Grind Out Value With Moseo, Vein's New Dean

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof|sos|286" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix, the Proof</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/nastasja" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anastasia Ovchinnikova</a></em></p>
<p>As soon as I saw the new Elder Dragons in <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/sos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Secrets of Strixhaven</em></a>, part of my brain started itching. Each of them gives our instants and sorceries an added effect, which led me to think about how to make them work without including anything other than these two card types.</p>
<p>So today we're talking about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix, the Proof</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and building a Commander deck with <em>only</em> instants, sorceries, and lands.</p>
<h2>What Does Quandrix, the Proof Do?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Quandrix, the Proof"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was the one that got my attention first. Cascade is an extremely powerful ability and having a deck full of cascading cards seems like the recipe for a good time. In fact, we can pack the deck with over 60 spells and all of them will come with an added bonus - which sounds pretty good to me.</p>
<p>So, let's see what we're working with.</p>
<h2>The Best Spells for Quandrix, the Proof</h2>
<p>When approaching this deck, I focused on the mana value of the cards I was including. This is because whenever we cast a spell, we're also casting a spell with a lower mana value. So, it's very useful to know at any point what we might get out of the cards we cast.</p>
<h3>Mana Values Zero and One</h3>
<p>Starting with mana value zero, there aren't actually many options. I decided to include just one card: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inevitable Betrayal" href="#" target="_blank">Inevitable Betrayal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This is a very good card, especially at tables with a lower power level, where game-finishing creatures are more common. Getting an extra stealing effect whenever we cast a cheap one-mana spell sounds very good.</p>
<p>Additionally, if we were to suspend it and play it as intended, it isn't that bad either.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inevitable Betrayal"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Into the Flood Maw"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Serum Visions"></div></div>
<p>Our spells that cost one mana mainly cover two roles: cheap interaction and card draw. We get access to cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Into the Flood Maw" href="#" target="_blank">Into the Flood Maw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nature&#039;s Claim" href="#" target="_blank">Nature&#039;s Claim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pongify" href="#" target="_blank">Pongify</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, all of which can deal with our opponents' boards in some way.</p>
<p>We also make good use of cheap cantrips that are usually only playable in 60-card formats. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Preordain" href="#" target="_blank">Preordain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ponder" href="#" target="_blank">Ponder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Serum Visions" href="#" target="_blank">Serum Visions</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all allow us to manipulate the top of our library, which can be very good when we're trying to cascade as much as possible.</p>
<h3>Mana Values Two and Three</h3>
<p>Here is where the bulk of the list is. Considering how commander-centric this deck is, we want to include as many ramp spells as possible so that we're always able to recast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> if/when it gets removed.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rampant Growth"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Double Major"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Filter Out"></div></div>
<p>For this reason, we're running the usual suspects, such as <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>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Three Visits" href="#" target="_blank">Three Visits</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nature&#039;s Lore" href="#" target="_blank">Nature&#039;s Lore</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but more niche cards, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harrow" href="#" target="_blank">Harrow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cycle of Renewal" href="#" target="_blank">Cycle of Renewal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While these cards aren't obscure by any means, they aren't your first go-tos when building the ramp package for your deck either.</p>
<p>Ideally, we get to cast them <em>after</em> <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has hit the battlefield, so that we're getting something more as compensation for our sacrificed land.</p>
<p>Within this mana value range, we can also find some extremely synergistic cards. First off, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Double Major" href="#" target="_blank">Double Major</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, the cheapest way we have to get an additional copy of our commander. And remember: the more cascades, the better.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Road of Return" href="#" target="_blank">Road of Return</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> works as a reset button for our commander: if the commander tax ever gets too high, we can simply put it in our hand to circumvent it one time.</p>
<p>We can get good value out of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pieces of the Puzzle" href="#" target="_blank">Pieces of the Puzzle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Considering how many hits there are in our deck, we'll almost always get a good selection of cards to choose from.</p>
<p>Finally, we also deepen our interaction pool. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Filter Out" href="#" target="_blank">Filter Out</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a home run of a card in this deck; in fact, we aren't running any nonland, noncreature permanents, so it'll always be a one-sided bounce effect. "What about creatures?" you may ask. Well, look no further than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Run Away Together" href="#" target="_blank">Run Away Together</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can also be a protection spell under very specific circumstances.</p>
<p>And then, my own evergreen pet card: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Obscuring Haze" href="#" target="_blank">Obscuring Haze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While I include this card in every green deck I build, here it is as good as it can ever get. It's a free spell that cascades for its mana value (three) and that covers our greatest weakness (board presence).</p>
<h3>Mana Values Four and Five</h3>
<p>We're approaching the end of our mana curve, so we're starting to find the heavy hitters of the deck.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Press the Enemy"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Evacuation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Quantum Misalignment"></div></div>
<p>First, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Press the Enemy" href="#" target="_blank">Press the Enemy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, one of the highlights of the list. At first, this seems like a very expensive counterspell with limited upsides, but the more you look at it, the better it gets.</p>
<p>First, it allows us to cast a spell for free, which is always nice. But the real magic happens if we cast it while our commander's on the battlefield. In fact, looking at the wording on Press the Enemy, we're casting the spell for free <em>from our hand</em>. This is extremely relevant because <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> grants cascade to spells we cast from hand. This means we'll get the cascade trigger for Press the Enemy <em>and</em> for the free spell we cast afterwards.</p>
<p>Then, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Evacuation" href="#" target="_blank">Evacuation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another piece at our disposal to fight clogged boards. Considering we're always playing catch-up with other players to avoid their creatures stomping us, a board-resetting spell is always welcome.</p>
<p>Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quantum Misalignment" href="#" target="_blank">Quantum Misalignment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> reiterates a key concept of the deck, which is copying our commander. If everything goes as it should, this card alone grants us two additional <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s on the board.</p>
<p>That's <em>three</em> cascade triggers for each spell we cast. Things will get out of hand quickly.</p>
<h3>Mana Values Six and Higher</h3>
<p>The actual top end of our curve is reserved for our game finishers.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Clone Legion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wisdom of Ages"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mnemonic Deluge"></div></div>
<p>Once we've reached the late game, we want to follow one of two paths.</p>
<p>First, the game-finishing path. In this scenario, we cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elminster&#039;s Simulacrum" href="#" target="_blank">Elminster&#039;s Simulacrum</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blatant Thievery" href="#" target="_blank">Blatant Thievery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clone Legion" href="#" target="_blank">Clone Legion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to build a board out of nowhere. The added value we get from these expensive spells should be enough for us to overwhelm our opponents.</p>
<p>Alternatively, we press a reset button. This can either mean casting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flood of Tears" href="#" target="_blank">Flood of Tears</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, setting everyone back and betting on the fact we'll be the fastest at rebuilding, or casting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wisdom of Ages" href="#" target="_blank">Wisdom of Ages</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which gets us back a whole game's worth of instants and sorceries, netting us so much card advantage we'll be able to stitch together a win from there.</p>
<p>There's also a secret, third option, which is a special alternative for the <em>very</em> late game: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mnemonic Deluge" href="#" target="_blank">Mnemonic Deluge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This card is at its best when combined with one of the creature-cloning spells: getting three times the creatures and cascading for nine at the same time can only be backbreaking for our opponents.</p>
<h2>Quandrix, the Proof Commander Deck List</h2>
<p>To better see the decklist, I'll divide it into mana value categories.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Spells-Only Quandrix" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Quandrix, the Proof
[/Commander]
[MV 0]
*1 Inevitable Betrayal
[/MV 0]
[MV 1]
*1 Dispel
*1 Gitaxian Probe
*1 Into the Flood Maw
*1 March of Swirling Mist
*1 Nature&#039;s Claim
*1 Opt
*1 Ponder
*1 Pongify
*1 Preordain
*1 Rapid Hybridization
*1 Reclaim
*1 Serum Visions
*1 Suspend
[/MV 1]
[MV 2]
*1 Blue Sun&#039;s Twilight
*1 Delay
*1 Double Major
*1 Farseek
*1 Flow State
*1 Glimpse the Core
*1 Growth Spiral
*1 Nature&#039;s Lore
*1 Planar Genesis
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Reality Shift
*1 Road of Return
*1 Run Away Together
*1 Shared Roots
*1 Snapback
*1 Three Visits
*1 Twincast
*1 Unsubstantiate
[/MV 2]
[MV 3]
*1 Beast Within
*1 Cultivate
*1 Cycle of Renewal
*1 Early Harvest
*1 Entish Restoration
*1 Filter Out
*1 Harrow
*1 Kodama&#039;s Reach
*1 Obscuring Haze
*1 Pieces of the Puzzle
*1 Roiling Regrowth
*1 Solve the Equation
*1 Theoretical Duplication
[/MV 3]
[MV 4]
*1 Eureka Moment
*1 Insidious Will
*1 Irenicus&#039;s Vile Duplication
*1 Planar Engineering
*1 Press the Enemy
*1 Skyshroud Claim
[/MV 4]
[MV 5]
*1 Bribery
*1 Ember Island Production
*1 Embrace the Paradox
*1 Evacuation
*1 Quantum Misalignment
[/MV 5]
[MV 6]
*1 Elminster&#039;s Simulacrum
*1 Flood of Tears
[/MV 6]
[MV 7]
*1 Blatant Thievery
*1 Wisdom of Ages
[/MV 7]
[MV 9]
*1 Clone Legion
*1 Mnemonic Deluge
[/MV 9]
[Land]
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Command Tower
*1 Dreamroot Cascade
*1 Flooded Grove
*10 Forest
*1 Hinterland Harbor
*13 Island
*1 Mystic Sanctuary
*1 Overflowing Basin
*1 Rejuvenating Springs
*1 Simic Growth Chamber
*1 Temple of Mystery
*1 Temple of the False God
*1 Thornwood Falls
*1 Vineglimmer Snarl
*1 Yavimaya Coast
[/Land]"></span></div>

<h2>Closing Thoughts on Quandrix, the Proof</h2>
<p>I had a lot of fun brewing this deck. For me, Commander is synonymous with "gimmick," as I always try to build around a specific niche or to maximize a certain aspect of the deck. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quandrix, the Proof" href="#" target="_blank">Quandrix, the Proof</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> certainly is a very powerful card that can shine as a commander, but I wanted to see if it was possible to create something unusual around it. I think I succeeded in doing so.</p>
<p>The glaring weakness of this deck is its end game: It's difficult to piece together a winning board state in this color combination <em>and</em> using only instants and sorceries. The solution I included in the list, cloning, is one way to go about it, but I'm sure there are other options I haven't considered.</p>
<p>I have yet to try the deck out, but considering how much fun I had building it, I'm sure it'll be a blast to play. If you pick it up, I suggest you personalize your list as much as possible. You can consider my list as a blueprint, a starting point from which your imagination can branch. This idea is perfectly suited for a toolbox approach, since you have so much space to include all the tech cards you want, depending on your play style and your playgroup.</p>
<p>If you try the deck out, let me know how it fares in the comments!</p>


Going Full Instants and Sorceries With Quandrix, the Proof

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prismari, the Inspiration|sos|285" href="#" target="_blank">Prismari, the Inspiration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.waynereynolds.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wayne Reynolds</a></em></p>
<p><em>Magic</em>'s most broken mechanic is storm, a triggered ability that creates a copy of a spell for each spell cast before it - by any player - that turn. It's such a notorious, busted effect that it has spawned competitive decks in pretty much every format in which it appears.</p>
<p>Now, <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/sos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Secrets of Strixhaven </em></a>has just given Commander a legendary creature that gives every single instant and sorcery spell you cast storm. Does it have what it takes for cEDH? Let's dig in to this deck tech for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prismari, the Inspiration" href="#" target="_blank">Prismari, the Inspiration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to find out.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Prismari, the Inspiration|sos|285"></div></div>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prismari, the Inspiration" href="#" target="_blank">Prismari, the Inspiration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<p>Prismari, the Inspiration is a 7/7 legendary Elder Dragon creature for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-5" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> with flying, ward - pay 5 life, and the monstrous effect of "Instant and sorcery spells you cast have storm."</p>
<p>Prismari isn't complicated or nuanced, but it is certainly terrifying: once resolved, spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Bolt" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Bolt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> quickly become lethal sources of damage, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brainstorm" href="#" target="_blank">Brainstorm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> becomes better at drawing cards than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ancestral Recall" href="#" target="_blank">Ancestral Recall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rite of Flame" href="#" target="_blank">Rite of Flame</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> starts to add far more mana than it was ever intended to.</p>
<p>The only problem is that <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-5" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> is a lot to get to, especially considering the blow-out that can happen if Prismari gets countered or removed quickly.</p>
<p>This all paints a pretty clear picture of how the deck wants to operate. First, focus turns one and two on churning out as much mana as possible. By turn three, be set up to cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prismari, the Inspiration" href="#" target="_blank">Prismari, the Inspiration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, hopefully with some sort of backup. Turn four's your chance to steal the show; set off a flurry of storm spells and end the game in one fell swoop.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prismari, the Inspiration" href="#" target="_blank">Prismari, the Inspiration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<h3>Mana Accelerants</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mana Vault"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grim Monolith"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Treasonous Ogre"></div></div>
<p>This first package is pretty standard across any and every cEDH deck, and that's a suite of cards designed to ramp you ahead. What makes them unique here, however, is that this deck is afforded the opportunity to run a lot more colorless mana producing ramp than most other decks, as all we need to do is hit that <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-5" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> in Prismari's mana cost and then we're off to the races.</p>
<p>To that end <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Vault" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Vault</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grim Monolith" href="#" target="_blank">Grim Monolith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are auto includes, as is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasonous Ogre" href="#" target="_blank">Treasonous Ogre</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can also cover as much <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> as we could ever dream of.</p>
<p>Additional picks include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="________ Goblin" href="#" target="_blank">________ Goblin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ("Name Sticker" Goblin), as well as using <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lion&#039;s Eye Diamond" href="#" target="_blank">Lion&#039;s Eye Diamond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as a pseudo <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jeweled Lotus" href="#" target="_blank">Jeweled Lotus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h3>Spells for Storm</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lightning Bolt"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brainstorm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rite of Flame"></div></div>
<p>This next section combines plenty of the traditionally-good cEDH Izzet suite (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gamble" href="#" target="_blank">Gamble</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pyretic Ritual" href="#" target="_blank">Pyretic Ritual</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, etc.) with some extra spellslinger juice from dedicated Storm decks, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Bolt" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Bolt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Galvanic Blast" href="#" target="_blank">Galvanic Blast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for damage, plus <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brainstorm" href="#" target="_blank">Brainstorm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ponder" href="#" target="_blank">Ponder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for card draw.</p>
<h3>How Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prismari, the Inspiration" href="#" target="_blank">Prismari, the Inspiration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Win?</h3>
<h3>Storm</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Past in Flames"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wheel of Fortune"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Galvanic Blast"></div></div>
<p>This mechanic is the name of the game in Prismari and will be responsible for most of the deck's wins. Best of all, it doesn't actually require a specific suite of cards; between rituals, wheels, and a recursion effect such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Past in Flames" href="#" target="_blank">Past in Flames</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Underworld Breach" href="#" target="_blank">Underworld Breach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, it's pretty easy to go from resolving Prismari the previous turn to casting fifteen or more spells shortly thereafter, finishing off the table with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Galvanic Blast" href="#" target="_blank">Galvanic Blast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Bolt" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Bolt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h3>Underworld Breach</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Underworld Breach"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lion&#039;s Eye Diamond"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brain Freeze"></div></div>
<p>This deck is already running <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Underworld Breach" href="#" target="_blank">Underworld Breach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for value and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lion&#039;s Eye Diamond" href="#" target="_blank">Lion&#039;s Eye Diamond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as a ramp piece, and the only other card this combo requires is also a potential way to kill the table through a natural storm loop (Prismari gives <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brain Freeze" href="#" target="_blank">Brain Freeze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> a second instance of storm and each triggers separately), so of course we'll run it and complete the Breach Package.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prismari, the Inspiration" href="#" target="_blank">Prismari, the Inspiration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> cEDH Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Prismari, the Inspiration cEDH" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Prismari, the Inspiration
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Basalt Monolith
*1 Chrome Mox
*1 Defense Grid
*1 Grim Monolith
*1 Izzet Signet
*1 Jeweled Amulet
*1 Lion&#039;s Eye Diamond
*1 Lotus Petal
*1 Mana Vault
*1 Mox Amber
*1 Mox Diamond
*1 Mox Opal
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Talisman of Creativity
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 &quot;Name Sticker&quot; Goblin
*1 Archmage Emeritus
*1 Birgi, God of Storytelling // Harnfel, Horn of Bounty
*1 Dragon&#039;s Rage Channeler
*1 Electro, Assaulting Battery
*1 Hexing Squelcher
*1 Krark, the Thumbless
*1 Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer
*1 Simian Spirit Guide
*1 Storm-Kiln Artist
*1 Treasonous Ogre
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 An Offer You Can&#039;t Refuse
*1 Anticipate
*1 Borne Upon a Wind
*1 Brain Freeze
*1 Brainstorm
*1 Deflecting Swat
*1 Desperate Ritual
*1 Expedite
*1 Fierce Guardianship
*1 Flashback
*1 Flusterstorm
*1 Force of Will
*1 Galvanic Blast
*1 Gut Shot
*1 Lightning Bolt
*1 Mana Drain
*1 Mental Misstep
*1 Mindbreak Trap
*1 Mystical Tutor
*1 Pact of Negation
*1 Play with Fire
*1 Pyretic Ritual
*1 Pyroblast
*1 Red Elemental Blast
*1 Redirect Lightning
*1 Seething Song
*1 Submerge
*1 Swan Song
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Copy Artifact
*1 Mystic Remora
*1 Rhystic Study
*1 Underworld Breach
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Boomerang Basics
*1 End the Festivities
*1 Gamble
*1 Gitaxian Probe
*1 Jeska&#039;s Will
*1 Light Up the Stage
*1 Past in Flames
*1 Ponder
*1 Rite of Flame
*1 Strike It Rich
*1 Timetwister
*1 Wheel of Fortune
*1 Wheel of Misfortune
*1 Will of the Jeskai
*1 Windfall
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Ancient Tomb
*1 Arid Mesa
*1 Bloodstained Mire
*1 City of Brass
*1 City of Traitors
*1 Command Tower
*1 Crystal Vein
*1 Emergence Zone
*1 Fiery Islet
*1 Flooded Strand
*1 Gemstone Caverns
*1 Island
*1 Mana Confluence
*1 Misty Rainforest
*1 Mountain
*1 Otawara, Soaring City
*1 Polluted Delta
*1 Sandstone Needle
*1 Saprazzan Skerry
*1 Scalding Tarn
*1 Shivan Reef
*1 Steam Vents
*1 Tarnished Citadel
*1 Training Center
*1 Volcanic Island
*1 Wooded Foothills
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Wrap Up</h2>
<p>Spellslinger decks have been picking up traction in cEDH over the past year or so, but we haven't yet seen a deck truly dedicated to the storm mechanic. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prismari, the Inspiration" href="#" target="_blank">Prismari, the Inspiration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might just change that.</p>


Building Prismari, the Inspiration for cEDH

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gorma, the Gullet" href="#" target="_blank">Gorma, the Gullet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/tots" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brian Valeza</a></em></p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/sos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Secrets of Strixhaven</em></a> is packing a lot of power in the command zone, with perhaps no color identity gaining more than <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/golgari?utm_source=edhrec" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Golgari</a> (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>).</p>
<p>First, we had <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Witherbloom, the Balancer" href="#" target="_blank">Witherbloom, the Balancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and its <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-witherbloom-the-balancer-for-cedh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">infinite token shenanigans</a>. Now, it's time for a much cheaper commander - one that enables a plethora of two-card combo kills thanks to the persist mechanic. Here's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gorma, the Gullet" href="#" target="_blank">Gorma, the Gullet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: cEDH's newest and coolest Frog.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gorma, the Gullet"></div></div>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gorma, the Gullet" href="#" target="_blank">Gorma, the Gullet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<p>For <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, Gorma, the Gullet is a legendary 1/1 Pest Frog creature with lifelink and "Whenever another nontoken creature you control dies, put a +1/+1 counter on Gorma." Additionally, nontoken creatures you control enter with an additional +1/+1 counter on them for each creature that died under your control this turn.</p>
<p>At <a href="https://edhrec.com/guides/edhrec-guide-to-commander-brackets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lower Brackets</a>, Gorma would get up to some crazy shenanigans as a +1/+1 counters deck. Not so here; in cEDH, this card's ability granting your other creatures +1/+1 counters effectively translates to "Creatures with <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Persist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">persist</a> you control are infinitely loopable."</p>
<p>What do I mean by that? Well, when a creature with persist dies, if it had no -1/-1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield with a -1/-1 counter on it. Thanks to a rules quirk of <em>Magic</em>, if a creature would have both a -1/-1 counter on it and a +1/+1 counter on it, both of those counters are removed, since they effectively cancel out.</p>
<p>With Gorma in play, this means that a creature with persist will die, come back with a -1/-1 counter as well as some number of +1/+1 counters based on however many creatures died this turn (including the creature with persist itself), then the -1/-1 counter and one +1/+1 counter will immediately disappear, freeing up persist to trigger again the next time that creature dies. All you need is a sacrifice outlet, and Gorma, of course.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gorma, the Gullet" href="#" target="_blank">Gorma, the Gullet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>Aside from the combo pieces enabled by Gorma (persist creature + sacrifice outlet), this deck is essentially completely commander agnostic. That's a huge boon; rather than running any particular synergy pieces, Gorma, the Gullet is effectively a Golgari good-stuff pile.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Demonic Tutor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Green Sun&#039;s Zenith"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deathrite Shaman"></div></div>
<p>Every good black tutor? Check. The best green to-field creature tutors? Check. All the mana a ball of Elves could generate? Triple check.</p>
<h2>How Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gorma, the Gullet" href="#" target="_blank">Gorma, the Gullet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Win?</h2>
<h3>Persist Loops</h3>
<p>Alrighty, on to the closing packages. At its simplest, Gorma can win with any persist creature (this deck runs <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Putrid Goblin" href="#" target="_blank">Putrid Goblin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lesser Masticore" href="#" target="_blank">Lesser Masticore</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rendclaw Trow" href="#" target="_blank">Rendclaw Trow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as the three options) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Altar of Dementia" href="#" target="_blank">Altar of Dementia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Putrid Goblin"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Altar of Dementia"></div></div>
<p>Assuming Gorma's in play, simply cast these two cards, then sacrifice the persist creature to Altar of Dementia, targeting any opponent. That player will mill some number of cards (dependent on the sacrificed creature's power), then persist will trigger, resurrecting the creature. Thanks to Gorma, it will enter with at least one +1/+1 counter, thus negating the -1/-1 counter persist places. Rinse and repeat, milling out each opponent's entire library.</p>
<p>Alternatively, this combo also works if you target yourself with the Altar of Dementia's mill ability, or if you use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Umbral Collar Zealot" href="#" target="_blank">Umbral Collar Zealot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as the sacrifice outlet instead. However, in doing so, the combo closeout involves an extra step.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Umbral Collar Zealot"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dread Return"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Walking Ballista"></div></div>
<p>If you mill your entire library by repeatedly sacrificing a persist creature (either with Altar of Dementia as self-targeting or by surveilling it away with Umbral Collar Zealot), eventually you'll mill two cards: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dread Return" href="#" target="_blank">Dread Return</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Walking Ballista" href="#" target="_blank">Walking Ballista</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Provided that you've sacrificed a creature enough times (which you will have, since you can sacrifice a persist creature an infinite number of times), you can then flashback Dread Return by sacrificing three creatures (any three except for Gorma), targeting Walking Ballista. It'll enter with a number of +1/+1 counters equal to the number of times you've sacrificed creatures this turn, which you can then remove in order to kill the rest of the table through Walking Ballista's activated ability.</p>
<h3>Wither Chain</h3>
<p>As a backup to all the persist loop goodness, Gorma also runs the classic Golgari combo of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Witherbloom Apprentice" href="#" target="_blank">Witherbloom Apprentice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> plus <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chain of Smog" href="#" target="_blank">Chain of Smog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Witherbloom Apprentice"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chain of Smog"></div></div>
<p>Just cast Chain of Smog targeting yourself while Witherbloom Apprentice is in play, then infinitely loop it via Chain of Smog's copy effect (still targeting yourself each time). Each copy will trigger Witherbloom Apprentice's <em>magecraft</em> trigger, draining the table for one life per opponent and gaining you one life.</p>
<p>Do that enough times and the game's yours.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gorma, the Gullet" href="#" target="_blank">Gorma, the Gullet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> cEDH Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Gorma cEDH" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Gorma, the Gullet
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Allosaurus Shepherd
*1 Arbor Elf
*1 Badgermole Cub
*1 Birds of Paradise
*1 Blood Pet
*1 Deathrite Shaman
*1 Delighted Halfling
*1 Dosan the Falling Leaf
*1 Elves of Deep Shadow
*1 Elvish Mystic
*1 Elvish Reclaimer
*1 Elvish Spirit Guide
*1 Endurance
*1 Enduring Vitality
*1 Fyndhorn Elves
*1 Lesser Masticore
*1 Opposition Agent
*1 Orcish Bowmasters
*1 Priest of Titania
*1 Putrid Goblin
*1 Quirion Ranger
*1 Rendclaw Trow
*1 Six
*1 Sowing Mycospawn
*1 Sylvan Safekeeper
*1 The Cabbage Merchant
*1 Umbral Collar Zealot
*1 Walking Ballista
*1 Witherbloom Apprentice
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Altar of Dementia
*1 Chrome Mox
*1 Defense Grid
*1 Expedition Map
*1 Lotus Petal
*1 Mana Vault
*1 Mox Diamond
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Vexing Bauble
*1 Wishclaw Talisman
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Abrupt Decay
*1 Ad Nauseam
*1 Archdruid&#039;s Charm
*1 Autumn&#039;s Veil
*1 Cabal Ritual
*1 Chord of Calling
*1 Crop Rotation
*1 Culling the Weak
*1 Dark Ritual
*1 Deadly Rollick
*1 Imp&#039;s Mischief
*1 Rain of Filth
*1 Summoner&#039;s Pact
*1 Tainted Pact
*1 Tamiyo&#039;s Safekeeping
*1 Vampiric Tutor
*1 Veil of Summer
*1 Worldly Tutor
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Carpet of Flowers
*1 Earthcraft
*1 Growing Rites of Itlimoc // Itlimoc, Cradle of the Sun
*1 Survival of the Fittest
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Chain of Smog
*1 Culling Ritual
*1 Demonic Tutor
*1 Diabolic Intent
*1 Dread Return
*1 Finale of Devastation
*1 Green Sun&#039;s Zenith
*1 Grim Tutor
*1 Imperial Seal
*1 Nature&#039;s Rhythm
*1 Reanimate
*1 Sylvan Scrying
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Ancient Tomb
*1 Bayou
*1 Bloodstained Mire
*1 Boseiju, Who Endures
*1 Cavern of Souls
*1 Command Tower
*1 Deserted Temple
*1 Emergence Zone
*1 Forest
*1 Gaea&#039;s Cradle
*1 Gemstone Caverns
*1 Llanowar Wastes
*1 Marsh Flats
*1 Misty Rainforest
*1 Nurturing Peatland
*1 Overgrown Tomb
*1 Phyrexian Tower
*1 Polluted Delta
*1 Shifting Woodland
*2 Swamp
*1 Talon Gates of Madara
*1 Underground Mortuary
*1 Verdant Catacombs
*1 Windswept Heath
*1 Wooded Foothills
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Wrap Up</h2>
<p>Gorma, the Gullet is a deck that runs only the best of Golgari's card pool, then rounds it out with seven total commander-specific cards, enabling a diverse suite of compact two-card combos. Only time in the tournaments will tell if it's better than fellow <em>Secrets of Strixhaven</em> commander <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Witherbloom, the Balancer" href="#" target="_blank">Witherbloom, the Balancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but one thing's for certain: this Frog's got promise.</p>


best commanders in secrets of strixhaven

Grind Out Value With Moseo, Vein's New Dean

Going Full Instants and Sorceries With Quandrix, the Proof

Building Prismari, the Inspiration for cEDH

Building Gorma, the Gullet for cEDH