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Arcades, the Strategist
Price tag $3.90

Legendary Creature — Elder Dragon

Magic color symbol for G Magic color symbol for W Magic color symbol for U
Bant

Playstyle & Strategy

Toughness Matters 51% Defenders 31% Aggro 3% Card Draw 2%
View Average Decklist All Card Draw Commanders

New Cards

Recent-set cards that Arcades, the Strategist players are trying out in Card Draw decks.

Chelonian Tackle Chelonian Tackle
+3% Synergy $0.22
Primo, the Unbounded Primo, the Unbounded
+2% Synergy $1.02
Erode Erode
0% Synergy $5.72
Turbulent Wilderness Turbulent Wilderness
0% Synergy $5.40

High Synergy Cards

The highest-synergy picks for Arcades, the Strategist's Card Draw builds — cards that lean hardest into the Card Draw theme.

Axebane Guardian Axebane Guardian
+83% Synergy $0.29
Wall of Denial Wall of Denial
+82% Synergy $0.48
Wall of Blossoms Wall of Blossoms
+82% Synergy $0.29
Overgrown Battlement Overgrown Battlement
+81% Synergy $0.33
Wall of Omens Wall of Omens
+78% Synergy $0.28
Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive
+76% Synergy $0.14
The Pride of Hull Clade The Pride of Hull Clade
+75% Synergy $1.43
Stalwart Shield-Bearers Stalwart Shield-Bearers
+73% Synergy $1.29
High Alert High Alert
+73% Synergy $0.40
Crashing Drawbridge Crashing Drawbridge
+69% Synergy $0.63

Top Cards

The staple cards most Arcades, the Strategist Card Draw decks run as their core.

Sunscape Familiar Sunscape Familiar
+68% Synergy $2.36
Tower Defense Tower Defense
+68% Synergy $0.30
Assault Formation Assault Formation
+67% Synergy $0.35
Slaughter the Strong Slaughter the Strong
+66% Synergy $0.33
Wall of Junk Wall of Junk
+65% Synergy $0.26
Hover Barrier Hover Barrier
+62% Synergy $0.42
Perimeter Captain Perimeter Captain
+60% Synergy $1.42
Shield-Wall Sentinel Shield-Wall Sentinel
+59% Synergy $0.34
Jeskai Barricade Jeskai Barricade
+59% Synergy $0.36
Sylvan Caryatid Sylvan Caryatid
+57% Synergy $0.78

Game Changers

High-impact bombs that can take over a Arcades, the Strategist Card Draw game on their own.

Aura Shards Aura Shards
+19% Synergy $28.66
Teferi's Protection Teferi's Protection
+3% Synergy $54.50
Cyclonic Rift Cyclonic Rift
-1% Synergy $40.14
Enlightened Tutor Enlightened Tutor
-1% Synergy $39.51
Fierce Guardianship Fierce Guardianship
-3% Synergy $54.33
Worldly Tutor Worldly Tutor
-3% Synergy $26.56
Rhystic Study Rhystic Study
-6% Synergy $72.26
Farewell Farewell
-11% Synergy $5.28

Creatures

Creatures that carry the Card Draw plan in Arcades, the Strategist decks, from early pressure to payoff.

Crystal Barricade Crystal Barricade
+56% Synergy $1.50
Wall of Runes Wall of Runes
+56% Synergy $0.22
Vine Trellis Vine Trellis
+56% Synergy $1.17
Shield Sphere Shield Sphere
+54% Synergy $13.40
Weathered Sentinels Weathered Sentinels
+53% Synergy $0.91
Wall of Frost Wall of Frost
+51% Synergy $0.29
Walking Bulwark Walking Bulwark
+49% Synergy $0.29
Wall of Stolen Identity Wall of Stolen Identity
+48% Synergy $4.33
Tree of Redemption Tree of Redemption
+46% Synergy $0.53
Wall of Tanglecord Wall of Tanglecord
+45% Synergy $0.32
Wingmantle Chaplain Wingmantle Chaplain
+42% Synergy $0.28
Angelic Wall Angelic Wall
+42% Synergy $0.18
The Walls of Ba Sing Se The Walls of Ba Sing Se
+41% Synergy $24.67
Resolute Watchdog Resolute Watchdog
+41% Synergy $0.33
Wall of Roots Wall of Roots
+40% Synergy $0.30
Wall of Glare Wall of Glare
+39% Synergy $0.08
Carven Caryatid Carven Caryatid
+37% Synergy $0.27
Flumph Flumph
+35% Synergy $2.62
Corrupted Shapeshifter Corrupted Shapeshifter
+34% Synergy $0.23
Mnemonic Wall Mnemonic Wall
+34% Synergy $0.25
Drift of Phantasms Drift of Phantasms
+33% Synergy $0.22
Fog Bank Fog Bank
+31% Synergy $0.13
Wall of Shards Wall of Shards
+28% Synergy $6.65
Wall of Mulch Wall of Mulch
+28% Synergy $0.28
Riptide Turtle Riptide Turtle
+28% Synergy $0.15
Towering Titan Towering Titan
+27% Synergy $0.33
Steel Wall Steel Wall
+27% Synergy $0.19
Suspicious Bookcase Suspicious Bookcase
+27% Synergy $0.15
Orator of Ojutai Orator of Ojutai
+27% Synergy $0.22
Fortified Rampart Fortified Rampart
+26% Synergy $0.25
Jungle Barrier Jungle Barrier
+24% Synergy $0.31
Gatecreeper Vine Gatecreeper Vine
+22% Synergy $0.23
Fecund Greenshell Fecund Greenshell
+20% Synergy $0.76
Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa
+19% Synergy $0.28
Bedrock Tortoise Bedrock Tortoise
+18% Synergy $2.26
Plagon, Lord of the Beach Plagon, Lord of the Beach
+18% Synergy $1.10
Portcullis Vine Portcullis Vine
+18% Synergy $0.18
Glacial Wall Glacial Wall
+17% Synergy $0.32
Wall of Nets Wall of Nets
+17% Synergy $5.60
Wall of Tears Wall of Tears
+16% Synergy $0.67
Towering Viewpoint Towering Viewpoint
+15% Synergy $0.24
Rampart Architect Rampart Architect
+15% Synergy $0.28
Rune-Sealed Wall Rune-Sealed Wall
+14% Synergy $0.26
Wall of Essence Wall of Essence
+14% Synergy $0.31
Charix, the Raging Isle Charix, the Raging Isle
+13% Synergy $0.44
Wall of Reverence Wall of Reverence
+12% Synergy $0.33
Gleaming Barrier Gleaming Barrier
+12% Synergy $0.16
Rigo, Streetwise Mentor Rigo, Streetwise Mentor
+11% Synergy $0.25
Geist of the Archives Geist of the Archives
+11% Synergy $0.25
Sokrates, Athenian Teacher Sokrates, Athenian Teacher
+9% Synergy $0.38

Instants

Instant-speed interaction and tricks that keep Arcades, the Strategist's Card Draw deck ahead.

Eerie Interlude Eerie Interlude
+43% Synergy $7.99
Akroma's Will Akroma's Will
+23% Synergy $14.06
Bar the Door Bar the Door
+20% Synergy $0.16
Ghostway Ghostway
+19% Synergy $4.83
Counterspell Counterspell
+11% Synergy $3.77
Heroic Intervention Heroic Intervention
+11% Synergy $14.29
Negate Negate
+11% Synergy $0.24
Beast Within Beast Within
+10% Synergy $0.46
Dovin's Veto Dovin's Veto
+8% Synergy $3.60
Bant Charm Bant Charm
+7% Synergy $0.26
Return to Nature Return to Nature
+7% Synergy $0.22
Generous Gift Generous Gift
+5% Synergy $0.69
Flawless Maneuver Flawless Maneuver
+5% Synergy $20.32
Solidarity Solidarity
+4% Synergy $0.25
Unbreakable Formation Unbreakable Formation
+3% Synergy $1.10
Mana Drain Mana Drain
+2% Synergy $56.81
Stroke of Midnight Stroke of Midnight
+2% Synergy $0.32
Ephemerate Ephemerate
+1% Synergy $5.07
Nature's Claim Nature's Claim
0% Synergy $1.03
Growth Spiral Growth Spiral
-1% Synergy $0.32
Swords to Plowshares Swords to Plowshares
-3% Synergy $1.19
Eladamri's Call Eladamri's Call
-3% Synergy $10.92
Path to Exile Path to Exile
-5% Synergy $1.09
Swan Song Swan Song
-5% Synergy $8.50
Arcane Denial Arcane Denial
-7% Synergy $1.92
An Offer You Can't Refuse An Offer You Can't Refuse
-15% Synergy $2.39

Sorceries

Sorceries that push the Card Draw game plan forward for Arcades, the Strategist.

Fell the Mighty Fell the Mighty
+54% Synergy $0.36
Dusk // Dawn Dusk // Dawn
+52% Synergy $0.36
Wave of Reckoning Wave of Reckoning
+27% Synergy $0.43
Last March of the Ents Last March of the Ents
+20% Synergy $27.74
Expel the Interlopers Expel the Interlopers
+20% Synergy $0.25
Reunion of the House Reunion of the House
+13% Synergy $0.27
Rampant Growth Rampant Growth
+11% Synergy $0.47
The Battle of Bywater The Battle of Bywater
+11% Synergy $2.58
Triumph of the Hordes Triumph of the Hordes
+9% Synergy $12.36
Retribution of the Meek Retribution of the Meek
+9% Synergy $8.60
Raise the Past Raise the Past
+7% Synergy $0.44
Return to the Ranks Return to the Ranks
+7% Synergy $0.83
Destined Confrontation Destined Confrontation
+6% Synergy $0.19
Bala Ged Recovery Bala Ged Sanctuary Bala Ged Recovery
+5% Synergy $5.68
Ascend from Avernus Ascend from Avernus
+4% Synergy $2.47
Farseek Farseek
+2% Synergy $0.53
Explore Explore
+2% Synergy $0.29
Nature's Lore Nature's Lore
0% Synergy $1.96
Cultivate Cultivate
-1% Synergy $0.34
Three Visits Three Visits
-2% Synergy $4.60
Austere Command Austere Command
-3% Synergy $0.46
Kodama's Reach Kodama's Reach
-8% Synergy $1.54

Utility Artifacts

Artifacts that add consistency and utility to Arcades, the Strategist Card Draw decks.

Rammas Echor, Ancient Shield Rammas Echor, Ancient Shield
+48% Synergy $10.20
Meekstone Meekstone
+36% Synergy $12.32
Lightning Greaves Lightning Greaves
+23% Synergy $3.66
Swiftfoot Boots Swiftfoot Boots
+12% Synergy $2.46
Slagwurm Armor Slagwurm Armor
+8% Synergy $1.02
Colfenor's Urn Colfenor's Urn
+8% Synergy $0.29
Panharmonicon Panharmonicon
+5% Synergy $6.82
Mirror Shield Mirror Shield
+5% Synergy $0.50
Robe of Stars Robe of Stars
+4% Synergy $15.22

Enchantments

Enchantments that reinforce the Card Draw strategy in Arcades, the Strategist decks.

Brave the Sands Brave the Sands
+51% Synergy $6.35
Stoneskin Stoneskin
+30% Synergy $1.66
Angelic Chorus Angelic Chorus
+20% Synergy $8.60
Angelic Shield Angelic Shield
+15% Synergy $0.20
Assemble the Players Assemble the Players
+15% Synergy $0.34
The Birth of Meletis The Birth of Meletis
+12% Synergy $0.27
Primal Rage Primal Rage
+9% Synergy $5.70
Unnatural Growth Unnatural Growth
+8% Synergy $3.65
Smile at Death Smile at Death
+7% Synergy $3.33
Guardian Project Guardian Project
+6% Synergy $12.11
Teferi's Ageless Insight Teferi's Ageless Insight
+6% Synergy $4.99
Court of Ardenvale Court of Ardenvale
+6% Synergy $10.87
Sight of the Scalelords Sight of the Scalelords
+5% Synergy $0.53
Vault 75: Middle School Vault 75: Middle School
+5% Synergy $0.33
Serra's Blessing Serra's Blessing
+5% Synergy $1.08
Rolling Stones Rolling Stones
+5% Synergy $1.48
Spidersilk Armor Spidersilk Armor
+4% Synergy $2.89
True Conviction True Conviction
+4% Synergy $4.92
Freed from the Real Freed from the Real
+1% Synergy $9.83
Ghostly Prison Ghostly Prison
-1% Synergy $4.33
Propaganda Propaganda
-5% Synergy $2.13

Planeswalkers

Planeswalkers that back up Arcades, the Strategist's Card Draw game plan.

Teyo, the Shieldmage Teyo, the Shieldmage
+24% Synergy $0.27
Huatli, the Sun's Heart Huatli, the Sun's Heart
+16% Synergy $0.33
Teyo, Geometric Tactician Teyo, Geometric Tactician
+9% Synergy $9.12

Utility Lands

Non-basic lands that pull extra weight in Arcades, the Strategist Card Draw decks.

Access Tunnel Access Tunnel
+31% Synergy $0.38
Reliquary Tower Reliquary Tower
+21% Synergy $3.36
Command Beacon Command Beacon
+4% Synergy $7.41
Rogue's Passage Rogue's Passage
+2% Synergy $0.40
Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth
+1% Synergy $14.92
Alchemist's Refuge Alchemist's Refuge
0% Synergy $0.63
Otawara, Soaring City Otawara, Soaring City
-4% Synergy $27.39
Boseiju, Who Endures Boseiju, Who Endures
-5% Synergy $49.11

Mana Artifacts

Mana rocks and fixing to power out Arcades, the Strategist's Card Draw strategy.

Azorius Signet Azorius Signet
+17% Synergy $0.22
Selesnya Signet Selesnya Signet
+13% Synergy $0.40
Simic Signet Simic Signet
+11% Synergy $0.35
Arcane Signet Arcane Signet
+9% Synergy $0.69
Sol Ring Sol Ring
+7% Synergy $1.84
Thought Vessel Thought Vessel
+5% Synergy $1.92
Chromatic Lantern Chromatic Lantern
+4% Synergy $0.82
Decanter of Endless Water Decanter of Endless Water
+4% Synergy $4.13
Fellwar Stone Fellwar Stone
+3% Synergy $0.70
Commander's Sphere Commander's Sphere
+1% Synergy $0.26
Talisman of Progress Talisman of Progress
-1% Synergy $0.36
Talisman of Curiosity Talisman of Curiosity
-1% Synergy $0.44
Talisman of Unity Talisman of Unity
-1% Synergy $3.63

Lands

The mana base behind Arcades, the Strategist's Card Draw decks.

Azorius Guildgate Azorius Guildgate
+11% Synergy $0.10
Simic Guildgate Simic Guildgate
+10% Synergy $0.09
Branchloft Pathway Boulderloft Pathway Branchloft Pathway
+9% Synergy $2.94
Selesnya Guildgate Selesnya Guildgate
+9% Synergy $0.10
Hallowed Fountain Hallowed Fountain
+8% Synergy $8.07
Rejuvenating Springs Rejuvenating Springs
+8% Synergy $3.68
Plains Plains
+7% Synergy $0.13
Prairie Stream Prairie Stream
+7% Synergy $0.26
Krosan Verge Krosan Verge
+6% Synergy $0.29
Hengegate Pathway Mistgate Pathway Hengegate Pathway
+6% Synergy $4.54
Bountiful Promenade Bountiful Promenade
+5% Synergy $7.04
Overgrown Farmland Overgrown Farmland
+5% Synergy $2.87
Barkchannel Pathway Tidechannel Pathway Barkchannel Pathway
+5% Synergy $4.97
Bala Ged Recovery Bala Ged Sanctuary Bala Ged Recovery
+5% Synergy $5.68
Forest Forest
+4% Synergy $0.17
Island Island
+4% Synergy $0.21
Temple Garden Temple Garden
+4% Synergy $7.39
Evolving Wilds Evolving Wilds
+4% Synergy $0.33
Seaside Citadel Seaside Citadel
+3% Synergy $0.34
Glacial Fortress Glacial Fortress
+3% Synergy $0.32
Sea of Clouds Sea of Clouds
+3% Synergy $17.77
Sunpetal Grove Sunpetal Grove
+2% Synergy $0.27
Deserted Beach Deserted Beach
+2% Synergy $5.65
Hushwood Verge Hushwood Verge
+2% Synergy $7.01
Command Tower Command Tower
+1% Synergy $0.34
Breeding Pool Breeding Pool
+1% Synergy $9.06
Selesnya Sanctuary Selesnya Sanctuary
+1% Synergy $0.27
Canopy Vista Canopy Vista
0% Synergy $0.32
Spara's Headquarters Spara's Headquarters
0% Synergy $13.61
Tranquil Landscape Tranquil Landscape
0% Synergy $0.19
Fabled Passage Fabled Passage
0% Synergy $1.05
Flooded Strand Flooded Strand
-1% Synergy $15.03
Misty Rainforest Misty Rainforest
-1% Synergy $35.70
Dreamroot Cascade Dreamroot Cascade
-1% Synergy $0.87
Adarkar Wastes Adarkar Wastes
-1% Synergy $0.31
Azorius Chancery Azorius Chancery
-1% Synergy $0.31
Port Town Port Town
-1% Synergy $0.26
Windswept Heath Windswept Heath
-2% Synergy $10.13
Terramorphic Expanse Terramorphic Expanse
-2% Synergy $0.29
Simic Growth Chamber Simic Growth Chamber
-2% Synergy $0.34
Hinterland Harbor Hinterland Harbor
-3% Synergy $0.32
Fortified Village Fortified Village
-3% Synergy $0.29
Yavimaya Coast Yavimaya Coast
-4% Synergy $0.36
Exotic Orchard Exotic Orchard
-5% Synergy $0.24
Brushland Brushland
-6% Synergy $1.42
Temple of Plenty Temple of Plenty
-7% Synergy $0.29
Skycloud Expanse Skycloud Expanse
-7% Synergy $0.27
Temple of Mystery Temple of Mystery
-8% Synergy $0.28
Temple of Enlightenment Temple of Enlightenment
-8% Synergy $0.26
Flooded Grove Flooded Grove
-12% Synergy $0.30

Similar Commanders

The following Commanders share a similar playing style, strategy, or theme like Arcades, the Strategist: Card Draw.

The Pride of Hull Clade The Pride of Hull Clade
Rasaad yn Bashir Dungeon Delver Rasaad yn Bashir // Dungeon Delver
Rasaad yn Bashir Sword Coast Sailor Rasaad yn Bashir // Sword Coast Sailor
Rasaad yn Bashir Flaming Fist Rasaad yn Bashir // Flaming Fist
Rasaad yn Bashir Master Chef Rasaad yn Bashir // Master Chef
Rasaad yn Bashir Raised by Giants Rasaad yn Bashir // Raised by Giants
Rasaad yn Bashir Candlekeep Sage Rasaad yn Bashir // Candlekeep Sage
Rasaad yn Bashir Cloakwood Hermit Rasaad yn Bashir // Cloakwood Hermit
Rasaad yn Bashir Far Traveler Rasaad yn Bashir // Far Traveler
Rasaad yn Bashir Feywild Visitor Rasaad yn Bashir // Feywild Visitor
Rasaad yn Bashir Folk Hero Rasaad yn Bashir // Folk Hero
Rasaad yn Bashir Inspiring Leader Rasaad yn Bashir // Inspiring Leader
Rasaad yn Bashir Noble Heritage Rasaad yn Bashir // Noble Heritage
Rasaad yn Bashir Shameless Charlatan Rasaad yn Bashir // Shameless Charlatan
Esior, Wardwing Familiar Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper Esior, Wardwing Familiar // Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper
Geralf, Visionary Stitcher Geralf, Visionary Stitcher
Baldin, Century Herdmaster Baldin, Century Herdmaster
Plagon, Lord of the Beach Plagon, Lord of the Beach
Rasaad yn Bashir Clan Crafter Rasaad yn Bashir // Clan Crafter
Esior, Wardwing Familiar Prava of the Steel Legion Esior, Wardwing Familiar // Prava of the Steel Legion
Akiri, Line-Slinger Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa Akiri, Line-Slinger // Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa
Arcades Sabboth Arcades Sabboth
Bill the Pony Bill the Pony
Felothar the Steadfast Felothar the Steadfast
Rasaad yn Bashir Agent of the Iron Throne Rasaad yn Bashir // Agent of the Iron Throne
Rasaad yn Bashir Agent of the Shadow Thieves Rasaad yn Bashir // Agent of the Shadow Thieves
Rasaad yn Bashir Dragon Cultist Rasaad yn Bashir // Dragon Cultist
Rasaad yn Bashir Guild Artisan Rasaad yn Bashir // Guild Artisan
Rasaad yn Bashir Popular Entertainer Rasaad yn Bashir // Popular Entertainer
Rasaad yn Bashir Scion of Halaster Rasaad yn Bashir // Scion of Halaster
Doran, the Siege Tower Doran, the Siege Tower
The Fifth Doctor Leela, Sevateem Warrior The Fifth Doctor // Leela, Sevateem Warrior
Rasaad yn Bashir Veteran Soldier Rasaad yn Bashir // Veteran Soldier
Betor, Kin to All Betor, Kin to All
Ms. Bumbleflower Ms. Bumbleflower
Sophia, Dogged Detective Sophia, Dogged Detective
Kodama of the East Tree Rebbec, Architect of Ascension Kodama of the East Tree // Rebbec, Architect of Ascension
Ellie and Alan, Paleontologists Ellie and Alan, Paleontologists
Tadeas, Juniper Ascendant Tadeas, Juniper Ascendant
Kellan, the Kid Kellan, the Kid