Featured card: Omnath, Locus of the Roil

[[Primer v1.0]]-Omnath, the Angry Wet Jelly Bean!

Commander / EDH* Multiplayer Primer Ramp RUG (Temur) Tribal

VexenX

Creature (31)

Instant (4)

Land (37)

Enchantment (8)

Commander (1)

Sorcery (10)

Artifact (9)

Sideboard

Creature (5)

Enchantment (1)

1x Sunbird's Invocation

Maybeboard

Sorcery (3)

Instant (1)

1x Ghostly Flicker

Creature (2)

Enchantment (1)

1x Zendikar Resurgent

Our Angry Jelly Bean Om_rath is all wet now, and with it we now have the Elemental Tribal commander that Omnath, Locus of Rage always wanted to be! Adding blue gives us a ton of great elementals and key tribal cards! This decks primary focus will be playing a bunch of elements that have Enter the Battlefield triggers, and then abusing those triggers as much as possible by flickering and/or copying these creatures! There is also a small flavor of landfall and +1/+1 counters because of Omnath, Locus of the Roil 's second ability!

I don't know about you, but I'm really excited for Omnath, of Planer Chaos in 5 years, and Omnath, of the Leylines in 10 years!!!

You know you want to push the button!!! ----->

Overview

Reading this decklist

I organized this Primer into my own custom categories as they fit in with the deck-list. There will be certain cards that appear in multiple categories.

Enter the Battlefield Effects (ETBs) - These are cards that do something when they enter the battlefield.

ETB Triggering - These are cards that amplify the ETB abilities by either flickering them or copying them

Ramp - Ramp spells are those that increase mana acceleration and production.

Card Draw - Spells that allow you to draw extra cards.

Spot Removal - Targeted removal to deal with major threats in the game.

Boardwipes - If your opponents are getting out of hand this these cards are like the reset button.

Landfall - Any cards that focus on lands hitting the battlefield. This is different than the ‘Ramp’ category because these spells do not search for lands.

Elemental Swarm - The idea here is to make an army of Elementals so when Omnath enters someone gets blasted! There is also the upside of having an army of Elementals!

Utility - Cards that have a use outside of the above categories.

What qualifies me as the leading Omnath expert!

My first exposure to commander was in 2009 when I saw someone piloting a Omnath, Locus of Mana deck. I was fascinated with how quickly massive creatures would hit the field, and how scary Omnath would get as some effect would give him trample. Not long after that I made my own version of Omnath, full of cards that could flash him back into play so I could never loss out on all the ramp quickly. The first version of the deck would often win with massive Eldrazi smashing people much too early in the game, Omnath swing in with trample, or Craterhoof Behemoth and Avenger of Zendikar doing their thing! It was a simple time… a Mono time.

I up and joined the Air Force not long after that, and in 2015 I was on a military trip away from home and only brought one (of my then 4) commander decks with me Omnath, Locus of Mana of course. It was on that trip that Battle over Zendikar cards were being spoiled, and Omnath, Locus of Rage was announce! I didn’t have my collection of cards with me, so I found a local gaming store and started buying cards immediately! Any card I couldn’t find I printed on paper and tucked in a card sleeve with a basic land behind it, to include Omnath, Locus of Rage himself! The day after the cards announcement I had a fully functional (w/proxies) commander deck! I started playing it with some buddies right away, and quickly relized I had something special.

It was when all this was happening that I posted my deck-list on Tappedout, just hoping to get some feedback. I remember how excited I was when people were actually Upvoting and commenting on my deck! It was through this community that Om_rath was born! It has now been almost 4 years, and Om_rath is just 100 Upvotes away from being the 2nd rated Commander/EDH deck on Tappedout!

Now we arrive to 2019, I am currently deployed, away from my wife and kids, and I missed the birth of my first son just three weeks ago. I told myself I wouldn’t make any more commander decks because I already have 15… (I have a problem.. Some of them I have only played a handful of times…) I have always been sad that I couldn’t make Omnath, Locus of Rage centered around Tribal Elementals like so many people suggested. A few times I almost made a second deck just so I can play it both ways! THEN M20 gave me a gift that I NEVER expected, Omnath, Locus of the Roil was spoiled, and the true Elemental Tribal commander was born!!!

Why play Temur

Omnath’s Temur colors provide us with many of the key elementals from Magic’s past.

gives us the best color to ramp hands down, and works perfectly with our commanders second ability (Landfall, just without the key word).

is knows for control, and there is a splash of that here. But also the gates are opened up to some of the best draw spells out there!

provides us with many of the elemental synergies, as well aggressive removal.

Omnath, Locus of the Roil gives us two powerful abilities and a relevant creature type, which we will discuss in more detail below.

Why, Omnath, Locus of the Roil

Let’s start from the top of the card and work down:

Mana Cost:

4 is a fairly aggressive CMC, so you can expect to cast him several times thanks to our Ramp
Our three colors symbols could be a burden with some decks, but our land-based ramp makes it simple!

Creature Type:

Legendary Creature – Elemental

Obviously very relevant here, seeing how we are making a tribal deck!

Theory Time

I think it would be cool if Omnath becomes and Avatar Elemental when he gains his forth color, then becomes a God Elemental when he is WURBR! Do I think it will actually happen? No. But it sure would be sweet!

Ability 1:

When Omanth, Locus of the Roil enters the battlefield, it deals damages to any target equal to the number of Elementals you control.

A few things of note here. First, Any Targetmeans we can blow up Creatures, Planeswalkers, and Players alike. This of course has combo potential if you wanted to abuse this with Food Chain (which is not my style). Second, Equal to the number of Elementals you control means we want to go wide in order to maximize this effect.

Alternatively, opens our world to many Flicker and Copy effects, something Omnath has not fully had access to before! With this realization I went and ran with it, and found a few spells that can do the same, thus this deck was born!

Important rule interaction to note! – Although the Legendary rule prevents us from have multiple Omnath’s in play (most of the time, thank you Helm of the Host and friends!) you can still benefit from its ETB effect when you make copies of him. This is particularly relevant when he is wielding Blade of Selves !

Ability 2:

Landfall - Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, put a +1/+1 counter on target Elemental you control. If you control eight or more lands, draw a card.

If any of you watch the Command Zone, you know having card draw on your commander is amazing! Adding a +1/+1 counter per land is just ok, but if you can manage to make non-legendary copies of Omnath this can get out of control!

Power/Toughness:

3/3

It looks like Om_rath stopped juicing when he got all wet. Don’t expect to kill anyone with commander damage anytime soon!

Pros

Yes if you like:

Playing a tribal commander in a different way than just cast and stompy (although this deck also does this very well!)
Abusing Enter the Battlefield triggers over and over again
The versatility of winning both in and out of combat
Putting +1/+1 counters on things
You like pretending the legendary rule doesn’t exist sometimes

Cons

No if you like:

Controlling the board or comboing out.
Hate shuffling your deck an often because of fetchlands
Winning on turn 3-5 every game
Hate when you have fake copy token in play that are just backs of cards/tokens

Card Choice

Enter the Battlefield Effects (ETBs)

Omnath, Locus of the Roil – Being able to repeat the commanders ability though flickering and coping him is what got me into thinking about using this strategy throughout the whole deck. Little did I know how many elementals there are with ETBs!!!
Avatar of Growth – This guy speeds up the game quite a bit and will give you the most advantage more often than not. On the more casual side, but a ton of fun!
Avenger of Zendikar – Who doesn’t want a repeatable army that grows!
Bloom Hulk – My vision for this card is to flicker or copy it from time to time in order to make the little +1/+1 counters from Omnath into a win condition!
Cavalier of Flame – Three really relevant abilities in one covenant elemental package! First abilities is a potential mana-sink win-condition, second ability filters your hand, and third ability could close out a game!
Cavalier of Thorns – The first ability is perfect for the deck, grabbing you another land into play untapped. The second ability is fantastic too, it just stinks that it has to exile him.
Cavalier of Gales - Fairly big flier that you can flicker to draw you more cards!? Sign me up!
Flamekin Harbinger – Repeatable elemental tutor is sweet. Just play a land and draw it same turn!
Greenwarden of Murasa – Gift that keeps on giving!
Ingot Chewer – Solid tribal removal that gets better here!
Mulldrifter – A favorite in all blue decks, but even more at home here!
Risen Reef – You have to read this card all the way through to really realize how amazing it is! It is better than card draw is every way because it throws your lands right into play!
Slithermuse – Not exactly ETB, but the fact that it triggers when leaving is just as good most of the time.
Soul of the Harvest – Another great draw-spell on an elemental body
Master of Waves - Max devotion in the deck is 23, so as long as there is one or two in play this card is really sweet!

ETB Triggering

Ramp

Avatar of Growth – This guy speeds up the game quite a bit and will give you the most advantage more often than not. On the more casual side, but a ton of fun!
Embodiment of Spring – A bad Steve but win for tribal points!
Fertilid – A fantastic ramp card and many decks, but a workhorse here! Once Omnath has 7+ lands this cards is nearly unlimited ramp and card draw because you pay the , get a land in play, placing a counter on Fertilid , then drawing a card! Rinse and repeat!!!
Risen Reef – You have to read this card all the way through to really realize how amazing it is! It is better than card draw is every way because it throws your lands right into play!
Smokebraider – Elemental ramps is nice!
Cultivate , Nature's Lore , Farseek , Kodama's Reach , Skyshroud Claim – Classic land ramp! The reason Green is the best!
Herald's Horn – Draw and ramp all in one neat package!
Brighthearth Banneret - Elemental ramp on an elemental body.
Gruul Signet , Simic Signet , Sol Ring - Rock are important elements to every deck!

Card Draw

Omnath, Locus of the Roil - That second ability is fantastic, and our goal is to abuse it as much as we can.
Mulldrifter – A favorite in all blue decks, but even more at home here!
Risen Reef – You have to read this card all the way through to really realize how amazing it is! It is better than card draw is every way because it throws your lands right into play!
Soul of the Harvest – Another great draw-spell on an elemental body.
Herald's Horn – Draw and ramp all in one neat package!
Cavalier of Gales - Potentially repeatable Brainstorm seems good!
Kindred Discovery – Best draw spell in the deck hands down. Triggering of ETB and Attacking is just nuts!
Temur Ascendancy – Draws you cards and gives haste!
Rishkar's Expertise – One of my favorite draw spells just because it feels like you are cheating when you do it!
Tatyova, Benthic Druid - Landfall that draws you more cards seems pretty sweet in a deck with 10 fetchlands!
Rhystic Study - Pretty much the best card-draw spell in commander.

Spot Removal

Omnath, Locus of the Roil – ANY target is what makes this fantastic! I really hope I can flicker this a few times one game and kill the table lol
Ingot Chewer – Solid tribal removal that gets better here!
Beast Within – Fundamental green removal spell. Hosing any permanent is very rare.
Force of Vigor – New green staple if you ask me! You will never see me without it.
Krosan Grip – If you want to destroy a Artifact or Enchantment and watch as no one can do anything about it, look no further.

Boardwipes

Cyclonic Rift – Best card in Commander/EDH. Enough said.
Blasphemous Act – Best boardwipe that red has to offer. Despite times call for despite measures.

Landfall

Roil Elemental – I love that I can finally play this card! I am not a blue player at all, so this is a rare treat for me to cast some blue creatures! The fact the Omnath can buff it up to make it more difficult to kill is pretty cool. I like to think the Omnath, Locus of Rage somehow did a fusion dance with Roil Elemental in order to become Omnath, Locus of the Roil !
Omnath, Locus of Rage – Although the second evolution of Omnath is “stronger” they both work really well together. Man is it fun to kill someone after they wipe your board!
Titania, Protector of Argoth – With 10 fetch-lands you kind of have to play this card. She is a beast!
Zendikar's Roil – Namesake card, and easy way to buff up that elemental count!

Elemental Swarm

Titania, Protector of Argoth - Fetchlands really make her shine! She will likely "swarm" the least, but still noteworthy.
Omnath, Locus of Rage - Likely the best card in the deck when it comes to ending the game. A swarm that punishes on the way out is nuts.
Zendikar's Roil - This card often sit on the field far to long, and by the time your opponents notice it is often way to late.
Tempt with Vengeance - I'm ok with this giving me 3 elementals and calling it a day. If anyone is foolish enough to be tempted then that is fantastic! In a ramping deck like this expect MUCH more then 3 tokens...
Master of Waves - Max devotion in the deck is 23, so as long as there is one or two in play this card is really sweet!
Elemental Mastery - Likely the worst of the "Swarm" simply because it doesn't really synergize with the rest of the deck and the tokens don't stay to play very long.
Sylvan Awakening - The one hit wonder. I am excited to see the aftermath of casting this!

Utility

Animar, Soul of Elements – The original go-to if you wanted to run Temur Elemental Tribal is still great in the deck. He works well with our commander because you can just add a counter onto him whenever you cast a creature AND whenever you play a land!
Forgotten Ancients – Making this guy huge and spreading the love every turn in what its all about!
Multani, Yavimaya's Avatar – She is a monster that also allows you to bounce cards for Landfall in late-game.
Rhythm of the Wild – This card provides three very powerful options for just 2CMC!

Deck Building

Change Log

26 JUNE 2019

Here we are with out first set of changes since the Primer's conception! Typically the first one is pretty good, but it is important to note that these changes are still prior to any play-testing. I am currently in the Middle East, and it takes a couple weeks for cards to get to me, but they should be here soon. Anything I know I have at home or arrive late will be proxies until I can get my hands on them (mainly the fetchlands because I have them in my binder back in the US haha).

These changes mainly came from great feedback from all of you, notably; Rasmusmv, dingusdingo, Brynx and Starsky2814. Also note that I put some cards in the "Sideboard". These are cards that I think can be in the deck, just depends on the player/meta.

Clever Impersonator OUT FOR Sakashima the Impostor - Better I just about every way in this deck. Sure it can only get creatures, but that is what this deck is trying to do anyway!

Regal Force OUT FOR Tatyova, Benthic Druid - This is just better card draw at a lower CMC.

Tyrant of Discord OUT FOR Cavalier of Gales - I knew each of the Cavalier were getting in the deck, each of their ETBs are great to flicker! Gales provides a Brainstorm on a great body! Tyrant is a fun card, but expensive to cast in random... might try it at some point though (keep it in a sideboard and put it in some games for fun).

Maelstrom Wanderer OUT FOR Cavalier of Thorns - It hurts to drop Wanderer, but it really don't do anything for use but be big and powerful. Thorns might be the weakest of the Cavalier, but I still think it deserves a spot in the deck.

Sunbird's Invocation OUT FOR Tempt with Vengeance - The first of three cards I am adding to try out a "Elemental Swap" strategy. When Scampering Scorcher was spoiled I thought, "well that might be pretty good" but then I realize that it is just a bad Tempt with Vengeance for 4cmc! Sure, it call be flickered, but Vengeance will almost always give you tokens faster. Sunbird's Invocation is one of my favorite card, and I plan on keeping it close. Ill see how some of the cards in the deck behave after some play-testing.

Creeping Trailblazer OUT FOR Master of Waves - My second "Swarm" card. All this needs is devotion 3 to be good, and I don't think that would be to hard. The anthem effect is just gravy. (Max devotion is 23 btw)

Bane of Progress OUT FOR Elemental Mastery - My third "Swarm" card, and likely the worst. Sure, it makes more token, and with haste, but they dont stick around and it also makes whatever this Aura this is on a massive target. Also doesn't work with flickers or coping. When it comes to Bane of Progress , I will keep an eye on my artifact/enchantment count in the future, and if it drops enough I will put this back in I think.

Vigor OUT FOR Sylvan Awakening - The last "Swarm" card!. Awakening makes Omnath a recking ball, while also enabling you to swing at whatever is left alive! Vigor is cool, but clunky.

Izzet Signet OUT FOR Brighthearth Banneret - Izzet contains my "splash" colors, so I figured this signet is expendable to another 2 cmc ramp card.

Guardian Project OUT FOR Rhystic Study - Card draw upgrade in just about every situation.

Decimate OUT FOR Nature's Lore - Needed more ramp.

Myriad Landscape OUT FOR Command Beacon - Commander for 4CMC each time seems good. I will be taking a closer look at how I can get some land recursion in the deck without tweaking it to much... I already have Omnath, Locus of Rage and Lord Windgrace , I really don't need a third 'lands-matter' deck.

Reflecting Pool OUT FOR Prismatic Vista - idk how I missed the Vista in the first place.

Possible Additions

SEE MAYBE BOARD FOR NOW

Omissions

Food Chain - I like to have friends, and sit and play commander games for more the 10 minutes a game.

I hope everyone enjoyed the Primer! Please let me know if there is anything I can improve on!

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Updates Add

Update v1.0! Top deck for the Week! 43 Upvotes!!! — June 26, 2019

Edit

Wow, what a week! Thank you guys (and gals) for all of the support! We are now the Deck of the Week on Tappedout! That is really cool! Thank you guys so much for all of the feedback and support. However, I need you more... here comes a really big update! I need your feedback!!! 13 cards are being swapped around, and I am not sure what to think! I also adding a "Elemental Swarm" section to the Primer, which will make more since as you continue reading.

Here we are with out first set of changes since the Primer's conception! Typically the first one is pretty good, but it is important to note that these changes are still prior to any play-testing. I am currently in the Middle East, and it takes a couple weeks for cards to get to me, but they should be here soon. Anything I know I have at home or arrive late will be proxied until I can get my hands on them (mainly the fetchlands because I have them in my binder back in the US haha).

Clever Impersonator OUT FOR Sakashima the Impostor - Better I just about every way in this deck. Sure it can only get creatures, but that is what this deck is trying to do anyway!
Regal Force OUT FOR Tatyova, Benthic Druid - This is just better card draw at a lower CMC.
Tyrant of Discord OUT FOR Cavalier of Gales - I knew each of the Cavalier were getting in the deck, each of their ETBs are great to flicker! Gales provides a Brainstorm on a great body! Tyrant is a fun card, but expensive to cast in random... might try it at some point though (keep it in a sideboard and put it in some games for fun).
Maelstrom Wanderer OUT FOR Cavalier of Thorns - It hurts to drop Wanderer, but it really don't do anything for use but be big and powerful. Thorns might be the weakest of the Cavalier, but I still think it deserves a spot in the deck.
Sunbird's Invocation OUT FOR Tempt with Vengeance - The first of three cards I am adding to try out a "Elemental Swap" strategy. When Scampering Scorcher was spoiled I thought, "well that might be pretty good" but then I realize that it is just a bad Tempt with Vengeance for 4cmc! Sure, it call be flickered, but Vengeance will almost always give you tokens faster. Sunbird's Invocation is one of my favorite card, and I plan on keeping it close. Ill see how some of the cards in the deck behave after some play-testing.
Creeping Trailblazer OUT FOR Master of Waves - My second "Swarm" card. All this needs is devotion 3 to be good, and I don't think that would be to hard. The anthem effect is just gravy. (Max devotion is 23 btw)
Bane of Progress OUT FOR Elemental Mastery - My third "Swarm" card, and likely the worst. Sure, it makes more token, and with haste, but they dont stick around and it also makes whatever this Aura this is on a massive target. Also doesn't work with flickers or coping. When it comes to Bane of Progress, I will keep an eye on my artifact/enchantment count in the future, and if it drops enough I will put this back in I think.
Vigor OUT FOR Sylvan Awakening - The last "Swarm" card!. Awakening makes Omnath a recking ball, while also enabling you to swing at whatever is left alive! Vigor is cool, but clunky.
Izzet Signet OUT FOR Brighthearth Banneret - Izzet contains my "splash" colors, so I figured this signet is expendable to another 2 cmc ramp card.
Guardian Project OUT FOR Rhystic Study - Card draw upgrade in just about every situation.
Decimate OUT FOR Nature's Lore - Needed more ramp.
Myriad Landscape OUT FOR Command Beacon - Commander for 4CMC each time seems good. I will be taking a closer look at how I can get some land recursion in the deck without tweaking it to much... I already have Omnath, Locus of Rage and Lord Windgrace, I really don't need a third 'lands-matter' deck.
Reflecting Pool OUT FOR Prismatic Vista - idk how I missed the Vista in the first place.

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Revision 4 See all

(5 years ago)

+1	Brighthearth Banneret	main
+1	Cavalier of Gales	main
+1	Cavalier of Thorns	main
+1	Command Beacon	main
-1	Creeping Trailblazer	main
-1	Decimate	main
-1	Guardian Project	main
-1	Izzet Signet	main
-1	Myriad Landscape	main
+1	Nature's Lore	main
-1	Omnath, Locus of Mana	maybe
-1	Peregrine Drake	maybe
+1	Rhystic Study	main
+1	Sakashima the Impostor	main
+1	Tatyova, Benthic Druid	main
-1	Temple of the False God	maybe
-1	Vigor	main

Top Ranked	Achieved #1 position overall 5 years ago
Date added	5 years
Last updated	5 years
Legality	This deck is Commander / EDH legal.
Rarity (main - side)	15 - 1 Mythic Rares 43 - 4 Rares 15 - 0 Uncommons 14 - 1 Commons
Cards	100
Avg. CMC	3.87
Tokens	Beast 3/3 G, Copy Clone, Elemental 1/0 U, Elemental 1/1 R w/ Haste, Elemental 2/2 G, Elemental 5/3 G, Elemental 5/5 RG, Plant 0/1 G
Folders	Omnath temur swap???, Possible edh decks, Favorites, Decks, EDH Ideas, Other’s decks, EDH, Bois, Gotta try, Decks to Consider
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