Sphere of Influence: October 10, 2025

Agent Venom | Illustrated by Kevin Sidharta

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

The results are in: players are generally underwhelmed by Spider-Man, and the lackluster sales data and anecdotal tales back this up. Still, the set is full of bangers that are going to perform admirably in Commander decks, and it's worth grabbing the ones you like while folks have written off the set. Here are some of the best:

Jackal, Genius Geneticist - $0.50

Good lord, does this commander pop off. Much like Animar, Soul of Elements, it's not difficult to accrue tremendous value once Jackal is on the field and you've cast even a tiny number of creatures. Mana dorks, value dorks, cantrip dorks, all manner of dorks would be welcome in this Simic deck. It almost doesn't matter what Jackal's power is because you can flicker 'em whenever you'd like and use Hardened Scales-type effects to beef 'em up if need be. In the 99, Jackal is fun, but in the zone, they're a powerhouse.

Agent Venom - $0.50

Grim Haruspex and Midnight Reaper are already staples, and Agent Venom is pretty much on par with Haruspex while serving as a strictly better upgrade to Reaper. The fact that it has flash means it can enter as a surprise addition to a board state or pop in at the end of an opponent's turn to quickly attack the following turn, enabled by menace. Plus, especially in Commander, the life loss is negligible.

Maximum Carnage - $0.50

This card outshines most Sagas by offering Kardur, Doomscourge text from the get-go, protecting you for a turn cycle and guaranteeing you an activation of its second chapter. Just like Kardur, its chapter one text affects creatures that enter after it does, forcing pesky hasters to attack opponents, as well. Simply cast it during your second main phase to avoid attacking, and you're in the clear.

Daily Bugle Building - $0.25

Every Voltron Commander deck will want one of these in the mix; at worst, it's an untapped colorless land that can fix you in a pinch. The card is akin to Rogue's Passage: menace is worse than giving straight-up unblockability, but a single mana is much less than the four required for Passage. Pick up a dozen while they're in high supply and never look back.

Arachnophobia

What do you think of Spider-Man? Are you joining the chorus of haters or are you one of its defenders? Let me know!