Conditions Allow - Roalesk, Apex Hybrid
(Roalesk, Apex HybridRoalesk, Apex Hybrid | Art by Svetlin Velinov)
Sitting at the Apex
Hello, and welcome back to Conditions Allow, where I take a closer look at commanders with a drawback and turn it into a strength. This week I’m delving into something new with Roalesk, Apex HybridRoalesk, Apex Hybrid.
Roalesk, Apex HybridRoalesk, Apex Hybrid is a five-mana 4/5 with trample and flying. When he enters the battlefield, you can put two +1/+1 counters on another target creature. What I’m really interested in, however, is Roalesk’s last line of text. When he dies, you can Proliferate, and then Proliferate again. With the right setup, Roalesk has the potential to overpower Atraxa, Praetors’ VoiceAtraxa, Praetors’ Voice as a counter-gathering engine.
With that in mind, I want to take a look at some common themes on both Atraxa’s and Roalesk’s EDHREC pages. Roalesk actually makes an appearance on Atraxa’s page, and both boast an impressive list of planeswalkers. Both also work well with +1/+1 counters, especially since Roalesk, Apex HybridRoalesk, Apex Hybrid can jumpstart his own source of counters to Proliferate. Charge counters on artifacts like Astral CornucopiaAstral Cornucopia can be powerful, as well. There are even some lands that function in similar ways, removing counters to add large amounts of mana all at once. Regardless of the direction we take the deck, lands like Sand SilosSand Silos and Hollow TreesHollow Trees will be powerful inclusions.
The major downsides of those lands, however, is that they’re slow. In order to make that delay worth it, we’re going to want plenty of ways to Proliferate those counters, as well as plenty of other mana sources. Alongside dorks like Llanowar ElvesLlanowar Elves, we're running plenty of land ramp, like Rampant GrowthRampant Growth and Grow from the AshesGrow from the Ashes. We can also use Chromatic LanternChromatic Lantern to ensure that our storage lands, like Mage-Ring NetworkMage-Ring Network, are always useful. If you feel like you need a redundant version of this kind of effect, Urborg, Tomb of YawgmothUrborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth will give you a way to use Hickory WoodlotHickory Woodlot when it runs out of counters as well.
Life Finds a Way
So far, we have plenty of mana, but nothing to use it on. The first thing this deck is going to have to do is deal with its commander dying. This is the major downside to Roalesk, Apex HybridRoalesk, Apex Hybrid’s ability: he has to actually hit the graveyard to get that sweet, sweet double Proliferate. While Simic isn’t terrible at getting things back from the bin, it isn’t nearly as efficient as white or black. Still, there are a couple of ways we can mimic an Aristocrat’s strategy.
If we really want to mimic Aristocrats with sacrifice and recursion, we are going to have to accept some compromises. The best way to bring creatures back automatically in blue and green is with cards like LifelineLifeline and Triassic EggTriassic Egg. However, these are not great options: Triassic Egg is a one-time effect, and we are unlikely to get more use out of Lifeline than our opponents. Luckily, Roalesk, Apex Hybrid's colors don't suffer for quality sacrifice outlets. We have access to great artifacts, like Ashnod's Altar, as well as strong enchantments like Greater GoodGreater Good. Both of these cards also have functions beyond simply sacrificing creatures. By providing mana and card advantage, they can put in serious work even without a recursion engine in place.
Of course, if we don't mind recasting our creatures, there are a few other options. Tamiyo, the Moon SageTamiyo, the Moon Sage’s emblem will grab anything that hits the graveyard. With all the extra counters we're throwing around, eight loyalty isn’t a challenge to get to.
Also, Elvish SoultillerElvish Soultiller represents a neat way to get Roalesk back to the command zone: if the Soultiller dies with Roalesk, Apex HybridRoalesk, Apex Hybrid in the graveyard, all you have to do is name 'Mutant' for Elvish SoultillerElvish Soultiller’s death trigger for both creatures to be shuffled into your library. Since your commander would change zones, you can instead redirect him to the command zone. I think this is more cute than good, but Elvish SoultillerElvish Soultiller is a decent attacker, and has some utility with the the high density of both Elves and Wizards in the deck.
We can still do better. A simple trip to Roalesk, Apex HybridRoalesk, Apex Hybrid's EDHREC page quickly reveals that leaning into blue’s penchant for CloneClones is the perfect solution to our dilemma. When a copy of Roalesk hits the field, the legend rule automatically wipes it away, but we can still get its enters-the-battlefield and death triggers! Normally, when a creature dies as soon as it enters play, the leaves-the-battlefield trigger would resolve before the enters-the-battlefield trigger. With Roalesk, though, the legend rule wipes the copy away before any triggers can be put onto the stack. In other words, we get to put counters onto Roalesk and then Proliferate two times!
Followed FootstepsFollowed Footsteps and Mirror MockeryMirror Mockery both appear under Roalesk’s Top Cards. These both function similarly, automatically creating a token copy of the enchanted creature at different points during your turn. Followed FootstepsFollowed Footsteps does this during the upkeep, but Mirror MockeryMirror Mockery requires the enchanted creature to attack, a sort of miniature Blade of SelvesBlade of Selves, which is also a sick pick here for Roalesk. Even without anything else on the field, just making one token with Mirror MockeryMirror Mockery will bump Roalesk, Apex HybridRoalesk, Apex Hybrid's power by 4, to a total of 8. With his innate flying and trample, Roalesk could actually be a pretty scary Voltron commander.
Making Counters Count
With that in mind, let’s take a look at both Banshee’s BladeBanshee’s Blade and Sigil of DistinctionSigil of Distinction. Similar to Umezawa’s JitteUmezawa’s Jitte, these Equipment will power up a creature based on charge counters. With both Mirror MockeryMirror Mockery and Blade of SelvesBlade of Selves giving us Proliferate triggers before damage, we can very quickly make Roalesk, Apex HybridRoalesk, Apex Hybrid into a real threat, and because the counters that matter live on the Equipment, rather than just relying on putting +1/+1 counters on Roalesk, we'll be able to rebuild after board wipes faster than many opponents will expect.
Of course, we’re going to need a backup plan or two. The first is a card you may have heard about in discussions of budget Storm or Spellsinger decks: Sphinx-Bone WandSphinx-Bone Wand. Instead of simply tracking the number of spells cast in a turn, Sphinx-Bone WandSphinx-Bone Wand keeps track of the spells you cast throughout the game in the form of charge counters. For the first few spells, this will basically staple a Lightning BoltLightning Bolt or ShockShock onto every instant or sorcery you cast. After adding a few extra counters, though, you can start throwing around huge chunks of damage. Because the Wand can target anything, both stages of its progression are useful: early on you can point the damage at threats on the field, and then gradually deal higher amounts of damage to players.
The last win condition for the deck is Simic AscendancySimic Ascendancy, the only one of the bunch to appear on Roalesk, Apex HybridRoalesk, Apex Hybrid’s EDHREC page. With the amount of Proliferate in this deck, Simic AscendancySimic Ascendancy can quickly gain twenty growth counters, even with only Roalesk on the field. By including a small package of token makers, and a few extra ways to add +1/+1 counters to our creatures, it can present a very real threat. Talrand, Sky SummonerTalrand, Sky Summoner, Murmuring MysticMurmuring Mystic, and Docent of PerfectionDocent of Perfection will all create creature tokens with every instant and sorcery we cast, synergizing nicely with Sphinx-Bone WandSphinx-Bone Wand. Then we can use Nissa, Voice of ZendikarNissa, Voice of Zendikar to put counters on all of those creatures. Alternatively, Master BiomancerMaster Biomancer will add two counters to each of our creatures, getting Simic AscendancySimic Ascendancy to twenty growth counters twice as fast. Finally, Avenger of ZendikarAvenger of Zendikar will take advantage of all the land ramp in the deck to both create a huge number of creature tokens, and then quickly put +1/+1 counters on all of them.
Of course, Roalesk synergizes nicely with all of these strategies while representing a significant threat on his own. With a few extra ways to Proliferate, and filling out lands and spells, we can build a highly-synergistic deck that launches its attacks from multiple angles at once.
Roalesk, Apex Hybrid
View on ArchidektCommander (1)
- 1 Roalesk, Apex HybridRoalesk, Apex Hybrid
Creatures (17)
- 1 Arbor ElfArbor Elf
- 1 Elvish MysticElvish Mystic
- 1 Llanowar ElvesLlanowar Elves
- 1 Gyre SageGyre Sage
- 1 Merfolk SkydiverMerfolk Skydiver
- 1 Pollenbright DruidPollenbright Druid
- 1 Flux ChannelerFlux Channeler
- 1 Rishkar, Peema RenegadeRishkar, Peema Renegade
- 1 Fathom MageFathom Mage
- 1 Master BiomancerMaster Biomancer
- 1 Murmuring MysticMurmuring Mystic
- 1 Talrand, Sky SummonerTalrand, Sky Summoner
- 1 Viral DrakeViral Drake
- 1 Docent of PerfectionDocent of Perfection
- 1 Elvish SoultillerElvish Soultiller
- 1 Tatyova, Benthic DruidTatyova, Benthic Druid
- 1 Avenger of ZendikarAvenger of Zendikar
Artifacts (11)
- 1 Astral CornucopiaAstral Cornucopia
- 1 Sigil of DistinctionSigil of Distinction
- 1 Sol RingSol Ring
- 1 Banshee's BladeBanshee's Blade
- 1 Blade of SelvesBlade of Selves
- 1 Fellwar StoneFellwar Stone
- 1 Ashnod's AltarAshnod's Altar
- 1 Chromatic LanternChromatic Lantern
- 1 Triassic EggTriassic Egg
- 1 LifelineLifeline
- 1 Sphinx-Bone WandSphinx-Bone Wand
Enchantments (6)
- 1 Khalni Heart ExpeditionKhalni Heart Expedition
- 1 Mirror MockeryMirror Mockery
- 1 Simic AscendancySimic Ascendancy
- 1 Greater GoodGreater Good
- 1 Followed FootstepsFollowed Footsteps
- 1 Inexorable TideInexorable Tide
Planeswalkers (4)
- 1 Jiang Yanggu, WildcrafterJiang Yanggu, Wildcrafter
- 1 Nissa, Voice of ZendikarNissa, Voice of Zendikar
- 1 Tamiyo, the Moon SageTamiyo, the Moon Sage
- 1 Tezzeret the SeekerTezzeret the Seeker
Instants (11)
- 1 Crop RotationCrop Rotation
- 1 Mystical TutorMystical Tutor
- 1 NatureNature
- 1 Swan SongSwan Song
- 1 AnticipateAnticipate
- 1 CounterspellCounterspell
- 1 ImpulseImpulse
- 1 Narset's ReversalNarset's Reversal
- 1 NegateNegate
- 1 Beast WithinBeast Within
- 1 Whir of InventionWhir of Invention
Sorceries (16)
- 1 PonderPonder
- 1 PreordainPreordain
- 1 Contentious PlanContentious Plan
- 1 Finale of RevelationFinale of Revelation
- 1 Fork in the RoadFork in the Road
- 1 Life's LegacyLife's Legacy
- 1 Nature's LoreNature's Lore
- 1 Rampant GrowthRampant Growth
- 1 RegrowthRegrowth
- 1 Call to MindCall to Mind
- 1 Courage in CrisisCourage in Crisis
- 1 FabricateFabricate
- 1 Grow from the AshesGrow from the Ashes
- 1 Primal GrowthPrimal Growth
- 1 RelearnRelearn
- 1 Tezzeret's GambitTezzeret's Gambit
Lands (34)
- 1 Blast ZoneBlast Zone
- 1 Breeding PoolBreeding Pool
- 1 Evolving WildsEvolving Wilds
- 1 Flooded GroveFlooded Grove
- 1 Hickory WoodlotHickory Woodlot
- 1 Hollow TreesHollow Trees
- 1 Mage-Ring NetworkMage-Ring Network
- 1 Miren, the Moaning WellMiren, the Moaning Well
- 1 Rushwood GroveRushwood Grove
- 1 Sand SilosSand Silos
- 1 Saprazzan SkerrySaprazzan Skerry
- 1 Terramorphic ExpanseTerramorphic Expanse
- 1 Yavimaya CoastYavimaya Coast
- 12 ForestForest
- 9 IslandIsland
Roalesk, Apex HybridRoalesk, Apex Hybrid is a lot of fun to play, and packs a much bigger punch than I expected. When playing him, be sure to keep in mind that the winning with Sphinx-Bone WandSphinx-Bone Wand takes a lot of mana and only slightly less setup. People will see that coming and will try to remove your big seven-cost artifact. The same applies to Simic AscendancySimic Ascendancy. So don’t shy away from being aggressive with Roalesk himself.
That brings us to the end of this week’s Conditions Allow. What did you think? Is there another legendary creature, recent or otherwise, you’d like to see me cover? Let me know in the comments down below.
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