Look at that art! That’s some serious athlete’s foot… Ghave, Guru of Spores operates as the principal commander in the CounterPunch pre-con deck. To me, it looks like the prototypical build-around-me card. First of all, one can’t complain about spending 5 mana on this guy. It looks like a better, more versatile, and cheaper version of Pentavus. The first ability places Saproling tokens out, while the second one sacrifices creatures for +1/+1 counters. When I saw this card, I immediately thought of the token deck staple, good ole’ Doubling Season (also there seems to be an infinite combo going on with Ashnod's Altar or Earthcraft). Grave Pact is also fun with this guy! Jinxed Idol also equals fun times (though a bit slow). He also looks like he would work fine with other token stables, like pump enchantments of the likes of Glorious Anthem/Gaea's Anthem. We also can’t forget Eldrazi Monument. And how about finishers, like Overrun? Ouch! He works well with Sigil Captain and can be protected with Dauntless Escort or Asceticism. Cards like, Symbiotic Wurm, Mycoloth, Mitotic Slime, and the new Hornet Queen can help get the strategy on role. An awesome finisher would also include Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite, and I can see Akroma's Memorial doing big things. In addition, this Commander has the same colors to include Mirari's Wake, so look out for Alliance of Arms or Martial Coup! Spells like that can be devastating.
However, this guy does come with his weaknesses. He’s especially vulnerable to Wrath of God -type of abilities. Even a spell, like Pyroclasm or Slagstorm could make an impact. Ratchet Bomb is also pretty cruel. I think Black Sun's Zenith and Mutilate are some other cards to look out for. Also, what about cards, like Magus of the Tabernacle? Would you really want to have to pay for that giant swarm of creatures? Insurrection also looks kinda scary here. Overall, Ghave seems like a fungus that will cause a lot of irritation.
Man, have you ever seen a goat lady with such a great heart? She seems like a great casual card and really becomes involved with the politics (seeing as how she is the star of Political Puppets). Now, there are several strategies with her. The first is the more generous one (the “Group Hug” strategy). Just give your opponents your stuff and hope that they don’t use it on you. This general does operate on very protective colors, so imagine having a Plumeveil, Wall Of Denial, False Prophet, Guard Gomazoas or Windborn Muse out. What about Loxodon Peacekeeper? “Don’t attack me, it’s not worth it!” Let your opponent’s finish each other. Then at the end, use Homeward path, Insurrection , Cultural Exchange, or something like Blatant Thievery. Maybe you can even surprise them with Akroma, Angel of Wrath, Kozilek, Butcher of Truth, Iona, Shield of Emeria , or Blightsteel Colossus. Sick, right? Just pretend to be the nice little victim, gain life, draw cards, sit in the sidelines, donate more stuff, and then crush everyone at the end!
That’s the political version. How do you win without making broken promises? Oh that’s easy. There is Delusions of Mediocrity (which works great with Venser, the Sojourner as a “u/r/w: Target player loses 20 life. You gain 20 life. Only play this ability once per turn”) and How about Transcendence when you are low on life? Let’s give away Thought Lash. Lich's Tomb is another fun thing to give away. How about Bronze Bombshell or Tolarian Serpent? Or how about Rust Elemental ? Those are fun cards to Mirrorweave at the beginning of someone’s turn. Why doesn’t the table have some fun with Flailing Soldier? Molten Firebird and Ivory Gargoyle makes your opponent skip his draw step. Zedruu allows for so much fun Kitchen Table value that it makes for a great casual card, but obviously involves a lot of work to see how to use it donate ability optimally.
That’s all there is time for today. How do you feel about these two Commanders? Leave your comments below.
No comments:
Post a Comment