Is the New Spider-Man MTG Set Good for Commander?
As you may know by now, when it comes to Magic: The Gathering my heart belongs to Commander. Which is why I was understandably upset when Wizards of the Coast announced that the new MTG Spider-Man set would not have any pre-con Commander decks.
However, worry not, because there is still hope for all of my fellow Commander lovers out there. I am, of course, talking about the new Legendary Creature Spider-Punk. Ever since the card was announced there has been a stirring in the community about what this game changer of a card will do for the Commander meta.
So, let’s take a look at Spider-Punk alongside some of his friends and see if there is any hope in the upcoming set.
Taking a Deeper Look at Spider-Punk
To understand the buzz, you have to look at what this two-mana card actually does. For just one red and one generic mana, you get a 2/1 Legendary Creature with a whole lot of text.
- Riot: First, he has Riot, letting you choose between haste or a +1/+1 counter when he enters the battlefield. This makes him either a speedy attacker or a more durable 3/2.
- The Two Rules of Anarchy: The real action is in his last two lines of text, which create a new set of rules for the entire table.
- “Spells and abilities can’t be countered.” This is the big one. Once Spider-Punk hits the board, no one can use a card like Counterspell to stop something from happening. This has led many players to call him a red Grand Abolisher, a powerful creature that offers similar protection.
- “Damage can’t be prevented.” This ability shuts down some of the most common defensive strategies in Commander. Popular, game-changing cards like The One Ring and Teferi’s Protection suddenly lose a huge part of their effectiveness.
The Great Spider-Punk Debate
A card this disruptive was bound to split the community. For those in favor, Spider-Punk is the ultimate offensive tool.
The dream is to cast him right before a game-winning turn, completely shielded from any counterspells. Players are also excited about his ability to neutralize frustrating defensive cards.
With Spider-Punk on the field, the protection from The One Ring is useless, and you can even eliminate an opponent with commander damage through a Teferi’s Protection.
On the other side are players who see Spider-Punk as a grenade. The core of their concern is the card’s symmetrical effect; the protection he offers is granted to everyone.
While your spells are safe, you also can’t counter anyone else’s. Experienced players fear an opponent with an instant-speed flash enabler like Borne Upon a Wind.
The nightmare scenario is casting Spider-Punk, only for an opponent to untap and win the game on your turn, fully protected by your card. Adding to the risk is that he’s a fragile 2/1 creature who dies to the simplest removal spells.
Getting Yourself a Spider-Punk
All this debate has translated into a frenzy on the secondary market. The character’s popularity, combined with his potential in Commander, has created a lot of demand.
Even before release, the standard version of Spider-Punk is pre-selling for around $22, with foils hitting nearly $60 and special borderless versions fetching between $48 and $55.
Other Great Cards for Commander
While Spider-Punk is getting a lot of attention, the set is full of other potential Commander staples.
- The Soul Stone: This is the set’s premier chase card. It’s a two-mana, indestructible artifact that taps for black mana and can be turned into a repeatable reanimation engine. Its power is undeniable, with pre-sale prices for the regular version already topping $85.
- Doctor Octopus, Master Planner: This card is poised to create a Villain tribal archetype. As a commander, Doc Ock buffs your other Villains and acts as a powerful card-draw engine.
- Green Goblin, Nemesis: For players who love discard strategies, Green Goblin offers a compelling new commander. He introduces the Mayhem mechanic, allowing you to cast cards you’ve discarded that turn, turning mass-discard effects into massive value.
