Benalish HeroBenalish Hero | Art by Douglas Shuler

Mirage Block: The Home of Old-School Keywords

Way back in 1996, the initial set of the very first intentionally designed three-set block was released: Mirage. This block was also the first time Limited was at the forefront of designers' minds when they worked on playtesting.

Mirage marked the release of two new set mechanics: flanking and phasing. These abilities joined existing keywords from older sets like banding, cumulative upkeep, landwalk, and rampage.

Recently looking through the set on Scryfall, I was curious to see which of these keywords still had a lasting impact on Commander. Today, I'm going to identify which cards with these abilities are the most popular, which commanders synergize with these keywords, and whether commanders themselves still use some of them. I'll also keep an eye out for underplayed cards and interesting strategies along the way. Let's get started!

What Is Banding?

Banding is one of the game's most infamous keyword abilities. It is highly confusing and is also unlikely to ever return to the game. It was last seen printed on a new card nearly 20 years ago. You can check out this lengthy judge video if you're interested in learning more about it.

Banding is more restrictive when attacking, as forming a band requires all but one of the creatures in it to have this ability. The advantage of attacking with a band is choosing how blockers assign their combat damage, making it easier for attackers to survive combat. The disadvantage of this is entire bands may be blocked by a single creature.

On defense, however, banding is quite powerful. If a creature with banding and any number of other creatures gang up and block an attacker, you can disperse the attacker's combat damage in a way that ensures your own creatures survive. As explained in the judge video, banding is also a great way to defeat trample. A single blocking Benalish HeroBenalish Hero can soak up an entire Blightsteel ColossusBlightsteel Colossus attack because the defending player can choose to have the attacker deal all its damage to the Soldier rather than to them.

The banding enabler that appears in the most Commander decks is Baton of MoraleBaton of Morale, but this is because a few hundred Horobi, Death's WailHorobi, Death's Wail lists use it to destroy its targets. The most popular commander with banding, Soraya the FalconerSoraya the Falconer, helms more than 1,100 Bird-themed decks.

In terms of tech to explore, Fortified AreaFortified Area (which has appeared a few times in the EDHREC crossword) is an interesting way to bolster creatures with changeling. These "Walls" will become slightly bigger threats and also make attacking miserable for opponents. I play this in my Changeling-focused Ohabi CaleriaOhabi Caleria deck that ensures untapped blockers are always available.

What Is Cumulative Upkeep?

Cumulative upkeep, first appearing in the Ice Age block directly before Mirage, is another example of a keyword ability that has been largely retired. It is much more straightforward than banding (low bar!) and is usually a downside. At its most basic level, permanents with this keyword require continually increasing upkeep payments to keep around.

You'll probably be able to guess the most popular card with this ability — it's Mystic RemoraMystic Remora, the cEDH draw engine staple! This powerful enchantment is included in 15.7% of eligible decks. (Compare this to the most popular banding card at only 0.03%).

After the Remora, there is a steep popularity drop off below 1% inclusion, but the next most played cards are Glacial ChasmGlacial Chasm and Braid of FireBraid of Fire. The Chasm is perfect in land recursion decks — you won't actually ever pay the cumulative upkeep costs, instead allowing it to be sacrificed and replayed with something like Icetill ExplorerIcetill Explorer. For the Braid, its cost was initially a downside due to mana burn. But when mana burn rules were eliminated in 2009, this card is now all upside — and can be paired well with commanders like Ozai, the Phoenix KingOzai, the Phoenix King and Ashling, Flame DancerAshling, Flame Dancer.

In terms of underplayed tech, Elephant GrassElephant Grass is a green Ghostly PrisonGhostly Prison effect that is a perfect fit for Enchantress strategies that are hoping to cast lots of cheap enchantments.

It's also a really fun inclusion in decks helmed by Daryl, Hunter of WalkersDaryl, Hunter of Walkers/Hansk, Slayer ZealotHansk, Slayer Zealot, as you will be completely protected from the Zombie hordes for as long as you can pay to keep it around.

What Are Flanking and Rampage?

I'm combining these abilities because they both boost the same type of strategy.

Flanking discourages blocking by shrinking defending creatures — no matter how many of them gang up. I remember in the Time Spiral era when newer players tried to block a flanking creature with a ton of 1/1 Saproling tokens at once — big mistake!

The most popular card with flanking in Commander is Sidar Kondo of JamuraaSidar Kondo of Jamuraa. Even though it has the partner mechanic, it shows up far more often in the 99 of Toughness-matters decks like those led by commanders like Felothar the SteadfastFelothar the Steadfast, Arcades, the StrategistArcades, the Strategist, and Betor, Kin to AllBetor, Kin to All.

After Sidar Kondo, there is a big gap, with Sidewinder SliverSidewinder Sliver as the next most-played card, a low-mana value Sliver that can accentuate the attacking prowess of this kind of typal deck. Side note: incredible creativity is being shown by the ~50 people who included this card in Iroh, Tea MasterIroh, Tea Master decks, recognizing that many Slivers help each other no matter who controls them.

Rampage also threatens to overwhelm defenses, but only kicks in when multiple creatures block. Besides Varchild's War-RidersVarchild's War-Riders and Gorilla BerserkersGorilla Berserkers, we're looking at banding-level low numbers here. And when these creatures see play, it's not usually because of rampage — the War Riders are an on-theme pairing with Varchild herselfVarchild herself or as a way to give opponents small creatures for commanders like Taii Wakeen, Perfect ShotTaii Wakeen, Perfect Shot. The Gorilla is most often included in Ape-themed decksApe-themed decks.

If you're interested in a commander that fits in with these themes, General Marhault ElsdragonGeneral Marhault Elsdragon (a reimagined version of the first Marhaultfirst Marhault, who originally did have rampage) is a great choice. Cards appearing in the deck like LureLure, Roar of ChallengeRoar of Challenge, and Armed // DangerousArmed // Dangerous are a perfect pairing if you are interested in showcasing the power of flanking and/or rampage.

What Is Landwalk?

Another old-school keyword that has only appeared sporadically in more recent sets, this ability allows creatures to be unblockable if the defending player controls a certain type of land.

The most popular card with this keyword in the format is Chatterfang, Squirrel GeneralChatterfang, Squirrel General, where forestwalk is a flavorful cherry on top of the Squirrel Warrior's impactful token-making ability. In second place is Chasm SkulkerChasm Skulker, with draw and +1/+1 counter synergies making it a frequent inclusion in decks helmed by the very popular commanders Ms. BumbleflowerMs. Bumbleflower and Tidus, Yuna's GuardianTidus, Yuna's Guardian. Next is Sheoldred, Whispering OneSheoldred, Whispering One, a powerful stax piece for Reanimator strategies that becomes even better in multiplayer formats.

Landwalk also shows up in typal synergies. Cold-Eyed SelkieCold-Eyed Selkie fits will with Hakbal of the Surging SoulHakbal of the Surging Soul, while older typal enablers like Lord of AtlantisLord of Atlantis, Zombie MasterZombie Master, Goblin KingGoblin King, and Elvish ChampionElvish Champion ensure this keyword has an enduring presence today.

This keyword also gives me a chance to Challenge some Stats: Trailblazer's BootsTrailblazer's Boots, which grants nonbasic landwalk (as well as Prowler's HelmProwler's Helm) should not be eclipsing Psychic PaperPsychic Paper in play rate. The Paper grants unblockability, ward , and allows for type/name changing shenanigans, all for the same cost to cast and equip.

Is the fact that this strictly better card is included in fewer than a quarter as many decks a result of precon bias, "I'm not reading all that", or a protest against Universes Beyond? What do you think?

What Is Phasing?

Returning back to Mirage, phasing and the ability for permanents to phase out were invented in Mirage. Phasing itself was given the banding treatment and avoided for decades, but returned to Commander in 2017 with the printing of now-staple Teferi's ProtectionTeferi's Protection. This card, alongside other phaser Clever ConcealmentClever Concealment, are two of the most popular white cards in the format and serve as a surefire way to protect the color's go-wide strategies from mass removal.

VanishingVanishing and OublietteOubliette are frustrating ways to stop opposing commanders, as they will be essentially removed from play but unable to return to the command zone.

The most-played card with the actual ability "phasing" is TaniwhaTaniwha, a goofy serpent that can be a dubious gift for opponents in donate strategies led by Jon Irenicus, Shattered OneJon Irenicus, Shattered One or Zedruu the GreatheartedZedruu the Greathearted.

In terms of underplayed sleepers, I've been really impressed by Gallifrey Falls // No MoreGallifrey Falls // No More as a budget alternative to the above-mentioned white staple mass protection spells. A split card that can either be an instant-speed sweeper or sweeper protection is some great versatility, and it's found a perfect home in my Rith, Liberated PrimevalRith, Liberated Primeval excess damage matters deck.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this revisitation of some old-school keyword abilities. What is your favorite keyword from this era? Would you ever consider adding an obscure ability like banding or flanking to your decks? Thanks for reading, and see you next time.