<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Derevi, Empyrial Tactician" href="#" target="_blank">Derevi, Empyrial Tactician</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=artist%3Amichaelkomarck&amp;unique=cards&amp;as=grid&amp;order=name">Michael Kormack</a></em></p>
<h2>Changing Tactics</h2>
<p>This week on <em>Precon Remastered</em>, where we take old precons and give them a modern makeover, we have quite a jump. Basically, I've been asked to skip the rest of the original precons and begin instead with the infamous <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/c13"><em>Commander 2013</em></a> set of decks (I'll get to why it's infamous in a moment). For the other three precons from the original release, you can find them <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/counterpunch-ghave-precon-upgrade">here</a>, <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/heavenly-inferno-kaalia-precon-upgrade">here</a>, and <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/mirror-mastery-riku-precon-upgrade">here</a>. Now then, shall we get started?</p>
<h3>Lay of the Land</h3>
<p>To give a brief overview of the decks, there's a reason for what I said above: all (except one) of the decks have quite the identity crisis, split between two very different themes. Not to mention, we're still contending with some...interesting card choices. What will this mean for our five decks? The answer's fairly simple: we're going to do all five of the main commanders for this cycle. The others have been built up well enough that I'd be beating a dead horse (to varying degrees; looking at you, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nekusar, the Mindrazer" href="#" target="_blank">Nekusar, the Mindrazer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>). Besides, the main commanders need to be in the command zone for them to be truly effective. So, it will be those five I'll focus on.</p>
<h3>The Leader of Legend</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Derevi, Empyrial Tactician"></div></div>
<p>Our commander for this week has quite a storied history back in the day. Where everyone was building <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/stax">Stax</a> decks for her (we won't do that here, I assure you: we gotta have friends!), I took a different approach for her. I saw her through an Arthurian lens, being the leader of a <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/tokens">token</a> deck, getting all those tap/untap triggers. The precon features them to a small extent, feeding into a <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/tap-untap">Tap/Untap</a> theme, but it does take on a <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/blink">Blink</a> theme. That would be because of the deck's secondary commander, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Roon of the Hidden Realm" href="#" target="_blank">Roon of the Hidden Realm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, printed so Blink decks had all the tools under one shed. Besides, that's boring! I'm asleep by the time those decks start going off.</p>
<h3>The Rules of Engagement</h3>
<p>As always, I'll post the rules for remastering precons, so those new to the series can get a grasp of what we're aiming to do, or if a reader ends up forgetting (that includes you). They are as follows:</p>
<p>1. The value of the deck cannot exceed $120. This will apply to the reprints only, which gets to my first personal quirk.</p>
<p>2. Every card unique to the precon stays in the deck. All those new cards that get released with precons remain in the list.</p>
<p>3. The land package should closely reflect what we get in precons these days (and, in my humble opinion, they're actually pretty good).</p>
<p>4. For at least until 2020, we're not tied to a particular set, so we're free to choose whatever we want. You can be assured I have ideas for 2020 and beyond, though.</p>
<p>5. <em>Universes Beyond</em> cards are not added. No exceptions, unless they have a in-universe variant.</p>
<p>With that out of the way, let's take a gander at the original list.</p>
<h3><em>Evasive Maneuvers</em></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Evasive Maneuvers - Commander 2013" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Derevi, Empyrial Tactician
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Acidic Slime
*1 Aerie Mystics
*1 Angel of Finality
*1 Azami, Lady of Scrolls
*1 Bane of Progress
*1 Deceiver Exarch
*1 Diviner Spirit
*1 Djinn of Infinite Deceits
*1 Dungeon Geists
*1 Farhaven Elf
*1 Fiend Hunter
*1 Flickerwisp
*1 Hada Spy Patrol
*1 Karmic Guide
*1 Kazandu Tuskcaller
*1 Lu Xun, Scholar General
*1 Mirror Entity
*1 Mistmeadow Witch
*1 Murkfiend Liege
*1 Phantom Nantuko
*1 Pilgrim&#039;s Eye
*1 Roon of the Hidden Realm
*1 Rubinia Soulsinger
*1 Selesnya Guildmage
*1 Skyward Eye Prophets
*1 Stonecloaker
*1 Thornwind Faeries
*1 Winged Coatl
*1 Wonder
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Aethermage&#039;s Touch
*1 Arcane Denial
*1 Blue Sun&#039;s Zenith
*1 Krosan Grip
*1 Selesnya Charm
*1 Unexpectedly Absent
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Borrowing 100,000 Arrows
*1 Kirtar&#039;s Wrath
*1 Restore
*1 Tempt with Glory
*1 Wash Out
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Azorius Keyrune
*1 Basalt Monolith
*1 Conjurer&#039;s Closet
*1 Darksteel Ingot
*1 Leonin Bladetrap
*1 Selesnya Signet
*1 Simic Signet
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Surveyor&#039;s Scope
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Sword of the Paruns
*1 Thousand-Year Elixir
*1 Thunderstaff
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Control Magic
*1 Curse of Inertia
*1 Curse of Predation
*1 Curse of the Forsaken
*1 Darksteel Mutation
*1 Flickerform
*1 Leafdrake Roost
*1 Presence of Gond
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Azorius Chancery
*1 Azorius Guildgate
*1 Bant Panorama
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Faerie Conclave
*6 Forest
*7 Island
*1 Opal Palace
*7 Plains
*1 Rupture Spire
*1 Saltcrusted Steppe
*1 Seaside Citadel
*1 Secluded Steppe
*1 Sejiri Refuge
*1 Selesnya Guildgate
*1 Selesnya Sanctuary
*1 Simic Guildgate
*1 Temple of the False God
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Transguild Promenade
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h3>The Current Stratagem</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Borrowing 100,000 Arrows"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mistmeadow Witch"></div></div>
<p>Like I said before, the decks from this precon cycle have an identity crisis, and this one's no exception. Here, we have a split between Blink and Tap/Untap. However, the card selection in both themes are pretty terrible. On the one hand, we have random stuff like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thornwind Faeries" href="#" target="_blank">Thornwind Faeries</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Leafdrake Roost" href="#" target="_blank">Leafdrake Roost</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, whose effects are too minimal to make any difference. On the other, we have the likes of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Acidic Slime" href="#" target="_blank">Acidic Slime</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and an old favorite in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stonecloaker" href="#" target="_blank">Stonecloaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. That said, there is a clear winner between the two, and my choice will certainly raise some eyebrows.</p>
<p>The mana base, to the surprise of no one, needs a lot of work. The Ravnica bounce lands (ex. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Selesnya Sanctuary" href="#" target="_blank">Selesnya Sanctuary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) are terrible in decks with three colors or higher. Not to mention they'll make great <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strip Mine" href="#" target="_blank">Strip Mine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> targets. The Gates enter tapped and were better off being basic lands. Looking at mana bases like this one shows us how far precons have come. So, what exactly am I planning to do here?</p>
<h3><em>Evasive Maneuvers </em>Remastered</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Evasive Maneuvers" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Derevi, Empyrial Tactician
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Acidic Slime
*1 Adeline, Resplendent Cathar
*1 Aether Channeler
*1 Angel of Finality
*1 Archetype of Imagination
*1 Bane of Progress
*1 Brago, King Eternal
*1 Cloudblazer
*1 Diviner Spirit
*1 Djinn of Infinite Deceits
*1 End-Raze Forerunners
*1 Eternal Witness
*1 Faeburrow Elder
*1 Farhaven Elf
*1 Fiend Hunter
*1 Flickerwisp
*1 Karmic Guide
*1 Lu Xun, Scholar General
*1 Mirror Entity
*1 Mistmeadow Witch
*1 Mulldrifter
*1 Peregrine Drake
*1 Restoration Angel
*1 Roon of the Hidden Realm
*1 Rubinia Soulsinger
*1 Soulherder
*1 Stonecloaker
*1 Thragtusk
*1 Trygon Predator
*1 Wall of Blossoms
*1 Wall of Omens
*1 Willbreaker
*1 Wonder
*1 Yorion, Sky Nomad
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Bident of Thassa
*1 Nevinyrral&#039;s Disk
*1 Selesnya Signet
*1 Simic Signet
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Surveyor&#039;s Scope
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Candlekeep Sage
*1 Curse of Inertia
*1 Curse of Predation
*1 Curse of the Forsaken
*1 Darksteel Mutation
*1 Dismiss into Dream
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 Arcane Denial
*1 Cloudshift
*1 Displace
*1 Krosan Grip
*1 Momentary Blink
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Selesnya Charm
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Unexpectedly Absent
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Another Round
*1 Cultivate
*1 Kodama&#039;s Reach
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Restore
*1 Tempt with Glory
*1 Time Wipe
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Adarkar Wastes
*1 Bant Panorama
*1 Brushland
*1 Canopy Vista
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*6 Forest
*1 Glacial Fortress
*1 Hinterland Harbor
*6 Island
*1 Opal Palace
*1 Overflowing Basin
*6 Plains
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Seaside Citadel
*1 Skycloud Expanse
*1 Sodden Verdure
*1 Sungrass Prairie
*1 Sunpetal Grove
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Yavimaya Coast
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h3>Did I Blink?</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Adeline, Resplendent Cathar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Willbreaker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Roon of the Hidden Realm"></div></div>
<p>When upgrading precons like this one, we pick a theme and run with it. Here, I leaned harder into the Blink theme but kept Derevi at the helm. Why? She gives the ETB (enters-the-battlefield) creatures more life by using them to get Derevi's trigger. That said, I also retained (and added) a few key pieces that make Derevi tick. I may have not done the Stax route, but I did add a couple cards that will be really mean with our commander out. Both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dismiss into Dream" href="#" target="_blank">Dismiss into Dream</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Willbreaker" href="#" target="_blank">Willbreaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will be backbreaking under the right circumstances. Perhaps they could outright win the game. However, their high mana cost, and Willbreaker being easy to remove, will keep them from being too horrifying.</p>
<p>A lot of the key pieces for Blink decks are not cheap (Who knew <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ephemerate" href="#" target="_blank">Ephemerate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was around $7? Yikes!), but we still have some budget options. For example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Another Round" href="#" target="_blank">Another Round</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will blink our board, and will do so as many times as we pay into it. In a similar vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yorion, Sky Nomad" href="#" target="_blank">Yorion, Sky Nomad</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will blink everything but itself, but we can blink it to do the effect again. On that note, our suite of Blink targets have been improved to the best of my ability. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eternal Witness" href="#" target="_blank">Eternal Witness</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will get something back, and we have the infamous Standard pair of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Restoration Angel" href="#" target="_blank">Restoration Angel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thragtusk" href="#" target="_blank">Thragtusk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Further upgrades to the deck will mean moving all the way, adding the cards I couldn't add because they were out of our price range.</p>
<h3>Successful Maneuvers</h3>
<p>While we were able to get there, Derevi does seem to be at an odd place. That said, there are a brave <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/derevi-empyrial-tactician/blink">255 people</a> (at time of writing) using her as a Blink deck.</p>
<p>Do you think Roon gets the nod over Derevi? Why or why not? In the meantime, come back next time were we return to the next commander in <em>Commander Makeover</em>, and start making some generic Goblin noises.</p>


derevi

Remastering the Evasive Maneuvers Precon

60 to 100 - Bant Company