<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grist, Voracious Larva" href="#" target="_blank">Grist, Voracious Larva</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://www.rahnart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chris Rahn</a></em></p>
<p>Hey nerds! A few weeks ago I wrote a <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/oops-all-dreadmaws-o-kagachi-vengeful-kami-deck-tech" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deck tech to honor the great</a> <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Colossal Dreadmaw" href="#" target="_blank">Colossal Dreadmaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. And the restriction of only six-drop creatures got me thinking: What other weird restrictions should I try building a deck with?</p>
<p>This time, instead of going big with a bunch of 6/6 creatures, I wanted to go as small as possible, only using one-mana creatures. And who's smaller than <span class="edhrecp__link side-by-side"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grist, Voracious Larva" href="#" target="_blank">Grist, Voracious Larva</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> at one mana?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards side-by-side"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grist, Voracious Larva"></div></div>
<p>You might be wondering why I chose Grist specifically over powerhouses like <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>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhys the Redeemed" href="#" target="_blank">Rhys the Redeemed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tamiyo, Inquisitive Student" href="#" target="_blank">Tamiyo, Inquisitive Student</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. And the simple answer is win conditions. At one mana, black offers several options to grind out victory, while green provides Hydras to soften up opponents and <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/List_of_Magic_slang#Mana_dork" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mana dorks</a> to cast said Hydras.</p>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link side-by-side"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grist, Voracious Larva" href="#" target="_blank">Grist, Voracious Larva</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<p>Grist wants creatures to enter from the graveyard so she can flip and turn into a planeswalker. Generally, planeswalkers in commander are pretty weak since you have three players who can swing at them. But Grist can flip as early as turn two with the right setup, allowing you to create enough deathtouch blockers to deter anyone from attack.</p>
<p>She can also remove any pesky artifacts or enchantments at little cost.</p>
<p>Despite being full of one-drop creatures, I'd classify this deck as more midrange than aggro. You can have some explosive starts, closing out games quickly, but you can also grind out victory in some surprising ways.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link side-by-side"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grist, Voracious Larva" href="#" target="_blank">Grist, Voracious Larva</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<h3>Scaleable Cards</h3>
<p>Some people might consider X spells cheating; however, I consider them a vital part of the deck.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goldvein Hydra"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sporocyst"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pest Infestation"></div></div>
<p>Having mana outlets that scale with the game is critical, so you don't fall behind on board later in the game.</p>
<p>There are several Hydras in the deck. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goldvein Hydra" href="#" target="_blank">Goldvein Hydra</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has several powerful keywords and refunds most of its mana cost when it dies. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sporocyst" href="#" target="_blank">Sporocyst</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can protect Grist and let us turn mana from our dorks into actual lands. And <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pest Infestation" href="#" target="_blank">Pest Infestation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides key removal and bodies we can sacrifice for value and use as fodder to protect our queen.</p>
<h3>From the Graveyard</h3>
<p>To get Grist to flip, we need creatures to enter from the graveyard.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodsoaked Champion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cauldron Familiar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gravecrawler"></div></div>
<p>Spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unearth" href="#" target="_blank">Unearth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reanimate" href="#" target="_blank">Reanimate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are great for this, though they aren't repeatable. We also want to have creatures we can sacrifice early, or mill into, as a way to flip Grist. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodsoaked Champion" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodsoaked Champion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> only requires us to attack to return him. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cauldron Familiar" href="#" target="_blank">Cauldron Familiar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Witch&#039;s Oven" href="#" target="_blank">Witch&#039;s Oven</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides repeat life drain. And <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gravecrawler" href="#" target="_blank">Gravecrawler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> just requires a Zombie in play to cast it from the graveyard.</p>
<h3>Everything Is Kicker</h3>
<p>There is a long-standing joke that everything is either horsemanship or kicker.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Iridescent Vinelasher"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Joraga Warcaller"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Insatiable Avarice"></div></div>
<p>The offspring ability on creatures like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Iridescent Vinelasher" href="#" target="_blank">Iridescent Vinelasher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pawpatch Recruit" href="#" target="_blank">Pawpatch Recruit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is kicker. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Joraga Warcaller" href="#" target="_blank">Joraga Warcaller</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has multikicker, so it is actual kicker. And <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Insatiable Avarice" href="#" target="_blank">Insatiable Avarice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with spree is a mandatory kicker. It also provides a budget option to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vampiric Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Vampiric Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Imperial Seal" href="#" target="_blank">Imperial Seal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, both of which are one mana, but not included for budget reasons.</p>
<p>Much like the scalable cards mentioned above, kicker effects allow you to use mana that you'd otherwise lose later in the game.</p>
<h2>How Does Grist, Voracious Larva Win?</h2>
<p>Despite being a deck of one-drops, I managed to include a variety of win conditions.</p>
<h3>Punch Their Teeth In</h3>
<p>The first option is to punch them in the face.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scale Up"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tainted Strike"></div></div>
<p>Okay, don't actually punch your opponents. But you can sneak a win with a buffed creature and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tainted Strike" href="#" target="_blank">Tainted Strike</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Or turn all of your 1/1s into 6/4 Wurms with an overloaded <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scale Up" href="#" target="_blank">Scale Up</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Even for one mana, you can buff a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nested Shambler" href="#" target="_blank">Nested Shambler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> before sacrificing it to make six Squirrel tokens.</p>
<h3>Drain Them Out</h3>
<p>We don't have any one-mana <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects...yet.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodchief Ascension"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lead Pipe"></div></div>
<p>But you can do the next best thing with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodchief Ascension" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodchief Ascension</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While you can't control when this triggers as easily as Blood Artist, it still adds up quickly.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lead Pipe" href="#" target="_blank">Lead Pipe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a deep cut from <em>Murders at Karlov Manor. </em>You do need to equip it to trigger the drain, but for only two mana it won't be a problem.</p>
<h3>Plan C</h3>
<p>If all else fails, you can mill them out <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Altar of the Brood" href="#" target="_blank">Altar of the Brood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This isn't the best option since there aren't any infinite combos in the deck. But you still create enough tokens that it'll add up over time.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Altar of the Brood"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Helix Pinnacle"></div></div>
<p>And finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Helix Pinnacle" href="#" target="_blank">Helix Pinnacle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the ultimate mana sink. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Karn&#039;s Bastion" href="#" target="_blank">Karn&#039;s Bastion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the only way to proliferate in the deck, so you'll be limited to just pumping mana into this turn after turn.</p>
<p>These last two options are truly last resorts, but they fit the theme, so I had to include them.</p>
<h2>Grist, Voracious Larva Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Oops All One Drops" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Grist, Voracious Larva // Grist, the Plague Swarm
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Altar of the Brood
*1 Basilisk Collar
*1 Lead Pipe
*1 Meekstone
*1 Skullclamp
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Springleaf Drum
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
*1 Witch&#039;s Oven
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 Arbor Elf
*1 Arboreal Grazer
*1 Birds of Paradise
*1 Bloodsoaked Champion
*1 Boreal Druid
*1 Carrion Feeder
*1 Cauldron Familiar
*1 Champion of the Perished
*1 Cryptbreaker
*1 Deathrite Shaman
*1 Dragon Sniper
*1 Elves of Deep Shadow
*1 Elvish Mystic
*1 Essence Warden
*1 Fyndhorn Elves
*1 Gilded Goose
*1 Goldvein Hydra
*1 Gravecrawler
*1 Haywire Mite
*1 Hexdrinker
*1 Hungering Hydra
*1 Insidious Fungus
*1 Iridescent Vinelasher
*1 Joraga Warcaller
*1 Knight of the Ebon Legion
*1 Llanowar Elves
*1 Nested Shambler
*1 Nethergoyf
*1 Nyxborn Hydra
*1 Pawpatch Recruit
*1 Pelt Collector
*1 Shambling Ghast
*1 Sporocyst
*1 Stitcher&#039;s Supplier
*1 Termagant Swarm
*1 Wren&#039;s Run Hydra
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Bloodchief Ascension
*1 Helix Pinnacle
*1 Shapers&#039; Sanctuary
*1 Stocking the Pantry
*1 Tortured Existence
*1 Utopia Sprawl
*1 Vampiric Rites
*1 Wild Growth
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Bloodchief&#039;s Thirst
*1 Glimpse of Nature
*1 Insatiable Avarice
*1 Pest Infestation
*1 Reanimate
*1 Scale Up
*1 Unearth
*1 Urborg Repossession
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Cut Down
*1 Dark Ritual
*1 Fatal Push
*1 Malakir Rebirth // Malakir Mire
*1 Revitalizing Repast // Old-Growth Grove
*1 Tainted Strike
*1 Tragic Slip
*1 Trash the Town
[/Instants]
[Lands]
*1 Blooming Marsh
*1 Command Tower
*1 Deathcap Glade
*1 Festering Thicket
*7 Forest
*1 Gilt-Leaf Palace
*1 Karn&#039;s Bastion
*1 Llanowar Wastes
*1 Nurturing Peatland
*1 Overgrown Tomb
*7 Swamp
*1 Twilight Mire
*1 Underground Mortuary
*1 Undergrowth Stadium
*1 Vernal Fen
*1 Viridescent Bog
*1 Wastewood Verge
*1 Woodland Cemetery
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>I'm loving brewing with restrictions like this. Not just for the challenge, but for the reaction people get when I share the deck. Will this deck win 50% of the time? Probably not. But it's fun playing weird decks that won't work in 1v1 <em>Magic </em>and seeing if the table figures out the gimmick. Or giving it to a friend but telling them nothing. Just let them figure it out on the fly. That's my favorite thing about the format.</p>
<p>I'd love to hear about what weird restrictions you'd like to see next. Would you like to see this become a running series? Let me know down below!</p>
<p>Also, if you want to see even more <em>Magic</em> content from me, you can find plenty of that on my YouTube channel <a href="http://youtube.com/@BRBMTG?utm_source=edhrec" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BathroomBrewsMTG</a>. Alrighty nerds, I'll see you in the next one!</p>


one mv

Oops, All One-Drops - Grist, Voracious Larva Commander Deck