Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy Commander Deck Tech

Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy | Art by Xabi Gaztelua 

Greetings, monocolor Commander enthusiasts and wannabe web-slingers. Magic: The Gathering's latest set, Marvel's Spider-Man (SPM), is chock-full of Spider-Verse characters. Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy, and Doctor Octopus, Master Planner are just a few of the namesake cards you'll find here.

In addition to the main set, five Spider-Man Welcome Decks are available at Wizards Play Network (WPN) game stores. Interestingly, the Welcome Decks include playable mythic rares like Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy.

As a fan of mono-red commanders, I wanted to do a deck tech for Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy the moment it got spoiled. While there are several ways to build around her, I'd like to focus our discussion on a token strategy.

What Does Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy Do?

What kind of Spider Human Hero do you get for ? For starters, a 4/4 with menace. Further, Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy comes with an exhilarating triggered ability. Whenever you attack with her, she deals X damage to a defending player, where X is the number of attacking creatures. Note that this triggered ability doesn't differentiate between attacking with creature cards or tokens.

Ghost-Spider isn't the only red creature that cares about attackers. Fumiko the Lowblood wields a blade of bushido that grows depending on the number of attackers when blocking or being blocked.

Supporting Fumiko the Lowblood are cards like Death Kiss and Frontier Warmonger that encourage your opponents to attack each other instead of you. Although Fumiko the Lowblood's abilities align more with forced combat than creature tokens, it does enable opportunities to attack an undefended opponent with a plethora of creatures.

Commissar Severina Raine isn't a red card, but it does drain life based on the number of your other attacking creatures. Cosmogrand Zenith, Adeline, Resplendent Cathar, and Thalisse, Reverent Medium are a few creature-token producing cards providing fuel for Commissar Severina Raine.

Moreover, you can set up an exciting combat step by casting Secure the Wastes or Grand Crescendo at the end of an opponent's turn.

Though Commissar Severina Raine and Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy don't share colors, they do utilize creature tokens to improve their abilities' potency.

Key Cards for Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy

Token Makers

Our core strategy is to attack with creature tokens to deal combat damage and amplify Ghost-Spider's ability. To implement this plan, we'll want to cast cards that create Goblins, Humans, and other types of creature tokens.

Thankfully, red provides classic Goblin token makers, such as Krenko, Mob Boss, Siege-Gang Commander, and Chancellor of the Forge. You shouldn't gloss over newer cards like Siege-Gang Lieutenant, Howlsquad Heavy, and General Kreat, the Boltbringer either.

Also, I'm inclined to run the duo of You See a Pair of Goblins and Goblin Surprise. Having the flexibility to either receive two 1/1 Goblins or pump the team +2/+0 at instant speed is excellent.

You could solely focus on Goblins, but where's the fun in that? Depending on the mana spent, Song of Totentanz unleashes a swarm of hasty 1/1 Rat creature tokens. Additionally, attacking with Redoubled Stormsinger following a timely Song of Totentanz will double the number of Rat creature tokens attacking opponents. You can switch Song of Totentanz with Firecat Blitz for the same effect.

A few other cards creating non-Goblin creature tokens are Skitterbeam Battalion, Tilonalli's Summoner, and Court of Embereth.

Burn

A secondary strategy to achieve victory is through direct damage. There are several methods to burn out opponents' life totals besides Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy. Creature tokens entering will trigger the pinging abilities of Weftstalker Ardent, Molten Gatekeeper, Witty Roastmaster, and Impact Tremors.

In addition, Agate Instigator is impressive as it generates a copy of itself for two more mana.

There's one pinger card that will put a target on your back: Purphoros, God of the Forge. Although I tend to avoid unwanted attention, Purphoros, God of the Forge is highly synergistic with token makers. Remarkably, you can increase pinging damage output by controlling Mechanized Warfare and/or Solphim, Mayhem Dominus.

Protection

I love playing mono-red commanders, but it can be tough to keep them alive. Red scarcely gives creatures ward or indestructibility. Thus, I tend to play Mithril Coat to protect my commander and their legendary companions. Further, Brotherhood Regalia and Silver Shroud Costume give additional protection and prevent Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy from being blocked when equipped.

You also have access to Dolmen Gate, which prevents Ghost-Spider, Tilonalli's Summoner, and other attacking creatures from receiving combat damage.

I'm positive you'll find these artifacts invaluable once you see them in action.

How Does Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy Win?

Haste Enablers

Many red creatures in the 99 don't possess haste, which holds them back from attacking when they enter. To expedite damage output, we can grant creatures haste via several enablers.

Rising of the Day is an upgraded Fervor that boosts the power of your legendary creatures. The Fire Crystal provides haste, cost reduction, and a token-generating effect! Just be careful copying legendary creatures with The Fire Crystal's activated ability.

Not to be outdone is Edge of Eternities' incredible Tannuk, Steadfast Second. Not only does Tannuk give haste to your creatures, but it also lets you warp any artifact or creature in your hand for . Chancellor of the Forge or Skitterbeam Battalion for three mana? Yes please!

Also, warping in Siege-Gang Commander or Beetleback Chief will leave behind a slew of 1/1 Goblin creature tokens after they exile. Best of all, warped creatures can be played from exile on a later turn.

The value opportunity from Tannuk, Steadfast Second is unreal.

Finishers

Aggressive red decks sometimes struggle with dealing those last points of damage. That's where finishers can make a difference between winning and losing.

City on Fire is one such card. Tripling the damage from pinging and combat damage turns many of your cards into threats. While casting City of Fire is daunting at eight mana, its convoke ability lessens the burden considerably.

Another frightening eight-mana spell is Insurrection. You don't get to cast Insurrection at a discount, but its effect is worthwhile. Stealing all creatures for a gigantic attack should eliminate one or more opponents, unless Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy's ability does it first.

Additionally, you can partner Insurrection with one of the following finishers for even more potential damage.

Karlach, Fury of Avernus is a Tiefling Barbarian known for providing extra combat steps. Furthermore, you get the bonus effect of first strike for all attacking creatures until the end of the turn.

First strike may not matter on a 1/1 Goblin token, but it could keep Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy, Neheb, the Eternal, and other sizable attackers alive through two combat steps. Taking multiple combat steps with a legion of creature tokens isn't a bad strategy either.

I saved the best finisher for last. Bloodthirster is a scary creature when left unchecked. A 6/6 Demon with flying and trample is formidable, but getting two extra combat steps per turn in a four-player game is stellar. There is one downside to Bloodthirster: It only untaps itself.

Nevertheless, you can make token copies of Bloodthirster with The Fire Crystal or Delina, Wild Mage for more shenanigans.

Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy Commander Deck List

Budget-conscious players rejoice! You have the option to replace a few high-dollar cards without ruining the deck's synergies. First, drop Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx and Dolmen Gate for a basic land and Whispersilk Cloak, respectively.

Next, you may want to cut Throne of the God-Pharaoh. It has high upside, but its ability hinges on your creatures surviving combat.

You could also exchange other pricy support cards for Hazoret's Monument, Warstorm Surge, or Painter's Studio // Defaced Gallery.

As for creatures, I'm keen to leave Purphoros, God of the Forge in the deck. It's too good to cut! Meanwhile, swapping Solphim, Mayhem Dominus for Torbran, Thane of Red Fell is reasonable.

As for finishers, you have the budget-friendly alternatives of Moraug, Fury of Akoum and Port Razer available. If you wish to make further budget cuts, consider substituting in Dragonmaster Outcast, Pashalik Mons, or Kari Zev, Skyship Raider.

Now it's time to take Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy and her minions out for some web-slinging fun.

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