Commander Theme Decks: Game Of Thrones

[Note: Please don’t spoil things for other readers and commenters for the sake of a throwaway joke. Storytelling is largely about emotional response. Don’t take that away for someone else who hasn’t yet experienced what you have. By default, this article contains some implicit spoilers about the Game of Thrones story, but they are intentionally minimal. Thank you.]

Sadly, Game of Thrones is over for now. The storytelling cultural landmark of our time is taking one last breather before coming back with more death, sex, destruction, and betrayal than ever before! Actually, it can’t, because lots of people are dead. So it’ll have that stuff, but…you know, less of it. Probably.

Here are some decks.

Catelyn Stark (Autumn Willow)

Danny West

Test deck on 08-25-2017

Commander

Creatures (24)

• 1 Argothian Enchantress
• 1 Kodama of the North Tree
• 1 Autumn Willow
• 1 Yavimaya Elder
• 1 Sylvan Safekeeper
• 1 Boreal Druid
• 1 Ohran Viper
• 1 Baru, Fist of Krosa
• 1 Master of the Wild Hunt
• 1 Wolfbriar Elemental
• 1 Sacred Wolf
• 1 Dungrove Elder
• 1 Jade Mage
• 1 Kessig Cagebreakers
• 1 Wolfir Silverheart
• 1 Ulvenwald Tracker
• 1 Dreampod Druid
• 1 Thragtusk
• 1 Witchstalker
• 1 Nylea, God of the Hunt
• 1 Hornet Nest
• 1 Kalonian Twingrove
• 1 Tireless Tracker
• 1 Byway Courier

Planeswalkers (1)

• 1 Garruk, Primal Hunter

Lands (33)

• 1 Gaea's Cradle
• 1 Ancient Tomb
• 1 Okina, Temple to the Grandfathers
• 1 Yavimaya Hollow
• 23 Snow-Covered Forest
• 1 Mouth of Ronom
• 1 Scrying Sheets
• 1 Oran-Rief, the Vastwood
• 1 Command Tower
• 1 Homeward Path
• 1 Path of Ancestry

Spells (42)

• 1 Rancor
• 1 Enshrined Memories
• 1 Scroll Rack
• 1 Sylvan Library
• 1 Sol Ring
• 1 Mana Crypt
• 1 Worldly Tutor
• 1 Sword of Fire and Ice
• 1 Blanchwood Armor
• 1 Lightning Greaves
• 1 Slate of Ancestry
• 1 City of Solitude
• 1 Ancestral Mask
• 1 Worn Powerstone
• 1 Greater Good
• 1 Skyshroud Claim
• 1 Grizzly Fate
• 1 Fists of Ironwood
• 1 Coldsteel Heart
• 1 Into the North
• 1 Harmonize
• 1 Keen Sense
• 1 Howl of the Night Pack
• 1 Expedition Map
• 1 Khalni Heart Expedition
• 1 Canopy Cover
• 1 Bear Umbra
• 1 Cultivate
• 1 Asceticism
• 1 Sword of Feast and Famine
• 1 Vow of Wildness
• 1 Hunter's Insight
• 1 Feed the Pack
• 1 Primal Vigor
• 1 Raised by Wolves
• 1 Predator's Howl
• 1 Wolfcaller's Howl
• 1 Magnifying Glass
• 1 Second Harvest
• 1 Ulvenwald Mysteries
• 1 Seasons Past
• 1 Moonlight Hunt

Who: Catelyn Stark, Lady of Winterfell

Advertised Occupation: Mother and Diplomat

Actual Occupation: Enhancement Talent

The Deck: Catelyn lives in the woods with her wood friends, so they’re all about Wolves and Trees and such. She’s not much on power or strategy, so she pretty much wants to hang out by herself with her people and be left alone. Now, you can still win with this deck by putting an Aura on a Sacred Wolf or Dungrove Elder, but the more likely outcome is that you get ignored entirely and then die to someone playing something smarter or more powerful, like Cyclonic Rift or Jackal Pup.

The High Sparrow (Mikaeus, the Lunarch)

Danny West

Test deck on 08-28-2017

Commander

Creatures (28)

• 1 Mother of Runes
• 1 Atalya, Samite Master
• 1 Preacher
• 1 Soul Warden
• 1 Beloved Chaplain
• 1 Weathered Wayfarer
• 1 True Believer
• 1 Abbey Matron
• 1 Planar Guide
• 1 Glowrider
• 1 Doubtless One
• 1 Ancestor's Prophet
• 1 False Prophet
• 1 Academy Rector
• 1 Mesa Enchantress
• 1 Ranger of Eos
• 1 Soul's Attendant
• 1 Transcendent Master
• 1 Serra Ascendant
• 1 Grand Abolisher
• 1 Mikaeus, the Lunarch
• 1 Mentor of the Meek
• 1 Fiend Hunter
• 1 Devout Chaplain
• 1 Banisher Priest
• 1 Evangel of Heliod
• 1 Containment Priest
• 1 Sanctum Prelate

Planeswalkers (1)

• 1 Elspeth, Sun's Champion

Lands (30)

• 1 Strip Mine
• 24 Plains
• 1 Wasteland
• 1 Temple of the False God
• 1 Flagstones of Trokair
• 1 Cavern of Souls
• 1 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx

Spells (41)

• 1 Wrath of God
• 1 Enlightened Tutor
• 1 Scroll Rack
• 1 Pearl Medallion
• 1 Swords to Plowshares
• 1 Sol Ring
• 1 Pacifism
• 1 Well of Lost Dreams
• 1 Liar's Pendulum
• 1 Arrest
• 1 Oblation
• 1 Inheritance
• 1 Marble Diamond
• 1 Thran Tome
• 1 Mind Stone
• 1 Pursuit of Knowledge
• 1 Crackdown
• 1 Bargaining Table
• 1 Barrin's Codex
• 1 Karmic Justice
• 1 Condemn
• 1 Return to Dust
• 1 Austere Command
• 1 Idyllic Tutor
• 1 Mass Calcify
• 1 Honor of the Pure
• 1 Day of Judgment
• 1 Temple Bell
• 1 True Conviction
• 1 Increasing Devotion
• 1 Cathars' Crusade
• 1 Faith's Reward
• 1 Launch the Fleet
• 1 Dictate of Heliod
• 1 Banishing Light
• 1 Fell the Mighty
• 1 Deploy to the Front
• 1 Secure the Wastes
• 1 Hedron Archive
• 1 Always Watching
• 1 Anointed Procession

Who: The High Sparrow, Leader of King’s Landing’s Largest Religious Movement

Advertised Occupation: Saint and Spirit Guide

Actual Occupation: Shoe Condemner

The Deck: Don’t even look, heathen! Reading decklists is a filthy, filthy crime!

Khal Drogo (Kresh the Bloodbraided)

Danny West

Test deck on 08-28-2017

Commander

Creatures (25)

• 1 Godo, Bandit Warlord
• 1 Jeska, Warrior Adept
• 1 Anger
• 1 Eternal Witness
• 1 Brawn
• 1 Kresh the Bloodbraided
• 1 Bloodbraid Elf
• 1 Viscera Seer
• 1 Zealous Conscripts
• 1 Disciple of Bolas
• 1 Burning-Tree Emissary
• 1 Rubblebelt Raiders
• 1 Xenagos, God of Revels
• 1 Archetype of Aggression
• 1 Grim Haruspex
• 1 Mardu Strike Leader
• 1 Den Protector
• 1 Graveblade Marauder
• 1 Meren of Clan Nel Toth
• 1 Pathbreaker Ibex
• 1 Grim Flayer
• 1 Reyhan, Last of the Abzan
• 1 Combat Celebrant
• 1 Rhonas the Indomitable
• 1 Bloodlust Inciter

Planeswalkers (4)

• 1 Sarkhan Vol
• 1 Domri Rade
• 1 Garruk, Caller of Beasts
• 1 Garruk, Apex Predator

Lands (33)

• 1 Strip Mine
• 3 Forest
• 1 Llanowar Wastes
• 1 Wasteland
• 3 Swamp
• 4 Mountain
• 1 Hall of the Bandit Lord
• 1 Tainted Wood
• 1 Bloodstained Mire
• 1 Temple of the False God
• 1 Golgari Rot Farm
• 1 Overgrown Tomb
• 1 Gruul Turf
• 1 Stomping Ground
• 1 Blood Crypt
• 1 Fire-Lit Thicket
• 1 Jund Panorama
• 1 Savage Lands
• 1 Dragonskull Summit
• 1 Rootbound Crag
• 1 Akoum Refuge
• 1 Evolving Wilds
• 1 Command Tower
• 1 Kessig Wolf Run
• 1 Temple of Abandon
• 1 Cinder Glade

Spells (38)

• 1 Overrun
• 1 Sol Ring
• 1 Relentless Assault
• 1 Devastation
• 1 Rain of Daggers
• 1 Grave Pact
• 1 Rampant Growth
• 1 Tenza, Godo's Maul
• 1 Terminate
• 1 Decimate
• 1 Decree of Pain
• 1 Loxodon Warhammer
• 1 Lightning Greaves
• 1 Phyrexian Arena
• 1 Fireshrieker
• 1 Overwhelming Forces
• 1 Savage Twister
• 1 Survival of the Fittest
• 1 Attrition
• 1 Putrefy
• 1 Gruul Signet
• 1 Rakdos Signet
• 1 Harmonize
• 1 Obsidian Battle-Axe
• 1 Blight Sickle
• 1 Rage Reflection
• 1 Violent Ultimatum
• 1 Mage Slayer
• 1 Consume the Meek
• 1 World at War
• 1 Cultivate
• 1 Sword of Feast and Famine
• 1 Go for the Throat
• 1 Increasing Savagery
• 1 Hero's Downfall
• 1 Deathreap Ritual
• 1 Raiders' Spoils
• 1 Ever After

Who: Drogo, Conquering Illiterate

Advertised Occupation: Horse Whisperer

Actual Occupation: Horse Yeller

The Deck: Gather your Warriors and your weapons and start grunting! The Khal is followed by those who follow power, so it’s a shame you can’t play with the Power 9 in this format. It’s just as well. The Khal would probably laugh and tear them up. Weapons, deities, tribespeople. The equation is quite simple. Laugh in the gore of your enemies as your trample them. I’m guessing the Dothraki do have a word for “trample.”

Ygritte (Radha, Heir to Keld)

Danny West

Test deck on 08-28-2017

Commander

Creatures (21)

• 1 Anger
• 1 Kamahl, Fist of Krosa
• 1 Eternal Witness
• 1 Yavimaya Elder
• 1 Bloodshot Cyclops
• 1 Keldon Marauders
• 1 Radha, Heir to Keld
• 1 Boldwyr Intimidator
• 1 Sunrise Sovereign
• 1 Countryside Crusher
• 1 Furystoke Giant
• 1 Bloodbraid Elf
• 1 Inferno Titan
• 1 Zealous Conscripts
• 1 Ulvenwald Tracker
• 1 Burning-Tree Emissary
• 1 Scab-Clan Giant
• 1 Zhur-Taa Druid
• 1 Titan of Eternal Fire
• 1 Heir of the Wilds
• 1 Warchief Giant

Planeswalkers (4)

• 1 Garruk Wildspeaker
• 1 Domri Rade
• 1 Garruk, Caller of Beasts
• 1 Samut, the Tested

Lands (28)

• 1 Wooded Foothills
• 1 Taiga
• 14 Snow-Covered Mountain
• 10 Snow-Covered Forest
• 1 Mouth of Ronom
• 1 Scrying Sheets

Spells (47)

• 1 Plow Under
• 1 Sol Ring
• 1 Incinerate
• 1 Price of Progress
• 1 Bonesplitter
• 1 Decimate
• 1 Magma Jet
• 1 Savage Beating
• 1 Viridian Longbow
• 1 Slate of Ancestry
• 1 Insurrection
• 1 Aggravated Assault
• 1 Defense of the Heart
• 1 Blazing Salvo
• 1 Chord of Calling
• 1 Gruul Signet
• 1 Gruul War Plow
• 1 Coldsteel Heart
• 1 Into the North
• 1 Skred
• 1 Ancient Grudge
• 1 Gauntlet of Power
• 1 Search for Tomorrow
• 1 Primal Command
• 1 Vengeful Rebirth
• 1 Bear Umbra
• 1 Realms Uncharted
• 1 Sword of Vengeance
• 1 Hunter's Insight
• 1 Warstorm Surge
• 1 Brimstone Volley
• 1 Harvest Pyre
• 1 Searing Spear
• 1 Clan Defiance
• 1 Skullcrack
• 1 Signal the Clans
• 1 Pit Fight
• 1 Dead
• 1 Bow of Nylea
• 1 Fall of the Hammer
• 1 See the Unwritten
• 1 Savage Punch
• 1 Heart-Piercer Bow
• 1 Shamanic Revelation
• 1 Temur Battle Rage
• 1 Collective Defiance
• 1 Abrade

Who: Ygritte, Freckled Barbarian

Advertised Occupation: Human Pin Cushion Maker

Actual Occupation: Profound Romantic Meme Generator

The Deck: It was hard to make this deck different from the last one. I don’t mean to sound prejudiced, but exiled northern winter peoples with lots of fur and battle axes look a lot like horse-mounted bearded mascara-wearers that live in desert tents. I’m not racist. I have several Dothraki friends.

The one bonus thing about this bunch if that you can use Giants! For some reason (don’t explain it to me, lore guy), Giants pretty much only live beyond the wall. I don’t know. Maybe they just like the freezing weather. I mean, people like living in Canada, right? Hey oh! Just kidding. I like Canada! They have some hockeys.

Cersei Lannister (Queen Marchesa)

Danny West

Test deck on 08-28-2017

Commander

Creatures (25)

• 1 White Knight
• 1 Knight of Stromgald
• 1 Black Knight
• 1 Royal Assassin
• 1 Silver Knight
• 1 Dark Confidant
• 1 Blood Knight
• 1 Knight of the White Orchid
• 1 Knight-Captain of Eos
• 1 Captain of the Watch
• 1 Knight Exemplar
• 1 Hero of Bladehold
• 1 Hero of Oxid Ridge
• 1 Knight of Glory
• 1 Knight of Infamy
• 1 Attended Knight
• 1 Disciple of Bolas
• 1 High Priest of Penance
• 1 Sin Collector
• 1 Recruiter of the Guard
• 1 Queen Marchesa
• 1 Throne Warden
• 1 Protector of the Crown
• 1 Palace Jailer
• 1 Kambal, Consul of Allocation

Planeswalkers (1)

• 1 Gideon Jura

Lands (28)

• 1 Strip Mine
• 2 Plains
• 1 Reflecting Pool
• 2 Swamp
• 2 Mountain
• 1 Scrubland
• 1 Badlands
• 1 Bloodstained Mire
• 1 High Market
• 1 Battlefield Forge
• 1 Sacred Foundry
• 1 Godless Shrine
• 1 Blood Crypt
• 1 Reliquary Tower
• 1 Arid Mesa
• 1 Command Tower
• 1 Isolated Chapel
• 1 Clifftop Retreat
• 1 Slayers' Stronghold
• 1 Rogue's Passage
• 1 Temple of Silence
• 1 Temple of Triumph
• 1 Nomad Outpost
• 1 Concealed Courtyard
• 1 Inspiring Vantage

Spells (46)

• 1 Vampiric Tutor
• 1 Enlightened Tutor
• 1 Sol Ring
• 1 Darksteel Ingot
• 1 Terminate
• 1 Mobilization
• 1 Night's Whisper
• 1 Sword of Fire and Ice
• 1 No Mercy
• 1 Crawlspace
• 1 Gamble
• 1 Mind Stone
• 1 Altar of Dementia
• 1 Vindicate
• 1 Boros Signet
• 1 Master Warcraft
• 1 Mortify
• 1 Orzhov Signet
• 1 Rakdos Signet
• 1 Austere Command
• 1 Beseech the Queen
• 1 Everlasting Torment
• 1 Spiteful Visions
• 1 Silence
• 1 Faithless Looting
• 1 Searing Spear
• 1 Murder
• 1 Public Execution
• 1 Assemble the Legion
• 1 Blind Obedience
• 1 Merciless Eviction
• 1 Read the Bones
• 1 Hero's Downfall
• 1 Council's Judgment
• 1 Comeuppance
• 1 Damnable Pact
• 1 Secure the Wastes
• 1 Thought Vessel
• 1 Anguished Unmaking
• 1 Capital Punishment
• 1 Marchesa's Decree
• 1 Key to the City
• 1 Authority of the Consuls
• 1 Cathartic Reunion
• 1 Cast Out
• 1 Overwhelming Splendor

Who: Cersei, Relatable Protagonist

Advertised Occupation: Stay-at-Home Mom

Actual Occupation: Martin Shkreli

The Deck: Ah yes, the thousand-yard sneer herself. If you want to turn your next Commander roundtable into a Game of Thrones-style throat-cutting, I recommend picking up a few boxes of Conspiracy: Take the Crown. Based on what we’re seeing here, Cersei is the only one of this bunch that actually wants to be the monarch mechanically. We need the next set to have puppeteers and masterminds that force others to become the monarch. Maybe we do and I just didn’t see them. I miss lots of important things when looking through Gatherer.

…

…Shame!

Ramsay Bolton (Kaervek the Merciless)

Danny West

Test deck on 08-28-2017

Commander

Creatures (27)

• 7 Relentless Rats
• 1 Swarm of Rats
• 1 Lava Hounds
• 1 Crypt Rats
• 1 Blood Hound
• 1 Infected Vermin
• 1 Dark Confidant
• 1 Hellhole Rats
• 1 Lyzolda, the Blood Witch
• 1 Ratcatcher
• 1 Kaervek the Merciless
• 1 Magus of the Coffers
• 1 Skinrender
• 1 Hound of Griselbrand
• 1 Pack Rat
• 1 Tavern Swindler
• 1 Drainpipe Vermin
• 1 Fate Unraveler
• 1 Scab-Clan Berserker
• 1 Tree of Perdition
• 1 Harsh Mentor

Planeswalkers (1)

• 1 Ob Nixilis of the Black Oath

Lands (32)

• 1 Cabal Coffers
• 6 Swamp
• 7 Mountain
• 1 Ancient Tomb
• 1 Shadowblood Ridge
• 1 Tainted Peak
• 1 Bloodstained Mire
• 1 Lake of the Dead
• 1 Blood Crypt
• 1 Molten Slagheap
• 1 Swarmyard
• 1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
• 1 Graven Cairns
• 1 Dragonskull Summit
• 1 Command Tower
• 1 Stensia Bloodhall
• 1 Rakdos Guildgate
• 1 Rogue's Passage
• 1 Temple of Malice
• 1 Smoldering Marsh
• 1 Warped Landscape

Spells (40)

• 1 Duress
• 1 Sol Ring
• 1 Demonic Tutor
• 1 Manabarbs
• 1 Greed
• 1 Decree of Pain
• 1 Torture
• 1 Talisman of Indulgence
• 1 Mind Stone
• 1 Spellshock
• 1 Corrupt
• 1 Void
• 1 Fiery Temper
• 1 Pain Magnification
• 1 Wrecking Ball
• 1 Pyrohemia
• 1 Profane Command
• 1 Thoughtseize
• 1 Mind Shatter
• 1 Everlasting Torment
• 1 Spiteful Visions
• 1 Wound Reflection
• 1 Bituminous Blast
• 1 Expedition Map
• 1 Exsanguinate
• 1 Go for the Throat
• 1 Despise
• 1 Life's Finale
• 1 Mindcrank
• 1 Blasphemous Act
• 1 Faithless Looting
• 1 Tragic Slip
• 1 Murder
• 1 Havoc Festival
• 1 Slaughter Games
• 1 Skull Rend
• 1 Hero's Downfall
• 1 Commander's Sphere
• 1 Murderous Compulsion
• 1 Lay Bare the Heart

Who: Ramsay Bolton, Lord of Hoozawhatsit

Advertised Occupation: Squirrel Microwaver

Actual Occupation: Martin Shkreli’s Brother, the One Who Didn’t “Turn Out Well”

The Deck: Everything Ramsay touches or governs turns into a North Korean press release, so his deck is filled with bad activities, Rats, and more bad activities. If you haven’t seen the show yet, Ramsay is the character that most frequently makes people gag. Also, why are you trapped in 2012? Can you hear us in there?! Blink three times if you’re safe!

Daenerys Targaryen (Kaalia of the Vast)

Danny West

Test deck on 08-25-2017

Commander

Creatures (21)

• 1 Dragonspeaker Shaman
• 1 Captain of the Watch
• 1 Stoneforge Mystic
• 1 Knight Exemplar
• 1 Mirran Crusader
• 1 Hero of Bladehold
• 1 Puresteel Paladin
• 1 Kaalia of the Vast
• 1 Mana-Charged Dragon
• 1 Balefire Dragon
• 1 Silverblade Paladin
• 1 Zealous Conscripts
• 1 Odric, Master Tactician
• 1 Hellkite Tyrant
• 1 Chief of the Scale
• 1 Chief of the Edge
• 1 Alesha, Who Smiles at Death
• 1 Arashin Foremost
• 1 Blood-Chin Rager
• 1 Dutiful Attendant
• 1 Graveblade Marauder

Planeswalkers (2)

• 1 Gideon Jura
• 1 Kaya, Ghost Assassin

Lands (32)

• 1 Plains
• 1 Reflecting Pool
• 1 Sulfurous Springs
• 2 Swamp
• 3 Mountain
• 1 Eiganjo Castle
• 1 Shadowblood Ridge
• 1 Barbarian Ring
• 1 Tainted Peak
• 1 Bloodstained Mire
• 1 Sacred Foundry
• 1 Godless Shrine
• 1 Blood Crypt
• 1 Rugged Prairie
• 1 Dragonskull Summit
• 1 Arid Mesa
• 1 Homeward Path
• 1 Cavern of Souls
• 1 Temple of Triumph
• 1 Temple of Malice
• 1 Nomad Outpost
• 1 Arcane Lighthouse
• 1 Crucible of the Spirit Dragon
• 1 Haven of the Spirit Dragon
• 1 Inspiring Vantage
• 1 Desert of the Fervent
• 1 Desert of the Glorified
• 1 Ramunap Ruins
• 1 Survivors' Encampment

Spells (45)

• 1 Swords to Plowshares
• 1 Sol Ring
• 1 Fellwar Stone
• 1 Darksteel Ingot
• 1 Sword of Fire and Ice
• 1 Loxodon Warhammer
• 1 Lightning Greaves
• 1 Talisman of Indulgence
• 1 Fireshrieker
• 1 Marble Diamond
• 1 Fire Diamond
• 1 Mind Stone
• 1 Heart of Ramos
• 1 Vindicate
• 1 Manriki-Gusari
• 1 Boros Signet
• 1 Orzhov Signet
• 1 Rakdos Signet
• 1 Braid of Fire
• 1 Chromatic Star
• 1 Austere Command
• 1 Profane Command
• 1 Obsidian Battle-Axe
• 1 Beseech the Queen
• 1 Martial Coup
• 1 Banefire
• 1 Open the Vaults
• 1 Day of Judgment
• 1 Basilisk Collar
• 1 True Conviction
• 1 Livewire Lash
• 1 Darksteel Plate
• 1 Increasing Ambition
• 1 Bonfire of the Damned
• 1 Staff of Nin
• 1 Magmaquake
• 1 Trading Post
• 1 Chromatic Lantern
• 1 Assemble the Legion
• 1 Merciless Eviction
• 1 Crackling Doom
• 1 Commander's Sphere
• 1 Outpost Siege
• 1 Secure the Wastes
• 1 Entrapment Maneuver

Who: Daenerys Stormborn, Breaker of Chains, Rightful Leader of the Andals and the First Men, Protector of the Realm, Hardee’s Employee of the Month

Advertised Occupation: Good Person.

Actual Occupation: Bad Person, but Since We’re Grading on a Curve in this Endless Bloodshot Hellscape, I Guess She’ll Do.

The Deck: There are only three Dragons because there are only three Dragons. If you just load it up with more Dragons than she actually has, what are you even doing? Show some restraint, man! She has lots of Warriors, Soldiers, and other handsome men and women advising her. None of them can explain to me why she’s supposed to be the hero. She, the one who has commited endless self-serving murder and unspeakable human atrocities in the name of a bloodline and who—oh, what’s that? Oh, right, her hair is pretty. Fair enough!

There’s a special place in hell for people who think her actual name is “Khaleesi” after seven seasons.