One of the things that constantly keeps EDH fresh and interesting is the sheer number of legends to build around. While it is true that many Commanders overlap in theme, for the most part, each legend brings its own flare and build-around potential.
Jan Jansen, Chaos Crafter is a great example of a fun Commander option that incorporates popular themes while still bringing some spice to the table. With the right support elements around him, he can end games in exhilarating fashion.
MTG Jan Jansen, Chaos Crafter
At a baseline, the goal with Jan Jansen is to maximize both of his activated abilities. Each time you sacrifice an artifact in either direction, Jan Jansen pays you off with multiple artifact tokens that make for perfect sacrifice fodder. The value this Gnome can generate over the course of a game is incredible, and he’s extremely efficient to boot.
Of course, in order to make use of his abilities, you first need a way to get your engine started. Your best bet is to incorporate plenty of cheap artifacts like Ichor Wellspring and Prized Statue that pay you off for sacrificing them. As the game goes on, beefier artifacts with potent death triggers like Solemn Simulacrum and even Spine of Ish Sah become more appealing.
Once your engine has been established, any cards that take advantage of your consistent Treasure and Construct production become welcome inclusions. Cards like Drumbellower and Magewright’s Stone that untap Jan Jansen, for example, do a great job speeding up the token production process. To get more mileage out of each Commander activation, Academy Manufactor, Xorn, and any token doubler like Anointed Procession will quickly flood the board with extra tokens.
Once you start pumping out waves of tokens, the final piece of the puzzle is to utilize payoffs that can convert these tokens into a victory. Right off the bat, any creatures from Reckless Fireweaver to Ingenious Artillerist can burn your opponents when you create tokens. Mayhem Devil and Nadier’s Nightblade then keep the pressure on whenever you sacrifice those tokens.
Notably, as powerful as Jan Jansen is as a sacrifice enabler, other tools like Goblin Welder and Daretti, Scrap Savant help turn your excess tokens into more valuable resources. Magda, Brazen Outlaw is particularly powerful here, turning your excess Treasures into any artifact in your entire deck.
Combo Kills
Beyond all of the general synergies Jan Jansen creates, there are also a bunch of infinite combos to pull off. The simplest of these involves Clock of Omens and Liquimetal Torque, resulting in infinite Treasures and Constructs. Once everything is in play, Liquimetal Torque can make Jan Jansen into an artifact, allowing Clock of Omens to untap it. Since both of Jan Janson’s abilities create two artifacts, Clock of Omens can use them to untap your Commander, making infinite tokens. Jan Jansen, Thornbite Staff, and Goblin Bombardment can be used to a similar effect, sacrificing your Construct tokens and dealing infinite damage.
Once you open the door to four-card combos, there are plenty of other ways to win games. By combining the powers of Jan Jansen, Haunted One, Retribution of the Ancients, and any sacrifice outlet for example, you can effectively wipe out all opposing creatures and make some of your creatures infinitely large.
Cheap and Effective
With so many different powerful support pieces at your disposal, Jan Jansen makes for an awesome Commander to build around. Surprisingly the card doesn’t have a ton of Commander decks on EDHREC, but he remains incredibly popular in the 99 of other decks. Mr. House, President and CEO and Vihaan, Goldwaker, for example, can easily spiral out of control with this legend.
Considering how much play Jan Jansen sees, it’s surprising that this Gnome has such a small price tag. With the legend selling for $0.25, there’s no fear of breaking the bank to pick up a copy. If Artifact and Token themes are up your alley and you’re looking for a sweet Commander to lead your team, consider giving Jan Jansen a shot.
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