This deck actually has two big problems which can be addressed with few upgrades well, fewer upgrades and squirrel away. It needs to upgrade to the Mana Base and something to protect the commander and keep it on the field. I would suggest better hexproofing or shroud. Something like that which can't be removed so easily. Since this deck ramps really hard really fast, I am going to suggest archetype of endurance. Once you have that in place, removing the face commander isn't going to be so simple. Especially if you can make archetype of endurance and destructible. Unlike squirrel the way, animated army is a deck that you will have to deal with as soon as possible. Paying attention to those many hate posts about this deck and underestimating it is a very bad idea. This deck specializes in cheap casting creatures in by various means. That is something which people need to keep in mind. That is why the creature base is the way it is. I might also replace that creature draw spell with more efficient card draw. West squirrel away, you have a bit of time. You can leave it alone and deal with this deck first, then address squirrel away later on.
I think part of the fun with this commander is how many different ways you could build this. You could focus on vehicles, big value artifacts, or value enchantments. With the leylines idea, while it'd be great to pull off getting 4/4's out for free on turn 0, it feels like their are better value 4 drops that will also do something when they attack, or when you cast more enchantment-creatures. I also get the idea of tendershoot or rampaging, because on other people's turns, you're going to need blockers, preferably blockers you're making by just playing the game. Agree though 6 mana for rampaging wouldn't feel good to play and pass in this.
@@pip_tealeaf thanks for the comment! I completely agree, leylines is just what I'm excited about with Bello since it's so unique, but yes there's so many ways to go! I can't help but only wish they included an actual direction in this precon. -Joseph
you could definitely turn this into a great enchantress deck. something vaguely similar to enduring enchantments from Commander Masters. so if I bought that deck, it would be as a project. not adding an only up to 10 or 15 cards max.
@@MTGThoughtcast this set is all kinds of crazy, because of how you could upgrade both animate army and family matters. turning family matters for example into a eldrazi Deck, with little miniatures running around with annihilator 4 🤣 or turn animate army into the artifact or enchantress deck of your dreams.
Cool video! Been familiar with Commander for a while now and play on TTS with friends very casually, really like this deck and might actually buy it as my first deck!
@@carly110698 I think it's so neat! They're not great to cast, but if you start with 1 or 2 of them on the field, you'll be so ahead on turn 3 when you cast Bello!
Jimmy, the most fun commanders for this set are from animated army and family matters. but, since this is a video about animated army... me personally on the upgrade path? I am starting with some protective measures for the commander specifically. adding in plenty of hexproofing and graveyard recursion. just so I can bring that out of the graveyard at any time with ease. after all, there's one thing I've learned from match the gathering... it is at graveyard recursion can be found in any color identity. why would I include such a defensive package for the commander though? because I see other players gunning for him, much like they would go for the commander from explorers of the Deep. Yes, I see Bello spending quite a lot of time in the command zone. barely any on the battlefield as it is. but let's say I get that issue taken care of. My next focus is to choose an upgrade path, either artifacts or enchantments.... both. I kind of prefer enchantments though and would convert animated army into a good enchantress deck.
@@MTGThoughtcast I'm thinking for upgrades replace the 2 drop mana rocks with land ramp, 1 drop mana dorks, and 4 drop quality artifacts and enchantments. Seems more like a blue thing than Gruul but whatever lol.
very OP commander options. agree burnished hart is ridiculous in green, they totally scammed us there; could have reprinted something much tastier like skyshroud claim or something.
they insist on giving us these little no nothings instead of giving us better ramp or card draw. in most cases, I always replace the nothings like that.
@@unanon_user I see it like the first challenge in a gauntlet, you have to determine what DOESN'T work in the deck, long before deciding what will make it stronger! -Joseph
You make your own creatures attack "Grothma, All-Devouring" to draw 8.
This deck actually has two big problems which can be addressed with few upgrades well, fewer upgrades and squirrel away.
It needs to upgrade to the Mana Base and something to protect the commander and keep it on the field. I would suggest better hexproofing or shroud. Something like that which can't be removed so easily.
Since this deck ramps really hard really fast, I am going to suggest archetype of endurance. Once you have that in place, removing the face commander isn't going to be so simple. Especially if you can make archetype of endurance and destructible.
Unlike squirrel the way, animated army is a deck that you will have to deal with as soon as possible. Paying attention to those many hate posts about this deck and underestimating it is a very bad idea.
This deck specializes in cheap casting creatures in by various means. That is something which people need to keep in mind. That is why the creature base is the way it is.
I might also replace that creature draw spell with more efficient card draw.
West squirrel away, you have a bit of time. You can leave it alone and deal with this deck first, then address squirrel away later on.
I think part of the fun with this commander is how many different ways you could build this. You could focus on vehicles, big value artifacts, or value enchantments. With the leylines idea, while it'd be great to pull off getting 4/4's out for free on turn 0, it feels like their are better value 4 drops that will also do something when they attack, or when you cast more enchantment-creatures. I also get the idea of tendershoot or rampaging, because on other people's turns, you're going to need blockers, preferably blockers you're making by just playing the game. Agree though 6 mana for rampaging wouldn't feel good to play and pass in this.
@@pip_tealeaf thanks for the comment!
I completely agree, leylines is just what I'm excited about with Bello since it's so unique, but yes there's so many ways to go! I can't help but only wish they included an actual direction in this precon.
-Joseph
you could definitely turn this into a great enchantress deck. something vaguely similar to enduring enchantments from Commander Masters.
so if I bought that deck, it would be as a project. not adding an only up to 10 or 15 cards max.
@@unanon_user could be a good mashup 🤔
@@MTGThoughtcast this set is all kinds of crazy, because of how you could upgrade both animate army and family matters. turning family matters for example into a eldrazi Deck, with little miniatures running around with annihilator 4 🤣
or turn animate army into the artifact or enchantress deck of your dreams.
Great idea of adding leylines. I will be doing that. Thanks! :)
@@gherkinsquad4974 yes!!
Cool video! Been familiar with Commander for a while now and play on TTS with friends very casually, really like this deck and might actually buy it as my first deck!
@@carly110698 yes! Welcome to it!
@@MTGThoughtcast Love the layline idea, I might just add a bunch of them!
@@carly110698 I think it's so neat! They're not great to cast, but if you start with 1 or 2 of them on the field, you'll be so ahead on turn 3 when you cast Bello!
Jimmy, the most fun commanders for this set are from animated army and family matters. but, since this is a video about animated army...
me personally on the upgrade path? I am starting with some protective measures for the commander specifically. adding in plenty of hexproofing and graveyard recursion. just so I can bring that out of the graveyard at any time with ease. after all, there's one thing I've learned from match the gathering... it is at graveyard recursion can be found in any color identity.
why would I include such a defensive package for the commander though? because I see other players gunning for him, much like they would go for the commander from explorers of the Deep.
Yes, I see Bello spending quite a lot of time in the command zone. barely any on the battlefield as it is.
but let's say I get that issue taken care of. My next focus is to choose an upgrade path, either artifacts or enchantments.... both.
I kind of prefer enchantments though and would convert animated army into a good enchantress deck.
If you tap thran dynamo for the mana ability while it’s an elemental, that means you can’t attack with it that turn?
Yep, you got it! I guess the goal could be give it vigilance so you can swing, then tap for mana on your second main phase! :)
-Joseph
Just picked this deck up yesterday and it is definitely powerful but… it’s so freaking weird. Totally not a play style I’m used to
@@dustinfindsrocks I imagine it takes a lot of learning when to alpha strike and when to keep setting up!
-Joseph
@@MTGThoughtcast I'm thinking for upgrades replace the 2 drop mana rocks with land ramp, 1 drop mana dorks, and 4 drop quality artifacts and enchantments. Seems more like a blue thing than Gruul but whatever lol.
very OP commander options.
agree burnished hart is ridiculous in green, they totally scammed us there; could have reprinted something much tastier like skyshroud claim or something.
@@TitoRohwedder-my1nh I'm completely obsessed and foresee a raccoon in my magic bag soon.
-Joseph
they insist on giving us these little no nothings instead of giving us better ramp or card draw. in most cases, I always replace the nothings like that.
@@unanon_user I see it like the first challenge in a gauntlet, you have to determine what DOESN'T work in the deck, long before deciding what will make it stronger!
-Joseph