The Best Commander Cards From... Invasion
Phyrexian Altar by Pete Venters
Welcome back to The Best Commander Cards From..., a series focusing on the most powerful Commander cards from across Magic: The Gathering's rich thirty-year-long history. Today's focus is Invasion, the twenty-first expansion set, which was released in October of 2000, and is the first set in the Invasion block.
The Invasion
I was barely alive when Invasion was released, so I can't speak to its critical reception. However, everything I can find points to it being widely enjoyed. Considering that smash hits like domain and kicker were first introduced in this set, and that the first split cards were also printed here, this doesn't surprise me. I'm sure following up on Prophecy didn't hurt either. I'm eager to get into the cards, so let's keep things moving!
Aura Shards
While it isn't the most popular card from the set, Aura Shards is undoubtedly iconic. The combination of power level and uniqueness gives this an edge over a few cards that see more play. As someone who loves playing artifacts and enchantments, I shudder every time this card is even mentioned at my tables. Somehow, Aura Shards has only seen a handful of reprints, first in Commander 2011 and more recently in a Secret Lair.
Opt
Somehow, Opt is the most popular card from Invasion. We have long since passed the day when you could cram cards like this into any blue deck and feel great about it. If it isn't Rhystic Study, it's Rule of Law, Orcish Bowmasters, or any number of other cards that punish you for casting too many spells or drawing too many cards. With that in mind, you should save Opt for commanders that have spellcasting synergy, like Alela, Cunning Conqueror or Neera, Wild Mage.
Urza's Filter
This peculiar card is just sitting around waiting for the right set of circumstances to become broken. We know that multicolor cards aren't going out of style anytime soon, so Urza's Filter time to shine could be right around the corner. Bonus points if it's featured alongside Edgewalker for maximum Orzhov cleric shenanigans!
Mana Maze
Perhaps one of the strangest enchantments in the format, Mana Maze has a few unique applications. You can ward away Counterspell by casting Opt before your Ad Nauseam or crush the soul of anyone unlucky enough to be playing just one color. Despite never getting a reprint, Mana Maze is still quite affordable.
Bog Initiate
Sometimes, a card only has one big thing going for it. In the case of Bog Initiate, it can launder mana from any color into black mana. This is noteworthy for powerstone tokens, Ashnod's Altar, and not much else. Even so, that's a pretty big deal for some combos, and I'd feel silly if I didn't mention it.
Armadillo Cloak
While it might not seem like much at first glance, you probably aren't looking close enough. Armadillo Cloak can be attached to opposing creatures, and it will gain you life, not your opponents. That's because it's a triggered ability that refers to you, the controller of the enchantment. Just watch out for Commander damage!
Aura Mutation and Artifact Mutation
Although I prefer flexibility with my removal, losing a bit of mana efficiency might be worth the bonus tokens. Sometimes you just need to get rid of that Sphere of Safety or Bolas's Citadel, and getting a small army for your trouble is pretty sweet. Artifact Mutation does suffer from targeting a card type that has gained resiliency across the years, so watch out for The One Ring or anything with Darksteel in the name.
Coalition Victory (Banned)
Alternative win-conditions are usually interesting and fun, and this is no exception. Yes, you had to jump through a lot more hoops when cards like Leyline of the Guildpact, Dryad of the Ilysian Grove, and Fallaji Wayfarer didn't exist, but that's how it goes sometimes. Whether it's too strong isn't for me to decide, but it's been banned in Commander since 2007.
Collective Restraint
If Ghostly Prison and Propaganda aren't dissuading your opponents enough already, Collective Restraint might be worth considering. While you do need to be a dedicated multicolor deck, most players aren't going to pay 4 or 5 mana to attack with a single creature, even if they can afford to. If you can't reliably get this to X=3 or more, it's probably not worth it.
Death or Glory
This is hardly Living Death, but it's a fine way to get back a handful of creatures from the graveyard if you're not playing black. The combo potential is a bit limited by one of the piles being exiled, but I think Death or Glory works as a value play. Seriously, try this out. I've never seen it actually played, but I'm considering it for my Leinore, Autumn Sovereign deck.
Phyrexian Altar
You'll find Phyrexian Altar in many decks looking to sacrifice creatures for profit. Whether you're using the mana to recur Gravecrawler, fueling a huge Torment of Hailfire, or just draining out opponents with a Blood Artist, this will do the job. This is a classic for a reason, and it often has a leg up over Ashnod's Altar thanks to creating mana of any color. One of the best cards in Invasion and a Commander staple.
Captain Sisay
One of the things I look for when I'm hunting for powerful cards is future potential. In the case of Captain Sisay, we already know the potential is exponential. Legends are some of the most iconic and interesting cards in the game, and obviously crucial to the ever-growing Commander format. For a relatively low mana cost, combo pieces, removal, and more can all be tutored turn after turn.
Fires of Yavimaya
Rhythm of the Wild is one of the biggest reasons this card is on a bit of a downswing, but nobody is saying you can't play both! After all, there are still some differences and synergies between the two. Fires of Yavimaya affects tokens while Rhythm doesn't. Additionally, if you have both in play, you can just choose a counter from Rhythm and get haste anyway.
Global Ruin
Sure, Armageddon is almost guaranteed to hit everything and costs less mana. But if the thought of keeping your own lands while destroying the rest sounds cool to you, Global Ruin might be what the doctor ordered. Yes, you'll hit mono-color and budget decks the hardest, but what's a little salt between friends?
Fact or Fiction
There was a time, not so long ago, when I was down on Fact or Fiction. This was due to issues with mana efficiency and showing generally reactive cards to my opponents ahead of time. Well, my opinion has shifted a bit. While I still want my four-mana spells to do more for me (think The One Ring), Fact or Fiction doesn't trigger cards like Orcish Bowmasters or get nabbed by Notion Thief effects. On top of all that, Fact or Fiction is iconic, and has been featured in tons of preconstructed decks over the years.
Phyrexian Delver
This is another classic that's fallen from favor over the years against a tide of cheaper and more powerful cards. All things considered, there's still a lot of value here. Meren of Clan Nel Toth in particular can always use extra creatures, and a two-for-one special on resurrection is a pretty sweet deal. As a bonus, this is a Reanimate that can be fetched out by cards like Worldly Tutor.
Reya Dawnbringer
Unsurprisingly, Reya Dawnbringer isn't usually getting cast for nine mana. No, you want a commander like Kaalia of the Vast or Djeru and Hazoret to cheat it into play. Once you've landed the angel on board, removing almost any other creature you control doesn't make sense for your opponents. This is old school Commander at its finest.
Sterling Grove
Folks, you can read the card, and you can see that it's strong. What I don't understand is how this is an uncommon from late 2000. It looks like something printed in Modern Horizons, largely because it was reprinted (at rare no less) in Modern Horizons 2. It even comes complete with a consolation prize tutor stapled on, just in case the top half isn't doing much for you. This is in the set where Lotus Guardian is a rare, by the way.
Elvish Champion
This is one of those cards that's a bit too obvious, but also a bit too popular to ignore. Hey look, it's one of those elves that gives your other elves +1/+1 and has some other ability! We have a bunch of those now, and they're all pretty cool, so enjoy. Fun fact, the templating on Elvish Champion does in fact mean that opposing elves will have forestwalk. Caveat emptor!
Psychic Battle
I read this card about five minutes before submitting this article and it's one of the most absurd things I've ever seen, so I'm morally obligated to fit it in. It took me three reads before I even understood what Psychic Battle does, but I love it! Shove this into any deck and watch everything burn. I know I'll be doing the same thing as soon as I can. Just make sure to shame anyone that redirects a Nature's Claim to Psychic Battle. Cowards can't block warriors.
Invasion in Retrospect
That's all I have for you today. I had a few honorable mentions that didn't make the cut, like Rout, Wash Out, Obliterate, and Empress Galina, but most everything else found a way in. Compared to Prophecy, I was drowning in cards to choose from, and I'm sure you'll let me know if I missed your favorites down in the comments. I've been Luka V. Sharaska, and I hope you'll join me next time when we explore the best Commander cards from... Planeshift.