(Helm of the HostHelm of the Host| Art by Igor Kieryluk)
The Card is Mightier Than the Sword
Welcome back to Wombo Combo, the article series where we look at EDH's best combo cards using data from Commander Spellbook and EDHREC. Previously, we went through all of Magic's color identities to find their best combo cards, and wrapped up 2024 with a Best of 2024 article.
It is time now to move on, as we will now look at card types as opposed to color identity for this and future editions of Wombo Combo. To kick off this series, lets look at a very popular subtype of artifacts - Equipment!
Equipment are artifacts that attach to permanents (generally creatures) that give them additional effects, such as a stat boost or additional abilities. Equipment can have a wide range of effects, ranging from extremely minor boosts to near game-ending advantages.
When it comes to combos, there are plenty of Equipment that can help you win the game with a simple combo. Let's take a look at the top 10 combo Equipment!
#10: The Reality Chip
Deck Inclusions: 1,365 as commander (#899); 94,492 as card (3.84%)
Our first equipment of the list is only partially an Equipment, as well as a legendary creature. The Reality ChipThe Reality Chip features the Reconfigure ability, allowing it to transition from a creature to an Equipment with ease.
The Reality Chip is the only commander-eligible card with such ability, meaning if you want an Equipment in the command zone, this is your only option.
The Reality Chip, when attached to a creature, lets you play spells from the top of your library. This is perfect for top-deck cards like MortuaryMortuary or Sensei's Divining TopSensei's Divining Top.
You can easily make an infinite combo by covering the cost of the card you are casting, which can be achieved by using cost reducers, mana sacrifice outlets like Phyrexian AltarPhyrexian Altar and other cards.
#9: Sword of the Meek
Deck Inclusions: 13,056 decks (0.259%)
Sword of the MeekSword of the Meek is a great card for decks centered around small creatures. Sword of the Meek can return itself from your graveyard to the battlefield attached to any 1/1 creature that enters the battlefield. As Equipment do not go to your graveyard when the creature dies unlike Auras, you will need an artifact sacrifice outlet.
Some great options include Thopter FoundryThopter Foundry or Krark-Clan IronworksKrark-Clan Ironworks. The next step is to continually create 1/1 creature tokens, which is made possible by cards like Sly RequisitionerSly Requisitioner or Desecrated TombDesecrated Tomb. This'll create you infinite 1/1 creature tokens, which can be paired nicely with your favorite small creature commander like Arabella, Abandoned DollArabella, Abandoned Doll.
#8: Illusionist's Bracers
Deck Inclusions: 62,591 decks (1.243%)
Illusionist's BracersIllusionist's Bracers copies any ability you activate (except mana abilities) of the creature it is attached to. This can be used to simply get extra copies of very strong activated abilities; however, the reason it makes our Top 10 is because Illusionist's Bracers can also copy abilities leading to an infinite combo. Copying Aphetto AlchemistAphetto Alchemist's ability allows it to untap itself and another artifact or creature for a simple two-card combo.
Pairing Illusionist's Bracers with Spawnsire of UlamogSpawnsire of Ulamog or Slimefoot, the StowawaySlimefoot, the Stowaway allows them to make two creature tokens, thus creating an infinite combo with Ashnod's AltarAshnod's Altar. If your commander has an activated ability that isn't a mana ability, then Illusionist's Bracers can be a good value piece to make your commander that much stronger.
#7: Sword of the Paruns
Deck Inclusions: 15,976 decks (0.318%)
Sword of the ParunsSword of the Paruns is one of two cards we will discuss that can help untap a creature, allowing you to pay to tap or untap the creature it is attached to. This is a simple two card combo with any creature that can add four or more mana, such as Fanatic of RhonasFanatic of Rhonas or Sanctum WeaverSanctum Weaver.
Sword of the Paruns can also untap token generators, such as Krenko, Mob BossKrenko, Mob Boss, which can be sacrificed to a mana sacrifice outlet to cover Sword of the Paruns' activation cost. Sword of the Paruns is also a solid inclusion for Yurlok of Scorch ThrashYurlok of Scorch Thrash decks to get your opponents infinite mana, as well as subsequent infinite lifeloss.
#6: Helm of the Host
Deck Inclusions: 161,569 decks (3.215%)
Helm of the HostHelm of the Host creates a nonlegendary copy of the creature it is attached to at the beginning of each of your combat phases. For cards caring about combat phases, like Combat CelebrantCombat Celebrant, this is a blissful combination of infinite tokens and combat phases.
Helm of the Host can create a nonlegendary token of Kiki-Jiki, Mirror BreakerKiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker allowing the token to copy itself infinitely. Helm of the Host can also be useful for infinite turn combos, by making copies of Timestream NavigatorTimestream Navigator that you can then activate for an extra turn immediately.
If you prefer control, perhaps make a copy of Azor, the LawbringerAzor, the Lawbringer each turn to prevent opponents from playing instant and sorcery spells during their turns.
#5: Lightning Greaves
Deck Inclusions: 1,272,100 decks (25.314%)
Lightning GreavesLightning Greaves has two qualities that make it a good candidate for infinite combos. The first is that it can give any creature haste, which can be pivotal for infinite combat or blinking combos. Just remember that Lightning Greaves also gives the creature shroud, which can be an issue for combos that involve targeting. T
he second way Lightning Greaves can contribute to combos is that it costs to equip it to a creature. This creates a free option to help facilitate Koll, the ForgemasterKoll, the Forgemaster combos, removing a potential need to cover mana costs.
#4: Paradise Mantle
Deck Inclusions: 38,222 decks (0.761%)
Paradise MantleParadise Mantle simply turns any creature into a mana dork, which is surprisingly more useful for combos than one may realize. Attaching it to a creature like Horseshoe CrabHorseshoe Crab allows it to tap and then untap infinitely. You can simply add a payoff to take advantage of this, like Kinnan, Bonder ProdigyKinnan, Bonder Prodigy or Nyxbloom AncientNyxbloom Ancient.
Such payoff cards can be attached with Paradise Mantle to take advantage of a newly acquired tap ability, including Wylie Duke, Atiin HeroWylie Duke, Atiin Hero and Emmara, Soul of the AccordEmmara, Soul of the Accord, making for an easy and convenient way to tap your creatures for their payoffs.
#3: Umbral Mantle
Deck Inclusions: 44,121 decks (0.878%)
Umbral MantleUmbral Mantle also untaps the creature it is attached to, similar to Sword of the Paruns. Umbral Mantle does have three noticeable advantages over Sword of the Paruns. First, it costs to equip, allowing it to have the same combo usage as Lightning Greaves, but also making it cheaper to attach and move.
Second, Umbral Mantle untaps the creature as a cost, meaning that countering the ability does not stop the creature from being untapped. Third, Umbral Mantle gives the creature +2/+2 until end of turn upon resolution, adding an additional infinite result.
#2: Nim Deathmantle
Deck Inclusions: 34,994 decks (0.696%)
Nim DeathmantleNim Deathmantle is an excellent card for recurring creatures dying from the battlefield, at a cost of per creature. Some creatures can easily cover this cost, like PalinchronPalinchron, while others can provide you resources to cover the cost. If you include Ashnod's Altar, you can use any creature card that creates one or more creature tokens when it enters or dies and have an infinite combo.
This creates a wide variety of possible combo options and opportunities for redundancy. Some popular cards used for this purpose include Marionette MasterMarionette Master, Wurmcoil EngineWurmcoil Engine and Breya, Etherium ShaperBreya, Etherium Shaper.
#1: Thornbite Staff
Deck Inclusions: 38,973 decks (0.775%)
The best combo Equipment is none other than Thornbite StaffThornbite Staff, an excellent card for untapping your creatures whenever a creature dies. This is especially true for token generators, like Kiki-Jiki, which can make more tokens to then subsequently die and untap Kiki-Jiki again.
If the creature is both a token generator and a sacrifice outlet, like Marrow-GnawerMarrow-Gnawer, then you can have a simple two card combo providing many useful results. Outside of infinite combos, Thornbite Staff can be used for locks, such as attaching it to Kelsien, the PlagueKelsien, the Plague or Deathbringer ThoctarDeathbringer Thoctar with a way to give them deathtouch.
If your commander cares about creatures entering or leaving the battlefield, and/or has a tap ability, then Thornbite Staff is the perfect inclusion to add more value to your deck, as well as a littany of options for infinite combos.
Honorable Mentions
If you are looking for a different piece of hardware to enhance your deck, here are some other Equipment that you may want to consider:
1. Viridian LongbowViridian Longbow: Allows any creature to tap to deal damage, which can be useful for cards like Malcolm, Keen-Eyed NavigatorMalcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator
2. DeathrenderDeathrender: Great for recursion combos and cheating out large creatures.
3. SkullclampSkullclamp: A staple card for drawing cards also offers an easy way to kill X/1 creatures without the need for a sacrifice outlet.
4. Assault SuitAssault Suit: A unique card that can provide ways to draw the game, with cards like Bronze BombshellBronze Bombshell, just in case your deck doesn't go to plan.
5. Blade of Shared SoulsBlade of Shared Souls: Allows any creature to have the same effect as a CloneClone, offering unique combo possibilities, as the effect can be transferred to tokens.
Thank you very much for reading this edition of Wombo Combo, and don't forget to check out Commander Spellbook for more EDH combos and visit the Commander Spellbook Discord to submit your own combos and to talk everything combo and Magic related. Until next time, happy comboing!
Ethan Coover
Ethan has been an avid EDH player since 2014 with the release of Core Set 2015. In 2021, he joined the Commander Spellbook project as an editor, and later a head-editor and moderator, and has assisted in the curation, updating and/or uploading of over 10,000 unique EDH combos. In his spare time, Ethan loves coming up with new jank EDH lines, playing video games, and going for long walks.
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