Evasive Maneuvers Precon: Decklist, Value, and Verdict

The Bant deck is “just fine.” It does what it does and it does it well. But it lacks a specific goal to work towards.

New players often find themselves dawdling about, tapping and untapping, blinking and flickering to no major effect except maybe pulling the rest of the basic lands out of your deck with Farhaven Elf. Evasive Maneuvers is a good basis for a Bant combo deck, but it needs to trim its theme down a smidge.

Evasive Maneuvers is the Bant deck headed by Derevi, Empyrial Tactician with your choice of Rubinia Soulsinger (a Legends classic!) or Roon of the Hidden Realm as alternate commanders.

This precon is themed around tapping and untapping your creatures and blinking your permanents, and it does these very well. The natural synergy between Derevi and Roon makes this deck one of the most playable out of the box. Combined with some great tap abilities like Djinn of Infinite Deceits, Rubinia Soulsinger, and Skyward Eye Prophets, you’ll generate a threatening board state in no time.

As any Yarok, the Desecrated player will tell you, abusing enters-the-battlefield effects can become incredibly valuable for a comparatively small investment. Conjurer's Closet and Flickerwisp can get you cheap and repeatable flicker effects every turn to control the battlefield.

Derevi, Empyrial Tactician’s second ability means it can be played from the command zone at instant speed while ignoring any commander tax accrued. You’ll never put Derevi on the field for more than four mana, and that’s a steal!

• All 9 Bant Commander Precons in Magic Ranked by A.L. Walser (July 7, 2026)