Is Roaming Throne Affecting Commander Deckbuilding?

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Splinter, Radical Rat" href="#" target="_blank">Splinter, Radical Rat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/castaguer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Manuel Castañón</a></em></p>
<p>The <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tmt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle's</a> are making their way to <em>Magic</em> in a few weeks, and judging by what we've seen from the set so far, we're in for a full-on Ninja invasion. One of the first possible commanders that caught my eye while looking over the previews was <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Splinter, Radical Rat" href="#" target="_blank">Splinter, Radical Rat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Doubling triggers has always been a powerful effect to build around, and it got my brewing mind going right away.</p>
<p>When I returned to playing <em>Magic</em> back in 2019, the first deck I built was around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Many players, myself included, know just how overpowered that commander can be and I've considered changing the deck up for a while. With <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Splinter, Radical Rat" href="#" target="_blank">Splinter, Radical Rat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> now on his way, I'm making that switch.</p>
<p>So join me, <a href="https://linktr.ee/pillowfortmtg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks</a>, as I cover a full budget 99 centered around everyone's favorite rodent mentor for about $40 (based on <a href="https://partner.tcgplayer.com/c/4913290/1830156/21018?partnerpropertyid=5237567&amp;subId1=edhrec%2Ccardprice&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tcgplayer.com%2Fproduct%2F673673%2Fmagic-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-splinter-radical-rat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TCGPlayer</a> pricing, and excluding the commander, since it's still at presale prices).</p>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Splinter, Radical Rat" href="#" target="_blank">Splinter, Radical Rat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Splinter, Radical Rat"></div></div>
<p>As you look over the different Ninja in this deck, you'll see just how many of them have powerful triggers that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Splinter, Radical Rat" href="#" target="_blank">Splinter, Radical Rat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will be excited to double. But don't overlook is his second ability. Spending two mana to make a member of your team unblockable is a great rate, and honestly just what a <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/ninjas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ninja</a> deck needs.</p>
<p>Typically, in a deck like this, you'll <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Ninjutsu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ninjutsu</a> a creature in, get its effect, and then it just sits there as the game goes on. Giving evasion to a key member of your team is a way to help it break through your opponents' defenses turn after turn.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Splinter, Radical Rat" href="#" target="_blank">Splinter, Radical Rat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>Let's get right into the cards that make this deck so impressive, even on a budget.</p>
<h3>Ninja With Card Advantage</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nashi, Moon Sage&#039;s Scion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ingenious Infiltrator"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Making her way into this list is the current ruling champion of <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/ninjas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ninja</a> decks. Luckily, this card fits in the budget right now, and it's even more deadly when you get to double those triggers for each Ninja that hits your opponents.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nashi, Moon Sage&#039;s Scion" href="#" target="_blank">Nashi, Moon Sage&#039;s Scion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's another legend that's on the pricier side, but gives this deck access to a few effects that you might not have in your arsenal. Which is worth the price, since it heightens your deck's impact on a game.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ingenious Infiltrator" href="#" target="_blank">Ingenious Infiltrator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This Ninja is a great way to refill your hand out of nowhere. If your commander was able to give evasion to your board, and then you ninjutsu this in, you'll be drawing two cards for each member of your team that hits an opponent.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ninja of the Deep Hours"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Satoru Umezawa"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Satoru, the Infiltrator"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ninja of the Deep Hours" href="#" target="_blank">Ninja of the Deep Hours</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Even though this creature only draws you a card when it itself hits a player, or two cards with Splinter out, that's still a beneficial outcome, especially when you can drop it down for only two mana and replace an unblocked creature.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Satoru Umezawa" href="#" target="_blank">Satoru Umezawa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While I know that most players may only view this legend as a way to drop giant creatures into play for far less than their mana costs, it's mainly in this deck to double that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anticipate" href="#" target="_blank">Anticipate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-esque effect whenever you ninjutsu something in.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Satoru, the Infiltrator" href="#" target="_blank">Satoru, the Infiltrator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Speaking of gaining card advantage when you ninjutsu a creature into play, this second version of Satoru is amazing for refilling your hand. Now whenever a Ninja enters in place of an attacker, you'll draw two cards.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Ninja With Great Abilities To Double</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thousand-Faced Shadow"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Prosperous Thief"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mistblade Shinobi"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thousand-Faced Shadow" href="#" target="_blank">Thousand-Faced Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Since this deck is centered around your Ninja with great triggers, why not get more copies of them onto your board? Plus, this creature's ability is another trigger for Splinter to copy when it enters the battlefield.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prosperous Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Prosperous Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a way for the deck to flood the board with Treasure tokens. Think of this scenario: If you only have three Ninja deal damage to your opponents while this creature and your commander are on the board, then you'll make six Treasures in a single combat.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mistblade Shinobi" href="#" target="_blank">Mistblade Shinobi</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This creature is going to be the bane of some people's plans. Bouncing someone's creature whenever you hit them can disrupt a player's board over and over again, keeping them on their backfoot.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Saiba Cryptomancer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dokuchi Silencer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodline Pretender"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Saiba Cryptomancer" href="#" target="_blank">Saiba Cryptomancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: A key thing to note with this card is that its backup ability is a trigger, which means your commander can copy it. Handing out hexproof and a counter at flash speed could save you in a key moment.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dokuchi Silencer" href="#" target="_blank">Dokuchi Silencer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Something I haven't highlighted yet are the many cheap evasive creatures that make up this list that assist you with ninjutsu-ing your threats into play. Once you do have your Ninja on the board, those smaller creatures could be used as discard fodder in order to destroy some scary things across the table.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodline Pretender" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodline Pretender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: The playstyle of this deck is centered around Ninja hitting the battlefield, which'll grow this creature with counters. Once your commander is out, it'll get twice that many counters and deal a lot of damage when Splinter gives it evasion.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Synergistic Support Cards</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Etchings of the Chosen"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ninja&#039;s Blades"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nerd Rage"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Etchings of the Chosen" href="#" target="_blank">Etchings of the Chosen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Naming Ninja when this comes into play will set you up to be dealing more damage and offering you a way to protect your board as the game goes on. Which all makes your deck even more resilient.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ninja&#039;s Blades" href="#" target="_blank">Ninja&#039;s Blades</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a card that's such a perfect inclusion in the deck. It comes in attached to a token, but it could also be re-equipped to another evasive creature in order to turn it into a Ninja and double those triggers.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nerd Rage" href="#" target="_blank">Nerd Rage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: I know I've covered a lot of the card advantage spells in this deck already, but I've barely scratched the surface with this list. There's over twenty ways to put cards into your hand with this list. So, having ten or more cards in your hand isn't far-fetched, meaning that you can be hitting for a whole lot of damage with this Aura.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Momo, Playful Pet"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gossip&#039;s Talent"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Graveshifter"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Momo, Playful Pet" href="#" target="_blank">Momo, Playful Pet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Who knew that Momo would be such a great member of a Ninja gang? This is one of the best creatures to ninjutsu away turn after turn, since it gives you a wide variety of effects when it leaves play.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gossip&#039;s Talent" href="#" target="_blank">Gossip&#039;s Talent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Smoothing out your card draw with that surveil is going to be great, but leveling this up in order to allow a smaller creature to swing in freely each turn will pay off <em>majorly</em> for you in the long run.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Graveshifter" href="#" target="_blank">Graveshifter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's an honorary Ninja that hits play and brings you back two creatures when your commander is out. Which is very strong, especially if you become the enemy at the table.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Splinter, Radical Rat Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Splinter, Radical Rat - EDHREC Budget Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Splinter, Radical Rat
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Artificer&#039;s Assistant
*1 Blade-Blizzard Kitsune
*1 Bloodline Pretender
*1 Changeling Outcast
*1 Diversion Unit
*1 Dokuchi Silencer
*1 Faerie Dreamthief
*1 Faerie Seer
*1 Gingerbrute
*1 Graveshifter
*1 Gudul Lurker
*1 Illvoi Galeblade
*1 Ingenious Infiltrator
*1 Inkrise Infiltrator
*1 Mist-Cloaked Herald
*1 Mistblade Shinobi
*1 Momo, Playful Pet
*1 Moon-Circuit Hacker
*1 Moonblade Shinobi
*1 Moonsnare Specialist
*1 Nashi, Moon Sage&#039;s Scion
*1 Nashi, Searcher in the Dark
*1 Nezumi Prowler
*1 Ninja of the Deep Hours
*1 Ornithopter
*1 Prosperous Thief
*1 Saiba Cryptomancer
*1 Satoru Umezawa
*1 Satoru, the Infiltrator
*1 Silver-Fur Master
*1 Siren Stormtamer
*1 Skullsnatcher
*1 Slither Blade
*1 Spectral Sailor
*1 Spyglass Siren
*1 Sygg, Wanderwine Wisdom // Sygg, Wanderbrine Shield
*1 Thalakos Seer
*1 Thousand-Faced Shadow
*1 Throatseeker
*1 Tormented Soul
*1 Triton Shorestalker
*1 Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Enter the Avatar State
*1 Evacuation
*1 Geistwave
*1 Negate
*1 Opt
*1 Unbury
*1 Unsubstantiate
*1 Void Rend
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Distant Melody
*1 Pact of the Serpent
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bident of Thassa
*1 Ninja&#039;s Blades
*1 Sol Ring
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Duelist&#039;s Heritage
*1 Etchings of the Chosen
*1 Gossip&#039;s Talent
*1 Nerd Rage
*1 Smoke Shroud
*1 Waterbender Ascension
[/Enchantments]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Kaito Shizuki
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Access Tunnel
*1 Adarkar Wastes
*1 Caves of Koilos
*1 Choked Estuary
*1 Command Tower
*1 Contaminated Landscape
*1 Darkwater Catacombs
*1 Escape Tunnel
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fetid Pools
*1 Glacial Fortress
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Port Town
*1 River of Tears
*1 Secluded Courtyard
*1 Sunken Hollow
*1 Temple of Deceit
*11 Island
*6 Swamp
*1 Plains
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>In Closing</h2>
<p>Well, there you have it, my budget 99 for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Splinter, Radical Rat" href="#" target="_blank">Splinter, Radical Rat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that you can pick up for about $40. I hope this got you excited to see some more of the new Ninja that will be entering the format thanks to the <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tmt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles</a></em> set, because this deck will be sure to gain even more great options.</p>
<p>If you're looking for bonus budget content from me, you can check out my YouTube channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thepillowfort" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Pillow Fort</a>, or read a few more of my articles right here on <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/tyler-bucks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EDHREC</a>.</p>


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