New Commander Decks with Rare MTG Reprints and Unique Themes

Magic: The Gathering’s latest Commander decks are redefining what it means to get value in a preconstructed box-offering collectors and players a once-in-a-generation opportunity with jaw-dropping treatments, exclusive foils, and crossover legends that promise to shake up kitchen tables and card markets alike.

Over the last few months I’ve gotten way, WAY into Commander. While the credit card bills haven’t showed up in the mailbox yet, building decks for Magic: The Gathering’s most popular format has become a big part of my downtime after work. I’ve even begun to frequent the local shop for game nights. I’m learning tons about the modern state of the game, while also just enjoying the company of other human beings. There’s also the smooth-brain card sorting to keep me away from the news cycle, which is a nice bonus. That’s how I recently stumbled on an amazing new deck from the Tarkir: Dragonstorm set. I think it might be one of the year’s most exciting Magic releases.

Magic: the Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck – Temur Roar is a 100-card deck focused on one of Magic’s perennially popular gameplay strategies, which is launching big ass dragons at your opponents. In practice it’s a pretty straightforward one-two punch: Build up more mana than you might otherwise be able to turn after turn, a strategy referred to as “ramp” in the vernacular, and then use it to summon your scaly friends en masse.

Leading the deck is Ureni of the Unwritten, a seven-mana spirit dragon. Normally you wouldn’t be able to bring Ureni out until the seventh round of play, but various cards in the deck can help ramp up enough mana to get the job done early. Once on the table, Ureni proceeds to reveal additional dragon cards and bring them directly onto the battlefield for free. In motion, that means two or three high-value monsters with flying and/or trample on or before turn five – just the thing to begin loudly offing your opponents.

And that’s just the stock deck! As the folks at The Command Zone will tell you, the deck leaps up in power with just a few additions. All-in you’re looking at less than a $100 outlay for a potent deck, including upgrades. Add in that the deck is based on the beloved Tarkir setting, a plane we’ve not revisited in a decade, and you have one of the best thematic Commander decks in a generation.

Of course, Commander decks can be ephemeral things. The five for Tarkir: Dragonstorm launched just last week, and the local anecdotal evidence that I’ve got says they’re selling quickly. If you like playing dragons or have aspirations to do so in the future, now is the time to pick one up. Best of all it’s a great value. As Tolarian Community College points out, on the secondary market as of last week the cards inside this $44.99 box would set you back around $175. So even if you’re not looking to build out this particular deck right now, you still might want to grab it for later.

MTG – Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck – Temur Roar

$45 $45 $45 at Amazon$48 at Best Buy

How does the new Mox Jasper in Tarkir: Dragonstorm redefine Commander value

How Mox Jasper Redefines Commander Value in Tarkir: Dragonstorm

Mox Jasper stands out in Tarkir: Dragonstorm as both a collectible and a gameplay piece, but its impact on Commander value is multifaceted:

• Ultra-Rare Serialized Versions: The most striking innovation is the serialized retro frame edition of Mox Jasper, crafted by original Mox artist Dan Frazier. These double rainbow foil cards are exclusive to Collector Boosters and appear in less than 1% of packs, making them exceptionally rare and highly sought after by collectors. Some listings already price these serialized versions at several thousand dollars, underscoring their scarcity and prestige.

• Iconic Mox Status with a Twist: Mox Jasper is a zero-cost mana rock, echoing the legendary Moxen of Magic’s past. However, it can only be tapped for mana if you control a Dragon, which restricts its utility compared to other Mox cards. This design makes it a niche but powerful inclusion for Dragon-themed Commander decks, especially those built around The Ur-Dragon or Miirym.

• Commander-Specific Appeal: While less universally playable than classics like Mox Amber, Mox Jasper is a dream for Dragon tribal enthusiasts. It enables explosive plays in the right deck, providing free mana acceleration once a Dragon is on board. This creates new deck-building incentives and potential for unique combos in Commander, even if its competitive ceiling is lower than other Moxen.

• Market Impact and Speculation: The combination of the Mox name, serialized rarity, and Dragon synergy has driven significant buzz and speculation. While the regular version’s price is expected to stabilize around $25-$30, the serialized edition’s value is in a league of its own, setting a new benchmark for chase cards in Commander products.

In summary:
Mox Jasper redefines Commander value by blending iconic Magic history, ultra-rare serialized printing, and targeted tribal synergy. It’s a once-in-a-generation collectible that also opens new doors for Dragon-focused Commander decks, making Tarkir: Dragonstorm a landmark release for both players and collectors.

How does Mox Jasper’s reliance on dragons limit its Commander potential

Mox Jasper’s Reliance on Dragons: Commander Limitations

Narrow Deck Inclusion

• Mox Jasper can only generate mana if you control a Dragon, which sharply limits its usefulness to Dragon tribal decks or decks with a significant number of changelings (which count as Dragons).

• In non-Dragon decks, or even in decks where Dragons are a minor subtheme, Mox Jasper is often a dead card, sitting on the battlefield unable to produce mana until you meet its condition.

Delayed Impact Due to High Dragon Mana Costs

• Dragons are typically high-mana creatures, often costing four or more mana to cast.

• This means Mox Jasper usually cannot be activated early in the game, unlike other Moxen (such as Mox Amber) that can be turned on by cheaper, more accessible card types.

• While changelings and a few low-cost Dragons exist, relying on them to enable Mox Jasper makes deck construction more restrictive and less flexible.

Comparison to Other Mana Rocks

• Other mana rocks like Sol Ring or Arcane Signet provide unconditional mana acceleration, making them staples in almost any Commander deck.

• Mox Jasper, by contrast, is only as good as your ability to reliably have a Dragon on board, making it a niche inclusion rather than a format staple.

Summary Table

Conclusion

Mox Jasper’s reliance on Dragons significantly restricts its Commander potential. It shines in dedicated Dragon tribal decks but is largely ineffective elsewhere, making it a powerful but specialized tool rather than a broadly impactful mana rock.