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COMMANDER(S)
The Master of Keys
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B U W
- Esper
OVERVIEW
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ANALYSIS

Overview:

This is an Esper enchantment-focused deck that leverages its commander's escape ability to repeatedly cast powerful enchantments from the graveyard while controlling the game through efficient interaction and value generation.

Primer:

The deck operates on multiple axes, with The Master of Keys serving as both an enabler and payoff for its enchantment-based strategy. The primary gameplan involves filling the graveyard through selective milling and tutoring, then repeatedly casting powerful enchantments from the graveyard using the commander's escape ability. Key pieces like Mind Over Matter, Necropotence, and Omniscience provide powerful effects that can be recurred.

The deck maintains strong control elements through cards like Force of Will, Fierce Guardianship, and Cyclonic Rift, while generating value through Rhystic Study and Smothering Tithe. The enchantment package includes powerful reanimation effects like Animate Dead and Dance of the Dead, which can be escaped and reused. The deck can win through various means, including commander damage, value accumulation, or combo lines involving Mind Over Matter with The One Ring or Necropotence.

Weaknesses:

The deck is vulnerable to graveyard hate, particularly cards like Rest in Peace that shut down the escape mechanic. While it runs significant interaction, it can struggle against multiple threats from different opponents simultaneously. The relatively low creature count makes it susceptible to aggressive strategies if key defensive pieces aren't found early.

Most Important Cards:

  1. Mind Over Matter
  2. Necropotence
  3. Smothering Tithe
  4. Rhystic Study
  5. Academy Rector
  6. Omniscience
  7. Force of Will
  8. Vampiric Tutor
  9. The One Ring
  10. Demonic Tutor

Attribute Ratings:

  • Speed: 8/10
  • Resilience: 7/10
  • Consistency: 8/10
  • Interaction: 9/10

Rating Justification:

This deck consistently threatens wins or establishes strong control by turns 3-4, featuring multiple tutors, fast mana, and powerful interaction. While not quite reaching the consistency of top-tier cEDH decks, it maintains the ability to interact with and disrupt other high-powered strategies. The combination of strong interaction, multiple win conditions, and the ability to recur key pieces puts it firmly in the high-power category, though just below true cEDH viability.

Final power level rating: 8.0 - 8.5

The deck demonstrates significant optimization with its mana base, interaction suite, and win conditions, while maintaining flexibility through its commander's ability to recur key pieces. The presence of multiple tutors, fast mana, and efficient interaction places it solidly in the high-power category, capable of competing at high-powered tables but falling just short of top-tier cEDH performance.

DECK LIST
The Master of Keys
Creature: 16
1
Abdel Adrian, Gorion's Ward
4 W
1
Academy Rector
3 W
1
Doom Whisperer
3 B B
1
Esper Sentinel
W
1
Grand Abolisher
W W
1
High Fae Trickster
3 U
1
Kitsa, Otterball Elite
1 U
1
Ledger Shredder
1 U
1
Leonin Relic-Warder
W W
1
Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff
W B
1
Lurrus of the Dream-Den
1 W/B W/B
1
Opposition Agent
2 B
1
Orcish Bowmasters
1 B
1
Ranger-Captain of Eos
1 W W
1
Valley Floodcaller
2 U
1
Zur, Eternal Schemer
W U B
Sorcery: 3
1
Demonic Tutor
1 B
1
Lively Dirge
1 B
1
Replenish
3 W
Instant: 17
1
Banishing Knack
U
1
Cabal Ritual
1 B
1
Cyclonic Rift
1 U
1
Dark Ritual
B
1
Enlightened Tutor
W
1
Entomb
B
1
Fierce Guardianship
2 U
1
Flare of Denial
1 U U
1
Flusterstorm
U
1
Force of Will
3 U U
1
Intuition
2 U
1
Retraction Helix
U
1
Silence
W
1
Sink into Stupor // Soporific Springs
1
Swan Song
U
1
Swords to Plowshares
W
1
Vampiric Tutor
B
Artifact: 10
1
Arcane Signet
2
1
Fellwar Stone
2
1
Lotus Petal
0
1
Mox Amber
0
1
Shorikai, Genesis Engine
2 W U
1
Sol Ring
1
1
Talisman of Dominance
2
1
Talisman of Hierarchy
2
1
Talisman of Progress
2
1
The One Ring
4
Enchantment: 22
1
Amphibian Downpour
2 U
1
Animate Dead
1 B
1
Blind Obedience
1 W
1
Charitable Levy
1 W
1
Counterbalance
U U
1
Dance of the Dead
1 B
1
Dress Down
1 U
1
Founding the Third Path
1 U
1
Mind Over Matter
2 U U U U
1
Mystic Remora
U
1
Necromancy
2 B
1
Necropotence
B B B
1
Omniscience
7 U U U
1
Opalescence
2 W W
1
Parallax Wave
2 W W
1
Rhystic Study
2 U
1
Ripples of Undeath
1 B
1
Smothering Tithe
3 W
1
Static Prison
W
1
The Meathook Massacre
X B B
1
Tinybones Joins Up
B
1
Touch the Spirit Realm
2 W
Land: 31
1
Adarkar Wastes
1
Caves of Koilos
1
Cephalid Coliseum
1
City of Brass
1
Command Tower
1
Darkwater Catacombs
1
Emergence Zone
1
Exotic Orchard
1
Flooded Strand
1
Godless Shrine
1
Hallowed Fountain
1
Horizon of Progress
1
Island
1
Mana Confluence
1
Marsh Flats
1
Meticulous Archive
1
Morphic Pool
1
Otawara, Soaring City
2
Plains
1
Polluted Delta
1
Reflecting Pool
1
Sea of Clouds
1
Shadowy Backstreet
1
Skycloud Expanse
2
Swamp
1
Takenuma, Abandoned Mire
1
Underground River
1
Vault of Champions
1
Watery Grave