Fate Reforged Commander Talk (Legendaries only)
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on Dec. 29, 2014, 3:37 p.m. by JWiley129
So I felt like we should have a forum where we talk about any and all the potential commanders coming from Fate Reforged. And since we're going to get 10 of them, 5 Khans and 5 Dragons, we'll have a LOT of room to brew. So I've posted the cards for Yasova and Kolaghan, and let's brew!
I can see Kolaghan having a really strong synergy with cards like Conspiracy and mass token producers like Goblin Rabblemaster. Is it the strongest BR dragon commander? Probably not. But it should have some strength that will make it a good casual aggro commander. Or even tokens.
As for Yasova I can see some really good Simic themed fling decks coming around with her, and some great synergy with cards like Vorel of the Hull Clade and the bolster mechanic. Just to pump her up.
December 29, 2014 5:58 p.m.
I think that Yasova Dragonclaw is an interesting puzzle to crack. How do you build around her? Is she general material? Is she better in the 99? Where does she fit? I'm not sure where I land on her, but she has quite a few directions she could go in.
Kolaghan, the Storm's Fury on the other hand is pretty straightforward, play dragons and swing. I'm not sure I like her as a Commander, but she seems super sweet in the 99 of someone like Karrthus, Tyrant of Jund or Scion of the Ur-Dragon. Speaking of, dedicated Scion of the Ur-Dragon decks are going to get some NICE toys in FRF and DTK. Also, it's really tricky how they made Kolaghan a 5/5 without having to make her a 5/5.
December 29, 2014 8:49 p.m.
I kinda like Yosova. I mean it gives you access to powerful colors and also the ability to take a creature in this format is huge.
December 29, 2014 9:01 p.m.
I think there may be more to Kolaghan's ability than just dragons and swinging. Something tells me your going to have to be very clever with what you include with her. And also, there may be more cards like Conspiracy in this set to make her and cards which depend on dragons really viable.
As for Yasova, there's definite possibility of misusing her ability to really make her very commander worthy.
December 29, 2014 9:02 p.m.
Yeah, the problem is that the effect isn't permanent, which pretty much means you'll want to run sac outlets, and his ability is tied to her power, which means you'd like to buff him at least to 6 power. That just seems kinda meh for Temur. I think its easier to generate value out of things like Maelstrom Wanderer and Riku of the two reflections in those colors.
December 29, 2014 9:06 p.m.
It's not the most competitive. However, it's interesting and probably can still be built around in an interesting way. For example, it'll probably go great in a Birthing Pod deck.
December 29, 2014 9:33 p.m.
In light of recent spoilers, I'm drawn to Dromoka and have been brainstorming a deck for her.. A lot of people are saying it sucks for EDH but hear me out for a moment.
Do you all remember Chorus of the Conclave (If not, I'll let you see the card for a minute)? Dromoka could have a similar build with Chorus as an alternate general choice. Sure, you're attacking with only one dragon most of the time but it adds +1/+1 counters to cards that need them like Spike Weaver or Mindless Automaton. Strionic Resonator will be a must to double up on Bolster. Realm Seekers for ramp, Hooded Hydra and Twilight Drover for tokens.
These musings are purely hypothetical but is this a deck worth building? It's definitely unique and synergistic but what are some thoughts on this idea?
December 31, 2014 12:23 p.m.
I think you'll essentially be building a deck that's very similar to a Anafenza, the Foremost deck. However: it could be really good in this sense. A card that might really go well with him too is Renegade Krasis.
December 31, 2014 12:27 p.m.
If I was adding black, I might as well use Ghave, Guru of Spores, who is infinitely better (Yes, I know what I have just done. :D ).
I was thinking too: Chameleon Colossus is godsend with Dromoka. Two Bolster triggers? I'll take it.
Renegade Krasis is alright. Just don't shove +1/+1 counters on it because his ability only triggers when he evolves.
December 31, 2014 12:33 p.m.
Ah that's a good point. Damn it doesn't work as well then b
December 31, 2014 12:37 p.m.
I wish it worked like that. It would've probably been mythic otherwise.
Hopefully, wizards will print green and/or white dragons with bolster or have effects with +1/+1 counters because that would help Dromoka enormously.
December 31, 2014 12:47 p.m.
My guess is we're gonna get a lot of dragons soon. Specifically dragons in each color.
December 31, 2014 12:56 p.m.
So we have the U/B dragon, I can't read Chinese, but we have a basic translation from mtgsalvation.
Flying, Hexproof
Whenever a dragon you control attacks, creatures defending player controls get -1/-1 until end of turn.
December 31, 2014 12:59 p.m.
I hope so. Having only Dromoka and Chameleon Colossus (and maybe Mirror Entity) trigger the Bolster effect is not good. :/
More thoughts are flooding my mind right now. I could go voltron with Dromoka being bolstered by Auriok Bladewarden, Forgotten Ancient, and Canopy Crawler. Possibilites are endless but just how am I going to have room for 61 cards? :/
December 31, 2014 1:01 p.m.
Well, with three down, it's pretty much a safe bet to say they're all tribal related.I'm liking the U/B dragon's access to Conspiracy and Xenograft, but G/W dragon tribal will be difficult.
December 31, 2014 10:48 p.m.
That dimir dragon's ability is pretty nasty. Yeah, having a 3/7 legendary is kinda meh, but hexproof is awesome and you pretty much clear someone's board with just 5 attacking dragons. The problem is that dimir has really lackluster dragons. I guess changelings and clones are an option though. Conspiracy and Xenograft were mentioned already.
December 31, 2014 11:22 p.m.
And now we have the Jeskai Khan in Shu Yun.
He is quite good, in both Tiny Leaders and EDH. He has TONS of potential to build around. And personally, I like him better than Narset, Enlightened Master.
January 1, 2015 1:15 a.m.
He seems like the Jeskai General for players who like instants and sorceries but not getting hated out. coughNARSETcoughSo far the Khan cycle seems more interesting then the dragons as generals.
January 1, 2015 10:53 a.m.
This guy is pretty unassuming but has potential. Not my style. I run the guys people hate.
January 1, 2015 10:57 a.m.
He has definite potential. Put him in a counter heavy deck with Jeskai Ascendancy and you can assure heavy blockers. Put him in a burn deck and you can make sure that you can make your creatures do extra damage. He's good.
January 1, 2015 11:51 a.m.
Also they released a new khan for Abzan, called Daghatar the Adamant. His ability is very interesting too:
3W
Vigilance
Daghatar the Adament enters the battle with four +1/+1 counters.
1B/GB/G: Move a +1/+1 counter from one creature to another.
0/0
Not great, but potential.
January 1, 2015 11:57 a.m.
Sorry it should read:
: move a +1/+1 counter from target creature to a second creature.
January 1, 2015 12:01 p.m.
Ok so they printed up a new one: Tasigur, The Golden Fang. Thoughts on it? It's a self mill Sultai commander with a political element.
January 5, 2015 6:22 p.m.
Tasigur is interesting, but he seems underwhelming as a Commander. I think I'd rather use Sidisi, but he could be an interesting option for more controlling decks. Obviously he doesn't replace Damia, Sage of Stone as the premier Sultai Control Commander (as I'm sure Epochalyptik would agree) but he does a thing that's not terribad.
January 5, 2015 6:25 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #28
If you're playing Tasigur over Damia, you're fucking up.
January 5, 2015 6:35 p.m.
He's kinda like how most of the other khans have been so far (other than Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest) not bad, but there are other options in their color that are more competitive. Honestly I'd say he plays much differently than Damia, Sage of Stone but he's not horrible. I'm sure some people could make fun decks with him.
January 5, 2015 6:42 p.m.
I don't doubt there are fun decks with Tasigur as the commander, but if you're going for efficiency, Epoch summed it up perfectly. That said, I've had a hell of a time finding a Damia, so Tasigur could be a replacement for those having difficulty. But yeah, Tasigur is SOO MUCH weaker than Damia it's not even funny.
January 5, 2015 6:45 p.m.
Yeah he'll be the poor man's Damia lol. The other issue being Delve. Delve isn't as strong in edh where you might not get the right scenarios to use cards. So that's kind of a down side too. Although it allows for easier recasting.
January 5, 2015 6:48 p.m.
I feel like most of the clan's mono color with hybrid mana ability creatures at mythic would make better commanders than the Khans. Yasova Dragonclaw and Sorcerer of the Hunt: Yasova is more open-ended, but less interesting and dependent on your opponent's creatures.Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest and Soulfire Grand Master: These two promote similar strategies, but Grand Master would probably just be a deck full of infinite shenanigans while Shu Yun promotes a more interesting midrange strategy. He gets the nod here. Daghatar the Adamant and Warden of the First Tree (http://mythicspoiler.com/frf/cards/wardenofthefirsttree.html): Dagathar is useful as a sort of Ghave without the hate she brings, but not great overall. Warden of the First Tree is interesting as a voltron strategy but could also just work as a G/W/B +1/+1 counter commander that doesn't draw all the hate or suck.Tasigur the golden fang vs Torrent Elemental (http://mythicspoiler.com/frf/cards/torrentelemental.html): Tasigur's political aspect makes him attractive in Commander, but unless you're playing in a large game may be nearly powerless. He's a great choice for those who choose to go off the beaten path and not just play Damia or Mimeo or Sidisi as their self mill commander. Torrent Elemental has an ability that works in interesting ways and also has synergy with the Sultai clan in general, but wouldn't be an ability I would build a deck around.
tl:dr: I think the new wedge legendary creatures are meh, but it could just be because I was blown away by the quality of the mythics.
January 5, 2015 9:51 p.m.
ExileThis - Your point is valid, but mythics are supposed to be splashy. So the mythics having more "wow" factor than the khans is understandable. Also, they are supposed to be better in multiples while the Khans would be kindof pointless in multiples.
January 5, 2015 9:57 p.m.
No, you're entirely correct. My perspective is that of a EDH only player, but the design is really first and foremost what works with standard.
January 6, 2015 1:18 p.m.
True but some of the mythics would work fine as singular parts of a deck. For example, Soulfire Grand Master would be fine by itself in a Jeskai edh and Sorceror of the Hunt is gonna be strong in Temur decks. Especially Animar, Soul of Elements decks. Also the two other legendary dragons are up. Opinions?
January 6, 2015 2:29 p.m.
So now we've seen all the legendary dragons, and I have to say that none of them really speak to me as a commander. Atarka is the closest, but she is still better as a part of other decks than as a member of the 99. Ojutai is meh at best. If I want to spend 7 mana on a Commander, I want it to win the game in short order. Silumgar, the Drifting Death is nifty, but far from effective. Kolaghan, the Storm's Fury is the most interesting, and could be a 
commander of a Dragon deck. And Dromoka, the Eternal is underwhelming for a 
commander.
All in all, if I were to grade the Dragon's potential as Commanders, I'd give them a C. They are passable and can certainly lead to some interesting decks, but none of them have made me go "I MUST BUILD HER!".
And now, where is my Mardu Khan?!?!?!
January 6, 2015 2:31 p.m.
Now we have the Mardu Khan, who I've already posted in the main spoiler thread, but here she is.
And for your consideration, the other new (old) Khans.
Yasova Dragonclaw, Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest, Daghatar the Adamant, and because he isn't in the system yet Tasigur the Golden Fang.
Overall thoughts on the cycle of Khans?
January 6, 2015 2:47 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #38
I'm ultimately unimpressed as far as EDH is concerned. These five cards are mediocre at best when compared to existing options, and none of them do anything earth-shattering. Tasigur is probably the best in terms of utility, but its cost is too high (even with delve) to justify running it over something like Damia, Sage of Stone or The Mimeoplasm.
Tangentially related: I don't like how BUG gets shafted. Damia, Sage of Stone and, to an extent, The Mimeoplasm are good commanders, but they're the only viable options, realistically speaking. The other options are more novelty than anything else.
I guess I shouldn't complain too much. Damia is extremely good, despite her high cost.
January 6, 2015 2:57 p.m.
Epochalyptik: I mostly agree with you...except with Alesha. She certainly has some potential. Combine her with sac outlets, ways to keep Alesha alive and nifty stuff like Karmic Guide and Abyssal Gatekeeper. Oh, and while we're at it, let's toss in Dictate of Heliod, Marshal's Anthem, and other anthem effects.
The possibilites are there. We just need to find one or more cards with which to use her, like Strionic Resonator. My Johnny senses are all over Alesha right now.
January 6, 2015 3:38 p.m.
Honestly all the legendary creatures from this set have potential in edh. But it's nothing amazingly powerful or tier 1. Some of them will be fun in a very oh look what it does type way and I'm sure it'll be fun to build decks around them or play with them as your commander. But other than that, they're nothing special.
January 6, 2015 3:39 p.m.
Uhhhh... These are all so boring. They all fall short of the required level of power or utility that you'd realistically want from a commander in any group that's a bit more serious.
January 6, 2015 4:25 p.m.
I wouldn't call them boring TheDevicer, but they do require some specific circumstances to be efficient. I could see Alesha and Shu Yun seeing widespread play, with Tasigur and Yasova being the middle ground and Daghatar being the least exciting Abzan commander. But both Alesha and Shu Yun can be played in Tiny Leaders, so they have that going for them as well.
Personally, I'm excited to build with Alesha and see what kind of shenanigans I can get up to. I've wanted to build a Mardu general that isn't Kaalia of the Vast for a while and neither Tariel, Reckoner of Souls nor Zurgo Helmsmasher piqued my fancy.
January 6, 2015 4:33 p.m.
CHARGE, MY MARDU WEENIES!
hahahaha no. Eh, the legends were pretty meh here, none really sparking any interest. But I'll be honest, one of the best parts of the spoiler season was laughing at how butthurt the standard players were over this set. "These legends suck, only for EDH I guess. Boo hoo hoo." Trust me guys, we're not drooling over them either.
January 6, 2015 5:50 p.m.
But the nonlegends in this set were pretty awesome. I expect to see them all played in lots of decks soon. And here's to non-dragon tribal niche dragon legends in Dragons of Tarkir!
January 6, 2015 5:52 p.m.
The legends look fun though lol. I already wanna build a Silumgar and an Alesha deck for edh.
January 6, 2015 7:48 p.m.
Sure, Atarka isn't good at the helm (as long as Green has a limited number of dragons; good ones no less) but, with Xenagos, God of Revels? I'll just leave that there for you guys to imagine. Oh, what if Atarka was the general in that case? I think I'll take my leave for someone calls me out for being a evil, brutal monster. :p
January 6, 2015 8:13 p.m.
Or think of the dragons as part of decks for the Elder Dragons. It'd make them become very very efficient.
January 6, 2015 8:18 p.m.
Shu Yun does seem VERY good in tiny leaders, but I doubt he'd be worth looking into when Narset EDH.
January 6, 2015 8:33 p.m.
How does Alesha's ability work with creatures that have abilities that trigger when they attack? For example, if I use her ability to reanimate a Goblin Wardriver, does the battle cry trigger? I've run into arguments in the past about creatures not being declared attackers even though they are attacking so this is a bit confusing to me...
January 7, 2015 12:22 a.m.
Yeah, they won't trigger because they didn't "see" themselves be declared as attackers.
Arvail says... #2
Kolaghan is interesting because of its Dash ability. It's pretty important to note that his ability means he can attack 5 times to deal lethal commander damage. He also looks pretty threatening in a dragon tribal deck, since he's essentially a Shared Animosity. He looks very cool and doesn't have to stick around if you don't want it to.
December 29, 2014 5:52 p.m.