Spooky, scary, skeletons! Just in time for fall, Magic’s next horror-themed Standard set is almost here. Duskmourn: House of Horror releases September 27th, but as with other Standard ses you can pick up all your goodies at pre-release September 20th.
Featuring call outs to cult classics and the horror genre in general, exploring this new plane will offer great hooks for your next thrilling story. Naturally, a new set means new toys for Commander. As with other top 10 lists, we’ll exclude Legendary Creatures and focus on cards for your 99. Let's dive into the top ten Commander cards from Duskmourn!
1. Split Up
Board wipes that can offer a tempo swing are seriously good. Split Up can perform that way in some scenarios, and it’s on the lower side for mana value. Will this solve all of the problems presented by your opponents? No. But does it have the potential to rocket you ahead at a critical moment? Yes.
2. Unwanted Remake
One mana value creature removal like Swords to Plowshares and Path to Exile are Commander format all-stars for a reason. A single mana to Exile a creature is exceptional removal. Yes, Unwanted Remake does only destroy the Creature, and provides the opponent with a replacement creature via Manifest, but it’s worthwhile for redundancy alone. Low cost Creature removal can let you play out your threats and not feel worried about keeping mana up to respond. It is a weaker choice than both Sowrds and Path, but I’d consider adding it as a third if you often find yourself dealing with scary Creatures.
3. Unable to Scream
Pseudo-removal like Unable to Scream can be just as good as proper removal if you’re turning off a game winning effect or reducing the value your opponents are getting. This cheeky Aura turns a Creature into a useless Toy, similar to Darksteel Mutation. The most interesting part about this card though, is its color identity. Having Creature removal in Blue is rare, and it’s great to have more options in decks that don’t have access to the best removal.
4. Demonic Counsel
Demonic Tutor is an amazing card. Wait, this isn’t Demonic Tutor? But it tutors a demon, that’s a Demonic Tutor isn’t it? Demonic Counsel, while flavored like Demonic Tutor, requires a bit of extra work to get the game breaking benefit of searching your library for a card.You do need to have Delirium (4 different Card types in your Graveyard) to be able to search what you need akin to Traverse the Ulvenwald.Delirium can be hard to activate, even if you’re running fetchlands, a mix of permanent types and some Instants and Sorceries. Coming across it naturally isn’t as common as you would think, but in self-mill decks or reanimator decks this is a shoe-in for sure.
5. Nowhere to Run
Sometimes your opponents will do things to make their Creatures harder to remove, like equipping them with Swiftfoot Boots. Nowhere to Run offers some removal and a way to get around both Hexproof and Ward, similar to Arcane Lighthouse but swapping Ward for Shroud. So which solution is better? Shroud is still seen in Commander on Lightning Greaves, but it will be less common in the long run as Ward is the new evergreen target evasion keyword. In cases where you’re considering either, you probably want both. These types of effects are rare in Magic, so added redundancy is pleasantly welcomed.
6. Untimely Malfunction
Modal spells are always awesome in Commander, and Untimely Malfunction is no different. For 1 and a red you can remove a pesky Artifact or redirect a targeted spell, similar to Deflecting Swat or Bolt Bend. Timely redirects can go a long way. This little Instant also offers a way to edge in a win if your opponent has just enough Creatures to block. I’d consider this one a slam dunk worth picking up.
7. Enduring Vitality
Go wide strategies can benefit from a way to make their Creatures tap for mana and Enduring Vitality offers some more redundancy for that effect. Unlike Cryptolith Rite however, this new Creature Enchantment comes with some staying power. The first time it’s removed, it returns to play as just an Enchantment. This is pretty handy given that your opponents are going to want this off the board as quickly as possible.
8. Walk-In Closet / Forgotten Cellar
Would it be a Top 10 article for a new set if we didn’t cover one of the new card types introduced? Definitely not. Walk-In Closet / Forgotten Cellar is a Room, which is a modal Enchantment. When you cast it you can pick which half you want to start with, and later you can unlock the other half by paying that half’s mana value. Starting with Walk-In Closet gives you a Crucible of Worlds effect, which is pretty amazing on its own. The Forgotten Cellar half is similar to Yawgmoth’s Will, which is also amazing. Two amazing effects on one card? Sign me up.
9. Drag to the Roots
While low mana value removal is amazing, flexible removal that can hit any target can also be really good. Drag to the Roots gives us another option for any nonland permanent if we’re in Green and Black. Spending 4 mana for the effect can be pretty pricey, but is still worthwhile, similar to Abstruse Appropriation with a little less upside. Howeve, if you can manage to meet the Delirium requirements this little Instant is closer to an Assasin’s Trophy.
10. Rare Land Cycle
Having more untapped land options for multicolor decks is never a bad thing, and Duskmourn: House of Horrors introduces a new check land cycle in the rare slot. These lands will tap for one of two colors if you control either of the basics that correspond, otherwise it will tap for one of the two. I’d expect we see this cycle complete in the next Standard set as Wizards has been better about not leaving cycles unfinished as they have in the past.
If you’re curious to see what else the set offers, you can check out the full catalog. Were there any cards you’re excited about that I missed? Let me know in the Chimera Gaming Discord, or reach me directly on Twitter.
Did you know we usually have 20 pods firing for Commander night on Tuesdays? Tables fill up fast and I hope to see you there!
