Varchild, Betrayer of Kjeldor

Legendary Creature — Human Knight

Whenever Varchild deals combat damage to a player, that player creates that many 1/1 red Survivor Creature Tokens

Survivors your opponent control can't block, and they can't attack you or a PW you control

When Varchild Leaves the battlefield, gain control of all Survivors.

Discussion (51)

jconeil1988 on Knights Unite

3 weeks ago

Woah, holy knights.

Okay. So. first thing is first. Obviously, we are going knights tribal. The second thing to think about is what is it's theme. You said you want to go King Arthur. Honestly, King Kenrith makes for a better King Arthur deck. But, we're working with Syr Gwynn, so, we are more focusing on the Knights of King Arthur.

Are you wanting more of a knight heavy creature based deck, or equipment based deck. in my deck Valiant Knights of Eldraine, I focused more on a split of equipment and knights giving me 13 equipment and a total of 11 knights including Syr Gywn and 6 non knight creatures. Now, I've built my deck to try to be as powerful as I possibly can make it. What I'm going to suggest below is more flavor and theme based.

I think a cool direction to take this would be focusing on the Legendary theme, after all King Arthur is the most legendary legend of all time. And there is a perfect card that is knightly and legendary centered and it is, The Circle of Loyalty. For each knight already on the field, it costs one less. And when it is on the the field, for each legendary spell you cast, it creates a knight, and lets you sink some unused mana into making another knight.

Okay, we have our legendary theme. Let's round this out with some legendary weapons (think Excalibur) and legendary knights. Most renderings of King Arthur has anywhere from 12-15 knights at his table. I say we go somewhere in between and pick 13 legendary knights. Looking at the gatherer, I see a total of 31 legendary knights, but only 24 possible in our colors. I'd wittle it down to these 13 knights and 1 dragon. Adriana, Captain of the Guard, Arvad the Cursed, Aryel, Knight of Windgrace, Balan, Wandering Knight, Danitha Capashen, Paragon, Josu Vess, Lich Knight, Kwende, Pride of Femeref, Lena, Selfless Champion, Sylvia Brightspear and her dragon buddy Khorvath Brightflame, Syr Gywn, Hero of Ashvale, Syr Konrad, the Grim, Varchild, Betrayer of Kjeldor, and Vona, Butcher of Magan.

Next, I would put in an equipment for each of the knights. So, 13 equipments. Keeping with the legendary theme, there are 18 legendary equipments. My choices for the 13 to use are Blackblade Reforged, Elbrus, the Binding Blade  ^Flip, Embercleave, Godsend, Helm of Kaldra, Sword of Kaldra, Shield of Kaldra, Helm of the Host, Konda's Banner, Shadowspear, Sword of the Animist, Tenza, Godo's Maul, and Tatsumasa, the Dragon's Fang.

So far that is a total of 28 legendary cards. You're going to want between 35 and 38 lands in this deck, I'd personally go with 36 bringing the total up to 64 leaving 46 spaces. Out of those 46 spaces, I'd want atleast another 10 ramp spells so, I'd look into Tithe, Weathered Wayfarer, Knight of the White Orchid, Arcane Signet, Boros Signet, Orzhov Signet, Rakdos Signet, Talisman of Conviction, Talisman of Hierarchy, and Talisman of Indulgence.

With the 36 spaces left, we probably want some card draw and tutors to get our knights equipment. Knights of the Black Rose, Puresteel Paladin, Stoneforge Mystic, Stonehewer Giant, Enlightened Tutor, Open the Armory, Steelshaper's Gift, Scheming Symmetry, Herald's Horn, Icon of Ancestry, and Vanquisher's Banner are all really good here giving us 11 options to dig, leaving us with 25 spots left.

Can't forget removal. I'd personally go with 7 single target and 4 board wipes. Those being Path to Exile, Swords to Plowshares, Crackling Doom, Utter End, Righteous Confluence, Return to Dust, Rakdos Charm, Wrath of God, Single Combat, and Tragic Arrogance.

With the remainder of the 15 spots, I would fill it with some utility and cards to push through for the win. Here I would look into Knights' Charge, Master Warcraft, War Flare, Boros Charm, Unbreakable Formation, Heavenly Blademaster, Knight Exemplar, Leonin Shikari, Silverwing Squadron, Nahiri, Storm of Stone, Gideon, Ally of Zendikar, Sorin, Vengeful Bloodlord, Bloodforged Battle-Axe, Sunforger, and Sigiled Sword of Valeron.

This should be a pretty well rounded and focused deck, or at least a path for you to take if you so choose.

ZendikariWol on Dalakos, Crafter of Wonders

1 month ago

First and most importantly, have you considered naming this deck "Dalakos's Artifact Stack Attack," because I think that would be wonderful.

Beyond that, though, have you considered the following:

Balefire Dragon (because it's fantastic), Captain Lannery Storm (because she's a warm body that ramps), Cephalid Constable (because it's a criminally underrated masterpiece), Daring Saboteur (because it loots and is evasive af), Fervent Champion (because it's an excellent voltron), Flameblast Dragon (because removal is nice), Grenzo, Havoc Raiser (because stealing spells is fun), Hellkite Tyrant (because 20 artifacts, with this deck? Sure, you'll need help, but that's what your opponents are for!), Hero of Oxid Ridge (in case you have any pesky token strats in your meta), Legion Loyalist (because why not just give your creatures all the keywords at that point), Markov Blademaster (because double strike is just really strong), Niv-Mizzet, Parun (in case storm exists in your meta), Prophetic Flamespeaker (because it's got double strike, trample, and card draw), Rapacious One (because INFINITE BLOCKERS), Scab-Clan Berserker (in case, once again, of Storm), Scourge of the Throne (because it's real good), Tandem Lookout (because drawing two cards per turn is nice), Tyrant's Familiar (because, once again, removal is wonderful to have), Varchild, Betrayer of Kjeldor (because it basically creates tokens for you), Windreader Sphinx (because it's a LOT of card draw), Basilisk Collar (because lifelink is super good), Batterskull (see prior), Champion's Helm (because hexproof is important), Embercleave (for obvious reasons), Golem-Skin Gauntlets (because more power is better), Heirloom Blade (because it's a steep stat boost and a death trigger, maybe), Loxodon Warhammer (because lifelink is basically super-vigilance anyway), Prowler's Helm (because evasion is nice), Rogue's Gloves (because card draw is good to have), Shadowspear (because it's nuts), The Sword Cycle (because you feel like droppin 16,000,000,000$), Sword of Vengeance (because holy keywords, Batman!)

Emearq on Syr Gwyn - charging back into commander

1 month ago

Hey,

Firstly thank you for your comments, greatly appreciate the feedback.

Had the chance to actually play 3 games with the deck, although unfortunately they were all 1v1 which is really not what I really wanted to start playing commander for. Alas, it is what it is. They also made for really poor test games as I unfortunately was caught by Blood Moon from a Krenko, Mob Boss very early two games in a row and on the third game (against a different player) he didn't play any creatures (just destroy X and counter-spells) and fell very slowly to Leonin Shikari, Acclaimed Contender & Varchild, Betrayer of Kjeldor.

In that final game though definitely felt the lack of a ramp as still did not get close to the mana for Syr Gwyn, Hero of Ashvale. The Talismans and the Chromatic Lantern also look like good calls. Had thought about the talismans before and opting to try without them first. However had not really looked into draw cards beyond what I included before and you listed a lot of great options, I'll need to adjust the list and see where I can slot some of them in.

Had a look through your list and props for managing not to include every cool knight spot during deck-building. Guess smarter deck-building largely comes down to experience, but will get there yet. Will try and draw the line in the middle somewhere.

Thanks for your help!

pmansmoney on Lions and Tokens and Bears, Oh My

1 month ago

Hey hey dawg!

There are just so many ways you could go about this! I have no idea if I'm doing the right thing here but here are a few ideas

Return of the Wildspeaker --> out -- I just dont think this card is very good in general. You dont have a ton of big creatures and +3/+3 isn't that exciting. Would rather play Harmonize which is unconditional.

Austere Command --> maybeboard -- This could be wrong, but I was looking for cards to cut and felt like an expensive wrath wasn't exactly where your deck wanted to be.

Keeper of Fables --> maybeboard -- I mean I get it that you can potentially draw up to 3 cards a turn, but its just so meh.

Greater Auramancy --> Maybeboard -- I was considering this cuz I think there's potential for a strong enchantments theme. Opted for Sterling Grove instead because it also tutors but this is here just as a consideration.

Archon of Absolution --> maybeboard -- Its on theme but I don't think its taxing enough right? maybe I'm crazy and this is exactly what you want cuz you can trigger goad with your commander?? but its 4 mana as well idk I just took it out cuz its floor is very low.

Kinjalli's Sunwing --> out -- Not sure why this card was in here to begin with, I mean you aren't granting mass haste or anything and the whole idea is you're goading people so few people are gonna have blockers, plus plenty of your is evasive. I think Thalia, Heretic Cathar feels this role very well already.

Urabrask the Hidden --> maybeboard -- This card is sweet but its 5 mana.

Elspeth, Sun's Champion --> maybeboard -- Elspeth feels a little out of place.

Beast Whisperer --> maybeboard -- Not into this as a reliable form of card draw.

Soltari Champion --> out -- I get the idea, you're trying to trigger goad, but isn't this card just bad? a 3 mana unblockable with battlecry doesn't seem particularly playable.

Archangel of Tithes --> maybeboard -- it was hard for me to cut this but in the end the triple white and its low impact made decide to ditch it and keep Windborn Muse instead.

Gruul War Chant --> out -- This card is just way too low impact for 4 mana.

Privileged Position --> maybeboard -- this like Greater Auramancy was an idea if you went more enchantment heavy but I ended up feeling 5 mana was just too steep.

Sunblast Angel --> Maybeboard -- I get the idea cuz everyone is attacking and tapped but meh.

Dryad Sophisticate --> out -- I don't think unblockable 2/1 are good enough even if they do trigger marisi. I like the idea of playing evasive hatebears or something. Maybe I'm just way off base with this deck haha

Arcane Signet --> out -- you don't need this, you're in green! Plus I want to try and add Collector Ouphe!

The Great Henge --> maybeboard -- this card is sweet and super pwoerful but you got a bunch of dorky 2/2s and stuff this thing is gonna routinely cost you like 7 mana and at that point wouldn't you just play Zendikar Resurgent? (I didn't put zendikar resurgent in though but if you want an effect like henge, I think I'd go with resurgent)

Druids' Repository --> main -- Idk! this seems cool and fun!! All your creatures become mana dorks cuz they'll be attacking anyway! Seems p good! Also if you make a bunch of 1/1 tokens with Tempt with Vengeance and Sylvan Offering you make a bunch of mana when they attack!

Skullclamp --> main -- I think because stuff like Varchild, Betrayer of Kjeldor plus having a bunch of stuff that might end up dying this'll draw you a lot of cards. Plus if you play Tempt with Vengeance and Sylvan Offering its bonkers!!

Insurrection --> main -- Its a sweet win condition!!

Varchild, Betrayer of Kjeldor --> main -- in my view this exactly what you want to be doing!

ok wow this comment is getting long so I'm just gonna list the rest of the cards that I think should go in/out:

War's Toll -- in

Sterling Grove -- in

Sphere of Safety - in

Sylvan Offering - in

Enlightened Tutor - in

Harmonize - in

Goblin Spymaster - in

Tahngarth, First Mate - in (this one just seems fun :D totally get it if you decide not to)

Tempt with Vengeance - in

Teferi's Protection - in

Rishkar's Expertise - out

Throne of the God-Pharaoh - out

Grand Melee - maybe, for now I decided to just play war's toll but maybe neither are good enough

I've noticed you're not really doing the hatebear thing as much anymore? But if you decide to: Hushbringer and Collector Ouphe are rad!

Whew!! Can't wait to play against this in any shape or form! Hope at least some of these suggestions help!

king-saproling on A Sliver Deck With No Slivers?!!

2 months ago

This deck is beauteous. Varchild, Betrayer of Kjeldor could be a fun include since your general can tutor for Shields of Velis Vel ;) You might consider these too: Bishop of Wings, Rattlechains, Crested Sunmare, Risen Reef, Sigarda, Heron's Grace, Drogskol Captain, Hero of Goma Fada, Harabaz Druid, Wirewood Channeler, Midnight Entourage, Whelming Wave.

Also, the changeling champions (Changeling Berserker, Changeling Hero, Changeling Titan) could be neat since your general can tutor for them and if you loop all three of you get an arbitrary number of ETB triggers in any creature type. You could draw your deck with Azami or Risen Reef, blow up opponents' boards with Reaper King, get infinite life with Bishop of Wings!

Suns_Champion on Commanders that create an interesting ...

2 months ago

Varchild, Betrayer of Kjeldor . Politics, deals, threats, forced attacks, dynamic shifting abilities, and voltron snipes.

Tons of fun.

StopShot on Feedback Requested: Syr Gwyn, Mardu ...

3 months ago

@Canamex Those 1-drop creatures are good. Varchild, Betrayer of Kjeldor also seems like a solid inclusion too. Haakon, Stromgald Scourge would also make a very good inclusion however you'd need to find a way to put him into your graveyard before you can reap value off of him.

Canamex on Feedback Requested: Syr Gwyn, Mardu ...

3 months ago

Got it @StopShot. That makes sense.

I am actually thinking now of swapping out Knight of the Ebon Legion and Dauntless Bodyguard for Mother of Runes and Giver of Runes to help with some protection for Gwyn as she’ll be a target often.

Also, thoughts on Varchild, Betrayer of Kjeldor somewhere in the deck?