<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ezio Auditore da Firenze" href="#" target="_blank">Ezio Auditore da Firenze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art By <a href="https://www.artstation.com/fajareka" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fajareka Setiawan</a></em></p>
<p>Hello, and welcome back to <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>! This week we're tackling something on my short list, but also an actual deck I currently own (like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Fourteenth Doctor" href="#" target="_blank">The Fourteenth Doctor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from the other week).</p>
<p>However, I must first address the elephant in the room. I'm talking about the recent announcement regarding the <em>Spider-Man </em>set. The <em>Traversing the Omenpaths </em>product line will have in-universe equivalents, but for digital only. I may be an ardent supporter of <em>Universes Beyond</em>, but I cannot condone this. I digress, though, because you and I want to delve into today's deck, and that I will deliver on that.</p>
<h2>Greeting Your Mentor</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ezio Auditore da Firenze"></div></div>
<p>Ezio, coming from the <em>Assassin's Creed</em> franchise, was a Florentine nobleman who's more well-known (to us real worlders anyway), as a master assassin. He came to learn of his assassin heritage at 17, with the death of several family members, including his father. From there, Ezio went on to thwart the Templars on numerous occasions. He died of a heart attack while visiting Florence with his wife and daughter, yet he would go on to become the ancestor of one <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Desmond Miles" href="#" target="_blank">Desmond Miles</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Consequently, given his backstory, Ezio needs us to run a load of Assassins to take advantage of his first ability. This actually comes in handy, especially with the more expensive spells in the deck. In addition, don't rely on the second ability too much. It's neat when you pull it off, but Ezio himself is sitting with a 3/2 statline, meaning it'll take a while for you to be able to trigger. There's a faster, more impactful way of outright eliminating players - but we'll get to that in a moment.</p>
<h2>Ezio Auditore a Firenze Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-Advent Creed" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Ezio Auditore da Firenze
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Achilles Davenport
*1 Adéwalé, Breaker of Chains
*1 Altaïr Ibn-La&#039;Ahad
*1 Arbaaz Mir
*1 Arno Dorian
*1 Aveline de Grandpré
*1 Aya of Alexandria
*1 Basim Ibn Ishaq
*1 Bayek of Siwa
*1 Bureau Headmaster
*1 Edward Kenway
*1 Eivor, Battle-Ready
*1 Evie Frye
*1 Ezio, Blade of Vengeance
*1 Jacob Frye
*1 Kassandra, Eagle Bearer
*1 Layla Hassan
*1 Lydia Frye
*1 Mary Read and Anne Bonny
*1 Queen Marchesa
*1 Ramses, Assassin Lord
*1 Ratonhnhaké꞉ton
*1 Shao Jun
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Anguished Unmaking
*1 Assassin&#039;s Trophy
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Desynchronization
*1 Harrow
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Unexpected Windfall
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Assassin Gauntlet
*1 Brotherhood Regalia
*1 Caduceus, Staff of Hermes
*1 Crystal Skull, Isu Spyglass
*1 Excalibur, Sword of Eden
*1 Haystack
*1 Hidden Blade
*1 Hidden Footblade
*1 Hookblade
*1 Hunter&#039;s Bow
*1 Mjölnir, Storm Hammer
*1 Phantom Blade
*1 Raven Clan War-Axe
*1 Smoke Bomb
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Sword of Feast and Famine
*1 Sword of Light and Shadow
*1 The Spear of Leonidas
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Austere Command
*1 Cultivate
*1 Eagle Vision
*1 Farseek
*1 Overpowering Attack
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Restart Sequence
*1 Viewpoint Synchronization
*1 What Must Be Done
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Black Market Connections
*1 Coastal Piracy
*1 Guardian Project
*1 Rooftop Bypass
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Abstergo Entertainment
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Brotherhood Headquarters
*1 Canopy Vista
*1 Cinder Glade
*1 Command Tower
*1 Deserted Beach
*1 Dreamroot Cascade
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fiery Islet
*2 Forest
*1 Haunted Ridge
*2 Island
*2 Mountain
*1 Nurturing Peatland
*1 Overgrown Farmland
*1 Path of Ancestry
*2 Plains
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Rockfall Vale
*1 Secluded Courtyard
*1 Shipwreck Marsh
*1 Silent Clearing
*1 Smoldering Marsh
*1 Stormcarved Coast
*1 Sunbaked Canyon
*1 Sundown Pass
*1 Sunken Hollow
*2 Swamp
*1 Temple of Malady
*1 Temple of Silence
*1 Waterlogged Grove
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Advent Creed</h2>
<p>I'm willing to bet you didn't think I was going to post the list this early in the article, did you? There's actually a story behind this list. It began when I had an idea of doing an advent calendar for Christmas last year. Originally I was going to do <em>Foundations Jumpstart</em>, but insatiable curiously killed it. Acting quickly, I went with a couple of boxes of the <em>Assassin's Creed</em> set, and the rest is history (I pulled a regular version of our commander on the first day. Talk about luck, right?). After the calendar was done, I finished it off with buying the few singles I needed from the set. In addition, this included a couple of cards from one of the <em>Secret Lair </em>drops.</p>
<p>Assembling the deck, especially towards the end, it was really difficult to make the last cuts, and I had to make some hard choices to finish the decklist. Some might say it's all of that Equipment the deck's using, but there's a reason for that.</p>
<h2>The Team Across Time</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Altaïr Ibn-La&#039;Ahad"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Edward Kenway"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ramses, Assassin Lord|sld|1560"></div></div>
<p>Above all, the reason I started with the list early is because of the Assassin support. Before the <em>Assassin's Creed </em>set, Assassin support was sparse to nonexistent. Now, we have a truckload to work with, laced together with historic and Equipment subthemes. Unfortunately, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Desmond Miles" href="#" target="_blank">Desmond Miles</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (17,119 decks) is about the biggest hole in the list, and I'm currently trying to fit him in somehow. Like I said above, the list was tight enough for me to make some difficult cuts.</p>
<p>Most importantly, the Assassins are the backbone of our deck. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Altaïr Ibn-La&#039;Ahad" href="#" target="_blank">Altaïr Ibn-La&#039;Ahad</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (9,276 decks) ensures that, with time, we'll be swinging with a swarm of Assassins, albeit temporarily. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edward Kenway" href="#" target="_blank">Edward Kenway</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (8,200 decks) nets us Treasures to ramp us. However, it's a shame that he and Altaïr don't combo together, since the latter's tokens are gone post-combat. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arno Dorian" href="#" target="_blank">Arno Dorian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (14,539 decks) buffs even the token Assassins we'll be making enough to be block-worthy. Speaking of buffs, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bayek of Siwa" href="#" target="_blank">Bayek of Siwa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (20,176 decks) gives our creatures double strike, capable of carrying out a devastating attack.</p>
<p>The most dangerous card in the deck is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ramses, Assassin Lord" href="#" target="_blank">Ramses, Assassin Lord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Basim, Master Assassin; 16,544 decks). This was the more impactful way I was alluding to of taking players out. Time him right, and you could potentially win out of nowhere. Otherwise, he's a decently sized anthem with deathtouch, which is good with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aveline de Grandpré" href="#" target="_blank">Aveline de Grandpré</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (8,568 decks). There's a few ways to give deathtouch to your other creatures, but it'll be just Aveline getting bigger most of the time.</p>
<h2>Growing the Brotherhood</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rooftop Bypass"></div></div>
<p>There are a few cards in the deck that produce Assassin tokens. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rooftop Bypass" href="#" target="_blank">Rooftop Bypass</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (11,901 decks) can give us up to three, given that we hit each player. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aya of Alexandria" href="#" target="_blank">Aya of Alexandria</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (16,061 decks) is similar, but has the potential to give us even more tokens. Meanwhile <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Queen Marchesa|sld|1559" href="#" target="_blank">Queen Marchesa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Amunet, Tyrant's End; ironic I mention her after Aya; 29,530 decks) introduces the monarch to the game. We'll get a card if we have it, and a hasty Assassin with deathtouch if we don't.</p>
<h2>Ancient Arsenal</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ratonhnhaké:ton"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Eivor, Battle-Ready"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hookblade"></div></div>
<p>In addition to the historic element of the deck, you'll notice a lot of Equipment there. The main reason is not just flavor (which works, too), but they're to work with a pair of Boros legends we covered a while ago: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eivor, Battle-Ready" href="#" target="_blank">Eivor, Battle-Ready</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kassandra, Eagle Bearer" href="#" target="_blank">Kassandra, Eagle Bearer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (7,363 and 8,656 decks, respectively). Eivor is a threat in her own right, dealing damage equal to our Equipment stash, and having a sizable body to work with. Meanwhile, Kassandra works specifically with legendary Equipment, hence why we run a few here. I'd use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eivor, Wolf-Kissed" href="#" target="_blank">Eivor, Wolf-Kissed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but I didn't have enough targets to make her worthwhile.</p>
<p>However, those aren't the only creatures working with Equipment. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ratonhnhaké:ton" href="#" target="_blank">Ratonhnhaké:ton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (8,301 decks) brings back Equipment, which is automatically equipped to the Assassin token he creates. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bureau Headmaster" href="#" target="_blank">Bureau Headmaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (16,232 decks), our only non-legendary creature in the deck, helps us cast our Equipment, and makes equip costs more manageable. Lastly, Equipment can be tapped for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shao Jun" href="#" target="_blank">Shao Jun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (8,787 decks)'s ability while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arbaaz Mir" href="#" target="_blank">Arbaaz Mir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (20,652 decks) will drain opponents since Equipment are also historic by their nature.</p>
<p>Our Equipment suite mostly draws from the <em>Assassin's Creed </em>set, but there's some good stuff here. We have access to the likes of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of Feast and Famine" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of Feast and Famine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (136,870 decks) down to the lowly, but useful <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hookblade" href="#" target="_blank">Hookblade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (5,615 decks). The colored Equipment cycle (and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hidden Blade" href="#" target="_blank">Hidden Blade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (12,493 decks)) all enter and equip themselves to a creature automatically, so there's no equip cost to worry about initially. Moreover, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Excalibur, Sword of Eden" href="#" target="_blank">Excalibur, Sword of Eden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (60,260 decks) and the ever-useful <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Spear of Leonidas" href="#" target="_blank">The Spear of Leonidas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (21,116 decks), both of which can make our commander into a major threat. Lastly, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Caduceus, Staff of Hermes" href="#" target="_blank">Caduceus, Staff of Hermes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brotherhood Regalia" href="#" target="_blank">Brotherhood Regalia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (39,122 and 86,747 decks, respectively) work to protect our creatures, if not our commander.</p>
<h2>Beyond the Franchise</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Guardian Project"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crush Contraband"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Austere Command"></div></div>
<p>Trying to build a deck using exclusively cards from the <em>Assassin's Creed </em>deck is a fool's errand: we have basics, yes, but outside of those, there's really only nine nonbasic lands to its name. In addition, your access to the essentials, like ramp, are minimal at best.</p>
<p>Besides the obvious includes of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Signet" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Signet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Command Tower" href="#" target="_blank">Command Tower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we also have format all-stars like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cultivate" href="#" target="_blank">Cultivate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rampant Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Rampant Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (1,226,154 and 940,197 decks, respectively), which both help ramp us to keep up with our opponents. Card draw has a stronger presence within the set, but it could be a bit better. In that vein, this is where cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Guardian Project" href="#" target="_blank">Guardian Project</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (229,853 decks) come in handy. Similarly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unexpected Windfall" href="#" target="_blank">Unexpected Windfall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (181,542 decks) provides us with both ramp and draw; not many cards in the list can do that.</p>
<p>Where the <em>Assassin's Creed </em>set excelled was in its removal. There was a lot of removal in there, so I took a bit to see what was worth adding. While some of the Equipment count as removal, we need more of it, especially more superior options. While the set had <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Assassin&#039;s Trophy" href="#" target="_blank">Assassin&#039;s Trophy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (376,282 decks), it's hard to pass up <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anguished Unmaking" href="#" target="_blank">Anguished Unmaking</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (321,075 decks). Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crush Contraband" href="#" target="_blank">Crush Contraband</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (35,439 decks) has the capacity to hit two targets instead of one.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the two-ish wipes the set had were very good. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Desynchronization" href="#" target="_blank">Desynchronization</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (39,827 decks) is a one-sided <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyclonic Rift" href="#" target="_blank">Cyclonic Rift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in this deck, and will hit very few of our cards. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="What Must Be Done" href="#" target="_blank">What Must Be Done</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (7,867 decks) is flexible utility, though you'll mostly choose the wipe option. I felt like the deck could benefit from one more wipe, and I picked <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Austere Command" href="#" target="_blank">Austere Command</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (337,633 decks) for its adaptability.</p>
<p>Lastly, for the mana base, I mostly drew from the <em>Doctor Who</em> release, since the precons there had some of the best mana bases to exist. While we have access to the enemy-colored Horizon duals, forming a panorama (more bonus points if you're using the full-art Ezio to complete it), that release came with nearly the full cycle of slow duals (ex. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Haunted Ridge" href="#" target="_blank">Haunted Ridge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>), finished only by a couple of scry lands for now.</p>
<h2>Back to the Present</h2>
<p>Like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Fourteenth Doctor" href="#" target="_blank">The Fourteenth Doctor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with <em>Doctor Who</em>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ezio Auditore da Firenze" href="#" target="_blank">Ezio Auditore da Firenze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> mostly just needed some stuff from beyond the release to help stabilize its foundations. For a small set, with its setup similar to the much-maligned <em>March of the Machine: Aftermath </em>release, there were a lot of cool cards in <em>Assassin's Creed</em>.</p>
<p>Return next week, when we'll take center stage in another franchise. Until then, if you're reading up on something historical, perhaps you can learn about the respective time periods the <em>Assassin's Creed </em>franchise drew its inspiration from.</p>


Building Ezio Auditore da Firenze Using Only Universes Beyond Cards

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eivor, Battle-Ready" href="#" target="_blank">Eivor, Battle-Ready</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/fajareka">Fajareka Setiawan</a></h6>
<h1>Entering the Smithy</h1>
<p>Hello, and welcome back to another edition of <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>, where we take those <em>Universes Beyond </em>cards, and make decks with them (and them alone, mind!).</p>
<p>Today, we take a look at an infamous color pair with an infamous theme. If you guessed Equipment, you're correct. If you also guessed Bore-os...I mean Boros, that's right, too. We're looking into Boros Equipment this week.</p>
<p>Now, last week, I mentioned I had a surprise for you: We have two decks this time around, and there's a story behind that. I'll explain that later but, for now, let's get acquainted with the first of the two commanders, shall we?</p>
<h1>Armed for Battle</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Eivor, Battle-Ready"></div></div>
<p>Eivor hails from the <em>Assassin's Creed</em> franchise, where the Assassins fight the Templars to keep them from acquiring powerful artifacts known as the Pieces of Eden to rule the world.</p>
<p>As for our commander herself, she's a Viking Shieldsmaiden (and a reincarnation of Odin) from Norway who partook in the Viking raids in what is now the UK during the 10th century C.E. Meanwhile, she also worked to take down the Templars's predecessors, the Order of the Ancients.</p>
<p>As for her card, you want to drop as much Equipment as you can, so she can deal some big damage with her attack trigger. In addition, it's also convenient that she has both vigilance and haste, so she can attack right away without leaving you open for a crackback.</p>
<p>However, like I said in the beginning, we have two decks to show off today. Consequently, I'm going to do things a little differently. So, we begin with list #1.</p>
<h1>The First Weapon</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-Battle-Hardened" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Eivor, Battle-Ready
[/Commander]
[Lands]
*1 Abstergo Entertainment
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*10 Mountain
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Path of Ancestry
*10 Plains
*1 Rustvale Bridge
*1 Sunbaked Canyon
*1 Sundown Pass
*1 Sunscorched Divide
*1 Temple of Triumph
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Wind-Scarred Crag
[/Lands]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bloodforged Battle-Axe
*1 Brotherhood Regalia
*1 Champion&#039;s Helm
*1 Commander&#039;s Plate
*1 Excalibur, Sword of Eden
*1 Explorer&#039;s Scope
*1 Fireshrieker
*1 Haystack
*1 Hedron Archive
*1 Hidden Footblade
*1 Hookblade
*1 Junk Jet
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Mask of Memory
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Pip-Boy 3000
*1 Raven Clan War-Axe
*1 Shadowspear
*1 Silver Shroud Costume
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Sword of Feast and Famine
*1 Sword of Light and Shadow
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 The Spear of Leonidas
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
*1 Worn Powerstone
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 Armory Paladin
*1 Bastion Protector
*1 Brotherhood Outcast
*1 Bureau Headmaster
*1 Chaos Terminator Lord
*1 Codsworth, Handy Helper
*1 Crimson Caravaneer
*1 Humble Defector
*1 Jenny, Generated Anomaly
*1 Mister Gutsy
*1 Puresteel Paladin
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Austere Command
*1 Cathartic Reunion
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Farewell
*1 Overpowering Attack
*1 Taunt from the Rampart
*1 Wake the Past
*1 What Must Be Done
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Battlefield Improvisation
*1 Bottle-Cap Blast
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Dispatch
*1 Flawless Maneuver
*1 Inventory Management
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Unexpected Windfall
*1 Valorous Stance
*1 Wear // Tear
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Forge Anew
*1 Wild Wasteland
[/Enchantments]"></span></div>
<h1>Claiming the Treasure</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brotherhood Regalia"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodforged Battle-Axe"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inventory Management"></div></div>
<p>One thing before I go over the list. The second commander's in there somewhere, can you guess it without scrolling to the end?</p>
<p>This list comes with a number of cheap Equipment that'll help make Eivor a threat in more ways than one. At its heart (and it's also true with the second list), this is a Voltron list, where you bludgeon your opponents with commander damage to eliminate them. We have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodforged Battle-Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodforged Battle-Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (56,587 decks) that will only amass a lot of copies of itself with time. In addition, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brotherhood Regalia" href="#" target="_blank">Brotherhood Regalia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (76,160 decks) gives Eivor protection and evasion, so she can get through. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commander&#039;s Plate" href="#" target="_blank">Commander&#039;s Plate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Champion&#039;s Helm" href="#" target="_blank">Champion&#039;s Helm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (133,180 and 62,128 decks respectively) both give her protection (as she's going to be a removal magnet), and a buff to make her more lethal.</p>
<p>Moreover, we have Eivor's signature weapon(s) in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raven Clan War-Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Raven Clan War-Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (2,959 decks), which gives her a coveted keyword in trample. Further, if you cast it while Eivor's in your graveyard, you can get her back to your hand and save on the commander tax. We also have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shadowspear" href="#" target="_blank">Shadowspear</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Totec's Spear; 191,168 decks) that provides even better utility, and give trample at the same time.</p>
<p>Likewise, we have non-Equipment that also help Eivor with her mission. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bastion Protector" href="#" target="_blank">Bastion Protector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (75,754 decks) renders her indestructible alongside giving her a small buff. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chaos Terminator Lord" href="#" target="_blank">Chaos Terminator Lord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6,582 decks) gives Eivor double strike when she's attacking. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bureau Headmaster" href="#" target="_blank">Bureau Headmaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (14,425 decks) makes Equipment cheaper to cast, and has you pay less to equip them to your creatures.</p>
<h1>A Voyage Through Time</h1>
<p>In summary, Eivor has much going for her, given that you can protect her while she's out. However, I do want to point out one card that was already spoiled, but is not in the list (nor the second one): <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloud, Planet&#039;s Champion" href="#" target="_blank">Cloud, Planet&#039;s Champion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a decidedly good option for the 99, or as the commander (I find a lot of these Boros Equipment legends to fit at the helm, so why not randomize which one before each game?).</p>
<p>I will be doing a write-up for him in the future, so this article will not be the last time we'll tackle Boros Equipment. If you wish to know why, it's because I'll be tackling <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sephiroth, Planet&#039;s Heir" href="#" target="_blank">Sephiroth, Planet&#039;s Heir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as well. I'll have a restriction for both, so at least Cloud's deck won't look like a repaint of this article.</p>
<p>Most importantly, we need to focus on the now, and work with what we have. That being said, let's go further back in time to our second decklist.</p>
<p>The story behind this list is that it was the list I was originally trying to build months ago, but I couldn't quite get there. However, it's been at the back of my brain for a while, and I want to try again. Without further adeu, behold (not the Tarkir mechanic):</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kassandra, Eagle Bearer"></div></div>
<h1>The Second Weapon</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-Ancient Arsenal II" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Kassandra, Eagle Bearer
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Ace&#039;s Baseball Bat
*1 Andúril, Flame of the West
*1 Andúril, Narsil Reforged
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bilbo&#039;s Ring
*1 Brotherhood Regalia
*1 Caduceus, Staff of Hermes
*1 Crown of Gondor
*1 Cursed Mirror
*1 Endless Atlas
*1 Excalibur, Sword of Eden
*1 Glamdring
*1 Hedron Archive
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Mithril Coat
*1 Mjölnir, Storm Hammer
*1 Shadowspear
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Sting, the Glinting Dagger
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Sword of the Animist
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 The Spear of Leonidas
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Abstergo Entertainment
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Furycalm Snarl
*1 Inventors&#039; Fair
*9 Mountain
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Path of Ancestry
*9 Plains
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Sunbaked Canyon
*1 Sundown Pass
*1 Sunscorched Divide
*1 Temple of Triumph
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Thriving Bluff
*1 Thriving Heath
*1 War Room
[/Lands]
[Sorceries]
*1 Austere Command
*1 Blasphemous Act
*1 Cathartic Reunion
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Monastery Raid
*1 Overpowering Attack
*1 Seize the Day
*1 Taunt from the Rampart
*1 Vandalblast
*1 Wake the Past
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Boros Charm
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Inventory Management
*1 Olórin&#039;s Searing Light
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Return to Dust
*1 Reverberate
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Unexpected Windfall
*1 Valorous Stance
*1 Wear // Tear
[/Instants]
[Creatures]
*1 Armory Paladin
*1 Bastion Protector
*1 Bloodthirster
*1 Bureau Headmaster
*1 Codsworth, Handy Helper
*1 Crimson Caravaneer
*1 Gimli of the Glittering Caves
*1 Puresteel Paladin
*1 Rohirrim Chargers
*1 Scourge of the Throne
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Stonehewer Giant
*1 Éowyn, Lady of Rohan
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Forge Anew
*1 Sigarda&#039;s Aid
*1 Vault 101: Birthday Party
[/Enchantments]"></span></div>
<h1>The Odyssey</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Spear of Leonidas"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Caduceus, Staff of Hermes"></div></div>
<p>To begin, Kassandra, a descendant of King Leonidas I of Sparta is from the same franchise as Eivor, and was a mercenary during the Peleponnesian War.</p>
<p>She also worked to thwart the Cult of Kosmos (another predecessor to the Templars), and the Order of the Ancients. After she received the Staff of Hermes, she would go on to live for over 2, 400 years before relinquishing the Piece of Eden and passing away.</p>
<p>Her card puts greater emphasis on legendary Equipment. As a result, I tuned this list to center around that as best as I could. There are 16 legendary Equipment within the <em>Universes Beyond</em> card pool.</p>
<p>Two of them are black, thus outside out color identity. On the other hand, we're forced to run the rest to take full advantage of her second ability, which draws us cards when creatures connect.</p>
<p>Granted, they must be carrying legendary Equipment to count for her trigger. I could see <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glamdring" href="#" target="_blank">Glamdring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (19,555 decks) being the worst of these, since our instant/sorcery focus is minimal. On the bright side, we're likely to get more options down the road.</p>
<p>However, one of the best card in this list is undoubtedly <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Spear of Leonidas" href="#" target="_blank">The Spear of Leonidas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (19,154 decks), which Kassandra conveniently tutors for when she comes in.</p>
<p>It's a great utility pieces that either gets us a blocker, lets us loot, or gives the equipped creature double strike. That last one is doubly important with our commander out, since two hits to your opponents means two cards drawn.</p>
<p>Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Caduceus, Staff of Hermes" href="#" target="_blank">Caduceus, Staff of Hermes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (35, 380 decks) makes Kassandra bigger, and offers some good protection.</p>
<h1>The Other Pieces</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Excalibur, Sword of Eden"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rohirrim Chargers"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Codsworth, Handy Helper"></div></div>
<p>Alongside the Spear, we have some good legendary Equipment lying around. For example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Excalibur, Sword of Eden" href="#" target="_blank">Excalibur, Sword of Eden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (53,820 decks) makes Kassandra a game-ending threat, especially if you give her double strike and evasion as well.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Andúril, Narsil Reforged" href="#" target="_blank">Andúril, Narsil Reforged</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (36,589 decks) gives counters to all of our creatures, including our commander.</p>
<p>In addition, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bilbo&#039;s Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Bilbo&#039;s Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (20,883 decks), like Brotherhood Regalia, protects and grants evasion to our commander (and whatever creature that's equipped it. More on that in a moment), but also gives us a card when we attack.</p>
<p>It's worth noting that we want to be going wide with our strategy to some degree. Consequently, that'll give us dig into our deck a little more.</p>
<p>That said, I included a few tutors to help ensure that you do that with Kassandra's ability. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stonehewer Giant" href="#" target="_blank">Stonehewer Giant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (30,062 decks) is a bit on the slow side, but it does have vigilance, and thus can be used as a combat trick.</p>
<p>In a similar vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rohirrim Chargers" href="#" target="_blank">Rohirrim Chargers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (3,151 decks) guarantees us an Equipment that we can freely attach to it. Just note that it won't untap during your next turn when you do this.</p>
<p>Moreover, a few other noteworthy cards include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Codsworth, Handy Helper" href="#" target="_blank">Codsworth, Handy Helper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (38,639 decks), who, well, comes in handy. Protecting your commander, auto-equipping, and being a mana dork for Equipment? Don't mind if I do. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Éowyn, Lady of Rohan" href="#" target="_blank">Éowyn, Lady of Rohan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (12,821 decks) cheapens equip costs, like Bureau Headmaster before it.</p>
<p>Further, she also temporarily grants first strike and vigilance to an equipped creatures of your choice. Choose wisely, unless it's the aforementioned Rohirrim Chargers.</p>
<p>They're the perfect target for her ability. Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Taunt from the Rampart" href="#" target="_blank">Taunt from the Rampart</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (40,744 decks) is a great finisher that also weathers your opponents down for a killing blow.</p>
<h1>Returning to the Present</h1>
<p>In conclusion, these two lists are different takes on a tried but true archetype in Commander. One wants you to dump Equipment on the board to deal damage, while the other needs you to use legendary Equipment.</p>
<p>However, Voltron is the ideal way to play with both decks. You could always add blue to run <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Captain America, First Avenger" href="#" target="_blank">Captain America, First Avenger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> if you wished. I hear equipping him with Excalibur is very bonkers.</p>
<p>The <em>Assassin's Creed</em> release was maligned because of the notorious <em>Aftermath</em>-style release, where each pack came with half as many cards as ones from the average set.</p>
<p>On the other hand, there's a lot of cool designs and cards in there. I did it as an advent calendar last year, and assembled <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ezio Auditore da Firenze" href="#" target="_blank">Ezio Auditore da Firenze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with the contents (and some extras). That particular Ezio is on the shortlist, so we can expect him in the foreseeable future.</p>
<p>Tune in next time when we delve into my most hated archetype, something beyond my wheelhouse. Until then, may your board be flooded with Equipment (if so, you'll seriously need some <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inventory Management" href="#" target="_blank">Inventory Management</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Sheesh), and may they help you win.</p>


Beyond the Multiverse- Boros Equipment

2024’s EDHighlights - Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos

Commander Fusion: Bayek + Molimo = ?

Brew for Your Buck - Mary Read and Anne Bonny Budget Combo

The Over/Under - Predicting the Popularity of Assassin's Creed Commanders

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Viewpoint Synchronization" href="#" target="_blank">Viewpoint Synchronization</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>| art by <a href="https://www.cavotta.com/">Matt Cavotta</a>)</h6>
<h3><a href="https://commandersherald.com/assassins-creed-set-review-white/">White</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/assassins-creed-set-review-blue/?utm_source=edhrec&amp;utm_medium=article_preview">Blue</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/assassins-creed-set-review-black/?utm_source=edhrec&amp;utm_medium=article_preview">Black</a> | <a href="https://commandersherald.com/assassins-creed-set-review-red/">Red</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/assassins-creed-set-review-green/">Green</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/assassins-creed-set-review-artifacts-lands/">Artifacts &amp; Lands</a> | <a href="https://commandersherald.com/assassins-creed-set-review-allied-shards/">Allied Colors and Shards</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/assassins-creed-set-review-enemy-and-wedges/">Enemy Colors and Wedges</a> | <a href="https://commandersherald.com/assassins-creed-set-review-reprints/">Reprints</a> | <a href="https://commandersherald.com/assassins-creed-cedh-set-review/">cEDH</a></h3>
<h1>Shoot the Flying Demon!</h1>
<p>Hello, everyone! It’s your friendly neighborhood <a href="https://twitter.com/thejesguy">Jesguy</a> here, and welcome to the <em>Assassin's Creed</em> green Set Review!</p>
<p>Now I won't lie to you all, I don't know much, if anything about <em>Assassin's Creed</em>. But what I have learned is that everyone in this set looks edgy and cool, and I really respect that. With that said, I won't know any of the flavor hits of this set, so I'll be judging cards solely on playability.</p>
<p>With that out of the way, let's jump into the goodies that green has to offer!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Rare</h2>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aveline de Grandpré" href="#" target="_blank">Aveline de Grandpré</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aveline de Grandpré"></div></div>
<p>Look, I know <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aveline de Grandpré" href="#" target="_blank">Aveline de Grandpré</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a Golgari card, but <em>please</em> throw me a bone. I only have four other cards to talk about, and they are at uncommon. Kind reader, just let me have this one. Throw me a bone.</p>
<p>That said, despite a bone being thrown, I am relatively unimpressed with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aveline de Grandpré" href="#" target="_blank">Aveline de Grandpré</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Caring about deathtouchers is really neat, but the reward being +1/+1 counters? I'm a bit dubious on that. If my creatures can already tussle in combat with whoever they come up against, why do they need to get bigger? What is that actually accomplishing?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Overrun"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fynn, the Fangbearer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gonti, Canny Acquisitor"></div></div>
<p>The <em>Disguise</em> aspect of of it is also cool...But unless you are playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aveline de Grandpré" href="#" target="_blank">Aveline de Grandpré</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> <em>in</em> the 99 of a deck with <em>other</em> <em>Disguise</em> cards, everyone is going to know that it is always Aveline.</p>
<p>If you want to combine a bunch of high-powered deathtouchers with things like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overrun" href="#" target="_blank">Overrun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Triumph of the Hordes" href="#" target="_blank">Triumph of the Hordes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. be my guest. I don't think it is particularly interesting, but it will be strong. Overall though, if I wanted a better payoff for a <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/deathtouch">Deathtouch</a> deck, I would simply use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fynn, the Fangbearer" href="#" target="_blank">Fynn, the Fangbearer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or a commander that rewards you for dealing combat damage to a player, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gonti, Canny Acquisitor" href="#" target="_blank">Gonti, Canny Acquisitor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Uncommons</h2>
<hr />
<h3><strong><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hunter&#039;s Bow" href="#" target="_blank">Hunter&#039;s Bow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></strong></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hunter&#039;s Bow"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hunter&#039;s Bow" href="#" target="_blank">Hunter&#039;s Bow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a nice bite spell for two mana.</p>
<p>Being able to remove a creature is nice, and having reach and ward 2 stick around afterwards it pretty valuable. It's also a permanent card, for what its worth, meaning green has an easier time recurring it as well! Modified-based decks like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chishiro, the Shattered Blade" href="#" target="_blank">Chishiro, the Shattered Blade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kosei, Penitent Warlord" href="#" target="_blank">Kosei, Penitent Warlord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dogmeat, Ever Loyal" href="#" target="_blank">Dogmeat, Ever Loyal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could make good use of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hunter&#039;s Bow" href="#" target="_blank">Hunter&#039;s Bow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, adding a bit of removal to their suite of equipment!</p>
<p>Overall I think <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hunter&#039;s Bow" href="#" target="_blank">Hunter&#039;s Bow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a fine piece of removal is you don't need something at instant speed, and has a handful of synergies in plenty of different decks.</p>
<hr />
<h3><strong><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Palazzo Archers" href="#" target="_blank">Palazzo Archers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> </strong></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Palazzo Archers"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Palazzo Archers" href="#" target="_blank">Palazzo Archers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is unimpressive to me.</p>
<p>You need creatures to attack you in order for it to do anything, and on top of that, it's only dealing two damage to each creature with flying that does so. That ain't gunna stop a Dragon or Angel, I'll tell you that. Sure you can try to use equipment and pump spells to help it out, but it seems like a lot of work to me.</p>
<p>If I need a card to deal with fliers, I'd rather just use something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Whiptongue Hydra" href="#" target="_blank">Whiptongue Hydra</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<hr />
<h3><strong><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Aesir Escape Valhalla" href="#" target="_blank">The Aesir Escape Valhalla</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> </strong></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Aesir Escape Valhalla"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Aesir Escape Valhalla" href="#" target="_blank">The Aesir Escape Valhalla</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a very slow <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eternal Witness" href="#" target="_blank">Eternal Witness</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>The trade off for being such a slow card though, it that it helps you stay in the game longer thanks to the life gain and creature pump. Due to its looping nature, it seems great in <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/enchantments">Enchantress</a> and <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/sagas">Saga</a> decks that can take advantage of its self recursion.</p>
<p>While I don't think this is the best version of this effect we've seen by far, I do think it can be pretty fun!</p>
<hr />
<h3><strong><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Viewpoint Synchronization" href="#" target="_blank">Viewpoint Synchronization</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> </strong></h3>
<p><strong><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Viewpoint Synchronization"></div></div></strong></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Viewpoint Synchronization" href="#" target="_blank">Viewpoint Synchronization</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a bit of an odd one.</p>
<p>Personally, for expensive commanders, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Ur-Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">The Ur-Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gishath, Sun&#039;s Avatar" href="#" target="_blank">Gishath, Sun&#039;s Avatar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or anything else 7+ mana, I <em>really </em>like playing expensive ramp spells. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nissa&#039;s Renewal" href="#" target="_blank">Nissa&#039;s Renewal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Verdant Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Verdant Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boundless Realms" href="#" target="_blank">Boundless Realms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are my go-tos in lists like these since they ensure I'll be able to cast my commander on curve, and (hopefully) more than just once. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Viewpoint Synchronization" href="#" target="_blank">Viewpoint Synchronization</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> joins these expensive ramp spells at a respectable five mana, doing a nice mix of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cultivate" href="#" target="_blank">Cultivate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and the aforementioned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nissa&#039;s Renewal" href="#" target="_blank">Nissa&#039;s Renewal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a combination which I like a bunch.</p>
<p>For pricier commanders, having another option for this style of ramp is quite welcome. The <em>Freerunning</em> cost to me is either just a bonus, or completely negligible. Outside of dedicated Assassin decks, the only time you will be able to take advantage of this reduced casting cost is when your commander is <em>already</em> on the field. In those situations, a ramp package for a commander like that probably doesn't need to include a piece of acceleration at five mana. You won't need another version of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cultivate" href="#" target="_blank">Cultivate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kodama&#039;s Reach" href="#" target="_blank">Kodama&#039;s Reach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in my opinion.</p>
<p>If you want a solid piece of ramp for you expensive commanders, or decks that are 4+ colors, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Viewpoint Synchronization" href="#" target="_blank">Viewpoint Synchronization</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is that. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it at all.</p>
<hr />
<h1>Where did all the Green Cards go...?</h1>
<p>And there we have it...The shortest set review of all time!</p>
<p>While I know this set is not meant for drafting, I was not expecting such a large color imbalance. Whether that is a feature of a bug it to be determined I suppose.</p>
<p>Despite the lack of green cards though, there are some good cards. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aveline de Grandpré" href="#" target="_blank">Aveline de Grandpré</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can helm a deathtouch deck, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hunter&#039;s Bow" href="#" target="_blank">Hunter&#039;s Bow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is grean for Equipment lists, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Viewpoint Synchronization" href="#" target="_blank">Viewpoint Synchronization</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another nice, big ramp spell. Overall, despite the lack of quantity, at least there is a good variety of effects.</p>
<p>What are your thoughts though? Any green cards from this set that you enjoy? What are your thoughts on the the massive color imbalances in this <em>Universes Beyond</em> product? Let me know your thoughts down below!</p>
<p>Until next time, stay sharp and stick to the shadows!</p>
<p>You can reach me on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/thejesguy">@thejesguy</a>), where you can always hit me up for <i>Magic- </i>or Jeskai-related shenanigans 24/7. Do you have any comments, questions, or concerns? Please don’t hesitate to leave them below or get in touch! Stay safe, wear your mask, wash your hands, and keep fighting the good fight. I support you. No justice, no peace.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


Assassin's Creed Set Review - Green

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Restart Sequence" href="#" target="_blank">Restart Sequence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/liesetiawan">Lie Setiawan</a>)</h6>
<h3><a href="https://commandersherald.com/assassins-creed-set-review-white/">White</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/assassins-creed-set-review-blue/?utm_source=edhrec&amp;utm_medium=article_preview">Blue</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/assassins-creed-set-review-black/?utm_source=edhrec&amp;utm_medium=article_preview">Black</a> | <a href="https://commandersherald.com/assassins-creed-set-review-red/">Red</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/assassins-creed-set-review-green/">Green</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/assassins-creed-set-review-artifacts-lands/">Artifacts &amp; Lands</a> | <a href="https://commandersherald.com/assassins-creed-set-review-allied-shards/">Allied Colors and Shards</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/assassins-creed-set-review-enemy-and-wedges/">Enemy Colors and Wedges</a> | <a href="https://commandersherald.com/assassins-creed-set-review-reprints/">Reprints</a> | <a href="https://commandersherald.com/assassins-creed-cedh-set-review/">cEDH</a></h3>
<h2>Nothing is True, Everything is.. meh</h2>
<p>Hello and welcome back to yet another set review! It's been so long since we had spoilers (by the time you're reading this, it's been 18 days since my <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/modern-horizons-3-set-review-enemies-wedges/">last set review</a>), I was beginning to think that maybe <em>Wizards</em> was in need of medical assistance. With only twelve new black cards, this is going to be a short review, so I have the space to give you a quick history of my torrid love affair with <em>Assassin's Creed:</em></p>
<p>When the first installment in the franchise came out, I was so excited. Such a unique game for its time. If you want to learn more about why, my friend Riley co-hosts an <a href="https://linktr.ee/goddamngamecube?fbclid=IwAR17mOH9XCFULgmaSSa7KJ0W_JnAAgt7HHAK6I1jJ7KpAWPF1G_KmCpDYVU">excellent gaming podcast</a>, with a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu2ESuk-fro">specific episode</a> about <em>Assassin's Creed</em>. Anyway, then they decided to split the second installment into three games, and I lost interest. I didn't even play <em>Assassin's Creed III</em> (or is it five?) and I moved off the franchise entirely. My interest came screaming back with <em>Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, </em>which focuses on my favorite place and time in history: early 1700s Caribbean, with all the Pirate-y goodness you could want. Then we got a new and (I'm guessing) mediocre game seemingly every year after that and I just couldn't keep up.</p>
<p>Why is that relevant? Well, when they announced the <em>Universes Beyond </em>crossover, I was very excited (<em>Assassin's Creed</em>) then got distracted by other stuff (<em>Assassin's Creed II and III</em>), then I got excited again by spoiler season (<em>Black Flag</em>) and now that I see what's in the set, it's all mediocre to me (all the rest). It's exactly like my experience with the video games, so I guess the crossover works in that regard. So let's get into these black cards, and fair warning: it won't be as upbeat as my set reviews usually are.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Mythics</h2>
<hr />
<p>No mythics to look at in black, which is the best foreshadowing I could ask for.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Rares</h2>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Desmond Miles" href="#" target="_blank">Desmond Miles</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Desmond Miles"></div></div>
<p>Our singular rare is at least a character I recognize. Desmond's obvious home is next to cards that care about surveilling, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dimir Spybug" href="#" target="_blank">Dimir Spybug</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirko, Obsessive Theorist" href="#" target="_blank">Mirko, Obsessive Theorist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Mirko is the head of an entire <a href="https://edhrec.com/precon/revenant-recon/mirko-obsessive-theorist">surveil-based precon</a>, so Desmond might deserve a look if you're making changes. Unless he's your commander and you've built around both parts of the card, the Assassin text is most probably irrelevant. Having said that, I can imagine him at the head of a black <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/voltron">Voltron</a> deck that can make Desmond gigantic and take people out of the game while taking advantage of self-mill and reanimator cards. Losing out on blue for Equipment AND surveil synergies hurts that game plan, but it could certainly be tried.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Uncommons &amp; Commons</h2>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Assassin Initiate" href="#" target="_blank">Assassin Initiate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Assassin Initiate"></div></div>
<p>This wouldn't be a terrible card to go into the aforementioned Desmond deck, since its activated ability can compliment any Auras or Equipment you're sticking on it. You also wouldn't mind milling it, because it's a terrible draw later in the game.</p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brotherhood Ambushers" href="#" target="_blank">Brotherhood Ambushers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brotherhood Ambushers"></div></div>
<p>Here's our first instance of freerunning, and it could be zero mana and I'm still not putting this card in my deck. Vanilla 6/3s aren't good in commander at any point outside of caring about high power, so maybe I could see this in a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Gitrog, Ravenous Ride" href="#" target="_blank">Ribbit Rodeo</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck, but you can refer to <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/brew-for-your-buck-gitrog-ravenous-ride-on-a-budget/">my article</a> for much better inclusions. NEXT!</p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chain Assassination" href="#" target="_blank">Chain Assassination</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chain Assassination"></div></div>
<p>Chain Assassination is a good design for freerunning. If you can trade off a few creatures in combat while your commander sneaks through, you've got a cantripping <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Infernal Grasp" href="#" target="_blank">Infernal Grasp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> without the life loss. It's less exciting at four mana, but since it's an instant, you can kill something and draw a card on an opponent's turn if you've got the mana up. Its floor is a four mana <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Murder" href="#" target="_blank">Murder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Not ideal, but as we will see, this is one of the better cards in the list.</p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hemlock Vial" href="#" target="_blank">Hemlock Vial</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hemlock Vial"></div></div>
<p>A black cantripping artifact that would be a borderline card in Limited. The only interesting thing about this card is that it gives your Equipment deathtouch. If you turn your Equipment into creatures with something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyberdrive Awakener" href="#" target="_blank">Cyberdrive Awakener</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or your deck is filled with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Viridian Longbow" href="#" target="_blank">Viridian Longbow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s and friends, I guess you could include this? <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kelsien, the Plague" href="#" target="_blank">Kelsien, the Plague</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a cool commander...</p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Petty Larceny" href="#" target="_blank">Petty Larceny</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Petty Larceny"></div></div>
<p>This is pretty bad unless you're paying the freerunning cost, in which case it's a draw two from not your own deck and it refunds you a Treasure. Theft decks like the new <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gonti, Canny Acquisitor" href="#" target="_blank">Gonti</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or exile-matters decks like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prosper, Tome-Bound" href="#" target="_blank">Prosper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are where you could put this, but I think there are better choices for those decks.</p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phantom Blade" href="#" target="_blank">Phantom Blade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Phantom Blade"></div></div>
<p>I'm kind of surprised this wasn't the name of a <em>Magic </em>card already. Giving enter-the-battlefield (ETB) triggers to Equipment certainly makes them better, and it's cool that in this case it's "modal" removal spell. If this had flash, I'd be in but sadly it doesn't, so I'm out.</p>
<p>AUTHOR'S NOTE: At this point in writing I realized that these are legal in Modern too, which is laughable given that we just saw how powerful <em>Modern Horizons 3</em> is. Who are these cards for outside of <em>Assassin's Creed</em> fans? I also realized this is supposed to sell in small packs like <em>March of the Machine: The </em><em>Aftermath</em>, which was one of the biggest product flops in recent years. Since <em>Wizards</em> cancelled a similar product for <em>Outlaws of Thunder Junction,</em> I'm guessing there wasn't enough time to change this one. Yikes.</p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Poison-Blade Mentor" href="#" target="_blank">Poison-Blade Mentor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Poison-Blade Mentor"></div></div>
<p>A 2/1, non-evasive creature that cares only about Assassins? It could go in Assassin decks like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ramses, Assassin Lord" href="#" target="_blank">Ramses</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but maybe not even there. With all the cards to choose from in our format, I have a hard time seeing this making the 99.</p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Restart Sequence" href="#" target="_blank">Restart Sequence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Restart Sequence"></div></div>
<p>Alright, they got me. I'm a sucker for reanimation spells. We don't usually get them even at four mana anymore, and this even has the option to cast for two. If you're playing Assassins or attacking a lot with your commander, this is a solid inclusion in one of your recursion slots over something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Persist" href="#" target="_blank">Persist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and certainly over <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zombify" href="#" target="_blank">Zombify</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I like this as a budget option as well, so consider it over <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reanimate" href="#" target="_blank">Reanimate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Animate Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Animate Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to save a few bucks. I'm pretty sure this is the best card in this list.</p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Roshan, Hidden Magister" href="#" target="_blank">Roshan, Hidden Magister</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Roshan, Hidden Magister"></div></div>
<p>What in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ratadrabik of Urborg" href="#" target="_blank">Ratadrabik</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s name is this? A <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maskwood Nexus" href="#" target="_blank">Maskwood Nexus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for Assassins? A support card for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kadena, Slinking Sorcerer" href="#" target="_blank">Kadena</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? Both? Morph Assassins is not something I thought I'd talk about in an article but here we are. Also cool with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scarblade Elite" href="#" target="_blank">Scarblade Elite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for your Assassins deck I guess, but what an odd design. There must be something here from a flavor perspective that I'm missing.</p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Revelations of Ezio" href="#" target="_blank">The Revelations of Ezio</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Revelations of Ezio"></div></div>
<p>With Ezio as the focus, is this Saga supposed to represent all three <em>Assassin's Creed II</em> games? If so, I get the first chapter which is just <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Assassinate" href="#" target="_blank">Assassinate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but the other two are lost on me. Again, if you're doing the Assassin thing with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ramses, Assassin Lord" href="#" target="_blank">Ramses</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mari, the Killing Quill" href="#" target="_blank">Mari</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Etrata, Deadly Fugitive" href="#" target="_blank">Etrata</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, this seems like the set for you. Otherwise I suggest looking elsewhere for your revelations.</p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Merciless Harlequin" href="#" target="_blank">Merciless Harlequin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Merciless Harlequin"></div></div>
<p>As with everything else, consider if you're building an Assassins deck. What blew my mind about this card is the name. I didn't know what harlequin meant, so I looked. Almighty Google defines it as: "a mute character in traditional <span class="AraNOb">pantomime</span>, typically <span class="AraNOb">masked</span> and dressed in a diamond-patterned costume." Harlequin. Harley Quinn. You learn something new every day.</p>
<hr />
<p>Yikes. In my opinion, just like the video game franchise, the <em>Assassin's Creed</em> set<em> </em>perfectly encapsulates the vibe of initial excitement and success being completely destroyed by product fatigue. Not something unfamiliar to us <em>Magic </em>players. I know it was a negative review, but I want to be honest with my suggestions and opinions for all you fine readers. If you're looking for more bubbly and excited writing from me, and/or you're interested in budget deck building, check out my usual series, <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/brian-cain/"><em>Brew For Your Buck</em></a>.</p>
<p>If you're excited about this set, I'd love to hear about it. Change my mind! Or maybe you agree with everything I said and we can commiserate together. Either way, drop me a line in the comments or give me a follow on Twitter @BrewForYourBuck. I'll see you next time!</p>


assassins creed