Zhao, Ruthless Admiral Commander Deck Tech

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Araña, Heart of the Spider" href="#" target="_blank">Araña, Heart of the Spider</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://kevinglint-studios.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kevin Glint</a></em></p>
<p>If you've picked up some boosters from the new <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/spm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Spider-Man</em></a> set, you may have come across the legendary creature <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Araña, Heart of the Spider" href="#" target="_blank">Araña, Heart of the Spider</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in a pack. Well, if it sparked some inspiration for you, then I have a full deck built around her that you can pick up for only $20 (using <a href="https://partner.tcgplayer.com/c/4913290/1830156/21018?partnerpropertyid=5237567&amp;subId1=edhrec%2Ccardprice&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tcgplayer.com%2Fproduct%2F651999%2Fmagic-marvels-spider-man-arana-heart-of-the-spider" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TCGPlayer</a> pricing).</p>
<h2>The Commander - Araña, Heart of the Spider</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Araña, Heart of the Spider"></div></div>
<p>There's a lot of directions you could take <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Araña, Heart of the Spider" href="#" target="_blank">Araña, Heart of the Spider</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in, since modifying a creature can be done in several different ways. Even though a <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/voltron" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Voltron</a> deck was the first thing that came to mind, I eventually landed on a go-wide style strategy.</p>
<p>The main core of this list is filled with cards that deal with counters, since that's one of the best ways to modify a large number of creatures all at once. However, you'll still see a few Equipment and Auras fill out this list.</p>
<p>Your main goal with this deck is to fill up the board with modified creatures, then drop your commander when the time is right. Even though it might feel awkward, be sure to hold off on playing your land or casting spells before combat, since Araña only lets you play the cards you exile <em>that</em> turn. You don't want to deploy what's in your hand, while you let spells go to waste in exile.</p>
<p>Let's take a look at what makes this deck tick.</p>
<h2>Card Advantage</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Commander Liara Portyr"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kami of Celebration"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Laelia, the Blade Reforged"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commander Liara Portyr" href="#" target="_blank">Commander Liara Portyr</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since this deck's main game plan is to attack and cast spells from exile, this creature is exactly what you're looking for to help supercharge your games.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kami of Celebration" href="#" target="_blank">Kami of Celebration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This Spirit helps you in two different ways: It gives you access to cards when you attack, and modifies more of your creatures when you cast those spells.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Laelia, the Blade Reforged" href="#" target="_blank">Laelia, the Blade Reforged</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Growing with counters when your cards are put in exile is just what your commander wants to see in the 99, which makes Laelia one of this deck's all-stars.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dusk Legion Duelist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Towashi Guide-Bot"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Witch&#039;s Mark"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dusk Legion Duelist" href="#" target="_blank">Dusk Legion Duelist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Araña adds a counter to one of your creatures on combat, which means pairing her with this Duelist can make for a solid draw engine.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Towashi Guide-Bot" href="#" target="_blank">Towashi Guide-Bot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since this deck is focused on going wide with modified creatures, there's a good chance that this Bot's card draw cost will be reduced to zero.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Witch&#039;s Mark" href="#" target="_blank">Witch&#039;s Mark</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a spell that's a tricky inclusion on the list. While the card selection it offers is great, the key detail here is that it gives out an Aura token to one of your creatures, which will make it modified.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Naturally Modified</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skyknight Squire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zack Fair"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scholar of New Horizons"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skyknight Squire" href="#" target="_blank">Skyknight Squire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Getting this creature out early will ensure you have an evasive modified threat to attack with, which will continue to grow with counters turn after turn.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zack Fair" href="#" target="_blank">Zack Fair</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Coming out with a counter already on him makes Zack a strong one-drop. However, that protection ability is what makes it an auto-include in this list.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scholar of New Horizons" href="#" target="_blank">Scholar of New Horizons</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since this deck is low to the ground, there's not as much ramp as usual in the 99, but this creature synergizes perfectly with the build without slowing down your engine.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragoon&#039;s Lance"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hexgold Halberd"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mandibular Kite"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragoon&#039;s Lance" href="#" target="_blank">Dragoon&#039;s Lance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: entering your board already equipped to a token means that this is a two mana-modified evasive flyer, which will easily trigger your commander over and over again.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hexgold Halberd" href="#" target="_blank">Hexgold Halberd</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: having a cheap creature out with first strike and trample is nice and it gets even better if you equip this axe onto another bigger threat later in the game.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mandibular Kite" href="#" target="_blank">Mandibular Kite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: one mana for a modified flyer is perfect in this list, since you can get it down early and start swinging to trigger your other value players.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Modified Enhancers</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Resourceful Defense"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Metastatic Evangel"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grateful Apparition"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Resourceful Defense" href="#" target="_blank">Resourceful Defense</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This deck is focused a bit more on counter synergies, which makes this enchantment perfect for making sure they don't go to waste.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Metastatic Evangel" href="#" target="_blank">Metastatic Evangel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: The goal with this list is to play out creatures to send into combat, so attaching a proliferate effect to each one of them when they enter will help your plan start to snowball.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grateful Apparition" href="#" target="_blank">Grateful Apparition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a creature that's perfect for equipping, enchanting, and especially adding counters to, since each time it deals combat damage it's going to grow your team.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Abzan Falconer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Envoy of the Ancestors"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Guardian of the Forgotten"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Abzan Falconer" href="#" target="_blank">Abzan Falconer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's one of the most important creatures on this list. Giving your board evasion will set you up to totally take over your games.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Envoy of the Ancestors" href="#" target="_blank">Envoy of the Ancestors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since this is an <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/aggro" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aggro</a> deck, you could get caught in matches where your life total is in danger. Adding lifelink to your board will ensure you don't get taken out by a light breeze.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Guardian of the Forgotten" href="#" target="_blank">Guardian of the Forgotten</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's an interesting way to bring some resiliency to this deck. If you happen to lose some of your key pieces, they'll get replaced by the top card of your library.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Mass Modifiers</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Unbreakable Formation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spectacular Showdown"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Requisition Raid"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unbreakable Formation" href="#" target="_blank">Unbreakable Formation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Usually this card is cast in response to a board wipe. However, in this list, casting it on your main phase and attacking with a board of modified creatures could spell the end for the rest of the table.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spectacular Showdown" href="#" target="_blank">Spectacular Showdown</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While you can cast this early on to give a creature double strike, overloading it in the late game can be a massive dose of power that'll send the table into chaos.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Requisition Raid" href="#" target="_blank">Requisition Raid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Pairing removal with a way to modify your whole board, like this spell does, will make this deck far more adaptable in different situations.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Finishers</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chocobo Knights"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mirror-Style Master"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sephiroth, Fallen Hero"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chocobo Knights" href="#" target="_blank">Chocobo Knights</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This whole list is designed to send your team into combat, which means that adding double strike to the mix will be sure to lower your opponents' life totals to dangerous levels.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirror-Style Master" href="#" target="_blank">Mirror-Style Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Once this card hits the board, it gives that copying ability, and a counter, to one of your creatures. This means you'll be ready to swing out with a team that's twice as big right away.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sephiroth, Fallen Hero" href="#" target="_blank">Sephiroth, Fallen Hero</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Turning your modified creatures into 7/5s is a crazy effect in this deck when you realize that most of your board will have counters on them, meaning that they'll be hitting for even more damage than first glance.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Araña, Heart of the Spider Budget Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Arana, Heart of the Spider - EDHREC Deck" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Araña, Heart of the Spider
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Abzan Falconer
*1 Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos
*1 Bulwark Ox
*1 Charming Scoundrel
*1 Chocobo Knights
*1 Commander Liara Portyr
*1 Constable of the Realm
*1 Dusk Legion Duelist
*1 Envoy of the Ancestors
*1 Grateful Apparition
*1 Guardian of the Forgotten
*1 Hopeful Initiate
*1 Ian the Reckless
*1 Iron Apprentice
*1 Kami of Celebration
*1 Laelia, the Blade Reforged
*1 Lord Jyscal Guado
*1 Luminarch Aspirant
*1 Marketback Walker
*1 Memory Worm
*1 Metastatic Evangel
*1 Mirror-Style Master
*1 Ornithopter of Paradise
*1 Party Thrasher
*1 Reluctant Role Model
*1 Salvation Swan
*1 Scholar of New Horizons
*1 Sephiroth, Fallen Hero
*1 Skyknight Squire
*1 Spellbook Vendor
*1 Sunscorch Regent
*1 Thundering Raiju
*1 Towashi Guide-Bot
*1 Urdnan, Dromoka Warrior
*1 Walking Skyscraper
*1 Zack Fair
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Duty Beyond Death
*1 Emergency Eject
*1 Legion Leadership // Legion Stronghold
*1 Lightfoot Technique
*1 Monstrous Rage
*1 Parting Gust
*1 Unbreakable Formation
*1 Your Temple Is Under Attack
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Chain Reaction
*1 Requisition Raid
*1 Return Triumphant
*1 Spectacular Showdown
*1 Witch&#039;s Mark
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Citizen&#039;s Crowbar
*1 Coral Sword
*1 Dragoon&#039;s Lance
*1 Greatsword of Tyr
*1 Hexgold Halberd
*1 Mandibular Kite
*1 Red Mage&#039;s Rapier
*1 White Mage&#039;s Staff
*1 Zephyr Boots
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Curse of Opulence
*1 Grim Reaper&#039;s Sprint
*1 Love Song of Night and Day
*1 Resourceful Defense
*1 Sticky Fingers
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Conduit Pylons
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Hidden Grotto
*8 Mountain
*17 Plains
*1 Promising Vein
*1 Restless Bivouac
*1 Rugged Prairie
*1 Sunscorched Divide
*1 Temple of Triumph
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>In Closing</h2>
<p>Well, there you have it: a super budget deck built around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Araña, Heart of the Spider" href="#" target="_blank">Araña, Heart of the Spider</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I hope this inspires you to put this list together, because it truly does pack a punch.</p>
<p>Let me know what you think about this list in the comments below. Also, if you're looking for more budget <em>Spider-Man</em> content, please check out my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ThePillowFort" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube channel</a> where I cover some of the best cards in the set.</p>
<h3>More <em>Spider-Man</em>:</h3>
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