Brewing Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER on a Budget

<p>When I was a child watching my brothers play <em>Final Fantasy IX</em>, I was obsessed with the character of Zidane. Not only did I have long blonde hair, I also had a tail… Okay, one of those things was a lie (which one? You decide!). So when I first saw his card, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zidane, Tantalus Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Zidane, Tantalus Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, I loved how it captured his generous yet rambunctious nature.</p>
<p>Today we'll be looking at a fun direction to take this commander in: borrowing cards from other players, as well as gifting them some pieces that benefit you at the same time. My name is Tyler ‘Savesya’ Bucks, and with all that in mind, let’s take a look at fourteen cards for under $14 that will get you started on a brand new <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/fin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Final Fantasy</a></em> deck!</p>
<h2>Zidane, Tantalus Thief</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zidane, Tantalus Thief"></div></div>
<p>The first thought that came to mind when I saw <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zidane, Tantalus Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Zidane, Tantalus Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was his synergy with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Threaten" href="#" target="_blank">Threaten</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects. Sure, I could fill this list with every version of that type of card, but that would be a little one-note. If you have a lot of those cards, throw them in this deck!</p>
<p>This list will showcase some interesting ways to steal your opponents' cards, whether it's one at a time or multiple all at once. We'll also look at a few spells that will “gift” cards to other players, so that you can get a Treasure in return. Finally, at the end of the list, I'll showcase two cards that represent a few tricky directions you can take this commander.</p>
<h3>Kari Zev's Expertise</h3>
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<p>Kicking things off with one of my favorite versions of a Threaten effect, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kari Zev&#039;s Expertise" href="#" target="_blank">Kari Zev&#039;s Expertise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Three mana is the going rate for stealing a creature for a turn, but adding the ability to cast a spell with mana value two or less for free is what sets this apart. Sure, you might only hit something like a Signet or cheap removal off of this, but that’s better than nothing when you consider you'll also get a Treasure once you return the creature you borrowed.</p>
<h3>Claim the Firstborn</h3>
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<p>Like I said at that start of this article, I won’t fill this list with too many Threaten effects, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Claim the Firstborn" href="#" target="_blank">Claim the Firstborn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is too good not to include. One mana to take a creature with mana value three or less is incredibly powerful, especially in this deck, since you’ll get that mana back when you make that Treasure. You don’t always need to get the biggest thing from your opponents; as long as you’re stealing cards, Zidane will be happy!</p>
<h3>Captivating Crew</h3>
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<p>Say you have a lot of Treasure tokens sitting around, and nothing to dump them all into. That’s where a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Captivating Crew" href="#" target="_blank">Captivating Crew</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can truly shine. Four mana to steal one creature for a turn isn’t the greatest rate, but if you have the resources to swipe several creatures at a time, it could turn the game in your favor. Plus, at the end of your turn, you’ll make a Treasure for each creature you give back.</p>
<h3>Frenzied Fugue</h3>
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<p>Speaking of four-mana theft spells, next up we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Frenzied Fugue" href="#" target="_blank">Frenzied Fugue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. When this enters, and at the beginning of your upkeep, you’re going to steal the enchanted permanent until end of turn. Since this is a repeatable way to take something and then give it back on each of your turns, it’ll be a nice little Treasure making engine. Also, don’t overlook the fact that you can steal any permanent with this card like lands or even planeswalkers.</p>
<h3>Call for Aid</h3>
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<p>These next two cards will show off the power of stealing your opponents' things en masse. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Call for Aid" href="#" target="_blank">Call for Aid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets you gain control of all the creatures target opponent controls, which is a major shift in your favor even though you can’t attack them that turn. Plus, once you give all those creatures back, you’ll be making a huge number of Treasure tokens, which can set you up for your endgame from there.</p>
<h3>Insurrection</h3>
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<p>Taking all the creatures from one player is great, but taking all the creatures on the battlefield is even better! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Insurrection" href="#" target="_blank">Insurrection</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the most expensive card on this list, and for good reason. Back in the early days of Commander, this card used to be a favorite win-con for many red decks. When paired with Zidane, this spell will make you a whole lot of Treasures when you give those creatures back to anyone who survived the onslaught. (Also see <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mob Rule" href="#" target="_blank">Mob Rule</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for another budget option.)</p>
<h3>Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos</h3>
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<p>Moving on to the cards I’m titling “Gifts,” we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos" href="#" target="_blank">Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This is a creature you can give away to each opponent on their turn, which has to attack, can’t attack you, and grows with counters. With this creature and your commander alone, you’ll be making three Treasures and forcing your opponents to whittle each others' life totals down in the process.</p>
<h3>Yes Man, Personal Securitron</h3>
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<p>Up next is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yes Man, Personal Securitron" href="#" target="_blank">Yes Man, Personal Securitron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This deck can benefit from a little bit of politics, since you'll be handing out some value pieces during the game. Yes Man is a prime example of this, where you can make a deal with another player to give it back and forth to each other throughout the game. Drawing two cards and making a Treasure token is a nice combo. Plus, you could make a large amount of Soldier tokens when this creature leaves the battlefield.</p>
<h3>Coveted Jewel</h3>
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<p>Possibly the wackiest card on this list is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coveted Jewel" href="#" target="_blank">Coveted Jewel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. For six mana you'll draw three cards and get a rock that taps for three mana; sounds like a good rate to me! However, if someone attacks you and you don't block all the attackers, they gain control of the Jewel. Luckily, your commander will make you a Treasure when that happens. Plus, since this deck’s main goal is to take creatures and attack with them, there’s a good chance you'd be able to swing right over and take the Jewel back on your next turn.</p>
<h3>Humble Defector</h3>
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<p>I recently built a deck around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Jolly Balloon Man" href="#" target="_blank">The Jolly Balloon Man</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and got extremely excited to find a new home for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Humble Defector" href="#" target="_blank">Humble Defector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Drawing two cards just for tapping this creature is a great rate. However, you have to give it away once you do that. This is where incorporating some politics into your games will be the most beneficial, since you could just trade the Defector back and forth with the same player. Drawing two and creating a Treasure on each of your turns is the type of value that can help you close out games.</p>
<h3>Hithlain Rope</h3>
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<p>Our next card on the list offers some more possible card draw as well as land ramp, just for the small price of handing it over to the player to your right. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hithlain Rope" href="#" target="_blank">Hithlain Rope</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives players two different options they can activate, which could help incentivize them to pass this card around the table, depending on what they need in that moment. The main drawback is that you have to pass it to your right, which means it'll take a little longer to get back to you. However, in this deck, giving it away once might be enough value for one game.</p>
<h3>Discerning Financier</h3>
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<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Discerning Financier" href="#" target="_blank">Discerning Financier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> raised my eyebrows when I first saw it in one of my <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/woe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wilds of Eldraine</a></em> boosters. Making you a Treasure if your opponents have more lands than you is nice to have around. The main star in this card’s text box comes from the fact that you can pass an opponent a Treasure to draw a card for three mana. If you have your commander out when you do that, you’ll be at parity with your Treasures, since you’ll make a new one just for handing it out. This is great for making deals with other players, since you're not going down in resources.</p>
<h3>Kazuul's Fury</h3>
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<p>Our final two cards will highlight some of the ways you can take this deck, while still fitting in any build for this commander. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kazuul&#039;s Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Kazuul&#039;s Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fling" href="#" target="_blank">Fling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> style effect that’s attached to a land on the backside, making it feel free to run. Sure, giving the cards you steal back to your opponents makes you lose those Treasures, but sometimes you want to just get a threat off the board entirely. This spell, and other cards like it, are definitely a direction to go if you’re looking to make this a meaner build.</p>
<h3>Cloudshift</h3>
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<p>Finally, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloudshift" href="#" target="_blank">Cloudshift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can save one of your important creatures when you need it; but there’s something more sinister lurking behind this card. With the wording it has, when you exile a creature you've stolen, it comes back to play under your control, not its owner. Recent blink cards aren’t usually worded this way, so finding a few cards that let you steal something for the rest of the game could be extra tricky for your opponents to deal with.</p>
<h2>In Closing</h2>
<p>So, there you have it, fourteen cards for under $14 to get you started on your very own <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zidane, Tantalus Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Zidane, Tantalus Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck. Let me know in the comments what cards you would include in the rest of the 99, and bonus points for telling me your favorite Threaten effect. You can check out the full list, as well as some cards that didn't make the cut, <a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/13127458/zidane_cheerful_thief_pillow_fortteen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on my Archidekt!</a></p>
<h3>A Fancy Fifteenth - Slicer, Hired Muscle</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Slicer, Hired Muscle"></div></div>
<p>If you liked the playstyle of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos" href="#" target="_blank">Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, then you might also enjoy his more expensive cousin <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Slicer, Hired Muscle" href="#" target="_blank">Slicer, Hired Muscle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While it’s not the most essential inclusion for this deck, if you have some more funds set aside while you're building, then give this <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/bot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Transformer</a> a chance!</p>


Zidane, Tantalus Thief | Stealing Your Friends' Cards on a Budget

Codie, Vociferous Codex On a Budget - With No Nonland Permanents

<p style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tayam, Luminous Enigma" href="#" target="_blank">Tayam, Luminous Enigma</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | art by <a href="https://www.samburley.com/">Sam Burley</a></p>
<p>Imagine this: You got incredibly hyped for <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tdm#cardlists"><em>Tarkir: Dragonstorm</em></a>, so you went to prerelease and left with prize packs on top of the bulk from another very nice player! However, it didn't end there... You also host a draft at your house and end up with even more boosters than you expected by the end of it.</p>
<p>One question keeps coming to your mind as that pile of bulk rapidly amasses... "What am I supposed to do with all of these cards?!"</p>
<p>Well, if you're me, you don't have to imagine this, because this is my reality. I currently have way more new singles on my hands than I was prepared for, but I'm not complaining! Since this set is so stacked from the commons up to the mythics, it got me thinking.</p>
<p>Was there a commander from <em>Magic's</em> past that synergizes perfectly some of the core mechanics from this set? Well, the answer to the question turned out to be a resounding yes!</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Enter Tayam, Luminous Enigma</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tayam, Luminous Enigma"></div></div>
<p>Both the Sultai and Abzan clans have strong counter and graveyard synergies throughout the set. So, with that in mind, there was a commander that stood out among the rest when I was looking for the best headliner for this bulk fest!</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tayam, Luminous Enigma" href="#" target="_blank">Tayam, Luminous Enigma</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives us access to three colors as well as a way to utilize both counters and the spells in your graveyard. This allowed me to find plenty of great cards in the main set to build towards a full 99, however we might need a little bit more glue to hold this thing together!</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">The Decklist</h3>
<p>As you will see in the list below, there are fourteen cards from other sets that will help the deck become much more well-rounded, plus there's also a list of budget lands that can help fix your mana.</p>
<p>The best part about all of those outside inclusions is the fact that you could pick them up for about $14. On top of that, there's a good chance that you already own a few of those cards, since most of them are staples, or from recent sets!</p>
<p>The main gameplan for this deck is to build counters on your creatures and then cash them in for value with Tayam. New cards with the endure mechanic, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fortress Kin-Guard" href="#" target="_blank">Fortress Kin-Guard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, help you with building those counters or building up your ranks. Creatures with <em>Renew,</em> such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Champion of Dusan" href="#" target="_blank">Champion of Dusan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, allow you to exile them from your graveyard to put specific counters onto one of the key pieces on your board.</p>
<p>To assist those mechanics, the deck is filled with payoffs for having counters on your team, or helping you fill your graveyard so that you can recur something even more suited for whatever situation you're in.</p>
<p>So, take a look at the list down below, and then I'll highlight some of the best cards that can help this bulk deck put up a fight at most Commander tables!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Tayam, Luminous Enigma - Build A Budget Deck With Dragonstorm Bulk" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Tayam, Luminous Enigma
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Abzan Devotee
*1 Ainok Wayfarer
*1 Alchemist&#039;s Assistant
*1 Anafenza, Unyielding Lineage
*1 Armament Dragon
*1 Champion of Dusan
*1 Descendant of Storms
*1 Felothar, Dawn of the Abzan
*1 Feral Deathgorger // Dusk Sight
*1 Formation Breaker
*1 Fortress Kin-Guard
*1 Host of the Hereafter
*1 Hundred-Battle Veteran
*1 Kin-Tree Nurturer
*1 Krumar Initiate
*1 Lasyd Prowler
*1 Attuned Hunter
*1 Poised Practitioner
*1 Qarsi Revenant
*1 Rainveil Rejuvenator
*1 Reputable Merchant
*1 Sage of the Fang
*1 Sandskitter Outrider
*1 Sinkhole Surveyor
*1 Stalwart Successor
*1 Unburied Earthcarver
*1 Undergrowth Leopard
*1 Warden of the Grove
*1 Yathan Tombguard
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Knockout Maneuver
*1 Nature&#039;s Rhythm
*1 Rite of Renewal
*1 Roamer&#039;s Routine
*1 Synchronized Charge
*1 Worthy Cost
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Cruel Truths
*1 Duty Beyond Death
*1 Heritage Reclamation
*1 Lightfoot Technique
*1 Snakeskin Veil
*1 Wail of War
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Abzan Monument
*1 Herd Heirloom
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Barrensteppe Siege
*1 Encroaching Dragonstorm
*1 Revival of the Ancestors
*1 Static Snare
*1 Stormplain Detainment
*1 Hollowmurk Siege
[/Enchantments]
[Lands From the Set]
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Blossoming Sands
*1 Jungle Hollow
*1 Sandsteppe Citadel
*1 Scoured Barrens
*8 Swamp
*8 Forest
*3 Plains
[/Lands From the Set]
[Adds From Outside Sets]
*1 Trash the Town
*1 Revitalizing Repast // Old-Growth Grove
*1 Return of the Wildspeaker
*1 Damn
*1 Diresight
*1 Cankerbloom
*1 Song of Freyalise
*1 High-Society Hunter
*1 Stargaze
*1 Winding Constrictor
*1 Managorger Hydra
*1 Armored Scrapgorger
*1 Rishkar, Peema Renegade
*1 Wall of Roots
[/Adds From Outside Sets]
[Budget Lands to Include]
*1 Shineshadow Snarl
*1 Sungrass Prairie
*1 Caves of Koilos
*1 Necroblossom Snarl
*1 Scattered Grove
*1 Fortified Village
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Canopy Vista
*1 Command Tower
*1 Deceptive Landscape
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Viridescent Bog
[/Budget Lands to Include]"></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Key Cards from Dragonstorm</h3>
<p>This deck's biggest strength is found in its counter synergies, so prioritizing engine pieces that stack those onto your team will be your main priority. The fact that your commander ensures you get at least one vigilance counter on any creature that enters under your control makes it very pivotal in your gameplan.</p>
<p>A few other cards in the deck that build up your board with counters is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Warden of the Grove" href="#" target="_blank">Warden of the Grove</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Barrensteppe Siege" href="#" target="_blank">Barrensteppe Siege</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stalwart Successor" href="#" target="_blank">Stalwart Successor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Felothar, Dawn of the Abzan" href="#" target="_blank">Felothar, Dawn of the Abzan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. After playtesting the deck, I can tell you not to be too precious about your counters as the game goes on.</p>
<p>Since <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tayam, Luminous Enigma" href="#" target="_blank">Tayam, Luminous Enigma</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can trade three of them in for a permanent in your graveyard, if you find yourself stalling out in the match, pull the trigger and recur a new value piece!</p>
<p>Some more cards from the main set that just hum in this deck are <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hollowmurk Siege" href="#" target="_blank">Hollowmurk Siege</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yathan Tombguard" href="#" target="_blank">Yathan Tombguard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, becoming powerful draw engines when paired with your counter stacked creatures.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Duty Beyond Death" href="#" target="_blank">Duty Beyond Death</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightfoot Technique" href="#" target="_blank">Lightfoot Technique</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> act as both protection and fit in with all the other counter makers in your deck.</p>
<p>You even have strong game ending spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Synchronized Charge" href="#" target="_blank">Synchronized Charge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Revival of the Ancestors" href="#" target="_blank">Revival of the Ancestors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to assist with buffing your board for a big alpha strike!</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Great Includes from Outside the Set</h3>
<p>Since most of the cards in the list are from a standard set, it needed a little help with the normal fruits and veggies that every deck needs: ramp, card draw, removal and a few more counter-centric pieces.</p>
<p>While you could still try to make this deck with only cards from <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tdm"><em>Dragonstorm</em></a>, spending just a little bit more to pick up these fourteen cards will help you have a fighting chance against other bracket <em>2 Core</em>, and even bracket <em>3 Upgraded</em> matchups.</p>
<p>To assist with card draw we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Diresight" href="#" target="_blank">Diresight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stargaze" href="#" target="_blank">Stargaze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="High-Society Hunter" href="#" target="_blank">High-Society Hunter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> which will also help fill your graveyard with more reanimation targets for your commander. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Return of the Wildspeaker" href="#" target="_blank">Return of the Wildspeaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Trash the Town" href="#" target="_blank">Trash the Town</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can put cards in your hand and/or add some additional punching power to the deck!</p>
<p>Synergistic ramp can be found with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rishkar, Peema Renegade" href="#" target="_blank">Rishkar, Peema Renegade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Song of Freyalise" href="#" target="_blank">Song of Freyalise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wall of Roots" href="#" target="_blank">Wall of Roots</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Armored Scrapgorger" href="#" target="_blank">Armored Scrapgorger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. In the case of those last two, they will generate mana, as well as counters; which your commander can then remove to bring something back from your graveyard.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winding Constrictor" href="#" target="_blank">Winding Constrictor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Managorger Hydra" href="#" target="_blank">Managorger Hydra</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both huge counter-generating engines, which will allow your gameplan to snowball even faster. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Revitalizing Repast" href="#" target="_blank">Revitalizing Repast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> acts as more protection for the deck, as well as an additional land drop when you need it.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cankerbloom" href="#" target="_blank">Cankerbloom</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> doesn't just give you the option to remove an opponent's pesky artifact or enchantment, but it can also proliferate all the counters on your board. Finally, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Damn" href="#" target="_blank">Damn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> acting as either targeted removal or a boardwipe when it's needed!</p>
<p>On top of those fourteen cards, you'll see I added a list of budget lands to assist you with your fixing, without breaking the bank. Even if you don't want to grab those exact singles, picking up a few solid dual lands will ensure you can cast all the spells you need to in this three-color deck.</p>
<h2>The Wrap Up!</h2>
<p>Well, I hope you enjoyed this trip through your bulk piles as much as I have. <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tdm">Dragonstorm</a>, </em>is an amazing set, and the fact that a huge percentage of this deck comes from the main set is just a testament to that! If you would like to test out the deck for yourself, as well as see the 'maybe' board for more possible includes, you can do that right <a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/12578899/tayam_luminous_enigma_build_a_budget_deck_with_dragonstorm_bulk">here on my Archidekt</a>.</p>


Build a Tayam, Luminous Enigma Deck with Your Dragonstorm Bulk

<p>It's been several weeks since the release of <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tdm"><em>Tarkir: Dragonstorm</em></a>, and it's already making a huge impact on Commander! From the commons up to the mythic rares, there's already a lot of instant staples in this set. That being said, there are plenty of playable rares that are sitting in the budget range that I want to shine the spotlight on today!</p>
<p>My name is Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks, and I go through your bulk bins so you don't have to. My main goal with the<em> <a href="https://commandersherald.com/the-best-bulk-from-tarkir-dragonstorm-part-1-bulk-up/">Bulk Up</a> </em>series is to show players that they don't have to break the bank to supercharge their decks. Plus, if you've opened a lot of boosters from a recent set, there's a good chance that some of these great bulk rares are sitting in a pile on your kitchen table!</p>
<p>For clarity, I define bulk rares as follows: rares, usually under $1, that often get overlooked during deckbuilding, causing their price to stay in budget building range.</p>
<p>With that out of the way, let's take a look at the list and <em>Bulk Up</em>!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Bloomvine Regent</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloomvine Regent"></div></div>
<p>First up, flying in from <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tdm">Tarkir</a></em>, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloomvine Regent" href="#" target="_blank">Bloomvine Regent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>! Three mana to get a basic <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Forest" href="#" target="_blank">Forest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> into play and another into your hand isn’t too bad of a rate. Even though it doesn’t help you color-fix, like some other land-fetching effects, it makes up for that by also being a five-mana 4/5 flyer that can be a life gain engine in a Dragon deck. In a mono-color or even a two-color deck, this could just be a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cultivate" href="#" target="_blank">Cultivate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with upside!</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vrondiss, Rage of Ancients" href="#" target="_blank">Vrondiss, Rage of Ancients</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a Dragon commander in Gruul that would take full advantage of both modes from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloomvine Regent" href="#" target="_blank">Bloomvine Regent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Dragon decks are already mana-hungry, so any help with ramp is needed, but the fact that Vrondiss creates so many tokens means that you’ll be gaining a whole lot of life. Since both sides of the card works so well with your commander, you’ll never feel bad when you pull this creature off the top of your deck.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Temur Battlecrier</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Temur Battlecrier"></div></div>
<p>In the main set of <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tdm">Dragonstorm</a></em>, Temur was filled with so many great ‘power matters’ cards, and a perfect example of that is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Temur Battlecrier" href="#" target="_blank">Temur Battlecrier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. At its base level, you will be getting one-mana reduction for each of the spells you cast on your turn (since the Battlecrier has four power itself). If you were to put this in a deck with a high-power commander, or in a deck that makes a lot of buff tokens, you could see your spells costing cheaper and cheaper, making this a supercharged <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Anarchomancer" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Anarchomancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>!</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eshki Dragonclaw" href="#" target="_blank">Eshki Dragonclaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a commander that I am very familiar with, after my list of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN-kDwSpdT0&amp;t=509s">budget Adventure spells</a> to pair with her gained some traction! While playtesting the deck I built around her, I noticed that any little bit of help with mana acceleration is welcomed. Chaining spells together to trigger your commander can get expensive, so with only the Battlecrier and Eshki out, all the spells on your turn will cost two mana less!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Naga Fleshcrafter</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Naga Fleshcrafter"></div></div>
<p>Clones are always handy to have around, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Naga Fleshcrafter" href="#" target="_blank">Naga Fleshcrafter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is here with a very interesting take on that type of effect. On the battlefield it can copy any creature on the board for only four mana, that’s on rate for most copying effects.</p>
<p>However, once it’s in your graveyard, you can use that <em>Renew</em> ability to buff a creature, then turn your whole board into a copy of it. If you pair this with popular strategies centered around tokens, evasion, stompy, or really anything ready to have a big combat, you can simply turn your whole board into your best attacker, which could be enough to close out a game!</p>
<p>A commander that works well with graveyard synergies, as well as stealing powerful creatures from your opponents, is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gyruda, Doom of Depths" href="#" target="_blank">Gyruda, Doom of Depths</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. When it enters you mill your opponents, then steal the best creature that goes into the graveyard that way. Running this clone in the deck allows you to copy Gyruda, get its enters trigger again, then sacrifice the Fleshcrafter to state-based actions. Now that it’s in your graveyard, you can just <em>Renew</em> it to turn your whole board into the best thing you stole (as long as it’s not legendary!)</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Tip the Scales</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tip the Scales"></div></div>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/abzan-armor-precon-guide-tarkir-dragonstorm">Coming in from the Abzan precon</a>, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tip the Scales" href="#" target="_blank">Tip the Scales</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This new three-mana board wipe hits a similar note as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toxic Deluge" href="#" target="_blank">Toxic Deluge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> by being cheap to cast while also giving you a little bit of control as to what will get swept up. In the case of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tip the Scales" href="#" target="_blank">Tip the Scales</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you're limited to the level of -X/-X you’re able to hit by how large the creature you sacrifice is.</p>
<p>I do think that it could still find a home in decks that reliably have larger creatures since there’s a good chance you would be able to wipe most of your opponents' chump blockers off the board, making way for bigger attacks to come.</p>
<p>Not that it needs anymore help, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Korvold, Fae-Cursed King" href="#" target="_blank">Korvold, Fae-Cursed King</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would benefit from utilizing this new sweeper. Sacrificing a creature to cast this spell will draw you a card and grow your commander, then you'll wipe most of the board all while leaving Korvold safe. Only three mana to change the face of the game in your favor is a nice rate, if you ask me.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Awaken the Honored Dead</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Awaken the Honored Dead"></div></div>
<p>Sorcery-speed removal might not be the most ideal in today’s meta, however I think we should make an exception for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Awaken the Honored Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Awaken the Honored Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Three mana to destroy any nonland permanent on the board, fill your graveyard, and then get something strong back to your hand from your graveyard are all pivotal in the right kind of deck. Even though the last chapter makes you discard a card, there’s plenty of cards that prefer to be in your graveyard, all while you get back exactly what you need for that turn.</p>
<p>A truly unique commander that can be built in so many different ways is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Xavier Sal, Infested Captain" href="#" target="_blank">Xavier Sal, Infested Captain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. If your deck is built around creating tokens and you need more permanents to remove counters from, then this new Saga is here to help. Imagine casting it, destroying something, then using your commander to remove the Saga’s lore counter, populate, and then destroy something all over again. It will surely become your playgroup’s least favorite combo.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Floral Evoker</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Floral Evoker"></div></div>
<p>Another card that assists you with filling your graveyard with creatures, all while ramping you, is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Floral Evoker" href="#" target="_blank">Floral Evoker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/the-sultai-arisen-precon-guide-tarkir-dragonstorm">from the Sultai precon</a>. If you have a deck that's constantly throwing cards into the bin, you know that sometimes you'll mill a great land away that you just wish was on your battlefield instead. Similarly, you might also be in a spot where a creature is in your hand, and you just want it in your yard to reanimate. Well, Floral Evoker can help with both of those situations, all while growing whenever a land comes into play under your control.</p>
<p>I have a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nethroi, Apex of Death" href="#" target="_blank">Nethroi, Apex of Death</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck in my collection, and I can tell you from experience that I would prefer that my lands are on the battlefield, and my creatures were in the graveyard. The Evoker assists on both levels, and all for only one mana! Plus, it can become a large threat on the battlefield while still having a smaller power in the graveyard if you need to recur it with Nethroi.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Glacierwood Siege</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glacierwood Siege"></div></div>
<p>If you happen to be in Simic colors and still need help with graveyard strategies, then <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glacierwood Siege" href="#" target="_blank">Glacierwood Siege</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is here to help. Both modes can assist you depending on where you are in your gameplan. Sometimes you need more of your cards to be milled away; in that case you can choose 'Temur'. Other times, your bin is packed full of great lands, and choosing 'Sultai' as you cast this lets you have access to those cards again. If you’re in these colors and thinking about splurging on the expensive staple <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crucible of Worlds" href="#" target="_blank">Crucible of Worlds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, pick this bulk rare up instead!</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flubs, the Fool" href="#" target="_blank">Flubs, the Fool</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a deck that can live fast and die young, so spells like this Siege can help offer some life support. As your gameplan continues, you’ll be discarding plenty of cards, and even though your commander lets you play an additional land on your turn, you may end up with no ways to get land drops. For only three mana, you can have a way to play any land you discard along the way not just <em>once</em>, but twice!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Thunder of Unity</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thunder of Unity"></div></div>
<p>A lot of aggressive strategies in Commander run into a few issues: little to no cards in hand as well as drawing the ire of the rest of the table as the game goes on. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thunder of Unity" href="#" target="_blank">Thunder of Unity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is here to help give you some more cards in hand, plus it sets you up for two turns of some life gain and drain. Sure, it’s a little telegraphed that one big token-making spell can help turn the match in your favor, but if no one has the means to remove this Saga, you can be set up for a huge swing in the game.</p>
<p>This new Saga is an absolute slam dunk in the Mardu precon, especially if you have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zurgo Stormrender" href="#" target="_blank">Zurgo Stormrender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> at the helm. Slamming down a lot of you threats from your hand just to have this Siege help refill it is nice of course, but if you can pump out a large number of tokens while those last two chapters are active, you can take your opponents down a few pegs. Pairing this with another spell that’s already in the precon like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grand Crescendo" href="#" target="_blank">Grand Crescendo</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be such a huge blowout!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Winternight Stories</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Winternight Stories"></div></div>
<p>Next up, we have a card that has a similar effect to many other spells we’ve seen before, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winternight Stories" href="#" target="_blank">Winternight Stories</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> brings another twist to the table. Harmonize lets you cast it again from your graveyard, which adds a lot of value to the mix. As we talked about before, throwing a creature into your 'yard can be just what some decks want, turning that downside into upside.</p>
<p>Paired with the right commander, this spell can become its own engine, allowing you to churn through the top cards for your deck, looking for the right piece at the right time.</p>
<p>A commander that I fell head over heels in love with when I first saw it this year was <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hashaton, Scarab&#039;s Fist" href="#" target="_blank">Hashaton, Scarab&#039;s Fist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Decks built around this commander are always looking for ways to discard creatures while not going down with their cards in hand. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winternight Stories" href="#" target="_blank">Winternight Stories</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fits that bill perfectly, all while being able to be cast again from your graveyard. Plus, its harmonize ability costs four generic mana and a blue, which means that the 4/4 Zombie versions of the creatures Hashaton makes can perfectly assist in recasting this spell!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Revival of the Ancestors</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Revival of the Ancestors"></div></div>
<p>Closing out the list today is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Revival of the Ancestors" href="#" target="_blank">Revival of the Ancestors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can give you board presence and the means to capitalize on it, all in one card. Making three flyers, buffing up to three creatures, and then giving your board trample and lifelink for a big swing can change the game in your favor! Trample is incredible, of course, but that lifelink shouldn't be overlooked since it can make for a big life total swap between you and your foes.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghave, Guru of Spores" href="#" target="_blank">Ghave, Guru of Spores</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a classic commander that still sees play to this day, and for good reason. Making tokens and building counters are both very popular archetypes, and this new Saga is proof of that. Ghava loves trading in counters for creatures, and vice versa, so having a spell that helps with both sides is incredibly useful in this deck! On top of that, if you already have a big board of modified tokens, this Saga can assist with closing out that game.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">The Wrap Up!</h2>
<p>Thank you so much for making it to the end of the list! This set is truly incredible, and even these budget rares can pack a big punch. If I missed any of your favorites here today, let me know in the comments below. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to dive headfirst into all those bulk piles I see building up...</p>


budget commander

Brewing Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER on a Budget

Zidane, Tantalus Thief | Stealing Your Friends' Cards on a Budget

Codie, Vociferous Codex On a Budget - With No Nonland Permanents

Build a Tayam, Luminous Enigma Deck with Your Dragonstorm Bulk

The Bulk Rares from Tarkir: Dragonstorm You Don't Want to Miss - Bulk Up!

From the Brim to the Trim - Splitting Budgets and Overwhelming Opponents Alike

Rally the Ancestors - Eight-leg Discount

From the Brim to the Trim - Flooding Budgets and Wrenching Opponents Alike!

From the Brim to the Trim - Stomping Budgets and Opponents to the Ground!

From the Brim the Trim - Cooking Budget and Opponents to a Crisp!