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COMMANDER(S)
Shiko and Narset, Unified
QR Code
R U W
- Jeskai
Created by  Discolove
Bracket
5.0 - 5.5
Bracket 3
Average CMC Average CMC
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Cost Cost
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ANALYSIS

Overview:

This Jeskai spellslinger deck leverages Shiko and Narset's Flurry trigger to copy impactful instant/sorcery spells or draw cards, supported by token generators, storm payoffs, and graveyard recursion. The primary win conditions are storm-based damage (Grapeshot/Haze of Rage), token swarms buffed by Akroma's Will, and Underworld Breach loops with Storm-Kiln Artist/Birgi for infinite mana/spells.

Primer:

Core Strategy:

  1. Early Setup: Cast cantrips (Opt, Ponder) and deploy cost reducers (Goblin Electromancer, Stormcatch Mentor) to enable multi-spell turns. Protect Shiko/Narset with Swiftfoot Boots/Deflecting Swat.
  2. Engine Activation: Trigger Flurry on second spell each turn to copy key spells (Jeska's Will, Grapeshot) or refuel with card draw. Use Young Pyromancer/Monastery Mentor to build a board.
  3. Win Conversion:
    • Storm: Chain copied spells (Galvanic Iteration, Twinning Staff) into Grapeshot or Haze of Rage with 10+ storm count.
    • Infinite Mana: Underworld Breach + Storm-Kiln Artist + Wheel of Fortune loops generate infinite treasures/spells.
    • Token Overrun: Akroma's Will grants evasion/indestructible to token armies from Talrand/Kykar.

Mulligan Priorities:

  • Keep hands with 3 lands, 1-2 cantrips/cost reducers, and protection (Boros Charm, Flawless Maneuver).
  • Prioritize setups enabling T4 Shiko/Narset with backup interaction (Mana Drain, Dovin's Veto).

Key Tips:

  • Sequence spells to maximize Flurry triggers: Cast setup spell first (Faithless Looting), then payoff (Jeska's Will) as second spell.
  • Use Lier, Disciple of the Drowned to rebuy key spells post-graveyard hate.
  • Against stax, tutor for Prismari Command/Otawara to remove Rule of Law effects.

Weaknesses:

Critical

  • Graveyard Reliance: Fold to Rest in Peace/Leyline of the Void (disables Breach/Mizzix's Mastery).
  • Commander Dependency: 3+ removals on Shiko/Narset cripples Flurry engine.

Moderate

  • Slow Stax Recovery: Rule of Law/Thalia effects delay critical multi-spell turns.
  • Limited Combo Redundancy: Only 1-2 copies of key combo enablers (Storm-Kiln Artist, Birgi).

Minor

  • Token Board Wipes: Vanquish the Horde/Akroma's Will mitigate damage from mass removal.

Most Important Cards:

  • Underworld Breach
  • Storm-Kiln Artist
  • Birgi, God of Storytelling
  • Mizzix's Mastery
  • Grapeshot
  • Rhystic Study
  • Archmage Emeritus
  • Lier, Disciple of the Drowned
  • Wheel of Fortune
  • Jeska's Will

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10
Theoretical T5-6 wins with perfect Breach/Storm-Kiln loops, but typically goldfishes T7-8.

Resilience: 5/10
Moderate protection (Deflecting Swat, counterspells) but crumbles under layered disruption.

Consistency: 6/10
12+ cantrips and wheels ensure gas, but only 4 tutors (Imperial Recruiter, Mizzix's Mastery) for combo assembly.

Interaction: 7/10
S-Tier counters (Mana Drain), A-Tier removal (Swords to Plowshares), and flexible answers (Prismari Command).

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at the high end of optimized casual (T8-10 deterministic wins) with storm/combat flexibility but lacks cEDH-speed tutors and free interaction.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5

DECK LIST
Shiko and Narset, Unified
Creature: 18
($44.58)
1
Archmage Emeritus
2 U U
1
Bria, Riptide Rogue
2 U R
1
Caldera Pyremaw
3 R R
1
Eris, Roar of the Storm
8 U R
1
Flamehold Grappler
U R W
1
Goblin Electromancer
U R
1
Guttersnipe
2 R
1
Imperial Recruiter
2 R
1
Kykar, Wind's Fury
1 U R W
1
Lier, Disciple of the Drowned
3 U U
1
Monastery Mentor
2 W
1
Narset, Enlightened Exile
1 U R W
1
Stella Lee, Wild Card
1 U R
1
Storm-Kiln Artist
3 R
1
Stormcatch Mentor
U R
1
Talrand, Sky Summoner
2 U U
1
Veyran, Voice of Duality
1 U R
1
Young Pyromancer
1 R
Artifact: 10
($11.85)
1
Adaptive Training Post
2 U
1
Arcane Signet
2
1
Azorius Signet
2
1
Boros Signet
2
1
Fellwar Stone
2
1
Izzet Signet
2
1
Sol Ring
1
1
Swiftfoot Boots
2
1
Talisman of Progress
2
1
Twinning Staff
3
Enchantment: 4
($60.63)
1
Jeskai Ascendancy
U R W
1
Rhystic Study
2 U
1
Underworld Breach
1 R
1
Whirlwind of Thought
1 U R W
Instant: 21
($119.03)
1
Abrade
1 R
1
Akroma's Will
3 W
1
Big Score
3 R
1
Boros Charm
R W
1
Brainstorm
U
1
Consider
U
1
Deflecting Swat
2 R
1
Dovin's Veto
W U
1
Flawless Maneuver
2 W
1
Frantic Search
2 U
1
Galvanic Iteration
U R
1
Lightning Bolt
R
1
Mana Drain
U U
1
Narset's Reversal
U U
1
Negate
1 U
1
Opt
U
1
Path to Exile
W
1
Pongify
U
1
Prismari Command
1 U R
1
Return the Favor
R R
1
Swords to Plowshares
W
Sorcery: 14
($248.84)
1
Boltwave
R
1
Enter the Enigma
U
1
Expressive Iteration
U R
1
Faithless Looting
R
1
Grapeshot
1 R
1
Haze of Rage
1 R
1
Jeska's Will
2 R
1
Mana Geyser
3 R R
1
Mizzix's Mastery
3 R
1
Ponder
U
1
Preordain
U
1
Vanquish the Horde
6 W W
1
Wheel of Fortune
2 R
1
Will of the Jeskai
3 R
Land: 26
($822.19)
1
Arid Mesa
1
Cavern of Souls
1
Clifftop Retreat
1
Command Beacon
1
Command Tower
1
Flooded Strand
1
Floodfarm Verge
1
Glacial Fortress
1
Hallowed Fountain
1
Mistrise Village
1
Mystic Monastery
1
Otawara, Soaring City
1
Plateau
1
Riverpyre Verge
1
Sacred Foundry
1
Scalding Tarn
1
Sea of Clouds
1
Spectator Seating
1
Steam Vents
1
Sulfur Falls
1
Sunbillow Verge
1
Temple of Epiphany
1
Temple of Triumph
1
Training Center
1
Tundra
1
Volcanic Island
Other: 6
($)
1
Birgi, God of Storytelling
1
Expansion/Explosion
1
Hengegate Pathway
1
Needleverge Pathway
1
Riverglide Pathway
1
Sejiri Shelter

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