In the mystical world of Tarkir, where dragons once ruled the skies and clans vied for dominance, a powerful storm is brewing. Tarkir Dragonstorm, a thrilling expansion in the Magic: The Gathering set, brings back the awe-inspiring might of dragons and the strategic depth that fans adore. This set not only reintroduces iconic dragonlords but also weaves a rich tapestry of lore, strategy, and breathtaking artwork.
Join me as we delve into the heart of Tarkir Dragonstorm. My must anticipated set of that year. I know there is heaps of hype around the Final Fantasy & Spiderman sets, but as someone that wasn’t playing Magic: the Gathering on our first visit to Tarkir, getting to experience some big dragons that swing for big damage was everything I dreamed of!
So lets uncovering the secrets of these legendary creatures & what the Tarkir Dragonstorm Commander Decks offer us.
Commander Decks
1. Jeskai Strikers
This deck is all about channeling the power of spells to strike like lightning. It’s led by powerhouse commanders like Shiko and Narset, Unified, as well as Elsha, Threefold Mentor, who bring synergy to spell-focused strategies. The deck thrives on casting cheap spells with hefty payoffs, making every move feel dynamic and impactful. The real fun lies in chaining spells together, watching your board state transform with every flick of mana.
2. Mardu Surge (My Choice used on the night)
If you love swarming the battlefield with an army of tokens while unleashing ruthless attacks, this deck might just be your new best friend. Commanded by the indomitable Zurgo Stormrender and the electric Neriv, Crackling Vanguard, Mardu Surge thrives on aggression and synergy. From pumping out tokens to buffing them into dangerous threats, this deck is all about overwhelming your opponents. The non-stop action and relentless spirit of this deck make it incredibly fun to play, especially if you enjoy fast-paced matches. It’s straightforward enough for newer players and old dumber ones, like myself.
3. Sultai Arisen
Sultai Arisen takes a darker, slower approach, delving deep into graveyard mechanics and careful, long-term planning. The commander Kotis, Sibsig Champion shines here, enabling fascinating interactions with cards that reward you for making the graveyard a second library. While the deck’s synergy is undeniably clever, it requires patience to pilot effectively.
4. Temur Roar
This deck embodies its name—it roars, and it roars loudly. Centered on ramping mana and summoning colossal creatures, Temur Roar is an adrenaline-fueled ride. Dragons take center stage here, and the mechanics are perfectly tuned to capitalise on their fiery dominance. The satisfaction of ramping up into a board of towering beasts is hard to rival. Temur Roar is straightforward yet devastating, making it a great choice for players who want to crash into their opponents with an unstoppable force.
5. Abzan Armor
For players who value resilience and strategy, Abzan Armor is a fortress of synergy. It focuses on fortifying your position while chipping away at opponents over time. With a mix of lifegain, counters, and defensive tools, this deck is the quintessential “slow and steady wins the race” option. It rewards careful planning and rewards you for grinding out victories with precise plays. While it may lack the flashiness of some other decks, its solid game plan and reliability make it a joy for players who enjoy outlasting their opponents in epic battles of attrition.
Tarkir Dragonstorm Event
If you’ve been reading my other Magic: the Gathering articles, you’ll know that most of the events are held at Fortress Melbourne, which I’m definitely not complaining about because I love the venue. The Tarkir Dragonstorm event was no different, and Commander was the order of the night. I couldn’t have been more excited, as I was eager to get my hands on the Temur Roar deck. Ramping mana and summoning colossal creatures is exactly how I love to play.
As I got to the desk, all the commander decks were sitting there awaiting their new homes… except one!
That’s right, like me, everyone wanted to play the Temur Roar deck. And why wouldn’t they? Ramp and dragons, baby! So I went with my second choice, which I didn’t really have. But Jody had picked Jeskai Strikers and asked if I could grab one for him, so I ended up with Mardu Surge.
Jody and I joined Jamwa and Alice, both formidable players in their own right and a group of people I love spending time with, even while beating up on each other. The night was filled with catching up and having a few drinks while sleeving up our decks. Before we realised it, we had all chosen different decks, which allowed us to get a better feel for each commander deck and the set as a whole in one night.
Let the battle begin!
What a battle it was. Their three decks seemed to be playing perfectly, while my Mardu Surge token deck seemed to be almost tokenless! I was starting to think Jody had grabbed me the worst deck. Then came a board wipe that all but restarted the game, slowing everyone down and hopefully allowing me to go token mad… which again, didn’t happen.
Yet, Jamwa’s deck went milling mad, bringing out huge creatures and playing some serious graveyard shenanigans, including a 48/48 Lord of Extinction that made us all panic. We couldn’t let them get away with that. Alice played board wipe number two of the game! Until we realised that Jamwa was okay with board wipes, as their deck loved graveyard craziness. The next turn, the Lord of Extinction came back as a 59/59 with flying thanks to Wonder, and board wipe number three came into play. This whole time, I was sitting on 26 life and 9 commander damage, loving everyone else’s deck… but not my own. It hadn’t done much, and I was kind of getting discouraged, thinking I had gotten a lemon.
And that lemon was about to became a magical fruit that produced the worlds best lemonade and that all started with the Divine Visitation enchantment that allowed me to bring in 4/4 Angels for ever token that came into play & suddenly that Tokenless Token Deck woke up & before long, the sky was full of Angels and the board suddenly became full of tokens. With most board wipes out of decks, it was time for the Mardu Surge to take flight, and fly in for the win it did!
Having played or seen 4 out of 5 Commander decks from Tarkir Dragonstorm, I can’t honestly say that these are possible the most balanced and powerful precon deck I’ve ever played & they all really impressed me. Since the event, I’ve actually gone our and purchased the Sultai Arisen deck & looking for a place that has the Temur Roar in stock, as I enjoyed them that much.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Tarkir Dragonstorm set and its Commander decks have truly reignited the magic of dragons in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Each deck offers a unique playstyle, from the spell-slinging prowess of Jeskai Strikers to the relentless token generation of Mardu Surge, the graveyard machinations of Sultai Arisen, the colossal ramping of Temur Roar, and the resilient strategy of Abzan Armor. The balance and power of these preconstructed decks are impressive, making them a fantastic addition to any Commander collection.
Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, the Tarkir Dragonstorm Commander decks offer something for everyone. They capture the essence of Tarkir’s rich lore and strategic depth, ensuring that every game is filled with epic moments and unforgettable battles. So pick your deck, gather your friends, and let the dragons soar!
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