Walk into any local card shop in 2026 and the same disappointed sigh follows every booster crack: "Just another ex, no SIR." The Special Illustration Rare has become the dominant chase tier of the Scarlet & Violet era, with single cards trading from $80 to over $400 in PSA 10 condition
Political Puppets Commander (1) Creature (24) Goblin Cadets Spurnmage Advocate Jtun Grunt Wall of Omens Fog Bank Nin, the Pain Artist Azorius Guildmage Court Hussar Gomazoa Guard Gomazoa Vedalken Plotter Wall of Denial Plumeveil Flametongue Kavu Windborn Muse False Prophet Brion Stoutarm Ruhan of the Fomori Chromeshell Crab Izzet Chronarch Dominus of Fealty Rapacious One Numot, the Devastator Arbiter of Knollridge Instant (16) Brainstorm Flusterstorm Lash Out Punishing Fire Pollen Lullaby Perilous Research Vision Skeins Whirlpool Whelm Chaos Warp Oblation Murmurs from Beyond Repulse Spell Crumple Wild Ricochet Reins of Power Scattering Stroke Sorcery (6) Breath of Darigaaz Trade Secrets Death by Dragons Austere Command Insurrection Skyscribing Enchantment (10) Soul Snare Journey to Nowhere Vow of Lightning Ghostly Prison Vow of Duty Propaganda Vow of Flight Prison Term Crescendo of War Martyr's Bond Artifact (9) Sol Ring Armillary Sphere Fellwar Stone Howling Mine Lightning Greaves Prophetic Prism Champion's Helm Darksteel Ingot Dreamstone Hedron Land (34) Azorius Chancery Boros Garrison Command Tower Evolving Wilds Izzet Boilerworks Terramorphic Expanse Mountain x8 Plains x8 Island x12 Commanders, Themes, and Strategy In the middle of the pack at third place is Political Puppets, the Jeskai Commander deck led by Zedruu the Greathearted
5 Flayer of Loyalties Flayer of Loyalties is one of many Eldrazi with the 10/10 statline and proof that there's some maniacal genius at Wizards who still loves the annihilator mechanic
I can easily see having four copies in a dragon deck that splashes white to ensure you shut down many strategies while you swing with many flying creatures
Also, having multiple creatures available to block or using creatures with abilities like Deathtouch to ensure the Menace creature is destroyed in combat can be effective
Original Artwork From Yugioh Anime All Rights To Konami
