<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bruce Banner" href="#" target="_blank">Bruce Banner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.tommyarnoldart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tommy Arnold</a></em></p>
<p>Have you ever wondered what <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thrasios, Triton Hero" href="#" target="_blank">Thrasios, Triton Hero</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would be like if it cost one mana less? And, just to entertain the hypothetical, if it could also be a combo piece itself - not just an infinite mana outlet?</p>
<p>Well, folks, <em>Magic</em>'s next <em>Marvel </em>crossover has come to answer exactly that question. May I present to you <span class="edhrecp__link side-by-side"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bruce Banner" href="#" target="_blank">Bruce Banner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a one-mana legendary creature that packs all of Temur into its color identity.</p>
<p>So, let's get to building this commander for cEDH.</p>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link side-by-side"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bruce Banner" href="#" target="_blank">Bruce Banner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards side-by-side"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bruce Banner"></div></div>
<p>On the front side, Bruce Banner is a legendary 1/1 Human Scientist Hero creature for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> with two activated abilities. First, "<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-x" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-x" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-tap" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>: Draw X cards. Activate only as a sorcery," and second, "<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>: Transform Bruce Banner. Activate only as a sorcery."</p>
<p>On the reverse side, Bruce Banner is The Incredible Hulk, a legendary 8/8 Gamma Berserker Hero with reach, trample, and the triggered ability "Whenever The Incredible Hulk is dealt damage, put a +1/+1 counter on him. If he's attacking, untap him and there is an additional combat phase after this phase."</p>
<p>Additionally, borrowing some card design technology from <em>Spider-Man</em>, you can cast The Incredible Hulk as the reverse side for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>. That's right, this is a transforming MDFC.</p>
<p>So, what does this whole package do in a cEDH context? Well, starting with Bruce Banner, it's eerily similar to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thrasios, Triton Hero" href="#" target="_blank">Thrasios, Triton Hero</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Bruce is a cheap infinite mana outlet that enables commander-dependent spells really early - all good things in a Temur deck. It's super unfortunate that the ability to draw cards can only be activated as a sorcery, but considering that it costs half as much as a Thrasios activation, that seems like a fairly reasonable tradeoff.</p>
<p>Looking to The Incredible Hulk, things get a little murky. cEDH isn't exactly know for its stompy green decks, and that's the role The Incredible Hulk is trying to fill. Additionally, having The Incredible Hulk in play means that you don't have Bruce Banner in play - a tradeoff that cuts you out of one more possible value engine you would've had otherwise.</p>
<p>However, as we'll see later on, there's a combo to be found with The Incredible Hulk that makes this all worth it.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link side-by-side"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bruce Banner" href="#" target="_blank">Bruce Banner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<h3>Ability Cost Reducers</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Training Grounds"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Biomancer&#039;s Familiar"></div></div>
<p>Starting out with some cards ripped straight out of Thrasios, we've got activated ability cost reducers. Each of these two cards reduces the cost to activate Bruce Banner's abilities by <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> (<em>unless it would reduce the cost to just <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-0" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, in which case it only reduces it to <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span></em>). That means that, with one of these effects in play, you can draw one card for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, or two cards for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, or three cards for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-4" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>...you get the idea.</p>
<p>In long games, this amount of value can snowball insurmountably, turning Bruce Banner into one of the best engines in your deck.</p>
<h3>Artifact Tutors</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Trophy Mage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Whir of Invention"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Transmute Artifact"></div></div>
<p>While tutors are nothing unique to any particular commander, Bruce Banner does pay more attention to artifacts than most other Temur cEDH decks do. All three of its combos use an artifact in one way or another, and these three cards make sure that you can reliably find your combo pieces game after game.</p>
<h2>How Does <span class="edhrecp__link side-by-side"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bruce Banner" href="#" target="_blank">Bruce Banner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Win?</h2>
<h3>Infinite Mana</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Basalt Monolith"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Finale of Devastation"></div></div>
<p>Starting off with the deck's premier infinite mana combo, it's the classic pair of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy" href="#" target="_blank">Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Basalt Monolith" href="#" target="_blank">Basalt Monolith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Pairing these two together allows for infinite colorless mana production, as Basalt Monolith will add <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-c" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-c" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-c" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-c" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> and only require <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-3" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> to untap itself. With that mana, you'll draw your deck thanks to Bruce Banner, and somewhere in there you'll see a whole bunch of creatures and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Finale of Devastation" href="#" target="_blank">Finale of Devastation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Cast all the creatures, then cast Finale of Devastation for some arbitrarily large X value. It doesn't matter what, if anything, you grab - all that matters is that X is large enough to boost your newly-hasty board's power to lethal.</p>
<h3>Hulk Combo</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Caltrops"></div></div>
<p>On to the star of the show: the one-card combo with The Incredible Hulk: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Caltrops" href="#" target="_blank">Caltrops</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>For <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-3" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, Caltrops is an artifact that, whenever a creature attacks, deals one damage to that creature. Wouldn't you know it, whenever The Incredible Hulk is dealt damage, you'll put a +1/+1 counter on it. Additionally, The Incredible Hulk will see that this damage happened while it was attacking, untapping it and creating another combat step. Thanks to the +1/+1 counters, The Incredible Hulk won't die from the damage, and thus triggering Caltrops, for an infinite number of combats.</p>
<h3>Underworld Breach Combo</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Underworld Breach"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lion&#039;s Eye Diamond"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brain Freeze"></div></div>
<p>Last but not least, what would a red cEDH deck be without <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Underworld Breach" href="#" target="_blank">Underworld Breach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? You know it, you love it (or maybe you hate it): cast Underworld Breach, cast and then sacrifice a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lion&#039;s Eye Diamond" href="#" target="_blank">Lion&#039;s Eye Diamond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to add <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, then escape <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brain Freeze" href="#" target="_blank">Brain Freeze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from your graveyard, targeting yourself. You'll mill a bunch of cards, be up <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> from where you started, and be in the perfect situation to restart the cycle.</p>
<p>Keep going until you have as much mana as you need and see as many cards as you need, then either execute one of the other two combos or just mill out your opponents by casting Brain Freeze with an arbitrarily large storm count.</p>
<h2>Bruce Banner // The Incredible Hulk cEDH Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Bruce Banner / The Incredible Hulk cEDH" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Bruce Banner // The Incredible Hulk
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Basalt Monolith
*1 Caltrops
*1 Chrome Mox
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Lion&#039;s Eye Diamond
*1 Lotus Petal
*1 Mana Vault
*1 Mox Amber
*1 Mox Diamond
*1 Mox Opal
*1 Sol Ring
*1 The One Ring
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 Badgermole Cub
*1 Biomancer&#039;s Familiar
*1 Birds of Paradise
*1 Bloom Tender
*1 Cloud of Faeries
*1 Delighted Halfling
*1 Elvish Spirit Guide
*1 Endurance
*1 Eternal Witness
*1 Faerie Mastermind
*1 Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy
*1 Llanowar Elves
*1 Phyrexian Metamorph
*1 Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer
*1 Selvala, Heart of the Wilds
*1 Simian Spirit Guide
*1 Spellseeker
*1 Spellskite
*1 The Cabbage Merchant
*1 Trophy Mage
*1 Wan Shi Tong, Librarian
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Brain Freeze
*1 Chain of Vapor
*1 Cyclonic Rift
*1 Deflecting Swat
*1 Fierce Guardianship
*1 Flusterstorm
*1 Force of Negation
*1 Force of Vigor
*1 Force of Will
*1 Gifts Ungiven
*1 Into the Flood Maw
*1 Legolas&#039;s Quick Reflexes
*1 Mental Misstep
*1 Mindbreak Trap
*1 Mystical Tutor
*1 Noxious Revival
*1 Pact of Negation
*1 Pyroblast
*1 Red Elemental Blast
*1 Redirect Lightning
*1 Snap
*1 Spell Pierce
*1 Swan Song
*1 Veil of Summer
*1 Whir of Invention
*1 Worldly Tutor
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Carpet of Flowers
*1 Mystic Remora
*1 Rhystic Study
*1 Training Grounds
*1 Underworld Breach
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Eldritch Evolution
*1 Finale of Devastation
*1 Gamble
*1 Jeska&#039;s Will
*1 Nature&#039;s Rhythm
*1 Rite of Flame
*1 Transmute Artifact
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Arid Mesa
*1 Bloodstained Mire
*1 Boseiju, Who Endures
*1 Breeding Pool
*1 City of Brass
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Flooded Strand
*1 Gaea&#039;s Cradle
*1 Gemstone Caverns
*1 Mana Confluence
*1 Misty Rainforest
*1 Otawara, Soaring City
*1 Polluted Delta
*1 Rejuvenating Springs
*1 Scalding Tarn
*1 Shifting Woodland
*1 Starting Town
*1 Steam Vents
*1 Stomping Ground
*1 Taiga
*1 Talon Gates of Madara
*1 Training Center
*1 Tropical Island
*1 Verdant Catacombs
*1 Volcanic Island
*1 Windswept Heath
*1 Wooded Foothills
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Wrap Up</h2>
<p>Bruce Banner may be a sorcery-speed only engine, but it's still a one-mana engine in a world where having access to your Commander early is often a huge advantage. To top it all of, in the late game The Incredible Hulk has real combo potential - artifacts aren't too hard to tutor for in blue, and Caltrops is pretty cheap to cast considering it can end the game the turn it resolves.</p>
<p>Only time will tell how much staying power the deck really has, but one thing's for sure: it certainly has potential.</p>


Building Bruce Banner // The Incredible Hulk for cEDH

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Namor the Sub-Mariner" href="#" target="_blank">Namor the Sub-Mariner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.rallisart.com/magic-the-gathering" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chris Rallis</a></span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ahh yes, Merfolk. "Wet Elves," if you will. One of <em>Magic</em>'s most beloved creature types, and one of their most powerful, just got a brand new commander that's coming out in 2026. I might not know much about Marvel's Namor, but I can say for certain that <em>Magic</em>'s Namor is one of the best Merfolk commanders we've seen since <em>The Lost Caverns of Ixalan</em>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Namor the Sub-Mariner"></div></div></p>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Namor the Sub-Mariner" href="#" target="_blank">Namor the Sub-Mariner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, Namor is a flying */4, and his power is equal to the number of Merfolk we've got on board. And whenever we cast a noncreature spell, we make a 1/1 Merfolk creature token for each <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> in that spell's mana cost. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Namor may seem relatively tame on the surface, but he's a Voltron threat all on his own. When combined with his ability to clog the board with tricksy Merfolk, this commander sure makes a splash.</span></p>
<p>Although Namor is a strong, evasive creature that can end combats in just a few turns, he's not the focus of our game plan. We'll control the board, and then buff up our Merfolk to swing in for victory. Namor makes more 1/1s than most of our opponents will be able to deal with, and those creature tokens will be how we aim to win the game.</p>
<p>I've built a strong <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/edhrec-guide-to-commander-brackets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bracket 3</a> list, and a cheap version of this list is possible if you cut just two or three pricey cards.</p>
<p>Let's get brewing, and see what Namor can do!</p>
<h2>Key Cards for Namor</h2>
<p>Merfolk have been a part of <em>Magic</em> since 1993, so there's a long history of powerful synergies to draw upon. Anthem effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lord of Atlantis" href="#" target="_blank">Lord of Atlantis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Master of the Pearl Trident" href="#" target="_blank">Master of the Pearl Trident</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are classics, and they work even better alongside newer releases like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vodalian Hexcatcher" href="#" target="_blank">Vodalian Hexcatcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Attuma, Atlantean Warlord" href="#" target="_blank">Attuma, Atlantean Warlord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>I'm particularly excited about Attuma, who makes <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seafloor Oracle" href="#" target="_blank">Seafloor Oracle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> seem like a relic. My favorite anthem effect, though, is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mindspring Merfolk" href="#" target="_blank">Mindspring Merfolk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Although it can only be used once, it's a fantastic finisher that we can make use of when it's time to close out the game.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lord of Atlantis"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Attuma, Atlantean Warlord"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mindspring Merfolk"></div></div>
<p>We've also got a small collection of what I'll call "mean" creatures that provide repeatable interaction for our opponents' game plans. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Silvergill Douser" href="#" target="_blank">Silvergill Douser</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can shrink our opponents' best attackers over and over again, ensuring that they can't connect with their most powerful creatures. We'll usually have enough Merfolk to reduce an opposing creature's power to zero, which is a pretty sweet ability for this two-drop.</p>
<p>Then there's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harbinger of the Seas" href="#" target="_blank">Harbinger of the Seas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which will pose a serious issue to our opponents who chose to play multicolored decks against us. It'll likely get removed pretty quickly, as most Commander decks run a bevy of nonbasic lands, but it can slow everyone else at the table down by a turn or two.</p>
<p>Finally, the meanest of the bunch: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lullmage Mentor" href="#" target="_blank">Lullmage Mentor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I almost feel bad for including this card in the list, as this Wizard can lock down the game easily. Paired with Namor, we'll usually have enough Merfolk on the board to counter at least one spell per turn rotation. The threat of activation can prevent opponents from even attempting to cast their scariest spell, meaning Lullmage Mentor is even stronger than it appears at first blush.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Silvergill Douser"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Harbinger of the Seas"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lullmage Mentor"></div></div>
<p>To find these powerful creatures more consistently, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Merrow Harbinger" href="#" target="_blank">Merrow Harbinger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seahunter" href="#" target="_blank">Seahunter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> have found their way into the 99. Seahunter is actually part of a cycle of cards that tutor creatures of a specific type to the battlefield, and I've not seen any of these cards in person.</p>
<p>We'll be making a lot of tokens, often in bunches of three or four, so <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Moonlit Meditation" href="#" target="_blank">Moonlit Meditation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be extremely powerful. If we manage to enchant a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Merfolk Sovereign" href="#" target="_blank">Merfolk Sovereign</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with this Aura, we can generate a whole bunch of anthems to power up our board. Moonlit Meditation is a recent release, and I've been trying to find the perfect home for this unique card since it was first spoiled. I think this may be one of the best fits I've found yet.</p>
<p>We can use all the tokens we make to convoke out a huge <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Transcendent Message" href="#" target="_blank">Transcendent Message</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, creating four 1/1 Merfolk and drawing a ton of cards. This spell can even be cast for "free" if we've got enough creatures on the battlefield, letting us spend our mana on interaction before tapping down our Merfolk to draw a whole bunch of cards.</p>
<p>Similarly, we can tap our creatures for another powerful noncreature spell: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Secret of Bloodbending" href="#" target="_blank">Secret of Bloodbending</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This new sorcery does a very good <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mindslaver" href="#" target="_blank">Mindslaver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> impression while also making four Merfolk if Namor is on the battlefield when we cast it.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Moonlit Meditation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Transcendent Message"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Secret of Bloodbending"></div></div>
<p>To ensure that our commander works as well as possible we've got some spells in our list specifically for their high <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> pip count.</p>
<p>First up is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fated Infatuation" href="#" target="_blank">Fated Infatuation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, an above-rate clone spell that also gives us some valuable card selection. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reenact the Crime" href="#" target="_blank">Reenact the Crime</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has also earned a spot. I like to include at least one piece of graveyard hate in each of my Commander decks, and this instant is my go-to for color combinations that don't include <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-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, 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>. Those colors have access to more consistent, and lower-cost, anti-graveyard tech. But, Reenact the Crime is far from a bad option in this spellslinging-centric list.</p>
<p>I also wanted to shout out a pair of high-cost, high-impact sorceries: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mnemonic Deluge" href="#" target="_blank">Mnemonic Deluge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sorcerous Squall" href="#" target="_blank">Sorcerous Squall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. We've got a few ways to fill up graveyards, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mental Note" href="#" target="_blank">Mental Note</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thought Scour" href="#" target="_blank">Thought Scour</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, so these spells will usually change the game substantially when they resolve. Many of these spells likely can't see play outside of mono-<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> decks, as their restrictive mana costs make them unattractive for pilots that play with more than one color.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fated Infatuation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reenact the Crime"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mnemonic Deluge"></div></div>
<h2>How Does This Namor Deck Win?</h2>
<p>Merfolk creature tokens don't have any inherent evasion. How can we ensure that we're able to connect with our opponents? Well, one-sided wipes like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raise the Palisade" href="#" target="_blank">Raise the Palisade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can clear a path for us quite well. Outside of dedicated typal decks, Merfolk are quite rare. So, for just <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-4" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, we'll be able to get rid of almost all of our opponents' creatures while ours remain untouched.</p>
<p>There's also <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Leviathan" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Leviathan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While this Saga creature leaves a few more of our opponents' creatures on the board, it's also a 6/6 creature that lets us draw a whole heap of cards with its second and third chapters. We can also lock down the board with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Junk Winder" href="#" target="_blank">Junk Winder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, one of the few cards with affinity for tokens!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Raise the Palisade"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Summon: Leviathan"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Junk Winder"></div></div>
<p>But if our token-based game plan doesn't work out, we can always attack our opponents with Namor. He'll get up above seven power quite quickly, meaning that we'll only need three hits to knock a player out of the game entirely. Other large creatures, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="River Sneak" href="#" target="_blank">River Sneak</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, can serve as an alternative path to victory.</p>
<p>Plus, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wanderwine Prophets" href="#" target="_blank">Wanderwine Prophets</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets us chain extra turns easily. Assuming we're able to cast at least one noncreature spell with a <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> pip per turn, we string together as many turns as we please.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="River Sneak"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wanderwine Prophets"></div></div>
<h2>Namor the Sub-Mariner Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Marvel&#039;s First Mutant!" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Namor the Sub-Mariner
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Attuma, Atlantean Warlord
*1 Emperor Mihail II
*1 Floodpits Drowner
*1 Forensic Researcher
*1 Harbinger of the Seas
*1 Junk Winder
*1 Kopala, Warden of Waves
*1 Lord of Atlantis
*1 Lullmage Mentor
*1 Master of the Pearl Trident
*1 Merfolk Sovereign
*1 Merrow Harbinger
*1 Merrow Reejerey
*1 Metallic Mimic
*1 Mindspring Merfolk
*1 River Sneak
*1 Seafloor Oracle
*1 Seahunter
*1 Silvergill Douser
*1 Stonybrook Banneret
*1 Summon: Leviathan
*1 Svyelun of Sea and Sky
*1 Talrand, Sky Summoner
*1 Thieving Skydiver
*1 Tishana&#039;s Tidebinder
*1 Titan of Littjara
*1 Triton Wavebreaker
*1 Vodalian Hexcatcher
*1 Wanderwine Prophets
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Aquitect&#039;s Will
*1 Distant Melody
*1 Mnemonic Deluge
*1 Raise the Palisade
*1 Secret of Bloodbending
*1 Sorcerous Squall
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Archmage&#039;s Charm
*1 Consider
*1 Counterspell
*1 Cryptic Command
*1 Fated Infatuation
*1 Fierce Guardianship
*1 Filter Out
*1 Frantic Search
*1 Into the Flood Maw
*1 Mental Note
*1 Misdirection
*1 Mission Briefing
*1 Opt
*1 Pongify
*1 Rapid Hybridization
*1 Reenact the Crime
*1 Resculpt
*1 Sink into Stupor // Soporific Springs
*1 Thought Scour
*1 Transcendent Message
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Combat Research
*1 Deeproot Pilgrimage
*1 Deeproot Waters
*1 Kindred Discovery
*1 Moonlit Meditation
[/Enchantments]
[Battles]
*1 Invasion of Segovia // Caetus, Sea Tyrant of Segovia
[/Battles]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Sapphire Medallion
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Throne of Eldraine
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Agna Qel&#039;a
*30 Island
*1 Mistrise Village
*1 Mutavault
*1 Three Tree City
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are a few more cards that I didn't get to chat about earlier that I want to acknowledge now. One of my favorite creatures, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Triton Wavebreaker" href="#" target="_blank">Triton Wavebreaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, just so happens to be a Merfolk! Bestow is a fantastic mechanic, both in flavor and function, and this enchantment creature can turn Namor into an even scarier Voltron threat. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Next up, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kindred Discovery" href="#" target="_blank">Kindred Discovery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might be one of the best cards in this deck. It makes two Merfolk on cast, and will let us draw tons of cards as the game goes on. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The duo of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deeproot Pilgrimage" href="#" target="_blank">Deeproot Pilgrimage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deeproot Waters" href="#" target="_blank">Deeproot Waters</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will give us a constant stream of 1/1 Merfolk. The tokens they make even have hexproof, making them that much stronger!</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Triton Wavebreaker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kindred Discovery"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deeproot Pilgrimage"></div></div>
<p>Namor is such a good commander because he provides us with a substantial reward for taking normal game actions. We already want to cast a whole bunch of spells, usually ones that have a few <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> pips in them, and our commander provides us with disposable creatures when we do so. Plus, there's lots of anthems available from this creature type's broad support over the years, meaning that we can turn those simple 1/1s into potent attackers with ease.</p>
<p>Did I miss any of the best Merfolk? Did my description of the creatures as "Wet Elves" make you uncomfortable? Let me know in the comments below!</p>


A Deck Tech for Marvel's First Mutant - Namor the Sub-Mariner!

The Sentry, Golden Guardian Deck Tech

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quicksilver, Brash Blur" href="#" target="_blank">Quicksilver, Brash Blur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CMichael+MacRae%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michael MacRae</a></em></p>
<p>The heroes have arrived. Some are faster than others, but no one is faster than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quicksilver, Brash Blur" href="#" target="_blank">Quicksilver, Brash Blur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a speedster hero who now joins the ever-growing cast of characters on <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> cards.</p>
<p>What happens when we embrace the true essence of speed and build a deck around it? I'll show you. This is a deck tech for Quicksilver, and all anyone who plays against it will see is a single blur.</p>
<h2>Quicksilver, Brash Blur</h2>
<p>When deckbuilding, you might have to make concessions when building around certain cards. Sometimes you can't have everything work in your favor. This is the case with Quicksilver.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Quicksilver, Brash Blur"></div></div>
<p>As amazing as it would be to start a game with Quicksilver on the battlefield, if we want him to be our commander, we have to sacrifice that part of the text box. Instead, our focus is on speed and efficiency. With a single red casting cost and built-in haste, this card comes down attacking early and often. Not to mention, the more it has to be recast, the cheaper its power-up ability gets.</p>
<p>With all the parts of the card that can work as our commander in focus, I figured we should lean in as much as possible. That means a lot of one-mana cards and a bunch of hasty creatures.</p>
<h2>Not Sonic, But Still Fast</h2>
<p>The deck might not have any Hedgehogs in the creature suite, but that doesn't mean they don't want to go fast. The expectation would be that a deck full of one-mana creatures would pack no punch, but you may be surprised.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bomat Courier"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Signal Pest"></div></div>
<p>Some out there will remember just how important a card <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bomat Courier" href="#" target="_blank">Bomat Courier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was during its time in Standard. While not as dominant in the Commander format, there's no denying that card advantage is always significant, and having it on a one-drop creature is incredible. Sure, getting rid of the cards in your hand might feel bad, but when those cards aren't helping you win the game, sacrifices must be made.</p>
<p>One-drops can't do everything, after all. Some effects would never be printed onto that cheap of a card. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer" href="#" target="_blank">Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fixes those problems. Stealing cards from the top of your opponents' decks and creating a Treasure, allowing for more plays of your own cards or well-timed uses of cards from others. I don't need to convince you how good Ragavan is as a standalone card, but it's one of the most important creatures in this list.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Signal Pest" href="#" target="_blank">Signal Pest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> may look out of place in this list. Why would we ever want a one-drop creature with no power? To pump up our other creatures, obviously. Attacking early and often means that every time damage can be done, it needs to be maximized, so giving +1/+0 to our board will help pump up those damage numbers.</p>
<h2>More Than Damage</h2>
<p>When filling the deck with a single mana value, finding card advantage and additional effects is difficult. Thankfully, red creatures at our single point on the curve love to come with further upside. Sometimes that's card draw, sometimes it's creature creation, and other times it's a way to affect our opponents' boards.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Insolent Neonate"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rosnakht, Heir of Rohgahh"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Intimidator Initiate"></div></div>
<p>Not only is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Insolent Neonate" href="#" target="_blank">Insolent Neonate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> a solid attacker thanks to having menace, but it's another way we can draw cards. Similar to Bomat, we have to give up the Neonate to do so, but it could get us what we need when we need it. If we never have to get rid of the Neonate, then the game is going in our favor, and we get to keep an evasive creature.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rosnakht, Heir of Rohgahh" href="#" target="_blank">Rosnakht, Heir of Rohgahh</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> acts as the second Signal Pest in the deck. As with the Pest, giving bonus power to our team on attack is extremely valuable. Unlike the Pest, Rosnakht can also give us more bodies to be pumped up. <em>Heroic</em> on Rosnakht makes every spell cast onto them come with a bonus 0/1 Kobold. More 0/1s can cause more damage if they stick around, or more creatures to throw under the bus of our opponents.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Intimidator Initiate" href="#" target="_blank">Intimidator Initiate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> allows us to use whatever mana we have lying around to do something other than cast one-mana spells. The deck doesn't need much mana to function, but we need to do something with the mana we have lying around. In comes the Intimidator. Every red spell we cast can turn into one fewer blocker on the board.</p>
<p>It can also be used politically since the trigger comes off anyone casting a red spell, so we can even get some favor by letting an opponent connect with an unblocked creature.</p>
<h2>"One" Mana Spells</h2>
<p>All one-mana spells are not created equal. Thankfully, that works in our deck's favor. The possibility that we run into a mana flood is somewhere above zero percent, and spells that "cost" one mana but come with additional casting costs or have an x in the casting cost can turn flood into our best friend.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mishra&#039;s Command"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Great Train Heist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shivan Devastator"></div></div>
<p>Creatures have been the focal point of the deck so far, but that doesn't mean they should get all the love. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mishra&#039;s Command" href="#" target="_blank">Mishra&#039;s Command</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a fantastic modal spell in the deck. First and foremost, it serves as another source of card draw, but it comes with two forms of removal and the ability to pump and give haste.</p>
<p>In a pinch, it can even be cast without putting anything into the x part of the casting cost to give a creature haste.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Great Train Heist" href="#" target="_blank">Great Train Heist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might be the best card for us to pump extra mana into. One of the only spells with a mana value of one that we can't use for only one mana. For a total of four mana, we get an untap and extra combat. Bring it up to six mana, and now we get +1/+0 and first strike. And for seven mana total, the player on the receiving end of our attack will give us a Treasure for every creature we hit with.</p>
<p>All of that for seven mana is a steal, but four mana is where this card shines and where we want to be casting it most times.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shivan Devastator" href="#" target="_blank">Shivan Devastator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of the biggest creatures that this deck can bring to the table. It's also one of the only flyers that we have at our disposal. If we can only get four or five mana into this card, it's still worth it to bring combat from the air rather than being stuck on the ground. In the late game, it's possible that we can take a player out with this creature alone.</p>
<h2>No Sol Ring, No Problem</h2>
<p>Yes, you read that title right, this deck isn't playing <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>. Many of the cards in this deck only cost a single mana, but that mana is a single <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>. When it comes to making extra mana for some of the cards in the section above, there's a surprising amount of Treasure generation in this list.</p>
<p>In the end, I decided the deck would be more interesting and does not need to rely on Sol Ring. Instead, we have a much more interesting lineup of artifacts.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Meekstone"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pip-Boy 3000"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dire Flail"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Meekstone" href="#" target="_blank">Meekstone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the MVC (most valuable card) of this deck by a mile. This could be the difference between winning and losing a game if we can get it to stick. The entire deck can just about dodge the downside of the Meekstone, and that isn't something the rest of the table can say.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pip-Boy 3000" href="#" target="_blank">Pip-Boy 3000</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an Equipment that players may not be used to seeing, since the card is from the <em>Fallout</em> batch. Providing the ever-sought-after card draw on attack is excellent, but pumping up a creature or untapping lands to be used for mid-combat spells makes this an underrated Equipment. All of this, and the creature doesn't even need to connect.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dire Flail" href="#" target="_blank">Dire Flail</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would be fine if the front side were all it had to offer. For only a <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, getting a +2/+0 pump at equip <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> is playable. Once we're able to craft it, it gets so much better. Now, a +3/+0 pump and the way to turn extra artifacts into blocker removal make it very easy to connect with a creature.</p>
<h2>A Single Spicy Pepper</h2>
<p>For having only cards that cost one mana, I figured this list wouldn't come with much spice. I was happily wrong.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Onslaught"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skred"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Quest for Pure Flame"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Onslaught" href="#" target="_blank">Onslaught</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> joins the short list of cards that are also the name of an entire set. It also finds itself on the "I didn't know this was a card" list. Since we run 31 creatures, triggering this card should be pretty straightforward. The fewer creatures the table has to block, the more damage we can get in.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skred" href="#" target="_blank">Skred</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might look a bit funny in this list, but there was no way I would leave out what could be the best single-target creature removal spell in some games. With 13 <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Snow-Covered Mountain" href="#" target="_blank">Snow-Covered Mountain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Frostwalk Bastion" href="#" target="_blank">Frostwalk Bastion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we have the potential for a one-mana 15 damage spell. That might be unlikely, but we can dream.</p>
<p>Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quest for Pure Flame" href="#" target="_blank">Quest for Pure Flame</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can come down often, and getting four counters on it could take as little as a single combat. While it will only double damage against a single player, doubling all the damage they take for a turn can be huge. Even with a small power board, turning seven or nine damage into 14 or 18 can flip a game on its head.</p>
<h2>Wrap Up</h2>
<p>This is the first time I've ever built a deck around a single mana value. It was a more enjoyable experience than I imagined. I'm not sure that, for the Commander format, the best choice was the one mana slot, but Quicksilver costs what it costs.</p>
<p>When it comes to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quicksilver, Brash Blur" href="#" target="_blank">Quicksilver, Brash Blur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, I'm disappointed that it won't be a better Commander. At the same time, maybe that's best for the game that there isn't a super oppressive one-mana creature. Time will tell how many players get to put this onto the battlefield before the first turn of the game even begins, and I would be lying if I told you that I didn't want to be one of those players.</p>
<p>What do you think of Quicksilver? What characters are you excited to see in the set? How fast is too fast? Let me know anywhere you can find me on the web @nicnax96.</p>
<h2>Quicksilver, Brash Blur Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="A Single Blur" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Quicksilver, Brash Blur
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Bomat Courier
*1 Burnout Bashtronaut
*1 Clockwork Percussionist
*1 Dragon&#039;s Rage Channeler
*1 Fervent Champion
*1 Foundry Street Denizen
*1 Freya Crescent
*1 Gingerbrute
*1 Goblin Bushwhacker
*1 Goblin Grappler
*1 Goblin Guide
*1 Gorilla Shaman
*1 Greasewrench Goblin
*1 Hall Monitor
*1 Impulsive Pilferer
*1 Insolent Neonate
*1 Intimidator Initiate
*1 Legion Loyalist
*1 Lightning Serpent
*1 Marauding Mako
*1 Monastery Swiftspear
*1 Rabbit Battery
*1 Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer
*1 Reckless Lackey
*1 Rosnakht, Heir of Rohgahh
*1 Satyr Hoplite
*1 Shivan Devastator
*1 Signal Pest
*1 Stadium Headliner
*1 Vexing Devil
*1 Zurgo Bellstriker
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Crash Through
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Ground Rift
*1 Infernal Plunge
*1 Magmatic Insight
*1 Mishra&#039;s Command
*1 Overmaster
*1 Reckless Charge
*1 Renegade Tactics
*1 Smoke Spirits&#039; Aid
*1 Song of Totentanz
*1 Vandalblast
*1 Winds of Change
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Balduvian Rage
*1 Desperate Gambit
*1 Great Train Heist
*1 Lightning Bolt
*1 Might of the Meek
*1 Monstrous Rage
*1 Needle Drop
*1 Outmaneuver
*1 Pyroblast
*1 Redirect Lightning
*1 Rites of Initiation
*1 Skred
*1 Spikefield Hazard // Spikefield Cave
*1 Telim&#039;Tor&#039;s Edict
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Bag of Holding
*1 Diamond Pick-Axe
*1 Dire Flail // Dire Blunderbuss
*1 Meekstone
*1 Mirran Banesplitter
*1 Pip-Boy 3000
*1 Pyrite Spellbomb
*1 Shadowspear
*1 Soul-Guide Lantern
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Dragon Mantle
*1 Mob Mentality
*1 Onslaught
*1 Quest for Pure Flame
*1 Sticky Fingers
*1 War Squeak
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Arena of Glory
*1 Castle Embereth
*1 Den of the Bugbear
*1 Dwarven Mine
*1 Forgotten Cave
*1 Frostwalk Bastion
*1 Horizon of Progress
*1 Inkmoth Nexus
*1 Mutavault
*13 Snow-Covered Mountain
*1 Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance
*1 Talon Gates of Madara
*1 War Room
*1 Witch&#039;s Clinic
[/Lands]"></span></div>


Running the Table With Just One Mana, With Quicksilver, Brash Blur

<p style="text-align: right;"><em>Header image art by <a href="https://victoradameart.com/">Victor Adame Minguez</a> (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="High Perfect Morcant" href="#" target="_blank">High Perfect Morcant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) | <a href="https://danscottart.com/">Dan Murayama Scott</a> (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flourishing Defenses" href="#" target="_blank">Flourishing Defenses</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>)</em></p>
<p>It behooves <em>Magic </em>players to keep one eye on reveals at all times, these days.</p>
<p>While the buzz generated from a Tuesday drop of a number of <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/msh">Marvel Super Heroes</a> </em>cards was still reverberating, even more reveals rippled out from Wizards of the Coast HQ. Yesterday, that came in the form of three cards:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Unexpected Assistance"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Perfect Intimidation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="High Perfect Morcant"></div></div>
<p>It's that last one aiming to outshine its superheroic rivals guest-spotting from <em>Marvel. </em></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="High Perfect Morcant" href="#" target="_blank">High Perfect Morcant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, revealed as part of the ongoing <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/ecl"><em>Lorwyn Eclipsed</em></a> <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/magic-story/lorwyn-eclipsed-episode-1-out-of-this-wood">story arc</a>, is barely a day old and is already flying up the ranks.</p>
<p>As of the time of this writing, we can see High Perfect Morcant is already leading 200 decks, as per EDHREC. To put that into context, there are three other legendary creatures from <em>Lorwyn Eclipsed </em>that have been in the public's collective awareness since <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/everything-revealed-for-2026-in-the-preview-panel-at-magiccon-atlanta">MagicCon Atlanta in late September</a>:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ashling, Rekindled"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sygg, Wanderwine Wisdom"></div></div>
<p>That's three months, give or take, of deckbuilding time for that original trio. Eirdu's leading the way with 612 lists, while Ashling's leading 211. Sygg's bringing up the rear with 90.</p>
<p>That means in only 24 hours, High Perfect Morcant's already more popular than Sygg, and breathing down the rekindled neck of Ashling.</p>
<h2>What's powering that popularity?</h2>
<p>We can look for early indicators on <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/high-perfect-morcant">Morcant's Commander Page</a>.</p>
<p>From the hop, there's one glaring bit on Morcant's type line that'll always propel people into a deckbuilding frenzy: Elf.</p>
<p>Elves, <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/kindred">as a creature type</a>, are the second-most popular build-around, behind only Dragons.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lathril, Blade of the Elves"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Voja, Jaws of the Conclave"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Galadriel, Light of Valinor"></div></div>
<p>The above legends are the type's most popular leaders right now, with Lathril leading the way at 9,367. So Morcant's got a ways to go. But with 200 lists, Morcant's already more popular than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Imaryll, Elfhame Elite" href="#" target="_blank">Imaryll, Elfhame Elite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and not too far behind <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eladamri, Lord of Leaves" href="#" target="_blank">Eladamri, Lord of Leaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (294), a card that has a nearly three-decade headstart.</p>
<p>That's not saying too much, though, since Elves have plenty of better options for Commander these days. It remains to be seen where Morcant'll end up, but the card's got one thing about it the other Elf bosses don't, and that's an immediate and obnoxious two-card combo:</p>
<div id="1084-7151" style="width: 100%; position: relative; overflow: visible; display: flex; justify-content: center;"><img decoding="async" id="csbLoad" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/images/gear.svg" alt="csb logo" width="300" /><br />
<script id="1084-7151" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/embed.js?v=1&uses=%5B%22High%20Perfect%20Morcant%22%2C%22Flourishing%20Defenses%22%5D&requires=%5B%5D&produces=%5B%22Near-infinite%20ETB%22%2C%22Near-infinite%20creature%20tokens%22%2C%22Near-infinite%20proliferate%22%2C%22Reduce%20any%20number%20of%20opposing%20creatures'%20toughness%20to%200%22%2C%22Reduce%20any%20number%20of%20opposing%20creatures'%20toughness%20to%200%20whenever%20an%20Elf%20enters%20under%20your%20control%22%5D&id=1084-7151&color=G&extraRequirementCount=0"></script></div>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="." width="0" height="0"></iframe><br />
As seen above, pairing Morcant's ability with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flourishing Defenses" href="#" target="_blank">Flourishing Defenses</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> pretty much immediately wipes the battlefield free of any creature you don't control, and keeps it that way for as long as you've got both cards in play.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flourishing Defenses"></div></div>
<p>How popular is this particular pairing? Of the 200 Morcant decks already logged, 79% of them include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flourishing Defenses" href="#" target="_blank">Flourishing Defenses</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. People see a two-card combo, and they want to play that two card combo. <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/analyzing-marvel-super-heroes-first-trending-commanders">Just look at <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Caltrops" href="#" target="_blank">Caltrops</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></a>.</p>
<p>That percentage of inclusion is tops in Morcant decks by a mile if we factor out Elf creatures. Of the decks' noncreature spells, the next-most popular card is Elvish Promenade, at 61%</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elvish Promenade"></div></div>
<p>Oh, and earlier, that wasn't entirely true. There <em>is </em>one other Elf legend that can be a part of a two-card combo:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nath of the Gilt-Leaf"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sadistic Hypnotist"></div></div>
<div id="28-3611" style="width: 100%; position: relative; overflow: visible; display: flex; justify-content: center;"><img decoding="async" id="csbLoad" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/images/gear.svg" alt="csb logo" width="300" /><br />
<script id="28-3611" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/embed.js?v=1&uses=%5B%22Nath%20of%20the%20Gilt-Leaf%22%2C%22Sadistic%20Hypnotist%22%5D&requires=%5B%5D&produces=%5B%22Opponents%20can%20only%20have%20cards%20in%20hand%20when%20it%20isn't%20your%20turn%22%5D&id=28-3611&color=BG&extraRequirementCount=0"></script></div>
<h2><iframe loading="lazy" src="." width="0" height="0"></iframe></h2>
<p>There's also the aspect of <em>blight. </em></p>
<p>With High Perfect Morcant, we're getting a new keyword in <em>blight, </em>which reads:</p>
<p><em>Blight 1. (They each put a -1/-1 counter on a creature they control.)</em></p>
<p>It's a new, fancy thing on a <em>Magic </em>card, which means there'll be plenty among us who are going to want to give it a whirl. And who can blame them? So far, on the exactly one (1) card on which it exists, it's really neat.</p>
<h2>Hoofin' It Up the Rankings</h2>
<p>Obviously this is all kneejerk speculation, since the card doesn't technically exist yet. <em>Lorwyn Eclipsed </em>doesn't release until January 23, 2026, which is simultaneously way too long of a wait and also right around the corner.</p>
<p>It'll be interesting to see where everything shakes out in terms of popularity of <em>Lorwyn Eclipsed </em>commanders, and EDHREC's the place to be to read all about that very topic as it develops.</p>
<p>In the meantime, reveals are going to come fast and furious - hell, in the span of writing this article, there's already been another:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kirol, Attentive First-Year"></div></div>
<p>Our little vampire teenager's already leading themselves one whole commander deck on EDHREC, acquired in the span of an hour or two.</p>
<p>So where do <em>you </em>fall when it comes to High Perfect Morcant? Signpost for what'll be a great set in <em>Lorwyn Eclipsed</em>? Or red flag?</p>
<p>Where do you think it lines up in terms of popularity opposite Bruce Banner and the rest of the Universes Beyond offerings that bookend <em>Lorwyn Eclipsed's </em>release? Sound off below!</p>
<h3>Read More:</h3>
<p>https://edhrec.com/articles/analyzing-marvel-super-heroes-first-trending-commanders</p>
<p>https://edhrec.com/articles/way-too-early-top-10-cards-of-2026</p>
<p>https://edhrec.com/articles/ashling-rekindled-ashling-rimebound-deck-tech</p>


The Popularity of High Perfect Morcant: 24 Hours Later

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Namor the Sub-Mariner" href="#" target="_blank">Namor the Sub-Mariner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Illustrated by <a href="https://www.rallisart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chris Rallis</a></em></p>
<p>Whenever a legendary creature is revealed in <em>Magic</em> previews, even ahead of its set's preview season, there will always be someone hoping to build it in Commander. Let's face facts: There's always someone who wants to be ahead of the curve. Trendsetters exist, plain and simple.</p>
<p>But what happens when a set like <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/msh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Marvel Super Heroes</em></a> gets previews? The property is clearly popular among comic book fans of many walks of life (except maybe for DC Comics diehards, but we won't get into that here). But are the legendary creatures <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/marvel-super-heroes-a-first-look-at-the-new-set" target="_blank" rel="noopener">previewed on December 9th</a> exciting enough to build around?</p>
<p>According to our data, one shone above the rest in the past 24 hours, so let's dive into that analysis!</p>
<h2>Spoiler Alert: It Ain't <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Namor the Sub-Mariner" href="#" target="_blank">Namor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>While cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Namor the Sub-Mariner" href="#" target="_blank">Namor the Sub-Mariner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are, in fact, behind the most prolific <em>Marvel Super Heroes</em> legend previewed yesterday, the numbers are actually not close at all.</p>
<p>Right now, <span class="edhrecp__link side-by-side"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bruce Banner" href="#" target="_blank">Bruce Banner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, also known as The Incredible Hulk, leads 82 Commander decks databased by EDHREC. Namor, as well as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doctor Doom" href="#" target="_blank">Doctor Doom</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, both lead 19 decks. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Baron Helmut Zemo" href="#" target="_blank">Baron Helmut Zemo</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> leads 18 decks, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Super-Skrull" href="#" target="_blank">Super-Skrull</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> commands a measly nine decks.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Namor the Sub-Mariner"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Doctor Doom"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Baron Helmut Zemo"></div></div>
<h2>The Breakdown of <em>Marvel Super Heroes</em> Commanders</h2>
<p>Why is this? There are a variety of reasons that the lower four of the top five decks are doing so poorly. There are also several reasons that Bruce Banner is doing so well:</p>
<ul>
<li>Doctor Doom costs a <em>lot</em> of mana to cast. Right now, mana value three is the new mana value four in terms of ideal maximum mana value for a commander. As a consequence of this upswing in speed, a mana value of six often has no place in the command zone.</li>
<li>Namor has to deal with a ton of competition in the Merfolk typal department. Granted, this fact may be affected (or eclipsed) by how much we see from <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/ecl" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Lorwyn Eclipsed</em></a>. He's decent and could work very nicely in any Merfolk pile's 99. However, as a monocolor legend, other legendary creatures with more colors at their disposal can often offer better resources for Merfolk themes.</li>
<li>Zemo is going to have stiff competition as well. Other mono-black commanders often recur cards, and they don’t exile to do it, especially with less of a devotion theme. Even at an easy mana value of three, players will inevitably prefer commanders like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toshiro Umezawa" href="#" target="_blank">Toshiro Umezawa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kaervek, the Punisher" href="#" target="_blank">Kaervek, the Punisher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (a card with a potentially ironic epithet considering the source material we're talking about). Even at a higher mana value, some players might even prefer <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chainer, Dementia Master" href="#" target="_blank">Chainer, Dementia Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Heck, even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed" href="#" target="_blank">Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is more conservative of resources if their playgroup is more chill with certain practices.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Toshiro Umezawa"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kenrith, the Returned King"></div></div>
<ul>
<li>Super-Skrull has to contend with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kenrith, the Returned King" href="#" target="_blank">Kenrith, the Returned King</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who is infinitely easier to cast and already has precedent as a massively popular commander. Currently, Kenrith is fighting tooth and nail to stay at the very bottom of the <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top 10 Most Popular Commanders on EDHREC</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> is close to outpacing him, however, and we will report on that when she does). For whatever it's worth, both Kenrith and Super-Skrull can kill while on an infinite mana bender. However, since Kenrith only costs one white pip and the rest in generic mana, Kenrith does it way more easily.</li>
</ul>
<h2>We Have a Hulk</h2>
<p>As for why Bruce Banner and The Incredible Hulk break this trend of semi-mediocre commanders so handily, one need only watch the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-Xnuym1wqY" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WeeklyMTG stream from yesterday</a>.</p>
<p>In it, Blake Rasmussen, Rachel Weeks, and Gabriel Luna go on pretty extensively about the ways you can combo off with the Hulk. These include the use of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pyrohemia" href="#" target="_blank">Pyrohemia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Caltrops" href="#" target="_blank">Caltrops</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to engage in either infinite or near-infinite combat steps with the Hulk.</p>
<p>In related news, the uncommon <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Caltrops" href="#" target="_blank">Caltrops</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> spiked (if you'll pardon the wordplay) yesterday to almost $11. The foil iteration of Caltrops from <em>Seventh Edition</em> also skyrocketed to $108. This was almost certainly due to the stream's discussion of the card.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Caltrops"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pyrohemia"></div></div>
<p>Does this mean anything for a card that comes out in June? It may be too early to tell, honestly. But frankly, my takeaway is that, even if Wizards of the Coast is unable to acknowledge the secondary market, they should play a bit less loose with cards that can soar like Caltrops now has.</p>
<p>Regardless of the spikes, Bruce Banner is clearly a hit with some Commander players. We'll have to see how well that sticks before June, but either way, the card is good.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards side-by-side"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bruce Banner"></div></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>And now, let's open the floor to you, dear readers! Why do you think Bruce Banner is the top <em>Marvel Super Heroes</em> commander at this time? Also, given that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Captain America, Super-Soldier" href="#" target="_blank">Captain America, Super-Soldier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> currently has <em>no</em> decks built around him, why do you think that is? Sound off with your speculations in the comments below!</p>


marvel super heroes

Building Bruce Banner // The Incredible Hulk for cEDH

A Deck Tech for Marvel's First Mutant - Namor the Sub-Mariner!

The Sentry, Golden Guardian Deck Tech

Running the Table With Just One Mana, With Quicksilver, Brash Blur

The Popularity of High Perfect Morcant: 24 Hours Later

Analyzing Marvel Super Heroes' First Trending Commanders

Marvel Super Heroes - A First Look at the New Set