Grist, the Hunger Tide Commander Deck Guide

Grist, the Hunger Tide | Illustration by Yongjae Choi

While multiple planeswalkers can be used as a commander, not all of them have the rule text that enables them to be run as your trusty leaders. Still, some exceptions like Grist, the Hunger Tide can be used as if it were a creature since its static ability determines so, and as such, it’s also a legendary creature that can be run as your commander. Let’s go over a sweet cEDH list I found that’s both powerful and fun, but more importantly, incredibly affordable!

Without further ado, let's jump right into it.

The Deck

Outland Liberator | Illustration by Randy Vargas

Once in a while, I enjoy searching for top cEDH decks. Recently, I stumbled upon Raphael Alves' Grist, the Hunger Tide list, which secured victory in the Liga CoP III RC – Etapa #2 Event. I found it interesting and decided to cover it, highlighting key tips and tricks.

The Commander

Grist, the Hunger Tide is a unique commander, offering various deck-building possibilities. Whether you opt for a typal insect theme or explosive Protean Hulk one-turn kills, this commander provides versatility. Today’s focus is on one specific aspect: casting it on turn 2.

Additionally, we'll delve into securing both the initiative and the monarch.

Removal Spells

This deck boasts a substantial removal suite, comprising around 22/23 removal spells. Ranging from spot removal like Eliminate to pseudo board wipes like Massacre Girl, this abundance of removal aligns with the strategy of protecting two powerful multiplayer mechanics: the monarch and the initiative.

Initiative and the Monarch

Creatures like Passageway Seer and Vicious Battlerager grant the initiative, while others like Custodi Lich bestow the monarch. These mechanics reward you for being their controller. Notably, the initiative synergizes with other dungeons, adding an extra layer to your strategy.

An interesting interaction involves advancing twice in a dungeon during the same turn. First, steal the initiative, then play a creature with an ETB effect granting you the initiative. Paired with your commander, this tactic allows you to manipulate emblems efficiently.

This approach is particularly effective in cEDH environments and metas with fewer creatures, where crowded boards are less common.

Reanimation Spells

The deck also features a reanimation theme with cards like Unearth and Dread Return. These synergize with others like Bone Shards and Smuggler's Copter, enabling you to put expensive threats into the graveyard and revive them at a reduced cost. Primary targets include Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis and Hoarding Broodlord, but the flexibility extends to creatures like Zulaport Cutthroat and Blood Artist.

The Creatures

The reanimation package aims to maximize the value of creatures with potent enter-the-battlefield effects, exemplified by Hoarding Broodlord. Critical creatures vary based on the scenario; Workshop Warchief and Thragtusk stabilize the board, while Ravenous Chupacabra and Skyfisher Spider act as removal options.

Plaguecrafter and Demon's Disciple excel by impacting all opponents simultaneously. The deck also includes essential artifact and enchantment removal via Reclamation Sage, Cankerbloom, and Outland Liberator.

Additional noteworthy creatures include Eternal Witness for recursion, Scavenging Ooze for graveyard hate, and Fierce Empath serving as a tutor for larger spells.

The Mana Base

Mana dorks are crucial for casting the commander as early as turn 2. Utilizing cards like Llanowar Elves and Wild Growth, with the latter being preferable due to lower susceptibility to regular removal, ensures early-game acceleration.

Blood Pet and Wall of Roots further contribute to ramping up. Given the deck's low curve and focus on the commander, consistently hitting 3 mana by turn 2 suffices.

Additionally, the mana base features strategic land additions, including Memorial to Folly, allowing you to return creatures to your hand at the cost of sacrificing it. Hissing Quagmire and Treetop Village serve as utility lands, pressuring opponents and providing additional creatures when needed and Tranquil Thicket or Barren Moor serves as an extra mana flood protection.

The Strategy

This deck functions as a toolbox, allowing you to search for the right pieces at the right time, predominantly removals or removal-adjacent spells for handling mana rocks or troublesome enchantments. Some creatures possess valuable ETB effects, enhancing their utility when sacrificed with Grist's second ability.

The strategy involves leveraging these sacrifices to drain opponents' life with Zulaport Cutthroat and Blood Artist, potentially achieving multiple kills in one swing. The reanimation package acts as a safety net, bringing back key creatures lost in battles.

Overall, this deck exemplifies a toolbox aristocrats archetype, excelling in out grinding opponents and safeguarding your life total through its robust removal suite.

Combos and Interactions

While the deck lacks infinite combos, it features strong interactions between creatures and the commander. Notably, Skullclamp stands out as a powerful card, guaranteeing at least two extra cards per turn alongside Grist, the Hunger Tide.

Grist's first ability synergizes well with the reanimation package, allowing you to revive creatures incidentally milled. Although no major combos require special attention, it's crucial to remember that Grist is a creature as long as it's not on the battlefield. This property grants immunity to popular counterspells like Negate or Force of Negation, though vulnerability to Essence Scatter.

Reanimation spells, particularly Unearth, efficiently bring Grist back to the field for a mere 1 mana. Additionally, Fauna Shaman allows you to tutor Grist from your library.

A noteworthy interaction involves Elspeth Conquers Death’s Final Chapter, enabling you to place a loyalty counter on Grist—an opportunity not readily available with other creatures.

Budget Options

Unlike other cEDH decks, this one is actually very cheap, however, there are some budget additions you can toy around with.

Caustic Caterpillar is a good option to play with as it’s an acceptable replacement if you don't have some of the other pricier artifact destroy effects.

Victimize is another budget option as a reanimation spell by the mere cost of sacrificing one of yours, most of the time, a token created by your commander.

Speaking of tokens, Crawling Infestation is also a great card if you run a lot of creatures in your deck, and for every time one of your creatures dies, Moldervine Reclamation rewards you by drawing you a card.

If you’re feeling spicy, Grim Backwoods is also a neat addition as yet another way to get value from your tokens.

Other Builds

At the outset, I highlighted that Grist, the Hunger Tide can embody various archetypes.

For instance, if you wish to construct a typal insect deck around it, essential inclusions are must-haves like Nantuko Husk, Masked Vandal, and Scute Swarm.

Conversely, if you opt for a full combo plan, you may choose to overlook some of the commander's synergies with insects. The typical strategy involves employing Natural Order to sacrifice an insect and search for a Protean Hulk. Subsequently, utilizing Grist's -2 ability, you can tutor creatures with a combined MV of up to 6 to the field. The objective is to assemble Walking Ballista and Mikaeus, the Unhallowed on the field, aiming to secure a victory by turn two in most instances.

Commanding Conclusion

Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis | Illustration by Vincent Proce

Grist, the Hunger Tide stands out as an affordable commander, easily deployable on turn 2 with the assistance of mana dorks. However, the decision to cast it early depends on the board state. Rushing into this action might inadvertently draw attention, making you a target at the table. Thus, it's advisable to navigate the board with patience, gradually accumulating card advantage.

Did you find the deck list intriguing? I certainly did and am eager to try it out soon!

As always, it has been a pleasure discovering commander decks for you to explore. If you're interested in more content like this in the future, please follow us on X/Twitter or join the Draftsim Discord to stay updated.

Take care, and happy gaming!