<p style="text-align: right;"><em><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> | Art by <a href="https://www.liesetiawan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lie Setiawan</a></em></p>
<p>Just like any other game of <em>Magic</em>, a game of cEDH has to end. Unlike just about every other game, however, the vast majority of cEDH games end not with the slow deluge of combat damage, but with a single explosive turn as the victor executes a combo package.</p>
<p>Some decks have unique commander-dependent payoffs, others use niche, strategy-specific exploits, but regardless of whichever commander helms your cEDH deck, odds are that your deck will still be playing at least one of the all-time greats: the compact, resilient, cheap, flexible combos that form the heart of cEDH.</p>
<p>So, what are they, and how do they work? This guide has your answers.</p>


<p>Competitive Commander is brimming with niche, deck-specific combos that can propel otherwise okay commanders to stardom. While important to the health and the diversity of the format, those are not what we'll be focusing on for this guide.</p>
<p>Instead, we first need to understand the fundamentals - the core combos of cEDH.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Channel"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fireball"></div></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Magic</em>'s very first combo.</p>
<p>The combos that follow are all cheap, commander-independent, and compact. Many of them are layered, with some number of the requisite cards being swappable for other alternatives (e.g., <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> for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lotus Petal" href="#" target="_blank">Lotus Petal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, as a bit of a preview).</p>
<p>To top it all off, the average card quality is quite high; some of these combos are so good that it wouldn't be surprising for a new cEDH player to accidentally assemble them simply because they'd already be running everything each package needed.</p>
<p>All in all, these combos stand head and shoulders above the rest because they just don't need that much investment. Mana, cards, card quality - very little is sacrificed to play these.</p>


<p>Odds are, even if you don't already play cEDH, this is the first combo that comes to mind when asked about how the average cEDH game ends.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thassa&#039;s Oracle"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tainted Pact"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Demonic Consultation"></div></div>
<p>And, wouldn't you know it, you'd be pretty spot-on. For as little as <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-u" 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> spread across two spells, the game can be yours. Here's how:</p>
<ul>
<li>Cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thassa&#039;s Oracle" href="#" target="_blank">Thassa&#039;s Oracle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" 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>. It'll resolve and put its enters trigger onto the stack.</li>
<li>In response to the enters trigger, cast either <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tainted Pact" href="#" target="_blank">Tainted Pact</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Consultation" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Consultation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Regardless of which card you cast, resolve it such that you exile your entire library.
<ul>
<li>Demonic Consultation works in any deck, as you'll simply name a card not in your deck when the spell resolves.</li>
<li>Tainted Pact, meanwhile, requires that your deck doesn't run any duplicate cards (that is, no duplicate basic lands), as the spell will stop exiling cards once it hits a duplicate.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Now that you don't have a deck, resolve the enters trigger. Thassa's Oracle's triggered ability will see that you have fewer cards (or at most, as many) in your library than you have devotion to blue, and as such you'll win the game.</li>
</ul>
<p>Tainted Fish, as this combo is often known, is one of the fastest combos out there, requiring only one truly bad card (Thassa's Oracle) and either one of two decently-playable instant-speed tutors to win the game.</p>


<p>Next up, we have the most modular combo in cEDH, one which really only requires the namesake card plus any way to go at least mana and card neutral as you repeatedly escape a storm pile.</p>
<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>Starting off with <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> itself, this card is an enchantment 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-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> that grants each spell in your graveyard an escape cost equal to that card's mana cost, plus exiling three cards from your graveyard. Additionally, Underworld Breach has a triggered ability which requires that its controller sacrifice it at the beginning of the end step.</p>
<p>A keen eye will see where this card immediately breaks things: if you can go mana-positive (or at least mana neutral) with a spell, such as a ritual, a cracked <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lotus Petal" href="#" target="_blank">Lotus Petal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or a tapped-and-somehow-sacrificed <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mox Opal" href="#" target="_blank">Mox Opal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, Underworld Breach quickly turns into a card that powers out an arbitrarily high storm count for just that initial mana investment.</p>
<p>Pair whatever mana source you find with a way to repeatedly mill yourself, either classically via <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> or through drawing-and-discarding a la <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wheel of Fortune" href="#" target="_blank">Wheel of Fortune</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and you've got yourself an empty deck!</p>
<p>This flexibility and cost efficiency is what makes Underworld Breach so potent. While the average package is bigger than that of Tainted Fish, at three cards instead of just two (Underworld Breach, the mana source, and the escape-fodder source), the flexibility is simply insurmountable.</p>


<p>Our next combo is another flexible package depending on a central card coupled with any of a plethora of secondary spells, and that is the Valley Floodcaller infinite-mana combo.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Valley Floodcaller"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Retraction Helix"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Banishing Knack"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Valley Floodcaller" href="#" target="_blank">Valley Floodcaller</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a 2/2 Otter Wizard for <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-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> with flash that lets you cast all of your noncreature spells as though they had flash. And whenever you cast a noncreature spell you get to untap all your Birds, Frogs, Otters, and Rats. They get +1/+1 until end of turn.</p>
<p>Outside of being a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Necropotence" href="#" target="_blank">Necropotence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all-star thanks to that flash-enabler effect, Valley Floodcaller pulls double duty as a combo piece when paired with either <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Retraction Helix" href="#" target="_blank">Retraction Helix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Banishing Knack" href="#" target="_blank">Banishing Knack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, as well as any mana-positive mana rock (or, in cases where you control a mana-producing creature of a type that Valley Floodcaller untaps, then even a mana-neutral rock will do it).</p>
<p>Here's how it works:</p>
<ul>
<li>If Valley Floodcaller is not summoning sick, target it with either Retraction Helix or Banishing Knack. If it is summoning sick, then either wait until it isn't or target a non-summoning-sick creature you control which is of one of the untapping types (Bird, Frog, etc.).</li>
<li>After your Helix/Knack has resolved, proceed to tap the creature it targeted in order to return a mana-positive mana rock you control to your hand. If that rock is untapped, tap it for mana before returning it.</li>
<li>Now recast the rock. Valley Floodcaller will trigger, untapping the relevant Helix/Knack creature.</li>
<li>Tap the newly resolved rock for mana, then retap the Helix/Knack creature to return the rock.</li>
<li>Rinse and repeat for infinite mana, as well as an infinite +X/+X boost to creatures of the untapping types.</li>
</ul>


<p>Finally, we come to our last of the core combos and the second strictly infinte-mana producing one: the pair of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Devoted Druid" href="#" target="_blank">Devoted Druid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and either <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swift Reconfiguration" href="#" target="_blank">Swift Reconfiguration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hazel&#039;s Brewmaster" href="#" target="_blank">Hazel&#039;s Brewmaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Devoted Druid"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Swift Reconfiguration"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hazel&#039;s Brewmaster"></div></div>
<p>Forming the core is Devoted Druid, a 0/2 Elf Druid 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> with two abilities: "<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-tap" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>: Add <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>," and "Put a -1/-1 counter on this creature: Untap this creature."</p>
<p>Forming the support are two cards that each have a way of giving a noncreature permanent both of these abilities.</p>
<p>Swift Reconfiguration is an Aura 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> with flash that turns enchanted creature (or Vehicle) into a Vehicle artifact with crew 5, causing the enchanted permanent to lose all other card types in the process.</p>
<p>Hazel's Brewmaster, meanwhile, is a 3/4 Squirrel Warlock for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-3" 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> that, when it enters, exiles up to one target card from a graveyard and creates a Food token. Plus, it grants all Food you control all activated abilities of creature cards exiled by the Brewmaster.</p>
<p>Regardless of which path you choose to get there, either of these two cards puts you in essentially the same state: with a noncreature artifact that has the ability to tap for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> and to put a -1/-1 counter on itself in order to untap it. Since the artifact isn't a creature, you can tap and untap it this way with as many -1/-1 counters as you like, racking up infinite <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> in the process.</p>


Combos in cEDH

EDHREC Guide To Combos in cEDH

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Welder" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Welder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://victoradameart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Victor Adame Minquez</a></em></p>
<p>I've <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/alexwicker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spent a lot of time</a> talking with all of you about the <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/introducing-the-commander-format-panel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commander Format Panel's</a> (CFP) <a href="https://edhrec.com/guides/edhrec-guide-to-commander-brackets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brackets</a> and what their intention was, their goals for Commander going forward, and how it affects our day-to-day games. The majority of what I've written, and probably will continue to write about, focuses on where we like to separate typical, casual Commander experiences from more competitively focused playstyles.</p>
<p>But I believe there's another distinction worth mentioning: Commander in public and Commander at home. Essentially, there's a difference between games that are played with four random strangers at any given event versus a game played between four players who know each other and influence each others' playstyles.</p>
<p>Because of this, I believe that the Brackets ought to be used differently to accommodate for these scenarios. Let me explain.</p>
<h2>Brackets as Intended</h2>
<div id="attachment_172813" style="width: 1367px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Commander-Brackets-Update-1025.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-172813" class="wp-image-172813 size-full" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Commander-Brackets-Update-1025.png" alt="Commander Brackets Update October 2025" width="1357" height="895" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Commander-Brackets-Update-1025.png 1357w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Commander-Brackets-Update-1025-300x198.png 300w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Commander-Brackets-Update-1025-1024x675.png 1024w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Commander-Brackets-Update-1025-768x507.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1357px) 100vw, 1357px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-172813" class="wp-caption-text">Commander Brackets Update October 2025</p></div>
<p>The first thing players ought to do when engaging with a random pod, or any pod for that matter, is to engage with <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Commander#%22Rule_Zero%22" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rule Zero</a>. Everyone's shared upkeep of explaining their expectations for a game and what their intentions are. This way, players can craft the pod to everyone's shared liking.</p>
<p>The Brackets are meant to be a tool for this discussion, not a replacement. The Brackets give a common language for players to share when determining whether one's Sliver deck is appropriate for another's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ayula, Queen Among Bears" href="#" target="_blank">Ayula, Queen Among Bears</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Typal deck.</p>
<p>Ultimately, the Brackets are a tool to be used properly by players in order to maximize the possibility of a productive Commander experience. It's not a perfect tool that does everything on its own—the system requires players to use it in good faith.</p>
<p>That said, the tool itself doesn't present itself this way. The Brackets have been advertised to players as a way of creating a universal power scale as opposed to a universal translator, so to speak. <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/game-changers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game Changers</a>, Tutors, Mass Land Denial, and even the ban list have all led to some players assuming objective standards that may not apply when facing random opponents.</p>
<p>In fact, it's pretty clear that such assumptions are so prevalent that even the CFP has made these assumptions, evident by their early "few tutors" rule being an acceptable stipulation as though it were as clear a rule as "no Game Changers."</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cultivate"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scapeshift"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Visage of Bolas"></div></div>
<p>What is a tutor to you may not be to me. What I may consider "chaining extra turns" may not be the same to you. The same can go for Mass Land Denial and what is meant by something being a Game Changer.</p>
<p>This is all to say that the Brackets are meant to be flexible to an extent with random pods. Players can discuss what their intentions are through common vocabulary provided by the Brackets and work with their opponents to build the experience they desire.</p>
<p>This is where playing at home starts to differ. This part of the discussion—stating expectations, intentions, and goals for a game—has already been established many times over. That's just a natural consequence of playing with the same people multiple times.</p>
<p>When your friend whips out their <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines" href="#" target="_blank">Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> list, you know that they plan on slowing things WAY down and slowly but consistently outvaluing the table through exploiting various enters (ETB) effects. They don't have to tell you that there's various <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deafening Silence" href="#" target="_blank">Deafening Silence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects and that you should expect their interaction to take the form of pseudo-<a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Vintage_Stax_deck" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stax</a> pieces.</p>
<p>Because of this, the discussion can progress farther beyond what a random pod could use the Brackets to achieve.</p>
<h2>Brackets at Home</h2>
<p>The Brackets can and ought to still be used by established groups. If you've played with someone long enough, you'll be able to intuit their intentions when they say "I'm building a B3 <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed" href="#" target="_blank">Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> enchantment deck" versus meeting them for the first time and having to learn that their idea of enchantments focuses on pillow forting their way into victory lane.</p>
<p>This shortcut of laying the foundation can move the conversation towards playing with what, say, a Bracket 3 game looks like. Where with random pods time is more limited and room for a Rule Zero discussion isn't meant to get in the way of game night, Brackets with friends can look very different.</p>
<p>There have been plenty of times where I've found myself playing a Bracket 2 deck against a typically legal Bracket 2 pod when, say, the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza, Chief Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Urza, Chief Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> player drops a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Smothering Tithe" href="#" target="_blank">Smothering Tithe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Giada, Font of Hope"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Teferi&#039;s Protection"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The One Ring"></div></div>
<p>With a random pod, it would've taken more consideration and convincing for the opponents to agree to play their Bracket 2 decks against a Bracket 2* deck plus Smothering Tithe, but with at-home Commander this can easily be a Bracket 2 deck because the Brackets are what the players make of it.</p>
<p>Aside from homebrew games not being required to play in the spirit of Brackets, familiar pods can create their own, personal interpretation of what the Brackets mean to them and thus make a better experience.</p>
<p>Is someone playing their new <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toph, the First Metalbender" href="#" target="_blank">Toph, the First Metalbender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> artifact/landfall deck and runs <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Worldfire" href="#" target="_blank">Worldfire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a traditionally Mass Land Denying card? Call it a Bracket 2, because we know what the deck's like, how the friend likes to play Commander, and how long of a game it's been for Worldfire to be a reasonable ending.</p>
<p>Is that friend playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Moon" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Moon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ancient Tomb" href="#" target="_blank">Ancient Tomb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <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>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gamble" href="#" target="_blank">Gamble</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <em>and</em> <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jeska&#039;s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Jeska&#039;s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in their <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Laelia, the Blade Reforged" href="#" target="_blank">Laelia, the Blade Reforged</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck? Call it a Bracket 3 because we know this deck is: 1) only threating Commander damage at most once a turn, and 2) how unlikely the deck is to sustain itself beyond its first three turns.</p>
<p>I'd like to make my opinion explicitly clear: The Brackets are to remain as is when engaging with random pods. Only when the pod agrees to an amendment or a familiar pod deems it worthwhile should the Brackets be toyed with.</p>
<p>It's not ok to go into your local game store with your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grand Arbiter Augustin IV" href="#" target="_blank">Grand Arbiter Augustin IV</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Persistent Petitioners" href="#" target="_blank">Persistent Petitioners</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> list and expect to be welcomed into anything lower than a Bracket 3 game. The Brackets can be used however the pod wishes to use them, so long as the pod agrees to using the Brackets in such a way.</p>
<h2>Addressing Last Week's Take</h2>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/why-are-the-brackets-telling-me-how-to-play-commander">In my last article</a>, I wrote about introducing more powerful cards and Game Changers into lower Brackets as a way of exploring one's prowess as a <em>Magic</em> player. What I believe I failed to properly mention was that you should do so only if you <em>and</em> your pod is comfortable doing so.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Necropotence"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Panoptic Mirror"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Underworld Breach"></div></div>
<p>This isn't an argument to beat down lower-powered decks just as an excuse to misuse the Brackets, nor is it a claim that you should introduce such circumstances into a familiar setting where doing so would diminish the collective enjoyment players find during Commander night.</p>
<p>Should you experiment what cards you play with/against? Absolutely. Doesn't matter if you intend to become a better <em>Magic</em> player or not. Exposing yourself to unfamiliar situations can reveal a multitude of variables that reflect your playstyle, your deck's strengths and weaknesses, and your skills at piloting Commander decks.</p>
<p>Doing so, however, isn't being advocated at the expense of your opponents. Who knows? Maybe the 15 minutes you took engaging with Rule Zero was too much for someone and left them looking for others to play with instead.</p>
<p>What's important is that you were upfront with your intentions instead of surprising them with, say, a stray <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crop Rotation" href="#" target="_blank">Crop Rotation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> they weren't comfortable playing against. In fact, if you aren't interested in seeing where a weakness is or where your strengths lie, then who cares! Play how you want to play. Just ensure your opponents have similar intentions.</p>
<p>But what do <em>you</em> think? How do you feel about viewing Brackets more as a tool and less as the law? What are your thoughts on building decks that experiment with Bracket expectations? Do you think using the Brackets as an aid to the Rule Zero discussion is worthwhile?</p>
<p>I hope this article is helpful in exploring what the Rule Zero discussion can look like and how to use the Brackets more effectively. Find me on BlueSky at <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/ajwicker4.bsky.social?utm_source=edhrec" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">@ajwicker4.bsky.social</a>, I'd love to hear from you and what your thoughts are.</p>
<p>Tune in next time to continue this deep dive in the Bracket system and more <em>Commander Philosophy!</em></p>


Commander Philosophy — Playing With Brackets at Home

The Best Combo Cards from Lorwyn Eclipsed

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Laboratory Maniac" href="#" target="_blank">Laboratory Maniac</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.jasonfelix.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jason Felix</a></em></p>
<p>The <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/introducing-the-commander-format-panel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commander Format Panel (CFP)</a> describes 2-Card Combos (TCCs) as two cards that can outright end the game, lock out opponents from playing the game, or are simply two cards that can go infinite. The intention is to bar lower Brackets from clear warping experiences like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thassa&#039;s Oracle" href="#" target="_blank">Thassa&#039;s Oracle</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>.</p>
<p>In addition to <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/edhrec-guide-to-commander-brackets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bracket expectations</a>, <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/game-changers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game Changers</a>, Chaining Extra Turns, and Mass Land Denial, TCCs are aimed to better quantify just how much power is feasible in the lower Brackets. This way the Game Changer list doesn't need to include hundreds of cards and can instead focus on only the most egregious of cards and exploits.</p>
<p>But what makes something a TCC? Should all TCCs be treated equally? What about non-infinite 2-card combos?</p>
<p>We can touch upon a lot of nuances found in the TCC sub category, so let's start by defining out terms before moving on.</p>
<h2>What Do TCCs Look Like?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Basalt Monolith"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Forsaken Monument"></div></div>
<p>TCCs include any two cards that can end the game, lock players out, or go infinite. These combos can range from anything where two cards can kill three opponents in the same turn, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scourge of the Skyclaves" href="#" target="_blank">Scourge of the Skyclaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wound Reflection" href="#" target="_blank">Wound Reflection</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, preventing your opponents from playing the game through locks like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lavinia, Azorius Renegade" href="#" target="_blank">Lavinia, Azorius Renegade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Knowledge Pool" href="#" target="_blank">Knowledge Pool</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or generating infinite instances of resources, damage, card draw, etc.</p>
<p>Generally, TCCs involve two cards that disproportionally push a game far into one player's favor while ending the game sooner than the pod anticipated. While decks ought not to be built to end a game at these designated times per se, Brackets state that players should expect Bracket 1-3 games to end at turns nine, eight, and six, respectively.</p>
<p>TCCs most often shatter player expectations by ending a game much sooner than the anticipated turn count Brackets suggest.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chain of Smog"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Professor Onyx"></div></div>
<p>Additionally, it's not enough for players to sandbag their TCCs until the suggested turn limit and win the game unannounced. Lower Bracket games are meant to be played gradually with players telegraphing their advantages and game plans. This is to say that throwing down your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Niv-Mizzet, Parun" href="#" target="_blank">Niv-Mizzet, Parun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Niv-Mizzet, Visionary" href="#" target="_blank">Niv-Mizzet, Visionary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on turn nine in your Bracket 2 <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arjun, the Shifting Flame" href="#" target="_blank">Arjun, the Shifting Flame</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck isn't something your opponents should naturally expect.</p>
<p>The aforementioned TCCs are clear examples of two cards exploiting one another sufficiently to warp a game too dramatically for a lower Bracket experience. Brackets 1-3 aim to exclude interactions that end a game prematurely, out of nowhere, or are deemed too "unfun."</p>
<p>However, not all TCCs are equal. While some can wholly end a game on their own in a vacuum, what are we to do about TCCs that require additional steps, if not additional cards?</p>
<h2>Sometimes, TCCs Aren’t Just Two Cards</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Exquisite Blood"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sanguine Bond"></div></div>
<p>A good example to start with is the popular <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sanguine Bond" href="#" target="_blank">Sanguine Bond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> combo. With just two cards, the next instance of an opponent losing life or the combo's controller gaining life will end the game effectively immediately. And yet, despite the combo's notoriety, the two cards on their own don't actively contribute to ending a game.</p>
<p>The combo isn't complete until someone triggers either enchantment. Until then, there's still a Bracket 1-3 game to be had as long as the conditions aren't met.</p>
<p>I'll argue that this is still a TCC in spirit despite this due to the prerequisites being so simple to accomplish, as I'm sure many would also agree. The takeaway is that there seems to be the possibility of a TCC requiring sufficient prerequisites as to allow a TCC into Brackets 1-3 (specifically for non-thematic reasons in Bracket 1).</p>
<p>Take for example <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hellkite Charger" href="#" target="_blank">Hellkite Charger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Let's assume you had a source like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bear Umbra" href="#" target="_blank">Bear Umbra</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that could repeatedly generate the <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-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> necessary to indefinitely activate the Charger's triggered ability and gain an indefinite number of combats. In this case, your TCC requires around an additional seven lands to be considered a combo at all.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Approach of the Second Sun"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reprieve"></div></div>
<p>The same thing happens if we replace Bear Umbra with a creature like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Old Gnawbone" href="#" target="_blank">Old Gnawbone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, as now a minimum of seven damage <em>and</em> seven usable Treasures are required. One <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blind Obedience" href="#" target="_blank">Blind Obedience</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Karn, the Great Creator" href="#" target="_blank">Karn, the Great Creator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> stops this combo in its tracks.</p>
<p>An important factor to note is that this combo isn't technically an infinite combo in either case as the TCC is limited by your opponents' life totals and whether or not their battlefields - whether through stax pieces previously mentioned or a wall of blockers - can either prevent or enable infinite combats.</p>
<p><em>Technically</em> speaking, it's possible for this TCC to not be infinite and to not end the game in a single turn, thus skirting the conditions to be categorized a TCC. Despite this, I'll agree that this still should be considered a TCC and thus excluded from lower Bracket games.</p>
<p>More examples can be found, but eventually we'll discover some combo that requires an amount of prerequisites that are so demanding or so numerous that they would water the combo down to the lower Brackets' power level.</p>
<p>Take <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scute Swarm" href="#" target="_blank">Scute Swarm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example. The only thing really limiting these ecological terrorists are how many lands you can play in a single turn.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Priest of Titania"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Staff of Domination"></div></div>
<p>Theoretically, you could construct a TCC with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kodama of the East Tree" href="#" target="_blank">Kodama of the East Tree</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and the Swarm with the prerequisite that you play a bounce land like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Simic Growth Chamber" href="#" target="_blank">Simic Growth Chamber</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as your land for turn with the two creatures under your control, then returning the Chamber to your hand before Kodama's triggered ability resolves from the Swarm creating a token.</p>
<p>With the additional prerequisite of being able to grant your Swarm haste, perhaps through a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Concordant Crossroads" href="#" target="_blank">Concordant Crossroads</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you're able to end the game with what we'll consider a TCC* on turn six, a fairly reasonable expectation for Bracket 3.</p>
<h2>Prerequisites Are to TCCs as Brackets Are to Commander</h2>
<p>We've previously talked about <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/commander-philosophy-to-combo-or-not-to-combo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">playing combos in the lower Brackets</a>, but what we didn't focus on in that discussion was whether TCCs can also fit into lower Bracket experiences. I believe that we can use a combo's prerequisites as a means to limit a combo's warping effect similar to how Brackets are used to tailor the desired Commander experience between a pod.</p>
<p>What if, in order to create a TCC* that can end the game on the spot with an infinite amount of mana, we needed <em>seventeen mana</em> to do so. Let's look at <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cogwork Assembler" href="#" target="_blank">Cogwork Assembler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Powerstone Shard" href="#" target="_blank">Powerstone Shard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. In order for the Shard to tap for seven mana and thus allow us to infinitely activate the Assembler and generate infinite copies of any artifact creature with haste + infinite <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-c" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, we'll need to create six copies of the Shard to do so.</p>
<p>If we wanted to do so all at once, we'd need access to seventeen mana before copying Powerstone Shard. With seventeen mana, I believe that most players will anticipate game-ending moves to be made. Very little is unachievable with seventeen mana.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hushwing Gryff"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wormfang Manta"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Athreos, Shroud-Veiled"></div></div>
<p>Now, what if we had the means of gradually producing permanent copies of Powerstone Shard over multiple turns, perhaps with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mechanized Production" href="#" target="_blank">Mechanized Production</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, only this time we resolve Cogwork Assembler the turn we intend to win? Wouldn't this be sandbagging and go against telegraphing our plays, thus "wining out of nowhere" and going against lower Bracket intentions?</p>
<p>I'd argue that it <em>was</em> telegraphed. We've proven to be able to generate permanent copies of whatever artifact we please and have done so over multiple turns, allowing our opponents many opportunities to stop us from doing so. If they can't win against an opponent generating, say, one additional <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Metalwork Colossus" href="#" target="_blank">Metalwork Colossus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> a turn, that's not on us.</p>
<p>They've been more than able to deal with our source of generating Powerstone Shard copies up to this point, and arguably <em>should</em> have by now. Especially if our source of copying is Mechanized Production, a <em>very</em> telegraphed victory condition.</p>
<p>This is but one example. Innumerable instances of TCCs requiring an already game-winning amount of influence can be presented and arguably justified to be allowed into the lower Brackets.</p>
<h2>Ask Not if You Can, but if You Should</h2>
<p>The one argument that stands against a TCC* in lower Brackets is the hard rule that players who don't want to engage with TCCs in any form should have the opportunity to do so. This is a foundational tenet of the Brackets that players ought to have a space safe from the saltier or grindier sides of Commander.</p>
<p>This safe space must remain. Despite the arguments we've discussed thus far, if someone remains apprehensive to playing with or against TCCs in any form, they ought to be granted such an environment that fosters this experience.</p>
<p>As is always the case, this remains a Rule Zero discussion. Does your group mind if your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord" href="#" target="_blank">Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is capable of nuking the table with an attacking <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jumbo Cactuar" href="#" target="_blank">Jumbo Cactuar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? Is everyone fine with expecting your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar" href="#" target="_blank">Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> partner deck to be capable of infecting everyone with instances like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tainted Strike" href="#" target="_blank">Tainted Strike</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Maze&#039;s End"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reshape the Earth"></div></div>
<p>We can argue that TCCs and TCCs* ought to be accessible in all Brackets to an extent, but at the end of the day this discussion must be shared with our three opponents. The CFP may govern Commander with our best interests in mind, but they only offer guidance and leave it to us to cultivate our preferred play experiences.</p>
<p>But what do <em>you</em> think? How do you feel about playing with prerequisite-heavy-TCCs in lower Brackets? What are your thoughts on TCCs expanding beyond just two cards? Do you think this interpretation of TCCs can promote more enjoyable games?</p>
<p>I hope this article is helpful in exploring what TCCs can look like and how to play them differently. Find me on BlueSky at <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/ajwicker4.bsky.social">@ajwicker4.bsky.social</a>, I'd love to hear from you and what your thoughts are.</p>
<p>Tune in next time to continue this deep dive in the Bracket system and more <em>Commander Philosophy!</em></p>


Commander Philosophy — 2-Card Combos in Lower Brackets

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><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/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sam Burley</a></em></p>
<p>Welcome to <em>Technically Playable</em>, where our mission statement is "Every commander is <em>technically</em> playable" (the best kind of playable). The way this works is every article will have a commander generated using EDHREC's random button, I'll talk through the card and then write about how we can build around it!</p>
<p>This week's random commander is <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>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tayam, Luminous Enigma"></div></div>
<p>Initially, this article was going to be <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sensational Spider-Man" href="#" target="_blank">Sensational Spider-Man</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but since that card isn't out for another month, I decided to take a very rare <em>Technically Playable</em> mulligan to look at something that has a little more time and experience behind it.</p>
<h2>Wombo Combo!</h2>
<p>Tayam is a deck that invites the deckbuilder to create some really interesting lines of play, especially when it comes to more competitive playgroups. In this section, I'll look at a handful of different combos that Tayam can use to win the game on the spot.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div id="687-4762" style="width: 100%; position: relative; overflow: visible; display: flex; justify-content: center;"><img decoding="async" id="csbLoad" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/images/gear.svg" alt="csb logo" width="300" /><br />
<script id="687-4762" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/embed.js?v=1&uses=%5B%22Tayam%2C%20Luminous%20Enigma%22%2C%22Devoted%20Druid%22%5D&requires=%5B%5D&produces=%5B%22Put%20all%20permanents%20with%20a%20mana%20value%20of%203%20or%20less%20from%20your%20library%20and%20graveyard%20onto%20the%20battlefield%22%2C%22Infinite%20self-mill%22%5D&id=687-4762&color=WBG&extraRequirementCount=2"></script></div>
<p>This first combo uses <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Devoted Druid" href="#" target="_blank">Devoted Druid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to create infinite mana. While this combo only needs two cards to win, you also need to make sure that you've got some way to buff the Druid's toughness by +2 so that it doesn't die to its own -1/-1 counters.</p>
<p>This is often done with something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Centaur Garden" href="#" target="_blank">Centaur Garden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shield Mate" href="#" target="_blank">Shield Mate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> since they're both cheap to put into play (the land of course costing you no mana to play) however you can also use cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vines of Vastwood" href="#" target="_blank">Vines of Vastwood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blossoming Defense" href="#" target="_blank">Blossoming Defense</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to both buff the Druid and give it protection from removal at the same time.</p>
<p>Once you've buffed the Druid, simply tap it for mana three times, use that mana to activate Tayam, and remove the -1/-1 counters from the Druid. This will let you mill your whole deck and put any permanents that are three mana or less into play, including all of your lands. From here, you can put a win together with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zulaport Cutthroat" href="#" target="_blank">Zulaport Cutthroat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and some kind of sacrifice outlet.</p>
<p>You can also use the Devoted Druid combo to set up and then use the combos below to finish the game.</p>
<div id="687-2012-2034-3644" style="width: 100%; position: relative; overflow: visible; display: flex; justify-content: center;"><img decoding="async" id="csbLoad" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/images/gear.svg" alt="csb logo" width="300" /><br />
<script id="687-2012-2034-3644" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/embed.js?v=1&uses=%5B%22Tayam%2C%20Luminous%20Enigma%22%2C%22Ashnod's%20Altar%22%2C%22Strangleroot%20Geist%22%2C%22Young%20Wolf%22%5D&requires=%5B%5D&produces=%5B%22Infinite%20colorless%20mana%22%2C%22Infinite%20death%20triggers%22%2C%22Infinite%20ETB%22%2C%22Infinite%20LTB%22%2C%22Infinite%20sacrifice%20triggers%22%2C%22Infinite%20self-mill%22%2C%22Put%20all%20permanents%20with%20a%20mana%20value%20of%203%20or%20less%20from%20your%20library%20and%20graveyard%20onto%20the%20battlefield%22%5D&id=687-2012-2034-3644&color=WBG&extraRequirementCount=1"></script></div>
<p>Similar to the first combo, the idea of this one is to mill your entire library while putting all of your permanents into play, but it achieves this slightly differently. Instead of using Tayam and one other card, it takes a few more pieces, but each of these can be put into play from Tayam's ability if you don't draw them or if they're milled or discarded some other way.</p>
<p>Instead of using the creatures to make the mana, instead we sacrifice both of our creatures with undying to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ashnod&#039;s Altar" href="#" target="_blank">Ashnod&#039;s Altar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to make four colorless mana. This can then be used to activate Tayam, remove the +1/+1 counters and vigilance counters given by Tayam from our undying creatures, and then repeat the loop. This fully mills our deck like the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Devoted Druid" href="#" target="_blank">Devoted Druid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> combo, but also provides us with infinite colorless mana and infinite leave/enter the battlefield triggers to play with as well.</p>
<p>What makes this combo so great and flexible is that it doesn't need to be <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Young Wolf" href="#" target="_blank">Young Wolf</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strangleroot Geist" href="#" target="_blank">Strangleroot Geist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>; in fact, any creature with undying or persist will work. This is great with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kitchen Finks" href="#" target="_blank">Kitchen Finks</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to make infinite life or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Geralf&#039;s Messenger" href="#" target="_blank">Geralf&#039;s Messenger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to machinegun down everyone's life totals.</p>
<div id="687-2034-4626" style="width: 100%; position: relative; overflow: visible; display: flex; justify-content: center;"><img decoding="async" id="csbLoad" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/images/gear.svg" alt="csb logo" width="300" /><br />
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<p>The last combo I want to highlight bears a close resemblance to the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Young Wolf" href="#" target="_blank">Young Wolf</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> combo, but with the distinct difference of using a card that's only in 0.25% of decks it can be in. This feels very apt for <em>Technically Playable</em>.</p>
<p>Like the undying/persist combo, this uses <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ashnod&#039;s Altar" href="#" target="_blank">Ashnod&#039;s Altar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Promise of Bunrei" href="#" target="_blank">Promise of Bunrei</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to make tokens that get vigilance counters from Tayam. You need any random creature in play and one spare mana before starting the combo. First, you sacrifice it to make mana and sacrifice the Promise to make some tokens. You can then activate Tayam, remove the vigilance counters from the tokens, and return Promise to the battlefield.</p>
<p>Loop this process by sacrificing the tokens to make more tokens and return the Promise over and over again. This will mill your whole deck, give you infinite mana, infinite tokens, basically infinite anything you can think of.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Devoted Druid"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Young Wolf"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Promise of Bunrei"></div></div>
<p>While each of these combos is really good by itself if you're going for a combo deck, I'd always say to make sure you have as much redundancy as possible. Each of these combos can set you up to win the game or can dig to find one of the other combos if you need a specific line of play to get through a particular stax piece, stopping you from winning, making them all useful in different ways and for different board states.</p>
<h2>Tayam the Value Engine</h2>
<p>It's clear from the combos above and <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/search/?q=Tayam%2C+Luminous+Enigma&amp;utm_source=edhrec" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tayam's extensive Commander Spellbook page</a> that we can easily build a combo-focused deck with this card, but personally, I'm a much bigger fan of a slow grind. I like the longer games you can have of Commander; they tend to offer more opportunities for swingy moments and stories you'll be telling in your playgroup for years to come.</p>
<p>This deck has a couple of routes you can go down. The first is one that you may want to run by your playgroup before committing to: The Tayam Edict deck. Using cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fleshbag Marauder" href="#" target="_blank">Fleshbag Marauder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Merciless Executioner" href="#" target="_blank">Merciless Executioner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you can get around hexproof and indestructible on your opponents' creatures, allowing you to easily remove their strongest cards without much trouble (unless they're playing a ton of tokens, of course).</p>
<p>In combination with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grave Pact" href="#" target="_blank">Grave Pact</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you can easily create a board state that locks your opponents out of playing any creatures. This is made even better by the fact that these cards are all three mana, allowing you to return them at instant speed with Tayam.</p>
<p>All you need to do is make sure you can make enough mana and generate enough counters to do this repeatedly. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Devoted Druid" href="#" target="_blank">Devoted Druid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> works amazingly here, even without committing to the combo. You can also use cards like <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>, which doesn't combo like the Druid does, but it does contribute towards being able to replay a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fleshbag Marauder" href="#" target="_blank">Fleshbag Marauder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> each turn.</p>
<p>You can also use other sacrifice outlets that give counters, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Carrion Feeder" href="#" target="_blank">Carrion Feeder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yawgmoth, Thran Physician" href="#" target="_blank">Yawgmoth, Thran Physician</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which both generate counters when sacrificing, and of course, the proliferate ability on Yawgmoth can make for some really explosive turns.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fleshbag Marauder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grave Pact"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yawgmoth, Thran Physician"></div></div>
<p>Now I said I like slow games, but everyone has to go home at some point. While I wouldn't play something quite as slow or punishing as the deck above, I would want to use Tayam as part of an engine to push my game plan forward.</p>
<p>I'd definitely run the mana generators like Devoted Druid and Wall of Roots, but alongside those I'd look to play more around +1/+1 counters with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Terrasymbiosis" href="#" target="_blank">Terrasymbiosis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kutzil, Malamet Exemplar" href="#" target="_blank">Kutzil, Malamet Exemplar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to draw through our deck and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gyre Sage" href="#" target="_blank">Gyre Sage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kami of Whispered Hopes" href="#" target="_blank">Kami of Whispered Hopes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to generate all the mana I could ever need.</p>
<p>So that's mana and cards sorted, but how are we going to make sure we have enough counters to fuel Tayam? There are a lot of cards we could use to generate our own counters, but what if we instead used our opponents' game actions to do that? That way, we can hold up all of our mana to activate Tayam and dig through our deck for even more value.</p>
<p><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> is the absolute best option for this since it gains counters whenever anyone plays a spell, as well a being the right mana cost to be hit with Tayam. While not the right mana cost, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Forgotten Ancient" href="#" target="_blank">Forgotten Ancient</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> also does a very good job of hoarding counters while also being able to move them around to other creatures should that be necessary.</p>
<p>We can also use <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> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arwen, Weaver of Hope" href="#" target="_blank">Arwen, Weaver of Hope</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to put loads of counters onto our creatures as they enter. This means that no matter what we hit off of Tayam's ability, we're almost always going to be able to do it again as long as we have the mana.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Terrasymbiosis"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gyre Sage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Managorger Hydra"></div></div>
<p>As with all <em>Technically Playable</em> articles, this was a very quick look at <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> as a commander, and a few of the cards that can really make a deck with Tayam as the commander tick.</p>
<p>Let me know in the comments below if you play <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>, if you want to build a Tayam, Luminous Enigma deck, or even if you just enjoyed this article!</p>
<h3>Read More:</h3>
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Counters and Combos With Tayam, Luminous Enigma