Captivating Crew or Commissar Severina Raine?
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on April 20, 2023, 9:37 p.m. by DemonDragonJ
I currently have a copy of Captivating Crew in my Tariel, Reckoner of Souls EDH deck, and they certainly work with the deck's main theme, but their ability is very expensive, and they do not do much, outside of that ability, so I am contemplating replacing them with another creature, and I am considering Commissar Severina Raine for that role, as she is less expensive, for both initial casting and activating her ability, she provides an additional sacrifice outlet, and her first ability fits into the combat sub-theme that this deck has. I would lose the ability to take control of my opponent's creatures, but that ability can be used only at any time that I could cast a sorcery, whereas Raine's ability can be used at any time, at all.
What does everyone else say about this? Should I replace Captivating Crew with Commissar Severina Raine?
I think you are dead on the money about Captivating Crew - the card costs four mana, which is generally when things start to feel a bit expensive to cast, made worse by a high activation cost.
Commissar Severina Raine is a solid card in a creature heavy deck that provides repeatable card draw. From a strict game stance, she is the better card, though she really belongs more in a token deck and doesn’t seem to be too synergistic with your Commander.
I should note that there is one non-game consideration to be taken into account. Severina Raine is explicitly designed to invoke Nazi imagery (her cap style and insignia thereon are designed to emulate Nazi symbolism) as she is basically part of the Space Nazis faction in Warhammer 40k. There are some folks who feel rather uncomfortable seeing such imagery in the game - I think most folks would be fine with the card, but you should consider your playgroup or LGS’ temperament before adding a controversial, not-overly-synergistic card.
April 21, 2023 9:02 a.m.
DrukenReaps says... #4
I don't know if your deck is really going to go wide enough to make good use of her first ability. I do think she'd be an improvement to your deck though. Allowing you to draw cards through her and refill an opponent's yard.
Caerwyn historically 'Commissar' would actually be directly from the soviet union (not saying that's better than the Nazis though xD). Further though, the Uniforms don't take inspiration from a single military. The eagle wings are as much reminiscent of Nazi imagery as they are American imagery. Many militaries use sabers, generally not as a fighting implement anymore though. The soldiers in the background are a fairly standardized uniform.
Basically it'd be more accurate to say the Astra Militarum, or Imperial Guard as they are more commonly known, is a conglomeration of many uniforms and imagery. If someone is even going to bring it up as a specific military though, it'd be more accurate to call her a Communist really.
April 21, 2023 11:28 a.m.
Crow_Umbra says... #5
Agreed with Caerwyn on their additional note. I've seen various comments online since Severina was spoiled regarding not liking her art for one reason or another. I'm definitely going to jump at a Universes Within version if we ever get one. At the very least I'll look into an alt art proxy.
April 21, 2023 11:33 a.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #6
Everyone does seem to be in agreement that Commissar Severina Raine is the better creature, so I shall put her in my deck.
Caerwyn, I shall definitely ask other players how they feel about her, but I assure you that her artwork was most certainly not why I am seeking to put her in this deck.
April 21, 2023 9:21 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #7
Crow-Umbra, I would like to see MtG-themed versions of the cards from the Warhammer set, as well.
April 21, 2023 9:31 p.m.
RoarMaster says... #8
Severina would probably be my choice for the slot.
I do think it is rather funny though the whole drama about her. Are we seriously at the point where we need to slap a trigger warning about mature themes on a card game about warfare, demons, black magic and planar annihilations? I thought the removal of the pentagram from Demonic Strength was silly, and feel this is taking it even farther :P
April 22, 2023 8:29 a.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #9
RoarMaster, I would prefer to not involve myself in this conversation, but my presumption is that evoking real-world villains is a more sensitive issue than villains who exist only in fiction; the galactic empire in Star Wars literally destroyed an entire planet, but they exist only within that work of fiction (although they, also, were modeled after the Nazis, as are the Imperium of Man from Warhammer 40K).
April 22, 2023 9:10 a.m.
RoarMaster says... #10
DemonDragonJ Eh, a direct reference to the devil is real to many people, and it was a direct and intentional reference instead of a “This reminds me of that, because it is vaguely similar, and I don’t like it.”.
Both are silly. One is more silly than the other.
Crow_Umbra says... #2
I think Commissar Severina Raine would be the move to make. She can sac all the stolen creatures from Tariel for draw. She can also act as more of a finisher than Captivating Crew.
I took a quick look at your deck, and a few more things I'd suggest:
Run some more ramp if you can. Arcane Signet, Boros Signet, and/or Talisman of Indulgence type stuff. Your curve is pretty top heavy, even with the access to reanimation to cheat stuff into play.
I think your deck could benefit from more Haste granting effects like Hanweir Battlements Meld, Footfall Crater, Bitter Reunion, Lightning Greaves & Swiftfoot Boots, Fervor, Ogre Battledriver, or Urabrask the Hidden. Similar to the ramp suggestion, this is to speed up the clock on your creatures attacking & using their activated abilities sooner. Thousand-Year Elixir is another option that could help in that regard.
April 20, 2023 9:56 p.m.