Zhulodok, Void GorgerZhulodok, Void Gorger | Art by Lius Lasahido

“The emergence of the Eldrazi isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as long as you’ve already lived a fulfilling and complete life without regrets.”

Luckily, though, Eldrazi aren't real and can't hurt us. Unless you sit down for an EDH game against Zhulodok, Void Gorger. This big, scary monster can and will hurt you.

But we're not here to talk about the existential, cosmic dread that Eldrazi bring. We're here for Fire and Ice! This is the data-driven series where I go over cards that are becoming more or less popular for different Commander decks, and talk about why they may be gaining or losing popularity. I'm Julia, EDHREC's Duchess of Data, and I'm super excited to jump into today's article!

EDHREC, of course, has a ton of data. We'll draw conclusions from that data about how certain commanders' decks have changed over time, give insight into how the format's players are thinking about new cards, and hopefully provide some tech for your favorite commander's list. Let's see what's up with Zhulodok!

Zhulodok, Void GorgerZhulodok, Void Gorger

What's Hot and What's Not for Zhulodok, Void Gorger?

Zhulodok released a few years back in the Eldrazi Unbound preconstructed deck from Commander Masters. For , it's a 7/4 that gives all of our colorless spells with mana value seven or greater cascade, cascade. That staples even more value to our big spells, often letting our Eldrazi come with a bit of extra value tacked on.

Among this commander's most popular cards are Kozilek, the Great DistortionKozilek, the Great Distortion (93% inclusion rate), Flayer of LoyaltiesFlayer of Loyalties (79% inclusion rate), and Forsaken MonumentForsaken Monument (97% inclusion rate).

The most highly played cards in Zhulodok decks are high mana value Eldrazi. But, as we'll see in just a moment, some powerful artifacts are gaining popularity. Could this be indicative of a slight shift in this commander's average 99? Let's find out.

What's Fiery for Zhulodok Decks?

Bygone ColossusBygone Colossus - Fire Score of 3.62

If we can manage it, we want to get a Zhulodok trigger on each of our turns. Bygone Colossus makes that easy! We get to spend just to get a spell with a mana value of , triggering our commander while leaving us with mana to spare. We may even be able to get multiple Zhulodok triggers if we've got enough lands available.

This Robot Giant has the added benefit of exiling itself for later use after we spend to warp it in. We'd rather spend our elsewhere, considering this creature's lack of relevant abilities when it's on the battlefield, but it's good to have an outlet for our extra mana down the line.

Krang, Utrom WarlordKrang, Utrom Warlord - Fire Score of 3.12

I mentioned earlier that artifacts are becoming more popular in Zhulodok decks, and Krang is a powerful artifact indeed. He works best when paired with other artifact creatures, but is still a huge, threatening flying beater if he's on the board by himself.

Krang may be better suited for the 99 of a deck focused entirely on artifact creatures, as the anthem he provides can win us the game with ease. But, when played alongside our next card he can really shine.

Chrome DomeChrome Dome - Fire Score of 2.99

This modern take on Cogwork AssemblerCogwork Assembler is great in artifact decks that make a lot of mana. A +1/+0 anthem isn't too significant in most EDH games, but this creature's ability to clone our best artifacts temporarily is super strong.

Even non-artifact-centric Zhulodok decks play some great artifacts, like Darksteel MonolithDarksteel Monolith and Portal to PhyrexiaPortal to Phyrexia. If we manage to make a copy of one of those powerhouses, we're in the money.

MetalworkerMetalworker - Fire Score of 2.41

The average Zhulodok deck plays roughly 31 artifacts. The vast majority of these are ramp pieces, with a few being generically powerful big spells like Akroma's MemorialAkroma's Memorial. Regardless of the cards' on-board function, though, Metalworker will turn any artifacts in our hand into .

This mana dork can let us accelerate to our commander or just cast a big Eldrazi way ahead of schedule. No matter what we're ramping into, the mana production of Metalworker is hard to match.

Crystal VeinCrystal Vein - Fire Score of 2.32

One of the biggest advantages of colorless decks is their ability to make good use of non-basic lands. Many non-basics provide some benefit, but produce only (instead of any form of colored mana) as a drawback. But, for decks that only need , this is great!

Crystal Vein will mostly function as a WastesWastes, but can be sacrificed to gain an extra mana in a pinch. There's almost no reason not to run this land over a Waste, so I'm glad to see it gaining popularity.

Sojourner's CompanionSojourner's Companion - Fire Score of 2.24

Most Zhulodok decks run just one artifact land: Darksteel CitadelDarksteel Citadel. It's certainly nice to go search our library for that land! Plus, this creature costs and can be used to trigger our commander if we've got absolutely nothing else going on.

There are a few other artifact lands that we could put in our 99 to be fetched up by this Salamander, but Scene of the CrimeScene of the Crime and Treasure VaultTreasure Vault don't do too much for our game plan.

Memory JarMemory Jar - Fire Score of 2.14

Colorless decks often struggle to draw enough cards, outside of expensive spells like Rise of the EldraziRise of the Eldrazi. This artifact gives us a big burst of card advantage, and can be activated at the time of our choosing. This may even be useful for screwing over an opponent that's setting up for one big turn!

Cloning this artifact with Chrome Dome, bringing it back to the battlefield with Desecrate RealityDesecrate Reality, or back to our hand with Buried RuinBuried Ruin can put us on a fast track to victory.

Summon: BahamutSummon: Bahamut - Fire Score of 2.19

This Saga creature is one of the best curve-toppers in Commander. We get to destroy two nonland permanents, draw two cards, and take a huge chunk out of our opponents' life totals. Granted, that's all taking place over multiple turns, but it's still quite a powerful set of abilities.

In a Zhulodok deck, this card lets us cascade twice and its final chapter ability could kill our opponents outright. We've got a deck full of expensive colorless spells, after all!

What's Icy for Zhulodok Decks?

Oblivion SowerOblivion Sower - Ice Score of -2.54

This Eldrazi costs six mana, meaning it sadly won't trigger our commander on cast. Plus, Oblivion Sower's cast trigger is relatively underwhelming. We may get an extra land or two from the deal, but that's not enough to justify spending on an otherwise vanilla 5/8. This creature's type has likely kept it in many Zhulodok decks, even if it's relatively underwhelming.

I'd rather spend my mana on Ugin, the IneffableUgin, the Ineffable or Echoes of EternityEchoes of Eternity, if I could.

Planar BridgePlanar Bridge - Ice Score of -2.46

This artifact seems like a slam dunk. We can search our library for any permanent, including some game-breaking Eldrazi, and put it right onto the battlefield. But, we don't get to cast the card that we find. That means we miss out on cast triggers from those Eldrazi and from our commander.

The Planar Bridge is still super powerful, don't get me wrong. But it's not as good of a fit as it appears on first blush. This deck is built around casting big spells, not around cheating permanents into play.

Pathrazer of UlamogPathrazer of Ulamog - Ice Score of -2.19

This big 9/9 is a scary sight. It's got "super menace," and forces an opponent to sacrifice some valuable permanents when it attacks. That can end games fast.

Unforunately, though, this creature costs and doesn't immediately impact the game like fellow 11-drop Ulamog, the Infinite GyreUlamog, the Infinite Gyre does. If we're spending that much mana on one spell, we want to make sure our mana is going to good use. This card just has too many points against it, sadly, and Zhulodok pilots appear to be looking elsewhere for their big creature needs.

What's in a Zhulodok, Void Gorger Deck?

Here's a Zhulodok list with all of its Fiery cards and none of its Icy cards:

Conclusion

Interestingly enough, Zhulodok has seen some limited cEDH play recently. The deck certainly isn't as generically powerful as other decks, like the infamous Blue Farm, but it's generated some buzz in tournaments recently!

Some more popular Zhulodok decks use stax pieces like Karn, the Great CreatorKarn, the Great Creator to control the board before comboing off with Glaring FleshrakerGlaring Fleshraker. Not having access to truly powerful interaction does hinder Zhulodok decks' effectiveness, but it's still a fun (if fringe) way to compete in Bracket 5. Let me know your thoughts on competitive builds of Zhulodok in the comments, and I'll be back soon with more Fire and Ice!