The Lady of OtariaThe Lady of Otaria | Art by Scott Murphy | Graphic Design by Luminarch

A Tale Retold

Let's pretend it's June 1994. You manage to get your hands on a pack of Legends and are delighted that the booster contains 15 cards, as opposed to the eight that were in packs from previous sets. "What a world," you think. "Surely this is the pinnacle of Magic."

You crack open your pack to discover a world of new concepts. What are these strange gold-framed cards? Are you telling me a deck can contain multiple colors? And what is this "Summon Legend" business? If "Legends" are truly unique characters, then why was Ali BabaAli Baba not a Legend?

You flip through the cards and arrive at your pack's rare slot: some bearded dude with a horned hat named Angus MackenzieAngus Mackenzie. "What a worthless rare! It costs three different colors, and there's no easy, one-word way to describe that color combination because this is 1994," you think. "This is dumb. Maybe I can trade it for the rare I actually wanted: SentinelSentinel. That card is way easier to understand."

Fast forward to 2022, and with the release of Dominaria United, some of those strange, gold-framed, multicolored "Summon Legends" are making their return as Legends Retold, a sort of "reboot" of classic Legends from nearly three decades ago. Included in Set, Draft and Collector Booster displays of Dominaria United, the 20 reiterations will be available in both non-foil and foil etched treatments. Without further deliberation, let Nick Wolf, Philomène Gatien, and Trent Trombley take you out on a little 1994 reunion tour.

Mythics

Jedit Ojanen, MercenaryJedit Ojanen, Mercenary

Jedit OjanenJedit Ojanen, everyone's favorite non-planeswalking anthropomorphic cat guy, forsook the forests and has taken to the high seas, but don't let that smart-looking sash fool you: he's a mercenary, a cat-for-hire, not a pirate. His original Legends version provided a blank slate for designers, prompting them only with the idea that he's a tigerboy who hates trees. What we received in the new version is an interesting, flavorful take on a legends-matter theme, supplying you with an addition to your merry band of cat friends whenever a legendary creature joins the fray, and, on-brand, Jedit really, really hates forests, punishing those who utilize them. Even so, you'll likely find him always humming the Song of the DryadsSong of the Dryads in battle.

Nick

The Lady of OtariaThe Lady of Otaria

We've wondered for nigh on 30 years what The Lady of the MountainThe Lady of the Mountain's real name was, and here in 2022, we still don't know. We do know, however, that she was created by a dwarf named Fiers, who might have been a god, or a planeswalker, or maybe both, so if you're wondering why there's so much mention of Dwarves on The Lady's new version, that's why. She was created by them, hence why they can summon her as per her first ability. Today, she loses her Giant status in favor of becoming an Avatar. Most decks built around her will be Dwarf tribal, with a dash of land-sacrifice as additional flavor. At least she turns your Dwarven MinerDwarven Miners into mini-Dwarven RecruiterDwarven Recruiters, if that's what you're into.

Nick

Sivitri, Dragon MasterSivitri, Dragon Master

Other than visuals and flavor text, there wasn’t much mechanical precedent here for Sivitri ScarzamSivitri Scarzam. The Dragon affiliation was certainly there, but her remake as a planeswalker helped clear up a lot of her lore.

Dimir Dragons doesn’t have as deep of a pool as other color identities might, but Silumgar, the Drifting DeathSilumgar, the Drifting Death’s page may be a good place to search for inspiration, and the pool has certainly deepened in recent years with all the Dungeons and Dragons sets. There’s always a bit of a trickiness when having a tutor capability in the command zone, as it can make games somewhat linear, but given how limited Dragons are in Dimir, I think it shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Personally, I treat this more as a pillowfort commander (or even inclusion in the 99) rather than strictly being locked into Dragon tribal, disincentivizing attacks like Revenge of RavensRevenge of Ravens while you develop other pieces and pseudo-Crux of FateCrux of Fate as needed. Or, do the cool tribal-tribal thing and splash Maskwood NexusMaskwood Nexus so you can tutor any creature!

For me, I think she’ll slot nicely in my Sygg, River CutthroatSygg, River Cutthroat punisher deck.

Trent

Tetsuo, Imperial ChampionTetsuo, Imperial Champion

What a fascinating design space: Grixis Equipment, but with still a Spellslinger sub-theme. Even cooler, you're rewarded for running the big, girthy Equipment that most people gloss over.

What I really like about the Tetsuo, Imperial ChampionTetsuo, Imperial Champion is just how careful you have to build your deck. The list of Grixis-legal Equipment organized by mana value can be seen in this table here:

This means we sort of ‘top out’ at a mana value of seven, if we choose to run Elbrus, the Binding BladeElbrus, the Binding Blade and/or Kaldra CompleatKaldra Compleat. My money would be on focusing on the Swords (e.g., Sword of Feast and FamineSword of Feast and Famine) since they grant protection and evasion, meaning that most of our spells should sit around a mana value of three.

A lot of people are probably going to OptOpt for extra combat spells (e.g., Seize the DaySeize the Day), which are good, but be very mindful of when you cast these. Tetsuo casts the spell in combat, similar to Velomachus LoreholdVelomachus Lorehold, which non-bos with many extra combat spells!

As for the first ability, anything that gives both deathtouch and lifelink, such as the famous Basilisk CollarBasilisk Collar, will pull double weight here, since it’s Tetsuo dealing the damage. Or maybe Grafted ExoskeletonGrafted Exoskeleton. Also, where else do we get to run something cool like Unscythe, Killer of KingsUnscythe, Killer of Kings?!

Torsten, Founder of BenaliaTorsten, Founder of Benalia

While seven mana is a hefty cost, being in green helps a ton. I can see a Primal SurgePrimal Surge variant here, where you're encouraged to just jam the deck with creatures and lands if you're really opting for Torsten’s first ETB. It seems fine, but my money is on Torsten as Selesnya aristocrats commander, somewhat like Elenda, the Dusk RoseElenda, the Dusk Rose, as Torsten wants to both enter the battlefield and die repeatedly to get the most out of him.

Both white and green have fantastic sacrifice outlets, like Greater GoodGreater Good, Fanatical DevotionFanatical Devotion, and Martyr's CauseMartyr's Cause. Even cool one-off effects, like Altar of BoneAltar of Bone and Life's LegacyLife's Legacy, seem excellent!

FecundityFecundity seems a shoe-in here, as well as some flicker potential, like Teleportation CircleTeleportation Circle, or recursion à la Saffi EriksdotterSaffi Eriksdotter and Angelic RenewalAngelic Renewal. I’d love to slap a Gift of ImmortalityGift of Immortality on Torsten and just start churning through the deck with his ETB while spitting out bodies with his death trigger.

It’s a shame the tokens aren’t Humans, though — they sure look anthropic!

Trent

Rares

Ayesha Tanaka, ArmorerAyesha Tanaka, Armorer

Ayesha Tanaka, ArmorerAyesha Tanaka, Armorer seems to have picked up a trade since we last saw her unemployed as Ayesha TanakaAyesha Tanaka in Legends. The new version is odd, asking not only you to play plenty of artifacts (likely in the form of Equipment, since she's, you know, a blacksmith and all), but also hopes that your opponents have artifacts as well to activate the evasion. To that last point, it's usually better to be proactive than reactive, so an Ayesha Tanaka, ArmorerAyesha Tanaka, Armorer deck could make use of cards that turn your opponents' organic stuff into mechanical stuff: Akroan HorseAkroan Horse, Basalt GolemBasalt Golem, Myr LandshaperMyr Landshaper, Neurok TransmuterNeurok Transmuter, Liquimetal CoatingLiquimetal Coating, and of course, if we're getting serious, MemnarchMemnarch or Mycosynth LatticeMycosynth Lattice.

Nick

The Ever-Changing 'DaneThe Ever-Changing 'Dane

The 'Dane is 'half' no more, and exchanges his HalfdaneHalfdane moniker for one with more punctuation. Now, instead of mushing himself up to fit the stats of another creature, he goes even harder, becoming another creature entirely. No more half-measures. Of course, with greater power comes greater room for abuse; perhaps the contraption of turning The 'Dane into a SouldrinkerSouldrinker to put a bunch of +1/+1 counters on him, then switching him to something like, say, a Blighted AgentBlighted Agent to get through unimpeded might interest you.

Nick

Hazezon, Shaper of SandHazezon, Shaper of Sand

The original Hazezon TamarHazezon Tamar was the definition of a party in a box, but his new version is less about friendship and more about sand. No longer do we care about any old lands. Instead, it's all about Deserts. Speaking of, there are 16 Desert lands you can play in Naya colors, from Desert of the FerventDesert of the Fervent and friends, to Hostile DesertHostile Desert, Sunscorched DesertSunscorched Desert, and... well, just DesertDesert. The ability to play them from the graveyard is pretty enticing, as many of them find ways to put themselves there early and often. The real trick, of course, is somehow cashing in on that Desertwalk ability. Perhaps you can share a dune or two with Harmless OfferingHarmless Offering?

Nick

Ohabi CaleriaOhabi Caleria

It's finally here. Archer tribal is real! I'm so happy.

I practice archery myself, and have been trying to brew an "Oops, All Archers" deck for a while, where every card is an Archer or has a bow, arrow, or quiver in the art. Needless to say, I am overjoyed by the release of Ohabi CaleriaOhabi Caleria.

Ohabi's untap ability is excellent because a lot of Archers can tap and deal damage to an attacking or blocking creature, as you can see in her previous incarnationprevious incarnation. Give your Archers deathtouchdeathtouch and your board is suddenly very deadly.

The card draw she provides is just fantastic, as the main weaknesses of the deck are recovering after a board wipe and finding enough gas to keep up with the assumedly insanely more powerful things your opponents will be doing.

This deck won't be super busted or anything, but I bet a lot of people will be happy to finally see support for Archer tribal. There are dozens of us. Dozens!

Philomène

Orca, Siege DemonOrca, Siege Demon

Orca, Siege DemonOrca, Siege Demon looks pretty menacing but ends up being a little too much work. Not only does she comes down late in the game, but you still have to make her grow. She does have evasion, and it's not unreasonable to think we could give her haste in Rakdos, but I don't know if the juice is worth the squeeze. If, somehow, she sticks and grows big, you can swing for massive damage, FlingFling her at another enemy, and deal some more damage with her death trigger! A bit of a Magical Christmasland, but hey! It's Commander, anything can happen.

Orca, Siege DemonOrca, Siege Demon doesn't look like a good commander, but can be a fun card in the 99 of sacrifice decks, like Ziatora, the IncineratorZiatora, the Incinerator or Juri, Master of the RevueJuri, Master of the Revue.

Philomène

Ramses, Assassin LordRamses, Assassin Lord

With 58 Assassins in Dimir colors, you do have some choices if you want to build an Assassin tribal deck. They are not all good, but this tribe is slowly getting more support (see Mari, the Killing QuillMari, the Killing Quill) so maybe we'll get more of them in the future?

However, that's not the only way to build Ramses, Assassin LordRamses, Assassin Lord. See, the usual weakness of Voltron strategies is that you have to deal 21 commander damage to three people; with Ramses, if you kill someone out of nowhere with, I don't know, Howl from BeyondHowl from Beyond or another similar effect, you just win the game without having to do it all over again for two other opponents.

There's also some discussion about how this card works with conceding. If you think Ramses is coming at you, do you concede before the declare attackers step to prevent the Ramses payer from winning? Hopefully, players will be able to recognize when they have lost the game with a little bit of dignity. Just shuffle up and play another!

Philomène

Rasputin, the OneiromancerRasputin, the Oneiromancer

Okay, challenge accepted.

Time to open Commander Spellbook!

Have Suture PriestSuture Priest, Rasputin, the OneiromancerRasputin, the Oneiromancer, Brago, King EternalBrago, King Eternal, Strionic ResonatorStrionic Resonator and Sol RingSol Ring on the board, in itself, no small feat. Now, deal combat damage with Brago, triggering its ability. Target your stuff, then copy the ability with Strionic ResonatorStrionic Resonator, paying with Sol RingSol Ring, targeting any number of nonland permanents (including Strionic ResonatorStrionic Resonator, Sol RingSol Ring, and Rasputin). Resolve the copy of Brago's ability, exiling and returning all targets to the battlefield untapped. Copy his ability again while it's on the stack, and repeat. You've now flickered Rasputin infinite times, given your opponents infinite red Goblins and made them loose infinite life with Suture PriestSuture Priest. Voilà!

Or you could go for, I don't know, Azorius Knight tribal.

Philomène

Rohgahh, Kher Keep OverlordRohgahh, Kher Keep Overlord

This feels more like a Dragon commander than a Kobold commander, which is maybe the point, because there are only 12 playable Kobolds in Rakdos. Maskwood NexusMaskwood Nexus can make all your Kobolds Dragons and your Dragons Kobolds, so each creature in your deck triggers both abilities of Rohgahh, Kher Keep OverlordRohgahh, Kher Keep Overlord. Changelings are also good in this deck for this reason. You can also do Cloudstone CurioCloudstone Curio shenanigans with the free Kobolds (Crookshank KoboldsCrookshank Kobolds and the like) for infinite casts and infinite Impact TremorsImpact Tremors triggers.

I think Dragon tribal has more interesting commanders than Rohgahh, Kher Keep OverlordRohgahh, Kher Keep Overlord, but some people will be excited to play their old Kobold cards in commander. As for playing Rohgahh in the 99, I'm not sure there's room for a five-mana setup card that's not a Dragon in other Dragon decks.

Philomène

Stangg, Echo WarriorStangg, Echo Warrior

Even after a recent treatment in Masters 25, we get a new Stangg!

I really like that they kept the original flavor here of Stangg generating a token copy of himself, and at a much more affordable mana value. With an Aura/Equipment subtheme, we are encouraged to lean into a Chishiro, the Shattered BladeChishiro, the Shattered Blade-style deck. Bloodforged Battle-AxeBloodforged Battle-Axe, Ancestral MaskAncestral Mask, and NettlecystNettlecyst all get pretty crazy as multiple copies start to see each other!

We have to be careful with legendary Equipment, as the token copies that come in attached to Stangg TwinStangg Twin will be destroyed (outside of a Mirror BoxMirror Box effect). Parallel LivesParallel Lives, Doubling SeasonDoubling Season, and Wulfgar of Icewind DaleWulfgar of Icewind Dale all get additional Stangg Twins into play with additional Auras and Equipment. Without Mirror BoxMirror Box, these will simply die to the legend rule, which is normally a non-bo, but as it turns out, there’s some really cool tech with that in mind!

Since the tokens are sacrificed and not exiled, we can opt for big, old-school commander cards like Death's PresenceDeath's Presence and Stalking VengeanceStalking Vengeance or even new options, like One with the KamiOne with the Kami, Most WantedMost Wanted, and Sticky FingersSticky Fingers, to get additional value out of Stangg Twin dying. We get twice the value if we lean into any of the token-doublers, even with the legend rule in mind!

Overall, I really like this design space of feeling Gruul with attacking, but leaning into an almost aristocrat/token build centered around Auras and Equipment.

Trent

Xira, the Golden StingXira, the Golden Sting

I quite adore the fact they gave Xira ArienXira Arien an almost Streets of New Capenna makeover for Xira, the Golden StingXira, the Golden Sting. This bug has got class. The new Xira, the Golden StingXira, the Golden Sting has some fun political vibes, in the mold of Mathas, Fiend SeekerMathas, Fiend Seeker or Chevill, Bane of MonstersChevill, Bane of Monsters.

Radiant PerformerRadiant Performer is an absolute house in this deck, coming in and adding egg counters all over the place, while Generous PatronGenerous Patron will keep a steady stream of cards flowing into your hand when you put egg counters on opposing creatures. Kulrath KnightKulrath Knight can keep your opponents' creatures pretty much pacifiedpacified, shutting down potential opposing Voltron threats. There’s also a bit of an attack-matters subtheme you could work here, leaning into extra combat steps (e.g., Relentless AssaultRelentless Assault), or just focus on putting egg counters on your own creatures in a Jund aristocrats carapace shell.

While not perfect, the new Xira can opt as both a home for Insect tribal or -1/-1 counters, something Jund players have been wanting for long time.

Plus, can we take a moment to admire the Insect token she creates? I know many were eagerly awaiting those Sand Warrior tokens for Hazezon TamarHazezon Tamar, but this prep-school bug buzzed its way into our hearts.

Trent

Insect Token (Dominaria United) | Art by Mila Pesic

Uncommons

General Marhault ElsdragonGeneral Marhault Elsdragon

The outwardly emotionless and possibly mulleted Marhault ElsdragonMarhault Elsdragon's rules text contained but one word, and one number: Rampage 1. As I'm sure you remember, Rampage is a keyword designed to make group blocking less favorable for the defender. However, it was never really that impactful, and now that Marhault has ascended the ranks of the Elf military to become a general, he's ditched Rampage as a term but retained the concept, if not supercharged. The power/toughness boon is no longer tied to the pesky "beyond the first" clause, and now he shares it across your whole team. But hey, if you issue a Roar of ChallengeRoar of Challenge and stuff a bunch of LureLure effects into your deck (maybe by strapping on a Nemesis MaskNemesis Mask), you've got a stew going.

Nick

Jasmine Boreal of the SevenJasmine Boreal of the Seven

One of the most widely used OG Legends among Commander players today, Jasmine BorealJasmine Boreal is often seen at the head of "no ability" decks, or vanilla tribal. There's nothing quite like the feeling of casting a Woodland DruidWoodland Druid at a table full of cards with giant blocks of text. While your opponents try to suss out all the complicated interactions among their permanents, all you have to do is ask yourself what a tree and a flower are (hint: the answer is an old man with a stick). Jasmine's new version doubles down on the vanilla theme, leaning into the concept that simpler is indeed better by providing you with ramp and evasion for all your Craw WurmCraw Wurms — in other words, show a little HumilityHumility once and awhile and embrace the Overwhelming SplendorOverwhelming Splendor that is vanilla.

Nick

Ramirez DePietro, PillagerRamirez DePietro, Pillager

There are some decent Pirates in Dimir if you want to go Pirate tribal, like Pitiless PlundererPitiless Plunderer, Siren StormtamerSiren Stormtamer, Hostage TakerHostage Taker, Malcolm, Keen-Eyed NavigatorMalcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator, or Dire Fleet RavagerDire Fleet Ravager. You might want to take advantage of Ramirez 's enters-the-battlefield ability with Conjurer's ClosetConjurer's Closet or Thassa, Deep-DwellingThassa, Deep-Dwelling. Evasion will help you trigger his second ability, so cards like LevitationLevitation might prove useful. Just be aware that it doesn't have the "You may may spend mana as though it were mana of any color to cast it" clause, so keep some Treasures ready to cast spells outside of your colors. Unfortunately, though, if you're going to build a Pirate tribal deck, there are probably better options out there (see Admiral Beckett BrassAdmiral Beckett Brass and Malcolm, Keen-Eyed NavigatorMalcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator + Breeches, Brazen PlundererBreeches, Brazen Plunderer).

It's more likely that we'll see Ramirez DePietro, PillagerRamirez DePietro, Pillager in the 99 of other Pirate decks than leading his own, I fear.

Philomène

Tobias, Doomed ConquerorTobias, Doomed Conqueror

I don’t want to yuck anyone’s yum here, but old school Tobias AndrionTobias Andrion felt a bit of a meme as is, let alone his (very flavorful) makeover as a doomed swashbuckling Pirate succumbing to the Zombie horde. The original was the basis of the Tobias Andrion Challenge, where you tried to see if your EDH deck could beat a perfect curve of vanilla beaters. Plus, the name....

I suppose in the command zone you can treat him almost as an Azorius Rise of the Dread MarnRise of the Dread Marn, but the nontoken stipulation, plus needing to hold up four mana at all times and requiring an incoming attacker or an instant-speed sacrifice outlet is a lot of hoops to jump through, even if it is to get a guy that wants to die into the grave. I can see it cropping up in some Esper Zombie lists, but I think poor Tobias got a tragic update to fit his tragic end, which in the end, is about the best flavor win you could ask for.

Trent

Tor Wauki the YoungerTor Wauki the Younger

I’ll be honest, I’m still a bit weirded out by seeing lifelink on a Rakdos card. I understand a lot of this is probably biased by my Ravnican understanding of Rakdos being a carnage-ridden guild, but I still feel even if black has plenty of lifegain, it always feels a bit odd to see it paired with something red. But I digress.

New Tor Wauki the YoungerTor Wauki the Younger looks great! Same mana value and stats, but a heck of a lot more…. reach (heh). This is honestly a good burn commander, and I see a lot of potential overlap with Obosh, the PreypiercerObosh, the Preypiercer. Tor even happens to be an odd mana value! Just be mindful that the defending player actually gets to stack damage as they choose here, so you won’t get the full effect of Obosh + Tor working together.

Deathtouch would certainly help here to pick off pesky creatures, but I really like the idea of Infect here, granting Tor PhyresisPhyresis or Tainted StrikeTainted Strike and storming off to take someone out with a few spells (as if he got some Poison ArrowPoison Arrows)!

Trent

The Stuff of Legends

Legends Retold successfully tugs at our nostalgia while presenting designs that are unmistakably modern. A lot of these also offer very interesting build-arounds! Nick simply cannot wait to LureLure some creatures in front of General Marhault ElsdragonGeneral Marhault Elsdragon. Archer tribal may not be as strong as other strategies, but Philomène is dropping every other deckbuilding project for Ohabi CaleriaOhabi Caleria. Trent, on the other hand, is preparing for trouble (and making it double!) with Stangg, Echo WarriorStangg, Echo Warrior, copying Auras and Equipment left and right.

But what do you think about Legends Retold? Do they convey the same feeling of awe as they did back in 1994? Do some of these tickle your deckbrewing nerve? Is there any card or interaction that we missed? Let us know in the comments! We were Nick Wolf, Trent Trombley and Philomène Gatien, and we hope you'll have a blast with Dominaria United!

Philomène Gatien

Philomène is a film composer from Montréal, Canada. Her love of card games started in the late 90's with Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Dragon Ball Z and of course, Magic: The Gathering. Preferring a more casual kind of game in commander (art and lore being very high on her list of reasons to play cards), she satiates her competitive urges through Limited formats.