New Staples for Commander From Karlov Manor

20 Feb
by Steve Heisler

Welcome back for another History, Restapled, a Commander-focused column that attempts to validate a newer card’s status as a staple by looking at how cards that are similar, synergistic, or competing have fared in the past financially. And today we're looking at Murders at Karlov Manor

The more I dig into this set, the more possible staples I uncover. The set approaches the color pie from a number of different angles to offer alternate or enhanced takes on previous effects. No amount of Charlie Day gifs in front of a conspiracy board on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia can throw us off the trail…

Conspiracy Unraveler

Omniscience is an insanely busted Commander staple, and Conspiracy Unraveler is so similar, I had to read it numerous times to be sure. It wasn’t until I collected a bit of evidence that I grasped just how effortless it can be to hit even a number as high as 10. Cards like Lorien Revealed, Treasure Cruise, Dig Through Time, and Sea Gate Restoration can easily find their way into the graveyard to kick off the process, then players can cast Expropriate for practically free. These are some big-mana examples, but over the course of a normal game, there will certainly be a decent pile of smaller spells and creatures available by the time Conspiracy Unraveler really becomes relevant.

Unlike Omniscience, it’s a bit more difficult to immediately refund the mana spent on Conspiracy Unraveler, and creatures are quite vulnerable to hate in Commander. Plus, outside of black spells, it’s difficult to cheat Conspiracy Unraveler into play. But you can’t beat the price: only $1 as compared to $6 for Omniscience, a price largely due to a recent reprint that’s firmly in the rearview mirror at this point. I fully expect Conspiracy Unraveler to climb in price over time, so grab one now before someone breaks it in other formats.

STATUS: new big-mana staple

Conspiracy Unraveler
Conspiracy Unraveler (Showcase)

Case of the Uneaten Feast

Ajani's Welcome is a $3 card and Case of the Uneaten Feast is a strict upgrade that makes Ajani’s Welcome feel more like a limp-wristed handshake than a warm bear hug. Incidental lifegain is far underrated in Commander—all decks can benefit, not just dedicated lifegain ones—and that final ability is straight-up gas, even as a one-time use.

The card also holds merely a bulk rare price. Soul Sisters run at least a few bucks and Auriok Champion is at $9, and none of those can compete with Case of the Uneaten Feast’s flexibility to dominate the late game

Few new cards are as clear cut…

STATUS: new white staple

Case of the Uneaten Feast

Connecting the Dots

If you squint hard enough, Connecting the Dots looks like a decent card draw option that can be cashed in as a burst or after accumulating value over the course of a few turns. It’s an enchantment that doesn’t paint itself as a target either, so while it may get swept up in mass hate, I can’t see many situations in which someone targets Connecting the Dots specifically, barring corner case scenarios. Most importantly, the card is pretty cheap—less than, or equivalent to, most red impulse draw staples.

Yes, there is a slim chance you cast this card, exile a few off the top and pass the turn only to lose those cards forever to an Austere Command. If that happens, pay attention to the next few dozen times you cast the card, and it’s likely you’ll see how resilient this card can be.

STATUS: new red staple

Connecting the Dots
Connecting the Dots (Extended Art)

Immortal Obligation

Most cards that offer your opponents benefits have few uses outside of dedicated, on-theme decks. Outside of those, they range from actively bad (Secret Rendezvous) to seemingly decent but, actually, actively bad (Jailbreak).

Immortal Obligation looks like one of the better options, set aside by being castable at instant speed and for placing numerous restrictions on what the reanimated creature can accomplish while on the field—most notably that it’s unable to block your creatures but is perfectly capable of taking down any your opponents send their way.

I’m willing to give this one a shot at $0.25 and hope it breaks the previous streak of stinkers.

STATUS: not a staple, but potentially not NOT a staple

Immortal Obligation
Immortal Obligation (Extended Art)

Take a Stab

Of all the cards mentioned above, I’m most skeptical about Immortal Obligation for the reasons outlined above. Any cards that are seemingly “group hug” that you’ve found good uses for in Commander? My luck with them is, unfortunately, quite poor. Why help your opponents when you can help yourself? Truly an unsolvable mystery.

Further Reading:

Karlov Manor Picks for Modern

Top Picks For Karlov Manor

Three Barometers for the Magic: the Gathering Market

Steve Heisler
Steve Heisler

Steve Heisler is a writer and pop culture journalist covering comedy, games, television, film and the tech industry. His work has been published in Rolling Stone, GQ, Variety, The AV Club, Fast Company and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began collecting Magic cards during Fourth Edition and plays Commander and Modern primarily. He also enjoys tennis, the Dark Souls family of video games and supporting live comedy. He lives in Chicago with his cat, Rosie.


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