Fire and Ice: Which Cards Are Hot and Cold for Kotis, the Fangkeeper?

<p style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kotis, the Fangkeeper" href="#" target="_blank">Kotis, the Fangkeeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://evynfong.square.site/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Evyn Fong</a></p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tdm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Tarkir: Dragonstorm</em></a> brought so many amazing new cards into the game. A commander that's stood out above the rest is none other than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kotis, the Fangkeeper" href="#" target="_blank">Kotis, the Fangkeeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Already totaling over five thousand decks on <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/kotis-the-fangkeeper" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EDHREC</a>, the community has been infatuated with this character since preview season. Whether it's for his abilities, or because he's a heartthrob, that's for you to decide.</p>
<p>There's plenty of directions to take Kotis, but today I'll be putting a spotlight on the Enchantress architype. To do that, I, Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks, will showcase fourteen cards for under $14 you can pick up right now to help get you started on a brand-new deck.</p>
<h2>The Commander - Kotis, the Fangkeeper</h2>
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<p>One of the most beloved cards in the commander format is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Villainous Wealth" href="#" target="_blank">Villainous Wealth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, so it should come as no surprise that a creature that can give you that effect turn after turn would become very popular to build around. With this list I'll be highlighting a few things that every <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kotis, the Fangkeeper" href="#" target="_blank">Kotis, the Fangkeeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck needs: evasion, buffing, and additional value that'll build up along the way.</p>
<p>So, let's take a look at some amazing budget Auras that you can utilize to steal the best cards from your friends' decks!</p>
<h3>Favor of the Overbeing</h3>
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<p>A prime example of both buffing and evasion is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Favor of the Overbeing" href="#" target="_blank">Favor of the Overbeing</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Giving Kotis plus +2/+2, flying, and vigilance for only two mana is an amazing rate. This card alone can allow you to exile four cards from whoever you hit, all while being able to leave your commander up as a blocker because of that vigilance.</p>
<h3>Canopy Cover</h3>
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<p>Another great two-mana spell for this deck is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Canopy Cover" href="#" target="_blank">Canopy Cover</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which basically gives your creature flying and hexproof. Your commander will be a lightning rod for removal, and even though that indestructible is a great safety net, you always have to prepare for exile removal, and this Aura ensures no one can touch a hair on Kotis's undead head!</p>
<h3>Fae Flight</h3>
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<p>On a similar axis as our last entry is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fae Flight" href="#" target="_blank">Fae Flight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Adding plus one to Kotis’s power and giving him flying is exactly what this deck is looking for. On top of that, this Aura acts almost like a counterspell if your opponents are ready to try to get the Fangkeeper off your board.</p>
<h3>Demonic Embrace</h3>
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<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Embrace" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Embrace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> adds some more flying to the list, as well as a nice power boost, all while having the ability to be cast from your graveyard if it winds up there. That gives it extra utility, since there's a good chance that, against your best efforts, Kotis will end up being removed at some point. And <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Embrace" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Embrace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will be there when he returns.</p>
<h3>Rancor</h3>
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<p>Speaking of coming back from the grave, the next card on our list, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, offers that effect for free. It only costs one mana and gives your commander a power buff as well as trample, which isn’t necessarily evasion, but can still help push damage through. The best part of this spell is that it will almost always come back, meaning that you can rely on it to be there as long as the game goes on.</p>
<h3>Aether Tunnel</h3>
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<p>Say you don’t even want to worry about blockers. Well, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aether Tunnel" href="#" target="_blank">Aether Tunnel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are here to assist you with that! For two mana you can give Kotis unblockable, as well as +1/+0, which will ensure you’ll be hitting someone for three damage each time you attack. On top of that, this pairs well with anything else that buffs your commander’s power, since it clears the way entirely.</p>
<h3>Security Bypass</h3>
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<p>Decks built around Kotis tend to have one main game plan: attack with Kotis. To help with that, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Security Bypass" href="#" target="_blank">Security Bypass</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> giving more of that premium evasion to your commander if it attacks alone. It also lets the creature it’s attached to connive whenever it deals damage to someone, which will help with sculpting your hand while also growing its power.</p>
<h3>Fly</h3>
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<p>Another card that adds more value to your attacks is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fly" href="#" target="_blank">Fly</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Not only does it give flying to your creature (shocking, I know) but whenever you hit a player, you venture into the dungeon. The go-to option out of the three dungeons is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lost Mine of Phandelver" href="#" target="_blank">Lost Mine of Phandelver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and I suggest you follow that trend in this deck as well. All the options it offers are generically good, and you can even put some counters on Kotis along the way.</p>
<h3>Sleeper's Robe</h3>
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<p>Next up we have an oldie but a goodie! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sleeper&#039;s Robe" href="#" target="_blank">Sleeper&#039;s Robe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives your commander <a href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Fear" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fear</a>, even if it doesn’t say that keyword, and draws you a card when it connects. Even though you'll be stealing other people’s spells in this deck, you still want to make sure you have cards in your hand. Your goal should be to throw a new Aura on Kotis as often as you can, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sleeper&#039;s Robe" href="#" target="_blank">Sleeper&#039;s Robe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> helps with that.</p>
<h3>Combat Research</h3>
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<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Combat Research" href="#" target="_blank">Combat Research</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is similar to our last card on the list, drawing you a card whenever Kotis hits a player. However, this time around you also get +1/+1, and ward <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 just a single mana. As I said earlier, your commander will draw a lot of hate from the table, so adding an additional roadblock on top of the indestructible it already has can deter people from sending removal your way.</p>
<h3>Well Rested</h3>
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<p>Kotis is surely going to be tired after all of that attacking, so he deserves to be <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Well Rested" href="#" target="_blank">Well Rested</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> when the turn gets back to you. Drawing a card and putting counters on your commander will help your game plan move forward for sure. However, the fact that you’re gaining a little bit of life as the game goes on shouldn’t be understated. The table most likely will be attacking you when your defenses are down, so you just need a little bit of extra padding to get you through the rest of the battle.</p>
<h3>Strong Back</h3>
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<p>Time to pump up your commander’s power even more, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strong Back" href="#" target="_blank">Strong Back</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Making all your Auras cost three less to cast helps you load up Kotis even more than before, but that final ability is the real star of the show. Giving +2/+2 for each Aura attached to your commander means you could be stealing a huge chunk of spells from your opponents each time you connect. This card can truly change things in your favor when it hits the board.</p>
<h3>Giant Inheritance</h3>
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<p>Keeping up with the plan of powering up Kotis, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giant Inheritance" href="#" target="_blank">Giant Inheritance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which is like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>’s big brother. Once you throw that <a href="https://scryfall.com/card/twoe/15/monster-sorcerer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monster Role</a> on your creature, it’ll end up with +6/+6 and trample! If that draws the ire of the table, like I think it will, you’ll be able to get this Aura back if it ever ends up in your graveyard from the battlefield. That just makes it a constant game ending threat.</p>
<h3>Entity Tracker</h3>
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<p>Closing things out with a generically good card draw engine, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Entity Tracker" href="#" target="_blank">Entity Tracker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. If you go the Aura route, you’ll be drawing each time you load Kotis up for battle. However, the Tracker triggers off of any enchantments hitting your board, which means if you hit an opponent for a ton of damage, you could be casting several enchantments for free and refilling your hand! That flash shouldn't be overlooked either, since you can cast this right before all the spells you steal resolve, to be extra sneaky.</p>
<h2>In Closing</h2>
<p>I hope this list was helpful for you and your journey building around Kotis! As you can tell, these Auras fit perfectly in most builds for this commander. So even if you don't go the full Enchantress direction, you could still grab these singles to power up your own deck.</p>
<p>If you want to see the full list, including the cards that didn't make the main fourteen, <a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/12534594/kotis_the_fangkeeper_enchantress_pillow_fortteen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">you can check those out on my Archidekt</a>.</p>


kotis

Fire and Ice: Which Cards Are Hot and Cold for Kotis, the Fangkeeper?

Building Kotis, the Fangkeeper Enchantress on a Budget