, what? Signets are above $1.10 now?
• Talisman of DominanceTalisman of Dominance: Bis repetita.
• Archpriest of ShadowsArchpriest of Shadows: Another underrated body: worst-case scenario it's a 5/5 for five mana that reanimates on damage. Best-case, it's a surprise reanimation with a body.
• Bojuka BogBojuka Bog: See Signets.
• Kari Zev's ExpertiseKari Zev's Expertise: I'm going to miss this one. Two for one with perfect synergy with the commander is no small feat.
• Molten PrimordialMolten Primordial: And another.
• Fain, the BrokerFain, the Broker: Sacrifice outlet and card draw, all in one. What's not to like?
• Alesha, Who Laughs at FateAlesha, Who Laughs at Fate: Cheap and efficient recursion. Since you're already attacking, you might as well make the most of it.
• Talisman of IndulgenceTalisman of Indulgence: The most expensive of the Talismans, just below the $2 bar. This is getting ridiculous.

This leaves five cards in the $1.00-$1.10 range:

• Tainted PeakTainted Peak: Excellent dual land.
• Fabled PassageFabled Passage: It's slowly creeping back up, I wouldn't be surprised if I had to kiss it goodbye in a couple Trims.
• Zulaport CutthroatZulaport Cutthroat: A classic pinger, glad to have you on board, pal.
• Baleful StrixBaleful Strix: Cheap, efficient, and protective. Lovely.
• Unspeakable SymbolUnspeakable Symbol: One of the best cards in the deck, period.

All this leaves 187 cards to work with. Not the worst, but definitely far from the most lavish ever seen in these parts. Let's move on.

Second Trim – Rotten Veggies

You've heard it everywhere, I'll say it one more time: a deck can't work if you forgo its veggies. You need gas to keep playing, and you need ramp to play ahead of time, not to mention the rest.

At the moment, this is where things stand:

More than enough to get around. Almost no board wipes, but the two in the list are more than adequate.

As usual, I'll keep a decent number of card-draw outlets. Ramp should be fine in the 10-12 range. Removal will be kept to a bare minimum, as the core of the deck should be enough to deal with threats.

Let's cut:

After giving the land base a good shave, the list is down to 132 cards. Already I've had a hard time cutting some of these. Let's hope it doesn't become a trend. Onwards.

Third Trim – The Best Adornments Are Stolen Ones

Let's talk strategy for a bit.

As I hinted before, there are many ways to build Marchesa. You can make an invincible army of creatures armed with +1/+1 counters. You can ping your opponents to death. You can reanimate stuff over and over.

Or you can be the ultimate monster and steal stuff for good.

If ever there was a commander made for all the ThreatenThreaten effects out there, Marchesa's the one. She doesn't care who the owner of a creature is. As long as it had a +1/+1 counter when it died, it will come back under your control. Luckily, she has the means to provide said counter rather easily.

Therefore, the game plan is rather simple: steal the best stuff from your opponents, and put it to good use. What I love about this strategy is that it scales with the table's power level. The stronger the threats, the better for you.

Beware, though: there's a distinct possibility your pod will kindly ask you not to play this anymore with them once they realize you get to play with their own cardboard. Trust me, I've been there.

Now that the strategy has been established, let's take a look at what's left:

• Threaten spells: By this I mean spells that take control of a creature until end of turn. Steal the critter, swing with it, sacrifice it, get it back for good.
• Sacrifice outlets: Absolutely necessary for you to be able to enact your plan. This is the one section I'm not going to be skimpy about, especially for the free repeatable effects.
• Counters: This one I'm more partial to. I'm not sure you need that many ways to put counters on creatures, not with your commander out, which you'll need anyway to execute your plan.
• Recursion: A few outlets here and there. Out.
• Random stuff: Most will leave.

This is what I'm getting rid of:

Down to 110 cards. Onwards to the last stretch.

Final Trim – The Best of the Best

Congratulations on making it this far!

At this point in the build, if a card is still in the list, it most probably isn't bad. Therefore, take each and every cut from now on as a matter of personal taste.

Here goes:

• Thundering RaijuThundering Raiju: I kinda like the fact that it provides counters and pings. But realistically, I don't believe it will deal that much damage in the end.
• Warstorm SurgeWarstorm Surge, Flayer of the HateboundFlayer of the Hatebound, and Stalking VengeanceStalking Vengeance: I love these cards, really. But they also sport a really high mana cost and don't really do anything on their own.
• Baleful StrixBaleful Strix: It pains me, it really does. But it's also not really recursive nor does it provide that much card advantage.
• Captivating CrewCaptivating Crew: On paper, it has everything you'd dream of for such a card. But in practice, it costs to cast, and then another to activate. Not the cheapest way to steal a creature.
• Hostage TakerHostage Taker: Pretty much the same argument. You're removing a creature, but you also need to pay its cost to get it on your side, and this deck is all about cheating such costs.
• WrangleWrangle: Cheap cost, but also cheap power theft. Pass.
• Bone SplintersBone Splinters: I'm running out of ideas here.
• Bloodthrone VampireBloodthrone Vampire: The least efficient of the sac outlets.

All this leads to:

The Deck List

Additional Trim – A Look Into the Past

As is customary, let's take a look at a deck from roughly eighteen months ago, and see how it fared.

Today, it's time to look back at good old Captain Howler, Sea ScourgeCaptain Howler, Sea Scourge. Can you believe Aetherdrift is already this old?

Good news is: it could be worse. Bad news is: it's still not that good.

There are currently 10 cards above the set $1.10 limit:

• Magus of the WheelMagus of the Wheel: $1.11
• Talisman of CreativityTalisman of Creativity: $1.70
• Ghostly PilfererGhostly Pilferer: $1.81
• Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots: $2.30
• Decanter of Endless WaterDecanter of Endless Water: $2.42
• Thought VesselThought Vessel: $2.44
• Malcolm, Alluring ScoundrelMalcolm, Alluring Scoundrel: $2.74 (!)
• Matzalantli, the Great DoorMatzalantli, the Great Door: $2.92 (!)
• Brass's Tunnel-GrinderBrass's Tunnel-Grinder: $3.33 (!!)
• Fiery IsletFiery Islet: $4.55 (!!)

Are there suitable replacements? Of course!

• Key to the CityKey to the City: Makes it unblockable, and loots.
• Frostboil SnarlFrostboil Snarl: Not as good as the Islet, but still a decent land.
• Tolarian WindsTolarian Winds: At $1.09, this barely passes the test. I'm not complaining.
• Change of FortuneChange of Fortune: To make up for some of the lost card draw.
• Decaying Time LoopDecaying Time Loop: How did this evade my attention? That retrace is sweet!
• Hobgoblin, Mantled MarauderHobgoblin, Mantled Marauder: Basically a second copy of your commander.
• Mind StoneMind Stone: Still a decent mana rock.
• Drake HavenDrake Haven: Getting more bodies is never a bad thing.
• Blasphemous ActBlasphemous Act: Removal, removal, removal.
• Conspiracy TheoristConspiracy Theorist: One of the few decks where he feels truly at home.

You can find the updated list here.

Conclusion

One down, a lot more to go.

I'd like your opinion now, Marchesa players. Did you take the same route? A different one?

Did I miss something critical?

Let me know in the comments below, and I'll see you in two weeks for another Trim!

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