The Best Dwarf Combo Cards in Commander

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Little Bear" href="#" target="_blank">Little Bear</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tomas.duchek/?hl=en">Tomas Duchek</a></span></em></p>
<h2><strong>What is a Typal Card?</strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’ve recorded 70+ episodes of a creature-type-based podcast, <a href="http://anchor.fm/quote-of-arms">Quote of Arms</a>, so I’ve seen a huge array of creature type decks. When I look at spoilers for a new set, I tend to scan for cards that specifically reference a creature type, especially those that provide a new commander, direction, or signpost card for an existing type. This approach helps me sift through the deluge of new cards and avoid product fatigue.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From a typal perspective, <em>The Hobbit</em> is a deep set. The primary focuses of the set seem to be storied permanent types (Sagas, legendaries, and artifacts), Armies, and typal synergies. A decent amount of these bleed into each other, at least in part for Limited purposes, so there are more than thirty cards that directly refer to cards of a creature type.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>The Hobbit</em> is a solid typal set, and a lot of cards in it reflect this, so not all typal cards are going to be reviewed and some are going to be lumped together. Draft chaff typal cards fall into the former category, while cycles will fall into the latter. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Orcrist, Goblin-cleaver" href="#" target="_blank">Orcrist, Goblin-cleaver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will also be skipped, as it has its own article.</span></p>
<h3><b>The Company Cycle</b></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bard&#039;s Company"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chief Warg&#039;s Company"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dáin&#039;s Company"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thranduil&#039;s Company"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bolg&#039;s Company"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Each of the two-color pairs in the set gets its own “Company” card: a solid creature on rate that gains abilities depending on whether you have another creature of its type: Human, Goblin, Wolf, Dwarf, or Elf. Their abilities reflect what the types do in the set: go-wide Humans get an anthem; weenie rush Goblins get a mana dork and sacrifice outlet; high-power Wolves get a five-power trampler; Equipment-loving Dwarves can find an Equipment or a Dwarf from the top four cards; and Elves get land drops and landfall synergies. These are must-includes for any deck that takes the types in these directions, although Elves are pulled in a slightly different direction than their usual Elfball.</span></p>
<h3><b>The Common Typal Land Cycle</b></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elvenking&#039;s Halls"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin-town"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Iron Hills"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lake-town"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mirkwood"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Each of the creature types in the set is referenced in some way on the common Typal lands. The lands are dual lands in the supported color pairs, enter tapped, and, by paying four mana and sacrificing the land, put two +1/+1 counters on a creature of the type. Simic targets Elves; Rakdos targets Goblins or Orcs; Boros targets Dwarves; Azorius targets Humans; and Golgari targets…Bears, Spiders, or Wolves. While it’s always nice to get more cheap dual lands, these are likely too slow and weak to see much play outside of budget builds.</span></p>
<h3><b>Legendary Dwarves</b></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bifur, Melodic Rider"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Balin, Loremaster"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fíli the Pathfinder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kíli the Resourceful"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because Dwarves are associated with the new storied mechanic, which cares about legendaries, Sagas, and artifacts, it makes sense that they would have a lot of new commanders. In fact, there are <em>sixteen</em> of them in this set alone. All of the ones that care about other Dwarves also care about having an enduring story, with abilities ranging from card draw to cost reduction to token production and even doubling triggers, which combos with the other two!</span></p>
<h3><b>Thranduils</b></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thranduil, Sindarin Liege"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thranduil, the Elvenking"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thranduil the Strategist"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The King of Elves in <em>The Hobbit</em> was an important enough character to get three cards all to himself. Two of them are Simic-colored, while perhaps the most powerful is Sultai. Both of the Simic versions make Elves when a land falls; one turns Elves into mana dorks, while the other is a lord that can go on an Adventure to mill four cards and put two lands from them onto the battlefield. The Elvenking, however, draws two and discards a card when a legendary Elf enters and acts as a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Necrotic Ooze" href="#" target="_blank">Necrotic Ooze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for Elves. <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/thranduil-the-elvenking-a-cedh-one-card-combo">It might even have cEDH potential</a>, as graveyard combos are plentiful!</span></p>
<h3><b>Typal Weapons</b></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wizard&#039;s Staff"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dwarven Mattock"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are a couple of Equipment that work well with members of certain creature types, and even one that hates on one! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Black Arrow" href="#" target="_blank">The Black Arrow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an anti-typal card that hates on Dragons. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wizard&#039;s Staff" href="#" target="_blank">Wizard&#039;s Staff</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dwarven Mattock" href="#" target="_blank">Dwarven Mattock</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> have reduced equip costs for Wizards and Dwarves, respectively. While the Mattock only provides a boost and Ward 1, the Staff gives prowess and a one-creature <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Panharmonicon" href="#" target="_blank">Panharmonicon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Since instances of prowess stack, it can really get out of hand fast!</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Along the Crooked Way" href="#" target="_blank">Along the Crooked Way</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Along the Crooked Way"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Along the Crooked Way" href="#" target="_blank">Along the Crooked Way</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a complicated card. It is a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raise Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Raise Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that amasses Goblins when creatures leave the grave and can be activated to give Goblins and Orcs menace until end of turn. All of these abilities combine to make a potent card that is solid throughout the game.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Desolation of Smaug" href="#" target="_blank">Desolation of Smaug</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Desolation of Smaug"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Typal wraths that are one-sided tend to be strong, and Dragons already have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crux of Fate" href="#" target="_blank">Crux of Fate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. So what hope does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Desolation of Smaug" href="#" target="_blank">Desolation of Smaug</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> have? Well, it’s free if we follow it up with a Dragon and even fixes mana in multicolor Dragon decks, so it has a pretty decent shot. The problem is that it is just a slightly better <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pyroclasm" href="#" target="_blank">Pyroclasm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, so, even though it’s free, the effect might not be worth the deck slot.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Last Light of Durin&#039;s Day" href="#" target="_blank">Last Light of Durin&#039;s Day</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Last Light of Durin&#039;s Day"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This can be really good in a mono-red Dragons deck, especially one built around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragon&#039;s Approach" href="#" target="_blank">Dragon&#039;s Approach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It gets a quest counter when a Mountain enters (not when we play one, so <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scapeshift" href="#" target="_blank">Scapeshift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> shenanigans work), and then, when we have six of those counters, we can sacrifice it to put a Dragon in our hand or library onto the battlefield. Like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragon&#039;s Approach" href="#" target="_blank">Dragon&#039;s Approach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, it takes a lot of work to get off, but the payoff can be decently strong.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bejeweled Warg" href="#" target="_blank">Bejeweled Warg</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bejeweled Warg"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wolves may be ferocious, but it’s a bit odd that Wolves in this set care about individual size, rather than working together as part of a pack. Still, the Warg is a cheap trampler that grows a Wolf or makes a Treasure when it connects. I suppose Wolves growing each other kind of fits the theme?</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beorn the Fierce" href="#" target="_blank">Beorn the Fierce</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beorn the Fierce"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Beorn might just overtake <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> as the preeminent Bear commander. It’s a big trampler that is a lord for Bears, gives Bears trample, turns non-Bears into Bears, and draws cards if we control three or more Bears. Why don’t the Wolves have this kind of pack mentality?</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cantankerous Keepers" href="#" target="_blank">Cantankerous Keepers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cantankerous Keepers"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Elves specialize in swarming the board, and this both benefits from and enables the board swarming. It has affinity for Elves, so it’ll likely just cost a green mana, and it mills four when it enters, putting all Elves milled this way into our hand. Yet another cheap Elf that draws cards and keeps the Elfball engine going.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Down in the Valley" href="#" target="_blank">Down in the Valley</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Down in the Valley"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is a Saga that fixes our mana, makes Elves when we put lands out, and gives Elves a power boost and vigilance until end of turn. It’s a bit slow, but Elves in the set are leaning into landfall, and putting two of the strongest strategies in the format together can only be a good thing…right?</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Little Bear" href="#" target="_blank">Little Bear</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Little Bear"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Folks have been brainstorming this as a combo piece with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Splinter Twin" href="#" target="_blank">Splinter Twin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects as the new copies can untap the original, and, since both are Bears, make it bigger. There’s even the possibility of making a Bear combo deck with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Duskana, the Rage Mother" href="#" target="_blank">Duskana, the Rage Mother</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>! I also have a personal connection to the card, as my family calls me variants of “Jer Bear,” and I was called “Little Bear” as a kid.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Notary Hobbits" href="#" target="_blank">The Notary Hobbits</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Notary Hobbits"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another card that’s been talked about as a combo enabler, these lawyers break the rules of mana creation by making huge swaths of mana that can go absolutely nutty in a dedicated Halfling deck. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Farmer Cotton" href="#" target="_blank">Farmer Cotton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, in particular, gives them a great outlet for all that mana, either sinking the mana into the X cost or chewing through Food tokens.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Great Goblin" href="#" target="_blank">The Great Goblin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Great Goblin"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yet another combo enabler, this is one that puts the combo engine in the command zone. It hits an opponent when we put counters on Goblins, Orcs, or Armies and impulse draws when a Goblin, Orc, or Army dies. This can go bonkers with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="First Day of Class" href="#" target="_blank">First Day of Class</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Putrid Goblin" href="#" target="_blank">Putrid Goblin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Murderous Redcap" href="#" target="_blank">Murderous Redcap</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It’s even a Goblin Noble! See, Wizards? There’s precedent for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin King" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin King</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>!</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elven Passage" href="#" target="_blank">Elven Passage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elven Passage"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elven Passage" href="#" target="_blank">Elven Passage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a fetchland for basics that operates like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fabled Passage" href="#" target="_blank">Fabled Passage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> if we Behold an Elf. This is a key card for the hybrid Elfball/landfall decks, but, otherwise, is probably not worth a slot. Still, if that deck is real, this will have a home. Even landfall decks that have an Elf commander will probably want this.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hobbit Hole" href="#" target="_blank">Hobbit Hole</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hobbit Hole"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cycling for a creature type has historically been really, really strong. Slivercycling and Wizardcycling cards are staples in their respective decks, so putting such an ability on a land <em>has</em> to be a staple, right? Well…Halflings don’t necessarily have the pedigree of Slivers or Wizards. Still, finding the Notaries in a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Farmer Cotton" href="#" target="_blank">Farmer Cotton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck could be the key to making the type legitimate.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Lonely Mountain" href="#" target="_blank">The Lonely Mountain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Lonely Mountain"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is an include in any red Equipment deck, but especially in Dwarf decks. It enters untapped if we have an Equipment; makes a Dwarf token by tapping and paying a cost; and reduces the cost for each Equipment we control. We don’t even need to sacrifice it; we can make a token each turn cycle!</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Conclusion</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whew! There are a LOT of great typal cards in <em>The Hobbit</em>, and that’s not even going into the individual cards that give colors and types new pieces. Every time I look at the spoiler page, I see more and more cool cards that I missed the last glance. This really is an awesome set for traditional and nontraditional types and builds.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But what cards are going into <i>your </i>typal decks? And what are the cards you’re looking to pick up?</span></p>


The Hobbit Typal Set Review

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thorin, King of Durin&#039;s Folk" href="#" target="_blank">Thorin, King of Durin&#039;s Folk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CDmitry+Burmak%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art">Dmitry Burmak</a></em></p>
<p>With the upcoming release of <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/hob">The Hobbit</a></em>, we're getting another pair of Scene Boxes featuring a few cards that are tailormade for Commander. When it comes to the legend this deck is built around, he can be found in the art for "Crack the Plates": it's none other than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thorin, King of Durin&#039;s Folk" href="#" target="_blank">Thorin, King of Durin&#039;s Folk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>This commander wants you to flood the board with Dwarves and Treasures, which is exactly the kind of <em>flavor </em><em>win</em> that I'm looking for from our return to Middle-earth.</p>
<p><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/692968_in_1000x1000.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-188885" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/692968_in_1000x1000-300x275.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="623" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/692968_in_1000x1000-300x275.jpg 300w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/692968_in_1000x1000-768x703.jpg 768w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/692968_in_1000x1000.jpg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /></a></p>
<p>My name is <a href="https://linktr.ee/pillowfortmtg">Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks</a>, and today we're going to be looking at a Bracket 2 deck that you can pick up for about $35 (using TCGPlayer pricing). I don't know how much this commander will cost as a single card at the time of writing this, so that budget is only based off of the 99. With all that said, let's get into it by taking a look at the legend who's leading this list!</p>
<h2>What Does Thorin Bring to the Table?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thorin, King of Durin&#039;s Folk"></div></div>
<p>When <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thorin, King of Durin&#039;s Folk" href="#" target="_blank">Thorin, King of Durin&#039;s Folk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> appeared on my screen during <em>The Hobbit</em> preview panel, I was immediately invested! His combination of abilities really struck a chord with me, since it offers up mana advantage and a way to close out the game. I also enjoy the play pattern it pushes you towards, where you want to store up your Treasure tokens in order to hit hard, instead of just spending all of them right away.</p>
<p>So, as I put this deck together, I pulled from <em>Magic's</em> history in order to make this list as well-rounded as possible. However, since we're still in preview season, be sure to keep an eye out for some of the new Dwarves that are being revealed from the upcoming set, that way they can be tossed right into this list. Now it's time to get into the deck by meeting seven very important members of the team.</p>
<h2>Introducing the Seven Dwarves</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Seven Dwarves"></div></div>
<p>The first creatures that popped into my head when this commander was revealed were the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seven Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Seven Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and I did everything in my power to keep them in this deck. Since Thorin buffs up the power of your Dwarves, and these increase each other's stats, they scale incredibly well with the game.</p>
<p>There were a few moments where I had to make some difficult cuts, but these little two-drops stayed together all the way to the end!</p>
<h2>Bursts of Treasures &amp; Overruns</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hit the Mother Lode"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brass&#039;s Bounty"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inspired Tinkering"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hit the Mother Lode" href="#" target="_blank">Hit the Mother Lode</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Having the ability to create a good number of Treasure tokens, while also getting a free spell out of the exchange is a great combination of effects all on one card. This can truly help you pull a victory together out of nowhere and performed incredibly well in my test games.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brass&#039;s Bounty" href="#" target="_blank">Brass&#039;s Bounty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This is a spell that really shows off the power of this deck, since you can cast it before combat, deal a bunch of damage when you attack, and then utilize those Treasures to play some spells from your hand in order to keep pushing your advantage forward.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inspired Tinkering" href="#" target="_blank">Inspired Tinkering</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a card that's great when you're ahead or behind, since it ramps you, gives you access to more options and builds up the power of your board by +3/+0. Whether you're looking for damage or answers, this uncommon can help!</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Overwhelming Victory"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lorehold Charm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Heroic Charge"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overwhelming Victory" href="#" target="_blank">Overwhelming Victory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While it's possible to build up your board to have immense punching power, you will still need to get that damage through. So, having a way to buff up your Dwarves even more and give them trample is one of the main win conditions for this build.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lorehold Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Lorehold Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: The modality that this spell brings to the table is great, it offers up recursion and removal, as well as that all-important trample for only two mana.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heroic Charge" href="#" target="_blank">Heroic Charge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This card also has a few routes to take when you play it. While you're most likely going to be kicking it, you can always just cast it for that base cost, in order to fortify your board a bit more during a key attack or block.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Seeing More Cards</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Depala, Pilot Exemplar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Amber Gristle O&#039;Maul"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Giott, King of the Dwarves"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Depala, Pilot Exemplar" href="#" target="_blank">Depala, Pilot Exemplar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While my version of the deck may not include any Vehicles, it's definitely filled to the brim with Dwarves who are ready to be found once Depala enters into combat.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Amber Gristle O&#039;Maul" href="#" target="_blank">Amber Gristle O&#039;Maul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: The usual play pattern with this deck is to nearly empty your hand onto the board in the first handful of turns, which is exactly when this legend will be moving to combat. So, there's a good chance that you may only be discarding two or fewer cards, while completely reloading to a full grip as you attack.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giott, King of the Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Giott, King of the Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: If you want to see a whole lot of your deck as you play, then this creature can help with that. When you combine this with your commander, every Dwarf that enters will make you a Treasure and allow you to throw a card away in order to get a replacement; now that's a lot of game actions!</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Big Score"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Borrowed Knowledge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Commune with Lava"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Big Score" href="#" target="_blank">Big Score</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a staple-level spell that gets even better in this list, because you'll gain access to two new cards, make a couple Treasures, and buff your board by +2/+0 all at the same time.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Borrowed Knowledge" href="#" target="_blank">Borrowed Knowledge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This is one of my favorite uncommons from the year, and is so useful here. Whether you're stuck with a hand full of lands or someone else at the table is drawing ten cards per turn, this spell can help you get back into the game.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commune with Lava" href="#" target="_blank">Commune with Lava</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: If you get to a point in the match where you do have a stash of Treasure built up, but nothing to spend them on, then this X spell can be a perfect outlet for your mana. Casting it on the end step before your turn is super useful here, since you get to untap and utilize those cards right away.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Mana Ramp</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Replicating Ring"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Diamond Pick-Axe"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glóin, Dwarf Emissary"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Replicating Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Replicating Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Don't worry, this deck has the normal suite of mana rocks, but this one is just too fun not to include. Since <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thorin, King of Durin&#039;s Folk" href="#" target="_blank">Thorin, King of Durin&#039;s Folk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> powers up your team based off of how many artifact tokens you control, this could pull you to a win once you fill your board with <em>eight</em> Replicated Rings.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Diamond Pick-Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Diamond Pick-Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This piece of Equipment is so useful for the list since you can get it down early, and start your stockpile of Treasures each time you move to combat.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glóin, Dwarf Emissary" href="#" target="_blank">Glóin, Dwarf Emissary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a really thematic and synergistic inclusion for this deck. Not only does it add some more tokens as the game goes on, but it also gives them an additional use, since they can be traded in to goad some threats on your opponents' boards.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Synergistic Removal</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shattered Acolyte"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fairgrounds Warden"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Winnowing"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shattered Acolyte" href="#" target="_blank">Shattered Acolyte</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: I love when I get to work on a Typal deck, because it consistently makes me come to realizations like "oh, this is a Dwarf too?" Sure, removing a troublesome artifact or enchantment is great, but that lifelink is actually pretty useful here, since you could buff this creature's power and pad your life total when it deals damage.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fairgrounds Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Fairgrounds Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: A creature that help you exile threats is always useful, but it's especially powerful here, since it'll come with a Treasure and the ability to beat down your opponents. That really does just add insult to injury.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winnowing" href="#" target="_blank">Winnowing</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Board wipes that leave your side of the field untouched are always good, since they help clear the way for your creatures to swing on through. If you have this budget rare from <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/ecl"><em>Lorwyn Eclipsed</em></a> sitting in your collect, then this is the kind of deck that it's been waiting for.</li>
</ul>
<h2>The Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Thorin, King of Durin&#039;s Folk - by Tyler Savesya Bucks" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Thorin, King of Durin&#039;s Folk
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*7 Seven Dwarves
*1 Aerial Responder
*1 Amber Gristle O&#039;Maul
*1 Axgard Cavalry
*1 Bifur, Melodic Rider
*1 Depala, Pilot Exemplar
*1 Digsite Engineer
*1 Duergar Hedge-Mage
*1 Dwarven Grunt
*1 Fairgrounds Warden
*1 Fearless Liberator
*1 Gimli, Counter of Kills
*1 Giott, King of the Dwarves
*1 Glóin, Dwarf Emissary
*1 Hammers of Moradin
*1 Insufferable Balladeer
*1 Magda, the Hoardmaster
*1 Plundering Barbarian
*1 Practiced Scrollsmith
*1 Priest of Ancient Lore
*1 Restoration Specialist
*1 Rimrock Knight // Boulder Rush
*1 Shattered Acolyte
*1 Solemn Recruit
*1 Stoic Farmer
*1 Toolcraft Exemplar
*1 Vault Robber
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bearded Axe
*1 Boros Signet
*1 Collector&#039;s Vault
*1 Diamond Pick-Axe
*1 Replicating Ring
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Talisman of Conviction
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Abrade
*1 Big Score
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Commune with Lava
*1 Demand Answers
*1 Dispatch
*1 Heroic Charge
*1 Legion Leadership // Legion Stronghold
*1 Lorehold Charm
*1 Overwhelming Victory
*1 Vision of Love
*1 Your Temple Is Under Attack
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Borrowed Knowledge
*1 Brass&#039;s Bounty
*1 Hit the Mother Lode
*1 Inspired Tinkering
*1 Pirate&#039;s Pillage
*1 Secret Rendezvous
*1 Seize the Spoils
*1 Sevinne&#039;s Reclamation
*1 Winnowing
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Bitter Reunion
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Bonders&#039; Enclave
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Dwarven Mine
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Furycalm Snarl
*1 Glittering Massif
*1 Hall
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Radiant Summit
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Rugged Prairie
*1 Slayers&#039; Stronghold
*1 Sunhome, Fortress of the Legion
*1 Sunscorched Divide
*1 Temple of Triumph
*1 The Gold Saucer
*12 Mountain
*6 Plains
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>My Final Thoughts on Thorin</h2>
<p>Well, there you have it, my budget 99 built around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thorin, King of Durin&#039;s Folk" href="#" target="_blank">Thorin, King of Durin&#039;s Folk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that you can pick up for about $35. We could still get a new dwarf or two in the next few days, so keep a keen eye out for those if you're looking to pick up this Scene Box.</p>
<p>If you want more budget content from me, you can find it right <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/tyler-bucks?utm_source=edhrec" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here on EDHREC</a> as well as on my YouTube channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzUtnBZogc1TSttr8eLUK_w/?utm_source=edhrec" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Pillow Fort</a>, where I do everything I can to make <em>Magic</em> more accessible for everyone.</p>


https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ON-A-BUDGET-29.png

Budget Thorin, King of Durin's Folk | A $35 Dwarf Deck

<p style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magda, Brazen Outlaw" href="#" target="_blank">Magda, Brazen Outlaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/maniaks">Slawomir Maniak</a></p>
<p>Welcome back to <em>Best At, Worst At</em>. In this series, we look at some of Commander's most popular strategies, see which legendary creatures lead the most decks for them, and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of those cards. After we analyze a strategy's most popular commander, we'll look at another commander that fills in some of their weak spots.</p>
<p>In today's edition, we'll be looking at <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/dwarves">Dwarf decks</a>. These little guys are the 48th-most popular creature type to build a deck around, with 1,866 decks to their name at the time of writing. This creature type rocks, so let's dig a bit deeper into it.</p>
<h2>Why Play Dwarves?</h2>
<p>Dwarves tend to be centered around a few key themes. They often care about artifacts in one way or another, whether they're making Treasure tokens or making Equipment even better!</p>
<p>Among the most popular Dwarves are <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dwarven Recruiter" href="#" target="_blank">Dwarven Recruiter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (to fetch up more of its kin), <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Digsite Engineer" href="#" target="_blank">Digsite Engineer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (to make some fearsome "Karnstructs"), and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seven Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Seven Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (for the fairy tale fans among us).</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dwarven Recruiter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Digsite Engineer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Seven Dwarves"></div></div>
<h2>Who's the Most Popular Dwarf Commander?</h2>
<p>The most popular commander for this creature type is, by far, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magda, Brazen Outlaw" href="#" target="_blank">Magda, Brazen Outlaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. There are 1,094 Magda decks tagged as being Dwarf typal, comprising nearly 60% of all decks built around the type.</p>
<p>For <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, Magda is a 2/1 Dwarf with several super strong abilities. First, she gives all of our Dwarves +1/+0. Then, whenever one of our Dwarves becomes tapped, we get to make a Treasure. Finally, we can sacrifice five Treasures at any time to fetch an artifact or Dragon from our library directly onto the battlefield.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Magda, Brazen Outlaw"></div></div>
<h3>What Makes Magda So Powerful?</h3>
<p>Magda turns all of our creatures into Treasure making machines, providing the fuel we'll need to fetch up a steady stream of game-altering artifacts onto the battlefield.</p>
<p>There are tons of cheap Dwarves from throughout <em>Magic</em>'s history that Magda decks can make good use of. There are also some easy ways to tap those creatures, which makes this two-mana commander into an absolute powerhouse. Vehicles like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flywheel Racer" href="#" target="_blank">Flywheel Racer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and mana rocks like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Honor-Worn Shaku" href="#" target="_blank">Honor-Worn Shaku</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are useful in some builds of this commander.</p>
<p>Best of all, the majority of Commander-legal Dwarves and Commander-legal artifacts are playable in mono-<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> decks! Magda pilots will never be starved for options.</p>
<h3>What's in a Magda Deck?</h3>
<p>To quote a famous Magda pilot, "Magda goes in Magda." That's to say that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magda, the Hoardmaster" href="#" target="_blank">Magda, the Hoardmaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great inclusion for the 99 of OG Magda decks. Sometimes, we'll have extra Treasures on hand and no good reason to search through our library with our commander's tutor ability. This Berserker lets us turn those artifacts into on-board advantage!</p>
<p>Another powerful Dwarf, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glóin, Dwarf Emissary" href="#" target="_blank">Glóin, Dwarf Emissary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can augment our Treasure production even further. He makes more tokens when we cast artifact spells, and can even tap himself to trigger our commander's ability! Finally, for Magda decks that operate at the <a href="https://edhrec.com/guides/edhrec-guide-to-commander-brackets">highest power levels</a>, one-mana creatures like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dwarven Trader" href="#" target="_blank">Dwarven Trader</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be stellar.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Magda, the Hoardmaster"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glóin, Dwarf Emissary"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dwarven Trader"></div></div>
<p>Once we've got more Treasures than we know what to do with, it's time to fetch up some powerful artifacts. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="God-Pharaoh&#039;s Statue" href="#" target="_blank">God-Pharaoh&#039;s Statue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can lock our opponents out of the game while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Portal to Phyrexia" href="#" target="_blank">Portal to Phyrexia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can give us the burst we need to leap ahead! There are other artifacts that can provide us with some great value over time, too, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Fire Crystal" href="#" target="_blank">The Fire Crystal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="God-Pharaoh&#039;s Statue"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Portal to Phyrexia"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Fire Crystal"></div></div>
<p>Magda decks are also known for their infinite combos, the majority of which involve <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clock of Omens" href="#" target="_blank">Clock of Omens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This commander even sees cEDH play, with a combo finish often capping off this mono-colored list's turn.</p>
<div id="486-1486-1651" 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="486-1486-1651" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/embed.js?v=1&uses=%5B%22Magda%2C%20Brazen%20Outlaw%22%2C%22Clock%20of%20Omens%22%2C%22Liquimetal%20Torque%22%5D&requires=%5B%5D&produces=%5B%22Infinite%20tapped%20Treasure%20tokens%22%2C%22Put%20all%20artifact%20cards%20and%20a%20subset%20of%20creature%20cards%20from%20your%20library%20onto%20the%20battleifeld%22%5D&id=486-1486-1651&color=R&extraRequirementCount=0"></script></div>
<p>Here's Magda's average deck list, according to EDHREC. Please note that this isn't a cEDH list, and will have some significant differences when compared to what's popular in top-level play.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Mad Magda" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Magda, Brazen Outlaw
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Careening Mine Cart
*1 Clock of Omens
*1 Clown Car
*1 Cursed Mirror
*1 Firdoch Core
*1 Flywheel Racer
*1 God-Pharaoh&#039;s Statue
*1 High-Speed Hoverbike
*1 Lifecraft Engine
*1 Liquimetal Coating
*1 Liquimetal Torque
*1 Maskwood Nexus
*1 Portal to Phyrexia
*1 Sculpting Steel
*1 Smuggler&#039;s Copter
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Springleaf Drum
*1 Unlicensed Hearse
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 Adaptive Automaton
*1 Axgard Cavalry
*1 Barkform Harvester
*1 Bloodfire Dwarf
*1 Bloodline Pretender
*1 Dwarven Armorer
*1 Dwarven Bloodboiler
*1 Dwarven Grunt
*1 Dwarven Miner
*1 Dwarven Scorcher
*1 Dwarven Trader
*1 Enslaved Dwarf
*1 Gimli of the Glittering Caves
*1 Glóin, Dwarf Emissary
*1 Hellkite Tyrant
*1 Liberated Dwarf
*1 Magda, the Hoardmaster
*1 Metallic Mimic
*1 Plundering Barbarian
*1 Professional Face-Breaker
*6 Seven Dwarves
*1 Spark Mage
*1 Three Tree Mascot
*1 Universal Automaton
*1 Vault Robber
*1 Xorn
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Blood Moon
*1 Sticky Fingers
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 Abrade
*1 Big Score
*1 Bottle-Cap Blast
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Galvanic Blast
*1 Lightning Bolt
*1 Return the Favor
*1 Unexpected Windfall
*1 Untimely Malfunction
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Blasphemous Act
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Jeska&#039;s Will
*1 Seize the Spoils
*1 Strike It Rich
*1 Vandalblast
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Dwarven Mine
*1 Great Furnace
*1 Holdout Settlement
*1 Mines of Moria
*23 Mountain
*1 Mutavault
*1 Survivors&#039; Encampment
*1 Treasure Vault
*1 Volatile Fault
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h3>What Are Magda's Shortcomings?</h3>
<p>Magda's biggest shortcoming lies in her color identity. While she's a fantastic card that enables some wacky play patterns, she's still mono-<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>. Her abilities are strong enough to elevate her mono-colored supporting cast beyond the heights they can normally reach, but <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> is among the weaker colors to play alone in Commander.</p>
<p>This leads to a distinct lack of card advantage and removal. While we can alleviate these problems by fetching specific artifacts with Magda, other colors would provide access to what we're looking for much more easily.</p>
<h2>How Can We Shore Up Magda's Weaknesses?</h2>
<p>To brighten things up a bit, let's take a look at <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Depala, Pilot Exemplar" href="#" target="_blank">Depala, Pilot Exemplar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>! Just like Magda, this Dwarf cares about artifacts and provides an anthem to our creatures. But, Depala focuses on Vehicles instead of Treasures.</p>
<p>For <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, Depala is a 3/3 Dwarf Pilot that gives +1/+1 to our Dwarves and crewed Vehicles. Plus, when she's tapped, we get to pay <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-x" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> to dig through our library in search of more Dwarves and more cars for them to drive.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Depala, Pilot Exemplar"></div></div>
<p>We've got some new Dwarves to play with, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tataru Taru" href="#" target="_blank">Tataru Taru</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Duergar Hedge-Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Duergar Hedge-Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These creatures both provide some excellent value, and are only available because we've added <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> to our color identity!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tataru Taru"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Duergar Hedge-Mage"></div></div>
<p>We can even play with some super powerful Vehicles, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Parhelion II" href="#" target="_blank">Parhelion II</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Prydwen, Steel Flagship" href="#" target="_blank">The Prydwen, Steel Flagship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These two make for excellent curve-toppers, but we've got value lower down on the mana curve in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aerial Surveyor" href="#" target="_blank">Aerial Surveyor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unidentified Hovership" href="#" target="_blank">Unidentified Hovership</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Prydwen, Steel Flagship"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Unidentified Hovership"></div></div>
<p>We've got access to more card advantage and removal, too! This color combination provides us with access to draw engines like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sram, Senior Edificer" href="#" target="_blank">Sram, Senior Edificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Astor, Bearer of Blades" href="#" target="_blank">Astor, Bearer of Blades</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, while also letting us play some top-shelf removal like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boros Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Boros Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dispatch" href="#" target="_blank">Dispatch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sram, Senior Edificer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dispatch"></div></div>
<p>Here's Depala's average decklist. While there are some commonalities with Magda decks, like the inclusion of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lifecraft Engine" href="#" target="_blank">Lifecraft Engine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and tons of Dwarves, this <span class="mana-container-container"><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-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> deck is certainly unique! It's also important to note that Magda is absolutely more powerful than Depala. This series, however, gives us an interesting opportunity to look at a different commander for a well-trodden strategy!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="De Paul!" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Depala, Pilot Exemplar
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Aerial Surveyor
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Boros Signet
*1 Colossal Plow
*1 Consulate Dreadnought
*1 Cultivator&#039;s Caravan
*1 Fleetwheel Cruiser
*1 Hoard Hauler
*1 Lifecraft Engine
*1 Mechtitan Core
*1 Mighty Servant of Leuk-o
*1 Nautiloid Ship
*1 Parhelion II
*1 Peacewalker Colossus
*1 Raiders&#039; Karve
*1 Reaver Titan
*1 Reckoner Bankbuster
*1 Salvation Engine
*1 Skysovereign, Consul Flagship
*1 Smuggler&#039;s Copter
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Surgehacker Mech
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 Untethered Express
*1 Weatherlight
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 Aerial Responder
*1 Aeronaut Admiral
*1 Aethershield Artificer
*1 Astor, Bearer of Blades
*1 Digsite Engineer
*1 Duergar Hedge-Mage
*1 Dwarven Recruiter
*1 Fairgrounds Warden
*1 Foundry Inspector
*1 Gearshift Ace
*1 Glóin, Dwarf Emissary
*1 Hangar Scrounger
*1 Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer
*1 Kolodin, Triumph Caster
*1 Magda, Brazen Outlaw
*1 Plundering Barbarian
*1 Renegade Wheelsmith
*1 Restoration Specialist
*1 Speedway Fanatic
*1 Sram, Senior Edificer
*1 Stoic Farmer
*1 Toolcraft Exemplar
*1 Veteran Motorist
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Pia&#039;s Revolution
*1 Siege Modification
*1 Tempered Steel
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 Armed and Armored
*1 Boros Charm
*1 Built to Last
*1 Dispatch
*1 Generous Gift
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Swords to Plowshares
[/Instants]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Chandra, Spark Hunter
[/Planeswalkers]
[Sorceries]
*1 Blasphemous Act
*1 From Father to Son
*1 Reckless Crew
*1 Start Your Engines
*1 Wake the Past
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Ancient Den
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Boros Garrison
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Dwarven Mine
*1 Furycalm Snarl
*1 Great Furnace
*1 Inventors&#039; Fair
*1 Mech Hangar
*9 Mountain
*1 Path of Ancestry
*11 Plains
*1 Rugged Prairie
*1 Sacred Foundry
*1 Temple of Triumph
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>Dwarves may not be the most popular creature type in Commander, but they do have some neat commanders! Magda is obviously incredibly powerful, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Lady of Otaria" href="#" target="_blank">The Lady of Otaria</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giott, King of the Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Giott, King of the Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can provide an interesting deckbuilding prompt too.</p>
<p>Do you have a Dwarf commander that holds a special place in your heart? Will <em>The Hobbit </em>make you consider Dwarves more closely? Let me know in the comments, and I'll be back soon for more <em>Best At, Worst At</em>!</p>


Best At, Worst At: Magda, Brazen Outlaw

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magda, Brazen Outlaw" href="#" target="_blank">Magda, Brazen Outlaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/maniaks">Slawomir Maniak</a></em></p>
<p>Do you enjoy playing typal decks, going all-out on a single creature type and pushing it to its limits? Do you miss playing with sideboards, wishing you could slot in silver bullets to take down any and every matchup that comes your way? Do you despise the color blue and everything it stands for?</p>
<p>Well, if you answered yes to some or all of those questions, then may I introduce to you <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magda, Brazen Outlaw" href="#" target="_blank">Magda, Brazen Outlaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> - cEDH's premier typal commander.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Magda, Brazen Outlaw"></div></div>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magda, Brazen Outlaw" href="#" target="_blank">Magda, Brazen Outlaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<p>For <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, Magda is a legendary 2/1 Dwarf Berserker with one static, one triggered, and one activated ability. They are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Other Dwarves you control get +1/+0.</li>
<li>Whenever a Dwarf you control becomes tapped, create a Treasure token.</li>
<li>Sacrifice five Treasures: Search your library for an artifact or Dragon card, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle.</li>
</ul>
<p>Together, these three abilities present a threatening package. First, assemble an army of Dwarves - they'll get a significant boost in power, making even the most minuscule attacker into something opponents will think twice about blocking (noone wants to lose an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Esper Sentinel" href="#" target="_blank">Esper Sentinel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> while blocking a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dwarven Armorer" href="#" target="_blank">Dwarven Armorer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>).</p>
<p>Second, swing in with those Dwarves to create a stockpile of Treasures. Third, when the time is right, trade those Treasures for some game winning pieces. All this for just <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> tucked away in the command zone.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magda, Brazen Outlaw" href="#" target="_blank">Magda, Brazen Outlaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<h3>Dwarves</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dwarven Trader"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodfire Dwarf"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Adaptive Automaton"></div></div>
<p>Dwarves in this deck can be sorted largely into three buckets:</p>
<ol>
<li>Dwarves that have no function other than being Dwarves (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dwarven Trader" href="#" target="_blank">Dwarven Trader</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is literally just a 1/1 for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, for example).</li>
<li>Dwarves that have some function - but not much - beyond being Dwarves (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodfire Dwarf" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodfire Dwarf</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can clear a board of small creatures when the time is right).</li>
<li>Dwarves that are also artifacts (meaning that they can be found off of Magda's activated ability and, importantly, be untapped via <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clock of Omens" href="#" target="_blank">Clock of Omens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>).</li>
</ol>
<p>Zooming out, these three classes of Dwarf all ultimately serve the same role: make a bunch of Treasure by being tapped.</p>
<h3>Treasure Support</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Xorn"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Knuckles the Echidna"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Roaming Throne"></div></div>
<p>Next up, cards that help make more Treasure per Magda trigger. In this deck, more is always better, and these cards excel at "more." <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Xorn" href="#" target="_blank">Xorn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> doubles Treasure production, since its replacement effect applies to each Magda trigger individually, making two Treasure tokens whenever a Dwarf you control becomes tapped.</p>
<p>Knuckles makes an extra Treasure each combat while also serving as a potential win condition, though you'll rarely need it.</p>
<p>Roaming Throne is both an artifact that is a Dwarf while in play as well as a trigger doubler for all your Dwarves, thus also doubling Treasure production.</p>
<h3>Silver Bullets</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pithing Needle"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Damping Sphere"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Portal to Phyrexia"></div></div>
<p>Lastly, the artifacts - both cheap and expensive - which Magda can tactfully search up across the course of the game to deal with any and every threat that comes its way.</p>
<p>Sure, this deck has its fair share of stack interaction a la <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pyroblast" href="#" target="_blank">Pyroblast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and the like, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Portal to Phyrexia" href="#" target="_blank">Portal to Phyrexia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a much more exciting card.</p>
<h2>How Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magda, Brazen Outlaw" href="#" target="_blank">Magda, Brazen Outlaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Win?</h2>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clock of Omens" href="#" target="_blank">Clock of Omens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Clock of Omens"></div></div>
<p>Magda is a toolbox deck that can close out the game a bunch of different ways depending on exactly which artifacts and Dragons the deck runs, but the core to all of this is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clock of Omens" href="#" target="_blank">Clock of Omens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>For <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-4" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, this artifact brings with it the crucial activated ability "Tap two untapped artifacts you control: Untap target artifact."</p>
<p>In this deck, this ability is immediately abusable if you control Magda, Clock of Omens, and any artifact Dwarf. Here's how:</p>
<ul>
<li>Tap Clock of Omens and the artifact Dwarf to activate Clock of Omens, targeting the artifact Dwarf. This will result in a Magda trigger being put onto the stack, as the artifact Dwarf became tapped. Additionally, once the ability of Clock of Omens has resolved, your artifact Dwarf will also be untapped.</li>
<li>Tap your untapped Treasure token and the newly-untapped artifact Dwarf to activate Clock of Omens, again targeting the Dwarf. Just as before, this will result in the creation of a new Treasure token, plus the untapping of the artifact Dwarf.</li>
<li>Repeat this process an arbitrarily large number of times. Once the loop is complete, you'll have an arbitrarily large number of tapped Treasure tokens, one untapped Treasure token, and an untapped artifact Dwarf.</li>
<li>From here, sacrifice Treasure tokens in batches of five to piece together whatever combo best suits the current board state.
<ul>
<li>For example, tutoring up <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Roaming Throne" href="#" target="_blank">Roaming Throne</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, having it name Dwarf, then restarting the Treasure-production loop will result in infinite untapped treasures, as each instance of making one Treasure is now doubled. Since this provides access to infinite mana (as the untapped Treasure tokens can be sacrificed to provide <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, this opens up mana-intensive combo lines such as the three-card combo <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Legion Extruder" href="#" target="_blank">Legion Extruder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sculpting Steel" href="#" target="_blank">Sculpting Steel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Barkform Harvester" href="#" target="_blank">Barkform Harvester</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Use Sculpting Steel to copy Legion Extruder, have the real Legion Extruder sacrifice the copy to make a Golem, use Barkform Harvester to put Sculpting Steel on the bottom of your library, then use Magda to search for Sculpting Steel to put it into play (as a copy of Legion Extruder), rinse and repeat. Each time Legion Extruder (or a copy of it) enters the battlefield, you'll deal two damage to an opponent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2>Magda, Brazen Outlaw cEDH Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Magda cEDH" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Magda, Brazen Outlaw
[/Commander]
[Instants]
*1 Abrade
*1 Bottle-Cap Blast
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Dead // Gone
*1 Deflecting Swat
*1 Galvanic Blast
*1 Lightning Bolt
*1 Pyroblast
*1 Pyrokinesis
*1 Red Elemental Blast
*1 Redirect Lightning
*1 Return the Favor
*1 Sudden Shock
*1 Tibalt&#039;s Trickery
*1 Untimely Malfunction
*1 Zoyowa&#039;s Justice
[/Instants]
[Creatures]
*1 Adaptive Automaton
*1 Axgard Cavalry
*1 Barkform Harvester
*1 Battered Golem
*1 Bloodfire Dwarf
*1 Dwarven Armorer
*1 Dwarven Bloodboiler
*1 Dwarven Grunt
*1 Dwarven Scorcher
*1 Dwarven Trader
*1 Enslaved Dwarf
*1 Gogo, Mysterious Mime
*1 Knuckles the Echidna
*1 Liberated Dwarf
*1 Magda, the Hoardmaster
*1 Metallic Mimic
*1 Pinnacle Monk // Mystic Peak
*1 Plundering Barbarian
*1 Professional Face-Breaker
*1 Roaming Throne
*1 Simian Spirit Guide
*1 Spark Mage
*1 Three Tree Mascot
*1 Twinshot Sniper
*1 Universal Automaton
*1 Xorn
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Chrome Mox
*1 Clock of Omens
*1 Clown Car
*1 Damping Sphere
*1 Disruptor Flute
*1 Firdoch Core
*1 Flywheel Racer
*1 God-Pharaoh&#039;s Statue
*1 Grafdigger&#039;s Cage
*1 Legion Extruder
*1 Lifecraft Engine
*1 Liquimetal Torque
*1 Lotus Petal
*1 Mana Vault
*1 Maskwood Nexus
*1 Mox Opal
*1 Peter Parker&#039;s Camera
*1 Pithing Needle
*1 Portal to Phyrexia
*1 Relic of Legends
*1 Sculpting Steel
*1 Smuggler&#039;s Copter
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Springleaf Drum
*1 Stalactite Dagger
*1 The One Ring
*1 Torpor Orb
*1 Unlicensed Hearse
*1 Vexing Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Jeska&#039;s Will
*1 Shatterskull Smashing // Shatterskull, the Hammer Pass
*1 Sundering Eruption // Volcanic Fissure
[/Sorceries]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Tezzeret, Cruel Captain
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Ancient Tomb
*1 Barbarian Ring
*1 Cavern of Souls
*1 City of Traitors
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Gemstone Caverns
*1 Great Furnace
*1 Hammerheim
*1 Holdout Settlement
*1 Kavaron, Memorial World
*6 Mountain
*1 Mutavault
*1 Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep
*1 Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance
*1 Survivors&#039; Encampment
*1 Talon Gates of Madara
*1 Treasure Vault
*1 Urza&#039;s Saga
*1 Volatile Fault
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Wrap Up</h2>
<p>That wraps up Magda! No <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhystic Study" href="#" target="_blank">Rhystic Study</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, no <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Silence" href="#" target="_blank">Silence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, no <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ad Nauseam" href="#" target="_blank">Ad Nauseam</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> - just a pile of Dwarves, Treasure tokens, and one really broken Clock.</p>
<p>It may not seem like much at first, but this deck has taken down enough tournaments to more than prove itself.</p>


Building Magda, Brazen Outlaw for cEDH

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giott, King of the Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Giott, King of the Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/johnthacker">John Thacker</a></h6>
<p>One of the more intriguing elements of Role-Playing Games such as <em>Final Fantasy</em> is the weapons, which offer endless amounts of customization of characters.</p>
<p>Some, such as the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Buster Sword" href="#" target="_blank">Buster Sword</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are iconic and representative of not just the Zanbatou (horse-cleaver blades) of Edo Japan but also the characters who wield them.</p>
<p>Each set seems to bring new ways for creatures to do battle based on the setting of the plane, from the fantastic to the mundane.</p>
<p>Someone has to make these items, and the creature type most commonly associated with making and wielding is Dwarves, where Giott reigns King.</p>
<p>Dwarves go way back to the early days of <em>Magic</em>, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magda, Brazen Outlaw" href="#" target="_blank">Magda, Brazen Outlaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> uniting the type and bringing it not only into the public but all the way into cEDH!</p>
<p>While Magda is a decent Dwarf lord, she's more notable for using them to make Treasures and then using those Treasures to tutor for artifacts and Dragons. She can use Dwarves to create some powerful lines, but she’s not a “true” Dwarf commander. Giott, however, has earned the title of King of the Dwarves for a reason. And yes, “King of the Dwarves” includes Magda.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Giott, King of the Dwarves"></div></div>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giott, King of the Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Giott, King of the Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<p>Giott is a 1/1 with double strike for Boros mana. He comes out quickly and can either lead from the front or sit back and accrue card advantage passively by looting when he, another Dwarf, or an Equipment enter, notably not limited to once a turn despite being an uncommon.</p>
<p>The ability to perform attacking, blocking, and reconnaissance ably lend credence to his claim as king. The aggressive cost allows Giott to make effective use of the rummaging, sculpting the hand early and often while remaining reasonable to cast throughout the game, even as commander tax accrues.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Koll, the Forgemaster"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bruenor Battlehammer"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Koll, the Forgemaster" href="#" target="_blank">Koll, the Forgemaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bruenor Battlehammer" href="#" target="_blank">Bruenor Battlehammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both Dwarf commanders that care about Equipment and could lay a claim to being better Dwarf Equipment commanders than Giott. They, however, lean further into the Equipment part and just happen to be Dwarves.</p>
<p>Koll, in particular, is better with Equipment that enter equipped to tokens, such as those with living weapon. Bruenor, on the other hand, pumps equipped creatures and reduces the cost of equipping. Neither carry the Equipment well, however, so both are unable to lead from the front like Giott.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Depala, Pilot Exemplar" href="#" target="_blank">Depala, Pilot Exemplar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is able to lead from the front, and she even acts as a lord for Dwarves, but she focuses on Vehicles instead of Equipment. While there is space for a Dwarf Vehicle deck, especially one that uses Vehicles to tap creatures for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magda, Brazen Outlaw" href="#" target="_blank">Magda, Brazen Outlaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, it would go against the traditional lore of Dwarves as mountainfolk and forgemasters, which is cool but less established.</p>
<p>Giott reigns king because of his aggressive cost and ability to play offense, defense, and card velocity engine. It’s rare to find all of these in an aggressively costed package, and even rarer in a kindred package, making Giott a hidden gem of the <em>Final Fantasy</em> set.</p>
<p>Dwarves occupy an odd space in the kindred world, as they want Equipment, but heavy Equipment decks tend to lean towards singularly powerful threats, such as the ones created in Voltron decks. Giott needs help to become that big, but the double strike accentuates every Equipment he racks up.</p>
<p>Since he’s not that big, however, Giott is just as happy to build up a weapons storehouse and suit up his brethren, taking up their arms only after they’ve fallen.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giott, King of the Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Giott, King of the Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Priest of Ancient Lore"></div></div>
<p>Giott is the rare case where he needs two different categories of cards to work together and form a cohesive offensive strategy.</p>
<p>Thankfully, his rummaging gives him the card velocity and selection needed to bridge the two. Dwarves and Equipment are also flexible enough that they can serve multiple roles.</p>
<p>For example, the aforementioned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bruenor Battlehammer" href="#" target="_blank">Bruenor Battlehammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>’s cost reduction of equip abilities behaves as additional ramp and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Priest of Ancient Lore" href="#" target="_blank">Priest of Ancient Lore</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a Dwarf that gains life and draws a card when it enters, which helps increase the options for future rummaging.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bearded Axe"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Trailblazer&#039;s Boots"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Maul of the Skyclaves"></div></div>
<p>Dwarves tend to have middling stats, with some being aggressively costed small creatures with relevant abilities, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reyav, Master Smith" href="#" target="_blank">Reyav, Master Smith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>’s 2/2 for two that gives double strike to attacking equipped creatures, and some being higher-costed and power-heavy, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bruenor Battlehammer" href="#" target="_blank">Bruenor Battlehammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>’s 5/3 for four mana.</p>
<p>As a result, our secondary synergy category consists of Equipment that increase power, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bearded Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Bearded Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, provide evasion, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Trailblazer&#039;s Boots" href="#" target="_blank">Trailblazer&#039;s Boots</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or combine the two, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maul of the Skyclaves" href="#" target="_blank">Maul of the Skyclaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can even auto-equip itself!</p>
<p>These pieces provide the punch needed to break through the inevitable board stalls that occur when small Boros creatures meet big green beasties.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Prying Blade"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beamtown Beatstick"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Diamond Pick-Axe"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goldvein Pick"></div></div>
<p>One of the benefits of Equipment is that they have been featured so many times in so many sets and at so many rarities that they're flexible enough to perform a variety of tasks.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prying Blade" href="#" target="_blank">Prying Blade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beamtown Beatstick" href="#" target="_blank">Beamtown Beatstick</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Diamond Pick-Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Diamond Pick-Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goldvein Pick" href="#" target="_blank">Goldvein Pick</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are all functional reprints, each of which makes Treasure tokens when the creature connects, which doubles when the creature has double strike, such as Giott’s natural combat ability and Reyav’s universal ability.</p>
<p>These double triggers help to power out the deck’s more explosive turns: as any combo player can attest, a steady stream of mana and cards are the bread and butter, with payoff cards as the meat!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Infiltration Lens"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glimmer Lens"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mask of Memory"></div></div>
<p>Speaking of functional reprints that trigger on combat, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Infiltration Lens" href="#" target="_blank">Infiltration Lens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glimmer Lens" href="#" target="_blank">Glimmer Lens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mask of Memory" href="#" target="_blank">Mask of Memory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all draw or loot with similar timing.</p>
<p>That may seem a bit excessive, given our commander’s ability to rummage, and this is where the deck’s customization can come in. In an unknown playgroup (which is what I build these decks for), I tend to lean towards less interaction, a lower power level, and a more linear strategy.</p>
<p>I also like to plan for the commander to be unavailable, due to excessive commander tax, oppressive static abilities, or other adverse situations.</p>
<p>As a result, a small draw dedicated draw package helps the deck draw through land pockets, fix mana, and find action, although these ten cards could be cut in favor of removal, interaction, or even a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> package.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sunforger"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Citizen&#039;s Crowbar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dispatch"></div></div>
<p>Removal, interaction, or a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> package would make the deck more skill-intensive and more custom to a given playgroup, which is why the current incarnation eschews them.</p>
<p>There are some Equipment that can double as removal, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Citizen&#039;s Crowbar" href="#" target="_blank">Citizen&#039;s Crowbar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which would maintain the deck’s ratio while sneaking in a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Naturalize" href="#" target="_blank">Naturalize</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Interaction such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Path to Exile" href="#" target="_blank">Path to Exile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dispatch" href="#" target="_blank">Dispatch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can deal with the large creatures that can brick wall our smaller Dwarves, and can even slot into a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> package.</p>
<p>The <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> package would consist of the titular card plus nine instants to tutor up. The ability to tutor up those nine cards is a powerful one, but it makes decisions difficult, including our rummaging, as we don’t want to draw the tutorable cards and we risk reducing the amount of live targets it can find.</p>
<h2>How Does This <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giott, King of the Dwarves" href="#" target="_blank">Giott, King of the Dwarves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Commander Deck Win?</h2>
<p>This Giott deck looks to flood the board with Equipment and Dwarves and then punch through damage. It's very much an aggro-combo deck looking to attack early and often while opponents are setting up.</p>
<p>Our curve is relatively low, and we can easily cast multiple spells in the same turn. Equip costs, multi-spelling, and commander tax all provide reasons to run extra lands.</p>
<h2>Giott, King of the Dwarves Commander Decklist</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Giott, King of the Dwarves Commander Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Giott, King of the Dwarves
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Aerial Responder
*1 Axgard Cavalry
*1 Bruenor Battlehammer
*1 Digsite Engineer
*1 Duergar Hedge-Mage
*1 Dwarven Bloodboiler
*1 Dwarven Castle Guard
*1 Dwarven Recruiter
*1 Fairgrounds Warden
*1 Gimli of the Glittering Caves
*1 Glóin, Dwarf Emissary
*1 Hammers of Moradin
*1 Hofri Ghostforge
*1 Insufferable Balladeer
*1 Koll, the Forgemaster
*1 Magda, Brazen Outlaw
*1 Plundering Barbarian
*1 Priest of Ancient Lore
*1 Restoration Specialist
*1 Reyav, Master Smith
*1 Sram, Senior Edificer
*1 Tataru Taru
*1 Toolcraft Exemplar
*1 Torbran, Thane of Red Fell
*1 Warchanter Skald
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Basilisk Collar
*1 Beamtown Beatstick
*1 Bearded Axe
*1 Bloodforged Battle-Axe
*1 Buster Sword
*1 Celestial Armor
*1 Colossus Hammer
*1 Conjurer&#039;s Mantle
*1 Diamond Pick-Axe
*1 Dwarven Hammer
*1 Gimli&#039;s Axe
*1 Glimmer Lens
*1 Goldvein Pick
*1 Hammer of Nazahn
*1 Heirloom Blade
*1 Hoard Hauler
*1 Infiltration Lens
*1 Leyline Axe
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Mask of Memory
*1 Maul of the Skyclaves
*1 Paradise Mantle
*1 Prying Blade
*1 Rogue&#039;s Gloves
*1 Shadowspear
*1 Skullclamp
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Sword of the Animist
*1 The Reaver Cleaver
*1 Trailblazer&#039;s Boots
*1 Two-Handed Axe // Sweeping Cleave
*1 Zephyr Boots
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Open the Armory
*1 Steelshaper&#039;s Gift
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*20 Mountain
*20 Plains
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>This is an aggressive kindred deck, aiming to attack early and often. We don’t need much setup; we want to attack opponents while they are setting up.</p>
<p>We have some ways to punch through damage and break board stalls, as well as to rummage through our library using our commander’s passive ability.</p>
<p>How would you use those final slots? Would you want extra velocity, removal, interaction, or a Sunforger package?</p>


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