Re: Doubling Season. Don't forget Zaxara makes tokens, so both parts work well her: For an X spell where X is 4, you'd normally get one token with four +1/+1 counters (4/4 of P/T), but with Doubling Season, you get TWO tokens with EIGHT counters each (16/16 worth of total P/T). So more like Quadrupling Season! ALL Zaxara builds should be using it!
Andrew, that's an excellent note. I wasn't actually sure about the other part of the card bc I thought maybe they would enter as 0/0 and die immediately...
@@JakeandJoelareMagic It's called out in the rulings specifically. But makes sense as they "enter with" and DS just basically says "make 2 tokens when you'd make 1", and the OG token gets "created" before it ETBs meaning the copies would also be created then and know the amount of X spent on the spell. This is unlike Riku, which copies creatures "when" they enter the battlefield which does make X=0 in Riku's case.
@@kezkoal I literally have already said it's called out in the Gatherer rulings already, to reiterate (here's the actual, quoted ruling): "If an effect, such as that of Parallel Lives, causes Zaxara’s ability to create multiple Hydra tokens, they each receive X +1/+1 counters." ALL increased tokens get all increased counters.
there's a card i've barely seen anyone mention: Retribution of the Ancients. it turns every hydra you control into mini-walking ballistas. and since it's -X-X it can even get around indestructible.
One thing to keep in mind with Zaxara and Freed from the Real is that you once you have infinite blue you have infinite untaps. With infinite untaps you can tap for black or green and use the blue to untap which means you have infinite of all colors.
I love this. I was building a zax deck like this, but I switched over to Animar, soul of the elements. I don't think you've done a video on Animar, but you definitely should. That feels like an exploitable commander
Nyxbloom, ohran, siege behemoth, questing beast,primordial hydra, aspect of the hydra. Basalt manalith, priest of titania, hydras growth, howl from beyond, vorniclex, triumph of the horde. 😎
@@JakeandJoelareMagic yeah! Here you go, it's not perfectly complete, but this is what I've thrown together: tappedout.net/mtg-decks/hydra-boys-dont-like-you/
I always liked Hydra tribal, I just always end up building it like a mono blue control deck with X finishers in green lol. Plow Under is too sick to be denied.
i'm late, but try Pemmin's Aura, it's Freed from the Real for 1UU, but it also has hexproof and/or flying. seems, those two enchantments are the only ones for easy inf with Zaxara, i think
Doesn't including infinite mana make any version 'mean' automatically? That what I was wondering yesterday when my playgroup responded to me casting Freed from the Real on Zaxara....
Hmm I've been thinking of a list for my deck ever since it was shown - every card you listed was on the list lol. I was having a hard time cutting down from 150 to 100 I think I was going for too much of both of the 'fun' and 'mean' strategies at once Mm.. I'd probably point out Simic Ascendancy in general, Hadana's Climb // Winged Temple of Orazca into the fun section. Also ways to gain Haste is nice, getting real big Hydras is nice and all, but why not attack with them immediately (Crashing Drawbridge is a neat way to give all of your creatures Haste - one of the few ways to do it in these colours; Chariot of Victory, Haunted Cloak, Swiftfoot Boots, and Lightning Greaves all give Haste and have a low equip cost, the Chariot and Haunted Cloak also give Trample so chump blocking won't stall the attacks out - also giving Haste to Zaxara can be notable in the later stages to go with infinite mana setups)
Mass manipulation, voracious hydra, exsanguinate, genesis hydra, and villainous wealth are all pretty cheap, exsanguinate is probably the most expensive one there
Jake and Joel are Magic even just hydras in general. Like four hydras you win the game, and with doubling season and zaxara out you cast any x spell for 5 you win the game.
You didn't mention Kalonian Hydra. One of the most potent hydras available. Also if you need high synergy for any of these builds check out "Death's Presence", it is an excellent card and pairs well with the ozolith.
oh wow, Death's Presence is very cool - I had never seen that card, thanks for sharing! You're right about Kalonian Hydra - it's one of the best out there. Should have been on the list... this video was already getting longer than the others and I had to make some cuts! XD
That would have been an excellent way to take it as well! I thought about it, but decided to put all the X stuff into the Strong category since you pretty much need to make it based on that, then move in to your payoffs and how to focus your endgame strategy
Might be because those were nice at my old times and I am nostlagic, but why I don't see mention of Brawn, the wonder, and the black one? They seem like easy picks in edh, discarding happens often! Nice picks anyways
You've got this! Take all those cards, add some ramp, add some draw, add some spot removal, add a dash of board wipe, boom - starter list thanks for watching :)
Used all 3 versions to build an annoying ass deck full of win cons, counters and tutors. Haven't really got to test it but it think my group will hate it
![Kelsien, the Plague | EDH Three Ways [Commander Strategies for Every Player]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/uozKNRWF7jo/mqdefault.jpg)
Re: Doubling Season. Don't forget Zaxara makes tokens, so both parts work well her: For an X spell where X is 4, you'd normally get one token with four +1/+1 counters (4/4 of P/T), but with Doubling Season, you get TWO tokens with EIGHT counters each (16/16 worth of total P/T). So more like Quadrupling Season! ALL Zaxara builds should be using it!
Definitely not in my budget lol
Andrew, that's an excellent note. I wasn't actually sure about the other part of the card bc I thought maybe they would enter as 0/0 and die immediately...
@@JakeandJoelareMagic It's called out in the rulings specifically. But makes sense as they "enter with" and DS just basically says "make 2 tokens when you'd make 1", and the OG token gets "created" before it ETBs meaning the copies would also be created then and know the amount of X spent on the spell. This is unlike Riku, which copies creatures "when" they enter the battlefield which does make X=0 in Riku's case.
but the second token wont get any +1/+1 counter becouse no effect is placing them
@@kezkoal I literally have already said it's called out in the Gatherer rulings already, to reiterate (here's the actual, quoted ruling): "If an effect, such as that of Parallel Lives, causes Zaxara’s ability to create multiple Hydra tokens, they each receive X +1/+1 counters." ALL increased tokens get all increased counters.
Some new cards found here that I’ll be adding to my deck. Thanks for making this video my dude !
That thumbnail!!!!! :)lol i love it
there's a card i've barely seen anyone mention:
Retribution of the Ancients. it turns every hydra you control into mini-walking ballistas. and since it's -X-X it can even get around indestructible.
Oh, wow - that's definitely an inclusion. Great suggestion
One thing to keep in mind with Zaxara and Freed from the Real is that you once you have infinite blue you have infinite untaps. With infinite untaps you can tap for black or green and use the blue to untap which means you have infinite of all colors.
That's a good point, infinite is literally that - infinite. I was just trying to explain it in simplest terms. Thank you for watching!
I can’t believe Zaxara isn’t a more popular commander.
Great video and entertaining keep them coming
Thanks, will do! Glad you enjoyed
Not planning on building him but im here for the view, like and comment
never gonna complain about that :D
Definitely building this deck. Seems sweet
Hope you enjoy it! I've really enjoyed this Commander
I love this. I was building a zax deck like this, but I switched over to Animar, soul of the elements.
I don't think you've done a video on Animar, but you definitely should. That feels like an exploitable commander
Zaxara is fun. I found you need to get those hydras trample and I through in aggressive mammoth and other trample enablers
Nyxbloom, ohran, siege behemoth, questing beast,primordial hydra, aspect of the hydra. Basalt manalith, priest of titania, hydras growth, howl from beyond, vorniclex, triumph of the horde. 😎
fanTAStic solutions
You could pull a funny and add simic ascendancy for an easy win condition with the proper set up
Yep, I should have included that card - you're not the only person that mentioned it
@@JakeandJoelareMagic it just seems like such a good fit, i really like your infinite mana idea with freed from the real and i'm probably gonna use it
I came here to find ways to make my deck better, and it turns out your strong build is almost identical to mine 😀
Oh, that's awesome! Do you have a list for your build?
@@JakeandJoelareMagic yeah! Here you go, it's not perfectly complete, but this is what I've thrown together: tappedout.net/mtg-decks/hydra-boys-dont-like-you/
I already had a Gargos hydra tribal deck which I’ve now turned into Xazara and improved.
that's awesome, do you have a decklist?
Jake and Joel are Magic I don’t have one but I can make one. Where do I go to make one?
I always liked Hydra tribal, I just always end up building it like a mono blue control deck with X finishers in green lol. Plow Under is too sick to be denied.
if there was ever a commander for Hydra tribal...
i'm late, but try Pemmin's Aura, it's Freed from the Real for 1UU, but it also has hexproof and/or flying. seems, those two enchantments are the only ones for easy inf with Zaxara, i think
I'm gonna go for a mix between Hydra tribal and +1/+1 counter theme
Doesn't including infinite mana make any version 'mean' automatically? That what I was wondering yesterday when my playgroup responded to me casting Freed from the Real on Zaxara....
yeah, it really depends on your playgroup's tolerance for infinite stuff
Hmm I've been thinking of a list for my deck ever since it was shown - every card you listed was on the list lol. I was having a hard time cutting down from 150 to 100
I think I was going for too much of both of the 'fun' and 'mean' strategies at once
Mm.. I'd probably point out Simic Ascendancy in general, Hadana's Climb // Winged Temple of Orazca into the fun section. Also ways to gain Haste is nice, getting real big Hydras is nice and all, but why not attack with them immediately (Crashing Drawbridge is a neat way to give all of your creatures Haste - one of the few ways to do it in these colours; Chariot of Victory, Haunted Cloak, Swiftfoot Boots, and Lightning Greaves all give Haste and have a low equip cost, the Chariot and Haunted Cloak also give Trample so chump blocking won't stall the attacks out - also giving Haste to Zaxara can be notable in the later stages to go with infinite mana setups)
AbyssArray also the mana trippler from THB
ooo yeah I like planning to get Zaxara out late, give it haste, go to town on mana
excellent suggestion
Xaxara is awesome! I would love to build an x-spell deck, unfortunately alot of the cooler x-spells are not cheap lol😥
Mass manipulation, voracious hydra, exsanguinate, genesis hydra, and villainous wealth are all pretty cheap, exsanguinate is probably the most expensive one there
And all of those cards are pretty awesome, especially villainous wealth
I just build my deck today for 67 bucks and it has three combos and is about a 7
have you got a list?
LOVE villainous wealth
did i miss where you talked about simic ascendancy?
Nope, I ended up cutting that card from the discussion but you're right; it's absolutely an inclusion on the +1/+1 strat
Jake and Joel are Magic even just hydras in general. Like four hydras you win the game, and with doubling season and zaxara out you cast any x spell for 5 you win the game.
Cool video and great ideas. Do you think Mind Spring would be better than Pull From Tomorrow?
I love instant speed. Discarding one is negligible but they are VERY comparable
I'm surprised simic ascendancy isn't an include as an alternate win con for the deck
that was definitely an oversight >< should def be in there!
You didn't mention Kalonian Hydra. One of the most potent hydras available. Also if you need high synergy for any of these builds check out "Death's Presence", it is an excellent card and pairs well with the ozolith.
oh wow, Death's Presence is very cool - I had never seen that card, thanks for sharing!
You're right about Kalonian Hydra - it's one of the best out there. Should have been on the list... this video was already getting longer than the others and I had to make some cuts! XD
Joel can you do 3 ways to build narset?
absolutely. Added it to the list
I expected the "mean" one to be full of X cost counterspells and other instant trickery.
That would have been an excellent way to take it as well! I thought about it, but decided to put all the X stuff into the Strong category since you pretty much need to make it based on that, then move in to your payoffs and how to focus your endgame strategy
I built one where instants is the main theme (with X in cost) because you get the body with it. Tons of fun ideas
Might be because those were nice at my old times and I am nostlagic, but why I don't see mention of Brawn, the wonder, and the black one? They seem like easy picks in edh, discarding happens often! Nice picks anyways
Yeah those would be great! I just don't have time in the vids to go through entire decklists... These are more for inspiration!
So I made a competitive version
of this. Hybrid tribal Hydra and X spells with unlimited mana combos.
Creatures
1 Walking Ballista AER
1 Arboreal Grazer WAR
1 Birds of Paradise CN2
1 Hungering Hydra M19
1 Llanowar Elves M19
1 Mistcutter Hydra THS
1 Protean Hydra M11
1 Hooded Hydra KTK
1 Primordial Hydra M13
1 Steelbane Hydra ELD
1 Vastwood Hydra M14
1 Voracious Hydra M20
1 Hydroid Krasis RNA
1 Drift of Phantasms RAV
1 Lifeblood Hydra CMA
1 Managorger Hydra ORI
1 Beast Whisperer GRN
1 Polukranos, World Eater THS
1 Altered Ego SOI
1 Polukranos, Unchained THB
1 Zaxara, the Exemplary C20
1 God-Eternal Rhonas WAR
1 Heroes' Bane IMA
1 Kalonian Hydra M14
1 Yarok, the Desecrated M20
1 Hydra Broodmaster JOU
1 Hydra Omnivore CNS
1 Whiptongue Hydra C18
Instants
1 Icy Blast KTK
1 Vampiric Tutor EMA
1 Blossoming Defense KLD
1 Thassa's Intervention THB
1 Heroic Intervention AER
1 Solidarity of Heroes JOU
1 Strength of the Tajuru WWK
1 Stroke of Genius C15
1 Shared Summons M20
Sorceries
1 Animist's Awakening ORI
1 Green Sun's Zenith EMA
1 Wildest Dreams KLD
1 Braingeyser R
1 Curse of the Swine THS
1 Finale of Revelation WAR
1 Demonic Tutor UMA
1 Diabolic Intent BBD
1 Exsanguinate SOM
1 Profane Command MM2
1 Torment of Hailfire HOU
1 Finale of Devastation WAR
1 Uncage the Menagerie HOU
1 Mind Grind GTC
1 Cultivate A25
1 Kodama's Reach UMA
1 Diabolic Tutor KLD
1 Rishkar's Expertise AER
Artifacts
1 Sol Ring C20
1 Arcane Signet ELD
1 Lightning Greaves MR
1 Swiftfoot Boots A25
Enchantments
1 Steely Resolve ON
1 Simic Ascendancy RNA
1 Freed from the Real A25
1 Pemmin's Aura SC
1 Hydra's Growth THB
1 Unbound Flourishing MH1
1 Wilderness Reclamation RNA
1 Doubling Season BBD
Lands
1 Bayou R
1 Command Tower ELD
11 Forest THB
6 Island UND
1 Misty Rainforest MM3
1 Oran-Rief, the Vastwood ZEN
1 Path of Ancestry C17
1 Polluted Delta KTK
6 Swamp UND
1 Tropical Island R
1 Underground Sea R
1 Verdant Catacombs MM3
1 Watery Grave GRN
This list looks sick, I'm going to play it on stream in the future if that's ok?
Can anyone make me a link list for the mean suggestions lol
You've got this! Take all those cards, add some ramp, add some draw, add some spot removal, add a dash of board wipe, boom - starter list
thanks for watching :)
It’s really too bad Zach doesn’t have Red to be able to run all of the old hydras.
Do Yarok please 🥲🥹
Used all 3 versions to build an annoying ass deck full of win cons, counters and tutors. Haven't really got to test it but it think my group will hate it
lol sounds mean, have you got a list?
Y'all arguing about first well I'm 69nth ha