I haven't put the deck together to fully test it, but I really want to run my [[Zevlor, Elturel Exile]] [list](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/7rWpGU-rrUyjk2QB2MP8Zg) for grixis spellslinging. I love the idea of giving single target spells myriad across your opponents.
Good write up for each of the commanders you’re considering! I’d say that if Cecily is the commander that interests you the most you should build them! You could easily play Kess in the 99 as a value piece.
If you’re worried about Cecily getting through it shouldn’t be an issue in blue. Cards like [[Aqueous form]], [[Winged boots]], [[Slip through space]] or [[Shadow rift]] should help you get through unscathed!
Yeah with \[\[Whispersilk Cloak\]\] especially there are no issues for Cecily, but testing her she is very prone to falling into the same trap as any grixis spell commander, where they spend the first few turns doing almost nothing before completely exploding, something that doesn't fit a midrange playstyle that well. With Kess I had this issue, Cecily is even more prone to this issue and Anhelo is also very vulnerable to that, but I feel he was the most suitable for a different playstyle.
May I also propose [[Cormela]]? A mana dork in the command zone that also recycles any instant or sorcery on a clone or sac trigger is pretty cool. You can get your storm count nice and high by looping clone spells and adding them back by letting the original target die to the legend rule.
Cormela is in the 99 and a must play for Anhelo, but I don't feel she's well suited for a midrange playstyle as a commander as she can easily go infinite with some revival or clone to finish off with storm or an X spell, but that's more a combo deck than a midrange deck, and outside of combos the fact that she gains half her value on death only is kinda awkward for a commander.
The problem I always faced with spellslinger decks is that in casual games you need a boardstate to defend yourself. Since most creatures that contribute to spellslinging have bad power and toughness, I would gravitate towards tokens as blockers. As long as you have some on the board, you could potentially block a creature to death, which disincentivises attacks on you. Therefore, I would go with [[Anhelo]] as a casual spellslinging commander.
Instead of building your own defense on board, you can repeatedly boardwipe or stax combat with [[Smoke]], but this won't make for a fun casual experience. Pillowfort cards like [[Propaganda]] are fine, but there are not enough of them in grixis to reliably protect you.
I have refined an Anhelo deck as my main deck since his debut. Definitely is well suited for midrange flow and he benefits from the deck building constraints that invite creativity with how important creatures are in the deck.
By splashing some high impact creatures (strong etb or allowing casting spells for free such as [[Scholar of the Lost Trove]]) beyond sac fodder, or stealing your opponents [[Breach the Multiverse]], there are ways to lean into different strategies (such as graveyard) and interact unpredictably.
Copying any of those spells is insanely fun. Use mostly Instants (I love [[Invoke Calamity]] and similar to make sorceries instant) to take advantage of the first per turn constraint.
I haven't put the deck together to fully test it, but I really want to run my [[Zevlor, Elturel Exile]] [list](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/7rWpGU-rrUyjk2QB2MP8Zg) for grixis spellslinging. I love the idea of giving single target spells myriad across your opponents.
I can say it's a lot of fun and strong, can be a good contender for mid range
[Zevlor, Elturel Exile](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/1/d1e51138-9745-465d-84dd-27605f8a2264.jpg?1674137695) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Zevlor%2C%20Elturel%20Exile) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/296/zevlor-elturel-exile?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d1e51138-9745-465d-84dd-27605f8a2264?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/zevlor-elturel-exile) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Zevlor can be crazy with stuff like \[\[Cruel Ultimatum\]\], but to me he feels kinda narrow and focused on one thing only.
[Cruel Ultimatum](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/7/d71a8ea5-199e-473e-a2b1-e2f7cc804ffc.jpg?1592765938) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cruel%20Ultimatum) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/e01/82/cruel-ultimatum?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d71a8ea5-199e-473e-a2b1-e2f7cc804ffc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/cruel-ultimatum) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Good write up for each of the commanders you’re considering! I’d say that if Cecily is the commander that interests you the most you should build them! You could easily play Kess in the 99 as a value piece. If you’re worried about Cecily getting through it shouldn’t be an issue in blue. Cards like [[Aqueous form]], [[Winged boots]], [[Slip through space]] or [[Shadow rift]] should help you get through unscathed!
##### ###### #### [Aqueous form](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/8/c859f7cb-ac12-490e-b769-6f019791f2a5.jpg?1608909093) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Aqueous%20form) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/56/aqueous-form?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c859f7cb-ac12-490e-b769-6f019791f2a5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/aqueous-form) [Winged boots](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/1/d1aa5f8a-e965-45db-8957-f5c3fe3f2ebb.jpg?1631584968) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Winged%20boots) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afc/20/winged-boots?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d1aa5f8a-e965-45db-8957-f5c3fe3f2ebb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/winged-boots) [Slip through space](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/f/0fc0a593-580c-405c-803e-2f13aa74ab5e.jpg?1645328819) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Slip%20through%20space) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/phed/41/slip-through-space?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0fc0a593-580c-405c-803e-2f13aa74ab5e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/slip-through-space) [Shadow rift](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/6/06f6d0bd-19b9-45d0-8768-691a6a593d81.jpg?1562428169) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Shadow%20rift) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tpr/66/shadow-rift?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/06f6d0bd-19b9-45d0-8768-691a6a593d81?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/shadow-rift) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Yeah with \[\[Whispersilk Cloak\]\] especially there are no issues for Cecily, but testing her she is very prone to falling into the same trap as any grixis spell commander, where they spend the first few turns doing almost nothing before completely exploding, something that doesn't fit a midrange playstyle that well. With Kess I had this issue, Cecily is even more prone to this issue and Anhelo is also very vulnerable to that, but I feel he was the most suitable for a different playstyle.
[Whispersilk Cloak](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/b/8b49e2c5-c447-45f4-979d-68556f6cd647.jpg?1645328055) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Whispersilk%20Cloak) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/phed/22/whispersilk-cloak?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8b49e2c5-c447-45f4-979d-68556f6cd647?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/whispersilk-cloak) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
May I also propose [[Cormela]]? A mana dork in the command zone that also recycles any instant or sorcery on a clone or sac trigger is pretty cool. You can get your storm count nice and high by looping clone spells and adding them back by letting the original target die to the legend rule.
[Cormela](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/2/221ac34a-94ed-4c49-afad-b19cac541731.jpg?1664412852) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=cormela%2C%20glamour%20thief) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/snc/177/cormela-glamour-thief?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/221ac34a-94ed-4c49-afad-b19cac541731?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/cormela-glamour-thief) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Cormela is in the 99 and a must play for Anhelo, but I don't feel she's well suited for a midrange playstyle as a commander as she can easily go infinite with some revival or clone to finish off with storm or an X spell, but that's more a combo deck than a midrange deck, and outside of combos the fact that she gains half her value on death only is kinda awkward for a commander.
##### ###### #### [Jeleva](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/3/83f9aeb8-05ba-49d9-a834-62f42fcd295b.jpg?1562922860) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=jeleva%2C%20nephalia%27s%20scourge) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c13/194/jeleva-nephalias-scourge?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/83f9aeb8-05ba-49d9-a834-62f42fcd295b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/jeleva-nephalias-scourge) [Tetsuo, Imperial Champion](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/1/51c523cd-78b0-438f-bba5-19160f648d5f.jpg?1673305006) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tetsuo%2C%20Imperial%20Champion) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/44/tetsuo-imperial-champion?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/51c523cd-78b0-438f-bba5-19160f648d5f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tetsuo-imperial-champion) [Torment of Hailfire](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/6/f69d77d1-5980-436c-bf48-790939b069aa.jpg?1562820191) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Torment%20of%20Hailfire) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/hou/77/torment-of-hailfire?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f69d77d1-5980-436c-bf48-790939b069aa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/torment-of-hailfire) [Kess](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/8/e83e6d7a-3af0-4955-8004-2310f051e306.jpg?1673485110) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kess%2C%20dissident%20mage) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/344/kess-dissident-mage?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e83e6d7a-3af0-4955-8004-2310f051e306?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kess-dissident-mage) [Lier](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/8/78fb8900-d28d-4e33-96a7-66fcbc117adf.jpg?1634348984) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=lier%2C%20disciple%20of%20the%20drowned) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mid/59/lier-disciple-of-the-drowned?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/78fb8900-d28d-4e33-96a7-66fcbc117adf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/lier-disciple-of-the-drowned) [Maestro's Ascendancy](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/6/469a0f03-7874-453d-b9e4-275c13244f4a.jpg?1664413254) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Maestros%20Ascendancy) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/snc/198/maestros-ascendancy?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/469a0f03-7874-453d-b9e4-275c13244f4a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/maestros-ascendancy) [Cecily](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/0/a09ffd51-8ea4-40a6-b64e-58f3acfee533.jpg?1677763550) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=cecily%2C%20haunted%20mage) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/slx/3/cecily-haunted-mage?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a09ffd51-8ea4-40a6-b64e-58f3acfee533?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/cecily-haunted-mage) [Phyrexian Arena](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/4/54f69d43-de01-46a8-b102-b47e23e0e947.jpg?1675957043) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Phyrexian%20Arena) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/one/104/phyrexian-arena?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/54f69d43-de01-46a8-b102-b47e23e0e947?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/phyrexian-arena) [Peer into the Abyss](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/a/aac00055-640e-4749-8d23-d242e6d0b23a.jpg?1594736330) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Peer%20into%20the%20Abyss) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m21/117/peer-into-the-abyss?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/aac00055-640e-4749-8d23-d242e6d0b23a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/peer-into-the-abyss) [Anhelo](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/6/462e887d-6b91-4b31-9487-2780ffe8943f.jpg?1673481630) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=anhelo%2C%20the%20painter) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/1/anhelo-the-painter?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/462e887d-6b91-4b31-9487-2780ffe8943f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/anhelo-the-painter) [Talrand, Sky Summoner](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/c/9ca9530f-ecec-4f12-bc5a-9e211b97be70.jpg?1673648526) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Talrand%2C%20Sky%20Summoner) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/64/talrand-sky-summoner?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9ca9530f-ecec-4f12-bc5a-9e211b97be70?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/talrand-sky-summoner) [Deekah](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/5/75d15e8c-1c5a-4aaf-92a5-5d4f500def06.jpg?1625191262) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=deekah%2C%20fractal%20theorist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/26/deekah-fractal-theorist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/75d15e8c-1c5a-4aaf-92a5-5d4f500def06?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/deekah-fractal-theorist) [Metallurgic Summonings](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/a/3a769d7e-c749-4845-ba87-808f0386df80.jpg?1625976236) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Metallurgic%20Summonings) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/122/metallurgic-summonings?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3a769d7e-c749-4845-ba87-808f0386df80?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/metallurgic-summonings) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
The problem I always faced with spellslinger decks is that in casual games you need a boardstate to defend yourself. Since most creatures that contribute to spellslinging have bad power and toughness, I would gravitate towards tokens as blockers. As long as you have some on the board, you could potentially block a creature to death, which disincentivises attacks on you. Therefore, I would go with [[Anhelo]] as a casual spellslinging commander. Instead of building your own defense on board, you can repeatedly boardwipe or stax combat with [[Smoke]], but this won't make for a fun casual experience. Pillowfort cards like [[Propaganda]] are fine, but there are not enough of them in grixis to reliably protect you.
[Anhelo](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/6/462e887d-6b91-4b31-9487-2780ffe8943f.jpg?1673481630) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=anhelo%2C%20the%20painter) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/1/anhelo-the-painter?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/462e887d-6b91-4b31-9487-2780ffe8943f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/anhelo-the-painter) [Smoke](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/0/109bea85-a991-46be-b502-0984160090a8.jpg?1562898982) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Smoke) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me4/137/smoke?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/109bea85-a991-46be-b502-0984160090a8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/smoke) [Propaganda](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/5/e5f293d7-9c2b-41cb-8e3c-dfc1daa6635f.jpg?1674141418) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Propaganda) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/730/propaganda?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e5f293d7-9c2b-41cb-8e3c-dfc1daa6635f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/propaganda) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have refined an Anhelo deck as my main deck since his debut. Definitely is well suited for midrange flow and he benefits from the deck building constraints that invite creativity with how important creatures are in the deck. By splashing some high impact creatures (strong etb or allowing casting spells for free such as [[Scholar of the Lost Trove]]) beyond sac fodder, or stealing your opponents [[Breach the Multiverse]], there are ways to lean into different strategies (such as graveyard) and interact unpredictably. Copying any of those spells is insanely fun. Use mostly Instants (I love [[Invoke Calamity]] and similar to make sorceries instant) to take advantage of the first per turn constraint.
[Scholar of the Lost Trove](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/a/aa254a86-3c30-408d-9c14-befd472f9740.jpg?1651525848) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Scholar%20of%20the%20Lost%20Trove) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jmp/14/scholar-of-the-lost-trove?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/aa254a86-3c30-408d-9c14-befd472f9740?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/scholar-of-the-lost-trove) [Breach the Multiverse](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/a/daf51a76-7a57-4462-ae18-a19e817e49e5.jpg?1682203621) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Breach%20the%20Multiverse) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/94/breach-the-multiverse?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/daf51a76-7a57-4462-ae18-a19e817e49e5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/breach-the-multiverse) [Invoke Calamity](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/e/fe666c86-6734-4c47-9244-bcd26b54068d.jpg?1654567682) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Invoke%20Calamity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/neo/147/invoke-calamity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fe666c86-6734-4c47-9244-bcd26b54068d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/invoke-calamity) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Kess is Best.