Teval, the Balanced ScaleTeval, the Balanced Scale | Art by Chris Rahn

On Saturday, April 25th, Teval, the Balanced ScaleTeval, the Balanced Scale officially overwhelmed The Wise MothmanThe Wise Mothman to become the top Sultai () commander on EDHREC!

Teval's Swift Ascent

Teval released with Tarkir: Dragonstorm last year on April 11th. Therein, the Spirit Dragon was one of two commanders for the Sultai Arisen preconstructed deck, where she proved far more popular than Kotis, Sibsig ChampionKotis, Sibsig Champion, the Khan of the Sultai.

The leaves-the-graveyard synergies that Teval greatly innovated upon, as well as some considerable hype over combo lines with cards like Gilt-Leaf ArchdruidGilt-Leaf Archdruid and Steward of the HarvestSteward of the Harvest, gave Teval a fantastic running (or is that flying?) start as the standout precon commander from Dragonstorm.

The Wise MothmanThe Wise Mothman's Laser Focus Breaks

Meanwhile, The Wise MothmanThe Wise Mothman, who leads the Mutant Menace precon from Universes Beyond: Fallout, was briefly among the top 10 commanders, but the mutant from Point Pleasant, West Virginia has now dropped down to #13.

Mothman is a major vector for rad counters, a theme that also lends itself well to proliferation and mill strategies alike. Such strategies are traditionally quite popular. For this, The Wise Mothman managed this sizable lead in popularity over similar commanders like Bruvac the GrandiloquentBruvac the Grandiloquent or Captain N'ghathrodCaptain N'ghathrod.

This lead lasted until today, where Teval turned the tide in her favor.

What's Next for Teval, the Balanced ScaleTeval, the Balanced Scale?

Now, all eyes are on this Sultai Dragonlord as we look to see if she breaks into the Top 10. This isn't unfamiliar territory for the basis of my articles lately.

We've also seen other some huge movements in the top 9-14 in the last week. Not only is Teval climbing - currently at #11, only 703 decks behind the current #10, Lathril, Blade of the ElvesLathril, Blade of the Elves - but we're also seeing ascension from Ms. BumbleflowerMs. Bumbleflower and Vivi OrnitierVivi Ornitier as well.

Bumbleflower only recently cracked the top 10, and she surpassed Lathril over the weekend to become #9. She's also only a stone's throw away from topping the next two commanders, Sauron, the Dark LordSauron, the Dark Lord and Pantlaza, Sun-FavoredPantlaza, Sun-Favored.

Teval wasn't the only one to pass The Wise Mothman in the rankings over the weekend. Vivi Ornitier climbed from #14 to #12, passing Mothman and Yuriko, the Tiger's ShadowYuriko, the Tiger's Shadow. Vivi is also less than a thousand decks away from cracking the top 10, but he won't do it before Teval.

Conclusion

Now, let's open the floor to you, dear readers! How high within the EDHREC popularity rankings do you think Teval, the Balanced Scale will climb? What do you attribute to her swift and potentially inexorable ascent? Additionally, do you play a Teval deck of this variety? Sound off in the comments below!