Upgrading Commander Precon: The Ruinous Power

Warhammer 40k pre-built Commander decks brought a vast collection of never-before-seen cards. The commanders present in this Universes Beyond release are innovative, and we have in The Ruinous Power the presence of the first Grixis commander based on Cascade - Abaddon the Despoiler.

In this article, continuing the analyses of the Warhammer 40,000 precons, we will discuss the construction of the deck, The Ruinous Power, its strategies and, finally, we will explore the upgrade options that we have available to enhance its operation.

The faction that represents the greatest antagonist of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, The Ruinous Power aims to bring the galaxy into an age of Chaos.

The Traitor Adeptus Astartes after the events of the Horus Heresy and the Epic Battle abandoned Earth's orbit led by Captain Abaddon the Despoiler, advancing to the Eye of Terror and embracing madness, and raised their Black Legion.

The outstanding commander Abaddon the Despoiler brings a body with impressive stats and highly synergistic abilities.

The comparison between his Mark of Chaos Ascendant ability and the already established Yidris, Maelstrom Wielder is inevitable. However, Mark of Chaos Ascendant is superior to the point that any sources of damage can trigger an especially relevant Cascade detail that directs all the construction of this deck.

His playstyle consists of a combination of direct damage, Cascade, demons and cards played from exile in a twisted chain of horrors.

Abaddon the Despoiler has an offensive positioning on the battlefield, as his ability permeates proactivity, generating a great advantage by doubling the value of spells played. This fact compensates for the proposed high mana costs, balanced with the large number of lands and mana rocks.

Warhammer 40k precons are well-rounded, and The Ruinous Power is very reminiscent of the Planar Portal deck that featured Prosper, Tome-Bound as a commander. The similarities are not only in the fact of the interactions with exiled cards, but also with the first impression that the deck's mechanics don't talk to each other, which couldn't be more wrong.

While there are better ways to refine themes and mechanics, the deck works well. The changes aim to add greater dynamism to its strategy.

Mana Base

The precon land package is basic and can be developed well without great cost. The number of basic lands is high and the “dual” lands are quite slow, which can be corrected by adding panoramas and filters like Shadowblood Ridge and Darkwater Catacombs.

We also added Tango Lands (Smoldering Marsh), and Reveal Lands (Choked Estuary) to complement each other, ensuring greater resourcefulness. The addition of Maestros Theater, Riveteers Overlook and Ash Barrens expands the land selection to ensure access to all colors.

IN

OUT

The multicolored decks brought among their reprints Mirrodin's Talisman cycle, of which several were long awaited. The addition of Signets complements and diversifies mana sources.

The precon also has good reducers, such as Magnus the Red who has a great chance of being one of the most powerful Izzet commanders in recent times. Herald of Slaanesh acts as a Lord granting Haste to other demons and reducing their cost by . The only ritual present in the deck is Dark Ritual, simply one of the most iconic black cards in the entire game.

IN

OUT

Card Advantage

The Cascade theme already yields a huge card and mana advantage

Abaddon the Despoiler upon entering the battlefield rapidly develops the board. The Astartes Dark Apostle, Aspiring Champion and Sloppity Bilepiper are great resource generators, however Blood for the Blood God! and Tallyman of Nurgle draws an immense number of cards.

The Ruinous Powers is a powerful enchantment, reducing opponents' resources and controlling the top. In the demons subtheme highlights for Be'lakor, the Dark Master and Lord of Change. Another card worth noting is Mutalith Vortex Beast which can do great damage or a major card draw. Keeper of Secrets is a creature that deals damage based on spells cast from anywhere other than your hand, having the ability to deal massive damage.

Etali, Primal Storm, which grants up to four additional cards, is a sure presence in all decks with access to red, being particularly strong ally with Nalfeshnee, which doubles all spells played from exile. Sin Prodder can act as a Dark Confidant or deal the damage to grant the Cascade triggered by our commander.

Khârn the Betrayer is an interesting draw for chaos decks, in addition to being a fun commander, however without proper support it is a rather dangerous card, still in this theme the deck has Assault Suit that although it doesn't run the same risks, it doesn't have any card advantage.

IN

OUT

Interactions and Removals

The largest group of cards present in this deck are undoubtedly interactions and removals, contemplating many permanents and spells capable of reducing opponents' life points, destroying creatures, causing damage, etc. Let's cover some of the most interesting ones based on usability.

Bituminous Blast, Blasphemous Act and Let the Galaxy Burn are massive damage-based spells, the latter can easily grant access to any card present in the deck for their high cost combined with Cascade.

Some additional removals such as Fiery Confluence, Volcanic Fallout and Delayed Blast Fireball have been suggested, having a lower mana cost and allowing interactions with the commander. Chaos Mutation, while interesting, has a high converted mana cost which doesn't favor its use, as the randomness of Polymorph can cause more burden than bonus.

The Maestro's colors aren't the best at dealing with certain permanent types, making it especially problematic to resolve enchantments. Deny Reality and Chaos Warp cards are incredible point solutions for these cases. Nurgle's Conscription is a card with an innovative design, as it simultaneously takes a creature from the opponent's graveyard and exiles the entire discard pile.

Some removals based on power and toughness reduction are part of the deck and are questionable cards, and can be replaced without affecting its overall functioning.

IN

OUT

This deck is ideal for anyone who wants a non-linear explosive style deck or a distinctive tribal demon deck, bringing a lot of diversity and fun.

A spellslinger version is possible by making use of more than minions and powerful spells; to this strand I would add Valki, God of Lies, Lier, Disciple of the Drowned and Prosper, Tome-Bound.

Other commander possibilities are Lucius the Eternal, virtually immortal when possessing opponent's creatures. Magnus the Red has token creation and cost reduction abilities, allowing for consistent spellslinger.

Forced combat decks have a new commander: Khârn the Betrayer, to keep company with Fumiko the Lowblood, Tahngarth, First Mate and Karona, False God.

Be'lakor, the Dark Master

Possibly being the primary commander for the theme, as it is the first to actually show synergies with the tribe, the suggested secondary commander for the theme is Be'lakor, the Dark Master. His abilities mimic Warstorm Surge, restricted to the demon tribe.

We can also point out the ability to draw extra cards based on the amount of demons in play. The demon subtheme also brought creatures with some support: Bloodcrusher of Khorne belongs to the tribe and grants Trample, Bloodthirster has evasion and gains extra combats by dealing damage to different opponents. Exalted Flamer of Tzeentch recovers instants and sorceries.

Thanks for reading and good games!

Any questions, I'm available in the comments!