Unveiling the Ultimate Coin Flip Commander Deck!

Unveiling the Ultimate Coin Flip Commander Deck!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Story behind the Secret Lair Commander Deck
3. How the Deck Works
4. Craig's Thumb - The Secret Third Commander
5. Finding and Protecting the Thumb
6. Counter Magic and Board Clears
7. Equipment for Okwan
8. Other Coin Flip Cards
9. Backup Win Conditions
10. Fiery Gambit: A Personal Favorite
11. Niv-Mizzet and The Locust God
12. Conclusion

Introduction

Welcome to an in-depth guide to the Secret Lair Commander Deck, a unique creation by Gavin Verhey from Wizards of the Coast. In this article, we will explore the story behind the deck, how it works, and the various cards that make it a powerful force in Commander gameplay.

The Story behind the Secret Lair Commander Deck

Gavin Verhey shares the fascinating tale of how the Secret Lair team approached him to turn one of his commander decks into a Secret Lair product. He chose Zendersplit Okwan Coinflip, one of his personal favorites, and handed it over to the team to work their magic. The result is a deck that not only comes with a coin but also reversible foil cards with two different art pieces.

How the Deck Works

The primary win condition of this deck revolves around Okwan, while Zendersplit acts as a card-drawing engine and helps in finding the necessary pieces. Winning three coin flips in a turn with Okwan allows it to attack for commander damage lethal. The entire game plan centers around setting up this win condition. It's important to note that both Zendersplit and Okwan trigger whenever you win a coin flip, providing additional value and power. The key card in this deck, known as the secret third commander, is Craig's Thumb, which enhances the effectiveness of coin flip cards.

Craig's Thumb - The Secret Third Commander

Finding Craig's Thumb every game is crucial for the deck's success. To aid in this, the deck includes various tutors such as Tribute Mage, Goblin Engineer, and Inventors' Fair. Additionally, one mana cantrips like Preordain, Serum Visions, and Ponder help in the search for Craig's Thumb. Protecting the thumb from destruction is also essential, and cards like Academy Ruins, Buried Ruin, and Reito Lantern help in keeping it safe. Counter magic like Counterspell and Negate serve to protect both the thumb and Okwan.

Finding and Protecting the Thumb

Various cards in the deck, such as Reshape, Long-Term Plans, Gamble, and Fabricate, help in searching for Craig's Thumb. It is important to ensure its protection as opponents may try to destroy it. Ready and Academy Ruins help to keep the thumb afloat, and Tolaria West can be transmuted to search for Buried Ruin and Academy Ruins. The deck also includes board clears like Blasphemous Act and propaganda effects like Propaganda itself to slow down opponents while you search for Craig's Thumb.

Counter Magic and Board Clears

Given the importance of Craig's Thumb and Okwan, it is advisable to use counter magic sparingly. Cards like Counterspell and Negate should be reserved for situations where they can protect the thumb or Okwan from critical threats. Blasphemous Act can be strategically used to clear the board while leaving Okwan standing for a lethal attack.

Equipment for Okwan

Haste and protection for Okwan are essential for executing the game plan effectively. Cards like Lightning Greaves and Swiftfoot Boots provide both haste and untargeted protection, allowing Okwan to attack on the turn it is played while keeping it safe from opponents' interference. Footfall Crater serves a similar purpose if needed. Other equipment like Sword of Vengeance, Shadowspear, Commander's Plate, and Whispersilk Cloak ensure Okwan's evasion and ability to get through blockers.

Other Coin Flip Cards

While the focus of the deck is on Okwan and Craig's Thumb, the inclusion of other coin flip cards enhances their power and provides additional win conditions. Cards like Stitch in Time, Urza, and Tavern Scoundrel add to the coin flip theme. Stitch in Time serves as a setup card, allowing you to plan across two turns to take out the entire table. Tavern Scoundrel generates a substantial amount of treasure, offering both versatility and resources. Chance Encounter acts as a ticking clock for opponents if left unchecked, and Mirror Match can create a swarm of creatures with the help of Craig's Thumb.

Backup Win Conditions

Though the deck primarily aims to win with Okwan, there are backup win conditions in case the coin flip strategy doesn't come together. Cards like Niv-Mizzet and The Locust God provide alternate ways to close the game in a more traditional fashion. The Locust God synergizes with Zendersplit, creating a swarm of insect tokens, while Niv-Mizzet deals damage whenever you draw a card.

Fiery Gambit: A Personal Favorite

One coin flip card worth mentioning is Fiery Gambit. If you win all three flips with this card, it can lead to a significant advantage. Gavin Verhey always goes for it, believing that when playing a coin flip deck, it's essential to fully embrace the randomness and excitement it offers. However, it is important to note that continuing to flip beyond the required three flips is risky and could result in losing everything.

Niv-Mizzet and The Locust God

Niv-Mizzet and The Locust God serve as backup win conditions and help in closing the game in a more traditional style. The Locust God, in particular, triggers every time you win a coin flip with Zendersplit, creating a swarm of insect tokens. These legendary creatures offer additional versatility to the deck and can be impactful in various scenarios.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Secret Lair Commander Deck, Zendersplit Okwan Coinflip, offers a unique and exciting gameplay experience centered around winning coin flips. With the inclusion of Craig's Thumb and a range of supporting cards, the deck provides multiple paths to victory. While playing the deck, embracing the unpredictability of coin flips and exploring the vast possibilities they offer is key. So grab your coins, shuffle the deck, and get ready to flip out in Commander games like never before.

Highlights

• A Secret Lair Commander Deck based on Zendersplit Okwan Coinflip by Gavin Verhey
• The story behind the creation of the Secret Lair Commander Deck
• Focus on winning with Okwan and utilizing Craig's Thumb for additional power
• Importance of finding and protecting Craig's Thumb through various tutors and counter magic
• Suitable equipment for Okwan to ensure haste and evasion
• Additional coin flip cards to enhance the deck's power and offer backup win conditions
• Niv-Mizzet and The Locust God as alternative ways to close the game
• The excitement and randomness of Fiery Gambit
• Strategies for maximizing the deck's potential and embracing the coin flip theme