If there’s one thing I’ve learned in doing this column, it’s that there are a lot of different ways to approach Commander. Varying personalities all have their chances to shine. This is different than most other formats—when you play Standard at Friday Night Magic, your goal normally is to beat your opponents. If that isn’t your goal, you’re doing something really unusual, and people will most likely be confused. The same is true for a Draft or Two-Headed Giant tournament. Build the best, most efficient, most consistent deck you can, and beat your opponent.

Enter my new friend Laurent, from Paris.

Laurent told me about a genre of music he thought would be a great theme for a Bant deck: European power metal. I’ll let him explain:

Some of these bands have done incredible stories covering multiple albums. The Emerald Sword Saga is a five-album epic by the band Rhapsody of Fire, telling the story of the Ice Warrior and his quest to defeat the Dark Lord Akron.

Laurent said he’s been thinking about building a Commander deck with this theme and has a box with more than three hundred cards in it with ideas. As he and I talked about it, the idea of a Cube has come up (with an opposing B/R Cube of course), but in the meantime, let’s accept the challenge. Let’s create our own fantasy epic every time we pick up this hundred-card stack.

Our story can begin one of many ways. Perhaps we start at a lonely Seaside Citadel, where a White Knight dreams of following the Path of Bravery. Along the way, our hero seeks an Angelic Benediction to aid him in his quest. As his quest continues, he visits the local soothsayers, the Skyward Eye Prophets, who teach him the Simic Charm to return a fierce dragon back to the tempest. His Righteous Cause is joined by a Sigiled Behemoth, giving our knight strength in his battles while defending the borders of our kingdom. His piety is such he can summon Bonds of Faith to contain his enemies as he charges valiantly into the heart of his opposition through the Dueling Grounds.

Our story could start with an army of our own. A Knight-Captain of Eos could be joined by an Intrepid Hero and a Dragon Hunter. As they band together in glorious companionship, Messenger Falcons bring them good news: A Sublime Archangel is on their side, hovering overhead to help them in their goal. As a horde of goblins approaches, Angel of the Dire Hour swoops in at the last minute to save them from their fate at the filthy hands of the creatures. A Righteous Aura protects them from spells hurled by forces unseen in the distant mountains—until the Sphinx of Uthuun delivers to them a Sigil of Distinction. The Knight-Captain is given the honor and approaches the enemy, striking with deadly force in his Finest Hour.

Or we could simply head Into the Wilds and tell the Fable of Wolf and Owl. Our furry and feathered friends could be led by Anthousa, Setessan Hero, seeking revenge with her Sword of Vengeance. A Northern Paladin can help by banishing the forces of darkness, while a distant Sky Hussar forecasts counsel in the form of charms and the strength to Brave the Elements. We could visit the Obelisk of Bant and search for the Crown of Empires, Scepter of Empires, and Throne of Empires. Our tale could end in Glory as our army rides fearlessly past our enemies’ defenses and destroys the evil wizard behind it all in a single, decisive attack.

Epic Jenara ? Commander | Mark Wischkaemper

• Commander (0)

• Creatures (30)
• 1 Aegis Angel
• 1 Angel of the Dire Hour
• 1 Archetype of Courage
• 1 Battlegrace Angel
• 1 Dauntless Escort
• 1 Dragon Hunter
• 1 Frost Titan
• 1 Giltspire Avenger
• 1 Glory
• 1 Intrepid Hero
• 1 Knight of Glory
• 1 Knight-Captain of Eos
• 1 Kor Cartographer
• 1 Luminate Primordial
• 1 Messenger Falcons
• 1 Northern Paladin
• 1 Resolute Archangel
• 1 Sigiled Behemoth
• 1 Sky Hussar
• 1 Skyward Eye Prophets
• 1 Soul of Ravnica
• 1 Soul of Zendikar
• 1 Sphinx of Lost Truths
• 1 Sphinx of Magosi
• 1 Sphinx of Uthuun
• 1 Stoic Angel
• 1 Sublime Archangel
• 1 Thistledown Liege
• 1 White Knight
• 1 Anthousa, Setessan Hero

• Spells (29)
• 1 Azorius Charm
• 1 Bant Charm
• 1 Brave the Elements
• 1 Resounding Silence
• 1 Righteousness
• 1 Selesnya Charm
• 1 Sigil Blessing
• 1 Simic Charm
• 1 Treva's Charm
• 1 Blessings of Nature
• 1 Wargate
• 1 Angelic Benediction
• 1 Bonds of Faith
• 1 Dueling Grounds
• 1 Fable of Wolf and Owl
• 1 Faith's Fetters
• 1 Finest Hour
• 1 Into the Wilds
• 1 Path of Bravery
• 1 Righteous Aura
• 1 Righteous Authority
• 1 Righteous Cause
• 1 Crown of Empires
• 1 Moonsilver Spear
• 1 Obelisk of Bant
• 1 Scepter of Empires
• 1 Sigil of Distinction
• 1 Sword of Vengeance
• 1 Throne of Empires

• Lands (40)
• 14 Plains
• 7 Forest
• 7 Island
• 1 Adventurers' Guildhouse
• 1 Azorius Guildgate
• 1 Blossoming Sands
• 1 Cathedral of Serra
• 1 Mystifying Maze
• 1 Safe Haven
• 1 Seafarer's Quay
• 1 Seaside Citadel
• 1 Selesnya Guildgate
• 1 Simic Guildgate
• 1 Thornwood Falls
• 1 Tranquil Cove

Buy This Deck

The first thing to know about this deck is the cards were chosen by how well the names fit the theme. Once I had a long list, I decided on the following curve: forty lands, four 1-drops (Sigil of Distinction went here as a 0-drop), nine 2-drops, thirteen 3-drops (including Jenara), twelve 4-drops, ten 5-drops, eight 6-drops, and four 7-drops. This can be a really good way to cut down a big pile of cards into a hundred-card stack; a reasonable curve helps a deck work well, and it forces you to cut all across mana costs so you don’t wind up with a hand full of 7-drops or have nothing but 2s that don’t do anything late in the game.

Because that’s what we do with this deck. Be creative as you spin the tale of your undaunted heroes. Use the names of the cards as you craft their journey, and make it glorious, whether it ends in success or failure. A valiant death is just as honorable as a righteous victory, and singing the song is more important than winning or losing.

I’m very curious what you think of today’s episode. Is this kind of deck interesting? Is a deck the point of which isn’t to win something you like? More importantly, what other things have you done with Commander? Have you built your own story deck? Or something else? Please tell me!

Chivalrous adventures of good triumphing over evil make for great stories. Now go forth, valiant knight, and create your own glorious tale!

Total cost: $74.74