Symbiotic Swarm
Sign in to save a copy
- Commander
- Kathril, Aspect Warper
- Cards
- 100
- Current value
- $72.80
- Grade
- C
How it grades
Fundamentals 58/100. Plays like Reanimator / graveyard and +1/+1 counters.
This reads as Reanimator / graveyard · +1/+1 counters, built around Kathril, Aspect Warper. The graveyard is a second hand: stock it fast, then cheat the biggest things in it onto the battlefield for a fraction of their cost. Self-mill and discard are card selection, not card loss. Graveyard hate is the deck's nightmare, so diversify threats and keep a fair backup plan. Its strongest fundamental is interaction (13 removal/protection effects (want 10+ for Reanimator / graveyard)); the first thing to tighten is commander synergy: Only 17 of 61 spells play into your commanders' plan; they want lifegain, +1/+1 counter, enters-the-battlefield support. Counts the builds players run with your commanders (Voltron, Reanimator; from EDHREC).
- B+Mana reliability
- CLand count
- CMana curve
- BRamp
- C+Card draw
- A+Interaction
- C-Commander synergy
- AWin conditions
- B+Card quality
- A+Legality & size
Where it falls short
- B+Mana reliability82% of your spells arrive on time. Hornet Queen is the riskiest: its G cost is heavy for this mana base, so expect it several turns late.
- CLand count38 lands. About 44 fits this curve for Reanimator / graveyard.
- CMana curve16% of spells cost ≤2, 23% cost 6+.
- BRamp9 ramp effects (want 12+ for this curve for Reanimator / graveyard).
- C+Card draw6 draw effects (want 10+ for Reanimator / graveyard).
- C-Commander synergyOnly 17 of 61 spells play into your commanders' plan; they want lifegain, +1/+1 counter, enters-the-battlefield support. Counts the builds players run with your commanders (Voltron, Reanimator; from EDHREC).
- B+Card qualityMedian EDHREC rank #4,321
Strong on interaction, win conditions and legality & size.
90 cards graded: A- 4, B+ 20, B 49, B- 14, C+ 2, C 1. The command zone is the plan, so it isn't graded.
Upgrades
Made together, they take Symbiotic Swarm from C to B-.
Icetill Explorer2GG$19.93
In place of Bonder's Ornament: weakest slot in the deck (64/100)
Fills the ramp gap (you're at 9 of 12+). Pays off your land engine (6 producers). Fuels your graveyard payoffs (10 in deck).
Skull ProphetBG$0.84
In place of Karametra, God of Harvests: expensive for ramp: the help arrives late (65/100)
Fits the graveyard build players run with your commanders. Top-5% staple by play data. EDHREC Reanimator / graveyard staple.
Puresteel PaladinWW$2.46
In place of Nikara, Lair Scavenger: weakest slot in the deck (64/100)
Fills the draw gap (you're at 6 of 10+). Pays off your artifact engine (8 producers). Fits the equipment build players run with your commanders.
Six2G$5.07
In place of Selective Adaptation: doesn't ramp, draw, interact or threaten. What is it for? (40/100)
Fuels your graveyard payoffs (10 in deck). Fits the graveyard build players run with your commanders. Top-5% staple by play data.
Stitcher's SupplierB$0.38
In place of Predatory Impetus: weakest slot in the deck (50/100)
Fuels your graveyard payoffs (10 in deck). Fits the graveyard build players run with your commanders. Top-5% staple by play data.
Colossal Grave-Reaver6BG$11.21
In place of Solemn Recruit: weakest slot in the deck (53/100)
Fuels your graveyard payoffs (10 in deck). Fits the graveyard build players run with your commanders. EDHREC Reanimator / graveyard staple.
Inspiring Call2G$0.39
In place of Harmonize: its G cost is heavy for this mana base; expect it several turns late (66/100)
Pays off your go-wide engine (12 producers). Keeps the commanders alive. Fills the draw gap (you're at 6 of 10+).
The Great Henge7GG$65.59
In place of Deathsprout: expensive for ramp: the help arrives late (65/100)
Pays off your +1/+1 counter engine (8 producers). Pays off the commanders' +1/+1 counter plan. Fills the ramp gap (you're at 9 of 12+).
Braids, Arisen Nightmare1BB$4.61
In place of Void Beckoner: weakest slot in the deck (69/100)
Works with the commander directly. Fits the commander's plan. Fills the draw gap (you're at 6 of 10+).
Skullclamp1$5.38
In place of Titanoth Rex: weakest slot in the deck (70/100)
Lowers the curve. Fills the draw gap (you're at 6 of 10+). Fits the equipment build players run with your commanders.
Save a copy to try them. The editor's Improve list has these and more, with the swaps one click each.
Decklist
Commander 1
Creatures 34
- B
- B
- B-
- B-
- B+
- B-
- B-
- B
- B-
- B+
- B
- B
- B
- B+
- C+
- B+
- B
- B-
- B
- B-
- B
- B
- B
- B-
- B
- B+
- B+
- B-
- B
- B
- B+
- B
- B
- B+
Planeswalkers 1
- B
Instants 6
- B+
- B
- B+
- B
- B+
- B
Sorceries 7
- C
- B
- B-
- B-
- B+
- A-
- B
Artifacts 7
- B-
- B
- B
- A-
- A-
- A-
- B+
Enchantments 6
- B
- B-
- B
- B
- B
- C+
Lands 38
- B
- B
- B
- B
- B
- B
- B
- B
- B
- B+
- B
- B-
- B+
- B+
- B+
- B+
- B
- B
- B+
- B+
- B×3
- B×2
- B×2
- B×3
- B×2
- B×2
- B×2
- B
- B
Prices are current market estimates, not what the sealed product costs. Magic: The Gathering is © Wizards of the Coast.