<h6 style="text-align: right;"><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> <em>| art by <a href="https://www.ericdeschamps.com/">Eric Deschamps</a></em></h6>
<p>Hello, everyone, my name's Jonathan and today I'm going to revisit an iconic commander with the help of the new cards from the upcoming <em>Marvel Super Heroes </em>set. The general I'll be talking about is one of the most beloved and hated at the same time: it's <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>. So, let's see what new direction I decided to follow to build such an (in)famous commander.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Twist: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Living Laser" href="#" target="_blank">Living Laser</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Purphoros, God of the Forge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Living Laser"></div></div>
<p>Personally, one of the most interesting cards coming with the new sets is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Living Laser" href="#" target="_blank">Living Laser</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It's a bit clunky to get going, but once you do, it dishes out a ton of damage. And that's exactly what I sit down at Commander tables to do. But, rather than building a deck around it, I thought it would be interesting to slot it as a <em>secret</em> commander in a <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> deck.</p>
<p>Just to be clear, with "secret commander" I refer to a creature that <em>isn't</em> officially the commander in a deck, but that <em>is</em> a core piece of its strategy, to the point that it might as well be considered as a second commander.</p>
<p>The synergy between our two legends is pretty clear: discard a bunch of cards, get a bunch of attacking <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Living Laser" href="#" target="_blank">Living Laser</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> copies and a bunch of <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> triggers. All of this will result in a ton of direct damage to our opponents' faces and a horde of 4/4s coming their way.</p>
<p>This is also the perfect chance to build <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> in a new way. Rather than piling up on token generators, we want to include a lot of discard effects and creatures that synergize with those effects. In this way, we will churn through our deck to set up the perfect winning board state.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Discarding Our Way to Victory</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Faithless Looting"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Quarrel&#039;s End"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Founding of Omashu"></div></div>
<p>Our main engine revolves around continuously drawing and discarding cards. And if we can pair this effect up with some token generation, it'll be even better. For this reason, we gladly include some old goodies like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Faithless Looting" href="#" target="_blank">Faithless Looting</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but we also love to play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quarrel&#039;s End" href="#" target="_blank">Quarrel&#039;s End</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which is way more expensive, but we can use the creature it comes with to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shock" href="#" target="_blank">Shock</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> our opponents. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Founding of Omashu" href="#" target="_blank">Founding of Omashu</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another good inclusion, as it does everything I've just mentioned <em>and</em> it pumps our board.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sliversmith"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sparkspitter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jaxis, the Troublemaker"></div></div>
<p>But how about cards that only discard and create tokens? Well, we do have those as well. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sliversmith" href="#" target="_blank">Sliversmith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is cheap and reliable: it can get going in the very first turns of the game and it'll always be there to trigger all of our payoffs. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sparkspitter" href="#" target="_blank">Sparkspitter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is more aggressive, creating 3/1s that are eager to attack and deal damage themselves, in addition to triggering <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>. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jaxis, the Troublemaker" href="#" target="_blank">Jaxis, the Troublemaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can truly live up to its name: it can create tokens that are copies of creatures that create tokens, creating a very long chain of damage.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Discard Synergies: Phoenixes, Madness and Cycling</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cool but Rude"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Monument to Endurance"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bag of Holding"></div></div>
<p>Of course, we want to run a few additional payoffs other than our commander(s). First off, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cool but Rude" href="#" target="_blank">Cool but Rude</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> comes from another <em>Universe</em> but it synergizes very well with this one. Right off the bat it is a repeatable looting effect, which can easily become a source of consistent damage. We're not immediately interested in unlocking the third level, but it might prove crucial for a topic I'll develop later.</p>
<p>Then, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Monument to Endurance" href="#" target="_blank">Monument to Endurance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a Jack-of-all-trades that fits perfectly with our strategy: it can get us mana and/or cards if we run low on either of these resources, but it can propel us towards the finish line with some extra damage.</p>
<p>Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bag of Holding" href="#" target="_blank">Bag of Holding</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is our safety net. It sits on the board and slowly stashes cards; then, whenever we run out of gas in the tank, we can crack it and start all over again.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flamewake Phoenix"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Warcry Phoenix"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nemesis Phoenix"></div></div>
<p>While building the deck, I noticed that Phoenixes make for incredible discard fodder. First off, you always want them in the graveyard, so that you can recur them; additionally, this triggers <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>, which is always good. Then, expanding on the damage theme, they can be brought back again and again, giving us a ton of possibilities to deal damage to our opponents.</p>
<p>Among the most notable ones, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flamewake Phoenix" href="#" target="_blank">Flamewake Phoenix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is very easy to reanimate, considering it can trigger off of our commander. Then, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Warcry Phoenix" href="#" target="_blank">Warcry Phoenix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nemesis Phoenix" href="#" target="_blank">Nemesis Phoenix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> interact very well with our all-out aggressive plan.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anje&#039;s Ravager"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blazing Rootwalla"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Magmakin Artillerist"></div></div>
<p>An honorable mention also goes to the mechanics that interact positively with our plan, such as Madness and Cycling. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anje&#039;s Ravager" href="#" target="_blank">Anje&#039;s Ravager</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is always a bit of a risky play, but it can also be a saving grace if we run out of gas. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blazing Rootwalla" href="#" target="_blank">Blazing Rootwalla</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a free <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> trigger (as well as the mascot of the deck). Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magmakin Artillerist" href="#" target="_blank">Magmakin Artillerist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can truly get out of hand if it manages to stick on the board for a few turns.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Quest for Consistency</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gamble"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flamekin Harbinger"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Desecrate Reality"></div></div>
<p>Sadly, we're not playing black and/or green, two colors that would have helped a lot in terms of consistency. Those two colors give access to a lot of tutors, which are crucial in a secret commander deck. Nonetheless, we can make up for it with the huge amounts of cards we draw every turn.</p>
<p>But this is also where <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cool but Rude" href="#" target="_blank">Cool but Rude</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s third level comes into play.</p>
<p>In fact, we also run <em>some </em>tutors in a mono-red style. Obviously, we are including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gamble" href="#" target="_blank">Gamble</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, the closest this color can get to an actual tutor. On the same line, we are also playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fervent Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Fervent Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which is way more expensive, but it might also grant us a way bigger reward in terms of tutoring. The glaring drawback for both of these spells is the random discard effect: at the very least, we could get something useful out of it.</p>
<p>We actually do have one unconditional tutor: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flamekin Harbinger" href="#" target="_blank">Flamekin Harbinger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This card is one of the best in the deck, because it can tutor any Elemental creature to the top of our deck. And guess what creature type <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Living Laser" href="#" target="_blank">Living Laser</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> just so happens to be? Exactly.</p>
<p>Lastly, we also have some kind of recursion with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Desecrate Reality" href="#" target="_blank">Desecrate Reality</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which also doubles as a removal spell.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The New Cards</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fogwell&#039;s Gym"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Misty Knight, Hero for Hire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Molten Lavamancer"></div></div>
<p>There are actually quite a few cards coming from the <em>Marvel Super Heroes</em> main and commander sets that fit very well in this build.</p>
<p>We can start with some simple rummaging effects, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fogwell&#039;s Gym" href="#" target="_blank">Fogwell&#039;s Gym</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which makes for a good utility land, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="K&#039;un-Lun Warrior" href="#" target="_blank">K&#039;un-Lun Warrior</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vision of Love" href="#" target="_blank">Vision of Love</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, both of which are rebrandings of some already-known cards.</p>
<p>But we also get access to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hawkeye, Master Marksman" href="#" target="_blank">Hawkeye, Master Marksman</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can also count on two additional modes that can be useful at pushing more damage. Even more interesting, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Misty Knight, Hero for Hire" href="#" target="_blank">Misty Knight, Hero for Hire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be an excellent payoff at the end of a long turn of discarding cards. And how about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spider-Man, New Champion" href="#" target="_blank">Spider-Man, New Champion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? Just make sure you have it on the battlefield before discarding a bunch of cards and the game might be over in the blink of an eye.</p>
<p>We also get some nice complementary pieces to our strategy. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Molten Lavamancer" href="#" target="_blank">Molten Lavamancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a homerun of a card, since it'll instantly become a token-producing, damage-dealing machine in combination with <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>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doom&#039;s Time Platform" href="#" target="_blank">Doom&#039;s Time Platform</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heart-Shaped Herb" href="#" target="_blank">Heart-Shaped Herb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both somewhat of a protection/recursion tool, which are always welcome in this color. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Iron Man, Tony Stark" href="#" target="_blank">Iron Man, Tony Stark</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> simply goes crazy with our commander, basically saying that every spell we cast has three <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shock" href="#" target="_blank">Shock</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s stapled onto it.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Complete Decklist</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Purphoros 2.0" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Living Laser
*1 Purphoros, God of the Forge
[/Commander]
[Creature]
*1 Anje&#039;s Ravager
*1 Blazing Rootwalla
*1 Chase Stein, Runaway
*1 Conspiracy Theorist
*1 Detective&#039;s Phoenix
*1 Flamekin Harbinger
*1 Flamewake Phoenix
*1 Hawkeye, Master Marksman
*1 Hawkeye, Young Avenger
*1 Hulkling, Young Avenger
*1 Iron Man, Tony Stark
*1 Jack of Hearts, Volatile Hero
*1 Jaxis, the Troublemaker
*1 K&#039;un-Lun Warrior
*1 Lamplight Phoenix
*1 Lightning Phoenix
*1 Magmakin Artillerist
*1 Misty Knight, Hero for Hire
*1 Molten Gatekeeper
*1 Molten Lavamancer
*1 Nemesis Phoenix
*1 Ojer Axonil, Deepest Might // Temple of Power
*1 Phoenix Chick
*1 Phoenix of Ash
*1 Rekindling Phoenix
*1 Scrapwork Mutt
*1 Seasoned Pyromancer
*1 Sliversmith
*1 Solphim, Mayhem Dominus
*1 Sparkspitter
*1 Spider-Man, New Champion
*1 Thrill-Kill Disciple
*1 Warcry Phoenix
*1 Yidaro, Wandering Monster
[/Creature]
[Instant]
*1 Desecrate Reality
*1 Thrill of Possibility
*1 Vision of Love
[/Instant]
[Sorcery]
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Fervent Mastery
*1 Gamble
*1 Illuminate History
*1 Quarrel&#039;s End
[/Sorcery]
[Artifact]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bag of Holding
*1 Currency Converter
*1 Cursed Mirror
*1 Doom&#039;s Time Platform
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Fire Diamond
*1 Heart-Shaped Herb
*1 Liquimetal Torque
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Monument to Endurance
*1 Ruby Medallion
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Sword of Light and Shadow
*1 Trading Post
[/Artifact]
[Enchantment]
*1 Cool but Rude
*1 Founding of Omashu
[/Enchantment]
[Planeswalker]
*1 Chandra, Flamecaller
[/Planeswalker]
[Battle]
*1 Invasion of Mercadia // Kyren Flamewright
[/Battle]
[Land]
*1 Abstergo Entertainment
*1 Arena of Glory
*1 Fogwell&#039;s Gym
*1 Geier Reach Sanitarium
*26 Mountain
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance
*1 Spinerock Knoll
*1 War Room
*1 Witch&#039;s Clinic
[/Land]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>So, what do you think? Will you give this deck a try? Let me know in the comments below and I'll see you next time!</p>


https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Purphoros2C_God_of_the_Forge.webp

Rebuilding Purphoros with Marvel Super Heroes Cards

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Joshua, Phoenix&#039;s Dominant" href="#" target="_blank">Joshua, Phoenix&#039;s Dominant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/lasahido" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lius Lasahido</a></em></p>
<p><em>Magic: The Gathering</em> is a game that truly contains multitudes. For every color, there's some means to gain card advantage, to summon enormous creatures, to exert control over the battlefield, and so on. Such is also the case with card recursion. It may be obvious, but black is the best color to resurrect creatures on the whole. However, that won't stop <em>Magic</em>'s most iconic reviving creature, the Phoenix, from doing it the most self-sufficiently. Interestingly, <em>Final Fantasy</em>, the upcoming <em>Universes Beyond</em> set, has given us a fantastic commander to lead a bunch of Phoenixes. As such, today's deck tech features <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Joshua, Phoenix&#039;s Dominant" href="#" target="_blank">Joshua, Phoenix&#039;s Dominant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> of <a href="https://na.finalfantasyxvi.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Final Fantasy XVI</em></a> fame, with a Bracket 2 Phoenix kindred theme!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards side-by-side"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Joshua, Phoenix&#039;s Dominant"></div></div>
<h2>What Does Joshua, Phoenix's Dominant Do?</h2>
<p>On its front face, this commander from <em>Final Fantasy XVI</em> is a card advantage generator. Joshua is a white-red legendary Human Noble Wizard 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><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>. On entry, the Phoenix's Dominant allows you to discard up to two cards and draw that many back. He also has an activated ability 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><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> and tapping Joshua at sorcery-speed to transform him (via exile) into Phoenix, Warden of Fire.</p>
<p>Phoenix, Warden of Fire is where this commander gets <em>really</em> interesting. It's a Saga enchantment in addition to being a Phoenix creature. When each of the first two lore counters are put onto the Warden of Fire, it deals two damage to each opponent. Then, at its final lore addition, it reverts back into Joshua, but not before recurring up to six mana worth of creatures from your graveyard. When Joshua returns, his on-entry triggered ability will trigger once more. And so the cycle begins anew.</p>
<h3>Similar Commanders to Joshua</h3>
<p>As far as I can tell, only a handful of other commanders do anything remotely similar to Joshua. For one, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Daretti, Scrap Savant" href="#" target="_blank">Daretti, Scrap Savant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does a neat imitation, albeit stymied by being a planeswalker card rather than a creature. Most other Boros commanders are even further from doing what Joshua can do. However, some, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hofri Ghostforge" href="#" target="_blank">Hofri Ghostforge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for instance, can play the recursion game relatively well.</p>
<p>The closest we're going to get with a Boros commander to this build is Otharri, Suns' Glory, which we'll cover later on, as it <em>is</em> in this deck list. It makes for a decent Phoenix kindred commander, but Joshua very possibly has Otharri beat.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Daretti, Scrap Savant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Otharri, Suns&#039; Glory"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hofri Ghostforge"></div></div>
<h3>Joshua's Strategy</h3>
<p>Design-wise, Boros is a very conflicted color identity right now. The color pair wants either to innovate with recursive measures, which many players seem potentially wary of on a power-level basis, or it wants to be pure combat, which many players seem fairly tired of overall. Therefore, this deck will take hints from both ends of the Boros spectrum and add in a little extra flair.</p>
<p>This deck is a Phoenix kindred build, where we want to be attacking as often as possible with creatures that can recur themselves easily. We have the necessary means to make them cost much less than they normally would, as well as ways to buff them on the battlefield. Those who've played either with or against any kindred build know the typical gist of this.</p>
<p>Additionally, this deck boasts a sizeable <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> package, which we'll get into when discussing specific card choices. Overall, we want this deck to play well at a Bracket 2, or "Core," table.</p>
<h2>Card Choices For This Joshua Deck</h2>
<p>This is a Phoenix kindred-themed build. As such, Phoenixes are core to our gameplay strategy. There is one other major concept we need to discuss as well, but let's start with the firebirds in question:</p>
<h3>Phoenixes - <em>Magic</em>'s "Kenny McCormick"</h3>
<p>Some Phoenixes I want to bring into this discussion are <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skyfire Phoenix" href="#" target="_blank">Skyfire Phoenix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Everquill Phoenix" href="#" target="_blank">Everquill Phoenix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Otharri, Suns&#039; Glory" href="#" target="_blank">Otharri, Suns&#039; Glory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. They all have certain nuances about them and make for excellent cards to add to the deck.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skyfire Phoenix"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Otharri, Suns&#039; Glory"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Everquill Phoenix"></div></div>
<p>Skyfire Phoenix is a great card to simply discard as soon as Joshua hits the battlefield. Unfortunately, it won't trigger off of Joshua's entry trigger. But whenever you cast Joshua during later plays, you can recur this Phoenix, giving you an additional flying, hasty body to smash into things.</p>
<p>Everquill Phoenix, like Joshua, is an excellent support card. When you get a chance to mutate it onto another creature, you'll be able to create a Feather token. You can sacrifice a Feather token to recur a Phoenix for just one mana. This recursion doesn't just apply to Everquill Phoenix! You can bring back <em>any</em> Phoenix from your graveyard with a Feather. In this way, Everquill is a fantastic choice to bring something back with a minimal amount of effort.</p>
<p>Otharri, Suns' Glory probably boasts the superlative for "most likely to be converted into a Joshua, Phoenix's Dominant deck." At the time of writing, Otharri and Joshua are probably the only real Boros Phoenix kindred commanders to hold any weight in the conversation. However, Otharri can only bring itself back, whereas Joshua can bring back any creature you want.</p>
<p>The commonality between these cards is their durability, tenacity, and ability to just resurrect for little effort. They are the "Kenny McCormick" (of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc2jdgA3f9Q" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>South Park</em></a> fame) of <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>, and I mean that in the most endearing way possible.</p>
<h3>Sunforger Package</h3>
<p>Now, let's look at some cards that form a strong <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> package. Sunforger often needs a ton of build-around to make it work optimally. You can only cast instants with a mana value of four or less with the card, so we've added in a whopping <em>sixteen</em> cards that fit the bill in here.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sunforger"></div></div>
<p>Sunforger counts towards our Bracket 2 limit of three tutors. The other two, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Steelshaper&#039;s Gift" href="#" target="_blank">Steelshaper&#039;s Gift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Open the Armory" href="#" target="_blank">Open the Armory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are in this deck almost exclusively to tutor up Sunforger itself. Efficiency is key, especially in a lower bracket.</p>
<p>Some of the stronger instants to cast with Sunforger are:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akroma&#039;s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Akroma&#039;s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This is an extremely versatile combat trick. You can safely use it to protect your creatures in all manner of ways. Alternatively, it can provide your creatures with additional offensive capabilities.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Master Warcraft" href="#" target="_blank">Master Warcraft</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Another combat trick in Boros, Master Warcraft is one of my favorite combat manipulation spells. Being able to force players to attack and/or block how you wish them to can turn the tides of entire games very quickly. Sadly, on another player's turn, you can't choose how creatures attack. However, you can manipulate the flow of battle with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Island Sanctuary" href="#" target="_blank">Island Sanctuary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for an easier time on an opposing player's turn.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clever Concealment" href="#" target="_blank">Clever Concealment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Sometimes your Phoenixes can't withstand a board wipe without a ton of necessary rebuilding afterwards. A strictly defensive option, Clever Concealment allows you to protect your creatures from so much removal in this game. Being able to skirt around mass-exile effects, or even board wipes that remove defenses like indestructible, can be massive. To that end, it's a fantastic card to cast via Sunforger.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Akroma&#039;s Will"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Master Warcraft"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Clever Concealment"></div></div>
<p>Now that we've discussed the cards that should further our game plan, let's talk about how Joshua plans to win!</p>
<h2>Winning With Joshua</h2>
<p>The plan is remarkably simple for any Bracket over 2. This is a Bracket 2 deck, though, so let's keep this in mind as we discuss our plan for victory. Put plainly, we want to use this deck to overrun our opponents with an army of giant, flying, flaming birds. We want to protect them whenever we need to, but we also want to swing for the fences with reckless abandon. If one Phoenix falls, there is a means to bring it back safely. If many Phoenixes could fall, you have the methods to prevent that occurrence. Eventually, you'll be remarkably ahead on damage output, while your opponents will have exhausted their many resources trying to quell the firestorm.</p>
<h2>Joshua, Phoenix's Dominant Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Joshua, Phoenix&#039;s Dominant" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Joshua, Phoenix&#039;s Dominant // Phoenix, Warden of Fire
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Adaptive Automaton
*1 Arclight Phoenix
*1 Brass Herald
*1 Codsworth, Handy Helper
*1 Detective&#039;s Phoenix
*1 Everquill Phoenix
*1 Flame-Wreathed Phoenix
*1 Flamewake Phoenix
*1 Glory
*1 Kuldotha Phoenix
*1 Lightning Phoenix
*1 Magma Phoenix
*1 Magus of the Moat
*1 Metallic Mimic
*1 Nemesis Phoenix
*1 Ornithopter of Paradise
*1 Otharri, Suns&#039; Glory
*1 Phoenix of Ash
*1 Pinnacle Monk // Mystic Peak
*1 Rekindling Phoenix
*1 Roaming Throne
*1 Skyfire Phoenix
*1 Summon: Esper Valigarmanda
*1 Weathered Wayfarer
*1 Witch Enchanter // Witch-Blessed Meadow
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Akroma&#039;s Will
*1 And They Shall Know No Fear
*1 Angel&#039;s Grace
*1 Boros Charm
*1 Clever Concealment
*1 Cloud&#039;s Limit Break
*1 Comeuppance
*1 Deflecting Palm
*1 Final Showdown
*1 Flawless Maneuver
*1 Master Warcraft
*1 Olórin&#039;s Searing Light
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Silence
*1 Stroke of Midnight
*1 Swords to Plowshares
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Banner of Kinship
*1 Boros Signet
*1 Herald&#039;s Horn
*1 Isochron Scepter
*1 Lavaspur Boots
*1 Patchwork Banner
*1 Phoenix Down
*1 Power Conduit
*1 Progenitor&#039;s Icon
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Sunforger
*1 Sunglasses of Urza
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 Urza&#039;s Incubator
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Island Sanctuary
*1 Molten Echoes
*1 Reconnaissance
*1 Shared Animosity
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Open the Armory
*1 Steelshaper&#039;s Gift
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Arena of Glory
*1 Arid Mesa
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Cavern of Souls
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Command Tower
*1 Elegant Parlor
*1 Emeria, the Sky Ruin
*1 Evolving Wilds
*8 Mountain
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Needleverge Pathway // Pillarverge Pathway
*10 Plains
*1 Prismatic Vista
*1 Sacred Foundry
*1 Secluded Courtyard
*1 Spectator Seating
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Three Tree City
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>When this commander got previewed, I was floored. I knew nothing about <em>Final Fantasy XVI</em>, but I knew there was a Joshua somewhere in the series canon. Joshua, being a Phoenix summoner, was kind of a big deal to me for very personal reasons. So, I decided that, for this deck tech of a character who shared my name, I'd lean into it in just as big a way.</p>
<p>If you're a fan of atypical kindred decks that you'd seldom see on a battlefield, this is a deck for you. Likewise, if you like the idea of a recursion strategy but can't fathom playing black, this deck is also a great potential fit. It's not the most powerful deck at your local game store's Commander night, to be frank, but it may be the most fun Bracket 2 deck you'll see there.</p>


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