Could I get help with a Naya deck, please?
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on Aug. 20, 2021, 2:58 a.m. by TypicalTimmy
So, I really want to build a deck with secret Commanders. As I posted in another forum about Wulfgar of Icewind Dale, I would love to "partner" him up with Adriana, Captain of the Guard.
So, obviously I need a Naya Commander, be it singular or some combination of Partners. While it is true I could always go Najeela, the Blade-Blossom, I really don't want to. I feel like she's overused and I don't intend to run Dimir, even if I could add more utility to the deck. I want it to be strictly Naya.
I know that because I want Wulfgar and Adriana, I need to focus on attacking as much as possible during combat. Good Commanders for this are:
These two have actual attack triggers, though I am unsure how much of the deck, if any, will utilize tokens, which thus makes Ghired a little bit lackluster. And given how Melee works, I need to declare as an attacker anyways. Therefore the token Ghired populates would not trigger Melee.
So this sounds like Gahiji, Honored One, as she gives the +2/+0 to everyone. What's nice is that Wulfgar doubles this into +4/+0 and Adriana gives Melee on top of it, for a potential +3/+3. With them both combined, you'd see two triggers of Melee and two triggers of +2/+0 for a total of +10/+6 on everything, assuming they are both out.
That sounds supremely awesome and overpowered and broken.
But my concern comes in the form of removal. Once Wulfgar and / or Adriana are off the battlefield and in the graveyard, it feels like it would be extremely difficult to get them back.
Following that logic, would it actually make more sense to build around Rienne, Angel of Rebirth?
Or does the community have better ideas? I'm also looking at Bruse Tarl, Boorish Herder possibly partnered up with Kodama of the East Tree, as this gives me both an incredibly powerful attack trigger to kick off of, but also a means to help cheat some larger creatures into play, essentially doubling my efforts each turn.
I basically want the deck to be able to stand on it's own two legs, but kick off when Wulfgar or Adriana hit the field, and become a dominating presence when both land.
I mean, Wulfgar of Icewind Dale doubling Aurelia, the Warleader is just immensely brutal, especially with Adriana, Captain of the Guard triggering Melee off of everyone during what amounts to all three combat steps. Seriously, that's Melee on all three of them and Wulfgar doubles each time. So by the third combat phase, you're at +18/+18.
- +3/+3 for attacking all three opponents
- 2x for Wulfgar
- +3/+3 again during the 2nd phase
- 2x for Wulfgar
- +3/+3 for the final phase
- 2x for Wulfgar
- +6/+6 + +6/+6 + +6/+6 = +18/+18 by the end of it.
All of this said, I'm thinking the wisest option is Rienne, Angel of Rebirth since she helps protect against death. What's everyone else think, though?
Rienne's 5/4 body would also be bumped to 8/7 on Adriana and with Wulfgar, an additional +3/+3 to a total of 11/10. If you happen to have Aurelia, the Warleader or someone such as Bruse Tarl, Boorish Herder for double strike, that's a 1-shot kill due to Commander Damage.
I think I'm talking myself into running Rienne, Angel of Rebirth but I want to be sold on it by the community. I feel like I'm missing something here... Am I?
ZendikariWol says... #3
Rienne, Angel of Rebirth is a really solid option, especially if you want the potential of winning on commander damage, but there is plenty of recursion in G, what with Regrowth effects.
Bruse Tarl, Boorish Herder + Tana, the Bloodsower would be a pretty sweet combo. Ghired, Conclave Exile would work great with Delina, Wild Mage and all those other Flamerush Rider effects- imagine having several Wulfgars out! Marisi, Breaker of the Coil prevents opponents from messing with your combats and makes your opponents tap out their creatures.
August 20, 2021 4:15 a.m.
seshiro_of_the_orochi says... #4
I would have suggested Rienne, because of the reasons you gave. Considering you really want your creatures to attack and get through, I'd like to put your attention to Marisi, Breaker of the Coil. His abilities don't interact with your secret commanders, but it's nice to have a way to tap down opponents.
August 20, 2021 10:15 a.m.
Necrosis24 says... #5
I think these are all solid commanders but would have to say Kodama of the East Tree and Bruse Tarl, Boorish Herder is my favorite combination. Although Bruse Tarl, Boorish Herder isn't my favorite he does give solid protection thru the threat of death to most blockers which is nice since you will be attacking a lot.
The real fun comes with Kodama of the East Tree paired with cards like Ilharg, the Raze-Boar or Etali, Primal Storm, although high cmc's the pay off is worth it.
Throw Wulfgar of Icewind Dale and Adriana, Captain of the Guard into the mix now that is a lot of free creatures put onto the board for some explosive turns.
August 20, 2021 10:24 a.m.
Samut, Voice of Dissent is my vote
midrange cmc - low color demand makes it easy to cast
flash speed haste enabler
double strike with your melee triggers should easily hit for < 20
vigilance + : ( another creature) can add value to your extra combat steps
August 20, 2021 12:28 p.m. Edited.
p.s. wulfgar gets a second melee trigger from captian
so its true the other two get +18/+18 but wulfgar himself gets +36/36
August 20, 2021 12:58 p.m.
Omniscience_is_life says... #8
Atla Palanı, Nest Tender. Then you can run your secret commanders as your only creatures, and have a tutor for them in the CZ!
August 20, 2021 12:58 p.m.
seshiro_of_the_orochi says... #9
Takesy-Backsy on Marisi, I definitely second what Ramble said. Samut is a great choice!
August 20, 2021 1 p.m.
if you do go with samut here is a budget combo for her Breath of Fury + Giant Adephage
August 20, 2021 1:09 p.m.
TypicalTimmy says... #11
RambIe, I factored that in ;)
Adriana gives everyone Melee, so they get +1/+1 for each opponent I attack. That's +3/+3 total.
Wulfgar triggers Melee twice, so +6/+6.
Second combat phase is +12/+12 because it's an additional +6/+6.
On Aurelia's third combat phase, it's another bout of +6/+6, giving us +18/+18.
August 20, 2021 2:46 p.m.
TypicalTimmy says... #12
Oh wait, RambIe, I think I understand now. Wulfgar also has Melee and multiple sources trigger. So he triggers Melee on himself twice, but had two individual sources. So he triggers Melee FOUR TIMES on himself each combat!?
August 20, 2021 2:56 p.m.
I don't have any great suggestions for commanders (I would have said Saskia the Unyielding, but she's not Naya), but Dragonlord Dromoka offers a mini-protection package that helps ensure your attackers do what you want them to do.
August 20, 2021 3:34 p.m.
TypicalTimmy says... #14
I had considered Saskia and just not run any black pips but her ability focus on combat damage while Wulfgar and Adriana focuses on attack triggers.
August 20, 2021 5 p.m.
when Wolfgar attacks his melee triggers +3/+3 which triggers a second trigger +3/+3, the melee he gets from Captain of the Guard triggers +3/+3 which triggers a second trigger +3/+3 for a total of +12/+12 per attack, so it's 4/4 + (1st combat +12/+12) + (2nd combat +12/+12) + (3rd combat +12/+12) making him a 40/40 after all is said and done.
August 20, 2021 11:15 p.m.
TypicalTimmy says... #16
RambIe, what unholy Timmy magic have I stumbled into... Lol
August 21, 2021 5:20 a.m.
TypicalTimmy here are my orginal thoughts of Wulfgar of Icewind Dale as a general.
You can have it or maybe use it to help build Naya
Base:
(32) Lands
Early Game: Target Turns 1&2, Max CMC 2, But Lower Is Better.
(15)Cards That Ramp. Example:Sol Ring
Mid Game: Target Turns 3&4, Max CMC 4, But Lower Is Better.
(10)Cards That Fetch Lands. Example:Sword of the Animist
(10)Cards That Draw. Example:Werewolf Pack Leader
Late Game: Target Turns 5+, No Max CMC, But Lower Is Still Better.
(7)Cards With When This Creature Attacks It Gets Bigger. Example:Pathbreaker Ibex
(7)Cards with double Creatures Power. Example:Xenagos, God of Revels
(7)Cards that give addition combat. Example:Scourge of the Throne
Side Board: (Commander has no side board but i keep 12 cards in the deck to target meta)
(3)Cards That double triggers "Wulfgar fits here" Example:Strionic Resonator
(3)Cards Unassigned
(3)Cards Unassigned
(3)Cards Unassigned
What functions you add to the side board really depends on what your play group comes up with to stop your deck.
Base Suggested Functions: Grave yard Recursion, Damage Cant Be Prevented, Destroy Artifact/enchantment
August 21, 2021 9:32 a.m. Edited.
TypicalTimmy says... #18
RambIe, yes.
I started building Klauth, but saw I had 8 attack triggers so I slotted in Wulfgar for shits and giggles. Than realized I'd much rather throw haymakers and giant combat rather than creatures in 2nd main phase.
I wanted Naya originally for Aurelia, but then I remembered Adriana.
So, that's why I'm looking at Naya with secret commanders :) but I very much appreciate your construction idea and will definitely take it into consideration.
August 21, 2021 10:17 a.m.
@TypicalTimmy its funny that you and i took such a similar path but ended up in such different directions
i started with klauth Klauth, Unrivaled Ancient but then tried out wulfgar based on the template i posted
ultimately i ended up with Surrak Dragonclaw as my general because counter spells are massive in my meta and trampling dragons are just awesome!
August 21, 2021 10:32 a.m. Edited.
I'd give my vote to Samut, Voice of Dissent just based on haste alone, but the rest of the card makes her really nice for a deck that is trying to do hidden commander stuff because she doesn't need a lot of support to be scary on her own.
She would be a good commander for Bard Class, come to think of it.
August 21, 2021 3:30 p.m.
Raging_Squiggle says... #21
No love for Marath, Will of the Wild.. :( Such an amazing naya Swiss Army knife. That’ll always have my vote for any naya commander.
August 22, 2021 1:54 a.m.
Raging_Squiggle Marath is great, but I believe its a bit too much of a johnny card for this particular build.
August 22, 2021 7:44 a.m.
hey TypicalTimmy how did you end up building this ? Do you have a link to the deck?
August 26, 2021 5:35 p.m.
TypicalTimmy says... #24
I haven't yet. I got a second job. Been working about 80 hours a week now. ded died of rip
August 26, 2021 6:28 p.m.
TypicalTimmy says... #25
I actually put in over 40 hours in just three days at just one of my jobs. Just nonstop stuff going on in my life at the moment.
August 26, 2021 6:30 p.m. Edited.
I feel ya, I don't have enough time for a second job since my main job sucks up 65 hours of my life each week. No sick days no vacation time becouse We have been short staffed and over booked ever since the beginning. Sigh how I wish I was lucky enough enough to be a non-essential when this all started. I would have spent my days building decks instead of having breakdowns from the lack of breaks....
August 26, 2021 7:42 p.m.
TypicalTimmy says... #27
Don't say that, man. Be thankful you are one of the fortunate who maintained work in this economy and pandemic <3
My roommate worked 2 hours in the past week. We all have our own unique struggles homie. Be thankful your struggle is having in-excess.
For me, I work an average of 63 hours a week. I support my disabled mother, because our state keeps slashing her benefits. Her food stamps are down to $16 a month. No, that's not a typeo. Sixteen dollars a month. They also keep denying more and more medicine that she needs to live.
So. Ya know. Shrug
I was supposed to buy a house earlier this year but hemorrhaging nearly $9,000 in two months sort of blows that goal out of the water. So, I got a second job. Now I work 20 hours there too, bumping it up to 80+ hours a week.
M-F is my regular job, Sat/Sun is the second one. So literally zero days off, ever.
I had bought the D&D set because I had already planned on and set aside $500 for 2x collectors boxes and had messaged Rudy at Alpha Investments for them. We were all set to go (Rudy is hilarious and genuinely nice, btw. He also loves stupidly shitty puns!) but then I sort of backed out. While I'd have loved to post a video here for you all to see, I decided $500 in bundles, Commander precons and loose packs was more fun for my personal wants and desires.
More cards to unpack, more draft opportunities and I get to experience it first hand. :)
All that said, I simply do not have the time right now to sit down like I use to and build a deck for 12+ hours and test it for weeks on end against some of the best (non-cEDH) decks this site has to offer. :/
- oh right and the whole cancer thing. That's... Getting worse. I am awaiting approval for supplemental insurance. So far all tests are negative. Only test left is a biopsy. But I want the supplemental insurance first. Unfortunately I have to wait 30 days after approval to have coverage kick in. You know the game, they want to make at least a month's profit off you first.
August 26, 2021 8:02 p.m.
Grass is always greener on the other side. It's not that I'm ungrateful it's just after almost 3 years it's effecting my health, out side of the stress of always multitasking, not getting breaks, working while eating lunch, I'm also subject to environment. Last Tuesday I passed out at work from heat exhaustion. Even when I caught covid I didn't get time off. There is just never a break.
August 26, 2021 8:25 p.m.
TypicalTimmy says... #29
RambIe, come work with me in Illinois :3
In all seriousness, no job is worth your life. If you have that many issues, have you considered finding something else?
enpc says... #2
Tana, the Bloodsower and Ravos, Soultender would be your best bet. yes, this adds black to the deck (which you could just run to cast Ravos) however unlike Rienne, Angel of Rebirth, Ravos doesn't need to see stuff die to get it back from graveyard.
Additionally, Tana not only gets buffed by melee but also makes a bunch of saprolings which in turn get buffed by Adriana, Captain of the Guard. This by itself provides a pretty good win condition, meaning that you free up a few slots for more ramp, since this deck is going to be very mana intensive.
August 20, 2021 4:09 a.m.