In the world of MTG, high-leverage cards with distinct downsides can be some of the most fun designs to build around. There are numerous cards that go as far as to straight up lose you the game, but if you can stay afloat, the payoff is quite powerful. Immortal Coil is a great example of a high-risk, high-reward option that many players are too afraid to go near. Nonetheless, with some work, there are ways to get your money’s worth in Commander.
MTG Immortal Coil
For the price of four mana, Immortal Coil pays you back with two graveyard-centric abilities. The bizarre artifact can either draw you extra cards or keep you alive, depending on how well you’re performing. That said, both of these abilities come at a scary cost.
With this in mind, it’s in your best interest to ensure that the final ability never comes to fruition, which is easy with self-mill effects. Commanders like Sidisi, Brood Tyrant, and Teval, the Balanced Scale, for instance, consistently fuel The Immortal Coil’s activated ability. Plus, in the case of Teval, each Immortal Coil activation will net a Zombie Druid token as a bonus. Then, some mass Mill effects like Traumatize can help make sure you have excess cards in your graveyard in case you get dealt damage.
On top of just fueling your graveyard, however, preventing damage can also make Immortal Coil last longer. For this reason, the artifact synergizes particularly well with Angel of Suffering. Because both of these cards offer replacement effects, you get to choose which one applies first. This means that, if you’re low on cards in graveyard, you can choose to Mill cards via Angel of Suffering’s ability. Then, when your graveyard is stocked and you have fewer cards in your deck, you can choose Immortal Coil instead.
Unfortunately, even with tons of support pieces ready to go, a single copy of Rest in Peace resolving will instantly cause you to lose the game. As such, having access to cheap cards like Telim’Tor’s Edict or Deadly Dispute to get rid of Immortal Coil on command is essential.
Sidestepping with Combo Kills
Interestingly, as fun as it can be to use Immortal Coil fairly, its absolute best use actually comes when you “gift” it to an opponent. Blim, Comedic Genius is the perfect Commander to do such a deed after you’ve milked your artifact for some value. Otherwise, there are plenty of alternate donation effects, such as Fateful Handoff, that will put you ahead in the exchange. Then, any graveyard exiling effect like Sentinel Totem or Relic of Progenitus will force an opponent to lose the game.
For a complete game-winning combo even in a multiplayer environment, you can even target Immortal Coil with Fractured Identity. This will force each of your opponents to create a token copy of the artifact, making any graveyard exiling follow-up a lethal effect.
Fun But Risky
Ultimately, Immortal Coil is a unique card with more Commander applications than it’s given credit for. The majority of the card’s play comes in Blim, Comedic Genius shells, but it still makes for a sweet build-around option elsewhere.
Obviously, the risks associated with this card are high, so it’s not for everyone. Still, with copies available for under $0.60, it’s well worth picking up if you’re in for a challenge. After all, getting to show off this 16-year-old unfamiliar design to your friends at Commander Night has plenty of appeal. Seeing the looks on their faces after you set up a combo kill is priceless.
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