Kess, Dissident Mage (Commander) - Optimized Combo

Kess, Dissident Mage
Rank #310
75decks
As CommanderAs CardAverage DeckDecksView Precon
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Budget
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Julia Maddalena
May 1, 2026
Julia Maddalena
Fire and Ice: Kess, Dissident Mage
In this edition of Fire and Ice, we're looking at one of the classic Grixis Spellslinger commanders: Kess, Dissident Mage.
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Turbulent Wetlands
18%inclusion2 decks11 decks
6.7xlift
Turbulent Crater
18%inclusion2 decks11 decks
6.7xlift
Geist of Saint Thalia
15%inclusion2 decks13 decks
2.8xlift
Lich's Relic
10%inclusion1 decks10 decks
8.5xlift
Samut, Tyrant of Naktamun
10%inclusion1 decks10 decks
1.3xlift
Top Cards
Dark Ritual
84%inclusion63 decks75 decks
1.3xlift
Mystical Tutor
72%inclusion54 decks75 decks
1.6xlift
Frantic Search
71%inclusion53 decks75 decks
1.9xlift
Windfall
61%inclusion46 decks75 decks
1.7xlift
Brainstorm
60%inclusion45 decks75 decks
2.1xlift
Demonic Tutor
60%inclusion45 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Counterspell
60%inclusion45 decks75 decks
1.3xlift
Vampiric Tutor
59%inclusion44 decks75 decks
1.3xlift
Faithless Looting
59%inclusion44 decks75 decks
2.3xlift
Toxic Deluge
59%inclusion44 decks75 decks
1.7xlift
High Lift Cards
Insult // Injury
5.3%inclusion4 decks75 decks
19xlift
See the Truth
13%inclusion10 decks75 decks
15xlift
Tainted Indulgence
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
11xlift
Chain of Smog
33%inclusion25 decks75 decks
8.7xlift
Black Sun's Zenith
5.3%inclusion4 decks75 decks
8.7xlift
Ral, Storm Conduit
29%inclusion22 decks75 decks
8.2xlift
Thought Scour
11%inclusion8 decks75 decks
6.5xlift
Judith, Carnage Connoisseur
5.3%inclusion4 decks75 decks
6.5xlift
Serum Visions
16%inclusion12 decks75 decks
6.3xlift
Baral, Chief of Compliance
29%inclusion22 decks75 decks
6.3xlift
Creatures
Thassa's Oracle
49%inclusion37 decks75 decks
2.0xlift
Storm-Kiln Artist
44%inclusion33 decks75 decks
1.8xlift
Archmage Emeritus
41%inclusion31 decks75 decks
2.3xlift
Dualcaster Mage
32%inclusion24 decks75 decks
0.9xlift
Notion Thief
32%inclusion24 decks75 decks
2.3xlift
Nightscape Familiar
29%inclusion22 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Orcish Bowmasters
29%inclusion22 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Spellseeker
25%inclusion19 decks75 decks
1.7xlift
Opposition Agent
24%inclusion18 decks75 decks
2.0xlift
Laboratory Maniac
23%inclusion17 decks75 decks
2.0xlift
Snapcaster Mage
21%inclusion16 decks75 decks
1.3xlift
Simian Spirit Guide
21%inclusion16 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Birgi, God of Storytelling
21%inclusion16 decks75 decks
1.7xlift
Hexing Squelcher
20%inclusion10 decks49 decks
0.8xlift
Goblin Electromancer
20%inclusion15 decks75 decks
3.2xlift
Vivi Ornitier
18%inclusion13 decks71 decks
1.0xlift
Faerie Mastermind
17%inclusion13 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Dauthi Voidwalker
17%inclusion13 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Dragon's Rage Channeler
16%inclusion12 decks75 decks
2.7xlift
Guttersnipe
16%inclusion12 decks75 decks
3.2xlift
Ledger Shredder
13%inclusion10 decks75 decks
2.1xlift
Pinnacle Monk
13%inclusion10 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Displacer Kitten
12%inclusion9 decks75 decks
0.7xlift
Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer
12%inclusion9 decks75 decks
0.7xlift
Talion, the Kindly Lord
12%inclusion9 decks75 decks
4.4xlift
Sedgemoor Witch
11%inclusion8 decks75 decks
3.5xlift
Cormela, Glamour Thief
11%inclusion8 decks75 decks
3.4xlift
Exhibition Tidecaller
10%inclusion4 decks41 decks
4.0xlift
Niv-Mizzet, Parun
9.3%inclusion7 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Coruscation Mage
9.3%inclusion7 decks75 decks
4.1xlift
Young Pyromancer
9.3%inclusion7 decks75 decks
5.2xlift
Hullbreaker Horror
9.3%inclusion7 decks75 decks
0.9xlift
Veyran, Voice of Duality
9.3%inclusion7 decks75 decks
0.7xlift
Curse-Marred Demon
9.1%inclusion1 decks11 decks
3.1xlift
Kuja, Genome Sorcerer
8.5%inclusion6 decks71 decks
1.5xlift
Gandalf, Goblins' Bane
8.3%inclusion2 decks24 decks
6.3xlift
Exalted Flamer of Tzeentch
8.0%inclusion6 decks75 decks
4.0xlift
Archon of Cruelty
8.0%inclusion6 decks75 decks
2.2xlift
Lier, Disciple of the Drowned
8.0%inclusion6 decks75 decks
5.1xlift
Uldaros Theorix
7.7%inclusion1 decks13 decks
23xlift
Baleful Strix
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
0.8xlift
Boggart Trawler
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
1.9xlift
Thunderclap Drake
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
3.6xlift
Stormcatch Mentor
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
1.4xlift
Talrand, Sky Summoner
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
3.1xlift
Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
2.8xlift
Third Path Iconoclast
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
5.1xlift
Black Waltz No. 3
5.6%inclusion4 decks71 decks
1.4xlift
Wan Shi Tong, Librarian
5.5%inclusion3 decks55 decks
0.5xlift
Volatile Stormdrake
5.3%inclusion4 decks75 decks
2.1xlift
Instants
Cyclonic Rift
57%inclusion43 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
An Offer You Can't Refuse
55%inclusion41 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Swan Song
52%inclusion39 decks75 decks
1.3xlift
Mana Drain
49%inclusion37 decks75 decks
1.7xlift
Demonic Consultation
47%inclusion35 decks75 decks
2.2xlift
Cabal Ritual
45%inclusion34 decks75 decks
1.9xlift
Brain Freeze
43%inclusion32 decks75 decks
2.0xlift
Force of Will
43%inclusion32 decks75 decks
1.3xlift
Fierce Guardianship
43%inclusion32 decks75 decks
0.9xlift
Chaos Warp
36%inclusion27 decks75 decks
1.4xlift
Consider
36%inclusion27 decks75 decks
4.1xlift
Flusterstorm
35%inclusion26 decks75 decks
1.6xlift
Seething Song
32%inclusion24 decks75 decks
1.4xlift
Entomb
31%inclusion23 decks75 decks
1.8xlift
Gifts Ungiven
31%inclusion23 decks75 decks
2.0xlift
Deflecting Swat
31%inclusion23 decks75 decks
0.8xlift
Lightning Bolt
29%inclusion22 decks75 decks
1.4xlift
Tainted Pact
28%inclusion21 decks75 decks
2.4xlift
Arcane Denial
28%inclusion21 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Narset's Reversal
28%inclusion21 decks75 decks
1.4xlift
Deadly Rollick
27%inclusion20 decks75 decks
0.8xlift
Force of Negation
27%inclusion20 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Sink into Stupor
27%inclusion20 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Opt
25%inclusion19 decks75 decks
2.6xlift
Dramatic Reversal
25%inclusion19 decks75 decks
3.5xlift
Fact or Fiction
24%inclusion18 decks75 decks
5.0xlift
Increasing Vengeance
24%inclusion18 decks75 decks
5.7xlift
Lim-Dûl's Vault
23%inclusion17 decks75 decks
1.9xlift
Pact of Negation
23%inclusion17 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Fell the Profane
21%inclusion16 decks75 decks
1.8xlift
Pongify
21%inclusion16 decks75 decks
2.0xlift
Negate
21%inclusion16 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Ad Nauseam
21%inclusion16 decks75 decks
2.4xlift
Snap
21%inclusion16 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Pyroblast
21%inclusion16 decks75 decks
2.1xlift
Waterlogged Teachings
20%inclusion15 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Muddle the Mixture
19%inclusion14 decks75 decks
1.6xlift
Terminate
19%inclusion14 decks75 decks
1.4xlift
Thrill of Possibility
17%inclusion13 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Rakdos Charm
17%inclusion13 decks75 decks
1.8xlift
Flame of Anor
16%inclusion12 decks75 decks
2.2xlift
Spell Pierce
15%inclusion11 decks75 decks
1.6xlift
Abrade
15%inclusion11 decks75 decks
1.4xlift
Flashback
12%inclusion5 decks41 decks
0.7xlift
Mental Misstep
12%inclusion9 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Chain of Vapor
12%inclusion9 decks75 decks
1.5xlift
Reality Shift
12%inclusion9 decks75 decks
1.9xlift
Into the Flood Maw
12%inclusion9 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Reverberate
12%inclusion9 decks75 decks
2.1xlift
Red Elemental Blast
12%inclusion9 decks75 decks
1.4xlift
Sorceries
Ponder
57%inclusion43 decks75 decks
3.6xlift
Reanimate
51%inclusion38 decks75 decks
1.4xlift
Jeska's Will
48%inclusion36 decks75 decks
1.3xlift
Gitaxian Probe
48%inclusion36 decks75 decks
4.1xlift
Preordain
47%inclusion35 decks75 decks
4.0xlift
Gamble
41%inclusion31 decks75 decks
1.5xlift
Blasphemous Act
33%inclusion25 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Vandalblast
29%inclusion22 decks75 decks
1.7xlift
Mana Geyser
29%inclusion22 decks75 decks
3.1xlift
Wheel of Fortune
28%inclusion21 decks75 decks
1.6xlift
Torment of Hailfire
24%inclusion18 decks75 decks
3.5xlift
Feed the Swarm
24%inclusion18 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Grapeshot
21%inclusion16 decks75 decks
2.8xlift
Expressive Iteration
20%inclusion15 decks75 decks
3.3xlift
Damnation
20%inclusion15 decks75 decks
2.1xlift
Imperial Seal
19%inclusion14 decks75 decks
1.4xlift
Twinflame
19%inclusion14 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Solve the Equation
19%inclusion14 decks75 decks
2.1xlift
Rite of Flame
17%inclusion13 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Yawgmoth's Will
16%inclusion12 decks75 decks
3.2xlift
Mizzix's Mastery
16%inclusion12 decks75 decks
4.5xlift
Grim Tutor
16%inclusion12 decks75 decks
1.8xlift
Doomsday
15%inclusion11 decks75 decks
4.9xlift
Past in Flames
13%inclusion10 decks75 decks
2.3xlift
Personal Tutor
13%inclusion10 decks75 decks
3.7xlift
Unmarked Grave
12%inclusion9 decks75 decks
2.5xlift
Dark Petition
12%inclusion9 decks75 decks
4.0xlift
Final Parting
12%inclusion9 decks75 decks
3.4xlift
Wheel of Misfortune
11%inclusion8 decks75 decks
1.6xlift
Stock Up
11%inclusion8 decks75 decks
2.2xlift
Crackle with Power
11%inclusion8 decks75 decks
2.7xlift
Tendrils of Agony
11%inclusion8 decks75 decks
4.3xlift
Exsanguinate
11%inclusion8 decks75 decks
2.3xlift
Beseech the Mirror
11%inclusion8 decks75 decks
1.3xlift
Time Warp
11%inclusion8 decks75 decks
2.8xlift
Dark Deal
9.3%inclusion7 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Vraska's Final Mercy
9.1%inclusion1 decks11 decks
25xlift
Diabolic Tutor
8.0%inclusion6 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Careful Study
8.0%inclusion6 decks75 decks
2.2xlift
Persist
8.0%inclusion6 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Bonus Round
8.0%inclusion6 decks75 decks
2.0xlift
Flow State
7.3%inclusion3 decks41 decks
2.4xlift
Echo of Eons
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
1.5xlift
Unearth
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Treasure Cruise
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
3.9xlift
Lórien Revealed
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
2.6xlift
Temporal Manipulation
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
3.0xlift
Whispering Madness
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Sign in Blood
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
4.6xlift
Timetwister
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
3.2xlift
Utility Artifacts
The One Ring
28%inclusion21 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Isochron Scepter
25%inclusion19 decks75 decks
3.3xlift
Wishclaw Talisman
24%inclusion18 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Bolas's Citadel
11%inclusion8 decks75 decks
0.9xlift
Aetherflux Reservoir
11%inclusion8 decks75 decks
1.8xlift
Glamdring, Foe-hammer
9.1%inclusion2 decks22 decks
15xlift
Sensei's Divining Top
8.0%inclusion6 decks75 decks
0.8xlift
Defense Grid
8.0%inclusion6 decks75 decks
3.0xlift
Primal Amulet
8.0%inclusion6 decks75 decks
6.1xlift
Grinding Station
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
1.9xlift
Lightning Greaves
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
0.2xlift
Mesmeric Orb
5.3%inclusion4 decks75 decks
6.0xlift
Enchantments
Underworld Breach
57%inclusion43 decks75 decks
1.5xlift
Rhystic Study
57%inclusion43 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Mystic Remora
48%inclusion36 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Necropotence
28%inclusion21 decks75 decks
2.0xlift
Thousand-Year Storm
20%inclusion15 decks75 decks
5.2xlift
Animate Dead
12%inclusion9 decks75 decks
0.7xlift
Ripples of Undeath
11%inclusion8 decks75 decks
5.8xlift
Secrets of the Dead
11%inclusion8 decks75 decks
5.4xlift
Fiery Inscription
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
3.9xlift
Dance of the Dead
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
1.4xlift
Black Market Connections
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
0.7xlift
Propaganda
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
0.8xlift
Phyrexian Arena
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Double Vision
5.3%inclusion4 decks75 decks
4.9xlift
Necromancy
5.3%inclusion4 decks75 decks
0.7xlift
Planeswalkers
Professor Onyx
25%inclusion19 decks75 decks
5.4xlift
Narset, Parter of Veils
17%inclusion13 decks75 decks
2.0xlift
Jace, Wielder of Mysteries
15%inclusion11 decks75 decks
3.8xlift
Ashiok, Dream Render
5.3%inclusion4 decks75 decks
1.8xlift
Utility Lands
Reliquary Tower
32%inclusion24 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Otawara, Soaring City
29%inclusion22 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Ancient Tomb
27%inclusion20 decks75 decks
0.9xlift
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
19%inclusion14 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Bojuka Bog
17%inclusion13 decks75 decks
0.8xlift
Mistrise Village
16%inclusion12 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Mystic Sanctuary
13%inclusion10 decks75 decks
1.9xlift
Cephalid Coliseum
12%inclusion9 decks75 decks
1.3xlift
Lindblum, Industrial Regency
8.5%inclusion6 decks71 decks
1.9xlift
Urza's Saga
8.0%inclusion6 decks75 decks
0.6xlift
Takenuma, Abandoned Mire
8.0%inclusion6 decks75 decks
0.9xlift
Wasteland
5.3%inclusion4 decks75 decks
3.1xlift
Emergence Zone
5.3%inclusion4 decks75 decks
0.6xlift
Castle Vantress
5.3%inclusion4 decks75 decks
4.6xlift
Mana Artifacts
Sol Ring
97%inclusion73 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Arcane Signet
95%inclusion71 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Talisman of Dominance
71%inclusion53 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Talisman of Creativity
64%inclusion48 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Talisman of Indulgence
56%inclusion42 decks75 decks
0.9xlift
Lotus Petal
45%inclusion34 decks75 decks
1.3xlift
Fellwar Stone
45%inclusion34 decks75 decks
0.9xlift
Izzet Signet
32%inclusion24 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Dimir Signet
32%inclusion24 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Rakdos Signet
25%inclusion19 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Mana Vault
25%inclusion19 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Chrome Mox
25%inclusion19 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Thought Vessel
17%inclusion13 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Mox Opal
12%inclusion9 decks75 decks
0.9xlift
Mox Diamond
12%inclusion9 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Lion's Eye Diamond
11%inclusion8 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Resonating Lute
10%inclusion4 decks41 decks
2.3xlift
Commander's Sphere
9.3%inclusion7 decks75 decks
1.4xlift
Grim Monolith
8.0%inclusion6 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Chromatic Lantern
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
0.7xlift
Relic of Sauron
6.7%inclusion5 decks75 decks
0.7xlift
Mox Amber
5.3%inclusion4 decks75 decks
0.5xlift
Mind Stone
5.3%inclusion4 decks75 decks
0.7xlift
Lands
Command Tower
99%inclusion74 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Island
95%inclusion71 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Swamp
93%inclusion70 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Mountain
91%inclusion68 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Steam Vents
80%inclusion60 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Blood Crypt
79%inclusion59 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Watery Grave
76%inclusion57 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Bloodstained Mire
67%inclusion50 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Scalding Tarn
65%inclusion49 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Polluted Delta
65%inclusion49 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Exotic Orchard
57%inclusion43 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Shivan Reef
56%inclusion42 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Morphic Pool
52%inclusion39 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Training Center
52%inclusion39 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Dragonskull Summit
48%inclusion36 decks75 decks
1.3xlift
Luxury Suite
48%inclusion36 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Drowned Catacomb
48%inclusion36 decks75 decks
1.3xlift
Xander's Lounge
47%inclusion35 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Sulfur Falls
44%inclusion33 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Stormcarved Coast
36%inclusion27 decks75 decks
1.3xlift
Underground River
33%inclusion25 decks75 decks
0.8xlift
City of Brass
33%inclusion25 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Mana Confluence
31%inclusion23 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Undercity Sewers
29%inclusion22 decks75 decks
1.4xlift
Shipwreck Marsh
29%inclusion22 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Cascade Bluffs
29%inclusion22 decks75 decks
1.7xlift
Crumbling Necropolis
28%inclusion21 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Sunken Hollow
28%inclusion21 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Thundering Falls
28%inclusion21 decks75 decks
1.4xlift
Badlands
27%inclusion20 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Sink into Stupor
27%inclusion20 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Smoldering Marsh
25%inclusion19 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Underground Sea
25%inclusion19 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Reflecting Pool
25%inclusion19 decks75 decks
1.5xlift
Volcanic Island
25%inclusion19 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Haunted Ridge
25%inclusion19 decks75 decks
1.3xlift
Sulfurous Springs
25%inclusion19 decks75 decks
0.7xlift
Raucous Theater
24%inclusion18 decks75 decks
1.4xlift
Flooded Strand
24%inclusion18 decks75 decks
1.1xlift
Fell the Profane
21%inclusion16 decks75 decks
1.8xlift
Misty Rainforest
21%inclusion16 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Riverglide Pathway
21%inclusion16 decks75 decks
2.0xlift
Wooded Foothills
21%inclusion16 decks75 decks
1.4xlift
Verdant Catacombs
21%inclusion16 decks75 decks
1.3xlift
Arid Mesa
21%inclusion16 decks75 decks
1.4xlift
Clearwater Pathway
20%inclusion15 decks75 decks
1.8xlift
Waterlogged Teachings
20%inclusion15 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Gemstone Caverns
19%inclusion14 decks75 decks
1.2xlift
Marsh Flats
19%inclusion14 decks75 decks
1.0xlift
Blackcleave Cliffs
17%inclusion13 decks75 decks
2.8xlift
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