(Azorius GuildgateAzorius Guildgate | Art by Titus Lunter)
Obey the Law
Our journey into the Pursuit of Knowledge series continues this week with the analysis of the extended Command Zone gameplay data for the Azorius guild. This guild articulates around 32 mighty commanders, tied for first with Selesnya as the guild with the largest contingent of generals. The EDHREC database contains 11,101 Azorius commander decks at time of writing. Contrary to some of the other guilds, whose strength revolves around one or two themes, the diversity of Azorius generals allows deck builders to explore a wide variety of strategies. Some commanders like Bruna, Light of AlabasterBruna, Light of Alabaster naturally lend themselves to Voltron, while others, like Grand Arbiter Augustin IVGrand Arbiter Augustin IV, provide the basis for a Stax environment. We also have the king of tempo, Brago, King EternalBrago, King Eternal and Hanna, Ship's NavigatorHanna, Ship's Navigator, or the newer Raff Capashen, Ship's MageRaff Capashen, Ship's Mage, who fits well in more artifact-focused decks. A number of commanders provide us card advantage from the get-go. We can go tall or wide with tokens with Temmet, Vizier of NaktamunTemmet, Vizier of Naktamun or tribal with Sygg, River GuideSygg, River Guide. This really is an interesting guild for deck builders!
We have seen a number of articles on Azorius in recent past on EDHREC. From Kya's excellent primer on Brago, King EternalBrago, King Eternal in Bringing Magic to Life - Flickering Idea to Patrick's Combo Corner - Taxes article on Grand Arbiter Augustin IVGrand Arbiter Augustin IV, the most popular Azorius commanders have been covered on EDHREC. Therefore it's a newcomer who deserves our attention today: Lavinia, Azorius RenegadeLavinia, Azorius Renegade.
I really enjoy the asymmetrical aspects of this commander. Lavinia limits our opponents' ability to cast spells under certain circumstances, and she might be quite dangerous if we can exploit this. Lavinia's first ability can limit our opponents from making use of mana rocks, and her second ability stops our opponents from playing 0-cost spells. This could affect our opponents' ability to ramp with 0-CMC mana rocks like Mana CryptMana Crypt, spells like Pact of NegationPact of Negation, Summoner's PactSummoner's Pact, the imprinted spell on Isochron ScepterIsochron Scepter or the cards exiled by Etali, Primal StormEtali, Primal Storm. Lavinia forces our opponents to play fair, preventing them form cheating the cost of spells.
As part of our game plan, we will stall the board with an assortment of Stax spells to give us the leeway to draw one of our win conditions. The primary win condition comes from playing Knowledge PoolKnowledge Pool. If Knowledge PoolKnowledge Pool resolves and Lavinia is in play, our opponents will not be able to play spells from this point. Secondary win conditions come from using Aetherflux ReservoirAetherflux Reservoir to drain our opponents' life total, playing Approach of the Second SunApproach of the Second Sun a second time, bringing Platinum AngelPlatinum Angel into play, or copying Dark DepthsDark Depths with Thespian's StageThespian's Stage to get an indestructible 20/20 token.
Azorius has good support for artifacts and they will be the key card type in this deck. We will select artifact spells that support our game plan. We will also include a number of artifact tutors and some spells that add a level of protection for our artifacts.
As with other articles in this series, we will present the best ranked cards that comply with the Azorius color identity in different categories, starting with the core categories: Ramp, card advantage/filtering, disruption, mass removal, standalone creatures, standalone noncreature spells, and lands. We will also introduce three categories specific to our deck: Stax, protection and reanimation. The cards that we retain for our deck have a colored background in the various tables and the rank of the cards according the extended gameplay data is listed in parenthesis beside each card name in the table. A rank will not be present if the card cannot reliably be ranked from the extended gameplay data. The tables presented in the various categories can be used as templates to build further Azorius decks.
The Azorius guild ranked card pool contains 637 spells and 138 lands. Let's take a look at them.
Ramp
With no access to green ramp spells, we have to rely on mana rocks for the core of our ramp. Our Stax package contains a little bit of mass land destruction. If we can get a couple of mana rocks on the battlefield before triggering land destruction, we will still be able to progress our board state, while our opponents are stranded, unable to play noncreature spells.
| Wayfarer's BaubleWayfarer's Bauble (4) | Temple of the False GodTemple of the False God (~24) | Basalt MonolithBasalt Monolith (49) | Azor's GatewayAzor's Gateway (124) |
| Astral CornucopiaAstral Cornucopia (7) | Mana CryptMana Crypt (25) | Shrine of the Forsaken GodsShrine of the Forsaken Gods (~57) | TurnaboutTurnabout (135) |
| Myriad LandscapeMyriad Landscape (~7) | Primal AmuletPrimal Amulet (27) | High TideHigh Tide (80) | Cultivator's CaravanCultivator's Caravan (147) |
| Phyrexian AltarPhyrexian Altar (8) | Chrome MoxChrome Mox (32) | Talisman of ProgressTalisman of Progress (93) | Thaumatic CompassThaumatic Compass (156) |
| Sol RingSol Ring (18) | Dowsing DaggerDowsing Dagger (36) | Conduit of RuinConduit of Ruin (98) | Conqueror's GalleonConqueror's Galleon (238) |
| Everflowing ChaliceEverflowing Chalice (20) | OmniscienceOmniscience (41) | Gauntlet of PowerGauntlet of Power (99) | Tezzeret the SeekerTezzeret the Seeker (347) |
| Solemn SimulacrumSolemn Simulacrum (22) | Ashnod's AltarAshnod's Altar (42) | Mox DiamondMox Diamond (103) | Grand Arbiter Augustin IVGrand Arbiter Augustin IV (581) |
| Thought VesselThought Vessel (24) | Gilded LotusGilded Lotus (44) | Sky DiamondSky Diamond (106) | Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe |
The presence of mana rocks also enhances the effectiveness of cards like Paradox EngineParadox Engine, especially when Aetherflux ReservoirAetherflux Reservoir is in play.
Grand Arbiter Augustin IVGrand Arbiter Augustin IV lowers the cost of all of our color spells, but also adds a tax on all of our opponents' spell. Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe, the new white ramp spell from Ravnica Allegiance, provides us ramp that can be set aside to play a couple of big spells in the same turn and also provides resources to reuse for tutor spells like ReshapeReshape or Arcum DagssonArcum Dagsson.
Card Advantage/Filtering
To achieve our main goal of getting Knowledge PoolKnowledge Pool into play or drawing one of our alternate win conditions, there is a strong focus on the card advantage/filtering category in our deck. The bulk of the cards in this category allow us to either directly tutor Knowledge PoolKnowledge Pool or one of our other win conditions or a card that helps us tutoring one of them.
| Enlightened TutorEnlightened Tutor (1) | Scalding TarnScalding Tarn (~11) | Fact or FictionFact or Fiction (30) | Merchant ScrollMerchant Scroll (355) |
| BrainstormBrainstorm (2) | Dig Through TimeDig Through Time (12) | Frantic SearchFrantic Search (31) | Sphinx's RevelationSphinx's Revelation (360) |
| SkullclampSkullclamp (3) | Expedition MapExpedition Map (14) | Chrome MoxChrome Mox (32) | Alms CollectorAlms Collector (401) |
| Laboratory ManiacLaboratory Maniac (5) | Bident of ThassaBident of Thassa (16) | PonderPonder (34) | Tolaria WestTolaria West (~418) |
| Treasure CruiseTreasure Cruise (6) | Arid MesaArid Mesa (~18) | Recruiter of the GuardRecruiter of the Guard (88) | Arcum DagssonArcum Dagsson (432) |
| Myriad LandscapeMyriad Landscape (~7) | Solemn SimulacrumSolemn Simulacrum (22) | FabricateFabricate (100) | ReshapeReshape (464) |
| Polluted DeltaPolluted Delta (~7) | Mystic ConfluenceMystic Confluence (26) | Planar BridgePlanar Bridge (188) | Flagstones of TrokairFlagstones of Trokair (~530) |
| MulldrifterMulldrifter (9) | Misty RainforestMisty Rainforest (~26) | Conqueror's GalleonConqueror's Galleon (238) | Muddle the MixtureMuddle the Mixture (602) |
| Mystical TutorMystical Tutor (10) | Primal AmuletPrimal Amulet (27) | Flooded StrandFlooded Strand (~242) | Inventors' FairInventors' Fair (~631) |
| Sensei's Divining TopSensei's Divining Top (11) | Tezzeret's GambitTezzeret's Gambit (28) | Tezzeret the SeekerTezzeret the Seeker (347) | SpellseekerSpellseeker |
For instance, one tutor chain leads us from Tezzeret the SeekerTezzeret the Seeker to Expedition MapExpedition Map to Inventor's FairInventor's Fair and to Knowledge PoolKnowledge Pool. Another chain consists in playing Recruiter of the GuardRecruiter of the Guard to tutor SpellseekerSpellseeker, to get ReshapeReshape to play Knowledge PoolKnowledge Pool. Muddle the MixtureMuddle the Mixture can tutor Merchant ScrollMerchant Scroll, which can then retrieve ReshapeReshape to get Knowledge PoolKnowledge Pool into play.
The more powerful tutors comes from cards like ReshapeReshape, Planar BridgePlanar Bridge or Arcum DagssonArcum Dagsson that can bring Knowledge PoolKnowledge Pool into play directly, which makes it uncounterable unless a player counters the original spell or uses a spell like StifleStifle to counter the activated ability.
Outside of tutors, we do have a few classic card draw spells like Dig Through TimeDig Through Time, Alms CollectorAlms Collector, and Sphinx's RevelationSphinx's Revelation to provide us some card advantage, and some spells like BrainstormBrainstorm and Sensei's Divining TopSensei's Divining Top to give us some filtering. Dig Through TimeDig Through Time can help us find Approach of the Second SunApproach of the Second Sun after playing it for the first time.
Expedition MapExpedition Map can be used to tutor Inventors' FairInventors' Fair, but can also be used to fetch Dark DepthsDark Depths or Thespian's StageThespian's Stage. With both Dark DepthsDark Depths and Thespian's StageThespian's Stage in play, we can turn Thespian's StageThespian's Stage as a copy of Dark DepthsDark Depths. Since the copy has no counters on it, we are forced to sacrifice the Dark DepthsDark Depths copy and get an indestructible flying 20/20 token, which will likely become the biggest threat on board.
Disruption
This deck is highly disruptive. As such, we will create two more specific disruption subcategories to highlight some of the important aspect of this deck. The disruption spells listed in the table below do not cover cards in the Stax or protection subcategories, as these are covered in their own separate sections. The disruption spells listed in this section deal with some of our opponents' biggest threats and provide us some resiliency in case our opponents attempt to tamper with our plan.
| Laboratory ManiacLaboratory Maniac (5) | Disdainful StrokeDisdainful Stroke (38) | Kor HavenKor Haven (~59) | Pact of NegationPact of Negation (178) |
| DisallowDisallow (13) | Glen Elendra ArchmageGlen Elendra Archmage (39) | PongifyPongify (60) | Approach of the Second SunApproach of the Second Sun (420) |
| Strip MineStrip Mine (~13) | Scour from ExistenceScour from Existence (45) | Ghost QuarterGhost Quarter (~62) | Arcum DagssonArcum Dagsson (432) |
| Cyclonic RiftCyclonic Rift (15) | Temporal MasteryTemporal Mastery (48) | Rapid HybridizationRapid Hybridization (64) | Mana DrainMana Drain (507) |
| Bident of ThassaBident of Thassa (16) | DissipateDissipate (52) | Leyline of AnticipationLeyline of Anticipation (65) | Cryptic CommandCryptic Command (593) |
| Aetherflux ReservoirAetherflux Reservoir (19) | Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares (58) | TriskelionTriskelion (68) | Platinum AngelPlatinum Angel (601) |
| Time StretchTime Stretch (21) | Arcane LighthouseArcane Lighthouse (~58) | Collective EffortCollective Effort (73) | Muddle the MixtureMuddle the Mixture (602) |
| Mystic ConfluenceMystic Confluence (26) | EvacuationEvacuation (59) | Path to ExilePath to Exile (142) | Knowledge PoolKnowledge Pool |
Our most important disruption spells are key components of our win conditions: Knowledge PoolKnowledge Pool, Aetherflux ReservoirAetherflux Reservoir, Approach of the Second SunApproach of the Second Sun, and Platinum AngelPlatinum Angel.
We have a suite of counterspells to either stop our opponents from messing with our board or to prevent them from messing with any parts of our winning conditions. We display a mixture of counterspells, ranging from 0-cost spell like Pact of NegationPact of Negation that allow us to respond to an interaction on the board when we are tapped out, to more tempo-oriented spells like Cryptic CommandCryptic Command.
Mass Removal
To leverage the tempo aspect of our game plan, we need a greater-than-usual amount of mass removal. Our mass removal is split into two categories: mass creature destruction and mass land destruction. With Lavinia out, the mass land destruction stalls our opponents from casting significant noncreature spells for some time.
| Cyclonic RiftCyclonic Rift (15) | Akroma's VengeanceAkroma's Vengeance (167) | Whelming WaveWhelming Wave (234) | Hour of RevelationHour of Revelation (287) |
| FumigateFumigate (17) | InundateInundate (189) | Elesh Norn, Grand CenobiteElesh Norn, Grand Cenobite (243) | Supreme VerdictSupreme Verdict (345) |
| EvacuationEvacuation (59) | Devastation TideDevastation Tide (206) | Hour of ReckoningHour of Reckoning (247) | TerminusTerminus (440) |
| Elspeth, Sun's ChampionElspeth, Sun's Champion (126) | Crush of TentaclesCrush of Tentacles (231) | Ugin, the Spirit DragonUgin, the Spirit Dragon (257) | CataclysmCataclysm |
| Martial CoupMartial Coup (158) | Divine ReckoningDivine Reckoning (233) | Austere CommandAustere Command (260) | ArmageddonArmageddon |
The life gain from FumigateFumigate may allow us survive a little bit longer and may also allow us to trigger Aetherflux ReservoirAetherflux Reservoir quicker.
In our land base, we have lands like Flagstones of TrokairFlagstones of Trokair, Darksteel CitadelDarksteel Citadel and Drownyard TempleDrownyard Temple that can survive mass land destruction. This should allow us to recover quicker than our opponents to ArmageddonArmageddon and CataclysmCataclysm.
Core Synergy: Disruption - Stax
The Stax packages contains cards that prevents our opponents from progressing their own game plan.
| Dust BowlDust Bowl (~86) | Grand AbolisherGrand Abolisher (258) | Rest in PeaceRest in Peace (353) | Collective RestraintCollective Restraint (490) |
| Thalia, Heretic CatharThalia, Heretic Cathar (90) | Teferi, Mage of ZhalfirTeferi, Mage of Zhalfir (265) | Conqueror's FlailConqueror's Flail (381) | Ghostly PrisonGhostly Prison (493) |
| Monastery SiegeMonastery Siege (97) | Decree of SilenceDecree of Silence (277) | Winter OrbWinter Orb (385) | Jin-Gitaxias, Core AugurJin-Gitaxias, Core Augur (498) |
| Containment PriestContainment Priest (123) | Jace, Unraveler of SecretsJace, Unraveler of Secrets (285) | Ethersworn CanonistEthersworn Canonist (398) | Authority of the ConsulsAuthority of the Consuls (502) |
| Linvala, Keeper of SilenceLinvala, Keeper of Silence (128) | Karmic JusticeKarmic Justice (309) | MindslaverMindslaver (407) | Spirit of the LabyrinthSpirit of the Labyrinth (503) |
| Thalia, Guardian of ThrabenThalia, Guardian of Thraben (151) | Ensnaring BridgeEnsnaring Bridge (320) | Aven MindcensorAven Mindcensor (409) | Grand Arbiter Augustin IVGrand Arbiter Augustin IV (581) |
| Void WinnowerVoid Winnower (223) | CrawlspaceCrawlspace (333) | Imposing SovereignImposing Sovereign (465) | Aura of SilenceAura of Silence (617) |
| Rhystic StudyRhystic Study (245) | Eidolon of RhetoricEidolon of Rhetoric (342) | Hushwing GryffHushwing Gryff (480) | CataclysmCataclysm |
Dust BowlDust Bowl depletes our opponents' land bases. Coupled with Drownyard TempleDrownyard Temple, we can repeat this operation and affect our opponents' ability to cast noncreature spells with Lavinia.
Thalia, Guardian of ThrabenThalia, Guardian of Thraben, Ethersworn CanonistEthersworn Canonist, Grand Arbiter Augustin IVGrand Arbiter Augustin IV and Aura of SilenceAura of Silence limit our opponents' ability to cast spells. Since we have a core number of artifacts to play, Ethersworn CanonistEthersworn Canonist's limitation is not as bad on us.
Void WinnowerVoid Winnower makes roughly half of our opponents' spells unplayable.
Grand AbolisherGrand Abolisher lets us cast spells on our turn unanswered, preventing our opponents to deal with the casting of Knowledge PoolKnowledge Pool, any of the spells that may lead to it or any other spells that can give us the win.
Containment PriestContainment Priest is a good safeguard against reanimation effects.
Core Synergy: Disruption - Protection
The spells in this category prevent our opponents from getting rid of our permanents by making them resilient to their interactions.
| Teferi's ProtectionTeferi's Protection (29) | Eldrazi DisplacerEldrazi Displacer (123) | Restoration AngelRestoration Angel (326) | Eerie InterludeEerie Interlude (446) |
| Gift of ImmortalityGift of Immortality (47) | Leonin AbunasLeonin Abunas (141) | Padeem, Consul of InnovationPadeem, Consul of Innovation (366) | Angelic DestinyAngelic Destiny (452) |
| Selfless SpiritSelfless Spirit (57) | Cauldron of SoulsCauldron of Souls (150) | Sword of War and PeaceSword of War and Peace (383) | Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots (472) |
| Eldrazi MonumentEldrazi Monument (76) | Shield of KaldraShield of Kaldra (212) | Darksteel PlateDarksteel Plate (406) | Greater AuramancyGreater Auramancy (504) |
| Soul of New PhyrexiaSoul of New Phyrexia (78) | Whispersilk CloakWhispersilk Cloak (223) | Sword of Fire and IceSword of Fire and Ice (407) | Darksteel ForgeDarksteel Forge (611) |
| Lightning GreavesLightning Greaves (86) | Hammer of NazahnHammer of Nazahn (268) | Mother of RunesMother of Runes (409) | Elixir of ImmortalityElixir of Immortality (613) |
| Rootborn DefensesRootborn Defenses (88) | Champion's HelmChampion's Helm (274) | Faith's RewardFaith's Reward (425) | Avacyn, Angel of HopeAvacyn, Angel of Hope (619) |
| Martyr's CauseMartyr's Cause (119) | Homeward PathHomeward Path (~323) | Indomitable ArchangelIndomitable Archangel (432) | Sword of Feast and FamineSword of Feast and Famine (636) |
With a power and toughness of 2, Lavinia is not a very strong creature. Lightning GreavesLightning Greaves protects her from target removal or direct damage.
Leonin AbunasLeonin Abunas and Padeem, Consul of InnovationPadeem, Consul of Innovation protects all the artifacts that are part of our winning conditions: Aetherflux ReservoirAetherflux Reservoir, Planar BridgePlanar Bridge, Platinum AngelPlatinum Angel. Padeem will likely draw us some cards since half of our artifacts have a casting cost of four or more.
Teferi's ProtectionTeferi's Protection is our last line of defense if we want to stick around for another turn.
Core Synergy: Reanimation
We have a few spells that bring some level of recurrence to our deck.
| Fact or FictionFact or Fiction (30) | Marshal's AnthemMarshal's Anthem (81) | TimetwisterTimetwister (171) | Conqueror's GalleonConqueror's Galleon (238) |
| Frantic SearchFrantic Search (31) | Buried RuinBuried Ruin (~83) | Jace, Memory AdeptJace, Memory Adept (173) | Bruna, the Fading LightBruna, the Fading Light (255) |
| Body DoubleBody Double (62) | ReveillarkReveillark (104) | Myr RetrieverMyr Retriever (180) | Artisan of KozilekArtisan of Kozilek (267) |
| Trading PostTrading Post (63) | Junk DiverJunk Diver (108) | Haunted FengrafHaunted Fengraf (~190) | Jace, Vryn's ProdigyJace, Vryn's Prodigy (284) |
| God-Pharaoh's GiftGod-Pharaoh's Gift (72) | Cephalid ColiseumCephalid Coliseum (~141) | Academy RuinsAcademy Ruins (~203) | ReplenishReplenish (303) |
| Haven of the Spirit DragonHaven of the Spirit Dragon (~73) | Nim DeathmantleNim Deathmantle (144) | Crucible of WorldsCrucible of Worlds (204) | SpelltwineSpelltwine (331) |
| Command BeaconCommand Beacon (~74) | Time SpiralTime Spiral (150) | Karmic GuideKarmic Guide (219) | IntuitionIntuition (365) |
| Altar of DementiaAltar of Dementia (79) | Search for AzcantaSearch for Azcanta (163) | WindfallWindfall (221) | Sun TitanSun Titan (377) |
Crucible of WorldsCrucible of Worlds grants us the ability to recur land removal with Dust BowlDust Bowl and reuse the lands that tutor for cards or recover cards from the graveyard.
Trading PostTrading Post, Buried RuinBuried Ruin and Academy RuinsAcademy Ruins bring resiliency to our artifacts and Sun TitanSun Titan, one of the best reanimation creatures, lets us bring back any land, some of the best Stax creatures, most of our creatures that act as tutors, and some of our artifacts.
Conqueror's GalleonConqueror's Galleon is not the most efficient reanimator, but its ability to also satisfy card draw and mana ramp categories brings consistency to our deck.
Standalone Creatures
With such a strong focus on card advantage/filtering and disruption, there is no room for standalone creatures for our deck. Standalone creatures are creatures that work well on their own or in concert with our commander. I still listed the best ranked standalone creatures here for completeness and to help readers assess which are the best Azorius standalone creatures.
| Heliod, God of the SunHeliod, God of the Sun (37) | Hero of BladeholdHero of Bladehold (185) | Phyrexian MetamorphPhyrexian Metamorph (202) | Soul WardenSoul Warden (276) |
| Deepglow SkateDeepglow Skate (62) | Hangarback WalkerHangarback Walker (186) | Yosei, the Morning StarYosei, the Morning Star (215) | Mikaeus, the LunarchMikaeus, the Lunarch (284) |
| Metallic MimicMetallic Mimic (67) | CloneClone (187) | Akroan HorseAkroan Horse (218) | Frontline MedicFrontline Medic (291) |
| Sakashima the ImpostorSakashima the Impostor (108) | Fog BankFog Bank (191) | Phantasmal ImagePhantasmal Image (226) | Armory AutomatonArmory Automaton (294) |
| Soul's AttendantSoul's Attendant (139) | Sunscorch RegentSunscorch Regent (193) | Captain of the WatchCaptain of the Watch (241) | Wurmcoil EngineWurmcoil Engine (297) |
| Stuffy DollStuffy Doll (166) | Gisela, the Broken BladeGisela, the Broken Blade (194) | Bastion ProtectorBastion Protector (242) | Geist-Honored MonkGeist-Honored Monk (307) |
| Chasm SkulkerChasm Skulker (176) | Ishai, Ojutai DragonspeakerIshai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker (199) | Odric, Lunarch MarshalOdric, Lunarch Marshal (254) | Rhox FaithmenderRhox Faithmender (310) |
Standalone Spells
There is one slot left for a standalone spell to make it in to our deck.
| Intangible VirtueIntangible Virtue (23) | Anointed ProcessionAnointed Procession (87) | Helm of KaldraHelm of Kaldra (142) | Mirage MirrorMirage Mirror (204) |
| Spawning PitSpawning Pit (33) | Sigarda's AidSigarda's Aid (103) | Coat of ArmsCoat of Arms (160) | BonehoardBonehoard (206) |
| PanharmoniconPanharmonicon (43) | Clock of OmensClock of Omens (116) | Saheeli's ArtistrySaheeli's Artistry (169) | Paradox HazeParadox Haze (208) |
| Increasing DevotionIncreasing Devotion (68) | Sacred MesaSacred Mesa (118) | Phyrexian ProcessorPhyrexian Processor (170) | Bloodforged Battle-AxeBloodforged Battle-Axe (209) |
| Swarm IntelligenceSwarm Intelligence (72) | Inexorable TideInexorable Tide (121) | The Chain VeilThe Chain Veil (173) | Rite of ReplicationRite of Replication (214) |
| Paradox EngineParadox Engine (79) | Nahiri, the LithomancerNahiri, the Lithomancer (131) | Elspeth TirelElspeth Tirel (195) | Decree of JusticeDecree of Justice (232) |
| Cathars' CrusadeCathars' Crusade (85) | Migratory RouteMigratory Route (140) | Duelist's HeritageDuelist's Heritage (196) | Contagion ClaspContagion Clasp (255) |
Our average CMC is not very high (3.25). Paradox EngineParadox Engine may enable us to play several spells each turn. The life gain that we can get from storming with Aetherflux ReservoirAetherflux Reservoir with Paradox EngineParadox Engine's presence may prove too strong for our opponents.
Lands
We have a variety of lands that provide us mana fixing, tutors, disruption and recursion.
| Command TowerCommand Tower (1) | Strip MineStrip Mine (8) | Buried RuinBuried Ruin (33) | Flooded StrandFlooded Strand (63) |
| IslandIsland (2) | Path of AncestryPath of Ancestry (9) | Dust BowlDust Bowl (34) | Tolaria WestTolaria West (90) |
| Reliquary TowerReliquary Tower (3) | Arid MesaArid Mesa (10) | Drownyard TempleDrownyard Temple (35) | Darksteel CitadelDarksteel Citadel (110) |
| Myriad LandscapeMyriad Landscape (4) | Temple of the False GodTemple of the False God (11) | Thespian's StageThespian's Stage (43) | Flagstones of TrokairFlagstones of Trokair (114) |
| Polluted DeltaPolluted Delta (5) | Misty RainforestMisty Rainforest (12) | Hallowed FountainHallowed Fountain (47) | PlainsPlains (131) |
| Scavenger GroundsScavenger Grounds (6) | Halimar DepthsHalimar Depths (13) | City of BrassCity of Brass (52) | Inventors' FairInventors' Fair (134) |
| Scalding TarnScalding Tarn (7) | Bant PanoramaBant Panorama (14) | Academy RuinsAcademy Ruins (56) | Glacial FortressGlacial Fortress (138) |
Tolaria WestTolaria West can tutor any land or any our 0-casting spells (Pact of NegationPact of Negation, Astral CornucopiaAstral Cornucopia or Everflowing ChaliceEverflowing Chalice). Inventors' FairInventors' Fair can tutor artifacts.
Dust BowlDust Bowl and Strip MineStrip Mine can perform land target removal.
Scavenger GroundsScavenger Grounds disables our opponents' graveyards.
Putting It All Together
We have built a deck around Knowledge PoolKnowledge Pool to leverage Lavinia's second ability to prevent our opponents from playing spells. We have built our deck to slow our opponents down, granting us enough time to dig and play Knowledge PoolKnowledge Pool. We've added enough tutors to facilitate the retrieval of our key win condition, set up some protection for our key permanents, and implement some form of recurrence to support our plan of weakening our opponents' mana base and ensure we have continued access to cards that find their way to the graveyard. We have added a few alternate conditions as a backup plan. While building our deck, we have come up with a list of templates of the best ranked cards for the Azorius guild based on the extended Command Zone gameplay data. These templates can be reused to identify the most effective cards for future Azorius decks.
Lavinia's second ability to prevent our opponents from casting 0-cost spells is abused with Knowledge PoolKnowledge Pool in this deck. Other cards could be abused in a similar fashion: Dream HallsDream Halls, Eye of the StormEye of the Storm, and Omen MachineOmen Machine. Dream HallsDream Halls would require to rework the deck to have a stronger focus on reanimation, but the other two cards would fit in nicely with the deck.
In our next article, we will take a look at Gruul.
As always, I am curious to hear your thoughts and find out which cards you think would fit well in this deck.
Information Is Power
View on ArchidektCommander (1)
- 1 Lavinia, Azorius RenegadeLavinia, Azorius Renegade
Creatures (18)
- 1 Containment PriestContainment Priest
- 1 Ethersworn CanonistEthersworn Canonist
- 1 Grand AbolisherGrand Abolisher
- 1 SpellseekerSpellseeker
- 1 Spirit of the LabyrinthSpirit of the Labyrinth
- 1 Thalia, Guardian of ThrabenThalia, Guardian of Thraben
- 1 Aven MindcensorAven Mindcensor
- 1 Recruiter of the GuardRecruiter of the Guard
- 1 Trinket MageTrinket Mage
- 1 Alms CollectorAlms Collector
- 1 Arcum DagssonArcum Dagsson
- 1 Grand Arbiter Augustin IVGrand Arbiter Augustin IV
- 1 Leonin AbunasLeonin Abunas
- 1 Linvala, Keeper of SilenceLinvala, Keeper of Silence
- 1 Padeem, Consul of InnovationPadeem, Consul of Innovation
- 1 Sun TitanSun Titan
- 1 Platinum AngelPlatinum Angel
- 1 Void WinnowerVoid Winnower
Artifacts (17)
- 1 Astral CornucopiaAstral Cornucopia
- 1 Everflowing ChaliceEverflowing Chalice
- 1 Expedition MapExpedition Map
- 1 Sol RingSol Ring
- 1 Sensei's Divining TopSensei's Divining Top
- 1 Lightning GreavesLightning Greaves
- 1 Talisman of ProgressTalisman of Progress
- 1 Thought VesselThought Vessel
- 1 Crucible of WorldsCrucible of Worlds
- 1 Aetherflux ReservoirAetherflux Reservoir
- 1 Conqueror's GalleonConqueror's Galleon
- 1 Primal AmuletPrimal Amulet
- 1 Trading PostTrading Post
- 1 Gilded LotusGilded Lotus
- 1 Paradox EngineParadox Engine
- 1 Knowledge PoolKnowledge Pool
- 1 Planar Bridge[/Artifacts]Planar Bridge[/Artifacts]
Instants (15)
- 1 Pact of NegationPact of Negation
- 1 BrainstormBrainstorm
- 1 Enlightened TutorEnlightened Tutor
- 1 Mystical TutorMystical Tutor
- 1 Path to ExilePath to Exile
- 1 PongifyPongify
- 1 Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares
- 1 Cyclonic RiftCyclonic Rift
- 1 Mana DrainMana Drain
- 1 Muddle the MixtureMuddle the Mixture
- 1 DisallowDisallow
- 1 Sphinx's RevelationSphinx's Revelation
- 1 Teferi's ProtectionTeferi's Protection
- 1 Cryptic CommandCryptic Command
- 1 Dig Through TimeDig Through Time
Sorceries (9)
- 1 Merchant ScrollMerchant Scroll
- 1 ReshapeReshape
- 1 FabricateFabricate
- 1 Supreme VerdictSupreme Verdict
- 1 ArmageddonArmageddon
- 1 CataclysmCataclysm
- 1 Austere CommandAustere Command
- 1 TerminusTerminus
- 1 Approach of the Second SunApproach of the Second Sun
Enchantments (2)
- 1 Aura of SilenceAura of Silence
- 1 Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe
Planeswalkers (1)
- 1 Tezzeret the SeekerTezzeret the Seeker
Lands (37)
- 1 Academy RuinsAcademy Ruins
- 1 Buried RuinBuried Ruin
- 1 City of BrassCity of Brass
- 1 Command TowerCommand Tower
- 1 Dark DepthsDark Depths
- 1 Darksteel CitadelDarksteel Citadel
- 1 Drownyard TempleDrownyard Temple
- 1 Dust BowlDust Bowl
- 1 Flagstones of TrokairFlagstones of Trokair
- 1 Flooded StrandFlooded Strand
- 1 Glacial FortressGlacial Fortress
- 1 Hallowed FountainHallowed Fountain
- 1 Inventors' FairInventors' Fair
- 1 Irrigated FarmlandIrrigated Farmland
- 9 IslandIsland
- 9 PlainsPlains
- 1 Reliquary TowerReliquary Tower
- 1 Scavenger GroundsScavenger Grounds
- 1 Strip MineStrip Mine
- 1 Thespian's StageThespian's Stage
- 1 Tolaria WestTolaria West
Martin Dubuc
Martin has been playing Magic since Fifth Dawn. He has explored many formats over the years and his favorite one is Commander. Curious by nature, Martin enjoys deckbuilding as much as playing the game. He likes to experiment new deck archetypes, explore new synergies and learn about crazy combos.
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