edhseer Commander synergy, explained

Precons › Doctor Who

Blast from the Past

Commander precon · Doctor Who · 2023 · led by The Fourth Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith

Main theme: Doctor tribal · Synergy 3.6/5 (connected) · Bracket 4–5 · The Fourth Doctor works with 18 of its cards

Upgrades at bracket 1–2

No Game Changers and no infinite combos: the level of an unchanged precon. Game Changers are cards on WotC's official list of cards that make a deck much stronger.It starts at bracket 4–5, so the first swap brings it down.

19 swaps, and after them the report reads the deck at bracket 1–2.

Its cards work together more: synergy 3.6 → 4.1 of 5, from connected to tight. It is a little more consistent: Build 4.3 → 4.7 of 5, still on target; no longer short on card advantage, no longer short on ramp, 1 short on interaction, was 3. That is what this page measures: how well the deck holds together, not how strong it is.

First, to reach bracket 1–2

  1. Take out The Fifth Doctor: With Adric, Mathematical Genius, The Fifth Doctor makes an infinite combo, which bracket 1–2 doesn't allow. Put in The Endstone: Adric, Mathematical Genius copies The Endstone's triggered ability

Lands

  1. Take out Fortified Village: Fortified Village makes only white or green. Put in Spara's Headquarters: Spara's Headquarters enters tapped and makes white, blue or green.
  2. Take out Temple of Plenty: Temple of Plenty enters tapped. Put in Bountiful Promenade: Bountiful Promenade never enters tapped and makes white or green.
  3. Take out Port Town: Port Town enters tapped. Put in Hallowed Fountain: Hallowed Fountain never enters tapped and makes white or blue.
  4. Take out Temple of Enlightenment: Temple of Enlightenment enters tapped. Put in Mystic Gate: Mystic Gate never enters tapped and makes white or blue.
  5. Take out Temple of Mystery: Temple of Mystery enters tapped. Put in Breeding Pool: Breeding Pool never enters tapped and makes blue or green.
  6. Take out Vineglimmer Snarl: Vineglimmer Snarl enters tapped. Put in Flooded Grove: Flooded Grove never enters tapped and makes blue or green.
  7. Take out Glacial Fortress: Glacial Fortress can enter tapped. Put in Sea of Clouds: Sea of Clouds never enters tapped and makes white or blue.
  8. Take out Plains: Plains makes only white. Put in Savannah: Savannah never enters tapped and makes white or green.
  9. Take out Forest: Forest makes only green. Put in Tropical Island: Tropical Island never enters tapped and makes blue or green.
  10. Take out Island: Island makes only blue. Put in Overflowing Basin: Overflowing Basin never enters tapped and makes blue or green.

Ramp

  1. Take out Reverse the Polarity: Reverse the Polarity is next on the report's cut list. Works with 1 other card: with 1 again and again. Put in Azorius Signet: Ramp: you were 1 short; Azorius Signet counts as ramp.

Card advantage

  1. Take out Displaced Dinosaurs: Displaced Dinosaurs is next on the report's cut list. Works with 3 other cards: with 3 again and again. Put in Gadwick, the Wizened: Card advantage: you were 2 short; Gadwick, the Wizened counts as card advantage. Alistair, the Brigadier gives Gadwick, the Wizened bigger stats.
  2. Take out Time Lord Regeneration: Time Lord Regeneration is next on the report's cut list. Works with 7 other cards: with 2 again and again, with 5 just once or in the background. Put in Unifying Theory: Card advantage: you were 2 short; Unifying Theory counts as card advantage. Adric, Mathematical Genius copies Unifying Theory's triggered ability.

Interaction

  1. Take out Bessie, the Doctor's Roadster: Bessie, the Doctor's Roadster is next on the report's cut list. Put in T'Challa, the Black Panther: Interaction: you were 3 short; T'Challa, the Black Panther counts as interaction. Alistair, the Brigadier gives T'Challa, the Black Panther bigger stats.
  2. Take out An Unearthly Child: An Unearthly Child is next on the report's cut list. Put in Vision, Synthezoid Avenger: Interaction: you were 3 short; Vision, Synthezoid Avenger counts as interaction. Alistair, the Brigadier gives Vision, Synthezoid Avenger bigger stats.
  3. Take out Banish to Another Universe: Banish to Another Universe costs 5 where Cast Out costs 4 and can't be used at instant speed. Put in Cast Out: Cast Out is the same removal for 1 less mana and at instant speed.

Cards that work together

  1. Take out Ace's Baseball Bat: Ace's Baseball Bat works with 2 cards in this deck, none of them on its theme; Glaring Fleshraker works with 8 cards, 1 of them on it, and with your commander. Put in Glaring Fleshraker: Alistair, the Brigadier gives Glaring Fleshraker bigger stats
  2. Take out The Sea Devils: The Sea Devils works with 5 cards in this deck, none of them on its theme; Urianger Augurelt works with 8 cards, none of them on it. Put in Urianger Augurelt: Alistair, the Brigadier gives Urianger Augurelt bigger stats

Upgrades at bracket 3

Up to three Game Changers, and no two-card infinite combo that costs 6 or less. It starts at bracket 4–5, so the first swap brings it down.

22 swaps, and after them the report reads the deck at bracket 3.

Its cards work together more: synergy 3.6 → 4.2 of 5, from connected to tight. It is more consistent: Build 4.3 → 4.8 of 5, still on target; no longer short on interaction, no longer short on card advantage, no longer short on ramp. That is what this page measures: how well the deck holds together, not how strong it is.

First, to reach bracket 3

  1. Take out The Fifth Doctor: With Adric, Mathematical Genius, The Fifth Doctor makes an infinite combo, which bracket 3 doesn't allow. Put in The Endstone: Adric, Mathematical Genius copies The Endstone's triggered ability

Lands

  1. Take out Fortified Village: Fortified Village makes only white or green. Put in Spara's Headquarters: Spara's Headquarters enters tapped and makes white, blue or green.
  2. Take out Temple of Plenty: Temple of Plenty enters tapped. Put in Bountiful Promenade: Bountiful Promenade never enters tapped and makes white or green.
  3. Take out Port Town: Port Town enters tapped. Put in Hallowed Fountain: Hallowed Fountain never enters tapped and makes white or blue.
  4. Take out Temple of Enlightenment: Temple of Enlightenment enters tapped. Put in Mystic Gate: Mystic Gate never enters tapped and makes white or blue.
  5. Take out Temple of Mystery: Temple of Mystery enters tapped. Put in Breeding Pool: Breeding Pool never enters tapped and makes blue or green.
  6. Take out Vineglimmer Snarl: Vineglimmer Snarl enters tapped. Put in Flooded Grove: Flooded Grove never enters tapped and makes blue or green.
  7. Take out Glacial Fortress: Glacial Fortress can enter tapped. Put in Sea of Clouds: Sea of Clouds never enters tapped and makes white or blue.
  8. Take out Plains: Plains makes only white. Put in Savannah: Savannah never enters tapped and makes white or green.
  9. Take out Forest: Forest makes only green. Put in Tropical Island: Tropical Island never enters tapped and makes blue or green.
  10. Take out Island: Island makes only blue. Put in Overflowing Basin: Overflowing Basin never enters tapped and makes blue or green.

Ramp

  1. Take out Reverse the Polarity: Reverse the Polarity is next on the report's cut list. Works with 1 other card: with 1 again and again. Put in Azorius Signet: Ramp: you were 1 short; Azorius Signet counts as ramp.

Card advantage

  1. Take out Displaced Dinosaurs: Displaced Dinosaurs is next on the report's cut list. Works with 3 other cards: with 3 again and again. Put in Gadwick, the Wizened: Card advantage: you were 2 short; Gadwick, the Wizened counts as card advantage. Alistair, the Brigadier gives Gadwick, the Wizened bigger stats.
  2. Take out Time Lord Regeneration: Time Lord Regeneration is next on the report's cut list. Works with 7 other cards: with 2 again and again, with 5 just once or in the background. Put in Unifying Theory: Card advantage: you were 2 short; Unifying Theory counts as card advantage. Adric, Mathematical Genius copies Unifying Theory's triggered ability.
  3. Take out Explore: Explore is weaker card draw than Rhystic Study. Put in Rhystic Study: Rhystic Study is card draw too, and one of the strongest cards in Commander: a Game Changer, which this bracket allows.
  4. Take out Traverse Eternity: Traverse Eternity is weaker card draw than The One Ring. Put in The One Ring: The One Ring is card draw too, and one of the strongest cards in Commander: a Game Changer, which this bracket allows.

Interaction

  1. Take out Bessie, the Doctor's Roadster: Bessie, the Doctor's Roadster is next on the report's cut list. Put in T'Challa, the Black Panther: Interaction: you were 3 short; T'Challa, the Black Panther counts as interaction. Alistair, the Brigadier gives T'Challa, the Black Panther bigger stats.
  2. Take out An Unearthly Child: An Unearthly Child is next on the report's cut list. Put in Vision, Synthezoid Avenger: Interaction: you were 3 short; Vision, Synthezoid Avenger counts as interaction. Alistair, the Brigadier gives Vision, Synthezoid Avenger bigger stats.
  3. Take out Banish to Another Universe: Banish to Another Universe costs 5 where Cast Out costs 4 and can't be used at instant speed. Put in Cast Out: Cast Out is the same removal for 1 less mana and at instant speed.
  4. Take out Return to Dust: Return to Dust is weaker removal than Aura Shards. Put in Aura Shards: Aura Shards is removal too, and one of the strongest cards in Commander: a Game Changer, which this bracket allows.

Cards that work together

  1. Take out Ace's Baseball Bat: Ace's Baseball Bat works with 2 cards in this deck, none of them on its theme; Glaring Fleshraker works with 8 cards, 1 of them on it, and with your commander. Put in Glaring Fleshraker: Alistair, the Brigadier gives Glaring Fleshraker bigger stats
  2. Take out The Sea Devils: The Sea Devils works with 5 cards in this deck, none of them on its theme; Urianger Augurelt works with 8 cards, none of them on it. Put in Urianger Augurelt: Alistair, the Brigadier gives Urianger Augurelt bigger stats

Upgrades at bracket 4–5

No limits on Game Changers or combos.

22 swaps, and after them the report reads the deck at bracket 4–5.

Its cards work together more: synergy 3.6 → 4.1 of 5, from connected to tight. It is more consistent: Build 4.3 → 4.8 of 5, still on target; no longer short on interaction, no longer short on card advantage, no longer short on ramp. That is what this page measures: how well the deck holds together, not how strong it is.

Lands

  1. Take out Fortified Village: Fortified Village makes only white or green. Put in Spara's Headquarters: Spara's Headquarters enters tapped and makes white, blue or green.
  2. Take out Temple of Plenty: Temple of Plenty enters tapped. Put in Bountiful Promenade: Bountiful Promenade never enters tapped and makes white or green.
  3. Take out Port Town: Port Town enters tapped. Put in Hallowed Fountain: Hallowed Fountain never enters tapped and makes white or blue.
  4. Take out Temple of Enlightenment: Temple of Enlightenment enters tapped. Put in Mystic Gate: Mystic Gate never enters tapped and makes white or blue.
  5. Take out Temple of Mystery: Temple of Mystery enters tapped. Put in Breeding Pool: Breeding Pool never enters tapped and makes blue or green.
  6. Take out Vineglimmer Snarl: Vineglimmer Snarl enters tapped. Put in Flooded Grove: Flooded Grove never enters tapped and makes blue or green.
  7. Take out Glacial Fortress: Glacial Fortress can enter tapped. Put in Sea of Clouds: Sea of Clouds never enters tapped and makes white or blue.
  8. Take out Plains: Plains makes only white. Put in Savannah: Savannah never enters tapped and makes white or green.
  9. Take out Forest: Forest makes only green. Put in Tropical Island: Tropical Island never enters tapped and makes blue or green.
  10. Take out Island: Island makes only blue. Put in Overflowing Basin: Overflowing Basin never enters tapped and makes blue or green.

Ramp

  1. Take out Reverse the Polarity: Reverse the Polarity is next on the report's cut list. Works with 1 other card: with 1 again and again. Put in Azorius Signet: Ramp: you were 1 short; Azorius Signet counts as ramp.

Card advantage

  1. Take out Displaced Dinosaurs: Displaced Dinosaurs is next on the report's cut list. Works with 3 other cards: with 3 again and again. Put in Gadwick, the Wizened: Card advantage: you were 2 short; Gadwick, the Wizened counts as card advantage. Alistair, the Brigadier gives Gadwick, the Wizened bigger stats.
  2. Take out Time Lord Regeneration: Time Lord Regeneration is next on the report's cut list. Works with 7 other cards: with 2 again and again, with 5 just once or in the background. Put in Unifying Theory: Card advantage: you were 2 short; Unifying Theory counts as card advantage. Adric, Mathematical Genius copies Unifying Theory's triggered ability.
  3. Take out Explore: Explore is weaker card draw than Rhystic Study. Put in Rhystic Study: Rhystic Study is card draw too, and one of the strongest cards in Commander: a Game Changer, which this bracket allows.
  4. Take out Traverse Eternity: Traverse Eternity is weaker card draw than The One Ring. Put in The One Ring: The One Ring is card draw too, and one of the strongest cards in Commander: a Game Changer, which this bracket allows.

Interaction

  1. Take out Bessie, the Doctor's Roadster: Bessie, the Doctor's Roadster is next on the report's cut list. Put in T'Challa, the Black Panther: Interaction: you were 3 short; T'Challa, the Black Panther counts as interaction. Alistair, the Brigadier gives T'Challa, the Black Panther bigger stats.
  2. Take out An Unearthly Child: An Unearthly Child is next on the report's cut list. Put in Vision, Synthezoid Avenger: Interaction: you were 3 short; Vision, Synthezoid Avenger counts as interaction. Alistair, the Brigadier gives Vision, Synthezoid Avenger bigger stats.
  3. Take out Banish to Another Universe: Banish to Another Universe costs 5 where Cast Out costs 4 and can't be used at instant speed. Put in Cast Out: Cast Out is the same removal for 1 less mana and at instant speed.
  4. Take out Return to Dust: Return to Dust is weaker removal than Aura Shards. Put in Aura Shards: Aura Shards is removal too, and one of the strongest cards in Commander: a Game Changer, which this bracket allows.

Board wipes

  1. Take out Crisis of Conscience: Crisis of Conscience is weaker board wipe than Cyclonic Rift. Put in Cyclonic Rift: Cyclonic Rift is board wipe too, and one of the strongest cards in Commander: a Game Changer, which this bracket allows.

Cards that work together

  1. Take out Ace's Baseball Bat: Ace's Baseball Bat works with 2 cards in this deck, none of them on its theme; Glaring Fleshraker works with 8 cards, 1 of them on it, and with your commander. Put in Glaring Fleshraker: Alistair, the Brigadier gives Glaring Fleshraker bigger stats
  2. Take out The Sea Devils: The Sea Devils works with 5 cards in this deck, none of them on its theme; Urianger Augurelt works with 8 cards, none of them on it. Put in Urianger Augurelt: Alistair, the Brigadier gives Urianger Augurelt bigger stats

Also short, against a typical Commander deck: interaction 9 of 12, card advantage 12 of 14, ramp 12 of 13.

The decklist

Creatures

Ace, Fearless Rebel · Adric, Mathematical Genius · Alistair, the Brigadier · Barbara Wright · Displaced Dinosaurs · Duggan, Private Detective · Ian Chesterton · Jamie McCrimmon · Jo Grant · K-9, Mark I · Leela, Sevateem Warrior · Nyssa of Traken · Peri Brown · Romana II · Sergeant John Benton · Susan Foreman · Tegan Jovanka · The Eighth Doctor · The Fifth Doctor · The First Doctor · The Second Doctor · The Seventh Doctor · The Sixth Doctor · The Third Doctor · Vrestin, Menoptra Leader

Instants and sorceries

Crisis of Conscience · Explore · Heroic Intervention · Path to Exile · Return to Dust · Reverse the Polarity · Swords to Plowshares · The Five Doctors · Three Visits · Time Lord Regeneration · Time Wipe · Traverse Eternity · Twice Upon a Time // Unlikely Meeting

Artifacts and enchantments

Ace's Baseball Bat · An Unearthly Child · Arcane Signet · Banish to Another Universe · Bessie, the Doctor's Roadster · City of Death · Day of Destiny · Five Hundred Year Diary · Gallifrey Stands · Hero's Blade · Heroes' Podium · Mind Stone · Sol Ring · Sonic Screwdriver · Talisman of Progress · Talisman of Unity · TARDIS · The Caves of Androzani · The Curse of Fenric · The Night of the Doctor · The Sea Devils · The War Games · Thought Vessel · Trial of a Time Lord

Lands

Ash Barrens · Canopy Vista · Celestial Colonnade · Command Tower · Deserted Beach · Dreamroot Cascade · Exotic Orchard · 3 Forest · Fortified Village · Gallifrey Council Chamber · Glacial Fortress · Horizon Canopy · Irrigated Farmland · 2 Island · Overgrown Farmland · Path of Ancestry · 2 Plains · Port Town · Prairie Stream · Scattered Groves · Seaside Citadel · Skycloud Expanse · Sungrass Prairie · Temple of Enlightenment · Temple of Mystery · Temple of Plenty · Thriving Grove · Thriving Heath · Thriving Isle · Trenzalore Clocktower · Vineglimmer Snarl · Waterlogged Grove

Other Doctor Who precons