This was originally going to be about comparing the different versions of Niv, but the Gods got added to it... to me Izzet is the best guild to play, it's about doing damage and drawing cards: fun. Nothing helps more than these commanders. Okay Jhoira and Mizzix might be seen as being 'better' but their gamestyles are slightly different than the classic izzet. In my humble opinion.
Here are my thoughts - please vote below. "Best" can mean "most powerful" or "most fun" up to you, but please tell me what you think.
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
The original and the easiest to pull off the curiosity/ophidian eye combo. A lot of fun even outside that, but still, Parun is so similiar and seems to be better in so many ways. The only real advantage it has is 2 colourless is in the price, plus I guess that ability to tap to draw a card can be useful in certain situations.
Niv-Mizzet, Parun
The latest version of Niv, hard to argue against it being the best. Of course you want your commander to stick around, so the inability to counter him is useful, of course from there he is just a normal creature. Has Fireminds best ability (yes you get the curiosity combo you pretend to hate) and a huge ability that restricts your opponent wanting to cast instant or sorcery. Sort of screams "kill me now" in any multiplayer, but don't most commanders? Compared to the others, drawback is the RRRUUU cost. Plus a 5/5 flyer, let's not forget that one.
Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius
I am a big fan of this card. Works the most different the others, and no curiositycombo. However the huge advantage here is the ability to use RU to do a damage, and if you hit an opponent, draw a card. Aside from the obvious, it is great when you are rocking counterspells. You never know if you want to tap in your turn, or save some mana for a possible counter. Well now you can save and worse case scenario, do dome damage and draw in your end step. The best at controlling the board. Furthermore, you can put in more lands in your deck than you might want. Who cares? Too many lands can't really happen, just get your commander out and draw some more. Downside is lack of any sort of protection.
Keranos, God of Storms
Tactically, Keranos works quite similarly to the Nivs. I have just started using him and have really loved the results. 5CMC is a bit cheaper. You are either lightning bolting or drawing each turn. Plus he is indestructible, which is how you want your commander. I played 3 games on the weekend and he dodged 5 boardwipes, either destroying all creatures or exiling creatures when he wasn't one (one where I smoked one my guys to lose the devotion). Anyway - downside is lack of flying or trample, or even 'haste' given his fun power won't kick in until your draw. Of course won't be a creature a lot, but overall it doesn't bother me as much as I thought. So awesome in so many ways but he comes with a big drawback: you have to reveal your cards, which isn't ideal for a counter deck.
The Locust God
Doesn't work the same as the others, but since I added Keranos I thought I'd add him. Okay I will get this out of my system: the most fun, thematically amazing card ever! Creating loads of bugs, the way he bounces back to your hand (not as useful in commander but can still save you mana in the recast) it's just so fun and so original too - locusts! Thematically I just love him, even the artwork is awesome.* However... as a commander he doesn't control the boardstate the same way the others do. No draw or damage is built in. (Okay sort of draw, at 4cmc to draw and discard.) At 6cmc too... I just really think he is too expensive for what he is. He could be 5cmc and I don't think anyone would have blinked. Just my opinion, I just love this card but think he probably is the weakest of the lot. I was just on edhrec and was surprised to find him so popular? Maybe my issue is playing him like the others instead of his own unique self. But I would argue doesn't play to izzets strengths. I'd love to hear from you if you're a devotee.
But my favorite is the Guildpact Niv-Mizzet. The new Niv-Mizzet draws a bit too much negativity and The Locust God draws way too much attention to itself.
Which is why my Jori En, Ruin Diver includes most of them and abuses all of their abilities.
She also produces a LOT of value over the course of a game without drawing attention to herself.
If i had to choose, i'd take Niv-Mizzet, Parun for it's sheer power.
+1 for Jori En. She comes in much faster and doesn't eat removal like its going out of business. If I were to pick from the ones you mentioned though I guess I would do a Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius goodstuff ramp control deck because it wouldn't go infinite and maybe draw less hate than the others. Most of those are these engines that do nothing until the 6 mana commander is cast and sticks which is why I am not a fan of them.
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I have officially moved to MTGNexus. I just wanted to let people know as my response time to salvation decks being bumped is very hit or miss.
But my favorite is the Guildpact Niv-Mizzet. The new Niv-Mizzet draws a bit too much negativity and The Locust God draws way too much attention to itself.
draw less hate than the others.
doesn't eat removal like its going out of business.
without drawing attention to herself.
I think though a lot depends on the format you play. Multiplayer, 'drawing hate' is a real problem. Something like Jori has an advantage over Parun. But in 1v1 or team games, that matters a lot less. Kudos Shadow for picking the Firemind though, I didn't think he'd get any votes.
edit: Also, it's worth keeping in mind that a counter/damage/draw deck like Izzet will naturally hide itself fairly well in multiplayer. It doesn't really suit the format as you can't control the entire boardstate, meanwhile your mates are ramping and comboing, you are not much more than a pest.
+1 for Jori En. She comes in much faster and doesn't eat removal like its going out of business.
I admit my collection of options is a bit random. It was going to be just a poll for the Niv's, but Keranos plays so similar that I thought he belonged there. Then i might as well put the locus. And in fairness Jori plays similar too, but I also sort of feel like EDH commanders should be "tanks". I know that's silly, but with all the instant damage in my deck, I do delight in removing those with a toughness of 3 or less from a multiplayer game for little reason. The players are always so surprised...
I had been wondering this same question myself. One of my oldest decks is a Niv-Mzzet, the Firemind deck that I have had since 2008. The Locust God was a natural inclusion in the deck when it came out, but I never thought of replacing Niv-Mizzet as the Commander. Niv-Mizzet, the Parun however is definitely better than the original with +1/+1 added to the stats, uncounterability, and the ability to generate several draws in a turn AND still be able to attack. The only reason I have resisted making the change to The Parun is that wicked casting cost of UUURRR, which in the grand scheme of things shouldn't be a big deal but I run so many colorless/artifact sources of mana that I fear not being able to cast it whenever I really need it.
I think that if you have the mana base to support it, Niv-Mizzet, the Parun is the way to go. It is definitely the most powerful of the options for decks that want to take advantage of drawing tons of cards and doling out damage for something that you typically want to do anyway.
I had been wondering this same question myself. One of my oldest decks is a Niv-Mzzet, the Firemind deck that I have had since 2008. The Locust God was a natural inclusion in the deck when it came out, but I never thought of replacing Niv-Mizzet as the Commander.
Great feedback from both of you it has really made me realise how flawed my initial groupings were. I said that "it's about doing damage and drawing cards" and "Jori En [is] slightly different than the classic izzet".
I realise now that these can be grouped in two categoies.
- Firemind, Parun and Locust reward you for your draw. Let's call them "draw commanders".
- Whereas Dracogenius and Keranos aid you in board control. Their draw is just a slight bonus. I'll call them "control commanders".
(Jori En is neither really, she rewards you for casting a lot in a single turn)
"Draw commanders" are going to see more cantrips and cards specific to them that will work there but perhaps not great outside of them, like invoke the firemind. "Control commanders" are going to see more counterspells, direct damage, and maybe some pingers to keep your presence. I would suggest that Keranos and Dracogenius could be interchangable in the same deck. Firemind and Parun could too - Locust would slot okay into their decks, but as mentioned, because he generates creatures, things like Skullclamp and purphoros are great for him but wouldn't go with the others.
In other words, I wish I had of redone that poll in order to reflect this. It was a mistake of me to think of classic izzet as "damage and drawing cards" whereas they clearly can be split from each other.
…………
Great feedback from both of you it has really made me realise how flawed my initial groupings were. I said that "it's about doing damage and drawing cards" and "Jori En [is] slightly different than the classic izzet".
I realise now that these can be grouped in two categoies.
- Firemind, Parun and Locust reward you for your draw. Let's call them "draw commanders".
- Whereas Dracogenius and Keranos aid you in board control. Their draw is just a slight bonus. I'll call them "control commanders".
(Jori En is neither really, she rewards you for casting a lot in a single turn)
…………
I agree with you evaluation, those catagories are spot on. From play experience i'd like to add that Jori En encourages you to cast exactly two spells, and do that every turn. This is a value engine that only fuels herself as long as you have mana to keep doing it. Thus her typical curve is very low. Her payoffs however, come in the form of the cards you allready mentioned. Both Niv's and the Locust God alongside the typical "damage" and "lifeloss" cards for casting instants/sorceries or drawing cards.
For more ideas, have a look at the Topic by ISBPathfinder, you can read my experiences on swapping Niv-Mizzet, Parun in favor for Jori En, ruin Diver and how i've never looked back
Last year I decided to build a deck with one of the gods from Theros as commander, and it ended up with Keranos, God of Storms because of the "draw one more when top card is land"-ability. The number of lands in that deck is 50 (because why not?), looting effects and land cycling. That deck is still a bit experimental and goodstuffy as I have not played with it much to see what it needs.
When I got Niv-Mizzet, Parun promo from the prerelease I decided to put it in my deck, and later it ended with adding the other two dragons to it. Some of the reasons is that I had curiosity in the deck (Keranos can ping opponents too), that is a combo with Niv-Mizzet, and the Niv-mizeets fits in the drawing theme in the deck.
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EDH BGU Sidisi, Brood Tyrant - Lurking Zombies. GBG Sapling of Colfenor - Forest Growth and Destruction. RWU Zedruu the Greathearted - Blinking and trading. GWB Teneb the Harvester - Enchantments, you lose life I gain life. RRR Neheb the Eternal - Ping people for mana burn.
I agree with you evaluation, those catagories are spot on. From play experience i'd like to add that Jori En encourages you to cast exactly two spells, and do that every turn. This is a value engine that only fuels herself as long as you have mana to keep doing it. Thus her typical curve is very low. Her payoffs however, come in the form of the cards you allready mentioned.
I haven't played Jori and only after this thread have been realising the power of her. That being said, I do like my commanders as 'tanks' as I feel like 'that's the format' but I can see how that is just my opinion. Certainly in multiplayer, I can see how Jori would be the better commander. I would actually says she is closer to the 'control commanders' since you don't get a reward for a draw, plus, you already have a decent draw engine. Your deck would be full of red damage and blue counter rather than cantrips and draw.
Last year I decided to build a deck with one of the gods from Theros as commander, and it ended up with Keranos, God of Storms because of the "draw one more when top card is land"-ability. The number of lands in that deck is 50 (because why not?), looting effects and land cycling. That deck is still a bit experimental and goodstuffy as I have not played with it much to see what it needs.
50 land? I find this very interesting. Each draw you get with Keranos is a lightning bolt you didn't get. So I cannot see any reason not to stick to a normal mana curve. Certainly you could be the on the generous side of it, but, 50? Could you expand your thinking? Is it just because repeated lightning bolts attract attention in multiplayer, or is there a reason I cannot see?
When I got Niv-Mizzet, Parun promo from the prerelease I decided to put it in my deck, and later it ended with adding the other two dragons to it. Some of the reasons is that I had curiosity in the deck (Keranos can ping opponents too), that is a combo with Niv-Mizzet, and the Niv-mizeets fits in the drawing theme in the deck.
My Keranos deck is full of pingers, so definitely curiosity and of course artifacts that give deathtouch. I don't like giving curiosity to Keranos though, as you lose it if devotion goes down. I'd prefer the 3 damage be spend on board control, and have a 1 damage pinger get you your card. I have the Niv's in my deck (sans Parus but it will go in when I get around to it) because they are a lot of fun, not necessarily because I think it's the most powerful thing to do. But it probably is.
Holy smokes I just realised something rather important - there is no "may" with the Parun! Was everyone aware of this? If you're running an infinite combo per card you are obligated to keep drawing with Parun, whereas Firemind gives you a "may". In 1v1 it's unlikely to be an issue but any other version of commander... I'd have to say Parun really isn't the commander I thought he was. Obviously the best if you don't run that.
Holy smokes I just realised something rather important - there is no "may" with the Parun! Was everyone aware of this? If you're running an infinite combo per card you are obligated to keep drawing with Parun, whereas Firemind gives you a "may". In 1v1 it's unlikely to be an issue but any other version of commander... I'd have to say Parun really isn't the commander I thought he was. Obviously the best if you don't run that.
He can target creatures as well so you can end curiosity loops by targeting creatures or poking him to death with his own ability. Its a lot less concerning due to that.
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I have officially moved to MTGNexus. I just wanted to let people know as my response time to salvation decks being bumped is very hit or miss.
This poll doesn't have Tibor and Lumia on it, and is thus objectively wrong.
In more seriousness, a big problem of Izzet commanders is that they have too much combo/storm potential straight up, and are simply too threatening. Niv Mizzet, the firemind, Niv Mizzet, Parun, and The Locust God are all far too threatening for the casual tables, while being simply too expensive for the competitive ones (though I clearly have less experience on that front). Mizzix fits into this front too, quite capable of fueling combo and storm. Melek is a combo machine. Even Arjun, the shifting flame can be quite threatening with the constant hand refreshing. Even new Jhoira draws obscene amounts of cards in short order, and can be downright terrifying.
He can target creatures as well so you can end curiosity loops by targeting creatures or poking him to death with his own ability. Its a lot less concerning due to that.
Woah. True that. Wouldn't even need to poke himself to death, just do 1 and curiosity is over. I did not think of that.
This poll doesn't have Tibor and Lumia on it, and is thus objectively wrong.
I have a lot of regrets with the way I made this poll, but I think to do another one would be spam. Anyway its all in good fun
In more seriousness, a big problem of Izzet commanders is that they have too much combo/storm potential straight up, and are simply too threatening. Niv Mizzet, the firemind, Niv Mizzet, Parun, and The Locust God are all far too threatening for the casual tables, while being simply too expensive for the competitive ones (though I clearly have less experience on that front). Mizzix fits into this front too, quite capable of fueling combo and storm. Melek is a combo machine. Even Arjun, the shifting flame can be quite threatening with the constant hand refreshing. Even new Jhoira draws obscene amounts of cards in short order, and can be downright terrifying.
Indeed one of the biggest things that I've learnt from this discussion is how much people game multiplayer by having less threatening commanders. That there is such a difference between the formats. I have a single deck, that is very much restricted by budget. It plays multiplayer, 1v1 and archenemy regularly. I think that is why I like Keranos so much. He is good enough to be a threat in 1 v 1, of course no Parun or Locust. Equally, in multiplayer, despite him being a threat he often gets left alone due to not being much of a 'win condition' plus being quite difficult to actually remove. Sort of goes in both worlds. (Incidentially I just love giving those bolts to those 'non threatening commanders' like tibor and jori - and in our playgroup, its mostly tymna and rishkar)
Indeed one of the biggest things that I've learnt from this discussion is how much people game multiplayer by having less threatening commanders.
Is this really gaming multiplayer though? A big part of the game is threat assessment. Thus, having a high threat means getting targeted first. This changes the valuation of cards, and is just another variable of awareness and threat assessment you must make.
People like to talk about 'politics' and 'threat assessment' and how poor people are at it, but really, it's a comprehensive whole. Just because objectively a Mirari's Wake is a more threatening card than a Treasure Trove, if the player with 20 lands has the trove, and the player with the wake only has 3 lands and a sol ring... The trove is a higher threat. Same thing with Commanders and Commander selection. Sure, some people like to hide a more powerful deck behind a weaker Commander - whether for the surprise, or simply because they want to try to make a more fun Commander work - but it's up to you to pay attention to what they're doing and re-evaluate accordingly. The truth is, if someone picks a less strong commander, they ARE forgoing certain advantages and options as compensation, and some of these more powerful commanders remain a threat, even in a non-optimized list.
Here are my thoughts - please vote below. "Best" can mean "most powerful" or "most fun" up to you, but please tell me what you think.
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
The original and the easiest to pull off the curiosity/ophidian eye combo. A lot of fun even outside that, but still, Parun is so similiar and seems to be better in so many ways. The only real advantage it has is 2 colourless is in the price, plus I guess that ability to tap to draw a card can be useful in certain situations.
Niv-Mizzet, Parun
The latest version of Niv, hard to argue against it being the best. Of course you want your commander to stick around, so the inability to counter him is useful, of course from there he is just a normal creature. Has Fireminds best ability (yes you get the curiosity combo you pretend to hate) and a huge ability that restricts your opponent wanting to cast instant or sorcery. Sort of screams "kill me now" in any multiplayer, but don't most commanders? Compared to the others, drawback is the RRRUUU cost. Plus a 5/5 flyer, let's not forget that one.
Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius
I am a big fan of this card. Works the most different the others, and no curiositycombo. However the huge advantage here is the ability to use RU to do a damage, and if you hit an opponent, draw a card. Aside from the obvious, it is great when you are rocking counterspells. You never know if you want to tap in your turn, or save some mana for a possible counter. Well now you can save and worse case scenario, do dome damage and draw in your end step. The best at controlling the board. Furthermore, you can put in more lands in your deck than you might want. Who cares? Too many lands can't really happen, just get your commander out and draw some more. Downside is lack of any sort of protection.
Keranos, God of Storms
Tactically, Keranos works quite similarly to the Nivs. I have just started using him and have really loved the results. 5CMC is a bit cheaper. You are either lightning bolting or drawing each turn. Plus he is indestructible, which is how you want your commander. I played 3 games on the weekend and he dodged 5 boardwipes, either destroying all creatures or exiling creatures when he wasn't one (one where I smoked one my guys to lose the devotion). Anyway - downside is lack of flying or trample, or even 'haste' given his fun power won't kick in until your draw. Of course won't be a creature a lot, but overall it doesn't bother me as much as I thought. So awesome in so many ways but he comes with a big drawback: you have to reveal your cards, which isn't ideal for a counter deck.
The Locust God
Doesn't work the same as the others, but since I added Keranos I thought I'd add him. Okay I will get this out of my system: the most fun, thematically amazing card ever! Creating loads of bugs, the way he bounces back to your hand (not as useful in commander but can still save you mana in the recast) it's just so fun and so original too - locusts! Thematically I just love him, even the artwork is awesome.* However... as a commander he doesn't control the boardstate the same way the others do. No draw or damage is built in. (Okay sort of draw, at 4cmc to draw and discard.) At 6cmc too... I just really think he is too expensive for what he is. He could be 5cmc and I don't think anyone would have blinked. Just my opinion, I just love this card but think he probably is the weakest of the lot. I was just on edhrec and was surprised to find him so popular? Maybe my issue is playing him like the others instead of his own unique self. But I would argue doesn't play to izzets strengths. I'd love to hear from you if you're a devotee.
* Hour of Devastation, not Amonkhet Invocations
But my favorite is the Guildpact Niv-Mizzet. The new Niv-Mizzet draws a bit too much negativity and The Locust God draws way too much attention to itself.
She also produces a LOT of value over the course of a game without drawing attention to herself.
If i had to choose, i'd take Niv-Mizzet, Parun for it's sheer power.
Modern: WUBRG Humans - GBW Traverse - GWU Knightfall - GRW Bushwhacker Zoo -
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[Modern] Allies
I think though a lot depends on the format you play. Multiplayer, 'drawing hate' is a real problem. Something like Jori has an advantage over Parun. But in 1v1 or team games, that matters a lot less. Kudos Shadow for picking the Firemind though, I didn't think he'd get any votes.
edit: Also, it's worth keeping in mind that a counter/damage/draw deck like Izzet will naturally hide itself fairly well in multiplayer. It doesn't really suit the format as you can't control the entire boardstate, meanwhile your mates are ramping and comboing, you are not much more than a pest.
I admit my collection of options is a bit random. It was going to be just a poll for the Niv's, but Keranos plays so similar that I thought he belonged there. Then i might as well put the locus. And in fairness Jori plays similar too, but I also sort of feel like EDH commanders should be "tanks". I know that's silly, but with all the instant damage in my deck, I do delight in removing those with a toughness of 3 or less from a multiplayer game for little reason. The players are always so surprised...
Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest WUR Voltron Control
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun WU Unblockable Mirror Trickery
Ra's al Ghul (Sidar Kondo) and Face-Down Ninjas
Brudiclad, Token Engineer
Vaevictis (VV2) the Dire Lantern
Rona, Disciple of Gix
Tiana the Auror
Hallar
Ulrich the Politician
Zur the Rebel
Scorpion, Locust, Scarab, Egyptian Gods
O-Kagachi, Mathas, Mairsil
"Non-Tribal" Tribal Generals, Eggs
In the end, I decided that making the transition to Niv-Mizzet, the Parun as the Commander and moving Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind to the 99 makes the most sense. This has forced me to clean up some of the mana and move towards running more colored sources (specifically, getting rid of Mikokoro, Center of the Sea, Desolate Lighthouse, Blighted Cataract, and Temple of the False God for another Fetchland and 3 more basics, and switching up my artifact mana to include Commander's Sphere, Chromatic Lantern, and Izzet Locket in lieu of Grim Monolith, Mana Vault, and Voltaic Key).
I think that if you have the mana base to support it, Niv-Mizzet, the Parun is the way to go. It is definitely the most powerful of the options for decks that want to take advantage of drawing tons of cards and doling out damage for something that you typically want to do anyway.
Jalira, Master Polymorphist | Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder | Bosh, Iron Golem | Ezuri, Renegade Leader
Brago, King Eternal | Oona, Queen of the Fae | Wort, Boggart Auntie | Wort, the Raidmother
Captain Sisay | Rhys, the Redeemed | Trostani, Selesnya's Voice | Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight | Obzedat, Ghost Council | Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind | Vorel of the Hull Clade
Uril, the Miststalker | Prossh, Skyraider of Kher | Nicol Bolas | Progenitus
Ghave, Guru of Spores | Zedruu the Greathearted | Damia, Sage of Stone | Riku of Two Reflections
Great feedback from both of you it has really made me realise how flawed my initial groupings were. I said that "it's about doing damage and drawing cards" and "Jori En [is] slightly different than the classic izzet".
I realise now that these can be grouped in two categoies.
- Firemind, Parun and Locust reward you for your draw. Let's call them "draw commanders".
- Whereas Dracogenius and Keranos aid you in board control. Their draw is just a slight bonus. I'll call them "control commanders".
(Jori En is neither really, she rewards you for casting a lot in a single turn)
"Draw commanders" are going to see more cantrips and cards specific to them that will work there but perhaps not great outside of them, like invoke the firemind. "Control commanders" are going to see more counterspells, direct damage, and maybe some pingers to keep your presence. I would suggest that Keranos and Dracogenius could be interchangable in the same deck. Firemind and Parun could too - Locust would slot okay into their decks, but as mentioned, because he generates creatures, things like Skullclamp and purphoros are great for him but wouldn't go with the others.
In other words, I wish I had of redone that poll in order to reflect this. It was a mistake of me to think of classic izzet as "damage and drawing cards" whereas they clearly can be split from each other.
I agree with you evaluation, those catagories are spot on. From play experience i'd like to add that Jori En encourages you to cast exactly two spells, and do that every turn. This is a value engine that only fuels herself as long as you have mana to keep doing it. Thus her typical curve is very low. Her payoffs however, come in the form of the cards you allready mentioned. Both Niv's and the Locust God alongside the typical "damage" and "lifeloss" cards for casting instants/sorceries or drawing cards.
For more ideas, have a look at the Topic by ISBPathfinder, you can read my experiences on swapping Niv-Mizzet, Parun in favor for Jori En, ruin Diver and how i've never looked back
Modern: WUBRG Humans - GBW Traverse - GWU Knightfall - GRW Bushwhacker Zoo -
When I got Niv-Mizzet, Parun promo from the prerelease I decided to put it in my deck, and later it ended with adding the other two dragons to it. Some of the reasons is that I had curiosity in the deck (Keranos can ping opponents too), that is a combo with Niv-Mizzet, and the Niv-mizeets fits in the drawing theme in the deck.
BGU Sidisi, Brood Tyrant - Lurking Zombies.
GBG Sapling of Colfenor - Forest Growth and Destruction.
RWU Zedruu the Greathearted - Blinking and trading.
GWB Teneb the Harvester - Enchantments, you lose life I gain life.
RRR Neheb the Eternal - Ping people for mana burn.
I haven't played Jori and only after this thread have been realising the power of her. That being said, I do like my commanders as 'tanks' as I feel like 'that's the format' but I can see how that is just my opinion. Certainly in multiplayer, I can see how Jori would be the better commander. I would actually says she is closer to the 'control commanders' since you don't get a reward for a draw, plus, you already have a decent draw engine. Your deck would be full of red damage and blue counter rather than cantrips and draw.
50 land? I find this very interesting. Each draw you get with Keranos is a lightning bolt you didn't get. So I cannot see any reason not to stick to a normal mana curve. Certainly you could be the on the generous side of it, but, 50? Could you expand your thinking? Is it just because repeated lightning bolts attract attention in multiplayer, or is there a reason I cannot see?
My Keranos deck is full of pingers, so definitely curiosity and of course artifacts that give deathtouch. I don't like giving curiosity to Keranos though, as you lose it if devotion goes down. I'd prefer the 3 damage be spend on board control, and have a 1 damage pinger get you your card. I have the Niv's in my deck (sans Parus but it will go in when I get around to it) because they are a lot of fun, not necessarily because I think it's the most powerful thing to do. But it probably is.
He can target creatures as well so you can end curiosity loops by targeting creatures or poking him to death with his own ability. Its a lot less concerning due to that.
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[Modern] Allies
In more seriousness, a big problem of Izzet commanders is that they have too much combo/storm potential straight up, and are simply too threatening. Niv Mizzet, the firemind, Niv Mizzet, Parun, and The Locust God are all far too threatening for the casual tables, while being simply too expensive for the competitive ones (though I clearly have less experience on that front). Mizzix fits into this front too, quite capable of fueling combo and storm. Melek is a combo machine. Even Arjun, the shifting flame can be quite threatening with the constant hand refreshing. Even new Jhoira draws obscene amounts of cards in short order, and can be downright terrifying.
Keranos, God of Storms and Jori-En, Ruin Diver seem more laid back in that regard.
Retired EDH - Tibor and Lumia | [PR]Nemata |Ramirez dePietro | [C]Edric | Riku | Jenara | Lazav | Heliod | Daxos | Roon | Kozilek
Woah. True that. Wouldn't even need to poke himself to death, just do 1 and curiosity is over. I did not think of that.
I have a lot of regrets with the way I made this poll, but I think to do another one would be spam. Anyway its all in good fun
Indeed one of the biggest things that I've learnt from this discussion is how much people game multiplayer by having less threatening commanders. That there is such a difference between the formats. I have a single deck, that is very much restricted by budget. It plays multiplayer, 1v1 and archenemy regularly. I think that is why I like Keranos so much. He is good enough to be a threat in 1 v 1, of course no Parun or Locust. Equally, in multiplayer, despite him being a threat he often gets left alone due to not being much of a 'win condition' plus being quite difficult to actually remove. Sort of goes in both worlds. (Incidentially I just love giving those bolts to those 'non threatening commanders' like tibor and jori - and in our playgroup, its mostly tymna and rishkar)
People like to talk about 'politics' and 'threat assessment' and how poor people are at it, but really, it's a comprehensive whole. Just because objectively a Mirari's Wake is a more threatening card than a Treasure Trove, if the player with 20 lands has the trove, and the player with the wake only has 3 lands and a sol ring... The trove is a higher threat. Same thing with Commanders and Commander selection. Sure, some people like to hide a more powerful deck behind a weaker Commander - whether for the surprise, or simply because they want to try to make a more fun Commander work - but it's up to you to pay attention to what they're doing and re-evaluate accordingly. The truth is, if someone picks a less strong commander, they ARE forgoing certain advantages and options as compensation, and some of these more powerful commanders remain a threat, even in a non-optimized list.
That's all part of the game.
Retired EDH - Tibor and Lumia | [PR]Nemata |Ramirez dePietro | [C]Edric | Riku | Jenara | Lazav | Heliod | Daxos | Roon | Kozilek