<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Calix, Guided by Fate" href="#" target="_blank">Calix, Guided by Fate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/pindurski" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PINDURSKI</a></em></p>
<p>Welcome once again to <em>Fire and Ice</em>! This is the data-driven series where I go over cards that are becoming more or less popular for different Commander decks, and talk about why they may be gaining or losing popularity. I'm Julia, EDHREC's Duchess of Data, and I'm super excited to jump into today's article.</p>
<p>EDHREC, of course, has a ton of data. We'll draw conclusions from that data about how certain commanders' decks have changed over time, give insight into how the format's players are thinking about new cards, and hopefully provide some tech for your favorite commander's list.</p>
<p>We'll be focusing today's article on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Calix, Guided by Fate" href="#" target="_blank">Calix, Guided by Fate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>! He won last edition's poll with 47% of the vote. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sophia, Dogged Detective" href="#" target="_blank">Sophia, Dogged Detective</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> came in second with 38% of the vote, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider" href="#" target="_blank">Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was last with 15% of the vote.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Calix, Guided by Fate"></div></div>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Calix, Guided by Fate" href="#" target="_blank">Calix, Guided by Fate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div id="attachment_171191" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/newplot-1.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-171191" class="size-large wp-image-171191" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/newplot-1-1024x337.png" alt="What's hot and what's not for Calix, Guided by Fate" width="1024" height="337" srcset="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/newplot-1-1024x337.png 1024w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/newplot-1-300x99.png 300w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/newplot-1-768x253.png 768w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/newplot-1-1536x506.png 1536w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/newplot-1.png 1669w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-171191" class="wp-caption-text">What's hot and what's not for Calix, Guided by Fate</p></div>
<p>Coming to us from <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/mat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>March of the Machine: The Aftermath</em></a>, Calix is a bright spot in an overall poorly received set. 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-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, he's a 2/2 Human Druid enchantment creature. And, whenever an enchantment (including Calix) enters the battlefield, we get to put a +1/+1 counter on any creature.</p>
<p>Then, when Calix or any enchanted creature connects with an opponent in combat, we get to copy our best nonlegendary enchantment. This commander is absolutely busted, and sits at #700 on EDHREC. It would likely be much higher if the set it released in was more popular, too.</p>
<p>So, which cards pair with this super strong legendary creature? <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sythis, Harvest&#039;s Hand" href="#" target="_blank">Sythis, Harvest&#039;s Hand</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is in a whopping 87% of Calix decks, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sanctum Weaver" href="#" target="_blank">Sanctum Weaver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> isn't far behind in 85%, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jukai Naturalist" href="#" target="_blank">Jukai Naturalist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is in 81% of lists. Notably, each of these creatures is also an enchantment.</p>
<p>It's really remarkable what <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> lists have access to these days.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sythis, Harvest&#039;s Hand"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sanctum Weaver"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jukai Naturalist"></div></div>
<h2>What's Fiery for Calix Decks?</h2>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ocelot Pride" href="#" target="_blank">Ocelot Pride</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Fire Score of 4.32)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ocelot Pride"></div></div>
<p>What can I say about Ocelot Pride? It's one of the best cards, if not <em>the</em> best card, from <em>Modern Horizons 3</em>. It's an auto-include in any token-based or lifegain-based deck, which is probably about half of all <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> decks.</p>
<p>This deck makes a lot of tokens, as Calix can give us access to a ton of them every time we go to combat. That means that this overpowered Cat is a perfect fit here.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kenrith&#039;s Transformation" href="#" target="_blank">Kenrith&#039;s Transformation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Fire Score of 3.04)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kenrith&#039;s Transformation"></div></div>
<p>All decks need removal, and it's even better when that removal can be on-theme. Kenny's Transformation is a classic card for Commander players, and it's also a great fit for any Enchantress deck looking for more thematic, powerful gameplay.</p>
<p>This Aura is already super powerful, and it's even better when we can make multiple copies of it every single turn.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glyph Elemental" href="#" target="_blank">Glyph Elemental</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Fire Score of 2.91)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glyph Elemental"></div></div>
<p>While we don't see a ton of land-based ramp in the typical Calix deck, this two-mana bestow creature still puts in a ton of work. It'll grow larger and larger each turn, and can become a veritable threat in combat if we make a few copies of it. Just one land drop can represent three, four, or even more +1/+1 counters on our creatures if we make a few copies of this Elemental.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unnatural Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Unnatural Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Fire Score of 2.69)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Unnatural Growth"></div></div>
<p>We've got a small sample size here, as this enchantment is only in 37 decks. But, it makes a lot of sense as an include in our 99. Calix adds a +1/+1 counter to a creature when it enters (assuming Calix is on the board), and that counter's effectiveness is doubled the moment we go to combat. And, as we make more and more copies of this enchantment, our board's strength grows exponentially.</p>
<p>This deck almost always wins through combat damage, so doubling our creatures' power a few times seems like a great way to close out games.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Herald of the Pantheon" href="#" target="_blank">Herald of the Pantheon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Fire Score of 2.34)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Herald of the Pantheon"></div></div>
<p>This Centaur Shaman can hit the battlefield a turn before Calix, meaning he casts one mana less to cast on turn three. Then, we can continue using that cost reduction to power out even more enchantments earlier than we otherwise could. The incidental lifegain the Herald provides us isn't bad, either.</p>
<p>Sadly, this creature isn't an enchantment like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jukai Naturalist" href="#" target="_blank">Jukai Naturalist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. But, it's still a great include.</p>
<h3><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> (Fire Score of 2.27)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rampant Growth"></div></div>
<p>This is a default inclusion for ramp in <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> decks. Much like Herald of the Pantheon, this sorcery can be cast the turn before our commander to provide us with mana advantage throughout the game. While I'd rather cast a copy of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Utopia Sprawl" href="#" target="_blank">Utopia Sprawl</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wild Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Wild Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, I certainly won't complain about seeing this spell in my opening hand.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beast Within" href="#" target="_blank">Beast Within</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Fire Score of 2.13)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beast Within"></div></div>
<p>Another Commander classic. It's hard to beat the flexibility this removal spell provides, even if <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" 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> and a 3/3 Beast token is an admittedly high price to pay. While I typically look elsewhere in higher power decks, this instant still has a place in more casual Bracket 3 lists.</p>
<h2>What's Icy for Calix Decks?</h2>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cast Out" href="#" target="_blank">Cast Out</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Ice Score of -4.83)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cast Out"></div></div>
<p>A more expensive <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oblivion Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Oblivion Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Sure, it has flash and cycling for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, but it's still a higher-costed version of a Commander staple. This O-Ring imitator is best left in cycling or flash theme decks. While the ability to cast it at instant speed is nice, we've got easy access to better versions of this effect in our format.</p>
<h3><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> (Ice Score of -4.47)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Eternal Witness"></div></div>
<p>Eternal Witness is hard to cut from most decks. It's a time-tested recursion piece that also gives us a 2/1 body to suit up with Auras. But, we've got cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hall of Heliod&#039;s Generosity" href="#" target="_blank">Hall of Heliod&#039;s Generosity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pre-War Formalwear" href="#" target="_blank">Pre-War Formalwear</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This card's <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-g" 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> cost is beginning to show its age, sadly.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="One with Nature" href="#" target="_blank">One with Nature</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Ice Score of -2.19)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="One with Nature"></div></div>
<p>An oldie but a goodie, this enchantment was first printed in 2003. This is the rare Icy card that I actually disagree with the exclusion of. For just one mana, we get a <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> every time one the enchanted creature hits an opponent. Plus, if we start making copies of this one-mana Aura, we'll probably run out of basics to fetch!</p>
<p>I think One with Nature is slept on, and encourage all Enchantress players to give it a second chance.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sterling Grove" href="#" target="_blank">Sterling Grove</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Ice Score of -2.17)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sterling Grove"></div></div>
<p>Sterling Grove's drop in popularity may be due to the fact that giving shroud to Calix prevents us from targeting him with Auras and +1/+1 counters. This deck can operate as a pretty efficient Voltron list, which means we really need the ability to put stuff on our commander. Sterling Grove sadly stops us from doing so, and that's likely the reason for its Iciness.</p>
<p>But, notably, this enchantment doesn't prevent us from copying stuff with Calix's ability, because he doesn't actually target the enchantments he wants to copy.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigarda, Font of Blessings" href="#" target="_blank">Sigarda, Font of Blessings</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Ice Score of -2.16)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sigarda, Font of Blessings"></div></div>
<p>The typical Calix deck has fewer than 10 Humans (and just a few Angels) in it. That's hardly a subtheme, meaning a lot of Sigarda's abilities are just flavor text. So, paying <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" 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 class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> to give all our permanents hexproof isn't all that great.</p>
<p>I'd rather play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="" href="#" target="_blank"></a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>Privileged Position[/ec], just because it's an enchantment and Sigarda isn't.</p>
<h2>What's in a Calix, Guided by Fate Deck?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Fire and Ice - Calix, Guided by Fate" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Calix, Guided by Fate
[/Commander]
[Enchantments]
*1 All That Glitters
*1 Ancestral Mask
*1 Armadillo Cloak
*1 Bear Umbra
*1 Darksteel Mutation
*1 Doubling Season
*1 Enchantress&#039;s Presence
*1 Ethereal Armor
*1 Fertile Ground
*1 Ghostly Prison
*1 Grasp of Fate
*1 Hallowed Haunting
*1 Kenrith&#039;s Transformation
*1 Mirari&#039;s Wake
*1 Rancor
*1 Sage&#039;s Reverie
*1 Sheltered by Ghosts
*1 Shield of the Oversoul
*1 Sigil of the Empty Throne
*1 Smothering Tithe
*1 Sphere of Safety
*1 Spirit Mantle
*1 Strength of the Harvest // Haven of the Harvest
*1 Unflinching Courage
*1 Unnatural Growth
*1 Unquestioned Authority
*1 Utopia Sprawl
*1 Wild Growth
[/Enchantments]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 Archon of Sun&#039;s Grace
*1 Composer of Spring
*1 Destiny Spinner
*1 Eidolon of Blossoms
*1 Eidolon of Countless Battles
*1 Ellivere of the Wild Court
*1 Glyph Elemental
*1 Herald of the Pantheon
*1 Jukai Naturalist
*1 Kor Spiritdancer
*1 Kutzil, Malamet Exemplar
*1 Light-Paws, Emperor&#039;s Voice
*1 Mesa Enchantress
*1 Ocelot Pride
*1 Ondu Spiritdancer
*1 Pearl-Ear, Imperial Advisor
*1 Sanctum Weaver
*1 Satyr Enchanter
*1 Setessan Champion
*1 Starfield Mystic
*1 Sythis, Harvest&#039;s Hand
*1 Verduran Enchantress
*1 Weaver of Harmony
*1 Yenna, Redtooth Regent
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Austere Command
*1 Cultivate
*1 Idyllic Tutor
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Winds of Rath
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Beast Within
*1 Enlightened Tutor
*1 Generous Gift
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Swords to Plowshares
[/Instants]
[Lands]
*1 Bountiful Promenade
*1 Brushland
*1 Canopy Vista
*1 Command Tower
*11 Forest
*1 Fortified Village
*1 Hall of Heliod&#039;s Generosity
*1 Overgrown Farmland
*10 Plains
*1 Reliquary Tower
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Sungrass Prairie
*1 Sunpetal Grove
*1 Temple Garden
*1 Temple of Plenty
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>That's all for this week! Before you go, take a moment to respond to our poll to help us choose which commander we'll tackle next.</p>
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