<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Guru Pathik" href="#" target="_blank">Guru Pathik</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CDee+Nguyen%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art">Dee Nguyen</a></em></p>
<h2>Entering Meditation</h2>
<p>Welcome back to another edition of <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>! As of writing, <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> spoilers are in full swing, revealing all sorts of new stuff. Today, we're exploring a new option that was among those previewed. Something different and refreshing for once (a bit I'll get to momentarily) So, without further ado, let's get meditating... I mean get into the deck tech.</p>
<h2>Meeting the Guru</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Guru Pathik"></div></div>
<p>Pathik was a minor character in <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> season two, where he helped Aang achieve the Avatar State.</p>
<p>...Ok, Azula. Slow down. I know you're foreshadowing something, but you can calm down. Sheesh.</p>
<p>Anyway, Pathik guided Aang into helping him prepare for his fateful fight with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fire Lord Ozai" href="#" target="_blank">Fire Lord Ozai</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. That said, he reappears in Aang's hallucinations from being extremely tired. An episode which, by the way, featured the legendary duel between Momo and Appa. Better for you to watch it than me tell you how that went down.</p>
<p>With <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/simic">Simic</a> decks, you're going to ramp and draw, hoping to bore your opponents to death, winning that way. Heresy! Heresy, I say! We're going to focus on an archetype that should've been more at the forefront of Simic's domain: <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/plus-1-plus-1-counters">+1/+1 counters!</a> However, Pathik has a twist to this, needing you to run Lessons, Sagas, and Shrines. Unfortunately, we only have a couple of Shrines available to us (more on that later), but the other two subtypes are more plentiful.</p>
<h3>Dreaming of a Tale</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Clone Saga"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Song of Eärendil"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Summon: Valefor"></div></div>
<p>Firstly, we'll cover the more populated subtype of the three. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Clone Saga" href="#" target="_blank">The Clone Saga</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s second chapter means you can make a second copy of Pathik (or any other creature you need. Two <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Bahamut" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Bahamut</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s is outright terrifying!), though the first chapter is useful before you cast him. The noncreature Sagas serve more as utility rather than roleplayers.</p>
<p>However, special shout out to the Saga creatures from <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/fin"><em>Final Fantasy</em></a>. They mean Pathik will put any of these you choose to our hand, and they'll trigger his second ability, putting a +1/+1 counter on a creature we have. I do want to stress that you'll need different colored dice (or different kinds of dice) to designate what are lore counters and which ones are +1/+1 counters.</p>
<h3>Learning a Lesson</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cycle of Renewal"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Energybending"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sokka&#039;s Haiku"></div></div>
<p>With the release of the <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tla"><em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em></a> set, Lesson cards return for the first time since 2021, back in the <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/stx"><em>Strixhaven: School of Mages</em></a> set. That said, Lessons are only in one set for the time being: this one. We still have plenty to work with, though. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cycle of Renewal" href="#" target="_blank">Cycle of Renewal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is ramp, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Energybending" href="#" target="_blank">Energybending</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fixes our mana for a turn. We even get colorless removal in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zuko&#039;s Exile" href="#" target="_blank">Zuko&#039;s Exile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which will come in handy against permanents that we can't typically remove.</p>
<p>Other Lessons of note include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sokka&#039;s Haiku" href="#" target="_blank">Sokka&#039;s Haiku</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (fun fact: the rules text is a haiku), which counters, cantrips, and untaps a land. While we won't be paying the kicker cost in a <em>Universes Beyond</em>-only iteration of this deck, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aang&#039;s Journey" href="#" target="_blank">Aang&#039;s Journey</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes sure we don't miss a land drop. Beyond those, again, they provide utility rather than anything too special. Perhaps a break from the typical Commander staples, no?</p>
<h3>Count On</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sphere Grid"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fathom Mage|fic|325"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Earth Crystal"></div></div>
<p>Now we get to the meat and potatoes of the build. Selesnya has hijacked a lot of Simic's +1/+1 design space in recent years, I feel, but switching out white for blue can be worth our while. For instance, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lyla, Holographic Assistant" href="#" target="_blank">Lyla, Holographic Assistant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> puts counters on creatures for each card we draw, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fathom Mage|fic|325" href="#" target="_blank">Fathom Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> nets us a card for each counter put on it. Going in blue also gives us access to proliferate shenanigans, but I'll cover that later.</p>
<p>On top of the above, we have no shortage of token-doubling effects, and similar. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hardened Scales|fic|307" href="#" target="_blank">Hardened Scales</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Earth Crystal" href="#" target="_blank">The Earth Crystal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will increase +1/+1 counter output, making our creatures monstrously huge. Speaking of monstrous, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maester Seymour" href="#" target="_blank">Maester Seymour</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will dump counters each combat if he's got enough on him already. Meanwhile, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bred for the Hunt||fic|321" href="#" target="_blank">Bred for the Hunt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marcus, Mutant Mayor" href="#" target="_blank">Marcus, Mutant Mayor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will draw us cards if a creature with at least one +1/+1 counter connects. In the latter case, Marcus will put a counter on that creature if it had none.</p>
<p>Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Duskshell Crawler|fic|301" href="#" target="_blank">Duskshell Crawler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sphere Grid" href="#" target="_blank">Sphere Grid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spider-Man, Miles Morales" href="#" target="_blank">Spider-Man, Miles Morales</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will give trample to all of those big creatures we've been building up, making it that much easier to close out games.</p>
<h3>The Guru's Syllabus</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-Sagacious Advice" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Guru Pathik
[/Commander]
[Instants]
*1 Cycle of Renewal
*1 Energybending
*1 Inscription of Abundance
*1 Inspiring Call
*1 It&#039;ll Quench Ya!
*1 Lost Days
*1 Mutational Advantage
*1 Octopus Form
*1 Origin of Metalbending
*1 Silkguard
*1 Sokka&#039;s Haiku
*1 Strength of Will
*1 Zuko&#039;s Exile
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Aang&#039;s Journey
*1 Combat Tutorial
*1 Earthbending Lesson
*1 Kapow!
*1 Match the Odds
*1 Secret of Bloodbending
*1 Seismic Sense
*1 True Ancestry
*1 Venom Blast
*1 Water Whip
*1 Waterbending Lesson
[/Sorceries]
[Creatures]
*1 Arwen, Weaver of Hope
*1 Biophagus
*1 Cathedral Acolyte
*1 Chasm Skulker
*1 Duskshell Crawler
*1 Fathom Mage
*1 Forgotten Ancient
*1 Gyre Sage
*1 Incubation Druid
*1 Kimahri, Valiant Guardian
*1 Lyla, Holographic Assistant
*1 Maester Seymour
*1 Malanthrope
*1 Marcus, Mutant Mayor
*1 Purestrain Genestealer
*1 Rampant Rejuvenator
*1 Sin, Unending Cataclysm
*1 Spider-Man, Miles Morales
*1 Summon: Bahamut
*1 Summon: Fat Chocobo
*1 Summon: Fenrir
*1 Summon: Leviathan
*1 Summon: Magus Sisters
*1 Summon: Shiva
*1 Summon: Titan
*1 Summon: Valefor
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Branching Evolution
*1 Bred for the Hunt
*1 Fight Rigging
*1 Hardened Scales
*1 Song of Eärendil
*1 Sphere Grid
*1 The Bath Song
*1 The Clone Saga
[/Enchantments]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Sol Ring
*1 The Earth Crystal
*1 The Great Henge
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Command Tower
*1 Dreamroot Cascade
*1 Flooded Grove
*12 Forest
*1 Forge of Heroes
*1 Hinterland Harbor
*12 Island
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Opal Palace
*1 Overflowing Basin
*1 Rejuvenating Springs
*1 Tangled Islet
*1 Temple of Mystery
*1 Vineglimmer Snarl
*1 Waterlogged Grove
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h3>Breath, and Focus</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arwen, Weaver of Hope"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sin, Unending Cataclysm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Secret of Bloodbending"></div></div>
<p>Ending the game with this deck should be a piece of cake. It's a case of simply bludgeoning our opponents into pancakes. The question is simply "with what?" While we accumulate counters as quickly as possible, there's a few all-stars that kick this game plan into overdrive. I already mentioned Maester Seymour earlier, but an even better one is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arwen, Weaver of Hope" href="#" target="_blank">Arwen, Weaver of Hope</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. As long as you put a bunch of counters on her (perhaps <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Forgotten Ancient|fic|304" href="#" target="_blank">Forgotten Ancient</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will help), any creature we cast will be monstrously huge as well.</p>
<p>While not related to +1/+1 counters, <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> can tip the scales if timed well. Don't try to achieve the additional cost; it's impossible with this deck (unless <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chasm Skulker|fic|262" href="#" target="_blank">Chasm Skulker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> somehow survives long enough to get 1o counters on it), but just altering someone else's combat step can swing things into your favor. Four blue mana is a hard ask for decks that use three or more colors, but it wouldn't be much of a problem here.</p>
<p>Finally, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sin, Unending Cataclysm" href="#" target="_blank">Sin, Unending Cataclysm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which will pull all counters from multiple permanents, making it rival even the likes of Marit Lage. While it will take every counter from a given card, it has a special use with Sagas, allowing you to reuse each chapter, keeping them around longer. This is especially useful with the Saga creatures, since we can attack with them, too. Unfortunately, Sin doesn't have haste, so we have to hope he sticks around so you can attack with it.</p>
<h3>Dreaming Beyond the Universe</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sanctum of Calm Waters"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Introduction to Prophecy"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jugan Defends the Temple"></div></div>
<p>Stretching our card pool to accommodate in-universe cards yields some benefits. Firstly, and most noticeable, is that our collection of Shrine cards skyrockets. We gain access to no less than six additional Shrines, but the answer always seems to be to run them all, be it with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Go-Shintai of Life&#039;s Origin" href="#" target="_blank">Go-Shintai of Life&#039;s Origin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or the new <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hei Bai, Forest Guardian" href="#" target="_blank">Hei Bai, Forest Guardian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Pathik would fit in the 99 of this deck, if you ask me.</p>
<p>Another major influx comes from Lesson cards. Again, we only have one other set dealing with them, but who knows? They might return in <em>Secrets of Strixhaven</em>. In any case, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Introduction to Annihilation" href="#" target="_blank">Introduction to Annihilation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is colorless removal when we want it. Speaking of removal, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Containment Breach" href="#" target="_blank">Containment Breach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is artifact/enchantment removal when it's warranted. If it's cheap enough, we get a token for the trouble.</p>
<p>Lastly, I need not tell you about the flood of Saga cards that would be available to us. It's down to utility and/or personal preference when it comes to them. Again, people should play with their favorites.</p>
<h3>Back to the Waking World</h3>
<p>While Pathik is a card that'll likely see play in the 99 of Commander decks, having it as a commander can be a nice, if easy, deckbuilding challenge. It certainly beats defaulting to some five-color glorified pile of good stuff, right? I will<em> </em>definitely be on the lookout for more cards from <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em>, including next week. Come back then when we cover...the Fire Lord.</p>
<p>Wait, there's three cards with the title? Can you guess which one I'm tackling next?</p>


shrine

Beyond the Multiverse - Guru Pathik

The Best Enchantments in Avatar: The Last Airbender

Too-Specific Top 10 - Singular Subtypes

Core 2021 Set Review - Blue