<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Great Goblin" href="#" target="_blank">The Great Goblin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CMikl%C3%B3s+Ligeti%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art">Miklós Ligeti</a></em></p>
<p>Over the years, we've gotten a few solid Rakdos Goblin commanders, who typically hail from <em>Lorwyn</em>. However, with our return to Middle-earth just around the corner, it looks like we have a new go-to option to place in the command zone. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Great Goblin" href="#" target="_blank">The Great Goblin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is (in my opinion) the best commander we've ever seen for this creature type, so I'm incredibly excited to share my take on a Bracket 2 build for this one!</p>
<p>My name is <a href="https://linktr.ee/pillowfortmtg">Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks</a>, and today we'll be going over a budget 99 centered around this awesome commander that you can pick up for about $50 (based on <a href="https://partner.tcgplayer.com/c/4913290/1830156/21018?partnerpropertyid=5237567&amp;subId1=edhrec%2Ccardprice&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tcgplayer.com%2Fproduct%2F707516%2Fmagic-the-hobbit-the-great-goblin">TCGPlayer</a> pricing). That budget excludes the price of the commander, since we're still in prerelease pricing. So, let's get right into the deck by taking a look at this <em>big bad</em> Goblin.</p>
<h2>What Does The Great Goblin Bring to the Table?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Great Goblin"></div></div>
<p>Dropping in from Goblin-town, it's none other than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Great Goblin" href="#" target="_blank">The Great Goblin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>! This three-drop commander deals out damage when your team grows with counters, as well as providing you with a whole lot of card advantage. Whenever a Goblin, Orc, or Army you control dies, you exile the top card of your library and can play it until the end of your next turn.</p>
<p>Gaining access to a new card whenever you lose a creature is <em>very</em> powerful. It turns any of your sacrifice outlets into even more card advantage, which means that you're gaining a lot of value for just simply enacting your game plan. Before we check out the cards that make this deck tick, let's make a quick pit stop at a recent Goblin-filled set, <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/ecl">Lorwyn Eclipsed</a></em>!</p>
<h2><em>Lorwyn Eclipsed</em> Meets Middle-earth</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Boggart Cursecrafter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Boggart Mischief"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gathering Stone"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boggart Cursecrafter" href="#" target="_blank">Boggart Cursecrafter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since the goal with this deck is to go wide and benefit when the members of your team bite the dust, having a creature like this that comes down the turn before your commander will ensure you're getting off to a good start.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boggart Mischief" href="#" target="_blank">Boggart Mischief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Let's continue talking about lowering life totals by taking a look at this enchantment. Not only does it help you stay ahead on board, but it can also make you two tokens in exchange for blight 1, which is a lot of value all in one textbox.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gathering Stone" href="#" target="_blank">Gathering Stone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This artifact keeps getting better and better in my book. It does that draw effect when it enters, as well as during your upkeep, plus it lowers the casting cost of all your Goblins.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodline Bidding"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Collective Inferno"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grub&#039;s Command"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodline Bidding" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodline Bidding</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: One of the biggest pitfalls of a typal deck is when your creatures end up in your graveyard, which is what makes this big spell so useful, since it can pull you right back into a game. Plus, I died to this card during<em> Lorwyn Eclipsed</em> prerelease, so I can tell you firsthand that it wins games!</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Collective Inferno" href="#" target="_blank">Collective Inferno</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Another spell that killed me during that tournament was this enchantment, since it can come down super quickly thanks to convoke, and double all your damage (like helping your commander deal four to someone's face instead of just two).</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grub&#039;s Command" href="#" target="_blank">Grub&#039;s Command</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This card is truly a Swiss Army Knife for this deck, offering up creature copying, a teamwide buff, targeted removal, and even some card advantage!</li>
</ul>
<h2>Seeing More of The Deck</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Moria Marauder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rundvelt Hordemaster"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Moria Scavenger"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Moria Marauder" href="#" target="_blank">Moria Marauder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: As your board grows, this creature gets better and better. It puts you in a place where you can move to combat and exile cards from your library either if your Goblins hit people <em>or</em> if they die, which is a win-win.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rundvelt Hordemaster" href="#" target="_blank">Rundvelt Hordemaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a creature from <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/dmu">Dominaria</a> that feels like it fits perfectly into the world of Middle-earth. Not only does it act as an anthem for your board, but it also brings you extra card advantage when your creatures die.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Moria Scavenger" href="#" target="_blank">Moria Scavenger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This card offers up a lot of value all in one textbox, since you can discard cards to find more useful options, as well as amass an army that'll cause your commander to deal out some direct damage.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Descendants&#039; Fury"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vampiric Rites"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodsoaked Insight"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Descendants&#039; Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Descendants&#039; Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since the goal of this deck is to benefit from your creatures' deaths, let's increase that value even more. Now you can trade in a Goblin that dealt damage to one of your opponents in order to find a replacement, while also exiling the top card of your library to play later on.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vampiric Rites" href="#" target="_blank">Vampiric Rites</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's an enchantment that fits into a lot of decks out there, but gets even better when paired with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Great Goblin" href="#" target="_blank">The Great Goblin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Now, whenever you sacrifice a creature, you'll be gaining access to two cards instead of just one!</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodsoaked Insight" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodsoaked Insight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: When it comes to this deck, the plan is to lower the table's life totals as much as possible. That means this half-land, half-spell could be cast for a lot cheaper than seven mana, and will allow you to steal an opponent's cards.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Sacrifice Outlets &amp; Flooding the Board</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Siege-Gang Lieutenant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pashalik Mons"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Bombardment"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Siege-Gang Lieutenant" href="#" target="_blank">Siege-Gang Lieutenant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Building up tokens, as well as offering up a way to cash them in for value, is exactly what you want for building this deck's engine. Plus, getting two Goblin tokens every turn, for simply having your commander in play, is a massive deal.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pashalik Mons" href="#" target="_blank">Pashalik Mons</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This legend is incredibly powerful here, since it not only offers up a way to make more bodies, but it also helps you deal out targeted damage whenever members of your team die.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Bombardment" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Bombardment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's an absolute classic for this kind of deck, and it's made even better thanks to this commander, since you get to throw out damage and gain access to a card for the price of sacrificing a creature whenever you want.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko, Mob Boss"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko&#039;s Command"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Legion Warboss"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Mob Boss" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko, Mob Boss</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Alright everyone, feel free to post your objections to me adding this format boogeyman to the 99 in the comments, but I couldn't help myself! At time of writing, it's still under my usual sub-$3 budget range, and provides a great win condition for this deck.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko&#039;s Command" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko&#039;s Command</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: What would Krenko be without his command? Two mana to get two creatures is just a solid rate, and can help keep your engine chugging along at any point in the game.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Legion Warboss" href="#" target="_blank">Legion Warboss</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: I love this creature for the deck, since it offers up a Goblin on your turn that has to attack, which means that you can send it into combat, where it might die and give you access to another card right away.</li>
</ul>
<h2>A Few More Highlights</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shared Animosity"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brightstone Ritual"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Boggart Trawler"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shared Animosity" href="#" target="_blank">Shared Animosity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This is a card I'm a little bit nervous about including in this deck, but it's here! Since both Dwarves and Goblins touch red in this set, this enchantment might start shooting up in price (which I highlighted in a recent <a href="https://blog.cardsphere.com/author/tyler-bucks/">Cardsphere article</a>) so keep an eye on its price as the weeks go on.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brightstone Ritual" href="#" target="_blank">Brightstone Ritual</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a card that can propel you towards a win, helping turn one red mana into a whole lot more. Now, you could be in a spot where you can deploy the threats in your hand and in exile, all on a single turn.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boggart Trawler" href="#" target="_blank">Boggart Trawler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: I'm such a huge fan of adding MDFCs to lists, since they help keep your deck more consistent by attaching spells to your lands. So, I was incredibly excited when I remembered that this little graveyard hate piece was also a Goblin, making it a perfect fit here.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Knucklebone Witch"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Metallic Mimic"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Taurean Mauler"></div></div>
<p>Let's finish things up by taking a look at a few consistent ways to build counters on your board. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Knucklebone Witch" href="#" target="_blank">Knucklebone Witch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gets buffed up when your creatures die, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Metallic Mimic" href="#" target="_blank">Metallic Mimic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> adds counters to the Goblins that enter your battlefield. Finally, there's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Taurean Mauler" href="#" target="_blank">Taurean Mauler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which'll be sure to give your opponents a headache, since every spell they cast causes your commander to deal out two damage to someone's face.</p>
<h2>The Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="The Great Goblin - by Tyler Savesya Bucks" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 The Great Goblin
[/Commander]
[Enchantments]
*1 Boggart Mischief
*1 Collective Inferno
*1 Descendants&#039; Fury
*1 Goblin Bombardment
*1 Obsessive Pursuit
*1 Shared Animosity
*1 Vampiric Rites
[/Enchantments]
[Creatures]
*1 Boggart Cursecrafter
*1 Boggart Trawler // Boggart Bog
*1 Dropkick Bomber
*1 Eclipsed Boggart
*1 Enterprising Scallywag
*1 Frogtosser Banneret
*1 Goblin Chirurgeon
*1 Goblin Cratermaker
*1 Goblin Matron
*1 Goblin Warchief
*1 Grishnákh, Brash Instigator
*1 Gristle Glutton
*1 Grub, Storied Matriarch // Grub, Notorious Auntie
*1 Impulsive Pilferer
*1 Knucklebone Witch
*1 Krenko, Mob Boss
*1 Legion Warboss
*1 Mad Auntie
*1 Metallic Mimic
*1 Mogg Fanatic
*1 Mogg War Marshal
*1 Moria Marauder
*1 Moria Scavenger
*1 Munitions Expert
*1 Pashalik Mons
*1 Putrid Goblin
*1 Rundvelt Hordemaster
*1 Scuzzback Scrounger
*1 Siege-Gang Commander
*1 Siege-Gang Lieutenant
*1 Skirk Prospector
*1 Sling-Gang Lieutenant
*1 Taurean Mauler
*1 Warren Torchmaster
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Abrade
*1 Big Score
*1 Brightstone Ritual
*1 Corrupted Conviction
*1 Deadly Dispute
*1 Lethal Scheme
*1 Orcish Medicine
*1 Terminate
*1 Unbury
*1 Village Rites
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Blasphemous Act
*1 Bloodline Bidding
*1 Bloodsoaked Insight // Sanguine Morass
*1 Boggart Birth Rite
*1 Dragon Fodder
*1 Feed the Swarm
*1 Goblin Negotiation
*1 Grub&#039;s Command
*1 Krenko&#039;s Command
*1 Night&#039;s Whisper
*1 Unearth
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Gathering Stone
*1 Ghost Lantern // Bind Spirit
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Canyon Slough
*1 Castle Embereth
*1 Command Tower
*1 Dragonskull Summit
*1 Eclipsed Realms
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Foreboding Ruins
*1 Hidden Grotto
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Shadowblood Ridge
*1 Smoldering Marsh
*1 Temple of Malice
*15 Mountain
*8 Swamp
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>My Final Thoughts on The Great Goblin</h2>
<p>So, there you have it, my budget 99 built around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Great Goblin" href="#" target="_blank">The Great Goblin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that you can pick up for about $50. There's a lot of damage and card advantage hidden in this deck, so it's going to be a lot of fun to pilot.</p>
<p>Well, that's it for me today, but you can find more of my budget content right <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/tyler-bucks?utm_source=edhrec" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here on EDHREC</a>, as well as on my YouTube channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzUtnBZogc1TSttr8eLUK_w/?utm_source=edhrec" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Pillow Fort</a>, where I do everything I can to make <em>Magic</em> more accessible for everyone.</p>


https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ON-A-BUDGET-31.png

The Great Goblin, Built on a Budget

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The Best Commons &#038; Uncommons from Marvel Jumpstart

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maralen, Fae Ascendant" href="#" target="_blank">Maralen, Fae Ascendant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.steveprescott.com/">Steve Prescott</a></em></p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/ecl" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Lorwyn Eclipsed</em></a> brought some incredibly popular legends to the Commander format, and at the top of that list is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maralen, Fae Ascendant" href="#" target="_blank">Maralen, Fae Ascendant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Combining Elves and Faeries together has proven to get a lot of people's imaginations going, including mine.</p>
<p>So, join me <a href="https://linktr.ee/pillowfortmtg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks</a>, as I cover a full budget deck built around Maralen that you can pick up for about $40 (using <a href="https://partner.tcgplayer.com/c/4913290/1830156/21018?partnerpropertyid=5237567&amp;subId1=edhrec%2Ccardprice&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tcgplayer.com%2Fproduct%2F671581%2Fmagic-lorwyn-eclipsed-maralen-fae-ascendant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TCGPlayer</a> pricing.)</p>
<h2>What Does Maralen, Fae Ascendant Do?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Maralen, Fae Ascendant"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maralen, Fae Ascendant" href="#" target="_blank">Maralen, Fae Ascendant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> exiles the top two cards of an opponent's library whenever an Elf or Faerie you control enters the battlefield, which you could then possibly cast for free. While there's plenty of deck lists out there that're focused entirely on Elves or Faeries, I thought "Why not both?" So, I searched for the creatures that fit that bill but had the broadest effects.</p>
<p>So, the game plan for this deck is to fill the board with powerful Elves and Faeries in order to accrue value as the game goes on.</p>
<p>If you've never played a theft deck like this before, here's my biggest piece of advice: pick a player to steal from early and stay with them. You'll have a better chance to assemble synergies from someone else's deck in order to turn <em>their</em> win-con into <em>your</em> win-con.</p>
<h3>Mana Ramp</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Llanowar Elves"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beastcaller Savant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Urborg Elf"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Llanowar Elves" href="#" target="_blank">Llanowar Elves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Kicking things off with a classic ramp piece that gets even stronger in this list. There are several other one-drop <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/List_of_Magic_slang#Mana_dork" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mana dorks</a> in the deck, which help with powering out Maralen in the early game and can still assist with stealing cards just by entering the field in the late game.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beastcaller Savant" href="#" target="_blank">Beastcaller Savant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This deck is already very creature heavy, making the mana restriction on this card not too big of a draw back. Plus, since this Elf has haste, it can hit the board, trigger your commander, and immediately help you with casting another member of your team that'll exile more cards from your opponents.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urborg Elf" href="#" target="_blank">Urborg Elf</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: It's finally time for this resident of Urborg to shine! Before Maralen, we didn't have the greatest options for <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/elves/sultai" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sultai Elf</a> decks, but now this old common from Apocalypse can take center stage.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skyshroud Ranger"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Coiling Oracle"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gala Greeters"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skyshroud Ranger" href="#" target="_blank">Skyshroud Ranger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a card I think could see some more play in a broad number of decks. If you ever find yourself stuck with too many lands in your hand, then a simple tap of this creature will let you put one of them onto play untapped.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coiling Oracle" href="#" target="_blank">Coiling Oracle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Mixed right in the middle of all those creature types is "Elf," making this Simic staple a slam dunk in this list. Ramping a land or drawing a card when this enters play is just gravy on top of Maralen's theft effect.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gala Greeters" href="#" target="_blank">Gala Greeters</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since the main game plan of this deck is to flood the board with creatures, this two-drop will be ready to give you access to all of those great abilities over and over again.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Card Advantage</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rashmi, Eternities Crafter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nymris, Oona&#039;s Trickster"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Edric, Spymaster of Trest"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rashmi, Eternities Crafter" href="#" target="_blank">Rashmi, Eternities Crafter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since this deck loves to cast your opponents' spells for free, why not do the same thing from the top of your own library? Sure, you could whiff with this creature, but at least you still get to put that card into your hand if you do.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nymris, Oona&#039;s Trickster" href="#" target="_blank">Nymris, Oona&#039;s Trickster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Notably, if you cast Elves or Faeries on other peoples' turns, you could still steal some instant-speed spells from them. So, having a way to draw cards like this from your own deck as the game progresses will help keep you engaged with the rest of the table turn after turn.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edric, Spymaster of Trest" href="#" target="_blank">Edric, Spymaster of Trest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's an Elf that gives your evasive creatures the ability to draw you more cards, while also hopefully pointing some attackers towards your opponents, instead of you.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Faerie Formation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Will of the Temur"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mishra&#039;s Bauble"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Faerie Formation" href="#" target="_blank">Faerie Formation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Now I already know what some of you are thinking, four mana for a token and a card is a steep price. However, when you combine that with seeing the top two cards of another player's deck, that rate doesn't sound so bad!</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Will of the Temur" href="#" target="_blank">Will of the Temur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Here's a card draw spell that brings a whole lot of versatility to the deck. If your commander is out, you could draw a good number of cards, while making a clone version of one of your powerful Elves or Faeries. Or you could copy someone else's value piece, which brings you another way to steal your opponents' effects.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mishra&#039;s Bauble" href="#" target="_blank">Mishra&#039;s Bauble</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This little artifact plays an interesting role in this deck. Having the choice to cash this in for a card, and the ability to look at the top of someone's library, means that you'll be more informed as to who you should target with Maralen next.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Flooding the Board</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stolen by the Fae"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sylvan Offering"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shadow Puppeteers"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stolen by the Fae" href="#" target="_blank">Stolen by the Fae</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Removing a troublesome creature off of the board is great, but the real star of the show here is that token creation. Bouncing someone's commander, while also stealing a whole bunch of their cards is a way to really rub salt in their wounds...</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sylvan Offering" href="#" target="_blank">Sylvan Offering</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Now I know that this card makes you give out some tokens to your opponents, but you're probably going to get more out of those Elves hitting your board than anyone else at the table.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shadow Puppeteers" href="#" target="_blank">Shadow Puppeteers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This creature entering your battlefield with two more tokens will count for three Faeries hitting your board, which is a lot of options for your commander's theft ability. Also, this adds a strong way to close out a game, since it can turn all your flyers into 4/4 Dragons.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Interaction</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Winter Eladrin"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chomping Changeling"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spellscorn Coven"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winter Eladrin" href="#" target="_blank">Winter Eladrin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Now here's a true anomaly in the deck, a creature that's both an Elf and a Faerie. Having this enter, steal a few cards, and bounce a problematic creature makes it a great interaction piece for your strategy.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chomping Changeling" href="#" target="_blank">Chomping Changeling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Sure, this creature is both of your main creature types as well, but that's only because it has changeling. Even so, this entering play and sniping an artifact or enchantment, while being whatever type you need at that time, is perfect.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spellscorn Coven" href="#" target="_blank">Spellscorn Coven</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Casting this for either of its modes is something your opponents don't want to see. Whether you're bouncing a spell off the stack or making people discard cards, this is a nasty inclusion here.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Commit // Memory"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Memory Lapse"></div></div>
<p>Since <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maralen, Fae Ascendant" href="#" target="_blank">Maralen, Fae Ascendant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets you cast a spell from the top two cards of someone's library, there are a couple ways in this 99 to ensure that the top of your foes' decks are extra stacked. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commit // Memory" href="#" target="_blank">Commit // Memory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Memory Lapse" href="#" target="_blank">Memory Lapse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> both have ways to stop people in their tracks, while placing a powerful card in a spot where you're all the more ready to utilize it to your own game plan.</p>
<h2>Maralen, Fae Ascendant Budget Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Maralen, Fae Ascendant - Budget" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Maralen, Fae Ascendant
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Beastcaller Savant
*1 Champions of the Perfect
*1 Changeling Outcast
*1 Chomping Changeling
*1 Cloud of Faeries
*1 Coiling Oracle
*1 Dewdrop Spy
*1 Edric, Spymaster of Trest
*1 Elves of Deep Shadow
*1 Elvish Mystic
*1 Elvish Pioneer
*1 Faerie Formation
*1 Faerie Seer
*1 Flitterwing Nuisance
*1 Gala Greeters
*1 Glen Elendra Pranksters
*1 Graveshifter
*1 Llanowar Dead
*1 Llanowar Elves
*1 Llanowar Scout
*1 Lonis, Cryptozoologist
*1 Maraleaf Pixie
*1 Masked Vandal
*1 Nettling Nuisance
*1 Nymris, Oona&#039;s Trickster
*1 Obyra, Dreaming Duelist
*1 Omni-Changeling
*1 Paradise Druid
*1 Quickling
*1 Quirion Elves
*1 Quirion Explorer
*1 Rashmi, Eternities Crafter
*1 Shadow Puppeteers
*1 Skyshroud Ranger
*1 Sower of Temptation
*1 Spellscorn Coven // Take It Back
*1 Unwelcome Sprite
*1 Urborg Elf
*1 Virulent Emissary
*1 Voracious Tome-Skimmer
*1 Winter Eladrin
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Into the Fae Court
*1 Shamanic Revelation
*1 Stolen by the Fae
*1 Sylvan Offering
*1 Tegwyll&#039;s Scouring
*1 Will of the Temur
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Commit // Memory
*1 Faebloom Trick
*1 Frantic Search
*1 Hide on the Ceiling
*1 Memory Lapse
*1 Negate
*1 Planar Incision
*1 Repulsive Mutation
*1 Revitalizing Repast // Old-Growth Grove
*1 Run Away Together
*1 Spell Stutter
*1 Teferi&#039;s Time Twist
*1 Unwind
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Bident of Thassa
*1 Firdoch Core
*1 Mishra&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Choked Estuary
*1 Command Tower
*1 Darkwater Catacombs
*1 Eclipsed Realms
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Flooded Grove
*1 Hinterland Harbor
*1 Llanowar Wastes
*1 Necroblossom Snarl
*1 Overflowing Basin
*1 River of Tears
*1 Sunken Hollow
*1 Twilight Mire
*1 Vineglimmer Snarl
*1 Viridescent Bog
*1 Woodland Cemetery
*1 Yavimaya Coast
*13 Island
*5 Forest
*1 Swamp
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>In Closing</h2>
<p>So, there you have it, a full budget deck built around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maralen, Fae Ascendant" href="#" target="_blank">Maralen, Fae Ascendant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that you can build for about $40. I hope this article helped inspire you to run this legend in your command zone, because it'll make for a truly exciting play experience.</p>
<p>If you want to see more budget content from me, then you can check out my YouTube channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ThePillowFort" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Pillow Fort</a>, where I continue my mission of making <em>Magic</em> more accessible for everyone.</p>


Maralen, Fae Ascendant - Elves and Faeries Team Up on a Budget

Building Nathan Drake, Treasure Hunter on a Budget

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Araña, Heart of the Spider" href="#" target="_blank">Araña, Heart of the Spider</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://kevinglint-studios.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kevin Glint</a></em></p>
<p>If you've picked up some boosters from the new <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/spm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Spider-Man</em></a> set, you may have come across the legendary creature <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Araña, Heart of the Spider" href="#" target="_blank">Araña, Heart of the Spider</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in a pack. Well, if it sparked some inspiration for you, then I have a full deck built around her that you can pick up for only $20 (using <a href="https://partner.tcgplayer.com/c/4913290/1830156/21018?partnerpropertyid=5237567&amp;subId1=edhrec%2Ccardprice&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tcgplayer.com%2Fproduct%2F651999%2Fmagic-marvels-spider-man-arana-heart-of-the-spider" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TCGPlayer</a> pricing).</p>
<h2>The Commander - Araña, Heart of the Spider</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Araña, Heart of the Spider"></div></div>
<p>There's a lot of directions you could take <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Araña, Heart of the Spider" href="#" target="_blank">Araña, Heart of the Spider</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in, since modifying a creature can be done in several different ways. Even though a <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/voltron" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Voltron</a> deck was the first thing that came to mind, I eventually landed on a go-wide style strategy.</p>
<p>The main core of this list is filled with cards that deal with counters, since that's one of the best ways to modify a large number of creatures all at once. However, you'll still see a few Equipment and Auras fill out this list.</p>
<p>Your main goal with this deck is to fill up the board with modified creatures, then drop your commander when the time is right. Even though it might feel awkward, be sure to hold off on playing your land or casting spells before combat, since Araña only lets you play the cards you exile <em>that</em> turn. You don't want to deploy what's in your hand, while you let spells go to waste in exile.</p>
<p>Let's take a look at what makes this deck tick.</p>
<h2>Card Advantage</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Commander Liara Portyr"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kami of Celebration"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Laelia, the Blade Reforged"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commander Liara Portyr" href="#" target="_blank">Commander Liara Portyr</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since this deck's main game plan is to attack and cast spells from exile, this creature is exactly what you're looking for to help supercharge your games.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kami of Celebration" href="#" target="_blank">Kami of Celebration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This Spirit helps you in two different ways: It gives you access to cards when you attack, and modifies more of your creatures when you cast those spells.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Laelia, the Blade Reforged" href="#" target="_blank">Laelia, the Blade Reforged</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Growing with counters when your cards are put in exile is just what your commander wants to see in the 99, which makes Laelia one of this deck's all-stars.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dusk Legion Duelist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Towashi Guide-Bot"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Witch&#039;s Mark"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dusk Legion Duelist" href="#" target="_blank">Dusk Legion Duelist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Araña adds a counter to one of your creatures on combat, which means pairing her with this Duelist can make for a solid draw engine.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Towashi Guide-Bot" href="#" target="_blank">Towashi Guide-Bot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since this deck is focused on going wide with modified creatures, there's a good chance that this Bot's card draw cost will be reduced to zero.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Witch&#039;s Mark" href="#" target="_blank">Witch&#039;s Mark</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a spell that's a tricky inclusion on the list. While the card selection it offers is great, the key detail here is that it gives out an Aura token to one of your creatures, which will make it modified.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Naturally Modified</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skyknight Squire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zack Fair"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scholar of New Horizons"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skyknight Squire" href="#" target="_blank">Skyknight Squire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Getting this creature out early will ensure you have an evasive modified threat to attack with, which will continue to grow with counters turn after turn.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zack Fair" href="#" target="_blank">Zack Fair</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Coming out with a counter already on him makes Zack a strong one-drop. However, that protection ability is what makes it an auto-include in this list.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scholar of New Horizons" href="#" target="_blank">Scholar of New Horizons</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since this deck is low to the ground, there's not as much ramp as usual in the 99, but this creature synergizes perfectly with the build without slowing down your engine.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragoon&#039;s Lance"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hexgold Halberd"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mandibular Kite"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragoon&#039;s Lance" href="#" target="_blank">Dragoon&#039;s Lance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: entering your board already equipped to a token means that this is a two mana-modified evasive flyer, which will easily trigger your commander over and over again.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hexgold Halberd" href="#" target="_blank">Hexgold Halberd</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: having a cheap creature out with first strike and trample is nice and it gets even better if you equip this axe onto another bigger threat later in the game.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mandibular Kite" href="#" target="_blank">Mandibular Kite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: one mana for a modified flyer is perfect in this list, since you can get it down early and start swinging to trigger your other value players.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Modified Enhancers</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Resourceful Defense"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Metastatic Evangel"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grateful Apparition"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Resourceful Defense" href="#" target="_blank">Resourceful Defense</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This deck is focused a bit more on counter synergies, which makes this enchantment perfect for making sure they don't go to waste.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Metastatic Evangel" href="#" target="_blank">Metastatic Evangel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: The goal with this list is to play out creatures to send into combat, so attaching a proliferate effect to each one of them when they enter will help your plan start to snowball.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grateful Apparition" href="#" target="_blank">Grateful Apparition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a creature that's perfect for equipping, enchanting, and especially adding counters to, since each time it deals combat damage it's going to grow your team.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Abzan Falconer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Envoy of the Ancestors"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Guardian of the Forgotten"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Abzan Falconer" href="#" target="_blank">Abzan Falconer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's one of the most important creatures on this list. Giving your board evasion will set you up to totally take over your games.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Envoy of the Ancestors" href="#" target="_blank">Envoy of the Ancestors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since this is an <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/aggro" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aggro</a> deck, you could get caught in matches where your life total is in danger. Adding lifelink to your board will ensure you don't get taken out by a light breeze.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Guardian of the Forgotten" href="#" target="_blank">Guardian of the Forgotten</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's an interesting way to bring some resiliency to this deck. If you happen to lose some of your key pieces, they'll get replaced by the top card of your library.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Mass Modifiers</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Unbreakable Formation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spectacular Showdown"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Requisition Raid"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unbreakable Formation" href="#" target="_blank">Unbreakable Formation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Usually this card is cast in response to a board wipe. However, in this list, casting it on your main phase and attacking with a board of modified creatures could spell the end for the rest of the table.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spectacular Showdown" href="#" target="_blank">Spectacular Showdown</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While you can cast this early on to give a creature double strike, overloading it in the late game can be a massive dose of power that'll send the table into chaos.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Requisition Raid" href="#" target="_blank">Requisition Raid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Pairing removal with a way to modify your whole board, like this spell does, will make this deck far more adaptable in different situations.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Finishers</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chocobo Knights"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mirror-Style Master"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sephiroth, Fallen Hero"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chocobo Knights" href="#" target="_blank">Chocobo Knights</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This whole list is designed to send your team into combat, which means that adding double strike to the mix will be sure to lower your opponents' life totals to dangerous levels.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirror-Style Master" href="#" target="_blank">Mirror-Style Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Once this card hits the board, it gives that copying ability, and a counter, to one of your creatures. This means you'll be ready to swing out with a team that's twice as big right away.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sephiroth, Fallen Hero" href="#" target="_blank">Sephiroth, Fallen Hero</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Turning your modified creatures into 7/5s is a crazy effect in this deck when you realize that most of your board will have counters on them, meaning that they'll be hitting for even more damage than first glance.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Araña, Heart of the Spider Budget Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Arana, Heart of the Spider - EDHREC Deck" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Araña, Heart of the Spider
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Abzan Falconer
*1 Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos
*1 Bulwark Ox
*1 Charming Scoundrel
*1 Chocobo Knights
*1 Commander Liara Portyr
*1 Constable of the Realm
*1 Dusk Legion Duelist
*1 Envoy of the Ancestors
*1 Grateful Apparition
*1 Guardian of the Forgotten
*1 Hopeful Initiate
*1 Ian the Reckless
*1 Iron Apprentice
*1 Kami of Celebration
*1 Laelia, the Blade Reforged
*1 Lord Jyscal Guado
*1 Luminarch Aspirant
*1 Marketback Walker
*1 Memory Worm
*1 Metastatic Evangel
*1 Mirror-Style Master
*1 Ornithopter of Paradise
*1 Party Thrasher
*1 Reluctant Role Model
*1 Salvation Swan
*1 Scholar of New Horizons
*1 Sephiroth, Fallen Hero
*1 Skyknight Squire
*1 Spellbook Vendor
*1 Sunscorch Regent
*1 Thundering Raiju
*1 Towashi Guide-Bot
*1 Urdnan, Dromoka Warrior
*1 Walking Skyscraper
*1 Zack Fair
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Duty Beyond Death
*1 Emergency Eject
*1 Legion Leadership // Legion Stronghold
*1 Lightfoot Technique
*1 Monstrous Rage
*1 Parting Gust
*1 Unbreakable Formation
*1 Your Temple Is Under Attack
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Chain Reaction
*1 Requisition Raid
*1 Return Triumphant
*1 Spectacular Showdown
*1 Witch&#039;s Mark
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Citizen&#039;s Crowbar
*1 Coral Sword
*1 Dragoon&#039;s Lance
*1 Greatsword of Tyr
*1 Hexgold Halberd
*1 Mandibular Kite
*1 Red Mage&#039;s Rapier
*1 White Mage&#039;s Staff
*1 Zephyr Boots
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Curse of Opulence
*1 Grim Reaper&#039;s Sprint
*1 Love Song of Night and Day
*1 Resourceful Defense
*1 Sticky Fingers
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Conduit Pylons
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Hidden Grotto
*8 Mountain
*17 Plains
*1 Promising Vein
*1 Restless Bivouac
*1 Rugged Prairie
*1 Sunscorched Divide
*1 Temple of Triumph
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>In Closing</h2>
<p>Well, there you have it: a super budget deck built around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Araña, Heart of the Spider" href="#" target="_blank">Araña, Heart of the Spider</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I hope this inspires you to put this list together, because it truly does pack a punch.</p>
<p>Let me know what you think about this list in the comments below. Also, if you're looking for more budget <em>Spider-Man</em> content, please check out my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ThePillowFort" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube channel</a> where I cover some of the best cards in the set.</p>
<h3>More <em>Spider-Man</em>:</h3>
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<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="DF4ye4Slgu"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/scarlet-spider-ben-reilly-commander-deck-tech/">Scarlet Spider, Ben Reilly Commander Deck Tech</a></p></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="PCXfTQFpCV"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/spider-man-2099-commander-deck-tech/">Spider-Man 2099 Commander Deck Tech</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Spider-Man 2099 Commander Deck Tech&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/spider-man-2099-commander-deck-tech/embed/#?secret=sN9wY3ZUE6#?secret=PCXfTQFpCV" data-secret="PCXfTQFpCV" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>


You Can Build This Araña, Heart of the Spider for $20

<p style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vaan, Street Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Vaan, Street Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://jakemurraystudio.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jake Murray</a></span></i></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hello hello! Welcome to another <em>Final Fantasy</em> deck tech! This set is full of interesting, powerful commanders, and I'd like to walk you through a brew with one of my favorites. I've long been a fan of mono-colored decks, so it's no surprise that I've been drawn to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vaan, Street Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Vaan, Street Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vaan, Street Thief"></div></div></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This commander is super interesting, and the typal grouping he encourages will make for some interesting deckbuilding.</span></p>
<h2>What Does Vaan, Street Thief Do?</h2>
<p>This Human Scout costs <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, and essentially turns each of our Scouts, Pirates, and Rogues into a worse version of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer" href="#" target="_blank">Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Whenever they deal combat damage to one of our opponents, we'll impulse draw the top card of that player's library. If we don't cast that card, we get a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasure" href="#" target="_blank">Treasure</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. And, when we do cast a spell this way (or any other spell that we don't own), we'll get to buff up our whole board of creatures.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vaan reminds me of some of my other favorite commanders. He encourages us to cast spells from exile and hands out +1/+1 counters like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inti, Seneschal of the Sun" href="#" target="_blank">Inti, Seneschal of the Sun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. </span></p>
<p>I'm also reminded of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mari, the Killing Quill" href="#" target="_blank">Mari, the Killing Quill</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who groups together a few creature types like Vaan does, and provides us with an incentive to deal combat damage to our opponents frequently.</p>
<p>But Vaan is most reminiscent of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Olivia, Opulent Outlaw" href="#" target="_blank">Olivia, Opulent Outlaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Both of these commanders care about multiple creature types, make treasures, and provide +1/+1 counters to our whole team. Decks built around these commanders will have a lot of overlap, so we'll be drawing inspiration from their EDHREC pages as we go!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inti, Seneschal of the Sun"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mari, the Killing Quill"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Olivia, Opulent Outlaw"></div></div>
<p>This commander, and the others that its similar to, provide us with a pretty clear direction: we'll fill the deck with cheap and evasive Scouts, Pirates, and Rogues, pair those creatures with some artifact and non-hand casting synergies, and look to end the game with a buffed-up board of similarly-typed creatures.</p>
<p>Let's get brewing!</p>
<h2>Key Cards for Vaan, Street Thief</h2>
<h3>Cheap and Evasive Creatures</h3>
<p>Let's talk about the cheap and/or evasive creatures that we'll use to trigger our commander's abilities.</p>
<p>First, and my pick for the strongest of the bunch, is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Generous Plunderer" href="#" target="_blank">Generous Plunderer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This card feels tailor-made for the deck: it's got evasion, it makes us extra Treasure tokens, and it even deals extra damage to an opponent when it attacks.</p>
<p>I'm also a big fan of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gemcutter Buccaneer" href="#" target="_blank">Gemcutter Buccaneer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which will provide us with a stream of Treasures and convert those Treasures into extra damage. There's a total of 14 Pirates in the deck (and a few ways to make Pirate creature tokens), so this card will be a good value engine.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Generous Plunderer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gemcutter Buccaneer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Robber of the Rich"></div></div>
<p>Lastly, I wanted to shout out <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Robber of the Rich" href="#" target="_blank">Robber of the Rich</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This was the first one I added to the deck's 99, because it just fits so perfectly. Reach is always nice to have on a creature, and haste means that this guy can start providing card advantage the turn we cast him.</p>
<p>I was surprised at how many creatures fit this deck's game plan and had relevant types, but the deck's creature suite came together quite nicely.</p>
<h3>Artifact and Treasure Synergies</h3>
<p>Next, let's talk about our artifact and Treasure synergies. Red decks have no shortage of these cards, so I had a nice pool to draw from.</p>
<p>First, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Laurine, the Diversion" href="#" target="_blank">Laurine, the Diversion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a sweet control piece (and a Rogue, notably) for a deck that lacks significant removal. While we may not be able to destroy an opponent's big creature, we can certainly sacrifice a spare Treasure to ensure it doesn't swing our way.</p>
<p>And if we want to turn those spare Treasures into aggression, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swashbuckler Extraordinaire" href="#" target="_blank">Swashbuckler Extraordinaire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can do so easily. Plus, double strike works extremely well with Vaan's combat-focused abilities.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Laurine, the Diversion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Swashbuckler Extraordinaire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fathom Fleet Swordjack"></div></div>
<p>There's also <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fathom Fleet Swordjack" href="#" target="_blank">Fathom Fleet Swordjack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This creature will take a big chunk out of an opponent's life total when it attacks, and it just so happens to be a Pirate! It's a great fit here.</p>
<p>There's a whole bunch of other Pirate-centric synergies in the deck, too. Both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breeches, Eager Pillager" href="#" target="_blank">Breeches, Eager Pillager</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breeches, Brazen Plunderer" href="#" target="_blank">Breeches, Brazen Plunderer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> work well with our supporting cast of crewmates, so there's sure to be a good deal of Pirate synergies on our battlefield at any given moment.</p>
<h3>Casting Spells From Exile</h3>
<p>Now, let's talk about the ways we'll gain advantage by casting the spells we steal from our opponents.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Passionate Archaeologist" href="#" target="_blank">Passionate Archaeologist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Keeper of Secrets" href="#" target="_blank">Keeper of Secrets</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and [/el]Flaming Tyrannosaurus[/el] will each hit our opponents for some significant damage when we cast spells from exile.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Passionate Archaeologist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Iraxxa, Empress of Mars"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wild-Magic Sorcerer"></div></div>
<p>Next up, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Iraxxa, Empress of Mars" href="#" target="_blank">Iraxxa, Empress of Mars</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can provide a lot of tokens over the course of the game. Plus, her attack trigger can be a difference maker in clogged board states or close games.</p>
<p>And finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wild-Magic Sorcerer" href="#" target="_blank">Wild-Magic Sorcerer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will give us one of our own spells for free after we cast one of our opponents' spells. It's no surprise that this card is good in any deck that casts spells from exile, but I find it particularly interesting that we still get the cascade trigger off of casting a spell we don't own.</p>
<h2>How Does This Vaan, Street Thief Deck Win?</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This deck ultimately wins through damage. It can sometimes ping our opponents life totals down over time with a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Keeper of Secrets" href="#" target="_blank">Keeper of Secrets</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but it'll more often win through combat damage with an army of Scouts, Pirates, and Rogues. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vaan provides a lot of +1/+1 counters over the course of a game, and that can lead to a victory in the mid/late game.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glóin, Dwarf Emissary"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Caught in the Crossfire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Return the Favor"></div></div>
<p>I'm happy to say that, despite being mono-red, this deck has a good few ways to control the battlefield. Through goad effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glóin, Dwarf Emissary" href="#" target="_blank">Glóin, Dwarf Emissary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, one-sided board wipes like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Caught in the Crossfire" href="#" target="_blank">Caught in the Crossfire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and redirection effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Return the Favor" href="#" target="_blank">Return the Favor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we can protect our board state pretty well.</p>
<h2>Vaan, Street Thief Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Making a Vaan, Street Thief Deck" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Vaan, Street Thief
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Academy Manufactor
*1 Angrath&#039;s Marauders
*1 Breeches, Brazen Plunderer
*1 Breeches, Eager Pillager
*1 Broadside Bombardiers
*1 Captain Lannery Storm
*1 Charming Scoundrel
*1 Coercive Recruiter
*1 Crimson Caravaneer
*1 Dargo, the Shipwrecker
*1 Dire Fleet Daredevil
*1 Fathom Fleet Swordjack
*1 Flaming Tyrannosaurus
*1 Fortune Thief
*1 Gemcutter Buccaneer
*1 Generous Plunderer
*1 Glóin, Dwarf Emissary
*1 Goblin Guide
*1 Goldspan Dragon
*1 Grenzo, Havoc Raiser
*1 Hellspur Posse Boss
*1 Impulsive Pilferer
*1 Iraxxa, Empress of Mars
*1 Kari Zev, Skyship Raider
*1 Keeper of Secrets
*1 Kellan, Planar Trailblazer
*1 Laurine, the Diversion
*1 Nalfeshnee
*1 Party Thrasher
*1 Port Razer
*1 Professional Face-Breaker
*1 Prosperous Bandit
*1 Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer
*1 Robber of the Rich
*1 Rose, Cutthroat Raider
*1 Swashbuckler Extraordinaire
*1 Taurean Mauler
*1 Tin Street Dodger
*1 Treasure Nabber
*1 Wild-Magic Sorcerer
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Beamtown Beatstick
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Inspiring Statuary
*1 Maskwood Nexus
*1 Staff of Eden, Vault&#039;s Key
*1 Tarrian&#039;s Soulcleaver
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Gamble
*1 Reckless Handling
*1 Sundering Eruption // Volcanic Fissure
*1 Vandalblast
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Bottle-Cap Blast
*1 Caught in the Crossfire
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Fiery Cannonade
*1 Great Train Heist
*1 Lightning Bolt
*1 Return the Favor
*1 Siege Smash
*1 Untimely Malfunction
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Alchemist&#039;s Talent
*1 Charred Foyer // Warped Space
*1 Daring Piracy
*1 Passionate Archaeologist
*1 Powerbalance
*1 Uncivil Unrest
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Arena of Glory
*1 Exotic Orchard
*30 Mountain
*1 Mutavault
*1 Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thanks for reading this <em>Final Fantasy</em> deck tech! Before you go, there's a few odd inclusions I wanted to point out. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First among them is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Guide" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Guide</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While this creature seems better suited for aggressive decks in 60-card formats, it actually works quite well in this deck. It's a Scout with haste, so it works well with our commander's abilities, and its attack trigger means that it can clear lands off of the top of our opponents' libraries.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Guide"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We'd much rather impulse draw one of their spells than one of their lands, so this one-mana 2/2 slots right into the deck.</span></p>
<p>In the course of building this deck, I came across a card that I'd never seen before: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fortune Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Fortune Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This creature can prevent us from losing the game due to damage, potentially letting us untap and win the game on the crack back from an opponent's big attack. Plus, it's a Rogue! Vaan loves Rogues.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fortune Thief"></div></div>
<p>In all seriousness, paying <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-4" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> for a 0/1 creature (or <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>+<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-3" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> if we Morph it) is a tough rate. But given that this deck is lower power, it's got room for some fun cards like this.</p>
<p>That's all I've got for this week! I'll see you all again next week for another deck tech.</p>


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