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Arcades, the Strategist: Toughness Matters
Price tag $3.53

Legendary Creature — Elder Dragon

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

Playstyle & Strategy

Toughness Matters 48% Defenders 25% Walls 13% Aggro 3% Card Draw 1%
View Average Decklist

New Cards

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

Chelonian Tackle Chelonian Tackle
+4% Synergy $0.17
Chase Inspiration Chase Inspiration
+3% Synergy $0.10
Turbulent Wilderness Turbulent Wilderness
+1% Synergy $6.52
Harmonized Trio Harmonized Trio
0% Synergy $0.48
Erode Erode
-1% Synergy $8.54

High Synergy Cards

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

Overgrown Battlement Overgrown Battlement
+87% Synergy $0.30
Wall of Denial Wall of Denial
+86% Synergy $0.47
Axebane Guardian Axebane Guardian
+83% Synergy $0.31
Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive
+78% Synergy $0.15
Stalwart Shield-Bearers Stalwart Shield-Bearers
+78% Synergy $1.76
High Alert High Alert
+77% Synergy $0.41
Wall of Blossoms Wall of Blossoms
+75% Synergy $0.30
Wall of Omens Wall of Omens
+75% Synergy $0.26
The Pride of Hull Clade The Pride of Hull Clade
+72% Synergy $1.53
Sunscape Familiar Sunscape Familiar
+70% Synergy $3.24

Top Cards

The staple cards most Arcades, the Strategist Toughness Matters decks run as their core.

Wall of Frost Wall of Frost
+68% Synergy $0.28
Tower Defense Tower Defense
+68% Synergy $0.19
Crashing Drawbridge Crashing Drawbridge
+67% Synergy $0.78
Slaughter the Strong Slaughter the Strong
+66% Synergy $0.21
Assault Formation Assault Formation
+66% Synergy $0.30
Hover Barrier Hover Barrier
+65% Synergy $0.42
Dusk // Dawn Dusk // Dawn
+62% Synergy $0.32
Perimeter Captain Perimeter Captain
+62% Synergy $1.42
Jeskai Barricade Jeskai Barricade
+57% Synergy $0.42
Swords to Plowshares Swords to Plowshares
+5% Synergy $1.44

Game Changers

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

Aura Shards Aura Shards
+17% Synergy $28.28
Cyclonic Rift Cyclonic Rift
+8% Synergy $41.26
Teferi's Protection Teferi's Protection
+7% Synergy $51.92
Rhystic Study Rhystic Study
+3% Synergy $69.44
Fierce Guardianship Fierce Guardianship
+3% Synergy $56.78
Smothering Tithe Smothering Tithe
-1% Synergy $53.72
Enlightened Tutor Enlightened Tutor
-2% Synergy $36.16
Worldly Tutor Worldly Tutor
-2% Synergy $26.55
Farewell Farewell
-9% Synergy $5.86

Creatures

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

Crystal Barricade Crystal Barricade
+56% Synergy $1.20
Shield-Wall Sentinel Shield-Wall Sentinel
+56% Synergy $0.33
Vine Trellis Vine Trellis
+56% Synergy $1.17
Wall of Junk Wall of Junk
+56% Synergy $0.28
Sylvan Caryatid Sylvan Caryatid
+55% Synergy $0.63
Wall of Tanglecord Wall of Tanglecord
+55% Synergy $0.36
The Walls of Ba Sing Se The Walls of Ba Sing Se
+53% Synergy $26.27
Weathered Sentinels Weathered Sentinels
+51% Synergy $0.83
Wall of Stolen Identity Wall of Stolen Identity
+49% Synergy $5.60
Tree of Redemption Tree of Redemption
+48% Synergy $0.47
Wall of Runes Wall of Runes
+48% Synergy $0.22
Corrupted Shapeshifter Corrupted Shapeshifter
+42% Synergy $0.21
Wingmantle Chaplain Wingmantle Chaplain
+42% Synergy $0.31
Shield Sphere Shield Sphere
+42% Synergy $10.04
Wall of Glare Wall of Glare
+41% Synergy $0.56
Angelic Wall Angelic Wall
+40% Synergy $0.20
Walking Bulwark Walking Bulwark
+40% Synergy $0.16
Carven Caryatid Carven Caryatid
+36% Synergy $0.21
Fortified Rampart Fortified Rampart
+35% Synergy $0.20
Flumph Flumph
+34% Synergy $1.67
Riptide Turtle Riptide Turtle
+34% Synergy $0.09
Wall of Roots Wall of Roots
+32% Synergy $0.26
Mnemonic Wall Mnemonic Wall
+31% Synergy $0.22
Drift of Phantasms Drift of Phantasms
+30% Synergy $0.35
Towering Titan Towering Titan
+30% Synergy $0.30
Fog Bank Fog Bank
+27% Synergy $0.15
Wall of Mulch Wall of Mulch
+27% Synergy $0.24
Resolute Watchdog Resolute Watchdog
+26% Synergy $0.28
Plagon, Lord of the Beach Plagon, Lord of the Beach
+26% Synergy $1.48
Fecund Greenshell Fecund Greenshell
+26% Synergy $0.81
Steel Wall Steel Wall
+26% Synergy $0.17
Bedrock Tortoise Bedrock Tortoise
+25% Synergy $2.21
Wall of Shards Wall of Shards
+24% Synergy $7.15
Jungle Barrier Jungle Barrier
+24% Synergy $0.29
Glacial Wall Glacial Wall
+23% Synergy $0.35
Rampart Architect Rampart Architect
+23% Synergy $0.28
Gatecreeper Vine Gatecreeper Vine
+22% Synergy $0.21
Towering Viewpoint Towering Viewpoint
+22% Synergy $0.21
Suspicious Bookcase Suspicious Bookcase
+21% Synergy $0.32
Rune-Sealed Wall Rune-Sealed Wall
+21% Synergy $0.06
Wall of Tears Wall of Tears
+19% Synergy $0.74
Orator of Ojutai Orator of Ojutai
+19% Synergy $0.19
Rigo, Streetwise Mentor Rigo, Streetwise Mentor
+17% Synergy $0.30
Charix, the Raging Isle Charix, the Raging Isle
+17% Synergy $0.48
Wall of Nets Wall of Nets
+17% Synergy $5.27
Sokrates, Athenian Teacher Sokrates, Athenian Teacher
+16% Synergy $0.38
Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa
+16% Synergy $0.28
Guard Gomazoa Guard Gomazoa
+15% Synergy $0.56
Amaranthine Wall Amaranthine Wall
+15% Synergy $0.26
Geist of the Archives Geist of the Archives
+15% Synergy $0.27

Instants

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

Bar the Door Bar the Door
+32% Synergy $0.20
Eerie Interlude Eerie Interlude
+30% Synergy $7.09
Counterspell Counterspell
+21% Synergy $3.43
Akroma's Will Akroma's Will
+21% Synergy $16.26
Negate Negate
+17% Synergy $0.14
Solidarity Solidarity
+13% Synergy $0.27
Beast Within Beast Within
+12% Synergy $0.46
Ghostway Ghostway
+12% Synergy $4.89
Heroic Intervention Heroic Intervention
+10% Synergy $13.39
Bant Charm Bant Charm
+10% Synergy $0.24
Aegis of the Heavens Aegis of the Heavens
+10% Synergy $0.15
Dovin's Veto Dovin's Veto
+9% Synergy $3.25
Unbreakable Formation Unbreakable Formation
+9% Synergy $1.14
Return to Nature Return to Nature
+9% Synergy $0.24
Generous Gift Generous Gift
+5% Synergy $1.62
Flawless Maneuver Flawless Maneuver
+5% Synergy $21.48
Naturalize Naturalize
+5% Synergy $0.16
Krosan Grip Krosan Grip
+4% Synergy $1.60
Cancel Cancel
+4% Synergy $0.32
Mana Drain Mana Drain
+3% Synergy $52.75
Growth Spiral Growth Spiral
+2% Synergy $0.32
Nature's Claim Nature's Claim
+2% Synergy $1.03
Path to Exile Path to Exile
+1% Synergy $1.05
Stroke of Midnight Stroke of Midnight
+1% Synergy $0.36
Eladamri's Call Eladamri's Call
-2% Synergy $10.93
Arcane Denial Arcane Denial
-5% Synergy $1.46
Swan Song Swan Song
-7% Synergy $7.86
An Offer You Can't Refuse An Offer You Can't Refuse
-18% Synergy $2.26

Sorceries

Sorceries that push the Toughness Matters game plan forward for Arcades, the Strategist.

Fell the Mighty Fell the Mighty
+54% Synergy $0.21
Expel the Interlopers Expel the Interlopers
+28% Synergy $0.30
Wave of Reckoning Wave of Reckoning
+27% Synergy $0.77
Last March of the Ents Last March of the Ents
+20% Synergy $33.13
Rampant Growth Rampant Growth
+19% Synergy $0.42
Raise the Past Raise the Past
+18% Synergy $0.48
The Battle of Bywater The Battle of Bywater
+16% Synergy $2.90
Reunion of the House Reunion of the House
+12% Synergy $0.26
Cultivate Cultivate
+11% Synergy $0.30
Destined Confrontation Destined Confrontation
+9% Synergy $0.24
Kodama's Reach Kodama's Reach
+8% Synergy $1.14
Retribution of the Meek Retribution of the Meek
+8% Synergy $8.03
Triumph of the Hordes Triumph of the Hordes
+6% Synergy $13.71
Farseek Farseek
+5% Synergy $0.71
Ascend from Avernus Ascend from Avernus
+5% Synergy $1.92
Return to the Ranks Return to the Ranks
+5% Synergy $0.82
Austere Command Austere Command
0% Synergy $0.94
Bala Ged Recovery Bala Ged Sanctuary Bala Ged Recovery
0% Synergy $6.57
Nature's Lore Nature's Lore
-1% Synergy $2.31
Three Visits Three Visits
-6% Synergy $5.51

Utility Artifacts

Artifacts that add consistency and utility to Arcades, the Strategist Toughness Matters decks.

Meekstone Meekstone
+49% Synergy $12.20
Rammas Echor, Ancient Shield Rammas Echor, Ancient Shield
+48% Synergy $10.96
Lightning Greaves Lightning Greaves
+23% Synergy $3.93
Slagwurm Armor Slagwurm Armor
+22% Synergy $1.04
Swiftfoot Boots Swiftfoot Boots
+12% Synergy $2.99
Colfenor's Urn Colfenor's Urn
+8% Synergy $0.28
Mirror Shield Mirror Shield
+6% Synergy $0.50
Panharmonicon Panharmonicon
+4% Synergy $7.28
Robe of Stars Robe of Stars
+4% Synergy $13.76

Enchantments

Enchantments that reinforce the Toughness Matters strategy in Arcades, the Strategist decks.

Brave the Sands Brave the Sands
+56% Synergy $6.53
Stoneskin Stoneskin
+47% Synergy $1.75
Angelic Chorus Angelic Chorus
+23% Synergy $7.68
Unnatural Growth Unnatural Growth
+15% Synergy $2.67
Primal Rage Primal Rage
+15% Synergy $7.29
Restricted Office // Lecture Hall Restricted Office // Lecture Hall
+13% Synergy $0.18
The Birth of Meletis The Birth of Meletis
+13% Synergy $0.31
Assemble the Players Assemble the Players
+12% Synergy $0.34
Vault 75: Middle School Vault 75: Middle School
+10% Synergy $0.34
Angelic Shield Angelic Shield
+10% Synergy $0.23
Spidersilk Armor Spidersilk Armor
+10% Synergy $2.86
Rolling Stones Rolling Stones
+10% Synergy $1.47
Serra's Blessing Serra's Blessing
+8% Synergy $0.95
Sight of the Scalelords Sight of the Scalelords
+8% Synergy $0.42
Smile at Death Smile at Death
+7% Synergy $3.82
Guardian Project Guardian Project
+6% Synergy $12.08
True Conviction True Conviction
+5% Synergy $5.04
Always Watching Always Watching
+5% Synergy $1.32
Court of Ardenvale Court of Ardenvale
+5% Synergy $4.64
Treefolk Umbra Treefolk Umbra
+5% Synergy $0.22
Teferi's Ageless Insight Teferi's Ageless Insight
+4% Synergy $3.91
Propaganda Propaganda
+1% Synergy $3.52
Ghostly Prison Ghostly Prison
0% Synergy $3.94

Planeswalkers

Planeswalkers that back up Arcades, the Strategist's Toughness Matters game plan.

Huatli, the Sun's Heart Huatli, the Sun's Heart
+23% Synergy $0.38
Teyo, the Shieldmage Teyo, the Shieldmage
+22% Synergy $0.27
Teyo, Geometric Tactician Teyo, Geometric Tactician
+11% Synergy $9.15

Utility Lands

Non-basic lands that pull extra weight in Arcades, the Strategist Toughness Matters decks.

Access Tunnel Access Tunnel
+28% Synergy $0.38
Reliquary Tower Reliquary Tower
+14% Synergy $2.76
Rogue's Passage Rogue's Passage
+5% Synergy $0.36
Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth
+1% Synergy $15.55
Temple of the False God Temple of the False God
+1% Synergy $0.32
Three Tree City Three Tree City
+1% Synergy $24.13
Alchemist's Refuge Alchemist's Refuge
0% Synergy $0.34
Boseiju, Who Endures Boseiju, Who Endures
-4% Synergy $53.40
Otawara, Soaring City Otawara, Soaring City
-5% Synergy $31.72

Mana Artifacts

Mana rocks and fixing to power out Arcades, the Strategist's Toughness Matters strategy.

Azorius Signet Azorius Signet
+19% Synergy $0.24
Selesnya Signet Selesnya Signet
+15% Synergy $0.43
Simic Signet Simic Signet
+14% Synergy $0.26
Arcane Signet Arcane Signet
+8% Synergy $0.46
Chromatic Lantern Chromatic Lantern
+7% Synergy $1.31
Commander's Sphere Commander's Sphere
+6% Synergy $0.25
Sol Ring Sol Ring
+5% Synergy $1.40
Thought Vessel Thought Vessel
+4% Synergy $2.60
Decanter of Endless Water Decanter of Endless Water
+4% Synergy $4.11
Talisman of Unity Talisman of Unity
-1% Synergy $6.04
Talisman of Curiosity Talisman of Curiosity
-2% Synergy $0.45
Talisman of Progress Talisman of Progress
-2% Synergy $0.35
Fellwar Stone Fellwar Stone
-4% Synergy $0.60

Lands

The mana base behind Arcades, the Strategist's Toughness Matters decks.

Seaside Citadel Seaside Citadel
+12% Synergy $0.34
Azorius Guildgate Azorius Guildgate
+10% Synergy $0.13
Selesnya Guildgate Selesnya Guildgate
+10% Synergy $0.14
Tranquil Landscape Tranquil Landscape
+9% Synergy $0.22
Simic Guildgate Simic Guildgate
+9% Synergy $0.13
Evolving Wilds Evolving Wilds
+6% Synergy $0.39
Terramorphic Expanse Terramorphic Expanse
+6% Synergy $0.26
Hengegate Pathway Mistgate Pathway Hengegate Pathway
+6% Synergy $4.52
Glacial Fortress Glacial Fortress
+5% Synergy $0.34
Overgrown Farmland Overgrown Farmland
+5% Synergy $2.36
Deserted Beach Deserted Beach
+5% Synergy $5.38
Barkchannel Pathway Tidechannel Pathway Barkchannel Pathway
+5% Synergy $4.35
Branchloft Pathway Boulderloft Pathway Branchloft Pathway
+5% Synergy $2.97
Blossoming Sands Blossoming Sands
+5% Synergy $0.20
Plains Plains
+4% Synergy $0.07
Spara's Headquarters Spara's Headquarters
+4% Synergy $14.05
Sea of Clouds Sea of Clouds
+4% Synergy $18.75
Bountiful Promenade Bountiful Promenade
+4% Synergy $16.20
Azorius Chancery Azorius Chancery
+4% Synergy $0.32
Forest Forest
+3% Synergy $0.08
Island Island
+3% Synergy $0.07
Prairie Stream Prairie Stream
+3% Synergy $0.26
Sunpetal Grove Sunpetal Grove
+3% Synergy $0.63
Floodfarm Verge Floodfarm Verge
+3% Synergy $9.28
Brokers Hideout Brokers Hideout
+3% Synergy $0.82
Rejuvenating Springs Rejuvenating Springs
+2% Synergy $8.09
Selesnya Sanctuary Selesnya Sanctuary
+2% Synergy $0.25
Hushwood Verge Hushwood Verge
+2% Synergy $7.07
Command Tower Command Tower
+1% Synergy $0.25
Hinterland Harbor Hinterland Harbor
+1% Synergy $0.28
Simic Growth Chamber Simic Growth Chamber
0% Synergy $0.33
Dreamroot Cascade Dreamroot Cascade
-1% Synergy $0.75
Canopy Vista Canopy Vista
-2% Synergy $0.29
Hallowed Fountain Hallowed Fountain
-2% Synergy $8.39
Tropical Island Tropical Island
-2% Synergy
Savannah Savannah
-2% Synergy
Tundra Tundra
-2% Synergy $3000.00
Temple Garden Temple Garden
-3% Synergy $7.78
Port Town Port Town
-3% Synergy $0.22
Misty Rainforest Misty Rainforest
-4% Synergy $36.10
Breeding Pool Breeding Pool
-5% Synergy $11.06
Flooded Strand Flooded Strand
-5% Synergy $15.52
Windswept Heath Windswept Heath
-6% Synergy $11.42
Yavimaya Coast Yavimaya Coast
-6% Synergy $0.28
Temple of Mystery Temple of Mystery
-6% Synergy $0.24
Temple of Enlightenment Temple of Enlightenment
-7% Synergy $0.25
Temple of Plenty Temple of Plenty
-7% Synergy $0.26
Exotic Orchard Exotic Orchard
-8% Synergy $0.36
Adarkar Wastes Adarkar Wastes
-8% Synergy $0.34
Brushland Brushland
-12% Synergy $1.20

Similar Commanders

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

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 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 Flaming Fist Rasaad yn Bashir // Flaming Fist
Rasaad yn Bashir Folk Hero Rasaad yn Bashir // Folk Hero
Rasaad yn Bashir Inspiring Leader Rasaad yn Bashir // Inspiring Leader
Rasaad yn Bashir Master Chef Rasaad yn Bashir // Master Chef
Rasaad yn Bashir Noble Heritage Rasaad yn Bashir // Noble Heritage
Rasaad yn Bashir Raised by Giants Rasaad yn Bashir // Raised by Giants
Rasaad yn Bashir Shameless Charlatan Rasaad yn Bashir // Shameless Charlatan
Baldin, Century Herdmaster Baldin, Century Herdmaster
Geralf, Visionary Stitcher Geralf, Visionary Stitcher
Esior, Wardwing Familiar Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper Esior, Wardwing Familiar // Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper
Plagon, Lord of the Beach Plagon, Lord of the Beach
Esior, Wardwing Familiar Prava of the Steel Legion Esior, Wardwing Familiar // Prava of the Steel Legion
Rasaad yn Bashir Clan Crafter Rasaad yn Bashir // Clan Crafter
Arcades Sabboth Arcades Sabboth
Akiri, Line-Slinger Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa Akiri, Line-Slinger // Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa
Bill the Pony Bill the Pony
Ms. Bumbleflower Ms. Bumbleflower
Sophia, Dogged Detective Sophia, Dogged Detective
The Fifth Doctor Leela, Sevateem Warrior The Fifth Doctor // Leela, Sevateem Warrior
Doran, the Siege Tower Doran, the Siege Tower
Ellie and Alan, Paleontologists Ellie and Alan, Paleontologists
Kodama of the East Tree Rebbec, Architect of Ascension Kodama of the East Tree // Rebbec, Architect of Ascension
Rasaad yn Bashir Veteran Soldier Rasaad yn Bashir // Veteran Soldier
Kellan, the Kid Kellan, the Kid
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa Sakashima of a Thousand Faces // Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa
Felothar the Steadfast Felothar the Steadfast
Angus Mackenzie Angus Mackenzie
Betor, Kin to All Betor, Kin to All
Tadeas, Juniper Ascendant Tadeas, Juniper Ascendant
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