Mardu AscendancyMardu Ascendancy | Art by Jason Chan

Greetings and salutations my dear brewers, and welcome to the second part of Branching Out, where I try to find interesting and underplayed commanders for each color combination.

After tackling each color pair (hint, each word included in this parenthesis sends to one), it's time to have a look at the shards and wedges, starting with , colloquially called Mardu.

Before diving in, a quick word on the overall color pie: Discounting partners, there are much fewer commanders with a three-color identity than there are with two.

For instance, there are 38 legendary creatures that fit the bill in Mardu, against 134 for Rakdos (), 130 in Boros () and 105 in Orzhov ().

This means that the options are much more limited. Therefore I'll select three potentially interesting brews against the five I used to do for the color pairs.

Let's first take a look at the most popular commanders:

• Edgar MarkovEdgar Markov – 39,975 decks, with the most popular themes being Vampires (12K decks), Lifegain (5.8K), and Tokens (1.6K).
• Kaalia of the VastKaalia of the Vast – 31,995 decks, with the most popular themes being Flying (3.5K decks), Angels (2K), and Demons (887).
• Isshin, Two Heavens as OneIsshin, Two Heavens as One – 24,770 decks, with the most popular themes being Aggro (1K decks), Samurai (1K), and Equipment (990).
• Mr. House, President and CEOMr. House, President and CEO – 19,981 decks, with the most popular themes being Treasure (7.9K), Tokens (850), and Artifacts (784).
• Caesar, Legion's EmperorCaesar, Legion's Emperor – 19,184 decks, with the most popular themes being Tokens (4.7K decks), Humans (2K), and Aristocrats (969).

There's already an interesting pattern at work here. Aside from Dimir () and Golgari (), all other colors' most built commanders struggle to get close to the lowest results in Mardu.

Also, Edgar Markov and Kaalia of the Vast are respectively the top #2 and #5 most built commanders in the past two years, a trend that has been ongoing for quite some time.

Let's have a look at the most popular tags:

• Treasure – 18,341 decks
• Tokens – 13,332 decks
• Vampires – 13.038 decks
• Lifegain – 8,249 decks
• Aggro – 7,263 decks

Vampires is quite logical, seeing the popularity Edgar enjoys. But aside from that, there's a distinct pattern of strategies going wide, making all sorts of tokens to flood the battlefield in one way or the other.

With all of this in mind, let's take a look at three unjustly underplayed commanders.

Piru, the VolatilePiru, the Volatile

Let's begin with one of my favourite wacky commanders.

With 1,918 decks to its name, this massive Dragon is a challenge of its own. The huge required to cast it already relegates it mostly to casual tables. You know, where the janky and cool stuff happens.

There are several ways you can build this. The most popular one focuses on playing a bunch of legendary creatures, to use Piru as an asymmetrical board wipe. It works, but it's somewhat boring, and kind of misses the point in my book.

You see, there's always a "Before Piru" and an "After Piru." Most players will smile (or worse, smirk) when seeing a big boy with an impossible mana cost, discounting the most relevant keyword: lifelink.

Then you cast Piru, usually to sacrifice it immediately. And watch as their eyes widen in horror as they realize what's going to happen. Since Piru is dealing seven damage across the board, it will basically net you seven life for each creature it hits.

This will usually skyrocket your life total in the 150-200 range, where you can safely end the game, if you didn't already have a winning option on the table such as Vito, Thorn of the Dusk RoseVito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose or Sanguine BondSanguine Bond.

I believe the most fun way to play this is by flooding the board with tokens, get a sacrifice outlet out, and then proceed to unleash your bomb from the command zone. Some may even mistake you for a Group Hug deck, since you'll be gifting several of said tokens to your opponents.

Make no mistake though, this is a glorious bonfire of vitae, from which you and you alone will benefit.

I have already built a budget version of this concept, which you can find here, assorted with all the building process.

To this day, it remains one of my most cherished decks.

To make this work, you'll need:

• Token makers, more token makers, and then some: There's no lack of good options in these colors. I'd suggest playing at least 20 spells making creatures in one way or the other, ideally with an upside. Think stuff like:

• • Adeline, Resplendent CatharAdeline, Resplendent Cathar
  • Call the CoppercoatsCall the Coppercoats
  • Grand CrescendoGrand Crescendo
  • Genesis ChamberGenesis Chamber
  • Otharri, Suns' GloryOtharri, Suns' Glory
  • Storm HerdStorm Herd (yes, even this!)

• Sacrifice outlets: The best ones are those that are both cheap and reap benefits. Deadly DisputeDeadly Dispute, Village RitesVillage Rites, or Viscera SeerViscera Seer and the like.
• Ways to close the game: Either with the lifegain (Sanguine BondSanguine Bond, Aetherflux ReservoirAetherflux Reservoir, & co.) or through the sheer token generation (Divine VisitationDivine Visitation and Devout InvocationDevout Invocation).
• A solid package of lands and ramp: Piru costs eight mana, with a lot of colored pips. Make sure you have the means to cast it when you need to.

You will like this deck if: 

• You enjoy surprising the table.
• You're not against glass-cannon strategies.
• You feel comfortable in maneuvering between various play patterns.
• You like big mana costs.

You won't like this deck if: 

• You don't enjoy telling your opponents what you're about right from the start.
• You believe lifegain is not a winning move.
• You don't wish to supply goods to your opponents.
• You don't appreciate becoming the Archenemy.

Kroxa and KunorosKroxa and Kunoros

Let's continue with another contender. With 1,819 decks, this is clearly an underdog in these colors. Yet I believe it has the all the necessary means to turn into a force to be reckoned with.

First, the stats. On its own, the Giant Dog is more than respectable. Vigilance, menace, and lifelink stuck on a 6/6 is no meagre beater, ensuring a constant flux of life while staying comfortably available to block potential menaces.

And then there's the reanimation outlet, that ensures it does not come alone, and that will trigger both on ETB and while attacking, for maximum effect. Combine that with haste, and you can become instantly terrifying.

The color combination is among the most efficient ones you could ask for. Red provides looting effects and haste enablers, while black and white both control the board and reanimate stuff all around.

It's a solid choice as a strategy and, moreover, doesn't actually depend that much on the commander. And it allows you to play whatever silly monsters lie dormant in your bulk binder.

To make this work, you'll need:

• Big boys: This is where you can have fun. Play established staples such as Archon of CrueltyArchon of Cruelty, or go creative and resort to jankier stuff, like Baleful ForceBaleful Force, Avatar of SlaughterAvatar of Slaughter, Demon of Death's GateDemon of Death's Gate... Just a few suggestions among the hundreds of payoffs available.
• Self-milling: The deck requires a graveyard filled to the brim, to make sure you have enough options to choose from, as well as stuff to exile for your commander. Faithless LootingFaithless Looting, Stitcher's SupplierStitcher's Supplier, Ripples of UndeathRipples of Undeath... At least 8-10 of them, and with multiple triggers if possible.
• A few additional reanimation outlets: Ideally on creatures, so they can be reanimated as well. Karmic GuideKarmic Guide, Chainer, Nightmare AdeptChainer, Nightmare Adept, Archpriest of ShadowsArchpriest of Shadows...
• A decent ramp package: Again, you need to reach the six-mana threshold fairly quickly. And no one said your couldn't cast huge monsters from your hand.

You will like this deck if: 

• You rejoice at swinging huge beast after huge beast.
• You think graveyards are a second hand.
• You enjoy cheating stuff into play.
• You believe March of the Machine was a set filled with unexploited potential.

You won't like this deck if: 

• You don't want to play generic goodstuff.
• You believe graveyard and exile management is a hassle.
• You're terrified of Bojuka BogBojuka Bog.
• You're convinced big mana costs are there to hide insecurities.

Malik, Grim ManipulatorMalik, Grim Manipulator

Let's finish this small outlook with a focus on a rather popular commander. With 3,509 decks, while not exactly a flagship, it still proudly carries its weight.

Malik is a nasty piece of work, and for good reason. It was initially released as Negan, the Cold-BloodedNegan, the Cold-Blooded, one of the most evil human dreg I've had the displeasure of meeting in a book.

The ability reflects rather well this nastiness. Deal with one to two creatures upon arrival, and earn Treasures for your endeavors.

It's also a very interesting double-guessing game. Should you choose the best creature on the board to make sure it will leave for good, or should you bet on your opponent betting you'll choose that?

It's a game of you know that I know that you know that I know that... You get the idea.

Now, what if you could do that over and over again, mercilessly dealing with the board until only your stuff survives?

That's right, it's Blink time!

I see great potential in this as a mass sacrifice deck, with payoffs all around. Moreover, the recent Avatar set provided several fun outlets to tinker with, such as Airbender AscensionAirbender Ascension, Avatar's WrathAvatar's Wrath, Phoenix Fleet AirshipPhoenix Fleet Airship, and Monk GyatsoMonk Gyatso, to name but a few.

Will it make sparks? Maybe. Will you be hated for it? Absolutely.

To make this work, you'll need:

• Blink effects: One Malik trigger is nice; five is better. EphemerateEphemerate, Teleportation CircleTeleportation Circle, CloudshiftCloudshift... White has a slew of options to offer (also, why is Negan white at all?!?).
• Sacrifice outlets: Your commander is but the beginning. PlaguecrafterPlaguecrafter, Accursed MarauderAccursed Marauder, Vona's HungerVona's Hunger... Make them pay!
• Payoffs: The easy way is to play Aristocrats. Or you could resort to more exotic options, such as exploiting the Treasures you make or reaping benefits from your sacrifices. Juri, Master of the RevueJuri, Master of the Revue is an excellent win-con.
• Trigger doublers: Again, more is better here. Let's get as many triggers as possible!

You will like this deck if: 

• You're confident creatures are there to die.
• You hate Voltron players.
• You're a Schadenfreude enthusiast.
• You want to be the bad guy for once.

You won't like this deck if: 

• You don't want other players to kick you out of the room.
• Your heart's a marshmallow.
• You wish for everyone to have a good time.
• You want games to do a variety of things, instead of constant board-icide.

Conclusion

Thank you all for reading, I hope you found these ideas at least entertaining, if not downright seductive.

I look forward to hearing from you in the comments below if you believe there are other commanders in Mardu deserving more unconditional love.

See you in two weeks!