See title. There are favorite leaders, then there are favorite second-in-command, even third-in-command. Which legends do you find to be your favored subordinate in deck making?
Grenzo, Havoc Raiser - My go to 2nd/3rd in command when I build any creature deck involving red. I just love the versatility it grants (beyond goblins), allowing red decks to manipulate battlefield and cover its behind with cards of other colors. I use him in all my red, Boros, and Jeskai decks with token generation. The same could be said about The Locust God in any deck with U/R, needless to say the two work wonderfully together.
Haakon, Stromgald Scourge - 2nd-in-command for my Varina deck, to be a zombie, a sac target, and casting Knight/Tribal spells from graveyard (often came from Varina's discard). God-Eternal Oketra and The Scarab God are also powerful allies but they're usually not my tutor target since Haakon can do more control with your own graveyard.
Ephara, God of the Polis - I enjoy creature-based strategies (as you might've noticed) so her ability to bring longevity to war is a treasure.
God-Eternal Kefnet - Leader worthy, but also easily abusable in command zone, so I prefer using him as a 99 in spell focused decks.
The tutoring commanders in your 99 are often overlooked. The thing is that you only need to activate them a couple of times to get value. People think that unless you specifically have millions of cards they can target, they are not good. Captain Sisay..ba.ba.broken. Zur the Enchanter is often not thought about as part of your 99 if you didn't end up playing him as your general. Remember you don't actually need that many targets.
I guess Xantcha, Sleeper Agentin Nekusar. I added her quite recently and she has done so much damage and impact on the game the few times she resolved. She does what I want her to do. Take some focus off of me, gets the game going and she can be a 1 for X. One game she did like 30 damage. And she isn't my wincon or anything, she's one in the 99.
Honestly, I picked my commanders because no one else can do what they can do. I do build in redundancy if I can but is often hard to find in a single card.
Venser, Shaper Savant - Great for lots of blue decks. Not only can it bounce any permanent of yours or an opponent's, it can also stop spells even if they say 'uncounterable'. Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma - Good for any green deck running big creatures. Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker - Good in many decks that contain red and etb creatures. Braids, Conjurer Adept - Show and Tell on a stick. I think it can fit in well in most chaos or theft-focused decks.
Others that are more niche that I use in the 99 of my decks that may not have places in most other decks: Surrak Dragonclaw - Decent sized body, makes my creatures uncounterable and serves as one of several trample enablers for my Maelstrom Wanderer deck. Seizan, Perverter of Truth - Helps out my Nekusar deck. Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind - Along with Curiosity and Psychosis Crawler, it is an alternate win-condition of sorts. I can also combine it with Notion Thief if I don't want to kill my opponents with their own cards, though doing so is very situational and I'd only do it if I'm not hurting myself with my own Spiteful Visions.
Krav, the Unredeemed is definitely Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder's VIP. My deck largely consists of three broad spheres of need: card draw, mana production and life gain, in service of my overarching need for sac outlets.
Multani, Yavimaya’s Avatar in my Nissa build. They do different things but he’s such a tank he either dominates or gives me space to get things together.
Thalia, Heretic Cathar in Bruna. Sounds weird because I run a few angels, but she helps put me ahead of the curve and keep me there.
Jin-Gitaxias, Core augur in Dralnu. Often Jin is the lockout I’m after to give me the space to win.
Meren of Clan Nel Toth in Glissa. She does different things, but close enough to Glissa to keep the wheels on.
Damia, Sage of Stone in Ur-Dragon. When you run out of dragons she gives you more.
Thada Adel, acquisitor in Lazav. She’s just strong. She nets you mana and/or controls your opponents tempo.
Varina doesn’t really have a lieutenant per se. Ghoulcaller Gisa is in there but I haven’t playtested it enough to know if she’s reliable enough to be 2IC. God-Eternal Oketra is in there too, but again, early days. Realistically, the true MVP of Varina's deck is Tombstone Stairwell - that card is bonkers.
Huh? You answered correctly in your first reply. The topic is talking about LEGENDS who could be your second-in-command/secret commander. Your current reply is actually the one that's a little off.
Shirei, Shizo's Caretakerin my Meren deck. Shirei used to be my commander until Meren was printed and the black half of the deck was all in Shirei. It just made sense to involve a second color since black has certain.... deficiencies.
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Current EDH Generals: WAvacyn, Angel of Hope|UAzami, Lady of Scrolls|B| Ob Nixilis, the Fallen|R Daretti, Scrap Savant|GEzuri, Renegade Leader|WUBrago, King Eternal|UBGrimgrin, Corpse-born|BR Wort, Boggart Auntie|RGUlasht, the Hate Seed|GW Captain Sisay|WBGhost Council of Orzhova|BGGlissa, the Traitor|GUExperiment Kraj|URMelek, Izzet Paragon RWJor Kadeen, the Prevailer|WBRKaalia of the Vast|GWBGhave, Guru of Spores|UBRMarchesa, the Black Rose
Retired WDarien, King of Kjeldor|RJaya Ballard, Task Mage|RNorin the Wary|GBMomir Vig, Simic Visionary|WUBRGSliver Overlord
Grenzo, Havoc Raiser - My go to 2nd/3rd in command when I build any creature deck involving red. I just love the versatility it grants (beyond goblins), allowing red decks to manipulate battlefield and cover its behind with cards of other colors. I use him in all my red, Boros, and Jeskai decks with token generation. The same could be said about The Locust God in any deck with U/R, needless to say the two work wonderfully together.
Haakon, Stromgald Scourge - 2nd-in-command for my Varina deck, to be a zombie, a sac target, and casting Knight/Tribal spells from graveyard (often came from Varina's discard). God-Eternal Oketra and The Scarab God are also powerful allies but they're usually not my tutor target since Haakon can do more control with your own graveyard.
Ephara, God of the Polis - I enjoy creature-based strategies (as you might've noticed) so her ability to bring longevity to war is a treasure.
God-Eternal Kefnet - Leader worthy, but also easily abusable in command zone, so I prefer using him as a 99 in spell focused decks.
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
Captain Sisay..ba.ba.broken.
Zur the Enchanter is often not thought about as part of your 99 if you didn't end up playing him as your general. Remember you don't actually need that many targets.
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
EDIT: Otherwise, Sakashima the Impostor that copies Nekusar is pretty darn good!
Who needs Colours?
My most played EDH deck:
X Kozilek, the Great Distortion
UBR Nekusar, the Mindrazer
8.RG Green Devotion Ramp/Combo 9.UR Draw Triggers 10.WUR Group stalling 11.WUR Voltron Spellslinger 12.WB Sacrificial Shenanigans
13.BR Creatureless Panharmonicon 14.BR Pingers and Eldrazi 15.URG Untapped Cascading
16.Reyhan, last of the Abzan's WUBG +1/+1 Counter Craziness 17.WUBRG Dragons aka Why did I make this?
Building: The Gitrog Monster lands, Glissa the Traitor stax, Muldrotha, the Gravetide Planeswalker Combo, Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix + Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa Clues, and Tribal Scarecrow Planeswalkers
If Thraximundar gets too expensive, Gisa and Geralf have a great deal of fun taking over in the interim. If I need a rush job, Sedris, the Traitor King is another fun one.
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
Currently Playing:
Multiplayer EDH Lists (click italics for a link to the thread!)
[Primer] Lord of Tresserhorn - Don't Tell Me What I Can't Do[Primer] Roon of the Hidden Realm - Rhino Blink
5 Color Tribal Guide (Slivers, Atogs, Allies, Spirits)
Also Playing (most decklists can be found on my profile)
MarathGeistKamahlGrenzoBolasThassaGitrog
PiratesZurVial Smasher&ThrasiosYennettJhoira(cEDH)Strix(Pauper)
Legacy: Maverick
Modern:
Melira PodRIP 1/19/15GWHatebearsJalira, 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
Glissa, the traitor - Meren of Clan Nel Toth
Dragonlord Ojutai - err if anything it's one of the decks many Planeswalkers... I guess Vendilion Clique
Deveri, Empyrial tactician - Kangee, Aerie Keeper They do completely different things and Deveri always costs 4
Zirilan of the claw - lol nope no back up is ramp to 14 mana and just keep recasting him.
Pioneer:UR Pheonix
Modern:U Mono U Tron
EDH
GB Glissa, the traitor: Army of Cans
UW Dragonlord Ojutai: Dragonlord NOjutai
UWGDerevi, Empyrial Tactician "you cannot fight the storm"
R Zirilan of the claw. The solution to every problem is dragons
UB Etrata, the Silencer Cloning assassination
Peasant cube: Cards I own
Mayael the Anima
The Mimeoplasm
Sen Triplets
Unesh, Criosphinx Sovereign
Rafiq of the many
Circu, Dimir Lobotomist
Toshiro Umezawa
Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma - Good for any green deck running big creatures.
Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker - Good in many decks that contain red and etb creatures.
Braids, Conjurer Adept - Show and Tell on a stick. I think it can fit in well in most chaos or theft-focused decks.
Others that are more niche that I use in the 99 of my decks that may not have places in most other decks:
Surrak Dragonclaw - Decent sized body, makes my creatures uncounterable and serves as one of several trample enablers for my Maelstrom Wanderer deck.
Seizan, Perverter of Truth - Helps out my Nekusar deck.
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind - Along with Curiosity and Psychosis Crawler, it is an alternate win-condition of sorts. I can also combine it with Notion Thief if I don't want to kill my opponents with their own cards, though doing so is very situational and I'd only do it if I'm not hurting myself with my own Spiteful Visions.
daretti pw
ravos
actually, lots and lots
Varina doesn’t really have a lieutenant per se. Ghoulcaller Gisa is in there but I haven’t playtested it enough to know if she’s reliable enough to be 2IC. God-Eternal Oketra is in there too, but again, early days. Realistically, the true MVP of Varina's deck is Tombstone Stairwell - that card is bonkers.
I have some in decks I build (slimefoot in ghave,) but not ever deck has that one creature.
That said, spike weaver has been in every green deck i have run (except my dragon deck)
I suppose Doubling Season is an undercover commander for my Marath, Will of the Wild deck.
Currently Playing:
Multiplayer EDH Lists (click italics for a link to the thread!)
[Primer] Lord of Tresserhorn - Don't Tell Me What I Can't Do[Primer] Roon of the Hidden Realm - Rhino Blink
5 Color Tribal Guide (Slivers, Atogs, Allies, Spirits)
Also Playing (most decklists can be found on my profile)
MarathGeistKamahlGrenzoBolasThassaGitrog
PiratesZurVial Smasher&ThrasiosYennettJhoira(cEDH)Strix(Pauper)
Legacy: Maverick
Modern:
Melira PodRIP 1/19/15GWHatebearsHuh? You answered correctly in your first reply. The topic is talking about LEGENDS who could be your second-in-command/secret commander. Your current reply is actually the one that's a little off.
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
W Avacyn, Angel of Hope|U Azami, Lady of Scrolls|B | Ob Nixilis, the Fallen|R Daretti, Scrap Savant|G Ezuri, Renegade Leader|WUBrago, King Eternal|UB Grimgrin, Corpse-born|BR Wort, Boggart Auntie|RG Ulasht, the Hate Seed|GW Captain Sisay|WB Ghost Council of Orzhova|BG Glissa, the Traitor|GU Experiment Kraj|UR Melek, Izzet Paragon
RW Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer|WBR Kaalia of the Vast|GWB Ghave, Guru of Spores|UBR Marchesa, the Black Rose
Retired
WDarien, King of Kjeldor|R Jaya Ballard, Task Mage|R Norin the Wary|GB Momir Vig, Simic Visionary|WUBRG Sliver Overlord
After shirei, shizo's caretaker dies twice, Balthor the Defiled brings him back with friends to kill the table
Damia, Sage of Stone runs 35 1-drop creatures. Honestly, Damia is more of a second-in-command to Gaea's Cradle than actually being the general.
The Ur-Dragon with Unesh, Criosphinx Sovereign makes every changeling cost 3 less and minor fact or fiction.
Chromium doesn't have a second in command. He's above needing assistance. Sharuum the Hegemon, Avacyn, Angel of Hope, Sheoldred, Whispering One and Thada Adel, Acquisitor all wish they're as cool as him but sadly fall short.
The Ur-Dragon (WUBRG) - Changeling Combo Tribal
Chromium (WUB) - Artifact Beats
Progenitus (WUBRG) - Dredge
Damia, Sage of Stone (GBU) - Elf-storm Tendrils
My Cube Unpowered
My Peasant-ish/Tribal-ish Cube
The Unidentified Fantastic Flying Girl.
EDH
Xenagos, the God of Stompy
The Gitrog Monster: Oppressive Value.
Marchesa, Marionette Master - Undying Robots
Yuriko, the Hydra Omnivore
I make dolls as a hobby.