MTG Salvation

With the release of Commander Legends came a flood of new and exciting possibilities. Decks to be brewed, synergies to be discovered. Amongst these new prospects a new collection of partners were unleashed upon the masses, hundred of combinations just waiting to be discovered. While some flourished, many have been left by the wayside, here is where the tale of Halana, Kessig Ranger begins.

The majority of her use would see her placed alongside the very partner she was designed too, Alena, Kessig Trapper. It was a safe choice, an easy choice, a route that was bathed in bloody Gruul goodness. Fun was to be had. But in another life she was destined for a different path, forming a friendship with another to explore a new world of capabilities outside of guiding a stomping rampage.

One that favoured tact, one that saw advantage with stealth, waiting for the opportune time to strike. This path was arguably more suited for a Ranger, opting to assail her opponents when they could muster no counter, vanquished before they could draw their blade or cast their spells.

This path saw her bond formed with a curious man, Silas Renn, Seeker Adept. In this strange reality he too had strayed from his typical path, shifting his focal point from his exploration into Etherium toward what he himself could bring to the table. Sure, at times his Clockworker's heritage would prove to be beneficial, but alongside Halana his lethality increased, he need not hide behind his machinations any longer.

The Ranger and the Seeker, the leaders of the T.o.D, the Touch of Death.


So getting past all the that delicious, delicious flavour, let's look into the gameplay side of things! The deck has a simple core premise, utilizing deathtouch creatures outside of the combat step first and foremost to gain value before they even have to lay their lives on the line. Halana is arguably the core card here, able to effectively remove an opposing creature for a poultry two generic mana whenever another creature joins her ranks.

However I chose to not go with the method that saw one stuffing every one-drop deathtoucher into the deck, instead opting to go with as many options that provided an additional utility as I could. Flash, card advantage and additional lethality were all traits that held much more preference to me than a cheap CMC. See Winged Coatl, Baleful Strix and Hooded Blightfang for prime examples of the creatures I was drawn towards.

Alongside a suite of cards that garnered benefit whenever I deal direct damage to an opponent, my goal in combat is to force the opposing players into as many inopportune blocks as I can, or if need be to mount a defensive line that few creatures would actually want anything to do with.

Sprinkle in some other control spells, some Sultai good-stuff and a couple of cards I simply love, it's a decklist that I look forward to building physically once I feel the list is tuned enough!

However I gladly wish to open this deck up to any critique, suggestion or other kinds of discussion. I hardly venture outside of mono-coloured decks in any serious fashion, so any help one could offer would be greatly appreciated!

I really just dislike Egon, God of Death. Flavour aside, it takes away cards from you graveyard, which I would assume that you would rather get back in some form or another.

I like the Fynn, the Fangbearer and deathtouch tribal theme going on here. If you could get some Trample enabling, then you could push more damage through as Deathtouch allows with Trample. It also make Fynn a great secondary win con.

Thornbite Staff paired with the Viridian Longbow allow you to machine gun kelly the table, which is always funny to have happen. The staff also gives you back a blocker when combat damage settles and you kill something off.

And I see that you have a bit of a fight theme going on so I'd recommend Ezuri's Predation as a 'one-sided' board clear

Egon, God of Death has been close to the chopping block in all honesty. One card I have been considering replacing him with is Pharika, God of Affliction. A more control exile, and more deathtouchers. A win-win. Although if I do throw in that trampling packing I'd have to think hard on what to cut anyway.

Having a quick look, if I was to add a board-wide trample package I think these would do great;
Brawn
Dragon Throne of Tarkir (On Halana, preferably)
Thunderfoot Baloth
Overwhelming Stampede

They'd synergise well with the draw on opponent damage package as well!

Also I never considering equipping Thornbite Staff and Viridian Longbow to the same creature. Nor did I truly comprehend just how flexible that untap trigger was. I was apprehensive about putting the staff in but with that renewed outlook I think I should find a slot for it.

Thank you for the suggestions!