One thing I haven’t done so far is to make a voltron-style deck. This means focussing on one creature, and suit it up with all kinds of auras and equipments, and try to win with that, typically through commander damage. One option I had in mind is Hope of Ghirapur, transforming the little legendary ornithopter into a giant battleship. Another is to use Danitha Capashen, Paragon, who starts out as a decent body anyway, and suit her up as an ultimate warrior. But I think that the one card that truly makes me happy is Valduk, Keeper of the Flame.
I mean, the art alone is fantastic and badass, and reminds me of classic fantasy art like that of Frank Frazetta. And then there is the promise of tokens, lots and lots of tokens. Something tells me that with Valduk at the helm, opponents are in for a Savage Beating! And then there is the dream:
How awesome would it be to have a couple of elementals, then use the Dragon Throne of Tarkir to make them even bigger than a fully suited up Valduk? Even more dreamy: Then use the Umbral Mantel to untap Valduk, and boost the elementals again with Throne. I also like how Umbral Mantel has an equip cost of so, in the case that Valduk dies, I can bring him back from the command zone and get at least one elemental out of him for free. Because the downside of a Voltron-style deck is that it’s putting all the eggs in one basket, and sometimes it’s hard to get back into the game once your commander gets shut down.
Part of living the dream is making sure I find the Throne often enough. Godo, Bandit Warlord is the goto man to find a specific equipment. As a bonus, there is the extra combat step he provides. Sure, any elemental token stays tapped unless I somehow give them vigilance or turn them into samurai, but the extra combat ensures Valduk makes new tokens, so that’s covered as well. Angel’s Trumpet and Akroma’s Memorial do fit the bill in making sure my elementals stay ready to attack a second time though.
There are many cards that give extra combat phases, and they should be nothing less than great here. Mono doesn’t get to deal with some of the problems, so promising opponents a swift and fiery death seems like the best way to succeed. I think Valduk does have it in him to make that happen.