facebook

CoolStuffInc.com

Preorder MTG Edge of Eternities today
   Sign In
Create Account

10 For 10: Eshki Dragonclaw in Commander

Reddit

Magic's latest set, Tarkir: Dragonstorm, is looking to be an instant classic, taking us back to a beloved plane with many exciting new cards and mechanics. One of these new commanders is Eshki Dragonclaw, the new khan of the Temur clan, and it looks like an excellent new commander for those looking to cast a variety of different spell types.

For one generic, one Green, one red, and one Blue, Eshki is a 4/4 with Vigilance, Trample, and Ward 1, an on-rate body with great offensive and defensive keywords. It also has a static ability that draws you a card and puts two counters on Eshki at the beginning of combat on your turn, but only if you cast both a creature and a noncreature spell that turn. Commander decks already like casting multiple spells a turn, and Eshki rewards you by growing into a huge threat and drawing cards, what more could a Temur player ask for? If this sounds like the deck for you, here are ten suggestions for cards that work well with Eshki for the 99:

1. Questing Druid

Questing Druid

Playing a lot of cards with Adventure is probably the easiest way to trigger your commander consistently, but to keep this list from being all adventures I'm using one card to represent the lot. Of all the options, Questing Druid is probably the best, having a low mana value on both sides and potentially drawing you more adventure cards using the Seek the Beast half. It can also grow to be a decent threat later on as you cast more spells, triggering off of cantrips like Brainstorm or Preordain.

2. Fae Offering

Fae Offering

Fae Offering asks you to jump through the same hoops as Eshki, so if you can trigger your commander each turn you can trigger Fae Offering. The payoff isn't quite as strong as Eshki, but the value of getting a free food, clue, and treasure token each turn adds up.

3. Seize the Day

Seize the Day

Eshki's ability doesn't specify that it only occurs during the first combat step of a turn, so taking extra combats is a good way to get extra triggers. The cheaper they are the better, since you still want to cast a creature spell and a noncreature spell before combat. There are a lot of options, but Seize the Day gets the top spot for being on the lower end of extra combat spells mana-wise and being reusable later through Flashback.

4. Primeval Bounty

Primeval Bounty

Primeval Bounty may cost a lot of mana, but if you can untap with it you'll be off to the races. Like with Fae Offering, if you can trigger your commander consistently you can get a lot of value from this, getting creature tokens to block with, growing your trampling commander, and gaining some life to stay alive as the game goes on.

5. As Foretold

As Foretold

The easiest way to cast two spells a turn consistently is to cheat on mana costs, and As Foretold is a great way to do this. Getting a free spell once per turn is great, although As Foretold can be a little slow at times due to only getting one counter each turn. If we load our deck up with cantrips, however, we can start casting spells like Preordain or Opt for free the next turn.

6. and 7. Fblthp, Lost on the Range and Bohn, Beguiling Balladeer

Fblthp, Lost on the Range
Bohn, Beguiling Balladeer

In a deck that relies on casting at least two spells a turn, mana is often the biggest limiting factor to the deck's success. Any card that reduces the cost of spells is essential, and both cards let you turn your extra mana into more spells later. Fblthp's ability can plot spells off the top of your library, letting you cast them for free on a later turn. Bohn gives every spell in your hand foretell, letting you pay 2 mana up front to cast the card on a later turn for a reduced cost. Both cards also have extra utility, with Bohn goading creatures whenever you cast your second spell a turn and Fblthp giving you some card advantage by letting you play off the top of your deck.

8. Storm of Saruman

Storm of Saruman

Storm of Saruman is a big, flashy enchantment that allows you to copy the second spell you cast each turn, and it's the perfect card for an Eshki deck. A Temur deck should have no problem getting to six mana quickly, especially in a deck that wants to cast multiple spells a turn, and the ward makes it a bit harder to remove. Just make sure to time your spells properly to get maximum value from the copies!

9. Jori En, Ruin Diver

Jori En, Ruin Diver

Like with Storm of Saruman, an Eshki deck should be playing a lot of cards that offer some sort of payoff to casting two spells a turn, and there are a lot of smaller, less splashy options that can keep the deck churning through cards. Jori En is one of the most straightforward options, drawing you a card when you cast your second spell each turn. Ledger Shredder and Malcom, the Eyes can fill a similar role, but both come with slight drawbacks to make up for the lower mana cost.

10. Rishkar's Expertise

Rishkar's Expertise

Eshki's triggered ability is more than just a source of card advantage. The +1/+1 counters it gets each turn can add up, and Rishkar's Expertise can be used to capitalize on Eshki's size. It also happens to trigger Eshki again, as after you've drawn a bunch of cards it allows you to cast a spell with mana value five or less for free, and if this is a creature you also get an Eshki trigger that turn.

CoolStuffCon Orlando a new FREE experience featuring Magic: The Gathering! Enhance your experience with a CommandFest Package, participate in an RCQ, or play with friends!

Send us your cards, we'll do the rest. Ship It. No Fees. Fast Payment. Full Service Selling!

Sell your cards and minis 25% credit bonus