Monarch by Psyga315

Format: Commander

Commander: Queen Marchesa

Bracket: 2

DeckCheck Threat Index: 30

Deck overview

This Mardu deck is a Monarch-centric midrange and pillowfort strategy commanded by Queen Marchesa. The game plan revolves around introducing the Monarch mechanic early, defending the crown through deterrents and deathtouch blockers, and capitalizing on potent Court enchantments and token engines. By maintaining the crown, the deck draws extra cards each turn cycle while triggering powerful upkeep bonuses from cards like Court of Grace, Court of Embereth, Court of Ambition, and Skyline Despot. Defensive staples such as Champions of Minas Tirith, Queen Mother Ramonda, Emberwilde Captain, and Marchesa's Decree penalize and restrict opposing attacks, forcing combat elsewhere. Win conditions stem from compounding board presence with flying Angels, Dragons, and wide token swarms, supported by asymmetric board wipes like Ruinous Ultimatum. The deck thrives in grindy, combat-focused multiplayer pods, relying on natural card flow and deep redundancy rather than fast mana or instant combo finishes.

Decklist (100 cards)

  • 1 Akroan Hoplite
  • 1 Arcane Signet
  • 1 Archon of Coronation
  • 1 Ardenvale Paladin
  • 1 Ardenvale Tactician // Dizzying Swoop
  • 1 Ayara, First of Locthwain
  • 1 Battlefield Forge
  • 1 Blood Crypt
  • 1 Bojuka Bog
  • 1 Capricious Sliver
  • 1 Carnage Gladiator
  • 1 Castle Ardenvale
  • 1 Castle Embereth
  • 1 Castle Locthwain
  • 1 Caves of Koilos
  • 1 Champions of Minas Tirith
  • 1 Chief Magistrate of Mercadia
  • 1 Clifftop Retreat
  • 1 Coin of Fate
  • 1 Command Tower
  • 1 Court of Ambition
  • 1 Court of Ardenvale
  • 1 Court of Embereth
  • 1 Court of Grace
  • 1 Court of Ire
  • 1 Court of Locthwain
  • 1 Crimson Fleet Commodore
  • 1 Crown of Gondor
  • 1 Crown-Hunter Hireling
  • 1 Custodi Lich
  • 1 Dragonskull Summit
  • 1 Embereth Paladin
  • 1 Embereth Shieldbreaker // Battle Display
  • 1 Embereth Skyblazer
  • 1 Embereth Veteran
  • 1 Emberwilde Captain
  • 1 Exotic Orchard
  • 1 Feast of Succession
  • 1 Forth Eorlingas!
  • 1 Garrulous Sycophant
  • 1 Ginger, Queen of Sweets
  • 1 Godless Shrine
  • 1 Grave Venerations
  • 1 Heart-Shaped Herb
  • 1 Isolated Chapel
  • 1 King Solomon's Frogs
  • 1 Knights of the Black Rose
  • 1 Lazotep Sliver
  • 1 Linden, the Steadfast Queen
  • 1 Locthwain Gargoyle
  • 1 Locthwain Lancer
  • 1 Locthwain Paladin
  • 1 Luxury Suite
  • 1 Marchesa's Decree
  • 4 Mountain
  • 1 Nomad Outpost
  • 1 Oath of Eorl
  • 1 Palace Jailer
  • 1 Palace Sentinels
  • 1 Path of Ancestry
  • 6 Plains
  • 1 Protector of the Crown
  • 1 Queen Marchesa
  • 1 Queen Mother Ramonda
  • 1 Regal Sliver
  • 1 Reliquary Tower
  • 1 Rogue's Passage
  • 1 Ruinous Ultimatum
  • 1 Sacred Foundry
  • 1 Savai Triome
  • 1 Skyline Despot
  • 1 Smoldering Marsh
  • 1 Sol Ring
  • 1 Spectator Seating
  • 1 Starscream, Power Hungry // Starscream, Seeker Leader
  • 1 Staunch Throneguard
  • 1 Swamp
  • 1 Talisman of Conviction
  • 1 Talisman of Hierarchy
  • 1 Talisman of Indulgence
  • 1 Tamiyo, Upriser Crowned
  • 1 Temple of Silence
  • 1 The Spear of Bashenga
  • 1 Thorn of the Black Rose
  • 1 Throne Warden
  • 1 Throne of the High City
  • 1 Torbran, Thane of Red Fell
  • 1 Vault of Champions
  • 1 Virtue of Courage // Embereth Blaze
  • 1 Virtue of Loyalty // Ardenvale Fealty
  • 1 Virtue of Persistence // Locthwain Scorn
  • 1 Éomer, King of Rohan