So, you’ve answered the call of the wasteland and picked up the Scrappy Survivors precon from the Universes Beyond: Fallout Commander set? Excellent choice! This Naya (red-green-white) deck, led by the iconic Dogmeat, Ever Loyal, offers a unique Voltron strategy centered around piling Auras and Equipment onto your creatures to create an unstoppable wasteland warrior. This guide will take you from basic builds to optimized powerhouses, providing actionable advice and exploring different budget tiers for upgrading your deck. Get ready to transform your scrappy crew into a force to be reckoned with!
Unleashing Dogmeat’s Potential: Core Strategy and Synergies
Dogmeat isn’t just a companion; he’s the engine of this deck. His ability to return to the battlefield at a reduced cost after dying is crucial. Deck him out in Auras and Equipment, let him brawl (and likely die), then bring him back even stronger. This creates a recurring threat that can overwhelm your opponents. The Naya color combination facilitates this strategy perfectly. Green provides the ramp (mana generation), white offers card draw, and red delivers the raw power boosts to make Dogmeat truly dangerous.
From Junk to Jewels: Upgrading Your Arsenal
Upgrading your Scrappy Survivors deck is like modifying your favorite weapon in Fallout—essential for survival. We’ll explore upgrades in three tiers, catering to different budgets and playstyles. Remember, deckbuilding is a journey, not a sprint.
Level 1: Budget Boosters (Under $50) – Small Changes, Big Impact
Even small upgrades can significantly boost your deck’s early game and lay a strong foundation.
Mana Rocks: Arcane Signet and Commander’s Sphere are your best friends. They generate mana of any color, letting you play powerful cards faster. These budget-friendly “rocks” are a significant upgrade over relying solely on basic lands.
Land Improvements: Navigating a three-color deck with only basic lands is tough. Upgrading to dual lands like Rootbound Crag and Temple Garden, or even including fetch lands like Evolving Wilds and Terramorphic Expanse, significantly improves mana consistency.
Level 2: Mid-Tier Might ($50-$150) – Stepping Up Your Game
Ready to invest a bit more? Mid-tier upgrades can supercharge your deck.
Generating Value: Smothering Tithe is a game-changer. This enchantment “taxes” your opponents for drawing cards, providing you with treasure tokens and a significant advantage.
Card Advantage: Drawing cards is crucial in Commander. Rhystic Study and Harmonize provide a steady stream of new cards, giving you more options and fuel for your strategy. Rishkar’s Expertise offers both card draw and mana ramp, providing incredible value.
Level 3: High-End Havoc ($150+) – Unleashing the Beast
If domination is your goal, high-end upgrades are the answer.
Engines of Destruction: The Chain Veil allows multiple activations of Dogmeat’s ability, piling on Auras and Equipment quickly.
Premium Equipment: Sword of Feast and Famine and Lightning Greaves are powerhouse additions. The Sword offers card advantage and mana acceleration, while the Greaves provide crucial protection. Consider adding Open the Armory or Sram, Senior Edificer to tutor for these powerful pieces of Equipment.
Fine-Tuning Your Strategy: Advanced Gameplay and Synergies
Optimizing your deck isn’t just about the cards; it’s about how you play them. Mulligan aggressively if your starting hand lacks ramp or card draw. Focus on getting Dogmeat onto the battlefield and equipping him mid-game. If he dies, bring him back and repeat! In the late game, overwhelm your opponents with powered-up attacks.
Explore deeper synergies within the deck. Cards like Sigarda’s Aid make casting Auras and Equipment cheaper, creating explosive turns. Some experts suggest exploring sub-themes such as +1/+1 counters or maximizing recursion with cards like Sun Titan. There is ongoing research and debate around the optimal build, but these strategies show significant potential.
Example Upgrade Paths (Budget & Optimized)
Budget Level
Card Draw
Ramp
Aura/Equipment Synergy
Removal
Budget
Harmonize, Keen Sense
Cultivate, Farhaven Elf
Open the Armory,
Swords to Plowshares,
Kor Spiritdancer
Beast Within
Optimized
Rhystic Study, Sylvan Library
Three Sisters, Nature’s Lore
Stoneforge Mystic,
Generous Gift, Path to Exile
Sigarda’s Aid
Beyond Dogmeat: Exploring Alternative Commanders
While Dogmeat embodies the deck’s theme, other Naya commanders might better suit your playstyle. This is an area of active discussion among Commander players. Further research might reveal exciting new possibilities.
Final Thoughts: Forging Your Wasteland Legend
The Scrappy Survivors precon offers a fantastic foundation for a powerful and fun Commander deck. By understanding its core strategy and exploring these upgrade options, you can tailor it to your budget and playstyle. Embrace experimentation, and forge your own wasteland legend!
Want to explore other magical realms? Unleash your inner mage and discover the secrets of the Skyrim Atronach Forge.
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