(Henzie "Toolbox" TorreHenzie "Toolbox" Torre | Art by Johannes Voss)

The Blitzkrieg Bop

Welcome to Challenge the Stats! This series is based on the awesome EDHRECast segment where we pick out cards that we think are overplayed, underplayed, or sleepers to challenge EDHREC’s data. But remember, these are merely comments on the data, and card choices made by you, the deckbrewer, for any reason such as flavor, budget, art, or fun are always most important and are what keep our format unique and awesome.

This week, we're challenging the new Jund precon face commander, Henzie "Toolbox" Torre.

We're challenging the data from a staggering 2,574 Commander decks at the time of writing, and you can see how often those cards are played in parentheses (%). Here we go.

I chatted with quite a few folks to brainstorm challenges for this article, so I'd like to especially thank Mike Carrozza, MotherEffingMage, Looter-Scooter, AwesomeMcCoolName, and OboeSapien for their great insights!

Challenges

Overplayed

1. Ziatora's EnvoyZiatora's Envoy (35%)

Ziatora's EnvoyZiatora's Envoy is making it in the deck just probably just because it's lying around when people are opening their Streets of New Capenna packs and building Henzie decks. Honestly, it doesn't do enough. Even if it doesn't get blocked (and that's a big if), we could still hit a 6-and-up drop and whiff.

2. Indrik StomphowlerIndrik Stomphowler (23%)

Indrik StomphowlerIndrik Stomphowler is a classic precon effect example in the EDHREC data. It was released in the preconstructed deck, yet there are much better options. I'd much prefer Foundation BreakerFoundation Breaker in its place. It hits Henzie's four-mana-value criteria, but can also cost two to Evoke, which can be fantastic in a pinch or if we want to put it right into the graveyard to reanimate it on the same turn.

Underplayed and Sleepers

3. Seedguide AshSeedguide Ash (38%)

We can Blitz out Seedguide AshSeedguide Ash for four mana and ramp three Forests (nonbasic!)! That rate is pretty awesome compared to a Circuitous RouteCircuitous Route or Migration PathMigration Path.

4. Body SnatcherBody Snatcher (9%) + Underworld SentinelUnderworld Sentinel (4%)

These two are cute ways to cheat something into play permanently when we Blitz them. Body SnatcherBody Snatcher cheats something into play from our hand, and Underworld SentinelUnderworld Sentinel effectively reanimates a creature from our graveyard. Sure, there are more effective ways to reanimate creatures, but in a creature-based deck and with Henzie's discount, the Sentinel is a solid synergy choice.

5. Homura, Human AscendantHomura, Human Ascendant (2%)

The downside of Homura is that it's a bit overcosted and hard to flip, but Henzie eliminates both of those! This will equate to five mana (or less) to give our whole team +2/+2, flying, and firebreathing! That's a huge buff that can help us close a game.

6. Rakshasa DebaserRakshasa Debaser (5%)

Encore cards are fantastic in Henzie since we want them in the graveyard anyway. Rakshasa DebaserRakshasa Debaser is a favorite of mine, snagging a creature on its first Blitz and then up to three on the Encore. Other Encore creatures are neat, too. Phyrexian TriniformPhyrexian Triniform is also a powerhouse and a great one to discount. Finally, given the number of Treasures running around, Fathom Fleet SwordjackFathom Fleet Swordjack might just be a finisher if we have enough artifacts (but check your deck before including it).

7. Doom WeaverDoom Weaver (14%)

Soulbond cards can pair to whatever we Blitz in, and Doom WeaverDoom Weaver's death trigger will easily happen when we sacrifice the creature. Let's imagine this: Blitz in a Seedguide AshSeedguide Ash, Soulbond with Doom Weaver, and, on our end step, sacrifice it to draw a total of five cards! That's a pretty reasonable floor when Henzie loves to play creatures with a high power stat.

8. Morbid OpportunistMorbid Opportunist (9%)

Deathreap RitualDeathreap Ritual is played in 35% of Henzie decks, and the creature version, Morbid OpportunistMorbid Opportunist, has much better synergy with our deck. I would also be very interested in playing FecundityFecundity because we're going to probably profit from it more than other players. Just be careful if there's another sacrifice deck at the table!

9. Kodama of the East TreeKodama of the East Tree (9%)

Kodama works beautifully with Blitz. We'll get a discount on the Blitz cost, but we'll still get to put in a permanent for free based on the Blitzed creature's undiscounted mana value.

10. GleancrawlerGleancrawler (2%)

GleancrawlerGleancrawler is a powerful engine with Henzie. We get all the creatures we Blitzed back every turn so we can do it all again next turn! If we need to, we can also Blitz the Gleancrawler, stacking the triggers so we sac other Blitz creatures first and get them back before the Gleancrawler dies.

11. Bonus Pick: Obosh, the PreypiercerObosh, the Preypiercer (2 decks)

AwesomeMcCoolName pointed out that Obosh would be a really cool Companion for Henzie since Henzie lets us essentially play our five-drops as four-drops and mitigate Obosh's downside! Whet your whistle with these odd-MV spells that the folks in our discord shouted out:

• FecundityFecundity
• Gratuitous ViolenceGratuitous Violence
• Dictate of the Twin GodsDictate of the Twin Gods
• Angrath's MaraudersAngrath's Marauders
• Seedguide AshSeedguide Ash
• Corpse DanceCorpse Dance
• Living DeathLiving Death
• Succumb to TemptationSuccumb to Temptation
• Dawn of the DeadDawn of the Dead
• Drakuseth, Maw of FlamesDrakuseth, Maw of Flames

There are so many cool death triggers we could reach for that don't make it on Henzie's page. I combed through every creature with a death trigger on Scryfall, and here's a list of some I think could be neat:

• Bhaal, Lord of MurderBhaal, Lord of Murder
• Caldaia GuardianCaldaia Guardian
• Cavalier of NightCavalier of Night
• Cavalier of FlameCavalier of Flame
• Cavalier of ThornsCavalier of Thorns
• Cemetery DesecratorCemetery Desecrator
• Demon of Dark SchemesDemon of Dark Schemes
• God-Eternal RhonasGod-Eternal Rhonas
• Gorex, the TombshellGorex, the Tombshell
• Moldgraf MonstrosityMoldgraf Monstrosity
• Nightmare ShepherdNightmare Shepherd
• Rootless YewRootless Yew
• Ruin GrinderRuin Grinder
• Seed GuardianSeed Guardian
• Seedguide AshSeedguide Ash
• Sek'Kuar, DeathkeeperSek'Kuar, Deathkeeper
• Syr Konrad, the GrimSyr Konrad, the Grim
• Sultai FlayerSultai Flayer

For more info about Henzie and decklist to start from, check out this video by the EDHRECast's Joey Schultz!

Rudolph and Blitzen

What do you think about these challenges? Are there any other cards you would challenge? Let me know in the comments below! As always, you can find me on twitter @jevinmtg.

Jevin Lortie

Jevin Lortie has been playing magic on and off since Portal. He has a PhD in nutritional sciences, so he always tells people to get a healthy serving of fruits and vegetables – especially ramp-les and draw-nanas.