<p><em>Tramplesaurus Rex </em>is a new beginner Commander preconstructed deck associated with <em>Foundations </em>and released Oct. 2, 2026. What's in the deck, who are the commanders, and is it a good buy?</p>
<p>Let's find out.</p>


https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/foundationscommanderheaderTRAMPLE.png

<p>The <i>Tramplesaurus Rex</i> Commander deck contains the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>1 Ready-to-play 100-card Commander deck</li>
<li>1 Traditional foil face commander with borderless art</li>
<li>99 Non-foil cards</li>
<li>10 Non-foil double-sided tokens</li>
<li>1 Reference card</li>
<li>1 Deck box</li>
</ul>


<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghalta, Primal Hunger|FDC|8" href="#" target="_blank">Ghalta, Primal Hunger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ghalta, Primal Hunger|FDC|8"></div></div>
<p>If we're looking for the simplest commander of this set of preconstructed decks, this is it. Twelve mana is a lot, but we're never going to cast her for that much. That's because her cost is reduced by the total number of power among our creatures (so, if we have two 1/1s, then Ghalta costs two less to cast). Note that this also gets around the commander tax (where we pay an extra two mana to recast a commander from the command zone) because that gets reduced as well.</p>
<p>Ghalta needs us to have a few big creatures to easily get her out, but what we'll see in the next paragraph will eclipse what we have out, stats-wise. What we get is a beefy 12/12 with trample. Plain and simple, but don't let that fool you: those are scary numbers, and this precon taps into our commander rather well, as we'll soon learn.</p>


<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Surrak and Goreclaw|FDC|231"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Birds of Paradise|FDC|191"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Unnatural Growth|FDC|238"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Surrak and Goreclaw|FDC|231" href="#" target="_blank">Surrak and Goreclaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: An absolute powerhouse in any green deck. Six mana is nothing in green, where ramp is at its strongest. For that much, we give our other creatures trample and entering creatures get a small boost. Part of that boost so happens to be haste, which is rare in this color. All of this combines to a justifiably high price, so it's great that this card got reprinted here.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Birds of Paradise|FDC|191" href="#" target="_blank">Birds of Paradise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: A classic mana dork (creatures that tap for mana). While it won't reduce the cost of our commander, it can come down on turn one if it's in our first eight cards, and can tap for mana on the following turn (once summoning sickness goes away). And while it'll only be tapping for green here, it's even better in decks using multiple colors.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unnatural Growth|FDC|238" href="#" target="_blank">Unnatural Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Quadruple green all but ensures we'll usually only see this card in either one or two color decks. But here, all of our creatures are suddenly scary huge. Even our commander herself will kill an opponent in one hit with commander damage (21 combat damage is needed here. Ghalta will be at 24 power). It also works during each combat, so any blockers you have will be sure to deter opponents from touching us.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ezuri&#039;s Predation|FDC|203" href="#" target="_blank">Ezuri&#039;s Predation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Another rare thing in green is board wipes, and this is actually one of the better ones, if not the best. Again, don't let all these expensive casting costs fool you. We can easily get that high in green, and this will either leave behind a board full of considerably beefy tokens, clear the board, or both!</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yeva, Nature&#039;s Herald|FDC|242" href="#" target="_blank">Yeva, Nature&#039;s Herald</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: A welcome addition here. Flash ensures that we can cast stuff on our opponents' turns, but she only gives green creatures the ability. She's best used if you got an enters-the-battlefield (ETB) trigger in response to something. But here? We're flashing in big monsters on their turns, so we can attack with them once we get to take our turn again.</p>


<p>If you've read my <a href="https://edhrec.com/guides/reign-of-dragons-foundations-precon-guide"><em>Reign of Dragons</em> guide</a>, then I'm mostly going to reiterate the same thing here: it's simple, really. Ramp really hard, drop giant beefcakes, then ram them into your opponents. However, in green, it's even easier to do so. We have access to the best ramp spells to ensure we have big tracts of land and the biggest creatures. We also gain access to some good ways to draw cards, too. If the precon has weaknesses, it's slow to get going, and chances are, we're likely dropping one threat at a time.</p>
<p>That said, we should also be trying to quickly get <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghalta, Primal Hunger|FDC|8" href="#" target="_blank">Ghalta, Primal Hunger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> out into play, so we can start swinging with our favorite T-Rex.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Whisperer of the Wilds|FDC|241"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Steel Leaf Champion|FDC|230"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ram Through|FDC|221"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Whisperer of the Wilds|FDC|241" href="#" target="_blank">Whisperer of the Wilds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Another mana dork, but this can tap for two mana if we control a creature with power 4 or greater. Otherwise, it'll just tap for one. Either way, it's ramp, and that'll help get those monsters out. It does have 0 power, so it's not making Ghalta any cheaper through her effect. On the other hand, tapping for two mana is a boon, allowing us to accelerate our game plan.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Steel Leaf Champion|FDC|230" href="#" target="_blank">Steel Leaf Champion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: The text box is not why this is in here. For three mana, we get a considerably sized beater that reduces Ghalta's casting cost by five. Nothing too much beyond that, but if we are attacking with it, this can bypass all of those small creatures opponents will likely have out, including tokens. There are other creatures like this in the deck (cheap to cast, but have high stats), so be sure to look for them when trying to rush out Ghalta.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ram Through|FDC|221" href="#" target="_blank">Ram Through</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: I'm using this card metaphorically, but it is a great way to remove a troublesome blocker (and we get to deal excess damage to our opponent if our creature has trample). No, the real card I mean to tag is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overwhelming Stampede|FDC|218" href="#" target="_blank">Overwhelming Stampede</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which will likely give +12/+12 and trample to all of our creatures (assuming Ghalta's out), very likely winning us the game. Otherwise, the buff will be weaker, but still potent. We'll need a well-developed board to ensure we get the most out of the card, so it's a case of timing this right to win out of nowhere.</li>
</ul>


<p>As with most precons, especially ones aimed at newer players, there are no innate combos within the deck, but there's nothing really synergistic this time. Green truly is the simplest color in the game, which honestly is great. Everything is pretty straightforward here.</p>
<p>If you <em>were </em>to want to include combos in this deck, here are some suggestions:</p>
<p>Since we already have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Surrak and Goreclaw|FDC|231" href="#" target="_blank">Surrak and Goreclaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we can add a copy of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aerie Ouphes" href="#" target="_blank">Aerie Ouphes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to create a possible inflinite loop of death triggers and creature ETBs. All we need is to have an opponent who possesses a flying creature:</p>
<div id="713-3575" style="width: 100%; position: relative; overflow: visible; display: flex; justify-content: center;"><img decoding="async" id="csbLoad" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/images/gear.svg" alt="csb logo" width="300" /><br />
<script id="713-3575" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/embed.js?v=1&uses=%5B%22Surrak%20and%20Goreclaw%22%2C%22Aerie%20Ouphes%22%5D&requires=%5B%5D&produces=%5B%22Infinite%20death%20triggers%22%2C%22Infinite%20creature%20ETB%22%2C%22Infinite%20creature%20LTB%22%2C%22Infinite%20creature%20sacrifice%20triggers%22%5D&id=713-3575&color=G&extraRequirementCount=2"></script></div>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="." width="0" height="0"></iframe><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Surrak and Goreclaw|FDC|231"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aerie Ouphes"></div></div></p>
<p>We'd want to sacrifice Aerie Ouphes with its ability targeting an opponents' (or our own, if we had any) flying creature. The Ouphes' persist trigger brings it back with a -1/-1 counter, which is then nullified by Surrak and Goreclaw's gift of a +1+1 counter. We can repeat this for as long as there's a flying creature to target. And if <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Verdant Sun&#039;s Avatar|FDC|239" href="#" target="_blank">Verdant Sun&#039;s Avatar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is on the battlefield to see it, that means we gain a ton of life in the process.</p>
<p>For something a little more straightforward (and useful), there's also an easy combo we can add to make use of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Llanowar Tribe|FDC|214" href="#" target="_blank">Llanowar Tribe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>:</p>
<div id="305-2816" style="width: 100%; position: relative; overflow: visible; display: flex; justify-content: center;"><img decoding="async" id="csbLoad" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/images/gear.svg" alt="csb logo" width="300" /><br />
<script id="305-2816" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/embed.js?v=1&uses=%5B%22Umbral%20Mantle%22%2C%22Llanowar%20Tribe%22%5D&requires=%5B%5D&produces=%5B%22Infinitely%20large%20creature%20until%20end%20of%20turn%22%5D&id=305-2816&color=G&extraRequirementCount=1"></script></div>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="." width="0" height="0"></iframe></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Umbral Mantle"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Llanowar Tribe|FDC|214"></div></div>
<p>Adding Umbral Mantle and attaching it to Llanowar Tribe means that their ability to produce three mana goes infinite with the Mantle's untap ability. While the combo's net-neutral in terms of mana production (unless we swap out Llanowar Tribe with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fanatic of Rhonas" href="#" target="_blank">Fanatic of Rhonas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which we'll get to in a moment), it does produce an infinitely large Llanowar Tribe, and who wouldn't want that?</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


<p>Mana rocks (artifacts that tap for mana) are seldom used in a <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/mono-green">Mono-Green</a> list, but there's a few worth noting. That said, there are some lands worth discussing, too.</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhonas&#039;s Monument|FDC|281" href="#" target="_blank">Rhonas&#039;s Monument</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Not a mana rock, <em>per se</em>, but it makes it easier to cast our big, scary creatures. When we do, we get to give a creature already in play +2/+2 and trample, which is a good rate. One of the few mana rocks I'd run here.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mosswort Bridge|FDC|307" href="#" target="_blank">Mosswort Bridge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Yes, we exile a card to the hideaway trigger, meaning it'd be gone forever, but we can cast it if we fulfill the condition. Fortunately, that condition is very easy to fulfill in this deck. Our commander alone enables it, but a small group of big creatures can do it, too.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Witch&#039;s Clinic|FDC|318" href="#" target="_blank">Witch&#039;s Clinic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Like I said earlier, this will be a slow deck to play, and our faster opponents will be hitting us with their creatures. Giving one of our big creatures lifelink ensures we can make up for being as slow as we are.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rogue&#039;s Passage|FDC|310" href="#" target="_blank">Rogue&#039;s Passage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Want to ensure something gets through (like, I don't know, a certain 12/12 commander?)? Look no further. We do have to pay four mana, which is more than you'd think. While trample is a form of evasion, if we really wanted to push through commander damage, this is the way.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rhonas&#039;s Monument|FDC|281"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mosswort Bridge|FDC|307"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Witch&#039;s Clinic|FDC|318"></div></div>


<p>As with every precon, they're the foundations from which we can make something our own. But first, we need to cut some cards. Here's the first five I recommend.</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commander&#039;s Sphere|FDC|250" href="#" target="_blank">Commander&#039;s Sphere</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: If I must explain why for the fourth or fifth time: we can do much better. Even more so than usual, since we're in green.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arasta of the Endless Web|FDC|188" href="#" target="_blank">Arasta of the Endless Web</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: She's not a big monster, and we're not likely to get as many tokens as we'd like.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clifftop Lookout|FDC|195" href="#" target="_blank">Clifftop Lookout</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While this does give us a land, we can do better for three mana. Much better.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rishkar, Peema Renegade|FDC|225" href="#" target="_blank">Rishkar, Peema Renegade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: He's more at home in a +1/+1 Counters deck, not here.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Paradise Druid|FDC|219" href="#" target="_blank">Paradise Druid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Even among mana dorks we can do better, and she's not always hexproof, so if we tap her for mana, she'll lose the ability.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arasta of the Endless Web|FDC|188"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Clifftop Lookout|FDC|195"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Paradise Druid|FDC|219"></div></div>
<p>There's a ton of sweet budget options in green, especially under $5 (at time of writing). I'd choose the following:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cultivate" href="#" target="_blank">Cultivate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: If I were to pick a three mana ramp spell for being iconic, this would be it (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kodama&#039;s Reach" href="#" target="_blank">Kodama&#039;s Reach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, too).</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Majestic Genesis" href="#" target="_blank">Majestic Genesis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Eight mana, reveal top 12, and get a chance at slamming a bunch of scary creatures into play? Yes please!</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Return of the Wildspeaker" href="#" target="_blank">Return of the Wildspeaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rishkar&#039;s Expertise|FDC|226" href="#" target="_blank">Rishkar&#039;s Expertise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but we don't get to cast anything off it. We do get to cast it at instant speed, which is even better.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Selvala, Heart of the Wilds" href="#" target="_blank">Selvala, Heart of the Wilds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: That's going to be a lot of mana. Getting potentially 12 mana is an absurd rate. Go nuts. And we're also likely the ones to get drawing cards off that trigger.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wayward Swordtooth" href="#" target="_blank">Wayward Swordtooth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: A three-mana Dinosaur that allows us to make an additional land drop on our turns is nothing to scoff at. Once we get the City's Blessing (a reminder thing that sticks with us for the rest of the game), we have a 5/5 that can start swinging or blocking.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cultivate"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Majestic Genesis"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wayward Swordtooth"></div></div>
<p>Perhaps, instead, you planted some money trees and want to get spendy. Here's my five choices to add.</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heroic Intervention" href="#" target="_blank">Heroic Intervention</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: We have a bunch of protection spells in the deck (like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tamiyo&#039;s Safekeeping|FDC|233" href="#" target="_blank">Tamiyo&#039;s Safekeeping</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>), but this protects our entire board at two mana. A green essential, if you like.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fanatic of Rhonas" href="#" target="_blank">Fanatic of Rhonas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Sure, it starts out as a mana dork, but one big creature later, than this can tap for four. Perhaps one of the easier way to get our commander out.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Skullspore Nexus" href="#" target="_blank">The Skullspore Nexus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghalta, Primal Hunger|FDC|8" href="#" target="_blank">Ghalta, Primal Hunger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we can quickly get this out. Then, when each creature dies, we get a big Dinosaur. Also, that activated ability with Ghalta can kill out of nowhere.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gwenna, Eyes of Gaea" href="#" target="_blank">Gwenna, Eyes of Gaea</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: For three mana, we're tapping for two, but only for creature spells and their activated abilities. If we cast a creature that costs five or more, we can untap her and do it again.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Great Henge" href="#" target="_blank">The Great Henge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Like Skullspore and Ghalta, this will easily come down. Once it does, it ramps us, and draws us a card when we have a nontoken creature enter. It does everything, quite literally (except remove stuff).</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Skullspore Nexus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Great Henge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fanatic of Rhonas"></div></div>
<p>Lastly, if you want to take this deck to Bracket 3, then my top recommendation is to load up on the mana dorks and try to make our ramp spells cost two or less as much as we can. As for Game Changers, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Worldly Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Worldly Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Natural Order" href="#" target="_blank">Natural Order</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> both let you search for creatures needed. The former is an instant, but will put it on top of your library while the latter has you sacrifice a creature to tutor. For your third one, look no further than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gaea&#039;s Cradle" href="#" target="_blank">Gaea&#039;s Cradle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can potentially tap for more mana than we know what to do with.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Worldly Tutor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Natural Order"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gaea&#039;s Cradle"></div></div>


<p>For a newer player, this is an excellent starting point. Green tends to be a very easy color for those new to the game to master, and this precon doesn't disappoint. For the experienced player, while they are likely to have some of these cards, it doesn't hurt to pick this up to help begin their own <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghalta, Primal Hunger" href="#" target="_blank">Ghalta, Primal Hunger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> build.</p>
<p>For this precon, I give it a solid, enthusiastic A all around. There's beauty in simplicity, and this precon exemplifies that.</p>


Tramplesaurus Rex - Foundations Precon Guide

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mathemagics" href="#" target="_blank">Mathemagics</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/liiga_s_art/?hl=en">Liiga Smilshkalne</a></span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There’s a maxim in <em>Magic</em> that’s been popularized by the Professor of Tolarian Community College: “reading the card explains the card”. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a teacher, tutor, and college professor myself, I’d like to explore whether reading the card can do more than that. What if reading the cards could make you not just a better player, but a better student?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To this end, we’re going to explore the <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/fdn"><em>Foundations</em> preconstructed decks</a> from the perspective of an educator. We’ll look into the philosophies behind the standards from the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and use data to determine the educational value of the Foundations precons.</span></p>
<h2><b>What Defines a Text?</b></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Codie, Vociferous Codex"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the <a href="https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/testing-staff/changes">changes to the SAT recently</a>, the passages have gone from five passages with 11 questions each to 44 much-shorter passages, divided into two modules, the second of which is modular, meaning it adjusts in complexity to how the student did on the first module.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The standards from the NCTE give a range of text types, including classic, contemporary, and popular narratives, poems, songs, and plays.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But can <em>Magic</em> cards count as a text?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to the NCTE:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Broad reading also includes informational and academic texts, such as textbooks, lab manuals, papers, and reference materials; student-produced texts, including peer writing, journals, and student newspapers and literary magazines; technological resources, such as computer software, computer networks, databases, CD-ROMs, and laser disks; mass media and other visual texts, including films, selected television programs, magazines, and newspapers; socially significant oral and written texts, such as speeches, radio and television broadcasts, political documents, editorials, and advertisements; and everyday texts, such as letters, bulletin board notices, memos, and signs."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Suffice it to say, there’s plenty of leeway here to squeak them in. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">And, from my experience as an SAT tutor and proctor, I can attest that even Reddit posts have been used as texts.</span></p>
<h2><b>Foundations Precons as Texts</b></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Codie, Ravenous Codex"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With such a wide variety of texts, what makes a text SAT-worthy?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">SAT passages are renowned for their Lexile Level, a standardized measurement that evaluates both a reader's comprehension ability and a text's difficulty on the same scale. It works by evaluating a text’s complexity by looking at sentence and word length.</span></p>
<h2><b>Examples of Lexile Levels</b></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Venerated Teacher"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So, what do these Lexile Levels mean? And what do they look like?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>The Scarlet Letter</em>, often taught in High Schools, ranks at 1400L. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery</em> is often read by Middle Schoolers and ranks at 700L.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>The Magic School Bus Inside the Earth</em> is often read by Upper Elementary Schoolers and ranks at 500L. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">SAT Passages wind up just under <em>The Scarlet Letter</em>, averaging 1050L.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So how do the Foundations Precons rate? And how do they compare to an SAT passage?</span></p>
<h2><b>Foundations Precons Lexile Levels</b></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Level Up"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In order to get an accurate read on the Lexile Levels of each <em>Foundations</em> precon, I plugged every card into Scryfall and copied and pasted every card’s rules and flavor text into a Lexile converter app, which gave a readout that I logged in a spreadsheet. I did this for all 100 cards in all 5 precons. It was a <em>lot</em> of work.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here’s what I found:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Calling All Angels</em> had an average Lexile Level of 864.49L, including basic lands. This means that reading every single card in the deck is the equivalent of reading a high Middle School or low High School book. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But that’s a bit misleading. You see, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plains" href="#" target="_blank">Plains</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has a Lexile score of 720L, which is well below the average. In fact, there are six cards in the precon with Lexile scores over 1000L, including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Segovian Angel" href="#" target="_blank">Segovian Angel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which has a Lexile score over the SAT average, at 1109L.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Keen Engineering</em> is a bit higher, with an average Lexile Level of 887.9. It has 17 cards over 1000L, highlighted by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Darksteel Juggernaut" href="#" target="_blank">Darksteel Juggernaut</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Foundry Inspector" href="#" target="_blank">Foundry Inspector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Whirler Rogue" href="#" target="_blank">Whirler Rogue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all at or over 1040L, really close to the SAT average.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Wretched Ranks</em> has the lowest Lexile Level, at 858.4L. It only has nine cards over 1000L, and none over the SAT average.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Reign of Dragons</em> has the highest average Lexile Level, at 891.3. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Firespitter Whelp" href="#" target="_blank">Firespitter Whelp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragonlord&#039;s Servant" href="#" target="_blank">Dragonlord&#039;s Servant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> both have Lexile Levels at or above 1040, but none above the SAT average.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finally, <em>Tramplesaurus Rex</em> has an average Lexile Level of 871.2, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thrashing Brontodon" href="#" target="_blank">Thrashing Brontodon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> above the SAT average at 1055, but it’s dwarfed by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Regal Imperiosaur" href="#" target="_blank">Regal Imperiosaur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>’s whopping 1136, which is the highest Lexile Level of any card in the Precons.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Verdict: the precons might not be SAT level, but they are great help for those struggling with reading comprehension. And if it seems like someone is struggling to understand what their cards do or say, bear this in mind.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Regal Imperiosaur"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Darksteel Juggernaut"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Segovian Angel"></div></div>
<h2><b>Foundations Precons as Math Texts</b></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mathemagics"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But the <em>Foundations</em> precons aren’t just helpful in reading, they’re also really interesting sources for developing math fluency.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The NCTM has both Content and Process Standards, which apply across the grades. The Content Standards include: Number &amp; Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, and Data Analysis &amp; Probability. The Process Standards include: Problem Solving, Reasoning &amp; Proof, Communication, Connections, and Representation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So which apply to the <em>Foundations</em> precons?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While there are some that can apply but are a bit of a stretch to see in the average game, like Algebra and Communication, and some that are evident by virtue of the analogical reasoning, like Connections, others can be more tangibly proven.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In particular, we’re going to look at Number &amp; Operations from the Content Standards and Problem Solving from the Process Standards.</span></p>
<h2><b>Number &amp; Operations in the Foundations Precons</b></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Osgood, Operation Double"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On the base level, <em>Magic</em> involves a lot of numbers, like the amount of mana in the mana pool, the cost of a spell, the power and toughness of a creature, life totals, commander damage, and more. Heck, the trample keyword is in the name of one of the precons, and it requires knowing the total attacking power and the toughness needed to inflict lethal damage. Two of the decks feature flying prominently, so the amount of blockable damage becomes relevant.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So number sense is integral to playing a game of Commander with these precons. But what about Operations?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to telling what the numbers are, players need to do a lot of adding and subtracting on the fly. Players add mana to the mana pool, subtract mana to pay for spells, add up total attacking damage, subtract what can’t be blocked, subtract unblocked damage from life totals, compare attacking power with defending toughness, determine if a creature’s toughness reaches zero…and that’s a pretty basic turn.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And that’s all in a player’s head.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So yeah, <em>Magic</em> is an amazing game for developing number sense and working through basic mathematical operations, and that’s without factoring in the amount of multiplying effects that have been printed recently.</span></p>
<p>In fact, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Endless Ranks of the Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Endless Ranks of the Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, from <em>Wretched Ranks</em>, uses division, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unnatural Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Unnatural Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in <em>Tramplesaurus</em> uses multiplication.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But does <em>Magic</em> help with Problem Solving?</span></p>
<h2><b>The Foundations Precons and Problem Solving.</b></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Don &amp; Leo, Problem Solvers"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are a bevy of decisions that a player makes over the course of a game: do I attack? With how many creatures? And what happens on the crack back?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We will focus on cards that make players have to make decisions. What modes to use, and when, are key to determining how prevalent problem solving is.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Calling All Angels</em> has tons of decisions to make over the course of a game.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Angel of the Ruins" href="#" target="_blank">Angel of the Ruins</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes the player choose whether to cast it or plainscycle it. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sephara, Sky&#039;s Blade" href="#" target="_blank">Sephara, Sky&#039;s Blade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes the player choose whether to cast it for its mana cost or its alternate cost. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Austere Command" href="#" target="_blank">Austere Command</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cleansing Nova" href="#" target="_blank">Cleansing Nova</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> both make the player determine which board wipe to use to affect opponents while protecting their own board. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Destroy Evil" href="#" target="_blank">Destroy Evil</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Valorous Stance" href="#" target="_blank">Valorous Stance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> have multiple modes, including what to destroy and whether to destroy or protect.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Austere Command"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sephara, Sky&#039;s Blade"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Angel of the Ruins"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Keen Engineering</em> has a bevy of choices to make, mostly related to instant-speed spells and activated abilities. How and when to tap becomes integral to playing the deck properly. But there are also cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Misleading Signpost" href="#" target="_blank">Misleading Signpost</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which make the player reselect where attackers are going, resulting in some tough decisions.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Wretched Ranks</em> has some interesting choices, like what to sacrifice and when. But <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sign in Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Sign in Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Consumed by Greed" href="#" target="_blank">Consumed by Greed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are juicy choices. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sign in Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Sign in Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be card draw, a political tool, or even a win condition. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Consumed by Greed" href="#" target="_blank">Consumed by Greed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets the player gift a card to an opponent, leading to some interesting decision trees.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Misleading Signpost"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sign in Blood"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Consumed by Greed"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Reign of Dragons</em> has a variety of abilities to use when <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Atsushi, the Blazing Sky" href="#" target="_blank">Atsushi, the Blazing Sky</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> dies, as well as which mode to choose on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Outpost Siege" href="#" target="_blank">Outpost Siege</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and what to pitch to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thrill of Possibility" href="#" target="_blank">Thrill of Possibility</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unexpected Windfall" href="#" target="_blank">Unexpected Windfall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finally, <em>Tramplesaurus Rex</em> might seem like it has a simple plan, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elder Gargaroth" href="#" target="_blank">Elder Gargaroth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> comes with a suite of choices and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Collective Resistance" href="#" target="_blank">Collective Resistance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can find any number of solid targets.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Every deck comes built in with a variety of problems to solve, from those that naturally arise over the course of a game to those that come up intentionally because of the specific card choices. All of these choices involve problem solving skills to parse.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Outpost Siege"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elder Gargaroth"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Collective Resistance"></div></div>
<h2><b>Conclusion</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So…do the <em>Foundations</em> precons have tangible educational value?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Well, the reading level isn’t quite to SAT level, but it is at the High School level, which is enough to be challenging. Heck, even adults can learn a lot from reading the cards!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They require number sense and use of basic mathematical operations, so they’re definitely challenging. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">They also challenge problem-solving skills with a range of choices, intended and otherwise.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Overall, I’d say that, yes, they are relevant tools for educators and a solid way to work on skills students need to be successful.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But they don’t replace schoolwork.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sorry, kids.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But what do YOU think about the Foundations Precons as learning tools? And how has Magic helped you with Reading and Math?</span></p>


The Educator's Guide to the Foundations Precons

<p><em>Calling All Angels </em>is a new beginner Commander preconstructed deck associated with <em>Foundations </em>and released Oct. 2, 2026. What's in the deck, who are the commanders, and is it a good buy?</p>
<p>Let's find out.</p>


https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/foundationscommanderheaderANGELS.png

<p>The <i>Calling All Angels</i> Commander deck contains the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>1 Ready-to-play 100-card Commander deck</li>
<li>1 Traditional foil face commander with borderless art</li>
<li>99 Non-foil cards</li>
<li>10 Non-foil double-sided tokens</li>
<li>1 Reference card</li>
<li>1 Deck box</li>
</ul>


<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giada, Font of Hope|FDC|4" href="#" target="_blank">Giada, Font of Hope</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Giada, Font of Hope|FDC|4"></div></div>
<p>Giada enters the battlefield early in the game, providing us with the mana (by tapping her, so turn the card sideways) we need to help casting our big Angels. In addition, her first ability will trigger for each Angel that enters while she's out. This means our creatures will eventually get huge, and we can attack to take the win.</p>
<p>Like lots of other Angels, Giada can fly, but what really carries her card outside of her abilities is vigilance. We can use her to attack someone, then use the mana ability later in the turn (which, to note, can only be used to cast our Angel spells).</p>
<p>Giada so happens to be <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/angels">the most popular Angel commander</a> we have available (as of time of writing), so there's little worry about anything better than her. The fact that she can be cast early means that we're more likely to cast her over and over again.</p>


<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Norn&#039;s Choirmaster|FDC|41" href="#" target="_blank">Norn&#039;s Choirmaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Norn&#039;s Choirmaster|FDC|41"></div></div>
<p>In the context of this deck, our commander entering or attacking means that we can get even more counters, making our creatures bigger. Those counters will be aplenty, so there's plenty of counters to proliferate. Before this precon, it had been carrying a bit of a high price tag, so it's nice to see it here.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Court of Grace|FDC|21" href="#" target="_blank">Court of Grace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Court of Grace|FDC|21"></div></div>
<p>Monarch is such a fun mechanic in that it forces games to go faster, with less worry about attacking. As a bonus for being the monarch, we get a free Angel token (and a Soldier token if we're not), so it adds to our Angel synergies while rewarding us for keeping that crown on our heads.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="War Room|FDC|317" href="#" target="_blank">War Room</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="War Room|FDC|317"></div></div>
<p>If there's something mono-white is infamous for, it's a lack of ramp and card draw. War Room (and a favorite of mine, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tome of Legends" href="#" target="_blank">Tome of Legends</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) will go a long way to help us keep our hand stocked up. These two teach us that colorless sources are sometimes the best way to fill in the gaps a color has.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archangel of Tithes|FDC|17" href="#" target="_blank">Archangel of Tithes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archangel of Tithes|FDC|17"></div></div>
<p>Costing triple of one color is normally rough, but mono-color decks can handle it. In this case, this creature can either make it difficult to attack us or block. The best way to improve the creature is to give it vigilance to ensure it'll be more difficult for us to be attacked.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exemplar of Light|FDC|28" href="#" target="_blank">Exemplar of Light</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Exemplar of Light|FDC|28"></div></div>
<p>While it's the most recent card in our list, it also teaches us of the various themes that can intersect each other. Angel decks are known to have a good amount of incidental life gain, which gives the Exemplar counters, and we get a card for that. No life gain? Then that's what our commander is for: a shortcut to draw that card.</p>


<p>The plan with this deck is to get <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giada, Font of Hope" href="#" target="_blank">Giada, Font of Hope</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> out early, so we can start casting our Angels, then using Giada to bolster them with +1/+1 counters and start attacking opponents.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Starnheim Aspirant|FDC|51"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lyra Dawnbringer|FDC|38"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reya Dawnbringer|FDC|42"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Starnheim Aspirant|FDC|51" href="#" target="_blank">Starnheim Aspirant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While Giada helps us pay costs for Angels, she can only give us one mana. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Starnheim Aspirant" href="#" target="_blank">Starnheim Aspirant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides greater reach, making our Angels cost two fewer generic mana. The catch is that she only reduces the generic mana cost, not the color pips (something Giada helps with). It also comes down early, so we can get that discount, assuming we draw into it. This is one benefit of having Giada in the command zone: she's always there, provided we have the mana to cast her.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lyra Dawnbringer|FDC|38" href="#" target="_blank">Lyra Dawnbringer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: One of our better Angels in the deck. For five mana, she comes with an assortment of valuable keywords on top of a 5/5 stat line. She also improves the stats of other Angels we have and gives them lifelink, allowing us to stay in the game longer (unless commander damage is involved). She acts as one of our mid-game Angels, meaning she can be cast earlier than some of our more heavy-costed creatures.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reya Dawnbringer|FDC|42" href="#" target="_blank">Reya Dawnbringer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: One of those aforementioned expensive Angels, Reya isn't going to be punching someone anytime soon. That said, the real value lies in her ability, allowing us to return a fallen Angel from our graveyard to the battlefield. One cheeky way to dodge the commander tax is to put our commander in said graveyard if she dies, then we can bring her back on our next upkeep. Two things to note here: our commander will have summoning sickness, and it'll only delay bringing back much bigger targets as well.</p>


<p>There are no real combos in the list, as this deck is aimed at newer players (be it to the game or to Commander). That said, there are a few synergies here.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Exemplar of Light|FDC|28"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sephara, Sky&#039;s Blade|FDC|47"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Herald of War|FDC|34"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exemplar of Light|FDC|28" href="#" target="_blank">Exemplar of Light</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: I mentioned how <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giada, Font of Hope" href="#" target="_blank">Giada, Font of Hope</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (our commander) interacts with Exemplar. It'll get a counter from Giada on entry, drawing us a card. Also, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lyra Dawnbringer" href="#" target="_blank">Lyra Dawnbringer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> out, Exemplar will get lifelink, allowing us to draw a card when it deals (combat) damage.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sephara, Sky&#039;s Blade|FDC|47" href="#" target="_blank">Sephara, Sky&#039;s Blade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Another big Angel, but with some nifty uses. We can cheat the casting cost with her alternate cost, but the real synergy is casting a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Day of Judgment" href="#" target="_blank">Day of Judgment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This will protect all of our big flyers, but not Sephara herself, so she will die, but the rest of our board won't. We can always pull her out of the graveyard with certain effects.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Herald of War|FDC|34" href="#" target="_blank">Herald of War</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Another cost reducer, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Starnheim Aspirant" href="#" target="_blank">Starnheim Aspirant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> earlier, but this actually grows with more +1/+1 counters on the Herald. With Giada in play, we can cast this first with one or two Angels, putting counters on the Herald, meaning we don't have to attack to start dropping more of them (but let's be honest, we're still going to attack with it anyway, as it will be big).</p>


<p>A few lands and mana rocks (artifacts that give us mana) in this list are worth noting as well, starting with the latter.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Patchwork Banner|FDC|279"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Seraph Sanctuary|FDC|313"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Patchwork Banner|FDC|279" href="#" target="_blank">Patchwork Banner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While it does give us one mana, it also buffs our creatures of any type we choose by +1/+1 (we're choosing Angels here). It doesn't mean much, considering our creatures are already a considerable size, but that small buff can make a difference. Even one of something can make a huge difference in a game, and the Banner's no different.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heraldic Banner|FDC|263" href="#" target="_blank">Heraldic Banner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: However, if you want to take a more aggressive approach, this particular banner will do. We lose giving our creatures a point of toughness, but we choose a color instead of a creature type, meaning all of our white creatures get the boost.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bonders&#039; Enclave|FDC|297" href="#" target="_blank">Bonders&#039; Enclave</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Much like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="War Room" href="#" target="_blank">War Room</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> before it, we get card draw on a land. Don't be afraid to utilize colorless sources for ramp and draw when you need them, because not every color covers these things (this applies to removal, too). On the plus side, since our Angels will have a power of four or greater, we can draw a card here. It'll be very likely that we do.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seraph Sanctuary|FDC|313" href="#" target="_blank">Seraph Sanctuary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Gaining one life when it comes in or when an Angel enters doesn't do a lot, but what it does do is trigger cards that benefit from life gain, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exemplar of Light" href="#" target="_blank">Exemplar of Light</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vanguard Seraph" href="#" target="_blank">Vanguard Seraph</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. When looking to upgrade the deck, be on the look out for such effects.</p>


<h3>The First Five Cuts</h3>
<p>Speaking of upgrades, there's always room to upgrade each precon, and this one is no different. To begin our journey to upgrade the deck, here's some cards I'd suggest cutting.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Linvala, the Preserver|FDC|37"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Exorcise|FDC|29"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sunblast Angel|FDC|52"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Linvala, the Preserver|FDC|37" href="#" target="_blank">Linvala, the Preserver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: We'd have to be seriously behind for us to maximize her potential, and for six mana, that's asking a bit much. On that note, there is another, much better version of Linvala we're going to add. I'll get to her in a few moments.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Invoke the Divine|FDC|36" href="#" target="_blank">Invoke the Divine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: There are much better effects for similar mana cost, including ones that exile, meaning the troublesome artifact or enchantment is gone for the rest of the game.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunblast Angel|FDC|52" href="#" target="_blank">Sunblast Angel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: I count four board wipes in the precon, which I feel is too much. Besides, she's the worst one because she only hits tapped creatures, and for six mana, we can do better.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commander&#039;s Sphere" href="#" target="_blank">Commander&#039;s Sphere</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: There's better ramp out there, even among artifacts. Sacrificing it to draw a card is nice, but it's not doing much lifting here.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exorcise" href="#" target="_blank">Exorcise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Again, there's better removal out there. Also, this is a sorcery, which is not ideal (removal spells are at their best if they're instants).</p>
<h3>Budget Upgrades</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Valkyrie Harbinger"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Serra the Benevolent"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sigarda&#039;s Vanguard"></div></div>
<p>Below are five cards I'd add if I were upgrading these on a budget (Up to $5 at time of writing).</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Path to Exile" href="#" target="_blank">Path to Exile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Generous Gift" href="#" target="_blank">Generous Gift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: I grouped these two together because they fulfill the same function: better removal. Path will permanently get rid of a troublesome creature, but your opponent gets to put a basic land from their library onto the battlefield tapped. That's okay, because it's better than being trampled by some indestructible creature. Meanwhile, the Gift will get rid of any permanent, and the 3/3 your opponent will get is a lot easier to deal with, especially with our bigger creatures.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Valkyrie Harbinger" href="#" target="_blank">Valkyrie Harbinger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: We're going to be gaining life, and we make an Angel token once we hit that threshold. Even better is that she's a four-power creature with lifelink, so she can trigger that ability by herself. For a similar effect, you could also run <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Angelic Accord" href="#" target="_blank">Angelic Accord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but the token won't have vigilance.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Serra the Benevolent" href="#" target="_blank">Serra the Benevolent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: The lone planeswalker we're adding actually works with our Angels, giving them an easy buff. Meanwhile, the second ability gets us a token similar to what the above Valkyrie is making. The final ability, if we can get there (planeswalkers are prime targets that draw opponents' attention), ensures that we never die so as long as we have a creature in play. Note that this doesn't protect us against loss of life, so be careful.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigarda&#039;s Vanguard" href="#" target="_blank">Sigarda&#039;s Vanguard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Don't let this quirky Angel fool you. She has flash, meaning we can cast her any time, and we get her trigger when she comes in or attacks. Giving double strike to three different creatures with different powers (like, for example, a creature that has 2, 3, or 4 power respectively) is sure to scare the daylights out of an unprepared opponent. However, five mana is a lot to hold up, so be mindful of that.</p>
<h3>Luxury Upgrades</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archangel of Thune"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pearl Medallion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Avacyn, Angel of Hope"></div></div>
<p>Now, if you've got money growing on trees, then these five cards are worth looking into.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archangel of Thune" href="#" target="_blank">Archangel of Thune</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Remember when I said to look out for cards that trigger on life gain? This is what I meant. Even a single point of life means our board gets huge, especially if it's in rapid succession. Our board will grow very big, very fast under her influence.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pearl Medallion" href="#" target="_blank">Pearl Medallion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Ensuring that all of our white spells cost one less generic mana is stellar, and all for two mana as well.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Resplendent Angel" href="#" target="_blank">Resplendent Angel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Like I said above with Valkyrie Harbinger, we can make more Angels with flying and vigilance, but that's not all. While both (and Angelic Accord) trigger on each end step, Resplendent Angel can pump herself with the activated ability, and give herself lifelink, ensuring that we get her end step trigger. Even better if our commander put enough counters on her.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Avacyn, Angel of Hope" href="#" target="_blank">Avacyn, Angel of Hope</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Eight mana is a lot, but Avacyn's very worth it. She's indestructible, so "destroy" effect and damage can't send her away, but she grants that to every permanent we control, too. All with a 8/8 flying and vigilance package. One of the best upgrades you can make.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Herald&#039;s Horn" href="#" target="_blank">Herald&#039;s Horn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: A cost reducer and a chance to draw a card if we reveal an Angel on our upkeep is not a bad rate. This helps with the two things white tends to struggle with: ramp and draw.</p>
<h3>Going into Bracket 3</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Teferi&#039;s Protection"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Farewell"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Smothering Tithe"></div></div>
<p>Perhaps you want much faster games, and play under Bracket 3 instead? Here's some advice I can give you.</p>
<p>For Game Changers, I'd look into <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teferi&#039;s Protection" href="#" target="_blank">Teferi&#039;s Protection</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which shields our entire board (and ourselves) for a turn. Perfect to stop a lethal attack or to protect from a board wipe. To help with ramping, we can always run <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Smothering Tithe" href="#" target="_blank">Smothering Tithe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which will give us a lot of treasures over time. Lastly, there's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Farewell" href="#" target="_blank">Farewell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which wipes out literally everything on board, but note that this hits us as well, so time it right.</p>
<p>To go faster, we'll want to cut out a lot of the more expensive cards and shoot for a lower curve. The Linvala I mentioned, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Linvala, Keeper of Silence" href="#" target="_blank">Linvala, Keeper of Silence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a good example of this. Low-costing Angels are at a premium, so I'd be focusing on adding those. Perhaps run some Changelings, too (since they act as every creature type).</p>


<p>To conclude our tour of the precon, this is a pretty good buy for a new player, offering a straightforward strategy as a gateway into the game (or the format). For an experienced player looking for a template for an Angel deck, this precon isn't a bad place to begin. All this on top of the reprint value being pretty good for the $29.99 asking price (do not pay markups!).</p>
<p>I'd give this deck a B+/A-. There are some obvious holes, but they're easily patched. This is still a really good starting point for an Angels deck, and likely our best for a long time.</p>


fdc

Tramplesaurus Rex - Foundations Precon Guide

The Educator's Guide to the Foundations Precons

Calling All Angels - Foundations Precon Guide