<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed" href="#" target="_blank">Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://instagram.com/magali_villeneuve/?hl=en">Magali Villeneuve</a></em></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed" href="#" target="_blank">Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has officially overtaken <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kaalia of the Vast" href="#" target="_blank">Kaalia of the Vast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a longtime Commander mainstay, to enter the fabled <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top 5 circle of popular commanders</a>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed"></div></div>
<p>With over 34 thousand decks at Y'shtola's disposal, all crafted in the course of under one year, this is an amazing feat. This is especially true as each of the four commanders ahead of the Cat Warlock has had at <em>least</em> eight years to cultivate a following.</p>
<p>What awaits this beloved <em>Final Fantasy XIV</em> character in the trials to come? Read on, and we'll discuss!</p>
<h2>On the Overthrow of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kaalia of the Vast" href="#" target="_blank">Kaalia of the Vast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kaalia of the Vast"></div></div>
<p>Before today, Kaalia of the Vast held the #5 spot. Due to the way the zeitgeist tends to work, Kaalia's velocity in growing ranks has inevitably decreased compared to Y'shtola. Because Y'shtola is <span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">a newer commander (released in 2025, compared to Kaalia's 2011 release in <a href="https://edhrec.com/precon/heavenly-inferno" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Heavenly Inferno</em></a>, one of the first five official Commander precons), she will</span> accrue numbers much faster.</p>
<p>So, now that we've touched upon this important event, let's look at what further trials await, and if they seem at all surmountable for this legendary <em>FFXIV</em> creature!</p>
<h2>On <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Mob Boss" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko, Mob Boss</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko, Mob Boss"></div></div>
<p>Released in 2012 with the <em>Magic 2013</em> Core set, Krenko, Mob Boss is the #4 most popular commander around. A Goblin with a serious <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/goblins" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Goblin-typing theme</a> going for him, he commands over 36 thousand decks. This is in part due to extreme combo potential blended with wave after wave of Goblin token generation.</p>
<p>This is an oddly versatile means of getting stuff done, as it stands. The tokens can be used to attack other players, or be used as sacrificial fodder for value plays, or as mass damage on entry with <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> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Purphoros, God of the Forge" href="#" target="_blank">Purphoros, God of the Forge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Versatility in the Top 4, you'll see, plays a recurring role in our analyses. Those rooting for Y'shtola to rise in the ranks should hope for the same out of her.</p>
<p>With just over two thousand decks needed for Y'shtola to actually surpass Krenko, it might take a little while for her to achieve this. But it appears more possible as days pass!</p>
<h2>On <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Atraxa, Praetors&#039; Voice" href="#" target="_blank">Atraxa, Praetors&#039; Voice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Atraxa, Praetors&#039; Voice"></div></div>
<p>Speaking of extreme cases of versatility, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Atraxa, Praetors&#039; Voice" href="#" target="_blank">Atraxa, Praetors&#039; Voice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has that in spades. Let's face facts here: There are <em>so</em> many cards and mechanics that care about counters on permanents and players. Atraxa appeals to nearly <em>all</em> of them. Y'shtola is going to have a lot of trouble overtaking this powerhouse of all trades. Right now Atraxa has over 39,000 decks built, about five thousand more than the hero of this article currently has.</p>
<p>So, for purposes of figuring out whether Ms. Rhul can overtake Atraxa or the current Top 2 most popular commanders, <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> (#2) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Ur-Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">The Ur-Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (#1), we need to wait for her to get past the Goblin Warrior in the room. Even so, things look positive for the Cat Warlock in that regard, and doubtless, we'll cover this shift when it happens - if it happens.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Ur-Dragon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Edgar Markov"></div></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>In the end, this interesting vying for popularity is a fun thing to track. And, beyond this, these are all stellar commanders. It's just so <em>neat</em>, though, that a commander released this past year could rise in the ranks so quickly!</p>
<p>So now, let's open the floor to you, dear readers! Do you have a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed" href="#" target="_blank">Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Commander deck, or decks of any of the commanders in the Top 4? Are you hoping to see any more shifts in popularity down the line? Sound off in the comments below!</p>


Y'shtola, Night's Blessed Is Now the 5th Most Popular Commander

Squee, Dubious Monarch Commander Deck Tech

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy" href="#" target="_blank">Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> <i>| </i>Art by <a href="https://xabigaztelua.com/">Xabi Gaztelua</a></em></p>
<p>My favorite thing about Commander is that every player I know has their own thing. The vast array of strategies available in the format inevitably results in players latching on to a handful of archetypes that are distinctly them. Everyone I play with can easily identify cards or decks that I'd play. This leaves room for me to subvert their expectations by showing up with something that's wildly abnormal for me. Mono-red aggro is totally outside of my normal range, but Spider-Gwen isn't! In this deck tech, I'm going to build a sweet mono-red deck with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy" href="#" target="_blank">Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy"></div></div>
<h2>What Does Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy Do?</h2>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy" href="#" target="_blank">Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a five-mana 4/4 with menace. Whenever she attacks, she deals X damage to the defending player, where X is the number of attacking creatures. A deck helmed by Ghost-Spider has a clear incentive to go really, really wide.</p>
<p>I spent a while thinking about how I could put a lot of creatures into play, and it came to me almost instantly: Goblins!</p>
<p>From a flavor standpoint, I think Gwen Stacy and Goblins are a bit of an unusual pairing, but I don't think that'll bother me much as I'm attacking with a massive band of Goblins and dealing 30 damage with Gwen's attack trigger, though.</p>
<h2>Key Cards For Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy</h2>
<p>The first step in this deck's plan is making a lot of tokens. Thankfully, I know a certain Goblin who specializes in just that.</p>
<h3>Gwen Stacy's... Goblin Army?</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko, Mob Boss"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko&#039;s Command"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Mob Boss" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko, Mob Boss</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the best creature in the deck, hands down. Once he hits the board and starts exponentially growing the horde of Goblins, this deck becomes nearly unstoppable. It only takes one or two Krenko activations to run away with a game. He is to be protected at all costs.</p>
<p>There are a lot of two- or three-mana sorceries that just generate a few tokens, and these cards are often the best early game plays available to a deck like this. I'd take a turn-two <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> over <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Signet" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Signet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> any day of the week. This deck doesn't even play Arcane Signet for that reason!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pashalik Mons"></div></div>
<p>The only thing that really scares me when I think about what a game with this deck looks like is opposing board wipes. I don't think Gwen, Krenko, or their army of Goblins will take very kindly to a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrath of God" href="#" target="_blank">Wrath of God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pashalik Mons" href="#" target="_blank">Pashalik Mons</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> dissuades opponents from wiping away all of this deck's creatures with a very simple threat: every Goblin they kill is going to cause them to take damage. If it's just a few Goblins, that's fine. If it's 30, opponents might just decide to spend their mana doing something else.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Warchief"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin King"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Chieftain"></div></div>
<p>One aspect of these Goblins strategies that I love is that it is very much quantity over quality. Most of the time, I don't actually care what the Goblin I'm casting does. It just needs to sit there and be a Goblin; if it can do something else for me, that's awesome! I've included a bunch of lords, 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>, to do just that.</p>
<h3>Burn</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Purphoros, God of the Forge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hellrider"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Bombardment"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy" href="#" target="_blank">Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> isn't the only way to deal damage directly to opponents. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Purphoros, God of the Forge" href="#" target="_blank">Purphoros, God of the Forge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> burns each opponent for two damage each time a creature enters the battlefield. With a token-generator like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Mob Boss" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko, Mob Boss</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in play, Purphoros is capable of killing the table all by himself.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hellrider" href="#" target="_blank">Hellrider</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effectively adds an extra point of damage to each attacking creature. The floor for this card is making 1-power creatures deal two damage, and the ceiling is having a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Torbran, Thane of Red Fell" href="#" target="_blank">Torbran, Thane of Red Fell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="City on Fire" href="#" target="_blank">City on Fire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in play and making those 1/1s do a lot more damage.</p>
<p>I like to think of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Bombardment" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Bombardment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as an insurance policy. If an opponent points a removal spell at a creature, I'm at least going to get one more point of damage in on that creature's way out. It can also serve as a way to dissuade opponents from casting removal spells, as it puts them on the hook for additional damage.</p>
<h2>How Does This Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy Deck Win?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="City on Fire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Torbran, Thane of Red Fell"></div></div>
<p>The easiest way to get a game over with is to slam a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="City on Fire" href="#" target="_blank">City on Fire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, go to combat, and start turning creatures sideways. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="City on Fire" href="#" target="_blank">City on Fire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> triples the amount of damage that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy" href="#" target="_blank">Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s attack trigger deals. In the later stages of the game, that can be more than enough damage to kill a player on its own. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Torbran, Thane of Red Fell" href="#" target="_blank">Torbran, Thane of Red Fell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is very much the same, although adding two damage is significantly less impressive than multiplying it by three.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Full Throttle"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Overpowering Attack"></div></div>
<p>For a deck that is constructed around taking advantage of an attack trigger, additional combat steps are best friend material. <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>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overpowering Attack" href="#" target="_blank">Overpowering Attack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Combat Celebrant" href="#" target="_blank">Combat Celebrant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> should each be able to quickly steal games out from under an opponent, no matter how commanding of a lead they have. There are even some neat tricks to be had with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fable of the Mirror-Breaker" href="#" target="_blank">Fable of the Mirror-Breaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> being used to copy <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Combat Celebrant" href="#" target="_blank">Combat Celebrant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and causing mayhem.</p>
<h2>Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy Commander Decklist</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Gwen&#039;s Goblins" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Battle Cry Goblin
*1 Beetleback Chief
*1 Bloodmark Mentor
*1 Combat Celebrant
*1 Defiler of Instinct
*1 Fury
*1 General Kreat, the Boltbringer
*1 Goblin Chieftain
*1 Goblin Instigator
*1 Goblin King
*1 Goblin Matron
*1 Goblin Recruiter
*1 Goblin Warchief
*1 Hellrider
*1 Krenko, Mob Boss
*1 Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin
*1 Legion Loyalist
*1 Loyal Apprentice
*1 Mogg War Marshal
*1 Muxus, Goblin Grandee
*1 Oliphaunt
*1 Pashalik Mons
*1 Pinnacle Monk
*1 Professional Face-Breaker
*1 Purphoros, God of the Forge
*1 Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer
*1 Searslicer Goblin
*1 Siege-Gang Commander
*1 Siege-Gang Lieutenant
*1 Simian Spirit Guide
*1 Spider-Punk
*1 Torbran, Thane of Red Fell
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Cavalcade of Calamity
*1 City on Fire
*1 Fable of the Mirror-Breaker
*1 Goblin Bombardment
*1 Impact Tremors
*1 Painter&#039;s Studio
*1 Raid Bombardmend
[/Enchantments]
[Artifacts]
*1 Lavaspur Boots
*1 Patchwork Banner
*1 Skullclamp
*1 Sol Ring
*1 The Fire Crystal
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Calamity of Cinders
*1 Dragon Fodder
*1 Full Throttle
*1 Gamble
*1 Goblin Negotiation
*1 Goblin War Party
*1 Jeska&#039;s Will
*1 Krenko&#039;s Command
*1 Overpowering Attack
*1 Rally at the Hornburg
*1 Sundering Eruption
*1 Vandalblast
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Battle Hymn
*1 Bolt Bend
*1 Goblin Surprise
*1 Spikefield Hazard
*1 Stoke the Flames
*1 Tibalt&#039;s Trickery
*1 Untimely Malfunction
*1 Valakut Awakening
*1 You See a Pair of Goblins
[/Instants]
[Lands]
*1 Ancient Tomb
*1 Arena of Glory
*1 Arid Mesa
*1 Bloodstained Mire
*1 Castle Embereth
*1 Cavern of Souls
*1 Dwarven Mine
*20 Mountain
*1 Scalding Tarn
*1 Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance
*1 Strip Mine
*1 Three Tree City
*1 Urza&#039;s Saga
*1 War Room
*1 Wooded Foothills
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>Despite it falling outside the sort of decks I would usually be drawn to, I love this deck. I'm so happy I was able to take Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy, a fairly underwhelming starter deck commander, and find a good, if a little bizarre, strategy for it.</p>
<p>This deck, much like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Mob Boss" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko, Mob Boss</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, is perfect to hand less experienced players. The overwhelming majority of the time, the player piloting this deck can just spend every turn casting all of the cards they have the mana for and attacking with everything and do pretty well for themselves. They might even learn a thing or two about proper sequencing along the way.</p>


Ghost-Spider, Gwen Stacy Deck Tech

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><strong>Reaper of the Wilds | Art by: <a href="https://karlkopinski.com/">Karl Kopinski</a></strong></h6>
<p>Earlier this year, long-time artist for <em>Magic: The Gathering, </em>Karl Kopinski, suffered a stroke.</p>
<p>While his recovery is ongoing, Kopinski has incurred medical costs as a result. To help defray those costs, fans of Kopinski's work have organized a charity auction with the proceeds directly benefitting Kopinski.</p>
<p>The auction is now live, and will close on Sunday, June 15.</p>
<p><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3Akopinski+game%3Apaper+not%3Areprint&amp;order=edhrec&amp;as=grid&amp;unique=cards">Karl Kopinski</a> to date has illustrated nearly 200 <em>Magic: The Gathering </em>cards and tokens beginning in 2008's <em>Shards of Alara. </em>Most recently, he illustrated the card <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Endrider Catalyzer" href="#" target="_blank">Endrider Catalyzer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which appeared in <em>Aetherdrift. </em>Among Commander players, his work on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hinterland Harbor|ISD|241" href="#" target="_blank">Hinterland Harbor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cathars&#039; Crusade|AVR|10" href="#" target="_blank">Cathars&#039; Crusade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elvish Archdruid|M10|176" href="#" target="_blank">Elvish Archdruid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is likely best-known, but his catalog is well-represented in Commander decklists worldwide.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko, Mob Boss|M13|138"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Consuming Aberration|GTC|152"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stormtide Leviathan|M11|74"></div></div>
<p>A native of Nottingham, England, Kopinski has worked in the illustration industry since 1997 and in addition to his work with Wizards of the Coast, has also illustrated for clients such as Ubisoft, Games Workshop, and Peter Jackson. A few months ago, Kopinski took to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHRpP8eoKRd/">Instagram</a> to provide an update of his recovery process:</p>
<p><em>"The day after my stroke while my wife was visiting I managed to move my arm and hand, which apparently was a good sign. I decided at that point the only option was to try take the same obsessive and dedicated attitude I have taken with my art over the last 30 years and put into retraining my brain and body to do what used to be simple movements. So I picked up my pencil, it was incredibly difficult, upsetting and frustrating but repetition and hard work seems to be the only way!"</em></p>
<p>That hard work is paying off, as Instagram posts as recently as today <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKr9TkiIXPb/">offer a look</a> at his artistic process and improvement in his extremities.</p>
<p>Currently at auction and featured among the available artwork is the original oil painting by Karl Kopinski himself for the card <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reaper of the Wilds" href="#" target="_blank">Reaper of the Wilds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which debuted in <em>Theros</em>. The piece, probably most recognizable to <em>Magic </em>fans among the art listed and is estimated to be worth $2,000-$2,300.</p>
<p>In total, there are 23 original works of fantasy art available, including several more by Kopinski as well as pieces by fellow <em>Magic </em>artists <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3Aejsing&amp;unique=cards&amp;as=grid&amp;order=name">Jesper Ejsing</a>, <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3Aciruelo&amp;unique=cards&amp;as=grid&amp;order=name">Ciruelo Cabral</a> and <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3Aorizio&amp;unique=cards&amp;as=grid&amp;order=name">Daniele Orizio</a>.</p>
<p>Head over to <a href="https://www.catawiki.com/en/a/1124611">auction-hosting site Catawiki</a> to place a bid.</p>


Art Auction to Benefit Magic Artist Goes Live

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Mob Boss|jmp|339" 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>No creature type in <em>Magic</em> better epitomizes the phrase “just a little guy” than Goblins. But rest assured, where there’s just a little Goblin, a lot more are hiding nearby, waiting to make a splash on the game in the most humorous and painful way possible.</p>
<p>According to the <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/kindred" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EDHREC stats</a>, Goblins are the 7th most popular creature type across all data-scraped deck building sites, with over 35,000 decks built. They've been part of <em>Magic</em> since the beginning, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mons&#039;s Goblin Raiders" href="#" target="_blank">Mons&#039;s Goblin Raiders</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as part of the "<a href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Sligh#:~:text=The%20philosophy%20of%20the%20%22Sligh,utilize%20all%20of%20its%20mana." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sligh Principle</a>" red decks that revolutionized the way players look at deck lists, introducing the concept of a mana curve. Goblins have been featured in Duel Decks and Starter Decks, as an integral part of introducing new players to <em>Magic</em> and the color red.</p>
<p>It seems like Goblins are all over the multiverse, with each set adding to their ranks. Goblins love to go wide and go boom, and our build for this deck tech will do both!</p>
<h2>Notable Goblins for Commander Decks</h2>
<p>Like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Ur-Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">The Ur-Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-a-dragon-commander-deck-with-the-ur-dragon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">last week</a>, our commander this week, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Mob Boss" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko, Mob Boss</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, does one thing and does it well. He adds to our board exponentially, challenging the limits of our creativity and our ability to represent an accurate board state. Each turn, our board gets wider and wider. There are creatureless builds, highlighting how quickly Krenko alone gets out of hand, as well as combo builds, as Krenko can easily go infinite and make a quality cEDH commander. As a typal commander, however, Krenko presents a repeated must-answer threat that can easily snowball out of control.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko, Mob Boss"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stadium Headliner"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Underfoot Underdogs"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shock Brigade"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Devoted Duelist"></div></div></p>
<p>We want our creatures to hit the ground running, so there are a couple of ways to do that: make multiple bodies or enable the casting of multiple spells. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skirk Prospector" href="#" target="_blank">Skirk Prospector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> turns our excess bodies into mana, enabling massive turns and powering out our larger threats. One of the stranger aspects of newer Goblin builds, especially with a lightning rod for a commander, is that they're growing more and more hungry for mana. Cool Goblins keep getting printed, and there’s a tendency to cut lands for them, but it’s better to build in ramp without committing slots to dead cards.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Warchief"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Howlsquad Heavy"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skirk Prospector"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Chieftain"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pashalik Mons"></div></div></p>
<p>One of the key elements of go-wide strategies is the presence of lords - creatures who provide boosts and/or keywords for those that fit certain criteria. There are lots of Goblin lords. Some provide haste, some provide a generic cost reduction, but only <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Trashmaster" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Trashmaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets us blow up artifacts.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hobgoblin Bandit Lord"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brightstone Ritual"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Trashmaster"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin King"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conspicuous Snoop" href="#" target="_blank">Conspicuous Snoop</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides some interesting nuance to Goblin decks. At the highest levels of play, topdeck manipulation can set up infinite win cons. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skirk Prospector" href="#" target="_blank">Skirk Prospector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a key Goblin with an activated ability, as is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Chirurgeon" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Chirurgeon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can protect key parts of our board.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko&#039;s Command"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Conspicuous Snoop"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Chirurgeon"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Instigator"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Muxus, Goblin Grandee"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mogg War Marshal" href="#" target="_blank">Mogg War Marshal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an unassuming piece of cardboard, but it’s secretly the perfect role player for a deck like this. It brings a buddy along with it, and, if the echo isn’t paid, it brings another. Two 1/1s for two mana is a solid rate, and the more lords we have, the better the rate gets, especially when our commander can turn those two bodies into four!</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Warren Instigator"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Legion Warboss"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Battle Cry Goblin"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beetleback Chief"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mogg War Marshal"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Lackey" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Lackey</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has been a key card in Goblin decks across formats, from Legacy to EDH to cEDH, and everything in between. If little red guys are being played, there are few better turn-one plays.</p>
<p>You may notice that this deck eschews <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. How can we get away with that? Well, as good as a turn-two Krenko is, a turn-one <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Lackey" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Lackey</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is even better. True, the returns diminish as boards develop, but the Lackey is also a solid play after a board wipe, which could otherwise be backbreaking for a deck like this.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Lackey"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Piledriver"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goro-Goro, Disciple of Ryusei"></div></div>
<h2>Complementary Cards for Goblin Decks</h2>
<p>With Goblins, speed is the name of the game. We want to take opponents out before they get a chance to get fully set up, before we even have to resort to the combat step, if need be. After all, why risk bodies in combat when we can threaten to overwhelm opponents with numbers? Well, because of board wipes. So, how do we win during this phase, before the wipe hits? Keep direct damage coming with <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> effects, and going with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Bombardment" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Bombardment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shocking Sharpshooter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Bombardment"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Impact Tremors"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin War Strike"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Witty Roastmaster"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin War Strike" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin War Strike</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a hard-hitting card. Its damage scales with the number of Goblins we control, so it’s best used pre-combat, after activating Krenko, before attacking. That way, our army of Goblins will be at its largest when it hits. It also enables us to alpha strike with reckless abandon (the best kind) on the turn we intend to win.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Purphoros, God of the Forge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Siege-Gang Commander"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Siege-Gang Lieutenant"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin War Strike"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="General Kreat, the Boltbringer"></div></div></p>
<h2>Goblin Draw Spells and Card Advantage</h2>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Recruiter" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Recruiter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a key part of the higher-level Goblin decks. Since it puts any Goblins we want on top of our library, we can set up <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conspicuous Snoop" href="#" target="_blank">Conspicuous Snoop</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for any number of combinations. We can also combine it with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skullclamp" href="#" target="_blank">Skullclamp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to draw into whatever cards we put there. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skullclamp" href="#" target="_blank">Skullclamp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be an issue if we have lords out with no ways to sacrifice creatures, as we can find ourselves in the strange position of needing help to get our creatures killed.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skullclamp"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rundvelt Hordemaster"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Recruiter"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Ringleader"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Moria Marauder"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Outpost Siege" href="#" target="_blank">Outpost Siege</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a draw engine that doubles as a source of repeatable direct damage…or it would, if we didn’t have to pick a side. Luckily, we can take the perspective that it will either find what we want or be what we want. Thankfully, both options are relevant in a deck like this.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dark-Dweller Oracle"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Matron"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Moggcatcher"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rummaging Goblin"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Outpost Siege"></div></div></p>
<h2>Removal Spells for Goblin Decks</h2>
<p>Being in mono-red, our removal options are somewhat limited. Our best options are also Goblins, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Sharpshooter" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Sharpshooter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Cratermaker" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Cratermaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The Sharpshooter can mow down opposing creatures, including untapping off of creatures that would be dying anyways, to get in extra pings. The Cratermaker is primarily there to ping small creatures or blow up artifacts, but we can live the dream occasionally, blowing up an Eldrazi with a little explosives expert. He might die, but what a way to go!</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Sharpshooter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Cratermaker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tibalt&#039;s Trickery"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Abrade"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Untimely Malfunction"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gempalm Incinerator" href="#" target="_blank">Gempalm Incinerator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might just be the most exciting singular card in the deck. Not only does it cycle to draw a card, but it smacks a creature hard when it does. As an activated ability, it isn’t being cast, so it's difficult to counter. It doesn’t even stop at the Goblins we control, however, as it smacks for an amount equal to the total number of Goblins on the field. If we can hit an opponent’s <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stuffy Doll" href="#" target="_blank">Stuffy Doll</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we can have a lot of fun!</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reverberate"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Return the Favor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mogg Salvage"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flare of Duplication"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gempalm Incinerator"></div></div></p>
<h2>Krenko, Mob Boss Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Krenko, Mob Boss Commander Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Krenko, Mob Boss
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Battle Cry Goblin
*1 Beetleback Chief
*1 Conspicuous Snoop
*1 Dark-Dweller Oracle
*1 Devoted Duelist
*1 Gempalm Incinerator
*1 General Kreat, the Boltbringer
*1 Goblin Chieftain
*1 Goblin Chirurgeon
*1 Goblin Cratermaker
*1 Goblin Instigator
*1 Goblin King
*1 Goblin Lackey
*1 Goblin Matron
*1 Goblin Piledriver
*1 Goblin Recruiter
*1 Goblin Ringleader
*1 Goblin Sharpshooter
*1 Goblin Trashmaster
*1 Goblin Warchief
*1 Goro-Goro, Disciple of Ryusei
*1 Hobgoblin Bandit Lord
*1 Howlsquad Heavy
*1 Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin
*1 Legion Warboss
*1 Mogg War Marshal
*1 Moggcatcher
*1 Moria Marauder
*1 Muxus, Goblin Grandee
*1 Pashalik Mons
*1 Purphoros, God of the Forge
*1 Rummaging Goblin
*1 Rundvelt Hordemaster
*1 Searslicer Goblin
*1 Shock Brigade
*1 Shocking Sharpshooter
*1 Siege-Gang Commander
*1 Siege-Gang Lieutenant
*1 Skirk Prospector
*1 Squee, Dubious Monarch
*1 Stadium Headliner
*1 Underfoot Underdogs
*1 Warren Instigator
*1 Witty Roastmaster
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Abrade
*1 Brightstone Ritual
*1 Flare of Duplication
*1 Mogg Salvage
*1 Return the Favor
*1 Reverberate
*1 Tibalt&#039;s Trickery
*1 Untimely Malfunction
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Goblin War Strike
*1 Krenko&#039;s Command
*1 Vandalblast
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Goblin Bombardment
*1 Impact Tremors
*1 Outpost Siege
[/Enchantments]
[Artifacts]
*1 Skullclamp
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*40 Mountain
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<p>Goblins are single-minded, and their decks are similar. They swarm the field, attack, and burn opponents coming and going. Sometimes, their speed literally blows up in their face, but one thing’s for sure: their lives may be short, but they’re not boring!</p>


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