4 Generals, 1 Deck
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on June 17, 2016, 7:01 p.m. by Phaetion
About a week ago, I built a Maelstrom Wanderer deck that devastated everyone in its debut. While at my LGS, however, I acquired a foil Wanderer. That set off a chain reaction that netted me a foil Intet, the Dreamer, Riku of Two Reflections, and Surrak Dragonclaw (2 of them are promos).
My main question is this: is there any way to create one deck where all four generals can be at the helm (i.e. interchangeable)? The idea is that I could use a powerful general for the tougher games while use a weaker one in the casual games.
Right now, I got the following:
Wanderer and Riku will want A LOT of ramp. Intet can cast stuff with her ability, allowing Riku to copy it. Surrak renders any creature cast (be it from Intet or Wanderer) uncounterable. Riku will also want lots of instants and sorceries.
Any ideas on where to take this? Is it feasible or will it collapse trying to adapt to all four generals?
Mj3913: In the 99. That was the plan. Putting them in the side would screw up the mana curve (potentially).
June 17, 2016 7:35 p.m.
JANKYARD_DOG says... #4
So ramp would be key, Spells and ETB fetch creatures could be duplicated by Riku, and cast from exile with Intet. With cascade, you may want to avoid 
spells, though with all the ramp... is nice. Maybe limit to X effects or fire breathing? Max curve at 8 so as never to miss a cascade?
For instants and sorceries, maybe Mass buffs, Draw, and a bit of thievery/replicating?
Some other critters to consider maybe:
Spellbreaker Behemoth, Spearbreaker Behemoth, Yasova Dragonclaw
Maybe some walkers like: Xenagos, the Reveler, Kiora, Master of the Depths, Garruk, Primal Hunter
Seems like it will be a difficult task having everything synergize with each one. Still, sounds fun though, hope this helps.
June 17, 2016 8:20 p.m.
I'm not sure if I want many planeswalkers, if at all, in this deck because Riku won't interact with them. Perhaps this breakdown?
38 Lands
12 Ramp
25+ Creatures
~10 Instants
~10-15 Sorceries
<5 Artifacts
<3 Enchantments
<1 Planeswalker
I'm just guessing. Oh, and I'm not sure if I want Yasova or Animar in the deck as they require a focus.
June 17, 2016 8:38 p.m.
Here's the deck in its current state. Riku is at the helm but it can be one of the others with the Foil Tag.
June 17, 2016 8:53 p.m.
JANKYARD_DOG says... #7
another thing you could do is check EDHREC to see if there are any like/similar cards listed for each commander. Could help.
June 17, 2016 9:18 p.m.
Karns_Pyromancer says... #8
Walkers are really good with Wanderer because of Jokulhaups
June 18, 2016 11:16 a.m.
Karns_Pyromancer: Except I have no plans to run MLD. It would ruin Riku's side of the deck. Intet and Surrak would suffer from it too. It's not just about Wanderer, it's the other three generals too.
Mj3913: EDHREC is a site I frequent a lot. I shouldn't really but it was how I came to the idea of using all four generals at the helm.
June 18, 2016 11:35 a.m.
Karns_Pyromancer says... #10
Phaetion, don't view 'Haups as MLD, think of it as an abusable board reset. You'll be running at least good ramp & Cyclonic Rift anyway, so I suggest trying it out for those reasons.
June 19, 2016 12:15 a.m.
Karns_Pyromancer: True, but I've decided against it. It wrecks the deck if Riku of Two Reflections is at the helm and hinders the other two versions of the deck (using Intet and Surrak respectively).
That said, I would use 'Haups in something like Zurgo Helmsmasher where he actually doesn't want others to have lands.
JANKYARD_DOG says... #2
Are you going to keep the alternate commanders in the 99 or just swap out from side?
June 17, 2016 7:33 p.m.