<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Season&#039;s Beatings" href="#" target="_blank">Season&#039;s Beatings</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=artist%3Akevwalker&amp;unique=cards&amp;as=grid&amp;order=name" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kev Walker</a></em></p>
<h2>Seasons Greetings!</h2>
<p>This week, we're going back in time and covering everything that came out for <em>Universes Beyond! </em>Here, we'll be giving an in-depth review for each of the major releases this year (<em>Secret Lairs</em> get their own section). This'll be a long article, so let's save my word count, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commence the Endgame" href="#" target="_blank">Commence the Endgame</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Release #1: <em>Final Fantasy</em></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vivi Ornitier"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rinoa Heartilly"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER"></div></div>
<p>For this year, we begin with a bang so loud it could be heard across the world. The <em>Final Fantasy</em> set took the community by storm, becoming the <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/final-fantasy-best-selling-mtg-set-before-official-release-date">fastest-selling set before it was even released</a>!</p>
<p>In addition, this set had something for everyone. Commander, as a whole, got plenty of goodies from the main set, to the bonus sheet, to the <em>Secret Lairs</em> (more on those in that section). I even set out to write an article featuring only cards from this release, which you can read about <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/beyond-the-multiverse-the-final-fantasy-sendoff">here</a>. Many cards, including the new additions from the precons, are still being played in the format.</p>
<p>Even though he's banned in Standard, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vivi Ornitier" href="#" target="_blank">Vivi Ornitier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is still sending chills down the spines of players everywhere. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER" href="#" target="_blank">Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is perhaps the most powerful <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effect ever printed, and on a commander option no less.</p>
<p>However, I can't say this was all a bed of roses. The set had a higher power level than usual, including Vivi, who has traumatized Standard players everywhere, and thus may react when we use a deck for him.</p>
<p>Speaking of Standard, this set was the first in the <em>Universes Beyond</em> product line to be Standard legal, a decision I don't endorse. Maybe the next set will be better, no?</p>
<hr />
<h2>Release #2: <em>Spider-Man</em></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Soul Stone"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Parker Luck"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cosmic Spider-Man"></div></div>
<p>...Okay, maybe not.</p>
<p>This set was met with quite the negative reception. Sure, this release drew in some people, but even I admit that this was the worst <em>Universes Beyond</em> set this year. This is true especially when we compare it to the other releases.</p>
<p>The highlight card is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Soul Stone" href="#" target="_blank">The Soul Stone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a card with Commander usage, and some long-term implications. Many were quick to point out a new plane in the Multiverse, named New York City (this is a joke, by the way). While I could go on about how it was received, it's not to say its Commander applications were useless.</p>
<p>Aside from The Soul Stone, we got our mitts on some tri-color commanders, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gwen Stacy" href="#" target="_blank">Gwen Stacy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and a five-color option in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cosmic Spider-Man" href="#" target="_blank">Cosmic Spider-Man</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. If you asked me what I did with this set, I'd tell you nothing, but I did plan on making Cosmic Spider-Man with cards mostly from this set. We also got a lot of new Spider support, including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mary Jane Watson" href="#" target="_blank">Mary Jane Watson</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who's certainly going on a date with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shelob, Child of Ungoliant" href="#" target="_blank">Shelob, Child of Ungoliant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>...Wait a minute. Nah, it's probably nothing.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Release #3: <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA)</em></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ozai, the Phoenix King"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Avatar Aang"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fire Lord Azula"></div></div>
<p>To out my thoughts shortly: <em>Spider-Man</em> walked, so <em>ATLA</em> could run.</p>
<p>There's no mistaking it. People were excited for this set, and for good reason. While we did get yet another five-color option in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Avatar Aang" href="#" target="_blank">Avatar Aang</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, his design was actually more creative than what we got with Cosmic Spider-Man.</p>
<p>Plus, we also got as plethora of unique and interesting two and three-color commander choices. One of the most popular of these is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fire Lord Azula" href="#" target="_blank">Fire Lord Azula</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who'll be copying spells left and right. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fire Lord Zuko" href="#" target="_blank">Fire Lord Zuko</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another take on an exile deck that'll give <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prosper, Tome-Bound" href="#" target="_blank">Prosper, Tome-Bound</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> decks a new color.</p>
<p>The heavy presence of Ally cards really bolstered the creature type, even giving it a couple of new commanders in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Katara, the Fearless" href="#" target="_blank">Katara, the Fearless</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sokka, Tenacious Tactician" href="#" target="_blank">Sokka, Tenacious Tactician</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="General Tazri" href="#" target="_blank">General Tazri</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> decks will never be the same again, I assure you.</p>
<p>While this set wasn't on the same power level as <em>Final Fantasy</em>, the flavor and unique mechanics makes it a major competitor for <em>Universes Beyond</em> Set of the Year.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Bonus: The Secret Lair Drops</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jodah, the Unifier|sld|1932"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sonic the Hedgehog"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kratos, God of War"></div></div>
<p>To wrap up this review, we have ourselves a myriad of Secret Lair Drops that gave us some new IPs to work with.</p>
<p>Kicking this off was <em>Marvel,</em> again. This time, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deadpool, Trading Card" href="#" target="_blank">Deadpool, Trading Card</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Great card, if you want to give judges a headache.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deadpool, Trading Card"></div></div>
<p>Secondly, the <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/beyond-the-multiverse-whos-that-under-the-sea-spongebob-squarepants"><em>SpongeBob SquarePants</em> Superdrop</a>, which brought us reskins of existing cards. Nothing too special about these drops beyond that, unless you were lucky enough to pull a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Smothering Tithe|sld|7009" href="#" target="_blank">Smothering Tithe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Next, we had the aforementioned <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/secret-lair-x-final-fantasy-three-new-drops-revealed"><em>Final Fantasy</em> drops</a>, which were jam-packed with strong reprints to go with the main release. On a personal note, I remember this release destroying my mental health so badly that it took me months to recover (There's a part of me that hasn't).</p>
<p>Later in the year, we got the next batch of drops <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/secret-lair-x-sonic-three-new-drops-officially-announced">in the form of the <em>Sonic the Hedgehog</em> franchise</a>. These featured mechanically unique legends in one of the drops, while the rest were reskins of existing cards. There was chatter about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shadow the Hedgehog" href="#" target="_blank">Shadow the Hedgehog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> making waves in higher brackets, but I don't know if that's still true.</p>
<p>After that was a <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/secret-lair-drops-for-spider-man-release-on-september-22nd">Superdrop themed around <em>Spider-Man</em></a>, but I remember the Venom-related drops being the most prominent of the lot.</p>
<p>Next, we had a big surge in IPs, <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/big-reveals-at-the-secret-lair-panel-at-magiccon-atlanta">from <em>The Office</em> to various <em>PlayStation</em> games</a> and, eventually, to <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/secret-lair-webstore-hints-at-monster-hunter-drops"><em>Monster Hunter</em></a>. The <em>PlayStation </em>ones were all mechanically unique with several interesting new commanders. In the midst of it all was the <em>ATLA </em>superdrop, which featured <em>ATLA</em>-themed reprints for those wanting to play with the IP.</p>
<p>...Whew. That was a long list.</p>
<hr />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ziatora, the Incinerator|SLD|2238"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Joel, Resolute Survivor|SLD|2198"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reaper King|SLD|2170"></div></div>
<h2>Ride Unto a New Dawn</h2>
<p>And that's a wrap for this year's <em>Universes Beyond</em> releases.</p>
<p>With next year featuring four sets, plus loads of <em>Secret Lair </em>drops, it'll be interesting to see if I can contain it in one article.</p>
<p>Originally, this week was supposed to be for a deck tech, but a hiccup in the scheduling has moved it into next year. This is better for me, because it meant that I can avoid the awkward situation of ruining my advent calendar to write up my articles, especially in the middle of the month. Good thing I got a second box for this purpose.</p>
<p>Speaking of which, tune in next time where I explain the rules of my shenanigans, and kick off the festivities.</p>
<h3>Read More:</h3>
<p>https://edhrec.com/articles/fire-lord-zuko-commander-deck-tech</p>
<p>https://edhrec.com/articles/beyond-the-multiverse-guru-pathik</p>
<p>https://edhrec.com/articles/the-best-commander-from-every-year-of-the-2000s</p>


2025: The Year in Universes Beyond

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jodah, the Unifier|sld|1932" href="#" target="_blank">Spongebob Squarepants</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://caleb-meurer.squarespace.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Caleb Meurer</a></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hello everyone! I’m Levi from the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5n27ku41qleRMM7CKrWOh3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thought Vessel Show</a>, and this is </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ten Under Twenty</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> where we take a deep dive on a single commander and find those cards that are simply not getting the respect they deserve. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week we're looking at <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jodah, the Unifier|sld|1932" href="#" target="_blank">Spongebob Squarepants</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or, probably more commonly known as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jodah, the Unifier" href="#" target="_blank">Jodah, the Unifier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In order to qualify for this list, the card has to appear in less than 20% of decks here on EDHREC. This is a buffet-style list, meaning you can take whatever you like and leave whatever you don't. My goal here is to simply shine some light on some great cards that deserve some love. Let’s look at SpongeBob first before jumping into the list.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jodah, the Unifier|sld|1932"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">SpongeBob might be the closest commander we have currently to the universally good WUBRG commander ever since Golos was banned. Having both a pump effect and an upgraded cascade effect out of the command zone will both bring a lot of power and attention to the table. There's rarely a game in which a SpongeBob deck is played where it is not the center of attention in non-cEDH pods. The deck usually wants to run the best legendary creatures possible in order to take advantage of the free casting and use the buffed attack power to close out the game. With this strategy in mind, let’s start our list with number ten.</span></p>
<h2>10) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kolvori, God of Kinship" href="#" target="_blank">Kolvori, God of Kinship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (14%)</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kolvori, God of Kinship"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Starting out, we have a pretty underrated card in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kolvori, God of Kinship" href="#" target="_blank">Kolvori, God of Kinship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. In a deck that's legend-focused, being able to choose between a two mana value mana rock or a 6/6 vigilant legendary creature that can also provide card advantage is a phenomenal place to be. Attacking, blocking, ramping, or gaining card advantage, there really isn’t a single point in the game in which this would be a dead card thanks to that versatility. The fact that it's only showing up in fourteen percent of SpongeBob decks on EDHREC is criminal!</span></p>
<h2>9) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer" href="#" target="_blank">Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (14%)</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though the numbers for Ragavan might be a bit lower due to its price, this is still one of my favorite includes in this deck. Most of the time, when you cast Ragavan, it can be easy to block and trade off before generating Treasure and card advantage since this is a mere 2/1 Monkey. With SpongeBob in play, Ragavan becomes significantly stronger and will survive chump blocks. The extra mana from the Treasures will allow for multiple legends to be cast in the same turn or even permit SpongeBob to be cast earlier if Ragavan is played in the early game. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since it's a lower mana value legend, it will also find its way onto the field pretty consistently through SpongeBob’s ability since it can still be cast off of two- and three-mana legends.</span></p>
<h2>8) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Karn&#039;s Temporal Sundering" href="#" target="_blank">Karn&#039;s Temporal Sundering</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (14%)</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Karn&#039;s Temporal Sundering"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">SpongeBob specifically cares about legendary spells, not legendary creatures. Though extra turns are sometimes seen as taboo in Commander, this is an excellent finisher. For starters, you'll be able to bounce a nonland permanent an opponent controls back to their hand. This could be a protection piece like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Propaganda" href="#" target="_blank">Propaganda</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or possibly that one pesky deathtouching blocker that's in the way. It's also a six mana legendary spell, so it'll find a five-mana or less legend to come right into play. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That extra turn will also bring extra cards, mana, and most importantly, an extra combat step. It’s not too far-fetched to believe that an extra turn in SpongeBob can be enough to close out the game. Fourteen percent of decks using this card is way too low.</span></p>
<h2>7) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Basim Ibn Ishaq" href="#" target="_blank">Basim Ibn Ishaq</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (14%)</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Basim Ibn Ishaq"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This card is flying under the radar like many other cards from the <em>Assassin’s Creed</em> set. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Basim Ibn Ishaq" href="#" target="_blank">Basim Ibn Ishaq</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another phenomenal low mana value legend to catch the four- and three-mana legends that provides card advantage once per turn. It also grows with the +1/+1 counters and becomes unblockable to get through any potential blockers. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For under $5, this should be an auto-include in these decks.</span></p>
<h2>6) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aurelia, the Warleader" href="#" target="_blank">Aurelia, the Warleader</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (9%)</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aurelia, the Warleader"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As I mentioned with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Karn’s Temporal Sundering" href="#" target="_blank">Karn’s Temporal Sundering</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, the level of damage this deck can produce can lead to victory by simply adding one more turn of combat. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aurelia, the Warleader" href="#" target="_blank">Aurelia, the Warleader</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> provides that extra push. It's an added bonus that the card comes with haste, so you can start attacking for flying damage right away. There's even a combo that this deck can run by including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brago, King Eternal" href="#" target="_blank">Brago, King Eternal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for infinite combat steps, if one were inclined to use it. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a top-end finisher, we could do a lot worse.</span></p>
<h2>5) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akroma&#039;s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Akroma&#039;s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (7%)</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Akroma&#039;s Will"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Speaking of Angel-related powers, the next card on the list is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akroma&#039;s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Akroma&#039;s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, which is played in only 7% of SpongeBob decks here on EDHREC. It's strange that a card can be used defensively and as a finisher at the same time. The only thing that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akroma&#039;s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Akroma&#039;s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">doesn’t provide is stat modification, which SpongeBob has in droves. It's honestly a perfect match. </span></p>
<h2>4) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Minsc &amp; Boo, Timeless Heroes" href="#" target="_blank">Minsc &amp; Boo, Timeless Heroes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (7%)</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Minsc &amp; Boo, Timeless Heroes"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is one that a lot of players don’t think about since it’s a planeswalker, and most planeswalkers that are being played in SpongeBob are in a dedicated Superfriends deck. Minsc, of course, brings along <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boo" href="#" target="_blank">Boo</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which normally can be pumped up with the first loyalty ability or sacrificed to spread around damage and draw cards. In a deck that's pumping the stats of all legendary creatures, that's going to push out a lot of damage and be a lot of cards drawn. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The cherry on top: the beginning of the next upkeep will bring Boo back to be used in combat or for a sacrifice again.</span></p>
<h2>3) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar" href="#" target="_blank">Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6.8%)</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Next we have another card from the <em>Dungeons &amp; Dragons</em> universe, and now in the SpongeBob universe as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar|sld|1928" href="#" target="_blank">Squidward, Sarcastic Snob</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Grazilaxx</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is sneaky good in SpongeBob as it puts opponents in a lose-lose situation. Either players allow themselves to get hit by legendary creatures and SpongeBob gets to draw cards, or they can block and Grazilaxx</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> allows the SpongeBob player to put the card back into hand, which allows them to be recast and trigger SpongeBob again, adding even more legendary creatures to the battlefield. It also makes it nearly impossible to lose an attacking creature in combat.</span></p>
<h2>2) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Invasion of Fiora" href="#" target="_blank">Invasion of Fiora</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6.2%)</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Invasion of Fiora"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It's always a good idea to include a couple of one-sided board wipes. This is especially true for SpongeBob, since it would be able to clear out most blockers that are in the way. Since it's a battle, it wouldn’t be very difficult to attack and take out the battle to get <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marchesa, Resolute Monarch" href="#" target="_blank">Marchesa, Resolute Monarch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">into play for some extra combat damage and card draw.</span></p>
<h2>1) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alesha, Who Laughs at Fate" href="#" target="_blank">Alesha, Who Laughs at Fate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (4.1%)</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Alesha, Who Laughs at Fate"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And finally, at the top of our list, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alesha, Who Laughs at Fate" href="#" target="_blank">Alesha, Who Laughs at Fate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> It almost feels like cheating to play this in</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> SpongeBob since their stats are drastically increased, so SpongeBob can virtually bring back any creature in the graveyard right away. The +1/+1 counters are also a nice touch. Ultimately, this card deserves a lot more inclusion in SpongeBob decks than 4.1%.</span></p>
<h2>Overplayed Cards With SpongeBob</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When looking to add some, if not all, of these legendary cards to your SpongeBob deck, it can be intimidating to figure out what to cut from your deck. Though I can't make that decision for you, I do have some suggestions of some cards that are popular for SpongeBob, showing up in about 50% of eligible decks or more on EDHREC, that may not be worth the hype that they are getting. These are my cut candidates. </span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chromatic Lantern"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Annie Joins Up"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mox Amber"></div></div>
<p><b>1) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chromatic Lantern" href="#" target="_blank">Chromatic Lantern</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (60%)</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> – I get this is a five-color deck that legitimately needs to have all five colors available as soon as possible, but with the amount of dual lands that we're getting in sets these days, I don’t think color fixing is as big of an issue as it once was. I would much rather use my three mana value slot in the deck toward <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Relic of Legends" href="#" target="_blank">Relic of Legends</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>,</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> which is going to be far more impactful to the overall strategy of the deck.</span></p>
<p><b>2) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Annie Joins Up" href="#" target="_blank">Annie Joins Up</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (50%)</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> – This is a good card in SpongeBob, no doubt about it. Coming in and dealing five damage to a target and then doubling SpongeBob triggers moving forward is great. I don’t like that the card itself is legendary, because in a lot of games with SpongeBob, this is either going to come in instead of a legendary creature that will boost the team, or it will be cast on the turn and it brings along a three mana or less legendary creature. Yes, it will add more legends to the board, but I would rather cast or flip into cards that will help me push for the win rather than a value engine. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are some decks that would absolutely want this, like if you were using a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Najeela, The Blade-Blossom" href="#" target="_blank">Najeela, The Blade-Blossom</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">combo and you wanted to increase the rate of using SpongeBob’s ability on three mana or less cards, then this would be a great include. I would just suggest building your deck, recognizing the play patterns, and </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">then</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> adding <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Annie Joins Up" href="#" target="_blank">Annie Joins Up</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">into the 99.</span></p>
<p><b>Bonus Card – <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mox Amber" href="#" target="_blank">Mox Amber</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (29%)</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> – Though it doesn’t quite make the list for a cut candidate since it shows up in only 30% of SpongeBob decks, I still wanted to discuss this card and why it may not be a good inclusion for SpongeBob in general. When SpongeBob triggers off of a legendary cast, it's going to take the next legendary spell in the order. While you still would be able to get this card off of casting a one-mana legend like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer" href="#" target="_blank">Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, it would also take up that legendary spell off of a bigger cast as well. And since it's not a creature, it wouldn’t increase the power of the rest of the legends either. It just isn’t worth the hassle most of the time in this deck.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">SpongeBob is like a superhero in this format. It’s an incredibly powerful card, but it will attract a lot of attention at the same time. Most SpongeBob players know this and are more than willing to accept the challenge. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I hope you find some or all of these cards helpful for your current or future SpongeBob builds. If you have a commander you'd like to see on </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ten Under Twenty</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, send us an email at thoughtvesselshow@gmail.com. Until next time, happy brewing.</span></p>


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