Sphere of Influence: December 19, 2025

Animate Dead | Illustrated by Anthony Jones

Welcome to Sphere of Influence, a pre-FNM look at some potential movers and shakers that are worth picking up before their prices increase.

Happy almost-holidays, MTG fam! To close out this year, I thought we could focus on some absolute Commander staples that are quite cheap at the moment so you can increase your decks' power levels while saving a pretty penny. Here are some selections that also make great gifts:

Craterhoof Behemoth - $12

This is as much of an auto-win card in green as is available. All it asks is that you grow your board, which shouldn't be an issue with so many great mana dorks running around, then get it onto the battlefield. It doesn't matter how: you can cast it, reanimate it, tutor for it, or what have you. Its $12 price tag is far below $50, which is what it was before its Tarkir: Dragonstorm reprint.

Skullclamp - $5

There are few decks that want to skip running Skullclamp, and those decks are built by fools. Skullclamp is easily the best card draw source in the format because it can slot into every deck, regardless of color. Heck, there are decks that gift opponents 1/1 tokens and may not expect you to drop the 'clamp into play to take advantage of that fact. Wizards has dedicated itself to reprinting this card in just about every Commander precon, but now that those have fallen by the wayside, it's going to be harder to grab a cheap Skullclamp soon.

Animate Dead - $7

Countless other reanimation cards have been printed since this one appeared at the game's inception, but few can compare to the raw power and efficiency offered by Animate Dead. It asks little of you to work and can target opponents' dead creatures, as well. Getting any copies of this card for less than $10 is a significant achievement.

Professional Face-Breaker - $3

Since I've started writing for EDHREC and building 3-4 Commander decks a month, I've noted that just about every red deck I've encountered can make good use of Professional Face-Breaker. It represents ramp and card draw in a menacing package that can get through for some damage and Treasure tokens of its own. Its recent reprint in Final Fantasy Commander has set its price below $5; without another reprint soon, that price is sure to start rising.

Anger - $1.50

This is the best haste-enabler in the format, no question. Because it sits in your graveyard, it's hard to remove unless a deck is running dedicated graveyard hate—more people should, by the way—which makes it more like an anthem than something that can be destroyed. Give it a try and you'll never go back.

'Tis the Season

Are there any Commander staples you've had your eye on that you're thinking of picking up? Any fun holiday plans, MTG-related or otherwise? I hope they're fantastic!