MTG Salvation

Hey Forums! How you doin?

Had an interesting idea for a list. We all know that, before a game even begins, some players already have targets on their head for the commander they are playing. We also know that those whom arn't seen as threats early, tend to get ignored until later in the game. Knowing this, we should make a list of commanders that are similar to others, yet have a lot less threat to them, so that we won't be in the crosshairs.
I'll start us off...

• Instead of Animar, Soul of Elements, as a creature aggro strat, use Surrak Dragonclaw.
While nothing to completely ignore, Surrak draws less attention than Animar does.


• For five color tribal, any Sliver commander will get you instant hate, so instead use General Tazri with Ally tribal.


• If you're going for Azorius control, rather than using Grand Arbiter Augustin IV, play Gwafa Hazid, Profiteer.
Instead of punishing the whole table (making no friends) just lockdown certain threats, for which others will be grateful for.

Do you have any more "timid" substitutes in mind?

Can be a really sound idea.

The ones I've heard of or implemented are Merieke Ri Berit in lieu of Sydri, Galvanic Genius or Sharuum the Hegemon for artifact combo, and Nissa, Vastwood Seer in lieu of Azusa, Lost but Seeking or Omnath, Locus of Mana for big mana green. This one plays out a little differently to other more known archetypes, but I run a pretty solid mono green control with Nissa at the helm and never lack for gas.

Unless everyone is being very casual, avoid cards like Jasmine Boreal or Jerrard of the Closed Fist. As their is trying to be unassuming and then their is overselling it.

The problem with this is that I like my decks to be built around my commander (not necessarily dependant on them, but built with them in mind), and none of your substitutes would let me do that. If I'm building an Animar deck, I'm going to build a deck that takes advantage of the cost reduction it gives. Surrak does nothing to help me cast creatures for less. If I want to build a Sliver deck, I'm not going to build a Tazri deck, as I want to build a sliver deck and she does nothing for slivers (not to mention, as JDviant points out, Tazri is far more dangerous a commander than any legendary sliver out there - to the point where she might well be top of the "kill on sight" list for the format given how quickly she can combo off). If I'm building a Grand Arbiter deck, I'm building a deck designed to slow down when my opponents can cast spells, stopping stuff attacking in the way Gwafa does is a completely different strategy.

Sek'Kuar, Deathkeeper is a less threatening alternative to Prossh and can be played similarly, with additional benefit of turning creature-lands into creatures after an Obliterate style reset.

Intet, the Dreamer could be played similar to Animar in terms of casting expensive creatures for cheap, albeit unable to go infinite the way Animar could. I find library manipulation a lot more fun with Intet thought.

Quote from Life_Weaver »

Unless everyone is being very casual, avoid cards like Jasmine Boreal or Jerrard of the Closed Fist. As their is trying to be unassuming and then their is overselling it.

I had a long running Jasmine Boreal enchantress list. There was no better commander for it at the time, Humility was a prominent part of the gameplan, and I like the art. Nothing to do with trying to be unassuming.

In general, this is absolutely correct.

I like using a "distraction general" - something that doesn't really dictate what my deck does, but can be a nuisance if left alone. When I'm between mono-red brews I like sticking Fumiko the Lowblood in the command zone, just because her must attack effect is pretty annoying and I like bating out removal.

Gwendlyn Di Corci is one of my absolute favorite grixis commanders. Sure she can be good in 1v1 with untap effects (Minamo, School at Water's Edge/Pemmin's Aura/etc), but in multiplayer and without those untap effects on board, she is a distraction that can make people play important instant speed spells during your turn.

I also have a passion for Rakka Mar. She is my preference over Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker. Everyone sees Kiki and immediately knows the combo(s) to expect, but most opponents typically dismiss Rakka Mar the first time they see her in the command zone.

Quote from Life_Weaver »

Unless everyone is being very casual, avoid cards like Jasmine Boreal or Jerrard of the Closed Fist. As their is trying to be unassuming and then their is overselling it.

But my Jasmine Boreal card is autographed by Richard Kane-Ferguson... How else am I gonna show it off?