ROCCO IS FEASTING
Okay but Rocco has easily become one of my favorite commander's so far this year. I love that: 1) they are non-binary! My partner and I have both been exploring our gender expression, so it's nice to see MtG exploring that, as well. 2) they're a group hug deck in my favorite type of way- giving everyone cards and letting them play them play more magic, while also being semi-political. "You could kill Rocco, but if you don't, I'll give you some counters...! And, hey, what about those sweet sweet cards?" 3) THEY MAKE FOOD. Food is maybe my favorite thing Magic has done in the last decade. Ton of flavor (haha), utility, and ability to keep you in the game when the aggro opponent is going off. Plus, when you add in cards like Academy Manufactor, Ghirapur Aether Grid, & Food Fight, you can really do some fun, explosive things things. 4) they play with impulsive draw and exiling cards. Their trigger is a ton of fun to build around. From Laelia to Bell Borca to Faldorn, we keep getting powerful creatures that care about the exile zone, and that scratches a very specific itch I have.
Which leads me to my main topic: WOW, these Dr. Who cards are really playing into Rocco's strengths. We're getting some fantastic food synergies and exile triggers! Especially after LTR & WOE's buffet of food cards, I am constantly updating this list. Cannot wait to add Flaming Tyrannosaurus, especially- what an absolute banger.
Generally, the whole Universes Beyond thing has been something I have been fairly mid on. When it started with the Walking Dead, I was pretty put off by the idea. Now that we've been living in the future where Street Fighter, 40k, Stranger Things, and Lord of the Rings cards have been running around our game for years now, though, I guess I've just accepted that this is Magic now, take it or leave it.
I have NO affinity for Dr. Who. I somehow completely dodged the fandom, even when I dated someone with a stuffed dalek. But the passion for these designs leap off the cards, and that passion is infectious. These designs (if a bit convoluted and wordy, just like the source material) are inspired, and there is something so nice about being like, y'know what? Here's this guy with a sandwich, hanging out in my grandpa's garage, and now he's in my commander deck, helping me with Night of the Sweet's Revenge synergy.
I've been working on a Rocco list since Aftermath, but it keeps creeping past that 100 mark... will update once we get a more solid brew! Cheers~
