Reyhan&Ishai | Where Unstoppable Meets Immovable!

Commander / EDH AkaAkuma

SCORE: 157 | 108 COMMENTS | 19842 VIEWS | IN 82 FOLDERS


Commander Legends - 2020 Sucked —Dec. 28, 2020

2020 would sound the year of commander! Well, it sucked. I haven't touched my cards in the first half year and only started playing some kitchen-table magic in the last few.

But at least I build some new toys in Korvold, Fae-Cursed King with a land sacrificing sub-theme. Arahbo, Roar of the World and tinkered allot on Gishath, Sun's Avatar, which all ended up with more consistency and better land bases than Reyhan & Ishai. So now Commander Legends came out, let's revisit on what i still consider my favorite commander deck.

Acceleration:

  • Tempt with Discovery, I started to love the card. It's cheaper than Traverse the Outlands and searches for the nasty utility lands. And so far this offer has tempt nearly everyone! So it fetches 3-4 non basic lands for 4 mana! Not many people will say no while other players are digging through their library already. The card is risky however so reserve a Strip Mine or Ghost Quarter and use it as following: You first seek something innocent like a Mosswort Bridge, and now when opponents start searching, take account of what should be removed and fetch a strip mine or play your bigger lands in response.
  • For now I will only include Emergence Zone and Strip Mine as utility lands to remove fetches like Gaea's Cradle or Maze of Ith, but i might add a Field of the Dead if this strategy remains successful.
  • Traverse the Ulvenwald, try this! Worst case it's a basic land, but late-game it will fetch you your winning condition. Ridiculous and very affordable.
  • anything on the new enemy coloured bond lands, triome lands and Murmuring Bosk? Yes.

+1 counters:

Sacrifice & recurrence: I want people dis-encouraged when talking creature removal, so i included more recurrence, especially when creatures die.

  • Basri's Lieutenant & Abzan Ascendancy will make people think twice about board-wiping.
  • Tendershoot Dryad, while a bit off-theme will widen the board each turn.
  • Eerie Ultimatum, looking forward to blow peoples minds in a flash with this and Emergence Zone some day.
  • Ghoulcaller Gisa will be re-introduced as another sacrifice slot. I never liked that i can't use her right away but time tell how she operates in this new setup.
  • Yawgmoth, Thran Physician is insane. Far better than Varolz, the Scar-Striped and comes with a potent evasion.
  • Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest was in my original setup back in 2017 and did not shine there, but i think these changes will redeem that. I recently accidentally discovered that she creates infinite power on the board with Basri's lieutenant and a sac outlet.

Removal:

  • Tragic Arrogance, this got to be the strongest removal in magic. Once in a while i come back to this card and think "ahh yea tragic arrogance! But the card says destroy like Divine Reckoning or Duneblast right?" No, it's sacrifice and also it's non-land permanents! "But doesn't it work the same way like Fortunate Few or Cataclysmic Gearhulk?" No, without targeting I can choose all targets myself! So yea, it finds itself a solid spot on the team and so should you.
  • Retribution of the Ancients, this fellow KibaAlpha has great idea's sometimes, this card was one.
  • Find / Finality, I used it in Korvald for a while and love it. If not for removal it's good recurrence

Lastly I conclude that I will remain reyhan paired with Ishai. I love all the new partners. Alharu, Solemn Ritualist could be very interesting with Reyhan and I actually have thought of some very cool interactions between Reyhan and Akiri, Line-Slinger or Sakashima of a Thousand Faces I would like to see work, but I simply love that this duo comes from Tarkir together while being everything but red.

alechodgin23 says... #1

Awesome build. Like the diversity. I have one myself but doesn't look near as fun as this! Definitely a +1 from me!

The only add I have is Death's Presence

January 20, 2019 8:45 a.m.

AkaAkuma says... #2

alechodgin23: thanks for the tip! Death's presence was actually in my original setup but it got scrapped as the conditions for a good combo are difficult to achieve with the card. For 6 mana I usually had something in my hand I rather play on the turn and the card requires help of two other sources - counters and a sacrifice (death).

But its definitely not a bad option!

January 24, 2019 6:31 a.m.

An excellent deck! There's so much to choose from when it comes to +1 counters, I really like the chioces you've made. +1 from me!

February 11, 2019 4:36 p.m.

AkaAkuma says... #4

@VesuvanDoppelbanger: thanks! Those are encouraging words.

@RedZebra: guardian project is great! Slightly better than Beast Whisperer and more consistent than Fathom Mage even if I can dump 10 counters on the mage at once.

Thank you for your interest!

February 12, 2019 5:02 p.m. Edited.

Last_Laugh says... #5

Bramble Sovereign seems really good for your 'abuse legendary clones' strategy... granted doubling down on anything for 2 more mana is tits.

Shalai, Voice of Plenty is worth it just for giving you and your team hexproof but it also makes a great evasive beatstick that can pump your team. You've got yourself an allstar here.

Fathom Mage I like here more than Walking Archive. Only you draw instead of everyone and you can draw a lot more cards too. (Get the foil promo... dirt cheap and absolutely gorgeous art)

Rishkar, Peema Renegade is king of the mana ramp here. Don't leave home without one.

Last is Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest which is kinda meta dependent. Much better if you see lots of fetchlands in your playgroup and also better when you run lots yourself (you can technically run all 10 fetches in 4 colors, I did).

Anyways, feel free to check out my list for ideas. Obviously not budget after the all 10 fetches comment but plenty of options that're more reasonable. Feedback, Upvotes, and/or Ideas on any of my decks is appreciated. Atraxa-less Atraxa (Reyhan/Ishai +1+1 counters)

February 21, 2019 10:07 p.m.

DrowZgam3r says... #6

I love the direction you went with this deck, very original and creative.

If I could make a few suggestions, then I would recommend trying Sheoldred, Whispering One over Ravos, Soultender and cutting Rancor entirely as its not very good in edh.

February 21, 2019 10:35 p.m.

AkaAkuma says... #7

@Last_Laugh: interesting suggestions. Most of them actually have been in here, but scrapped for other cards.

  • I have a Bramble Sovereign reserved for this deck, but in the end it never got in. The only reason why is because he only works with ETB and not existing creatures. But he indeed is very good here!

  • Fathom Mage has been scrapped one update ago for Guardian Project . She definitely is amazing and would be the 101st card included but the issue is that her card draw is not reliable. I end up drawing 20 cards when I'm ahead or none because her power is to high. Most creatures of mine enter as a 1/1 anyway. I actually lost and won once with Walking Archive . Strategy is to dump a library worth of counters on him in your end step. But one opponent flashed a Laboratory Maniac in play when I did that a second time.. Just my luck.

  • Rishkar, Peema Renegade yes he is a beast! Also a scrapped and reserved card in the deck. I think I can do without. Might re include him.

  • Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest has been on my radar allot. But I think I'll need to run Dictate of Erebos sorta cards along with it. Not really the direction I want to go, but definitely good!

  • Shalai, Voice of Plenty : I skipped her for a reason. Since ravnica I was able to pick up a Privileged Position and found shalai looking terrible on her first inspection (why would I ever pay 6 mana to..!?). But perhaps she is a good addition! I'll test her.

Thanks man, the suggestions are much appreciated. I'll definitely check your deck out!

@DrowZgam3r: thanks for your suggestions and compliment!

  • Sheoldred, Whispering One is very strong, and even more oppressive! Never have I had a game where someone played her and everybody celebrated with dance and joy. People have scooped a game because of her. But perhaps if I play a compatitive game!

  • Rancor interesting you say its not fitting for edh. To me it's an evasive effect that permanently effects my boardstate. But I might look for a replacement.

February 22, 2019 6:34 a.m. Edited.

Last_Laugh says... #8

Why Selfless Squire and not Spike Feeder ? I get that Selfless Squire is typically a retaliation kill but Spike Feeder is reusable (I run both personally.)

Feel free to check out my list for ideas. I'm a little more all-in on the +1+1 counters personally and have the avg. cmc coming in at a slim 2.83. Feedback, Upvotes, and/or Ideas on any of my decks is appreciated. Atraxa-less Atraxa (Reyhan/Ishai +1+1 counters)

March 14, 2019 11:14 a.m.

AkaAkuma says... #9

You mean Spike Weaver ? The feeder is also good but then I also should run Mikaeus, the Unhallowed , Walking Ballista and perhaps make it even more janky with Archangel of Thune . Ehh, I like my current direction with Reyhan.

But selfless squire is actually up there because I don't really care about repeated protection. We're playing a deck that does not care about some sacrifices, we just want growth! So I don't want to think defensively to much, opponents are already dealing with my totem armor and recursion enough. And really, selfless squire always fetches allot of those beautiful +1/+1 goodness. Shift that power over to ishai and go for lethal the next turn. Out of the 100, she's definitely one of my 10 favorites.

Also for those who know my deck, they fear at any time that this b*tch gets flashed onto the board, so it's politically also!

It's a good suggestion though!

March 15, 2019 9:23 a.m. Edited.

Last_Laugh says... #10

Lmao yep, weaver, not feeder.

Mikaeus doesn't even seem good enough to even be janky here lol (If Reyhan moved existing counters rather than replacing them then he'd be an all-star). I also run Walking Ballista but yeah, outside of moving a buttload of counters on him it's not that good here and it's probably my next opening to test something.

I also agree with the political aspect of the Squire (granted it also applies to Weaver). A few days ago I saved a random opponent to get 103 +1+1 counters while making the deal that he wouldn't attack me the next turn. I killed my other 2 opponents with the squire, reyhan, and a newly played/equipped blade of selves. They had flying from Abzan Falconer leaving only the guy who promised not to attack me lol.

March 15, 2019 10:43 a.m.

AkaAkuma says... #11

This might sound odd, but you should look into Walking Archive . Nothing interesting right? But I have won allot of times with this guy (On a casual yesterday included vs a Ezuri, Sliver queen and those boros partners).

It removes aggro from you early game, won't be removed from your library as it is not an interesting card and late game you dump those same 100 counters on for a shocking alternate wincon.

March 15, 2019 12:11 p.m.

noshadowkick says... #12

@AkaAkuma, great suggestion with Walking Archive! I may give it a shot in my own Reyhan/Ishai counters build. (http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/four-color-counters-4/)

March 15, 2019 12:29 p.m.

Last_Laugh says... #13

I've considered it and it's definitely a hilarious win-con. However, what do you do with it early when you aren't winning? Serious question lol. Hold it? Accept that everyone is drawing 2+ cards?

My other problem (albeit temporary) is that I don't currently run sac outlets outside of Yahenni so I can't abuse +1+1 counter movement as readily. My plan is to weed out underperformers and replace them with sac outlets as I go. Any suggestions on cuts? I have the sac outlets covered from running Grixis Marchesa.

March 15, 2019 1:22 p.m.

ivenxyz says... #14

Hi, I was just counting myself the counter for every trigger and it's all right except for one voice:

Cathars' crusade combo: Reyhan + Rite of Replication combo: 30 x 13 (390) +1/+1 counters

My count is 240 'cause (let the +1/+1 counters from the original Reyhan apart) when 5 copies enter they get all +5/+5 so they are 8/8 (why you count 13/13?) so the count is (8x6)x5 = 240.

Am I wrong? Cathars' crusade is always a math problem on token decks

March 21, 2019 11:36 a.m.

AkaAkuma says... #15

Hey ivenxyz, looking into it. I think I accidentally calculated cathars crusade the same way as hardened scales, which triggers an additional time when counters are copy-pasted. It shouldn't have been 13x but 8x. Thanks for the heads up!

I haven't touched that sheet in a long while haha

March 21, 2019 11:46 a.m.

ivenxyz says... #16

I crush my head for having the wrong result for about 2hours hahah

Great deck anyway, I'll give it a try

March 21, 2019 1:11 p.m.

Impera9 says... #17

Keep up the awesome work! I love this list. Sadly there are some cards I don't own and don't plan on buying atm (Selvala you so pricey~)

April 21, 2019 6:29 a.m.

ThaneGarrus says... #18

Have you tested out the explore mechanic? Path of Discovery can give a jump start on +1/+1 counters and Hunter's Insight could be an instant speed zegana. Also the new cards from war of the spark seem pretty spicy here Evolution Sage , Flux Channeler , Neoform , Huatli's Raptor , Ugin's Conjurant , Karn's Bastion , Grateful Apparition

May 6, 2019 11:12 p.m.

AkaAkuma says... #19

@ThaneGarrus: hey man, good suggestions! I think these are all good cards and ended up in here if edh was a 110 card singleton, but just not optimal above what I currently have in my 100 card brew. I think Guardian Project has an edge over Path of Discovery and proliferate is just slightly to slow over Hardened Scales type of cards. Proliferate wants those overflowing chalice and planeswalker kinda effects, I lack those.

I do really like Hunter's Insight though. Often enough I connect a turn 3 Reyhan to someone.. It could really give a leap ahead.

May 7, 2019 2:46 a.m.

Aceh says... #20

May 11, 2019 8:14 p.m.

Last_Laugh says... #21

Ok, so I recently added Gaddock Teeg to my list and he's an absolute stud in my build at preventing wraths, stopping cost haymakers, and he shuts down a lot of greedy decks.

I know my curve is a bit lower than yours and he only shuts off 3 cards in my list. I'm not sure how much more he gets in the way of here, but he's worth considering.

May 11, 2019 8:41 p.m.

AkaAkuma says... #22

Teeg unfortunately would shut down allot of my deck and diverses from what I want to do with Reyhan (grow, not tax). So in my deck it's really bad.

Not being able to play Doubling Season , Traverse the Outlands or Greater Good not only sound like a headache but also the start of a dead hand. I have 12 cards he shuts down.

May 12, 2019 2:54 p.m.

AkaAkuma says... #23

@Aceh I completely forgot about Jiang and unfortunately did not pull him! I think if I'll need a second Rishkar, Peema Renegade , Jiang will be my man, thanks!

But even with the mana fixing perk I think Jiang is slightly underperforming to Rishkar however. Thanks for the heads up!

May 13, 2019 6:17 a.m.

zerowner says... #24

It causes me physical pain to see these commanders without Mindless Automaton and Pir, Imaginative Rascal / Toothy, Imaginary Friend . Why none of those cards?

July 17, 2019 4:53 p.m.

AkaAkuma says... #25

@zerowner because we can do better! What would you replace because I couldn't find a slot. Pir and Toothy want different strategies to be used than Reyhan. Like blinking Toothy for cards while maintaining counters. Pir is slightly worse than hardened scales or Winding Constrictor, and I also don't have too much cards that give small +1 counters over time.

The automation is very combo heavy, while e.g. Walking Archive holds on its own. Everyone is happy with the card until I dump a library worth of counters on it.

Thanks for the suggestions however!

July 25, 2019 3:58 a.m.