Pardon the bad title, but I just had to : it seemed such a nice fit to this deck. :)
This deck revolves around Jaya Ballard, Task Mage: the blue print for planeswalker Chandra if there ever was one.
She has three abilities and each make her a valid commander for this deck:
She can destroy permanents. Blue ones. Yes, indeed that is a VERY powerful ability. In fact so powerful that I chose NOT to include Distorting Lens...I am here to have fun with this format, not to be the most hated man at the table at turn two (that comes later...believe me)
Discard a card and she will cast a Lightning Bolt. Nice (that's why you need Arcane Lighthouse in this deck)
Discard a card and cast an Inferno. Nice, but self destructive. Good finisher (or if you are in real trouble).
In this deck you'll be casting a lot of damage spells and sweepers: Pyroclasm, Mizzium Mortars, Slagstorm, Anger of the Gods to name but a few. This to keep the battlefield void of creatures so that your, immune to fire, creatures have a free path.
The deck is virtually creatureless apart from permanents that can transform into creatures at your bidding, and thus they are immune to damage. Think of: Chimeric Idol, Ghitu Encampment, Guardian Idol.
Artifacts like: Sword of Fire and Ice, and Magebane Armor ensure that Jaya Ballard, task mage can withstand a bit of damage. Okay, okay true,the combo Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
+
Sword of Fire and Ice
is very powerful and will keep her alive even if she goes inferno on the table.
Other combo's and synergy
Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
+
Rings of Brighthearth
, and Darksteel Plate
+
Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
to keep her longer in the game and avoid that she blows herself to smithereens.
Madness and Flashback cards: those you can discard to Jaya, and have double the fun: Fiery Temper and Firebolt. Also Hellspark Elemental and Hell's Thunder are creatures nicely fit this bill.
Card draw: you'll run out of cards. So Dangerous Wager, Browbeat and Wheel of Fate have been included.
Recurring Creatures: Chandra's Phoenix, and - amazing in this deck - Squee, Goblin Nabob. Grinning Ignus is also pretty good at avoiding the flames (and helping to cast them).
Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
+
Pyrostatic Pillar
: you don't have to cast a spell when you've got Jaya on the table
in a league of its own, a marriage in bliss: Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
+
Squee, Goblin Nabob
Finishers include Devil's Play and Magmaquake.
Note: Sulfuric Vortex is a bit too much for my taste. It is a bit too suicidal in this deck. So I did not include it.
