Kaalia of the VastKaalia of the Vast | Art by Abigail Larson

This week on Commander Makeover, where we take an old commander and modernize it with newer cards, we take on a commander I almost covered in my other series, Precon Remastered. I suppose it's for the best, considering I would've covered her not once, but twice almost back to back!

Kaalia of the VastKaalia of the Vast cares about creature types, except this time it's three instead of one. We're looking to shove in any Angels, Demons, and Dragons that we can find. Of course, we can always focus on one creature type, but I digress.

Almost every set comes with a card representing at least one of these three creature types, so let's see what new toys Kaalia has gotten in the last two years..

ErodeErode

That's right, we get the brand new Secrets of Strixhaven set rotated in! For what it's worth, this card seems to me like a tertiary option to the ever-popular Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares and Path to ExilePath to Exile. The only thing this has over those two is the ability to hit planeswalkers, which is nice against people who play a ton of them.

Also, we're in white and black, so why aren't we running the likes of Anguished UnmakingAnguished Unmaking instead?

More Secrets of Strixhaven Shenanigans!

As ErodeErode is the only card in the new set that's shown up on Kaalia's pageKaalia's page, I figure I'd give my own thoughts on what to include in a Kaalia list. Firstly (and most obviously) are the new duals from the Silverquill precon (plus Turbulent SteppeTurbulent Steppe. There's the Boros ones we had since Edge of Eternities, but that one's obvious, too). These are great for Kaalia players who need to be on a budget, which I doubt is common. Godspeed for those willing to try.

The one new card from the precons I'd look into adding is Defiling DaemogothDefiling Daemogoth, but this is assuming that you run a lot of lifegain in the deck already (I'm sure the Angels can help with this).

Otherwise, Lorehold, the HistorianLorehold, the Historian would be my token Angel/Demon/Dragon recommendation. Granted, only instants and sorceries are able to have the miracle ability. Otherwise, a free opportunity to sculpt our hand on every upkeep isn't a bad thing.

Speaking of instants and sorceries, my personal favorite to add is Moment of ReckoningMoment of Reckoning, which is a powerful yet flexible card. We can get rid of four problematic permanents, bring back four of our creatures, or a mix of both! The only catch is the high mana cost, but it's still something.

Meanwhile, Borrowed KnowledgeBorrowed Knowledge helps refill our hand.

Valgavoth, Terror EaterValgavoth, Terror Eater

Cards costing three pips of one mana color can be difficult to add into three-color decks, but with Kaalia's ability, we can weasel past such a rough restriction. Valvy here is no exception, and boy does he deliver. Between a punishing ward cost and the ability to cast our opponents' stuff (almost) for free, he's sure to be a real terror.

The catch is that we have to pay life to be able to cast those spells, so having some lifegain to help buoy our life total is not a bad idea. Our Elder moth boy helps with this, too, thanks to his card having lifelink. I'm sure our opponents will want to bring some lamps after all.

Twinflame TyrantTwinflame Tyrant

A damage doubler on a Dragon that Kaalia can just drop into play is so good (especially with the next card on our list). It's even scarier knowing that this will come in alongside other nasty beaters, making our opponents panic while looking for answers. It's a simple card that does so much.

Also, don't let that three power fool you. This thing will always be dealing six damage unless the ability gets shut off somehow. Note that this checks for any source that deals damage - noncreature sources of damage will double under its influence as well.

Neriv, Heart of the StormNeriv, Heart of the Storm

Like I alluded to above, this is deadly with Twinflame Tyrant out, trying to give Xenagos, God of RevelsXenagos, God of Revels a run for his money. That said, this card is just as dangerous in Kaalia in general. Any creature Kaalia drops will deal double damage for the turn it enters under Neriv's influence.

Heck, give Neriv haste, and he'll swat something (or someone) for eight damage because he counts himself. This, of course, is assuming we drop Neriv with Kaalia's ability.

Herald of Eternal DawnHerald of Eternal Dawn

This is essentially Platinum AngelPlatinum Angel that we can flash in when we need it. However, we're more likely going to drop this with Kaalia's ability to get around those three white pips. But even so, it's no less annoying to deal with when protected.

If we choose to run this, protect it well, and we certainly won't be losing any games (until some crafty opponent gets around our efforts to shield it).

Shilgengar, Sire of FamineShilgengar, Sire of Famine

If we're running this Elder Demon, prepare to load up on more Angels than the other two types. Sacrificing a big creature for a measly Blood token is not a good rate. Shilgengar needs more Angels to really make him work, especially if our goal is to reach that activated ability.

I'm sure it might win games if we pull it off, but there's always that one opponent who will slap down a Bojuka BogBojuka Bog and ruin our day. Watch out for other forms of graveyard hate, too.

Windcrag SiegeWindcrag Siege

This, alongside Neriv, would be two cards I'd instantly slam into a Kaalia deck. Double Kaalia triggers is a nasty thing to deal with, and is especially necessary if we choose not to run Isshin, Two Heavens as OneIsshin, Two Heavens as One (perhaps to make room for more Kaalia targets).

The Jeskai mode is basically useless here.

Lavaspur BootsLavaspur Boots

The latest in the lineage of Lightning GreavesLightning Greaves effects, these Boots cost one more to equip, but will come down a turn earlier than both it and its predecessor, Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots.

We could run all three of them. However, I'm of the mind of not having so many cards doing the same thing (albeit tweaked), so it'll come down to whether you value the ward more than either shroud or hexproof. Up to you.

Full ThrottleFull Throttle

Having three combats in one turn means Kaalia can drop three big creatures. Even worse for our opponents should we have Neriv and/or Twinflame Tyrant out. That being said, this card does cost a whopping six mana. Extra combat cards are worth their weight in this deck because of Kaalia.

Just be prepared to have some draw spell ready to reload our hand, so we don't run out of gas.

All-Out AssaultAll-Out Assault

Speaking of extra combat steps, this five-mana enchantment gives us another one. However, don't let that tiny buff fool you. Giving Kaalia deathtouch means that an opponent will lose a valuable blocker trying to kill her.

Also worth noting that a creature with both deathtouch and trample allows for a nasty synergy, where we only need to assign one damage to a creature, then the rest can punch an opponent in the face. Not too shabby indeed.

Ascended to the Heavens

Join me next time as I remaster one of the most infamous precons of all time.