Tarkir: Dragonstorm introduced Teval, Arbiter of Virtue and I knew I had to build him. Powering out large spells by delving is a super fun strategy to explore for a commander deck. The drawback of losing life equal to the spell’s mana value when cast also challenges the build and makes it more fun to play!
Quick links:
Creatures
Creatures that mill and fill the graveyard to fuel Teval’s ability are great includes for the deck.
Cards like Angel of Suffering, Six, Glarb, Calamity’s Augur, and Aftermath Analyst synergize because they fill the graveyard and have some extra value stapled onto them.
Card Draw
Teval can help pay for the “X” is card draw spells. By using these types of spells, the graveyard can be exiled to draw more cards with the delve ability.
In addition, Palantir of Orthanc is a great include since opponents aren’t going to want to lose a large amount of life from the over-costed delve spells included in the deck.
Ramp
Cards that ramp when milling are perfect for this strategy. Hedge Shredder is amazing as it gains value by just sitting on the battlefield.
Ancient Cornucopia gains incidental life as the game progresses. This powers Teval’s ability and keeps you alive!
Board Wipes
“X” spell board wipes get powered up with Teval’s ability. The Meathook Massacre wipes the board and gains life, making it a perfect card to include.
Death Begets Life and Nuclear Fallout both add value either by drawing cards or helping fill the graveyard with rad counters.
Deck All-Stars
My favorite cards for this deck have powerful effects that help the strategy in multiple ways.
Platinum Emperion negates Teval’s drawback by not letting your total change. Ripples of Undeath and Teval’s Judgement offer flexibility with their effects. Dredger’s Insight mills when it enters and also gains life to keep Teval going.
Leave a Reply