Mayael may be slow and expensive to use, but it is an amazing source of card advantage. And when every additional card is a monster, that advantage will add up very quickly. At its heart, this is a good-stuff deck. Every card you pull with Mayael should be a bomb. Everything else in the deck is aimed at either getting Mayael up and running, playing the bombs we draw, or helping the bombs strike the final blow.

Some of the most powerful cards are Zacama, Primal Calamity, which acts as a grindy removal engine; Illusionist's Bracers doubles Mayael and other bombs' activated abilities; Scroll Rack, which can put a a creature from your hand on top of your library for Mayael while drawing fresh cards and putting unwanted cards on the bottom of your library; Pathbreaker Ibex, which almost always results in at least one player getting trampled to death; and Seedborn Muse, which will win you the game on your next turn if not removed immediately because it allows you to use Mayael during each of your opponents' turns (that's usually enough power to trample the field or enough effects to control it). Honorable mentions include Avacyn and Blazing Archon, although they're usually so obviously powerful on their own that they are removed immediately.

One thing that you might not expect from looking at this deck is how it can surprise its opponents. There is nothing surprising about playing creatures in your main phase, but Mayael gives you the opportunity to do it at instant speed, in exchange for some uncertainty. I love to use Mayael when somebody attacks me. There's nothing quite like pulling a Terastodon to destroy the attacking voltron commander's auras and equipments, or pulling an Avacyn to block an incoming flyer. There are also some "oops, i win" moments, like when you already have Pathbreaker Ibex in play and play Ancient Ooze or Serra Avatar. Even though the new bomb doesn't have haste, your Pathbreaker Ibex is suddenly giving your other attacking creatures +30/+30 and trample.

If your playgroup doesn't use many board wipes, then you can spare some of the expensive pieces in this deck, like Avacyn, Rhonas, and Xenagos. I believe Scroll Rack is the most expensive piece. It's powerful in the consistency it can give the deck, but the deck will function just fine without it.

Some cards may not be as obvious in their purposes. Elvish Harbinger is meant so search out Nullmage Shepherd for repeated artifact and enchantment removal. Thousand-Year Elixir is meant to allow Mayael to use her ability the turn she is played, but also is useful with Godsire, Whisperer of the Wilds, and Gyre Sage. Tyrant of Discord is meant to be an anti-token strategy.

Potential cuts include Thousand-Year Elixir and Tyrant of Discord.

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Date added 5 years
Last updated 3 years
Legality

This deck is Commander / EDH legal.

Rarity (main - side)

15 - 0 Mythic Rares

35 - 0 Rares

17 - 0 Uncommons

15 - 0 Commons

Cards 100
Avg. CMC 5.14
Tokens Beast 8/8 RGW, City's Blessing, Elephant 3-3 G, Enchantment Cleric 2/1 W, Wurm 5/5 G w/ Trample
Folders EDH, Other deck ideas
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