Sharuum the HegemonSharuum the Hegemon | Art by Izzy

Welcome back to the Wombo Combo series, where Commander's most beneficial combo cards are showcased based off EDHREC and Commander Spellbook data.

This week, lets delve into another mythical creature with real-life representation: the Sphinx!

Sphinxes are creatures found in Egyptian and Greek mythology, but with very different implications. In Greek mythology, sphinxes are feared due to their cruelty, where in Egyptian mythology they're viewed positively as a symbol of nobility and hope.

There are also some cosmetic differences: the Greek sphinxes have wings, whereas the Egyptian do not. Both types of sphinx are represented in Magic, where almost all of them are blue in color.

Sphinxes in Magic typically have effects around drawing cards, controlling the game, and scrying. Let's look at the top 10 Sphinx combo cards, which will also showcase all of the themes Sphinxes largely encompass.

#10: Atemsis, All-Seeing

Number of Combos: 10

Deck Inclusions: 1,146 as commander (#1,319); 8,703 as card (0.23%)

Atemsis, All-SeeingAtemsis, All-Seeing provides a direct way to end an opponent's game when it deals damage to them, but has a notable drawback of requiring six cards with different mana values in your hand.

Atemsis would prefer large amounts of card draw to get these cards easier, or a way to tutor those cards directly. Both ConfluxConflux and Diabolic RevelationDiabolic Revelation provide easy methods to get the required cards. Dealing damage can be done in combat or via Hermetic StudyHermetic Study effects.

If you want to end the game immediately, add in Blade of SelvesBlade of Selves and Mirror BoxMirror Box to kill each opponent simultaneously.

#9: Sphinx of the Revelation

Number of Combos: 13

Deck Inclusions: 22,671 decks (1.38%)

Sphinx of the RevelationSphinx of the Revelation gives you energy counters as you gain life, adding a convenient way for energy decks to power up with additional counters. This effect synergizes nicely with Guide of SoulsGuide of Souls to give you an extra counter each time a creature enters.

This synergy can help to generate infinite creature tokens, particularly with Whirler VirtuosoWhirler Virtuoso and/or Automated Assembly LineAutomated Assembly Line. Sphinx of the Revelation also has an activated ability to let you draw cards, which can work well with Mind Over MatterMind Over Matter.

#8: Azor, the Lawbringer

Number of Combos: 15

Deck Inclusions: 357 as commander (#2,088); 5,418 as card (0.3%)

Azor, the LawbringerAzor, the Lawbringer functions great for control decks, creating locks that hinder your opponents' abilities. Azor, as it enters, prevents your opponents from playing instants and sorceries during their turns. If you can get Azor to enter during each of your turns, you can rule sorceries completely off-limits unless they have flash, and limit their ability to cast instants.

SoulherderSoulherder, Deadeye NavigatorDeadeye Navigator, and Brago, King EternalBrago, King Eternal are all cards that can blink Azor each turn, extending its effect.

#7: Tivit, Seller of Secrets

Number of Combos: 19

Deck Inclusions: 12,271 as commander (#125); 18,363 as card (1.92%)

Tivit, Seller of SecretsTivit, Seller of Secrets creates Treasures and/or Clues as it enters or deals combat damage, relying on votes to decide which tokens you create. Since Tivit also lets you vote twice, you can choose to create two tokens of your choosing, and have the remaining tokens decided by your opponents.

These tokens can be sacrificed to Time SieveTime Sieve for infinite turns if you have three or more opponents. If you have fewer opponents, throwing in an Academy ManufactorAcademy Manufactor or Mondrak, Glory DominusMondrak, Glory Dominus can make it easier for you.

Tivit can also make Treasures which can be used to blink Tivit using Deadeye NavigatorDeadeye Navigator.

#6: Curator of Mysteries

Number of Combos: 27

Deck Inclusions: 15,054 decks (0.39%)

Curator of MysteriesCurator of Mysteries causes you to scry 1 after discarding a card, adding additional value to your cycling cards and looting/rummaging effects. Curator of Mysteries works beautifully with Matoya, Archon ElderMatoya, Archon Elder to scry and then draw cards after, which can be discarded to an outlet like Ghostly PilfererGhostly Pilferer.

Curator of Mysteries can also be used in some Hylda of the Icy CrownHylda of the Icy Crown combos, as the scrying can trigger Elvish MarinerElvish Mariner to tap Hylda, thus triggering its effect.

#5: Sphinx of the Second Sun

Number of Combos: 38

Deck Inclusions: 56,325 decks (1.46%)

Sphinx of the Second SunSphinx of the Second Sun is an extremely powerful card that gives you an additional beginning phase after your postcombat main phase, which gives you an extra untap, upkeep, and draw step each turn. These steps are perfect for untapping your permanents, making Aggravated AssaultAggravated Assault combos very easy to accomplish.

The extra upkeep can give you instant wins with Mechanized ProductionMechanized Production or Mayael's AriaMayael's Aria instead of having to wait a turn. The extra draw step can also win the game with a Laboratory ManiacLaboratory Maniac effect if your library is empty, perhaps due to LevelerLeveler or another effect.

#4: Eligeth, Crossroads Augur

Number of Combos: 44

Deck Inclusions: 2,936 as commander; 5,179 as card (0.13%)

Eligeth, Crossroads AugurEligeth, Crossroads Augur is a partner commander with the strong benefit of replacing all scrying you do with drawing cards instead. This turns Viscera SeerViscera Seer and Woe StriderWoe Strider into very strong draw engines if you have creatures to sacrifice. Adding in The Locust GodThe Locust God creates an infinite card draw combo with a large amount of ETB and LTB triggers to boot.

Eligeth also pairs very nicely with the previously mentioned Curator of Mysteries, letting you draw cards as you discard them. All you need is a discard outlet (or to be over your maximum hand size), which our next cards can provide easily.

#3: Prognostic Sphinx / Dream Trawler

Number of Combos: 63 each

Deck Inclusions: 9,987 decks (Prognostic); 19,437 decks (Trawler)

Both Prognostic SphinxPrognostic Sphinx and Dream TrawlerDream Trawler serve as free discard outlets, enabling you to trigger cards that care about discarding with ease. Such cards include Glint-Horn BuccaneerGlint-Horn Buccaneer and Cryptcaller ChariotCryptcaller Chariot.

They also serve as great ways to put cards into your graveyard for recursion purposes, such as Ovalchase DaredevilOvalchase Daredevil and madness cards.

Finally, discard outlets lets you thin your hand down to get the most out of draw effects from Doctor Octopus, Master PlannerDoctor Octopus, Master Planner and similar cards.

#2: Sharuum the Hegemon

Number of Combos: 86

Deck Inclusions: 2,750 as commander (#764); 14,886 as card (1.56%)

Sharuum the HegemonSharuum the Hegemon has a simple effect of returning an artifact from your graveyard to the battlefield, similarly to how Karmic GuideKarmic Guide operates for creatures. Karmic Guide is extremely beneficial for combos, and Sharuum is the same for artifact based combos.

Sharuum can return copy effects, including Sculpting SteelSculpting Steel or Phyrexian MetamorphPhyrexian Metamorph, as copies of Sharuum to have it die to the legend rule and then be returned by the ETB trigger. This continues to happen until you choose to stop it, racking up infinite triggers.

Sharuum can also recur TechnomancerTechnomancer or Rescue SkiffRescue Skiff, allowing you to alternate sacrificing them for another infinite loop.

#1: Medomai the Ageless

Number of Combos: 223

Deck Inclusions: 1,856 as commander (#1,856); 14,839 as card (0.84%)

Medomai the AgelessMedomai the Ageless is a strong card that needs additional help to reach its full potential. When it deals combat damage, you get an extra turn, which is an extremely strong effect. The caveat is Medomai can't attack during extra turns, meaning you need ways to get around that pesky restriction. Fortunately, there are literally hundreds of ways to do so.

You can steal Medomai's ability and put it onto another creature without the static restriction, such as with Koh, the Face StealerKoh, the Face Stealer. Another option is to not declare Medomai as an attacker, which is what the restriction prevents, by using ninjutsu granted to it by Satoru UmezawaSatoru Umezawa. You can also make token Medomais, as with Delina, Wild MageDelina, Wild Mage, to bypass the restriction.

There are plenty more options. So if you want an extra turn engine, Medomai is great if you can provide it a little support.

Honorable Mentions

If you want more Sphinx highjinks, add a few more options to your list:

1. Ormos, Archive KeeperOrmos, Archive Keeper: Provides an outlet once you empty your library, such as dealing inordinate amounts of damage to Body of KnowledgeBody of Knowledge.

2. Magister SphinxMagister Sphinx: Sharply reduces an opponent's life total, where Hidetsugu's Second RiteHidetsugu's Second Rite or Wound ReflectionWound Reflection can finish the job.

3. Consecrated SphinxConsecrated Sphinx: A card that takes draw-happy opponents and gives you even better card advantage instead. Consecrated Sphinx is also perfectly paired with Wedding RingWedding Ring.

Thank you very much for reading this edition of Wombo Combo, and don't forget to check out Commander Spellbook for more Commander combos and visit the Commander Spellbook Discord to submit your own Commander combos.

Until next time, happy comboing!