Eshki Dragonclaw is Going on a Budget Adventure - Fourteen Under $14

Tarkir: Dragonstorm is on the edge of the horizon, and it's beginning to look like we will have an instant classic on our hands! The story has been riveting, the updates to the clans have been great, and the power level is just right. So many new cards have stolen the spotlight, but I want to shine it on one of the new clan leaders, Eshki Dragonclaw

! My name is Tyler Savesya Bucks, and here is a list of fourteen cards under $14 to get you started on making a deck around this new card, but I'm taking a different spin on this build.

The Commander - Eshki Dragonclaw

So, here's the twist: Adventure spells! Since Eshki wants you to cast a creature and a noncreature spell on your turn, Adventures give you both pieces on one card. Since you can cast the instant/sorcery side first, then cast the creature right away, you'll trigger your commander all while not going down in cards in hand. With this list I'll be highlighting some spells that could go in any Eshki deck, even if you don't focus on building around Adventures. However, if you are interested in building a full Adventure deck around Eshki, you can check out a budget list on my Archidekt here!

Scalding Viper

Starting things off with a great example of a card where you can cast both the Adventure and the creature side easily in the same turn. Steam Clean is a very powerful removal piece, since you can return any nonland permanent to its owner's hand. Then you pair that with a creature that deals damage to opponents for casting cheap spells; that's just a nasty combo.

Embereth Shieldbreaker

Our next creature may be a little vanilla, but in this deck that's okay! Embereth Shieldbreaker

is a 2/1 for two mana with no abilities, but the Adventure side Battle Display fairs much better. Only one mana to destroy an artifact is a nice rate, especially when you think about how many powerful new trinkets we get these days. Plus, this card is only three mana total to trigger your commander!

Stormkeld Vanguard

Speaking of destroying artifacts, Stormkeld Vanguard

's Adventure side Bear Down for two mana can destroy an artifact OR an enchantment. Once you cast it for its creature side, you get big 6/7 body that can't be blocked by smaller creatures. Yes, it is expensive to cast that creature, but remember: not every card needs to have both sides cast on the same turn.

Brazen Borrower

Brazen Borrower is the most expensive card on the list, and it's worth every penny! Not only is it a three-mana 3/1 flash flyer, but it's also an instant that can return a nonland permanent to an opponent's hand for only two mana. A prime example of a card that can be cast for both modes on the same turn, this little sprite will be a great value player in your deck!

Tempest Hart

Moving on to some spells that will help you dig through your deck, we're taking a look at Tempest Hart

. Casting its Adventure side Scan the Clouds first is great at any point in the game since it can help mold your hand into what you need it to be. Its creature half isn't too shabby, either, since you get a trampler that grows when you cast your bigger spells!

Questing Druid

This next card is a slam dunk with Eshki! Seek the Beast is an instant that allows you to exile the top two cards of your deck, and play them until the end of turn, which is a great rate for that effect. Once you cast the other side, Questing Druid

, you get a creature that gains a +1/+1 counter whenever you cast a spell that isn't green. Luckily for you, this deck is full of red and blue spells!

Tlincalli Hunter

Coming in with a little recursion and ramp, Tlincalli Hunter

is a wild card from a D&D precon. For two mana you can exile a creature card from your graveyard to cast again, which helps trigger your commander! The Hunter also allows you to cast a creature spell from exile for free, which can set you up for an explosive end game!

Bramble Familiar

Our next entrant on the list is an instance where I would suggest casting the creature first. Bramble Familiar

is a mana dork for two mana that also lets you bring it back to your hand. Its Adventure side is very strong, and can get you out of a sticky situation, but it's good to know that you can still have some synergistic ramp in this deck!

Rosethorn Acolyte

On the topic of ramp, we have Rosethorn Acolyte

up next. This costs three for a mana dork that taps for any color, and it has an Adventure sorcery that can filter a green into whatever you need at the time. Seasonal Ritual is a great way to cast a noncreature spell for basically free, then turn it into casting a creature to trigger your commander.

Kellan, Inquisitive Prodigy

Another take on ramp is multiple land drops. Kellan, Inquisitive Prodigy

can allow you to play an additional land and make a clue for only two mana, which is great for a deck like this since you can put an untapped land into play to chain into more spells. Kellan's creature half isn't too bad, either, with flying, vigilance, and a little bit of removal on top of that!

Beanstalk Giant

is a classic Adventure card is! Ramping a basic land into play for three mana is solid, but having that stapled to a massive creature is even better. This card is great for the early game as well as the late game, giving your deck the ability to start strong, and end stronger.

Elusive Otter

Our next card might be the cutest on the list, but it also packs a punch! Elusive Otter

can distribute counters with its Adventure side, as well as only costing a single mana for its creature half. Prowess and slight evasion makes this otter a nice threat in the deck since you'll consistently be feeding it noncreature spells with all these Adventures!

Moonshae Pixie

We haven't talked too much about it, but a big way this deck will end games is with combat damage from Eshki, so Moonshae Pixie

giving creatures flying can assist with pushing that damage through your opponents' defenses. On top of that, when you cast the creature, you're going to be drawing at least a little bit with how aggressive this deck's combat step can be!

Karvanista, Loyal Lupari

Closing things out, we have a Doctor Who card that works great in this build! Karvanista, Loyal Lupari

's Adventure half gives your Humans indestructible until end of turn, and last time I checked, Eshki is a Human. Also, when Karvanista attacks, you'll put another counter on your commander, helping her trample over each opponent's boards!

In Closing

So, there's the list, fourteen cards for under $14 that will get you started on an Eshki deck! As I mentioned before, these inclusions would go great in any build of the deck, so if you decide to go another direction with your deck, you won't be completely all in with the Adventure plan.

However, if you have a lot of these cards sitting in your bulk and want to give it a try, check out my full budget decklist for Eshki here! Thank you for spending this time with me today, and I'll see you next week for even more Dragonstorm content!