edhseer Commander synergy, explained

Precons › Tales of Middle-earth Commander

The Hosts of Mordor

Commander precon · Tales of Middle-earth Commander · 2023 · led by Sauron, Lord of the Rings

Main theme: Orc tribal · Synergy 2.1/5 (developing) · Bracket 3 · Sauron, Lord of the Rings works with 33 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.

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

Its cards work together more: synergy 2.1 → 3.0 of 5, from developing to connected. It is a little more consistent: Build 4.4 → 4.7 of 5, still on target; no longer short on ramp, still 3 short on interaction. 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 Notion Thief: Notion Thief is on the official Game Changer list, which raises a deck's bracket; bracket 1–2 allows none, and this deck has 1. Put in Sauron, the Dark Lord: Sauron, the Dark Lord puts cards into the graveyard that Extract from Darkness can bring back

Lands

  1. Take out Choked Estuary: Choked Estuary enters tapped. Put in Darkwater Catacombs: Darkwater Catacombs never enters tapped and makes blue or black.
  2. Take out Foreboding Ruins: Foreboding Ruins enters tapped. Put in Badlands: Badlands never enters tapped and makes black or red.
  3. Take out Frostboil Snarl: Frostboil Snarl enters tapped. Put in Cascade Bluffs: Cascade Bluffs never enters tapped and makes blue or red.
  4. Take out Drowned Catacomb: Drowned Catacomb can enter tapped. Put in Morphic Pool: Morphic Pool never enters tapped and makes blue or black.
  5. Take out Dragonskull Summit: Dragonskull Summit can enter tapped. Put in Blood Crypt: Blood Crypt never enters tapped and makes black or red.
  6. Take out Sulfur Falls: Sulfur Falls can enter tapped. Put in Ferrous Lake: Ferrous Lake never enters tapped and makes blue or red.
  7. Take out Swamp: Swamp makes only black. Put in Graven Cairns: Graven Cairns never enters tapped and makes black or red.
  8. Take out Island: Island makes only blue. Put in Steam Vents: Steam Vents never enters tapped and makes blue or red.
  9. Take out Mountain: Mountain makes only red. Put in Luxury Suite: Luxury Suite never enters tapped and makes black or red.

Ramp

  1. Take out Scourge of the Throne: Scourge of the Throne is next on the report's cut list. Works with 2 other cards: with 2 again and again. Put in Phial of Galadriel: Ramp: you were 2 short; Phial of Galadriel counts as ramp. When Shelob, Dread Weaver makes a player draw a card, Phial of Galadriel draws you 2 cards.
  2. Take out Inferno Titan: Inferno Titan is next on the report's cut list. Works with 6 other cards: with 3 again and again, with 3 just once or in the background. Put in Fellwar Stone: Ramp: you were 2 short; Fellwar Stone counts as ramp.
  3. Take out Mind Stone: Mind Stone also does card draw, and doesn't make blue and black, which the deck is short of for its spells. Put in Dimir Signet: Dimir Signet is the same ramp and makes blue and black, which the deck is short of for its spells, but does not do card draw.

Cards that work together

  1. Take out Subjugate the Hobbits: Subjugate the Hobbits works with 1 card in this deck, none of it on its theme; Glaring Fleshraker works with 10 cards, 9 of them on it, and with your commander. Put in Glaring Fleshraker: When a creature enters thanks to Extract from Darkness, Glaring Fleshraker deals 1 damage
  2. Take out In the Darkness Bind Them: In the Darkness Bind Them works with 1 card in this deck, 1 of it on its theme; Pollywog Prodigy works with 2 cards, none of them on it. Put in Pollywog Prodigy: Anger gives Pollywog Prodigy haste
  3. Take out Wake the Dragon: Wake the Dragon works with 2 cards in this deck, 1 of them on its theme; Vexing Bauble works with 4 cards, all of them on it. Put in Vexing Bauble: When an instant or sorcery is cast thanks to Goblin Dark-Dwellers, Vexing Bauble counters a spell
  4. Take out Treasure Nabber: Treasure Nabber works with 3 cards in this deck, none of them on its theme; First Day of Class works with 17 cards, 16 of them on it, and with your commander. Put in First Day of Class: When a creature enters thanks to Extract from Darkness, First Day of Class puts a counter on a permanent
  5. Take out Revenge of Ravens: Revenge of Ravens works with no other card in this deck; Glóin, Dwarf Emissary works with 4 cards, none of them on it. Put in Glóin, Dwarf Emissary: Shiny Impetus makes fodder for Glóin, Dwarf Emissary

Upgrades at bracket 3

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

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

Its cards work together more: synergy 2.1 → 3.0 of 5, from developing to connected. It is a little more consistent: Build 4.4 → 4.7 of 5, still on target; no longer short on ramp, still 3 short on interaction. That is what this page measures: how well the deck holds together, not how strong it is.

Lands

  1. Take out Choked Estuary: Choked Estuary enters tapped. Put in Darkwater Catacombs: Darkwater Catacombs never enters tapped and makes blue or black.
  2. Take out Foreboding Ruins: Foreboding Ruins enters tapped. Put in Badlands: Badlands never enters tapped and makes black or red.
  3. Take out Frostboil Snarl: Frostboil Snarl enters tapped. Put in Cascade Bluffs: Cascade Bluffs never enters tapped and makes blue or red.
  4. Take out Drowned Catacomb: Drowned Catacomb can enter tapped. Put in Morphic Pool: Morphic Pool never enters tapped and makes blue or black.
  5. Take out Dragonskull Summit: Dragonskull Summit can enter tapped. Put in Blood Crypt: Blood Crypt never enters tapped and makes black or red.
  6. Take out Sulfur Falls: Sulfur Falls can enter tapped. Put in Ferrous Lake: Ferrous Lake never enters tapped and makes blue or red.
  7. Take out Swamp: Swamp makes only black. Put in Graven Cairns: Graven Cairns never enters tapped and makes black or red.
  8. Take out Island: Island makes only blue. Put in Steam Vents: Steam Vents never enters tapped and makes blue or red.
  9. Take out Mountain: Mountain makes only red. Put in Luxury Suite: Luxury Suite never enters tapped and makes black or red.

Ramp

  1. Take out Scourge of the Throne: Scourge of the Throne is next on the report's cut list. Works with 2 other cards: with 2 again and again. Put in Phial of Galadriel: Ramp: you were 2 short; Phial of Galadriel counts as ramp. When Shelob, Dread Weaver makes a player draw a card, Phial of Galadriel draws you 2 cards.
  2. Take out Inferno Titan: Inferno Titan is next on the report's cut list. Works with 6 other cards: with 3 again and again, with 3 just once or in the background. Put in Fellwar Stone: Ramp: you were 2 short; Fellwar Stone counts as ramp.
  3. Take out Mind Stone: Mind Stone also does card draw, and doesn't make blue and black, which the deck is short of for its spells. Put in Dimir Signet: Dimir Signet is the same ramp and makes blue and black, which the deck is short of for its spells, but does not do card draw.
  4. Take out Arcane Signet: Arcane 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 Basalt Monolith: Basalt Monolith 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.

Cards that work together

  1. Take out Subjugate the Hobbits: Subjugate the Hobbits works with 1 card in this deck, none of it on its theme; Glaring Fleshraker works with 10 cards, 9 of them on it, and with your commander. Put in Glaring Fleshraker: When a creature enters thanks to Extract from Darkness, Glaring Fleshraker deals 1 damage
  2. Take out In the Darkness Bind Them: In the Darkness Bind Them works with 1 card in this deck, 1 of it on its theme; Pollywog Prodigy works with 2 cards, none of them on it. Put in Pollywog Prodigy: Anger gives Pollywog Prodigy haste
  3. Take out Wake the Dragon: Wake the Dragon works with 2 cards in this deck, 1 of them on its theme; Vexing Bauble works with 4 cards, all of them on it. Put in Vexing Bauble: When an instant or sorcery is cast thanks to Goblin Dark-Dwellers, Vexing Bauble counters a spell
  4. Take out Treasure Nabber: Treasure Nabber works with 3 cards in this deck, none of them on its theme; First Day of Class works with 17 cards, 16 of them on it, and with your commander. Put in First Day of Class: When a creature enters thanks to Extract from Darkness, First Day of Class puts a counter on a permanent
  5. Take out Revenge of Ravens: Revenge of Ravens works with no other card in this deck; Glóin, Dwarf Emissary works with 4 cards, none of them on it. Put in Glóin, Dwarf Emissary: Shiny Impetus makes fodder for Glóin, Dwarf Emissary

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 2.1 → 3.0 of 5, from developing to connected. It is a little more consistent: Build 4.4 → 4.7 of 5, still on target; no longer short on ramp, still 3 short on interaction. That is what this page measures: how well the deck holds together, not how strong it is.

Lands

  1. Take out Choked Estuary: Choked Estuary enters tapped. Put in Darkwater Catacombs: Darkwater Catacombs never enters tapped and makes blue or black.
  2. Take out Foreboding Ruins: Foreboding Ruins enters tapped. Put in Badlands: Badlands never enters tapped and makes black or red.
  3. Take out Frostboil Snarl: Frostboil Snarl enters tapped. Put in Cascade Bluffs: Cascade Bluffs never enters tapped and makes blue or red.
  4. Take out Drowned Catacomb: Drowned Catacomb can enter tapped. Put in Morphic Pool: Morphic Pool never enters tapped and makes blue or black.
  5. Take out Dragonskull Summit: Dragonskull Summit can enter tapped. Put in Blood Crypt: Blood Crypt never enters tapped and makes black or red.
  6. Take out Sulfur Falls: Sulfur Falls can enter tapped. Put in Ferrous Lake: Ferrous Lake never enters tapped and makes blue or red.
  7. Take out Swamp: Swamp makes only black. Put in Graven Cairns: Graven Cairns never enters tapped and makes black or red.
  8. Take out Island: Island makes only blue. Put in Steam Vents: Steam Vents never enters tapped and makes blue or red.
  9. Take out Mountain: Mountain makes only red. Put in Luxury Suite: Luxury Suite never enters tapped and makes black or red.

Ramp

  1. Take out Scourge of the Throne: Scourge of the Throne is next on the report's cut list. Works with 2 other cards: with 2 again and again. Put in Phial of Galadriel: Ramp: you were 2 short; Phial of Galadriel counts as ramp. When Shelob, Dread Weaver makes a player draw a card, Phial of Galadriel draws you 2 cards.
  2. Take out Inferno Titan: Inferno Titan is next on the report's cut list. Works with 6 other cards: with 3 again and again, with 3 just once or in the background. Put in Fellwar Stone: Ramp: you were 2 short; Fellwar Stone counts as ramp.
  3. Take out Mind Stone: Mind Stone also does card draw, and doesn't make blue and black, which the deck is short of for its spells. Put in Dimir Signet: Dimir Signet is the same ramp and makes blue and black, which the deck is short of for its spells, but does not do card draw.
  4. Take out Arcane Signet: Arcane 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 Basalt Monolith: Basalt Monolith 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 Everflowing Chalice: Everflowing Chalice 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.
  7. Take out Worn Powerstone: Worn Powerstone is weaker ramp than Grim Monolith. Put in Grim Monolith: Grim Monolith is ramp too, and one of the strongest cards in Commander: a Game Changer, which this bracket allows.

Cards that work together

  1. Take out Subjugate the Hobbits: Subjugate the Hobbits works with 1 card in this deck, none of it on its theme; Glaring Fleshraker works with 10 cards, 9 of them on it, and with your commander. Put in Glaring Fleshraker: When a creature enters thanks to Extract from Darkness, Glaring Fleshraker deals 1 damage
  2. Take out In the Darkness Bind Them: In the Darkness Bind Them works with 1 card in this deck, 1 of it on its theme; Pollywog Prodigy works with 2 cards, none of them on it. Put in Pollywog Prodigy: Anger gives Pollywog Prodigy haste
  3. Take out Wake the Dragon: Wake the Dragon works with 2 cards in this deck, 1 of them on its theme; Vexing Bauble works with 4 cards, all of them on it. Put in Vexing Bauble: When an instant or sorcery is cast thanks to Goblin Dark-Dwellers, Vexing Bauble counters a spell
  4. Take out Treasure Nabber: Treasure Nabber works with 3 cards in this deck, none of them on its theme; First Day of Class works with 17 cards, 16 of them on it, and with your commander. Put in First Day of Class: When a creature enters thanks to Extract from Darkness, First Day of Class puts a counter on a permanent
  5. Take out Revenge of Ravens: Revenge of Ravens works with no other card in this deck; Glóin, Dwarf Emissary works with 4 cards, none of them on it. Put in Glóin, Dwarf Emissary: Shiny Impetus makes fodder for Glóin, Dwarf Emissary

Opens a route: Lich. 2 of its cards reach The Balrog of Moria through it.

Also short, against a typical Commander deck: interaction 9 of 12, ramp 11 of 13.

The decklist

Creatures

Anger · Cavern-Hoard Dragon · Corsairs of Umbar · Goblin Cratermaker · Goblin Dark-Dwellers · Gríma, Saruman's Footman · Grishnákh, Brash Instigator · Guttersnipe · Hostage Taker · Inferno Titan · Knollspine Dragon · Lord of the Nazgûl · Merciless Executioner · Monstrosity of the Lake · Moria Scavenger · Notion Thief · Orcish Siegemaster · Rampaging War Mammoth · Saruman, the White Hand · Scourge of the Throne · Shelob, Dread Weaver · Siege-Gang Commander · The Balrog of Moria · The Mouth of Sauron · Treasure Nabber · Troll of Khazad-dûm · Voracious Fell Beast

Instants and sorceries

Arcane Denial · Bitter Downfall · Blasphemous Act · Boon of the Wish-Giver · Consider · Decree of Pain · Deep Analysis · Extract from Darkness · Fact or Fiction · Faithless Looting · Feed the Swarm · Forbidden Alchemy · Languish · Lidless Gaze · Living Death · Reanimate · Subjugate the Hobbits · Summons of Saruman · Thrill of Possibility · Too Greedily, Too Deep · Treason of Isengard · Wake the Dragon

Artifacts and enchantments

Arcane Signet · Basalt Monolith · Commander's Sphere · Everflowing Chalice · Fiery Inscription · In the Darkness Bind Them · Mind Stone · Relic of Sauron · Revenge of Ravens · Shiny Impetus · Sol Ring · Worn Powerstone

Lands

Choked Estuary · Command Tower · Crumbling Necropolis · Desolate Lighthouse · Dragonskull Summit · Drowned Catacomb · Evolving Wilds · Field of Ruin · Foreboding Ruins · Frostboil Snarl · 6 Island · 7 Mountain · Path of Ancestry · Rogue's Passage · Smoldering Marsh · Sulfur Falls · Sulfurous Springs · Sunken Hollow · 6 Swamp · Terramorphic Expanse · The Black Gate · Underground River

Other Tales of Middle-earth Commander precons