Anyone who has sat down for a game of Commander with me knows I have a particular fondness for decks in the spellslinger archetype. Although I branch out from time to time, I’ve always enjoyed trying to cast as many spells as possible in one turn. It took a long time for me to realize what I really enjoy about Commander is doing lots of things and getting lots of value. Today is all about value from top to bottom. Welcome back to the Commander Corner, and you had better fasten your seatbelt, because today we’re covering…
There’s a lot of blue-green, or Simic, Commanders. There’s powerful landfall Commanders like Aesi, Tyrant of Gyre Strait or Tatyova, Benthic Druid, token producers like Volo, Guide to Monsters or Adrix and Nev, Twincasters, combo pieces like Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy or Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief, and many more. There’s tons of room for innovation in a lot of those decks, and most of them have some pretty fun play patterns, but few of them operate in the way that Alaundo the Seer does.
The card itself is reminiscent of Jhoira of the Ghitu, except it’s massively powered up. I’ve seen Jhoira cast some pretty messed up cards, but Alaundo does the same thing much faster. This only gets easier with untap effects, which speed up Alaundo big time. Even if you’re not casting huge spells on the cheap, simply tapping to draw at least one additional card each turn is pretty powerful. Speaking of untap effects and casting messed up cards, let’s get into the actual meat of the deck.
Untap, Upkeep, Draw, Untap, Untap, Untap, Untap
There’s a lot of potential for wheel spinning (but not quite Clockspinning) in this deck. A lot of folks seem to think extra turn spells like Time Warp can put Alaundo over the top, but I personally feel like extra turn spells are kinda boring. I firmly believe avoiding extra turn spells and untapping Alaundo the Seer multiple times per turn is the way to go instead. With that in mind, there’s quite a few tools we can use.
Untappers That Ramp
When it comes to ramp and combo, there’s a surprising number of creatures which can untap any permanent. Notably, Kiora’s Follower, Vizier of Tumbling Sands, Kelpie Guide, Clever Conjurer, and probably one other I’m forgetting. Patriar’s Seal could very well be the only artifact which can ramp and untap Alaundo, as I don’t know of any other.
Untappers (Not Ramp)
If all you’re looking to do is untap Alaundo the Seer, plenty of cards fit the bill. They range from somewhat pricy Aphetto Alchemist to the meager Corridor Monitor, and everywhere between. You can also afford to run tools like Murkfiend Liege, Seeker of Skybreak, and Saryth, the Viper’s Fang. Oh yeah, I almost forgot Chakram Retriever and Seedborn Muse too.
Suspend Cards
Rather surprisingly, even though Alaundo the Seer doesn’t actually grant cards the suspend ability, it will still remove time counters from cards with suspend. Inevitable Betrayal, Aeon Chronicler, Ancestral Vision, Inspiring Refrain, Venture Forth, and a handful of other powerful cards which have the suspend ability are all worth considering.
The Boring Stuff
Removal and ways to ramp fit into this category. Call me a cynic, but after playing Simic Signet, Fellwar Stone, Pongify, and Rapid Hybridization, among other cards, the removal and ramp slots aren’t very exciting compared to the spicier flex slots. Speaking of…
The Finishing Touch
I think casting huge powerful cards is one of the main draws of Commander, and Alaundo is quite capable in that regard. When it comes to top-end threats, I am very fond of cards like Nezahal, Primal Tide, Aminatou’s Augury, Wondrous Crucible, and God-Pharaoh’s Statue. Of course, those cards alone can’t win the game. Given that the primary objective of this deck is to cast tons upon tons of spells and draw lots of cards, there are some pretty sweet ways to win the game. Aetherflux Reservoir is a card your opponents should always respect, even if you’re unlikely to defeat the entire table at once with it. Additionally, Laboratory Maniac and Thassa’s Oracle are wonderful ways to win once you’ve drawn out your entire library. Those are by no means mandatory, but they are indeed good ways to end games.
The Decklist
You’ve seen a lot of the tools I think work best in a deck like this, but now it’s time to put it all together. While the cards I’ve selected are a pretty good fit, there’s plenty of fun ways to build this deck. If you want to include staples like Rhystic Study or Sylvan Library, go ahead. When it comes to deckbuilding, you’re the ultimate authority on what’s fun for you, so don’t be afraid to experiment and change this list drastically if you so desire.
Commander
Creature – 21
Kiora’s Follower, Vizier of Tumbling Sands, Kelpie Guide, Clever Conjurer, Aphetto Alchemist, Murkfiend Liege, Seeker of Skybreak, Seedborn Muse, Chakram Retriever, Aeon Chronicler, Llanowar Elves, Elvish Mystic, Fyndhorn Elves, Birds of Paradise, Psychosis Crawler, Stinging Lionfish, Artisan of Kozilek, Nezahal, Primal Tide, Thassa’s Oracle, Laboratory Maniac, Nimbleclaw Adept
Enchantment – 5
Teferi’s Ageless Insight, Retreat to Coralhelm, Quest for Renewal, Abundance, Mystic Remora
Artifact – 13
Sol Ring, Arcane Signet, Fellwar Stone, Simic Signet, Talisman of Curiosity, Thought Vessel, Mind Stone, Coldsteel Heart, Moss Diamond, Sky Diamond, Lightning Greaves, Swiftfoot Boots, Patriar’s Seal
Instant – 12
Pongify, Rapid Hybridization, Arcane Denial, Swan Song, Nature’s Claim, Dispel, Reverent Silence, Counterspell, Beast Within, Double Major, Narset’s Reversal, Twiddle
Sorcery – 10
Search for Tomorrow, Inevitable Betrayal, Reality Strobe, Gaea’s Will, See the Truth, Mind’s Desire, Aminatou’s Augury, Regrowth, Recurring Insight, Skyshroud Claim
Planeswalker – 3
Kiora, Behemoth Beckoner, Jace, Wielder of Mysteries, Teferi, Temporal Pilgrim
Land – 35
Command Tower, Hinterland Harbor, Temple of Mystery, Path of Ancestry, Barkchannel Pathway, Vineglimmer Snarl, Yavimaya Coast, Dreamroot Cascade, Flooded Grove, Tangled Islet, Rimewood Falls, Waterlogged Grove 12x Forest, 11x Island
There’s the list, but here are the details. Across lands, artifacts, and creatures which can produce mana in some way, there are around 53 mana sources in the deck. Since Alaundo the Seer draws cards, the most important goal you’ll have across each game is playing and activating him multiple times, so flooding out is less of a concern than usual. Use your removal sparingly, and only on things that will stop you from activating Alaundo, if you can help it. If you want to add the more expensive upgrades like Rhystic Study or Time Warp, be my guest, but the list above should do fine at many tables. I hope you’ve enjoyed this new deck! I’ve been Luka “Robot” Sharaska, and this has been the Commander Corner!
[Luka V. Sharaska (they/them) earned the nickname “Robot” by having a monotone voice, a talent for calculating odds, and a perfect poker face. Robot has been playing Magic for more than a decade, starting during the days of New Phyrexia in 2011.]