Ertai, the Corrupted
$1.42
Legendary Creature — Phyrexian Human Wizard

Esper control that sacrifices cheap creatures and enchantments to counter spells, then wins late with a single big threat.
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Ertai is a repeatable counterspell. For {U}, tapping him and sacrificing a creature or enchantment counters target spell. He needs to untap to use it again, so it works once per turn cycle unless you give him extra untaps. The deck fills the board with cheap enchantments and small creatures that double as fodder, backs them with spot removal and sweepers, and keeps mana open on other players' turns.
In the recorded games, Ertai played as patient control. Enlightened Tutor found Ghostly Prison early, which blunted token and aggro decks, and Doom Foretold gave the sacrifice plan another use. Counters and bounce answered key combo pieces before they could resolve. Nemesis of Reason showed up as a mill finisher that forced the table to react. Across seven games the deck was hard to push through but slow to close, and it struggled when it ran out of things to sacrifice or faced several threats at once.
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Videos
Commander gameplay videos featuring Ertai, the Corrupted.
Generic Commander Season 2 Episode 17: Secret Santa! Esix v Dihada v Ertai v Sin
Inalla, Chandra, Varina, Ertai | Commander Gameplay
Commander Adventures #10 - Ghired v. Ertai, the Corrupted v. Omnath, Locus of Rage v. Queen Marchesa
Commander VS S14E2: Krond VS Ertai VS Sydri VS Asmira [EDH]
The EDH Lounge - PreModern - Volrath vs Xira vs Ertai vs Bladewing
Titania vs Tajic vs Bosh vs Ertai EDH / CMDR game play for Magic: The Gathering
Commander Vs Holiday Special: Rakdos vs Ertai vs Selvala vs Zur [MTG: Multiplayer]
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New Cards
Fresh cards from recent sets that players are experimenting with in Ertai, the Corrupted decks.
High Synergy Cards
Cards that work exceptionally well with Ertai, the Corrupted's abilities and overall game plan.
Hatching Plans
Lullmage Mentor
Freed from the Real
Ophiomancer
Bitterblossom
Drumbellower
Pemmin's AuraTop Cards
The most popular and reliable cards that form the backbone of successful Ertai, the Corrupted decks.
Hatching Plans
Lullmage Mentor
Freed from the Real
Phyrexian Arena
Propaganda
Ghostly Prison
Counterspell
Path to Exile
Swords to PlowsharesGame Changers
Powerful cards that can single-handedly turn the tide of a game when resolved.
Serra's Sanctum
Rhystic Study
Field of the Dead
Enlightened Tutor
Narset, Parter of Veils
Demonic Tutor
Necropotence
Farewell
Cyclonic Rift
Notion Thief
Drannith Magistrate
Mystical Tutor
Force of Will
Vampiric Tutor
Opposition Agent
Ancient Tomb
Teferi's Protection
Smothering Tithe
Fierce Guardianship
The One RingCreatures
Essential creatures that complement Ertai, the Corrupted's strategy through synergy, utility, or raw power.
Ophiomancer
Drumbellower
Aura Thief
Mesa Enchantress
Reassembling Skeleton
Vizier of Tumbling Sands
Archon of Sun's Grace
Sun Titan
Solemn Simulacrum
Starfield Mystic
Fatestitcher
Aphetto Alchemist
Academy Rector
Entity Tracker
Inquisitive Glimmer
Auramancer
Eidolon of Rhetoric
Grim Guardian
Bitterbloom Bearer
Moon-Blessed Cleric
Doomwake Giant
Blood Artist
Stormscape Familiar
Reef Worm
Zulaport Cutthroat
Kelpie Guide
Morbid Opportunist
Pitiless Plunderer
Ondu Spiritdancer
Notion Thief
Drannith Magistrate
Witch Enchanter
Opposition Agent
Grand Abolisher
Baleful Strix
Esper SentinelInstants
Key instant-speed responses for protection, removal, and keeping Ertai, the Corrupted safe.
Arcane Denial
Ertai's Scorn
Dovin's Veto
Render Silent
Mana Drain
Dramatic Reversal
Fact or Fiction
Absorb
Disallow
Enlightened Tutor
Negate
Cyclonic Rift
Waterlogged Teachings
Utter End
Mystical Tutor
Inkshield
Void Rend
Despark
Force of Will
Vampiric Tutor
Anguished Unmaking
Brainstorm
Swan Song
Teferi's Protection
Fell the Profane
Mortify
Force of Negation
Dark Ritual
Generous Gift
Fierce Guardianship
Silence
Sink into Stupor
An Offer You Can't Refuse
Deadly Rollick
Frantic SearchSorceries
Important sorcery spells that advance Ertai, the Corrupted's game plan and control the board.
Supreme Verdict
Replenish
Dance of the Manse
Idyllic Tutor
Cleansing Meditation
Resurgent Belief
Wrath of God
Approach of the Second Sun
Diabolic Intent
Diabolic Tutor
Grim Tutor
Demonic Tutor
Farewell
Damn
Vindicate
Time Wipe
Sevinne's Reclamation
Austere Command
Victimize
Ponder
Windfall
Reanimate
Toxic DelugeUtility Artifacts
Versatile artifacts that provide ongoing value, card selection, or strategic advantages.
Thousand-Year Elixir
Lightning Greaves
Phyrexian Altar
Skullclamp
Halo Fountain
Magewright's Stone
Sting, the Glinting Dagger
Isochron Scepter
Wayfarer's Bauble
Ashnod's Altar
Swiftfoot Boots
The One RingEnchantments
Powerful enchantments that support Ertai, the Corrupted's strategy and create lasting battlefield effects.
Bitterblossom
Pemmin's Aura
Skrelv's Hive
Enchanted Evening
Sphere of Safety
Dreadhorde Invasion
Sigil of the Empty Throne
Hopeless Nightmare
Rule of Law
Intruder Alarm
Land Tax
Telepathy
Mystic Remora
Starfield of Nyx
Blind Obedience
Grave Pact
Omen of the Sea
Bastion of Remembrance
Aura of Silence
Arcane Laboratory
Dictate of Erebos
Court of Ardenvale
Confounding Conundrum
Mirrormade
Darksteel Mutation
Phyrexian Reclamation
No Mercy
Opalescence
Solemnity
Decree of Silence
Leyline of Anticipation
Seal of Cleansing
Dazzling Theater // Prop Room
Estrid's Invocation
Rhystic Study
Court of Grace
Karmic Justice
Unstoppable Plan
Court of Vantress
The Meathook Massacre
Authority of the Consuls
Black Market Connections
Imprisoned in the Moon
Necropotence
Copy Enchantment
Animate Dead
Grasp of Fate
Anointed Procession
Smothering Tithe
Gleaming SplendorPlaneswalkers
Planeswalkers that work alongside Ertai, the Corrupted to provide ongoing value and board presence.
Elspeth, Sun's Champion
Narset, Parter of Veils
Teferi, Time RavelerUtility Lands
Non-basic lands that offer additional utility beyond just mana production.
Minamo, School at Water's Edge
Hall of Heliod's Generosity
Riptide Laboratory
Serra's Sanctum
Phyrexian Tower
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
Castle Ardenvale
Maze of Ith
Field of the Dead
Mystic Sanctuary
Cabal Coffers
Bojuka Bog
Ancient Tomb
Urza's Saga
Reliquary Tower
Otawara, Soaring CityMana Artifacts
Artifacts focused on mana acceleration and color fixing for consistent gameplay.
Patriar's Seal
Azorius Signet
Bender's Waterskin
Dimir Signet
Chromatic Lantern
Gilded Lotus
Mind Stone
Orzhov Signet
Commander's Sphere
Fellwar Stone
Talisman of Progress
Talisman of Dominance
Sol Ring
Thought Vessel
Talisman of Hierarchy
Arcane SignetLands
The mana base foundation for Ertai, the Corrupted decks, ensuring smooth and reliable mana development.
Dimir Aqueduct
Contaminated Landscape
Azorius Chancery
Reflecting Pool
Temple of Enlightenment
Temple of Deceit
Raffine's Tower
Plains
Temple of Silence
Island
Swamp
Arcane Sanctum
Tundra
Scrubland
Meticulous Archive
Terramorphic Expanse
Underground Sea
Shadowy Backstreet
Orzhov Basilica
Deserted Beach
Shipwreck Marsh
City of Brass
Darkwater Catacombs
Undercity Sewers
Polluted Delta
Adarkar Wastes
Hallowed Fountain
Flooded Strand
Shattered Sanctum
Skycloud Expanse
Drowned Catacomb
Watery Grave
Sink into Stupor
Marsh Flats
Sea of Clouds
Caves of Koilos
Morphic Pool
Vault of Champions
Godless Shrine
Evolving Wilds
Isolated Chapel
Prairie Stream
Sunken Hollow
Glacial Fortress
Underground River
Choked Estuary
Port Town
Path of Ancestry
Command Tower
Exotic OrchardErtai, the Corrupted Deck Stats
Based on 1,254 Ertai, the Corrupted decks.
| Mana value | Cards |
|---|---|
| 1 | 9 |
| 2 | 20 |
| 3 | 21 |
| 4 | 9 |
| 5 | 3 |
| 6 | 2 |
- Creature 22
- Instant 10
- Sorcery 6
- Artifact 9
- Enchantment 16
- Planeswalker 1
- Land 35
| Card type | Cards |
|---|---|
| Creature | 22 |
| Instant | 10 |
| Sorcery | 6 |
| Artifact | 9 |
| Enchantment | 16 |
| Planeswalker | 1 |
| Land | 35 |
Lands: 16 basic, 19 nonbasic
| Month | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 892 |
| 2024-11 | 1083 |
| 2024-12 | 1322 |
| 2025-01 | 1222 |
| 2025-02 | 1216 |
| 2025-03 | 1208 |
| 2025-04 | 1312 |
| 2025-05 | 1290 |
| 2025-06 | 1351 |
| 2025-07 | 1450 |
| 2025-08 | 1384 |
| 2025-09 | 1530 |
| 2025-10 | 1282 |
| 2025-11 | 1517 |
| 2025-12 | 1376 |
| 2026-01 | 1608 |
| 2026-02 | 1325 |
| 2026-03 | 1586 |
| 2026-04 | 1565 |
| 2026-05 | 1413 |
| 2026-06 | 1423 |
| 2026-07 | 1469 |
| 2026-08 | 1610 |
| 2026-09 | 1672 |
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