SCG Commander profile icon

Welcome to...Commander VS! | Magic: The Gathering Gameplay

SCG Commander

Commanders featured in this video Reviewed & Verified

Deck Strategies

  • Owen Grady, Raptor Trainer Blue, Loyal Raptor

    Owen Grady, Raptor Trainer / Blue, Loyal Raptor

    Build a strong dinosaur tribal board, using +1/+1 counters on Blue to buff all other dinosaurs and overwhelm opponents with large, evasive creatures.

  • Henry Wu, InGen Geneticist

    Henry Wu, InGen Geneticist

    Utilize the exploit mechanic by sacrificing non-human creatures to draw cards and generate treasure tokens, enabling resource acceleration and flexible plays.

  • Indoraptor, the Perfect Hybrid

    Indoraptor, the Perfect Hybrid

    Apply damage to all opponents simultaneously using effects that deal damage to creatures and players, weakening enemy boards and life totals to secure a swift victory.

  • Ellie and Alan, Paleontologists

    Ellie and Alan, Paleontologists

    Leverage land cycling and discover mechanics to fill the graveyard and cast powerful spells or creatures, building value through delirium and graveyard synergy.

Gameplay Insights

  • 1

    Exploiting non-human creatures with Henry Wu to draw cards and generate treasure tokens provided significant card advantage and ramp, enabling explosive midgame turns.

  • 2

    Indoraptor’s use of damage-sharing effects pressured all players simultaneously, forcing them to make tough decisions about blocking and removal.

  • 3

    Owen Grady’s strategy of putting counters on Blue to pump all dinosaurs created a growing threat that could overwhelm opponents if left unchecked.

  • 4

    Ellie and Alan’s land cycling and discover engine allowed them to sculpt their hand and graveyard, enabling access to powerful resources and synergistic delirium triggers.

  • 5

    Players carefully balanced aggression with resource development, with removal and combat decisions playing a critical role in maintaining board presence.

Notable Cards

  • Henry Wu, InGen Geneticist

    Henry Wu, InGen Geneticist

  • Indoraptor, the Perfect Hybrid

    Indoraptor, the Perfect Hybrid

  • Owen Grady, Raptor Trainer

    Owen Grady, Raptor Trainer

  • Blue, Loyal Raptor

    Blue, Loyal Raptor

  • Mulch

    Mulch

  • Solemn Simulacrum

    Solemn Simulacrum

  • Birds of Paradise

    Birds of Paradise

Summary

The game unfolded on a prehistoric island with players piloting commanders inspired by the Jurassic World Showcase cards. Early turns saw typical ramp and setup plays, with Owen Grady and Blue focusing on building a board of dinosaurs and applying +1/+1 counters, while Henry Wu leveraged his ability to exploit creatures for card draw and treasure generation. Indoraptor employed a damage-sharing strategy, aiming to chip away at all opponents simultaneously using various damage effects, reflecting a menacing and aggressive playstyle. Ellie and Alan utilized a land-cycling and discover mechanic to find powerful creatures and spells, aiming to amass advantage through graveyard and land interactions. Key turning points included Henry Wu's exploitation triggers generating card advantage and treasures, allowing for explosive plays, and Indoraptor's ability to spread damage across players, forcing careful blocking and removal decisions. Owen Grady’s counters on Blue helped buff the dinosaur army, while Ellie and Alan’s land cycling and delirium synergies created a solid value engine. The game revolved around maintaining board presence, managing resources like treasures and counters, and leveraging synergistic tribal and exploit mechanics, with win conditions focused on overwhelming opponents with dinosaurs or attrition via damage and resource denial.

Description

The Commander VS crew visit an island lost in time, trying out the new Jurassic World Showcase cards from Lost Caverns of Ixalan!

Commander VS 365 | Season 34 Episode 3

Owen Grady, Raptor Trainer / Blue, Loyal Raptor vs Indoraptor, the Perfect Hybrid vs Henry Wu, InGen Geneticist vs Ellie and Alan, Paleontologists

Submit your decks using this form forms.gle/Fdr6iqhi4jHNWDCN8 for a chance to see it played on Commander VS!

#magicthegathering #mtgcommander #CommanderVS

Check out the latest TCG news and info!

Get the latest SCGCON updates here! scgcon.starcitygames.com

Save big with this week’s sale: starcitygames.com/sale

Get the latest MTG cards: starcitygames.com/previews

Get MTG news, strategy, and deals delivered to your inbox: starcitygames.com/email-newsletter-signup

More Magic: The Gathering Videos!

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/starcitygames Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/starcitygames Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/starcitygames

Always buying singles/sealed products and store inventories at starcitygames.com/sell-your-cards

For business inquiries, email [email protected]

Star City Games is the world’s premier TCG retailer & event organizer.