Through the Looking Glass by gameshow349

Format: Commander

Commander: Elminster

Bracket: 3

DeckCheck Threat Index: 40

Deck overview

This deck is an Azorius Control and Big-Mana Spellslinger list commanded by Elminster. The game plan revolves around leveraging scrying mechanics to manipulate the top of the library while drastically reducing the casting costs of high-impact instants and sorceries. In the early game, the deck accelerates mana and filters draws using tools like Sensei's Divining Top, Brainstorm, and Sigiled Starfish. Once Elminster enters the battlefield on Turn 4, his +2 ability fuels steady card flow and sets up his -3 loyalty ability. By exiling high-mana cards like Storm Herd or Mnemonic Deluge, the commander creates large swarms of evasive 1/1 Faerie Dragon tokens. The deck seals victory either through wide aerial combat backed by anthem effects like Gandalf, White Rider or by rapidly cycling into a discounted Approach of the Second Sun. A robust interactive package ensures survival against fast opposing strategies.

Decklist (100 cards)

  • 1 Aetherize
  • 1 An Offer You Can't Refuse
  • 1 Ancient Gold Dragon
  • 1 Ancient Silver Dragon
  • 1 Approach of the Second Sun
  • 1 Arcane Signet
  • 1 Azorius Chancery
  • 1 Azorius Signet
  • 1 Bender's Waterskin
  • 1 Brainstorm
  • 1 Brainsurge
  • 1 Castle Vantress
  • 1 Claim Jumper
  • 1 Clone Legion
  • 1 Command Tower
  • 1 Condescend
  • 1 Counterspell
  • 1 Cryptic Annelid
  • 1 Crystal Grotto
  • 1 Denzilore Fatehold
  • 1 Deserted Beach
  • 1 Diviner's Portent
  • 1 Echo of Eons
  • 1 Elminster
  • 1 Elminster's Simulacrum
  • 1 Elvish Mariner
  • 1 Emeria's Call // Emeria, Shattered Skyclave
  • 1 Entreat the Angels
  • 1 Fellwar Stone
  • 1 Finale of Revelation
  • 1 Gandalf, White Rider
  • 1 Gatewatch Beacon
  • 1 Gideon's Memorial
  • 1 Glacial Fortress
  • 1 Grand Crescendo
  • 1 Guardian Naga // Banishing Coils
  • 1 Hallowed Fountain
  • 1 Hengegate Pathway // Mistgate Pathway
  • 1 Horned Loch-Whale // Lagoon Breach
  • 1 Illithid Harvester // Plant Tadpoles
  • 1 Jace, Mirror Mage
  • 1 Jwari Disruption // Jwari Ruins
  • 1 Kabira Takedown // Kabira Plateau
  • 1 Kindred Judgment
  • 1 Lost Isle Calling
  • 1 Matoya, Archon Elder
  • 1 Midnight Clock
  • 1 Misleading Signpost
  • 1 Mnemonic Deluge
  • 1 Myriad Landscape
  • 1 Mystic Gate
  • 1 Mystic Sanctuary
  • 1 Mystic Speculation
  • 1 Netherese Puzzle-Ward
  • 1 Oath of Teferi
  • 1 Oji, the Exquisite Blade
  • 1 Path to Exile
  • 1 Planetarium of Wan Shi Tong
  • 1 Port Town
  • 1 Prairie Stream
  • 1 Precognitive Perception
  • 1 Princess Yue
  • 1 Sapphire Dragon // Psionic Pulse
  • 1 Scroll Rack
  • 1 Sea of Clouds
  • 1 Secure the Wastes
  • 1 Sensei's Divining Top
  • 1 Sigiled Starfish
  • 1 Silundi Vision // Silundi Isle
  • 1 Sink into Stupor // Soporific Springs
  • 1 Skullclamp
  • 10 Snow-Covered Island
  • 5 Snow-Covered Plains
  • 1 Sol Ring
  • 1 Spark Double
  • 1 Sphinx's Revelation
  • 1 Storm Herd
  • 1 Sword Coast Serpent // Capsizing Wave
  • 1 Swords to Plowshares
  • 1 Talisman of Progress
  • 1 Temple of Enlightenment
  • 1 The Legend of Kuruk // Avatar Kuruk
  • 1 The Temporal Anchor
  • 1 Thought Vessel
  • 1 Ugin's Insight
  • 1 Witch Enchanter // Witch-Blessed Meadow
  • 1 Zhalfirin Void