Legendary

I love legendary creatures (creatures you can have only one of on the battlefield at any given time). When Jodah, the Unifier (above) was released in Dominaria United last year, I was quite excited. Not only did he instantly become my commander in my five-color legends deck, but I also am looking at ways to make a standard, modern, or casual deck featuring him. (Maybe all three.) Today we'll focus on standard.

Jodah is all about legendary creatures, and standard is currently replete with options. Here is my latest iteration of a Standard legendary deck:

1 Dennick, Pious Apprentice (MID) 217

1 King Darien XLVIII (DMU) 204

1 Shanna, Purifying Blade (DMU) 218

2 Brutal Cathar (MID) 7

1 Lagrella, the Magpie (SNC) 196

1 Tovolar, Dire Overlord (MID) 246

1 Halana and Alena, Partners (VOW) 239

1 Katilda, Dawnhart Prime (MID) 230

4 Jodah, the Unifier (DMU) 203

4 Reclusive Taxidermist (VOW) 214

1 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben (DKA) 24

2 Leyline Binding (DMU) 24

1 Kyodai, Soul of Kamigawa (NEO) 23

1 Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim (DMU) 198

1 Loran of the Third Path (BRO) 12

1 Feldon, Ronom Excavator (BRO) 135

1 Baird, Argivian Recruiter (DMU) 195

1 Soul of Windgrace (DMU) 220

1 Ertai Resurrected (DMU) 199

1 Hajar, Loyal Bodyguard (BRO) 211

1 Nemata, Primeval Warden (DMU) 209

1 Radha, Coalition Warlord (DMU) 211

1 Torens, Fist of the Angels (VOW) 249

1 Raffine, Scheming Seer (SNC) 213

1 Mr. Orfeo, the Boulder (SNC) 204

1 Rocco, Cabaretti Caterer (SNC) 218

2 Plains (DMU) 263

1 Raffine's Tower (SNC) 254

1 Ziatora's Proving Ground (SNC) 261

2 Idyllic Beachfront (DMU) 249

1 Plaza of Heroes (DMU) 252

4 Secluded Courtyard (NEO) 275

1 Spara's Headquarters (SNC) 257

1 Geothermal Bog (DMU) 247

2 Wooded Ridgeline (DMU) 260

2 Radiant Grove (DMU) 253

1 Contaminated Aquifer (DMU) 245

2 Island (DMU) 265

2 Swamp (DMU) 268

2 Forest (DMU) 274

2 Mountain (DMU) 272 

Getting Jodah out is obviously key. His ability not only makes legendaries huge, but fetches other legendaries to join the fray. Because you can have only one copy of a given legendary on the field at a time, I included only one copy of most other legendary creatures here. But what else?

This deck does a little bit of everything. It is largely creature-based, per my preference.

Mana Base

Mana is the challenge in any five-color deck. All of the common dual lands from Dominaria United feature here, as do the rare (and expensive) "tri" lands from Streets of New Capenna. Reclusive Taxidermist helps, as does Secluded Courtyard and Plaza of Heroes. Katilda, Dawnheart Prime can leverage your creatures to assist, too.

Removal

Brutal Cathar, Leyline Binding, Thalia, Lagrella, and Ertai are the keys here.

Card Draw

Shanna, Loran, Feldon, Tovolar, and Nemata have ways to accelerate your card draw.

Tokens

Though this is about legendary creatures, three of them (Nemata, Baird, King Darien, and Toran) can help widen your field.

Pumping

Mr. Orfeo, Halana and Elena, King Darien, Katilda, and Radha can pump creatures, sometimes to great effect.

Other Elements

This deck is a hodge-podge. There is also some protection (Thalia, Kyodai, Hajar), pinging (Elas il-Kor), fun with lands (Lord of Windgrace), and deck sculpting (Raffine).

Final Thoughts

I will probably look at modern and casual legends in forthcoming posts. For now, this deck is surprisingly fun, despite (or maybe because of) the wide range of possibilities.