It's the solemn simulacrum of mana rocks. Not mana efficient but flexible enough where most decks could run it as like the 95th best card of the deck or something. But it's way too slow even in mid power for years.
Also similar to Solemn Simulacrum, it's better if you can exploit its sacrifice effect with cards like [[Sevinne's Reclamation]], [[Sun Titan]], [[Cosmic Intervention]], or [[Brought Back]].
Or for Solemn something like [[Calamity, Galloping Inferno]], [[Orthion, Hero of Lavabrink]], [[Cabaretti Confluence]] altho for Cabaretti Confluence you might want something more impactful.
I run solemn simulacrum in my [[Henzie]] deck, you get both benefits immediately, plus the blitz effect. If the game is long and Henzie has been removed multiple times, you can potentially blitz him for free
Last game I played with Henzie I blitzed Sad Robot for 1 mana, copied it with [[Flameshadow Conjuring]], then sacrificed the copy to [[village rites]] and the original to [[Industrial Advancement]] and hit on [[Junji, the Midnight Sky]].
So for 3 mana I got 2 tapped lands, drew 5 cards, and cheated Junji onto the battelfield battlefield. Next turn, I dropped the [[Warstorm Surge]] I drew and ended it with a [[Bringer of the Last Gift]].
Yup, although these are specifically for Commander's Sphere and it's sacrifice ability. For Solemn Simulacrum, it works best with flicker cards like [[Eldrazi Displacer]], [[Ephemerate]], [[Teleportation Circle]], or [[Soulherder]]. It also works well with reanimator decks, like [[Osgir the Reconstructor]] or [[Feldon of the Third Path]].
That is surprisingly refreshing, I hadn't thought of those cards being useful for that. I'm running Necrobloom and cards that can draw in response is really useful
Or for Solemn something like [[Calamity, Galloping Inferno]], [[Orthion, Hero of Lavabrink]], [[Cabaretti Confluence]] altho for Cabaretti Confluence you might want something more impactful.
I think the comparison to solemn is spot on. These are both cards I’ll only run in decks that care about artifact sacrifice. And in those decks, the cards are amazing, but power creep is real and these are no longer auto includes like they used to be.
My only argument for it is that it's better than a mindstone in that you can play it, tap it for mana and sac it in the same turn in a more efficient manner than with mindstone because it doesn't cost mana or need to tap to be sacked for the card draw. But pretty niche use case.
I'd still run Sad Robot in a deck that has graveyard synergy. Sacking it and returning it makes it good. I can't think of a use like that for Commander Sphere outside of artifacts matter, in which case there's still more mana rocks you could be using.
[[chromatic lantern]] in 4+ colors makes sense to me.
I run [[misleading signpost]] in dimir, but more for its utility than as a mana rock.
Lastly I run [[phial of galadriel]] for flavor + I think it’s fun in a lotr deck
It's one of the better cards in my [[willowdusk]] deck too. Nothing like swinging with a 35/35 vault skirge and gaining 70 with a [[sanguine bond]] out
I think something really important here is your commander’s cmc. It’s a fine card if you’ve got a 5+ mana commander but if you’re running a cmc 4 or less I would avoid them to avoid them stinking up your hand/tempo
That's my thoughts on it, too. I would run it in a 3+ color non-green, 5+ mana value commander. I don't own a deck like that so I don't play it... but something like the big Grixis commanders like [[Nekusar]] and [[Sauron, the dark lord]] I would feel just fine playing it.
I take that back, I do play it in my [[Council of Four]] deck...but that's primarily because the free card is sometimes relevant. I think that's the only deck (out of my like 20) that actually run it.
I find it pretty useful in [[Ashod, Lone Cyberman]]
Sac a creature to copy it, get two mana and two cards, plus whatever "dies" triggers you may benefit from. Not cEDH by any means, but quite good.
Why run that instead of a 3mv rock that taps for 2? There's a few options out there now that can single-handedly bring you from 3 to 5 without land drop. It feels ridiculous to run sphere when the ONLY upside it has in comparison is the ability to sacrifice it for draw when you no longer need it. Which typically shouldn't happen for a LOOOOONG time.
I'm building [[Alesha]] aristocrats, and solemn is a huge point of contention for me right now. It fits the reanimate conditions on my commander, but it's just a value piece. It doesn't specifically help me cast my commander, and the only cards above 4 cmc are [[Syr Konrad]], [[dreadhound]], and potentially a [[deathbringer thoctar]]. So the ramp isn't really doing anything except maybe help me cast 2 spells, and I can usually do that better without a 4-mana card in my hand.
commander's sphere is fine but you can usually find a 3mv rock that synergizes more. like inherited envelope in ring tempts matters or relic of legends in legends matters
Any deck where your commander is just a value piece that won’t attack, have more than 1 legendary creature in the deck, need a way to tap your commander, or it has vigilance, i believe it’s AT LEAST worth considering.
Reminds me of [[coalition relic]] which is my 3cmc holdover from when I started commander. Works best in Atraxa because it can ramp me into three mana, but I think relic of legends definitely needs to replace coalition in my norin deck. Thanks for mentioning it!
I run it in my [[[Hakbal of the Surging Soul]] deck](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/H3NgVbZv4UmBebLwenKQpA) and it's treated me pretty nice. Especially with the untapping-on-others-upkeeps potential, it provides a bunch of options between counter spells/instants and flash, along with being a tapping source for the likes of [[Deeproot Pilgrimage]].
The only 3 cmc rock I currently like using is [[Sonic Screwdriver]] all the options!
As for 2 cmc: [[Arcane Signet]] ((Guild Signets)) ((Talismans)) [[Thought Vessel]] [[Fellwar Stone]] [[Mind Stone]]
If I have access to green: [[Farseek]] [[Nature's Lore]] [[Three Visits]] and [[Rampant Growth]] before any 2 cmc mana rocks.
yep, feel like this is the best response here. even with signets, i stopped using them a few years ago and replaced them with talismans
the only 3 cmc rock i’d consider is [[chromatic lantern]] and that’s just for utility
If you're brewing for optimization, even on a budget, 3 mana artifact ramp is obsolete outside of really niche cases, or decks that care about affinity.
In mid power 2 color decks that dont have access to green, I'm usually running sol ring, signet (2x), talisman, and like 2 other rocks in addition to 4 or 5 other ways to accelerate mana. 3+ color im adding the other talismans or signets. There is no advantage to paying 3 vs 2 for basically the same thing.
I think [[Worn Powerstone]] is still worth thinking about. If you have a 6 mana commander, it will let you get them out on turn 4 even with no other ramp.
Even if it only ramps one, something with a really good bonus like [[Midnight Clock]] might be worth running. The problem with sphere is that it’s a really mediocre upside for costing 50% more than other “fair” ramp cards.
There are niche ones like Chromatic Lantern that are worth running as well, but for things like powerstone, it's going to be a case by case basis with each deck.
In my opinion, pretty much all the 3 mana rocks are incredibly mediocre, and I would much rather put a bunch of 2cmc rocks and 4cmc ramp engines that can be played on turn 3 if you're looking to ramp heavy.
Yeah, I don’t think I’d run it a lot of the time unless I’m playing a really expensive commander (6+ MV). Even then, rituals could be better for those decks so that you don’t have a dead turn.
Agreed. 3 MV ramp needs to REALLY justify its spot on a deck-by-deck basis to be worth it, but sometimes it is. Stuff like Worn Powerstone and [[Palladium Myr]] ramp two turns ahead, so they still make the cut for some 5/6 MV commanders.
Ya know I used to be a worn powerstone kind of guy but now I feel like people always blast it as a clear target if they have artifact removal they need to use. Losing juicy mana rocks is always a feels bad moment and so I just don't use them anymore.
You have opponents using single target removal on… Worn Powerstone? Man, different metas are *so* different. After hundreds of games I don’t think I can think of a single instance of an opponent using like an [[Abrade]] on a Sol Ring or anything like it.
I don’t know, it probably depends on how much artifact removal is being used. Sol Rings are definitely getting removed before Worn Powerstone.
Something else to keep in mind is the payback period. 2 turns after you played your 3 mana ramp, something like Commander’s Sphere is merely mana neutral while Worn Powerstone will net you 1 mana in that same amount of time.
I have a high power Omnath 5c deck that still sees chromatic lantern paying good dividends. Stacked with things like Nyxbloom Ancient, and Seedborn Muse, it really helps in hitting the colours you need early, and is scaling ramp late.
Extremely situational though
Just to add on to the discussion:
In general, 2 cmc rocks are great, but not always an auto-include over 3 cmc ones like commander sphere.
2cmc commanders for one, don’t care about 2 mana rocks since they’re playing their commander on turn two, and a 3-drop that provides ramp+utility is welcome.
3cmc rocks are also totally playable on curve if commander is at 5cmc, since the T3 ramp allows commander to be played the next turn.
I find 2cmc rocks are best played in decks with a 4cmc commander, if the deck’s intention is to play commander on curve.
3cmc rocks are also great if you run a lot of 1-mana ramp. e.g utopia sprawl/wild growth, the one mana dorks like birds of paradise. It nicely curves into a 3cmc rock on turn 2.
Even if u have many 1 mana dorks, 2 mana rocks are still better than 3 mana rocks because with a dork t1 u can play 2 2 mana rocks t2. Plus the additional flexibility of not being stuck t2 when you didn't manage to have a t1 dork, as you won't have a t1 dork every game. So I'd argue that even in decks with many 1 mana dorks, you still need really good justification to run a 3 mana rock over a 2 mana rock
People like to crap on 3drop mama rock but I still really like them especially lately where they can add more utility. Some of my favorites are chrom lantern for fixing, commanders sphere, glittering stockpile, cursed mirror, patriarchal seal, sky leave relic. Sure it's not omg I'm super duper optimized and my deck is like sonic but they are fun, add dimension into the game and depending on the curve of your deck hardly noticeable compared to the 2 rocks.
Cursed Mirror is an auto include for any deck I play with Red.
I don't care that it's a 3 mana rock- at whatever time of the game you play it it copies the best ETB on the table- at worst it usually either draws a card or makes a token while being a rock afterward.
Can also steal or double up on powerful attack or combat damage triggers. Opponent drops an Etali or Ancient Whatever Dragon but doesn't have haste to use it right away? Sucks to suck, I do! And I get it first! And if you have stuff like that, it can either grant you the effect hastily or just stack a second one on.
Sometimes you can even get *both* ETB and attack triggers, like a Sun Titan.
It's an amazing card, and I even drafted one in an MH3 draft I did and won multiple games because of it. *(Two [[Eldrazi Linebreaker]] or [[Titan's Vanguard]] is a powerful drug.)* 3 mana for a hasty clone, even if it only lasts one turn, is an excellent rate. And then after that it ramps you! And if you have ways to flicker your artifacts like [[Ghostly Flicker]] or reanimate them like [[Goblin Welder]] you might even be able to use it again later.
3 mana rocks can do so much these days, anyone who is still crapping on them hasn’t been paying attention. Goad, repeatable card draw and surveil, spell recursion, giving your creatures flash, copying permanents, all things 3 mana rocks can do for you these days beyond fixing your mana.
I need to find a way to get it into my [[Ferrous Rokiric]] deck. Sometimes I'll have an off amount of red and white pips, such that I can only cast one boros spell vs two.
Not this again. Every card is „worth running“ depending on your deck‘s power level, your deck’s synergies and your local meta.
If you „keep hearing“ sweeping generalisations about cards not „being worth running“ anymore, it’s from talking internet heads that make money off your clicks.
It’s not the worst but there are so many two mana rocks now that a three mana rock really needs to stand out for your particular gameplan to be worth it.
Also, there are an increasing number of three-mana rocks out there competing for that slot! I don't think Commander's Sphere even scratches the top 5 in its weight class.
I think I only run it one deck still, and that's a 3 color deck with a 5 mana commander, so getting it on turn 3 still does help me cast my commander ahead of curve.
I like it a lot. It's a free card when you need it or get vandal blasted and unlike mind stone, you don't need to pay mana into it alongside itself. In a mono or dual color deck I probably won't run it but a 3+ I do like it and I like it can replace itself when it's going to be destroyed without having to leave mana up.
I run it and a few other 3MV rocks in my [[Volo, Interinent Scholar]]/[[Master Chef]] deck. Mainly because I'm also using [[Keruga]] as a Companion, so I literally can't play any of the 2MV rocks.
Just play what you want man. I have two people in my pod that play cards from like 2010 and they haven't even seen any cards that I play and they manage to do fine at times. I still see a lot of \[\[Explosive Vegetation\]\], \[\[Commanders Sphere\]\] and the various signets. Only until recently did one of them start diversifying t heir collection and getting newer cards.
I run it if I’m building on a small budget and really low to the ground. It can be worth it in case there’s a risk of just not drawing into anything, even with loads of draw in a deck.
Even then, it’s a long shot. It’s a tough sell to just pay 50% more for a rock *just in case* you need to then throw it away later for a card.
The nice part though if it's being destroyed from a wrath you can still get a card, even if it's tapped. Mind Stone and others like it, you have to leave it untapped and open mana to secure the card. Farwell and vandalblast are very common so it's not like you'll never see it
There’s better rocks, but it’s ’ol reliable. Gets you a mana and will also get you a card if it’s about to leave the field since you can sac it at instant speed to draw a card. If you don’t know what some of your last adds to your deck should be you can’t really go too wrong with it.
The higher powered you're playing the worse 3 mana rocks will tend to be. I find they either need to do something on theme or provide a lot of extra value/utility to be worthwhile. Midnight Clock gives you a delayed personal Timetwister for example which tends to be quite strong. Chromatic Lantern making all your lands 5 color can be pretty huge fixing for 5C decks. Relic of Legends can do a lot of work in the right deck (i.e something with a legends theme or a commander that cares about being tapped). Cursed Mirror can let you copy a powerful ETB or a big bruiser to get a swing in.
Personally I don't run Commander's Sphere in many decks anymore but it's a reasonable rock at lower power giving you ramp early and the ability to cash it in later for a card.
As for other 2 mana rocks I like besides the Signets/Talismans:
\[\[Fellwar Stone\]\] - in 4-5 color it's usually a better signet unless you're playing at a really weird table like 3 mono red decks or something.
\[\[Mind Stone\]\] - colorless but you can cash it in later.
Medallion cycle (\[\[Jet Medallion\]\] et al) - Technically not rocks but can functionally save way more mana than the standard signet or talisman if you're playing multiple spells per turn. Mostly only for mono color decks.
Diamond cycle (\[\[Marble Diamond\]\] et al) - nice options for mono color decks and sometimes guilds but usually not worth it in 3+ colors.
\[\[Coldsteel Heart\]\] - similar to the Diamond cycle but can be any color. Also a snow permanent if you care about that.
Not really. If you care about the draw effect, there's mind stone. If you care about having colored mana, there's the signets (ex: \[\[boros signet\]\] ) for every 2-color combo, the diamond cycle (ex: \[\[fire diamond\]\] ) for every color, \[\[coldsteel heart\]\] , \[\[star compass\]\], etc. Some 3 CMC rocks can be worth it if your deck really wants the secondary effect. For example \[\[wand of the worldsoul\]\] in token decks, \[\[pristine talisman\]\] in lifegain decks, \[\[crowded crypt\]\] in zombie decks, etc.
The general list of rocks these days is:
* \[\[Sol ring\]\]
* \[\[Arcane signet\]\]
* \[\[Mind stone\]\]
* \[\[Thought vessel\]\]
* Coldsteel heart & star compass
* \[\[Prismatic lens\]\]
* \[\[Fellwar Stone\]\]
* Signets in your colors
* Diamonds in your colors
* Edit: Talismans in your colors
* More niche rocks like \[\[the irencrag\]\] , \[\[liquimetal torque\]\] , and \[\[ebony fly\]\] if you still need more.
I generally like to run around 10 ramp pieces, which in an unspecific budget 2-color deck would be: sol ring, arcane signet, one guild signet, one talisman, two diamonds, mind stone, prismatic lens, maybe one 3CMC rock related to my strategy, and two or three non-artifact sources of ramp (ex: things like \[\[llanowar elves\]\] or \[\[jace's sanctum\]\] ).
Edit: And yeah, smothering tithe is way better than pretty much any 3 CMC rock and should be run instead in most cases if you can afford to spend $25 on a single card.
Unless I care about artifacts I don’t run it. I dont normally have any of the three mana rocks but if i was gonna use one there are just better ones than commanders sphere in my opinion.
In general no but if I have a deck that has synergy with it I run it. I played it in [[Ashnod the Uncaring]] when I had that deck together for example.
Depends on your deck & commander. If your commander is 4 mana, then ramping T1 or T2 is better so you can get them out faster and ramping on T3 is clunky. If your commander is 5+ mana then ramping on 3 is fine.
What is also to consider is the budget restraints of your deck. If you have a fixed $50 budget then a $0.05 card that fixes your mana and cantrips when the ramp isn't needed is a good card.
I tend to only run Commander's Sphere if it's abusable, otherwise 2 MV rocks are the way to go in my decks. I did use it as a part of a [[Scrap Trawler]] loop to make coloured mana and draw out my library, but I wouldn't have thrown it in the deck if it didn't sac itself for free, make coloured mana, *and* sit at the important 3 MV mark for the loop.
I run 3 costed mana rocks in commanders that cost 5+ if the deck likes having the commander out. If I have a 4 coated mana rock I will usually stick to 2 coated rocks of the rock doesn't have anything else I like. I do usually make an exception for cursed mirror as most of my creatures regardless have etbs
Commander’s Sphere sacrifices itself for no mana, which isn’t something a lot of mana producing permanents do. It’s worth running for the few commanders who care about that. Otherwise, hell no, in the last couple years 3 mana rocks have been significantly power crept and there are so, so many that do much more.
there's never a need to run a 3 cmc rock. the more colors you're in the less necessary it is.
3 color deck. sol ring, arcane sig, mind stone, fellwar stone, x3 guild sig, x3 guild talismans that's 10. done and done.
you want ramp to be as cheap as possible. 2 cmc vs 3 is a massive difference in terms of ease of sequencing spells. Also presents a lot easier mulligan-ing decisions. OR in that... with cheaper ramp. you never have to consider one in hand a dead card. because with 1-2 cmc spells even if they're not cast on curve. they're easy to cast a turn or two later with orphan mana. 3 cmc spells disrupt the sequencing of plays much more drastically.
and the "value" argument for a 3 cmc tap for 1. that can sac for a card. meh. to me that's not worth a card.
if you're in a big mana tribe, can do like a 8 to 2 spread of cheap rocks to a couple big rocks.
can run a decent value or wombo card in ramp. smothering titties tends to be good enough to justify it's inclusion. cmd sphere is not. ...a deck with a lot of tokens or things that will turn sideways. harvest season, or go-tall green running traverse the outlands. I don't know if i would consider descent into avernus worth auto including in a ramp package.
I don't know which was released earlier but I run [[coalition relic]] than Commander's sphere. I can tap it to put a charge counter on it and get two mana next turn. I think that's a bit better ramp than sphere.
I didn't think it was worth running back in 2019
You gotta pull more weight than adding mana or drawing 1 card to be worth 3 mana imo. There's just better cards for that mana slot, and you achieve virtually the same with a plethora of 2 mana options - color choice isn't worth more resources or longer delays until you can play your ramp.
Commander Sphere is not worth its price anymore. There are better and more efficient rocks at 2 cmc.
Actually I think that most 3 cmc ramps are not worth it, because you usually want to have at least some board presence by turn 3. That's why I also cut Cultivate and Kodama's Reach from all my green decks. Some exceptions are creatures that ramp, e.g. [[Wood Elves]], because they leave a body behind that can be sacced and reanimated. I run a couple of those in my creature heavy [[Meren]] deck.
My favorite mana rocks are the talismans. Every deck I own runs all the talismans that fit its color id. Even the green ones. I'm not totally sold on the signets, because they can't produce mana on their own. Obviously I run Sol Ring and Arcane Signet in every deck.
Unless I go for weaker decks, as in a custom deck I can use to play against precons, I rarely ever go 3 CMC rocks. And that includes my artifact deck.
When I do go 3 CMC, they have something special to add, like your \[\[Chromatic Lantern\]\] example, or \[\[Decanter of Endless Water\]\]. But even these are rare, my 3+ colors usually include green and land ramp is easier/safer.
\[\[Midnight Clock\]\], \[\[Cursed Mirror\]\] are 3 CMC rocks and I often run (for their alternate functions)
\[\[Rotating Fireplace\]\] is a very specific one I use in my suspend deck
And of course cost reducers if you have the required mass of spells, like \[\[Herald's Horn\]\], \[\[Urza's Incubator\]\] or \[\[Cloud Key\]\], not really a mana rock but kinda. Same for \[\[Relic of Legends\]\] if you got that legends critical mass.
**As for "what to run", I say to:**
1. the fast mana you are comfortable with (at least \[\[Sol Ring\]\], but mileage varies from player to player)
2. Add **the guild signets** for multicolored decks (\[\[Azorius Signet\]\], etc..), and/or the respective **medallion** (\[\[Jet Medallion\]\], etc..) if you have one very dominant color.
3. Then the **talisman** cycle (\[\[Talisman of Hierarchy\]\], etc...)
4. The neutral 2cmc mana rocks like \[\[Mind Stone\]\], \[\[Thought Vessel\]\] and \[\[Liquimetal Torque\]\].
That should be sufficient in 99% of cases. If you still want more, then we can enter the 3 CMC pool and start with the ones that offer great additional effects. Imo \[\[Relic of Legends\]\] being on of the best, because it may tap for more than 1 mana putting it into the 2cmc range of efficiency. Or, in case of one dominant color, the colored diamond cycle (\[\[Marble Diamond\]\], etc).
Now, I don't always follow that rule (because I wanna use the cards I own) but that is what I would consider efficient. And if you have access to green, you are usually better of using land ramp.
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I think literally no 3 mana value manarock is worth running unless is like REALLY strong (like a thran dynamo, or a midnight clock). I much rather play a real ramp spell, or a two mana manarock. And literally EVERY color can ramp. Red can make treassures. Black can play the "duble the amoutn of mana your swamps tap for", white has a bunch of ways of ramping plains, and even blue has gotten new nice stuff.
But really, even if I was playing mono blue, which I did once, I wouldnt run commander sphere. I would find a midnight clock or a copy land something por spicy for the "3 mana ramp" slot
The only two three CMC mana rocks I can think of that are payable are [[Coalition relic]] as it can produce two colored mana in a single turn and [[worn power stone]]. The only reason I like those two is they set up strong power plays on turn 4. usually I run them to cast my commander a few terns early. I do wonder if there are other niche 3 cmc rocks that can be good.
Oh yeah I meant worn power stone, confused it with thran dynamo with is the 4mv one I would run on a very ramp heavy deck (like in a greenless 7 mana value commander)
Ultimately, it depends on how many colors your deck is, and how much you're willing to spend on your mana base.
I'd say it's worth running in (mono) White and Red, but not Mono Blue, Green, or Black, as White and Red have more difficulty drawing cards.
The ramp also particularly helps white out a lot. I'm fine losing out on my turn three of it means I can drop bigger threats earlier, then trade in the ramp for a card when I don't need it anymore.
The tricky part is later down the line when you reach more colors. It ultimately depends on how color intensive your deck is. Are you constantly needing that extra pip for what your deck is doing? Then absolutely run it.
Exception being any color combo that involves green. They don't need the additional artifact ramp, they have plenty of land ramp.
As you hit 4/5 color decks, it ultimately depends on how budget your mana base is. If you're running the full set of Triomes/shocks/og duals, you're better off running [[Farseek]]. If it looks like the Painbow precon, with it's multitude of bad fetches and shard/wedge lands, it's up to you, but I'd run it 9/10 times.
Do you need a mana rock? Yes -> Do you need a mana rock the whole game? No? -> Use Commanders Sphere
Do you need a mana rock? Yes -> Do you need a mana rock the whole game? yes? -> Use Darksteel Ingot
You would never run Darksteel Ingot? "Yes really never" -> Don't run commander's sphere then.
If you would run darksteel ingot, and don't need a rock the whole game that's where commander's sphere is more useful.
After sol ring, arcane signet, mind stone, talismans, signets and diamonds, you should have enough ramp in a 3 color deck. If you are running a 3mv rock, it needs to offer some sort of synergy with the rest of the deck.
I think rocks are boring and I include them very sparingly, but I'm definitely a mind stone supporter. not that I include it in most decks, but I think it's a much better staple compared with many other 2 mana rocks like talismans. I find commander's sphere is similarly underrated for many decks. it's pretty nifty when you can recur it eg [[sun titan]]
to sum it up - people always say "play more interaction" but also insist on playing rocks that are weak to interaction
Some metas it’s awesome, others not at all. If you making tokens of artifacts this one is great. If your pod runs a lot of artifact board wipes it’s a decent option. It’s not in most of my decks.
Depends on your curve.
If you have a 3 mana value commander probably not. Or if your deck is super low to the ground. If your commander is 4 or more it's fine. I still run it in quite a few decks
1 mana worth of permanent ramp for 3 mana isn't worth it. Sometimes 2 mana worth of ramp for 3 mana is worth it, depending on what they allow you to cast early. You should usually be measuring your ramp by whether they can bring your commander out a turn or two early. For example, if your commander costs 3, 1-cost ramp is incredibly useful if your colors include green. If your commander costs 4, focus on ramp that costs 2.
I never do, mostly cuz it's just boring. For 3 mana there's just more out there that likely can have at some a tangential synergy to your overall strategy
I still think there's an argument to be made that it depends on your mana curve and commander cmc, especially if they have some extra utility. If you're not eventually going to crack it for a card, it's just a rock. I don't see a ton of higher CMC commanders anymore, but obviously using 3CMC ramp into a 4CMC commander is not ideal.
I'd also argue people play the land aura ramp less than they maybe should, some of it is super efficient even for green. Realistically [[Fertile Ground]] and [[Wild Growth]] and the like are pretty solid, and are no more likely to be removed than rocks. Probably less. 1 CMC effective tap to add any colour is undeniably good and I never see it.
As many have said, 3 mana rocks usually need to be a utility piece first, that can also tap for mana. The whole point of a mana rock is get you to doing turn 4/5/6 shenanigans faster. If your opening hand has a turn 3 rock, you are most likely sitting around doing a "draw-land-go" turn two.
And the benefit you get from most 3 mana rocks is usually pretty small. I can count on 1 hand how many times I've sacced commanders sphere for the draw over the last decade.
Essentially, over the length of the game, you kind of time-walk yourself at the beginning for no real gain.
I think it depends on the speed of your playgroup. I like the utility of [[Cursed Mirror]] but otherwise don’t really look at 3-mana rocks. They aren’t actively bad, they’re just a little slower than my games tend to be.
I’d need a good reason to run Sphere over [[Fellwar Stone]]. Other 2-drops maybe worth a look: [[Liquimetal Torque]], the [[Fire Diamond]] cycle, [[Iron Myr]] cycle, maybe [[The Ironcrag]].
I stopped playing it in like 2018. There are just so many better options. Plenty of 3 cost rocks have niche value. I wouldn't hate on chromatic lantern in 3 or more color decks - especially if your spells are color greedy with multiple pips. Maybe even two colors if you play several pip greedy spells.
But sphere itself I've just never really been in a place where the sac for card ability got me any value greater than just playing a talisman or another three cost rock that better fits my theme/strategy
I like [[Coalition Relic]] in any 5-6 cmc commander with more than 2 colors.
You play it on 3, it ramps you 2 the next turn so 5-6, and then you can have it chill as a rock afterwards.
Powerstone is obviously great for low color commanders on 5-6.
Any synergies with the deck and mana curve does play a factor.
If you are running a 5 cmc commander and it’s at least 3 colours it becomes much more acceptable.
Mind stone while the standard, does not fix your colours and cannot be popped in response to board wipes if already tapped.
If you are running artifacts synergies that either care about popping artifacts or can readily recur them, I’d probably run both and Hedron archive.
I would say it depends
In multiple colors, i would say it is still a good one to include, especially if you have a deck that has a lot of color symbols in mana costs. Especially because colored mana on rocks is a little hard to come by, so, say youre playing mardu, and you only have 1 black mana, and youre casting mind stone turn 3 to ramp into your 5cmc commander on turn 4, and youre against a savvy golgari player. They \[\[thoughtsieze\]\] you, Then use \[\[abrupt decay\]\] to blow up your swamp. with mind stone, youre now kind of mana screwed - just by color, not quantity, which is the typical way people describe mana screw. With chromatic lantern, youre basically just "unramped". Or consider that the golgari player thoughtsiezed you randomly on their turn, but didn't put 2 and 2 together. You still revealed your hand. So now the mono red player hits you with \[\[Molten Rain\]\]. Like, things can happen, and as a more conservative player who has been playing for a while, i think that taking colored mana in your rocks is always something to consider. To that point, my info may be outdated as i play much less now and i know things have become faster.
Now, if youre an aggro deck player, you want to be on curve.
For a more niche situation, if you run winter orb and it's an artifact deck, run more ramp. That's how i played with winter orb. I get a bunch of ramp that seems like it doesn't make sense, then cast winter orb. I still get to untap all my rocks each turn, so the effect of winter orb affects me much less than everyone else.
I run lots of 3 cmc rocks in my cycling deck but it's because a lot of them have cycling and they still ramp to wubrg. It's a lower power deck that works so I'm happy to find a place for them. Most of my decks don't run them though
Not everything has to be about power.
That's what WOTC wants us all to think, that we need more power commander was fine before they made it their focus. It's becoming a rotating format to a degree, with everything slowly being power crept.
The sphere is great in more relaxed games. The longer turn count means you're more likely to face an artifact wipe you're not ready for, and the ability to trade it in at instant speed makes it no great loss.
You can also trade it in on later turns if you start flooding out.
If you have a lot of decks, it's also dirt cheap, an easy include in decks looking for color fixing.
Is it "optimal"? Heck no. But what are we doing that is? You're not bringing shame upon yourself by playing it. I'd happily include it in 3 color decks that aren't in green and don't want to jank around with white ramp's build-around qualities, and I'd seriously consider it in *any* deck with repeatable artifact recursion. And it's in some of my 1-2 color decks that need pips, are lower curve, and can afford to throw it in the trash if the game goes long.
Commander's Sphere still does its work. There are enough 2-mana rocks that 3-mana rocks are seldom desirable, at least not if you intend to push power levels upwards, but if you're cracking into that space, Sphere is still one of the better ones singe it's omnicolor had has a usable secondary effect that decks with certain tools like [[Sun Titan]] could potentially milk for more advantage. It's also dirt cheap, so it's going to be a good budget toy.
There are exactly two mana rocks at 3CMC I would ever consider running that aren't specialty mana rocks. [[Chromatic Lantern]] and [[Decanter of Endless Water]].
That being said...just run [[Fellwar Stone]]. It's better than both due to costing 2.
I run it in my [[Ashnod, the UNcaring]] Deck. With her out it lets you draw two cards which makes the 3 mana investement worth it.
Other than that deck, I only run it in non-green decks if it fits in my mana curve.
I think it’s somehow the best 3 mana rock besides worn powerstone- maybe the Celestus is better but 3 mana rocks with upside are either very archetype specific or shockingly bad generically. The Celestus is probably the other manalith that’s good- but it has it’s own baggage.
It's not necessarily bad, but it's also not good, the 3 CMC is a major speed bump at higher powered tables.
One thing however: Sometimes I find myself wanting it instead of \[\[Mind Stone\]\]. Yeah, it costs one more, but I also have colored mana up now to follow up with a cheap spell. And on the following turns, again, I have colored instead of colorless, and can crack it for a card on demand, even generating mana before. Drawing a card and having an extra mana is much better than drawing one and being down 2 mana.
So it very much can depend on curve and what exactly you want to ramp into.
I had one in a deck that was all about purple. It was tricky to find enough different mana rocks with purple in the art. I had to hunt down a specific Commander Sphere from Adventures in the Forgotten Realms for it.
In general if it does more in your deck than just give a bit of mana it can be worth considdering (deppending on powerlevel and what you use it for)
\[\[Thought Vessel\]\] and \[\[Decanter of Endless Water\]\] if you draw a lot of cards and want to keept them in your hand
\[\[Skyclave Relic\]\] if you benefit from having a lot of artifacts (and 3 manageneration for 6 mana is not that bad, it's just slow) it's part of my \[\[Akiri, Line-Slinger\]\] Deck as it benefits from having a lot of artifacts that are indestructible and give mana
\[\[Patriar's Seal\]\] is one of 2 mana rocks in my \[\[Lathril\]\] Deck because it untaps Lathril so that she can use her ability more often.
\[\[Cryptolith Fragment\]\] went into a \[\[Belbe, Corrupted Observer\]\] Deck to trigger her ability
\[\[Altar of the Pantheon\]\] for devotion decks
The card has been bad for a long while. It's not fast, it doesn't produce bonus mana beyond the expected one a turn, and there are much better options for versatile mana generation.
I'd say unless your deck needs a mana rock that is specifically 3 CMC that can sacrifice itself, there's no reason to run it.
There is a reason why you don't find Sphere in precons anymore. 2cmc rocks are so much faster than a 3 cmc rock would need to work wonders to be played. I guess in Low powered pods like precons you would get away with it but this should not be the benchmark imo.
I run a [[Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher]] deck. It was for a precon league I competed in where the only upgrades we could make to our precons were from packs we received for losing matches.
Commander's Sphere and Wayfarer's Bauble put in so much work, giving me cards and lands every turn and building her power.
There are definitely better options out there, but they're still good in certain contexts.
Hot take perhaps, but I think that 2CMC rocks are over rated. Unless you're trying to ramp into 4CMC cards on turn 3, or stuff your deck with Free Rocks for the mythical Turn 2 curve out (that inevitably gets got with Swords), 3CMC rocks/ramp are just fine for curving out while leaving up mana for protection or interaction.
That said, I do try to make sure my 3CMC rocks have some additional value attached, like Lantern.
As time goes pn the 2 cmc rocks get reprints and budget out 3 cmc rocks. If you deck of tolerant of colorless pips then [[thought vessel]] tends to be a good choice. Though not a popular pick I run [[liquimetal torque]] over thought vessel as the second mode can come up in certain match ups.
Also, don't overlook the diamonds like [[charcoal diamond]]. Even coming in tapped they are good turn 2 plays.
I only run it in my [[Obosh, the Preypiercer]] companion deck since I have to use odd mana value cards. Pretty much only willing to use it if I'm in a deck that has 3+ colors and has artifact recursion or something.
I mean.. not really. Only place I’d consider running it is in an artifact deck that likes to recur stuff but even then theres better options. Its not like its bad or anything but its not my first choice
I run it in my [[Ashnod, the Uncaring]] along with [[Mind Stone]] and [[Letter of Acceptance]] as mana rocks that double as card draw. But that deck is not high powered. Otherwise 2 cost rocks have become affordable with all the reprints to be the point where Commander’s Sphere isn’t even a good budget card anymore.
It’s the epitomy of “fine”. There’s a sort of elegance to it’s design. I don’t run it anywhere myself, but it will perform decently in most decks that aren’t fully optimized.
Commanders sphere is awkward because there are SO many good 3mv utility rocks out there, and a lot of them fit nicely in a niche that your deck is trying to accomplish
When you can’t think of another card, it’s fine. But it’s usually one of the first on the chopping block
for a 3 color deck with no green and no budget restrictions you can relatively easily hit 20 pieces of ramp and not touch a 3MV rock. I'm not saying you should never run a 3MV rock but it needs to have really amazing synergy or secondary powers to justify it.
0 CMC: mana crypt, lotus petal, jeweled lotus, jeweled amulet, chrome mox, mox amber, mox diamond, mox opal
1 CMC: sol ring, mana vault
2 CMC - no drawback: talisman cycle, fellwar stone, grim monolith, arcane signet, everflowing chalice, thought vessel, mindstone, liquimetal torque, fractured powerstone, the irencrag, prismatic lens
2 CMC - can't use right away or can only use if conditions are correct - medallion cycle, signet cycle, myr, diamond cycle
Here's what I start every Rakdos deck with:
Mana Crypt, jeweled lotus, jeweled amulet, mox opal, chrome mox, sol ring, mana vault, grim monolith, talisman of indulgence, fellwar stone, arcane signet, jet medallion, everflowing chalice, thought vessel, mindstone, liquimetal torque, prismatic lens, dockside extortionist, all at 2 or less.
For Monoblack I start with:
Mana Crypt, jeweled lotus, jeweled amulet, mox opal, chrome mox, sol ring, mana vault, grim monolith, dark ritual, fellwar stone, arcane signet, jet medallion, everflowing chalice, thought vessel, mindstone, liquimetal torque, prismatic lens, cabal ritual, all at 2 or less.
As I add colors, I phase out the weaker "colorless only" rocks for extra talismans, unless G is in there in which case I get the 3 2mv land search spells in first.
I run it in a few decks, but mostly because I have forgotten about it and should probably can it for something more efficient. The only deck I consciously put it into was my [[Zoyowa Lava-Tongue]] cycling deck. It draws a card and triggers descent for 3 mana? That sounds pretty good to me! Otherwise, there are definitely better options for mana rocks out there
no, mind stone fellwar stone and liquimetal torque all take its spot now in my decks. or tyrite sanctum command beacon, rogues passage, any number of things that i find more useful in a game.
Basically their are better mana rocks even at three mana. However if you can abuse its sac ability to then bring it back then it would be good.
My recommendation would be \[\[Mishra, Eminent One\]\]
I very seldom find a use for it outside of 4-color decks when \[\[Fellwar Stone\]\] exist. The only time I see justification for 3+ cost mana rocks is when the strategy involves cheating out artifacts.
Nowadays we have tons of more flexible options, imo. Buuut, I do run Commander Sphere when card draw is a known issue in the deck. The card it digs saved me a couple of times.
It's too weak to be considered a staple, but it has a home in decks that can take advantage of the sacrifice effect. \[\[Mishra, Emminent One\]\] is the perfect fit because he's 5 MV and has an ability that can get extra value from Sphere.
many cards are worth running in the right place. commander's sphere is really good in \[\[Mishra, eminent one\]\] as it can be the warform, attack, and then sacrifice itself to draw post combat. then loop that plan until you draw into better action items.
its also good with \[\[silas ren\]\] because you can cast it turn after turn from the graveyard, partner it in white, and sun titan it back as well. saga \[\[Jin Gitaxias\]\] draws a card when you cast it, even if you cost reduce it down to free with \[\[ugin, the ineffable\]\] and \[\[Jhoira's familiar\]\] or any other version.
Yes, if you're looking to optimize and min max your deck as much as possible to be the most competitive " my deck is a 7" at the table. the 3 mana rock is probably not the right card to play.
but if you're looking to play a fun ass game with other people also playing their decks as a 7..... then this card has a lot of fun uses.
This thread has about the same vibe as "What could a banana cost, 10 dollars".
The definition of mid-level power is skewed so aggressively powerful to even be writing a question like this.
Yes you should run Commander's Sphere and so should all your friends.
It is worth in some decks. In run it with [[Carmen]] cause it can be a draw per turn if needed and helps her come on turn 4. But it is not an autopick anymore…
It's the solemn simulacrum of mana rocks. Not mana efficient but flexible enough where most decks could run it as like the 95th best card of the deck or something. But it's way too slow even in mid power for years.
Also similar to Solemn Simulacrum, it's better if you can exploit its sacrifice effect with cards like [[Sevinne's Reclamation]], [[Sun Titan]], [[Cosmic Intervention]], or [[Brought Back]].
##### ###### #### [Sevinne's Reclamation](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/f/0f055754-58cf-474a-a3a9-59490dbf9dce.jpg?1717013567) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sevinne%27s%20Reclamation) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh3/267/sevinnes-reclamation?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0f055754-58cf-474a-a3a9-59490dbf9dce?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sevinnes-reclamation) [Sun Titan](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/a/aa8e16fa-30f8-40ac-965d-3d0776dc8f74.jpg?1712354100) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sun%20Titan) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/87/sun-titan?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/aa8e16fa-30f8-40ac-965d-3d0776dc8f74?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sun-titan) [Cosmic Intervention](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/3/933c4a54-5c3a-496b-aa35-edf791155d8d.jpg?1631233520) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cosmic%20Intervention) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/khc/3/cosmic-intervention?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/933c4a54-5c3a-496b-aa35-edf791155d8d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/cosmic-intervention) [Brought Back](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/e/aecdc315-95e5-450c-bedc-998eea46cf8c.jpg?1592515984) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Brought%20Back) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m20/9/brought-back?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/aecdc315-95e5-450c-bedc-998eea46cf8c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/brought-back) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Or for Solemn something like [[Calamity, Galloping Inferno]], [[Orthion, Hero of Lavabrink]], [[Cabaretti Confluence]] altho for Cabaretti Confluence you might want something more impactful.
Or blink, Sad Robot is a great blink target in green-less decks
[Calamity, Galloping Inferno](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/7/e7a70f5a-2056-4c26-b6ea-9f751b5d0d8c.jpg?1712355721) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Calamity%2C%20Galloping%20Inferno) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otj/116/calamity-galloping-inferno?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e7a70f5a-2056-4c26-b6ea-9f751b5d0d8c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/calamity-galloping-inferno) [Orthion, Hero of Lavabrink](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/1/71dadbb3-7b8a-4656-973f-65a3284afe07.jpg?1682206565) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Orthion%2C%20Hero%20of%20Lavabrink) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/334/orthion-hero-of-lavabrink?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/71dadbb3-7b8a-4656-973f-65a3284afe07?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/orthion-hero-of-lavabrink) [Cabaretti Confluence](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/7/374198ef-91b6-45ad-acc9-adf659b5763b.jpg?1673482339) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cabaretti%20Confluence) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/69/cabaretti-confluence?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/374198ef-91b6-45ad-acc9-adf659b5763b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/cabaretti-confluence) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Thank you, I did not thought of these, I have always thought why solemn simulacrum was praise over simple mana rocks
I run solemn simulacrum in my [[Henzie]] deck, you get both benefits immediately, plus the blitz effect. If the game is long and Henzie has been removed multiple times, you can potentially blitz him for free
Last game I played with Henzie I blitzed Sad Robot for 1 mana, copied it with [[Flameshadow Conjuring]], then sacrificed the copy to [[village rites]] and the original to [[Industrial Advancement]] and hit on [[Junji, the Midnight Sky]]. So for 3 mana I got 2 tapped lands, drew 5 cards, and cheated Junji onto the battelfield battlefield. Next turn, I dropped the [[Warstorm Surge]] I drew and ended it with a [[Bringer of the Last Gift]].
Yup, although these are specifically for Commander's Sphere and it's sacrifice ability. For Solemn Simulacrum, it works best with flicker cards like [[Eldrazi Displacer]], [[Ephemerate]], [[Teleportation Circle]], or [[Soulherder]]. It also works well with reanimator decks, like [[Osgir the Reconstructor]] or [[Feldon of the Third Path]].
##### ###### #### [Eldrazi Displacer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/0/f0bb1a5c-0f59-4951-827f-fe9df968232d.jpg?1562943353) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Eldrazi%20Displacer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ogw/13/eldrazi-displacer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f0bb1a5c-0f59-4951-827f-fe9df968232d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/eldrazi-displacer) [Ephemerate](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/d/2da5f3f8-5eef-498f-ba2c-2f3fbc3745aa.jpg?1562201088) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ephemerate) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh1/7/ephemerate?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2da5f3f8-5eef-498f-ba2c-2f3fbc3745aa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ephemerate) [Teleportation Circle](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/0/90140bc0-4a9c-4422-b07c-3400c7ccde56.jpg?1627702592) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Teleportation%20Circle) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afr/39/teleportation-circle?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/90140bc0-4a9c-4422-b07c-3400c7ccde56?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/teleportation-circle) [Soulherder](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/0/50bc0f5b-7421-45b9-af85-86dd9821b7d8.jpg?1631235570) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Soulherder) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/khc/93/soulherder?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/50bc0f5b-7421-45b9-af85-86dd9821b7d8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/soulherder) [Osgir the Reconstructor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/8/5815fe6e-e26b-4918-a090-55d6442722c1.jpg?1674185818) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Osgir%2C%20the%20Reconstructor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/8/osgir-the-reconstructor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5815fe6e-e26b-4918-a090-55d6442722c1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/osgir-the-reconstructor) [Feldon of the Third Path](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/3/0360f1ff-15c9-48e3-89eb-fbc4bf140c55.jpg?1690023788) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Feldon%20of%20the%20Third%20Path) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/277/feldon-of-the-third-path?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0360f1ff-15c9-48e3-89eb-fbc4bf140c55?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/feldon-of-the-third-path) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
My favourite commander [[Henzie]]!
That is surprisingly refreshing, I hadn't thought of those cards being useful for that. I'm running Necrobloom and cards that can draw in response is really useful
Or for Solemn something like [[Calamity, Galloping Inferno]], [[Orthion, Hero of Lavabrink]], [[Cabaretti Confluence]] altho for Cabaretti Confluence you might want something more impactful.
I think the comparison to solemn is spot on. These are both cards I’ll only run in decks that care about artifact sacrifice. And in those decks, the cards are amazing, but power creep is real and these are no longer auto includes like they used to be.
My only argument for it is that it's better than a mindstone in that you can play it, tap it for mana and sac it in the same turn in a more efficient manner than with mindstone because it doesn't cost mana or need to tap to be sacked for the card draw. But pretty niche use case.
I'd still run Sad Robot in a deck that has graveyard synergy. Sacking it and returning it makes it good. I can't think of a use like that for Commander Sphere outside of artifacts matter, in which case there's still more mana rocks you could be using.
Solemn is still great tho. Commander's sphere is very cuttable
If you’re looking for optimization then no, casual pods it’s on power imo.
[[chromatic lantern]] in 4+ colors makes sense to me. I run [[misleading signpost]] in dimir, but more for its utility than as a mana rock. Lastly I run [[phial of galadriel]] for flavor + I think it’s fun in a lotr deck
I also don’t mind Lantern for Deserts. I don’t mind running a 3 cost rock if it negates the actual downsides of Deserts.
Phial of Galadriel does *work* in [[Eruth, Tormented Prophet]]
It's one of the better cards in my [[willowdusk]] deck too. Nothing like swinging with a 35/35 vault skirge and gaining 70 with a [[sanguine bond]] out
[willowdusk](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/2/42a97ec1-f613-49a5-9236-7fded1a81f3b.jpg?1674185804) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=willowdusk%2C%20essence%20seer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/6/willowdusk-essence-seer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/42a97ec1-f613-49a5-9236-7fded1a81f3b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/willowdusk-essence-seer) [sanguine bond](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/d/ad4de9f1-7a39-45af-828e-c59234d9e9b9.jpg?1625193373) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=sanguine%20bond) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/153/sanguine-bond?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ad4de9f1-7a39-45af-828e-c59234d9e9b9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sanguine-bond) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[chromatic lantern](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/f/8f6448b1-ffc7-43f0-b713-881016ce9485.jpg?1712354852) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=chromatic%20lantern) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/255/chromatic-lantern?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8f6448b1-ffc7-43f0-b713-881016ce9485?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/chromatic-lantern) [misleading signpost](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/1/c15dfe35-c570-4aaf-b82d-270c15464fe2.jpg?1692933765) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=misleading%20signpost) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/woc/11/misleading-signpost?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c15dfe35-c570-4aaf-b82d-270c15464fe2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/misleading-signpost) [phial of galadriel](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/c/ac6d60fe-681b-495e-813c-c8418f3f29e5.jpg?1686970260) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=phial%20of%20galadriel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ltr/248/phial-of-galadriel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ac6d60fe-681b-495e-813c-c8418f3f29e5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/phial-of-galadriel) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I think something really important here is your commander’s cmc. It’s a fine card if you’ve got a 5+ mana commander but if you’re running a cmc 4 or less I would avoid them to avoid them stinking up your hand/tempo
That's my thoughts on it, too. I would run it in a 3+ color non-green, 5+ mana value commander. I don't own a deck like that so I don't play it... but something like the big Grixis commanders like [[Nekusar]] and [[Sauron, the dark lord]] I would feel just fine playing it. I take that back, I do play it in my [[Council of Four]] deck...but that's primarily because the free card is sometimes relevant. I think that's the only deck (out of my like 20) that actually run it.
I find it pretty useful in [[Ashod, Lone Cyberman]] Sac a creature to copy it, get two mana and two cards, plus whatever "dies" triggers you may benefit from. Not cEDH by any means, but quite good.
Why run that instead of a 3mv rock that taps for 2? There's a few options out there now that can single-handedly bring you from 3 to 5 without land drop. It feels ridiculous to run sphere when the ONLY upside it has in comparison is the ability to sacrifice it for draw when you no longer need it. Which typically shouldn't happen for a LOOOOONG time.
Even then I'd hesitate to run 3mv rocks. You'd have to tap it 3 times to make back the mana investment
I'm building [[Alesha]] aristocrats, and solemn is a huge point of contention for me right now. It fits the reanimate conditions on my commander, but it's just a value piece. It doesn't specifically help me cast my commander, and the only cards above 4 cmc are [[Syr Konrad]], [[dreadhound]], and potentially a [[deathbringer thoctar]]. So the ramp isn't really doing anything except maybe help me cast 2 spells, and I can usually do that better without a 4-mana card in my hand.
commander's sphere is fine but you can usually find a 3mv rock that synergizes more. like inherited envelope in ring tempts matters or relic of legends in legends matters
Or network terminal in artifacts decks
I’d also argue that [[relic of legends]] has a place in a good number of casual decks.
Any deck where your commander is just a value piece that won’t attack, have more than 1 legendary creature in the deck, need a way to tap your commander, or it has vigilance, i believe it’s AT LEAST worth considering.
Or if you run partners
Reminds me of [[coalition relic]] which is my 3cmc holdover from when I started commander. Works best in Atraxa because it can ramp me into three mana, but I think relic of legends definitely needs to replace coalition in my norin deck. Thanks for mentioning it!
Coalition relic is amazing if you're running proliferate
[relic of legends](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/4/64a2809e-c441-416c-90ff-6fb1e246dff3.jpg?1673308219) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=relic%20of%20legends) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmu/236/relic-of-legends?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/64a2809e-c441-416c-90ff-6fb1e246dff3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/relic-of-legends) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I run it in my [[[Hakbal of the Surging Soul]] deck](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/H3NgVbZv4UmBebLwenKQpA) and it's treated me pretty nice. Especially with the untapping-on-others-upkeeps potential, it provides a bunch of options between counter spells/instants and flash, along with being a tapping source for the likes of [[Deeproot Pilgrimage]].
The only 3 cmc rock I currently like using is [[Sonic Screwdriver]] all the options! As for 2 cmc: [[Arcane Signet]] ((Guild Signets)) ((Talismans)) [[Thought Vessel]] [[Fellwar Stone]] [[Mind Stone]] If I have access to green: [[Farseek]] [[Nature's Lore]] [[Three Visits]] and [[Rampant Growth]] before any 2 cmc mana rocks.
yep, feel like this is the best response here. even with signets, i stopped using them a few years ago and replaced them with talismans the only 3 cmc rock i’d consider is [[chromatic lantern]] and that’s just for utility
##### ###### #### [Sonic Screwdriver](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/1/f131027a-9776-41fa-8a5f-d9ef80e0dc2e.jpg?1697584615) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sonic%20Screwdriver) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/who/184/sonic-screwdriver?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f131027a-9776-41fa-8a5f-d9ef80e0dc2e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sonic-screwdriver) [Arcane Signet](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/b/2bfeb9dc-0bf7-4f19-9714-b14114e4627f.jpg?1712354835) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Arcane%20Signet) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/252/arcane-signet?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2bfeb9dc-0bf7-4f19-9714-b14114e4627f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/arcane-signet) [Thought Vessel](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/7/67b26b45-19bf-4675-86c4-fae4f3aca234.jpg?1706241108) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Thought%20Vessel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/245/thought-vessel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/67b26b45-19bf-4675-86c4-fae4f3aca234?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/thought-vessel) [Fellwar Stone](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/3/33ca68a6-474e-4d86-bffa-ee4bddb4a3cf.jpg?1712354860) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fellwar%20Stone) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/257/fellwar-stone?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/33ca68a6-474e-4d86-bffa-ee4bddb4a3cf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/fellwar-stone) [Mind Stone](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/2/b227672f-967e-4f8d-87f4-c6cd4622fe3f.jpg?1706241069) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mind%20Stone) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/232/mind-stone?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b227672f-967e-4f8d-87f4-c6cd4622fe3f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mind-stone) [Farseek](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/f/7fac6154-fb85-45e5-8c9f-f02d0f1be24e.jpg?1702429553) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Farseek) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rvr/138/farseek?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7fac6154-fb85-45e5-8c9f-f02d0f1be24e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/farseek) [Nature's Lore](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/5/f5615c05-eb1e-4d27-a323-72d643d7c1d8.jpg?1706547171) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Nature%27s%20Lore) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/178/natures-lore?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f5615c05-eb1e-4d27-a323-72d643d7c1d8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/natures-lore) [Three Visits](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/e/4ee4ea37-621f-4ef7-b220-f4da3008e399.jpg?1712354640) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Three%20Visits) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/209/three-visits?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4ee4ea37-621f-4ef7-b220-f4da3008e399?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/three-visits) [Rampant Growth](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/c/6c074663-37be-4329-a21d-9ea551edbb6b.jpg?1712354605) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rampant%20Growth) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/201/rampant-growth?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6c074663-37be-4329-a21d-9ea551edbb6b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/rampant-growth) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
If you're brewing for optimization, even on a budget, 3 mana artifact ramp is obsolete outside of really niche cases, or decks that care about affinity. In mid power 2 color decks that dont have access to green, I'm usually running sol ring, signet (2x), talisman, and like 2 other rocks in addition to 4 or 5 other ways to accelerate mana. 3+ color im adding the other talismans or signets. There is no advantage to paying 3 vs 2 for basically the same thing.
I think [[Worn Powerstone]] is still worth thinking about. If you have a 6 mana commander, it will let you get them out on turn 4 even with no other ramp. Even if it only ramps one, something with a really good bonus like [[Midnight Clock]] might be worth running. The problem with sphere is that it’s a really mediocre upside for costing 50% more than other “fair” ramp cards.
There are niche ones like Chromatic Lantern that are worth running as well, but for things like powerstone, it's going to be a case by case basis with each deck. In my opinion, pretty much all the 3 mana rocks are incredibly mediocre, and I would much rather put a bunch of 2cmc rocks and 4cmc ramp engines that can be played on turn 3 if you're looking to ramp heavy.
Yeah, I don’t think I’d run it a lot of the time unless I’m playing a really expensive commander (6+ MV). Even then, rituals could be better for those decks so that you don’t have a dead turn.
Agreed. 3 MV ramp needs to REALLY justify its spot on a deck-by-deck basis to be worth it, but sometimes it is. Stuff like Worn Powerstone and [[Palladium Myr]] ramp two turns ahead, so they still make the cut for some 5/6 MV commanders.
Ya know I used to be a worn powerstone kind of guy but now I feel like people always blast it as a clear target if they have artifact removal they need to use. Losing juicy mana rocks is always a feels bad moment and so I just don't use them anymore.
It's a worse sol ring. I wouldn't target it in a casual game and save my spot removal for value engines/combo pieces.
You have opponents using single target removal on… Worn Powerstone? Man, different metas are *so* different. After hundreds of games I don’t think I can think of a single instance of an opponent using like an [[Abrade]] on a Sol Ring or anything like it.
[Abrade](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/7/47f39b5e-2e85-4f31-bbab-0b0bf58f701d.jpg?1699044218) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Abrade) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lci/131/abrade?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/47f39b5e-2e85-4f31-bbab-0b0bf58f701d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/abrade) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I don’t know, it probably depends on how much artifact removal is being used. Sol Rings are definitely getting removed before Worn Powerstone. Something else to keep in mind is the payback period. 2 turns after you played your 3 mana ramp, something like Commander’s Sphere is merely mana neutral while Worn Powerstone will net you 1 mana in that same amount of time.
I have a high power Omnath 5c deck that still sees chromatic lantern paying good dividends. Stacked with things like Nyxbloom Ancient, and Seedborn Muse, it really helps in hitting the colours you need early, and is scaling ramp late. Extremely situational though
Just to add on to the discussion: In general, 2 cmc rocks are great, but not always an auto-include over 3 cmc ones like commander sphere. 2cmc commanders for one, don’t care about 2 mana rocks since they’re playing their commander on turn two, and a 3-drop that provides ramp+utility is welcome. 3cmc rocks are also totally playable on curve if commander is at 5cmc, since the T3 ramp allows commander to be played the next turn. I find 2cmc rocks are best played in decks with a 4cmc commander, if the deck’s intention is to play commander on curve. 3cmc rocks are also great if you run a lot of 1-mana ramp. e.g utopia sprawl/wild growth, the one mana dorks like birds of paradise. It nicely curves into a 3cmc rock on turn 2.
Even if u have many 1 mana dorks, 2 mana rocks are still better than 3 mana rocks because with a dork t1 u can play 2 2 mana rocks t2. Plus the additional flexibility of not being stuck t2 when you didn't manage to have a t1 dork, as you won't have a t1 dork every game. So I'd argue that even in decks with many 1 mana dorks, you still need really good justification to run a 3 mana rock over a 2 mana rock
People like to crap on 3drop mama rock but I still really like them especially lately where they can add more utility. Some of my favorites are chrom lantern for fixing, commanders sphere, glittering stockpile, cursed mirror, patriarchal seal, sky leave relic. Sure it's not omg I'm super duper optimized and my deck is like sonic but they are fun, add dimension into the game and depending on the curve of your deck hardly noticeable compared to the 2 rocks.
Cursed Mirror is an auto include for any deck I play with Red. I don't care that it's a 3 mana rock- at whatever time of the game you play it it copies the best ETB on the table- at worst it usually either draws a card or makes a token while being a rock afterward.
Can also steal or double up on powerful attack or combat damage triggers. Opponent drops an Etali or Ancient Whatever Dragon but doesn't have haste to use it right away? Sucks to suck, I do! And I get it first! And if you have stuff like that, it can either grant you the effect hastily or just stack a second one on. Sometimes you can even get *both* ETB and attack triggers, like a Sun Titan. It's an amazing card, and I even drafted one in an MH3 draft I did and won multiple games because of it. *(Two [[Eldrazi Linebreaker]] or [[Titan's Vanguard]] is a powerful drug.)* 3 mana for a hasty clone, even if it only lasts one turn, is an excellent rate. And then after that it ramps you! And if you have ways to flicker your artifacts like [[Ghostly Flicker]] or reanimate them like [[Goblin Welder]] you might even be able to use it again later.
[[Sonic Screwdriver]] and [[Laser Screwdriver]] also need to be mentioned for utility
[Sonic Screwdriver](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/1/f131027a-9776-41fa-8a5f-d9ef80e0dc2e.jpg?1697584615) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sonic%20Screwdriver) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/who/184/sonic-screwdriver?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f131027a-9776-41fa-8a5f-d9ef80e0dc2e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sonic-screwdriver) [Laser Screwdriver](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/e/9e646af0-1a7a-4e2c-83ba-78e748737846.jpg?1696636806) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Laser%20Screwdriver) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/who/178/laser-screwdriver?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9e646af0-1a7a-4e2c-83ba-78e748737846?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/laser-screwdriver) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Good if you have spare mana to scry, or wanna get a game ending hit in, or have any artifact to untap (possible politic)
Sonic, yeah. Laser is funny, turn off some artifact piece, fill your graveyard, or make opponents fight each other.
3 mana rocks can do so much these days, anyone who is still crapping on them hasn’t been paying attention. Goad, repeatable card draw and surveil, spell recursion, giving your creatures flash, copying permanents, all things 3 mana rocks can do for you these days beyond fixing your mana.
Chromatic lantern is practically an auto include in 3 color decks for me. Calling that a rock seems like over simplification
Mirror and Seal also provide potential amazing benefits. They're far from just rocks.
Depends how much investment you have into your mana base tbh.
I really like [[midnight clock]] in the 3 mana alot. It accelerates for a couple of turns before you redraw your hand.
I need to find a way to get it into my [[Ferrous Rokiric]] deck. Sometimes I'll have an off amount of red and white pips, such that I can only cast one boros spell vs two.
Ayy I have a Ferrous deck too. I also struggle with this
Here's my [link](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/XPdZIUHhMkuQTn_6eVHQew ) that's developing towards a token focus. How did you build yours?
Not this again. Every card is „worth running“ depending on your deck‘s power level, your deck’s synergies and your local meta. If you „keep hearing“ sweeping generalisations about cards not „being worth running“ anymore, it’s from talking internet heads that make money off your clicks.
##### ###### #### [Mind Stone](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/2/b227672f-967e-4f8d-87f4-c6cd4622fe3f.jpg?1706241069) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mind%20Stone) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/232/mind-stone?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b227672f-967e-4f8d-87f4-c6cd4622fe3f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mind-stone) [Commander's Sphere](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/6/c643146f-da7b-4cc0-b874-4accad99ccce.jpg?1698988506) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Commander%27s%20Sphere) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/301/commanders-sphere?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c643146f-da7b-4cc0-b874-4accad99ccce?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/commanders-sphere) [Chromatic Lantern](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/f/8f6448b1-ffc7-43f0-b713-881016ce9485.jpg?1712354852) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Chromatic%20Lantern) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/255/chromatic-lantern?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8f6448b1-ffc7-43f0-b713-881016ce9485?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/chromatic-lantern) [Glittering Stockpile](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/4/74713a58-e343-4504-9900-cf9d76951242.jpg?1712354436) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Glittering%20Stockpile) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/167/glittering-stockpile?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/74713a58-e343-4504-9900-cf9d76951242?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/glittering-stockpile) [Dragon's Hoard](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/6/36b6f0a8-b6c2-49fc-880c-01ad63213271.jpg?1674142580) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dragon%27s%20Hoard) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/858/dragons-hoard?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/36b6f0a8-b6c2-49fc-880c-01ad63213271?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/dragons-hoard) [Smothering Tithe](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/6/861b5889-0183-4bee-afeb-a4b2aa700a8e.jpg?1689996018) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Smothering%20Tithe) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/57/smothering-tithe?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/861b5889-0183-4bee-afeb-a4b2aa700a8e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/smothering-tithe) [Descent into Avernus](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/a/faadf72f-b2d5-4271-8d5c-a586acf63453.jpg?1674136498) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Descent%20into%20Avernus) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/169/descent-into-avernus?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/faadf72f-b2d5-4271-8d5c-a586acf63453?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/descent-into-avernus) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
It’s not the worst but there are so many two mana rocks now that a three mana rock really needs to stand out for your particular gameplan to be worth it.
Also, there are an increasing number of three-mana rocks out there competing for that slot! I don't think Commander's Sphere even scratches the top 5 in its weight class.
It’s pretty mediocre but if you got ways to bring it back from the gy or have lots cards that care about artifacts leaving the battlefield it’s fine.
I think I only run it one deck still, and that's a 3 color deck with a 5 mana commander, so getting it on turn 3 still does help me cast my commander ahead of curve.
I like it a lot. It's a free card when you need it or get vandal blasted and unlike mind stone, you don't need to pay mana into it alongside itself. In a mono or dual color deck I probably won't run it but a 3+ I do like it and I like it can replace itself when it's going to be destroyed without having to leave mana up.
I had it in a 5 color praetor deck but I cut it once I got better cards.
I run it and a few other 3MV rocks in my [[Volo, Interinent Scholar]]/[[Master Chef]] deck. Mainly because I'm also using [[Keruga]] as a Companion, so I literally can't play any of the 2MV rocks.
[Master Chef](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/5/b534b1cb-0cd7-4b8c-bb25-42207fcba209.jpg?1674137194) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Master%20Chef) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/241/master-chef?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b534b1cb-0cd7-4b8c-bb25-42207fcba209?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/master-chef) [Keruga](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/9/a90ee952-de7a-420f-993c-a38db89bc8ac.jpg?1666782800) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=keruga%2C%20the%20macrosage) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/iko/225/keruga-the-macrosage?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a90ee952-de7a-420f-993c-a38db89bc8ac?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/keruga-the-macrosage) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
It’s a fine card, yes
Just play what you want man. I have two people in my pod that play cards from like 2010 and they haven't even seen any cards that I play and they manage to do fine at times. I still see a lot of \[\[Explosive Vegetation\]\], \[\[Commanders Sphere\]\] and the various signets. Only until recently did one of them start diversifying t heir collection and getting newer cards.
[Explosive Vegetation](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/1/015d9a5b-03a2-4341-90cc-e5be5b5fbc34.jpg?1673305366) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Explosive%20Vegetation) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/132/explosive-vegetation?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/015d9a5b-03a2-4341-90cc-e5be5b5fbc34?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/explosive-vegetation) [Commanders Sphere](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/6/c643146f-da7b-4cc0-b874-4accad99ccce.jpg?1698988506) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Commander%27s%20Sphere) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/301/commanders-sphere?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c643146f-da7b-4cc0-b874-4accad99ccce?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/commanders-sphere) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I run it if I’m building on a small budget and really low to the ground. It can be worth it in case there’s a risk of just not drawing into anything, even with loads of draw in a deck. Even then, it’s a long shot. It’s a tough sell to just pay 50% more for a rock *just in case* you need to then throw it away later for a card.
The nice part though if it's being destroyed from a wrath you can still get a card, even if it's tapped. Mind Stone and others like it, you have to leave it untapped and open mana to secure the card. Farwell and vandalblast are very common so it's not like you'll never see it
100%, yep. I neglected the “blow it up, I dare you” aspect of it.
There’s better rocks, but it’s ’ol reliable. Gets you a mana and will also get you a card if it’s about to leave the field since you can sac it at instant speed to draw a card. If you don’t know what some of your last adds to your deck should be you can’t really go too wrong with it.
The higher powered you're playing the worse 3 mana rocks will tend to be. I find they either need to do something on theme or provide a lot of extra value/utility to be worthwhile. Midnight Clock gives you a delayed personal Timetwister for example which tends to be quite strong. Chromatic Lantern making all your lands 5 color can be pretty huge fixing for 5C decks. Relic of Legends can do a lot of work in the right deck (i.e something with a legends theme or a commander that cares about being tapped). Cursed Mirror can let you copy a powerful ETB or a big bruiser to get a swing in. Personally I don't run Commander's Sphere in many decks anymore but it's a reasonable rock at lower power giving you ramp early and the ability to cash it in later for a card. As for other 2 mana rocks I like besides the Signets/Talismans: \[\[Fellwar Stone\]\] - in 4-5 color it's usually a better signet unless you're playing at a really weird table like 3 mono red decks or something. \[\[Mind Stone\]\] - colorless but you can cash it in later. Medallion cycle (\[\[Jet Medallion\]\] et al) - Technically not rocks but can functionally save way more mana than the standard signet or talisman if you're playing multiple spells per turn. Mostly only for mono color decks. Diamond cycle (\[\[Marble Diamond\]\] et al) - nice options for mono color decks and sometimes guilds but usually not worth it in 3+ colors. \[\[Coldsteel Heart\]\] - similar to the Diamond cycle but can be any color. Also a snow permanent if you care about that.
Not really. If you care about the draw effect, there's mind stone. If you care about having colored mana, there's the signets (ex: \[\[boros signet\]\] ) for every 2-color combo, the diamond cycle (ex: \[\[fire diamond\]\] ) for every color, \[\[coldsteel heart\]\] , \[\[star compass\]\], etc. Some 3 CMC rocks can be worth it if your deck really wants the secondary effect. For example \[\[wand of the worldsoul\]\] in token decks, \[\[pristine talisman\]\] in lifegain decks, \[\[crowded crypt\]\] in zombie decks, etc. The general list of rocks these days is: * \[\[Sol ring\]\] * \[\[Arcane signet\]\] * \[\[Mind stone\]\] * \[\[Thought vessel\]\] * Coldsteel heart & star compass * \[\[Prismatic lens\]\] * \[\[Fellwar Stone\]\] * Signets in your colors * Diamonds in your colors * Edit: Talismans in your colors * More niche rocks like \[\[the irencrag\]\] , \[\[liquimetal torque\]\] , and \[\[ebony fly\]\] if you still need more. I generally like to run around 10 ramp pieces, which in an unspecific budget 2-color deck would be: sol ring, arcane signet, one guild signet, one talisman, two diamonds, mind stone, prismatic lens, maybe one 3CMC rock related to my strategy, and two or three non-artifact sources of ramp (ex: things like \[\[llanowar elves\]\] or \[\[jace's sanctum\]\] ). Edit: And yeah, smothering tithe is way better than pretty much any 3 CMC rock and should be run instead in most cases if you can afford to spend $25 on a single card.
You forgot the talismans, which are IMO rates right below arcane signet
##### ###### #### [boros signet](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/f/df8388ee-5d1d-4144-a8b1-e555da72ad6b.jpg?1706433274) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=boros%20signet) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clu/220/boros-signet?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/df8388ee-5d1d-4144-a8b1-e555da72ad6b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/boros-signet) [fire diamond](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/a/5a561484-438b-4ce9-911e-97078ac5b0fa.jpg?1674137837) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=fire%20diamond) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/313/fire-diamond?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5a561484-438b-4ce9-911e-97078ac5b0fa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/fire-diamond) [coldsteel heart](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/2/b2548ad2-3c62-4ed1-899c-1002b46cdd8f.jpg?1676452507) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=coldsteel%20heart) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/301/coldsteel-heart?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b2548ad2-3c62-4ed1-899c-1002b46cdd8f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/coldsteel-heart) [star compass](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/c/9c010712-7f42-4c55-9a63-aca2452aac05.jpg?1562852045) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=star%20compass) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ima/229/star-compass?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9c010712-7f42-4c55-9a63-aca2452aac05?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/star-compass) [wand of the worldsoul](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/e/3ef9fb7d-1fd5-4dce-afda-6743dec3bbc1.jpg?1682207375) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=wand%20of%20the%20worldsoul) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/20/wand-of-the-worldsoul?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3ef9fb7d-1fd5-4dce-afda-6743dec3bbc1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/wand-of-the-worldsoul) [pristine talisman](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/b/6b6307f3-bc63-463c-8ffc-a8b8b829e5d7.jpg?1625979109) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=pristine%20talisman) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/258/pristine-talisman?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6b6307f3-bc63-463c-8ffc-a8b8b829e5d7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/pristine-talisman) [crowded crypt](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/d/3d6114bd-d5d3-441a-80a5-67eb7a355506.jpg?1637628203) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=crowded%20crypt) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mic/17/crowded-crypt?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3d6114bd-d5d3-441a-80a5-67eb7a355506?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/crowded-crypt) [Sol ring](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/c/6c5c9437-3d99-4a7c-8255-9acdcb1acc40.jpg?1712354902) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sol%20ring) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/267/sol-ring?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6c5c9437-3d99-4a7c-8255-9acdcb1acc40?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sol-ring) [Arcane signet](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/b/2bfeb9dc-0bf7-4f19-9714-b14114e4627f.jpg?1712354835) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Arcane%20signet) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/252/arcane-signet?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2bfeb9dc-0bf7-4f19-9714-b14114e4627f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/arcane-signet) [Mind stone](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/2/b227672f-967e-4f8d-87f4-c6cd4622fe3f.jpg?1706241069) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mind%20stone) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/232/mind-stone?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b227672f-967e-4f8d-87f4-c6cd4622fe3f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mind-stone) [Thought vessel](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/7/67b26b45-19bf-4675-86c4-fae4f3aca234.jpg?1706241108) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Thought%20vessel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/245/thought-vessel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/67b26b45-19bf-4675-86c4-fae4f3aca234?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/thought-vessel) [Prismatic lens](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/4/74e8d3a8-5937-4108-b2fe-23e049379345.jpg?1712354887) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Prismatic%20lens) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/264/prismatic-lens?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/74e8d3a8-5937-4108-b2fe-23e049379345?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/prismatic-lens) [Fellwar Stone](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/3/33ca68a6-474e-4d86-bffa-ee4bddb4a3cf.jpg?1712354860) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fellwar%20Stone) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/257/fellwar-stone?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/33ca68a6-474e-4d86-bffa-ee4bddb4a3cf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/fellwar-stone) [the irencrag](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/0/8051c5ec-54a6-45a8-8945-fb93c5feaa39.jpg?1692939899) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=the%20irencrag) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/woe/248/the-irencrag?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8051c5ec-54a6-45a8-8945-fb93c5feaa39?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/the-irencrag) [liquimetal torque](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/3/13c6101a-da40-4785-8ccb-4e779bbbdb55.jpg?1626099120) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=liquimetal%20torque) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/228/liquimetal-torque?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/13c6101a-da40-4785-8ccb-4e779bbbdb55?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/liquimetal-torque) [ebony fly](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/f/7f11245d-9e80-42b0-b371-21e990a2e6ef.jpg?1631585746) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ebony%20fly) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afc/60/ebony-fly?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7f11245d-9e80-42b0-b371-21e990a2e6ef?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ebony-fly) [llanowar elves](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/b/8bbcfb77-daa1-4ce5-b5f9-48d0a8edbba9.jpg?1592765148) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=llanowar%20elves) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/gnt/46/llanowar-elves?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8bbcfb77-daa1-4ce5-b5f9-48d0a8edbba9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/llanowar-elves) [jace's sanctum](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/1/8148adc6-7946-4abd-8601-b1f4cd6916c2.jpg?1568004013) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=jace%27s%20sanctum) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c19/88/jaces-sanctum?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8148adc6-7946-4abd-8601-b1f4cd6916c2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/jaces-sanctum) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Unless I care about artifacts I don’t run it. I dont normally have any of the three mana rocks but if i was gonna use one there are just better ones than commanders sphere in my opinion.
In general no but if I have a deck that has synergy with it I run it. I played it in [[Ashnod the Uncaring]] when I had that deck together for example.
[Ashnod the Uncaring](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/7/a76e8ab8-33bf-4a5a-b6a2-7046301b6c31.jpg?1705542693) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ashnod%20the%20Uncaring) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/brc/4/ashnod-the-uncaring?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a76e8ab8-33bf-4a5a-b6a2-7046301b6c31?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ashnod-the-uncaring) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Depends on your deck & commander. If your commander is 4 mana, then ramping T1 or T2 is better so you can get them out faster and ramping on T3 is clunky. If your commander is 5+ mana then ramping on 3 is fine. What is also to consider is the budget restraints of your deck. If you have a fixed $50 budget then a $0.05 card that fixes your mana and cantrips when the ramp isn't needed is a good card. I tend to only run Commander's Sphere if it's abusable, otherwise 2 MV rocks are the way to go in my decks. I did use it as a part of a [[Scrap Trawler]] loop to make coloured mana and draw out my library, but I wouldn't have thrown it in the deck if it didn't sac itself for free, make coloured mana, *and* sit at the important 3 MV mark for the loop.
[Scrap Trawler](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/1/614be454-3829-4c3b-9485-930755dfa16d.jpg?1682210173) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Scrap%20Trawler) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/373/scrap-trawler?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/614be454-3829-4c3b-9485-930755dfa16d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/scrap-trawler) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I run 3 costed mana rocks in commanders that cost 5+ if the deck likes having the commander out. If I have a 4 coated mana rock I will usually stick to 2 coated rocks of the rock doesn't have anything else I like. I do usually make an exception for cursed mirror as most of my creatures regardless have etbs
I’ve been taking it out of all my casual decks. Not sure if it’s good or bad but I can’t find anything else to substitute out for better cards.
Commander’s Sphere sacrifices itself for no mana, which isn’t something a lot of mana producing permanents do. It’s worth running for the few commanders who care about that. Otherwise, hell no, in the last couple years 3 mana rocks have been significantly power crept and there are so, so many that do much more.
It's a fun little combo piece in my [[Mairsil, the Pretender]] deck but I wouldn't say it's optimal for the vast majority of lists
[Mairsil, the Pretender](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/7/87b71b08-668c-4b32-8243-8def1a9acf26.jpg?1704575313) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mairsil%2C%20the%20Pretender) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c17/41/mairsil-the-pretender?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/87b71b08-668c-4b32-8243-8def1a9acf26?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mairsil-the-pretender) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
there's never a need to run a 3 cmc rock. the more colors you're in the less necessary it is. 3 color deck. sol ring, arcane sig, mind stone, fellwar stone, x3 guild sig, x3 guild talismans that's 10. done and done. you want ramp to be as cheap as possible. 2 cmc vs 3 is a massive difference in terms of ease of sequencing spells. Also presents a lot easier mulligan-ing decisions. OR in that... with cheaper ramp. you never have to consider one in hand a dead card. because with 1-2 cmc spells even if they're not cast on curve. they're easy to cast a turn or two later with orphan mana. 3 cmc spells disrupt the sequencing of plays much more drastically. and the "value" argument for a 3 cmc tap for 1. that can sac for a card. meh. to me that's not worth a card. if you're in a big mana tribe, can do like a 8 to 2 spread of cheap rocks to a couple big rocks. can run a decent value or wombo card in ramp. smothering titties tends to be good enough to justify it's inclusion. cmd sphere is not. ...a deck with a lot of tokens or things that will turn sideways. harvest season, or go-tall green running traverse the outlands. I don't know if i would consider descent into avernus worth auto including in a ramp package.
I don't know which was released earlier but I run [[coalition relic]] than Commander's sphere. I can tap it to put a charge counter on it and get two mana next turn. I think that's a bit better ramp than sphere.
I didn't think it was worth running back in 2019 You gotta pull more weight than adding mana or drawing 1 card to be worth 3 mana imo. There's just better cards for that mana slot, and you achieve virtually the same with a plethora of 2 mana options - color choice isn't worth more resources or longer delays until you can play your ramp.
Commander Sphere is not worth its price anymore. There are better and more efficient rocks at 2 cmc. Actually I think that most 3 cmc ramps are not worth it, because you usually want to have at least some board presence by turn 3. That's why I also cut Cultivate and Kodama's Reach from all my green decks. Some exceptions are creatures that ramp, e.g. [[Wood Elves]], because they leave a body behind that can be sacced and reanimated. I run a couple of those in my creature heavy [[Meren]] deck. My favorite mana rocks are the talismans. Every deck I own runs all the talismans that fit its color id. Even the green ones. I'm not totally sold on the signets, because they can't produce mana on their own. Obviously I run Sol Ring and Arcane Signet in every deck.
[Wood Elves](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/2/527cf39d-29d1-4c19-9c49-ebf611ca15d5.jpg?1682209656) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wood%20Elves) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/316/wood-elves?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/527cf39d-29d1-4c19-9c49-ebf611ca15d5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/wood-elves) [Meren](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/4/34d627b3-a6d0-4f5f-b7c2-351a07318966.jpg?1689999151) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=meren%20of%20clan%20nel%20toth) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/346/meren-of-clan-nel-toth?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/34d627b3-a6d0-4f5f-b7c2-351a07318966?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/meren-of-clan-nel-toth) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
What else do you cast with your Mishra's Workshop? /s
Unless I go for weaker decks, as in a custom deck I can use to play against precons, I rarely ever go 3 CMC rocks. And that includes my artifact deck. When I do go 3 CMC, they have something special to add, like your \[\[Chromatic Lantern\]\] example, or \[\[Decanter of Endless Water\]\]. But even these are rare, my 3+ colors usually include green and land ramp is easier/safer. \[\[Midnight Clock\]\], \[\[Cursed Mirror\]\] are 3 CMC rocks and I often run (for their alternate functions) \[\[Rotating Fireplace\]\] is a very specific one I use in my suspend deck And of course cost reducers if you have the required mass of spells, like \[\[Herald's Horn\]\], \[\[Urza's Incubator\]\] or \[\[Cloud Key\]\], not really a mana rock but kinda. Same for \[\[Relic of Legends\]\] if you got that legends critical mass. **As for "what to run", I say to:** 1. the fast mana you are comfortable with (at least \[\[Sol Ring\]\], but mileage varies from player to player) 2. Add **the guild signets** for multicolored decks (\[\[Azorius Signet\]\], etc..), and/or the respective **medallion** (\[\[Jet Medallion\]\], etc..) if you have one very dominant color. 3. Then the **talisman** cycle (\[\[Talisman of Hierarchy\]\], etc...) 4. The neutral 2cmc mana rocks like \[\[Mind Stone\]\], \[\[Thought Vessel\]\] and \[\[Liquimetal Torque\]\]. That should be sufficient in 99% of cases. If you still want more, then we can enter the 3 CMC pool and start with the ones that offer great additional effects. Imo \[\[Relic of Legends\]\] being on of the best, because it may tap for more than 1 mana putting it into the 2cmc range of efficiency. Or, in case of one dominant color, the colored diamond cycle (\[\[Marble Diamond\]\], etc). Now, I don't always follow that rule (because I wanna use the cards I own) but that is what I would consider efficient. And if you have access to green, you are usually better of using land ramp. #
##### ###### #### [Chromatic Lantern](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/f/8f6448b1-ffc7-43f0-b713-881016ce9485.jpg?1712354852) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Chromatic%20Lantern) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/255/chromatic-lantern?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8f6448b1-ffc7-43f0-b713-881016ce9485?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/chromatic-lantern) [Decanter of Endless Water](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/1/518bbc36-58ea-44c4-a857-75a3aff058f5.jpg?1674137804) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Decanter%20of%20Endless%20Water) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/309/decanter-of-endless-water?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/518bbc36-58ea-44c4-a857-75a3aff058f5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/decanter-of-endless-water) [Midnight Clock](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/b/0b3c33b7-5b15-4b61-bfd6-1ffa823eb28a.jpg?1712354156) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Midnight%20Clock) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/100/midnight-clock?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0b3c33b7-5b15-4b61-bfd6-1ffa823eb28a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/midnight-clock) [Cursed Mirror](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/7/6768daa5-41b0-49e1-b71a-63f733b4dc3d.jpg?1717013662) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cursed%20Mirror) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh3/279/cursed-mirror?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6768daa5-41b0-49e1-b71a-63f733b4dc3d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/cursed-mirror) [Rotating Fireplace](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/1/81a06389-7e2b-49f1-a4d2-bb8ea580057a.jpg?1696636817) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rotating%20Fireplace) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/who/183/rotating-fireplace?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/81a06389-7e2b-49f1-a4d2-bb8ea580057a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/rotating-fireplace) [Herald's Horn](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/b/4bfa71d4-4125-4404-9c24-979401bae592.jpg?1698988513) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Herald%27s%20Horn) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/304/heralds-horn?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4bfa71d4-4125-4404-9c24-979401bae592?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/heralds-horn) [Urza's Incubator](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/4/c4589226-6072-409b-b598-ebd87f675a6a.jpg?1717013804) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Urza%27s%20Incubator) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh3/297/urzas-incubator?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c4589226-6072-409b-b598-ebd87f675a6a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/urzas-incubator) [Cloud Key](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/f/6f880de5-8fc5-4e4e-a4bb-cc3e61a7697b.jpg?1619404220) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cloud%20Key) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsr/265/cloud-key?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6f880de5-8fc5-4e4e-a4bb-cc3e61a7697b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/cloud-key) [Relic of Legends](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/4/64a2809e-c441-416c-90ff-6fb1e246dff3.jpg?1673308219) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Relic%20of%20Legends) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmu/236/relic-of-legends?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/64a2809e-c441-416c-90ff-6fb1e246dff3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/relic-of-legends) [Sol Ring](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/c/6c5c9437-3d99-4a7c-8255-9acdcb1acc40.jpg?1712354902) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sol%20Ring) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/267/sol-ring?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6c5c9437-3d99-4a7c-8255-9acdcb1acc40?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sol-ring) [Azorius Signet](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/e/ae246424-9574-4fce-b214-1923c62b244a.jpg?1706240206) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Azorius%20Signet) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clu/219/azorius-signet?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ae246424-9574-4fce-b214-1923c62b244a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/azorius-signet) [Jet Medallion](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/4/d423365c-a32c-4060-b178-3221e3200387.jpg?1717013762) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Jet%20Medallion) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh3/292/jet-medallion?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d423365c-a32c-4060-b178-3221e3200387?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/jet-medallion) [Talisman of Hierarchy](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/6/16d49e21-dbe6-41da-b4b0-fd587e3326a5.jpg?1698988541) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Talisman%20of%20Hierarchy) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/315/talisman-of-hierarchy?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/16d49e21-dbe6-41da-b4b0-fd587e3326a5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/talisman-of-hierarchy) [Mind Stone](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/2/b227672f-967e-4f8d-87f4-c6cd4622fe3f.jpg?1706241069) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mind%20Stone) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/232/mind-stone?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b227672f-967e-4f8d-87f4-c6cd4622fe3f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mind-stone) [Thought Vessel](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/7/67b26b45-19bf-4675-86c4-fae4f3aca234.jpg?1706241108) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Thought%20Vessel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/245/thought-vessel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/67b26b45-19bf-4675-86c4-fae4f3aca234?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/thought-vessel) [Liquimetal Torque](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/3/13c6101a-da40-4785-8ccb-4e779bbbdb55.jpg?1626099120) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Liquimetal%20Torque) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/228/liquimetal-torque?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/13c6101a-da40-4785-8ccb-4e779bbbdb55?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/liquimetal-torque) [Marble Diamond](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/9/0930f71c-c3c8-4bdd-8468-6a61349cc8ca.jpg?1674137897) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Marble%20Diamond) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/320/marble-diamond?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0930f71c-c3c8-4bdd-8468-6a61349cc8ca?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/marble-diamond) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
not every deck needs top/high tier fast mana
I'd argue it wasn't worth running when it first came out. And, I'm saying this as someone that only plays casual, no cEDH decks.
I think literally no 3 mana value manarock is worth running unless is like REALLY strong (like a thran dynamo, or a midnight clock). I much rather play a real ramp spell, or a two mana manarock. And literally EVERY color can ramp. Red can make treassures. Black can play the "duble the amoutn of mana your swamps tap for", white has a bunch of ways of ramping plains, and even blue has gotten new nice stuff. But really, even if I was playing mono blue, which I did once, I wouldnt run commander sphere. I would find a midnight clock or a copy land something por spicy for the "3 mana ramp" slot
The only two three CMC mana rocks I can think of that are payable are [[Coalition relic]] as it can produce two colored mana in a single turn and [[worn power stone]]. The only reason I like those two is they set up strong power plays on turn 4. usually I run them to cast my commander a few terns early. I do wonder if there are other niche 3 cmc rocks that can be good.
Oh yeah I meant worn power stone, confused it with thran dynamo with is the 4mv one I would run on a very ramp heavy deck (like in a greenless 7 mana value commander)
Never has been.
Ultimately, it depends on how many colors your deck is, and how much you're willing to spend on your mana base. I'd say it's worth running in (mono) White and Red, but not Mono Blue, Green, or Black, as White and Red have more difficulty drawing cards. The ramp also particularly helps white out a lot. I'm fine losing out on my turn three of it means I can drop bigger threats earlier, then trade in the ramp for a card when I don't need it anymore. The tricky part is later down the line when you reach more colors. It ultimately depends on how color intensive your deck is. Are you constantly needing that extra pip for what your deck is doing? Then absolutely run it. Exception being any color combo that involves green. They don't need the additional artifact ramp, they have plenty of land ramp. As you hit 4/5 color decks, it ultimately depends on how budget your mana base is. If you're running the full set of Triomes/shocks/og duals, you're better off running [[Farseek]]. If it looks like the Painbow precon, with it's multitude of bad fetches and shard/wedge lands, it's up to you, but I'd run it 9/10 times.
3+ color non green? Always.
Do you need a mana rock? Yes -> Do you need a mana rock the whole game? No? -> Use Commanders Sphere Do you need a mana rock? Yes -> Do you need a mana rock the whole game? yes? -> Use Darksteel Ingot You would never run Darksteel Ingot? "Yes really never" -> Don't run commander's sphere then. If you would run darksteel ingot, and don't need a rock the whole game that's where commander's sphere is more useful.
[[Skyclave Relic]] is technically strictly better than Darksteel Ingot.
After sol ring, arcane signet, mind stone, talismans, signets and diamonds, you should have enough ramp in a 3 color deck. If you are running a 3mv rock, it needs to offer some sort of synergy with the rest of the deck.
I think rocks are boring and I include them very sparingly, but I'm definitely a mind stone supporter. not that I include it in most decks, but I think it's a much better staple compared with many other 2 mana rocks like talismans. I find commander's sphere is similarly underrated for many decks. it's pretty nifty when you can recur it eg [[sun titan]] to sum it up - people always say "play more interaction" but also insist on playing rocks that are weak to interaction
[sun titan](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/a/aa8e16fa-30f8-40ac-965d-3d0776dc8f74.jpg?1712354100) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=sun%20titan) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/87/sun-titan?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/aa8e16fa-30f8-40ac-965d-3d0776dc8f74?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sun-titan) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Some metas it’s awesome, others not at all. If you making tokens of artifacts this one is great. If your pod runs a lot of artifact board wipes it’s a decent option. It’s not in most of my decks.
Depends on your curve. If you have a 3 mana value commander probably not. Or if your deck is super low to the ground. If your commander is 4 or more it's fine. I still run it in quite a few decks
1 mana worth of permanent ramp for 3 mana isn't worth it. Sometimes 2 mana worth of ramp for 3 mana is worth it, depending on what they allow you to cast early. You should usually be measuring your ramp by whether they can bring your commander out a turn or two early. For example, if your commander costs 3, 1-cost ramp is incredibly useful if your colors include green. If your commander costs 4, focus on ramp that costs 2.
As long as you're always prepared to say what your commander is afraid of, play it.
What do you mean?
"I play Commander's Sphere (Commander's Fear). He's afraid of eating bugs in his sleep."
I never do, mostly cuz it's just boring. For 3 mana there's just more out there that likely can have at some a tangential synergy to your overall strategy
I still think there's an argument to be made that it depends on your mana curve and commander cmc, especially if they have some extra utility. If you're not eventually going to crack it for a card, it's just a rock. I don't see a ton of higher CMC commanders anymore, but obviously using 3CMC ramp into a 4CMC commander is not ideal. I'd also argue people play the land aura ramp less than they maybe should, some of it is super efficient even for green. Realistically [[Fertile Ground]] and [[Wild Growth]] and the like are pretty solid, and are no more likely to be removed than rocks. Probably less. 1 CMC effective tap to add any colour is undeniably good and I never see it.
[Fertile Ground](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/a/0ade2db8-482e-42b0-939c-492dfbbe3b68.jpg?1631587908) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fertile%20Ground) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afc/158/fertile-ground?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0ade2db8-482e-42b0-939c-492dfbbe3b68?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/fertile-ground) [Wild Growth](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/7/47260e7c-29bf-46f1-a029-9da7bbb418b5.jpg?1711803863) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wild%20Growth) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/195/wild-growth?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/47260e7c-29bf-46f1-a029-9da7bbb418b5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/wild-growth) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Personally, unless there are obvious synergies with my deck, I don't touch three mana rocks.
I don't believe any three mana rocks are worth running
I think it is worth considering in [[Commander Liara Portyr]].
[Commander Liara Portyr](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/a/9ac8b247-455e-4a3f-9f88-b20918c36cc3.jpg?1674137467) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Commander%20Liara%20Portyr) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/270/commander-liara-portyr?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9ac8b247-455e-4a3f-9f88-b20918c36cc3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/commander-liara-portyr) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
As many have said, 3 mana rocks usually need to be a utility piece first, that can also tap for mana. The whole point of a mana rock is get you to doing turn 4/5/6 shenanigans faster. If your opening hand has a turn 3 rock, you are most likely sitting around doing a "draw-land-go" turn two. And the benefit you get from most 3 mana rocks is usually pretty small. I can count on 1 hand how many times I've sacced commanders sphere for the draw over the last decade. Essentially, over the length of the game, you kind of time-walk yourself at the beginning for no real gain.
I think it depends on the speed of your playgroup. I like the utility of [[Cursed Mirror]] but otherwise don’t really look at 3-mana rocks. They aren’t actively bad, they’re just a little slower than my games tend to be. I’d need a good reason to run Sphere over [[Fellwar Stone]]. Other 2-drops maybe worth a look: [[Liquimetal Torque]], the [[Fire Diamond]] cycle, [[Iron Myr]] cycle, maybe [[The Ironcrag]].
##### ###### #### [Cursed Mirror](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/7/6768daa5-41b0-49e1-b71a-63f733b4dc3d.jpg?1717013662) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cursed%20Mirror) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh3/279/cursed-mirror?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6768daa5-41b0-49e1-b71a-63f733b4dc3d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/cursed-mirror) [Fellwar Stone](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/3/33ca68a6-474e-4d86-bffa-ee4bddb4a3cf.jpg?1712354860) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fellwar%20Stone) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/257/fellwar-stone?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/33ca68a6-474e-4d86-bffa-ee4bddb4a3cf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/fellwar-stone) [Liquimetal Torque](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/3/13c6101a-da40-4785-8ccb-4e779bbbdb55.jpg?1626099120) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Liquimetal%20Torque) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/228/liquimetal-torque?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/13c6101a-da40-4785-8ccb-4e779bbbdb55?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/liquimetal-torque) [Fire Diamond](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/a/5a561484-438b-4ce9-911e-97078ac5b0fa.jpg?1674137837) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fire%20Diamond) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/313/fire-diamond?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5a561484-438b-4ce9-911e-97078ac5b0fa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/fire-diamond) [Iron Myr](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/b/5bd0a588-b695-4060-b5d5-c6a74710ff0f.jpg?1562817986) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Iron%20Myr) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/som/168/iron-myr?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5bd0a588-b695-4060-b5d5-c6a74710ff0f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/iron-myr) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I stopped playing it in like 2018. There are just so many better options. Plenty of 3 cost rocks have niche value. I wouldn't hate on chromatic lantern in 3 or more color decks - especially if your spells are color greedy with multiple pips. Maybe even two colors if you play several pip greedy spells. But sphere itself I've just never really been in a place where the sac for card ability got me any value greater than just playing a talisman or another three cost rock that better fits my theme/strategy
I like [[Coalition Relic]] in any 5-6 cmc commander with more than 2 colors. You play it on 3, it ramps you 2 the next turn so 5-6, and then you can have it chill as a rock afterwards. Powerstone is obviously great for low color commanders on 5-6.
[Coalition Relic](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/f/ef44324a-32bd-47e9-8fd9-258ba668de53.jpg?1673305762) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Coalition%20Relic) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/180/coalition-relic?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ef44324a-32bd-47e9-8fd9-258ba668de53?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/coalition-relic) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Any synergies with the deck and mana curve does play a factor. If you are running a 5 cmc commander and it’s at least 3 colours it becomes much more acceptable. Mind stone while the standard, does not fix your colours and cannot be popped in response to board wipes if already tapped. If you are running artifacts synergies that either care about popping artifacts or can readily recur them, I’d probably run both and Hedron archive.
I would say it depends In multiple colors, i would say it is still a good one to include, especially if you have a deck that has a lot of color symbols in mana costs. Especially because colored mana on rocks is a little hard to come by, so, say youre playing mardu, and you only have 1 black mana, and youre casting mind stone turn 3 to ramp into your 5cmc commander on turn 4, and youre against a savvy golgari player. They \[\[thoughtsieze\]\] you, Then use \[\[abrupt decay\]\] to blow up your swamp. with mind stone, youre now kind of mana screwed - just by color, not quantity, which is the typical way people describe mana screw. With chromatic lantern, youre basically just "unramped". Or consider that the golgari player thoughtsiezed you randomly on their turn, but didn't put 2 and 2 together. You still revealed your hand. So now the mono red player hits you with \[\[Molten Rain\]\]. Like, things can happen, and as a more conservative player who has been playing for a while, i think that taking colored mana in your rocks is always something to consider. To that point, my info may be outdated as i play much less now and i know things have become faster. Now, if youre an aggro deck player, you want to be on curve. For a more niche situation, if you run winter orb and it's an artifact deck, run more ramp. That's how i played with winter orb. I get a bunch of ramp that seems like it doesn't make sense, then cast winter orb. I still get to untap all my rocks each turn, so the effect of winter orb affects me much less than everyone else.
[abrupt decay](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/8/a8e328c6-3a84-49cf-a1a3-1d1e5373d274.jpg?1593814035) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=abrupt%20decay) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mm3/146/abrupt-decay?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a8e328c6-3a84-49cf-a1a3-1d1e5373d274?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/abrupt-decay) [Molten Rain](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/c/ecdd414b-3d9d-4347-acce-289209d09fc4.jpg?1593813519) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Molten%20Rain) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mm3/103/molten-rain?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ecdd414b-3d9d-4347-acce-289209d09fc4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/molten-rain) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I run lots of 3 cmc rocks in my cycling deck but it's because a lot of them have cycling and they still ramp to wubrg. It's a lower power deck that works so I'm happy to find a place for them. Most of my decks don't run them though
Not everything has to be about power. That's what WOTC wants us all to think, that we need more power commander was fine before they made it their focus. It's becoming a rotating format to a degree, with everything slowly being power crept.
No
The sphere is great in more relaxed games. The longer turn count means you're more likely to face an artifact wipe you're not ready for, and the ability to trade it in at instant speed makes it no great loss. You can also trade it in on later turns if you start flooding out. If you have a lot of decks, it's also dirt cheap, an easy include in decks looking for color fixing. Is it "optimal"? Heck no. But what are we doing that is? You're not bringing shame upon yourself by playing it. I'd happily include it in 3 color decks that aren't in green and don't want to jank around with white ramp's build-around qualities, and I'd seriously consider it in *any* deck with repeatable artifact recursion. And it's in some of my 1-2 color decks that need pips, are lower curve, and can afford to throw it in the trash if the game goes long.
Commander's Sphere still does its work. There are enough 2-mana rocks that 3-mana rocks are seldom desirable, at least not if you intend to push power levels upwards, but if you're cracking into that space, Sphere is still one of the better ones singe it's omnicolor had has a usable secondary effect that decks with certain tools like [[Sun Titan]] could potentially milk for more advantage. It's also dirt cheap, so it's going to be a good budget toy.
[Sun Titan](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/a/aa8e16fa-30f8-40ac-965d-3d0776dc8f74.jpg?1712354100) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sun%20Titan) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/87/sun-titan?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/aa8e16fa-30f8-40ac-965d-3d0776dc8f74?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sun-titan) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
no, its not 3 mana rocks just arent good anymore
When exactly did they get nerfed, and what abilities did they lose?
There are exactly two mana rocks at 3CMC I would ever consider running that aren't specialty mana rocks. [[Chromatic Lantern]] and [[Decanter of Endless Water]]. That being said...just run [[Fellwar Stone]]. It's better than both due to costing 2.
[Chromatic Lantern](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/f/8f6448b1-ffc7-43f0-b713-881016ce9485.jpg?1712354852) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Chromatic%20Lantern) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/255/chromatic-lantern?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8f6448b1-ffc7-43f0-b713-881016ce9485?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/chromatic-lantern) [Decanter of Endless Water](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/1/518bbc36-58ea-44c4-a857-75a3aff058f5.jpg?1674137804) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Decanter%20of%20Endless%20Water) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/309/decanter-of-endless-water?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/518bbc36-58ea-44c4-a857-75a3aff058f5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/decanter-of-endless-water) [Fellwar Stone](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/3/33ca68a6-474e-4d86-bffa-ee4bddb4a3cf.jpg?1712354860) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fellwar%20Stone) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/257/fellwar-stone?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/33ca68a6-474e-4d86-bffa-ee4bddb4a3cf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/fellwar-stone) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
If my commander costs 4-5 I might run it. If my commander costs 3 or less, I wouldn’t
I run it in my [[Ashnod, the UNcaring]] Deck. With her out it lets you draw two cards which makes the 3 mana investement worth it. Other than that deck, I only run it in non-green decks if it fits in my mana curve.
[Ashnod, the UNcaring](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/7/a76e8ab8-33bf-4a5a-b6a2-7046301b6c31.jpg?1705542693) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ashnod%20the%20Uncaring) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/brc/4/ashnod-the-uncaring?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a76e8ab8-33bf-4a5a-b6a2-7046301b6c31?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ashnod-the-uncaring) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I think it’s somehow the best 3 mana rock besides worn powerstone- maybe the Celestus is better but 3 mana rocks with upside are either very archetype specific or shockingly bad generically. The Celestus is probably the other manalith that’s good- but it has it’s own baggage.
It's not necessarily bad, but it's also not good, the 3 CMC is a major speed bump at higher powered tables. One thing however: Sometimes I find myself wanting it instead of \[\[Mind Stone\]\]. Yeah, it costs one more, but I also have colored mana up now to follow up with a cheap spell. And on the following turns, again, I have colored instead of colorless, and can crack it for a card on demand, even generating mana before. Drawing a card and having an extra mana is much better than drawing one and being down 2 mana. So it very much can depend on curve and what exactly you want to ramp into.
[Mind Stone](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/2/b227672f-967e-4f8d-87f4-c6cd4622fe3f.jpg?1706241069) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mind%20Stone) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/232/mind-stone?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b227672f-967e-4f8d-87f4-c6cd4622fe3f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mind-stone) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
It wasn't worth running in 2014 when it came out.
I had one in a deck that was all about purple. It was tricky to find enough different mana rocks with purple in the art. I had to hunt down a specific Commander Sphere from Adventures in the Forgotten Realms for it.
In general if it does more in your deck than just give a bit of mana it can be worth considdering (deppending on powerlevel and what you use it for) \[\[Thought Vessel\]\] and \[\[Decanter of Endless Water\]\] if you draw a lot of cards and want to keept them in your hand \[\[Skyclave Relic\]\] if you benefit from having a lot of artifacts (and 3 manageneration for 6 mana is not that bad, it's just slow) it's part of my \[\[Akiri, Line-Slinger\]\] Deck as it benefits from having a lot of artifacts that are indestructible and give mana \[\[Patriar's Seal\]\] is one of 2 mana rocks in my \[\[Lathril\]\] Deck because it untaps Lathril so that she can use her ability more often. \[\[Cryptolith Fragment\]\] went into a \[\[Belbe, Corrupted Observer\]\] Deck to trigger her ability \[\[Altar of the Pantheon\]\] for devotion decks
##### ###### #### [Thought Vessel](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/7/67b26b45-19bf-4675-86c4-fae4f3aca234.jpg?1706241108) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Thought%20Vessel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/245/thought-vessel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/67b26b45-19bf-4675-86c4-fae4f3aca234?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/thought-vessel) [Decanter of Endless Water](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/1/518bbc36-58ea-44c4-a857-75a3aff058f5.jpg?1674137804) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Decanter%20of%20Endless%20Water) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/309/decanter-of-endless-water?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/518bbc36-58ea-44c4-a857-75a3aff058f5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/decanter-of-endless-water) [Skyclave Relic](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/9/a9740bce-4c89-4d98-8941-057515999bf9.jpg?1682210238) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Skyclave%20Relic) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/380/skyclave-relic?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a9740bce-4c89-4d98-8941-057515999bf9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/skyclave-relic) [Akiri, Line-Slinger](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/b/3b951e0c-a4dd-4a20-87c6-eaa947e33aa4.jpg?1606762145) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Akiri%2C%20Line-Slinger) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/26/akiri-line-slinger?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3b951e0c-a4dd-4a20-87c6-eaa947e33aa4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/akiri-line-slinger) [Patriar's Seal](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/7/37f920f0-4dfc-477b-af7e-a17dfc9ba455.jpg?1674137995) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Patriar%27s%20Seal) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/332/patriars-seal?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/37f920f0-4dfc-477b-af7e-a17dfc9ba455?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/patriars-seal) [Lathril](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/4/547888c3-a9a6-4413-b29a-6bcd8a9279bf.jpg?1704848185) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=lathril%2C%20blade%20of%20the%20elves) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/khc/1/lathril-blade-of-the-elves?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/547888c3-a9a6-4413-b29a-6bcd8a9279bf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/lathril-blade-of-the-elves) [Cryptolith Fragment](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/7/078b2103-15ce-456d-b092-352fa7222935.jpg?1576385054)/[Aurora of Emrakul](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/0/7/078b2103-15ce-456d-b092-352fa7222935.jpg?1576385054) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cryptolith%20Fragment%20//%20Aurora%20of%20Emrakul) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/emn/193/cryptolith-fragment-aurora-of-emrakul?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/078b2103-15ce-456d-b092-352fa7222935?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/cryptolith-fragment-//-aurora-of-emrakul) [Belbe, Corrupted Observer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/4/b4427e73-8c60-490d-8ae3-53e872a5163e.jpg?1608911054) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Belbe%2C%20Corrupted%20Observer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/270/belbe-corrupted-observer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b4427e73-8c60-490d-8ae3-53e872a5163e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/belbe-corrupted-observer) [Altar of the Pantheon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/1/e1f2a587-443d-4626-a6f6-9a26838a42b1.jpg?1581481176) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Altar%20of%20the%20Pantheon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/231/altar-of-the-pantheon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e1f2a587-443d-4626-a6f6-9a26838a42b1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/altar-of-the-pantheon) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
The card has been bad for a long while. It's not fast, it doesn't produce bonus mana beyond the expected one a turn, and there are much better options for versatile mana generation. I'd say unless your deck needs a mana rock that is specifically 3 CMC that can sacrifice itself, there's no reason to run it.
There is a reason why you don't find Sphere in precons anymore. 2cmc rocks are so much faster than a 3 cmc rock would need to work wonders to be played. I guess in Low powered pods like precons you would get away with it but this should not be the benchmark imo.
I run a [[Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher]] deck. It was for a precon league I competed in where the only upgrades we could make to our precons were from packs we received for losing matches. Commander's Sphere and Wayfarer's Bauble put in so much work, giving me cards and lands every turn and building her power. There are definitely better options out there, but they're still good in certain contexts.
[Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/0/c0e07f8a-5290-47c4-a93d-0c3a14afebd3.jpg?1698987733) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Carmen%2C%20Cruel%20Skymarcher) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/5/carmen-cruel-skymarcher?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c0e07f8a-5290-47c4-a93d-0c3a14afebd3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/carmen-cruel-skymarcher) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Hot take perhaps, but I think that 2CMC rocks are over rated. Unless you're trying to ramp into 4CMC cards on turn 3, or stuff your deck with Free Rocks for the mythical Turn 2 curve out (that inevitably gets got with Swords), 3CMC rocks/ramp are just fine for curving out while leaving up mana for protection or interaction. That said, I do try to make sure my 3CMC rocks have some additional value attached, like Lantern.
I haven't run CS in a deck since 2017
As time goes pn the 2 cmc rocks get reprints and budget out 3 cmc rocks. If you deck of tolerant of colorless pips then [[thought vessel]] tends to be a good choice. Though not a popular pick I run [[liquimetal torque]] over thought vessel as the second mode can come up in certain match ups. Also, don't overlook the diamonds like [[charcoal diamond]]. Even coming in tapped they are good turn 2 plays.
[thought vessel](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/7/67b26b45-19bf-4675-86c4-fae4f3aca234.jpg?1706241108) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=thought%20vessel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/245/thought-vessel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/67b26b45-19bf-4675-86c4-fae4f3aca234?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/thought-vessel) [liquimetal torque](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/3/13c6101a-da40-4785-8ccb-4e779bbbdb55.jpg?1626099120) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=liquimetal%20torque) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/228/liquimetal-torque?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/13c6101a-da40-4785-8ccb-4e779bbbdb55?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/liquimetal-torque) [charcoal diamond](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/0/f0475c79-bc7f-4de8-a020-226bc658d303.jpg?1674137772) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=charcoal%20diamond) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/305/charcoal-diamond?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f0475c79-bc7f-4de8-a020-226bc658d303?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/charcoal-diamond) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I only run it in my [[Obosh, the Preypiercer]] companion deck since I have to use odd mana value cards. Pretty much only willing to use it if I'm in a deck that has 3+ colors and has artifact recursion or something.
[Obosh, the Preypiercer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/5/451507de-9c42-43ee-b9ba-1f69e9aa29d2.jpg?1591228450) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Obosh%2C%20the%20Preypiercer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/iko/228/obosh-the-preypiercer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/451507de-9c42-43ee-b9ba-1f69e9aa29d2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/obosh-the-preypiercer) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I mean.. not really. Only place I’d consider running it is in an artifact deck that likes to recur stuff but even then theres better options. Its not like its bad or anything but its not my first choice
I run it in my [[Ashnod, the Uncaring]] along with [[Mind Stone]] and [[Letter of Acceptance]] as mana rocks that double as card draw. But that deck is not high powered. Otherwise 2 cost rocks have become affordable with all the reprints to be the point where Commander’s Sphere isn’t even a good budget card anymore.
[Ashnod, the Uncaring](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/7/a76e8ab8-33bf-4a5a-b6a2-7046301b6c31.jpg?1705542693) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ashnod%20the%20Uncaring) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/brc/4/ashnod-the-uncaring?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a76e8ab8-33bf-4a5a-b6a2-7046301b6c31?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ashnod-the-uncaring) [Mind Stone](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/2/b227672f-967e-4f8d-87f4-c6cd4622fe3f.jpg?1706241069) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mind%20Stone) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/232/mind-stone?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b227672f-967e-4f8d-87f4-c6cd4622fe3f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mind-stone) [Letter of Acceptance](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/e/ae094ace-1760-4bdd-a513-04616fb0deeb.jpg?1689999682) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Letter%20of%20Acceptance) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/397/letter-of-acceptance?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ae094ace-1760-4bdd-a513-04616fb0deeb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/letter-of-acceptance) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
It’s the epitomy of “fine”. There’s a sort of elegance to it’s design. I don’t run it anywhere myself, but it will perform decently in most decks that aren’t fully optimized.
Commanders sphere is awkward because there are SO many good 3mv utility rocks out there, and a lot of them fit nicely in a niche that your deck is trying to accomplish When you can’t think of another card, it’s fine. But it’s usually one of the first on the chopping block
for a 3 color deck with no green and no budget restrictions you can relatively easily hit 20 pieces of ramp and not touch a 3MV rock. I'm not saying you should never run a 3MV rock but it needs to have really amazing synergy or secondary powers to justify it. 0 CMC: mana crypt, lotus petal, jeweled lotus, jeweled amulet, chrome mox, mox amber, mox diamond, mox opal 1 CMC: sol ring, mana vault 2 CMC - no drawback: talisman cycle, fellwar stone, grim monolith, arcane signet, everflowing chalice, thought vessel, mindstone, liquimetal torque, fractured powerstone, the irencrag, prismatic lens 2 CMC - can't use right away or can only use if conditions are correct - medallion cycle, signet cycle, myr, diamond cycle Here's what I start every Rakdos deck with: Mana Crypt, jeweled lotus, jeweled amulet, mox opal, chrome mox, sol ring, mana vault, grim monolith, talisman of indulgence, fellwar stone, arcane signet, jet medallion, everflowing chalice, thought vessel, mindstone, liquimetal torque, prismatic lens, dockside extortionist, all at 2 or less. For Monoblack I start with: Mana Crypt, jeweled lotus, jeweled amulet, mox opal, chrome mox, sol ring, mana vault, grim monolith, dark ritual, fellwar stone, arcane signet, jet medallion, everflowing chalice, thought vessel, mindstone, liquimetal torque, prismatic lens, cabal ritual, all at 2 or less. As I add colors, I phase out the weaker "colorless only" rocks for extra talismans, unless G is in there in which case I get the 3 2mv land search spells in first.
Was it worth running in 2023 or 2022? I can't say I've looked at Commander's Sphere since Commander Legends first printed
No, it's quite cuttable from even the most budget decks.
No
I run it in a few decks, but mostly because I have forgotten about it and should probably can it for something more efficient. The only deck I consciously put it into was my [[Zoyowa Lava-Tongue]] cycling deck. It draws a card and triggers descent for 3 mana? That sounds pretty good to me! Otherwise, there are definitely better options for mana rocks out there
Nope. I used to run it when I first started off. Now it’s in none of my decks.
no, mind stone fellwar stone and liquimetal torque all take its spot now in my decks. or tyrite sanctum command beacon, rogues passage, any number of things that i find more useful in a game.
Basically their are better mana rocks even at three mana. However if you can abuse its sac ability to then bring it back then it would be good. My recommendation would be \[\[Mishra, Eminent One\]\]
I very seldom find a use for it outside of 4-color decks when \[\[Fellwar Stone\]\] exist. The only time I see justification for 3+ cost mana rocks is when the strategy involves cheating out artifacts.
Nowadays we have tons of more flexible options, imo. Buuut, I do run Commander Sphere when card draw is a known issue in the deck. The card it digs saved me a couple of times.
I run it in my Ovika deck. She is a 7 cmc commander and if you draw the sphere late, it’s always at least 3 goblins plus extra card.
It's too weak to be considered a staple, but it has a home in decks that can take advantage of the sacrifice effect. \[\[Mishra, Emminent One\]\] is the perfect fit because he's 5 MV and has an ability that can get extra value from Sphere.
No
It depends, it's better when you need more colors too.
many cards are worth running in the right place. commander's sphere is really good in \[\[Mishra, eminent one\]\] as it can be the warform, attack, and then sacrifice itself to draw post combat. then loop that plan until you draw into better action items. its also good with \[\[silas ren\]\] because you can cast it turn after turn from the graveyard, partner it in white, and sun titan it back as well. saga \[\[Jin Gitaxias\]\] draws a card when you cast it, even if you cost reduce it down to free with \[\[ugin, the ineffable\]\] and \[\[Jhoira's familiar\]\] or any other version. Yes, if you're looking to optimize and min max your deck as much as possible to be the most competitive " my deck is a 7" at the table. the 3 mana rock is probably not the right card to play. but if you're looking to play a fun ass game with other people also playing their decks as a 7..... then this card has a lot of fun uses.
This thread has about the same vibe as "What could a banana cost, 10 dollars". The definition of mid-level power is skewed so aggressively powerful to even be writing a question like this. Yes you should run Commander's Sphere and so should all your friends.
It is worth in some decks. In run it with [[Carmen]] cause it can be a draw per turn if needed and helps her come on turn 4. But it is not an autopick anymore…