<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Storm-Kiln Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Storm-Kiln Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.manuelcastanon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Manuel Castañón</a></em></p>
<p>Spells form the backbone of <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> (MTG), alongside lands, so it's no surprise that decks built around the Spellslinger theme are both popular and powerful in Commander.</p>
<p>But, the word "spell" in MTG can mean different things, depending on whether you're looking at the actual rules of the game or casting them to earn an advantage at the kitchen table. Read on to find out both what spells actually are and how to take full advantage of them using Spellslinger decks in Commander.</p>
<h2></h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Storm-Kiln-Artist.jpg

<p>Before we cover actual Spellslinger decks, let's figure out what spells actually are. This is important, because many cards that are technically called spells aren't actually helpful in your Spellslinger deck.</p>
<p>According to the rules of <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>, spells are what you call cards on the stack. The stack is where cards go after you've cast or copied them, but before they "resolve" or before the effect written on the card happens. When cards are in your hand before you cast them — or in a zone other than the stack or the battlefield, like the graveyard <span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc pOOWX">—</span></span> they're just called "cards."</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lightning Bolt"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Evolving Wilds"></div></div>
<p>Now, this is where it can get a little confusing for players learning the game, because a card in your hand that isn't a land is often called a spell in casual conversation. Likewise, a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Bolt" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Bolt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example, is usually called a spell no matter what zone it's in, because cards with the instant or sorcery type are usually called spells.</p>
<p>Spellslinger decks, then, generally reward you for playing instants and sorceries, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Bombardment" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Bombardment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does. It's important to note, however, that many of these rewards count <em>all </em>noncreature spells, as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shark Typhoon" href="#" target="_blank">Shark Typhoon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does. Read each card carefully to be sure.</p>
<p>Please note that when the word "spell" appears again in the article, it's going to refer not to spells in the rules sense but to noncreature spells that trigger these payoffs. At least no one is ever going to call an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Evolving Wilds" href="#" target="_blank">Evolving Wilds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> a spell!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arcane Bombardment"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shark Typhoon"></div></div>
<p>Spellslinger decks may boast of a variety of ways to end the game, from combat to combo and a lot of things in between, but you can be pretty sure that they play a lot of spells, and mostly cheap ones to boot.</p>


<p>Like many themes or archetypes in Commander, you can build a powerful deck by combining rewards and enablers.</p>
<p>Spellslinger rewards often come from creatures and other permanents (cards on the battlefield) that grant you some advantage whenever you play an instant or sorcery. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Third Path Iconoclast" href="#" target="_blank">Third Path Iconoclast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great example of a spell payoff like this.</p>
<p>Some cards care about the number of spells you've cast in one turn, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Case of the Ransacked Lab" href="#" target="_blank">Case of the Ransacked Lab</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thousand-Year Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Thousand-Year Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or cards with the storm mechanic, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grapeshot" href="#" target="_blank">Grapeshot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Third Path Iconoclast"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thousand-Year Storm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grapeshot"></div></div>
<p>Spellslinger decks will often win after doing things like building up a critical mass of tokens or damage triggers from cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Guttersnipe" href="#" target="_blank">Guttersnipe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or by assembling a combo powered by an expensive enchantment or artifact, or by racking up a storm count.</p>
<p>This is where enablers come in! These cards make it easier for you to cast a lot of spells or otherwise progress your game plan. Cards that make your spells cheap are plentiful; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Electromancer" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Electromancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a popular one. You also want to make room for cards that help you find the right spells or payoffs, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Artist&#039;s Talent" href="#" target="_blank">Artist&#039;s Talent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sorcerer Class" href="#" target="_blank">Sorcerer Class</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which let you dig through your deck on top of helping you cast more spells.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Electromancer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Artist&#039;s Talent"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sorcerer Class"></div></div>
<p>And, of course, you want to play spells! Most Spellslinger decks will play many instants and sorceries that cost just one mana and that draw a card on top of some other useful effect. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Opt" href="#" target="_blank">Opt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ponder" href="#" target="_blank">Ponder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brainstorm" href="#" target="_blank">Brainstorm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are all excellent examples.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Opt"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ponder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brainstorm"></div></div>
<p>Interaction is also essential; removal, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Counterspell" href="#" target="_blank">Counterspell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s, and board-clearing effects can both protect your game plan and disrupt your opponents.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Bolt" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Bolt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example, is cheap spell that triggers <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archmage Emeritus" href="#" target="_blank">Archmage Emeritus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and deals with a utility creature on the other side of the board. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyclonic Rift" href="#" target="_blank">Cyclonic Rift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can get you out of a sticky situation, too, if you're open to running <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/game-changers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game Changers</a>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Counterspell"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archmage Emeritus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cyclonic Rift"></div></div>
<p>Depending on which colors you play and how your deck tries to win, you may also want to run a mix of other effects.</p>
<p>Raw card draw like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasure Cruise" href="#" target="_blank">Treasure Cruise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can keep you prepared for anything. Green cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Farseek" href="#" target="_blank">Farseek</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> give you more mana to cast more spells, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Ritual" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Ritual</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Geyser" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Geyser</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> give you a temporary boost for when you plan to win via combo on the same turn.</p>
<p>And, depending on which <a href="https://edhrec.com/guides/edhrec-guide-to-commander-brackets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bracket</a> you're playing in, you can run "tutors" to search your library for key cards and put them on top of your deck or straight into your hand, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mystical Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Mystical Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Solve the Equation" href="#" target="_blank">Solve the Equation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Treasure Cruise"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Farseek"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dark Ritual"></div></div>
<p>Speaking of winning, some slots in your deck may be occupied by cards that threaten to win the game if they resolve.</p>
<p>In a Spellslinger deck, these cards likely factor into a game-winning combo, and are probably what you're searching up with Mystical Tutor and the like a lot of the time. I'm thinking of cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mizzix&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Mizzix&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jeskai Ascendancy" href="#" target="_blank">Jeskai Ascendancy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, apart from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thousand-Year Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Thousand-Year Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which I mentioned above.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mizzix&#039;s Mastery"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jeskai Ascendancy"></div></div>


<p>Now that we've covered what Spellslinger decks are and how they seek to win games by combining payoffs, enablers, and other types of cards, let's build one!</p>
<p>For this guide, I've chosen to go the aggressive route over a more combo-oriented game plan. Both styles of decks are incredibly fun and can feature a ton of overlap, but I think a lower-to-the-ground, two-color deck operating in Bracket 2 perfectly illustrates how the theme plays out while still leaving room for big, splashy turns.</p>
<p>For our commander, I'm looking for someone in Izzet colors (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" 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>). This color pair is primarily associated with spells-matter game plans of varying shapes and sizes; you can find more payoffs and enablers here than in any other color pair.</p>
<p>Adding <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> would certainly introduce some incredibly potent payoffs like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Monastery Mentor" href="#" target="_blank">Monastery Mentor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which definitely suits a creature-based, attacking deck, but let's keep it simple for now. Likewise, I'm opting to not branch out into <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> for mana generators and more combo-oriented cards, 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> for efficient removal and disruption.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Balmor, Battlemage Captain"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Balmor, Battlemage Captain" href="#" target="_blank">Balmor, Battlemage Captain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great choice for our first Spellslinger deck. He's cheap, so you can play him as early as turn two to start reaping the benefits of casting multiple spells a turn, and he enables swingy turns if you're able to amass a board wide with tokens.</p>
<p>He grants trample to your team, too, so blockers won't present much more than a speed bump against a flurry of one-mana spells in the late game.</p>


<p>How do we build around Balmor? In this case, we want to pack the deck with creatures like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Third Path Iconoclast" href="#" target="_blank">Third Path Iconoclast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that make tokens whenever we cast spells.</p>
<p>Since we're not planning to assemble any infinite combos, the main route to victory is through the combat phase. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Young Pyromancer" href="#" target="_blank">Young Pyromancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Talrand, Sky Summoner" href="#" target="_blank">Talrand, Sky Summoner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Murmuring Mystic" href="#" target="_blank">Murmuring Mystic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all support our go-wide game plan. We can even invite a planeswalker to the party in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Saheeli, Sublime Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Saheeli, Sublime Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Balmor's pump ability works better the more creatures we have in play, so we want a board full of creatures for the Bird Wizard to make lethal.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Young Pyromancer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Talrand, Sky Summoner"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Murmuring Mystic"></div></div>
<p>To supplement this strategy, we also want to play other cheap creatures that can deal a lot of damage by themselves. They may not produce tokens, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sprite Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Sprite Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Electrostatic Infantry" href="#" target="_blank">Electrostatic Infantry</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> grow huge and become must-answer threats.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Adeliz, the Cinder Wind" href="#" target="_blank">Adeliz, the Cinder Wind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, meanwhile, is an evasive creature that acts like a mini-Balmor for other Wizards in our deck. The prowess mechanic on creatures like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stormchaser Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Stormchaser Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> goes with Spellslinger decks like peanut butter and jelly. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stormcatch Mentor" href="#" target="_blank">Stormcatch Mentor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, another prowess creature, glides into the 99 by virtue of making our spells cheaper like Electromancer.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sprite Dragon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Adeliz, the Cinder Wind"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Harmonic Prodigy"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harmonic Prodigy" href="#" target="_blank">Harmonic Prodigy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of the most powerful creatures we can play in a Spellslinger deck running a good number of creatures. Causing Wizards and Shamans to trigger an additional time means we get double the number of tokens from Young Pyromancer and company and double the number of +1/+1 counters on Electrostatic Infantry.</p>
<p>Now that we've got our primary game plan sorted, we want to pick spells that are cheap, interactive, and that replace themselves as much as possible. I've already covered archetype all-stars like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ponder" href="#" target="_blank">Ponder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Bolt" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Bolt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but there are so many other options that also add some utility and versatility to the deck.</p>
<p>Having access to flexible removal like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Abrade" href="#" target="_blank">Abrade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Izzet Charm" href="#" target="_blank">Izzet Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pongify" href="#" target="_blank">Pongify</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deal with problems, while cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fists of Flame" href="#" target="_blank">Fists of Flame</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Surprise" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Surprise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> make our creatures better in combat. Cards with different effects you can choose between, also known as <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/the-top-10-best-modal-spells-in-commander" target="_blank" rel="noopener">modal spells</a>, are so important because they can either interact with our opponents or get cast on our turn when you just want to run up the score with our payoffs.</p>
<p>In a deck like this, one-mana spells don't need to do much to warrant a slot; it's most important that they draw a card to keep the Balmor trigger chain going and make our creatures even a little better. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crash Through" href="#" target="_blank">Crash Through</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Enter the Enigma" href="#" target="_blank">Enter the Enigma</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Renegade Tactics" href="#" target="_blank">Renegade Tactics</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are exactly what we're looking for. These cards, cheap spells that draw a card in addition to another effect, are also called cantrips.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Izzet Charm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crash Through"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rally at the Hornburg"></div></div>
<p>There are also a ton of spells that produce tokens themselves, fulfilling the dual purpose of keeping our side of the board full and triggering Balmor, Iconoclast, and the rest of the gang.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rally at the Hornburg" href="#" target="_blank">Rally at the Hornburg</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is often going to be like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ral&#039;s Reinforcements" href="#" target="_blank">Ral&#039;s Reinforcements</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko&#039;s Command" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko&#039;s Command</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but some of the time it will also push through surprise damage thanks to its haste clause.</p>


<p>In Commander, it's often rewarding to build a streamlined deck with one primary game plan. We've done that so far, but we also want to add one or two "packages" of cards that help us attack a game from a different angle, while still synergizing with Plan A.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Guttersnipe"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Coruscation Mage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fiery Inscription"></div></div>
<p>Attacking is great, but sometimes the board will stall or we won't have enough tokens amassed and it won't be profitable to turn our little critters sideways. That's when the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Guttersnipe" href="#" target="_blank">Guttersnipe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> family of cards come in, helping us deal damage without attacking.</p>
<p>If we want to lean a bit harder into this sub-theme, we can run <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ojer Axonil, Deepest Might" href="#" target="_blank">Ojer Axonil, Deepest Might</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to turn our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gut Shot" href="#" target="_blank">Gut Shot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s into <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lava Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Lava Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s. Balmor isn't required, but Ojer Axonil does deal more damage the higher his power is!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Veyran, Voice of Duality"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archmage Emeritus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Storm-Kiln Artist"></div></div>
<p>We also have room for bigger and slightly more expensive creatures that may not threaten opposing life totals but that generate so much value that they become must-answer threats.</p>
<p>Running creatures like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Veyran, Voice of Duality" href="#" target="_blank">Veyran, Voice of Duality</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archmage Emeritus" href="#" target="_blank">Archmage Emeritus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Storm-Kiln Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Storm-Kiln Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that generate card and mana advantages helps aggressive decks hang in there even during longer games. Remember that Iconoclast produces creature tokens that are also artifacts, so we can get in for tons of damage with a board full of tokens, Artist, and a spell that grants evasion, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Slip Through Space" href="#" target="_blank">Slip Through Space</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Niv-Mizzet, Parun"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rite of the Dragoncaller"></div></div>
<p>We can push this principle even further by running a few six-drops to act as powerful finishers that are either resistant to removal, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rite of the Dragoncaller" href="#" target="_blank">Rite of the Dragoncaller</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shark Typhoon" href="#" target="_blank">Shark Typhoon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are, or that punish our opponents for trying to interact, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Niv-Mizzet, Parun" href="#" target="_blank">Niv-Mizzet, Parun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Finally, we want our deck to run smoothly, so we're going to run several cards that can either be played as lands or spells. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pinnacle Monk" href="#" target="_blank">Pinnacle Monk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a threat, a mana source, and a bit of long-game staying power all in one, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Silundi Vision" href="#" target="_blank">Silundi Vision</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> helps us find what we need later in the game if we haven't already played it as a land.</p>
<p>These two-sided cards are known as modal double-faced cards, or MDFCs.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Silundi Vision"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pinnacle Monk"></div></div>


<p>While I chose not to venture outside of <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> and <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> to prioritize consistency and simplicity, countless wonders await Spellslinger mages brave enough to branch out into some combination of <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-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, and <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>.</p>
<p>White boasts a powerful spell payoff in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Monastery Mentor" href="#" target="_blank">Monastery Mentor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and powerful commander options like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kykar, Wind&#039;s Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Kykar, Wind&#039;s Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Narset, Enlightened Exile" href="#" target="_blank">Narset, Enlightened Exile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Instead of relying on conditional and temporary removal spells, you can run some of the best interactive spells Commander has to offer, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swords to Plowshares" href="#" target="_blank">Swords to Plowshares</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Path to Exile" href="#" target="_blank">Path to Exile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>You can remain aggressive, which is a big plus for me, while packing a bigger punch in the late game.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kykar, Wind&#039;s Fury"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Swords to Plowshares"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Path to Exile"></div></div>
<p>If you like mixing themes, <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> lets you build a deck around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anhelo, the Painter" href="#" target="_blank">Anhelo, the Painter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who very much rewards spells while also adding sacrifice and/or copy synergies to the mix. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kess, Dissident Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Kess, Dissident Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> turns your graveyard into a resource, letting you survive longer games dotted with sweeper effects that suppress your combat potential.</p>
<p><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, meanwhile, gives you access to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Storm, Force of Nature" href="#" target="_blank">Storm, Force of Nature</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and mana generators like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Growth Spiral" href="#" target="_blank">Growth Spiral</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nature&#039;s Lore" href="#" target="_blank">Nature&#039;s Lore</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These decks often look to end the game through combos and may even scoff at the idea of getting into combat.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kess, Dissident Mage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anhelo, the Painter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Storm, Force of Nature"></div></div>
<p>If you like the way the Balmor deck plays out, you could even do away with either <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> or <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> for something a bit wackier. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Feather, the Redeemed" href="#" target="_blank">Feather, the Redeemed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of my favorite <em>Magic: The Gathering </em>cards for the way decks built around her seamlessly blend aggressive tendencies and spell synergies.</p>
<p>Whatever route you choose, just remember to sling those spells. And have fun!</p>


Spellslinger in Commander

EDHREC Guide to Spellslinger in Commander

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prismari Command" href="#" target="_blank">Prismari Command</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/algenpfleger">Johannes Voss</a></em></p>
<p>Last month we had a first look at the upcoming <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/sos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Secrets of Strixhaven</em></a> set. We got to <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/secrets-of-strixhaven-and-marvel-super-heroes-products-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">see the entire product line-up</a>, including the five Commander preconstructed decks and their respective face commanders.</p>
<p>This week, I'll be covering a deck tech on the leader of the <em>Prismari Artistry</em> deck, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rootha, Mastering the Moment" href="#" target="_blank">Rootha, Mastering the Moment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rootha, Mastering the Moment" href="#" target="_blank">Rootha, Mastering the Moment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<p>You can read all about Rootha's backstory <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Rootha_Squallheart" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. True to her character, she delayed her graduation to reach the perfection she long sought. A <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magma Opus" href="#" target="_blank">Magma Opus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you might say.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rootha, Mastering the Moment"></div></div>
<p>Much like the Prismari back in the original <em>Strixhaven: School of Mages</em> set, we're not casting a billion spells, ramping up to storm off. Instead, we're going with the big spells, and this version of Rootha rewards us by creating a hasty, flying token that can smack opponents for some big damage.</p>
<p>All of this is well and good, but what kind of big spells are we talking about here?</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rootha, Mastering the Moment" href="#" target="_blank">Rootha, Mastering the Moment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<h3>Artistic Performance</h3>
<p>While we could look through all of the <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/spellslinger" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spellslinger</a> options we have, Rootha needs us to run something different from the norm. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Creative Technique" href="#" target="_blank">Creative Technique</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are valuable because, at worst, we're getting a 5/5 Elemental. However, we could always hit one of our bigger spells instead, which is even better.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Into the Story|eld|50"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Creative Outburst"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Creative Technique"></div></div>
<p>In the case of both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Creative Outburst" href="#" target="_blank">Creative Outburst</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and the aforementioned Magma Opus, we can discard these to get a Treasure token, but being able to cast them for free is simply divine.</p>
<p>Even better, though, are the spells that can discount themselves.</p>
<p>For example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Into the Story" href="#" target="_blank">Into the Story</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could be cast for two mana. However, Rootha checks for the mana value of the card, not how much you paid into the spell. So, you technically get a 7/7 for just two mana! Sadly, I must point out that Rootha does not work with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blasphemous Act" href="#" target="_blank">Blasphemous Act</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> because Rootha triggers at the start of combat, but she'll die before then - unless you find a way to protect her.</p>
<p>That said, there aren't many cards that are worthwhile in the deck. Maybe more will come out, but we'll make do with what we have.</p>
<h3>A Token Performance</h3>
<p>You might be asking what the big idea is behind this section. Well, considering that we make only one of those Elementals during our turn (assuming we've cast an instant or sorcery), it'll mean the game plan will be slow, and easily hindered in a multiplayer setting. The bad news is that, at the time of writing, there aren't too many ways we can make multiple tokens that can attack that turn.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Curiosity Crafter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Full Throttle"></div></div>
<p>However, the good news is that we have a few ways to get things going. We have our usual suspects, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Talrand, Sky Summoner" href="#" target="_blank">Talrand, Sky Summoner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but there's also <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ovika, Enigma Goliath" href="#" target="_blank">Ovika, Enigma Goliath</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who will make an army of these tokens. Though, we also have options like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Twinflame" href="#" target="_blank">Twinflame</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that can make copies of a given card.</p>
<p>Beware, though, because Rootha only triggers during combat, and a lot of these spells are sorcery-speed. The key player in all of this is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer" href="#" target="_blank">Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It'll turn every token we have into the same Elemental we make, plus make a token of its own. Here's hoping that we have more ways to make Rootha's ability work sooner or later.</p>
<p>It's at this point that it makes sense to protect the token we create as best as we can. That way, when it comes back to our turn, we can use red's various cloning effects to copy the token.</p>
<p>This is especially true when we take into account the key suite of cards that make Rootha tick: extra combat steps! The more combats we get, the more Rootha triggers we'll get. Plus, these tokens will have haste, so they can attack right away. Our prime example is <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>, which will give us a bunch of extra combat steps, meaning more tokens to swing with.</p>
<h2>How to Win With <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rootha, Mastering the Moment" href="#" target="_blank">Rootha, Mastering the Moment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>Our ways to win are not much different from the average Spellslinger deck. That said, in our case, we have to go big or go home.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crackle with Power"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shark Typhoon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Surge to Victory"></div></div>
<p>Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Surge to Victory" href="#" target="_blank">Surge to Victory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> pumps our board, and creates a copy of whatever spell we pick when we cast it. While Rootha won't see the copied spell, she will see the Surge, giving us a 6/6 token, perhaps more with an extra combat spell.</p>
<p>Speaking of tokens, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shark Typhoon" href="#" target="_blank">Shark Typhoon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (aka "sharknado") will make plenty of tokens, including big ones we can copy. However, the main token will not have haste, making Brudiclad even more important.</p>
<p>Otherwise, we can rely on the Old Faithful method of using big spells, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rite of Replication" href="#" target="_blank">Rite of Replication</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crackle with Power" href="#" target="_blank">Crackle with Power</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The X-spells in the deck will ensure that we'll always have a giant token to use. That said, I would not advise <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Epic Experiment" href="#" target="_blank">Epic Experiment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> if you load up on those. X will be zero every time, and the cards would basically do nothing.</p>
<h2>Rootha, Mastering the Moment Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Mastering the Moment with Rootha" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Rootha, Mastering the Moment
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Primal Amulet // Primal Wellspring
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Talisman of Creativity
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Big Score
*1 Brainstorm
*1 Consider
*1 Creative Outburst
*1 Dig Through Time
*1 Frantic Search
*1 Galvanic Iteration
*1 Into the Story
*1 Invert Polarity
*1 Magma Opus
*1 Opt
*1 Prismari Command
*1 Savage Beating
*1 Seething Song
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Crackle with Power
*1 Creative Technique
*1 Dance with Calamity
*1 Deep Analysis
*1 Expressive Iteration
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Full Throttle
*1 Fury of the Horde
*1 Mana Geyser
*1 Mizzix&#039;s Mastery
*1 Ponder
*1 Preordain
*1 Relentless Assault
*1 Seize the Day
*1 Surge to Victory
*1 Treasure Cruise
*1 Volcanic Salvo
*1 Volcanic Vision
*1 World at War
[/Sorceries]
[Creatures]
*1 Archmage Emeritus
*1 Archmage of Runes
*1 Balmor, Battlemage Captain
*1 Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer
*1 Coruscation Mage
*1 Curiosity Crafter
*1 Firebrand Archer
*1 Goblin Electromancer
*1 Goldspan Dragon
*1 Guttersnipe
*1 Haughty Djinn
*1 Kessig Flamebreather
*1 Mizzix of the Izmagnus
*1 Ovika, Enigma Goliath
*1 Storm-Kiln Artist
*1 Stormcatch Mentor
*1 Third Path Iconoclast
*1 Thunderclap Drake
*1 Young Pyromancer
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Case of the Ransacked Lab
*1 Determined Iteration
*1 Shark Typhoon
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Cascade Bluffs
*1 Command Tower
*1 Fabled Passage
*1 Ferrous Lake
*1 Fiery Islet
*1 Frostboil Snarl
*11 Island
*11 Mountain
*1 Prismatic Vista
*1 Riverpyre Verge
*1 Scalding Tarn
*1 Shivan Reef
*1 Steam Vents
*1 Stormcarved Coast
*1 Sulfur Falls
*1 Thundering Falls
*1 Training Center
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Aaaaand, Scene!</h2>
<p>And that is just one of the five face commanders from <em>Secrets of Strixhaven</em>. Rootha does seem dull, but built and/or played right, she can be taken into a path within the archetype that can be rather unique. She just simply needs a bit more support to push her over the edge (or the Edge, you might say).</p>
<p>Now, I would like to hear from you. Which of those face commanders gets your attention? Are you looking forward to going back to <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Arcavios" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arcavios</a>? Either way, be sure to come back next time, where I hopefully (more like finally!) begin one of the two new series I have planned for you.</p>


Mastering the Moment With Rootha in Commander

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anthousa, Setessan Hero" href="#" target="_blank">Anthousa, Setessan Hero</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.howardlyon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Howard Lyon</a></em></p>
<p>Imagine this: You go to your Local Game Store and sit down for a game of Commander. You have the Rule 0 conversation and determine you're just looking for a casual game, something in the realm of Bracket 2. The table pulls out the usual suspects: a precon here, a janky brew there. Then, there's one player who simply says: "I'll play this mono-green deck."</p>
<p>Unsurprisingly, you're worried. <em>Green is pretty strong</em>. You ask, "Are you sure it's a Bracket 2?"</p>
<p>The player reveals his commander: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anthousa, Setessan Hero" href="#" target="_blank">Anthousa, Setessan Hero</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. "Oh, I'm playing mono-green Spellslinger."</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anthousa, Setessan Hero"></div></div>
<p>The tenseness of the situation fades. You take a deep breath. That is, until you see what the deck does.</p>
<p>Welcome back to <em>Bottom of the Barrel</em>! This is a series where we pick a theme from EDHREC and look at the “bottom of the barrel.” This means we look at the least played color-combinations and pick a commander in those colors to brew a spicy new deck around!</p>
<p>Today's episode is one close to my heart, as it's my current favorite personal deck I've built. The idea came from an exercise similar to this series, so I felt it was the perfect time to share it with you all.</p>
<h2>Green Spellslinger?</h2>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/spellslinger/mono-green" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to EDHREC</a>, there are 131 Spellslinger themed decks in mono-green, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Legolas, Master Archer" href="#" target="_blank">Legolas, Master Archer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> leading the charge. This is an amazing card for Spellslinger, but I wanted something a little more unique. That's where Anthousa came in.</p>
<p>There are 186 <em>total</em> decks built around her in the database, with <em>only three</em> focusing on Spellslinger.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Legolas, Master Archer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aeve, Progenitor Ooze"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gargos, Vicious Watcher"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Upon first glance, Anthousa might not seem very special, but turning a cantrip into three 2/2 Warriors seems pretty strong! The main issue is mana production vs. mana usage. Anthousa is five mana, which isn’t too difficult to achieve in green, but she does basically nothing unless we have an immediate follow-up. And by then, the lands we want to turn into Warriors are tapped.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even when we have open mana after casting Anthousa, casting spells requires us to use our “creatures” for mana. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This presents a conundrum. How can we solve this so it feels like we aren’t being starved for mana?</span></p>
<h2>Category #1: Mana Production vs. Mana Usage</h2>
<p>There are a few ways to negate the possible pitfalls of our lands being what we attack with, and the first way comes in the form of vigilance and "untappers."</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Angel&#039;s Trumpet" href="#" target="_blank">Angel&#039;s Trumpet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is amazing in this deck for two reasons: It allows our lands to act as attackers <em>and</em> mana sources in the same turn; and it punishes our opponents for trying to sit back while opening them up to future attackers. Shoutout to Rachel Weeks from The Command Zone for the inspiration on this add!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Angel&#039;s Trumpet"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Copperhorn Scout" href="#" target="_blank">Copperhorn Scout</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is great way for us to use our lands as attackers <em>and </em>as mana producers in the same turn, similar to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Angel&#039;s Trumpet" href="#" target="_blank">Angel&#039;s Trumpet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Copperhorn Scout"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Llanowar Druid" href="#" target="_blank">Llanowar Druid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another great way for us to regain our mana production ability from our Forests that attack, even if it's only a single-use case.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Llanowar Druid"></div></div>
<h2>Category #2: Recursion</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A big problem that presents itself with Anthousa is consistency. Having cards that we can cast repeatedly to target Anthousa are cards we should be focusing on. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is probably the best card in the deck because it gets returned to our hand when Anthousa gets removed, so we can cast it again.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rancor"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prey&#039;s Vengeance" href="#" target="_blank">Prey&#039;s Vengeance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is great too because it has rebound, allowing us to get Anthousa's trigger on two consecutive turns without spending mana the second time.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Prey&#039;s Vengeance"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Running “Regrowth” effects can be critical to our success as well, as getting back our “target” spells allows us to recover quickly after running out of gas.</span></p>
<p>Our main Regrowth effects are <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bösium Strip" href="#" target="_blank">Bösium Strip</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pair o&#039; Dice Lost" href="#" target="_blank">Pair o&#039; Dice Lost</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Pair o' Dice Lost returns spells we've used directly to our hand, but Bösium Strip lets us recast them from the graveyard as long as the top card of our graveyard is an instant or sorcery.</p>
<p>Considering we have 32 total instants and sorceries in the deck, that isn't a hard prerequisite to meet.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bösium Strip"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pair o&#039; Dice Lost"></div></div>
<h2>Category #3: Cheap Spells</h2>
<p>Ultimately, the goal is to consistently target Anthousa with cheap spells, and I tried to limit these spells to ones that are one mana or less. There are twelve spells in this deck that cost one or less mana that trigger Anthousa, and my includes fall into three categories:</p>
<p>1. Something that pumps Anthousa by a ridiculous amount (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Might of the Masses" href="#" target="_blank">Might of the Masses</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Get a Leg Up" href="#" target="_blank">Get a Leg Up</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Primal Bellow" href="#" target="_blank">Primal Bellow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>)</p>
<p>2. Something that grants our commander trample in some way (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Massive Might" href="#" target="_blank">Massive Might</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Charge Through" href="#" target="_blank">Charge Through</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>)</p>
<p>3. Something that's free to cast (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Invigorate" href="#" target="_blank">Invigorate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gather Courage" href="#" target="_blank">Gather Courage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mutagenic Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Mutagenic Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>)</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Might of the Masses"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Massive Might"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mutagenic Growth"></div></div>
<p>Since we have several spells that increase our commander's power, winning with commander damage is very possible in this deck. Therefore, trample is a must!</p>
<h2>Category #3: Card Draw</h2>
<p>Green doesn't struggle with drawing cards, but it's usually associated with casting creature spells. How can we draw enough cards in this deck to not run out of gas?</p>
<p>The most obvious answer is with a green staple: <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>Here are some less obvious includes:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Season of Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Season of Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> draws cards whenever we target our commander.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Family&#039;s Favor" href="#" target="_blank">Family&#039;s Favor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can protect our commander in combat <em>and</em> draw us cards when she deals damage.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ohran Frostfang" href="#" target="_blank">Ohran Frostfang</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toski, Bearer of Secrets" href="#" target="_blank">Toski, Bearer of Secrets</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> both can turn our "land creatures" into an absurd amount of card advantage.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Runic Armasaur" href="#" target="_blank">Runic Armasaur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> draws cards when our opponents activate abilities.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elder Gargaroth" href="#" target="_blank">Elder Gargaroth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can draw us cards <em>or </em>gain us life <em>or </em>generate creatures!</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hylda&#039;s Crown of Winter" href="#" target="_blank">Hylda&#039;s Crown of Winter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can draw cards when an opponent overextends.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harmonize" href="#" target="_blank">Harmonize</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is always good in green decks.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sylvan Library"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Toski, Bearer of Secrets"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Harmonize"></div></div>
<h2>Category #4: The "Secret Spice"</h2>
<p>This week's "secret spice" includes each serve different purposes, but each put in <em>work</em> in this deck.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harvest Season" href="#" target="_blank">Harvest Season</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a ridiculous ramp spell in this deck because if we have a way to target Anthousa first, we can turn the lands we tap to cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harvest Season" href="#" target="_blank">Harvest Season</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> into creatures, guaranteeing at least <em>three lands</em>!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Harvest Season"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="River Song&#039;s Diary" href="#" target="_blank">River Song&#039;s Diary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> serves two purposes in this deck: recursion and "theft." Being able to reuse pump spells is amazing, but being able to steal our opponents' used instant and sorcery spells is a huge plus for this card.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="River Song&#039;s Diary"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirror Box" href="#" target="_blank">Mirror Box</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is our final "secret spice," and it's for a reason you may not expect. We aren't doing any cloning, so the first line of this card is completely irrelevant to us. The second line however, is where this card shines.</p>
<p>When we turn our Forests into creatures <em>they are creatures that have the same name!</em> Meaning: they pump each other up based on the amount of other Forest creatures we have! Also, we run things like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Awaken the Woods" href="#" target="_blank">Awaken the Woods</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Staff of Titania" href="#" target="_blank">Staff of Titania</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that also create Forest creatures, and this card works wonders with those includes too.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mirror Box"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Awaken the Woods"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Staff of Titania"></div></div>
<h2>Closing Thoughts</h2>
<p>That will do it for this week's episode of <em>Bottom of the Barrel!</em> I hope you enjoyed exploring this underplayed commander with me, and I hope you'll give it a try. After building this deck in paper and tinkering with it over the past few months, it's slowly cemented itself as my favorite personal deck, and I'm glad to sing its praises every chance I get.</p>
<p>Check out my decklist below.</p>
<h2>Anthousa, Setessan Hero Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Lands = Creatures" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Anthousa, Setessan Hero
[/Commander]
[Enchantments]
*1 Family&#039;s Favor
*1 Garruk&#039;s Uprising
*1 Rancor
*1 Season of Growth
*1 Sylvan Library
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Animist&#039;s Might
*1 Awaken the Woods
*1 Cultivate
*1 Harmonize
*1 Harvest Season
*1 Nature&#039;s Lore
*1 Overwhelming Stampede
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Scale the Heights
*1 Season of Gathering
*1 Three Visits
*1 Triumph of the Hordes
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Arachnogenesis
*1 Awakening of Vitu-Ghazi
*1 Beast Within
*1 Charge Through
*1 Deglamer
*1 Galadhrim Ambush
*1 Gather Courage
*1 Get a Leg Up
*1 Invigorate
*1 Massive Might
*1 Might of the Masses
*1 Mutagenic Growth
*1 Obscuring Haze
*1 Pair o&#039; Dice Lost
*1 Prey&#039;s Vengeance
*1 Primal Bellow
*1 Return of the Wildspeaker
*1 Tail Swipe
*1 Trash the Town
*1 Vitality Charm
[/Instants]
[Creatures]
*1 Copperhorn Scout
*1 Dosan the Falling Leaf
*1 Elder Gargaroth
*1 Giggling Skitterspike
*1 Jolrael, Empress of Beasts
*1 Kamahl, Heart of Krosa
*1 Llanowar Druid
*1 Nissa, Vastwood Seer // Nissa, Sage Animist
*1 Ohran Frostfang
*1 Runic Armasaur
*1 Sakura-Tribe Elder
*1 Thunderfoot Baloth
*1 Toski, Bearer of Secrets
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Angel&#039;s Trumpet
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bösium Strip
*1 Dolmen Gate
*1 Emerald Medallion
*1 Hylda&#039;s Crown of Winter
*1 Mirror Box
*1 River Song&#039;s Diary
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Staff of Titania
*1 Throne of Eldraine
[/Artifacts]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Nissa, Who Shakes the World
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Blast Zone
*1 Cascading Cataracts
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Darksteel Citadel
*1 Emergence Zone
*29 Forest
*1 Inkmoth Nexus
*1 Lair of the Hydra
*1 Tranquil Thicket
[/Lands]"></span></div>


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Mono-Green Spellslinger With Anthousa, Setessan Hero