Kaalia of the Vast (Commander) - Budget Upgraded

Background image for The Art of Playing It Cool in Commander
Alex Wicker
Nov 27, 2025
The Art of Playing It Cool in Commander
In this edition of Commander Philosophy, Alex explores the art of playing it cool. When do you chill, and when do you become the threat?
Deck Filters
Cardsphere
Archidekt
Commander Spellbook
Moxfield
Scryfall
MTGStocks
Enter the Avatar State
6.9%inclusion2 decks29 decks
5%synergy
Fang, Roku's Companion
3.0%inclusion1 decks33 decks
2%synergy
Ran and Shaw
2.7%inclusion1 decks37 decks
2%synergy
Bender's Waterskin
2.3%inclusion2 decks86 decks
1%synergy
Redirect Lightning
1.1%inclusion1 decks88 decks
-3%synergy
High Synergy Cards
Rune-Scarred Demon
65%inclusion134 decks205 decks
58%synergy
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
67%inclusion138 decks205 decks
53%synergy
Angel of Despair
56%inclusion115 decks205 decks
51%synergy
Liesa, Forgotten Archangel
54%inclusion110 decks205 decks
46%synergy
Sephara, Sky's Blade
46%inclusion95 decks205 decks
40%synergy
Swiftfoot Boots
70%inclusion144 decks205 decks
39%synergy
Master of Cruelties
46%inclusion94 decks205 decks
38%synergy
Aegis Angel
38%inclusion77 decks205 decks
35%synergy
Angel of Serenity
38%inclusion78 decks205 decks
34%synergy
Steel Hellkite
36%inclusion73 decks205 decks
34%synergy
Top Cards
Lightning Greaves
57%inclusion117 decks205 decks
23%synergy
Swords to Plowshares
52%inclusion106 decks205 decks
-11%synergy
Aurelia, the Warleader
46%inclusion95 decks205 decks
29%synergy
Path to Exile
42%inclusion87 decks205 decks
-4%synergy
Terminate
40%inclusion81 decks205 decks
27%synergy
Drakuseth, Maw of Flames
38%inclusion78 decks205 decks
33%synergy
Harvester of Souls
35%inclusion72 decks205 decks
32%synergy
Reya Dawnbringer
35%inclusion72 decks205 decks
30%synergy
Phyrexian Arena
35%inclusion71 decks205 decks
15%synergy
Bloodgift Demon
34%inclusion70 decks205 decks
32%synergy
Game Changers
Bolas's Citadel
5.4%inclusion11 decks205 decks
-2%synergy
Creatures
Overseer of the Damned
33%inclusion68 decks205 decks
32%synergy
Aurelia, the Law Above
33%inclusion67 decks205 decks
25%synergy
Isshin, Two Heavens as One
32%inclusion65 decks205 decks
16%synergy
Archfiend of Depravity
32%inclusion65 decks205 decks
27%synergy
Angel of the Ruins
31%inclusion63 decks205 decks
27%synergy
Demon of Loathing
31%inclusion63 decks205 decks
29%synergy
Dragon Mage
29%inclusion60 decks205 decks
28%synergy
Tariel, Reckoner of Souls
29%inclusion59 decks205 decks
26%synergy
Scourge of the Throne
27%inclusion56 decks205 decks
25%synergy
Shilgengar, Sire of Famine
26%inclusion54 decks204 decks
25%synergy
Drana and Linvala
26%inclusion53 decks205 decks
16%synergy
Giada, Font of Hope
26%inclusion53 decks205 decks
23%synergy
Demonlord Belzenlok
25%inclusion51 decks205 decks
23%synergy
Akroma, Angel of Fury
23%inclusion48 decks205 decks
22%synergy
Angelic Arbiter
23%inclusion47 decks205 decks
19%synergy
Kaalia, Zenith Seeker
23%inclusion47 decks205 decks
17%synergy
Vile Mutilator
22%inclusion45 decks204 decks
21%synergy
Kardur, Doomscourge
22%inclusion45 decks205 decks
16%synergy
Piru, the Volatile
22%inclusion45 decks205 decks
20%synergy
Neriv, Heart of the Storm
22%inclusion38 decks175 decks
15%synergy
Terror of Mount Velus
21%inclusion44 decks205 decks
20%synergy
Karmic Guide
21%inclusion44 decks205 decks
15%synergy
Arbiter of Woe
21%inclusion43 decks202 decks
21%synergy
Bladewing the Risen
19%inclusion39 decks205 decks
18%synergy
Indulgent Tormentor
19%inclusion38 decks205 decks
17%synergy
Hellkite Tyrant
19%inclusion38 decks205 decks
13%synergy
Rakdos, Lord of Riots
19%inclusion38 decks205 decks
17%synergy
Lyra Dawnbringer
19%inclusion38 decks205 decks
16%synergy
Vilis, Broker of Blood
18%inclusion37 decks205 decks
12%synergy
Ob Nixilis, Unshackled
18%inclusion37 decks205 decks
16%synergy
Akroma, Angel of Wrath
18%inclusion36 decks205 decks
15%synergy
Bogardan Hellkite
18%inclusion36 decks205 decks
17%synergy
Serra's Guardian
18%inclusion36 decks205 decks
17%synergy
Kothophed, Soul Hoarder
17%inclusion35 decks205 decks
16%synergy
Angel of Finality
17%inclusion34 decks205 decks
16%synergy
Sower of Discord
17%inclusion34 decks205 decks
14%synergy
Lord of the Void
17%inclusion34 decks205 decks
12%synergy
Rakdos, Patron of Chaos
17%inclusion34 decks205 decks
12%synergy
Mother of Runes
16%inclusion33 decks205 decks
8%synergy
Blast-Furnace Hellkite
16%inclusion33 decks205 decks
14%synergy
Herald of Eternal Dawn
16%inclusion32 decks202 decks
14%synergy
Lathliss, Dragon Queen
16%inclusion32 decks205 decks
15%synergy
Junji, the Midnight Sky
16%inclusion32 decks205 decks
14%synergy
Bruna, the Fading Light
15%inclusion30 decks205 decks
11%synergy
Avacyn, Angel of Hope
14%inclusion29 decks205 decks
6%synergy
Hoarding Broodlord
14%inclusion28 decks205 decks
10%synergy
Crabomination
13%inclusion27 decks204 decks
13%synergy
Balefire Dragon
13%inclusion27 decks205 decks
8%synergy
Goremand
13%inclusion27 decks205 decks
13%synergy
Resolute Archangel
13%inclusion26 decks205 decks
11%synergy
Instants
Mortify
32%inclusion66 decks205 decks
17%synergy
Boros Charm
29%inclusion59 decks205 decks
-1%synergy
Crackling Doom
27%inclusion56 decks205 decks
10%synergy
Despark
23%inclusion47 decks205 decks
8%synergy
Chaos Warp
21%inclusion44 decks205 decks
5%synergy
Thrill of Possibility
17%inclusion35 decks205 decks
9%synergy
Dark Ritual
16%inclusion32 decks205 decks
0%synergy
Rakdos Charm
16%inclusion32 decks205 decks
7%synergy
Generous Gift
15%inclusion31 decks205 decks
-5%synergy
Anguished Unmaking
15%inclusion31 decks205 decks
-19%synergy
Abrade
13%inclusion26 decks205 decks
7%synergy
Utter End
11%inclusion23 decks205 decks
6%synergy
Divine Resilience
10%inclusion21 decks202 decks
10%synergy
Disenchant
10%inclusion21 decks205 decks
8%synergy
Valorous Stance
10%inclusion20 decks205 decks
9%synergy
Gods Willing
9.3%inclusion19 decks205 decks
8%synergy
Surge of Salvation
9.3%inclusion19 decks205 decks
8%synergy
Bedevil
9.3%inclusion19 decks205 decks
2%synergy
Return to Dust
8.8%inclusion18 decks205 decks
6%synergy
Inevitable Defeat
8.6%inclusion16 decks186 decks
2%synergy
Unbreakable Formation
8.3%inclusion17 decks205 decks
3%synergy
Fracture
8.3%inclusion17 decks205 decks
2%synergy
Demand Answers
7.8%inclusion16 decks205 decks
3%synergy
Loran's Escape
7.3%inclusion15 decks205 decks
6%synergy
Stroke of Midnight
6.8%inclusion14 decks205 decks
-5%synergy
Master Warcraft
6.8%inclusion14 decks205 decks
5%synergy
Blacksmith's Skill
6.3%inclusion13 decks205 decks
5%synergy
Hero's Downfall
6.3%inclusion13 decks205 decks
5%synergy
Bolt Bend
5.9%inclusion12 decks205 decks
4%synergy
Deflecting Palm
5.9%inclusion12 decks205 decks
-1%synergy
Legion Leadership
5.4%inclusion11 decks204 decks
1%synergy
Cloudshift
5.4%inclusion11 decks205 decks
2%synergy
Magmaquake
5.4%inclusion11 decks205 decks
5%synergy
Sorceries
Diabolic Tutor
34%inclusion69 decks205 decks
27%synergy
Sign in Blood
27%inclusion56 decks205 decks
19%synergy
Read the Bones
26%inclusion54 decks205 decks
16%synergy
Demonic Counsel
25%inclusion50 decks204 decks
20%synergy
Faithless Looting
24%inclusion49 decks205 decks
8%synergy
Ruinous Ultimatum
22%inclusion46 decks205 decks
-16%synergy
Blasphemous Act
21%inclusion43 decks205 decks
-2%synergy
Night's Whisper
20%inclusion42 decks205 decks
8%synergy
Painful Truths
16%inclusion33 decks205 decks
7%synergy
Damn
15%inclusion30 decks205 decks
-4%synergy
Unburial Rites
15%inclusion30 decks205 decks
12%synergy
Earthquake
14%inclusion28 decks205 decks
13%synergy
Austere Command
13%inclusion27 decks205 decks
5%synergy
Syphon Mind
10%inclusion21 decks205 decks
9%synergy
Ambition's Cost
10%inclusion21 decks205 decks
8%synergy
Vindicate
10%inclusion20 decks205 decks
3%synergy
Victimize
10%inclusion20 decks205 decks
2%synergy
Merciless Eviction
10%inclusion20 decks205 decks
7%synergy
Reanimate
9.3%inclusion19 decks205 decks
-7%synergy
Response // Resurgence
9.3%inclusion19 decks205 decks
7%synergy
Wrath of God
8.3%inclusion17 decks205 decks
3%synergy
Tormenting Voice
7.3%inclusion15 decks205 decks
6%synergy
Cleansing Nova
6.8%inclusion14 decks205 decks
5%synergy
Akroma's Vengeance
6.8%inclusion14 decks205 decks
6%synergy
Feed the Swarm
6.3%inclusion13 decks205 decks
1%synergy
Relentless Assault
6.3%inclusion13 decks205 decks
4%synergy
Vandalblast
6.3%inclusion13 decks205 decks
-5%synergy
Full Throttle
6.0%inclusion12 decks201 decks
3%synergy
Farewell
5.9%inclusion12 decks205 decks
-6%synergy
Fell
5.4%inclusion11 decks204 decks
5%synergy
Diresight
5.4%inclusion11 decks204 decks
4%synergy
Mythos of Snapdax
5.4%inclusion11 decks205 decks
-1%synergy
Utility Artifacts
Whispersilk Cloak
26%inclusion54 decks205 decks
20%synergy
Wayfarer's Bauble
18%inclusion36 decks205 decks
9%synergy
Quicksilver Amulet
11%inclusion23 decks205 decks
10%synergy
Lavaspur Boots
10%inclusion21 decks204 decks
8%synergy
Strionic Resonator
7.3%inclusion15 decks205 decks
4%synergy
Dragonfire Blade
7.0%inclusion12 decks171 decks
6%synergy
Horn of the Mark
5.4%inclusion11 decks205 decks
3%synergy
Mask of Avacyn
5.4%inclusion11 decks205 decks
5%synergy
Helm of the Host
5.4%inclusion11 decks205 decks
-1%synergy
Enchantments
Rising of the Day
22%inclusion45 decks205 decks
13%synergy
Windcrag Siege
20%inclusion34 decks171 decks
2%synergy
Warstorm Surge
14%inclusion29 decks205 decks
11%synergy
All-Out Assault
14%inclusion24 decks175 decks
1%synergy
Dragon Tempest
13%inclusion27 decks205 decks
9%synergy
Liliana's Contract
11%inclusion23 decks205 decks
10%synergy
Reconnaissance
11%inclusion22 decks205 decks
0%synergy
Unholy Annex // Ritual Chamber
10%inclusion21 decks204 decks
9%synergy
Ghostly Prison
10%inclusion20 decks205 decks
2%synergy
Kaya's Ghostform
9.3%inclusion19 decks205 decks
7%synergy
Phyrexian Reclamation
8.8%inclusion18 decks205 decks
6%synergy
Rampage of the Valkyries
8.3%inclusion17 decks205 decks
7%synergy
Breaching Dragonstorm
8.1%inclusion14 decks173 decks
8%synergy
Animate Dead
7.8%inclusion16 decks205 decks
0%synergy
Firja's Retribution
7.3%inclusion15 decks205 decks
7%synergy
Bitter Reunion
6.3%inclusion13 decks205 decks
4%synergy
Valkyrie's Call
5.4%inclusion11 decks202 decks
5%synergy
Utility Lands
Rogue's Passage
41%inclusion85 decks205 decks
18%synergy
Bojuka Bog
27%inclusion55 decks205 decks
-4%synergy
Vault of the Archangel
19%inclusion38 decks205 decks
-4%synergy
Slayers' Stronghold
12%inclusion24 decks205 decks
7%synergy
Reliquary Tower
10%inclusion20 decks205 decks
-6%synergy
Temple of the False God
8.3%inclusion17 decks205 decks
2%synergy
Seraph Sanctuary
6.8%inclusion14 decks205 decks
5%synergy
Forgotten Cave
6.3%inclusion13 decks205 decks
6%synergy
Mortuary Mire
6.3%inclusion13 decks205 decks
5%synergy
Barren Moor
5.9%inclusion12 decks205 decks
5%synergy
Secluded Steppe
5.4%inclusion11 decks205 decks
5%synergy
Sunhome, Fortress of the Legion
5.4%inclusion11 decks205 decks
1%synergy
Mana Artifacts
Sol Ring
90%inclusion184 decks205 decks
1%synergy
Arcane Signet
79%inclusion162 decks205 decks
-7%synergy
Orzhov Signet
54%inclusion110 decks205 decks
20%synergy
Rakdos Signet
48%inclusion99 decks205 decks
16%synergy
Boros Signet
48%inclusion99 decks205 decks
18%synergy
Talisman of Conviction
42%inclusion86 decks205 decks
1%synergy
Commander's Sphere
37%inclusion76 decks205 decks
22%synergy
Talisman of Hierarchy
35%inclusion72 decks205 decks
-6%synergy
Talisman of Indulgence
30%inclusion61 decks205 decks
-7%synergy
Fellwar Stone
29%inclusion59 decks205 decks
1%synergy
Mind Stone
20%inclusion40 decks205 decks
11%synergy
Chromatic Lantern
15%inclusion31 decks205 decks
3%synergy
Dragonstorm Globe
12%inclusion21 decks173 decks
11%synergy
Mardu Banner
10%inclusion20 decks205 decks
7%synergy
Charcoal Diamond
7.3%inclusion15 decks205 decks
6%synergy
Darksteel Ingot
6.3%inclusion13 decks205 decks
5%synergy
Marble Diamond
5.9%inclusion12 decks205 decks
4%synergy
Fire Diamond
5.9%inclusion12 decks205 decks
4%synergy
Thought Vessel
5.9%inclusion12 decks205 decks
0%synergy
Lands
Swamp
99%inclusion203 decks205 decks
4%synergy
Mountain
99%inclusion203 decks205 decks
5%synergy
Plains
99%inclusion203 decks205 decks
4%synergy
Command Tower
93%inclusion191 decks205 decks
1%synergy
Nomad Outpost
68%inclusion140 decks205 decks
10%synergy
Exotic Orchard
56%inclusion114 decks205 decks
4%synergy
Evolving Wilds
55%inclusion112 decks205 decks
28%synergy
Temple of Triumph
44%inclusion91 decks205 decks
22%synergy
Temple of Silence
43%inclusion88 decks205 decks
20%synergy
Battlefield Forge
41%inclusion85 decks205 decks
2%synergy
Clifftop Retreat
41%inclusion85 decks205 decks
-7%synergy
Dragonskull Summit
41%inclusion84 decks205 decks
-10%synergy
Scoured Barrens
41%inclusion84 decks205 decks
32%synergy
Terramorphic Expanse
39%inclusion79 decks205 decks
19%synergy
Wind-Scarred Crag
39%inclusion79 decks205 decks
30%synergy
Bloodfell Caves
38%inclusion77 decks205 decks
28%synergy
Caves of Koilos
37%inclusion76 decks205 decks
-2%synergy
Isolated Chapel
37%inclusion76 decks205 decks
-14%synergy
Shattered Landscape
36%inclusion73 decks204 decks
16%synergy
Temple of Malice
36%inclusion73 decks205 decks
18%synergy
Smoldering Marsh
35%inclusion71 decks205 decks
-1%synergy
Orzhov Basilica
31%inclusion64 decks205 decks
16%synergy
Boros Garrison
30%inclusion61 decks205 decks
16%synergy
Rakdos Carnarium
27%inclusion55 decks205 decks
14%synergy
Path of Ancestry
25%inclusion52 decks205 decks
-12%synergy
Sulfurous Springs
20%inclusion42 decks205 decks
-6%synergy
Foreboding Ruins
18%inclusion36 decks205 decks
7%synergy
Myriad Landscape
17%inclusion35 decks205 decks
4%synergy
Tainted Field
16%inclusion33 decks205 decks
4%synergy
Shadowblood Ridge
15%inclusion30 decks205 decks
0%synergy
Rugged Prairie
14%inclusion29 decks205 decks
-1%synergy
Ash Barrens
14%inclusion28 decks205 decks
7%synergy
Furycalm Snarl
13%inclusion27 decks205 decks
4%synergy
Boros Guildgate
13%inclusion26 decks205 decks
10%synergy
Orzhov Guildgate
13%inclusion26 decks205 decks
10%synergy
Thriving Moor
13%inclusion26 decks205 decks
10%synergy
Fetid Heath
13%inclusion26 decks205 decks
-7%synergy
Concealed Courtyard
12%inclusion25 decks205 decks
7%synergy
Thriving Heath
12%inclusion25 decks205 decks
10%synergy
Thriving Bluff
12%inclusion25 decks205 decks
10%synergy
Shineshadow Snarl
12%inclusion25 decks205 decks
3%synergy
Rakdos Guildgate
11%inclusion23 decks205 decks
9%synergy
Blackcleave Cliffs
11%inclusion23 decks205 decks
5%synergy
Tainted Peak
11%inclusion23 decks205 decks
1%synergy
Akoum Refuge
10%inclusion21 decks205 decks
8%synergy
Desolate Mire
9.3%inclusion19 decks205 decks
-2%synergy
Inspiring Vantage
8.3%inclusion17 decks205 decks
4%synergy
Sunscorched Divide
8.3%inclusion17 decks205 decks
3%synergy
Graven Cairns
7.8%inclusion16 decks205 decks
-3%synergy
Canyon Slough
7.3%inclusion15 decks205 decks
-2%synergy