Huntmaster of the FellsHuntmaster of the Fells | Art by Chris Rahn

The Block Era

This series is an homage to three-set blocks while remembering the Standard formats of days of yore — and uses this starting point to find cards from this bygone era that have endured in Commander. Last time, we focused on Khans of Tarkir, Theros, and Magic 2015, and this week, we're traveling further back in time to see what cards we can uncover. Let's get into it!

Return to Ravnica, Innistrad, Magic 2014, Magic 2013

Around thirteen years ago, the Standard format in 2013 contained all sorts of fun strategies.

Aggro decks focused on a core of Avacyn's PilgrimAvacyn's Pilgrim, Voice of ResurgenceVoice of Resurgence and Loxodon SmiterLoxodon Smiter, or a core of HellriderHellrider, Ghor-Clan RampagerGhor-Clan Rampager, and Domri RadeDomri Rade. (Some decks, supported by Ravnica shock lands, contained all three colors).

One iconic midrange deck had a base and operated largely at instant speed, powered by cards like Snapcaster MageSnapcaster Mage, Restoration AngelRestoration Angel, Azorius CharmAzorius Charm, and Sphinx's RevelationSphinx's Revelation.

An arguably even more iconic deck was Jund — a style of midrange/control deck that's existed across much of Magic history. In this particular format, Huntmaster of the FellsHuntmaster of the Fells and Olivia VoldarenOlivia Voldaren served as must-answer threats, while Magic 2013 and Magic 2014 being legal at the same time meant pilots could include both Scavenging OozeScavenging Ooze and ThragtuskThragtusk. Commander staple FarseekFarseek was the unsung hero of this deck, combining with Ravnica's shock lands to consistently fix the color-hungry deck's mana.

Finally, a prominent Reanimator deck used cards like Grisly SalvageGrisly Salvage and MulchMulch to fill its graveyard, then cast Unburial RitesUnburial Rites to get back big threats like Angel of SerenityAngel of Serenity. This was an interesting take on this style of deck because it could simply hardcast threats from hand if the game went long. It also included the powerful combo of Restoration AngelRestoration Angel and ThragtuskThragtusk.

Impact on Commander

Staples

Innistrad block brought sorceries Faithless LootingFaithless Looting and Blasphemous ActBlasphemous Act onto the scene. For more creature-centric strategies, the printing of Blood ArtistBlood Artist for sacrifice decks and Craterhoof BehemothCraterhoof Behemoth for pretty much any deck proved quite important. Innistrad also brought Avacyn's PilgrimAvacyn's Pilgrim to Commander as a new mana dork, right alongside Magic 2014's Elvish MysticElvish Mystic.

For better or for worse, Return to Ravnica block is responsible for the salt-inducing Game Changer Cyclonic RiftCyclonic Rift. Its more budget-friendly version, AetherizeAetherize, was also printed in the same block. RTR block also introduced mass-protection spell Boros CharmBoros Charm and mass-destruction spell VandalblastVandalblast to the format.

Rakdos CharmRakdos Charm's versatility is great in Commander, and its last ability has the secret mode of taking out a player who comboed off and created "infinite" creatures.

Chromatic LanternChromatic Lantern still sees play fixing the mana of many decks today. It even recently gained some added utility with the release of Toph, the First MetalbenderToph, the First Metalbender, allowing all Toph-created artifact lands to tap for mana.

But what about the other, slightly less popular cards from this era that still have a lot of staying power?

Removal

Rapid HybridizationRapid Hybridization, Wear // TearWear // Tear, and Abrupt DecayAbrupt Decay are great spot removal spells from Return to Ravnica block. It's nice to see the high synergy numbers for the Hybridization in decks led by mono-blue or commanders — these are exactly the color combinations that need its effect the most. I'm a little puzzled by the high numbers for Abrupt DecayAbrupt Decay, but maybe they're a result of cEDH players needing a flexible answer to a host of different game changers like Rhystic StudyRhystic Study, Underworld BreachUnderworld Breach, and Drannith MagistrateDrannith Magistrate.

Supreme VerdictSupreme Verdict is an iconic sweeper from this same block, and Golgari CharmGolgari Charm offers a ton of flexibility – sweeping small creatures, taking out a problematic enchantment, or doing a great Wrap in VigorWrap in Vigor impression.

Finally, what the heck is MurderMurder (originally from Magic 2013) still doing in more than 165K decks? Maybe over time, it will be overtaken by Foolish FateFoolish Fate and Spin OutSpin Out (3K decks), Poison the CupPoison the Cup (10K decks), Breathe Your LastBreathe Your Last (22K decks), Hero's DownfallHero's Downfall (78K decks), and (okay, technically not strictly better) Murderous RiderMurderous Rider (93K decks). Or maybe MurderMurder's simplicity and flavor means it will be in the format for a long time still to come.

Spellslinger

This time period brought a lot of Spellslinger cards into Commander, including ArchaeomancerArchaeomancer, Talrand, Sky SummonerTalrand, Sky Summoner, Young PyromancerYoung Pyromancer, GuttersnipeGuttersnipe, and Goblin ElectromancerGoblin Electromancer.

Like Abrupt DecayAbrupt Decay, I'm a bit surprised to see the popularity of Izzet CharmIzzet Charm, which doesn't seem geared toward Commander at all. However, it does slot well into a lot of different decks — it's a multicolored instant for Lilah, Undefeated SlickshotLilah, Undefeated Slickshot and Niv-Mizzet, SupremeNiv-Mizzet, Supreme, a discard outlet for Rielle, the EverwiseRielle, the Everwise and Captain Howler, Sea ScourgeCaptain Howler, Sea Scourge, and a modal spell for Riku of Many PathsRiku of Many Paths.

Graveyard

A few graveyard-based cards from this era are still important parts of Commander today. Deathrite ShamanDeathrite Shaman is a perfect enabler for the popular Teval, the Balanced ScaleTeval, the Balanced Scale deck and sees massive inclusion rate in the color-hungry cEDH pairing of Thrasios, Triton HeroThrasios, Triton Hero and Tymna the WeaverTymna the Weaver.

Grisly SalvageGrisly Salvage fits into decks that are trying to maximize cards in graveyard, like Winter, Cynical OpportunistWinter, Cynical Opportunist or Disa the RestlessDisa the Restless.

Rise of the Dark RealmsRise of the Dark Realms is a generically powerful mass-reanimation spell that can slot into all sorts of decks.

Life Gain/Drain

Extort, a multiplayer-friendly keyword ability of the Orzhov Syndicate, shows up in popular cards like Blind ObedienceBlind Obedience and Crypt GhastCrypt Ghast. The fact that the mana symbols in reminder text don't count towards color identity means that the Ghast is perfectly at home in monoblack decks. Extort isn't necessarily the main draw of either of these cards, but racking up additional life gain is a fun added bonus.

Speaking of gaining life, Rhox FaithmenderRhox Faithmender and Archangel of ThuneArchangel of Thune have remained popular over time, but the Faithmender belongs in decks that care about big bursts of life – like Hope EstheimHope Estheim, Bilbo, Birthday CelebrantBilbo, Birthday Celebrant, and Betor, Ancestor's VoiceBetor, Ancestor's Voice — while the Angel supplements +1/+1 counter-centric Lifegain strategies like Heliod, Sun-CrownedHeliod, Sun-Crowned, Karlov of the Ghost CouncilKarlov of the Ghost Council, and Lathiel, the Bounteous DawnLathiel, the Bounteous Dawn.

Finally, Exquisite BloodExquisite Blood is a well-known life drain combo piece originating in Magic 2014.

Tokens

Many cards from this era work well with tokens, whether it's making more of them (Parallel LivesParallel Lives), making them huge (Cathars' CrusadeCathars' Crusade), making them harder to block (Champion of LambholtChampion of Lambholt), or turning them into card draw (Mentor of the MeekMentor of the Meek). Decks like Emmara, Soul of the AccordEmmara, Soul of the Accord and Baylen, the HaymakerBaylen, the Haymaker are thankful!

Also, Krenko, Mob BossKrenko, Mob Boss, the most popular mono- commander by a gigantic margin, was originally printed in Magic 2013.

Angels and Dragons

Speaking of extremely popular commanders, Kaalia of the VastKaalia of the Vast has benefitted from three huge flyers from this time — Aurelia, the WarleaderAurelia, the Warleader, Gisela, Blade of GoldnightGisela, Blade of Goldnight, and Scourge of ValkasScourge of Valkas.

Combo

Although the 2013 Standard format had tons of slow and steady midrange and control decks that could grind out the game, many cards that didn't see as much play in this format have ended up enabling broken synergies or game-ending combos in Commander.

Lots of people love drawing extra cards, and the Game Changer Notion ThiefNotion Thief is there to absolutely ruin their day. Combining this Rogue with a card like WindfallWindfall will result in piles of cards for yourself — and none for your opponents.

Laboratory ManiacLaboratory Maniac (since eclipsed by the more powerful Thassa's OracleThassa's Oracle) can win the game on the spot in more casual decks that draw/mill lots of cards like Vnwxt, Verbose HostVnwxt, Verbose Host, Azami, Lady of ScrollsAzami, Lady of Scrolls, or Grolnok, the OmnivoreGrolnok, the Omnivore.

Ghostly FlickerGhostly Flicker can create infinite mana and infinite blinks when combined with cards like ArchaeomancerArchaeomancer and Peregrine DrakePeregrine Drake — even in Pauper Commander!

OmniscienceOmniscience essentially creates infinite mana as well, and can get snuck out ahead of schedule through commanders like Aminatou, Veil PiercerAminatou, Veil Piercer, Jodah, Archmage EternalJodah, Archmage Eternal, Zimone, Mystery UnravelerZimone, Mystery Unraveler, or Narset, Enlightened MasterNarset, Enlightened Master.

Speaking of Narset, Strionic ResonatorStrionic Resonator can create a powerful double-flip with this Monk or Chiss-Goria, Forge TyrantChiss-Goria, Forge Tyrant, search up multiple combo pieces at once with Zur the EnchanterZur the Enchanter — or simply create tons of "fair" card advantage with Brago, King EternalBrago, King Eternal or Tom BombadilTom Bombadil.

Conclusion

Wow, there is a whole hosthost of cards from 2011–2013 that have left a lasting mark on Commander! What cards and decks do you remember most from this era? Also, please chime in about your favorite niche cards — including commanders — from around this time that didn't make the list. Thanks for reading, and see you next time as we delve deeper into Magic history.