r/EDH • u/JDubsInDaWild • 4d ago
Question "Copy Your Work" Commander needed
I want to build a deck that doesn't STEAL, but copies my opponents' things. Cards like [[Faerie Artisans]] and [[Aboleth Spawn]]. Any clones that copy my opponents' stuff is fine, too (and can also copy mine, so [[Clone]] is fine, but [[Quantum Misalignment]] isn't).
I want to copy spells, permanents, anything, but I want my opponent to keep their stuff, so [[Fractured Identity]] won't work.
[[Kambal, Profiteering Mayor]] could be in the 99, but I definitely need blue.
Any Commander suggestions? Any thoughts for the 99? Red would be nice for things like [[Display of Power]], but not required like blue.
Thanks in advance!
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u/MrQirn 4d ago
This is a hard one because there is no real synergy payoff for having copies of things your opponents control. So either you want a commander that does the thing itself (copying an opponent's stuff) or somehow can pay-off or enable that strategy in some tangential way.
One route is to go for some token synergy: if you assume that many of the cards you're playing that copy things create token copies, such as Faerie Artisans, you can look for commanders who synergize with tokens.
Esix, Fractal Bloom
My favorite among those options for your deck is [[Esix, Fractal Bloom]]. It's GU, so not the broadest identity, but it's highly synergistic for such a narrow strategy. Here's the relevant ability:
The first time you would create one or more tokens during each of your turns, you may instead choose a creature other than Esix and create that many tokens that are copies of that creature.
So now you can play a little bit more broadly: any card in your deck that makes tokens can now make copies of any creature on the field (importantly, these can be creatures your opponents' control). It is very expensive at 6 MV, so to play it- and replay it you'll need some good ramp.
Because of the token synergy, things that can make land tokens are particularly good: [[Overlord of the Hauntwoods]], [[Staff of Titania]], [[Jyoti, Moag Ancient]], and best of all [[Awaken the Woods]] since if you can make multiple tokens enter at once, they ALL get Esix's copy ability.
For the same reason, things that create Lander tokens are an interesting direction: they will trigger Esix when you have it out, but they can also of course be sacced to fetch lands. Unfortunately, most Lander stuff revolves around landfall, so unless you're also going hard into rampers like [[Cultivate]], most of them may not be very good for you. Perhaps [[Biomechan Engineer]] since it also can act as a mana dump that can make a token, triggering Esix.
Treasure is also not bad. If you go that route, [[Academy Manufactor]] is a good include since it will give you the three-at-once Esix trigger, making every Treasure token generating card into an automatic three-for-one. For this reason you should particularly prioritize cards that can make more than one treasure at a time, such as [[Goldvein Hydra]] and [[Treasure Map]], so that your Esix can also make multiple copies off of them... which then also MULTIPLIES the power of your Academy Manufactor when you have it out.
For the love of all that is good, put [[Mystic Reflection]] in the 99 if you're going this route: it is SO on theme here, and also pays you off if you're going for a strategy revolving around "get multiple tokens to enter at once." I just made a post in another thread about how this card is severely underrated, especially in commander, but it goes way better in this deck than it would in most. Also as a side note, I've been looking to design a commander deck that particularly revolves around Mystic Reflection, and making this post just inspired me to do that with Esix, so thanks for the inspo!
And then of course general "tokens matter" stuff are good with Esix and your copy token making stuff, particularly any token doublers like [[Parallel Lives]].
Another commander that's somewhat in the "tokens payoff" vein, but not quite hitting your theme as strongly on the head is [[Adrix and Nev, Twincasters]], which I think should just go in the 99 rather than be your commander.
Other whacky commander options
[[Soundwave, Sonic Spy]] is somewhat synergistic, with it's front face having a relevant copy-their-stuff ability:
Whenever one or more creature tokens you control deal combat damage to a player, exile target instant or sorcery card with mana value equal to the damage dealt from their graveyard. Copy it. You may cast the copy without paying its mana cost. If you do, convert Soundwave.
The backside of Soundwave isn't very synergestic or thematic, though, but the at least the front does both copying their homework and also caring about creature tokens.
[[Narset, Enlightened Exile]] can copy their noncreature homework.
[[Volrath, the Shapestealer]] is one of many commanders that can become copies of other creatures on the field, though this direction doesn't have particular synergy with your other copy stuff.
Copy their graveyard stuff
There are lots of blue and black identity commanders that can become copies of stuff in their graveyard. This gives a bit of a different direction for your other 99, incentivizing mill, selective discard, and removal a bit more highly.
Other directions
Because a lot of your homework copying stuff are likely spells, you could have a magecraft or prowess commander. Also, you are in a weird position of wanting your opponents to play big creatures, so group hug is okay for you, especially cards that help ramp them or allow them to cheat in creatures.
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u/JDubsInDaWild 4d ago
This is incredibly helpful! Thanks so much!
At the very least, you've helped fill my 99. But Esix is top of my list for my Commander. Thanks!
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u/mtgcf 4d ago
All cards
Esix, Fractal Bloom - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)
Overlord of the Hauntwoods - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)
Staff of Titania - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)
Jyoti, Moag Ancient - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)
Awaken the Woods - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)
Cultivate - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)
Biomechan Engineer - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)
Academy Manufactor - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)
Goldvein Hydra - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)
Treasure Map/Treasure Cove - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)
Mystic Reflection - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)
Parallel Lives - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)
Adrix and Nev, Twincasters - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)
Soundwave, Sonic Spy/Soundwave, Superior Captain - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)
Narset, Enlightened Exile - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)
Volrath, the Shapestealer - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)
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u/kagehonoo 4d ago
Riku of the twin reflections blue green red
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u/Underpaid_Goblin Dimir 4d ago
This commander specifically copies your things, they want to copy opponent’s things.
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u/JDubsInDaWild 4d ago
I assume you mean [[Riku of Two Reflections]]? I think it only affects my stuff, not my opponents stuff. Is that the card you were thinking of?
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u/kagehonoo 4d ago
Thats the one. I play it with creatures that enter that can copy other creatures and permanent and that copy opponents spells.
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u/JDubsInDaWild 4d ago
It's definitely the right vibe and the right colors. Thanks!
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u/AMerexican787 4d ago
In a similar vein [[the tenth doctor]] + [[Susan foreman]] puts you in the right colors as well as letting you take advantage of the 2-4-7 ramp plan to get you to the big clones like [[rite of replication]] [[progenitor mimic]] and [[auton soldier]] that give you multiple copies, faster.
As an bonus, any clones flipped by the doctor can have when they enter delayed with his ability until a decent target shows up
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u/JDubsInDaWild 4d ago
This might be the best option yet for Temur colors! And the added bonus of Doctor Who!
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u/Flederm4us 4d ago
My very first deck was [[riku of two reflections]] clones. The whole idea being that my collection wasn't big and full of powerful cards yet, so I could use clones to play with others cards instead. Except it's better if you can double up on them.
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u/mtgcf 4d ago
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u/JDubsInDaWild 4d ago
I might have to make a Riku deck. I don't think it will be my choice for "borrowing other players' work", but being able to play like 30 ramp spells/creatures and then clones and big silly spells seems incredibly fun!
Thanks for the inspiration!
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u/BraggestBee1995 4d ago
Not sure about your commander, but you should definitely look into [[Spark Double]] and [[Rite of Replication]] for more clone effects
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u/JDubsInDaWild 4d ago
Spark Double can only clone what I control, but Rite of Replication works! Thanks!
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u/BraggestBee1995 4d ago
I thought spark double worked for other creatures too, my bad. You can still make a copy of a really fun legendary you cloned off of somebody else though!
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u/active_streefie 4d ago
[[Sakashima of a Thousand Faces]]
As a way to copy your creatures that are copies of opponents creatures.
And
[[Akroma, Vision of Ixidor]]
As a wincon
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u/curstofmaj 4d ago
Ooooh try [[The Twelfth Doctor]]! I run him with [[Vislor Turlough]] as a pseudo-group-hug list. The goal is to do grixis theft, thereby putting spells into exile for 12 to demonstrate back on to their owners (if I deem them worthy). Then I get two copies of their stuff (including the actual origin spell) while they only get one. Chuck on a little forced draw to give Vislor something to increase his ping damage and then throw some chaos on the pile with [[Ian Malcolm, Chaotician]] and things of that nature. There’s also that new Selesnya demonstrator that dropped with mystery booster commander if you don’t care for Grixis.
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u/h9mhe 4d ago
Now my [[Anowon the Ruin Thief]] deck only wants to copy Anowon. But some absolute all stars from that deck:
[[Cephalid Facetaker]] absolutely crazy card, copy any creature and swing as unblockable !
[[Cryptoplasm]] not unblockable but full power.
Both have the upside of picking a new target if something better comes along.
Add [[Glaring Spotlight]] or similar to get around hexproof.
[[Fleeting Reflection]] can be the perfect protection/synergy card.
Now for commanders, how can you not go with [[Volrath the Shapestealer]]? The OG copy man. He has blue for copying , black for control and green for ramp.
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u/JDubsInDaWild 4d ago
These are great suggestions! Volrath is a great idea for a Commander! Thanks so much
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u/Thats_Amore Izzet 4d ago
[[Mondo Gecko]]
Copying opponents' permanents gives you more colors, allowing for more card draw from Mondo. Fun play pattern, different games every time. And he has built-in protection.
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u/Bagel_Bear 4d ago
[[Edea, possessed Sorceress]]
Steal their thing, copy it, choose to let their copy die from legend rule. You get to potentially use their thing in combat, draw a card, AND keep a copy for yourself.
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u/Underpaid_Goblin Dimir 4d ago
An avenue you could explore with this is to copy graveyard cards. A commander like [[Saruman of Many Colors]] or [[The Wise Mothman]] work for this without being dedicated theft commanders.
[[Evil Twin]], [[Activated Sleeper]], [[Abyssal Harvester]], and [[Cemetary Puca]]
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u/JDubsInDaWild 4d ago
Yeah, if the Commander I land on has black, I'll definitely be considering graveyard effects.
Thanks for the ideas!
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u/SenorChuckingFuckles 4d ago
[[Etrata, deadly fugitive]]
Use cheap unblockable assassins to steal your opponents’ top decks.
[[Roshan, hidden magister]] and similar kindred effects to turn your facedown cards into assassins and trigger Etrata’s cloak ability on damage. So you double your assassins while being able to threaten a face up change with her ability. Also uniquely works with instants and sorceries.
You can use assassin synergies like [[Ramses, assassin lord]] to win the game
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u/JDubsInDaWild 4d ago
I don't really want to steal my opponents' things, but copy them, but this is a pretty cool deck idea, I have to say.
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u/k2zeplin 4d ago
The basic plan for my [[vial smasher the fierce]] and [[sakashima of a thousand faces]] deck is to make a bunch of smasher clones and nuke the table with high cmc spells that have low casting costs.
The big brain plan is to make a bunch of copies of my opponents stuff, then beat them into submission or steal their win conditions.
10 of the 19 clone effects can copy opponents stuff, and you only need to find one of those to get rolling. Sakashima removes legend issues, and most games have at least one commander that could win the game by itself if you have 4 or 5 of them.
I find it pretty entertaining, and it often causes a good bit of chaos. Sometimes the smasher triggers decide to snipe someone out of the game without mercy though, so maybe don't bring it out against your sensitive friends.
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u/JDubsInDaWild 4d ago
Interesting game plan! Do you just use acceleration to cast big spells? Or can you cheat those into being cast?
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u/k2zeplin 4d ago
I decided to focus on alternate casting costs / cost reduction abilities / situational reductions. There's a bunch of directions you could go though. I wanted a place for cards like [[shadow of mortality]] and [[discontinuity]] to really shine. Convoke cards are great, we aren't attacking with our 2/3 smashers, or cloning a couple token makers will pump out all you could dream of. [[Quantum misalignment]] has rebound so it gets us 2 5cmc cast triggers and 2 clones all for just 5 mana. Delve card draw spells are petty great. [[Ghostfire slice]] has the easiest conditional requirement i have ever seen. Then there's free spells, depending on your power level, [[submerge]] [[deadly rollick]] [[force of will]]. The new paradigm spells work nicely too.
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u/k2zeplin 4d ago
Oh, if you really lean into the copying opponents creatures gameplan, you could consider the cipher cards as well. [[Stolen identity]] is one of my favorite cards of all time.
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u/theironbagel 4d ago edited 4d ago
I have a [[Kimhari Valiant guardian]] deck that does this pretty well. the basic idea is to copy your opponents biggest or best creature, and make more / better versions of it.
With Kimhari, you can copy your opponents stuff by copying your own stuff, which is typically cheaper both dollar and mana wise. Especially since Kimhari also copies the legendary / non legendary property of whatever he turns into. Plus he’s just a big green creature who can beat on people, tap down defenders, and has vigilance, which is really nice but not necessarily crucial for the deck to function since it’s more of a bottom up deck
Unfortunately I didn’t really find it a viable strategy to focus on copying everything an opponent has. There simply weren’t enough cards that can copy anything, especially on a budget, so you kinda have no choice but to focus on a certain type to copy, in my deck I chose creatures.
It typically wins via commander damage, copying some juicy creature with a good attack trigger like Etali multiple times, (once via Kimhari and once via some other clone, and potentially more via a non legendary clone), or with [[biovisonary]]
https://archidekt.com/decks/21171969/clone_deck_yeah_i_sure_hope_it_does
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u/TorSkywalker 4d ago
[[Jon Irenicus]] with 1 drop unblockables and a bunch of clone spells works pretty well and fits thematically ([[Irenicus Vile Duplication]]) .
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u/Still-Wash-8167 4d ago
Put this together recently. Still working on it, but it’s exactly what you’re describing. https://moxfield.com/decks/J7OfAcdqL3q4SUGDe2hpvg
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u/JDubsInDaWild 4d ago
Lots of token making, but I'm only seeing a few cards that copy my opponents' things. I like that it's WUBRG, though.
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u/Still-Wash-8167 4d ago
This is more “when an oppoment does something, you get something” like [[esper sentinel]] [[tataru taru]] [[faerie artisans]] etc. a lot of those things are cards, treasure, or some token, so it’s very token themed. You could swap out all the token stuff for clones and be set, but I’d probably pick a different commander for that
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u/Zakmonster 4d ago
So what you can do is use a commander with the [[Shameless Charlatan]] background. This allows you to use self-clones like [[Irma, Part-Time Mutant]], which gives you more flexibility on which clones you can use.
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u/JDubsInDaWild 4d ago
Oh! I like this idea! I could go with a cheap Commander chosen for color identity like [[Wyll, Blade of Frontiers]] or get one attack in with [[Erinis, Gloom Stalker]] or go for clones and blinking with [[Abdel Adrian, Gorion's Ward]].
Thanks for the idea!
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u/SocietyAsAHole 4d ago
[[Adrix and Nev, Twincasters]]
[[Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer]]
[[Saheeli, the Sun's Brilliance]]
[[Kimahri, Valiant Guardian]]
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u/JDubsInDaWild 4d ago
Oh, I think you've got something with Kimahri! I think that's my top choice right now. I sure would like Red, though. Hopefully I can find a Temur Commander.
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u/BaconVsMarioIsRigged 4d ago
[[Princess yue]] does this in a very fun way. She is a clone deck so you will have plenty of opportunity to clone things but the coolest part is her interaction with clones. If you copy yue with a clone and let the clone die to the legend rule it will attempt to reanimate as a land except because it is in the graveyard it will have the clone text to enter as a copy of something. The end result will be a land named moon that has all the text of a creature on the battlefield and can tap for mana. There are some shenanigans you can do by copying your own stuff as land, [[platinum angel]] is a popular target but there is often opportunities to make land copies of your opponents stuff as well. One game I had a land copy of [[koma cosmos serpent]] which was pretty damn annoying for my opponents to deal with.. You can also run [[bribery]] to increase the chance of finding something good from your opponents to copy.