Arcane Maelstrom Precon: Decklist, Value, and Verdict

Kalamax, the Stormsire

Whenever you cast your first instant spell each turn, if Kalamax is tapped, copy that spell. You may choose new targets for the copy. Whenever you copy an instant spell, put a +1/+1 counter on Kalamax.

Singles value

$140.04

TCGplayer market, 82 cards, basic lands counted at $0

Sealed price

$107.91

TCGplayer price for the box (Amazon $165.00) · singles are 1.3× that

New cards

17 / 100

First printings in this deck

Bracket

Core, out of the box

Is Arcane Maelstrom worth buying?

from Commander 2020 (Ikoria) Decks: Are They Worth It? by Niels van der Vlugt

You really need some good politics and smart early play until you can let loose your storm of instants and copied spells. Make sure you’ve got a card draw engine to ensure you don’t run low on instants and baiting people into action might make this deck one of the better fits for the impetus cycle which calls upon opponent’s creatures to attack your opponents. Copying spells inherently has one of the highest ceilings a deck can have, however there will be games in which your instant won’t do much even if it is doubled up. I’d call this a mid to lower-power-level deck with great potential.

• Choose from three fierce Commanders from Ikoria Lair of Behemoths (IKO) to lead your deck to victory—four legendary creatures including two that share a magical bond and can command your deck together • Commander is a Magic The Gathering (MTG) multiplayer format where alliances are formed friends are betrayed and grudges are repaid with a vengeance • Turn the tide of any battle with the Arcane Maelstrom deck—copy spells with Kalamax the Stormsire draw cards when you do damage with Xyris the Writhing Storm or exile your opponents’ resources and cast them yourself with Haldan Avid Arcanist and Pako Arcane Retriever • Arcane Maelstrom is one of five Commander Decks from Ikoria Lair of Behemoths (IKO) Each includes exclusive cards tailored to that deck—pick your favorite mechanics and dive in to battle! • Battle your way through the plane of Ikoria with monster-themed mechanics that grow your creatures build your bond and crush your opponents

How Arcane Maelstrom plays

Kalamax loves a good storm, and what better way to create a storm than with instants? Kalamax helps you copy the spell, which gives you value and grows it bigger all in one fell swoop. All you have to do is attack, pass the turn, and sit back until the opportune moment to trap your opponent or their creatures. Personally, I would mold this deck by including more cards with the storm mechanic, fast mana, and things like Thousand-Year Storm to get even more value out of Kalamax.