Monica RambeauMonica Rambeau | Art by Xabi Gaztelua

Hello, Marvel aficionados and Commander players. Magic: The Gathering's highly anticipated set, Marvel Super Heroes (MSH), was released globally on June 26, 2026. Fan-favorite Marvel characters like Black Widow, Thor, and Kingpin now have their own MTG cards. In addition, a plethora of other Heroes and Villains make their MTG debut.

Previously seen in Marvel's Spider-Man (SPM), several of MSH's Hero cards can transform. Furthermore, you have the option of casting either face of a transformable modal double-faced Hero card from your hand or the command zone. For instance, you can skip over Bruce BannerBruce Banner and cast The Incredible Hulk directly onto the battlefield.

Another Hero with a modal double-faced card is Monica RambeauMonica Rambeau. Although a 3/3 flyer with prowess for is a decent payoff, Monica's rear face is outstanding. Monica's card design synergizes with Spellslinger, +1/+1 Counters, and Tokens-themed decks. While Monica can lead a deck focusing on any of those themes, I'd like to take a different approach. Let's delve deeper into leveraging Monica's abilities for a Humans-centric deck.

What Does Monica RambeauMonica Rambeau Do?

Since I just covered Monica RambeauMonica Rambeau's front face abilities, I'd like to elaborate more on the card's rear face. For , you may cast or transform Monica into a 4/4 creature with flying, hexproof, and prowess named Photon, Living Light. Also, Photon, Living Light has an ability that puts a +1/+1 counter on each other creature you control whenever you cast a noncreature spell. Moreover, Photon, Living Light encourages you to maintain an army of creatures. You can live the dream by repeatedly casting noncreature spells such as Gather the TownsfolkGather the Townsfolk and Rally at the HornburgRally at the Hornburg to grow your existing creatures and add more to the battlefield.

While Monica is unique in several ways, Dion, Bahamut's DominantDion, Bahamut's Dominant is probably the most similar modal double-faced card printed to date. Dion becomes a 3/3 flyer on your turn, and you may transform Dion into a 5/5 flying enchantment creature that bestows a +1/+1 counter and temporary flying on each other creature you control. Even though Dion's rear face is provisional, it does synergize well with a legion of Knights and other creature types.

Key Cards for Monica RambeauMonica Rambeau

Human-generating Creatures

You can't build a Humans-focused deck without including Humans. As such, we're playing Humans that create Humans. Adeline, Resplendent CatharAdeline, Resplendent Cathar leads the charge as a legendary Human Knight that makes 1/1 Human creature tokens when you attack opponents. Not far behind Adeline is Lossarnach CaptainLossarnach Captain, an effective fighter who generates a fellow Human Soldier creature token during your upkeep. What's great about Adeline and Lossarnach Captain is that you don't have to attack with them to receive Human creature tokens.

Two other creatures that avoid attacking to produce creature tokens are Cosmogrand ZenithCosmogrand Zenith and Monastery MentorMonastery Mentor. Although Cosmogrand Zenith requires you to cast a second spell to trigger its ability, the reward is worthwhile. Now, before you point out that Monastery Mentor doesn't create Human creature tokens, hear me out—Monastery Mentor is an incredible creature token maker. You may miss Beregond of the GuardBeregond of the Guard's triggers with Monastery Mentor, but there are plenty of abilities providing buffs to all creatures under your control.

White isn't the only color with Human makers. Eldritch Moon's (EMN) Hanweir GarrisonHanweir Garrison gifts you two red 1/1 Human creature tokens when attacking. Yes, Hanweir Garrison's counterpart, Hanweir BattlementsHanweir Battlements, is in the 99 in case you want to meld Hanweir, the Writhing TownshipHanweir, the Writhing Township. Eldrazi may not be Human, but they still pack a punch.

Towards the top of the mana curve are two Human Knights, Riders of RohanRiders of Rohan and Riders of the MarkRiders of the Mark. Besides their creature typing, Riders of Rohan and Riders of the Mark both share the capability of creating Human creature tokens. Interestingly, Riders of the Mark possesses a mana-reducing ability that lets you cast it for as little as . When an opportunity arises, equipping Riders of the Mark with Stoneforge MasterworkStoneforge Masterwork can amplify Human creature token production.

Human-producing Noncreature Spells

Creature cards don't trigger Monica RambeauMonica Rambeau's front or rear abilities, but sorceries do. That's why you want to include cards such as Distract the GuardsDistract the Guards and Thatcher RevoltThatcher Revolt. One mana per creature token seems like the going rate, as Rally at the HornburgRally at the Hornburg and Increasing DevotionIncreasing Devotion provide two and four Human creature tokens, respectively. Triggering Monica's abilities as you grow your army is a recipe for success.

In addition, Forth Eorlingas!Forth Eorlingas! is a sorcery worth your attention. You'll receive X 2/2 red Human Knight creature tokens with haste and trample, but that's not all. Simply casting it for lets you become the monarch if any of your creatures deal damage to a player that turn. Forth Eorlingas! is a flexible and useful card at many points in a game.

You may be surprised to learn that the deck list below contains more enchantments than instants. This is on purpose because of several Human-producing enchantments.

Omen of the SunOmen of the Sun is a neat enchantment with flash. However, Omen of the Sun's power level doesn't compare to Friendly NeighborhoodFriendly Neighborhood. The activated ability of Friendly Neighborhood gives a creature +1/+1 until the end of the turn for each creature you control at sorcery speed. Granting +3/+3 due to Friendly Neighborhood's creature tokens is the minimum potential of this ability. Your opponents will shudder when Monica gets a boost of +6/+6 or higher from Friendly Neighborhood on your turn.

While slow, Oath of EorlOath of Eorl synergizes with Friendly Neighborhood, Monica, and the deck's overall strategy. Oath of Eorl provides a two-turn source of enters-the-battlefield triggers, along with an indestructible counter to place on Monica's front side or another Human. However, you can place the indestructible counter on Monica and then transform into Photon, Living Light to keep the counter. Even though an untimely board wipe can decimate any Human creatures under your control, an indestructible Monica will live another day.

How Does Monica RambeauMonica Rambeau Win?

Monica RambeauMonica Rambeau and a regiment of Humans can achieve victory through several paths.

Commander Damage

Friendly NeighborhoodFriendly Neighborhood and several other cards can push Monica to lethal commander damage territory. Oath of Gatewatch's (OGW) Stoneforge MasterworkStoneforge Masterwork is a low-cost Equipment that excels in aggressive typal decks. It shouldn't be an issue getting Monica's power above ten with Stoneforge Masterwork between all of your Human creature cards and Human creature token generation outlets. Note that Stoneforge Masterwork doesn't work well attached to Photon, Living Light since it lacks Human typing.

When you need to push damage through blockers, Cori-Steel CutterCori-Steel Cutter or O-NaginataO-Naginata can assist. Also, O-Naginata's equipping requirement is satisfied by Monica's front or back side stats. In case you don't have Cori-Steel Cutter or O-Naginata in play, Crash ThroughCrash Through does provide a one-turn trample benefit to your creatures.

There are a few more cards available to amplify Monica's power. MSH's Mjölnir, Hammer of ThorMjölnir, Hammer of Thor doubles all damage an equipped creature would deal. Moreover, Mjölnir, Hammer of Thor has additional roles as targeted removal and a mini-board wipe. You may also double Monica's power via double strike, granted by Legion LeadershipLegion Leadership, Boros CharmBoros Charm, Sunhome, Fortress of the LegionSunhome, Fortress of the Legion, and occasionally War Machine, Avenging ArsenalWar Machine, Avenging Arsenal.

Going Wide

Going wide by attacking with a slew of 1/1 Human creature tokens is a sound strategy. Anointed ProcessionAnointed Procession, Exalted SunbornExalted Sunborn, and Elspeth, Storm SlayerElspeth, Storm Slayer complement going wide by doubling your creature token production. Nevertheless, casting cards that give all of your creatures stat boosts and abilities helps improve your chances of winning.

Greymond, Avacyn's StalwartGreymond, Avacyn's Stalwart is a legendary Human Soldier that grants Humans your choice of two abilities among those listed on the card. Even more impressive is Greymond continuously providing a +2/+2 buff to your Humans when you control four or more Humans, including itself. While other cards like Obelisk of UrdObelisk of Urd and Dictate of HeliodDictate of Heliod also provide +2/+2 to creatures you control, they don't offer the same value as Greymond in a Humans-centric deck.

In addition to Greymond, you can pump creatures with Beregond of the GuardBeregond of the Guard and Goldnight CommanderGoldnight Commander. Beregond of the Guard and Goldnight Commander's +1/+1 triggered abilities scale with the number of Humans and/or creatures entering within a turn. For example, Increasing DevotionIncreasing Devotion's five 1/1 white Human creature tokens will result in Beregond of the Guard and Goldnight Commander's abilities triggering five times.

You can further raise the threat level of your attacking Humans with MSH's Captain America, SkyboundCaptain America, Skybound and War Machine, Avenging ArsenalWar Machine, Avenging Arsenal. Captain America, Skybound leading an attack can distribute +1/+1 counters onto your attacking team and grant them temporary indestructibility. Alternatively, War Machine, Avenging Arsenal provides double strike to attacking modified creatures until the end of the turn. To maximize damage, you may exert Combat CelebrantCombat Celebrant or cast Great Train HeistGreat Train Heist for an additional combat step.

Finishers

Even with a large board presence, you may encounter a board stall from time to time. If such an occasion occurs, there are a few finishers available to push through defenses.

Elspeth, Storm SlayerElspeth, Storm Slayer plays double duty as a token doubler and finisher. Activating Elspeth, Storm Slayer's +0 loyalty ability turns your creatures into menacing flyers. In the event you need a stronger board presence, Elspeth, Storm Slayer can create 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens or destroy an opponent's creature.

Akroma's WillAkroma's Will is a staple finisher, but Taunt from the RampartTaunt from the Rampart may be unfamiliar to you. Taunt from the Rampart differentiates itself from Disrupt DecorumDisrupt Decorum by preventing your opponents' creatures from blocking. Also, casting Taunt from the Rampart in your first main phase enables you to attack through blockers during combat. If your opponents somehow survive your attack, they could incur lethal combat damage from another player.

Now it's time to sleeve up Monica RambeauMonica Rambeau and put your game-winning plan into practice.

The Deck List

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