Up in the air by Midwurst

Format: Commander

Commander: Kastral, the Windcrested

Bracket: 3

DeckCheck Threat Index: 36

Deck overview

This deck is an Azorius kindred aggro-tempo strategy led by Kastral, the Windcrested. It curves out early with efficient flying creatures like Cloudfin Raptor, Healer's Hawk, and Ledger Shredder, followed by mana rocks and cost reducers. On Turn 4, Kastral enters the battlefield to immediately exploit combat connections. Each connection triggers Kastral's versatile ability to draw cards, distribute +1/+1 counters, or reanimate fallen Birds with finality counters. The deck translates this steady card advantage and counter accumulation into a formidable airborne army. Wide evasive attacks bypass ground defenses and quickly overwhelm life totals, supported by anthem effects such as Empyrean Eagle, Kangee, Sky Warden, and Steel-Plume Marshal. Robust protection spells including Dawn's Truce, Flare of Fortitude, and Guardian of Faith shield the board against sweepers. With flexible countermagic and selective bounce from Raise the Palisade, the deck maintains momentum and closes out games reliably by Turn 8.

Decklist (100 cards)

  • 1 Adarkar Wastes
  • 1 Aetherize
  • 1 Akroma's Will
  • 1 Arcane Signet
  • 1 Ascend from Avernus
  • 1 Aven Interrupter
  • 1 Aven Mindcensor
  • 1 Azorius Signet
  • 1 Battle Screech
  • 1 Cartographer's Hawk
  • 1 Chart a Course
  • 1 Cloudfin Raptor
  • 1 Command Tower
  • 1 Counterspell
  • 1 Dawn's Truce
  • 1 Disenchant
  • 1 Distant Melody
  • 1 Dovin's Veto
  • 1 Empyrean Eagle
  • 1 Esior, Wardwing Familiar
  • 1 Favorable Winds
  • 1 Fellwar Stone
  • 1 Flare of Fortitude
  • 1 Frantic Search
  • 1 Glacial Fortress
  • 1 Guardian of Faith
  • 1 Gwaihir the Windlord
  • 1 Hallowed Fountain
  • 1 Harrier Strix
  • 1 Healer's Hawk
  • 1 Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker
  • 12 Island
  • 1 Jackdaw Savior
  • 1 Jubilant Skybonder
  • 1 Judge's Familiar
  • 1 Kangee's Lieutenant
  • 1 Kangee, Sky Warden
  • 1 Kastral, the Windcrested
  • 1 Kindred Discovery
  • 1 Kykar, Zephyr Awakener
  • 1 Ledger Shredder
  • 1 Lilypad Village
  • 1 Lofty Denial
  • 1 Lupinflower Village
  • 1 Mockingbird
  • 1 Mystic Gate
  • 1 Mystic Remora
  • 1 Path to Exile
  • 12 Plains
  • 1 Plumecreed Escort
  • 1 Port Town
  • 1 Prairie Stream
  • 1 Raise the Palisade
  • 1 Rally of Wings
  • 1 Reconnaissance Mission
  • 1 Scouting Hawk
  • 1 Seachrome Coast
  • 1 Secluded Courtyard
  • 1 Selfless Spirit
  • 1 Senu, Keen-Eyed Protector
  • 1 Sevinne's Reclamation
  • 1 Shrike Force
  • 1 Skycat Sovereign
  • 1 Skycloud Expanse
  • 1 Sol Ring
  • 1 Steel-Plume Marshal
  • 1 Strix Serenade
  • 1 Stroke of Midnight
  • 1 Swiftfoot Boots
  • 1 Swords to Plowshares
  • 1 Talisman of Progress
  • 1 The Lord of the Eagles
  • 1 Thrummingbird
  • 1 Valley Questcaller
  • 1 Warden of Evos Isle
  • 1 Watcher of the Spheres
  • 1 Winged Words
  • 1 Wingmate Roc