<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Storm-Kiln Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Storm-Kiln Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.manuelcastanon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Manuel Castañón</a></em></p>
<p>Spells form the backbone of <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> (MTG), alongside lands, so it's no surprise that decks built around the Spellslinger theme are both popular and powerful in Commander.</p>
<p>But, the word "spell" in MTG can mean different things, depending on whether you're looking at the actual rules of the game or casting them to earn an advantage at the kitchen table. Read on to find out both what spells actually are and how to take full advantage of them using Spellslinger decks in Commander.</p>
<h2></h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Storm-Kiln-Artist.jpg

<p>Before we cover actual Spellslinger decks, let's figure out what spells actually are. This is important, because many cards that are technically called spells aren't actually helpful in your Spellslinger deck.</p>
<p>According to the rules of <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>, spells are what you call cards on the stack. The stack is where cards go after you've cast or copied them, but before they "resolve" or before the effect written on the card happens. When cards are in your hand before you cast them — or in a zone other than the stack or the battlefield, like the graveyard <span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc pOOWX">—</span></span> they're just called "cards."</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lightning Bolt"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Evolving Wilds"></div></div>
<p>Now, this is where it can get a little confusing for players learning the game, because a card in your hand that isn't a land is often called a spell in casual conversation. Likewise, a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Bolt" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Bolt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example, is usually called a spell no matter what zone it's in, because cards with the instant or sorcery type are usually called spells.</p>
<p>Spellslinger decks, then, generally reward you for playing instants and sorceries, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Bombardment" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Bombardment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does. It's important to note, however, that many of these rewards count <em>all </em>noncreature spells, as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shark Typhoon" href="#" target="_blank">Shark Typhoon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does. Read each card carefully to be sure.</p>
<p>Please note that when the word "spell" appears again in the article, it's going to refer not to spells in the rules sense but to noncreature spells that trigger these payoffs. At least no one is ever going to call an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Evolving Wilds" href="#" target="_blank">Evolving Wilds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> a spell!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arcane Bombardment"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shark Typhoon"></div></div>
<p>Spellslinger decks may boast of a variety of ways to end the game, from combat to combo and a lot of things in between, but you can be pretty sure that they play a lot of spells, and mostly cheap ones to boot.</p>


<p>Like many themes or archetypes in Commander, you can build a powerful deck by combining rewards and enablers.</p>
<p>Spellslinger rewards often come from creatures and other permanents (cards on the battlefield) that grant you some advantage whenever you play an instant or sorcery. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Third Path Iconoclast" href="#" target="_blank">Third Path Iconoclast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great example of a spell payoff like this.</p>
<p>Some cards care about the number of spells you've cast in one turn, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Case of the Ransacked Lab" href="#" target="_blank">Case of the Ransacked Lab</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thousand-Year Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Thousand-Year Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or cards with the storm mechanic, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grapeshot" href="#" target="_blank">Grapeshot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Third Path Iconoclast"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thousand-Year Storm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grapeshot"></div></div>
<p>Spellslinger decks will often win after doing things like building up a critical mass of tokens or damage triggers from cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Guttersnipe" href="#" target="_blank">Guttersnipe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or by assembling a combo powered by an expensive enchantment or artifact, or by racking up a storm count.</p>
<p>This is where enablers come in! These cards make it easier for you to cast a lot of spells or otherwise progress your game plan. Cards that make your spells cheap are plentiful; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Electromancer" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Electromancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a popular one. You also want to make room for cards that help you find the right spells or payoffs, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Artist&#039;s Talent" href="#" target="_blank">Artist&#039;s Talent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sorcerer Class" href="#" target="_blank">Sorcerer Class</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which let you dig through your deck on top of helping you cast more spells.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Electromancer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Artist&#039;s Talent"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sorcerer Class"></div></div>
<p>And, of course, you want to play spells! Most Spellslinger decks will play many instants and sorceries that cost just one mana and that draw a card on top of some other useful effect. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Opt" href="#" target="_blank">Opt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ponder" href="#" target="_blank">Ponder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brainstorm" href="#" target="_blank">Brainstorm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are all excellent examples.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Opt"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ponder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brainstorm"></div></div>
<p>Interaction is also essential; removal, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Counterspell" href="#" target="_blank">Counterspell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s, and board-clearing effects can both protect your game plan and disrupt your opponents.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Bolt" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Bolt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example, is cheap spell that triggers <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archmage Emeritus" href="#" target="_blank">Archmage Emeritus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and deals with a utility creature on the other side of the board. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyclonic Rift" href="#" target="_blank">Cyclonic Rift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can get you out of a sticky situation, too, if you're open to running <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/game-changers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game Changers</a>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Counterspell"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archmage Emeritus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cyclonic Rift"></div></div>
<p>Depending on which colors you play and how your deck tries to win, you may also want to run a mix of other effects.</p>
<p>Raw card draw like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasure Cruise" href="#" target="_blank">Treasure Cruise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can keep you prepared for anything. Green cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Farseek" href="#" target="_blank">Farseek</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> give you more mana to cast more spells, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Ritual" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Ritual</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Geyser" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Geyser</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> give you a temporary boost for when you plan to win via combo on the same turn.</p>
<p>And, depending on which <a href="https://edhrec.com/guides/edhrec-guide-to-commander-brackets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bracket</a> you're playing in, you can run "tutors" to search your library for key cards and put them on top of your deck or straight into your hand, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mystical Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Mystical Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Solve the Equation" href="#" target="_blank">Solve the Equation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Treasure Cruise"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Farseek"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dark Ritual"></div></div>
<p>Speaking of winning, some slots in your deck may be occupied by cards that threaten to win the game if they resolve.</p>
<p>In a Spellslinger deck, these cards likely factor into a game-winning combo, and are probably what you're searching up with Mystical Tutor and the like a lot of the time. I'm thinking of cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mizzix&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Mizzix&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jeskai Ascendancy" href="#" target="_blank">Jeskai Ascendancy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, apart from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thousand-Year Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Thousand-Year Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which I mentioned above.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mizzix&#039;s Mastery"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jeskai Ascendancy"></div></div>


<p>Now that we've covered what Spellslinger decks are and how they seek to win games by combining payoffs, enablers, and other types of cards, let's build one!</p>
<p>For this guide, I've chosen to go the aggressive route over a more combo-oriented game plan. Both styles of decks are incredibly fun and can feature a ton of overlap, but I think a lower-to-the-ground, two-color deck operating in Bracket 2 perfectly illustrates how the theme plays out while still leaving room for big, splashy turns.</p>
<p>For our commander, I'm looking for someone in Izzet colors (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><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 color pair is primarily associated with spells-matter game plans of varying shapes and sizes; you can find more payoffs and enablers here than in any other color pair.</p>
<p>Adding <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> would certainly introduce some incredibly potent payoffs like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Monastery Mentor" href="#" target="_blank">Monastery Mentor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which definitely suits a creature-based, attacking deck, but let's keep it simple for now. Likewise, I'm opting to not branch out into <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> for mana generators and more combo-oriented cards, or <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> for efficient removal and disruption.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Balmor, Battlemage Captain"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Balmor, Battlemage Captain" href="#" target="_blank">Balmor, Battlemage Captain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great choice for our first Spellslinger deck. He's cheap, so you can play him as early as turn two to start reaping the benefits of casting multiple spells a turn, and he enables swingy turns if you're able to amass a board wide with tokens.</p>
<p>He grants trample to your team, too, so blockers won't present much more than a speed bump against a flurry of one-mana spells in the late game.</p>


<p>How do we build around Balmor? In this case, we want to pack the deck with creatures like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Third Path Iconoclast" href="#" target="_blank">Third Path Iconoclast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that make tokens whenever we cast spells.</p>
<p>Since we're not planning to assemble any infinite combos, the main route to victory is through the combat phase. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Young Pyromancer" href="#" target="_blank">Young Pyromancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Talrand, Sky Summoner" href="#" target="_blank">Talrand, Sky Summoner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Murmuring Mystic" href="#" target="_blank">Murmuring Mystic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all support our go-wide game plan. We can even invite a planeswalker to the party in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Saheeli, Sublime Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Saheeli, Sublime Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Balmor's pump ability works better the more creatures we have in play, so we want a board full of creatures for the Bird Wizard to make lethal.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Young Pyromancer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Talrand, Sky Summoner"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Murmuring Mystic"></div></div>
<p>To supplement this strategy, we also want to play other cheap creatures that can deal a lot of damage by themselves. They may not produce tokens, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sprite Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Sprite Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Electrostatic Infantry" href="#" target="_blank">Electrostatic Infantry</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> grow huge and become must-answer threats.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Adeliz, the Cinder Wind" href="#" target="_blank">Adeliz, the Cinder Wind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, meanwhile, is an evasive creature that acts like a mini-Balmor for other Wizards in our deck. The prowess mechanic on creatures like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stormchaser Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Stormchaser Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> goes with Spellslinger decks like peanut butter and jelly. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stormcatch Mentor" href="#" target="_blank">Stormcatch Mentor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, another prowess creature, glides into the 99 by virtue of making our spells cheaper like Electromancer.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sprite Dragon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Adeliz, the Cinder Wind"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Harmonic Prodigy"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harmonic Prodigy" href="#" target="_blank">Harmonic Prodigy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of the most powerful creatures we can play in a Spellslinger deck running a good number of creatures. Causing Wizards and Shamans to trigger an additional time means we get double the number of tokens from Young Pyromancer and company and double the number of +1/+1 counters on Electrostatic Infantry.</p>
<p>Now that we've got our primary game plan sorted, we want to pick spells that are cheap, interactive, and that replace themselves as much as possible. I've already covered archetype all-stars like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ponder" href="#" target="_blank">Ponder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Bolt" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Bolt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but there are so many other options that also add some utility and versatility to the deck.</p>
<p>Having access to flexible removal like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Abrade" href="#" target="_blank">Abrade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Izzet Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Izzet Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pongify" href="#" target="_blank">Pongify</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deal with problems, while cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fists of Flame" href="#" target="_blank">Fists of Flame</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Surprise" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Surprise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> make our creatures better in combat. Cards with different effects you can choose between, also known as <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/the-top-10-best-modal-spells-in-commander" target="_blank" rel="noopener">modal spells</a>, are so important because they can either interact with our opponents or get cast on our turn when you just want to run up the score with our payoffs.</p>
<p>In a deck like this, one-mana spells don't need to do much to warrant a slot; it's most important that they draw a card to keep the Balmor trigger chain going and make our creatures even a little better. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crash Through" href="#" target="_blank">Crash Through</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Enter the Enigma" href="#" target="_blank">Enter the Enigma</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Renegade Tactics" href="#" target="_blank">Renegade Tactics</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are exactly what we're looking for. These cards, cheap spells that draw a card in addition to another effect, are also called cantrips.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Izzet Charm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crash Through"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rally at the Hornburg"></div></div>
<p>There are also a ton of spells that produce tokens themselves, fulfilling the dual purpose of keeping our side of the board full and triggering Balmor, Iconoclast, and the rest of the gang.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rally at the Hornburg" href="#" target="_blank">Rally at the Hornburg</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is often going to be like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ral&#039;s Reinforcements" href="#" target="_blank">Ral&#039;s Reinforcements</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko&#039;s Command" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko&#039;s Command</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but some of the time it will also push through surprise damage thanks to its haste clause.</p>


<p>In Commander, it's often rewarding to build a streamlined deck with one primary game plan. We've done that so far, but we also want to add one or two "packages" of cards that help us attack a game from a different angle, while still synergizing with Plan A.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Guttersnipe"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Coruscation Mage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fiery Inscription"></div></div>
<p>Attacking is great, but sometimes the board will stall or we won't have enough tokens amassed and it won't be profitable to turn our little critters sideways. That's when the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Guttersnipe" href="#" target="_blank">Guttersnipe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> family of cards come in, helping us deal damage without attacking.</p>
<p>If we want to lean a bit harder into this sub-theme, we can run <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ojer Axonil, Deepest Might" href="#" target="_blank">Ojer Axonil, Deepest Might</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to turn our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gut Shot" href="#" target="_blank">Gut Shot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s into <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lava Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Lava Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s. Balmor isn't required, but Ojer Axonil does deal more damage the higher his power is!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Veyran, Voice of Duality"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archmage Emeritus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Storm-Kiln Artist"></div></div>
<p>We also have room for bigger and slightly more expensive creatures that may not threaten opposing life totals but that generate so much value that they become must-answer threats.</p>
<p>Running creatures like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Veyran, Voice of Duality" href="#" target="_blank">Veyran, Voice of Duality</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archmage Emeritus" href="#" target="_blank">Archmage Emeritus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Storm-Kiln Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Storm-Kiln Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that generate card and mana advantages helps aggressive decks hang in there even during longer games. Remember that Iconoclast produces creature tokens that are also artifacts, so we can get in for tons of damage with a board full of tokens, Artist, and a spell that grants evasion, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Slip Through Space" href="#" target="_blank">Slip Through Space</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Niv-Mizzet, Parun"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rite of the Dragoncaller"></div></div>
<p>We can push this principle even further by running a few six-drops to act as powerful finishers that are either resistant to removal, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rite of the Dragoncaller" href="#" target="_blank">Rite of the Dragoncaller</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shark Typhoon" href="#" target="_blank">Shark Typhoon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are, or that punish our opponents for trying to interact, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Niv-Mizzet, Parun" href="#" target="_blank">Niv-Mizzet, Parun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Finally, we want our deck to run smoothly, so we're going to run several cards that can either be played as lands or spells. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pinnacle Monk" href="#" target="_blank">Pinnacle Monk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a threat, a mana source, and a bit of long-game staying power all in one, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Silundi Vision" href="#" target="_blank">Silundi Vision</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> helps us find what we need later in the game if we haven't already played it as a land.</p>
<p>These two-sided cards are known as modal double-faced cards, or MDFCs.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Silundi Vision"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pinnacle Monk"></div></div>


<p>While I chose not to venture outside of <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> and <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> to prioritize consistency and simplicity, countless wonders await Spellslinger mages brave enough to branch out into some combination of <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, and <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>.</p>
<p>White boasts a powerful spell payoff in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Monastery Mentor" href="#" target="_blank">Monastery Mentor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and powerful commander options like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kykar, Wind&#039;s Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Kykar, Wind&#039;s Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Narset, Enlightened Exile" href="#" target="_blank">Narset, Enlightened Exile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Instead of relying on conditional and temporary removal spells, you can run some of the best interactive spells Commander has to offer, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swords to Plowshares" href="#" target="_blank">Swords to Plowshares</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <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>.</p>
<p>You can remain aggressive, which is a big plus for me, while packing a bigger punch in the late game.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kykar, Wind&#039;s Fury"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Swords to Plowshares"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Path to Exile"></div></div>
<p>If you like mixing themes, <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> lets you build a deck around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anhelo, the Painter" href="#" target="_blank">Anhelo, the Painter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who very much rewards spells while also adding sacrifice and/or copy synergies to the mix. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kess, Dissident Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Kess, Dissident Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> turns your graveyard into a resource, letting you survive longer games dotted with sweeper effects that suppress your combat potential.</p>
<p><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, meanwhile, gives you access to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Storm, Force of Nature" href="#" target="_blank">Storm, Force of Nature</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and mana generators like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Growth Spiral" href="#" target="_blank">Growth Spiral</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nature&#039;s Lore" href="#" target="_blank">Nature&#039;s Lore</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These decks often look to end the game through combos and may even scoff at the idea of getting into combat.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kess, Dissident Mage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anhelo, the Painter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Storm, Force of Nature"></div></div>
<p>If you like the way the Balmor deck plays out, you could even do away with either <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> or <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 something a bit wackier. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Feather, the Redeemed" href="#" target="_blank">Feather, the Redeemed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of my favorite <em>Magic: The Gathering </em>cards for the way decks built around her seamlessly blend aggressive tendencies and spell synergies.</p>
<p>Whatever route you choose, just remember to sling those spells. And have fun!</p>


Spellslinger in Commander

EDHREC Guide to Spellslinger in Commander

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prismari Command" href="#" target="_blank">Prismari Command</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/algenpfleger">Johannes Voss</a></em></p>
<p>Last month we had a first look at the upcoming <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/sos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Secrets of Strixhaven</em></a> set. We got to <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/secrets-of-strixhaven-and-marvel-super-heroes-products-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">see the entire product line-up</a>, including the five Commander preconstructed decks and their respective face commanders.</p>
<p>This week, I'll be covering a deck tech on the leader of the <em>Prismari Artistry</em> deck, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rootha, Mastering the Moment" href="#" target="_blank">Rootha, Mastering the Moment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rootha, Mastering the Moment" href="#" target="_blank">Rootha, Mastering the Moment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<p>You can read all about Rootha's backstory <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Rootha_Squallheart" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. True to her character, she delayed her graduation to reach the perfection she long sought. A <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magma Opus" href="#" target="_blank">Magma Opus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you might say.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rootha, Mastering the Moment"></div></div>
<p>Much like the Prismari back in the original <em>Strixhaven: School of Mages</em> set, we're not casting a billion spells, ramping up to storm off. Instead, we're going with the big spells, and this version of Rootha rewards us by creating a hasty, flying token that can smack opponents for some big damage.</p>
<p>All of this is well and good, but what kind of big spells are we talking about here?</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rootha, Mastering the Moment" href="#" target="_blank">Rootha, Mastering the Moment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<h3>Artistic Performance</h3>
<p>While we could look through all of the <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/spellslinger" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spellslinger</a> options we have, Rootha needs us to run something different from the norm. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Creative Technique" href="#" target="_blank">Creative Technique</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are valuable because, at worst, we're getting a 5/5 Elemental. However, we could always hit one of our bigger spells instead, which is even better.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Into the Story|eld|50"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Creative Outburst"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Creative Technique"></div></div>
<p>In the case of both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Creative Outburst" href="#" target="_blank">Creative Outburst</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and the aforementioned Magma Opus, we can discard these to get a Treasure token, but being able to cast them for free is simply divine.</p>
<p>Even better, though, are the spells that can discount themselves.</p>
<p>For example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Into the Story" href="#" target="_blank">Into the Story</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could be cast for two mana. However, Rootha checks for the mana value of the card, not how much you paid into the spell. So, you technically get a 7/7 for just two mana! Sadly, I must point out that Rootha does not work with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blasphemous Act" href="#" target="_blank">Blasphemous Act</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> because Rootha triggers at the start of combat, but she'll die before then - unless you find a way to protect her.</p>
<p>That said, there aren't many cards that are worthwhile in the deck. Maybe more will come out, but we'll make do with what we have.</p>
<h3>A Token Performance</h3>
<p>You might be asking what the big idea is behind this section. Well, considering that we make only one of those Elementals during our turn (assuming we've cast an instant or sorcery), it'll mean the game plan will be slow, and easily hindered in a multiplayer setting. The bad news is that, at the time of writing, there aren't too many ways we can make multiple tokens that can attack that turn.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Curiosity Crafter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Full Throttle"></div></div>
<p>However, the good news is that we have a few ways to get things going. We have our usual suspects, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Talrand, Sky Summoner" href="#" target="_blank">Talrand, Sky Summoner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but there's also <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ovika, Enigma Goliath" href="#" target="_blank">Ovika, Enigma Goliath</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who will make an army of these tokens. Though, we also have options like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Twinflame" href="#" target="_blank">Twinflame</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that can make copies of a given card.</p>
<p>Beware, though, because Rootha only triggers during combat, and a lot of these spells are sorcery-speed. The key player in all of this is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer" href="#" target="_blank">Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It'll turn every token we have into the same Elemental we make, plus make a token of its own. Here's hoping that we have more ways to make Rootha's ability work sooner or later.</p>
<p>It's at this point that it makes sense to protect the token we create as best as we can. That way, when it comes back to our turn, we can use red's various cloning effects to copy the token.</p>
<p>This is especially true when we take into account the key suite of cards that make Rootha tick: extra combat steps! The more combats we get, the more Rootha triggers we'll get. Plus, these tokens will have haste, so they can attack right away. Our prime example is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Full Throttle" href="#" target="_blank">Full Throttle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which will give us a bunch of extra combat steps, meaning more tokens to swing with.</p>
<h2>How to Win With <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rootha, Mastering the Moment" href="#" target="_blank">Rootha, Mastering the Moment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>Our ways to win are not much different from the average Spellslinger deck. That said, in our case, we have to go big or go home.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crackle with Power"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shark Typhoon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Surge to Victory"></div></div>
<p>Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Surge to Victory" href="#" target="_blank">Surge to Victory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> pumps our board, and creates a copy of whatever spell we pick when we cast it. While Rootha won't see the copied spell, she will see the Surge, giving us a 6/6 token, perhaps more with an extra combat spell.</p>
<p>Speaking of tokens, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shark Typhoon" href="#" target="_blank">Shark Typhoon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (aka "sharknado") will make plenty of tokens, including big ones we can copy. However, the main token will not have haste, making Brudiclad even more important.</p>
<p>Otherwise, we can rely on the Old Faithful method of using big spells, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rite of Replication" href="#" target="_blank">Rite of Replication</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crackle with Power" href="#" target="_blank">Crackle with Power</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The X-spells in the deck will ensure that we'll always have a giant token to use. That said, I would not advise <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Epic Experiment" href="#" target="_blank">Epic Experiment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> if you load up on those. X will be zero every time, and the cards would basically do nothing.</p>
<h2>Rootha, Mastering the Moment Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Mastering the Moment with Rootha" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Rootha, Mastering the Moment
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Primal Amulet // Primal Wellspring
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Talisman of Creativity
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Big Score
*1 Brainstorm
*1 Consider
*1 Creative Outburst
*1 Dig Through Time
*1 Frantic Search
*1 Galvanic Iteration
*1 Into the Story
*1 Invert Polarity
*1 Magma Opus
*1 Opt
*1 Prismari Command
*1 Savage Beating
*1 Seething Song
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Crackle with Power
*1 Creative Technique
*1 Dance with Calamity
*1 Deep Analysis
*1 Expressive Iteration
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Full Throttle
*1 Fury of the Horde
*1 Mana Geyser
*1 Mizzix&#039;s Mastery
*1 Ponder
*1 Preordain
*1 Relentless Assault
*1 Seize the Day
*1 Surge to Victory
*1 Treasure Cruise
*1 Volcanic Salvo
*1 Volcanic Vision
*1 World at War
[/Sorceries]
[Creatures]
*1 Archmage Emeritus
*1 Archmage of Runes
*1 Balmor, Battlemage Captain
*1 Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer
*1 Coruscation Mage
*1 Curiosity Crafter
*1 Firebrand Archer
*1 Goblin Electromancer
*1 Goldspan Dragon
*1 Guttersnipe
*1 Haughty Djinn
*1 Kessig Flamebreather
*1 Mizzix of the Izmagnus
*1 Ovika, Enigma Goliath
*1 Storm-Kiln Artist
*1 Stormcatch Mentor
*1 Third Path Iconoclast
*1 Thunderclap Drake
*1 Young Pyromancer
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Case of the Ransacked Lab
*1 Determined Iteration
*1 Shark Typhoon
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Cascade Bluffs
*1 Command Tower
*1 Fabled Passage
*1 Ferrous Lake
*1 Fiery Islet
*1 Frostboil Snarl
*11 Island
*11 Mountain
*1 Prismatic Vista
*1 Riverpyre Verge
*1 Scalding Tarn
*1 Shivan Reef
*1 Steam Vents
*1 Stormcarved Coast
*1 Sulfur Falls
*1 Thundering Falls
*1 Training Center
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Aaaaand, Scene!</h2>
<p>And that is just one of the five face commanders from <em>Secrets of Strixhaven</em>. Rootha does seem dull, but built and/or played right, she can be taken into a path within the archetype that can be rather unique. She just simply needs a bit more support to push her over the edge (or the Edge, you might say).</p>
<p>Now, I would like to hear from you. Which of those face commanders gets your attention? Are you looking forward to going back to <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Arcavios" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arcavios</a>? Either way, be sure to come back next time, where I hopefully (more like finally!) begin one of the two new series I have planned for you.</p>


Mastering the Moment With Rootha in Commander

Izzet Possible to Play Izzet Without Spell-Slingizzeting?

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shantotto, Tactician Magician" href="#" target="_blank">Shantotto, Tactician Magician</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/jsraphael" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joshua Raphael</a></em></p>
<p>Well, this is about the most up to date I've ever been in terms of new releases. As of the day I'm writing this, May 7th, the commander I'm doing a deck tech for hasn't even made it's way into the EDHREC database. But <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shantotto, Tactician Magician" href="#" target="_blank">Shantotto, Tactician Magician</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is just too interesting to not write about immediately. She's just been spoiled for the new Final Fantasy Set, and while I don't know a single thing about Final Fantasy, I do know a good deckbuilding challenge when I see one. So lets dive right into this weird spellslinger commander.</p>
<h2>Shantotto, Tactician Magician</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shantotto, Tactician Magician"></div></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is the amount of mana spent to cast that spell. If X is 4 or greater, draw a card.</em></p>
<p>Ok, so I've done more than a few spellslinger commanders on this series. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Balmor, Battlemage Captain" href="#" target="_blank">Balmor, Battlemage Captain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Adeliz, the Cinder Wind" href="#" target="_blank">Adeliz, the Cinder Wind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Third Path Iconoclast" href="#" target="_blank">Third Path Iconoclast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, they're all blue-red commanders that care about casting noncreature spells. It's a pretty basic formula. All you need for those decks is a bunch of cheap instants and sorceries that can draw cards or buff your team or whatever is helpful. Then you get a bunch of creatures like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kessig Flamebreather" href="#" target="_blank">Kessig Flamebreather</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that'll ping your opponents whenever you cast one of those spells. It's a pretty tried and true formula, but I've built it a few too many times at this point. I've gotten quite bored of the whole game plan, and I need a challenge.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Balmor, Battlemage Captain"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Third Path Iconoclast"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kessig Flamebreather"></div></div>
<h2>How Is Shantotto Different From Other Izzet Spellslinger Decks?</h2>
<p>So that's why I was elated when my editor recommended that I check out Shantotto. Yes, at the surface level, it's just another Izzet spellslinger commander. But there's a bit more to it than that. Rather than request the usual one-drop suspects of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Opt" href="#" target="_blank">Opt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Preordain" href="#" target="_blank">Preordain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Serum Visions" href="#" target="_blank">Serum Visions</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and all those other crummy cantrips, Shantotto wants us to play spells with mana value four or greater. That's certainly a big difference from what other commanders want.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Opt"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Preordain"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Serum Visions"></div></div>
<p>Shanotto doesn't technically require us to play big spells, but we draw a card whenever we do, and I'm certainly not one to turn down card advantage. Other than that, the only thing she does is get bigger when we play spells. But, man does she get a lot bigger. So let's build a deck around big noncreature spells and one big creature. I think that's pretty doable, and even if it's not, I'm sure it'll be interesting.</p>
<p>As with any big mana deck, the question is: how much? How big can our average mana value get before it becomes unmanageable? Well, there's a pretty clear minimum we have to follow. If we want to take advantage of our commander's ability throughout the game, we need to be drawing a four-drop every three cards or so. Because otherwise, our commander's ability is just gonna be a random bonus that occurs every once in a while. It would be like playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Miirym, Sentinel Wyrm" href="#" target="_blank">Miirym, Sentinel Wyrm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and only cloning a Dragon every other turn. We've got a cool commander, let's use it.</p>
<h2>Big Pauper Spells for Shantotto</h2>
<p>Unfortunately, there's a slight problem. I'm not sure if there are enough great four-drops to play in Pauper. Yeah, you've got <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unexpected Windfall" href="#" target="_blank">Unexpected Windfall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pirate&#039;s Pillage" href="#" target="_blank">Pirate&#039;s Pillage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <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>, which are all fantastic, but I don't think there are 30+ four drops that are worth playing. I certainly don't want to play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Airborne Aid" href="#" target="_blank">Airborne Aid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> just to draw a card. There are a decent number of good cards though, so let's check those out first before giving up.</p>
<p>We've got plenty of card draw, from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Behold the Multiverse" href="#" target="_blank">Behold the Multiverse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deep Analysis" href="#" target="_blank">Deep Analysis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tamiyo&#039;s Epiphany" href="#" target="_blank">Tamiyo&#039;s Epiphany</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is worthwhile here. Then there's some red aggression in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin War Party" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin War Party</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hazardous Blast" href="#" target="_blank">Hazardous Blast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Empty the Warrens" href="#" target="_blank">Empty the Warrens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Are Goblins particularly useful to us? Nah, but every deck needs chump blockers, and we'd rather create them with noncreature spells.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Unexpected Windfall"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Behold the Multiverse"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin War Party"></div></div>
<p>After that, we have to reach into five-mana spells. Luckily, there are a few that are great inclusions even if our commander didn't ask for it. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lórien Revealed" href="#" target="_blank">Lórien Revealed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is just a handy card to have, early and late game. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Temporal Fissure" href="#" target="_blank">Temporal Fissure</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can decimate a board state. And <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Geyser" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Geyser</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> just makes a ridiculous amount of mana. Then, even more expensive than those is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasure Cruise" href="#" target="_blank">Treasure Cruise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Eight Mana? How could that possibly be worth it? Oh, hold up, it's got delve. Basically, it's castable for just a single mana. And it'll still trigger our commander! Right?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lórien Revealed"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mana Geyser"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Treasure Cruise"></div></div>
<h2>This Commander Got Nerfed</h2>
<p>Well, actually, there's something unusual about our commander that I've concealed. I said that Shantotto checks the mana value of your cards when deciding what X is, but actually, she checks how much mana is spent. That means that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasure Cruise" href="#" target="_blank">Treasure Cruise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> doesn't give Shantotto +8/+0, it gives Shantotto +1/+0 if you delve away all the generic mana. That's super disappointing, especially considering that Shantotto is one of the first commanders to be worded like this. I'm sure it was a balancing decision, but honestly the result of it is that Shantotto is extremely underpowered.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Treasure Cruise"></div></div>
<p>This is the reason that I haven't been including cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Meeting of Minds" href="#" target="_blank">Meeting of Minds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Normally, for a commander that checks mana value, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Meeting of Minds" href="#" target="_blank">Meeting of Minds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would be great because it can be cast for less than its advertised cost, but still trigger an ability. But here, if we don't pay any mana, we don't get any value. This is also the reason that I'm not including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Electromancer" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Electromancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, despite it being one of the best spellslinger staples of all time. If it reduces a four-cost card to three mana, we just don't get the card draw from Shantotto.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Meeting of Minds"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Electromancer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mocking Sprite"></div></div>
<p>The most I can do to patch this deck up is add a ton of ramp and some stuff to make Shantotto unblockable, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Artful Dodge" href="#" target="_blank">Artful Dodge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Maybe we'll also add <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Temur Battle Rage" href="#" target="_blank">Temur Battle Rage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> into the mix, because double strike on our commander sounds pretty intimidating. But I think that's about all I can do. Unfortunately, all we have right now is a deck with an absurdly high average mana value, and a pretty lousy payoff for it. I know I made a comparison to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Miirym, Sentinel Wyrm" href="#" target="_blank">Miirym, Sentinel Wyrm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> earlier in this article, but anyone with eyes can see that drawing a card for casting a four-mana spell is not the same as making a copy of a Dragon for two mana.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Firemind Vessel"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Artful Dodge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Temur Battle Rage"></div></div>
<h2>Shantotto Pauper Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Pauper Commander - Shantotto, the Radical Lady" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Shantotto, Tactician Magician
[/Commander]
[Instants]
*1 Abrade
*1 Arcane Denial
*1 Behold the Multiverse
*1 Big Score
*1 Brainstorm
*1 Choking Tethers
*1 Counterspell
*1 Fling
*1 Foil
*1 Frantic Firebolt
*1 Frantic Search
*1 Into the Roil
*1 Izzet Charm
*1 Lightning Bolt
*1 Mizzium Skin
*1 Negate
*1 Psychotic Fury
*1 Raking Claws
*1 Resculpt
*1 Rewind
*1 Shadow Rift
*1 Siege Smash
*1 Teach by Example
*1 Temur Battle Rage
*1 Trip Up
*1 Unexpected Windfall
*1 Unfathomable Truths
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Brass Knuckles
*1 Everflowing Chalice
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Firemind Vessel
*1 Hulldrifter
*1 Izzet Signet
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Neurok Stealthsuit
*1 Sisay&#039;s Ring
*1 Thought Vessel
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Artful Dodge
*1 Assault Strobe
*1 Daring Discovery
*1 Deep Analysis
*1 Distortion Strike
*1 Empty the Warrens
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Goblin War Party
*1 Hazardous Blast
*1 Lórien Revealed
*1 Mana Geyser
*1 Pirate&#039;s Pillage
*1 Tamiyo&#039;s Epiphany
*1 Temporal Fissure
*1 Treason of Isengard
*1 Treasure Cruise
[/Sorceries]
[Creatures]
*1 Apprentice Wizard
*1 Goblin Electromancer
*1 Guttersnipe
*1 Kiln Fiend
*1 Mocking Sprite
*1 Murmuring Mystic
*1 Nivix Cyclops
[/Creatures]
[Lands]
*1 Command Tower
*19 Island
*18 Mountain
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<p>I'm not gonna lie, this deck is hilariously bad. A lack of good four-drops wasn't even my biggest problem, because trying to take advantage of the four mana clause was just a terrible idea when the payoff is so bad. I think this deck would be better off if you just played a bunch of one-drops, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Balmor, Battlemage Captain" href="#" target="_blank">Balmor, Battlemage Captain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. But then you should just play Balmor.</p>
<p>The one thing that could've saved this deck would've been <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Electromancer" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Electromancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but the wording of Shantotto makes that card actively detrimental. I understand why the card is phrased like that, and it'll probably make some future legend much less abusable. But here, it just makes the commander mediocre.</p>


izzet spellslinger

EDHREC Guide to Spellslinger in Commander

Mastering the Moment With Rootha in Commander

Izzet Possible to Play Izzet Without Spell-Slingizzeting?

Does Shantotto Work as a Pauper Commander?