MTG Foundations is a cool set that’s sure to bring some changes to Standard. This unique blend of reprints and new designs is releasing in less than three weeks, so mark your calendars!
Interestingly, though, the MTG Foundations main set isn’t the only collection of cards getting released on November 15th. An entire supplemental set in Foundations Jumpstart will be debuting as well, also featuring a blend of reprints and new cards.
The major difference is that these Jumpstart cards will not be Standard legal, so you’ll have to find other places to utilize the new cards. Fortunately, Commander is the perfect format to do so.
It’s clear that a handful of Jumpstart legends were designed with EDH in mind. Most notably, there is a group of recently revealed legendary typal payoffs that make for excellent build-arounds. From Insects to Horses and beyond, a plethora of underrepresented creature types are getting some nice upgrades, which is really cool to see.
Slinza, the Spiked Stampede
Kicking things off, we have an elite Commander option to lead a hoard of Beasts. Slinza has a few really powerful things going for it. First of all, one major weakness of Beasts in general is that they cost too much mana. Well, once you get Slinza out, you’re free to start jamming your top end at a discount.
On top of that, Slinza can help you remove smaller opposing creatures when you cast your Beasts, which is a big deal. This card pairs nicely with creatures like Rampaging Baloths that produce a continuous flow of Beasts over the course of the game.
Given how Slinza incentivizes you to play with big Beasts already, Garruk’s Uprising is a perfect inclusion in a Slinza deck. Beasts aren’t the most abundant creature type out there, but there are plenty of serviceable options to make Slinza work.
Aphelia, Viper Whisperer
Up next, we have an interesting legend that rewards you for playing two specific creature types: Gorgons and Snakes. There are a surprising number of Snakes in MTG at this point, and the reward for connecting in combat with them is pretty big.
Just like Unstoppable Slasher in Standard and Pioneer, Aphelia works perfectly in conjunction with Bloodletter of Aclazotz. Once you attack your opponents with your Deathtouch Snakes, they will be pressured to block. If they can’t, you can activate Aphelia’s final ability, and any player who gets hit loses the game.
To help ensure that your Snakes and Gorgons can connect in combat, you really want ways to grant evasion. Whispersilk Cloak is a great example, helping protect your Aphelia from removal and letting it freely engage in combat.
Fumulus, the Infestation
Fumulus is a weird card with a couple of different things going on. Right off the bat, you get rewarded whenever you can force players to sacrifice creatures. Because you get an Insect whenever anyone sacrifices a creature, cards like Season of Loss that can force each player in a multiplayer setting to sacrifice some number of creatures can net you a bunch of Insects at a time.
Of course, you also want to build out a board to maximize Fumulus’ last ability. Insects are definitely the most popular of those creature types. Unfortunately, if Fumulus is your Commander, you don’t get to utilize green Insect producers like Scute Swarm.
Still, there are a decent number of cheap Insects in black, and some Insects like Canoptek Scarab Swarm that may be able to net you a decent number of Insects at once. Your best bet is likely to supplement a sacrifice theme with some Insect production, which isn’t too difficult.
Dionus, Elvish Archdruid
This brings us to what we believe is the best of the typal legends: Dionus, Elvish Archdruid. Obviously, Elves have tons of support in EDH, which makes building around Dionus easy. On top of that, though, Dionus can net you A TON of mana. All of your mana dorks, copies of Priest of Titania, and beyond all get to tap for mana multiple times in a turn.
It’s trivial to cast a huge bomb like Craterhoof Behemoth from there. Plus, your Elves will get +1/+1 counter on them when they tap during your turn. So, any counter synergies you have work well here, too. Cards like Inspiring Call are slam dunks, for example.
With all the excess mana you can produce, you just want ways to chain Elves together. Leaf-Crowned Visionary and Beast Whisperer do the trick. With an effect that grants your creatures Haste like Concordant Crossroads, you can guarantee you get the mana right away from any Elves you play. Dionus is an absolute machine for an uncommon.
Thurid, Mare of Destiny
Last but not least, we have a sweet one in Thurid, Mare of Destiny. Unfortunately, as sweet as this card is, there aren’t many strong cards that fit the category in mono-white. Crested Sunmare is obviously strong, but you may need some assistance in making sure Thurid is as strong as possible.
Likely the best way to do so is to use Maskwood Nexus and have ways to find it, such as Enlightened Tutor. With Maskwood Nexus in play, any creature you cast you’ll get to copy thanks to Thurid. Thurid will also buff each of your creatures all the same as well.
Even if Thurid and some of the other typal payoffs we showcased here today don’t have the best support yet, it’s nice to give unique creature types a solid legend to craft a deck around. If you’re up to the challenge, consider constructing a deck around Thurid and giving it a whirl at a local Commander night.