Master Eris, Roar of the Storm with expert strategies for spellslinger Commander decks in MTG Thunder Junction
Introduction to Eris, Roar of the Storm
The Thunder Junction Commander pre-con introduces Eris, Roar of the Storm – an exceptional choice for enthusiasts of dragon tribal themes, instant/sorcery combos, and aggressive creature enhancement strategies.
Debuting in the Quick Draw Thunder Junction Commander deck, Eris has rapidly become a community favorite among players exploring Outlaws of Thunder Junction’s offerings. This Izzet-aligned commander delivers a unique blend of spell-slinging excitement and dragon token generation that resonates with both casual and competitive players.
The card’s immediate popularity stems from its ability to bridge multiple playstyles, offering spell-heavy decks the creature presence they often lack while maintaining the explosive potential Izzet color combinations are known for.
Card Mechanics Deep Dive
Eris arrives with both flying and prowess, establishing immediate aerial threat potential. However, the card’s true power emerges from its token generation ability: whenever you cast your second spell during any turn, you create a 4/4 elemental dragon token with flying. This mechanic rewards strategic spell sequencing and enables offensive pressure during combat phases.
The initial 8UR casting cost appears daunting but features an ingenious reduction system. For each instant or sorcery card in your graveyard with a unique mana value, Eris costs 2 less generic mana to cast. In optimized spellslinger builds, this frequently reduces the cost to just UR, making the commander remarkably accessible despite its high base cost.
Strategic consideration: The second-spell trigger works on every turn, not just your own. This enables defensive token generation during opponents’ turns when casting instants, creating blockers or maintaining offensive pressure outside your main phase.
Advanced Deck Building Strategies
Building around Eris requires careful mana value distribution across your instant and sorcery spells. Include a spread of costs (1-6 mana) to maximize the cost reduction potential. Low-cost cantrips like Opt and Consider provide early graveyard filling, while higher-cost board wipes and game-enders ensure later reduction.
Prioritize instant-speed interaction to activate Eris’s ability during opponents’ turns. Cards like Counterspell, Mystical Confluence, and Electrolyze serve dual purposes: protecting your board while generating dragon tokens. This transforms your defensive plays into offensive opportunities.
Include spell copy effects like Twincast and Increasing Vengeance to double your token generation. When you copy a spell, it counts as casting another spell, potentially triggering Eris’s ability multiple times in a single turn cycle for explosive dragon army creation.
Community insight from Reddit user idbachli captures the excitement: “Well I finally found the Izzet Commander I want to build. Holy smokes is this thing cool!” Another player, RhysticPlayer, added: “Exactly, I wanted to build an Izzet dragon deck that felt unique and in line with the nature of the color identity, not just ‘it’s a dragon deck but with blue for counterspells’.”
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Many players underestimate the importance of graveyard diversity. Loading your deck with only 1-2 mana value spells severely limits Eris’s cost reduction potential. Solution: Include a balanced spread of spell costs from 1-6 mana to ensure maximum discount efficiency.
Timing mistakes often occur with the second-spell trigger. Players frequently use their best spells early, missing opportunities for token generation during opponents’ turns. Solution: Hold instant-speed interaction specifically for opponents’ turns to trigger Eris defensively while advancing your board state.
Over-reliance on Eris as the only win condition leaves decks vulnerable to removal. Solution: Include backup dragon generators like Young Pyromancer or Talrand, Sky Summoner, plus traditional Izzet finishers like Niv-Mizzet, Parun to maintain pressure if Eris gets countered or destroyed.
Izzet color combinations deliver exceptional gameplay for spell-focused enthusiasts, and Eris perfectly serves players wanting spell-slinging excitement alongside substantial creature presence. This commander enables aggressive strategies while maintaining the complex decision-making that defines skilled Magic play.
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » MTG players are loving new dragon-summoning Commander Master Eris, Roar of the Storm with expert strategies for spellslinger Commander decks in MTG Thunder Junction
