For many Commander enjoyers, part of the fun of the format is showcasing the power of underrated legends. With so many legendary creatures to choose from, some Commanders just don’t find their time in the spotlight. Things only get more selective in competitive environments, where so many cool multicolor options get drowned out by the strength of Partners.
This makes it all the more impressive that Jin Sakai, Ghost of Tsushima managed to top eight a 199-player cEDH tournament. This unique Universes Beyond Samurai has made very little impact in cEDH up to this point, and its dominance showcases how rewarding it can be to think outside the box.
What Jin Sakai Brings to the Table
While Jin Sakai, Ghost of Tsushima isn’t the most efficient cEDH Commander, he’s capable of generating a lot of value. By himself, this Samurai can attack as a 2/4 with Double Strike, threatening to draw multiple cards if unblocked.
What really sets Jin Sakai apart, however, is the fact that his second ability can trigger multiple times in a multiplayer environment. Getting immediate value from Jin Sakai with other threats on board elevates this card’s potency.
To best take advantage of Jin Sakai’s abilities, this shell incorporates a multitude of efficient creatures that generate value when they connect in combat. Giving Malcolm, Alluring Scoundrel, Thief of Sanity or Thada Adel, Acquisitor Double Strike lets you double dip on their triggered abilities after they hit an opponent. In doing so, you’ll also produce twice as many Treasure tokens with Grim Hireling or Rev, Tithe Extractor. Alternatively, granting evasion to some of your weaker creatures like Grand Abolisher or Drannith Magistrate makes it easier to maximize Tymna, the Weaver‘s triggered ability.
If you ever get to add Delney, Streetwise Lookout into the mix, things can really get out of hand. Not only does each attack on a different player trigger Jin Sakai twice enabling you to choose both modes, but then you’ll also get even more mileage out of all your combat damage triggers.
Support Elements
For a deck centered around a four-mana Commander, it’s important to have acceleration that can lead to more explosive draws. Thankfully, efficient mana rocks from Chrome Mox to Lotus Petal let you jam your Commander ahead of schedule. This deck even gets to maximize the Cipher ability on Hidden Strings, helping you cast more spells after your first main phase.
Once you’ve built out a formidable board, cards like Temporal Manipulation can further cement your advantage. Backed up by a healthy mix of disruptive elements including Swan Song and Flusterstorm, Jin Sakai will start to run away with things.
Unsurprisingly, this strategy also abuses some combos of its own. After pulling ahead on resources with all of your Jin Sakai synergies, it’s nice to be able to close games in one go. Pairing Thassa’s Oracle with either Demonic Consultation or Tainted Pact should do the trick.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Ultimately, as cool as Jin Sakai is as a build-around, emerging as a top tier cEDH option may be an uphill battle in the long run. As a card advantage engine, Jin Sakai has a lot of competition with Tymna, the Weaver. Tymna+Kraum, Ludevic’s Opus Partner shells get access to red powerhouses like Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer, and Deflecting Swat that Jin Sakai decks miss out on. On top of that, Tymna is a cheaper source of card draw, making it easier to land early and reap the rewards.
That being said, there’s no denying that Jin Sakai has absurdly high upside. With the right curve of creatures, it doesn’t take long before Jin Sakai’s abilities run away with the game. Plus, being able to grant evasion to your attackers gives you the upper hand in games where everyone sticks blockers.
At the end of the day, it’s awesome to see such a cool Commander make waves in this cutthroat environment. While its near $70 price tag isn’t ideal for anyone looking to pick up a copy, Jin Sakai is a powerhouse. Make sure to keep him on your radar at your next cEDH event.
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