One of the best things about the Commander format is the wide array of different archetypes that are supported. Not only are there plenty of powerful mechanics to build around, but basically every creature type under the sun gets some love, too. For those who want something a bit weirder, you can even build around mechanics like coin flipping, which feel like a total novelty.
Thankfully, if you do want to build around this novel mechanic, there’s actually a surprising amount of support. On top of this, you also get to play Yusri, Fortune’s Flame, a Commander that offers an absurdly cheap Omniscience effect. So long as luck is on your side, this budget Commander can more than pull its weight.
MTG Yusri, Fortune’s Flame
Even in isolation, Yusri, Fortune’s Flame can provide a pretty decent amount of value just from attacking. On average, you should get at least two cards each turn, which isn’t awful, but it’s admittedly not amazing. Plenty of modern MTG Commanders are far more efficient, and Yusri also hurts you for failed coin flips.
Thankfully, it doesn’t take much support to really get Yusri, Fortune’s Flame going, as
Krark’s Thumb
Krark’s Thumb
If you would flip a coin, instead flip two coins and ignore one.
exists. By upping your odds of success from 50% to 75%, suddenly you’re drawing four cards on average with Yusri. On top of this, all of the other coin flipping cards in the deck get a boost, too, and there’s a whole lot of them.
Over the years, Wizards has printed a surprisingly large number of good coin flip cards, like
Stitch in Time
Stitch in Time
Flip a coin. If you win the flip, take an extra turn after this one.
. This can even be copied by
Krark, the Thumbless
Krark, the Thumbless
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, flip a coin. If you lose the flip, return that spell to its owner's hand. If you win the flip, copy that spell, and you may choose new targets for the copy.
Partner (You can have two commanders if both have partner.)
, to increase your chances of success. Krark can also do the same to Firey Gambit and
Invert Polarity
Invert Polarity
Choose target spell, then flip a coin. If you win the flip, gain control of that spell and you may choose new targets for it. If you lose the flip, counter that spell.
, which can both provide huge value swings.
Beyond individually powerful spells, there are a fair few engines that trigger off every successful coin flip.
Tavern Scoundrel
Tavern Scoundrel
Whenever you win a coin flip, create two Treasure tokens. (They're artifacts with "{T}, Sacrifice this token: Add one mana of any color.")
{1}, {T}, Sacrifice another permanent: Flip a coin.
, for instance, can provide tons of mana, while
Zndrsplt, Eye of Wisdom
Zndrsplt, Eye of Wisdom
Partner with Okaun, Eye of Chaos (When this creature enters, target player may put Okaun into their hand from their library, then shuffle.)
At the beginning of combat on your turn, flip a coin until you lose a flip.
Whenever a player wins a coin flip, draw a card.
gives card draw. You can even take care of damage with
Okaun, Eye of Chaos
Okaun, Eye of Chaos
Partner with Zndrsplt, Eye of Wisdom (When this creature enters, target player may put Zndrsplt into their hand from their library, then shuffle.)
At the beginning of combat on your turn, flip a coin until you lose a flip.
Whenever a player wins a coin flip, double Okaun's power and toughness until end of turn.
, and the new
Chira, All In
Chira, All In
Whenever you discard one or more cards at random, select one or more targets at random, choose one or more modes at random, flip one or more coins, or roll one or more dice, put a +1/+1 counter on Chira and create a tapped Treasure token.
, as well.
Thanks to these cards, cards that can flip multiple coins, like
Squee’s Revenge
Squee’s Revenge
Choose a number. Flip a coin that many times or until you lose a flip, whichever comes first. If you win all the flips, draw two cards for each flip.
and
Game of Chaos
Game of Chaos
Flip a coin. If you win the flip, you gain 1 life and target opponent loses 1 life, and you decide whether to flip again. If you lose the flip, you lose 1 life and that opponent gains 1 life, and that player decides whether to flip again. Double the life stakes with each flip.
, are auto-includes. The same is also true of Planeswalkers like
Ral Zarek
Ral Zarek
+1: Tap target permanent, then untap another target permanent.
−2: Ral Zarek deals 3 damage to any target.
−7: Flip five coins. Take an extra turn after this one for each coin that comes up heads.
, who has a hugely effective ultimate. Given all the card draw going around, you can even run
Psychosis Crawler
Psychosis Crawler
Psychosis Crawler's power and toughness are each equal to the number of cards in your hand.
Whenever you draw a card, each opponent loses 1 life.
, The Locus God, and
Niv-Mizzet, Parun
Niv-Mizzet, Parun
This spell can't be countered.
Flying
Whenever you draw a card, Niv-Mizzet deals 1 damage to any target.
Whenever a player casts an instant or sorcery spell, you draw a card.
for added value.
Coin Flipping Combos
While Yusri, Fortune’s Flame can play a pretty powerful fair game, its real party piece is that free
Omniscience
Omniscience
You may cast spells from your hand without paying their mana costs.
effect. The only hurdle in actually getting this is winning all five coin flips, which only has a 3.125% chance of happening. Thankfully, you can completely cheese these dismal odds by just having
Edgar, King of Figaro
Edgar, King of Figaro
When Edgar enters, draw a card for each artifact you control.
Two-Headed Coin — The first time you flip one or more coins each turn, those coins come up heads and you win those flips.
in play.
With this legend alongside Yusri, you’re guaranteed to win all give coin flips instantly. On top of this, you’ll also draw five cards, ensuring that the Omniscience effect isn’t wasted. Throw in
Wizard’s Staff
Wizard’s Staff
Equipped creature has prowess. (Whenever its controller casts a noncreature spell, that creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)
If a triggered ability of equipped creature triggers, that ability triggers an additional time.
Equip Wizard {1}
Equip {3}
to double Yusri’s trigger, and you’ll get twice as many cards for maximum shenanigans.
Even if you’re not breaking Yusri, Fortune’s Flame with Edgar, Wizard’s Staff, and other copy effects like
Roaming Throne
Roaming Throne
Ward {2}
As this creature enters, choose a creature type.
This creature is the chosen type in addition to its other types.
If a triggered ability of another creature you control of the chosen type triggers, it triggers an additional time.
are hugely valuable. Since the odds of hitting Omniscience regularly are one in 32, improving those odds is vital. Technically, you could even run cards like
Aggravated Assault
Aggravated Assault
{3}{R}{R}: Untap all creatures you control. After this main phase, there is an additional combat phase followed by an additional main phase. Activate only as a sorcery.
to facilitate this, but additional copy effects, like
Strionic Resonator
Strionic Resonator
{2}, {T}: Copy target triggered ability you control. You may choose new targets for the copy. (A triggered ability uses the words "when," "whenever," or "at.")
, are more sensible.
Outside of focusing on Yusri, Fortune’s Flame, you can also go infinite by using
Frenetic Efreet
Frenetic Efreet
Flying
{0}: Flip a coin. If you win the flip, this creature phases out. If you lose the flip, sacrifice this creature. (While it's phased out, it's treated as though it doesn't exist. It phases in before you untap during your next untap step.)
. While this card will Phase Out when you lose one of its coin flips, you can activate it infinitely beforehand. This will then net you infinite mana with
Tavern Scoundrel
Tavern Scoundrel
Whenever you win a coin flip, create two Treasure tokens. (They're artifacts with "{T}, Sacrifice this token: Add one mana of any color.")
{1}, {T}, Sacrifice another permanent: Flip a coin.
, or infinite damage with
Karplusan Minotaur
Karplusan Minotaur
Cumulative upkeep—Flip a coin. (At the beginning of your upkeep, put an age counter on this permanent, then sacrifice it unless you pay its upkeep cost for each age counter on it.)
Whenever you win a coin flip, this creature deals 1 damage to any target.
Whenever you lose a coin flip, this creature deals 1 damage to any target of an opponent's choice.
.
If that’s not enough win potential,
Chance Encounter
Chance Encounter
Whenever you win a coin flip, put a luck counter on this enchantment.
At the beginning of your upkeep, if this enchantment has ten or more luck counters on it, you win the game.
can let you win on your upkeep with Frenetic Efreet. Hell, even without this combo engine in play, you’ll still get tons of Luck Counters to win early.
Flipping Cheap
Between the combos and deep coin flipping synergies, Yusri, Fortune’s Flame is a stellar all-around MTG Commander. Beyond just being strong, too, this card offers an incredibly fun and novel game plan. Because of that, it’s little wonder Yusri already has a bit of a cult following in Commander.
Thankfully, while Yusri, Fortune’s Flame is somewhat popular, this is still a very affordable MTG card. Even though it’s never been reprinted, you can pick up near-mint copies for just $0.24 on TCGplayer. Even the foil promo variant sells for just $0.30, making it a great budget option.
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