Oona, Queen of the Faye
Long considered among the strongest competitive commanders, her appeal lies primarily in two things.
-First, simply, are her colors. Black/Blue has always been a strong combination, giving access to draw, counter, tutor, and removal, you have many options to control your way to a win.
-The Second, and why she is considered such a strong contender, is that her ability is an instant game with unlimited mana. Unlimited mana is probably the easiest thing to obtain via any of numerous infinite combos, but the problem has always been having something to do with it after. If you don't have that one card in hand or already on the board, then it simply lets you cast one or two extra things, then filters away. With Oona, simply activate her ability, and exile your opponent's library in its entirety.
The Deck
Oona has been done many times before, and this is simply my take on her. It's a paper deck, so all of the cards listed I actually own. I've tried to depict set, foiling, and art as accurately as possible.
It is creature light, and runs a few different combos, increasing the chances I'll draw into one of them.
It is tutor heavy, running staples like
Vampiric Tutor
, as well as transmutation tutors such as
Dimir Infiltrator
to fetch specific, prominent combo pieces.Having different combos means most games have me drawing a piece to one of the combos, and then tutoring the corresponding piece, instead of tutoring immediately towards one of the combos. Usually, at least one combo piece should be in the opening hand.
I run a large counter package, which can be divided into two parts, the low cmc counters, such as Pact of Negation, Swan Song, or Counterspell, for when you're actually comboing, and the high cmc counters, such as Desertion and
Time Stop
, which are generally more antagonistic than defensive.
Combos
All of the following combos are strictly for infinite mana. This goes directly into Oona's ability, and then that's game. That said, there are two types of infinite mana: Colored, and Colorless. Colored infinite mana is obviously the better of the two, but isn't quite necessary. You just have to keep in mind the color costs required:Oona, Queen of the Faye costs , and for each opponent you wish to kill after attaining infinite colorless mana. That's only per opponent if she is on the field prior to the combo, so plan ahead and know if the combo you're using is going to be colorless or colored.
Power Artifact + Grim Monolith/Basalt Monolith: Infinite Colorless. One of the easiest and most basic combos in the deck. Power Artifact reduces the untap cost to less than the mana they produce.
Rings of Brighthearth + Basalt Monolith: Infinite Colorless. Requires extra mana to start. Tap Basalt Monolith for . Use that mana to activate its untap ability. Then use the Rings to copy that untap ability. This allows you to tap it again with the second untap trigger on the stack, netting extra each cycle.
Rings of Brighthearth + Aphetto Alchemist + Basalt Monolith/Grim Monolith/Thran Dynamo/Gilded Lotus: Infinite Colorless, or Colored with Lotus. Not a regular combo, but an incidental combo that just happens to exist between other combo pieces. Use the Rings to copy the Alchemist's untap ability, untapping himself and an artifact that produces 3, netting 1 every cycle.
Aphetto Alchemist + Illusionist's Bracers + any mana rock: Infinite Mana (Color depends on rock) I personally consider this a two-card combo, because there really isn't a time you'll be without a mana rock or two. I love this combo because it's never really expected.
Palinchron + Deadeye Navigator/Phantasmal Image: Infinite Colored Mana. Flicker Palinchron with Deadeye Navigator. Can also use Peregrine Drake for redundancy. Or, with Phantasmal Image, have the Image copy Palinchron, then return itself to your hand with its copied ability. 2 to play, 4 to return, 7 mana untapped each time.
Isochron Scepter + Dramatic Reversal: Infinite Mana. Requires a total of 3 or more mana from non-land sources, but this is rarely a problem. Usually generates infinite colored mana.
Cards of Note
Gemstone Array: This card converts infinite colorless mana into infinite colored mana. And it can be cast for colorless. One of the great enablers in the deck.
Beseech the Queen: Another card that is noteworthy for its use with colorless mana. It is usually used to tutor up Gemstone Array
Yawgmoth's Will: A second chance at one of your combos. And they thought they were safe now that Power Artifact is in your graveyard.
Training Grounds: When going for a hard win, or just needing some quick defenders, this lets you activate Oona's ability by with , milling them for 2 each time.
Ixidron: One of the best and most overlooked field wipes. Flips their commanders (and all other creatures) upside-down, with no way to get them back. Just don't kill their commanders after.