The Lich Lord Rises

By Luis Scott-Vargas

Luis Scott-Vargas plays, writes, and makes videos about Magic. He has played on the Pro Tour for almost a decade, and between that and producing content for ChannelFireball, often has his hands full (of cards).

I've often been asked if I play Commander, and the answer is actually yes! I've had the same deck built for years now, although I modify it every couple sets.

It probably isn't a huge surprise to anyone that I'm running a blue commander, specifically Dralnu, Lich Lord (I am Dimir, after all).

My formula for this one was simple: I added in all the sweet cards I like to play with, which is just about anything that draws a card, some fun artifacts, some counterspells, and—of course—Gruesome Encore (foil and French, otherwise known as Horrible Répétition).

I also like playing a lot of lands, because Lich Lords always want to cast powerful arcane spells. Speaking of which, Dralnu isn't the safest commander around. I've definitely had to sacrifice my fair share of permanents to Dralnu getting hit by a big burn spell, so I'd advise caution when it comes to bringing him out. Once you do get Dralnu out, you get to do anything and everything, recasting all sorts of removal and card-draw spells.

I've had a lot of fun playing this deck, and if your play group frowns on counters, you can certainly cut down on the number. They are mainly to protect Dralnu, because getting Fireballed is just so painful (and usually game-ending). Still, drawing cards and playing spells out of my graveyard appeals to me, and doing silly things with Praetor's Grasp, Gruesome Encore, and Dralnu is good times.

Dralnu, Lich Lord

Decklist Stats Sample Hand

Planeswalker (3)

1 Jace Beleren 1 Jace, Memory Adept 1 Jace, Architect of Thought

Creature (15)

1 Trinket Mage 1 Sower of Temptation 1 Phantasmal Image 1 Glen Elendra Archmage 1 Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir 1 Vendilion Clique 1 Mulldrifter 1 Venser, Shaper Savant 1 Snapcaster Mage 1 Skeletal Vampire 1 Vampire Nighthawk 1 Triskelion 1 Myr Battlesphere 1 Duplicant 1 Memnarch

Sorcery (9)

1 Ancestral Vision 1 Preordain 1 Ponder 1 Deep Analysis 1 Demonic Tutor 1 Gruesome Encore 1 Praetor's Grasp 1 Ribbons of Night 1 Duress

Instant (20)

1 Condescend 1 Mizzium Skin 1 Think Twice 1 Impulse 1 Remand 1 Mana Leak 1 Counterspell 1 Forbid 1 Repulse 1 Forbidden Alchemy 1 Thirst for Knowledge 1 Careful Consideration 1 Fact or Fiction 1 Dismiss 1 Rewind 1 Opportunity 1 Tribute to Hunger 1 Doom Blade 1 Diabolic Edict 1 Terror

Artifact (8)

1 Sol Ring 1 Talisman of Dominance 1 Dimir Signet 1 Gilded Lotus 1 Executioner's Capsule 1 Vedalken Shackles 1 Coalition Relic 1 Mind Stone

Enchantment (1)

1 Treachery

Land (42)

1 Underground Sea 1 Watery Grave 1 Underground River 1 Salt Marsh 1 Verdant Catacombs 1 Polluted Delta 1 Flooded Strand 1 Misty Rainforest 1 Scalding Tarn 1 Bloodstained Mire 1 Academy Ruins 1 Riptide Laboratory 1 Thawing Glaciers 1 Dreadship Reef 1 Bad River 1 Strip Mine 1 Wasteland 17 Island 8 Swamp