Smaug the ImpenetrableSmaug the Impenetrable | Art by Marta Nael

PyrohemiaPyrohemia | Art by Stephen Tappin

Sometimes a commander comes out with such an insane line of text that you feel compelled to draft up a list. Today is one of those days.

It’s only fitting, really: Smaug the ImpenetrableSmaug the Impenetrable is the archetype for modern dragons in fantasy. Because of the mana cost and how impactful this commander is, I realized it would need a lot of interaction to protect it in a way that would lend this list towards Bracket 3 (Upgraded), but with combos in it which ultimately make this Bracket 4 (Optimized). Let’s see how Smaug rains fire and death… and Treasure.

What Does Smaug the Impenetrable Do?

Smaug the ImpenetrableSmaug the Impenetrable is an eye-watering seven mana () 8/7 with flying, indestructible, and haste. Whenever Smaug is dealt noncombat damage, you make that many Treasure tokens. Out of the other 96 commanders that make treasure (I'm not joking), you might think Old GnawboneOld Gnawbone is closest by virtue of being a big dragon that makes absurd amounts of Treasure, but it’s actually Sonic the HedgehogSonic the Hedgehog’s rules text: “Whenever a creature with flash or haste is dealt damage, create a tapped Treasure token.”

Even then, there are a few relevant differences: Smaug only cares about noncombat damage, has indestructible, and creates that many tokens that come in untapped. With that in mind, let’s see what this baby can do.

Smaug the Impenetrable's Hoard of Power...

Smaug the Impenetrable is a Treasure deck with two important caveats: it needs noncreature damage and has to be able to support a seven mana commander.

First up, the most straightforward: the Treasure package. Filling the draw category with spells like Seize the SpoilsSeize the Spoils and Deadly DisputeDeadly Dispute is a good start. Grim HirelingGrim Hireling and Professional Face-BreakerProfessional Face-Breaker are a delightful pair that really get the tokens flowing while providing an outlet for them if needed.

Finally, cards like Smaug the MagnificentSmaug the Magnificent and Goldspan DragonGoldspan Dragon are the top-end of the Treasure packages, each of them not just making the tokens but putting the pedal to the metal while doing so.

The primary goal is to get to seven mana, and this is reflected in the mana sources. Treasures can sit around for a few turns if needed, alongside a host of early ramp like Rakdos SignetRakdos Signet and Talisman of IndulgenceTalisman of Indulgence.

Treasure MapTreasure Map is an early-game card smoother that, if played on turn two and activated every turn after, will get us there by turn five (thanks to four other untapped lands and three treasures).

That’s not guaranteed, and it can be a slow source if not drawn early, but no matter: Coin of MasteryCoin of Mastery spits out Treasure every turn, which can be tapped without sacrificing to pay for Arc ReactorArc Reactor or for almost any spell with Inspiring StatuaryInspiring Statuary. Options abound, even without the usual suspects of Sol RingSol Ring and Thran DynamoThran Dynamo.

It’s a lot of setup to get Smaug the ImpenetrableSmaug the Impenetrable out, but once he lands, the deck needs to start pumping out noncombat damage.

There are two big reasons to play Smaug: PestilencePestilence and PyrohemiaPyrohemia. Those alone can take the game away and are the reason this deck immediately shoots to Bracket 4. These are two-card combos where one is in the command zone and the other is an enchantment, which is a bit harder to remove.

A single activation of either will ping everything and everyone for one damage, and Smaug will immediately make an untapped Treasure token which can be used to pay for another activation. If you land both pieces and have a higher life total than your opponents, it’s an immediate victory.

That big note aside, red has a ton of sweepers to choose from. Chain ReactionChain Reaction and Blasphemous ActBlasphemous Act have the highest outputs, but Reckless BlazeReckless Blaze is essentially free while likely netting some mana in the meantime.

Shout-out to Calamity of CindersCalamity of Cinders for being able to avoid any of our creatures without indestructible. With these noncombat sources aplenty, we get to make use of Stuffy DollStuffy Doll effects like Barbed ServitorBarbed Servitor and Brash TaunterBrash Taunter as ways to really turn up the heat (and for another combo to be discussed later…).

This gameplan is solid but it needs some protection. Smaug is indestructible but exile effects still hurt. Bard the BowmanBard the Bowman can’t kill our Smaug like in the book, but Path to ExilePath to Exile sure can.

Kaya's GhostformKaya's Ghostform is great if we have the time for it, but redirecting the targeted removal with Deflecting SwatDeflecting Swat or Bolt BendBolt Bend is better. In the semi-likely event we run into a FarewellFarewell, pray you’re holding up Ashnod's InterventionAshnod's Intervention while the rest of the table goes to scoop.

The other problem the deck may face is that the PyrohemiaPyrohemia plan has an upper limit: our own life total. Giving our commander lifelink via Basilisk CollarBasilisk Collar or even Eternal ThirstEternal Thirst will keep the plan intact.

How Does the Deck Win?

The early game plan is simple: ramp.

Churn out Treasures, get out one of the bigger mana producers like Thran DynamoThran Dynamo, or both. There are one or two lower-cost sweepers like Brotherhood's EndBrotherhood's End designed to be usable late-game, but hold back token swarms before the commander comes down. If there are untapped lands threatening to CounterspellCounterspell or Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares our commander, hold off for a few turns to get a way to cast and protect Smaug.

Drop different threats like Mastermind PlumMastermind Plum or Marionette ApprenticeMarionette Apprentice to potentially take the heat while dropping life totals in the meantime.

This being a black-red deck, it can have a potentially grindy midgame into a sudden combo finish. After dropping Smaug the ImpenetrableSmaug the Impenetrable, it’s a simple matter of using red sweepers like Star of ExtinctionStar of Extinction to wipe out enemy creatures while churning out a volcano of mana for us to use to keep momentum.

There are some explosive draw options like Blood for the Blood God!Blood for the Blood God! to help dig or just a plain old Demonic TutorDemonic Tutor into whichever piece we may need.

As a semi-redundancy to the sweepers and combo with the Stuffy Doll plan is Blazing SunsteelBlazing Sunsteel. If Smaug is equipped and gets dealt damage, the Equipment triggers, and he can then deal more damage to himself, making infinite Treasure to use for whatever we have in hand. Equipped to a Barbed ServitorBarbed Servitor, it will immediately kill everyone once plinked.

Pain for AllPain for All doesn’t go infinite but does make it possible for a PyrohemiaPyrohemia to deal with opponents at higher life totals.

The deck therefore has access to several two-card combos, some of which include the commander. When I first concocted the idea, I thought it might be Bracket 3, but seeing how easy it is to cheese out a win with several indestructible pieces that individually work towards the game plan, it’s obviously a tier higher. I doubt this is the most tuned version of the list, but I like the shape of it.

The Deck List

Conclusion

The Treasure decks have gotten insane support over the years, but nothing quite as bonkers as an indestructible Dragon capable of drowning the table.

Once again, I am delighted at a choice that blends two archetypes – in this case, with noncreature damage. It’s possible to go all-in on that plan with lower-to-the-ground commanders like Tor Wauki the YoungerTor Wauki the Younger or Valgavoth, Harrower of SoulsValgavoth, Harrower of Souls, but I like the big, splashy play here.

In the meantime: go forth and rain destruction!