One of the best things about the Commander format is the wide array of different archetypes that are supported. Not only are there plenty of powerful mechanics to build around, but basically every creature type under the sun gets some love, too. For those who want something a bit weirder, you can even build around mechanics like coin flipping, which feel like a total novelty.
Thankfully, if you do want to build around this novel mechanic, there’s actually a surprising amount of support. On top of this, you also get to play Yusri, Fortune’s Flame, a Commander that offers an absurdly cheap Omniscience effect. So long as luck is on your side, this budget Commander can more than pull its weight.
MTG Yusri, Fortune’s Flame
Even in isolation, Yusri, Fortune’s Flame can provide a pretty decent amount of value just from attacking. On average, you should get at least two cards each turn, which isn’t awful, but it’s admittedly not amazing. Plenty of modern MTG Commanders are far more efficient, and Yusri also hurts you for failed coin flips.
Thankfully, it doesn’t take much support to really get Yusri, Fortune’s Flame going, as Krark’s Thumb exists. By upping your odds of success from 50% to 75%, suddenly you’re drawing four cards on average with Yusri. On top of this, all of the other coin flipping cards in the deck get a boost, too, and there’s a whole lot of them.
Over the years, Wizards has printed a surprisingly large number of good coin flip cards, like Stitch in Time. This can even be copied by Krark, the Thumbless, to increase your chances of success. Krark can also do the same to Firey Gambit and Invert Polarity, which can both provide huge value swings.
Beyond individually powerful spells, there are a fair few engines that trigger off every successful coin flip. Tavern Scoundrel, for instance, can provide tons of mana, while Zndrsplt, Eye of Wisdom gives card draw. You can even take care of damage with Okaun, Eye of Chaos, and the new Chira, All In, as well.
Thanks to these cards, cards that can flip multiple coins, like Squee’s Revenge and Game of Chaos, are auto-includes. The same is also true of Planeswalkers like Ral Zarek, who has a hugely effective ultimate. Given all the card draw going around, you can even run Psychosis Crawler, The Locus God, and Niv-Mizzet, Parun
Niv-Mizzet, ParunThis spell can't be countered.
Flying
Whenever you draw a card, Niv-Mizzet deals 1 damage to any target.
Whenever a player casts an instant or sorcery spell, you draw a card. for added value.
Coin Flipping Combos
While Yusri, Fortune’s Flame can play a pretty powerful fair game, its real party piece is that free Omniscience effect. The only hurdle in actually getting this is winning all five coin flips, which only has a 3.125% chance of happening. Thankfully, you can completely cheese these dismal odds by just having Edgar, King of Figaro in play.
With this legend alongside Yusri, you’re guaranteed to win all give coin flips instantly. On top of this, you’ll also draw five cards, ensuring that the Omniscience effect isn’t wasted. Throw in Wizard’s Staff to double Yusri’s trigger, and you’ll get twice as many cards for maximum shenanigans.
Even if you’re not breaking Yusri, Fortune’s Flame with Edgar, Wizard’s Staff, and other copy effects like Roaming Throne
Roaming ThroneWard {2}
As this creature enters, choose a creature type.
This creature is the chosen type in addition to its other types.
If a triggered ability of another creature you control of the chosen type triggers, it triggers an additional time. are hugely valuable. Since the odds of hitting Omniscience regularly are one in 32, improving those odds is vital. Technically, you could even run cards like Aggravated Assault to facilitate this, but additional copy effects, like Strionic Resonator
Strionic Resonator{2}, {T}: Copy target triggered ability you control. You may choose new targets for the copy. (A triggered ability uses the words "when," "whenever," or "at."), are more sensible.
Outside of focusing on Yusri, Fortune’s Flame, you can also go infinite by using Frenetic Efreet. While this card will Phase Out when you lose one of its coin flips, you can activate it infinitely beforehand. This will then net you infinite mana with Tavern Scoundrel, or infinite damage with Karplusan Minotaur.
If that’s not enough win potential, Chance Encounter can let you win on your upkeep with Frenetic Efreet. Hell, even without this combo engine in play, you’ll still get tons of Luck Counters to win early.
Flipping Cheap
Between the combos and deep coin flipping synergies, Yusri, Fortune’s Flame is a stellar all-around MTG Commander. Beyond just being strong, too, this card offers an incredibly fun and novel game plan. Because of that, it’s little wonder Yusri already has a bit of a cult following in Commander.
Thankfully, while Yusri, Fortune’s Flame is somewhat popular, this is still a very affordable MTG card. Even though it’s never been reprinted, you can pick up near-mint copies for just $0.24 on TCGplayer. Even the foil promo variant sells for just $0.30, making it a great budget option.
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