Kumena or Derevi for Merfolk Tribal?
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on Jan. 6, 2018, 7:14 p.m. by Tsukimi
I was working on a Bant merfolk build this month and then Kumena Tyrant of Orazca got spoiled and now I can't decide which is a more fitting commander. Kumena obviously has much more synergy with merfolk and ideally I'd like to use him, but a merfolk deck without the lorywn merfolk I love like Sygg river guide, stonybrook schoolmaster, etc. doesn't seem as fun. I built a Kumena deck and am almost finished building a Derevi deck to compare. Before I invest in cards I'd love to hear people's thoughts, input, etc. on either deck or who you might think make a better commander. Give me your feedback!
One thing to mention is that my group doesn't like infinite combos so intruder alarm/stonybrook schoolmaster is not a deciding factor.
Also because I'm a nerd for flavor if Derevi is picked my friend is going to do an altered art to make her look like the flying merfolk of ixalan (just for fun)
Kumena deck: http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/all-kumenas-ladies/
Thanks for the input! I considered other partner commanders like Sidar Kondo but with so many lords his ability becomes irrelevant pretty quickly. He's much better in the beginning of the game, whereas Derevi seems to have more versatility/value, and Kumena has the most consistency etc. I have prototypes of both decks up if you wanted to give me some thoughts!
Basically Derevi allows for white merfolk and cards like aura shards, sun titan, etc. (valuetown) while also making doubling season fun times) viable with merfolk etc tokens.
Kumena makes the merfolk tribal theme much more consistent/viable throughout the entirety of the game and avoids the pitfall of Derevi which is that a lot of the necessary cards are in main deck and very subject to removal.
I wish I could just playtest them in a few games but don't have much money for buing extra cards
January 6, 2018 8:33 p.m.
I'm personally a huge fan of Kumena; he seems like a great general, and I don't think you really need white all that much.
January 6, 2018 10:55 p.m.
I'd only want to play white for Stonybrook Schoolmaster white doesnt offer to much more to the archtype
DrukenReaps says... #2
You should build for fun and since you like the lorwyn guys derevi isn't a bad choice.
Another thought you could do is Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa and Thrasios, Triton Hero since that gives you a merfolk in the command zone gives you your colors and Sidar works with merfolk pretty well.
If you wanted to add black since merfolk have some black Thrasios also works with Tymna the Weaver or Ravos, Soultender.
Personally of the options you gave I would lean towards Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca for consistency.
January 6, 2018 8:11 p.m.