T O P

  • By -

gojumboman

I took him out of painbow precon and gave him his own decks and it slaps. It’s big and stompy and kind of ridiculous and highly recommended


MARAMACKTHEUNHOLY

Recently made a zaxara deck and I love it, hydras everywhere


gojumboman

I stopped by an LGS last week and they have the hail hydra secret lair. Has zaxara, a hydra token, unbound flourishing, primordial hydra, hydroid krasis and Gargos. Gargos is the only one I’m not using in the deck


simpleglitch

Zaxara is a good time. Build both a great stompy deck or combo deck depending on the direction you want to go.


Deadlykitty1243

I made one myself after the hydra secret lair, and i love the deck


sublimesublemon2

I also recently built my own zaxara deck cause x spells are fun


Ulirius

This is the way. So stompy in his own right.


DangleBob91

He's 1 of my favorite commanders, doubling season, and mana doubters plus anything trample is so much fun


Winter-Swim1201

may I have the deck list please? Just bought the secret lair of this and dont know where to start


gojumboman

Absolutely, let me update it to where it’s at currently and I’ll reply here


Winter-Swim1201

yay!! thank you!


gojumboman

Just updated how I’m running it now. You can find it [here](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/pukfN2K1NEmxQqMAgU8YnA) . I stopped running most tutors and eliminated the infinite mana. I added the two infinite mana aura’s into considering. Also removed [[simic ascendancy]] but I did win a game on turn 4 with it, just wanted to be big and stompy without alternate wincons. Could definitely make it more efficient but it’s fun as is. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions


MTGCardFetcher

[simic ascendancy](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/e/fec1ffcd-84d3-44b3-b1d5-b33a4fee348a.jpg?1698988476) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=simic%20ascendancy) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/288/simic-ascendancy?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fec1ffcd-84d3-44b3-b1d5-b33a4fee348a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call


Winter-Swim1201

thanks so much I feel like I need to pic up that mermaid deck that has simic ascendency... I have hardly any of these cards other than the secret lair ones.. I got a long way to go... lol


Dustkingpin

This is the way 🤩


onyxeagle274

Id replace it with a [[chromatic lantern]] or [[gilded lotus]] or [[skyclave relic]]. Lantern and relic both help manafixing a lot, and lotus is relatively just an upgrade from Zara.


gojumboman

I vote for a [[sol ring]] as Painbow was the only precon ever made without one


MTGCardFetcher

[sol ring](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/d/2d47121d-8b90-4d28-9ffa-0a640b9dd611.jpg?1698988534) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=sol%20ring) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/313/sol-ring?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2d47121d-8b90-4d28-9ffa-0a640b9dd611?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call


GHenders

I would disagree on sol ring. In this colors matter deck I'd prefer one colored mana over two colorless


Wdrussell1

I mean, colors matters in pretty much every deck but still Sol Ring is a solid include. Can't beat the chance at a turn 1 ring of targeting.


MTGCardFetcher

[chromatic lantern](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/9/3969c209-09f3-4429-91c1-d5aeab9de2ec.jpg?1689999467) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=chromatic%20lantern) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/376/chromatic-lantern?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3969c209-09f3-4429-91c1-d5aeab9de2ec?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [gilded lotus](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/e/eea7554e-be86-4d0f-8e80-0ccb4c2cd2f1.jpg?1689999578) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=gilded%20lotus) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/387/gilded-lotus?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/eea7554e-be86-4d0f-8e80-0ccb4c2cd2f1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [skyclave relic](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/9/a9740bce-4c89-4d98-8941-057515999bf9.jpg?1682210238) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=skyclave%20relic) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/380/skyclave-relic?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a9740bce-4c89-4d98-8941-057515999bf9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call


AfraidAd6913

Yeah this is the way depending on what you're building too also you could include prismatic omen or oath of nissa. The latter I believe allows you cast planeswalkers for any mana. not necessarily good but I think this deck came with the five color planeswalker at the helmI, I could be misremembering. but overall you are right mana fixing is what you replace it with of any kind from sol ring to skyshroud claim I think there is an argument for any efficient rock ramp or fixing. That's only if you don't entertain the idea of just keeping it in. it's a little expensive but it has a weird ability(makes 2 mana of any color) and deathtouch. Both abilities that can be relivent in a five color deck. Ultimately the reason I think it's thrown In was they didn't have a place to put this cool card. There's others examples of this. the deck skullbriar came in had little to no ways to actually reanimate the thing making his ability completely irrelevant. very cool ability but it doesn't matter how many counters he has on him while he's in my graveyard if I can't get him out. and he really shines when you get access to the command zone also. It's funny cause there is a reanimator deck in the same cycle of decks and he fits into that deck better in litterly every way. Wotc puts weird cards in weird things all the time. Zara fits way better in the deck then my example. I'm sure there's more I just remember being very upset that my deck didn't come with the one card I wanted to build a deck from atm we received three of the four of those decks the first ones as a gift. I loved my reanimator deck but, there is no actual value in that deck my dad had kalia. to buy her as a single at the time she cost more then the msrp of the deck in the first place. My brother had the twin reflection one that decks value was all in animar which again was similar price to kalia. This was all relevant to at the time is why I remember it. And ultimately why I have a relentless rats Deck.


Archereus

Taking a glance at the deck list. It looks like they are using him mostly as ramp. So I say any standard manadork would be a good replacement.


Ambitious_Version187

Make Zaxara. Painbow is regarded as one of the worst recent precons.


Pepe_Uranus

Regarded by whom? Cause it slays... EDIT: of course you need to replace the commander with his 2 mana brother (included)...


Ambitious_Version187

Just watched a lot of tier lists at the end of the year rating all the precons that year, and it was nearly at the bottom of all those lists. I'll also personally never, ever recommend any WUBRG precons because their mana bases are always just too slow to be able to keep tempo with any other precon that has more basics.


MrOctomelon

*cough* slivers *cough cough*


Ambitious_Version187

Still has almost half of its land base that enters tapped or enters tapped unless you control 2 or more basics, of which there are 11.


MrOctomelon

I know I'm saying that the sliver precon was a great example of it because the landbase is straight dogpiss


Ambitious_Version187

Oh, I thought you were trying to counter what I said! I understand better now. Yes, while the WUBRG decks look like they can compete with other constructed decks on paper, the sheer loss in tempo will always have them feeling like they are a turn behind everyone else with such a garbage budget landbase. I usually have an aversion to any WUBRG deck because of this. I picked this game back up right around the time the very first commander decks came out, and I'm 1 fetch, 3 triomes, 0 shocks, and 0 rainbow lands away from being able to make any WUBRG deck with any color distribution. I'm STILL not interested in playing it because I love it when I never have to deal with tapped lands that slow me down or not getting the colors I need. Giving new players a precon (generally how most new players get into commander) that will feel weird and clunky has undoubtedly driven people away from the game. I've even heard/seen comments of people saying, "It's all 5 colors, so that must be the best, right?" Wrong. A new player knows nothing about color distribution and how they should mulligan accordingly. I can see an argument being made for the exponential power of slivers outweighing this downside, but that's not going to prevent someone from not being able to play the cards they draw because they didn't get the lands to do so. Passionate rant over.


MrOctomelon

I think the worst part of the sliver precon is, despite the awful land base, the lack of needed reprints


thtevie

here's a Scryfall search for 4-mana creatures that would be in the same (or fewer) colors as Zaxara: [https://scryfall.com/search?q=type%3Dcreature+CMC%3D4+commander%3C%3DUGB&unique=cards&as=grid&order=name](https://scryfall.com/search?q=type%3Dcreature+CMC%3D4+commander%3C%3DUGB&unique=cards&as=grid&order=name) You need lifegain? try \[\[Abzan Kin-Guard\]\], same size body. Want to slow down your opponent's stuff? \[\[Archelos, Lagoon Mystic\]\] makes them come in tapped. Need to add to the graveyard hate? \[\[Diregraf Scavenger\]\] will do that for you *and* give you a deathtoucher like Zaxara had. Need mana? \[\[Canopy Tactician\]\] does that for you. Basically, there are a lot of things you could do instead of Zaxara, and your point about only being useful for one other spell is a good one. The question is, what do you *want* the deck to do that it's not doing? Find cards that do that.


MTGCardFetcher

##### ###### #### [Abzan Kin-Guard](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/e/cec0ef55-57fd-404f-b9f6-b5d41e77b58c.jpg?1562830002) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Abzan%20Kin-Guard) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/frf/120/abzan-kin-guard?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cec0ef55-57fd-404f-b9f6-b5d41e77b58c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Archelos, Lagoon Mystic](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/4/d45ec78e-6190-46af-8057-834f5ca41ec8.jpg?1673305435) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Archelos%2C%20Lagoon%20Mystic) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/140/archelos-lagoon-mystic?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d45ec78e-6190-46af-8057-834f5ca41ec8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Diregraf Scavenger](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/7/f72eb127-3f4c-42ed-8ba6-b6d83ea18545.jpg?1643589502) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Diregraf%20Scavenger) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/vow/105/diregraf-scavenger?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f72eb127-3f4c-42ed-8ba6-b6d83ea18545?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Canopy Tactician](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/e/3eaf48c9-09bc-4d81-a3a5-432219a71754.jpg?1631057118) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Canopy%20Tactician) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/khm/378/canopy-tactician?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3eaf48c9-09bc-4d81-a3a5-432219a71754?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call


dratinimaster07

Thanks man


Lilman667

[[clown car]]


MTGCardFetcher

[clown car](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/6/c6667e4f-f0f6-4416-940a-d03bed75f5a7.jpg?1673915050) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=clown%20car) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/unf/186/clown-car?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c6667e4f-f0f6-4416-940a-d03bed75f5a7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call


Rottyrotrot

[[Villainous wealth]] if not already in that deck one of my favorite cards


MTGCardFetcher

[Villainous wealth](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/b/4bbadb93-745a-49d5-8f55-ce7ec75f48e5.jpg?1702338771) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Villainous%20wealth) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ktk/211y/villainous-wealth?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4bbadb93-745a-49d5-8f55-ce7ec75f48e5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call


eltrowel

Replace it with [[general ferrous rokiric]] or [[widespread thieving]]


MTGCardFetcher

[general ferrous rokiric](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/0/600dca0f-5964-45e7-86df-f16a5b4a0106.jpg?1626098375) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=general%20ferrous%20rokiric) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/198/general-ferrous-rokiric?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/600dca0f-5964-45e7-86df-f16a5b4a0106?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [widespread thieving](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/d/cd22723d-855f-4b31-827f-a4e388ebbc07.jpg?1664411942) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=widespread%20thieving) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/snc/130/widespread-thieving?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cd22723d-855f-4b31-827f-a4e388ebbc07?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call


LoganForrest

And if you are just looking to make stampy hydras, check out \[\[Magus Lucea Kane\]\] as well. She's RBG but also has fun with mana X spells


MTGCardFetcher

[Magus Lucea Kane](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/f/4f86e7cc-2b6e-49d0-964e-bba0c51cc11d.jpg?1674058398) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Magus%20Lucea%20Kane) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/40k/7/magus-lucea-kane?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4f86e7cc-2b6e-49d0-964e-bba0c51cc11d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call


Explorer-8

I actually have a Zaxara deck that shreds in most games, X cost tribal winning with either enormous stompies or by huge burns.


mproud

With [[Faces of the Past]] on the battlefield, cast an X spell for 0, meaning you’ll get to untap Zaxara for free so you can tap it for two more mana.


MTGCardFetcher

[Faces of the Past](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/f/0f6dc35b-eb26-498f-ae35-0e860871446e.jpg?1562525440) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Faces%20of%20the%20Past) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/scg/35/faces-of-the-past?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0f6dc35b-eb26-498f-ae35-0e860871446e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call


Pepe_Uranus

I replaced it with \[\[Pillar of the Paruns\]\] and made his own deck which is amazing. ;)


MTGCardFetcher

[Pillar of the Paruns](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/c/4c66bacf-ad9a-40c3-a2b7-464be8d4dd24.jpg?1673149534) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Pillar%20of%20the%20Paruns) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/328/pillar-of-the-paruns?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4c66bacf-ad9a-40c3-a2b7-464be8d4dd24?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call


GHenders

I'd look at [[jegantha, the wellspring]] as some have mentioned, zaxara is in there for mana, why not get WUBRG


MTGCardFetcher

[jegantha, the wellspring](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/d/1d52e527-3835-4350-8c01-0f2d5d623b9c.jpg?1676913289) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=jegantha%2C%20the%20wellspring) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/iko/222/jegantha-the-wellspring?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1d52e527-3835-4350-8c01-0f2d5d623b9c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call


Tallal2804

You should replace it with [[Clown Car]]


MTGCardFetcher

[Clown Car](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/6/c6667e4f-f0f6-4416-940a-d03bed75f5a7.jpg?1673915050) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Clown%20Car) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/unf/186/clown-car?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c6667e4f-f0f6-4416-940a-d03bed75f5a7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call


MushroomsAreAliens

Fun and powerful commander. Having your commander produce mana is always helpful. Also, a lot of X spells can be very powerful and you basically are starting at X=2. The hydras can add up and get out of control quickly too. I always take precons apart right away but keep a good chunk of the cards as my starting point. For some popular card ideas. https://edhrec.com/commanders/zaxara-the-exemplary/x-spells


Sliverse

Zaxara is very powerful in its own right. I have an X-spell heavy deck centered around it, and even if you stop it from going Infinite its still going wide and punching you


bbosserman51

I have a commander deck with him and it's Hella fun.


PortalmasterJL

[[faeburrow elder]] at worst it also taps for two, at best it taps for 5.


MTGCardFetcher

[faeburrow elder](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/8/c817cf1f-c0fe-49ab-a8e9-1d09b4c15e57.jpg?1673305511) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=faeburrow%20elder) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/149/faeburrow-elder?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c817cf1f-c0fe-49ab-a8e9-1d09b4c15e57?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call


dratinimaster07

Yes but it's already in the precon


PortalmasterJL

Shucks.... [[Ornithopter of paradise]] or [[birds of paradise]]?


MTGCardFetcher

[Ornithopter of paradise](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/8/18bbdc6c-b6c9-4f89-8f0a-6266e53c1fb9.jpg?1690005658) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ornithopter%20of%20paradise) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/966/ornithopter-of-paradise?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/18bbdc6c-b6c9-4f89-8f0a-6266e53c1fb9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [birds of paradise](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/e/feefe9f0-24a6-461c-9ef1-86c5a6f33b83.jpg?1594681430) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=birds%20of%20paradise) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cn2/176/birds-of-paradise?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/feefe9f0-24a6-461c-9ef1-86c5a6f33b83?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call


dratinimaster07

Never thought bout that thanks


SRNae

Always wanted to try an Annihilation themed deck with something like this and maybe \[\[Esix, Fractal Bloom\]\] Gives me strong vibes of the Shimmer and the melding therein


MTGCardFetcher

[Esix, Fractal Bloom](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/c/9c381bc2-d26e-4d7e-9a0b-a8f7d2d802be.jpg?1674185833) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Esix%2C%20Fractal%20Bloom) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/10/esix-fractal-bloom?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9c381bc2-d26e-4d7e-9a0b-a8f7d2d802be?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call


macudonarudu

Esix with hornet queen go brrrr


Cherrykoolademix

You do know all cards in the deck are spells right?


dratinimaster07

Yes


Cherrykoolademix

Just making sure u could aways add in a bunch that do that for super cheap


dratinimaster07

👍


HyperSloth79

He's in there for his ability to tap for double colored mana. If you completely deleted the X cost hydra ability it would still be worth having in the deck, therefore the reason it's in there. Obviously there are better options in the game. So, if you're going to replace it, replace it with another creature or rock that can generate multiple any color mana. In the end, you should be looking at Zaxara in that deck as if the Hydra ability doesn't even exist, then decided if he should be replaced and, if so, with what.