<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raph &amp; Mikey, Troublemakers" href="#" target="_blank">Raph &amp; Mikey, Troublemakers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.aaronjriley.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aaron J. Riley</a></em></p>
<p>Recently, we've had a major leak in the form of <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tmt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles</em></a> cards being prerelease promos for <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/ecl" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Lorwyn Eclipsed</em></a>. Since then, all the rares and mythics from the former have been officially previewed via the set's image gallery.</p>
<p>With this, I can go ahead with this deck tech for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raph &amp; Mikey, Troublemakers" href="#" target="_blank">Raph &amp; Mikey, Troublemakers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raph &amp; Mikey, Troublemakers" href="#" target="_blank">Raph &amp; Mikey, Troublemakers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Raph &amp; Mikey, Troublemakers"></div></div>
<p>Raph &amp; Mikey is a 7/7 with trample and haste for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-5" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-rg" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-rg" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, and when it attacks, we reveal cards from our library until we hit a creature card. We then put that creature onto the battlefield tapped and attacking.</p>
<p>Here we have what could be called a quintessential <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/gruul" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gruul</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 class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) commander. We cheat out big monsters with this card, and start smacking opponents around like a bunch of rag dolls. I'm already going to say it, the deck's ace is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Xenagos, God of Revels" href="#" target="_blank">Xenagos, God of Revels</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Today's deck is essentially the average Xenagos deck, with a slightly different shell (Are you still with me after that shell-shocking pun? Good. Moving on).</p>
<p>Whereas the average Xenagos deck needs us to ramp into oblivion to drop him, then the beef, Raph and Mikey give us the liberty to have all of our creatures be a bunch of fatties. Not only does this let us lean harder into the other card types for housekeeping, but it also lets us pack all of our favorite fatties into one, tidy package.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raph &amp; Mikey, Troublemakers" href="#" target="_blank">Raph &amp; Mikey, Troublemakers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<h3>Beefy Creatures</h3>
<p>I mentioned above that we have complete liberty to have every creature be a threat, but what exactly are we putting in there (Besides Xenagos)?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Giant Adephage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Terror of Mount Velus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hydra Omnivore"></div></div>
<p>Firstly, we run creatures that do something outside of simply being a hunk of beef. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giant Adephage" href="#" target="_blank">Giant Adephage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quartzwood Crasher" href="#" target="_blank">Quartzwood Crasher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> let us create tokens when they hit an opponent, which is made easier because of trample. Meanwhile, we have the likes of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ancient Copper Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Ancient Copper Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (and its legendary predecessor, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Old Gnawbone" href="#" target="_blank">Old Gnawbone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) that can potentially make us a lot of Treasure.</p>
<p>Both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Terror of the Peaks" href="#" target="_blank">Terror of the Peaks</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gruul Ragebeast" href="#" target="_blank">Gruul Ragebeast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> pick off opposing threats. In doing so, this softens our opponents up for a major strike.</p>
<p>Having some utility attached to said hunks of beef is always good, too. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Balefire Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Balefire Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> wipes the board on connecting. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Evercoat Ursine" href="#" target="_blank">Evercoat Ursine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets us cast the cards we hide away when it connects. It's especially potent with double strike, so you can cast both in one turn.</p>
<p>On the other hand, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Twinflame Tyrant" href="#" target="_blank">Twinflame Tyrant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Angrath&#039;s Marauders" href="#" target="_blank">Angrath&#039;s Marauders</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> double the damage we deal. They work into an underlying theme I'll cover later in the article.</p>
<h3>Housekeeping!</h3>
<p>Our noncreature spells should be focused on keeping the deck together.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Garruk&#039;s Uprising"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Open the Way"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sensei&#039;s Divining Top"></div></div>
<p>It's also worth noting that we're working with a really high curve, plus our commander costs a whopping seven mana. To that end, I've dedicated nearly a fifth of the deck to ramping.</p>
<p>Alongside our usual suspects, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Open the Way" href="#" target="_blank">Open the Way</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will help dig for three lands. Both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harrow" href="#" target="_blank">Harrow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Entish Restoration" href="#" target="_blank">Entish Restoration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> make us lose a land to really pull ahead. In addition, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Domri, Anarch of Bolas" href="#" target="_blank">Domri, Anarch of Bolas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides a good collection of utility. A small buff that ramps us (and makes our threats uncounterable), and has our creatures remove blockers is always good.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, we have a suite of cards that protect our threats, including our commander, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bolt Bend" href="#" target="_blank">Bolt Bend</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sensei&#039;s Divining Top" href="#" target="_blank">Sensei&#039;s Divining Top</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scroll Rack" href="#" target="_blank">Scroll Rack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ensures that we always have something on top for Raph and Mikey to hit. We can also pull off something similar with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sylvan Library" href="#" target="_blank">Sylvan Library</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Garruk&#039;s Uprising" href="#" target="_blank">Garruk&#039;s Uprising</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> not only draws us cards, but it gives trample, an essential keyword for this deck. As such, I tried to add some cards that give our creatures that and/or haste. Double strike is good, too, which <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Terror of Mount Velus" href="#" target="_blank">Terror of Mount Velus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is more than happy to provide.</p>
<h2>Raph &amp; Mikey, Troublemakers Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Raph and Mikey Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Raph &amp; Mikey, Troublemakers
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Ancient Copper Dragon
*1 Angrath&#039;s Marauders
*1 Anzrag, the Quake-Mole
*1 Balefire Dragon
*1 Bloodthirster
*1 Etali, Primal Storm
*1 Evercoat Ursine
*1 Giant Adephage
*1 Gruul Ragebeast
*1 Hydra Omnivore
*1 Moraug, Fury of Akoum
*1 Ojer Kaslem, Deepest Growth // Temple of Cultivation
*1 Pyrewood Gearhulk
*1 Quartzwood Crasher
*1 Summon: Bahamut
*1 Terror of Mount Velus
*1 Terror of the Peaks
*1 Twinflame Tyrant
*1 Vaultborn Tyrant
*1 Xenagos, God of Revels
[/Creatures]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Domri, Anarch of Bolas
*1 Minsc &amp; Boo, Timeless Heroes
[/Planeswalkers]
[Sorceries]
*1 Blasphemous Act
*1 Chandra&#039;s Ignition
*1 Cultivate
*1 Full Throttle
*1 Kodama&#039;s Reach
*1 Last March of the Ents
*1 Nature&#039;s Lore
*1 Open the Way
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Shared Roots
*1 Skyshroud Claim
*1 Three Visits
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Beast Within
*1 Berserk
*1 Big Score
*1 Bolt Bend
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Collective Resistance
*1 Entish Restoration
*1 Harrow
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Overblaze
*1 Redirect Lightning
*1 Unexpected Windfall
*1 Untimely Malfunction
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Garruk&#039;s Uprising
*1 Guardian Project
*1 Rhythm of the Wild
*1 Rising of the Day
*1 Sylvan Library
*1 Unnatural Growth
*1 Up the Beanstalk
[/Enchantments]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Hammer of Purphoros
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Scroll Rack
*1 Sensei&#039;s Divining Top
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 The Great Henge
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Castle Garenbrig
*1 Cinder Glade
*1 Command Tower
*1 Commercial District
*1 Fire-Lit Thicket
*11 Forest
*1 Game Trail
*1 Karplusan Forest
*1 Kessig Wolf Run
*11 Mountain
*1 Rockfall Vale
*1 Rootbound Crag
*1 Skarrg, the Rage Pits
*1 Spire Garden
*1 Stomping Ground
*1 Thornspire Verge
*1 Wooded Foothills
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h3>Absolute Overkill</h3>
<p>Do you know the saying "breaking the ice?" Well, here, we're taking a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Colossus Hammer" href="#" target="_blank">Colossus Hammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and smashing the ice. This is a Gruul deck, after all. Overkill is its nickname, and there are a few ways to do this.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Full Throttle"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Berserk"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Overblaze"></div></div>
<p>Firstly, and the most obvious, is to take more combat steps. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Full Throttle" href="#" target="_blank">Full Throttle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodthirster" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodthirster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ensure that we have tons of extra combat phases. More Xenagos triggers, more Raph &amp; Mikey shenanigans, and we're just scratching the surface! Not only that, they help us win the game.</p>
<p>Secondly, we need to double the power of our threats. One of my pet cards for a deck like this is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overblaze" href="#" target="_blank">Overblaze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which acts as a second <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Berserk" href="#" target="_blank">Berserk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but we don't lose the creature we target. Additionally, don't sleep on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fatal Frenzy" href="#" target="_blank">Fatal Frenzy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which does the job just as well.</p>
<p>Four green pips is a lot to ask, but here, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unnatural Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Unnatural Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will be brutal, especially with multiple combat steps.</p>
<p>The game plan is as simple as that, but that's also a good thing. That means someone new to Commander (or <em>Magic</em>, for that matter) can pick this up and have a good time. It's as simple a deck to pilot as our average Xenagos deck.</p>
<h2>Winding Down</h2>
<p>As we sunset this deck tech, it makes for a nice transition into something more aligned with in-universe sets. Now, I turn to you, the readers: What cards from <em>TMNT</em> are you excited about? Are you hoping the precon will be good out of the box like I am? Or maybe you're not so keen on it (I'm going to be upfront about this: I'd take <em>Turtles</em> over <em>Marvel</em> any day of the week, and it's more because of <em>Marvel</em> itself than <em>Turtles</em>).</p>
<p>Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and be seeing you next time.</p>


raph and mikey

Causing (Good) Trouble With Raph and Mikey, Troublemakers in Commander