Shared Commander deck
Hakbal of the Surging Soul - Merfolk explore, counters, and evasion
Hakbal of the Surging Soul · GU · 100 cards · 37 lands
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Bracket 3 - UpgradedCommander 1Creatures 39Instants 9Sorceries 8Artifacts 2Enchantments 4Lands 37
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Strategy
Hakbal makes every Merfolk you control explore at the beginning of combat, which simultaneously hits land drops, grows the team with +1/+1 counters and filters your draws. The deck is a focused Merfolk tribal build that turns those counters into unblockable damage.
Early: Deploy cheap Merfolk. Merfolk Cave-Diver, Mist Dancer and Wildgrowth Walker come down early and are immediately improved by the explore trigger.
Mid: With Hakbal attacking, the whole board explores each turn. Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca converts the wide board into cards and counters, and Deeproot Historian keeps the graveyard useful.
Late: Herald of Secret Streams makes every creature with a counter unblockable, which with a fully explored board is close to game-ending. Svyelun of Sea and Sky protects the team.
Win conditions: Herald of Secret Streams plus a board of counter-laden Merfolk ends the game in one attack. Failing that, Kumena simply draws you out of any stall.
- Herald of Secret Streams - Makes the counter-laden board unblockable
- Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca - Converts a wide board into cards and counters
- Wildgrowth Walker - Grows and gains life off every explore
- Svyelun of Sea and Sky - Protection and card draw for Merfolk
~$168.09
estimated to build this deck
Commander (1)
Hakbal of the Surging Soul
Legendary Creature — Merfolk Scout
At the beginning of combat on your turn, each Merfolk creature you control explores. (Reveal the top card of your library. Put that card into your hand if it's a land. Otherwise, put a +1/+1 counter on the exploring creature, then put the card back or put it into your graveyard.)
Whenever Hakbal attacks, you may put a land card from your hand onto the battlefield. If you don't, draw a card.
Creatures (39)
Benthic Biomancer
Creature — Merfolk Wizard Mutant
$0.21
{1}{U}: Adapt 1. (If this creature has no +1/+1 counters on it, put a +1/+1 counter on it.)
Whenever one or more +1/+1 counters are put on this creature, draw a card, then discard a card.
Deeproot Elite
Creature — Merfolk Warrior
$0.29
Whenever another Merfolk you control enters, put a +1/+1 counter on target Merfolk you control.
Lord of Atlantis
Creature — Merfolk
$4.33
Other Merfolk get +1/+1 and have islandwalk. (They can't be blocked as long as defending player controls an Island.)
Master of the Pearl Trident
Creature — Merfolk
$0.66
Other Merfolk creatures you control get +1/+1 and have islandwalk. (They can't be blocked as long as defending player controls an Island.)
Merfolk Mistbinder
Creature — Merfolk Shaman
$0.2
Other Merfolk you control get +1/+1.
Metallic Mimic
Artifact Creature — Shapeshifter
$0.7
As this creature enters, choose a creature type.
This creature is the chosen type in addition to its other types.
Each other creature you control of the chosen type enters with an additional +1/+1 counter on it.
Nicanzil, Current Conductor
Legendary Creature — Merfolk Scout
$0.2
Whenever a creature you control explores a land card, you may put a land card from your hand onto the battlefield tapped.
Whenever a creature you control explores a nonland card, put a +1/+1 counter on Nicanzil.
Stonybrook Banneret
Creature — Merfolk Wizard
$0.28
Islandwalk (This creature can't be blocked as long as defending player controls an Island.)
Merfolk spells and Wizard spells you cast cost {1} less to cast.
Thieving Skydiver
Creature — Merfolk Rogue
$0.24
Kicker {X}. X can't be 0. (You may pay an additional {X} as you cast this spell.)
Flying
When this creature enters, if it was kicked, gain control of target artifact with mana value X or less. If that artifact is an Equipment, attach it to this creature.
Vodalian Hexcatcher
Creature — Merfolk Wizard
$5.37
Flash
Other Merfolk you control get +1/+1.
Sacrifice a Merfolk: Counter target noncreature spell unless its controller pays {1}.
Wildgrowth Walker
Creature — Elemental
$0.32
Whenever a creature you control explores, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature and you gain 3 life.
Cold-Eyed Selkie
Creature — Merfolk Rogue
$0.24
Islandwalk (This creature can't be blocked as long as defending player controls an Island.)
Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, you may draw that many cards.
Emperor Mihail II
Legendary Creature — Merfolk Noble
$0.31
You may look at the top card of your library any time.
You may cast Merfolk spells from the top of your library.
Whenever you cast a Merfolk spell, you may pay {1}. If you do, create a 1/1 blue Merfolk creature token.
Kopala, Warden of Waves
Legendary Creature — Merfolk Wizard
$0.35
Spells your opponents cast that target a Merfolk you control cost {2} more to cast.
Abilities your opponents activate that target a Merfolk you control cost {2} more to activate.
Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca
Legendary Creature — Merfolk Shaman
$0.3
Tap another untapped Merfolk you control: Kumena can't be blocked this turn.
Tap three untapped Merfolk you control: Draw a card.
Tap five untapped Merfolk you control: Put a +1/+1 counter on each Merfolk you control.
Lullmage Mentor
Creature — Merfolk Wizard
$8.61
Whenever a spell or ability you control counters a spell, you may create a 1/1 blue Merfolk creature token.
Tap seven untapped Merfolk you control: Counter target spell.
Merfolk Cave-Diver
Creature — Merfolk Scout
$0.16
Whenever a creature you control explores, this creature gets +1/+0 until end of turn and can't be blocked this turn.
Merfolk Sovereign
Creature — Merfolk Noble
$0.35
Other Merfolk creatures you control get +1/+1.
{T}: Target Merfolk creature can't be blocked this turn.
Merrow Reejerey
Creature — Merfolk Soldier
$0.25
Other Merfolk creatures you control get +1/+1.
Whenever you cast a Merfolk spell, you may tap or untap target permanent.
Realmwalker
Creature — Shapeshifter
$1.94
Changeling (This card is every creature type.)
As this creature enters, choose a creature type.
You may look at the top card of your library any time.
You may cast creature spells of the chosen type from the top of your library.
Sage of Fables
Creature — Merfolk Wizard
$0.28
Each other Wizard creature you control enters with an additional +1/+1 counter on it.
{2}, Remove a +1/+1 counter from a creature you control: Draw a card.
Singer of Swift Rivers
Creature — Merfolk Shaman
$0.25
Flash
When this creature enters, put a shield counter on another target creature you control. (If it would be dealt damage or destroyed, remove a shield counter from it instead.)
You may cast Merfolk spells as though they had flash.
Svyelun of Sea and Sky
Legendary Creature — Merfolk God
$0.43
Svyelun has indestructible as long as you control at least two other Merfolk.
Whenever Svyelun attacks, draw a card.
Other Merfolk you control have ward {1}. (Whenever another Merfolk you control becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter it unless that player pays {1}.)
Tishana's Tidebinder
Creature — Merfolk Wizard
$2.32
Flash
When this creature enters, counter up to one target activated or triggered ability. If an ability of an artifact, creature, or planeswalker is countered this way, that permanent loses all abilities for as long as this creature remains on the battlefield. (Mana abilities can't be targeted.)
Topography Tracker
Creature — Merfolk Scout
$0.29
When this creature enters, create a Map token. (It's an artifact with "{1}, {T}, Sacrifice this token: Target creature you control explores. Activate only as a sorcery.")
If a creature you control would explore, instead it explores, then it explores again.
Attuma, Atlantean Warlord
Legendary Creature — Merfolk Warrior Villain
$0.29
Other Merfolk you control get +1/+1.
Whenever one or more Merfolk you control attack a player, draw a card.
Deeproot Historian
Creature — Merfolk Druid
$0.28
Merfolk and Druid cards in your graveyard have retrace. (You may cast cards with retrace from your graveyard by discarding a land card in addition to paying their other costs.)
Herald of Secret Streams
Creature — Merfolk Warrior
$5.88
Creatures you control with +1/+1 counters on them can't be blocked.
Seafloor Oracle
Creature — Merfolk Wizard
$0.34
Whenever a Merfolk you control deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.
Surgespanner
Creature — Merfolk Wizard
$0.26
Whenever this creature becomes tapped, you may pay {1}{U}. If you do, return target permanent to its owner's hand.
Tributary Instructor
Creature — Merfolk Shaman
$0.26
Mentor (Whenever this creature attacks, put a +1/+1 counter on target attacking creature with lesser power.)
Whenever a creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it dies, draw a card.
Zegana, Utopian Speaker
Legendary Creature — Merfolk Wizard
$0.29
When Zegana enters, if you control another creature with a +1/+1 counter on it, draw a card.
{4}{G}{U}: Adapt 4. (If this creature has no +1/+1 counters on it, put four +1/+1 counters on it.)
Each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it has trample.
Mist Dancer
Creature — Merfolk Wizard
$0.29
Flying
Other Merfolk you control get +1/+0 and have flying.
Encore {5}{U}{U} ({5}{U}{U}, Exile this card from your graveyard: For each opponent, create a token copy that attacks that opponent this turn if able. They gain haste. Sacrifice them at the beginning of the next end step. Activate only as a sorcery.)
Namor, Scourge of the Seas
Legendary Creature — Mutant Merfolk Villain
$0.74
Flying
Each other Merfolk you control with a +1/+1 counter on it has flying.
At the beginning of combat on your turn, target creature you control connives. (Draw a card, then discard a card. If you discarded a nonland card, put a +1/+1 counter on that creature.)
Tatyova, Benthic Druid
Legendary Creature — Merfolk Druid
$0.23
Landfall — Whenever a land you control enters, you gain 1 life and draw a card.
Prime Speaker Zegana
Legendary Creature — Merfolk Wizard
$0.2
Prime Speaker Zegana enters with X +1/+1 counters on it, where X is the greatest power among other creatures you control.
When Prime Speaker Zegana enters, draw cards equal to its power.
Summon: Leviathan
Enchantment Creature — Saga Leviathan
$1.06
(As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter. Sacrifice after III.)
I — Return each creature that isn't a Kraken, Leviathan, Merfolk, Octopus, or Serpent to its owner's hand.
II, III — Until end of turn, whenever a Kraken, Leviathan, Merfolk, Octopus, or Serpent attacks, draw a card.
Ward {2}
Tishana, Voice of Thunder
Legendary Creature — Merfolk Shaman
$0.36
Tishana's power and toughness are each equal to the number of cards in your hand.
You have no maximum hand size.
When Tishana enters, draw a card for each creature you control.
Instants (9)
Rapid Hybridization
Instant
$0.77
Destroy target creature. It can't be regenerated. That creature's controller creates a 3/3 green Frog Lizard creature token.
Cyclonic Rift
Instant
$29.74
Return target nonland permanent you don't control to its owner's hand.
Overload {6}{U} (You may cast this spell for its overload cost. If you do, change "target" in its text to "each.")
Growth Spiral
Instant
$0.28
Draw a card. You may put a land card from your hand onto the battlefield.
Beast Within
Instant
$0.42
Destroy target permanent. Its controller creates a 3/3 green Beast creature token.
Quandrix Command
Instant
$0.24
Choose two —
• Return target creature or planeswalker to its owner's hand.
• Counter target artifact or enchantment spell.
• Put two +1/+1 counters on target creature.
• Target player shuffles up to three target cards from their graveyard into their library.
Ruinous Intrusion
Instant
$0.23
Exile target artifact or enchantment. Put X +1/+1 counters on target creature you control, where X is the mana value of the permanent exiled this way.
Sorceries (8)
Bygone Marvels
Sorcery
$0.22
Descend 8 — When you cast this spell, if there are eight or more permanent cards in your graveyard, copy this spell twice. You may choose new targets for the copies.
Return target permanent card from your graveyard to your hand. Exile Bygone Marvels.
Farseek
Sorcery
$0.43
Search your library for a Plains, Island, Swamp, or Mountain card, put it onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle.
Nature's Lore
Sorcery
$1.07
Search your library for a Forest card, put that card onto the battlefield, then shuffle.
Rampant Growth
Sorcery
$0.39
Search your library for a basic land card, put that card onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle.
Three Visits
Sorcery
$5.66
Search your library for a Forest card, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle.
Cultivate
Sorcery
$0.37
Search your library for up to two basic land cards, reveal those cards, put one onto the battlefield tapped and the other into your hand, then shuffle.
Kodama's Reach
Sorcery — Arcane
$1.5
Search your library for up to two basic land cards, reveal those cards, put one onto the battlefield tapped and the other into your hand, then shuffle.
Artifacts (2)
Arcane Signet
Artifact
$0.34
{T}: Add one mana of any color in your commander's color identity.
Enchantments (4)
Burgeoning
Enchantment
$33.3
Whenever an opponent plays a land, you may put a land card from your hand onto the battlefield.
Exploration
Enchantment
$29.42
You may play an additional land on each of your turns.
Hardened Scales
Enchantment
$2
If one or more +1/+1 counters would be put on a creature you control, that many plus one +1/+1 counters are put on it instead.
Deeproot Waters
Enchantment
$0.22
Whenever you cast a Merfolk spell, create a 1/1 blue Merfolk creature token with hexproof. (A creature with hexproof can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.)
Lands (37)
Alchemist's Refuge
Land
$0.4
{T}: Add {C}.
{G}{U}, {T}: You may cast spells this turn as though they had flash.
Command Tower
Land
$0.18
{T}: Add one mana of any color in your commander's color identity.
Dreamroot Cascade
Land
$0.85
This land enters tapped unless you control two or more other lands.
{T}: Add {G} or {U}.
Hinterland Harbor
Land
$0.3
This land enters tapped unless you control a Forest or an Island.
{T}: Add {G} or {U}.
Karn's Bastion
Land
$2.3
{T}: Add {C}.
{4}, {T}: Proliferate. (Choose any number of permanents and/or players, then give each another counter of each kind already there.)
Llanowar Reborn
Land
$0.21
This land enters tapped.
{T}: Add {G}.
Graft 1 (This land enters with a +1/+1 counter on it. Whenever a creature enters, you may move a +1/+1 counter from this land onto it.)
Mistrise Village
Land
$7.22
This land enters tapped unless you control a Mountain or a Forest.
{T}: Add {U}.
{U}, {T}: The next spell you cast this turn can't be countered.
Mosswort Bridge
Land
$0.26
Hideaway 4 (When this land enters, look at the top four cards of your library, exile one face down, then put the rest on the bottom in a random order.)
This land enters tapped.
{T}: Add {G}.
{G}, {T}: You may play the exiled card without paying its mana cost if creatures you control have total power 10 or greater.
Mystic Sanctuary
Land — Island
$1.01
({T}: Add {U}.)
This land enters tapped unless you control three or more other Islands.
When this land enters untapped, you may put target instant or sorcery card from your graveyard on top of your library.
Path of Ancestry
Land
$0.21
This land enters tapped.
{T}: Add one mana of any color in your commander's color identity. When that mana is spent to cast a creature spell that shares a creature type with your commander, scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom.)
Rogue's Passage
Land
$0.26
{T}: Add {C}.
{4}, {T}: Target creature can't be blocked this turn.
Secluded Courtyard
Land
$0.33
As this land enters, choose a creature type.
{T}: Add {C}.
{T}: Add one mana of any color. Spend this mana only to cast a creature spell of the chosen type or activate an ability of a creature source of the chosen type.
Simic Growth Chamber
Land
$0.24
This land enters tapped.
When this land enters, return a land you control to its owner's hand.
{T}: Add {G}{U}.
Temple of Mystery
Land
$0.17
This land enters tapped.
When this land enters, scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom.)
{T}: Add {G} or {U}.
Temple of the False God
Land
$0.17
{T}: Add {C}{C}. Activate only if you control five or more lands.
Unclaimed Territory
Land
$0.3
As this land enters, choose a creature type.
{T}: Add {C}.
{T}: Add one mana of any color. Spend this mana only to cast a creature spell of the chosen type.
Vineglimmer Snarl
Land
$0.23
As this land enters, you may reveal a Forest or Island card from your hand. If you don't, this land enters tapped.
{T}: Add {G} or {U}.
Basic lands: 7 Forest 12 Island
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