(Zur the EnchanterZur the Enchanter | Art by Josu Hernaiz)
Where The Elite Meet to Play Commander
Hello, and welcome back to Power Sink, where we take a look at the lives of the most opulent commanders in the format and maybe convince them to slum it a little. Today we're visiting Zur, the EnchanterZur, the Enchanter and his sprawling 99-acre estate, and we're gonna see how he can live a little more modestly, to make life fun for the whole table.
Boasting a net worth of 2,993 decks according to EDHREC, Zur is the 37th richest commander in the world and the third richest in Esper, where he enjoys the finest in removal, tutors, and card draw. Zur has been around for quite a long time, and while these days he may be a little past his prime, people still tend to turn green with envy when they see him, and it's easy to see why. Zur has flying, so it's easy for him to jet-set around the globe without encountering the obstacles plaguing those with lesser means of transportation. What's more, whenever Zur makes one of these trips, he always takes along whatever strikes his fancy from his three-mana-value enchantment collection.
With introductions out of the way, let's take a look at Zur's sprawling, Hollywood Hills mansion.
Zur Average Deck
View on ArchidektCommander (1)
- 1 Zur the EnchanterZur the Enchanter
Creatures (11)
- 1 AuramancerAuramancer
- 1 Aven MindcensorAven Mindcensor
- 1 Drannith MagistrateDrannith Magistrate
- 1 Eidolon of RhetoricEidolon of Rhetoric
- 1 Esper SentinelEsper Sentinel
- 1 Mesa EnchantressMesa Enchantress
- 1 Notion ThiefNotion Thief
- 1 Opposition AgentOpposition Agent
- 1 Spirit of the LabyrinthSpirit of the Labyrinth
- 1 Sun TitanSun Titan
- 1 Thassa's OracleThassa's Oracle
Enchantments (21)
- 1 All That GlittersAll That Glitters
- 1 Aura of SilenceAura of Silence
- 1 Banishing LightBanishing Light
- 1 Curator's WardCurator's Ward
- 1 Diplomatic ImmunityDiplomatic Immunity
- 1 Estrid's InvocationEstrid's Invocation
- 1 Ethereal ArmorEthereal Armor
- 1 Ghostly PrisonGhostly Prison
- 1 Grasp of FateGrasp of Fate
- 1 Imprisoned in the MoonImprisoned in the Moon
- 1 MirrormadeMirrormade
- 1 Mystic RemoraMystic Remora
- 1 NecropotenceNecropotence
- 1 Oblivion RingOblivion Ring
- 1 PropagandaPropaganda
- 1 Rest in PeaceRest in Peace
- 1 Rhystic StudyRhystic Study
- 1 Shielded by FaithShielded by Faith
- 1 Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe
- 1 SolemnitySolemnity
- 1 Steel of the GodheadSteel of the Godhead
Instants (15)
- 1 BrainstormBrainstorm
- 1 CounterspellCounterspell
- 1 Cyclonic RiftCyclonic Rift
- 1 DispelDispel
- 1 Dovin's VetoDovin's Veto
- 1 Enlightened TutorEnlightened Tutor
- 1 Fierce GuardianshipFierce Guardianship
- 1 Force of WillForce of Will
- 1 Mystical TutorMystical Tutor
- 1 NegateNegate
- 1 Pact of NegationPact of Negation
- 1 Path to ExilePath to Exile
- 1 Swan SongSwan Song
- 1 Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares
- 1 Vampiric TutorVampiric Tutor
Artifacts (11)
- 1 Arcane SignetArcane Signet
- 1 Azorius SignetAzorius Signet
- 1 Dimir SignetDimir Signet
- 1 Fellwar StoneFellwar Stone
- 1 Lightning GreavesLightning Greaves
- 1 Orzhov SignetOrzhov Signet
- 1 Sol RingSol Ring
- 1 Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots
- 1 Talisman of DominanceTalisman of Dominance
- 1 Talisman of HierarchyTalisman of Hierarchy
- 1 Talisman of ProgressTalisman of Progress
Planeswalkers (1)
- 1 Narset, Parter of VeilsNarset, Parter of Veils
Sorceries (7)
- 1 DamnDamn
- 1 Demonic TutorDemonic Tutor
- 1 PonderPonder
- 1 PreordainPreordain
- 1 Resurgent BeliefResurgent Belief
- 1 Supreme VerdictSupreme Verdict
- 1 WindfallWindfall
Lands (33)
- 1 Arcane SanctumArcane Sanctum
- 1 Caves of KoilosCaves of Koilos
- 1 Command TowerCommand Tower
- 1 Deserted BeachDeserted Beach
- 1 Drowned CatacombDrowned Catacomb
- 1 Evolving WildsEvolving Wilds
- 1 Exotic OrchardExotic Orchard
- 1 Flooded StrandFlooded Strand
- 1 Glacial FortressGlacial Fortress
- 1 Godless ShrineGodless Shrine
- 1 Hall of Heliod's GenerosityHall of Heliod's Generosity
- 1 Hallowed FountainHallowed Fountain
- 6 IslandIsland
- 1 Isolated ChapelIsolated Chapel
- 1 Marsh FlatsMarsh Flats
- 1 Morphic PoolMorphic Pool
- 6 PlainsPlains
- 1 Polluted DeltaPolluted Delta
- 1 Reliquary TowerReliquary Tower
- 1 Sea of CloudsSea of Clouds
- 1 SwampSwamp
- 1 Vault of ChampionsVault of Champions
- 1 Watery GraveWatery Grave
Absolutely stunning. Zur's enchantment collection is fully on display here, with NecropotenceNecropotence, Rhystic StudyRhystic Study, and Mystic RemoraMystic Remora being the crown jewels. Only top shelf card advantage for Zur. Alongside that, we see remnants of his stint as a Voltron commander with items such as Ethereal ArmorEthereal Armor and Shielded by FaithShielded by Faith. We also see space dedicated to his hobby of building pillow forts with Ghostly PrisonGhostly Prison and PropagandaPropaganda. He even has some fetching removal specimens like Banishing LightBanishing Light and Imprisoned in the MoonImprisoned in the Moon.
As fascinating as all this is, it doesn't tell the whole story. Zur rose to fame and fortune in the competitive scene. From DoomsdayDoomsday to Demonic ConsultationDemonic Consultation, Zur has been at the head of some of the most powerful decks in the format, and his reputation precedes him.
Today we'll be looking at a different side of Zur. He's gone on holiday, and we're getting an exclusive tour of his summer home after the break.
On Holiday
Away with the old, established Zur! Let's see how he lives while on vacation. Zur's fabulous summer chateau is built in the life-swapping-deck architecture style that was popularized by Selenia, Dark AngelSelenia, Dark Angel. Zur brings his own personal touch to this classic by adding three-mana-value enchantments he can display for any occasion.
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
View on ArchidektCommander (1)
- 1 Zur the EnchanterZur the Enchanter
Creatures (9)
- 1 Children of KorlisChildren of Korlis
- 1 Enduring AngelEnduring Angel
- 1 Evra, Halcyon WitnessEvra, Halcyon Witness
- 1 Keen DuelistKeen Duelist
- 1 Magus of the MirrorMagus of the Mirror
- 1 Restoration SpecialistRestoration Specialist
- 1 Sun TitanSun Titan
- 1 Tragic PoetTragic Poet
- 1 Vizkopa GuildmageVizkopa Guildmage
Enchantments (27)
- 1 All That GlittersAll That Glitters
- 1 Arguel's Blood FastArguel's Blood Fast
- 1 Axis of MortalityAxis of Mortality
- 1 Detention SphereDetention Sphere
- 1 Duelist's HeritageDuelist's Heritage
- 1 Ethereal ArmorEthereal Armor
- 1 Font of AgoniesFont of Agonies
- 1 Ghostly PrisonGhostly Prison
- 1 Imprisoned in the MoonImprisoned in the Moon
- 1 Light of PromiseLight of Promise
- 1 Lurking EvilLurking Evil
- 1 MirrormadeMirrormade
- 1 Monologue TaxMonologue Tax
- 1 Murderous BetrayalMurderous Betrayal
- 1 Phyrexian ReclamationPhyrexian Reclamation
- 1 Phyrexian UnlifePhyrexian Unlife
- 1 PropagandaPropaganda
- 1 Righteous AuraRighteous Aura
- 1 Sanguine BondSanguine Bond
- 1 Seal of CleansingSeal of Cleansing
- 1 Soul ChannelingSoul Channeling
- 1 Staggering InsightStaggering Insight
- 1 Steel of the GodheadSteel of the Godhead
- 1 Treacherous BlessingTreacherous Blessing
- 1 Underworld ConnectionsUnderworld Connections
- 1 Unspeakable SymbolUnspeakable Symbol
- 1 VanishingVanishing
Sorceries (9)
- 1 Chart a CourseChart a Course
- 1 Cleansing NovaCleansing Nova
- 1 Dance of the ManseDance of the Manse
- 1 Debt to the DeathlessDebt to the Deathless
- 1 FumigateFumigate
- 1 Painful TruthsPainful Truths
- 1 Profane TransfusionProfane Transfusion
- 1 Repay in KindRepay in Kind
- 1 Reverse the SandsReverse the Sands
Artifacts (13)
- 1 Arcane SignetArcane Signet
- 1 Azorius SignetAzorius Signet
- 1 Bolas's CitadelBolas's Citadel
- 1 Cryptolith FragmentCryptolith Fragment
- 1 Dimir SignetDimir Signet
- 1 Mind StoneMind Stone
- 1 Orzhov SignetOrzhov Signet
- 1 Pristine TalismanPristine Talisman
- 1 Sol RingSol Ring
- 1 Soul ConduitSoul Conduit
- 1 Tainted SigilTainted Sigil
- 1 Talisman of HierarchyTalisman of Hierarchy
- 1 Worn PowerstoneWorn Powerstone
Instants (4)
- 1 Generous GiftGenerous Gift
- 1 OblationOblation
- 1 Stunning ReversalStunning Reversal
- 1 Thirst for MeaningThirst for Meaning
Lands (37)
- 1 Arcane SanctumArcane Sanctum
- 1 Bojuka BogBojuka Bog
- 1 Brightclimb PathwayBrightclimb Pathway
- 1 Castle LocthwainCastle Locthwain
- 1 Caves of KoilosCaves of Koilos
- 1 Command TowerCommand Tower
- 1 Darkwater CatacombsDarkwater Catacombs
- 1 Dromar's CavernDromar's Cavern
- 1 Exotic OrchardExotic Orchard
- 1 Glacial FortressGlacial Fortress
- 1 Hall of Heliod's GenerosityHall of Heliod's Generosity
- 1 Hengegate PathwayHengegate Pathway
- 5 IslandIsland
- 1 Isolated ChapelIsolated Chapel
- 1 Mistveil PlainsMistveil Plains
- 5 PlainsPlains
- 1 Port TownPort Town
- 1 Prairie StreamPrairie Stream
- 1 Shineshadow SnarlShineshadow Snarl
- 1 Shipwreck MarshShipwreck Marsh
- 1 Skycloud ExpanseSkycloud Expanse
- 1 Sunken HollowSunken Hollow
- 5 SwampSwamp
- 1 Vault of ChampionsVault of Champions
- 1 Witch's ClinicWitch's Clinic
Make it Rain
They say you have to spend money to make money, and Zur certainly knows that. He's ready to spend, spend, spend on enchantments for his summer home. While NecropotenceNecropotence would absolutely fit with the décor, we're leaving it back in the main residence. It's a controversial piece that would certainly upset the neighbors. Instead he's buying into more obscure works. Soul ChannelingSoul Channeling lets him pay out most of his life total if need be, but it also helps him stay on the field. Unspeakable SymbolUnspeakable Symbol lets him make those smash hits. Murderous BetrayalMurderous Betrayal can remove any unwanted guests while Lurking EvilLurking Evil and Evra, Halcyon WitnessEvra, Halcyon Witness can join Zur's entourage in combat. Evra even helps him regain some of his life, which helps when he shows up to the exclusive Bolas's CitadelBolas's Citadel.
Mo Money, Mo Problems
Zur is nothing if not magnanimous, and he is more than happy to share the experience of having spent tons of life. Sometimes he'll feel particularly generous and will Repay in KindRepay in Kind to share the love with everyone, but usually Zur does this for his fans one at a time with Axis of MortalityAxis of Mortality, Soul ConduitSoul Conduit, and Profane TransfusionProfane Transfusion. When swapping life totals, it's important to note that going to a higher life total is in fact considered lifegain, so Zur can also buy a second round for everyone with Sanguine BondSanguine Bond and Vizkopa GuildmageVizkopa Guildmage.
Stock Options
How is Zur able to spend so lavishly? He diversifies his life portfolio with several options he can withdraw from if need be. Children of KorlisChildren of Korlis and Tainted SigilTainted Sigil provide a full refund of his life payments. Phyrexian UnlifePhyrexian Unlife lets him spend everything without declaring bankruptcy. Righteous AuraRighteous Aura lets him write off any large purchases he has to make, paying two life instead of suffering any damages to his precious investment. PropagandaPropaganda and Ghostly PrisonGhostly Prison make sure that not just any creature can attack. Enduring AngelEnduring Angel pays him back with three life if he happens to lose everything and even accrues interest when it transforms, doubling his life total on attack.
Restoration Hardware
With so many valuable commodities, it's only natural for Zur to have an insurance policy in case anything happens to them. Dance of the ManseDance of the Manse and Restoration SpecialistRestoration Specialist can replace any valuable artifacts or enchantments, while Mistveil PlainsMistveil Plains and Hall of Heliod's GenerosityHall of Heliod's Generosity can put enchantments back in the library, so Zur can find them again. There aren't many creatures at Zur's vacation home, but the ones that are there help keep the place shipshape, and a Phyrexian ReclamationPhyrexian Reclamation makes sure they're up to the task. If all this isn't enough, Zur has also invested in a Sun TitanSun Titan catch-all policy!
The Personal Touch
Outside the grounds of his summer chateau, Zur likes to go out on the town and visit other celebrity commanders. Ever the fashionista, he has a penchant for All that GlittersAll that Glitters and can often be spotted making an impact donning the latest in Ethereal ArmorEthereal Armor. Zur is not above mixing business and pleasure, so he makes use of Staggering InsightStaggering Insight and Witch's ClinicWitch's Clinic to grant lifelink so he can get paid whenever he makes an appearance. To top it all off, Light of PromiseLight of Promise gives him a little something extra in the form of +1/+1 counters when he adds to his life savings.
Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams
I hope you enjoyed our tour of of Zur's vacation home. As you can see, he has much more to offer than simply finding the best in card advantage with NecropotenceNecropotence. Not only can Zur adapt to this lifegain vacation strategy, but he's even a well-known cyclist thanks to his easy access to Astral SlideAstral Slide and Astral DriftAstral Drift. He's also been known to put his detractors on High AlertHigh Alert with a "toughness matters" strategy.
Which three-mana value enchantments would you build a Zur deck around? It's time to hit the pool, so let me know in the comments!
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