This is one of the best Volo deck techs out there that doesn't fall into the common mistakes like Guardian Project while explaining clearly why they don't work. Great job!
I highly recommend Sphinx of the Second Sun as a budget (or fun) replacement for Consecrated Sphinx. Getting two of them with Volo means 2 additional beginning phases, which can get super out of control. Also, not hard to ramp into 8 mana to cast in simic.
Two suggestions! Evacuation is particularly good because of the instant speed, but I also really enjoy Flood of Tears. Played it in Yarok, which has a similar strategy. Lets you boardwipe while immediately "replaying" your commander so that you can get right back to recasting all your value creatures for tons of value! Also, the mutate mechanic is particularly fun with Volo. It probably requires a more dedicated build than just throwing one or two in (though that might work for some cards), but that's something fun to consider.
If you want to include a more budget friendly hydra in your list, might I recommend Ulvenwald Hydra? Speaking from experience having played Gargos in EDH since he came out in core 2020 (confusingly released in 2019), it does some work, fetching your best land (admittedly tapped) on etb, which is doubled by Volo, and then getting bigger and bigger the more lands you have makes it a huge threat. It may not have trample, but it does have reach to deal with pesky fliers.
Love ulvenwald hydra. I run him in my mono g omnath to get that land that lets you play creatures with flash so i never loose my mana. He can also get great utility lands like yavimaya or even a mosswort bridge .
These videos are insanely helpful. I’ve used them to upgrade my decks on multiple occasions. Keep it up my man! P.S. I need you to make a Toshiro Umezawa “Uping the Average”. 💯🤣💀
+courser of kruphix, dryad of ilysian grove -cultivate, kadoma's reach Both are enchantment/creatures which synergize with eidolon of blossoms and also greatly improves your ability to landfall. Should be a safe enough replacement since these creatures sit in the same mana slot and can provide a similar acceleration. This dryad is also a dryad, so you want to be careful about it colliding with tendershoot.
I chose to have the same creature type overlap that he addressed in this video but also chose to add some graveyard hate not only for meta reasons but also to Exile the overlapping creatures from the yard. I will definitely consider this list though
Love how the base deck has guardian project which does NOT even WORK!! Surprised you didn’t cover any of the mutate heavy interactions. I think that is partly why scute swarm is so popular
I feel like Tishana is always overlooked for Volo. Tishana being a Merfolk Shaman is rarely an issue. Tishana just rewards you so much for getting all those creatures
i use a volo multiple token / +1+1 deck build that i made custom what was binkers was 5 hydras with a combine power of a bit over 51k dmg all with trample ( each hydra was at 10,246 +1+1 counter ) dubbled by each one on the atk triger and agen with Doubling seasion
I found this out while in Arena but mutate creatures are really sweet with Volo. While it can be clunkier getting copies of those mutate triggers is really strong and can grow out of control very fast.
I feel like every deck you choose is one I've brewed up or am considering. I was thinking of changing my Pir & Toothy (which is a Lorescale Coatl tribal) deck into Volo since the deck is so light on threats, and heavy on non-tribal, and doubling even one of them seems like it would end the game. But it seems like he might just be better in the 99.
I found Echoing Equation and was surprised I’d never seen it before especially since I’ve been looking for more legend clone effects outside sakashimas double major and spark double
if you arent running it i recommend dual nature reflections of littjarra and Polymorphous Rush because 400-800+ power out of nowhere is mildly disgusting
@@kingfuzzy2 I'm trying to figure out how this combo works. So with Dual Nature you get one additional token on a creature etb. Volo creates a copy of a creature spell. So when the copy and the original creature etb they both trigger Dual Nature - so instead of 2 you get 4? Littjara Mirrorlake creates a token but isn't cast, so you would get 2 tokens with Dual Nature but Volo shouldn't trigger on it? What are the usual targets for Polymorphous Rush/Echoing Equation to create omni lethal?
@@0rcd0c with those clone effects it's one additional creature. Polymorphous rush any 5 Mana 8/8 or large trampler is usually enough after two turns of voloing.
I personally like running Man-o-War in Volo on the grounds that the creatures you bounce can be your own. With MoW in hand, you gain the option of chump blocking with a couple of your token copies, then bringing their originals back to your hand to get doubled up again. I run cards like Split the Party for the same reason, and if you can find ways to reliably bounce Man-o-War you can be more aggressive with your token copies, because you can always just make more as long as you protect the card that they were copied from.
brain fart: if you were to go out of your way and added a vedalken orrery to the deck you could possibly flash in tanazir quandrix as a response to the attack trigger of kalonian hydra, essentially multiplying all +1/+1 counters on your board by 16
Intersting choice with the Primordial over the Archeic. Primordrial is a one time hit, unless you make more copies further down the line. Whereas the Archeic's effect and its detterance stays on the board, especially if there are two. A one-sided boardwipe is incoming? Sure, pay 4 or I'll also wipe. Removal? Sure, pay 4 or I'mma remove two of you things. Cultivate? Sure, pay 4 or I'll ramp myself to oblivion. With the Primordial, it could be a wiff if the yards are not stacked with good spells.
Keep Wondering. pro: Can come out early. In EDH people are greedy, you will get their ramp spell. eDH is also political, so you can always say; If you cast a removal that doesn't go my way, my copies will not go your way. it makes the other player feels like they are casting 3 removal and your stuff is safe. It's also INCREDIBLY dangerous late game, so they become targets. BOTH. Havin 2 dangerous things on your board forces players to remove them, instead of your commander or other important pieces. the problem with diluvian is that to have 6 or more (if twinning staff) instant or sorcery in the graveyard is never happning unless you're very late game or playing against a spell slinger mostly. wondering gives more viability anytime. That's all :)
I love it. I'm making a Simic-based 5c tokens deck, which aims to get a ton of tokens (Avenger of Zendikar, Hornet Queen, etc) with Adrix & Nev, Rhys the Redeemed and Chatterfang...except really make them all the same big fatty with Esix or Brudiclad. Echoing Equation is amazing redundancy (along with Sakashima's Will) for that final big swing!
What's your take on Cemetery Illuminator, Cemetery Prowler and Tidal Barracuda? Both Cemetery's have build in graveyard hate or allow you to have some overlapping creature types and both effects seem extremely good for this kind of deck, especially considering their low mana cost, non-legendary status and relatively rare creature type. Tidal Barracuda just seems fun for a multiplayer game :)
May I suggest a shapeshifter that is not really well known? (Well imo since my play group hasn't heard of it really) It's Vesuvan Doppelganger (honestly I play it over clone or cleaver impersonator ( but that's just me)... sure it's 5 mana but the flexibility it has to change into ANY creature during your upkeep.... and especially having 2 of them with Volo is insane... I know it's on the more expensive side since it hasn't been printed since 3rd edition. but MAN it's soooo good. Your opponents have to be mindful of what creatures they are playing every turn. One of my absolute favorite cards of all time :)
If sparkdouble is in i would also recommend sakashima of thousand faces. so more vololooooo fun :) btw how many would it be if you cast them after the others are in? xD
I need to ask as it don't seem to make sense to me but why would Blossoming Bogbeast get +6 and not +4. Ive read to card a few times and it seems to only give +4.
When two Bogbeasts attack, the triggers resolve one at a time. The first gains 2 life and gives a boost of +2. Then the second gains 2 life and sees that you've now gained a total of 4 life this turn, giving a boost of +4.
That budget section was long. Magic is really getting more expensive all the time, especially for these very playable staples. Every time I thought Joey was done, he just kept going.
Scute Swarm is stronger than Hornet Queen, but I prefer the Queen for Volo. It’s a Panharmonicon deck, I gotta have my etbs. Some other creatures I really like that generate good value for Volo are Cloud of Faeries (Faerie), Loyal Guardian (Rhino), Ice-Fang Coatl (Snake), and Pyknite (Ouphe). I like Thrashing Brontodon (Dinosaur) and Uktabi Kong (Ape) for some removal as well. I also like Lithoform Engine as well for an extra, albeit more expensive Panharmonicon effect.
While you don't get double Cascade triggers off of Apex Devastator the four cascades can still lead to some blowout turns depending on what you flip. I decided to lean into a Cascade subtheme in my Volo list because I love spinning the wheel. Sweet-Gum Recluse is amazing for this. Modal Counterspell cards have helped smooth out the experience in this list too, You Find the Villains' Lair has been great because if I cascade into it I can still use it. I also like mutate (Gemrazer and Sawtusk Demolisher) and you can do cheeky things with putting the the mutate under the creature to preserve creature types.
I don't think "upping the average" makes sense for Commanders that recently came out. I'd like this series better if you focused on older Commanders that have a big data set and have had more time for that date to coalesce. How does that sound?
Yeah i would like some time for the them to marinate as well. Or maybe a half old and half new alternating selection. I definitely think an aged Volo list probably wouldn’t contain nonsense like Guardian Project
Is there anyway to contact you to ask you to do a Upping the Average on a deck? I was looking for construct commander and I found "Urza, Lord High Artificer " and was wondering if you could do a video on it for me! Cause you know WAY more then I do and it really helps! Thanks a bunch! Have a good//Day//Night//Evening lol
I love this series, but I honestly think you should give the commanders some time before doing the video on them. Also, there are a lot of popular commanders that are more established that you can do the videos for
Man-'o-War isn't just removal: You can bounce your OWN creature back to your hand, to get another ETB and/or token copy of it. I love Man-'o-War in ETB decks/decks that make token copies of entering creatures (Riku too, for example) and it's well worth a second chance in this deck!
Eh ngl, Your commander actually makes the Drake combo more complicated, And adds the extra step of needing to bounce the token copy of the Drake too. IMO Better off just playing deadeye navigator and more creature tutors
I really dont like this commander. In theory it's nice but in practice everything costs to much to play, it's slow to build, and a single board wipe puts you back so far you can't recover. It's fun jank but expect to lose, alot.
I'm already SO SICK of Volo. I refuse to play against him in Arena Brawl (unless I'm playing my removal-heavy Killian) and if I see him across the table in an EDH game, that is the ONLY player I'm targeting until they have an insane commander tax or are dead. He creates WAY too much value.
Rude lol he creates fun value not oppressive cringe value like 90% of commanders. But every interaction is annoying to someone. For instance mill isn't super powerful but I still will talk shit to mill players tell them they are bad people shit on their mechanics and at the end tell them I think it should be legal to assault them and set their cards on fire. So yeah just play it out
This is one of the best Volo deck techs out there that doesn't fall into the common mistakes like Guardian Project while explaining clearly why they don't work. Great job!
I highly recommend Sphinx of the Second Sun as a budget (or fun) replacement for Consecrated Sphinx. Getting two of them with Volo means 2 additional beginning phases, which can get super out of control. Also, not hard to ramp into 8 mana to cast in simic.
Two suggestions! Evacuation is particularly good because of the instant speed, but I also really enjoy Flood of Tears. Played it in Yarok, which has a similar strategy. Lets you boardwipe while immediately "replaying" your commander so that you can get right back to recasting all your value creatures for tons of value!
Also, the mutate mechanic is particularly fun with Volo. It probably requires a more dedicated build than just throwing one or two in (though that might work for some cards), but that's something fun to consider.
This is by far may favorite magic series on UA-cam. Really digging both the upgrades and budget sections.
Great reminder about those advanced filters
I revamped my entire orvar deck when I found out about sharding sphynx. It's such an awesome card!
If you want to include a more budget friendly hydra in your list, might I recommend Ulvenwald Hydra? Speaking from experience having played Gargos in EDH since he came out in core 2020 (confusingly released in 2019), it does some work, fetching your best land (admittedly tapped) on etb, which is doubled by Volo, and then getting bigger and bigger the more lands you have makes it a huge threat. It may not have trample, but it does have reach to deal with pesky fliers.
Or maybe Capricopian? Having two hydras attack and make opponents have to redirect both of them
Ulvenwald plus Turbo Depths GG
Gargos Gang
Love ulvenwald hydra. I run him in my mono g omnath to get that land that lets you play creatures with flash so i never loose my mana. He can also get great utility lands like yavimaya or even a mosswort bridge .
Ah a fellow Gargos player. Hello brother of culture
These videos are insanely helpful. I’ve used them to upgrade my decks on multiple occasions. Keep it up my man!
P.S. I need you to make a Toshiro Umezawa “Uping the Average”. 💯🤣💀
+courser of kruphix, dryad of ilysian grove
-cultivate, kadoma's reach
Both are enchantment/creatures which synergize with eidolon of blossoms and also greatly improves your ability to landfall. Should be a safe enough replacement since these creatures sit in the same mana slot and can provide a similar acceleration. This dryad is also a dryad, so you want to be careful about it colliding with tendershoot.
I chose to have the same creature type overlap that he addressed in this video but also chose to add some graveyard hate not only for meta reasons but also to Exile the overlapping creatures from the yard. I will definitely consider this list though
Im only just now creating a Volo deck and there were some really good suggestions here- thanks
Love how the base deck has guardian project which does NOT even WORK!! Surprised you didn’t cover any of the mutate heavy interactions. I think that is partly why scute swarm is so popular
I feel like Tishana is always overlooked for Volo. Tishana being a Merfolk Shaman is rarely an issue. Tishana just rewards you so much for getting all those creatures
i use a volo multiple token / +1+1 deck build that i made custom what was binkers was 5 hydras with a combine power of a bit over 51k dmg all with trample ( each hydra was at 10,246 +1+1 counter ) dubbled by each one on the atk triger and agen with Doubling seasion
I found this out while in Arena but mutate creatures are really sweet with Volo. While it can be clunkier getting copies of those mutate triggers is really strong and can grow out of control very fast.
wow. i love the interaction lesson also.
I feel like every deck you choose is one I've brewed up or am considering. I was thinking of changing my Pir & Toothy (which is a Lorescale Coatl tribal) deck into Volo since the deck is so light on threats, and heavy on non-tribal, and doubling even one of them seems like it would end the game. But it seems like he might just be better in the 99.
I found Echoing Equation and was surprised I’d never seen it before especially since I’ve been looking for more legend clone effects outside sakashimas double major and spark double
if you arent running it i recommend dual nature reflections of littjarra and Polymorphous Rush because 400-800+ power out of nowhere is mildly disgusting
@@kingfuzzy2 I'm trying to figure out how this combo works.
So with Dual Nature you get one additional token on a creature etb. Volo creates a copy of a creature spell. So when the copy and the original creature etb they both trigger Dual Nature - so instead of 2 you get 4?
Littjara Mirrorlake creates a token but isn't cast, so you would get 2 tokens with Dual Nature but Volo shouldn't trigger on it?
What are the usual targets for Polymorphous Rush/Echoing Equation to create omni lethal?
@@0rcd0c with those clone effects it's one additional creature. Polymorphous rush any 5 Mana 8/8 or large trampler is usually enough after two turns of voloing.
Isn't the big benefit of Man O War the ability to bounce itself and another permanent such as Peregrine Drake?
I personally like running Man-o-War in Volo on the grounds that the creatures you bounce can be your own. With MoW in hand, you gain the option of chump blocking with a couple of your token copies, then bringing their originals back to your hand to get doubled up again. I run cards like Split the Party for the same reason, and if you can find ways to reliably bounce Man-o-War you can be more aggressive with your token copies, because you can always just make more as long as you protect the card that they were copied from.
First nonbo: guardián project DOES trigger BC voló says: copy that spell (a copy of a creature then be comes a token)
brain fart: if you were to go out of your way and added a vedalken orrery to the deck you could possibly flash in tanazir quandrix as a response to the attack trigger of kalonian hydra, essentially multiplying all +1/+1 counters on your board by 16
I'd like to throw in First Responder.
Giving your cards with nice ETB's back to your hand, while becoming ever more powerful and a threat on its own
I know its late to comment, but if you coild.make budget versions more, I'd really love that
Intersting choice with the Primordial over the Archeic. Primordrial is a one time hit, unless you make more copies further down the line. Whereas the Archeic's effect and its detterance stays on the board, especially if there are two. A one-sided boardwipe is incoming? Sure, pay 4 or I'll also wipe. Removal? Sure, pay 4 or I'mma remove two of you things. Cultivate? Sure, pay 4 or I'll ramp myself to oblivion. With the Primordial, it could be a wiff if the yards are not stacked with good spells.
Keep Wondering.
pro: Can come out early. In EDH people are greedy, you will get their ramp spell. eDH is also political, so you can always say; If you cast a removal that doesn't go my way, my copies will not go your way. it makes the other player feels like they are casting 3 removal and your stuff is safe. It's also INCREDIBLY dangerous late game, so they become targets. BOTH.
Havin 2 dangerous things on your board forces players to remove them, instead of your commander or other important pieces.
the problem with diluvian is that to have 6 or more (if twinning staff) instant or sorcery in the graveyard is never happning unless you're very late game or playing against a spell slinger mostly.
wondering gives more viability anytime.
That's all :)
Glad someone else spotted the Troll
I love it. I'm making a Simic-based 5c tokens deck, which aims to get a ton of tokens (Avenger of Zendikar, Hornet Queen, etc) with Adrix & Nev, Rhys the Redeemed and Chatterfang...except really make them all the same big fatty with Esix or Brudiclad. Echoing Equation is amazing redundancy (along with Sakashima's Will) for that final big swing!
Is the average deck list running recycle effects? Quandrix Command could serve multiple functions in a Volo.
What's your take on Cemetery Illuminator, Cemetery Prowler and Tidal Barracuda?
Both Cemetery's have build in graveyard hate or allow you to have some overlapping creature types and both effects seem extremely good for this kind of deck, especially considering their low mana cost, non-legendary status and relatively rare creature type.
Tidal Barracuda just seems fun for a multiplayer game :)
Man o War and Peregrine drake a an infinite mana combo too
Can we get a Jhoira weatherlight captain upping the average?
May I suggest a shapeshifter that is not really well known? (Well imo since my play group hasn't heard of it really) It's Vesuvan Doppelganger (honestly I play it over clone or cleaver impersonator ( but that's just me)... sure it's 5 mana but the flexibility it has to change into ANY creature during your upkeep.... and especially having 2 of them with Volo is insane... I know it's on the more expensive side since it hasn't been printed since 3rd edition. but MAN it's soooo good. Your opponents have to be mindful of what creatures they are playing every turn. One of my absolute favorite cards of all time :)
Im pretty sure bogbeast will only trigger for +4 because it's and on attack not an ETB
If sparkdouble is in i would also recommend sakashima of thousand faces. so more vololooooo fun :)
btw how many would it be if you cast them after the others are in? xD
I need to ask as it don't seem to make sense to me but why would Blossoming Bogbeast get +6 and not +4. Ive read to card a few times and it seems to only give +4.
When two Bogbeasts attack, the triggers resolve one at a time. The first gains 2 life and gives a boost of +2. Then the second gains 2 life and sees that you've now gained a total of 4 life this turn, giving a boost of +4.
@@EDHRECast Thankyou for clearing it up with me
Does master biomancer and volo work together or no??
That budget section was long. Magic is really getting more expensive all the time, especially for these very playable staples. Every time I thought Joey was done, he just kept going.
Please Krenko next !!!!
Can you do ruric thar next?
10:22 i choose ohran frostfang for my snake
random question, would you add support to pauper commander? i wanna make an Arvad The Cursed deck
How would you attack with two kalonian hydras when they are legendary?
Kalonian Hydra is not legendary :)
@@EDHRECast S**t you're right haha I was mistaken. That would be fun as hell.
The jellyfish can bounce your own stuff, the clone can bounce something and the original Itself. Did some really good work when I played it
Scute Swarm is stronger than Hornet Queen, but I prefer the Queen for Volo. It’s a Panharmonicon deck, I gotta have my etbs.
Some other creatures I really like that generate good value for Volo are Cloud of Faeries (Faerie), Loyal Guardian (Rhino), Ice-Fang Coatl (Snake), and Pyknite (Ouphe). I like Thrashing Brontodon (Dinosaur) and Uktabi Kong (Ape) for some removal as well. I also like Lithoform Engine as well for an extra, albeit more expensive Panharmonicon effect.
13:07 Really raggin on Man-o-War huh :(
While you don't get double Cascade triggers off of Apex Devastator the four cascades can still lead to some blowout turns depending on what you flip. I decided to lean into a Cascade subtheme in my Volo list because I love spinning the wheel. Sweet-Gum Recluse is amazing for this. Modal Counterspell cards have helped smooth out the experience in this list too, You Find the Villains' Lair has been great because if I cascade into it I can still use it.
I also like mutate (Gemrazer and Sawtusk Demolisher) and you can do cheeky things with putting the the mutate under the creature to preserve creature types.
I don't think "upping the average" makes sense for Commanders that recently came out. I'd like this series better if you focused on older Commanders that have a big data set and have had more time for that date to coalesce. How does that sound?
Yeah i would like some time for the them to marinate as well. Or maybe a half old and half new alternating selection. I definitely think an aged Volo list probably wouldn’t contain nonsense like Guardian Project
Is there anyway to contact you to ask you to do a Upping the Average on a deck? I was looking for construct commander and I found "Urza, Lord High Artificer " and was wondering if you could do a video on it for me! Cause you know WAY more then I do and it really helps! Thanks a bunch! Have a good//Day//Night//Evening lol
My chest dropped when het cut Man-o-war, that's a combo machine especially in volo
Desolation twin:
You're welcome whoever you are.
Resculpt is better than reality shift imo. Def deserves a slot in the removal suite.
2:02 biogenic ooze is better
Try Barishi for a unique add. 🙃
I love this series, but I honestly think you should give the commanders some time before doing the video on them. Also, there are a lot of popular commanders that are more established that you can do the videos for
Man-'o-War isn't just removal: You can bounce your OWN creature back to your hand, to get another ETB and/or token copy of it. I love Man-'o-War in ETB decks/decks that make token copies of entering creatures (Riku too, for example) and it's well worth a second chance in this deck!
Sadly, if there's still a token of that creature on the battlefield, casting the creature won't trigger Volo for an additional copy.
I think the point of the Man-o'-War is to bounce your own creatures, re-cast them, and end up with the original plus 2 copies.
Sadly, if there's still a token of that creature on the battlefield, casting the creature won't trigger Volo for an additional copy.
@@EDHRECast How about Quickling or phantom steed to "rescue" 2 key creatures from a board wipe at flash speed?
@@EDHRECast ooh right. Thanks!
Eh ngl, Your commander actually makes the Drake combo more complicated, And adds the extra step of needing to bounce the token copy of the Drake too. IMO Better off just playing deadeye navigator and more creature tutors
First!
I really dont like this commander. In theory it's nice but in practice everything costs to much to play, it's slow to build, and a single board wipe puts you back so far you can't recover. It's fun jank but expect to lose, alot.
2:57 why are you bounceing the token just make infinite drakes
I'm already SO SICK of Volo. I refuse to play against him in Arena Brawl (unless I'm playing my removal-heavy Killian) and if I see him across the table in an EDH game, that is the ONLY player I'm targeting until they have an insane commander tax or are dead. He creates WAY too much value.
Rude lol he creates fun value not oppressive cringe value like 90% of commanders.
But every interaction is annoying to someone.
For instance mill isn't super powerful but I still will talk shit to mill players tell them they are bad people shit on their mechanics and at the end tell them I think it should be legal to assault them and set their cards on fire.
So yeah just play it out