Kess, Dissident Mage (Commander) - Optimized Spellslinger

Kess, Dissident Mage
Rank #311
101decks
As CommanderAs CardAverage DeckDecksView Precon
Bracket
All12345
Budget
Any$$$$
Julia Maddalena
May 1, 2026
Julia Maddalena
Fire and Ice: Kess, Dissident Mage
In this edition of Fire and Ice, we're looking at one of the classic Grixis Spellslinger commanders: Kess, Dissident Mage.
Deck Filters
Cardsphere
Archidekt
Commander Spellbook
Moxfield
Scryfall
MTGStocks
New Cards
Top Cards
High Lift Cards
Creatures
Instants
Sorceries
Utility Artifacts
Enchantments
Planeswalkers
Utility Lands
Mana Artifacts
Lands
Back to Top
Samut, Tyrant of Naktamun
23%inclusion3 decks13 decks
3.0xlift
Turbulent Wetlands
14%inclusion2 decks14 decks
5.6xlift
Geist of Saint Thalia
11%inclusion2 decks18 decks
1.5xlift
Glamdring, Foe-hammer
11%inclusion3 decks28 decks
2.2xlift
Wizard's Staff
10%inclusion3 decks29 decks
0.6xlift
Top Cards
Dark Ritual
79%inclusion80 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Frantic Search
69%inclusion70 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Brainstorm
63%inclusion64 decks101 decks
1.4xlift
Demonic Tutor
63%inclusion64 decks101 decks
1.3xlift
Mystical Tutor
62%inclusion63 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Counterspell
62%inclusion63 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Storm-Kiln Artist
61%inclusion62 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Cyclonic Rift
61%inclusion62 decks101 decks
1.4xlift
Ponder
60%inclusion61 decks101 decks
2.5xlift
Faithless Looting
60%inclusion61 decks101 decks
2.3xlift
High Lift Cards
See the Truth
22%inclusion22 decks101 decks
9.3xlift
Insult // Injury
5.9%inclusion6 decks101 decks
9.0xlift
Jace, Vryn's Prodigy
6.9%inclusion7 decks101 decks
8.2xlift
Jace, the Mind Sculptor
5.9%inclusion6 decks101 decks
6.3xlift
Final Parting
6.9%inclusion7 decks101 decks
5.7xlift
Doomsday
11%inclusion11 decks101 decks
5.0xlift
Secrets of the Dead
13%inclusion13 decks101 decks
4.7xlift
Swarm Intelligence
6.9%inclusion7 decks101 decks
4.3xlift
Jace, Wielder of Mysteries
12%inclusion12 decks101 decks
4.2xlift
Baral, Chief of Compliance
42%inclusion42 decks101 decks
4.2xlift
Creatures
Archmage Emeritus
50%inclusion51 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Goblin Electromancer
40%inclusion40 decks101 decks
1.7xlift
Nightscape Familiar
38%inclusion38 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Thassa's Oracle
34%inclusion34 decks101 decks
2.2xlift
Guttersnipe
32%inclusion32 decks101 decks
1.8xlift
Snapcaster Mage
28%inclusion28 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Notion Thief
28%inclusion28 decks101 decks
2.3xlift
Vivi Ornitier
26%inclusion24 decks91 decks
0.9xlift
Dualcaster Mage
23%inclusion23 decks101 decks
0.6xlift
Birgi, God of Storytelling
22%inclusion22 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Hexing Squelcher
22%inclusion15 decks69 decks
0.8xlift
Spellseeker
20%inclusion20 decks101 decks
2.1xlift
Talrand, Sky Summoner
20%inclusion20 decks101 decks
3.1xlift
Orcish Bowmasters
19%inclusion19 decks101 decks
0.6xlift
Veyran, Voice of Duality
17%inclusion17 decks101 decks
0.5xlift
Sedgemoor Witch
16%inclusion16 decks101 decks
2.2xlift
Stormcatch Mentor
16%inclusion16 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Opposition Agent
15%inclusion15 decks101 decks
1.7xlift
Cormela, Glamour Thief
15%inclusion15 decks101 decks
2.0xlift
Coruscation Mage
15%inclusion15 decks101 decks
2.0xlift
Laboratory Maniac
13%inclusion13 decks101 decks
1.8xlift
Black Waltz No. 3
12%inclusion11 decks91 decks
1.3xlift
Kuja, Genome Sorcerer
11%inclusion10 decks91 decks
1.1xlift
Niv-Mizzet, Parun
11%inclusion11 decks101 decks
1.5xlift
Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer
11%inclusion11 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Young Pyromancer
11%inclusion11 decks101 decks
2.1xlift
Exalted Flamer of Tzeentch
11%inclusion11 decks101 decks
2.8xlift
Thunderclap Drake
11%inclusion11 decks101 decks
2.4xlift
Faerie Mastermind
11%inclusion11 decks101 decks
0.6xlift
Displacer Kitten
10%inclusion10 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Ral, Monsoon Mage
10%inclusion10 decks101 decks
2.1xlift
Archmage of Runes
10%inclusion10 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Ledger Shredder
10%inclusion10 decks101 decks
2.1xlift
Gandalf, Goblins' Bane
10%inclusion3 decks31 decks
2.4xlift
Dragon's Rage Channeler
8.9%inclusion9 decks101 decks
1.6xlift
Harmonic Prodigy
8.9%inclusion9 decks101 decks
0.5xlift
Simian Spirit Guide
8.9%inclusion9 decks101 decks
0.8xlift
Urabrask
8.9%inclusion9 decks101 decks
2.4xlift
Ashling, Flame Dancer
8.9%inclusion9 decks101 decks
0.5xlift
Dauthi Voidwalker
8.9%inclusion9 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Pinnacle Monk
8.9%inclusion9 decks101 decks
0.9xlift
Electro, Assaulting Battery
8.6%inclusion7 decks81 decks
0.3xlift
Lier, Disciple of the Drowned
7.9%inclusion8 decks101 decks
2.0xlift
Emet-Selch of the Third Seat
7.7%inclusion7 decks91 decks
2.4xlift
Tomik, Izzet Sparkmage
7.7%inclusion1 decks13 decks
4.8xlift
Exhibition Tidecaller
7.1%inclusion4 decks56 decks
2.0xlift
Prismari, the Inspiration
7.1%inclusion4 decks56 decks
1.8xlift
Curse-Marred Demon
7.1%inclusion1 decks14 decks
7.1xlift
Electrostatic Field
6.9%inclusion7 decks101 decks
2.7xlift
Sheoldred, the Apocalypse
6.9%inclusion7 decks101 decks
0.8xlift
Instants
Vampiric Tutor
49%inclusion49 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Deflecting Swat
45%inclusion45 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Chaos Warp
44%inclusion44 decks101 decks
1.5xlift
Mana Drain
44%inclusion44 decks101 decks
1.6xlift
Fierce Guardianship
44%inclusion44 decks101 decks
0.9xlift
Lightning Bolt
42%inclusion42 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
An Offer You Can't Refuse
41%inclusion41 decks101 decks
0.8xlift
Cabal Ritual
41%inclusion41 decks101 decks
1.7xlift
Swan Song
41%inclusion41 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Consider
39%inclusion39 decks101 decks
2.0xlift
Force of Will
39%inclusion39 decks101 decks
1.3xlift
Seething Song
35%inclusion35 decks101 decks
0.8xlift
Increasing Vengeance
33%inclusion33 decks101 decks
3.0xlift
Arcane Denial
32%inclusion32 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Brain Freeze
31%inclusion31 decks101 decks
1.6xlift
Terminate
31%inclusion31 decks101 decks
1.6xlift
Fact or Fiction
30%inclusion30 decks101 decks
3.8xlift
Deadly Rollick
28%inclusion28 decks101 decks
0.7xlift
Demonic Consultation
28%inclusion28 decks101 decks
2.2xlift
Flusterstorm
27%inclusion27 decks101 decks
1.5xlift
Snap
27%inclusion27 decks101 decks
0.7xlift
Narset's Reversal
27%inclusion27 decks101 decks
0.7xlift
Gifts Ungiven
24%inclusion24 decks101 decks
1.5xlift
Opt
24%inclusion24 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Negate
23%inclusion23 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Force of Negation
22%inclusion22 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Thrill of Possibility
21%inclusion21 decks101 decks
0.7xlift
Rakdos Charm
21%inclusion21 decks101 decks
1.7xlift
Dramatic Reversal
21%inclusion21 decks101 decks
2.5xlift
Flame of Anor
21%inclusion21 decks101 decks
1.8xlift
Pact of Negation
21%inclusion21 decks101 decks
1.5xlift
Flashback
20%inclusion11 decks55 decks
0.8xlift
Entomb
20%inclusion20 decks101 decks
3.0xlift
Sink into Stupor
19%inclusion19 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Mana Sculpt
18%inclusion10 decks55 decks
2.5xlift
Abrade
17%inclusion17 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Tainted Pact
16%inclusion16 decks101 decks
2.1xlift
Lim-Dûl's Vault
15%inclusion15 decks101 decks
2.0xlift
Waterlogged Teachings
15%inclusion15 decks101 decks
0.5xlift
Withering Torment
15%inclusion15 decks101 decks
1.3xlift
Fell the Profane
14%inclusion14 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Reverberate
14%inclusion14 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Reality Shift
13%inclusion13 decks101 decks
1.9xlift
Pyroblast
13%inclusion13 decks101 decks
1.7xlift
Prismari Command
13%inclusion13 decks101 decks
0.9xlift
Pongify
12%inclusion12 decks101 decks
1.3xlift
Drown in the Loch
12%inclusion12 decks101 decks
3.5xlift
Ad Nauseam
12%inclusion12 decks101 decks
1.6xlift
Expansion // Explosion
12%inclusion12 decks101 decks
2.5xlift
Red Elemental Blast
12%inclusion12 decks101 decks
1.9xlift
Sorceries
Jeska's Will
59%inclusion60 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Windfall
55%inclusion56 decks101 decks
1.8xlift
Blasphemous Act
54%inclusion55 decks101 decks
1.7xlift
Preordain
51%inclusion52 decks101 decks
2.8xlift
Toxic Deluge
48%inclusion48 decks101 decks
1.9xlift
Gitaxian Probe
41%inclusion41 decks101 decks
2.9xlift
Reanimate
40%inclusion40 decks101 decks
1.6xlift
Mana Geyser
36%inclusion36 decks101 decks
1.8xlift
Vandalblast
31%inclusion31 decks101 decks
2.0xlift
Gamble
29%inclusion29 decks101 decks
1.3xlift
Torment of Hailfire
27%inclusion27 decks101 decks
2.0xlift
Feed the Swarm
25%inclusion25 decks101 decks
1.4xlift
Mizzix's Mastery
23%inclusion23 decks101 decks
1.8xlift
Wheel of Fortune
23%inclusion23 decks101 decks
1.7xlift
Expressive Iteration
23%inclusion23 decks101 decks
2.2xlift
Exsanguinate
21%inclusion21 decks101 decks
1.9xlift
Grapeshot
21%inclusion21 decks101 decks
1.6xlift
Damnation
20%inclusion20 decks101 decks
3.0xlift
Past in Flames
19%inclusion19 decks101 decks
1.5xlift
Crackle with Power
18%inclusion18 decks101 decks
1.3xlift
Chain of Smog
18%inclusion18 decks101 decks
3.6xlift
Serum Visions
16%inclusion16 decks101 decks
3.5xlift
Solve the Equation
16%inclusion16 decks101 decks
1.4xlift
Tendrils of Agony
15%inclusion15 decks101 decks
3.0xlift
Wheel of Misfortune
14%inclusion14 decks101 decks
2.3xlift
Yawgmoth's Will
13%inclusion13 decks101 decks
2.6xlift
Bonus Round
13%inclusion13 decks101 decks
1.4xlift
Grim Tutor
13%inclusion13 decks101 decks
1.9xlift
Dark Petition
12%inclusion12 decks101 decks
4.0xlift
Imperial Seal
11%inclusion11 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Night's Whisper
11%inclusion11 decks101 decks
2.8xlift
Rite of Flame
11%inclusion11 decks101 decks
1.3xlift
Stock Up
10%inclusion10 decks101 decks
1.3xlift
Boltwave
10%inclusion10 decks101 decks
2.7xlift
Flow State
9.1%inclusion5 decks55 decks
1.7xlift
Dark Deal
8.9%inclusion9 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Peer into the Abyss
7.9%inclusion8 decks101 decks
1.3xlift
Treasure Cruise
7.9%inclusion8 decks101 decks
2.3xlift
Time Warp
7.9%inclusion8 decks101 decks
1.4xlift
Rite of Replication
7.9%inclusion8 decks101 decks
2.1xlift
Steal the Show
7.3%inclusion4 decks55 decks
4.4xlift
Unearth
6.9%inclusion7 decks101 decks
2.2xlift
Blasphemous Edict
6.9%inclusion7 decks101 decks
2.6xlift
Circle of Power
6.6%inclusion6 decks91 decks
1.3xlift
Cornered by Black Mages
6.6%inclusion6 decks91 decks
1.2xlift
Vraska's Final Mercy
6.3%inclusion1 decks16 decks
13xlift
Cruel Ultimatum
5.9%inclusion6 decks101 decks
1.5xlift
Echo of Eons
5.9%inclusion6 decks101 decks
1.3xlift
Brass's Bounty
5.9%inclusion6 decks101 decks
2.5xlift
Whispering Madness
5.9%inclusion6 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Utility Artifacts
Isochron Scepter
23%inclusion23 decks101 decks
2.4xlift
The One Ring
22%inclusion22 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Bolas's Citadel
13%inclusion13 decks101 decks
1.5xlift
Primal Amulet
13%inclusion13 decks101 decks
3.5xlift
Aetherflux Reservoir
12%inclusion12 decks101 decks
2.9xlift
Wishclaw Talisman
12%inclusion12 decks101 decks
0.9xlift
Lightning Greaves
11%inclusion11 decks101 decks
0.3xlift
Sensei's Divining Top
7.9%inclusion8 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Lich's Relic
7.7%inclusion1 decks13 decks
7.5xlift
Wayfarer's Bauble
5.9%inclusion6 decks101 decks
2.0xlift
Mindsplice Apparatus
5.9%inclusion6 decks101 decks
1.5xlift
Swiftfoot Boots
5.9%inclusion6 decks101 decks
0.2xlift
Black Mage's Rod
5.5%inclusion5 decks91 decks
1.3xlift
Enchantments
Rhystic Study
48%inclusion48 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Underworld Breach
45%inclusion45 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Mystic Remora
39%inclusion39 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Thousand-Year Storm
36%inclusion36 decks101 decks
2.9xlift
Necropotence
22%inclusion22 decks101 decks
2.3xlift
Propaganda
11%inclusion11 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Fiery Inscription
10%inclusion10 decks101 decks
1.5xlift
Double Vision
7.9%inclusion8 decks101 decks
2.1xlift
Black Market Connections
5.9%inclusion6 decks101 decks
0.8xlift
Planeswalkers
Professor Onyx
26%inclusion26 decks101 decks
2.9xlift
Ral, Storm Conduit
25%inclusion25 decks101 decks
3.6xlift
Narset, Parter of Veils
12%inclusion12 decks101 decks
2.1xlift
Ral, Crackling Wit
11%inclusion11 decks101 decks
2.6xlift
Ashiok, Dream Render
6.9%inclusion7 decks101 decks
3.7xlift
Utility Lands
Reliquary Tower
33%inclusion33 decks101 decks
0.9xlift
Bojuka Bog
24%inclusion24 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Otawara, Soaring City
23%inclusion23 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
21%inclusion21 decks101 decks
1.4xlift
Mystic Sanctuary
19%inclusion19 decks101 decks
1.5xlift
Ancient Tomb
18%inclusion18 decks101 decks
0.8xlift
Mistrise Village
13%inclusion12 decks96 decks
0.7xlift
Lindblum, Industrial Regency
12%inclusion11 decks91 decks
1.2xlift
Cephalid Coliseum
11%inclusion11 decks101 decks
1.8xlift
Desolate Lighthouse
8.9%inclusion9 decks101 decks
3.0xlift
Riptide Laboratory
7.9%inclusion8 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Takenuma, Abandoned Mire
7.9%inclusion8 decks101 decks
1.3xlift
Temple of the False God
6.9%inclusion7 decks101 decks
2.0xlift
Boseiju, Who Shelters All
5.9%inclusion6 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Mana Artifacts
Sol Ring
92%inclusion93 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Arcane Signet
86%inclusion87 decks101 decks
0.9xlift
Talisman of Creativity
64%inclusion65 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Talisman of Dominance
61%inclusion62 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Talisman of Indulgence
48%inclusion48 decks101 decks
0.9xlift
Fellwar Stone
35%inclusion35 decks101 decks
0.8xlift
Dimir Signet
34%inclusion34 decks101 decks
1.3xlift
Izzet Signet
31%inclusion31 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Lotus Petal
28%inclusion28 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Rakdos Signet
20%inclusion20 decks101 decks
0.9xlift
Resonating Lute
16%inclusion9 decks55 decks
1.5xlift
Thought Vessel
16%inclusion16 decks101 decks
0.9xlift
Mana Vault
14%inclusion14 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Chrome Mox
14%inclusion14 decks101 decks
0.8xlift
Chromatic Lantern
13%inclusion13 decks101 decks
1.6xlift
Commander's Sphere
11%inclusion11 decks101 decks
1.3xlift
Mox Diamond
11%inclusion11 decks101 decks
1.3xlift
Mox Opal
10%inclusion10 decks101 decks
1.3xlift
Mox Amber
6.9%inclusion7 decks101 decks
0.8xlift
Relic of Sauron
6.9%inclusion7 decks101 decks
0.5xlift
Lands
Command Tower
96%inclusion97 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Swamp
95%inclusion96 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Island
94%inclusion95 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Mountain
92%inclusion93 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Steam Vents
80%inclusion81 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Watery Grave
75%inclusion76 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Blood Crypt
72%inclusion73 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Exotic Orchard
61%inclusion62 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Polluted Delta
61%inclusion62 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Scalding Tarn
58%inclusion59 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Xander's Lounge
56%inclusion57 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Bloodstained Mire
56%inclusion57 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Sulfur Falls
55%inclusion56 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Drowned Catacomb
53%inclusion54 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Shivan Reef
50%inclusion51 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Dragonskull Summit
50%inclusion51 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Training Center
50%inclusion50 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Morphic Pool
47%inclusion47 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Luxury Suite
45%inclusion45 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Crumbling Necropolis
38%inclusion38 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Underground River
38%inclusion38 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Stormcarved Coast
37%inclusion37 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Mana Confluence
30%inclusion30 decks101 decks
1.3xlift
Thundering Falls
30%inclusion30 decks101 decks
1.5xlift
City of Brass
30%inclusion30 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Sunken Hollow
29%inclusion29 decks101 decks
0.9xlift
Cascade Bluffs
29%inclusion29 decks101 decks
1.3xlift
Undercity Sewers
27%inclusion27 decks101 decks
1.6xlift
Shipwreck Marsh
27%inclusion27 decks101 decks
0.9xlift
Sulfurous Springs
27%inclusion27 decks101 decks
0.7xlift
Smoldering Marsh
25%inclusion25 decks101 decks
0.9xlift
Reflecting Pool
25%inclusion25 decks101 decks
1.6xlift
Raucous Theater
23%inclusion23 decks101 decks
1.5xlift
Badlands
21%inclusion21 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Haunted Ridge
21%inclusion21 decks101 decks
0.9xlift
Sink into Stupor
19%inclusion19 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Volcanic Island
19%inclusion19 decks101 decks
0.9xlift
Underground Sea
18%inclusion18 decks101 decks
0.8xlift
Temple of Epiphany
18%inclusion18 decks101 decks
1.9xlift
Riverglide Pathway
17%inclusion17 decks101 decks
1.7xlift
Wooded Foothills
16%inclusion16 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Seething Landscape
15%inclusion15 decks101 decks
1.3xlift
Arid Mesa
15%inclusion15 decks101 decks
1.1xlift
Sunken Ruins
15%inclusion15 decks101 decks
1.8xlift
Waterlogged Teachings
15%inclusion15 decks101 decks
0.5xlift
Flooded Strand
15%inclusion15 decks101 decks
0.9xlift
Fell the Profane
14%inclusion14 decks101 decks
1.2xlift
Misty Rainforest
14%inclusion14 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
Izzet Boilerworks
14%inclusion14 decks101 decks
2.0xlift
Verdant Catacombs
14%inclusion14 decks101 decks
1.0xlift
About UsContactPrivacy PolicyTerms of Service
Space Cow MediaArchidektCardsphereCommander SpellbookFABRECSpellvoid
Space Cow MediaArchidektCommander's Herald
Commander SpellbookFABRECSpellvoid
EDHREC is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
next@15 test