Despite its negative reputation, MTG Spider Man has at least been impactful on a variety of formats. A combo deck centered around the new Web-slinging mechanic just won a Pioneer Challenge, and Spider-Punk is showing up in Storm decklists in Legacy.
Perhaps the format that’s seen the most change, though, is Duel Commander. Cosmic Spider-Man, Peter Parker, and Spider-Man 2099 are all performing well in major tournaments. Today, we’re going to highlight Spider-Man 2099. Following an elite tournament performance in the Philippines, this card could easily emerge as a format frontrunner.
Crafting Around Spider-Man 2099
Spider-Man 2099 is an interesting design. As a 2/3 with Double Strike and Vigilance for just two mana, it’s extremely powerful on rate. When you factor in the ability to send damage to any target during your end step as long as you played a land or cast a spell from exile, you’ve got quite the two-drop.
The downside, of course, is that you can’t play Spider-Man 2099 during the first three turns of the game. While this does take away your ability to curve out perfectly, by filling your deck with tons of other cheap plays, you can negate this problem well.
That’s where this shell gets its edge. The goal is to put the opponent on the backfoot. Then, on a later turn, you’ll want to play Spider-Man 2099, immediately play a land or another card from exile, and get your trigger before exposing your Commander to sorcery speed removal. Even if it does get removed, it’s cheap enough to replay with the Commander tax on future turns.
In order to maximize this card, you need efficient methods to play cards from exile while still applying pressure to the board. There are a number of ways to do this. The first is with Adventure cards. Bonecrusher Giant and Brazen Borrower act as cheap interactive elements. Then, after you’ve cast their Adventures, you’ll be able to cast the creature spell from exile at your leisure, which will in turn trigger your Commander.
Plot cards are great inclusions, too. Simply exile Cunning Coyote or Slickshot Show-Off on turn two. From there, wait until the turn you cast your Commander to play one of these spells for free. Cunning Coyote is especially strong, both because it gives your Commander Haste and because it buffs it. Remember, any pump spell, such as Monstrous Rage or Wild Ride, makes Spider-Man 2099 a brutal attacker and makes its triggered ability more threatening.
Beyond Adventure and Plot cards, there are a number of creatures that exile cards from the top of your library that you can play at will. Inti, Seneschal of the Sun and Headliner Scarlett both provide a consistent flow of cards to play from exile.
In the spell slot, Expressive Iteration and Light Up the Stage also pair with Spider-Man 2099. This deck’s low curve makes it trivial to maximize these sources of card advantage.
Keeping the Pressure On
The rest of the deck is chock full of aggressively costed beaters that continue to apply pressure. In the one-drop slot, Dragon’s Rage Channeler and Kumano Faces Kakkazan more than pull their weight. Rabbit Battery also makes an appearance, doubling as an efficient attacker and a way to give Spider-Man 2099 Haste.
At two mana, Robber of the Rich and Fear of Missing Out hit hard. If you’re lucky, Robber may steal some of your opponent’s cards to play. Spider-Man 2099 doesn’t care whose cards you play from exile, making it a fantastic inclusion.
On turn three, playing Screaming Nemesis, Broadside Bombardiers, or True-Name Nemesis can cement your advantage. Duel Commander is a 20-life format, so it doesn’t take long before these creatures close games on their own. Throw in some extra sources of reach as top end, like Pyrogoyf, and you’re golden.
Interaction
Unsurprisingly, to supplement your aggressive creatures, you’ll find a healthy mix of burn spells and Counterspells to round things out. Lightning Bolt and Chain Lightning are your strongest options. Ghostfire Slice is also a solid burn spell that is capable of killing Aragorn, King of Gondor at instant speed for one mana.
Fury and Pyrokinesis are two of your best tools against aggro decks. Being able to clear a path for your attackers without investing any mana is a huge deal.
With this in mind, many of your sources of counter magic can be cast for zero or one mana apiece. Anytime you’re able to add to the board and then land Daze or Force Spike on an expensive spell, you’ll pull pretty far ahead.
A Great Deck
Of all the new legends from the MTG Spider Man set, it isn’t too shocking that Spider-Man 2099 is one of the best in Duel Commander. It being so cheap yet so problematic when it sticks around makes for the perfect combination.
Against aggro decks, the fact that your Commander can deal damage to opposing creatures gives you a big advantage. Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd, Cloud, Midgar Mercenary and Magda, the Hoardmaster are all top tier Commander options, and Spider-Man 2099’s ability shines in all these matchups.
At the same time, though, playing the tempo role against Lier, Disciple of the Drowned combo or Azusa, Lost but Seeking ramp is a recipe for success. These decks don’t play a ton of removal, so if you can jam Spider-Man 2099 on turn four and give it Haste with Clout of Dominus, Lavaspur Boots, or any other Haste enabler, you’ll deal a boatload of damage in short order.
Even in midrange battles, the fact that Expressive Iteration and other similar designs pull you ahead on resources while simultaneously synergizing with your Commander gives you a shot in the long game. All of your cards that grant Haste or have Haste naturally are excellent at fighting over the Monarch, making Aragorn less concerning as a finisher.
This combination of speed and grinding power makes Spider-Man 2099 a force to be reckoned with. Don’t be shocked if the card continues to overperform.
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