First EDH deck: Pre-Con editing.
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on July 8, 2015, 10:01 p.m. by JANKYARD_DOG
Looking for ideas to make things better. Found this as a repack on shelf at walmart and figured it was a good start. Have yet to play it irl but just think it could be more focused.
Also, my commanders second ability..what purpose does it serve?
Walmart Repack Bant (C13) - 1st EDH Deck Playtest
Commander / EDH
SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 16 VIEWS
Named_Tawyny says... #3
The second ability gives your crew conditional semi-vigilance. If you manage to do combat damage to an opposing player, you can then untap some dudes, allowing them to block.
His third ability (remember, 'flying' is his first ability) also makes him largely uncounterable, as you're not casting him, but putting him directly into play. It's a lot rarer to be able to counter an ability than a spell.
July 9, 2015 9:07 a.m.
JANKYARD_DOG says... #4
So the ability can be used when he's facedown then? and I dont have to pay the extra 2 if he's been removed previously? Just clarifying.
July 9, 2015 9:13 a.m.
Named_Tawyny says... #5
No, if he's facedown, he won't have any abilities at all (if you manifest him, or Illusionary Mask him, or etc..)
If he's in the command zone though, you can use his third ability.
July 9, 2015 9:20 a.m.
Here is a very good primer that covers competitive Derevi and some powerful strategies. You can look through that for ideas.
July 9, 2015 10:58 a.m.
JANKYARD_DOG says... #7
I assumed a card not cast in the commander zone would be face down until cast, which is what I was implying. If he is Face-down (not cast) in the commander zone can his 3rd abilty be used. Also, Recasting your commander costs extra 2 each time. If I use his ability to put him on the battle field and he dies does that death tack on another 2 mana to his initial cost? Sorry if I'm making this more confusing than it is...
July 9, 2015 12:53 p.m.
Named_Tawyny says... #8
Creature cards in the command zone are face-up; everybody knows what they are, including your opponents - they're just not in play.
Using his ability is not casting him, so there wouldn't be any extra commander tax if you later on actually cast him - that's what makes him so dangerous. Essentially, you're never paying more than 
to put him onto the battlefield.
July 9, 2015 1:02 p.m.
Here's the relevant rule pertaining to casting your commander:
- Commanders begin the game in the Command Zone. While a Commander is in the command zone, it may be cast, subject to the normal timing restrictions for casting creatures. Its owner must pay
for each time it was previously cast from the command zone; this is an additional cost.
From mtgcommander.net.
When you cast your commander it goes onto the stack, where it can be interacted with like another spell (i.e. be countered or something), and then, when / if it resolves, it gets put onto the battlefield under your control.
What Darevi has is an activated ability that you can play while she is in the command zone. When activated, an activated ability goes on the stack (can be interacted with, but there aren't many cards that can interact with an ability on the stack), and then performs whatever actions it is supposed to perform. In this case, the action is to take Darevi out of the command zone and put her directly onto the battlefield. This neither effects or is affected by commander tax, because Darevi was never cast. (i.e. This ability will cost to activate under normal conditions regardless of how many times you've cast Derevi, and activating this ability does not cause Darevi to cost more to be cast from the command zone (not that you would ever cast her normally more than once)).
Does that clear things up for you?
July 9, 2015 2:23 p.m.
JANKYARD_DOG says... #10
Ah I see now, I was not aware the commander was face up at all times. So yes, all cleared up now thanks.
July 9, 2015 3:43 p.m.
jaggthemiller says... #11
also if im right the ability helps them from counter spells because its not being cast it just being put on the field. so remember that
Arvail says... #2
I don't have time for a full review atm. It's late and I have an exam in the morning. Still, you can tag me on your deck and I'll help you out.
In Commander, if your commander is killed or exiled, you have the choice to send him or her to the command zone. From there, you may cast that card again. Each time your commander is sent to the command zone, an additional
must be paid in order to cast that card. Derevi's ability gets past that. Also, it's instant speed, so your commander essentially has flash.
Derevi is considered by many to be one of the strongest commanders. You're sitting on a decent start.
July 8, 2015 10:14 p.m.