MTG - Upgrading Commander Precon: Jeskai Striker (Shiko and Narset, Unified)

Did you miss Narset?

The last set, Tarkir: Dragonstorm, gave us five theme decks - one for each clan in this plane.

We've already upgraded Mardu Surge (Zurgo Stormrender), and now it's time to upgrade Jeskai Striker, the precon commanded by Shiko and Narset, Unified!

Furthermore, we'll also show you an alternative list for this Jeskai precon. With many support cards for Elsha, the alternative commander from the original list, you'll fill your board with Monks!

Before we discuss this list, let's see what the original commander in this precon does.

Narset is one of the most popular Tarkir characters in Magic: The Gathering. If you didn't recognize her in this new artwork, it's probably because she is older. You certainly know her younger versions:

These versions are quite powerful, but Narset actually started standing out after she was confirmed to be the first autistic character in Magic: The Gathering.

Alongside Shiko, the Jeskai spirit Dragon, Narset leads her clan as "Master of the Way". Yet, in this list, she'll lead your deck to victory, as she'll let you copy target spells or draw more cards each turn.

This deck's alternative commander is Elsha, Threefold Master, a Jeskai Monk designed for decks that focus on non-creature spells. With her, you'll be able to set up very explosive turns.

As soon as you open the box, these are the cards you'll find:

Now, let's start upgrading it!

Burn

The original list includes cards that deal damage directly to any target, that is, burn cards.

These are in the original precon:

Cards We Removed

We recommend you remove a few of them and add a few other effects in their place. Personally, we removed:

Tokens

A very popular strategy in Jeskai decks is creating tokens, particularly with Prowess.

Here are a few cards that create Treasure tokens:

Cards We Added

Let's take advantage of the two slots we created by removing a few burn cards to add:

Emrakul's Messenger creates tokens when you draw your second card every turn, and you can sacrifice these tokens to create colorless mana or use them to defend yourself.

Kykar, Wind's Fury is a classic card in Jeskai decks. Its ability creates Spirit tokens that you can then sacrifice to create red mana .

Voice of Victory is a new creature, released in this very set. With its Mobilize, whenever it attacks, you'll create a tapped 1/1 Warrior token that will attack with it. Furthermore, this card also prevents your opponents from casting spells on your turn, and, as such, protects you from any possible answers.

Finally, with Irenicus's Vile Duplication, you'll be able to create a copy of your commander or another relevant creature in this deck. If that is the second spell you cast on your turn, you'll be able to copy it with Shiko and Narset, Unified.

Cards We Removed

We suggest you remove:

Discounting Costs

An important support for Jeskai decks is anything that discounts costs. The original list includes:

Cards We Added

We suggest you add a very famous and feared Kirin Spirit to this list.

With flying and trample, Hinata, Dawn-Crowned discounts the cost of any target spell that you cast, and increases the cost of any target spell your opponents cast.

For instance, if your opponent casts a Chaos Warp, this spell will cost four mana in total. If you cast Chaos Warp, it will only cost two mana.

I have built a Commander deck around this creature, with many auras, and believe me when I say: I was never sad when I saw it on my board.

Cards We Removed

Mana Rocks and Ramp

Adding a bunch of cool spells to this list is nice and all, but we need mana to cast them. Luckily, this precon includes the following mana rocks:

Cards We Added

This original list already has the main mana rocks in this color combination, but we want to make it even better.

We added Talisman of Creativity because it is a low-cost mana rock that creates the two mana colors that our spells use the most.

Cards We Removed

Card Draw

Whoever added card draw to this list did it with a lot of love.

Cards We Added

Jeskai Ascendancy is both card draw and a way to discard cards - it also adds a lot of flavor to this deck, as it is a Jeskai spell. As for Stella Lee, Wild Card, it adds a lot of value to this deck because it is an impulsive draw and its ability lets you tap and copy your next instant or sorcery.

Leaving card draw aside a bit, another valuable addition is Bria, Riptide Rogue. This Otter buffs your creatures and lets you make one unblockable that turn. This is critical when you need to deal damage with Shiko and Narset.

Cards We Removed

This is our final, upgraded list:

We decided to play Elsha, Threefold Master as our commander in this alternative list. As she creates tokens with prowess, we've kept most of the instants and sorceries in the original list, but added enchantments and other cards that create value from tokens.

Warleader's Call and Impact Tremors deal burn damage when tokens enter your board, and Unquestioned Authority, Gift of Immortality, and Aqueous Form help Elsha deal damage to your opponents.

The original precon is already a powerful list, as well as very consistent. Early on, Aligned Heart and similar may guarantee a win, while Ancestral Vision and others will be dead cards in your hand. Consider your options carefully when you decide to upgrade this list, as you can add many alternative strategies to it and adapt it to your taste.

What did you think of this list? Did you get any Tarkir: Dragonstorm precon? If so, which one? Tell us all about it in our comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!