IntroductionEveryone in Strixhaven knows: if you want to throw a party, call a Prismari and turn it into a real spectacle.Secrets of Strixhaven gave us five precon decks, one for each school. Each of them represents their personality and their students really well.Prismari students are represented by Rootha, Mastering the Moment, a dedicated Orc who encourages us to cast bigger and bigger spells as she gives us Elemental tokens in return.In this article, we'll show you how to upgrade this precon with this commander and another alternative list with another commander, Muddle, the Ever-Changing.Commander: Rootha, Mastering the Moment“Sometimes you just need to be inspired by a massive explosion or a color that didn’t exist five seconds ago.”- RoothaIf you're in Strixhaven and go look up the meaning of "artistry", you might stumble upon a picture of Rootha.With her vibrant hair and clothes that are at the same time expressive and dramatic, Rootha is a young mage-student who dreams about making her art without being tied down by her family, the Squallheart family.She first appeared in MTG as such:The latest Commander version is also in Prismari colors and still interacts with instants and sorceries:This version creates an X/X Elemental creature token with flying and haste at the beginning of combat, where X is the greatest mana value among instant and sorcery spells you've cast this turn.Rootha doesn't really care about how many spells you cast per turn. After all, she only considers the greatest mana value among instants and sorceries.So, you're probably better off focusing on casting quality spells instead of many spells. Like so, you'll cast some pretty expensive cards with devastating effects.Also in the token theme, Muddle, the Ever-Changing will be your alternative commander. Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery, this fella will become a copy of a non-legendary target creature you control until the end of the turn, but it will also have Myriad.This effect is a lot of fun in a precon because you can use it to copy cards like Thunderclap Drake and discount the cost of your spells more times. You can also reuse ETBs like Solemn Simulacrum's.Original ListWhen you open the precon box, this is what you'll find:Now, let's go over how you can improve it and make it even more fun and consistent for your Commander pods.Car DrawFor a long time, one of the main problems Commander precons faced was card draw. Luckily for us, the design team has been addressing this issue, which is clear considering the last few sets.For instance, check out the card draw this precon already includes:The new Faerie Mastermind print makes many Commander players smile.If you like filling your board with cards, Leitmotif Composer should be your next favorite card. It comes with an activated ability that gives it evasion, and it draws a card when it deals combat damage to a player.It's rare to see an Izzet list that doesn't play Archmage Emeritus, and reading it explains why. Playing it gives you a lot of value, even more in decks like this.The only thing that bothers me about Dance with Calamity (and this might be a personal opinion) is the way its effect is described.Ever since it was released, this card has created some problems, and not just because of its very tempting and devastating effect. No, the real reason is a small detail that goes unnoticed if you read it quickly:You can review each card you exile before you decide whether you should keep risking it or stop.(Source)It's that simple. This spell will create a true calamity on the board and open a world of possibilities for you.What We AddedLet's add some friends to help Rootha keep your hand full of resources.Improvisation Capstone's Paradigm makes a huge difference in this deck. Thanks to this keyword, you'll have a copy of this spell in each of your upkeep steps for free.In practice, this means that, beyond its effect, you'll also get a 7/7 token from your commander.As for Rapturous Moment, it is expensive and quite interesting for your Orc. After cycling your hand with this sorcery's card draw-discard effect, you'll also get four mana to use however you like.A real Prismari party needs music, and Resonating Lute will be your choice for this one. With it, you'll set the rhythm of the match and fix your mana so that you can cast sorceries and instants.Furthermore, it also has an activated ability that draws a card.What We RemovedTo add these fabulous cards to this "Prismari" work of art, we had to remove other cards.TokensBesides your commander, the original list interacts with creature tokens in many ways.These token interactions are quite interesting. For instance, Prismari Pianist is great when you cast big spells because it will give you even more Elemental tokens.Manaform Hellkite is also better when you have lots of creatures in play. In particular, it will give you Dragon Illusion tokens that are exiled at the beginning of your end step.What We AddedWarhammer 40k cards are real treasures to many types of decks. In this case, Magnus the Red discounts costs according to how many tokens you control and also creates 3/3 Spawns for you, so it's great.Rootha would definitely invite this Demon to a party!Besides this card, Shark Typhoon will give you many flying Sharks, and Echocasting Symposium's Paradigm will make sure you always get 6/6 tokens at the beginning of combat from your commander's effect.What We RemovedBurnBurn players were also graced with a few spells that should destroy the opponents' life points.With this deck, you don't really want to win through burn, but it does play a few great burn cards. For instance, Volcanic Salvo. Imagine removing two creatures/planeswalkers and also creating a 12/12 at the beginning of combat?Keep in mind you'll discount the cost of this spell based on the total power of creatures you control.What We AddedThe Final Fantasy cards that interact with instants and sorceries are really fun. For instance, The Emperor of Palamecia creates mana, and, when it attacks after it transforms, it deals damage according to the number of non-creatures in your graveyard.It comes with a restriction? Oh, yes. But, with Flashback, you'll be able to bring back target spells from the graveyard.What We RemovedCopiesThis deck plays a few cards that copy other spells and creatures.What We AddedCopying spells is not exactly what makes Rootha, Mastering the Moment work, and you can use the spells slot the cards above occupy for other interesting cards:Why not bet on extra combats?Rootha's effect triggers precisely at that moment. Besides triggering it more times, extra combats also cost just enough mana to make Rootha give you great Elementals.You can also protect yourself a little better with Swiftfoot Boots. Even if you use it to copy other things, Return the Favor's Spree can protect you or even remove enemy cards, as it redirects a spell or ability.What We RemovedOther AdditionsFinally, last but not least, we removed Galazeth Prismari to add Izzet Signet, a pretty cheap mana rock that will progress your game plan early on.We also removed Plargg and Nassari to open space for Perplexing Test.Upgraded ListAlternative List: Muddle, the Ever- ChangingWhile Rootha turns this strategy into a crowded party, Muddle, the Ever-Changing is the orchestra conductor that recognizes and shines light on every new talent it finds.To upgrade this deck around this commander, we added blue creatures with fun ETBs, like Archaeomancer and Emeritus of Ideation. The first gets an instant or sorcery from the graveyard for you, and the second enters play ready. You'll also find an Ancestral Recall in the final list below.The idea is to cast small spells, like Opt and Brainstorm, so that your commander becomes a copy of these creatures, creates tokens with Myriad, and helps you get as much as possible out of each effect.Here is the final version:Final WordsThis is a great precon if you got tired of playing Izzet lists that only play spells and want to make creatures as big as possible to win through powerful attacks but still want all the diversity that Spellslinger strategies offer.What do you think? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.Thank you for reading, and see you next time!
Sign in and join the conversation
— Comments 0
, Reactions 1
Be the first to comment