<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kindred Judgment" href="#" target="_blank">Kindred Judgment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/katemaxpaint">Ekaterina Burmak</a></span></em></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What is a Typal Card?</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’ve recorded 70+ episodes of a creature-type-based podcast, <em>Quote of Arms</em>, so I’ve seen a huge array of creature type decks. When I look at spoilers for a new set, I tend to scan for cards that specifically reference a creature type, especially those that provide a new commander, direction, or signpost card for an existing type. This approach helps me sift through the deluge of new cards and avoid product fatigue.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From a Typal perspective, <em>Reality Fracture</em> is a bit of a mixed bag. Like its main-universe counterpart, Hexhaven offers support for the Dungeons and Dragons spellcaster classes: Bard, Wizard, Cleric, Warlock, and Sorcerer. There are also incidental support cards for a range of strategies that needed the help, as well as the occasional multi-type glue card.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There’s even a card which could alter the trajectory of a niche creature type forever, which I wrote about here. Time will tell just how impactful this set winds up being, but there are several cards I’m looking to pick up for my Typal decks!</span></p>
<h3><b><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sphinx&#039;s Approach" href="#" target="_blank">Sphinx&#039;s Approach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lyra, Archangel of Dawn" href="#" target="_blank">Lyra, Archangel of Dawn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></b></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sphinx&#039;s Approach"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lyra, Archangel of Dawn"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’ve already written a special article about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sphinx&#039;s Approach" href="#" target="_blank">Sphinx&#039;s Approach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> here and a deck tech on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lyra, Archangel of Dawn" href="#" target="_blank">Lyra, Archangel of Dawn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/lyra-archangel-of-dawn-mono-white-life-gaining-angels">here</a>, so I’ll keep this section short. Approach is going to define Sphinx decks going forward, splitting them into camps of either using or eschewing it, while Lyra is a powerful commander who may have some interesting combo potential.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Germinate Recruits" href="#" target="_blank">Germinate Recruits</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Germinate Recruits"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Germinate Recruits" href="#" target="_blank">Germinate Recruits</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an interesting instant that makes tokens that are Wizards and Soldiers equal to the amount of life we’ve gained that turn. Wizards and Soldiers are well-supported creature types, and there are plenty of cards that can gain life when creatures enter, making this a board-in-a-can card.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kindred Judgment" href="#" target="_blank">Kindred Judgment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kindred Judgment"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s strange to see a Typal-oriented card like this in a main set that isn’t focused on Typal synergies. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plague Wind" href="#" target="_blank">Plague Wind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> sets the gold standard for one-sided board wipes, and this gives white that effect. In the right deck, this can act as either a board wipe or a win condition.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, Blade of the Mighty" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, Blade of the Mighty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yuriko, Blade of the Mighty"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, Blade of the Mighty" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, Blade of the Mighty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a spicy card that may be featured in an upcoming build. She has a stax ability to shut down spells and activated abilities in combat, forcing players to fight fair. She also gives a creature double strike when it attacks a player alone, working well with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raiyuu, Storm&#039;s Edge" href="#" target="_blank">Raiyuu, Storm&#039;s Edge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and the concept of Bushido, as well as the Samurai showdown trope. This could be a fun and flavorful build!</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lyra, Tolarian Archangel" href="#" target="_blank">Lyra, Tolarian Archangel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lyra, Tolarian Archangel"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Like her white counterpart, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lyra, Tolarian Archangel" href="#" target="_blank">Lyra, Tolarian Archangel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an interesting Angel commander. Unlike her counterpart, this Lyra is mono-blue, which might not support Angels well, but Lyra does make Angels herself. She could go into an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Errant and Giada" href="#" target="_blank">Errant and Giada</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Azorius Angels deck with scrying cantrips, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Preordain" href="#" target="_blank">Preordain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, to trigger her ability.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Darklight Phoenix" href="#" target="_blank">Darklight Phoenix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Darklight Phoenix"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syrix, Carrier of the Flame" href="#" target="_blank">Syrix, Carrier of the Flame</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a fun Phoenix commander, but it’s struggled with being a Rakdos commander for an essentially mono-red creature type. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Darklight Phoenix" href="#" target="_blank">Darklight Phoenix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives Syrix something to do with the black mana, inching the deck towards being balanced.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Artifist Acumen" href="#" target="_blank">Artifist Acumen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Artifist Acumen"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cards that give the whole team an ability are naturally strong, and cantripping them is even better. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Balmor, Battlemage Captain" href="#" target="_blank">Balmor, Battlemage Captain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Izzet Birds, which happens to be one of my personal decks, loves getting the pump and trample, and adding first strike while replacing itself is really strong. Similarly, a prowess-heavy Monk deck, like my <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest" href="#" target="_blank">Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, can use the pump from prowess with first strike and digging deeper to set up a big turn.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Master of Barbs" href="#" target="_blank">Master of Barbs</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Master of Barbs"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Master of Barbs" href="#" target="_blank">Master of Barbs</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a fun card to see while <em>Bloomburrow</em> is still in recent memory. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gev, Scaled Scorch" href="#" target="_blank">Gev, Scaled Scorch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, the unifier of the Lizard type, makes Lizards ping opponents on cast and pumps them on entering. The Master wears those counters well with menace and pumps our creatures for each instance of damage, making our Gev-grown Lizards even bigger!</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pompous Battlemage" href="#" target="_blank">Pompous Battlemage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pompous Battlemage"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Goblins might not want for one-drops, but they do tend to struggle with card selection. In particular, the Battlemage would work well with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zada, Hedron Grinder" href="#" target="_blank">Zada, Hedron Grinder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a Goblin deck that uses cheap instants and sorceries that target creatures, and then spreads those effects. Those cheap spells trigger prowess, which makes the Battlemage big enough to matter in the late game.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Omnipresence" href="#" target="_blank">Omnipresence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Omnipresence"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Omnipresence" href="#" target="_blank">Omnipresence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might not be <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Omniscience" href="#" target="_blank">Omniscience</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but it’s plenty strong and works well with creature types like Elves and Druids. Essentially, the plan is to run out mana dorks and then drop this and something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Craterhoof Behemoth" href="#" target="_blank">Craterhoof Behemoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to turn the mana dorks into big threats.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pia, Aether Ascetic" href="#" target="_blank">Pia, Aether Ascetic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pia, Aether Ascetic"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pia might seem like a generic enchantress card, but the ability to tutor for enchantments can act as the glue for archetypes like Shrines and Sagas, which need the help because of their relative lack of raw power. Giving them flexibility goes a long way towards making them legitimate.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edgar, Ancient Bloodlord" href="#" target="_blank">Edgar, Ancient Bloodlord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Edgar, Ancient Bloodlord"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This incarnation of Edgar combines a sacrifice outlet with a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effect, doing both of the things Vampire aristocrat strategies are known for. He’s lurking under the radar (not flying, as he lacks the ability), but he might just be the best Vampire commander since his first incarnation.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Saheeli, Jewel of Avishkar" href="#" target="_blank">Saheeli, Jewel of Avishkar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Saheeli, Jewel of Avishkar"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thopters are an interesting creature type, as they have had a lot of support in various sets, but haven’t really had a commander that brings them together. Saheeli fixes this by making her own fleet and giving our Thopters haste, uniting them under the shared banner of Izzet cheap, evasive creatures.</span></p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hall of Echoes" href="#" target="_blank">Hall of Echoes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hall of Echoes"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many creature types struggle with membership, so having a land that can imitate a member can go a long way. It removes the legend rule as well, so we can get spicy. It’s even colorless, so it can copy Eldrazi!</span></p>
<h2><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are a lot of really neat role-players in <em>Reality Fracture</em>, and even some fun build-arounds! This is a set whose impact will be felt both narratively and mechanically for quite some time, and I’m excited to see which cards make a splash and which stay under the radar.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But what cards are going into YOUR Typal decks? And what are the cards you’re looking to pick up?</span></p>


sphinx

Reality Fracture Typal Set Review

The Best Sphinx Combo Cards in Commander

From The Brim To The Trim - Living The Budget And Snuffing Out Opponents

Archetune-Up - The Most Cryptic of Cryptids

Archetune-Up - Isperia's Flying Circus