Kindred JudgmentKindred Judgment | Art by Ekaterina Burmak

What is a Typal Card?

I’ve recorded 70+ episodes of a creature-type-based podcast, Quote of Arms, so I’ve seen a huge array of creature type decks. When I look at spoilers for a new set, I tend to scan for cards that specifically reference a creature type, especially those that provide a new commander, direction, or signpost card for an existing type. This approach helps me sift through the deluge of new cards and avoid product fatigue.

From a Typal perspective, Reality Fracture is a bit of a mixed bag. Like its main-universe counterpart, Hexhaven offers support for the Dungeons and Dragons spellcaster classes: Bard, Wizard, Cleric, Warlock, and Sorcerer. There are also incidental support cards for a range of strategies that needed the help, as well as the occasional multi-type glue card.

There’s even a card which could alter the trajectory of a niche creature type forever, which I wrote about here. Time will tell just how impactful this set winds up being, but there are several cards I’m looking to pick up for my Typal decks!

Sphinx's ApproachSphinx's Approach and Lyra, Archangel of DawnLyra, Archangel of Dawn

I’ve already written a special article about Sphinx's ApproachSphinx's Approach here and a deck tech on Lyra, Archangel of DawnLyra, Archangel of Dawn here, so I’ll keep this section short. Approach is going to define Sphinx decks going forward, splitting them into camps of either using or eschewing it, while Lyra is a powerful commander who may have some interesting combo potential.

Germinate RecruitsGerminate Recruits

Germinate RecruitsGerminate Recruits is an interesting instant that makes tokens that are Wizards and Soldiers equal to the amount of life we’ve gained that turn. Wizards and Soldiers are well-supported creature types, and there are plenty of cards that can gain life when creatures enter, making this a board-in-a-can card.

Kindred JudgmentKindred Judgment

It’s strange to see a Typal-oriented card like this in a main set that isn’t focused on Typal synergies. Plague WindPlague Wind sets the gold standard for one-sided board wipes, and this gives white that effect. In the right deck, this can act as either a board wipe or a win condition.

Yuriko, Blade of the MightyYuriko, Blade of the Mighty

Yuriko, Blade of the MightyYuriko, Blade of the Mighty is a spicy card that may be featured in an upcoming build. She has a stax ability to shut down spells and activated abilities in combat, forcing players to fight fair. She also gives a creature double strike when it attacks a player alone, working well with Raiyuu, Storm's EdgeRaiyuu, Storm's Edge and the concept of Bushido, as well as the Samurai showdown trope. This could be a fun and flavorful build!

Lyra, Tolarian ArchangelLyra, Tolarian Archangel

Like her white counterpart, Lyra, Tolarian ArchangelLyra, Tolarian Archangel is an interesting Angel commander. Unlike her counterpart, this Lyra is mono-blue, which might not support Angels well, but Lyra does make Angels herself. She could go into an Errant and GiadaErrant and Giada Azorius Angels deck with scrying cantrips, like PreordainPreordain, to trigger her ability.

Darklight PhoenixDarklight Phoenix

Syrix, Carrier of the FlameSyrix, Carrier of the Flame is a fun Phoenix commander, but it’s struggled with being a Rakdos commander for an essentially mono-red creature type. Darklight PhoenixDarklight Phoenix gives Syrix something to do with the black mana, inching the deck towards being balanced.

Artifist AcumenArtifist Acumen

Cards that give the whole team an ability are naturally strong, and cantripping them is even better. Balmor, Battlemage CaptainBalmor, Battlemage Captain Izzet Birds, which happens to be one of my personal decks, loves getting the pump and trample, and adding first strike while replacing itself is really strong. Similarly, a prowess-heavy Monk deck, like my Shu Yun, the Silent TempestShu Yun, the Silent Tempest, can use the pump from prowess with first strike and digging deeper to set up a big turn.

Master of BarbsMaster of Barbs

Master of BarbsMaster of Barbs is a fun card to see while Bloomburrow is still in recent memory. Gev, Scaled ScorchGev, Scaled Scorch, the unifier of the Lizard type, makes Lizards ping opponents on cast and pumps them on entering. The Master wears those counters well with menace and pumps our creatures for each instance of damage, making our Gev-grown Lizards even bigger!

Pompous BattlemagePompous Battlemage

Goblins might not want for one-drops, but they do tend to struggle with card selection. In particular, the Battlemage would work well with Zada, Hedron GrinderZada, Hedron Grinder, a Goblin deck that uses cheap instants and sorceries that target creatures, and then spreads those effects. Those cheap spells trigger prowess, which makes the Battlemage big enough to matter in the late game.

OmnipresenceOmnipresence

OmnipresenceOmnipresence might not be OmniscienceOmniscience, but it’s plenty strong and works well with creature types like Elves and Druids. Essentially, the plan is to run out mana dorks and then drop this and something like Craterhoof BehemothCraterhoof Behemoth to turn the mana dorks into big threats.

Pia, Aether AsceticPia, Aether Ascetic

Pia might seem like a generic enchantress card, but the ability to tutor for enchantments can act as the glue for archetypes like Shrines and Sagas, which need the help because of their relative lack of raw power. Giving them flexibility goes a long way towards making them legitimate.

Edgar, Ancient BloodlordEdgar, Ancient Bloodlord

This incarnation of Edgar combines a sacrifice outlet with a Blood ArtistBlood Artist effect, doing both of the things Vampire aristocrat strategies are known for. He’s lurking under the radar (not flying, as he lacks the ability), but he might just be the best Vampire commander since his first incarnation.

Saheeli, Jewel of AvishkarSaheeli, Jewel of Avishkar

Thopters are an interesting creature type, as they have had a lot of support in various sets, but haven’t really had a commander that brings them together. Saheeli fixes this by making her own fleet and giving our Thopters haste, uniting them under the shared banner of Izzet cheap, evasive creatures.

Hall of EchoesHall of Echoes

Many creature types struggle with membership, so having a land that can imitate a member can go a long way. It removes the legend rule as well, so we can get spicy. It’s even colorless, so it can copy Eldrazi!

Conclusion

There are a lot of really neat role-players in Reality Fracture, and even some fun build-arounds! This is a set whose impact will be felt both narratively and mechanically for quite some time, and I’m excited to see which cards make a splash and which stay under the radar.

But what cards are going into YOUR Typal decks? And what are the cards you’re looking to pick up?