<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Mob Boss|rvr|114" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko, Mob Boss</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://karlkopinski.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Karl Kopinski</a></em></p>
<p>This week on <em>Commander Makeover</em>, where we take a commander from over two years ago and give it new life with recent cards, we turn our attention to yet another creature type. That's right, it's <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/goblins" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Goblins</a>! And our commander this week ranks among the best.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko, Mob Boss"></div></div>
<p>Everyone's favorite <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Mob Boss" href="#" target="_blank">mob boss</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> first showed up in <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/m13" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Magic 2013</em></a> as part of a cycle of monocolored legendary creatures. Since then, he's had a few other iterations, but his original card has stood the test of time. Of course, as new sets came out, Krenko got support, be it directly tied to Goblins or just general typal support.</p>
<p>So, which cards from the past couple of years are worth consideration for the Old Faithful of Goblin commanders?</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hexing Squelcher" href="#" target="_blank">Hexing Squelcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hexing Squelcher"></div></div>
<p>Our first card reminds us of a card from long ago in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vexing Shusher" href="#" target="_blank">Vexing Shusher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. As every red and/or green mage knows, we need to put a stop to those pesky blue mages and make them writhe and squirm. Fortunately for us, this card can be added into Krenko decks and achieve the same thing.</p>
<p>Unlike the Shusher, the ward cost (and the ward-granting ability) helps our Goblins stay protected. Very, very pushed card. If there's a lot of blue and/or spot removal in your pods, give this a go.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dawn-Blessed Pennant" href="#" target="_blank">Dawn-Blessed Pennant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dawn-Blessed Pennant"></div></div>
<p>As we're going to have a big target on our backs, don't sleep on the lifegain ability. It'll help keep us afloat while we get going, especially when the only life point that matters is the last one.</p>
<p>That resilience can and will make a difference. That said, this card also lets us recur a Goblin card (not just a creature, though that'll be most common), granting us a rare ability in red. It being a one-drop lets us keep our curve low.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chronicle of Victory" href="#" target="_blank">Chronicle of Victory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chronicle of Victory"></div></div>
<p>This, on the other hand, is essentially a curve topper for us. However, it draws us cards and potentially wins games. Like when <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/giving-edgar-markov-commander-decks-some-new-bite" target="_blank" rel="noopener">I last covered it</a> when I went over <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edgar Markov" href="#" target="_blank">Edgar Markov</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, this will draw a lot of cards, and that anthem effect will be lethal here.</p>
<p>Goblin decks tend to have a very low curve, and we'll probably want to keep it that way, but this one should be taken into serious consideration.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirrormind Crown" href="#" target="_blank">Mirrormind Crown</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mirrormind Crown"></div></div>
<p>This funny card was one I glossed over when it was first revealed. However, looking at it now, it has all sorts of uses.</p>
<p>We could use it to create copies of an anthem effect, like <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>. Or, we could use it on some utility creature like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Chainwhirler" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Chainwhirler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and potentially wipe the board with enough tokens.</p>
<p>It's worth noting that we'll be creating a lot of tokens with Krenko's ability, so that's a lot of uses.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Collective Inferno" href="#" target="_blank">Collective Inferno</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Collective Inferno"></div></div>
<p>This is going to be a lot of damage, especially with cards like the aforementioned Chainwhirler. Furthermore, we can easily cheat the mana cost thanks to its convoke ability. With all of those Goblin tokens, we'll easily have a critical mass of them to get this enchantment out.</p>
<p>Once it does come out, we'll be swinging for a lot of damage, especially when we load up on anthem effects that buff our Goblins.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Howlsquad Heavy" href="#" target="_blank">Howlsquad Heavy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Howlsquad Heavy"></div></div>
<p>This Goblin anthem effect traces all the way back to the much maligned <em>Aetherdrift </em>set. While it doesn't give stat boosts, what it does do is grant our Goblins haste, including Krenko. That way, we can use the tap ability the second Krenko comes out.</p>
<p>In addition, getting to max speed is very easy in this deck. When we do, the Heavy will tap for a lot of mana. The only question after that is what we'll do with it.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="General Kreat, the Boltbringer" href="#" target="_blank">General Kreat, the Boltbringer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="General Kreat, the Boltbringer"></div></div>
<p>Woof, that's a hell of a card. Might even give Krenko himself a run for his money. Unfortunately, this will produce only one token, regardless of how many Goblins we attack with.</p>
<p>That said, it's the second ability where the heat turns up to 11. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Impact Tremors" href="#" target="_blank">Impact Tremors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a really good card here, and having that on a Goblin-themed stick (and a legendary one at that!) is just too good to ignore here.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Searslicer Goblin" href="#" target="_blank">Searslicer Goblin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Searslicer Goblin"></div></div>
<p>There isn't too much going on with this card, but we do get a free token when we attack someone. The good news is that we could just swing with a random token to get the trigger. It doesn't have to be this card itself.</p>
<p>With Krenko out, this'll means we get two more Goblins the turn Searslicer comes down (assuming we have some creature to throw at an opponent).</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Siege-Gang Lieutenant" href="#" target="_blank">Siege-Gang Lieutenant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Siege-Gang Lieutenant"></div></div>
<p>Disclaimer: I know about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marvin, Murderous Mimic" href="#" target="_blank">Marvin, Murderous Mimic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. He works with getting more out of Krenko, but I'm trying to keep the theme more tightly around Goblins than trying to abuse our commander</p>
<p>With that disclaimer out of the way, this new take on the old <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Siege-Gang Commander" href="#" target="_blank">Siege-Gang Commander</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ensures we make two Goblin tokens on each of our combats, provided that Krenko is out.</p>
<p>It's also not a bad sacrifice outlet, and would be especially good in keeping any planeswalkers from using their splashy ultimates. However, since Krenko tends to be kill-on-sight for most opponents, we might not always get the combat trigger from the Lieutenant. Something to be wary of.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Untimely Malfunction" href="#" target="_blank">Untimely Malfunction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Return the Favor" href="#" target="_blank">Return the Favor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Untimely Malfunction"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Return the Favor"></div></div>
<p>I grouped these two together because they both serve identical purposes. The common denominator is that they swat any removal spell aimed at Krenko, and hit something else instead. That said, they each have other purposes.</p>
<p>For one, Return the Favor will let us copy a spell on top of the redirect ability, assuming we pay an extra <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> for it. As for Untimely Malfunction, we could either destroy some pesky artifact, or ensure those one or two critical creatures can't block. This'll soften our opponents up for a killing blow when we've amassed enough Goblins.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Great Train Heist" href="#" target="_blank">Great Train Heist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Great Train Heist"></div></div>
<p>This card has a lot of uses. The first mode could help kill opponents outright if we got enough Goblins, especially if the first combat step softened them up. Meanwhile, the second mode will temporarily boost said Goblins, and that first strike may even save a few of them.</p>
<p>The last mode is nothing to sneeze at either. Getting a heap of Treasures while beating up an opponent is one way to ramp. Combining all three simply means we have a big, swingy turn.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Banner of Kinship" href="#" target="_blank">Banner of Kinship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Patchwork Banner" href="#" target="_blank">Patchwork Banner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Patchwork Banner"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Banner of Kinship"></div></div>
<p>To be honest, I don't know why I didn't group these two together in the past articles, but I digress. Patchwork gives a small anthem boost on top of being a mana rock. Both for three mana isn't a bad rate.</p>
<p>Kinship, however, could be game-ending if we managed to ensure enough Goblins survive long enough for us to cast it. This is a card we'll want to hold on to until the time is right to cast it, but don't get too greedy. Even a small boost in a deck like Krenko can do wonders.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Three Tree City" href="#" target="_blank">Three Tree City</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Three Tree City"></div></div>
<p>That's going to be a lot of mana, I'll tell you that. In a Krenko deck, this is like a second <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx" href="#" target="_blank">Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Not sure if that's worth running there, but again, I digress).</p>
<p>Like I said earlier with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Howlsquad Heavy" href="#" target="_blank">Howlsquad Heavy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, the question will be what to do with all of that mana. Our curve may likely be low, so we might need all the mana the City will make. On the other hand, if we can cast something with that mana, it'd be a good opportunity to do so.</p>
<h2>Out of the Warrens</h2>
<p>Krenko getting new toys just shows that there are some commanders who catch some strays and gets something new in almost every set. The past and future commanders I have or will cover are no exceptions.</p>


goblin commander

Goblin Up New Cards for Krenko, Mob Boss

Grub, Storied Matriarch Commander Deck Tech

Squee, Dubious Monarch Commander Deck Tech