(Spellweaver VoluteSpellweaver Volute | Art by Bud Cook)
The Weirdest Enchantment I Could Find
Welcome back to The Toolbox! Here we take a look at underplayed cards and evaluate where they ought to see more play. Yes, I do say ‘we’ because I want to hear what you all think as well; I am not always right. Please comment and share your thoughts about which cards we should discuss and where they should see more play!
Today, we return to the roots of this series with one of the most bizarre cards in the history of Magic. Like many cards from Future Sight, this one will almost definitely make you ask the question, "What were they thinking?" I don’t know, to be honest, but let's examine it anyway! This week we're looking at the amazing card Spellweaver VoluteSpellweaver Volute!
What is Even Happening Here?
So what does Spellweaver VoluteSpellweaver Volute actually do aside from give people headaches? It enchants an instant in a graveyard, and when you cast a sorcery spell, it creates a copy of the enchanted spell, which you may cast for free. Then it exiles the enchanted spell and moves onto another!
For the most part, Magic players expect an Aura to enchant a creature or a land, maybe even an artifact, but an instant in a graveyard? It's beyond weird to have an Aura on the battlefield that isn't enchanting a permanent on the battlefield. Yes, it's complicated. In fact, here is the Gatherer link in case you have any rules questions because of how wonky this card is.
Regardless, two spells for the price of one is straight value, no matter how you look at it. I'm curious which decks most often play Spellweaver VoluteSpellweaver Volute, according to its EDHREC page?
- Shu Yun, the Silent TempestShu Yun, the Silent Tempest
- Melek, Izzet ParagonMelek, Izzet Paragon
- Mizzix of the IzmagnusMizzix of the Izmagnus
- Noyan Dar, Roil ShaperNoyan Dar, Roil Shaper
Spellweaver VoluteSpellweaver Volute is all about casting spells, so obviously that’s exactly what we see here. Shu Yun is the most interesting to me, since his seems the most aggressive of these spell-based commanders, using the additional spell for extra Prowess triggers. Noyan Dar is probably the most honest and fair of these decks, just using Volute for value to cast extra spells and trigger his ability. The great Izzet mages Melek and Mizzix should probably play this card more often, since the value it can generate when going off with tons of spells is too good!
What other decks should play Spellweaver VoluteSpellweaver Volute, though? Let's take a look.
You’re a Wizard, Adeliz!
Adeliz, the Cinder WindAdeliz, the Cinder Wind is one of my favorite commanders printed in the last couple of years. She may only be a flying 2/2, but remember how Shu Yun used Volute for additional Prowess triggers? Adeliz has him beat, using those extra triggers to not only pump up herself, but her army of Wizards, too! It’s time for muscle wizards, finally!
I considered just listing a bunch of cantrips like PonderPonder and Telling TimeTelling Time and friends, because those do technically synergize with Volute and can rapidly trigger a ton of pump effects from Adeliz. But let's dig deeper, and paint a real picture: you enchant Dig Through TimeDig Through Time in your graveyard, then cast PonderPonder, which triggers Volute. You resolve Dig and Ponder, picking up three new cards, then move Volute onto your Mystical TutorMystical Tutor. Then you cast Treasure CruiseTreasure Cruise, and Volute triggers again. You find whatever spell you want, put it on top of your deck, draw it and two other cards from the Cruise, and by spending just a few mana, you've got six new cards in hand and your Wizards have pumped up enough to make Collective BlessingCollective Blessing jealous.
Absolutely nothing could go wrong; no one runs interaction, right? Things definitely could go wrong, you say? I don’t believe you. It's clearly a flawless, perfect system. Just look at the decklist.
Below is my current personal list. It's not fully tuned, but I love it nonetheless, and I enjoy the ample targets Volute has to repeat in the list. Even just recasting a simple AnticipateAnticipate can really smooth things out. Take a look!
Girls Just Wanna Cast Spells
View on ArchidektCommander (1)
Creatures (21)
Instants (17)
Sorceries (23)
Enchantments (3)
Planeswalkers (1)
Lands (35)
Copy the Copy Spell That’s Copying Another Copy and…
Next up on our Volute value train is the copy lord, Riku of Two ReflectionsRiku of Two Reflections! There are only 14 Riku decks playing Spellweaver VoluteSpellweaver Volute, which means only 2.32% of the total decks playing Volute are from Riku, and just 0.72% of all Riku decks are enjoying Volute's company. That's far too low.
Riku is a 2/2 for five mana, which is really bad, but his abilities are compelling enough to make up for it. He can duplicate nontoken creatures when they enter your battlefield, and better yet, he can duplicate the instants and sorceries you cast, too! Pretty sweet, right? Just wait til you see the decklist.
This time we can't rely on a bunch of cantrips and Adeliz triggers for the win. What we wanna do is the exact opposite: cast big spells, and copy them into oblivion. Riku helps with this, but as it turns out, Volute does too; </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spellweaver Volute</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spellweaver Volute can enchant almost all the 'copy target spell' spells, like ReverberateReverberate and Increasing VengeanceIncreasing Vengeance and TwincastTwincast. Cast any ol' sorcery, like Urban EvolutionUrban Evolution, then Volute triggers and copies it with TwincastTwincast, in addition to the Riku trigger, which can be used to copy both the Evolution and the Twincast!
Pair all this up with with Thousand-Year StormThousand-Year Storm, Wort, the RaidmotherWort, the Raidmother, Metallurgic SummoningsMetallurgic Summonings, and a ton of other excellent payoffs, and you're in business. I could bore you by listing all the value, or you could take it all in with a sick decklist!
Copy Literally Everything
View on ArchidektCommander (1)
Creatures (7)
Instants (19)
Sorceries (38)
Lands (37)
Oops All Spells
Well, not literally, but it's close enough. Next on our list is Kess, Dissident MageKess, Dissident Mage, who's created a huge spark in a number of formats due to her powerful ability to recast one instant or sorcery from the graveyard. Snapcaster MageSnapcaster Mage every turn? Heck yeah, I’ll take that! She’s open to anything from Control to Reanimator to Storm, which makes her perfect for Volute.
I'm gonna focus on the Reanimator/Self Mill style of Kess deck, both to make the list a little more unique and to make sure the graveyard is chock full of targets for both Kess and our wonky little enchantment. Oh man, the options are so good! IntuitionIntuition, Ancient ExcavationAncient Excavation, EntombEntomb, or Fact or FictionFact or Fiction all provide tons of value, filling up your hand and the graveyard, and Volute can enchant them all!
What, then, do we use to trigger the Volute in the first place? TraumatizeTraumatize is a fun one, filling our yard with even more targets. Dark PetitionDark Petition is sure to give us tons of value, too. Oh, and we're not just reanimating spells, but creatures, too, so Living DeathLiving Death will be an absolute blast.
Basically everything either puts cards in the graveyard, puts cards from the graveyard into play, or is a combo piece. Enjoy this decklist for all its obnoxious value.
Basically All Spells
View on ArchidektCommander (1)
- 1 Kess, Dissident MageKess, Dissident Mage
Creatures (16)
- 1 Ambuscade ShamanAmbuscade Shaman
- 1 Corpse ConnoisseurCorpse Connoisseur
- 1 Cyclops of Eternal FuryCyclops of Eternal Fury
- 1 Deranged AssistantDeranged Assistant
- 1 Doom WhispererDoom Whisperer
- 1 Dragonlord KolaghanDragonlord Kolaghan
- 1 Gray Merchant of AsphodelGray Merchant of Asphodel
- 1 Hellraiser GoblinHellraiser Goblin
- 1 League GuildmageLeague Guildmage
- 1 Meteor GolemMeteor Golem
- 1 MillikinMillikin
- 1 Mirror-Mad PhantasmMirror-Mad Phantasm
- 1 Ogre BattledriverOgre Battledriver
- 1 Sheoldred, Whispering OneSheoldred, Whispering One
- 1 SpellseekerSpellseeker
- 1 Taigam, Sidisi's HandTaigam, Sidisi's Hand
Instants (13)
- 1 BedevilBedevil
- 1 Chaos WarpChaos Warp
- 1 Cyclonic RiftCyclonic Rift
- 1 EntombEntomb
- 1 Epiphany at the DrownyardEpiphany at the Drownyard
- 1 ExpansionExpansion
- 1 Fact or FictionFact or Fiction
- 1 Forbidden AlchemyForbidden Alchemy
- 1 Increasing VengeanceIncreasing Vengeance
- 1 Mental NoteMental Note
- 1 Mission BriefingMission Briefing
- 1 Reality ShiftReality Shift
- 1 Sinister SabotageSinister Sabotage
Sorceries (21)
- 1 Buried AliveBuried Alive
- 1 Contingency PlanContingency Plan
- 1 DamnationDamnation
- 1 Demonic TutorDemonic Tutor
- 1 DiscoveryDiscovery
- 1 Entreat the DeadEntreat the Dead
- 1 Faithless LootingFaithless Looting
- 1 Living DeathLiving Death
- 1 Notion RainNotion Rain
- 1 Past in FlamesPast in Flames
- 1 RecoupRecoup
- 1 Reforge the SoulReforge the Soul
- 1 Rise of the Dark RealmsRise of the Dark Realms
- 1 Strategic PlanningStrategic Planning
- 1 Toxic DelugeToxic Deluge
- 1 TraumatizeTraumatize
- 1 Twilight's CallTwilight's Call
- 1 VandalblastVandalblast
- 1 Whispering MadnessWhispering Madness
- 1 WindfallWindfall
- 1 Yawgmoth's Vile OfferingYawgmoth's Vile Offering
Artifacts (10)
- 1 Dimir SignetDimir Signet
- 1 Fellwar StoneFellwar Stone
- 1 Izzet SignetIzzet Signet
- 1 Rakdos SignetRakdos Signet
- 1 Sentinel TowerSentinel Tower
- 1 Silent GravestoneSilent Gravestone
- 1 Sol RingSol Ring
- 1 Talisman of DominanceTalisman of Dominance
- 1 Talisman of IndulgenceTalisman of Indulgence
- 1 Thought VesselThought Vessel
Enchantments (2)
- 1 Search for AzcantaSearch for Azcanta
- 1 Spellweaver VoluteSpellweaver Volute
Planeswalkers (1)
- 1 Ral, Izzet ViceroyRal, Izzet Viceroy
Lands (36)
- 1 Ancient TombAncient Tomb
- 1 Blood CryptBlood Crypt
- 1 Bloodstained MireBloodstained Mire
- 1 Bojuka BogBojuka Bog
- 1 City of BrassCity of Brass
- 1 Command TowerCommand Tower
- 1 Crumbling NecropolisCrumbling Necropolis
- 1 Dragonskull SummitDragonskull Summit
- 1 Exotic OrchardExotic Orchard
- 1 Mana ConfluenceMana Confluence
- 1 Marsh FlatsMarsh Flats
- 1 Misty RainforestMisty Rainforest
- 1 Polluted DeltaPolluted Delta
- 1 Reliquary TowerReliquary Tower
- 1 Scalding TarnScalding Tarn
- 1 Smoldering MarshSmoldering Marsh
- 1 Steam VentsSteam Vents
- 1 Temple of DeceitTemple of Deceit
- 1 Temple of EpiphanyTemple of Epiphany
- 1 Temple of MaliceTemple of Malice
- 1 Urborg, Tomb of YawgmothUrborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
- 1 Watery GraveWatery Grave
- 1 Wooded FoothillsWooded Foothills
- 5 IslandIsland
- 5 SwampSwamp
- 3 MountainMountain
Doctor Strange
Taigam, Ojutai MasterTaigam, Ojutai Master, as a whole, is very underrated, coming in at only 292 total decks. He renders your instants, sorceries, and even Dragon spells uncounterable, but that’s not the exciting part. If he attacks, he also gives every instant and sorcery cast from your hand that turn Rebound!
Taigam is interesting, since he's a spell-based deck who doesn't necessarily use spells as the win condition. He's focused on card advantage and interaction, casting Dig Through TimeDig Through Time twice to dig for value, Mystical TutorMystical Tutor to search out useful answers, and so on. You really can't go wrong with Spellweaver VoluteSpellweaver Volute here, to give those instants one more moment in the spotlight.
Best of all, Volute doesn't just trigger when you cast the sorceries from your hand. It will also trigger when they Rebound from Taigam's ability! Multiple triggers for minimal investment is just so darn good. Anything from Temporal ManipulationTemporal Manipulation to WindfallWindfall to Fractured IdentityFractured Identity will all give you tons of triggers.
Oh, and by the way, in case you run out of instants in your own graveyard, Spellweaver VoluteSpellweaver Volute can enchant instants in other people's graveyards, too! Steal someone else's Chaos WarpChaos Warp, bust out their PutrefyPutrefy, ruin their day with their own Crackling DoomCrackling Doom! In a deck focused on grinding out your opponents, you just can’t go wrong with Spellweaver VoluteSpellweaver Volute. Take a look for yourself!
No Fun For You
View on ArchidektCommander (1)
- 1 Taigam, Ojutai MasterTaigam, Ojutai Master
Creatures (8)
- 1 ArchaeomancerArchaeomancer
- 1 Baral, Chief of ComplianceBaral, Chief of Compliance
- 1 Docent of PerfectionDocent of Perfection
- 1 Dragonlord OjutaiDragonlord Ojutai
- 1 Grand Arbiter Augustin IVGrand Arbiter Augustin IV
- 1 Monastery MentorMonastery Mentor
- 1 Murmuring MysticMurmuring Mystic
- 1 Talrand, Sky SummonerTalrand, Sky Summoner
Instants (20)
- 1 BrainstormBrainstorm
- 1 CounterspellCounterspell
- 1 Crush ContrabandCrush Contraband
- 1 Cryptic CommandCryptic Command
- 1 Cyclonic RiftCyclonic Rift
- 1 Dig Through TimeDig Through Time
- 1 DisallowDisallow
- 1 Enlightened TutorEnlightened Tutor
- 1 Fact or FictionFact or Fiction
- 1 ImpulseImpulse
- 1 Mystic ConfluenceMystic Confluence
- 1 Mystical TutorMystical Tutor
- 1 NegateNegate
- 1 Nexus of FateNexus of Fate
- 1 Ojutai's CommandOjutai's Command
- 1 Path to ExilePath to Exile
- 1 Reality ShiftReality Shift
- 1 Return to DustReturn to Dust
- 1 Swan SongSwan Song
- 1 Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares
Sorceries (16)
- 1 Approach of the Second SunApproach of the Second Sun
- 1 Baral's ExpertiseBaral's Expertise
- 1 Call to MindCall to Mind
- 1 Merchant ScrollMerchant Scroll
- 1 Plea for PowerPlea for Power
- 1 PonderPonder
- 1 PreordainPreordain
- 1 RelearnRelearn
- 1 Rise from the TidesRise from the Tides
- 1 Rite of ReplicationRite of Replication
- 1 Serum VisionsSerum Visions
- 1 Supreme VerdictSupreme Verdict
- 1 Time WarpTime Warp
- 1 Treasure CruiseTreasure Cruise
- 1 Walk the AeonsWalk the Aeons
- 1 Wrath of GodWrath of God
Artifacts (11)
- 1 Azorius SignetAzorius Signet
- 1 Fellwar StoneFellwar Stone
- 1 Lightning GreavesLightning Greaves
- 1 Mind StoneMind Stone
- 1 Primal AmuletPrimal Amulet
- 1 Sensei's Divining TopSensei's Divining Top
- 1 Sol RingSol Ring
- 1 Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots
- 1 Talisman of ProgressTalisman of Progress
- 1 Thought VesselThought Vessel
- 1 Whispersilk CloakWhispersilk Cloak
Enchantments (7)
- 1 DovescapeDovescape
- 1 Ghostly PrisonGhostly Prison
- 1 Jace's SanctumJace's Sanctum
- 1 Metallurgic SummoningsMetallurgic Summonings
- 1 ReconnaissanceReconnaissance
- 1 Rhystic StudyRhystic Study
- 1 Spellweaver VoluteSpellweaver Volute
Planeswalkers (1)
- 1 Narset TranscendentNarset Transcendent
Lands (36)
- 1 Adarkar WastesAdarkar Wastes
- 1 Azorius ChanceryAzorius Chancery
- 1 Command TowerCommand Tower
- 1 Flooded StrandFlooded Strand
- 1 Glacial FortressGlacial Fortress
- 1 Hallowed FountainHallowed Fountain
- 1 Irrigated FarmlandIrrigated Farmland
- 1 Maze of IthMaze of Ith
- 1 Nimbus MazeNimbus Maze
- 1 Port TownPort Town
- 1 Prairie StreamPrairie Stream
- 1 Reliquary TowerReliquary Tower
- 1 Sea of CloudsSea of Clouds
- 1 Temple of EnlightenmentTemple of Enlightenment
- 1 Temple of the False GodTemple of the False God
- 6 PlainsPlains
- 15 IslandIsland
Going Into Exile
Just for a moment, though; Taigam gave me Rebound. I'll be back soon with even more underrated cards!
What do you think about Spellweaver VoluteSpellweaver Volute, and where you would play it? What other underrated cards deserve more time in the spotlight? Do you have any spells that offer tons of value, but no one else seems to have caught on to how great they are yet? I’d love to talk in the comments below! Thank you very much for all your support and discussion, and as always, have a great day!
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