Denzilore FateholdDenzilore Fatehold | Art by Dmitry Burmak

Hello, Commander aficionados and Azorius fanatics. Magic: The Gathering's Reality Fracture (FRA) introduces players to the Echoverse, Jace Beleren's mirrored reality of the Multiverse. The Echoverse includes alternate versions of fan-favorite characters like Chandra, Ajani, and Vraska. Further, FRA Play and Collector Boosters each contain an echoed pair depicted in the Multiverse and Echoverse.

Beyond echoed pairs, FRA has several card cycles. A rare land cycle returns, along with charms for each Hexhaven School. Additionally, a cycle of Elder Sphinxes represents the five Hexhaven Schools.

Among the Elder Sphinxes is Denzilore FateholdDenzilore Fatehold. Denzilore Fatehold is a legendary Azorius creature with a potent ability that distributes +1/+1 counters. Let's dive deeper into Denzilore Fatehold's synergies and how it can lead a Bracket 3 +1/+1 Counters-themed deck.

What Does Denzilore Fatehold Do?

Denzilore FateholdDenzilore Fatehold enters as a 3/4 flyer with flash for . Whenever you scry or surveil, Denzilore Fatehold gives each creature you control a +1/+1 counter, including itself. Moreover, you may trigger Denzilore Fatehold's ability multiple times during a turn. Casting OptOpt and ConsiderConsider at any point in a game to grow your team with Denzilore Fatehold is powerful.

There's nothing like Denzilore Fatehold, but Hylda of the Icy CrownHylda of the Icy Crown is the next closest commander option. Hylda of the Icy Crown requires you to tap an untapped creature an opponent controls and pay to utilize its ability. This can lead to playing cards like Court Street DenizenCourt Street Denizen, Gideon's LawkeeperGideon's Lawkeeper, and Feeling of DreadFeeling of Dread that are only good when Hylda is on the battlefield. However, Hylda of the Icy Crown shines because its ability lets you choose from three options, including dispensing +1/+1 counters to your creatures.

While Aragorn and Arwen, Wed isn't , its triggered ability resembles Denzilore Fatehold. You do get the immediate +1/+1 counters upon entering, but Aragorn and Arwen, Wed itself doesn't benefit. Furthermore, Aragorn and Arwen, Wed's ability is limited to entering and attacking. Lastly, Aragorn and Arwen, Wed has to survive combat to maximize its ability.

You don't need to send Denzilore Fatehold into combat to trigger its ability, but you do need to scry or surveil.

Key Cards for Denzilore Fatehold

Low-Curve Creatures

Repeatable sources of scry and surveil abilities complement Denzilore FateholdDenzilore Fatehold. Low-curve creatures like Il Mheg PixieIl Mheg Pixie and Nightveil SpriteNightveil Sprite fit the role by triggering surveil 1 whenever they attack. Flying also helps Il Mheg Pixie and Nightveil Sprite evade blockers to trigger Denzilore Fatehold's ability continuously.

Two more low-curve flyers are H.E.R.B.I.E., Lovable RobotH.E.R.B.I.E., Lovable Robot and Artificer's AssistantArtificer's Assistant. H.E.R.B.I.E. is a jack-of-all-trades by adding , converting mana, and sometimes gifting surveil 1. There aren't any Sagas in the 99, but plenty of other cards trigger Artificer's Assistant's ability.

Although FRA's Proctor of PotentialProctor of Potential doesn't have flying, it works well with Denzilore Fatehold. You'll get a scry 1 from Proctor of Potential whenever it or another creature enters under your control. Lita, Little Orphan AmphibianLita, Little Orphan Amphibian has a similar effect, but you can only scry 1 once per turn. 30+ creatures in the 99 ensure their (and Political TriumphPolitical Triumph's) abilities trigger often. Your small-sized creatures won't stay that way for long.

Dependable Enablers

Guaranteed sources of scry and surveil effects are wonderful for triggering Denzilore Fatehold's ability. Excitingly, several cards in the 99 provide scry and surveil effects without lifting a finger.

Case of the Shifting VisageCase of the Shifting Visage and MindwhiskerMindwhisker are two such cards contributing surveil 1 at the beginning of your upkeep. Best of all, you don't have to solve Case of the Shifting Visage or attack with Mindwhisker to keep surveil 1 going.

You also have access to consistent scry-producing cards. Thassa, God of the SeaThassa, God of the Sea serves double duty as a scry 1 generator and evasive mana sink. One more gets you Sphinx of ForesightSphinx of Foresight. Besides scrying on your turn, Sphinx of Foresight serves as a decent attacker.

I want to highlight a few cards that require minimal effort to receive a scry 1. Gandalf, White RiderGandalf, White Rider and Retreat to CoralhelmRetreat to Coralhelm require you to cast a spell or drop a land, respectively. Remember to use Sigiled StarfishSigiled Starfish's ability before your next turn.

How Does Denzilore Fatehold Win?

Denzilore FateholdDenzilore Fatehold and its 99 offer multiple paths to victory.

Creature Damage

You shouldn't have an issue drawing and casting creature spells. Nevertheless, you can go wider by making creature tokens. Hermes, Overseer of ElpisHermes, Overseer of Elpis creates a 1/1 blue Bird creature token with flying and vigilance whenever you cast a noncreature spell. Additionally, Hermes lets you scry 2 whenever you attack with one or more Bird tokens. Pair Gandalf, White RiderGandalf, White Rider with Hermes to increase the power of existing Bird creature tokens as you generate new ones.

FRA's Saheeli, Consul of OversightSaheeli, Consul of Oversight wants you to scry and surveil. Creating 1/1 flying colorless Thopter artifact creature tokens with Saheeli's ability is a breeze, though only once per turn. Thankfully, Saheeli can make Thopter artifact creature tokens during opponents' turns. Cards such as Sigiled StarfishSigiled Starfish, Planetarium of Wan Shi TongPlanetarium of Wan Shi Tong, and Surveillance PhantasmSurveillance Phantasm work well as instant-speed sources of scry and surveil effects.

Making flying creature tokens is great, but most of your creature cards don't possess flying or other evasive abilities. One solution is Abzan FalconerAbzan Falconer. Abzan Falconer grants flying to creatures you control with a +1/+1 counter. Triggering Denzilore Fatehold's ability will fulfill Abzan Falconer's requirement. Additional options for distributing +1/+1 counters include Iron Man, Armored AvengerIron Man, Armored Avenger, Lyla, Holographic AssistantLyla, Holographic Assistant, and a level 3 Wizard ClassWizard Class.

Iron Man, Armored AvengerIron Man, Armored Avenger also happens to be an alternative to Abzan Falconer. Although Iron Man doesn't need Wizard Class or Lyla, Holographic Assistant to turn your team into flying threats, you do need to attack with it.

Finishers

You have several finishers to lean on when Abzan FalconerAbzan Falconer or Iron Man, Armored AvengerIron Man, Armored Avenger are inaccessible. Herald of Secret StreamsHerald of Secret Streams makes all creatures you control with a +1/+1 counter unblockable. You don't need to worry about opposing flyers or creatures with reach with Herald of Secret Streams on your battlefield.

When you want the battlefield clear of opposing creatures, turn to Damning VerdictDamning Verdict and Wave GoodbyeWave Goodbye. Both sorceries remove creatures without counters, but Wave Goodbye specifically checks for +1/+1 counters. Damning Verdict and Wave Goodbye won't remove all of your opponents' creatures every time. Yet, they should turn the tide of battle in your favor. An excellent sequence is flashing in Denzilore Fatehold at the end of an opponent's turn, triggering a scry or surveil during your upkeep, and then casting Damning Verdict or Wave Goodbye.

Winning the game with Approach of the Second SunApproach of the Second Sun is straightforward, yet challenging. Your opponents will be on guard for Approach of the Second Sun's second casting. To reduce the chance of disruption, you can find Approach of the Second Sun faster via scry, surveil, or even Matoya, Archon ElderMatoya, Archon Elder's card-draw ability.

When dealing creature damage and casting finishers won't earn a win, try leveraging an infinite combo.

Infinite Combos

Pensive ProfessorPensive Professor and Lyla, Holographic AssistantLyla, Holographic Assistant form a two-card infinite combo that activates when you draw a card. Once the combo is initiated, you'll draw out your library and place +1/+1 counters on Pensive Professor equal to the number of cards drawn. You may stop the combo by placing a +1/+1 on a different creature than Pensive Professor. Alternatively, you can swap Lyla, Holographic Assistant with Iron Man, Armored AvengerIron Man, Armored Avenger or a level 3 Wizard ClassWizard Class.

The downside of the Pensive Professor and Lyla, Holographic Assistant (or alternate) combo is that drawing your library doesn't win the game instantly. You'll need to either deal lethal combat damage to an opponent with an enlarged Pensive Professor, have Laboratory ManiacLaboratory Maniac under your control, or cast Thassa's OracleThassa's Oracle. If Pensive Professor, Wizard Class, Laboratory Maniac, or Thassa's Oracle ends up in your graveyard, you can retrieve them with Sevinne's ReclamationSevinne's Reclamation.

The Deck List

Denzilore Fatehold and the 99 provide a competitive build that pressures opponents from multiple fronts. Synergy is rampant with many cards that scry, surveil, or benefit from said effects. When Denzilore Fatehold's commander tax gets too high, you can dig for combo pieces, cast a finisher, or go wide.

You may decide to lower the deck's power level. If so, swapping out Pensive Professor and your choice of Game Changers will bring the deck list closer to Bracket 2. Since Denzilore Fatehold is a remove-on-sight kind of card, adding more protective spells is wise. I suggest considering Loran's EscapeLoran's Escape, Gods WillingGods Willing, and Sheltering LightSheltering Light as defensive substitutes when applicable.

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