Building Mono-Black Equipment with Marvel Super Heroes

Thorin, Mountain-king Commander Deck Tech

Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms Commander Deck Tech

<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vincent, Vengeful Atoner" href="#" target="_blank">Vincent, Vengeful Atoner</a> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CLius+Lasahido%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lius Lasahido</a>
Welcome back, readers, to another edition of Tech The Deck. My name is Nick (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/nicnax96.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nicnax96</a>), and I'm bringing something a bit out of my comfort zone today. We're sleeving up <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vincent, Vengeful Atoner" href="#" target="_blank">Vincent, Vengeful Atoner</a>, from the upcoming Final Fantasy Commander product. I'm not a stranger to a mono-red deck, but what I find as out of place as all these video game characters in my fantasy card game (joking) is an Equipment deck.
I'm always up for trying new things and I'm nothing if not a sucker for a card that reminds me of Alucard from the Hellsing anime. Vincent is ferocious, fun, and fascinating to build. Let's look at what I decided the other 99 cards should be as we set out on the path of atonement.
<h2>Vincent Van Go to Combat</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vincent, Vengeful Atoner"></div></div>
If the combat step is your favorite part of Magic, this deck might be for you. The most important thing to know about Vincent is how their first ability works. In short, it will "work the way you want it to." You can get a counter on Vincent for each opponent to whom you're able to deal combat damage.
This wording also works wonders for Vincent's second ability, Chaos. If Vincent's power is seven or greater in a single combat step, we can trigger Chaos to deal his power to each opponent. Combining these two abilities makes <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vincent, Vengeful Atoner" href="#" target="_blank">Vincent, Vengeful Atoner</a> so interesting to build around.
While Vincent is unique with its Chaos ability, there have been some blueprints for the design.
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Saskia the Unyielding"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Evereth, Viceroy of Plunder"></div></div>
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar" href="#" target="_blank">Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar</a> is fast becoming one of my favorite cards in the format. Whatever opponent you hit with Vincent will not be the only one feeling his vengeance with this little Lizard on the battlefield, thanks to its chaotic ability.
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Evereth, Viceroy of Plunder" href="#" target="_blank">Evereth, Viceroy of Plunder</a> makes me think of one thing every time I see the card: the Trade Federation from Star Wars. Their disdain for the Republic aside, the ability to pay to deal damage to all opponents when it dies shares a connection with Vincent. Admittedly, Everth is the most off the beaten path. But there isn't a long list of similar cards, especially ones that can be your commander.
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Saskia the Unyielding" href="#" target="_blank">Saskia the Unyielding</a> might only be able to share the pain between two of your opponents, but to me, that was the originator of the style of play where connecting with one opponent is all you need to do. Saskia is a great commander not only for <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vincent, Vengeful Atoner" href="#" target="_blank">Vincent, Vengeful Atoner</a> to be included in the 99, but also the other cards we've discussed.
<h2>Those Who Studied the Blade</h2>
We can't just have Vincent do all the work when damaging our opponents. Let's look at some of the exciting additions to our army.
First up is the tag team of <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Slicer, Hired Muscle" href="#" target="_blank">Slicer, Hired Muscle</a> and <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos" href="#" target="_blank">Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos</a>. Both creatures are huge additions to this deck, allowing you to get in the much-needed damage to trigger Vincent. We can equip either of these creatures with little to no worry since they won't attack us, and they're relatively hard to remove from the battlefield without a full board wipe.
Next, we have a trio of troublemakers who help us with the worst part of playing Equipment decks: the equip cost.
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brass Squire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bladegraft Aspirant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Raubahn, Bull of Ala Mhigo"></div></div>
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brass Squire" href="#" target="_blank">Brass Squire</a> might not be the biggest body or have the ability to activate immediately, but what they do have is an ability not restricted to sorcery speed. So no one is safe if we ever have a sword, hammer, or maybe a <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrecking Ball Arm" href="#" target="_blank">Wrecking Ball Arm</a> lying around.
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bladegraft Aspirant" href="#" target="_blank">Bladegraft Aspirant</a> seems like a card designed precisely for this deck. Having menace means it's excellent at getting in damage, which we're all about. It also does double duty, reducing Equipment spells and any Equipment targeting Aspirant.
Coming from Final Fantasy XIV, we have <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raubahn, Bull of Ala Mhigo" href="#" target="_blank">Raubahn, Bull of Ala Mhigo</a>, a cheap creature that will be very painful for our opponents to remove, who can get a free attachment of any Equipment as long as they attack. An early body that will force a choice between getting hit or paying for ward is a real lose-lose situation for the others at the table.
Some other cards worth mentioning are <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thundering Raiju" href="#" target="_blank">Thundering Raiju</a> and <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akki Battle Squad" href="#" target="_blank">Akki Battle Squad</a>. Both cards care about modified creatures. Anything that has an Equipment or Aura attached or a counter counts as being modified. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thundering Raiju" href="#" target="_blank">Thundering Raiju</a> will deal massive damage to all opponents, and <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akki Battle Squad" href="#" target="_blank">Akki Battle Squad</a> can help end the game by giving us another combat.
<h2>The Armory for Vincent, Vengeful Atoner</h2>
There are <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=type%3Aequipment+commander%3AR+%28game%3Apaper%29+legal%3Aedh&amp;order=color&amp;as=grid&amp;unique=cards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">379 Equipment</a> legal for this deck. Many are better than others, but you can choose your arsenal however you see fit. I tried to focus on cards that help Vincent reach the seven power threshold or those that make creatures difficult to block.
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blackblade Reforged" href="#" target="_blank">Blackblade Reforged</a> is a cheap way to get our commander to a ridiculously high power. With every turn that goes by, Vincent gets bigger and bigger. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strength-Testing Hammer" href="#" target="_blank">Strength-Testing Hammer</a> won't always allow us to fulfill the seven power condition, but being able to draw a card is worth the trade-off.
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blackblade Reforged"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Commander&#039;s Plate"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pip-Boy 3000"></div></div>
Some of our Equipment gives +3/+3, which admittedly is annoying to be so close but yet so far. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Loxodon Warhammer" href="#" target="_blank">Loxodon Warhammer</a> gives us two much needed keywords: trample to help us punch through decks that can make a plethora of blockers, and lifelink to stave off the retribution from us being the bad guy. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commander&#039;s Plate" href="#" target="_blank">Commander&#039;s Plate</a> also gets us to one shy of triggering Chaos immediately. Still, it makes Vincent almost certain to stick around on the battlefield.
The other Universes Beyond properties didn't leave us hanging regarding good Equipment. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brotherhood Regalia" href="#" target="_blank">Brotherhood Regalia</a> can make any of our creatures unblockable, and when equipping any that happen to be legendary, it only costs . Granting ward often works as well as, if not better than, hexproof, so this might be the best outfit Vincent will ever wear.
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pip-Boy 3000" href="#" target="_blank">Pip-Boy 3000</a> can give us card advantage, a +1/+1 counter, or untap two of our lands for more plays. The best part is that it doesn't even have to have a creature connect. Who doesn't love an attack trigger?
<h3>A Little Bit Mean</h3>
One Equipment in this deck deserves a callout. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grafted Exoskeleton" href="#" target="_blank">Grafted Exoskeleton</a> gives the equipped creature +2/+2 and infect. Normally, infect might not be that bad in an Equipment deck, but that's not true with Vincent. This Equipment turns what could be one person losing the game into the entire table. Since <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vincent, Vengeful Atoner" href="#" target="_blank">Vincent, Vengeful Atoner</a> deals damage, giving him infect, means ten total power and combat damage, or casting <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chandra&#039;s Ignition" href="#" target="_blank">Chandra&#039;s Ignition</a> = an instant win.
While I don't think this is unfair, some might believe it's a bit of a scummy way to win the game. So, if you're running <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grafted Exoskeleton" href="#" target="_blank">Grafted Exoskeleton</a>, be aware that it could cause bad beats.
<h2>Little Bit of Spice</h2>
I can't discuss every card in the deck, but since it is my article, I can squeeze in a few more before the end.
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin War Drums" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin War Drums</a>, giving all our creatures menace means we can hit someone nearly every combat. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Disrupt Decorum" href="#" target="_blank">Disrupt Decorum</a> and <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sundering Eruption" href="#" target="_blank">Sundering Eruption</a> also make blockers irrelevant, and sometimes the Decorum can win us the game thanks to what our opponents do.
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza&#039;s Saga" href="#" target="_blank">Urza&#039;s Saga</a> makes bodies to hold equipment, but can tutor six different equipment from our deck. Finally, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Witch&#039;s Clinic" href="#" target="_blank">Witch&#039;s Clinic</a> can gain an absurd amount of life off <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vincent, Vengeful Atoner" href="#" target="_blank">Vincent, Vengeful Atoner</a>, dealing combat damage and his Chaos ability.
<h2>Wrap Up</h2>
This deck is going to be fun. It can go fast and hit hard. It's not my exact playstyle, but if I were to build an Equipment deck, this would be the lane I would try to ride in. Do I think that <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vincent, Vengeful Atoner" href="#" target="_blank">Vincent, Vengeful Atoner</a> will be one of the top-most built commanders from Final Fantasy? No, it almost certainly will not be. But it will be seen at many tables for those who want to get into the red zone and play .
If you're wondering what I will build from the new Final Fantasy cards, feel free to ask me on any platform you can find <a href="https://linktr.ee/nicnax96" target="_blank" rel="noopener">me</a>. If you want to see even more content around your favorite characters or games in the Final Fantasy franchise, look no further than <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/fin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">our set page here</a>.
I am still Nick; this has been another edition of Tech The Deck.
<h2>Vincent, Vengeful Atoner Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Tech The Deck - Vincent, Vengeful Atoner" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Vincent, Vengeful Atoner
[/commander]
[Creature]
*1 Akki Battle Squad
*1 Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos
*1 Bladegraft Aspirant
*1 Brass Squire
*1 Death-Greeter&#039;s Champion
*1 Elturel Survivors
*1 Enduring Courage
*1 Fear of Missing Out
*1 Freya Crescent
*1 Generous Plunderer
*1 Goldlust Triad
*1 Goro-Goro, Disciple of Ryusei
*1 Headliner Scarlett
*1 Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar
*1 Legion Loyalist
*1 Lizard Blades
*1 Loyal Apprentice
*1 Ornithopter of Paradise
*1 Professional Face-Breaker
*1 Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer
*1 Raubahn, Bull of Ala Mhigo
*1 Shivan Devastator
*1 Slicer, Hired Muscle // Slicer, High-Speed Antagonist
*1 Sunset Strikemaster
*1 Thundering Raiju
*1 Torbran, Thane of Red Fell
*1 Yuffie, Materia Hunter
[/Creature]
[Instant]
*1 Big Score
*1 Bolt Bend
*1 Great Train Heist
*1 Laughing Mad
*1 Tibalt&#039;s Trickery
*1 Valakut Awakening // Valakut Stoneforge
[/Instant]
[Sorcery]
*1 Chandra&#039;s Ignition
*1 Disrupt Decorum
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Isengard Unleashed
*1 Jeska&#039;s Will
*1 Mana Geyser
*1 Sundering Eruption // Volcanic Fissure
[/Sorcery]
[Artifact]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Beamtown Beatstick
*1 Blackblade Reforged
*1 Brotherhood Regalia
*1 Commander&#039;s Plate
*1 Embercleave
*1 Grafted Exoskeleton
*1 Hammer of Nazahn
*1 Lavaspur Boots
*1 Lost Jitte
*1 Loxodon Warhammer
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Nettlecyst
*1 Pip-Boy 3000
*1 Ruby Medallion
*1 Shadowspear
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Strength-Testing Hammer
*1 The Reaver Cleaver
*1 Two-Handed Axe // Sweeping Cleave
*1 Wrecking Ball Arm
[/Artifact]
[Enchantment]
*1 Blacksmith&#039;s Talent
*1 Goblin War Drums
[/Enchantment]
[Planeswalker]
*1 Jeska, Thrice Reborn
[/Planeswalker]
[Land]
*1 Arena of Glory
*1 Demolition Field
*1 Hanweir Battlements
*23 Mountain
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Plaza of Heroes
*1 Prismatic Vista
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep
*1 Talon Gates of Madara
*1 Urza&#039;s Saga
*1 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
*1 Witch&#039;s Clinic
[/Land]"></div>

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Tech The Deck - Vincent, Vengeful Atoner