The latest expansion and final set in the Scars of Mirrodin block, New Phyrexia, redesigns the metal planet of Mirrodin in the unholy visage of Phyrexia. Machines are perfect and have no room for the weakness of flesh and they have won the war. With that in mind, let's see how the Phyrexians have made our Commander format (EDH) more perfect. The following are the top 10 most impactful cards from the newest set on the Commander format.

1. Batterskull
This fairly obvious card goes right at the top of the list. It's a Baneslayer Angel that you can keep playing over and over again. Mythics are generally pretty powerful in EDH, and this card is no different. With removal being such a large part of survival in the format, this card will never leave you defenseless. Above that, slap this weapon on a real creature and things get even uglier. Pretty straight forward if you ask me.

2. Melira, Sylvok Outcast
This card is probably the thing that a lot of EDH players have been searching for lately. Melira stops poison – permanently! (Well nearly, but that's a timestamp thing.) Since the invention of infect, EDH games have had to deal with a whole new dimension of combat, which some decks are not well equipped to handle. New Phyrexia has added even more creatures with infect and they are in all colors! She needed to give at least the green decks a chance to handle poison. Also, Melira couples very nicely with the persist mechanic, as she never allows your creatures to receive the -1/-1 counter when they come back from the graveyard. Infinite loop, anyone?

3. Sword of War and Peace
Hmm… a Sword of Fire and Ice that protects against Swords to Plowshares? Yes, thank you, I'll take one please. As is the case with almost all equipment, reusable damage sources in EDH are invaluable. The new sword punishes those who would draw way too many cards to make the game fun. And it gains you some life too.

4. Norn's Annex
The first Phyrexian mana card on the list, Norn's Annex is nothing new to seasoned Magic players. Ghostly Prison and Propaganda are staples in EDH, especially in the multi-player groups. However, Norn's Annex does something a little trickier – you have to spend white mana or life to attack! White mana? Who plays white in EDH? (Well I do, but I'm weird.) Also, the annex forces you to pay to attack planeswalkers too, which its previous versions did not. Maybe this card will see a little more white working its way into EDH.

5. Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
Oops… another white card. Personally, I love the battlefield swing of this card. Elesh gives a 4 point power/toughness swing that is pretty difficult to get past in straight combat. The real bonus from this card actually comes from the state based effect it puts on the field – it locks out small Commanders! At seven mana the cost may be a little steep, but with good protection Elesh Norn shuts down a lot of utility creatures – which just might include your opponents Commander itself.

6. Psychic Surgery
This may be my favorite card that New Phyrexia adds to the EDH format. There is nothing I can't stand more than the incessant searching of decks. It's a lot of time spent shuffling, most of which is just to find a land. This enchantment doesn't do anything too fancy, but it might get your opponent to think twice about using fetch lands too liberally.

7. Hex Parasite
This card has already received a lot of steam in the Magic community as a powerful addition to standard play. It is no different in EDH. It kills planeswalkers, plain and simple. But also, it just may do a few extra things that accelerate combos. How does Dark Depths read again?

8. Caged Sun
Originally, I wanted to place this card a little higher on the list, but the narrowness it provides pushed it down. Still, it stays on my top 10. It's a Gauntlet of Power that affects only you and your creatures. That in itself is massive upgrade over its predecessors. But the truly fantastic upside is that Caged Sun affects nonbasic lands as well! Goodbye confusing math!

9. Unwinding Clock
I do not know how yet, but this card is asking to be abused. I am sure one of you astute readers has already done so, and I applaud you. In the right deck, this card functions exactly like a Seedborn Muse that isn't as vulnerable to destruction. Coupled with the fact that its an artifact, I could see this as a card that works its way into many EDH decks, even if its only to untap Icy Manipulator.

10. Phyrexian Metamorph
The last on my top 10, the Phyrexian Metamorph probably has the most utility. Clone, or any of its cousins, is a card that should be played in a deck with blue, if only to blow up opposing Commanders. The bonus the Metamorph has is that you can use it to “borrow” your opponents artifacts, or double up on your own, if their creatures stink or aren't relevant. As an extra bonus, its casting cost is really low and easily played in multicolor decks.

Honorable Mentions
Viral Drake – Proliferate combos?
Torpor Orb – Hard to play around yourself, very frustrating to opponents
Alloy Myr – Wonderful addition to multicolor EDH decks

With a slew of new poison critters and powerful Legends in New Phyrexia, EDH will see some marvelous (and frustrating) changes in the next few months. Take a tip from the Phyrexians and make your deck more perfect with the new cards at your disposal. Until next time, I will be working on a way to break Melira.

~ Sean

“Some do. Some teach. The rest look it up.”

Contact email: archivist@lotusvault.com.