edhseer Commander synergy, explained

Precons › Commander 2016

Breed Lethality

Commander precon · Commander 2016 · 2016 · led by Atraxa, Praetors' Voice

Main theme: +1/+1 counters · Synergy 3.0/5 (connected) · Bracket 3 · Atraxa, Praetors' Voice works with 28 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 3, so the first swap brings it down.

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

Its cards work together more: synergy 3.0 → 3.7 of 5, still connected. It is a little more consistent: Build 3.6 → 4.0 of 5, still close; still 7 short on interaction, 3 short on card advantage, was 7, 1 short on ramp, was 2. 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 Crystalline Crawler: With Ghave, Guru of Spores and Cathars' Crusade, Crystalline Crawler makes an infinite combo, which bracket 1–2 doesn't allow. Put in Generous Patron: When Fathom Mage gets a counter thanks to Generous Patron, it draws you 1 card

Lands

  1. Take out Golgari Rot Farm: Golgari Rot Farm enters tapped. Put in Bayou: Bayou never enters tapped and makes black or green.
  2. Take out Azorius Chancery: Azorius Chancery enters tapped. Put in Hallowed Fountain: Hallowed Fountain never enters tapped and makes white or blue.
  3. Take out Swamp: Swamp makes only black. Put in Desolate Mire: Desolate Mire never enters tapped and makes white or black.
  4. Take out Forest: Forest makes only green. Put in Bountiful Promenade: Bountiful Promenade never enters tapped and makes white or green.
  5. Take out Island: Island makes only blue. Put in Breeding Pool: Breeding Pool never enters tapped and makes blue or green.
  6. Take out Plains: Plains makes only white. Put in Fetid Heath: Fetid Heath never enters tapped and makes white or black.

Ramp

  1. Take out Cauldron of Souls: Cauldron of Souls is next on the report's cut list. Works with nothing else in this deck. Put in Azorius Signet: Ramp: you were 2 short; Azorius Signet counts as ramp.
  2. Take out Mirrorweave: Mirrorweave is next on the report's cut list. Works with nothing else in this deck. Put in Dimir Signet: Ramp: you were 2 short; Dimir Signet counts as ramp.
  3. Take out Golgari Signet: Golgari Signet doesn't make white and blue, which the deck is short of for its spells. Put in Arcane Signet: Arcane Signet is the same ramp and makes white and blue, which the deck is short of for its spells.

Card advantage

  1. Take out Manifold Insights: Manifold Insights is next on the report's cut list. Works with nothing else in this deck. Put in Danny Pink: Card advantage: you were 7 short; Danny Pink counts as card advantage. Danny Pink gives Fathom Mage an extra ability.
  2. Take out Duneblast: Duneblast is next on the report's cut list. Works with 3 other cards: with 1 again and again, with 2 just once or in the background. Put in Hollowmurk Siege: Card advantage: you were 7 short; Hollowmurk Siege counts as card advantage. When Fathom Mage gets a counter, Hollowmurk Siege draws you 1 card.
  3. Take out Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper: Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper 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 Caradora, Heart of Alacria: Card advantage: you were 7 short; Caradora, Heart of Alacria counts as card advantage.

Board wipes

  1. Take out Sublime Exhalation: Sublime Exhalation costs 7 where Damnation costs 4. Put in Damnation: Damnation is the same board wipe for 3 less mana.

Cards that work together

  1. Take out Spitting Image: Spitting Image works with 6 cards in this deck, 1 of them on its theme. Put in Ant-Man, Colony Commander: When Fathom Mage gets a counter thanks to Ant-Man, Colony Commander, it draws you 1 card
  2. Take out Grip of Phyresis: Grip of Phyresis works with 4 cards in this deck, 1 of them on its theme; Knight of Wundagore works with 28 cards, 25 of them on it, and with your commander. Put in Knight of Wundagore: When Fathom Mage gets a counter, Knight of Wundagore puts a +1/+1 counter on itself

Upgrades at bracket 3

Up to three Game Changers, and no two-card infinite combo that costs 6 or less.

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

Its cards work together more: synergy 3.0 → 3.7 of 5, still connected. It is a little more consistent: Build 3.6 → 4.0 of 5, still close; no longer short on ramp, still 7 short on interaction, 4 short on card advantage, was 7. That is what this page measures: how well the deck holds together, not how strong it is.

Lands

  1. Take out Golgari Rot Farm: Golgari Rot Farm enters tapped. Put in Bayou: Bayou never enters tapped and makes black or green.
  2. Take out Azorius Chancery: Azorius Chancery enters tapped. Put in Hallowed Fountain: Hallowed Fountain never enters tapped and makes white or blue.
  3. Take out Swamp: Swamp makes only black. Put in Desolate Mire: Desolate Mire never enters tapped and makes white or black.
  4. Take out Forest: Forest makes only green. Put in Bountiful Promenade: Bountiful Promenade never enters tapped and makes white or green.
  5. Take out Island: Island makes only blue. Put in Breeding Pool: Breeding Pool never enters tapped and makes blue or green.
  6. Take out Plains: Plains makes only white. Put in Fetid Heath: Fetid Heath never enters tapped and makes white or black.

Ramp

  1. Take out Cauldron of Souls: Cauldron of Souls is next on the report's cut list. Works with nothing else in this deck. Put in Arcane Signet: Ramp: you were 2 short; Arcane Signet counts as ramp.
  2. Take out Mirrorweave: Mirrorweave is next on the report's cut list. Works with nothing else in this deck. Put in Azorius Signet: Ramp: you were 2 short; Azorius Signet counts as ramp.
  3. Take out Golgari Signet: Golgari Signet is weaker ramp than Smothering Tithe. Put in Smothering Tithe: Smothering Tithe is ramp too, and one of the strongest cards in Commander: a Game Changer, which this bracket allows.
  4. Take out Orzhov Signet: Orzhov Signet is weaker ramp than Chrome Mox. Put in Chrome Mox: Chrome Mox is ramp too, and one of the strongest cards in Commander: a Game Changer, which this bracket allows.
  5. Take out Simic Signet: Simic Signet is weaker ramp than Mana Vault. Put in Mana Vault: Mana Vault is ramp too, and one of the strongest cards in Commander: a Game Changer, which this bracket allows.

Card advantage

  1. Take out Manifold Insights: Manifold Insights is next on the report's cut list. Works with nothing else in this deck. Put in Generous Patron: Card advantage: you were 7 short; Generous Patron counts as card advantage. When Fathom Mage gets a counter thanks to Generous Patron, it draws you 1 card.
  2. Take out Duneblast: Duneblast is next on the report's cut list. Works with 3 other cards: with 1 again and again, with 2 just once or in the background. Put in Danny Pink: Card advantage: you were 7 short; Danny Pink counts as card advantage. Danny Pink gives Fathom Mage an extra ability.
  3. Take out Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper: Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper 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 Hollowmurk Siege: Card advantage: you were 7 short; Hollowmurk Siege counts as card advantage. When Fathom Mage gets a counter, Hollowmurk Siege draws you 1 card.

Board wipes

  1. Take out Sublime Exhalation: Sublime Exhalation costs 7 where Damnation costs 4. Put in Damnation: Damnation is the same board wipe for 3 less mana.

Cards that work together

  1. Take out Spitting Image: Spitting Image works with 6 cards in this deck, 1 of them on its theme. Put in Ant-Man, Colony Commander: When Fathom Mage gets a counter thanks to Ant-Man, Colony Commander, it draws you 1 card
  2. Take out Grip of Phyresis: Grip of Phyresis works with 4 cards in this deck, 1 of them on its theme; Knight of Wundagore works with 28 cards, 25 of them on it, and with your commander. Put in Knight of Wundagore: When Fathom Mage gets a counter, Knight of Wundagore puts a +1/+1 counter on itself

Upgrades at bracket 4–5

No limits on Game Changers or combos.

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

Its cards work together more: synergy 3.0 → 3.7 of 5, still connected. It is a little more consistent: Build 3.6 → 4.0 of 5, still close; no longer short on ramp, still 7 short on interaction, 4 short on card advantage, was 7. That is what this page measures: how well the deck holds together, not how strong it is.

Lands

  1. Take out Golgari Rot Farm: Golgari Rot Farm enters tapped. Put in Bayou: Bayou never enters tapped and makes black or green.
  2. Take out Azorius Chancery: Azorius Chancery enters tapped. Put in Hallowed Fountain: Hallowed Fountain never enters tapped and makes white or blue.
  3. Take out Swamp: Swamp makes only black. Put in Desolate Mire: Desolate Mire never enters tapped and makes white or black.
  4. Take out Forest: Forest makes only green. Put in Bountiful Promenade: Bountiful Promenade never enters tapped and makes white or green.
  5. Take out Island: Island makes only blue. Put in Breeding Pool: Breeding Pool never enters tapped and makes blue or green.
  6. Take out Plains: Plains makes only white. Put in Fetid Heath: Fetid Heath never enters tapped and makes white or black.

Ramp

  1. Take out Cauldron of Souls: Cauldron of Souls is next on the report's cut list. Works with nothing else in this deck. Put in Arcane Signet: Ramp: you were 2 short; Arcane Signet counts as ramp.
  2. Take out Mirrorweave: Mirrorweave is next on the report's cut list. Works with nothing else in this deck. Put in Azorius Signet: Ramp: you were 2 short; Azorius Signet counts as ramp.
  3. Take out Golgari Signet: Golgari Signet is weaker ramp than Smothering Tithe. Put in Smothering Tithe: Smothering Tithe is ramp too, and one of the strongest cards in Commander: a Game Changer, which this bracket allows.
  4. Take out Orzhov Signet: Orzhov Signet is weaker ramp than Chrome Mox. Put in Chrome Mox: Chrome Mox is ramp too, and one of the strongest cards in Commander: a Game Changer, which this bracket allows.
  5. Take out Simic Signet: Simic Signet is weaker ramp than Mana Vault. Put in Mana Vault: Mana Vault is ramp too, and one of the strongest cards in Commander: a Game Changer, which this bracket allows.
  6. Take out Darksteel Ingot: Darksteel Ingot is weaker ramp than Mox Diamond. Put in Mox Diamond: Mox Diamond is ramp too, and one of the strongest cards in Commander: a Game Changer, which this bracket allows.

Card advantage

  1. Take out Manifold Insights: Manifold Insights is next on the report's cut list. Works with nothing else in this deck. Put in Generous Patron: Card advantage: you were 7 short; Generous Patron counts as card advantage. When Fathom Mage gets a counter thanks to Generous Patron, it draws you 1 card.
  2. Take out Duneblast: Duneblast is next on the report's cut list. Works with 3 other cards: with 1 again and again, with 2 just once or in the background. Put in Danny Pink: Card advantage: you were 7 short; Danny Pink counts as card advantage. Danny Pink gives Fathom Mage an extra ability.
  3. Take out Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper: Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper 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 Hollowmurk Siege: Card advantage: you were 7 short; Hollowmurk Siege counts as card advantage. When Fathom Mage gets a counter, Hollowmurk Siege draws you 1 card.
  4. Take out Ancient Excavation: Ancient Excavation 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.

Interaction

  1. Take out Disdainful Stroke: Disdainful Stroke is weaker counterspell than Force of Will. Put in Force of Will: Force of Will is counterspell too, and one of the strongest cards in Commander: a Game Changer, which this bracket allows.
  2. Take out Sylvan Reclamation: Sylvan Reclamation 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 Sublime Exhalation: Sublime Exhalation 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 Spitting Image: Spitting Image works with 6 cards in this deck, 1 of them on its theme. Put in Ant-Man, Colony Commander: When Fathom Mage gets a counter thanks to Ant-Man, Colony Commander, it draws you 1 card
  2. Take out Grip of Phyresis: Grip of Phyresis works with 4 cards in this deck, 1 of them on its theme; Knight of Wundagore works with 28 cards, 25 of them on it, and with your commander. Put in Knight of Wundagore: When Fathom Mage gets a counter, Knight of Wundagore puts a +1/+1 counter on itself

Opens a route: Favored Hoplite. 1 of its cards reach Enduring Scalelord through it.

Also short, against a typical Commander deck: interaction 6 of 13, card advantage 7 of 14, ramp 10 of 12.

The decklist

Creatures

Abzan Falconer · Bane of the Living · Champion of Lambholt · Corpsejack Menace · Crystalline Crawler · Custodi Soulbinders · Deepglow Skate · Elite Scaleguard · Enduring Scalelord · Fathom Mage · Festercreep · Forgotten Ancient · Ghave, Guru of Spores · Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper · Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker · Juniper Order Ranger · Kalonian Hydra · Master Biomancer · Necroplasm · Orzhov Advokist · Reveillark · Reyhan, Last of the Abzan · Scavenging Ooze · Thrummingbird · Tuskguard Captain · Vorel of the Hull Clade · Vulturous Zombie

Instants and sorceries

Ancient Excavation · Disdainful Stroke · Duneblast · Grip of Phyresis · Inspiring Call · Languish · Manifold Insights · Merciless Eviction · Migratory Route · Mirrorweave · Mortify · Putrefy · Solidarity of Heroes · Spitting Image · Sublime Exhalation · Sylvan Reclamation · Tezzeret's Gambit · Treasure Cruise

Artifacts and enchantments

Astral Cornucopia · Brave the Sands · Bred for the Hunt · Cathars' Crusade · Cauldron of Souls · Citadel Siege · Commander's Sphere · Darksteel Ingot · Duelist's Heritage · Fellwar Stone · Golgari Signet · Hardened Scales · Orzhov Signet · Simic Signet · Sol Ring

Lands

Arcane Sanctum · Ash Barrens · Azorius Chancery · Command Tower · Darkwater Catacombs · Dreadship Reef · Evolving Wilds · Exotic Orchard · 7 Forest · Golgari Rot Farm · 4 Island · Murmuring Bosk · Opal Palace · Opulent Palace · 5 Plains · Sandsteppe Citadel · Seaside Citadel · Sungrass Prairie · 5 Swamp · Temple of the False God · Terramorphic Expanse · Underground River

Other Commander 2016 precons