Sphere of Influence: March 7, 2025

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

Aetherdrift brought back the cycling mechanic, which has huge implications in Commander where flexibility reigns supreme. Here are a few of the best new cards with cycling that are absolutely worth picking up at their cheaper price.

Agonasaur Rex - $0.50

Every one of this card's modes is relevant at some point. It can be a cheap, trampling creature, provide trample to another fattie, or save your best thing from a board wipe - and, for the latter two modes, draw a card as well. Agonasaur Rex can be customized to fit your needs while slotting effortlessly into any green stompy deck.

Spectacular Pileup - $0.50

Most Commander decks have no chance of winning without a board wipe or two, but there's always a danger of drawing it at an awkward time, after which it sits in your hand doing nothing. Spectacular Pileup solves for this situation and remains affordable, mana-wise, while containing a clause that removes one of the strongest keywords.

Valor's Flagship - $1

Decree of Justice has mostly fallen out of favor, and while I doubt Valor's Flagship is that much better, it definitely edges the card out by providing a more suitable alternative to its token mode. The incidental lifelink adds up, especially because the Vehicle survives most board wipes (though not the above entry).

Webstrike Elite - $0.50

Two mana for a 3/3 reach creature is a good deal in 60-card constructed even if it's only so-so in Commander. But the card's cycling mode gets around counter-magic and provides a nice cantrip late in the game in a color that often doesn't cantrip well. Give it a shot; worst case, it triggers Beast Whisperer and Guardian Project.

Complete the Cycling

Any other cycling cards I missed that you love? How about older cycling cards you always include in your Commander decks? Let me know!