Rule 0, Non-Legendary creature commander help splashing in another color.
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on Sept. 30, 2021, 8:10 p.m. by StopShot
I came across the Rule 0 format recently and its interested me a lot recently. My favorite card in the game is Evershrike and I've always wanted to build a deck with it as my commander. The problem is I used to run Evershrike a ton in my single-player 60 card deck, and the color red was always present in making that particular deck shine. Evershrike doesn't have red in its color identity, but I heard rule 0 can allow the pairing of two commanders even if neither has the Partner keyword. I'd like to build a two partner commander rule 0 deck with one commander being Evershrike and the other being some card that splashes in Red and no other color.
Most importantly, I know two-commander decks can be pretty strong and I want this deck to revolve only around Evershrike with the red commander serving an incredibly minimal role. I could make it something inconsequential as a Dwarven Trader to pair it with, but I feel like most players would find that distasteful and/or lacking any meaningful relevance with the other commander to be worth justifying this two partner pairing. So I'm looking for a second commander with red in the identity that is too weak by itself to be to push the power level of Evershrike but synergistic enough with Evershrike to be considered worthwhile as a pairing. I guess that sounds paradoxical, so let me provide an example:
Evershrike + Smokebraider - I wouldn't plan on running any elementals in the deck, so Smokebraider's only use would be for casting Evershrike. It should also be noted that the mana Smokebraider creates can't be used on elemental abilities outside of the battlefield accroding to its rulings on gatherer, so it only has merits in casting Evershrike from the command zone. Essentially the Smokebraider plays a tiny role, but it still has some kind of synergy with Evershrike to justify its inclusion while also providing the red splash.
I'm wanting to know if there are other red cards I could use to partner with Evershrike instead of Smokebraider that sort of has the same level of underperformance and synergy.
seshiro_of_the_orochi says... #3
Rule 0 is a possibility for sure, and Smoke Braider seems a good choice. But I want to give you some fodder for thought: The colour identity restriction is meant to have players be creative with their game plan. You could make a list of the red effects you'd want to include in your WBR Soulshrieker list, and then try to find alternatives for that in WB. This could be considered a "lesson" in deck building while also maybe finding a handful of cards that are powerful with shrieker that you normally wouldn't play.
October 1, 2021 12:38 a.m.
seshiro_of_the_orochi says... #4
Evershrike instead of Soulshrieker, obviously.
October 1, 2021 12:40 a.m.
In my playgroup, we handle things like this by having a "legal" commander in the 99 somewhere. In your case, it would be running a x creature alongside the Evershrike, and a "legal" Mardu legend in the deck.
October 1, 2021 10:17 a.m.
I have never played Rule 0, I'm guessing your "partner" commander can be legendary or not right? Here are some cool pairings I don't consider too powerful.
Brion Stoutarm, would be a great way to sacrifice Evershrike when someone inevitably tries to kill/exile/ steal it, plus you gain life from it.
Ghen, Arcanum Weaver, way to recur some lost auras?
Obosh, the Preypiercer, probably a bit over powered.
Hofri Ghostforge, some synergy.
EnbyGolem says... #2
You could also just keep one commander and simply build with red in your deck, skirting around the color identity clause altogether. It would just be another part of the rule 0 discussion :)
Love the idea of a Evershrike deck btw!
September 30, 2021 11:53 p.m.