<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ashaya&#039;s Enduring Bond" href="#" target="_blank">Ashaya&#039;s Enduring Bond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/anto-finnstark/albums/1742197">Anato Finnstark</a></em></p>
<h2>The Planting of Seeds</h2>
<p>Hello, and welcome! This week we have a special deck tech centered on a brand new commander that was very recently revealed in an upcoming release. That set, <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/mbc">Mystery Booster: Commander Edition</a></em>, has a number of sweet new options for all of us to try out.</p>
<p>A number of these cards got my attention for more personal reasons (Remember that five-color deck from the <em>Duels of the Planeswalkers</em> games? I managed to somewhat recreate it, thanks to this set!).</p>
<p>That said, there was one that got my attention. One that's sure to cause no small number of eye rolls because of rules shenanigans. Without further ado:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ashaya&#039;s Enduring Bond"></div></div>
<p>A sorcery? In the command zone? What heresy is this? Why, you guessed that right. We have a sorcery as our Commander today. What a time to be alive! Anyway, the effect is very simple:</p>
<p>We discover equal to the amount of mana spent to cast the card, but we need a legendary creature or planeswalker in order to cast it.</p>
<p>As the game goes on, this'll mean that we get to discover three, then five, etc. So, in order to make this work, we need to keep casting this card over and over. But first, we cover the main obstacle.</p>
<h3>Legends Abound</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Azusa, Lost but Seeking"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Selvala, Heart of the Wilds"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hugs, Grisly Guardian"></div></div>
<p>We'll need a lot of ramp to keep consistently casting our, umm, commander. That said, we also need at least one legendary creature or planeswalker to be able to cast it.</p>
<p>Fortunately, there's a number of legendary options in our colors that have both. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Azusa, Lost but Seeking" href="#" target="_blank">Azusa, Lost but Seeking</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will let us play two additional lands on each of our turns. On the other hand, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Selvala, Heart of the Wilds" href="#" target="_blank">Selvala, Heart of the Wilds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will ramp us to great heights, assuming we have a big creature out.</p>
<p>We also have access to other effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mina and Denn, Wildborn" href="#" target="_blank">Mina and Denn, Wildborn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which not only let us play an additional land each turn, but they can give one of our creatures trample for the turn.</p>
<p>There's also a number of bigger creatures that can help us get there. If you want to lean hard into the creature count, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nikya of the Old Ways" href="#" target="_blank">Nikya of the Old Ways</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will double our mana, making stuff easier to cast.</p>
<p>If we can buff her, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Photon, Mighty Marvel" href="#" target="_blank">Photon, Mighty Marvel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will give us quite a boost. Another option is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hugs, Grisly Guardian" href="#" target="_blank">Hugs, Grisly Guardian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. He'll let us play extra lands, but also exile stuff that we can cast until our next turn ends. Speaking of Exile...</p>
<h3>A Sojourn Through Exile</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Savvy Trader"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Passionate Archaeologist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nalfeshnee"></div></div>
<p>Since discover lets us cast stuff via exile, we can take advantage of that in a burgeoning number of ways. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nalfeshnee" href="#" target="_blank">Nalfeshnee</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spider-Verse" href="#" target="_blank">Spider-Verse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will allow us to copy anything we cast from exile.</p>
<p>In addition, we can lower our opponent's life totals with <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> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nico Minoru, Runaway" href="#" target="_blank">Nico Minoru, Runaway</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. In addition, the last level of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bard Class" href="#" target="_blank">Bard Class</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will let us cast stuff from exile on top of ramping us and buffing our creatures through its other two stages.</p>
<p>However, I do want to stress that this is just one way to build this deck. A deck with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ashaya&#039;s Enduring Bond" href="#" target="_blank">Ashaya&#039;s Enduring Bond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can lean into an exile-matters deck, but it also needs a good chunk of legendary creatures and planeswalkers to be able to cast it.</p>
<h3>Forms of Fellowship</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jeska, Thrice Reborn"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hajar, Loyal Bodyguard"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Knuckles the Echidna"></div></div>
<p>A lot of legendary creatures and planeswalkers have plenty of utility, so it is best to mix and match to our tastes. For example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hajar, Loyal Bodyguard" href="#" target="_blank">Hajar, Loyal Bodyguard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will protect our board in the event of a wipe. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jeska, Thrice Reborn" href="#" target="_blank">Jeska, Thrice Reborn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will do some incredible damage with her tripling ability.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Knuckles the Echidna" href="#" target="_blank">Knuckles the Echidna</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will ramp us, and do some damage. That alternate win condition will often be irrelevant here, as we won't likely be amassing enough artifacts to pull it off.</p>
<p>Other options include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ojer Kaslem, Deepest Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Ojer Kaslem, Deepest Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can ramp us and put a creature into play if she deals damage. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Loot, Exuberant Explorer" href="#" target="_blank">Loot, Exuberant Explorer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives us a second land drop and, with enough mana, can out a creature into play as well.</p>
<p>In addition, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Etali, Primal Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Etali, Primal Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Etali, Primal Conqueror" href="#" target="_blank">Etali, Primal Conqueror</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, if you're so inclined) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plargg and Nassari" href="#" target="_blank">Plargg and Nassari</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can cast stuff from exile each turn. If you're tapping into the exile theme (or as a subtheme), both cards would be good includes to consider.</p>
<p>That said, my list for this week doesn't play into the exile theme so much. In fact, I was building this deck, and came up with this list purely by accident.</p>
<h3>The Deck List</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Oh Ashaya, Ashaya!" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Ashaya&#039;s Enduring Bond
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Absorbing Man and Titania
*1 Alena, Kessig Trapper
*1 Anzrag, the Quake-Mole
*1 Avatar Kyoshi, Earthbender
*1 Avatar Roku, Firebender
*1 Azusa, Lost but Seeking
*1 Braulios of Pheres Band
*1 Bristly Bill, Spine Sower
*1 Captain Lannery Storm
*1 Dragonhawk, Fate&#039;s Tempest
*1 Etali, Primal Storm
*1 Gilanra, Caller of Wirewood
*1 Gimli of the Glittering Caves
*1 God-Eternal Rhonas
*1 Hajar, Loyal Bodyguard
*1 Halana and Alena, Partners
*1 Halana, Kessig Ranger
*1 Hugs, Grisly Guardian
*1 Ilharg, the Raze-Boar
*1 Jamie McCrimmon
*1 Jolene, the Plunder Queen
*1 Kamahl, Heart of Krosa
*1 Karlach, Fury of Avernus
*1 Klauth, Unrivaled Ancient
*1 Klothys, God of Destiny
*1 Knuckles the Echidna
*1 Kodama of the East Tree
*1 Leatherhead, Iron Gator
*1 Legolas Greenleaf
*1 Loot, Exuberant Explorer
*1 Mina and Denn, Wildborn
*1 Moraug, Fury of Akoum
*1 Muerra, Trash Tactician
*1 Neyith of the Dire Hunt
*1 Nikya of the Old Ways
*1 Ojer Kaslem, Deepest Growth // Temple of Cultivation
*1 Old Gnawbone
*1 Photon, Mighty Marvel
*1 Plargg and Nassari
*1 Radha, Heart of Keld
*1 Raph &amp; Mikey, Troublemakers
*1 Rhino, Barreling Brute
*1 Roxanne, Starfall Savant
*1 Ruby, Daring Tracker
*1 Ruric Thar, the Unbowed
*1 Selvala, Heart of the Wilds
*1 Spider-Man, Miles Morales
*1 Surrak and Goreclaw
*1 Surrak, the Hunt Caller
*1 Surtr, Fiery Jötun
*1 Sutina, Speaker of the Tajuru
*1 The Earth King
*1 Thor, Asgard&#039;s Avenger
*1 Wolverine, Fierce Fighter
*1 Xenagos, God of Revels
*1 Zilortha, Strength Incarnate
*1 Zopandrel, Hunger Dominus
[/Creatures]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Chandra, Awakened Inferno
*1 Freyalise, Llanowar&#039;s Fury
*1 Garruk, Curse Breaker
*1 Jeska, Thrice Reborn
*1 Minsc &amp; Boo, Timeless Heroes
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Cinder Glade
*1 Command Tower
*1 Commercial District
*12 Forest
*1 Game Trail
*1 Karplusan Forest
*12 Mountain
*1 Plaza of Heroes
*1 Rockfall Vale
*1 Sheltered Thicket
*1 Spire Garden
*1 Stomping Ground
*1 Thornspire Verge
*1 Training Compound
*1 Wooded Foothills
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h3>Closing Out</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Xenagos, God of Revels"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Absorbing Man and Titania"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anzrag, the Quake-Mole"></div></div>
<p>Quite the accident, huh? The 99 of this list has nothing but lands, creatures, and planeswalkers. This, in turn, ensures that our commander is easy accessible, limited only by the amount of mana we have.</p>
<p>And that's the other bit of good news: We've got a ton of ramp in the list, so we can cast our commander much of the time, most of the time.</p>
<p>If you want to end games, it's simple. This is a <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/gruul">Gruul</a> deck, after all. We just simply need to smash, smash, and do even more smashing. Firstly, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Xenagos, God of Revels" href="#" target="_blank">Xenagos, God of Revels</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Absorbing Man and Titania" href="#" target="_blank">Absorbing Man and Titania</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> amplify the damage output, putting our opponents on a clock.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anzrag, the Quake-Mole" href="#" target="_blank">Anzrag, the Quake-Mole</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Karlach, Fury of Avernus" href="#" target="_blank">Karlach, Fury of Avernus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, both of which give us extra combat steps while dealing chunks of damage.</p>
<p>We can't win by commander damage, so we pummel our opponents into a pulp instead.</p>
<h3>Everlasting Bonds</h3>
<p>And there we have it. A unique deck for a unique commander (not so sure about the former). And now, I turn to you, the readers. What commanders from <em>Mystery Booster: Commander Edition</em>, are you looking to build, be they online or for real?</p>
<p>Which ones make your eyes roll? Let me know in the comments. Next week, we return to normal with a remastered precon I've been itching to publish for some time now.</p>


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