<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kestia, The Cultivator" href="#" target="_blank">Kestia, The Cultivator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://zezhouchen.com/">Zezhou Chen</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p><span id="m_7985745279735501680gmail-docs-internal-guid-971aaafd-7fff-35c2-bef7-2bbb00875c9e">Hello EDHREC! I’m Bernardo Melibeu and this is <em>Epic Experiment,</em> a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally play our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</span></p>
<p>This week we'll be exploring one very unique commander: she's a literal Aura in the command zone. Yes, I'm talking about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kestia, the Cultivator" href="#" target="_blank">Kestia, the Cultivator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kestia, the Cultivator"></div></div>
<p><strong>Bestow 3GWU</strong></p>
<p><strong>Enchanted creature gets +4/+4.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Whenever an enchanted creature or enchantment creature you control attacks, draw a card.</strong></p>
<p>Observation 1:</p>
<p>Kestia is an unique take on the "Voltron formula," as she can provide the pump instead of the body.</p>
<p>Observation 2:</p>
<p>Her draw power is great, but it's also confusing because the type of deck that likes to play Auras on creatures doesn't enjoy enchanting multiple creatures.</p>
<p>Observation 3:</p>
<p>Even if we consider enchanting one creature, having an additional draw that can turn into a new creature after the original one gets destroyed is still impressive.</p>
<p>Observation 4:</p>
<p>There's something to be noted on her rebuilding power when she's an Aura since, even if the enchanted creature dies, we still get a body that can draw us cards.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Old Formula</h2>
<p>Now let's see how folks usually build her:</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-35699" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kestia-Sig.png" alt="" width="685" height="373" /></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-35700" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kestia-Top.png" alt="" width="691" height="371" /></p>
<p>If you pay attention to Kestia's most popular cards, you'll see that they mostly come from <em>Commander 2018, </em>the set in which <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kestia, the Cultivator" href="#" target="_blank">Kestia, the Cultivator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was released. This, ladies and gentlemen, is what we often call the "Precon Effect," which sometimes skews the data, biasing the recommendations on EDHREC toward cards that were already in the product with Kestia, and which were left in lists when people put the stock decklists online. In some situations, this effect can distort the options that may actually be superior in the commander's deck.</p>
<p>However, this is <em>not</em> one of those times. Most of these cards are pretty much staples of enchantress and Aura-based Voltron decks. The only main difference between Kestia and her fellow enchantment-matters commanders is the number of enchantment creatures she runs - which is obvious, considering her ability.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Epic Ingredients</h2>
<p>Now that we've seen what Kestia wants, which archetype could enjoy this particular kit? If you guessed <em>Infect</em>, you're right... and also potentially a Phyrexian. <em>Infect</em> plays like a more aggressive Voltron deck, but rather than relying on the commander to do all the work, it uses a bunch of sub-par creatures to do the job. With the right kind of build, it can be really fast, since it only takes 10 poison counters to finish a player off.</p>
<p>This has made the strategy into a bit of a boogieman of the format, but contrary to popular belief, <em>Infect</em> is generally a weak archetype. It has all the downsides of a Voltron deck, with the additional complication of inconsistency, since, unlike Voltron, we have to build a deck with a mix of threats and pump effects, rather than Voltron's streamlined deck of just pump and protection spells. There are many strong opinions regarding <em>Infect </em>in Commander, but suffice it to say that trying to build a deck that fits this archetype presents some hurdles that are not immediately obvious, while still providing a number of intriguing options to consider.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spinebiter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blighted Agent"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Phyrexian Swarmlord"></div></div>
<p>Let's talk about some of our <em>Infect</em> creatures, many of which feel like draft chaff. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blighted Agent" href="#" target="_blank">Blighted Agent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might be one of the best <em>Infect</em> creature ever printed, in that it's both cheap and evasive. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blight Mamba" href="#" target="_blank">Blight Mamba</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is resilient to removal, but it can be a little bit taxing to hold the 1G to pay for it. Since we're running low on the mana curve, though, it may not be a huge delay. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phyrexian Swarmlord" href="#" target="_blank">Phyrexian Swarmlord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is on the higher side of the curve, but its ability can be deadly, especially in games where we can't get an evasive threat online and are forced to spread the damage across multiple players. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Putrefax" href="#" target="_blank">Putrefax</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the <em>Infect</em> <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ball Lightning" href="#" target="_blank">Ball Lightning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and can function as a surprise spike of <em>Infect</em> damage. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spinebiter" href="#" target="_blank">Spinebiter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a pseudo-evasive creature and although it deals damage as it weren't blocked, it still can be blocked and killed in combat, so beware.</p>
<p>For Auras, since our commander can provide a +4/+4 boost, we are mainly focusing on giving evasion to our creatures. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aqueous Form" href="#" target="_blank">Aqueous Form</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is great - it's cheap and provides some library manipulation. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Drake Umbra" href="#" target="_blank">Drake Umbra</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is kind of expensive for what it does, but the added protection of <em>Totem Armor</em> more than makes up for the expense. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one heck of an Aura: it's super cheap to play and very hard to get rid of. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Battle Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Battle Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ancestral Mask" href="#" target="_blank">Ancestral Mask</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> seem out of place, as they don't do much on their own, but after adding some support, they can pretty much carry us into a win.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blossoming Defense"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Heroic Intervention"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Teferi&#039;s Protection"></div></div>
<p>As you can see, this list diverges a little from the usual Modern <em>Infect</em> build, prioritizing permanent boosts over the instant-speed ones. This is because Commander games take longer, and we can't afford to bleed out cards like in Modern, where it's mostly a two-person race. We still have a few one-off protection spells, though. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blossoming Defense" href="#" target="_blank">Blossoming Defense</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an efficient hexproof effect that has the upside of giving +2/+2, which can deliver the last poison counters given the right circumstances. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ajani&#039;s Presence" href="#" target="_blank">Ajani&#039;s Presence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is very similar to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blossoming Defense" href="#" target="_blank">Blossoming Defense</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but trades the hexproof for indestructibility, although this doesn't provide protection from exile-based removal. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heroic Intervention" href="#" target="_blank">Heroic Intervention</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is mainly a defensive card that costs only two mana but it also protects against almost all the usual removal in the format.</p>
<p>Most of our ramp will come from Auras. While I don't really think they're all that inferior to the usual <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kodama&#039;s Reach" href="#" target="_blank">Kodama&#039;s Reach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>/<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cultivate" href="#" target="_blank">Cultivate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> package, I think that giving the flexibility of having an enchantress package (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Argothian Enchantress" href="#" target="_blank">Argothian Enchantress</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Enchantress&#039;s Presence" href="#" target="_blank">Enchantress&#039;s Presence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example) more than pays out.</p>
<p>What if we can't keep an<em> Infect</em> creature alive? This is a good question, because most decks need some (viable) alternatives to win if the main plan fails. If our poisonous threats fail us, we always have the option of using our commander to beat face! Most of our deck is based on supporting creatures, so it isn't that far off to use this very same card to attack in traditional Voltron fashion.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Kestia Infect" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*Kestia, the Cultivator
[/Commander]
[Creature]
*Birds of Paradise
*Glistener Elf
*Noble Hierarch
*Blight Mamba
*Blighted Agent
*Ichorclaw Myr
*Lost Leonin
*Necropede
*Plague Myr
*Cystbearer
*Rot Wolf
*Viridian Corrupter
*Corpse Cur
*Phyrexian Hydra
*Putrefax
*Shriek Raptor
*Phyrexian Juggernaut
*Phyrexian Swarmlord
*Spinebiter
[/Creature]
[Enchantment]
*Aqueous Form
*Ethereal Armor
*Gryff&#039;s Boon
*Rancor
*Utopia Sprawl
*Fertile Ground
*Spirit Mantle
*Ancestral Mask
*Armadillo Cloak
*Battle Mastery
*Boar Umbra
*Gift of Paradise
*Grasp of Fate
*New Horizons
*Overgrowth
*Unflinching Courage
*Dawn&#039;s Reflection
*Holy Mantle
*On Serra&#039;s Wings
*Drake Umbra
*Spectra Ward
[/Enchantment]
[Instant]
*Ajani&#039;s Presence
*Blossoming Defense
*Enlightened Tutor
*Nature&#039;s Claim
*Path to Exile
*Swords to Plowshare
*Vines of Vastwood
*Arcane Denial
*Cyclonic Rift
*Dovin&#039;s Veto
*Heroic Intervention
*Negate
*Teferi&#039;s Protection
[/Instant]
[Sorcery]
*Wildest Dreams
*Farseek
*Nature&#039;s Lore
*Open the Armory
*Rampant Growth
*Winds of Rath
*Austere Command
[/Sorcery]
[Artifact]
*Sol Ring
*Livewire Lash
*Sword of Truth and Justice
[/Artifact]
[Land]
*Command Tower
*Breeding Pool
*Hallowed Fountain
*Temple Garden
*Brushland
*Yavimaya Coast
*Adarkar Wastes
*City of Brass
*Mana Confluence
*Glacial Fortress
*Sunpetal Grove
*Hinterland Harbor
*Prairie Stream
*Canopy Vista
*Irrigated Farmland
*Scattered Grove
*Windswept Heath
*Wooded Foothills
*Flooded Strand
*Seaside Citadel
*Temple of Enlightenment
*Temple of Mystery
*Temple of Plenty
*Hall of Heliod&#039;s Generosity
*Ghost Quarter
*Tectonic Edge
*4 Forest
*4 Plains
*2 Island
[/Land]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>Two cards stand out in this list: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of Truth and Justice" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of Truth and Justice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Livewire Lash" href="#" target="_blank">Livewire Lash</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The first provides great support, boosting a creature and ticking up poison to knock players out of the game; even though it can shut down some of our Auras if we're not careful, the <em>Proliferate </em>is golden.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sword of Truth and Justice"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Livewire Lash"></div></div>
<p>Meanwhile, the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Livewire Lash" href="#" target="_blank">Livewire Lash</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a surprisingly efficient "hammer diplomacy" type of card. Each time someone targets the equipped creature, the creature deals two damage... and since it has <em>Infect</em>, that's two poison counters! If they try to <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> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Terminate" href="#" target="_blank">Terminate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> our creature, they're hurting even more. Now here's the fun part: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Livewire Lash" href="#" target="_blank">Livewire Lash</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> doesn't care about who's targeting the creature, which means that, suddenly, all of the Auras that we place on the Lash-equipped creature have the added benefit of dealing two <em>Infect</em> damage!</p>
<div>
<hr />
<h2>Methodology</h2>
</div>
<p>For our opening hand, the first thing we need is a cheap <em>Infect</em> creature. This is essential to our strategy and not having access to any will put us behind right from the start. The next priority will be to find ways to grow that creature; if we take too long, it'll get destroyed before it has a chance to have a meaningful impact on the game. The final ingredient is either mana acceleration or simply protection for our threat.</p>
<p>How we play the early game is very dependent on our opening hand. There're many small decisions to make: can we try to play a threat without the mana to protect it, or do we wait? Which threat do we play first? Do we accelerate or play more poisonous creatures? Deciding how to play won't be easy, and mistakes will be swiftly punished: this deck's early turns are much more crucial and game-defining than most decks, but at the same time, we have the tools to outsmart our opponents, and this is where this deck can shine.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glistener Elf"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rancor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spirit Mantle"></div></div>
<p>By the mid-game we should be a threat to the entire table, which is a situation that we can't deal with if it takes too long. Quickly eliminating players is so crucial in a deck like this; each player that remains on the table is another problem that will pile onto us when the game goes long and they begin to develop their plans. This is the point where our commander shines, as she can speed up the clock by enchanting our best creature while providing crucial card advantage we'll need to claw out of a long game.</p>
<p>In the late game, we lose our momentum, because we don't have haste enablers and we mostly rely our commander to draw cards. We run out of steam, but that doesn't mean that we're dead! As long as our opponents aren't drawing like crazy, we can eventually deploy a late threat and protect it. It also helps that this is the portion of the game that's most likely to have the fewest remaining players, which makes our job a whole lot easier.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
<p>As this article comes to an end, I'll leave off with my usual rant about what could change in this build. There are many great Auras I didn't add it to the list, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Daybreak Coronet" href="#" target="_blank">Daybreak Coronet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a fantastic card that relies a little too much on other Auras for my tastes. I elected to go for Auras that provide evasion effects, but adapting your Aura suite to your meta/preference is very important.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Daybreak Coronet"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sword of Light and Shadow"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Open the Vaults"></div></div>
<p>For our card draw we are relying fairly heavily on our commander, but, as I stated before, we could add some enchantress effects to turn many of our cards into cantrips. We could also switch back to the usual spell-based green ramp package, or add more recursion, with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Open the Vaults" href="#" target="_blank">Open the Vaults</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Creeping Renaissance" href="#" target="_blank">Creeping Renaissance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. They'll slow us down a bit, but if your meta is removal-heavy it might be prudent to add some of them.</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment!</em> What do you think about this list? What do you think about this take on <em>Infect?</em> Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which didn’t you? Was the <em>Epic Experiment</em> a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Kestia Infect

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Muldrotha, the Gravetide" href="#" target="_blank">Muldrotha, the Gravetide</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.jasonrainville.com/">Jason Rainville</a>)</h6>
<h1>Such a Chimichanga!</h1>
<p>Another two weeks have passed, which means it's time for <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>. This time, I'm focusing all my hyper-underplayed skills on tackling another request from a reader, and I have to say this one was a bit of a challenge! A big thank you to @rowenwolff for daring me to take on the ever-popular commander <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Muldrotha, the Gravetide" href="#" target="_blank">Muldrotha, the Gravetide</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> paired with a Voltron package.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Muldrotha, the Gravetide"></div></div>
<p>I know this may sound unconventional, but as many of you know from my <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/forgotten-harvest-mono-red-voltron/">article on Kurkesh</a>, unconventional is what we're all about here at <em>Forgotten Harvest!</em> As with any Voltron-style deck, the name of the game is going to be granting evasion and packing on mass buffs to our commander. The key will be abusing Muldrotha's recursion ability to turn her into a real chimichanga turn after turn.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-35259 aligncenter" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/giphy-3.gif" alt="" width="320" height="168" /></p>
<p>While it's very tempting for a Voltron to focus on a particular card type like artifacts or enchantments, Muldrotha benefits most from a balanced approach. With optimized diversity in our permanent types, we are allowed more recursion each turn, inevitably leading to a bigger commander.</p>
<p>Another contributing factor in deck design is prioritizing those cards that have a built-in sacrifice effect, so they can then be recast and re-buff our commander. We can use slots for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Claws of Gix" href="#" target="_blank">Claws of Gix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-type cards to sacrifice our permanents and recast them if absolutely necessary, but on the whole, I opted instead for more self-contained sacrificers, peppering in only a few additional cards to help get things in the bin. You may find that a different balance works for you. As always, I encourage you to build your own version of this deck using the cards you enjoy tapping and untapping.</p>
<p>Now, let's see how a Muldrotha Voltron deck actually works.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive, and Dodge</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flight Spellbomb"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Illuminated Wings"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shielding Plax"></div></div>
<p>Some of my first inclusions were the Spellbombs from <em>Scars of Mirrodin</em>. The least-played of the three is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flight Spellbomb" href="#" target="_blank">Flight Spellbomb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, coming in at 133 decks. My research here revealed some fairly limited options for granting evasion while still fitting Muldrotha's theme, so flying is about the best that can be hoped for here. Another instance of this, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Illuminated Wings" href="#" target="_blank">Illuminated Wings</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, sees play in only 8 decks, and also draws you a card when sacrificed. I'm still torn on the amount of evasion to include, and I might need to go back and add more options, even if they're not on-theme. Let me know your thoughts on this in the comments, especially if you give the deck a try.</p>
<p>Providing some safety for our juggernaut is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shielding Plax" href="#" target="_blank">Shielding Plax</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Played in 294 decks, this hexproof-granting enchantment also replaces itself, making for some great hijinks when combined with a sacrifice outlet (see <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Greater Harvester" href="#" target="_blank">Greater Harvester</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> below). I think the protective nature of this enchantment is something Muldrotha can greatly benefit from, as she makes for a pretty big target.</p>
<p>Though it doesn't count as an underplayed card, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plaxmanta" href="#" target="_blank">Plaxmanta</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another option for protecting our commander. While the flash is a bit of a "non-bo" with Muldrotha, I still see value in being able to cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plaxmanta" href="#" target="_blank">Plaxmanta</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, before combat but after buffs, to keep her safe in the red zone from the likes of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Condemn" href="#" target="_blank">Condemn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and other combat tricks. And there's no way I'm spending any green mana on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plaxmanta" href="#" target="_blank">Plaxmanta</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, so it's coming back turn after turn.</p>
<hr />
<h2>+3/+3 For Days</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Seal of Strength"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Llanowar Augur"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aven Augur"></div></div>
<p>I don't know what it is about this color combination, but I kept running into pump effects based on sacrifice which give +3/+3 until end of turn. The simplest of these is the classic <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seal of Strength" href="#" target="_blank">Seal of Strength</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Seen in only 36 decks, the repeatable nature of this card when combined with our commander can mean some big combat phases for us. I've also included <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seal of Doom" href="#" target="_blank">Seal of Doom</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seal of Removal" href="#" target="_blank">Seal of Removal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to help remove pesky blockers, but those cards already get enough love in other decks.</p>
<p>When @rowanwolff first proposed the deck, the card <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Llanowar Augur" href="#" target="_blank">Llanowar Augur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (57 decks) was mentioned as a good inclusion. And yes, this card is an all-star! Much like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seal of Strength" href="#" target="_blank">Seal of Strength</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, this card does its best impression of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giant Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Giant Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on the way to the bin, but it also grants a very relevant trample ability as well.</p>
<p>I liked the idea of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Llanowar Augur" href="#" target="_blank">Llanowar Augur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> so much, in fact, that I also opted to include the blue card from the Augur cycle in <em>Future Sight</em>: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aven Augur" href="#" target="_blank">Aven Augur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It sees play in even fewer decks (only 21), but it can help repeatedly clear the way for our commander to get through. This whole cycle is great when mixed with recursion, and these cards are very underplayed right now.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cunning"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Briarhorn"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Afiya Grove"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cunning" href="#" target="_blank">Cunning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, probably my favorite find for this theme, only sees play in 18 decks right now. The Aura seems tailor-made for this kind of deck. It pumps our baddie +3/+3, sticks around until after combat, then drops off only to be cast again. While I'll admit this card would be even better if I had gone in the Enchantress direction with Muldrotha, I still think it has a good home here, essentially functioning as a second <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seal of Strength" href="#" target="_blank">Seal of Strength</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>The <em>Evoke</em> mechanic plays great with Muldrotha, as can be seen from her page on EDHREC. Of course <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mulldrifter" href="#" target="_blank">Mulldrifter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shriekmaw" href="#" target="_blank">Shriekmaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> made the deck, but I also included the hyper-underplayed <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Briarhorn" href="#" target="_blank">Briarhorn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, despite seeing play in only 122 decks. A great option to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giant Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Giant Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> each turn, I can see its numbers going up in the near future, especially with all the Elemental tribal cards coming out in <em>Core 2020</em>. I can't wait for those!</p>
<p>From the ranks of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Llanowar Reborn" href="#" target="_blank">Llanowar Reborn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Earthen Arms" href="#" target="_blank">Earthen Arms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Afiya Grove" href="#" target="_blank">Afiya Grove</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does something I've rarely seen on another card: it's a noncreature that enters with +1/+1 counters on it. The enchantment slowly doles out its three counters to the creature(s) of your choice, sacrificing itself when its counters are spent. Only seeing play in 51 decks, I'm surprised that more <em>Proliferate</em> decks don't run this card.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Supporting Creatures</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Greater Harvester"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wood Sage"></div></div>
<p>We've covered a lot of the buffs for our commander, but haven't really gotten into the support cards which help to glue the deck together. First on my list here is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Greater Harvester" href="#" target="_blank">Greater Harvester</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This card, in 35 decks, just needs some sweet evasion to regularly get through and start removing opponents' resources. And the "downside" is actually a bonus in this deck, where we can use Muldrotha to recast all those sacrificed permanents again. There's nothing sweeter than binning <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stitcher&#039;s Supplier" href="#" target="_blank">Stitcher&#039;s Supplier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> each turn to keep the Harvester alive while watching the graveyard fill up with all kinds of options.</p>
<p>While we're on the subject of self-mill, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wood Sage" href="#" target="_blank">Wood Sage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is definitely a pet card of mine. It allows you to dig for that one spell you need, and also fills the graveyard with the scraps. With Muldrotha on the field, a whiff from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wood Sage" href="#" target="_blank">Wood Sage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can actually be a blessing! It's only used in 86 decks right now, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tamiyo, Collector of Tales" href="#" target="_blank">Tamiyo, Collector of Tales</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> seems to think the ability is very relevant.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Avenging Druid"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fungal Shambler"></div></div>
<p>Another option for self-mill that can be tough to fit into a deck is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Avenging Druid" href="#" target="_blank">Avenging Druid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I've been looking for a home for this card for a while, a deck where I don't really care what cards go into the bin. But, despite only seeing play in 88 decks, this looks to be a perfect home for it. The Druid is an excellent target for an early-game <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flight Spellbomb" href="#" target="_blank">Flight Spellbomb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or you can feel free to swing in willy-nilly knowing that Muldrotha can bring it back onto the battlefield later on.</p>
<p>Finally, as with any Voltron deck, it's important to include some Plan B options should our commander become incapacitated. My first pick for this role is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vorosh, the Hunter" href="#" target="_blank">Vorosh, the Hunter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. With the option to grow its power and toughness by six each time it connects with an opponent, coupled with native flying, the Dragon is a great second option to Muldrotha. But for a far more underplayed option, please consider <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fungal Shambler" href="#" target="_blank">Fungal Shambler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (21 decks). This loamy devil gives you a great trigger on connection, and has trample to help force that combat damage through. While it will put your opponents on a longer clock, it may be advantageous to keep the key ability granting you so much card advantage and all your buffs separated.</p>
<p>Enough jank, here's the full list:</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Muldrotha Voltron" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div></p>
<p>[Commander]<br />
*1 Muldrotha, the Gravetide<br />
[/Commander]</p>
<p>[Creatures]<br />
*1 Llanowar Augur<br />
*1 Siren Stormtamer<br />
*1 Stitcher's Supplier<br />
*1 Looter il-Kor<br />
*1 Magus of the Bazaar<br />
*1 Plaxmanta<br />
*1 Sakura-Tribe Elder<br />
*1 Wood Sage<br />
*1 Avenging Druid<br />
*1 Bone Shredder<br />
*1 Eternal Witness<br />
*1 Fleshbag Marauder<br />
*1 Scribe of the Mindful<br />
*1 Aura Thief<br />
*1 Aven Augur<br />
*1 Briarhorn<br />
*1 Phyrexian Metamorph<br />
*1 Venser, Shaper Savant<br />
*1 Brood Butcher<br />
*1 Greater Harvester<br />
*1 Mulldrifter<br />
*1 River Kelpie<br />
*1 Shriekmaw<br />
*1 Verdurous Gearhulk<br />
*1 Fungal Shambler<br />
*1 Vorosh, the Hunter<br />
*1 Nylea's Colossus<br />
[/Creatures]</p>
<p>[Instants]<br />
*1 Assassin's Trophy<br />
*1 Sultai Charm<br />
*1 Moonlight Bargain<br />
*1 Status // Statue<br />
*1 Windgrace's Judgment<br />
[/Instants]</p>
<p>[Artifacts]<br />
*1 Claws of Gix<br />
*1 Expedition Map<br />
*1 Flight Spellbomb<br />
*1 Horizon Spellbomb<br />
*1 Nihil Spellbomb<br />
*1 Wayfarer's Bauble<br />
*1 Dimir Signet<br />
*1 Golgari Signet<br />
*1 Simic Signet<br />
*1 Chromatic Lantern<br />
*1 Commander's Sphere<br />
[/Artifacts]</p>
<p>[Enchantments]<br />
*1 Kaya's Ghostform<br />
*1 Seal of Removal<br />
*1 Seal of Strength<br />
*1 Afiya Grove<br />
*1 Animate Dead<br />
*1 Cunning<br />
*1 Ground Seal<br />
*1 Illuminated Wings<br />
*1 Seal of Primordium<br />
*1 Aether Barrier<br />
*1 Hadana's Climb<br />
*1 Pernicious Deed<br />
*1 Reality Acid<br />
*1 Seal of Doom<br />
*1 Shielding Plax<br />
*1 Deadbridge Chant<br />
[/Enchantments]</p>
<p>[Planeswalkers]<br />
*1 Tamiyo, Collector of Tales<br />
[/Planeswalkers]</p>
<p>[Lands]<br />
*1 Barren Moor<br />
*1 Blighted Woodland<br />
*1 Breeding Pool<br />
*1 Drowned Catacomb<br />
*1 Evolving Wilds<br />
*9 Forest<br />
*1 Hinterland Harbor<br />
*8 Island<br />
*1 Lonely Sandbar<br />
*1 Misty Rainforest<br />
*1 Overgrown Tomb<br />
*1 Polluted Delta<br />
*1 Prismatic Vista<br />
*6 Swamp<br />
*1 Terramorphic Expanse<br />
*1 Tranquil Thicket<br />
*1 Verdant Catacombs<br />
*1 Watery Grave<br />
*1 Woodland Cemetery<br />
[/Lands]</p>
<p>[/Deck]</p>

<hr />
<h2>Such a Non-Traditionalist</h2>
<p>Thanks for reading this edition of <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>. I hope you enjoyed my crazy take on a fairly straightforward commander. What are some other non-traditional directions to take popular commanders? Are there any hyper-underplayed graveyard-based cards you'd like to see featured? Lastly, I have a question for you, a question I've been asking myself recently (unrelated to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Muldrotha, the Gravetide" href="#" target="_blank">Muldrotha, the Gravetide</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>): what are some commanders that haven't really found their archetype yet? I absolutely love suggestions from readers, and try to fit them in as soon as I can. Let me hear your thoughts in the comments section. See you all next time!</p>


Forgotten Harvest - Muldrotha Voltron

Uncommonders - Yargle Has Come to Bargle

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Khorvath Brightflame" href="#" target="_blank">Khorvath Brightflame</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://www.toomanylayers.com/illustration">Carmen Sinek</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Good morning, EDHREC! I’m Bernardo Melibeu and this is <em>Epic Experiment</em>, a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual cards, effectively changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up in front of your own face is half the fun.</p>
<p>In this article we'll be exploring the Boros-colored Battlebond <em>Partner</em> commanders: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Khorvath Brightflame" href="#" target="_blank">Khorvath Brightflame</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sylvia Brightspear" href="#" target="_blank">Sylvia Brightspear</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Let's take a look at their kit:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Khorvath Brightflame"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sylvia Brightspear"></div></div>
<p><strong>Knights your team controls have Flying and Haste</strong></p>
<p><strong>Dragons your team controls have double strike</strong></p>
<p>Observation 1: They are an interesting twist in the tribal formula, because if we go into either tribe, the commander we care about is the one from the <em>other</em> tribe</p>
<p>Observation 2: Sylvia a better tribal commander than Khorvath; a mono-red Dragons deck splashing white is considerably better than a mono-white Knights deck splashing red.</p>
<p>Observation 3: Sylvia's bonus to Dragons is also much better than Khorvath's. She also curves really well into aggressive four-drop Dragons</p>
<p>Observation 4: Getting both commanders out is quite strong, as they represent 10 power in the air with haste.</p>
<hr />
<h1>The Old Formula</h1>
<p>With that in mind, let's see how this Boros pair is usually built:</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-31156" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/KhorvathSylvia-Sig.png" alt="" width="588" height="286" /></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-31157" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/KhorvathSylvia-Top.png" alt="" width="570" height="281" /></p>
<p>This is a fun one! We can see that both tribes have their grasp in the average lists, and it leads to a strange dual tribal mixture.</p>
<p>I personally dislike going this route in Boros because we lack the card draw to reliably access our relevant pieces, and getting stuck drawing enablers for one tribe while needing the other is game-ending.</p>
<hr />
<h1>The Epic Ingredients</h1>
<p>We established that, once they are both out, this duo can do some real damage to people, and what's the most efficient way to kill people with our commander? If you guessed Voltron, you're right!</p>
<p>One of Voltron's main challenges is ending the game after killing the first player. It's usually very easy to eliminate one player, but as the game progresses (and people get scared of you) it becomes harder and harder, to the point that even an 11-power commander that represents a two turn clock won't be fast enough with our single attack step each turn.</p>
<p>This is where having a second Voltron commander really helps; we can grow Sylvia in the early game and quickly take someone out. Then, by the mid/late game, we get to attack the remaining players with both our commanders separately.</p>
<p>Voltron decks usually revolve around building one creature as large as it can get, so it can dish out 21 commander damage ASAP. They usually do that by using a bunch of Auras and Equipment, but since we have two possible targets, we can't reliably make that strategy work. Instead of using single-target pumps, we have to focus on broader anthem effects.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Day of Destiny"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bastion Protector"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer"></div></div>
<p>Anthem effects are usually more effective in go-wide token decks, where the power boost is made more impactful with multiple bodies in play. Even with only our two commanders, though, anthems are great for us. With double strike, every point of damage is twice as effective, and with both commanders in play, it could even become four times more powerful. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Day of Destiny" href="#" target="_blank">Day of Destiny</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glory of Warfare" href="#" target="_blank">Glory of Warfare</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer" href="#" target="_blank">Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are a quick way to provide sheer damage, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Always Watching" href="#" target="_blank">Always Watching</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bastion Protector" href="#" target="_blank">Bastion Protector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodsworn Steward" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodsworn Steward</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite" href="#" target="_blank">Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> give some utility while still offering some additional power to our commanders.</p>
<p>Even though we're not focusing on Equipment, there're still some very good inclusions. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swiftfoot Boots" href="#" target="_blank">Swiftfoot Boots</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Greaves" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Greaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Darksteel Plate" href="#" target="_blank">Darksteel Plate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are the protection trio that help our commanders stick around long enough. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a value engine that also gives a huge +4 power boost. Then there's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of Feast and Famine" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of Feast and Famine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which is an excellent ramp tool that plays well into our gameplan, because we'll be playing spells before combat, but will want mana afterward too.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Territorial Hellkite"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hellkite Charger"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tyrant&#039;s Familiar"></div></div>
<p>Aside from the Voltron package, we are also packing a few Dragons for that sweet midrange value. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Territorial Hellkite" href="#" target="_blank">Territorial Hellkite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a loose cannon, but playing it with Sylvia on the battlefield is so strong that the RNG aspect of the card can be put aside. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Verix, Bladewing" href="#" target="_blank">Verix, Bladewing</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a decent body as a four drop, but has the benefit of becoming insane when played with <em>Kicker</em>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hellkite Igniter" href="#" target="_blank">Hellkite Igniter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> hits like a truck and out of nowhere, it's very helpful in eliminating players because of its huge burst.</p>
<hr />
<h1>The Mixture</h1>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Khorvath and Sylvia Voltron" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div></p>
<p>[Commander]</p>
<p>*Khorvath Brightflame</p>
<p>*Sylvia Brightspear</p>
<p>[/Commander]</p>
<p>[Artifact]</p>
<p>*Everflowing Chalice<br />
*Sol Ring<br />
*Wayfarer's Bauble<br />
*Blackblade Reforged<br />
*Boros Signet<br />
*Fellwar Stone<br />
*Lightning Greaves<br />
*Mind stone<br />
*Prowler's Helm<br />
*Swiftfoot Boots<br />
*Sword of the Animist<br />
*Trailblazer's Boots<br />
*Treasure Map<br />
*Commander's Sphere<br />
*Crawlspace<br />
*Darksteel Plate<br />
*Loxodon Warhammer<br />
*Sunforger<br />
*Sword of Feast and Famine<br />
*Hedron Archive<br />
*Gilded Lotus<br />
*Mind's Eye<br />
*The Immortal Sun</p>
<p>[/Artifact]</p>
<p>[Creature]</p>
<p>*Mother of Runes<br />
*Weathered Wayfarer<br />
*Selfless Spirit<br />
*Bastion Protector<br />
*Bloodsworn Steward<br />
*Territorial Hellkite<br />
*Verix Bladewing<br />
*Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer<br />
*Hellkite Charger<br />
*Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite<br />
*Hellkite Igniter<br />
*Tyrant's Familiar<br />
[/Creature]</p>
<p>[Enchantment]<br />
*Authority of the Consuls<br />
*Curse of opulence<br />
*Land Tax<br />
*Blind Obedience<br />
*Always Watching<br />
*Day of Destiny<br />
*Glory of Warfare<br />
*Smothering Tithe<br />
*Gratuitous Violence<br />
[/Enchantment]</p>
<p>[Instant]</p>
<p>*Enlightened Tutor<br />
*Path to Exile<br />
*Swords to Plowshares<br />
*Boros Charm<br />
*Chaos Warp<br />
*Teferi's Protection<br />
*Wear // Tear<br />
*Return to Dust<br />
[/Instant]</p>
<p>[Sorcery]</p>
<p>*Faithless Looting<br />
*Vandalblast<br />
*Mine Excavation<br />
*Tormenting Voice<br />
*Cleansing Nova<br />
*Austere Command<br />
*Blasphemous Act<br />
[/Sorcery]</p>
<p>[Planeswalker]</p>
<p>*Chandra, Torch of Defiance<br />
*Chandra, Pyromaster<br />
*Nahiri, the Harbinger</p>
<p>[/Planeswalker]</p>
<p>[Land]</p>
<p>*Command Tower</p>
<p>*Sacred Foundry<br />
*Clifftop Retreat<br />
*Inspiring Vantage<br />
*Rugged Prairie</p>
<p>*Battlefield Forge<br />
*Temple of Triumph<br />
*Forgotten Cave<br />
*Great Furnace<br />
*Secluded Steppe<br />
*Ancient Den<br />
*Darksteel Citadel<br />
*Ghost Quarter<br />
*Tectonic Edge<br />
*Myriad Landscape<br />
*Slayers' Stronghold<br />
*11 Mountain<br />
*10 Plains<br />
[/Land]</p>
<p>[/Deck]</p>

<hr />
<p>When building Boros, one has to REALLY think about those two inherent flaws of the color combination. Yeah, I'm talking about ramp and card draw.</p>
<p>The first part, ramp, is relative easy to fill out; we have both the usual artifact ramp package and some of the white land "fetch" cards, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Land Tax" href="#" target="_blank">Land Tax</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Weathered Wayfarer" href="#" target="_blank">Weathered Wayfarer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. To stay ahead of the rest of the table, we're also using a minor Treasure package: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasure Map" href="#" target="_blank">Treasure Map</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> pulls triple duty as a card filtering, ramp, <em>and </em>draw when it flips. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Smothering Tithe" href="#" target="_blank">Smothering Tithe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a good way to quickly generate a lot of mana in multiplayer games and has obvious synergy with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasure Map" href="#" target="_blank">Treasure Map</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Curse of Opulence" href="#" target="_blank">Curse of Opulence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> doesn't produce Treasure, per se, but is functionally close enough, and is a cheap way to get some value throughout the game.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Treasure Map"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Smothering Tithe"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sunforger"></div></div>
<p>Getting good sources of card draw is tough in Boros; most of the red rummaging spells get pretty weak if we don't have graveyard synergies, or when we start to lose cards. This is where creativity pays off; we must use the few tools at our disposal to find what we need. For example, fetching a bunch of lands to hand with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Land Tax" href="#" target="_blank">Land Tax</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives us tons of fodder for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cathartic Reunion" href="#" target="_blank">Cathartic Reunion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and friends.</p>
<p>Another good source of card filtering/card advantage are planeswalkers. Even though we are not good at defending them, if we only get a couple of activation it's already good enough to include them. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is also an interesting source of card advantage that has almost no opportunity cost, as most of its targets are good enough on their on to be included anyways.</p>
<div>
<hr />
<h1>Methodology</h1>
<p>Opening hands are usually very generous, as we have a three-drop commander that hits hard. The tough part is being able to maintain that early game pressure throughout the remainder of the game. Our opening plays need to lead us somewhere, whether by being aggressive or by being able to ramp and draw into later threats. Either way we need to commit to a plan, and fast. This is very important as we don't have the card draw to get us out of bad decisions.</p>
</div>
<p>For the early game, we should try to find our first target. Since we don't have that many cheap evasion enablers, hitting the opponent with the lowest creature count is usually a good place to start. Sylvia is great as a three-drop, and turns four-drop Dragons and power-pumping or damage-doubling spells into great draws on the following turn. The usual amount of time we need to kill out first target this early in the game will be 3-4 unblocked attacks. It may seem like a lot, but the snowball aspect of Voltron can't be overlooked.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gratuitous Violence"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hellkite Igniter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite"></div></div>
<p>By the mid game we should have eliminated (or be close to eliminating) the first target. This is the break-off point, because it's about this time where people start casting their Wraths and, for each remaining player, the chances of them having interaction increases. By now we can play Khorvath and have our wombo combo, which will help eliminating the remaining players. Since Sylvia is so cheap, it's not the end of the world for her to be destroyed after she did her job eliminating the first player, as we can play her again after Khorvath is out, where she'll be swinging with haste.</p>
<p>Late game is not as bad for us as for other Voltrons, because we get to avoid taxes by playing two commanders! If Khorvath is too expensive, play Sylvia instead and rack up her commander damage. Keep in mind, though, that we only have a select few cards that are super big, so by the late game, it's possible for us to be stopped by another player's huge random creature(s). Fortunately, we have a few ways to grab the victory from our opponents' grasp. Normally, these ways will include firebreathing lizard things coming out of nowhere and dealing lots of damage, which is pretty darn awesome.</p>
<hr />
<h1>Epic Results</h1>
<p>This is a different take on the Voltron formula, and because of that, it feels specially flexible. There are many ways that one might try to experiment with the build. By adding more top-end Dragons we could get around our late-game problems. Just be careful to not add so many that it affects the deck's early game. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Utvara Hellkite" href="#" target="_blank">Utvara Hellkite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one scary dude, specially when its tokens get double strike. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Balefire Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Balefire Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is great at controlling the board and plays well with planeswalkers. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skyline Despot" href="#" target="_blank">Skyline Despot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is kind of a hit or miss, but he has the potential to draw cards and make dudes.</p>
<p>Another possible addition to the list are extra combat steps spells. They are specially effective because often people will misjudge our damage and it's very easy to suddenly to burst people out with commander damage.</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment</em>! What do you think about this Voltron experiment? Please fell free to leave any suggestions in the comments section. Do you have any questions about the list? Which cards did you like? Which didn’t you? Was the <em>Epic Experiment</em> a success? Please let me know!</p>


Epic Experiment - Khorvath &#038; Sylvia Voltron

Heart of the Cards – Rakdos, the Showstopper

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Megatog" href="#" target="_blank">Megatog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://peteventers.tumblr.com/">Pete Venters</a>)</h6>
<h1>Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick</h1>
<p>Hey everyone! Welcome back to another edition of <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>, the article series that features cards used in 300 decks or less on EDHREC. This time, I'll be stepping a little out of my comfort zone to talk about a Voltron deck, and with a commander that doesn't exactly seem like Voltron to boot! I'm talking about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient" href="#" target="_blank">Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-30075" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/BelatedDistantAmericanratsnake-small.gif" alt="" width="327" height="251" /></p>
<p>Now, I know what you may be thinking: "Kyle, why on Earth would you do something like this?" In fact, some in my playgroup have called this idea downright idiotic. But I'm telling you, this concept has been so very surprising! It's not the most tuned deck in the world, but it can hold its own at the table. It allows for political plays, it has alternate win conditions, and it has versatile removal to help knock down any threats. Better than any of that, it features some great red and colorless cards that aren't seeing nearly enough play. Let's get into them first.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Armaments of Old</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zelyon Sword"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tawnos&#039;s Weaponry"></div></div>
<p>When one thinks of mono-red Voltron, Equipment is naturally the first thing that comes to mind. Kurkesh doesn't benefit from Equipment all that much, though. "I'll pay 2 to equip this <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of Fire and Ice" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of Fire and Ice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and then pay an extra red to do it again." Yeah, not so effective. However, if you delve into the annuls of artifacts before <em>Mirrodin</em>, you can open up all kinds of new opportunities.</p>
<p>The old 'equip' ability, featured on cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tawnos&#039;s Weaponry" href="#" target="_blank">Tawnos&#039;s Weaponry</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (2 decks on EDHREC) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zelyon Sword" href="#" target="_blank">Zelyon Sword</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (7 decks) doesn't seem all that powerful. It costs way too much for the buff your creature gets, even if the effect is "indefinite." With Kurkesh, you can make those buffs a little better. Yes, the cards are still on the weaker side, and the low deck counts for these cards are justified. But that permanent boost is a needed option in a deck like this.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sword of the Chosen"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tooth of Chiss-Goria"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tower of Champions"></div></div>
<p>Other artifacts offer a better (but less permanent) pump. An all-star artifact from <em>Stronghold</em>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of the Chosen" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of the Chosen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> sees play in 257 decks, and can get our Kurkesh +4/+4 for a turn. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tooth of Chiss-Goria" href="#" target="_blank">Tooth of Chiss-Goria</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (210 decks) also hands us a small power bump on what's ideally a free artifact.</p>
<p>Additionally, from <em>Mirrodin's</em> Tower cycle (well, one of them waited to show up in <em>Scars of Mirrodin</em>, but better late than never), <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tower of Champions" href="#" target="_blank">Tower of Champions</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides a big spender a whopping +12/+12 for their Ogre spirit, and it sees play in only 34 decks on EDHREC. From that same cycle, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tower of Fortunes" href="#" target="_blank">Tower of Fortunes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can offer some excellent card draw, but sadly was cut from my final list. I'd still encourage you to try it out and let me know if it works for you.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jabari&#039;s Banner"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragon Blood"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Golem Artisan"></div></div>
<p>We'll also want to grant some abilities to Kurkesh to help in combat. This was somewhat tricky, as many abilities, like first strike, don't do much when they're copied. <em>Flanking, </em>however, does trigger separately for each instance on the creature, so <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jabari&#039;s Banner" href="#" target="_blank">Jabari&#039;s Banner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> feels like a good choice which sees play in only 46 decks.</p>
<p>Counters are also a great thing to double, as anyone playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vorel of the Hull Clade" href="#" target="_blank">Vorel of the Hull Clade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> knows. So <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragon Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Dragon Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another great addition. I'm honestly surprised this card is in only 220 decks, as +1/+1 counters seem to be more and more relevant with each passing year.</p>
<p>I feel like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Golem Artisan" href="#" target="_blank">Golem Artisan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fits into our 'weaponry' category as well, though it's obvious that it can't buff our commander. In only 235 decks, it's another card I'm shocked doesn't see more play. The abilities can be used on itself, or hopefully <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Geode Golem" href="#" target="_blank">Geode Golem</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, offering us an alternate attacker should things start going sideways for our ogre. Or maybe we just start making things into artifacts....</p>
<hr />
<h2>I am Ironman!</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Megatog"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aladdin"></div></div>
<p>It's good in a Voltron deck to have a couple of beatsticky options, in case your commander ends up listening to a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Song of the Dryads" href="#" target="_blank">Song of the Dryads</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hellkite Tyrant" href="#" target="_blank">Hellkite Tyrant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an obvious pick. Another card in need of more play is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Megatog" href="#" target="_blank">Megatog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. In 218 decks on EDHREC, this beasty Atog is a fantastic finisher late in the game when resources are used up, and you're flush with artifacts. He can be particularly mean when accompanied by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pia&#039;s Revolution" href="#" target="_blank">Pia&#039;s Revolution</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and a free artifact like the aforementioned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tooth of Chiss-Goria" href="#" target="_blank">Tooth of Chiss-Goria</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This is especially true when you and an opponent lock eyes across the table and decide it's time to take out Player #3.</p>
<p>Offering support instead of fangs, we have another great creature to use: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aladdin" href="#" target="_blank">Aladdin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This somehow-not-legendary creature (162 decks) can offer some great removal, but really thrives with a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Liquimetal Coating" href="#" target="_blank">Liquimetal Coating</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to open up the available targets to anything your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Golem&#039;s Heart" href="#" target="_blank">Golem&#039;s Heart</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> desires. If only we could make <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aladdin" href="#" target="_blank">Aladdin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> an artifact so its ability was Kurkesh-friendly.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ashnod&#039;s Transmogrant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Transmogrifying Licid"></div></div>
<p>These two beauties may be able to help with that! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ashnod&#039;s Transmogrant" href="#" target="_blank">Ashnod&#039;s Transmogrant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (136 decks) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Transmogrifying Licid" href="#" target="_blank">Transmogrifying Licid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (36 decks) are both fascinating cards capable of steel-plating the creature of your choice. Maybe you're making <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aladdin" href="#" target="_blank">Aladdin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Viashino Heretic" href="#" target="_blank">Viashino Heretic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> into androids so Kurkesh can copy their abilities. Or maybe you're just giving them more targets over in other corners of the battlefield. Either way, these cards give you extra iterations of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Liquimetal Coating" href="#" target="_blank">Liquimetal Coating</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to help control the board.</p>
<p>While we're on the topic of removal, there are a few other artifacts with copy-able abilities to help with that control. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edifice of Authority" href="#" target="_blank">Edifice of Authority</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (271 decks) is a great card for locking down would-be attackers and/or blockers. The second ability lasts until your next turn, and gets even better when duplicated using Kurkesh. From <em>Nemesis</em>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Belbe&#039;s Armor" href="#" target="_blank">Belbe&#039;s Armor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> sees play in 287 decks, and can be a great way to fog an attacker or two, as well as an emergency buff for Kurkesh, should the need arise.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Edifice of Authority"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Belbe&#039;s Armor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Amber Prison"></div></div>
<p>Based on the curve, I opted to use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ring of Gix" href="#" target="_blank">Ring of Gix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> over the wildly popular <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Icy Manipulator" href="#" target="_blank">Icy Manipulator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Yes, the <em>Echo</em> cost may be a problem in some cases, but it's a card I've been wanting to try for a while. It only sees play in 57 decks right now, so give it a break!</p>
<p>Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Amber Prison" href="#" target="_blank">Amber Prison</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (67 decks) normally looks a little over-costed, but when combined with Kurkesh's ability, the artifact can pull off a lockdown 2-for-1. It can definitely help wrangle a nasty commander that just keeps coming back, tapping it down instead of allowing your opponent to simply recast it. I'm sure I could keep going, but how about I show how all these pieces come together in the deck already?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Kurkesh Voltron" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Goblin Welder
*1 Suspicious Bookcase
*1 Burnished Hart
*1 Transmogrifying Licid
*1 Viashino Heretic
*1 Aladdin
*1 Crenellated Wall
*1 Geode Golem
*1 Golem Artisan
*1 Hoarding Dragon
*1 Godo, Bandit Warlord
*1 Hellkite Tyrant
*1 Megatog
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Welding Sparks
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Scrap Mastery
*1 All is Dust
*1 Blasphemous Act
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Mox Opal
*1 Ashnod&#039;s Transmogrant
*1 Brittle Effigy
*1 Glaring Spotlight
*1 Pacification Array
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Voltaic Key
*1 Voyager Staff
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
*1 Fire Diamond
*1 Golem&#039;s Heart
*1 Jabari&#039;s Banner
*1 Liquimetal Coating
*1 Scroll of the Masters
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Sword of the Chosen
*1 Tawnos&#039;s Weaponry
*1 Basalt Monolith
*1 Belbe&#039;s Armor
*1 Dragon Blood
*1 Edifice of Authority
*1 Mimic Vat
*1 Oblivion Stone
*1 Puppet Strings
*1 Ring of Gix
*1 Tenza, Godo&#039;s Maul
*1 Tooth of Chiss-Goria
*1 Transmogrifying Wand
*1 Zelyon Sword
*1 Amber Prison
*1 Hedron Archive
*1 Helm of the Host
*1 Power Matrix
*1 Thran Dynamo
*1 Tower of Champions
*1 Trading Post
*1 Unwinding Clock
*1 Vedalken Orrery
*1 Gilded Lotus
*1 Predator, Flagship
*1 Contagion Engine
*1 Darksteel Forge
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Pia&#039;s Revolution
[/Enchantments]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Daretti, Scrap Savant
*1 Rowan Kenrith
[/Planeswalkers]
[Land]
*1 Arcane Lighthouse
*1 Blinkmoth Nexus
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Darksteel Citadel
*1 Forgotten Cave
*1 Great Furnace
*1 Haunted Fengraf
*1 Inkmoth Nexus
*1 Inventors&#039; Fair
*1 Kher Keep
*1 Mage-Ring Network
*18 Mountain
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Sea Gate Wreckage
*1 Smoldering Crater
*1 Springjack Pasture
*1 Temple of the False God
*1 Terrain Generator
[/Land]"></span></div>

<hr />
<h2>With Our Powers Combined...</h2>
<p>Well, now can all see why my playgroup was so concerned about my well-being. But I don't care! It think it's a terribly interesting concept, and makes for a far more plausible deck than first assumed. Please tell me your questions, comments, and snide remarks below. I'll be lurking there to laugh when someone finds the "hidden" wincon I snuck into the deck. Oh, and please let me know if there are any severely underplayed cards or commanders you'd like to see highlighted in this series. Until next time!</p>


voltron

Epic Experiment - Kestia Infect

Forgotten Harvest - Muldrotha Voltron

Uncommonders - Yargle Has Come to Bargle

Epic Experiment - Khorvath & Sylvia Voltron

Heart of the Cards – Rakdos, the Showstopper

Forgotten Harvest – Mono-Red Voltron

Heart of the Cards – Samut, Voice of Dissent

Heart of the Cards – Queen Marchesa

Unlikely Alliance – Akiri & Kondo

Lore Seeker - A Perfect Storm