EDIT: And Torchling, apparently if you respond with Feather's trigger, you can target Torchling with any spell then redirect the target to another creature, but still manage to buy it back with Feather.
Using Experimental Frenzy would require careful deckbuilding because you won't be able to include so many cantrips since Frenzy won't let you use the cards that you draw since you can't play cards from your hand.. In fact, when you get back the spells from Feather's ability, they go back to your hand, and Frenzy would stop you from using them again.
That Torchling idea is really cool! A bit mana-intensive but it's certainly stylish. I'd rather use Torchling than Grip of Chaos since it isn't random.
Using Experimental Frenzy would require careful deckbuilding because you won't be able to include so many cantrips since Frenzy won't let you use the cards that you draw since you can't play cards from your hand.. In fact, when you get back the spells from Feather's ability, they go back to your hand, and Frenzy would stop you from using them again.
That Torchling idea is really cool! A bit mana-intensive but it's certainly stylish. I'd rather use Torchling than Grip of Chaos since it isn't random.
Yes, Experimental Frenzy would be a gamble, though also allow explosive game play since you could scry/draw rapidly to get through your deck.
I playtested my version today, and the surprise winner was actually Soul's Fire. With Mirrorwing Dragon in play, I used Twinflame to copy my entire board (with some token establishment), double the number of my creatures, then Soul's Fire to have my entire board deal direct damage at any target. Since Soul's Fire is an instant, I was able to do it again on my opponent's turn with half the creatures.
I playtested my version today, and the surprise winner was actually Soul's Fire. With Mirrorwing Dragon in play, I used Twinflame to copy my entire board (with some token establishment), double the number of my creatures, then Soul's Fire to have my entire board deal direct damage at any target. Since Soul's Fire is an instant, I was able to do it again on my opponent's turn with half the creatures.
I'm pretty sure that doesn't work. Soul's Fire has two targets, your creature and the damage sponge.
I'm pretty sure that doesn't work. Soul's Fire has two targets, your creature and the damage sponge.
Well, it "works" insofar as you CAN copy soul's fire with mirrorwing, but you can only do it if both targets are mirrorwing dragon. In which case your whole team will punch themselves in the face.
Card advantage is not the same thing as card draw. Something for 2B cannot be strictly worse than something for BBB or 3BB. If you're taking out Swords to Plowshares for Plummet, you're a fool. Stop doing these things!
I'm pretty sure that doesn't work. Soul's Fire has two targets, your creature and the damage sponge.
Well, it "works" insofar as you CAN copy soul's fire with mirrorwing, but you can only do it if both targets are mirrorwing dragon. In which case your whole team will punch themselves in the face.
Which is hilarious, but probably not productive.
Lol, I see the problem here.
All targets on a spell has to target Mirrorwing for it to copy the spell. I presume if I designate Mirrorwing as one of the target for Soul's Fire, the spell would still work, just not copied, yes?
I'm pretty sure that doesn't work. Soul's Fire has two targets, your creature and the damage sponge.
Well, it "works" insofar as you CAN copy soul's fire with mirrorwing, but you can only do it if both targets are mirrorwing dragon. In which case your whole team will punch themselves in the face.
Which is hilarious, but probably not productive.
Lol, I see the problem here.
All targets on a spell has to target Mirrorwing for it to copy the spell. I presume if I designate Mirrorwing as one of the target for Soul's Fire, the spell would still work, just not copied, yes?
Yep. You have to choose between copying the spell and having your team punch themselves in the face, and actually doing something useful with the spell, in which case no copying will happen.
I'm kind of surprised feather doesn't have the same "only targets one creature" stipulation, but I guess it doesn't have the same difficulty of target selection that mirrorwing/zada would have without that clause.
Yep. You have to choose between copying the spell and having your team punch themselves in the face, and actually doing something useful with the spell, in which case no copying will happen.
I'm kind of surprised feather doesn't have the same "only targets one creature" stipulation, but I guess it doesn't have the same difficulty of target selection that mirrorwing/zada would have without that clause.
Sure, but flavor-wise it might make more sense. Shooting your own creature with aurelia's fury is definitely an odd thing to incentivize. I think the "intent" is that you're using pump spells with her.
Plus, at least to my reading of the card, feather will return it just fine if you protect/blink/etc your artifact creature before the spell resolves, just so long as something of your opponents is still alive to get blown up (although if they manage to remove all their targets too, then the spell gets countered and I'm fairly certain feather will fail to return it).
This was suggested in Commander Quarters Divine Reckoning could be useful when you want a field clear with just Feather out so she can just swing for 21 damage. It has Flashback for two castings in the game.
Sure, but flavor-wise it might make more sense. Shooting your own creature with aurelia's fury is definitely an odd thing to incentivize. I think the "intent" is that you're using pump spells with her.
I’m sure Boros is not against some discipline and tough love. Aside from Rakdos, Boros is likely the second candidate for the whole “pain is pleasure” motto.
What do you guys think about a “no-creature” Feather deck? I find it a lot easier to keep her alone alive, allow me to use all the targeted boardwipe with impunity.
Sure, but flavor-wise it might make more sense. Shooting your own creature with aurelia's fury is definitely an odd thing to incentivize. I think the "intent" is that you're using pump spells with her.
I’m sure Boros is not against some discipline and tough love. Aside from Rakdos, Boros is likely the second candidate for the whole “pain is pleasure” motto.
What do you guys think about a “no-creature” Feather deck? I find it a lot easier to keep her alone alive, allow me to use all the targeted boardwipe with impunity.
I don't think it would work well unless you played it like Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest. There are a ton of really good creatures that should just be auto includes, like Sad Robot, Knight of the White Orchard, Sun Titan, and numerous others. That, and I'm really tempted to throw all the white blink spells in the deck. The thought of Knight of the white orchard and Cloudshift is just so tempting.
Also, am I the only one that the more I work on building the deck, the more I think it's really bad? You've got 3 good win cons: Aetherflux Reservoir, Sphinx-bone Wand, and Commander damage. That alone has me really worried the deck is just going to fizzle more often than not, especially in my meta. Sphinx-bone wand is a super slow win condition. Aetherflux Reservoir is a lot better, but still pretty slow and makes you and Feather tremendous targets. Commander damage can pretty easily be the fastest win condition, but as with most voltrons you'll kill one person and then no one will let you do anything.
I don't get why sad bot would be an auto-include. I mean, if you're focusing on a blink build them fine, but for any other build it's just a decent value creature that's been getting increasingly obsolete with each passing year. I think Feather can do better. Ramp is the relevant part, so run efficient ramp, not 4 mana for 1 land. The draw is almost irrelevant in a deck that turns every cantrip into a draw engine.
Same thing for sun titan and knight of the white orchID to be honest. Solid cards, absolutely make the cut for a goodstuff RW deck, but this isn't some middle-of-the-road goodstuff deck. This is a highly-focused deck. The knight might make the cut as a functional 2-cmc rock that provides colored mana, but sun titan seems way too slow. And what are you recurring in this spellslinger build anyway, fetchlands? We don't need some trash-tier wannabe primeval titan. When RW plays goodstuff it gets wrecked because its stuff just isn't as good. But Feather is good. Let go of the goodstuff mentality and embrace the synergy.
(btw if anyone wants to check out my heroic combo build in my sig, I could use some help cutting down the list)
I'm somewhere between the two of you on this one. Feather's far from a bad commander, and it feels very EDH to keep ramming Heal for bonus cardboard. However, I feel the engine is slow enough where you may have trouble reliably fragging an entire pod in a lightning manner. Stuff like Sad Robot has been working quite well in my build, helping scale better into the late game. As for wincons, you're missing Guttersnipe variants (unless the Wand is a category rather than single card) and the crazy swarm you can get off your cast buddies. Especially if you grow said swarm later.
monastery mentor in particular seems like a wincon all on his own. Makes dudes and pumps 'em. Doesn't even need to be targeted.
I see sort of a handful of directions:
pure voltron, focusing on 1-2 cmc buffs and protection, and trying to knock people out of the game ASAP.
heroic/cast synergy, focusing on 1-2 cmc spells with multiple targets and/or draw to get value while casting your spells.
control, focusing on spells that can target enemies and friendlies at the same time to control the board
And the more niche directions:
arcane, focusing on arcane spells
blink, focusing on the blink spells with etb creatures for synergy
burn, mostly focusing on any number of target burn to repeatedly burn people down
And then there's a few cards like mirrorwing, zada, precursor golem, and monastery mentor that sort of provide a wincon on their own, along with stuff like heal that probably merits a spot in any build.
Also, am I the only one that the more I work on building the deck, the more I think it's really bad? You've got 3 good win cons: Aetherflux Reservoir, Sphinx-bone Wand, and Commander damage. That alone has me really worried the deck is just going to fizzle more often than not, especially in my meta. Sphinx-bone wand is a super slow win condition. Aetherflux Reservoir is a lot better, but still pretty slow and makes you and Feather tremendous targets. Commander damage can pretty easily be the fastest win condition, but as with most voltrons you'll kill one person and then no one will let you do anything.
I think Aetherflux Reservoir and Sphinx-bone Wand are not how you'd win with Feather. It's not a storm approach, it's about getting value every end step, and just how much mana you have to spare to get this incremental value.
You're not stringing together lots of spells in a single turn.
I'm from the school of how you win doesn't matter, as long as you gain advantages. If you can out board and draw your opponents, you'll win even if it means 3/4 beats every turn.
I think this is the biggest mistake commander players make, not recognizing games are won off advantages and not reducing opponents life totals.
I think everybody approach so far is valid in it's own way, and a good commander can be built different ways.
Like I don't play voltron, but you can absolutely pressure with commander damage, and it gives you a great way to take out the perceived strongest opponent. I personally not a huge fan of voltron to win entire games, but that doesn't mean it's not a valid way to go, as I say it has the upside of taking out at least one opponent per game.
EDIT: And Torchling, apparently if you respond with Feather's trigger, you can target Torchling with any spell then redirect the target to another creature, but still manage to buy it back with Feather.
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
That Torchling idea is really cool! A bit mana-intensive but it's certainly stylish. I'd rather use Torchling than Grip of Chaos since it isn't random.
Yes, Experimental Frenzy would be a gamble, though also allow explosive game play since you could scry/draw rapidly to get through your deck.
I playtested my version today, and the surprise winner was actually Soul's Fire. With Mirrorwing Dragon in play, I used Twinflame to copy my entire board (with some token establishment), double the number of my creatures, then Soul's Fire to have my entire board deal direct damage at any target. Since Soul's Fire is an instant, I was able to do it again on my opponent's turn with half the creatures.
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
I'm pretty sure that doesn't work. Soul's Fire has two targets, your creature and the damage sponge.
Which is hilarious, but probably not productive.
EDH Primers
Phelddagrif - Zirilan
EDH
Thrasios+Bruse - Pang - Sasaya - Wydwen - Feather - Rona - Toshiro - Sylvia+Khorvath - Geth - QMarchesa - Firesong - Athreos - Arixmethes - Isperia - Etali - Silas+Sidar - Saskia - Virtus+Gorm - Kynaios - Naban - Aryel - Mizzix - Kazuul - Tymna+Kraum - Sidar+Tymna - Ayli - Gwendlyn - Phelddagrif 4 - Liliana - Kaervek - Phelddagrif 3 - Mairsil - Scarab - Child - Phenax - Shirei - Thada - Depala - Circu - Kytheon - GrenzoHR - Phelddagrif - Reyhan+Kraum - Toshiro - Varolz - Nin - Ojutai - Tasigur - Zedruu - Uril - Edric - Wort - Zurgo - Nahiri - Grenzo - Kozilek - Yisan - Ink-Treader - Yisan - Brago - Sidisi - Toshiro - Alexi - Sygg - Brimaz - Sek'Kuar - Marchesa - Vish Kal - Iroas - Phelddagrif - Ephara - Derevi - Glissa - Wanderer - Saffi - Melek - Xiahou Dun - Lazav - Lin Sivvi - Zirilan - Glissa
PDH - Drake - Graverobber - Izzet GM - Tallowisp - Symbiote Brawl - Feather - Ugin - Jace - Scarab - Angrath - Vraska - Kumena Oathbreaker - Wrenn&6
On phasing:
Lol, I see the problem here.
All targets on a spell has to target Mirrorwing for it to copy the spell. I presume if I designate Mirrorwing as one of the target for Soul's Fire, the spell would still work, just not copied, yes?
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
Lightning Storm is similar, but it's going to be hard to reselect the target, as in multiplayer you'll get a lot of reelecting.
Harnessed Lightning gives you E energy.
Niv-Mizzet Reborn
Feather, the Redeemed
Estrid, the Masked
Teshar
Tymna/Ravos
Najeela, Blade-Blossom
Firesong & Sunspeaker
Zur the Enchanter
Lazav, the Multifarious
Ishai+Reyhan
Click images for decks->
-Prime Speaker Vannifar
---------------------Will & Rowan Kenrith
It's curious, I saw an Feather energy deck only yesterday. I wonder how it performs without green though.
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
I'm kind of surprised feather doesn't have the same "only targets one creature" stipulation, but I guess it doesn't have the same difficulty of target selection that mirrorwing/zada would have without that clause.
EDH Primers
Phelddagrif - Zirilan
EDH
Thrasios+Bruse - Pang - Sasaya - Wydwen - Feather - Rona - Toshiro - Sylvia+Khorvath - Geth - QMarchesa - Firesong - Athreos - Arixmethes - Isperia - Etali - Silas+Sidar - Saskia - Virtus+Gorm - Kynaios - Naban - Aryel - Mizzix - Kazuul - Tymna+Kraum - Sidar+Tymna - Ayli - Gwendlyn - Phelddagrif 4 - Liliana - Kaervek - Phelddagrif 3 - Mairsil - Scarab - Child - Phenax - Shirei - Thada - Depala - Circu - Kytheon - GrenzoHR - Phelddagrif - Reyhan+Kraum - Toshiro - Varolz - Nin - Ojutai - Tasigur - Zedruu - Uril - Edric - Wort - Zurgo - Nahiri - Grenzo - Kozilek - Yisan - Ink-Treader - Yisan - Brago - Sidisi - Toshiro - Alexi - Sygg - Brimaz - Sek'Kuar - Marchesa - Vish Kal - Iroas - Phelddagrif - Ephara - Derevi - Glissa - Wanderer - Saffi - Melek - Xiahou Dun - Lazav - Lin Sivvi - Zirilan - Glissa
PDH - Drake - Graverobber - Izzet GM - Tallowisp - Symbiote Brawl - Feather - Ugin - Jace - Scarab - Angrath - Vraska - Kumena Oathbreaker - Wrenn&6
And that'd also render Aurelia's Fury and Soul's Fire style cards unrepeatable with her.
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
It's nice, though only work with spells casted during your turn. I personally try to keep instant spells for when I need it.
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
Aye, it's on the list. I will add Sentinel Tower to it as well.
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
EDH Primers
Phelddagrif - Zirilan
EDH
Thrasios+Bruse - Pang - Sasaya - Wydwen - Feather - Rona - Toshiro - Sylvia+Khorvath - Geth - QMarchesa - Firesong - Athreos - Arixmethes - Isperia - Etali - Silas+Sidar - Saskia - Virtus+Gorm - Kynaios - Naban - Aryel - Mizzix - Kazuul - Tymna+Kraum - Sidar+Tymna - Ayli - Gwendlyn - Phelddagrif 4 - Liliana - Kaervek - Phelddagrif 3 - Mairsil - Scarab - Child - Phenax - Shirei - Thada - Depala - Circu - Kytheon - GrenzoHR - Phelddagrif - Reyhan+Kraum - Toshiro - Varolz - Nin - Ojutai - Tasigur - Zedruu - Uril - Edric - Wort - Zurgo - Nahiri - Grenzo - Kozilek - Yisan - Ink-Treader - Yisan - Brago - Sidisi - Toshiro - Alexi - Sygg - Brimaz - Sek'Kuar - Marchesa - Vish Kal - Iroas - Phelddagrif - Ephara - Derevi - Glissa - Wanderer - Saffi - Melek - Xiahou Dun - Lazav - Lin Sivvi - Zirilan - Glissa
PDH - Drake - Graverobber - Izzet GM - Tallowisp - Symbiote Brawl - Feather - Ugin - Jace - Scarab - Angrath - Vraska - Kumena Oathbreaker - Wrenn&6
Plus, at least to my reading of the card, feather will return it just fine if you protect/blink/etc your artifact creature before the spell resolves, just so long as something of your opponents is still alive to get blown up (although if they manage to remove all their targets too, then the spell gets countered and I'm fairly certain feather will fail to return it).
EDH Primers
Phelddagrif - Zirilan
EDH
Thrasios+Bruse - Pang - Sasaya - Wydwen - Feather - Rona - Toshiro - Sylvia+Khorvath - Geth - QMarchesa - Firesong - Athreos - Arixmethes - Isperia - Etali - Silas+Sidar - Saskia - Virtus+Gorm - Kynaios - Naban - Aryel - Mizzix - Kazuul - Tymna+Kraum - Sidar+Tymna - Ayli - Gwendlyn - Phelddagrif 4 - Liliana - Kaervek - Phelddagrif 3 - Mairsil - Scarab - Child - Phenax - Shirei - Thada - Depala - Circu - Kytheon - GrenzoHR - Phelddagrif - Reyhan+Kraum - Toshiro - Varolz - Nin - Ojutai - Tasigur - Zedruu - Uril - Edric - Wort - Zurgo - Nahiri - Grenzo - Kozilek - Yisan - Ink-Treader - Yisan - Brago - Sidisi - Toshiro - Alexi - Sygg - Brimaz - Sek'Kuar - Marchesa - Vish Kal - Iroas - Phelddagrif - Ephara - Derevi - Glissa - Wanderer - Saffi - Melek - Xiahou Dun - Lazav - Lin Sivvi - Zirilan - Glissa
PDH - Drake - Graverobber - Izzet GM - Tallowisp - Symbiote Brawl - Feather - Ugin - Jace - Scarab - Angrath - Vraska - Kumena Oathbreaker - Wrenn&6
I’m sure Boros is not against some discipline and tough love. Aside from Rakdos, Boros is likely the second candidate for the whole “pain is pleasure” motto.
What do you guys think about a “no-creature” Feather deck? I find it a lot easier to keep her alone alive, allow me to use all the targeted boardwipe with impunity.
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
I don't think it would work well unless you played it like Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest. There are a ton of really good creatures that should just be auto includes, like Sad Robot, Knight of the White Orchard, Sun Titan, and numerous others. That, and I'm really tempted to throw all the white blink spells in the deck. The thought of Knight of the white orchard and Cloudshift is just so tempting.
Also, am I the only one that the more I work on building the deck, the more I think it's really bad? You've got 3 good win cons: Aetherflux Reservoir, Sphinx-bone Wand, and Commander damage. That alone has me really worried the deck is just going to fizzle more often than not, especially in my meta. Sphinx-bone wand is a super slow win condition. Aetherflux Reservoir is a lot better, but still pretty slow and makes you and Feather tremendous targets. Commander damage can pretty easily be the fastest win condition, but as with most voltrons you'll kill one person and then no one will let you do anything.
WBG Karador, Ghost Chieftain
B Toshiro Umezawa
BG Pharika, God of Affliction - Necromancy and Politics
WWW The Church of Heliod
WBR Zurgo, Helmsmasher
RG Wort, the Raidmother
UBR Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge
UG Vorel of the Hull Clade
Same thing for sun titan and knight of the white orchID to be honest. Solid cards, absolutely make the cut for a goodstuff RW deck, but this isn't some middle-of-the-road goodstuff deck. This is a highly-focused deck. The knight might make the cut as a functional 2-cmc rock that provides colored mana, but sun titan seems way too slow. And what are you recurring in this spellslinger build anyway, fetchlands? We don't need some trash-tier wannabe primeval titan. When RW plays goodstuff it gets wrecked because its stuff just isn't as good. But Feather is good. Let go of the goodstuff mentality and embrace the synergy.
(btw if anyone wants to check out my heroic combo build in my sig, I could use some help cutting down the list)
EDH Primers
Phelddagrif - Zirilan
EDH
Thrasios+Bruse - Pang - Sasaya - Wydwen - Feather - Rona - Toshiro - Sylvia+Khorvath - Geth - QMarchesa - Firesong - Athreos - Arixmethes - Isperia - Etali - Silas+Sidar - Saskia - Virtus+Gorm - Kynaios - Naban - Aryel - Mizzix - Kazuul - Tymna+Kraum - Sidar+Tymna - Ayli - Gwendlyn - Phelddagrif 4 - Liliana - Kaervek - Phelddagrif 3 - Mairsil - Scarab - Child - Phenax - Shirei - Thada - Depala - Circu - Kytheon - GrenzoHR - Phelddagrif - Reyhan+Kraum - Toshiro - Varolz - Nin - Ojutai - Tasigur - Zedruu - Uril - Edric - Wort - Zurgo - Nahiri - Grenzo - Kozilek - Yisan - Ink-Treader - Yisan - Brago - Sidisi - Toshiro - Alexi - Sygg - Brimaz - Sek'Kuar - Marchesa - Vish Kal - Iroas - Phelddagrif - Ephara - Derevi - Glissa - Wanderer - Saffi - Melek - Xiahou Dun - Lazav - Lin Sivvi - Zirilan - Glissa
PDH - Drake - Graverobber - Izzet GM - Tallowisp - Symbiote Brawl - Feather - Ugin - Jace - Scarab - Angrath - Vraska - Kumena Oathbreaker - Wrenn&6
I see sort of a handful of directions:
pure voltron, focusing on 1-2 cmc buffs and protection, and trying to knock people out of the game ASAP.
heroic/cast synergy, focusing on 1-2 cmc spells with multiple targets and/or draw to get value while casting your spells.
control, focusing on spells that can target enemies and friendlies at the same time to control the board
And the more niche directions:
arcane, focusing on arcane spells
blink, focusing on the blink spells with etb creatures for synergy
burn, mostly focusing on any number of target burn to repeatedly burn people down
And then there's a few cards like mirrorwing, zada, precursor golem, and monastery mentor that sort of provide a wincon on their own, along with stuff like heal that probably merits a spot in any build.
EDH Primers
Phelddagrif - Zirilan
EDH
Thrasios+Bruse - Pang - Sasaya - Wydwen - Feather - Rona - Toshiro - Sylvia+Khorvath - Geth - QMarchesa - Firesong - Athreos - Arixmethes - Isperia - Etali - Silas+Sidar - Saskia - Virtus+Gorm - Kynaios - Naban - Aryel - Mizzix - Kazuul - Tymna+Kraum - Sidar+Tymna - Ayli - Gwendlyn - Phelddagrif 4 - Liliana - Kaervek - Phelddagrif 3 - Mairsil - Scarab - Child - Phenax - Shirei - Thada - Depala - Circu - Kytheon - GrenzoHR - Phelddagrif - Reyhan+Kraum - Toshiro - Varolz - Nin - Ojutai - Tasigur - Zedruu - Uril - Edric - Wort - Zurgo - Nahiri - Grenzo - Kozilek - Yisan - Ink-Treader - Yisan - Brago - Sidisi - Toshiro - Alexi - Sygg - Brimaz - Sek'Kuar - Marchesa - Vish Kal - Iroas - Phelddagrif - Ephara - Derevi - Glissa - Wanderer - Saffi - Melek - Xiahou Dun - Lazav - Lin Sivvi - Zirilan - Glissa
PDH - Drake - Graverobber - Izzet GM - Tallowisp - Symbiote Brawl - Feather - Ugin - Jace - Scarab - Angrath - Vraska - Kumena Oathbreaker - Wrenn&6
You're not stringing together lots of spells in a single turn.
I'm from the school of how you win doesn't matter, as long as you gain advantages. If you can out board and draw your opponents, you'll win even if it means 3/4 beats every turn.
I think this is the biggest mistake commander players make, not recognizing games are won off advantages and not reducing opponents life totals.
I think everybody approach so far is valid in it's own way, and a good commander can be built different ways.
Like I don't play voltron, but you can absolutely pressure with commander damage, and it gives you a great way to take out the perceived strongest opponent. I personally not a huge fan of voltron to win entire games, but that doesn't mean it's not a valid way to go, as I say it has the upside of taking out at least one opponent per game.
Niv-Mizzet Reborn
Feather, the Redeemed
Estrid, the Masked
Teshar
Tymna/Ravos
Najeela, Blade-Blossom
Firesong & Sunspeaker
Zur the Enchanter
Lazav, the Multifarious
Ishai+Reyhan
Click images for decks->
-Prime Speaker Vannifar
---------------------Will & Rowan Kenrith