Commander Staples in Aetherdrift

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.

Hard to believe we’re already in the throes of a new set - the quiet time at the end of 2024 provided a nice respite from neverending spoiler season. Still, Aetherdrift brought plenty of new potential staples to the Commander format. Here are a few to watch, along with a Foundations beast with the power to nearly topple its predecessor.

Pyrewood Gearhulk

The new cycle of allied-color Gearhulks in Aetherdrift contains two absolute bangers in the Brightglass Gearhulk and Riptide Gearhulk varieties, both of which hold $7-$14 prices. The Gruul flavor, Pyrewood Gearhulk, comes in at a close third but can be yours for only $1.

Craterhoof Behemoth, it is not; this one can’t end games as easily, but provides a nice boost that could take out a player without leaving you open to crackback during an opponent’s attack. Plus, it ensures Blasphemous Acts get around Protection. I’d expect the first two Gearhulks to continue holding their prices while Pyrewood begins a steady ascent. Grab one before others catch on.

STATUS: Gruul semi-staple

Pyrewood Gearhulk	CardKingdom $1.79	TCGPlayer $1.42
Pyrewood Gearhulk (Borderless)	CardKingdom $3.49	TCGPlayer $2.62
Pyrewood Gearhulk (First-Place Foil)	CardKingdom	TCGPlayer $15.98

Oviya, Automech Artisan

Despite its sluggish nature, Elvish Piper has been a $3-$4 card through multiple reprints. Oyiva is strictly better and priced at $1; for that reason alone, it’s a great pick-up. Its trample clause seems stronger the more I look at it. I run Nylea, God of the Hunt in my Doran, the Siege Tower deck because it enables trample, and Oviya does the same thing while providing my opponents’ creatures with trample as well. 

The incremental damage Oviya provides might make up for its squishiness, and I intend to find out. For $1, so should you!

STATUS: Possible green staple

Oviya, Automech Artisan	CardKingdom $1.79	TCGPlayer $1.39
Oviya, Automech Artisan (First-Place Foil)	CardKingdom	TCGPlayer $15.34
Oviya, Automech Artisan (Borderless)	CardKingdom $3.49	TCGPlayer $1.99

Koma, World-Eater

Koma, Cosmos Serpent gets a lot of hate, and rightfully so: one upkeep later, it’s practically impossible to remove. World-Eater isn’t that far behind. This new iteration of the legendary Serpent provides its tokens all at once, rather than incrementally, and sports ward 4, which practically gives it hexproof.

Expect KWE to provide just as much value as KCS without being aggressively targeted. The card’s also a fraction of the price of its predecessor, sitting at $2.

STATUS: New Simic token staple

Koma, World-Eater	CardKingdom $1.49	TCGPlayer $1.55
Koma, World-Eater (Extended Art)	CardKingdom $1.79	TCGPlayer $1.70
Koma, World-Eater (Borderless)	CardKingdom $4.49	TCGPlayer $4.68

Adaptive Omnitool

Nettlecyst is partially an auto-include in any Equipment-matters deck; now we have Adaptive Omnitool right alongside it. The creature you equip is going to be huge, and while Nettlecyst provides a body, Adaptive Omnitool draws you the body when the equipped creature attacks.

The card was printed in Commander: Aetherdrift, meaning reprints aren’t entirely off the table, but may not arrive for a while. Its $1 price is well worth it for now.

STATUS: New Equipment staple

Adaptive Omnitool	CardKingdom $2.79	TCGPlayer $2.38
Adaptive Omnitool (Extended Art)	CardKingdom $2.49	TCGPlayer $0.99

Rear View Mirror

Any cards from Aetherdrift you didn’t think would play well that have exceeded your expectations? This set seems like more of a grower than a show-er. Let me know what you’ve discovered!

Further Reading:

Card Prices to Watch in Aetherdrift