Hidden Gems - All Aboard the Faerie Train
Here at Hidden Gems, we like to look far enough ahead to predict price spikes before they happen during the hype and excitement surrounding a new release.
Along with the main set, Wilds of Eldraine will release two Commander decks. One is a green/white concoction that we know next to nothing about. The other is Fae Dominion—a typal deck centered around Faeries. This seems like just enough information to find some Hidden Gems.
#1 – Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor
Ok, sure, your Faerie deck isn’t going to be playing a lot of Cephalids. I get it. But you can play three blue mana to tap ALL creatures without flying. Which should be about 0% of your creatures. Well, except Aboshan. He taps himself with that ability because he’s drunk all the time and that’s how Magic worked in 2001.
Regardless, he’s a great way to control the board to keep you from dying to non-flyers and make sure your Faeries get past most blockers. Plus, Aboshan can tap himself (or Changelings) to keep the biggest flyer in check. It’s a fun late-game inclusion that can help you end the game with extra style. I mean, who doesn’t want to win with a bunch of faeries and their octopus emperor?
#2 – Windreader Sphinx
If Peter Pan taught us anything, it’s that growing up is terrible because of taxes and back pain. But if it taught us a second thing, it’s that we’ve learned a lot about racism since 1953. But if it’s taught us a third thing, it’s that faerie dust makes you fly!
Most flying-matters cards include white, but Windreader Sphinx is available for this Dimir deck, and can turn your little 1/1 army into a bounteous card draw engine. A steam engine (for the Faerie train).
#3 – Secluded Glen
If you’re like me, building a mana base for a new Commander deck puts your brain on autopilot. I pluck dual lands out of my binder and sleeve them up - no research required. This dual is no stranger to the spotlight, finding a home in competitive Faerie decks. But its use is so niche in Commander that it might be one you haven’t thought about in a terribly long time. So, let me put this particular card straight through your eyeballs and into your brain, because this is an auto-include. Everyone hopping aboard the Faerie train this fall will want a copy.
#4 – Defiler of Dreams
This card isn’t that old, but it might have been quickly forgotten. Most blue decks don’t care about casting permanents. But Faeries care. They care a lot. As do Merfolk, but they’re drama queens who get all the attention and we’re not gonna give it to them.
As an added bonus, you can pay life instead of mana to cast your Faeries, accelerating your card advantage. Blue isn’t great about gaining life, but paired with black, your Faerie deck will have plenty of tools to regain what you pay, and keep this Faerie train full steam ahead! Toot toot!
| Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor | ||
| Windreader Sphinx | ||
| Secluded Glen | ||
| Defiler of Dreams |
That’s all for this edition. Don’t forget to check out our Premium Membership for more market insights and entertainment!
Check out these other articles:
New Horizons - LOTR Commander by Matt Grzechnik
Too, Reverse In Works It by Jason Alt
The Big Things - Arabian Nights Speculation by Harvey McGuinness
Adam Berg
Adam started playing Magic on his 14th birthday, when Judgment just released and the game's first Gorgon was born (It's a girl!). Since then, he's delved deep into Commander, written for television and film, and learned how to drive. He's published two YA Fantasy novels, Rainbringer and The Broken Pantheon. His favorite card is Repay In Kind, which is really all you need to know.