Yisan
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[[Yisan, the Wanderer Bard]] is a unique and powerful mono green [[symbol:g]] cEDH commander. As a mono-green deck, it leverages Yisan’s ability to tutor creatures directly onto the battlefield, creating a toolbox strategy that adapts to any pod. The deck thrives on Yisan’s verse counter mechanic to build combos, disrupt opponents, and assemble versatile answers to different board states.
This deck is ideal for players who enjoy adaptive gameplay and the challenge of mastering intricate combo lines. While limited to mono-green, the deck’s inherent resilience and synergy often allow it to overcome color restrictions, making it a formidable presence at the table.
Why Play Yisan?
Strengths
Toolbox Commander: [[Yisan, the Wanderer Bard]] provides instant-speed access to creatures that address specific threats or advance your own game plan.
Resilient to Interaction: With most of its plays occurring through Yisan’s activated ability, the deck is inherently resistant to counterspells and other spell-based interaction.
Flexible Gameplan: Yisan can pivot between stax, combo, or tempo as the game demands.
Weaknesses
Commander Reliance: The deck’s strategy heavily depends on keeping [[Yisan, the Wanderer Bard]] on the battlefield. Effects like [[Cursed Totem]] or [[Linvala, Keeper of Silence]] can significantly slow down the deck.
Limited Color Identity: Being mono-green means the deck lacks access to direct interaction like counterspells or graveyard hate found in other colors.
Vulnerability to Stax: Cards like [[Grafdigger’s Cage]] and [[Opposition Agent]] can shut down Yisan’s engine if left unchecked.
Gameplan
Early Game
The primary goal is to resolve [[Yisan, the Wanderer Bard]] early and begin advancing his verse counters. Depending on the pod, deploying stax pieces like [[Collector Ouphe]] or [[Soulless Jailer]] can slow opponents down while you develop your board.
Mid Game
As Yisan progresses through his verse counters, you’ll aim to assemble key combo pieces or impactful stax creatures. The midgame often involves finding ways to disrupt opponents’ plans while preparing your own win conditions.
Late Game
The late game revolves around executing one of Yisan’s infinite mana combos or layering win conditions. With infinite mana and a full toolbox, the deck transitions to closing the game through recursion, draw loops, or combat damage.
Key Synergies
Ashaya, Soul of the Wild + Untappers
[[Ashaya, Soul of the Wild]] turns creatures into Forests, enabling untap effects like [[Argothian Elder]] or [[Quirion Ranger]] to create infinite mana. This synergy is at the core of many of the deck’s combo lines.
Destiny Spinner + Ashaya
[[Destiny Spinner]] can animate lands, granting them haste and trample. Use this to give haste to untappers like [[Quirion Ranger]] or [[Argothian Elder]].
Endurance Loops
[[Endurance]] is critical for enabling recursion-based loops. With pieces like [[Slippery Bogbonder]], you can recycle your graveyard into your library, facilitating infinite activations and win conditions.
Combos
Ashaya + Argothian Elder
Resolve [[Ashaya, Soul of the Wild]] and [[Argothian Elder]].
Use the Elder’s ability to untap itself and another mana-producing permanent.
Repeat the process to generate infinite mana.
Slippery Bogbonder Loops
Cast or tutor for [[Slippery Bogbonder]] with infinite mana.
Use its ability to move hexproof counters and reset Yisan’s verse counters.
Activate [[Yisan, the Wanderer Bard]] repeatedly to assemble other combo pieces or win conditions.
Duskwatch Recruiter
Use infinite mana to activate [[Duskwatch Recruiter]] and find all creature cards from your library.
Deploy game-winning creatures like [[Destiny Spinner]] or [[Craterhoof Behemoth]].
Geier Reach Sanitarium Win
With infinite mana, activate [[Geier Reach Sanitarium]] with untappers to force opponents to draw their libraries, using [[Endurance]] to prevent yourself from decking.
Stax Elements
Collector Ouphe
[[Collector Ouphe]] shuts down artifact-based combos and fast mana, disrupting many cEDH strategies while leaving Yisan’s abilities unaffected.
Soulless Jailer
[[Soulless Jailer]] prevents opponents from interacting with graveyard-based strategies like [[Underworld Breach]] or reanimation loops.
Manglehorn
[[Manglehorn]] slows artifact-heavy decks by forcing their mana rocks to enter tapped and provides a source of removal for problematic artifacts.
Mulligan Tips
When deciding whether to keep a hand, prioritize:
Ramp: A hand with a mana dork ([[Llanowar Elves]], [[Birds of Paradise]]) and a land allows for a turn 2 Yisan.
Stax: If facing fast combo decks, hands with disruptive pieces like [[Soulless Jailer]] or [[Collector Ouphe]] are valuable.
Utility: Hands with access to powerful lands like [[Gaea’s Cradle]] or [[Ancient Tomb]] can accelerate your game plan significantly.
Conclusion
[[Yisan, the Wanderer Bard]] is a challenging and rewarding commander that excels at adapting to different game states. His ability to provide instant-speed access to key creatures makes him a powerful and versatile tool in cEDH. With layered combos, stax elements, and intricate decision points, Yisan offers a unique gameplay experience that rewards skillful piloting and meta awareness.
For players who enjoy adaptability, strategic depth, and the thrill of assembling complex combos, Yisan is a fantastic choice for competitive play.
References:
Hulk Yisan
