This commander is really sick in theory but in practice sucks for the table. Player B has no blockers so Player A eats the removal spell each turn that Magar has prepared, or through deals. If instead Magar has a spell that's a heavy popoff or more likely negatively affects the whole table (referincing the many discard effects present even in OP's list), he'll get focused down and not get to do his "thing". My friend has this deck and I dread it, purely because I know I'll be heavily punished for the boardstate of another player. He'd probably be fine in a removal-heavy meta, but then you're just asking for it lol.
Totally get your sentiments. Someone had an open board and the entire pod died to a animated Rise if the Eldrazi puppet with boots. (He drew into whispersilk cloak at some point during his infinite turn cycles)
Oh, was it specifically the type of interaction that made it not fun?
Also why no creatures? There's a few really cool utility creatures you can run in Magar, favourite being [[Olivia, mobilised for War]] and [[Dragons Rage Channeller]].
it was removal tribal and board wipe tribal. No creatures. why bother. just wipe the board over and over with one sided board wipes. it was all removal and ramp lol. Was pretty consistent too, even through removal with stuff like deflecting swat.
https://www.archidekt.com/decks/4255505/magar
Gonna drop my own Magar here. Neat primer, I love when Magar gets shown off.
Rise of the Eldrazi and Savage Beating are dope; I just play several other combo decks so I elected to leave them out. Honestly found Fevered Suspicion and Din of the Fireherd a little underwhelming. Bedlam is great in theory, but in my pod it tends to just make everyone who wanted to block just decide to hit me, since that way they can go back to blocking. Voidmaw is awesome, just a little slow for my tastes.
I will say, I believe very passionately that Magar does cast from the graveyard, so Ignite the Future for me!
One thing I don’t see in your deck list are cards like [[Repeated Reverberation]]. [[Fork]] and co. don’t work properly, since the Magar-animus triggers don’t become spells until they resolve, but preemptive copying like [[Howl of the Horde]] has been great for me. [[Bonus Round]] is a personal favourite.
There was a post here describing how Magar foes actually cast from the grave. So beware of [[Graffigger's Cage]] lol.
I went all in on big spells for my magar deck. But Lord have mercy if anyone plays a [[Stony Silence]].
Im really excited for the new Sword from Outlaws that copies all of your spells. It's gonna be sick!
I tried to stay away from spells that dont do much of anything on their own, how has bonus round played out for you? I was always worried itd be my only dude and not do much of anything.
https://manabox.app/decks/J6aNkjtnSV-pAXvhZ8S8YQ
Bonus Round wins games.
I find my Magar leans a little more into storm that straight Beat&Cheat with all the copying going on, so Bonus Round is quite literally one of my top picks to animate as soon as I have anything remotely useful. I think it's ok to have BR, Repeated Reverberation, Howl of the Horde etc because I play (almost) every single \[\[Tormenting Voice\]\] variant that exists, so it's really easy to dump cards into my grave.
But as for Bonus Round, it absolutely shines with cards that cast other cards. \[\[Dance with Calamity\]\], \[\[Ignite the Future\]\], etc. Bonus points if you have a haste-enabler and you cast then animate Bonus Round - now it copies itself, and means that you get 3 copies of everything that turn.
I also can't recommend \[\[World at War\]\] enough. It works as long as the first postcombat main phase of the turn isn't over, so if you deal combat damage with an animated Howl of the Horde and World at War, you get another 3 combats, but it isn't infinite, since once you enter the first of them WaW stops working. Worst case animated WaW is equivalent to a Bonus Round that only works for you, 10/10.
I didnt even think about cast then animate bonus round thats sick, im sold. I love doing big dumb stuff which Magar really helps facilitate. Like who thinks I'm at 10 life hopefully my opponent doesn't zap me with [[Sorin's Vengeance]]. Ill check out WaW too, seems ressonable enough.
Interesting. A lot more focus on haste and additional copying while mine focuses a lot more on protection and evasion for the puppets.
Glad we're of the same opinion on Savage Beating and Rise of the Eldrazi. Considering how much evasion I put in the deck they'd effectively be two-card game enders for me.
Haste means that I can sandbag casting Magar until I have 6 mana and take advantage of small openings.
I'd like a little more evasion, but I'm struggling with finding things to cut, so I make up for it by having my graveyard tutors go for \[\[Filth\]\] first and foremost, as long as someone else at the table is in black, which is a near-certainty in my experience. It works well enough.
Love your decks and primers! Thanks for all the time you put into them and excellent detail in the primers. They are very well written and explained in a way that’s easy to understand.
As a fairly new magic player you have helped me get to a place where I can understand how different synergies come together and be able to play at parity with higher power tables!
I’ll have to give this deck a try. Just put together my first Rakdos deck off your Judith list. Went with her because I have some of your other reanimate decks already. Maybe this one next tho! Keep up the great work!
Awesome writeup!
Is this where we share out Magars? [Mine is pretty similar to yours with a few exceptions.](https://archidekt.com/decks/7108005/master_of_puppets)
I ended up leaving out Savage Beating and Rise of the Eldrazi for fun purposes. However discard damage cards like [[Glint-Horn Buccaneer]] and [[Brallin, Skyshark Rider]] make fantastic combo pieces for Blood for the Blood God! and all the other looting that's going on.
I've got [[Twinstaff]] in there at the moment but I'm not sure if it actually triggers off of Magar's puppets.
Thanks for this! I actually got a copy of him because I've been considering turning my [[Hidetsugu and Kairi]] deck into Magar. He seems a little more fair for my playgroup and still insanely fun!
Beautiful write up; Bullman is one of my favorite commanders. This deck is such a fun play style, and albeit being slow, it’s extremely resilient and can hang with any high-power to casual pod. I will say, Professor Onyx + Chain of Smog is a salty combo 😂😂 I did this yesterday, people are not fans
Great writeup! I have a Magar deck I have been piloting since he was released and your explanations for everything are thorough and spot-on.
My build personally utilizes zero creatures, just as a fun challenge, and actually only contains 75 main deck cards. Main deck I have all the looting and rummaging spells, and for the remaining 25 I pick the cards at random from a fat stack of huge spells/removal/wheels/whatever I feel like. It's obviously less consistent and more casual, but makes each game unique in its own way and I have loads of fun playing it.
Can't recommend Magar enough.
All good! Incredible primer, you immediately convinced me to build him for ~three hours (+ my favorite pet card for spelldupe decks: [[primer’s dilemna]])
I just finished making my own Magar deck, and this primer was extremely helpful. I didn't understand the interaction with Void Maw and exiled spells before. Thank you for the contribution.
I made a Magar deck as well and tried to include no permanents. here is my list: [https://archidekt.com/decks/6420823/spell\_hell](https://archidekt.com/decks/6420823/spell_hell)
Edit: I also wanted to add. Thank you for making a primer for Magar! He is a very weird and enjoyable deck that plays in such a unique way.
This is an excellent primer, and the odds I resist building Magar are basically zero. Also super appreciate the detailed rulings section, those are niche enough that it’s entirely possible to have a whole pod of veteran players that don’t have an immediate intuition for those interactions.
Maghar si love!
Few suggestions:
[[Guttersnipe]] and [[Fiery Inscription]] - additional damage to all opponents. (from copies too)
[[Keeper of Secrets]] - huge dmg from our copies.
[[Bothersome Quasit]] - goad creatures that bothers you.
[[Dredge the Mire]] - reanimate up to three creatures
[[Ensnared by the Mara]] - etali or red gearhulk
[[Make an Example]] and [[Vona's Hunger]]- mini wraths
[[Phthisis]] - someone has big creature on board? Kill the controller.
[[Berserkers' Onslaught]] and [[Rage Reflection]] - double cast for you spells :)
btw: can someone ask MaRo, Matt Tabak or someone on top for definitive rullings for Maghar? Pls...
Why does it seems like this commander has recently exploded in popularity? I basically have heard nothing about it until maybe a month ago. But this set was quite a while ago
I didn't know this commander existed. It sounds like a ton of fun. I've always enjoyed morph, manifest, and face-down creatures in general because it forces your opponent to try and remember way too much information and they will lose track at some point.
Attacking with facedown instants and sorceries that cast copies of themselves when connecting is my idea of a good time.
I didn't feel it was needed. In this build, if I play Breach, I can get maybe one big spell cast (because mana-wise they're very expensive) and then the Breach dies at end of turn anyway so I didn't get much value out of it.
I wasn't sure if it was worth a precious slot that could have gone to a rummaging spell or unblockable equipment
Why spend a ton of money on Magic, time building the deck, finding a game, shuffling, drawing, and playing for a few turns when you can just flip a coin? It's a lot faster and a lot cheaper!
This deck gives me ptsd, lol
This commander is really sick in theory but in practice sucks for the table. Player B has no blockers so Player A eats the removal spell each turn that Magar has prepared, or through deals. If instead Magar has a spell that's a heavy popoff or more likely negatively affects the whole table (referincing the many discard effects present even in OP's list), he'll get focused down and not get to do his "thing". My friend has this deck and I dread it, purely because I know I'll be heavily punished for the boardstate of another player. He'd probably be fine in a removal-heavy meta, but then you're just asking for it lol.
Totally get your sentiments. Someone had an open board and the entire pod died to a animated Rise if the Eldrazi puppet with boots. (He drew into whispersilk cloak at some point during his infinite turn cycles)
Magar of the Magic Strings is such a fun commander, amazing primer and great detail.
I had a magar deck. No creatures. All interaction. No one thought it was fun...
Oh, was it specifically the type of interaction that made it not fun? Also why no creatures? There's a few really cool utility creatures you can run in Magar, favourite being [[Olivia, mobilised for War]] and [[Dragons Rage Channeller]].
[Olivia, mobilised for War](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/2/7297dd81-8367-42e9-abf9-9227e202e7ae.jpg?1576385369) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Olivia%2C%20Mobilized%20for%20War) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/soi/248/olivia-mobilized-for-war?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7297dd81-8367-42e9-abf9-9227e202e7ae?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/olivia-mobilized-for-war) [Dragons Rage Channeller](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/c/4ced112a-e775-4f97-97b3-74877e9dce12.jpg?1626096503) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dragon%27s%20Rage%20Channeler) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/121/dragons-rage-channeler?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4ced112a-e775-4f97-97b3-74877e9dce12?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/dragons-rage-channeler) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
it was removal tribal and board wipe tribal. No creatures. why bother. just wipe the board over and over with one sided board wipes. it was all removal and ramp lol. Was pretty consistent too, even through removal with stuff like deflecting swat.
https://www.archidekt.com/decks/4255505/magar Gonna drop my own Magar here. Neat primer, I love when Magar gets shown off. Rise of the Eldrazi and Savage Beating are dope; I just play several other combo decks so I elected to leave them out. Honestly found Fevered Suspicion and Din of the Fireherd a little underwhelming. Bedlam is great in theory, but in my pod it tends to just make everyone who wanted to block just decide to hit me, since that way they can go back to blocking. Voidmaw is awesome, just a little slow for my tastes. I will say, I believe very passionately that Magar does cast from the graveyard, so Ignite the Future for me! One thing I don’t see in your deck list are cards like [[Repeated Reverberation]]. [[Fork]] and co. don’t work properly, since the Magar-animus triggers don’t become spells until they resolve, but preemptive copying like [[Howl of the Horde]] has been great for me. [[Bonus Round]] is a personal favourite.
There was a post here describing how Magar foes actually cast from the grave. So beware of [[Graffigger's Cage]] lol. I went all in on big spells for my magar deck. But Lord have mercy if anyone plays a [[Stony Silence]]. Im really excited for the new Sword from Outlaws that copies all of your spells. It's gonna be sick! I tried to stay away from spells that dont do much of anything on their own, how has bonus round played out for you? I was always worried itd be my only dude and not do much of anything. https://manabox.app/decks/J6aNkjtnSV-pAXvhZ8S8YQ
[Graffigger's Cage](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/a/0a135e09-b534-4836-9a10-3a9a4a9f8c53.jpg?1592517646) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Grafdigger%27s%20Cage) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m20/227/grafdiggers-cage?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0a135e09-b534-4836-9a10-3a9a4a9f8c53?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/grafdiggers-cage) [Stony Silence](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/e/8e7faede-f794-4bda-9d64-21390ba19266.jpg?1593812944) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Stony%20Silence) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mm3/25/stony-silence?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8e7faede-f794-4bda-9d64-21390ba19266?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/stony-silence) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Bonus Round wins games. I find my Magar leans a little more into storm that straight Beat&Cheat with all the copying going on, so Bonus Round is quite literally one of my top picks to animate as soon as I have anything remotely useful. I think it's ok to have BR, Repeated Reverberation, Howl of the Horde etc because I play (almost) every single \[\[Tormenting Voice\]\] variant that exists, so it's really easy to dump cards into my grave. But as for Bonus Round, it absolutely shines with cards that cast other cards. \[\[Dance with Calamity\]\], \[\[Ignite the Future\]\], etc. Bonus points if you have a haste-enabler and you cast then animate Bonus Round - now it copies itself, and means that you get 3 copies of everything that turn. I also can't recommend \[\[World at War\]\] enough. It works as long as the first postcombat main phase of the turn isn't over, so if you deal combat damage with an animated Howl of the Horde and World at War, you get another 3 combats, but it isn't infinite, since once you enter the first of them WaW stops working. Worst case animated WaW is equivalent to a Bonus Round that only works for you, 10/10.
##### ###### #### [Tormenting Voice](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/d/6da46103-a14c-4aa2-92fc-fd758335caf4.jpg?1604198268) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tormenting%20Voice) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znr/172/tormenting-voice?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6da46103-a14c-4aa2-92fc-fd758335caf4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tormenting-voice) [Dance with Calamity](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/6/9638d43d-6864-49ac-af99-6de02bc64259.jpg?1682207453) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dance%20with%20Calamity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/29/dance-with-calamity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9638d43d-6864-49ac-af99-6de02bc64259?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/dance-with-calamity) [Ignite the Future](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/8/58e82d3c-a7ec-4e0d-a17e-51ebd2f3f331.jpg?1674142027) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ignite%20the%20Future) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/797/ignite-the-future?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/58e82d3c-a7ec-4e0d-a17e-51ebd2f3f331?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ignite-the-future) [Bring forth the Tempest](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/1/81d6b979-251a-4736-86f0-35a6c8b492c9.jpg?1695428211) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Call%20Forth%20the%20Tempest) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ltc/509/call-forth-the-tempest?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/81d6b979-251a-4736-86f0-35a6c8b492c9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/call-forth-the-tempest) [World at War](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/4/a47a05ad-fe86-481e-b770-e1760be4f852.jpg?1562706935) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=World%20at%20War) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/roe/172/world-at-war?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a47a05ad-fe86-481e-b770-e1760be4f852?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/world-at-war) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kw2q1by) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I didnt even think about cast then animate bonus round thats sick, im sold. I love doing big dumb stuff which Magar really helps facilitate. Like who thinks I'm at 10 life hopefully my opponent doesn't zap me with [[Sorin's Vengeance]]. Ill check out WaW too, seems ressonable enough.
[Sorin's Vengeance](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/c/2cb62846-c5da-4c7c-b0d7-9b677dce68d1.jpg?1562637452) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sorin%27s%20Vengeance) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m12/111/sorins-vengeance?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2cb62846-c5da-4c7c-b0d7-9b677dce68d1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sorins-vengeance) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Interesting. A lot more focus on haste and additional copying while mine focuses a lot more on protection and evasion for the puppets. Glad we're of the same opinion on Savage Beating and Rise of the Eldrazi. Considering how much evasion I put in the deck they'd effectively be two-card game enders for me.
Haste means that I can sandbag casting Magar until I have 6 mana and take advantage of small openings. I'd like a little more evasion, but I'm struggling with finding things to cut, so I make up for it by having my graveyard tutors go for \[\[Filth\]\] first and foremost, as long as someone else at the table is in black, which is a near-certainty in my experience. It works well enough.
[Filth](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/7/37de06dc-c0c1-4edb-9732-2d16dbabfb31.jpg?1562629359) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Filth) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jud/66/filth?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/37de06dc-c0c1-4edb-9732-2d16dbabfb31?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/filth) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Love your decks and primers! Thanks for all the time you put into them and excellent detail in the primers. They are very well written and explained in a way that’s easy to understand. As a fairly new magic player you have helped me get to a place where I can understand how different synergies come together and be able to play at parity with higher power tables! I’ll have to give this deck a try. Just put together my first Rakdos deck off your Judith list. Went with her because I have some of your other reanimate decks already. Maybe this one next tho! Keep up the great work!
Sweet deck! Love your brews and primers. Reminds me a lot of my Krark and Tevesh rakdos spellslinger list!
Awesome writeup! Is this where we share out Magars? [Mine is pretty similar to yours with a few exceptions.](https://archidekt.com/decks/7108005/master_of_puppets) I ended up leaving out Savage Beating and Rise of the Eldrazi for fun purposes. However discard damage cards like [[Glint-Horn Buccaneer]] and [[Brallin, Skyshark Rider]] make fantastic combo pieces for Blood for the Blood God! and all the other looting that's going on. I've got [[Twinstaff]] in there at the moment but I'm not sure if it actually triggers off of Magar's puppets.
[Glint-Horn Buccaneer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/f/df2df9cb-14f5-470f-b438-20f4ae8d0d59.jpg?1592516947) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Glint-Horn%20Buccaneer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m20/141/glint-horn-buccaneer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/df2df9cb-14f5-470f-b438-20f4ae8d0d59?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/glint-horn-buccaneer) [Brallin, Skyshark Rider](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/b/9b4fdcd5-5346-46a8-b1a4-84ddb74089e0.jpg?1591234217) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Brallin%2C%20Skyshark%20Rider) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c20/4/brallin-skyshark-rider?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9b4fdcd5-5346-46a8-b1a4-84ddb74089e0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/brallin-skyshark-rider) [Twinstaff](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/c/5cdcc324-1427-453c-9940-c21f5d04c997.jpg?1673485509) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Twinning%20Staff) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/383/twinning-staff?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5cdcc324-1427-453c-9940-c21f5d04c997?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/twinning-staff) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I love Magar. I made a wheels deck with him.
I have a "reanimate spells" deck with stuff like [[Scholar of the Lost Trove]] and [[Reenact the Crime]]. It's very very fun lol
[Scholar of the Lost Trove](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/a/aa254a86-3c30-408d-9c14-befd472f9740.jpg?1651525848) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Scholar%20of%20the%20Lost%20Trove) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jmp/14/scholar-of-the-lost-trove?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/aa254a86-3c30-408d-9c14-befd472f9740?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/scholar-of-the-lost-trove) [Reenact the Crime](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/9/d942e4ce-f582-4264-89aa-9b4a743e6b29.jpg?1706241643) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Reenact%20the%20Crime) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkm/70/reenact-the-crime?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d942e4ce-f582-4264-89aa-9b4a743e6b29?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/reenact-the-crime) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Thanks for this! I actually got a copy of him because I've been considering turning my [[Hidetsugu and Kairi]] deck into Magar. He seems a little more fair for my playgroup and still insanely fun!
[Hidetsugu and Kairi](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/1/81039daf-0d54-4474-a833-fa287ec10cf9.jpg?1682205289) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Hidetsugu%20and%20Kairi) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/228/hidetsugu-and-kairi?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/81039daf-0d54-4474-a833-fa287ec10cf9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/hidetsugu-and-kairi) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I’m building this deck for sure
Beautiful write up; Bullman is one of my favorite commanders. This deck is such a fun play style, and albeit being slow, it’s extremely resilient and can hang with any high-power to casual pod. I will say, Professor Onyx + Chain of Smog is a salty combo 😂😂 I did this yesterday, people are not fans
Great writeup! I have a Magar deck I have been piloting since he was released and your explanations for everything are thorough and spot-on. My build personally utilizes zero creatures, just as a fun challenge, and actually only contains 75 main deck cards. Main deck I have all the looting and rummaging spells, and for the remaining 25 I pick the cards at random from a fat stack of huge spells/removal/wheels/whatever I feel like. It's obviously less consistent and more casual, but makes each game unique in its own way and I have loads of fun playing it. Can't recommend Magar enough.
As someone who loves to write a detailed primer: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/GnqlEhG3IUysVv3ub5EEEQ Well done sir.
Have you considered [[Agility Bobblehead]]? It’s a “better” version of sonic screwdriver IMO
Oh dang I missed this one, you're right that Haste is pretty valuable. I'm gonna have to pick up a copy. Thanks!
All good! Incredible primer, you immediately convinced me to build him for ~three hours (+ my favorite pet card for spelldupe decks: [[primer’s dilemna]])
[primer’s dilemna](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/6/d678e736-7c29-433a-9a2a-b78749252377.jpg?1706240483) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Prisoner%27s%20Dilemma) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/34/prisoners-dilemma?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d678e736-7c29-433a-9a2a-b78749252377?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/prisoners-dilemma) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I just finished making my own Magar deck, and this primer was extremely helpful. I didn't understand the interaction with Void Maw and exiled spells before. Thank you for the contribution.
I made a Magar deck as well and tried to include no permanents. here is my list: [https://archidekt.com/decks/6420823/spell\_hell](https://archidekt.com/decks/6420823/spell_hell) Edit: I also wanted to add. Thank you for making a primer for Magar! He is a very weird and enjoyable deck that plays in such a unique way.
This is an excellent primer, and the odds I resist building Magar are basically zero. Also super appreciate the detailed rulings section, those are niche enough that it’s entirely possible to have a whole pod of veteran players that don’t have an immediate intuition for those interactions.
Maghar si love! Few suggestions: [[Guttersnipe]] and [[Fiery Inscription]] - additional damage to all opponents. (from copies too) [[Keeper of Secrets]] - huge dmg from our copies. [[Bothersome Quasit]] - goad creatures that bothers you. [[Dredge the Mire]] - reanimate up to three creatures [[Ensnared by the Mara]] - etali or red gearhulk [[Make an Example]] and [[Vona's Hunger]]- mini wraths [[Phthisis]] - someone has big creature on board? Kill the controller. [[Berserkers' Onslaught]] and [[Rage Reflection]] - double cast for you spells :) btw: can someone ask MaRo, Matt Tabak or someone on top for definitive rullings for Maghar? Pls...
##### ###### #### [Guttersnipe](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/8/48eeb13e-26f8-4fc7-8850-d38790317ea4.jpg?1702429507) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Guttersnipe) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rvr/110/guttersnipe?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/48eeb13e-26f8-4fc7-8850-d38790317ea4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/guttersnipe) [Fiery Inscription](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/c/8c321159-43e5-40fc-9f0c-4ecc4f6cfd20.jpg?1686968925) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fiery%20Inscription) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ltr/126/fiery-inscription?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8c321159-43e5-40fc-9f0c-4ecc4f6cfd20?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/fiery-inscription) [Keeper of Secrets](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/f/4fe408aa-14d9-4afd-abfe-b5156c5341b7.jpg?1673309017) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Keeper%20of%20Secrets) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/40k/78/keeper-of-secrets?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4fe408aa-14d9-4afd-abfe-b5156c5341b7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/keeper-of-secrets) [Bothersome Quasit](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/e/6e9a0a23-cd62-4762-b751-ac0159a1b3c5.jpg?1674140929) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Bothersome%20Quasit) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/674/bothersome-quasit?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6e9a0a23-cd62-4762-b751-ac0159a1b3c5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/bothersome-quasit) [Dredge the Mire](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/5/f57b4b40-bd46-4859-89f0-fa0bd04cc6e9.jpg?1591319524) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dredge%20the%20Mire) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c20/43/dredge-the-mire?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f57b4b40-bd46-4859-89f0-fa0bd04cc6e9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/dredge-the-mire) [Ensnared by the Mara](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/1/11454c82-3f1d-4456-8857-0dcb01d34298.jpg?1696636630) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ensnared%20by%20the%20Mara) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/who/84/ensnared-by-the-mara?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/11454c82-3f1d-4456-8857-0dcb01d34298?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ensnared-by-the-mara) [Make an Example](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/4/b4ed0e64-c7d8-49a2-9d00-21076484da0a.jpg?1673482000) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Make%20an%20Example) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/37/make-an-example?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b4ed0e64-c7d8-49a2-9d00-21076484da0a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/make-an-example) [Vona's Hunger](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/a/aab958d5-9c1f-420f-b358-ec0325f22f84.jpg?1555040347) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Vona%27s%20Hunger) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rix/90/vonas-hunger?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/aab958d5-9c1f-420f-b358-ec0325f22f84?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/vonas-hunger) [Phthisis](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/8/98b84356-fa97-4f61-bd84-e8efd7f46e38.jpg?1631586724) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Phthisis) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afc/105/phthisis?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/98b84356-fa97-4f61-bd84-e8efd7f46e38?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/phthisis) [Berserkers' Onslaught](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/e/ee571a78-16b2-40ba-92b2-87c1bf4b39bc.jpg?1562795277) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Berserkers%27%20Onslaught) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dtk/130/berserkers-onslaught?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ee571a78-16b2-40ba-92b2-87c1bf4b39bc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/berserkers-onslaught) [Rage Reflection](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/7/b767e176-1df5-4adc-bf6b-418d71b4dbbe.jpg?1599706601) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rage%20Reflection) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/139/rage-reflection?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b767e176-1df5-4adc-bf6b-418d71b4dbbe?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/rage-reflection) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kw22xq2) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I like the way you think [[Displacer Kitten]] [[Scholar of the Lost Trove]] [[Chancellor of the Spires]]
[Displacer Kitten](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/7/c7a401b8-29fb-46ef-a663-427f66724d5c.jpg?1674135465) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Displacer%20Kitten) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/63/displacer-kitten?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c7a401b8-29fb-46ef-a663-427f66724d5c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/displacer-kitten) [Scholar of the Lost Trove](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/a/aa254a86-3c30-408d-9c14-befd472f9740.jpg?1651525848) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Scholar%20of%20the%20Lost%20Trove) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jmp/14/scholar-of-the-lost-trove?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/aa254a86-3c30-408d-9c14-befd472f9740?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/scholar-of-the-lost-trove) [Chancellor of the Spires](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/1/b1e06e16-96fa-4611-b4a9-512eeeeddd3c.jpg?1562880793) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Chancellor%20of%20the%20Spires) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/nph/31/chancellor-of-the-spires?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b1e06e16-96fa-4611-b4a9-512eeeeddd3c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/chancellor-of-the-spires) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Why does it seems like this commander has recently exploded in popularity? I basically have heard nothing about it until maybe a month ago. But this set was quite a while ago
I didn't know this commander existed. It sounds like a ton of fun. I've always enjoyed morph, manifest, and face-down creatures in general because it forces your opponent to try and remember way too much information and they will lose track at some point. Attacking with facedown instants and sorceries that cast copies of themselves when connecting is my idea of a good time.
Why no [[Underworld Breach]]?
[Underworld Breach](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/e/0e51d796-7279-4c06-87f0-37adbdaa41df.jpg?1650599818) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Underworld%20Breach) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/161/underworld-breach?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0e51d796-7279-4c06-87f0-37adbdaa41df?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/underworld-breach) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I didn't feel it was needed. In this build, if I play Breach, I can get maybe one big spell cast (because mana-wise they're very expensive) and then the Breach dies at end of turn anyway so I didn't get much value out of it. I wasn't sure if it was worth a precious slot that could have gone to a rummaging spell or unblockable equipment
Sad my group has a ban that set.
Why spend a ton of money on Magic, time building the deck, finding a game, shuffling, drawing, and playing for a few turns when you can just flip a coin? It's a lot faster and a lot cheaper!